Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13:9

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas Highlights


Tuesday, 28 December 2010

  • Christmas Highlights

    On Tuesday before Christmas, we made fruit/snack baskets with some friends of ours.  We both have boys and decided that it would be a fun project for them to learn how to make baskets and bless others with them.  The boys didn't think it sounded as grand as us mom's did, but they willingly put together their designated basket, all the while asking when they could go play. 




    They did a great job though!


    My mom came later in the day and we made more baskets to be delivered that evening while we went Christmas caroling.  We were also able to bless the mailman and some neighbors with baskets.

    Our family spent Christmas day at home.  My mom, Dave's parents and Solomon's girlfriend, Carrie, also joined us.  We opened gifts in the morning and had our traditional Christmas meal of shepherd's pie for lunch.  I did not take hardly any pictures.   Not even of Oakley!  In the evening some young folks came over to hang out.  Every year we get a family game and this year we got "Would You Rather...", so we played that in the evening.  Interesting game!

    On Sunday, my whole family went to my mom's for lunch.  There were 33 of us and we had a great time of fun and fellowship. And, of course, food, lots of food!   During a game of Taboo, Oakley just had to give in to a nap!


    We decided to play some tricks on the children.   There are many games and tricks that we did when we were young folks and thought maybe our children would enjoy one or two.   The first one we did was the surprise relay race. You have objects hidden under containers in a line down the tables and they turn the container over put the object in and go to the next one - as fast as they can.  But under one is a person that has stuck his head up between the 2 tables.  Surprise!   If you watch these youtubes you will see how it works.  It was funny and the kids loved it!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2jFEH-fDQM George
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8t1Cemg1OI Uriah
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJlERX4ZKvo Oliver

    Another one we did was...not sure what it is called.  I sat at a table and my sister-in-law sat hidden behind me making her arms look like mine.  As I told of getting ready for the day, she performed the tasks I was talking about - like...washing my face, putting lotion on, combing my hair, brushing my teeth, putting my glasses on, etc..  I wish I could've watched the children's faces!!



    On Monday, we HAD to go to Cabela's to redeem gift certificates.  Around and around Cabela's we went, while the boys tried to figure out what they wanted.  Want to know how much patience you have?   I discovered that I don't have quite enough for that kind of situation!   They did get nice stuff and they are happy.  I tend to be relieved when the holidays are over and we can get back into a normal routine again.  And it is only 82 more days til Spring!!!  Yipee!!
    Until next time............. 

Saturday, December 25, 2010

God in the Flesh


Saturday, 25 December 2010

  • God in the Flesh

    This time of year brings controversy among Christian people.  Should we celebrate Christmas or not?  We have been thinking about this issue for many years and have come to some conclusions this Christmas season.  We are not told in the scriptures to celebrate Jesus' birth, especially on this particular day.  However, in Luke 2:8-20, we find (this is my simplified version) that mulititudes of angels and shepherds were extremely overjoyed by the birth of this very special baby!  The news was so great that they wanted to spread it abroad.  This was a time of celebration for many people (read the whole 2nd chapter).  Was it just the fact that a baby was born?  No, it was the fact that God came down to earth in the flesh.  He came in the flesh to save people's souls, to redeem mankind, to fulfill the Old Testement.  What would life be like for us if this event would not have happened?
    *we would not know the true loving and caring nature of the Father
    *there would be no plan of salvation - no New Testement
    *we would still be sacrificing lambs, bulls, and goats whose blood could never take away our sins
    *there would be no Christian Charities doing great work in the name of Jesus.
    *there would no assurance of eternal life, no promise to meet our loved ones who have passed before us.
    *no beatitudes, and all the other wonderful scriptures that give us life and guidance on how to live a joy-filled, victorious life.
    *the list can go on and on.  Take a look at the Old Testement and that is how we would be living.
    God's love for us is so great He sent His son to live on this earth for 32 years.  He allowed him to die on the cross for the ultimate sacrifice so our sins can be forgiven.  Jesus changed the world and left for us an example on how we are to pattern our lives!  I believe that is reason to celebrate!  Not only during this season, but year round.  We are not to worship all the "trimmings" that our society has attached to the birth of Christ, nor add false teachings like Santa Claus and reindeer delivering gifts, but to remember it for what it is and rejoice, as the angels, shepherds and people did at that time - singing glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men. A Savior was born and His name is JESUS!  Let's take this time to spread the good news and let people know the real reason for celebration!
    Until next time......

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Merry Christmas 2010


Wednesday, 08 December 2010

  • Merry Christmas 2010

                                      Family Pictures 035
    Weidenhammer’s 2010 Happenings
    Hey folks, for the most part, our year was uneventful. Not one that will linger in Weidenhammer remembrance as outstanding. However, we acknowledge with each passing year (whether exciting or mundane) that we all are learning things about life. Some old ideas are sometimes challenged and shattered, some truths are solidified and new truths are revealed. Life... life is a grand experience, and is anything truly understood until it is experienced? Following is a list of tidbits and truths that the past year's experiences have confirmed to us.
    * We are never too young to show signs of old age.
    * Parenting is easy before you have children
    * Grandchildren are such fun!
    * Boys have to have something to do at all times or there is trouble.
    * Homeschooling = good days & bad days.
    * Our children (including in-laws and grandchildren!) are most precious to us.
    * Our country has big BIG BIG problems
    * Jesus can fix them
    * Sundays were made for man, not man for Sundays – He knew we would work our heads off if He didn’t proclaim a day of rest.
    * Law and grace CANNOT co-exist.
    * When you judge others, it doesn’t define who they are, it defines who you are.
    * A long held habit of not calling something wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
    * TANSTAAFL = there is no such thing as a free lunch. OFHC = or free health care.
    * Some people love you for who you are – some hate you for who you are – some don’t care who you are.
    * Men don’t like having family pictures taken.
    * Grass doesn’t grow without rain (rain dances do not work).
    * Cows don’t milk without grass, money no come in without milk.
    * Grandchildren are such fun!
    * Having priorities in order is a continual battle.
    * Thomas Jefferson was a genious.
    * We love Zac Poonen.
    * The papa of this home wins our hero of the year award (mama of this home snuck this one in)!
    NO, we did not try a raindance. But if there was an anti-snow dance we might try it!
    Did I mention grandchildren are such fun?
    Love to you all and Happy Holidays
                                                                           Dave & family

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Opps!!!


Thursday, 02 December 2010

  • Opps!!

    Never, EVER put coals, even if you think they are cold, in a plastic wheelbarrow and forget to dump it!  So thankful this was outside and not left in the basement.
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    I have a great idea for a Christmas present!
    Until next time...........

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Home-Made Scrapple


Tuesday, 30 November 2010

  • Home-Made Scrapple

    Yesterday, we made scrapple from the beef we butchered on Saturday.  Dave got the fire under the butcher kettles going in the morning.  He filled 2 kettles with water and put the meaty bones in to start cooking around 11:00.
    scrapple making 001
    Around 3:00, the meat was cooked and ready to be picked off the bones.  Dave removed bones from the broth, drained them over bucket and dumped them on the table to cool.  It smelled so good in the shop!
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    While meat was cooling, we quick fed calves, heifers, and Georgie started milking.  Around 4:00, whoever was available, started "picking" the bones clean.  Looked like a daunting job, but went fairly quick, especially after the "milkers" came to help.
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    We were left with 1 1/4 big bowls of meat with just alittle fat mixed in.
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    This meat is then run through a meat grinder.  With the size of our grinder, we ran it through once using a big hole plate and a second time using a small hole plate.
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    After the meat was ground, it was added back into the one kettle that had the strained broth.  Next, we mixed up our "cereal", which is cornmeal, buckwheat flour, salt, pepper, and a little sage (other people add different seasonings, but we prefer just the basics).   The cereal mix is added to the meat and broth.
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    And then the stirring begins none stop!!  It can take about 30 minutes till the scrapple is thick and pulls away from the side of the kettle.   Go Kelsey!  During this time we also do the big taste test!  Everyone gathers round with their spoons!  Can't make scrapple without tasting it to make sure it is just right!
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    It is then ladled into scrapple or bread pans.
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    We got 26 pans!  Wahoo!  We let them sit overnight to cool and set up.  Of course, we had to have some for breakfast this morning!
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    The rest went into the freezer..
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    Now we like to eat ours with either.......fried onions, ketchup, mustard, applebutter or applesauce, and syrup.  Oliver had peanut butter and jelly on his this morning for the first time.  He said it wasn't bad!  What do you eat on yours?  Oh, Tim, I know your mouth is watering....you have to come to PA and we will share.
    Until next time...............

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Butchering Beef


Sunday, 28 November 2010

  • Butchering Beef

    We spent the day Saturday preparing 2 beef for the freezer and canning.  Again, like the description of our chicken butchering day, this will be graphic and seemingly inhumane.  If you eat beef, this process cannot be avoided.
    First, I want to share 2 comical pictures that were taken while we were shuffling the girls around.  This one is not one we butchered, but is going to the auction.  Oh, how stubborn they can be!!  How many farmers does it take to move a heifer?
    beef butchering day 001
    beef butchering day 003
    The first thing in the beef processing is killing (of course!) and it is done in a very humane way.  We lured her to a safe area where she is killed - the men hate this part of butchering.  Dave asked that no pictures of that be included on here.  It is just too sad.
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    Ben was the "expert".  He walked us through each step and allowed the boys to participate in whatever they were able to.  He is a good teacher!  The heifer was laid on her back and the skinning process begun.  Please remember that these steps are much easier in a butcher shop setting, where all the equipment and tools are ready to go.  When we do this at home, it certainly is not as convenient.  It works, though, and Ben is itching to have it more professional.  Maybe one day.....
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    Did you know they have a joint at this location on their legs (where Ben is cutting)?  Can't figure out why.
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    Sawzall is used to cut bone.
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    Hung and ready for gutting.
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    Stomachs..........(they have 4)
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    Intestines.........(Dave trying to hold them in bucket).  Did you know that the "old-timers" used to clean the intestines and use them for sausage casings?  
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    Liver.......
    beef butchering day 035
    Heart.............If we had a heart and a set of lungs these sizes, we would be able to do things effortlessly.......the only thing is that we would need very large muscles and arteries, also!
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    This is the inside of one of the stomachs.  Do you notice the lining of the stomach and the "fingers" attached?  They are what absorbs the nutrients from the hay/grain/grass.   Bovine will eat LOTS of long stemmed hay at once and will fill their stomachs.  Then they will go lay down somewhere, regurgitate that hay and chew it again till it looks similiar to what you see below.  That is what we call "chewing their cud".   Maybe sometime I will explain the 4 stomachs.
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    The naked heifer is then cut in half....
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    The halves are cut in quarters to make it easier to handle.
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    The little boys were given the bones (and pieces) that needed to be trimmed for hamburger.  Ben would do the "professional" cuts - such as sirloin steaks and roast, delmonico steaks and roast, bottom round and top round steaks and roast, etc..   When he is at the butcher shop, they use a saw similiar to a table saw, but here he had to use the sawzall.  Don't worry - it was a brand new blade! 
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    Some steaks and roasts ready to be bagged for freezer.....
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    Cubes that are going to be ground into hamburger.....
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    Cubes to be put into canning jars........
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    Fill quart jars to rim with cubes of meat, add 1/2 - 1 tsp. salt, add lids and process in pressure canner at 10# for 1 1/2 hrs. (90 min,).   Do NOT add liquid to jars.  The meat makes liquid.  It is great to have on hand to add to stews, etc..
    beef butchering day
    I forgot to take pictures of the trimmed bones that we use to make scrapple (yes, we make scrapple from beef, it is good!). Hopefully we will be making that in the next day or 2.  I will do a separate post on how to make scrapple.

    We had a fun time together again preparing for the future.  We started about 10:30 and finished up about 8:30.  Dave & I did chores in the afternoon while the boys continued working on meat.  Humbly grateful for family and for the provisions that the Lord sees fit to give us.
    Until next time..............