Canning Spaghetti Sauce

After trying my hand at not only making my mother-in-laws sauce, but also canning it, I have to admit; I'm addicted. I use this sauce more than just spaghetti. It's awesome in my lasagna and chili. The stuff is so good, we could eat it out of the jar! Unfortunately, after my broken foot this summer, I was only able to can about 3 sets of sauce. I decided to try getting the large cans of tomatoes at Costco and seeing if I can duplicate the yumminess that comes from a garden.

Basic Ingredients

Filling Up the Jars

In the Canner

Pressure Cooking

Ok, so honestly, I didn't think it was as awesome as it normally is using fresh garden tomatoes.

I also had to use dehydrated peppers since I forgot those at the store.  This was the second time I have used my dehydrated veggies and I am really impressed with how they turned out. 

Big Chick loved the sauce, so it will be a keeper. Hopefully I have enough jars to last till next year.

Do you have any favorite recipes that you like to can?

Kenya, Farming and TEOTWAWKI

Yes, I fell off this side of the earth a couple months ago. I made it to Kenya and had the best trip so far!

I got sick right before I left with an out- of - control ear infection which only got worse when I got there and ended up getting an IV and some serious drugs. Hands were laid upon me and I was healed quickly.

(The kids getting in line for lunch at VBS)

Coming back from Kenya is always so hard. You immediately want to give up all of your worldly possessions and give everything you can to help others. I stay in a funk for awhile till I realize I can still help them and not have to live in a cardboard box to do it.

(Check out that double yolker)

The hens have been laying for a little while now. I didn't realize how quickly I would fall in love with these crazy creatures. As soon as I come outside, they all come running up to me, talking and seeing if I have any treats for them.

Being prepared, that's what I'm calling it. I am on a mission to be prepared for whatever may happen in the future. I started canning tomato sauce last year and have now started canning meat, vegetable and fruit. I love it and I feel such a sense of accomplishment looking at my stockpile.

(canning butter)

Kakamega, Kenya

It's official!

3 weeks from this moment, I will be on my way to my second home, Kenya.

I received the green light from the doctor.

I saw him last week. He took xrays and was visibly impressed with how much my foot is healed.

He was not happy that I had been walking on it. The last time he had seen me, I could barely flex my foot and he reminded me, "no weight on it for 3 months"

Oh well, I have to go back a week before I leave for Kenya so he can check updated xrays again.

I can barely contain the excitement I have for this trip. To see all these beautiful Kenya faces warms my heart and soul. 

I so wish my family could experience this with me. The girls want to go but hubby, not so much. 

I'm sure one day I will get him there.

I found some journal entries from my 1st trip there back in 2009. If you are interested, please

feel free to read them, just click on the tab above. I was so happy I wrote this stuff down.

Sonlight vs MFW vs...

Yes, I fell off the face of the earth. I have been completely and totally consumed for the past few weeks with school stuff. 

Big Chick is going into 9th grade (I'm totally not old enough for that) and Lil Chick is going into 4th.

We have decided that we will not be doing co-op this year which where we had most of their core subjects taken care of.  Here is where I am getting stressed. I could just buy a curriculum in-a-box and be done with it but, I am wanting to be more hands-on and more eclectic. 

One moment I am dead set on buying Sonlight, ready to order and start soon. Then I come across My Fathers World which is quite similar to Sonlight. Overwhelmed wasn't even what I was feeling, it was worse. My life was completely consumed with researching. 

If I wasn't eating or sleeping, I was on the computer trying to figure out what to do.

My poor hubby, I do love him. 

He helped me decide which time period of history we should go with and that really helped get the ball going in the right direction. 

Sonlight Core d+e which is for Little Chick will be shared with Big Chick and just add age appropriate stuff for her. A fellow homeschooler is selling it to me for $100, so I am making out like a fat rat! Ha!

The girls with both continue with Teaching Textbooks (Algebra 1 and Grade 5) 

Science will be Apologia Physical Science and not sure which one yet for Lil Chick.

We will do a ton of hands on activities this year and also lots of field trips. 

I am really excited about this year. I hope I can stay like this, ha!

The Power of Prayer

It's been a little over a month since my accident and I totally believe I am healed.

Right after my last appointment with my doctor, my husband put his hands on my foot and prayed. I mean really prayed. I totally believe in my heart that God healed me through my husband. 

The large scar on my foot was noticeably different the next day. I was still so afraid of accidentally hurting my foot while trying to get around. While washing my hands, I took a step with my injured foot, not even thinking. Guess what? It didn't hurt.. at all! I was shocked. So, for about 2 weeks now, I have been occasionally walking on it. The other night, I was so frustrated with the girls fighting, I actually put my boot on and went upstairs and dealt with them. No crutches, no wheel chair, NO PAIN!

I don't go back to the doc till the 11th. I am so anxious for him to see the xrays and how quickly I have healed. This is such a God thing! You know what this means, right? Kenya is BACK ON! 

Holy cow this is amazing. 

I'm so done with not being able to do anything. I have so many DIY projects I'm wanting to do. Soon though.

Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update on the foot. I will be so happy to get this blog going again when I can get around and start back on my projects and gardening. 

A Weedn' Update

I have been super blessed the past few days to have my in-laws here visiting and helping out.

Papa Chick has been helping Mr. Chick with the chicken run while Grandma Chick and her sis helped around the house with cleaning, some gardening, etc. 

My garden really had become The Garden of Weedn' since I have been out of commission. 

While I was away at a doc appt, the in-laws worked away in my garden, weeding and getting up all my grass. It looks phenomenal. Wow, I am so blessed.

Take a peek...

I am thrilled.

I have been hobbling out there almost everyday. I still can't put any weight on my foot, so it's hard to get out there.

I am already starting to reap the benefits of my first garden. How exciting it is to bring in vegetables from MY garden... even though I can't cook any....

The guys moved the chicken run outside from the garage last night. Just a little bit more needs to be done, then the girls can go out and play a little till we get their coop done. 

And someone, tell me why my child knocks on the door when nobody is in the house but me and I can't just run to the door... and you know it was Lil Chick...  :)

Meet the Chicks!

Ok, it's time to meet the girls.

They are 6 weeks old now. They grow overnight but are also outgrowing their brooder box.

Mr. Chick will be done with run very soon. After that, he starts work on the coop.

We decided to buy a cute lil playhouse from Costco and just redo some things to customize it for our girls.

We are so ready to be done with this project. It is taking over our lives, especially since I can't get out there and help.

Without further ado... meet the girls