Bunny Friends

MUST. FIND. TELEPHOTO. LENS.

These friends could have been so much cuter, close up and personal if only I knew where my long lens was. I haven't used it since moving in March, and I *really* need to find it and have it close-by! We often witness our bunny friends trampsing through our yard. This morning I was watching Peter Rabbit on hind legs, eating from the hedges it appeared. Very cute. Before long, Benjamin Bunny came hopping over. I got a few shots, made him a bit nervous before he high-tailed it outta there. Love the cotton-tails as they beat feet.

By the way, if you have a garden and consider these cute crittersr a nuisance, did you know you can deter them harmlessly by planting a border of parsley around your *real* prize, because they love parsley and will leave your other things alone if there is plenty of that to distract them.

Taking advantage of the rain

On Sunday I finally planted some bulbs, which bloom in the summer. I bought dahlias, peonies, echinacea and gladiolas to add to the already existing collection. Right now we have hyacinth, and several varieties of daffoldils and a few tulips popping up here and there. We have hostas and other things not yet identified and it is quite beautiful. There are also forsynthia bushes and flowering trees, it's such a delight to step outside in this season to see what is springing to life next! The flowers I chose are all shades of pink, but the gladiolas are bright red. I am sure the daffoldils will be dead by the time these bloom in the summer, so I am hoping I planted them correctly and they peek out in a few months. I just LOVE planting, and taking part in the cycle of life, and watching what I've tended bloom in all its glory when the appointed time has come. The yard is nicely landscaped, but I wanted to add something of my own to it. I'm not that content to just sit back and enjoy the owners' efforts, I want to add some of me to the mix. ;-)
I would love to buy some lilacs and hydrangeas too, and might end up doing just that. I am planning on attending the lilac festival in Rochester next month, and heard that they let things go much more inexpensively during the last week. I will also be eyeballing them at the farmers market and see what the price is. This is not our home, we are renting it, but why not make it ours while we have it? That is my motto, love it like my own, and enjoy it to the fullest.

Yesterday the rain became very light, down to a drizzle so I figured it was a good time, at that time, mid-afternoon to plant my bulbs. I got them all planted but the gladiolas before the rain fell heavier, and I sought refuge indoors. I think it's just perfect to take advantage of a couple rainy days when planting, rather than sit there with a hose turned on the new additions, I get satisfaction from that type of efficiency. hehe

Here are some photos of what is currently in bloom:

I added the echinace in the middle of some hostas, and the peonies and dahlias in the back row of these beds:

~Surrounding our home in Scripture~

On Thursday we finally made our way into our new home in upstate NY. We had been in the process of moving for 3 months as we were originally moving to GA, which got postponed and changed to NY with a promotion my husband received *right* before relocating. It's been a very trying time, and I am glad to be settled and hope to get back into a routine soon. It's also strange to look around and realize we do not know one soul! Right before moving we dealt with a Spiritual shock. I am not at liberty to discuss it, but suffice to say I felt the need to surround my home with God's Word.

Here is my first project doing just that:




Have you seen this vinyl lettering before? I found this at Kohl's. You simply clean the wall, then rub to apply. The larger letters were much more challenging to get off of the plastic sheeting onto the wall, and the small letters were very easy. You can easily tell my signature: the slightly crooked end result! haha

This lettering can be removed with no damage to the wall, but it cannot be reapplied. I love it, and it has that painted look. This is the first time we've had a mantle and I was very eager to decorate. =)



I also plan on using pretty scrapbooking paper to print verses on and frame. We actually have a lot of wall and decorating room where we did not previously.

I will update when I add more~

Home Food Storage

A handful of years ago I started becoming interested in stockpiling food. Well, not going overboard, rather taking advantage of sales and stocking up on certain items that would last a long time such as canned tuna, canned tomatoes, canned veggies, pastas, rice, beans, sugar, baking soda/powder etc,...

I read a book by Ellie Kay called Shop, Save and Share which was about being a good steward with your money, and stocking up on pantry items, and being able to share with others out of that surplus. If I'm not mistaken (I've read a lot from different sources on this subject) there was also info on rotating your stock and planning to use items in your menu planning before the best by dates.

Our family had been no stranger to hard times hitting, and as we were determined to keep me home for the children and staying a one-income family, this was of great interest to me and helped me have a better system for what I already practiced. There was a time I was able to bag up a few bags of groceries for a neighbor having a difficult period.

Other sources that helped me out in a jam is an article by Dee Ann Guzman titled, Meals for Hard Times. I especially appreciated this woman's gentle and spiritual comforting throughout her article. This is one I have printed, put into page protector and slipped into my binder.

Have you heard of the Hillbilly Housewife? She has a few resources that were of great interest to me when our budget was very tight for our large family. While these ideas may not be ideal I believe she did a great job of providing emergency and low cost ideas when stretching to feed a family under un-ideal circumstances. Her site provides a $45 emergency menu and a $70 low cost menu which both feed a family of 4-6.

Because of having had several difficult economic experiences, and growing up similarly as a child, the idea of preparation became very relevant to me, especially watching the world around us get more unstable. Of course, we are not in fear, as Heavenly Father certainly watches over his children, but may not part of that possibly be teaching to prepare ahead? I think so. Whether it ever comes in need or not, I would rather have and not need, than to be in want and not have it.

I have purchased a number of superpails from Emergency Essentials about a year ago. Take a peek and see how many options there are, which are specifically packaged for long-term storage, complete with oxygen absorber to keep the food fresh. They have everything from legumes and grains, to reconstituting butter, cheese sauce and tomato sauce! These can be very pricey, it was definitely a tax refund decision for our family, as was our homeschool curriculum! :D

I even found a great cookbook about cooking from long term storage, and here is an article on just that with a number of recipes to get an idea of what it is like. Very neat stuff!!

Now of course, the recommendation is to have a year's supply of food and water. This would come in handy in the case of an emergency, but let's face it if the world goes completely nuts it will only do so much. Again, I would rather have and be able to share than to be in want and have not. So, while things are going well for us, this is what I work on for our family.

My grandmother bought me a hand crank grain mill this year. Yes, it would be a lot of work, and many hands would be required (I remember reading about that in Little House with the coffee grinder and the wheat..WHEW!!!) but should we be without electricity we could still use our supply.

A simple Coleman camping stove was picked up at a flea market by us last year to have on hand as well. After all having all this food, but no electricity to light our stove would put a damper on the whole plan!

One last resource, I have found the advice on Provident Living very wise and helpful when going about starting and maintaining home food storage. I have used it quite a bit, and there are even calculators so you can estimate what amounts you should store for your particular family size.

I am still working on my long-term and shorter term home food storage. Little by little, just like the busy ants.

Pro 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;