Friday, September 28, 2012

Blessings

           

Happy Friday everyone!  Once again, it has been a few weeks since I've done a Favorite Five, so I have combined some blessings from the past couple of weeks.  You can read other people's blessings too by going here.     I hope you've all had a great week.

1.  My birthday was earlier this month, and my husband and I celebrated by going up to Old Forge, a quaint tourist village in the Adirondacks.  We went up on the motorcycle.  It was a beautiful day for a ride.  We took a boat tour around the Fulton Chain of Lakes and then had dinner at a really nice restaurant.  It was a wonderful day.  There were only about a dozen other people on the cruise.  We sat right in the front of the boat.



2.  My dad comes up just about every Thursday to cut brush on our property.  I enjoy spending this time with him.  I cherish it.

3.  Last week I spent the afternoon with a new friend of mine.  We browsed some local antique shops and had lunch together at a quiet little restaurant.  It's been great getting to know her.

4.   I have a favourite little chicken who is only about 12 weeks old.  She disappeared for about 24 hours.   God faithfully brought her back.  You can read about it here.      



5.  The leaves are starting to change  here where I live.  My husband and I walked to our marsh and I got some really good pictures of the colors.  What a beautiful time of year. 

                                                                                 There is so much of God's beauty all around us, no matter what the season.  Have a great weekend amd make some marvelous memories!!                                                                                                                                                                    

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

More Lessons From a Chicken

Some of you may remember the story I told last summer of my favorite little chicken, Fifi, who was killed by a dog my husband and I were taking care of.  I was devestated and angry at God for letting it happen.  To refresh your memory, you can read about it here.  Well, we get new chicks once a year, so this past July, I got two day-old chicks the same breed as Fifi.  I named one Fifi and the other Phyllis, as they both have hairdos like Phyllis Diller.  As it turns out, I actually have bonded more with Phyllis.  She comes running when she hears my name and they both walk right up to me and let me pick them up.   I've been so happy that my other Fifi has finally been replaced. 

Last night, sadness struck the farmyard.  Around 4:00 in the afternoon , I realized it had been a while since I'd seen Phyllis.  My husband and I looked and looked for that little chicken, still quite small as she is only about 10 weeks old.  She was nowhere to be found.  As night came, I was hoping she would come back to the roost like they all do.  No Phyllis.  I couldn't believe I was experiencing the same thing as last year, the loss of a favorite chicken.  I could feel the anger at God starting.  I couldn't understand why this had to happen to a favorite again.  Of all the chickens, why a special one?  But the Lord spoke to me.  I heard Him telling me that here is a second chance to respond the right way this time, rather than getting angry at God and blaming Him for my loss.  I wanted to do the right thing and could only think of the verse from the book of Job that says,  "Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him."  I tried to praise Him, but my heart really wasn't in it too good.  I tried to believe that the chicken would come back, but I really didn't feel much hope.  We took our flashlights out after dark and searched EVERYWHERE.  I was so disappointed that I couldn't even read my Bible for comfort.  I still tried to praise the Lord, though.

This morning I really thought that I would find the chicken out by the coop, but it was not to be.  I found myself looking out the window for her expecting that the Lord would have her return safely.  Finally, I felt that I should  read something from God's Word.  I told the Lord that whatever chapter I opened up the Bible to, that is what I would read.  Well, it happened to fall open at Psalm 36.  Most of it really didn't apply to any of my situation.  Then I got to verses 5 - 7.    It reads "Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens.  Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the great mountains."  I thought, yes, He is faithful.  Even if He doesn't do things the way I think He should, His way is always best.   I continued reading.  "O Lord, you preserve man and beast."  I caught a glimmer of hope at this verse.  I thought, "Is the Lord trying to tell me that he will preserve this little animal for me?"  I clung to this hope.  Immediately I heard in my heart that it may not be today, but perhaps even months from now that chicken could reappear in our yard .  I looked out the window again but heard the Lord say, "Don't look for her. "  I continued praising the Lord, and finally my heart was in it.  Sometimes you have to do something you don't particularly feel like, and the feelings will come later.

The next verse reads "How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings."  (as a chick does a mother hen)  I thought, "Yes, I will simply trust."

Later that morning I went out in the rain to collect eggs.  I wanted so badly to search the yard again, but kept hearing the Lord say  "Don't look for her."  I walked to the pond to see if it was filling with rainwater and wanted so badly to keep walking down the driveway in search of Phyllis.  But again I heard the words,  "Don't look for her."  I thought, "I will obey no matter how hard it is. I want to respond the right way this time!" 

I turned to go back to the house, and there in front of the porch was Phyllis looking completely drenched!  I could hardly believe my eyes.  Oh the steadfast love of God.  I don't deserve this I keep thinking.  Where has that bird been for the past 24 hours?  She literally appeared out of nowhere. 

My God is so good I can't hardly contain the joy.  What a wonderful lesson He allowed me to have.  And the chance to right a wrong from last summer.  How wonderful to trust and obey.

Are you facing something difficult?  Truly give it to God and leave it with Him.  Do what you feel He is telling you to.   Don't ignore Him.  Get into His Word even when you don't feel like it.  Sometimes you may have to wait a while, but He really will work everything out to His glory and for your good.  Put your trust in Him.   He won't let you down.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday's Favorite Fives

Happy Friday!  The summer is coming to a close, which is always bittersweet.  I do have some special blessings from the past week, though.  I'd love to hear yours , too.  Join us by going to Living to Tell the Story.


1.  Saturday my husband and I went up to Cooperstown with a couple that we are great friends with.  We did a lot of walking, went to a craft fair, and had lunch on the lake.  It was a beautiful day with special people.

2.  I had to attend a funeral this past week.  Even though that is always sad, it was wonderful to see some old friends that I grew up with and have't seen in so many years. 

3.  Our garden did so well this year!  This week I froze a lot of peppers and  carrots and got several quarts of homemade  tomato sauce  into the freezer for use this winter.  That's a great feeling!

4.  Monday my husband and I went for a motorcycle ride and had a picnic.  We even got a little fishing done!           

5.  We bought an ice cream maker earlier this summer and finally used it last night.  I had a recipe for goat's milk ice cream.  The flavour was cocoa chocolate chip.  Boy was it delicious.  So much creamier than store bought.  Gotta find a way to use all this goat's milk we are getting!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!


Friday, August 24, 2012

Friday's Fave Five

                             



It has been a while, again, since I have done the Friday's Fave Fives.  So, I am going to include some favorites from the past two or three weeks. 

1.  We went up to Old Forge one day earlier this month.  We walked around in gift shops and various other stores, and we played miniature golf at a place that had a Wizard of Oz theme.  It was old, but very cute.  Mini golf places don't have the cute stuff they used to.  It is all waterfalls now.  Here are some pics:

       







      
                                       



Aren't they adorable?

2.  We also spent a couple of nights  in the 1000 Islands Region in upper New York State.  It was so wonderful to get away.  We stayed at a lovely motel right on the St. Lawrence Seaway, which runs into Lake Ontario.   We took a boat tour on the Seaway and went into Canadian waters.  We stopped at Boldt Castle and were able to tour inside it.  What a beautiful place!  It has 126 rooms.  How would you like to have a house like this?


                      
   
I wouldn't want to heat it.  Yikes!

3.  Our garden has been doing so well this summer!  I have been enjoying harvesting from it and making tomatoe sauce to freeze for the winter.  I have also froze a lot of peppers and green beans.

4.  My husband recently bought a Ural, a Russian motorcycle.  We have been enjoying going on rides through all the beautiful farm country around here.  So relaxing.  I get to ride in the sidecar.  I've decided  it's the only way to travel!
 
 
 
                                        

5.  I have been teaching the 6 & 7 year old class at my church's Vacation Bible School this week.  It has been so much fun!  I haven't done one in several years.  My group of kids is great.  Boy, they have tired me out!
I hope you are all having a great end of the summer.  Tell me five of your favorite blessings by going to Living to Tell the Story

See you all next week!                                 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Gardening 2012






This has been a busy but productive summer! This is our third year of gardening, and by far the best. Every year we have learned a little more and gotten better. We also try a new vegetable every year. Despite the lack of rain, our garden is doing remarkably well. Here is a summary:

We have always done well with green beans.  Looks like this summer will be another bumper crop!   Last year I tried planting waxed beans in a cardboard box set in my flower garden, but just as they started blooming nicely, a rabbit ate those plants right down to the bottom of the stems.  What a disappointment.  They were doing well in a box, too.  That was an experiment.  This year we planted them in the main vegetable garden which has fencing all around to keep out all critters.  The green beans and the waxed beans are all growing nicely and we have some ready to be picked!


                                                                          
    

                                                                               
                                                         
Last year was the first year we tried carrots.  We got quite a few, but they were small.  I think I started them too late in the season.  It was almost July before I planted them!  This year they were in before the end of May, and they are doing very well.  Looks like it will be a good year for the carrots.

This is the third year for lettuce.  The first year it was  planted in my flower garden and did okay.  The leaves grew, but weren't very big.  Last year was a little better, but there wasn't as much lettuce as I thought there would be.  This year we are having a wonderful crop!  We can hardly eat it fast enough.  I love leaf lettuce, and it is so good on a sandwhich.


                                                                               

                                                                        
This is also our third year for planting peppers.  The first year we planted them in containers.  That didn't work at all.  Nothing grew.  Last year they went in the garden , but we only got three or four small peppers out of about 15 plants.  This year, we started the peppers from seeds in February, and they seem to be doing quite good so far.  We have already eaten about 4 of them. 

                                                                           
   Our first year of gardening we planted zucchini in containers.  That didn't work out so good.  We got one teeny tiny zucchini.  Last year I planted them in the flower garden, but not one zucchini grew.  This year they are in the vegetable garden, and we have more than we know what to do with!!!  I'm seeing many zucchini dishes in my future!  I cut them in chunks and freeze them for use in soups during the winter.  I also use the chunks to make zucchini bread in the winter.  I pop the chunks in the blender.  No grating required!

     

    

This also seems to be the best year for our tomatoes.  The first year, every single tomato plant we bought got the blight.  Last year we started plants from seeds indoors in March.  However,  they didn't grow too well.  They were small and had many black spots, which I am told was due to a rainy season.  This year we started the seeds in February and they are doing well.  They are still green, but getting bigger every day.  I am most anxious for these to grow.  I love fresh tomatoes!  In the mean time, I am buying them at our farmer's markets. 


This is my second year for acorn squash.  Last year I planted it in a kiddie pool, and it did surprisingly well, although the squashes were small.  I think that's because I planted them late in the season.  This year they were planted in the ground in May.  The leaves are growing like weeds!  There are only two or three squashes on them, though.  I am hoping that's because it is still early.  They will continue to grow right into October.  My husband and I enjoy squash all winter.  I sure hope these grow.  If so, to preserve them, I will cook them and then freeze.


Last year I tried cucumbers in a container, but they didn't grow. I think I put too many seeds in one pot. This year I put just a couple of seeds in each pot, and they are doing great. I have already eaten one, and just picked another tonight. I placed the pots on a bench by a trellis as I am told they like to climb. Here is one of them:         

                                                                                      


There are four new items on the agenda this year!  I planted a strawberry patch in the early spring.  We had a problem with voles eating them, but my husband set some mouse traps and it seems to have helped.  Strawberries have been growing, but not like I envisioned.  I get one or two here and there.  How am I supposed to make all those jars of jam that way?  It has been kind of a disappointment, but I will read up on it and try again next year!  They do look good, though, don't they?

.                                                      
Peas have also made their debut.  I love fresh peas as a snack.  They are growing , but there are only about four plants.  I KNOW I planted more than that!!

Both my husband and I love broccoli, so that just had to go in the garden this year.  I planted it in the flower garden next to some marigolds, and it is doing great.  We had some in a salad last week, and boy, does it taste better than store bought!   The first bunch that grew, I apparently waited too long to pick.  I thought about picking it one day, but decided to wait.  The next day that bunch of broccoli was a bouquet of little yellow flowers!  Who knew they turned into flowers if you waited too long to pick it?!  Now I pick it as soon as it looks good.  This weekend I will be planting another row of broccoli, as it , too, will grow into October. 

   

Last but not least, we decided to try potatoes this year.  A friend gave us many of his last year, and we liked them so much we knew we had to try to grow our own.  The leaves are growing great.  I am told that when all the leaves start drying up and looking like they're dying, then the potatoes are ready to be picked.  They are still pretty green, so we will see what happens!

                                                                                  

I have a wonderful feeling about growing my own food.  It is so satisfying, and when the freezer starts filling up, a feeling of contentment comes with it.  What new item can I add next year?                                                                    
                                                                                                                            

Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday's Favorite Fives




It has been well over a month since I have posted anything on my blog, including the Friday's Favorite Five blessings from the past week.  That doesn't mean there haven't been any blessings.  It means that summers are very busy on this little mini farm.  But I have been having a wonderful time.  Here are some of my five favorite blessings.  Some of them are from the past month.

1.  I picked my first home-grown cucumber yesterday.  I haven't tried it yet, but it sure looks delicious.  I'll probably have it tomorrow.  The garden is looking great.

2.  I went to a good old-fashioned camp meeting and heard a wonderful men's quartet.  They are kind of in the Southern Gospel style.  The camp is a place I have been going to since a very young child.  It was great to see some old friends.  I convinced one of my older sisters to go, and we had a nice time afterward going out for ice cream.  It was an enjoyable evening.

3.  My husband and I have been doing a lot of swimming and fishing this year.  It's been very relaxing.  Haven't caught much fish, but just enjoying the summer and the lake and each others' company has been nice.

4.  We had my husband's son and daughter-in-law and granddaughter over one night for a big bonfire.  It was great.  I love the smell of a camp fire and the crackling sounds it makes.  We enjoyed s'mores around the fire. 

5.  Our well has run dry because of the lack of rain.  However, the Lord supplies our needs.  There is a refreshing spring just 7 miles down the road.  It is inconvenient to have to live that way, but the water tastes delicious.  It is pure and clear.  As a bonus,  it looks like I could survive a massive power outage for a long length of time if I had to.  I've been heating water on the stove to wash dishes and taking an interesting form of sponge bath in the tub.  Well, it's getting me through.

Please let me know your blessings from the week by joining us at Living to Tell the Story.  Have a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy the weather!


                                                                          

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday's Favorite Fives




Happy Friday everyone!!  I haven't been on here in so long.  It has just been so busy here on the minifarm.  But all is well, and I am ready to share my five favorite blessings from the past week.  Please join in and share yours too by going to Living to tell the Story. 


1.  We had a LOT of rain this week.  That made for a very cozy afternoon one day earlier in the week.  I spent some time all curled up and reading a book.  That is always a favorite.

2.  Another cozy time - my husband watched a movie in bed last night, and while I wasn't interested at all in this movie  (we have such different tastes in movies) I did lay in bed and read.  It was nice just being together.

3.  The freezer part of our refrigerator sometimes makes a really  funny, loud noise, leading us to believe that we may be needing a new one soon.  My mother-in-law is getting a new one this weekend and asked if we wanted hers.  Just in time!!  And there is nothing wrong with it.  She just wanted a different kind!  What a blessing!

4.  Here's a blessing a lot of us probably take for granted - a nice cold glass of ice water.  It seems like I have been so thirsty lately.  The other day I couldn't wait to get home and have a drink of cold water.  Ymmmm.........does that taste good when you are thirsty.  Nothing quenches my thirst better.

5.  My favourite blessing of the week is....well..... they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll let the picture do the talking..............



                                                                                                                                   


                               
He or she was our visitor yesterday morning.  What a surprise to wake up to!!  She ripped our porch screen and stole a garbage can full of birdseed!!  My husband and I had a lot of fun watching her and taking pictures.  Even got a video of her!  God's creatures are so beautiful!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!                                            

Friday, May 18, 2012

Friday's Favorite Fives



Here we go again with another list of blessings from the past week.  The week went by in a whirlwind, but it is so nice to take time out and count the blessings.

1.  This week I had lunch with my oldest friend.  We have known each other since we were babies.  We went to a cozy little restaurant and had a great time.  Old friends are treasures!

2.  I bought myself one of my favourite candies this week, as a special treat.  Nonpareils.  Hadn't had them in such a very long time.  They didn't last long!

3.  Not sure why so many of my favourites revolve around food, but another blessing of the past week was a homemade pizza my husband and I made together.  We have made several, and each time try to perfect it.  This one was the best so far.  It was delicious!



4.  I found this the other day.  Today it has two eggs.  I am checking it daily.  I may have baby birds to show soon!


                       
                                                                              5.  This morning I woke up with a really weird feeling.  A good, weird feeling.  The sun was shining, and you could tell it was going to be a beautiful summer day, but it was early, so still chilly.  The feeling I had was the same feeling I used to have when I would wake up at my family's summer camp when I was a child.  My house, which is quite rustic, had the same feeling and smell to it as I can remember our camp having when I would wake up on those summer days so long ago.  It was really weird, but I do consider it a blessing.  It was a great "childhood" feeling and memory.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Let me know about your week by going to Living to Tell the Story and listing your special blessings.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Favorite Fives



It's a beautiful, sunny Friday morning after a week of rain and gloom.  I am ready to list 5 blessings from the past week.  Then, I'd really like to hear yours.  Join me, by going to Living to Tell the Story.


1.  I filled in for a friend at work earlier this week.  I don't normally work on Sundays, but I took her second shift, and then on Monday I worked the 11:00 pm - 7:00 am shift.  This is really easy work.  I was on the switchboard at the hospital, and not much takes place during those hours, so I was able to read and relax!  And my work there is done until May 25th!  I am enjoying some time off for a little while and loving it!

2.  Today is the annual Springfest in our small village.  I will be having an Avon booth there both days.  It looks like it is going to be great weather for it!  My husband always comes with me when I do craft fairs, and we have such a great time just being together.

3.  We had a wonderful prayer meeting at church last night.  It is a good group of dedicated Christians committed to praying for our nation. 

4.  We had a breakfast at our Ladies Bible study this week.  Our host pampered us with beautiful china plates and teacups, cloth tablecloths, candles, china cream and sugar bowls.  It was so lovely.  Just what we women love! 

5.  Last night I made baked chicken which I had marinating all day in Italian dressing.  It sure tasted good.  My husband has been after me to make it this way for years.  I finally did, and loved the result!

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!  See you next time!

                                                                             

Friday, May 4, 2012

Friday's Favorite Fives

It has been a busy week, but a good one.  Taking time out to list some blessings from the week.                                                                             

1.  Got the goat shed and the chicken coop all cleaned out after the long winter.  It feels good.  I'm sure the animals think so too.  It's a hard job and lots of work though.  Glad it's done.

2.  All the animal manure I cleaned out makes for some great compost!  Today we planted a raspberry bush and some strawberry plants.  We also replanted some blueberry bushes that weren't doing too well.  We are hoping the compost will cause them to thrive.

3.     This is one of my favourite Avon products.  I love to use their footscrubs in the shower or bath after a long day.  It is so soothing and relaxing.  I feel like I am being pampered when I use them. 

4.  I had some time to read this week, and I read a light mystery novel which I so enjoyed.  It was called "Booked for Murder." 

5.  We finally bought a new mattress!!  It will be delivered within the next couple of days.  I cannot wait to get a good nights' sleep again!

What are some of your blessings from the week?  Share by going to Living to Tell the Story.
Have a fantastic weekend!!

                                                                                                       

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday's Favorite Five's

It has been a couple of weeks since I've participated in this.  So much has happened in these two weeks on our little mini farm.  I will list my five favorites!

1.  After so much waiting and anticipation , our goat finally gave birth!!  What a huge surprise to discover not one, but TWO beautiful baby goats.  Two little girls.  They are sweet, and I am spending a LOT of time with them.  I love to hold and cuddle them!!

                                                                          
         Isn't that precious?!

2.  We have some new baby chicks ordered from the farm supply store.  More waiting......but it is fun!  We also have a hen sitting on a dozen eggs.  Will see what comes of that.

3.  With the warmer temperatures and nicer days this week, I have gotten a lot of spring cleaning done.  What a great feeling that is.  Also readying our porch for the summer.  It is like another room in the summer time.  In fact, we are hardly in our living room at all during the nicer months.  Here is where we eat all summer:


4.  My husband is building the deck off the French doors in the bedroom.  I  have waited for this for about three years.  There had always been so many other things  to  do, but now it is almost done.  This will be a wonderful spot for morning coffee and evening talks!! 

                                                                     
                                                     
       
5.  And last but not least - what great week doesn't end with a great dessert?  I made a delicious chocolate cream pie yesterday for dessert.  We hadn't had that in quite some time.  It sure tasted good : )

Well, I hope you all had as great a week as I did and that you are enjoying the Spring weather.  Tell me your blessings by going to Living to Tell the Story and linking up.
                                                                                                                                      

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Chocolate Jumbles

One of my favourite aunts gave me this recipe many years ago.  I hadn't made them in about 10 years until last week.  The spice gives the chocolate a different taste.  They're quite good.

1 egg
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa dissolved in a little bit of boiling water  (about 1/4 - 1/2 cup)
1 cup shortening
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp baking soda in 1/2 cup hot water
1 tsp baking powder
3 cups flour

Mix all ingredients.  (I omitted the cloves since I didn't have any, and they were great.)  Drop onto cookie sheet;  press lightly with a fork dipped in flour.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes



                                                                                

Friday, April 6, 2012

Friday's Favorite Five's


                                                                               
It's been a really long week as I have had the flu.  I don't remember being this sick in a very long while.  But, I am getting better, and I was able to find some blessings amid the sickness.  Here are 5 of my favorites from the past week.


1.  We had a really windy day one day last week, and a tree fell into our goat pen area.  Thank the Lord it
      wasn't a very thick tree, although it was long.  There were no injuries except a fallen fence, which
     was easily repaired.

            

                          
          2.  Last week the women of my church started a Bible study.  It is about speaking the Word of God.  It's going to be a great time of getting to know God's Word better and getting to know the church women better.  We've had some great times of sharing.  I'm very excited about this study!

3.  Saturday, before I got too sick, my husband and I went to a Woodworker's Exposition in Saratoga Springs.  We had a wonderful day of being together and browsing through the various booths.  After, we ate lunch at one of our favorite diners in Saratoga.




4.  My husband did the dishes for me one day this week when I was at my sickest!  I was in bed the whole day.  He knows I like a clean kitchen.  What a great guy!

5.  Being sick and in bed most of the week gave me lots of time to read, and pray and do Bible reading.  I didn't like being sick, but I did like resting!


                                Share your favorite blessings from the past week by going to Living to Tell The Story.

                                                                                  

Thursday, April 5, 2012

New Life


                                                                            
             Signs of Spring are all around our little farm.  Buds are on the trees; plants are pushing up through the ground.  The dawn is filled with birdsong.  I love hearing the chirping of birds when I go out to feed and water the animals in the morning.  "The time of the singing of birds has come."  Song of Solomon 2:12b

Monday, I discovered that one of my favorite hens has gone broody!  She had been sitting in a nesting box for several days, so I've suspected that she wants to hatch a clatch of eggs.  Since we are about to order new chicks from a local farm supply store anyway, I decided to place some eggs under this hen, let her set, and see what happens.  If all goes well, we will have some fluffy, peeping chicks in about 21 days.  It seems like such a long wait!











      
Speaking of waiting, we are still awaiting the arrival of our first new kid. My oldest goat, Ethel, is due this month to have her baby. We have been waiting for this since November. Her udder filled and dropped a couple of weeks ago, and since then we run out to the goat shed every morning expecting a new little one. The anticipation is sometimes nerve-wracking!! We are so looking forward to this birth.

With all these promises of new birth and life all around, I can't help but think of the miracle of that first Easter morning when Christ arose from the tomb and conquered death. The promise of new life to those who hope in Him is the greatest promise of all.


He Arose. He Arose.
Hallelujah Christ arose!!                             


                                                       Happy Easter to all!
                                                                 

Friday, March 23, 2012

Friday's Favorite Five's



Spring has arrived.  In fact, the past couple of days have felt as if summer had arrived!  The weather has been a wonderful blessing.  And I found five more blessings besides!

1.   Sunday after church, we spontaneously invited a couple over for dinner that we have never had
      over before.  We had a wonderful time of getting to know each other better.  Isn't it great to make
      new friends?

2.   A friend from work brought me in some duck eggs.  She has three ducks who recently started
      laying.  She knows I have chickens and thought I'd like to try the duck eggs.  I used two of them
      in baking.  They look pretty much the same, except the white is very clear.  This weekend I will
      make my husband and I a nice breakfast and try the rest of those eggs.

3.   Because I have a pregnant goat who is due very soon, I have been spending a lot more time out in
      the goat shed.  It has been wonderful spending time with these fascinating animals!  They are such 
      a joy to be with!  Here is a glimpse of the mama-to-be:

           
I caught her in the act of stealing hay from the loft above their area.  Well, she is eating for two.    Maybe three.

4.   Yesterday I got a lot of much needed yardwork done.  AND I get rid of a lot of
       junk.  I even took it all to the dump.  That way my husband couldn't change his
      mind about getting rid of it!

5.   I had a very relaxing afternoon of baking one day this week.  I wanted to restock my freezer with
     cookies and muffins.  I like to keep baked goodies on hand for when company drops in.  It is
     somehow such a good feeling when the freezer is full!

I hope you , too, had a great week.  Tell me your blessings by joining up here, at Living to Tell the Story,                                
                                                                                  

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Planting Time

It's that time of year again!!  Spring is in the air and I want to get my hands in the garden!  Actually, I get the "garden fever" during the dead of winter when I start getting the seed catalogues in the mail.  Two weeks ago I did my first planting.  I planted seeds in containers and have them in front of the French doors in the bedroom.  After only two weeks I already have several nice plants popping up.  Last year was the first year we started plants from seed indoors.  We bought the little seed cups and they quickly outgrew those.  This year, I decided to eliminate those little cups.  It not only saves money, it saves time.  I won't have to repot them when the plants get bigger.  We buy our milk in the gallon-sized plastic jugs.  I cut off the tops, cut slits in the bottom for water drainage, and it makes a wonderul container for my seeds.  I also had a bag of styrofoam cups that someone gave us but we don't use.  So, out they came.  I save coolwhip and sour cream containers to use for leftovers, so I also put some of those to use as planters.  I then placed them all in a plastic sled, which, by the way, got no use this year for lack of snow.  The sled serves to catch the water when it drains after watering the plants.  I planted 25 tomato and pepper plants.  Today I am doing 25 more.  Here is what I have so far:





                   "The Lord God planted a garden."  Genesis 2:8                                                           

Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday's Favorite Five's





Happy Friday everyone!!  List your five favourite blessings from the past week by going here.

1.   FRIENDS    I had a girls' night out for dessert and coffee Monday night.  It was a lot of fun, especially after,
     when I went to the house of one of my friends to extend our conversation.  I truly enjoyed myself.

2.   GIRL SCOUT COOKIES     It's that time of year again : )  Gotta love those cookies!  My favourites are the chocolate peanut butter and the thin mints : )

3.   BOOKS   I am reading a really good book right now about the life of Doris Day.  She is one
       of my all-time favourite actresses.  I love her movies, especially her later ones from the 1960's.

                                                                           

4.   GOOD VISITS   Earlier this week I had an appt. in the town where we used to live, and I stopped in  to see a former neighbor.  We had a really enjoyable visit, and she was so surprised and pleased.  And that made me feel good.

5.   STRAWBERRIES   Yesterday I bought ten strawberry plants.  I'm really looking forward to getting these planted and then reaping the wonderful rewards!!  I see some fresh strawberries in my future!

Now it's your turn.  What were some blessings for you this week?
                                                                                  

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook

                                  Time to pause and reflect on what is going on in my life at this moment. You can do it too! Just hook up to The Simple Woman's Daybook  and join in.                                            .

Outside my window....the chickens are happily pecking about.

I am thinking....about how much fun I am going to have tonight at a girls' night out for dessert and coffee!

I am thankful....for all the blessings in my life.

In the kitchen....I have homemade wholewheat bread rising and will make a harvest soup for tonight to go with it.

I am wearing....light blue pants and a white turtleneck.

I am creating....the start of my garden.  I planted seeds a few days ago in containers in the house to be replanted in May outside.

I am going....out for dessert tonight!!

I am wondering....where the bone came from that my dog dragged home this morning.

I am reading...."Considering Doris Day."  It's all about...well...um...Doris Day : )

I am hoping....that it is sunny tomorrow as I want to hang my sheets on the clothesline.

I am looking forward to....the birth of our first baby goat!

I am learning....all about birthing baby goats and caring for a pregnant mamma goat and baby.

Around the house....we are working on remodeling my home office.  It is going well. 

One of my favourite things....is being home alone on a quiet afternoon and just "listening" to the quiet and spending time praising the Lord.

A few plans for the rest of the week....working one day this week, going to my favorite thrift shop another day, and having company for dinner Friday evening.

A peek into my day....