Blackberry Jam and Apple Sauce

Thanks to Cheesemakin' Mama's post about her raw strawberry jam, I made some raw blackberry jam. I don't have pictures - I don't know how to post pictures yet; only my children know how to and they aren't home - but the kids tried it and loved it. I used blackberries picked from down the road and honey from our neighbor up the road. Thanks, Jackie!


Apple season in Sebastopol is big, well, big for Sebastopol, a town of 7, 000. There are so many apple trees here, that people beg you to come pick apples. Sam, Elijah and I picked a huge box of apples, and I canned 10 quarts of apple sauce. They are beautiful! I borrowed a steamer canner from a friend, and I was amazed at how easy it is to can this way.

On another note, my boys, including my husband, have all left for a three day camping trip to the coast. Scott also took my 2 nephews. That's one Dad and 5 boys. It leaves Mom home alone. Oh what will I do with myself......

My life in FA

Sunday was my 1 year and 5 month anniversary of being abstinent in FA. (It's like being sober in AA). There are so many changes in my life, it's hard to know where to start.

First of all, I lost 50 lbs in 10 months. I have been the same weight I am now since January 5. I can honestly say that I have not been compulsively obsessed with food for these last 17 months. That is the grace of God.

What I really love about FA is that I get to go out and eat an anniversary meal with my husband and completely enjoy it. Before, with all the diets and ways I tried to control my food addiction, I would go out to eat and a) either eat something I did not want to eat (like a little salad or something really tiny) or b) leave the restaurant rolling out the door because I was so full (later telling myself what a pig I was, how disgusting I was, etc). With FA, I just enjoy a good meal. I know that sounds like crazy talk and it was crazy!!! The kind of life I led in the midst of my addiction was horrible. I was miserable. Every morning was misery because I had tried to control my eating the day befire only to end up binging every night. It was truly hopeless.

Since the first day of FA, I was released from the obsession and compulsion I had around food. Praise God. I had hope and it has remained with me since then. Something we say in FA is: We know that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. I finally let go of my way of eating (and thinking about eating) and allowed the people in FA to help me.

OK - another thing I've received from FA - peace. My husband and I just got back from our little trip to the lake and we had a great time. We were so relaxed. Scott has been going through some really tough things lately, but God has given us both a deep peace. How can we be peaceful in the midst of difficulties? It is only by God's grace. We have accepted His grace in our lives. The piece of my heart that belonged to food now belongs to God. I am free from food addiction so that I can be totally addicted to God. Now I am able to open up my whole heart to Him and accept whatever He has to give me.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
Thy loving will be done in and through me this day
Amen

Anniversary Getaway

Tomorrow Scott and I are going to stay at our friend's house in Lucerne on Clear Lake. We get just one night, but we are looking forward to some peace and quiet. We do things like read all day and take a walk to get coffee in the morning. Scott does some fishing too. Our anniversary is on Tuesday, the 11th. It will be 19 years of marriage for us. How thankful I am to be the wife of a godly man.

Our friend and her three girls are staying with the boys at our house. She kindly offered to do this for us. My 12 year old had an odd look on his face when I told him who was staying with him and his brothers. I think the idea of all those girls in the house is daunting. Afterall, we do live in a "boy house", especially since Jordan is in Africa. Oh well. He'll have a good time.

Homemade Chocolate

I watched an Above Rubies video last night. It's called "Pearl's Chocolates". I'm going to try to make these. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FEsvf8AiSk

I'm off to the beach with my kids and my sister's kids. WOO HOO!

I Love This time of Year!

My favorite time of the year is fall, or getting ready for fall. I was one of those nerdy kids who loved going back to school. I love the school supplies aisle. Tonight I was looking longingly at the lunch boxes at Wal Mart. Thankfully, it has not been a very hot summer for us, so it feels like fall here. I know my friends and family in The Dalles feel differently!

Today I started ordering curriculum for this school year. Samuel and I sat down to talk about where he wants to be (in math and science) when he graduates from high school. We are using:
*Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
*Apologia General Science
*Thinking Like A Christian (Bible)
*Mavis Beacin Typing
*Daily Grams Grade 7 (Grammar)
*Apples Spelling
*The Fallacy Detective (Logic)
*God's World News (Social Studies)

One down, three to go. Actually I have most things mapped out for everyone else. All the stuff I want to buy is in my "Wish List" on Rainbow Resource Center's website. I feel much more organized and scheduled for this next year than any other year I've homeschooled. It's my 9th year, so I should be!

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 cup grated bar laundry soap (I use Zote)
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax

Grate Zote. Put Zote, washing soda and borax in a food processor and blend. When it is finished the Zote will look like little pink balls in the white powder. Use 1 Tablespoon per load. For extra dirty clothes, use 2 Tablespoons.

I make this in huge batches. I keep it in a gallon mayonaise container. I think it works well. I haven't figured out how much it costs yet, but it can't be much.

Homemade Sugar-Free Ketchup

1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 cup splenda
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup + 1/8 cup water
1 teasp. salt
1/4 teasp. onion powder
1/8 teasp. garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 min, stirring often.

***I use less splenda than this (about 1/4-1/3 cup). I don't like my ketchup too sweet.
***I triple this to fit into my container
***I also make regular ketchup (with sugar instead of splenda) for my family.
***Really - "stirring often" is important. Burned ketchup stinks!!

ENJOY!

In The Kitchen

Today I worked in the yard in the morning. If you know me, you will know how shocking it is that I worked in the yard. I am not a gardener. I have a brown thumb. All my favorite things to do are done indoors - listening to and playing music, reading, cooking, watching movies, reading and more reading.

But now I am in my kitchen cooking up a storm. I made my homemade sugar-free ketchup. I made a bazillion pieces of french toast to freeze. I made a blackberry/strawberry crisp. The best part is that no one bothers me when they see I am in the bulk cooking mode. I get to listen to my favorite music, too. I love this kind of Saturday. It is very fulfilling to get things done in the kitchen.

On another note, my parents and my daughter, Jordan, are in Zimbabwe as I am writing this. (Jordan, if you can get to my blog, I miss you already!!) I am still in awe of how God worked all things out for Jordan to go on this trip. I know He wants her in Africa.