Saturday, January 30, 2010

They are DONE!!!

I finished my socks!! I can't believe I did it. I would love to be able to show them to my Mom.


I had started a toddler sweater last winter. It is for no one in particular, but I wanted to make a sweater and figured I had a better chance of getting one done if it was small. I have started back up on it. I will keep you posted.

It is bitter cold again. We woke up to right around zero one morning and around 5 another. We missed all the snow, but that is OK. We still have snow on the ground.

Hope you all had a great Saturday and that you have a blessed Lord's Day!!!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

What is Happening Out Here!!

Life on the farm is slower this time of year. There are not as many chores and it is so cold, that staying inside is my top choice. :) My house can get cool in the corners, so I have a rocker right by the wood stove. My Bible is there, my knitting is there and sometimes there is a good book there. My dear sweet husband is doing all the outside chores right now. I am so grateful for him and all that he does around here.

Neither Michael or I were raised in the country or on a farm. We were both city slickers. :) We made the move into country life in increments. It is a good life and we feel extremely blessed to be able to live this life. We have never felt threatened out here in the country. We know many of our neighbors and especially the Wonderful Neighbors next door to us. There is crime out in the country though. One of the most common things that seems to happen is something I have never understood. Some of the country young people like to ride around in the evening or in the night and bash in people's mailboxes. I guess they think it makes them cool, but I think it makes them look stupid. It makes picking out a mailbox a bit interesting. You can buy a really decorative one or in our case we bought one of the big rural mailboxes and I painted it. However, you take the chance of something happening to it. We have had ours smashed, but we just banged it back into shape.

We have also had a crime wave out in our area that is hard to believe. There has been a string of burglaries and break ins. A man was beaten up, another shot in the chest (he did live). There was a big drug bust and even a murder right before Christmas. We are being more cautious and watchful, but praise the Lord we have Him to watch over us. I have been listening to the Otto Koning's Pineapple Story CD's again. If you have never heard them, they are well worth getting. Your children will love to listen to them with you as well. He was sharing about Job. He reminded me that satan could not get to Job without God's permission. It is the same with us.

We are hoping that the sheep are all bred by now. We will keep the ram awhile longer to make sure though. Our layers are not doing so well. They have really slowed down on production. I hope to get new laying chicks this Spring.

I am feeling better, but still have some symptoms especially when I am not faithful to drink my water. The Wonderful Neighbor children are doing a tiny bit better, but they are still battling this respiratory thing over there. We did go help celebrate the Lil' Neighbor's first birthday. She was so cute. She ooooh'd and aaaaaaah'd over each gift. This is her "Aren't I Cute" smile. :)


She enjoyed her cupcake (or at least the pink icing) and was ready for a bite of ice cream.

I wrote an article (for want of a better word) and have hesitated putting it on here. I get comments that people think I am shooting arrows at THEM. It is something God is showing me though. Hmmmm. My friend Ginny said I should put it up. She said every time a preacher gives a sermon, someone feels that way. We shall see. :)

I am getting an opportunity to test a product for a company and then review it for you. :) I am excited about this. One of the websites that this company runs is Mailboxes.

I am also getting together a prize for a give away so stay tuned for that as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

The Monster Still Lives but He Ain't purty!!

Our January thaw is over. It is snowing today and we expect more tonight. The Monster Snowman is still visible although he has shrunk considerably. :) This morning it was 43 degrees and it is down to 34 and falling. So, the rest of him will probably stick around. :) I need to get his hat and scarf and bring them in.



The snow came down in little pellets. It reminded me of perlite (potting soil additive).

It was very light and did not sting when it hit you or anything.

Somebody asked how I was feeling. I think I may be over it. I am still watching what I am drinking though. I want to be sure it is gone.

Please continue to pray for the Wonderful Neighbor children. They are still fighting this respiratory virus that is not going away.

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 the blessing I am counting is family. Many times I get very disjointed from family because we all have busy lives. I have been trying this year to be more mindful to not let that happen. We are not promised a tomorrow with them. Yesterday, my baby brother and his wife came over and had dinner and spent the afternoon with us. It was a good time of visiting and sharing.

Also, I have Joshua and Brittany really close by and get to see them often. I try to talk to my Dad on the phone several times a week. I am blessed.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

New Items in the Store!!!


We have added some new items in the store. Come on over and check it out.

We added some bamboo spoons. The Wonderful Neighbor girl told me I was going "green" with getting bamboo items. :) Bamboo is an eco-friendly, sustainable wood. It is durable and moisture resistant, sturdy and lightweight. It is safe for nonstick surfaces. Won't impart or absorb flavors. It is also heat and stain resistant.

We also found a wonderfully HUGE stainless steel wide mouth funnel. You could put a very large ladle into the top of this funnel with no problem. It will make it a breeze when you are canning!!

We already carried a stainless steel cookie sheet, but we added a larger one. This one is 16" X 12"

Keep checking back as we are going to be having another give away coming up soon!!

The January Thaw

We have had a week or so of above freezing temperatures. Most days it did not hit 40, but it did a couple of times. This caused most of our snow to melt away. There is only a trace here or there in little pockets.


It is amazing that the grass is still green in some places. I guess the snow really acts as a great insulator. :) However, the warmer temperatures also brought about something that is totally gruesome and sad. If you have a queasy stomach at the site of ugly things, I would scroll no farther down.

Here is a dead snowman. He was a brave fellow that was built by my little Florida friends. As he started to lean, his arms went out behind him to try and keep him upright, but alas, the warmth has done him in.

However, the MONSTER lives!!! :) The HUGE snowman that the WN children built for me is still out there, although his head is in a rather odd shape. :)

I am feeling a bit better, but I am still not over the UTI. That is not normal for me, so I will keep hitting it hard.

I have completed the heel on my second sock and will hopefully finish it up this week.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What is Going On Here

We had people come and look at our farm on Sunday. They are coming back this week with a friend who is a realtor. We are leaving it in God's hands.

I have been down all week with a horrible UTI or kidney something. I am still not back to myself, but much better than I was on Monday. I have not been on here much.

Today is co-op day and I don't really feel up to it, but I have no choice. I do think the WN boy is going to be able to help me unload the truck. I sure hope my yogurt comes in. I am thinking it will be a good thing for me to be taking.

Hopefully I will be back with more later this week.

Monday, January 18, 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. :) Yesterday it rained a good bit of the day, but it was in the high 30's which feels like a heat wave. I was able to go to town and to church with just a sweater. My house has stayed warm without electric heaters. I have not had socks on or had to wear leggings under my dress. :) I am sure we will have some more cold weather, but I am so thankful for this reprieve.

Another wonderful blessing, I found my earring this weekend. Thank you Lord!! It was on the ground not too far from the front door. It must have fallen into the snow and sunk. With the warmer temps some of our snow has melted and praise the Lord, it uncovered my earring!!!

What is your blessing today?

Friday, January 15, 2010

The Lord is my portion

I had a long talk with the Lord today. I gave Him everything in my life (again). I surrender things and then take them back. I have been listening to Otto Koning.

The above is the book he wrote about the Pineapple story, but we have the CD set that goes into much more detail. He tells of his life as a missionary in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. He shares how he had to learn to give everything to God before God took it.

I look around at my life and I have let some bad habits take control. I have let some areas go that need to be addressed. I have picked up other things that I need to lay down.

When I got done praying, I was emotionally spent. I had peace though. I sat there and wondered how God can not get tired of having to teach me the same things over and over. Then I opened up my devotional to read and these verses were the verses of the day...

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
Lamentations 3:21-25

Yes, He is faithful. May I be faithful as well.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

I actually did it!!!

I finished my fist knitted sock. I didn't really think I could do it. Now, I have to be faithful and make the mate!!!

Just My Thoughts Tonight

It is amazing how all things can come into perspective when you look around you.

Tonight, I am/was feeling very discouraged and down. That is not the normal for me. I am having troubles with my webhost server behind the scenes. They switched to a new program that is not user friendly and I can no longer do what I need to do by myself.

I got an email from what I thought was an internet buddy of mine. Joy and I have been internet buddies for at least 7 years or more. She was in her early 70's. She used to weave and then had a stroke and had to sell her loom. She and her husband (a retired pastor) came down to our house to meet us and spend some time with us. Joy and I have kept up with each others life through email. I just had an email conversation with her in late December about looms. I just received an email from her son. Joy died of complications from pneumonia on Jan. 3rd.

Life is change.... I was sitting here not sure what to do about my webpage. Michael and I prayed about it. My store is part of it, so I can't just let it go. Then I read an email from a friend of mine that had a double mastectomy in September. She had gotten the all clear (NO CANCER!!!!) last week and we celebrated. Today, she was told she is coming off some more meds they had her on and she does not have to go back for anything for 3 months. What are my problems compared to what she has been through. They I saw the news and saw pictures of what is going on in Haiti. Oh, the heartache, the pain, the devastation. Families separated. People not knowing if loved ones are OK or buried under some building somewhere. So many wounded that it is hard to even begin to tend to them.

I can change my focus from me to praising the Lord with Dana over her cancer victory. I can change my focus from me and pray for the people in Haiti. To see what I am able to do from here to help. Lord forgive me for my selfishness.

Vision Forum DVD Bundle


I hate to bombard you with lots of advertising, but I also hate for any of you to miss out on some great deals. Forty DVDs for 70% Off!
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Sale ends at midnight on January 18, 2010 (CST), and is good only while supplies last.

Save 70% and Purchase the Vision Forum Films DVD Bundle

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Vision Forum Sale

2010 has arrived, and we have a special offer for our valued customers to help you kick-start the new year with encouraging resources for your family. For a limited-time, save 25%-50% on all in-stock products at Vision Forum. Plus, there is a special “$10 Off” coupon for even greater savings on your order of $50 or more!

These are one use only coupon codes and we have 2 to share. If you try one and it won't work, then try the other one. It is first come, first served. :)

Coupon: 2A49EJ8ML5NB

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Enter your coupon while viewing your shopping cart, or during checkout, to save an extra $10 on your $50+ order. This coupon may only be redeemed online, may not be retroactively applied to past orders, and expires at midnight on January 31, 2010 (CST).

This is an exceptional opportunity to take advantage of excellent prices on home-school materials, character-building tools for boys, heirloom items for girls, as well as books, CDs, and movies for the entire family.

Our special pricing and coupon is good only while supplies last, so place your order soon!

Sale pricing and coupon applies to in-stock items only, and only to new orders placed between now and midnight (CST) on January 31, 2009. Mail orders do not qualify for this special offer.

We pray that this special savings opportunity will bless your family with encouraging, edifying, and fun resources for all to enjoy.

I also want to say thank you to all of you who have used my links to purchase things. It has helped us bring in a little bit of extra income.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Sale on DVD's at Amazon!!



Amazon is having a sale on DVD's through January 24th while supplies last. If you have been waiting to get a movie, now is the time. :)

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 thanking the Lord for hay. We have been praying about hay and what to do with our animals. Michael has gone to the auction several times trying to get hay. The Amish always run it up pretty high for around here. They really want the hay, because at this auction delivery comes with the price. It has been going to up over $4 a square bale for junk first cutting. Well last week he went to the auction and was able to get some square bales delivered for $2.25 each. YIPPEE!!! Then he has been pricing round bales for the cows. (Square are for the sheep). They have been going from $30 to $45 a bale. We can get a few, but then we are going to be out of hay and money. One of our customers asked us if we needed hay. I said yes and they asked if we wanted to buy some from them. I told them I would have Michael call them. He called them. They don't have a whole bunch, but enough to maybe see us through the winter. They are larger ones too... around 800#. Michael asked how much he wanted for them. He asked what prices Michael had seen and he was very honest. He asked if we would take them for $15 each!!!!! After Michael made sure he was serious, he said YES!!!! So, praise the Lord He is answering our prayers.

I do have a prayer request as well. Michael bought me a pair of turquoise earrings. The hook on them was a bit funny, so I kept bending it to make sure they would stay in. I wore them around here all day on Friday to make sure they were secure. They did fine. I wore them out Saturday to do errands. Now one of them is missing. I have no idea if it is here or not. :( Please pray that I find it.

I heart faces - photo contest



They are celebrating a birthday over at i heart faces. You will have to go over and check out the beautiful photos. Here is my entry this week for "Best Face Photo".


Friday, January 08, 2010

More Snow

We are getting more snow. :) It started yesterday and was supposed to go through out the night. I have not been out this morning yet. Here are some pictures.

We are using a Katahdin ram this year with our sheep. None of the Shetlands available were tall enough to do the job. :) We won't be able to use the fleece on any of the babies, but they will make good meat lambs. Here is the ram.
Here is when the snow first started. You can still see Mr. Snowman's facial features and hat.
This is after a couple of hours of snow.

It really came down hard with some big flakes a couple of times. Looks like he is enjoying it.

Star loves it when it gets cold out. She was out running around.

Looks like it is a bit higher now. :)

I took this to sort of watch the growth of snow on top of the bird feeder and also the picnic table.

The snow had slowed down a bit here. You can see his face and hat are harder to see.

Poor guy... He is going blind!!

They said the low last night was supposed to be 17. Our thermometer this morning says 5 and the wind is blowing... BRRRRR....

I did it!!!!

I actually made a heel on a sock!!! Woo Hoo!!! :) I have always heard how hard this is. I found a group of ladies on line who answered my questions and cheered me on. I am sure no one is as excited as I am, but I have put off trying to make socks because I did not think I could do the heel. :)



Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Winter

Winter time in Ohio. I always think of gray overcast days. Last winter came early and hit hard and stayed around forever. This year it started early and then left town for awhile. :) It's back!! We have had really cold temperatures here. It looks like much of the country is experiencing the same. My Dad who lives in Florida has said that they have had several nights below freezing.

When it's cold, I like it to snow and to have snow on the ground. I also like to stay inside by the fire. :) I love to look out my window and see the snow coming down, while I am warm and toasty. This is not a warm and toasty house however, so that is why I like to sit by the fire. Layers of clothing are a must around here. We have been getting snow. We get a little bit at a time. The other day they said we would get less than an inch and we got over 4". Then that night they said less than 1/2 " and we got well over an inch. They are saying we will get 2-4" on Thursday, so who knows what we will get. Maybe none. I would not like to be a weather man or woman either. They have to predict and then if they aren't right on, they are fussed at. :)

I want to get some projects done this winter. I am trying for the first time in my life to knit myself a pair of socks. Here is my humble beginnings. Actually, I took this picture to ask some ladies on line, what I was doing wrong. They helped me and I had to pull some out and re-do it. I am now working on the heel. I also want to weave my shawl this winter.



One morning we actually had some good sunshine. I looked out the front door to check the thermometer and look who was out there grinning at me!


Michael and I went to pick up a ram on Saturday. When we left our house, it was not snowing. We got nearer to our destination and we went through several little snow squalls.

Here is our road as we were coming home.

Here is our driveway.

What are you plans for this winter? Any projects you are wanting to get done?

New Homestead Blessing Video!!

The West Ladies are Back in the Kitchen
New Homestead Blessings DVD Release:


The Art of Dairy Delights Hosted by the West Ladies



We are pleased to announce the release of an exciting new Homestead Blessings DVD featuring The West Ladies -- Homestead Blessings The Art of Dairy Delights.




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The West Ladies teach the following processes in The Art of Dairy:
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For a limited time this complete eight DVD set is available for just $105. That's less than $13.25 per DVD for the entire Homestead Blessings collection!


Monday, January 04, 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 being able to breath. I have had problems breathing through my nose for years. I forgot what it was like to take a deep breath and to deeply sniff something. :) Michael bought a warm air vaporizer a couple of weeks ago. I was having problems at night with getting all stuffed up really bad. We have been putting that in our room each night. After about 2 days of it, I started coughing up stuff and blowing stuff out. I would blow and blow and fill a kleenex. Then I could breath wonderfully. I did that over a few days and then it all cleared up and I have been breathing clearly. I am so grateful for that. I thank God for this blessing!!!

Hopefully we will start getting back to normal this week. I do have out of town guests coming, but they will only be here a couple of nights. They are good friends and we are looking forward to seeing them. I need to bake some bread today and get going on some projects. I am knitting a pair of socks (first time). I really want to finish them and not have them be one of those projects that last over several winters. :) I have about 6" of the first sock done. I am also going to be weaving a shawl. I am borrowing a triangle loom from a friend. I am so excited. To have a wool shawl from my own sheep has been a dream of mine for several years. I have a couple of sewing projects to do on some dresses. This is mostly mending type stuff.

We brought home a ram on Saturday. The Shetland rams they had were too small to get the job done. :) So, we bought a katahdin ram. Buttercup is down to around 1 gallon of milk a day. I am not sure how long we will go on milking her. The cold is hard on the animals and we are getting some bitter cold weather right now.

What are you thankful for today?

Friday, January 01, 2010

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to each of you. Today is a fresh start, a new beginning. Each day is a fresh start, but being the first day of a new year gives it even more freshness.

Last year held many things for us. There were good things and bad. This coming year is like a clean slate. What changes would I like to see happen? What new habits would I like to form? Is there something new I want to try and do? Life is change. The thing that stays constant (besides the Lord) is that things will change. Some changes are good and immediately embraced. Last year after a long wait, the Wonderful Neighbors had a beautiful baby girl. This was a good change for them and for us (since they are good at sharing). Some changes are hard, like when my Mom died. That was one of the times that forever change your life. I still grieve for her. It is not as intense and does not happen as often, but at moments great waves of grief can come crashing around me. Some changes you make happen like taking out those doors we had and putting up a new wall in their place. Some changes you have no control over, like a car giving up the ghost and having to replace it.

We are trying to bring about some change in our household. I don't like to do the whole New Years resolution thing because I feel like a failure if I don't end up sticking with something. These are things that we have been working on, but we are going to be living more deliberately and trying to stick to them and make them habits.

First of all, we are again going to read through the Bible this year. Last year I did it in the New Living Translation. This year, I pulled out my NASB again. Michael and I are doing the same schedule this year which is good for discussion. I also want to increase my prayer life. I want to be more faithful to write down requests and needs and to pray them through. We both know that if we don't start with the spiritual, that none of the other stuff will come along.

We are also starting the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. We have wanted to be debt free for a long time. We are going to take the steps to move in that direction. If you get a chance to read his book "The Total Money Makeover", I suggest that you jump at it. Especially if you are young and just starting out. We wish that someone would have given it to us when we started out almost 31 years ago. He takes you in baby steps. It is do-able!!!



We eat fairly healthy for the most part. We have eaten some junk through the holidays, but not as much as usual, as we did not make it or bring it home. :) We got a little bit and it was enough. I get to the place where I am sick of that stuff anyway. I told Michael the other night that I would rather have a piece of my homemade bread with butter and some honey and an orange than even a slice of cheesecake (one of my favorites). I want to do more planning for meals, more portion control and stick with whole foods.

We also want to get more exercise. That is probably one of my biggest areas I fall down in. I am doing no outside chores right now. I do have my inside chores, but all the things I love to do are not very active. :) I like to read, spin, knit, crochet, paint, the computer.... you get the picture. We have a treadmill and I also have 2 of Leslie Sansone's DVD's where you can walk away the pounds in your living room. I need to put these to use.

I also want to reach out to others more this year. I look back over the last 4 plus years of my life and somewhere things changed. I think it was a slow change, but with the meningitis, then losing my Mom, then starting into "the change" (I cracked up even typing that) it creeped up on me so that I am not even sure of who I am anymore. I feel like I have to much of a focus on me and what is going on with me. I want to be a blessing to others. As one of my friends puts it, I want to be His hands and feet.

I am also looking for more ways for me to bring in money from home. I appreciate all of you who use my links for Amazon, Vision Forum, Lehmans, Christian Book Distributors, Franklin Springs and the other links. They have helped us to bring in some cash flow. Also, I would highly encourage you to at least try Swagbucks. You can use this banner.

Search & Win
We put up the tool bar that comes with it and use this as our search engine instead of google or another. We have earned enough Swagbucks and turned them in for Amazon gift cards, that we have now bought 2 telephones with them. You can turn them in for all sorts of things.

Anyway, I do want to find something else I can do from home. I know several people who do medical transcription from home. I am praying about what to do.

All of the above sounds like a major change at our house. For the most part, again, it is all stuff we have been sort of doing all along. If you ever pray for me, pray that I will allow the Lord to work through me so that I live each moment deliberately instead of just walking through life and taking it as it comes. We are not sure of what changes the Lord will bring. Our farm is still for sale and we still have a desire to live near Brittany's family as well as Josh and Britt.

What changes are you looking for in this new year???