go easy

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Shanda

David’s little kitty, whose name is Gentleman Gray, isn’t allowed to go outside very often.

But when he does, he returns as soon as possible with an old dead mouse.

The mouse was caught by one of Gentleman Gray’s housemates….he himself hasn’t caught any of them, he doesn’t have the opportunity, so he just enjoys playing with them.

Typically, I take the mouse by the ice cold tip of it’s tail and fling it right back outside into the bushes as far as I can fling. But the other day I let him have it for a few minutes because his antics were making me laugh.

He has several very nice fabric mice filled with catnip, but there’s just nothing like sinking your teeth into a real live dead one.

The poor thing had such adorable ears.

If the children or I find one of our cats in the act of killing a mouse we ALWAYS save the mouse’s life.

My husband on the other hand……..is thrilled with every dead mouse he sees.

There have been a few times when I threw a dead mouse outside (without him seeing me do it) only to have him bring it right back in! What an amazing sense of smell cats must have.

*****

Sarah was so so sick last night. She must have thrown up seven times in the matter of just a few hours. She was distraught, pale, crying…it was terrible. What a mercy that her body finally settled down and she was able to eat some animal crackers and keep them down at around 9:30-10. But then Caleb got sick, and then David. Pepto- Bismol was the key to helping their tummies. They all made it through the night quietly so we had some sleep. Today they have been on the couches all day long but able to eat more and more, starting with crackers in the morning and ending at 5:00pm with all three eating bowls of cooked broccoli! If you can crave broccoli at a time like this I would say things aren’t so bad.

God has surprised me several times today with unexpected blessings. One was a phone call from the kid’s doctor, wanting to apologize to me for being very distracted at the last appointment I went to, he even mentioned CHRISTIANITY, LOVE, CHRIST, and the HOLY SPIRIT in the conversation (!!) and other blessing was having Michael come to visit Jacob just in time to go pick up Ethan from school after practice.

Yet another time was much earlier in the day, when I went to drop off lunch money at the school. The office lady asked how I was and as I spoke to her she could tell I was stressed out. As I left she encouraged me by simply saying, “go easy.” Those two little words became my mantra of the day. Go easy on myself, go easy on my day, go easy with my family, go easy on the housework, etc……..

I visited my hens. I gave them fresh water and food.

And then some of them followed me. I was about to take a very easy and short walk, close to home.

I saw a chipmunk on a rock in the stream. It froze when it saw me and then as quick as lightening, vanished under some old sticks and leaves.

I wasn’t going anywhere in particular….so I wandered down to Ethan’s fort that he made this summer.

It’s an interesting feeling to be all alone, looking at your son’s hard work. Imagining him building it, seeing his thoughts and ideas on how to make it work. I stood under the roof. I saw the clippers and a garden tool.

I admired the way he put together the low walls.

And when I turned around, I saw that one of my hens had crossed the stream to follow me to the fort! It was an unexpected laugh.

We talked for a few minutes and then she went back home. It was a good thing because I really don’t want a lonely lost hen in the forest.

I would love to know what this shrub or sapling is. The stem is green but there is brown stiff paper-like bark sticking out around it. It’s so pretty and orderly.

The best part of my walk was discovering witch hazel in bloom.

This is the very same plant that witch hazel astringent is made from, which has many uses and has been around for a very long time.

It comes into flower just as everything else around us is dying from frosts.

Such a cheerful yellow.

In the upper left you can see the brown seed pods. The seeds within them open up on a sunny day and shoot out for a great distance. Fun!

I broke a branch off one of the bushes to carry it back to the house so I could admire it. I’m hoping the seed pods open up and shoot.

I did all my walking and came back home with my pockets looking like this. Guess what’s in them?

it is well with my soul

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Shanda

“I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him…..”

“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery.”

“The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with long life, and give them my salvation.”

Good morning, friends,

I have been absolutely exhausted this week, hence no blogging. I’m sure you can imagine all that entails being a mom of seven and wife of a busy hard worker. I love the life God gave me, but there are “crash days” when the responsibilities I have seem overwhelming and pressing. I don’t even like to write these things, because it seems like a complaint when God has given me blessing upon blessing and I am ashamed of my weakness (although HE delights in it for only then can He get the glory for supplying my need) How dare I cry and be sad? However, exhaustion is no respecter of persons and no matter who or where you are, it can hit and cripple for a time. And that is how it has been for me this week.

Well, that’s not exactly true, I certainly have NOT been crippled. I have done all the things I had to do. I’ve read chapters to my sick one, I’ve gone to the pediatrician twice, gotten medicines, drinks, teas, foods. I’ve gone to a soccer game with a smile on my face. I have a heart of love and longing to serve my family. I’ve held and snuggled warm children. I ordered vomit bags off amazon. Yes, all these things have happened when deep down what I really wanted was to spend a week on a beach in Hawaii.

But enough of me, I hate writing about myself sometimes because it seems so annoying and self-focused. Blah blah blah. Hey, but it’s all the truth as I see it and that’s all I want to do here on my blog, write about my honest life which is very much feelings-oriented to me (which is why I especially appreciate the logical people in my life that balance me out). And praise God I have eternal hope and salvation…..this current life is only the first page of what life is really going to be for me. There is so much to look forward to, amazing unspeakably glorious things.

I love you all. I’m so thankful for my Mom, husband, brothers, sister, friends and for all the verses words offered to me on FB when I wrote this week during a fit of crying on my part. God has given us each other to help us get through the tough times! There is so much to be thankful for and usually at least one thing that makes me sincerely laugh every day. (like this morning when Dave’s kitten proudly carried in a dead mouse that one of our other cats caught and left on the porch).

Here are the pictures from Ethan’s senior soccer night (last night). It was wonderful sitting on the bleachers next to my friend Caroline and watch our boys play. Our husbands were there with us, and Jacob and Emily brought Caleb and Sarah as well. The sky darkened into night and there was a time when the sky was so blue, as dazzling blue as sapphire fiestaware.

He only has three more games left and he’s determined to make them last out the season. They’ve been great soccer shoes and have served him well.

Warming up with his best friend, Zach, before the game. Oh, these two. It’s been a joy to watch them grow together. They are as close as brothers.

During drills and warms ups they did this exercise where you jump up and bump your teammate. Made us smile.

They called down the parents of the seniors for a short presentation. They called out names and each player was given a rose (to give to his parents).

After a team picture they played their game and won 1-0. I took him to the pizza place in town to celebrate with his friends and one of the other Dads brought him home afterwards.

We’re so proud of you, Ethan!

trust me :: you’re lovely

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Shanda

It was a long weekend and this will be a long post full of photos!

First of all, the colors this weekend were stunning. We had plenty of sunshine, which made them seem even brighter.

We went to Target.

And the next morning Sarah was on a leash….

My Mom and Dad said “you have to watch the Great British Baking show” so I finally turned it on Saturday morning–we ended up watching four episodes throughout the day. It’s included on amazon prime. The first episode was “cake” and my little ones got VERY inspired.

They came up with this on their own after watching it with me.

Seth got points for rolling his up, just like the people did with their swiss rolls on the show. After I took the pictures they got out the whipped cream, too.

They spilled so many bright white sprinkle balls on the floor that the kitten started chasing them around.

Rich and I took four of the children to a corn maze. I think it was the first time that we took 2 boys and 2 girls with us anywhere, an even match-up.

Two girls

There was a playground in a deep bed of feed corn.

two boys

There was a hay bale maze for little ones to run through (or over the top which is what our kids did).

And fun places to take goofy picture of your kids.

We went through the corn maze but didn’t complete it 100% of the way…it got too confusing. I don’t think we stopped laughing though.

There was a “pillow” to bounce on.

Before we left, we each picked out a pumpkin.

After a while he asked someone else to pull the wagon because his “legs were too tired.”

We got to the car and he said that I forgot his jacket so Rich had to go find it. Then, while we were waiting he said he had to go to the bathroom so Grace had to go take him. It’s amazing what you remember when you have to sit still.

On Sunday Rich went to church and I took the little boys to their game. Caleb is number 54. Both teams won. It was a great morning to spend outside. Rich and Grace were able to join me after a while. Ethan dropped them off after church and went on home by himself (he drives now and it was great when I ran out of creamer for my coffee the other day and I could just throw him the car keys).

I could sit and stare at this picture forever:

My man and my girl.

As soon as we got home I didn’t go inside…..I wandered around in the gorgeous outdoors.

I love the faded pinkish red leaves in the background in this picture of glowing yellow.

And how the fall colors blend and mix and stand out. I see the brown and gray of tree bark, plus several different shades of red, orange, yellow, and green.

I call Sam my halloween cat. She followed me around, begging to get her fur stroked.

The Osprey was in our dead tree again and this time it had a fish. I was able to lay down in the grass under the branch it sat upon, which was way up high above me. The bird held the fish in its feet and lowered its head down to twist pieces off it to eat. The twisting action was a quick back and forth motion, similar to a person testing a doorknob to see if the door is locked. It was fascinating to watch this interesting bird.

But Rich wasn’t very pleased with it eating HIS fish from HIS pond.

But luckily, David ran over to look with us, and the two of them used my camera to zoom in on the fish. They decided that it wasn’t from our pond, it was a trout.

(I found Dave’s “life is good” t shirt at the thrift store for 25 cents!)

Kids played football together on Sunday afternoon, until Emily had to go to work.

On Monday, Seth put clips all over his face!

Rich had to work but everyone else had no school or work, so a trip to Salem, MA was planned.

Michael, Jacob, Zak, Grace, and Emily went for the day. This picture was taken before they left to go get Emily.

Ethan stayed home because he wanted to visit with his friend Tessa, also he had soccer practice.

The funniest thing happened while I was taking the picture of Tessa and Ethan. We were at the bottom of the hill and our house sits at the top. Sarah was playing with the pumpkins on the front steps and let one go….all we heard was her little voice “Here comes a pumpkin” and it rolled all the way down, off the dock, into kersplash! into the pond!

Caleb waded into the cold water to get it after it floated close enough to the edge.

Thank you Caleb!

Caleb pointed out these mushrooms to me.

I’m going to dig up this little pink-leaved bush to put in my flower garden. It’s growing at the edge of the woods. I love how the leaves turned dark pink for fall. It’s beautiful!

Last but not least, I took a this photo this morning while Seth read me his assigned 1st grade reading. It was a variation of “Jack and Jill” that made me die of laughter…,,,,

bible study with a chicken!

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Shanda

As soon as the children left for school yesterday, and I had a good start on the household chores, I looked outside and thought, “What a gorgeous fall morning.”

I decided to go out in it and sit with the hens to have my Bible study time. As soon as I opened my Bible, my favorite chicken hopped up on my knee to join me. You might notice that I thought it was October 6th at first. “This all seems familiar,” I thought, and then realized it was now the 7th. Already!

Hi Chicken!

I had a notebook with me and a pencil stuck in my ponytail. The pencil didn’t stay there long, because very soon there were good things to scribble down to save and think about. The air was fresh and cool, the sounds of contented hens charming.

I want and long to read the Bible every day. I have found that for me, the best way to do this is to use a “One Year Bible”. (click here to see the one I use) In this Bible, there is a reading for each day of the year. I’ve used it for several years now. There are times when I miss a few days, maybe even a week or more, but I have found that if I try to catch up I get overwhelmed. So, I always skip those days because very soon (next year) I WILL get to those verses again. There is a portion of Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Even though it is a structured, assigned portion of reading, there are ALWAYS words and truths that my heart and soul needed to hear again and again–never boring or dry. I usually keep paper nearby so that I can write down the verses that spoke to me that day. You see, the Bible is ALIVE for those who believe and love it. The words within it are useful in so many ways, and for Christians, it is like medicine for the soul. It’s like a food-craving you might get for, say, chocolate. You find yourself thinking about the Word during the day and wanting it. And when you get it, you are filled and satisfied.

Yesterday, I wrote these things down in my notebook (verses in quotes, my thoughts *not* in quotes)

~”An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.”

Always be honest in your questions and answers. Don’t “play games”, don’t pretend. Be sincere. It’s a beautiful way to live–so beautiful that your honest, truthful ways are just like friendship’s kisses.

~”This is what the Lord says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

~”Your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

~”Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world.”

Teach the children about greed.

Greed-intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. A selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed.

~”Christ is all that matters and He lives in all of us.”
~”Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all richness, fill your lives.”

This is a wonderful set of verses to apply to my FAMILY.

~”Despite God’s wonders, they refused to trust Him.” —The next time you have some difficulty trusting God, think of as many of His wonders as you possibly can.

*****

I had no idea there was an app on my iPhone that shows all the steps I take in one day. I make sure I have it in my pocket now when I take my walks….it’s fun to see just how much I walk in a day as I go about my business. My mom does the same thing with her phone, and she is the one who taught me about the app. It came already installed on my phone and dummy me never knew it until last weekend.

I had it in my pocket when I went for a walk yesterday all alone because my children all go to school now (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I find myself MAKING REMARKS TO MYSELF OUT LOUD. I really need to stop because it’s starting to happen at the grocery store, too.

The birds are quite active at this time of year. This morning when I let out the dog I saw a cardinal and a blue jay right outside my house in the bushes. They were busy eating berries in the early morning sunshine. A blue jay scolded me yesterday from the treetops and I got this fun picture of it stretching to reach some food.

The colors of autumn dazzle the eye.

Adorable mushroom. I want to draw it. I like to imagine them slowly growing up through the sweet smelling leaves and eventually poking their heads up to the day.

Dappled sunlight in the woods.

Hickory nuts are dropping off the trees and oh how I wish I could get to them!! I want to climb and gather! But the tree is so very tall. I have an old schoolbook primer that has a story in it about a nutting party. (this blog post is similar) The neighborhood people would go gather nuts together. Why did that stop happening?? My mom and her family used to get nuts in the fall on their farm land. I need to ask her to tell me the stories again. I know of two hickory trees nearby. One is by the stream and one is up the road just a little ways on the right and it’s nuts drop on the edge of the street.

I walked toward the stream…..a golfball caught my eye so I went to pick it up and saw this sight-

“What in the world are they doing?”, I asked myself (out loud) and when I realized what was happening, I blushed deeply and hid my eyes.

A worm saw them and wriggled away fast.

Or was it me he was squirming from? Regardless, I once again spoke out loud, “That was a BIG worm!” I said.

I think I miss my children. I’m not used to having no one near.

It didn’t help that there were signs of them down by the stream.

I also found a sock.

This is not the sky, but a reflection of it in a still pool of water in the stream.

*****

Well, eventually the children DID come back home. I went for another little walk with David and Sarah. We collected acorns and more hickory nuts (just a couple). I wanted them all (greedy again?) David told me that HE could climb the tree. Humph.

I did all the talking I wanted to without feeling weird.

Soon it was time for Caleb and Seth to go to football practice. Grace had a variety show at the High School so we made an outing of it. Ethan, David, and Sarah came along as I dropped off the boys at the field. We had extra time so Ethan suggested the coffee shop downtown. Sarah had an apple juice and a bag of chips that she didn’t like (they had pepper on them.) David had a diet soda, Ethan and I had coffee. Ethan snap-chatted his friend who is a girl. (um)

We looked out the window and saw that in the park across the street a band was setting up. The concert was to start in 15 minutes and we still had time so Sarah and I went over to enjoy some great jazz music…

Is this quaint or what?? I loved every moment…there were people all around us, and more gathered in as time went on. I would love to go again with Rich. People had their lawn chairs, picnic foods, sweaters and blankets to keep warm, and a musical spirit…toe tapping, a little dancing, smiles on the faces…it was great.

The boys played down by the water and railroad tracks and could still hear all the songs.

We may not have nutting parties but we do have outdoor concerts!

After a quick trip to the library we headed to the HS. Grace was in the color guard Flag routine (she’s on the far left on the floor). She’s been twirling the flag for just a few months and did very well. It was fun to see all the kids do their various routines…dance, music, and what have you. Sarah ate two chocolate candy bars while she watched and we didn’t get home until 9:00pm.

It was a wonderful night being filled up with my children again after a lonesome-like afternoon.

Tonight Rich comes home. He’s been gone since Monday. It’s a long weekend for the kids–no school tomorrow or Monday!

the rude bird

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Shanda

The rude bird sat in a dead tree and looked at the photographer…….

..when all of a sudden!!

Take that, Ms. Photographer!

in the meantime….

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Shanda

Isn’t the news depressing? It makes me long for Jesus and Home. I know the end of my story and it’s worth living in this wretched world for…..as a person who determines to look for beauty, it hurts to write “wretched” but what other word is there when you hear of all the terrible things happening in our country and around the world?

In the meantime, I’m determined to live my own ordinary, quiet, blessed life to the FULLEST. I’m going to say yes as much as possible, go to bed early and SLEEP the glorious sleep, read the books, dress the children, cook the food, laugh the laughs, light the candles, take pictures of the sunrise, help as many people as I can, smile the smiles, say NO to anything or anyone that drains the energy from me that I need for my family, hug the hugs, pet the cats, make the sacrifices……you get the idea. All the things that I like, that I need to do and want to do. I’m so thankful that I have the power and determination to live the life I want to live, regardless of outside circumstances. We all have that freedom to some extent.

I truly think it pleases and glorifies God when we know who we are and live the way He made us to live, according to each unique person’s story and personality. Praising, dancing, and yes, even mourning and crying in those times, too. Feeling all the emotions He made us to feel. Do you like to cook? Then COOK with abandon. Do you like nature? Then get outside! Do you like people? Then get out there BE WITH THEM. Do you like solitude? Then stay home and LET THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE COME TO YOU. Everyone is different and everyone has value. There is no shame.

My mom said this weekend, “I LOVE MY LIFE.” She read a story about a woman in her 90’s who still walks to work every day. She wants to be like that woman. Relishing her life and her work and never wanting it to end……..to keep going.

Ethan, Mitch, and Jacob went to the homecoming football game, and so did Caleb, who wanted to go so very much that the boys took him along.

The dog was at their feet in the photo….Parker the dog loves his boys. In his eyes, they can do no wrong and totally deserve 115% loyalty and love.

He’s RIGHT!

Grace was invited to the homecoming dance….and after I asked the brothers if he was a nice boy I said….”If you want to go, then I want you to go. Experience High School…all of it…and enjoy it!” And she was happy to say “yes” and go dress shopping.

We had a hallelujah fit in the mall when we got the text telling us the parade was cancelled that morning…..because we needed more time. This girl hardly has any free time and we shopped for her dress the morning of the dance!!!! It had to be purple, too. Thankfully, we had success at Macy’s. The dress fit her like it was made for her. Which is was. 🙂

We went from shopping to lunch with Grandma, Grandpa, and Abbie.

cousins!

Then we walked to the bookstore.

My dad with Caleb. And a lego mini figure that I bought for my boy.

My mom who loves life even though it’s very hard at times!

I fixed her hair, painted her nails, bought her dress, shoes, and necklace, let her borrow my earrings and dress coat (not pictured) and I was happy to do it all for my girl. It was exhausting, in a good way. That feeling when a plan comes together.

Aren’t they sharp? They had made a plan to dress alike, and they had success! Grace told me the next morning that she had a lot more fun than she thought she would. (She was a little nervous).

I wish I had a better photo of Jacob and Emily but I was so focused on Grace and these two LEFT the house in Jacob’s car before I could even think of getting a picture of them. Rich and I drove Grace and her date to the school and happened to see Jacob and Emily walking on the sidewalk. I took the picture out the truck window. It was freezing cold (in the 40s) so poor Emily was suffering. Jacob didn’t ask to be taken shopping….he simply raided his Dad’s closet.

Oh and in case you’re wondering…Ethan and his girlfriend didn’t go to the dance. They stayed at her house with her family and watched four Harry Potter movies.

The purpose of this photo is to show you my morning glories. They have vigorously produced more vine and leaf than flower. I’m enjoying each remaining day with them because when we have frost they will die. I loved watching them grow all summer long, waiting and waiting for the flowers to appear.

Yesterday evening we cleaned the chicken coop and put fresh new wood shavings down.

We found our first white egg ever!!

Rich took a couple pictures with me in them. And that’s Caleb helping, too.

Wooly Aphids are AMAZING gray bugs that have white wispy stuff (called honeydew) coming out of them. Blogged about last year.

I was standing on the side of the road on Sunday when I took this picture. ^^ This morning I heard the dog barking and looked outside to see a car parked and running in the same spot. I put on my boots to run down and see if they were okay. And GUESS WHAT? This is so exiting. It was a lady trying to take pictures (with a Cannon SLR) of an Osprey sitting in our dead tree!!!!! (the dead tree pictured above). She and I visited on the side of the road, talking of nature and photography, and became friends this morning at 8am!!!!!!!!!!! That’s a God-moment for sure!

This morning’s sunrise. Sarah said, “Mom, come look at the sky!”

Happy is the Mom whose children show her sunrises.

Please please pray that Sarah’s UTI has cleared up. I have to take her tomorrow at 8:45 for a re-check. She’s certainly acting better, and had a great time eating chocolate covered strawberries yesterday after church.

Happy Monday, friends!

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6, 7 (I read this verse this morning and absolutely LOVED it. Amen!)

they shall be filled

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Shanda

Blueberry Coffee Cake

~very, very good family recipe~

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups blueberries (can use fresh or frozen)

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar together, add egg and beat until fluffy. Mix in the dry ingredients alternating with the milk. Spread in a greased and floured 11 by 7 inch pan or two 9 inch pans. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups blueberries

Crumb topping

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together with a pastry blender or a fork until crumbly and sprinkle on top of the berries. Bake for 30-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

This morning has filled me up spiritually.

The verse “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” is in my mind, I’m meditating on it over and over and I think to myself that Righteousness is God, I hunger and thirst for Him, for Jesus, and He fills me up to overflowing with this lovely life of mine. Yes there are dry, exhausting, and difficult days but then another sort of day comes along like this one and the tears of gratitude are ever ready because I feel His restoring care in such a real and deep way.

It’s raining on and off outside which is just lovely, a visual for what is happening inside of me as well.

I’ve been watching Netflix’s Chef’s Table series and today was episode three (watched this morning as I matched socks and folded laundry) it was sooooooooooooo good! It did it’s part to fill me up, too. Wow. (episode one was the same way, #2 wasn’t as good IMO) People are so unique and there is so much to learn from another’s life.

The rabbit hopped around the living room and ate a pear under the coffee table. I put down newspapers because she loves to chew and shred them.

Small Gentleman Gray napped in the midst of my clothes piles, I would stop and pet him now and then.

I went outside to take the leftover breakfast milk and cereal, eggshells and crusts of bread to my hens. I spent some time cleaning the coop and peeked around the corner to slyly take a picture of a VERY skittish hen. She lays VERY small eggs. Really nothing to make such a fuss about.

I picked a small bunny salad to bring back in to Rabbit; mostly clover

The stream has filled up again, and I did a little wading in the cold water.

I came back inside and made a cup of coffee in my new sage fiesta mug. I took a picture of it but the colors of Fiesta can be hard to photograph, it looked much truer to color when I edited the photo to black and white. I dumped my coffee on the couch, and they were right….leather is MUCH easier to clean.

I’m sitting here blogging and also scratching like a maniac at a bee sting on my ankle which is still bothering me and I’m making it worse but it feels so good to scratch…..ahhhhh!!!…..so I better go make some more baking soda paste to rub into it.

Happy Wednesday, friends! You are loved.

“The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise Him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.” Isaiah 61:11

how was the moon?

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Shanda

“It’s not what you look at that matters, but what you see.” Thoreau

My family, along with five friends, sat under the light of the moon last night to watch it turn from a light so bright it dazzled the eyes, into an orange-red shadow.

We had a fire and chairs pulled up all around it. One of the boys roasted a potato in the coals around the fire. I roasted a hot dog. We all had apple cider.

My little ones wriggled and adjusted themselves over and over next to me, sometimes exchanging “words” for “taking my spot!”

The first thing sleepy eyed daughter said to me this morning was “How was the moon?” because she had to go to bed at 9:30.

Toward the end of the night, the endless noise of talking, laughing, and music stopped, and we could hear coyotes and other sounds of the woods and the night, our faces upraised to the clear sky, eyes open wide, trying to take it all in.

As the moon became darker, the stars seemed brighter. The sky was gloriously full of them.

We thought about the people of the past, ancient Bible men and women, populations from other countries, our own Native Americans, even the heavenly beings, and the wonder of the connection we felt to them all as we sat under the very same moon they also observed and knew so well.

We praised the God who made it.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Shanda

I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Always be humble and gentle.

Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just has you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Milkweed pods are crispy dry and opening, spilling their soft warm seeds into the air, waiting for a breeze to carry them away.

Ferns are turning yellow and brown.

There are many variety of wild berries and it’s a good time of year to be a bird-watcher.

There are raccoon tracks in the mud by the solitary beaver pond.

A late blooming wild cardinal flower, found in a hidden spot. It’s hard to hide completely when you’re such a red.

acorn-triplets

Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19

teeth the color of cheese doodles

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Shanda

The most fascinating thing happened to me today.

I spent the entire morning in the house after Jacob left, cleaning and what-not, all alone. Aunt Phyllis called and I talked to her for 40 minutes with no interruptions. I wrote someone a card and mailed it and glued some of Joanna’s pictures into my scrapbook. The house was so quiet. I was in my own little world.

I ate lunch on the porch and read a chapter in my book.

Well then, I decided to go check on the chickens and I took my camera with me.

With all seven of the children gone away at school I was in awe and wonder at how much I could see, hear, and smell while I was enjoying the walk. My senses were in tune with nature like they haven’t been in years. While the children were home, even when I did go off for a walk alone, there was always that instinct to keep listening toward the house…to be ready to go back at any moment. To not be gone too long. A little guilt for not taking anyone along.

I went past the coop and stood under the trees on the edge of the yard. It was a hot and buzzing time of day, approaching high noon. The air was sweetly scented like grapes, ripe bunches of concord grapes were hanging from the trees. I sat down and then stretched out flat on my back to close my eyes and listen, to relax, to let the sun bake into my face. I was under some dappled shade, even with my eyes shut I could see movements of warm light as the wind blew through the leaves.

After a while I got up to continue walking……I admired some yellow wildflowers and smelled deeply of them. I saw a grasshopper in the mowed yard, it had a hard time jumping off the clipped grass so I gave it a hand. It used me as a springboard to jump amazingly far.

I was noticing everything I possibly could.

Then, as I walked up the dam trail, I thought to myself, “There are no animals. All these trees and bushes and I can’t see any sign of life anywhere.” I felt disappointed. I wondered what walking through the woods was like long ago, did people see wild animals more often? I’m sure they did.

I came to the top of the trail and stepped carefully over the mole tunnel which is always there. Then, Jesus prompted me to look up.

And what do you think I saw?

I saw a black animal up in the top of a tree which was approximately 40 feet high. It was slowly reaching out it’s little hand to pull some food to it’s mouth. It was amazing, I had never seen such a thing before. I usually see birds in trees and an occasional chipmunk. My first thought was “raccoon” but a half a second later I knew I was mistaken, but what was it? I kept watching, with my head tilted way back and my hand shading my eyes, then I realized that it was a porcupine. My very first porcupine sighting but I had heard rumors of one about.

I say it is Ethan’s porcupine because just the other day he was on his way home from soccer practice and he saw one cross the road in front of the car and go down the bank by the stream. He tried to get a picture of it but it looked like nothing but a dark dark shadow in it.

I’m sure the one I saw today was the same one. I love it! It appears full grown, healthy and strong. My only hope is that 1. It does not like chickens, and 2. it stays away from our lawn, our children, and our dog.

I stood and watched it for a long time. It did nothing but very slowly eat little bits of tree and then, after it noticed I was there, stare at me. It stared at me in silence but when I broke the silence by talking conversationally he was so uncomfortable he looked away into the woods. It never made a peep and didn’t move up or down the tree the entire time I was looking at it.

I took about 100 photos but because of the bright sun I wasn’t able to really see how they were turning out.

After a while I thought I better go home. I didn’t have my iPhone with me and wondered what time it was.

I crossed the stream but didn’t see any crayfish. My chickens saw me and clucked.

I walked by the pond and noticed some stuff under the playset and gathered a pair of socks, a water bottle and a plastic horse.

I walked up the hill to my house with my hands full of the stuff. Parker the dog walked over to the front steps to greet me.

“I saw a Porcupine,” I told him, out loud as clear as day as I walked up the steps.

Then I noticed two men sitting at my little porch table and screamed bloody murder. I’ll never forget the looks on their poor faces. As they heard me talk to the dog, believing I was speaking to THEM, they looked at me in friendliness, and then as I screamed, I caused looks of surprise and shock to replace that kind friendliness. “I was talking to the dog,” I explained.

They quickly told me that they were the granite guys coming to fix our countertop. They had made an appointment before our vacation to come out on September 1 at noon. It was one o’clock. And I had completely forgotten. One of them mentioned they were glad I didn’t have a gun or I probably would have shot them in my terror. Thankfully, I only shoot photos.

Nicest guys though. They just finished up. I showed one of them the pictures I took of the porcupine, since he had overheard my conversation with the dog and all. I’m not sure if he was as impressed with it as I was but he was very polite.

This was the first picture I took of it, before I knew what it was.

It was very high up in a tree. Thank goodness I had a 55-200mm lens on my camera.

It was thrilling to see these pictures inside the house. While I was outside I never was able to see the eyes of this creature. As you can see, he kept them on me at all times (except when I spoke and he looked away).

It looks quite like a rodent, doesn’t it? That’s because it is from the rodent family. It’s the second largest rodent in North American, behind the beaver.

I got this information from wikipedia, “The porcupine is the only native North American mammal with antibiotics in its skin. Those antibiotics prevent infection when a porcupine falls out of a tree and is stuck with its own quills upon hitting the ground. Porcupines fall out of trees fairly often because they are highly tempted by the tender buds and twigs at the ends of the branches.”

It had teeth as orange as cheese doodles. As I have always been interested in teeth and dentistry this was quite fascinating to me. Imagine having orange teeth. Looks to me like it has a slight underbite, as well.