Year 2009 Complete

An interesting article arrived in my mailbox today: Doug Phillips comments on "How to End the Year 2009". If you're interested in knowing what he said, it is also posted on his blog.

That's One Way

The older brothers gifted their younger brothers with a promise to build a big snow fort with them -- practical fun!

They made good on their promise within hours. Of course, it helped that we had a good dump of fresh snow -- add to that the fact that we had to stay home due to that inclement weather, and uh-hum, shall we say inclement health = flu bug, which we didn't wish to share with all the family & extended family.

So far ... they've made a pentagon with five sheets of plywood, filled that with snow using the snow blower, packed it down by stomping on it and letting that harden for a few days before starting to add brick walls to make the fort higher. They've dug a tunnel from the outside to the center where they use a ladder to climb up onto the floor of their fort. I guess you can try and make anything work with snow -- it is working to give them all some fun in the snow, lol!

Nativity Collection

Brayden made a lovely new nativity for me ...


Timothy had a new unique nativity idea ...


Corbyn etched a detailed little nativity with pyrography ...


Ken gave me a set of 12 stainless steel nativity cookie cutters -- I think I'll use them dual purpose by using a red ribbon to hang them as ornaments.

Thanks to my guys for indulging my collection.

The Twelve Voices of Christmas

The Twelve Voices of Christmas is available as a free audio download from Back to the Bible.


This Mp3 and text drama written by Dr. Woodrow Kroll will enrich your understanding of Christmas.

Gabriel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Disclosure
Zacharias ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Disbelief
Elizabeth ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Blessing
John the Baptist ~~~~~~~ Voice of Preparation
Mary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Wonder
Joseph ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Reason
Angels ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Praise
Shepherds ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Declaration
Anna ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Thanksgiving
Simeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Peace
Herod ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Deception
Wise Men ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voice of Adoration


Thanks Maxwells!

CHRISTmas Blessings

Our littles were singing Happy Birthday to Jesus...


Happy Birthday to You!


Happy Birthday to You!


Happy Birthday, dear Jesus!


Happy Birthday to You!


Then they came up with another "verse". This one is just for you:


"Merry CHRISTmas to you,


Merry CHRISTmas to you,


Merry CHRISTmas, God Loves you!


Merry CHRISTmas to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perfect Snow

... to play in -- with temperatures to match!

... And perfect snow to make Snow Ice Cream. I posted that recipe here last year. It's been a keeper ever since. We've waited for the day when we could make Snow Ice Creamagain.

Just in time for CHRISTmas Day celebrations! Can't have a Birthday without ice cream now can we?

Elegance in Simplicity

Simple Centerpieces.

I don't recall exactly where I found these on my internet travels, but I thought they were simply elegant.

Amazon: Free $4 Video-On-Demand credit

Right now, you can get a free $4 credit for Amazon's Video On Demand.

We heard about the following movie in summer. There is a link to view the trailer of Food Inc. on this post. All about manufacturing of food -- we know that food is made by God, not industries. It is best eaten that way or in a state as close to the original form as possible. The movie really is what we here at Klasse Woods Natural Farm are all about. This movie was just released in November, but from now until January 3rd you can go to Amazon.com and watch it for free:



They offer all sorts of films for $0.99 to $2.99, some good, but many not-so-good. So "Be careful little eyes, what you see ..."

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes ..."Psalm 101:3a

Here's how to get your free $4 Amazon video-on-demand credit:
::Go here and enter code AVODGIFT.

::Click "Apply" and the $4 credit will be automatically added to your account.

::Choose and watch a movie (or movies!) for free by January 3, 2010.

Thanks, MoneySavingMom!

Ice-luminaries

Look at this easy, elegant ice-luminary.


We just put a five-gallon pail of water outside to freeze, then when the walls were about 2 inches thick we cut a hole in the top and drained the rest of the water. As it turned out the bottom was very thin still so we just broke out the bottom, put a lit candle on an inverted empty fish tin then placed the ice-shell over-top the candle.

Very elegant.

Someone mentioned seeing this lining the walks outside the church at a wedding -- nice idea, don't you think?

To dress it up, one could freeze decorations into ice as well for extra appeal.

Another tutorial for ice-luminaries can be found here.

Sprucing Up

Pinecones abound at Spruce Woods.

I enjoy using pinecones to "spruce up" my home ... and I use the greens also.

I've seen bags of pinecones and bunches of greens offered for sale at almost every supermarket so I figure I'm not the only one who likes to use pinecones to
"spruce up" my home for the CHRISTmas season.

Filling a special basket with cones and adding a bow is simple enough.


A nice way to add a festive look to my home with a basket that was gifted to our family filled with fresh flowers when my younger sister went to Glory just over a year ago. It reminds me of her simple, beautiful life.

This year we shared our pinecones with our CSA garden members. They each got a mesh bag filled with pinecones with their last garden basket of the 2009 season. It was for the express purpose of decoration and creative uses ... of course they also make nice starters for cozy fires in winter or backyard firesides in summer. One member sent me a picture of her little boy enjoying his craft - see it on my Facebook profile.

Really the ideas for using pinecones are endless ...

Years ago I made pinecone wreaths and kept this one for myself.


I never tire of it. Someday I just may make more of these again, now that we have a fresh yearly supply of pinecones on our own yard.

Scripture is Sufficient

The National Center for Family-Intergrated Churches (NCFIC) believes that the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is the most important doctrinal battleground in the Church today with the purity of the Church, the supremacy of the gospel, the biblical family, and the survival of Christian civilization hanging in the balance. Known as “Sola Scriptura” during the reformation, this doctrine teaches that Scripture is fully adequate in both content and clarity for “everything pertaining to life (salvation) and godliness (sanctification)” including the ordering of nations, churches, and families (2 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Church’s desertion of this doctrine in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries resulted in the defilement of nearly every aspect of America, the church, and the home through multiple waves of pragmatic, worldly ideas.

This past weekend there was a conference down in Cinncinati about the sufficiency of scripture. We would have liked to have gone, but it didn't work out for us.

However, the messages presented at the conference have been recorded and are available for sale here. If you'd like the CDs you can order the conference audio and let it be a help in your own church and family reformation.

There is also an opportunity to enter a giveaway for a set of these CD's. To enter, go here.

A Luthier, Maker of Stringed Instruments

We have a luthier in our family. Carsyn is currently in the process of building his second violin.

It's taking shape ...



It takes incredible patience, perseverance and precision. Carsyn is a good match for this project which he had set on hold while he completed his high school studies last year.

Adventures in Taxidermy

The results of a couple adventures in taxidermy that our big guys have worked on.

The weasel that got caught in Brayden's gopher trap did not go to the cats:



This is one of two racoons that were in the wrong place at the right time -- they're planning to make the second one into a coon-skin hat:



Our basement is a good place for those rough & rugged displays for now, but a remote hunting cabin will be the ideal place for these displays someday hopefully.

Buy Dockers!

Go buy some Dockers. Support this company who so boldly proclaims such positive standards. Dockers are made by the same company that makes Levis.

Check out their new Man-ifesto!



Go here to read it on their website. Or here to read Stacy's thoughts on this.

Go Dockers!

Nativity Collection

My collection keeps growing.

A "mommy gift" came with a baby gift already way back in January -- from the thoughtful friend who got me started on this collection. Thanks, Margaret!















A couple little ones bought throughout the year:











A couple new ones crafted in woods that are currently works-in-progress (watch for those in a later post).

And a little nativity creativity with Legos -- designed and created by boys, as a surprise for Mommy. Isn't that sweet?:

Misty's Quincy

Who is Misty, you say?

Misty is our dog, a fun-loving black lab resident at Klasse Woods.

What's a quincy?

It is a man-made snow cave. A pile of snow, any size will harden a "crust" layer on the outside if left alone for an hour or more. Then a cave is hollowed out.

It is a technique that hikers and climbers use for safety & survival in cold climates. We learned of this one year in Saskatchewan when the winter had a low snow yield. It was amazing, the children could enjoy a new form of snow-play. It really doesn't take much snow at all to make a pile big enough for a person to climb in. It is also amazingly warm.

Thus the idea to make a dog house for our dog. We modified it a bit by just covering her previous barrel house with snow. The blue 45 gallon barrel is just laying on its side with a "door" cut into the bottom end of it. It keeps her warm & dry. Now, a nice fresh bed of straw and the dog's own body warmth make it a cozy place for our outdoor dog to take her winter naps.

Our boys had fun shoveling a pile of snow for Misty's own quincy. Thanks guys for taking care of the animals.

One Way to Feed the Hungry

"He that giveth to the poor shall not lack:" Proverbs 28:27

I just ran across a way we can help give 1 cup of food to a hungry person around the world. Thanks Because He Gave blog.

Give a cup of food with two clicks:



All you have to do is click the button above. Then on the large yellow button on that page. Your simple click will donate that cup of food.
You can click everyday and make sure to give that hungry mouth a meal.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16


Give Because He Gave

An Historic Moment @ Klasse Woods

The biggest tree on our property came down today. It was struck with the disease that is taking many of the big trees in the Spruce Woods surrounding us.

Thus our interest in BMP harvesting -- Best Management Practices is a Manitoba government program that is attempting to clean up Manitoba's hardwood stands in riparian areas by taking out dead trees first, then diseased trees and finally good trees that can be removed for monetary profit, but also by their removal encouraging the regeneration of the forest.



This program fits with our desire to be good stewards of the land that God has blessed us with. We are grateful that our two oldest sons have been able to take woodlot safety management courses that certify them as BMP loggers, giving them knowledge in how to be safe in this work.


The bystanders got in on the fun at the end.

Color Our World

Our twins enjoy coloring. They have since very young. Their walls, our walls and now their door are often covered with their artwork. Cutting and pasting rate right up their also in the FUN category.

Their school workbooks are often splashed with color also. Their attention span at this delightful passtime is nothing short of amazing:

Jehovah Jireh

God has provided. Our faith is strengthened yet again.

The hunters were faithful in going out to hunt, but managed only to bring home two does -- we had estimated that we would need about five deer based on our consumption last year.

Well, the end of hunting season 2009 came and went and our hunters still only had the two does that God had allowed Carsyn to harvest. As a family, we discussed the concern that was on all our minds. We decided that since God knows our needs, we can trust that He has provided. We have venison enough for now, we have our own yummy, healthy chicken and beef as well ... with more beef in our pasture. We have MUCH to be thankful for -- THANK YOU, LORD!

It was nearly three hours after the hunt time had ended -- which means three hours after dark when suddenly we had a visitor at our door. Ken's brother stopped by. He had hunted solo all day, shooting his target buck finally just three minutes before the end of the hunt day. Thankfully, it was a good shot and the buck dropped just a few feet from where it was hit, no tracking needed. HOWEVER, it was a BIG buck, thus Darryl needed to field dress the animal (in the dark) then get it back through the bush to where he had parked his truck. AND in addition, when he had left the truck there before dawn Darryl had locked his keys into the vehicle! So after dark when he finally got back to the truck with his buck, he still had to figure out a way to get into his truck.

God got all the glory when Darryl told us that God had given him Divine wisdom in how to use what he had available to him to gain entry into his vehicle (CAA would have never been able to find him in the vast 120 square miles of the Spruce Woods park!). His method of entry was ingenious to say the least. Who would have thought of that without Divine inspiration?

Have you guessed by now that this story all ties together by the fact that Darryl stopped by to gift us with the meat from that big buck? Being a single guy and having already shot a doe with his bow in archery season, he had no need for the meat so he gave us the meat with its possession tag to make it legal for us to have it in possession in our freezers.

The men folk enjoyed the time spent together in our big shop, skinning and hanging the deer, talking and discussing their hunting expeditions all the while. Darryl didn't need to journey the rest of the way home with that huge task still waiting for him to do alone once he got there because it was already done. He measured the chest of that huge buck - it was 43 inches, bigger than any he has ever seen ... and he is an avid hunter with a lot of hunts to his experience.

So Saturday ended with a delightful Divine surprise for us and for Darryl. We now have approximately 225 lbs of roasts, cuts and ground venison wrapped and in the freezers. God has provided. If that is not enough to get us through until next season, God will have more provision for when we need it! We have no doubt about that.

We were also reminded again about the fact that venison is the healthiest meat available to us through my mother's reading of the book "What the Bible Says about Healthy Living" written by the late Dr. Rex Russell. We have read the book a long while ago, but it was good to hear this venison info once again, especially right now.

Decorative .... Butter?

I like this idea!


These decorative pats of butter add a festive touch to a special dinner. They are very easy to make using inexpensive candy molds.

Simply let the butter soften on the countertop for about 30 minutes. Then, using a butter knife or small spatula, fill the molds. Check the underside to be sure there are no air bubbles.

Set the mold in the freezer for a short time to let the butter harden (it will be easier to get out of the mold if you do this). By applying a small amount of pressure to the underside of the mold, the butter should just pop out. Do be careful though not to dent the butter.

Thanks to Amy from The Prudent Pantry.

Curbing a Cough

Most of us can testify to struggling with a persistent cough. You know the kind that keeps you and your spouse (if you have one) awake at night.

Well, two of my Aunts have given me a suggestion that seems to have worked for at least three of us at various times these last two months. So I figure I'll share it with you -- in case you too can find relief.

Oil of Oregano -- one drop under the tongue stops the cough. Yup, one drop does it! That said though, it is HOT stuff and burns for a bit. I followed the drop with a big drink of water, but it still does the trick.

For administering to little ones? I put the drop of Oil of Oregano onto a quarter teaspoon of honey and followed that with a drink of water. Again, it helped to curb the coughing. PTL! Of course, honey by itself is said to curb a cough, though I find that the duo is even more effective.

Such an easy, healthy fix! I hope someone else finds this useful too.

Tonka Tough

Put two minds together and see what you come up with ... ? We all got a good chuckle from the innovative idea the twins tried this time (click on the picture to make it bigger. I'm sorry that the video clip Brayden took of this was too long to post here).



Who needs snow to go down the sledding hill when you've got Tonka trucks?

These trucks are 15-20 ... no 40 years old?? They've been through such use/abuse from all six boys, (one was even used by their Dad & five uncles) ... and they're still going strong. Tonkas are tough!

Provision

While the bucks are still elusive, Carsyn pegged another doe yesterday afternoon.


Praise the Lord for His further provision of meat for our freezers. In the last week of hunting season, we're not being choosy about getting "the big buck".

Fun & Fresh Air

... excercise & woodsmanship, orienteering and exploration, that's about the most of what the hunter's in this area are getting this year.

Mostly due to the unseasonably warm temperatures, apparently the rut season has not yet really begun. We need a big snow with some colder temps ... in the next five days!

The hunting season ends this Saturday. While we are grateful for the one deer Carsyn shot already, supplying us with about 60 lbs of ground meat, we are still praying that God will supply more. In whatever way though, we know tat God will supply ALL our needs. That is an assurance He gives and we are blessed by Him to have that!

AND while my hunters are faithfully "out there", I'm busy here at home keeping the home fires burning and our "Littles" constructively occupied. Thus there is little time for updates ... besides the camera is also "out there" ready to capture the elusive buck shots, lol!

Favorite Toddler Toys

An empty pop bottle! (For safety sake, tighten the lid well.)







And a cardboard box ...

They're Here

Finally, Faith Mattaya is getting some teeth. Not that waiting is a problem, but it's nice to have them coming in to accommodate her abilities with regular table food.

First Things First

Faith Mattaya took her first eight steps on her own the last day that Timothy was eight years old. She walked to him upon his encouragement. She was 9.5 months old.

Now, a week later, when Grandma & Grandpa W. arrived for a weekend visit she took off walking knowing what she was doing and doing it frequently, enjoying the freedom and the praise she gets from all of us.

The funny thing is ... she's walking before she even has teeth! Ha,ha! First things first! She's definitely been a mover since day one -- that was even the difficulty that put my labor and delivery with her into the high risk category. PTL all went well then and still is to this day. God has given grace & mercy sufficient for each day.

Learning the Ropes

Hosting camp horses for the winter is giving our family an opportunity to get to know horses. What a blessing that we can share some of our excess hay this way ... and get to enjoy riding, grooming the horses etc. without first having to make an investment into them.

Phonics Fun

Getting to do this again...

Already a month ago, Bronlin wrote out the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" as I dictated it to him (at his request - he wrote out this special song as a gift for Grandma).

Teaching our children to read and write is a great thrill. By God's enabling grace and mostly on their own, the twins have already progressed very well in Mathematics aided by Father, Mother, brothers and workbooks so ... this year we are focusing on learning how to read and write words. Of course, Mathematics is still part of each day and they're continuing their progress, grasping new concepts like subtraction, clockwise & counter clockwise, time, and thousands with amazing ease. Ah, to God be all the glory! Thank you, Lord!

Back to phonics though, their penmanship is already neat and orderly. They know the names of the alphabet and most of the sounds that each one makes. Now we're beginning to put consanents and vowel sounds together to form blends and then words. Today they put together their first words and wrote them onto paper.

It is so rewarding to listen as they come to me throughout the day telling me that " 'v' starts with vehicle" or "Mom, 's' starts both six and seven". They are learning skills they will be using for life -- what an amazing privilege to lead them in this, one of the most basic things in learning.

Meanwhile, Faith Mattaya is discovering the joy of books ... I am continually amazed at the length of her attention span.

BreakTime

You've noticed my lack of posts lately, sorry.

It all started when our computer crashed due to a technical fault. We've been without internet for a week compounded by the fact that we're now setting it all up again from square one ... well, some of our stuff was backed up on external, but not all (we had to learn the hard way :(

Learning curves take time -- and energy! Thus my creative juices are just not flowing much outside of what needs doing day to day for my family ...

Please do keep checking in with us though. Regular programing will begin again.

Fall Decorations

Tis the season for hunting ... it almost looks like we've decorated or something, lol!

Hunting garb, fresh and ever at the ready! If it gets rained on, we call it rainfresh scent and throw it into the dryer when necessary.

Muzzleloader hunting season opened this last Monday, but due to a local potato farm needing harvest help, our hunters are not out getting a doe or calling in a buck -- they've been out making dough and rolling in the bucks, tehe!

That reminds me of one our favorite jokes:

Q: What do you get when you cross 50 male deer with 50 female pigs?

A: (READ real fast out loud) A hundred sows 'n' bucks.


Just like God planned it in the first place, the species do not mingle.

That said, we're praying that the hunt will prove successful again this year as our venison supply is all but depleted -- and we use that almost to exclusion as our red meat. We do use our own home grown, delicious grass-fed beef to serve when we have guests.