tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74890076987983248072024-03-21T19:27:13.415-04:00Mrs. Redd's KitchenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-71803429554004407972017-11-07T06:47:00.001-05:002017-11-07T06:49:05.242-05:00Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread<p dir="ltr">I'm going try to be more "daily" about this!<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Christ was called a glutton for eating and drinking though it is necessary to life. How much moreso will we be slandered in ALL things we do! Why then, do we concern ourselves with the mutterings of those who are blind and deaf to scripture? How did Christ respond to these situations? I hold the remote-and it has a mute button.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6UIHmrcDJkk7rWJpIucCvA34rXzkojj1kGRF9XinvcisEh47t756j93FEjLXsFcniCy4Fj7m8TR_dTHmrPDjah31IQlV9i8KlhL5JDS_C5K1IC7jrK-fDIKzaCrv7oknKaCoUumOwHQ/s1600/Quotes_Creator_20171107_060738.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6UIHmrcDJkk7rWJpIucCvA34rXzkojj1kGRF9XinvcisEh47t756j93FEjLXsFcniCy4Fj7m8TR_dTHmrPDjah31IQlV9i8KlhL5JDS_C5K1IC7jrK-fDIKzaCrv7oknKaCoUumOwHQ/s640/Quotes_Creator_20171107_060738.png"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-12742271930808636582017-11-03T06:53:00.001-04:002017-11-03T06:53:16.430-04:00Daily Diffusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2uXu0CWf9Ac9DaC_Q7mVqoAhBFM85O9rcHmc7uN9cq12rd3fIfFaXzm3AX6OAcDLzbt0UiATJOag7NORJ-g1SaSbEs1xkCX8OCfyKJJz9skFxwuODjF5oo5C8B_jXZfzheW63GShiFI/s1600/IMG_20171103_054325_190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2uXu0CWf9Ac9DaC_Q7mVqoAhBFM85O9rcHmc7uN9cq12rd3fIfFaXzm3AX6OAcDLzbt0UiATJOag7NORJ-g1SaSbEs1xkCX8OCfyKJJz9skFxwuODjF5oo5C8B_jXZfzheW63GShiFI/s640/IMG_20171103_054325_190.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-19950099077930620902017-11-03T06:23:00.001-04:002017-11-03T06:24:20.343-04:00Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J-RXjILXZ0hykM72NQ7_EnhB-jlX-3eF_dc86DoqSvpO6HHr9SL8gGQvRELLwGiUSePdqEyCZeXMcN_9pUCdM5kyZ8PHHL9_DgOJjTkAiq3lpXuUy-cnmZY_xUogWBKCbUY4-p5Fmlw/s1600/Quotes_Creator_20171103_060951.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J-RXjILXZ0hykM72NQ7_EnhB-jlX-3eF_dc86DoqSvpO6HHr9SL8gGQvRELLwGiUSePdqEyCZeXMcN_9pUCdM5kyZ8PHHL9_DgOJjTkAiq3lpXuUy-cnmZY_xUogWBKCbUY4-p5Fmlw/s640/Quotes_Creator_20171103_060951.png"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-28982085058313569972017-10-10T12:40:00.000-04:002017-10-10T12:40:22.830-04:00 Blessed & Blissful: A New Kitchen Creed<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This plate hangs over a perpetual pile of dirty dishes in the same kitchen I grew up in. Decades have passed, and it is among the few relics left of a bygone era. I've never really paid much attention to it. I'd just clean it and move it once in awhile. On the way back from the coffee pot, I stopped and read it. Then I cried.</span></div>
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<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
“Bless my little kitchen, Lord, I love its every nook.”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was shamed from the first line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of a time when we were homeless –
no kitchen at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another kitchen
that was so small only one person could be in it at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a beautiful, spacious country
kitchen that was lost to foolishness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To love is to commit, and I am not committed to my
kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hardly in there, and when I
am I feel anything but love for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
critical of its condition, disheartened by our inability to get the necessary
renovations done, and anxious when funds and food are running low.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ouch.</span></i></div>
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“And bless me as I do my work, wash pots and pans and cook.”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I work full time now, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I often think, </span></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
If only…<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I got up earlier and stayed up later to clean, work on it, etc....<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I worked harder to make more money to cover the cost of the
renovations…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I could cut our expenses a little more…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I realized that my work is not in
my kitchen right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working <strong>for</strong><em> </em>my kitchen – my employment will see
me through the payoff of this house and fund the repairs in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dP39aXlEGWhIyyeZmmfFBZdFUtx6A7M_by4q2YlGjltW1Cfb8Y6sNAQdB5Tn1S0-3BNevMqpKsdhNtmsekNQNMzcTnPqy5Euq7Av1C5tHyqCDMYQ8QXbf3RU9ANyUI08MRujHaXxnQ8/s1600/IMG_20171008_070743_738%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="675" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dP39aXlEGWhIyyeZmmfFBZdFUtx6A7M_by4q2YlGjltW1Cfb8Y6sNAQdB5Tn1S0-3BNevMqpKsdhNtmsekNQNMzcTnPqy5Euq7Av1C5tHyqCDMYQ8QXbf3RU9ANyUI08MRujHaXxnQ8/s200/IMG_20171008_070743_738%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another relic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
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<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“May the meals that I prepare, be seasoned from above.”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t do a lot of cooking since I’m not home. I do,
however, stock the shelves and prepare the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two tasks in themselves are tiresome
and frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are low on
funds and food though, I am thankful when provision comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I went to the store with a sense of
gratitude <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every time?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I took better care of God’s
provision: less waste, a better plan for menus, gardening, and food preservation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I spent the energy it takes to be
stressed and discouraged on planning instead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our health and home is suffering because of
my ingratitude and selfishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>What was
that about a foolish woman plucking down her house with her own hands?</em></span></span></span></div>
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<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“With thy blessing and thy grace, but most of all thy love.”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My baby Grace…my blessing (one of them) from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the one who feeds the hungry in our
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the light of our kitchen –
the kitchen I am ashamed of and have neglected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace faithfully cooks our meals, cleans the kitchen, and teaches the
younger ones to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will
have no trouble taking care of herself someday – a day that is far too
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>How will she see her future kitchen?</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“As we partake of earthly food, the table Thou hast spread,”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been feeding my family preservatives, chemicals, dyes,
hormones, bacteria-feeding sugar, and ingredients that I can’t spell or pronounce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>What. Am. I. Thinking??<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“We’ll not forget to thank Thee Lord, for all our daily bread.”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I guess It’s not truly gratitude to thank Him for our provision then
use it to purchase health problems and complain about the means of acquiring
it, is it?</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Humble pie, anyone?</span></i></div>
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<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“So bless my little kitchen, Lord, and those who enter in,”<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Please do so, Lord, despite my foolishness…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
“May they find naught but joy and peace, and happiness therein.”</h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I want a kitchen that brings nourishment and joy to all it
serves inside its walls – and out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
doesn’t have to be magazine ready to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It needs my attitude to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p>My new Kitchen Creed:</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to my kitchen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Humble it may be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But nourishment and joy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will everyone receive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My kitchen,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is truly blessed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I hope that you will see,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What makes it </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A blissful place to be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is you, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My guest, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the Joy that is within me.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p></i> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-37747925588863813092013-08-31T16:58:00.000-04:002013-08-31T17:01:43.348-04:00Helping With The Harvest<h2>
Home Ec</h2>
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If you are familiar with the schedule over at <a href="http://www.mrsreddsclassroom.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Redd's Classroom</a>, you know that Saturdays are dedicated to Home Ec and organization projects around the homestead. This week's Home Ec is participating in the harvest and preservation of our garden goodies.</div>
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<h2>
Puddin' n' Peanut Preppin' Peaches</h2>
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The girls were a big help during this all day task! They learned about blanching, discoloration, making syrup, and the whole process in general. I'm sure the free access to fresh, delicious peaches had something to do with their eagerness! </div>
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<h2>
Peaches and Tomatoes</h2>
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We traded some of our peaches with the neighbors for those bright red tomatoes. It was worth it! </div>
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After trading and eating approximately a bushel of peaches, we ended up with around a gallon and a half in the freezer. We weren't sure we would get any by the looks of our poor peach tree this year. I'm pretty sure I heard a sigh of relief when we relieved it's branches of the weight!</div>
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<h2>
Funky Tomatoes</h2>
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Not sure why, but we grew some wacky shaped tomatoes. I had to snap a picture of the heart shaped slice, especially since fried green tomatoes are a favorite for all of us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspZSAgCaWZYXT-Y96DQ-ZQN_st6sJJ6cxEjS_LCvWobRcbuVMV-B6eCgekKaqvmsRl4tFkyjZYOrnikx5x1AJErQYPBiL4bqNhDeC2utt5WPd7xCTI67LwiPHpA7p4K3HDIJY3FujgLQ/s1600/IMG_0078%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspZSAgCaWZYXT-Y96DQ-ZQN_st6sJJ6cxEjS_LCvWobRcbuVMV-B6eCgekKaqvmsRl4tFkyjZYOrnikx5x1AJErQYPBiL4bqNhDeC2utt5WPd7xCTI67LwiPHpA7p4K3HDIJY3FujgLQ/s320/IMG_0078%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The basket in front of the window is full of apples the girls have been gathering. The basket on the table is full of tomatoes, mostly green. We have been blessed with red ripe tomatoes from our neighbor so I'm freezing green tomatoes to have this winter. (If they last that long!)<br />
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And this one is just funny...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORAREH00IeiD9VRJT4QC6s0_HAtE47ozI99BG3KwrHpSoPdHD0OCL6fOyUawuxeSeWjyyckrzuGObeELOKMJvAi-_Ck2pcCEdtcBamMEfSVWnywEsMbJwLIpqRZQkuKPmJsQGUEHcRQY/s1600/IMG_0084%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORAREH00IeiD9VRJT4QC6s0_HAtE47ozI99BG3KwrHpSoPdHD0OCL6fOyUawuxeSeWjyyckrzuGObeELOKMJvAi-_Ck2pcCEdtcBamMEfSVWnywEsMbJwLIpqRZQkuKPmJsQGUEHcRQY/s320/IMG_0084%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Aw, Shucks!</h2>
<span style="text-align: center;">Here's Peanut shuckin' sweet corn. </span><br />
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A Family Affair</h2>
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If you visit often, you will find that we learn together. This is the first year we have had a garden and really followed through. We have all learned quite a bit, and next year we will apply those lessons. </div>
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Let's Chat</h2>
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How did your garden grow this year?</div>
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Happy Homesteading!</div>
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Mrs. Redd</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-2866023889601729172013-08-24T23:14:00.000-04:002013-08-24T23:25:25.586-04:00Under Construction<h2>
Staying Afloat</h2>
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Wow! This past two weeks have been a <i>trial.</i> BUT I am overcoming. With the <a href="http://mrsreddsclassroom.blogspot.com/2013/08/mastery-teaching-simplified.html">How Do I Teach For Mastery</a> blog series out of the way over at <a href="http://mrsreddsclassroom.blogspot.com/p/my-education-manifesto.html">Mrs. Redd's Classroom</a>, I am going to tear into the homestead this week. Specifically, our temporary work space.<br />
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Under Water</h2>
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Our kitchen flooded. Fortunately it wasn't a complete disaster, but trouble enough for sure! We almost lost our fridge and deep freeze.<br />
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Getting Organized</h2>
I've been organizing my blogs too. I've got a schedule penciled out for this one that looks like this:<br />
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<li>Monday - Cooking</li>
<li>Tuesday - Cleaning</li>
<li>Wednesday - Kids in the Kitchen</li>
<li>Thursday - Gardening</li>
<li>Friday - Decorating</li>
<li>Saturday - Organization</li>
<li>Sunday - Inspiration </li>
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Stayed Tuned</h2>
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I'm cooking up some delicious content so don't be a stranger to my kitchen!</div>
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Mrs. Redd<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-83130577661030752092013-08-03T12:22:00.001-04:002013-08-03T12:22:43.206-04:00Confessions of a Cluttered Kitchen: Admitting My Faults<h2>
Hello, My Name Is Rachael And I Am...</h2>
Impatient. A workaholic. Unrealistic.<br />
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The Proof</h2>
I simply cannot justify nor can I accept that the house is going to be messy <i>just </i>because I have a (deserving) husband to dote on, 3 homeschooled children, an ailing mother to care for, an income to build from scratch, a garden to tend, and we just merged two households.<br />
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There is also absolutely no reason why I cannot get up at 4 AM <i>every</i> day so that I can get more work done. It is a matter of choice.<br />
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The kids should be as fast and efficient as I am at chores even though they have less than half the experience. I have taught them all they need to know to accomplish this.<br />
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The Results</h2>
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Stress. Disappointment. Frustration. Strained relationships. Fatigue. </div>
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What Works, What Doesn't</h2>
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I happily stopped detailed <a href="http://mrsreddskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/confessions-of-cluttered-kitchen-peer.html">menu planning</a> because it wasn't working. That was easy. <i>Obviously, s</i>ome other things need to change. Ahem...<i style="font-weight: bold;">I</i>...need to change. </div>
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Homestead Hang-Ups</h2>
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Much more complicated is the task of changing one's habits and perspectives. Which </div>
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is why I will be breaking all this changing down into blog segments called <b>Homestead Hang-Ups.</b></div>
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I have dedicated August to figuring out what works and what doesn't around here, and to finding solutions.</div>
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Feel free to leave some advice. I <i>know</i> I'm not alone ;)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-90056810820922273702013-07-28T20:04:00.000-04:002013-07-28T20:05:20.147-04:00Lesson #2: No More Wasted Time<h2>
Wasted Time</h2>
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I struggle to think of anything that irritates me more than knowing that I have wasted time. In <a href="http://mrsreddskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/confessions-of-cluttered-kitchen-peer.html">Confession #2: Peer Pressure</a>, I shared that I experimented with menu planning because "everyone is doing it." Well, I'm sorry I did because it was wasted time<b> </b>and a <b>lot</b> of extra work. Not saying <i>you </i>shouldn't - that would be peer pressure ;)</div>
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Problem Solved</h2>
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Instead of spending all afternoon on a menu I may or may not abide by or even look at, here's what I used that time for:</div>
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<li>Cleaned out the refrigerator</li>
<li>Took grocery inventory</li>
<li>Got dinner done early</li>
<li>The kitchen is clean and ready for in the morning</li>
<li>Wrote this post</li>
<li>Made a rough schedule for the week</li>
<li>Spent quality home ec time with the girls</li>
<li>Did an extra load of laundry</li>
<li>Cleaned the bathroom</li>
<li>Worked on homeschool plans</li>
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I think there were a couple other things, but you get the idea. I got rid of <i>one</i> thing that was wasting my time and I cut loose on other more productive things.</div>
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What are some things that aren't working for you? </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-59167738264489491992013-07-21T18:09:00.000-04:002013-07-21T18:09:32.323-04:00Confessions of a Cluttered Kitchen: Peer Pressure<h2>
Confession #2: Everybody's Doing It</h2>
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In my quest to conquer the kitchen, I found myself in need of inspiration. I've been perusing blogs of moms who have it together, and soaking up good ideas from Country Living and Better Homes and Gardens. </div>
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I can't get enough of the great design ideas in the magazines. They spark creativity and motivate me. But if I read one more post about menu planning...</div>
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I have good intentions when it comes to meal planning: every week I spend hours trying to piece together a menu of tasty dishes for the least amount of money. Then I don't follow through. Sometimes on purpose.</div>
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The Problem</h3>
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I've given myself <i>another </i>time consuming<i> </i>task to procrastinate on, and I feel like in order to run a successful kitchen I <i>must</i> have a menu plan-because that's how all successful moms do it, isn't it? </div>
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The Lesson</h3>
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I need to face what <b>isn't</b> working, and m<i>enu planning doesn't work for me.</i><br />
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The Solution </h3>
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<li>86 the menu plan and all it's time and space consumption.</li>
<li>Return to my trusty method of purchasing ingredients and cooking creatively</li>
<li>Find a productive use for this freed up time</li>
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There is a lot of great advice out there, and trying new methods is great. I let peer pressure cause me to doubt my instincts though: my original way of feeding us and minimizing the grocery bill worked for us. I had no reason to change it. </div>
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Is there something about your home management plan that differs from the majority or what the experts think? Tell me about it!<br />
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Mrs. Redd<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-60761038191171204342013-07-16T06:35:00.000-04:002013-07-16T06:35:06.177-04:00Lesson #1: The Way to a Kitchen's Heart is Through Your Stomach<br />
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Needs Vs. Wants</h2>
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In <a href="http://mrsreddskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/confessions-of-cluttered-kitchen.html">Confession #1</a>, I realized I needed to change my perspective to look at my cluttered kitchen as a learning opportunity. I'm starting with a review of needs and wants with the kids, then we will get specific and apply it.</div>
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This is what we need in our kitchen:</h3>
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<li>More of what we <b>need</b> to eat and less of what we don't (quality and quantity)</li>
<li>Organization & functionality</li>
<li>Teamwork</li>
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Tummy Troubles</h2>
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Instead of the kitchen being a source of comfort and nourishment, ours is causing indigestion. <span style="text-align: justify;">I feel like there should be a big OUT OF ORDER sign stuck to the kitchen doorway right now. </span></div>
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I never said seeing this as an opportunity was going to be <i>easy.</i></div>
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To be continued...</div>
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Mrs. Redd</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-33618094228520932912013-07-13T11:15:00.000-04:002013-07-13T11:15:59.580-04:00Confessions of a Cluttered Kitchen<h2>
Confession #1: The Dark Side</h2>
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I'm normally an optimistic person, but housework brings out the worst in me. Disorganization drives me <i>batty. </i></div>
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Right now, my kitchen (and the rest of the homestead) is in complete disarray. Previous moves were into empty homes where the task was simple: fill the place with our stuff and organize it how I want. This time, it's our household on top of my mother's lifetime of accumulations.</div>
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Last night while planning for today, I decided my goal for this week was to get the kitchen under control. I made a list of annoyances and promised myself I would have them all checked off by Sunday next. </div>
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<b>The Problem</b></h3>
My list is everything that is <b>wrong</b> with my kitchen. When I pulled out my list this morning, I recoiled and immediately went into procrastination mode-putting off the ugliest tasks until later in the week. My post-coffee motivation and excitement for the beautiful day had vanished.<br />
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<b>The Lesson </b></h3>
Last night I was being ungrateful. This morning, that ungratefulness sprouted into procrastination. What I have ended up with is a recipe for a bitter end to our week: a stressed out mama and wife, unhappy kids and husband, and a goal not met. <br />
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The Solution</h3>
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<li>Scratch the Irritations List. Make an <b>Opportunity List</b>. (What does my kitchen have to offer?)</li>
<li>This is a Home Ec project I can include my daughters in. Looking at things as a learning opportunity for the kids is like putting on a pair of rose colored glasses for me.</li>
<li>Remember the <b>why. </b>My greater purpose<b> </b>behind it all is to create a better life for everyone involved.</li>
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In other words, I need to look at the bright side.</div>
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Do you have a confession to make about your homesteading journey? It's your turn to share!</div>
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Happy Homesteading!</div>
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Mrs. Redd</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489007698798324807.post-73197218570652929542013-07-11T11:34:00.002-04:002013-07-11T11:34:32.134-04:00Welcome to My Kitchen!I've <i>finally</i> got a kitchen of my own. It's mine. I can do with it what I please, and I finally have that settled feeling knowing I'm planted. <br />
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Speaking of planted, this is also our first REAL garden. We have made attempts in the past, but never had a garden to speak of. We are learning, for sure, but we have already harvested a few green beans and nothing has died on us yet. <br />
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After I put away that first mess of green beans, I was so excited I kept opening the freezer to look at my first bit of homegrown bounty. I can only imagine what it will be like to see the freezers and cupboards full of the food we raised, but it is a wonderful feeling. It's <b><i>freedom.</i></b><br />
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But I don't just <i>own</i> this kitchen. It is part of me. It sits in the house I grew up in, and looks out over the garden my father planted. It is the kitchen he baked all my birthday cakes in.<br />
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Now my father's homestead will be part of his grandchildren's heritage. <br />
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Welcome to my kitchen! It needs a little work so excuse the mess. I'd love to hear about your kitchen, so please share!<br />
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May your cupboards always be full and meals never burnt!<br />
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Mrs. Redd<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742490646286674563noreply@blogger.com0