Trip to Florida

Last Thursday Kate, Gabby , Becca and I drove to Miami . Kate had an audition for the Frost School of Music at University of Miami.
I had much planned in my mind but once again the Lord provided the best for all of us....

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

We arrived late Thursday and on Friday morning my wonderful mother in law, Judy, had already packed a lovely picnic for us for after our walk at the Everglades!!*grin*

Before we left ,I walked around her cosy home ... many fond memories came back to me...I thanked God for his mercies and for loving me so much. I smiled when I saw this painting that I did long ago... it was the front door of my in laws home.... through that door I learned much about been hospitable and loving the Lord....

Some have been changed through the years but not the open and willing heart of my dear Judy and Efrain!!*grin*

Their home have always made me feel welcome and loved. I think this is true to all who visited here.

My lovely daughter ( minus one- Sthefanie) and I....

I must confess that although I so enjoyed to be there , I was missing my sons and Mark.

" Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. "Psalm 127:4/5

Again, I felt the blessing of God this day. The weather was beautiful and the gators were out swimming ....

I am only sharing few of many pictures I took ... it was such a delightful morning!

This bird must was calmly standing so close to Becca... he too must know how sweet and kind she is .*grin*

I thank our Heavenly father for a safe trip , for wonderful family , good audition and return home.

Hershey ...my dairy cow

I walked to the main barn this afternoon to take a look on Hershey, our dairy cow, she hurt her left foot and she is not doing to well... I am so sad. I moved her to the main barn so the vet can take a look on her tomorrow......The single thought of loosing Hershey makes my stomach sick.... she has been with us for 6 years and have served us so well with a wonderful and healthy milk in which I make fresh and hard cheese, yogurt , ice cream and so much more....

Would you pray for her tonight if you read this post?

The ground has been so wet lately from this strange weather that I wonder if she slipped and fell.... I will find out tomorrow...thank you!

New year's resolutions

I have always been curious in read about what people like to write at the beginning of the year. I think most people have a tendency to want to get healthier and lose weight. I too, I am guilty of that, grin, I have start to walk on my thread mill because It is too cold to go to the park and the last few months I have been lazy; but I don't mean to talk about this type of resolution in this post because what I *really* want to say and share with you is this video on my right side of the bar.

This video is hosted by Godtube.com and because is not mine, I was unable to upload on my post but you can click to go to the site or just watch here ( a little smaller,grin*)

No matter how many times I watch this video I still cry. yes, I am happy for the man in the wheel chair and of course the love that his father has for him is something that touches me deeply but what really moves me to tears is to think the Love of my Heavenly father over me. Our human love is *nothing* compare to God's love for His children .

This video is an amazing remind of God's perfect and unchangeable love , in which I need daily.

My resolution for this year is around one single word - Obedience.

To be obedient is not easy... My children will agree with me, grin, and I too want to be more Obedient to my Heavenly father and my Lord and saviour's Jesus Christ.

Alright , alright , I still want to lose weight! *smiles*

**** please , before you listen to the video, go down on my page and pause my playlist box*****

Lovely evening

Every Sunday evening Mark and I enjoy to go for a stroll around our pastures. We hold hands ,walk and talk and enjoy ourselves and the animals around us.

Many times we are blessed to see wild ones and one thing that I *love* to do is to count how many wild rabbits we spot. It is so funny how they stay still as we pass them. I ,of course , LOVE to see the babies.*grin*

We didn't see too many yesterday but the sheep was so active and play full.... grin.

We have a momma sheep that had triples and they are white as snow.... so precious!*smiles*

I thought you would enjoy to meet *Cheddar* . This is our miniature horse and belongs to my younger daughter...

The sunset is always very special to me... I can just cry looking at it.... I don't know why , but it just moves me to tears.

I am wishing you a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

Etsy ~ Treasury West

I was so honored today when I received an email from an etsy seller ( Id Tolltunde) letting me know that my Christmas bunny set was selected and it is on the feature items at etsy!
How fun!*grin*
Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=77968

Thanksgiving dinner made by Copper Kitchen

It has been a tradition in our family to cook our bird in our Copper kitchen. This amazing *oven* is known originally as *tin kitchen * or *reflector oven*. Many people think that during the time that food was made over an open fire everything was just perfect....well, it was not!
Many homes were caught on fire because the grease would spill over the fire and problems would occur.
I read online that it was around the late 1700's that someone built the first reflector ovenand it was made from tin . That was a great solution but again, the lead on the tin was not good.
I had my oven made from Copper and with a drip pan . The design is exactly the same as the original tin kitchen.It is also lead free.*grin*

I don't think I EVER ate a bird as delicious as the ones that I make in my CK. One is able to truly roast it. Last year we had a 26lbs and this year the largest Turkey we found was a little over 20lb.

Here you can see the bird and the low fire.

There is a window that allows one to see the cooking progress...below you can see my old clock showing the time I got started ....8:30am

My fireplace has a neat story. *smiles*.When we moved to this home the fireplace was electric and it had a very fancy wood with gold plate (ugh)! It took me almost 2 years to find one that I would be happy. One day , Mark and I were walking in town and I glimpse inside a small antique store ( the only one in town) .I immediately felt in love for this simple ,solid , old, mahogany wood- fireplace. As a matter of fact , it is known to be over 100 years old!I asked my husband -Can we have an old wood such is this so close to the fire and not be dangerous to be caught on fire?

We walked in and asked the lady if she knew anything about the fire place and to our surprise she told us that this was originally the fireplace found at the founder of our towns'home, actually the town next to ours. The neat thing is the the founders of this town, named Marshville , not only lived in our property but they were also buried here in our grave yarn ( I said *they* because it was 2 brothers and their last names were- Marsh! )Yes I have a real grave yard inside one of my pastures and it has the original tombstones that were handwritten their names and dates.

Ohh... someday I will write about the stories that once were told to us that happened here in our farm....*grin*

Back to the bird.....now in full glaze~*grin*

Three hours later we had the most delicious , juice turkey ever!

Our farm kitchen was full with loved one, family and friends. We had a wonderful fellowship time and now I am home with my loving husband as everyone are went to the $1 theatre to see a movie! I am ready for a nap!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Pottery making!

This time of year is usually the time that I spend at least couple week turning crockery for Christmas gifts. I enjoy going to my shop, load my small wood stove with some good dry hickory fire wood. set a pot with fresh water on top , for tea, turn on my old Christmas music and get ready to get my hands in the mud. I then have my visitors ( my children) that quickly notice my absence and come join me in pot making. Much of what I do is in secret so I can surprise them but sometimes I let them come and work their own little pots too.

I couldn't do much today because after coming home from church and having our supper, I had only couple hours before get ready for our evening bible study however, it was enough time to turn 6 pots. I have been requested to make soup bowls and because a while back I did some with my own drawings transferred to the bowls, I now had few friends ordering some from me . I will try my best to get it done but it is not a promise!*grin*

Here is my pottery shop.It faces my vegetable garden . I make my porcelain dolls and any clay work here in this red building. Mattie, my sheep dog, wanted to say *hello* to you!*grin*

Next to the building is a small trailer. That belongs to our theatre. We had to buy one to transport our theatre whenever we perform. When I first began the theatre I had no idea that I would need so much of space and *things*!!!!!!!!!!!

then the little small building is my doll's shop. There I have 3 tables. One only for sewing. On for cutting and one for all my other needs such as wig making, wings making ...etc... and all my supplies I storage there. It is a little messy but It is comfortable enough.. I even have a small fridge, air condition and a small heater there!

Here is a unfinished painting of what my shop looks like during summer time when my flowers are in full bloom.... I live in a beautiful place......*smiles