Annies Country Journal

Im on my way back

2011-04-16T14:00:00.002-04:00

I wanted to let everyone know I am planning to start blogging again, We had come by hard times for awhile and I appologize to anyone who has followed my blog. Look for new posts coming soon!

Ryans first fishing tournament

2009-06-29T09:46:00.003-04:00

Saturday Ryan had his first fishing tournament!

He came in third place!!

Not bad for his first time, in total he caught 9 fish and he received his very first trophy which he is very proud of!

Way to go Ryan!!!!

Picking Cherries and a recipe!

2009-06-26T23:07:00.006-04:00

Cherry picking time!!!!!

We picked several gallons of cherries and then made Cherry Jam!

We got 8 half pints of jam and 9 Quarts of pitted sweet cherries...Yum!!!!

Bing Cherry Jam

from the Book

" Blue Ribbon Preserves"

by Linda J. Amendt

4 cups pitted and chopped fresh ripe Bing cherries ( about 3 lbs)

1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice

5 cups sugar

1/2 tsp unsalted butter

1 (3 oz) pouch liquid pectin

1 tsp pure lemon extract

in an 8 quart pan, combine cherries, lemon juice, sugar and butter.

Over med low heat, stirring constantly, heat the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved. Increase heat to med high and bring mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in entire contents of the pectin pouch. Return mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Skim off foam. Stir in almond extract.

Allow jam to cool for 5 minutes before filling jars, gently stir mixture every minute or so to distribute the fruit. Ladle the hot jam into hot jars leaving a 1/4 inch head space. wipe jar rims and threads with a clean cloth. Cover with hot lids and apply screw rings. Process half pint jars in 200 degree water bath canner for 10 minutes, pint jars for 15 minutes.

We absolutely love this jam and I recommend this book to any one who loves to make their own home canned jams and jellies. There are over 300 recipes that are mouth watering and worthy of trying!

check it out for yourself!

I bought mine from amazon.com

Baby Horses grow so fast!

2009-06-26T22:41:00.006-04:00

Dexter is now 5 weeks old and Sparta is a little over a week old, and they are growing so fast!

Sparta

Loving Sparta

Robin and Dexter

They both look alike but, they are very different in their attitudes!

Dexter is pretty calm and love to be pet and rubbed all over!

Sparta is very Independent and is already showing dominance over Dexter, I think he is going to be a hand full and a half!

Dexter now gets his own portion of grain and eats hay and grazes like his Mom, he is so fun to watch running through the pasture.. every time he runs, when he turns a corner he whinnies with this adorable little baby horse voice!

Sparta intentionally challenges Dexter and even Willow, I think he is saying " I am the ruler" Which is in part why he is named Sparta, he acts like a big, brave warrior ready to go at any moment!

Sparta carries himself tall and has a beautiful prance when he is walking!

We are going to have a busy, full of antics summer!!!

Robins Graduation

2009-06-26T22:23:00.004-04:00

Robin Graduated and walked across the stage to

receive her diploma June 20Th!

Robin and her grandparents

Robin and Ryan

The proud Graduate!

It was a very good day for us all to watch our youngest daughter walk across the stage and officially become a Graduate!

After the graduation we had a cook out with family and friends,

On the menu was Hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill, potato salad, Italian pasta salad, My Moms absolutely great creamy pasta salad, baked beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, veggie pizza, a homemade Hawaiian dream cake and home made ice cream with sundae toppings!

We all had a great day celebrating Robins achievements!

We are so proud of you Robin!!!!!

Badgers Foal!!!

2009-06-24T20:57:00.007-04:00

Badger had her foal, a colt born June 16, 2009 at 9:40 PM!

I did not blog earlier because we were having computer problems, but I wanted to share this wonderful experience!

Meet Sparta!

Just the beginning

Waiting for Badger to push

Cleaning the amniotic fluids from his nose to allow him to breath!

Sparta, just moments after birth

Badger and Sparta bonding

Badger had a tough time with this big guy, she needed to have our help and she seemed glad for it. It was raining the night she had him, Badger was very restless, as she pushed she ended up getting her head and upper body outside the gate of the barn, we ended up having to remove the gate to allow her more room, as she pushed she sounded like a bear growling with each contraction but she wasn't getting him any where, she kept pushing and breathing so heavy, I knew she was having a difficult time. I stepped in and pulled with all of my strength with each contraction but we still were not getting him to budge so Alan joined in and we both pulled when Badger pushed and in no time she had a BIG Beautiful colt who could not wait to get on his feet, Sparta has so much spirit in him, he is going to be a challenge! He's as tall as Dexter is at a month old and he is already the dominate of the two foals and Sparta is just a week old!

This was such a great experience for me and I feel Blessed that everything went well for Badger and for us, this was a life moment that will never be forgotten!

God was with us all in the barn that night and I Thank him for his loving guidance, I have never helped any animal with the miracle of life and felt very comfortable with the whole event!

(Thanks to the books we read and the You Tube videos we watched about foaling!)

Badger is a good Mom and very proud of her new baby, after the birthing was over and Sparta nursed, Badger came up to where I was sitting and placed her nose in my lap as if to say Thank you, I'm glad you were here!

She is my pride, I love her with so much of my heart,

ours is a friendship like no other and I think she was telling me she feels the same way!

Alans Projects

2009-06-03T11:24:00.002-04:00

Alan has been busy the last few days building some steps down to the garden and a new compost bin!

The steps are almost complete, we had a large pile of stones and Alan has put them to good use!
He also built this compost bin out of old pallets we had laying around, he wants to add two more bins beside of this one later on!

The really great thing about both these projects are the fact they were free, from recycled materials we already had on our property!!!

Flogged by the Rooster

2009-06-03T10:46:00.004-04:00

I Guess our rooster doesn't like tattoos!

Charlie flogged Alan when he was leaving the hen house, got him completely by surprise and this is the result. Thankfully it was not as bad as it could have been. We know better than to wear shorts in the chicken house, for some strange reason that is the only time our rooster will try to attack and he always waits until you have your back turned.....Bad Rooster!

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers

2009-05-25T20:05:00.005-04:00

Memorial Day

Edgar Guest
The finest tribute we can pay

Unto our hero dead today,

Is not a rose wreath, white and red,

In memory of the blood they shed;

It is to stand beside each mound,

Each couch of consecrated ground,

And pledge ourselves as warriors true

Unto the work they died to do.
Into God's valleys where they lie

At rest, beneath the open sky,

Triumphant now o'er every foe,

As living tributes let us go.

No wreath of rose or immortelles

Or spoken word or tolling bells

Will do to-day,

unless we give Our pledge

that liberty shall live.
Our hearts must be the roses red

We place above our hero dead;

Today beside their graves

we must

Renew allegiance to their trust;

Must bare our heads and humbly say

We hold the Flag as dear as they,

And stand, as once they stood,

to die To keep the Stars and Stripes on high.
The finest tribute we can pay

Unto our hero dead today

Is not of speech or roses red,

But living, throbbing hearts instead,

That shall renew the pledge

they sealed

With death upon the battlefield:

That freedom's flag

shall bear no stain

And free men wear no tyrant's chain.

Our Thanks to all who paid the ultimate price for our Freedom today and loving prayers to the families that let them go.

We will never forget you.

The Horses

2009-05-20T21:55:00.007-04:00

Dexter, Willow and Badger

Dexter and Robin

Badger and her big belly!

Dexter is so full of life and he is so much fun to watch him run around and play, he gets to running so fast that poor Willow has a tough time keeping up with him!

Willow is getting more comfortable now though and can actually graze a little more than the first couple of days that they were out in the pasture, She is learning that she can let Dexter run about and play and he will always come back to her! She still keeps a very close eye on him. Willow is being a great Mom!!!

Badger is showing a few signs that she will foal soon, her teats are full of milk, I was able to milk a little from her tonight for the first time... A clear sticky substance that is the colostrum I think. I saw movement in her belly today too, which is always a joy to see and feel!

Willow and Dexter

2009-05-15T08:29:00.004-04:00

Willow and Dexter are doing great, Willow is a very good Mom, attentive and Loving to Dexter! She is very good about letting us around them and Dexter is very curious about who we are, he is getting more energy, moving around the stall and playing. He came up to me last night and kept stretching his neck towards my face like he was giving kisses!

Badger' Teats are still filling with milk, no waxing yet so I don't think it will be much longer until Badger has her foal, I hope it is soon though, She will not leave her stall, she wants to be by Willow and Dexter and she looks at Dexter like, "I want one of those"!

Its a Colt!!!

2009-05-14T10:29:00.003-04:00

Introducing Dexter our new Arabian/ Thoroughbred Colt

Born May 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM

We were told by the vet that Willow should be due to have her foal sometime in March, We had no due date to go by because they were discovered to be pregnant when we bought them, so this lack of information and the vets guess as to when it "could" be lead to a lot of sleepless nights for us....since March 28th we either stayed awake watching Willow because she would show signs that it was very soon, only to stop her labor and then nothing.

When we didn't stay awake watching, We would take turns getting up every hour and looking at the monitor to see what she was doing.

It would figure that Willow would foal while we were not here, My car broke down Monday and Alan had to come pick me up from work, while on our way home Robin called to say she looked at the monitor and Willow had foaled!

So we missed the actual birth but we made it home in time to see Dexter get up for the first time and take his first steps, nuzzle with his Mom and nurse!
I checked the placenta and found it to be intact! Both Willow and Dexter seem to be very healthy and happy!

When we first pulled into the driveway, I ran into the house and changed out of my nurses uniform into jeans so fast that I think I may have broke some Guinness world record or something! I flew down the barn but then I took my time approaching Mom and baby because I was not sure how protective Willow might be and thought caution was needed! Willow was wonderful about us being there and let us touch and examine her new little one, we mucked out the stall around her and put down fresh straw bedding to remove the mess from the delivery, all the while Willow did not mind the interruption. Once Dexter got to his feet and started nursing, we felt comfortable leaving the barn to let Mom and baby have some quiet time and bond some more while we watched from the monitor at the house for a few more hours before going to bed.

It was a wonderful event that we waited what seemed like forever to happen and finally found ourselves with a sweet new horse!

Now we have to wait for Badger to have her baby. So I see more sleepless nights in our future but, it is such a great experience that we would not trade it for anything!!!

Ready to plant

2009-05-09T10:17:00.002-04:00

These are our tomato and pepper plants, a few herbs and cucumber plants ready to go in the garden!

We have been busy preparing a new and larger garden for this year and this is the weekend to get everything in!!!

We already have our peas in the garden and they are almost big enough to trellis them, this weekend we want to plant all the plants in the picture above and start our seeds for everything else. My mouth is watering just thinking about all the good fresh veggies we will have in a few months!!!

New Babies and a little trouble

2009-05-06T19:54:00.005-04:00

Wild Kitty had her babies Sunday night, 6 total! It is so exciting to see the new little ones, but the trouble here is that she decided to give birth in Badgers stall!

Alan tried to move them but.... wild kitty was so determined to have them stay in the horses stall that she tried three times to move them back in there, even as fast as Alan carried them to the nice bed of straw that he prepared for them she would carry them one at a time into the stall...I guess she really likes Badger but she has no idea how dangerous this is for her six little kittens. We ended up having to move her and her kittens to the empty brooder coop and close her in with them!

Other than wanting to share them with a 1200 lb horse, she is a good momma, very diligent with caring for her little ones!

Ryans 4th Birthday

2009-04-06T11:11:00.002-04:00

We celebrated Ryan's 4th Birthday on Saturday with a western theme, Ryan dressed up like a cowboy with boots and a cowboy hat, he even had his sheriffs badge on! It was a great day with Family and Friends, We had fried chicken, baked beans, pasta salad and of course cake and Ice cream!

Ryan got a new swing set and a wheel barrow with garden tools, many toys and books. Yesterday he wore himself out playing outside with his new things and helped Nana and Pop pop work in the garden.

Its so hard to believe that he is now 4 years old!

Preparing for foaling

2009-03-28T23:07:00.002-04:00

I know I have not blogged for awhile but we have been busy preparing for our new foals, Willow is showing some signs that the time is near, The muscles around her tail head are soft and wiggle like Jello! Her vulva is elongated now and swollen. She is like a yo yo with her teats, sometimes they are looking like they are filling up and then other times their down. She is cranky today for the most part. I have chose to leave her in her stall where we can monitor her closer, we have a camera system set up so we can watch the mares with out them knowing!
Badger's Teats have just started filling up but the muscles around her tail are still firm.
This is such a nerve wracking experience for me, I cant help but constantly watch them and yet I am very anxious but also reluctant at the same time for the moment to arrive!
I will try to post pics later, I have lost the cable to upload pictures to my computer, as soon as I find it I will show pictures of the girls!

Super bowl Champions!!!

2009-02-01T22:38:00.001-05:00

The Steelers won!!!!

What a great game all the way to the end, both teams played great but,

we won!!!!!!!

More Basement Progress

2009-01-31T21:16:00.002-05:00

We are still busy working on the Basement, Here are some pictures of that progress!

This is that back wall, I was talking about in my last post

This is a before picture of the wall across the room

And this is after painting!

We are going to try to work on the ceiling and frame out a few rooms down in the basement a little later, but we are going to have to focus our attention on the horses and the barn again real soon, we are getting closer to having baby horses and we need to prepare for them!

I will post more pictures of our progress around the house and barn as we get the chance.... Things are a bit busy here for now!!

Blog Header

2009-01-31T10:26:00.002-05:00

My New Blog Header is compliments of my friend Robin of Robins Rest
Thank You Robin, I Love it, I will have to learn to do that someday!

A Needed Improvement

2009-01-23T11:56:00.002-05:00

I have started to finally paint the basement! We have a very small house and use every inch of the space we have, The Basement seems to have been chosen as the Family room, Ryan's toys are all down there and the computer is in the basement, so we find ourselves spending a lot of time there, I couldn't take the dingy block walls any longer so I decided to paint!

Here is a before picture

And and After

We are hoping to frame in and finish that back wall too!

I have a lot more painting to get done and I cant wait!

it made a world of difference in the look and feel of that space, next I want to decorate and hang some pictures!

Then this space will really feel like a family room!!!

Winter is NOT for butchering!

2009-01-20T18:48:00.004-05:00

What do we do when it is 25 degrees outside with 14 mph winds?

We butchered, not that we really wanted to but, we had to, we butchered 6 chickens and 2 rabbits today for a total of 47 lbs 10 oz. of meat,
I would rather accomplish this in milder weather but we were low on meat in the freezer and these animals were way past the time for butchering.
It is very expensive to feed so many animals in the winter, not to mention the hardship that cold weather brings to both man and beast.
We had intended to have this done way back in November and not have to worry about it at this time of year but, a series of events had taken our time away from those chores. so now we are left to do our butchering in the middle of winter, we have 19 more chickens and 6 more rabbits to do before we are done.... not a chore I look forward to doing in warm or cold weather, but enjoy the benefits once it is all done!

Happy Birthday Badger!

2009-01-15T12:56:00.003-05:00

Today is Badgers Birthday!

Happy Birthday to such a sweet girl, We Love you Badger!!

Badgers Pregnant Belly

2009-01-14T09:37:00.001-05:00

This is Badgers pregnant belly!

It wont be long, she is due in April and Willow is due in March!

Taking care of the Animals on a winter day

2009-01-13T10:06:00.005-05:00

Robin and Willow

This morning is cold, its the kind of cold that chills you to the bone as soon as you walk outside. I greeted the Horses who are always glad to see us come down because they know they are going to get their sweet grain, Badger will whinny in excitement and then bite at her gate until she gets her grain, Willow whinnies and then gets aggravated with Badger biting at her gate. While the horses eat their grain, we feed and water the Chickens, Turkeys and our flock of Meat chickens and open the door to the coop to let everyone outside. The Rabbits are next, we fill their feeders and collect the water bottles to take up to the house to thaw by the wood stove, we will take the water bottles back down to them after they thaw out later. We put the Halters on the Horses and let them out, Willow has to go first, then Badger. They get fresh hay thrown to them because there's no good grazing right now, everything is frozen.

We of course spend a little time loving the horses before we return to the warmth of the house.

In the evening we return to the barn to feed and water again, Brush the horses ( I have learned to do this in the evening because they usually like to roll during the day) We clean out their hooves and muck their stalls, then they go in the stalls and impatiently wait for us to bring them more grain and throw hay into the hay racks. We collect the eggs from the chickens and close them in the coop for the night. When it is really cold out the chickens and Turkeys get some scratch grains before roosting to help keep them warmer through the night. We give the rabbits each a little hay and say good night to all the animals.

Sometimes going to the barn feels like a drudgery to get myself motivated this time of the year ( I am not a cold weather type of girl)but, Once I get down there, I actually enjoy it, I love being with the animals, petting and holding the rabbits or hugging the horses and watching the antics of the chickens. The animals provide me with a sense of calm and help me forget the stresses of the day and they always do something that will amuse me and make me laugh, Its then that I forget, for a little while that its cold out side!

Home Made Bread!

2009-01-09T15:37:00.002-05:00

There is something about homemade bread that is just so satisfying to your whole body! With just a few ingredients and some kneading mixed with a little patience you get something wonderful, oh and the smell that wafts through the air as you bake your freshly risen bread is just as rewarding to the senses!
and last but not least is the taste.... no store bought bread can stand next to home made in flavor and texture!

I enjoy baking bread and look forward to that fist slice, still warm from the oven with a little butter and home made apple sauce... it just doesn't get any better!
If you have never baked bread, I would recommend you try!
it really isn't as hard as you think but, I will warn you,
there wont be any left overs to go stale!

First Ice Storm for 2009

2009-01-08T11:08:00.005-05:00

These are some pictures of the Ice Storm we got on Wednesday and Thursday early Morning, this was what we woke up too!

Ice on one of our bushes

Icy cold view from the back yard

This picture looks out of focus but, it was actually Fog!

Several people in our area had power outages due to the trees falling over onto the power lines from the weight of the Ice, we were fortunate that we maintained our electric!

The horses were upset about staying in the barn, I just didn't want to take the chance of them slipping on the ice in their current state of pregnancy, Today they are out and about but it is windy and I think they will opt to return to the barn!

We are in store for very cold temperatures this weekend and the possibility for more Ice on Saturday........ Hurry Spring!!!!!

Horse Love

2009-01-06T12:12:00.005-05:00

The Horses have really settled in at their new home and we are all enjoying them very much!

Ryan and Willow

Ryan and Badger

They are both very healthy and the time is getting closer to them foaling, we are learning as much as we can about pregnant horses and preparing the birthing kits, Willow is the first expected to foal in March and Badgers due in April.

We have been very busy with all the animals and preparations for winter.

We also were having computer issues but now we are back and I hope to blog regularly again, I will post pictures of the horses growing belly's soon!

We are expecting!!

2008-11-18T09:42:00.002-05:00

Well, Not me but we took our horses to the vet yesterday and found out that they are both pregnant. Willow is due around March and Badger is due around April!
I am so glad that the guessing games are over! We rescued these Horses and had no idea that they were pregnant when we got them although We did suspect that Badger could be and we were very surprised to find out that they are both expecting mothers.
Willow has mastitis and we are treating her with an antibiotic, other than that they are in good health!!
I hope to get a new camera soon and I will post pictures of our progress with them.
I guess I will need to read up on equine pregnancy, It looks like I am getting a crash course in this area!!

Its been awhile!

2008-09-27T07:59:00.005-04:00

I am sorry that I have not blogged in a long time, it has been a hard adjustment to losing my Grandmother and then we misplaced our camera, so I am reduced for now to use my cell phone for pictures.

We have had a lot going on around here, we have done more cleaning on the property and rearranged our barn to fit two rescued Thoroughbred race horses!

This is Willow, she won 9 races in her career and won over $60.000 before a leg injury took her off the track, she has a calcium build up on her left front leg as a result from her injury. Willow stands 16.2 hands high and has a very sweet personality!

This is Badger, she stands 17 hands high and is blind in her left eye from falling into the rail during a race, we have not been able to find her race record. Badger loves her treats and trys to mug us for more!

Both horses have the famed Man O War in their blood lines and Badger also has the only horse that beat Man O War, named Upset in her bloodline as well!

We are treating willow for rain rot that she got while with her previous owner and they both have some hoof issues that we are taking care of.

They have been with us now almost two weeks and they already look forward to seeing us at the barn, they follow us around and get lots of Hugs and Kisses!

We are proud to offer these two beautiful horses a home where they can live out the rest of their lives being loved and cared for like they both deserve to be!

I will post more pictures of them a little later, hopefully I will have another camera soon!

Goodbye Mamaw, I Love You

2008-07-09T11:14:00.006-04:00

Monday Afternoon I lost my Grandmother whom I loved very dearly and Greatly miss her already, She was like a Mom to me, she was there for me through 40 years of my life and learning to live without her will be very difficult.

She left this world very suddenly and without pain which I am so very grateful for and I know she is in Heaven with our Lord and those who went before her.

Lillian M. Spielman, 83
NOV. 5, 1924-JULY 7, 2008
Lillian Marie Spielman, 83, of Falling Waters and formerly of Maugansville, died Monday, July 7, 2008, at Washington County Hospital.
Born Nov. 5, 1924, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Henry C.L. and Inger Peterson Wolffsen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest "Jim" Spielman, in 1993.
She was a 1942 graduate of Hagerstown High School.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Hagerstown.
She was a member of the Degree of Pocohontas Local Council Redfeather 59 of Williamsport and past great Pocohontas State of Maryland as Great Keeper of Records.
She is survived by two sons, Gary E. Sprankle of Martinsburg, W.Va., and William H. Spielman of Greencastle, Pa.; one sister, Dana Smith of Maugansville; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Robert L. Sprankle; and one sister, Nancy Stevenson.
Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Osborne Funeral Home in Williamsport. The Rev. Jerry L. Lowans will officiate. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, which will open at 9 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 443 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Besides the Redmen, She was also Past President of The American Legion Auxiliary, she volunteered her services in many different areas. She was a Loving Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother who found her joy through making other people happy.

I Love you Mamaw and Miss you.

Apple pie baked over a fire

2008-06-29T20:40:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite cooking methods is over an open fire, Today I decided to make an apple pie in my dutch oven!

This is the oven over the bed of coals

Here is the finished pie!

I used to do alot of cooking over a fire, It really isn't all that hard, it just takes a little longer and it is alot hotter!
but, the food comes out wonderful and has a better taste than it does from a conventional oven.

For baking I use a three footed dutch oven and get a good fire going, once I have enough coals I then pull the coals from the fire and place them on a pile on the ground where the dutch oven sits and then put coals on top the lid.
I elevate the food I am baking on a wire frame to get a good air flow around it.
for this pie it took about an hour to bake and came out tasting perfect!

First Broccoli Harvest!

2008-06-28T09:18:00.004-04:00

Broccoli harvested from our garden, the first of the season!

All organically grown!

I cut the broccoli up and added it to penne pasta with diced cucumber, fresh peas from our garden and fresh herbs also from my garden, then I covered it with sweet vidalia dressing.....The only thing missing was some good homegrown tomatoes!

A walk in the park

2008-06-27T21:11:00.005-04:00

We had a rain storm come through this afternoon and cooled things down a bit, so we decided to get sandwiches and have dinner by the river.

After we ate, we all went for a walk in a local park

We had a great walk except for the mosquitos!

We found this guy on the side of the path!

It was a nice evening away from the house for a little while, now everyone is just relaxing and the dogs are sleeping!

Thief in the hen house!

2008-06-25T21:46:00.006-04:00

When I went into the chicken coop tonight to collect eggs and secure the chickens....I found a thief!

All curled up in one of the nest boxes, caught red handed!

He had several big bulges in his belly and yolk dripping from his mouth!

I called Alan down to the barn to apprehend the felon

court was held, the jury... Robin and Myself voted for execution but the high court... Alan, ruled against us and decided that this egg bandit should be banished from the land and so Alan took the snake in custody... inside of a cooler, to a land far, far away... well, actually about five miles down the road and released him.

I hope that is the last we see of him!

No chickens were harmed, just robbed or their eggs!!!

My Birthday

2008-06-21T08:07:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was my Birthday, the big 4.0.

We went to my Moms river lot for a get together, we had Hamburgers and Hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs and more!

We made home made cherry vanilla Ice cream with the cherries we had picked last week!

Mom made two cakes that had a blackberry filling and coconut frosting!
After we ate we all sat around the camp fire and enjoyed some good company while others played a few games.
We talked and visited until midnight!

Thank You Mom, I had a great time and all your work is greatly appreciated!

Today is my Daughter Amanda's 20th Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Amanda!!!

Fathers Day annual Picnic

2008-06-16T06:57:00.010-04:00

We had our annual Fathers Day picnic yesterday, I didn't get as many pictures of all the family that I wanted because I was too busy talking to everyone!

My Dad at the Grill

Ryan and his Great, Great Grandma!

My Step Mom, Cousin Buffy, her daughter and my Grandmother

Playing pass the cup, we had alot more people playing than this,

I started taking pictures after I was eliminated.

Volley Ball

Ryan enjoyed the playground!

Robin, Ryan and myself at a campground we stopped by on the way home!

Everyone had a good time, we had great food, games, swimming in the pool and visiting with Grandparents, Parents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins!

Sweet Cherries!

2008-06-14T23:04:00.003-04:00

I went Saturday morning to pick cherries,

I picked 3 gallons which gave me;

9 quarts and 1 pint

with enough left out to eat and to make home made

cherry Ice Cream!

I would liked to have more but,

the cherries are expensive at $ 2.25 a lb for pick your own!

The Garden is Growing!

2008-06-13T07:32:00.012-04:00

The garden is growing very well, we had a heat wave come through early this year with 100 degree temps so now I don't have any more spinach but everything else is growing great!

Tomatoes

Flowers on the Tomato plants

Peas

Potatoes in the front and Broccoli in the back

Broccoli

Zucchini

Cucumbers

Chives and English Thyme

Herbs in containers.... Mint, Dill, Summer Savory and more Thyme.

Sweet Basil, Lemon Balm and Coleus

I planted 52 seeds of bush beans but only 5 have germinated, I'm not sure what I did wrong... we had ALOT of rain though and I think that might have been part of the problem. The Spinach bolted and now I have to do some research to see what I can plant in its place!

Everything that I have growing right now, I started from seed!

To me it is exciting to watch my garden grow and I enjoy the time I spend with all the plants, there is just something very therapeutic about working in the garden!

Gone Fishing!

2008-06-12T16:28:00.012-04:00

Last night we were invited to a friends house for a cookout and to do some fishing in their pond, It was Ryan's first fishing experience and he had a great time, fishing and watching everyone else catch fish!

Alan fishing in the pond

Robin casting her line

Robin caught the first fish of the evening!

One of the Sunfish Alan caught

My first fish of the evening

Sun Fish

Ryan's very first fish!

Alan helped Ryan with his fishing but let him cast the line out and reel it in, Ryan cast out twice and got a bite immediately each time!

Our final count came to twelve! a few small mouth Bass and Sun fish!... Not bad for a few hours of fishing and socializing with friends!

Guess whats on the menu for dinner tonight?!

Big Black Snake

2008-06-03T09:57:00.007-04:00

We decided to camp out on our property this past weekend and while we were sitting around enjoying a nice camp fire, Trevor noticed that we had a visitor.

Trevor holding the Black snake

Closer view of Alan holding the snake

Robin checking it out

Alan guessed the snake to be over 5 feet long

After everyone was done looking at it and taking pictures, we set it free in the woods.

Black snake or not you will not find me holding it, but it was neat to look at it anyway!

Carnival and Fireworks Fun

2008-05-31T11:27:00.008-04:00

Last night we enjoyed a great evening of fun, we went to a friends house for a cookout and they are lucky enough to live with in walking distance to the carnival that was going on in town, so we walked to the carnival after we ate some really good food and then came back to their house to enjoy the fireworks. We had front row seats for the fireworks, it was a very fun night to spend with friends and family!

Ryan's expression when we got to the carnival!

A Teddy bear ride!

Of course, no visit to a carnival is complete until you ride the carousel!

Alan, Matt and Trevor playing the carnival games, Alan won a stuffed panda bear for Robin!

When the Fireworks started!

After the fireworks were done and the night was coming to a close, everyone was worn out from all the activities that we shared!

Picking Strawberries!

2008-05-29T21:43:00.010-04:00

We went to a local pick your own farm today and picked Strawberries!

This is my lonely strawberry from my own plant, so this is why we went the PYO farm for more!

My Mom and Ryan picking strawberries

A unique looking strawberry, doesn't it resemble a flower?

Ryan and myself picking berries

We picked 16 lbs of strawberries, 10 lbs are what I am going to make jam with and freeze for smoothies and other recipes!

We did enjoy fresh strawberry shortcake for desert tonight!

My Mom and I with our berries!
And these lovely ladies paid for our berries! We sold these 4 pretty poults last night and used the money from them to pay for the strawberries and the sugar for the Jam I am making!

We had a great day with beautiful sunshine and warm but not hot temperatures, there was a light breeze blowing and this made picking the strawberries very enjoyable, I really liked the time with my Mom, having nice little conversations while picking berries and Ryan had a great time! he was still talking about it long after we got home.

Now it is time to get busy making all that yummy jam for this winter!

Heavenly Rays

2008-05-22T07:21:00.003-04:00

This was the view from our backyard last evening, the suns rays shone down through rain clouds to give a spectacular sight.

A Heavenly gift of beauty!

Feathered Friends

2008-05-20T09:12:00.006-04:00

Meet some of our feathered friends,

Little Red Hen

Cant a girl get some privacy?

Fresh eggs in the nest box

Big Boy
Look at me, aren't I handsome!

Here, this is my best side!

Pint Size Helper

2008-05-20T08:57:00.004-04:00

Ryan is such a good helper, he is ready to jump in whenever he can!

Busy helping Pop Pop spread new gravel for parking

Ryan loves to imitate what his Pop Pop is doing!

Whether its spreading gravel, building garden beds or feeding the animals, Ryan loves to help!

Tomatos Planted

2008-05-15T07:30:00.003-04:00

I have planted 16 tomato plants.

6 Big Red, 4 Pink Brandy Wine and 6 Giant Beefsteak, all heirloom varieties and started by seed.

I started my tomatoes around mid March in seed trays then transferred them to peat pots and again transferred them to coffee cans that we recycled as pots!

This is my first year starting veggies from seed so I am sure I have alot to learn but, so far everything seems to be doing good, this weekend I want to get my pepper plants in and start my bush beans.

Royal Palm Turkey

2008-05-14T20:36:00.004-04:00

We raise Royal Palm Turkeys, they are a heritage breed and very fun to raise, There is one hen who has decided to sit on her nest and we have been allowing her this time for quite a while now, it takes 28 days to hatch turkey eggs and I am sorry to say that I did not keep track of when she started setting, I think she is getting close though!

She used to leave her nest when I would enter the coop to feed and water them but, today I noticed she would not get off her nest and she even hissed at me while I was in there tonight.

This is a picture of her on the nest

This is one of our Toms, "Big Boy"
He has decided to take up roost on one of the shelves inside the barn, this used to be the shelf I would store my extra flower pots on but, I have had to remove them after he knocked several of them off the shelf a few times.

He is not allowed in the coop right now because he wouldnt play nice with the other Toms, so he is inside the common area of our barn!

I love the turkeys and their antics, they gobble when I go down to the barn as if to say " Hello"! Big Boy usually follows me around when I am doing chores and the Toms are so pretty strutting around!

Garden update

2008-05-12T21:42:00.005-04:00

The Garden has started growing! We have battled very rainy weather for many weeks now though and that has us behind on many projects but, so far we have growing in our garden;

Broccoli and Brussel sprouts
The potatoes have been growing at very fast rates, we have already covered them with dirt and compost twice and they need it again!
Spinach, Swiss chard and peas.

We have also planted Strawberries and we have tomatoes, peppers and cucumber seedlings ready to go in.

I also have Dill, Summer savory, Thyme, chives, peppermint, apple mint, sweet basil, lemon balm and lemon verbena growing strong.

I hope to get some other items in the garden this week like bush beans, squash, melons and nasturtiums... that is if we have a day without rain!

As far as flowers we have planted, columbine, sweet William, Geraniums, pansies, violas, snap dragons, begonias, Aster, black eyed Susan's, Petunia, Nicotania,vinca,Salvia, Moon flower vine and a beautiful fragrant purple flower that no one could tell me what its name is!

I will try to post more pics of the wonderful plants growing later this week!

Mothers Day Tea

2008-05-11T15:02:00.007-04:00

We enjoyed a surprise Mothers Day Tea party in honor of our Mom

While Mom was at Church, Robin and I set everything up and when she came home she was very surprised!Robin, Myself, Mom, Linda and Kelsey

The table all set

The food table

We had a variety of tea, Blueberry and orange cranberry scones, Chicken salad, egg salad and cucumber finger sandwiches, assorted fresh fruit cookies and tarts. As a remembrance of our day we all got Sweet William flowers to plant in our gardens.

The weather was cloudy, a bit windy and a little cold but we all enjoyed our time together and agreed to make this a Mothers Day tradition from now on!

A Walk in the park

2008-05-06T08:37:00.003-04:00

We stopped off at a local park while out running some errands yesterday

The weather was great, about 73 degrees

Crystal clear mountain water

Robin and Ryan

Robin testing the COLD water

We enjoyed our little walk in this park and I noticed some hiking trails there too! Hiking is one of my favorite things to do, I love the solitude of being in the woods, seeing the beautiful sights and listening to the sounds of nature with no other people around you, There is no better way to relieve the stress of our everyday, routine!

Spring around the Homestead

2008-04-28T10:09:00.003-04:00

Lilacs, My favorite flower
One of my flower beds
Tulips, we have several beds of these pretty spring flowers!

This is my favorite time of year, this is the time when life renews itself and beauty emerges from every direction. We have been busy building our garden beds and cleaning up the flower beds and many areas around the barn. The chickens and turkeys have been enjoying the nice weather and being outside.

down by our little pond you can hear the frogs singing in the evening and the bats have been flying around!

I love this time of year with all its wonderful smells and beautiful sights!

Busy weekend!

2008-04-28T09:09:00.008-04:00

We had a very busy weekend, we cleaned up a pile of metal that was on our property and we are taking it to be recycled today!

This is the pile before we started.

and this is after!

This is what is going to the recycle center!

It feels good to get another area cleaned and out of sight!

Update; we had 4560 lbs of metal that brought us $400.00 just laying around on the property! so we got paid and cleaned another area up at the same time!

How wonderful is that!

Happy Birthday Ryan

2008-04-17T07:11:00.004-04:00

Ryan turned Three years old!

He loves Finding Nemo so that was the theme for his Birthday party

Finding Nemo Cake

Blowing out his candles

He got alot of toys for his Birthday, Ryan got a Wheelbarrow and some garden tools, a few Dinosaurs, some Diego toys and a new pool for this summer. We had a packed house for his party, almost the entire Family was there from his great, great Grandmother, 2 Great Grandmothers and Grandfathers, Nana and Pop Pop and Mommy to Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends!

Before everyone arrived for his party he was singing Happy Birthday to himself! and when we all sang it to him he got very excited and laughed!

A special day for a very special Boy!

Comment moderation

2008-04-06T10:58:00.002-04:00

Because of rude people on the Internet and the fact that I have been getting spammed, I have had to set my comments to moderation before they can be shown, I am sorry to the wonderful people who read and respond to my blog for this inconvenience. I really dislike that people have to be so ignorant and just cant keep their rude comments to themselves!

Gaelic Storm

2008-04-05T10:15:00.005-04:00

My Daughter got me tickets to see Gaelic Storm in concert, I have been waiting about 8 years to see them and finally got my chance last night!

They are such an high energy band!

The concert could not have been any better!

The music was great !

This is Robin and My friends with Peter and Ryan

Here we all are outside the theatre, Robin, Me,Candy, Etta, Loretta and Tom

Robin and I had great seats, 2nd row, almost center stage!

Here I am with Steve

And again with Patrick!

The concert was almost three hours of jam packed Irish energy!

I would highly recommend any one who likes Celtic music to see them in concert, They are very down to earth and we even got to meet the band after the show and hang out for a little while!

We had a wonderful night out, I cant wait to see them again sometime!

Day Old Baby Chicks

2008-03-31T15:58:00.006-04:00

I wanted to share some pictures of our new baby chicks, we have 11 little fluffy chicks right now and we are waiting to see if anymore will hatch later today and tonight. there are 10 eggs unhatched right now.

I really lost count somehow, I thought we only had 18 eggs in the incubator but it turns out we had 21!

Here is one of the chicks in my daughters hand

They are very clumsy and will run right over top anyone in their way!

They take frequent little naps all day

and they love to cuddle with each other!

This has been such a wonderful experience, we have raised chicks in the past that we bought from a hatchery but, this is the first time we hatched our own!

Ryan loved every bit of it and was amazed to actually see the hatching!

Boys and their Toys

2008-03-30T19:31:00.003-04:00

We had some work done around our homestead on Saturday, we had an area that we are turning into parking graded down and the top soil removed and placed down by the garden area, He also graded some of the ground for our raised garden beds and had a manure pile brought up from the barn to the garden area. Then down by the barn we had an area widened and a wet weather pond worked on a little bit. It was exciting to see all this work done in such a small amount of time!

Here is the skid steer before they started

Ryan got the ride of his life for awhile, he got to ride in the skid steer and move some of the controls!

All the work that had been done in about three hours by this machine would have taken us about two months or more to complete by hand, The operator was a friend of ours and would not accept any money, God had answered a few prayers for us that day!

Newly hatched chicks

2008-03-30T19:19:00.007-04:00

Our little chicks are starting to hatch out!

In this picture you can see a little beak poking through the egg!
And here is the little one just out of its egg!

This is our first baby hatched and all dry, under the heat lamp of the brooder!

It takes a long time for these little ones to hatch from the egg, hours into the hatch process we are still patiently waiting for the others to hatch!

Earth Hour

2008-03-30T08:25:00.004-04:00

We took part in Earth hour last night and turned out all the lights, we unplugged everything that was non essential to have on.

We lit the oil lanterns and played board games.

It was so wonderful spending the quiet time together as a family.

This was something we did to help raise awareness on global warming and to help reduce our carbon impact, we plan to have regular Earth Hour nights and we have taken the steps to switch out our light bulbs to compact fluorescent, we have our electronics and cell phone chargers plugged in to a power strip that gets turned off when those things are not in use. We have given up on Plastic and paper and instead now try to use reusable canvas bags when we do our shopping.

We are starting a garden to grow some of our own food and we have chickens, Turkeys and Rabbits that help also.

We are trying to buy local when we can which helps save on carbon emissions and the best part is that the food we buy local... Tastes so much better than the food we purchase from the grocery store!

These are small steps in the big picture of things but, if we all took a small step and changed some of the things we do, we could make the environment a little better for our future.

Did you participate in Earth Hour?

Please comment and let me know what steps you are taking to help the environment and yourself!

Garden Beds and Snail Shells

2008-03-24T18:08:00.007-04:00

We started putting in our raised garden beds!

This is the area before we started.
We are building 4 ft X 4 Ft beds with old cinder blocks that we had in a big stack down by the barn, so that means that this project is free! Recycling materials that we already had and cleaning up another area of the property!

This is one of the beds, we will be topping it off with lumber that we also have and will recycle for our garden!

Ryan Loved digging in the dirt and found some snail shells that occupied him for a long time!

He held each shell carefully and examined them closely.

Here is Robin with Ryan hamming it up for a picture!

and Hunter, waiting for someone to throw his ball!

When we finish building the garden beds, we will have 22 4ft x 4ft beds total, I am so excited that we have started this project, I have been wanting a garden since we moved into this house!

Garden Seeds have arrived!

2008-03-22T12:39:00.007-04:00

The garden seeds I ordered have come in and I got busy right away getting some of the seeds started!

This is just a few of the seed packets that arrived!

Here I have Black seeded Simpson lettuce sprouting and in the middle is Lavender and at the top is coleus.

This is dill

and here I have broccoli, cauliflower, sweet Spanish onions and Brussel sprouts started!

In the coming weeks I will be starting many more seeds like tomatoes, peppers and herbs.

I will be getting many varieties of vegetables seeded directly in the garden also!

Easter Bunny and Chuck E Cheese

2008-03-20T21:08:00.008-04:00

Today was a very exciting day for Ryan, The Assisted Living that I work at had an Easter egg hunt for the kids.

Ryan got to meet the Easter Bunny for the first time!

Here is Ryan with Mommy and Pop Pop
taking a little break after the egg hunt.

After we left the Assisted Living,
We treated Ryan to his first visit to Chuck E. Cheese's

Everyone had a good time playing the games!

This was Ryan's favorite game, he kept going back to it all evening!

He had so much fun that he didn't want to leave, we cashed in his tokens and he got a ball and an ugly plastic spider but, it sure made his day!

Candling the eggs

2008-03-18T15:46:00.008-04:00

We candled the eggs in the incubator last night,

The tools you need to candle an egg are very simple,

We used an empty coffee can that we cut a quarter size whole into the bottom,

Then we placed a flashlight under the opening that we cut into the can, and placed the egg over the opening. we kept all the lights out in the room so we could have a better view.

We were looking to see if the light would pass through the egg, you should see an air pocket at one end of the egg and at the other end there should be just a dark area that the light could not pass through.

If the light passed through the entire egg, it means that egg was not fertile and we disposed of it.

We candled all 20 eggs and only had 1 bad egg so far.
We will candle one more time before the hatch, from what I have been reading we should at that time be able to see the actual chick!
We should have little baby chicks hatching around March 29Th!
I'm so excited!

It makes me feel like an expecting Mom!

Incubating Chicken Eggs

2008-03-16T15:33:00.004-04:00

This is our first attempt to incubate eggs

We set 20 chicken eggs in the incubator on March 9, 2008

The temperature and water levels are checked three times a day along with watching that the egg turner is properly working.
it takes 21 days to hatch the eggs and they will get candled at 8 days and again at 14 days to make sure that the eggs are indeed fertile and that life is starting to form!
Our first day of candling will be Monday, I will try to take pictures of our process as we go!

Seeds of hope!

2008-03-06T22:13:00.005-05:00

Today we placed our order for garden seeds!

We ordered or seeds from Heirloom Seeds, This is a company that guarantees the seeds they sell are non hybrid and untreated and that they are NOT Genetically Modified!

That was the most important factor for our purchase from this company.

Here is the package we ordered;

The VICTORY GARDEN package includes:
BEANS (6 varieties): Black Turtle, Bush Blue Lake, Commodore, Fordhook Lima, Old Homestead Pole and Pencil Pod Black Wax
BEETS ( 2 varieties): Chiogga and Early Wonder
BROCCOLI (1 variety): De Cicco
BRUSSELS SPROUT (1 variety): Long Island Improved
CABBAGE (2 varieties): Early Jersey Wakefield and Red Danish
CARROTS (2 varieties): Amsterdam Minicor and Autumn King
CAULIFLOWER (1 variety): Early Snowball
CELERY (1 variety): Golden Self Blanching
COLLARD (1 variety): Georgia
CORN ( 1 variety): Golden Bantam
CUCUMBER (2 varieties): National Pickling and Tendergreen Burpless
EGGPLANT (1 variety): Black Beauty
GOURD (1 variety): Ornamental Small Mix
KALE (1 variety): Dwarf Blue Curled
KOHLRABI (1 variety): Early White Vienna
LEEK (1 variety): American Flag
LETTUCE (5 varieties): Black Seeded Simpson, Buttercrunch, Freckles Romaine, Gourmet Salad Blend, and Mesculin Mix
MELONS (2 varieties): Jenny Lind and Sweet Passion
MUSTARD GREENS (1 variety): Southern Giant Curled
OKRA (1 variety): Clemson Spineless
ONION, BUNCHING (1 variety): Evergreen White Bunching
PARSNIP (1 variety): Hollow Crown
PEPPERS (4 varieties): California Wonder, California Wonder Gold, Jalapeno and Long Red Cayenne
PEAS (3 varieties): Early Frosty, Mammoth Melting Sugar and Sugar Daddy
PUMPKINS (1 variety): New England Pie
RUTABAGA (1 variety): American Purple Top
RADISH (2 varieties): Easter Egg and Crimson Giant
SPINACH (2 varieties): Bloomsdale Long Standing and New Zealand
SQUASH, SUMMER (4 varieties): Dark Green Zucchini, Golden Zucchini, White Patty Pan and Yellow Crookneck
SQUASH, WINTER (2 varieties): Butternut and Spaghetti
SWISS CHARD (2 varieties): Lucullus and Ruby Red
SOUTHERN PEA (1 variety): California Black-Eyed
TOMATO (6 varieties): Besser, Big Red, Giant Beefsteak, Homestead 24, Pink Brandywine and Roma
TURNIPS (1 variety): Purple Top White Globe
WATERMELON (1 varieties): Sugar Baby
HERBS (10 varieties): Basil, Chives, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Summer Savory and Thyme

Please wish us lots of luck!

I will post pictures on our progress!

Counting Down to Earth Hour!

2008-03-06T21:35:00.003-05:00

The countdown has began only

Three weeks to go!

On March 29th at 8:00 PM people from around the world will be uniting in an effort to save energy for our Beautiful Earth!

last year in Australia alone, one city started the movement they called Earth Hour, Homes and Businesses turned off their non essential electric for one hour. The result was dramatic, they saved enough power and eliminated enough emissions from our environment in one hour and the result was the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road!

That was One city for One hour!

Imagine what we can do this year by joining in a world wide effort to help ease a little bit of the burden we put on our planet,

one hour might not stop Global Warming but,

it is a starting point to help slow it down.

This is just one little thing we can do to help insure a better future for generations to come, to make people aware of Global Warming and to start taking small steps toward the things we can all do that will make a difference!

We are ready, we have the oil lanterns filled and we are planning a family game night by lantern light.

and as a continuing effort;

We have switched over to compact fluorescent bulbs in our all our lamps.

We turn out all lights when we are not in a room.

We burn wood in the winter for heat instead of using gas or electric.

and we are planning to power down at least once a week, it is our way of helping make a difference in our environment and

the chance to find better quality family time, that is not being distracted by modern technologies like

the T.V, Computer or Video games!

I hope you will also consider joining the effort that started in Australia and has grown world wide in only its second year!

Visit Earth Hour to learn more!

Little Helper

2008-03-03T09:20:00.005-05:00

Alan started building steps that will lead down to my garden yesterday and Ryan jumped right in and offered his help!

He picked up the shovel and went right to work helping Pop Pop!

He sure looks like he knows what he is doing!

Ryan is not quite three years old yet but, he wants to help all the time, He will help me at the barn and he helps Alan with chores like carrying firewood! We give him little jobs to do because it just seems so important for him to lend a hand! I think we have a special boy here!!!

100 foot diet challenge update

2008-02-26T09:45:00.009-05:00

We are busy planning our garden and we have decided we will build raised garden beds. This will allow us to start with the best soil we can get and we wont have to worry about as many weeds, I have been reading Jerry Bakers book "Old Time Gardening Wisdom" and we have been searching through seed catalogs to find Organic and Heirloom seeds to plant. We will be getting started on our garden as soon as the weather breaks and the ice and snow melt away!

In the mean time;

We raise meat rabbits, which will also provide us with excellent compost for our garden from their manure!
We raise Rhode Island Reds and Silver Laced Wyandottes for fresh eggs daily, we get enough eggs every day to feed us and sell the rest to help off set the cost of the chicken feed!

This is an old picture of our eggs

We also raise Royal Palm Turkeys for meat and have just learned that there is a market for their eggs, we can sell the fertile Turkey eggs for $2.00 each to anyone locally who is interested in incubating and hatching their own Turkeys, We also had someone approach us about buying one of our Toms for $40.00!

That will also help offset the coast of raising them!

We have plans of purchasing an incubator and hatching our own Turkey's and Chicken's to keep our meat supplies strong.

We are still eating the canned peaches, tomatoes, apple sauce and apple butter that I put up last fall!

We have only 4 more weeks until it is spring and we are wanting to grow these vegatables in our garden;

Tomatoes, Peppers, Corn, Lettuce, Peas, Onions,Green beans,Carrots, Potatoes,Zucchini and yellow squash.

We are also considering planting some fruit trees, Blackberries and strawberries.

I am so anxious to get started!

What are your plans?

100 foot Diet Challenge

2008-02-16T20:20:00.002-05:00

Path to Freedom is one of my favorite websites and they have a wonderful challenge going on right now!

The 100 foot Diet Challenge;

It wasn’t that long ago (1940s) that people planted Victory Gardens when it became necessary for them, due to wartime shortages, to grow their own food. Now, it’s our turn
If you want to fight against peak oil, climate change and our consumerist culture, then join us and start a living protest right in your own back (front) yards. Be the change, live the solution! Use your yard (or balcony or porch steps) not only to grow food but also to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life. (excerpt from Path to Freedom)

We are going to take this challenge as another step in our Journey to a more simple life, I hope you will join in too!

Visit Path to Freedom to find out more!

Once Spring arrives and we can get our gerden going I will post about the meals we eat that come right from our own land, I am anxious to get started!

Happy Late Valentines Day

2008-02-16T11:41:00.003-05:00

I had to work on Valentines Day so I am a little late in wishing everyone a good day but I hope that the romance of this day is still lingering into your weekend!

Alan came into work on Valentines day and brought me a pretty pink laced, heart shaped box of chocolate, a sweet pink teddy bear, a pink rose and a beautifully sentimental card! he had little notes all tucked around saying how much he loved me!

I thought that was so sweet and the residents at the Assisted Living where I work enjoyed it almost as much as I did, they were still talking about it yesterday!

I loved all the little attention to detail that he so thoughtfully put together, I am blessed to have such a wonderful Man in my life!

The Future of Food - Introduction

2008-02-13T12:10:00.001-05:00

I recommend this movie to anyone who is concerned about the food we eat.... the food we feed our children.
This is just an introduction, the film goes into detailed information about BIG Businesses like Mansanto and Round up obtaining patents on our food and genetically modifying the seeds we plant, the film talks about how these companies bully our farmers and invade our government to control the food we consume not only here in the United States but, Worlwide.
The film talks about how Japan has avoided growing GMO foods and is watching how these foods impact the children of the US,before they make their decision about growing them. In other words we are their voluntary lab rats!
If we dont wake up soon as a nation, we are risking our future of wholsome foods that are chemical free, please watch this introduction and if you have a netflix movie membership you can watch the full version, you owe it to yourselves to be better informed,We owe to our Children and the generations after them!

Sledding

2008-02-12T14:54:00.000-05:00

It has been snowing all day, Alan, Robin and Ryan were out enjoying it all afternoon!

Ryan with his rosy cheeks!

Even the dogs were having fun!

Ryan sledding down the hill!

Robins turn!

Ryan played awhile on his swing set!

Hunter and Bandit were all over the place!

They all had a wonderful time, the snow is supposed to turn to freezing rain tonight and then to all rain by tomorrow morning...it was a good thing they were able to enjoy it today!

Now its time to make hot chocolate for the frozen family!

Earth Hour 2008

2008-02-05T14:42:00.001-05:00

I found out about earth hour from Patty at Morning Ramble, Please watch this video and pledge to turn off our lights for one hour on March 29.
go to earthhour.org to make your pledge and spread the word to everyone you know... Lets make a difference, lets all fight Global warming and give our children a brighter future!

February Frost

2008-02-03T09:43:00.000-05:00

A Beautiful, Peaceful Sunday Morning

We woke up this morning with a beautiful frost and low fog.

it was so peaceful walking around the homestead taking these pictures, the only sounds that were heard was Charlie crowing and the Turkeys gobbling, I enjoy these country moments and would not change them for anything!

I won an Apron!

2008-01-13T11:54:00.001-05:00

The Beautiful ladies at Marie Madeline Studios were having an apron give away and I was the lucky winner!

The apron is absolutely beautiful, very feminine and well made, the time and care that they put into making it shows in their work, they did a really great job and I would recommend anyone wanting an apron to check out their site and Etsy shop..... You wont be disappointed!

Thank You so much ladies, I will wear it often and with great pride!

Is this January?

2008-01-07T11:08:00.001-05:00

Is this January????

Our temperatures are going to be about 67 degrees today and 70 tomorrow!

I am glad for the warm temps, I can be outside in just a long sleeve shirt...No coat, no hat, no gloves, Now that's my kind of weather!

Ryan hamming it up for the camera!

I just hope this weather does not spoil us too much,
Spring is still a very long way away.
I am heading back outside, I'm not going to waste this beautiful day!!!

Crumble-Top Pumpkin Muffins

2008-01-06T12:27:00.000-05:00

I made these this morning for breakfast and they are absolutely wonderful!!!

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose baking mix
1 cup raisins, (optional)
2/3 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (30 oz.) LIBBY'S Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix
2 large eggs

Streusel topping (recipe follows)

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 400° F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.
COMBINE baking mix, raisins, oats, sugar and cinnamon in large bowl.
Combine pumpkin pie mix and eggs in medium bowl; mix well. Stir into
oat mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin
cups, filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle with Streusel Topping.
BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center
comes out clean. Remove from pans to wire rack; cool slightly.
Serve warm.

FOR STREUSEL TOPPING:
combine 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T11:05:00.000-05:00

May this New Year bring us all many Blessings!

2007 has come and gone, We did not accomplish everything that we wanted but still, We had a good year,

We are very Blessed with such a loving Family and very good friends!

In 2008 I hope we can accomplish more work on our house, I want to plant a garden and bring in a good harvest for our family to enjoy, learn new things everyday and become closer to God!

I want to balance all the things that keep us so busy with lots of Love, Laughter and plenty of time to spend with my Grandmother and the rest of our family!

Last but not least, I pray that 2008 will bring us all Peace

and see our Soldiers come home to their families!

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

This is what we woke up to this morning!

Poor Little Birdie

2007-12-31T08:41:00.001-05:00

When we went out yesterday to the barn we saw this poor little guy stuck in the feeder! after taking these pictures we lifted the lid and he happily flew away!

Our Trip to Kentucky

2007-12-29T22:12:00.001-05:00

We left the morning after Christmas to go to Kentucky for a visit with Alan's Family, it was a 5 1/2 hour drive to get there, we saw some very pretty sights as we traveled through Western Maryland and West Virginia. Ryan slept on the way down and on the way home!
We got to spend a lot of time with the family, Wednesday night we went to church and the family sang for the congregation, Alan's Family is so talented, Jodi played the Piano and the family sang together so beautifully. we went to see the Christmas lights around Ashland and sang some Christmas Carole's to some people that Alan's Mom and Dad knew.
We played games like Monopoly and pass the cup, we watched Facing the Giants and Fly Wheel and we ate a lot of food!
It was so great spending time with everyone and Alan's Mom and Dad did such a wonderful job coordinating everything and making us all very comfortable! It was hard to say good bye and we hope to get together again real soon!

Ryan sleeping on the way there!

Taking a break at a rest stop

Alan's Mom and Cameron

Alan and Cody Playing around!

Trying to give us all a heart attack!

Ryan and Shayanna were inseparable!

and Shared everything!

This is the Family, Debbie, Lawrence, Tori, Josh, Me, Alan,Robin, Ryan,

Gordon, Hettie, Shania,Shayanna, Frank, Cameron, Caleb, Cody, Shadawn and Shanda was taking the picture.

There were 18 family members who could not attend and we missed them all!

Ryan sleeping on the way home!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

This is the last post I will be able to make until next weekend, We will be Celebrating Christmas with my Grand mother tomorrow and then we leave Wednesday morning to go spend a few days in Kentucky with Alan's family.

From our home to yours, We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

May the Blessings of Christ shine upon You and Your Families as we celebrate the greatest gift ever given to us,

The birth of Jesus!

Christmas with Dad

2007-12-23T17:28:00.001-05:00

Dad and Debs Christmas tree!

My Dad and Cierra

Ryan Opening his gifts!
Ryan would not throw any paper on the floor, he would tear off the wrapping and place it in a trash bag!

Amanda, Linda, Kelsey and Bernie

Cierra opening one of her gifts!

Mamaw and Debbie

We Celebrated Christmas at my Dads Last night, I really enjoy the Family all being together, Debbie had everything looking very nice and we had more food to eat, than what we could handle!

Alan got a new jacket and I got a wonderful smelling candle in a perfect country arrangement and a very neat picture of Ryan that looks like the cover of a magazine!

Robin got a similar picture of Ryan and a Necklace which she Loved and some money!

Ryan was so cute opening up all of his gifts, he tried to be neat and would not throw any paper on the floor and he has been enjoying playing with his new truck and tools that he got for Christmas!

It was a very nice evening and Thank You to Dad and Deb for the wonderful gifts but, most important... Thank You for the time spent together!

A Few Christmas Crafts

2007-12-22T10:52:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share a few Christmas Crafts that I made for My Self this year! I can not yet put a picture of the crafts I made for my family until after Christmas is over but, these I made for me!

Miniature Mittens for my small country trees!

The pictures did not catch all of the detail though.

I used vintage lace from an old dresser scarf that had seen better days.

And a few have buttons from Ryan's old baby clothes!

This is my first attempt at a crocheted scarf!

I will try to post more pictures after all the gifts have been given out!

I got some awards!!!!

2007-12-19T12:51:00.000-05:00

Angelina at Country life gave me not 1 but 3 awards!!!!

These are the very first awards that I have been given for my blog and I am just so happy!

Thank You so much Angelina, I really love reading your blog and you have just made my day!
Here are the awards that she gave to me!

I would like to pass these on to;

Peggy at Hidden Haven Homestead, I always look forward to reading your blog!

Kristie at Insomniac Scrapbook theater, My pal through Peggy's stocking swap!

Loretta at Nooks and Crannies My Best Friend for many, many years!

Woody at Woody's Rocky Ridge, who's writings are always a joy to read!

I would have given them to more but as I see some of you were already tagged, I love all your blogs and I look forward to visiting all my blog Friends every chance I get!

Thank You again Angelina, I am very honored!

12 Things about Me Christmas Hoopla!

2007-12-19T12:22:00.000-05:00

I have been Tagged by Peggy at Hidden Haven Homestead to take part in a Christmas Hoopla!

Here are the rules;

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas.

2. Please refer to it as a Hoopla!

3. You have to specifically tag people at the end of your post, none of this "if you read this, you are tagged" stuff is allowed, then nobody ends up doing it. The number of people you tag is really up to you, but the more the merrier to get this Hoopla circulating through the Bloglosphere.

4. Please try and do it quickly!

Now here are my 12 things about me Christmas Hoopla;

1. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, I love to give and could really care less about receiving!

2. I love to decorate my house for Christmas

3. I love to bake cookies and make candies

4. I enjoy crafting home made gifts

5. I enjoying spending time with my Family and Friends at this time of year!

6. I am absolutely terrible about waiting to give a gift... I always want to give it before Christmas day!

7. I am not so good at getting my Christmas cards done and sent on time.

8. I enjoy taking rides to look at Christmas lights

9. I really love the church programs around Christmas

10. I listen to Christmas songs everyday starting the day after Thanksgiving and drive my family crazy with them.. tee hee hee!!!

11. I feel blessed that my Grandson lives with us and we get to see his face on Christmas morning!

12. My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story!

That's my list of 12 Christmas things about me Hoopla, I probably could have listed even more!

I tag Loretta and Angelina!

Winter Barn Chores

2007-12-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

It has been very cold here the last several weeks, we had an ice storm last weekend and today it is snowing. The night time temperatures have been in the low 20s, All these cold temps make my barn chores a little.... well I will be honest here...A Lot more challenging!

I have now started taking warm mash down to the barn in the mornings for the Chickens, Turkeys and Rabbits.

The chickens and the Turkeys got a mixture of oat meal and layer mash, mixed with hot water that I added some skim milk powder and a small amount of molasses with it for a little more nutrition and just a touch of a sweet treat, boy o boy did the chickens like that! they were all scampering, pushing and pecking their way to the bowl for some!
The Turkeys.... well, I think they have convinced themselves that I must be trying to poison them with any new food, they avoided it like it was something really bad and one of the Toms kept grunting and running at the bowl like he was trying to scare it away! I will give them a few days with it and they should start getting the idea of what it is and that I really am not trying to poison them!

The rabbits got a little warm oatmeal with the skim milk and molasses.

The warm mash gives them something to eat and drink while I defrost the waterers and refill them for the day.

I am going to make a treat for the rabbits today and thought I would share the recipe, I would love to take a picture but my camera has been temporarily misplaced.

Here is the Home Made Rabbit treat recipe,

like any other treats I would feed this in moderation!

1 small carrot, pureed
1/2 banana, mashed until really creamy
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup rabbit pellets, ground finely in a coffee grinder
1/4 cup ground oats, ground finely in a coffee grinder
Mix pureed carrot, banana and honey in a medium bowl. Add pellet powder and ground oats. Mix until blended. Knead in your hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the "dough" in 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick layers between sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into small cookies (about 3/4 inch across). Place cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes (check to make sure they are not browning too much). Turn off the heat and let the cookies sit in the warm oven for an hour or so.

Happy Birthday to my Mom

2007-12-17T09:37:00.000-05:00

60 Years ago today, an Angel was born!

Even though the miles separate us, I have been thinking about you all day!

This is such a special Birthday to celebrate, you are sixty years young today!

Though your age says you are sixty Mom, you sure do not show it on the out side!

May you have the day you hoped you would and know that we are all thinking about you today with loving thoughts!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Peanut Butter Munchies!

2007-12-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe at Better Homes and Gardens and made them today, they take a little time to make but they are worth every bit of work!

Peanut Butter Munchies
32 cookies

Prep: 40 minutes

Bake: 8 minutes per batch

Ingredients;
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions;

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a medium mixing bowl stir together
flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl beat together butter, the 1/2 cup granulated
sugar, brown sugar, and the 1/4 cup peanut butter with an electric
mixer until combined. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Beat in
as much of the dry ingredients as you can with mixer. Stir in
remaining dry ingredients by hand with a wooden spoon. Form chocolate
dough into 32 balls about 1-1/4 inches in diameter. Set aside.

3. For peanut butter filling, in a medium mixing bowl combine powdered
sugar and the remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter until smooth. Shape
mixture into 32 (3/4-inch) balls.

4. On a work surface, slightly flatten a chocolate dough ball and top
with a peanut butter ball. Shape the chocolate dough over the peanut
butter filling, completely covering the filling. Roll dough into a
ball. Repeat with the remaining chocolate dough and peanut butter
filling balls.

5. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly
flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in the 2 tablespoons
granulated sugar.

6. Bake cookies in preheated oven for 8 minutes or until they're just
set and surface is slightly cracked. Let cookies stand for 1 minute.
Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool.

Makes 32 cookies.

To Store: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight
container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze
for up to 3 months.

Look What I Got!

2007-12-08T13:07:00.000-05:00

Peggy at Hidden Haven Homestead had a stocking swap and My wonderful Partner was Kristie at Insomniac Scrapbook Theater,

Look at all the Wonderful things Kristie sent to me!!!

I am so delighted and Love it ALL!

Kristie had everything packaged with loving care and she had many little surprises tucked inside a beautiful red stocking!

This is the wonderful Stocking that Kristie put together for me!

Filled with so many great items, the cute little teddy bear was made from a dish cloth and had a hand written note attached to his bow!

This is a handmade card and an absolutely beautiful jewelry set that Kristie herself made for me!...I am wearing the bracelet at this moment, I just couldn't wait!

I would recommend a visit to Kristie's Etsy Store!

Kristies Kreations

Here are some wonderful handmade Christmas gift tags that Krisitie made!

Some goodies, a snack mix and candy!

Some candles, which I love and soaps, teas, a Christmas towel and some great potpourri!

Kristie, You gave me a great Gift and I love everything, It is such a wonderful stocking and I could tell that everything you added to it was put there with Loving care!

It's About the Cross - Christmas Music Video

2007-12-08T09:36:00.001-05:00

This Christmas season, we want to remember what it is all about, Please turn off the music at the bottom of my page before you watch!

Tonights Sunset

2007-12-06T17:20:00.001-05:00

December Sunset from our deck

Mobilize For Mike Day!

2007-12-06T10:03:00.001-05:00

Today is Mobilize for Mike day

What is Mobilize for Mike day? you may ask,

well it is an Internet campaign to introduce people you know to Mike Huckabee a Republican candidate running for office in the next election.

Mike Huckabee is a man for the common people of the U.S.; People like you and I!

I am backing him for many reasons,

He is a Christian first and foremost and he stands strong for what he believes.

Watch his response to a question asked of him on the June 5Th GOP debate

Mike Huckabee is the only candidate who is proposing a "Fair Tax" Watch this video; Want to see the IRS disappear? to hear what Mike has to say about his plan for tax's, also watch Fair Tax Impact on Families.

I think he has clear goals for issues on Immigration, Energy Independence and keeping our Agriculture here in our Country!

Mike Huckabee supports our Second Amendment Rights;to keep our firearms.

I Believe that with a President like Mike, Our families will thrive, Our businesses will boom and jobs will come back to the U.S.

I encourage you to look at Mikes web site and check out you tube

for his campaign videos.

There are many more important issues that are just too numerous to mention them all here but also, I believe that you should see them

and make the decision for your self!

So Please visit Mikes Web site here! Mike Huckabee for President and Mobilize for Mike, get the word out!

America needs a President like Mike Huckabee!

Ryan's Snow Day

2007-12-05T16:02:00.001-05:00

Ryans first snow of the Season!

Our First Snow!

2007-12-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

We are getting our first snow!

There is something very magical about a snowfall,

How it covers everything and makes it all so beautiful.

I love to see the snow clinging to the branches of the trees and I treasure the silence that you only get when it is snowing,

The birds are busy at the feeders,

the snow is gently falling

and

I am admiring it all from the warmth of the wood stove,

later I will take Ryan out to play in the first snow of the season,

but for now, I am enjoying the splendor of a new fallen snow!

My Christmas wish list

2007-12-04T17:26:00.000-05:00

This is my Christmas wish list!

Alan and my Family have a hard time knowing what I want, so I thought this would help and I thought it would be fun to share!

Click on the pictures to visit Lehman's Country Store!

The food mill would be very handy when I make my Spaghetti sauce and Apple sauce. As of now, I have been using my colander and a wooden spoon, I'm not saying that doesn't work... it did for me but, this would make things much easier!

I have been wanting this book for awhile now. I have read very good reviews about it and I think it would be an interesting read!

What Homestead would be complete with out the Fox Fire series of books!

Wooden Dough bowl

I know these are simple things but, they would help make life a little easier for me!

And for a more personal idea, I would LOVE tickets to see Gaelic Storm in concert!

Most important though, I enjoy spending time with my Family and Friends, and I would enjoy that more than any gift that could be bought!

Count Your Blessings Monday

2007-12-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

Down on the Farm has started a Count Your Blessings Monday, Please visit her blog to sign up and participate! How it works is that every Monday we will count our blessings and be able to share them and maybe be inspired by others Blessings as well!

Today I Thank God for my Family, we are a loving and close knit family who enjoy spending time together, we rarely do anything that is separate from one another and I consider that to be a Blessing in my life!
We also received a Blessing yesterday, After Church we were Blessed with a whole day of rest which is something we rarely have the opportunity for!
We have so many Blessing in our lives, often times we just take them for granted, so this will be a wonderful way to think about them and share them with others!

Home Made Laundry Detergent

2007-12-03T14:21:00.000-05:00

I use this Laundry detergent every day, It is safe for the environment and very economical but most important, It cleans my clothes better than any other detergent I have bought and that is important to us, we have a well and we have a high iron/rust problem here, this detergent keeps my whites white with out the use of bleach!
It takes just a little elbow grease and a small amount of time to make it but, that's well worth it to me for the benefits I see in the end!

I pay 99 cents for a bar of Fels naptha, 2.49 a box for each,Borax and Arm and Hammer Washing soda.
This detergent will go a very long way, I saw on another web site that it costs about 2 cents per load of laundry! That's a savings I can sure live with!
I buy all of these items at my local grocery store but, if they are not available in your area, you can purchase them over the Internet. There are several different recipes I have seen and tried but the one I prefer is this;
Grate 1 bar of Fels Naptha soap and add 1 cup each of Borax and Arm and Hammer Washing soda ( This is not the same as baking soda), Mix all ingredients together, I also run this powder through my blender a few times to mix it all together very fine.
Use 2 Tablespoons per wash for regular laundry, add 3 Tablespoons for hard water or very soiled laundry.... Like I said this goes a long way!
It will not make suds in your wash but it will clean your clothes better than those expensive name brand soaps!
You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the final rinse if you like a perfume smell to your laundry, I like Lavender for my bed sheets!

Gathering Wood

2007-12-01T16:53:00.001-05:00

We spent our day gathering firewood!

We cut, Chopped and split wood most of the day!

Hunter came along to help ,but he really just ran around exploring in the woods,

Lucky Dog!

The weather was perfect, just enough chill in the air to work without getting too warm or cold! We had a perfect blue sky all day,
funny how the weather can be so deceiving, we are expecting to get freezing rain and snow starting tonight.

When we came home, Alan split the big chunks of wood to fit in the wood stove and Robin helped stack the wood into nice neat stacks while I got started on fixing dinner. We ate oven fried chicken with my home made shake and bake seasoning, Angel hair pasta with a Parmesan sauce and snow peas, for desert I made Chocolate chip cookies!

We had a good time, got a lot of work done and it feels good at the end of the day!

Who needs a gym membership when you live in the country?

awaking my spirit

2007-11-30T10:07:00.000-05:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking today, thinking about my life and the way things are going for me and my family. for the last few years we have been feeling over whelmed with so many changes in our lives. Several years ago we moved into a home that Alan grew up in, his Dad built it many years ago before Alan was even born and it is in desperate need of repairs, every time we look around we find more things wrong with it, every time we do something that improves our home a little more, the more things we find wrong with it. We are not rich people, we have made many mistakes in our past that has lead to poor credit and a fear to apply for any type of loan, we struggle along making the changes we can afford little by little. Everyday it feels like we are just barely keeping our heads above water, there are so many responsibilities on us and so many tasks to accomplish and so many people who always seem to need our help. For several years now we have been putting the house and other peoples needs before our own, we rarely get to do the things we used to enjoy, we don't take road trips, we don't go to amusement parks or the beach in the summer. We stay home muddling through the daunting tasks that our new home has required of us and never really able to see where much progress has been made for all of our hard work and NEVER feeling like we have the time to rest. The most difficult thing that I used to worry about was what other people thought, how even our own Family sometimes do not understand why or how we don't just change the the way our house is, but I am not going to worry about that any longer,

Our house is not perfect but, it is our home!

Inside the walls of this dwelling is a home filled with love, a family within it's less than perfect frame work that cares about one another and that's what makes it home.

But, You know I am learning that the biggest reason we feel so stressed and over whelmed, the reason we don't see those changes that we are working so hard for and the reason we feel so unsettled and without rest is that we have put all these things before God...

its like being knocked in the head and waking up to say WOW what did I do?

So from now on, I am putting all of my needs into Gods hands and I know he will show us the way.

God wants us to have what we need and if God thinks we are where we should be at this time in our life, well then I am accepting of that and when he feels that we have proven ourselves to him, well I know in my heart that he will remove these burdens from us... I know, I have a lot of proving to show to God and it is about time I realize that and work hard to please him first, then I believe everything else will fall into place as it should.

Thank You God for opening my eyes to the root cause of all our struggles!

and I already know you have forgiven me because you are wonderful like that, from now on I want to put you first and ask for your guidance on all of the decisions we make because I know we can not go wrong when we do!

Thank You for awaking my Spirit!