Puppies!

 ~ saying hello ~

~ up close and personal ~

~ the face off ~

~ the chase ~

~ kiss and make up ~

~ Perfect Buddies ~

~ whoa! there's "Mom" ~

~ puppy love, running full blast ~

So, that's my day; yours?

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ the view from my window, daily, my cup overflows ~

 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." ~ Galatians 6:2 ~

"Is thy cruse of comfort wasting?

Rise and share it with another,

And through all the years of famine,

It shall serve thee and thy brother.

Is thy burden hard and heavy?

Do thy steps drag heavily?

Help to bear thy brother's burden

God will bear both it and thee."

~ Elizabeth Charles ~

"I believe that if we could only see beforehand what it is that our heavenly Father means us to be-the soul beauty and perfection and glory, the glorious and lovely spiritual body that this soul is to dwell in through all eternity-if we could have a glimpse of this, we should not grudge all the trouble and pains He is taking with us now, to bring us up to that ideal, which is His thought of us. We know that it is God's way to work slowly, so we must not be surprised if He takes a great many years of discipline to turn a mortal being into an Immortal, glorious angel." ~ Annie Keary ~

"Lord! who Thy thousand years dost wait

To work the thousandth part

Of Thy vast plan, for us create

With zeal a patient heart."

~ J. H. Newman ~

"His time is forever, everywhere his place."

~ Abraham Cowley ~

"The strongest of all warriors are these two--Time and Patience."

~ Leo Tolstoy ~

"With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise..." ~ I Peter 3:8-9 ~

Blessings ~ beauty, threatening to drag us under its glorious weight ~ poets ~ daughters of clergy ~ time ~ patience ~ Word ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Upsetting News...

 ~ flying high and proud but for how long? ~

 First amendment rights being trampled upon...again.

Thank you to those who have remembered me in prayer; doctor released me today after saying the pathology report came back "benign". Nos gratias Dieum!


Blessings ~ USA, one nation under God... ~ good medical report ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

My New Hero...

 Harold Estes

 ~ Mr. Estes, in the Hawaiian print shirt ~

 "My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.  You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

  " We're no longer a Christian nation"
  " America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world,"America is mean-spirited." Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who
died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or
gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the
hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened
field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political
strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
 
And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle...

Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes"

Blessings ~ men, and women, who aren't afraid to speak the truth as they see it ~ Harold B. Estes ~ our military ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Extraordinarily Ordinary

 ~ spring, it's sprung ~

That's me, extraordinarily ordinary. I made peace, a couple a three decades ago, that I'd never be the prettiest, nor the ugliest; the smartest, nor the dumbest; the thinnest, nor the fattest; the wealthiest, nor the poorest; the shortest, nor the tallest; the best, nor the worst. In fact, I'm just somewhere in the middle of billions of people on God's good earth and happy to be here. When I figured out it wasn't my peace for which I was searching nor needed, I became a much happier person. It's God's peace, along with His grace, mercy, love and Christ's salvation, that keeps my feet firmly planted on terra firma with my head stretching toward the clouds in the heavens.

One thing I am is a child of God and that's what gives me peace when Uncle Screwtape is giving his nasty advice to Wormwood and, in turn, Wormwood is knocking at my door. The dual doors, actually, of my heart and mind. BTW, if you've not read The Screwtape Letters, you really should as it gives enormous insight on how, exactly, satan works his ill will in your life and mine. C. S. Lewis dedicated The Screwtape Letters to his good friend and fellow Inkling, J. R. R. Tolkien whom you may know as author of the Lord of the Rings series.

I'm not sure, perxactly, what lead me on that tangent because this is, essentially, a post of information. Oh wait. That's exactly what I've started with...information. Silly me!

Yes, I'm still wandering around the i-universe and finding things of delight, wonder and information with which to amaze and stagger you. Interested yet?

One site I found is from OH State College of Medicine and is a lengthy self-administered test of cognitive neurology to assist in determining dementia and Alzheimer's. It takes about fifteen minutes and is best if you download, find a quiet spot and get cracking. I've not taken the test as I'm waiting on other test results and am finding, today at least, I can focus on only one test at a time. No, you can't sue me or anyone else if you don't like the test results. Just get a grip and try to do better; that's all any of us can do.

There's a Baby Conference in Houston July 8-10 and looks to be Amazing! If you've read my blog any time atall, you know how Pro-Family I am and how much I believe families should strive to strengthen their members, their unit and their impact upon the world. Not by any great shakes either; simply by being a Christian light in a dark and frosty world.

Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger are going to be key note speakers and Michelle is hostessing a ladies tea that is just about sold out. The Dugger's are those folks who have had, and do parent, nineteen children! I dare say they didn't know, all those many years ago, they would find themselves "for such a time as this" being witnesses to the beauty of children and the family. They live, debt free, in Arkansas in a huge house they built and have their own reality television show which I saw once. It was an interesting show but I'm just not that much into television nor reality shows; my life is just about all the reality I can handle! -smile- I do admire them and marvel at their family; I also wish them well and look forward to seeing them beyond the veil.

The Noa's in Washington have a link to Joyfully At Home who has a give-away. She's giving away a DVD collection of her father's What He Must Be conference. I sure wish my Daddy had had these DVD's when I was a much younger woman! If you have a daughter, sister, niece or friend who is to be married, do two things...sign up for this giveaway and buy the DVD collection. Come to think of it, I think anyone, male or female, would benefit from What He Must Be. It used to be, boys learned from their fathers how to be Godly men and girls learned from their mothers how to be Godly women. That's still true but, unfortunately, the "Godly" part has been left out.

Monsanto. Ah yes, Monsanto. I have a love hate relationship with Monsanto. I love to hate them. Not fair, I know but, I'm not going into my anti-Monsanto politics now. What I do want to do is tell you about Monsanto's Farm Mom of the year. No, wait, I'm not telling you; if you want to know, look here. I'm funny about which dogs I lie down with so won't be applying; that and I'm not a Mom.

So, you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, Independent or something else? Take this Political Quiz and amuse and amaze yourself. I'm all for self-government and feel the less government the better. But then, I'm not a fifth generation welfare check endorser nor do I believe the government knows what's best for me. Heck, most of those happy ejits don't even know what's best for them!

Jesus, the Name above all names.

Manhatten Declaration, support marriage.

Docker's advertisement, wear the pants.

Want to turn your blog into a book? Blog2Print

Slow Cloth - a lot like slow living or slow cooking or slow parenting or...you get the drift. I am amused at folks who have come up with "slow...". I am also grateful to them because there are gazillions of folks who don't do anything, much, slow. I'm not one of 'em. Generally, I'm not in a hurry nor in a rush and enjoy living my life that way. Right now, I've got a pan of shortbread in the oven and when that one comes out, will have another ready to bake. I'm doing a marathon baking so I'll have plenty of shortbread to take to folks who need a bit of encouragement or thanks. We ate pork chops, rice and brussel sprouts last night for supper -not dinner because as any farmer knows, dinner is lunch- and will eat something slow tonight as well. I've talked for years about joy in the journey and Lainie calls it "joy in the process"; same thing, just said differently.

For me, slow anything is exactly like Christianity. We live in the moment, preparing for eternity or, as Alistair Begg says, "we live between the now and the not yet."

"Every day you must do something that frightens you." Eleanor Roosevelt

Blessings ~ encouragement ~ slow ~ dinner and supper ~ marriage and children, in that order ~ the Dugger's ~ The Screwtape Letters ~
 
Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Let's

 ~ first attempt using cotton strips ~

crochet some chair pads and a rag rug!

Some time ago, at a flea market, I bought a couple of full thirty gallon bags of fabric end rolls of various colors, patterns, sizes and fabrics. Both bags cost $2 so I gave my quilting bee buddies first choice pick. After they chose what they wanted, I was still left with one full thirty gallon bag and half of the second bag was full as well. I've been using some of the strips to weave rag rugs but decided I'd like to crochet some chair pads and a rag rug. Several decades ago, the Mother of Appalachian Feet crocheted a rag rug and I've always remember it for its simple, hand crafted, home made beauty. Then, a while back, at an auction a pink and white circular rag rug sold for $150 but I didn't get it because...my brain wasn't working, that must be it! It was a bargain and was somewhere between five and six feet in diameter. Can you just imagine the love that went into each and every stitch?! 

 ~ back side of first chair pad ~

So, since I've been on the mend last week, and will continue to stay low and close to home this week, I decided it's a jolly good time to crochet some chair pads. I've known people to use plastic shopping bags, a la wally world or grocery store, and they work well, especially on a porch where they are, at least, partially protected. Others will purchase sheets, tablecloths, tee shirts or other clothing at thrift stores, cut them into strips and crochet into pads, rugs, etc but I used fabric end rolls.

Tools:
~ size J metal crochet hook
~ scissors
~ rags cut into one-half inch to one inch strips. If the fabric is cotton, I tend to cut closer to one-half inch strips but if the fabric is nylon or poly, the strips are cut closer to one inch.


It's easy enough to see I'm self taught at crochet and virtually everything I do is a variation of the chain stitch. For those of you who do know how to crochet, Leslie, you're thinking, "well, duh!"  -smile- When I taught myself to knit, more than two decades ago, the language seemed familiar and, even though I'm not a great knitter, I took to it like a duck to water. When I tried to teach myself how to crochet, the language was more difficult and didn't make sense so I've used what I know and have had a modicum of success. Like I said, for those of you who truly know how to crochet, you'll, possibly, be appalled at my stitches. Yet, it works for me or perhaps I've learned how to tamper down those pesky first child perfection tendencies.

There are a gazillion places in the i-universe that give beautifully detailed crochet directions. Lion Brand is one of my favorite places as well as love their yarns; one day, I'd love to visit their NYC store.

The first photo shows my first attempt and it's rather pitiful. The fabrics are cottons, cut into about one inch strips and way too, physically, demanding for my hands and, possibly, for the crochet hook I used. I started out by chain stitching five stitches and then hooking the first stitch into the last stitch on the needle and making a circle. That was the start of my circular chair pad where things started off badly and got worse rather quickly.

Perhaps you can see the rather poochy middle; it reminds me of a Turkish squash only not as pretty. Although when you're sitting on the chair pad, it doesn't feel poochy and still provides some warmth and comfort from sitting upon a bare seat. I think I should have done a double crochet stitch but, in fact, did a half double or some forlorn variation thereof. The result was a "crown" type affair that will, assuredly, wear down after some use. Yep, you're reading me right...I'm not ripping it out and re-doing it.

About every four to six stitches, I'd hook an extra chain stitch to give the circular size some room to grow and this seemed to work well. Something else I did differently from other folks is, I'd start by crocheting into the front of the stitch but the second stitch I'd go into the back of the stitch. This seemed to keep the edges from rolling, or curling, up and into themselves. Every other stitch would be either the front OR the back...does that make sense?

On the back side, you can see the joined ends were not woven or crocheted in as I worked up the chair pad. Big mistake. Big, messy mistake. Big, messy mistake that took a lot more time to fix than it would have taken to do right the first time mistake and still looked like a train wreck when finished mistake. Or well, live and learn, eh?

~ second chair pad, front ~

~ second chair pad, back ~

The second attempt was a, trifle, more successful than the first. At least, the strips were cut into one-half inch strips and much, much easier to crochet. The pad started with five chain stitches, joined to make a circle and then I started with double crochet stitches which made a huge difference in both ease of crochet and in the way the pad lays flat with no "crown" in the center. Unfortunately, you can see I haven't quite learned about weaving in my ends and the back is a hodgepodge of raw ends sticking up.

There is a method of connecting the strips wherein two ends are placed together and a slice is cut into the middle but about one inch from the top. The same thing, written differently, is found here. Other people, using the sewing machine, sew the ends together but I make a knot and tug it tightly to join two strips of fabric. This works especially well with the nylon and polyester fabrics and my concerns about the two ends coming "un-done" or ripping out are nullified.

~ beginning crochet rag rug, front ~

~ crochet rag rug, back ~

 This is the beginning of the crochet rag rug and it looks much, much better than the pitiful chair pads. I've learned to weave in my raw, joined edges and this gives the rug a much more finished look as you can see in the second photo. The woven pieces are added along the edge of the row as opposed to left sticking up and being woven in later.

The gray material strip, top photo and top right of the photo, is where I'm getting ready to either add some more gray stripes or another color.

Another thing I did differently is for one round, I believe pink, I did an extra chain stitch on each and every stitch and this gave some room to grow or, at the very least, room to lie flat. These fabrics are a combination of cotton knits -green, pink, gray tee shirt type material- and nylon -beige middle- and I'm getting ready to add another row of nylon in a yellow color. Thus far, I've not added any patterns and am not sure I will add patterns. I'm rather liking the solid tones of color and was really amazed at how the gray made the pink POP! The gray is a lot prettier in the rug than on the roll. I've still got white and yellow but not sure if they are cotton knits or nylons and also not sure if there are other colors; I still have to dig deep in the trash bags.

You've heard of quilting bees of old and there was good reason. Many women, working together, could finish many quilts in a weekend or week.

Barn looms were huge and it would take two women to dress the loom and it would take them a day, even longer, depending upon how much thread they had.

From ancient times, women have gathered to share their work, share their stories, share their food and it's true...many hands do make light work. It's also easier to learn, visually, when one has a guide and, perhaps more importantly, it's easier to learn from someone else's mistakes. I've found this to be true with my little adventure with crocheting rag chair pads and rug. I would have saved time, effort, energy and materials had I had someone to show me how to do the initial stitches, weave in ends, etc. But that's okay. My real point is to encourage you to t-r-y something new and don't let your fear of not getting it right stop you from t-r-y-i-n-g. At the very least, try.

There are those who wouldn't have shown the roughly made two first chair pads. There are those who would rip both out and start over. Life is a learning process and I'm finding I'm enjoying the journey more when I'm not so focused on the perfection or rightness of the product. When I'm focused on learning, the enJOYment of the process gives my life richness and grace and that, in turn, makes me grateful.


Blessings ~ learning ~ letting go of fear ~ adventure in small, and large, doses ~ chair pads ~ time for the journey ~ rag rugs ~ sharing even though it's not perfect ~
 
Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

 ~ Amen! ~

 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." ~ Psalms 150:6 ~

"As long as rivers shall run down to the sea, or shadows touch the mountain slopes, or stars graze in the vault of heaven, so long shall your honour, your name, your praises endure." ~ Virgil ~

"Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the scriptures. Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statures! Give me a word, O Word of the Father: touch my heart: enlighten the understandings of my heart: open my lips and fill them with thy praise." ~ Bishop Lancelot Andrewes ~


"O to continue to drink deep of the streams of the great salvation, until I wholly lose the thirst for the passing things of earth, to live watching for my Lord, to b wide awake when he comes, to open to him quickly and enjoy his likeness to the full." ~ Ann Griffiths ~

"I have loved Thee with two loves-

a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.

As for the love which is selfish,

Therein I occupy myself with Thee, 

to the exclusion of all others.

But in the love which is worthy of Thee,

Thou does raise the veil that I may see Thee.

Yet is the priase not mine in this or that,

But that priase is to Thee in both that and this."

~ Rabi'a ~

"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!" ~ Philippians 3:1 ~


 Blessings ~ a beautiful day ~ sunshine ~ quiet ~ solitude ~ companionship ~  church services ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Terroir, Terruno, Terre

 ~ tiny little signs of spring ~

The French word for sense of place is terroir and the Spanish word terruno means native land or homeland and the English word terre means land. Thank you to those who read my blog with any amount of frequency so you know my sense of place is deeply rooted in Thistle Cove Farm, here in these southern Appalachian Mountains settled by my kin so many generations ago. I've been doing a massive amount of holding down the porch furniture this week and it's likely to continue through next week. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I've been given the gift of time and I've used it to due advantage by catching up on my reading, magazines and books, as well as skimming through the i-universe. Just take some free advice...never, ever say "I'd love a week in bed so I could sleep" or any such silly thing. You just might get it but at what cost?

I have been crocheting some chair pads and have started on a rag, circular rug. Monday, I'll do a tutorial, God willing and the creek don't rise as I used to hear.


Some things of, possible, interest and fun include ---

True-Value Paint has a quiz, What's Your Color? and what does it mean about you. It appears yellow is my color and "you are quite the powerful thinker. It's this talent that allows you to overcome a plethora of great obstacles. Luckily, this doesn't affect your ego and you give off a pretty easy-going appearance. You enjoy the finer things in life and also have an attraction to art. If you can help it, you try not to rock the boat. But you also can't stop yourself from searching for new ideas, methods or styles."  Okay, this is, for the most part, true except for the boat rocking part. I don't hesitate to rock the boat especially when the boat is full of folks who want to take the easy way out, are timid about making decisions, would rather stand in place or, worse, stagnate. Remember the Gen. Patton quote from Sunday? Yeah, he nailed it!

Benjamin Moore Paint has released their 2011 Color Trends in four categories: The Farm, Order, Escape and Tribe. Design Hole says it best so look there and see if you like and/or agree.

Career Path gives career advice based upon color choice.I haven't a clue what career advice they gave me because it took forbloddyever to download and I finally hit the close button.

What's your type? No, really...what's your type? Mine is...hmmmm. Again with the download problems so haven't a clue. Let me know if it works for you.

OHMYGOSH! Look at this but not with a hot drink in your hand nor while drinking alcohol nor while on a piece of exercise equipment. You Are Warned - Be Careful.

What's your Interior Style? Mine is Sleek New Earth, "you love the outdoors and bring them into your living environment. You consider the technological side of your space. You bring trends that compliment your lifestyle into your home." Um, not so much, no. Unless you mean the wretched puppies bringing tree branches into the house to use as chew toys or the cats bringing mice into the house as gifties for Mom. Or, the wretched puppies completely trashing my chaise lounge on the back porch. Although, it was funny when, after they totally ripped out the entire seat cushion, they went to lie down and fell on the porch. The nasty little beggers had the gall to look at me like I'd done something! Anyway, there's really nothing sleek nor new about this ole farmhouse and that's just the way I like it, uh huh, uh huh.

How About Orange? is a great blog and is where I found the above time wasters stuff.

You know I like Sew, Mama, Sew and have spent some quality time perusing their site.

Posy Gets Cozy is a, dare I say it...cozy site and I always leave feeling I've visited a friend I've not yet met. 

KC Willis is a fabulous artist; I look forward to meeting her one day. One of my favorite posts is entitled Jonah Days about being in the belly of the whale. This past week I was in the belly of the beast because I had to have surgery. Not a nice feeling, frightening actually, and it seems to me the more anyone says something, the less likely it is to be true. As in, "we care about your health". Okay, so how about less talk, more action, please but not the kind of action where you gave me the exact meds that give me allergic reactions.

I hear ning is going to start charging for their on-line groups or communities. Bummer.

Blog Frog is, I think, similar to ning but without the price tag; at least, not yet. I found it via Tip Junkie, another fun site but there's a lot of stuff to peruse so, usually, I skim. Actually, now that I'm reading a trifle more deeply, Blog Frog is centered around your blog so it seems it's similar to a, new, marketing tool for your blog...? Whatever. The meds are kicking in so it's difficult for me to care much right now.

So, there you have it. A bunch of stuff. Some useful, some fun, some a sheer waste of time. Spring, it's sprung. About time, I'd say.


Blessings - home again, home again ~ i-universe~- flowers ~ my sense of place ~ home ~


Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Go Soak Your Head

  ~ split rail fence, Bath County, VA ~

Last month, Aunt Esther and I went to the annual Pickens Pancake Breakfast otherwise known as the WV Maple Syrup Festival. It's our tradition and even at 91, Aunt Esther insists upon going, meeting and greeting, eating her fair share of pancakes, sausage, coffee and, generally, being Queen Bee. As the oldest person there, she's entitled. While we did eat breakfast at the old school, now community center and VFW Hall, we didn't get to the sugar camp this year, even so, the weather was beeeyouuutifulll! The best it's been in many a year and a record crowd in attendance. At least it seemed a record crowd.

~ Bath County, VA ~

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. For a change of pace this year, I decided to take the long way home and sneak in an extra night prior to Pickens. Bath County, VA is as full of history and character as any in our Commonwealth and the Inn at Grist Mill Square is a delightful place both to stay and eat. When I arrived, I was directed to a parking space front and center and told, "we're not that booked, so take a front row parking place." Great!

I went to the front desk and offered my credit card. The woman looked at me curiously and said, "Oh, no need to bother with that now. We'll settle all that when you leave tomorrow morning." Uh, sure!

I was given the Silo Room and yes, it's the old round silo and beautifully and simply decorated. The fireplace was already laid and ready for a lighted match with additional fire wood in the nearby basket.

 ~ a cozy fire in the Silo Room ~

The advertised room rate was for two people but, since I was solo, they halved the price. Again, great and excellent marketing as well. These are people who understand it's best to sell a room at half price than not sell it at full price. A lesson some hoteliers would do well to learn.

 ~ breakfast, prettily delivered ~

 The next morning, breakfast was delivered in a cloth covered basket and consisted of croissant, jam, butter, coffee in a carafe with sugar and cream and a small orange juice. Simple in content and size but plenty enough and I'm sure the presentation and locale added to the delicious factor. BTW, there were enough ashes and a couple of pieces of firewood left over so I had another small, but adequate, fire as I broke my fast. Absolutely delightful!

 ~ Jefferson Pools ~

 The reason I stayed at the Inn at Grist Mill Square was its close proximity to the Jefferson Pools, about a mile down the road. The Jefferson Pools have been restoring weary travelers since before Thomas Jefferson came and waxed poetical about the restorative and therapeutic value of the warm waters.

 ~ the womens bath ~

 The bath for men, looks much like the bath for women, but was established some years earlier in 1761 when a circular building was built but for men only. The ladies voices raised in protest and in 1836 a separate building was built and opened for the ladies.

The men's bath holds approximately 40,000 gallons of water that is, naturally, bubbling up from the ground at 98 degrees F. All buildings, pretty much, look quite the same now as then. When sections need to be replaced, they are replaced with new materials so there's a cobbled together effect that's charming and even quaint and are renown as the oldest spa structure in the USA.

The women's bath is a bit larger than the men's bath, holds more water, is about four feet deep and the water is so clear, it's easy to see the stones at the bottom of the pool. With the gazebo roof, during winter snows, it's possible to lie in the warm waters with snow flakes drifting round about.

 ~ mineral content of the warm waters ~

There may be some who don't believe in the therapeutic benefits of a warm, mineral water soak; I am not one. Truly, I believe in the restorative benefits and would love to live close enough to warm, mineral waters so I could soak daily. In talking with our vet, Dr. Anne, she told us the connective tissue in our bodies contains sulphur and it is this reason the warm, mineral bath water is so restorative. The mineral water contains sulfates, and other minerals, that are both beneficial and therapeutic. A soak in these waters, a mere $17 for one hour, left me feeling relaxed, flexible, calm and a general feeling of all round "all's right with my world". The flexible part is what amazed me. Some decades ago, I sustained an injury to my right knee and destroyed the ligaments and others bits that hold the knee together. When I move my knee, it sounds, and feels, like gravel and, most times, the knee cannot be bent. After a soak, the knee not only bent but without pain, something that's not happened since the late 1960's!

~ women's bath ~

If you suffer from fibromyalgia or other auto-immune connective joint tissue pain, you really should consider a warm soak in some mineral waters. Thomas Jefferson suffered from what he called, "rheumatism" and he found the waters to be thoroughly beneficial.I'm sure there are doctors who would say these warm, mineral waters have no such restorative value but I'm also sure "there are more things, Horatio, in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy" as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5.

Go soak your head; there are warm, hot even, mineral baths the world over and, I promise, you won't regret the soak.

Blessings ~ Inn at Grist Mill Square ~ Jefferson Pools ~ warm, mineral waters the world over ~  a cozy fire ~ breakfast in a basket ~ maple syrup festival ~ Pickens Pancake Breakfast ~ Aunt Esther ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ the sheep of my pasture ~

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." ~ John 10:11 ~

"Once we roared like lions for liberty, now we bleat like sheep for security! The solution for America's problem is not in terms of big government, but it is in big men over whom nobody stands in control but God." ~ Norman Vincent Peale ~

"The King of love my shepherd is.

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am his,

And he is mine forever."

~ Sir Henry Williams Baker ~

 "We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me or get out of my way."
~ General George S. Patton ~ 

"To create man was a quaint and original idea, but to add sheep was tautology." ~ Mark Twain ~

Blessings ~ Sabbath, a mini vacation every week ~ restful sleep ~ clean air ~ beautiful sky ~ the sun ~ the Son ~ today, a beautiful day for my birthday, thank you God ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Sheep Shearing 2010

 ~ Derrick Spangler, Sheep Wrangler Extraordinaire ~

Mercy! Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm is over for another year. Derrick did himself proud and my sheep are now nekkid. Daniel and Tom helped with shearing, parking and any other chore thrown at them and did it all with grace and good humor. God blessed us with some of the Most Perfectly Beautiful weather we've ever had - warm, sunny, slight breeze and folks who truly appreciated the day in its entirety. I never heard a cross word but did hear some wonderful music and song as played by Charlie and his children, David and Emily.

~ Charlie, David and Emily playing heart rendering gospel and bluegrass ~

 ~ hand crafted dulcimers by Charlie Butcher ~

Charlie makes hand crafted traditional mountain dulcimers as well as mandolins and fiddles. The abalone shell shows what he uses for fret decoration and he has slabs of wood showing how he begins with the raw product. People are fascinated when they understand Charlie uses wood from his Daddy's farm and ends up with such a beautiful and sweet sounding instrument.

Leslie, Mary and Alice skirted again this year and Pat came and helped as well. Skirting isn't a difficult job and there are some...Leslie, Mary, Alice and myself...who don't think it a dirty job but we enjoy a good, clean smelling fleece. The fleeces weren't as clean as I'd like this year; some had a fair amount of VM, or vegetable matter, in them but it was a harsh winter and I've fed hay since November but the VM washes out quite nicely so there's no real harm done.

~ Leslie, Alice and Cassie skirting a Shetland fleece ~

~ Mary Martin's baskets ~

Mary Martin makes beautiful, ole timey baskets and her Daddy was a basket maker so she continues the family tradition. She even has three baskets her Daddy made for her and, rightfully, prizes them greatly.

 ~ Mary showing how she makes a basket ~

So many folks on this day, are carrying on family traditions. Leslie has one of her grandmother's spinning wheels, Gaynell comes from a family of quilters, Charlie has many musicians in his family and Bud has horse thieves in his family.

 ~ Gaynell's beautiful hand crafted quilts ~

Gotcha! You weren't really paying close attention, now were you? -smile-. Bud has family who have always had horses and he's continued the tradition with his own horses plus he's a farrier and blacksmith.

~ Bud Thompson, Story Teller Extraordinaire, Blacksmith Farrier ~

 ~ Leslie's lovely offerings from her shop, Greenberry House ~

~ home made food! ~

Has the food been mentioned? No, well...home made...for those who eat junk or fast food, home made food means food that was, lovingly, prepared at home by women who know how to cook. Judy made hot apple, peach and cherry pies, sausage biscuits, muffins of several varieties and other good things. 

~ Cove Community food table ~

Members of the Cove Community Association prepared ham biscuits and other delights to sell with the proceeds going toward educational programs. Their sign reads "250 years of agriculture" and the rest of the story is, all of those 250 years have included several of the same families. Our little valley has a rich agricultural history and we're, rightfully, proud of our history.

 ~ me, earlier in the week ~ 

Dave and I are grateful to each and every one who came and made this such a perfect day. It takes such an enormous amount of work to get the farm ready for Sheep Shearing Day but days like today make it all worthwhile. I met some wonderful folks - Blue Moon Mama and Nora come immediately to mind ~ as well as others from the Richmond, VA area, WV, NY, NC and others and loved, loved, loved having you all visit. I wanted to throw up some photos and blog update, today, on Sheep Shearing Day. Tomorrow is Sabbath Keeping and needed to get everything lined up in place. I'm exhausted, totally, but wanted you who came today to know words simply cannot express the sheer joy you brought into my life with the gift of your presence. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you and God's richest blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and hearts!

Blessings ~ another beautifully perfect day at Thistle Cove Farm ~ nekkid sheep ~ people who enjoyed the day ~ family ~ friends ~ happy dogs who are totally crashed out, snores loud and deep ~
 
Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Hey YOU! Get Dressed!

Sarah Mae, over at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee is beautifying the world, one woman at a time.

Let me explain. This morning, as almost every morning, the dogs and I are up at 6 a.m. That first hour is taken up with making sure everyone has a visit outside, cat dish filled with kibble, coffee pot readied for the humans, dogs have treats, straightening up from night before and by 7 a.m. I'm settled in the sun room, XM Radio tuned to  Michael Youssef to be followed by Alistair Begg at 7:30. At 8 a.m. I'm ready to head back upstairs and tend to my own needs and getting dressed.

Lately, I've been dressing in either a dress or capri's and tee shirt but today I decided to wear khaki pants with a cotton shirt and slipped my feet into leather mocs but later I changed to sandals because the mocs became a trifle toasty. I did put on female war paint, otherwise known as make-up, brushed my hair and noted again how badly I need a hair cut and headed back downstairs to go do barn chores. Re. the hair cut...I have called for an appointment and am, still, waiting for a call back; meanwhile, time marches forward and the golden locks look dreadful. And not in a Rastafarian way either.

Dave meets me in the kitchen and says, "You look really nice; are you going somewhere today?"
Say WHAT?!

So, don't tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor, okay? He does and when He wants to share His laughter with me, He'll, often, use me as the point of target. In a nice and gentle way, you know, but still, He manages to get His point across.

Frankly, I've not thought I looked like the dog's dinner lately but...hmmm...

Back to Sarah Mae. Yep, you guessed it - there are a few "rules" but I'm calling them guidelines. She wants us dressed, hair brushed, cosmetics applied, etc. at 8:00 a.m. That's not happening here but 8:30 is doable, easy peasy. Photos of us Every Day, dressed and looking good, ta very much. Ugh. Um, I mean okay, sure fine. Finally, a link to her so everyone can visit everyone else and be encouraging, complimentary, etc.

There you have it. Go Get Dressed. Yeah, you. You know who I mean; you're still in night clothes or sweat pants or clothes you'd be ashamed to send to the mission field or the thrift store.
Go get purty. NOW!

Blessings ~ laughter ~ sense of humor ~ nice clothes so why are we still wearing sad togs? ~ iron and ironing board ~ washer and dryer ~ Sarah Mae ~ 

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

  ~ the gateway to a WV farm ~

 "...I am come that they may have life and that they might have it more abundantly."
~ Jesus, John 10:10 ~

"When fishes flew and forests walked

and figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,

The devil's walking parody

On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

And palms before my feet."

~ The Donkey by G. K. Chesterton ~

"The joyful news that he is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lies work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline and make the sacrifice." ~ Henry Knox Sherrill ~

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." ~ Clarence W. Hall ~

"Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;
Death is strong, but life is stronger;
Stronger than the dark, the light;
Stronger than the wrong, the right. ..."
~ The Easter Carol by Phillips Brooks ~

"He takes men out of time and makes them feel eternity." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

 ~ long distance view of farm driveway ~

"He which testifieth these things, saith,  Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
~ Revelation 22:20 ~

Blessings ~ Easter ~ Christ is risen! ~ the 10 Commandments ~ life more abundantly ~ He will restore the years which the locust have eaten ~ His creation ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Let's...

 ~ polyester lace panel found at thrift store for pennies ~

dye something! Polyester, to be exact, which is darn difficult to dye when using natural dyes. At least, that's been my experience. I tried both tea and coffee and found both of them to be sorely lacking in the "stick to it" department. I found some polyester lace...which should be an oxymoron in my book!... and decided they needed some toning down. Frankly, they looked like sunshine on snow which is always a bit hard on the eyes. For my mixed media purposes, I wanted them to look like they had been around a while, aged with a hint of 'real' lace or as real as polyester can look.

I found two lace panels at a thrift store and paid, perhaps, a dollar for both of them. Each have ragged edges, perhaps someone had purchased them for another project and, eventually, decided to just toss them in the Goodwill box. Their loss, my gain -smile-.

~ walnut water with polyester lace being pushed down using a stick ~

I tried tea and coffee stains but they both washed out and in a hurry. Tea and coffee work well on natural fibers but can't hold up to, or on to, polyester. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to try walnut water. This "walnut water" had been sitting around, outside, in a fourteen gallon plastic cat litter box, uncovered all winter and has gone through God alone knows how many freeze/thaw cycles. I put as many walnuts in the bucket as the bucket would hold, filled it with water and let it sit for three or four months. The water is really dark and should stain rather well.

~ polyester lace in walnut water ~

After dunking the lace into the water, I placed a brick on top to hold it all down. The brick looks rather rough because it's a slave made brick from the 1800's. It's still holding up rather well and useful in its own way.

~ polyester lace after two weeks ~

The whole mess sat outside for two weeks, covered with a lid, and this is what it looked like as I was pulling it out of the walnut water. I like this; it looks old, aged, spotty with age even and will do quite nicely for my mixed media work. 

~ polyester lace drying on the line ~

The lace panel will be cut, or ripped, into pieces, as needed, and will provide some visual as well as physical texture.

~ second lace panel ~

The second lace panel was dyed in the same bucket, at the same time. Both pieces of lace have mottled coloring which only adds, in my view, to the character. I didn't want something that looked like it had been dyed "perfectly"; I wanted something that looked like it had been lying around in a trunk for fifty or sixty years and am happy with the results. An additional benefit is the walnut water is still strong enough to dye some skeins of wool yarn!


Blessings ~ inexpensive lace ~ free walnuts ~ cat litter buckets ~ dyed lace ~ brick ~ wool yarn ~ warm and sunny enough to be outside! ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra