Kimberly Nicole

Such a short time with us but taught us so much.  10 weeks 2 days April 8, 2008  Thinking of you today. 

Just Those Few Weeks

For just those few weeks

I had you to myself.

And that seems too short a time

to be changed so profoundly.

In those few weeks,

I came to know you...

and to love you.

You came to trust me with your life.

Oh what a life I had planned for you!

Just those few weeks...

when I lost you,

i lost a lifetime of hopes,

plans, dreams and aspirations.

A slice of my future simply vanished overnight.

Just those few weeks...

It wasn't enough time to convince others

how special and important you were.

How odd, a truly unique person has recently died

and no one is mourning the passing.

Just a mere few weeks..

And no "normal" person would cry all night

Over a tiny unfinished baby,

or get depressed and withdraw day after endless day.

No one would, so why am I??

You were just those few weeks, my little one.

You darted in and out of my life too quickly.

But it seems that's all the time you needed

to make my life richer

and to give me a small glimpse of eternity.

~S. Erling

No More Bugs

     The other day Mark came in from the barn telling me about something he heard on the radio.  We have problems in our house with Asian beetles, which look like lady bugs, and box elder bugs.  Everyone around here seems to have the same problem.  They burrow in the house during the fall and come back alive in the spring and are very annoying.
     Mark told me to put dish soap in a small dish and that will draw them in and kill them.  Well, I did it...and it worked!!!  I kind of questioned the whole idea and thought that honey would work better.  Funny thing is...it didn't kill them.  They crawled back out sticky and leaving sticky trails all over.  Not to pretty.
     I would supply pictures but didn't want to gross anyone out.  :)  So...get out your liquid dish soap and see what you catch.

Volksfest Vendors Needed

Last year was the first year that Volksfest offered an Arts and Craft show along with their popular festival.  After the success of the show, we’re planning to do it again.  Imagine yourself listening to the live polka bands and smelling the aroma of German food all while looking at 100% handmade crafts.  Being able to talk to the person who made the item brings a special effect.  Jewelry made from broken glass made some unique one of a kind pieces.  Wooden puzzles precisely cut with a scroll saw and rough edges all sanded to create a work of art.  Gourds grown in a garden then allowed to dry and beautifully painted or herbs pressed between glass to produce a natural trivet.  Antlers found from many walks in the woods made for great wine racks and other various pieces.  Goats milk soaps from real goats milk were some of the treasures found last year.

     We’re looking for vendors again to add to this unique experience.  These items must be 100% handmade, no resale allowed.  The festival already has food available so no food items.   The date is Saturday September 10, 2011 from 9 am to 6 pm.  The cost of a 10x10’ space is $30.  The proceeds go to the Volksfest festival.  This festival has given back to the community in various ways so the money stays local.   Please keep in mind that this is an outdoor event so plan accordingly.  

     I'm still trying to figure out how to get applications on here...so bare with me.  Leave a message and I'll get to you.   

Above Rubies email devotion

Mark and I were just talking about this a couple of weeks prior to getting this devotion in our email.  Please, enjoy reading it as much as we did.....  

GOD'S PRACTICAL PLAN

Part 2

"Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters"
Jeremiah 29: 6 NASB.

We continue to look at the seven points which God commanded the Jews to do while they were in captivity.

3. Get married and have children

"Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters" verse 6. Even in captivity God wanted His people to continue the original command He gave to them in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." This command is reiterated over and over again in the Bible and has never been rescinded.* The adverse circumstances of the captives didn't change God's command. We notice the same thing happened while the children of Israel were suffering under great affliction in Egypt. Even though the Egyptians put hard taskmasters over them and made their lives bitter with hard labor they continued to be fruitful. They had all the excuses they needed to stop having children in such difficult circumstances but "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew" Exodus 1:12.

4. Encourage your children to get married and have children

"Take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters" verse 6. It's not hard to realize as we read these words that God loves weddings and babies! It's all His idea anyway! God delighted in bringing the first couple together and He delights in doing it today. Every wedding gives the hope of new life--life from God Himself!
God's judgment was to take away the joy and celebration of weddings (Jeremiah 7:34; 9:16 and 25:10). God's blessing was to restore weddings. Jeremiah 33:10-11 says, "Thus saith the Lord; again there shall be heard in this place... the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride." Weddings are the blessing of God. We should encourage our children who get married to embrace children rather than waiting a few years. In fact, if a couple is not ready to take on the responsibility of embracing children, they are not ready for marriage.

5. Do not diminish

"Multiply there and do not decrease" verse 6. God specifically commands them not to decrease! Isn't it sad that many believers in God are set on doing the opposite to His plan? They would much rather decrease than increase. They would rather follow the devils plan to eliminate life than to multiply life. Consequently, there is a whole army of God's people who are missing today!

6. Pray for your city

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare" verse 7. God wants us to pray for the city or area where we live. We have a responsibility to pray for God's peace to come to our city and in doing so we will reap peace. Make it a point to pray, and teach your children to pray, for your city as you gather together for Family Devotions each day.

7. Don't be deceived

"Do not let your prophets deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,' declares the Lord" verses 8-9. We must always guard against deception. Because we live in a society that is embedded in a humanistic agenda we must constantly line up our beliefs and world-view in keeping with God's eternal Word! If what we are thinking and doing does not line up with God's Word, we must walk away from it, no matter who proclaims it. We must also guard our children from being deceived by the humanistic public education system of our society. Our responsibility as parents is to watch that our children are not deceived by the society in which they live.
As we seek to obey God's plan for us, we will walk in the blessing of God. These reminders from God are all for our blessing. God continues to speak in the same message in Verse 11, "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." The majority of God's people know this Scripture and claim it for their own. What they often forget is that it comes after the seven points we have been talking about. It is these principles that will give us a blessed future and hope!
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES

PRAYER:
"Dear Father, please save me from being gullible and duped by the humanistic propaganda all around me. Give me eyes to see through deceptions and to know the witness of your truth in my heart. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I now know the answer to having a future and a hope!

NEW Pet Shampoo at Country Soaps

I've been asked the last 3 years if I carried a pet shampoo.  Now I can finally say "YES"!   This shampoo is made from scratch using NO Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and I only use Phthalate-Free & Nitro Musk Free Fragrances.  So you know you are doing something wonderful for your pet.  The scents include are pretty kitty, precious puppy, purrs & paws and pooch smooch.  I also have an essential oil blend of peppermint, citronella and tea tree to help repel fleas.  Hyena Cart is where they are listing as of now.  I'll add Etsy and Artfire to my list.  

While You Were Sleeping

     This past Sunday we celebrated our 3 March birthdays...Ethan turned 9 March 5, Heather turned 21 March 6 and Preston turned 2 March 7.  The whole family was present through most of it...Preston decided to take his nap through dinner and gift opening.  I think it was his way of getting his own party.  :)

     Our guests of honor picked a traditional cookout with brats, hotdogs, baked beans and a jello salad.  Topped off with the birthday cake and ice cream...which this year ended up being a trout.  The cookout part didn't happen because of the cool breezy weather we were having over the weekend.

     While waiting for everyone to show up, Preston decided to nap.    So first up to blow out the candles was Ethan.  He got them all in 2 blows.

     Then Heather with 3 blows to get out her 21 candles...what a spectacular smoke signal she sent up.

     After we enjoyed our cake and ice cream it was time for the gifts...as Preston still slept.




Ethan was first up and opened a sleeping bag, books and a t-shirt...he gets very excited!!!

Heather received a bottle of cranberry wine, an "I Love Lucy" purse, $ towards new jeans and a puzzle.  After cake was eaten, ice cream lapped up off the plate and gifts opened...guess who wakes up???   You got that right...Preston!  So back to gift opening we went...
 along with more blowing of the candles.  We saved a corner of the cake for Preston's 2 candles but he just didn't understand blowing them out.  So big brother Ethan stepped in to show him how.  So that makes 3 birthdays down, 11 more to go for 2011.  Happy Birthday Preston, Ethan and Heather...hope you enjoyed your day.  :)

How to make your own laundry soap

Many times I've been asked how I make my laundry soap, so I thought this would be a good place to show you how...


Things you'll need are:
1 c.washing soda
1 c.borax
1 - 4 oz bar of laundry soap preferably mine :) (4 oz of soap scraps can also be used)
something to shred the soap 
a food processor or very powerful blender
measuring cup


I use my kitchen aid attachment shredder and set it up like this. Turn the bowl from the kitchen aid upside down and place another bowl on top.  Follow manufacturers directions for shredding.  Shred your soap!  

When you are done it will look like this.  Sorry the the sideways picture...blogger did it.  Feel the shreds, do they feel dry or can you feel a little moisture?  If they feel dry continue on but if you feel a little moisture let them sit in the bowl for a couple of days. Depending on when I made the soap it could still be curing.  

These are your shreds.  Don't worry if you have a "chunk" that wouldn't shred.  That will get taken care of in the final step.  In this demonstration I used a lemon laundry bar.  Any of my laundry bars can be used.  

Now place your shreds in your food processor or powerful blender.  Measure out 1 c. borax and 1 c. washing soda, add to your shreds.  Place cover on and blend.  It will get dusty so if you have problems with dust you may want to wear a dust mask.  When you think you are done blend a little longer.  You want it to look like a powder when you are finished.  If you should have little chunks do not fear, I haven't had any troubles with them dissolving when doing laundry.  


















This is your final product.  At this point you can add essential oil to scent.  Just add a few drops and turn back on.  


Directions for use: for top load washers use 1 tablespoon/load and for HE washers use ½ tablespoon/load.

This laundry soap is:
<> Suds FREE
<> Safe for septic systems
<> Works great in all temperatures
<> All natural
<> No Chemicals, clay or fillers
<> Biodegradable and Phosphate Free
<> Great for allergy sufferers, sensitive skin, baby clothes and diapers
<> Environmentally friendly
<> Made from scratch using cold process lard soap
<> Eco-friendly
<> Leaves behind no residue

How Long Can Homemade Laundry Soap Be Stored For?
• The powdered version seems to last forever, but I have no exact expiry date to advise.

Can You Safely Use Homemade Laundry Soap With A High Efficiency Washer (HE Machine)?
• Be aware that using anything other than what your machine manufacturer recommends may void your warranty.
• Homemade soap is low sudsing which is important for HE machines.

Can You Use Homemade Soap In a Front Loading Machine?
• Be aware that using anything other than what your machine manufacturer recommends may void your warranty.

I Have Hard Water & My Clothes Don’t Come Out That Clean, Suggestions?
• Try adding baking soda or oxyclean or vinegar as laundry boosters, suggestions for baking soda are to start with 1/2 cup per load.

Can Homemade Laundry Soap Be Used In Cold Water Instead Of Hot?
• Sure it can. If you notice clothes don’t come out as clean as you’d like, try a laundry booster such as vinegar or oxyclean.

Will Homemade Laundry Soap Fade Dark Colored Clothing?
• I have noticed no fading or damage to clothing. I’ve laundered work clothes, everyday clothes and office attire in homemade detergents.

Is There A Soap Residue On Clothes After Washing With Homemade Soap?
• I haven’t noticed it but if you do, here are a couple things you can try: Increase the water amount, decrease the load size or decrease the detergent used per wash. You can also try a vinegar rinse during the rinse cycle.

Why Aren’t There Any Suds In The Water When I Use Homemade Soap?
• Homemade laundry soaps are low sudsing, you won’t see many suds in the wash. No worries, this is normal and your clothes will still come out clean.