Monday, March 29, 2010

Count Your Blessings Monday!!




Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, my blessing is the weather. We have had some snow and we have even had a night where it dipped below 20 degrees, but the sun comes out and the temperature climbs. Spring is here. :) By the end of this week, we are supposed to have temperatures in the 70's. The sunshine feels so good on my face. I love to hear the birds singing and watch all the trees and flowers come to life. I am just so grateful for the weather God has brought our way!!!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Bread And Socks

I had to make bread before tomorrow. We were out. So, I was waiting up tonight for the bread to come out of the oven. See the steam coming off of it?


While I was waiting on the bread, I finished Michael's socks. :)


Spring - Snow - Spring :)

There are so many signs of Spring, all around. I have lots of daffodils blooming.

The lilacs have fat leaf buds.

The Forsythia buds are swelling up.

The Hyacinth are pushing their way up through the soil.

I even found the first Dandelion!!

Then this happened. We were supposed to possibly get a dusting. :)

We woke up the next morning with 2 to 3 inches on the ground.

The daffodils were covered.

They were bundled under the snow.

It did not last long though. The green grass is out again. It got down to around 18 degrees last night, but the daffodils seem to be bouncing back this morning. :)

Sheep Shearing

It is sheep shearing time. The weather got warm and stayed warm for a bit. Their wool started lifting off, so it was time to shear them.

Here is a before picture of them.


This is the underside of the wool. It always fascinates me.

I love this picture. It looks like the 2 sheep are smiling. They are all waiting their turn.

Here is the after pictures.... naked sheep!!


They all feel so much better. :) I will have some fleeces for sale if anyone is interested.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Another Tidbit to Chew On

Here is another meaty tidbit I am chewing on from our Bible study.

For a person to think that he can "repent' of any sin, and yet refuse to change his way of thinking is foolish. Spiritual repentance is an experience whereby a person's will is altered for the express purpose of bringing it into line with God's will... .

The only way we can come into meekness is through the breaking of our wills. A perfect picture of this is that of a stallion. It may be a beautiful and graceful animal, but it has no usefulness until it has been broken. However, once it has been broken, the powerful horse becomes controlled by the reins and verbal commands of its master. This is a picture of biblical meekness.

The Christian who has undergone the crushing of his will by his Heavenly Father has learned to have a healthy respect for the Master's whip. This is not a cowering fear an abused child has of a cruel father, but the proper reverence one has to One who commands respect. This man's will has been conquered so that he no longer sees his life as one in which he has the right to control.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Thoughts to Chew On

I read the following in my Bible study this week. I thought it was a good thing to chew on and use in self examination.

Unquestionably, pride is one of the most prominent subjects addressed in Scripture. The Bible uses at least 17 different words (and countless derivatives) to describe this spiritual disease. However, no matter which term is used, there is almost always a connotation of height; something high, rising, exalted, or being lifted up. Thus a proud person has a high estimation of himself and lifts himself above those around him. This concept of self-exaltation forms the basis for our working definition of pride: Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance and a selfish preoccupation with one's own rights. It is the attitude that says, "I am more important than you and, if need be, I will promote my cause and protect my rights at your expense."

Monday, March 22, 2010

Count Your Blessings Monday!!




Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am thankful that God is on the throne. That nothing can happen without His permission. I did what I was able to do as far as writing and calling my Senators and Congressman, but ultimately it is in God's hands. It was very obvious that the majority of the American people were against this. The people in the government didn't care. They did what they wanted and will let the chips fall where they may. We need to pray for those people. It makes me think of all the times in the Old Testament when God allowed a wicked king to rule over His people. When they truly repented and cried out He came in and saved them, but then He dealt harshly with that wicked king.


2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Many times I hear this quoted and I quote it myself. However, I think all too often we are looking to the other people to repent. It starts with me or with you. Continue to pray for our country, our leaders (good or bad), but ask God to show you things in your life that need to be repented of. That is what I am going to do. I truly am thankful that God is in control. I have that to rest in.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Busy Week

This has been a very busy week for some reason. It seems I have passed myself several times. :) I have not been on here to blog at all.

Spring is truly springing forth right now. I do realize that we could still have another snowfall or two, but signs of Spring are everywhere. There are robins out singing. We have seen a bluebird. Then we discovered the first crocus and just yesterday, Michael brought me the first daffodil to bloom. Our pond is full from the melting snow and the rain. The grass is greening up. There are fat buds on many of the trees. You can hear the sounds of children playing outside. Clothes are blowing in the wind on the clothesline and you hear that snapping sound they make. It is hard to be down when all of that is going on. I did get outside to take a few pictures.

Here is my first bouquet from the yard this year. :)



The sheep have not been sheared yet, but it should happen this weekend or next week at the latest.

Here is the first daffodil that Michael brought in to me. He is such a sweetheart. He does this every year.



The tulip leaves are coming up.



I hope that signs of Spring are showing up where you live!!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

I Heart Faces - Bundled Up



This is our friend, Jeff from Florida. After antagonizing the children in a long snow ball fight, they united forces against him. :) Looks like he was not bundled up enough.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Vision Forum Spring Savings Sale

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Spring Savings Sale Ends March 20th
Our “Spring Savings Sale” ends Saturday, March 20, at midnight CST. Sale pricing is good only while supplies last, and is not retroactive. “Mystery Product” prices are good only during their respective sale days.

Count Your Blessings Monday!!




Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am thankful for the gift of music. I grew up with music. My Dad was always the song leader at church. He has played a coronet since junior high school. He could sit down and pick out songs on the piano by ear. He also played the ukulele. My mother sang in the choir. I took piano lessons for a long time as a child. I play (very minimally) a couple of other instruments. My brother played the guitar. Now, my son plays the guitar beautifully. I love music and it can truly move me. I am very particular about what music I listen to. I love to sing as well. I think that music is truly a gift from the Lord. I saw this video (it wouldn't let me embed it though) on Facebook and I loved it. It is one man singing a quintet with himself. It is beautiful. I hope you watch it and enjoy it.

Complete in Thee - One Man Quintet!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Lovely Day!!!!

Our roof is finally clear of snow. :) This is one of the snow's last stands. Look how far out over the edge of the roof this is. Then you hear a loud noise like a small avalanche and it all slides down and drops off.

As you can see most of the snow is gone. It still looks so strange when I glance out the window and see grass. We were under snow cover for a long time.


It is also mud season now. The ground is all springy and squishy for at least 2".

This is what is left of our roof snow. :) This is the north side of the house, so it will be the last to go.

The Daffodils and Iris are not taking long at all to spring way up and start to form buds.

I went out back and checked and found these 2 little beauties. Oh, it brings joy to my heart to see the first crocus!!!


I went out and checked my garlic bed. We are not sure what we will get as the chickens really enjoyed scratching in this area. No matter how many times I shooed them away, they came back here. Here are a couple of shoots pushing up though.


This is our Bradford Pear tree out front. Michael told me it is not actually a Bradford, but I can't remember the right name.

I always tend to get excited when I see Spring bursting forth. I am loving the warmer temperatures and the sunshine!!! I have my windows open and I hear the birds and the breeze. Aaaaahhhhh... Spring!!!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

This and That on the Farm!

I was busy yesterday. It seemed that every time I turned around something else needed to be done. I stuck with it though. I did make another round of cheddar cheese. I have been making at least one per week. This more than takes care of our cheddar needs. I also made the mozzarella for our pizza last week. I will do that again this week. I am also going to be making yogurt and sour cream. Hopefully the yogurt and sour cream will happen today. :)

We cooked a turkey on Sunday. I have the carcass to cook to make broth. I also need to divide the left over meat up into packets to freeze for lunch meat. I enjoyed a turkey sandwich for lunch yesterday and hope to have one today.

There is still a lot of snow out there, but you can see patches of green grass. The daffodils are sending up their shoots as are the crocus. I would not be surprised to see crocus in bloom by next week. It is currently 50 degrees which is a heat wave in these parts. The sun is shining and I am truly enjoying the weather.

I am not sure when my sheep will be sheared. I hope it is soon, or they will start shedding some of it.

Hope you are enjoying sunshine where you live!!!

Monday, March 08, 2010

Count Your Blessings Monday!!




Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

I am so grateful to God for the Mom He gave me. If you have read my blog for very long at all, you know that I lost my Mom in 2005 very unexpectedly. She went to bed one night in perfect health as far as we knew and never woke up the next morning. I don't think I will ever get over it, although it is not quite so intense anymore. I was my Mom's only daughter. We did not always get along. However, I PRAISE GOD that we did finally become friends. I had a good Mom who loved me. She did the best she knew how and took good care of us. I am not sure why, but she has been in my thoughts a lot the last few days. I miss her so much it hurts. Yet, I am so grateful for the example she gave me in so many areas. She loved the Lord and read her Bible and prayed for many many people. She was a prayer warrior and I miss those prayers. She did a lot for others. She made meals, gave gifts of the items she crocheted. Made phone calls to those who were hurting. I just want to thank God publically for the wonderful Mom He gave to me. I can't wait to see her again some day.


Sunday, March 07, 2010

Signs of Spring!!!

I went exploring outside with my camera. There are definite signs of Spring. That is so exciting to me. I love Winter and I love snow, but I also love that the seasons change and we are getting ready to go into one of my two favorites ones. Autumn is my absolute favorite, but Spring comes in a close second.

There is a trailer parked up next to our barn. Michael wanted me to come and look at how the snow is coming off the roof onto the trailer. It is turning itself under.


This was looking up at another part of the barn roof. If you look closely you can actually see some of the drips falling. I LOVE that blue blue sky!!!

We went to town to run our errands. If you look closely in this picture, you can see an eagle flying. He is about the center of the picture. He had been sitting way up on a tree, but before I could find him with my camera lens he took off.

I love Sycamore trees. You can usually tell if there is a creek or a river if you see a line of Sycamores. They are such grand beautiful trees.



Here you can see where the creek runs by the trees.

The snow just melted off of this area around the house yesterday morning. I took these pictures yesterday afternoon. :) Here come the daffodils!!!


I loved the little lacey ice that formed over some of the footprints in the snow. They sparkled as if they were made from diamonds.


There are big fat buds on the lilac trees!!!

Here is the side of our house. You can see how the snow is sliding off. The pile below is all that has fallen off already. It is much larger than it looks in this picture. It sounds like a mini avalanche when it goes. Last night the rest of it fell off the roof. This is the north side as well, so I know the south side must be clear.

Even with all the days above freezing, we are still covered with snow. The area around the house is melting fairly quickly though.

I am getting ready to order baby chicks. We have made it through another winter. Have you seen Spring at your house?