I'd rather be surrounded by nature than in the fanciest hotel.
We are a Christian homeschooling family of 9 sharing experiences on our 14 acre farm in rural Virginia. Blog entries could feature anything going on in our lives: our walk with Christ, triumphs and struggles, homeschool, family life, helpful hints, tips for large family living, rural living, herbal medicine, etc. If you enjoyed your visit, please drop us a line at contentmentacres@yahoo.com
Friday, August 08, 2025
Sleeping Beauties
I'd rather be surrounded by nature than in the fanciest hotel.
Thursday, August 07, 2025
Home
We had a great time in the middle of nowhere, all to ourselves. Once we got to where we were going, we saw fewer than 20 cars in 5 days, and most of those were the same hunters training dogs to scent while standing on dog boxes in the back of their trucks. One of my favorite memories from this trip was sitting on a rock in the middle of a creek while Clint shelled us peanuts. We watched the minnows hit the shells. Then there were the miles and miles of flora and fauna we enjoyed as we talked together.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Heading for the Hills
I apologize for not posting for a while, but thank you to those who have checked in.
Yes, we still need prayer.
Please keep praying for Karen. She nearly bled to death and was life-flighted to a better hospital. She is now receiving the care that was withheld from her. She is receiving radiation. It is making her very ill. Please pray she can eat and take her pain meds.
I have been neck deep in pears for a few weeks now. Most of them are processed, but there are a few more on the trees.
Clint is taking me to the mountains for some R and R. I might get to do some foraging too. No phones, no people, just us and nature. The last time we went, I saw two bears!! Even though I grew up in an area with frequent bear sightings, that is the first time I have ever seen one. Maybe this time, I can get a picture of a bear.
I'll get back to work on the rest of the pears when I get home next week. My love to all!
Keep looking up..Jesus will be here soon!
Friday, July 25, 2025
Rudbeckia hirta aka Black Eyed Susans for Medicine
A friend took me foraging last week! I was able to bring a few plants home for my garden. I cut the plants back to give them the best chance of survival. I will use the flowers and leaves for medicine.
Monday, July 21, 2025
Triangle Orache aka Saltbush aka Atriplex spp
Triangle Orache (Atriplex prostrata) grows all over the US and other parts of the world. There are no toxic plants in the Atriplex genus. Atriplex is in the same family (Amaranthaceae) as the more commonly known wild edible, Lamb's Quarters.
Like spinach, the older leaves of Atriplex are high in oxalates, so consuming them with calcium will help prevent absorption. I use stinging and wood nettles, which are very high in calcium, in my green powder mixes to reduce the amount of free oxalates. One could add cheese to a soup or salad to help bind the oxalates.
Atriplex is a good source of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, and calcium. My notes do not have a lot of medicinal information on this plant. I have PDFs of very old herbal texts showing, it has been used to treat digestive and kidney ailments, purify the blood, and has been used externally for bug bites, stings, tumors, etc. What I see is that it has been used mainly for food for humans and livestock.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Virginia Pepperweed aka Peppergrass
Peppergrass, primarily Lepidium virginicum L. (commonly called Virginia pepperweed), is another plant I use when I can find it. I've been munching on these since I was a child. This one was growing in a planter on my deck. It is a wild edible in the Brassicaceae (cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, turnip, etc) family. Its leaves, seeds, and young shoots are edible and were foraged by Native Americans and early settlers. The young greens are similar to arugula or watercress and are often added raw to salads or cooked as a pot herb (usually added to food that is cooked in a pot). The seeds can be ground as a pungent spice substitute, resembling a combination of mustard and black pepper. When harvested at the right time, it is tasty! The seeds need to be harvested while green because they lose flavor as they turn tan.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Sweet Gum, Grape Leaves, Storax, Resveratrol, Viruses
A friend asked me about Sweet Gumballs. I figured I'd share this here in case it helps someone else:
If the sweet gumballs are not in season, you can use the leaves, stems, and inner bark to extract the antiviral properties. I learned that by listening to and taking notes from the old Tommy Bass videos. The gumballs have higher amounts of storax, but there is a moderate amount in the leaves, stems, and bark. Just use a higher herb-to-solvent ratio. The same is true with a lot of herbs. For example, higher amounts of resveratrol (antiviral) are in grape skins, but you can also get it from the leaves.
There is a joyful noise in our home.
First, you should realize I have had children run to me with all manner of exciting nature finds, including snakes, big insects, and spiders. Brandon asked for a green snake, and I, thinking he'd never find one, said yes. Not too many weeks later, he ran inside with an arm and a slithery thing outstretched. I climbed the couch backward. Caleb has no fear of snakes.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Being attacked for doing your best?
I wrote this to encourage a young friend of mine who is facing so much criticism and nastiness for starting a home-based business. She is a young mother trying very hard to help her family. Relatives and others are tearing her down and telling her she will not succeed, and are starting rumors that she is operating without a business license.
If you are also facing a lot of hostility while trying to do something good, maybe this will encourage you:
The truth shines while the jealous whine. I've had those types of people in my life. Emphasis on "had."No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:5-6She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
False accusations don’t define you. God sees and honors the truth.Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. Romans 12:19
Monday, July 07, 2025
Abundant Mercy
In Ephesians 2, we are told He is RICH IN MERCY,
and in Lamentations 3, we are told His mercies
never come to an end.
I am so very thankful for that!!
Friday, July 04, 2025
Happy July 4th!!
HAPPY 4th of July!
Thank You Father for making us American citizens and giving us the freedom, privileges, and responsibility you have blessed upon us!
May we conduct ourselves as worthy servants and bring YOU glory!
Dear Reader, Our world faces many challenges now and in the future, but I am still very thankful to be an American where I have experienced great freedom. No matter where you live, I hope you know the freedom that comes from knowing Christ.
John 8:36
Monday, June 30, 2025
A Heart that Loves Anyway
I thought this would be particularly comforting to my friends who live with this pain. These are not my words, but I felt they were worthy to share.
Dear You,
Friday, June 27, 2025
Healthy Boundaries in the Bible
Someone told a friend that her attitude about forgiving but not giving access to toxic people was not very forgiving or loving.
There is a lot of value to the Christian who searches the Bible about things like this. It might seem harsh to walk away from someone who is harmful to be around, whether that is physically, emotionally, or spiritually, but it is what the Bible teaches. The Bible is full of instances of setting healthy boundaries.
What is a toxic person? A toxic person is someone who consistently harms others physically, emotionally, spiritually, or mentally through manipulation, control, deceit, or disrespect. All of these traits are sinful (flesh).It is very Biblical to not give access to people who are not behaving in healthy ways. There are more examples in the Bible we can find to give us guidance, but here are some.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 22:24-25
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him. Titus 3:10-11
People will be... abusive, slanderous, without self-control, brutal... having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:2-5
…If they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Mathew 18:15-17 (AVOID them!!!)
Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.' I Corinthians 15:33
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. I Corinthians 5:11 Immoral=sinful.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. Romans 16:17
A look at the Greek for the terms used on dissensions and hindrances is very eye-opening. Dissensions (dichostasiai) refer to: divisions, factions, separations caused by contentiousness or disunity, can be caused through conflict, drama, or cliques within the church, breaking fellowship and unity. Galatians 5 lists dissensions as a work of the flesh. Hindrances (skandala) refer to: stumbling blocks, traps, or things that cause others to sin or fall in their faith, can be caused through false teachings, legalism, manipulative behavior, or anything that causes believers to stumble spiritually or morally. Skandala is translated to "offenses" in some versions. Again, all of these behaviors are sinful (flesh).
Then we can look at the example Jesus set. While Jesus loved everyone, He didn't give everyone access to Himself. He practiced healthy detachment and spoke truth with grace. He walked away from crowds that wanted to harm him, rebuked people and left them, and let others leave without Him chasing after them.
This is a big topic and one could find more verses and examples, and could do word studies to go deeper. The Bible is very clear: You should not stay connected with those who are consistently harmful to your physical, spiritual, and emotional health. You can still forgive, pray for, and love people from a distance. The Bible teaches that healthy boundaries are not selfish—they are wise and God-honoring. They reflect God’s order, Jesus' example, and protect our ability to love well without being controlled or harmed.
I have followed the instruction in the Bible on this and have seen toxic people go away and godly people fill those spaces. I have seen turmoil and mental anguish leave and peace fill my life. Once one very controlling and manipulative person left my life, my spiritual growth took off in big ways. Until I got away from them, I had no idea how much they were hindering my spiritual life. I learned a valuable lesson through that and made a promise to myself to part ways sooner with anyone who behaved like them to avoid harming my relationship with Christ.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Grandparents
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Common Horsetail aka Equisetum arvense
Monday, June 09, 2025
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, is a wild edible you can forage. It should not be confused with look-alikes. It was frequently grown as a pot herb and can be eaten fresh in salads or added to dishes to add flavor. It has been used to treat scurvy (antiscorbutic). Some say it has higher vitamin C than oranges! It is helpful to asthmatics, can be used as an antiseptic, and can be used to treat wounds and bug bites. It can also induce sweating to help cleanse the body's pathways or combat a fever. It is also a vermifuge. You can boil the leaves and stems in water, allow the water to cool, and pour it over where there are earthworms. Because it irritates their skin, they will surface, making it easy for you to collect them and invite me to go fishing! :-D I foraged this plant on a mountain hike while camping in WV. The next morning, this plant went into our omelets along with some Canadian Wood Nettle.
Monday, June 02, 2025
Cleavers aka Galium aparine
Cleavers, Galium aparine, are known for their lymphatic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory (cooling) properties. Research shows Galium aparine stimulates the transformation of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, indicating potential immune-enhancing and cancer-fighting properties. Cleavers have been used in Western herbal medicine for centuries and are still highly valued.
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Please keep praying
The weight of this spiritual warfare has landed so heavily upon me that my mind, body, and soul shut down for several days.
I lost track of time (hours, days) and have barely been functioning. After the heavy stress load from so much this last year, I think this reaction was a protective measure to keep me from having a mental breakdown. It's starting to lift, but I'm not fully over it. In all of the things I have been through, I have never had a reaction like this.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Mobile RV Repair
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia
Greenbrier, Smilax rotundifolia. Ive been eating this plant for years. PULL on the new tips and they will break off in the right place much like asparagus will when you bend it. Raw, they taste a little like a green bean. They can be eaten raw or cooked. We eat them as we hike, etc. They are better when about 6" or under. All parts are edible including the berries. It also has valuable medicinal properties and can be used for weaving, fish hooks, light use cordage, wildlife barriers around gardens, and to make biochar. Grows abundantly in most areas of eastern North America.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Cliff Notes for Osteoarthritis
A client asked me for some research guidance for her father's OA. This is what I sent her. I am sharing it here to help others. My love to all! -Mama Asbell
Osteoarthritis
Goals: reduce inflammation, improve lubrication, support any remaining cartilage, promote comfort, help cushion joints by improving joint fluids, and relieve pain.
Herbs: Turmeric (reduces cartilage wear), boswellia serrata (reduces joint inflammation, protects remaining cartilage), willow bark, ginger (some studies say ot works as well as ibuprofen), other anti-inflammatory herbs.Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, MSM, omega 3, type 2 collagen, Vit D (deficiency worsens OA) (research how much you can safely take--much, much higher than what we are being told), hyaluronic acid, stay hydrated.
Red light therapy (Amazon), Rezzimax Pro Tuner II (I'm enrolled in a class on this) helps relieve chronic pain by targeting the Vagus nerve and affects pain perception, follow an anti-inflammatory diet, hot cold therapy, joint supporting devices, vibrating heating pad (brings blood flow to area, disrupts pain signals, improves flexibility, relaxes tight muscles, increases lymphatic drainage, etc).
Monday, May 12, 2025
Another Grandchild to Love and to Pray For
Joshua and Jurnee hid this in a little treasure chest I gave Joshua years ago. He gave it to me on Mother's Day. Clint and I will welcome our second grandchild in December. Because of a blood test, we already know the baby is a boy. We know his name, but we will keep that to ourselves so the parents can announce it at the time of their choosing. Joshua proposed to Jurnee today, too, so there is another wedding in our near future.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3
Shared with a friend recently...
"I unintentionally experimented with prayers for travel recently. I learned the prayers of my friends make a big difference on the road."
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
How to Help a Grieving Friend
I keep sharing this because so many have told me it has helped them on both sides of the table in different types of grief including divorce.
Believe me, it's no time for words when the wounds are fresh and bleeding; no time for homilies when the lightning's shaft has smitten, and the man lies stunned and stricken. Then let the comforter be silent; let him sustain by his presence, not by his preaching; by his sympathetic silence, not by his speech. -George C. Lorimer
One of the most hurtful things ever said to me, for example, was by a Christian in law who claimed to be pro-life who told me less than 24 hours after the loss of my baby that crying was "feeling sorry for myself." Their words created a lot of pain in my heart. They did not care what I was going through, and their words showed it. Their words suggested I was doing something wrong by mourning my baby. I share this with the goal that others won't say such hurtful things in a woman's time of great pain. It is not helpful, but it is very hurtful.
Crying is a normal, natural response to loss. Jesus cried in grief too. Would you have said, "It's self pity for you to cry since you are going to raise Lazarus anyway?" Or, would you have shown Him understanding and compassion? Think before you speak. Words hurt and can't be taken back, but they can be forgiven. Be gentle and kind with each other even when you do not understand what the other person is going through.
Please don't add your misplaced expectations to someone else's struggle. You will only burden them further. Acknowledge a person's right to feel as they do.
If you have had a pregnancy loss, I am praying for you today and offer my friendship. My email is in the header.
but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.
-A.W. Tozer
Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Call Upon the Lord in the Midst of Your Sorrow
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:1-2
Monday, May 05, 2025
Update on Karen: Please Pray
Currently, Karen is unable to swallow, which means she cannot take her pain pills. Her pain is extreme. The dysphagia could possibly be a side effect of the very strong antibiotic she is on.
She posted this on her FB. "I'm definitely in the middle of the battle. I'm struggling to survive infection again, and days of waiting for antibiotics against the sepsis-causing bacteria (started on topical antibiotics again.) I'm also not sure if each day is the last, but I long to live and I long to die. I keep praying for any word The Lord would have me share. The best word I can give is to keep serving Him. In the days of many children and being a wife, you don't think it will come to an end. It will! As Joe so tenderly cares for me it reminds me of the days I prepared for him, cooking or taking care of our Littles. I see his tender hands and heart cleaning my wound, holding my hand as I cry out in agony 💔, and watching his face with the sorrow that's hidden away as best he can, that I wouldn't grieve that this is hurting him so deeply. God has given us 41 Years together to be shaped into His Image through this life of marriage and eight Children! For every day I am so grateful!"
Please pray she can get some pain relief. It is extreme. Please pray for her husand's strength and for the Lord to lead him to the best things to do to help her. Please pray for Malcolm as he shoulders the weight of the workload of their farm which is their income. Please pray for Myles as he continues to have GM seizures. Please ask the Lord to give me words to encourage, uplift, and show His love to her in the midst of another extreme battle.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Update on Brandon and Wendy
Brandon's fever has left, and his pain has gone away. We have no idea what was going on with him.
My rib has stayed put. I guess it's decided not to give me the slip. :-)
Thank you all for asking and praying.
Alzheimer's: A Physician Caused Disease article
https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/wallach-alzheimer-s-a-physician-caused-disease/article_dfdc05a2-9297-5c35-bf16-9816d5472d43.html
copy and paste
How to Detox from CT Scan Iodine
It was asked in one of my groups, so I am sharing my answer here:
"Iodine contrast leaves the body in most people within 24-48 hours. In people with kidney issues, it can take two weeks. The iodine is excreted in urine, so plenty of hydration along with herbs that support the kidneys, liver, and lymphatic system. I recently had a CT. I used milk thistle and burdock root. Other good choices would be dandelion root, red clover, nettles, etc. I worked up a good sweat, have been eating plenty of fiber, and have been exercising. You can also treat the symptoms of your reaction (hives/rash-antihistamine herbs like nettle), but you should notify your doctor and let them know you are having a reaction, if you have not done so."
I said, "Yes."
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Happy Easter 2025!
Happy Eas✞er!
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