Crazy, I was crazy once!

Here's the lowdown on what's been going on... CRAZINESS!!!
At the Chamberlain household on quaint Cary Ave things have been nuts. We started 4 projects this summer and by we I mean we are handing out the bucks not doing the work because that would be way, way too much on the plate. We instead chose to have contractors redo the front steps + platform, back steps + small deck, install a fence to enclose the entire back yard (including 4 gates (who needs 4 gates for a 50x100 lot???apparently I thought we did)), and finish basement. In the midst of this I am trying earnestly to get my business ready for my first show (2 weeks and hoping that if I count slowly it will be longer than 2 weeks), have some girlfriends over, and go on a mother/daughter retreat. WHEW... I think that I might have bit off more than I can chew. BUT I don't think I have gone CRAZY as I would have in the past. Yes, the good Lord above has taught me something (no, it's not the word no- I am sure He will be molding me on that really soon). I realized it's ok if my life isn't perfect, it's ok to have a messy house when the girls come over, who cares!! (I used to care a lot but not anymore, nope that's not me, I'm done with that). Life is not about how clean your house is or if the weeding is done-hey we could have dirt floors and a drought so that nothing grows not even those pesky weeds. The fellowship and bonding that we do with one another is more important. NOW, I'm not saying that nobody will care-we all have those friends (can we really call them that???) who might mention that you could use a couple hours of housework but use selective hearing when it comes to that. This is a big one accomplishment for me especially since my MIL is a housekeeper...Even she says who cares. LOVE that woman!!! Hopefully my husband will be delighted when he reads this (Honey, do you read my blog?) because it was a source of friction during that WONDERFUL first year of marriage for us.

Bye for now ♥Jac

Colors of nature

When it's time to harvest you'd better be ready. I had other plans for this week but now I will be swimming in the colors of nature. Yes, harvesting time is here. I plan on some help from the family to wash, separate and store these yummy veggies. Some will get used right away in relish, while the rest will either be frozen or canned. Don't ya think food tastes better when you grow it yourself?

Happy harvesting everyone ;)

I've WHEYed the options

In a previous post I shared a recipe for soaked oatmeal. Part of the process was soaking the oats in whey overnight to maximize the nutritional benefits. There are many sites that I have read about why we should include this process in our baking and you can read more on this topic at Nourished Magazine & health banquet. Many different types of acid solutions are used for soaking (buttermilk, kefir, apple cider vinegar, whey, lemon juice, etc.) but I like to use whey. I start with yogurt and separate it into whey and yogurt cheese. By using this method I get 3 different foods to use. Here is step by step instructions on making whey.

Items needed: bowl, small strainer, cheese cloth or flour sack, plain yogurt (I use organic but any will work)

• Place the strainer over the bowl and lay the cloth over the strainer. I have found that if you wet the cloth it won't soak up the whey as easily.

• Pour the yogurt into the cloth up to the rim of the strainer. The whey almost instantly starts dripping out.
  

• Twist the cloth and lay to one side. Leave on the counter overnight. Mine usually is done separating within 24 hours. You can test by lifting up the cloth from the strainer and feel the bottom. If it feels slightly dry then it's ready.
  

• You will have whey (a yellowish liquid) in the bowl and yogurt cheese (like cream cheese) in the cloth. I put my whey into a mason jar and use the cheese for spreads (add garlic and other fresh herbs) or add to recipes calling for cheese (mac & cheese, lasagna, etc.)

Happy soaking!

Freshness

I came home yesterday with fresh brown eggs (co-wokers farm), fresh raw honey (another co-workers F-I-L) and fresh cinnamon apple walnut bread (famers marker). YUMMY! I found a recipe for the bread and will be adapting it to my liking. When I get it just right I will share with all of you. I love buying from locals. Knowing that I could go see where my food was grown (or layed♥) is just...neat!!!

Back to basics

Over the last several months I have been trying to get back to the basics in life. Things like making my own bread so that my family is getting more of the natural nutrients, canning food from my own garden, mixing up batches of laundry soap, etc. So when I arrived at church last Wednesday my dear Aunt Amy gave me a copy of The Backyard Homestead.

I have to say that I LOVE this book. I doesn't go into too much detail but gives you a little information on many different topics so you will know whether it's something you might want to try. The book is helpful in explaining the practicality of growing certain things as oppose to buying them, the space needed for vegetation and livestock, and how to preserve the fruits of your labor.

The first thing on my list is to make a bigger garden for next year. I would also like to plant the cold and flu herb garden. I already have many of the herbs needed in my current herb garden. Hopefully one day I will be able to put to use the chapter on chickens (yes, I really want chickens).

What are some ways you are going "back to basics" on?

Forget it all!!!

Forget the words of slander heard; forget the harsh, the cruel word; forget the strife, the bitter test; forget it all, in Him find rest. Forget the storms of yesteryear; forget the rocks, the days so drear; forget the clouds you must pass through; forget it all, for He loves you. Forget the foe, the wounds we've had; forget the rain, the weather bad; forget the snow, the days so cold; forget it all as time grows old. Remember this- His sovereign grace, is all sufficient every place; we'll overcome, the victory win; Over every foe when Christ's within. Ernest O. Sellers

Soaked Oatmeal

I have recently been reading on how to soak my grains. I have some digestive problems that have been decreased by eating more naturally. This is one of the many food that is simple to incorporate into your diet with the added benefits of soaking. This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare at night and very little effort in the morning. So here it goes...



1/2 cup of oats (I use 7 grain for variety)
1/2 cup of water
1 T. whey
1 T. whole wheat flour (optional for a creamier oatmeal)
flax seed mill, wheat germ, or wheat bran (optional)


Add all of the ingredients into a mason jar and shake. Let sit overnight (at least 12 hrs). Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to a small pot and bring to a boil. Add the oats to the water and stir until smooth. It doesn't take long at all to cook. You can eat plain or add some yummy mix-ins. I like to add some natural sugar and white raisins.

I will explain about whey and the benefits in a later post. (click here to read about whey)