Darlene

Thank you for sharing Eliana. I'm a few hours north of you up here in the mountains. One of my daughters lives down in your area so I am quite familiar with it. It is beautiful to see the work the Lord is doing in your life through His Spirit. The "I will trust You (no matter what)" is a theme I've watched the Lord cement in many peoples lives over the past couple of years. The stories I could tell about my encounter with that T in the road where I had to make that same decision of whether I would/could, or not, are many. The rewards have been enormous, even if it sometimes took time and I'm learning that the letting go is the only thing that enables Him to do all He desires to do. Shalom.

Cat, Cat, Cat... She is the epitome of what MrsS is all about and we dearly, dearly, love her.

Curiosity is a good thing. It is sometimes a spark that will lead us through a door we would have otherwise never gone through. The load of responsibility you carry is heavy and I'm sure it often weighs heavy on your heart. Perhaps you came come to MrsS sometimes to lay those burdens down for a moment and share whatever you need to share. So many of us have carried heavy burdens too, and while the path we have taken might not be the same path as yours, it has been equally draining so we understand. We may not always have 'words of wisdom' to offer, but we can definitely listen and show that we care. You are one of the few that was here from the beginning, through all our ups and downs and I think the thing that you remember in spite of all she has been through, is that there still remains an honesty and genuineness at her core. I am praying for your mom, that the Lord's will be done, and that His peace that passes all understanding would fill not only her heart, but yours. We were never meant to walk this life on our own. Perhaps He can use MrsS to give you that 'cup of cold water' you, and all of us, sometimes need.

Many years ago, I started making lotions with lard and tallow. I gave some to my feed guy's wife and she was blown away and shared how her grandson commented to her one day as she held his hand... "Grandma, how come your hands aren't scratchy today?" She replied "because of the tallow lotion I use on them". I guess all the commercial products worked, but never really did work, whereas the lard and tallow lotions really DID heal and protected her skin. Most people would turn their nose up at a lotion made with those fats, but truth be known, they're superior in many ways.

Now that Dee, is funny. I guess it's one way of tasting the different foods from around the world and I'm all for that!

rofl I love it! Weeds! Lol

Yep, I've been canning with various methods for decades. Kraut is an easy one. Good for you on your gift though! Kraut is so healthy for digestion!

Yesssssss, Dee! A thread on beef! The Idiot has not escaped today (to my knowledge) although Idiot Jr (the idiot goat someone gave me that I never wanted, who is the one who teaches all the idiot cows how to escape) was out down in the valley earlier. I can't tell you the calls I get from neighbors, "just wanted to let you know some of your sheep, your idiot cow, your idiot jr goat are in our yard, or out on the road". It's funny, but not funny because their escaping off the property is not good nor wise. Anyway, enough about Idiot. Like you, I've done both...grassfed and corn supplemented. I used to belong to the GA Cattlemen's Association and it was funny and interesting to listen to all those old guys who had everything down to almost the exact minute from birth to slaughter. Years ago, my butcher shared with me his experience about when to have the various things processed and said something like this: "When I sit down to have a steak dinner, I don't want a puny little steak on my plate. I want a big 'ole fat steak and the only thing that will get you that is time". His point was, the XX-XX amount of raising a cow for processing as touted by the local GACA, was contrary to his personal opinion. And then there are the added health benefits of grass vs corn. There are certain nutrients found in grass fed beef that is not found in corn fed. Supposedly, they say you can feed up to 5lbs/day of corn and not negate the grass-fed benefits, but I don't know. It's alot more work for me to supplement corn the last few months anyway so I've tended to just let them be grass-fed. I don't notice anything distasteful with the grass-fed beef, although I do notice a little difference when they've been corn fed. As far as what I use from the cow...everything I legally can have. There are certain parts that supposedly the butchers can't release, at least here, but everything I can get, I take because I add it to the livestock guardian dogs we raise and breed, to supplement their diets...heart, tongue, liver, etc. They love it and it definitely adds nutrition that can't be found in a kibble. Even when stuff in the freezer gets too old for human consumption, it's given to the dogs who could care less about any freezer burn. One of the greatest advances the local processing houses have instituted over the past 10 years is to upgrade to vacuum sealed packages vs the traditional freezer wrapped meats. I had so much meat go bad by the paper method over the years, and instead, have everything vacuum sealed because it helps the meat to last longer. I also keep alllll the tallow fat from the cows. Sometimes I use it in the soaps I make, sometimes I use it in cooking. It's amazing stuff. When we process pigs, I definitely keep all the lard. Nothing can beat homemade French fries, fried in lard. Ay yi yi, just writing about it makes me want to make some. Like you, I let my kids 'grocery shop' when they visit. Especially with the prices of meat these days. It makes me very happy to be able to do things like this because all of their friends think they're very special to have access to that kind of quality of meat. They also have permission to grocery shop the canned goods, as long as they participate in that year's canning. It's only fair that they help with the hard work, to benefit from that the rest of the year.

While I believe face to face interaction is important, for various reasons and seasons that is not always possible. The internet has the potential to be, and MrsS certainly is, a place to interact with like minded people. To make friends with those we would have otherwise never met. I know some of the most cherished friendships I’ve ever made have been with some of the ladies here at MrsS. Some I’ve been blessed to meet in person, others not, but after all these years, I have a history with many (up and down, good and not always so good), but cherished and impacting nonetheless. I’m glad you’re here and we’re glad you’re here.

I'm going to lock this thread so we can all re-direct to the new Watcha Doing Today? thread pinned at the top here in the Daily Diary

Sure do!

No green here, but I do have a pot of corned beef, potatoes, carrots and eventually cabbage going on the stove. What I'm really looking forward to are the Ruben sandwiches tomorrow lol

I freeze meals once in a while, usually when I've made too much and don't feel like leftovers. It's so awesome though when I'm able to pull something from the freezer and heat it up and it's a home cooked meal with MY recipe.

I don't keep much store bought flour either since I tend to grind my own grains into flour. I don't usually freeze the store bought stuff, although that's always a good thing to do too. Dee, you need to start a "beef" thread because as I sit on the front porch, taking a break from the day, I'm watching Idiot (that's the name I gave to one steer who's destined for hamburger in a couple of weeks) strolling down the driveway, not a care in the world, going where HE wants to go, which ticks me off. Off to the kubby to herd him back to the pasture. I'll be so glad when he's gone.

I cook everything from scratch, no matter what it is so depending on the type of meal I'm making, that will dictate how much time I spend there. The Kitchen has always been my favorite room in the house and I have the equipment to back that up. As well all know, there are times when the kitchen is literally lived in...canning sessions, holidays, etc. But overall, it's the main room in my house, other than the greenroom that I spend alot of time in with work. I don't eat out much either...that sometimes feels like work too sometimes. Sometimes I'll order out and pick it up when the day has flown and I'm just not in the mood to cook. Last week I had the same thing over and over for 5 days only because I was craving it so that tends to dictate how much I cook too. One of the most beautiful things I get to observe is my girls managing their own kitchens now, cooking from scratch like I've always done, and doing a pretty darn good job at it too. I still get the texts and phone calls for "how do I make this dish you always made? or "how. come my ???doesn't turn out like yours?", but I'm sure at some point in time, they will have collected all our family receipes over time, added a few of their home and will simply fly.

I am intentionally starting a new post that I'll pin here in the Daily Diary. The original "Whatcha Doing Today" is 410 pages long and 7 years old so I thought we could start fresh. So, what am I doing today? Working (trying to), I already fed the adult dogs and pups, along with the morning bottle for the calf. I'll re-feed the pups this evening with the calf's 2nd bottle for the day. I have to take a roll of hay out to the cows, change the sheets on my bed, and finish cooking the corned beef I have simmering for St Patty's day. I also need to run to the store and get a loaf of seeded rye, if it's not already sold out. My youngest daughter is coming up for the weekend with her boyfriend so I'm going to try to get the house ready for their visit. I'm already tired just thinking about it. And THAT is a boring glimpse into my day today. It looks so simple of paper and yet never gets totally done.

You are proof positive, ANewMe, that the Lord is at work and He has a meaning and purpose for all of us here. I'm so grateful to be able to discover what some of those things are with you.

It's so awesome to see you again evensong! You're one of the original members at MrsS, even before I took her over so it's extra special to see you again I know that real life has to always take priority, and I know that you've had far more important things with your family, and I'm sure it's meant the world to them that they had you to help. But the fact remains that over the years, the several attempts to allow political discussions blew up in MrsS's face. That was due to the irresponsibility of some of the posters, and the site and many members suffered the consequences from it. So, I'll have to give a hard pass on political discussions at MrsS. It's just not going to happen. It's not what we're about and Lord knows there's a million other things we have going on in our lives that are far more important, especially when we're so busy with our families. Stay in touch and I hope you reconsider. It was such a nice and special surprise to see you post!

Hey Dee! Is there a story you'd like to share about those turkeys perched in front of you bay window? Inquiring minds want to know.

Doesn't it though? lolol I'm loving it, getting ABSOLUTELY NO work done at my job or on the farm (I work from home), because I'm having too much fun at our reunion!

Oh my gosh Cricket! It's so awesome to see you here. We won't add up the years I was MIA. All that matters is that you're here once again.

*waving* Welcome back!!!

wheezie, we are SO happy you're back! We're still in the process of overhauling everything so please be patient as we do, but it just makes it that much more special that you can join the journey with us. As a side note, I, too, went through many changes over the past 15 years so I totally understand and you're in good and understanding company with that

She better NOT have taken it with her because that would be sooooo mean to the rest of you, especially when that dread fills your heart as you realize Darlene is here and she's going to change everything.... . lol If I could ONLY figure out how to change the color schemes, I would be happy. Never fear, I will somehow figure THAT out too lol

They're already unfolding I've been down in the Moderator's Bunker firing off posts left and right. I've written so many posts in the last 3 days that I noticed that I am the #2 post contributor for the week lol. Shocking. I'm writing this post right now to give everyone a heads up that changes are not only coming to MrsS, but they are unfolding. We would like to give y'all a heads up on the little steps we've taken thus far. Under each forum title out on the main page, you'll start to see Moderator names being added. For example, Under the Streams in the Desert forum, it says "Moderator - Darlene". Not all of the Moderators have been assigned to each forum, but we've started so you'll be able to easily see, who is exactly responsible for that particular forum. In the event that there's questions or issues, please direct any communication directly to the Moderator who is listed on that forum. They will be able to assist with anything anyone needs. I figured I had better get started on these changes while Mt_Rider is away because she tends to want to hide behind that big ole blue couch anytime I start to do some work around here. The fun thing will be to see how long it takes her to find this post once she gets back because the first thing I'll expect is a post from here hiding behind that big ole blue couch lol. Anyway, we will keep you apprised of the little things we will be doing. I have A LOT to say, and not enough time about a variety of things, so I'll probably break it down into bite sized pieces for now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to answer them.