Wow! What a difference a few hours can make. Ms. Hanna has left the building! None too soon for me. It was a LONG night.

As I blogged earlier this morning the power was starting to flicker. It went off and then came back on a few times. I am so surprised that we never lost power. I am so thankful too that the power stayed on.

I am thankful that the storm was not as bad, as it could have been. Just listening to the Hanna's winds outside make you so thankful to have a home for protection. You just never know how these storms will turn out. God is so good!

It is a mess outside. No downed trees to speak of. We will have to go walking through the woods later and see what that looks like. There are just a lot of leaves stripped from the trees and small branches everywhere.

I can remember after Hurricane Fran in the 90's, going outside and smelling nothing but pine trees. Those are the trees that took the most damage during Fran's reign around the homestead. It was just remembering Fran that got me out of bed so early this morning. (She was a HORRIBLE hurricane.) It's amazing that simply smelling something can bring back so many memories.

One really good thing has come out of this storm. I cooked all day yesterday to prepare for power outages this weekend. I have 3 meals already cooked and in the fridge to be consumed. That means that I don't have to cook dinner for 3 days, just heat and eat! (thanks again for the idea Violin Mom!)

Well, I need to get off here and get some cleaning done. Thank you Jesus for sparing us! To God be the glory great things He has done and is doing!

Thank you again for all of your prayers! You are all a blessing to me!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Dearest Readers,

"Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day"...... I just can't keep that song from my lips this morning.  I adore the cool mornings of Autumn....cinnamon coffee, a few soft lamps glowing, the fragrance of "Spiced Pumpkin" wafting through the house.

Here is look around my dear Honey Hill Farm as she sports her fall fashions......

I was delighted to find that my little pumpkins fit just right on the rounded shelves on the front of our old pump organ.  I don't think I have ever posted a picture of this old gal....she works....and believe me, WORKS is the word if you want to pump out an entire song!

This is the coziest corner in the front parlour! (Sorry the photo is so dark, but I took these in the wee hours of the morning)

Our piano is always obliging, no matter how I "dress" her....

This little vignette sits right under an old wall phone here in the parlour.  We have dozens of bills and checks that belonged to my Husband's Great Aunt and Uncle (they lived here at Honey Hill before us).  They date back as far as 1900!  It is so fun to display them and see just what folks were paying for things here on our farm so long ago.  Many of the businesses are long gone, but a few are still here...isn't that just adorable?

I am working on the entryway decorations and have a banner yet to make.  I also am creating a small display to put under a cloche.....it's not very big, but it has been a challenge to find anything that fits.  I finally gave up and I am making a few of the things myself. 

Sewing continues on my "winter" curtains for the front parlour.  I am re-purposing an old curtain into a pair of new valances, complete with Victorian looking trim that I was so fortunate to find at JoAnn's.  I plan to pair them with my velvet drapes and lace inset curtains. We will be cozy come winter!

I will close now, as I have much to attend to....I do hope you enjoy your day and take time to enjoy this fine season...

Yours kindredly,

Shan

It is 5 in the morning here in southeastern NC. Hanna has just made landfall and is blowing full force. I couldn't sleep with all of the noise that is going on outside. The winds are at 45 mph sustained. I am sure that the power will be going out soon. It has been flickering for the past few hours.

Imagine standing on the shoreline of the beach. You hear the roar of the ocean as you stand next to it. That is the sound that I am hearing right now in my house. The storm is so noisy! The winds gust and the trees are bending. It is a frightening scenerio.

It is only that know my Lord is in control that I feel at ease. Jesus is so good! He has this storm in the palm of His hands. Praise His name!

Please continueto keep us in your prayers!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

September 6

A Lesson From the Nail

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30

Philip could have felt that his ministry was being elbowed aside and eclipsed when Peter and John came to the mission he had developed. They just seemed to brush aside recognition of his excellent beginning in planting the church. But he accepted it graciously and moved on to the next assignment the Spirit had for him! He did not seem to care who got the credit for what he did. Because of his faithfulness, his work was effective.

The nail may hold a few lessons for us. After the torturous manufacturing processes, it is driven into its place of service by blow after cruel blow of the hammer. Nothing is left to sight except the head.

The poor finish nail is not only driven to its niche in life like other nails, but the nail set comes along and drives its head well below the surface. As if that were not insult enough, putty fills the hole on top of the head, and paint permanently conceals the place where the nail does its work quietly and faithfully, unnoticed for its importance.

How important is the nail? Suppose all the nails in your house would suddenly go on strike and stop doing their jobs. That would bring chaos.

We, too, are called to silently and faithfully do our work, even if we are not noticed. We tend to think we should receive recognition for the “head-pounding” we endure to hold things together. But God notices all that pertains to His children’s lives.

Our emotions are not made of steel like a nail, but of feelings and sensitivities. So we do need audible and tangible encouragement and compliments frequently. Today, your sincere compliment may be just what someone needs to encourage him to stick with it! Will you give one?

Elmer Schrock, Stuarts Draft, VA

It is amazing what God can do if we don’t care who gets the credit.

Bible Reading: Acts 8:5–8, 14, 27–40

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 Corinthians 14:21–40

Proverbs 7, 8

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

My name is mj and I am Shannon's help meet.  Shannon is a Mr. Command Man, as described in Debi Pearl's book.   Some times it is hard to be a wife of a Command Man, if you are a strong dominant woman.   I am just about as hard headed as Shannon.  It took me years to give him the head of the household role and I do mean YEARS!   But it was all worth it!   To have him in charge of it all is such a weight off me. 

But some times there are problems.  An example is with our older daughter Shayna.  Shayna is a very good girl, but boy is she strong willed, I have no clue where she got that from .   The problem was Shayna spoke to me rude and then to her dad.  He and I talked to her about it but stopped when it was dinner time.  Shannon said he would talk to her again after dinner but did not.   That was hard for me because it was not resolved.  I wanted it done and over with.

It was hard for me to not say something about his not talking to her more.  He knew I wanted to say it, but did not.

This blog is a part of my journey of working everyday on being the help meet Shannon needs and God wants me to be.

God Bless, mj

Here is a picture of my husband and  one of his fish he caught on one of his trips to Mexico, my hubby is the one in the red tank top:

Here is one from 2 weeks ago:

Have you ever seen a horse drink from a park fountain:

That is Kristi and Cody. It was taken last fall.

This next one is my father on his bike with his little dog George.  They ride around Vegas like this.  Aren't they cute!

Moose for sale.  As Shayna was listing some books for sale on E-bay her cat Moose was helping out.  Yup he wore some stickers that said 50% off and 75% off.  I think he thought he was worth more as you can tell he was not happy about his price .

God Bless, mj

We have been very busy this past month. After the fair we got ready for a grand vacation to Michigan. We stayed 3 miles down the road from my Dad at a cabin on Lake Huron. The cabin/house had 2 bedrooms and a enclosed porch with plenty of room for all 7 of us to have a bed with baby making 8 in between us. We had such a great time with the weather in the 70's. A nice break from our 90's. Just to sit and hear the lake outside was a relaxing blessing. We got to play on the beach and in the water. Even the baby enjoyed that.

DH grew up there and I spent every other year living in Michigan. We started dating when we were 15. It was fun to go down memory lane with the kids in tow. Walked on my Father in laws 200 acres, recalling past times walking with DH. Walked around our old elementary (which is for sale of all things!!). Walked through the local stores, seeing which were new.

After a 7 day vacation on the lake we went across the state to visit our friends from college. They have 4 kids, so 10 between us. What a blessed time we had. We got there Fri afternoon and left Sun morning. Just a great time of catching up. We went to the local lake for the kids to swim. Much warmer than Lake Huron. We came home rested and refreshed.

Back to canning now. I have done some more salsa and some pears. The peaches are on deck for tomorrow. I still have apricots waiting out there too. So some more fruits. I am not sure if I will do applesauce or not. We have some still from last year, and our apples are kind of wormy. Not sure I will bother with them this year.

We finally got rain today after a month of nothing. So everything is dieing and no new grass is growing for the cows and goats. We have to try to move them to greener pastures tomorrow. The bucks are in rut and STINK something awful. I am waiting to breed the goats until Oct though. AFter our year last year having kids in the middle of winter was a fiasco. So we are pushing it into spring more. The bucks are right now locked in the livestock trailer because they keep getting out of the fence and going down by the does and pacing the perimeter of their yard!! And if you know anything about bucks.. well they aren't very nice about their mating rituals, probaby one of the most discusting of animals I have seen. So out of sight out of mind, minus the consistent head butting in the trailer and yelling from them!!

School started the tues after we got back . So we have 4 days under out belt. So far we have managed well. We are getting up at 7 and doing devotions first thing. It is making a dynamic difference to start the day with The Lord. The kids each do their own devotions but we are all in the living room together. Such a great place of making memories.

Hopefully that updates everyone for awhile. I hopefully will be able to catch up with my online friends soon.

Hey Katie if you read this send me an email. I haven't been able to get ahold of you for a long time.

Melanie

Kristi is a bad girl .  While we were out shopping she picked up on 3 guys, three!!!

Here is boy friend number 1, he's cute but kinda stiff:

Next we have boy friend number 2, but he is kind of two faced:

And last we have boy friend number 3, my favorite, he cost $74.36 just for 1 date, so he must be worth it :

Who says shopping at Sam's with a cell phone is not fun .  Kristi and I had a blast .  But really Kristi you need to stop picking up new boy friends when we shop.  LOL

Teenagers what can I do?!?!?!

God Bless, mj

I love the song, "Held" by Natalie Grant.  I have sang it and cried tears over it for some time now, but when they played it on the radio the day after my mom died, it became even more near and dear to my heart.

You see so many think bad things happen to good people, and why would God do this.  Why would God take that person away, or let this or that happen.  If He can do all things, and if He is all knowing, why didn't He stop this???  Simply put???  That isn't who God is....and it isn't who He promised He would be either.

Now, before you turn away and close this blog, hear me out.  God never told us we wouldn't have bad times, and trials in our lives.  He never promised to keep us from sadness, sickness, etc.  He didn't say as a child of His that we would never experience these things.  He simply said, when we do.........He would be there for us!!! 

No, life isn't fair sometimes.  A 3 year old dying while swimming with his family.....is not fair.  A 3 year old having her life taken by her father and then killing himself...........certainly not fair.  Loosing both of my parents at age 63 was completely not fair.  I remember speaking to my pastor after they died, and saying it isn't fair!!!  He said you are right.  You got cheated out of more time with your parents.  You feel like you didn't get what you deserved  and it is ok to feel that way, as long as you don't STAY there long.  I think I was there for months, probably longer than I expected to be.  But then I realized, I didn't want to live in the shoulda coulda woulda life.  I wanted to make my parents happy, remembering the good times, not focusing on the unfair moments.

This song talks about that......when all else fails....and you feel like giving up.......that is when,  you will be held.  Close your eyes dear one, fall into his arms, and let Him hold you.  Cry on His shoulder.  He is always there for you.  If you will only stop accusing Him of hurting you, and let Him hold you, and help you to heal.  He didn't do this TO YOU!!!!  And he didn't glory in your trials.  NO, like any loving father, He doesn't like to see you hurting.   Read the words to this song, and if you have the means, please listen to the song.  Just close your eyes and listen. 

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

 Here are some wonderful fall recipes that my family loves.  I hope your family will love them as well!

1.  Porcupine Meatballs

(serves 4)

This is a recipe my mom has been making since we were little.  I remember taking the recipe to school with me for  Home Ec one day and fixing it.  All the class were supposed to make something, and then everyone voted on which ones they liked the best.  These meatballs were one of the winners.  Now after reading this recipe you might think, as my home ec treacher did, uncooked rice??? YES!!!  I am sure Ms. Pauling...uncooked!!!  She called my mother to make sure before she would let me make them. LOL 

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup uncooked rice

2 T minced onion or 1 T dried

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 cans (10 3/4 oz) tomato soup

1 cup water

1 egg lightly beaten

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT water and tomato soup in a bowl.  Combine and form meatballs and place in a Dutch oven.  Mix water and soup, and por over meatballs.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until done.

2.  Autumn Pork Chops

(serves 4)

4 pork chops

3/4 cup BBQ sauce

3/4 cup apple juice

1 T oil

Brown pork chops on both sides in oil until done.  MIx BBQ sauce and apple juice together and pour over pork chops.  Reduce heat; simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

3.  Slow Cooker Chicken and RIce

(serves 6)

1 1/2 cup long-cooking rice, uncooked\

2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into strips

8 oz pekg cream of broccoli soup mix

2-3 cups chicken broth

Place rice into a greased crockpot and top with chicken, set aside.  Combine soup and chicken broth and pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, adding more broth if neccessary.

4.  Sausage and Apples

(serves 4)

1 lb pork sausage links

5 aqpples, cored, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp EACH: cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla

Brown sausages in a skillet, reduce heart and cover.  Mix remaining ingredients together and add to skillet.  Cover adn simmer until apples and sausages are tender, about 30 minutes.

5.  Skillet BBQ'ed Pork Chops

(serves  4)

4 boneless pork loin chops (1/2 inch thick)

1 T seasoned salt

1 T butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup water

1.2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup honey BBQ sauce

1 T worchestershire sauce

2 tsps. cornstarch

1 cup cold water

Srpinkle pork chops with seasoned salt.  In a large skillet, brown chops on both sides, in butter until browned, and set aside.  In the droppings, saute' onion until golden brown.  Add the water, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and worchestershire sauce.  Return chops to skillet.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until juices run clear.  Remove porkchops and keep warm.

COmbine cornstarch and cold water until smooth, and stir into skillet.  Bring to a boil and cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened.  Serve this over pork chops.

6.  Apricot Honey Chicken

For some reason chicken and apriocots were born to be together.  LOL  This is a simple quick dish!

(serves 4)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 T oil

3T apricot preserves

2T orange juice

4 tsps honey

In a medium skillet, cook chicken in oil for 7-9 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken.  Cook for 2 minutes or until heated through.

7.  Cranberry Pork Chops

(4 servings)

1 okg. (5.4) Near East Whole Grain Blends, Roasted Pecan and Garlic

1 T vegetable oil

1 medium yellow onion, halved and sliced

4 boneless pork loin chops, cut 1 inch thick

salt and pepper

1 can (16 oz) whole cranberry sauce

1/4 cup orange juice

Cook whole grain blend according to package directions.  IN a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion, and cook until tender.  Season porkchops with salt and pepper on both sides, and cook in skillet until browned.  Stir in cracnberry sauce adn orange juice.  Heat just to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes.  Serve pork with whole grains and fruit sauce.

8.  Lemon Chicken

I love this lemon sauce, but hubby doesn't.  So I fix the chicken, and the sauce separately, and put the sauce on my chicken and vegetables while Matthew eats his without the sauce.

(serves 4)

4 skinless, bonesless chicken breast halves

3 T flour

2 T EACH: butter and olive oil

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness.  Dredge lightly in flour, reserving the excess.  Melt butter and oil over medium-high heat until it sizzles.  Cook chicken 4-5 minutes, turning once, until done and juices run clear.  Remove chicken.  Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes.  Which in broth and lemon juice; heat to boiling and let thicken.  Return chicken to pan and heat through.  Season with salt and pepper.

9.  Chicken Pot Pie

A favorite of my mom's cooking.  When I miss her, I fix a dish from her favorite recipes to make me feel near her again, and this is one of those. 

(serves 4-6)

2 pastries for a 2 crust pier

1/2 cup EACH: chpopped onion, sliced celery, and flour

3 cups chicken broth

10 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables

6 T butter

3 cups cooked cubed chicken

1 cup peeled and cubed potato

1 tsp celery salt

Cook potatoes and celery until tender; add frozen vegetables and cook another 5 minutes; drain.  Saute' onion in butter until softened.  Blend in flour and salt and brown slightly.  Add broth and cook until thick and bubbly.  Add chicken adn vegetables.  Prepare pastry for the bottom of the pie pan and trim edges.  Pour in filling and top with 2nd pastry.  Seal edges and flute.  Cut steam vents and brush with melted butter or milk.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

10.  Chicken Parmigiana with Homemade Marinara Sauce

This is one of my hubby's favorite dishes.  While we were dating, we didn't have much money, and we ate at my apartment alot instead of eating out.  I fixed this dish with bow tie pasta the night that Matthew kneeled on the floor and proposed to me!!!!  I should have known something was up when he pushed his food around the plate and barely ate any of his favorite meal. LOL

(serves 4)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup milk

1 cup flour

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 Parmesan cheese

2 tsps. Italian seasoning

4 T butter

1 cup shredded mozerella cheese

hot cooked pasta

Marinara sauce, recipe to follow

Place milk, egg, and flour in 3 separate shallow dishes.  Combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese in a 4th dish.  Dip chicken in milk, roll in flour, dip into egg, then coat in bread crumbs.  Brown chicken in butter over medium-high heat, until golden and juices run clear.  serve with pasta and sauce and cheese.

Marinara sauce

2 T oil

1 onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

28 oz can tomato sauce

2 T dried parsley

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Saute onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes.