Hodge Podge

WORDS TO LIVE BY

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 
Psalm 119:130

TODAY'S QUOTE

A day is Eternity's seed, and we are it's Gardeners. ~ Erika Harris

JUST A NOTE

The last few weeks have been crazy and I really have not kept up here. But I'm finally back with a hodge podge of things that we've been doing.  

IN THE KITCHEN

Amanda and Mykalin made twice baked potatoes with chicken and cheese for dinner one evening. Basically they just scooped out the baked potatoes, coarsely mashed them, mixed in shredded chicken and cheddar cheese and milk along with seasonings, and put the mixture inside the potato shells. After they baked awhile (I really didn't get exact times) she spooned some chicken broth over them and then baked them a little longer. They were SO good!

YARD AND GARDEN

Here is a sample of what we've been getting from the garden.

We've been shelling lots of beans too.

I've canned six pints of these beans as well as three pints of beets. 

ANIMAL UPDATES

One day my stepdaughter came over and she and Austin gave Miss Piggy a bath. The kids loved watching!

Then they let her out to play in the yard for a few minutes.

AND MORE

DAILY DEALS

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WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

Pickles, Guinea Pigs and Our Great Big God

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever thingsare pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

TODAY'S QUOTE

Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in.  ~ Alan Alda

IN THE KITCHEN

Today I canned 7 quarts of bread and butter pickles and 4 quarts of dill pickles. The cucumbers came from my aunt and cousin who had more than they wanted. The cucumbers in my garden aren't ready yet and I'm not sure how they will do so I was really glad for these.

This evening for dinner we had one of our favorites - taco salad. 

YARD AND GARDEN

Austin picked a bucket of beans this morning. They are green beans but we left them in the garden too long and they've gotten so big we're shelling them like Lima beans or peas. I cooked some like this last week and they were good so we're trying to get the rest picked now.

ANIMAL UPDATES

The guinea pigs, Blackjack and Ducky, enjoying fresh green things from the yard and garden.

OUT AND ABOUT

This afternoon Michael went swimming with a couple of friends. The mother of one of the kids picked him up and took them to pool. After the pool they went and got ice cream. He was SO excited! They had a great time but he came home exhausted. We've had a lot going on the last few days and I think it all just caught up with him. So tonight he went to bed early and he can sleep in as late as he wants tomorrow.

ON MY MIND

Today I've been turning over in my mind the question we asked ourselves in church yesterday. 

How big is my God?

How big do I allow Him to be in my life? The truth that He is so much bigger than an I can can comprehend, imagine, or fathom. 

And yet how often do I act as if what I am facing is somehow bigger than He is. How silly of me! 

Either He's bigger than all my problems, allowing me to live with confidence and strength, or . . . well . . . I don't even want to consider the alternative!

  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

READING AROUND THE WEB

Wash Line Ministry at Alaskan Blessings

My 6-Part Morning Routine and How It Helps Me Feel Successful as a Homemaker at Young Wife's Guide

DAILY DEALS

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE
WEDNESDAY - Wake Up Wednesday

Being Still, Pony Rides, Tomatoes, Squash and More

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path
Psalm 119:105

TODAY'S QUOTE

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. ~ Maori Proverb

IN THE KITCHEN

Thursday I cooked a 10 lb bag of chicken leg quarters and used the broth and meat to make Vegetable Chicken Soup for my family and my sister's family for dinner. Yesterday I recooked the scraps from the chicken pieces and today I canned that broth. I canned nine pints plus have a quart in the refrigerator to use in chicken rice casserole tomorrow.

YARD AND GARDEN

I was happy to finally find some little squash in the garden this evening. There are also lots of little green tomatoes. I'm hoping for lots of tomato sandwiches and fried squash.

OUT AND ABOUT

What I thought was going to be a quick trip to the feed store this morning turned out to be an hour of fun for Michael and Talis. When we got there we discovered they were having an anniversary celebration today and there were pony rides for the kids and free food. 

This afternoon we ran a few errands. We visited the pet store, went to Goodwill, stopped at McDonald's for small ice cream cones and made a quick trip to the grocery store.

AND MORE

Painting and drawing - Madalynn said she was a zombie.

ON MY MIND

So many things have been happening lately that some days it feels like my mind is just spinning. Some of these things are good, some not so good. Most of these things have made me want to take action! I've wanted to move forward when the way wasn't clear - sometimes because I was was excited and sometimes because I was angry. And yet several verses keep coming to my mind and they tell me to be still! I don't always want to be still, it really doesn't come natural to me but there it is. 

When I'm hurt and want to lash back!

When I'm falsely accused and want to defend myself!

When my motives are questioned and I want to clarify!

When I'm pushed away and shut out because of imaginations run amuck!

When light begins to shine and I want to run down a path not yet totally illuminated!

When the road looks clear but there is not yet a green light! 

When I see what look to me like wonderful opportunities but those who would walk with me are not yet ready!

Over and over I'm reminded to be still. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still

Exodus 14:14

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 37:7

Be still, and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

So instead of running wildly into a way that I think would be best I'm learning to simply do what is in front of me to do at this moment while being still in my spirit and letting Him work in ways beyond my imagination. And it's happening. Beautiful things are happening. Things that at one time looked impossible. And I know that He's also working in the situations where I don't see anything happening just yet. 

“Peace, be still!” 

Mark 4:39

DAILY DEALS

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE
SUNDAY - Small Victories MONDAY - Good Morning Mondays, Meandering Mondays, Words of Comfort LinkUp, The Art of Homemaking Mondays TUESDAY -  Titus 2 Tuesday, Cheerleaders of Faith
WEDNESDAY Words With Winter -Wake Up Wednesday, Homemaking Link-Up THURSDAY - From House to Home FRIDAY - Friday's Blog Booster Party SATURDAY - Saturday Soirée

Miss Piggy's Shower and More

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14 NIV

TODAY'S QUOTE

It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others. ~ Andrew J. Holmes

ANIMAL UPDATES

Miss Piggy loves her daily shower.

Austin and Michael worked together to clean out and put fresh hay in the rabbit colony.

Two of our kittens went to a new home today. The other four are staying (I'm pretty sure I was temporarily insane when I agreed to that!)

OUT AND ABOUT

Amanda went to my sister's for a couple hours this morning to help her out and then Austin, Amanda and Michael were all three there for the evening. I was home most of the day but this evening the kids and I did pick up my friend's son and take him to the fire department where he's training too be a fire fighter. His mom was at work so I was glad to give him a ride.

READING AROUND THE WEB

Roasted Carrots at To Simply Inspire

Squash Butter at Radical Femininity

DAILY DEALS

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE
MONDAY - Good Morning Mondays, Meandering Mondays, The Art of Homemaking Mondays. TUESDAY - Titus 2 Tuesday WEDNESDAY - Wake Up Wednesday FRIDAY - On The The Farm Hop

Baby Bunnies, Kale and More

WORDS TO LIVE BY

May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:76

TODAY'S QUOTE

Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism. ~ Leo Buscaglio

WORKING, LEARNING, AND PLAYING 

My plan for this summer was to keep up with at least a little school work each day but somehow we've found ourselves just really enjoying the break from workbooks and worksheets. I'm sure we still will do some some days but mornings playing outside, lazy afternoons watching a movie and summer evening fun seems to be the main theme this summer. 

YARD AND GARDEN

Austin and I picked another three buckets of kale today. So I'll be putting more in the freezer tomorrow. I was hoping to start cleaning it today but didn't get to it so I'm just trying to keep it cool until tomorrow. While we were in the garden this little fellow showed up to say Hi!

ANIMAL UPDATES

When Austin went to take the rabbits some greens he found this little bunny hopping around the rabbit colony. We didn't even know we had baby bunnies. He found the nest and there are four white and two brown babies. 

OUT AND ABOUT

This afternoon Michael and I were at my sister's for several hours so she could get some things done. Michael enjoyed playing with the other kids and I just enjoyed getting out for a few hours. 

READING AROUND THE WEB

Fairy Garden in a Guitar Case at Penny's Vintage Home

Busy Bird Bath House at Gentle Joy Photography

The Call of the Cookie at Gentle Joy Homemaker

Neapolitan Swirl Refrigerator Cookies at God's Growing Garden

Why You Need To Plan Your Day at How to Get Organized at Home

Cantaloupe Bread Recipe at Faith Filled Food for Moms

DAILY DEALS

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE
MOMNDAY - Good Morning Mondays, Meandering Mondays, The Art of Homemaking Tuesday TUESDAY - Titus 2 Tuesday THURSDAY - From House to Home

Catching Up

WORDS TO LIVE BY

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.

Psalm 121:8

TODAY'S QUOTE

People see God every day, they just don't recognize Him. ~ Pearl Bailey

YARD AND GARDEN

The last week or so has been crazy busy and this is part of the reason why. I canned 49 quarts of green beans last week. The kids helped pick and clean and put them in jars.

We also pulled and cleaned another bucket of turnips and stored them in the basement. 

And today Austin and I cut three buckets full of kale before I started getting sick from the heat and had to go in. I got one bucket of it washed and blanched and put in the freezer and plan to do the other two buckets full tomorow.

WORKING, LEARNING, AND PLAYING TOGETHER

OUT AND ABOUT

We've been out and about quite a bit this past week. Doug worked several evenings on moving some things for my dad and one of those evenings the whole family helped. 

Friday evening we had a birthday party for my cousin and then went up on the mountain. 

Saturday we went to the Antique Mall and then took the kids for ice cream. 

Sunday after church and a late lunch we went to McCormick's Farm for the afternoon/evening. It was so beautiful and peaceful there and the kids loved playing.

DAILY DEALS

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE

TUESDAY - Titus 2 Tuesday WEDNESDAY - Wake Up Wednesday, Homemaking Linkup THURSDAY - From House to Home