Canning

Whew!  I am tired and will be a lot more tired too!   I recently advertised on Facebook that I was selling jam.  Boy, I never thought I would get this big of a response.  I have over 50 orders for jams right now and have a table at the upcoming horse auction.  I plan on making at least 100 jars for the auction.
     Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to death.  Money has been really tight and this is a true blessing for our family.  For those interested, here is a partial list of jams, jellies, etc. that I sale.

Jams

·        Strawberry

·        Peach

·        Pear

·        Plum

·        Raspberry

·        Blueberry

·        Blackberry

·        Triple Berry

·        Pineapple

·        Apricot

·        Strawberry-Peach

·        Sweet Cherry

·        Rhubarb

·        Tomato

·        Tomato Jalapeño

·        Strawberry-Banana

Jellies

·        Grape

·        Dr. Pepper

·        Root Beer

·        Mountain Dew

  

Butters/Salsas

·        Apple Butter

·        HOT! (wear your big boy panties) Salsa

·        Salsa

Drink Mixes

·        Instant Russian Tea Mix

·        Instant Mocha Cappuccino Mix

·        Instant No-Sugar Added Mocha Cappuccino Mix

·        Spiced Mocha Mix

Soup Mixes

·        Chicken Noodle Soup mix

·        Instant Potato soup mix

·        Friendship Soup Mix

·        Texas Two-Step Soup Mix

·        Colorful Soup Mix

·        Minestrone Soup Mix

·        Herbed Rice Mix

·

Brownie/Cookie Mixes

·        Brownie Mix

·        Cowboy Cookie Mix

I  also sell baked goods.  

The many faces of Ronny

Hi, everyone!!
   My 7 year old Ronny was especially expressive on Friday while doing homework.  As he did his assignments, I could not help but photograph him.  I hope you all enjoy the pictures as much as I do.  

I am just really thankful there is no one around to photograph me when I am deep in thought.  I am sure I do not look nearly as cute as he does.

Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Melody

Sack Lunch Ideas

Hi, all!
    I was talking to a friend of mine who has been having trouble coming up with ideas for sack lunches for her 7 year old son.  While I never have a reason to pack a sack lunch for anyone in my family now, I do remember those days and have a few ideas I thought I would share.
     For an adult on a cold day, nothing beats hot chicken broth in the thermos.  It just makes you feel good inside!  Sandwich ideas are: Peanut butter & syrup is a nice change from peanut butter & jelly.  Most kids and adults like hoagies so buy the hoagie bread and pile on the cold cuts.  Other ideas are cheese and crackers, cold pizza (always a huge hit), string cheese, and popcorn as a snack.
    I always tried to include a note of love or encouragement.  The hubby and kids always looked forward to reading what I had to say for the day.  I also always cut the sandwiches diagonally because in our household, when a sandwich is cut like that, it is our way of saying "I love you".
    Do you have any sack lunch ideas to share?
    If you need any other ideas, be sure to check out these links:  Smockity Frocks, The Common Room, Life in a Shoe, or Raising Olives.

As always, please help support my blog by clicking on an ad and supporting my sponsors.

In Christ,
Melody


Loving wife of Ronald and incredibly blessed home educating mother with fantastic children.


‎"Tough times never last, tough people do." -Robert Schuller


We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

September 11th

Hi, everyone!
    I have been thinking about 9/11 this year and trying to decide what I would do on the date.  I am not sure if my youngest son is ready to hear about what happened on that date but I don't want to just let it pass and do nothing.  I thought about making up some cookies and take them to firemen or policemen but we only have a volunteer fire department, etc. 
     Are you doing anything special?  Any suggestions for us?
I would love to hear your comments.

As always, please help support my blog by clicking on an ad and supporting my sponsors.

In Christ,
Melody

Loving wife of Ronald and incredibly blessed home educating mother with fantastic children.

‎"Tough times never last, tough people do." -Robert Schuller

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

 

 

Giving of oneself

     This past week in our homeschool, I taught the children the importance of caring for the elderly, volunteerism, and charity.  Children learn by doing (and by example) so we went to my mother-in-law's home and the children and my husband spent two hours cleaning up her yard.  Ron cut hanging tree limbs and the boys hauled off the limbs, cut/pulled weeds, and cleaned up her yard.
     We used the Bible as a reference and learned that God would be pleased with their work. 

“Give, and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over shall be put into your lap. For with the same measure with which you measure, it shall be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' - Acts 20:35

 Here is Brandon living Colossians 3:23

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

     

Conner carrying off some of the weeds he just pulled. 

Conner and Ronny taking a much needed break. 

Nina (my mother-in-law) offering up a cold drink to the workers. 

 Ronny:  "Now how do these work?"

Brandon snipping weeds. 

As always, please help support my blog by clicking on an ad and supporting my sponsors.

In Christ,
Melody

Loving wife of Ronald and incredibly blessed home educating mother with fantastic children.

‎"Tough times never last, tough people do." -Robert Schuller

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

MS, Depression, and more....

Hi, everyone.
     While it may seem as if I have deserted my blog, that is NOT the case.  Health issues have been getting in the way but I am going to try to make a concentrated effort to blog regardless from now on.   I have MS (multiple sclerosis), type 1 diabetes, and heart problems.  My doctor is trying to get me on disability but until then, we are on our own for all the added medical expenses.  Also, lately, the MS has been really acting up and I have problems with concentration and with my hands.  I get where I have little sensation in my fingers and hands and it is hard to type when you can't tell if you hit a key or not.
      Now with the extra expenses related to the illness, etc. we are having financial difficulties and then I get depressed and it is really hard to function then.  I know being depressed helps noone but sometimes I just can't help it.  Just pray for us.  Pray for me.
     
     I will try to write at least 5 times a week and if I don't please tell me about it.  Maybe together we can keep me going and focused.
    Hugs to all my friends out there!
Melody