SRKindredSpirits

    The story below is long, but good.  Saying 'NO' to abortion is something that is close to my heart! You see, I was that scared pregnant 17 yr. old, whose family and friends rejected. I went as far as to call an abortion clinic - (although I was raised in a christian home, and I knew it was wrong, I didn't feel that I had many options.) However, the baby's father was in jail at the time I found out, so I mustered up the courage to go to a Right to Life center. The lady there was so kind and sweet, not judging or harsh. ............She made me feel loved. I left the center, with a pink baby blanket, knowing for sure that I was going to keep my little baby, no matter what! Today, that baby girl is my beautiful 10 year old daughter. An artist, and a budding classical pianist! And, the best big sister ever. I couldn't imagine my life without her! "Hi, Mommy. I'm your baby. You don't know me yet, I'm only a few weeks old. You...

GO BIG by: Cory Cotton Rating: 5 Stars I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't thrilled when I first received this book - you see, I am so NOT a sports fan! And if I had to pick the one sport I hate the most it would definitely be basket ball! However, before I even finished the first chapter.... I was hooked! This book isn't as much about sports, but rather about how to make your own GO BIG idea work!  My husband and I have recently became Shaklee Independent Distributors and we are wanting to GO BIG!  Not only do we want to both work from home and set our own hours, we also want to go on all the awesome FREE trips, drive a FREE car and live the Shaklee Dream - all while helping others - You see, we want to GO BIG! The book is broken up in to 5 sections which are the principles 'Dude Perfect' uses - Get Excited, Own It, Blink Later, Inspire Others and Give Back.  Get Excited about what you do.  Fully embrace your vision - Own It!...

I was out weeding one of my many perennial beds today (a normal, regular activity for me), when I started thinking........  "Weeding is God's way of making my life look good, so other's can see Jesus in me!"  It doesn't matter how big (proud/puffed up) I get, or how pretty I am.  If my life is full of weeds (bad habits, discontentment, or sin), no one can see that I am a born again Christian!  You see, my beds always have tall, airy grasses, bright, pretty blooms and sweet, heavenly smells, however, when the flower bed is full of weeds, you never see the true beauty of the flowers. The weeds take away from the appearance, just as sin takes away from our Christian witness! I mean, think of it, you never see an article in a gardening magazine where the picture is a bed full of weeds! No! The gardening magazine wants their readers to see the beauty of the flowers. -Just as God wants others to see Him in us! I think I...

So, this past week, I started milking our Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat aka 'Jelly Bean'! It actually went very well. She didn't try to kick at all, but she does however try to lay down, while on the milk stand.... (not sure what that's all about!) And speaking of milk stand..... my handsome hubby and daughter spent an evening and built me one.... it is top of the notch and I love it! We are using the 'Once Daily Milking' schedule by The Homestead Prairie So far, I really like this schedule.....  I separate mama and babies at night, milk after morning chores, and then let them be together all day.                                      ........and am planning on sticking with it! . Since our goats are dwarf sized.... there is no need of big buckets or jars! I have a small stainless steel pail t...

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to cook and bake, but I HATE very much dislike washing dishes! Well I still don't care for dish duty, but there are a few things I've found that help to make clean up easier when it comes to a sink full of dirty dishes! First of all, let me say that if there is one thing to spurge on in your kitchen, you should get a nice set of non-stick pans.  Earlier, this year my hubby bought me   a complete set of The Pampered Chief Executive Cookware  ( both the 7 piece & 5 piece )!! Here is a post with more info and some of my other favorite kitchen items. OK, so I really like my pan set, but sometimes, while cooking, I get expectantly called away from the kitchen. (that's what happens when you have three small kids, home school, run a home biz and try to operate a small homestead!) Occasionally, I come back (quite awhile later) to the stove only to find the inside of my pan looking somewhat like this: (Now,...

  Stumbling Into Grace By Lisa Harper  "Confessions of a Sometimes Spiritually Clumsy Woman"  Rating: 5 Stars I must admit..... I LOVED this book! Sometimes, I get the feeling that all devotional books seem to blend together, sounding the same - but NOT this one!!!  I was happily surprised that Lisa Harper's "Stumbling Into Grace" was new and refreshing and everything I need in a devotional! I don't think there's a Christian woman who can't relate to this book. It 'hits the heart' in all the right spots.  Lisa never tries to hide her past or embarrassing moments, but uses them to encourage, teach and provide a little humor for you along the way.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one who makes a fool of myself on a regular basis. Stumbling Into Grace is the diary-devotional of one woman's honest, ongoing, bumbling journey of faith and how she finds encouragement through a deeper understanding of Christ...

veggies from the garden.....   I enjoy canning food for my family...... I love to open the pantry doors and know that I did my part to in feeding our family over the winter months!         My canning shelves the hubby built for me.... they are right by the garage door off the kitchen - I love them! Here is a list of some of my homemade canning must-haves.......  Green Beans ready for the canner....... Note: My oldest Daughter does not like cooked green beans...... she likes them raw.....straight from the garden!  Sweet Potatoes -  click here for the reciepe to make the best sweet potato bread you've ever ate ! Sweet Pickels   Squash - If you run out of pumpkin for pumpkin pie - Squash is a great substitute ( acually my hubby likes the squash pies better than pumpkin!) Chicken Broth - Pork Broth - Beef Broth - doen't have MSG in like store bought Shredded Po rk...

Yesterday, August 31, 2011 our Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat  'Jelly Bean' had her first baby kids...... Twins!!! Meet 'Starburst' and 'Skittles' 'Starburst' was born at 11:18 pm and weighed in at 3 1/2 # - he is a big boy! 'Skittles' was born a few minutes later and weighed in at 2 3/8# - such a sweet tiny little girl!   Babies are doing great and Jelly Bean has turned into a fine Momma.  my helper during their birth..... (I think this counts as a learning experience.....don't ya love home school!!)     Baby Bug 'checkin' the baby out.....  I was raised on a farm, around cows, sheep, pigs, etc., but this is the first time I was the 'responsible' adult ( hubby missed it by just minutes ) in the whole goat birthing process..... every time I see the miracle of birth, I'm reminded of what a awesome God we have! We are gonna let the baby's be with momma the next 10 days and then ...