Misty Highland Ranch

Psalm 30: 11-12

Posted by Mrs. Joseph Wood
11:17, Wednesday, November 19, 2008 .. 4 comments .. Link

Thou hast turned my mourning into joy: thou hast loosed my sack, and girded me with gladness. Therefore shall my tongue praise thee and not cease: O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever!

As I awakened after a peaceful sleep.. I gave thanks. When I walked into the kitchen and found my babies and Joe greeting me with smiles... I gave thanks... as I prepared breakfast in a beautiful kitchen with electricity... I gave thanks. As we ate our meal, gathered together- all healthy.... I gave thanks. As I sat in my chair with children at my feet and read from His Word...I gave thanks! As my little one prayed and lifted up others he has never met to the Lord and prayed with confidence... I gave thanks. As we went about our chores and worked cheerful... I gave thanks! As I walked the property with my Joe and dreamed of some day plans and Momma and Daddy being here with us.... I gave thanks!

I thank Him for all He has done and continues to do in our lives... He has filled my heart with gladness!!!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
P.S. The move has went wonderful! Thank you for all your prayers!!! ! We are all unpacked and getting started on projects to prepare for our new farm animals arrival. We love you dear friends and thank the Lord for you continually! Have a wonderful week as you abide in Him!

Good Morning

Posted by Southernangel
06:16, Wednesday, November 19, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I got my bottom braces on yesterday afternoon and so im in pain plus this weather is making my sinues act up and is making me plain miserable please have a blessed day

Alyssa

Fires in California

Posted by m j
08:00, Tuesday, November 18, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

I do not know if you see on your news things about California , but we are having major fires. We have 6 going and 3 of them are close around us. We live in Chino. Chino Hills was Chino to, until they changed it to Chino Hills ( it was always just called the hills) because they did not to live in a city that has a prison. Carbon canyon is also part of Chino Hills (Chino). We live a few miles form Diamond Bar and Corona. We have fires all around us. We are praying for the people who lost their homes and for all the people helping out. So many people lost it all.

People were evacuated 3 miles from us. It has been very smokey and it looks like it snowed due to the ash. It is fall but we have been in the 90's. Hubby had such a hard time getting home from work on Friday. The 3 freeways were closed as was Carbon Canyon. It took him over 2.5 hours to drive the 17 miles home!!

God Bless, mj

Pictures of Marty's life

Posted by m j
07:31, 2008-Nov-18 .. 0 comments .. Link

I am posting more pictures of Marty.

Marty as a pup:

As a young man:

At Disneyland :

Different Christmas pictures taken at Disneyland:

Him with one of his puppies:

As you all can see we love this guy a lot!! Marty was a part of all our lives everyday. I am still developing rolls of film. As I find pictures of him I will post them.

We miss him so very much.

P.s here is one of the poor guy dressed as Snow White:

He just love to be with us and his sisters, even if they painted his nails and dressed him up as a girl.

God Bless, mj

First Snow of the Year…

Posted by Rachel
12:46, Tuesday, November 18, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

First Snow of the Year…

This morning when I got up, and got dressed to do chores, I looked out the window. Here is what I saw -

This one you can see more of the corn field, in the way back.

This one is mostly of the sky. I thought that one cloud was just so pretty.

You can see the sidewalk and some of the porch. My favourite bird feeder is in this one.

Did you all have any snow yet? Just leave a comment and tell me!

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the thoughts and happenings of a fifteen-year-old girl from the country. “You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!” Philippians 4:13

working hard today - pumpkin

Posted by Morning Sunshine
03:36 PM, Monday, November 17, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

remember that list I posted this morning? Well, I started on the pumpkin. Now this pumpkin is huge. And heavy. And it has been sitting on my porch since beginning of October. So today I took my knife and wacked it up. Mindful of someone else's failed attempt at peeling the skin from a raw pumpkin, I threw mine (in 4 stages, each stage FILLING the oven space) into the oven for an hour at 300. this cooked the pumpkin just enough to allow the skin to come right off with a knife. I still have to skin half the thing. agh! anyway, then I cubed it into 1-inch cubes. Considering the meat is up top 4 inches thick in some spots, this is a chore!
But I have my first 7 bottles in the canner at 13 pounds pressure for 90 minutes.
This pumpkin cost me $30 at the farmers market. I know, it was expensive. If I had waited until after Halloween, I could have gotten it for half that. Next year. If I buy such a pumpkin again, which is HIGHLY doubtful. I do not know how much pumpkin I will get out of this. Even if I go by quarts, it is still unknown until I start using the pumpkin. At that point, I will drain it, blend it into puree, and then weigh it. That is when I will learn if this is worth it.
Dh says the work I havew already put into it is NOT worth it. He has a point - cans of pumpkin are so cheap in the stores in December and January as they clean out their holiday stashes. But I like to know what is in our food. Yeah, the cans list as ingredients: pumpkin. but there are things they do not have to list if it is small enough (I do not know if that is the case with pumpkin, but with other foods it is.) And if we ever manage to grow our own pumpkins, the cost will go down significantly.
And hey, bonus - the water in the jars of pumpkin can count towards water storage. not for drinking, true, but for baking or cooking....

oh, and I made the kids help. They were in charge of separating the seeds (these are monstrous too!) from the "goop." They wore some of daddy's t-shirts and complained bitterly about the feel of the innards. Cannot blame them for that! But they did do the work, and now they are outside enjoying the 50 degree weather we will be having all week. Lucky them. I am stuck inside a hot house over a hot stove. Not a pregnant lady's favorite spot.....

Sweet Sixteen

Posted by Miss Jocelyn Dixon
12:46, Monday, November 17, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I had the pleasure of going to a blogger friend’s birthday party on Saturday. It was a lovely party with many guests, lots of good food, and sweet memories! Not only did we have such a wonderful time meeting new friends, but Emily Rose, Breezy, and Maggie were also there.

Miss Susannah was not able to have her Sweet Sixteen birthday LAST November, so this year they went ahead and had it. From what I understand the R-family only really celebrates the 13th and 16th birthday because when you turn 13 you are becoming a young lady, and when you turn 16 you are entering into womanhood and learning how to be a servant, whether to God or/and your husband. My family personally only celebrates the “big numbers” too.

Mrs. R gave a wonderful talk about why they celebrate the 16 birthday. It was very sweet and encouraging for all the young ladies there. A lot of people think of Sweet Sixteen has a time for the child to be let go, to take on responsibility, and to have their own life. While the R-family does this it is in line with the Bible and the correct things to encourage their daughters in. It was so refreshing to be in such company!

Having lunch… sandwich, fruit, scones, and tea! There were probably 30 or so young ladies there.

Miss Susannah had quite a few games to play, which I had never played and a lot of fun! Here we’ve all got a clipping of a hymn that we have to go and found our matches and put the whole hymn together.

Talking with Maggie and Amanda. Emily Rose is huddled with another group there.

Miss Suannah’s beauty (and tasty!) cake that her sister Jessica made. We also had homemade ice cream that they made with their goats milk!

Miss Susannah received so many lovely gifts! Tea cups, scrapbook supplies, sewing stuff, and more!!

L-R: Rachel, Breezy, Emily Rose, Hannah, Amanda, Maggie, Me, LucyLillie, Susannah, Cassie, Leah, Madaline, and Jessica. Blogger-girls! (Click for larger image)