The Needle in a Haystack

What a Memorial

  so, along with working at the shoppe for the weekend I had several things I wanted to do for some soldiers and then dinner with the inlaws on Monday.... none of that happened..

Friday morning I woke up tired and not feeling 100%.. Christopher and Chris both said the same thing ( thankfully Cadence was home and she seems fine)..

  By Saturday Chris was "OK" sort of .. Christopher was feeling yucky, and I was spiking a fever of 102 with headaches, back aches and tummy aches...

  Chris recouped fastest .. of course when I asked how he got rid of the really bad headache he confessed to 10 ibprophen before he went to bed which I do NOT encourage anyone to do..

 Christopher and I hung on the longest...but I am happy to report today we have no fevers, chills, aches or pains.... a bit tired....

  So the post of the awesomeness of spinach/ strawberry salads and grilled sliders will just have to wait for another time..

  I will tell you if you have a tummy ache then raspberry leaf tea and a spot of honey does just the trick... and the warm liquid is comfort when you have the chills... might want to keep a stock in your medicine cabinet...

  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thess 5:18

..Be safe if you and Beryl are dancing... and have a fine day...all day long

 

Busy Week Behind Us...

NC's Primary Election was last Tuesday ( the 8th) and both Chris and I worked the polls.

This was a heated primary with a constitutional Amedment on the books for same sex marriage.  I worked 13 and a half hours at my precinct but poor Chris was counting ballots etc for 16  almost 17 at his. We had started the day at 4:00 and were exhausted by the time we fellinto bed that night BUT we are very proud to live in a society that still allows us to vote.

  A great quote from Dave Black today on his blog today. With all the bickering going back and forth about the amendment it really summoned up how I felt about the whole thing

You can idolize man-made institutions with the hope that they will solve the societal ills of our day if you like, but I prefer to stand by the Bible and the life-changing power of the cross."

  So after the long day on Tuesday and spring cleaning, afghan crocheting ,family dinner night  and gardening, it was a real treat to have lunch at our friends for lucnh today. The food was delicious . Joe made  the most awesome brownies that sent us all into a chocolate coma

Joe's Brownies

chocolate chip cookie dough for crust in a 9X11 pan

next layer oreo double stuff cookies

next layer brownie misx made according to pkg

top with chocolate chips and bake in the oven 10 minutes longer then on the brownie pkg...

That's what I'm talkin about!

 

We were all very excited... great stuff... BUT

better then the brownies....

Rose and Joe raise Pugs and they have them in various ages... I add the seet priviledge  of feeding one of the babies with a bottle

Oh yes I was in love and it took evewrything I had not to tuck him in my pocket and take him home... except the cats might think it was a mouse.... but such a sweet little babe!

  Time to rest up but I want to leave you with something that was on my heart when I woke up this morning.

The answer to any question you might have, any thought that might be, any emotion you might feel................JESUS

  Have a fine day ..all day long...!

 

Of Rain Barrels and Such

.. This time of the year is hectic... no question about it the slow paced days of winter when you throw some soup on simmer and snuggle under a blanket to crochet or something are gone....

  I am thinking that is why we have winter... to rest up for spring when  the flutter begins again. spring cleaning, gardening, new chicks..

   Of course there are family dinner nights... and 7 year olds who need introduced to perler beads

..and getting excited about Christopher's biology project for an Earth Day expo at college

..its a rain barrel.. and I am excited to put it over by the chicken coop so I don't have to lug water so much....

  Chris and I were working out in the garden the other day and realized it was way past lunch time and we were hungry and tired... neither of us felt like cooking much so I grabbed a couple boxes of cornbread mix ( true confessions... I am deeply in love with Jiffy Cornbread Mix... so anyhooo.. we had some Hebrew National dogs in the fridge and I cut them up and mixed them in the cornbread batter... instant corndogs... dipped in some Zatarans Creole Mustard and we were happy campers!

   Chris was a bit alarmed that this one had ears...

   This is the season of weddings, babies and graduations so my hooks and embroidery machine needs to get flying....

   "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

.. Enjoy the season... and have a fine day..all day long!

A Busy Day @ End of the Road

Chris gave the chickens some extra room...

..and with that task complete we went to pick up our chick order.

The one in the bowl is Sue and the one directly in front is Dan.  The others are in various states of naming... 

  Here is a picture of part of the seedlings I transplanted into larger cups.  I am not thrilled with the foam cups but seedling pots are on the list for the fall purchase.

WWe have 37 of the 38 Roma tomato seedlings that were hardy enough for transfer.  Today we started cucumbers , greenpeppers and cayennes  We have started weathering off the seedlings and they will hit the ground the week after Easter.

I had to do a bit of weeding in the sugar snaps... easy to do witht he mulch

Dinner tonight was Farmers Breakfast; sausage, potatoes and eggs...

Tonight I am working on a Babushka to wear in the garden  it works up quickly...

he LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

have a fine day..all day long

I Bet You've Wonder WHere I've been...

Weeeeeelllll, its this

Not the dead mouse, although that is disturbing.... but the pollen....I went back over my blog since 2007 and every year in either March or April I have had ear infections, bronchitis, pnemonia or at least a bad cold. This year is no different.... bronchitis again.... and it makes me angry...

  So last night I had to rally myself in one of these coughing fits and just realize that if I cough, then there must be a reason God wants me to cough.... or I wouldn't cough... a tough thing to think about when your sick, but true...... its really about trust you know...

  This is a week when I should be transplanting veggies and building chicken coops... but Chris is picking up the slack wonderfully... and I have nothing to do but get well ( and laundry)...

  Our fig tree and apple trees are blooming .... we stuck them in the ground as twigs and waited so many months to trust these sticks would be trees!

.... now I just hope I like figs ;)

  I did have a bit of down time to crochet some little bunnies for a nursing home...

These from Whiskers and Wool are precious and easy to work up

 

  Leaving you with a song today.. that really blessed my socks off... have a fine day...all day long!

 

I

March 21st, 2012

We decided we needed to celebrate the return of Spring in a big way!  So Chris, Christopher, Daniel, Taylor , Kristy and I decided a weenie roast was in order. 

  The weather was perfect hovering in the 70s with sunshine ( after just the right amount of rainy starts to water the plants)...

  Taylor's job was to find everyone just the right roasting stick for the hotdogs...

  After filling up on hotdogs, slaw, and chips, Taylor raided MeME's craft basket for some feathers and rubberbands to turn his roasting stick into a spear.  Pop just happened to have some targets around for him to practice on!

 We are firm believers in making young men to be warriors, protectors of women, self sufficient and independant..... never too young to start.

  Taylor had a blast....and after getting tired of climbing trees and throwing spears, Uncle Christopher made ice cream cones!  A wonderful way to usher in Spring!

All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. Isaiah 54:13

Have a fine day... all day long!

 

The Weekend March 9-11

 Besides spending the whole weekend working at the shoppe... here are the other things that filled in the blanks

1. Received the book " Our Sun Heated Green House by Helen and Scott Nearing ( began reading)

2. started a batch of keifer grains ( milk)
3. Continued burning down a brush pile for ash for the garden
4. Made pizza in the outdoor pizza oven again
5. Bought seeds for this week's planting
6. Constructed a pvc hand pump for the well  to use in the event power goes out
7. Bought 2 bamboo fishing poles with bobbers , line and hooks
8. Placed the order for 6 lbs of homemade sausage to be delivered next week

9.  Dinner with Mom and dad in law... always fun!

10. Continued work on an afghan I am making for a couple special someones.

Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ,
that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 2 Thess 3:   12

Hand to work... hearts to God... and have a fine day...all day long!

Happy Birthday Josh

 Busting in 2 1/2 weeks past his due date at a big 10lbs. 1 oz.  My 3rd son hasn't stopped since...

Happy Birthday to the best L.E.O. on the planet.  Love you Sweetie!

Feb 29,2012

 My heart just breaks for the victims of today's tornados .   We just never know do we?  For those of us wiht roofs over our heads tonight and our loved ones safe our thoughts need to turn to how we can help our neighbors.... and prayers.. lots of prayers

  Chris and I have been busy gettign the garden in tip top shape for the summer and planting a few things.. cbbage, broccoli, onions, carrots and lettuce are in with more carrots, broccoli and spianch to follow in the morning.

  With gas and oil prices sky rocketing, food prices are quickly following ( have you priced mayo lately???) so it becomes more important for our healthy diets to come from our own soil

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19

 
  This was our tiller this year.....they work for food...

  Today Bella( Josh's dog) had to make a trip to the state vet school for surgery on her ACL....

  We went through pre-op and Bellzie should be home on Friday.... 2 months before she will be back to her old self/

  I had the privledge of riding in the back with her on the way to the vet

 If you know Josh, then you know he may or may not have been driving while this picture was taken...

  ..and if you're thirsty... have a drink

  After dropping off Bella we were able to meet with my inlaws for an early birthday lunch for Josh

 Josh was tired and a bit down in the dumps... but he loves spending time with his Grammy Sue and Grandpa Dan.  with his work schedule it is hard to do sometimes.... He did say it cheered him up!

   And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

   Keep focused ont eh prize and have a fine day..all day long

Feb 21, 2012... Date night

We got lots of small projects done around here today, spent a bit of time on auctions for the business...and some times getting dinner and snacks planned for our date night ( which we did at home).

 Chris tried his meat searing techniques on a chuck roast.... I would call that a fail... chucks require a slow cooking to tenderize and lossen the fibers... disappointing with a 12.00 piece of meat.

  I tried this  Soft Pretzel Bites recipe from Making Memories for us it was fail . The baking soda taste was really strong...AND I learned a very hard lesson  about baking soda and aluminum pans, I might have ruined this one.. I am not sure... but I do know I am going to start collecting stainless pieces... I know of two folks who have tried this recipe and loved it, so I am not sure if it was the pan..or some other operator error... I ended up tossing them and making chex mix instead.

   Despite our cooking failures, the movie we had picked was awesome!  You can stream it for free off the internet or buy the DVD...  We watched it off the internet projected on the TV.... both of us enjoyed it so much.  Back to Eden , is a true story of gardening God's way, quick, easy sustainable. We had studied this method for a few months now and this movie pushed us over the top to give it a try. We will certainly be keeping you up to date on the " no till " method of gardening.

   Matthew 6:19-20

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .

..makes you wonder how much "stuff' we really need..

  Think about it...and have a fine day...all day long!