A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend. She had mentioned how "easy" our life was. I laughed at first, then thought about it. Of course she thinks we have an easy life. We don't work conventional jobs. I had to think on this a bit, and to do that, I had to reflect on when we did have conventional jobs and this is what I came up with.
When you have a conventional job you:
- work on another person's schedule
- If you don't work you lose a day's pay
-you are able to purchase food at a grocery store
-your income rarely changes
-you have more wasteful spending
-you are always trying to beat the clock
When you live a life of simplicity you:
-are more flexible with your schedule, usually
-you store fruit/vegetables/meat for the year
-if you don't "work" you don't eat
-season's greatly affect you
-income varies greatly
-plan your food for a year
So, to live a live of consumer simplicity, holy simplicity and corporate simplicity, you actually do work. This is a pleasant reminder of why we do what we do. I think I'll stick with voluntary simplicity, thank you very much!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Results of peach season
Peach season is probably one of my busiest times for canning. I make peach jam, canned peaches and this year I did something new and made some peach butter. I wasn't overly impressed with the butter, it tastes to much like my jam. Jam is not as time consuming as the butter, so I think I will stick with that.
Here is my count from peach season. Out of 4 bushels I got 26 pints of peach jam, 17 pints of peach butter, and 64 quarts of peaches. The cost was $108. When I compared the quantity I got of the canned peaches to store bought peaches the price was only $6.00 difference. It paid to do peaches this year!
I don't can what I do to save money, although it certainly does, I can what I do because it is healthier for my family. I can give my kids healthy food and skip the preservatives in store bought food! And, because of the weather this year, I was thankful to have the connections I do, it enabled me to even get the peaches!
Here is my count from peach season. Out of 4 bushels I got 26 pints of peach jam, 17 pints of peach butter, and 64 quarts of peaches. The cost was $108. When I compared the quantity I got of the canned peaches to store bought peaches the price was only $6.00 difference. It paid to do peaches this year!
I don't can what I do to save money, although it certainly does, I can what I do because it is healthier for my family. I can give my kids healthy food and skip the preservatives in store bought food! And, because of the weather this year, I was thankful to have the connections I do, it enabled me to even get the peaches!
Results of strawberry season
Strawberry season is the first season I start canning. This year I got about 38 quarts. The cost was about $95. I love strawberry jam, it's the one thing i can for myself. Out of 38 quarts I made 65 8 oz. jars of jam. I didn't save enough to dehydrate any like last year. That's ok. I have enough of my jam to last until next summer!
Small Change by Shelia Roberts
A friend let me borrow a book. I was skeptical. I like to read books where I learn something. Most of my friends read True Crime, Mystery, or Romance. I wasn't holding out much hope. I was pleasantly surprised!
This book is about three women. All different ages, different season's in life and different lifestyles. Together, each take the courage to face challenges in their lives. The book is well written and the characters are well developed. As of the 2nd chapter I couldn't put it down.
The book walks you through their life to learn creative ways to be frugal. Overcoming certain addictions, overcoming traumatic events in their lives to move forward, take control of their lives and becoming financially fit.
What I did like about the book is that it is so different than so many books about finances you encounter, it doesn't tell you what you should do, or how to do it. It starts at baby steps and blossoms out and walks with you through the forest to get out. A fictional book I am sure, but it really helps start you of in the right direction.
It's a keeper in my library!
This book is about three women. All different ages, different season's in life and different lifestyles. Together, each take the courage to face challenges in their lives. The book is well written and the characters are well developed. As of the 2nd chapter I couldn't put it down.
The book walks you through their life to learn creative ways to be frugal. Overcoming certain addictions, overcoming traumatic events in their lives to move forward, take control of their lives and becoming financially fit.
What I did like about the book is that it is so different than so many books about finances you encounter, it doesn't tell you what you should do, or how to do it. It starts at baby steps and blossoms out and walks with you through the forest to get out. A fictional book I am sure, but it really helps start you of in the right direction.
It's a keeper in my library!
Friday, June 22, 2012
2012 Garden
This year is the first year I am going to preserve what I grow in my garden. In previous years I grew hobby gardens, meaning, I planted a variety of things and hoped they grew. This year, I mean business!
In my garden this year are 47 Amish Paste tomato plants, 8 Banana Pepper plants, 8 Sweet Rainbow mix peppers, 49 King Arthur Green Pepper plants, and 12 Jalepeno plants. Along with these there are about 60 Kentucky Wonder green bean plants and about 30 Pea plants.
During the winter I make alot of homemade Sloppy Joes. Last year I bought green pepper's at the store on sale and froze them. They worked well, so this year I grew enough pepper plants to hopefully get enough pepper's so I don't have to buy any. I am really excited to see if I make my goal out of my garden.
Last year I had 12 tomato plants. We ate alot of tomato sandwiches and I had thought if I had more tomato plants I could can them. As I was canning last year if I was a tomato short of a quart I would add one of mine and I wished I had done it differently. I wished I had grown good canning tomatoes. I learned from my experience and did it differently this year. The tomatoes I bought last year was from a farm down the street, so I was able to support my local economy, which made me feel good.
This year I hope to make salsa, so that is the reason for the variety of pepper plants.
I am really excited to see how much preserved food I get out of my garden this year!
In my garden this year are 47 Amish Paste tomato plants, 8 Banana Pepper plants, 8 Sweet Rainbow mix peppers, 49 King Arthur Green Pepper plants, and 12 Jalepeno plants. Along with these there are about 60 Kentucky Wonder green bean plants and about 30 Pea plants.
During the winter I make alot of homemade Sloppy Joes. Last year I bought green pepper's at the store on sale and froze them. They worked well, so this year I grew enough pepper plants to hopefully get enough pepper's so I don't have to buy any. I am really excited to see if I make my goal out of my garden.
Last year I had 12 tomato plants. We ate alot of tomato sandwiches and I had thought if I had more tomato plants I could can them. As I was canning last year if I was a tomato short of a quart I would add one of mine and I wished I had done it differently. I wished I had grown good canning tomatoes. I learned from my experience and did it differently this year. The tomatoes I bought last year was from a farm down the street, so I was able to support my local economy, which made me feel good.
This year I hope to make salsa, so that is the reason for the variety of pepper plants.
I am really excited to see how much preserved food I get out of my garden this year!
Popcorn. Old School.
Over last winter my daughter's favorite snack was popcorn. At $3.50 a bag for cheese flavored popcorn and a daughter who could eat more bags than I wanted to afford, I took the jump and made popcorn the way my mom used to. By buying a bag of popcorn and popping it myself. Since I try to stay away from kitchen appliances I don't actually need, I popped it on the stove. She loved it! Now, she gets a healthy snack, minus the sodium and preservatives in commercial popcorn. She loves to watch me cook and bake, so I think she felt extra special that she got to watch it be made and then ate it.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Are you Saved?
What does this mean, Are you Saved? I am reading a wonderful book and this question was presented in the book, and brought about a long conversation between my husband and I.
I don't talk about religion or God in my daily life much, with the exception of my husband, because when I talk with most people, of course they Believe. Of course they are going to Heaven. Of course they are saved. Of course they want Salvation.
Which leads me to ponder the question, Are you Saved? And if so, how?
Do they feel they are saved simply because Jesus died on the Cross for our sins? Because God had forsaken his only son for us? Is that why? And, most importantly, is the enough?
As I look at the world today I have to wonder if most people do indeed think this is enough, because if they didn't think it was enough, wouldn't the world be a better place? Wouldn't there be a reduced number of murder, rapes and robbery? Why is it that most impoverished area's that have the highest incidents of crime seem to have the most churches?
I think the world needs to take a good look at themselves, Is salvation given freely to us so we can act however we want? Salvation is a gift. However, when given a gift do you abuse it? Forget who gave us that gift? Take it for granted? Do we treat it special and cherish the nice thought from someone? Most of us do. Why would we treat our gift of salvation any different? We need to work everyday to be better people in our actions. We need to strive to have pure thoughts, we need to set an example to other people to show them how to be more Christlike. We need to be friendly, to help fellow citizens and certainly, we need to show other people how to serve God. We have been doing an exercise every night to keep us on the right road - for I truly believe you need full support to accomplish this- we ask each other
Is there anything i did, thought or said that would keep me from getting the Salvation from God that I so desperately seek?
Was I kind?
Did I show compassion?
Did I have the patience for people that God has for me?
If I answered no to any of the questions, and I do more frequently than I want to admit, I make every attempt to be different the next day.
We have to be an active participant in the process. We have to do God's work, we have to make our God proud to welcome us into his kingdom.
I don't talk about religion or God to people I know, I try to show them. Actions speak louder than words. Now as yourself:
What do your daily actions say?
I don't talk about religion or God in my daily life much, with the exception of my husband, because when I talk with most people, of course they Believe. Of course they are going to Heaven. Of course they are saved. Of course they want Salvation.
Which leads me to ponder the question, Are you Saved? And if so, how?
Do they feel they are saved simply because Jesus died on the Cross for our sins? Because God had forsaken his only son for us? Is that why? And, most importantly, is the enough?
As I look at the world today I have to wonder if most people do indeed think this is enough, because if they didn't think it was enough, wouldn't the world be a better place? Wouldn't there be a reduced number of murder, rapes and robbery? Why is it that most impoverished area's that have the highest incidents of crime seem to have the most churches?
I think the world needs to take a good look at themselves, Is salvation given freely to us so we can act however we want? Salvation is a gift. However, when given a gift do you abuse it? Forget who gave us that gift? Take it for granted? Do we treat it special and cherish the nice thought from someone? Most of us do. Why would we treat our gift of salvation any different? We need to work everyday to be better people in our actions. We need to strive to have pure thoughts, we need to set an example to other people to show them how to be more Christlike. We need to be friendly, to help fellow citizens and certainly, we need to show other people how to serve God. We have been doing an exercise every night to keep us on the right road - for I truly believe you need full support to accomplish this- we ask each other
Is there anything i did, thought or said that would keep me from getting the Salvation from God that I so desperately seek?
Was I kind?
Did I show compassion?
Did I have the patience for people that God has for me?
If I answered no to any of the questions, and I do more frequently than I want to admit, I make every attempt to be different the next day.
We have to be an active participant in the process. We have to do God's work, we have to make our God proud to welcome us into his kingdom.
I don't talk about religion or God to people I know, I try to show them. Actions speak louder than words. Now as yourself:
What do your daily actions say?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
How we deal with drama
Drama seems to be the norm these day for most people. We do not buy into drama or gossip. We also do not have people in our lives that do this. Believe it or not, to much of this is overwhelming. To much of this can make us stray from Simplicity. I live in a very small town where gossip runs rampant. Just yesterday I was approached by a woman to see "What good drama I know". I was surprised to be asked so outright. My reply was "I don't know any drama. I am not into gossip." The response was "Really??". Yes, really. I take care of my family and that takes up enough of my time.
Think for a minute the drama you may be a part of.
Could what you are saying be untrue?
Could what you are listening to be damaging to another person's character?
Could what you are saying be said in front of the person who is being talked about?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, chances are, you shouldn't be a part of the conversation. Think about the time and energy it takes to talk about other people. Think for a minute instead of taking part of a conversation like this, what could you be doing to better someone else's life? Would your time be better served spending time talking with your children or your spouse or helping a friend or neighbor in need?
If we truly want to live how God intended us to, we just don't have the time to be involved in drama or gossip, there is simply to much to do!
Think for a minute the drama you may be a part of.
Could what you are saying be untrue?
Could what you are listening to be damaging to another person's character?
Could what you are saying be said in front of the person who is being talked about?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, chances are, you shouldn't be a part of the conversation. Think about the time and energy it takes to talk about other people. Think for a minute instead of taking part of a conversation like this, what could you be doing to better someone else's life? Would your time be better served spending time talking with your children or your spouse or helping a friend or neighbor in need?
If we truly want to live how God intended us to, we just don't have the time to be involved in drama or gossip, there is simply to much to do!
start thinking about getting out of the rat race
Think about your daily thoughts and actions. Most of us just try to keep up with all that is going on daily. There simply isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done,, or is there?
Work schedule
Kids schedule
House work
Errands
Visiting people
Church
Cooking
I know there is more, but we will start with this.
Work schedule - what are we working for? To accumulate more things, constantly changing what we wear to keep up with latest fashions or what we purchase to keep up with the latest technology, to keep up with the latest home fashions, or worse yet, to keep up with The Jones.
If you think about it, none of this matters when it comes right down to it.
If you truly want to simplify your life de-clutter some of your things you no longer use and then be very careful to not re-accumulate the empty spaces. Really, things that you need are probably monthly or weekly products. Don't accumulate material items, build your empire to get to Heaven. This will get rid of the reason to work to accumulate things.
Constantly changing what we wear to keep up with the latest fashions. We are a family of 5. Our yearly cost on clothes for 5 people is, on average, $100. How can that be? We always purchase clothes at second hand stores. We tend to wear plain clothes and usually a neutral or dark color. I couldn't tell you what the latest fashion is, so that isn't even an issue.
Purchases to stay up to date with technology: Our dvd player is probably eight years old. It still works so there is no need to get a new one. We don't have a DDR - tv just isn't that important to us. The DVD's we own are usually used or we get them on sale. Do we see technology we would like? Of course! But, we only replace the existing technology we have, we do not accumulate more.
To keep up with the Jones,, I have always wondered where this saying came from! Anyway, one of the commandments of the Bible states you won't covet the neighbor. Most people take this in a physical sense. In actuality, this includes material possessions. Since I try to honor the commandments, I am happy our neighbors have nice things, but in all honesty, I never seem to want what they have. Or worse yet, stop trying to outdo your neighbor. America seems to be obsessed with outdoing each other as far as material possessions go.
We live in a society who puts material possessions above our fellow neighbor. I can't help but wonder if we put our neighbors welfare before their material possessions,, how different would our world be?
Work schedule
Kids schedule
House work
Errands
Visiting people
Church
Cooking
I know there is more, but we will start with this.
Work schedule - what are we working for? To accumulate more things, constantly changing what we wear to keep up with latest fashions or what we purchase to keep up with the latest technology, to keep up with the latest home fashions, or worse yet, to keep up with The Jones.
If you think about it, none of this matters when it comes right down to it.
If you truly want to simplify your life de-clutter some of your things you no longer use and then be very careful to not re-accumulate the empty spaces. Really, things that you need are probably monthly or weekly products. Don't accumulate material items, build your empire to get to Heaven. This will get rid of the reason to work to accumulate things.
Constantly changing what we wear to keep up with the latest fashions. We are a family of 5. Our yearly cost on clothes for 5 people is, on average, $100. How can that be? We always purchase clothes at second hand stores. We tend to wear plain clothes and usually a neutral or dark color. I couldn't tell you what the latest fashion is, so that isn't even an issue.
Purchases to stay up to date with technology: Our dvd player is probably eight years old. It still works so there is no need to get a new one. We don't have a DDR - tv just isn't that important to us. The DVD's we own are usually used or we get them on sale. Do we see technology we would like? Of course! But, we only replace the existing technology we have, we do not accumulate more.
To keep up with the Jones,, I have always wondered where this saying came from! Anyway, one of the commandments of the Bible states you won't covet the neighbor. Most people take this in a physical sense. In actuality, this includes material possessions. Since I try to honor the commandments, I am happy our neighbors have nice things, but in all honesty, I never seem to want what they have. Or worse yet, stop trying to outdo your neighbor. America seems to be obsessed with outdoing each other as far as material possessions go.
We live in a society who puts material possessions above our fellow neighbor. I can't help but wonder if we put our neighbors welfare before their material possessions,, how different would our world be?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Simplicity in speech
I have been reading a really good book this week. It's called Abundant Simplicity. It had a really interesting section about simplicity in speech. This is a discipline of simplicity I had never thought about. It focuses on saying only what is necessary, to speak only when you can say something good, and how much time we spend talking about, well, useless things. This was a real eye opener for me since I tend to talk, and I tend to talk alot!
This past week I have been putting this into practice. Here are some of the things I have learned:
Do not interrupt people, be a good listener. In the last few months I have noticed that I do interrupt people quite a bit. I just couldn't wait to voice my opinion about what was being talked about, what is worse, I could not seem to stop myself. So, in this last week, I stopped doing that. I learned that when you are a good listener it tells people I care about what they say and what they think.You also tend to learn more when you don't interrupt people. I also learned this type of behavior is self indulgent. Something I am going to change with the New Year.
When i went to speak I asked myself, is this a positive comment? Will it uplift the listener? Is this comment about myself? I was surprised to find out most of what I said was not a positive comment and it probably would not uplift the listener, and usually it was about a personal opinion I had. So, I decided to not say anything at all. Again, it was self indulgence which is prideful. Something I need to change.
It surprised me how much physical and mental energy I use talking. I would actually sit there and notice I was trying to think of something to say to fill quiet times. I don't know why quiet times are uncomfortable to me. I guess I unconsciously felt if it was quiet that space needed to be filled with talking, or with something. At first it was really distracting, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a few days I noticed I began to treasure the quiet time. I could sit back and reflect on the day, or, I could just enjoy doing what I was doing at the moment. I have worked so hard to simplify my life to do one job at a time and do it well. It never dawned on me to simplify my speech, I have found a new love in simplifying my speech.
I stopped giving helpful hints around the house. It amazed me how many times I wanted to give a helpful hint on a project my husband was doing. I realized most of what he does I don't have the skill to do, or the desire to learn - but, before this week, I was always there to gently guide him. I learned not only does he not need my guidance, but he probably welcomed the reprieve he got from my constant "You should" or "maybe this will help you". He did fine without my help.
The most surprising thing that happened was I felt a sense of peace within me. I learned that my speech can turn into my thoughts, and my thoughts can turn into my speech. I learned I can teach people through my actions, I don't need to verbally tell people what I am doing. They can see it. I have always thought that if you do Good Works people will learn from that. You don't need to tell them, you just need to show them.
I still have a long way to go on this. From now on before I speak, I will ask myself. Am I being a good listener? Is what I am about to say uplifting and positive? If the answer is no, I think I will just enjoy the quiet time and no doubt, the listener will too.
This past week I have been putting this into practice. Here are some of the things I have learned:
Do not interrupt people, be a good listener. In the last few months I have noticed that I do interrupt people quite a bit. I just couldn't wait to voice my opinion about what was being talked about, what is worse, I could not seem to stop myself. So, in this last week, I stopped doing that. I learned that when you are a good listener it tells people I care about what they say and what they think.You also tend to learn more when you don't interrupt people. I also learned this type of behavior is self indulgent. Something I am going to change with the New Year.
When i went to speak I asked myself, is this a positive comment? Will it uplift the listener? Is this comment about myself? I was surprised to find out most of what I said was not a positive comment and it probably would not uplift the listener, and usually it was about a personal opinion I had. So, I decided to not say anything at all. Again, it was self indulgence which is prideful. Something I need to change.
It surprised me how much physical and mental energy I use talking. I would actually sit there and notice I was trying to think of something to say to fill quiet times. I don't know why quiet times are uncomfortable to me. I guess I unconsciously felt if it was quiet that space needed to be filled with talking, or with something. At first it was really distracting, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a few days I noticed I began to treasure the quiet time. I could sit back and reflect on the day, or, I could just enjoy doing what I was doing at the moment. I have worked so hard to simplify my life to do one job at a time and do it well. It never dawned on me to simplify my speech, I have found a new love in simplifying my speech.
I stopped giving helpful hints around the house. It amazed me how many times I wanted to give a helpful hint on a project my husband was doing. I realized most of what he does I don't have the skill to do, or the desire to learn - but, before this week, I was always there to gently guide him. I learned not only does he not need my guidance, but he probably welcomed the reprieve he got from my constant "You should" or "maybe this will help you". He did fine without my help.
The most surprising thing that happened was I felt a sense of peace within me. I learned that my speech can turn into my thoughts, and my thoughts can turn into my speech. I learned I can teach people through my actions, I don't need to verbally tell people what I am doing. They can see it. I have always thought that if you do Good Works people will learn from that. You don't need to tell them, you just need to show them.
I still have a long way to go on this. From now on before I speak, I will ask myself. Am I being a good listener? Is what I am about to say uplifting and positive? If the answer is no, I think I will just enjoy the quiet time and no doubt, the listener will too.
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