Peaches!

Kass and I went to Summit WPF meeting this past week, and we had so much fun!  The services were wonderful, and the fellowship was great!  On the way back home, Kass and I left a little later than the rest because I just can't travel without enough sleep.  We took our time, and on the way home we passed by this wonderful little peach orchard on Hwy 271 outside of Pittsburgh, Texas.  Kass wanted to stop, so I turned around, and we paid a visit!  I am so happy that we did!  There was canned preserves, mushrooms, pickled garlic, fresh vegetables, fruits, most of all fresh peaches, and a great deal of other yummy stuff!    My mouth watered, but I didn't give in to the temptation.  They were handing out free samples, and we purchased a box of peaches along with some juicy plums, and marinated mushrooms. 

Before leaving, we discovered that they also make their own homemade ice cream.  Kass loaded up on blueberry, cantaloupe, and peach ice cream before we left....and sadly I just looked and drooled.  Maybe next time.  Anyway if you are ever traveling that way take a moment to stop and check it out.  I am glad we did!

Here is a link to their farm's website:  http://efurdorchards.com/

Blog of Interest

To all of my homeschooling friends--I just wanted to share a great blog Kass came across and shared with me.  I've just started reading it, and I really like it so far.  It's http://www.educatorsathome.com/.

Painting by Terri Borison

The painting above was painted by my big sister, Terri Borison. She is a fabulous artist. This particular painting is of a young Los Islenos maiden wearing one of the canary islander's traditional costumes. I hope that you enjoy looking at it as much as I do.

By the way, every year we have a big Los Islenos festival celebrating the canary island people who settled in this area. My children love to attend and always look forward to it. I'll do my best to take some pictures of the festival this year and post for you all to see.

Songs from the 90's

Just a few "oldies but goodies" songs by one of favorite singers/muscians.....hope you enjoy them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2me-_QTUyzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkbdQEcKggg&feature=related
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMzQ1sl7ZaI&feature=related

Can you guess who? I tried to find some of Gingin, but the only one I found I couldn't copy for some reason. I think because they were not youtube videos.

We Did It - We are Getting Rid of the Chemicals!

We did it! We are getting rid of the chemicals. Well not completely, but as much as possible, and I can't bring myself to throw away the chemicals that I already have so I'll probably use those up first.

After searching the Internet, and arming myself with a list of healthier supplies, we headed to Walmart and Wholefoods.

Here was the things I wanted:

Baking Soda (I already had on hand)
White Vinegar (I already had on hand)
Borax (Found at Walmart)
Washing Soda (Found at Walmart)
Fels Naphtha Soap (Found at Walmart)
Essential Oils (I ended up getting peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oil for now)
Coconut Oil (This is good for all sorts of stuff)
Arrow Root Powder (sort of like cornstarch in the baking section)
Vegetable Glycerin (I ended up not using this-it was sort of a waste-I'm gonna try to see what I can do with it)
A Few Empty Spray Bottles (Found at Walmart)
A 5 Gal Bucket with a Lid (Found at Walmart)
Lemons (From my mom's lemon tree-I planted one in the spring, but it's still trying to get established)

I also bought a few extra things not for cleaning. My big sister introduced me to pure Elderberry Syrup for colds. It really does help! It's all natural and contains no alcohol (which is a must for Kass)

So here is a photo of my purchases:

Next, we went home and got busy. It was too easy! Everyone wanted to help including my husband who critiqued the whole process, told me if he thought I was adding too much soap or some other ingredient. It was a family event.

We made soap, deodorant, and toothpaste (although I'm not giving up my fluoride toothpaste-I don't quite feel comfortable with that).

Here is a link for the deodorant recipe we made http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0BF6hMuGE. It really works! We love this particular recipe.

You can find the recipe for the laundry detergent at http://plainoldkristi.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-soap-step.html. I made mine a little bit different, but it made a little more detergent. I used 1 cup of washing soda, 1/2 cup of borax, 1 bar of grated Fels Naphtha, and essential oils, and 3 gallons of water. Besides that it is pretty much the same. I've even read some recipes that added OxiClean. Anyway experiment and have fun. It really is fun.

So now for some pictures.....

The grated Fels Naphtha Soap. Ave had fun doing this.
He also wanted to be the one to add the hot water in the detergent bucket.
After trying on the deodorant-he did a smell test.
We stored the deodorant in these little plastic cups. We made some for all of us except for Gene. He thinks we are crazy. I wished I would have had some little bitty canning jars or some other pretty small glass container to store it in. Some people even refill their old deodorant containers with it.

I think this was the toothpaste we were making. It consisted of 3 tbsp of coconut oil, 3 tbsp of baking soda, peppermint oil, and one packet of stevia. The recipe also called for an optional bit of vegetable glycerin. I opted out because I read that it puts a coat on your teeth. I'm not a pro, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to leave it out to be safe.

Kass melted the soap for the laundry detergent (of course it must be melted in boiling water).

We have also been using the products to clean our house--particularly vinegar. Believe it or not, the vinegar smells grows on you.

Anyway, we had fun. It was easy, and we're feeling a little bit better about our household environment.

Bro. Jeff Mallory's Journal (Bro. Gordon Mallory's Son)

Just wanted to share with my friends Bro. Jeff Mallory's journal. Nekee shared it with me, and I have began reading it. I particularly liked the journal entry on silence. Bro. Mallory is very sick and is currently undergoing treatment for his illness. His journal is very inspiring and insightful. I intend on reading his entire journal starting today. Please include him and his family in your prayers. Here it is www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeffmallory.

Great Bible Study

Kass and I have made a decision to start studying the Bible together on a daily basis. We are going to go from one topic to the next. Even if we repeat, that is okay. The Word of God never gets old. It's amazing the difference it makes when you really study the Bible. Reading the Bible is one thing really studying the Bible is another. It's so encouraging, uplifting, and really keeps life in perspective. Recently we have been enjoying Bro. Nathaniel J. Wilson's Bible study on holiness. It's great! He really has a way of putting things in perspective on why we should live a holy life. Anyway, I thought it was so good that I would share it with my friends. It just makes you want to be the best that you can be for Christ. If you scroll down to the lower right side of my blog you will see a link to Bro. Wilson's blog. Be sure to start with part 1 and work you way up from there.

Sunday School

Psalms 122:1

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."

I love going to church! I can't imagine life without God and the church. It is such a privilege to be able to go, and I never want to take it lightly.

Growing up, I remember putting on my Sunday best, grabbing my Bible, climbing into the car with my mother, father, and all of my sisters and brother, and heading off to church. This was not just an Easter Sunday memory. This was an every week memory. To miss church was not even considered, unless of course we were very sick, which was extremely rare.

I remember learning my Bible verses. I remember singing all of the exciting Sunday School songs. I remember my Sunday School teachers teaching us wonderful lessons about God's mercy, love, and the plan of salvation. I remember God speaking to my heart even as a small child. I also remember playing with all of my church friends after church, while our parents enjoyed a moment speaking with their friends. What great memories I have about Sunday School and church!

If you do not attend church, I would like to encourage you to find a church that will make a DIFFERENCE in your life and begin attending! Bring your entire family if possible. Make it an important part of your life. Let me assure you, you will not regret it if you find the right one!

Holy Ghost Radio

I really enjoy listening to Holy Ghost Radio. I imagine that most of my acquaintances are aware of this site on the Internet, but I thought that I would post the address just in case you have never heard of it. The station broadcasts a lot of great sermons and music. I hope you like it as much as I do. The sermons and music helps me to keep in perspective my priorities, and reminds me just how much I need God in my life. After listening to this station, I feel uplifted, inspired, and motivated to do more for God, and to become all that God wants me to be.

http://www.holyghostradio.com/

Have fun listening and don't be surprised if you find yourself shouting, "Amen!" while cleaning the house and doing whatever you are doing!

The National World War II Museum

Hey everyone - This weekend the National World War II Museum is having a grand opening of it's newest venues! If you are interested here is the link:

http://www.nationalww2museum.org/

I'll be volunteering at it on Saturday-it should be interesting!

Great Weekend/Meet the Firms//Baptism

This weekend was busy, but fun! Beginning on Friday, I attended my first "Meet the Firm" event. This was a Beta Alpha Psi event and was held at the Plimsoll Club at the top of the World Trade Center in New Orleans. I was a little nervous at first, but after about five minutes, I relaxed, and actually enjoyed talking to all of the representatives from the firms. They were all quite friendly, easy to talk to, and interesting.

________________________________________
On Sunday we had a great service as usual and then watched as two very special people were baptized. These are our newest spiritual babies....

Brit and her husband. Her husband is a walking miracle. A few years back, he had a major stroke and was not suppose to live. But God, brought him through!

Pastor exhorting and preparing to baptize Brit.

In Jesus name, she is baptized!

We are so excited about what God is doing in their lives.

Now, for Brit's husband.....

In Jesus Name!

What a great weekend!

Beta Alpha Psi - Dress Codes - Are They Important?

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BETA ALPHA PSI

I am back in school. Just in case anyone does not know it, I have been working slowly toward my 150 credit hours required to sit for the CPA exam. This year I decided to join a club--the Beta Alpha Psi Club. Supposedly, this is a must for your resume to be impressive. I've also been told that it's a great opportunity to network and meet all of the big firms and local small firms in our area.

Joining the Beta Alpha Psi is something that I have been putting off since I know that it requires a great deal, and my schedule is already hectic during the school year. However, I took the plunge this year and will occasionally tell you about some of our functions and activities.
__________________________________________________
DRESS CODES - ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Do you think it is important how you dress?

I thought this was interesting....The Beta Alpha Psi club has dress codes for all of their meetings. The very basic minimum is "Business Casual".

Here is the "Business Casual" guidelines:

Dos

• Slacks: Slacks and Khakis
• Shirts: Shirts with banded collars, polos, blouses, tunics, golf-shirts, sweaters, sport jackets, and turtlenecks.
• Dresses and Skirts: Dresses with moderate-length; skirts with moderate length or culottes.
• Footwear: Socks and/or stockings are always required for everyone. Dress or leather casual shoes; no open-toe shoes.

Don'ts

• Jeans: (denim pants, shirts, dresses, vests, or jackets)
• Sports jerseys
• T-shirts or collarless shirts, unless plain and worn with a jacket
• Tank or cropped-style tops
• Shorts, unless women's culottes that are worn to the knee
• Spandex, stirrup pants, or leggings
• Sweats (warm-up suits, sweatpants, or sweatshirts)
• Sun Dresses
• Sneakers, athletic shoes, sandals, or hiking boots
• No open-toe shoes
• Hats
• Minis, spaghetti straps, opened back or low-cut shirts

People do judge others by how they dress. How one dresses establishes credibility with his or her clients, co-workers, and with people in general. Small things such as dressing conservatively and wearing closed toed shoes actually make people trust and respect you more--this has been proven through many studies. Anyway, I thought that this was interesting....since the Bible has always taught us that how we dress is important.

Blackberry Picking!

While in Maryland, we went blackberry picking at Butler's Orchard. Here is a link to their website http://www.butlersorchard.com/. Have you ever saw berries this big? Not only were the berries big, they were yummy, and best of all there were no stickers to deal with!

Mar-Mar picking. So cute!

Plainoldkristi and my daughter showing off their pickings.

Doesn't she look like an advertisement for Butler's Orchard.

"Come taste our delicious berries at Butler's Orchard!"

Getting low to pick. Most people picked right at their eye level,

so most of the really big berries were down low.

I think I'll try one of these berries.

Look how big I have to open my mouth to get one in. Yummy!

Nekee picking berries.

Now, Plainoldkristi can make us a scrumptious blackberry cobbler.