Grow Your Blog Party - 2015

Welcome to Vicki's of 2 Bags Full 2015 Grow Your Blog Party. Please accept my apology for being late to the party; I have no excuse, only the reason of poor memory and, as Lemony Snicket said, "A series of unfortunate events" including working on a mini-laptop that keeps crashing. grrrrrr! Another tidbit...it does absolutely no good to keep a calendar if I forget to check it...sigh. I humbly apologize.

~ my front porch ~

I am Sandra, Countrywoman at Thistle Cove Farm in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia where the tag line is Where It's Beautiful One Day and Perfect the Next...true too. I write about life, faith, family, farming, photography, animal rescue and since 11/11 about widow hood. Blog posts include tips on making your home more energy efficient, tips on taking care of your vehicle, financial tips, recipes, travel, projects such as quilting, knitting, felting, weaving, animal husbandry. My animals are also my family so there are lots of photos of furry family members. 

~ Levi Lilly ~

In November 2011, Dave, my husband passed away and I've spent a lot of time putting together information that's helpful for others...couples, singles, married, widowed, divorced.  A Fair Arrangement: Keeping More of What's Yours is geared to helping you, legally, keep more of your assets. Click here to see a lot of useful information; if you have questions, send me an e-mail. 

~ my hay field ~

Yes, there is a giveaway on this blog...two...one for USA residents and one for everyone else. As stated earlier, my little mini-lap is having "issues" (as folks say these days, in my day it was called problems -lol-) so more photos will be added tomorrow. God willing and the creek don't rise. Stay tuned and don't forget to leave an e-mail so if you win, I can contact you.

~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ Where it's Beautiful One Day and Perfect the Next ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm, I look forward to returning the kindness.

Update...my giveaway goes until Valentine's Day, 2/14 at 5:00 p.m. If you leave a comment and a way to contact you, you'll be in the running for winning either one of two books by Alexandra Stoddard (USA residents) or a book mark from Dublin's Trinity College Book of Kells (non USA residents). The Stoddard book is either Creating a Beautiful Home OR Living Beautifully Together. 

Blessings ~ Vicki at 2 Bags Full ~ 3rd Annual Grow Your Blog Party ~  visitors ~ gifts ~ my farm ~

Blogging and Books

 ~ 9 years of blogging turned into books ~

Recently, Karen at This Old House 2, asked about blogging and is it dying due to other social media? I've been blogging since 2005, had my share of ups and downs, good comments and not so good comments and still enjoy the process. Some years ago, I blogged about leaving blog land; Kathy, Cedar Pond, encouraged me to continue and I'm glad I took her advice. Dave always enjoyed the blog documentation of our farm and lives; now that he's dead, it means all that more to me. 

 "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind" so says Jack Lewis. In November 2011 Dave died suddenly of a heart attack and this quote brought, and brings, me much solace. 

My blog into soft cover books were done by Blog 2 Print and contain front and back photos varying from valley views to photos of the house to, in 2011, a photo of Dave and I while we were in the Azores, islands about 1,000 miles off the Portugal coast. Book prices begin at around $15 and, depending upon what one wants, can go upwards of $100.00. Each of my books cost around $95 to $125 and, yes, that's expensive but I chose to go without other things so I could do this one thing. I will never regret that decision! If you visit their website, they'll give you a 15% coupon which helps. They also have some sort of Rewards program which I'm too stupid to understand -wry smile-.

My comment on Karen's post: "...about the only blogging "rules" I follow are "Keep it nice". If others want to follow a bunch of rules, fine by me but don't try to impose them on me; to each their own. I started blogging in the dark ages of 2005; an acquaintance was blogging and she said it was fun. Along the way, I blogged that I was thinking of stopping and a reader sent me a kind note imploring me to continue, so I have. I'm grateful to her for helping me make that decision; when Dave was alive, he loved reading my blog and took an enormous amount of pleasure in how our days/farm were being documented. Since his death, it's been an enormous source of comfort to me. As you know, I've often written Dave "blog letters" where I poured out my grief stricken heart and worked through the emotional pain and turmoil. I've had my blog made into soft cover books and they too have been a source of comfort. I also blog to sharpen my photography and writing skills and watermark my photos because they are MINE. Like others, I've had them stolen and watermarking them makes it a tad more difficult for the thief. I'm proud of my work, why wouldn't I want to take credit for it?
Finally, I've met a lot of lovely people in "blog land" and have visited some of them in person. I've stayed with Mags and her family in Ireland, Timi and her family traveled by train from their village in Hungary to the city of Budapest and we spent two lovely days together; Jane and Lance opened their home and we shared a delicious luncheon in Budapest. 
Blogging has brought a huge world to a more manageable level and has given me untold joys. Christian sisters, whom I'll never met this side of the veil, pray for me and I for them. When Dave suddenly died, people around the world tucked me into prayer and those prayers, heard by a sovereign God, sustained me.
It's like anything else in life. It can be used for good or evil; I choose good and my life has expanded in ways I could never have dreamt. Is blogging dead or dying? Perhaps but for those with eyes to read and hearts to share blogging will never die." 

This photo of Thistle Cove Farm was taken 2 or 3 miles, as the crow flies, away from the farm. Every now and again, I'll take a drive throughout the valley, camera in hand, and amuse myself by taking photos; a lot of those photos end up on the blog, in the books and on the book covers. Also, all my books have the tag line "The View From My Window, My Cup Overflows" on the front spine. There are two years left to print and one change I made with the 2011 book was to have the year printed on the cover. How much easier it is to find what I'm looking for when the date is on the cover, or spine, of the book!

I've mentioned, too many times, how I'm gathering the information gleaned after Dave's death, into a book. It's a far lengthier process than I'd first imagined due, in part, to the fact I'm still uncovering things that need processing and finishing. Just recently, I found several items that Dave never finished for his mother's estate and she died in 2008! Additionally, I found several items for Dave's estate and, for both estates, my lawyer has to petition the court to re-open the files and have me appointed Executor so both estates can be finished. AAAHHHGGGG doesn't begin to cover my emotional status! 

Added to that particular mix is the fact I have absolutely no clue how to publish a book. I don't have an agent...do I need an agent?...I don't have a publisher...do I self-publish, e-publish, publish a hardback or a spiral note book type that can be placed on the table and, along with a 3-ring  notebook be fully utilized particular to each person or family's needs? If you have any ideas or comments or help...whatsoever...please chirp. 

Finally (you say...finally! -smile-), Leigh, has written 5 Acres & A Dream The Book - The Challenges of Establishing a Self-Sufficient Homestead. I've looked through the table of contents and it's packed full of useful information. Somewhere in Southern Appalachia (hey, we could be neighbors!) Leigh and her family live on a 5 acre homestead where they live an agrarian lifestyle. We share many similar interests both in the home and on the land and, to date, she's sold more than 1,100 books since first published in December. If I were starting out, her's would be the book I would buy, read and heed.

Why do you blog? Please comment here and then write a post on why you blog and, if you have your blog printed, let me know it worked for you. 

Blessings ~ the myriad women and men whom I've met in blog land and in reality ~ my blog into books ~

Grow Your Blog

Welcome to Vicki's (2 Bags Full) Grow Your Blog Party; I'm so glad you're here! It's all pleasure to help Vicki with her party; she's a fantastic woman and has blessed my life greatly. On an update, Vicki said there are 596 bloggers participating, possibly more by now, so it's going to be a grand party...again, welcome to Grow Your Blog Party and Thistle Cove Farm.

~ some of my little flock ~

I'm Sandra and live at Thistle Cove Farm in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia. Dave, my husband, and I renovated this old farm house and farm, bred and raised rare breed American Curly horses, rare breed Shetland sheep along with Merino and Romney sheep and now have alpacas. Dave passed away in November 2011 and the resulting time has been spent getting my bearings, learning about finances and remembering to breath. It's been an incredible learning experience, the curve has been enormously difficult but I think, perhaps, I'm doing better. Thank God. 

For a short period of time I stepped away but am now back to writing a book, click here to see the beginnings, explaining to others how best to prepare for their own, or a loved one's, demise. There's so much one can do now to lessen the burden on whomever is left behind. It's a book everyone can use - marrieds or singles, those with children, those without, because someone is going to have to deal with aftermath. Do you really want a government employee deciding where your toddler or child is going to live or, even worse in my opinion, having to go into foster care? Have you thought about where your pets will live? God forbid they be dumped at an "animal shelter"! There are many ways to decrease the financial impact at a time when money is, possibly, scarce because of huge burial bills. Yes, it's a subject perhaps most would rather deny, but taking care of business now ensures your loved ones will have fewer burdens later. 

~ my paca nation ~

With God's help, I've kept the farm going...horses, sheep, alpacas, dogs, cats, guinea's, dogs, cats and me. The work is hard but, every summer, neighbor "Daddy John" puts up my hay and I'm able to hire Andy in the summer to help with the stuff that needs a man's strength and more farmer's knowledge. The farm is going on the market late February and I'm hopeful God will bring a buyer who will love this place as much as Dave and I have loved it. 

~ American Curly horses ~

I enjoy knitting, spinning, quilting, baking, cooking and reading. Each day is begun with Bible devotions because it takes a lot of work for me to get nice grin. Dave and I loved to travel, and either with him or solo, I've either taught agri-tourism or visited as a tourist most of eastern Europe, Russia, a lot of the Caribbean, 3/5 of the United Kingdom and all of North America. 

Thistle Cove Farm is on the cover of the movie, Lassie Come Home and was filmed in this valley in 1994. Above, the farm can be seen between Lassie and the yellow sub-title.

I have two gifts to give away, one international and the other domestic, please leave a comment and a way for me to contact you should you win. The first domestic gift (photo later) is a Bagallini Bag which is great for travel. It can be used as a purse or as a carry-all and unfolds from a smaller bag into a larger. The color is brown, trimmed with red, and is unobtrusive...a decided plus while traveling, I think.

The second international gift is a Thomas Joseph coaster, purchased in Dublin, The Republic of Ireland. It's delightful (click on coaster) and shows a sheep, driving a cart pushed by a donkey in harness, with the caption, “Form-ewe-la One”..., it's a pun on car racing in the USA. I adore puns, don't you?

Winners will be announced 15 February at noon; please visit then to see the names of the two people who'll receive the gifts.

If you'd like to follow me, the button is at the bottom of this page and thank you for your kindness. Should you wish to send a note, my e-mail address is on the left sidebar, about four down.

Thanks to Vicki and her long, arduous hours of work to organize the 2014 GYBP and you, for visiting. You're welcome here any time so come back soon, ya hear?

Blessings ~ Vicki and her Grow Your Blog party ~ my animals ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ visitors...YOU! ~ 

Grow Your Blog Party!

Today is The Day! It's Vicki's, at 2 Bags Full, Grow Your Blog Party...WOOHOO! I'm excited, can you tell? What? You forgot to sign up? NO WAY, surely you didn't!? Oh gee, I am so sorry...   Please visit Vicki's blog to see all the participants and to leave a nice comment for Vicki...the hostess with the mostess...yeah, it's cheesy but hey! I'm in a party mood and, down on the farm, it's simple pleasures that please best.

Welcome to Thistle Cove Farm where it's beautiful one day and perfect the next. Yes, the header photo is the view from my window, photos change seasonally, and, yes, I am greatly blessed. Dave, my husband, and I bought and established Thistle Cove Farm in 1995. We've spent our time renovating the house, re-siding the barns with rough cut hemlock and, in early days, I bred and raised rare American Curly horses and Shetland, Merino, Romney and cross bred sheep. The Curly horse link is for information only.

Our lives took a turn when, in 2004, I had an opportunity to teach in Russia and that jump started our traveling adventures. Since then, I've taught in Armenia, Georgia, Morocco, at fiber festivals in the USA, at Concord University in Athens, WV and on the farm where I held workshops and conferences. I'm in process of putting together my curriculum in a book, Increasing Farm and Small Business Income, that teaches how to develop your farm or small business by using tourism and networking and partnering with other folks to increase profits. Essentially, it's a how-to manual to help you succeed.

In November, 2011, Dave passed away and the ensuing months have been spent on a very steep learning curve. He and I were going to sit down, me with a three-ring notebook, and I was going to compile "everything" he needed me to know. He died, very unexpectedly and quite suddenly, two days before. Since then, it's been a Very Steep Learning Curve and my hard earned and hard won experience is going into another book...Putting Your Affairs in Order ~ "death comes to us or for us, it's best to be prepared". I'm not trying to be morbid but there's a ton of stuff to know and it's best knowing it and preparing before you need to so you don't waste or lose so much money. Trust me, the only people who couldn't possible use this information are the Gates or Buffet families! -wry smile-

This blog is about life in general and, in particular, life at Thistle Cove Farm. I try to encourage and enable people to do their best work, live their best life and, whenever possible, prepare for the future. You'll find blog posts on how to DREAM LARGE, PDS or Pretty Darn Smart Goals, and, sometimes, You Just Need to Know where I push you in the direction of other folks who offer excellent advice or simply fun stuff worth knowing.
There are posts to your good health -Coconut Oil and Lower Back Pain Relief
and, every Sunday, there's Sabbath Keeping dedicated to the wise words of other folks and each Sabbath Keeping post ends with Prayer Keeping where we pray, one for another.
I am a practicing Christian and, even so, life is still hard; it's been a lot harder since Dave died. I'm just trying to lighten your load and help us both along life's path. I invite you to sign up on the follower's side bar on the right; you're very welcome here!

Okay, more good stuff...there are 5...FIVE...giveaways on this post! Yep, five people will have their choice of goodies starting with ...

~on the left, a skein of purple, blue, muted red Socka, 75 percent virgin wool with 25 percent polyamid yarn made in Austria! It's 30 meters and would make a lovely pair of baby socks, trim for a pair of adult socks or any number of beautiful things.

~on the right, a skein of red Sunbeam Aran Double Knitting Pure New Wool, made in the Republic of Ireland! There are approximately 1 and 3/4 ounces or 50 grams and it's vintage. It's enough yarn to make a small hat, neck cozy or add some color to a pair or socks or fingerless mitts. Then again, it's your choice as to how you use it.

Creating Keepsakes is a scrapbook magazine from May/June 1997; yep, another vintage prize! Along with great ideas for scrapbook projects, this issue still has the "FREE cut and Copy Insert from Design Originals". The magazine is intact, as far as I'm able to ascertain. 

~Summer Cottage magazine is from Summer 2011 and is lovely. The photographs are beautiful, the recipes are delightful...last week, I went to town to the library so I could copy the recipes...no tearing out of pages in this Special Collector's Issue! It's from the publishers of Southern Lady Presents Tea Time and Hoffman Media Publications. You will treasure this special treat!

~Quilters...attention, please...the last prize is a Collins Sneak Peek Preview of 5 Charm Shapes. "A charm quilt is traditionally made of pieces all cut from the same shape, and each cut from a different fabric." The Sneak Peek Preview may be used to design quilts by using as is or rotating designs for varied interest and impact. You may also make special effects with border prints, stripes and florals or develop your own patterns by alternating prints and solids or lights and darks. The templates include the following shapes: Tumbler, Hexagon, Diamond, Equilateral Triangle and an Apple Core. You'll have unending fun using this charming collection.

Winners will be notified on February 1 and chosen randomly. These prizes are open to everyone...domestic and internationally; you only have to leave a comment and a way for me to contact you. No anonymous comments and your e-address has to be linked with your name or in your comment. 
You're invited to follow my blog but it's not a requirement to win and your kind, thoughtful comments are most welcome.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein ~

Today's Miracles ~ Vicki, 2 Bags Full ~ you, a visitor ~ prizes ~ American Curly horses ~ my wooly sheep ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ 

Dave Bricker

TAZEWELL, Va. — Forrest David Bricker, age 66, of The Cove in Tazewell, Va., died Saturday, November 5, 2011 at his home on Thistle Cove Farm. Born May 7, 1945 at Ravenna Arsenal, Ohio, he was a son of the late Forrest Davis Bricker and Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker. He was a graduate of Beaver High School and graduated with honors from West Virginia University. Dave was a U.S. Army Veteran, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was a retired stock broker, and currently served as President of Sibley Coal & Coke Company, Manager of Sibley Communications & Energy, and was Director of Logistics for Sibley Communications, all of Bluefield, W.Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Wirtz Bricker.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Bennett; one sister, Carol Bricker Pharr of Earlysville, Va.; many family members including, nieces, a nephew, cousins, an uncle, in-laws and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va.

 Graveside services and interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with Pastor Jerome Hancock of the Southside Church of the Nazarene  and Pastor George Ferguson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Dave's request was that you take someone special out to dinner.


Blessings ~ me, for having twenty-two beautiful years with Dave ~