Merry Christmas y'all!! Well I know it has been some time, I have been fighting Lupus and it has not been a fun fight. For the last 3 months I have had bells palsy. For those of you that do not know what that is, it means I have partial paralysis of my face. Can we say, not much fun. Well, anyway lets get on with it.
 The Seely's are starting out the new year with a new adventure. We are moving back to Oregon. Our stay in Oklahoma has been great and meeting all of D's family  has been amazing. Our journey has taken yet another course. We are currently going through some hard times with the boys and with my illness, my family has offered to help. Cannot wait to get home and see my family, it has been almost 4 years. I am so excited to start this new adventure and so excited to start our simple life and homestead in Oregon.
 I will keep you up on our adventure, I pray you  all have a very Merry Christmas!!

Putting down the devices!!!

Time to put into action our priorities. What is so important that we neglect to take time for what really matters. God and family. We are so busy trying to keep up with "The Jones'" that we have let the real things that matter fall to the wayside. Then we sit, scratch our head, and say "what are we doing wrong". Believe me I am the biggest culprit. Well, you know, Facebook is soooo much more important than what happened at school. NOT!!! However, that's probably what my kids think as I sit and say, hold on, I am busy. REALLY!! Doing what, looking at how this friend is mad at this person or how so and so are seeing each other. We have fallen into such a trap and we do not even realize it. We think, that's how we keep in touch, that's how we advertise (me), that is the only way I know what is going on with everyone. Forgetting that 20 years ago, we got along just fine without all of this.

What are we showing our kids? We don't even talk to people, we just shoot'em a text. Heck, we don't even talk to each other at home. One is on the computer, Kindle, x-box, phone, what ever it may be. Well, for me and my home it stops here. I do not want my kids to not talk to me, because they do not know how to communicate without a device. How about you, are you willing to take a stand for your family and give it a break. I challenge you today, pick a time frame and say between this time and this time, there is no devices. We sit and talk about our days. Catch up on what is going on. See what happens!!! Well, that's it on my little rant. LOL!!! Hope ya'll have a blessed day and I look forward to hearing what happens when you put your devices down and communicate as a family. God Bless~Jen

Simplify your life!!

Have a yearning to simply your life? Here is a link to 100 ways to simplify your life. http://www.missminimalist.com/2010/08/100-ways-to-simplify-your-life-and-make-yourself-happier/

It's what's for supper!!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Zippy-Chicken-Mushroom-Soup

Who doesn't like a warm soup and homemade rolls on a cold winter day. It has been cold here in Oklahoma today, so I thought how about try a new soup for the family. If you make this let me know what you think. Happy Eatings!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Solar-Shower.aspx#axzz2Lwow6jDO

Here is a good picture of a diy Outdoor Solar Shower!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Solar-Shower.aspx#axzz2Lwow6jDO

http://www.greatenergychallengeblog.com/2011/08/19/10-short-reasons-to-be-excited-about-wind-power/We are planning on going to a smaller scaled version for our homestead. Being free of the electric company will be freeing.

http://www.livingthecountrylife.com/country-life/food/build-smokehouse-11-easy-steps/

Recipe for Homemade AppleSauce

Homemade Apple Sauce 4 apples pealed and cored 1/4 C sugar or Splenda 1-2 Tbs. Cinnamon or more if you like 3/4 C water Put all the ingredients into a sauce pan, cover, and cook on medium for 15-20 minutes or until tender enough to smash. Let cool! When the apples are cool enough smash with potatoe masher or blend for smoother sauce. Enjoy!!

Homeschooling and Home Ec

In our homeschooling journey I feel it is important to not only teach the basics, but also practical skills. Cooking being one of them. Here is my son Mason making homemade Apple Sauce.

Step by Step

We got our lanterns today. So excited!! I have been doing lots of research on the web about homesteading. There are some amazing ideas out there. We are seriously thinking about an outdoor shower. I know, your probably thinking I am crazy! Think about it this way. Have you ever been in a hot tub in the winter and when you get out it feels so good? Well, that's the concept of the outdoor shower. Also, we can use fresh rain water caught in rain barrels, that are heated by the sun. Saves both on energy and water. There are so many different ways to design one, from rustic to completely done to look like an indoor bathroom. Little by little, step by step, we will get there. Keep checking in for updates! Tomorrow, I will get my hand cranked meat grinder/pasta maker in the mail. Tata for now! JennyLee

The Beginning of our journey!

This is the beginning of our new life. It is going to take us a year or 2 to get to where we want to be, but we are on our way. We decided that living a life of bondage to others and finances was not a life we wanted to live. I began researching the homesteading lifestyle and felt like this could be something for us. We have started simple where we are living. So far, we use candle light at night and only the natural sun during the day. This helps to save energy and lowers our cost of living. Along with the practical homesteading lifestyle, we are also hoping to teach our children that the world and all its technologies is not the only way to live. We have started puting our cell phones up at 6. Giving opportunity for family time. We also eat together every night. This has become such a tradition that if we do not do this, then the kids get upset. The little things make the big differences. This is just the beginning and I hope you join us on our journey. God Bless, The Seelys!