I am still amazed at the cleaning power of vinegar and water.  Since one of my sons is allergic to chemicals in cleaning products and another son received a third degree burn from a household cleaner, I have been even more diligent than ever at using all-natural cleaning products. We are in the process of... »

August is almost here, which means that for my family school will resume.  In the search for inspiration I read Karen Andreola's The Charlotte Mason Companion and A Pocketful of Pinecones.  I cannot wait to read the sequel to the latter called Lessons at Blackberry Inn. These books were "just what the doctor ordered" for me.  I struggle with the... »

Back in the day people came together to help one another regularly.  Quilting bees, barn raising, etc were not only community work projects, but also social events.  In the book series, Little House on the Prairie, Charles Ingalls helps his neighbors and in return his neighbors help him build a house, dig a water well, etc.  The Amish also intrigue... »

I really like the company Beeyoutiful.  It is an online company that sells natural products, vitamins, essential oils, etc.  Inspired by their name, I wrote an article, but I slightly changed the spelling to fit my purpose.  They printed it in their latest catalog.  It is not up on their website so I have chosen to post it below.  I... »

We received the best news yesterday at another doctor's appointment in San Antonio, Texas.  Andrew is healed!  We no longer have to worry about infection, changing dressings, applying ointments, etc.  His burn healed, and it requires no extra special attention.  I do have to rub it with aquaphor or eucerin lotion to help the skin retain its moisture and elasticity,... »

Because of Andrew's injury our family has been doing a lot of driving to San Antonio, Texas.  During our hospital stay, we saw nothing of the city except the interstate that took us home.  On our next trip, my husband, Andrew, and I woke up at 4:00 am in order to make our appointment.  We stopped in Seguin, TX to... »

We own many water troughs on our farm.  They sit out all day full of water.  There are also many ponds nearby.  We have an above-ground swimming pool.  A deep creek crosses near our property.  Sometimes water collects and does not drain in the bends of the creek.  Needless to say, water hazards are easy to find. [caption id="attachment_583" align="alignright" width="300"... »

On my dad's property, which connects to our little place, wild grapes grow in abundance on the fence rows, some trees, and brush.  Wild grapes try to cover the tree or bush.  It reminds me of someone suffocating another.  Not a great visual, I'm sure, but true.  My father does not allow them to... »

When I first began my homeschooling and homesteading journey, I read a book about Home Management.  The author advised training children to do a task well.  Who could argue with that?  She highly discouraged anyone from doing the task for them again.  Ever?  Wow!  At the time I had three children, and... »

I purchased my garden plants and seeds from the local feed store like I have for years.  I have always had great luck.  Apparently this was not my year.  I do not know if it has anything to do with the store changing hands or just plain bad luck.  Regardless when I prepare for my fall garden, I am going... »

Life does not wait for you and neither does your garden.  So, I dedicated a large portion of my day to tend to my garden.  It was starting to look neglected after our hospital visit.  The corn had to be harvested, other vegetables needed to be picked, etc.  Jake joined me in the... »

As I mentioned in the article, "A Family Emergency," my now seventeen-month old son sat in some household cleaner which gave him a 3rd degree burn on his behind.  He had to endure surgeons debriding the burn and then attaching a skin graft to the most badly burned area.  My husband and I have been very viligant trying to keep... »

I want to first say how much your prayers mean to my family.  I am happy to report that Andrew is on the mend.  This incident has been extremely stressful for all the members of my family, especially Andrew.  I posted a picture... »