Ready to Camp

Well after an extremely busy start to summer, where we couldn't find 2 extra minutes for anything, we finally managed to get the camper to Starberg. The guys pulled it out there this morning and then hubby and I went out and did some cleaning and started getting it set up the way we want. It is not new and needs a few minor repairs and some TLC but we are really excited to have somewhere to get away from it all :) I look forward to spending time out there -it is so secluded and peaceful. I am getting ready for Creationfest this week so it may have to wait - but I will be home Saturday morning and may find time over the holiday weekend to spruce it up. I can't wait!!

Three Weeks Old

Miss Maggy was 3 weeks old on Thursday. Here is Aunt Katie holding her at Vacation Bible School. We had the privilege of watching her while Mommy went with Max to his class. Working in the kitchen all week gives me a new appreciation for cafeteria workers. But it also allowed us the freedom to keep our little baby doll. She is such a sweet baby. Doesn't cry unless she is hungry or has a tummy ache. She is more alert everyday; watching everyone and following voices. Her hair is getting lighter and she has the palest blue eyes. I have been trying to figure out who she looks like - actually I see both of her brothers and features from many family members so I believe she is going to look just like Maggy ♥

Back to Nature

Spending lots of time on the porch these days - we really are outdoors more than in. Which may be the biggest reason for my blog being neglected. I have been trying to catch some good pictures of nature in action, if there is one thing I am not, is a good photographer - but I am not hanging up my camera yet. The day I catch the hummingbirds, now that will be something. Anyways - I did manage to chase a butterfly around for this picture and when I loaded it on the computer, voila there was a bee too. I guess the answer is to keep shooting pics and surprise yourself :)

Early Harvest

We are well in to the garden season and exciting it has been so far. This photo shows some of our early harvest; first pick of peas (hubby is shucking them while I blog), turnips that grew very fast this spring, and some samples from the first batch of strawberry freezer jam. I was busy all week with Vacation Bible School so my Mom made the freezer jam for us :) I missed getting a picture of the early spinach before it was done - hopefully I am on the ball the rest of the summer. Looking forward to a banner crop this year !

Porch House

This was one of my special birthday gifts - actually the one that made me cry. I am so thankful for my good friends Scott and Lori. They are so kind and generous with their time and talents. Scott made this lighted house for my porch and it fits in so well :) I have had so many compliments, everyone wants to know where I bought it (too bad for them). Glad to be back on my blog .... can anyone tell me where May went? And the first week of June? I have so much catching up to do - I hope to be able to get re-organized and return to normal this week. Right now our lives are so full of blessings we hardly have time to sleep. In the last 2 weeks we have experienced the following; 3 of our children and one daughter-in-law had birthdays, the birth of our new granddaughter, Memorial weekend guests, 2 weddings, a family reunion and the list goes on and on ........... one word that never comes out of my mouth - "bored" !!!!!!!!!

She's Here !!!!

Maggy Lyn. May 26, 2010 8:03 am. 7 lb. 14 oz. 21 inches. Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No words are fit to describe how I am feeling. Am a Grandma (Mimi actually) for the 3rd time and it just gets better with each new birth ♥ She definitley showed us who is boss - with the 3 long days it took her to arrive. Mommy's labor started very early Sunday morning and was off and on until she made her appearance Wednesday morning. She came home last night and the new family is getting settled. She already has Daddy wrapped around her little finger :) Big brother Raymond, is pleased as can be and wants to be her protector. And Max, poor little Max is trying to figure out what is going on. There is this little person who needs Mommy all the time - and that was his Mommy first lol. He likes her and actually he thinks she is big - he apparently thought she would be as big as the ultrasound pictures. He tells everyone he sees that she is "my baby". We are all exhausted (not as much as Sara obviously) from the long week and lack of sleep - but she is worth every second of it. She is absolutely perfect - what a blessing to our family.

Flowers and The Back Porch

Love the sign?

Birthday present from Mom & Dad

Love my porch !

Container Garden planted by hubby (fake eggs in the nest)

All the way from Adam & Salena in NC

I am going to pretend that it is not rainy and dreary again this week .... and share my summer "retreat" with you all. That would be my back porch, I waited 25 years for this porch and it is my own special sanctuary. We live at the end on a lane so it is fairly private and weather permitting this is where I am all summer. We spend very little time indoors between the garden and the porch. I relax in a rocker to read, sit on the swing to watch the humming birds, or tinker at the table - I just love the fresh air and beauty of God's creation all around me. Everyone thinks I am crazy because I start my flowers so early, but I just can't get enough of them. We have an amazing emerald green hummingbird that we are trying very hard to get a picture of, it looks like something from the rain forest - the only problem is that he has been too fast for us so far. Watching the sun rise and set - waiting out storms and just enjoying the peace and quiet are so soothing and peaceful. Quiet time, that is what everyone needs, when you clear your head of the busyness and feel your heart quicken to the world around you and find an appreciation in your soul for the life you have been given. I hope you have your own "retreat" to enjoy this summer.

Mother's Day

Wow!! Can't believe another Mother's Day has come and gone. 2010 is moving quickly. I feel like I have been neglecting my blog, been busy working in the yard and garden (pics will follow soon), hubby is traveling for work so that leaves me with MUCH responsibility around the house, and have been a little out of sorts the last few days - trying to understand why there is so much meanness in the world, life is hard and so very precious and yet some people seem to find satisfaction bringing others down?!?!? Enough said!

BUT on a much lighter note - I had an amazing Mother's Day weekend. If Adam and Salena could have been home it would have been perfect. On Friday evening I went to Scott and Lori's to see Amber off to the Prom. On Saturday Katie and I went to a Mother's Tea at our church and it was great. Good food, friends, an amazing speaker (thanks Carol), perfect music (awesome Lori) it was so inspiring and uplifting. Then on Sunday my whole family went out to eat after church (the photo collage) there were 25 of us. Adam and Salena were in North Carolina and Kyle was in Hawaii (darn the Marine Corps) but they serve our great country and thus we sacrifice. After lunch we went to see Grandma Minnie and my mother-in-law to share cards and gifts. In the evening Scott and Lori and Erin came to visit and deliver an early birthday present (another pic to follow soon). I am so humbled by their friendship and how giving they are. The perfect weekend continued right into Monday (my birthday) and I must say I am absolutely overwhelmed by the love and kindnesses from my family and friends - way too many to mention them all.

And that really says it all - so many blessings and good people in my life - how great is our God;

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Baseball, Sunsets and Sad Eyes

The weeks continue to fly by - 2010 is going so fast. Our sweet girl will be here soon, three weeks from tomorrow is the day, but we really expect her a little early. Life has been tremendously busy as always. We went to Raymond's first T-ball game on Friday night there were lots of laughs and fun for all. Raymond smiled so big when he went up to bat the first time and the Coach says "hard hitter" to warn the kids in the outfield. Then on Saturday night we took our good friends, Scott and Lori to Starberg and showed them around - we were hoping to see a bear but ran out of time. I did catch this picture of the beautiful sky at sunset. And today the kids came up after church and this picture captures Max's sad eyes (aren't they beautiful) he wanted everyone to know that he has a boo boo from falling down the porch steps yesterday. What another blessed weekend ♥

Sunshine Heavenly Sunshine

I know we really need the rain (especially for our garden) but I am soooooo happy to see the sunshine back this morning. It is a bit chilly but look at beautiful blossoms on our crab apple tree - this is the tree that the bee hive settled in last spring. It does attract the biggest bumble bees you will ever see. And then I got up close and personal with my lilacs, I wish they could last year round. Hubby told me last night that our pear trees we planted last summer have blossoms too. I am really excited about that! Looking forward to our own home grown fruit. How life affirming spring is.

What A Weekend

Finally found time to get on the blog and share what we have been up to. Friday night started off with an 18Th birthday party for our nephew Vinny. He has grown so big and strong and actually has broken 2 school records at Brookville High School this spring in track. The high jump of 6'5" he made broke a 37 year old record. Everyone was able to attend and we had a wonderful evening. Saturday was the "Surprise Baby Girl Shower" for Sara and what a joyful time we had - more baby girl clothes than I have ever seen at once. We are down to 4 weeks until the blessed event and very excited. And today after church we ate a quick lunch then packed everyone up and headed to "the Berg" as the kids call it. Made some plans on where to put the camp and shed we will be starting soon. Momma doesn't care as long as there is a massive front porch for rocking my babies. Papa and I took Raymond on a hike down to the beaver dam - industrious little critters they are - they have pretty much abandoned this one and spend most of their time at some other ponds on the property which are now massive, thanks to the beavers handiwork. Now here it is Sunday evening and we sat on the porch enjoying the thunderstorm and watching the lightning. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Site For New Camp

Well I guess you can say we are going to blog our progress for the campsite at Starberg. Adam is home on leave so he and hubby spent some time out there getting the campsite ready. We chose the spot more than a year ago, now I would like to think of an appropriate name for it. The location is probably two miles or so from the main highway, hidden beyond a rock quarry and around a bend in the hill is a perfect cove - hidden and protected on three sides by hills and trees. There is a beautiful view and the grand kids can explore forever. So far they pulled all the bushes and small trees and and have mowed it a couple of times to soften the grass up. Adam built the fire ring and weather permitting we are planning a picnic soon. Our plans are for a very old-fashioned wood cabin. We want this to be a restful retreat for the whole family to enjoy. Ray even mowed a couple of extra spots in case any friends want to come out and camp with us.

The Best Of Friends

Would you look at this - my amazing friend Lori made this tablecloth for me!! I was so excited we had to put it on the table right away. How appropriate for spring and summer. I have been looking everywhere and haven't found anything near as nice. She sews like a pro, now I am intimidated about starting to quilt with her. I love surprises and who could ever ask for a better friend , when she is at our house she is always bringing nice little surprises. Her generosity is a wonderful treat to all who know her. The hubby was even impressed and liked the flowered pattern. I think we are going to have to take a "girls day" and do some craft and antique shopping - Smicksburg here we come!

Starberg

Here are some pics the hubby took of some property we own, yes it really is known as Starberg, a 540 acre parcel of land that was gifted to us by my parents. The name is fitting because the view at night is amazing. Now comes the hard part - being good stewards of this land. We want to mow some hay and plant some fruit trees this year. But first and foremost it is for the men a hunting sanctuary. We are planning a small camp "retreat" for the family to enjoy. There is so much to explore, I am sure we will spend many years discovering its treasures. My Mom's favorite spot is a beaver dam that has been on the property for years and there are several ponds for them to enjoy. The game commission has relocated some that were considered nuisances elsewhere. We spot them once in a while travelling from one pond to another - it is so much fun to watch them walking down the road. We need to always keep in mind that it belongs to the Lord first and we have the privilege of enjoying it during the short time we spend here.

Pencil Tree - Chapter 4

Now that the excitement of Easter is over we move on to the next chapter in the pencil tree saga. Chapter 4 is "Spring has Sprung" with beautiful flowers, butterflies, apples, eggs and a little birdie and nest to top it off - I think we have accomplished a spring look. I am so excited to plant my real flowers, the hot weather sure has been a teaser. This spring look chapter should be there for a few weeks, hm wonder what will come next?

Easter Sunday

Is there a better way to celebrate Easter and the sacrifice of our Savior, than to share it with the ones we love? Although there is a gap in our family circle again this year because the military does not consider Easter a "major" holiday - we missed you Adam & Salena. Youth Group made breakfast before church mm mm good. We had perfect weather and lots of good food and an amazing Easter egg hunt. Max is so much fun this year at 2 yrs old and Raymond is growing up way too fast and loves making goofy faces for the camera. From the photo of Sara's tummy you can tell we aren't far away from meeting Miss Maggie ♥ We had some family come for lunch and company in the afternoon - all in all just a perfect day:)

Easter Mums

While doing some grocery shopping today I happened to spy these Easter mums in the flower department. I didn't realize there were spring mums - but here they are in all their splendor. As pretty as they are they didn't completely sell themselves it was the glass jar they are sitting in that had me hooked. Hubby was impressed - he said I would have paid more on eBay for it and wouldn't have gotten the flowers. They really brighten up the back porch and I dubbed myself "smart shopper of the day" ;)

Stolen Nest

Yes, I stole this robins nest from my front porch and put some beautiful faux eggs in it to display. My secret sister really has a clue, these eggs were in my Easter gift basket at church last week. Aren't they just perfect? I put the nest in the tin bucket to prevent it from being blown away - we do get our fair share of wind here. Can't wait until I find some real eggs in a nest :) Also in this picture is the antique chair my Mom bought for our wedding anniversary last November. Aren't the berry vines a nice touch? I enjoy tinkering around on my porch and weather permitting that is where you will find me from now through October.

It Is That Time Of Year Again...

Hard work profits much :)

Mm Mm Good!!

Hubby's "man room" doubles as a nursery.

It may be cold out and the threat of frost won't be gone for about eight more weeks, but it is the perfect time to start the garden. For my family members who may read this blog, don't cry when you see Grandpa's rototiller, smile because you know he is in heaven telling Ray how to do it just right. He already has the spinach, beets, carrots and peas planted. We really have a head start this year and hope for a banner crop. The second picture is my beautiful strawberry plants peaking out from under the hay that hubby covered them with to protect from late frosts. The third picture is not just dirt - it is tomatoes and green pepper plants germinating and we are anxiously waiting for them to poke through the soil and become hale and hearty enough to transplant.

Pencil Tree - Chapter 3

Easter - What an important holiday, really the most important holiday of all and it isn't even recognized as a national holiday. One good thing is that is hasn't been totally ruined by commercialization. I do like to decorate some and make a fuss so here is the Easter Chapter of the pencil tree saga. I sure hope the weather holds up for an egg hunt for the grand kids. It is so nice to share holidays with loved ones and when we need to be reminded of the solemnity of this holiday watching "The Passion" is a sure way to make us aware of our Lords sacrifice.

Extended Family

Wow, when I think of all the family we have been blessed with I am awestruck. We often joke about how difficult it was for our kids to find dates because they were related to everyone in town. And in the case of my 2 daughter-in-laws there are people they are related to twice now because of this, not by blood of course:) We have 8 nieces and nephews on hubby's side and 8 on mine. Over the last few years we have been blessed with great-nieces and great-nephews also. Until Grandma Doc passed away in 2006 my grandson Raymond had 14 living grandparents - amazing huh! And him and Max still have 13. My hubby was talking to an older friend the other day and he asked Ray how our kids seem to be so well rounded, and Ray told him because they have been exposed to so much- they have had grandparents and aunts and uncles and extended family beyond measure involved in their lives. All people of different occupations and interests who have shared their knowledge and experiences with them and taught them so much more than we could have on our own. What a blessing for them! This is a picture of my newest great-niece Addison Nicole who I had the privilege of babysitting this afternoon and she is only eight days old. I hope I can contribute to her life in the same way others blessed my own children.

Happy St. Patty's Day

"May the road rise up to meet you,

may the wind be ever at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face

and the rain fall softly on your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the hollow of his hand."

Spring Has Sprung!

This may not be as exciting to everyone else as it is to me, but yahoo - I have my rocker back on the porch for the summer!! I bring them in to protect them from the severe winter weather in addition to the fact that they might end up in Ethiopia or somewhere from the wind we get here. I am so looking forward to nice weather; seeds are ordered for the garden, we started working in the yard and I am getting the planters out for spring flowers :) Have to wait a little while to plant the flowers - we can have frost here through Memorial Day. Just the fact that I think all the snow has finally melted is such a relief. Spring is not my favorite season (I'm a fall girl) but I am surely loving it this year.

Pistachio Dessert

I made this for a dinner at our church tonight and everyone loved it.

It was very easy to put together. I thought it was appropriate for St. Patrick's Day weekend. I actually like it best with chopped pistachios on top as garnish.

What You Need!
36 OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups)
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1/2 cup toffee bits
Make It!
MIX cookie crumbs and butter until well blended. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.
BEAT pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min.; spread 1-1/2 cups onto bottom of crust. Stir half the COOL WHIP into remaining pudding; spread over pudding layer in pan. Cover with remaining COOL WHIP and toffee bits.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm.

♥ Bundle of Joy ♥

Well here is the ticker to count down for granddaughter #1. Since Sara is such a well behaved daughter-in-law I know we won't be too far off from the May 24th due date. It kind of dashes my hopes for my birthday present on May 10, I really don't expect her that early. However, the chances of hitting another special day are pretty steep. May 17 is Mommy and Daddy's 7th anniversary, May 20 is Aunt Katie's birthday, May 25 is Uncle Adam's birthday and May 29 would be her Daddy's birthday - now how special would that be! As you can see May is a fairly busy month in our family. What a special blessing grandchildren are, for the first time ever we were able to see our little bundle of joy through 3D or 4D ultrasound (not sure which it is) so I feel like I already know her. Her Mommy has had a couple of issues along the way and is scheduled for an echo cardiogram next week - but I trust completely that all will be well. I think of her often and pray for her safe arrival daily - if her personality is anything like her two big brothers we are in for a treat!

How precious new life is - the following excerpt from Psalm 139 says it all;

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me
were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Sunday Lunch

Not the best picture but here is a crock of french onion soup from the batch we made Friday night. Ray and I love cooking together and trying new recipes. I found this one on Recipe Czar. We usually pick one that sounds good and doctor it up to our own tastes. You start by slicing five pounds of onions - thank heavens for an electric slicer! But that was the only part that made us cry :) We toasted our own french bread croutons and then melted the provolone cheese under the broiler. Mm mm good! We will serve it after church tomorrow with a small roaster of hot and sweet sausages for sandwiches and a casserole of baked ravioli. I had fun making blue and purple jello jigglers for the grandsons. We never know for sure how many will be here to eat, anywhere from 6 to 14 so we always make lots. The leftovers help out all week long and we sent a quart of the soup down to Grandma Minnie.

Hubby's New Girl

Here is Cat-O (the name that Adam picked out when he was 7 years old because he thought that it was Spanish for cat. lol) and the hubby. Cat-O has mainly been an outdoor cat until 2 months ago when our other pet cat, Baby Shadow, (Cat-O's son) was killed in a malicious attack by some wild barn cats. A traumatic experience in our family for sure. Ray heard the ruckus but until he got outside and beat the wild cats off him it was too late. We think baby Shadow died protecting his Mother. So we brought her indoors immediately to keep her safe and now we think that she believes she is Ray's mate. She talks to him and rubs noses - follows him around the house -cries for him when he is outside etc.... She loves it when he puts breath mints in his mouth, she just sniffs and sniffs at him, which is what she was doing here in this picture. I think we have a standoff between Cat-O and I - she tries to worm her way in between us in the bed at night. But we love her and she is around thirteen years old so we let her have her own way, the frightening thing is now Ray is purring back at her ☺

I'm A Little Teapot ....

Cozy and warm on a cold winters day and sharing a hot cup of tea with a friend, is there anything better? I love my teapots - it is an eclectic collection; some were gifts, others were garage sale finds and a couple were passed down through family. My favorites are the ones from England, of course no one makes a better cuppa than the British. Hot tea reminds me of the song "Lets get back to the basics of life". My favorite blend from Smicksburg is blueberry vanilla. So come on over when you can spend a few minutes - and enjoy.

New Treasure

Back to collecting..... I love vintage enamelware and my friend Jenny is carrying some in her shop, His Light In Our Valley - the most unique little Christian book and gift shop. Since she is located in the same building as my office I have the opportunity to keep up with her inventory. I happened to be over there when the latest supply was delivered and look at this little treasure I found. It is a sugar bowl in fairly good condition. This is the first time I have seen this particular piece and I was so happy to snatch it up quickly. I looked on eBay and haven't found anything similar so it must be unique :)
Lucky me!

Sandwich Generation

They say my husband and I are part of the sandwich generation which is people who are still caring for their children and have become caretakers to their parents, but that is not how this generation applies to me. How blessed Ray and I are that our children are all grown and independent and our parents still have their health and independence too!! I probably could write a book about my parents and still would come up with things I feel the need to share, there are so many memories. Describing them in one word: Constant. Constant in their faith, their love for us and most of all each other. My sister, Missy and I often joke how we had such a great up-bringing and were so smothered with love and security that we weren't prepared for the "real world" as adults. Such great examples they were - when life is tough - you get tougher!!! And there were no illusions, truth and honor and integrity and hard work is what God requires of us and so did Mom and Dad. Forgiveness was taught AND demonstrated in our home, an attitude of service and not selfishness will take you places in this world. Their love and devotion to each other for almost 50 years is a constant example to all. Our family has so much to be thankful for that it should far outweigh anything the future throws at us.