Lost Dogs...

A friend lost two Dalmations and has been frantically looking for them. So far, no one has seen them; if you find them, please call 555.HELP.

Speaking of help...recently, I've contacted some folks who say they are in the business of helping build better blogs. Then...I've waited and waited and waited...and no response. Maybe my requests aren't big enough but, it seems to me, they are paying jobs that a more computer literate person could tackle in a few hours, perhaps less, and still make money.Rather like taking a break from their regular work, a breather if you will, that still pays. 

So, is anyone interested in talking to me about my blog needs? Pretty please?

Blessings ~ humor ~ dogs ~ blogs ~ help ~

Good Morning, Lord!

~Miss Emma ~

Miss Emma has turned the corner, please God, and we think she's going to make it. She's had a severe respiratory illness, not quite sure but it could have been pneumonia, and she was a sick little kitty for several weeks. Her breathing has softened and we can now hear her purr without the raspy, watery, labored breathing she's struggled with since bringing her home. She's been on a couple of rounds of antibiotics, an immune builder and other meds that seem to, finally, be working!

Someone once said they wanted each day to be the kind of day when they rolled out of bed and said, "Good Morning, Lord!" instead of "Good Lord, it's morning!" Most of my days begin with the former and I'm thankful for that gift. I've read the meaning of Sandra means "helper" and Kay means "happy" so, I suppose that means I'm a happy helper -big smile-. Not always, no, of course not but mostly I am a happy helper.

These beautiful end of summer days are full of getting ready for winter chores, both inside and out. We bought 20 small containers of mums and now I need to get them into the ground. Mums are so cheerful and, when planted with copious amounts of horse manure, will grow sturdily and return to bloom for years.

The house is getting some work as well; Ron and Bill are here today working on our heating system. We had a major hot water heating pipe freeze, burst, thaw last December and many of our copper pipes and heating coils need to be replaced. Ron said if we put that big ole ugly pipe insulation on our inside pipes, as well as our basement pipes, it would help the situation so that's on the to-do list. By the month's end I'll exchange the summer curtains for the winter, insulated drapes and that helps with the heating bills. This is no mean feat as we have close to thirty windows in this big ole farmhouse and almost all of them will need draperies exchanged for curtains. Most of those windows are about nine feet by three feet so that means dragging the ladder from window to window, room to room, meaning...a full day's work.

I'm a cold weather kinda gal and firmly believe in the usefulness of wool - sweaters, vests, socks, shoes and wear all inside the house. There's absolutely no reason to be cold and it's always easier to add another layer. Mom always said, "it's easier to get warm in the winter than cool in the summer. You can always put on another sweater but you can only get so "nekkid" before people start complaining!" That's so true! -smile-

I'm fairly ashamed of the numbers of books I've allowed to pile up. We must have a couple of thousand and a lot of them are leaving this place. Thompson Valley Community Center has started a small lending library and I'm over the moon happy to give them A Lot of books to share 'round. We've been giving away furniture, rugs and other household belongings and people have been fast about putting their names on the "I'll take it" list.

In the course of cleaning, de-cluttering and general organization I've been using and keeping a list of some useful tips. Some of these tips Mama passed along to me, others have been read in the new Country Living Simple Country Wisdom book. This is a nifty little resource book, "501 Old-Fashioned Ideas to Simplify Your Life" by Susan Wacconer. She's done a bang-up job and I may even have to buy a copy after returning this library copy. Today I'll focus on laundry and tackle other rooms later in the month; the first tip isn't laundry but it's been my focus for a few weeks...aarrgghhh, puppies and kittens!!

*A spray bottle filled with water is Mighty Handy at keeping the animals "honest". Sadie is a True Rhodesian Ridgeback and due to her great size is Very Adapt at counter surfing, stove top stealing, cat food sneaking and the like. The kittens are Very Adapt at shredding curtains and I'm keeping spray bottles up and down stairs so I'm at the ready. I'm thinking I'll put the kittens in the bathroom at night to keep them from playing "Hang Kitty" on my curtains. Thus far, they have shredded two sets and I am now out for blood. Theirs.

*Vinegar and baking soda poured into drains will keep the drains smelling fresh. To keep the washer smelling fresh, occasionally run a small, empty, cold water load with a cup of vinegar.

*Laundry dye magnets placed into the wash will keep clothes from bleeding into each other. These magnets are treated "sheets", similar to dryer sheets and handy as a pocket on a shirt! I'm never without dye magnets for the laundry.

*Adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash prevents lint build-up and cuts the soap residue in clothes.

*When washing jeans or other heavy items, run them through an extra spin cycle to decrease dryer time (if you're not line drying).

*Use a laundry rack to dry clothes. In the winter, especially, drying clothes on a rack will add moisture to the air and decrease electrical costs because you're not using the dryer.

*I never use as much laundry detergent as recommended; it's simply not necessary, especially if I pre-treat stains. The result is I save money and my clothes aren't over soaped resulting in stiffness.

*Wash and dry as many loads as you have dirty. Wash lighter items first, then place in dryer while heavier items are washing; you'll use less electricity because the dryer only has to heat up once.

*For stains, there are laundry sticks or sometimes I'll daub the stained item with dish washing or liquid laundry detergent and then soak it soak in the tub overnight. That will usually remove stains. When whites get dingy add a full cup hydrogen peroxide to a full washload and let it soak for half an hour. That should get things sparkly white again; if not, simply repeat the procedure.

~Storage barn and run-in shelter on the farm ~

I love any view of Thistle Cove Farm and the Cove, especially in the early morning and early evening and, basically, any season. Each season brings its own delights and wonders and, even though the scenery never changes, it's always different.

~ A little country church on the way to White Top Mountain ~

This week I found a new to me blog and have enjoyed reading it. Today, the author said on Free to Be Me something that resonated like a gong striking a bell. "satan didn't take Martha out of the kitchen; he just stole her purpose for being there!" YEOUCH! I'd never considered that I allow, sometimes even Give Permission, to satan for stealing my purpose or stealing my reason. This week I'm putting on my thinking cap to study on this, new to me, idea and see if I can, with the help of God, tilt my life back level, on the straight and narrow course. Are you in?

Until next time,

Blessings ~ clean, fresh laundry ~ well behaved fur babies ~ morning, evening and all the rest of the day ~ a healthy Miss Emma ~ country churches ~ new blogs that speak, deeply, to me ~ barns that still serve useful purposes ~

Friday Feature

~ Vicki's beautiful hand crafted textile post card...sent through the mail! ~

Vicki, from Field Trips in Fiber, sent me this beautiful hand crafted textile post card. She made these as part of a swap and, kindness itself, sent me one of them. Textile post cards amaze me. I've made a few but, to my eye, they aren't ever as beautiful as the ones I see others make. Notice the edges here...so neatly machine sewn. She used the zig-zag stitch to sew down the yarn but I'm not sure about the edges.

Vicki lives in Richmond and it's been a pleasure getting to know her; hopefully, we'll met in person one day. I travel to Richmond to visit family and friends and am always glad to add another name to the friend list. Vicki, thank you for your delightful gift; it goes in the studio where it can be enjoy full time.

To another topic...if you would allow me to give a bit of advice...if any of you use Picasa as your photo storage, you can also put a "watermark" on your photos. A watermark is what you see on my photos; simply, it says www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com and allows people to know from whence they "lifted" the photo. I know my photos, before watermark, have been "lifted" and put on other people's blogs and other than carping about it, what can really be done? Probably nothing can be done but when I started putting a watermark on each and every photo, I felt a lot better about downloading photos to my blog. There's a hefty fine, $10,000, for stealing photos but who has the money to go after someone? Not me so I do what I can do and that's put my blog name on each one. At one point, I put my name but decided the blog address is better. Another thing I do is keep the resolution very low, around 300 dpi so the quality isn't going to be good if someone takes the photo and increases the size.

~ This would be me ~

~ And, this would be Dave ~

For the first time, Dave and I have vanity license plates. It's silly but also fun and, perhaps more importantly of all, it allows me to remember to play nice. Oh yeah. It's a lot more difficult, and dangerous, to rant and rave at another driver cutting me off when I've got vanity plates. I do not want some geezer showing up in my driveway because I've, temporarily, forgotten my Christianity. I need all the help I can get and vanity plates have proven to be, yet another, source of help.

Who knew?! -smile-

~ Dandy, my "in your pocket" gelding; he loves people second only to his Mother. ~

So much for trying to be clever -smile-. I was trying to get these photos of Dandy Man side by side but it's not working out so you'll have to use your imagination. I took them separately, of course, but when they were downloaded, I was struck by how well they seemed to fit.

Dave and I are running away for the day; enjoy yours and be safe. Until next time,

Blessings ~ Vicki ~ textile post cards ~ Dandy ~ help ~ running away ~ coming home ~

Awards!

While it's true the blog sphere does have pitfalls and nasty stuff, it's also true it serves to bring positives and good into people's lives. It's sure done that to my life and there is much to be thankful for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Some kind folks have given me some delightful awards and they are all greatly appreciated.

A Joyful Chaos has an award free blog and "your comments are reward enough". I do understand and also love to read your comments, here, on my blog. Some days, your comments lighten my heart and I keep putting one foot in front of the other, so thank you from my heart. A Joyful Chaos says on her blog she's "former Amish" and I enjoy reading her take on life and find we're not that dissimilar. I started reading her blog because I loved the name; I keep reading her blog because it's interesting and full of Life. She passed along the Friendship Award; thank you, Joyful Chaos and, for some reason, I cannot download the award so, please, visit "Chaos" to see.

Woolgatherings' Jen has several nice blogs and the one I like most is Learning the Art of Slow. She has excellent information on all her blogs but, guess why...haha, the Slow blog speaks best to me. She passed along the Kreative Bloggers Award and I'm in excellent company, again! I'm supposed to tell you seven things you may not know about me. Also, if you're a writer, she has a list of some pretty amazing and informational writer's sites you should check out.
*Dave and I met when I bought the house next door to his house in Richmond, VA.
*I used to sell space...container space on ocean going vessels between USA, Europe and Far East.
*I'm the oldest child with two siblings.
*I've known I wanted to be a farmer since I was six years old.
*At Thistle Cove Farm, I tend to more than fifty animals, twice daily.
*I'm a wretched housekeeper, the clutter is absolutely awesome at our clean house.
*I'm an excellent cook and baker. At least, no one has ever complained -grin-.

Other bloggers who deserve this award more than I:

ByLightofMoon
Cherie
Jen

Remember Cherie? She's the beautiful woman I met in Raleigh earlier this month. She's passed along the One Lovely Blog Award. I'm to pass along the One Lovely Blog Award to:*Jen
*OfHisPasture
*Spot On Cedar Pond
*Mid-Life Job Hunter
*I Heart Polaroid

Now, if you're still with me and you're a blogger to whom I've given an award...listen up! Should you choose to NOT accept an award...that's okay. Life is too short to live stressed out. Awards take an enormous amount of time to respond with thanks, to update my blog, to download then upload the buttons, to send to other folks...and, as much as I truly appreciate the kindness given to me in the form of an award, there are times when I simply cannot keep up. With life, much less the i-net! -smile- Then, there's the problem of slow connection, both with the computer and in my brain.

In closing...finally! you're thinking...thank you for reading my blog. THANK YOU for your comments and the gift of your time. This is a hurry up, busy, frantic ole world and any time you choose to spend with me is a gift from your heart...I am grateful.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ bloggers ~ blogland ~ awards ~ YOU ~ gifts of time ~ deep breathing ~ the i-net not dropping my post ~

Friday Feature

~ The lovely Christmas cactus hangs at the studio, blooming on God's time, not man's time. ~

Ahem...clearing throat. By now it's apparent I am not very good at group blog entries and, for that reason, I'm giving up the Friday Fiber Arts Carnival. I'm the weak link, have been from the start, and every Friday, to do a group blog entry is not something my brain is hard wired to do. Okay, perhaps you're thinking of Sabbath Keeping on Sunday. That's different for two reasons - it's my baby and I've made a deliberate choice in my life to keep the Sabbath. To have a "mini-vacation" at the end, and the beginning, of every week; to keep the Sabbath holy by allowing myself to renew, refresh, restore and focus on God, church, family and, sometimes, friends. That's God's gift to all of us and my gift to myself and my life would crash and burn should I neglect to "Sabbath Keep".

So, on Friday's I'm starting a "Friday Feature" where I say thanks to someone or introduce a blogger friend or talk about fiber folks. Perhaps, some Friday's, I'll include, or combine, all three.

Today, please meet KC Willis of Lipstick Ranch. Maybe you remember KC's name from another post or perhaps you've run across her on the i-net. She's a gifted textile artist who has, recently, discovered how much she loves teaching and has flung herself into teaching with the wild, but controlled, abandon, also evident in her art. KC sold me her first teaching DVD and I've used it extensively as both entertainment and for learning. Like all great teachers, KC is free and easy with her methods and holds nothing back; if I'm not learning, it's because I'm not paying attention.

She also gives stuff away! I missed out on her 53rd birthday package; mainly because I wasn't paying attention...note to self...MAKE NOTES RE. IMPORTANT STUFF!...and let her deadline get away from me. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She's given me, and you, another opportunity to win; this time a $300 shopping spree at her Colorado Lipstick Ranch but hurry, the drawing is September 5th.

BTW, other teachers will be teaching, specifically Joanna Pierotti and Sarah Fishburn, both gifted artists and instructors.

~ Another section of the Cove, where we live. ~

On my way to exercise class, I took the above photo of another section of the Cove. The morning light is beautiful as it pours across the hills and vales.

~ The southeast corner of our alfalfa field. ~

Tuesday, we baled dry hay...Thank You, God!...and I love this photo. The hay wagon is stacked almost as high as possible while the hay rows stretch out before and after. What a blessing, to have so many dry, square bales of excellent quality hay! On top of the 363 bales, we also baled 6 round bales.

~ Abigail, Von Rotten the Terror, ready for her close up ~

~ Maggie Mae curls up next to Sadie, but keeps a watchful eye on Sam. ~

~ Sadie, Maddie Lou, Maggie Mae, Sam, Granma Gracie ~

Most mornings begin with dogs and cats and me, seated on the sofa in the sun room, listening to Alistair Begg and others on XM radio. Usually, it's Abigail, Sadie, Sam and me but, sometimes the kittens want in on the action. Especially if they think the dogs are getting too much attention.

~ Keniba Thistle Cove Sadie and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent Man, play roundabout chase in the front yard. ~

Being simple folks, Dave and I enjoy sitting on the porch watching the dogs romp and play. With frost just about two weeks hence, there aren't too many more porch sitting days so we enjoy them whilst we can.

~ Abigail and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent Man, enjoying a "cigar" chewie ~

By choice, our lives are full yet, relatively, peaceful. We spend enormous amounts of time on the farm, in the company of each other and our animals. My time is spent in the studio where I quilt, spin, make mini-quilts, or in the kitchen where I bake and cook. I also tend to all the animals and almost every morning is spent in the sun room, watching the sun awaken the valley while I listen to XM radio preachers. Thursdays nights are my quilting bee nights and, generally, the only day of the week spent in the company of other women. Sundays are church then back home to enjoy peace, quiet and calm. Then, there are times of havoc...such as now, getting the house renovations accomplished before cold weather. We still have a ways to go but are getting it done, one step at a time.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ the Christian i-net family of artisans and crafters ~ morning light ~ preaching on the air waves, what a mystery! ~ a full life ~ God's timing ~ each other ~

Life at Thistle Cove Farm

~ Zinnia, one of God's happy flowers ~

I've been absent for a few days so this entry will be long, a catch-up post, if you will. I'm in need of a seated rest period and updating my blog is one guaranteed way to grab some chair rest.

It seems like the more I get done, the more there is to do. Anyone out there experiencing the same? I'm sure most of you. There have been some fabulous blessings, orchestrated as only God can do; specifically I'm thinking of Kathy's family. It's been a frustrating, anxious few months for her i-friends and many angst filled years for her family. So many others are in need of prayer - Suzy as she leaves her home and moves to another state to tends to her aged Uncle's needs. Her uncle's bank in Nevada failed last week...the first of many, if the signs are to be correctly read...and he, rightfully so, is panicked. Uncle is a new, very new, Christian in his mid 80's. Sharon's aunt has advanced cancer as well as Ahzheimer's and their family is caught up in care and concern. Betty, my cousin, is caring for her step-father in his last days. Betty's mother, my mother's sister, passed away last November, and her step-father has Alzheimer's. These but a few and so many people needing prayer, needing the whisper of God's voice in their ear.

I have a journal where I keep names of folks who have requested prayer and it seems the list grows at a much faster rate than it used to grow. One of my favorite hymns is "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and one of my favorite lines of that hymn is "take it to the Lord in prayer". Irish born author, Joseph Scriven, was to be married but on the eve of his marriage, his betrothed drowned. Grief stricken, he re-located to Canada where he devoted himself to serving the poor but if one could afford his services, he would not work for them. Some years after moving to Canada and serving the poor, he also died in an accidental drowning.

In three short verses he testify's to the promises, peace, grace and mercy of Christ. Perhaps most of all, the peace.

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sings and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our Refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there."

I don't listen much to popular music save Celtic, jazz, blues and female artists who are gifted song writers. Other than the aforementioned music, I listen to hymns, Gospel...but not Southern Gospel as I find it too too...if you know what I'm saying not very well -smile- and I listen to preaching. Also, I listen to audio books and enjoy them a lot as well. When I say I listen, in the main, to preaching and religious music what I'm really saying is I'm a pretty poor representative of Christ. If I don't fill my head with the Good Stuff then the bad stuff tends to surface...more than it already does, I'm sorry to say. I'm not one of those "good people" people talk about. I need to fill my head with hymns, preaching, the whisper of God on the wind or in the lowing of the cattle, bird song, puppies and dogs, cats and kittens, horses and, in general, nature as served up by God. Yes, I do listen to popular music when I take Zumba but the words just aren't as important as me as being busy trying not to stumble and die -smile-. After I take a Zumba class, yoga class is next and the instructor plays Celtic Women, Enya and the like so my head is filled with goodness when I leave the YMCA.

I've never understood folks who say, "I'm bored"; I think it shows a lack of imagination on their part. Thanks to Mama and Daddy, we were taught to entertain ourselves and if we couldn't entertain ourselves, there were always chores to be done. Time was not to be wasted on "nothingness" as "idle hands were the devil's plaything" as Mama always said. I still believe it although now I realize that restful periods aren't the same as idle hands. I've also learned to "keep the Sabbath" apart from the rest of the week. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a mini-vacation, a gift from God at the end/beginning of the week that restores, renews, refreshes and lets me end one week and enter the next with a calmness that gives reflection on what has passed and focus on what is to come.

~ Sadie, looking out of the dining room window. ~

We've been working on the house, getting that portion readied that was destroyed by the flood damage December past. I'm hopeful...always hopeful...we'll be finished Soon. The dining room walls have been replaced, the floor has been refinished and we still have to hang a ceiling fan and clean before moving furniture into this room. The parlor is crammed almost to the ceiling with dining room furniture and "stuff" so neither room can be used for the time being.~ The dining room had to be re-painted and floors re-finished. ~

The front porch is filled with tools that are going to be moved off the table today so we can go back to eating on the porch. What is it with construction folks? They just lay their stuff down any ole place, never considering if it's in my way and this has been going on for a couple of months now. We only get to use the front porch in nice weather and frost is little more than two weeks hence; time is a-wasting for front porch sittin' and eatin'!

~ Mama Cat ~

Mama Cat, four weeks ago today, had four kittens in the bottom of a fifty gallon barrel and it's going to be hard getting them out of that barrel! I want to catch some of the feral barn cats and relocate them to the "animal shelter" so the tame kittens and Mama Cat can live in the barn. On a farm, it's necessary to have cats to help keep down the rats and mice and it's best if those cats are tame. Much easier to catch and vaccinate, etc. Mama Cat isn't the prettiest cat but she does have one of the best personalities I've ever seen in a cat. No matter what life has thrown at her, she responds by being placid, quiet, accepting and looking for the good. I can learn from her. A lot.

~ Mama Cat's four kittens at the bottom of a fifty gallon barrel! ~

~ A wagon load, 363 bales of lovely, dry hay! ~

~ Beautiful, dry hay, stored in our ancient barn ~

We cut, raked, baled and stored hay this week...363 square bales of alfalfa clover timothy mix and six round bales of same. Thank You, God...it's dry from start to finish and animals now have plenty of hay for this winter. I've even some to sell!

I've nattered on with nary a word about puppies and dogs; will remedy that, hopefully, by Saturday.

Until then...

Blessings ~ dry hay, winter fodder for the animals ~ Mama Cat and her four week old kittens ~ house restoration ~ beloved hymns ~ prayer, people needing prayer and people praying ~ a Sabbath, day of rest, coming up ~

Monday Troubles and Give-Away News

Oh dear. I'm having computer difficulties and the computer has been taken to the computer doctor who says, "a few days...". In the meantime, my posts will be short and sweet but you may look forward to the next post about meeting Cherie in Raleigh this past weekend. What a delightful time we had! I met Cherie, Aris her husband and Matthew and AJ, their sons.

More about that when the computer doc brings back my computer parts.

Right now, the big news is random.org picked number 13 as the winner. That's Becky in North Caroline and I've sent her a note asking for her snail mail information. Indeed, asking if she wants the little quilt hanging as she didn't mention it in her comment. If Becky wants the little quilted wall hanging, I'll mail it this week; if she does not, I'll go back to random.org. Not to fret if you didn't win; you're still a winner and I'll make another quilted wall hanging to giveaway. Life is too short not to share, eh?

Take care all, be safe and, hopefully, I'll be back soon in the form of photos and posts.

Blessings ~ computer docs ~ quilted wall hangings ~ Cherie ~ Aris ~ Matthew ~ AJ ~

One Thousand Gifts

If you're unfamiliar with Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience, please, do visit quickly. Her blog has such insight and wisdom that connects the plainest of life...if there IS such a thing...on every level with God's wonder.

"Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God" is Elizabeth Browning's quote at Ann's header. It's true, you know. God is in the details as well as every breath and for those who live plain lives, we know it well. By plain lives, I mean lives that aren't filled with the minutia of life...the noise of television or radio, the busyness of too many meetings or activities associated with children's school life or even church life. It's all too easy to fall into the busyness of life and then become overwhelmed with it all. To forget that silence is the most peaceful and restorative of all "white noises"; to forget, or become so busy, we don't break bread, together, at the beginning or end of the day; to put catching up on chores around the house before coming together to worship on Sunday and, worst of all, to forget it's all, ALL, a gift from God. Every breath we take, every dollar we make, the food in the pantry, the books on the shelves, cars in the driveway, animals at our feet or in the pastures, clothes on our backs, every blade of grass or rug on the floor. Make your own endless list.

For some years I've ended each blog entry with a small list of blessings. It serves to ground me in a tiny way, to remind me...perhaps others...of things I...we?...sometimes overlook.

When I found A Holy Experience, I found it lush with God's grace, Ann's beautiful photographs, words of wisdom...all gifts in themselves...and began, slowly reading it, pondering her words, seeing similarities and differences in our lives, seeing a vein of gratitude that runs through each and every entry. God has given her an attitude of gratitude and has blessed me with that same gift.

In November 2006, Ann suggests keeping a journal of gratitude, A List of a Thousand Things. When I first ran across One Thousand Gifts, I thought, "I already do this when I list blessings at the end of every post." Then, I tucked this thought away in my mind and, every so often, would pull it to the fore front and ponder it. Yesterday, the light...Light...dawned and I realized why I should begin A List of a Thousand Things. Not for God. He already knows the gazallion blessings He bestowes upon me in an hour. No, A List of a Thousand Things is for me. To see things I never saw, to hear things I never heard, to taste things I never tasted, to feel things I never felt, to smell things I never smelled. To bring Awareness to me in a way never experienced. To bring a dimension to my 'practicing Christianity' that will bring me closer to Him, the Giver of all gifts.

I'm sure to miss writing down things because the List won't be with me at all times. But I'm also sure to expand my Attitude of Gratitude, my wonder and awe at His loving care over me and all of us at Thistle Cove Farm.

Oh, I won't give up my small blessings at entry end; that will always be a part of each entry. I do have a small notebook that, today, begins my journal journey, A List of a Thousand Things.

“Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”

Blessings ~ journal journey ~ YOU ~ A Holy Experience ~ Ann Voskamp ~ attitude of gratitude ~ His gifts ~

Fat Quarters SEWN Winner

Along the blog way, I've read that random.org generator "never" picks number one but I know that God has His ways higher than our ways, thoughts higher than our thoughts.

Kathy at Spot on Cedar Pond has been a Thistle Cove Farm blog reader for some years. I know I've come to rely on seeing her notes of encouragement, wit, wisdom, just to say Good Morning and always keep her tucked in prayer. Actually, I tuck all folks who comment into prayer; it's my way of doing something nice for you and I believe God brings each of you into my -blog- life for a reason. I don't have to know the reason either -smile-.

Anyway, Kathy was the first to comment on the SEWN fat quarter give-away and random.org picked number one out of all thirty-three entries!

So, Kathy, please let me know of you want the fat quarters and, if so, send me a PM with your snail mail address.

Thank you, all, for entering my little contest. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Thistle Cove Farm and found it soothing to your busy life. Please come back soon.

Blessings ~ Kathy ~ all folks who gave their gift of time to enter my giveaway ~ blog land ~ fat quarters ~ SEWN ~

SEWN

Sarah Fielke, the new creative director of SEWN, is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog, The Last Piece. Sarah is, among other things, a quilter and as you may...or may not -smile-...know, I call myself a quilter in that I make bed and baby quilts. I'd love to branch off into art quilts, and will one day, but for now am struggling to keep up with the babies and people to whom I've promised a quilt.

Don't get me wrong. I am not an excellent quilter. At best, I am a good quilter but my quilts are made with a LOTTA love and prayers and I reckon that makes up for a few wonky stitches and seams. Please, tell me you agree -smile-.

In the spirit of the Grand Opening of SEWN, I am joining in with a giveaway of five fat quarters as shown above. I'm a little confused, as usual, but think all that's necessary for someone to win is to leave a comment at this entry. At least, that's my story and, for now, I'm sticking to it.

Blessings ~ blogland because SEWN is located in Australia ~ quilting ~ quilts ~ fat quarters ~ fun stuff ~

Daily Health Habits

The Fat Lady is Singing blog has some good suggestions and Deanna graciously allowed me to copy and post here. Please do visit her blog as other good info abounds.

"What are the important things we should include in our daily habits pertaining to health?

1) live as much of a stress-free life as possible which includes obligations, responsibilities, paying bills, daily chores.

2) drink purified or distilled water.

3) take a multi-vitamin.

4) groom oneself.

5) wear clean, cotton underwear.

6) eat when not upset three square meals a day with healthy snacks along the way that don't let your blood sugar spin out of control.

7) live in a clean and organized environment that has a place for everything and everything in it's place.

8) sleep in clean pajamas and on clean bedding.

9) wash hands with warm sudsy water and rinse before preparing foods, handling dishes, after handling foods, using the toilet or changing diapers.

10) keep current with paperwork, laundry and housecleaning.

11) pray often.

12) make godly choices and live with a clear conscience.

13) live below your means.

14) pay your bills.

15) honor your word.

16) tell the truth in a gentle way.

17) don't tell everything you know.

18) get your rest.

19) gentle slow stretches for exercise.

20) have a easy to fix hairstyle that flatters your face and is in proportion to body frame.

21) like yourself.

22) speak life over yourself.

23) wear clothing that flatter your build and feel good to wear.

24) wear a perfume/cologne that enhances your body chemistry.

25) use white, not recycled toilet paper without perfumes.

26) toilet 101: females wipe front to back and use cleansing clothes to freshen up."

Blessings ~ shared wisdom ~ excellent advice ~ blogland ~

Collage Camp

Now that I'm an adult, I find I want to go back and do some fun stuff I did as a child. For one thing, I think I'd appreciate it more and better. For another, I can now choose what I want to do. Camp, for example. Did you know there are adult FUN camps? Well, I never until I ran across some listed in some art magazines or, where I really, really, really want to go...Collage Camp.

Collage Camp is held at Lipstick Ranch. Just the name sounds like a great time AND I'd learn plenty! KC Willis runs Collage Camp out in the Wild, Wild West but for those of us east of the Mississip she offers Collage Camp on DVD's. Her list of copyrighted quotes are fabulous and seems like we shoulda heard of 'em before. Gosh, they do sound familiar! Maybe it's just my inner cowgirl trying to surface, ya think?

Check out her sites and wish along with me. Dreams don't have a chance of coming true if they aren't dreamed!

Blessings ~ nice folks I've met via the i-net and blog land ~ camp ~ cowgirls ~

Blog Gal!

What a Wonderful Surprise!Christine Gonzalez, in Michigan, sent this delightful Blog Gal. Can you see the little clothespin body? The scrap of lace apron over the flower print dress? Raffia hair with blue hair ties, a bouquet of red flowers and a beaming smile all made my day!

The accompanying poem is by Helen Steiner Rice and called Friendship's Flower

"Life is like a garden and
friendship like a flower
that Blooms and Grows in
beauty with the Sunshine
and the shower

And lovely are the blossoms that are tended
with great care by those
who work unselfishly To
make the place more fair

And like the garden
blossoms, friendships
flower grows more sweet,
when watched and tended
carefully by those we know
and meet

And if the seed of friendship
is planted deep and true
and watched with
understanding

Friendships flower will
bloom for you"

Christine, you're incredible! This gift came Out of The Blue and absolutely stunned me with its beauty of both hand crafted love and poetry. Thank You, a thousand times Thank You! What a great ministry and what a great blessing to be on the receiving end of your ministry. Thank you.

Please, tell me more so others can learn of you and your ministry.

Blessings ~ Christine ~ Blog Gal ~ Helen Steiner Rice ~ poetry ~ unexpected, lovely gifts ~

Photography Meme

Kate, over at Chronicles of a Country Girl, has a photography meme and I've decided to play. If you'd like more details, check out her blog entry for 12 November 08.

Bud Thompson, a Lost Arts Guild member, is our resident blacksmith, farrier and iron worker who has a bunch of stories he tells while he's working at his forge. He was here on Sheep Shearing Day but not dressed in his "pioneer clothes". He's also a low, very low -smile-, tech geek with no computer skills whatsoever so this photo will have to do ya. But, the iron courtn' candle story is a hoot and a holler!

Blessings ~ blogland ~ photography ~ friends ~ Lost Arts Guild ~

Friday Fiber Arts Carnival

I've finished a few projects and am posting photos. My apologies to my swap partners because I am, woefully, late in mailing. All of us were late in the exchange but that's still no excuse and I apologize to my textile post cards folks. Next time, I'll have the cards made and *then* join in the exchange.

This post card is encased in plastic wrap, ready to be mailed. There's an opening on the backside for the stamp so it can be hand cancelled. It's entiled M is for blue Monday. Frankly, I have few blue Mondays but the exchange was "M" and I liked the way the blues came together. I especially like the rainbow ribbon around the card. Like Dolly Parton always says, "I figure if you wanna have a rainbow, you've got to have the rain." She recently released "Backwoods Barbie", for sale at Cracker Barrel, and I figure it's got to be great. It's Dolly, right!? I absolutely know she'd make a fabulous Galfriend, doncha think?
The rotten truth be known...? Basically, I'm self taught, using magazines and the i-net to teach myself. The rural area of Appalchia where I live is lacking in classes in the textile arts. There are some quilting classes and I love the little group that has taken me under their wing. They are Teachers, one and all. There's no competition, no rivalry, no oneupmanship. Jut a very real and very basic desire to pass the craft along. I've been to other quilting groups that were a tad "frozen" in their approach. Their words of "praise" were, somewhat sadly, lacking in real enthusiasm. Somehow, "that's nice, dear" lacks the ring of conviction of what we hear in our little group, "HOW BEAUTIFUL! Look at how those colors are put together." Or, "just look at that stitching, how tidy!" These women can find beauty in the simply fact that someone t-r-i-e-d. What a gift, the gift of enthusiasm, of kind words spoken in season. How Very Real!


It's obvious I was on a Blue Monday kick, haven't any idea why, really, but here it is. But, back to the rotten truth. My textile postcards aren't like the textile post cards I received. Those are stunning. They have this stitched edge that's even and goes all around the card; there's, probably, a word for that stitch and a special sewing machine that does that stitch, but I haven't a clue what either is.

My work is, to put it nicely, primitive. Maybe not even that; it's "me" though and I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I just hope the other women enjoy them and, hopefully, have kind words to bestow.

The post card with the yellow felt bird is for my friend, Mary Lois. She and I have been friends for almost thirty years, have seen good times and difficult times, but have been friends throughout. She's a wonderful person and my life has been greatly enriched by her friendship. I know she'll be pleased to receive this little card; she has a grateful heart and is genuinely appreciative.


The bottom card is the M series and this one is for mask, moon, mirror, me in the mirror. Gosh, I was really on an M kick there, eh?

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, aka Grandma Moses is probably one of the best know folk artists and she began painting in her seventies. Few people know she already had a career in embroidery that she gave up due to arthritis. She was self-taught and that gives me courage to keep in the direction I'm headed. I love fiddling around with textiles and fibers and I love seeing how I can take a bit of cloth or sweater and make something useful and pretty. Grandma Moses is a pretty woman, even in old age, and reminds me of Dave's mother. They both have that "grandma" look although Mrs. Bricker wasn't keen on being a great-grandma, however she was proud of having taught hard science at the college level. Both women have that early to mid 20th century "look"...black pillbox hat with veil, gloves and both have that spark that translates to a love of life, what the French call joie de vie.

Here's to LIFE; may you live it out loud with a grateful heart!

Blessings ~ life ~ laughter ~ the work of our hands ~ love ~ rainbows ~ Grandma's ~

One World One Heart

I am late. Woefully late but, hopefully, as it's said, better late than never. I'm a self taught person in, just about, everything I do. While it's true I do have an undergrad degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Recreation, Parks and Tourism, it's also true that program no longer exists at VCU. Why, you ask? Good question. Some person, somewhere along the line decided it was no longer useful or needed. Frankly, that boggles my mind. Tourism is the Number One industry in Virginia, and just about every other state as well, and it amazes me people have no vision. Proverbs 29:18 says, "without a vision the people perish" and it's just as true today as it was some few thousand years ago.This tea cozy is my offering in the One World One Heart 2009 event. Using wool sweaters, bought from thrift stores, I felt them and then use them for various projects. Tea cozies are one of my favorites. They offer a large canvas that's forgiving and easy on my poor hands. My hands take a beating and, right now, I'm still suffering from a fall in January of last year. My left hand broke, somewhat, my fall but it still pains me and there are days it's, virtually, unusable. Lately there have been many such days. I've been getting ready for sheep shearing and my hands have taken a beating and have given me pain in return, especially the left one.

The tea cozy is a felted wool sweater embellished with ribbons, beads, felted flowers, wire ribbon, rick rack, embroidery, angel pin and whatever else I turned my hand to. It's going to Katie S. in Springfield, MO and I'm sure she's wondering if it was all a bad joke. Nope, Katie, it's not a bad joke and you should receive it by early week. I hope you enjoy.

My work in fiber and textiles is from trial and error. I did try taking spinning lessons, once, but the "teacher" was abrupt, hasty and lacking patience...do you think I've gotten that across yet? -smile- so I took the one "lesson", left and never returned. I like my work, I enjoy my work and others have told me they do as well. Still and all, there are times I question what I do but then...don't we all at times?The back of the tea cozy has a small, felted heart button. I could have tarted it up a bit more but felt this little heart button said what I wanted to say. The tea cozy was made with love and prayers in the hopes it will get lots of use. Perhaps Katie will even say a prayer for me when she uses it. I hope so.

Blessings ~ OWOH ~ felted sweaters ~ the fits of our hands and heart as well as the work of our hands and hearts ~

Sabbath Keeping

Yesterday, April 4, was Sheep Shearing Day.

Clinton Bell, is shearing one of my Shetland sheep while, in the background, the crowd watches in terror. My sheep are tame, pets all but still aren't crazy about being tipped on their rears in public. They would actually rather lead quiet lives where they only have to see me, preferably with treats of corn or alfalfa. Clinton also de-worms them, gives them their rabies vaccination and, if necessary trims feet. He usually only has to trim feet on a couple of sheep. Clinton says the less stress a sheep has, the less their feet need trimming. One thing my sheep are NOT is stressed! Except on Sheep Shearing Day and then they stand around, stomping their little feet at everyone. Sheep have no defenses except flight and, with pounds and pounds of wool, they aren't all that fast so they stomp their little feet. It's kinda cute to see them angry.
I wonder if that's what it's like with God when He sees us get angry. We stomp our little feet, throw our little tantrums and, basically, can't do much about anything. Except we don't know that or have yet to come to grips with it. About the only thing we're in control of is ourselves and, sometimes, spill the milk with our attitudes.

Anyway, until each sheep was sheared, they would stand around, stomping their little feet and snorting. Poor little dears. They were sheared anyway and felt all the better for it but just wouldn't think it so beforehand.

Daniel Miller, our catcher, is a soft spoken man with a wry sense of humor. He told me earlier today, he slept on the floor last night and woke up stiff as a board today. Shearing and catching is Very Hard Work and I'm indebted to both men for the great job they did. Daniel wears gloves because his hands get very sore when he's catching sheep all day. It's better than being at a rodeo because there's generally no injury in shearing but there's still a lot of 'rassling, tugging and struggling on the part of the men. Some of the sheep weigh more than, a lot more actually, two hundred pounds and Daniel simply has to manhandle them to get them to the shearing floor; they don't go willing, no not one.

Some person, perhaps in desperate circumstances or that's what I want to think, dropped these two beautiful dogs up the road. Friday afternoon, I picked them up, brought them home and fed them. They spent the night in the farm office bathroom, with water and heat, and Saturday spent the morning charming all who saw them. The little black and white smooth coated dog was shivering so I let her borrow one of Abigail's sweaters. Apparently, she loved the sweater and both dogs curled up on the straw bale, close to where they could smell ham biscuits.

At day's end, they went home to live with Fran and she'll spoil them just like they should be spoiled. Happy, happy dogs.

Today is, in a word, beautiful! The temps are in the high 60's, a gentle breeze and the sun to
warm old bones. The sheep are nekkid and happy. My sweet Zacheous is having himself a fine
time and a Big Day. He's not carrying around a weighty fleece, his nails are trimmed, he's had his
rabies shot and de-wormer and all's right with his little world. He's traveled far today, all the
way to the far end of the hillside pasture and is right pleased with himself. It's been a long, long while since he was able to travel so far. Most of the winter he's been kept in the barn with his mates, Buster Brown and Thomas, both of whom are now gone to the Great Shepherd. Zach has surprised me with how well he's done. Yesterday, he wasn't all that pleased with being sheared; he's terribly arthritic and it hurt his old bones to be turned on his arse. After he was sheared, he stumbled around, fell a few times, struggled to his feet but, finally and fortunately, made his way upright and then stayed there. I fed him some cracked corn and that gave him some strength to carry on. Today, his little world was turned upside down when he ventured to parts not seen in months and months.

HURRAH Zacheous! You're doing just dandy!


Blogland has brought many wonderful people into my life; this is June and, with her daughter, came from North Carolina. She's a talented woman and weaves, knits, quilts, long arm quilts and loves Traditional Japanese music. She's the only person I've ever known who loves this music; she also loves Celtic and classical but that's not nearly so esoteric as Traditional Japanese. Thanks for coming, June; loved meeting you, and Kathleen, in person!

Lura is also from NC and a friend of many years. She's a talented woman whose latest interest is making looms. She's doing a great job and soon I'll photo her two of her looms and post here.

Mary gives one of the Suffolk lambs his last bottle of the afternoon. The lambs were a huge hit and loved the attention...especially the bottles of lamb milk.



















Leslie Shelor, Fiber Friend of long standing. We've known each other many years and it was fiber, fleece, and all things textile that brought us together. My life has been greatly enriched by her friendship and I'm blessed by her friendship. Having said all that, this is the first time we've ever had our photo taken together! I suppose we're always too buy "doing" that we don't stop to think "photo". That's now been remedied and I'll enjoy this memory for a very long time.

Leslie always wears dresses or skirts, never pants and I "usually" wear dresses or skirts. Come Sheep Shearing Day though, I wear pants as I'm not partial to showing J. Q. Public the color of my undies. Trust me, the way I twist and turn to pick up fleeces, something is going to show so I want it well covered with pants on this day. I wear aprons a lot as they are So Handy. All those pockets plus keep my clothes clean. Grandmother Bennett was on to a good thing when she wore aprons all her life. Just wish she hadn't worn them out so I could have a bit of Apron Memory.















Gaynell D., Quilt Maker Friend, was caught unawares. She, like most of us, hates having her photo taken but I wanted to show her with her beautiful quilts.















Dr. Anne, our vet, is talking with Bud, Blacksmith Farrier Ironworker. Bud is a Showman Extraordinaire! He tells stories as he's pounding his anvil, making iron courtn' candles, fireplace equipment and other useful tools.















Mary M., yes the same Mary feeding the lamb, is Shearing Day Resident Basket Maker and her work is excellent. You can see her work more closely at Lost Arts Guild and I'm hoping, apparently against hope -smile-, she'll soon start her own blog!


Other LAG folks here were Linda Wright, Sue Shelor and Charlie Butcher who makes lap dulcimers and other Fine musical instruments.











Birds of the air make their nests all over the world but here, at Thistle Cove Farm, they use wool to line their nests. The cow skull is a good place to stick some fleece for the birds to gather. It amuses me to see the skull even useful in death. Bluebirds are nesting a hundred feet, or so, from this skull. Perhaps they will use some of this wool? I hope so!

Blessings ~ another safe, happy, wonderful Sheep Shearing Day come and gone! ~ friends ~ lambs ~ fleece ~