Birthday Surprise

Celebrating birthdays are always exciting, but a surprise celebration makes them extra special. On Tuesday, November 4, Leah and I drove to Hiawassee, Georgia to surprise my mom. Her birthday was on the 5th of November and she had no idea I was coming up, much less with a little redhead in tow that she dearly loves. I had plotted my kidnapping weeks before and talked with Daddy the Monday before we left to make sure they would be home. The drive up was beautiful as the North Georgia Mountains were showing off with their vibrant Fall colors, (another Fall Favorite checked off my list). We stopped in town to pick up some flowers and a birthday balloon for momma and had been practicing saying "Surprise Meme!" all the way up. Unfortunately shyness jumped into the scene the moment the front door opened. None the less momma was quite surprised that we had come up and were going to spend the night with her.

Being the only greatgrandchild, Leah and Mom had a wonderful time together once the hello's were made. Meme/Momma gave her an old fashion doll that she could play with and take home, which thrilled Leah to have a new baby to add to her collection.

After naptime was over for the two travelers , we strolled outdoors with Mom for some harvest photos of Leah in the yard. Momma likes to take pictures as much as I do. It's probably where I learned the trade, one that captures memories for later viewing. Though of this trip momma has the only camera with a picture of the two of them together.

Afterwards we walked down the driveway to visit the cows across the road. Leah was excited to see them in the flesh, compared to her picture books and she wanted them to come over the fence so she could pet them. I don't know if it was her small cries of "Come here babies" or the fact that she was the same size as the calf in the pasture, but they finally did come near enough to the fence for her to offer them some grass.

Sitting on the front porch with a treat in hand was a perfect way to end the day in Leah's opinion.

Some day soon I hope to convince our little carrot top that hairbows are a good thing and will be a beauty asset she will want to use. That is if you can improve on crystal blue eyes, strawberry blond hair and the sweetest smile you've ever seen. Seeing her love for the outdoors, God's creatures and creation puts a pretty big smile on my face and warms this tom-boy heart too.

Deborah

Busy October

October marched by us about as fast as the winds that blew that month. I keep wondering who is responsible for speeding up the clocks. How can a month, any month zip by without us noticing it. I mean you turn the calendar page to day 1, blink your eyes a few times and look again to see it is about the middle of the month. One good yawn and the month is gone. I thought a little trip down memory lane would be in order. Don't worry, with my memory it will probably be a short trip.

The month started off with our long anticipated trip to Perry, Georgia for the State Fair. It was an inspiring trip to look at livestock and to enjoy some simple pleasures at our own leisurely pace. One that we often had to remind each other of, in our quickened steps to see as much as we could during our 3 day visit there. While at the motel we rested and spent time reading nutritional books and ones on self-sustainable living, which fueled an even higher desire to live simply and of one day hopefully owning a larger plot of land. Discussions abounded as we gathered, revised and talked out new information learned. We had a wonderful visit with some dairy goat farmers and watched the judging for some categories of cattle, sheep and goats. To hear us debate the merits of the candidates before us you would have thought we knew what we were talking about. That is until the official judges announced the blue ribbon winners, which by the way were not the ones we had picked out. Oh well, we have lots to learn and we know it. We did alot of walking and ate some of the typical fair foods, saw some lovely quilts on display and heard 2 concerts, along with seeing the usual fair exhibits.

Even though sickness hounded every step of our trip, which caused us to wonder about our health and food choices being connected. We enjoyed the time away from the everyday schedule we keep. Every time one of us made a negative statement about a new healthy choice option, the other would counter with a "why not?" Every one of us spends our hard earned money on something, why not invest it into something that leads to a productive health and ministry?

What at first glance may appear to be a contradiction against simply living, is at the heart of it. Those things frequently seen on a farmstead like dairy goats or cows, raising chickens for eggs and meat, baking bread, making cheese, harvesting a garden /herb bed, knitting, quilting and other types of handiwork, tending bee hives and a host of other options are the skills necessary to live with little influence from those whose main goal is to steal our time and money. Two resources that everyone declares to be in short supply of. Though often fail to make any changes necessary to remedy their individual circumstances. Such a sad state of living, to be in pursuit of more, which keeps us all in bondage for even more of the same. I believe Lon and I have seen the dawning of a new day for us and are ready to say enough to that which seeks to steal life from us. Odd looks are sure to ensue as we make the changes we feel are needed in our lives. It will be full of ups and downs and a few failures I am sure. But a sweet journey of really living life as I believe God intended for us.

Another trip closed out the month of October for us as we took a day trip down to "Westville", below Lumpkin, Georgia. It is a 1850"s living community, where you can see the homes, trades and lifestyles of the early settlers. They were having their "Pioneer Days" and the cool fall weather made it a wonderful outing for us. We were able to watch cotton being ginned, cane syrup cooked, candles being hand dipped (which I bought one of), quilting, cooking over an open hearth, and other examples of pioneer day to day activities. A few farm animals were on display, like a pair of hogs from Spanish decent, sheep and mules working in various jobs. I tasted fresh squeezed cane juice and bought a sample of hot from the fire ~ gingerbread. YUM! It seems that where ever we travel now, we are meeting new people who encourage us in homesteading. Westville was no different as we met a potter who also raises meat goats, gardens organically and homeschools her children. Talking to Nea was so enjoyable that she gave us her email address to stay in touch.

After leaving we traveled west to Providence Canyon, also near Lumpkin. I wanted to show Lon the beautiful little grand canyon as it is sometimes referred to. Years ago when I homeschool the boys we went on a field trip with other homeschoolers to see it and Westville too. How I remembered it was not the same as we saw it. Fifteen plus years had seen alot of growth to the surrounding undergrowth and trees. Only small glimpses of the canyon walls could be seen and we some how missed the path to the canyon floor. Which led us on a 3 mile hike through the woods surrounding the rim of the canyon, it was a God-send as we actually was able to see more from above. Our exercise done for the day (or week) and another Fall Favorite marked off my list and we headed towards home. Stopping along the way at the "Country Store Restaurant" at Callaway Gardens. Boy did we pig out on some of the best country fixins around and their legendary Muscadine Preserves on hot biscuits. The ride home was long due to a traffic holdup but it gave us a chance to digest our supper meal before bedtime. Giving us one satisfactory day of fun, not to mention the extra jars of Muscadine preserves that rode home with us.

Deborah

September Notes 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day

For most people this was a holiday, for us we the day became it’s title. We worked in the garden, cut down some limbs, built a compost bin, picked muscadines, cleaned out a few flower beds, put leaf net on pool and split a little firewood. Whew ! ! ! With all this activity our barbeque dinner came in handy as we collapsed at the end of the day.

Our winter greens are up and some showing is being seen in the spinach and Swiss chard beds. The peanuts are looking thicker and taller since the extra water was given to the garden. The okra is nearly head high and still cranking out tender pods which I am packaging for the freezer. We still have the Kale and Rutabagas to plant along with transplanting some spring onions to winter over. I still want to plant some winter squashes but have only found butternut seeds so far.

The crabapples are getting a darker red and so far the deer either have not found them or don’t like the taste. Which I find hard to believe since they liked all of our other apples this year. Jason’s fig bush is loosing more fruit to the birds and ants than we hope to harvest ourselves. Fingers are staying crossed that we may finally get to taste both of these fruits.

Clara is looking better every day and has become quite spoiled with the extra attention she has been getting in the form of tasty treats. Extra protein helps with the healing of her wound and I have taken a few of the “girls” eggs to boil up some for her.

Which after the rest got a taste of she had to practically get in my lap for her generous share. Egg production is up to 7 a day, which nets us a dozen plus every 2 days. I will definitely be able to have a small income off the extras when they get larger and when getting a dozen a day will be the norm. Which will be good to help buy feed with. Right now they are foraging for most of their food needs and the bags we bought over a month ago still has plenty in them. Come winter when the bugs go into hiding and the natural greens are dormant they will eat more purchased grains I am sure.

Deborah



Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Farm Animal?

Outside play was a highlight for Leah except when her PAPA started cutting grass. She does not like the loud sounds that the mower makes and is the only thing that will persuade her to go inside, for a short while at least. Her new companion of play is a doll she has started carrying around the yard with her. Dolly slides down the slide, rides in the stroller and gets to swing with her 2 year old mother in the front yard.

Leah is becoming more comfortable with the surroundings around our home, which is great on one hand but makes us uncomfortable when she does her magic trick and disappears into thin air. Little legs can move oh so fast when motivated by curiosity.

During one search she had “followed the leader” with the chickens rambling about and had discovered a nook tucked under the large azaleas in the front yard. Close to where they had decided to rest for awhile in the shade. Grinning from ear to ear, she sat quietly while I searched and called out her name.

Nana could not get upset for she remembered her fun times of pretend in the “houses” of green of her own childhood. Such fond memories of innocent play. Self play is important in every child’s development and pretend play fuels their creative side to imagine beyond the obvious.

The real surprise of the day was the new “farm animal” that crossed paths with our little hobby farm. Lon was going down to put grass clippings in the compost bin when he spied a moving log. At second glance it’s true identity was revealed. A very large green iguana was moving rather quickly for it’s size across the front yard towards the lake. We could not believe our eyes! From it’s size it looked to be an expensive pet store specimen or from the Amazon jungle. The thought crossed this girl’s mind to try and catch it for the person who lost it. But with second thought I realized I had nothing to keep this 5 foot lizard in and it might not let go of me if I did catch it. It lumbered off towards the swampy end of the lake and left us wondering how long had it been around the house. Whether it could have been what attacked and killed our chickens recently, and guilty of stealing the meat out of the trap we set for the villain that did.

I know that I have been wanting a diverse farm to enjoy the fruit and labor from. But I think I will draw the line in lizards with the little chameleons and pine lizards that play peek-a-boo among my flowerbeds.

I really felt the part of a farmer’s wife after completing the activities of the day, while sitting down to a scrambled egg sandwich courtesy of the girls and hot coffee for dinner this evening. What could be simpler or more satisfying than to graze from the goodness of your own flock.

Deborah



Thursday, September 4,2008
ERRAND DAY

Early morning risings are cutting into my sleeping time. For this girl needs her full night’s sleep in order to be “bright eyed and bushy tailed” for the next day. Sipping coffee on the porch this morning was the needed wake-up call to my body to get in gear for the day. Thursdays have typically been my grocery buying day and I try to run all my errands in the same trip to save time and gas.

Lon was agreeable to go with me for part of my rounds, with eating out breakfast tucked into the trip. He had a couple of stops he wanted to make himself, so after all was said, we decided to get it all done together. After letting the chickens out in the pen with fresh water and feed we were off to get as much done as quickly as we could. Leaving the house well before Jason got home from the station after 8am.

Back home by lunchtime we settled in for a quick nap to refresh our sagging bodies which did not last as long as we had hoped. It seems we both see several things at any given time to be done and sleeping away daylight hours doesn’t feel quite right.

Grocery shopping was a breeze today, my list was shortened to only 2 departments, dairy and produce. I have issued a challenge to myself and my family regarding our grocery buying for the month of September. The goal is to eat out of our full pantry and stuffed freezer for the next month, planning our meals from what we have already purchased. With no buying except for dairy, fresh produce and a weekly loaf of bread for Leah. As I plan to bake all of the bread we will need on a weekly basis. This will be an interesting experiment for us and an opportunity to simplify our eating habits more towards a healthier direction.

One of the books I had placed a hold on at the Library came in and I picked it up today. Reading just the first few pages out loud to Lon this afternoon and we both heard the sanity in the writing. The author echoed the same sentiments we have read from other Christian authors and we ourselves have felt strongly about. I can’t help but believe that we may be at a point in our lives that we are ready to embrace the knowledge and make it a real part of our lives and health. To eat as close to how God created our food sources has to be the ultimate way to eat. For He has packed each of them with all the nutrition we will need to lead healthy lives, productive for His purposes. I have always believed that every vitamin, mineral, nutrient that our bodies need to live and heal its self is present in the natural world God has given us.

Man in his quest for more has sacrificed his health for happiness. It is evident that happiness is fleeting for all of mankind in a mad rush to acquire more at the expense of their families, health, time and ideals for their lives. Living instead a hollow image of what they could be.
Lots of information to be reasoned over, decisions to be discussed and commitments to be made before any one of us can be able to stand and declare enough is enough. I confess it is something that I believe we can no longer ignore and live long lives freed from the diseases of the modern century. I for one am ready for a healthy change. It won’t be easy to ignore ingrained habits of 50 years or more. But that does not mean it can’t be done. It will just take a focused commitment one day at a time.

The Chicken Coop got a new look today as the hospital cage was removed and the natural carpeting fluffed and sanitized. Extra bedding was added to the nesting boxes which I am sure the girls will love on their little behinds at laying time. They can thank their Papa for that bit of housekeeping. Now we can step inside without the fear of bringing a piece of them home with us if you know what I mean.

A wonderful surprise greeted me right before I left for the evening. We had been watching some fat lime green and yellow worms munch on the pot of parsley by the backdoor. Only to disappear before I could place them in protective custody and watch them spin their magic. Or else they may be the appetizer the chickens were looking for. Lon had spot a chrysalis just yesterday on one of the porch post and low and behold it burst forth right before my eyes. I scooped it up to keep it from being eaten and called Lon to come see our new livestock. It was such a thrill to have it crawl over my hands as it prepared to take flight. I guess now we can add home-grown black swallowtails to our list of farm produce. Such joy in simple pleasures, thank you Lord.

Dinner out with my “circle of friends” was a refreshing break in my day today. They never fail to make me laugh, think about new things, we share our lives and enjoy the friendship we have still managed to hold on to despite that we are now located in 4 different churches, when at one time we were all together in one. Choosing my dinner was colored by the reading I did earlier and to look honestly at the menu left me with few options to dine on. I chose the salad bar as my choice as the restaurant has always had a great many items on it to choose from. It was both healthy and filling, leaving me with room for my nightly glass of milk before bed.

A habit I never want to abandon, one that has carried me all of these years since my childhood into sweet sleep. A fact that I am often teased about by my family. One that my mother has commented on in the past. . . “I got her off the bottle as a baby but never off her milk.” Giving my granny cause to come to my aid and state to leave me alone, it was good for me. And through the years it has been stated by the advertising media that “YES, it does a body good !” So to all who question or snicker I am a living testimony that milk does a body good and the heart also. Sweet dreams yall!

Deborah



Friday, September 5, 2008
Wonders never cease

Poor planning had me going back out today to finish up some birthday shopping for family. Stopping long enough to add the first from my FALL pleasure list to my day. Bright sunny yellow Chrysanthemums x 2 for our porches, purchased at a good price at a local grocery store near our house. To give the place a lift to the changing light of day now occurring on the horizons. A sight that makes me smile every time I look at them and that I will add to my flower beds when spent for next year's beauty too.

When what to my wondering eyes should I see but a brownish gray spotted lump in the road in front of our mailbox. Upon refocusing I saw what looked like a saw-whet owl sprawled out on the pavement. Immediately I was afraid it had been hit or would be if left where it laid. Where was my camera? On my desk at home, where else! Opening the door to get out of my car and gather our mail was enough to cause it to decide it had all the sunning it needed for one day and flew gracefully up into the trees across the road. Relief that it was not hurt turned into wonder at the sight of a night creature parading itself out in the daylight. A rare blessing indeed.




Calling Lon to share the news, I told him I had no idea that we would see so many different animals when we began Heartland Farm. But in all honesty I believe the Lord knows my Heart for this Farm and continues to give me the desires of it in the little blessings of newly hatched butterflies, wayward lizards and sunbathing owls. Just for my enjoyment because He loves me so.

Deborah

Playing Catch-Up

Is it really possible to "play catch-up"? We all have those days where we feel we are or may actually be late in carrying out our scheduled tasks or plans. Possibly due to conditions beyond our control, but mostly due to choices we have already made. Another term heard used for this syndrome is 2 small words with a big impact ~"Too Busy".

Psalm 127:2 was a devotional verse I read recently in the quiet moments of my day. At first glance I thought it referred to a meaning that was speaking about chasing the "mighty dollar", so prevalent in today's society. Those who keep long hours away from home, at home or both in the pursuit of financial gains they feel they need to have in order to be happy and survive.

"In vain you get up early and stay up late" Ps. 127:2

But upon a more focused look, I saw how it could also be applied in a multitude of ways. With one in particular addressing the pursuit of many a homemaker, wife, women with jobs outside of the home, and mothers of the world. All around me, myself included at times, I see people, especially women trying in vain to stuff more and more into their daily schedules. We are so busy doing that we fail at just being. I have come to see multi-tasking as a tool of the devil that causes us to loose sight of what is really important at any given moment in time.

I am sure some of you have heard the story about how the devil was seeking a way to keep some Christians from being effective in the kingdom of the Lord. His helpers tried many ways to tempt them into stopping what they were doing. Being the committed people that they were they kept right on helping the needy, teaching God's word, caring for their families and friends, reaching out to others, preaching, witnessing and a host of other acts of service. Upon the next meeting of the forces against them, it was decided that the best way of making them inefficient was to just give them more to do. Just "keep them busy" was the battle cry and with the plan in action, we have been too busy ever since.

Staying too busy keeps us pulled in too many directions, that hinders us from giving our best to the task at hand, the one that really counts for all of eternity. I have seen where trying to do 2 or more things at the same time divides our energy and attention, so that we do the job halfway and most often not to the best of our abilities. Even at times to the expense of our health if we are not careful. I now see that in order to fully appreciate and enjoy the task before me, I have to be focused and aware of it at the precise moment I am participating in it. Active participation requires a conscience effort, not mindless activity that steals God's riches from us. Trying to juggle a multitude of thoughts in our minds leads to stressful thinking. Just as easily as trying to muli-task can and will lead to stressful living or as I have renamed it ~ half living.

For I see the best life has to offer us as either living in abundance (alive) or deceased and at home with the Lord. The choices we can chose from are alive, half-living, or deceased, of which we seem to easily chose half-living most often as the option for us. Do we find ourselves like a walking zombie, one who is really dead but don't know it? Are we walking around in our lives half-living, but also half-dead to the possibilities before us?

I believe this verse speaks of trying to do more than we were created to be about. The end result is decreased sleep which gives way to health issues and fatigue, then leading to "burn out" and unloving service to others. God has ordained our days, each one of them, HIS plans have been set into motion, and we have a purpose before us to glorify HIM with our lives. I don't think we can accomplish what HE has for us as Zombies or even Biblical Marthas. There are blessings to be enjoyed this side of heaven, but we will miss them when we are too busy to see them.

Deborah