Oh My Goodness! Has It Really Been Nine Months???

It is with great embarrassment, and I do hang my head in shame, that I write this "latest" blog post. This must be some kind of record for Blogspot. No one has ever neglected her blog the way I have. But I have a good excuse . . . . just like you, I've been busy.
Let me fill you in on some of the goings~on.

Ashley is engaged to Ryan Pelc, of Columbia, Missouri. This is a story in itself.
After their wedding, he will be whisking her away to live in Missouri. He has been building a house in the country for the two of them to make their home together.

You know I'm going to miss this girl! I've had her all her life! The past 26 years have been spent with her either under my feet, or by my side; but always dear in my heart.

These following photos were taken on Ashley's birthday, March 7. Here is my Dearest, and Sawyer.

Two of my young men. Haaaand---some!

This is truly a rare moment.

Sweet....

Ashley asked for a cake roll this year, but as you can see, I still don't have a plate long enough to accommodate one. Nor is it very pretty. Neither did I have 26 candles. But boy was it good!!!!!

Ashley took this picture. She always has a knack for being in the right place at the right time with a camera in hand.
I just love little boys!

Farm Living Suits Me Just Fine!

It's hard to believe we have been out of the city for three years. This feels so right and good. No traffic, now sirens, no "people" sounds. Quiet. Peaceful.

Our children have thrived on the opportunity to work really, really hard. Our boys have become so strong and manly, going out and making their way in the world of farmers and country folk. They are pursuing real dreams ~ their dreams ~ and they put their own lively-hood on the line in order to do it. I'm so proud of them. Proud in a good way, mind you!
God is so good.

Our neighbor cutting hay with his mules, Kit and Kate. They are beautiful animals.

My little man working hard.

Unloading brush with Daddy

My man and his truck!

This is one of the smaller cows on the farm.
I like this size.

This one, one the other hand, is a different story! BIG! You will never guess who it's owner is!
I'll give you a hint: she has a blog called Country Maiden Lane!

Sayre has such a way with animals! His calves just love him ~ especially when he brings them alfalfa cubes!

You've heard of "a boy and his dog"? Well, . . . what can I say?

The Last Roses of Summer

Summer has come to a close, and we have been blessed with such lovely mild weather. The roses just love it! With the ample rains they have grown nicely this summer and are now putting on one last flush of beauty for us to enjoy before winter.




Here's my favorite "Rose".

Yours Truly

Cecile Brunner: a climber with the sweetest little pale pink roses.

The Poet: An English style shrub rose.

Falstaff: an English rose ~ ohhhh so fragrant.

These little fellows are busy, busy, busy, as they prepare for the winter.

Simplicity Rose : a lavender shrub rose

Kathryn Morley an English rose.

Having roses has been a dream of mine for some years now. How thankful I am that I can now grow them! It has "pleasured" me to share them with you.

Hymn for The Lord's Day: A Little Child May Know

One of the things that I have been trying to do with dear little Sawyer is to have "studies" with him. The things we do vary from time to time, and we are not very consistent yet in our lessons, but I do keep a notebook with all the scripture verses we are working on, catechisms, and songs we are learning. I'll often just begin quoting the memory verses and he will finish them up.

This summer we have been working on a new song ~ new to both of us. It tells of God's love for us, and all the evidences of it. Now this song, is simple in it's message; simple enough for us grown~ups to comprehend the obvious truth of His marvelous love.

If you would like to learn the tune to this song, go HERE

A LITTLE CHILD MAY KNOW

by Jane E. Leeson 1842

A little child may know

Our Father's name of Love;
'Tis written on the earth below,
And on the sky above.

Around me when I look,
His Handiwork I see;
This world is like a picture~book
To teach his love to me.

The thousand little flowers
Within our garden found,
The rainbow and the soft spring showers,
And every pleasant sound;

The birds that sweetly sing,
The moon that shines by night,
With every tiny living thing
rejoicing in the light;

And every star above,
Set in the deep blue sky
All tell me that our God is love,
And tell me he is nigh.

Recent Events on the Farm

My, my, my . . . it has been a long time. Time has a way of becoming full and overflowing with the day to day happenings. Before you know it, the weeks slip by into months. I find it difficult to say what I have to show for my time, but it mostly has to do with cooking, food preservation, and washing lots and lots of dishes. Ashley and I have a bit of a joke between us. When one of the boys wonder what we have done all day (because it isn't apparent to their eyes~ or ours for that matter) we inform them that we sat around eating bon~bons all day.

This is actually a very special time in our family. As you may know, we have but one daughter, and she is very precious to my husband and I. We have desired that she be a keeper at home~not just after marriage when the children begin to come along, but now, for real: as a maiden seeking the Lord's will for each day, not just some future time.

Oh, we have been so glad that we set this course. I think she would echo the same sentiment. I've never know another young lady like this who has had the freedom to pursue the natural course that God intended for women and bloom into such a vibrant fulfilled lady.

But alas! A young man has come into her life! His name is Ryan, from Missouri. He and his family have endeared themselves to us in a most precious way. They have been courting for about four weeks, and how sweet it has been. You can read some of her story HERE.

They make a great team!

Well, the Labor-Day cookout hamburgers are calling, so until next time (soon) I thank you for visiting today!

Redecorating the Bathroom

One of the big projects I wanted to complete in time for the wedding was that of sprucing up the bathroom. We do not believe the house had a bathroom originally, so the room it now occupies was meant to be something else! It's a nice large size, so I'm thankful for that!
We had hoped to one day gut the whole room and start over, with a door into our new master bedroom. But life is just too short to do all the things we COULD do, if we had the time.



There is a Jacuzzi / "Baby Bear Swimming Pool" that is a little more of a bathtub that what I need (I dream of a porcelain claw-foot tub!).

I love "Laura Ashley number one" scent.

This is part of my collection of old hand towels. Many came from yard sales and thrift stores.

This one is my favorite! It's completely done by hand.

This is "Baby Bear's" shelf for his grooming supplies. The old chamber pot was found by Sayre in the woods at Bull Run.



I love this pretty mirror. It really sets the mood for this room. Pretty, simple, and old~fashioned.

The bust of the lady and the blue-capped talcum jar on the right, including the dish on which they all sit, were my Mother's.

I so enjoy getting out "the old stuff" and creating little vignettes in those special corners of the house. I find myself employing a bit of whimsy in many of my efforts, although I'm the only one that usually sees it! Thanks so much for sharing a minute or two with me!

Spring is Here!

Hello friends! Spring is springing all around us here on the farm. Every where I look, there are signs that The Great Creative Genius has once again preserved his handy work to remind me of his reality.
What a blessing it is to know that He made everything with a purpose, including you and me. Now matter what our circumstances, background, or shortcomings, we can only find fulfillment when we become rightly related to Him.

Last August, I planted the seeds (Botanical Interests) for these pansies (Carmel Spice) and was disappointed that they did not bloom in the fall. But now they are rewarding me with so many blooms, and even seed pods! Wow~they were sure worth the wait!

Now what do you think about this sweet face? His Mama has been out in the garden for the last month tending the vegetable garden, as well as this East Garden.
I could not do all my work without my children though. They do so much without a complaint.

All right, all right~ it's time to go in and fix "baby bear's porridge"!