~It seems that I am always trying to catch up~

Written by Sue, Saturday,December 12, 2015     Absolutely beautiful sunny and almost 80

Thanksgiving at Mothers, her home was so festive, she loves Christmas and combines it with Thanksgiving! My Dad once asked my Mother why she didn't give Thanksgiving a chance, she told him she did celebrate Thanksgiving, because she was thankful for Christmas!~wink~

My two sisters with my Mom!

Almost ready!

God ordained the family first, so it must be very important to Him! Mother welcoming us all!

It's so hard to get her to sit as she is always serving others!

Many have asked about my Mom, she is doing so well! Endless energy!She is such a Godly example to all of us!

We call her the "Energizer Bunny"!

After lunch when the kitchen was cleaned, and  almost everyone had left except my sister, Mary, her Dh, Mr P. and I! (actually it had been several hours,) as Mother asked if we wanted to stay and have  leftovers, of course we did. One of the things we enjoy doing in our family is to linger at the table  after a meal! Do you?

As we were talking Mother shared two of her favorite Bible scriptures, Psalm chapters 3&4, she says she prays these everyday! Someone just happened to ask her how many times she had read the Bible through, her matter of fact (no brag) reply was "this year I have read it through twice and I am now over half/way the third time!" I thought "I certainly can't say that!" though I wish I could, once again she has set the bar high for me!~smile~I am now challenged to read my Bible more!
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Update on my second surgery~

Surgery was Dec. 9th, I am doing exceptionally well, as I still have the same wonderful caregiver! I cannot find the right words to say how thankful I am to be able to see clearly once again(it has been years)! I so regret putting off visiting my eye Dr, please have your vision checked regularly! I am looking forward to next week when I can resume my normal routine, (whatever that is) ~smile~

Love from the farmhouse,

Sue 

"Hello Dear Friends"

Written by Sue, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015       beautiful fall day, Temps. 60's

I wanted to update you on what I have been up to, if there are more than usual grammatical  and typing errors, in this post please excuse them, as I am recuperating from some intricate eye surgery! I have been put on rest, for a week, with no lifting of anything heavier than 5lbs., no bending or stooping! They didn't say anything about not blogging, however, my eyesight is not the best, yet!!! I am going to try and do some visiting in blogland over the weekend, my curiosity just gets the best of me! Not really, I miss my friends! Do you have any idea of how much I treasure your friendships?

Sitting or lying for long periods of time are not what I do best! I have the best nurse (Mr P.) ever, he has been  doing all the cooking and cleaning, plus making sure I take my meds., not to mention encouraging me to be patient! You know Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the bend!

Some might ask why have this surgery right before the holidays, well when your glasses are half/ broken, and you can't see very well,with or without  and find your self taking them off and on all day, then it is time to do something about it!

When I went for the exam, I was told, I had cataracts,(explains the poor vision) that new lenses would not help the problem! I had several choices, the one which we decided on was to have the astigmatism corrected along with the cataract removal, and then to have multi-focal IOL lenses implanted! Thus hoping to eliminate the use of eye glasses, except maybe for very small print! I was happy to hear this for several reasons, the main reason being my lenses had become so heavy that they were leaving indentations on the bridge of my nose, which would eventually break the skin!

I went to Southern Pines/Pinehurst at a very prestiges eye clinic, for my surgery, The pre-op took a full day, three days later was the eye surgery, which didn't take as long as the prep did!  I am told it will take from 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal and for my eye and brain to synchronize! Ha ha!  I am so amazed, and "Thankful" at how far modern medicine has come!

 My next surgery is scheduled for Dec. 9th! I don't know how much decorating will be done this year! When I took the photo above I didn't realize the title of the book(BTW a very good book) until I was finished! I think it is so appropriate, Yes, I am amazed at modern medicine, but I am truly more amazed at the Grace that abounds in my life, "the Grace of God," which reaches far above anything I can imagine! Words are so inadequate to say "Thank you for your thoughts,prayers and emails"!

Much love from me to you,

Sue

"Counting my friendship blessings"

Written by Sue, October 13, 2015                                   Sunny, cool, 70's

I would like to thank Stephanie, from The Enchanting Rose for hosting the Tea Cup and Mug Exchange, and for giving all of us an opportunity to meet and make new friends! She has worked tirelessly to make this such a success, always so patiently and graciously returning my emails, ~smile~ You are so special, Stephanie! This was my first time joining, Stephanie's Teacup and Mug Exchange party, I was so excited and happy to meet new friends.

My first package of goodies was from Julie, who blogs at Julie's Lifestyle! Isn't that a beautiful mug, and the box it came in was so pretty, just perfect to sit on my desk! I love flowers,  Earl Grey teas are some of my favorites! Julie also crochet me a beautiful coaster and mat, for my mug and teapot, the colors matched my dining room perfectly and what a beautiful note she sent as well! Thank you Julie for your thoughtfulness, I am so looking forward to getting to know you!

Since I signed for a teacup and mug, my next goodies were from Christine, she blogs at Cherishing a Sweet Life, she sent me such a delicate and beautiful tea cup and saucer, with some of the most delicious cookies in a lovely tin box, with an array of delectable teas, and a beautiful note too! Thank you so much Christine, for your thoughtfulness, I am also looking forward to getting to know you! The teacup and saucer, now have a special place of honor in my hutch! The Dutch caramel wafers were gone in a few days, so delicious,and the flavored teas I have been saving for a cold fall evening as I sit by the fire, hopefully this weekend!

Just as my name was given to two beautiful ladies, I received two names,( Karren, who blogs at Oh My Heartsie Girl, and Judy who blogs at,20 North Ora )to send some special gifts to also, thus this means I not only have made two new friends, but four, wow! at this rate I will have lots of new friends! 

I must stop at this point to apologize to my new friends as well as my older friends as to my lack of visiting lately,it has been due to some circumstances beyond my control,  my desire is to soon be back to blogging with more consistency!

A friend is a gift you give yourself

                                                         Robert Louis Stevenson

Today I am linking with Stephanie, at Enchanting Roses, for the reveal of all the Teacup and Mug exchanges, I have been so looking forward to this day! Please join us for a fun filled party!

Love from the farmhouse,

Sue

One of my most treasured gifts is,......

Written by Sue, Tuesday, September8, 2015,                   cloudy, foggy, temps. high 80's, I can feel fall in the air.


this  recipe organizer, given to me by my mother, Doris, in 2003. Hand written by her when she was quite ill, I often wonder why she took the time to do this while battling the flu! But I know her so well, she has such busy hands, and doesn't sit still for long. ~smile~


                                            

She began with a special note to me, we are not only mother and daughter, we are best friends!

She gave me her own ten commandments, I can attest that she lives by them!

 The pages are filled with her recipes and from her mother and grandmother as well, all tried and true recipes. Every year I ask just one thing from her for Christmas, and that is that she would update it, but we both get so busy and forget, but this year will be different, very soon I am taking the notebook to her, so she will have plenty of time. ~grin~

She even wrote some  baking secrets for me.

 At the end of each page she has either written a bible verse, a quote from either herself or others! I love this one.

This photo was taken about two weeks ago while family was visiting, Dh always grills his famous steaks for the family.So many of you have asked how Mother is doing, as you can see she is doing and looking  "Marvelous Darling", (even as I write this she is at work!") Have I mentioned, she is 86yrs. young?We give thanks to our heavenly Father for His healing touches, and many blessings upon our lives!

While here, our oldest son, wanted to bless us with a special anniversary gift, I will update and reveal real soon, Pinky promise!

~A Personal note from me~

I haven't posted in a while, so I have come to the conclusion that I either have the most boring life, or one of the busiest, I am leaning toward the latter, but it could well be a little of both! LOL I have found that the longer I am away from blogging the harder it is to jump back in! I will be trying real hard to remedy this!
That's all the news from the farmhouse for today!

Much love,

 from me to you

I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie,

~Something for you and for friends~

Written by Sue, Monday, July 27, 2015                     Partly sunny with evening showers temps.90's


I have been making my own vanilla extract for quite a while! Just two basic ingredients, alcohol and vanilla beans!

Split the beans with a sharp knife, opening up the fragrant seeds, place in a jar, add a type of alcohol, I used vodka, gently shake, store in a cool dark place for at least a month.

  Mine had been brewing for several months in my pantry! I would stop by to say "hi" and give it a gentle shake every week or so, just to let it know I had not forgotten it!~smile~

Today, I decided it had brewed long enough, it was now ready to be poured in a clean bottle. I found this little bottle at TJ Max, very reasonable. Using a small funnel, I poured it in the bottle.

 This bottle had two things I liked, a twist off cap, and chalkboard to label!

This extract is so amazing, so fragrant, it can be used in cooking, baking, anything calling for vanilla,

I also split a new half vanilla bean and added it to the bottled extract! I might even dab a few drops behind my ears!~grin~

 I took the remaining vanilla extract, added more vanilla beans, (split), and vodka, placed the jar in the pantry to brew, probably a few months, just in time for Christmas gift giving, ~wink~ I bought these cute bottles at TJ Max also, very reasonable too!

I hope you are inspired to make your own natural vanilla extract! You can also make other natural extracts, lemon, orange, almond, (which are next on my list!) All great for Christmas gift baskets, along with other goodies,so let's get those extract brewing!

That's all from the farmhouse for now, have a blessed week!

Love,

Sue

I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie,

Blueberry hand pies, as promised~

Written by Sue, Monday, July 20, 2015                  Hot~ Hot~ Hot~ temps. 100's 

Assemble your pastry ingredients,
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
pulse together in food processor add
2 sticks of butter cut up
1 teaspoon, vanilla extract
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons of ice water, if needed add more

 pulse until a ball begins to form, remove and roll in a ball....

 wrap in plastic,place in refrigerator while getting the berries ready. This is one of the best pie pastry recipes I have ever tasted, and worked with! Meanwhile.......

Mix 4 cups berries, 1 tsp. lemon zest, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar, I add cinnamon to taste.Blueberries love lemon and cinnamon.

 Cut dough ball in half, place one in refrigerator while you roll the other. I take a saucer, and cut out a circle

.
Place 1/4 cup of berry mixture, fold in half

pinch the half together,crimp edges with fork.

prick top with fork, use an egg wash,.. whip 1 Tablespoon water to 1 egg, brush on hand pie,sprinkle a little sugar on top!

place on parchment paper in preheated oven at 350 or 375 degree, for 30 mins. or until done and brown.

What is missing in the above photo?, Ice cream of course, Mr P loved his hand pie anyhow, need I say more.

The recipe makes 8 hand pies, I  made two batches today,froze them on a tray, for a couple of hours.

Next, I placed them in food-saver bags,

in the freezer they went.

These keep so well in the Food-Saver bags much longer than regular freezer bags. A Food-Saver is one of the best kitchen gadgets you can invest in!

Here are a few advantages of making and freezing hand pies....

1~ So convenient, some times you need a dessert in a hurry that looks and taste like you worked for hours for unexpected company,

2~ Children come home from school hungry, makes a great snack!

3~Time saver!

Thats about all from the farmhouse for today,  I plan to make other hand pies as fruit is available, and have some great recipes to share. I apologize for so many photos, but this is what happens with a tutorial!~smile~

I hope you are having a most blessed day.

Love, 

Sue

I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie,

~Blue is the new You~

Written by Sue, Tuesday, June 30, 2015           sunny, warm and humid, temps. 90's

Monday was an absolutely beautiful Blue day for me,...

Blueberry picking time is here again, I do enjoy this season so much!

The blueberries are so plentiful this year!!

Picking is always so much more fun under a big blue sky,

Did someone say Luscious? Blueberry jam is on the agenda for this week!

~There were more Blues in my day~

A blue checkered tablecloth set with roses, and violets, and my favorite everyday dishes!

A big blue clock, purchased at Hobby Lobby with 66% off! Couldn't resist, "Carolina Blue" don't cha' know!!

Blueberry hand pies for dessert, yummy, I would like to soon show you  how I make these pies and freeze them for a dessert that is quick, easy and so delicious, especially with unexpected company coming , and when the cold winds blow in winter!  These pies are baked not fried! ~smile~Now where's the ice cream?

A new blue door mat

To wipe these dirty blue clogs on! We don't wear shoes inside our home, this has always been a practice from the beginning of our marriage! Love my clogs!!!

I also worked on hanging the sheers for the porch, I still need to add a few touches, like those patriotic pillows, ~grin~ I know July 4th is this weekend, but I will keep the patriotic porch until the first week in August.

 While at Hobby Lobby yesterday I noticed the Fall and Christmas decorations were out! WOW!, it seems merchants are rushing the seasons, no wonder we are always rushing around, we are trying to keep up with them! What a shame!

I am trying to learn to  "Savor" the days that the lord provides for me! though it is easy to get caught up in the everyday rush, God is so gracious to us in so many ways

                               
Psalm 118~ 24 ~  This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Last, but not least, though he is not blue, I will share one of God's beautiful creatures, the tree frog, he reside here on my porch,along with many others in his family. I don't like the mess they make,but  since they eat a lot of insects, I've decided they can stay! Here he is climbing a wall, so amazing!

 I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie, as usual I am late for the party, but better late than not at all, so they say.~smile~To all who visited last week and especially those who took the time to comment, "thank you so much".

Thats about all from the farmhouse for today, I hope you are having a most blessed day.

Love, 

Sue