Jared #18

                                                   Happy Birthday Jared!

Veteran's Day

They Did Their Share

On Veteran's Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it's been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn't.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don't let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can't repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let's say "thank you" to every wearer.

By Joanna Fuchs

Fall, Sweet Potato Pie, and Family Pictures

                                                                                                                                                                  posted by Amanda Silvey

Fall is here! Geese are flying south, and the weather is getting a little chilly (we had to start a fire in our fireplace the other day.) The leaves on the trees are starting to turn, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.J

             We enjoy eating sweet potato pie and, seeing that we grow a lot of them, this                              dish has come to be a staple around our house during the winter. 

                                                   Here's the recipe:

Sweet Potato Pie
  Prep. time: 30 min.
  Makes: 9"x 13" dish

• 3 c. cooked, mashed potatoes
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 c. milk

Topping:  1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. flour, 1/2 stick butter or marg., 1/2 c. chopped pecans or rice crispy cereal. (A lot of us prefer the cereal over the pecans)

• Mix potatoes with sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and milk. Place in casserole dish. Mix ingredients for topping (will be thick). Sprinkle topping on top of potato mixture. Cook at 350 degrees F. for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy!

     ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

         We are going to be singing at the Fall Bluegrass Festival in Hope, AR. on November 2. 
                                   Here are a few family photos we took recently.

                                     Can you guess who the monkey of the family is? J
             
                 John: Everybody say "Cow patties!".
                 Sarah: Uh oh...there's one right there.

                                      We took some of the pictures across the road from                                                                 our house and Jacob directed traffic for us. 

                                      I call this one the "Darlin' version" of the Silvey family. J

Homemade Remedies

posted by Amanda Silvey
In our journey of developing a more self-sufficient lifestyle we have sought to make a lot of things ourselves, such as toothpaste, deodorant, cleaner, etc. Today many products at the store contain ingredients that are harmful to our bodies, and using natural ingredients is not only healthier for you but it also saves money. Here are some things that we use around our house. 

Vinegar

We use vinegar in some of our cleaning and it works great (if you can stand the smell J).

Here is a list I found by someone that shows all the things you can do with vinegar.

1. General cleaning

2. As rinse aid in the dishwasher

3. As fabric softener in the washing machine

4. Weed killer

6. Drain cleaner

7. Odor remover

8. Carpet cleaner

9. Remove water rings from furniture

10. Clean and sanitize the garbage disposal

11. Make homemade soft scrub

12. De-greaser

13. Clean the dishwasher

14. Clean the washing machine

15. Clean the coffee maker

16. Clean a tea kettle

17. Clean mini blinds

18. Clean the shower head

19. Make citrus-infused vinegar

20. Make homemade lemon dusting cloths

A final note: You should not use vinegar on porous surfaces like granite or marble because it can damage the surface.
        Read more at http://green.yourway.net/20-uses-for-vinegar-around-your-home/#RQamBkmzwRUyqbhk.99

Apple Cider Vinegar

   Thanks to apple cider vinegar’s antibacterial properties, it is good for anything from hiccups to the common cold. Simply mix about 2tsp. of apple cider vinegar and 2tsp. of sugar or honey (helps with the strong taste of the vinegar) in a glass of water. We like to use the organic apple cider vinegar when drinking it, but you can use the regular apple cider vinegar just as well.                                                               Apple cider vinegar is also a good skin toner and hair conditioner. I use it on my hair and find that it leaves it smoother and it takes care of itchy scalp.

 Activated Charcoal                                                                                                                           We use Activated Charcoal whenever we or our animals get sick and to treat bee stings. Mom even got poison ivy on her face one time and she made a poultice using Activated Charcoal to draw out the poison.        Activated Charcoal is a fine black powder that is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. It is well known as an antidote as it absorbs most organic toxins, chemicals and poisons before they can harm the body. Some Emergency Rooms give large doses of Activated Charcoal for certain types of poisoning. Charcoal is not known to be toxic, but it should not be taken within two hours of vitamins or medication because it will keep the body from absorbing them.                                                                                                            “According to this article, activated charcoal has a long history of medicinal use:                                                It was 1831. In front of his distinguished colleagues at the French Academy of Medicine, Professor Touery drank a lethal dose of strychnine and lived to tell the tale. He had combined the deadly poison with activated charcoal.                                                                                                                                       That’s how powerful activated charcoal is as an emergency decontaminant in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the stomach and intestines. Activated charcoal is considered to be the most effective single agent available. It is used after a person swallows or absorbs almost any toxic drug or chemical.                           §  Activated charcoal is estimated to reduce absorption of poisonous substances up to 60%.                               §  It works by adsorbing chemicals, thus reducing their toxicity (poisonous nature), through the entire length of the stomach and small and large intestines (GI tract).                                                                                      §  Activated charcoal is often given after the stomach is pumped (gastric lavage). Gastric lavage is only effective immediately after swallowing a toxic substance (within about one-half hour) and does not have effects that reach beyond the stomach as activated charcoal does.”                                                          (read full article at http://wellnessmama.com/247/how-to-use-activated-charcoal/)

  A little warning: it is very messy if spilled, but will easily wash out of your sink or bathroom counter.

Toothpaste                                                                                                                                        Over the past year or two we have started making our own toothpaste. It works great and the health benefits are amazing (check out the dangers of store bought toothpaste at http://www.diynatural.com/what-is-toothpaste-made-of/). 

Simple Ingredients                                                                                                                                 
“Baking soda is a wonderful product for polishing teeth, removing stains, and freshening breath!”

·         2/3 cup baking soda

·         1 tsp. fine sea salt (optional – direct application of the minerals in sea salt is great for teeth, but can be left out if the taste is too salty)

·         1 – 2 tsp. peppermint extract or 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil (or add your favorite flavor – spearmint, orange, etc.)

·         water (add to desired consistency)

Cost Breakdown & Savings

Here is the breakdown in cost analysis for 5.33 oz of homemade toothpaste (same amount as one tube of our old toothpaste):

·         baking soda @ 16 oz = $1.00 | 2/3 cup is 5.33 oz which = $0.33

·         fine sea salt @ 22 oz = $2.00 | 1 tsp is .17 oz which = $0.02

·         peppermint extract @ 1 oz = $3.00 | 2 tsp is .33 oz which = $1.04 | Better yet, use peppermint essential oil @ 1 oz = $13.00 | 15 drops = $0.28!

(**Note** you can use as much or as little peppermint or other flavor as you wish. Add the flavoring little by little until you reach an amount you enjoy.)

The cost savings will be between $4.37 – $3.61 per tube!                                                   (Read more at http://www.diynatural.com/homemadetoothpaste/)                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Acne Treatment                                                                                                                           Recently I was looking for ways to treat my acne naturally and I came across this article (/http://inspiringpretty.com/2011/08/19/10-ways-to-treat-acne-naturally/).

"10 Ways to Treat Acne Naturally"

Apple Cider Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol as Toner Both of these are highly acidic, meaning they can kill dead skin cells and clean out pores very well, but you should be careful with them as well. They work just as well as any store-bought toner and are much cheaper. Rubbing alcohol is especially potent, though, so be sure to pay attention to your skin when using it. If it begins to dry your skin out, lessen the use of it. You can either use it less often or dilute the liquid with some water.
Honey as a Quick Fix Honey is naturally antibacterial, which is why it’s used in many scrubs and facials. If you have a pimple that you need to be rid of by tomorrow, just put a dab of honey on it, then a band aid to keep it in place overnight. The next morning, the pimple will be gone or significantly smaller. You can also use honey by itself as a facial mask. Leave it on for an hour or longer if you wish to see a clearer complexion by the next day.
Toothpaste as a Quick Fix If you don’t have any honey around the house, you’re sure to have some toothpaste. It must be white paste and not gel, though. Just cover the pimple in toothpaste and then put a bandaid over it before you go to bed. The pimple should be gone or much smaller by the morning.
Lemon Juice as Toner Lemon works as a toner like apple cider vinegar and rubbing alcohol, but because it is so acidic, it can’t be left on your face for very long. Apply lemon juice to your face as a toner, and wash off after 15 minutes. In just 15 minutes, it will dramatically clean off the dirt, oil and dead skin on your face. Don’t use this one too often though.It’s a very strong treatment and because of that, your skin could become very sensitive to it if overused. It’s an extreme treatment for severe acne, so only use when necessary.
Brown Sugar Scrub This is my personal favorite and what turned me onto using natural things rather than buying acne products. In the shower, once your skin is damp (and your pores have been opened up by the heat), scrub the acne problem areas with brown sugar. This will clean out dirt, dead skin cells and oil clogging your pores and soften your skin as well. The next day, you will see a noticeable change in your acne and your skin will be silky smooth. If you really want to get the most out of this scrub, apply a toner after you get out of the shower to truly clean out everything in your pores. Use this scrub only 2-3 times per month though, because it dramatically opens and cleans your pores. If you overuse it, your body may begin to overproduce oil and your acne could get worse.
Egg White to Remove Oil Crack 1-2 eggs in a bowl separating out the yolk from the egg white. Then, beat the eggs whites gently until consistant. Next, simple spread it over your face and let sit for 15-20 minutes. The eggs white remove excess oil from your skin.
Egg Yolk to Stop Pores from Clogging Just as egg whites help acne, egg yolks have benefits as well. Most of the nutrients in eggs are found in the yolk and it’s very true for your skin. Eggs yolks contain lots of Vitamin A, which is comprised of retinoids. Retin-A, which is used in many beauty products (and you’ve probably heard of it on many commercials) is found in Vitamin A. It’s great for battling acne, because it helps regulate the amount of skin cells being produced, therefore preventing your pores from becoming clogged. Also found in Vitamin A is 13-cis-retinol, which helps regulate oil and bacteria production. So, a yolk battles all of your skin problems in one use. Just crack 1-2 eggs and separate the yolk from the egg white. Mix the yolks together then apply to your face. Within a few minutes the yolk will harden. Once hardened, let the yolk sit on your face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off. Besides the fact that it is a very cheap and useful treatment, this facial mask can be used as often as 1-2 times per week.
Freeze out Pore Problems This may sound odd, but one way to get rid of dirt, oil and dead skin cells is the freeze the pores. When pores get cold, they close up forcing out the dead skin cells, bacteria and oil. Once you've forced out the bad stuff from your pores, you can wash it all away to prevent it from spreading to another part of your face. Pack a plastic bag with ice, then wrap it in a hand towel. Place it on the problem area for at least 10 minutes. Once the spot is good and cold, use a face wash (and cold water) and then toner.
Garlic to Prevent Breakouts Smash two peeled garlic cloves into a pulp or until you can squeeze juice out of it. Apply the juice to your face and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. There’s not much science behind this treatment, but it does work. The good thing is that you can use this treatment as often as you want, but don’t leave it on for extended periods of time, because it may eventually burn your skin.
Mint to Soothe Skin Mint contains menthol which is a natural anti-inflammatory. This means it takes away the red that plagues your skin when you have acne. You can use either mint oil or the juice of blended mint leaves. Just apply to the affected areas of your face or your entire face for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with water. You can use this treatment as often as you’d like, too. Due to the fact that it is an anti-inflammatory, it won’t bother your skin.
                 
                 Hopefully some of these ideas will help you in living more naturally and healthier. J

Jacob

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Will

 Happy 21st Birthday Will!

Grace

Happy 7^th Birthday Grace!

Day at the Farmer's Market

6:15 a.m. rolled around pretty early this morning when we left to go to the farmer's market at Hope. The farmer's market is fairly new for Hope, just starting this year, and they are open every Tuesday from 7a.m. to 11a.m. It was our first time to go and we sold a lot of vegetables, almost everything that we had brought. We made some good contacts and look forward to coming back!

This week we had tomatoes, okra, squash, and cucumbers. Into the fall we hope to have some more green beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and maybe some cantaloupe.

It was a joy to meet the Tyson family from Ashdown. They run a beekeeping business and sell bees, honey, soaps, and lip balm. http://tysonhoneyfarm.webs.com/ 

John brought some of his hand carved wooden spoons to sell.

Jacob grew some broom corn again this year. Great for fall decorations.

Happy Birthday John!

Happy 16th Birthday John!

Visit from Family and Friends

Posted by Amanda Silvey

     Two weeks ago Mom's parents drove down from St.Louis for a visit. They had been to our uncle and aunt's house in Jacksonville,TX, and came by here on their way home. They met us at a church in Waldo where Dad was filling in, and since the song leader was gone that night Grandpa got to do the music. Right after they left some friends from Kansas came to see us, so we had a full week. :) We were very excited about getting to see them all again, and we had a great time.

Grandma helped us snap beans while Will showed Grandpa how

to sell things on ebay.

Many hands make light work!:)

Grandpa acting like his normal self.

On Monday we went and visited the fire department where Will works. 

It was neat looking at all the big trucks.

That's a lot of hose.

Dad had to explain to Grace what the pole was for. :)

We then headed upstairs to see the living quarters.

Here is where everyone bunks.

Thanks for the tour Will! Keep up the good work.

The next night Pap, Nana, and Aunt Lynn joined us for supper.

It was a treat to be with both sets of grandparents at one time.

Pap, Nana, and Aunt Lynn, relaxing after supper.

Grandma and Grandpa 

Thanks for coming to see us!

The Adams, our friends from Kansas, came down to see us a few days after our

 grandparents left. While they were here, Will and Mr.Keith worked on our well pump.

                             We took them to Hope one day and gave them a tour of the firehouse.

                            

                                                Keiton tried out the exercise equipment. 

Will explained how all the trucks work.

                                              

We timed Will putting all his gear on; it's amazing how he gets it all on in less than a minute!

It was pretty warm that day, and it must be hot wearing all that in a fire.

We enjoyed the visit! Hope to see you guys again sometime soon. 

And according to Jared :), the best part of the week was getting to go

and hear his favorite quartet, the Melody Boys, sing.

Farm Happenings

Posted by Amanda Silvey

Hello everybody! I know it’s been awhile since we posted anything, so here are a few pictures that give you a glimpse of what has been going on around here.   

 Spring is in the air. God’s creation is so beautiful!

In the morning before breakfast we head out to the garden to do some hoeing.

 The weeds are growing pretty fast so we’ve had to stay on top of them.     

                         

                       We have found that these potato rakes are wonderful for getting weeds out.

                             

                                             With not using any chemicals in our gardening, picking potato bugs is an
                                  everyday task. We have to be diligent to pick them every morning so that they 
                                  do not eat the plants.

                         
                      Squash bugs like cool, dark places to hide under and we have found that placing
                   cardboard on the ground next to the squash plants has really helped. Usually in the
                   morning there will be a bunch of squash bugs under the cardboard, and we pick them off
                   and put them in a jar of water.

                          
                            We were blessed with a lot of rain this past week, and we nearly got flooded.

                          
                                                            The rain has really helped the garden to take off.

                              
                                                                 Our tomato plants are growing big and fast.

                          
                                                         We have some good sized tomatoes growing and
                                                                         these will be turning red soon. 
                                         
                          
                                                            Beautiful corn stalks growing in Jacob’s garden.

                          
                        The green bean plants are putting on and we have been picking a lot already.

                           
                                                                  Jared’s ducks absolutely love the rain!

                                 About 4 weeks ago one of Jared’s ducks hatched some Pekin duck eggs 
                              that he had bought. It is so fun to watch them follow her all around the yard.

                                  

                                                                                     Here they are now. 

                                       They have grown so fast and they are almost as big as their mother!

                       
                                   Here are some of our chickens. We have Rhode Island Reds, Dominiques
                                   (better known as "Dominickers" around here), and one guinea.

                                   
                                      Jared hatched some more chicks not too long ago and they are
                                               really enjoying this outside pen Will built for them.

                     
                                       The chicks are really friendly and love to be fed scraps.

                                                                           John is raising New Zealand rabbits for meat, and this is his first litter.                                                    He butchered one the other day and we had Rabbit and Dumplings. It tasted just like chicken! 

                         
                                         John and Will put together this outside pen for his rabbits
                                      so that they can stay cooler when the hot weather starts up.

                    
                                                We were excited to find a bunch of boysenberries
                   growing along the edge of our property, and we made some Boysenberry Jam…Yum!

                   
                                                 Sarah and Grace were having a lot of fun with this
                                           box turtle we found, which is affectionately called “Stacy”.

                           
                                                                            A beautiful sunset  

                                    “The heavens declare the glory of God; 

                                                  And the firmament shows    

                                                 His handiwork.”

                                        Psalm19:1