Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~Surviving~

Written by Sue , Wednesday, April 22, 2020  sunny, cool 50's, very windy   

 Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 365



From this Side of the Pond



What's something you resolved to do this year? Have you done it?
Oh! My! there are several things that are on my priority list that I have resolved to accomplish this year:
1~To read more, working on that!

2~Be more faithful in something that I enjoy so much, and that is blogging, I am not doing to well in that area, sometimes I go for days and not open my computer, I have lots of excuses but they are not good ones. However I am an avid gardener and enjoy being outside in my garden, by the time I come inside, work on cleaning, cooking  I am so tired,all I want is to go to bed, to which I blame the aging process on.

3~I also have resolved to be a better student of the Bible, working on that too! I am so thankful for His Word, it is my lifeline, especially in times like these.

4~ I had resolved in January to stay in touch with friends and family by the post mail, that has been short lived because of Covid 19! I am not giving up, I know we have texting, e-mail, but there is something so special about receiving a letter or card in the mail.
2~ Where do you find Quietude?
Relaxing on the deck by the pond observing beauty created by our heavenly Father! 

 My favorite place is sitting in the swing on the screened porch anytime  day or night.


3~A friend asked this question on her Facebook page and said I could borrow for Hodgepodge...You're only allowed to buy 5 things at the grocery store, and all must start with the first letter of your first name. Whatcha buying?
Soup, seafood, salad dressing, sandwich bread, sweet potatoes.
4~The television show, Survivor, the Gloria Gaynor song,'I Will Survive', Survival mode, Survival of the fittest... pick one and discuss.

Mr P. and I are in survival mode for now, busy in the garden, seeds have been planted, weeding now, planning for summer and fall harvest. I am making plans to preserve the fruits and veggies we are growing.

 A little project I completed yesterday, these English peas were planted a few weeks ago I weeded them, put up stakes with twine so they could start climbing, I will come back next week and add three more rows of twine, this makes picking the pods easier, also makes weeding easier. Mulch was added to control weeds, and keep moisture in. Today I will be transplanting Zinnias between the rows.  At the end are carrots and radishes. 

We had some late frosts, that hurt some tender plants , we are preparing to replant them, others are thriving .MrP was busy this morning discing the garden to replant. Be still my heart, I love my 'Farm Boy'
 5~ Share a favorite quote or saying about strength.
I have memorized so many Bible verses that speak of strength, and quote them so often.
Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
II Samuel 22:33
Psalm 46:1
Habakkuk 3:19

6~ Insert your own random thoughts here.
I have some thoughts on this pandemic that has plagued our country and the world, but that would take pages and pages!
I will just say this.
"This too shall pass", Not one thing happens that is not noticed and cared about by our heavenly Father,in our personal lives, as well as life in general!  God has placed so much beauty all around us.

This is the view from my kitchen window, the humming birds entertain me as I wash dishes while admiring the roses., the birds and squirrels via for sunflower seeds. I see them carrying on as they do each season, trusting that their creator will take care of them, I think there is a lesson for me to be learned here.
,

Psalm 112:7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is stedfast, trusting in the Lord
Until next time, 
Love from me to you
Sue

Thanking Joyce for hosting Hodgepodge Wednesday, please join I would love to visit with you.


~How Are You Staying Busy these days?~

We are very busy, doing a lot of planting.
I enjoy making my own hanging baskets/planting flowers in  flower pots. Here s a project we worked on last week.

Fern Hanging Baskets:
The fern baskets at the flower shops are so pretty this time of year so lush and full, but as summer comes on they become overgrown and root bound., Also a bit pricy.
Here is our solution, :
We buy the sun ferns in gal. pots, along with potting mix,


As you can see I am doing my social distancing, and I am also wearing a mask! I almost took the raccoon figurine home with me. Isn't he a darling~wink~

Using hanging baskets we bought several yrs. ago which still look great, we got started.


The pots were rinsed,(they were washed and disinfected in fall) addd a little potting mix 1/4 full,


Carefully removed the plant out of container, loosened the roots, a very important step,those roots need to breathe.

 Placed on top of soil, finished filling the basket with soil,  making sure it was packed around the plant  so there were no  air pockets, inserted wire hangers around the holes on the rim of the pots. Don't mind the soil on the table I use it in the next pot. ~smile~


Watered well the ferns, let them drain for a while.


Voila'! We hung the potted ferns on porch, using 18 inch chains making it easier to care for.


In a few weeks they will of doubled in size, lasting through the fall without becoming root bound, that is, if I water and fertilize regular,  remember plants in pots dry out fairly quickly. Next week plans are to begin to fill the porch with more plants.



Dear Friends,
 I think of you all so often, and pray for all , as each of us is dealing with this crisis in our own way.

 Keeping busy here at the farm is one way we do, actually we have no choice, animals have to be attended to, crops have to be planted, and of course, Sue loves her flowers and plants!

We listen to our favorite music, which is a great variety, as we have lived through many moons. ~grin~ Which reminds me, did you see the beautiful Pink Moon,  I made several trips outside during the night to gaze heavenward!. We cling to our Faith, knowing that God is our source of strength, comfort, and assurance, You see I have read the last chapter in "His Love letter to us!" "WE WIN!"

As Christians we will be celebrating "RESURRECTION SUNDAY" this weekend,what a  glorious celebration with promise.


John 11:25~ Jesus said to her, (Martha)"I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:26~ "And whoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die, Do you believe this?
John 11:27~ She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

I,  Sue,  like Martha, believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God!!!!!
I also remember, and am so thankful that a great price was paid for a sinner like me, who was so unworthy, but now have been made whole.  "Thank You Jesus"!

"Happy Resurrection Sunday"
Dear Ones,
Love,
 Sue

~Carrying On~

Written by Sue, Wednesday ,April 1, 2020   Cloudy, temps. 50, a quick cool spell Here we go- Thank you Joyce.

From this Side of the Pond

1.Has spring sprung in your part of the world? Did March come in like a lion where you live? Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?



Yes, spring has sprung, March came in like a lamb and went out like a lamb!.
The grass is green, flowers are beginning to bloom, bees are buzzing, birds are making their nests.

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?
Can't think of a thing.

3.Do you have a spring clean to-do list?
Indeed I do,
What's one chore you've managed to accomplish?
I always start with my kitchen, the cabinets inside and out , windows , countertops, refrigerator, stovetop, were completed last week.

What spring chore do you dread the most?
Just getting started. ~wink~

 This week I have been busy with garden chores., cleaning the potting shed

4.Tell us something you've learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis. 
My faith is stronger than ever, that faith cancels out  fear! Nothing can compare to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Phillipians:4:6-7
I have learned that the world is really a small place, and that people really do care about one another, That we are all in this together.

5.Something you love that's the color pink?
Pink toilet paper, that I hope I never have to use. ~wink~these were sent to me a few years ago from a friend who lives on  Prince Edward Island.

6. Insert your random thoughts here.
No doubt about it we are all in a crisis, Mr P. and I  try and keep things as normal as possible.  This is the beginning of our busy gardening season, so we have been busy planting. When I am out in my garden, for a brief moment it seems as though things are normal,  I am not dwelling about all that is happening all around me; personally watching to much news is not healthy for anyone. 
I find the solitude in the garden renews my spirit, strengthens me, spiritually, emotional, and most assuredly physically. 
All the beds are planted, just waiting for the seeds to pop up! The beds will soon be filled with produce.

 I'm still enjoying my evening walk, here Dre is bringing the sheep in for the night

 Remember, we are all in this together.

A special thank you to all who stopped by last week and for your sweet comments.

Another special thanks to Joyce for hosting .Wednesday Hodgepodge, please join.





praying for God's continued blessings
 upon you and your family.
Sue