So...what do you think?
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
April Freeze
I knew it would happen. Spring just doesn't come in January here in Tennessee. We really didn't have much of a winter this year. The old timers said watch out in April or May. They were right.
We had a night of near freezing temperature and then the next night we had a hard freeze. So many things were in bloom!
Our pecan tree....I'm not expecting to harvest anything this year...
We had a night of near freezing temperature and then the next night we had a hard freeze. So many things were in bloom!
Our pecan tree....I'm not expecting to harvest anything this year...
Our Catawba tree was hit....I'll miss the smell of the blooms this year.
Our peach trees were just finishing their blooms so we don't know what will happen there. Our apple trees were in full bloom! We had a late freeze last year and lost most of our blooms (which means no apples!). Doesn't look like we will harvest any apples this year either.
However, my climbing rose bush did just fine!
And our stand of wheat passed through the freeze with flying colors! We look forward to harvesting our first wheat!
We are back to cool rainy days - maybe we are having spring now. It's been a confusing weather year here in Tennessee. What about where you live?
Blessings,
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Catching Up....(for you Sue!)
Is it May already? I'm sure it was just last week that I was putting holiday decorations away! Let me try to catch you up with life here on the farm!
We've been so busy that it makes my head swim at times. My oldest son (who married almost 2 years ago) and his wife are about to present me with my first grandbaby! I'm so excited! Many of my friends have grandchildren and I have lived vicariously through their wonderful stories - now I will get to tell my own!
Jeremy was offered a job - on the condition he would be on probation for 4 months. He wasn't allowed to handle money, run cash registers, have keys to the store etc. After all, they didn't know him at all. Two weeks into his job he was asked to come to a meeting....where they offered him the position of assistant manager! They were amazed to see a young person actually work while on the job. His integrity, hard work and character had impressed them. What a blessing from our Father!
Josiah graduates high school in a month! We are working hard to make sure we have everything finished up and all of our "Ts crossed". I'll be so glad when he's done!
My doodlebug is growing so fast I can't really call him a doodlebug anymore! He's taller than me! I'm now officially the shortest person at the table when my family is gathered around me. He finishes 8th grade in a month and he will be entering high school next year (home schooled). It will be the first time in over 20 years that I will only be schooling one child....how strange that is going to seem. I remember how much I enjoyed homeschooling my first child before there were little ones under my feet. I look forward to that special time again (well...except for math and those dissection labs!). We have already begun laying out his schedule for the next 4 years. Elijah will probably want to attend college so we are preparing for a more rigorous school schedule.
My greenhouse is full of green plants that are making their way to our garden as fast as we can. The tomatoes and peppers are a bit slower this year but we've had some very cool days and nights (45 a few days ago). I need to take advantage of this cool spell and work in my herb garden before temperatures hit the 90s!
We are a little late this year but that turned out to be a blessing when we experienced a hard freeze in April. Many people locally lost everything. We probably won't have pecans this year and may have lost some fruit - time will tell. We have a test plot of wheat in the ground that survived the freeze and are looking forward to harvest time!
Our strawberries weren't affected too badly - we've been picking (and eating!) gallons of fresh fruit and freezing and canning freezer jam is beginning. I'm trying to use all Tattler Lids this year. They are reusable, BPA free and work like a charm! I tested them last year and loved them! They were easy to use and my canned goods held up just fine over the winter! You can click on their link in my sidebar to read more about them or check out this post to see the detailed review I wrote on Tattler Lids last year.
The children of two of my friends married last month. They were married in the most beautiful barn I have ever seen!
They asked me to cook the food for the reception - 200 people...gasp! I've organized food for large groups of people before but never cooked it all. I'll try to post my cooking method soon. This family made it very easy - the menu was salad, rolls and lasagna and there was only one last minute problem...I'll share what it was and how we solved it! It was a wonderful day and a beautiful wedding. During the mother/son dance, each of my sons came to the kitchen and we waltzed amidst the pots and pan. It made me cry! I know that their own special days are not that many years into the future. Life...she is a'changing!
I enjoyed watching these two young people I have known for many years get married and my church body was so helpful we had to shoo people out of the kitchen! I learned one thing from this experience...I don't think I'd ever want to do that on a regular basis or without the help of my wonderful friends!
I hope this catches you up a bit with life here on the farm. I'll post again....promise!
We've been so busy that it makes my head swim at times. My oldest son (who married almost 2 years ago) and his wife are about to present me with my first grandbaby! I'm so excited! Many of my friends have grandchildren and I have lived vicariously through their wonderful stories - now I will get to tell my own!
Jeremy was offered a job - on the condition he would be on probation for 4 months. He wasn't allowed to handle money, run cash registers, have keys to the store etc. After all, they didn't know him at all. Two weeks into his job he was asked to come to a meeting....where they offered him the position of assistant manager! They were amazed to see a young person actually work while on the job. His integrity, hard work and character had impressed them. What a blessing from our Father!
Josiah graduates high school in a month! We are working hard to make sure we have everything finished up and all of our "Ts crossed". I'll be so glad when he's done!
My doodlebug is growing so fast I can't really call him a doodlebug anymore! He's taller than me! I'm now officially the shortest person at the table when my family is gathered around me. He finishes 8th grade in a month and he will be entering high school next year (home schooled). It will be the first time in over 20 years that I will only be schooling one child....how strange that is going to seem. I remember how much I enjoyed homeschooling my first child before there were little ones under my feet. I look forward to that special time again (well...except for math and those dissection labs!). We have already begun laying out his schedule for the next 4 years. Elijah will probably want to attend college so we are preparing for a more rigorous school schedule.
My greenhouse is full of green plants that are making their way to our garden as fast as we can. The tomatoes and peppers are a bit slower this year but we've had some very cool days and nights (45 a few days ago). I need to take advantage of this cool spell and work in my herb garden before temperatures hit the 90s!
We are a little late this year but that turned out to be a blessing when we experienced a hard freeze in April. Many people locally lost everything. We probably won't have pecans this year and may have lost some fruit - time will tell. We have a test plot of wheat in the ground that survived the freeze and are looking forward to harvest time!
Our strawberries weren't affected too badly - we've been picking (and eating!) gallons of fresh fruit and freezing and canning freezer jam is beginning. I'm trying to use all Tattler Lids this year. They are reusable, BPA free and work like a charm! I tested them last year and loved them! They were easy to use and my canned goods held up just fine over the winter! You can click on their link in my sidebar to read more about them or check out this post to see the detailed review I wrote on Tattler Lids last year.
The children of two of my friends married last month. They were married in the most beautiful barn I have ever seen!
They asked me to cook the food for the reception - 200 people...gasp! I've organized food for large groups of people before but never cooked it all. I'll try to post my cooking method soon. This family made it very easy - the menu was salad, rolls and lasagna and there was only one last minute problem...I'll share what it was and how we solved it! It was a wonderful day and a beautiful wedding. During the mother/son dance, each of my sons came to the kitchen and we waltzed amidst the pots and pan. It made me cry! I know that their own special days are not that many years into the future. Life...she is a'changing!
I enjoyed watching these two young people I have known for many years get married and my church body was so helpful we had to shoo people out of the kitchen! I learned one thing from this experience...I don't think I'd ever want to do that on a regular basis or without the help of my wonderful friends!
I hope this catches you up a bit with life here on the farm. I'll post again....promise!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Praising Him!
"Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shinning stars!" Psalm 148:3 ESV.
I've always wondered about how creation praises our Father. Imagined the rocks crying out, the trees lifting their praise....and then I came across this.....
Be sure to listen all the way to the end and you can praise your Father along with the stars and the whales....amazing!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Riddle
I have a box of dreams....
It holds hundreds of plans for the future.
Although the past proves it never turns out exactly as I wanted it too,
I still hope it will...and so do you.
It holds deep failures.
It holds wild successes.
What is in my box of dreams?
Blessings,
It holds hundreds of plans for the future.
Although the past proves it never turns out exactly as I wanted it too,
I still hope it will...and so do you.
It holds deep failures.
It holds wild successes.
What is in my box of dreams?
Blessings,
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
His Endless Gifts!
This last week has laid my family low with sickness. I'm sure the "spring one day and winter the next" weather we've had hasn't helped. It's been a long while since we've felt this bad and towards the end of the week, I finally succumbed. Yet, in all the mess, He has been faithful to love us, to heal us and to show His mercy on us. He does not leave us to ourselves....
#1016 - #1035
tissues with lotion - so soothing to our noses
elderberry cough syrup
soothing honey toast
showers full of steam
peppermint baths
garlic, garlic, garlic - a wonderful antibiotic
eucalyptus in the humidifier
prescription antibiotics - His provision in another way
hot strawberry jam filling the nooks & crannies of english muffins
naps, naps and more naps
reading together
colloidal silver
osha & olive leaf tinctures given by a friend
washers & dryers
cinnamon toast
mama running errands for us
quiet board games together
an occasional glimpse of sunshine in the midst of rainy days
prayers by friends and family
boys taking tender care of mom
As I watch my Father's provision for my family in times of sickness, He leaves me breathless...
#1016 - #1035
tissues with lotion - so soothing to our noses
elderberry cough syrup
soothing honey toast
showers full of steam
peppermint baths
garlic, garlic, garlic - a wonderful antibiotic
eucalyptus in the humidifier
prescription antibiotics - His provision in another way
hot strawberry jam filling the nooks & crannies of english muffins
naps, naps and more naps
reading together
colloidal silver
osha & olive leaf tinctures given by a friend
washers & dryers
cinnamon toast
mama running errands for us
quiet board games together
an occasional glimpse of sunshine in the midst of rainy days
prayers by friends and family
boys taking tender care of mom
As I watch my Father's provision for my family in times of sickness, He leaves me breathless...
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Flip flops...and I'm not talking about shoes!
Newt Gingrich claims to be a conservative republican candidate for President....conservative ...hhhmmmm......
Conservative? Seriously?
Evidently many of those who hold office or are running for office need a dictionary....so they can look up what conservative means...or maybe they should do something new, something unique....like listen to the people you claim to represent or follow the Constitution you took an oath to uphold.
Who is the only TRUE conservative, the only one who truly understands our Constitution, the only one who has...FOR THEIR ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER consistently voted to uphold our Constitution?
Anyone know?
<--stepping down off my political soapbox now
Conservative? Seriously?
Evidently many of those who hold office or are running for office need a dictionary....so they can look up what conservative means...or maybe they should do something new, something unique....like listen to the people you claim to represent or follow the Constitution you took an oath to uphold.
Who is the only TRUE conservative, the only one who truly understands our Constitution, the only one who has...FOR THEIR ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER consistently voted to uphold our Constitution?
Anyone know?
<--stepping down off my political soapbox now
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Where is winter?
I've hardly had the heat on at all this winter. We have only had about 5 days that were truly cold. Today, my windows are open, it smells like spring, the birds are singing and robins dot my lawn....what a beautiful picture except it's the end of January!
Does this mean snow in March? April? Where has winter gone this year?
Anyone else experiencing a strange winter?
Does this mean snow in March? April? Where has winter gone this year?
Anyone else experiencing a strange winter?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
New Beginnings!
I love the start of a new year - so much to look forward too! January is a wonderful month to indulge in introspection. Changes to make, plans to implement....it brings an excitement to life! It's a wonderful time to assess our lives and relationships...both with each other and with our Father.
Seeds are ordered now and that always leaves me with the desire to get started in the greenhouse. However, since it is January, I think I'd better hold off! As my son and I planned the garden this year and began making the list of seeds that we needed, I found my mouth watering as I remembered how things tasted. Do any of y'all do that?
Cherokee tomatoes, black cherry tomatoes, the firsts...first summer squash, first watermelon, first cantaloupe and of course the first ear of corn! There now...I'm doing it again! I still need to order potatoes this next week...and I need to remember to pick up sweet potato slips when they arrive at the feed store.
My son has our garden plans on paper...and in his head....which beds to till first and get ready. I'm glad that he carries that responsibility. I work in the greenhouse and the beds are always ready to go when the plants are ready to be put in.....teamwork! We pray for another bountiful year!
Have y'all been planning your garden yet? This is the time - so that you aren't trying to organize things while you plant. If you need help figuring out what to do in your garden (and when to do it), you might want to have a look at my Perpetual Garden Calendar! It's also a wonderful help for those beginning gardeners. Just think of it as me holding your hand through the gardening season! You don't even have to wait - just download and get started!
I've been making some plans for new things at my website too! I'm very excited about it but can't really reveal anything yet. I will say that I'm working on some new recipes and making soap as often as I can to prepare. I'm excited....really excited!
Friday I made another batch of Pumpkin soap - I can hardly keep it on the shelves - in fact I ran out during the holidays! It's the hardest soap to make because it ALWAYS seizes in the pan...but this time, even though it seized, it turned out beautifully...and my house smells like fresh pumpkin pie!
Seeds are ordered now and that always leaves me with the desire to get started in the greenhouse. However, since it is January, I think I'd better hold off! As my son and I planned the garden this year and began making the list of seeds that we needed, I found my mouth watering as I remembered how things tasted. Do any of y'all do that?
Cherokee tomatoes, black cherry tomatoes, the firsts...first summer squash, first watermelon, first cantaloupe and of course the first ear of corn! There now...I'm doing it again! I still need to order potatoes this next week...and I need to remember to pick up sweet potato slips when they arrive at the feed store.
My son has our garden plans on paper...and in his head....which beds to till first and get ready. I'm glad that he carries that responsibility. I work in the greenhouse and the beds are always ready to go when the plants are ready to be put in.....teamwork! We pray for another bountiful year!
Have y'all been planning your garden yet? This is the time - so that you aren't trying to organize things while you plant. If you need help figuring out what to do in your garden (and when to do it), you might want to have a look at my Perpetual Garden Calendar! It's also a wonderful help for those beginning gardeners. Just think of it as me holding your hand through the gardening season! You don't even have to wait - just download and get started!
I've been making some plans for new things at my website too! I'm very excited about it but can't really reveal anything yet. I will say that I'm working on some new recipes and making soap as often as I can to prepare. I'm excited....really excited!
Friday I made another batch of Pumpkin soap - I can hardly keep it on the shelves - in fact I ran out during the holidays! It's the hardest soap to make because it ALWAYS seizes in the pan...but this time, even though it seized, it turned out beautifully...and my house smells like fresh pumpkin pie!
Don't you just want to pick up a piece and taste it? My desk is right next to the soap and I'm tempted to snack!
Here it is curing on the rack! It will be ready in February!
Do you know what all of those bowls mean?
More soap balls to toss into orders so you can try new things before you buy!
I have a son getting read to graduate this June. I'm looking forward to that in a bittersweet way. He's looking forward to working and moving on with his plans for the future. He attained Eagle Scout last year so he has a lot of opportunities available to him. I'm looking forward to seeing where our Father leads this young man!
And my youngest...my B.A.B.Y.! will be starting high school next fall! Seriously? I'm sure it was just a few months ago that I taught him to read! He loves studying science, he's great at math, and he loves nature. He's so smart it's scary! He reads things for fun that makes his older brothers' heads spin! Mine too. He likes to be challenged, which keeps me on my toes as his teacher. I'm excited to see what plans our Father is going to reveal for him!
What things are y'all looking forward to this year?
Blessings,
Monday, January 23, 2012
His Endless Gifts!
Today, I count the 1,000th gift that my gracious Father has bestowed upon me. But how can I stop...for I know that He will not stop. It only requires that I slow...take time...have eyes to see the good things that constantly flow from His hand....
#995 - #1015
the sight and sound of a thousand birds moving in unison
men from church guiding and molding my sons
this slow season of winter
the soft glow of candles
phone calls that turn burdens into blessings from His hand
the robin pulling worms in my yard yesterday
His response to my obedience
our first snowfall - so lovely!
our circle of friends - always encouraging
women who pray with me at the drop of a hat
the young adults at my church - what a blessing
daily memories of my grandparents
Mom doing well at 85!
the protectiveness of my sons
the ESV
men willing to preach and teach
communion
the promise of spring
the flicker of firelight
board games till midnight
a Sabbath rest
As I watch my Father's provision for my family in all things, He leaves me breathless...
#995 - #1015
the sight and sound of a thousand birds moving in unison
men from church guiding and molding my sons
this slow season of winter
the soft glow of candles
phone calls that turn burdens into blessings from His hand
the robin pulling worms in my yard yesterday
His response to my obedience
our first snowfall - so lovely!
our circle of friends - always encouraging
women who pray with me at the drop of a hat
the young adults at my church - what a blessing
daily memories of my grandparents
Mom doing well at 85!
the protectiveness of my sons
the ESV
men willing to preach and teach
communion
the promise of spring
the flicker of firelight
board games till midnight
a Sabbath rest
As I watch my Father's provision for my family in all things, He leaves me breathless...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Making changes!
Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!
We had such a wonderful December that I'd like to share it with you. We attended several Christmas parties at the homes of friends. We did some special things as a family during our time off from school. We had a lovely worship service on Christmas Eve - baptisms, communion and lots of worship. It was wonderful!
We did some things differently this year. Please understand that what I'm about to share is how we see the Father leading us. Our Father leads us all a bit differently so there is no suggestion here that you should do the same and no condemnation to those who disagree.
Several years ago, my boys began studying the roots of the traditional American holidays. We were surprised to find so much paganism. We knew about some of the holidays but we were surprised by others.
Year before last, my boys wanted to stop celebrating "Christmas" and celebrate Chanukah instead. For many reasons, I didn't allow them to do so that year. But, I also assured them that we could do so the next year if they were still convicted. They were...so this year we put aside our normal traditions and began some new ones by celebrating the Festival of Lights. We all enjoyed it!
We lit a new candle on the Menorah each night...
We had such a wonderful December that I'd like to share it with you. We attended several Christmas parties at the homes of friends. We did some special things as a family during our time off from school. We had a lovely worship service on Christmas Eve - baptisms, communion and lots of worship. It was wonderful!
We did some things differently this year. Please understand that what I'm about to share is how we see the Father leading us. Our Father leads us all a bit differently so there is no suggestion here that you should do the same and no condemnation to those who disagree.
Several years ago, my boys began studying the roots of the traditional American holidays. We were surprised to find so much paganism. We knew about some of the holidays but we were surprised by others.
Year before last, my boys wanted to stop celebrating "Christmas" and celebrate Chanukah instead. For many reasons, I didn't allow them to do so that year. But, I also assured them that we could do so the next year if they were still convicted. They were...so this year we put aside our normal traditions and began some new ones by celebrating the Festival of Lights. We all enjoyed it!
We lit a new candle on the Menorah each night...
We filled our home with light....
We played with the traditional Dreidal....
and wagered Gelt!
The last night before Chanukah, our whole family joined us for our traditional Snicky Snack night. We
ate our favorite foods and also some foods that we only have once a year (not so healthy!)...
Hot wings!
Holiday Cheese Dip!
Carmel Pecan Silk Supreme Pie!
And many other goodies the boys and I baked during the week!
It was a table filled with good food in a room full of people we love!
We filled our plates and enjoyed a family movie together!
The next day, we celebrated with a traditional turkey dinner (thank you Sue!)....
and once again, our home was filled with family and laughter. Things were different this year...but they were wonderful too! The boys are already making plans for next year!
I hope your holidays were filled with family, love and laughter!
Blessings,
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