Where Your Treasure Is: January 2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

"Unless You Become Like One Of These...."

Okay, I just had to share this video of my little grandson Ezra. Marie and Jon sent it to us the other day, and Steve and I just keep eating it up, it is so cute. One year old Ezra is watching a Gospel singer from a video on the computer. The song is saying J..E..S..U..S Jesus! And Ezra in all his excitement is shouting "Jesus" in baby shouts. I am amazed that a one year old gets it so well. It is blessing our socks off! I think it will bless you too.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Catching Up

We have had a snowier and muddier winter than we have seen in a long time here in southern Colorado. What we suffered in drought last spring and summer is being made up for this winter with abundant snowfall, for which we are thankful. And yet all the snow and mud does leave me often feeling that tinge of cabin fever and a yearning for Phoenix or Florida... those warm and sunny parts of the country where many of my loved ones live.

So, after Christmas was over, and cabin fever had set it, I went on a re-organize and clean out campaign that has lifted me up out of my winter doldrums. I pulled apart my pantry and completely cleaned it out and reorganized it; I cleaned out and spiffed up the spare bedroom (ready and available for you to come and see us now), and cleaned out many of the closets and drawers in the house, all of which made me feel a little less like I am living on an island surrounded by snow and mud. Why that is... I don't know... I only know it made me feel better to get everything in order. Spring cleaning is all fine and wonderful, but for me a little winter organizing has really done the trick.

In addition to the winter organizing, the chickens were signed up for an "Extreme Home makeover"... (I guess the show is called "Extreme Makeover Home Edition".... one of my favorite shows) and were given an upgrade... at least for now, since the walls of the chicken house that we were able to purchase late last summer, are still buried under snow, and awaiting the right time and Steve's greater mobility for the final coup raising. So we have upgraded the chickies into temporary housing; from the little dog house to the broken water tank that we used last year for a seed house. I think I will write an article on how to reuse an old water tank... I already have two for my list. Steve turned a couple of old crates into nesting boxes, placed them into the old tank along with some lovely straw, then we all repositioned the chain link fence....placed the chickies inside and with in 24 hours, we had our first egg... Hurray! Homegrown eggs are a lovely sight to behold... I'm sure those of you who have chickens would agree. As soon as the new housing was in place for the chickens, Eddie chanted... "move that bus"... which made us laugh... thus my link above to "Extreme Makeover..."

As for other events.... lets see...Nathan and Himilce are moving to North Carolina, from Phoenix, in fact Himilce and babies are there already, while Nathan finishes his last several weeks of work in Phoenix. He is staying with my Dad as he finishes up, and family and furnishings have been sent ahead. I am happy that Himilce will have another season of living close to her family... although, I feel very sad to have them go... isn't that funny, they live 12 hours from me, and I am all torn up about them moving.... its just that even though they were that far from us, they still felt "close" to us.... as opposed to living in North Carolina, which is "far". But I do entrust their lives and ours in the Lord's hand. He directs all of our steps. My precious little grandson Ezra celebrated his first birthday (what a precious little bug he is. I miss him so much), and also Eddie and my Dad, who share the same birthday, and Russ who is just four days after them. Those are my big events for January; that along with every day living and keeping up with life, we keep pressing in close to the Lord who strengthens us in difficult days and refreshes us as we carry on. Steve is coming along very well, and has been graduated to a boot and a cane, so is feeling more like his old self, and capable of more and more all the time. He still has therapy 2 days a week, and has had to deal with a few issues such as a torn rotator cuff, a few broken pins, and some scar tissue problems, but all in all he is thankful to be more mobile, and I am too. Hope you are all doing well this winter. I am off now to catch up on your news.

Chickies upgrade into old water tank

Some nesting boxes and a roost

First Egg! Let's Celebrate

Eddie was impressed when I showed him the difference between the pale, nutrient depleted, store bought egg on the right and the bea-u-tiful orange yoked egg laid by our own hens on left.

Fried rice for dinner.... the best way to divide up one egg between us. :)

Believe it or not, I tidy up this disaster every other week... this time I really cleaned it out and have spoken dire threats to those who would mess it up again.

Pulled everything out.

Ahhhhh

Looks so much better doesn't it?

Have a great Week

Blessings

Pam

Sunday, January 1, 2012

About Where Your Treasure Is

Let me share a little of my "treasure" with you as I tell you about my life. This is Steve, my hubby. We are High school Sweet Hearts and Life Long Friends. He is my "knight in shining armor". We celebrated 33 years of marriage when this picture was taken in November 2012.

We have 7 children. These are our first 4 when they were little munchkins.

And this is all of us a few years later.

Our first four children are 2 years apart, starting with Nathan, then Luke, then the girls; who are twins. Elizabeth is on the left and Marie is on the right.

In 2006 we grew a little larger. We adopted 3 children from Russia. They are siblings. Their names are Russell, Olga and Eddie. They were 15, 14, and 10 years old (respectively) when we adopted them. This is all of us at the train station in Russia after our first visit to see them. The little girl that Steve has his arm around is a friend of Olga's, and the lady next to Steve was one of our precious aides in the adoption process.

These 3 pictures are taken 3 years later.

Laughter... its my favorite sound.

Our first four kids grew up and some of them got married.... and started having their own little munchkins. Our oldest son Nathan and his wife Himilce and their little boys Elon and Asher are with us here.

Elizabeth and Benjamin got married a few years after Nathan and Himilce got married. From left to right, back to front. Our second son Luke (24 years old), our daughter Marie, (22 years old), my husband Steve, myself, our daughter Elizabeth, (22 years old), her husband Benjamin (26 years old), Kathy, Dad, our son Nathan (26 years old), bottom left, our daughter Olga (15 years old), Mom (Steve's Mom), our son Eddie, (11 years old), our grandson Elon (6 months old), our daughter in law Himilce (26 years old), and our son, Russell (16 years old).

At Elizabeth's wedding, Marie got to know Jon better. Jon is Benjamin's brother. Benjamin is Elizabeth's husband. Less than a year later, Marie and Jon got married. Life is interesting and beautiful isn't it?

Marie and Jon were the next to have a baby. Here he is little Zane and I. He was born a month after little Asher (Nathan and Himilce's second),

Elizabeth and Benjamin had our fourth grandson 7 months after little Zane was born, and almost a year after that, came little Ezra, Marie and Jon's second(are you loosing track of them all yet?). Here we all are together (almost all of us. Jon could not be in this picture, nor could Russell, but it was the closest thing to having all of us together since Jon and Marie's wedding). Nathan and Himilce and their family live in North Carolina now, Luke lives in Oregon, Elizabeth and Benjamin and Marie and Jon and their families all live in Florida... right next door to each other. Russell is in the Navy but lives most of the time in California, Olga lives in Phoenix, and Eddie is still home with us right here in Colorado.

Five Precious Grandsons....

and now a little Granddaughter.

Faith, family, and home have been the center of who we are. We taught our children at home and worked from home as often as we were able to. We have lived a country life most of our married life, having livestock, chickens, and gardens much of that time. We love wholesome "real" food, and have become interested in the permaculture aspect of raising food in the last few years. Most of our children have pursued a lifestyle like they had growing up and we have had the delight of sharing ideas and knowledge with each other. To be able to say that our children are our best friends is to us, the greatest success of a lifestyle that is centered around Faith, family and home. I hope you feel at home yourself, as you read the bits and pieces of our story, and share some of the recipes we have found for life and living.

"Treasure" has become one of the themes on this blog (evident by the blog title and address right?), so here is what I have learned about treasure as I have gone along. The dictionary defines treasure as wealth, rich materials or valuable things; anything or person greatly valued or highly prized. The Bible has many references to the word "treasure", and refers to it as silver, gold, spices, fine oil, armor, holy vessels, wisdom, knowledge and the Holy Spirit. It speaks of ill-gotten treasure, treasure on earth and treasure in heaven, treasure in our hearts, treasure in the ground, hidden treasure and found treasure. Throughout the Old Testament, God refers to His people as His treasure or His treasured possession. I love to think of God treasuring us. In the New Testament, God gave us His most precious treasure, His Son Jesus so we could become a part of His eternal treasure . Then He placed His Holy Spirit in us so that we could be transformed, (II Corinthians 4:7), by Him. We are reminded that we are the earthen vessels.and that we are containers for Holy Spirit. We are ordinary; He is extraordinary; He is the treasure. That is a treasure I am still learning about, and discovering a greater revelation of all the time.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I think of treasure as something I delight in. When I sat down and consciously thought about the things I delight in, most of my list was a list of eternal things and had to do with relationships and friendships. A few things were material things, such as teacups, antiques, books and art, little things, beautiful things. I hope to make this blog a scrapbook of treasure. The treasure of living the life He has given me and allowing His light to shine through, by sharing friendship, encouragement, ideas, joy and love. I hope you will be blessed as you read.

Home Grown

Welcome to the "Home Grown" link. Here you will find a collection of posts about Farm, Ranch, and Garden

Chickens
Chicks

Chickie's New House
New Pullets

My Chicken Board on Pinterest

Goats

For the Love of Goats

My "Goat" Board on Pinterest

Horses

North American Spotted Draft Horses
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys

Cows
Of Cows

Sheep
Mutton Busters

Fruit Trees

Peaches
Apple Picking

The Garden
James and the Giant Zucchini
Garden Notes: Building raised beds. June 2014
Garden Notes and Square Foot Gardening August 2014
Garden Notes for June 2013
Garden Notes and Green Bean T.P.s
Drying and Preserving Herbs
Freezing Fresh Basil
New Seasons
Pinto Beans
Water Tank Green House
Corn Dogs

Worms

Potatoes in a tub

Recipes from the garden

My "Homegrown" board on Pinterest
My Farm Board on Pinterest

Recipes

Welcome to my "Recipe" link. I am building a collection of recipes that we love at our house. Some have been in our family for quite a while, others are new. I love to cook with "real" and "whole" ingredients as much as possible, and have made healthy alternatives, flavor, enjoyment and comfort the themes to all of the recipes I share. Explore and Enjoy.

Wholesome Family Recipes

https://treasureinanearthenvessel.blogspot.com/2019/11/instant-pot-shredded-beef-enchiladas.html

Click for the recipe

Low Calories Recipes

One Pot Beef Stroganoff
Summer Zucchini Pie

Breads

Flax Sandwich Buns
Homemade Croutons
Irish Soda Bread
Orange Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Naan Bread
Nana's Buttermilk Biscuits
Pumpkin Scones
Resurrection Rolls
Spoon Bread with Honey
Banana Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Valentines Cherry Scones

Muffin Tin Mania

Baked Oatmeal Muffins: Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate Chip
Beef Muffin Tin Pies
Chocolate Cream Cheese Whole Wheat Muffins/Cupcakes
Cranberry Christmas Tarts
Double Chocolate Whole Wheat Muffins
Eggplant Parmigiana: Meal in a Muffin:
Ginger Peach Muffins
Gluten Free Banana Muffins
High Protein Applesauce Muffins
Meatball Sandwich Muffins
Muffin Tin Mania: A collection of 20 Recipes
Pizza Pie Meal in a Muffin
Purple Power Blueberry and Purple Yam Muffins
Reuben Sandwich Muffins
Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Shepherd's Pie Meal in a Muffin
Spaghetti Pie Meal in a Muffin
Strawberry Muffins
Sugar Free Lemon Berry Cheese Cake Muffins
Triple Chocolate Almond Gluten Free Muffins
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

Desserts, Cookies and Bars

Apple Crisp
Apple Dumplings
Almond Joy Chia Pudding
Animal Crackers
Berry Cream Pie
Buttermilk Pie
Caramel Apple Pie
Cherry Pie Filling
Cherry and Blueberry Slab Pie
Chocolate Cupcakes with cream filling
Chocolate Mocha Cookies and Cream Pie
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Chocolate Christmas Mice
Chocolate Oreo Truffles
Chocolate Wafers
Cranberry Christmas Tarts

Double Layer Chocolate Cherry Cake Supreme
End of Summer Fruit and Nut Galette (or rustic fruit pie)
Fall Party Mix
French Apple Custard Cake
Ginger Crinkles
Graham Crackers
Key Lime Ice Cream Pie
Lemon Crepe Cake
Peach Cream Pie
Peaches and Cream Fruit Rollups
Peach Cobbler
Peanut Butter Banana Ice Box Cake
Perfect Pie Crust
Pumpkin Dessert (Dessert in a Pumpkin)
Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin Torte
Raspberry Pretzel Dessert
Resurrection Rolls
Rosewater Raspberry Tea Cake
Rice Crispy Treats
Snickers Cookie Tarts
Strawberries and Cream Cookie Tarts
Strawberry Coffee Cake
Strawberry Hand Pies
Sugar Cookies (Whole Wheat Almond)
Texas Sheet Cake

The Best Little Pumpkin Dessert

Tres Leche Cake
Valentine Cherry Scones
Whole Wheat Almond Cookies

Sweets

Chocolate Christmas Mice
Green Chocolate Truffle
Homemade White Chocolate
Oreo Truffles
Salted Caramel Sauce (a healthier version)

Preserving

Fruit Leather
Kefir
No Sugar Strawberry Chia Jam
Peaches and Cream Fruit Rollups
Persimmon Jam
Preserving Basil
Preserving Fresh Herbs
Zucchini Strawberry Jam
Zucchini Relish

Beverages

Fresh Strawberry Mint Tea
Ginger Ale

Iced Tea with Fresh Mint
Kefir

Snacks

Animal Crackers
Chocolate Wafers
Dried Bananas/Banana Chips
Fall Party Mix
Fruit Leather
Graham Crackers
Peaches and Cream Fruit Rollups
Rice Crispy Treats

Sauces and Spreads and Fillings

Better "Better Butter"
Cherry Pie Filling
Cranberry Orange Sauce with Essential Oils
Homemade Creamy Enchilada Sauce
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Lemon Syrup for Crepes and Pancakes
Ketchup
San Marzano Marinara Sauce
Salted Caramel Sauce
Strawberry Chia Jam

Crockpot and Instant Pot Recipes

Shredded Beef for Burritos or Sandwiches
Instant Pot Beef Burgandy

Herbs, Spices, Condiments and Homemade Ingredients

Carrot Puree
Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade White Chocolate Chips
Homemade Vanilla
Homemade Ketchup

Luke's Corn Salsa
Preserving Basil

Holiday Recipes

Cranberry Christmas Tarts

Fourth of July Layered Bean Dip

Owl Cheese Ball

Valentine Cherry Scones

Valentine Sugar Cookies

Valentine Potatoes

Trim and Healthy Recipes

Almond Joy Chia Pudding (Sugar Free, Low Carb)
Creamy Coconut Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Low Carb)
Curried Chicken Salad (Low Carb)
Chili Relleno Casserole (Low Carb)
Green Chocolate Truffles (Low Carb)
Eggplant Parmigiana Meal in a Muffin (Low carb)
Fresh Tomato Pizza (Yeast free, Low Calorie)
Flax Sandwich Buns (Low Carb)
High Protein Applesauce Muffins (Low Fat)
Healthy Homemade Breakfast Sausage (Low Carb;)
Low Carb Oopsy Rolls (Low Carb)
Mexican Lettuce Wraps (Low Carb)
No Sugar Strawberry Jam (Low Calorie, Low Carb)
Purple Power Blueberry and Purple Yam Muffins (Low Calorie)
Lemon Berry Cheese Cake Muffins ( Low Carb)
Roasted Vegetables Italiano (Low Carb)
Shepherd's Pie (Low Carb)
Zucchini Fettucini with Alfredo Sauce (Low Carb)

These recipes are low calorie or low carb or low fat recipes some are inspired by the book "Trim Healthy Mama". and some are my own low calorie recipes. In either case, these recipes are not intended to teach any method or philosophy, I am just sharing some great trim and healthy recipes that I am using to trim down my own body. I hope they will bless and encourage you.

My Recipe Board on Pinterest
My Trim and Healthy on Pinterest

Home Remedies

Welcome to the "Home Remedies" Link.

I have loved learning about, exploring and experimenting with Home Remedies. I have found that home remedies are a better alternative to Pharmaceutical medicine for our family. I am adding to this list all the time. I also have some home remedies for cleaning. Hopefully you will find something that works for you. Give one of them a try.

For Cold and Flue
15 Home Remedies for Cold and Flue Season
Chicken Soup for Cold and Flu
Garlic for Healing
Ginger Tea
Ginger Tonic
Honey and Cinnamon
Honey and Lemon Cold Remedy
Goot Ointment

Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning Silver: Homemade Remedy
How to De-Skunk Your Dog

Building the Immune System
Better "Better Butter"
Ginger Tea
Ginger Tonic
Honey and Cinnamon

For Bladder Infections
coming soon

Homemade

Crafts and More

Welcome to the "Homemade" Link.

Here you will find a table of contents to a variety of crafts and homemade items. It may be a bit unconventional, but I have arranged the crafts into months and linked them in the month that seemed like a good place to find them....One of these days, perhaps I will organize them better, but in the mean time; there they are. There is also some links to some of our parties we have had, as well as some everyday homemade links. Some of my older posts are not always the best of pictures... I have gotten a little better at that as I have grown with my blog, but perhaps they will be fun to look at anyway.

My Homemade Board on Pinterest

My Craft and DIY Board on Pinterest

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Everyday

Parties

Pages