A Sunny Place

Final Storm Preparations & Oh Yeah, The Ants Were Right!

 Family & Friends~

It seems that Hanna is heading our way. We are now under a Tropical Storm Warning/Hurricane Watch. The forecasters say that we should "feel" the brunt of the storm during the early morning hours of Saturday.

 I like it much better when these kind of storms come in during the day. Just listening to howling of hurricane force winds with no lights on in the house is a scary experience.

We won't evacuate for this storm. We'll ride this one out. We made it through Fran with 120 mile an hour winds. Hanna's winds are expected to stay between 65-75 mph. We feel safe enough where we are and that's about 45 miles from the coast.

Now, that other storm out there, Ike, looks to be a different storm altogether. If that one keeps up its wind speeds and heads our way, we will be evacuating. We live in double wide mobile home and know that winds in the excess of 120 would tear our home apart.  Sweet Lord, please keep all of us safe and in your hands!

Here goes the list of the final preparations:

Wash all clothes
Bake some brownies (hurricane comfort food)
Clear the yard of all debris
Put up all of my hanging baskets
Clean the house  (I do that all the time)
Get ice and fuel (hubby is taking care of that)
Fill tubs & washing machine with water (for flushing toliets)
Precook extra meals to be put into the coolers for dinner if power goes out
Make up extra gallons of tea
Get radios fitted with new batteries

I really should have paid more attention to those ants that invaded my home earlier in the summer. They really are a sure sign of a hurricane in our area. They have ALWAYS shown up in the house, everywhere, before hurricanes come. I should have listened to hubby. (Read my post about the ants from earlier this summer. Trust the ants people!)

 Please keep us all here in southeast NC in your prayers. I know that The Lord is in control of all. I just get a wee bit apprehensive when these storms come our way.

Bless all who pass this way and for those who are in the path of this storm, stay safe!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Chocolate Stars.............

are a fond childhood memory!  Today hubby had a Dr. appointment so we were off to Topeka for most of the day.  I went to Goodwill while he was at the Dr. office, more on that in a minute, we then ate a very late lunch and went to the grocery store.  In passing the candy isle I noticed right on the end a bag of chocolate stars.  I mentioned to hubby when I caught up with him that I saw them and hadn't seen them for a long time and didn't even know if they still made them.  Ok, we stop at another little store on the way home to check out any specials they might have and you guessed it, I saw another bag of chocolate stars...............I really am not looking for chocolate stars, honestly.  I said, "there are chocolate stars again".  Next thing I know hubby has grabbed a bag and we are on our way to the check out.  (Not too fast, I ran into an old friend and we had a nice little chat.)  So on the way home we snack on......Chocolate Stars!!  Now, for the meaning behind this story.  When I was little and my folks and I would go to Emporia shopping Mom would buy chocolate stars and we would eat some on the way home.  My Daddy really enjoyed them.  So they brought back a very fond memory for me. 

Well, I had a great Goodwill shopping trip.  I found 6 pair of slacks in various colors that fit me!  I tried on a couple more that didn't fit perfectly so put them back.  Most times I would be happy enough with the way they fit and made do.  I couldn't believe what was available today.  Also got 2 knit tops and a pretty little soap dispenser for the bathroom for 68 cents. 

The phone rang this morning with the news that our chicks were at the post office.  We had plenty of time to get them settled in before having to leave.  They seemed pretty happy when we got home, had only lost one.

I was very thankful that they did not come yesterday as the weather was COLD!   It was 52 when I got up and never got above 57 all day!   Today started out pretty chilly, but this afternoon the sun came out and was really nice later.

That cool weather made for a nice day to work in the kitchen.  I made 6 batches of grape jam, it is yummy!  Got 6 peach pie fillings frozen.  And one ready to use tomorrow.  Also am working on 14 day sweet pickles this week.  I hope to get apples picked tomorrow.  However since we were running around today, I didn't get any baking done for Saturday's Market..........so tomorrow will be a busy day.  One good thing (I guess) is that we don't have produce to get ready now.  That really takes a lot of time to pick and wash.

Better get to bed as I need to get up and going fairly early in the morning.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Elderberry Jelly

I made Elderberry jelly today and its the first time I made jelly that didn't come out. Now I've been told you can re-batch it but does that mean I have to add pectin again or what? I could use some help here..Thanks..

Brenda

Autumn Blessings.....

Dearest Readers,

What a glorious Autumn (almost) day here on Honey Hill Farm!  I have delighted in this day, its gentle rhythms soothing my soul.  A little laundry, time in the garden gathering the harvest, some sewing on my winter curtains ( I'll post that later) and, of course, time spent here with you dear friends.....

Earlier, I put up a few Autumn decorations...I am not nearly finished as I will be adding cornstalks and pumpkins from my garden as soon as they are ready.  But I just couldn't help myself....so take a look around, won't you?

This adorable flag is one of my favorites! 

It is easy to add a bit of Autumn almost anywhere...

Even a favorite chair sports a touch of Autumn!

I saw the idea for the "bunting" while watching HGTV....how easy and inexpensively you can celebrate.  This is 4 yards of fabric, just gathered....no sewing!  You can wash it at the end of the season and pack it away for next year.

Instead of putting my porch cushions away for the season, I cover them with vinyl tablecloths.   The cushions stay dry and I can change them for each season or holiday.  I found the cute "harvest" tablecloth for $4.00 at the discount store. Besides, we have so many beautiful sunny days here in Colorado, you might find yourself sitting out on the porch in the middle of January, just soaking up a glorious afternoon!

I hope you are having a blessed day and enjoying all the beauty that this season has to offer!

Yours ever so kindredly,

Shan

P.S. Thank you for all the kind comments about my youngest heading off to college.  You are all so dear, you bless me with your friendship.

Benefits of the new day and perspective

 And so dawned a new day.
Thankfully yesterday is but a pale distant memory.
Add snicker here.
Well, it’s enough of a memory.
Today was a much more FANTASTIC 2^nd day of school.
I thought to try my schedule for Mr. Conductor one more day before trying a revamp and I’m glad we did.
Today was great. We did everything on the schedule and had so much fun together. Plus we were done in 45 minutes and he was off painting his latest masterpiece with his new watercolors while I worked with the girls. In order to work without much interruption with Mr. C, I assigned Sassafras to read one of her assignments to herself rather than doing it with her. It went well.
The only blip is that it seems I have misplaced one of Maiden’s grammar books. I didn’t do the frantic search like yesterday- just a quick one- but fruitless all the same. We decided to make it a matter of prayer and pray that it shows up within the next day or so----- or my memory becomes equally clear as to where I may have put it . . . . . .
That could be a bit of awhile.
No matter- today was a good day. We enjoyed our learning, had great discussion and just plain fun doing it.
It is my hope and prayer that we have many more days like today than days like yesterday.
To do that one needs to have perspective.
Perspective.
It starts with me- if I wake up in a lousy mood it’s a pretty safe hypothesis that we’ll have a lousy day.
If I sleep in and don’t get up ahead of the children and have my coffee and quiet time . . . . . well, it’s just not good, people.
Today could possibly have gone down yesterday’s road if I’d let it- what with the missing grammar book and all that.
But it didn’t.
It was icing on the cake to have Mr. C do so well- but I was also prepared to let him run off if it was necessary.
There is only so much one’s sanity can take.
I continue to learn that even in the small every day stuff it is necessary- no VITAL, for me to go to God’s strength first and not go “own my own”. I work with the children to make it a habit to commit our day to the Lord first and ask Him to help us to accomplish all that He desires for us today.
We are never suppose to go it on own strength and then go to God when we’re burned-out and strung-out, gasping for air and begging for mercy. That’s backwards. He is our strength even in the mundane day-to-day-ness of each 24 hour period.
He’s my strength when we’re just starting the day and we’re eager to crack our books and get started.
And He’s my strength when I’m juggling teaching 3 school levels and the doorbell chimes along with the ring of the phone.
He’s my strength when we stretch one meal to two- including leftover for Mr. Steady’s lunch.
Just as He’s my strength when Mr. Steady takes the wrong container of leftovers to work and it throws off the dinner plans.
He’s my strength when Mr. Steady and his brother take turns driving to work to both economize on gas.
And He is my strength when Mr. Steady reveals to me that he put the spare tire on his car because one tire was so bald he thought it would blow-out.
Amazingly enough- I have no idea what kind of strength I will need for each day but I do know this---
What I have on my own will never be enough.
Not ever.
And so being the ever practical sort- I find it best to lean on and invite God’s strength at the beginning of each new day.
Sure I’ll still have those bad days- those Oh-I-just-want-to-go-back-to-bed-and-start-over-or-just-skip-it-and-sleep-through-it days. I’ll have those days when I “forget” to commit the day to the Lord and ask for His strength to lead me through.
And I will fall completely flat on my face.
Good thing God makes each day new.
Thank you Lord for the chances and opportunities each new day brings.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not His benefits. Blessed be the Lord. Who daily loads us with benefits. Psalm 103:2, 68:19

Of bad beginnings

Hurricane Preparations Under Way

 & Family~

Hurricane Hanna is fast approaching our area. You would never know that such a storm was lurking out at sea from the beautiful clear and cool skies that we have right now. It is once again a beautifully clear and cool morning. I am sure that the next few mornings to come will change dramatically.

We went ahead and went out yesterday for our "hurricane supplies." We obtained everything we needed with the exception of ice and fuel. Hubby will get that tomorrow. I am glad that I went yesterday and didn't wait until today. Stores are the last place that you want to be during hurricanes watches/warnings. It can be absolute madness!

Thank you to all who commented on yesterday's post. There were a lot of great ideas that I would have never of thought of. I really liked the idea of precooking food and keeping it cooled to eat later. I don't remember having ever done that. We have always just ate sandwiches. I do believe that I will be frying some chicken up tomorrow night and putting it on ice (after the power goes out) and using that as a dinner for Saturday night. (Thank you Violin Kids Mom for that idea!)

I am also praying tht hubby will get to work tomorrow. He was off on Monday because of Labor day. If he is off tomorrow, that will really throw us off our budget. His hours have already been cut in half. No matter though, The Lord will provide! He meets our every need time and time again. His name is ever to be praised!

For those of you who will also be preparing for the storm, stay safe and praise God that this storm is in His hands! To God be the glory!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Hurricane Preparations

 Family & Friends~

I have to start this day praising God for His goodness to me. It is another cool morning, about 65* outside (maybe cooler.) This kind of weather gets me up and going. I am definately praying that it will stay this way for a few more mornings.

I am not sure that it will stay this beautifull and cool though. We have an unwanted visitor trying to make its way up the east coast. Her name is Hanna. It seems that the projections could have her on our door step by the weekend. If she doesn't directly hit us, there are also two more hurricanes, Ike and Josephine following her path. So I really believe that we will be preparing for a hurricane in the next day or two.

We have gone through hurricanes before. The last really bad one was in the mid 90's. We were without power for about a week (maybe more.) It was miserable. We lived off of pop tarts and sandwiches (YUCK!) Yes, I was not prepared as I should have been. Live and learn and be better prepared the next time.

We have a generator now, unlike the last few storms. So I can better prepare smaller, more nutritional food for the family. I am so thankful for that generator. I have a freezer full of corn and blueberries, not to mention meat that I can't stand the thought of losing. It's all in the Lord's hands though. We will just pray and prepare.

This is a list of things I will need to purchase when I go into town tomorrow in preparation for the storm:

Batteries (lots of them)
Lamp Oil (we have two oil lamps) Safer than candles
About 10 gallons of water (hubby has said that with the generator, we can get the well pump going)
Paper cups, utensils & plates
Bread
Ice
Diesel Fuel (for generator)

I also need to make up a menu of things to cook. I will start with whatever can be microwaved that I already have. I can use the microwave when hubby is running the generator for the freezer and well pump. At least that means we won't have to live off of Pop Tarts!

Well, I need to get going and get breakfast prepared for the children. Have a blessed day in The Lord !

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Busy Summer Days

These days have been busy ones.  Last week we had almost 200 broilers processed.  The end of the week brought many visitors to our little homestead.  We were blessed with folks wanting to buy critters!  While it is hard to see them go, I realize that with winter coming and feed prices rising it is necessary.  We were able to sell some extra Muscovy male ducks, all of a small breed of ducks, some laying hens, and 3 goats.  The goats were ones that had problems kidding in the past, so they needed a home where they were wanted just for eating weeds and being pets.  We are wanting to cut down on hens for the winter, feed costs are too high to have a lot of hens to feed when they stop laying.  We have 200 chicks coming tomorrow or Thursday to replace them.  They should be starting to lay about February.  We need to get on a schedule in the future so we will have some pullets starting to lay about now for eggs through the winter months.

So, first thing in the morning we have to get the place ready for the new chicks.  I have the feeders and waters out, but still have to wash them up.   Intended to get that done today, but it didn't happen.

Today was quite warm again, but it is cool tonight.  Tomorrow's high is to be in the upper 60's.............Sounds like fall doesn't it!

We picked some grapes last evening, got 2 bushels of peaches today and have apples to pick at the neighbors asap.  Sounds like I will be busy for a while.  Our tomatoes have really slowed down to almost nothing.  I sure hope they will produce some more as I would like to do some  more canning of them.  Another neighbor offered me some if not.

We plan to put a few does in with Bubba our little buck this week.  I don't think we should put them all in at once since he is young.  All of those girls flirting with him might scare him.  lol  Since the sale of the does over the weekend that leaves us with 20 does, which is a good number for us.  Some of them need a little more time to get into good shape before breeding anyway.  Some have had worm problems over the summer and need a little extra feed.

Hubby got my clothesline poles put up recently, one little problem, he put them up at his height instead of mine!  I suppose standing on tippy toes to hang things up is good exercise??  Anyway, I will enjoy using them............the smell of things hung outdoors is priceless!

The old wooden pole is shown in the picture, it now is a hanging flower pot holder...........

One more picture to share with you, a couple of weeks ago our kids were here and I happened to get this picture of hubby with the grandkids.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

doctor tomorrow