Step by Step

Over the course of a year now my darling hubby has been working toward getting our swimming pool up.   YAY!!!  WAAHOO!!!!!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

This morning we had over a brother and a dear friend to help put the sheet metal in place. They did a great job with the help of our youngest Bro.. Thanks guys.

The beautiful white sand my husband ordered a few weeks ago. He wanted to pool liner to rest on it as to keep the roots and rocks from pushing through the liner.. What a smart MAN!!  That is something I would have never thought of..

 

In this past week I have also planted a small garden. We have in the past planted a much larger garden, however with new babies and with kids playing sports. Danielle and I just didn't think that doing a huge garden this year would be beneficial.

 

I know..I know.. I am starting kinda late, but better late than never....RIGHT?

 

So, my sweet hubby harrowed up a couple of rows between where the pines where and we made a small garden there.

 

 

I placed flags at the beginning of the rows.

I have planted

2 rows of Leeks
2 rows of Onions
2 rows of Tomatoes
1 row of Cucumbers
1 row of Carrots
1 row of Bell pepper
3 rows of Cantaloupe
3 rows of Water melon
6 rows of Sweet Corn
6 rows of Green Beans

I am so excited. I hope this year I will do better about keeping it up.

I already have some cucumbers coming up.. Thank the Lord... I pray that God will bless it!!

What a way to start the season.



Menu at a day late...

First, I just want to say that I serve a mighty God, and He can change any situation if only you trust in Him!

Last week when Syd and Ty were home I thought that it might be a great idea to let the kiddos give me some ideas on what they want for the week.

They seemed to really enjoying being part of the meal planning.

So, without further ado..
Menu April 29-May 5

Monday: Eggs and Toast
Leftover from Last week
Sandwiches-Revival

Tuesday: Fruit, Eggs, Bacon

Salmon, Cheese Grits
Pizza-Revival

Wednesday: Pancakes, Eggs

Cube Steak, Rice and Gravy, Broccoli
Leftovers-Revival

Thursday: Cereal, Fruit

Cheese Burger Mac
Leftovers-Game night Bro and Syd

Friday: Egg Casserole-Syd's Olympic Day

Tuna and PB & J Sandwiches
Tacos, fruit

Saturday: Eggs, Grits, Sausage

Spaghetti, Garlic Bread
Leftovers

Sunday: Muffins
Nana's
Eat out

The Lighthouse

Last Friday my home school co-op took a field trip to Kingsland, Ga. to the Lighthouse Radio station.

It was a fantastic time. All the kids got their chance to be on the radio. Another surprise was I to got to join them. I didn't know that I was going to have to speak and so when Vicki asked me about the home school group I almost froze up ( I know hard to believe, but I was really nervous). I talked really fast so, I had to tell myself to slow down..

"Slow down Arica!!"

 

But, seriously the kids had a blast learning about the difference of A.M and F.M., and the history behind The Lighthouse.  I too was intrigued.

 

 

Here we are about to go into the "studio". In this building is where the actual D.J.ing took place.

Meet Shelia. She was our tour guide in the "Studio". A very smart lady I might add as well.

Meet Becky, she too was a tour guide for another part of the station.  She was a super sweet lady.

Okay, back at the studio. We have just walked in the front door.. How cool is that.. See this roundish looking room? That is where Vicki is. She was on the radio as we were walking in the door. It was so neat to hear her and then see her.

Shelia giving the history lesson to the children and us parents.

Hello Vicki... That's one you can hear on the Honey and Honey show in the morning and she is also on at 10 (certain days of the week)

A little history about the station..

In this little room that fellow Mark there let any of the kids that wanted to come in and make a recording of them saying a line about the radio station.

This was taken right after my interview and the interview with the kiddos. Vicki let each one say their name and what grade they were in. I will admit some were a little shy.

The future radio minister..

I was a slacker on this group because I didn't get to see them much on their turn.

Inside the Rock.. This is a youth ministry building. They hold concerts here and bible studies!!

As you see there are some awesome artist.

There we are all us at The Lighthouse.

So, if you are riding around and need something good to listen to, tune in to The Lighthouse.. and be blessed!!

Ready to QUIT!!

For the past 3 years or so I have been making my own bread, and it has been great until about a month or so ago.

I thought by now I should have this artisan of bread making down, however time and time again I have been proven wrong.

There are time when my bread my look like a pancake or pita.. In long rectangle form.

Then, it may look like you just walked out of the store with it..

My frustrations comes to a boiling point when it looks like this......

This loaf I made Saturday!!

This loaf I made Sunday!!

This loaf I made last night!!

Do you see a pattern..?

I surely do. This morning Ty had to take half sandwiches for lunch today.

I am using it anyway because frankly I hate to waste it. But, this is driving me crazy..

Any pointers? I will take them!!!

Menu April 22-28

Monday: Pancakes & Sausage
Meatloaf, Broccoli, Rice & Gravy
Hamburger, French fries

Tuesday: Egg Casserole

Sandwiches, Fruit, nuts
Pizza

Wednesday: Grits, Eggs, and Bacon

Hotdogs, Cole Slaw, Fruit
Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Biscuit

Thursday: Muffins

Lasagna bake
Leftovers

Friday: Oatmeal

Cube Steak, Cheese Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts
Fajitas

Saturday: Sausage, Eggs, and Hash browns

Salmon, cheese Grits
Chik-fil-a

Sunday:Breakfast cookies

Nana's
Leftover

Another VS..

I know I seem to be doing, this vs. that, but honestly I just want to know the difference. To make sure that I am educated in all things I am interested in.

So, I am back on the Coconut oils again. Remember in a post not long ago about wearing the coconut oil. I liked mine whipped.


Well, at that time I bought my coconut oil at the super market, and the only kind that was available was Lo**na.  I bought two bottles that day and thought I am doing great. I am moving up to using coconut oil... YIPPEEE!!!  WE ARE HEALTHY!!!! WAY TO GO ARICA!!!


When I back home I was ready to break that seal and began slathering everything in sight with it I was highly disappointed, because it was hard as a stinking rock. It took forever for me to pry it from the dare I say it PLASTIC bottle. The funny thing is the bottle states that the oil is solid at 76 degree and below, which I have learned it not so true for this particular brand. Because when it was 82 in my house it was still hard.

While on my food co-op ordering page I decided that I needed to get some more C.O. I found one that was fairly cheap and ORGANIC. When I got these GLASS jars home I quickly broke it open to see what it looked like, and it looked nothing like the bottles I had purchased from the grocery store.

Honestly, I felt cheated. I was thinking the whole time I did great I brought C.O. in and we are using it for practically all our lotion needs.

So, here ya go.

The grocery store's C.O. is hard, no coconut smell, and it comes in plastic.

The ORGANIC CO-OP C.O is soft, smells so delicious I could eat by the spoonful's, and it comes in a glass jar.

I read the ingredients on both:

Grocery Store--Coconut Oil

Co-op--Organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil.

Now, what is the difference between the two, I have yet to figure that out, but I am going to.

What about you do you coconut oil and what for?

Which do you like best?

The Good, The Bad, The EGG!!

It seems lately I have been doing quite a bit of blogging about chickens, eggs, and yolks. Again I am enjoying having chickens/hens.

Okay, so I didn't know there was all this hype about high cholesterol in eggs, I was curious, do I have high cholesterol?

I did the only thing I know to do, and that was read, research, and read again.

Cholesterol has never been a concern of mine in this new whole food journey I am taking. But, it has been mentioned to me on occasion that I may have high cholesterol.

So first lets define what cholesterol is.

-- a waxy substance C27 H45 OH normally present in cell and tissues, important in many bodily processes, and possibly a contributing factor to arteriosclerosis when deposits in arteries are excessive.

Now, what does all that mean?

Well..it seems to me that my body needs some cholesterol, but with a large consumption of many foods daily with a high cholesterol count and with no exercise could contribute to clogged arteries.

Back to eggs. I eat eggs almost everyday if not everyday. They may be scrambled or hard boiled, in a casserole, quesadilla. You name it I have probably had it. Wait isn't it in Fried Rice. So basically it seems to me that eggs are in almost everything.

What is in the egg?





Despite their cholesterol content, eggs have always been an excellent source of high-quality protein and other key nutrients. For instance, eggs are one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D. They also deliver many of the B vitamins — B6, B12, riboflavin, folate, and choline — nutrients that ironically are believed to help prevent heart disease.

Now from what I have read the Yolk is the harbor of the cholesterol, and really I don't like the yolk at in hard boiled eggs, but scrambled they are good that way.

One way to cut back on the cholesterol is not to fry or cook your in butter. Try olive oil or coconut oil (that is the one I use).

Over the years eggs have gotten a bad rap. You can enjoy their tasty benefits in moderation. Eggs are indeed “incredibly edible” when it comes to heart-healthy foods.

But here again it all comes down to moderation.

The foods that contain the highest cholesterol count is meat as beef, veal, pork and lamb.

And the reality is we should only be eating about 3 oz. of meat at a time.



Think about it how many of us really only eat about the size of your fist.

I know I don't but, I sure do plan on cutting back for the fact I need to eat in moderation.

There is a saying I hear from time to time.  I eat to live, Not Live to eat.

Living to eat has been my motto for years.

My AVOCADO obsession!

I have mentioned in an earlier post that I am in love with avocado. NOT to mention that they are super duper good for you, I not only love them for the way they taste and smell, but because they are cram packed full of the good for you fats, vitamins, and fiber.

I have been doing research on what are the benefits of eating an avocado every day or even every other day.

Here is a "top" Ten list of reasons to eat Avocado!!!

1. Oral Cancer Defense
2. Breast Cancer Protection
3. Eye health (great for someone who wears glassed like me)
4. Lowers Cholesterol
5. Good for your heart
6. Helps prevent Strokes
7. Nutrition Absorption
8. Glutathione Source
9. Prostate Caner
10. Good source of Vitamin E
11. They are a mood changer --this one I added.

I guess that would make it a TOP 11 list.

So, in my attempts to eat and live healthy the Avocado is one thing I have added to my diet during the week.

 

See I was telling the truth Avocado can make you happy!!! 

 

 

I will eat an avocado all by its self, in a salad, or as a dip. Anyway with me makes me HAPPY!!



Egg shell use #1

Well now that I am officially a "FARMER", I need to learn the ropes of farmin'.

Okay let me just be real right now. I am only a chicken farmer, do I really qualify as a farmer perhaps not,  BUT one day I hope to be more than JUST chicken "farmer".

Seriously, I am loving every minute of it. I get so excited when I walk out to the coop to check for an egg or eggs and there are some there. It is like finding a wonderful treat.

So, now what to do with all those egg shells?

Use numero uno!

I read that you can use a clean egg shell in your coffee.

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?

Nope not Never in a MILLION BAZILLION YEARS would I ever use an egg to brew coffee..

Never say Never Arica.

Because that is just what I did, starting Monday I tried it. It worked perfectly I didn't taste egg or shell or anything like that.

The reason I used the egg is because it is to take the bitter out. Now, I was using salt instead and I just thought that, well, the egg might be better for me.

And, I do believe I am right. I am not getting all that sodium.

There you have it. I will be letting you know what else I will be using egg shells for in the near future..

Menu April 15-21/My new love!!!

Let me start off by saying GOOOOOD MORNING.. or afternoon whenever you plan on reading this. I have been going to bed much earlier in the evening and getting up much earlier in the morning, which I am loving, because I have some quiet time for coffee, sunrise, and devotion.. Couldn't ask for a better time.

On this menu this week you are going to noticed that Avocado is being used a good bit this week. And, well frankly it is because I have fallen in love with it.

For years, I couldn't even look or smell it. But, the other day I was helping a friend of mine, feed her cute baby, and he was eating. I'm telling you the smell of the Avocado was over powering, my jaw started to lock up, I began to salivate. I just didn't understand why, because I KNEW I didn't like Avocado.

On one of my trips to the grocery store, there was a sample bar with some Guacamole dip. Syd asks if she can have some. Sure, but the whole time I thinking she is going to hate it.

I WAS WRONG. Yes for the first time in like 30 years, I was wrong. She loved it.

So, from that moment on I have been buying Avocados. 

Because, I LOVE THEM!!!

Menu April 14-21

Monday: Biscuits and Gravy

Spaghetti, Garlic French Bread
Leftovers – Practice BB/SB

Tuesday: Grits, Eggs, Sausage

Hamburgers, Fruit
Pizza –BB Game 6:00

Wednesday-Co-op: Oatmeal

Sandwiches, Avocado, Hard boil Eggs, nuts
Steak and Garlic Cheese Mashed potatoes

Thursday: Eggs, Bacon and Toast

Cheese Burger Mac
Leftovers-- Practice BB/SB

Friday: Muffins

Field Trip with home school group.. Lunch is in the air
Tacos

Saturday: Mark-Men's Breakfast, Bro and I cereal

Sandwiches, Avocado, Hard boil eggs, nuts
Chicken Pot Pie

Sunday: Pancakes

Nana's
Leftover At Nana's

Inspired by a Friend.

I don't know really if I would call it inspiration or jealousy...INSPIRATION, because we are not to be jealous-right?

However, after spending a couple of days with my dear friend Joli painting her new house. I have decided that I want to paint here..

When? I am not sure. I am thinking summer time, but I have already picked out my colors.

I mulled over these color for all of about 15 mins. I try not to be spontaneous about painting because my last.."I gotta paint idea" went well not so great.

I just had to have a red bathroom. And, well frankly it is just too dark in there. Nothing looks right-like my make-up. So, I usually have to step into my closet to get an idea of how it looks.

Color of Paints.... Drum Rolls PLEASE

rummmmmmmmppppummmm pummm

Bathroom---Crocodile Tears

Bedroom---Pine Needles (how appropriate)

Kitchen---Steel Blue

I thank you Joli for giving me the paint bug, if I knew you were going to be contagious I may would have declined in helping you...hehehe Just kidding friend!!!!

Bodine-dasious

Remember many moons again when I milked cows? We have long since done away with the cow co-op. (Wow I am involved in all kinds of co-ops.) But, I really miss the milk, the time with the cows, it was a great experience. I won't say that it made me an expert my any means, but I did learn a lot about  cows and milking.




Isn't she just the cutest.. Moooaw!!
 

So, just to say this, I really miss having cows. Last month we had some land cleared and I was hoping that this would encourage my hubby to consider getting us a couple of cows. He hasn't said one way or another. So, I am in prayer.

I have been doing a lot of reading on mlking and the different types of dairy cows.. WoW!!  I didn't know there were so many.


Holstein
Jersey
Ayrshire
Brown Swiss
Guernsey
Milking Shorthorn
Red & White
Dutch Belted
Milking Devon

Which to pick?  I just don't know. 

Now back to the milking. My darling hubby brought me home a magazine that had an article or once a day milking. I thought that would be perfect for us. I could do that only being committed to milk one time.

So, the research is on... I am going to dig in until I get to the creamy middle.

Yolk VS. Yolk

It has been almost or longer than a month or so that we have had our chickens... Ahem HENS!! And, I must say that we are pleased with them.

I figured it up the other day we consume about 2 dozen eggs a week.. Yes that is a lot of eggs.

The hens are giving us a rough average of  20 eggs per week. So, I have to say we are making out purtty dog gone good.. Wouldn't you say?

There are a few differences that I have noticed between the eggs I get at the co-op as to the ones we get from our own hens.

1. The shell is thicker. It is a lot harder to crack
2. They come in all different shape and sizes.
3. The yolks are brighter and richer looking and tasting.

The middle yolk is your average everyday white egg. But, the ones are the end our straight out of our back yard.

What do they eat? you ask.

Bugs mostly and grass. We do feed them scratch at night when it is time to put them up. But, for the most part they roam all over the yard eating what ever they can get their becks on.

Are you considering chickens?

I think that would be a great idea.

Menu/ New Do/Easter Gatherings

Okay First things first the Menu.. I did put them in order on the headline post.

Monday: Biscuits and Gravy

Cube steak, Rice and Gravy
Leftover-Practice

Tuesday: Egg Casserole

Sandwiches
Concessions-Soft ball game

Wednesday: Oatmeal

Lasagna Casserole
Pizza

Thursday: Muffins

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes
Chicken Fajitas

Friday: Egg Quesadilla

Hamburgers and French Fries
Leftovers

Saturday: Bacon, Eggs, and toast

Eat out-Game in Brantley Co.
Chicken Alfredo

Sunday: Pancakes

Nana's
Hotdogs
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Okee dokee this New Do, I love it. I have mentioned in the past that I am rather spontaneous with my hair you may see me in a perm, long, or short bob style.  It all started last Saturday when Syd and I were on our way to the grocery store and I told her I was wanting to cut my hair again.

See, I don't put a whole lot of thought into it if I want it done I will go ahead and do it that very day if possible. (Side note)*** My usually hair stylist was not available to do this.. So, just to let her know I still love her and will be going back to her...  :)

The squirrel was not part of the haircut... Although they do make a great accessory.

I had this same hair style a few years back, and well I just couldn't get it out of my mind so it is back and probably to stay..I hope
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I know I am week late on the Easter events, but we ended up getting together at my hubby's grandmother.. We call her Mamoo..

They are waiting to go on an egg hunt.

 

 

Nothing like getting with the family!!!