Category Archives: Why?

Household Helps, Menus / Recipes, Why?

Honey Anyone?

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Proverbs 24:13 (ESV)  My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

Exodus 3:8 (ESV)  And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Matthew 3:4 (ESV)  Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

I have been looking forward to having bees for several years.  In fact, I even bought the kids a book on bee keeping for Christmas one year.  They knew it was more for me, I was just trying to rope them in to my dream.  Last year, I was thrilled to be able to buy my own bees and set up my hive.  Although they died this spring and I am trying to built upon an old hive in the woods, I was able to harvest the honey out of my original hive and scrape out the wax.

It took a week for me to complete the process and a week without being able to use my kitchen island, yet I would say it was worth it.  Oh how sweet it is.  I am praising God for His most delicious and creative creation.

Here is what fun I’ve had in the last week:

First, I scraped the frames into a plastic bin.  The frames that had honey I scraped into a colander over a large bowl.

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The combs that did not have honey I put into an old crock pot and turned on low to melt down.

 

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Once the honey dripped out of the combs in the colander I strained the honey that was in the catching bowl through a small mesh hand held colander into a half gallon jar.

 

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I cut the top off of an empty 1/2 gallon cardboard container of almond milk and cut up an old white t-shirt rubber banding the piece of shirt to the top of the container.  I then poured the melted wax out of the crock pot into the container using the shirt as a strainer for any of the paper comb that did not melt.  When it all cooled I cleaned out the pot discarding the waste comb and cut open the box to find a beautiful clean block of beeswax.

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The kids want to know what I’m going to use it for and I told them it will be used for either candles or lip balm.  They are opting for the candles, I’m opting for the lip balm.  A friend of mine from TX gave me a wonderful lip balm las week she made out of beeswax, essential oils and coconut oil.  I’m hoping to get the recipe from her when she returns back home.

When I can taste the sweetness of the honey, and smell the aroma of the beeswax, I no longer fear the disease that has consumed my life over the last year.  Nature is amazing.  God is amazing!

memories, Why?

On our way…

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We are on our way….

Here is the Garden Tower –

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Here are the bees –

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Yes, if you look closely,  you will see real bees after I had just shaken them into the hive and if you look even closer I did paint the bee hive with little additional bee friends.  🙂

The hydroponics just arrived today.  We will get that going next week…. to be continued…

 

 

Lymes

Trembling and Falling Down Before Him

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Luke 8:40-48

40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Seeking out physicians to find the cure.  I can relate.  Falling down before him.  I can relate.  Healing by the touch of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I can relate.  To have faith and go in peace.  I can relate.

Psalm 91:1-6

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Dwelling in the shelter of the Lord.  I can relate.  Crying out “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  I can relate.  Finding refuge under his wings.  I can relate.  Not fearing the terror of the night nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.  I can relate.

Through the grace of the Lord I will be healed.  Through the strength of he who carries me, I rest in peace.  Through the words of truth, I find wisdom.  Through prayers of thanksgiving I find hope.

Friends, I pray that you find healing today and in those yet to come.  I pray that you find peace in the Lord and in knowing that through Him all things are possible.

Have a great week!

 

Celtic Fun, Why?

First of 2014 and Last As A Youth

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The first Highland Games of the year… The last Highland Games of our sons youth!

He began competing on bagpipes exactly 10 years next weekend, and this week he will turn 18. In those 10 years he has worked hard to become a grade 1 piper (next step is professional). This is his first year as a grade 1 soloist and after yesterday it looks as though he’s on his way to great things.

All the years of traveling around, the hours of practicing, the hours of driving, sitting and waiting at his lessons has now affirmed we made the right decisions in helping him achieve his dream.

Before our birthdays my mom used to (and still does) remind us that we would never be that age again and that we had only another hour to be such and such an age. For some reason I thought of that and reminded my son yesterday that this was his last games as a youth. Thinking I was being silly, it didn’t really mean anything to him until he won piper of the day. It was fun seeing his expression when he thought of the fact he finished his career as a piping youth with an achievement he’d only hoped one day to accomplish. (Too bad he had left the games and was not personally handed the award… We received several texts from friends telling him.).  Oh well…. There is always next weekend, and about 5 more this year!!  Yes, it is possible to do this more than once.  🙂

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Our daughter also pulled off a great first games showing by taking two firsts.

I’d say it’s a good start to another year!  🙂

Why?

Garden Tower Project Planted

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This morning my husband and I began discussing the day over his coffee and my meds.  As we talked about all of the projects to begin working on, we decided that the two of us would go out early to get what we needed and also pick up some groceries for the weekend.

One of the items on our list of items to pick was worms for the worm composting Garden Tower.  I told him about the place I bought them a few years ago and he gladly drove me on my little adventure.  We were able to get our groceries and worms all in one shot.  While there, we had the opportunity to meet and talk with Will Allen from Urban Farming.  We spoke to him for at least 20 minutes while we discussed his ideas for his own Garden Towers.  I had noticed there were 4 or 5 of them in the green house and we began talking about farming, animals, bees (which he offered to help me with…. woo hoo) and aquaponics.  I had taken a tour of the facility with the kids a few years ago, however, my husband had yet to see it. I walked him through two of the green houses and was able to show him where the tilapia help with the feeding of the plants above.  So impressive.  So important.  Meeting Will was a great adventure and made my day.  What a nice man with such a vision for good health and sustainable farming.

Anyway, we came home after our errands, had lunch and went out to plant the Garden Tower.  I planted cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, and kale.  I also did my starter plants and put them in the house in the “greenhouse”.    Now I just have to wait a little longer for the hydroponics to arrive and by then my starters will be ready for planting.   The kids also rebuilt the “old” garden so that hopefully the rabbits will not be able to get into it and they made it half the size it once was.  This is where we will plant the carrots, beets, radishes, watermelon and the cantaloupe.  Hopefully!

I’m not sure how I’ve had the energy… well… I have an idea but I’m not sharing until I see if it’s short lived or if I may have found something that is working.  I’ll know soon enough!

Happy Mothers Day to all those who are moms.

Household Helps, Why?

Keeping Busy…

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Many have asked what I’ve been doing to keep myself busy while I’ve been allowing my body to heal.  Well, besides spending a great deal of time with the Lord and my children, I have been quilting.  Since my hands don’t want to work to knit or crochet with the repetitiveness of the stitches, I have been quilting.  Now, I’m sure your asking yourself what is the difference and how could I quilt without having the same issues.  I think it’s due to the fact that I am free hand stitching and I only sew a little, then cut the thread stop and repeat.  I have had some issues at times and I stop for a day or two and then am able to get back into it.

Thus far since January, I have been able to make 1 full/queen quilt, hand piecing the squares together, and I have hand quilted 4 lap quilts measuring 4×6 to 3×6 in size and I’ve made 3 table top runners.   One of my friends joins me and she calls it guilt free quilting!   It’s been very therapeutic for my mind to at least accomplish something and I look forward to making my second full/queen for our son.

Who knows, maybe it’s the start of a new business.  🙂

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Adding in a little kitty help.  She makes sure to adjust the squares to her liking rather than mine.  ha ha

Lymes, Menus / Recipes

Sherry’s Quick Mayonnaise

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Many times I am quite surprised at the lack of information people have regarding the food they eat.  For example, many do not realize the hazards of GMO’s,  high fructose syrup, MSG, soybean oil, margarines, preservatives, dyes, flouride, farm raised fish, conventional beef, chicken, fat free ingredients,  etc.   The list goes on and on.  In the age of technology all it takes is the push of a button and one can experience information overload.  Is all of the information you read accurate?  No.  Is all of the information you read possibly out to sell you a product?  Yes.  Can you be easily misled by information?  Yes.   That being said,  my philosophy is to look at the sites that hold credibility by posting their resources from where they themselves found their information.  It is also possible to pull up research done at Universities or through research firms that have published their findings.

That being said, our family only buys organic products and when possible we make everything from scratch.  I’ve taught my children how to cook and how to creatively make lunches out of leftovers and healthy breakfasts that consist of non sugar non cereal ingredients.  Rarely do they eat cereal or sandwiches.  On occasion they do like a gluten free organic shaved turkey sandwich or even an albacore tuna sandwich (bpa free can wild caught tuna).  Mustard is okay as a condiment option, however, their favorite is mayonnaise.  Have you seen the ingredient list on a jar of mayonnaise?  I used to buy an organic brand that was made with coconut oil, however at $15 a jar, I just couldn’t stomach paying the price any longer.  About 2 years ago a friend found a recipe made with the coconut oil and I began making it myself.  The family however, after a time, just plain old got sick of the coconut flavor so I began learning more about oil choices and changed the recipe to the families liking.

By making our own, we are also able to make other wonderful dressings that satisfy the need for something more creamy.  With this recipe we dress cole slaw, potato salad, salads and more with just a change in the seasonings.  Flavored mayonnaise is also great depending upon the sandwich.

Hope you’ll give it a try.

Sherry’s Quick Mayonnaise  (makes a little over a pint)

1 whole farm fresh egg

2 farm fresh egg yolks

Sea Salt to taste

1 TBS Organic Dijon Mustard

1 tsp Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

(Optional additions depending upon what you are making it for:  Wasabi powder, variety of herbs, anchovies, dash of cayenne pepper, dried mustard, turmeric…)

Place all ingredients above in a food processor and process until completely mixed.

Make sure when you begin pouring the oil in, that the processor is on. Do not stop the processor while adding the oils.  There should be a cup with a hole in it in the top of the food processor. This is where you will slowly pour in the oils.

Please note: the slower you pour in the oil, the better your mayonnaise will be. The oils will separate from the other ingredients faster if you pour the oils in too quickly. This is the secret.   Slow…

1 – 8 oz.  bottle of Almond Oil, Olive Oil,  Avacado Oil,  Grapeseed Oil  (These are the ones I use and I like the flavor.)

1 – 8 oz. bottle of another oil  (use a second oil from the list above)

I usually store the mayonnaise in a jar with a lid, not plastic, in the fridge.   Enjoy!

Little Tidbits:

Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil – manmade fat; known to cause cellular disruption in the body; obesity; reproductive problems; heart disease; US grown soybeans are 90% genetically engineered;  soybeans contains Omega-6’s and can lead to inflammation; soybeans contain phytates which block the absorption of minerals; affects negatively on the thyroid;

(References: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/27/soybean-oil.aspx http://www.lewrockwell.com/2013/01/joseph-mercola/soybean-oil-one-of-the-most-harmful-ingredients-in-processed-foods/)

Avacado Oil – reduces inflammation and oxidation; helps to fight against free radicals; studies show it kills cancer cells; contains more vitamin D than Olive Oil; contains carotenoids that help fight cancers;

(References:  http://healinggourmet.com/article/avocado-oil-the-healthiest-cooking-oil-youre-not-using-yet-853;   http://www.naturalnews.com/027509_avocado_skin_health.html )

Olive Oil – rich in monounsaturated fatty acids; reduces inflammation; reduces chances of heart disease and hypertension; lowers risk of depression; may reduce breast cancer risk; may reduce risk of stroke in elderly; helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels; helps to protect liver and pancreas; 

(References:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266258.php;  The research is numerous… take a look.)

Almond Oil – High in Vitamins E & D & K; helps with digestion; protects and maintains healthy brain tissue; reduces LDL and aids in raising HDL; helps in protecting the skin; reduces blood pressure; aids in protecting from heart disease; rich in folic acid; high in minerals; contains anti-oxidents; 

(References: http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/health-benefits-of-almond-oil.htm;  http://www.livestrong.com/article/119876-health-benefits-sweet-almond-oil/;  http://www.seedguides.info/almonds/)

Grape Seed Oil – full of anti-oxidents; lowers LDL; may help to inhibit cancer cell growth; helps with acne; may help in PMS symptoms; may help with cavities; can be cooked at higher heat without releasing free radicals unlike Olive Oil; 

(References:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/406768-the-health-benefits-of-grape-seed-cooking-oil/;  http://www.homecookingadventure.com/articles/grape-seed-oil-benefits)

Keep in mind that you need to do your research.  Not all oils are alike and you need to understand each one and how to keep them from spoiling.  Note also that there is a great amount of information available.  Choose wisely what works best for you.  

Know what it is that you are putting in your mouth.  

 

 

Lymes, memories

Strength in the Lord, not the hair…

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Last week I mustered up the strength to go out and get my hair done.  We had a big weekend coming up with the kids between their Regional Finals and their Band Debut.  We were supposed to be out of town the entire weekend.  Now, with my health as it is, I have been avoiding crowds and avoiding all stress and activity.  Not just because I am unable to do very much as I am quite tired and have no strength, yet also because after this last acquired virus which put me and my family into a tail spin I decided getting sick with anything further just wasn’t something I needed nor wanted.  This weekend however, was going to be unavoidable.

On the Monday before the event I began asking questions about the Band Debut and ended up in charge of the Silent Auction and Raffle.  You may be asking yourself how I managed to do that.  Honestly, I’m not sure.  I’m sure the word “volunteer” came in to play at some point, yet I’m not exactly sure what words came out of my mouth that gave anyone the impression I was the “go to” girl for the job.  Not because I’m not capable of pointing out I could do it, I just don’t remember exactly what I said.  A memory issue I blame on my friends who also dwell in this body.  Well, I am organized enough in auctions as I have done enough of them, so it came together nicely and I wasn’t really stressed during the week leading up to the event.  That is, until I looked in the mirror and realized that I looked like death warmed over.  So, the hair appointment was made in hopes of making me look human again.

As I plopped into the chair awaiting the hairdresser to velcro the smock around my neck, I looked in the mirror and wondered if there was enough color to change the skunk look I had going on and if just a trim was going to be enough.  The hairdresser then asked the dreaded question of “So… how much are we going to cut off today”?  I have been growing out my hair for the last few years and the only cutting I’ve had done has been through a trim.   I could see the glean in her eye and the hope she had that I just may adopt a “Go ahead and cut it all off” attitude.  As I looked in the mirror at what I looked like, I asked her to just color it and to please get me a few books to ponder her question.

After looking through about 4 books with the hairdresser I asked her if she had many clients in their mid 40’s who had hair as long as mine.  She informed me that I was the only one.

I don’t usually cave in to pressure, yet this time I guess I was feeling a bit vulnerable and ended up allowing her to measure different lengths of cut.  I thought 6 inches was too much and she thought 4 was too little, so we decided on cutting 5 inches off.   I noticed as she cut that she had that cheshire cat grin on her face.  I asked her if she was happy to be cutting it and she admitted she’d waiting a year for my approval.  As I looked in the mirror at her work I acknowledged she was doing a great job and then I looked at the floor.  When I looked back up I asked her if any of her clients my age had ever sobbed in her chair over the loss of their locks.  She laughed and told me I would be the first and to go ahead.  Hmmmm…..

Let me just say, I did ponder it.  In the end I did not and was able to keep my composure.  I did however, begin thanking the Lord.  Thanking Him that He did NOT give me my strength in this life through my hair like he had Samson.  I kept thinking about the strength He has given me to get through much adversity.  So as the 5 inches of hair growth hit the floor, I thanked God first and then I thanked the hairdresser.  She did a great job, I walked out looking human and I was able to NOT embarrass my children at their weekend events.   Once again, the Lord granted grace to stay awake when I was most exhausted and He offered kindness through others who brought me chairs to sit in.  He also gave my husband patience as he drove back and forth from the hotel and the Regional Finals trying to get us a room so I could sleep and rest before the “Big Evening”.  After 1 week of looking in the mirror at the new hairdo, I still miss the length, yet I look like there is a glimpse of life and that alone makes all the drama worth while.

Where does your strength come from?

Mine comes from the Lord!  He gives me strength when my flesh is weak, and encourages me when there is despair.  In Him I find peace, hope and love.  Not just any peace, not just any hope and not just any love.  In Him there is glorifying peace, eternal hope and agape Love.

Psalm 28:7

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;  in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;  my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Isaiah 40:29

29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.

 

 

Lymes

Blooms of Spring Healing

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I have been asked many times over the last several months how I have been able to handle sitting in our house day after day waiting to feel normal.  People have admitted that they would have gone nuts or psychotic by now.   My response has been consistent in that I can only trust that the Lord has given me the strength, encouragement and ability to get through.  Oh, I’m not saying that it’s been a picnic.  There have been moments of self absorbed awareness that this could be my new life and I have complained in tears that I just want to feel good and have my life back.   The moments of self loathing are short lived and it never fails that a friend calls or stops by to check in and through laughter my emotional breakdown subsides and I am reminded that I’ve wasted healing energy feeling sorry for myself.

As spring comes upon us here in the midwest and the snow melts, I look up at the trees seeing what seems to be a sight of destruction in their limbs.  Unsightly bare twigs attached to trunks that almost look to be nimble and weak.  Even though they seem to be unhealthy and unstable in appearance, I know that as the ground thaws and the water begins to seep into their roots they will come alive with running sap and nourishment that will allow the limbs to bud with new blooms of leaves and flowers.  The birds will cradle their nests between the branches, laying their eggs and feeding their chicks.  The squirrels will  jump from branch to branch chasing one another in play.  The blooming of the leaves will shade certain areas of the yard, offering protection for spring plants that can only thrive in the shaded warmth of summer.  The once unsightly sign of cold winter days will disappear and the beauty of spring and summer colors will cover the landscape reminding me of God’s healing power.

This is the picture I have in my mind.  The picture I have hope in when I feel despair and this is how I see myself in the days yet to come.  I think of my illness as a season that will fade away into another season of life.  A season that will bloom with healing.  My body frail like the tree in fall and winter, waiting to bloom again with vibrance and agility in spring and summer. Rooted in the Spirit, Fed by the Word and thriving through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 17:7,8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.  He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

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Jeremiah 17:14

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. ”

 

Lymes, memories

Spring Vacation Where are You?

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Oh it’s been a long winter!

With snow, cold weather, Lymes, co-infections, viruses and just plain old feeling physically like my body is not my own.  Where is our spring vacation?  I think this is the first year in as long as I can remember that we did not go to a warm destination.  So, that being said, I’m posting pictures of where my head wishes we were.  Maybe this will inspire spring…. maybe?

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I feel warm and refreshed already.  Do you?