Simple versus "Normal"

Today I am having one of those days where I second guess things. My middle child's school, that he left when we moved, is having their graduation tonight. He should be a part of that class, had we not moved. He misses them and school more than I expected. If I offered to send him to the private school that they will all be going to next year, he would be thrilled.  The only way we could ever do that is if I went back to work full time. Which would mean, less time for the chickens, less time for the garden, less time for other work around here and my youngest would have to go to school... and that would be a nightmare.

I sometimes wish I knew nothing, that I had kept my head in the sand. If I knew nothing and just did things like the "Normal" people, I could force him to go to school, even if that meant medication. I could make him go to a place he is miserable at,  so we could have more money. I could work that 40 hour work week with that 35 minute commute, order take out on the way home, and sit with kids doing 3 hours of homework. I would never see them, I would never be home, I would never enjoy our land and what it can offer us. I would be back in the rat race.

Pinching pennies, saving scraps, shopping used, having chickens, growing my own food, and not being able to buy what I want when I want is the trade off for being home with my boys and helping my youngest figure this world out without him feeling beaten up and less than.

Times have changed. One salary, even a good one, is hard to live on. It is not 1960 anymore. Food prices and the cost of living are on the rise but wages are not. Good jobs are few and far between but there are a million jobs making minimum wages. People are struggling so it makes it easy to make that other choice, the choice of leaving the home and being "normal". We feel forced (like I do now) to make a choice we do not want to.

What has brought us here? We are slaves. Enslaved by the rat race. We moved out here to escape that, why do I feel like it has followed us out here, where things are supposed to be simple.

A Video Share

Please take the time to watch... and understand this is not a war against teachers or teaching but a war against a broken system. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uAZqMaBY2MI#!

Free the Food!

Here is a local Erie County family who just wants to grow and raise food... let's free the food people!

https://www.facebook.com/EcoHomestead

Homesteading... Does that make me a hipster?

There is a lot of chatter about homesteading these days. You can be a rural homesteader or an urban one. The trend is growing and it has seemed to catch fire.  The moms of 10 years ago who were once carrying Starbucks coffee cups, driving SUV's, and going to soccer games are starting to ditch the SUV's for Pick-up trucks, dark Folgers coffee in a therms instead of a Frap with soy , and 4H meetings and county fairs, instead of the soccer travel team .

I personally attribute the rise of self sufficancey to the internet. There is a sudden burst of inner farmer coming out of us. At one time it was normal to have a farmer down the street or at least you knew one in town. But as towns grew and turned into cities and people went from the outdoors, to in we became less in touch with where our food came from. When the big internet boom happened we were able to connect with people from all walks of life. The SUV mom, with the calendar bunched with dates of playdates, soccer games, and PTO meetings would sit down at her PC and chat with moms from all over the country, some who were living off the grid, raising cattle, and growing their own food. We are now able to experience other peoples lives and all we need is an internet connection.

With the influence of others from all across the nation, families are changing. From career chasing cubical monsters who had no free thought to a whole new generation of free thinkers who do not want to be tied to desk. There are more and more people trying to find their own wealth and spend as little money as possible trying to care for themselves and their families. The days of working 50 hours a week trying to climb the corporate ladder is starting to diminish and the need to for something more real is at hand.

So are you a hipster? Or are you going to stay chained to your cube?

Growing every day!

Our babies are growing like crazy! Soon they will being going out to their very own home that the fellas made for her. Caden has taken such a responsible role with them. He feeds and gives them water every day. They perch on his arm and never try to fly away. They really like him.

 The school year is winding down and bonfire season has begun.  My garden is slowly coming together. We cannot wait for our food to start grown. I will have many recipes for canning to share with you. We really are enjoying our life out here. We still have things we have no been able to do this year but looking forward to the years to come to start adding to our homestead.

 I am still taking classes online and I have starting working on my book again (the book has been in the making for 3 years now).  It is a wonderful story and I would really love to share it with everyone.So keep your eyes pealed for it on Amazon (don't worry my readers will be the first to know).

Here is a photo of Caden with one of our ladies, keep an eye out for more post soon on everything from End of year homeschool wrap ups to new recipes.

The Chickens are here!

Isaiah is the happiest little chicken farmer in the world right now. We picked out our babies today and brought them home. That child is just smitten over them. He has watched over them like a hawk. He said he needed to go take a bath , because he needs his rest, he is a daddy now!  I cannot wait to watch them grow and for them to start providing us eggs!

It does not get any cuter than that! 

Spring has Sprung

The hold winter has had on us is slowly letting its cold grip go. This weekend we enjoyed temperatures in the 60's. It was a very welcomed change. Carlos and the boys (and a good friend of his) worked hard on the chicken coop today. Everyone had a hand in the work, even Isaiah.

 With all the hard work I thought a great meal was in order.  I baked a chocolate cake first. I then got the courage to try and bake some bread. I have always been a total failure in this department but I finally found a recipe I could understand, follow, and use.  http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-italian-bread-59242

To go with this amazing Italian bread I made some sauce to go with it. Dinner was delish and all the hard workers enjoyed it very much.

And after all the deserved it. After dinner they went back out there and papered the roof so if it rained our little coop would not get ruined. It looks so awesome and I cannot wait for my little egg making friends to move in!

A great example

I wanted to share a video I watched today. It's not very long but interesting none the less. It will make you want to find out more about living this way and the man himself.  Prior to moving out here I read a book by Henry David Thoreau called "Walden" and it truly gave me inspiration to start living more simple.  Eustance Conway is a modern day Thoreau and we should all take note of his life.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD-R59hgRyc

Sharing

Today I want to share some of the blogs I love to follow.

First my friend Jayme Young, Jayme is a home educating stay at home mom of 2 children, many pets, and a motorcycling, hard working, husband, who always has a lot to say!

http://jayme-young.blogspot.com/


Here is my frugal, homesteading, crafty, earth mama Leslie Whitney. She too is a stay at home , home educating mother of 3 and husband of one working hard on her little homestead.

http://freerangefamilyfarm.blogspot.com/


Next is my home educating guru! Laurette Lynn! She is an outspoken political voice, natural eating, home educating, radio hosting mama!

http://laurettelynn.blogspot.com/
http://www.unpluggedmom.com/author/laurette/

This is a blog Laurette and I work together  on with some other great ladies.
http://thelivingfreeproject.com/


One of my favorite places to find wonderful things to cook for my family would have to be The Pioneer Woman! She was on my facebook before her fame (She can now be seen on The Food Network, check your local listings!)

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

And while I am cooking and caring for my home you can always see me wearing my apron that was made with love by Desiree Alsonso. (This is not a blog but I wanted to share)

http://desireealonso.com/

Hope you enjoy their creativity as much as I do!

Money talks

People sometimes ask me why we wanted to move out here. People also ask me why do I bother cooking from scratch all the time? They ask me why do you bother homeschooling? Why don't you just go buy laundry soap? Why do you want to grow your own foods? Why do you own fire arms?

My answer is this.... Why wouldn't you?

Today I took my sons to a second amendment rally in downtown Erie. Not only did they get to see how our first amendment works but they also had a chance to hear the history and the reason we have the right to bare arms. There was one key point that rings so true that was made there today. Where and how we spend our money. As a gun owner we are normally shunned from most public places if we are carrying a fire arm.  And most Americans are ok with this fact. They have been lead to believe it keeps them safer. While we all know when a public place is under attack people become victims with no chance of defending themselves. We have the right to carry and we also have the right to spend our money with people who agree with that fact.

Find out who in your area allows their customers to carry fire arms. Shop at those stores. Hire those companies. Support those business owners. Vote with your dollars. Your dollars have more power than any voting booth will every give you. I do not participate in Government education because it is not good enough for my kids. I do not buy the chemically laden laundry soaps or cleaners because its not safe for my family. I try to grow as much of my own food or buy from local small farms and stores for my groceries.  I also read labels and watch for companies that sell non gmo products. I hang my laundry to give less to the electric company. I cook for my children and my husband because its healthier for them and cheaper for my household. I own fire arms to protect my family and home. (if the President has secret service to keep his family safe I have that same right to safety).

Shop local! Buy used! Fix things! And remember your money counts! Vote with your dollars, Money talks!

What have I become?

When I was a young adult I was a rebel. I refused to believe that anyone older than me had anything to say was worth listening to.  I above all hated my Aunts. They were always cleaning my room, throwing my make up away, telling me how to behave, and to be a good girl. I had no desire to be a "good girl" and I certainly did not want them in my room.

Their homes were always spotless. They always had freshly made cookies and awesome food to share with anyone who stopped by. If you ever went to their home or even if they came to mine a hot pot of coffee was well on its way, followed by cookies and liquor. Shots for all to put in their coffees while they argued about politics, or "when we came to America" talks (or shouting matches) .

As I became a mother myself and had my own home I struggled with keeping it clean. I struggled with having the laundry folded, put away, and hung. I cooked out of a box and was not very domestic. But then when I hit around 30 and had my last baby something happened.  My dishes were washed, Mt. Washmore vanished, I dusted, I cooked, and my house is normally company ready.  Each year it got better.

Now when I visit them I really enjoy being around them. I love to hear their stories of the "old country" and when they came here. How little they had, how the saved, did their own work, struggled, etc. I appreciate what they have done for us. I appreciate what great examples they are too me. They are not perfect but I sure do not mind following their lead.

We do not get as much company out here in the county but when people do come the house is company ready, the coffee is hot, the liquor is poured but I still have not gotten that cookie part down yet... I am a work in progress.

Farmer Pabon

So what do you do when you move out to rural america? You become a farmer! They boys went to their first 4-H meeting this weekend. We are now doing research on Goats and Chickens! We will be purchasing them both and our family will have goat milk products and eggs!  Isaiah was so excited, he truly was in heaven when he had the chance to not only see all the goats on the farm we went to but to actually FEED a baby goat, he was smiling for hours!  (He also said, "I feel like a daddy!")

We have also started planning our garden. I received my first seeds last week. I will start them indoors on Monday (which is also Isaiah's birthday).  We are looking forward to all the fresh produce we will have! Carlos and the boys will be building my garden boxes, chicken coop, and goat barn.  I would also love a small stand to sell eggs and extra produce to place road side for people who drive by. We are all so excited to really start this homestead!

Pie crust that was running out of time!

First I want to make a confession... I am a total failure at making pie crust.  I make amazing pie fillings but totally bomb the crusty part. To insure that my pies will taste perfect I buy already made pie crust. I shall now hang my head in shame and say a couple Hail Mary's and Our Fathers for this sin against my kitchen. 

During the holidays I bought pre made crust to make pies. I did not use it all. So I had to use it NOW or it would parish. So if you have no pie fillings what can you do with pie crust? I posted on Facebook in hopes that one of my mommy friends would shed some light on my pie dilemma, and one did. My amazing friend Jillian (who is the owner of   http://statelesssweets.com/ , you should totally check it out!)  had mentioned baklava. Brilliant!!! 

First I buttered a cookie sheet. Then I rolled out my crust (be sure to floor your rolling surface and rolling pin, that thin dough sticks easy!). I put my first layer on my sheet and buttered it and did that 3 more times. 

Ok so its not pretty... leave me alone!

After 4 layers of dough I then wanted to add my yummy middle... so I chopped up some peanuts and put them in a bowl with about 4 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. After mixing it all up I added it to my crust. 

I then added 2 more layers of crust on top... both buttered.... and then sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. 

I baked my crazy little concoction until it was flaky and golden

 ( 30 mins on 350 but your oven may be different)

In hindsight I would have put sugar and cinnamon on each layer. I felt it was lacking that constant flavor through out the dessert. I also would have put more layers on top had I had more pie crust. Carlos loves them and the kids do not think they are that bad either. 

So the next time you have something that is ready to expire, make it something new do not waste it!

Good Night Kitchen

There are nights when I leave the sink full, the floor unswept, things laying about but I try really hard to say good night to my kitchen by cleaning it before bed. Right now I am so tired., my legs are heavy, but I am going to bed with a smile on my face. I love my home and I can rest well knowing when I wake up it will greet me with a nice clean smile! 

 

They day in the life of a Raw Almond

I purchased a pound of raw almonds. All my friends keep telling me raw are the best and to soak them before eating. So that is what I did... last night I soaked my almonds and this morning a friend posted a recipe for almond milk. I decided I would dry some and make milk with the rest.

These are my nuts for drying. 

Blend a cup of soaked raw almonds and 4 cups of water in your blender.

Use a cheese cloth to strain your milk .

 

You will end up with this wonderful paste!

I used a spoon to help push through the milk and then skim the paste off the top. 

And here is your final product ! 

Later today I am going to make some cookies with my almond paste :)

Oh spring where art thou

As I gaze out my office window I see a white blanket cover the woods and pond. My grass is hidden under the white powder just waiting for the thaw.  I received a seed catalog in the mail not to long ago and it put a smile on my face. A smile so big it would have made the Cheshire Cat envious. I am going to start selecting my seeds and planning my garden. I must make sure I have a schedule for seeding and planting. I am also going to stock up on cans and lids. This will be a most productive summer! I will be keeping my eye out for a  used dehydrator, which I have never done before.  Oh the sauces, the jams, the salsas I will grow!

I am also excited for spring to watch my woods come alive. I cannot wait to hear the frogs at the pond again. Hubby also plan on stocking the pond for the kids. They are going to have the best time out there! This place is like a giant park, with fishing, 4 wheeling, camping, tree climbing, and its my home!

Oh spring hurry get here fast!!!!!