Kim's Absolute Favorite Herb Mix

I use this on SO much! I found the 1st 3 ingredients in a book & then experimented w/other ingredients & amounts until this worked best. I spinkle it on chicken breasts (in olive oil w/a little Spike Seasoning...see below), hamburgers, pork chops; ALL Italian dishes or sauces; I use it in dips, soups, stews, oil & vinegar dressings, herb butter, herb bread...it's an all-around awesome mix!

~1 c. dried parsley
~1/2 c. dried dill weed
~1/4 c. dried chives
~1/2 c. dried oregano
~1/4 c. dried thyme
~1/4 c. dried basil ~ optional

1) Mix together in a bowl w/a whisk & put into your favorite container. Makes 2-1/2 c.

2) This amount fits perfectly in a Kraft parmesan cheese shaker.

3) FYI...my favorite way to use this is on boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In a med-hot skillet, lay your chicken breasts in a little olive oil, spinkle a little bit of Spike natural seasoning & as much of this herb mix as you like (experiment!). Heat through. I suggest serving with broccoli & yellow rice OR long grain & wild rice. ENJOY!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><

REVIEW: The Encyclopedia of Country Living

By Carla Emery~

I have this wonderful dream. My dream is to live out in the country on a small parcel of land where we can have a couple of horses for our girls, raise my own herbs and a few veggies…maybe even a couple of dairy goats or alpacas. If it were to happen, I would really like to go into this with as few surprises as possible. I think one way I can knock off many of those surprises is to read The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery.

This incredible book has just been updated for the 9th time! I just can’t imagine anything about country living that isn’t in here. The newest edition now has websites and mail-order information.

One the best parts of the book is the very first chapter: Oddments. This chapter is a primer on living self-sufficiently and simply. There are things in here that I’m sure many of us have NEVER thought of: how climate can effect how you build, there are actually schools of country living, giving birth by yourself and…did you know that it’s legal in 41 states to care for your own dead?! :-/

But this book is also absolutely full of useful and entertaining information that anyone from the city slicker who just wants to grow window herbs, to the back-woods camper, to those who really want to live a primitive, simple life-style can use in daily living. Carla Emery has thought of everything, assembled it in a very readable format and writes in such a personal, inviting way. You will find it so hard to put this massive, nearly 900 page volume down.

New farm families and interested homeschoolers will benefit immensely from her information on animal breeding, cleaning fish, selecting the best laying hens, questions to ask yourself before buying a goat, slaughtering/butchering cows and pigs, milking cows and goats, making cheeses, raising and drying herbs, home businesses, bee keeping, rabbit breeding, animal housing and fencing, homemade cosmetics, gardening for everyone from the beginner to the pro. This list doesn’t even scratch the surface!

I do, however, recommend that a parent monitor while youngsters are reading this. Carla is not rude or immodest, but she is very frank in dealing with reproductive issues in the animal world. You need to judge how mature your own children are regarding what they do and don’t know (and what you do and don’t want them to know) about subjects that could effect their modesty.

This is one of the most interesting books I have in my home library. I cant’ think of anything anyone might want to know about country living that wouldn’t be in this book!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><

Inside the Farm Stores

Last week I took you with me, via pictures, on a 'tour' of the little farm stores that local German Baptist families have in my area. http://marmeespantry.blogspot.com/2010/01/winters-drive-to-farm-stores.html As promised, I am now posting the re-print (from another blog's post from last year) of an inside 'tour' of the farm stores that I go to. Enjoy the trip..........

~~~~~~~

I made my weekly trip this past Saturday and the owners gave me permission to take a few pictures - NOW you can see what the farm store I shop at look like inside!

The first place that I usually stop at is Stoney Creek Market.

This family is German Baptist (not Old Order) and has electricity, only they use it minimally. This store sits at the end of their driveway, right between the house and barn. The shop's contents are a little different every time you go - they deal in scratch n dent items (I don't mind paying 17 cents for a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup just b/c the can is DENTED!!), buy-outs from over stocks and products who's packaging is changing. As you can probably see, there are many name brand items.

Above is isle #1. Actually, I think this pic makes it look bigger than it is, but you can see that they have packed shelves. Starbucks coffee for $2.99 a bag, anyone?!

Here's isle #2 and the recently added freezer section. Expantion is GOOD!

When you come in the door you find the health/beauty section, some homemade shopping bags made out of sweat-shirts! Beside that is a little refrigerator - how would you like a bottle of Tazo Tea for 49 cents?!?! ($1.99 @ a deli!) I shop at this store before I go to the larger stores (Krogers, Meijer, etc.). What I don't get here, I get at the larger places. I can get 3 boxes FULL of groceries for around $50 here!

After I leave Stoney Creek, my next stop is the Old Order farm (they live like the Amish) where I get my brown eggs and whole milk. [Click on the link above.] After I stop there, I go on to The Flour Barrel. This shop is actually an addition onto the back of the home of a German Baptist lady. If I could have a home business THIS is what I would like to have...this is the 'model' for Marmee's Pantry!

As you walk in the door you take in all the lovely herbal smells...ahhh. It's great. You can see here that this is a bulk food store. Not only does she have food/baking/cooking/canning items, but she also has a lovely assortment of cookbooks and Christian books (from a German Baptist point of view) [~~ I would like to have small homeschool & cookbook sections in Marmee's Pantry]...

Here is a lovely shopper who let me take her picture . You can see the wonderful assortments of flour, sweeteners, noodles, pastas, beans, bean soups, nuts, oils, flavorings, honey, apple butter, yeast...etc...

Below, is the other side the the center isle...here you can find homemade jello mixes, Bigelow teas, all sorts of bulk treats like licorice, pretzels, cheeto-type snacks, mints, etc. See that back left corner? That's any kind of herb or spice that you can think of! She also has all sorts of cute cookie cutters. See the curtain in the back? That goes into the owner's house.

And I would I would be remiss if I didn't show you that, yes, there actually ARE flour barrels! lol You can also see that there are corn meals, flaxseed meal, bread flour, wheat flour, rye flour, spelt...any type of baking necessity you can think of.

Now you can see why I love "my" little farm shops! I wish I could have gotten photos of the lovely ladies who own these shops, but they, like the Amish, do not like to have their photos taken, but they were most happy for me to show you into their shops and extend and glad "welcome"!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Do You Ask God?

James 4:2 & 3 – “You want something but don’t get it…You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

“Boy, I sure do wish I could get that new homeschool science book for next year – if only we had the money”…"If only Hubby could get that new job..."...”Oh, if only my girls will marry a godly man…”…”Wouldn’t it be great if only...if only…if only…if only…”

I have come to a realization – after being a Christian for “ONLY” 27+ years! – that I am settling. I am settling for the mediocre, the mundane, the “good enoughs.” I’ve had it with settling!

Now, don’t get me wrong…I am NOT a “name it, claim it” person. If the Lord’s will is “no,” then “no” it is. But it has come to my own attention that I’ve been praying for, and believing in answers to prayer for everyone else but myself and my home. Isn’t that craziness?! Why is it that I seem to think that my prayers are for everyone else in my life but me and mine?! I know…crazy.

And the really nutty thing is, I’ve SEEN God answer my prayers over and over and over again in the last 27 years of my walk with Him – when my husband was laid off (the first time) for 7 months and we were still homeschooling at the time and couldn’t afford new curriculum, I was asked to review products for The Old Schoolhouse magazine and – lo and behold – wouldn’t you just know it, EVERYTHING I was asked to review “just happened” to be items that we needed for our school year! Huh. Did I ask? Yes. Did I receive? “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me ABUNDANTLY, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:4)

Like you, I’ve prayed for and watched people get healed, accept Jesus as their Savior; seen my girls accomplish wonderful things…Huh. Did I ask? Yes. Did I receive? Abundantly!

But there are other times when I knowingly don’t ask. What’s wrong with me? I KNOW that the Lord wants me to ask, why don’t I? Now, I’m not saying that I don’t believe that the Lord will answer my prayers, I KNOW that He does answer…it just seems that I pray for the “bigger things” for others and not myself or my family. I used to, what happened? I’m SO sorry Lord, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

As I said, I’m NOT a “name it, claim it” person – but what have I missed because I have not asked? I certainly know that if I should pray for something that’s not in the Lord’s will, or is for selfish use, that the Lord will graciously say “no.” I welcome that. But WHAT have I MISSED? I’m willing to find out. I’m willing to once again be the prayer warrior that I used to be! I’m willing to ask and watch EXPECTANTLY for His loving answer – even if it’s “no.” I’m willing to watch my family once again blossom under His umbrella of blessing.

Won’t you join me?

{Pictured are 2 places where I'm praying about opening up Marmee's Pantry bulk food store!}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><

Our Places on the Team

I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”

Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never fear…SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her. But…does that really bring peace to the situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?

There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.

As homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.

In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!
God has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!

Moreover, what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.” What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household this time of year, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?

As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25)

I certainly realize that we homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already…but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#61~ 1/11/10

For Today...

Outside my window...white, white & more white. With more on the way.

I am thinking...that this is a sad anniversary. 24 years ago this morning, our 1st gorgeous little girl, Jessica, died of SIDS at 12-1/2 weeks old.

I am thankful for...restoration. The Lord restored my 'mommy's heart' by giving us 2 other beautiful daughters.

From the kitchen...it's a bread baking day! There's nothing like the smell (& taste!) of fresh bread right out of the oven. (See my December posting of my flaxseed bread recipe.)

I am wearing...jeans, turtle neck, warm socks.

I am remembering…blessings.

I am going…to take DD#2 to work, run a few errands.

I am reading..."Lie Women Believe" for Sunday School. I'm hunting for my copy of "The Ragamuffin Gospel" to re-read...can't find it yet.

I am hoping...that 2010 will be an awesome year for our family.

On my mind…my mom.

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...the radio, my DD#2 getting ready for work.

Noticing that…my hot coffee mug feels so good to my cold fingers! :-)

Pondering these words…"The quetions is, do we really believe God is bigger than any human authority? Do we believe He is big enough to change that authority's heart if necessary? Do we believe He is big enough to protect us if we take our rightful place under authority? Do we believe He knows what is best for us, & are we willing to trust Him to fulfill His perfect, eternal purposes for our lives?" ~ "Lies Women Believe", p. 150, Ch. 6~"Lies Women Beleive...About Marriage."

Around the house...cleaning up from the weekend, laundry, baking, brushing out the dog...

One of my favorite things...yesterday morning, on the way to church, EVERYTHING was COVERED w/what the Bible refers to as a 'hoary frost'! EVERYTHING was COVERED w/white!! All the limbs of every tree & bush was exquisitely detailed & then surrounded by frosty fog. It was one of the most beautiful mornings I've ever seen. Seriously. If I would have had my camera I may never have made it to church. Wish I had a photo to show you! :-/

A Scripture thought... "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." ~II Cor. 10:3-4. [emphasis mine~KW<><]

A few plans for the rest of the week...a club I'm in w/ladies from our church, "Cuisine Queens", are meeting tonight for a demo/sampling of Korean food! Mmmmm...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A favorite Currier & Ives from 1870~A Home in the Wilderness.

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Winter on Our Homefront

When winter winds are piercing chill,
And through the hawthorn blows the gale,
With solemn feet I tread the hill,
That overbrows the lonely vale.

Where, twisted round the barren oak,
The summer vine in beauty clung,
And summer winds the stillness broke,
The crystal icicle is hung.

Alas! how changed from the fair scene,
When birds sang out their mellow lay,
And winds were soft, and woods were green,
And the song ceased not with the day!

Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear
Has grown familiar with your song;
I hear it in the opening year,
I listen, and it cheers me long.

{Longfellow}

Josh Harris ~ Turning Away from Evil

Don't forget to turn the music off at the botton of the page before you listen to the sermon! K<><

A Winter's Drive to the Farm Stores

{FYI~~This is a reprint of a blog entry I did February '09 on a different blog. But since I still frequent these great Old Order German Baptist farm stores AND since it's cold & snowy like it was the day I posted this (although instead of the 2" we had that day, we have 4-5" now!!), I thought I would repost. I'm sure there's someone out there who didn't see it the 1st time who will enjoy it today. And, possibly tomorrow, I'll repost the entry w/photos inside the German Baptist stores I shop at!!}

Well, the "dusting" of snow we were to get last night turned into about 2"...2 very slick inches. But I needed milk this morning so I scraped the snow off of my car while the defrost ran and then our little dog, Maggie, and I were off for our very slow-going 'adventure' in the country to get our brown eggs and milk.
Maggie just LOVES car rides. This is her seat of choice.

As our adventure went along we had to go rather slow as the roads weren't salted very well, if at all. Ice-covered trees and shrubs are so lovely on wintry roads. I love it when the sun shine shines on the icey branches.

I didn't have to stop here today, but this is the little discount grocery store that I shop at before I go to any of the major groceries around. Stoney Creek Market is next to the house on a German Baptist farm; they built this neat little building for their store. I'm here at least once a week.

Just past Stoney Creek Market is the local Old Order German Baptist Meeting House (they live like Amish)...below is the hitching lot where they park their buggies when they arrive. You can also see one of the out-houses; there's one for ladies and one for men.

Just a little farther and we see the BIG HONKIN' grain elevator that is next to the farm where I get the brown eggs and milk. You can see this elevator for miles, as the land around is rather flat, so if you get lost around here you can get your barings by finding the elevator. See how little that SUV is in front of it?

Just past the elevator we pull into the farm lane and drive up to this inconspicuous little out-building w/a generator in back (as the Old Order folks do not have electricty). This little building is where the treasure lies!

Inside are 3 friges filled w/brown eggs and whole (pasturized but not homogenized) milk! Now...take a close look at that milk. You can actually SEE the line where the cream and milk seperate! OK...everyone all together...OOOO - AHHHH!!!

I was hoping that I would pass a couple of buggies on the drive, but I didn't. So, for your enjoyment, here is this farm family's horse and you can spy the front of the buggie sticking out of the barn on the left.

And here are the 'ladies' who donate the milk to the farmer. Thanks, girls. The ladies who donate the eggs where inside, they don't like the cold so much.

Admittedly, I am more of a mammal person than a bird person, but I DO LOVE red-tailed hawks. I think they are one of God's most beautiful creatures. Well, the Lord was smiling on my trip and blessed me with a gorgeous one this morning! Is this an awesome bird or WHAT?!

Just one more pic of the snow-covered fields and roads on our way home.

Thanks for going on my journey to the farm. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Homemade Liquid AND Foaming Dish/Hand Soaps

First of all, let me share w/you a section about "Soap vs. Detergent" from the book, "The Naturally Clean Home" by Karyn Siegel-Maier. This information helped solidify my conviction to make my own house cleaning products. FYI...my own comments will in brackets [ ].

"Before the dawn of large-scale manufacturing, liquid soaps were made from saponins, foaming, sudsy substances found in the roots of soapwort, soapberry, & yucca. The typical liquid dishwashing soap bought from the grocery store is made from a petroleum distillate, a toxic pollutant & nonrenewable source. [Dish detergents are a leading cause of FATAL poisonings in small children!!] This product is actually a detergent, not soap. The safe & natural alternative is a vegetable-based soap called castile, a pure soap made from coconut or olive oil. It is readily biodegradable...Castile soap can be found in liquid or solid form in health food stores &, thankfully, some supermarkets [I get mine in the health food section of Kroger]."

Here's my favorite formula:

Liquid Castile soap

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops rosemary essential oil **Other great essential oils are grapefruit, orange, citrus, eucalyptus, or bergamot, Tea Tree. Experiment w/your own favorites.

~Fill a clean, old dish soap bottle, or same size squirt bottle, w/liquid Castile soap.

~Add oils. **When using this formula as a hand soap, add about 10-15 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to make it more anti-bacterial.

~Shake bottle before each use.

~Squirt in dish water & wash. **This is a relatively low-lather soap so don't over-use. 1-2 TB per sink full will do.

Foaming dish OR hand soap:

This is almost embarrassingly easy. You can do this for BOTH foaming hand soap AND dish soap.

Ready...?

~Have on-hand an empty foaming soap pump bottle.
~Pour in 1TB to 1" high (depending on the size of your bottle) of liquid hand soap OR liquid Castile soap.
~Add 10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil OR lavender OR some sort of citrus oil for anti-bacterial benefits.
~Fill bottle to about 1/4" from the top.
~Shake gently to blend.
~Pump & enjoy!