April 12, 2010
Prairie Talk - April 12, 2010
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February 26, 2010
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Old Fashioned Living in a Modern World
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Dear Connie,
Some weeks it seems that there is not enough of me to go around. Do you ever have weeks like that? I am learning to see these weeks as opportunities for God to work in amazing ways. When I openly acknowledge that I am totally incompetent and dependent on Him, He is able to take over and accomplish great things - things that I could never do on my own. The hymn we sang yesterday during the prayer meeting has replayed itself in my heart and mind - "Perfect submission, all is at rest. I in my Savior am happy and blest . . . This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long." I am not there, but it is a worthwhile goal. Have a blessed week!
Connie
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| Here is what's new at ThePrairieMom.com . . . . |
My traditional cooking pages have been re-vamped (is that really a word?) over the past weeks. You will now find a blog page where all the entries are. I am still working on the web pages so that the recipes will be listed there in an easy to read and print format, organized in such a way as to make them easy to adopt into your kitchen routine. I have added lots about traditional cooking and some great recipes, too . . .
Our Favorite Pancake - These are a soaked grain pancake that is hearty and delicious. You can also add fresh/frozen blueberries to the batter for a very nice blueberry pancake. We have these almost every Saturday morning. I hope you enjoy them, too.
Basic Soaked Oats (Stovetop and Crockpot) - Oatmeal is probably the most common hot breakfast cereal. This post covers how to easily make this great breakfast even more nutritious by soaking your oats first.
Making Real Foods a Reality - Most people have the idea that traditional, real foods are very time consuming. It does require time, but more importantly it requires committment and a plan. For me, I have to keep it simple - very simple!!! The key is repetition and routine. I’m going to share my plan for meal prep. . .
Mexican Mix-Up - One of my favorite real food “recipes” is not really a recipe at all – it is a formula. By using a formula instead of a recipe, you can use what you have on hand to create delicious, nutritious meals for your family with little cost and little time. Here is a Mexican Mix-Up formula for you to try some time . . . no matter how we make it, it always comes out delicious.
Too Good to be Healthy Peanut Butter Cups - This recipe is not my own, but I'm going to write it here as I make it. You have got to try these candies. They are soooooo good. We just made them and the kids already want more. Without further delay . . .
Fast Fajitas - How do you eat healthy when life is busy and things get just a bit hectic? Well, you have to make it a priority and you have to think ahead. But a collection of quick and healthy recipes - like these fajitas - make easy work of eating healthy.
Sausage, Eggs, and Biscuits - I am so excited to finally be able to add these recipes. The home-made sausage and eggs could have been added weeks ago, but a healthy biscuit has long eluded me (I wanted one that was close to as good as my dad's). Finally . . . . BISCUIT SUCCESS!!! . . .
We are working on a new habit in our home. I will be posting part 3 later this week, but you can start a new habit today. The free book is still available for download. Be sure to leave a comment, I have an e-book to give away.
We have been busy with 4-H projects over the last few weeks - sewing and photography as well as shooting sports. I have added some of the kids photos that they entered in the county photography competition. I'll add pictures of their sewing projects soon.
One of the first things to go when life gets busy is time for me to read . . . I have read a book, but haven't had time to write a review. It is a good book - a modern book about modern people - not my usual read, but I was given this book for my birthday and it was excellent. I'll write a review soon, but the title is Same Kind of Different as Me. Grab your Kleen-ex and set aside several hours . . . because you won't be able to put it down.
Nothing new here - We are starting our garden - hoping that the last freeze has come and gone. I'll tell you all about it in the weeks to come. If you haven't started one, it is not to late. And backyard gardens can produce a LOT of produce. You can do it!!
Most of my Bible Study time the pasts weeks was spent preparing for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) presentations. I had a wonderful morning at Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock and at First Baptist Church in Lubbock. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with your ladies! They are a wonderful group. Here are my notes from one of those presentations about "relating to your child": . . . I'll try to post the other notes next week . . .
We are also still meeting for prayer each morning at 4am. If you find yourself awake, join us in praying for our nation and those who don't know Jesus.
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Have a blessed week!!
Connie Burt
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March 6, 2010
Prairie Talk - March 6, 2010
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Dear Friends,
I hope that you have had a great week. I thank you for your patience as I have worked to resolve all of my technical dilemmas. I have a new friend at iContact who has helped me create this newsletter that will hopefully reach your in-box in a readable format. Thank you, Brian. Isn't it nice when someone goes out of their way to cheerfully help you? I am truly grateful and I am thankful to not be so burdened with a technical job that I did not enjoy. I will now be able to just write and send. Yea!!!!
It is Saturday night and I must prepare for Church tomorrow so I will close for now. Have a wonderful day of rest and a blessed week -
Connie
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| Here is what's new at ThePrairieMom.com . . . . |
Sourdough tortillas have been added to the sourdough recipe collection. These are soft and mild and easy - everything you could want in a healthy flour tortilla.
If you have started making kefir, you will want to try this ranch dressing. It is really delicious and easy and so good for you - Kefir Ranch Dressing. I have also add lots of pictures to the kefir page. If you are wondering exactly "what is kefir?", now you can see it for yourself. I have lots of grains right now. Let me know if you are interested in making your own kefir.
It's Texican Tuesday at the Burt house. (Well, it's not now, but it was when I wrote this.) I have theme nights for each night of the week to help me with menu preparation. Tuesdays are my version of Mexican food. And tonight is my favorite Tuesday night meal - Fiesta!! Some people call it Pile-On or Stack. We call it Fiesta - a party . Not only is Mexican Fiesta delicious - it is easy, too, and a great way to clean out your refrigerator.
Cookies for Breakfast? Although we call them Breakfast Cookies, they are really great for any time and an excellent way to use leftover oatmeal. The kids like them so much they are not eating their oatmeal so there will be more leftover for cookies. You'll find the recipe about halfway down the page.
A Quest for Smooth and Easy Days - Part 2: Several of you joined me last week in forming new habits in our homes. If you haven't joined in, it is not too late. Part 1 is on the same page. This week we are reading chapters 4, 5, and 6 of the free e-book, Smooth and Easy Days with Charlotte Mason. Join in and add your comment for a chance to win the e-book version of Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook. Let me know if you are working on forming new habits at your house. I would be honored to pray for you.
The book that I have chosen for this week is not a new one for me. It was like revisiting an old friend. It is probably one of my very favorite books ever. It is a wonderful story, a wealth of information, an inspiring example, and a valued reference that I open again and again. The book I speak of is The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot. It is a story - a true story - about a remarkable family and their home. It reads like a story, but the wisdom that is woven into every page will have you returning over and over as you seek to shape your own Christian family. The standards set in this book will challenge and guide you in home management, budgeting, prayer, Bible reading, parenting, sacrifice, and devotion.
We've been working outside planting and pruning fruit trees. Someday this little orchard will bless our family with fruit. At least that hope drives our actions now. How is it that we can toil away at something that we "hope" will be, when we have no assurance? Another important life lesson from the garden . . .
Making the most of our time and tasks is not all about minutes in a day and days in a year. It is not all about the things on our list of things to do. Being aware of our time and our tasks is good, but we must change our way of thinking. The moments in our day are opportunities . . .
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Have a blessed week!!
Connie Burt
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February 21, 2010
Prairie Talk - February 20, 2010
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Dear Friends,
Have you ever worked very hard on something, only to make very little progress? Or maybe you have tried to learn something new, only to be confused at each new idea? That has been my week. It has been my desire for many months to create this website. I have worked hard and tried to learn all that is needed to make this a useful tool. Yet, technology is something that I can use, but do not understand. And to accomplish this task requires some level of understanding. Please bear with me as I seek to learn and apply all that is necessary. Try to overlook imperfect formatting that you will find on my website - as that is one of my highest hurdles right now. As I work my way through some of these technical difficulties, I will be able to spend more time actually writing. I appreciate your interest and support. I will persevere.
In spite of all the frustrations, I have managed to post some things that will hopefully be of value:
Traditional Cooking - now has a step by step guide for making your own sourdough starter. It also has two recipes for sourdough bread - a yeasted sourdough recipe (great for loaf bread, rolls, or cinnamon rolls) and one that makes a delicious basic sourdough loaf bread (excellent for sandwiches and toast). I also posted 2 more breakfast recipes - Banana Muffins and Cranberry Nut Muffins - both made with soaked flour. They are easy, delicious, and nutritious for breakfast or snack.
Home Management - Would you like to join me on a quest for "smooth and easy days"? This is the first of a 5 week series on developing habits and character in ourselves and our children. There is a free e-book that we will read together each week. There will be Bible verses, home work, and a prize for one of you who chooses to particpate. Won't you join me? This is week one. Read more and invite your friends. The more the merrier, as we work toward smooth and easy days.
Book Review - This week I read a book called Splendor of God by Honore Willsie Morrow. It is a biography about the life of Adoniram Jusdon, basically the first foreign missionary sent from America. He went to Burma in 1813. He served 37 years, returning to America only once. In spite of personal tragedy and persecution he was faithful to his calling. It is an amazing story about a devoted man who served on Awesome God. Read more about this book and this man . . .
Bible Study - I finished my study on the life of willing sacrifice (notice that it is now "willing" sacrifice - not always cheerful sacrifice  ). I learned a lot this week - lessons that can benefit all of us as we seek to live a life of service. Next week I am studying what the Bible says about time and task management. I'll start in Ephesians 5:15-17. Study along with me.
Prayer Meeting - We are having a blessed time of prayer each morning. If you are brave enough to join us at 4am, you will be blessed also. We sing a hymn together and pray daily for our nation and those who are lost. God transcends time and space and He has faithfully allowed our hearts to join in prayer - even across the miles and through the computer. It has been a truly wonderful time of praising Him and lifting our nation to Him. There is genuine worship and I am so thankful to be able to be a part of this each morning. I invite you to join us.
Have a blessed week!!
Connie Burt
The Prairie Mom
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February 9, 2010
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