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I decided to try to your bread recipe, but didn't have the patience to set up and use the KitchenAid so I just mixed the dough and kneaded it a bit by hand. The crumb was kind of dense, so I'm wondering if perhaps it needed more kneading. Usually I do some version of "no knead" bread, so I'm not good at troubleshooting bread issues. I figure next time I'll cut the dough in half right after mixing and let it proof in the pans and bake it off once it rises and forego a second rise. Worst case scenario, it ends up too open. haha I'm sure with butter, the kids will eat it either way. ;) Thanks for the reminder/encouragement to focus on the things we actually can impact. It's easy to get distracted and forget that those seemingly inconsequential little things do add up for those around us. I hope you have a good rest of your weekend, and week ahead. :)

Back in 2019 we got an All American Sun Oven and we use it to bake bread or cookies outside. My children love to use it and the Sun is free. Also many prayers are needed in these times! So let's keep our eyes on the eternal prize.

Loved the scripture you shared at the end. Great reminder to pray for our country. ❤ I was so surprised how long bread last in your home. We go through it so quick! I love toast with butter more than I should 😅

Yes our country needs prayer for sure....

Hi Crystal, as always I enjoy your words, and also showing us what's happening around the homestead. We went to farmer's market today so it's BLT's, sweet corn and watermelon for dinner. I used to get caught up in the political world a bit a few years ago and realized it was robbing my peace and rest and affecting me, so I quit paying attention and decided like you to just pray for all leaders and pray for our nation to get back to it's roots. And then just watch things unfold, and know God is in it no matter how it ends up. Oh, and I just got "The Enchanted Barn" from Thriftbooks today, can't wait to read it. Have a nice weekend! You're a blessing to many, in many ways. 😃

Thank you Crystal - we have just had an election here and now have a government of a different persuasion. There is a saying here - 'Heavy lies the head that wears a crown' - its a massive responsibility being the leader of a nation, and these people are fallible human beings answerable to God whether they realise it or not, so our prayers are indeed vital. On another note I have always frozen sliced bread and just used it as and when needed - it saves on waste and thaws really fast. No problems with over heating the kitchen here in Scotland anyway but I've been keeping meals really simple as we've been busy. Xx

As always, Great video Crystal. Thank you. I wish we could leave our windows open at night but with the bears lurking around we can't. It tried to take our outdoor fridge off our porch. I think I will be getting some produce from my garden this year which I am very excited about. Your goods always look delicious. Thank you for sharing with us.

Being aware of what is happening in this country is important. However, as you say God will take care of his children. I keep things in perspective with Him at the helm. Have a lovely week ahead Crystal. ❤

Thank you for this today!! I'm very guilty of letting all the distractions creep in a little too much. I've been trying to get my focus on what it most important, and that's praying for leaders, our country, the world , family, and my home. It gets so overwhelming, but if I just stop and realize it's nothing but the devil becomes, God isn't about being overwhelmed or distracted. I just love everything you ha e to say, and thanks again for your encouragement . Also, I want to thank you for speaking a little about what has happened and encouraging us to pray! Much love💞💞💞

We finally have been getting much needed rain! We have been extremely hot and dry here in NC. Like you, I’ve tried not to do too much baking during the heat and I miss it too. I did make a batch of triple berry jam. That didn’t take too long and didn’t really heat the kitchen up that much. I used a low sugar pectin for the first time. It turned out great! I was so glad. Tonight’s supper is taco salads. I have some leftover chili beans,some romaine that’s needs to be used, fresh tomatoes from the garden and a few crushed tortilla chips in a bag. We’ll add shredded cheese,sour cream,homemade dressing and salsa. Quick and delicious! Thank you for this discussion! I have to admit I have been feeling very ill at ease about our country. I know in my heart God is in control, but the mother and grandmother in me worries for my children and grandchildren. I know having a more faithful prayer life will help me calm my thoughts. Congratulations on reaching 13,000! It’s wonderful to see your channel grow. Have a blessed weekend Crystal.

Thank you, Crystal. I needed to hear this wisdom today. 😊 BTW, I used to read your blog/web site… I loved it! It’s why I started using cloth napkins and diapers! 😁 Thank you for sharing!

Hi, Crystal!🤗 I always look forward to your encouraging videos each week. They are truly a blessing to me! The Lord put the same message on my heart a few days ago. I need to stay focused on Him and my family and put less focus on things outside of my control. This month, I have been praying daily for our country, leaders, community, etc. As you said, the Lord is on His throne. He's got this and, more importantly, He's got us in the palm of His hand. Thank you for sharing your book updates. I love reading and can always use good, clean suggestions. For dinner tonight, we are having an "encore presentation" (leftovers 😂) of chicken tacos. Plus, some homemade peach cobbler and ice cream. Like you, if we have a cool day, I am in the kitchen baking! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Blessings!

Hi Chrystal I'm making meatloaf and mashed potatoes and green beans Have a Blessed Day 🙌

Good morning Crystal ❤ I am just so excited to share that my 12th grandchild Claire will be born today!! They just broke Moms water!! Today is also MY birthday. I am just over the moon with excitement 😅. Dinner tonight will be a surprise. Hubby is coming home early to celebrate. Maybe some steamers!!! The humidity in Maine has broken! Yesterday, I made blueberry pancakes for the freezer for my grandchildren and macadamia nut cookies for one of my sons in law❤. Now I need to get cooking and baking for my son Joe and his wife Kylie, to help them enjoy this new blessing without having to worry about dinners for a few days!! Gotta go! 😅 😊 I'm so excited! Oh, great idea about freezing slices of bread. It takes quite awhile for us to go thru a loaf of bread.

I agree 100% Crystal that praying for our country, leaders, family, etc is so important and powerful and in doing so will keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ.🙂

I agree with what you are saying. I have had to stop listening to certain channels because it causes anxiety and I find it upsetting. I want a calm life for medical reasons. Prayer is very important. The traditional family is the cornerstone of our country. You are a wise woman.

Good talk on politics without really talking politics. My pastor prays that our leaders will make laws and govern in ways that please God and not man. That we may live peaceful lives. I think that is a starting point. I try to remember to pray that all that are called by His name return to Him as well. God has also been reminding me that He is in control by bringing Bible verses to my mind. Dinner tonight is pulled pork - which is in the crock pot now. I'll think of what vegetable to put with it later. Thank you, Crystal, for helping us keep our eyes on Him!

Hello Friends! Thanks for stopping by and having a cup of coffee with me this morning😊 Don't forget to give this video a "LIKE" if you enjoyed it and a take a moment to subscribe to my channel! Have a great day and week ahead ❤😊

Excellent thank you

Crystal, this has nothing to do with this video, but I wanted to tell you that my Sis and I are making your stovetop mac and cheese recipe for each of our homes. We were texting about all your wonderful recipes. Sis said Crystal is our cooking hero. We use so many of your recipes. Thank you for sharing your life with us, and your recipes.

Thank you for this easy apron, i am gathering cooking items for my little niece & this will be an amazing perfect addition, new subscriber here!😊

Can you please writenthe recipe 🥰 this is fantastic!!!!

My mom's homemade powder laundry detergent has biz bleach (powder), powdered laundry detergent, and then the washing soda and borax. We've never noticed these problems, I don't think? Listening to this video I'm noticing that it doesn't have "soap," it has detergent and non-chlorine bleach. This is fascinating!

Question Double canning the chicken that didn't seal seems like 90 min plus 75 min would make the 2 quarts over processed. I'm just wondering? You did a fantastic job of explaining where people could understand easily.

I’m so glad you didn’t scrub this video, thank you for sharing what you learned so I can avoid the same mistake!

Hello, Crystal! I commented this morning and even asked a question about what video editor you use because I'd like to post more videos but get so stressed out with the editing. I came back here to add another comment to my first one, but I do not see the first one!! There must have been an error with the posting?? I'm sure you didn't delete it! Anyway - I came back to say: I discovered capcut and LOVE IT! I just uploaded a short first attempt experiment. It literally took me minutes to edit and add a voice-over, and that was without knowing ANYTHING about the app. I'm really excited! Maybe I'll be posting more videos in the near future. If you have two minutes, I'd love for you to watch it and share your input! I do plan to explore the app more and learn how to refine things a bit ... smoother transitions, add music, add an intro and outro, etc. But, I'm very happy with the first attempt! Blessings, Joanne in SW MO

Hello Crystal. I really enjoyed seeing your day today. Your dinner looked so delicious. Thank you for the book recommendation, I already clicked it into my Amazon cart! I wish you a blessed weekend my friend.

I sure hope you have great results with the homemade fertilizer. That would be so economical! My flowers have really suffered from the lack of rain and extremely hot temperatures we have experienced here this month. I water frequently,but it’s just not as good as rainfall. My Marigolds look pretty good, but my Zinnias seem to really hate this heat! Your food looked wonderful! I love that kind of meal when it’s hot weather. As Dr.McGee would say “May God richly blessed you, my beloved”! Have a wonderful weekend!

I just bought everything to make my own detergent and bought s bar of zote, fels naptha, washing soda, baking soda, borax, oxiclean odor blasters, and oxi clean white revive! I am going to go ahead and use up this batch of it but once i use it up i will not use the bar soaps anymore. I font hsve an he machine thankfully. I have a top loader snd was told by the repairman that put snnew belt on it to never get rid of it that it can last us forever because it will just need to be repaired here and there with new parts. Anyways i eill grate this soap really fine and i might even go ahead and melt everything and make a liquid detergent.

Really enjoyed this video. I will definitely be trying the homemade fertilizer😊 The day in a life is a favorite of mine. I also enjoyed the grocery haul you did in the past. Thank you also for book recommendation 😊😊

Crystal, I love the fertilizer recipe. Do you think that this would be safe for vegetables too?

Hello Crystal 😊 Summer is in full swing here and dog days is adding some relentless hot days. The heat has been really suffocating here since June 5th and almost no rain. Just today!!! Finally we got some rain and cooler temperatures! Hottest, driest summer I’ve seen in 30+ years here. Your homestead is beautiful and comforting to see! I really enjoy your filming outside. The fertilizer worked really well. Love the cooking too. ❤

Great vlog!🎉🎉🎉

Looked like a really nice day Crystal!

Hi Crystal ❤ i have always, not only pulled the spent petunia flowers but also snipped off the green blossom they came out of. This encourages new growth. It has worked for me for years. Wow, your diy fertilizer worked great! Will definitely will look into J Vernon McGee. Tonight for dinner I'm making something i have never made. Stromboli. Wish me luck! 😂 have a great weekend! ❤❤❤ PS, thanks for sharing a day in your life! It was fun!!!

Manure tea works well as a fertilizer. Using rabbit manure place some inside bucket and add water. Let set for couple days and use liquid as a fertilizer . Works well.

Even though I live maybe 15-30 minutes from large retail stores I condense all my errands together. I do multiple things when I go out such as mail, Bookmobile, agricultural cooperative store, gas/convenience store.

What a beautiful place to live. ❤❤

I really enjoy seeing what you do in a day. I thought around 7:55 this morning, "It's almost 8, Crystal's video should be out in 5 minutes!" Thank you for taking us along.

Hello Friends!! I hope you enjoy today's video as I share a summer day in my life 😊 Don't forget to give this video a 'like' and take a second to subscribe if you haven't already. I'd love to have you come back for another visit ❤ Crystal

That’s a pretty great day 👍

Wow, just looked it up and you are correct. That is super disturbing. Thank you for sharing.

Wonderful video Crystal thank you; such truth In contentment being found in everyday simplicity. My summer started off with 2 unplanned surgeries and praise GodI am AOK 2months later.. Enjoying the beauty of everyday simplicity at a profound level. Hope The rest of the summer is full of contentment for you and yours.

Fascinating insight, your research is impressive

Love it!❤

Lovely

Thank you! I have serious problems with books 😂😂😂