Friday January 2 -The Walnut Acre Daily

WORDS TO LIVE BY

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned ~ Isaiah 9:1 ~

WORKING, LEARNING AND LIVING TOGETHER

Friday is our usual errand day and the kids look forward to it. Often a friend of mine goes with us and today two of her kids also came along. Here Mykalin is showing Mateah and Cayson the birds when we went to pick them up.

All loaded up and ready to go. Amanda really didn't want her picture taken. 

We went to Sharp Shopper,  McDonalds (each person got one thing from the dollar menu), the dollar store, and Petco (so Amanda could crickets for her tarantula. We always stay at Petco for awhile and look at all the animals.

Just a couple random photos from our day.

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IN THE KITCHEN

I really was not in the kitchen much today. We had a simple breakfast of toast, yogurt and juice, ate lunch while out and about and for dinner this evening had some delicious vegetable soup that my sister made.

ON MY MIND

A woman stopped at our house this evening with a picture of a 15 year old girl who is missing. Police say her phone was last pinged on the road we live on sometime this morning. Her parents are frantic as I can certainly imagine. Hoping she is found safely and soon.

TODAY'S QUOTE

The road leading you to a goal does not separate you from the destination; it is essentially a part of it. ~ Charles DeLint

New Year's Day 2015 - The Walnut Acre Daily

WORDS TO LIVE BY

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

I have been working on new schedules and routines the last few weeks as we approached the new year. It seems like each time I have a good routine in place our lives change and new routines are needed but I've come to see that this simply means we are growing and changing.

Two things I'm using to help us stay on track are a set of household chore charts with weekly, monthly, quarterly and twice a year jobs on them. This makes it easier for me to see exactly what needs to be done and to plan my work and give work assignments. It's also fun to see the work get marked off with highlighters as it's finished. The other thing I'm using is a large wall calendar on the kitchen wall where everyone can easily see it. This is for appointments, activities and whatever else is going on that we all need to be aware of.

It was cold outside today but the kids still wanted to go out and play.

Watching a movie

Doug was home today. He started his day at home by washing dishes. Thank you, Doug. He also went over the diagrams for the steam engine model my dad gave him. 

Books and Resources

 I finished listening to this book on Librovox today. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and was sad for it to come to an end.

 I started listening to the audio version of this book today, also on Librovox. I haven't gotten very far in this book yet so I haven't really formed an opinion of it yet.

 Michael and Mateah really enjoyed this movie today. I thought it was a little too advanced for them but even though they probably didn't understand all of it they watched the whole thing.

IN THE KITCHEN

I let the kids make their own mini cheese pizzas for lunch this afternoon. We used English muffins as the crusts. 

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

We have collected quite a menagerie of animals since I last posted and I want to introduce them to you. Some of them have appeared here before but others are new. 

Our two dogs Veronica (Ronni)

And Pepper (I didn't get a photo of her today).

One cat, Sheena, and three kittens named Bear, Puppy and Monkey.

Fourteen chickens.

Nine rabbits.

One pig.

Two guinea pigs.

One tarantula. This is Amanda's and stays in her room in its habitat. It eats crickets and is not poisonous. It's name is Abra but Amanda calls it Abby most of the time.

Two betas. The Betas are mine and I'm planning to get four more - one for each little shelf beside my kitchen window over the sink.

ON MY MIND

It's hard to believe it's the beginning of a new year again but I'm excited to see what this year will bring.

OTHER

Usually on Thursday evenings I cook dinner for both my family and my sister's family. Then on Friday evenings my sister cooks for both families. Somehow today I completely forgot. I guess because of schedules changing over the holidays I was mixed up. I remembered just as we were finishing our dinner and I only remembered then because my niece texted me about something else. Oops!

TODAY'S QUOTE

We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day. - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Simple Sunday Blessings - The Walnut Acre Daily - Sunday March 30, 2014

WORDS TO LIVE BY

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

OUT AND ABOUT

Most of our day we've been out and about. This morning we were at church. Sunday School was good as usual with lots of discussion. Our topic this morning was the importance of being a welcoming church and making sure that those who enter for the first time feel like they are seen and cared about.   After Sunday School the rest of my family went to the infant and toddler nursery to watch kids. After worship and choir I went down to help. 

After church we went to my Dad and sister's house for lunch and stayed the rest of the day. We had a very good afternoon together.

IN THE KITCHEN

We had a delicious lunch of deer roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, garlic bread, angel food cake, and peaches and coffee (of course).My sister and niece made most of it, I only provided the bread.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Time With Friends, Roasted Turnip Wedges and Smoothies - The Walnut Acre Daily: Saturday March 29, 2014

WORDS TO LIVE BY

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2  Corinthians 5:21

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

We had a good day today. Austin's friend was here for the day and his mother, Jennifer, who is a good friend of mine, came over for the afternoon and evening. We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, spending time with the kids (she also brought her two younger daughters) and working on our blogs. The kids had fun playing games on the computer.

The kids also enjoyed having Doug help them with the train set. Doug used to play with this train set when he was a kid. 

It was too rainy to be outside today so Doug and Micheal also spent some time working/playing in the garage this afternoon. 

Michael did have a rough time settling down for bed this evening, after having a wonderful time today. But we've had a few good nights that I am grateful for.

OUT AND ABOUT

This morning Doug, Michael, and I went grocery shopping. Micheal loves to help get groceries. 

After we got home and unloaded and put away groceries, Micheal and Doug took trash to the landfill. 

IN THE KITCHEN

A friend (the same friend who was here for the afternoon) gave me a NutriBullet recently and I have to really enjoyed it. Now there are two things I don't want to do without in the morning - a big smoothie and my coffee. I love knowing I have a good start on my fruit and veggie needs for the day. This morning I made a smoothie with a handful of kale leaves, a carrot, a stalk of celery, half of an avocado, a banana, some frozen strawberries, milk to fill in the spaces, a large spoonful of yogurt, and one tablespoon of flax

seed.



This evening for dinner I made baked chicken and roasted turnip wedges, and I also gave the kids applesauce. I've made turnip wedges before and Doug and I enjoy them although the kids aren't all that thrilled with them. 

Roasted Turnip Wedges

4 turnips, cut into wedges 
vegetable oil
salt
pepper
tumeric
garlic powder

Place turnip wedges on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Brush lightly with vegetable oil. Sprinkle on seasoning to taste. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 - 50 minutes. Enjoy.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Amanda was sad today because the little guinea pig we had gotten as a friend for Little Red died. He seemed to doing just fine and then suddenly I found him laying on his side in the cage unable to move and soon after he died. I don't know yet if we'll get another one or not. Little Red did seem to enjoy having another guinea pig and Amanda would also enjoy having another one around.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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Garden Beginnings, Small Group and More - The Walnut Acre Daily: Friday, March 28, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. ~ Psalm 62:7 

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

This morning we went (as usual) to my sister's for a combined learning time. We did some worksheets and played some games. Amanda went along and helped with the younger children.

Austin has a friend over this evening and I can hear them in Austin's room now, playing games, talking and watching videos. 

IN THE KITCHEN

 Today for breakfast and lunch we had whatever random things we wanted - soup, crackers, oranges, applesauce, juice, eggs, cereal, etc. For dinner this evening I fixed a big kettle of cabbage, sausage and onions, another kettle of pasta with seasonings and also heated a can of baked beans. This is one of Doug's favorite meals.

YARD AND GARDEN

I am so excited that a lot of the seeds I planted in flats are growing so well. There are lots of tomato plants -three different varieties. Also cantalope, eggplants, and peppers. The peppers aren't growing much yet but I think I see a few peeking through.

There are also lots of seeds planted in the garden - lettuce, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli, onions, and beets, and okra. So far though, I haven't seen any little green plants poking through the ground. It's been cold, wet, and snowy since I planted them though.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Our chickens are doing well but not laying many eggs right now. We have nine hens and are hoping to start getting lots of eggs again soon. 

OUT AND ABOUT

This afternoon was Amanda's afternoon to go to the SPCA. She took two dogs out to play. The first one was Lia. She's a sweet dog and Amanda really enjoyed her time with her.

The second was a pit bull/terrier named Jenny. She had a lot of energy and a lot of personality.

Before we leave Amanda likes to give each dog a treat. 

Tonight was small group night for Doug and I. It has been a wonderful experience to be in a small group again. We are six weeks into an eight week study called Don't Just Go to Church, Be the Church. This study was written by six different members of our church. It has been so nice to share thoughts and laughter and to learn from each other. Tonight was no different. We talked, laughed, dis cussed, prayed, ate, and enjoyed being together. There were three gone tonight and we missed them. But the remaining seven of us had a wonderful evening. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Grace is not a teaching. It is not a doctrine. It is not a topic in Bible school curricula. Grace is a person and His name is Jesus. ~ Joseph Prince

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Hi :-)

Guess What!?!?!?

I'm still here.

I miss everyone and hope to back regularly soon. 

New Year's Eve Fun - The Walnut Acre Daily: Wednesday January 1, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Yesterday we went to Covington to spend the day with Doug's side of the family. His parents were gone over Christmas so this was our holiday gathering. We had a wonderful time as usual. 

I took some pictures of the scenery on the way down.

Doug's mother made us a delicious lunch. Austin's always likes her green bean casserole. After everyone had their fill and some casserole was put back for Doug's brother Kevin, who had to work, they just gave him the serving bowl and told him to finish it up.

After lunch we exchanged gifts and also took a lot of pictures. Doug and the kids rode four wheeler too, but it was cold outside and I didn't brave it out to take pictures. Kevin was able to be there after work as well. 

We got home around 6:30. I made us a light dinner and then we went over to my dad's house for the rest of the evening. My sister made oyster soup and we ate again. The kids played and watched movies while we waited for the New Year to come in. 

Today I worked on housecleaning all day - after I slept in this morning. I feel like I really accomplished something today - especially in the kitchen and living room. I cleared out the holiday clutter and got ready for a new start. 

TODAY'S QUOTE

Philosophy is nothing more than common sense in a dress suit. ~ Author Unknown