THE SEWING DORK: Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Noow that Thanksgiving (and Halloween) are over, what are you going to do with all your pumpkins that you used for your indoor decorating??  This is where mine are going!  She shows the same method I use for my pumpkins to recycle them into pie, bread or fritter base.  You can then can it or freeze it.
THE SEWING DORK: Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Thanksgiving Dinner

Today was our first Thanksgiving Dinner for the season, with my family.  We still have one more to go for my husbands side.  I wish I had taken a picture of the tables before and after.  We had 2 types of ham, 2 types of turkey, 3 styles of potatoes, stuffing, salads, 2 types of rolls, pasta salad, green bean casserole---just to name a portion.  It truly was a feast.  When we finished eating, we discovered we had barely made a dent in the food.

After we ate, the men, neice, nephew, daughter and cousins went out to the farm to shoot.  (Does that make us rednecks?)  That is becoming sort of a tradition with our family to eat then go shooting.

After the target practice, we had to eat again (round 2.)

Rebecca made a bunch of pies and cake.  So did my mom, along with breads.  Emily did the math, and we had enough pies for each person to have half a pie.  That's my kind of meal!

Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 95:1-6

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)

Psalm 100
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (KJV) 

Remember our troops who are not with their families.

Planning your 2013 Vacation? Check this out first!

The National Parks System has announce the dates for 2013 when there will be no fees to enter the parks.  Some parks are free everyday, but for others there is usually a charge.  Visit the National Parks System blog to see when these free days will be.  

Help Sandy victims

On a personal note, IDES is an organization I have worked with following the Joplin tornado.  I have been a team leader and taken volunteers in to work.  I will vouch for them 100%.  It is very rewarding to the volunteer, and very much appreciated by those in need.- The below is a copy of an email I received from IDES. -April "IDES has found a place where we can house teams of volunteers on Long Island. "It may be slower at first as we are getting projects lined up, but we can house 30 and will be working in various towns on projects for up to a year. The great part is their housing will be free." Call the IDES office if you want to send a group because we do not want to overwhelm this location with help. Be prepared when you call to give us how many people will be coming, for how long, what skill sets your team has, and what tools you can bring. IDES office : # 765-947-5100 If your congregation can provide overnight accommodations, or serve as a base of operations for volunteers in an affected community please contact us by phone or by email at: ides@ides.org Projects so far: - $25,000 to assist Nesconset Christian Church as they respond to needs in their community, the community surrounding South Nassau Christian Church, and several other low lying areas of Long Island. - The South Nassau Christian Church in Baldwin, NY (Long Island) suffered significant flood damage to their church building and parsonage. IDES sent $10,000 to aid with initial clean-up and recovery efforts. Additional funds will be requested after the church meets with their insurance adjuster. - IDES sent $25,000 in preliminary funds to Orchard Group as they respond to known needs among their church plants in Brooklyn, Manhattan and other affected areas. Orchard Group has representatives assessing the situation in surrounding communities. Once the need is fully known, they will present us with a longer-term response plan and request additional funds. - IDES send $2,500 to Pioneer Bible Translators International to help one of their translation associates who lives in NY and had flood waters to the ceiling of her apartment. Ways you can help: The best thing to do now is to give. Can you or your church give today to help with this crisis? Donate Online If you would like to donate by check or money order you can send your gift to IDES (Write "Sandy" on the memo line) PO BOX 60 Kempton, IN 46049-0060 If you cannot give please pray. You can help a family in need: Help A Family for $100 - We are working through local Christian Churches / Churches of Christ and missionary groups to bring help and hope to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. We recently got a request to help with a families basic needs. This family lost everything because their apartment was flooded. Nine feet of water was present in their apartment and everything was ruined. You can help families like this one get back up on their feet by donating $100 or your best gift to IDES. Help A Family By Clicking Here Please forward this message to anyone you think might be able to help. Feel free to post this information on your facebook and twitter pages. We will be posting updates as we receive them on our website at: http://www.ides.org/hurricanesandy.html and on our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Disaster-Emergency-Service/78027527419?ref=hl Thank you for your support, IDES -www.ides.org Contact Info International Disaster Emergency Service P.O. Box 60 Kempton, IN 46049 765-947-5100 www.ides.org IDES has found a place where we can house teams of volunteers on Long Island. "It may be slower at first as we are getting projects lined up, but we can house 30 and will be working in various towns on projects for up to a year. The great part is their housing will be free." Call the IDES office if you want to send a group because we do not want to overwhelm this location with help. Be prepared when you call to give us how many people will be coming, for how long, what skill sets your team has, and what tools you can bring. IDES office : # 765-947-5100 If your congregation can provide overnight accommodations, or serve as a base of operations for volunteers in an affected community please contact us by phone or by email at: ides@ides.org Projects so far: - $25,000 to assist Nesconset Christian Church as they respond to needs in their community, the community surrounding South Nassau Christian Church, and several other low lying areas of Long Island. - The South Nassau Christian Church in Baldwin, NY (Long Island) suffered significant flood damage to their church building and parsonage. IDES sent $10,000 to aid with initial clean-up and recovery efforts. Additional funds will be requested after the church meets with their insurance adjuster. - IDES sent $25,000 in preliminary funds to Orchard Group as they respond to known needs among their church plants in Brooklyn, Manhattan and other affected areas. Orchard Group has representatives assessing the situation in surrounding communities. Once the need is fully known, they will present us with a longer-term response plan and request additional funds. - IDES send $2,500 to Pioneer Bible Translators International to help one of their translation associates who lives in NY and had flood waters to the ceiling of her apartment. Ways you can help: The best thing to do now is to give. Can you or your church give today to help with this crisis? Donate Online If you would like to donate by check or money order you can send your gift to IDES (Write "Sandy" on the memo line) PO BOX 60 Kempton, IN 46049-0060 If you cannot give please pray. You can help a family in need: Help A Family for $100 - We are working through local Christian Churches / Churches of Christ and missionary groups to bring help and hope to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. We recently got a request to help with a families basic needs. This family lost everything because their apartment was flooded. Nine feet of water was present in their apartment and everything was ruined. You can help families like this one get back up on their feet by donating $100 or your best gift to IDES. Help A Family By Clicking Here Please forward this message to anyone you think might be able to help. Feel free to post this information on your facebook and twitter pages. We will be posting updates as we receive them on our website at: http://www.ides.org/hurricanesandy.html and on our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Disaster-Emergency-Service/78027527419?ref=hl Thank you for your support, IDES -www.ides.org"
Contact Info International Disaster Emergency Service P.O. Box 60 Kempton, IN 46049 765-947-5100 www.ides.org

Rebecca's Egg Experiment

Rebecca took a chicken egg, and soaked it in white distilled vinegar for 2 days.

Her theory was that since vinegar was  used to dissolve calcium buildups in household cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens, it would also dissolve the chicken egg shell.

At the end of 2 days, she checked it.  The shell was completely gone, and the egg was rather rubbery.  If you hold it up to the light, you can see the yolk and the inside of the egg.

 You can see the yolk in the center of the egg, as a light is behind it.  The shell is gone, and the egg is rubbery.

Kind of a neat homeschool science experiment that anyone of any age can do.  This would make a good experiment for younger ones for a science fair, such as the one in St Joseph MO every February for homeschoolers.  Soak the egg in other liquids and see if any other liquids can have the same effect.  We always here how bad soda pop is on our teeth, I wonder what would happen to the shell if an egg were soaked in soda pop?

Christmas!!

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Todays Project

I live in a fairly new house, but when my husband built it, he built it to look like an old farm house. (Only fitting for a house on a farm).  As a result, we have the thicker walls, great insulation and energy saving windows of a newer home, and the style of an older home.

Our home is full of antiques, many which we still use.  (That makes it easier during a power outage)  Some are from his family, some are from my family, but most are auction and flea market finds.

So, fitting in with the style of the house, and antiques in it, we try to add more character when and where we can--sometimes its in the form of a light fixture, or antique door knob.  One thing we have both always liked was wainscoting.  Been talking about putting some up for over 6 years.  I finally did some today, in the kitchen.  There are several other areas in the house that I would like to put more wainscoting (behind the kitchen door for one, where the doorknob hits the wall making a dent in the sheet rock).

Before--this is the kitchen color that a couple years ago my husband picked out. Yes, it is John Deere yellow. Had to be mixed special just for us.....But, a yellow kitchen is ok, and in one corner is a John Deere collection  so, it works.  Besides, I like a bright (ok, blinding) kitchen.

We used pine, and I put it up unstained.  Mainly I didn't have the patience to wait all night for the stain to dry, and I didn't want to go out in the dark to the barn to dig up the saw horses to make a work table, which probably were in use anyway.  I used liquid nails adhesive, and finishing nails.  This is 3 inch pine tongue and groove from Home Depot.

Rebecca helped with the staining.  I actually think it was easier staining it while up on the wall, than laying it flat .

Here is the finished project.  That's my potato bin in front of it.  When we pulled the tape off, we found a small bit of stain on the wall, but tomorrow after church I plan on touching up the paint in the kitchen as several places need it.

In case you wonder how I stand on the issue....

This is what we all looked like at 12 weeks in the womb. Legal to kill in all 50 states. Anyone think its not a person?

This is one of the very first things I consider about a candidate before I vote, at any level, even on the local level.  (After all, they all start somewhere, no one runs only for president, they work their way up).  This is murder.  A woman may control the health of her own body, but this is NOT her body.  It is a whole other body.  It has its own body, own mind and own soul.  No one, has the right to terminate that.  They mother is to protect, nurture and love, not to kill.


From the Family Policy Institute of Washington.

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Operation Christmas Child

This year our family is participating in Operation Christmas Child.  Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan's Purse.  "Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world."


If you are not familiar with OCC, visit the website.  But, in a nutshell, people-like you and me, fill a shoebox with the contents directed for either a girl or a boy.  Then you pay $7 for the shipping of the box.  The box and its contents are then matched up to a boy or girl who is the right size and age for your contents.  Worldwide, children receive these boxes at Christmas time, along with a book about Jesus and God's love.  OCC directs you with suggestions as far as what to pack and what not to pack in the box.

All around the USA there are locations where you can take your packed box.  The website will direct you to the nearest location after you enter your zip code.  Boxes need to be at the pickup locations by November 19 to ensure delivery for Christmas this year.  However, you can send boxes at anytime through out the year for the following Christmas. 

9 X's the easy way

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Homeschooling in the St Louis MO area??

If you are a homeschooling family in the St Louis MO area, check out this link.  This is a website that lists a whole bunch of fun and interesting upcoming events for homeschoolers in your area.  You can also subscribe to it (its a wordpress blog) and receive updates as they occur in your email.

What is Veterans Day??

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”


In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

 An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."


On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."
From the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Emilee Irsik Found Safe in Germany

If you have been following the posts about Emilee Irsik, you will be happy to know she has been found!!
From her family and friends facebook page....

"We have wonderful news! Emilee's family is happy to confirm that Emilee is safe and with the German police at this time. We have no more information at this time. We are incredibly grateful for everyone that has joined in this effort. To everyone that has hung a flier, made a phone call, written a story or just said a prayer, our gratitude has no words. We don't know when she is coming home at this point or any other details but will keep you posted as we know more. Thank you!!!!! It's a great day!"

No reason given, no reason needed.  The important thing is she is safe, and her parents and family have great reason to celebrate. 

Being the mom to 5 girls, and living not far from her home in KS, we were following this story closely.

I voted. Did you?

Edmonds woman faces hair loss with humor, grace | HeraldNet.com - Life

This article is about my cousin Sue, from Indiana who now lives in Washington.  She has alopecia areata, a incurable autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere. 

Following our typical family attitude, instead of hiding from it, she uses it as a tool to help others who may have the same disease.

Edmonds woman faces hair loss with humor, grace | HeraldNet.com - Life

A Message for Emilee Irski

Emilee Irski, 

There are a lot (a whole lot) of people very worried for you and praying for you.  I am a mom, to 5 daughters.  I can not even begin to imagine what your family is going through.  

To worry about a child who lives away from you, regardless of if they are at college, in a different town, or even a different county is one thing.

But, to not know where you child is, or if they are dead or alive is another.  Its a feeling no parent or sibling or family member should every go through.

You are not in trouble, no one is angry with you.  We only pray that you are ok and can see this message.  We beg you to contact someone, anyone that you know and let them know you are ok.  If you need help, you will have help sent to you.   If you don't want to contact your family, you can send a note here, as a comment.  But, please also put something that only your family would know, to verify that is is indeed you writing.  

We are coming into the holidays, a special time for families.  I am sure your family wants no other gift than the gift of knowing you are alive and safe.  Please, send word.  

Daylight savings time ends tonight

Daylight savings time ends tonight - Set your clocks back 1 hour and change your Smoke and CO detector batteries