Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Happy Cookies

Also called Omega-3 Cookies. These cookies have the ingredients to help decrease depression.  Besides that they are YUMMY!

2 1/2 c. ground walnuts
2/3 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 c ground flax seed (I grind in small coffee grinder)
1/3 to 1 c. dried fruit or carob chips (or combo) opt
1/2 c. + 2 Tbl. maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350*

Mix ingredients in order given.  Drop by spoonfuls (I use small ice cream scoop) onto Pam sprayed cookie sheet. Flatten with a plastic fork (plastic will not stick to dough).  Dough will be sticky.

Bake 10-15 min.  Check often.  Bake until golden brown around the edges.  Eat them up and be happy!








Check out the Crunchy Granola Recipe in Heidi's Best Recipes.  It is our MOST favorite granola recipe.
 Granola Ingredients

New Zealand Earthquake

I have never experienced this kind of terror.  Certainly it must give us pause as we contemplate the solemnity of this event taking place in New Zealand.  

Check out this link from David Asscherick.  

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Bread Day




I love the aroma of freshly baked bread and I love the taste in just about the same degree as I love the aroma.  Be sure to check out Amy's Whole Wheat Bread on Heidi's Recipe page.  It is undoubtedly the best bread I have ever made.  Yum yum!  Be sure to block of some time for this bread event. 

Amy's Wheat Bread

This is undoubtedly the best bread I have ever made!  Thank you Amy for sharing it.  Heidi


Makes 5 large loaves


Combine in mixer:
  • 6 c. hot water
  • 12 c. hard white wheat flour (we freshly milled our wheat)
Let sit 30-60 minuets.


Add and mix very well:
  • 1/2 c. oil
  • 1 c. honey
  • 2 T salt
  • 1/2 c water
Add in this order and mix a few minutes:
  • 2 c. flour
  • 1/3 c. vital wheat gluten (opt)
  • 2 T dough enhancer (opt) I have never used it and my bread it fantastic!
  • 3 T instant yeast (Saf Instant) WinCo
Add more flour as needed---judge by stickiness of dough---some should stick to your finger, but not a lot.


Turn on auto knead or to the knead setting on your machine. Knead for 8-10 minutes. While kneading, spray large bowl and lid with cooking spray (i.e. Pam).


When kneading is complete, place dough in large oiled bowl, turning once to coat with oil. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. Alternatively, place in refrigerator overnight and proceed as follows in the morning.


Form dough into loaves and place in loaf pans coated with cooking spray; cover with cloth. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours, longer if dough has been refrigerated.


Preheat oven to 350*. If desired, slash tops of loaves with very sharp knife just before baking.


Bake for 30-45 minutes. Check bottom of loaf for nice medium brown color. Remove from pans and place on cooling racks. Enjoy!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Gardening

Wow! Was I shocked at the increase  of  food prices at the grocery store this  last week.   The price increase might be weather related but it is more likely related to our current economic troubles here in the USA; and really all over the world.  I think it might be wise to get out our plow, shovel and rakes and start getting our soil ready for the garden.  Not a bad idea even if food
prices were not going up.  There is nothing like home grown fruits and vegetables from your own garden.  There is nothing like a tomato freshly picked from your own garden.  Some have never really tasted what a REAL tomato tastes like.

Gardening is more than just growing your own food.  Gardening also provides time in the great outdoors breathing the fresh air, taking in the sunshine and of course the exercise of shoveling, raking and plowing will invigorate you and bring health to your body. 

Now is the time to check into ordering your own seeds.  I have purchased from Heirloom Seed:  http://www.heirloomseeds.com/  This is a great site because you can harvest the seeds from your plants and grow them again year after year.  Many seeds you purchase at the local garden center, unless they say say they are Heirloom seeds, usually are hybrid seeds.  You cannot save these seeds and grow them again.  Keep that in mind when planning your garden.

Happy gardening!

Marcus, Our Youngest Gardener

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Old Popcorn Pot

It’s Saturday night long ago,
Out comes the popcorn pot.
Daddy twists the kitchen towel
For the kettle it is hot.

The corn starts a poppin’
And daddy starts his jig.
For he’s the pop corn man,
And with his towel, chases the kids.

The years have gone by
And times have changed.
The kids have grown and gone.
Silent and still sits the pot all stained.

The electric popper takes its place,
For every kernel pops.
No grime or grease to clean up,
It hardly takes a second thought.

Memories only linger now
When popcorns in the air,
Of merriment and pleasures long ago
To last throughout the years.

Heidi E Prewitt
 (About my father, Gene Munce, 1996)

Johnny's First Flight

See the old wooden leg 
Hangin' in the barn?
It used to be granpa's
But now he's gone.

The neighbor kids are there
Jenny and Heidi too.
Johnny's buggin' us all.
It's a real zoo!

Next thing we know
Johnny's flyin' through the air.
He meant to grab the wooden leg
But found his hand to be bare.

It must have been a thrill;
Johnny's first flight.
He landed on the wheel barrow
And gave us all a fright.

Heidi C Prewitt

July 26, 1998

I've Watched


Written for Randy Prewitt 12/061996

I've watched you climb the mountain steep
With snow shoes on your feet.
I've watched you shovel snow from under your truck
and finally get unstuck.
I've watched you go to and from work
All dressed in tie and shirt.
I've watched you toil in heat and cold
I know its getting very old.
I've watched your spirit sink
Only to rise again in a wink.
I've watched you struggle to make ends meet.
Because of you we always eat.
I've watched you build and build and build again
Hammer, saw, tape, mud and cement blend.
I've watched your unceasing toil
Sweat, drenched, torn and soiled.
I've watched your loving care for me
Without you, where would I be?
I've watched and wished I could carry your load
Much to you I owe!
I've watched and I've grown to love your very, very much
My heart you have deeply touched.
Heidi C Prewitt
December 10 1996

Friday, February 18, 2011

Staying Well

Staying Well

Keeping Well

There are health laws, that if followed, could keep us healthy and free from many diseases. When I get sick, I can review these laws and see if I am in violation of any of these laws.  Then I can pinpoint my reason for being sick. I then correct my error.  I ask myself these "Do I" questions when I get sick:


Nutrition:  Do I get proper nutrition?  Does my diet consist largely of a plant based diet full of fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables?  Check out this link:

http://www.fullplatediet.org/fiber-calculator/  

Exercise:  Do I exercise enough?  Do I walk, walk, walk?  Instead of seeing how close I can park to a store, park father away so you are forced to walk.  In the "olden days" walking was the main mode of transportation.  Today we have to invent ways to exercise.  Plan your weeks exercise routine and then work the plan.  Get a Fitbit.  It's a great walk motivator!

Water:  Do I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day?  If you find that you are not thirsty, once you start drinking adequately your body will crave water.  Your urine ought not to be a dark yellow.  Keep it clear.  Dark urine is an indication that your are not drinking proper amounts of water.  Check out this site for benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Benefits_of_Drinking_Plenty_of_Water

Sunshine: Do I get adequate sunshine?  In the winter if you live in the valley and the clouds are getting to you, take a drive to the foothills where the sun is shinning.  It is amazing how a little bit of sunshine will brighten your day.  If you live in Michigan, you might want to take a trip to Florida and soak up some of the Florida sunshine.

Temperance:  Do I exercise temperance in all things?  "What is temperance?" one might ask. "Temperance is generally defined by control over excess, so that it has many such classes, such as abstinence, chastity, modesty, humility, prudence, self-regulation, and forgiveness and mercy; each of these involves restraining some impulse, such as sexual desire, vanity, or anger." {Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperance_%28virtue%29

Air:  Do I get enough fresh air into my lungs each day?  Open your windows at night, even in the winter.  You will sleep better in a cooler room and the fresh air will bring its rewards.  Also, if possible, open your windows during the day and get a good air exchange in your house or visit the great outdoors and breath in the fresh invigorating air. 

Rest:  Do I go to bed at a decent hour and sleep adequately?  Check out the 7 Tips to Healthy Sleeping Habits: 

http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/articles-submit/gobala-krishnan/7-sleeping-tips.htm

Trust in Divine Power:  Do I spend time each day with my God in praying,  reading the Bible and allowing Him to speak to my heart? Spending time with Him is the most important health law of all. "He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29  


If I find that I have failed in any one of these health laws, I set myself up for sickness.  These are God's natural way of keeping us healthy.


Check out these sites:  

http://www.newstart.com/newstart/what-is-newstart/

http://www.positivechoices.com/


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Country Living

Some may ask "Why have you always chosen to live in a country setting?"  The answer comes from one of my favorite books called The Ministry Of Healing page 367.  "Instead of dwelling where only the works of men can be seen, where the sights and sounds frequently suggest thoughts of evil, where turmoil and confusion bring weariness and disquietude, go where you can look upon the works of God. Find rest of spirit in the beauty and quietude and peace of nature. Let the eye rest on the green fields, the groves, and the hills. Look up to the blue sky, unobscured by the city's dust and smoke, and breathe the invigorating air of heaven. Go where, apart from the distractions and dissipations of city life, you can give your children your companionship, where you can teach them to learn of God through His works, and train them for lives of integrity and usefulness. {MH 367.1}


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Open and Shut Doors (Chapter One)



 Meadow Creek
The sun had set, darkness was wrapping its arms around us and lulling us to sleep. The children were quietly sleeping in their beds, and we had just blown out the Kerosene lamps, and lay down for a good nights rest. This would be our first night at our wilderness property. We looked out of our bedroom window that faced Canada. Thousands of stars sprinkled the night sky and cradled in our valley was the big dipper. Rippling across the heavens were the Northern lights; the most magnificent light show on earth. Surely God had led us to this wilderness setting. We had done our searching and now we we rewarded and satisfied, we could hardly sleep. We had thought that we would never have a home we could call our own. For just a year ago...

Our hearts soared as we thought of the prospects of owning this piece of land. Meadow Creek had taken our hearts by storm. “This is the property that we have waited for these three years.” I had said to Randy. Our dreams were finally coming to fruition.

The first time we set foot on Meadow Creek soil we loved it. We had to walk in by foot since the road was impassable by car. The air was fresh and invigorating, the birds twittered their happy songs, and the creek sang merrily as we trudge along the faint untraveled drive. Deer grazed in the quiet meadow. The field was abuzz with life; butterflies floated from flower to flower and bees hummed along as they sought the much coveted nectar. Rabbits sensed our presence and hopped away to their bunny burrows. It was perfect! Betsy ran through the meadow and picked the yellow snap dragons that grew in profusion. “Mommy, I just love this place!” she cried. All the essentials that we needed to set up our home were there; water, timber, sunshine, good soil, wildlife, privacy, space to roam, and many great building sites and a safe haven for our two small children.

Meadow Creek had 20 plus corners that outlined its borders. The original owners had split up this land perfectly; it was surveyed to take in three creeks, several meadows and the best timber. I imagine the surveyor took a great while to accomplish his task in surveying this piece of unusual property. I wouldn't have wanted to have his job except for the fact that Meadow Creek was such a pleasant place to be.

There was plenty of timber to build a log home, actually to build several log homes and fire wood to boot. Some of the timber found on the property was spanned by six people touching hand to hand around the base of the tree trunk.

We had been searching for three years for that country property we would call home. Since Randy was busy at his dental practice I did all the driving and looking at properties. If I found something I liked I would show Randy when he was off work. We had no Internet in those days to do our searches. I had to depend on our Realtor (Adrian) and my own travels to find properties available for sale. For what seemed to be an eternity, I had looked up and down the valley, visited many homes and properties and each ended in shut doors. We got to know our county real well and discovered where we would and would not want to live. But Meadow Creek had real potential and was appealing to our small family.

Randy sunk his whole heart and soul into this property. He bought the piece in his heart and mind before we even got a chance to put a dime down on the property. He spent many hours walking Meadow Creek. He envisioned where we would build our home. He found a spring that would be used for our drinking water. I had never seen Randy get so excited about a piece of land before like I did this one.

One of our criterion for country property was that it would be close to work. At least we wanted it to be at least 10 to 15 minuets to town. Meadow Creek was only 9 miles (15 minuets driving time) from the little town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho were Randy's office was.

The cost for the 120 acres was only $80,000.00. We were pulling our resources together to make our offer the following Monday morning. It was nearing Sabbath now and we did not have the time submit our offer that Friday. We left the property in God's hand's and prepared for a much needed Sabbath rest. 

Odd Lady
Sabbath was always a treat. We loved our little church family. The church was a growing 50 member congregation. We had just heard a rousing sermon and were now exiting the sanctuary when a guest met us in the foyer. She was an odd looking lady with long, stringy, gray hair that hung about her shoulders. She wore a drab looking long dress that hung loose over her small frame and draped over her woolen covered ankles. The little lady looked up at me, peering out of her thick glasses that perched on the end of her nose. She informed me that we should only wear solid colors in earth tones and one must never wear cotton and wool at the same time because the Bible forbids it. She looked up at me with her squinting eyes and a big wide condemning smile that made me quite uncomfortable. I am sure I was wearing wool, cotton some synthetic nylons and the color of my dress was....RED. I was happy and relieved to get called away by Betsy.

Monday morning dawned bright with promise. Randy drove to the Realtors office. We had gone there to make an appointment to finalize on a few last minuet details concerning the property. I walked into his office with a smile on my face. But Adrian met me with a serious tone in his Voice. “I hate to tell you this, but someone has put $10,000.00 earnest money down on Meadow Creek today. The property is now in escrow. It is too late to put in your offer. I am sorry.” I was dumbfounded and stood frozen to the floor; not sure what to do.

Randy had been waiting outside in the car for me. “What is taking her so long?” With that thought on his mind he came into the office to see what was holding me up. Adrian broke the news to Randy. “What?” Randy blurted out. He was just as shocked as I had been. The property had sat unnoticed for quite some time. How could it be gone just like that? We had not heard of any other interested parties in the property. “Who put in the offer?” Randy asked incredulously. “A little, odd looking, gray haired woman put in the offer.” Adrian said.

“A Little, odd looking,gray haired lady”? I queried out loud. I wondered in my mind if it could be that strange looking woman that visited our church the previous Sabbath? She was asking a lot of questions about properties for sale in the area. But, it mattered not who had put the earnest money down. Meadow Creek was gone and we were devastated. Our dream of a future country home seemed dashed to pieces yet again; ripped violently from our grasp.

We discovered that very week that the “odd little lady” was the culprit that had visited our church. The next Sabbath she was there again. Our hearts desires were ripped from our grasp by this woman. It was hard for me to even look at her, let alone talk to her. I had to pray much that Sabbath day. We found out that she even knew that we were going to put in our offer and yet still put her earnest money down anyway.

Randy and I steered clear of the odd little woman that Sabbath day. She seemed to spell trouble. But, she was not steering clear of us. She walked up to us with a confident air and asked “Would you like to join me in purchasing Meadow Creek? I am going to herd goats on the property and I will need some help herding them?” We were dumbfounded! I briefly imagined myself out in the meadow herding goats. I shuttered with the thought and answered without a shadow of doubt “No thank you!” Herding GOATS! I choked with the thought of such an occupation. It was unthinkable, ridiculous and hilarious all wrapped up in one big bundle!

Little did we know that in just three months time the odd little lady would loose her earnest money. She could not come up with the financing and since we had no intention on joining her goat herding haven she was never able to purchase the land. But at this time we did not know the future, and to us Meadow Creek was out of reach forever. 

 Dashed Hopes
We had always submitted each of the potential properties to the Lord and we did the same with Meadow Creek. We asked the Lord to “open and shut doors as He saw fit.” He shut this door on Meadow Creek tight. Randy was done searching! This property had taken his heart like none other. He had decided that the Lord just didn't want us to have a place of our own, at least not now. He told our Realtor, “Adrian, I am finished”.

The next month found us disheartened and discouraged. We were living at a temporary location on our friends property in a mobile home. We felt like the Lord had slammed a door right in our face. I wondered if we were ever going to find a place we could call our home. Randy busied himself with his practice and sought to make our surrounding home pleasant. We had lost all our desire for searching for property. It was as if we had lost a loved one and buried him in a cold damp grave. Our hopes and dreams were dashed.

Two months went by. One day Adrian called “I found the place for you”. I reminded him that Randy was done searching. He said “Just humor me this one last time and take a look”. Randy told me that it was pointless to entertain another piece of land. But he eventually relented at the persistence of Adrian. We reluctantly took him up on his request; a decision that would altar our lives dramatically.

Adrian told us that we needed to travel in his four wheel drive to this property. Our Nissan Maxima would not like the driveway, since it had a rough access. Randy had other things that he would rather be doing that Sunday, but he went along for the ride. Adrian had become our friend. He had taken us on many interesting drives these past three years. We could go on just one more drive.

It was a long journey to the property; 55 minuets from town. We drove past Three Mile, the pig farm, past the Giles Connection Road and on up to Round Prairie. Finally we turned off the highway at Robinson Lake Campground to travel the last three miles to our destination. “This is a long way from the office” Randy thought. “Meadow Creek was only 9 minuets to the office” he whispered in my ear.

We started up the first dusty hill and around the corner. There were pot holes in the road, fallen trees and brush that hadn't been cleared in who knows how long. We bumped along the rutted dirt road. The woods were well forested with tall stands of pine trees on every side. We drove down a little hill and over a bridge and up another hill. “This is really out here” Randy spoke out loud. The last three mile drive took a good 15 minuets. 

We finally reached the driveway; the old rusty locked gate stood in the way like an old worn out guard. The rest of the quarter mile we had to walk on foot. The aroma of skunk cabbage perfumed the air as we stepped out of Adrian's truck. A little creek ran under a culvert at the gate where Skunk Cabbage grew in perfusion.  As we strolled along Adrian told us of the property we were about to see. He informed us that the property was homesteaded in the 1800's and once boasted of a saloon. The Old Horse Trail into Canada bordered the land. More recently the trail had been used by drug runners traveling by foot to and from Canada. The land was bordered on three side of national forest service land and one side Canadian forest. This private piece of property was one of the very few private lands that did not have a US/Canadian border crossing.

The gentle hill we climbed was thickly forested along the driveway. I wondered what wild creatures might be stalking us as we talked and walked along the drive. When we came around the last bend that led to the main property our eyes met a breathtaking view of a beautiful meadow with mountains surrounding the valley and Canada before us. An elk was quietly grazing in the meadow. The US road ended here. Canada was the next stop. Adrian said not a word. He waited for our response. I was excited! But Randy's heart. . . . was still at Meadow Creek.

 Border Mountain

Shocked
The 60 acres of property boasted of two creeks in the meadow, mountains surrounded the land, bordered Canada, had wildlife galore, with a small unfinished cabin on it. The cabin had no water, no electricity, no phone, and the nearest neighbor lived 3 miles away. It was a remote piece of property. Only the sounds of nature could be heard here. No traffic, no loud city noises, just animals and that big rushing sound of the gentle wind blowing through thousands of trees. To most, this was an unthinkable challenge. But to us, it would become our way of life.

Adrian spoke “the owners want $60,000.00 cash, and the property will be on the market for only one week, and they are firm on their price.” Well, that answered our question and relieved Randy. We did not have $60,000.00 cash and certainly could not come up with it in one week. But Adrian encouraged us to see if we could get a loan from family or friends.

We called the most likely relatives that could help us in our venture. My sister's husband was a neurosurgeon and if anyone of our relatives could help us they would be the ones. But they turned us down flat. They thought we were too edgy. Our quest for country/wilderness living was a bit out there for them. We asked a couple other people that might loan us the $60,000.00 but came up empty. Randy was glad to tell Adrian “We tried, but our relatives will not loan us the money, and all we have is $5000 cash.” Adrian's response “Lets write up an offer with $5000 down.” So we wrote up our offer; $5000 down and $1000 monthly payments. We submitted our offer and knew that it would be denied. Randy settled back, relieved that he had done all he could.

The next day I dropped into Adrian's office. I opened his office door expecting a quick reply of a denial and then I would be about my day. But instead, I walked in with the beaming face of Adrian saying “You have yourself a piece of property. The owners accepted your offer.” I didn't know what to say. I was without words. When God opens doors he opens them wide and often in unusual and humorous ways. This time He had dashed our hopes for Meadow Creek to give us something we were not even sure we wanted. I related the news to Randy. He was SHOCKED. He hadn't decided whether or not if he really wanted to live that far away from civilization. His heart was still at Meadow Creek.

Reality finally hit and Randy decided he had better check out the property we had just unexpectedly purchased. He traveled the 55 minuets and spent hours walking its borders, alone. There was a beaver dam in the field and a nice stand of quaking aspen. He discovered two creeks and one spring on the land. There was peat moss in the meadow that would be great for the garden. He walked the land and thought of strategies of how we could eventually live in this wilderness setting. He pondered how long it would take to make it all come together. He began to warm up to the property and soon Meadow Creek was a blur.

The little cabin that existed on the property was just a small tar paper shack. There was no insulation in its walls. The cabin boasted of just one room and a loft; about 300 square feet altogether. There was no bathroom, no kitchen, no bedroom, no living room; just a bare room with a loft. Much would need to be done to make it even livable before winter set in. It was now fall and it was obvious that our move would not be done before the snow began to fall.

With the sounds of nature lulling us to sleep we finally succumbed to a good nights rest in our new surroundings. We were now owners of the old homestead. We could not believe that this property belonged to us and that our three year search had now ended. I felt like we were walking in a dream. With Meadow Creek in the shadows of our hearts, we launched into our new venture. The previously shut door was now open and we were walking through its threshold. We went to sleep wondering what our future life would be like in this place.  


The US(our property)/Canadian Border Clear Cut Line

This is our story....