Each year we learn a bit more about how to garden organically and what’s best for our area and family.

This year we have 4 small raised beds (4 x 4) so that I can reach them without too much pain In them we have zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, seedless cukes and spinach and lettuce. Some are doing well, but we are just budding as I got them in late.

Yesterday I had to hand-pollinate the first squash blossoms as our bee population is low here. The bad thing is, there was only ONE male blossom (with the pollen) to several female blossoms. I need more pollen-carrying male blossoms to be able to have a harvest.

We also have Earthboxes and they do pretty well. We have lots of strawberries growing and some herbs (basil, garlic chives, sage, mint). We also have some roma tomato plants which are flowering.

We have some fruit trees, but they are young and this year we see our first peach! The pear tree has no blossomed yet. We have some apple trees, blueberry bushes, blackberry and raspberry brambles.

We want to plant more fruit trees each year.

Oh, this year I am growing more stevia. I tried it one year and it did not do well, but I have a nice plant and we’ll see how it does.

Our mint patch is awesome!! I dried some chocolate mint and will harvest again soon. We have Chocolate Mint, Peppermint and Spearmint.

Please share what’s going on in your gardens!

I was blessed to attend the Asheville Artisan Bread Festival 2010. It is a wonderous yearly event highlighting local natural bakeries and farms who bring their best breads, jams, jellies and goat cheeses to sell.

Walking from table to table sampling the aromas and tastes, drinking in the beautifully-shaped loaves and the rustic free-forms that are truly artwork, a bread aficionado can literally spend hours in paradise.

On top of that, the world-famous /bakers/chefs/teachers/authors were on hand to give classes and demonstrations. To obtain a ticket to a class, one had to buy a loaf of bread from one of the bakeries (as if we had to be cajoled)and the difficult part was choosing from the hundreds of offerings!

As is my usual choice, I opted to attend Peter Reinhart, Master Baker / teacher and author in his class demonstrating recipes from his newest book; Artisan Breads Every Day. As usual, Chef Reinhart is warm, funny, and totally accessible in his demeanor. The best part was tasting the decadent and deliciously-rich Chocolate Cinnamon Babka warm from the oven. Oh my! That recipe alone is worth the price of the book!

I plan to re-create Peter Reinhart’s Artisian Breads Every Day recipes only using 100% whole grains. I believe the first one I will try is the….yes, you guessed it, the  Babka!

May Your Bread Always Rise (writes Peter Reinhart) and I add my my blessings!

~~In Messiah Yeshua,
Vickilynn
Micah 6:8

“Lynnette is the mother of nine children but has been called to endure the great sorrow of watching three of them die. She has suffered, but she has been victorious through the loving help of her Savior. Her heart’s desire is to offer hope to other along their road of heartache.”

When our three-and-a-half year old son Benjamin, suddenly went home to be with Yeshua one day while playing, part of my grieving and healing process was to read books from other parents who shared similar experiences, but who came through it by the grace of G-d. This gave me hope that one day, I too would come out of the dark side of the paralyzing grief a parent feels when their child dies and have the hope that I too would be praising my L-rd, even in the midst of the pain.

Lynnette’s title and sub-title said her book was for me; even through the devastating loss of her three of nine children, Lynnette found purpose and victory by the faithfulness and love of her L-rd Jesus. Her personal journal entries speak of her unwavering faith in a loving G-d even when her mind and body were numb with pain and her mind could not process the events happening to her family. She poured out her thoughts, emotions, faith and hope because of her G-d.

In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me while exploring deep pain and sadness, is a true story of HOPE. This hope Lynnette shows us in her day-to-day dealings with grief, is based firmly on the truth that G-d is good, all the time and He loves us more than we could ever fathom and He loves our children more than we ever humanly could.

Lynnette also has a gentle, caring heart to help others who are also in the same place, sharing G-d’s comfort and she was comforted. She has very interesting perspective as she addresses relates raising a medically fragile child and what she writes can encourage parents who have not dealt with a child’s death, but deal daily with a child or children who are medically fragile. Her book and the hope and edification it contains is for all people, young, old, parents, caregivers or just anyone who cares about other people and desires to learn how best to minister to a grieving parent. Lynnette includes the best ways to help and some ways that are not the helpful for those who are hurting. This is so important for friends and family to know!

In her introduction, Lynnette Kraft writes; “The wisdom and insight I have gained have not only been a true revelation of the love of G-d and His tender care and protection, but I have also gained a new perspective. G-d chose a path for me that I never would have chosen for myself, but having traveled it, I can truly say I’m grateful for the journey.”

Theses Scriptures come to mind which describe Lynnette, her story, her ministry and her efforts;

1 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be the G-d and Father of our L-rd Yeshua Ha Mashiach, the Father of mercies and G-d of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by G-d. For as we share abundantly in Messiah Yeshua’s sufferings, so through Messiah Yeshua we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me is an honest, moving, faith-filled, hope-filled books, suitable for all people, but especially those in ministry, those caring for medically fragile children or those who have lost a child.

I recommend this book highly. For information on purchasing In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me, please visit Lynnette’s blog.

One thing I want to do more consistently is update my blog with personal entries. A dear friend of mine, Sylvia Britton of the Christian Homekeeper Network sent me this idea today and I love it! That structure helps me from rambling on too much (oh dear, am I already rambling? ), but it gives me places to insert where I am.

Please feel free to share your updates with me! The first one is more generic and the second is more intimate (in my opinion). I think next time I’ll use a combination of the two! Copy the categories and insert your own answers and share with your friends! If using Facebook, make this a note and tag all your FB friends.

#1

Sitting… in my computer chair in my home “office”

Drinking…
nothing at the moment, going for water soon

Thinking…
that I’d better get the laundry started! LOL!

Loving…
my precious family (hubby and kids)

Anticipating…
new changes in my walk with Yeshua as I strive to draw in closer to Him

Dreading…
this week’s activities and a medical procedure on Friday. YUK!

Starting…
more structure

Reading…
the Word and 2 books for review

Liking…
the snow

Ordering…
from the natural food co-op, lots of great things!

Nervous…
about the upcoming snow storms and more possible power outages

Planning…
articles, reviews and speaking engagement

Pouring…
out my heart to Yeshua to make me more like Him, a better wife to my hubby and a better mom to my children

#2

This is the HomeKeeper’s Journal from Sylvia Britton and the Christian HomeKeeper’s Network.

What’s happening in my home?….
Today we’re having school, even though the schools are out for a snow day.

Today is also a “cleaning” day for me on my new schedule (some days are cooking or baking or errands and some are cleaning.)

I am excited to be getting my belated birthday present from a friend. He is giving me his 55 gallon freshwater aquarium and I am buying his fish (that come with it!). I am bursting with excitement since I love, love, love my aquarium fish!

In my kitchen
Warm oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon for breakfast
Homemade whole grain pizza for lunch
Creamy Slowcooker Macaroni and Cheese and roasted broccoli for supper

With our marriage…
As we approach 28 years of marriage, we have both “mellowed” quite a bit. I’m still excitable and vocal and he’s still laid-back, but we “mesh” better. As I care for him during his post-op needs (major back surgery 8 weeks ago), we grow closer.

With the children…
It was fabulous having all the children (except Benjamin of course) home for the holidays. They are so grown up, mature and responsible! Our eldest daughter is so lovely. She left to go to Israel, where she is right now. She’ll be home and then back off to college for her final year. The 2nd son is growing in height, in his walk with Yeshua and in his musical proficiency. Our baby girl continues to bring us joy, love and sweet kisses. We are back at homeschool today.

Around the homestead…
The raised beds and containers are covered with snow and there is some damage done by the recent snow storms, high winds and downed trees. I look at the ground and wish I could get these projects done, but this is G-d’s time for the ground and the homestead to rest outdoors. I must be patient.

In my “Inner Man”…
I am excited for the fresh start the new year brings. I am looking forward to more consistency in my time alone with Yeshua and our family devotions. I desire intimacy with my King, Master and Savior and I know the only thing that hinders that, is me.

Today I read on a friend’s Facebook page something that blessed me…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to G-d. And the peace of G-d, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians:6-7

Now, it’s YOUR turn!

This is a drawing for Christian Homekeeper members. I love that board and discussion group and have been a participant for many years. Come and check out the articles and discussion and if you sign up (it’s FREE to sign up), please enter the contest! You’ll see the link on the website below.

http://christianhomekeeper.org/

Come and peruse and be blessed!

~~In Messiah Yeshua,
Vickilynn
Micah 6:8

Check out this awesome gluten-free cookbook from Elana’s Pantry.      

If you want to win a FREE copy of this book, plus a 5-pound bag of blanched almond flour, enter here at Elana’s Pantry.

If you win this book and almond flour, be sure to come back and tell us what gluten-free goodies you have made!!

~~~V

Updated from our family favorite, Baked Oatmeal comes a wheat-free-dairy-free Oatmeal Blueberry Breakfast Cake.

Wonderful warm for breakfast, room temperature for brunch or a snack, or even topped with ice cream for a simple, delicious dessert.

Oatmeal Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Variation on our family favorite “Baked Oatmeal”

Servings: 15

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible**

5   cups  rolled oats,  or quick oats
2   cups  apricot, orange juice, or apple juice
4  large eggs
1/2 – 1 cup  honey, or organic granulated sugar
1  Tablespoon  baking powder (gluten-free)
1/4 teaspoon  salt
1 teaspoon  almond extract
1 1/2  cups  blueberries, fresh or frozen (sweeten to taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Toss blueberries in dry ingredients and coat well. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir until completely moistened.

Pour batter into an ungreased 9 x 13 baking pan.  I like to sprinkle a little organic granulated sugar on top to make it glisten and give it a slight crust. Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes, or until center tests done.

Cut into squares and serve warm or cold.

Hey, y’all! Check out my new review at the Real Food Living website! Read the Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven review.

My review includes a recipe, too: Vickilynn’s Whole Wheat Yeast English Muffins/Biscuits.

My new assignment is as the “Housewares Examiner” for the Charlotte area and I will be writing articles on my Product Reviews. My column addresses Tools of the Trade for homemakers worldwide. For example, my first 2 articles are on the KitchenAid stand mixer and what specific uses I have reviewed it for.

Please subscribe to my column to  receive the new articles when they are published and add me to your “Favorite Examiner” list.

Housewares Examiner

Thank you for reading!

Shalom,

As the new book, Naturally Healthy Cuisine: Real Food for Real Families hits the mailboxes and stores, the feedback is coming in to my mailbox and on the RFD email loop. Here are 2 that we received today:

“Hi Everyone,

Woo hoo!! I got my book today and I AM SO EXCITED!! It is so beautiful and I can’t wait to read it. I’m going to put clear contact paper on it right away because I know this book will be very well read and used a lot! It was so fun to see everyone’s names in it. I can’t even begin to explain how good this feels to get this book. This book has been “in the works” for so long and I know how much Vickilynn and Shonda have wanted it to get published. I am feeling the same excitement today about this book as if I just found out Vickilynn gave birth to a baby and I was the Aunt!

I’m going to tell all the ladies on my food co-op group and even my homeschool group that they need to get this book. This is a book everyone needs to read. I just skimmed through it but it has SO much great information in there. It’s more than a cookbook. It’s like sitting down and having Vickilynn and Shonda tell you everything they know over a cup of tea. I can’t wait to read it!!!!

Lisa B. in NY”

Have your ordered your copy yet?

“YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! I had a surprise in yesterday’s mail. My new book by Vickilynn and Shonda has arrived in Tucson, AZ

I think I ordered the first day the announcement was made… so that may help with guessing when your own might arrive.

A TON of information, have only begun to get a hint of the treasures in this well produced book.

Kathy in AZ”