New Favorite Pickle Recipe!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Christa Upton

Here it is—and no alum!!

Ingredients:

cucumbers-1328687-639x9395 c. water (filtered or spring water preferred)
2 T sea salt
3/4 c. white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, peeled (opt.) (we did not use)
3 T dried dill weed (or more)
2 t. dill seed (or more) OR 4 large sprigs of fresh dill instead of dried dill weed and dill seed
1 1/2 lbs. cucumbers

Directions:

Stir all ingredients except cucumbers in large bowl or pot until salt is dissolved.

Slice cucumbers and add to salt mixture (brine).

Put a plate or something on top of cucumber slices to keep them down in brine.

Leave for a day or two.

Transfer to jars.  (Supposed to be okay about 12 days in refrigerator.  But don’t ever eat anything that smells weird.) That’s it!

macro-cucumber-1539337-640x480I think this is the easiest recipe for pickles I’ve ever seen (except the one where you put cucumber slices into store-bought pickle juice, but that’s not “really” a recipe  lol).

Right now, we need easy!

Also, I don’t like the strong garlicky taste of some pickles, so we left the garlic out.  (Maybe we’ll do half and half for our garlic pickle lovers next time.)

I absolutely love these pickles!  Light dill flavor, some hints of fresh cucumber, sour but not too sour, crunchy, addicting.   They remind me of Hungarian pickles.

When we have a house, I’d like to try to save the brine after use by freezing in ice cube trays and then using a few cubes at a time in dressings, dips, potato salads, etc.  It might turn out to be a little watery, but in that case, maybe I’ll boil off some of the water.

These last only about 12 days in the refrigerator, but that wasn’t a problem for us, as we ate half the recipe in 2 days.

Christa Upton  Black Hills Picture Books   PO Box 293   Custer, SD 57730

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Make Your Own Replacement Canopy

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Christa Upton

Make Your Own Replacement Canopy for those Big ‘Ole Canopy Frames

Our canopy got ruined, and we couldn’t even find a replacement canopy that would truly fit our frame (much less at a price we wanted to pay).

My canopy was/is all about cheap (basically free) and “hurry-up-and-get-it-done-today-because-we-need-it-tomorrow.”  But you could make a really nice one if you take more time (and maybe money) than I did.

Canopy1+2

If you’d like greater UV protection, you could consider tightly-woven cotton or something like that.  (Sorry, I looked for the link to something I’d found once and couldn’t find it.)

Canopy 3

Picture 3

We eventually added another layer of cotton sheet on the thinnest part of the canopy because I kept getting lightly burnt (from sitting out there literally for hours under piercing sun made stronger at our high altitude–4,200 ft.)

  1. Canopy 4

    Picture 4

    Measure your canopy frame from one leg, over the apex of the frame, to the leg across the way.  You want enough material to go all the way over the top and still have some “leftover” to wrap around the legs.  They stay tied better in the wind if you wrap them.  So, add some to this measurement.  Extra is nice, too, for a little overhang on each edge to block more sun. (Picture 3)  Or, you can create a nice “wall” on one side for blocking as the sun goes down closer to the horizon.  (Picture 4)

  2. Gather old sheets, old pillow cases, extra pieces of fabric, etc.  (Or buy fabric.)
  3. Cut or rip apart pillow cases so they lay flat.
  4. Measure all your fabric pieces and figure out how to fit them together, kind of like a puzzle, to make the size square you want.  (My goal was 13 ft. by 13 ft.  I think I ended up a little bigger than that.)  Make sure to allow for extra, for the seams.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, though.  You can draw each piece to scale on graph paper and cut them out to piece together, or you can write down the measurements and then draw them to scale on graph paper, fitting them together. This part can be difficult, especially if you are math-challenged like I am.
  5. Picture 5

    Picture 5

    Take note of which sides get sewn together (top of one pillowcase to the side of the blue bedsheet, or whatever), and start sewing! (Picture 5)   I used a very heavy/strong white thread for most of it.  Leave a little at the edge where the next piece is going to go.

  6. (kind of 5b)  If the edge is “finished,” like the top of a pillowcase where there is a nice, folded edge, you can just stitch together, either by machine or hand stitching with a whip stitch.  (Put right sides–pretty sides– together.  Whip stitch = tie knot, go through both layers very close to the finished edges, whip around the edge, and come back through both layers about 1/4 to 1/2 inch down the seam and repeat
    Picture 6

    Picture 6

    until seam is done.)  If the edge is unfinished (like a ripped sheet or the cut edge of a pillowcase), just fold the edge over a little (maybe 1/2 inch to an inch) toward the wrong side of the fabric, put the right sides together, and whip stitch.  For a nicer look/more finished seam, you can zigzag the unfinished edge OR fold it over twice to hide the raw edge before sewing.

  7. If desired, finish any raw edges around the outside.  (This will also help keep the fabric from unraveling if you want to wash the canopy.  We don’t plan to wash ours much; it’s huge, and we’re only using it in the fresh air and sunshine….  )
  8. Gather at least 4 – 6 ties to tie it to the frame.  I wear men’s white undershirts to bed, but I hate the ribbed collars and always cut them off.  These work PERFECTLY for tying the canopy!  You could use various ribbons or such, but they do need to be pretty strong, and it helps if they are a bit stretchy and “textured” (like the ribbing on the collars) so they won’t slip as easily.
  9. To put up your canopy, the easiest way is for two people to grab two corners side-by-side and then walk forward, pulling the canopy up over the frame.  Then wrap fabric
    Picture 7

    Picture 7

    around each leg and tie with a bow.  (Picture 6)

  10. Sides can have extra ties, and you can tie them to strong tree branches, stakes, etc. (Picture 7)  This makes the shady area bigger and keeps the fabric from blowing into people’s heads.  Or sometimes it hits their heads anyway; good thing we have nice friends.

 

Christa Upton   Black Hills Picture Books    PO Box 293   Custer, SD 57730

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Updates and Great News

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Christa Upton
Digory, close upThe great news–so much has come in from the fundraiser that we are very, very close to having a start date for building our home!
In the meantime, largely due to the generous volunteer labor of some friends, we have water, septic, and electricity.  We are so thankful.
(We also have bluebirds in the birdhouse the kids made several years ago!      Pictures in the photo gallery on this website.)
A friend of ours has started a GoFundMe account for us, to make it even easier for people to help us have a safe home by winter.  It is here:

We appreciate so much all who are sharing, giving, praying, and donating time, energy, and effort.  It is hard to describe the feelings of hope (and tears) that well up when thinking we actually might have a safe place to live this winter.  I can’t even imagine it.
Christa Upton   Black Hills Picture Books   PO Box 293  Custer, SD  57730

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The Author Behind the Mysteries

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Christa Upton

Today I am very happy to be interviewing my friend and new internet secretary, smiley Marji Laine. She writes on Faith Driven Fiction and is a newly added author to the Suspense Sisters.

One of my favorite book genres is mystery, and I am thoroughly enjoying Marji’s mystery books. Her latest one, Grime Wave, is coming out on July 27th.

CoverI also love her fun and good writing in the books she has co-authored—Romance through Write Integrity Press. She’s done five of these collaborations. The first two were Christmas stories and the last three make up a sweet romance series, Heart Seekers. You can find them on her Amazon Author page, or check out the most recent one, released on July 1, Unlikely Merger.

Q. Hi, Marji, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

A. I’m a home schooling mom, like you. Teaching is in my genes. I was an elementary public school teacher prior schooling my own, and I’ve directed various children choirs for about twelve years. In our large co-op, I coordinate the high school classes, and I’ve recently designed our new website. Usually, aside from teaching my own girls, those tasks run behind the scenes, 2015authorphoto3except in the early fall (coming fast) when volleyball season and our co-op take over all of our time.

Q. What writers inspire you?

A. That’s a hard question because there are a lot of writers that I like. I aspire to write suspense and mystery like Dana Mentink and Dani Pettrey. They both have a talent for keeping their stories moving with unexpected twists. Elizabeth Goddard is another author I like to read, but she inspires me differently. What an amazing lady! I could couple Lynne Gentry with her as well. The personal stories of both of these ladies encourage me to keep reaching for the goal …

Q. Give us an insight into your main character(s). What are their passions or motivations?

Grime Wave cover5A. Dani Foster, a professional crime scene cleaner, is a cop’s kid. She can’t help the way her background colors the way she looks at things. She has a strong sense of justice and an innate curiosity that drives her to ask just the right questions and dig a little deeper into the scenes she encounters. And all of that would be fine, if she were really Dani Foster.

However, as a witness under the protection of the US Marshalls, her subtle investigations make her a consistent visitor to the police department, and not in a good way. But that isn’t her only problem. She has a strong value of honesty that regularly distresses her. After all, she’s having to constantly live a lie that burns her conscience. Especially when the lies spread to people she cares about. Like Crime Scene Specialist, Jay Hunter from the Dallas Police Department.

Jay also values honesty and feels a sting of secrecy around Dani from time to time. But he’s beginning to care enough about her that he’s willing to ignore the worry that tickles the edges of his mind. Besides, his attempt to be promoted to the team lead position that’s opening up gives him enough concern. A perfectionist, he even revisits the scenes after the cleaners have finished to double check that he didn’t miss any evidence.

Q. Where do you get inspiration for your characters?

3dbookA. Dani has been a fun character. I got the idea for her while listening to a podcast of the daughter of a coroner who had become a screenwriter. She went through all of the different jobs of forensics today and mentioned the cleaning position. That would take a special person! The picture in my mind of her, and on my covers, is actually one of my oldest daughter’s best friend. Emily is a good sport and let me do a little photography on her.

Dani’s hero had to be a cop of some sort and a crime scene investigator was a perfect match for her. The man in my head for him is a young Jimmy Smits. Only Jay Hunter has a Native American background. I have to tell you, I’m loving working with these characters. They tend to surprise me from time to time. LOL!

Q. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

A. I actually have 2 pieces of advice. The first is what most authors will urge: KEEP WRITING! I’d like to say that I have a set word count that I reach every day. I’m working in that direction, but I’m not quite that consistent, yet. But making writing a habit – especially if it’s an activity that you love – is my first recommendation.

My second suggestion is to keep your eyes open for unexpected avenues. In my case, I had my heart set on publishing with one of the big houses. That wasn’t actually part of my purpose for writing, but it became a mindset. But when a contest came by through a small press, I joined in. I loved the book’s concept and thought it could get me some constructive feedback. Instead, I won the contest with Write Integrity Press and got to see my name on a book cover for the very first time. Not only did my involvement lead to new books with the group, but it showed me that I had skewed my focus into the wrong direction.

Sometimes, the things you seek are right in front of you, only they look different than you expected.

Thanks, Marji; I enjoyed interviewing you!!!

Check out her first book of her series, Grime Beat, and don’t forget to chat with her about the book! (Even before you read it!) Grime Beat Discussion.

Connect with Marji at: Faith Driven Fiction or Suspense Sisters, and Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730

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Where is God?

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Christa Upton

(Don’t read this post if you don’t want honesty.)

When you go through a lot of bad things, you wonder when it will stop.

In the movie The Princess Bride, there is a scene where the princess says sadly about her true love, “He didn’t come.”

Sometimes I have felt like that with God. In my distress, He never showed up.

Or at least, that is how it seemed to me.

Sometimes I couldn’t even “feel” Him near, and my sorrows threatened to drown me.

Regardless, ALL God’s ways are perfect. How do I reconcile this? What have I learned?

IMG_3643Well, the last 10 years, many terrible, scary things have happened to me and my family. These include our youngest being born with spina bifida, our youngest being close to death twice (complications with spina bifida), our becoming homeless, and other Christians betraying us. Each one was pretty awful, but all together, they have been overwhelming.

I stopped counting major events at 15.

Yeah, that’s a lot of scary things in only 10 years.

NONE of these events were precipitated by sin on our part. I am not saying we are perfect; that is not what I mean. But no events came directly because of our sin or rebellion against God; none of them came at a time when we were walking away from God. It is not the same as getting drunk and landing in jail. Therefore, these events would be termed “innocent suffering.”

In fact, some of the terrible things happened because we chose to do what is right. (This would be termed persecution. As Christians, we expected persecution. We just didn’t expect it to come from other Christians.)

So, what have I learned?

  1. Trust GOD. Do not trust God “for” something specific, unless He gives you direction to do so. The healings that I witnessed in our children were following specific direction and confirmation from God to pray for those. Another time, God just bestowed healing on me. (See this post: Amazing True Story ) But otherwise, I have learned that it is best by far to echo Jesus’ prayer, asking God for things but ending with: “Yet not my will but Yours be done.” God honors this type of humble, trusting prayer.
  2. Life may be as scary as a raging sea, but God never changes. Sometimes I have pictured myself curling up in Jesus’ arms as a little lamb.
  3. It’s all worth it knowing I will someday be Home in heaven with God forever, due to the blood of Jesus paying for my sins. Whatever God asks me to walk through, I will walk through. I will never understand God, but I do understand that He is the epitome of Love.

Christa Upton       Black Hills Picture Books   Edgemont, SD   57735

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Secrets of a Fellow Writer

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Christa Upton

kmupdikeSo today I am very happy to be interviewing my friend K. M. Updike, author of The Life and Death of Terry Dodd, written in the summer of 2013 and soon to be published!

Q. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
A. I grew up in a homeschool family. We read books more than watched TV, and history was huge. My dad got his degree in history, and my mom was a teacher.

Q. Which writers inspire you?
A. Elizabeth Wein, Ellen Montgomery, Louisa M. Alcott, Catherine Marshall (author of Christy), and K. M. Weiland K. M. Weiland is a Christian and has a background similar to mine, and she runs a website dedicated to helping writers become authors.

Q. Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead characters from your book?
A. Clint Eastwood (Terry Dodd), a very young Barbara Hershey (Joann), and a mix between Bruce Greenwood and Dennis Quaid and Robert Benigni’s character in Life is Beautiful (Joann’s dad)

Q. How much research did you do for this book?
A. For one thing, I watched Starsky and Hutch. It struck me that they always asked the homeowners if they could use the phone! No cell phones back then. I also found pictures from the 1970s. I researched when books were published [to know whether or not they could be in the story] and the names of clothes that are different from what we call clothing today. I did find pictures of California in which they had drained pools for kids to use for skateboarding.

Q. Why do you write?
A. I feel an irresistible pull—I feel as if I have to create art.

Q. How did this start?
A. When I was about 10 years old, my older brother wrote a story, and my mom was impressed. I was inspired to follow his example, thinking he was doing something cool, and I wanted to do it, too. A couple years later, I was thinking about what I wanted to do when I grew up. I wasn’t really interested in much, so I asked God what He wanted me to do. He said He wanted me to be a writer.
[Note from Christa: this touched me very much. Regardless of age or career, may we all have the humility to ask God what He wants. “A little child shall lead them.”]

Q. How has this continued in recent years?
A. The last few years, I have participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I have become sure of this calling for me and sure of this timing. I have learned more each time I wrote for NaNo.

Q. Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured?
A. I was not structuring my days, but I am trying to structure more now that I am writing full-time. I am finding it is helpful to set out a certain time. Sometimes it is a struggle to start, but I was surprised to find that I could go 400 words before feeling the need for a break.

Q. What do you do if you get stuck?
A. I take walks on the prairie to think and get inspired. I have conversations alone on the prairie between two of my characters. Also, it depends on what I am stuck on. If I am stuck on words, I just force myself to write words that come. If I am stuck on the plot, I go outside or take a break or think and mull on the story.

Q. Do you work to an outline or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
A. I outline some of the main events or plot points and then see where ideas take me within that. Q. What was the hardest thing about writing this book? A. Editing! I loved it like it was and was loathe to edit.

Q. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
A. I think both are really important for both reader and writer. Sometimes bad reviews will be helpful, but writers shouldn’t read them all. 🙂 I think readers will be able to pick out ridiculous bad reviews [and ignore them].

Q. Why do you think other well-written books just don’t sell?
A. I think probably because people don’t know about them. Also, some well-written books do not appeal to “pop” culture because they don’t follow the rules or they are too moral.

Q. What are your favorite sayings?
A. “Write without fear.” “Have you made art today?”

Q. What is your favorite book and why?
A. I can never decide between Christy and Little Women! I love Christy because I love history and the Appalachian Mountains. I love that it is a true-to-life story with the story being driven more by real, everyday life than a fancy plot. I love how Christy and Doc McNeill each moved each other onto a higher level. I love Little Women because it is not only a story for young girls but also for moms, dads, families, couples, and sisters—like mine.

Thank you so much, K. M.! I thoroughly enjoyed talking with you! The Lord bless your writing!

Readers, I highly encourage you to check out The Life and Death of Terry Dodd. K. M.’s writing just took me away to another place as good stories do and inspired me to think deeper about truths of life.

To learn more about K. M. and connect with her, find her at:

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Another Aspect of Healing

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Christa Upton

IMG_3168Last post I spoke of supernatural healing.  Another aspect of healing is treatment.  Sometimes God, in His grace and despite humankind’s sinfulness, allows human beings to figure things out and treat illnesses.

So, for me:  science, logic, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity doctors are correct–extreme avoidance of chemicals works!!!

After spending significant time in largely chemical-free air since April, I am already experiencing a noticeable rise in energy.

Since acquiring extremely severe MCS in 2009, every time I was able to do some housework, walk, or whatever, afterward I would feel exhausted and sometimes even very sick and/or dizzy and/or in pain.

The last couple weeks, after mild exercise out on the land (walking or gardening), I often get that famous “exercise high” instead of debilitating exhaustion!   Praise God!!!!

And that, of course, is the beginning of an upward spiral.

Do keep in mind, regarding other people (or yourself) with MCS:

  • I have no serious health problems other than MCS.  Someone who has unrelated heart disease, cancer, etc. of course will have a much harder time with MCS.
  • I don’t have to take any medications or supplements.   Most meds and supplements contain chemicals or xenobiotics,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenobiotic but sometimes these are unavoidable (heart meds, etc.)
  • We researched our local area for almost 4 years before choosing the land we are now camping on. There is no perfect place on earth, but God has helped us follow MCS recommendations as much as possible.  However, some people with MCS don’t need to (or can’t) go as drastic with location as I do.
  • One must be ruthless and get rid of many possessions which are inherently harmful or have been contaminated with mold or scent, etc.  Same thing with the living space, whether camping (like me right now) or living in a house.
  • I am relatively young (well, according to some. LOL)  It may be harder to recover at an older age.
  • I have been very, very sick, so I probably notice small improvements more than someone who is not as sick.
  • Every person is different.

Unfortunately, town is killing me.  When we come back in town for laundry & showers (etc.), I am encountering a lot of mosquito spray, which I react to violently.  (We got more rain in May than this local area has had since 1892!!!)  My “town symptoms” have not improved much (except for energy overall, for which I am thankful).

It’s like my body is saying, “Hey, we finally have a chance to detox and repair some things; quit going around chemicals!”  LOL

As for the spiritual aspect, I do not know why God has chosen this path for me, but after much prayer, Bible study, discussion, reading, thought, and more prayer, we feel strongly that God has a purpose in my MCS.

If He wants to go ahead and heal me after all, I won’t complain!  🙂   But in all things, may God’s will be done, and may we always remember that His will is perfect.

PS.  Praise God I have a new editing client who is my new “internet secretary”!!!  🙂   I am editing for her, and she is doing much of my internet work.  This enables me to post, and the improvements on my site are due to her talents!!!!  🙂    I will still try to get to your comments on this site, though it might take me a while.   But I am actually able to be on internet for very short periods now with no noticeable symptoms.  (Praise God!)

Christa Upton  PO Box 293  Custer, SD 57730

 

 

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Is Supernatural Healing Real?

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Christa Upton

Is supernatural healing real?

In a word:  sometimes.

YES, the God of the universe really does heal supernaturally sometimes.   How do I know? I have experienced it myself, years ago.  I have also witnessed God healing two of my children, in ways that cannot be explained by science.

There may be those who fake healing or who are deceived (by the enemy or themselves or others, NOT by God).  But some healings are real.

But, does He ALWAYS heal those who ask?  No.  How do I know this?  I have experienced this as well.  I may not understand why, but sometimes God says (gently and lovingly), “No.”

There is nothing in Scripture that promises God will always heal people on earth if they ask in faith.  This is how I know that my experience is true–it does not contradict Scripture.

BibleSome have said this verse promises healing to all who ask in faith:  “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:15).

In this verse, look here to see what the word “save” (Sozo in the Greek) means: http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/sozo.html

Therefore, it can refer to physical healing on earth, but it can also mean spiritual healing.

Everything in this definition except one line can be applied spiritually.  Even that one line:  of course it can’t always mean “save a suffering one from perishing from earth” because then no Christians of faith would die.

Plus we have to remember Isaiah 57:1-2: “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.  Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

And Hebrews 11:13:  “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

Whew, nothing like coming out of my blogging break with an intense post, eh?  LOL

I know my words will be controversial, but I need to post what it is in my heart.  It won’t go away.

And I believe this can help many people who are hurting dreadfully, who think they have no faith, who think God is punishing them, who think that something is “wrong” when really God just wants to speak to them in the midst of their hurt and illness.

To those honest people, suffering with illness and not understanding why God doesn’t heal them:  just because you are not healed here on earth does not necessarily mean something is wrong with you, or your church, or your faith, or God, dear ones.

Sometimes God says, “No.”

Christa Upton  Black Hills Picture Books  PO Box 293   Custer, SD  57730

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Building a House

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Christa Upton

As I posted last time, we are extremely excited about God’s provision for a new hope for my health.

For those of you who would like to help with our project or pass our info on, donation checks should be made out to Southern Hills E-Free Church, designated “Upton Home,” and sent to:

Southern Hills E-Free Church
1509 University Ave
Hot Springs, SD 57747

Please let people know that donations are NOT tax-deductible. This is because the church will not own the land. We will be in a rent-to-own agreement with the investors.

Thank you, dear friends and readers.  God bless you.

Christa Upton   Black Hills Picture Books   P.O. Box 293   Custer, SD  57730

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5 Years, 11 Houses, 22 Camping Places, 1 Great Hope

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Christa Upton

Oh, friends, it doesn’t seem real! I feel as if I am in a dream—a wonderful dream!

So, after struggling the last 5-6 years—fearing for my life at least 7 different times; living in 11 houses plus at least 22 camping places near 4 different towns, sometimes without electricity; wondering when the next chemical build-up or mold “assault” would force us to move…

After wondering if I will ever get better enough to even just take care of myself, suffering pain, researching things, pursuing leads, asking questions, asking for help, waiting on God, trying our best to obey Him (not credit to us but to His grace and help), and receiving so much help from other people that I could probably not even list it all on several pages…

After packing and unpacking what feels like a million times, putting stuff in storage, living in an old Winnebago, telling the kids we’re going somewhere else, leaving friends behind, trying to keep track of school and library books and healthy eating and special needs and life amid the chaos (yes, we’re tired)….

The Lord has provided some investors who are eager and have the ability to help us begin solving our housing problem. They just closed on some land in the country away from pollution.

We finally have a safe place, a place to gain recovery and strength. As I think about that, the tears start—happy, incredulous tears for something that has felt impossible.

But God is the God of accomplishing the impossible! And it is hard to express how much this means to us—that these investors are willing to take a risk that no banks and no one else would.

We have been/will be spending days out there and likely camping/sleeping there by May. The hope is to build an MCS house, but if that does not happen, at least we will be able to live there about 6 months of the year.

Regarding the potential house, a number of people have already come forward willing to donate significant labor. We are so grateful!!!

With these money-saving volunteers and doing what work we can ourselves, the investors have enough to cover land, initial electric, septic, water, foundation, framing, ceiling, roof, and siding. The rest (insulation, metal lath, plaster, plumbing, indoor wiring, etc.) will cost approximately $35,000. We will be starting a fundraiser soon for this.

If this project goes forward, we will be using the book Healthy House Building for the New Millennium (John Bower), which gives a detailed account of how to build a low-tox home.

Please pray for and thank God for the investors and our wonderful church, which is coordinating this effort.

This photo doesn’t do it justice, but here’s a peek at the land. 🙂

IMG_3168

PS  Those of you still struggling with no safe place, not even land, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730

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