Summer's Comin'!

   I am not sure which it is.  Whether the filling of the irrigation creek along side the pasture.  The taste of ice cold lemonade poured straight into a mason jar.  Maybe its the sensation of rich soil passing through your fingers as you plant those precious seeds.  But, you know summer is comin'!  There is no doubt about it!
   This week was one of our monumental "once a year" happenings.  The "filling" of the ditch.  We are near the end of a long succession of irrigation ditches.  By the time water reaches us, it is really more of a creek.  We call it our "crick".  As the ditch rider opens our water gates, the newly formed flow of water slowly ebbs toward us.  My kids think its just for them.  The horses think it's just for them.  The dog thinks its just for him.  And I watch them all and smile.
  The horses get down and roll and splash.  The dog gets in too.  By the time the water gets to the kids its nice and muddy, thanks to the four-legged's.  It's a yearly passage of time.  You know soon following, frogs will begin their chorus and tadpoles will start emerging.   There is something about it that lightens my step.
  We undertook the garden in earnest this week too.  The corn is planted and the beans.  I am a little nervous to put the tomatoes in quite yet.  We'll see.  Maybe next week.
  The joys of sunshine.  School is nearly out.   I am in love with spring and so thanking God for it!
 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven........
     Ecclesiastes 3:1

Life Happens

  Life.  Happens.  Sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes it rains.  Both are good I guess.  The sun makes things grow, but the rain does too. 
This week has been interesting......and a little rainy.  It's been okay though, I am not stressed.  I have watched the rain from the dry side the glass.  God is good and always will be.
  Our dryer quit last week.  My dryer is a dear friend.....and had served me well for sometime.  We've done many loads of laundry together.   You don't realize how much you rely on something.....until its gone.  But it's okay, its given the kids an opportunity to learn about the "old days".  And...honestly, I think they're enjoying it.   And....since it's raining outside as well, we've been doing this within the comfort of our home.  My kids are in heaven!  Our living room has now acquired a built in curtain (of sorts) for hiding behind, and performing plays.
  Well a new dryer is on its way.  And just in time....because my cell phone just died this afternoon.  One thing at a time.......only one thing at a time.  :)  When it rains, it rains.  But the sun always comes back out.  :)  Just don't try to call me..... come over instead.  I will throw you a box of clothes pins and put you to work.  :)  <wink> <wink>

        Much Love,
           Candis

A Glimpse of Winter

I set my camera down for awhile, and I've missed it.  I managed to get a few shots of our mild winter.  I can't say it was that hard.  I am looking forward to summer however.  My fingers are itching to dig in the dirt.  I want to garden!  And...I am ready to enjoy sunshine.  God, thank you for the seasons.

Across The Hill

At The Feed Box

A Little Winter Sunshine

Old Wood Rails

No Snow Men This Year

Lot of Feathers

Ya, I guess winter has a way of making you thankful for spring.  And....I am definitely looking forward to it.

The Barn

   Tonight after dark I walked out to the barn by myself.  A bite to the air during my walk, our faithful dog Buddy walked as close as possible.  The stars were out...a clear cold night, but they were so beautiful!  I got to the barn and opened the door.  It smelled of hay and animal feed.  The barn cats cuddled in the hay, trying to stay warm.  A light from the chicken coop shown dimly into one stall leaving a glow radiating warmth.  Everything sat still, and all was tucked in: ready for a chilly night.   Lead ropes latched into bailing twine hung from the hay stack: evidence of my hay climbing kids.  Hoses hang from rafters draining, and the wind whistles a bit outside.
  I initially came to throw my chickens some food but sat instead for a little time to think.  The barn was quiet except for occasional critter noises.  Buddy lay down at my feet (probably wondering what I was doing). 
  I wish I could bottle feelings to taste later.  The "in the barn during winter" bottle would be pretty cool.  Seeing your breath while choring, crisp air, the sense of accomplishment and working with your hands are things everyone should experience.   And in all honesty the "warming up by the wood stove" when chores are complete totally "makes" it.  God's natural anti-depressant.
  But with the Thanksgiving season here, I want to say I am thankful for barns.  Barns slow life down, they give you a reason to be outside.  Barns give purpose, provide a place of meeting, a place for memories: good smells, and hard work.  In the winter they protect and smell so good.  The spring they shelter from the rain.  The summer they're shade and a place for kids to play.  In the fall they store. 
  So my evening trip to the barn was nice.  I admit, I stayed out a little longer than intended.  I was thrust back into reality when I remembered supper boiling on the stove.  I slowly walked back to the house, put supper on and fed some hungry kids. 

The Old Wood Pile

There's something kind of happy...fulfilling and complete...

About an autumn woodpile....that will soon warm your cold morning feet.  Hard work as a family, chopping, and packing wood.  And cold mornings together when the wood heat sure feels good.

The smell of drying wood sap...trips out to the old wood shed.  With comforting, good feelings...will keep the fire fed.

Canning

  Nothing smells sweeter than a kitchen during harvest.  The sweet scent of pickling spice and dill.  Peaches in the drier.  Pears and plums.  Grapes awaiting the juicer.  It transforms the kitchen into a small piece of heaven. 
  Kettles strategically placed throughout the kitchen, heaping with garden produce.  The water bath canner bubbling at a constant rate.  A marathon, a sweet one.  Empty jars at one end of the room...waiting.  Completed jars on the other....full....satisfaction.  The cooling rack loaded, waiting for the "ping" of freshly processed works of art.  Its harvest....its beautiful.
  There is now a well worn path from the garden to the kitchen.  Small hands carrying buckets...feet running back and forth...small bites of cucumbers and tomatoes along the way.  They enjoy this as much as I
.

  Transformation.  Hard work.  Making Memories.  All to the scent of sweet spices and smells.

 Treasure hunting in the garden.

 Tomatoes. Check.  Cucumbers. Check.

Fresh Pickles in the making:

 Cucumbers.

Add a little spice.

Dill and Vinegar.

And.....with a little time....Homemade Pickles....Yum!

A Trip to the Orchard:

Fresh Peaches.

A good bucket to pack them in.

Pears.

And...back to the Home Front:

Preparation.

A good canner.

And...these....

Become these...

Satisfaction.

My finger nails are now a shade of brown.  My floor now resembles Elmer's glue.  My kids have a winter stock pile of yummy fruits and veggies.  My kitchen smells delicious.  And...I am happy.

**I will clean my floor as soon as I am done blogging. <wink> <wink>**

The Produce Stand

Purdum's Fabulous Produce Stand: Who hasn't stopped in at least once.  So much fun!

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere!

Anticipation!

So much to look at!  What to choose?

Selections Made: The happy ride home :

Ready to come back tomorrow.

Aw, summer time!

Honey

 Field trips.  My favorite right?  Yes!  Our fourth day of school, and we took our first field trip: to a  wonderful place....one of my favorites.  And....we didn't have to travel far, it's only a few miles down the road: The Honey Store. 
  We are honey lovers.  If I had my way I'd own hives.....still working on my husband regarding that one....maybe someday.   So this is the next best.....local honey....just bring jars, and you are set.  And...it's only $2.00/lb (about $6.00/quart)....and its fresh (and warm).  Love it!

Got Jars!

Here's our Honey.

Fresh Honey in the Creamer.

All of the deliciousness!

Taking it all in!

Fresh Honey.

  Nothing tastes quite as good as fresh clover honey in a jar.  Yum!  And....following the trip with a stop to the Farmer's Market....even better!