I don't have to say anything just look for yourself...

• 1 cup Shortening (Crisco)
• 1 cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 whole Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1-1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3 cups Quick Oats
• 1/2 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Preparation Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening with both sugars until well combined.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs together. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Add to the shortening/sugar mixture and mix well.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Mix carefully into the egg/shortening mixture until well combined. Now add the quick oats and mix well again. Finally add the finely chopped pecans and mix well to combine.

Divide the dough in half and place each half of the dough onto a sheet of waxed paper. Roll the dough into a log and then wrap it tightly in the waxed paper. Now you can either chill or freeze the dough until later or you can go ahead and slice the dough evenly into cookie rounds.

When you are ready to bake them place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until they are golden brown.

Pioneer woman is the real deal when it comes to food.


Blessings from my cookie jar to yours,
Robin 

New Life

I started on a health kick about two years ago and that involved a lot of new things for me and my family. I started juicing and eating lots of fruit and lots of salad. My family, who were not so much into the idea, took a little while to convince but they're slowly coming around to my way of eating... slowly but surely. This season I wanted to try some new things since I have so much time on my hands...um, yeah. ;) so I bought heirloom seeds from Solutions From Science. We have never started seeds before but I have a small little green house that my father in law had before he died. It's not much but he was a gardener and I pray his green thumb is still in the soil around here. I have gardens but he had GARDENS. They were big and beautiful and I can see him now up on his old green John Deere tilling the earth and when you passed him he would throw his hand up at ya without even looking. I miss that man. I wished I could call him right now..

So back to my little baby seeds. I wet  paper towels and let the kids put three or four seeds in each paper towel then folded it four ways and put it in a baggie and, presto! You, my friend, have your own little green house.  It's cheap and a very fun science project.

Make sure to mark your seeds and the date least you forget what you're growing. With everything going on around here I have to do this. I might need to mark it twice.

This was a great project for the kids. I was very careful with my heirloom seeds though because they are kinda pricey.  I had a pack of sunflower seeds left over from last year and let the kids plant those.
I only seeded my cold weather seeds and only a few to see if this method worked since I had never done this before. My goal is to have year around fresh salad and bell peppers..

Our kitchen window gets a lot of sun so I taped them to the windows ( I will say this freaked everyone out...not sure why, they all said it reminded them of a scary movie).. I ended up moving them to my bedroom windows and after about 8 days of waiting we opened our little green houses and here is what we found..

Not only did this method work but almost all of my seeds were ready to put in dirt. I had prepared my dirt by this point so the soil would be warm and I was just waiting on my little babies to pop out of their home.

The sunflowers didn't disappoint the kids, they were long and healthy looking. We slowly tore each bag and unwrapped each plant and then planted them in dirt and a little thing I like to call rabbit poopoo(rabbit pellets).. Rabbits are a great addition to your farm for a more natural fertilizer. You put it right in your dirt and you're ready to plant and plant we did.

I love seeing the life these little plants hold. A little water, dirt and sunshine..I also will tell you a little secret I talk to my little beauties and encouraged the kids to talk to them as well.. it just makes them happy. I love walking by and hearing Channie say, "Whatcha doing girls??" That just makes me happy. So there you have it a cheap green house and a neat science project....I'll keep you up-dated..

Blessings from the Farm,
Robin
 

Whats that light?

The light streams in my home through my windows or through the smiles of those that He brings to my door. The light is so warming and comforting. I almost always throw a blanket down and a pile of books and before I know it the kids are sitting in the light reading and never even notice . Something has drawn them there to that spot but then we're all drawn to the light. The truth of who we are and what we do with our little piece of light the Lord gives to us.  The warmth around them as they sit..I love this and I do believe it will be one of my fondest memories of my children's childhood( besides my table), the light on blankets and books. Their shadows cast on my wall. When memories have been captured, laying down beside them and feeling their warm arms and reading to them. Smelling the sunshine on their hair..  Putting my face in the warmth of the Lord's goodness.

 Again I fed the hungry this weekend as I do three times a day 7 days a week.  I don't know about you but I consider this big bunch of mine a multitude.The Lord always providing for our daily bread and my door so open that I wonder who will show up this time. The stories and laughter of 15 extra people at my table this past weekend, some I knew and some I had never met in my life, and my table holding strong as the feet and legs dangled under her. My children serving and my heart begging to know if they know my God. This young man is a star football player at our local high-school. He is kind and gentle off the field and he will probably go play college football at Alabama ( if I had my vote).. A face in my home that I know nothing about but he came to eat and eat he did, but not without having a little boy look up to him and respect him for just being there.

Looking out my window, I notice their little clothes hanging in the light. Again I whisper thank yous to God for the light. It dries my clothes and warms my children. It never goes out unless I stop looking. Unless I close my eyes to all around me.

My heart always looking for the light and when I look I see it everywhere. Just like when I open my doors. God only needs me to open and then He rushes past me, things happen in my life and in the life of my children. We notice when others are having a hard time. We notice when others are hungry or tired. We notice when others need shoes or a bible. In my home I can ask....

Do you have your own bible?
the answer was no...no I don't......my heart pounding as I realize that this little 9 year old didn't have God's word.

I can fix that.

God used me because first I was willing. He uses us....to shower His love to others.

School is always in session. We are busy counting, and learning colors...The older ones learning and pressing on, even when our days are long. Because more often than not our days are long and hard at times. We struggle with the same things that every family struggles with but we have a promise that if we keep what is important to God the main focus He will step in and fill the gaps as we go along. Oh I'm so thankful for the gaps He has filled in my role as wife and mother. He has drawn lines for me that are pleasant and although not everyday is easy with disciplining 8 children and others, I keep moving forward and I keep laughing at my silly self because God's got this and somedays I feel as though if I move a little to the left or a little to the right it might all crash down around me.

Silly silly me.

We have food to eat and Dr.s who we can go to when little boys are sick. When little boys cough through the night and I wonder what I would do if I lived in a place that has no Dr.s... We complain about waiting rooms and traffic getting there.. We complain about the money it takes and we ask ourselves why our co-pay is so high and then we complain some more. A complaining bunch I would say. When people in other countries would love for their children to be well. When I have friends who don't have money for Dr.s or even when she is so sick she can't hold her head up because of a fever she has to go work anyway because she is a single mom and work equals money and without it she struggles deeper. We help, not because we feel sorry for her, but because we have extra and God says give. I need to help or sometimes I think I'll burst if I'm not looking for ways to help others.

This week we were sick with what seems like something that lasts forever...and our dear friends brought us chicken noodle soup and salad..They fed the hungry and they encouraged me so much by allowing themselves to bless our family. The soup slowly warming and my children waiting in line for their portion of this meal given to us by our heavenly father..He used others to love on us and He will use you also if you let him.

What can you do this week to shower God's light all around you? Who's load can you make easier. Who can you feed or clothe or buy a bible for? Look for it, it's all around you, don't cover up your eyes.

God will use you if you say Yes!

http://www.mediafire.com/?kaxjvstzalunfs1

Another reason..

At times my house is so full that a bed would be hard to come by. My table is a constant place that I put food on to feed my family and friends and strangers. My home is not mine. It is the dwelling the Lord has given me to show Him that I love Him and am willing to share all that He has given me in order to make someone else's life a little easier or maybe fill their bellies or hearts. I love the laughter that is pinned up on these walls of mine. I hear it even as I write. The laughter of brothers.

Wait until you get a crowd and then your walls will strain to keep the happiness in.

 People often ask me how I do it all.  How I have so many people over at once or why and my answer is because I always get blessed when I feed others.

 I always love seeing people walk up my sidewalk and knowing

I have prepared for them. I have cooked or cleaned for them and they are most welcome in my home.

 When others come I am blessed. How can you have a home that is giving out more than taking in?
Start by having one family a month over. A small family will work fine. It takes a little practice working up to families who have 10 children:) but you'll get there. I love everyone sitting together, it just adds a touch of who I am. I'm kinda of a touchy feely kinda friend.... but you do what works for you. Just let your home be open. They will come and you will get the honor of feeding people from all walks of life if you first open your doors, well God's doors.  

I love celebrations. I celebrate children losing teeth to riding a bike for the first time. Look for ways you can celebrate and invite others to come and celebrate with you.
This night we celebrated the life of my little guy Cullen and  the Alabama Football national championship game. The food was simple but it was a huge hit. The laughter was loud and the fun factor will be remembered forever.

As my children get older I realize that having lots of people in and out of my home is shaping them to love each other more and to love others more regardless of color or position. They welcome all to their home..This is the gift the Lord gives back to you when you open your doors. Your children loving more deeply. Your children serving others. You don't have to go far if you're looking for a service project for your family, just simply open your doors and train your children to serve whomever God brings.  We have had families that love the Lord so much but we also have families that don't know the Lord and are hurting in this big world. We have had single moms and missionaries. We have had hunters and a dentist, large families with the most being 13 children and small families with a tiny new-born. We share our table with anyone and that means anyone. The poor,  the rich, friends and strangers, it doesn't matter our doors are simply open and the Lord brings them.

We love on all of them and when they leave my prayer is that they felt like they had

a meal with the Lord. 

Find a reason to celebrate and prepare to be blessed beyond measure. I'm already thinking of another reason to celebrate this up coming weekend. How about you? Can you simply open your door and let God bring someone to your table?

Homemade Laundry detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent:
(can be used for HE washers!!)

You will need:

1 box Borax
1 box washing soda
1-10 bars of soap
(we have used lavender lye soap, Fels Naptha and oatmeal and honey)
Depending on how much you would like to make is how many bars of soap you will need.
Basically, one bar of soap equals one quart size jar of laundry detergent.

Here are the instructions for two quart size jars.

Grate two bars of soap into a large bowl.
Add 2 1/2 cups of borax and 2 1/2 cups of washing soda
Mix well.

At this point you can either blend together the mixture in a blender for fine powder or leave as is. We have done both and they have both worked fine.

Use 1 large tablespoon full per load!

Cost Estimation:

Borax: $3.99
Washing Soda: $3.99
Soap: around $1.50 per bar

So for 10 quart size jars which is about how much the box of borax/washing soda will yield it will cost you around $23.00. And which EACH jar easily providing 60 loads worth, you will have 600 loads for the price you would normally pay for about 100.

Quite the savings!!

So why do I make my own Laundry detergent? Well I love saving the money but more than that I love training my daughters to be busy around our home.

blessings from the farm,
Robin    

On the Farm: Honey Cough Syrup

We made Honey&Lemon cough syrup using:


2 cups of pure honey
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice


Allow the two to simmer on low in a double-boiler for about an hour. Then pour into a glass jar and store in fridge for up to 2 months. 

It has a great taste and the kids love it. It's very simple to make and it has no side effects that other cough syrups have. We have honeybee's on our farm so the honey we use is very local and we know it's pure. Just try to find the best grade honey you can in your area.


Gearing up for this winters flu season with a little honey from my pot.




Why use honey in cough syrups?


Honey has been used intuitively for hundreds of years as a wonderful natural antibiotic by many different cultures. Today, research undertaken by Dr. Shona Blair at Sydney University's School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, has now shown the unusual antibacterial activity of honey, leading to a greater understanding of the ability of honey to kill pathogenic bacteria through several different mechanisms. In studies, honey was effective against many different drug resistant bacteria.

In one scientific test, Dr. Shona Blair used honey to treat E. coli. Dr. Shona Blair saw that honey "attacks" bacteria from several different angles; that the bacteria were overwhelmed and unable to develop resistance, and the bacteria died. In today's world where many antibiotics have become ineffective, honey was able to kill not only the E. coli, but many other types of bacteria.

Honey not only possesses significant antibacterial activity, it has also been shown to actively promote healing by directly stimulating human cells that are important in the immune response to help disease and wounds healing.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/022372.html#ixzz1hwVhYzwA



Lemon helps promote health by quickly alkalinizing the body and honey will kill any bacteria. This is a perfect choice for a quick cough remedy.
To soothe a cough, take ½ teaspoon for a 25 lb. child and 1 teaspoon for a 50 lb. child, about 4 times a day or as often as needed. Adults can take 1 tablespoon doses

It's incredible what other uses honey has! 
Some we've found:


Natural Energy Booster
Burn and Cut Healer
Incredible Antibiotic 
Sore Throats
Athletes Foot
Yeast Infections
Skin Moisturizer
Vitamin A enhancer 
Antiseptic



Learn More: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/health-benefits-of-honey.html 

Letters by candlelight

We sat as she read us her 20 page letter. The words melting through us and around us as we listened. Tears fell and emotions were deep as the words lingered. Dear friends moving, leaving, and to us nothing will seem the same.We sat in candle light and her voice kept cracking ever so slightly as the memories flooded our mind of times spent with these precious and dear friends.
I watched all of their faces as each word was spoken and I thought,  "this is how it must have been in the 'old' days when letters would come and the whole family would gather around and listen.When news from the war or from loved ones who had taken the journey to live in a foreign land would make its way to the candle light of home"...
She read the last words, "Dad would have absolutely loved the place. It's so tucked back at the end of a little old dirt road. We are so grateful-and awed- by His provision to our family; such a wonderful farm... It has everything we ever dreamed of." 
Memories pouring in and my tears dancing in the candle-light. Saying good-bye and knowing that things have forever changed and some things will never be the same.

I guess through my life that's the one thing I've learned more. One decision, one act of God's hand, will change everything. Which leads me to this guy, Jason Cooper. Today is his 10th birthday and the Lord forever changed me by this incredible gift of his life. I will not forget how sweet the Lord was to cover my sin of not trusting Him for more children and giving me the gift of Coop. The joy and laughter that he has brought to our lives is a constant reminder of the gift he is. God is good and oh, He has been so good to me. He gave me Cooper and I will praise Him. He took William and I will praise Him. God is always good, we just have to remember that.
Happy Birthday to a wonderful son who knows right and chooses to do right. You are a giver of so many blessings to our family and I pray that God's blessings continue to over-flow you in this up coming year.  

  

The coldness has us mostly in doors here on Chandler farm but our heads are swimming with our up-coming homesteading ideas. We have rabbits again and are looking forward to getting our baby chicks in a few weeks. We are baking bread and trying new recipes like Artisan style bread. We are making our own laundry detergent and still using our clothes line even though it's cold..We are gearing up to make a batch of homemade soaps, and we bought heirloom seeds to plant in our green house. So even though the temps outside are cold we are making plans for a busy spring.


God Bless you in your endeavors to celebrate life and the calling of everyday motherhood in your own home. Because if you don't celebrate the gifts God gave you then who will? 

So they'll remember

Christmas 2011