How was your day?

Written by Sue, Tuesday, August 30, 2011                                          absolutely beautiful 80's, low humidity.
We are so very thankful for minimal damage from Irene, our thoughts and prayers are with those who were hit so hard.... It breaks my heart to watch the news and see people telling their stories of loss....


We have been cleaning up and trying to get things back to normal.....the only damage to the house was the screen being torn out, we also lost another of our Bradford Pears, and a lot of debris, so insignificant compared to others.. But still thankful!!!!

Dh fixed the screen while I cleaned and placed everything back in place.

 I feel very sad tonight for what so many are experiencing....,  Our lives can change forever in a moment.  Please join me in praying for all that are enduring problems, from storms, extreme heat, and drought.
I am so looking forward to fall, as we have had such a hot, dry summer. Our daughter who lives in Texas told me today that her lawn is so dry that it crunches when they walk  across it.


Monday I decided it was time to finally finish the garlic, sooooo....

What does this pan of garlic have in common

with these knee high stockings? 

This of course.

We will be planting our crop for next year soon, Garlic is very easy to grow, and we use it both in cooking, and for medicinal purposes. One of the best herbs you can grow.

They are now hanging in the pantry waiting for use.
I am so looking forward to fall......

We harvested our gourds when the girls were home,

Papa and Susie, she is our serious one, always honest, and doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings.

This is our little ham, Katie, every family needs one of these, she makes you laugh even when you don't feel like it, and  loves a camera.

 I washed them,

 hand dried and placed on a table  for a couple of weeks.

 I then paste waxed...next I hand rubbed with a  soft cloth... yes! each and every one! ~lol~

"Voila" ready for containers and placed over the house, a first reminder to me of fall's soon coming

This one found its way into the foyer. September 1st is this week, I think I can safely put out some fall decorations with out feeling silly~grin~ Did I tell you how much I am looking forward to fall? ~smile~

Until we meet again, 

May the God of peace fill you with His peace.

Sue

Numbers 6: 24-26~ "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

Whew! what a week!

Written by Sue, Friday, August, 26, 2011                                     ~Expecting rain and wind from hurricane Irene~


I had my first experience with an earthquake.... sitting on the couch minding my own business, when all of a sudden the house began to shake, the couch began trembling, and the lampshade  started swaying, I knew it was an earthquake, but it was over before it really began or I would  probably have panicked.....

Mr P. took ill and went to bed for two days , if you knew my dh, he never gives in, but earlier this week he came in at lunch, took a shower put his pj's on and went to bed, farmers don't do that unless they are about to go to the ER, at least this farmer doesn't..... he is doing fine now, it must have been a virus.....

Today was the kicker (no pun intended). I am getting ready to take my shower to go to the grocers for supplies as we have an impending hurricane coming up the east coast, I looked out the window and saw Rainy, the horse chasing one of our prized rams...

If any one has ever lived on a farm you know that your animals are always trying to find ways to escape, they are either jumping over fences, going through gates or holes, and even trying to dig out, never satisfied. The ram managed to climb through the gate, He had a nice place to graze, but was he satisfied? Nooo he had to go to the other pasture, (does this sound familiar?) Aren't we like this?
Philippians 4;11~ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.
On with the story...

I immediately ran out of the house, barefooted, running as fast as I could to the pasture to chase Rainy away from the ram, the ram was so confused he didn't know how to get to the gate, all the while I was trying not to step on cow piles, but did manage to step on a fire ant hill,(I was running so fast the ants didn't have time to bite me,Whew!  He finally got the message and found his way out the gate, and guess who comes driving up just when I was finishing. Mr P. laughing , and saying how he wished he had been here with a camera... so much for appreciation. LOL

Later this afternoon, I decided  to take some photos before the storm, after taking some pics. I went to visit the chickens, and who comes out wanting to fight me,..He chased me, I chased him, so we called it a drawl, and who comes from the orchard laughing and saying how he wished he had a camera? Yep! you guessed right! Dh it is!... Don't worry I will catch him sometime soon, and "I" will have a camera. `LOL~

He's little, but boy is he mean, I don't know why he doesn't like me! 

As you can see he is missing a lot of feathers,He used to be so "purdy" but all he wants to do lately is fight the other rooster, well! he has picked the wrong person to mess with, I am not beyond wringing his neck, and having rooster stew.(just kidding)~LOL~
I decided I was going to end this day on a happier note, I went to the flower garden  gathered some flowers and made bouquets.... Nothing like flowers, or chocolate, to make you feel better!!~smile~

Hydrangeas, Zinnias, Roses and Cosmos

Zinnias are one of my favorite flowers, I will tell you why one of these days!!!

I am giving thanks to my heavenly Father, that Irene has been down graded to category 1, instead of 3, and they say the impact will not be as predicted, (though lots of  rain and wind).

Praying for all as we go through this storm,

Sue

Philippians 1:3-4~I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.

~Mothering~

Written by Sue, Thursday August 25, 2011              sunny 80's and so beautiful
What is a simple pleasure? To me it is something or someone that just moves my heart to pause! and take a deep breath!! Like you I do this so many times each day, sometimes not even realizing it until it has passed...

While cleaning the screened porch after a storm this week, I heard these chirping sounds nearby,I paused! and enjoyed this simple pleasure, naturally I go get my camera, and I start snapping. I find it so amazing of how I want to share so much with you all!! ~smiling all the way to the computer~. I guess ya'll are stuck with this very simple farmwife....

Just as we teach and train our young so does this mother.

She watches me with a cautious eye, ready to defend her young.

Why, is this a simple pleasure? For me it is just that "SIMPLE" not to mention SWEET". I love to observe how the mother's in the animal world look after and care for their young.

The dust has begun to settle here on the farm, dh and I are kinda taking a break, I am spending some down time on the porch, enjoying simple pleasures such as this one and trying to catchup on visiting my friends here in blogland.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving me such beautiful comments, on my last post, I know it was very loooong, but I "pinkie promise" not to do that to you again any time soon, that is unless those darlins of ours come back for a visit. ~hee hee~

Until next time, 

may the God of peace continue to fill your days with many Simple Pleasures

Sue

Psalms 118: 24~ This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice  and be glad in it


I don't link to many meme's, (no time) but Simple Pleasures, is one that I do enjoy when time permits. Please feel free to share some of your simple pleasures, read and  enjoy the simple pleasures of others, by clicking on the icon. Much thanks to Dayle for hosting

"The Sound Of Music"

Written by Sue, Tuesday August,23, 2011                                                sunny, low humidity, temps. in 80's


They came, we played, and played, until our hearts content. Do you remember the song, The Sound of Music, the first  line begins with  "the hills are alive with the sound of music,". Well, The farm and farmhouse here at Pear Tree Lane came alive with the sound of children's and familiar voices. What a blessing for me, while in the kitchen preparing a meal  to hear voices flowing through the rooms as loved ones were catching up on what had been going on in their lives. And children laughing and giggling.....

If your family lives nearby, and you see them quite often, please know how blessed you are. It had been over a year since we had seen our son and grandson Gabe, and 8 mos. since seeing our daughter and her family. My, how they have all grown...

I didn't realize my absence from blogging  would be so long, I have thought of you all so often, and have missed you so much, and had planned to post and visit, but time just would not allow. Since we don't see our family that often, when they do come, we lay everything down to enjoy every moment with them as their visits are so short lived....

While here we celebrated three birthdays,.."Dear sweet Gabe, what a joy it was to be able to share your birthday, and to bake your favorite cake, (ten layers with  chocolate icing). You have grown into quite a handsome young man, and we are so proud of you." Gabe is a senior this year and plans to attend college and get a degree in engineering, he wants to use this degree in some type of missionary work.

"Happy Birthday, Dear One"



"Three generations of fine Men"

Here is some of the early "gang".

My new friend, Fran, she and I share the same birthday and year, though we didn't know who was the oldest.  but if she wants to claim that I will let her.~smile~ "Dear Fran what a joy to celebrate with you, may you be blessed with many more happy birthdays. I would so love to celebrate with you again. Thank you and Bob for your visit."

Yes, this is me and I was so happy to have family here to help me celebrate, loved hearing those voices. ...As I was listening to those beautiful voices, I looked at the candles and wondered where did time go, inside I still have a young spirit, and most of the time, feel like ~lol~ I tried not to spit when blowing the candles as there were so many, so I took and fanned them. (really I did) ~ the family is still laughing~

 We fished,.... Son # 2 enjoying some R&R,

Helping Katie pull her "big" fish in!!

Mom and daughter.....

Jarred caught a big bass! Can you tell if he was happy or not?

Great catch, Bob





Wow! Jess you got a big one too!!

Susan and Le ann had a great time getting to know one another! Aren't they beautiful?

Nothing  better than taking a young man fishing, and I might add a young lady too!

Mother and daughter enjoying a moment

Beautiful! Beautiful! happy faces!!

Played games,... they played so well together

Always fun to play with Papa and grandma!

Cards anyone?

 Made cookies,.. Jarred was such a good sport


" One egg at a time,please."

Many hands make yummy stuff!!



Did someone say Yummy?



Reward  of hard work!!


Into the oven they go!!
wer


We were so busy eating them hot from the oven that we forgot to take a picture


We hung out on the porch, a lot ,Mr P and I enjoying ourselves.Lee Ann, and Jenna, and let's not forget Lucy!




Papa, Lee Ann, and Jenna, Oh! Let's not forget Lucy, she is and was the star!

 My best friend is always there for me and his family.

 We also worked!..Yeah right! Tell me please, do they look like they are working? To me it looks like they are having way to much fun. ~grin~

Worked on crafts,

See this sheet, this is known as our memory cover, named by Susie. We have done all kinds of crafts over the years using it, I  treasure it, so many memories, and hope to make more,~soon~ 

 Rode bikes, Concentrating real hard, that Katie is!

Whew!! are you tired?, Wait! Wait! I haven't finished,....
we skated! Papa giving a hand!

Going solo!

Shooting skeet, but first son must give gun safety lessons.

"Always remember Ladies, Safety first!!

Don't mess with this Annie Oakley, Susan got three out of four, beating all including her brother.

Gathered flowers for bouquets,

Jess, and Jenna set the table with their arrangements, great job, girls!

Trying to see who gets to pick the rose!

"Grandmother is this enough?" ....."I think so, now let's go make the arrangements!"

We ate, and ate, and then, ate some more...

Blueberry streusel muffins, soooo yummy!

 Fran and I had lemon and chocolate meringue pies for our birthday, thanks Susan!

Rode the ATV, Special time with father and son!

Played tag with Lucy,(she has been in withdrawals since they left). I think she had more fun than anyone she was involved in everything, except the skeet shooting, doesn't like the loud noise.

 Who do you think was having the most fun?

I just had to show this pic. it was at the end, and Lucy had won,. Can you see the smug grin on her face. The two guys decided to laugh rather than cry! ~LOL~ "Sorry Guys, she is just to fast for you!

Friends accept, and love one another always.

 Helping Papa and Lucy round up sheep.

 "Good Girl, Lucy," She has really learned how to herd the sheep

 Be sure and hook it tight! Please!

 "Daddy's Girl!!"

As always we ended their visit with a camp fire, no mater how hot is is.~LOL~ sorry no pictures!

Last day on the farm, ....we all got up early to enjoy some goodies  and some last time hugs and talk on the porch, the sun was so bright, just such a beautiful morning, we are always a little melancholy on the last day.... But they left us with ,and went home with wonderful memories, and I might add two boxes of home canned goods....~grinning~ Susan called last night to say they were enjoying some homemade spaghetti sauce.

See those two hiding, I am always so lucky, because I am behind the camera.`smiling~

The sweet voices of loved ones from afar are now silent here at the farm, it was so wonderful to have them all here, to make more memories with us and hopefully for them too. It takes a few days to re-adjust, but our desire has and always will be for them to be where God wants them and to be happy.

While rounding the bend in the road of the driveway, on our way  to the airport for their return I heard my Dh say to the family that they made the farm come alive, and how much we enjoyed having them. (tearing up) I felt the same.

And to you dear friends who took the time to let me share a little (okay a lot) of our life, a Big Thank You. Now that things are slowing down ~Did I just say that? I have apples and grapes to do~.... I am looking forward to visiting and finding out how your summer was.

Until next time,

May your days be filled with much joy and peace in Christ our Lord.

Love,

Sue

John 15:12~ This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Simple but powerful words and a commandment!