January 30, 2009 by Debbie.

It’s been about 10 years since I’ve worked outside of the home but in just the few days I’ve subbed I developed a new respect for working parents. For a few years I used to be one so it’s not completely foreign to me.  John had thoughtfully (sarcasm here in case you missed it) shared a head cold with me this past week. The cold has fallen into my bronchial tubes and/or chest. Add to that a daily water pill and you know what happens every time I cough and I cough often.

When I came home on Tuesday after subbing all 3 dogs wanted my attention at the same itme - I couldn’t help but remember the chitter-chatter of my kids telling me about their school day, each vying for my ear.  At least with the dogs, I could send them outside to do their business while I regrouped and stoked up the cold fire, trying to warm the house up again. It would be awhile before the wood stove shared generous warmth with us. Unloaded all my stuff (Iseldom, if ever, go anywhere without books, notebooks, quiltingwork box, etc.) and my lunchbox, repacking the non-perishables to be ready at a moment’s notice when called, check phone messages - so nice of the sales calls to leave blank messages.

As I start to prepare a REAL supper, aka no processed foods or Hamburger Helper stuff, I really felt for single mothers/fathers who carry the full load. I realize what a thin thread some may be hanging by and wonder if I personally know anyone like that who I could help. I quit fixing extra meals for people when I was greeted at a door with the question, “Why do you always bring food?” Since it seemed like such an oddity to this person I thought I must be out of step with the current society so set that aside.

God is answering my prayers. I wanted to get back to subbing for many reasons, the kids first, but also because I felt like I was losing touch with people and their problems, lives and feelings. For years now when I said how or why we do things in our lives, I’ve received the response, “But you’re different.” which I translated into “It’s different for you; you’re not in the real world.” IF I have been truly living by God’s word and my convictions based on that Word I hope I can make the same choices regardless of circumstances. If not, then I want to look at ME and find out why. I know it sounds silly, but that is what gave me the strength to push through and make a good homemade meal while I was feeling totally lousy and the temptation to call John and ask him to bring home a pizza was strong. Someday I hope I can say with true empathy to a working parent, “I know how hard it is” and have them believe me.

To end on a lighter note, ONE of my humbling experiences (and there’s been many more than one) since starting back to subbing was -

While waiting in line to go home two boys were talking about the name Dillon. The one said his middle name was Dillon and  I commented, “Then you’re Marshall Dillon” as his first name was Marshall. At the blank looks on their faces I dumbly pressed on, “You know, Marshall Dillon from the Gun Smoke tv show. I watched it all the time when I was a kid.” Still nothing. Since I was already in deep, why not go for drowning in stupidity? “Ask your Mom and Dad and they’ll tell you.” The second little boy looked up at me and said, “Maybe my GRANDPA will remember it”!!! OUCH.

Home made pizza dough recipe-

4 cup flour (organic, right?!)

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 package yeast ( 2 1/2 teaspoons for those of us who buy in bulk)

salt

2 Tablespoons oil

2 Tablespoons sugar

Pour water into a large bowl, add the sugar, oil and salt. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it soften as you measure out the flour. Stir in the flour til well blended and it forms a smooth ball. Put on a floured counter top and cover either with the large bowl or a wet towel. Let raise for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Divide into 3 balls and form into pizza crust. We usually use one and freeze the other two to pull out as needed later.

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January 28, 2009 by Debbie.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the new (OK, new to me as I’m always behind the times) phase people are going through with the ’slow living’ idea.  First I heard of it was in reading the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle about 2 years ago. Then my daughter mentioned a blog of a family in France who are ’slow living’ - trying to scrounge instead of buying for at least a year. Since then I’ve read of others choosing to cut out commercialism/materialism from their lives. I guess the reason I referred to this as a “phase” earlier because this is the way I was raised and have lived most of my life. As a homesteader it’s nothing new but it appears to be new and fashionable to most people. That is FANTASTIC - I’m all for it, regardless of why or when or who because I think it brings us face to face with our value system.

I listened to the radio this morning, which is unusual, but was checking on the weather and heard of a husband and wife who had both been laid off and chose to kill themselves and their 5 children out of desperation. That has laid very heavily on my heart and I can’t help but wonder how many others are even considering such thoughts.

What would you fill in this sentence with -  “I cannot live without _________?” All my life people around me have answered that with, “Sure you can” with very little, if any, sympathy for me having to live without ______________, so I never knew any different. We lived by the “Make it last, make it do, or do without” mindset that did not have any loopholes (credit cards). Looking backwards I realize what a blessing that was. Wasn’t fun at the time, but I’m so grateful it’s nothing foreign or new to me.

I know quilts aren’t a necessity unless they are truly used in place of blankets (yes!) but look at the beauty that can be made from almost nothing. If God cares enough to do this with quilts which are ‘extras’, what can He do with the true needs in our lives?

Here’s some of the blessings of making do with what you have and not buying new in my quilting world. This was my first introduction to a scrap quilt. Helen Shoemaker made this for us more than 20 years ago. She was living in poverty, newly divorced and hurting terribly.  She sewed her love into this quilt for us.

This quilt was made from leftover muslin (trimmed from backing of another quilt), scraps from Yards of Fun quilts and scraps from my own quilts.  This will be a Foster Kids Quilt.

This is my favorite I’ve done with scraps of John’s flannel shirts. This is another Foster Kids Quilt.

Here’s quilts in progress that are completely made from scraps -

I think our grandparents or great grandparents who survived the Great Depression KNEW what they were saying when they said, “Money isn’t everything.”  If you know someone hurting from the current economy, take more than a minute to reach out to them, please. It may be their last lifeline. Encourage them, help them, touch them, love them. I’m going to do the same.

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January 22, 2009 by Debbie.

Wow! what an action packed week and it’s only Thursday! Monday was a Yards of Fun quilt shop field trip out here at Beulah Land and I had such a fantastic time. Seldom do you meet people who are instant friends, but that’s what happened. Diana and Dorothy (Y of F owners) brought Pat and Linda out with them and we were kindred spirits all the way around. L-R are Linda, Dorothy, Diana and Pat. Diana tried out the new frame … which was great ’cause now I have some really NICE looking stitches for my models.

Quick harvest of the cold frame and grow house supplied part of lunch. The first cutting of broccoli!

Did you know that Feb. 21 is National Make a Blanket Day? Check out the National Project Linus site at: http://www.projectlinus.org/mabd.html

Linda, Pat and I gathered with Diana on Wed. for a binding party at Yards Of Fun in Bonham, which is located on Sam Rayburn Dr., just off the square. 903-583-6342.

Diana skittered around between sewing on bindings and teaching her normal class for Wednesdays. Don’t know how she keeps sane going in 10 directions at once and answers the phone, but I’m glad I was just minding a needle.

Pat and Linda really are working…. no, really, trust me, they are! Pat was telling me how cosmopolitan Bonham is….I can’t wait to do this again.

Doug Risings of Cutting Edge came by to pick up scissors for sharpening - he did a great job! Contact Diana at Yards of Fun for his info if you’re in the Bonham, TX area.

It’s been a busy week for a hermit like me. Definitely time for a nap!

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January 18, 2009 by Debbie.

The 14 baby guinea we rescued last fall finally matured enough to release from the chicken coop in the yard! Boy, was that momma guinea glad to get out of the coop. The babies weren’t sure and started to head back in several times, especially when poppa guinea and uncle guinea pecked their heads, literally teaching them the ‘pecking order.’ There’s usually 3 who raise/protect a family; momma, poppa and aunt/uncle - it takes a village to raise a guinea, too!

Everyone spent the night in the roosting tree out east of the house. We watched this morning to make sure all 14 survived and were still with their immediate family. All is well.

I put the quilt on the frame finally. It was soooo hard to mark it, even lightly with a pencil, for the hand quilting but it had to be done before I put it on the frame. Here’s pictures in the steps, first with the leader cloths that the quilt is pinned to, then the quilt on the frame ready for hand quilting.

The frame is really set on square and level with the floor. I was on a step stool taking the picture and it’s me that’s off level, not the floor.

I found this chair did not work well as I sank down into it too low so switched to a padded kitchen chair instead. The quilting frame has a very flexible height, even to a standing height. It also swivels so the working section can be perpendicular to floor, parallel or any angle between. I’m still finding the one that’s best for me. The border is marked with flowing feathers so I’ll be on that section for awhile!

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January 17, 2009 by Debbie.

A while back I was telling Jesus that I was lonely. Being a homemaker and homesteader whose life and work is at home means I have more ‘free’ time than my friends who work full + time jobs. Yesterday a friend took time out from her busy schedule to come by and visit with me. First of all, it amazes me that she’s a friend at all. She’s like a prom dress and I’m the bib overalls in the closet of life. I can’t ever imagine her making the social bloopers I make. I have another friend who is like Gina. Both friends are pure class and not in a snobby way at all. I mean true class - the kind that makes everyone feel special. Some how after time spent with Gina I feel like I could conquer the world, or at least my world. She doesn’t set out to exude faith and confidence but it flows from her center.

Today John’s having 3 co-workers over for training on a new system he developed. We’ve known these guys for years now but to have them here today is like finding crocus blooming in the snow - a rare treat! I’ve been planning what to fix for lunch all week. Baked a coffee cake yesterday but after waking up this morning knew I HAD to fix brownies with peanut butter icing cause Jeff & Robin love choc-peanut butter anything. Fried chicken, roasted chicken (not sure if Todd likes fried), real mashed potatoes (John likes instant - go figure! so this is a splurge), corn, green beans, gravy (from a jar, I’m a horrible gravy maker), deviled eggs and applesauce. I’m in my hay-day cooking and baking so no one better even mention diet or low fat anything.

Monday 4 of the quilting women are coming here for a “field trip” - aka a good excuse to get together and talk about quilting. Donna and Dorothy are the quilt shop owners in Bonham and Patricia is a faithful customer of theirs who I met and we clicked. They want to see the new quilting frame. Since it will just be us women I think I’ll fix a quiche - John doesn’t like them so this is a chance for me to have one without eating the whole thing. If weather permits we’ll tour the gardens, grow house and the barn so they can meet the Dwarf goats and cats.

Later this month a woman who wants to rebuild her grandparents smoke house is coming down from Oklahoma to visit so we can dig through my books and come up with a plan. We’ve got to work out both of our schedules yet but the visit in the process. I’ve never met her. Someone gave her my phone number years ago and she’s held on to it til she moved to the old homestead. A friend in the making!

A family in Kenya have been emailing and writing to us for a couple of months now. They read the Farm and Ranch Diary we wrote way back. They held on to the magazine for 5 years til they had email access to contact us. They sent us pictures of their home with a banana grove and we sent pictures of our homestead here. So different yet so very much alike. They have opened their hearts, home and doors to us literally, offering to host us in Africa.

The Gaither’s tape (video) playing in the background says it all “Loving God, loving each other and the story never ends.” Kind of hard to be lonely.

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January 16, 2009 by Debbie.

Don’t you just love days (weeks, months, years???) when the goodness of God just overwhelms you? I’ve sat down three times to share about yesterday and words just don’t come. Tears, yes, but no coherent sentences.

Of course, since this is me we’re talking about not being coherent doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I told someone I put my name back on the sub-teachers list because I feel like I’ve lost touch, that I want some lessons in social graces. Here at home I used the wrong words for things but John knows what I’m saying and we go on. I knew when I used the word ‘tapes’ for dvds with someone and got such a blank stare and response of “Uh, we don’t do cassette tapes any more” that I need help.

That’s why I ended up in the midst of the goodness of God yesterday. I got called in for my first time back to subbing and rushed into the class room just minutes ahead of the second graders. It’s been 10 years since I’ve subbed so it took a few minutes to settle in …. few minutes??  Thank God the teacher was organized and excellently prepared! I looked over the lesson plans and then just jumped in. This is where I lose the words …. I can’t begin to describe how wonderfully amazing yesterday was.  If the tears stop and the words come I’ll continue this later.

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January 13, 2009 by Debbie.

“Are you and your husband good Christians?” the plumber, a very young man, asked last Friday when  he came out to fix a leak. Since I’m a very literal person, I always have a hard time with that question - am I Christ-like??? I so desire to be but always wonder if someone has to ask then AM I? Since the poor guy had only met me minutes before I didn’t get into that theological line but answered, “Yes, we’re Christians, but good? Only good through the righteous blood of Jesus.”

My next normal tendency is to start rambling but I’m trying to live the KYMS system. Keep Your (my) Mouth Shut. I seldom make it but that day I turned back to him and asked, “And you? Are you a Christian?” He looked sheepish and mumbled, “Well, I am and I’m not. You know what I mean.” KYMS was still working… “No, I don’t know what you mean. What do you mean?”

He proceeded to tell me how he was raised in church and KNEW God but wasn’t living right and if he died he doubted if he’d ‘make it.’ I said he didn’t have to doubt and he started back peddling with “My parents go to church and I  tell them don’t preach at me.” He put his hands out as if to stop any words I might say. And all I had to tell him was God loved him, no preaching, just God loved him and wanted a relationship with him; that it’s not about religion.

Today my heart still hurts for him.

I wish I could read Gal. 5:6 to him, “For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.” The Message

NIV says it this way “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” 6b.

Faith expressing itself through love. What does that look like to you?

I was/am praying for more faith.

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January 10, 2009 by Debbie.

Welcome back to Beulah Land! It’s a cold, windy Saturday morning and I’m puttering, not getting much of anything done. Above is Beulah, our non-sacred cow, who silently watches over our living room and collects dust like everything and everyone else here. My one rule of house decorating is - if it needs dusted it doesn’t come in the door. What you see around my house are things people have given us, most were made by the giver.

Grandma Hall (John’s Grandma by birth, mine by adoption/marriage), made the Amish couple who sit on our piano (piano is from John’s Mom). Notice the Amish man has some cracks …. John was throwing a ball for BJ, our beautiful Black Lab, and hit the man. Told him not to throw a ball in the house! But even cracked and glued back together it stays cause Grandma Hall made it and I like ‘em.

And yes, we use the Aladdin lamps at times.

These cookies won’t be around long enough to collect dust. Just felt like a good morning to bake some. It does count that they’re made with organic flour, raw sugar (reduced amount) and organic, home grown eggs. I keep telling myself that.

This I did buy. My Old Man Bird House. The cute little red ‘mouse’ hanging from his nose was made by granddaughter Kate. The funny thing was one morning while our 3 yo grandson was visiting Grandpa John was standing right beside the Old Man Bird House. Scottie looked up and asked his dad, John JR., what IS that. John JR. replied, that’s an old man with something hanging out of his nose. My back was partially turned so all I could see was Grandpa John standing there and I thought they were talking about him…….. OK, maybe you had to be there to appreciate it.

I hope you get more done today than I am. I hear a cookie calling my name………..

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January 6, 2009 by Debbie.

Hearts at Home Quilt

Don’t know if I ‘reported in’ with the results of the beef adventure or not but …. wooden spoon roll here - a whooping 1# 7 oz of tallow!  (the beef adventure can be found at www.beulahland.com under the Dribbles button)

I can’t wait to try it in soap. Will let you know ’bout that later when I make and use it.

Below is the center portion of the quilt I’ve started. I’m thinking of using the printed squares fabric as borders. What do you think? Since the center is all pieced together I think the printed fabric looks cheap but John, my husband, likes it. I’ll put a little more white around the center square so it will stand out more but I need something to lengthen the center square into a rectangle. After these printed borders will be more white and then a final border. of just patchwork with the same fabrics as the center hearts until the quilt measures about 78×88, full size. The quilt will be named “Hearts at Home”.

Gotta get busy on the patchwork border section!

(note Aug. 2009 - I didn’t use the printed border!! made a flying geese border instead)

If you are a glutton for punishment and want to read some more of my ramblings, go to www.beulahland.com and click on the Dribbles button. This is the only part I’ve copied over to here so scroll down to find more ramblings.

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