Family!

Well yesterday was a long tiring day,but I think we got a lot done ! I am really looking forward to our Easter cook out! Ric worked on the yard and Catie the house, I went shopping for the groceries and stuff needed , I also picked up some tomato plants for the greenhouse,and blackberry,blueberry,and grapevines for the yard.,then we had a fire in the pit, cooked poor mans supper in the fire,and planned our busy Saturday. Right before he left for work Ric had to kill  another opossum  trying to get in the coop ! Those guys are beginning to be a hassle.
.As we work to get the house clean,yard picked up and food cook I realize how thankful I am for our close family and the ability to get together to celebrate Easter! Sometimes I get so caught up in the preparing I forget  the reason we get together , or the joy of enjoying my family,but when I sit down and catch my breath I thank God for them all.. What is family? I don't just mean those with the same bloodline! I have  family members  I have met throughout my life,those I choose to claim as mine. I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason,to learn something from,to teach something to, to be there as a close friend. Whatever the reason I am blessed with those who have come into my life. When we lived in Sc we met the Penrod kids who quickly became like mine. When we lost one to cancer , I was devastated but I know  God had us meet for a reason and I know she made a difference in who I became. Then in Raleigh it was the Halls, I still keep in touch with Beth,  even though she lives in NY we still talk . Then we cannot forget my "other son" Jonathan, he is so much like a sibling to the others they readily claim him as a brother, and he is always there to help. Though I do notice he has somewhat of a temper like his brother Ric..lol.. I thank God for all my family , blood relation or not,today as you approach Easter , make sure you let those people in your life know how important they are to you , and how they have made a difference! Happy Easter!

Prep Work!

 Well, its been a long day,but we got a  lot done! After work, I came home and Ric and I worked on the yard to get ready for the Easter Cookout. We picked up the yard a bit, and  fed the chickens and gathered the eggs,watered the plants in the greenhouse and cold frame. We  decided where to put the fruit trees we ordered ,when they came in.. our own little fruit orchard! Yay! Then we lit a fire in the fire pit ,made chicken foil pockets with veggies and seasonings threw them in the fire to cook and chilled a bit. It was a delicious supper after the yard work.. and really made me miss my camping trips! I am ready for some Morrow mountain tent camping! There is nothing like sitting by a fire in the woods  listening to the sounds of the night,seeing deer approach so close to your tent and just letting the rush of everyday,pass you by!But until I can get there My fire pit will definitely do! Now tomorrow will be another busy day,work,shopping for the cookout,house cleaning,yard cleaning,and maybe helping my nephew and his family move to their new house! Everyone have a great night,help someone when you can,and take a moment for yourself!

A nice evening..

 I had a really nice evening yesterday,after work I went to watch 2 adorable little boys while Catie tutored their mom, then I met with Ryan,my youngest son and sat and talked til almost midnight! I don't see him enough since he moved out,but I really enjoyed catching up.I am so proud of the adults all my children have grown up to be.More than anything I want them to be compassionate people who think of others and help when they can. I have been blessed because all 5 of them are. Too often I think we put a measure of how successful a person is by their wallets, and though they are all  doing OK financially, that is not what I think we need to measure success by. Money will not make you happy,its more important to treat others well and try to make a difference in this world. I love to hear them tell me  of people they are concerned about,or want to help out. We definitely have our differences on things,from the choices we make, to political views,to our leisure activities,but its nice to know we always have each other and we share a common viewpoint on making a difference in someones life.I think our society today is way to focused on "me" and self gratification!.Just wanted to let you guys know..love you and I am very proud of you all!

Not an elephant!

Well as I head back to work this morning , I look back over my week-end ,and wish it had been a little longer.As Easter approaches I reflect on what the true meaning is of this special holiday! I listened to something yesterday that really struck a chord with me, the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North does a video journal, I absolutely love! The one that really stuck with me is "God is not an elephant!". He talks about how elephants never forget and how God will forget our sins when we confess them to him. Then he goes on to say even though God forgets, we are still a lot like the elephant, we have a hard time forgetting! When someone wrongs us, how many times do we say "oh I will NEVER forget what you did to me!" Today I am going to try to NOT be like the elephant, if Jesus died for us on the cross so our sins could be forgiven,then I should try to be more forgiving myself.. If you get a chance go to Tenth Avenue North website. and take a look at his video journals,they really make you think,check out the one titled "Worn", it talks of how he started in music,and its truly amazing! Have a great day,and remember no elephants!

.tenthavenuenorth.com

Spring Plans

Well this time of year gets busy, trying to prepare for spring! We have moved our newest chicks outside , now they have their feathers its time to get them integrated with the big guys! Ric built a small pen next to the chicken coop so they can size each other up, then in a week or so we will add them together. Last night they had an unwanted visitor. A opossum was trying to get into the coop of the younger chicks, the dogs went after it and it fell down and played dead! Ric went and got his gun and before long , he wasn't playing..lol! I am thankful the coop held up and that the dogs alerted us to the problem!
 Ric also ordered his honey bees, he picks them up April 26, so hopefully we will have honey in a year or so, and a very fruitful garden! The pollination from the bees should help us produce more produce..lol. All kidding aside though, I am a little nervous. I know that honey bees are not aggressive, but having that many that near IS a little nerve racking. I have learned a lot about them though and it really is interesting. Ric is excited and really looking forward to this new adventure.
 We have also ordered more fruit trees and  plants, and the lettuce is coming up in the cold frame. We have tomatoes planted in the greenhouse, and strawberry plants ordered which should be here any day. Now  to just get a tiller or have someone plow up the rest of the garden so we can work on it! We have plans to can a lot  this year. Last year we put up veggie soup, applesauce, apple butter, apple pie filling, tomatoes, sweet pickles and even spaghetti sauce! This year I want to do more veggies! I really enjoy growing our own food and preserving it..
 The next on my list is milk goats! I am looking at Nigerian Dwarf or Nubian goats. We decided to have Ric get set up with his bees this spring, then work on getting fencing and preparing an area for the goats through the year, and next year in spring...get my goats! I want to try my hand at making cheese, butter and even some soaps! I think some of friends and family think I have gone off the deep end! Oh well til next time!

Holidays!

   I am  blessed to have a very close family. Every holiday we all get together, share a meal and conversation. The menu seldom varies, same stuff, turkey, roast, sometimes ham, mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, potato salad, green bean casserole, squash casserole, congealed salad just to get started, along with a variety of desserts. Everyone comes to my house, and even though sometimes its frustrating and a bit stressful, I have to admit I wouldn't have it any other way! That's not even talking about Richards family, even though we aren't together anymore, we still have get together's and I love and claim them all as my own! As hard as it is now a days to get everyone together, I think its awesome that we all still do, and that we all enjoy doing it! There is not enough of families doing this anymore!

 So Easter my family is having a cookout at my house, I am praying the weather will be nice, so we can setup  the screen-house outside maybe some badminton. And as the evening sets in, a nice fire in the fire-pit with s'mores, marshmallows, and good conversation! We will have the usual, the last minute stress of preparations the grocery shopping, the cooking, baking, cleaning and the forgotten items we have to go back to the store for. Then the day arrives with the usual variety of folks, the gossiping, the whispering, the reminiscing all, the laughing and the giggles! A solemn prayer before the meal, a reminder of the REAL reason we celebrate, and in a few short hours its over. Nothing left but a pile of dirty dishes, a bag of trash, a disheveled house and some very tired family members! Is it all worth it,? the time, energy and cost? You bet it is!!! Family is so important, enjoy them while you can, even while you have your differences, no one is promised a day, enjoy your Easter, and don't forget the real reason we celebrate..He is risen!

A Day of Rest

I hate being sick! Its like your on pause & everything in the world is still on play mode! I get so frustrated. I am at home missing a day of work. I look around seeing a million things that need to be done. But when I try I don't have the energy or I just feel sicker trying. I think we as a society are so caught up in fast mode we forget the importance of pause. Even God rested, it seems even on our days off we spend them going. Errands, house work, extreme sports. What happened to sitting outside in porch swing or rocker with a cold glass of iced tea. Visiting with neighbors, watching the birds or reading good a book? I think that must be why camping and our fire pit nights relax and renew me so well. We all need to go in pause mode every now and then. And don't let it be only when your sick. Next time you have some free time try the Pause mode and see how it feels. It is good to be back have a great day!!