Busy Summer Days!

This year Summer has brought with it a new perspective. In years past, Summer has been a time for relaxation, perhaps a vacation or two... This year, Summer is all about gardens and food preservation, and tending to our little farm. It's been busy, oh, delightfully busy! It's also been so filled with wonder, amazement, and rejoicing. When we planted these tiny seeds, we hoped for something to grow, and now, wow! Baskets overflowing with big beautiful squash, juicy tomatoes, yummy radishes...and so much more to come!

I've had lots of sewing to do as well. I wouldn't normally have planned to have sewing work during the busy season of gardening, but, with a new blessing on it's way there isn't much choice but to sew! Of course, a new blessing is always a very happy reason to have extra sewing work!

We've been trying to squeeze in some school work as well. Jacob is really enjoying the first grade. It's been so neat to see such a difference in this year's work verses earlier years. He's enjoying being able to be more independent and reading his own pages! :) I just love watching children learn.

We have had a tremendous amount of rain this season. It seems like every rain is a downpour! So many of my friends are facing droughts, and many of the farms in our surrounding area are flooding! It's unbelievable to see such deep flood waters covering the fields. So many of them look like lakes...until you notice the tops of trees out in the middle of it! In several places the flood waters are almost covering the road. It doesn't seem like it would take much more for us to lose access into Kansas City for a while, at least from the main stretch of highway. We actually received a letter from the power company saying that if waters rise too much they'll cut off power! We don't appear to be at risk for personally flooding out, although both of our gravel roads could easily flood. I suppose it's a complicated balance, too little rain and the crops can't thrive, too much rain and you have a flood!

One afternoon, Jacob and I sat watching an intense but brief Summer storm. We watched the rain moving towards us until it was actually over us. It was so neat to be able to see it coming! Once the rain stopped, this beautiful rainbow appeared behind the silo. I love how even today, the rainbow is such a symbol of God's promises to us.

Well, I should probably get back to being busy! I have sweet corn from a local farm that I plan to make creamed corn for the freezer with. I also still have an overflowing basket of squash and zucchini to put up, with lots more that will be ready in the next few days. It's busy busy, but busy is good!

With Love,

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Garden Progress!

This was the garden spot in May. It was so exciting to see the neat rows of baby plants popping up!


And now, at the end of June and into July, the plants are huge and starting to produce food! It's so neat to see these little seeds become beautiful plants, and even more exciting to see these plants giving food.

I'm excited to see what all will come from the garden. It's so rewarding to see the hard work bearing fruit!

In His Love,

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Planting Garden

My friend Sharon and most of her children came over to help with planting our garden. Their help was such a blessing! They arrived in the forenoon and were there till about four in the afternoon. It was hot (the high reached 93 degrees!) and hard work but we got the garden in!

Sharon and I sorted through seeds and made plans while Leon went over the garden spot with the tractor and tiller once more. Karen cut the last ten pounds of seed potatoes. Jamie loved playing in the big bowl of potatoes!

The children had such a time playing together. The Eicher children are some of their favorite playmates, so they really enjoyed spending the day outside with them. Bethany and Victor pushed the littler ones around in the toy cars. Leon took all of the children on a ride in the trailer behind the tractor.

Leon took such care in explaining to Jacob all about how the tractor works and what such and such does. Jacob really enjoyed learning all about it! Victor is one of Jacob's best friends, so they really had a fun time together. Jacob likes playing with the older boys, since they do such big things! :)

Justin and Joseph caught a toad! They played with their toad friend and chased him around. Finally they decided to let him go into the tall grass. What fun!

All of the children enjoyed watching the big tractors at work on the farmland around us.

For our noon meal I made two casseroles of homemade Beefaroni, vanilla pudding, and fresh bread with apple butter. The sweet tea was certainly refreshing after working in the heat!

It was so wonderful to all work together and to see how much we could get done! We managed to get everything in, except for pumpkins and watermelons. We ended up plowing two additional spots to make it all fit! Sharon was such a help in figuring out how much of what to plant and where. She answered my many questions with such patience!

I am excited to watch our garden grow, and to see what will come of the fruits of our labors. I am so thankful for the land to plant, and the resources to plant with, and for such great friends to help! I feel so blessed indeed!

In Him Who First Loved Us,

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Busy with Being Busy!

It seems that lately my little blog has been sadly neglected. I suppose it has been rather busy and I dealt with another round of bronchitis. There's been lots of interesting happenings around our homestead, so hopefully I will have find time to catch up soon!

This morning the boys slept in, so I decided to get caught upon a few things. I washed a load of laundry, started two loaves of bread to rise, and even did a little sewing. I got most of the way finished with the bodice for a new blue dress.

I can hardly contain my excitement and joy! A very special box was in my mailbox...all the way from Texas. I think I skipped all the way back to the house. Inside the brown box was a most beautiful and cherished gift, lovingly made by the prayerful hands of a friend! What was the gift you might ask? A beautiful handmade rug from a dear sweet friend, Leslie!

Sister Leslie, I think you looked right into my heart, found the colors of who I am, prayerfully wove them together with the love of your hands and created a treasure that will be cherished in my home!
I had quite a time of trying to figure out where to put such a special rug. It is so special that I wanted it's place to be special, too. I finally decided I'd put my special rug by my chair because so often my little ones gather on the floor here to sing or read a story. They are often right there to watch when I'm doing needlework. This is the chair where I enjoy a rest after a hard day's work, and where I enjoy my coffee, quiet time and feathered friends at my window. It is where I sit for family hymn sings. So I thought such a special treasure should be somewhere that special moments are had daily.

This afternoon we worked outside. It has been hot today, almost record highs of ninety degrees! The heat made the work more difficult, but at least we had a good breeze! We got one raspberry bush planted, and then dug a trench to plant seed potatoes. This evening we are going to try to get a few more bushes planted and such. Today Jacob discovered the joy of running barefoot. The other boys had already learned this valuable life lesson, but Jacob had been hesitant to try. I do believe the heat finally convinced him to take his boots off! He was quite surprised to learn that the grass and dirt really does feel good on your toes! As I was digging the trench, Jacob kept discovering new worm friends. He decided to visit for a while with a few of them...he thought they'd like to ride in his shirt pocket. It was so humorous to see my bookworm outside barefoot in the dirt and playing with real worms!

Our family has discovered a new special treat...Frost Top Root Beer. I had never been much of a fan of root beer, but this is really tasty! And nothing tastes so good as when you've been working hard outside!

Daddy is nearly home for the eve, and we will do a little more work outside. The smothered porkchops have filled the house with an inviting aroma, and the boys are enjoying a slice of fresh bread on the porch. Lord willing, I will plan to get caught up here over the next few days. There so many things I'd love to share!

In His Precious Name,

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First Harvest

We were so proud when we saw the first squash ready to be picked. It was so amazing to have tilled the land, planted the seeds, tended the tiny plants and watched them grow!

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Our Little Homestead

When we look out at this beautiful land, we thank God that He has provided us such an amazing place to raise our family.

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Tilling Up Our Land

Mom and Dad came to help us get our garden started. Dad was a huge help with the tiller. We tilled a 1200 sq foot garden!

The menfolk worked so hard tilling the land and clearing the rocks. But when they were finished a hearty lunch of pot roast and mashed potatoes awaited them inside, along with an ice cold glass of sweet tea!

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Tending Blueberries

I love to sit out among the blueberry bushes, picking weeds and tending to the bushes. It is so peaceful with the birds singing and the breeze blowing.

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Garden Plans and Homemaking Notes

Last day before Rick comes home!

Princess is really missing her daddy. Every time he calls, she thinks he is home and runs to the door. She has been jumpy all day.

We received the card Mom had made for us when we moved. She said that Dad forgot to mail it, so it just came today. I still haven't heard from her though. I left her a message earlier, but I suppose she is just busy.

I took some good notes today on homemaking. I have been trying to find information for our garden. I did find some good tips. I also found some good tips on cleaning and homemade cleaner recipes.

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I Have Spring Fever...

It is so beautiful outside. What a beautiful world God has created for us! I keep looking for excuses to go outside.

Rick is going to San Fransisco this Friday. I hate that he has to travel so soon after us moving, but I know he has to go :(.

We found a friend of ours that has a nice tiller we can use to start our garden.

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