Monday, July 29, 2013

NIce day at Church, canned salsa, checked a dog and took the Ladies swimming.

We really had a nice day at Church.  We took two of the grands, and I got to meet my new grand nephew Dimple.  He looks a lot like his two older siblings but had a big dimple in his chin, like Red, Bug and my Grandpa Martin.  There were more kids there than adults and that is always nice because kids need the Lord so much and it makes for a diverse assembly.  We had from 10 days old to 80 something.....

I got home from Church and had to run out and check on Belle's new dog Tess.  She has just recently gotten her from a rescue shelter so wanted me to check on her while they were at Church.  They go to Zootown to Church so they are gone a long time.  The Ladies and I watered her, played with her a little while and then left her with a sadey face as we drove away. 

I got home and finished the Zucchini tomatillo tomato salsa I had started before.  I had shredded and diced all the veggies that had to soak in salt all night, basically the zucchini and the peppers.  I started with a base recipe and then added tomatillos, celery, garlic and lots of peppers.  I had to dice up the tomatillo and tomatoes, add the spices, cook and simmered it then water bath for 15 minutes.  I ended up with 16 pints, all sealed so didn't even get to taste the end product. I made up some raw strawberry chia jelly too, it set up nice so I will try some out on Poppie today.  He loves strawberry jelly just unsure if he will like this one.  We will see.

I am not really sick any more my eyes are still a little swollen and when I read or use the computer very long they water.  I have also been having bad twitching on the left eye as well.  I hope it goes away with the smoke.  It's not really smoky still and it didn't happen when it was really smoky but can't really determine what else could have caused it.  I have never had an allergic reaction or allergies before so maybe it is new with old age??

I hope the Lord blesses your day,  I pray you are one of his called children.  I hope that you know of Jesus's sacrifice for you and that you accept and believe the Lord in your life.... tomorrow.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Missing BBFC today and the farmer's market.... trying to take it easy.

Today will be my first time ever missing Bountiful Baskets.  I have been sick since yesterday morning.  I couldn't even supervise the baking so no farmer's market either.  It seems to be a sinus cold but I have had a fever and now I have swollen eyes like I am having an allergic reaction.  I have never had trouble with allergies before, or smoke, so don't really know what is happening.  I was nausea for part of the day as well, an no energy, I hope it goes away soon.  I had canning to do but didn't get it done.  So will try and get it done today with the girls help.  Enough whining. Lady is going to do both jobs at BBFC today, she will do fine.  Her daughter will probably help her as will as some of our wonderful regular volunteers so no worries in that area. 

Poppie, Mokie and Son brought the other little sow over last night.  We have decided since Poppie calls most of them Momma to give her a similar name so he can remember it.  We now have MommaD, and MeMa.  MeMa is about 3 months older than MommaD but they are both nice looking young sows.  We are going to breed them in August and September.  So we will have piglet just before the first of the year and just after.  Life goes on.  Can't wait to get Miss Chops offerings back from the butcher.

I have green beans to can, maybe just one batch of jars.  The first offerings of our garden for them, I also have zucchini pineapple to can.  The girls will helps so it should go quickly.  I did end up making biscuits from the water kefir sourdough with a little of the milk kefir sourdough mixed in.  They turned out wonderful so both the milk and the water kefir sourdoughs are both great options for those of you who like sourdough but don't like to keep it long term.  The wonders of kefir just keep coming. 

I hope you have a wonderful day.  I pray for your relationship in the Lord may it be all it can be.... tomorrow.

Friday, July 26, 2013

More tile yay! NO Cavities and a new fire....... Kefir experimenting update.

We stopped and picked up minerals for the goats the first thing we got to the Zoo yesterday.  We stopped in at Home Resources next, we got more tile, yay.  I also found a really nice kitchen faucet set, it is a nice Pfister.  I looked it up and probably paid a ninth of what it would have cost me new.  It is very nice. I need to get a soap dispenser to finish the look for my sink area, found several that I can get for about have what I paid for the whole faucet set, funny that.  I also found a perfect cupboard, for the Hoosier style cupboard I want to make.  I actually have the floor bin, the sugar bin and the enamel pull out board that is the counter top part.  The only problem with the cupboard piece was that though it was the right look and era piece it was about 10 inches to big so I did not get it, so sad when something is almost perfect but still wrong in the end.  I had just decided that it was not going to work when I spied a vintage Howard MFG wall mounted iron board set.  It has both the board and the sleeve board.  It is in beautiful shape, though it has no door, but not hard to make, so I was ecstatic.  I was so excited to get it as I have been looking for one for about 15 years.  I had had one but lost it when we moved years ago.  We are going to put it in the pantry, we will install it in the door way we have to close up that used to be the office door to my bedroom.  It was all in all a wonderful set of finds at my favorite store.

 I took a final count of tile when we got home and so far I have probably got about half, or more, of the tile I need for the kitchen and a third of what I need for our bedroom. I will need close to 200 pieces for each room.  I had a friend email me that she felt tile would be a mistake in my kitchen yesterday and that the industry was no longer using tile really as an option in the kitchen.  I having worked on tile several times, longer term, and was surprised at that.  I decided to check out if tile in my kitchen would be an investment or a deterrent.  I was happy to find that it was a better investment than carpet, vinyl or laminate.  It was not as good an investment as granite or porcelain but ceramic tile is really a good investment so happily I am still on my quest to tiling me kitchen floor and bedroom floor.  I am making several wool braid rugs for both to complete the looks.  I can't wait to succeed at my goals in redoing the two rooms.  I have finally gotten the two bathrooms and the pantry at the point I can grout them. I have to finish the laundry room and then I will grout them all at the same time so I can seal them up.  Sealing from what I can determin, and having had past experience with a counter I tiled in my old house, is an important part to a successful tile floor.  I did have circumstance, the other day, where a friend who has laid quite a bit of professionally tiling experience stop in to see my tiling projects and he said I was doing a great job.  He offered to lend us his tile saw in lieu of our tile cutter but so far we are doing okay with the tile cutter but know we can use his if needs be.   I am really quite happy with my tiling so far. 

The kids all had a "no cavity" day at the dentist.  Yogie still can't have the last bracket and wires on her teeth, we are waiting until September for the last tooth to be in enough.  Cubbie was loud and naughty, again, but probably being held down for stitches earlier in the week was still a trauma to her.  They did tell her next time they would strap her down if she didn't cooperate so we can only hope that by February she will be more grown up and more amenable to the whole situation.  One can hope.  We had lunch and we on our way home, there was a new fire in Frenchtown.  They were using helicopters and planes to try and get it under control as we passed by.  There were already evacuations in effect.  The fire had started at 2:30ish and was already well on it's way at 4 when we came past.  So sad and shamefully that there are all the fires we have.  This one was started by a boy mowing a lawn to keep the grass down so no fires would start.  There was a fire in the same place in 2007 burned a large area of land then and probably will again...... the fires that occur now are our great sham.

I found my milk Kefir sourdough lovely and bubbly when I got home, I will be able to make a nice bunch of baking with it today.  I found my water Kefir sourdough had already peaked so yes you can make lovely water Kefir sourdough but it is not a 48 hours ferment but probably only a 24 hour ferment.  I will use them both today and make sure but it would be nice to have a 24 hour mix to fall back on, so the experimenting coming along wonderful.

May the Lord be the master of your life, my he be the your great love of your life and may you know his loving embrace.... tomorrow.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Off to the Zoo with five for the dentist...... and stopping at Home Resources!!

This morning we are off to the Zoo, Yogie may get the last of her wires on so that she will be out of braces by Christmas.... well if after 18 months of waiting her teeth have finally grown in that is.  The other 4 have 6 month check ups.  Cubbie will probably be a problem,  she had to have stitched earlier in the week and it only took 4 adults to hold her down as she was screaming "I can't breath"  the Doctor told her nicely "you can breath".  She got "stuchers", three on her forehead.  Her brother and cousin were throwing rocks and she got hit.  We have a little shopping to do before and we get to stop at Home Resources. 

I am going to look, of course for more tile, hope to get enough to do the kitchen soon.  I have to look for a screen door.  I have flies and with pigs, kids and goats they are inevitable but I hope a screen door can help.  We have a little shopping and then home by hopefully mid afternoon. 

Poppie is going to pick the green beans, I am canning 5 bean salad, and green beans for Poppie.  We have baking to do tomorrow.  I am going to try out my water kefir sourdough and if it is as good as the milk kefir sourdough that will be totally cool.  I think we will make rolls, scone and biscuits for the Farmer's Market.  Will update with photos of the sourdough tomorrow, it is looking great, and the baked good is makes.

Well off like a herd of turtles to the Zoo.  May the Lord call you to salvation and take control of your life today..... tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Experimenting in Kefirs.....BlueBerry Sourdough Kefir Chia Pancakes.... the first real go on my own in kefir recipes.

I mixed up sourdough kefir two days ago equal parts flour (2 cups) and milk Kefir (2cups) I mixed it in my squatty 1/2 gallon so it made a half a jar of kefir sourdough.  I let it set on the counter for 48 hours with a tight lids, fruit flies can't resist it.  This morning I had to use it so with all the grands here, or coming today, well except for the ones that don't live here or hereabouts.  I decided I would make them Sourdough Kefir Blueberry Chia pancakes, sounds harder than it was in the end. 

I used all of the Sourdough in the jar because Kefir Sourdough is a one mix wonder, you don't have to keep it for weeks or years on end like with my traditional sourdough.  I am making the batch with water Kefir to see how it works out but if it is as good as the milk Kefir it's a keeper and can go, with Booboo's recommendation, into the "recipe book".  I pour all 4 cups of Kefir Sourdough in the bowl.  I added 2 eggs, one heaping tablespoon of baking powder, one teaspoon of baking soda, two tablespoons of sugar, 1 cup of flour, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.  I mixed it all up together and folded in 6 ounces of Blueberries.  Booboo got the griddle ready and when it was hot she poured out a lovely Mickey Mouse pancakes, bowtie included, we have been practicing pouring it in a way that you end up with eyes, 2d ears and tied bow ties...  Okay, kids love the extra effort.  I digress.  We waited for the bubbles, and then the holes from the bubbles and then it was time to flip over.  Flipped beautifully and the color was perfect.  We awaited it's cooking, and then plated it.  We buttered it and poured on orange homemade syrup.  The first bite was as good as the anticipation of if it would be.  They were wonderful and if I must say actually better than our normal sourdough pancakes.  Sourdough Kefir Pancakes are wondrous!!  Booboo is currently cooking off the last of the batch for treats later and all the happy fattened grands are off on their morning adventures with full tummies, and since some of the grands are picky little eaters that is a wonderful accomplishment. 

Sourdough Kefir Blueberry Chia Pancakes.

4 cups of milk Kefir Sourdough ** recipe to follow.
2 eggs, fresh from the chickens is best
1 heaping tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 tablespoon of sugar, honey, maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
1 cup flour, your favorite
2 tablespoons of chia seed, optional
6 ounces of blue berries

Add all of the first 7 ingredients to a bowl and stir up well, once stirred well fold in Blueberries, bake 1/3 cup to each pancake on a hot griddle.  If you make Mickey Mouse pancakes it will take additional batter.  Bake each until the edge is a little dry and the bubbles have begun to pop in the middle.  Should be a golden brown when you flip them.  Add your favorite syrup or jelly and enjoy.


One recipe of milk sourdough Kefir.

2 cups of milk Kefir
2 cups of flour, any kind

mix together and let set 48 hours and us in your favorite sourdough recipe.


May the Lord bless your day with pancakes in you tummy.  May you be blessed with the fellowship of your family or the ones you love.  May the Lord call you to his Grace this day..... tomorrow.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

The fires of hell are a choice not something that was done to you......

Recently I have had opportunity to think about salvation in terms that I have never really in the past.  I have thought about it in a more personal manner or maybe you could say it was in the face of reality in which I saw it.  I am getting to a point in my life when people I know are beginning to die, some older and some much younger than myself.  I have spent my whole life believing in God and in some ways I have just not taken the time to say to myself does what I believe that God tells me actually line up with what God does tell me in the Bible?  I like most people I know say when some on passes on, particularly someone I don't really know, I say you will see them in glory some day as a way to be of comfort but it that really going to happen?  Is that even really what I believe?  I have contemplated this much of late, well since it came to my mind, and I can't say that is even close to what I really believe, and that made me sorrow in a way I never have about the passing of people I know.  It makes me think of people I know that will tell you out right they don't believe in Jesus and they have spent their whole lives not believe.  I have now learned to sorrow for the truly lost. 

I know people that die all the time that never spent a moment believing in God little own his precious son.  They have made a horrible choice, not believing God is a choice a choice for hell.  I have recently had an occasion where some one I had known a good portion of my life died.  Everyone sorrowed for the loss of this person.  This person was kind to almost everyone they ever meant, this person created joy in the lives of others, this person was a wonderful person on almost every level you could think of, this person was never interested in God, this person did not seek Christ for any reason and never for salvation. This person was not written in the Lambs book of life,   I know that in the Bible it tells me that

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)
 
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.




 
 
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 







Revelation 21:27   And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
 
 
 
I realized that I believe every word that is written in the Bible, no, I am not one who looks for the proof of God, I don't have I know beyond a doubt he is alive and lives in my life.  I never really thought of it that way before, that I have to believe that the ones who don't have faith, repent of their sins and believe that Christ Jesus is the son of God won't be seen later in heaven.  The good works of a life time can not "earn" you a place in heaven.  You have to accept by faith God's gift of salvation and those who don't will not go to heaven.  They are not written in the Lambs book of life, Jesus's blood has not cleansed them and they are not going to go to heaven no matter how much we would want it or not matter how we pray for our friends, and loved ones, young and old, they have to accept through faith God's gift, we can do nothing to gain anyone else's salvation but witness to them...... I sorrow anew for those I have loved and those who knew not God ....

Revelation 20:15

King James Version (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.


Please if you are breathing you still can seek God's gift of salvation.  He gives the same reward to those that come at the end of the day, or end of their life, as he gives to those who worked the whole day or whole of their lives....
 

"the following is from the Sabbath lesson site-------
JESUS TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS PAID EQUALLY


Matthew 20


Say- Talking about the Kingdom of God
 
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man (Landowner, God.) that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard (To His people.).

2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard (You obey my law; you’ll get a reward.).

3And he went out about the third hour (A parable –never happened.) (9 A. M.), and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way (An attitude of just; because been God’s people for a longtime; don’t think I’ve got it made.).

5Again he went out about the sixth (12)and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. (The Bible tells us "13Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning." Leviticus 19:13, James 5:4)

9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. (Received the same pay; doesn’t have anything to do with how long we worship God. We will inherit the same thing.)

10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny (Some people obey God to a point and then they draw a line and set boundaries and a calamity comes along and they split – not a real relationship; complained and said that’s not fair.).

11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house (We must think I will never forsake Christ.),

12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. (The Bible tells us "8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." Matthew 4:8 -11 (Even though Satan temped Him; He was still in authority and said vs. 10; quoting the word of God; the reason Jesus overcame Satan was He had God in Him.) (The Bible tells us "11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense." Luke 1:11)

13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? (How dare they ask?)

14Take that thine is, and go thy way (Don’t complain; be happy.): I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? (The Bible tells us "21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath (Those who repent of their sins.) fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (He wants all to be in this category and in their time He will.) Romans 9:21-23)

16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. "


I pray for you, I truly pray for all who have not and do not believe God and believe in Jesus.... The free gift of salvation can be yours, have faith believe God, don't believe in him, the demon's believe in him, BELIEVE him..... and accept your salvation I pray.... tomorrow.
 


Saturday, July 20, 2013

Ladies, Mokie and family off to Glacier. Tiling and Pig sty fixing...... Evacuees go home.

Last night many of the evacuees got to go home.  What a happy day for those who have gotten to go back to there lives.  The fires still burn, but for now into non habited areas, we have approximately 800 fire fighters who are working on our fire and the cost is now over 4 million dollars. The fire fighters are the heroes in our town they saved our little village when the fire was literally on the door step.

The Ladies, Mokie and family are off to Glacier Park, for there anniversary.  Funny in our family we don't escape from the kids to enjoy our anniversaries we take ours and sometime extra's with us, it's a generational thing, what a nice tradition.  I have said before I am not a big proponent of "date nights".  I am not against once in awhile having an away dinner with my husband but I am not a person that thinks the weekly leaving of your kids at home is of any real value.  I do like to go out occasionally but I think that the kids enjoy the special night out as much as the parents so in our family it was always "family date night" when we could afford to go.  I think that during the family raising years the bonding of the family is the important part.  I just don't understand I suppose that the now generation puts on alone and me time.  We will have a life time of alone and me time once my kids are raised.  I know generally the raising of your kids won't have taken 42ish years but since we started over ours will be elongated but that doesn't mean it should be any different than what our original philosophy dictated.  I do believe that love should be in a specific order.  I love God more than anything and anyone.  I love Poppie more than I have ever, or will ever, love any of my kids.  I love my kids with all my heart, but in a way that lets them be less dependent on me each and ever day.  I love them enough to take joy in their daily newly acquired independence.

I am taking advantage of no kids being here to tile the big bathroom this morning.  Poppie is feeding animals.  We are going to fix Miss Chops pen a little, she was a big pig and got board sometimes so liked to make a mess sometimes. We will put MommaD in there later. We are going out with Lady and Sweetie later, nice to take advantage of no kids sometimes. 

May the Lord bless your life, may he answer you prayers in his time.  May you have the patience to know that his time is always the exact right time and may you understand, and receive, his blessing in his time.... tomorrow.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Back burns, many agencies helping out, more evacuations and the moves daily..... Pigs and Goats.

Yesterday they back burned around our town to keep it from burning.  Today the fire continues to burn in our little town, thankfully not actually in the town because of all the wonderful fire fighter, towns and communities from all over the state that are sending us fire fighters.  We have support personnel and law enforcement people as well here from many communites.  150ish homes have been evacuated or on evacuation notice.  The fire grows and the fire fighters try with the planes, helicopters and men to attack it and fight it back.  Some have stayed in their homes, in the voluntary evacuation areas, some have stayed in their homes in the mandatory evacuation areas, which is so scary.  Every night there is a town update meeting and we are given the latest statuses on the fires that burn.  I am so thankful and pray that it does not on come my side of the river.  I said that on face book, and some one commented basically  I was failing to pray for it to be out and not just worried about myself.  I do know that that could be the interpretation of my prays, but not the case I do pray for all involved and would not wish ill on any in the path of the fire.  I pray for all the fire fighters first, the peoples in its path, the animals, the homes and the properties.  I know God has a reason for our fire and we have no understanding of why it came or what is the good of it but that will come in God's time.  Pray for all in the fires.  I also pray for all the peoples experiencing fires all across our nation..... I also pray for the people on short fuses that are fighting over perceived offenses over differences of opinions about this fire.  I have seen several friendships hurt or lost by the misinterpretation of a word said, so please try and consider the other persons opinion and actions as their own business and not judge them because you know not their heart and why they made the choices they did any more than they know your heart or why you made your choice.....

I got all of my peaches frozen yesterday, I had canned the first two boxes, but I froze the second two.  I got 29 1lb plus bags of frozen peaches.  I will be able to make many a thing from them, usually I make up pie filling but this time I just made the frozen peaches so I can have more options at the time of use.  Poppie got my tall cupboard up in my pantry.  Now I can paint, well he does have to trim it out but I can almost paint and then grout and the pantry will be done, well after he finishes the shelf on the other side.  I guess I can paint when.... but it is coming along gloriously.
 

Poppie and Yogie took Swiss Miss Chops to the butcher yesterday.  Yogie was there when the butcher shot her, she is not sure she is ready to shoot pigs, so she will stay with goats for now.  She is a farm girl to her soul.  The butcher said she was a very long pig, very lean which is good for the bacon she will produce, her butcher weight (not body weight) will be 400 to 500 pounds.  She is older so the chops and such will be a little tough so I am having all those cuts, limited, cubed.  The rest will be canning meat, sausage, roasts, hams and BACON.  She was a blessing in our lives she was well loved and her meat is a blessing to our family.  It was funny, or I suppose more ironic, a lady that has been wanting to buy some goats called in the afternoon.  She has a Berkshire/Chester white sow, about 8 months old, she wanted to trade for goats.  It was the Lord's blessing that she called at just this time.  I made the deal,  traded Lucy Lou, Mokie's Dolly and gave them Danielle (the older Queen goat that Herbalist gave me they will be a good home for her as she has never quite fit in my herd) and the deal was made.  Her name was D but Poppie has dubbed her Momma D as that is what she will be, and probably just Momma to him.  She is all white, you can see the Chester white in her.  I am excited to have her, her mom was a red Berkshire and she should breed well with Charcoal my black Berkshire boar.  Our never ending cycle of life, guided most assuredly by God's hand....

I guess live goes on and there are things that a fire can not stop.  I know my friends are some of them not even in their homes but we here have to go on about the task of living, until it is at our door if ever, and we can no longer go on about our normal.  I do pray for one and all, knowing that not my will but the Lord's will be done, amen.... tomorrow.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Our fire is the 2nd highest priority fire in the Nation right now, our little town is truly in danger........

The fire news is not good and not seeming to get any better yet.  I read last night that our fire is the 2nd highest priority fire in the nation right now.  Half of our town, the half on the east side of the rive is under evacuation notice and is completely shut down.  We have fire fighters from all over here helping to save our town. Praise God for all they do and all their efforts.  Twin got dispatched to our town last night, should be here today.  The news changes so fast it is hard to keep up, here are photos from many of the locals that have shared them in our town......





 
 
 
Please send your prayers our little town could sure use them in this time of anxiety and fears.  The Lord be with you this day.  I pray he is with all who really need him that would be one and all of us..... tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

The teepee burners of the my childhood, gone with the way of life.... Sawmill gravy

I remember the teepee burners as big part of most of my childhood memories. I saw them in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico, at all the mills my daddy worked at.  Now if you see any they are something else, a shop, a monument to days gone by but for the most part they are all gone with the times that they heralded.  Every sawmill had one they were used to burn the mill ends from the boards that the sawmills cut.  Sadly in my life time the mills have now mostly gone along with the teepee burners that sent smoke up like a messenger of their existence.  I think I recall them mostly because I spent a lot of time picking boards out of the shoot as it went up to dump it's cargo into the fire that burned below.  We used the boards for a lot of things.  The barn my mom built laminate style for our sheep.  We made lean-tos and burned the ends to heat our homes when we didn't go and get firewood in the woods.  I recall the smoke of the teepee burners but back then I don't recall the smoke that we now have in the woods because they are left to get dirty and clogged with debris and then something sets them on fire and the woods burn down destroying homes, whole forests and people livelihoods. Well I guess not everyone's now instead of the loggers taking pride in saving the woods they so depended on we have the fire fighters that have to come and fight the fires because the logging industry has been systematically destroyed mostly because of the smoke from the teepee burners and because people want to shut the woods off from the damage of logging it.  Funny how we now have more smoke than anything in my childhood and the damage a fire does is far beyond what a responsible logging crew ever did.  I guess you get what you ask for or I suppose it is more that if you don't stand up and voice your opinion someone with a louder voice comes along and gets to make his choices destroy your way of life.  I think it is sad what our state, and country, have allow the few with the loudest voice to bring us too.  Okay off the soapbox.

The teepee burners had a warm glow in the bottom where the mill ends would burn.  They were a brown domed teepee looking funnel of metal.  The smoke would stream from them into the sky, they sometimes burned black but for the most part them were an ever present stream of white smoke.  They were a security to me as a child for I knew that some where near by my daddy was working in the shadow of the teepee burner that signaled his whereabouts with its signal of smoke.   Gone are the burners with all but a very few of the sawmills that feed me as a child, and more than one generation of my ancestor's. 

I remember well that my mother could not make gravy, to save her soul, when I was a small child.  One day my mother was in the house cooking away and my dad was out under the house working on something under it that needed fixin'.  My mom called out to him did he want gravy of should she just feed it to the dog, more as a joke than anything I think.  He called back and said "no, go ahead and feed it to Bruiser"  that was his hounds name.  She took him at his word and went over to dump it into the dog pan.  Dad was just climbing out from under the house and saw the gravy she was going to dump and called out for her to stop.  My mom had made, for the first time ever, gravy that looked like it was edible.  He got a spoon and tried it and yes, it was edible, so for years after that he asked her to make him some dog gravy, so sawmill gravy at our house was dog gravy.  Prior to this day my mom had always tried to put water and flour in a quart jar and shake it up then pour it in the hot grease, it lumped and made an inedible mess every time.

Dog Gravy (Sawmill Gravy)

( Fry your favorite meat, chicken, steak, deer, venison, elk or moose in your favorite oil, grease, lard or butter.  Usually coated with flour and seasonings.  After you get done cooking the meat, drain off the grease until there is about 1/2 a cup left in the pan.  Sawmill specifically usually has  fried ground breakfast sausage in it.)

1 pound of breakfast sausage fried and drained, retain 1/2 cup of the grease in the pan .
1/2 cup cooking fat with the bits from frying left in the pan ( sausage removed and drained)
1/2 cup of flour dumped in the pan 
1 quart of milk, give or take

stir the flour into the grease and let it cook a bit, nothing is worse than raw flour pretending to be gravy, several minutes until you have a paste that has a bit of color. (okay a rue, but my mom didn't and still doesn't know that is what it is called) Add in the milk, let the gravy come to a boil, it is as thick as it will get once it boil (okay it gets thicker when cold but that is different),  if it is to thick you can add a little more milk or a little water to thin.  Add the sausage and taste, add some more salt or pepper to it depending upon what it tastes like, it may have enough seasoning from the sausage. 

This incident occurred prior to my Grandma Thelma dying, my dad was so proud of my mom's gravy he bundled us, (Red, Silver and I, Sister was there but she hadn't been born yet so she rode with mom) all up in the car and took us over to Grandma's house so he could brag about mom's gravy........

Peaches, Cherries, fires still burns and my Ladies are home again, yay.

I canned peaches in the morning yesterday, I have three more boxes to go but they were not quite as ripe as the fourth box yesterday.  I had never stacked jars before, in all the years I have canned, probably because I have almost always canned quarts.  I have began to use more pints in the last couple years but had never canned 1/2 pints or 1/4 pints, ever.   Well yesterday was a day of firsts, I canned 45  1/2 pints of peaches.  I have decided with all of Booboo's problems, with food, and the fact that since she has been home this summer and not been in pain once since drinking kefir and only eating sourdough breads and our simple diet, they will not be eating any more school lunches.  I know the ladies at the school do the best they can but for Booboo the foods are to much of an unknown so home packed lunches from now on.  I canned 45 1/2 pints of peaches as a beginning of my lunch program foods.  I did it in two batches, the antique pressure canner (used as a water bath) held 20,  the water bath canner held the rest, all 25, and wasn't full but that is all I had made up.  I was kind of apprehensive, I had never stacked before and was hoping the work was for naught and I would have to do them again, hate to reprocess anything but especially things that don't cook over well.  All sealed and I was tickled pink, here is a photo of the 20 I did in the antique pressure canner.


It was cool, my Niecy, saw my photo and status on FB yesterday and wants me to teach her to can, that would be so wonderful.  I love love love passing down the arts that I learned from the previous generation, one of the most cherished things we can pass along.  Can't wait to get together with her, it will be a little while as she is ready to give birth any moment to her third child, a little boy.  Hugs go out to her, prayers for her safe delivery and for her family.
 
 The fires still burn and our little town is possibly even more in it's path.  I have heard that they have gotten it 15% contained, and that we are hoping for rain today.  That would truly be a blessing to our little town.  A large number of our friends our currently under mandatory evacuation.  There is a shelter set up at the elementary school for the evacuees.  The firefighters are a true blessing for all that they do.  Twin was hoping to get to be sent to our fire but is currently on another fire some where else in the state, it would have been nice to see her.
 
Poppie picked about a 1/4 of the cherries off of our pie cherry trees.  I was about 3 gallons, I pitted them right away, it is one of my least favorite canning process jobs.  I tell the Ladies all the time to do the things they like least the first so you get it out of the way.  I ended up with almost five quarts of pitted cherries (after they mashed done without their pits) so will need another gallon to be able to can pie cherries this morning.  I have the rest of the peaches to get canned as well. We are hoping to get to go camping Friday night, if only for a one night.  We love to camp and due to the animals in the last few years have not managed to get to go.  We actually usually only camp where we can come home and check on them if needs be.  I am of the mind that I live in one of the most beautiful states and in the middle of it's beautiful mountains so why would I travel hundreds of miles to go camping when 5 to 20 miles from my house gets me into a beautiful camping spots and all I could ask for in a get away. 
 
My Ladies came home from the Grandpy's last night they had had a wonderful time with their grand parents.  It is nice for them to have some alone time, without other kids, and just get to have one on one time with their grandparents.  Yogie took her little dog, Buster, and grandma had gotten so attached she wanted it to stay but Yogie wouldn't part with her little friend.  Buster is well and truly in her heart and has healed the hole Tillies passing caused. 
 
I pray for my little towns safety, I pray for all the people that are away from their homes, I pray for the ones who did not evacuate when the mandatory evacuation was issued.  I pray that the Lord talks to your heart and you walk into his loving gift of salvation.  I most of all I pray, and just give God  praises for all his gifts, whether we understand them or not, for even fire is a gift we just don't know why he gave us this gift... tomorrow.  
 

 
 


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Our fire burns on, homes evacuated and homes in real danger..... Thank God all the people are still safe and no one has been hurt.

The day yesterday was a day of anxiety for many of my friends.  My home is across the river so no real danger here. I have many friends that's homes are in the path of the fires that burn.  One of my friends that lives up in the mountains was evacuated early in the day because there was real danger their escape route would be cut off so they were mandatory evacuated as one or the first evacuated.  Most of my other friends were on the stand by evacuation and were evacuated last night when the fire blew up and started back down the hill toward their home.  The fire alarms were just going off again from town, I was told that it was due to more people needed to protect the evacuated homes but unsure for sure.  I will let the rest of my blog be photos of the fire, some from my yard with my house in them to show how close we are and we are not nearly as close to the fire as my friends.  Others of the fire as it came back down the hill endangering homes.... The Lord's prayers are needed for the firefighters first, the evacuees and their homes..... tomorrow.