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

Cold is on the Way!

The skies one morning recently looked as if they might give way to some stormy weather. Looking out the window at the break of dawn told me that it was going to be a cold day, just like the weather people predicted. We have been experiencing some freezing temperatures for over a week now. The day time temps would not be so bad without the chilling winds blowing in your face and seeping through our clothes. Lows at night have caused us to cover the garden more than once in an effort to save the rest of our fall harvest. Dipping down into the low 20's caused the few tomatoes on the vines to freeze. Some of the less than hardy plants in the flower beds succumbed as well. Winter is not officially here till the 21st. of December, but one look at the landscape around the house would speak of something different. Fluffy white clouds I love to see in the season to come, as they hold the possibility of snow. Not that we get it very often in our neck of the woods. But the grey skies are not so pleasant to look at in winter. Devoid of color they lead to a gloominess that matches the flatness of the world around us and I get tired of so quickly. So accustomed to color through out the rest of the year we seem to walk around in shock. So I have decided that making, finding, enjoying the list of Fall Favorites should be repeated this winter season as well. I plan to start compiling the new list and will post it a few days before December 21st, so look for it. In the mean time start your own list and let me know in the comment area, what you will be looking forward to, as all creation goes into hibernation. We can compare notes, inspire each other and look for the blessings in this season of life as well.

It is surprising to me that the chickens are still eager to get out of the pen for some foraging with the COLD winds blowing these last few days. Feathers are easily ruffled with each blast of air, their little yellow legs exposed with out warm coverings. Makes me shiver just looking at them and the trek across the yard in the cold doesn't help. Egg production has dropped a little as the daylight hours have dwindled with the setting of the sun coming earlier with each passing day. I too hate to loose the evening hours to darkness. After all these years, you would think I would have come to grips with darkness falling at 5 - 5:30 this time of the year. The girls may be suffering from diminished light or as the poultry books have stated, they maybe getting ready to molt. Not that their feathers are worn or anything, but dropping them at this time of the year doesn't sound like good planning on their part. I haven't seen any stray feathers floating around though. Could be because of the strong winds or the fact that they are looking for what few bugs that are still above ground, deeper in the woods that separate us from our neighbor. We have had as low a count as 6 eggs one day, averaging around 9-11. Every so often that will kick back into gear and our egg basket will be filled with 12.

The gas logs in the fireplace are lit every morning to chase away the cold and warm our toes as we shuffle into the kitchen for some hot tea. Lon has joined me in my delight for the beverage and to the amazement of friends, has stopped drinking coffee all together. We frequently encourage the other in another cup throughout the day. Green tea is a given, along with a box of "Apple Cinnamon" and "Constant Comment", we have been going through quite a number of boxes. Supplies are getting low and I have the desire to order some favorites from the "Republic of Tea" company, like "Blackberry Sage", "Cinnamon Plum" and "Pomegranate Green" tea I am out of right now. Though with the start of December I always pull out my Christmas favorites to enjoy, so I can probably hold off on that order till some time in January. That is when I will really need a lift to my spirits in endless days of grey.

Reading has been come the norm for our evenings here, as we have fully forgotten about t.v. viewing. Watching an occasional movie is the only change we have made. Acquiring an old VHS player has pleased Leah as well and we have enjoyed some old Disney films I had purchased for my future grandchildren before DVD's took over. "Aladin' seems to be her favorite so far and has been watch by us all more times that I care to count. All the dancing and singing really captures her attention. I am sure as the days go by, Lon and I will find ourselves also engrossed in an some old VHS tape from our collection. Maybe we will make Friday nites our Movie and homemade popcorn date night.

It won't be too long before the garden will be closed for the winter. Our time will be spent instead with seed catalogs and making plans for our Spring garden. But that is another 2 seasons away, so for now I will focus on the highlight of next week. . . Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, veggies, salads, cranberry sauce and the favorite desserts of yester year. Then before I can catch my breath it will be time to decorate the tree and add the trimmings that turn our home into a Christmas celebration.

Enjoy the time as you have it, it is a gift.

Deborah

Deer Camp and Wonders

Lon and I took a short trip down to his deer camp in south-east Georgia for a few days at the beginning of the month, where we have our camper set up for a getaway "B&B". We always enjoy our time there in the woods, with the quietness and God's creation all around us. Time in the past has been spent on relaxing, reading, crafting, scouting for deer activity, hunting, visiting with other camp members, backwoods 4-wheeling, sleeping and just being plain"sorry" as Lon calls it, over the years. This trip was no different, as our intent was to get out of our usual routines for a quick low-cost vacation. It has been a busier month so far than I had realized. First we enjoyed a day trip to Lumpkin, Ga. on the 30th of October(previous post), then a trip to Hiawassee for a birthday surprise, Nov. 4th (look below for post)with this trip to the woods landing on Nov. 5th, rounding out our travels thus far. We have one trip planned this month and that should be all for awhile.

I love going to stay in the camper in such peaceful surroundings. Even though the preparations and journey will cause me to not come at times. Being away from home can be both exciting and tiring, as more is required of my energy and time. To do not only the everyday routine activities, but also those things necessary for travel. I wondered while there with so much to do back home, should I have been away from it. Remembering that my home tasks will always be there whether at home or away, left me with an important realization. So the best thing I could do was simply set the thoughts aside and take full advantage of my reprieve from them. The opportunity to spend time with family and Lon may not always be available, so I need to seize the days at hand. Time is an item always in demand, something we seek for more of, the very thing that we are guilty at times of wasting. But know one thing it will pass by as surely as the ticking of a loud clock on the wall. A sound that could be easily ignored with practice, but will serve as a noisy reminder if we let it ~ to seize each moment of time we have to live.

Another way for me to look at trips away is, I personally gain a fresh perspective on my life and a renewed commitment towards my purpose or calling on my life, when I am away from it's daily demands and influence. An added bonus for me also is the amount of free time I acquire for personal pursuits like reading, crafting and journal writing. Sleeping out in the fresh unpolluted air of rural America is not without merit either.

We recently purchased our own 4-wheeler for ease of hunting for Lon and "play therapy" for me, after years of enjoying Daddy's. Which led to sore bones on day 2 of our backwoods adventure. But my, o, my it was fun riding trails through the woods, feeling the air in my face and the Fall sunshine on my head. It was just the two of us, Lon and I enjoying the quiet stillness of the woods when we stopped for a rest near his deer stand. Not a sound could be heard, not even the rustling and chattering of squirrels that frequently visit him when he is trying to hunt. By the way how do you like my ansemble for the trip? Now when I tell you that I go hunting with my sweetie, there will be no more doubt for you scoffers of the past.




Surrounded by the hush of the deep woods around us, it's beauty untouched my human hands, crafted instead by heavenly ones was beyond words. You just have to experience it to truely understand it's drawing of your soul to it. There were some other hands or should I say feet busy also nearby his deer stand. They had been very busy as you can see by the size of their construction.




The leaves were just beginning to change into their warm hues of Fall. It seemed unusual that in the course of 2 days that week, I witnessed 3 phases of colors. At deer camp it looked like the beginning of changes, back home we left the woods around Heartland Farm a jump ahead, about midway in their march towards spectacular color. Then at Mom's the day before the North Georgia Mountains looked to be at full peak. All due to the temperature and geographical differences in each area.

While there I was able to check off a few more Fall Favorites off my list, hiking in the woods, camping, and deer hunting. The last night we were there Lon shot a doe, which will give us meat for our freezer stash to eat this winter. It reminded me of the people who lived in this area before us in history. They were very much dependant on what food sources they could find to feed their families. If you were not a good hunter or woodsman your family could and often did go hungry. Back then there wasn't much trading available and no supermarket to stock your cupboards with , like we have to shop in now. I believe society as it is today would not survive, for most lack the skills to feed themselves. Growing, foraging and hunting are lost skills that were once past down from father to son.

The interest in simple living is bringing back the teachings of many skills and ways of doing things that were taught to Lon and I. Library books are helping to further our learning as is meeting new people who are willing to share what they are already doing, that which we hope to do in the future. I am so glad I grew up in the era when it was still a lifestyle for my parents and grandparents, being able to learn first hand from family is a great gift that I treasure. Thanks Moma and Daddy. You can't stop being a student I believe and I am still learning with each new interest we embrace for Heartland Farm.

To me the equation for living is easy:

Simplified living = simple pleasures =
abundant life = fulfilled purpose.

You just can't beat that!

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