Chicken Stew

One of my families favorite winter meals. It's filling, tasty and creamy.

2-3 chicken breasts or whole chicken

5 large carrots

1 bunch of celery

1 lrg onion

2 tsp. poultry or thyme seasoning

Salt to taste

1 batch favorite biscuit recipe

8 ish cups of water

Put chicken and 8 cups water in crockpot in low esrly in the morning. 

After lunch, debone chicken if using whole. Chop vegetables and add to crockpot with poultry seasoning and salt.

1.5 hours before dinner time shred chicken and make batch of biscuits. We use Betty Crocker and substitute with organic whole wheat flour and organic coconut oil. 

Roll biscuit dough to about 1/8" cut into small squares. Put in crockpot with other food, adding more water if needed. Let finish cooking for about 1 hr. The longer it sits, the creamier and thicker it will be.

We didn't have celery this time so I used peas! You can add any hearty favorite veggie you want :) the day after is always my favorite, richer flavor and texture!

Updates on the latest adventures!

Where have I been? you might ask... Well I will tell you - in a 5th wheel trailer with 4 kids and a husband! That combination might make anyone disappear for a while.... however that isn't why I have been amiss!

These last 9 months have been quite the adventure for my family, always on the edge of something happening and then taking a turn in another direction.

We have gone through everything to build a house except the actual building part, almost bought 2 other houses and moved ourselves and our animals :)

It always interests me to see how God moves people and teaches them We would get to the brink of closing a process to have something happen that would make it not work. And in the end, we are so very grateful it didn't work out!

In between all of this, I have been canning, hunting and working on our family's preparedness for the winter and storage! Along with home school with the kids :)

So what we are doing now -

My husband works for the State, and at one of their barns they have living quarters for employees. These living quarters consist of trailer hookups and a pretty sweet car port (anything to cover my vehicle is a good deal because we haven't had anything like that the past 3.5 years!)

So we found a repo'ed manufactured home for a great price. It has new carpet, paint and appliances! They are actually setting it as I type this and we will be moved in at the end of the month! YAY!

So now that my time isn't consumed with paperwork and trying to figure out a permanent situation for my family, I can have a greater focus on serving you. And you and you and you :)

 Here is the new home!

So as we move on, YOU get to look forward to - 

• family prepardness ideas and doings
• home-school  - what works and doesn't and super resources!
• yumtastic new recipes and twists to old ones
• self care - turning it up a notch!
• full on MOM support
• filling your bucket so you can fill theirs
• FRanching lifestyle perks
• and any other crazy thing I feel like sharing with you!

Are you willing to be a turtle?

When we think of turtles and tortoises, we think of slow moving, not anything special about them, creatures.

However, there is much to learn from them. Remember the tortoise and the hare story we all heard growing up? Slow and steady wins the race!

Have you ever watched a turtle? They keep going and going until they have accomplished what they set out to do. It takes a lot of patience, but I believe more perseverance.

 
The turtle off of Kung Fu Panda, Master Oogway, is probably my most favorite character - besides reminding me of a very cute old man, he is very wise. My favorite quote is "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." That has SO much truth to it.

So he's not a REAL turtle, but what I am sharing is about a real turtle. Lots of them... in fact all of them. And it's about you and me.


I think we get caught up in the social norm in life. What is expected; how we are to act, to dress, to talk, what we are to listen to, what we are supposed to be as a wife, a mom, a daughter. We get lost in what society expects of us, we end up getting lost and lose who we really are and what we are meant to do in our time on this earth. Then we are STUCK. Stuck in the crud that is not us, that does not serve us, is not why we are here.

Behold the turtle: He only makes progress when

 he sticks his neck out. - James Conant

What does this mean to you?

It takes courage to be that turtle. To stick his neck out so that he can fulfill his purpose and be himself, instead of just a shell. (he he yes pun intended!!)

What will it take for you to step out of social norm, to ground yourself to your true self? To be who you were meant to be? To stick your neck out and go somewhere unexpected, to happen to life instead of it happening to you?

So go ahead, answer that question, are YOU willing to be a turtle?

To learn more about how you can connect to your inner self, visit here -Turtle

Ye Shall Not Fear!

There is a virus going around that is getting quite a bit of attention. If you are not prepared, it could be scary. Here are my recommendations for you and your family to stay happy and healthy this winter -

Wellness for Kids & Elderly, daily on the bottom of the feet as a preventative to strengthen they immune system. If the child is to young for Wellness for Kids & Elderly use Ravensara.
Add Protector to all cleaning products to kill viruses.
Add Protector to mister bottle to spray hands and wipe down surfaces before touching.

In the event of an illness-
Pediatric Med Square Synergy Blend, 4-PD, 10. This blend is considered to be "Tri Remedy" for children.
Breathe to use in a diffuser as it aggressively affects the respiratory system.
Ravensara and Grape Seed Oil.

These simple things will save you time, money as well as give you peace of mind.

You can get all of these HERE by creating your FREE wholesale account.

Influential Books/Resources for Family Life and Life Education

I sent this email to the group of homeschoolers I am a part of , and thought I would share with you too. Following are the top 3 resources that have been the most influential in our family life and life education. These are what we refer to when we are facing challenges as a family, seeking understanding and clarity on the best way to work with each other. To stay grounded in the path we choose in life, and to be honest, the resources that have given us the best relationships and family life!

For us, the Scriptures is our number one. They hold so much truth and are a great handbook for parenting and helping your child received their education. We use the Book of Mormon in conjunction with the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. They all compliment and support each other and gives our family a strong foundation in Christ.

Second to the scriptures is the Thomas Jefferson education series and all they offer through webinars,

​

​ seminars and their website.​  The "method" is based off of the natural phases of learning that occurs when we allow our children to progress at their own pace, rather than trying to keep them up with what everyone else says they should be doing. Based off of the way our Founding Fathers received their education.  It's all about "Inspire, not Require" It is a method that can be used with any "curriculum" you might be using, because it's focus is more of helping you create a family lifestyle or culture that focuses on creating Leaders. Helping your family members identify and then pursue their life mission and purpose. Here's their website to learn more - http://www.tjed.org/

Third is a book called The Child Whisperer. It's focus is about learning who your children are naturally instead of what circumstances might program them to be, and then supporting them in that. It makes such a huge difference having  such an in depth look into how my children think, why they choose things they do, how they connect to their world around them and how to support what I might deem as a weakness as their strength. It has been very profound in our relationship as a family. Here is a link to it -http://thechildwhisperer.com/

If you have anything you would like to share with me, I would LOVE to know!

The American Creed

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

– William Tyler Page 

Written 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918.

Want something to do for your country? Join us here - https://m.facebook.com/events/261113087409192

Diamond Journaling

Do you have a purpose on life? What are you doing about it? If you were to continue on the path you are on right now, do you think you would fulfill that purpose? 

We all have a life mission, something we were specifically given to benefit the lives of others and contribute to something greater than us all and the world as we know it. Do you know what yours is?

This is something I often reflect on for myself. I feel I know a portion of my mission, I don't know that I quite understand it completely, but I have begun doing something that is helping me clarify and receive direction.

Stephen Covey, and others, talk about having a mission statement. Something that summarizes who you desire to be and what you contribute to life. 

For a few months I have been doing a journaling that I call diamond journaling. I was writing down what it meant to me to reach the rank of diamond in my company, Green Organics. This ranged from helping in our family finances to being a measuring stick of all the wonderful relationships I have created and the lives I have been guided to touch and assist in making a difference.

I have combined these two things and now journal every week about my mission statement that I have created. It has been a very empowering thing, and I have learned much. It is amazing what can be said or written when you allow your thoughts to flow and your pen to write. 

I encourage you to prayerfully seek, if you haven't already, what your purpose or mission is in this life. What are you specifically meant to do and be here? And more importantly, are you going to follow through to do your best to fulfill that?

Kerissa Taylor,

the HomeMade MOM

Take a minute...... that is all.

We as women have many talents and abilities. We are capable of doing so much on a daily basis. Have you ever sat down and thought about all the things you do as a woman, mom and wife? There have been many people who have done math to show how much mom's are worth in the workforce today with all that they do and I recently watched a video on a fake job position that a few people applied for and were abhorred by the requirements only to find out that the job being described was that of being a mom.

Yes we have lots we do, are in charge of, and even more so put on our plates. I believe we by nature, love to be busy. Always moving, working on something, baking, crafts, learning, wiping noses...... on and on. Making sure everyones needs are met. Most everyone's.......

I usually take the stance of taking care of ourselves so that we are fully available to take care of those we love, our responsibilities and serving others. And I still 100% believe that.

There is one other person who needs us more than we think, and often more than the time we give them.

Our husbands.

Take a minute today to stop all your busy mom/woman doings and give your husband a hug and ask him what is on his mind.

I just did, and it is my most satisfying accomplishment of my day.

Love you babe.

Day 1......

Core phase... A time of play, childlike imagination and no set schedule..... Something this type 2, who has had a very structured conveyor belt type mentality is not totally sure hoe to approach. And that's just the thing, due to the nature of this phase, there isn't a way that someone could tell me how exactly to do it. I am learning to be a leader, not a follower, therefore I create my own path. Today has been a struggle. It is day 1 by myself. I did well this morning, however this afternoon has proven to be my challenge. Kids were arguing, interrupting a business meeting and baby wouldn't sleep. I lost control.... So I bossed them, vented frustration and gave myself a headache.

Sometimes I don't know how to effectively communicate to all of them at the same time. I do good one on one...... 

Here's to another step on the journey and becoming an effective person myself  :)

Date night.... Core style

So part of my homework in core phase is to have fun, do what I want when I want... And to play!!  So instead of the same old eat out for date night, hubby and I bought Scrabble, some ice cream and Dr. Pepper. This was one if the funniest dates in a whole :) We were a bit creative, bending the rules just a little bit - by going backwards and upwards.... And we had lots if dictionary and unscramble help. Either way we used all the tiles and had many more giggles. We learned and we laughed. That's what it's about!

Starting Over

In the beginning there was a woman who thought she knew who she was, until she asked God to show her. 

She soon came to realize she knew nothing of herself; how to be a mom, wife, sister and daughter. This is where God said I will mold you into who I want and need you to be, so you can do my work. She responded, yes Lord. 

He then asked her what it was she wanted to learn first. She said charity and how to embrace joy and pleasure in every aspect. Then He told her, your dream is my gift to you.

I am that woman, I am on that journey. He has brought me back to the beginning. The beginning of me, life and where I belong. Which is beyond where I fit.

 This journey begins here, now, and is called the Core Phase. This is a time of play, learning right from wrong, learning the LOVE of work and developing relationships. It feels I may be here for some time.