Simple Sewing for Modesty: Part 2

You can read about Part 1 of this series and an explanation here.

I will try to keep these posts short, but do more of them.  The type of modification I will be discussing in this post is simple and frugal.  I think Savannah's outfit cost under $5.  The skirt was worth spending a few bucks on, but I usually do pick up skirts to modify for under a dollar.  I think this one cost me $3.99, though.  It has been well worth it. 

My biggest light bulb moment came when I realized that I could find long skirts in ladies sizes much easier than you can in the children's department.  The problem, of course, is that the waist is too big since Savannah is thin.  And sometimes they are too long.  This time it was not, so I will focus on this outfit this time and discuss the "too long skirt" in a future posting.  Back to this one.  Being that the skirt is corduroy it was made with a fitted waste and a zipper in the back.  We both liked the fitted look, so there were a couple of options here.  One was that I could turn in wrong side out and take up the side seams.  That would work, but it was not what we decided on.  Instead I had her try the skirt on right side out like normal.  I then used my fingers to pleat the waste and pin it in place in two spots along the front.  After surveying the results in the mirror I asked Savannah what she thought and she liked it, so I simply hand stitched the pleats in using a hidden sewing technique.  I could have just place it on the maching and topstitched it and that would have done well.  It is a matter of preference really. 

The shirt looks innocent enough..... that is... NOW.  I loved the color and print of this shirt and the fabric is an easy care stretchy polyester and lycra blend, but the neckline before was split to below the breasts.  Yes, wide open!  This was a ladies extra small shirt and it was clearly made to show all the cleavage a person was willing to show.  I knew I could.... and WOULD fix that!  Ha!  I did decide to leave a small split at the top, but not enough to show a thing!  I once again used the same method of sewing with a hidden stitch that I used on the skirt pleats by handstitching.  I encourage you to look close at an outfit to see if it is something you could like if you were to modify it. 

Just this past Sunday morning when I was getting ready for church I had to take my own shirt up two inches in the back of the neck to keep it from showing my bra straps.  I will do a post on that during this series.  We are living in an age where you need to learn some simple sewing techniques or your options for clothing will be slim to none. 

{NOTE:  There will be about six postings... or more in this series, but there will be other posts.  If you see other posts that does not mean the post series is over.  I will state in the last post that it is the final post in the series.}

Culling the Flock: A Day of Mixed Emotions

Some were sad.  Some were down right traumatized.  Some were heartbroken.  Some were excited in a creepy sort of way (Ha!).  Some were relieved.  Some were apprehensive.  Some were bossy (due to apprehension).  Some cried.  Some laughed.  Some chased and caught ducks.  Some hid out to avoid be a part of the process. 

We finally began the process of culling the flock!  The weather and events of the days have just not cooperated.  Finally, we decided we had to get started and we had a perfect day to start the job. 

The emotions played out like this:
Me -- I was adamant that I would not do the killing, but I would do anything else that needed to be done.  I was ready for this, but I have to admit that I was a bit heartbroken especially over our only Pekin male, I never let it show.  I was trying to set the tone for the kids and remind them that this was the purpose that these ducks were raised for.  I ended up having to get involved in the killing as these ducks were not dying.
Cody -- He was ready, but bossy due to his apprehension of killing what was somewhat of a pet to us.  He kept barking out, "Okay, get me another one.  Come on." and I finally had to call him out on it.  He did not realize he had a bit of a grouchy tone because he was trying to focus on getting the job done.
Savannah -- She was disturbed by the whole thing and brokenhearted that the ducks had to lose their lives and that we intend to eat them.  She insists she will not be eating them.  I kept reminder her that I knew this was hard, but this was the real purpose that we had raised these birds for.  Later in the day, she said that if they were cooked in barbeque sauce like a barbeque sandwich she would eat it.  I know she will come around.  It will take time.  She did help catch them and pluck them.  She worked hard, but at one point she said, "I just can't do this anymore."  It was a rough day for her and next time will be better I am certain.
Sierra -- She was ready.  She liked the duck gumbo from the first duck we harvested earlier after it was attacked by a raccoon.  She understood this was going to happen.  She helped with the catching and the plucking some.  Deep down I know it was a hard day for her, but she was "big" about it. 
Caden -- Hid inside to avoid most of it.  He was totally not happy when the chopping of the first head happened.  It did not help that it took like 4 whacks to chop it.  Daddy might have needed to sharpen that ax.  Horrid moment!  I think he helped chase down a couple of ducks, but my softy of a little man had to go inside and hide.
Sahara -- Not happy with it, but seemed okay.  She's a hard one to figure out sometimes.  She stuck around, but I am sure that she would have rather the ducks lived.
Sienna -- 22 months old.... TRAUMA-tized.  I really was not sure she would "get" it, but she was yelling in a sad way, "Duck die!  Duck die!" and these ducks were not dying like we thought, so that made it worse.  First one... axed and it took 4 times.  Second one... Cody decided to show us how to wring it's neck... and again... 3 times and it did not work.... that duck got up and ran off.  Third one... axed and it got up headless and started running and flapping it's wings running right into little Sienna with blood spurting out of it's neck all over her legs and feet... Yeah, traumatized.  Her little eyes were bugging out and she was screaming.  We were all shocked.  Really, these ducks were not dying and I ran for the loppers and put one out of it's misery with a snip of the lopper (which also did not do too well)... fun times.  Poor Sienna!

In the end we killed six ducks.  We focused on killing the males first since we are not wanting to hatch more eggs.  We dunked them in hot water.  Some were dunked a bit too long and the skin tears easier, so not to self... I need to get a cooking thermometer.  We began hand plucking, then we stopped and Cody made a homemade plucker that you attach to your drill.  It takes a bit of practice to get the feathers flying, but once you get it down it is like a fuzzy snow storm.  After Cody finished the plucking I showed him how to dress them out (fancy way to say get the guts out).  At some point I went in to do something and he cut his finger open pretty deep and I played nurse.  I dressed out the ducks and put them in the kitchen sink full of water for a rinse.  Later, I had Sierra dump a bunch of ice in the water to keep the cold.  While they were taking their little "swim" we went out to eat as our reward for our traumatizing day and we had a grand time.  When we came home I drained the sink and put the ducks in bags in the freezer.  My reasoning for the putting the ducks in the water is to let the blood out and it changes the meat to soak in water.  The same is true for wild game.  Also, I am wondering if it would have been wise to age the meat a bit.  The first duck we did I let age (because I could not bring myself to be in the mood to eat it after processing it.... I aged it in the refrigerator for about a week... secretly hoping it would be bad when I took it out... LOL... it was not... and it made an awesome gumbo).

Sahara & Cody preparing to kill the first of the ducks, our male Pekin.  Our little puppy, Tiny, is checking out the situation.  She learned to help us chase ducks (ooops!).

No pics of the actual killing... and your welcome.  ;)

Sad Rabbit Moments

As with all things when you are raising animals or growing things it seems there is always the downside.  I am sharing this not to be depressing, but to be "real".  I think often people look at various blog posts of people farming and homesteading and they see the blissfulness of it all.  While that is one side of it, that is not the only side and we need to paint a clear picture of the harsh reality that it sometimes brings.  There are lots of failures and lots of death.  And these deaths are not always the ones we choose... like culling our flocks, for instance. 

Today we awoke to find four baby lop bunnies.  These much awaited bunnies did not turn out how we had hope for this new little mommy bunny.  Often this happens with a bunny or rabbits first litter.  They just don't always know what to do.  "Little Stacy" did not even pull hair and line her nesting box.  It should be said that she did not have the best of nesting boxes either.  The box that was in her cage did not have piece of wood across the front entrance.  It is possible she did, at least, give birth to them in the box and they just got out of it somehow.  Three of the babies were out of the there embryonic sacks, so she did that part of the job correctly; however, there was one that was not out of it's embryonic sac.  That one was left in the nesting box. 

This is not my pic.  I am borrowing this to show what little bunnies look like at birth.

I tried to find a pic of a baby in the embryonic sac, but could not find one quickly online.  Anyway, I guess that is depressing anyway, right?!  So, I guess in the coming days we should have more litters, since my crazy kids bred all the rabbits and bunnies (lops) at the same time.  Time will tell.  I hope we have some new life and we will have something to celebrate out at our little rabbit area. 

It really is just the way it is... it is a part of the deal. 

Simple Sewing for Modesty: Part 1

Modesty... such a strange word in our culture today.  Gone are the days when most people even care.  The less you are wearing the better seems to be the thinking of today.  Why is modesty so close to my heart?  Because it is an area that I have had to "deal with" in my life.  I was raised to be pure in some ways, but it was very contradictory.  As my parents were preaching at me to stay "pure" they were also encouraging impure behaviours.

Let me stop right here and define "pure" for the purposes of the above paragraph.  What that meant to my parents was not to take part in the "s" word.  Cuddling with your boyfriend on the couch... allowed.  Kissing your boyfriend.... allowed.  Having a boyfriend.... allowed.  Looking a bit promiscuous for the boys... allowed.  Dressing in a way that showed off the body... allowed.  In fact, I can remember many times being told I should "flaunt it while you've got it", insinuating that that thin body would not be something I would have forever so I should put it on display.  While that may be a true statement in that that scrawny little body I used to have would one day be a thing of the past I can assure you it was of NO benefit to my well being to put it on display for all to see.  I don't want my girl to live with the damage that immodesty causes.  For this reason I have increased my sewing, although I am mostly making adjustments to items that I purchase retail or resale. 

Reality check... my preteen is probably note going to want to wear just things I sew for her forever.  Also, she needs some fashion freedom to display her own personality.  My oldest little girl will be a teenager in less than a year.  I am holding on to her innocence and preserving it as long as I can, but at the same time I know I have to find a balance.  When she goes to church and is around her friends there (who mostly attend public school) I don't want her to feel like an outcast.  This is not such an issue with her homeschool friends.  And I want to say here that this is not a moment that I am casting judgement on public schoolers.  This is just a fact.  Those kids are living a life that is about competing to fit in.  In that world you do not want to be the outcast. 

One thing that I have found that can make the wardrobe options go a little further is to buy a few "muscle shirts" (AKA tank tops).  Every year you can pick up a few of these for $1 a piece on clearance. 

They also sell them in a 3-pack online.  The ones I get on clearance sometimes have a graphic on them or they are solid.  I am not picky about it because they are going to be covered anyway.  I just make sure they do not have anything on them that goes against our standards.  Event though I purchase these for modesty, guess what?  They are not modest as they come.  I take up FOUR WHOLE INCHES in the shoulders.  If I did not they would plunge way too low in the front and in the armpits.  Notice the ones that are made like the picture above have a high back.  If they are made that way you have to make the modification in to the front portion of the straps.  If you are uncertain of how to do this you can experiment of just make sure you purchase shirts with a scoop back. 

These can used to make a trendy shirt modest.  An example is the butterfly style shirt my daughter recently got for Christmas.  It was perfectly her!  It was zebra print.... her favorite animal.  It was purple... her favorite color.  It was sequined... because most girls like some sparkle.  And it was a butterfly style shirt... that she loves, but that can sometimes be hard to find in modest styles (many are see-through or very gappy under the arms). 

Three of my girls loving on the neighbor's PUPPY.

(Yep, that is likely to get more attention than my blog topic... HUGE puppy!)

The main point of the tank underneath is that when the girls lift their arms or bend over the tank underneath protects them from others seeing their bodies.  Another alternative is to wear a long sleeve tee or turtleneck underneath.  Savannah has worn this shirt several ways and all work well. 

I will continue this series with different topics.  I want to keep it kind of short, so I don't burn anyone out in one huge post. 

Culling The Flock: Ducks and Rain Delays

Our adventure with ducks has been fun.  We have enjoyed them thoroughly; however, I have not enjoyed the incubating experience... which I think I have mentioned in an earlier post... pardon the repetition.  Just last week I had one of thirteen eggs hatch out.  ONE!!  Honestly, I was not wanting to deal with baby ducklings, but it is just depressing to me.  I waited a few days to dispose of the extra unhatched eggs and their were about eight fully developed eggs that just did not hatch out.  This is quite common.  They die just before they should hatch.  I don't understand it at all.  Maybe it is the water in the incubator running out.... some people say it is because they get disturbed in the last phase of incubating... I have to take the egg turner out and this time I waited until one was begining to hatch....whatever it is that makes them die I can not seem to figure it out.  In spite of all the unsuccessful hatches we have fifteen ducks.

Did you know that ducks eat a LOT.... way too much if you are buying feed.  I say it is as if they hold their heads back and open their mouths and you pour the feed in with a funnel.  They seriously eat a LOT.  In their defense they do grow really fast.  By about sixteen weeks ours have reached full size.  They seem to double in size weekly. 

Sweet baby ducklings (Pekins... they will grow to double the size of the black ones below)

Cayuga ducks enjoying a mud puddle.  This pictured does not show the beautiful green sheen on their heads and feathers.

A gorgeous young Pekin duck that was nearing full growth. 

So, now we need to cull the flock.  It has taken my husband a while to get to the point that he would kill them.  He has enjoyed them, but while he was on his Christmas vacation time he realized how much food they are consuming.  Finally, he is on board with killing them.  And now it rains... yes, and rains... and rains.... preventing the culling of the flock.  Funny!  Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks we can cull the flock. 

Burning the Midnight Oil

... is not a wise choice!  I have got to start getting to bed earlier.  This is a real challenge in our home.  My husband has a hard time "shutting down" and I have a hard time going to bed unless all people are in their beds. 

And this is about all I have to say in this post.  Nothing profound... just thought that there might be someone out there that needs to hear this one statement:

Burning the midnight oil (staying awake) is not a wise choice!

It has very little benefit unless it is a very structured well thought out time that you will be spent accomplishing something important.  And it must have time constraints.  If you are staying up and dawdling about like I do you are better off going to bed right now and sleeping.  Right now!  I simply do not accomplish things well late at night.  In the morning I can hit the floor running, but at night I go into "sit down and dawdle mode".  If you have this problem, then go to bed!  Seriously, we have to realize it is like a domino effect.  Our tomorrows will not go as well as they could if we stay up burning the midnight oil and waste our precious rest.  It is like a downward spiral. 

When our bodies have rest we are more sane!  When we feel overwhelmed with our days rest can do wonders!

Uploading Pictures to the Blog ???? Help Please

I don't know if I am losing my mind, but I can not upload pictures to my blog posts.  I am trying to get back into to blogging a little more, but when I click on the the little icong for "Insert Image" I get these options:

• Upload

 

• From this blog

 

• From Picasa Web Albums

 

• From your phone

 

• From your webcam

 

• From a URL

 

Normally, I choose "Upload" and there is another little icon there for choosing where to get it from on my computer.  That option seems to be completely gone.  The other options take me too long to bother with.  Please help with this if you can.  Maybe I am missing something.

Irony Of This Qoute

Sahara is just a tiny little thing is this pic from a couple of years ago. 
 

"America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live." - Jane Addams

I recieved this via email from a school supply source. The email newsletter is mostly geared toward public schools, so the irony of this comment is a bit comical to this homeschooling momma. ;)  It is a great qoute and one that can not be overlooked.

"America's future will be determined by the home and the school. ..." This does apply to us doesn't it?! I am sure this was probably a qoute about public schools, but it is so true about homeschooling isn't it?! It is a GREAT responsibility to bear. It is also a WONDERFUL thing to know we can shape "America's future" in a Biblical way.

"... The child becomes largely what he is taught; ..." They do.... that says it all.

"... hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live." Hmmmm... back to that GREAT responsibility part I mentioned above.

Just a little something to think about....

Funny Things They Have Said Lately... About 2 Years Ago

I noticed I have about forty posts that I have started and never finished, so I decided to see what they were.  I must have been planning to add a few more cute things to this post.  This brings back some memories because this is over two years ago.  I wish I could write down every cute thing they say. 

Caden: Momma, can you get me something to drink?

Me: Do you want some lemonade?

Caden: Yeah! Lemon-lade is good!

Me: Caden, what are those things flying in the sky?

Caden: A-planes and Hopper-coppers.

On vacation this Summer everytime Cody would walk away Sahara would start calling after him.

Sahara (Goo-Goo): Daddy, I hudge you! (Daddy, I love you!)

Savannah: Meeting! Meeting! We're having a little kids meeting.

Dinner Tonight

I would give this a more extravagant title, but I will tell you what I tell my husband when he asks me what is for dinner, "Call it whatever you want.  I call it dinner!"  I make a lot of variations of this and it is sort of Taco Soup, but I can tell you that whatever I am making depends greatly on what I have on hand.  If I don't have a necessary ingredient I might just replace it with something I can get away with.  Tonight I really wanted to add some corn, but I forgot to buy frozen corn... and I don't buy that watered down in a can stuff anymore.  My tastes buds like the full flavor of frozen corn or fresh corn.  I took this opportunity to add something healthy to the mix and I must say I liked it.  I added yellow squash and recently I have discovered that I can sneak finely chopped squash into a lot of meals and my family never even knows it until afterwards when I tell them.  And yes, you must wait until afterwards to tell them... not to deceive them, but after they have eaten it and like it, then telling them just makes them more open to strange things in their food.  So, this is what I did (and I will list the ingredients afterwards):

In a large pot I place a pound of frozen hamburger meat, a large can of diced tomatoes, and a package of Great Value Taco Seasoning (cost about 33 cents and does not have high fructose corn solids) and cooked this on high.  As it was cooking I broke the meat apart slowly.  After all the meat was fully cooked I added a can of Ranch Style Beans (GV brand works well, also), can of Wolf Brand Chili, approximately two cups of finely diced yellow squash, and 1-2 cups of water (depending on how soupy you want it).  I added a teaspoon of salt (or so...).  I served this on a small amount of plain white rice (a 1:4 ratio.... 1/4 cup of rice is enough per large bowl of soup because you want this to be more of a soup dish than a rice dish).  I topped mine with mixed cheeses, but it would also be great with a dallop of sour cream and chopped green onions. 

Ingredient list for shopping purposes:
1 lb hamburger meat
15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
1 pkg Great Value Taco Seasoning (or other brand*)
1 can of Great Value Southern Ranch Beans (or Ranch Style Beans*)
1 can of Wolf Brand Chili
2-3 yellow squash
salt
rice
Optional extras: Cheese, sour cream, green onions/chives, etc..
*I choose items that do not have high fructose corn syrup and I have found to my surprise that the Great Value products are usually healthier than many name brands.  The bonus is I save money, as well! 

Sorry there is not pic... It just looks like a bowl of chili type soup.  Make it and you will see what it looks like.  Ha!  More importantly it tastes yummy!

Eggs and Blessing Others

 

Eggs

 

I never knew I would think an egg was so pretty.

 

There is just something delicate and dainty.

 

And I when I see them I think of the marvelous creation they are created by my God.

 

He is so clever... all the different sizes and colors that He designed... and the layers.

 

The layers intrigue me... odd, I guess, but it is so neat when you look at the layers of an egg.

 

And the last thing to go on the egg is the color and protective coating. 

 

Amazing stuff.... these simple little eggs.

 

 

 

The eggs pictured here are eggs I shared with a friend.  I never wash off the protective coating until I am using my eggs, so I sent these dirty eggs home with my friend in a cardboard box stuff with plastic grocery bags.  When she got home she washed them up and put them in this pretty basket and took a picture.  It is a blessing to share the bounty that God sends our way.  These eggs are a small way I can bless others, so I try to share any that I can.  We are never short on eggs here with 19 chickens! 

Octopus for Lunch and Homeschooling Our Way

"O" = octopus wieners with shell and other shape pasta, "O" candy gummies, round cucumbers, and I squirt of ketchup for those octopi to dip in.

Well, it ain't gourmet, but the kids loved it!  We are studying the letter O this week with my Kindergartener and Pre-Ker.  I had someone tell me how creative I was, but I can not take credit.  I got the octopus wiener idea from Pinterest.  I am really a pretty dull homeschooler.  I don't really do too well at homeschooling and making it fun.  Every once in a while I do good, but I over think things and end up not following through with all the wonderful ideas that I do have.  This was a successful day. 

Homeschooling seems to be that way for me... there are these moments of greatness and then, we hit a valley.  I always reset goals when I see myself slipping back into a valley moment.  Let's just say I spend a lot of time resetting goals.  I really struggle with the little kid ages.  It is just one of those things.  Some people love all that stuff... sitting and drawing, cutting and gluing, painting and drawing... and I do, but when you put a toddler and little kids in the equation I start stressing out in a hurry.  I would rather be running around outside or jumping on a trampoline with my kids.  Going for walks is just my speed where all the messes can be made outside.  I think that is okay, though.  We all have our way of making it work.  Unfortunately, my kids probably learn the academic stuff a little later in the beginning years, but they learn it eventually.