Sheltering In Place

I hope this post finds everyone ok and well.
We have now been on a Shelter In Place order for our second week now. It will last until the end of April. School is out until the end of April and we are not sure about May yet. All of our local schools and surrounding states worked very hard and was very creative in coming up with a system to still educate our children and get their lesson done so no one would fall behind. Assignments have been sent home for possibly the remainder of the year, either on line or by paper packets. Each student has the teachers email and phone number too where they can be reached anytime should them or the parents come across any problems.

I am glad I have stocked up on things here in the house and at my husbands mothers house too. We keep a check on them once a week. I will go pick up whatever they need and just leave it on their front porch. Dear hubby orders anything he can nonperishable. Some items are getting harder to find. Stores now have started limiting items per purchase per household.   They have even implemented store procedures to cut down on traffic in stores and to prevent lingering. Now,  most stores only have one way in and same way out so they can monitor traffic and will only let so many in at a time or square feet.  They will monitor and make sure you are not lingering and taking too long because people are standing in line outside the store. You are to get what you need and get out. Dear hubby does not want me going out unless absolutely necessary.  Only time will be to get my prescriptions filled and even now they have outside pick up. All you have to do is call and let them know you are outside and they will bring it to you. I am thinking of making me a mask in case I should have to get out again.

I know alot of kids are scared right now and do not understand what is going on. I am so glad my grandkids are too young to really know what's going on.

College lessons have resumed for my DIL and public school lessons have resumed for all kids. I have to frequently watch the girls for Jossie so she can have online classes with her teacher and take tests with some of her teachers and she can't exactly do that with toddlers crying,  screaming or fighting in the back ground. So I get to see them some.
I have little preschool lessons with them and we have fun. Atleigh just about made biscuits all by herself one morning under my assistance. Caroline wanted to play in her little kitchen and sink

We had some pretty days and got to play outside and one day I got to finally finish my arbor I've been trying to finish since Fall. I had to finish staining it. Now, all done, 

 I got a chance to go to Lowe's to get everything I needed to plant in our garden before things went haywire. I'm so glad I did. I bought 50 tomato plants,  25 pepper plants, 36 broccoli plants, 30 cabbage plants and 18 cauliflower. I would have gotten more but that was all the cauliflower they had left. My truck was packed.



The girls got to spend the night one night because mommy had a big test she had to take the next morning and needed some quiet time to study so she could take her test early the next morning.  So we got up, ate breakfast and got out side and got our feet and hands in the dirt.
We got all the cold stuff planted and in the ground. They were beginning to get hot and hungry again so we took a little break. When mommy got donewith her test and lessons,  she came and helped us finish. We finished the day with planting 10 zucchini plants, 10 squash plants and two different kinds of watermelons. And we watered them down real good.

Home school lesson for Atleigh and Caroline this morning: "you don't work, you don't eat!"  Atleigh dragging that waterhose saying, " I got this girlfriend!" PRICELESS.     These were two very tired little girls but they worked today. And Jossie sweated just a little. I will have to work her harder next time. 😂😂😂😂😂🍉🥕🍆🌽🌶🥦🍅

They went home to take a much needed nap and I went in a took a much needed shower and took a nap.

After evening I knew I needed to go back out and cover the plants with something to keep the deer and rabbits out until I could cover with hay that Dakota brought me.

I had a few tarps and covered them. The next morning, got up and went out and fertilized and spread hay over them. I'm trying out this method this year in hopes it will cut down on the weeds to make it easier on me.
Got that done just in time before it started raining. Next, I will put up tposts and cattle panels for peppers and tomatoes. I probably plant them next week after last frost date.

My momma celebrated her 74th bday. Too bad I didn't get to spend it with her due to this shelter in place order. 

She is my best friend. I am so glad she was raised in a Christian home and raised us in one as well. She will hit her knees on your behalf and she will also tell it like it is if she has too. She will still have your backside too if need be. I'm still kind of scared of her. I am so glad my kids are close to her just like I was my grandparents. And now her great grandkids. She is a hoot and a force to be reckoned with. She can shoot straighter than most sharp shooters. She can hit a snake right between the eyes on the first shot. I've seen her do it.  She is my rock when I need encouragement and prayer. Happy bday momma, I hope you have many more. 

I am my mother twin 

This week before Easter is known as Holy Week. Each day this week Jesus did something that led up to Easter Sunday. 

You can read about each day here :

https://www.learnreligions.com/holy-week-timeline-700618

It will start you at Palm Sunday and tell you each day what Jesus did and the books and chapters of each 4 gospels you can read about it. 

It has been very enlightening.  

 We have had a tragedy strike our family in the last few days.  One of my husbands nephews was killed in a vehicle accident. The family is not able to have a traditional funeral service due to restrictions of social distancing and regulations at this time at funeral homes.  So they have decided to cremate and have a memorial service this weekend with possibly everyone staying in their vehicles. We are not sure of the details yet. Please keep our family in your prayers. 

We will continue to pray for everyone during this time in our country as well. 

I hope everyone stays safe and well in the next few days and weeks to come. 

GOD BLESS.

Handy Ideas

Running out of prepackaged foods?
Google:
Homemade and enter the item you want to make and wholah! Alot of ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
Try getting creative with what you already have on hand. If these people on Chopped can do it, so can we

Instead of buying the individual boxes of popcorn which costs way more, make your own bags. Pour 1/2 cup kernels into  a paper sack.  Fold down top of bag about 3 times, place in microwave  with fold down so it will stay closed, press the popcorn button on microwave and it will pop. Wholah!

One pork loin made two dinners. First night,  pork roast with steamed broccoli and cheese and steamed carrots. Second night, bbq pizza

.

Bananas going bad, make banana muffins.

Project For Today

Pizzas are a favorite staple in this house. We love our homemade pizzas and they go quick. Project for today: prep some dough and put in freezer for quick access. Prepare dough (recipe attached), put onto a floured piece of wax or parchment paper, wrap up, place in a piece of aluminum foil, wrap up again really tight, place in ziploc FREEZER bag,  and squeeze all air out, label outside with date and what kind of dough. Put in freezer immediately because they will start to rise because they have yeast. Pull out night before and place in fridge or take out morning of and let it thaw. After it has thawed,  remove all wrapping, place on floured surface and prep pizza as normal. You're welcome. ❤☝️🍕🍕🍕

Hope Everyone Is Doing Good

I hope this post finds everyone doing good and you are all well.  

I know we are all beginning to go stir crazy, however,  with more cases popping up and now some cases are around us and now in our area, it is getting a little overwhelming.  I'm not scared of this virus because there are plenty more of people that are getting it but are recovering just as well. The media doesn't want to report that. 

Dear hubby is getting worried about me though because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and my immune system is compromised so there's that. He orders alot of things for us that are non perishable so I don't have to get out. If it is something that is perishable then I get in and out quickly making sure to practice good hygiene.  I spray things off when I bring them in or out on porch. When something arrives, I open it outside and spray it before bringing it in. 

I keep a watch on my mother in law and grandmother.  Dear hubby is worried about them and hates he can't be here to take care of us. He is one of those essential employees. 

It is a scarey time right now but this will pass and we will get through this. I'm not living in fear but I do know and understand to be cautious. 

Alot of people are out of their comfort zones right now with being laid off work and being home with the kids. Some parents are going crazy and saying their kids are driving them nuts.  Well, now they are seeing what the teachers have to go through and have probably learned alot of appreciation for teachers. Why would people not enjoy being with their kids and using this time to their advantage to slow down and enjoy being with family? 

I love being around my kids. Some people are taking advantage of this and enjoying their families and it's like a breath of fresh air. 

Alot of parents are worried because of going a few weeks without pay but relief is coming and help is out there thanks to some great leaders. We just have to be patient.  

People are not panic buying as bad and that's good but still need to stock pantries and freezers and that's understandable. We just have to be smart about it. 

Alot of parents are out of their comfort zone with Homeschooling.  I can understand this. However, I'm not having that problem because mine is a Jr in high school and he knows what to do. But, if he was younger I would still have no problem because I am not new to Homeschooling because we did it for the first 6 yrs of our boys education. You can check out our Homeschooling page on our blog. I enjoyed every minute of it even the bad days when no one was in the mood and cranky. Even the days we fussed and fought. I kind of miss it. 

There is plenty of educational websites out there to help with schooling and right now alot are offering free sign ups.  There are some virtual tours on websites too for education.  

There are plenty more. This is just a few.  You can Google it and all sorts comes up.  

I think we have all just gotten so use to modern day habits and practices that we forgot that our ancestors did all these things themselves before things improved and discovered.  Fathers and Mothers taught the children. Mothers cooked the meals and did the cleaning. Fathers worked an provided wether it was outside the home or in the fields. 

We can do this people, we just have to get creative and back to basics. Balance things. Spread out responsibilities. I said this on my Homemaking page on our blog, there is nothing that you can't teach a child at any given age. Now is a good time to be teaching life lessons and skills. Take every opportunity to teach something. Embrace the chaos right now. Make the most of a somewhat bad situation. 

Moms that were once working and didn't have time or energy to come home and cook, get back in the kitchen and make those meals, learn some new techniques,  enjoy making homemade meals for your family again and baking. Get the kids to help,  they will remember this for a long time. Fathers,  complete some of those projects on your honey do list. Get the kids to help, they can learn.  

People who are still working, I pray for your safety as you still have to get out into the public. Please take care of yourself and practice safe guidelines. 

We all need to pray for and appreciate everyone in the medical field. They are exposed everyday and are putting their life on the line for people. They are being traumatized and stressed out when something goes wrong and they see death come. It is not all lovely. 

Let's stand firm in this time and make the most of it 

We are getting creative with technology and can still enjoy our worship services in our churches thanks to internet and videos.  

I hope people use this time to mend marriages, fixed broken relationships,  detox from addiction, hold fast to loved ones etc. 

We still need to take heed of practicing safe guidelines and following them. 

We can actually learn some things from the Depression Era. As a matter of fact that could be a good History Lesson. Moms, shop from the pantries before grocery shopping. I love watching Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com and her ideas of shelf cooking and meal planning. Check out her channel on YouTube.  She is so frugal and is so smart. She has to be. They have 8 kids. 

She has so many mom hacks and her husband is awesome too. I follow alot of her ideas and it has helped me tremendously.  

Meanwhile, we have prepped and prepared in our house and this goes on:

Yes! I tell them there is plenty they just have to get creative. These kids eat alot 

I am setting on ready waiting for the last frost date so I can get my fingers and feet in the dirt and start planting. 

We had a night of bad storms come through and the power went out.  Stayed out for a while. Our oldest who works for our power company got on the phone and called some guys who were on a crew that had already been called out and told them. Not even an hour later, he was called out around 11 pm. Talk about a momma praying. It was still thundering and lightning and pouring down rain. He didn't get home until after 3am. Power was restored around 1am. 

A town in AR was just demolished and I pray for their rebuilding. 

We have had some beautiful days here and I have opened every window to let fresh air and sunshine in. 

Love the breezes and hearing the birds singing. 

Well, it's a new day of a new week and I've got to cook this hungry kid some breakfast. Then he may have some lessons to do and then we have work and cleaning to do. 

Please make the most of this time and try to enjoy yourselves despite all that is going on. 

Cya...and God Bless. 

Finally, A Beautiful Day

Today was so beautiful. We finally got to get out and get fresh air and sunshine. It has rained on and off non stop for a month now. We finally got to break ground for the garden. I love the smell of fresh tilled dirt.

And these girls love to help me feed the birds.

Can't wait to start planting things. However,  you can't  go anywhere because of this virus thing. Finally get some dry ground and can't do anything yet. 🙄

Oh well, maybe it want be too much longe..

Task For Today

Project for today.  10 lb bag of dried pinto beans equals about 17 to 20 qts.
A few days ago I bought 3-5lb bags of potatoes when they were on sale for $1.99 a bag and processed them as french fries, hashbrowns or potato rounds. About 10 to 15 meals worth.
I did not do this just because of this virus thing. I do this all the time to have them on hand when I want them. It saves money.

If you would like to know how I process our potatoes, go to our Canning/Preserving page and I talk about all the vegetable I can or preserve for the freezer. Also, how we process and package our meat we buy in bulk. 

Breakfast of Champions

When you cook breakfast for a teenager,  it can look a little something like this

Happy Quarantine

Several New Pages

I have taken the time to add several new pages to my blog. It has taken me years to compile these pages over the years. I hope you enjoy all the valuable content on each page.

Some pics on the pages of my fellow blogger friends are watermarked thanks to Photobucket changing their Terms Of Service Policy on us.

We hope you bare with us for those pics.

Just look for the titles of the pages under my title and you will see all the page titles.

Thank you so much for stopping by and hanging out with me as I blog my journey.

Added A New Page

I would just like to let everyone know that I have added a new page to my blog. It is called Canning and Preserving. On this page I share tips to how we can and preserve our food and fill our freezers and pantries. Just look under my Header Box under the blog title and you will find it. Just click on it. 

I will be adding more pages to our blog as time permits. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

Just Going To Share Some Tips

Today I had to venture out to the grocery store to get us some more things that were on my list that I did not find at Walmart the other day when went and to also pick up some things for some more older relatives so they wouldn't have to get out.

I got back home and began to repackage and prep some things and got to thinking that I could share the process with ya'll that I use to put things in my freezer. 

We always buy our meat in bulk or stock up when they run sales like .99 lb for chicken  or hamburger meat. Granted, we also have ground deer from our hunting season. When they run these kinds of sales, I will go and buy around 20 to 40 lbs at a time. Kroger runs very good sales and it costs nothing to get their member card.  It is free and no annual membership. Member with the card gets better sales than with out the card. I will bring this meat home and repackage it into meals for three of us, then put it in vacuum seal bags so it doesn't get freezer burnt. This really stretches your meals out and it saves  a ton of money. One big chicken breasts can be cut in half lengthwise and make two fillets. Again, a big savings. If you go every time they have  a sale on their meat and pick up several packages, you can fill your freezer in no time. You don't have to spend more money all at one time buying in bulk.

I will buy bags of potatoes when they go on sale and come home and cut them up into french fries, scallop shape, or cubes and partially cook them and put in ziploc freezer bags for meals and then put in freezer to have on hand anytime. This saves more money than buying prepared bags of ff or that sort. I just grab a bag and let them defrost and then fry them up or bake them. Sometimes I will cube them up and can them.

We buy beans in bulk when they go on sale and I can those and put in our pantry. I buy bulk things like beans and onions because I have tried to grow them before but haven't had much success for all the labor that I put into them. If I can't grow them, then I will buy them in bulk and can them. I did some carrots one time too when they were on sale for .99 a bag.  I've never had any luck growing carrots either. 

One year we did grow potatoes and put so much labor into them and had a good year. Then next, not so good. So I just decided it was better to just buy potatoes when they were on sale and put them up that way. It worked perfect and I could use that garden space for something else that I grow really well. 

I will buy blocks of cheeses when they go on sale and stock up. I will shred them up and repackage them into 1 cup portions and put them in ziploc bags and put in freezer. We make alot of homemade pizzas and we go through alot of cheese. 

I do onions the same way. I tried to grow onions too to no avail. So I will buy them by the bags and run them through the food processor and repackage them into 1 cup portions and vacuum seal them and put them into freezer. 

Basically, if you catch things when they go on sale, repackage them, and freeze them, you will have a freezer full in no time and will save more money. 

People do not know alot of these tricks and wind up spending more money. This is how manufactures make their money is doing all the prep work for you and packaging it and charging more. Another example, I will buy a whole pineapple and bring it home and cut it up myself and put it in a bowl and save more money than spending more at the store for pineapple that is already cut up and put in plastic containers and jacked the price up by $2 or $3. 

I have thought about making pizza dough and bread dough and freezing it to have on hand and just pull out of the freezer to thaw and be faster. Tips like these save time. It's called food prep. Yes, you will have to set aside some time to do this prep, but in the long run it makes meal time faster if you are in a hurry or getting off work late and everyone still has to eat. 

We just have to play it smart and shop wisely and get creative. 

I hope some of these tips have helped you today. 

Let's Play Catchup

Hi everybody. It's been a while since I've posted again. Facebook is just too convienient sometimes to just pop in and post something. I forget that people like blogs too.

Let's see if I can catch every one up again.

We had the opportunity to go to another rodeo in a local town. This one Dallas got to be a part of. The FFA signed up for an event called a calf scramble. Alot of local schools could participate and represent their Chapter. The first night of the event our school took first place. The next night we weren't so lucky. I was proud of Dallas and his team. They were just not fast enough to catch one.

Jossie and the girls rode with me and Dakota was running late.

The girls have done a good job helping me keep the seeds we planted watered but for some reason I have not had any success this year. I will replant some that I have time to, but the rest like cold season stuff , I will just have to buy the plants If I want to have any. 

I have been catching up on somemore sewing projects that I wanted to. The girls love to help me some times. I love teaching them or for the most part right now, letting them watch. 

I found a cool trick to gather fabric with my serger. All you do is pinch slightly on the needle threads while you serge. Wholah! The tighter you pinch, the more the gather. Worked like a charm and so much faster. 

I made the girls another apron a piece made from Pioneer Woman dish towels. Then I made little back packs using her place mats. These were too easy too. I found the videos on YouTube. The back packs are from Lorrie Nunemaker. She has a series of videos for Placemat Pouches. They are all very cool and easy. I will be making somemore from her videos. 

I have has so much fun with the girls here lately. One morning we made rainbow pancakes. Thanks to Jennifer from The Family Fudge on YouTube. This woman  makes cool lunches and she has so many fun great fun ideas. You just make your pancake dough and then split into seperate bowls one for each color of the rainbow and add drops of fool coloring. Stir until well combined. Pour onto pan and cook like regular pancakes remembering to keep heat low so you don't get brown spots and mess up your color. They turned out so good and very colorful. 

Our girls are really into Frozen.....so one day we had Frozen Day. They dressed in something with Elsa and Anna and we took the blue pancakes we made the day before and decorated them with blue sprinkles and snow sprinkles and whipcream for snow effect. Then we watched both Frozen movies. 

One night I made some broccoli and cauliflower soup in my pressure cooker and homemade bread. Yummy.

One night I turned the tables and had Dallas and Brylee make me supper. LOL. I showed them how to make homemade pizza. Well, Dallas already knew how so he showed Brylee. 

I'm so loving the birds all coming out more now. I sit by my bedroom window in the mornings and have my coffee and ready my devotions and prayer time and I caught this one morning. 

For St. Patrick's Day we had another fun day. Since schools are out (I will get to that in a bit), we made rainbow pancakes again and everyone picked the color of the rainbow they wanted. Then they could decorate it the way they wanted. 

Then we made shamrock cookies. We let the girls decorate these all by themselves. With minimal help. 

For the most fun of all, we made rainbow bread. This was the coolest project ever. We had Math, Chemistry and Home Economics all in one class. 

Then we laughed, played and rested. 

The temps are crazy and going up and down. So, on a good day, we got to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. Just little girls feeding the cat some popcorn. 

They spent the night with me one night and we had popcorn, fire in the firplace and Happy Feet playing. 

Dear hubby is off working and I got to make a weekend trip to see him. New place, new adventure. He will be called back this summer for another project so it should be interesting. 

Now, onto all the chaos with this Coronavirus thing. I am not going to get into politics or opinions on this topic here on my blog. I will just say this: I think we all just need to calm the heck down. Don't get crazy, take precautions, take care of ourselves and our families, check on our neighbors, pray more, worry less, don't stress, and enjoy this time with our loved ones.

God is not surprised and he knows exactly what he's doing. There is your Sunday Tidbit. Today is the Lord's day let us be glad and rejoice in it.

I hope this post finds everyone well and safe. Please take care of yourselves and God Bless.