Another Week Begins . . .

Sunday was a quiet day for the most part. I did have 2 visitors late afternoon, who came by to discuss nursing decisions that one was needing to make. I had been working on Heartland blog entries and had gone outside to sit and write at the picnic table, when they arrived. We had a nice chat for almost an hour rocking the day away on the front porch. I stayed outside as Sassie was desiring my company. Thinking I could do two things at once, serving to accomplish two purposes; writing and visiting with a horse.

It was a perfect Fall day. . . one blessed of lite breezes with a hint of coolness on such a sunny day is the right combo for me. One that made me want to ride Sassie all the more. Filling my thoughts with rides taken across the pasture/ prarie open lands, along a trail nestled in the woods, just about anywhere at this point. Right now I could be happy with just "yard riding". I keep thinking soon I will be able to get a saddle. My visitors promised before leaving to search out their storage area to see if they still have one. They used to own horses, but have sold most of their things already. Soon, very soon I may get to ride.

Monday was a day of not much and a few things. Both my husband and I are dealing with a health issue right now. One that keeps us from getting much done around here lately. We left after lunch today to run a few errands and dropping off the chainsaw to be fixed before going to pick up lumber and nails. Both are needed items to build a new goat shelter. One sideline stop was at a feed & seed store nearby. Lon has decided to put some rye on Sassie's pasture, along with all we have already sown for her winter grazing. This "feed & seed" store is an old establishment with new owners. So we spent some time there just visiting with the owners. Small town chatter and sharing of news. Quaint, friendly and a lost art in the rush-rush world of today. But very much alive in the rural setting we are now living in.

Food plot area for Deer Hunting

The lower edge of the pasture had to be cut before sowing the rye. It was a good thing I had put a pot of soup on earlier. For the day was slowly slipping away towards sunset. Took half of the bag of rye seed and sowed it over Lon's food plot area he is establising for the local deer. We finished our chores just in time to enjoy our meal eaten out at the picnic table as the wonderful Fall day ended.

A wonderful lazy kind of day. . . . .no rush,

Deborah

Rain, Ruin and Rockers

Rain has returned after only one day of dry weather. The progress of clearing out trees in an effort to dry out our "barn" continues. The hope of having a larger, warm, dry shelter for the goats has been delayed. Due mostly to the unending rains and also our tired bodies. All of the cutting, noise and disruption near the laying boxes has upset the hens I think. For our egg production has dropped to an all time low this month. I am hoping the trend doesn't continue long, as we need a steady supply for our egg customers and ourselves. Though we have been blessed a couple of times lately with a "two for one" deal.

Yesterday on the way to the feed store we came across a yard sale event in the town where it is located. Lon spotted a vendor who was selling wooden rockers, swings and Adirondack chairs. After picking up feed, we stopped by to check things out. Finding well built oak rockers and cypress Adirondack chairs to our liking. Both sat and rocked wonderfully. My family has been after me to discard the rockers I have been using. They are a little worst for wear, as my son's dog used them as teething toys when he was a puppy. My plans were/still are to redo them. I believe I can re-cane the bottoms so that they are useful again. May not be perfect as I have never done one before. But I have studied several books and would like to try my hand at making them over. Even if they are off a little in the pattern, who would care as long as they held you up when you sat in them. I just hate to throw away something just because it needs a little repair. Any way, long story short, after returning home to unload the feed and eat lunch we went back to get some new things for our porch. Brought home 2 large rockers and 2 chairs destined for the yard. I plan to put a staining sealer on all of them to help protect the wood from the elements. Then place the 2 Adirondack chairs out under the big old oak out front.

I have already added a few lap quilts and cushions to the rockers for comfort when the air turns Fall-ish. I need to make a trip back to the old house to gather up our Fall decor box to finish up the sprucing. Picking up some more craft supplies while there wouldn't be a bad idea either. There is several Autumn themed ones that I need to finish.

Rocking my cares away,

Deborah

P.S. Tell me what your favorite Fall item is, so I can add it to our list.

Farm Visitor of the Two Legged Kind

How is it possible to be worn out from the constant chatter and activity of a three year old one minute, then have your heart ache for her the next? Leah came out to visit with us this past Wednesday morning bright and early. A visit that required that I drive one and a half hours round trip to pick up her and her sleep-over bag. Meeting her mommy before going to work was the only way to get her here without too much fuss. She has spent almost 3 days with us, leaving under protests this afternoon.

Every room in the house speaks of her presence here, these past few days and tugs at my heart. Tears sprang easily enough to this grandmother's eyes as she left and again as I see all the reminders in each room. I miss her already and understand the longing her Mommy had in her absence. I do look forward to a sound night of sleep, but will miss my "bed fellow". As tiring as she can be at times for this 53 yo. Nana. I long to hear her spontaneous "I love you, Nana" and all the free hugs and kisses she gives without being prompted. I pray that we are making memories that will bring a smile to her face and a tug at her heart when remembered one day. That the pleasant sights, sounds and smells will flood her with memories of a joyful time spent with her Papa & Nana on the farm. Like the ones that sweep through me of my own childhood spent out in the country with my grandparents. Life is so precious and passes so quickly that I am afraid we let too much of it slip through our fingers unnoticed.

I lost an uncle today, my last one, to death after a sudden illness at 87 years of age. He was my Mother's only living sibling up till 4:32pm today. All of her brothers, sister and parents are gone now. Her heartache is so ever real and haunting at the same time, of her own passing years and aloneness now. I can't imagine how it must feel. Sorry Mom for your lost. Lon and I discussed the issue this evening as we rocked away our weariness over a pot of coffee, as rain once again covered our world. He has already lost both of his parents and knows the pain of separation it brings, I have not. We spoke of those who have lost a spouse and how that must put a heaviness in the heart of the one who is left behind. Neither of us like the idea of being a widow or widower. We pray the Lord will allow us to go home together one day or give us the grace to go on alone. One may have children or even grandchildren around them. But I am sure they will never take the place of your parents and especially your spouse. All of these events happening this close together today has already served to make me quite weepy.

Reflecting on life,

Deborah

Autumn has Arrived!

I love this time of the year, though if I was to confess, I have reason to enjoy every season of the year. Guess I just love living and can find something pleasurable about each one. It just depends on your perspective. The weather has been rather cool lately and is serving to stir the blood towards thinking hibernation. Our leaves around the farm are already showing hints of color, with a few spreading their bounty across the lawn. Breezes of the snuggling kind have caused me to add quilts and blankets for our outside sitting pleasure. A few mornings have even required a sleeve and a briskness to our morning chores. We have turned off the air conditioning and in turn have opened the house to the refreshing air. A sure way to save on electricity and increase our time sitting close together .

Changes can already be seen in the stores and around town. Everyone is placing their fall decorations out and mums can be readily found at the garden centers. I plan to get a few to dress up our porch and yard too. A trip back to storage will be needed in order to get my rather large box of Autumn decor to use at the farm. Wishing at present that I had been able to put in a pumpkin patch and few corn stalks to be used now. No worry, I am sure I can find a few dried up stalks in a neighbor's garden and pumpkins of all sizes are available in the grocery stores. With all these changes my mind wanders off to the collection of recipes I have gathered that taste like fall to me. One especially enjoyed is a flavorful pumpkin bread recipe that I want to share with you.


Pumpkin Spice Bread

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon canned unsweetened pumpkin
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan. Sift together the first 5 ingredients; stir in salt. Combine sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add egg, beating until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients, beating at low speed until blended. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake at 350* for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until loaf is golden and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes our clean. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Hope you are enjoying this early taste of fall weather that we have been experiencing. Dig out some of your fall favorites and cook some up soon. Before you know it these days will turn into the cold days of Winter. And pumpkins will be a thing of the past, along with ever changing leaves, mums, Friday nite football games, fall fairs and other pleasures of the season. Grab some now while they are available.

Don't forget to leave me a comment on a post with your favorite fall item, so I can add you to the list on this blog.

Digging through my fall favorite list,

Deborah