A blustery day......

Im not looking forward to winter! It has been just so cold, wet, and windy here! All I wanted to do was add a extra blanket to my bed and stay there all day..In my dreams..lol.
After work :( I had cheer practice and just got home a little while ago. I had a late dinner and was gonna just call it a day but thought about how I could blog for a minute.. do something I wanted to today! I realy think today has been more like winter.. Its been in the low 50's and with the wind chill..40's.. I love fall but I realy think we r gonna skip fall and go straight into winter. I heard on the news it's gonna freeze tmw night... NO!!! Im not ready!! I dont want to give my garden up yet.!! If that happens, my pumpkin patch is gonna b kaputt! My celery and bro. spouts will like it but the other stuff.. Im sad :(.
i've been working on a yo-yo quilt and I was hoping to have it done in time for the first snow to fall... im not so sure about that now! Well, i better get my darling little kiddos ready for bed! Momma is going right behind them!! ~~~~~~~~~Amy Jo

Green tomato pie

As with the dandelin jelly recipe, here is one that also came out of that book. I hope u like it.


Green Tomato Pie


Pastry for 2-crust pie~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 cups sliced green tomatos

6 1/2 cups sugar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 tbs. flour

1/4 teaspoon salt~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6 tbs. lemon juice

4 teaspoon grated lemon rind~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tbs. butter




Preheat oven to 450 degrees, line pie pan with pastry.
combine green tomatos with sugar,flour,salt,lemon juice and rind. Pour filling into pastry-lined pan ;dot with butter and cinnamon. cover with top crust.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 30 minutes longer, or until tomatoes are tender.

boy oh boy, mouth watering goodness! hope u enjoy it! May God Bless you today!``````````````````Amy jo

yellow squash bread

I found this recipe a few years ago and i have used it a lot. It has been a hit any and everywhere ive takin it. Its a little differant than zuccini bread and if ur just wanting to use up all those yellow squash u have laying around ur garden.. u have to give this a try. My family loves it and it smells so good baking in the oven. as a matter of fact, I have one in my oven right now!!
Yellow squash bread

3eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 tbs. vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups coarsely grated yellow squash

1 cup pecans

preheat oven 350` degrees. grease 2 bread pans, i make a mix of sugar and cin to dust on the bottom of pans.

beat eggs in a large bowl. add sugar, oil, and vanilla to eggs. sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder and add to egg mixture. Fold in squash and nuts and stir until just mixed. Pour into loaf pans filling half full. sprinkle top with a cinnamon/sugar mix. Bake for appr. 40 to 55 min.. after 40 min i check it and then again until its done. I dont know why but I never can get a perfect time for it. I guess its from the moisture from the squash. after its cooled, slice and eat.. Its realy, realy good and im sure u will add it to ur recipe book!! may God bless you!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Amy Jo

Good old days in the kitchen

If u have never read this book.. u have to! its by Ken and Janice Tate. Its a book about the good old days. its goes back to the time where people brought fresh veggies in from the garden and they r canned, to when saying thank u Lord for all the things you provide for us. It will take u back to the yesturyear.

I found this book looking for a recipe for dandelion jelly. I found way more than that! This book is a wonderful example of the old way. I wasnt around for that time but for some reason or another i feel i should have been.

I never had a chance to make the jelly but God's will I will next year. for those whom thought it sounded interesting.. here is how its done................................


Dandelion jelly:

Pick 1 quart of fresh dandelion blossems. (none that have been exposed to pesticides, etc.) Quickly rinse blossoms with cool waterto remove any insects. Snip off green collars.

Combine cleaned bloosoms in a saucepan with 2 quarts cold water. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 min. set aside to cool.

Srain liquid, pressing petals with fingers to extract juice.

Measure 3 cups dandelion liquid into a saucepan; add 2 tbs lemon juice and 1 package (13/4 oz) sure jell. Bring to a boil.

Add 5 1/2 cups sugar, stiring well. Boil for 2 1/2 min, stiring well. put in jars and seal.

Sounds easy!! If u r anything like me u cant wait to see those lions in ur backyard again so u can make jelly. well, i better go.. Have a wonderful day and may God bless you!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Amy Jo

flowering around

the cat was a surprise, about three mths ago she just showed up out of no where. she is a doll.. lovable and all. We feed her and she lives outside. I didnt give her a name. She would b ours if I did that.. :)she is so sweet, she will wait for us to get home at night, as soon as u open the van door and take a step out she is there to rub her body on u. in the mornings when i go out to sut on the porch to drink my coffee... she is right there. she will jump up and lay on me puring.. so sweet. My cat Grim passed away a few mths ago and I said then that I will never have another cat.. well right about that time is when she came. She is trying to prove me wrong. :)

















This is the first year I realy got into [erennials and man they r rewarding!! I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY FLOWERS!!! these r batchalor buttons. well, they r about to b done for the season but, when they r at there best they r beautiful!!
























Down here is my super mum.. I say that because its HUGE!!!! I had to move a few plants around it b/c it was just growing over them. I think they r gonna b white.. im not sure but I will try to take a pic when they do bloom and show ya.





this is a coneflower.. its a beaut! It just bloomed for the first time about three days ago.

I have so many perennials now I realy dont know what im gonna do when they all spread. i guess make room :) I plinted hollyhocks and they wont bloom this year. the will next and I cant wait! they r prob my fav. I was reading about hocks and found out that back in the day, the old-timers would plant hocks by the out houses. to b proper, the ladies would ask.. "wheres your hollyhocks" and thats how they would ask about the rr. ok.. well I have dishes to do and kiddos to put to bed.. My God Bless You. have a wonderful day!! ~~~Amy Jo

The Breaks tri state gospel singing

This year my family and I went to the breaks for the holiday weekend.. how much fun!! It was truly a blessing. i will try hard to upload my pics. "i still dont have the comp thing down" lol. anyhow. this is the Jackson brothers singing. if u have never been there. u can hear the singing echo through the mountains. just a great blessing. see every year labor day weekend, there is gospel singing the whole weekend. groups like.. the Jacksons, the singing Crawfords, Crawford crossing, Mike Upright, Ronnie Spriggs and a ton of other wonderful singers.

the pic at the top..(sorry, I told u i wasnt good at this) was the place we stayed. im not sure if u can see it but on the top porch there r chairs and a table. at night, the guests all met there,set up mikes and insterments and we just have a jamburee.. its great. well there is so much more i want to tell u about it but,,,, but of time. Until next time.. may God bless u. . ~~~~~Amy Jo

just a hello.

so..... here I am.. and oh boy I can't wait for football season to be over. Coaching the cheerleaders is fun but, boy oh boy is it stressfull. Im not even sure its the girls. Its the parents that realy make things hard for ya. oh well, pray for me that I get through it.. :)
Canning season has been going great this year. my second year and I realy feel good about it. The Lord has realy been good to me this year. My garden did so good, Im canning my heart out. To be honest with u though... I love it! I love everything about it! ive done pickles.. kraut, tomatos, relish..jams. To me its a stress relief when I can go into my kitchen.. turn on some great gospel music and can. sometimes I get Blessed and next thing u know I got my hand in the air, crying, praising the Lord and about to shout.
well, my family and I went to The Breaks in VA this past Labor day weekend.. Man that was good. im gonna put some pics up next time and tell ya all about it.. I cant wait until next year..
Well,, got to go to cheer prac.. blog ya later!!! Amy Phillips

How have ya'll been?

WOW!!!!!!!!!
i've been so crazy busy... i offen wonder (will I ever get to blog again). well, im working on it... my kiddos have my husband and I running around like chics with there heads cut off! and, football season is here so guess what? one more thing! I took over the cheer squad this year so...big coach job i have know!! any how.. summer has been wonderful. we had a great year. the kids went back to school yest. boy summer flies by! any how.. i will b blogging and catching up.. but I am here. everything is good and God Bless!!! -amy

yes, im still here!

ya, i know, i kinda sliped away for awhile. I've just been so busy. this is the first and only saturday i have free. We have been so busy with the kiddos and church and friends, I havent had time to do anything.
Well, spring has come, even though it don't feel like it outside. Mty husbands birthday was yesturday. The kids and I took him out to the movies. We go to a town about 30 miles away from us where you get into the movies for $2.00 a person. $0.50 on mondays.they show movies that are new but, not as new. We watched Marley and me.>>>> I CRIED!!! My girls cried. so sad.
Soccar will be starting in a couple of weeks as if i needed more to do.. my youngest daughter broke her toe a couple weeks ago and she goes to the doc. tue. to get it x-rayed again to see if its healed. if not, no soccar season for her. She would be so upset. We how ever pray its good to go. I dont want her to be upset and have to watch her other sisters and brother play and not her.
I was planning on starting spring cleaning today. lol.. see what in doing right now?
Anyway, Just wanted everyone to know, things r good here in ohio and I will post when I get a free minute> May God Bless You!! Amy Jo

how do ya'll have time????

Im so sorry I have not had time to blog!! I have been so busy! If im not busy being busy< im tired! I'd love to blog everyday, share my life with ya'll, I find it a blessing to just be able to watch a half hour of tv before I go to bed. Well, my hat off to all you amazing ladies who get to blog everyday!!!
I hope ya'll had a wonderful Christmas and a wonderful New Year!! My family and I did. We spent New Years at church. We didnt get home until around 2 AM. We have a chruch service that is just a blessing on New Years. We do a foot washing and everything. How great is it that you can wash a great sisters feet? Im so glad That my Year was brought in while my self, husband, and children was at church worshiping God.
As for now, Well, things have got better for me at work, thank you to all who said a prayer for me. Things have changed there a lot and the Lord has blessed my heart there. I fell in love again with my job. I work with mentaly retarded people. I just love them~! I truly believe this is what God had in store for me. This is where he wants me. My job is hard, challenging, and stressful. It's hard sometimes haveing a full time job, four kids, a house, sports,all the momma stuff, wife stuff, church stuff, you know im a multi working. Im sure I have hundreds of titles. Any how because I get so tired at work, Im so tired at home! Im sure im ramping on and probably have spelling mistakes all over the screen<>lol
Anyway, I rely have been feeling good. I realy think I had a little of a depression for the past few weeks. My husband and I have had family probs with my sister and his brother. My sister just got the big D from her husband and has went down the wrong road, she once was a church going woman, a sunday school teacher. Then, this happend ( i didn't want to happen). She has turned around. Tatoos, cussing, just not her. I love her and I don't want to see her waste her life as she is. I don't understand. WHY is she doing this to herself?? She said she feels God turned his back on her I know she has turned her back on him!! I have fight with her and fight. I finally decided not to speak with her for awhile. I'm not sure if thats what im suppose to do but, I know she's draining me emotionaly. My husbands brother?? I don't have all night. Pray for all of us.
I've got the weather on and we are going to be getting a big storm tonight. 4-6 in tonight. 6-9 mors during the day tomarrow. Well, as my best girl friend teresa say's, im gonna have a love affair with my sofa!! It's movie day for the kiddo's and momma!!
I made chilli the other day and opened up some jars of tomatos I canned over the fall, oh boy! They smelled just like my garden. They was so good! last year was my first year. I can't wait until next.
Well, im just mumbloging so I better get off to bed. I hope I get more time to blog! Pray for me blog world and I will you!!! May God bless you a million times 10 this week!!!!
hugs and kisses, Amy Jo

I've just been so busy!

Sorry to all of you, I realy don't have any time to blog!! I still have so much shopping to do! May you all have a Blessed Christmas and happy new year!! I will get back to blogging after Christmas!! Merry Christmas!! Amy Jo

Time is running out!!

I don't know what to do. Every year I tell myself,"Amy, start shopping in july:" every year, I don't and here I am, running late. Letting Santa down. I need to speed shop and get-r-done. Pray for me!! Shopping can be a war zone :-) I'll let you know.

Wow, where did this come from???

yesterday was the 'shopping kick off" I kicked my way through sleeping until 9 am this year!!I have always got up at 4 am the day after Thanksgiving and went shopping with all the other crazzzzzzey people. Well not this year. I was sleepy and not in the mood. I got to meijer and then wal-mart around 10ish and was home by noon. Believe it or not, the items I wanted from the flyers, I found. I didnt have to fight over them either. It was nice this year not to have the hassel of black friday. I read a few people was killed, trampled at the door. For what?? $3.00 off an item? You know, this realy don't have much to do with 'Black Friday' but, Its on my heart and it's my Blog so here I go, Signs of the end of the world are here. It's closer than we think. The Lord is coming back soon and I don't think people are seeing it. The economy is so bad right now, In just the county I live in, whirlpool has laid off there whole second shift and plans on more AFTER the first of the year. Central soya a big Soy plant here laid off all there people but 17. My neighbor was one of those people. they have a family of 9 and there Daddy just lost his job, right before Christmas. A local restaurant locked there doors and didn't even bother to tell there staff. They just came to work a a sorry note was posted.Im sad by all this. Im in tears just thinking about it. Im so blessed for the things we have. Im so blessed to have the Lord on our side. When my neighbor called me upset she had made the comment that the didnt know what they was going to do but they will get out of the mess and some how they will get through. I was like, God will get them through. They need to rely on him. They are not saved and are none believers of Jesus. It brakes my heart, I don't see how ANYONE can go day by day without him walking with them. Sorry, Im just typeing my thoughts as they come, If this don't make any sense, Im sorry. Any how, I thank the Lord for all his greatness. I know what ever hard time comes. Jesus will supply our every need. Maybe this post was meant for someone thats reading this, God is good. He will carry us through all our hard times. trust in him. God is real. He lives in your heart. If you don't have him, I strongly encourage you to get him. He loves you. May God Bless You today. Amy Jo

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Well, if I don't get to tell you, may ya'll have a blessed Thanksgiving day!! After slaving in the kitchen for a FEW hours now, I needed a brake and here I am. We are having family over and im cooking ALL of our Thanksgiving feast. Needless to say, I will be ready for bed tomorrow early!! Everything I could make ahead of time, I have. I would realy like to make tomorrow as easy and painless as possible!! Pray for me, I will you also. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And also before I forget, here are a few things im Thankful for, I'd also like it if you would share with me.


1. my salvation
2. my family
3. friends
4.a home
5. a wonderful church
6. a job

God Bless, Amy Jo

The first fluffy snow

I woke up two days ago to the beautiful sight of this, snow every where. I loved it! I don't always like snow but, the first snow fall that sticks is always a beautiful blessing. Now that i've seen it though, im good until next year :) I don't care to much for the snow. I do however like to sled. My family and I go every year a few times. Mommy and Daddy have as much fun as the kids do!!! This year the camera will be going with me, I don't want you to miss out. Well, gotta go to bed, may God Bless you tonight!! Amy Jo

Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

SOOOOO Busy!!!

Im looking forward to be able to "spend some time" bloging. I've just been so busy that I havent had much time> Hats off to you whom blog every day! Boy, I realy can't believe the Holidays are right around the corner. IM NOT READY!!!!!! When you go to prayer tonight, say a little one for me. I've been going through a rough road at work and I realy want to leave, Im not sure if thats what God wants for me though. Im losing the Passion for my work. I need to know where to go. Just remember me in prayer. :-) May God Bless You!! Amy Jo

Psalm 27:1a

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"

Psalm 27:1a

Homesteaders Heart: Gooseberry Patch Book Giveaway

Homesteaders Heart: Gooseberry Patch Book Giveaway

God knows what he's doing

The presidential election didn't go the way I would have liked But, God has a reason for everything. A plan. It wasn't up to us anyhow. It was up to The REAL man in charge, God. We just need to trust in him. God knows what he's doing even if we like it or not.

Christmas, really????

I could hardly believe it! I turned the car on this morning and the first thing I heard on the radio was Christmas music. I was like "you got to be kidding me" Do we just skip over Thanksgiving or what?? I think we start WAY to early. To be honest with you, I love the Christmas season but do to the fact that people and stores believe we need to start having it earlier and earlier each year, I look forward to it ending!! People forget what Christmas is about. Jesus... We need to put Christ back into Christmas, and be Thankful for the things we have.

Luke 6:45

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45)

thinking turkey

Boy, it's time to start thinking about the turkey. I plan a big meal every year.I make everything homemade on Thanksgiving. I start a week in advanced. noodles, pie crust ext.. I realy go out of my way for a fabulous dinner. I start planning right now. I then make a menu and then pass it out to our family as they come over. See this is exciting to me. I love to see there faces when I give them the menu. Every year I make something 'new'. I also do traditional things. Sweet potato pie, mashed sweet potatos, homemade noodles, pumpkin pie. (NOT FROM A CAN) I tell people that I bake my pumpkins then cook them.This blows people away. It is realy simple to. Anyway, Our kids have a craft of some kind they do also on thanksgiving. Two years ago they made indian hats. That was fun for them. Two years ago I started making everyone at the table tell what they are thankful for. I realy want that to be something we do every year. The turkey in the photo is not mine :) it is however a candidate for my menu. I have a few recipes im looking at. Im joyest about the holiday season. I hope it brings great joy this year.

The cat

This is my lazy cat, Mr.Grimalkin Pywackit. I wanted him so bad!! My darling husband 'always wanting to make me happy' payed $250.00 for him. I thought i'd love him. :-/ The first night I had him I made him dresses, loved on him, babyed him, kissed his so cute face. I realy thought this cat was gonna love me bunches. Well, he showed me he was gonna love me bunches, I made him sleep with me and I woke up the next morning and............. he had pooped in my hair!!! I could not believe it! I was so mad!! I've had him for 4 years now and guess what?? He still don't like me. My husband thinks it's because I dressed him up like a girl. Im sure I gave him a bad complex. :)

Mums anyone???

One of my favorite things about fall is the mums. I think they are so pretty. I realy need to plant these two big ones in the yard. Maybe, just maybe I will see them again next year. :) Im not realy to sure when its to late to plant them. Hopefully a fellow blogger is knowledgeable about mums and can share with me :) Im realy sad about fall coming to an end :) God bless you today!!

a littte sign from God

Yesterday was our first snow fall. :-( I don't care much for winter or snow.

It was cold all day, freezing. I realy was wasn't having that great of a day. Work was not fun, it seems like I've just been bumbed about everything. It was just one of those days. anyhow my day had ended and I was on my way home, 'feeling sorry for myself im sure' and all of a sudden the sun came out and right in front of me was this beautiful rainbow. what you can't see is that it was complete. A perfect rainbow. It was so close to me, I think I could have touched both ends of the rainbow.It was amazing. I stopped my car a just looked at it and then I thanked God for putting it in front of me. I believe it was his way of telling me everything is going to be ok. God always seems to show up just in time. Thank you Lord..

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

First year canner.

This was my first year canning. I loved it!!! I realy wasn't sure how to do it. I asked a couple of the seasoned sisters at church and they gave me a idea but, I wanted to view it being done. I went to the internet for help and came across the Granny Miller blogspot. She had a you tube video on canning tomatos. Wonderful explanations!! I have enjoyed canning so much this year, im looking forward to it next. We didn't get much rain this year, so my garden didn't do as well as id of liked. I yielded about 23 jars all together. The grannymiller.blogspot.com site was a blessing for me. I have enjoyed following it. I believe she needs us to pray for her so say one for her before you go to bed. As for my canning, I can hardly wait until next year, im gonna double my garden and can my butt off!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!

Today is my birthday. My family took me to the Columbus Zoo.

They also baked me a cake.(bless their hearts):)


We had a great time.

My son got pooped on while feeding the birds.He wasn't happy. His daddy had to clean it up. :-)

Do I realy look 31?

How long has it been seens you've been in a phone booth?

True love.......

How cute... They dont always like each other.

I believe this was before the poopy incident. He is still smiling. :)

She's hoping she won't get pooped on :}

They all love each other.

This is fluffy. He is the biggest snake in captivity. How would you like to run in to him in your front yard??? yikes!!!

Big brother has to ride his sisters around!!











I had a birthday. My family realy spoils me.

Today was also "BOO at the ZOO" so we multi-purposed the day. Treats for the kids, birthday for Mom.
I got lots of great gifts. Lots of hugs and kisses. My husband made dinner.Great day at the zoo. How much better could it have been??

Baptist girls gone wild!!!!!!

a month or so ago, a few of my fellow sisters at church decided to have a all girls weekend . We rented a small cottage in Berlin,oh (Amish Country). We had the time of or lives!! No husbands, kids, dishes,laundry, or work!!! We transformed ourselves and was 17 again. We found this little store and tried clothes on and took crazy pics of ourselves. This was real good clean fun!! We shopped and ate so much! None of us wanted to come home. It was a blessing for us all to just fellowship with one another. I thank the Lord for the friends he has put into my life. We all laughed so hard that weekend, our bellys where sore. I believe God put us all together for a reason. We all had a issue or two we was dealing with. Im glad I have good, loving sisters I can share them with. The Lord has truly blessed me with them. Teresa, Stacia,Malinda.Dianna, I love you all!!!

Abeerdean

THIS IS ABEERDEAN. SHE IS A GERMAN

SHORTHAIRED POINTER. MY HUSBAND

GARY ALMOST HIT HER WITH THE VAN

GOING DOWN ST.RT 23. SHE WAS

STANDING HOPELESSLY IN THE MIDDLE

OF THE ROAD( IM GUESSING WAITING FOR

HER FAMILY TO PICK HER UP). GARY

STOPPED AND LET HER IN THE VAN, SAVING HER LIFE. HE BROUGHT HER HOME AND

WE BEGAN THE CRAZY SEARCH FOR HER HOME. WEEKS AND MONTHS WENT BY AND

SHE WAS NEVER CLAIMED. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER EXPERIENCED THE

EXCITABLE BREED BUT LET ME TELL YOU, SHE IS ALWAYS HAPPY!!! A LITTLE TO

HAPPY. WE STILL HAVE ABEERDEAN SHE'S BEEN WITH US FOR A YEAR NOW AND IS

PART OF OUR LIVES. I BELIEVE NO ONE CALLED ABOUT HER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T

WANT HER. SHE CAN BE A HAND FULL :) ITS SAD TO THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE

SO HEARTLESS AND DROP A DOG OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SURVIVE ON ITS

OWN.