1. Are you comfortable with silence? If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent?
I am not really a person who desires silence. I have a radio on in the kitchen all day long. I turn it on in the morning and off right before going to bed. It is tuned to a local Christian radio station and I love the feeling that positive words are filling the silence in our home. Even when I am outside, I desire to hear the birds, the cow bells ringing, wind rustling through the trees and bees buzzing.
2. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Can't let that go by without a mention now, can we? Will you celebrate? How? Let's say you can have one of the following right this very minute... a cup of hot chocolate, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, a bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, or a slice of chocolate pie...what's your pleasure?
I will go with a cup of hot chocolate. Here is why... I do not like my strawberries dipped in chocolate at all...that is gross to me. I am not a fan of ice cream- I could go the rest of my life and not eat ice cream and the same goes with pie-not a fan of pie. I would eat the pudding from the pie but not the crust! That leaves hot chocolate. I will take that but I prefer to make my own from scratch and add a bit of good coconut oil to it. It tastes like I am drinking a Mounds candy bar!
3. How do you feel about blue jeans? Favorite thing in the world to wear or nope, don't own a single pair? How often do you wear blue jeans in a typical week? Do you own a blue jean jacket?
I don't mind blue jeans. I don't think they are the most comfortable things but I will wear them. I own two pairs but only wear one. They are the most comfy. I only wear jeans when I go out. I refuse to wear them at home. I change into shorts at home and that is comfy. I do not own a jean jacket.
4. Are you superstitious? If so, in what way?
Nope, not superstitious at all.
5. If you had to come up with a costume using only things you have on hand right now, what could you come up with?
The only thing I can think of is a striped ghost using our bed sheets! LOL
6. What scares you a little? What do you do when you feel scared?
Getting lost. I do not like it when I go somewhere and can't find the location I want/need to be at. When that happens I need to relax and take a deep breath!
7. Perhaps today will be the day I ______________________________.
get the honey finished.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Honey....from question 7. We harvested the honey from our hives. I like to filter the honey to get the wax out and get it put in jars. I am hoping to get this job finished soon!
1. October 21, 2015 is Back to the Future Day. Did you see the movie? The sequels? In the second film, Doc takes Marty into the future to prevent Marty's future son from making a mistake. They leave 1985 and land on a 'skyway' on October 21st, 2015. So tell us, what were you doing in the fall of 1985?
To be completely honest, I am not sure I have seen this movie. I have seen parts of it but can't say I have seen it entirely and that would go for the sequels also. As for the fall of 1985.... I was a youngster, 10 years old, so my life was probably revolving around school and farm work.
2. If time travel were possible, would you want to go to the future? The past?
I don't want to know what will happen in the future, know the joys to come or the pain of suffering and loss yet to endure. I let the future in God's hands. The past though... oh to be a part of history and actually witness some of those great events in our past. Maybe to even visit some of my ancestors and hear their tales of why they came to America and settled in my area. Just to sit and hear from the people who walked the land before me would be so interesting!
3. We're not flying cars, but some of the technology imagined in the 80's film has indeed come to pass in real life 2015-flat screen TVs on the wall, tablets, fingerprint recognition, video conferencing, online banking, 3-D movies, motion controlled video games, drone cameras, and smart glasses (Google glass). Do you worry technology is growing at a rate so fast we'll soon be unable to keep up with it's demands? Do you think the Internet does more harm than good?
You have asked quite a loaded question, in my opinion! I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love that it has made life easier but I think that our society, as a whole, has put so much faith in electronics that they forget about God. Society is teaching our kids that everything can be found on the internet or with an electronic device and not in the wisdom of our fellow man. There is something about sitting down and having a face to face conversation that trumps texts, emails and Facebook. I don't worry that we can't keep up with the demands of technology but I am concerned that it will damage families and person to person relationships.
4. Your favorite dish prepared in a slow-cooker? Your favorite fast food?
Chicken! I enjoy making chicken in the crock pot. We use the crock pot regularly. Even if I am going to be home, I will throw something in to cook. It makes a busy day so much easier! As for fast food, I don't exactly have a favorite because fast food usually upsets my digestive system.
5. No time like the present, down time, face time, pressed for time, in the nick of time, make time, mark time, or just in time...which timely saying most relates to your life right now?
Pressed for time or make time would be my choices right now. Our schedule get a bit hectic so I have to make time because we are pressed for time. I have very few days when we can be home all day so when those days come I really want to enjoy them!
6. Tell us about a place you went as a child or younger person that's no longer there or is now something else. How does that make you feel?
Our barn. It is still here but as a child it was filled with animals, hay and grain. I miss that sometimes and wish my kids could understand the responsibilities of caring for those animals and how hard we worked to make a living. There was also that sweet smell when the hayloft was filled with hay and I would open a new bag of chop for the cows that would permeate the air with molasses.
7. Describe your comfort zone.
Home with Jeremiah and our kids. All is well when we are together.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Fresh from the oven bread! I make a lot of our bread all year long but there is something comforting about a warm slice of bread, slathered in butter and jelly, that warms the heart on these cooler Fall days!
I have several random thoughts that don't quite merit an actual post but I decided to blog about them anyway!
:: I have not been craving anything pumpkin. My fall food choice, fresh apples. I have really been hungry for apples. I have also decided that I don't care much for a Gala apple. I bought a bag of them because a friend recommended them but it just doesn't have that "right" apple taste. I am not saying it is a bad apple, just not my favorite. I don't really want to eat the apples baked into anything, just fresh with a good crunch! So yummy!
:: I do not like it when people decorate for fall and throw random Halloween décor into it. It looks like they couldn't decide what to decorate for and jumbled it together. Several of my neighbors have a decorative touch and assembled beautiful displays of fall flowers and pumpkins. Lovely!
:: Speaking of Halloween, it is my least favorite holiday. I don't think that I have ever, ever liked it. I don't understand people's attraction to being scared and dressing up like something icky. However, I like candy and enjoy candy corn this time of the year, only the orange, yellow, white candy corn combo though. When you throw the brown on the candy corn...it looks rotten and I can't eat it... Well, ok, I have eaten it but it just doesn't give me the same satisfaction!
:: It snowed here in my neck of the pines yesterday and has turned really chilly. The last time I looked at the thermometer it was 28* out. It is going to return to more seasonable temps this week (50's-60's) but I wasn't thrilled with the snow. Usually the first snow makes me happy and I get a cozy feeling but that didn't happen yesterday. It did make Ryder very happy though.
1. It's October so let's get this out there first thing...have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so? 1.
No, I have not jumped on that bandwagon. I understand that the pumpkins are ready for harvest this time of the year but since most people don't use fresh pumpkin, they use canned, it doesn't make sense to me. You can buy canned pumpkin all year long. I make pumpkin desserts when the fancy strikes me, not because it's fall. That said, we will be going to my aunt's home for dinner tonight. Guess what they asked me to bring? Yep that's right- a pumpkin sheet cake that I make with cream cheese icing! HAHA!
2. "We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible." Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld
What's something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?
I struggle with keeping a schedule. I am not a schedule-type person so I try to keep a routine going. My problem is I have so many things that I want to do or need to do that IF I don't keep some sort of schedule, nothing happens. It all boils down to willpower for me.
3. The rose is America's National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state's flower? If you're outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country's national flower?
I am happy with our state's flower. I have no desire to change it. Since you asked what I would declare as a state flower....the daisy. It is just a happy flower!
4. What have you lost interest in recently?
TV. I have never been a real big TV viewer but lately I have found that TV is just plain out boring. There are very few shows that I have found are actually suitable for family viewing and I just don't want to take the time to watch it.
5. In your opinion, who's the best living musician?
I know a man who is probably in his 80's and he is one of the best piano players I have ever heard! His name is Charlie and he played piano at a church I attended. He is fabulous and can tickle the ivories better than some of the most famous people. Added bonus: he is also one of the sweetest, Christian men one could meet.
6. S'mores-love 'em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s'mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?
I am not a fan of S'mores. We have campfires often and S'mores are usually made. I will occasionally eat one but not often. Indoor S'mores are positively awful after having one made over the campfire. Autumn campfires are not the normal for us. It gets too chilly here in the evenings to sit outside and freeze. I do not have an autumn bucket list. Actually, I do not have any kind of bucket list.
7. Your favorite small town? Why?
I live in the country so small town living is normal. I don't have a favorite small town. Any small town is better than a city, in my opinion.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
The leaves are turning to a glorious display of color. My dad says that the leaves are the "flowers of fall". I think he is right.
It has been several weeks since my last post. The last one was in August! I missed an entire month. It hasn't been that I haven't thought about posting, its just that I have just been, well, busy. Madilynne and I canned a lot and the only thing left to process is grapes. I would like to make some jelly and juice.
September was a month of fall festivals and fairs. We juggled our schedules and attended many of the ones of interest to us. We learn so much from many of them. One in particular is basically set in the 1700's-early 1900's. They have a log cabin and a log house, summer kitchen, an early maple sugar shack, a replica barn and an original cider mill. They also have an original covered bridge that you can take beautiful pictures on.
The kids can learn so much about the way life was back then. It's amazing how people truly lived and survived. We take so much for granted now. We easily flick a switch and have light. We are hungry so we go to the fridge and quickly heat something up to eat. Our clothes are dirty so we throw them in a machine and they (usually) come out clean. If we run out of something we can run to the store and buy it. I am not saying life was easier by any means back then but they had to honestly think about where their food and clothing was coming from. It helps to put our blessings into perspective.
We tried some new recipes. Some were flops, some were not. I have a cookbook from several years ago that I am trying out. If I have some time I will try to post a new herbed biscuit recipe we made. I like recipes that have simple steps and only require ingredients that I have on hand. Preferably none that require canned soups or processed cheese. I like more of a real food recipe. They seem to fill up Ryder's hollow legs easier.
That is a short update. Talk to you soon, hopefully!
Our home is busy. We are always going somewhere or doing some fun activity. We fill in our days with visits to friends, going to the local bike trail, picnics, swimming, trips and family activities. Those kind of days make for a lot of laundry and a dirty house so there is a lot of cleaning to do also. I like to make quick meals when the schedule is full. One way that I do that is by keeping browned hamburger in the freezer.
I divide it in 3/4 to 1 pound containers. Just enough for a recipe- I usually do not need to use a whole pound of meat in a recipe so it stretches the meat further. I keep the meat plain. I have read many suggestions mentioning that they seasoned it for taco meat or add onions to their hamburger and those are great ideas. I find that I don't care to do that because I like the flexibility to make the meat into what I need for each meal.
If we decide we want tacos then I add the salsa, seasoning and the optional refried beans to the hamburger. I make the meat mix while I warm the soft taco wraps. Add corn or a veggie/salad and you have an easy meal.
If we are having spaghetti, I don't make meatballs, I just add some of the browned hamburger to spaghetti sauce and make it a meat sauce. I take a container of browned meat out of the freezer while the pasta is cooking and sit it on the counter. As soon as the pasta is done, I drain it and leave it in the colander. I put the spaghetti sauce and hamburger in the pasta pot and heat it up, stirring it to break up the hamburger. When it is heated thoroughly, I add the pasta. It makes for an exceptionally easy meal served with garlic bread and a salad/green beans. Clean up consists of one pot and a colander.
I make my own version of Hamburger Helper but you can make it even faster; just pull out a container of hamburger and add the water, milk and seasoning to the hamburger. Stir and heat and the meat will easily break up.
Do you brown and freeze hamburger? If you do, what is your favorite way to use it?
I was reading some blogs today and I came to Mrs. Pepper's blog and she answered 100 questions. I thought it would be fun!
1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Closed
2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?
Sometimes but not always
3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Tucked in
4. Have you stolen a street sign before?
No, never even thought about doing that before!
5. Do you like to use post-it notes?
Yes, I like to use them. They are convenient to stick reminders on my fridge
6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
All the time!
7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
I would prefer neither one, but if I had to choose....I am would ask that the bear hit me hard on the head and knock me out first!
8. Do you have freckles?
Nope
9. Do you always smile for pictures?
Yes
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who do NOT use turn signals when driving! Oh, I so dislike that!!
11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
No I don't. I used to when my kids were little to help them learn to count.
12. Have you peed in the woods?
I must admit that, unfortunately yes, I have had to go in the woods.
13. Have you ever pooped in the woods?
Nope, number one was enough.
14. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?
I have danced without music. It wasn't pretty but I just did it a couple days ago when the kids were messing around in the living room and I made a few ballet type dance moves to exit the room.
15. Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Nope, I don't think I have ever done that or put them in my mouth either!
16. How many hours did you sleep last night?
7.5 Hours
17. What size is your bed?
King
18. What is your song of the week?
I can't say that I have a song of the week. It has just been too busy here to think about that much.
19. Is it OK for guys to wear pink?
I am going to say nah. It is just weird to me.
20. Do you still watch cartoons?
Yes, the TV is on and there is a cartoon showing. I don't mind watching cartoons.
21. What is your least favorite movie?
Any horror movie!
22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
In our woods. It would be an awesome place to hide buried treasure!
23. What do you drink with dinner?
Usually ice water. I will occasionally drink iced tea or lemonade.
24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
If I would happen to eat a chicken nugget, I would dip it in ranch dressing or ketchup.
25. What is your favorite food?
I will say homemade pizza or homemade pretzels.
26. What movie could you watch over and over again and still love?
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!! I love that movie!
27. Last person you kissed/kissed you?
Jeremiah
28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
No
29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
Never, ever, ever!!!
30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I can't remember
31. Can you change the oil on a car?
Jeremiah has tried to teach me and I don't pay enough attention I guess. However, he has successfully taught both kids how to do it.
32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Yep- one.
33. Ever ran out of gas?
I haven't run out of gas in my own vehicle but when Jeremiah and I were dating we took his parents car to go to my grandma's house for Christmas dinner. We ran out of gas about 2 miles away from a gas station. We passed several gas stations on our way but they were closed for the day. I have an issue with letting my car get below a half a tank of gas. I try to fill it up when it gets to 1/2 a tank.
34. What’s your favorite kind of sandwich?
At the moment, it has to be BLT's! I have to change it a bit though and add an O- onion! (bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion with mayo)
35. Best thing to eat for breakfast?
I do not like breakfast. If I have to make a choice I would say homemade cinnamon rolls or Jeremiah has been making pancakes and bacon lately and they are delicious! I am not good at making pancakes!
36. What is your usual bedtime?
I don't have a usual bedtime. I go to bed when I am tired- usually 11 pm or later but I wake up between 6:30 and 7 am.
37. Are you lazy?
I try not to be.
38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I can't remember dressing up for Halloween as a kid.
39. What is your Chinese astrological sign?
Not a clue!
40. How many languages can you speak?
One
41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Nature Friend and Grit
42. Which are better: Legos or Lincoln Logs?
I liked both of them but my brothers and I played with Lincoln Logs the most. My kids have both but played with Legos more when they were little.
43. Are you stubborn?
I can be!
44. Who is better: Leno or Letterman?
Well, they are both done hosting their shows now but I would say that Leno was better. Jimmy Fallon is a great host of The Tonight Show. He is definitely my favorite now.
45. Ever watch soap operas?
Nope, I do not watch them
46. Are you afraid of heights?
Yes
47. Do you sing in the car?
Yes
48. Do you sing in the shower?
No
49. Do you dance in the car?
I have!
50. Ever used a gun?
Yes
51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Last year we had two weddings in the family. Jeremiah's sister got married in June and his brother in September. I was in the family pictures for them. Before then, it was quite some time ago.... maybe 10 years ago.
52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Nope! I mentioned in question 26 my favorite movie is a musical.
53. Is Christmas stressful?
Sometimes. I try to plan ahead but occasionally it gets a bit crazy. I love it though and try to avoid the stress.
54. Ever eat a pierogi?
Yes, just last week!
55. Favorite type of fruit pie?
I don't like pie and not a fan of any fruit pie. If I had eat one though, I guess I would choose apple.
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a teacher. I guess that happened since I am home schooling my kids.
57. Do you believe in ghosts?
Not really.
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Yes, and it is weird!
59. Do you take a vitamin daily?
Yes
60. Do you wear slippers?
Nope
61. Do you wear a bath robe?
No, I don't own one.
62. What do you wear to bed?
Really? Does anyone really want to know that? PJ's if you want to know!
63. What was your first concert?
I have never been to a concert. I have been to the symphony though.
64. Walmart, Target, or Kmart?
Walmart
65. Nike or Adidas?
Neither, I don't have anything from either brand.
66. Cheetos or Fritos?
I don't think this is a fair question! It would be like choosing my favorite kid! I like them both!
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds
68. Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
No
69. Ever take dance lessons?
No
70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
Hopefully I don't ever have a "future spouse"! I am happily married and pray it stays that way!
71. Can you curl your tongue?
Yes
72. Ever won a spelling bee?
I have no clue. I can't remember any spelling bees in elementary school.
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Yes, all the time!
74. Own any record albums?
No
75. Own a record player?
No
76. Do you regularly burn incense?
No, but we do burn candles and I have wax melter and I diffuse essential oils.
77. Ever been in love?
I am still in love with my wonderful husband! He can still make my heart beat fast!
78. Who would you like to see in concert?
I am not a fan of concerts so if I had to go I would choose TobyMac, Third Day or Crowder
79. What was the last concert you saw?
Well from my answer to #63 I haven't been to a concert so I can't say the last one I have seen!
80. Hot tea or cold tea?
BOTH!! Tea is my favorite!
81. Tea or coffee?
Tea!
82. Sugar cookies or snickerdoodles?
Sugar cookies.
83. Can you swim well?
I used to be a good swimmer. I don't swim often now so I am sure those skills are rusty!
84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes
85. Are you patient?
Sometimes.
86. DJ or band at a wedding?
DJ
87. Ever won a contest?
No
88. Have you ever had plastic surgery?
No and I don't ever plan on it. However, when I was 15 years old I had a bad cut on my eye and a plastic surgeon stitched it up so it wouldn't scar too bad.
89. Which are better: black or green olives?
Neither! I think olives are gross!
90. Can you knit or crochet?
I can crochet the longest chain length, well until the yarn runs out! That's it!
91. Best room for a fireplace?
Living room.
92. Do you want to get married?
I am very happily married.
93. If married, how long have you been married?
Close to 19 years!
94. Who was your high school crush?
Jeremiah. We started dating when we were 16!
95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
No, I save my tears for the happy times!
96. Do you have kids?
Yes, I do!
97. Do you want kids?
I certainly wanted kids. I am very happy with the two I am blessed to have!
98. What is your favorite color?
Green
99. Do you miss anyone right now?
Yes
100. Who are you going to ask to answer these questions next?
No one! If someone wants to answer some or all just let me know in the comments so I can read your answers!
