D is for Dinosaur

 

This fall there is much to be accomplished

School to be done

Apples to be harvested

Preschool lessons - we are on letter D

canning to be put up

sickness throughout the entire clan

noses to be wiped and

sore throats to be cared for

For everything there is a season

Eccelsiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

We have been having the most

glorious days this last week, with

temperatures into the mid 70's - (almost unheard of for Northern California)

Early in the morning, before we are barely done with devotions,

the girls and Georgie are outside riding their bicycles

enjoying every moment of sunshine.

From my favorite spot of the morning

I capture their smiles. . . joy overflowing.

I relax more these days, realizing

there will be many months ahead of long days with nothing but rain,

 -  endless rain.

But honestly, I can easily get overly wrapped up in the tasks

 that I'm not accomplishing

I need to constantly remind myself to enjoy each and everyday

 regardless of the tasks at hand

We can live simply in this complicated life

through Christ's strength all of the tasks that need to be done, will get done

It's moments like these that I need to remember

Jesus's words to Martha, "Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. - Luke 10"

So when the little ones are into everything

and you are sure nobody is learning anything

the messes around you keep piling up

the days seem never-ending

and the tasks keep on mounting

throw yourself at your Father's feet and allow His strength to carry you through

Tomorrow is another day

Enjoy today and live every moment cherishing what God has blessed you with.

And let there be . . . a new fence

Those new, grand white pickets stand so regal in our front yard.  They sing peace of mind to me.  After two years on our homestead, my dreams of keeping my children safe and our farm animals out of our busy country road is almost a reality.  Our fence was completed this weekend and the gates are soon to arrive.  I enjoy looking out the window, during our beautiful Indian summer weather (today it was actually 68 degrees) and seeing this lovely fence.  It's as if it was always there smiling right back at me.



Our garden has turned into a jungle.  We are still harvesting beans, zucchini, snow peas, chard, potatoes and even some onions. 



The girls planted these wildflowers in spring and they have finally bloomed.  So beautiful!  Next year I see these alongside of our new fence.






Even our over sized pumpkins are starting to turn a golden orange color - just in time to grace my front porch for the fall season.



Our momma hen gave birth to three new chicks this month, but we lost one in the duck pond.  It saddens our hearts, but we all know too well here that it is part of the circle of life.  We do the best to protect and take care of the animals in which God has entrusted.

Our momma duck is back to sitting on a new batch of eggs - we lost the last batch to a sneaky critter who got into the eggs late one evening before we had a chance to put her in her cage for the night.  We will do a better job of helping her keep track of her eggs this time and we'll need to set up some kind of nursery for the babies for the first few weeks.  I love watching the natural instincts of the momma hens/ducks taking care of their babies.  They are so diligent to teach them the ways of survival.  It reminds me how we are to train our little ones as the Lord commands. . . .

Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

   And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

I got a call from Sarah today and she too reminded me of my diligence in teaching her over the years.  Sarah's college math teacher tries to pose questions that she thinks the class will not be able to answer, but through Sarah's and my diligence to train and teach according to God's design, she is able to answer her teacher with correct answers, thus "stumping" her teacher.  FINALLY, a reason from the Lord for teaching Algebra II- to show glory and honor to our Father.

May your fall days be filled with lovely teaching memories!



When the days make you weary

“Thank you, Lord, for water to wash off counters and that the dust bunnies around here haven’t yet grown into monsters and that the jam stuck sticky all over everything really does just wash off, and for this husband that treats me tender when I’m stuck.”

This piece of advice, from Ann,  took ahold of my heart one morning as I was realizing I was growing weary of the everyday tasks that lay at my feet each morning.   I'm thankful for having the messes, really, because one day soon I will work myself right out of my job. .  .  those who create these messes will be grown and gone, and this does not make me happy.

We've been enjoying the "Indian Summer" weather that we've had here on the Pacific Northwest.  While others are putting their gardens to rest for the fall, our garden is in full swing and we are anxiously awaiting our over abundance of brocolli to flower, pumpkins to turn orange and beans to ripen.  I just recently planted a fall garden of radishes and turnips.  If I can keep the dreaded slugs off of the baby sprouts we just might see some fall vegetables.

Look at this beautiful flower that finally bloomed in our side garden.  For the last two years we did not see any blooms on this plant - I almost pulled it out because it's a slug and snail magnet.  We put to work the two muscovy ducks given to us and this is what happens when the snails and slugs are cleaned up.  Now, if I could just get them to eat their way through my slug infested garden. . . for some reason they are scared to cross through the gate into the garden?

The girls and I just finished our third week of school.  It always amazes me to watch them learn and grow.  Even if we take a step backward to refresh, they seem to push themselves to get right back to where we left off before.  I brought back in some fun curriculum we'd gotten away from.  The littles seem to be happy too in their "preschool" time with momma.

I pray that when your days make you weary, that you look heavenward and rest your weary soul on Christ's shoulder.  He will bear your weight and burdens far better than you can in your own strength.  May your weekend be blessed!

Zucchini Pineapple

In my constant search for new uses for zucchini and alternate ways to store the abundance of zucchini, I came across a canning recipe for zucchini pineapple.  Intrigued, I had to read on.  Crystal uses this for many of her recipes that call for crushed pineapple, one being her Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe that not only is one my family's favorites, but is very quick and easy to put together.

Zucchini Pineapple

8 quarts grated zucchini (about 6 - 7 overly large zucchini)
2 - 20 oz. cans chunk pineapple
6 cups sugar
3 cups lemon juice



Combine all ingredients into a large stock pot, bringing to a boil, reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle hot mixture into hot pint jars and can in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.





I couldn't resist, so I tasted some before it went into the jars.  It is unbelievable how much the zucchini tastes and maintains the same texture as crushed pineapple.  I cannot wait to try this in all of my recipes that call for crushed pineapple.