water

water. it nourishes and cleanses the body. we need it to live, it makes us whole. the sounds of water trickling down a creek or a waterfall can calm a stressed person. the beauty of it is heaven to our eyes. one of Gods most awesome ideas. and with all the wonderful and beautiful things it can do and be, it can also be quite destructive.
it rained thursday night. we lost power. (we found out later) the pump was not correctly hooked up to the generator panel. we flooded. with one pump pumping , we watched the rain overflow the pond, flow into our backyard and become the cummings lake. we did everything we could at that time. and then we waited. we grouped as a family, staying in the family rooms, we tried to sleep and for awhile we did . broken rest not really enought to prepare us for the day of work ahead.
the next morning we awoke to find things floating but the pump still working. God was watching over us and we did not lose anything important in the flood. dad and mom in law came over to help and dad stayed all day. if not for him, we would have had more problems and headaches. we got the pump replaced, the entire basement vaccuumed and mostly dry.
we are reminded that we are not in charge and as much as we pray for one thing, God already has His plan in place. we are given the strength to manage through it all. the Grace of God shines again.

whole foods

i've been reading "Food Matters" by Mark Bittman. His book is quite interesting, but his thoughts are not new by any means. In my rewording, his book is about the rate at which the american public eats meat(including beef, pork, chicken and drinking milk) He states in his book that the average person eats about 90% junk food, foods high in fat, high in simple carbs and minimal plant food (beans).He also talks about how we have had to increase the number of cows, pigs and chickens to keep up with out need. He claims that we should eat 90% plant food(fruits, veggies, and plant protiens) and 10% meat protein.
I had been thinking about changing my diet and came upon this book at the library. His ideas made sense to me, seeing that I am no longer 18 and able to eat whatever I want.(without feeling crappy after)
He also says that instead of refined flours, simple sugars, and simple carbs we should be eating whole grains, brown rice, whole wheat bread. Several of my friends have had to radically change their diets because of health issues. I have decided to give this a chance. so far, I have felt better and have made healthier choices when going to restaurants. This is not a diet, but a lifestyle change.If it means that I feel better and am in better health,it is worth it. The key is to make healthy, sane choices about what I eat, but no to deprive myself of some of my favorites.
so far, its working. I'll keep you posted....

its a beeeootiful day in my neighborhood

well kiddies its the 4th of july and how did that happen??? it has been a wonderful day. I slept in LATE for the first time since I was a teenager which was a Really Long Time ago. Had an awesome breakfast of eggs with a ton of veggies in it. missed the farmers market cuz I slept in like a teenager. I left the boys at home to fix the chicken coop and I took myself downtown saugatuck to the art fair.
I had a great time looking at all of the peeps down there. the tourists are in prime season, black sox, large brimmed hats, puppies in carriers, oh and ice cream eating. love watching them....spend their money!
Anyway bought some art work from a really cool lady from winona lake indiana (nicole) and another nice lady I bought jewwlry from (sally from indianapolis in) They made my day cuz they were just so pleasant. Nicole has a etsy shop you should take a look at. www.artandsoulshop.etsy.com is her shop. she has quirky sayings on neat art!
the sun has been shining, the breeze is good and my boys had fun today. what more can i ask for on a holiday weekend?
oh by the way here is the yougurt recipe I promised. I have to give my friend Trish credit for this recipe.

yogurt recipe

take one gallon of milk (your choice)
put it in your crockpot (I have a large oval that works really well)
turn crockpot on high for 3 hours. (or till the temp reaches about 185)
turn the crockpot off until the temp reaches about 125. (I have had to take the lid off so the temp drops)
take 1-2 cups of milk out of pot, mix in storebought yogurt (one single serving size) and mix it back into the crockpot.(I have found that "dannon" like yogurt makes less creamy whereas useing the kids yogurt makes it really creamy) make sure the yogurt has active yogurt cultures. you can also buy the bacteria you need from the health food store.
take the crock part out, wrap it in 2-3 towels and let it sit for 8-12 hours. skim off excess water after it has been sitting for that amount of time and put your new yogurt in containers.
you can flavor the yogurt with fruit or just plain flavorings (vanilla, orange, lemon, raspberry)
enjoy!!!

so as the day is winding down and we have eaten dinner I have sent the boys out to fish again. My kitchen will get only so clean tonight, because my spinning wheel is calling me.....

whoaa!!!!

I cannot believe it is july 1 already!!! As everyone has said...Where did june go??? School just let out and the kids and I were just getting reaquainted again. Now it is july 1 and we are full swing. Swim lessons, making bread almost every day, making yogurt at least once a week(had a request for that recipe and I will give in the next post. which will prob be later today) oh and being secretary for the karate club that I help run. Of course this is not including the taxi service that I offer my childre, and the trips to the store to feed said children. They are going to need to get a job just to feed them! Boys.....
I have not blogged, knit for any length of time, or spun in the past couple of days. Then someone introduced me to Ebay(yes I am late in getting into the whole ebay thing. thats me a day late and couple dollars short) Now Im watching stuff on ebay.....what has my world come to? I'm more busy since not having a job (outside the home of course)
The chickens are still alive and must soon go out to the condo because of too much partying at 2 am! They will move out this weekend and hopefully the coon that got the first batch wont get the second batch! I would love to get goats.....