For those that have not yet discovered  The pioneer woman.com, I strongly urge you to do so. You will be hooked. Browse the archives. She is a very good writer that you will enjoy reading every day. What makes her so much fun to read is her genuine love for her family and her adoration for her husband whom she calls Marlboro Man. They have been married for about 13 or so years and she still simply adores him. It's so refreshing to see this in a day when we see alot of husband bashing even if it's done in a joking way. She has great recipes and a wonderful pictorial of her daily life.  A must add to your links! I have it on my blog if you want to click on my link.
     I hope everyone's day is a great one.
Love, Tina

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Terry and Abigail are feeding the baby calves. These are last years calves. As we speak they are at the slaughter house.Sad for them but yum for us!

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I am trying to get this picture thing down. I hate having to call my son in here everytime I want to post a picture. Here are some pictures of the homestead. Inside and out.

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Here is my handsome hubby on his tractor. The first one is of my dinning room. Homemade sour dough bread on the table!

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The sun is already out here in Tennessee. Looks like a wonderful day ahead. After yesterday with all the gloom and rain we are looking forward to enjoying the day. We did enjoy being together though. We went to town to get our pool pump fixed and then ate a lunch at Fat Moe's. After that we came home and trimmed bushes before we went and watched Terry play softball. A nice but full day!
     I am running late for my bible study so I will post again later.
    Love, Tina

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We had a great day on Saturday. Chad and I planted our big garden. Corn, beans, yellow squash, zuchinni squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers and we will still put out some peas. We thought we would have to forgo  the big garden this year but I just couldn't do it. I'm so glad we did it, just a tad bit late.
     I also put some things in my herb garden. I planted 4 lavender plants and a sweet basil. Chad added some peppers and tomatoes. He wants a salsa garden. I just love that he loves to grow things too. Maybe my girls will discover it one day too. I sure hope so. They just have their sights on things other than that. I remember those days when I was the exact same way. I remember a trip to the strawberry farm in Michigan when we lived up there. That was the last place I wanted to be. Now I would give anything to spend all my time doing that sort of thing. Life is funny.
     I am taking a 90 day challenge. I am going to read my whole bible through in 90 days. That's  about an hour reading every day. Please pray for me .
     Brittany made dinner tonight. Cheese raviolli in meat sauce and corn. She is quite the cook. It was very good. Well,  I am going to start my reading. I hope everyone has a very restful night and a good day tomorrow.
   Love, Tina

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It's Thursday night and I am ready for bed, big time. I worked today and then I came home and made a fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, corn,rolls  and all the fixins. It was good but I am ready to call it a night.

     As I was cooking dinner, I thought "There is nothing else I would rather be doing right now." I simply love to show my family how much I love them by taking care of them. I love it when they are all home and the house is buzzing with activity. I am blessed more than I could ever imagine. Thank-you God for my family!

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We woke up to snow this morning. Lots and lots of snow! It was beautiful. Abigail and I fed very early so the cows would be satisfied. I have taken a break from blogging, not on my own doings but because I have had a very difficult Year. When you start sharing your faith publicly, you better watch out because God will speak to your heart and do anything he has to do to make it right. I also believe Satan will do anything he has to at all costs to stop you from spreading his word. What I am trying to say is that if your going to be open on a large scale about your beliefs, you better be ready to live it! I hope that makes sense. It's not that I wasn't living for God before but when I started posting publicly, I just noticed  alot more  issues coming up in my life.  I am trusting in the Lord to take of me and all of my circumstances. My hope and my faith is in him as I know he has specific plans for my life. He is my rock and my redeemer.
     Praise God for all he has done and all he is going to do. 
    

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We woke up to a chilly 25 degrees this morning. At least the sun was shinning though. We don't take the sun for granted anymore around here. The girls are glad it's Friday. They are so glad to be done with school for the week. I can't say that I blame them. Yesterday I made beef stew in the crockpot. It was very good. Today I will make sourdough bread and probably some type of casserole. I'm not sure which one yet.
     Chad and Lauren are coming home from Texas on Monday. We are glad. We sure miss them. I'm praying for good driving weather. They don't have to be back at school for another week after that. They have had a very long break. 
     Well I better get going and get off the computer if I'm going to get anything done today. I hope everyone has a great day and that it's productive.
Love, Tina

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First I would like to wish everyone a happy new year. Here in Tennessee it is warm, (around 50 degrees)! I personally would like it to be a little colder. I was browsing around quiverfull's blog and saw how they had a massive amount of snow up in Washington state. Her pictures are simply beautiful. It makes me homesick for my childhood up in Michigan. We had so many good winter memories. The snow just makes everything breathtaking.
     We all had a nice Christmas holiday and now on to a new year. I hope everyone uses this time of year for a fresh new start in self improvement. I know I do this every year. For this reason alone I love the time right after Christmas when we clean out and throw away both physically and mentally.
     Yesterday I made a big pot full of chicken and dumplings. We will eat this tonight for dinner. Along with homemade bread. I haven't decided yet what I will make for dessert. Something yummy thats for sure. I just love making desserts.
     I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Love, Tina

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Well, I say everytime I get on here that I will do better and post more but................this is what happens. I am a busy mommy and wife and 1 month later. Here I am again. Promising to blog more. This is where I am most comfortable. I love it here and I will do better.
     We have been on retreats, celebrated birthdays, had lots of company, fenced........but I love winter and am anticipating it slowing our life down just a tad. I hope. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a blessed day and spends time with their family, in the word and in prayer.  I know those are the most important things in the world to me.



Love, Tina

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Yes I am another year older as of 1 week ago. Last Friday was my birthday and I turned 40. I had a great week. My husband threw me a surprise party. He bought me pearls. A necklace , earrings, and a bracelet. In both white and gray. They are all beautiful.
     This week the weather is turning a little more chilly. Lows in the 40's at night. The sky is beautiful though. Cornflower blue is what they call it. Oh I almost forgot he bought me boots from TSC too. My others were just not as comfortable as I would have liked them to be.  He's so good to me.
     We had a busy week. Today is catch up day. Lots of laundry and cleaning and cooking. Just my kind of day. I love to be at home making it cozy for my family. 
                                        
                             Finding happiness in life's simple pleasures
  Baking Bread, Pumpkins, Caramel Apples, Autumn Blue Sky, Corn Stalks, Fallen leaves,
Fires in the stove, Fresh Eggs, Quilts on the clothesline, Yellow Mums, Candles burning
                          Just a few of my favorite things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone have a blessed day,
                                           Tina
   

                                       

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Woke up to a sunny and warm morning. I am anxious for fall but learning to cherish everyday and just enjoy being in the moment. I think that comes with turning 40. Yes I will be 40 this month. Several things are on my mind and prayer list.
Carson- 4th grader in school with Abigail who is experiencing kidney failure due to possible e.coli infection.
Chad - son in college ( he is doing great though)
Hurricane victims in Texas
church at Eagleville
upcoming election
my family

Life is a series of ups and downs. But through it all God is always good.

     I am home today just cleaning and doing around the farm. I'm letting my chickens out in their yard. We had to put them up because they were getting out and we were afraid something would get the younger ones. I miss seeing them pecking around though........ So today I will give them free range and try to do a better job of putting them up every night. I have to go the store and get chicken feed today.  I love having them.
     We may go to the State Fair tomorrow. I hope the weather cooperates. My favorite thing to do is look at the livestock exhibits. Well I better get going or I will not get anything accomplished.
Love, Tina

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We had a welcomed visitor this morning. It was raining when we came out of church. It is still coming down. A nice steady drizzle. The grass was beginning to look awful and dry up. I was hoping that the trees wouldn't be affected this fall either. We'll keep our fingers crossed.  Yesterday we painted all the railings on the deck and finished our little deck off the back one. We got alot accomplished. A nice day to end the week-end. Maybe I'll get a nap in but probably not because we have Sunday night singing tonight at church and I have to make a desert for that. We always have snacks on singing night. It's alot of fun.
     Chad will be home this week-end for the long holiday  week-end. We all miss him. I will be getting ready for alot of good cooking. I think he is bringing friends home too.  I'll have to stop by www.thepioneerwoman.com for some great recipe ideas. If you haven't discovered that site, you need to. It's a good one.  I hope everyone has a great week. I am going to do my best to post everyday instead of just Sunday's. I don't know what is wrong with me these days. I know it's late but I would like to wish momtoall a very happy birthday . Her birthday was August 17th.  She is my cousin and we are 6 weeks apart. I won't tell anyone how old she is but I will be 40 in 6 weeks. Hint Hint!I did send her an e-mail on her birthday but thought you all could tell her too. They just got back from a long birthday trip.  Now thats one family who knows how to play and lives life to the fullest.I Love You Andrea! The next 40 years are going to be even better.
Love, Tina

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We had a great day today. We went to church this morning and had a great lesson with several of our friends visiting. We went to eat after church at our little Mexican restaurant in town.After that we came home and washed all the vehicles. Terry got called out on a fire call. They had a brush fire and then got called out on another one. The girls and I and Garrett went back to church tonight. Terry was still at the fire. We came home and made our traditional grilled cheese and shell soup for supper. I stewed  tomatoes and put them in the freezer. I made about 6 quarts worth. I still have quite a bit left but I think I will make salsa with the rest.
     Today while I was out feeding the horses and calves we noticed a new little chick with her mama. We'll see how long she'll last.
      We took Chad to college yesterday. I miss him so much but I know he is where he needs to be. He loves it there and I am so happy he is getting to go there. My Dad went to the same college 43 years ago. He is blessed . Well, tomorrow will come soon so I better get ready for bed. I hope everyone had a blessed Sunday.
Love, Tina

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This has been a long break for me in the blogging world. Tonight my hubby said he has missed seeing me blog. So after a long break I will post a little of what has been going on. Our garden has came and went. My hubby plowed what was left of the weeds and grass. It was the worst garden that we have ever had. Partly due to my failure to weed as needed. Next year I think we will have to find another spot for it. We need to replenish the earth in that spot. We have wonderful church friends who gladly have given us their surplus. I put up 200 ears of corn about a month ago. Lots of green beans too and just tonight she sent 2 bucket fulls of tomatoes.
Our calves are doing great. We now have 2 horses. Duke and Gracie. Duke is a walking horse and Gracie is a spotted saddle horse. Our Rhode Island Red hens are the settingest things I have ever seen. I prefer to have layers only and not setters. We got some Red Stars about 2 months ago. I can't wait until they start laying.I will phase the Rhode Island Reds out. 
     The girls started back to school today. Britt is a senior and Abigail is in 4th. Chad completed his first year of college and also finished his EMT class and passed his national registry exam. He is now an EMT. I am so proud of him. Next week-end he will be going off to college. It's 3 hours away. I know I will see him regularly but we will still miss him being here.  I will get on track and start blogging again. I have missed you all.
Love, Tina

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Summertime has come to Tennessee again. It's been in the 90's for a couple of days now. I guess we will have to get used to the heat because it is here to stay. I love it though. Our garden is doing good. Grass and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have to find out what is eating the cabbage plants though. I don't like that. Those poor little leaves getting ate  all up. Not nice. I am off of work all next week so hopefully I can get a lot of stuff done here on the farm. Our calves are weaned and out in the pasture now. They are doing good. My chickens are laying really good and I have more chicks coming at the end of this month. I am glad I can pass up the eggs in the grocery store. It is such a good feeling. I am going to start baking more than I have. I go in spurts for some reason.  I will get caught up this week.
Tomorrow night Terry and Chad are having to deliver his back-hoe that he sold to Tupelo, Miss. He will leave after Chad gets out of EMT class. I hope God gives them a safe trip.
Brittany and Abigail are spending 3 days a week babysitting for my brothers girls. His wife works out of her home. They are really enjoying that. Well I hope everyone has a great week . Maybe I can blog a little more in the next few days.
Love, Tina

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It's been a busy time here on the farm. Spring is always like that. We got the garden planted last week-end before all the rain came. The calves are growing and starting to eat grain now.  The hens are all laying. I'm happy to get eggs again.  I have my hanging flower baskets on the front porch and I have a few marigolds in the ground as well as in planters. I never can get enough flowers.
     I have a question about soap making. I  bought lye crystals from the co-op. Is that the same thing as regular lye that you use for soap making?  I am determined to make soap with-in the next month. Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated. I am making goats milk soap.
    Last night we had the people over from church for a potluck. We had a great time of fellowship. Today all the kids from FFA came over to make  slide show for the graduating officers.  Britt is a junior this year, and next year it will be her. Last year it was Chad  and it sure was a tear jerker. Its a wonderful program and my kids have learned so much from it. I am tired and I have to get up early  so I will retire for the day. I hope everyone has a good night .
Love, Tina

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What a beautiful day it was. 80* and sunny.
The calves are doing great. They anxiously await their morning and evening bottles. Dad and Mom came by and helped us feed tonight. Our  2 Rhode Island Red roosters are quite fiesty. They may end up in the stew pot.  Our hens are laying good now. The eggs are getting larger by the day. For those of you who are thinking of getting chickens, I recommended Red Star. They are so docile and very sweet and laid back. Roosters too! I will not get Rhode Island Reds again. LOL. Live and Learn. Tonight we had left over lasagna and bread. Terry had fire training. Chad is at EMT clinicals. The girls and I are at home. Another busy little day on the farm.

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First of all I want to thank everyone for all of the nice comments concerning my kidney  stone.  I went back to the doctor today to get the stint removed and I was totally shocked when they removed about a 12 inch piece from me. I was expecting a 2 inch or so thingy to be in there.  I was SHOCKED to say the least. And for those of you who read my last blog, I realized that I spelled knew wrong. I think I just forgot to hit the k and I spelled it new. I am not a scholar but I need all the credit I can get.LOL!
    
     We are suppose to get some thunderstorms tonight.  Maybe they aren't going to be too bad. This week-end  I was planning on getting some outside stuff done. Hopefully I still can. I hope everyone has a blessed day.
Love, Tina

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