Out in the Garden

Christmas Pics

Ok I'm REALLY late in getting these up.  LOL  Baby boy has been keeping me very busy, so I haven't been online very much.

These were taken earlier this month with dh and the kids putting up the tree.  Dh did the lights and garland the girls decorated it themselves.   

Happy New Year

Happy New Year  .   I hope you are havin a good dinner and some blackeye peas.

DH and I are over right now as I blog havin coffee at Moms.  We just had a great dinner of turkey and all the fixins and of course those blackeye peas.    I'm  full .     The main blog picture is my Moms'  great dinner rolls, those were taken last year but she made some today that looks just like em.  Yum good and made with our fresh eggs.    Mom has got that roll recipe down pat. 

I'm getting excited about the New Year here on the homestead.   Garden seed cataloges are coming in the mail.  I'm ready to take down the Christmas decorations and start cleaning , painting and organzing , again for the New Year.   Get the store room ready for planting seeds and plus my Winter Sowing will start this month too.

I put up a couple of '09 calenders , one I like with old barns.  Soon it will be loaded with events and dates penciled in.    Not as bad as when all the kids were home with going here and going there.  Lifes a bit slower with the kids gone and on their own. 

It does get slow in the winter but theres much to do without leaving the farm and not costing.   Watching the wildlife, making plans for the gardens, feeding and caring for the animals and trying new foods and making bread.   Picking up something new to learn how to make and one of my favorites is organizing the foods in the store room and try to replentish the food storage.  Learn, learn, learn. 

Outpost living:

Well it had snowed a couple of times and I didn't sleep out in my Outpost.  The holidays sort of took over. But Jan and Feb. looks like I might have a campout at least one snowy weekend. 

I'm going to hit the trails in a little bit and walk off this dinner, check out the ponds and the Outpost.

Chickens: 

Wow those gals are still layin good, 22+ eggs a day. This spring I'm planning on letting a few hens hatch out their own eggs.

Breadmaking:

I made my first Artisan bread the other day and it wasn't to bad.  This is  a fun bread to learn how to make right.  So back to the kitchen  and try it agan: )

One thing about bread, its an imporant part of life, the bread of life.   So I wish you a very Happy New Year and that your table always has bread on it with Blessings overflowing.

tc linda

Happy New Year - To My Blog Readers!

I thought I'd step in for a quick moment.  Things have been busy on our end and we're preparing for spring with a few interesting surprise turns for 2009.  I'm unsure what God has planned for us in the upcoming months, but one thing I DO know....He is good and will never foresake us.  Looking back, there hasn't been a moment he hasn't touched our lives, given us continued hope and sustained our every need.  To Him be the glory now and forever.

Doug and I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2009.  May You continue to count your blessings and KNOW that God loves you.

I am grateful for all who have blessed my life just by their presence. Both In real life AND on the internet.  I am truely blessed with those who choose to share their lives with me and pray that I may bless you each as much as you have with me.  I haven't been able to visit all of my commenters this week, but know that you are in my thoughts and I plan to visit you each soon.

Happy New Year Everyone! May God continue to Abundantly Bless You.

Christmas Eve Picture

Here's a picture our pastor took of us at church on Christmas Eve.  (WOW!  Do I need a haircut!!  )

I hope you all had a happy and blessed Christmas and that your New Year will be even MORE happy and blessed!!

If you would, PLEASE keep us in your prayers.  Sunday was our last day at the church we have worshipped and served at for the past 12-1/2 years.  It's a 70-mile round trip and we feel that the Lord is leading us to serve closer to home.  We have a few churches 'on the list' to try, please pray that we will be sensitive to the Lord's leading and land where HE wants us.  Thanks.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #15 ~ 12/29/08

FOR TODAY…

Outside my window…Lovely sunshine and clear blue skies letting in the COLD temps.

I am thinking…that I have A LOT to do today.

I am thankful for…New Hope Community Church, where we worshipped and served for the last 12-1/2 years.  Yesterday was our last day because it's a 70-mile round trip and we feel the need to serve in our own community.  THANK YOU to our many dear friends who sent us off w/many tears and well wishes.  We love you, so!

From the learning room…on Christmas vacation until the 4th!!

From the kitchen…left-overs from yesterday's praise team Christmas party and then pasta, salad and freash bread for supper.

I am wearing…NEW Christmas jeans(!), red & white turtle neck; soft, fuzzy house socks my dd#2 got me for Christmas.

I am creating…new fresh bottle of face wash ~ 8 oz. liquid castile soap, 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, 5 drops of rosemary essential oil and 10 drops of lavender essential oil.  This is GREAT for oily/acneic skin.  DO NOT use to remove eye make-up!!  You can also use this for a shampoo or anitbacterial handsoap.

I am going…to the health food store to pick up some more flaxseed oil and Evening Primrose oil capsules.  Later I'm picking up my order at our food co-op.

I am reading…Bible; "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks that my dd#1 got me for Christmas.  It's SO GOOD.  I am SO impressed that the girl who is the "love interest" in the story is a very strong, very real Christian.  One of the reasons the guy in the story loves her so much is BECAUSE of her strong faith, her morals and her self-assuredness.  What a great "twist" for a secular book!

I am hoping…that we will find a new church where we can serve to best fit our gifts.

I am hearing…the radio and our dog, Maggie's, little paws prancing through the kitchen.

Around the house…enjoying our beautiful Christmas tree for a few more days until we take is down on New Year's Day.  Boo hoo.  I love our tree and all the Christmas decorations.

One of my favorite things:  my way cool new digital camera my sweet hubby got me for Christmas!!  Woohoo!!!  As soon as I learn how to load the pics onto my pc I'll post some!  lol  I do SO enjoy other's blogs w/pics so I'm wanting to add some to my blog, too!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  To pick which church we want to try this Sunday.  Ty & I need to pick out the songs we will sing at my mom's church on the 11th.  We've been invited to do a 'mini-concert' during their service.

Content and Filled With Joy

Stillness and discernment and a God full of Mercy and Grace

I find myself at prayer again for a young woman I will not identify.  If you think of her, please pray as you are lead.

Sometimes we are so caught up in our own situations, that we forget that maybe those around us have their own issues.  Struggling with much worse than those of my own every day trials from side effects of an auto-immune disease or things that may be of little importance blown WAY out of proportion.

After complaining most of the day over circumstances we find ourselves in, those that we have yet to find closure with, I have found God speaking to me yet again. Not that I deserve His presence in my life in ANY way.  In fact, I've found myself more disappointed in my inability to change the attitude of my OWN thinking, that I feel even more unworthy that God is even loving me unconditionally through this selfishness.

In any case, I find it pretty powerful that as I sat here complaining most of the day, one young lady was going through SO much worse.  In fact, as lives look SO PERFECT on the outside, it's sad to know so many struggle from within without anyone at all knowing.  If it weren't for a certain plot taking it's course, I would have NEVER known this poor young girl was struggling not just with self-esteem issues, but a HUGE spiritual battle behind the scenes. 

If I had taken the time to STOP and LISTEN as I had mentioned in af ew posts back, I may have heard God speaking, asking me to pray diligently for this young woman.  I don't know this woman, in fact, I've met her only twice.  But I've seen her as she passes by and maybe if for a moment, I would have stopped to pray for her......I would have found discernment along the way to give me wisdom and direction to know just how much prayer could help her as she struggles, though nobody has witnessed it.

As I sit here contimplating this early morning of Sunday.  As I find myself complaining of ailments or circumstances I cannot change, rather should find a change of heart and attitude, I find mercy for this woman.  I find love for her, and maybe a glimpse of hope that she may come to know Jesus not as a man, but as a Savior, GOD,  who reaches out with the biggest hope of hopes, joy of joys, mercy of mercies and a light to the world who struggles with the darkness.

This morning I pray for this woman.  Someone not yet fully known, but priceless to God.

Tomorrow it can worry about itself....

TODAY I'm coming OFF THE SHELF

 Enjoy! 

2009 - A bitter Sweet Growing Season

Hello Dear Friends!

As I look out this morning, I see rain, melting snow and warm weather.  Can you believe it?  Snow storms to very warm weather. The ducks are LOVING this weather!  What a blessing to enjoy the weekend with my husband and later, a day with our brother and sister in law before they head back to TENN.

As I look out at what used to be our small lazagna garden this past spring/fall, I wonder what God has planned for us this growing season.

You see, we have been looking for a modest home to buy, preferably in the country, in order to start a focus on adding to our family through Foster-to-adopt and/or regular adoption.  We have already been blessed with a crib, bunk beds and hanging draw chests for childrens rooms.  As I look at my life throughout the past 8 years, I see how God has abundantly worked in our lives.  Not just "giving" us things, but offering us more of Him and reaching out to us not just during trials, but during the joyous moments in our lives.  During a hard time just over 2 years ago, He gave us recourses to learn basic financial principals through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.  We learned to live on just 9.00 an hour while my husband interned full time, worked full time and went to school full time.  He took me from a pretty good paying job and gave me the new one of "Homemaker" and "Wife".  Even though I had no children to care for, my husband needed me so. 

It was those times we grew where we were planted.  This season in our lives has grown so much just by using the wisdom from what we went through during the "valley".

A contrast to all of this, is now we're back to the unknown.  Yesterday I received my seed catologs in the mail.  Unsure if I should purchase any seeds for Spring planting.  Our lease is up in April and we are contimplating moving to my wonderful inlaws once again while we shop for our home.  Growing tomatoes and peppers may be something I would do for them because I always give them tomatoes and heard my father in law speak of nice colored bell peppers this year. 

What I AM hoping to do is order seeds for fall planting with hopes we won't be too late to plant in our "new" home for fall.

Anyone have any idea of some good hardy veggies and maybe fruits that would be good to grow in the fall season for winter here in Central NY?

Please share your ideas for veggies.  I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I used to be totally against change., sometimes I still am slightly stubborn.  Over the years, I've found that no matter what, God is and will always be in control.  I like these new seasons of unknown.  When I let God take the reigns I find the flowers bloom brighter than what I could have grown on my own.

Blessings to you all and may you find your New Year Filled with Gods' Presence in Jesus Mighty name...AMEN

Our Wonderful Christmas

Our Christmas was wonderful, alto we all missed our son who is stationed (Navy) in another part of the world. This will be the first Christmas without him. He did call and right before we all were having our circle prayer before dinner. We put him on the speaker phone and he could hear DH choking up while saying the prayer and I think our son was choking up to, he was here with us in heart and spirit. We all will be together next Christmas.

Plans did not happen for Christmas Eve. This was the first time DH and I have been alone on Christmas Eve, we always have had big parties. But plans do change and it was OK. With others having plans that had changed as well, it worked out that everyone would have more time on Christmas with us. Being as this was such a different year it worked out great.

DH and I went on a late night walk on our trails in the woods Christmas Eve. It was so quiet with just the sound of snow crunching from our footsteps. I called it a date, didn't tell hubby tho, cuz i didn't want to scare him away with the word date . He'll think he's gotta get flowers or somethin'.   So after the nice crispy walk , we loaded up firewood in arms and headed for the fireplace, hot cocoa and popcorn. Watched a DVD , Christmas movie and both of us fell asleep, (this is ol peoples date night).

Christmas Day. Food, food and more food, candy, cookies and gifts came through our doors Christmas early afternoon. As I was cooking sis and Mom cooked as well and all to meet and have dinner over here on the homestead. Dinner was wild turkey and pheasant that BIL hunted, spiral honey ham and all the good things that you can think of for extras. We had 14 people in all for our Christmas Day, Oh am I still full. I will think diet next year .

We ate first and then opened gifts, and oh did the paper fly. Screams of joy and happiness came from the little ones with all the things they got, they had a ball.

Playdough has always been a winner and Sis is the one to give that in her many gifts she gives , its always a hit.

I took a lot of pictures of the kids but most were fuzzy from running around.

After the gifts were open then came time for the older kids to find the pickle in the tree. We have done this for years, with first simple gag gifts to later $$$, its gets them more excited to find that hard to fine pickle. Oh where is it?

I have to pack the tree with lots of stuff. I put even feathers of pheasant and wild turkey, pinecones, etc., to make it harder to fine.

The tree is not very big this year, 8 or 9 ft. But still they can't find that pickle!!!

Where is that pickle?

The top of the tree has a wicker star that I just love , dd gave this to me a few years back.

That pickle is not up there.

Is it by the snowman, Nope.

How about close to our son's baby shoe I hang up every year. Why just one shoe? I can't find the other one

Nope, not by the shoe or in the shoe (did that one year)

How about in the feathers, could be cuz there's feathers all over the tree.

Is it by the pocket watch hanging in the middle of the tree? I don't think so but it is time you all find that pickle. There's pie to eat.

Ahhhh I found it screams our younest DD, who has found it for the 5th year in a row. With others whacking her with love pats, I hope.

The pickle, it's a pretty pickle, all clear green glass. Well I think it is pretty as far as pickles go.

Now for the extra pickle finders gift. I hand her a bag, she pulls out a gold hammer, WHAT, Oh Boy A Gold Hammer ( which is realy my craft hammer that I am taking back). But whats up with this MOM!!!!!

Look at the tree again and your gift is in the tree.

A NUT, What!!! I rather have the gold hammer, Oh No that is just to be used to crack the nut.

So here ya go, DD finds her a helper , oldest granddaughter. A whack and its cracked and out pops, drum roll!!!

A folded up green thing, a folded up $100 , DD gets love hits again from her hubby and big sister and BIL, while she pockets the find  .

Ah well, theres always next year.

Next year I may go back to just a jar of pickles like the very first year I did the pickle find. Our oldest DD found it that year, she would be givin me love smacks if I did real pickles for the gift and she found the pickle, oh I'm thinkin that might just be a hoot

Well I went retro in our Victorian bedroom (just on my side of the room) DH's side is the garage look which I have to take hold of once in awhile. I use to put up a white flock tree, but I looked at this year and its all flocked out :(. Were did all the white go. So I was going through containers of organized Chritmas stuff, well not really organized, just mangled in a container. And there it was branches of the aluminum tree. My eyes widen and my heart raced . Could the whole thing be here? Would I like it like I did when we went to my grandma's and grampa's on Christmas Eve and see their aluminum tree lit by the rotating light of red , green, yellow, and I think blue oh so many years ago. Would it be as cool ?

The word cool is not cool enough for such a tree. This picture does not do it justice but when the sun shines through it spirkles like diamonds. It needs no decorations. (don't laugh)

I have to blame some of this vintage love on Mary Janes Farm . Maybe I stayed out in my Outpost to long, or maybe I need to stay longer in my Outpost. Who knows.



The Christmas decorations will stay up tell after Jan 6th, tree will go out and food for the birds will hang on its branches. The red living room will stay red until after Feb 14, then I will start painting and spring cleaning and new decorating for spring and summer. Then it will be outside with gardening and camping for the rest of the year.

Oh was it nice today, 70*. I took to the trails and oh the hopes of spring and longer days was felt. Plans were for iceskating, DH and I walked a little on the ice pond on Christmas Eve but we took it nice and easy and listening for the crack of ice. But today the water shone with some ice, more fishing then iceskating/ falling.

I have been working on my falling skills this last snow fall. I made a deranged snow angel. The extra padding of Thanksgiving dinner helped the fall : ).

Hey the chickens are still layin.

This New Years I think we will forgo the New Years big din din and just have a pot of blackeye peas with the ham bone from Christmas for seasoning, and a batch of cornbread. Its a bit different then most New Years dinners , a big shrimp boil and crablegs. But this year is different. We will pick up our plans as before when we are all back together again. Alto the girls were talking of all of us going on an Alaska vacation next year. Oh my , My staycation on the homestead my be over, lol.

I sat at my Outpost on the swing and just enjoyed the Day after Christmas and thanked God for all His Blessings and the Birth of His Son Jesus that brings us Pure Love.

May you have a Very Happy New Year with many Blessings
linda