Siochain agus Farisinge with the Three Graces

~ The Three Graces - Vicki, Sandra, Marsha ~

Peace and Plenty, or as the Irish say "Siochain agus Farisinge", abounded recently on Thistle Cove Farm. This photo, appropriately named (because it's my blog) The Three Graces are a sweet reminder of a visit and friendship (as well as Vicki's abilities with her I-phone). Do you know the "other Three Graces"? They were Greek Goddesses of Joy, Charm and Beauty, daughters all of the Greek god Zeus and Oceanid Eurynome. Although I'm not much into gods or goddesses, save the King of Kings, I'll make an exception in this case...lol.

This photo is courtesy of Vicki because I was too busy taking delight in the visit. I spend the vast majority of my time alone, by choice and necessity, and when beloveds visit (too seldom), I tend to gaze upon their beautiful faces as if in a daze. I've learned, the hard way, to store up for the frosty times, when solitude wants to overwhelm. Rather, I , mostly, allow the memories to persevere. Vicki put up lots of photos on her FB page and all are wonderful reminders of our short time together.

~ Vicki's beautiful nest ~

 Some of you know Vicki hosts the annual Grow Your Blog Party and has "put together" wonderful i-friendships that, sometimes, turn into face to face friendships. The GYBP is over for 2015 but you're still able to visit those who participated and leave comments. She also has an ETSY shop that showcases some of her fabulous knitting, especially her Nests but those go very quickly mostly to those who have put their names on her list! The above is one of Vicki's beautiful nests and will have a place of honor in my studio, when re-established. There are so many blessings, tangible blessings, in my life and each one always brings tears to my eyes. The work of someone's hands and heart is a precious gift and one never, ever to be taken for granted.

During this year's GYBParty Heather, of Heather's Sewing Room, pulled my name and made this lovely, functional and very useful sewing box.

 It has a cutting board

 she included a lovely note (Gypsy Rose Lee approves)

and this is the inside, complete with pin cushion and covered place to put sewing gadgets. How fabulous! Heather is an New Zealander expat, now living in Singapore; please visit her blog for links to her ETSY shop and Craftsy patterns. I'm sorry I can't give a link for her ETSY shop; blogger is tired. Thank you, Heather, the sewing box finally arrived all the way from Singapore and is now a treasure in my sewing room. When I've re-established my studio, it'll be a treasure in my studio and beloved by all.

Remember this giveaway plaque? I'm well over the deadline but the name randomly chosen is Blue Cotton Memory. I'll send a note on her blog and give her 24 hours to respond; if she doesn't, another name will be chosen around noon tomorrow.

~ Thistle Cove Farm ~

That's all for now; this post has taken the better part of three hours and I'm knackered and still have all my other work in front of me. Why oh why are computers and photo galleries so tiresome?

Blessings ~ friendship ~ a beautiful sky ~ blogging friends ~ nests ~ the other two graces ~

Sabbath Keeping

"...His banner over me is love."

~ Song of Solomon 2:4 ~

"I stand fearlessly for small dogs, 

the American flag, motherhood and the Bible. 

That's why people love me." ~ Art Linkletter ~

"Martin Luther King, Jr. didn't carry just a piece of cloth to symbolize his belief in racial equality; he carried the American flag." ~ Adrian Cronauer ~ 

"The American flag is the most recognized symbol of freedom and democracy in the world." 
~ Virginia Foxx ~

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. ...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any many who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." 
~ President Theodore Roosevelt ~ 

"The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride and history." ~ Mike Fitzpatrick ~ 
"We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth, peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home. ... But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory we associate with it is the result of duty done." ~ President Calvin Coolidge ~ 

National Flag day here

"Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." ~ John Wayne ~ 

"...give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,

and give to God what belongs to God."

~ Matthew 22:21 ~ 

Prayer Keeping ~ baby John ~ Noreen ~ Donna ~ Mildred ~ 
Sandra ~ 

Welcome to Thistle Cove Farm; Thanks for Stopping By...

~ Welcome! ~

Some folks go to the florist or grocery store; I drive down the road, Mason jar and scissors in hand and pick a bouquet for the gate.

As Susan Branch says, here's a little musica to set the mood. This week has been grand; lots of sunshine, lots of warm weather, 

~ do you see the sheet of rain in the middle? ~ 

some rain to help things grow,

~ double rainbows, ending in my pasture! ~

animals (domestic and wild) and friends FRIENDS!

~ deer and two red wing blackbirds ~

Early in the week, a deer was spotted in the side pasture. Apparently, s/he was a little too close to someone's nest because they started dive bombing. First one, then the other, would swoop in about the ears and, eventually, the deer scampered.

~ so graceful ~

~ Do you know these women? ~

One of the best gifts I've ever received was a visit this week from Vicki of 2 Bags Full. Vicki and I have known each other for years and it was at her Florida property Dave and I had a respite just days before he unexpectedly died. This week, Vicki and I met for the first time and, truly, it was like being, again, with a friend of decades whom I'd not seen in a long while. Vicki is everything one could ask for in a house guest; she loves cats, loves the dogs, loves the horses, loves me, smile

AND SHE AND MARSHA WEEDED THE VEG GARDEN!!!! No one was threatened or harmed, it was an act of LOVE and words fail me at saying how greatly appreciated. Now I can get in a few more tomato plants, herbs and maybe a squash or three. In true Vicki fashion, "no big deal" but, yes, it was, and is, a Big Deal. It would have taken me all day if not two and they did it in a couple of hours. THANK YOU!

They left, all too soon, and missed the black bear heading home this morning.

They also missed learning how to drive the tractor; several times a week, early morning after dew is off the ground, I mow thistles in an attempt to keep them under control. I dislike using chemicals and weed control is by tractor and old fashioned swing blade.

Walking on sunshine...another beautiful day on Thistle Cove Farm and tomorrow is sure to be perfect.

Mercy! My cup overflows!

Blessings ~ Vicki ~ Marsha ~ wildlife ~ beautiful weather ~ Thistle Cove Farm where I've spent the BEST one-third of my entire life! ~

Sabbath Keeping

~ Atlantic Ocean ~

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,

or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,

or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him,

and who taught Him the right way?

Who was it that taught Him knowledge,

or showed Him the path of understanding?

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales;

He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust."

~ Isaiah 40:12-15 ~ 

"God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world."
~ Paul Dirac ~
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is that we were made for another world."  ~ C. S. Lewis ~
"God has given us two hands, one to receive with, the other to give." ~ Billy Graham ~

"When the solution is simple, 

God is answering." 

~ Albert Einstein ~ 

"God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless he has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of difficulty." ~ Peter Marshall ~
"The world will never starve for want of wonders."
~ G. K. Chesterton ~
"Only God can fully satisfy the hungry heart of man."
~ Hugh Black ~
"Beauty is God's handwriting." ~ Charles Kingsley ~
"I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God."
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
"The universe is centered on neither the earth nor the sun.
It is centered on God."
~ Alfred Noyes ~
"We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God." ~ St. Francis De Sales ~
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?" ~ William Arthur Ward ~
"Is your place a small place? Tend it with care; He set you there. Is your place a large place? Guard it with care! He set you there. Whate'er your place, it is not yours alone, but His who set you there." ~ John Oxenham ~
"Our God is at home with the rolling spheres,
And at home with broken hearts."~ M. P. Ferguson ~
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us ever hour, if we will only tune in." ~ George Washington Carver ~

"Without the Way there is no going;

without the Truth there is no knnowing;

without the Life there is no living."

~ Thomas A. Kempis ~ 

"You can't analyze God. He is too awesome, too big, too mysterious. I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You Yourself are the answer." ~ C. S. Lewis ~

"To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; 

to seek him, the greatest adventure;

to find him, the greatest human achievement."

~ Raphael Simon ~ 

In [Christ] are hidden all the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge....Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" 

~ 1 Timothy 1:17 ~ 

Prayer Keeping ~ Donna ~ Gretchen ~ Mildred ~ Jim ~ Sandra ~

Sabbath Keeping

"David said to Saul, 

"Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; 

your servant will go and fight him."

~ 1 Samuel 17:32 ~

"Every great story involves a normal person who answers the call to become a hero. Every hero has a worthy opponent.

Who is yours?"

~ Lance Wallnau ~

"Heroes are made by the paths they choose,
not the powers they are graced with."
~ Brodi Ashton ~
"Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me." ~ Fred Rogers ~

"Stay strong.

Stay faithful.

Bear witness.

Fear God, not men."

~ Professor Robert P. George, Princeton ~

"We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day."
~ Brad Meltzer ~

"Heroes may not be braver than anyone else.

They're just braver 5 minutes longer."

~ Ronald Reagan ~ 

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." ~ Winston S. Churchill ~
"Perseverance is the act of true role models and heroes."
~ Liza M. Wiener ~

"Courage is being scared to death...

and saddling up anyway."

~ John Wayne ~

"By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies."

~ Hebrews 11:31 ~ 

Prayer Keeping ~ Donna ~ Faith and family ~ Mildred ~ Sandra ~ 

Blackberry Winter, Self Talk, Skunk, Giveaway

~ and I'm making good time ~

Blackberry winter has come and gone, again, and summer is creeping, creeping, creeping closer and recent days have been spent on the tractor or lawnmower. Next to the house, there's a pasture that grows a mighty fine crop of thistles and it's my life's ambition to keep them cut. Um, did I mention the hill is steep? Yeah. To the men who were on tractors when they were nine, it's no big deal but to me it's gasp and prayer inducing. I got stuck on a left hand turn, going down hill when courage failed me and I got stuck. The hill was too steep to back up, even with four wheel drive engaged so, with one foot on the clutch, one foot on the brake I stopped and prayed. Hands lifted to sky and with a loud voice (in case God couldn't hear over the tractor roar) I prayed for help and spoke Bible verses and words of encouragement to myself.

Finally, I was able to creep, creep, creep down the hill all the while turning to the left so I could continue cutting more thistles. After doing all I could on flat-ish ground, the tractor was put away and the stirrup hoe put into use. It's a good rhythm, swinging the stirrup hoe, back and forth, back and forth knowing I'm doing something useful and worthwhile to help the land. For the most part it's quiet work and I'm able to hear animals, insects, wind. On that particular day, during one swing, I heard a skhhhh, skhhhh, skhhhh and looked around but didn't see anything so started swinging the hoe. Once again, I heard skhhhh, skhhhh, skhhhh and cast my gaze eight feet away and saw...

who was very polite and asked, nicely, for me to go away. Of course, I did; I apologized for invading his space, turned and walked away as did he.

A few swings later, I took a break to clean the water trough of algae

and when I turned around, this is what I saw

my Curly horses coming to see what's happening. L to R you see Dani Girl, Lightly and IzzaBella.

Almost forgot...blackberry winter is either side of May 10 when the weather goes from hot to cold to warm rather like Indian Summer only in reverse. Apple trees have bloomed and blackberries are usually in bloom during Blackberry Winter and there's generally a frost. This May was no exception.

Life on the farm is spent in solitude; it's a good thing I like my own company, eh? (lol) but as everyone knows, what we say to ourselves is important. Very important. I know a lot of people who are negative, the glass is empty (not even half empty) and they aren't happy unless they're making someone else unhappy. Bless God, He gave me the happy gene and, like Agatha Christie, "I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."  Yes! To keep my enthusiasm high, my outlook positive I put the above poster in my living room where I see it daily. It's important what I tell myself, what we tell ourselves, and I've spent wasted too much time, too many years with negative talk, negative emotions. If I could tell you anything that's of any importance (other than the story of Jesus), it's to be very careful what you tell yourself. We're not stupid but sometimes we do stupid things. We're not lazy but we all need times of rest and relaxation. We're not mean but sometimes we slip and do or say mean things but, overall, tell yourself good things...and then believe them!

As to the poster, the middle says "Just Be Awesome" and that helps keep me grounded. The Bible says God is awesome so I'm particular how I use that word so having that statement in the middle of my positive self talk poster reminds me Whose I am. The rest of it reminds me to keep my focus...and, mostly, I do.

 J. R. R. Tolkien wrote,

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king."

and I believe it with everything that is in me. Whoever said life isn't a dress rehearsal was wrong. Life is a dress rehearsal and I'm trying, mightily, to live a life that's pleasing to God and that includes living with a grateful heart.

I keep little posters all around me and the one in the first photo is going to you, should you win. Leave a comment, let me know what you think Tolkien meant. Next Monday, around 5 p.m., someone's name will be pulled out of a hat and you'll join me...strangers in an alien land, for too short a time.

For now, I need to close so I can finish watching Young @ Heart; if you've not seen it, hasten to the dollar store and buy it for less than four bucks; it'll do your heart good!

Blessings ~ Young @ Heart ~ skunks ~ American Curly horses ~ Tolkien ~ wandering...but not lost ~

Sabbath Keeping

~ wild turkey ~

"Sow with a view to righteousness

Reap in accordance with kindness;

Break up your fallow ground,

for it is time to seek the LORD until 

He comes to rain righteousness on you."

~ Hosea 10:12 ~ 

"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, 

I'd spend six sharpening my axe."

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"Another way to be prepared is to think negatively. Yes, I'm a great optimist, but, when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst case scenario. I call it 'the eaten by wolves factor.' If I do something, what's the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves? One thing that makes it possible to be an optimist, is if you have a contingency plan for when all hell breaks loose. There are a lot of things I don't worry about because I have a plan in place if they do." ~ Randy Pausch ~
"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ~
"Unfortunately, there seems to be far more opportunity out there than ability. ...We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation."
~ Thomas A. Edison ~
"Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation." ~ Robert H. Schuller ~
"Worrying paralyzes progress; prayer, preparation and persistence ensures it." ~ T. F. Hodge ~
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." ~ George Washington ~
"Fortune favors the prepared mind." ~ Louis Pasteur ~
"I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it." ~ Denzel Washington ~

"By failing to prepare, 

you are preparing to fail."

~ Benjamin Franklin ~

"Therefore be ye also ready: 

for in such an hour as ye think not 

the Son of man cometh." 

~ Matthew 24:44 ~

Prayer Keeping ~ Jim ~ Marydon ~ Terry ~ Donna ~ Stephanie ~ Tara ~ Gretchen ~ Mildred ~ Sandra ~ 

Sabbath Keeping

"And in every work that he began 

in the service of the house of God...he did it 

with all his heart, and prospered."

~ II Chronicles 31:21 ~

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. 
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.


The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to  open it without tearing off any of the petals.



The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.

 But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.



Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud, without tearing it, the older preacher  began to recite the following poem...



It is only a tiny rosebud

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

God opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So, I'll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to God for guidance

In each step along the way.

The path that lies before me,

Only my Lord and Savior knows.

I'll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose."

~ author unknown ~

"The process of being made broken bread and poured out wine means that you have to be nourishment for other souls until they learn to feed on God. ... Be careful that you get your supply, or before long you will be utterly exhausted. ... Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. "All my fresh springs shall be in Thee." 

~ Oswald Chambers ~

"But none of these things move me, 

nor do I count my life dear to myself, 

so that I may finish my race with joy, 

and the ministry 

which I received from the 

Lord Jesus, to 

testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

~ Acts 20:24 ~

Prayer Keeping ~ Stephanie ~ Mildred ~ Donna ~ Gretchen ~  Jim ~ Gladys ~ Tara ~ Stephanie ~ Andie, whose Dad passed away yesterday ~ Sandra ~ 

The Very Best Time of the Year...

~ Joseph, Mary, Jesus, Shepherd Boy ~

That's what the song says about Christmas but I disagree. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas...the story of Jesus' birth, the stable, animals, shepherds, star and every year I wonder anew at Mary delivering her first born. Did she have help? Who was it? Was it Joseph or did a woman from the village hear her cries, come to investigate and stay to help. So much we don't know yet so many stories in those very few verses.

~ Gypsy Rose Lee ~

Like Forrest Gump, today is my favorite day and this season my favorite season. Today was full of work, lovely work, that put me a tad ahead yet still, overall, behind. It's all right though; I'm good with that because I get to work outside in this very beautiful valley, listening to horses nicker, cattle lowing, sheep calling lambs, birdsong. We have a sanctuary household, meaning all the animals live in harmony and you wouldn't be surprised to know Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent Angel and Sadie Baby watch over me constantly.

~ Gray Tom ~

However, it might surprise you to know some of the cats follow along as well.

~ Hey JD, do ya need help shooting the groundhog ~

Last week, Daddy had vascular surgery and I stayed in hospital with him. Dad is tough, the Greatest Generation 2, doncha know but this has tried him, and the family, sorely.  In about 150 hours, I slept 20 hours and am still trying to recover. There are a lot of problems (not issues, ta very much!) that are attendant to Dad's surgery, recovery and physical therapy and prayer is urgently requested and needed.

This little pillowcase is one of two; the work of my hands and heart. I'm not good with hand work but I do like it and, sometimes, the product is sweet.

Yesterday was Dave's birthday, bittersweet indeed. This grief journey has been horrendous and the best I can say is I believe I've finally accepted it all. His illness, his death, the loss of all my dreams. I still struggle with "Why, Lord?" I still struggle with my inability to understand, the isolation, the question if I'll ever be happy again or have a life as good as the one I had. I struggle with "friends" who once were and are no longer but am grateful not to have to deal with as many takers. Yes, I do know I was greatly blessed being Dave's wife and am grateful, very grateful. I'm grateful to have meaningful work where I am blessed and can bless others yet I'm still sad.

No, this is no pity party but an ennui that I simply cannot shake and wonder if God will restore the years the locust has eaten. I struggle with being a Christian, all these questions with no answers and wonder how those who have no faith get out of bed in the morning or even why bother. I tell myself to 'practice faith until I have it and then, because I have it, to practice faith'. I listen to Joel Osteen, a lot, and his ministry of encouragement helps. Then, I think of people who think Joel isn't Biblical and wonder which Bible they read. He seems to me to be Biblically sound but not very theologically deep and that's all right too. Heck, I've know a lot of preachers who couldn't preach their way out of a wet paper poke and they still got paid. At least Joel makes his living from book sales, speaking, etc. and not from the church offering plate; I don't know many who can say the same.

I'm grateful to have the legacy of strong, mountain women (and men) who taught me by example. When I'm weary and it seems like too much trouble to continue, I think of them and their struggles and know the same God who was with them is with me. With God, I. can. do. this. thing. called. life. I call on Him, He hears and gives me strength and bread for the journey. It is an enormous feeling of awe when I consider I am a daughter of the Most High God; He has chosen me and I have said yes to Him.

Today is my favorite day, this season my favorite season and this time the very best time of the year.

There is no turning back.

Blessings ~ today ~ this season ~ this time of year ~ being a daughter of the King ~

And so he did...

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventure..."

~ Lewis Carroll ~

A bestie for more than three and a half decades, Sandra, or S2 as Dave called her, was our sometime partner in travel adventures. In this photo, taken three weeks before Dave's death and in Sandra's home, they were discussing something on the computer. 

~ Happy Birthday, Dave ~

Blessings ~ S2, my beloved friend of the heart ~ 22 years of adventure ~ gifts ~ a very fine marriage to a very fine man ~ 

Sabbath Keeping

"They asked, and he brought them quail;

he fed them well with the bread of heaven."

~ Psalm 105:40 ~ 

"The hunger for love is a lot more difficult 

to remove than the hunger for bread." 

~ Mother Teresa ~

"How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?"  ~ Julia Child ~

"All sorrows are less with bread."

~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ~

"Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts."
~ James Beard ~

"Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,

A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse - and Thou

Beside me singing in the Wilderness -

And Wilderness is Paradise now."

~ Omar Khayyam ~

"Here is bread which strengthens man's heart, and is therefore called the staff of life." ~ Matthew Henry ~

"Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all."
~ Nelson Mandela ~

"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou." ~ Omar Khayyam ~

The sky is the daily bread for the eyes." ~ Emerson ~

"In the Lord's prayer, the first petition is for daily bread. No one can worship God or love his neighbor on an empty stomach." ~ Woodrow Wilson ~

"I am God's wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ."
~ Ignatius of Antioch ~

"Truth is, I think, if God just gave us our daily bread, many of us would be angry. 'That's all you're going to give me. You're just going to give me enough to sustain me for today? What about tomorrow or next year or 10, 20, 30 years from now? I want to know that I'm set up.' And yet Jesus says just pray for your daily provisions." ~ Francis Chan ~

"Bread for myself is a material question.

Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one."

~ Nikolai Berdyaev ~ 

"Bread Upon The Water" By The Gaither Vocal Band

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. 

Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, 

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." 

~ John 6:35 ~ 

Do you have a name for the prayer list? (btw, someone gave me a name and...I am so very sorry...but I cannot find the e-mail and I cannot remember the name. Please tell me again.)

Prayer Keeping ~ Mia ~ Mildred ~ Donna ~ Gretchen ~ Alan ~ Rainey ~ Terry ~ Daddy ~ Mags ~ Vicki's family ~ "E" ~ Stephanie ~ Beth ~ Sandra ~ 

New Photos of My Country Kitchen

My farmhouse kitchen is large huge, about the same size as most rooms in this house...20'x20' and eight people can sit comfortably before resorting to perching on the hearth or moving a dog off their bed. The kitchen is painted Martha Stewart's Bee Balm Red and curtains were never used because the window valences allow the 9'x3' windows to let the outside in. 

The cabinets, hand built on site, are birch and have piano hinges; some cupboards have glass windows. The pass through, to the living room, was made to allow both conversation and light to pass between both rooms. Hand made baskets are lined up over the sink and most were made either by my Grandmother or me. The metal dipper is for grabbing a drink of water so I don't dirty a glass (well, that's the way we've always said it). 

The table came out of the old Pembroke Bank in Giles County VA and still has the leather top and screw holes that held down an antique adding machine and two drawers are on one side. 

On either end of the table are sturdy chairs; one is a Morris type Chair and the other is a chair with heart cut-outs. I've had the heart chair for, maybe 40 years, and the Morris chair was given by a friend 10 years ago. Alongside the length of the table is an antique three seater choir pew and when additional seating is needed, I bring out the bench Daddy made two decades ago.

If you're getting the hint there's nothing much new in this house, you'd be right. I believe the wormy chestnut rocking chair is newest and it's made of re-claimed barn wood.

The stove is a refurbished 1914 Acorn cook stove; it has seven propane gas burners and three ovens with a warming oven on top left. For the story behind the stove, click here and here. 

The fireplace was re-built using slave made brick from the original farm house (which burnt during Christmas 1899) and in lieu of a mantle, now boasts a slab of wormy chestnut. The original lithograph is The Gleaners, an oil painting by Jean-Francois Millet, finished in 1857 and hanging in the Musee d'Orsay in France. The three peasant women glean a field of wheat after the harvest and remind me of Ruth in the Old Testament. The story behind the painting is here and I hope to visit the original at some point in the future.

The mantle is lined with trip treasures...a copper coffee container Dave purchased when he visited a Romanian Gypsy village (I stayed in the vehicle due to feelings of unease about our belongings being left alone...a good thing, as I was in the back of the van, a man climbed aboard and was quite startled to see me!), sugar and tea containers hand crafted by the nomad Bedouin's in the Sahara Desert. Dave bought those while we were in an antique shop in the Marrakesh souk. The kerosene lantern is from the 1800's but the hand thrown pottery flower vase is newish, purchased from an old friend who was laid off from the coal mines then taught himself to throw pottery. The vase is only 15 years old so it's almost brand new -lol.

The gas log insert broke and was replaced with a propane fireplace that brings more heat into the room and I enjoy more than the gas logs insert.

All the crocks are original and handed down through Daddy's family; the smaller crock sitting on the propane fireplace, and the larger crock to the far right, are both from my Great-Grandmother and still in use when I churn butter. The smaller crocks are used to make pickles using my Grandmother's Bread and Butter recipe.

The rocking chair on the right is made of re-claimed wormy chestnut barn wood and was Amish made to sit alongside Dave's Amish made casket at the wake. It's a nice, sturdy chair and gives me good memories amongst the painful ones.

So, that's part of my kitchen and a portion of the stories. The Welsh type cupboard can't be seen and if anyone is interested, I'll post about it of if you'd like to see something close up, let me know. The kitchen is a Working Kitchen and everything in it earns a living by doing what it was made to do. Someone asked, "Aren't you afraid you'll break _____?" and I replied, "If I do break it, it'll be broken while in service and not being dusted.

Life was meant to be used, hearts were made to be broken and, when we're most blessed and fortunate, all put to rights again. Please don't put "whatever" on a shelf or keep in wrapping paper; put it into service today! Have your memories be good ones...when you were on holiday and bought ___ or the family said, "Sandra would enjoy having that rocking chair" or salvage something from your family...or even the thrift store...give it a home and make your own memories so you can tell your own stories.

Because memories are the key 

to both our past and our futures.

Blessings ~ The Gleaners ~ 1914 Acorn stove ~ Morocco ~ holidays ~ memories ~

"What Are You Busy About"

“It is not enough that you are busy.

The question is, What are you busy about?”

~ Henry DavidThoreau ~

Lately, I’ve been on a Downton Abbey kick due to buying the first four seasons for a pittance on Boxing Day. As an aside, do you think of “small things” like paying little for such pleasure as blessings? I certainly do for in the evenings, when I’m holding down the sofa after a day of, seemingly, endless activity, to escape into a beautiful world that was and, probably, will never be again, a pleasurable blessing. 

During the night, should the dogs or I need to get up, that’s a time of prayer for folks on the prayer list, family, friends, my country, me and the list is endless. One recent night, I got up in the wee dark hours and found myself praying for Cora and Robert Crawley, Tom and his baby and his status as a new widower...then, caught up short, I thought, “Wake UP you crazy woman! These are characters in a television drama, stop wasting prayer on them!” Thus the power of JulianFellowes and his wonderfully crafted script, Downton Abbey and another favorite Gosford Park.

~ borrowed photo ~

When I asked a friend if she watched Downton Abbey she retorted, “I tried watching it but it’s nothing but a soap opera and I’m not wasting my time!” But, isn’t most of television, outside of game shows, soap operas? They may not sell soap but they have a cast of characters whose story goes on and on and on, week after week after week. I think it comes down to choose your crazy...I mean soap opera aside, Downton Abbey has captured me, heart and mind, if I admit to praying for them during the night when I’m half awake/asleep...crazy woman!

During the daylight hours, I am busy about a lot but find I’m too scattered and disjointed to be always effective.  I’ve always been a great list maker, much to Dave and my MIL’s amusement, but if I don’t have lists, I get less done. Time management studies say “focus, focus, focus” and my question is, “How does one focus where there’s SO much to be done?” I’ve pared down, especially since Dave’s death, and no longer do volunteer work off the farm. Instead, I knit orange hats and scarves to give to shelters as well as orange hats to give to neighboring hunters but say ‘no’ to everything else. (And, I say ‘no’ with absolutely no guilt whatsoever!)

I’m thinking of assigning different days of the week to different tasks but that’s not a great solution. Farm work has to be done on sunny days while house work can be done any day and I keep Sabbath on Sundays except when there's a "have to' situation.

Some say writing down the __ (fill in the number) most important things you must do today and focus on those things and that’s where I get off track. When you’re flying solo, everything is important and there’s no sharing of tasks so I choose the 5 most important areas and chip away at those making sure to leave some porch sitting time because personal renewal is always important. Along with porch sitting time, Bible devotions are done in early morning but neither porch sitting nor devotions are on the list.

This morning, walking to the barn, I spent thirty minutes taking photos of an eagle; there's always time to squeeze in the important! 

And more time taking photos of Kit Carson:

So, to answer Thoreau’s question, what am I busy about? 

I am busy about the task of life and am blessed to be able to have this as my business. So many people are on the “career treadmill” and some are caught up in a daily grind that chips away at personal satisfaction and even life itself. When I see bloggers who are making a living blogging, I raise my cuppa in salute! It’s wonderful when people are able to schedule their lives in a manner that enhances their life, the lives of their families and making money to pay bills is an added plus. Well done!

How do you handle “time management”? Are you a list maker? How do you handle the many hats you wear? Do you find you get a lot done or a little done about a lot? 

What are you busy about?

Blessings ~ fresh air ~ eagles ~ Kit Carson ~ time ~ Kensington Station, such memories! ~ Downton Abbey and Gosford Park ~

Sabbath Keeping

"Be still and know that I am God."

~ Psalm 46:10 ~

"Everything takes time. 

Bees have to move very fast to stay still."

~ David Foster Wallace ~

"Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice, God's speaking from the whirlwind, nature's old song, and dance." ~ Annie Dillard ~ 

"Being still does not mean don't move. 

It means move in peace." 

~ E'yen A. Gardner ~

"I have often wondered whether especially those days when we are forced to remain idle are not precisely the days spent in the most profound activity. Whether our actions themselves, even if they do not take place until later, are nothing more than the last reverberations of a vast movement that occurs within us during idle days.
In any case, it is very important to be idle with confidence, with devotion, possibly even with joy. The days when even our hands do not stir are so exceptionally quiet that it is hardly possible to raise them without hearing a whole lot."
~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

"Listen to the murmur of water and you'll hear Mother Nature.
Listen to the stillness beneath, and there you'll find God."
~ Donald L. Hicks ~

"Don't just do something; stand still!" ~ Sandra ~

"The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will {be} the ultimate word from God."
~ Jim Elliot ~

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

~ Romans 12:2 ~

Memory is a poor servant; please let me know if you've a name for the prayer list.

Prayer Keeping ~ Gretchen ~ Stephanie ~ Donna ~ Whitney ~ Rainey ~ Terry ~ Vicki's family ~ "E" ~ Vic ~ Jim/Daddy ~ Sandra ~