thanks for the memories

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

I love the way kids pretend

This morning Layn climbed into Isabella's kennel.

Everytime I said "Night night doggy!" He would giggle and lay down and pretend to be asleep.

I have a feeling that he's going to be in and out of there all day.  I'm glad that MK washed all of the dog bedding yesterday!

Monday, August 27, 2012

I have been awarded!

My son awarded me this blogger honor. I have no clue what liebster means but I am assuming that it is good since he is such a good son.  There are of course strings attached to this award, I guess that is life.  I have to tag some other bloggers that I like only I am confused about the number, Ryan wasn't clear whether it is 7 or 11 so I'll go with 7 since I haven't got 11 digits of one kind to count with.  Anyway, I have to tag 7 bloggers who have less than 200 followers (Ryan I stink at math!) and then post 7 things about myself and answer Ryan's 7 random questions.  Then to wrap it all up I have to give 7 questions for the 7 bloggers that I have tagged to answer.  I hope that there is someone that is not confused 'cause I am.

My bloggers are:
1. Left on Main
2.Shes Really Doing This
3.Ten Kids and a Dog
4.thats_Italian
5.Are We There Yet?
6.Beloved's Bride
7.Caiti's Cakes and Cookies

Ok! I managed to do that whole link thing.  My computer knowledge and ability are iffy at best.  Now that Matthew is gone there is no one here to bail me out if I mess up.

7 Random things about me.
1.  I can type very fast and usually get several characters ahead after I make a mistake before I go back and correct it.  My fingers seem to know what it takes awhile for my mind to comprehend.

2.  I love movies but when I watch them I don't always remember that I have seen one before.  It is a joke with my family because I can get halfway into a movie and say something about it being familiar and they will just laugh and tell me I have seen it several times before.  I think that just makes me an easy date.  My husband never has to worry about whether I have seen the movie before, they are all new to me.

3.  I am very influenced by color.  It can effect my mood and my health.  Earth tones are the best for me.

4.  I am a very tactile person.  I choose fabrics based on how they feel in my hands.  There are some that I absolutely refuse to work with because the feeling is so unpleasant, widewale corduory is one of them.  One of my favorite things to do is to cut playdough with plastic scissors.

5.  I am also big on smells.  I tend to identify people that I have seen frequently by their smell.  My husband smells like a blend of hay, molasses, and soybeans.  No matter how often or how hard he scrubs my oldest son always smells of engine oil, diesel fuel, and wood smoke.

6.  Other mothers can't wait until their kids leave home.  I would love it if mine all moved back here and lived within walking distance of my house.  I dream of 40 or 50 grandkids.

7.  I see numbers in colors.  That is why I can memorize whole strings of numbers; I just remember their color pattern.

Now to answer Ryan's seven questions.  Ryan you were being very silly when you wrote those questions!
1.  Do we need more cowbell?  Your guess is as good as mine.
2.  To be or not to be?  That is the question isn't it.
3.  If I had the time what would I learn?  I would learn how to play the piano.
4.  What does my blog mean to me?  A chronicle of things that happen in my life.  A place to write down the memories lest I should forget.
5.  What is the first thing I am going to do when I get to heaven?  Provided I do get to heaven the first thing I will do is a victory dance.  Then I will sit down with Our Lord and ask a whole list of questions that I have spent my life preparing.
6.  If I had a superpower what would it be?  I have a superpower, how many more do you think I need?
7.  How many roads must a man walk down?  As many as it takes!


Now my 7 questions.  If you have read this far than you get the prize.

1.  What is your favorite flavor?
2.  Does anybody really know what time it is?
3.  What is the first thing that you do upon rising in the morning?
4.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
5.  If you could do anything other than what you currently do, what would it be and why?
6.  What is your favorite vegetable?
7.  Just what makes that little old ant think he can move that rubber tree plant?

Have at it folks!!!!







The Simple Womans Daybook 27 August 2012

Outside my window...it is cool and cloudy.  The weatherman is calling for heat and humidity today.  As long as the breeze that we have keeps blowing I think it will shape up to be a good day.  There is plenty of laundry to put out on the lines so the breeze will help. 
I am thinking...about the changes that the seasons bring.  After 50 years of this one would think that the change from summer to fall would go unnoticed by me but it just isn't that way.  Each year it unique and just enough different from the year before that I can't help but take notice.
I am thankful for....churches that have mass in the evening on Sunday especially when I wake up with a migraine.  I didn't have to miss mass yesterday.  Though I have been told over and over that it is a legitimate excuse I still hate to miss mass.  The week doesn't start out right for me unless I am able to start it with the sacraments.
From the kitchen...I will be canning the tomatoes that MK peeled on Saturday.  Fortunately there is plenty of pasta leftover from Saturday so no one will have to cook today.  I hear the bread machine doing it daily chore of making bread.  Now that we don't use that much bread I no longer make it by hand since it is easier to set up the bread machine each day.
I am wearing...green tee shirt and green shorts.  I have no plans to leave this farm today (I want to pass off the banking to Melissa) so there is no reason to shower and dress until later before Doug comes home from work.
I am creating....security!  Everything that goes into the pantry or the freezer is security for the coming months of cold weather.  Saturday I put 5 zucchini cakes in there along with 6 bags of grated up zucchini, 6 bags of beans and one package of shortbread.
I am going...to stay at home.  There are tomatoes to can, school work to be done and every second of another day to be savored.  I will be far too busy to get in the car and go somewhere else.
I am reading...Literary Converts by Joseph Pearce.
I am hoping...that the rain that is forecast will hold off until either tomorrow or at least after dark so we can get mount washmore conquered without running up the electric bill.
I am hearing...the breadmachine kneading the dough, the washer doing its endless task, the pulleys on the clothesline squeak as MK hangs out another load of clean laundry, and the breeze whispering through the maple leaves outside my window.
Around the house...all of the clean up is done for this morning.  The kitchen has been left until all the canning is done for the day.  Layn is outside playing in his yard enjoying the last nice day before the rain does come.
One of my favorite things...the sense that what I am doing, where I am, and the goals that I seek are in line with the will of God for my life.
A few plans for the rest of the week...this is mid-term week at school so I will be busy with that.  I hope to get some letters from Matthew this week so I can send out the considerable tome that i have been writing to him.  Of course there is always the routine aspects that hold my week together, holy hours, meals, and chores.  I love being the mother of this crew.
Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
Is that a look of love or what? Those eyes are saying, "I love you papa!"  Papa looks pretty tickled too.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

And he's off....

This morning my husband and I drove to Syracuse to the MEPS Station to see Matthew sworn in to the Army and to say good bye to him before he leaves for basic training.
From the first moment that I realized that I was pregnant with each of my kids I started praying for them.  I pray for everything and every aspect of their lives.  The older they got the more intensely and fervently I prayed for everything and every aspect of their lives.  As each of my boys announced that he intended to go into the military I prayed like never before.  I know that God is good and that He provides, the life that my family lives is proof of that in so many ways.  But sometimes you can witness that proof more than at other times, and today God gave me a glimpse of his graciousness and grace.  Last night at the hotel Matthew met a boy who is going into the Army for the same thing that he is and to the same place, that's not too unusual.  What is the answer to prayer is that this boy is a devout and practicing Catholic too.  Any boy who proudly has a pin of his guardian angel on his picture ID has to be better than a nominal Catholic.  At least for this phase of Matthew's trip he has someone who is like minded to talk with and be friends with.  Thank you God. 

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Simple Womans Daybook 20 August 2012

Outside my window...the sun is rising and it is shaping up to be another lovely day. 
I am thinking....about everything but the fact that this is Matthew's last day here for quite a long while.
I am thankful for...all of the friends who gathered here yesterday to bid Matthew farewell and to pray for his safety and success.
From the kitchen...who knows, I haven't thought that far ahead yet.
I am wearing...jammies! It is early yet to be wearing anything else.
I am creating...last minute memories for both Matthew and those he will leave behind when he leaves.
I am going...to be the unfortunate one to drop him off at the recruiter this afternoon.
I am reading...nothing at the moment. I need to pick up the books that I ordered at the library.
I am hoping...a lot of things I can't say here.
I am hearing...Layn talking to his Auntie in the livingroom, grandpa talking in the kitchen, the shower running as Melissa gets ready for work, and the sound of the birds outside my window calling to each other.
Around the house...there is some recovery to do from yesterday's party.  That's a good thing though, it will give both MK and I something to do today.
One of my favorite things...the beauty of the teenagers here leading everyone in the rosary yesterday.
A few plans for the rest of the week....finish my final research paper for literature and keep busy.
Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
The whole party gathered by the fire praying the rosary together for Matthew's safety and success.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Memories

The Simple Womans Daybook 13 August 2012

Outside my window...the sun is shining, the temperature is a nice cool 66 and it looks like today will shape up to be a good one.  That heat wave that we had was oppressive, it is nice to have some cooler temps for a change.
I am thinking....about how to slow things down a little. This is Matthew's last week here.  It would sure be nice to slow the clock down a little.
I am thankful for...the little moments that become long lasting memories. 
From the kitchen...I will be continuing spoil Matthew week with lemon/pepper chicken, honey/mustard chicken, fresh veges from the garden and salt potatoes for supper tonight.
I am wearing...a yellow sleep shirt and red flannel jammie pants.  It is just cool enough around here at night to need to dress a little warmer.
I am creating...a circle of love that will surround Matthew and go with hime when he leaves.
I am going....to stay at home all day today.  Lots of school work to do along with cooking and just spending time.
I am reading...the autobiography of Flannery O'Conner.
I am hoping...and praying for success in the weeks to come for Matthew.
I am hearing...the washer and dryer running, Layn swatting at flies in the kitchen, and the birds singing in the trees outside my window.
Around the house...all is as it should be.  This is a place for family.
One of my favorite things...the sounds of MK and Matthew laughing and talking together yesterday as they finished cleaning up his room and packing up his stuff.
A few plans for the rest of the week....spoil Matthew!
Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
A guy and his binky! That poor blanket takes a lot of abuse and keeps on giving this little guy comfort.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Before and after

I have a couple of kneelers that really need to be recovered.  For those of you who have done this before you are probably thinking, "What's the big deal it is a piece of cake."  Well, I have never done such a thing and since the fabric is a bit pricey I don't want to fail
This is the before shot.  Not only was the fabric full of dust but it is itchy and smelly.  I also don't like the way the cushion on the top comes to a point.

So I had MK take it all apart.  I measured and bought the fabric and made a template from the old.  Then I got rid of the old foam that was so stinky and got new foam.  I trimmed the peak on the top foam so that it was flat across and then put them all back together.  Now all I need is for MK to find the hardware so that both cushions can be reattached.  Looks pretty professional and there was no wasted fabric.  Not bad for a mere $18.00/yd.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The work across the road seems to be inspiring

Last week the men rented a post-pounder and put in more fence posts.  The fence lines on this farm are getting a much needed face-lift.  After the posts were in for the fence line Ian pounded a new post for my mailbox.
Today while waiting for the dew to come off the garden so he could pick more beans, Matthew set to work fixing the mailbox.
A jeep makes a good ladder! Especially when it is right there and you don't want to walk around the house to the shop to get a ladder.

One newly fixed mailbox.  Let the plows go by and throw up all the snow they like.  All that baby is going to do is swing in the wind!!!

Big changes happening on the farm!

There is a lot of excitement here on the farm.  Last weekend our local excavating firm dropped off their bulldozer in preparation for breaking ground to build a bunk silo and bunk feeder.
Yesterday bright and early the man came to begin pushing dirt.  What a glorious smell he made in the cool morning air!  There is something so life affirming about the smell of sod being broken and dirt that hasn't been exposed for years suddenly breathing the fresh air.

Of course along with the myriad benefits realized from being able to have the corn chopped and fed in a dedicated place for that and for ease in clean-up, all of this building is providing entertainment.

Last night when we went to bed the ground had been leveled and graded and sat waiting for today's advent of gravel.

Layn got up this morning, was pottied and took his breakfast outside so that he would have a ring-side seat for the early morning show.

Even if you aren't a little boy there is something compelling and thrilling about the sight of big trucks doing their jobs and hearing back-up beepers.

I know where we will be able to find Layn all day today.  The only difficulty that I see is getting him to tear himself away long enough to use the potty.  Is it too much to move the potty seat outside?

Monday, August 6, 2012

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord!

     There on the mountain the Apostles were astounded when Jesus was transfigured, changed, right before their very eyes.  They hardly knew what to say, so much so that Peter said something that was pure nonsense and yet perfect sense, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Mark 9:5)
     What Peter said made no sense at all because the incident would not be a permanent one so why bother errecting tents?  This was done for the purpose of strengthening their faith and for a direct revelation of the relationship between the Father and Jesus.  At the same time what Peter said made more than perfect sense.  It was indeed good that they were there!  How blessed and set apart they were to be given such a revelation.  All that they had been taught by Jesus to that point was solidified and confirmed there in that one incident. 
     What a lesson for all of us as well.  It is good that they were there, but even better that we have a record of this account.  It was through that revelation, that strengthening of the faith of the first Pope, that the Church of Christ was prepared so that we, in this day and in our time, can find it "good that we are here!"  It is also through the example of those struggling Apostles, who day by day in the Gospel accounts, became transfigured themselves that we have an example of how we should live our lives. 
     They feasted daily on the word of Jesus, no matter how hard it was to chew and swallow.  By their steady diet of the Word they and their lives became slowly transfigured into lives patterened after the Word.  It is now up to us to do the same; feast daily on the Word, whether we can stomach it or not, trusting that Jesus will nourish our flesh and our souls.  Then we too can be transfigured into ardent followers of the Word and be compelled to say, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here!"

The Simple Womans Daybook 6 August 2012

Outside my window...I am sitting.  This morning the air is drier and the temperatures are cooler so I took my work outside.  Layn is playing with his toys on the sidewalk beside me and watching the man run the bulldozer across the street in the pasture.
I am thinking....about life and how it ebbs and flows.  An over used phrase to be sure but it is true nonetheless.
I am thankful for....my beautiful, poised and very mature daughter.  I just wonder when she grew up into such a young woman.  Half of me wants to capture those little girl days again and live them all over and the other half is filled with joy at the blossom I see before me opening into such a beautiful flower.
From the kitchen...something will appear, it always does.  Currently I don't have a clue what but it will appear.  Perhaps it will include summer squash and green beans since those are what we have plenty of.  Maybe I can even throw some new potatoes into the menu.  Time alone will tell.
I am wearing...one of Doug's warm shirts and his boxers.  Strange outfit I know but it is a good day to dress comfortably and stay at home.
I am creating...something wonderful.  Yesterday I got out my pleater and threaded it up.  Now that cooler weather is coming it is a good time to start doing some hand work again.
I am going...to stay home today.   I think today it would take an act of God to compell me to move away from my home.  I don't even want to go far to take my walk.  I think I will just put Layn in the stroller and take him out the roadway that cuts across our fields.
I am reading....Jane Eyre.
I am hoping...to do the will of God, today and everyday of my life.
I am hearing....the sound of the bulldozer across the road as he does his job, the motorcycle that just went up the road, Layn calling to MK as she goes over to the barn to do her chores.  It is the smell's today that are more compelling than the sounds.  I can smell the dirt as the bulldozer uncovers more and more of it.  It has a rich living smell.  I smell the cherry tomato that MK just brought me from her garden, it smells of sunshine and muggy days.  I can smell the rainwater in the puddles leftover from the showers that we had yesterday.  So many odors that are revealed when the air has been washed clean by a storm.
Around the house...MK has everything picked up and put away from her party yesterday.  She was up with the sun this morning. 
One of my favorite things....the smell of the soil.  I could revel in it all day. 
A few plans for the rest of the week....taking care of the usual business of life.  I have three new subjects that I start today to work on and get well acquainted with.  There is the usual round of holy hours, laundry, dishes, and meals to prepare.  I even have a few plans to squeeze in some sewing.
Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
The tables are all set and waiting for the guests to arrive.  MK sets a simple yet an elegant table.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sharing

Papa and Layn doing a little Sunday afternoon reading.  Nothing like reading "The American Farm Tractor" together.