Baby Boy Turns 5

The day was sunny, the skies were blue, and the temperature was perfect. The lazy spring afternoon spent visiting with friends while enjoying the porch swings and rocking chairs of our hostess. A play day. The warm days had beckoned us outside, and we mothers and our children enjoyed the afternoon of fellowship and play.

I couldn't have asked for a better diversion. My due date had come and gone, but that was normal for me. I fully expected to go over the usual two weeks, but I wasn't nearly there yet.

We headed home around 5:30 pm and I asked the older children if they'd mind watching the younger ones while I lay down for a short nap. Almost as soon as my feet left the floor and my head hit the pillow, I felt a gush. Now THAT wasn't normal for me, and it wouldn't stop.

Why in the world a mother who'd already birthed twelve children felt such shock I cannot explain, but I was indeed surprised. I'd so fully convinced myself that I wouldn't have a baby in my arms for another week:) And I guess the carefree day I'd spent among friends left me little time to think of my condition.

Baby Boy made a grand entrance that Friday evening with three minutes to spare:) He was born at 11:57 pm.

Judson Henry, I clearly remember the day God called you out of my womb. When your body swooshed out. When I saw your tiny face for the first time. When I first felt your warm skin next to mine. When I felt a flood of emotions and overwhelming love. When I praised our Maker for the miracle of new life. When I heard your fine father, who stood beside me for the thirteenth time, offer up a heartfelt prayer of thanks to the Great I Am. I remember. A lovely end to a lovely day.

God bless you, Judson Henry.

Psalm 139:13 & 14 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.


Blessings,

Sherry

Bruschetta With Tomatoes And Basil

Today's post will include a recipe for Bruschetta, a favorite of ours which can be made using fresh or canned tomatoes.

BRUSCHETTA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Preheat the broiler and toast thick slices of crusty bread on both sides.

Prepare a dish of 4 tablespoons olive oil with a generous sprinkle of garlic salt or fresh.

Dip each side of bread in olive oil mixture.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 quart jar of diced tomatoes, drained or 4 medium tomatoes, diced,

1/2 cup dried or fresh basil, and salt and black pepper.

Divide the tomato mixture among the bruschetta. Enjoy!

You might also enjoy a bit of melted mozzarella on the bread before adding the tomato mixture or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of the tomato mixture.

If you grow your own tomatoes and basil, you have a very inexpensive addition to your next Italian meal!

My daughter Emily usually prepares this recipe using fresh ingredients, but recently we were out of tomatoes and really wanted bruschetta to serve with a company meal. With gas prices and tomato prices being what they are and not wanting to drive the long distance to town for just one item, she decided to try making it with our home-grown canned tomatoes. It was DELICIOUS!

One of our goals as a family is to learn to plan more and more of our meals around ingredients we presently grow or which we could grow in the future. The tomato is a *star* ingredient on our list. It, like the potato, is SO versatile!



I'd love to hear your favorite ways of using up your tomato harvest:)

Blessings,

Sherry

P.S. Emily bakes 2 baguettes for the bread in this recipe.

Home Dairy!

Give Away: Home Dairy!

I very recently discovered a LOVELY blog called Homestead Revival, and I noticed this morning that Amy currently has a great give-away...another Ashley English book...Home Dairy!

I entered our family this morning. What, with a fresh cow and another to give birth very soon, we hope to be *swimming* in milk!

Ashley's book, judging by the table of contents, looks to be a winner.

We're always looking for creative new means of using up our raw milk, and we love experimenting with new recipes and methods. We have much to learn, and I think Ashley has much to teach!

So, whether you have access to raw milk or hope to in the future, be sure to visit Amy at her blog, Homestead Revival, for a chance to enter and win Home Dairy!

You can visit Ashley at her blog, Small Measure!

Amy's give-away ends Friday, April 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST!

Tomatoes

It's just about that time of year again, and this years' nearly one hundred tomato seedlings are growing nicely.

We have several cases of tomato products left from last years' harvest to
finish before
this years'
harvest begins.

Did you know that in America varieties were initially red, yellow and whitish in color, and some thought tomatoes to be
poisonous?

Why can tomatoes?

Many believe that the loss of vitamins when food is
canned makes it not worth our while, but according to an article I read on Fox News today, 9 Best Canned Foods, "canned foods ain't all that bad".

"The general
argument is that vitamins diminish over time when produce is tinned, but this is actually just as (if not more) likely to occur with fresh produce, which often sits around in packing plants for lengthy periods before hitting the shelves at your local grocery store."

"Fruits and vegetables picked for canning are usually processed quickly. A study at the University of Illinois found that a great deal of canned fruit and vegetables contains the same amount of dietary fiber and vitamins as their fresh equivalents."

"Scientists have been talking about ketchup being a healthy part of your diet for a while now, and this is mainly because lycopene, the antioxidant component of the tomato, becomes more potent when heated. Thus, canned tomatoes are a high source of lycopene and are also rich in vitamins A and C while containing no fat or salt."

So, while I prefer the healthier aspects of eating them fresh and straight from the garden, I also enjoy the convenience of having them lined up on the pantry shelves for hearty winter fare.

If I didn't can tomatoes, I'd most certainly have to purchase cans from the grocer for things like chili, various soups, and sauces used throughout the year.

Tomorrows post will include a special tomato recipe made for me by one of my daughters. It's a favorite of mine and can be made using fresh or home canned tomatoes. A taste of summer *can*
be experienced all year long!

Blessings,

Sherry

The Little Home

~ The Little Home ~
Edgar A. Guest

The little house is not to small
To shelter friends who come to call,
Though low the roof and small its space
It holds the Lord's abounding grace,
And every simple room may be
Endowed with happy memory.

The little house, severely plain,
A wealth of beauty may contain.
Within it those who dwell may find
High faith which makes for peace of mind,
And that sweet understanding which
Can make the poorest cottage rich.

The little house can hold all things
From which the soul's contentment springs.
'Tis not too small for love to grow,
For all the joys that mortals know,
For mirth and song and that delight
Which make the humblest dwelling bright.

A Mother's Prayer

We lingered long at the table this morning, our breakfast and devotions finished, and I noticed the beautiful bowl of apples placed on the table. The apples reminded me of the sign hanging over the stove. I glanced up and read the familiar words.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

I'm inspired and convicted.

Lord,

May the words that flow from my lips today be "words fitly spoken", words that are meaningful and sensitive to those who hear them.

May I be mindful of the power of my words to encourage others ~~ opportunities to build others up ~~ or to tear others down.

May I take the time today to speak loving words into the lives of my family members remembering that most encouragement is brief and seemingly inconsequential at the time.

May YOUR WORDS seep deeply into my being and make me mindful of what's truly important today.

Amen

The Creek

Jacob took part of the tribe to the creek this afternoon. The creek has been such a blessing over the years. So many fun times and great memories with family and friends, there's just something about water.


Moose jumps in.


Run through the jungle.


We built this dam the first year we moved to the valley. It makes a nice swimming hole.
Not gonna keep him out.


Bye, bye now...

Sorghum

2010 sorghum pictures~enjoy!
sunrise
stripping the sorghum cane


Emi
working in the sorghum patch
cane cutters











visiting


seed heads will be used for chicken feed




papaw supervising?




pressing
cooking the juice
giving the horses a break ;)

reinforcements
more wood
hannah joy


cooking late into the night
HOT!

all gone

Josh