Lynne is a Winner, Winner, Lobster Dinner!

Random.org drew #8, Lynne's name of Irish Garden House as the winner of the apron. Lynne, please send your snail mail address in a private note and I'll mail next week.

As an aside, have you used Random.org? It's interesting, click on the link to read more but know this...originally, it was developed by Dr. Mads Haahr, a prof at Trinity College in Dublin. I adore Trinity College and were I younger, would seriously think about attending a class or three there. It's a beautiful campus in a beautiful city...perfection!

Short post because I'm absolutely knackered and still have to shower before I get close to drowning myself. Congrats to Lynne and am going to giveaway books next...lovely, lovely books!

Blessings ~ life ~ Trinity College ~ Lynne at Irish Garden House ~ hot water ~ sleep ~

Memory Lane, Wedding and Winner, Winner, Lobster Dinner

In a couple of trips down memory lane (because I just realized I've never downloaded the photos), here's a photo of Kit Carson, nursing Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent Angel. Sam is a sweet boy; he knew the kitten was too young to be abandoned so Sam allowed Kit to nurse for the emotional benefit. I still had to feed Kit kitten milk and chow until he was old enough to eat 'big boy' food.

Beloved Sistah, Stephanie, pins a corsage on Mom at her 80th birthday celebration, October last year.

Here, Steph pins JW, her son who was married Saturday.

~ Steph and Mom ~

~ Jerry (JW's Dad), my Daddy, JW ~

~ Jerry, Stephanie, Daddy, JW ~

~ Steph, Mom, Dustin, Stephanie's youngest son ~

Nothing like being late to your own party, is there? My reason (because, let's face it, excuses are a dime a dozen and over priced at that!) is...this past weekend my nephew was married on my 62nd (yeah, I really am that old!) birthday and the wedding was fabulous! He married Katie, a beautiful young woman, a nurse by profession, and just as lovely on the inside as out.

~ Katie ~

~ Mr. and Mrs. Williams ~

~ first dance ~

It was a lovely wedding and there are a lot more photos but not tonight. Now, it's time for the Pacsafe winner and then aspirin and bed for me.

Last Monday, at 5:00, using random I pulled the names of three people who left me no way to get in touch with them so they didn't win the Pacsafe travel bag. Finally, Judy's name was chosen and she's been sent an e-mail and has 24 hours to respond. If she hasn't responded by 5:00 Tuesday evening, another name will be chosen. Whew! I never realized it was so difficult to give something away -grin-.

(My apologies for the varying font sizes...exhaustion forbids me to figure out what I've done wrong.)

Blessings ~ family ~ weddings ~ JW and Katie ~ wonderful memories ~ 

Winner, Winner...and do you know what makes me happy, happy, happy?

Yes, Christmas is over but I leave the wreath up until January end; it's too pretty, adding a bit of cheer to a somewhat bleak terroir to remove too soon.

Lightly, also known as Meri Go Lightly, the easy keeper mare requiring TLC, has a nasty habit of eating all the bird seed from the feeder. I have a nasty habit of allowing her because it's little enough spoiling for being kept where it's easier for her to heal. (I am such a sap!)

Advantage was taken to get in a load of wood from a pile which is getting dangerously low. I've found a seller of wood but am waiting for someone to take a look at it to be sure it's locust and dry.

Debbie, Of His Pasture, in cold IL won the Duck Socket Sealers; they were mailed Tuesday and, Debbie...it is downright nasty here today...sleet, ice, snow and I went to town anyway. You said your house was older than mine, Thomas Hawkins began building mine in 1900, and drafty as all get out. You need these sealers; let me know how they work for you.

BTW. Debbie's was the third name drawn because the first two people did not leave a way to be contacted. When I clicked on the names, a box popped up “no-reply...”. Ummm, that’s not good; if you want a chance to win, you really need to leave a way for folks to get in contact with you. In a few days, Vicki’s third annual Grow Your Blog Party starts and one of her few rules is...ya gotta leave a way for folks to contact you.

It’s winter in Appalachia where weather can’t make up his feeble mind. One day it’s semi-warm, drizzly, cloudy and the next it’s cloud, cold and spitting ice and snow. Yesterday, before going to town, I fixed breakfast of country ham, English muffins and a cheesy egg.

A few months ago, at a thrift store, I found two egg cookers that are specific to the microwave. I cannot begin to tell you how these little cookers have changed the way I eat! One of the greatest problems for me, since Dave died, is fixing a meal; it's okay if I use the crock pot but it's just difficult to remember to leave time in the evening for an actual meal. Far too frequently, I find myself at the end of the day with nothing to eat and resort to cold cereal. 

One or two scrambled eggs, a bit of cheese and, sometimes ham or bacon or sausage is added, a minute in the microwave and I've got a hot, tasty meal. The cheesy eggs are left on the plate or placed atop a muffin or biscuit that's been slathered with my home churned butter. Being somewhat too hungry lazy to make cat head biscuits, I used English muffins...not quite as tasty but certainly a lot easier and faster and, really, when enough butter is used, the difference isn't noticeable. 

For those requiring a bit more instruction...oil the cooker with veg, corn, EVOO or butter, break one or two eggs into cooker, mix well, season with black pepper and salt, add a tablespoon or two of cheese and microwave one minute. I’ve added a few bits of broccoli or a few leaves of spinach; any veg will do and, yep, it’s that easy! Next, I need to search for a few more recipes as this one is getting worn out from use. Perhaps a chocolate cake...

Something else that makes me happy, happy, happy is YOU! Visiting your blogs, reading about your life or projects or what you’re selling or what’s happening where you live, etc. When a post catches my eye, I, sometimes visit more than once, just to savor your words, your life, you. I’m not much good at responding to comments...as I age (thank You, God!) I find the energy level only goes so far, especially in cold weather. So, I can read, comment, visit or I can respond to comments; I’d rather visit you and comment.

Something else that makes me happy...when I visit you and wander around your blog, there are so many things of interest. I find out if you’re interested in crafts or writing or traveling, etc. Sometimes I see you’re on Pinterest or Ravelry...fun! I’ve gotten some really great quotes from your blogs; some have appeared on my Sabbath Keeping and, when possible, given credit. (Meaning when memory decided to serve fully and well.) Time is taken to tuck you in a little prayer; it’s not necessary for me to know much about you because God knows it all and likes when someone lifts someone else in prayer.

When I visit your side bar, I see so many other blogs that look interesting. It’s almost a sure bet to find bloggers I already know and love visiting and am sure to find a few new to me bloggers as well. Thank you for that little gift!

Something else that makes me happy is seeing my blog on your sidebar. Which, makes me wonder...have I listed your blog on my sidebar? I know I read a lot more blogs than are listed, which confuses me. So, if my blog is on your side bar but you don't see your blog on my Cozy Reads sidebar, please let me know. I want to be a good neighbor and fix that immediately!

We all matter; sometimes in ways we’ll never know. When I visit you and tuck you into prayer, it matters to you (although you may never know), it matters to me and it matters to God. Our lives count in ways that are, sometimes, incomprehensible to us, but not to God. It’s taken me a while to get to this place but there are people who have hurt me deeply or owe me money or steal from me. People who claim to be Christians (because they go to church) but, frankly, I think their Jesus imitation is seen through a glass darkly. It’s taken me a while to be willing to pray for them and, truth be told, I still fall off that particular hallelujah wagon but when I do pray for them, I am being obedient to God's Word. This Christian walk can be like walking on broken glass and when I look down, the shattered glass is, often, my heart. Even so, obedience is better than sacrifice and He’s promised to be with us each and every step. Glory Be!

Blessings ~ quick, easy, nutritious meal ~ a treat for Lightly ~ beauty in a bare landscape ~ a winner ~ 

John Donne and Winner, Winner Lobster Dinner!

We're overrun with eagles this year and my photo isn't terrific due to great distance between birds and me. We've got a lot of adults and juveniles who war for food, and, I would show you more photos but I can't figure out how to upload them. Yes, it seems success is not to be mine tonight, at least, not more than once.  Marcus, the computer genius who fixed my computer, has me on Internet Explorer now and I was on Chrome; it's totally confusing as I have no tidy mind when it comes to computer stuff. I seem to wander all over the place, never getting much accomplished and have now been trying to update the blog for almost 3 hours. Yeah. Like I've got that kind of time...sigh. Dearest God, I do miss Dave for all kinds of reasons!

"In heaven it is always autumn,

His mercies are ever in their maturity.

We ask our daily bread

And God never says

You should have come yesterday,

He never says

You must come again tomorrow,

But today if you will hear His voice,

Today He will hear you.

 

He brought light out of darkness,

Not out of a lesser light;

He can bring thy summer out of winter

Tho' thou have no spring,

Though in the ways of fortune or understanding or conscience

Thou have been benighted til now,

Wintered and frozen, clouded and eclipsed,

Damped and benumbed, smothered and stupefied til now.

 

Now God comes to thee,

Not as in the dawning of the day,

Not a in the bud of the spring

But as the sun at noon,

As the sheaves in harvest."

 

~ John Donne, 1624 ~

Weather has turned November'ish and it's cold, windy, rainy, sleety and calling for 6 inches of snow tonight and more snow through Sunday. Next week it warms up and, as Mom likes to say, "It's good pneumonia weather!" The horses have been fed, some turned into a small lot for grazing and Lightly is still in a short lot, receiving meds for tender feet. Everyone has safety, shelter, food and water for the night. One of my mantras is, "I prep during daylight so I can sleep at night" and, mostly, that's true. There have been a few bitter nights that I've lain awake and prayed for the animals...for sheep lambing and cows calving, for my own animals. There are many  nights I awake and pray for those whom God brings to mind but, generally, I sleep and sleep well due to the energy needed to get through the day.

Cutting this short...I'm hungry and still need to fix myself supper; the winner of the Food Network Magazine subscription is Madge of The View From Right Here. Congratulations Madge! I've sent you a PM and you've got 24 hours to send me your snail mail address.

Blessings ~ magazine subscriptions ~ John Donne ~ poetry ~ work ~ a good
night's rest ~ 

Winner, Random 5 Friday

~ two barn owls roost in my hay loft ~

Lately, a lot of folks have been saying, "Can you believe it's the end of January already?!" That's what happens when you blink and breath...tempus fugit with skates on winged feet. Pretend with me...it's Wednesday and the winner of the $50 Visa gift card is being announced. To mimic Susan Branch, "Oh Vanna! Vanna, Dahling, please, would you come here a moment? Your adoring audience beckons because they want to know whose name you'll choose." Vanna comes schlepping through my house, dodging the ball of yarn that the cats captured, unrolled on the floor and now all over the kitchen, into the living room where she comments, "Ah, that wood stove feels DiViNe!" as she reaches into the dog basket.

Hey, around here we used what's available; remember Fat Charlie going under the knife...as in Leatherman?

Vanna taps her toe, delicately, against the Persian carpet, glances around the room (Hey Vanna, the vacuum cleaner fits all hands!) and draws a name...Lynne of Irish Garden House! Right after Dave died and I was all over the place, emotionally, spiritually, physically, Lynne would write notes of encouragement because she knew what I was going through; she'd "been there, done that" and was one of the people who showed me such great kindness and love. She blessed me greatly, many thanks, Lynne! I'm glad you won and hope you enjoy the Visa card, spend it wisely -grin-. And, no, Vanna didn't actually draw the Lynne's name, that was done by random generator...Vanna just makes a better story.

~ saw this young buck on the way home today ~

Random 5 Friday is by Nancy at A Rural Journal. Wonder of wonders I remembered it was today and there's even barely enough time left in the day to join in. It's been a COLD day today and chores were accomplished but left my bones achy. After I eat my meatballs and pasta, I'm going to have a lovely tot of B&B...just because I'm finally an adult and old enough to drink legally. so there!

Nancy's guidelines are (1) link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, pets, whatever; (2) posts must contain 5 random facts; (3) visit other participants; (4) wait a minute...only 3 guidelines that even a idiot could follow...right? Yeah, well, we'll see...

1. I gave up sat television as in Direct TV. I put pencil to paper and figured out I was paying almost $160 per television show I enjoyed. I really loved watching NCIS, Elementary, PBS and a couple of others but not $1,000 worth per year. I decided that money would be better spent on a sunny, Caribbean island...St. Lucia or Bonaire or even going to Puerto Rico (no passport needed) and take a Southern Caribbean cruise and visit many islands...that's the ticket...yeah! As for television, the county library has a lot of PBS shows and tonight I'm watching Dame Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in Murder She Said...delightful! A little tidbit...Mr. Stringer, Miss Marple's "friend" is, in real life, Dame Rutherford's husband. Click on Dame Margaret's name and read some true hair raising facts about her and her family.

A number of very fine actresses have played Miss Marple - Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan (oh my, another favorite!), Julia McKenzie (liked her better in Cranford), Helen Hayes, Margaret Rutherford and others, but my favorite is Dame Margaret. She knows she's over the top and plays the entire role tongue in cheek always and with great aplomb.

If you think you could write as well as Agatha Christie (HA!), try your hand here; entries for Chapter 4 are now being accepted.

~ Black Angus cattle country ~

2. And speaking of Vanna (she was born in Myrtle Beach, SC)...this past week, I went on a road trip to my condo at Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, SC. Folks are renting it for February and March and I wanted it to be ready for them and also wanted to escape the frigid cold but that didn't happen. There, it was 18 above zero one night, 28 above zero another night but got into the high 50's during the day. One day I saw 61 on a bank thermometer but we all know how unreliable those things can be.  My week was work, work and more work just different location which is turning into the story of my life. Or, perhaps it's just that time of year when it takes everything I've got, plus some, to get the work done. Today, after doing town errands, I came home to throw out square bales for the horses, take food and water to Harry and Sophie, meds and food to Carly and load up the Ranger with a load of work wood (oops) which I'll bring to the house tomorrow. It's supposed to warm up to 32 - glory! - but will snow; Sunday it'll be 42 but rain and Monday is more snow. I'd rather deal with snow, it's not as much misery on my old bones but considering I've got to get out the tractor to put out round bales of hay, what difference do it make? Animals have got to be fed so work has got to be done.

3. Carly Shetland is 20 and still loving her groceries; Harry Shetland is up there and also enjoy his groceries. Today I found Sophie Shetland, cast, and heaved her to her feet. I'm not sure how long she'd been down but, judging from the spot, it'd been a while. Now, she's in the small lot with blind Harry where they'll both receive grain, corn, hay and water twice a day. "Good grief, Pa, but I do love my critters!", says Ellie Mae nee Sandra Bennett. -grin-

~ snow drifts of 3+ feet ~

4. Gosh, it's imperative I come up with 5 random things and it's harder than it looks. Hmmm, there's a fire in the wood stove and it feels wonderbar! It's a boatload of hard work but it warms me thrice...bringing it to the house, bringing it into the house and carrying ashes out. Have I ever mentioned I dislike boring people or people who say, "I'm bored" suggests a decided lack of imagination! There's always something to do even when we don't want to do it. I've developed a bone spur on the bottom of my heel; any ideas on how to make it go away? I'm figuring a huge, family sized KJV and have someone smash it against my heel...yes or no?

5. I'm fixing meatballs and pasta for supper. Not very exciting but it's what I want...protein and carbs with a glass of red is just what I want/need. I'll fix it, bring it into the living room where the wood fire is blazing and watch Dame Margaret Rutherford as she careens through Murder She Said. This evening is my idea of bliss!

Whew! These things are more difficult than they first appeared. My hat's off to Nancy, she comes up with this week after week. The only thing I come up with, week after week, is dirty laundry.

Don't forget, Vicki's Blog Party is happening tomorrow; I'm excited!

Now, go out there, be safe and make it a week to remember wonderfully!

Blessings ~ warmth ~ Nancy, A Rural Journal ~ Dame Margaret Rutherford ~ Lynn, Irish Garden House ~ my critters, beasts and varmints ~ 

Fearless Farmgirl Winner!

Fearless Farmgirl...don't you LOVE the name?!...recently had a contest. She asked participants to give a caption to the photo above...her lab watching, closely, the two birds. My suggestion was "How long before Mom notices I'm pointing?"
FF loved my suggestion and I won a gift card to Duluth Trading Company...woohoo! It's one of my favorite places to shop, especially for work gear. 
Even if you're not in the market for work gear, please visit Duluth Trading Company website. You'll laugh yourself silly at the adverts...some of them are hilarious!
Fearless Farmgirl, THANKS! for the gift certificate; I'm going to spend it a thousand times before I make the phone call -grin-.

Blessings ~ Fearless Farmgirl, please visit her blog for her killer brownie recipe ~ Duluth Trading Company ~ cuteness ~ 

life:beautiful winners

A day late and a dollar short...it just dawned on me I neglected to let two women know they have won a copy of life:beautiful magazine. The original give-away was for one magazine but I've read my copy very, very carefully and am now giving it away as well.

Midlo Mom and Timi have each won a copy. Midlo Mom's copy will be going to beautiful Midlothian, very near Richmond, VA and Timi's copy will wing its way to Hungary! 

Want to read something funny? Midlo Mom lives fewer than three hundred miles from me and we've never met. Timi lives in Hungary and she, her family and I spent a delightful two days together last year. I also visited with Jane and Lance and am counting the days until I can visit with all of them again. Truly, some of the most delightful memories I have are of those days spent in Budapest with my new friends whom I met through blogging!

Blessings ~ life:beautiful magazine ~ Midlo Mom ~ Timi ~ Jane and Lance ~ 

Gift Package, Good Stuff, Fun Stuff

Is anyone else having a wee bit of trouble with Blogger? Every time I want to load a photo I get a Security Message saying "Information from this secure page will be submitted to a page that is not secure on www.blogger.com. Submitting sensitive information is strongly discouraged."


So, I'm sufficiently frightened enough not to have photos on this post! Does anyone know what's going on or what I should do?


Bless you for asking...and you know who "you" are -smile-...I am physically well but overwhelmed with the learning curve presented to me upon Dave's death. There are so many areas I have to cover and a lot of those areas are brand new to me...such as finances. I am reading as much as possible about investing, speaking to a lot of people and trying to familiarize myself with the possibilities. I would at least like to ask intelligent questions of the professionals I approach and, additionally, would like to know when they might be leading me down a path that's more advantageous to them than to I. Tending to all the paperwork is a forty-hour a week job and then there's the farm work, tending to the animals, etc. I don't mean to complain, just want you to know why I'm seldom seen. Even so, when I think of you, you're tucked into prayer!


The Thankful Follower's gift package will be sent to Quinn, number thirty-three; she responded within the twenty-four hour limit.


Some things, perhaps, of interest to you...


Kate Smith singing God Bless America. Irvin Berlin had written it two decades earlier but had never recorded it. It's a fabulous story and if you've never heard Kate Smith, you're in for a treat. She had a fabulous voice and personality!


The Candy Man; if you're in favor of Big Government there's a good chance you won't find this funny. I was rolling on the floor, laughing myself silly but that was before I realized just how true the whole song is and that sobered me up...quick plenty!


Dog, Cat, Rat. My SIL always thought it strange that the six dogs and three cats got along so well in our household. Dave and I always thought it strange she thought it strange. If the animals don't get along together...guess who is at fault!


Harmonica in Carnegie Hall - fabulous! 


"April 15 - filed my taxes and sent them in....

They sent my Tax Return back..........In response to the question:
"List all dependents?" I replied -

~12 million illegal immigrants;
~3 million crack heads;
~42 million "unemployable" people on food stamps,
~2 million people in over 243 prisons;
~Half of Mexico and
~535 fools in the U.S. House and Senate.”
 Apparently, this was NOT an acceptable answer but I believe it's correct."


Blessings ~ laughter ~ animals ~ followers ~ music ~ song ~ Kate Smith ~ learning curves ~

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 ~