Honor Your Husband #13

He is gonna help me make the bed at 9:40 p.m.
He has spent his little free time tying to back up my blog.

Long walk long talk, a time listening too.

After mens group a Dear friend and I walked and talked and just listened to each other Mother of special needs kids woe's. It is a high calling to parent kids and with the attachment and developmental stuff we both know each others language and experience. We as friends, women and Mothers can understand the difference between the things we experience and the hearts that we touch and our own hearts desires for them.
I feel refreshed tired, and I gotta go get my clean sheets out of the dryer so We can make the big bed and shower and SLEEP! For tomorrow it is the dentist for Dash with nitris oxide and a cavity to fill. A Little Dove to hold gently (she does not do well with the stress of them working on little brother) while the Dash Hawk needs my strength too. I'm a little pulled in the morning I better rest the bones good tonight. Dash is amazingly strong for a little boy.
Please pray for his peace during the procedure. It is hard for him even if they explane as they go because he cant ware the hearing aides when they have all that other stuff going on. His sensory Integration is real bad regarding his mouth he hates anything near it, His mouth is very tiny and so they have a bit of a hard time working on him too.

How do you say "strangle me a therapist"

We drove the threat way=freeway. I had enough time to stop by the bank on the corner and The traffic was CLEAR I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT, that saved me from a major middle of the city go around a block of one ways and supper sky scrapers. A little stressed we arrived to await our turn.
Dash's Therapist began his session like this...
"Well, 'd' how many weeks do you have until school starts?"..."three" "well, 'd' we have three weeks to work really hard to see if you can really improve otherwise we are going to have to do a test where they put a tube up your nose and down your throat so that we can see if we are going to need to do an operation"....
(Now Dash and I are very open about what is going on in his life . He understands that this could be a possibility in his near future. I was just caught so off guard! Twice this month Dash made it out of the house without his hearing aides on for therapy I felt frustrated and embarrassed that I did not catch it. A six year old has a way of not waring something when he does not want too. Not today, I cried on my way out to the car with the stress of the pre-city sibling squabbles that can effect the day badly. They have there own stressers too.)
I, quick as a Mom could , I interject.." now honey you know that even if you do work really hard and it still needs to happen it's not a punishment sweetie. but it would be something we would need to have done to help you."
Dear God! Stress! Stress, stress! Now wide eyed he begins his session when she continues to say that "you have been getting away with a lot"...
GUILT! STRESS! Shame! on me for due to my hearing loss and my letting it slip that I was supposed to see about getting some financial aide to get myself some hearing aides, I LET HIM SLIP BECAUSE I CAN NOT HERE HIS VOICE THAT CLEARLY!
Now with his sensory stuff all a tish he sits twisting a rubber band on his wrist trying to self comfort. I see it and remove the distraction. Sis is just a little distracting I remove us to just outside the door. STRESS! Dash Stress too. "I'm right here honey " I reassure him.
Little Dove Sensory Stuff lights off in the midst of her little brother being in the "HOSPITAL" "Where will I stay Mom?"
I comfort her and watch through the glass window. Thinking I gotta just BREATH. I wanted to just hold Dash . I just had to breath.

I took the kids to the junk machine and was trying to get Dasha snack He wanted a 3.50 chicken no candy please Mom, The machine only took bills no coin . I got my 3.50 back all in coin?
Dove was a waiting her turn patiently and then a... rush for the machine a woman who has 6 in tow buys each something and I overwhelmed stepped back out of the little room assuring my kids that we will have our turn. Dash sharp as a tack, says "hay they should of waited it was our turn", I agree with him then I try to silence his tone and with a soft hand on his mouth accidentally caused his head to gently bump the wall. Sorry Son, "but"... he continues "hold your silence I told Him. Defer, trust me"
I stood there awaiting the chance to gift my well behaved kids. When it was almost over I asked Dove "honey what was it that you were awaiting?" she told me. Dash said "is it our turn now?" "soon son".
The woman turned around and then she did the most surprising thing. She handed me two dollars apologized and said she had a very sick child. I handed the funds back to her she deferred them back to me . I thanked her and then again in Spanish for I heard her speakin to her kids in Spanish. She said" denada" tis nothing.
I drove home watching the largest most amazing monsoon storm encroaching in the direction of our travel. After our 23 miles we pulled into our community and I stopped at our curb community mail box to get the mail just as we pulled up to the house the dust storm pushed us into the garage I shut the garage door. The kids went into the house and I lagged behind.
Tired Stressed Saddened for Dash, tired of the volume of my playful kids who won't quiet down. After that long of a sit still it is all they can do not to pop!
I cried.
Then pulled it up and came in and made tacos.
At supper Dove ran from the table upset that she will be having to have braces soon and that she should not have had the popcorn Daddy gave to her because of her retainer.
I love these little ones so young to have to face such big character lessons. The battle is the Lords and They are His. I am only the custodian of such a important life's charge . They are HIS. I am His. I am sad and very tired.

I was Challenged!

O.K. folks I was challenged to include more things on homemaking here.
I'll start that work (photos )on the pantry
and the Pantry Storage.
Some more recipes of things I make for my family
Cleaning and chores tips
Laundry tips
Basic home set up
Basic Wish Lists for a Home
Nutrition, Supplements
Pet care
Yard care
Automotive Care
Jewelery Creations
Sewing, Clothing Maintainability
Parenting tips, Developmental studies.

If I have the knowledge it would be my honor to share it with you. You know this will compel me to clean up the pantry, I cant take the photo or can I....? :) Maybe I just should show you the in-between times when I don't have it all just so. I'll do it!
I love a good challenge!
Now laundry who wants to feel really good about their laundry I could show you images of my own! HA!
Closet storage is another one.
Play rooms lets all share the stuff that makes us so busy and such wonderful homemakers.

So what else would you like to learn about homemaking?
Ask me your questions.

A New Wardrobe

I went over to answer a call for me to come on Thursday...

I went and received a wonderful fellowship of a young woman who had just lost her Mother. She honored me with a new wardrobe and a great appreciation for the woman who they once belonged too. This woman and I have very similar taste and our size too. This morning I had a few moments to open all the bags of garments and do an inventory.
This is my New wardrobe...

3 jeans
10 caprices: jean, danskin knit
5 sleeveless tanks
15 T Shirts with wolves, hummingbirds, Native American designs, feathers and Wolves!
5 3/4 sleeve tops all my colors
7 denim shirt sets with matching t shirts , BE HAPPY set, bird houses, beaded set
1 formal dress
1 casual dress
4 jammie sets, leopard and night dress
1 summer robe (that I had prayed for)
1 maroon leather jacket with matching hat
1 knit jacket adorned Native American style with fringe
1 pant set in gauze
3 skirts gauze
1 BIG cozy sweater knee length

ALL PERFECT LIKE NEW NOT FADED OR STAINED IN ANY WAY THEY SHOW NO WARE!

I was also blessed with

1 shower (new in package) curtain (I prayed for this last week for the camper)
A bread machine (hubby helped me down load a manual for it and post it to my desk top)
1 pillow with a NEW cover for the kids. (they had just asked and prayed for)

I recently started to diet. I was refusing to hit our budget for clothing in my present size because of all the clothing I have. I did not feel good about the size I am.
God had another Idea...
I have an entire wardrobe to feel beautiful in during the process of dropping the weight.
I can just see My own Mother who had nothing but two little crosses to leave me when she passed, and this precious Gay speaking up in heaven. "Oh I have just the thing for that girl"!

Honor Your Husband days 10,11, and 12,

I was very tired today..."I wonder why?" :)
"Daddy Man" took "The Dove" and I took Dash out on Saturday. "Daddy Man" came home just as fast as he could on Friday he caught the tail end of the party.
Today, Sunday, he built a Lego Sponge Bob with the kids 450 pieces and three hours later( his patience amazes me!) , I had finished my posts, that he is VERY supportive of me completing, I took a nice long shower and pedicure and shaved my sloughed legs after setting them up for the hot dogs and fruit on the plates.
He just loved me.
Helped me, played with his children and asked me if I had a nice shower and if I felt a little more rested. Now he is playing computer with Dash, while Dove is watching a movie.
He mentioned that he wanted to support me in getting the play house tarp mounted today. ( I too desire it off off my ironing board so I can start the fall dresses Little Dove will need for school.)
Seeing how I use a camera that is taped together he ordered me a new cannon out of our meager funds. Because he wants me to have a camera that is worthy of the work I am doing...

How can I say anymore than His actions say about himself...

Saturday: 33 pounds of Homemade Hamburger.

We call it "Meat Order". On Thursday when the party was being prepared there it was. London Broil and Tip Roast 1.99 pound Less than half Price, however if one stops to consider that 85%-90% fat content burger can range from $5-$7. a pound just think of how much I am saving. I also will point out that ground beef in the store can in one pound represent as many as 200 cow, you think about the risk reduction represented here. E. Coli and other food contaminates are becoming a great health hazard in our food supply.
Every quarter or so I put up hamburger for the family. We were out and only had one London Broil left in the deep freeze. I had told God that I would need meat soon. He apparently had the confidence in me I would get it ground quickly! I often shop at our local Safe way for "Angus beef". Now to make 33 (approximate pounds of fine grade home ground burger and put it up in the deep freeze.) This is a job that is time sensitive and must be done well and with utmost care for cleanliness and efficiency. Lay out paper bags, knives (sharpened) , knife sharpener (resharpen often), gallon zip bags (open each bag for later convenience) cutting boards (I never use wood boards the can cause illness).

If you can click on the photo you can see the first savings.
Now get the largest ones on the shelf. You too can reduce the cow count by grinding and packaging as you go. I have recycled my garbage bags (paper) they will be absorbing all blood that will spill from the package. Use plastic to place packaging in as you remove the mess. I have allowed my meat to rest in my garage refrigerator all day Friday (I had the party) and this helps it to age. (NEVER BEYOND THE PACKAGE DATE) .
Slice into width proper for your grinder. Good family investment ( I waited 16 yrs for mine) but I own it! Not on debt :)


When slicing roast cut in half then in strips if the edges of the ends don't seperate all the way it is ok because the first into shoot will pull the next slice into the grider.
Ready a pan for first double grind ,I use the large blade then grind again with the fine blade this is the meat I use for sauces and casserole, It is however not suggestible for hamburger patties it will fall apart. I will cook the first run while I am grinding. Note toweling on the floor I replace all cloth every morning and toss the day before or any contaminated cloth to the corner of the floor and then I take then to the laundry to be bleached.
Do not trim the marble off your meat, it is needed to cook properly. Your grinder will stop any Grissel.
Slice all, stow half in refideration. Work fast here
Double grind goes right onto stove to cook. I then will package it into one pound bags there will be no oil in the pan here this meat is VERY lean.

Time is so important! Work hard and fast here! Cover a scale with a baggie and the baggie save a mess!
I stand on a stool for better leverage. Oh man I look haggard. I am awake only a few moments here. I tied my hair up and got to work. Beloved came around the corner and snapped a shot during a "yuk" moment. Don't get me wrong this is hard gross work! When I first start I have to get my mind around the matter here. I am grateful to the animal for the loss of life will sustain our lives. This can be a reflective time for me too. You know it is a dead animal that your working with.
I have a hot date at noon with Dash Hawk. The "Daddy Man" has a pizza date with the "Dove". So I just work hard knowing I will shower very soon.
After first grind get rid of all setting blood. Bags into trash and counter sanitized all of this done in under an hour. Time is so important! I use a marble rolling pin the weight works for me so I don't have to.
Weigh and bag set aside.
Now using the heal of your hand press the meat into the corners of the bag , role out half seal the bag roll out air and seal, set aside next... Work fast! Meat must remain cold!

Left =roast 85% lean/fat best for burgers
Right bag= London Broil 90% lean/fat content

See bags done meat in pan cooling awaiting bags

UNDER ONE HOUR NOW! FIRST HALF IN FREEZER!
Catch your breadth, wash bowls out with soapy water, now again we begin all counter tops have been sanitized! The maid had a nice rest and cool down, Her and I both.
I transfer cooled cooked meat into weighed bags. Now the first batch again a double grind goes right into the pan don't even need to wash the pan (save energy be efficent) so it will cook while I grind and bag.
Cooked meat bagged into one pound packages. All meat ground and bagging in process the grinder at rest is cooling down. This is all the Grissel and waist you have out of 33 pounds of meat, Don't think about what you eat in the store bought grind (yuk). The cuts of meat I use are a high quality off the beef. You can use other cuts of beef but I use only the best I can afford for the family. Other cuts are not as high a lean/fat %.

With bowls and grinder parts soaking in hot soapy water I then weigh out pound packages, and 1/4 pound patties. Roll out the pounds as above turn off the stove so the meat can cool.


Roll out the cooked meat after it too has cooled the rest of the way. And place in deep freezer.
With all the 1/4 pound balls I form patties by this method. Squeeze with the left hand as you turn it with the right.
Cut Parchment or wax paper squares.
With paper on top and paper under you guard against freezer burn. Zip part way use your rolling pin gently and roll out a little thinner. (this helps defrost time) Seal all and freeze. This is under the second hour.
At just under two hours I have 33 pounds of high quality grade burger. Note that it is stacked in about a one cubic foot space. This has many benefits. If the monsoons cut my power a frozen block will stay frozen longer, It takes up much less freezer room, and I also can thaw out a bag in just 15 minuets .
I use the flash freeze feature on the freezer. This freezer was one of my first goals for home efficiency. I got it when we were together about four years. It has so paid for itself over and over.
The meat in the pan will go indoors to use this week in my menu.
Counter will need a final sanitizing
trash is contained in a plastic lined can and will go out, dishes soaking to be washed
Counter and grinder sanitized as is floor around work space.
2 1/2 hours passed dishes done all meat put up at the 1 hour time window, two times over.

Time to shower for a Mother/Son date with a "Dashing" young man!

Now lets do the math!
meat $1.99 pound x 33 =$65.67 plus tax

If I purchased it all made similar grade at $5.00 a pound (knowing full well it is more like $6.99)
so $5.00 x 33 pounds $165.00

$165.00 -$65.67= $99.33
$99.33 * 2 hours = $49.66 per hour

so tell me is it worth it to work for "the man" or "your Man" :)
If we used the $6.99 per pound we would be earning a $82.5 per hour! (but we'll be modest):)

We Homemakers are a very valuable , good thing. A wife can cause so much good. If the man who is able to support the family will support the homemaker in her career choice, he does a good thing. If she chooses to be at home working she works hard and earns every bit of the $49.66 and hour she gets (in all of her modesty)! She gets the benefits that far out weight the so called $5 a pound because we all know that it cost a lot more like the $6.99 with all the many "sacred cows" represented out there in the work force :)

Neil Armstrong Cake

Well with the decorations up, and the table

cloth created, Solar System Crayon, Use craft bond to save the confetti fom being all over your house. It also leaves a slightly sticky residue that holds the place cards and plates in place.

For the Frosting I use a simply butter cream 1/2 pound real sweet butter, powdered sugar incorporated with raspberry flavoring and (I use) soy milk.
If you place all eggs and oil into a 4 C. measuring cup your shells are gone and the mess is reduced, the same measuring cup is then used for the water. Less mess and dishes.
Spray your cake pan, and I used sugar to dust , If you add the dusting sugar and tap it around the pan OVER THE SINK no mess to clean( You gotta rence your sink out anyway) efficiency is a kin to invention.
Over filling pan is important, an edged cookie sheet is under the cake in the oven , this one did not over flow but it is a good time saver if it would have. I keep kabob's skures to check my cakes.

As our model displays the cake is very high in the pan and when the cake is leveled the pan remains full to the brim. Now a sunken middle that is the culprit often when an inverted cake cracks on you. A board is covered with foil. (butter cream is oily if you do not cover or use a paper doily it can spoil it).
I keep my cake decorating tools and supplies in a (right Hand ) drawer at my close to work surface. I will be getting into it a lot during the process getting out my tips and such. A tip container can easily be upset., so I so not remove the case from the drawer. I have my colors , calers, bages skures , brushes any thing that is small and cake making in nature.

Our model displays the joyful preparation of coloring our frosting, all colors are mixed prior to decorations commencement. (the joy is tasting the frosting!)
With Frosting room temperature. we begin. I use an open bag no tip to lay down frosting.
After laying it down and smoothing it out. I let it cure a little and then I use a free form and gently press and smooth it to shape.
Same principle with the black mask, once it set a little I smoothed it out. I them added soy milk to the frosting and used a food paint prush to add a high light of reflection to the mask.
I always have an image to work from.
I washed the toys in hot soapy water.Useing a little of the frosting I affixed the little guys to the board around the cake.