Reflections

As I look back on 2014, there is so much I could say.

It was one heck of a year, and not all good.

However, I started out with a word in mind, and through it all, I tried to remember to "nourish" myself and my family and my life.

But really, it was not me that did the nourishing.

He works all things together for good. 

He restores my soul.

He nourishes and makes me whole.

Thanking God for this new year...

I plan to relish every second of it.

Sharing at:

Mommy Moments Monday

Weekending

We had a busy, but wonderful weekend!

Saturday--my Blessingway! 

 Ten women and six little girls gathered to celebrate this new little life growing inside me!

We ate lots of whole foods (organic berry oat bars, organic pb cookies, melons) and then...

chocolate covered strawberries! 

We made labor/postpartum supplies: sitz bath bags, mama tea bags and rolled beeswax candles.  We made candles for me and for each woman to take home to light and say a prayer when my labor begins!

This is "My Ruth", my midwife. holding my neice, Birdy!

We did henna tattoos (mine above, my "artist" sister's below)..

and had little temporary "henna" tats for the babies and for my 80 year old grandmother!

She picked the butterfly and was quite proud of it!

My mama was in heaven, surround by six little girls.. three are her grandbabygirls.

And Bunny's braid was the icing on the cake.. or the chocolate on the strawberries!

(which Bunny would eat off and put the berry back on the tray. over and over and over... lol)

Sunday--our church picnic!
 

37 (measuring 40) week belly!

Soon!

Linking Up with Family Frolics, Mama Moments Monday,  Mom's Monday Mingle and Happy Family Times!

Wonderfull (Full of Wonder) Wednesday

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship
of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy,
excitement and mystery of the world we live in".
by Rachel Carson

Today we took a walk.. every step was full of wonder!

The wonder of stomping in the drain ditch your Pap dug out the last bad rainy day!

The wonder of a little trailer, perfect for climbing and jumping off!

The wonder of a good friend to walk along the way with you!



The wonder of the hens.. we feed them, they feed us.

Wonder-full deal!

The wonder of a tap in the maple tree, running with slightly sweet.. maple water.

The wonder of little broccoli plants waiting to go to the garden!

The wonder of a rock wall...

The wonder of a hill made to roll down!

The wonder of plants beginning to sprout.. under the hoop house.

And under the straw...

The wonder of yet another little creek to explore!

The wonder of the gift of home canned pineapple (in a light honey syrup)

carefully carried home for lunch by thankful children!

The wonder of a hill to climb and a friend to climb it with!

 The wonder of new life beginning again!

 

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take,

all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

The longer I live, the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world."
by John Burroughs

Amen and Amen!



Look Here

Check out the blog of a sweet young friend of mine (the same girl who made the hat for my giveaway). 

Follow her on her journey of preparing for a mission trip to Uganda.

Just In Case Anyone Forgot

The Smell of Leather

The children, Katie, and I went on a walk to Poppaw John's today.The children got an apple to share and I got a piece of leather to use as the bottoms of a pair of shoes I am making for Bunny (he always has interesting stuff in his basement/workshop). As I was inhaling the leather (I LOVE the smell of leather), Poppaw pulled out a large buckskin leather vest and asked if I wanted it. Most people would have turned it down or maybe even taken it just to be polite. But I am a different breed.

In all my years of scouring in Poppaw's basement, I have seen much magic unfold. Magic that may have been as simple as a little girl spending hours, sitting on a stool, rummaging though a box of beads to make Indian jewelry. Or her barefeet standing tiptoe on a cold concrete floor, peeking over the workbench to watch a carved creation come to life. Or the sound of a file humming over a cow horn. Or the taste of his homemade venison jerky, and the peppery goodness that lingered on her lips for hours afterward. Or maybe, just maybe, the discovery of a box, upon a shelf that she had not yet explored. And, as always, the smell of leather. Magic. Pure magic.

As we walked back toward Mama's house for lunch, with the leather vest now keeping me warm on the crisp October morning, I thanked God yet again. I thanked Him for Poppaw, For the man that taught me how to pray over dinner (more than just God is great and God is good), and who tried to teach me (and now Bunny) to cuss. Who taught me how to shoot a gun and skin a deer, and who played Indians with me.Who sends me all kinds of healthy homegrown canned goods, and who snuck Bunny her first bites of ice cream. Who I am so blessed to have in my life. He is just something you never outgrow.

Bunny's Little Friend

We have a little girl in our playschool...



 She just turned on year old and is loved by all...





She couldn't come today...

She is sick with a high fever... 

It is just not the same without her... 

 



Get well soon, Little Lamb!

We are praying for you!