Making Yogurt and a 'Lightbulb' Moment

Yes, I am slowly making the switch in our household from uber processed foods and drinks to more natural kitchen items.  Now, that does not mean that an occasional Tombstone pizza and oreos might not make their way onto my table but we're making progress.  We've traded those fish shaped crackers for the organic bunny rabbit ones. :)  Our fruit snacks, milk, and other items have been replaced with more natural or organic counterparts.  Now, we're starting to go for the personal items.  Hand soap, deodorant, and body wash are now laced with essential oils and all natural ingredients.  Who knew?  Well, apparently God gave us all of the things we needed to survive and over the centuries we changed and combined ingredients to make foods, bath and body items, and household products into some of the most dangerous substances around.  In my quiet time reading today I read Matthew 5.  In verse 14 and 15 it talks about being the light of the world.  What struck me in my light bulb moment, was that the end of the verse talks about all those in our house should see our light.  I've known this verse for years and I've always thought of it as a world view concept.  However, with the changes in our home it helps me to think we are starting to let our light shine to each other in our home.  My children will grow up using essential oils to help calm them instead of a chocolate cupcake fix.  Hopefully, my light shines in other ways but, for now it gives me peace to know that, albeit slowly, these small healthy changes allow my light to glow a bit brighter in my house and then maybe I can add in the world later! :) 

In his hands,
Lisa



For all of you that are interested, here is the web page with the recipe for my homemade 'crockpot' yogurt we've switched to.  Love it!  Simple but takes a bit of time!

http://www.aliciashomemaking.com/2010/08/homemade-yogurt-in-crockpot.html

It's Spring...finally!

Spring, newness, rebirth, green, warm...er, flowers, robins, so many things happen in Spring.  It sure took it's time this year but I think we may have finally arrived.  As my husband rakes up all of the dead leaves, grass, and dog poop from the winter, the kids run around like they've been starved for the sunlight and fresh air.  They don't know what to do first!  Plant a flower, bring out the croquet game, or just stand and twirl.  In the back yard, they've discovered a robin's nest.  With excited shrieks they fight for position to check and see if there are any little blue eggs.  "Not yet!" they decided as a team.  We'll check back later.  Later happens to be about 15 minutes.  After the joy of drawing with chalk has worn off. 
As this excited little dance goes on, I am on the back porch, soaking in all of the plans I may or may not be able to do this year.  A garden over here?  Raised beds or not?  Flowers in which pots, herbs in another?  What about a little table and chairs?  Or maybe a picnic bench?  When I grow...how will I preserve it?  Freezing?  Canning?  Drying?  All he while, my DH is counting the hours and coins in his pocket to see if a quick 9 holes may be an option. 

Ahhhh, Spring. The newness, the hope it brings.  At least until we are couped up again with the AC on during the season of Summer....  Ahhhh Summer. lol!

A Modern Girl Longing For A Simpler Time

Air conditioning, microwaves, cable tv, Wii video games, internet, and indoor plumbing.  These are just a few things that our family uses on a regular basis.  As we are diligent about how often we watch tv or play on the computer/video games, we still have them in our homes and enjoy them.  However, I find myself teaching my children during our school time about simpler times.  Practical things like placing the harvest in the cool cellar to last longer or working together as a family to enjoy a night by the fire with stories and apple cider.  To make butter, bread, and a fully homemade meal everyday without fail is almost more than I can fathom.  Getting a craving for ice cream and having to milk the cow, go to the ice house and chip away some blocks of lake ice, AND to wait for 6-7 hours for it to freeze in said blocks of lake ice brings us away from instant gratification.Can you just imagine?  "Boy, I'd love some burgers and fries right now.  Well dear, do we have any of the smoked beef left in the attic from butchering time?  No?  Well, I guess it's rabbit stew or veggie omelets than." 
Or how about that Valentine's dance that's coming up?  Most people didn't have the stores to go and just "pick up" a new dress and shoes.  (not to mention accessories!)  The wool fabric would have to be dyed, than weaved on the loom, then cut, and sewn to make a plain simple outfit and the shoes FOR THE YEAR would just have to do.  Boy, and we complain about having to drive 20 minutes to pick up some new pjs! 
Well people, I think we have it pretty easy.  We live in a time of excess.  We take so much for granted and don't take the time to appreciate it.  We all are born at a certain time period for a reason but every once in awhile we need to look back at whom have come before us and be grateful.  I was born at the right time.  I would not make it without AC or flushing toilets and I can spread my thoughts out into the great wide world with the computer but, I need to remember the simpler times when a handful of popcorn took 3 months to grow out in the front yard and a whole day to pick and peel off the ear.  Remember those simpler times when you complain that your Blu-Ray isn't working right!

In his everloving hands,
Lisa