I am sure most of you have heard that Farrah Fawcett died yesterday after her long time battle with cancer--When I heard the news I was sad--I remembered a time as a little girl watching Charlies Angels and wanting to be a police woman--LOL--I have seen many of her movies since that time--The burning bed, small sacrifices, extremities etc..--It kinda felt like part of my childhood died with her--silly I know--I watched her documentry last month and while it was sad you also saw her courageousness, willingness to fight and of course her down to earth attitude--the love that Ryan O'neal showed for her was touching--One thing that I thought of yesterday was that while as little children we look at these people as some how superhuman and even into adult hood we seem to be a bit 'star struck" at times--but at the end of the day(or life) we all become equals--death aludes no one--no amount of money, fame, movies, or good looks will keep us alive when its our time to go--then I heard that Michael Jackson also passed away(not really a fan) something like 5 hours later--it was a sad day for so many families--Driving home last night it was dark and the stars were shining brightly--I was humbled--I suppose with the dying of 2 people that I grew up with I was a bit contemplative and felt so very small in this big old universe God created--I was thinking how so many of us are trying to simplify our lives, become more independant of our world systems, we work hard daily to accomplish that--many times we feel in control of our lives and surroundings, but the reality of it is, God controls it all--at any given moment he could choose to take it all away--I felt like a speck of dust or grain of sand for a split second  and realized just how not in control we really are--It's not like I have not ever realized that in the past, but something was different about it somehow last night--I suppose it was an ephiphany of sorts--Very humbling--No matter how self sufficient we try to become, we must realize we are never going to be independant of God and his ultimate control of this universe and ultimatly everything in it and on it--No one cheats death when the Lord decides its time to go and at that point we are all equal no matter what--There are no money or status barriers, just people facing their eternity--May Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson rest in peace and may their families turn to God in their time of grief..

~Kris

Dearest  Readers,

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on saving our much loved Market Umbrella from the rubbish heap. It had been viciously attacked by local marauding mice and was in a terrible state!  In order to live gently, Dearest and I  search out ways to practice the three R's... Recycle, Re-Use and Rejoice!

After a trip to our local Jo Ann's Craft Store I came home with a small bottle of glue, aptly named "Fabric Fusion" by Aleene. It stated that it permanently adheres fabric after drying for 48 hours.

I cut out flowers from a lovely remnant and began gluing them in place on both sides of the umbrella.  I had our oldest Darling Boy carry the umbrella out to our shop, so that I could work on it without the worry of rain spoiling it before it could dry.

After a couple of weeks out in all types of weather, I am happy to report that it has indeed held together and looks quite charming. We are Rejoicing that we were able to gently, and lovingly return a faithful servant to active duty.

I would love to hear how you Recycle, Re-Use and Rejoice...please leave a link or comment for others to enjoy.

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

Welcome to summer. It is getting warm out isn't it? These past couple days have sped by like a whirlwind. Tuesday morning from early until about 2:00 I was busy with the produce auction. There are a lot more vegetables coming in now so things are looking up. There were not a lot of big buyers there Tuesday though so the prices went pretty cheap. We will see how Friday goes.

Then after the auction Morgan and I drove up to Cambridge to pick up our new dog! We got him from the pound and he spent Monday getting neutered. He looks like a german shepherd with floppy ears. His name is Jake. We all love him. He is pretty smart and we have already trained him to do some things so I think he will do well. We are guessing that he is about two years old. I'll try to get a picture today.

 Then when we got home it was time to do chores and go up to Lester's farm to visit with them. Aden and his family came up to and we had a fun time of eating wonderful baked treats, playing ping pong and kick the can in the dark. Kathryn, Lester's wife has turned one of their barns into a litle store where the other amish women in the area can bring the clothing, toys, book, kitchen items, or whatever they are not using to sell. Kind of like an amish consignment, but extreemly cheap and private. You have to be amish to know about it. I bought some things while we were up there.  Jessie is going to sell one of her goats to Lester to eat his weed patch. Our little business girl.

Then yesterday, for some reason, I decided it would be a good idea to go look at a Trooper (up in the big city) that was for sale. So al the girls and I piled into the car, got as far as Cambridge and had to stop because of a flat tire. So after trying two shops we found a tire, got it on the car and was back on the road. When we finally found the car lot and took the Trooper for a test drive I was so disgusted, the AC didn't work, the brakes were terrible, the exhaust sounded like it was rusted through, and then, the thing died on us on our way back o the car lot.... in a not so nice area of town.... but thanfully a nice police officer stopped in just about a minute and pushed us out of the road and kept an eye on us until we were rescued by the dealership people. Morgan sat in the back seat and commented "Great, now we are a roadside attraction". What really upset me was that the guy that picked us up knew all the things that were wrong with the vehicle and knew the computer was going out on it. I would NEVER send anyone to TEMPEST MOTORS in Akron Ohio EVER. They are the types that give used car salesmen a bad name.

So, we got back in our car, and headed home, but stopped at a Fireworks store to buy a little fun. We opened the door and a rent-a-cop yells at us something unintelligible. I look at the  girls and then a store employee asked if we had any matched or lighters. Uhhh No. Ok. So I figured we were clear to enter and the the rent-a-cop said we can not come in without papers. I felt like I was back on the Mexican border trying to get back home. Aparently you have to fill our paperwork that tels the government that you may be carrying fireworks in your car for 48 hours. So, finally I could flash my "papers" at the rent-a-cop and proceed to buy my sparklers and bottle rockets.

We are going to set them off tonight. Jessie is planning on inviting the neighborhood so it looks like we will be making food all day.

 It is raspberry picking time. They are selling for about $5  pint at the auction. I have about 8 quarts in my freezer.  I suppose that makes us rich in berries. We still have a lot  of berries to pick, so by the time the season is over we may have enough for berries all winter. That would be nice. It the hert of winter you really miss fresh fruit around here.

Well, the sheep and cows are yelling at me, I 've got to go get on with the day.

Stay cool!
~Marie

Well, today was busy to say the least. I am getting ready to go to Texas tomorrow, but I still found time to: 1. Clean the kitchen, 2. Go to Wal-Mart for necessary items, 3. Stand up for someone at their wedding, and 4. Can some sweet pickles! I am still waiting for the jars to finish cooling, but all should be put away before I hit the sack tonight. I know the pickles aren't actually the most important thing I did today...But I am really glad I got that done! I also took my canners to the extension office to get checked. If you have an extension office near you, please get your pressure canner checked every canning season. Anyway, busy day, busy evening. I still have to load the van. I am taking all the things that belong to my cousin's children back to him. He probably won't get his children back, but it doesn't look like we will get them either. So he should have their things. Too bad Texas and Oklahoma can't play nice when it comes to paperwork or we would have already had those kids. Ah, well, God knows what He is doing. We mere mortals cannot even comprehend the big picture.

But I do know this: Today God gave me the chance to stand up for someone at their marriage ceremony and He gave me PICKLES! Everything else is still in His hands.

Have a blessed evening.

We have been under an excessive heat warning for about 3 days now--Our temps are running in the triple digists with heat index of around 110--Our humidity here is awful--its been quite the challenge to keep enough water hauled in for the critters, but by God's grace we are managing--we still have no air conditioing so during the day I go to my Mother in laws--but Friday we will have an air conditioner--now if my fridge will hold out in hot temps and the compressor not go out--It's been along time since we have been this hot and I think they said we are breaking records--

Our house is still not here--having a bit of a problem with it, but all should be resolved shortly--right now I think everyone in our area is simply trying to stay cool--I know that has been our focus--I really don't wanna move in these temps--LOL--

Thats it for this update!

~Kris

I know it has been ages since I've been on here, but I really have been busy!! Just yesterday someone brought me a bag of wild plums and I made the worst jelly I have ever made! It didn't set. :( So when I find the time I have to go back and unseal all the jars and re-make the jelly with some fresher pectin. The stuff I used was a little old.

But before I can do that I have to make pickles out of all the cukes in my fridge. And I have to can up all the beets in the basket in my kitchen. Plus I am getting everything out of our storage to have a yard sale that I have to keep putting off. Thursday I pick up my kids from their grandparents, but then hubby gets to take them home and I have to run off with my Aunt to yet another court date down in Texas. (Could the system BE any slower????)

So I have been (and still am) very busy. But I thought I'd pop in and see if everyone else was as busy as I am. I love this time of year except when it gets a little too hectic. But the gardening, harvesting, canning, replanting......I love it. That's in between all the new baby ducks, chicks, goats, bunnies, etc that are always being born. The hot weather, the sunshine, laundry on the line, homemade goat milk ice cream, blueberry cobbler.....Anyone else love this time of year? And to top it off, the A/C going full blast in the house so when it's so hot your hair is on fire you can walk in the door and collapse in almost artic conditions!!! lol (hey, I didn't have A/C for years. I'm enjoying it!!) ;-)

I'll pop back on in a few days and update on the court date and the jelly and the pickling and the canning and anything else I may have left out!  OH! And I am getting Katahdin sheep! I will let everyone know how that goes. I am trading one of my milk goats for two young ewes. Apparently, I must have EVERY animal... hehehe......

More later.......

My mom has been so full of neat stories lately that I decided to share them.  I will post them in numeral order as she tells me, unless they have to do with what is going on in life like this one. 

As you all know my best friend Janet was coming out and is out. I have had her daughter Mya (niece/daughter too) for almost a month.  Well, when Janet arrived here she brought Molly their little Yorkie who is 1 year old.   Janet took Kristi and Mya to Big Bear for a few days so we are Molly sitting (help us).   Shayna and I went out to lunch today.  Before we left we put Molly in her cloth kennel that Janet keeps her in at times.  When we got home from our nice mom and daughter lunch "The  dear sweet little Molly" was running around. She chewed her way out of her kennel!!  Best of all she was kind enough to leave us a  gift !!   Mom called just then and asked why I was laughing and yelling at the dog???  So I tell her, she laughs, thanks again mom. Don't you just love mom's at times.  I have one free to good home at times,   So mom tells me a story about their Yorkie when she was a teenager.................................

My mom was 16 or 17 years old and my grandma and Bubba (grandpa, her parents) send her to pick up their Yorkie from the groomer.  The dog was about 3 years old.   My mom said this dog was stuck on hyper mode!   So she get there and picks up the dog it is breathing funny when she puts it in the car.  As she walks to the other side to get in the car the dog just drops dead!!!   Mom is like okay what do I do?? She calls her dad my Bubba at  the friends house. The woman  who answered says your mom is right here, Mom goes NO my dad PLEASE!   So Bubba get on the line and asks what is wrong??  Dads they just know don't they.   So she tells him , he says call uncle Ted to go with her to the pound.  Mom call's uncle ted and he does not want to see or touch the dead dog (What a Manly Man).   He tells mom to put into a box and cover it up so he wont see it.  She gets ready to take the dead dog to the pound and Bubba calls back and says grandma she wants the collar.  

My threat to Janet was easier.  Molly keeps rolling her DANG red ball under the sofa and barks until you get it out.  I told Janet I am going to put Molly under the sofa with her DANG red ball!!!   .  Molly has red ball problems, she needs help.

Ready to hang the DANG red ball from the ceiling fan, Mj

Dearest Readers,

Goodness Gracious, do forgive my absence!  I did not intend to stay away from you for so long, but this lovely season of warm days and cool nights encouraged me to linger here at home....gently tending to my family and homestead.

The farm has it's "summer legs" now and we have all kept pace with the changes.  This is the view from just outside our front gate......

Sweet faces nestled in the fields....such a delight!

The yard, strewn with sunlight, serves as our "parlour" as we savor each day spent outdoors.

The flower beds.....splendidly attired!

 Lovely touches of patriotic pride add joy to our celebration of the summer season.

Dappled sunlight, soft breezes....a cold glass of tea....just too wonderful....too wonderful indeed.

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

P.S. Shiloh is recovery very nicely, thank you for all your lovely comments and prayers!