Thursday, June 30, 2011

Learning the lessons of animals

No manuals come with animals. . .  No manuals come with humans, but somehow we muddle through in raising both.

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In the midst of all of the busyiness of summer days we had to learn a hard lesson with two of our animals.  Shadow and Jingles, Hannah's rabbits for 4-H, we got them when they were just weeks old.  She carried them home in her lap, stroking their soft, black fur, envisioning many special moments with her new bunnies.  She began rising early to care for them, feeding, watering and cleaning a cage - she was truly dedicated to her work, always rising without delay.  Her care became more involved when she found out she had not two girls bunnies, but a buck and a doe.  She watched them grown, practiced her showmanship routine and anxiously awaited the upcoming county fair where she would get to show them for the first time.

Tragedy struck shortly after she got their ears tagged for showing - Shadow became sick quickly and died.  No one in the house knew what happened, until a week later, Jingles experienced the same sickness.  Jingles was brought inside the house, hydrated and feed with a syringe for several days.  Seeing improvement, she took him outside on a beautiful sunny day to play in the grass.  Everyone thought Jingles was on the mend, until last evening when he took a turn for the worse and died in the night.  GI Stasis is the culprit for both of their deaths.  Learning lessons the hard way is not always comforting, but does it not say in  Psalm 23:      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.   
Hearts are broken, tears have been shed over and over.  What a mess we've made, but we need to chose to take today in its stride. . . to learn from our mistakes. . .  to see the fingerprints of God in the midst of this mess.    All life is fragile, both human and animal. . .   Job 1:21 the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Weekends are for picnics

Best friends are made at picnics

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Swinging high in the sky happens at picnics

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Hopping on one leg can sometimes happen at picnics

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Hamming it up on the swings is always possible at picnics

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Once a year awards always happen at the Year End Picnic for our home school group.  Even though it wasn't sunny, we were blessed with no rain (which is amazing here in Northern Cal.).  We enjoy this picnic as our final fairwell to the school year and the beginning of a rather too quick summer vacation.  Good food, fellowship and fun times always accompany this picnic.
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Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Fathers -

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For the man who hand reaches for mine in the middle of the night, whose arms are strong enough to carry children, whose tender words can melt my heart.

For the man who dedicates his life to providing for his family, many moments of reading Captain Pajamas, playing with puzzles, hours of hauling trash and unpluging sinks, many heartfelt talks with his children.

For the man who selflessly takes care of our home and farm animals, taking on the stress of paying the many bills, building rabbit cages and chicken coops and often mowing the lawn late into the evening.

For the man who leads our family, with God's grace

along the journey

to growing our lives more like our Father God.

Happy Father's Day!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

21 - French Onion Soup Anyone?


She said that when she turned 21 she would buy her first bottle of wine, not to drink, but rather to make authentic French Onion Soup, so sweetheart, enjoy your day tomorrow.  We we wish we could share it with you and enjoy some yummy soup.

Happy Birthday from all of us!

French onion soup


French onion soup


1) In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color.
2) Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes.

3) Add the beef and veal stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper, and serve hot with grated Parmesan.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Soon to be summer vacation

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School books put away, pencils dull and worn, paper all gone and file boxes ready for storage, BUT

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there is always time for one final field trip of the school year.  

Bancrest Dairy, just seconds down the road from our house, long time friends, my very first sewing teacher in 4-H and the best neighbors. . .
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Bumpy hay ride to the barn, squeels of delight from the rear of the second trailer, seems we got the bumpiest ride.  First stop, the barn to milk a cow.

For some this might be the first time ever milking a cow, or even coming close to one. . .  for others this is second nature living in our rural community.  Either way, everyone took away a special understanding of all that goes into getting fresh milk.
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Little George, so very excited about seeing the cows, riding on the wagon and touching the big tractor UNTIL the milking machine was turned on.   All fingers got to feel what the cow feels when milked, and to test whether the fresh milk was warm or cold?  Any guesses?
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She never once complained, she was as sweet as they come, waiting patiently for everyone to get a turn milking her. . . . . .

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There was a baby calf, born just last week, that needed to be feed.  I don't think she minded any of the attention, or the fresh, yummy milk either . . . . . .  Afterward, it was picnic time on the front lawn, surrounded by all of the beautiful flowers in bloom, with locally made chocolate milk and ice cream served for lunch. 
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Quick, pile back into the wagon for our ride back to our cars and then home for the afternoon.  What a sweet ending to our school year.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

16 Summers

My gator driving, John Deere Tractor lovin' little boy may have 16 more summers here at home, but if I keep blinking those years will go by so quickly.
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Just look how's he has grown.  Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!


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