Having a Merry Christmas and a Happy Retirement ~

First I want to say how blessed we are to be celebrating this Christmas with family here at the farm. I truly hope you have taken time to reflect on why we should be celebrating this special time of year. The depth of the reason I fear is often overlooked by the multitude. Sadly even at times by those who have a grace given reason to be celebrating in the first place. Our celebration this year has included both an old and newly implemented tradition. Many years ago when our boys were small we would gather round an advent wreath of simple design. Lighting candles each Sunday and reading our devotional passages. As they grew up and left home, I retired the old wreath and instead a create a new one to take it's place. I wanted a constant daily reminder before us of the one we were celebrating. It was fun looking for ornaments and floral pieces to represent the different names and characteristics of Jesus ~ Morning Star, Rose of Sharon, The Vine, Shepherd, Savior, etc.

Being inspired by some of my recent readings and wishing to capture the simplicity of what it really means to be excited about today. I pulled out the old metal advent candle stand and added the appropriate candles to the heart of the wreath. For the past 5 weeks Lon and I have been lighting a candle and reading the daily devotional passages together from a free Advent book made available by A Holy Experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Ann's book ~"1,000 Gifts" since the middle of Summer when I picked it up at the suggestion of a friend (thanks Jo.) I still haven't finished it as I am trying to savor each page and let the words dwell deeply in my soul as I meditate of the treasure of God's words and ways. See this past post for my reflection on it.

In conjunction with the advent wreath I gathered the craft supplies to make the ornaments for the Jesse Tree featured on Ann's website as well. This activity has given Lon and I a special time for devotions together each day as we have read scripture, the daily devotional passages, had prayer together and placed that's day ornament on our Jesse Tree. Since beginning this activity at the start of Advent I have seen many surprised faces when either of us mention it to friends and family, who have never heard of a Jesse tree. The premise of which is to follow the lineage of Christ through Scripture from the Beginning to His stabled birth. Showing how all of scripture and prophecy foretold of His coming in such humble means. A wonderful way to keep the real focus of this Holy-day before you all month long. I highly recommend it for those wishing to turn their hearts and minds away from the glitter and glitz of commerical-ized Christmas.

So as to look long and deep into the best gift you could receive each year. . . more awareness of Jesus' loving gift of HIS presence. I know some would say why didn't you tell us about this sooner so we could do the same. Well, I really don't have any excuse at all, other than I have been away from my writing for sometime. But now you have been told of this creative option to your Christmas traditions and have a WHOLE year to get ready for next Christmas. You can follow the directions here to get started.

The other special gift we enjoyed this year was my husband's retirement of 36 years in the fire department. He entered into the department the September before we married the following April. It is the only life we have known our whole entire marriage. When one serves in this capacity, the whole family serves along side. Many a holiday, birthday or special occasions had to be set aside due to daddy being at work. Anything that could go wrong, often did while he was on duty. Forget having a regular work week with the weekends free. Shift work required that he be gone for 24* every third day, all 52 weeks of the year. His official retirement date is today, my what a gift! We have been anticipating this change in our lives since moving to the farm 2 1/2 yrs ago. I've been steadily counting down the days on a marker board for a January retirement, but found out the beginning of the month that his date could be moved up. It was so exciting to have come down in the count to single digit shifts left to work but nothing could top erasing the last of them down to a single one all in one swipe.

Enjoying the gifts of Christmas and
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from me to you,

Deborah

Busy Time of the Year

This has been a busy week and it is not over yet. Mom and Dad came down this past Sunday for a funeral. One that took Lon and Daddy to central east Georgia for. While I drove Mom back to Dville for a doctor's appointment and some Christmas shopping. It was a run, run, run kind of a day. I felt as fatigue from it just as surely as Lon did from driving his 7 hour round trip.


Then on Wednesday, he and I made a trip to Oxford, Alabama for our own Christmas shopping and dinner out at a favorite restaurant. Just one more item to get and we will be done! Money is tight for many folks right now and I was surprised at the number of people out shopping. We haven't any promise for overtime anytime soon ourselves so I am glad that I have already bought our items for our Christmas dinner. The pull to buy and spend is very much out there in the retail world. Lon and I picked out some movies for our Christmas, as we are not exchanging gifts between us this year. We have decided to save the money and use it instead to make some improvements on the farm. He even found an old Christmas gift card in his wallet from last year that paid for them. YEA!



Even though in the past we have chosen to for go gifts in place of a holiday trip somewhere. To make memories that would last longer than most things that can be purchased. I never could understand how people could go without exchanging gifts, but my way of thinking has slowly been changing. Do I like gifts? Yes! But I can celebrate Christmas without all the hoopla, now being pushed as part of the holiday. Special gifts received that have given me reason to rejoice have come by way of the ornament exchange. They hang beautifully on our tree and help to remind us of the reason we celebrate Christmas.



I must be getting really old! LOL. For my thoughts are changing into that seen of an older generation. Attempting to live a simple lifestyle will redirect your thinking. Having limited funds directs your focus onto what is really important. That being made up of being with family, praising the Lord through song, creating a festive spirit and being loving in all your actions.


Directing my heart towards a proper focus,

Deborah

Getting Ready

I have managed to get the rest of the house decorated, along with setting up the large nativity on the bookcase yesterday. One that has been in our family for over 25 years. It was a project of love that I hand painted and has been set up every year, save the year that Leah was crawling. A lot more could be done in regards to the mantel over the fireplace, if we only had one! One fact I hope to change in the new year to come. I love decorating mantels with all of the family keepsakes that are dear to my heart. A fireplace just looks naked without one too!

Yesterday's high of near 60* felt good but nothing like the same summertime temperature of 60. None the less those kind of days are refreshing from all the cold and rain we've been having lately. Plans are to try and set up the chicken coop. It is a real need as the baby chicks are growing right before our very eyes. Having already outgrown their temporary plastic incubators. Some brave ones have even attempted to fly out of the crowded conditions. They just don't know who is waiting for them for a game of chase though. Plus there is not enough room around the feeders for all to get fed. The greedy ones are getting fat at the expense of the weaker/smaller ones. They can quickly go through 2 feeders and 2 waters a day now! I am trying hard not to get attached to their fuzzy cuteness. For their future is destined to be chicken dishes for our table. If all works out good, we may try to do this on a regular basis. Free chicks, plus some bags of feed and a little extra work = natural, hormone free, home grown chickens.

Broiler Chicks enjoying their new expanded space.

Work continued on the kidding room in the barn yesterday, we are trying to get it ready before Anna gives birth. Today maybe a good day for me to put the "kiltz" paint on the floor, in an effort to make it more moisture resistant. Temperatures are to be in the mid 50's today, warm enough to work in an unheated space I think. All that is left is to find the materials for the individual pen's walls and gates. I would still love to have power on the building before kidding starts. Running water would be an asset as well. Especially if we could get the hot water heater working too. Which requires both the power and water to be established first.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Deborah

Farm Trucks ~ Fireplaces

Much has transpired over the last few days. We have been seeing some cold nights and days for one thing. Making the fires in the fireplace a blessing. Lon worked extra hard this past Saturday to get the old wood heater installed, so we could enjoy our first fire in it. The heater is one we used to heat our old house with many years ago. The old thing is not a pretty sight, showing it's age, but it is working right now. Even though the blower makes a funny sound on high. Nothing that a little stove paint can't spruce up and with fingers crossed hopefully it will last awhile before it has to be repaired. Good news is it has put out a warmth that keeps our electric heat from coming on. The only down side is the trash that the logs create on the hearth and surrounding floor. I guess it will be a trade-off, free warmth for more sweeping. Now I will be on the look out for a dustpan and small broom to place within easy reach.

I have managed to get our bedroom, the bath and the dinning room decorated for Christmas. Also got our new tree up and decorated too. Hate stringing lights and am wondering if I can find a place to store it like I used to do with the lights still on, minus the decorations. Though I don't have a basement or a suitable place in sight, this might pose a problem. The combinations of holiday decorations and a warm fire made things quite festive here at the farm.

Lon made a trip over to Woodland for a round bale of hay for Sassie and the goats. It filled the back of his truck and then some. Can't beat a heavy duty truck for farm chores. Despite it's size it rolled off the bed of his truck easier than I thought it would. All the hay eaters wasted no time in jumping into it and munching away. Hopefully this will help stretch the hay bales we picked up recently to last longer than they would otherwise.

Rusty, our very first Roo has been hurt somehow, one leg badly enough that it keeps him from walking on it. He went missing for over a day before finally showing up. We had to caged him yesterday for his safety. As the other roosters were trying to fight him. It amazes me how they can sense when another one is weak. They will pick at it till they kill it, one way I guess to keep the flock strong. Can't stand to watch it though. Hopefully his legs will strength and we can return him to his rightful place as "King of the Roost" soon.

It must be the day for injured legs, for as I was doing the morning chores I noticed one of our Burbon Red turkeys was also standing still with one leg tucked under. It too would not bear weight on it and had to be caged till it heals. Makes me wonder if they are trying to jump off the roosts without watching where they are landing. So two hospital pens are now set up to add to our chores already established each day. Having to water and feed them separately requires a little effort, but not enough to keep me from doing it.

I also need to figure in the twice daily care of the 46 meat chicks (one died) to my chore time each day too. We are hoping the "brooder coop" we hauled home from our old place, an effort that took up most of yesterday and part of last night will help us with their care. It took ALOT of work to get it loaded on the back of a borrowed trailer. If it wasn't for our kind neighbor, Norman it would still be sitting halfway loaded at the other house. Traveling after dark was both a challenge and a blessing. As there wasn't many cars on the back roads and we didn't draw too much attention, especially from the local police. Getting home so late, we had to leave it still attached to Lon's truck. Requiring him to drive my car to work today, leaving me with no transportation. I am pretty sure he is going to enjoy his commute today and may even consider taking my car more often in the future.

We didn't get it home none too soon either, as Boots has discovered them and is thinking they would make great playmates. Kind of like fuzzy little pin balls that make a noise when you tap them.

Having no wheels today is okay, I have plenty to do right here and have no plans on going anywhere. Though there is that library book that needs to be returned. My stack of books has dwindled down to only 2-3. As I haven't had time to read much lately. Christmas preparations, farm chores and general maintenance is more than my days can handle . Not to mention getting ready for goat kidding coming up soon. And here I thought we would have time to rest some this winter. Like a certain little orange ball of fur curled up in my lap and arms. Sleeping peacefully unaware of the hindrance to my writing he creates. Mom is going to love sitting with Boots on her lap and to love on when they come down for Christmas in a couple of weeks.

Whew! Less than 2 weeks till Christmas. I can't believe it is so close!

Deborah

Christmas and Family

Christmas and family, a great combination that leaves you with memories for years to come. With varied work schedules each year, we are faced with the question of how to get everyone together. It is not always possible to get my entire family together, as I have a long-distance sister living in Washington state. She and my brother-in-law had their own type of celebration this year as they were snowed in under 12+ inches of snow. Ooooh, A white Christmas! That is what Christmas carols, cards and movies tempt us with each year. We saw instead temperatures near the mid 60's. I guess a tropical Christmas is what the folks in Florida are faced with every year. I personally prefer a chillier version myself. But gathering for a holiday meal will always take your mind off the weather outside. We were all sure to eat our share of it too! Thoughts of potential holiday pounds to be gained forgotten for the moment

Our own Christmas angel. . . . Leah

Nothing can compare with the sparkle and excitement of children at Christmas. Their joyous abandonment is just as contagious as the flu. This year our granddaughter was of the age to begin to grasp the wonder of Christmas. Presents under the tree meant a lot more to her than last year. For she understood that some of them were for her. Waiting to open them on Christmas eve after our meal, quickly left her with no hunger for food at all.

Mom and Dad came down a few days before Christmas to spend some extended time with us. Leah enjoyed having them here and wasted no time sharing her joy over the tree with her granddaddy. Each of us in turn were called to come sit with her and comment about the sparkling lights and fascinating ornaments.

See that one?

Talking it over with Granddaddy . . .

Clutter will always abound when packages are opened but for a few minutes in time it doesn't really matter. We each enjoyed seeing her enjoy herself this year. It was hard for her to decide which was best. . . . . seeing what was inside of the wrapped package or tearing off the wrapping of another box. Her choice in seating for the fun was in my lap which allowed Mommy to video her antics and for others to take pictures.

It was a "girly" pink kinda Christmas

Cuddle time with Meme was enjoyed as well while looking through a book of pictures. Reading books are one of Leah's favorite things to do, a call that goes out for someone to join her in every few minutes. We have read plenty this Christmas season not unlike every other day of the year. I was thrilled to find a great hardback book entitled "You are my Love" to start her own collection at home, as a gift this year. Adding to them each Christmas will be a great treasure hunt for me through out the year.


We were and are truly blessed by the Lord this year. For it is all to easy to see the difficulties of others around us, of their pain, heartache, loneliness and lost right now. To not be thankful would be a lack of gratitude to the giver of all gifts. Especially the best gift for all eternity. . . . the gift of Christ.

Blessings,

Deborah

Ready, Set, Go!

Today wrapped up my preparations for Christmas and with 4 days to spare. Yahoo! I can't recall at present ever being ready this early before. Might have in past years, as I always sought to be done early in the month of December. My success this year is probably due to the scaling back and simplifying of our idea of what Christmas should be about. For the past several weeks I have felt freedom from the preconceived notions of past expectations and what is being pushed by the media. To hear other people talk about their shopping excursions, baking, decorating, etc. only fueled my resolve to kept it simple this year. A challenge for myself on several occasions, as I would think of a particular decor item not being displayed or activity engaged in. Then the old "I need to get that put up" feeling would creep into my thinking quicker than a heartbeat. I am glad to say that I resisted each temptation and told myself "enough is enough". Reminding myself that what goes up, has to come down later. I did not want to create more work for myself than the enjoyment of the idea would bring.

A room by room clean-a-thon freshened the house today. From end to end and side to side, every room received what it needed. Working for 15 minutes and then resting for 15 minutes helped me to accomplish the tasks at hand and allow me to stretch my energies so that playing through out the day could also be accomplished. After all this is suppose to be one of my off days. Something cold to drink and catching up on my emails was a large portion of play time for me. Reading a favorite blog was a special treat as well. The fact that I have had the house to myself for 48 hours since Friday morning was a plus in getting everything finalized. No one was under foot, not even Tigger, our cat. Lon and Jason both have been on duty, due to each of them working an extra shift on each other's scheduled day.

Christmas shopping was completed and all packages were wrapped last evening. The tree now sports a fluffy skirt of colorful packages. Grocery shopping for the house and our Christmas dinner was also completed yesterday as well. It helped to have leftovers in the fridge to eat for my dinners these two days, instead of having to cook. Another blessing towards getting done what I needed to. So here I sit with all in readiness to start the count down to Christmas next week. Tomorrow we will have our Christmas musical at church and all that will be left is to enjoy Mom & Dad's visit. They arrive tomorrow afternoon to spend the week with us and other than some cooking for our Christmas dinner, I have no other plans than to relax and chat.

In the midst of cleaning this afternoon there arose such a cladder that I had to spring to my feet to see what was the matter. No, it was not a jolly figure dancing on my roof. It was not even someone come to spread good cheer. But destruction instead! Instantly, I recognized the distress call from one or more of our girls. Quick movement down the front steps revealed the visitor was not at all welcomed and was intent on some Christmas dinner for itself.

A small Marsh Hawk had one of our chicken in a tissy and pinned behind the azalea bushes out front. As I called to her if flew to a nearby tree, intent on trying to recapture it's meal. That is until I made a ruckus myself, convincing it to move on to find other hunting grounds. Capturing the frighten hen was of little trouble, as she collapsed behind a bush and allowed me to pick her up. Missing and ruffled feathers off her back and wings spoke of a struggle to get free. Whether they were removed by the hawk or the tangle of limbs under the bushes, it remains to be seen. She did receive an injury to her right eye, that was bleeding. But for now it is hard to tell whether she has any internal injuries that I can't see. Placing all the girls back into their play yard for safe keeping for the rest of the day, hopefully will persuade the chicken thief to look else where for a free meal. Upon inspection tonight as I closed up their coop, she was sitting quietly with the injured eye closed, which for now is a good sign. Earlier she was only laying on the ground not moving, but now she was up on the roost for bedtime. Tomorrow morning her activity will let us know if she will recover or not.

All the warm, wet weather of the past week has been unseasonably for this time of year. A trend that does not lend itself to keeping the Christmas ideal of frosty window panes, carolling in the snow, heavy coats, scarves and mittens, Christmas sweaters, mugs of hot chocolate and stockings hung by the fire. All may change tomorrow if the weather forecasters are correct in calling for a big dip in our temperatures, with highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's. The change will require a flip not only of the outside thermostat, but the inside one as well. For we have been having temperatures in the 70's for several days now. A chance to cuddle up in front of the fireplace may be in our future after all.

I'm ready, all set and waiting to go.

Deborah

Christmas Sweets !

Future Homemaker ~ Leah

I've heard the saying that "A picture says a thousand words". So this post will need very few to be added. But you know me, I will have to add some from my point of view anyway. At this time of the year in many homes around us there are cookies being baked, shared and eaten in large quantities. Nothing beats warm cookies eaten right out of the oven with a tall glass of COLD milk to wash them down. On many occasions during my lifetime I have baked my share. All alone, with my boys, and along side my mother to name just a few. I felt today was the perfect time to introduce a new little baker to the joys of freshly baked, warm from the oven cookies. Being this close to Christmas it was only fitting that we should bake some that looked like all the decorated trees we see everywhere we go. After nap time today we pulled out the baking sheet, her step up stool and the package of cookies with trees on them. For a 2 1/2 year old, the waiting is the hardest part. While I wasn't looking one of the uncooked cookies showed a suspicious looking chunk missing from it's side. Upon closer inspection of a sheepish grin, on a cherub face, I discovered a tiny set of teeth marks on it. Yes, my apprentice baker in training, had decided to do her own taste test. All the explaining about waiting to eat the baked cookies fell on deaf ears, as she explain in return that it was "good". How could you disagree, when on more than one occasion I suspect we have all done our own taste tests on raw cookie dough, cake or brownie batter.

Her shirts says it all ~ SWEET!

When all were done and cooling on the counter, we toasted our glasses of milk to a job well done, and enjoyed the fruit of our labor ~ warm cookies right from the oven.

Oh, the joys of baking and eating the treats we've made!

Oh, the joys of Christmas and new experiences.

Blessings from Leah & Me,

Deborah

Best Laid Plans

The best laid plans are often those you set aside for awhile. We can plan all we want to, have our to-do list made out, even start in on them. Only to find that they no longer fit the structure of our day. Ever had that to happen to you? How we respond to the new direction of our day will determine how peaceful the day is. Mine this week have needed to be altered due to some strange dots circling through the house. My plan to daily clean and decorate were set aside due to a needed medical test for myself that was only to take 10 minutes, Yeah, right! And a certain little angel that was broken out in dots. Chicken pox? Hives? What?

Leah started on Tuesday morning breaking out with spots and continued to developed more, with some other symptoms yesterday. A trip to the doctor revealed she was having a allergic reaction to an antibiotic started over a week ago for an ear infection. Whew! No need to quarantine this bundle of energy. A few days of benedryl and she should be spot free. Hurray!

I don't know about you, but anytime I think I have got my plans all laid out in a neat row. The Lord reminds me that HE already has them planned out as well. His plans should always takes priority over mine. Sometimes I jump right into them and other times I try to do my plans along with His as well. Only to find that they often fail and leave me frazzled by trying to do more than I am suppose to. His plans are simple, direct and successful compared to the crazy ones I try to pull off. So what is a girl to do?

Change directions, do the essentials like eating, dressing, providing diversion from discomfort, playing, watching Disney videos, snuggling together and lots of kisses. Tell me what else could I invest my time in that would have the same value of comforting a sick child? Nothing that I can think of.

Plans for Decorating Home

Monday: Master Bedroom and bath ~ done

Tuesday: Guest Room and bath, office (bath done)

Wednesday: Kitchen, Dinning Room, Laundry

Thursday: Den and ____________ (who put this extra time into my schedule?)

Friday: Living Room, (Christmas tree) and Porches

So that leaves me with a multitude of options for today. Do I continue on with where I left off in my plans or do I speed up and condense the schedule? Hmmmm? At present I am thinking that if I take it slowly (vs. sped up) and do one thing at the time I will be able to finish just the same. Maybe not on the appointed date, but close enough to win the race. The bonus will be sustainable energy for the job and the joy of the process. A house deep cleaned and decorate to be enjoyed in the weeks to come. Music inspires my soul, so putting on some Christmas music should get my feet to moving.

Dancing anyone?

Deborah

Day 2 of Christmas Prep

Today was day 2 of my schedule for cleaning and decorating for Christmas. I did not get started till after lunch, as this was the last day of the bible study I have been apart of for the last 3 months. The Patriarchs by Beth Moore was a wonderful study of Genesis, that I would recommend to anyone. Our group of ladies hated to see it end, but we only need to wait till January when the next study begins. I am confident that our lives will be quite busy between now and then, at least mine will.

Room of choice for today was our guest bath. I had hope to get to the guest bedroom as well, but ran out of time. Also a certain little homemaker needed some Nana time as well. I make sure to take the time to rock or hold her when ever she is needing some extra loving. Regardless of what my schedule looks like for the day. They only stay small for a short time and the realization comes quickly, that one day they no longer fit on our laps, nor do they wish to.

Windows and blinds were cleaned, baseboards washed, floor rugs washed and dried, were among the extras done beside the usual cleaning chores. Decorations were set out with fresh candles and little touches to remind us of the celebration to come. Leah loves to go from this room to our bedroom to "see the lights" on each of the small trees. It is so soothing to walk into these rooms and see the glow of the lights across the room. Your soul can't help but to pause and breathe in a slow gentle breath of peace.

How did you do on your plans today? Check in tomorrow for the newest update of the next room conquered for Christmas. Progress is made one step at a time. . . . . so go ahead and take the first one.

Blessings,

Deborah

December has Arrived!

Today marks the beginning of a new month and a countdown to the day we celebrate each December. Christmas is only 24 days away and I haven't given it a second thought yet. Well, maybe one or two in passing days. But no plans have been made or gifts purchased. This year feels different to me in a way that I haven't been able to wrap words around. Maybe it is due to the change in lifestyle we have embraced here. A simplified look at life will strip away those things that are unnecessary for true happiness.

So today I quickly formed a plan for the first week of December, keeping an eye on the calendar towards our Christmas celebration on the 24th. As both Lon and Jason will be working Christmas day this year...bummer! Our family will gather around the tree on the eve of Christmas to eat our holiday meal (unplanned as of yet), open a gift or two and share the love we have for each other.

Order of the day was to take one room in the house and deep clean it before putting out decorations. Today our Master bedroom and bath was selected. I am proud and exhausted to say mission accomplished. Blinds and windows cleaned, room dusted, vacuumed, winter linens put on the bed, ceiling fan cleaned and a fresh throw rug for the bath were just some of the things finished today. Decorations were put out and for now this room sports a holiday feel.

One of my favorite reading chairs

A special tree and Angel I created for our bedroom. . .


The plan is to take one room each day this week and repeat the cleaning and decorating appropriate for it. By the end of the week the house should be deep cleaned and decorated for Christmas, with our tree gracing our living room on the final day. I will try to post a quick note and pictures about my project for the day. Feel free to jump in and join me in getting ready for Christmas. Leave a comment below and let me know how you are doing on your to do list. Maybe we can keep each other accountable to do what needs to be done in order to have several weeks to leisurely enjoy the holiday.

Mirrored view of the decor for Christmas

Join me as I work my way through our home this week, marching onward towards Christmas. Remember the true reason for the season is not a decorative item in our homes, nor a present under the tree. But the gift that resides in our hearts, given many years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

Blessings this Christmas,

Deborah