Hello---Goodbye.

I was trying to come up with a title and that old song popped into my mind. Yes, today is New Year's Eve, so its good bye and in the morning it will be 2017. So glad to be here right now.

For Christmas this year, Peter gave me a Fit Bit. To say I am obsessive-compulsive would be an under statement. It rained all day yesterday. All day. I couldn't go walk. I walked around the porches and around the house. I went to bed feeling like a failure because I didn't reach 10,000 steps. It was a rest day too. Ron got one a fit bit. I have to tell you about what happened today. We both started a challenge.  We are supposed to take as many steps as it takes to walk around New York City. Ron keeps stopping saying, " Wow, I just got a jewel or look I got another jewel or he passed another milestone.

 

We were talking down the Christmas lights and I left the light box in the garage so I could walk back and fourth getting extra steps so I can make it to NYC. I am not getting that nice little buzz on my wrist to tell me I just left Grand Central Station. I went and walked around the pasture a few times. Finally I came in the house and looked at my fit bit. Guess what? If I want a jewel I have to do pushups. For thirty seconds. Then If I want another jewel, I have to answer some questions and drink some water. I told Ron it is just how my life works. I am hoping his fit bit turns mean next week. Thankfully it sent me fireworks when I passed 10,000 steps.

 

 

 I want to design and draw out my own rug patterns this year. I am not making a resolution its just something I would like to do and push myself in to drawing more. I really do like drawing. I spent a whole week last week just doodling pictures and it felt so good to my brain. I would like to do more. Would you like to see my first two rugs of 2017?

This rug Kessie drew a picture for me when she was here in May. I had not got it on burlap yet. The rooster is from my very first Mille Fluer rooster. He was such a favorite, but I was so scared he was going to hurt my grandsons when they were two I had to get rid of him. Emilie drew a picture of him and that is what Kessie used as a reference. It will be nice to hook him in wool.

My second rug, is of course my drawing. I wasn't trying to draw a fat hen but that is how they all come out. Just plump hens. It could be because I have been watching my hens in the yard and they are all kind of plump this time of year.

 It will be nice to get back to my hook and my wool and all of that. I will have to get my steps in so I can sit in peace.

I hope you have a delightful new year. I hope that 2017 is a great New Year!

Thank you for spending another year reading along with me. I appreciate it very much.

~Kim~

"Lord, give to me a quiet heart
That does not ask to understand,
But confident steps forward in
The darkness guided by thy hand."
(From Keep a Quiet Heart pg. 12)
Elisabeth Elliot, Proverbs 3:5-6

Almost a New Year

 

I hope you have had a nice week. The week between Christmas and New Year is always my week for reflection. To look back on the old year, to see what I was able to achieve, what I didn't accomplish. What was good and what caught me off balance. We began 2016 with the wedding. I would say that 2016 was the year that I felt that I never got caught up, I never got my feet under me. I have always thought of my life as pretty calm. Last year wasn't. I spent most of the year responding rather than giving myself margin, I seemed to always be responding to the tyranny of the urgent. This week as I have wrote. (With a pen and paper.) Walked, and thought and prayed. I know that I don't want a year like last year.

This is a gardening blog. In 2016 I didn't garden. This year for Christmas Ron gave me what I most wanted.

 

 A giant mulch pile. Isn't it lovely? I think it is and it smells so nice. I will keep adding my chicken manure and Ron will keep working it with his tractor. By the time spring comes, we will have a big garden again. That makes me feel settled again. To anticipate being out here, to think of all of the wonderful things I love about being out here in this field of dreams.

 

He bought me a brand new tarp. I was so happy and I think its the best present ever. So this year as I was naming 2017 for myself. This year for me is going to be called Back to Basics. I want to return to those things I love. Gardening, canning, loving my family, taking care of all of those gifts the Lord brings in to my life daily. To keep my focus and not become distracted. I think distraction is one of my biggest faults. I have never thought of myself as a depression person, but distraction can bring depression in like a flood. I will then loose my footing and I can loose whole weeks at a time. I look back and wonder where have I been.

Christmas Eve was spent at Emilie's house. It was so nice to go there and not have to cook or plan. In fact, I think this was our nicest Christmas. Ben and Megan and the kids were sick so that was a bummer. But everything else was good.
The kids draw names among each other so it isn't so hard on them to buy for everyone. This year, Ben got Makenzie's name. Earlier in the summer she had a bunch of wood she gave to Ben. It was birch and really nice wood. Ben made Makenzie shelves for her kitchen. I managed to get this picture of her opening them.
It was such a fun thing to get to be apart of.

 

 He made five of them for her. It was such a surprise for her too. So it was all good. I feel very contented and thankful to have made it another year.
I wish you a wonderful 2017.

Blessings from me to you,
~Kim~

“A dog’s New Year’s Resolution: I will not chase that stick unless I actually see it leave his hand!” – Anonymous

Christmas---Its a Wrap!

Its been a week of magnificent sunrises and sunsets. Last night this sunset just kept getting redder and more beautiful. I was cooking dinner and I had to go grab my camera and run outside. You know a camera just can't capture the majesty. I was outside taking pictures when Ron got home from work. One of the things I love about him, is he knew just where I would be, and he came outside and we watched the sunset together.
Its the simple things in life that make me the happiest.

Here is the other morning sunrise. It too was beautiful. Lots of red.

 

When you can see Bear Mountain that clear in the distance, you can almost bet on it that we will have rain.
We did and it was lovely.
We have more rain in the forecast. Its seems like its been years and years since we had rain like this. I love every bit, even the cold. I can now say, that having such nice cold temps, I won't have to relocate to the North Pole. We are supposed to even have snow in our local mountains Christmas Eve which is really exciting for us.

 

This week I have been mixing and baking and just having fun in my kitchen. I have made jam and different flavored mustard and today it is going to be a little more of the same. I haven't got it out of my system. One day I made 9 batches of boysenberry jam. I made cranberry too. I always wondered why people don't make cranberry jam this time of year, so I did. I have made bread and plan to make more tomorrow.
Its so nice when its cold and cloudy and foggy. I just want to cook. I wish I didn't want to eat but there it is, I have to keep up my strength, know what I mean?

Do you remember when Ron and I took our beach trip?

 

We picked up lots and lots of rocks. For a month now, Ron has been polishing the rocks we picked up in his rock tumbler. Today, they were finally finished. He used four kinds of grit on them. Course, medium,
fine and polish. Today here they are all polished.

 

Aren't they pretty? It was worth picking up all of those rocks. We need to go back and pick up some more.
When he starts making trees again he will have rocks for bases. Not to mention our grand children really like rocks. You wouldn't guess what a plain ole rock can turn into with a little grit and polish. I can just make all kinds of spiritual applications with these rocks. I will just say, I feel like these rocks and hopefully the tumbling of 2016 made me just a little more shiny.

 

Can you believe that last year at this time, we were planning that secret wedding? They are going to celebrate their one year anniversary pretty quick. I can tell you they haven't let any grass grow under their feet. My point is this year has been slow paced, and I have had such a nice slow Christmas this year. Our youngest grand daughter is a year old and I am so thankful and look forward to 2017.

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a white Christmas. Thank you so much for following along with me in this last year. Thank you for your comments and your thoughts. I am thankful for all of the wisdom and love and kindness you have shown me.
I hope your days remain Merry and Bright.

I wish you blessing upon blessing from all of my heart.

~Kim~

My 2017 goal---Windmill in the pasture. I don't think Ron would let me put up an old barn, but it would sure be nice. ;)

Today At My House

 

Today at my house, it was just cold enough to have to wear a coat yet not so cold to take my breath away. The weather man says we have storms lined up past Hawaii. Do you know how happy that makes me? It makes it feel like Christmas. This morning, I was standing and watching the sunrise, while Ron was getting ready to go to work and I said, " I am so glad I am alive today!" He asked, " Why today?" I said because the sky has clouds, there are still colors on the trees and all of the shopping is done and all I have to do is bake and play in the kitchen.

 

Before I can bake though, I must have a clean house. Today I cleaned and straightened and went on walks out in the pasture and looked at the gold falling from the trees. The ground is packed but still damp from the rain and the fog. Its lovely and the air is crisp like a tangy apple. I find myself counting my blessings one by one. Both boys are out of school now for winter break and we all had dinner together tonight. It was so nice to have them home at night. They both work during the day and go to school at night.

 

This morning when I went out back to take care of my hens, one of the trees had this lovely carpet underneath it. Yesterday when I had gone out back to water my chickens before sundown that tree was filled with leaves. So I stood there looking and all of the leaves must have fallen during the night. There were a few leaves that hadn't fallen but most were here. I wish I could have seen them falling.

 

I have all of the shopping finished and wrapped. I am never this far ahead. I don't know how it happened.
Its a nice feeling. The weatherman also said there is another polar vortex coming. I promise I will be sending you warm thoughts from here, because no matter how cold I think it might be here it is nothing like some of you on the east coast have to put up with when it hits.

 

I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I really hope all of you are doing well. I wish you a lovely week.
Thank you for stopping by and visiting. I know you are busy too.

~Kim~

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. John Ruskin

Twaddle on Tuesday

 

Happy Tuesday!!! How are you today? Have you been busy getting things done for Christmas? I always think Christmas begins with a sprint. I turn that calendar page over and then everything is a blur. Though this year I made up my mind, no more running. Things always get done, packages always get wrapped. Food gets cooked and nothing mattered that didn't get done.  I do this all to myself, so I can blame no one.

 

I don't know when it changed. When I was young, our emphasis wasn't about gifts, but about the people and how we would have a wonderful meal and we would all be together. My Mom had a rule, we could ask for three things. Something we needed, something we wanted and something others could get us. I found one of my Mom's old Christmas lists in a old purse I have of hers. My list was a leather purse, an Anne of Green Gables book and a Raggedy Ann doll. My grandmother got me the book. I wish I still had the purse. I do have the Raggedy Ann doll. It was a lovely Christmas.
The next year she was gone and that Christmas was awful. Just awful. Mom had died in September and by December my Dad had a girlfriend.
He left us on this rainy, cold Christmas day and went to spend Christmas with his girlfriend and her family. They married on Valentines day 1970.

 Have you ever read about things that happen in your life that defines who you are? That is what defines me and my life. Always wanting my Christmas to be the best ever. Better than the last.
I spend December running from that memory and here I am writing it down for all of the world to see.

That is what happens when I try to write a post with Christmas carols playing in the background. How about something fun?

I hung my Minons on the tree!!! I thought they needed to have some fun this year. They make me laugh.
Its a secret but I even put one tiny minion in the Nativity scene. No one has spotted it yet. I keep waiting. I am hoping for the, " What the heck is this Minion doing here!!!"

See that tiny gourd? Doesn't it make the best decoration. I keep trying to grow these but I still haven't had any luck. They are so hard to grow. Maybe this year. (Where on earth did a gardening thought come from already???)

This morning, I took Sasha out for her early morning constitutional. I have got in the bad habit of giving her a treat when we come back inside. At Thanksgiving everyone complained about her weight gain. So I have been cutting way back on treats. This morning when she came in, she went to the pantry and stood there.
I looked at her and said, " Go sit down, you aren't having a treat this morning. " She gave me this look, like really?? Ron was eating breakfast, and I sat down while he ate. We heard this rustling sound. We looked at each other, and he said, " Did she get herself a treat? I said, No, I don't think she could." I got up and sure enough, she had got in the bag and had carried her treat in the living room and was eating it with a very smug look on her face. I laughed and laughed and I still laugh as I write this. That is what happens when I let my dog get out of control.

I finished binding this rug, now to steam it. So it will lay nice and flat. Winter is the best time to bind rugs.
It has kept me so nice and warm. I don't think I will hook any more until Christmas is over. I think it is so nice to have all of my 2016 rugs finished and bound. I will start new ones in 2017.

I hope you have a lovely week. If I could ask. If you are a person who prays, could you pray for a young girl named Jourdan. Last week, on Thursday, which is my Bible Study day, Jourdan was turning into the parking lot and a drunk man in a truck ran the stop light and hit her as she was making a left turn into the parking lot. She is still in a coma with lots of injuries. Could you pray for her healing and restoration?
Thank you,
~Kim~

Our first Christmas tree and our first fur baby. 1980

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”
― Hamilton Wright Mabie

“The reality of loving God is loving him like he's a Superhero who actually saved you from stuff rather than a Santa Claus who merely gave you some stuff.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Almost December

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.  We had a lovely Thanksgiving. We had guests and it was nice meeting and having a meal with new people. It made me remember how nice it is to share our house and home with others. Christmas this year will be at Emilie's. I am looking forward to that. It seems like the holidays are so huge in my mind so sharing holidays with the girls is going to be a nice tradition to start. Passing of the baton.

Emilie wanted to do the table for us this year. Her name means artistic. She is just that. She can take anything and turn it into something so pretty.

I hurt my back of course, on Sunday before Thanksgiving. Sunday morning I noticed that one of my silkie's had a piece of grass wrapped around her beak. I had a pretty hard time catching her because they are fast little chickens. I caught her but as I was walking back up to the house, I knew I had done something I shouldn't have. By Monday and Tuesday I could hardly move.
I was starting to get panicky. I knew that if I just never sat down I could keep going. So that is what I did, I just didn't sit. I made it and even though I still walk like a egg bound hen, I am much better today.

 

  I had to share this picture of three of my girls minus Kessie. This is me with Megan on the left, Emilie in the middle and Makenzie on the right. I love my girls. They jumped in and helped me with everything. I guess its good to not be able to do it all myself, because they just amaze me and dinner for 17 was a breeze. I am so thankful for them. Ron cooked the turkey so that really was the biggest part. I love them all and getting to add to the family bit by bit is such a dream come true for me. I still pinch myself to think that we have come so far in such a short amount of time.

It was a great weekend, and now onto Christmas. I wish you all the best this week. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Blessings from me to you,
~Kim~

“My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

With A Grateful Heart

 

I just wanted to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I feel very blessed and so happy to be here right now. I have lots of preparation to do today. I feel like every thing in my house is holding its breath for the whirl-wind that will be me shortly. As soon as my cream cheese gets soft. My butter gets warm. My brine for my turkey cools. Lots and lots of things to do. My dishes are waiting on the dining room table for Emilie to come and decorate the table. Putting in the leaves and moving chairs. All of it I am thankful for and thankful that we have cold weather with rain in the forecast. Living in California, there is all of that sunshine.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

I have had computer issues this week. I made these Cranberry Bliss Bars last week. I wanted to show you the picture. They are wonderful with a cup of coffee and pretty easy to make. The recipe is in the link under the picture. I think they are so dressy and I know I will fix them for Christmas. I love cranberries.

 Here is the restored motor to the windmill. Ben brought it over this last weekend. Didn't he do a grand job?

Here is the before.

 

Now it all works and he even made the parts for it. He just amazes me. When he was a little boy, he would spend hours in the garage with a grinder on his Dad's work bench turning old scooters into swords. Now he does this and lots of other things. His knives are incredible. So in 2017 the goal is to get that derrick made and the windmill up. One thing at a time.

 I loved this picture of Ron, Ben and a couple of the boys. Three generations right here.

So today, I am thankful I have a nice kitchen to cook in and I don't have to cook outside. I loved this picture because I have my iron pot like this and I really do need it brought up and hanging from a tri-pod someday.
It was Ron's great grandmothers and she always made her soap in the front yard so she could talk to people walking by. I just loved that. I am very blessed I think.

I didn't have to come here on a boat, nor have I suffered the deprivations that my family endured to come here and to have freedom to have the life I live today.

I wish you the best of days. I know we will eat and not be able to move. The list of pies and goodies that people are bringing continues to grow.

So from my heart to yours
Happy Thanksgiving!

~Kim~

Psalm 100

 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!

 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing!

 Know ye that the Lord, He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise! Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name!

 For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Remember Me?

 

Hello there! Maybe I should introduce myself since I have been gone so long. My name is Kim and I used to  be a blogger. Now I seem to go on longer and longer hiatus. I blame the election. I got all caught up into it. Now I am trying to make it back to normal. It has been one of those months it seems. Our fridge went out, our garage door blew a spring. William and Makenzie and Kessie and Ryan, the marrieds moved. Our oldest daughter and her family even moved to a new town.

Emilie and Nik  the other marrieds were in Hawaii. Ron has worked non-stop for weeks and is booked up until Christmas. Which is good because the first of the year, they had cut his hours so much. Its just never ending sometimes don't you think? Ben and Megan have been going ninety miles an hour, and Ben somehow  managed to find time to finish the motor on the windmill. Its really purty. I will take pictures of it when the motor comes home. Next will be to get the derrick built and to put it up. What a dream come true that will be. Then I suppose you will see nothing but pictures of that windmill. You know this is a blog about a field of dreams. Having that windmill, is the biggest dream I have ever dreamed in my whole life.

Remember when we brought it home?

That is what I have stared at for years and years. I think it was moved there when I was four years old.

If you click on that last picture it says 1915. Its 101 years old. That is the motor Ben redid and now it is red and black and looks brand new. I told him he never has to buy me another present as long as I live. You know what? I have the most amazing kids. Not a single dud in the bunch!! Oh the goodness of God to me and Ron.

I did manage to finish my turkey rug. The pattern is from Falloween Threads by Need'l Love. So glad I got it finished before Thanksgiving. Its colder now so I am getting my hooking and stitching mojo back Yay, I was afraid it was gone forever.

Its a beautiful day here today. The air has the right feel for November. The beauty continues to amaze me and fill me with Thankfulness. I noticed my bulbs are coming up already. Bulbs are such surprise gifts. My two youngest grand daughters have birthdays coming up. They are going to be one and three. Time sure goes by fast. Do you want to see the picture Makenzie got for me?

Since we painted I have been very slow about getting things back on the wall. When everyone was here in May, we had this picture taken by Makenzie. She had it blown up and now its on the wall. I had the sign in my shed. I would have to say that picture defines my life. I still can't believe that this is because Ron and I started a life together. I need to put a another sign that says under construction/ work in progress.

Anyway bragged way to much in the post. I never start out to write a bragging post. There has just been so much bad news it seems. I just wanted to remind myself of the good things going on around here and things to be thankful of. Things I forget watching the news.

I hope you have a lovely day and thank you so very much for stopping by and taking the time out of your busy day to read my blog. I appreciate each and every one.

~Kim~

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnack