You’ve kindly slipped notes to the inbox, a question here and there… So might we sit a spell at the farm table and chat? I’d like that.
So… a version of Jen’s Seven Quick Takes…
My camera — just a pocket point and shoot. I’ve waffled on upgrading to a DSLR, researched, saved pennies, but I keep returning to this: the essence of contentment, making do with what we have in hand, and living with less. For now, I’m happily making this work. (And I love the size —it just goes where I go.)
Devotionals for kids that dance with words and dazzle with God:
Devotionals for children we really love? Here are a few:
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
I didn’t think I’d like this one, but I fell head over heels for this book — for the under ten crowd.
Herein Is Love, Vol. 1: Genesis by Nancy Ganz
A series of books on the first books of the Bible. Lyrical language, deep theology, very meaty. For the over 7-8 crowd.
Little Pillows: Or Goodnight Thoughts For The Little Ones
We read this little devotion each night when everyone is tucked into bed. The simplicity, the ardent passion for Jesus, the brief length with a concluding song make this book a true classic.
Morning Bells; or, Waking Thoughts for Little Ones
The morning version of above — both written by the hymn writer, Frances Havergal. Our copy is one Farmer Husband earned for memorization in Good News Bible Club many moons ago. And now passing the faith torch to the next generation….
Leading Little Ones to God: A Child’s Book of Bible Teachings
A classic that we’ve read through after meals or during read alouds with each of our younger ones. But it’s written so well to engage all ages, adults included.
The Young Peacemaker (Book Set)
Our current read aloud after noon meal. Farmer Husband’s using it as foundation for discussion, not following it word for word — excellent concepts.
Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends
Our other current family read aloud. Good resource to turn hearts to each other — we’re still in process on this… ~smile~
~ 3 ~
~ Our No fail Bread Recipe — bread rising in less than 7 minutes
~ 4 ~
A round-up of quick, healthy breakfast recipes for larger families
These all serve eight (with healthy appetites after working 2-3 hours in the barn ~smile~. For smaller families, reduce in half).
Skillet Granola –to the table in less than 30 minutes
1 cup oil with 1 cup honey, heated together in skillet
12 cups oats — stir in with dash of cinnamon, keep stirring at low-medium heat until well coated and lightly brown (15-20 min)
Then add 3 cup dried fruit. Serve with milk. (HT: The Common Room)
:::
Cracked Wheat Cereal
8 cups water, divided
a few handful of raisins
2 cup ground wheat
salt, to taste
Directions
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil with raisins.
Mix together the extra 2 cup of water, ground wheat and salt.
Add them to the boiling water, stirring constantly while it thickens to avoid lumps.
Reduce the heat and cook it for 15-20 minutes.
Serve with milk or honey or molasses.
:::
Perfect Steel Cut Oatmeal
Adding salt at the beginning of cooking hardens oats. Oatmeal does best with a slow, uncovered simmer on medium-low heat. “Stirring too early and with the usual end of a wooden spoon (instead of the handle end) creates a “mushier, less toothsome oatmeal.” A rest period lets the “creamy grains pull together like a pudding.”
6 cups water
2 cups milk
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 cup steel-cut oats
1/2 tsp. salt
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water and milk to a simmer.
Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat butter until just beginning to foam. Add oats. Toast, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until golden and fragrant with butterscotch-like aroma, about 2 minutes.
Stir oats into simmering liquid. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently, without stirring, until mixture thickens, 20 minutes. Add salt; stir lightly with handle of wooden spoon.
Simmer, stirring occasionally with wooden spoon handle, until oats absorb almost all liquid and oatmeal is thick and creamy with a puddinglike consistency, 7 to 10 minutes.
Remove from heat. Let stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. (HT: Guelph Mercury)
:::
Baked Oatmeal
2/3 cup butter
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cup milk plus 4 tablespoons
6 cups whole oats
1 cup of flax meal
Melt butter and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs well, then add brown sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix well.Whisk in butter and milk, then add oats, ground flax. Stir well, and pour into a greased 9 by 13 dish. Refrigerate for an hour (or overnight). Bake uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until set in the middle. (HT: Elise)
:::
Crockpot Oatmeal
4 Cups milk
1 cup steel cut oats
salt to taste
sprinkle of cinnamon
handful of raisins
We double this, two bowls sitting over top each other, in a 6 qt slow cooker, so that it serves eight.
(For more: Ann Kroeker )
~ 5 ~
~ Why there’s usually something orange on our meal plates from September until March
Preferred way to serve it: wash, cut into large quarters, peel, steam (in double boiler, or in the the pressure cooker we use at least once a day
~ 6~
~ How to do it all — childrearing, home-management, home-education, various projects?
Well, I obviously don’t do it all. I fail and flail. But I’ve consistently found this a very effectively manage and track my time: Toggl
Watch the intro video and sign up for a free account. Favorite feature? The pie charts of how I’ve used my time. Fantastic visual to see what my priorities are and where I need to spend more time or less. Highly recommended
~ 7 ~
~ How we homeschool: Considering homeschooling (a general philosophy) … and how’ve decided to flesh it out
(Note: He continues to grow us and change us and we are endlessly tweaking and trying out new ways of educating, exploring, discovering.)
:::
A joy to sit with you this morning!
May you see His love for you today everywhere you turn….
All’s grace,
Ann
P.S. if you’ve asked a question and I’ve missed it, my humble apologies? Drop me another line? Thank you for your grace, kind friends…
Photo: our lantern in morning light
