Here you go...

I've been posting some of these on my facebook page, because they are absolutely cracking me up!
So here, for your Friday chuckle, enjoy! :)

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!

Loving

I saw this idea that I wanted to recreate for Valentine's Day.
Cut out hearts and write edifying things on them for your children.

 This is what things looked like when they woke up this morning...

 They were inspired and wanted to jump in on the fun.

 The love is growing....

 Loving Daddy

 Moma Love

 Loving one another...

(pictures are from Eli)

Loving this family that I get to call mine!
Happy Valentine's Day, Friends!!

Looking ahead, looking behind, moving forward

Yesterday, I spent some time moving over some of my favorite blog posts from my very first blog. Not knowing how long that site will be around, I wanted to make sure I had my memories over here at *home* :)
While going through some of my posts it became aware to me that, ahem... I have gotten lazy. It seems that I used to get LOTS more accomplished than I do nowadays. Really.
That surprised me too, because I feel quite busy now. Haha.... weird, huh?
But, it encouraged me.
Made me think.
It helped me realize that if I truly wanted to make a difference around this little homestead of ours, I am going to have to 'get-r-done' and quit waiting around.
I have so many dreams and plans, but I haven't been putting them into action.
I feel now that I have the gumption to start though.
I added an archive button on the right side of the blog, if you have the time and desire you can visit some of my older posts that I have transferred here. Some of them made me smile and laugh remembering things we did and realizing that many of them were 4 or 5 years ago!
So, when my alarm went off at 10 til 5 this morning I didn't hit snooze, I jumped out of bed, eager to get the day started.
Here's hoping to great things ahead!
Have a wonderful day, friends!

How to: Make your own vanilla extract

I may sound like a clanging gong, but… I am loving doing most of my stuff "homemade".  I have been cooking from scratch and baking and such for a good while now, but it is always good to learn something new.  I feel such satisfaction when I learn a new, old way of doing things.  Almost always, it is cheaper, healthier and tastier than todays way of convenience. So for now, I am going to share with you how to make your own vanilla. I've been doing this for years now, and I honestly don't think I will ever buy vanilla AGAIN!

 
First you want to purchase some beans.  Now you can go to the fancy Whole Foods mart and pay $5 for 2 or something crazy like that or you can do what I do and browse the net and find an AWESOME deal for 30-something Organic  beans for like $20!  Oh yeah, it was incredible… check ebay, that is where I found it. 

Now the next thing you need is alcohol.  Now, we are not drinkers in any shape, form or fashion… so the liquor store was an uncomfortable thing… but you need some to make your vanilla.  I bought just a $5 bottle of vodka and it fills up my container and sits until I am ready to make some more. 
Thats all you need my friends.  Are you shocked, I was… and how can something so simple make you feel so accomplished?  
Now… take your beans and put maybe 3 or 4 in a little half-pint mason jar.  Fill the jar up with your alcohol and sit in a dark cabinet for 30 days.  After 30 days you are ready to use.  
If you decide to make some brownies or some other scrumptious treat that calls for vanilla and you use some up, take your alcohol and top it off.  No need to let it set again, it will get all infused with the other vanilla and you will be fine and dandy.
So thats it! Have fun and you won’t ever have to run out and pay $7 for a teeny bottle of vanilla again.  Oh, and there is the idea of a super Christmas gift.  A lovely bow and a twig of berries tied to it.  Beautiful simplicity. 

Around the homestead...

This morning after a couple hours of schooling we decided it was time to go out for a quick walk around the homestead. Just to get the blood pumping, visit with our animals and get a little fresh air.

Mamie was VERY happy to see us.

The chickens thought they were hobbits and wanted a 'second breakfast'

Abram got out his bike and he and his siblings went to check the mail for me.

We even are getting bursts of color here and there.
At the beginning of February, it really isn't supposed to be happening just yet.
I'm a bit concerned that our fruit trees and flowers are going to be in trouble if we ever do get a winter around here.

But for now, we are enjoying our time outside.
Enjoying our time inside and just being thankful for this day we have been given.