Blog Will Be Moving!!

We have been working on our webpage.  We are totally redoing it and giving it a different look.  The blog will be moving to that page as well.  At this point, we will leave this blog here, but we were able to transfer over the posts from this blog to the new one.  When we are ready to go live, we will post a link here. 

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am grateful for all the sunshine we have had this winter.  Ohio is known for its long gray and dark winter.  We have had more sunshine than darkness this year.  So far it has been a very mild winter with short breaks of colder weather.  Right now the sun is shining and it is 46°.

What are YOU thankful for? 

Winner of the Give Away!!

Since we never heard from the winner and she left no way to contact her, we drew another name.  The winner is:

Mama Duck!!! 

I have been a bit behind this week and I am sorry for that.  I added up the people who commented on the give away below and also those who entered on Facebook and put the numbers in the random number generator.  The winner is:

Debbie Weedman-Lynn

I have asked her to contact me with her address so I can get her prize in the mail.  If you did not win and would still like a chance, we are sponsoring another give away of a yogurt cheese strainer.  Head on over here to enter!!!

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

I have been asked several times how I am doing.  So, today's blessing is that I am doing better!!  :)  My only pain is right at the site of the incision and only gets bad when I over do.  I still tire out quicker than normal, but I can feel myself gaining energy every day.  Because they had to do more than they originally thought my recovery time went from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, but I am planning on being good so that I have a complete recovery. 

My wonderful husband has taken great care of me!!  He has done his chores and mine and cooked and many other things.  He has done them cheerfully and with love.  People brought us meals and the Wonderful Neighbor girl even baby sat me the day after surgery for a short time while Michael had to run an errand.  :)  One of my friends in another state tried to make arrangements to come and stay to take care of me (without me asking), but that did not work out.  I have had many call and check on me, or email me.

I am getting better and so glad this is behind me.  I am truly blessed!!!

What are YOU thankful for?

More Sunset Pictures!

These pictures were taken last week before I had surgery.  Michael took me up to the top of our hill.  The first one was looking East and the other one was looking West.  A bit of a difference!

What the Day Brings!

Last night my sweet husband brought me home these beautiful yellow roses.  They really brightened up my evening and my day today.  

 I was supposed to have 2 friends drop by for a visit today, but here is how the day began.  

Both friends called and decided this was not a day to be out on the roads.  I figured I would sit by the fire and stay cozy.  A little bird told me that I might have visitors after all.  I watched and waited and here they came.

 All five of the Wonderful Neighbor children came over with a bag of valentines for both my husband and I.  They had each made us a valentine and they sent a lollipop!!  :)  I did not get a picture of all five of them while they were here.  I should have.  

Then later on, Skye began to bark and let me know that someone was outside.  Some of them had come back and built me some snow people.  I think it is a snowman doing a cart wheel.  :)  

I can always count on these Wonderful Neighbors for snowmen in the winter time.  :)  I truly enjoy them and love those Wonderful Neighbors!!

Give Away #2!!

It's time to do another give away!!! We are going to be giving away a Yogurt Cheese Strainer!! These are wonderful tools to have. You can make your own yogurt and use them, or you can buy it at the store and use it. If you like Greek style yogurt you can strain the regular kind and make a thicker yogurt with this. I like to drain it and then use the thick yogurt that is left as cream cheese or even sour cream. You can use the whey that is drained off in other recipes or feed to your animals.

Leave a comment on one thing you do in your kitchen that you do the old fashioned way. :) I will leave this open for a week and then draw a name. You can leave a comment under THIS POST or leave a comment on the Facebook page under the give away post!!

Sale on R. M. Ballantyne Books!!!

Meet a Special Phillips Family Friend

Presenting "Ballantyne the Brave" — 50% Off This Week

Letter From Doug Phillips:

 

Dear Friends:

In my home, I have introduced my children to a special "Daddy-approved" friend and adventure guide. His name is R.M. Ballantyne, and he inspires my sons and daughters with exciting tales that teach them about the greatest adventure of all — serving and glorifying our Heavenly Father.

Today I'm inviting you to share the stories of this incredible Christian man with your family, and I have a special offer that will help you do so.

Through Friday, save 50% when you purchase any three or more of Vision Forum's twenty Christian adventure classics by R. M. Ballantyne. View his books and purchase them online.

Pirates, Ice Caves, Wild Gorillas, and the Gospel

So who is R.M. Ballantyne, and why would you want him as a friend and adventure guide for your children?


Mr. Ballantyne was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1825. His father and uncles were longtime publishers of Sir Walter Scott, one of the most famous authors of all time. Building on his family's legacy in the book world, Ballantyne himself would become perhaps the most influential writer of boys' literature from his generation.


Called "Ballantyne the Brave" by Robert Louis Stevenson, R.M. Ballantyne was a devout Christian of the Scottish Covenanter kind, and his books reflect his belief in God's faithfulness regardless of obstacle or hardship. Ballantyne's adventure tales are filled with shipwrecks, polar bears, Viking expeditions, pirate attacks, Eskimo encounters, the deep jungles of Africa and South America, gold mines, dangerous savages, and many other heart-pounding, page-turning exploits. But though his stories featured earthly adventures and conquests, they were also self-consciously and vigorously Christian. He wrote with an eternal purpose in mind:

...in all my writings I have always tried — how far successfully I know not — to advance the cause of Truth and Light, and to induce my readers to put their trust in the love of God our Saviour, for this life as well as the life to come.

– R.M. Ballantyne, Personal Reminiscences in Book-Making

Shark Attack! — FromThe Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne

Save 50% on Any 3 or More Ballantyne Christian Adventure Classics

Save 50% on Any Three or More Books — Ends Feb. 17

Through February 17, save 50% off list price when you purchase three or more of R.M. Ballantyne's beautiful hardback books, including The Coral Island, The Pirate City, Hunted and Harried, and many more — we have twenty titles in all. Just add three or more Ballantyne books to your shopping cart and they will automatically reduce in price to $11 each.

Our R.M. Ballantyne book sale ends at midnight (CST) on February 17, 2012. This sale pricing is valid only for orders placed online, and may not be applied to past orders.

Save 50% on Any 3 or More Ballantyne Christian Adventure Classics

Persevero,

Doug Phillips

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!! 

Today, I am thankful that my surgery is behind me.  The doctor had to cut away more than he originally thought.  My recovery and pain level has been a bit more than I thought.  :)  It needed to be done though and I am glad it is in the past and that I am healing. 

What are YOU thankful for?

Blog May Be A Bit Quiet

I am not exactly sure when I will be back on here.  I did not forget the give away though.  I am having some minor surgery tomorrow and I will have to wait and see how the recovery process goes.  :)  Thanks for those of you who are praying!!

Word Press Experts!!

I am hoping to switch my web page and blog to Word Press soon.  This looks like a real deal to help me learn the ins and outs!!

Count Your Blessings Monday!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am grateful for family and friends.  I had some good conversations with family members this week.  One of which was my Dad.  I am grateful that I still have him and that I can talk to him on a regular basis.  I also got to have a long talk with one of my brothers this week.  It is good to have siblings that love the Lord and that love each other.  I am also thankful for good friends.  I got to talk to several of my friends this week, some of which don't live near here.  The telephone can often by a pain, but it can also be a blessing to get to share lives with people who live far away.  I also got some wonderful correspondence with some of my younger friends.  I got a colored picture of a snowman to hang on my fridge.  I also got a thank you card mostly written by the youngest Wonderful Neighbor who filled the card and the front of her envelope with her E I's.  :)  I have yet to figure out the translation, but loved it anyway.  Then I got a newspaper full of lots of stories from another one of the Wonderful Neighbors.  I understand I will be getting regular editions of this paper.

I am also thankful for all the people praying for me.  They are praying I will have peace this week as I wait for my surgery.  I know they will also be praying for me through my surgery and the healing time afterwards.

I am rich!!  I may not have lots of money or things, but I am rich!!

What are YOU thankful for?

Short on Eggs

We had something getting our chickens.  Sometimes there was a dead chicken there, other times there were feathers and yet other times they would just be gone.  We have not caught whatever it is, but it has not bothered us in awhile either.  I am hoping it has moved on.  

With our chicken numbers down, we are short on eggs for our customers.  I will be keeping my ears and eyes open to find some pullets for sale to add some to the flock.  I ordered twice the number of layer chicks this year than I normally do.  I also ordered them to come earlier than normal.  Our customers love our eggs and we want to be sure to be able to supply what they need.  

Yesterday morning was a bit foggy.  I loved this view. 

Free Webinar Today on Prepping Grains!!

There is a free webinar today on the ABCs of Grain Prep!! This is made available by GNOWFGLINS (God's Natural, Organic, Whole Foods, Grown Locally, In Season)  You will learn so much if you take part in it. You will also receive a free tip booklet when you participate. This webinar is so easy to do and worth the time.  I know you are busy, but make the time for these courses.  I have taken several of them and learned new things each time. 

Some of the things you will learn in this one are:

Why you should soak, sprout or ferment your grains

The differences between each grain preparation method

Simple methods for adding these techniques to your kitchen routines... easily!

Delicious and easy recipes using these grain preparation methods

And more!

You can make a difference in your health and the health of your family by learning to use and prepare REAL FOOD!!  

ABC's of Grain Prep

New Butter Molds Are Here!!

I had a customer ask me if I could find a butter mold that she could use to make sticks of butter with.  I told her I would try.  I found some pretty butter molds, but none that would make a stick of butter or make a pound block that could be cut into sticks of butter.  We have a friend who is a true craftsman with wood.  We asked him if he would make some butter molds for us.  He agreed and he delivered the first three to us this week.  

These butter molds are of heirloom quality.  They will be passed down to the next generation.  They hold approximately a pound of butter in a block.  This can be easily cut into four sticks.  

He brought us two made out of White Oak.  The plunger handle on all of them are Red Oak.  If you click on the pictures and make them bigger you can see more detail.  The ends are dovetailed for stability, but they also add a beautiful touch. 

This one is already sold.  It is made from Hard Maple. 

He will be making more for us and he wants to try other woods.  These are available in the store.

Amazing Graze General Store

Warm Winter Means Early Shearing

As the weather starts to get warmer going toward Spring, it is important to get the sheep sheared.  Their wool will begin to lift off or rise on its own and makes it hard to shear the sheep and also is not very good for the wool.  We also like to get the sheep shorn before they lamb.  The birthing fluids can ruin a large part of the fleece.  We have had a very warm winter with just a few cold days thrown in here or there.  Also, I will be having surgery next week and I am trying to take care of details on lots of things that need scheduled.  So, the sheep got their yearly haircut today.  We could not catch one of the ewes, so she still has her long wool on.  We will have to try and catch her another day and then take her to the shearer.  Here are some pictures from the day before they were sheared and today.  

Here is the lone ewe making sure she is not anywhere near us to be caught. 

She kept coming around and peeking into the barn, but still she kept far away.  :)

The shearers also trim their hooves for us. 

Who could not love this sweet face?

This is the underside of a brown fleece.  I LOVE the brown ones. 

Here are the naked sheep with the one ewe in the background.  :)

 

The Heavens Declare His Majesty!!

The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or a word;

their voice is silent in the skies;

yet their message has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens

where God placed it.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom

after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete

eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens

and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6

Isn't He awesome?????!!!!!!!