Cherish Each Moment!

Children!

I love to encourage Young Mothers that are working hard doing a task that often seem daunting, that TIME IS SHORT!

I know by experience that your days of caring for and training up your children will  end all to quickly.

I wanted to take a few moments today to send you encouagement in your work!

Service to our Families can lay a Heavy Burden on us, causing us to question is this really worth it?  I say: It SURE IS read here to see why here

The reasons I say it sure is worth it, are many.  I will attempt to list out just a few, as I wanted this to be a SHORT note to you :)

Benefits of Homeschooling

It's Affordable

It provides a strong bond

Super adaptable

Morals Friendly

Parent Influenced

Positive Enviroment (well most times)

It's a LOT MORE FUN

and the list continues

Our lives with our children are often times a struggle!  Yes it's work, and it's hard.  But anything of true Value is Hard Work!  The dividends far outweigh the work.  In the end when you have finished your task you will Hear From The Lord: Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant!  Your time is so precious, we all must try not to let it be wasted by being overwhelmed or disheartened.  I too have to battle even when I have run this course and need to keep running it.  Our Small Children will need Schooling for MANY years to come.  Seeing the lives of our older Children gives me hope as well.  If you question what you are doing, spend a little time with Homeschooled Young People.  It won't take you long to KNOW the difference it makes in a person's life!  When you feel discouraged and you are on your knees remember this is where Our God works BEST in our hearts~ Sending you Love and Hope



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Encouragement!

Young Mothers!  Older Mothers, homeschooling Mothers, and Mothers of Many! 

We all need encouragement.  In this present day of Mothering there are so many ways to be encouraged especially on the internet.   When we began our homeschooling journey 22 years ago, there weren't many on the same path.  In fact there were so few that those of us that were homeschooling spent much of our time explaining homeschooling!  Besides giving out explanations we also needed to give some form of proof that this "hair-brained" crazy idea would have merit!  read more here

During Our Many Years of Homeschooling we have used a lot of different curriculum's! I am often asked what I like best! I always recommend that parents look towards your children's bent. The way in which they should go the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Phonics

We teach our children phonics when they show the progression in their lives that shows they are ready for the fine motor skills of phonics training

Balance and Coordination Skills

Your Child hops on One foot?

Your child balances on one foot?

Your child skips?

Your child can hop on each foot one at a time?

Your child can sit patiently for 10-15 mins. at a time?

Spend as much time with your children outdoors as possible. Hiking, walking and running all aid in your success for phonics. Having conversations with your child about anything and everything will develop their language skills.

After Phonics we teach

Mathematics

Math training in the early years are simple with Mom made math lessons.
  Saxon Math has been very popular and also highly used. Our family has liked Saxon and I do recommend it!

Life Skills

are probably one of the most important and often overlooked area of Homeschooling. When we teach valuable life skills we teach our children the importance of learning. Learning is something that our children will do for the rest of their lives. So teaching needs to revolve around teaching how to learn...not just WHAT to learn!

Instilling in your Children the Love of LEARNING is a Gift and one that they and you will treasure!  I encourage you to seek the deepest gift you can give the Love of God in your child's heart! 
Of course there are many more subjects to teach your children.  And thankfully there are so many sources that you won't have trouble finding them.  I would just like to encourage you to seek the Vision the Lord has for your family.  Oftentimes the Hype of buying curriculum is marketed to you as the WAY to teach, but I have found that once the hype is gone we often times sent the hyped up curriculum up into the attic :(  Yes we all find curriculum's that help us, but is this the only one for you?! Faith in asking for Wisdom is by far the best gift you have for schooling your children :)
 Sending you love and Prayers!

Got Milk?

Milk!

Milk is such a lovely addition on a Farm!  I often get asked what do you do with all the milk besides make soaps?

I thought today would be a great time to do a post on

Milk

read more here

milk and more!

When a Female Goat Freshens (gives birth) she produces milk for her kids as well as extra for us to use. We hand milk all our goats and use the milk to make soap, cheeses, and to drink. Goat's Milk is naturally homgenized so we can't make butter with it. We do however own two Jersey Milk Cows that produce an abundance of Cream that we make into butter for our family. I often times make this ahead and freeze it for later use.

We love to use Goat's Milk cheeses fresh by simple adding a probiotic bacteria and then culture the milk to produce a probiotic friendly cheese. I add a culture from either a store bought culture or by adding a 1/2 cup of yogurt or kefir to a gallon of warmed milk ( 86 degrees). I set this in the warm oven with a light on in it or a pilot light and keep warm for 24 hours. At this point you can use this as yogurt or kefir or you can strain this in a very tight weave cheesecloth and drain for 24 hours.

One of our favorite Companies to purchase products for cheesemaking is found Hoegger's farmyard.

This Great Christian Company also has a lot of information as well as seeking info on youtube videos.

Finding a source of Goat's Milk or Cow's Milk is also getting easier if you check your local ads. Craig's list is often a source of fresh milk farm direct.

Kefir is one of our favorite drinks. We keep cultures on hand and use a culture rather than beads. I found beads more difficult and time consuming and not nearly as fast as opening up a packet or using a culture from the healthfood store. I use this with fruit and sweetner as well as any health supplements that I can add to it. I also use it in cooking or in baking. Over pasta is delicious and in scones and breads, it adds fluff and richness.

Buttermaking.

We have a very large Churn which we use to churn butter with. We skim off nearly all the thick cream from Cow's Milk and add this to the churn, which I turn on and leave it for about a half an hour. When the butter comes together I wash them in very cold, rinsing very well to keep the butter from going sour. Then I shape into blocks and use fresh and freeze.

Cream Cheese is also great when made homemade. Our favorite is homemade cheesecakes as well as using it to top over cinnamon rolls. With Cream Cheese you would need to purchase a culture from the above mention Hoeggers. Using cream you can make a very thick cream cheese or you can also add some milk to this to make a thinner cream cheese.

All cheese recipes are pretty the same or nearly the same concept each needing the warmth and the constant temperatures, carefully measuring them is crucial for successful cheesemaking. Also it is important to purchase the equipment necessary for making the cheeses. One inexpensive cheese drainer found at Hoeggers is easy to use and quick as well to ladle curds into

I would ladle curds and the drain this for 24 hours to make a soft cheese. You might also want to drain it further in fine mesh cheesecloth.
Well, I will share more later, as I don't want to overwhelm you :) I hope you enjoy this and will begin to be creative when it comes to making cheeses. Remember if you are not able to purchase a cow or goat, or fresh milk, you can use store bought yogurt and drain it for a very simple yet tasty soft cheese. You can add fruit and sweetner or you can add garlic and herbs. Which ever will be sure to please you and your family just because you made it!
God Bless You ALL!

"How to be a Helpmeet on a Budget"

Joining: The Imperfect Housewife, I am the Clay, These Five Of Mine Plus Two, and The Straightened Path for a
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Free Shipping Gift!

FREE SHIPPING IS OVER  :(

UPDATED ON JAN. 24
We are offering a "free shipping week this week in Honor of it being a Holiday Week.  If you place an order totaling over $20.00 throughout this week we will ship your order free of charge and we will ship it  priority mail.  This is a value of $5.95 and is valid this week only.  God bless you and thank you for stopping by this week.  Please enter the code of Victorian Rose to receive the discount. 

www.victorianrosesoap.com

Welcomed Additions!

On a Frosty Morning after Eating Breakfast we were given this gift!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Peacefully sleeping triplets

And Next came this blessing!

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

We are so very thankful for the newest additions to our Farm.  Each one is lovely and has been carefully bred for it's great confirmation!  We are excited to see just how these new additions will prosper our farm and bring a value to our Soap Company!  We are excited as we await more of our wonderful colorful herd that is so lovingly cared for by our Daughter Emmeline.

We pray that you are all blessed by the cute little kids that have joined our farm.  And we pray that you are blessed with your family on this day and everyday!  love, Karen and Family

~Praying~

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100:4-5

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 16:23b

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:14

Praying is a gift!   When I have had the priviledge to pray for others, the Lord has given me such a blessing.  I find each time I lift up a friend in prayer, I become actively seeking the Lord's will in my own life and in the life of those I am praying for. 

How much more do we need to pray for your family.  Our husbands need our constant prayer.  Prayer returns our thoughts into a perspective that we are not in control of our own lives, but that we place them at the feet of God and seek His Will in our lives.

Our Children need prayer as well.  Mrs. June Fuentes has addressed this so well in her post on Praying for your Children prayers-for-our-children describing each of the prayes that they need in their lives for protection, growth and repentance.  I encourage you to read it and pray this for your children.  I am committing to do so as well.

I pray that each of you have a blessed day and a blessing in your prayer life!

Love, Karen

~Pleasant Words~

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

      


A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver~Proverbs 25:11

     Words are so important. As I write these words today, I pray over them asking the Lord to use them in my heart! We all say words we wished we hadn't said, and yet once spoken never to be retrieved. I pray that we will each think of the words we use and that we use them to bless not to curse.
      

     For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech~ 1Peter 3:10
Sending you Love and Prayers!
 Love, Karen 

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Building a Home Business part 111

     Writing these blogging posts on building a home business is a goal I have.  I would love to be able to make this transition much easier for you.  Please refer to my other posts as well Beginning-home-business Part One    and also Part 2 found here Another-in-beginning-home-business

 I have complied a list of steps to take







1. Pray for Guidance

2. Wait and be patient

3. Pray again

4. Wait some more!

5. Choose out a business Name

6. Seek professional Advice

7. Find out Business Laws in your Area

8. Find your market. And look for a niche that others may not have thought of

9. Remember to find a way to increase your sales, by increasing your products

10. Make your business as professional as you can!

 

This is VERY IMPORTANT

 

How does your Husband feel about this Business?

If you are married and your Husband is behind you in this business that is Great! IF your Husband isn't in this line of thinking...please set it aside. You cannot take on something this big without your Husband's Support. No amount of added income will be worth the trials you will endure if you are going this on your own.

Is this a calling for now or for later?

    Do you feel as if you are being called to a home business?  If you are a Mother with small children, hopefully homeschooling, cooking, cleaning and caring for your family, a home business may not be feasible.  You may hear the Lord calling you in preparation to building the business.  In my own life many years ago, I found my time so valuable that the small amount I added to our income wasn't worth the strain it took on our family.  I knew I needed to wait until my children were older and more capable to help rather than hinder.  If this is what you are facing, don't feel disappointed.  Just be able to glean what you have, file it away until later and grow with your family.

If this is a calling for later

     Learning what you can without the rush and work of actually setting up the business can be a great blessing.  I learned many years ago how I would like to make Goat's Milk Soaps.  I took classes, learned about ingredients and gained a basic knowledge of what attracted me to Handmade Soap.  I am so thankful now that I have this knowledge and that I was able to gather other important information about additives that would increase the scope of my business.  I am also thankful that I am not needing to learn those items now, as I am very busy learning other facets of a home business.  Such as setting up a website and keeping inventory.

    I pray I can help you during this time of change and prayer.  If I can help in any way at all, please feel free to ask me for anything.  I would love to be of help in this area or any other area!  Love, Karen

www.victorianrosesoap.com









    
  
    

Why and How of Healthy Food

Breakfast of the New Year.  I often get asked just how do you incorporate healthy eating?  I say lots of Vegetables.  We add Veges, to every meal.  We eat veges in each food we can.  Always incorporating vegetables in sauces helps to hide the unpleasant taste of any that you might not want to eat plain.  I also use juicing veges to add more to our diet.  I don't serve any cooked juice, only freshly juiced using my champion juicer.  This juicer can handle the bulk that carrots, and beets can bring and also make peanut and almond butter.

    This morning for breakfast, I made a Vegetable Frittata with any vegetables we have.  It included

 two purple potatoes, zucchini squash, red peppers, dried tomatoes, dried summer squash, pesto ( I make this in summer and freeze in small batches to add for many different dishes....basil is very effective digestive help) and bacon bits for flavoring. This was organically grown bacon, and only in a very small amount.  If you would prefer you can also use some turkey bacon.

   We also enjoyed some of my Triple Chocolate Scones.  I use raw Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs.  Along with coconut oil, yogurt, hazelnuts, raw organic sugar or Organic Agave Nectar.  I also include chunks of chocolate truffles!  These Triple Chocolate Scones are rich but loaded with antioxidants.  Very quick to make and taste delicious.  Your family won't know you are eating health food :)

    Triple Chocolate Scones

This is a large batch

4 cups of Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Soft White Wheat Flour

3/4 cup of Raw Cacao Powder (check Amazon for powder and nibs)

1 cup of Sugar...please look for organic raw...only dehydrated sugar cane crystals.

2 tablespoons of baking powder (once again only rumford, which is aluminum-free)

1/2 tsp. of Pink Himalayan Salt

and 3/4 cup of Coconut or Palm Oil not liquid and butter is a great alternative!

Grind this all up in the food processor making sure your flour is covered with the oil....

In processor bowl,

3 eggs...farm raised Organic Eggs (if possible)

1 cup of yogurt or sour cream

1 tsp. of Jill's Vanilla (http://gratituesday.blogspot.com/p/homemade-vanilla.html)

mix up and add with a very large fork to your dry ingredients...mix with a fluffy type movement, add the chunks of chocolate or chocolate chips, hazelnuts and scoop out onto ungreased cookie sheets for 17 mins.  I change the trays halfway...and at times need to cook a little extra maybe another two mins.

Let cool on racks and enjoy.

Vegetable Frittata

I used any vegetables I had on hand.  Small amounts cooked in a Stainless Steel skillet with butter.  Add as many as you can and make sure you have plenty of color.  Color is so important to our bodies, both for the health benefits and for our eyes :) cook these till slightly cooked.

I used a lot of farm fresh eggs, we have a large family so it took 18 eggs, and I added a 1/4 cup of cream to the eggs and whipped them up and added to the empty skillet.  I cook the eggs until the begin to hold up, and then add the vege mixture back into the eggs.  Top with Parmesan cheese, and then bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 mins.  I take this out with large potholders...and keep the handle COVERED at all times.  I know by personal experience that the temptation to take that handle in your hand as you are dishing this out is very great! :( and it is burning hot :(  So I keep this handle away from my family and away from me by keeping it covered all the time.  And don't let some other member of your family come and take away that cloth for some other reason!  It will still burn you for a LONG time after you have removed it from the oven.

      I cut our fritatta and serve with sour cream and some fresh salsa, with lots of Cilantro....it removes heavy metals from our bodies)

I pray you are all blessed in our New Year and that you bring Glory and Honor to our God !

Love, Karen