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.

Weekends are for harvesting lavender

Lavender smells remind me of freshly cleaned linens blowing in the breeze on the clothesline.  It's the scent that I turn to everytime I want to relax and unwind from the day.  It's the scent that I frequently put in sachets that are secretly tucked away into all of our drawers.

In a small corner of our front garden, our lavender bush sits quietly and blooms beautifully every year producing a beautiful aroma of fragrant buds.

May all your wanderings this weekend be a sweet aroma to Him who created us. . .

Ephesians 5:2     
     Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.   

Celebrating Life

She and her brother wait anxiously on the front porch as the gentlemen set up this monsterous slide for our celebration of their lives.  "Can we keep the slide forever," she asks.  "No, honey," I reply, "the men have to take it back at the end of the day so that someone else can receive the joy you'll get from it today."  The wheels in her little braining turning - I could see that she was figuring out how many times she could slide during the day before the men returned.  The child-like simplicity of life at four!

All of our precious peas due a celebration of their lives, but this year we only have five remaining at home to enjoy this celebration.  Not only do they glorify God in all they do, but they bless their parents every day of their lives.  So we enjoy celebrating once a year with so many wonderful friends.

Secretly a thrill for the General Manager, making his famous ribs and chicken drumsticks are a highlight of the party.  No one leaves hungry and all family members from youngest to oldest get in on the fun.

We pray to thank God for our blessings, not only family, but friends, our home, our food and the beautiful day that we were given.  We find that we simply cannot pray enough thanksgiving for the gifts that we have been blessed with.

Relatively warm days are a rarity here in Northern California, so to watch sunscreen being applied was quite a surprise.

At the end of the day, the gentlemen return to take down the slide, sighs of disappointment murmur in the breeze that has blown in from the ocean nearby.  The clouds are beginning to roll in, letting us know the day is coming to a close.  As some large tears are shed, I wonder, "will Tractor Boy be able to wait until next year for another slide? "

I'm not sure, but I know that the memories that God gave us today will be remembered forever.

Praise his glorious name forever!Let the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen and amen  Psalm 72:19

Road trips are for spending time with family

Our trip to Sparks, Nevada was filled with moments of memories for all.  The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, the heat was just right and the mountain peaks above us still had a rather large patch of snow remaining.

It was wonderful finally getting to meet "Uncle Tom" or "UT" as most call him around those parts. We'll have to make sure it's not another 17 years before we see him again.  Everyone enjoyed Uncle Steve's pool.   The ride home was filled with talk of how we could get a pool at our house so that they could keep swimming.  They keep forgetting that our 60 degree weather makes for very cold swimming water.

Our nephew's Eagle Court Ceremony

Grandma with her grandkids

We got home in one piece and everything was well taken care of - even our chickens were excited to see us!

Weekends are for road trips . . . .

We are headed to Sparks, Nevada this weekend to partake in our nephew's Eagle Scout Court Ceremony.  We'll also be able to catch up with our second oldest daughter who recently moved out there to live with her grandparents. 

Everyone here is a little excited to go, even the littles who thought they'd be helpful by getting themselves packed.   We are looking forward to the time spent together as a family as we haven't taken a trip all together for two years now.

Have a blessed weekend!

Hold the Mayo Please

Soon potatoes will be harvested here in Northern California; providing a wonderfully tasty staple throughout the winter months.  We as a family love to make some very yummy recipes with potatoes such as Corn and Red Pepper Kielbasa Soup, Pot Roast with roasted potatoes, Beef Stew and Chicken and Dumplings.  But it was this recipe that stole the hearts and stomachs of everyone who attended our 5th Annual Bibby Birthday Bash this last weekend .

French Potato Salad

2 lbs Small Red Potatoes

2 TBSP Dry White Wine

3 TBSP Champagne Vinegar

2 TBSP Chicken Stock/Broth

1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard

2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

6 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 c Green Onions

1 TBSP Fresh Dill, minced

1 TBSP Parsley, minced

2 tsp. Basil

Boil a large pot of water; cook potatoes until cooked through - about 20 minutes.

Let cool and cut potatoe in half into a large bowl.  Add wine and chicken stock; let the liquids absorb after tossing.

Meanwhile combine vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil while wisking.  Add the vinegar mix, onions, herbs and toss well.

I'm looking forward to trying this over the winter months.  I especially like that it doesn't contain mayonnaise - - the majority of our family balks at the thought of mayonnaise in a recipe.  Be sure to let me know if you enjoy this recipe.

Zoo Chatter

Perhaps it was the quietness of the day,

perhaps it was the sheer laughter of delight coming from within the littles as they ran from cage to cage, bursting with the news of the newest animal or bird they found,

but maybe, just maybe it was the animals speaking to us as we roamed through the zoo.  The beauty of God's creation all around us.  The awe and wonder of it all. . . so many unique animals with a myriad of traits, some so mystifying that scientists are left baffled.



















As we slip into the car to pick up the sisters who were rehearsing for a dance recital,

I look back at the flag that welcomes all into the zoo and I'm reminded over again, God's creation is GOOD.  It is all around us, the beauty of it shining a light over this dark world.

  And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
  And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
  And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
  And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:20 - 25

Peace in a chaotic life

It starts early in the morning, the bickering between each of these five children God has entrusted me to raise.  Even before I've had a moment to wrap my head around getting up or out of bed, the fuzz still clouding my eyes from staying up too late again. 



I listen to the pleas,  "Mommy, he took my toy,  Mommy, she won't let me have any covers," and they continue endlessly.   I cannot disappear under the covers and wish the behavior to disappear.  I mumble something about needing more sleep and I wonder if I hide in the bathroom long enough, just until the bickering is done - would that work.    But, they always find me, somehow. . . someway their little internal tracking devices find me.


Should this be a reminder to me that even God can find us in our deepest, darkest hiding places - no closet is off limits to the Holy Spirit who indwells inside of us.

So, how do I find "Peace," that quiet moment when time and space seem to stand still and my eyes are open to the whole world around me. . . When through all the clouds and murky waters I find inner, calm, peace in this chaotic life that God has chosen for me?

Peace certainly doesn't happen with that first cup of tea, or for me, the first cup of soda, loaded with extra caffeine.  It doesn't happen either when I tune a deaf ear to the growing character issues that need to be dealt with in our house.

“Peace is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.”

Peace comes when God's strength,  The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11, overtakes my weaknesses.  Peace comes when I remember that my life is PEACE with God in it!

So, I close my eyes, sit in my favorite spot of the morning, say a quick prayer, take one step at a time, correct the unruly behavior and yield my will to God's will.  These children are my responsibility - not a distraction - one to be ignored - but rather all else is the distraction around me to the peace that God wants me to experience in raising these little ones.  Why else would Job tell us, “Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. "  Job 22:21



The sun peaks out from behind the clouds and I realize that while I don't have everything figured out, the chaos has passed for the time being and I will make it - I will experience ultimate peace one day - the day that I return to be with the Lord.  God speaks to my heart today and for the time being I am being molded and guided along this journey.  So for today, I can count my way through the many gifts received that give me peace beyond understanding.

# 209 - 228

* reading moments with daughters
* the boy throwing rocks at a laundry pole and laughing hysterically for no reason
* coupon savings that add up to a huge stockpile
* more teenagers to raise
* a cat taking a morning bath in the bird bath
* new flowers planted in hopes of beautiful blooms for next year
* weeding the same beds over again. . .  how stubborn those weeds are just like our sin
* two bright yellow skirts sewn in hopes that the sun would take notice
* new rhubarb plants for next year
* focused on knowing God and infusing that into my children
* homeschool field trips
* his hand reaching for mine in the dark
* happy, contented little girl waiting for sisters at ballet, sandwiched between two bean bag chairs reading a book
* peaceful music playing in the background
* little boy good-bye's to Daddy
* breath to blow over hot muffins
* shoes by the kitchen sink to put by the back door one more time