Take the time...

What a week it has been!!! Nothing like a couple close calls to remind you what really matters. During church Pastor Scott reminded us of the Sabbath. That doesn't necessarily mean keeping a whole day open and you do nothing...although wouldn't it be nice to spend that day just visiting and no chores. All you need to do is "steal" a few minutes here and there. It could be taking the time to scratch your favorite fuzzy buddy, have a cup of tea with your best friend, read a story with your kids or drink in a sunrise or sunset.



You would also be amazed how good it feels being nice. We tell are kids to be nice while we get frustrated with the person who sits at the green light, roll our eyes when the cashier calls for a price check for the patron in front of us or slight the waitress on her tip when she forgets the ketchup. We never know what a difference just being nice could make. Maybe the person sitting at the light is lost in thought because their Mother just passed away. While their checking on the price say Hello you just might make a new friend. And as for the waitress...she remembered your fries!! We all have hectic, frustrating, stress filled lives. But if we slow down half a step, take the time to love our friends and family, soak in the view of God's amazing creation we call earth and treat people the way we would like to be treated...Wow just imagine.

Finally....

OK, it's official. Me and the children have fallen off our apple cart! You never saw three people more excited over an egg!!! We have been waiting, checking and threatening to squeeze some chickens if they didn't start laying soon. We built them a beautiful new home "The Taj ma Chicken" complete with nesting boxes, roosting boards and as an after thought put an old drawer on the floor for the ducks to sleep in. Guess where our first egg showed up...yep the drawer. If your wondering about the color, yes it is green. We have a couple chickens called Aracaunas and they lay green eggs. They vary from whitish-green to closer to a light teal color and I absolutely love them. The inside looks no different from a white or brown egg. But they certainly are a conversation piece. Hopefully I will have all fresh eggs for my holiday baking.

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to pass my blog along to your friends...blogging certainly can be addicting, huh!

Busy, Busy Best Friend...

I was shocked and sad when I realized I hadn't posted in 10 days. Time sure is flying. Fall definately is a time of chores when you've spent your summer "playing" at the track. We supplement our regular heat with a wood burner. Not just to save money, but the heat is warmer. We also have a fireplace in the living room (another house selling point...too bad there isn't one in the bathroom!) that we enjoy burning in on cold evenings. When we first moved in (13 years ago) we split by hand! I can't believe my Grandfather split everything by hand, what a man! It didn't take long to purchase a splitter, now I can split too...wait that didn't work out right. haha

My BEST FRIEND is my precious dog Josie!!! She follows me everywhere, doesn't care what mood I'm in, hugs me when I cry (she really does, she wraps her head around my neck) and "talks" to me in the morning. Even when I'm splitting wood, she lays in the bark and shavings close by. I sure am gonna miss her when she's gone. They say your dog waits for you in heaven...I sure hope so!!!

And He's only 11....

My menfolk love to go hunting. Archery season is their favorite. Probably because, contrary to what anti-hunters think, they love the outdoors and the wildlife as much, if not more, than the actual hunt. I hear lots of stories of how squirrels "hollar" at them if they're sitting at the base of HIS tree, chipmunks run around gathering and hiding nuts and the beautiful skies blazing various colors of crimson, violet and blue. They all come back renewed.

We had a big discussion with Jon about being very selective before raising his bow due to the unseasonable temperatue of 80 degrees. Well I received a pic on my cell phone showing this magnificent 8-point buck. Jonathan is only 11 years old and this is his third dear, two with a bow. His very first hunt (at age 9) he bagged a 3-point and last year a smaller 8-point. He says he wants to be a Professional Hunter when he grows up...I'm starting to think he just might be!

I hope I didn't offend anyone with the picture...I kept is tasteful.

Book review...

This is the best book I have ever read. I was hooked reading the forward. While it is a fictional book, it will make you think. We spend a lot of time with closed hearts. We don't volunteer at animal shelters because it breaks our heart to see them come in abused or have to be euthenized, we change the channel when they show starving children and turn a blind eye to the homeless. This book will help you open your heart and understand that giving really is better than receiving. After you read The Shack you will want all of your friends and family to have a copy.

Game time...

When I was growing up as an only child I spent alot of time playing games by myself. And you may find it hard to believe...but I played honestly (boy did I lose alot of games). I come from a long line of card players. Unfortunately, we "kids" weren't allowed to play...still aren't, and I'm 39. (no really, I am 39) So I made a vow to myself when I was young I would always make time to play games with my kids. And while it's not as often as it should be, we play often, more when the weather turns cool. We usually pop some popcorn, heat some water in the kettle and grab a game or two.

Tonight it was Sorry and Sliders. Jonathan has been playing Sliders in Science class. How do you play sliders you ask? Each player has a different color slider (in this case Sorry pieces), you take turns sliding then to the end of the table and whoever is closest to the edge gets a point. How does that relate to science? I'm sure it has something to do with how fast, how much force, etc...

I enjoy this time with the kids. It's a relaxed time to chat, heckle and just "be" with the family. Dad doesn't always join in, but that's ok, because he always wins. Drives me nuts!!! But we certainly enjoy when he joins in on game night.

If you don't have family game night you should. Wether you play a board game, dice or cards. Wether it's with family or friends. Game night is a great excuse to slow the everyday pace down, share stories and, of course, eat some yummies. Enjoy!!

Autumn is here...

It's quite nippy here in Ohio this evening. Granted, this same temperature in February will feel like spring and we'll all be sick from going outside with no coats. But tonight...it's down right chilly. After going out to check some trees to cut down for firewood Jonathan and I decided to build a fire in the fireplace. The kids put their electric blankets on their beds so their tootsies will be warm tonight. Hope your warm where you are tonight!