: treasured up and pondered :

Friday's Finds | Toy Bin

2012-01-27T14:35:00.000-05:00

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Well, I guess I haven't done a Friday's Finds post in a while... so here I am to show you one of my latest finds.

Friday's Finds. you ask?

{For those of you who are new to this blog and/or just poppin' in - Hello and Welcome! On Fridays I like to try and feature "a find" of no particular value or sentiment, no reason or rhyme and yet, exactly for all of those reasons I just mentioned.}

A couple of weeks ago now, we were scouring through my aunt and uncles property (My uncle Roy, recently deceased.) - giving my aunt a hand in trying to rid of some excess "treasureable junk" and whatnot.

There is a lot of history on that piece of property and one of the many treasures that I found that day was this old galvanized metal, two handled bucket/can. Can you tell I don't know what to call it?

If someone could tell me the "exact" name and purpose of this thing, I would appreciate it.

I would venture to say that the condition of it is... eh...not too bad. But rusty enough to make me want to do something about it. Safe? My idea for this thing to become a *new* toy bin prompted me to think outside of the box, just a little. If I wanted it to be a toy bin - it needed something to cover the majorly bits of rust.

I just so happened to have an empty cardboard diaper box sitting around. So, I traced around the bottom of the metal bucket and cut it out...laying it in the bottom.

It's the perfect fit for a few toys to keep downstairs, under our TV/buffet cabinet, that sits in our living room. And the kiddo's do pretty good at keeping the cardboard in place. They know...now...it's part of the bucket. Leave it alone.

I'm a sucker for anything galvanized and I love the look that it brings to our living room. Both vintage and organized. Well. For the most part...

***
Have yourself a wonderful weekend, my friend.

Homespun Baby! Shoes ~ Pocket Pouch {for me}

2012-01-26T08:29:00.001-05:00

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Homespun Baby! Shoes

2 pair - special order for Jen F.

SOLD!

***

It was time to make myself a pocket pouch to use for my own personal belongings. Those things that are loose and floundering around in the bottom of my purse. Yeah! those.

As in example:
small lotion
chapstick
tampons
liners
container for pain med
nailclippers

I can't believe it's takin' me so long to make one for me. Currently I have one for sale in my etsy shop, as well.

Go check it out!

You'll love it.

Thanks for looking.

...little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves...

2012-01-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

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I'm comforting myself today with the lyrics of this simple children's hymn. Jesus loves me.

Please remember my dear friends, Ian and Ashley, today. And, the rest of the family - my friends, (grandparents) Gwen and Dean (their 3 small children) and Josh and Bri (their daughter) and families...

"Jesus, really loved you Cole! Yes, He does..."

Ian and Ashley's 7 month old son, Cole, went Home to be with Jesus, and to his big brother Owen, yesterday. Owen also died at 7 months of age... just a mere 20 months ago. You can follow their story, on their blog, HERE.

Just please be praying for them...

This little guy was dearly loved and will be sorely missed...by so, so many.

In loving memory...

the gift of this day

2012-01-23T12:34:00.002-05:00

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This photo has nothing to do with my post for today but I wanted to let you know that perhaps at 18 lbs and 9 oz., my daughter, Jayne, who is five months old, is actually a shrimp after all!

I love this photo, taken via a cell phone, sent to me the other day from when my friend was over. Her little guy is a week younger then Jayne and weighs at least 21lbs. and you can see how much longer he is then my big little girl.

Can you say, too cute?!?!?!

Anyway. On with today's post.

681. This book. Prayers and Peanut Butter. (By Barbara Classen)

I've just started reading this book, given to me, as a gift, by my next-door neighbor...sweet Amanda!...and I only got through the first few paragraphs, of chapter one, when I was already able to relate. I decided to add its title into my gratitude list... because I am grateful for this gift, the thought that I might benefit from this book and that I desperately need prayer as well as peanut butter. The combination is totally all about mothering.

I just want to share these few thoughts... borrowing from Barbara, the author, as my "own" thoughts for today and for this gratitude post.

THE GIFT

"This is the day the Lord hath made".

God brought a gift this morning at dawn. He wrapped it in tangerine and gold clouds, and tied it with birdsong and breezes. It was a new day, fresh and unspoiled. It was fragile, with dewy flowers and golden light spilling low on the floor of the woods just before sunrise. The only sounds came from the leaves whispering overhead and a bird pouring out a song from Eden.

He means for us to take special care of this gift. He wants it unspoiled by loud words or ugly actions. We must take care not to smudge it with black thoughts and attitudes. Especially, we must be careful not to break it with anger or shatter it with derogatory remarks.

By evening, though, how pitiful the gift looks. How marred, how battered, how beyond salvaging. We cry hot tears...

But we never need to ruin tomorrow just because today was bad. He loves us so much that He forgives again, and the next morning at dawn a new gift is waiting. This one is wrapped in pink clouds with silver rain and enveloped with fragrance of wild roses.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
"Please, God, help me get through this day. Please help me cope. Help me know how to handle the children. And tell me what to do first!" Surely this was the prayer of mothers all across the country this morning.

I know it was mine...

*******
Continuing to count the One Thousand Gifts...that He so graciously gives. Because, I'm trying to learn to give thanks in everything...and because this is the day He has made. A gift!

682. long white sleeves and red jello smear? on the table

683. repeatedly, the changing of clothes, often several times in one day - just because, she's three!

684. our first accumulative snow, of the winter, one day and rain the next

685. runny noses - smeared on sleeve mere seconds before I come with the tissue

686. explosions through the diaper

687. hard times + relationship = a bent ear

688. listening ears

689. a declined dinner invitation. Great! because my meal didn't turn out as expected. Thank you, to our would-be guests, for saying "No"!

690. lower back pain - again. causes me to S.L.O.W.

691. boppy-pillows - they really come in handy for a semi-comfy seat

692. (will it be) a wet bed, again? or, a dry one? - she's learning...

693. this quote: "Don't mistake slow progress for failure".

694. when the washer doesn't spin out...at least I have a semi-working washer.

695. sore and bleeding weather-cracks in every single finger and thumb...reminds me of my dad wrapping his carpenter-hands in white surgical tape, preparing for the next day of working outdoors.

696. cold coffee in the cup - I just didn't get to drink it soon enough. But, my hubby poured it for me!! That was really nice.

697. the stick propped to keep my dryer door shut - so the dryer works properly

698. red-neck injamanuity (perhaps better known as ingenuity)...seriously, gotta love it!

699. my teething 5 month old - poor thing, trying so hard not to complain

700. markers, without the caps put back on. They had fun!

701. the quick getaway

702. lace curtains (a.k.a. spider webs) most likely found in kings palaces as well

703. too many toys?

704. song lyrics: You are good. You are good. - when there's nothing good in me.

705. the learning curve of poor penmanship

706. the ants have invaded - the picnik is "over". I'm sad...but excited for new opportunities.

707. mercies *new*, of {this}day

{friday} Favorite Things

2012-01-20T10:41:00.000-05:00

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I'm having this random issue with my camera.

In order to see what MOST of my photos on there, I have to plug it into the computer and view them online. I'm also running out of lots of memory on the camera card and so today...

I decided I would just throw a bunch of my favorite photos up on here, ones that didn't make their own blog post, as under my {friday}favorite things... just to get them off my camera and online... then I can delete everything off the camera and start over. Whatta ya say?

In the meantime, I did find a few on my camera that will get their own post. Can't wait to share those...

but here are a few the remaining, best of the best!

My little daredevil, Aubrey, looks like she's levitating.

My cutie pie, Caleb.

I just love this photo of Aubrey.

Jayne with her Aunt Martha. Having a great conversation, apparently. ;)

Oops!! I dropped it...another piece of silverware?

Too funny! of Jayne here.

and, these are her huge smiles.

An attempt of a Christmas photo - it wasn't workin'.

Caleb on "kitchen duty", learning the ropes, from his Aunt Gladys.

The other morning hearing their playful imagination at it's best...

What's going on up there?

****

Linking up with Rachel, today, over at Finding Joy!

only one, far away

2012-01-19T12:20:00.001-05:00

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The nearness of God, is my good. ~ Psalm 73:28 (NAS)

"Dad, is your work far, far, far away?"

"No son, it's only far away". (If only you could have heard Caleb asking this...and hearing him trying to wrap his little mind around what we know and call -- distance.)

Trying again.
"Dad, you mean far, far away"? "No Caleb, it's just one far away".

I thought it was cute how my hubby brought it down to our four year old sons level of understanding. That seemed to satisfy him...for awhile, at least.

What we were doing, this morning, was taking my husband to work. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Scott's place of work and then the kids and I, we turn right around to come home again. And yeah, 45 minutes is kinda far for a drive in to work. But, I don't mind it so much. It's not like we get to do this all of the time but, once in awhile, it's nice to get out of the house, early in the morning like that. The kids will doze back off to sleep sometimes and me...well, I'll get lost in my thoughts. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes not.

Just like this morning.

Do you ever feel like your mind is a very, busy street? Each thought going several million miles away - each in a different direction? Kinda like far, far, far away? I felt like that this morning. I was struggling to keep my thoughts from colliding as they were confined inside my brain and yet... travelling afar off. One trailing the other at a high rate of speed...never coming to rest. Every now and then I'd be jarred back to reality by one of the kiddo's saying something or what have you. And I was left to wrestle with the collision.

No matter if it's ONE far away or three far aways... it is still a distance that is felt. If your like me... distance in someone, with someone, because of someone... can really be a burden. I was thinking about that. Can you imagine? The helplessness of the round and round?

But here is where I ended up. The nearness of God, is my good. (Ps.73:28) No matter how far we may think we are from reality... it's never far enough (away) to be out of God's care.

His specific good for us is that HE is always near.

Amen?

:: photo from a couple of summer's ago.

Around the Homestead :: A ~Z | The Letters N & O

2012-01-18T13:05:00.000-05:00

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I bet you all thought I had forgotten about my own little personal photo challenge, didn't you?

Well, guess what.

N.
O.

No, I haven't.
(smile)

In case you've been wondering... I've kept up with the photo takin' all along and so as I finish this photo project out, you'll note photos that I've taken back in the fall and whatnot. Just so you know...

Are you feeling rather confused? Another photo project?

Well, to the newbies. Welcome! to what I call
Around the Homestead :: A~Z

This is a self-imposed photo project where I've taken my camera and have hunted down letters of the alphabet characteristic of things in nature and reminiscent of the farm that we live on. My hope is to, one day, make a photo collage and give it as a gift to our landlord and his wife.

If you want to go back to the beginning, to see what I've come up with, just click the link in the label cloud: Around the Homestead (over on the left, in my sidebar, under Treasured Up and Pondered: the Collection) and that will bring up all the posts I've done so far.

***
Let me tell you what. The letters N and O were very hard for me to find.
Here is what I came up with.

The letter "n" found, from the silo, might be a stretch, but I think you see it.

And, of course, this "N" is obvious but I have to tell you that I did flip the photo to make it look correct.

The letter "O" - came from a piece of rolled up fencing that I found out in the barn...

A knot in the tree out back...

Or, from a pair of barn boots - found out in the barn.

Oh! I can't decide which I like the best.

***
There you have it for N & O... Around the Homestead.

Enjoy your week! I am, so far.

A Quilt

2012-01-17T08:42:00.002-05:00

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"A quilt is far more than three layers of materials held together by meticulous stitches. For many quilters it is the thread that connects them to others, whether in day to day quilting activities or to stitchers of past generations." ~ Nancy J. Martin

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Today is just one of those days...where I wish, oh how I wish...I would have place and space enough to set up a quilt frame. Where I would invite a few ladies over, to sit around the beauty - connecting more then just three layers of materials with meticulous stitches - but to sit, side by side and chat it up. Enjoying the commorodity of one another, creating an art form with mere needle and thread, ultimately bonding heart and soul with the colorful woven thread of fellowship.

If it could happen... I'd serve up Black Bean Chili and Cornbread, for lunch, with

Apple Cake with Hot Carmel Sauce, on the side.

Of course, there would always be hot coffee and tea at the beckon call.

With a Chocolate Truffle or two to pop in your mouth, when you pass by.

The kiddo's they would simply play quietly off in another room... (wink*wink*) and...

Anyway. My imagination is running wild and getting the best of me.

But. Seriously. If you have an old quilt. Pull it out today and really take a look at it. Quilting is by far a lost piece of art and I hate how true that is. Just take time to observe the intricate stitches, the feel of the fabric, the color combination(s), the overall design...is there one?

Imagine the laughter and stories that flowed around the frame as the quilt was being quilted ... back in it's time.

You're holding a gift in your hand.

the cherished plain & ordinary

2012-01-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

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The other day, I was reading a (fairly new) blog written by a real-life friend of mine. She was sharing some rather personal feelings regarding a couple of recent happenings in her current day-to-day. Some "events" that were seemingly out of her control. I could really identify. Relate to her words...

And she left me thinking about one line that she wrote, in her post. I just had to comment...and while I was doing that, I literally got right up off of my chair and went over to write out the provoking little thought on my little kitchen chalkboard.

Thank you, Kelli...for the day I will remember.

I pass by this board all the time, in and out of my kitchen, and knowing it's there... it's really made me stop and think.... about how often I do not do this.... enough.

****

Continuing to count the cherished plain and ordinary of today - onward to the One Thousand Gifts.

652. packing a lunch for my husband every workday morning ((Makes me think of my mother. It was a rare day if she didn't need to pack a school lunch every morning for her nine children. She too, packed a daily lunch for my dad - every single day. And, she never complained.))

653. dirty dishes piled high on one side of the sink - and clean ones piled high on the other

654, shoes, in pairs by the front door - an overspill from the shoe basket

655. it's time to sweep the carpet - again?

656. smudgy finger-printed windows

657. learning to share

658. the feel of the toothbrush against my gums

659. the growing stack of school papers and projects

660. the invention of eyeglasses - I know I take them for granted and would be absolutely blind as a bat without mine. Last thing off, first thing on - in the morning.

661. pen and paper

662. wall & pocket calenders

663. heartfelt hugs between siblings

664. refrigerator magnets

665. Jayne's new-found giggle and peek-a-boo

666. baby spit-up, over the shoulder: some call it a curse - I call it a mother's badge of honor

667. knowing there are extra rolls of toilet paper in the linen closet ;)
668. Caleb's Countdown - till we take our road trip South - Lord Willing!

669. what would we ever do without dictionaries?

670. markers and coloring pages

671. a knock on the door

672. a car mechanics open schedule

673. bowls of home cooked hot, steamy chicken noodle soup and nobodies saying anything because it's going down good.

674. handwritten card, sent by snail mail and addressed, to me! It always makes my day...

675. living debt-free and on a cash-only budget

676. Aubrey's vivaciousness and vivid imagination

677. a *new* breakfast combination of cooked oatmeal, cottage cheese and frozen blueberries ~ thank you, Coop-Keeper!

678. being in a real-life snow globe...so pretty!

679. frizzy haired bed-heads and turkey tails
680. a new found magazine entitled Life:Beautiful

Because...it's true! When you stop; slow down and take time to cherish. Really cherish...the plain and ordinary of today...life is beautiful.

My friend, Ginny.

2012-01-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

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Christmas is over.

I began the task of putting it all away, today. It's a bit overwhelming. And I debated. Because I really don't decorate for Christmas in the traditional red and green, rather it's all about Wintry Whites and all things snowmen and the more natural, neutral and vintage the better. And, since it is still winter... it would be appropriate to keep it all out.

But, I was ready.

I sent the two older children off to visit Grandma Rhoda for the day. They loved it and that allowed me to keep at the daunting project without a lot of interruptions. Of course, I had Jayne with me and she gets so dern bored without her siblings; their laughter and rivalry for her sheer entertainment. Anyway, I got a lot done. Cleaning included. It always feels so good.

As I was boxing things up I was reminded of something that I wanted to share with you earlier - around Christmastime- but I guess when I was so caught up in the December Photo Project I forgot all about sharing it.

What triggered this thought, though, was a peculiar smell coming from one of the boxes. It reminded me, as it had many times before, of my friend, Ginny. Now, don't laugh. It's a great smell. Strong, but good and sweet.

It all started a couple of years ago when our small group, with Church, were all at the home of Ginny and her family for a Christmas Party. I decided, in advance, to leave an anonymous thank you gift on her kitchen counter - just because. I did that and well, she must have figured out it was me because it was a couple of nights later that I noticed, past my window, a lone figure creeping slowly across my front porch. Another Blessing Bandit? They left something behind at the front door. And quickly walked back to their car. I pretended I didn't see anything... but I did. I knew it, I could see it was Ginny - playing back.

This gift, left behind, was a candle. I unique silver ball shaped candle with a lid. I've never burned it. And it's been tucked away in one of my Christmas bins and every year when I go to decorate - this strong smell reminds me again of Ginny.

You see! Ginny is just like this candle...in so many ways. I don't get to talk to her as much anymore - even though we go to the same church - we're in different small groups now...so it's harder to keep in touch. But, if you happen to know Ginny you know that what I'm about to say next is true. Ginny is a beautiful person. She is a strong woman. Good. And very sweet. She's brilliant, extremely knowledgeable and a wonderful pianist. A wife, mother and friend. With discretion, Ginny would give her right arm to help someone else, in need. She's just that kinda lady.

Ginny's heart and life burn brightly for the Lord. The life of generosity that she lives is surely a sweet & fragrant smell of continued blessing...to so many.

Thank you, my friend. My friend, Ginny.

Ginny...Thank you for agreeing to let me share a story about you, even though you had no idea what I was going to share. :) Blessings- just the same - right back at ya.

***
How about you? Is there someone in your life like this?

Cashew Crunch

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

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Recently I was asked about the Cashew Crunch I made over the Holidays. It's a very delicious homemade candy. The photo is not the greatest but the recipe is oh so simple and oh, so easy to make. Oh so yummy and oh, not-so-good for the waistline. But, you know...

Here is the recipe anyway. Just because.

~ Cashew Crunch

1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter
1 cup cashews

Melt butter, add sugar and cashews. Cook until golden brown and pour onto cookie sheet (with sides). Let cool and cut into squares or break into smaller pieces.

Because every day, I am.

2012-01-11T11:17:00.003-05:00

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Swoosh.

Crash. Bang.

I wonder what I just heard fall and then I hear my hubby calling from the other room. "Sorry babe, I just knocked your favorite magnet off the fridge and it broke."

It was a gift from my Grammy. I've had it forever. And it wasn't until this moment that the truth of this magnet's message broke in and settled me.

I thought about the irony of the moment. The words on the magnet couldn't be more true, for me. And, in particular, that morning, the day was unraveling pretty quickly. I wasn't upset that my hubby broke my magnet -rather it just seemed to paint a picture in my mind of the imperfection that each day holds. There are bound to be lots of broken pieces in one single day. When I read through that verse quickly, my eyes so often skim over the word seldom. I guess it is my tendency to believe that prayer, or even our relationship with God is meant to be "untouchable"...perfect!... and when it isn't, then I can simply be "a mess". Unraveling is inevitable. When we pray, though, God listens and hems us in to the gracious hand of care, comfort and He sustains us. No matter the day.

God doesn't promise...perfect. In fact, He promises He will hold the day in all its imperfections. He holds us in our brokenness. In fact, the more broken we are, the more beautiful we are and all the more perfect. And, that is perfect enough. He would rather us be broken and in His Hands... rather then sittin' all pretty, stuck up (on our fridge) and acting all high and mighty -in one perfect piece.

I have yet to glue this magnet back together. I need to buy me some glue. But, when I do glue it... I'm going to glue it just "off" a bit. As a reminder that I need Jesus every hour of every day. I need to pray more often through out my day. And yes, there still be some unravelling going on. But one thing is sure. I'll be in HIS HAND all day long.

Because every day, I am.

Gifts; they come in all shapes and sizes

2012-01-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

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I don't have much to say today, but I wanted to share with you the last pair of Homespun Baby! Shoes that I made. I thought they turned out so cute.

These are/were a gift to dear friends of ours. Their sweet little girl ~ Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is a month older then our Jayne and finally reached, I think - if I remember correctly, a whole whoppin' 11lbs. She is truly a miracle baby and a true blessing to have in our lives. We talk about our little girls as being "sweet friends"...even though they have yet to really "play together".

That day will come, sooner then we realize.

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago...

We love this family so much. They are dear, dear friends of ours and truly one of God's greatest gifts...to not just us, but to so many others as well.

Gifts! They truly do come in all shapes and sizes.

Hmmm, and maybe I just said a bunch afterall...

built with planks of thanks

2012-01-09T09:53:00.000-05:00

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This past Saturday morning was the second to last time of meeting, with several girlfriends, to discuss the last couple chapters of Ann's book - One Thousand Gifts. We'll close it out next month.

I felt like it was one of the best meetings that we have had together. By the way, breakfast was great, too! It's always fun when there are a bunch of ladies together, grateful to "get-away" for a couple of hours - to just relax, drink some hot tea or coffee and soak up some good ole fashioned fellowship.

As we circled around the book, in our cozy, comfy couch seats - sitting elbow to elbow...our hearts were full of the same. A circle of connection. A closeness. A bond of belonging. Not only to the fact that we're sisters in Christ, but because we could identify: relate with one another...to each others stories and with the one, Ann, who shared from her heart, in the picturesque words that fill the pages of her book.

We got stuck on the couple of paragraphs in chapter 8, referring to our trusting the Bridge Builder. God!

thanks is what builds trust

Who trusts the Bridge Builder? (Especially when this or that happens...and it feels so wrong.)

Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on

Quoting Ann...But if I'm grateful to the Bridge Builder for the crossing of a million strong bridges, thankful for a million faithful moments, my life speaks my beliefs and I trust Him again.

I fearlessly cross the next bridge...

Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow, built with planks of thanks. Remembering frames up gratitude. Gratitude lays out the planks of trust. I can walk the planks - from known to unknown - and know: He holds.

I could walk unafraid.

I paused to think through this picture that was forming in my mind. The idea of a wooden bridge over *troubled* waters came into view... and with that, I thought, how it is certainly comforting when crossing that bridge, when you can have faith for that bridge...and especially when knowing that there are guardrails/barriers along the sides of that bridge. We trust in the builder of that bridge. Albeit (sometimes) with fear and trembling...because when the bridge itself feels rickety and begins to sway...we can really struggle to wrap our minds around the idea that this bridge was constructed with just a few pieces of wood and three nails.

I know what it's like to have crossed over some troubled waters lately. And, I'm sure many of you, my readers, have too. If not recently...you probably will soon. I also know what is like to look back in the rear-view mirror, after having crossed and seen God's hand, faithful to have lead me over and through some really difficult times. I'm grateful. However, along the sides of that said bridge were the outstretched arms of fellow believers and friends and family who humbly embraced our trial as part of their own. They were in a sense the arm-in-arm guardrails to keep us in check, from veering off to the left or to the right. Keeping us from floundering in the unknown. They've hugged, loved, embraced the unknown with us. Prayed, challenged, encouraged, and fleshed out the body of Christ by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

We received prayer, meals, (overnight) childcare, phone calls, emails, gifts, warm embraces that let us know we were loved ...and on and on. I honestly don't know how folks walk through life...one step at a time... without the Lord, to go before and behind.

*** With no rhyme or reason, to their number - here are the laying down...the planks of thanks...one step at a time...to cross the bridge of here, to there.

#622. seeing wisps of white woodsmoke lying low, scattered all throughout the countryside

#623. for Albuterol Nebs and no hospitalization needed for my baby girl (the same for my son)

#624. apple crisp for breakfast

#625. the arm-in-arm moments... hugs from friends

#626. strong sense of community...the body of Christ...the barricade against the evil one

#627. an email from my cousin - saying hello!

#628. fun afternoon walk(s) as a family

#629. emergency french fries

#630. an elderly man, coming out of the post office, pausing in the parking lot, slowing to thumb through his stack of mail while headed to his car- in absolute no hurry...at all. Ahh! just like the good ole days...

#631. my brother headed off to do some mission work

#632. more etsy orders - placed

#633. a cleaned off windshield and that my car was started and warmed up awhile - thanks hunny!

#634. the time when K and R came over for lunch and before they left to go home, we circled up, hand in hand, to pray

#635. the phone call from Mrs. B - Caleb's schoolteacher - just to check in, to see how Caleb was doing since he missed the first couple of days *back to school*

#636. Mr and Mrs H. offering overnight childcare the evening before Scott's Cath was to take place. The kids were in their glory, no qualm(s) at all, and we were totally and utterly at peace they were in good hands.

#637. Baked Ziti - just because. Who knew the next day would be so chaotic running between Doctor's and Pharmacies -right before the dinner hour? God knew. I wasn't having to concern myself with making dinner, it was done.

#638. Clean Catherization- for Scott's Heart

#639. Grandma's delicious homemade lasagna - as only she can make!

#640. great Christmas Memories made, this past Christmas

#641. gifts exchanged from one to the other

#642. kids crafting with Aunt Jules

#643. woolen slippers

#644. "them peaches" made the best peach jam! Caleb's favorite....

#645. singing Christmas Carols in the cold, night-time hours - going door to door

#646. room spray/air freshener

#647. the *new* neighbor lady who never fails to say hello!, adding a warm & friendly, but toothless smile and will pull you right into a chatty conversation... ((be ready/willing to take the time!))

#648. new supply of beef - for the freezer

#649. hiener-biener's to wipe and grossy-nosies to blow

#650. guardrails on bridges

#651. the chance to "Pay it Forward"

{ this moment }

2012-01-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Amanda Soule

::: I entered :::

I wish you could hear what I hear...

2012-01-05T14:00:00.001-05:00

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Voices filtering down. Playfully spilling out of the upstairs bedroom. The kids are playing. Tumbling, echoing, drifting aimlessly - imaginations at their best. Oh, the drama...

It's so real. And surreal at the same time. It makes me smile. I think back to my own days as a young gal. The imagination that I had on me - still amazes me, at times. When my cousins and I were together - look out!

I putz around the kitchen, mindlessly putting dishes away yet I continue to hear and take it all in.

Sometimes I can't believe it. I still pinch myself that I've grown up and that I {now} have children. Children of my own who take after me...

With this loud intensity, I hear - MOM!!!

I shake out of my thoughts to call up the stairs, to answer...Yes?!?!

"No, not you!" I hear Aubrey say. "We're just pretending...".

Apparently, the dolls were fighting and one yelled out for Mom to their rescue.

I go back to my work with a smile on my heart. But a staircase leads me upward to the room of endless delight.

Can I enter in?

Deluxe Cinnamon Rolls

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

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These cold(er) winter mornings often beg to be paired up with a hot cup of coffee and a nice warm Cinnamon Roll. At least for me, that statement is true.

And, as it was on Christmas Morning...

we thoroughly enjoyed, all three. Wonderfully wintry Christmas Morning, a hot cup of coffee and a warm as warm can be cinnamon roll - made with much love by my dear sister, Gladys.

We had our choice of Carmel Icing or Cream Cheese. Or both?

I'll share the recipe with you...even though I did not happen to make these, this time.

Deluxe Cinnamon Rolls

3 T. yeast

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup oil

1 T. salt

1 1/2 cup warm milk

3 eggs

10 cups flour

Soft butter

Brown sugar

Cinnamon

Finely chopped pecans (opt.)

Dissolve the yeast in warm water; set aside. Mix the sugar, oil, and salt in a large bowl; stir in warm milk until dissolved. When the mixture is cool enough; add the yeast mixture and beaten eggs; mix well. Add flour to make a dough that is neither too stiff nor too sticky. Let rise for 2 hours. Roll out and spread with soft butter and cover with brown sugar and cinnamon (opt. pecans). Roll up jelly-roll style and slice into 1-inch pieces. Place in greased baking pans. Flatten each slice with your hand. Cover and let rise about 2 hours or until double. Bake at 350* for approximately 15 minutes. When cool, ice with Carmel Icing.

Carmel Icing

1/2 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup milk, cream or half-and-half

1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar

Melt butter and then add brown sugar. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Stir frequently. Add milk and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and cool partially. Add powdered sugar until it is the desired consistency for spreading. Make sure it is not too thick if using for cinnamon rolls. (Recipe note: If you use this recipe to icen' Chocolate Cake - you would want the icing to be thicker).

****

So, since Scott has filled you in our plan , for this coming year. I'll just have to look at the above photo, drool and remember their wonderful, wonderful ooey-gooey smell - instead. And just hope that someone else decides to make these instead - for themselves to enjoy. You really, really will. I promise!

On the line of Christmas Past

2012-01-03T08:15:00.000-05:00

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The wind pushed it's way past me...taking the red and green of Christmas Past along with it. It was a beautifully crisp sort of morning. The thoughts I had of the awaiting days of this New Year were swirling around in my head, flapping, fluttering like the cloths on the line. They have stuck with me...as though pinned to my heart with no where to go but up.

What is to come of this New Year? For a brief second I gave in to the whirlwind of quandry and concern.

I grabbed the line to add another piece of laundry... the gusty wind gave another yank and I yanked back. Hold on a minute, I muttered, as though it had ears to hear. The memories of last year were pining for reflection. It seemed as though the whole year had flown by in a mere matter of minutes. Where had it gone? And, yet so much had happened. Perhaps that is why it went by so quickly...yet, I will not say - effortlessly. It certainly was an interesting 'ride'. And we hung on for dear life some days. Some days, more then others. I wanted to go back and relive, perhaps redo...the load of care...to sort through the piles of untended black, white and grey. But, nope! It was already wrung out and ready to roll.

A gust of wind came again...

This time. It was different.

The thoughts again, of this New Year, were coming on strong and head-long. I was being ushered into this one. I vowed to brace for the winds of change...to allow the unknowns to kick up and swirl around my ankles. Kick up some dust. Really? Dust?

As I hung up the last of the load I smiled for a minute. I thought of the new and unwrinkled. The fresh, crisp air fueling my senses. A twinge of old-man winter settling in.

I know me... I'm apt to wipe my hands on the purty white towel of succuss but by far I'd rather it be of humility and servanthood. Lord willing, neither feigned.

Can the wing and a prayer for good cheer, health, prospertiy and blessing be?

Sure! and you can rest assured that the dust of the days ahead will (still) come.... and sprinkle themselves like tiny white snowflakes - swirling and twirling - only to melt off and away like another mere memory of yesterday.

***

The New Year lies before you, like a field of fresh fall'n snow. Be careful how you tread on it for every step will show. {unknown}

HOWDY!!!

2012-01-02T05:52:00.000-05:00

Hi ALL!!! Well welcome to 2012, if there was anything that you wanted to do in 2011, well your 2 days late. Welcome to Scott's second sayings. A lot as taken place over the last 31 days since you last heard from me. I am glad I have this opportunity to catch up with you all.

First, I would like to file a formal complaint with the blog site editor. (a.k.a. my beautiful wife!). I do not see any Scott Second Sayings in the top 12 for the year in review. Then again, the editor, publisher, and writer are one in the same person, so there is no bias there....(even though I am her better half). Seriously though, I like the selected 12 too, and am glad that I have been able to find the "little heart guy" (go back and read this past Friday's Finds).
He was actually tucked in my red robe pocket and most likely has been there since Christmas 2010. I only really wear this robe about once a year and that is on Christmas morning. I am not fully sure why Bevy thought it had been 2 1/2 years (since we moved in here) since we had last seen him. I think in Christmas 2010 Bevy had hid him in a box of a gift she gave me, and I placed him in my pocket to hide later and then just forgot. The reason I was able to find him, was that several days after my surgery, we had friends stop in for a quick visit and I threw my robe on over my PJ's knowing it would be comfortable, and when I reached in my pocket, Wha-La. My mother and I gave Bevy a little jewelry box for her birthday during the year, and I knew she would be in there eventually to switch out some jewelry of some sort.....just did not know it would take her that long. I think it was about 2 weeks.

So as you can imagine we are very relieved to be on this side of the fence of all that has been going on this past month. The month had a curve ball or two. I would like to say a BIG THANKS to all for your prayers and continued support for us through this time. Mr. & Mrs. H. a special thank you to you and yours for all your reaching out to us and allowing your schedule to be interfered by ours and willing to serve us in such a loving, supportive, caring and flexible way. Mr. & Mrs. N. as well an special thank you for your encourage and enlightening communications to us keeping our focus on Him and your spoken truths to our souls as we walked through this. All the praise reports aside, one other thing I am very thankful for is that this all occurred in 2011, where we had meet our deductible for the year already due to the birth of our daughter, Jayne.

Looking into 2012 we are encouraged and looking forward to some future events. One thing is that we are throwing some numbers around for weight loss. 60 in 2012. That's 60 lbs apiece this year in 12 months, which breaks down to 5 lbs/month thus 1 1/4 per week. We will see how that goes. That might be a portion of my monthly update, I just do not see Bevy posting this regularly on her posts. As well, come the spring, we are looking forward to taking a roadtrip south. We originally were looking to take 2 weeks and make another 4 state run like we did in 2006 to visit friends and family (which then we did in a week, but it was just her and I back then). Due to me being in and out of the hospital this past month I burnt up all my excess time and thus we will only have a week to work with in April (when we are looking to do this). So most likely we will only be traveling to see dear friends of ours in TN and then a stop off in VA (Lynchburg area) to see my step mom and (possibly, maybe (??)) meet some blog friends.

School is going well, though I have to admit I was not sure how things were going to go around the surgery. I managed to pull off an exam 5 days after surgery and passed and then turned right around and finished off a term paper over the following week to complete two classes. Well this placed me about 2 weeks ahead of schedule but I have chewed all that up with the Christmas holiday and my second stint in the hospital with the stress test and all that went with it. So for this weekend I have been nose in a text book and pretty much have caught up. I will be finishing up section 1 of 3 today which pretty much brings me back on schedule.

We are very thankful for an employer that has worked with us in the timing of everything. As well we are also thankful that we were able to get butchering started this year. "Staples, the steer" has fallen into our freezer (yes we name our animals that we butcher, but mostly just the steers. The hogs come and go so fast. We slaughtered him two weeks after my surgery and then my BIL John and I left the family up at camp on Christmas night and headed home and butchered him on the 26th. The kids really enjoyed that camp for Christmas, and I am speculating that Bevy has already shared with you where we were for Christmas. If not, she'll have to catch up...

So here is to 2012 and may you all of had a blessed Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!!

Sharing with You :: 2011 in Review

2011-12-31T07:47:00.003-05:00

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In all of my blogging... I've never done this before, but I thought it would be neat to do so, this year. In my reflection, I've chosen 12 of my favorite posts, from over this past year, taking one from each month, to share with you. Hope you enjoy the review.

{January, 2011}

Unbelievable. Crazy. Amazing.

{February, 2011}

: Hospitality :

{March, 2011}

Hot Toffee!

{April, 2011}

fight on the playground :: the lesson learned

{May, 2011}

Early Morning Calling

{June, 2011}

He Can't Remember

{July, 2011}

The Blessing Bandit

{August, 2011}

For all of this, I graciously give thanks!

{September, 2011}

"you have an old soul"

{October, 2011}

hugs matter

{November, 2011}

Promise(s) Kept

{December, 2011}

Friday's Finds | I Love You {2}

****

Thank you, my dear readers, for hanging in here with me for this past year of 2011. Hope to have more for you in the coming year. Hope to have you, old and new friends alike, come back for more of Treasured Up and Pondered. Thanks again, for your readership! I appreciate it.

Happy New Year, to you!

Friday's Finds | I Love You {2}

2011-12-30T09:17:00.000-05:00

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{Welcome to Friday's Finds! For those of you who are new to this blog and/or just poppin' in - Hello! and welcome. On Friday's I like to try and feature "a find" of no particular value or sentiment, no reason or rhyme and yet, exactly for all of those reasons I just mentioned.}

I wish I could recreate the moment of shrill-joy when I recently found this little guy tucked into my jewelry box.

I immediately knew this story would make the PERFECT Friday's Finds - and I had a hard time waiting until today to share it with you all. You see! This was no coincidence.

But wait.

Before I get too far ahead of myself - let me back up and share with you the story, story.

My husband, Scott, and I have had this "tit for tat" game going on for quite some time, although not religously. It was something we would do - here and there just for fun. I know other folks who do this, too and, for a long time, I had a girlfriend who her and I would exchange some for inanimate object(s) in each others home - just for fun! Silliness.

But, when Scott and I got a hold of this little guy (and Lord knows where it ever came from) we immediately began hiding it - in the most of unexpected places and for each other. Then when found, it would "hide" again for the other. Cute?!?! Simple...perhaps.

But, here is the thing. We COULD NOT find this little guy anywhere, for the longest time. We would even ask each other if the other had seen it, recently. Nope! It was gone. Probably got lost in the move - three years ago...who knows?!?

Until. The other day. I went to my jewelry box to but something away and there he sat. I squealed...and gasped. And felt that it was a little sign from God that all would be well. You see! And again, I say, this was no coincidence.

With Scott's recent situation ,surrounding his heart, where he needed to have a Stress Test (results indicating an issue) followed by a Cardiac Cath (which was done this past Wednesday)...you can be sure my own heart was a mess and so were my nerves. It was like God allowed Scott to find this "little guy" days ahead and find a placement for it. And he has yet to tell me where he found it - originally. (`cuz he said it been hiding in there for a while, and that is a relative thought, which also tells you how much I may be in and out of my jewelry box. Some times more then other times!)

I think I found it on the morning after the Stress Test and before we left for our time away over Christmas. I can't remember exactly - but close enough to the moment(s) surrounding those few days of uncertainty.

With that my heart calmed...it was like a little sign given that all would be well. My hubby would be okay and that he loved me. And that he would hang around a little while longer....

****
Do you believe God works in mysterious ways like this? I do.
I believe HE has our best interest at heart... and that he loves to bless us in little ways, such as a found little guy in our game and in big ways, such as all forms of healing. Praise the Lord!

Scott's heart is fine. The Lord healed his heart. There were no found blockages (it must have been all false positives)... and his heart continues to beat true... for the Lord (and, for me!).

That's the best part.

...keep that candle lit {with UPDATE! regarding Scott}

2011-12-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

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Christmas is over. The candle is blown out.

What a wonderful, wonderful Christmas weekend we had - away. Out of town.

With family, at Bald Eagle Camp.

I've had this here post written in my head for a little while- and I didn't want for it to "come" so far out. But, here we are. On to the next thing.
I alluded to it in THIS post - last week...where I mentioned I didn't want to delve into it at that point (until I had to). That I personally was forced to really think deeply about TIME. That time is short. None of us knows when our time on earth is ore.

This next thing meaning today! - this week. This - what I'm about to tell you - has been weighing in like a cloud over my heart and mind. Hitting too close to home.

Trying our best not to let it dampen our Christmas Spirit... we also know that All is Grace and this too is not out of Our Father's (caring) Hand.

Today, this morning - my husband had to have a Cardiac/Heart Catherization. He's 38 years old. As I type. I am waiting word from the Dr's to see how is doing...and for what they've found. I want to say this is a fluke thing that they found what they found on a recent Stress Test, but I know better. It is God's kindness that they found "something" - and the fact that the Dr, on duty, during Scott's recent surgery (the Hemmroidectomy), three weeks ago, had a hunch that Scott should have a Stress Test done (last week, Monday) ...just because...and that he followed through on that hunch. Given Scott's family history, etc. this could have turned out totally different. He is in good hands and in God's.

I am praying... that all goes well. That Scott "behaves" himself in recovery and doesn't require another overnight stay or that it turns into something more like by-pass surgery...which is a possibility. A HUGE possibility.

Right now... the candle is not lit. But, soon it will be burning brightly- again. Lord Willing!

I could go into more of the story. However, I think you get the drift. Simply to pray. Pray for "good news" and God's grace to cover us.

...keep that fire burning. That candle lit.

Thank you! for your thoughts and prayers.

*****
{UPDATE : regarding Scott, as of 3:30pm, this afternoon.}
Scott has been discharged from the hospital. He is home. Feeling tired - but all is well. The procedure was considered a clean cath...meaning no blockages were discovered; no need for any stent placements. Hallelujah!

Care will need to be taken for the next 24-48 hours for full recovery. Praying that the little ones will understand that daddy needs to take it easy and can't "rough-house" or even lift the weight of more then 10 lbs.

But...hey...guess what!?!?! The candle is lit...the fire of our hearts is burning, brightly. We have a Faithful God! Who hears and answers prayer(s). Amen?

25th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

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A Merry, Merry Christmas to all.

(I will catch back up when I get back in town.)

****

More DPP here.

22nd of December | Photo Project

2011-12-22T23:58:00.000-05:00

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The race against time.

I tried to post this earlier today - but found out I didn't have a phone/Internet connection, for most of the day. As you can see, I'm now literally mere seconds away from posting this before the clock strikes 12:00 midnight. I wanted to get it posted on the "right" day...

But speaking of time. You see, this clock has no hands. (They got broken off.) I love it anyway and always pull this clock out - this time of year. For reasons I won't get into tonight... I've been "forced" to really (personally) think it through, about this issue of TIME.
Not just the fact that the Christmas is right around the corner and I'm trying to get e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g done before we head out of town to spend Christmas with family - elsewhere, this year - tomorrow evening.

But, because life is short.

We have no idea, for ourselves or for our dear loved ones, how much time remains on the clock of life.

The question is, are we ready? Have we prepared our hearts and our homes for that moment of truth, when reality hits home and time may be no more? What we do have, however limited...is... truly...one awesome gift. Is it not?

Just think about it.

I don't mean to sound morbid here. I really, really don't. But the clock is ticking, hands or no hands... no doubt about it.

One day - time will stand still, for all of us... and then, ready or not, it will go on and on and on and on.....forever!

More DPP here.

21st of December | Photo Project

2011-12-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

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HO-HO Snowballs

(recipe from Gooseberry Patch)

A*new* holiday favorite, around here. Besides, what is a wintery day without a few snowballs flyin' around?

More DPP here.

20th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-20T08:04:00.002-05:00

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My little kitchen tree...
simply the same, every year. But, I love it!

More DPP here.

19th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-20T08:04:00.000-05:00

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I realized that I had forgotten to post yesterday - but I did manage to take a photo. So here it is.

Meet Joseph and Mary and their donkey taking them to "Jerusalem"...

Quite seriously.

I thought this to be quite "adorable" as yesterday I overheard my two youngsters, here, playing rather adamantly. I said, "Caleb, don't you mean you're going to Bethlehem?" to which he turns and looks at me and says, "No! Mom, I'm Joseph"...quickly correcting me. "Well, excuse me, Joseph."

Too bad, when I pulled out the camera the imaginative play died off. ;( Until next time.... with something else.

****

Even still, just this morning. Caleb was looking over my shoulder here as I was posting this and I asked him...

Who's this, on the photo?

"Uh mm, I don't know (thinking hard) - Mary and Joseph?"

Ha, ha. I love it!!

More DPP here.

18th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-18T21:38:00.002-05:00

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This just says it all...right here.

More DPP here.

17th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-17T08:22:00.001-05:00

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White Christmas Party Mix

10 oz. mini pretzels (I used approx. 3 cups), 5 cups Cheerios (I used Multi-grain), 6 cups of Rice and Corn Chex (3 cups of each), 2 cups peanuts, 1 lb. M & M's, 24oz. vanilla chips, 3 T. oil.

Stir together pretzels, cereals, peanuts, and M & M's. In a microwaveable bowl or in a double boiler, melt the white chocolate chips and oil together. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring well to coat. Spread out onto 3 wax lined cookie sheets and allow to cool/dry thoroughly. Break apart and store in airtight container.

ENJOY! Your White Christmas this year...
At least here is one way to do it.

More DPP here.

News Flash

2011-12-16T16:39:00.000-05:00

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Hello, my dear, dear readers... I didn't mean to ~~lose~~ ~~you~~ get lost in this Photo Project...but I did, didn't I?

Sorry about that.

I've been having fun - while doing it (and it isn't over) - and yet there has been a "good reason" why I haven't been as chatty here like perhaps I normally may be.

That reason is/was my husband, Scott.

(Hey, I'm being nice here...)

You all know that he recently had, had surgery. Actually it was two weeks ago, today. A surgery that was meant to be as an outpatient procedure that landed him in ICCU for the night.
Hemmrroidectomy.
One of the worst possible surgeries one could have.

But, I'm proud to say that he's "hanging in there" under my care. :) We both survived. There were a couple of truly tense moments, in the first couple of days Scott was home, when it was like "everyone, take a number - and wait your turn, I'm getting there" because it wasn't just Scott who needed me... so did Jayne, and Aubrey and Caleb.... often, all at the same time. AHH!! And then, honestly. There were some moments that I have never laughed so hard in all my life - at least, like that for awhile.

Of course, while Scott was healing ... he would do school work, while lying in bed. I often found him finger pickin' here on this computer (I use a laptop) along side the bed, on a TV table. So - pretty much I couldn't do much blogging except to post the one photo per day with the December Photo Project, at the end of the day.

That was fine. Except that I really missed you all and I feel now like I have a ton of mumbo-jumbo all in my heart and head that needs to get out and I don't know where to start.

Scott actually went back to work yesterday afternoon for a half day. And is there again today - but really, REALLY feeling worn out. And he is semi-crazy to think that he can manage a day of "helping to" slaughter some pigs and shoot and hang a steer tomorrow with my "redneck" brother-in-law, John.

I know how it is, though. I can't stop him when I would want to do the same thing. Tired of lying around, having been dependant on others, for too long and just needing to do some stuff and to "get er done"; get back to normal, persay.

***
Last night, I stayed up late... I was playing with my camera. Just a little. Hence the picture above. But, see the boxes of Christmas Cards, in the background? I still have them to address and mail out. It's terrible.

But, the old, blue jar says "Scott's Emulsion" - Cod Liver Oil.

And well. That was what reminded me that I needed to fill you in my husband's progress, believe it or not. And that I needed to at least touch base with you all to let you know where I've been. Granted, you have been seeing bits and pieces of Christmas unfolding at our house...throughout the past two weeks, through the photo project.

***

So, I was privileged to just have Jayne here with me this afternoon. The older two went over to Grandma's to bake some gingerbread boys - Snipp, Snapp and Snurr as Caleb calls them. And I felt like I could actually breath a sigh of relief. I was in the kitchen makin' several things - Christmasy and edible.

White Christmas Party Mix - yummy!

Peppermint Oreo Cookies dipped in White Chocolate - fabulous!

Cashew Crunch (that tastes more like Carmel popcorn with a burnt-flair to it)

Crais'n Graham and Cashew Chew (I totally made this up - while trying to use up ingredients) ;)

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

The reason being is that we're planning to be "outta town" this Christmas. And, I have a laundry list of stuff to do and more I want to make in preperation for going away. And... my days are getting away on me.

So, now that I at least touched base with ya'll... hopefully, you can breathe a sigh of relief, too, that all is well with us and that we're just enjoying the season and HE, who is the reason.

Well. Grandma just called, saying "Come and get em". I guess she's worn out now too.

16th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

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If you love Coffee... here is just another way to use those precious coffee filters. This idea makes a beautiful wintery wreath or a table top centerpiece. It's a quick and easy gift to make, as well. Try making it with a combination of natural (brown) filters and white ones...that's pretty too.

This is not an original with me, the idea was taken from HERE.

More DPP here.

15th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

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Oh how this brings back many memories for me...Lace-Up Cards. Don't you just LOVE these repo vintage cards? They were a gift from last year...to Aubrey from Grandma Susie...with love!

More DPP here.

14th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

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Not very Christmasy here, with this photo... but I sure do love seeing all of our recent frosty mornings.

More DPP here.

13th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-13T07:48:00.001-05:00

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I love the outpouring of Christmas Blessings...

Whether they're handed out or they come through the mail, there is an unique expression of love in the givers handwriting. Several of the cards, we've received, so far, are handmade...what an expression of extending the gift of time. There have been photos of faces and loved-ones we haven't seen in a while.

It's nice to know we're being thought of and loved through this small gesture, another extension of Christ's great Love!

More DPP here.

12th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

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My collection of vintage ornaments. Those are hand-crocheted lace snowflakes...but not by me.

More DPP here.

11th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-11T13:37:00.000-05:00

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It's time to start making some more gifts...

{How-to-Instructions for this Mug Mat, all done up in French Knots, from Gooseberry Patch.}

More DPP here.

10th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-10T23:20:00.001-05:00

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Grocery Shopping today.

When I pulled these Pringles off the shelf... I just knew... this was going to be the photo of the day.

Doesn't that just make you smile? To go around humming...throughout the store? It did, me.

Pringle Bells, Pringle Bells, Pringle all the way...
Oh what fun!

More DPP here.

9th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-09T22:29:00.001-05:00

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This morning, (maybe it was yesterday) I found some boughs of greenery out by our trash. I'm pretty sure they were from our next-door neighbors - who recently "trimmed their tree".

We don't have a live tree (again), this year. Just a table top Charlie Brown Tree.

Anyhoo. I decided to salvage and add a nice touch of greenery to our front porch table.

A little here and a little there.

I can't help but incorporate the garden into all seasons...even at Christmas!

More DPP here.

8th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-08T23:53:00.000-05:00

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By the looks of things ... it's now nearing midnight. I'm tired. The day has been a long one.

It's time for lights out. "S'nuff"said.

More DPP here.

7th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

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Oh, how I wish this were Winter-Berry, here in this can. Bittersweet it is!

To see what is missing in this photo - go HERE!

More DPP here.

6th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-06T21:58:00.001-05:00

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The old antique cupboard. A memory of my Grandparents... a gift left behind. Every Christmas, I've hung this particular ornament here for as long as I've had it.

More DPP here.

5th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-05T21:54:00.001-05:00

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Don't ask me what I did to get this photo looking the way I did.

I just thought it magical the way the lights of our little Charlie Brown Tree look from outside our lace-curtained window, looking in...so when I took the photo (whatever setting it was on)

I was pleasantly amused at how much more magical the lights appeared.

**More DPP here.

Brooch Winner

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

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Good Morning. I know you're wanting to know who the winner is here this morning. I apologize for taking so long to get around to this, this morning. But, I hope you understand... I've just been a little busy.

A quick update on my Hubby... who is semi-better...let's just say that bodily functions are so a part of the "fearfully and wonderfully" made part. You know? So when they don't work for awhile and all that that entails and then when things finally do come to fruition...let's just say he's feeling a bit wiped out this morning. :) But... all is well.

I'm just grateful that I am feeling the grace and strength of God to handle all and every one's needs - at once.

((most times))

On to the giveaway winner.

I did the random generator thing. And the winning number was #5. So, that looks like Anonymous/ G.R. is the winner.

I think I know who you are... but still message me (or email) and I'll get this brooch to you as soon as I hear from you. aitsbevy (at) yahoo (dot) com

Blessings on your day, everyone. I did have more of a (lengthy) post in mind for today - but family comes first and I don't know that I'll get to it. I'm not sure how much blogging will get done this week. I'm just saying.

Although, the December Photo Project may be all you get. ;)

I'll be working on that in another spare moment of the day.

4th of December | Photo Project

2011-12-04T22:19:00.001-05:00

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This is all mine. Peace out - Okay!?!

More DPP here.

3rd of December | Photo Project

2011-12-03T21:47:00.001-05:00

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I was having a tough time thinking about this photo project today with everything else going on - here at our home - over the past day and a half, especially with my husband's surgery and all.

Here is what I came up with.

It's not the best photo out there. But it tells you where I'm at. Picking out some of my favorite Christmas CD's brought me so much peace and joy - just to have them ready to roll. ;) And roll they did - I mean, they have been playing. So beautiful.

More DPP here.

The long-awaited, "good news" UPDATE on Scott.

2011-12-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

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Ahhh... so the UPDATE you've been waiting so patiently for. Thank you for your kind patience and prayers on our behalf.

It's now almost 5pm... and my husband is resting comfortably here at home in our bed. YAY!!!!

We got home about 2:30pm this afternoon.

When I got into the hospital this morning - it was such a HUGE RELIEF for me to see my husband ... so much better. At this point he had already seen his attending Dr.. He saw Cardiology. They both liked what they saw on all accounts (although he does have to follow-up with the Cardio docs for a Stress Test - soon!) and pretty much got the okay to go home.

He was eating well. Voiding well. Getting antsy to go home. The smiles were there and the pain was obviously under control.

HUGE, HUGE difference from last night.

We were so blessed to have dear, dear friends (from our church) come, from nearly an hour away, to our home, to watch all three of our children, the whole day... allowing me to be at my husband's side. They ALL did fabulous...and I said that the care that my/our kids received was "HARD to beat". If you read between the lines, you can pretty much tell who it was. Thank you, Kristy! As you brought along your three of your own children to help! To entertain? To serve? To bless. You're amazing! Crazy-amazing.

Scott had gone in for a relatively simple outpatient surgery, on Friday AM... for a Hemroidectomy.... and it turned into an unexpected overnight stay in ICCU. Due to his (past surgeries) history, and the fact that his heart rate dropped so drastically not just once, but several times (all pain related, they're assuming) all while in post-op.

Totally NOT what we were expecting. But God is good and for some reason this was meant to be.

I know this may be a "brief" update but hopefully all can now heave a sigh of relief and know that we're okay and that all is well.

Again. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Keep em coming... they're is still more recovery ahead.

SCOTT UPDATE

2011-12-02T17:30:00.001-05:00

Just asking for your thoughts and prayers....

All is well.

BUT.

They are keeping my husband overnight, in the hospital, for observation. ;(

Long story.

Again....

He's okay.

It's just a necessary precautionary measure they are keeping him.

I'm okay.

((nervous))

The kids are at Grandma's - for now...

I'm currently W.A.I.T.I.N.G. to talk to him or (go) see him. (5:30pm)

:: Scott had an outpatient surgery this morning. If you read his post this morning, he wasn't expecting to have to stay overnight. ::

Thanks for your prayers.
~Bevy

HOWDY | Scott's Second Sayings

2011-12-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

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HOWDY! and welcome to Scott's Second Sayings.
For those of you who are *new* to this blog... this is the day, the 2nd of each month, when my husband has taken on the liberty to write a post in hopes of "clearing the air" or by giving a new thought or his own perspective on something that may have have come up in and through my blogging. It's all in good fun! And - it's great having him on board. I hope you enjoy.

There is one disclaimer, though. Some months it works out for him to write, other months it is pretty tough to fit it in. So, either he gives me permission to write his post for him or we just move on and forget about it, entirely.
****

Oh OK I see how this is going to be........

"There is one disclaimer, though. Some months it works out for him to write, other months it is pretty tough to fit it in. So, either he gives me permission to write his post for him or we just move on and forget about it, entirely."

NOW she puts in a disclaimer after last month I told her I was going to make it known why I REALLY do not get to always post on the 2nd. The REAL REASON, shhhh, (in a whisper) She sabotages my post or posting day.........

Now the secret is out. Take last month, I NEVER had a chance. The month before she blogged over top of me....Can you believe that? I posted as like 8:30 am and she came in behind and posted at 9:45am (or something like that)...the time before that, Uh, well, I don't recall. Oh and the month even before that (I think I did post). And how about even that's previous month....Uh I do not recall that one either.....OK OK so maybe I do have a few that get away on me. Trust you and me though, (in a whisper) "she does sabotage my blog once in a while"...........

Seriously though, HOWDY to all. It has been a while and we just wanted to drop y'all a few updates:

1.) Buck Monday was a success. Downed a 5pt buck about 8:15am but missed a doe about 3:30pm, so we do a venison for the year....OK tried to put a picture in here but it ain't working.

((PSST: Here I go and sabotage Scott's blog post...just like he's expecting me to do...and I'll add the photo he can't figure out how to put up. Nice deer, by the way! Oh, and say hello to Maddalyn, our niece. She's all proud of Uncle Scott. Can't you tell?))

2.) Today is the big day and we head off to the hospital for my surgery. So I have to be there at 10:30am which places surgery at about 12:30.
Pray all goes well.... thanks!

So with that being said, we will talk (or type) to you all soon again. OK OK so it is not an overnight procedure, it is an outpatient. This is the photo from when we took Bevy to the hospital for the delivery of Jayne.

((PSST: It's me again. I'm SO tempted to sabotage this post just to rotate this photo...but I'll leave it alone. But, I do want to add one thing, that Scott forgot to mention. Don't forget. Sign up for my -Bevy's - giveaway!!!! It ends tonight.))

2nd of December | Photo Project

2011-12-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

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They're worried. They showed up - but where is the snow again?

More DPP here.

1st of December | Photo Project

2011-12-01T21:28:00.001-05:00

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I've decided to join up with another photo challenge, for the month of December. See if I can keep up with it... I'm to post one photo a day, for the next 25.

***

Just hanging out with a smile!

More DPP here.

The Cat's Meow

2011-12-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

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I'm not sure which to say first.

"Please don't hate me."

Or.

"I'm sure I'm about to offend someone - so please accept my up-front apologies."

But.

Here it is.

I have a HUGE dislike for cats. HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate them.

See? Sorry...if I offended you.

To soften the blow, I'm here to wish you a happy December 1st! Wow... isn't this crazy at how fast this year has flown by? Not, that the reminder has helped... I'm sure.

So, imagine my surprise, dilemma?, amused angst when I hear this soft, but loud, "meow, meow" - over in the next room. It sounded very, VERY real!

Aubrey, here, isn't so sure she wanted to play along...

But, soon clued in that she had this "titty-tat" by the tail and that he'd do anything she ask.

Here is the cat in the cage... had I known this was going to happen I would've drawn on the whiskers.

Ta Da!!

Now. It's "my" turn... and oh how that cat puts up a fight...

She got her wish...

And SOMEHOW this little one laid right there and purred right on through all the ruckus...She's amazing.

Or, should I say, The Cat's Meow?!?!

To clear the air and for the record. I love my kids! Just in case you were trying to read between the lines...and they got ~~blurry~~ fuzzy and grey.

****
Hey, don't forget about my giveaway!! Go HERE to enter. It ends at midnight on Friday, the 2nd! ((That's tomorrow.))

Promise(s) Kept ::: {a giveaway!}

2011-11-29T12:42:00.001-05:00

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You know you're blessed when your husband is excited to receive, use and own a bag (all his own) lovingly hand made by his wife.

I was able to finish this bag up, earlier this past weekend, after I had, had it started back before his birthday. I was trying to surprise Scott with it - but he found out about it and kept asking for it to be finished, so that he could use it as an overnight bag for when he went up to my sister and brother-in-law's, to go deer hunting. It happened. I kept my promise and he was able to use it this past weekend.

(he actually bagged himself a deer - 5 point buck)

Too bad, the fabric is not of deer and hunting stuff... however... he loves to "fish", too. I thought it manly enough and have dubbed this bag, in honor of my man...

"My Fine Catch"

(gift to my husband for his birthday, last month)

large tote

***

I have also been meaning to make a pair of baby shoes for Jayne. Sorry, little one, that these took such a long time in coming. But, I know you "love them" and you do look darling in them - as if you're not darling enough.

They are finally finished - a promise kept.

~Homespun Baby! Shoes~

(gift for my daughter Jayne)

****

In case you're wondering. My etsy shop has still been on the slow side. I'm hoping to keep plugging away at it to keep filling it up. I have recently changed the name of my shop from BAGS BY BEVY to "A Bevy of Old and New". I'm hoping to incorporate more then just bags... as you know. Things like more accessories, baby shoes, and vintage items.

So far, there are only two *new* linen brooches in there as well as two bags. One of them is on Sale - trying to get it to move. I believe I made it last Spring.

I did have one bag (Winter's Reflection- small bag), sell for me, over the weekend. Thank you, Rachel A.!!!!!

I also want to say Thank You! to Amanda and Denise for recently giving me a shout-out, regarding my etsy shop, on each of their blogs. That always makes me feel warm and fuzzy...knowing that I have friends who are ~~rooting me on~~ talking about me. ;)

And now... I'm not holding out any longer.

How about a giveaway!! I've been wanting to do another one for awhile, now. Like I said, things have been slow. (It's my fault, completely - but babies change everything, don't they?) But... this time I would like to give away one of my *new* Linen Brooches. The photo(s) below are of the same brooch. In the shop, however, are two others (different buttons) - if you win and you like one of those better, let me know - I'll work with ya.

To enter, just simply leave a comment telling me in three words, or so, what you love best about the Christmas Season. That's it.

Spread the cheer, then come back here, and in a separate comment letting me know that you did and how you did, for another chance to win.

Hope to hear from you! Oh yea, this giveaway ends this Friday, at midnight, Eastern. Winner will be announced on Monday.

gather round for a cup of talk

2011-11-28T07:41:00.001-05:00

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Leaving my usual Monday posting with thoughts on gratitude. I thought we'd sit down for a Cup of Talk, today. How about it? Come gather round...

The front porch is nice but WAY too chilly, these days. ;) And, I don't have a fireplace to pull up to and so I guess it's around the kitchen table. Come on in. The coffee is on...

{snicker} Don't you just love this chicken photo? I took it the other weekend - when I was up at my sister's place. I ran out to their local Bulk Food store to pick up some Unroasted Cornmeal. They had chickens out in their back forty. Fun, fun creatures. And anyway, this cornmeal is the best stuff around...

Anyhoo.

Good Morning! So, how in the world are ya? I just got home from taking Caleb to school, his first day back after Thanksgiving Break. Aubrey is off on an early morning gator ride with Mr. A - doing some farm chores, around the farm. She saw him out on the gator when we drove in. She ~~asked~~ begged and He said, SURE! and wow! she's in her glory...

I'm holding Jayne, typing with one hand... she's growing so nicely and way too fast...well, I was holding her. She fell asleep and while I would love to hold her longer, I think I will be able to get a few things done around here (better) if I lay her down. I love having two hands...

So, tell me...How was your Thanksgiving? If you don't mind, while you tell me all about it I'm going to mix up some White Chunk Macadamia Cookies. I found the recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks and Aubrey has been begging for "cookies"...so I thought I would oblige. Actually, they were on my agenda to bake last night while I decorated the house for Christmas.

Wait. Let's talk about Christmas, for a minute. Are you in the "mood for it" - so soon? I mean, it feels just like yesterday that we pulled out the decor, decorated the house and had our whole family in our home to celebrate Christmas day...the day when we first told our family we were expecting a new baby. Our third. Surprise!

I tell you what. I've been really struggling to consider doing this, this year. It feels like a lot of work... I mean it REALLY snuck up on me this year. I've slowly been getting inspired to "recreate the memories" for my children. They sure did love to "redecorate" the house for me last year and I'm sure it won't be much different this year. Christmas is, down-deep, one of most favorite times of year and so I've decided to get it all out and get busy. However. Well. Here's the thing. I needed help.

I had to borrow one of my brothers to come over to help get it all out of the attic. They're so tall, you know. Our access to our attic is through a pull-down trap door in the ceiling and that required moving beds and using a rickety ladder (part of the door) that is "broken" or a stool, whichever. I wasn't about to attempt it myself.

The reason that Scott couldn't help me is that it is his tradition to head up to my sis and brother-in-law's to sleep there for the night, so that he can be up early and in the woods at 5 minutes to sunrise for the Buck Monday- opener. By the way... he called me about twenty minutes before I left to take Caleb to school to tell us that he shot a buck this morning. He had just shot it and needed to climb down out of his tree-stand and go "find it". Although, I think it was laying just off a couple of yards away. I'm still waiting to hear more of the details. That's pretty exciting. Meat for the freezer.

Excuse me. The cookies are ready to come out of the oven, and boy, do they ever smell good... do you want one? And Jayne is waking up now too, hungry, and it's soon to time to go get my son - from school. Sheesh! Some mornings sure go faster then others, you know?

But I wanted to tell you this first, before I run. Remember these two huge pumpkins? Well... guess how much pumpkin I was able to put up from these two HUGE beauts? Fifty-eight cups of pumpkin...and I probably would've gotten more - but enough is enough already. We'll be set in the pumpkin dept. for awhile. This means lots and lots of pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake/squares and even pumpkin soup. Yummy! I'm so glad I did it up when I did - it was getting too cold for them out on our front porch.

Speaking of cold(s)! We've got them. Oh my word, what a rough night the other night. Aubrey kept coughing and waking herself back up. Both Scott and I have had an ear ache come and go for several days now. Jayne sounds like a "junky monkey"... Caleb gets to hackin' if he gets too busy running around and what not. We're doing the usual - natural cough syrup for the kids, vicks rub downs at night and (infant) Tylenol if needed (for Jayne). Taking Vitamin C like there is no tomorrow. And, just keeping up with our noses - the tissues and suction bulbs are our friends right now. Please pray!! We're doing a lot of that right now - as well.

***
Great talking with you. I hope your day's remainder is a blessing to you. Come back again...soon, I hope!

I think, I'll just go and crank up the Christmas music a little louder; enjoy that the kids are getting some fresh air outdoors and finish deckin' the halls with the same old "memories". Oh... and try to figure out what to make for dinner. Chicken?

I do know what's for dessert...if they all don't get eaten in the meantime.

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The Letters K, L, and M

2011-11-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

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If you've been following along for the past several weeks - you've been noticing the alphabet coming to life in and Around the Homestead, where we live.
I've been doing my best to track down the letters of the alphabet as they appear; capture them on camera, and present them here - as a collection of sorts.

My hope is to, one day, make a photo collage and present it to our landlord and his wife, as a gift. So far it's been a load of fun...

"K", are you ready for my letter "K"?

I could not believe how much of a fun find this was - to find the concrete cracked up like this. It couldn't have been more perfect.

To find the letter "L" was proving to be a bit more tricky. I had a couple of ideas in mind for "L" and

I liked this one, the best. Unique and certainly interesting.

"M"

This one has got to be one of my most favorite "letters" to have found. What do you think? Mmmm, Mmmm good?

That's it for this time. I hope you enjoyed.

Off to another...

2011-11-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

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Happy Thanksgiving Day

get-together, today.

***

May blessings continue - for you - through out your weekend!

{ this moment }

2011-11-25T11:01:00.000-05:00

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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Amanda Soule

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:15

2011-11-24T00:30:00.000-05:00

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Today. With family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

****

(I talk about making this pumpkin, here.)

Touched

2011-11-22T23:20:00.000-05:00

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Early Morning

(untouched photo)

Every Morningtouched up day

While I did get my hands on this photo...

God has HIS HAND all over this day!

****
I'm going to a funeral today, and I'm just praying for the Lord's mercies to fall *new* and afresh on these dear loved ones who remain...here.
Ironically enough, I was reading from 2 Corinthians chapters 4 & 5 this morning. These two chapters talk a lot of our bodies as earthen clay vessels and about Heaven, our dwelling place.

Particularly these verses...verses 16-18, of chapter 4...stuck out to me.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

****
As I was reflecting on those verses and TRYING to get this post up (this morning!) before the Little's woke up and really before the day actually started... I found it interesting the "hand" that was all over this day was God's slowing me to see that I needed to live this day out before I could really talk about it.

Now. As I type, it's at the other end of today and nearly time for bed.

What a day. As I alluded to. It wasn't getting off to my expected good start. The kids were ALL fussy, clingy and irritable. I was getting irritable. I just really struggled all of a sudden to believe that God was or had just given me "mercies new" for this day.

As much as I love me a rainy day. This was a yucky rainy day. Cold and wet. I guess I don't think of rainy days as wet rainy days if I'm always enjoying them from the indoors and looking out. I was also thinking about my own dad who has passed on to glory...fifteen years ago. Today. Today would have been my dad's 59th birthday. I miss him...very, very much...adding "angst" to the oh so dreary day.
The funeral service, this morning, was absolutely beautiful. What a blessing to be able to go and share in the memories and stories of the life of Linda. She will be sorely missed. She and my mother were first cousins and let me tell you... she was a neat lady. (Please pray for her two sons and one daughter-in-law and a new baby on the way.) Linda's husband just passed - rather unexpectedly - just seven short months ago. Linda had cancer.

But, anyway.

I just had, had obvious signs that God's hand was all over this day. Just the Peace of God was evident...there... and in my heart.
At the same time... (while there at the service) I was thinking about the time of the day. It was getting away from me and I had two little ones back at home with Grandma (she was probably ready to tear her hair out and theirs) and all I could think about was the meal I had promised to prepare and take to a young couple from our church as they've just welcomed their first baby into their home. They wanted the meal by a certain time.

Would I have time to get it all done? Plus, make our own meal? Plus, take over the tired and irritable little ones once I got home. Jayne was with me and she was just the same...tired and irritable. How would this all go down?

You know what? God met me. I managed. It all worked out. Beautifully. Even driving through the blackest of night, to deliver the meal, on the yuckiest, rainiest, coldest of nights....the songs you hear playing now were the exact same songs coming through the sound waves on the radio. It made me think of my day all over again...

Blessings. They often come through raindrops, some healing-blessings, they come through tears... Oh, isn't HE a God of Wonder!?!?

Our family is now settled down for the night. The dishes are washed. The quiet of the day is here.

I am touched.

God's hand is and was in ALL of this.

Wearing Thanks!

2011-11-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

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((Today I want to talk about two slightly different scenarios that I've been thinking about: And, I'm hoping to tie the two together so that it will make sense.))

You hear this comment made; "What is that you're wearing? It smells so nice..."

Or, how about this one?

You know that sweater-gift you recieved last year? Well, the only real way to say "thank-you!" is to wear it.

I heard this last statement on the radio the other day and it got me to thinking. Wear it? The only real way to truly demonstrate our thankfulness... is to "wear it"? I know this person was talking about the sweater gift... but could she have been implying - the thanks giving?

Like I said, I've been thinking about this for a couple of days, now. And, I know thankfulness is certainly something that I don't wear naturally. Being "grateful" or "thankful" all. of. the. time. can be rather wearing - if its not genuine. If you know what I mean?

But I've decided that the more I clothe myself with a spirit of gratitude...it actually kinda fits. Its growing on me. Its becoming more and more comfortable - fitting at least a bit more so then it did yesterday - like that favorite pair of blue jeans.

It even smells kinda nice.

Put on...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... the oil of joy instead of mourning. (taken out of - Isaiah 61:3, KJV)

I like to think of it as purposefully, intentionally wrapping yourself up in that mindset...one that is not easily - or willing- to be taken off. Replacing what once was with the new and the now familiar.

How do you wear THANKS? Do you wear it well? Is it a sweet sense of style you've got goin'? Not because you have to... but, because you get to.

****

Continuing to snuggle deeper into the gifts I've been given - wearing that sense of gratitude on my sleeve... that sweet aroma coming off from behind me. I have been blessed.

(One Thousand Gifts)

#605. my sons excitement due to a surprise friday night playdate with his cousins, via Uncle Justin ~ precious face

#606. so much so, that he wanted to dance, with mom, in the middle of the kitchen

#607. we did...we twirled and laughed...holding hands, my son and I with my two left feet

#608. my 3 year old daughter's sweet kiss on my cheeks..."Mom! you're my best friend.", she says

#609. the way his white t-shirt wears snuggly across his frame

#610. that he wears his facial beard, just for me - because I love it!!

#611. the squeeze I feel in my heart when my baby girl coohs and smiles "her thanks" after a diaper change

#612. (speaking for my husband) last night....when the computer "lost" the whole evenings worth of typed out information/studies... but that...a majority of recovery was possible. (He wore it well!! - I noticed. I told him so!)

#613. the smell of fresh-air-line-dried laundry clinging to our clothes

#614. homemade soap - the scent of Lavender and Honey Oatmeal --- (found here).

#615. dark or white chocolate Reeses P. Butter Cups... can't decide which I love better

#616. humble advice AND encouragement from a friend, on marriage...found here.

#617. opportunities to bless others with a *new baby* meal, this week

#618. hearing my son lament...literally hearing him "just talking to God"

#619. playing in the piles of golden leaves

#620. bags & bags of hand-me-downs...thank you!
#621. Great is Thy Faithfulness...LORD...unto me.

Let me ask you this. Do you think God "smells" the gift of our thanks? That he senses we are wearing it well?

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The letters H, I & J

2011-11-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

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If you've been following along for the past several weeks - you've been noticing the alphabet coming to life in and Around the Homestead. I've been doing my best to track down letters as they appear, capture them on camera, and present them here - as a collection of sorts.

My hope is to, one day, make a photo collage and present it to our landlord and his wife, as a gift. So far it's been lots of fun and I know many of you are thinking about doing the same; taking on such a challenge as this for yourselves out and around your own "homesteads".

Here are letters "H", "I" and "J" for today.

The letter "H" was found in the barn windows... not too hard to imagine the reason why.
This one is from inside looking out through the window pane. I just love how this photo came out. It's definitely a keeper, in my opinion.

And this one was found looking on towards the milk house, from outdoors. The glass in these windows are very unique in that they are actual glass blocks...commonly found in milk houses. At least to my knowledge.

The letter "I" was found on the backside of the Pole Barn. I noticed the paint chipping here and just at the right glance realized that this totally looked like the letter "i"... interesting!!

And, the letter "J" came pretty quickly for me...

It's not too hard when I know I have a Shepherd's Hook out in the side flower bed and whalaa - right away. There's my "J".

That's it for my fun this week.

Hope your weekend is fabulous!!

(Friday) Favorite Things

2011-11-18T13:10:00.000-05:00

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Today, I'm thinking of....and thankful for...

::: Serenity :::

::: Leaves of Gold :::

::: the gathering, to come:::

I love seeing birds all lined up on the overhead wires. This photo was taken out my kitchen window... zoomed out as far as my little camera could handle. This recent regular sighting always brings a smile....

::: the most delicious Frosty Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies that there ever was :::

We made these again this week and they're gone.

Every. Single. Last. One.

Roll. Pumpkin. Roll.

::: my two little Indians :::

Caleb's school creations and that he willingly shared his headress, necklace and popcorn snack with his sister.

::: Homespun Baby! Shoes:::

Order placed, completed and sent on it's way - today! Thank you - Amanda.

::: Fiery Sunsets :::

::: the perfect fit :::

Both in the hat (gift from cousin Lizzie!) and in our daughter - for our family. She's perfect!

A Hive of Busy Bees

2011-11-17T08:24:00.000-05:00

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This Book has been a beeautiful memory buzzing around in the backside of my brain for a long time now. I remember having this book read to us kids most evenings before going to bed. One chapter at a time. Recently, I was at my Mom's to go through several boxes of books that were ours, when we were youngster's, to pick out a few for our own growing families. I was excited. I found the "original" copy of this book - except without the cover and missing a few pages off the backside. ((sad sigh))

I just can't wait for my littles to "bee" old enough to fully grasp the deep truths that this books delivers. But, you know what? I'm going to start them young and start reading this to them - one chapter an evening - like I grew up doing.

::: :: :::

So, do you have a particular book that you remember, from childhood?

One you can't wait to share with your own?

Or, one you may have already...brought out to enjoy with your children?

just a handful | more then enough

2011-11-15T14:29:00.001-05:00

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"Would you like some?", we're asked.

"Sure!", we reply and we continue...

"Hey wait - slow down. Not so many. I only wanted a few... just a handful. It's all I want. And, this is plenty. Thank you."

Unless you're my kids and who never have enough of anything - and especially when it comes to chocolate chips, etc. getting doled out.

***

So the story goes. When we've decided that just a handful, of whatever it is, is more then enough. That we don't (usually) want or expect more then what we've been given. Or, at best, that we're far too polite to ask for more.

But. What about when God gives us (abundantly) his hand-full-blessing? Isn't it neat to be on the receiving end of his giving? Amazing, or what?

His hand is full of grace sufficient. Mercies unending. Love without bounds. He never tires to bless us with more then we can imagine. Am I not right?

Unlike ours, His Hand never empties.

With Him a handful is plenty but yet, never enough. His is a hand full. Amen?

It is a hand-full of blessing.

My Jehovah-jireh :: My Provider

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:19

He knows what we have need of before we even ask... and yet he wants us to.

Come.

Come asking...begging for more.

You know. As a mom, I tire rather quickly at the constant begging and asking for more snacks; more time; more of me... and yet, again, God, our gracious and loving Father - He never does.

All of these thoughts came flooding, recently, through my heart and mind one early morning while nursing Jayne. I was struck with the thought of how FULL God's hand is towards me...not stingy. Not selfish like I can be. He doesn't say - "No, I've already given you a handful, you have enough." No!...instead he says "Here, have more". I want to give you more.

My husband and I were discussing these thoughts, again, just last night. The phrase - All your needs. In our minds that phrase implies a stopping point. That our needs have been met or supplied care for. But I read it differently in thinking about this subject. In reality, our needs are never, ever fully met, are they?

God says he will supply all we need according to His riches... to me that means over and over and over.

Hand - Full!

Chocolate {Brownie} Bavarian Torte

2011-11-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

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A couple of weeks ago now, we were invited to friends of ours, for dinner. I asked what I could bring and we settled on me bringing a dessert of some kind. I was thrilled!!

{Interjection: It really bothers me when someone tells me to 'just come' and to not bring anything. Yet! I do the very same thing, to others. I'll tell them to just bring their appetite(s) and that's it. I wonder why that is?}

So. Back to this dessert. It is a layered dessert. Rich. And, surprisingly it has a hint of coffee/mocha flavor even though there is nothing coffee about it.

Chocolate Bavarian Torte

1 (18 1/4 oz.) devil's food cake mix (except that I used a Ghirardelli Brownie Mix, instead**)

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

1 1/4 - 2 cups. whipping cream, whipped

2 Tbsp. grated semi-sweet chocolate (I think I used some Hershey Kisses and just chopped them up - in my food chopper)

Bake the cake mix as directed on package. Use to 9" round cake pans. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove cake(s) from pan and cool completely on wire racks. (**...here is what I did. I baked the brownie mix as directed, in a 9" square baking pan. Perhaps under baking it a bit. Let it cool in the pan. And cut into 1" squares.)

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt until fluffy. Fold in cream. Split each cake into two horizontal layers; place one on a serving platter. Spread with a 1/4 cup of the cream mixture - sprinkling 1/4 of the chocolate over that. Repeat layers.

(** What I did, was use a trifle bowl or a deep clear serving bowl. I layered a handful of brownie cubes - then some of the cream mixture and chocolate, repeating as I went. See photo.)

Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. (I'm not sure that I needed to do this last part with using the brownie. At least for this length of time.)

Enjoy! This pure decadence.

just counting...

2011-11-14T17:58:00.000-05:00

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#585. to Lancaster Co.- shopping, with this dear friend (even if it was just for groceries) ;)

#586. that Jayne slept the whole time - out and back - she did so good

#587. {answered prayers}

#588. a FREE ride with a Scholarship - for Scott's schooling

#589. helping out this dear woman and friend with her *new* blog - Thoughts to Ponder!

#590. crsip fall weather

#591. glowing windows - lights of home

#592. my hubby - he rocks my world

#593. cinderella pumpkins

#594. the chance to sew (and actually getting something accomplished)

#595. {today's} beautiful PINK skies

#596. Grandma's house

#597. failures?

#598. the story of David Brainard

#599. SPAGETTI - though not a favorite for our family

#600. new discoveries

#601. someone's smile - they're hard to come by and this one... a surprise!

#602. soul questions

#603. frosted edges on fallen leaves - so, so pretty

#604. handfulls of...

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The letter G

2011-11-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

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Hello! and welcome to Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z

I've been working on finding the letters of the alphabet, capturing them with my camera, in things here around the farm, where we live.

My hope is that this will turn into a gift project to present to our landlord and his wife, one day. So far it's been fun... something totally "off the cuff" in presenting myself with this challenge.

Here we are with the letter "G".

And gee, was this letter ever hard to find or what?

I found this one on the doormat on our front porch. It's there, but tricky to see at first glance.

To be a bit more obvious, I found this one then, on a piece of farm equipment.

Have yourself a GREAT weekend!!

{this moment} Just one good one... please?

2011-11-11T15:24:00.001-05:00

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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Soule Mama

Okay, so they're all good...I'll take em!

all settled

2011-11-10T07:48:00.001-05:00

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A quiet drive down a country back road always...ALWAYS...somehow settles me. You know the feeling.

It's that moment of truth that reaches down deep inside and wants to stay there for a while. It says, you need to be settled. Get out and go. Oh, and don't forget to grab the camera on your way out...

Blessings on my little family - who don't seem to mind going out for a country drive either. They fall asleep. ;)

I hope you'll enjoy the ride along as we go down what once was my favorite dirt road in our area. It's quiet, picturesque and "off the beaten path". Now, today this 'dirt' road has a little bit too much macadam on it for me. It's not quite the same in that regard. And I don't know of too many other dirt roads out there anymore. At least around here.

Ahhh look!...I see a patch of wild red berries growing there behind the fence post... I wonder if that is bittersweet or maybe it is rose hips. I don't know- I can't tell. Bittersweet is on my most favorite of natural fall decor to use.

See the wild honeysuckle growing here?

Oh, hello big red barn... actually, I'm not surprised to see you. You're one of the reasons I love driving down this country back road.

And, I wonder what for nest is in the top of this tree - bee or bird? Doesn't it almost look like a hornet's nest?

I just absolutely love this old red barn. Something about it just tells me that there are loads of stories within the walls and surrounding property of this barn and it makes me wonder what they are.

"Good-bye! beautiful barn - until next time".

((happy sigh))

I feel settled... and now, back to reality. Or, maybe down another....?

***

"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land."

~ Ezekiel 37:14b

**This is one of the reasons I LOVE being a Stay-at-Home Mom - I get to drive around country back roads whenever I need to "settle down", but more then that, I know Who it is who dwells within me and lets me live...and "quiets the land" of my heart.

a new creation

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

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"The old is gone...the new has come... if anyone is in Christ... he is a new creation. He is a new creation."

There was humming and singing going around in my head and coming out of my mouth. Caleb's too! I would catch us both singing this song through out the day. It was kinda cool...hearing my four year old...singing about something that he doesn't really understand, but boy! does he ever know how to bring on the challenge for me.

To be a *new* creation when it comes to mothering/parenting.

There is so much happening in my son's (preschool) world right now. His mind is growing with rapid speed. He is exploring this world of so much to learn. His social skills are being honed in on and challenged. His ability to simply keep up is being stretched. His manner's? oh yea...they're there, but sometimes they hide. ;)

He's doing GREAT!! I'm full of excitement and I'm so proud of him. However.

Every day he goes to school, he just comes home with SO MUCH energy/defiance - it's an interesting combination. Is it out of...Exhaustion? Hunger? Peer Influence? Boredom? I quickly find myself reacting rather then responding. Something I really have been working on for a long while and something I don't want to keep doing.

I have to daily remind myself that he - like me - is a sinner in need of a Saviour.

Create in me a clean heart, Oh God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; {Oh Lord}and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore until me the joy of thy salvation; and renew a right spirit within me. {Ps. 51: 10-12, as sung out of the KJV}

And, through this daily prayerful process... I can say I am (becoming) a New Creation. That these moments with my son are not merely an interruption, a challenge, or even an over-all frustration but simply an opportunity.

An opportunity to share the gospel with him and to live out the gospel before him.

In search of blessing, dig another well.

2011-11-08T07:08:00.001-05:00

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{source}

As we sat around the room, the care group ladies and I, discussing chapter nine (titled, Go Lower) of Ann's book - One Thousand Gifts, this thought-picture came to my mind.

"The lower we go - the fuller we become".

It's like when we unearth the layers, places that are deep within us...and I mean these places go deep... pretty soon it's like there is nothing but what seems like giant, murky, muddy holes that simply want to swallow us up.

But, what if, in the depths, we've hit water?

Deep water wells that are full of - the Living Water?
The Holy Spirit?

So it is in the area of giving thanks. We need to go lower, to really get to the bottom of where true gratitude is due. It's humbling how low we (need to) go. Sometimes its really hard to give thanks for those "dry times", isn't it?   And, sometimes even those wells get filled up with "dirt". Useless? I'm thinking of Isaac - in the Bible. He just would move on, to the next place, and dig another well.   Digging a hand dug well - not an easy feat to accomplish, I'm sure.

I like what Ann says... (on page 172, third full paragraph)
I humbly give God thanks for the gifts. I practice eucharisteo. And in that place of humble thanks, God exalts and gives more gifts and more of Himself, which humbles and lays the soul down lower...
He must increase and I must decrease - not because that is burden but so that my joy might increase with more of Him!

I love the thought of this: In search of blessing, pick up the shovel and dig another well. I don't mean because I can't see a blessing in a situation (a deep, deep trial or even a minuscule interruption in my day) that I "move on" to look somewhere else or to something else to find happiness. When I say dig another well - I'm thinking (learning this myself - literally just yesterday) more of really searching the depths of our hearts, digging deeper to see the glory (of God!) in the "mud of the moment". His Joy runs deep - when we're in HIM!... that is the Living Water. Refreshing. Satisfying. Unending - it never runs dry. But, in that, "move on - digging another and another" and continue to see the Wells of his Grace pop up all over the place. In every moment, in every situation of our lives.

If we can continue to do this... over time... our hearts will soon take on what really is not just holey, but holy ground.

*******
(digging deep...giving thanks...continuing to count)

#561. when radiators blow...

#562. when transmissions are about to blow...

#563. that things like this happened - on the weekend

#564. that repair bills are 'managable'

#565. that we don't live a mile further - from the dealership

#566. baby Jayne sick with a cold this past week, yet still pleasant and now feeling somewhat better (no fever!)

#567. new doctors
#568. the purchase of a DVD/VCR combination

#569.  Grandma Susie is back home - this week - hopefully to stay (for awhile):)

#570.  me waking sleeping beauties up - ON PURPOSE! - and they were okay about it... no crying

#571. as a family, with family, gathered around the table

#572. steam rising off of coffee

#573. driving through a beautiful foggy morning (once again, wishing I had my camera)

#574. white frosted fields

#575. the smell of buttered toast - the taste is way better

#576. lonely evenings in Mothering while my husband studies

#577. to hear him say "one course, down! - only 80 more to go"

#578. the way my daughters smile at each other

#579. {tickle, tickle, tickle} - Jayne almost audibly giggles, already? at two months?

#580. Coffee Cake with an added "why not?" addition of chopped apples and walnuts. Nice!

#581. photos taken from my youngster's perspective

#582. these new-fangled battery-operated candles (safe decor!)

#583. the FREEDOM to vote - our privilege, our right

#584. this phrase: She who is flexible will not get bent out of shape.

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The letters E & F

2011-11-04T14:28:00.001-04:00

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By now you're familiar with the photography theme I've recently decided to challenge myself with.
I've decided to call it:
Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z
Using my camera, I've been attempting to capture the letters of the alphabet - around the farm, where we live - in hopes to make a photo collage for our landlord and his wife, as a gift. We'll see how it all turns out.

So far, so fun!

For this week I've chosen to post the letters E & F together.

::: Here are a couple of "E's" :::

(I think I like the fence E better. What do you think?)

Here is my letter "F".

Have yourselves a fabulous weekend - my friends!
Thanks for checking in, Around the Homestead, today.

by the road I walk

2011-11-03T09:08:00.001-04:00

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Recently, my two little girls and I were on a "country drive". It was a gorgeous fall day - as you can tell. And I, of course, was feeling a bit nostalgic as we drove around on these familiar back roads.

I'm just that way...

Memories.

They have this way of creeping in and lingering around. I don't mind. Because these "memories" hold a great deal of sentimentality for me. Legacy-memories that I want to pass on down to my children - even though these memories are not their own.

We came across the church where I grew up attending. Okay... maybe it was intentional of me to drive by here. There is a. LOT. of. HISTORY. here at this church. And, not just this church but in the surrounding community, as well.

Both sets of my grandparents were married in this church. In fact, one set of grandparents served as bridal attendants in the others wedding. One of my grandfather's served as a deacon, here. My parents grew up together here, attending the same Sunday School Class. In fact... get this... my paternal grandmother offered to carry my then infant mother into church for the first time as my maternal grandmother was getting out of the car. ((interesting!))

They were friends. This was where relationships were formed and established. My parents got married in this church. My dad is now buried here. And so are all of my grandparents. You can't see it in the photo - but there is a school here and I went to this school...and so did all my siblings.

This is STILL a part of us. Of me. A memory. A legacy?

What I'm really getting at is this.

Roads take us places. Roads serve a purpose...some more then others. Some are pleasant, some are full of rough patches, they're crooked and bumpy, some are smooth sailing. Roads lead us both in the coming and in the going.

There are changes. There are differences. Memories remain (for me). Good memories. But the one thing that remains a constant is the Main Thing. And that is Jesus Christ!

I am so grateful for my heritage. I feel really blessed to have grown up in a godly home and a deeply-rooted, well founded Church and school. Yet, regardless of all of that... I can really sense the "fight that it is" to maintain the walk - so that I can live the talk - that was passed down to me.

I think of the verses in Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk (drive?) along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

I want my children to be as blessed and as grateful for their (Lord Willing!) godly heritage that they are being given. I am aware that my children (still) may take an even different road than I have chosen. You know? That is hard to think about sometimes...and it can worry me some, but it's all we can do to be faithful to "talk about Jesus", with them, and walk in the light of HIS truths - living life, the life abundant, before them - while they are under our direct care and influence. It's hard!

Lord willing, one day my children will look back - with the intentionality of remembering the road that has changed their history, their course in life, their future. Presenting a legacy to leave behind.

Heaven bound?

God's provision in the literal eleventh hour | Scott's Second Sayings

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

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Howdy!! This is a testimony taken way too long in the sharing - sorry. But I'm so excited to get to share it with you today... and finally. And since today is the second of the month normally my husband would be writing this post with the subtitle - "Scott's Second Sayings". However, I get to do it today. Since he has officially started online schooling for his Bachelor's of Science, as of last evening... he told me to just "go for it". And...he knows... he feels badly that he has not taken the time to do "his part" with these sorts of posts for a regular length of time. Life?

For those of you who are *new* to this blog... my husband has taken on the liberty to write a post on the 2nd of each month in hopes of "clearing the air" or by giving a new or his own perspective on something that may have have come up in my blogging. All in good fun! And - it's great having him on board. Enough of explanation.

Here is the greatest testimony of something that happened back in early September. See! I told you it was forever ago that this story should have been shared.

Starting with the old car. Scott's car, dubbed Scott's Blue Bomber (the Chevy Cavalier), pretty much gave up the ghost. It wouldn't pass inspection due to rust issues (the body rusting away from the uni frame). It had its other issues as well. But this car - a previous answer to prayer, at $500., served us well for over three years. Inspection on it was up in late September. And back in late July... the catalytic converter went out on it...leaving it basically undriveable for what turned out to be over a month long... meaning we were down to one vehicle, now and Scott would use our mini-van to go to work.

School was soon starting for Caleb. I had been borrowing cars left and right to do things that I needed to do. Jayne was a brand new baby in our home... life was edgy.

As a matter of fact. School had started for Caleb a week ago by now... I was borrowing Grandma's car to get him there while she watched the girls... but on this up and coming week she was planning to be gone for the next couple of months (out of town), in fact, she was leaving the next day, Saturday! and I was beginning to "panic" about what was to come of a ride to school for Caleb come that next Monday morning.

Mind you... all of this time, from July on, we had been looking for another vehicle for Scott. We prayed. We waited (long story). We listened to other people's suggestions for car potentials and we'd go check them out. We'd pray some more.

It was late Friday night. 10-10:30pm to be exact. Scott got home late from fixing someones computer... the kiddo's were fast asleep. I was "playing" on our computer... Scott begins looking through the mail and sees an envelope from the car dealer - who we've had dealings with for the past several years. Usually these "pieces of mail" are a toss out.

There we find a letter...referencing a unique deal that they had going on... since we were part of this GOLD CLUB thingy... they were offering to take the $ amount that we had on this points card... bump it up the next $100. PLUS add an additional bonus of another $100. on top of that.

Basically. We were given a coupon for $800. to be used against the purchase of another new or pre-owned vehicle. Something they had never offered before that we know of. We had $2k set aside of our own to work with. That was it. And we were bound and determined to stick to our guns and stay within budget. Cash Only!!

Scott "rips" the computer out of my hands... and says "lets see what this dealership has on their lot". He's sitting there for awhile and all I hear is "whoa!"... and silence. I prod him to hear what he's reading about and he starts throwing me the stats on this particular Subaru Outback. A car that is already On Sale for $2,995.

By now the time is 11:30pm and he decides to go ahead and call the dealership, leaving a message for the gentleman that we know over there. That way it will be there first thing for the guy to hear when he gets into work the next morning.

Saturday morning...finds Scott up early and out the door. He calls me a couple hours later and says that this car has been essentially the answer to our prayers... in the literal eleventh hour God has answered our prayers. This car was clean! No rust. All service/maintenance records available. One previous owner. It even had a roof rack for that hopefully dead deer this up and coming hunting season. He was bringing it home to test drive... for me to look at it... I drove it around the block...and gave it my thumbs up. **Except for the fact that it was NOT a stick shift as it had been advertised that it was. If anything... that was the only and biggest bummer!

You know what we did? We put all three car seats in this car... drove it back to the dealer and by 12:30pm that Saturday afternoon, with some extra wheelin' and dealin', that Subaru was bought and paid for - all within a cash budget. Scott slept so peacefully that night. We all did. The worry was over...

The Lord had provided a real blessing. And... I know I've missed so many fine details of this story, and I probably didn't even convey the half of how grateful we are in God's provision. The Subaru has really turned out to be a "gem" of a deal...and our faith, in that eleventh hour, was renewed.

Good bye, Blue Bomber!

Scott's buddy bought the Blue Bomber off of us - to be used as a Demolition Derby car in the next to near future... and we continue to marvel at how God's timing is right on. It never fails. He is faithful to meet our every need - even in the darkest hour.

Now we can't wait to go to this derby race and watch the Blue Bomber "come back". Oh yeah! To give it it's all in a last ditch effort to remain a forever memory for our family.

Happy Trails - ahead - with the *new* Sub(aru).

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-11-01T15:57:00.001-04:00

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Happy 1st day of November to you all!

I've decided to "pass on the love" here today... hope you don't mind.

First off, a huge thank you to Shirley, from Under an English Sky, for nominating me for this award. This is the second award I've ever received and I'm not sure what to say - but Thanks! I was thrilled.

There are a few rules to receiving this one...so it seems...and so here I go to follow through.

Thank the person(s) who nominated you and link back up them. Tell Readers 7 things about yourself. Pass this award onto 15 newly discovered bloggers and let them know.

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The seven things you always wanted to know about me... but didn't until now.

1. I've been made fun of over this one. But, MY SNIFFER (my keen sense of smell- which I'm passing on to my daughter Aubrey and wow! is she good.) has been a fun gift from the Lord. I absolutely love the smell of skunk(s). All farm smells are not near strong enough. A cup of coffee - I can smell it a mile away. And my nose is the best oven timer there is - for any baking done in the kitchen. I can tell when it's finished baking - just by smelling it. ;)

2. Washing dishes is VERY therapeutic for me. The same goes for making my/our bed(s) in the morning. I feel like the day just can't get off to a good start if it doesn't. In a way, this is what I say about washing dishes... if they're not done the night before, coming downstairs to a counter laden with a job of dirty dishes to do is very exhausting... before the day even starts. I'm quirky like this... I know!

3. I like to try out new recipes (ones I've never made before) on guests. I have my reasons... and they're good ones.

4. I hate wearing socks! Winter coats are a close second to that. And...oh, am I ever grateful that the Lord answered my prayers for a man who would not give me competition in my kitchen.

5. If only the mini-van that we drive were a stick-shift. I would be in high heaven. I grew up learning to drive a stick and that has been my love ever since.

6. I've been known to have been a matchmaker for a couple of my friends... it's funny though, how my matchmaking skills didn't quite work out for myself - like I would've expected. I actually met my wonderful husband through eHarm*ny. They had to do it for me. What goes around comes around - I guess. All in all... I am convinced that was God's Sovereignty at work.

7. Mothering? A dream come true...yes! But sometimes in their play my kids call me "monster mom". And sometimes I think that that ain't too far off from the truth. It's a hard calling - but one I'm grateful for - to be given the opportunity to try and do my best.

****

With this, I present this award to 15 others. This was {so}hard to narrow down and pick just 15 of my personal favorites...but I tried to be versatile. ;) Make sure you stop by at each one of their beautiful and inspiring blogs and let them know I sent you there.

Homegrown and Beeyoutiful

Oh my nervous system!

Stella's Apron Strings

A Country Girl's Ramblings

THE BLESSED HEARTH

as for me and my house

A Blooming Spirit | by Linen & Verbena

Collector of Moments

no spring chicken

Tales from the Coop Keeper

Again, as I said, this was hard to do. But fun!! Thank you, again Shirley, for the nomination. I was really blessed to be thought of like that from you - from over the pond.

Snow Grateful

2011-10-31T07:45:00.002-04:00

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What a fun surprise - snow in the forecast for this past weekend. It's one of those things that you've heard it announced. but until you actually see it falling to the ground...does it hit you as true! I loved it. So beautiful and yet so strange. Poor trees hardly able to bear up under the weight of all that snow and many of them didn't. A lot of downed limbs and even wires across the northeast region. Many were and still are without power. I'm grateful that is not the case for us - this time around.

::: Our wash line :::

Seeing this made me think of the hymn...

"Lord, wash me and I will be whiter then snow."

As the day progressed the kids wanted to be outside... Scott was studying (or supposed to have been studying) and I figured - why not make our first snowman! It looks like we got caught having fun.

Since Scott was at the door taking pictures... I asked him to run and get a carrot for our new friend's nose.

Not really sure how to segue into my gratitude post here... so you'll just have to bear with me. I just find myself continuing to give God the praise and gratitude for the gifts He so graciously lavishes on us.

Here's to more of the ~ One Thousand Gifts ~

#544. snow covered pumpkins

#545. tree-line, a sitting silhouette, against salmon colored skies or deep blue and yellow

#546. skies ever changing, ever intriguing

#547. warm hats, mittens and scarves

#548. hot chocolate

#549. begging for marshmallows

#550. snowflakes on Caleb's eyelashes

#551. snow-beauty, pure and white

#552. hymns

#553. questions - repeated questions - from our four year old

#554. toddler determinism

#555. opportunities

#556. Birthday's - reminder of God's faithfulness

#557. sixty plus quarts of canned applesauce

#558. new found blogging friends

#559. Baby Jayne giving us several nights in a row of eight hour stretches of sleep

#560. John 3:16 ~ For God so loved...

Around the Homestead :: A ~Z | The letter D

2011-10-29T05:30:00.000-04:00

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Recently, I introduced the photography theme I've decided to challenge myself with. I've decided to call it:
Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z
Using my camera, I've been attempting to capture the letters of the alphabet - around the farm, where we live - in hopes to make a photo collage for our landlord and his wife, as a gift. We'll see how it all turns out.
So far, so fun!

Ready for the letter "D"? I found two. Similar. Yes!

Both were found on the same barn door.

I couldn't decide which of the two photo's I liked better...so I've included them both.

Enjoy your weekend ~ my friends!
Perhaps even with "D" snow in the forecast?

hugs matter

2011-10-28T08:53:00.001-04:00

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Ladies, I have to ask.

Have you ever had one of those hugs that the hug your husband gave you when he left in the morning, and the hug he gave when he returned home in the evening, felt like it was the EXACT SAME hug?

I have.

And, it happened to me yesterday.

And, the thing about it was is that it truly felt like it was the exact same embrace.

If only...it was. And if only I could've erased away the happenings in the middle of the day, between those two hugs - for reals. In a small way...it all did melt away.

Because whatever was in that hug (beginning and end) mattered.

It mattered to me!!

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." { Proverbs 31:25}

2011-10-27T11:50:00.000-04:00

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My husband, Scott, and I are about to embark on a new season of change.

We're about to face it head-on ready or not - him with his nose to the books - me looking at the back-side of his head. At least we're facing the same direction in the looking...

Three years (give or take) sounds like a long time...for a family man, a husband and a man with full-time employment to take on a round of studies in order to get his Bachelors of Science degree.

This will indeed require me to stand by my man...with confidence and a good attitude...to give him the constant encouragement he'll need. And, with this comes FAITH.

Faith for the future. The unknown. Our future - our unknown

May my faith be marked with these three things:

1. a quiet spirit (no questions asked)

2. a gentle spirit (no details needed)

3. a sweet submissiveness (no struggling against the unknown)

::: :: :::

"Clothe my heart, O Lord, with strength and dignity...

I am so afraid of change and facing new challenges...

Allow me to feel your power, courage and strength - to take on

and go forward with new experiences.

Help me Lord to take "risks" (in my heart of faith) and to enjoy each new experience...

knowing it is a total growing process.

There will be no fear in my heart. I can laugh at the days to come." ~ Bevy

{Applesauce} 60+ quarts later

2011-10-26T11:20:00.003-04:00

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::: At the End of the Day :::

What a wonderful day...spent working alongside my Mother. We did seven and a half baskets of Golden Delicious and Empire apples - mixed, resulting in 60 + quarts of applesauce. Only every jar in the house was used. We had to run out for more lids. We had to borrow jar rings. Five of the intended-to-use jars got broken (before they were filled, Thank God!).

The kiddo's did great!!

I swept and washed the kitchen floor - by hand - this morning and let me tell you... there is nothing more rewarding then seeing the fruit of your labor sitting there all purty in the counter. A job well done.

Now. On for the eating of it over the next year or so.

Speaking of eating. I'm mentally preparing dinner in my head, right now...

Today is Scott's 38th Birthday- again!

{{Read Here!}}
Last year, when I originally wrote this post. I posted that Scott had turned 38. Duh!
And, he won't let me live it down. Of course, I corrected myself. But, everything I wrote in that post is still true... and more. Isn't it wonderful that is truly does get sweeter and sweeter as the years go by?

Happy Birthday, Honey!! I love you.

PS: I think it's cute how you are "so proud" of me and all of this applesauce makin' , I did, yesterday. {snicker} Thanks! And thank-you, too, for getting up with the baby, last night, as you knew I was plum worn out. Babe, you're the best!

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The letter C

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

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Recently, I introduced the photography theme I've decided to challenge myself with. I decided to call it:

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z

Using my camera, I've decided to capture the letters of the alphabet - around the farm, where we live - in hopes to make a photo collage for our landlord and his wife, as a gift. We'll see how it all turns out.

So far, so fun!

If you know our house... our front porch... you would see the "C"!

See ya later.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Precious

2011-10-20T08:39:00.000-04:00

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Just having lots of fun with sweet baby Jayne.

::: :: :::

I know a lot of you already saw this photo on FB, the other day, or on the sideline photos of my blog here. But, I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather share with you today.

A photo of my precious little one.

She is becoming such a real doll baby. She smiles, coos, starting to laugh and "talk".

Now.
If only she'd let me sleep - all night long.

Another growth spurt??

Japanese Chicken

2011-10-19T07:34:00.001-04:00

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Seriously. This has got to be my new love! Although, I'm still trying to figure out why it's called Japanese Chicken? It's more like a really good homemade version of General Tso's Chicken...which wouldn't that be Chinese? Nonetheless...you've got to give this a try. It's so good.

Japanese Chicken

2 lbs. chicken pieces (skinless, boneless breasts or thighs, cut in half or in small pieces) **

Flour

Garlic Salt

Seasoned Salt

Paprika

Mix flour and seasonings (to taste) into large Ziploc bag and shake chicken pieces into it to coat.

Brown on both sides in a skillet. Drain. (I used peanut oil. Delish!)

Place chicken in a 9x 13" pan. (Or, use your Medium Bar Pan from Pampered Chef.)

Boil together - just till sugar melts.

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

3 T. soy sauce

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp. salt

I reserved 2T. of liquid and stirred in 2 tsp. of cornstarch.. then.returned it to the liquid to thicken up.

I also sprinkled red pepper flakes and sesame seeds - to taste. Both of those - a must!

Pour over chicken. Bake uncovered at 350* for 45 minutes. Occasionally baste chicken with sauce while baking.

Serve with rice, if desired.

** This past summer we bought a case of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. It's been so nice to have a chicken like this in the freezer. I'm always thrilled to find quick, easy recipes to put to good use for meals like this one.