Simple pleasures

Written by Sue, Sunday, August 19, 2018        hot, humid, scattered showers.

Grandson Will, who serves our country in The Navy, sent me some sunflower seeds earlier this summer, and this is the results, He loves gardening like we do. I love sunflowers, they always make me smile, because they are smiling.

 Not a lot going on around the farmhouse this week, to hot to be outside, nothing like ironing to set things back to normal. I love the smell of laundred and freshly ironed clothes.

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I recently received some lovely, thoughtful, get well and birthday cards from family and friends, near and far. One card was from my blogging friend, Vee, she blogs at https://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com, we have been  friends for a long time.The cards arrived at just the right time. I was so uplifted.

I also received a handmade notecard from my new friend, Gina , who blogs at http://www.withtwigsandbranches.com, she is so gifted. Don't you just love meeting and making new friends. One of the reason I enjoy blogging. I loved it so much I framed it, though not quite satisfied with the frame, I am thinking maybe black.

Speaking of watermelon, we have been enjoying the last of the season's melons, nothing like home grown. Yummy, so sweet and juicy

To all of you precious Ones who prayed and wrote such comforting thoughts, on our loss of Jack I thank you with all my heart, I am so touched with your thoughtfulness. Friends are one of the greatest gifts from our heavenly Father.

Love, 

Sue

Dear Jack (My love letter)

You have been the sweetest companion ever, you came into our lives when we were so needy, you needed us and we needed you.

What a joy you have been, you were never rude to any guest in our home, alway such a southern gentleman. You were so patient with us, never demanding your way first.

You and papa enjoying a ride together.

Just profiling.

You loved sitting by the fire while we had morning devotions.

 You indulged my love of plants.

You would always pose for me and my camera, sometimes being silly.

 Loving another morning of devotions, with us.

I remember when you were to tired to climb in bed, little did I know that the big Cancer was beginning to take over.

I first saw you at my  clothesline, clothed in fleas and ticks, with lots of hot spots, malnourished, and dehydrated, but when our eyes first met, we both knew it was love at first sight! I told you then that no one would ever mistreat you again, and they never did.
YOU LOVED PLAYING IN THE MUD, SILLY BOY

NOT SO MUCH THE BATH AFTERWARDS!

You were our constant companion, very seldom barking, only when the door bell rang and when you would say goodby to our friends. They all adored you too!

Thank you for loving our son Keith, you knew the first time you met him that he had special needs too, and you loved him so much, and always enjoyed time spent with him.

I could tell so many stories of our life with you here at the farm, you didn't mind when the lamb rode with us to church at Easter for a demonstration.

 

You loved Christmas almost as much as I do, taking a nap under the tree lights was a favorite thing for you.

Yesterday as I was crying while holding  you in my arms, and telling you it was okay to leave us,you were trying to comfort me by your sweet kisses on my neck, I will forever be so grateful for you! My heart is broken, when it broke my eyes became flooded, and continues, but I am so thankful you are no longer in pain.

Thank you so much for remembering my birthday today, Papa, delivered them this evening, they are perfect. You knew exactly which are my favorites.

Rest in peace my Love,

With all my love,

Mama

Dear friends the past few weeks have been very trying, helplessly standing by while a loved one is suffering, hoping and praying that things would change. Not knowing about my own health situation as well! Yesterday was one of the hardest decisions we have ever made, we know Jack is relieved of his suffering. He was truly the BEST of the BEST. Please pray for comfort. Be back soon.

Love Sue

Written by Sue, Friday, August 190, 2018     Sunny,hot, humid high 90's.

Getting back to a normal routine.

Written by Sue, Monday, August 6, 2018           sunny very hot and humid, temps. 90's

Love~ morning fogs, I haven't seen to many this summer, I also love evening fogs, it is so amazing to see when the fog starts at the pasture and rolls in.

Love~a clean refrigerator/freezer, one of the many things I did today, now if it would stay this way.

Love~ that patriotic decorations are taken down, and packed for next year.  This was bittersweet, Though, taking them down lets me know that fall  decorations are next. Fall is my favorite season, Christmas is my favorite holiday. Did I just say "Christmas"

 Love that my plants have been watered and trimmed. I love plants, and have many in my home, these are only a few.

 I am rooting the clippings and will soon be transplanting in pots, some will be given as gifts.

With me being away from home for a week, they were so thirsty, I soaked them in the sink, clipped them, and will fertilize, and shine the leaves tomorrow. I use coconut oil.

Just as my plants were neglected, so was my home, today has been spent changing bed linens, laundry,straightening rooms so that tomorrow I will dust, vacuum, mop and clean bathrooms.
I love being a homemaker, it is so nice to be needed, and to see some normalcy.
Hope you had a blessed day!
Sue

~Sunday thoughts~

Written by Sue, Sunday, August 5, 2018                     morning fog,partly sunny temps. high 90's

A reminder of a road well traveled

Do we trust God enough to hop on the back seat and let Him do the guiding.?Which road would you take, if you were driving? I know which one I would take... the easy one, but how boring and useless that would be!!

Proverbs 3: 5-6~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.

When God is in control, He takes the scenic route. He likes to climb high roads, so as to build muscles, and make us stronger. Sometimes He will coast down hill and we will lift our hands high in the air, with the wind blowing in our hair, and the sun shining on our face,.... we feel so free.

Sometimes God's route takes us through a deep dark valley, it is at this time  that we put our arms around him and hold on real tight, all the while crying and asking Him to not let go. He then will say "hold on tight my child, just "Trust Me"  a little further and you will be through this valley."  It is during  this time  we learn to trust Him most.

Isaiah 55:8-9~For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.~For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts, 

And there are times when we really think we can handle the steering  by ourselves, God being so gracious will let  go and let us take hold, when all of a sudden we hit a bump,or we get on a wrong road , we get scared and then we say,'Lord I need you, please help'. He then smiles and takes the realm back.

At last we arrive at our destination safe and sound, it is then we say, "Wow what a journey, I  feel so much stronger, and I am now learning how  to deal with obstacles as they come, and for sure I have learned how to enjoy the ride too!! "I also  know now, that if I had not let go and let the Lord take the lead, I could not have made it." "Thank You Lord."

Blessings,

Sue

(edited and reposted, a reminder for me)

I'M home

Written by Sue, Friday, August 3, 2018       Rain, rain, rain for 7 days, and still going 

I was greeted by these beauties as I arrived home. They bloom each August, self seeding and multiplying as the wind blows. The fragrance is unbelievable.

It was so wonderful to be home even though I was only away for a few days, the quote "there's no place like home," is such a true statement. I could hardly wait to start nesting again, so I did three loads of laundry, and a few dishes. this let me know that all is going to be back to normal real soon.

I am doing well, My testing was good, just some adjusting of my BP meds."THANK YOU" TO ALL FOR YOUR SWEET COMMENTS AND PRAYERS, I CAN'T FIND THE WORDS TO REALLY EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR LOVE, KINDNESS  AND FRIENDSHIP.

When I started blogging, I had no idea of the friendships I would make. Today as I was visiting those who had commented on my last post, my heart overflowed with joy! Each time I visit and see your passion and love of faith, family,home, I am so encouraged, and blessed beyond words. We all certainly have gone through so much together, haven't we, and we will forever be bonded.

Bloggers not only visit, but they gift each other with gifts of love, such as these gifts I received from my blogging friend Janette (http://janettessage.blogspot.com)and her son Benjamin, we have been friends for years, and hope to meet someday. Janette doesn't blog much anymore, we stay in touch via instagram, she is so busy enjoying her dear grandchildren. I am so enjoying my blessings.

 I am also blessed with friends nearby, my friend Trish not only was at the hospital but brought dinner this evening. I forgot to take a photo,, it was spaghetti with sauce, salad and breadsticks, so delicious.

Love from the farmhouse.

Sue