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Our Little Haven In the Country

It has been brought to my attention that I have yet to post some pics of our country haven, so, without further ado, here is our home. It’s nothing fancy, and still needs LOTS of outside work done (as well as inside), but it’s home and we love it. We’re slowly but surely taking care of the things that need done, but only as money allows – nothing on credit at ALL. It slows us down, but we’re perfectly okay with that.

The pics you’ll see are of our front 5 acres. We have 23.5 acres total, but the rest are wooded.

The pictures start with view from our front porch and go around the house. I also took a few of the chicken coops (Please excuse the big coop – we’re in the process of fixing it up. It was a storage building.) and the storage building/work shop. It had a woodshed on the back that collapsed the first winter we were here. We’re planning to paint the building this fall so It’ll all match then, plus we’ll finish fixing up behind it at that time.

Just remember – it needs lots of TLC and we’re giving it to it, just slowly.

The fall colors on the ridges are amazing! I’ll have to show you later on this year when the leaves start to change!

I hope you enjoyed seeing our little haven. We’re not rich, but God has truly blessed us with this land and much, much more, and for that I am very, very thankful.


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Baked Potato Soup

I was given this recipe by a friend from another site, and I’ve tweeked it a bit to make it my own.  I’m not a big fan of plain potato soup, but I love this one!

 

2/3 cup butter (10 2/3 Tbs butter)
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk (measure milk out prior to starting potatoes and allow to slowly become lukewarm)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 lb potatoes baked, diced and peeled
1 Tbs dill weed
12 slices of bacon- crumbled
4 green onions chopped
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 ozs sour cream

Peel & dice potatoes.  (Michael helped me with the potatoes.)

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The size you want the potatoes depends on your preference, but I make them bite size.    Cook potatoes just until fork tender (you pierce with a fork and they slide right back off), drain, and set aside.

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Melt butter in large pan; add dill weed and let saute briefly (about 1 minute).  Add flour to make a roux. 

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I did not have any green onions this time so I used a small onion and sauted it in the butter for about 5 minutes before adding the flour. 

Very gradually, add the milk, stirring between additions and allow to thicken between each addition.

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Once all milk is added, add back in potatoes, salt & pepper to taste.  If soup is not thickened, bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.  If it is already thickened, simmer for about 10 minutes.  

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Add in remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine, and heat through.

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Enjoy!

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This soup is very quick and easy to make.  It makes a lot, so be prepared for at least 2 meals or to feed several people at once. 

This post is linked to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

Food On Fridays

Foodie Friday 

Friday Feasts

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~ 7 Quick Takes #5 ~

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I’m definitely being random this week, so be forewarned. 

1. 

It has been a busy couple of weeks here, and it’s only going to get busier!  School will be starting back in a couple of weeks, which is really hard to believe.  Where has our summer gone?   This year, I’ll have one in elementary school, one in middle school, and one in high school.  I don’t know that I’m ready for this but, ready or not, it’s here,  My babies are growing up much to quickly for my liking.   But, I’m very proud of the people they are becoming.  I know that they have to grow up and leave the nest one day, but I’m praying that I don’t take for granted this special time with them. 

2.

On the subject of school, my children do not eat lunch at school but take their lunch every day.   This saves us quite a bit of money since they don’t care for the food served, and I know what they’re taking is much more healthy.  Right now, I’m on the hunt for some nice lunch boxes that will hold everything in reusable containers and be easily cleaned.  I don’t like using baggies if I can help it.  So, if you know of any great places to buy lunch boxes that aren’t too outrageous, let me know. 

3.

Last week was full of “road blocks”.  Our dryer quit working and the water pump went out on the truck which left me without a vehicle for a day and we had to spend money that we weren’t planning on spending. 

I know God has a lesson(s) in this for me.  I know I tend to take the daily niceties for granted a lot, and He reminded me of all of the privileges (aka blessings) that we have.  I have a washer that cleans my clothes (I don’t have to scrub them myself), I have a stove/oven to cook on, I have a dishwasher to wash my dishes (believe me, I’m very thankful for this after not having one for 8 years).  I have a roof over my head, I have electricity which allows me to have lights, my computer, and run my appliances, and I have plenty of food to eat where there are many that don’t know where there next meal will come from. 

As for the truck, I was reminded about how easy it is for us (Americans in general) to just jump in our vehicles and go wherever we need to go whenever we want.  Even though our family has cut way down on our trips out and try to combine as many as possible, we (Americans in general) still take for granted that when we get in our vehicles, they are going to start right up and take us where we want to go.  How much of an inconvenience is it for us to be without any mode of transportation at all?  For me, that day, it was not too bad.  We did have to deal with figuring out a way to pick up our children from their great-grandmother’s, but that was simple enough to work out.  Thank God we had Brian’s work truck and he had to work up that way anyway.  God worked out those details the day before and we had no idea that any of this would be happening.  See, God really is in control.   

This just makes me think a little more about all the “quick trips” that are made every day to the store, to drop off/pick up  something, etc.  We should be more thankful. 

4.

Work wise this week, I’ve managed to stay on top of things, and I’ve found a little time to do some crocheting, which I love to do, and I made myself a new clothespin bag since mine was starting to come apart.  I love it when I have some “down time” (which is not very often).   It’s a chance to refresh myself by relaxing and enjoying my surroundings instead of stressing over them.   I know other mom’s out there who would agree that a little “me time” is very important to our sanity. 

5.

This week, we’ve managed to stay on track and eat ALL meals from home – no eating out what so ever!  Not even lunches!  And I’m still well below my $300 budget for the month of July!  I will be going shopping this weekend but will be very careful not to go over budget!  If I’m careful, it will be 2 months in a row of staying at or below $300 for groceries!  I’m hoping to continue this trend.

6.

I came across a passage of scripture this week that really spoke to my heart.  We have several friends and family members that are hurting in one way or another, and this passage reminded me that prayer is more important than ever.  The passage is Psalm 20:

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your brunt offerings. 

“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up your banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests. 

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers Him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

O Lord, save the king!  Answer us when we call!”

7.

I don’t know how everyone’s weather has been, but here it’s been like spring time!  It’s been so nice to have the air off and then windows open enjoying the cool breezes! I’ve had the whole house fan on some, but most days it’s not on at all.  It’s very unusual for us here in East Tennessee, but I’ll take it for as long as it lasts!  It’s wonderful, and definitely a gift from God!

 

For more quick takes, check out Conversion Diaries.