Thanksgiving & My Blessings are Bountiful

It has surprised me that the days have past so quickly and the holidays will be ushered in come tomorrow. Lon has to work, so I will be spending our first Thanksgiving at the farm alone. We plan to gather around a turkey on Saturday. Prompting a need to go buy one, as I am not ready to give Thomas up yet. He has too much to offer next Spring with our new ladies to be sitting on a platter this week, all sun tanned from time in an oven.

Thomas with his Burbon Red Ladies ~

The rain has ended but the chill from Sunday still lingers today under solid gray skies. Nearly all the leaves have scattered across the lawn, except for the few stubborn ones on the old oak out front. Everything green has turned a shade of brown. Sitting out on the porch was a good idea at first, but my coffee was cooling too fast and even Boots was hunting refuge from the chill under my sweatshirt jacket. I wished I would have had my camera handy, as I often do when photo opportunities present themselves. He looked so cute!

Some of the hens have taken upon themselves to start laying in the hay of the goat shed. We found some hiding in it this past Sunday. Guess they like the freshly fluffed hay each morning just as much as the goats do. Production has been steadily climbing, but I fear the decreasing daylight will hinder it before long. Last year at this time we were living at our other house and was able to run a power cord out to the coop to add light and encourage their laying. But without power out to the barn yet, that is not even an option. But just look as the size of the eggs they are laying and heavy too. Is there a category for extra-large jumbos?

We are already going without our delicious goat's milk. As Amber was starting to dry up even before our last milking this past Friday. We don't want to be without eggs too! It was nice that first morning of "No Milking", as I didn't have to rush out at a certain time in the cold to do the morning chores. I could wait till the temperatures warmed up a bit and I had the chance to get awake with some coffee. Purchasing the store milk last grocery day was a bummer! It tastes funny now after having fresh for so long. Lacking the creamy goodness we are used to. It will be a long wait till Spring arrives along with our chance for fresh goat's milk again from not only one but all three of our girls! Should have plenty for some of the other goat milk projects I have in mind to try.

Leah came out this past Friday to spend the weekend at the farm. My how she has grown! We looked at her photo album of pictures taken this past Spring. They showed a young toddler, not the maturing girl I saw before me. Baking cookies is an all time favorite of hers and she even helped me put some cake ingredients together with the "big mixer".

We had a wonderful time together and was blessed with a special surprise on Saturday. A good friend's dad owns cows and one had given birth during the night on Friday. He invited us to bring her over to see the less than 24 hr old calf. She had visited there before back in the Spring to see his cows. But this time was different we were able to go inside the fencing and actually pet the newborn calf.

She was thrilled to be so close to the baby calf, to play with their dog "Sammy" and receive a small snow globe (which she adores) and treat bag from my friend's mom. She went to church with us the next morning and made her beautiful presence known by waving at her Papa in the choir loft. Then continued by waving at the pastor each time he raised his hand in praise to the Lord. Singing with gusto and swaying to the music caught a few smiles from those seated around us. My own - beamed! Such innocence and exuberance. I am thankful we could take her with us. These are the years when foundations are being set in her biblical teachings. What a privilege to be a part of them.

Thankful for my life,

Deborah

Thanksgiving

We had a different kind of Thanksgiving this year, as we traveled to the deer woods where Lon hunts. (See the post for Deer Camp & Wonders ) He and Jason left earlier last week for some Father~Son time. Leah and I left the day before Thanksgiving to meet them and Meme & Granddaddy there. Brian and Crystal drove down later that day to round out our group for the celebration.

Daddy & Lon

Last time we did this was a couple of years ago and Leah was just an infant. Sleeping arrangements had to be re-think this year, as she no longer sleeps in a crib. She enjoyed the options of sleeping with mommy or with daddy or between Papa and me. It was so much fun to see her enjoying the pleasures of the outdoors, camping and of course the daily campfire. One of the neighbors had brought down their 2 dogs which gave her plenty of opportunities for some "doggie kisses". The highlight of her days centered around 4-wheeling with a family member. I think everyone gave her a ride at one point or the other that weekend. She provided a good excuse to ride ourselves.

United in love and Camo ~ Brian & Crystal

Fun was had by all and we enjoyed being together even if stacked on top of each other. Our "I hate bugs!" girl got in on the fun. Donning the appropriate attire for her time around camp. Check out those smiles.

Brian, Crystal and our little hunter, Leah

The Family that hunts together, shares memories

Cooking was a challenge with the small stove in our camper, but with a little effort we were able to pull off a traditional meal with the help of Mom's oven too. Everyone enjoyed eating out under the trees on a makeshift picnic table. The weather was perfect for our al-fresco dinning. Mom took pictures of our group and as soon as I can get copies I will post them.

Leah & Uncle J

Uncle J made sure the smallest of the family clan was decked out in camo as well. As you can see Leah was ready for the woods from head to toe, check our the pink camo hat and boots just like uncle J J has. She looked so cute and walked with the guys around camp, saying hi to everyone she met.

The weather turned cooler and rain entered the picture by the time we left on Saturday. But Lon and I got the opportunity to do what we have come to enjoy while there once more. Riding the back trails around camp and through the woods on 4-wheelers has brought us much pleasure as we share the adventure with only each other. It is hard to describe the feeling of setting off with no planned agenda other than having fun and seeing what we can see.

The chickens back home, were left on their own for the duration of our Thanksgiving trip. Thankful we were, that no one decided to take advantage of their unsupervised time. By putting them on a platter for their Thanksgiving meal. Arriving home on Saturday we discovered that in the 3 days that I was gone, they still gave us 2 1/2 dozen eggs. With the very cold temps at Heartland Farm that week, they were refrigerated naturally in the nests where they were laid. Jason did the collecting and stated that there were a LOT of eggs to pick up. Before leaving for our trip, Lon found some new customers just down the road, who would love to help decrease our supply of eggs.

The garden has taken a beating with the freezing temperatures and I feel sure that only a small amount will be gathered from it now. The last of the fresh greens may be on the horizon for our table. Before we turn around it will be time to start planning our early spring garden. After Christmas you will find us huddled around the fireplace with seed catalogues in hand, marking our favorites and a few new varieties to try in 2009. When the last of the produce is collected we will put the garden to bed with the chicken manure we saved for a winter blanket to feed the soil. Rich in the fertilizer it will provide for next year's crops.

I had been busy finishing up a project for our church's "Covered in Prayer" ministry, delivering it before we left. It was the 6th project that I have been privilege to make. This is a great ministry for using the talents God has given me. It has also enriched my prayer life, as I pray for the person I am making the token of love for, every time I pick up my needles. To date our little group of crafters have delivered 80 projects to those with a health need, death, or other life difficulty. I was also able to complete the turkey for Leah, even though the one for our home is still in pieces on my sewing table. She loved taking out the feathers, counting them and then stuffing them back in that fat-bottom fowl. Sorry no pictures to post at this time.

Leah with Nana

Hope you had a wonderfully blessed time with your family as well. Leave a comment if you like and share how you spent your Thanksgiving.

Deborah

Thanksgiving is Coming

A shift in focus was upon us as the new month rolled into view. November traditionally is viewed as the last month of Fall with Thanksgiving being the highlight for celebrating. Days seem to pass by at an ever increasing rate on the countdown to a new year. It is a shame that the celebrations are lumped together in such a way that we do not see them as individual holidays. Each one special in it's own right and with importance attached to it that should cause us to pause and consider the reasons we celebrate in the first place. I believe the retail market is the main culprit in blurring the identities of major holidays, but we are not absent of fault either. Most people, guilty in the past myself, see the next two months as one long to-do list. As we march into Thanksgiving, right through Christmas on our way to a New Year. In doing so we loose the opportunity to keep our focus crisp, clear and with the intent on seeing the blessings of each one, as they slip away. Rushing through the days in pursuit of the next thing on the list either written or circling in our heads. We miss out on the beauty, the simplicity of focus, the spirit of gratitude & love, the joy of remembering and every aspect wonderful to each holiday.

I for one want a different view from the ones I have had in the past about Thanksgiving. Slowing my steps will ensure a better, clearer focus of what is around me. Granting me the time to soak up the goodness of God and cultivating a heart of gratitude. Not only for the too big to miss things in my life, but the ones so small, quietly tucked into it as well. They are the ones I believe hold the most joy at times. For only when our focus is sharp and our spirit still, do we get to see all that God wants to show us. I still have several more of my Fall Favorites to yet enjoy off the list I've posted. Many thankfully have been experienced already and thoroughly enjoyed. Each one will give me plenty to be thankful for, along with this past year's blessings. Not to mention all that possibly lies before me this Thanksgiving. That's what the day is really about you know, giving thanks to God for where HE has brought you to and for all of His provisions along the way. What do you have to be thankful for? Be sure to. . . .

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Taken from a treasured 1940 Broadman Hymnal that always sat by my Granny's chair.

Deborah