This summer is just flying by too fast. I've been taking several breaks from my computer, and limiting what I have been doing here to reading news and current events. Mentally my mind has been going in circles and wowed with all the natural instances of Gods power. It is so easy for me to turn into a crisis-watching-news-junkie, and all the mental stress that goes with it. Put that together with the fact that we live in coal country and have been watching the industry take a beating from our gov't and their pushy cronies (the EPA) and watching thousands of jobs get pulled from under the only real economic engine in the state. However I have had some good come of the spring and summer and I will squeeze as much in as possible to keep you updated. 

     First I was able to get a late start garden in. I have quite a small yard, and was able to put the biggest little garden plot yet ( the kids don't like having to play on only the slanty part of the yard lol). I was able to get tow rows of heirloom green beans in  and a row of heirloom yellow neck prolific summer squash, a row of heirloom straight eight cucumbers and half a row of heirloom butternut and zucchini. Also at the beginning of August I let the kids plant a small kiddo fall garden plot with some snow peas, broccoli and lettuce, although the lettuce is refusing to make an appearance. Except for the cucumbers and the broccoli and beans, the rest are new to me. Don't laugh but I have learned several things. One being that you don't plant yellow summer squash in the middle of the garden.2 Cucumbers planted that close together is possible, provided you train them up, and only if you have more supports than I do. Otherwise you have a viney, leafy mess that needs constant pruning. 3. No one in their right minds needs more than four squash plants. I have a 20 foot row of approx. 15 plants. 4. Because of the arrangement and spacing of the  yellow squash, I'm having quite a problem pruning back the leaves on all the plants with the powdery mildew.

Grace at the camping site with the Volcano

     Earlier this summer I received my Volcano Grill. Something I really want to show you. We got to take it camping when my BIL came in from the navy on leave. Unfortunetly we got rained out but I got to work with my Volcano some. I am still aiming to try an actual loaf pan of bread with it. As soon as I get some time I'd like to try it.

Nathans finger after 1.5 weeks with P.P.

     And again and again Ive gotten the chance to use my Peoples Paste formula. The most recent episodes were where Nathan sliced his finger if not all the way, nearly to the bone. The formula is also currently in the employ on Cecily's chin where it is healing up a nearly one inch gash on her chin from trying to walk across an unsecured board up on the stumps in the yard. OH. MY. There was blood every where.

     But perhaps the most engaging thing this summer has been learning about Hebrew Roots. I plan on having a whole separate series of posts on this soon. It has been literally  life changing. Suffice to say the Father has been leading me to the discovery of momentous things hidden in plain sight in His word. Things that I almost feel stupid for not seeing before. Among those things is the actual observance of Shabbat (seventh day) as he laid down in the beginning. I hope I can pull out some good elephants for this series of posts. I hope to be succinct in relaying to you the magnitude of what I have discovered. It has literally rocked my world, and continues to do so every week. Thanks to Passion For Truth (PFT) Ministries and a most helpful best friend, I've been able to see things as they really are. After all there are more areas to be prepared for than just food and water and such. The ultimate preparedness is our final destination. Knowing the Truth is what really matters in issues of the heart.
     Also I've been able to get the needles out again and start a couple new projects. I can hardly believe that I've kept my sanity over the last year, without having touched nary a thread. I've decided life isn't worth being THAT busy to leave knitting out. So I've put some leg warmers on the list for the girls and a nice cabled cowl on the needles for myself. I hope to have pictures soon.
     What has kept you busy?

Summer Projects

     A couple days after Lilly was born I woke up at night to feed and change her. Upon my waking I had an urgent sense of "must be ready for the cold". Again a couple hours later, it happened again. Now usually I don't have foreboding type "premonitions" but this really hung heavy on my mind. This wasn't the kind of fun fall-itchy-knitting-fingers ready, or the kind of enthusiasm for the 101 projects I want to start at the first hint of cool breezes. It definitely had a heavy ominous feeling that didn't make me giddy or thrilled inside.

     Since then I've been really concerned about being ready for the cold. As it is a little vague, I'm not sure what areas I need to be ready in. I feel like getting a general swath of readiness in the clothing, food, and bedding areas of our lives.

     To start off with I decided that my zig-zag afghan needs to be getting finished. I also started a two tone blue granny square afghan for Nathans bed out of some acrylic (yeah I know- I cringed too!) that was given to me. The next afghan will be for the girls bed. I have even had inklings of some cardigan-type sweaters trying to force their way into my thoughts.

     In the sewing department, I'd like to have a new quilt for each bed. I plan on doing plain jane square or puff quilts, one for each bed as well. I've finished up the curtains for the living room and kitchen this week and am also going to start working on some for the kids' room and mine as well. I would also like to do some window quilts if I can squeeze the time out for them. It also goes without saying that that the kidlets will need warm p.j.'s and nightgowns (I'm due for some new ones too) and some heavier type clothes.

     The food department is pretty self explanatory- generally: 1.Get food. 2.Dry or can food 3.Try to find some place to put food.

     I've also been thinking about how this is all from an attempt at being ready for "something", when long ago this was the norm for everyone. Everyone had to store up for the cold seasons in this way. Its such a shame that we, as a "civilization" have had to re-learn the art of "survival" which was just normal everyday life for thousands of years, regardless of where a person lived or how rich or poor they were.

     So Ive been setting up goals through these last few weeks to get small things done in order to see larger long term results. I pray that it gets done, and in the proper capacity in which it is needed.

     What about you? Have you had any feelings of this kind? If so (or not) what are the projects you are working on now, for your benefit this fall/winter? Share with us!

--Jamie

Home Made "ACE" Bandages

This was just a little experiment to see what this pattern turned out like. Al though this could be categorized under preparedness, as medical supplies would be in high demand in a disaster type scenario, I chose to make this to accompany my herbal first aid kit and use now in fomentations etc. ACE brand bandages, and the like are not suitable to use in this way because of the materials, and lack of breathe-ability. The cotton that that these are made with fits the bill, as well as being washable, bleach-able, and if you need to, boil-able. Not to mention that they are extremely durable. So far my knitted bandage is a little over 2 1/2 feet. Its a great little project to mindlessly work on while putting my daughters down for their nap. It has even spawned a lesson in parenting.

Pattern ideas courtesy of LDS Humanitarian Services

Size: approximately 3" - 4"  inches wide by 4 feet long.
Material specifications: No. 10 knit Cro-sheen, 100% mercerized cotton in white, cream or ecru. 
(1 small ball 225 yds- should make 1 knitted bandage)
Knitting needles:
US 2 = 2.75 mm = UK size 12
US size 3 = 3.25 mm = UK size 10

Crochet hooks:
US size D = 3.00 mm = UK size 11
US size E = 3.50 mm = UK size 9

Do not use dyes/colors.
*When completed, roll bandages and secure with a large (2") safety pin.

Hand Knitted Bandage:
Use US size 2 = 2.75 mm = UK size 12 OR US size 3 = 3.25 mm = UK size 10
knitting needles if you knit average or loosely, size 3 needles if you knit tightly.
Cast on 24 to 27 stitches so the bandage measures 3"- 4" across.
Knit every row until bandage is desired length of about 4 feet long, then bind off, leaving a 2-3" tail to weave in.
(The edge looks neater if you slip the first stitch of each row instead of knitting it.)
Secure tail by slipping thread through last stitch, tying a small knot, and weaving end back through stitches.

Crocheted Bandage:
Use US size D = 3.00 mm = UK size 11 or US size E = 3.50 mm = UK size 9 (looser tension desirable).
Chain enough stitches (23-26) to measure 3" - 4"  in width.
(GAUGE: 23 chs and an E hook, and it takes about 6 rows to equal one inch.)  Row 1: Single crochet into each chain. Chain 1 and turn. 
Rows 2:  Single crochet into each sc across row. Ch 1 and turn. Continue to single crochet to end, chain 1 and turn
Row 3 - ? (4 feet long) Repeat row 2 until bandage measures about 4' long. Finish off by pulling thread through last loop and secure with a knot. Weave end back through stitches. I use a sewing needle to do this.