A Country Maiden's Lane

Down to the Finish Line!

2010-07-07T11:53:00.001-04:00

In just a few days I'll be marrying my best friend ~ The man I've waited for all my life!

~ February 2010 ~

I am amazed at what the Lord has done... how He brought us together in His perfect time and directed our steps as we built our relationship around Him. Our relationship can only be explained by the Lord's working in both of our lives, for if it were not for His leading and guiding both us and our parents, neither of us would be where we are today. We serve a great God, do we not?!

My relationship with Ryan has taught me much about the Lord. Learning to trust Him (the Lord) when I didn't understand knowing that He was in control of all things, seeking His will in a way that I've never done before, and diving into Scripture to see what He says about things are some that come to mind. I am so thankful for the past year and a half of our relationship... the Lord knew I needed to learn more about Him and be challenged in good edifying ways. What a wonderful time it has been!

~ April 2010 ~

With the Lord's hand so obviously at work, I can't help but be excited about the future! In three days Ryan and I embark on a new adventure, only this time it will be together and not separated by hundreds and hundreds of miles! I can't really imagine what that will be like... but I know it will be wonderful!
With that in mind, this will be my last post. My focus will be changing and I will be taking on new responsibilities, which I've looked forward to assuming for a long time! I am excited about the next few days as well as the future! With our Lord guiding the way, we have much to look forward to!

A Little Bit of This and Little Bit of That...

2010-05-07T15:04:00.000-04:00

*Warning: This Post Contains LOTS of Photos!*

I have to admit that, at times, the weeks since my last post seem dim and vague... a bit like those cows, pictured above, as I stood at the bottom of the hill looking up at them before using the digital zoom to capture the photo. So much has taken place... So many thoughts have run, raced, and pelted through my mind (and still do!!:o), so many new and exciting things have taken place, and all the while normal everyday life takes place!!! It makes for quite the interesting time as we try to accomplish everything, but I wouldn't trade it! Oh yes! I do remember the past weeks, but they seem so long ago... almost like a dream.

So here I go... a conglomeration of the highlights and everyday life at the Castlebury's!

"I See You, Sawah!!"
Several weeks ago we were able to go visit the Pelc's, and goodness, what a time we had! We always have a wonderful time together, but I do believe this one is better than the rest! Dad and Sayre helped Ryan and his Dad out at the house where they were able to get the roof on, a good amount of dry hung, and several other 'more than one person jobs' done. Sarah did several posts on our time together (#1, #2, #3) which document it really well.
Sawyer seemed to be Sarah's constant companion during the trip, and the above photo gives one a taste of how much he enjoys playing with her!

Ryan and I...
It was so good to be talking with Ryan in person again!! All other mediums are great, but they can't beat face to face in person time. We were able to get quite a bit of wedding and house related things nailed down and talked through during the time together, which was exciting for both of us!

Talkin' and Enjoyin' Each Other's Company...
I find it humorous that this is the only photo that contains more than 3 people I have from the entire trip!! Us ladies had such a great time together! From visiting antique stores, talking, or whatever we were doing at the moment, we had a wonderful and encouraging time together! The times our families are together is always refreshing, challenging, and encouraging. What a blessing the Pelc's have been to us!

Measure Twice, Cut Once!
Upon returning home from Missouri, Momma and I began to contemplate starting in on my wedding dress. The mock up had been completed right before we left, so all we had to do was to set aside everything (that would be gardening) and begin the dress. Two Monday mornings ago my Momma pulled out the cutting board and began laying out the fabric, while I was out running errands. Once I returned home, we started in on the cutting... and cutting... and cutting... and cutting. After three hours of cutting, measuring, snipping, and pinning, we closed up shop and called it a day.

Pressing in the Seams...
We spent the afternoons of the next week and a half in the sewing room together. What wonderful times those were! I was able to learn new things or have sewing 'techniques' reinforced with each seam that we put in or pressed flat. My Mother is a sewing genius and I have so much to learn from her, which make these times where we're working together so terrific!

Sewing the Horsehair to the Hem...
This past Wednesday we finished all the machine work on the dress; and yesterday, we officially finished all the hand sewing and pressed the dress!!! Now, all that's left is to put on the covered buttons, which we need to purchase, and the dress will be officially done!! I can't tell you how exciting it is to see (and have!) the dress (almost) completed!! Wow!!! Words fail me... It's a great feeling!

Momma and I
I have so enjoyed working on my dress with Momma. The time we spent together was special and full of memories... I was able to learn from her as we worked... We were able to talk about all sorts of things and build our relationship even stronger. I treasure these times with her...

Next on our to do together list - go strawberry picking for jam and freezing... that will take place next week! I sure hope the strawberry farm still has berries to pick! :o)

Web-Footed Creatures
One highlight of this spring has been the addition of new animals to our place. Sayre wanted to raise some ducks, so in mid March we had Five Rouen, Five Mallards, and Five Pekin ducklings who looked so soft, downy and just plain 'ol cute, arrive. Now, they're practically full grown and make enough noise to drown out the chickens when we're present there.

Duck Herding
These guys are a hoot to watch as they go everywhere en masse together, quacking the whole time. Sayre had them out the other day, and it was hilarious watching him attempt to herd them over to the shop!! One would get pointed back in the direction of the pen, and all the rest would follow! Sayre set up a kiddy pool full of water for the ducks to swim in, and it's a real treat to watch them floating in it.
But now that they are so big, we need to get them out of the chicken pen because...
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We have chicks!!!!!
One of our broody hens hatched six chicklets while we were visiting the Pelc's!!

Collecting the Eggs...
I have just recently let Mother Fluff-Ruffle and her brood out of their pen and the chicks seem to enjoy roaming about the coop scratching for all sorts of things.
I so enjoy watching the chickens. It's so peaceful to sit in the grass or under a tree, watch them gather around you, and slowly go off in search of bugs or other tasty treats. They have really become more and more free range this spring. That's been so neat to see!

New Beginnings...
Sayre brought home three African Pygmy goats last Saturday... The 'girls' are Roxanne and Roseanne while the billy is named 'Buster Houdini'. Roxanne (pictured on the left) likes to stand at the gate and bleat at us, during the late afternoons. If you bleat back, she'll answer and you can carry on quite the conversation!

Cattle Wranglin'
Seeing how I've featured all the critters, but the dogs so far, I suppose I ought to include a bit about the cows. Well... there are now sixteen cows and calves out at Bull Run! All the cows have calved and I think the final tally is five heifers and three bull calves.
In the above photo Dad, Tristan, and Sayre were putting each cow or calf into a head gate so they could tag them or take tags out, deal with the bull calves, and look each animal over closer.

Patiently Waiting...
So this is just a taste of what has gone on around here. As we look ahead to the weeks before the wedding, we anticipate wonderful times! It's going to be busy, but it will be wonderful at the same time! Home... Family and Friends... Animals... Gardening... Wedding... The recipe for the next nine weeks!

Thank You to all those who left comments on the last post. Ryan and I really enjoyed and appreciated your congratulations and excitement for us! Thank You so much for your comments!

From Ryan and Ashley...

2010-02-20T00:21:00.001-05:00

Allot has transpired for us over this past year ~ first this, then this, and now...
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This! :o)

On Wednesday a new step was taken in our relationship... one that we had looked towards and hoped for since our courtship began.

These past fourteen months have been wonderful ones, with the Lords' hand being evident every step of the way. From the bringing of two families together even though there were hundreds of miles between them, to the friendship that so quickly sprang up between us ("us" being Ryan and Ashley), to the amazing like-mindedness that we have not only in our likes and dislikes, but most importantly in our strong desire to align ourselves with what the Lord has laid out in His Word. Every step of the way, we have found each other to be walking the same course in the living out of our faith; which has time and again shown us that we were following the path that the Lord has laid before us.

Now we are excited to announce that, as of this past Wednesday, we are an engaged couple!!! We have made this commitment one to another after seeing the Lords' hand throughout our relationship, and commit to marry knowing that we are in the center of His will.

These days, we are delighting in spending our days discussing and planning for a summer wedding. As we walk this course together, we are highly anticipating the coming days and years that we'll have together!

Seasons...

2009-12-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since I last posted, has it not? It has been a busy season since the post and I needed to take some time off to focus on the tasks and to think. Combining fall cleaning, working on large projects (such as quilts), two holidays, visitors, and the normal everyday life of the Castleburys' (which has somehow become more busy of late... I'm not sure how, but has managed to do it again!) makes for a very interesting time. A time where one has to focus on the important thing - that being ones family and what you can do to help them.

It's been a wonderful time though... I thought I would give you a quick glimpse into the highlights of the past six and a half weeks!!

Feedin' Rex and Meetin' the Cows...
Towards the end of October Mrs. Franco and the kids were able to come visit for a day or so!! We had such a wonderful time with them... I think the highlight, for the kids at least, was going out to Bull Run and feeding the cows as most ALL of the cows are taller than they are!! Or maybe it was building a fort in the woods with Sayre... hmmm, maybe that was it! Bethany posted some pictures from their visit HERE.

Victoria, Haviland, Sawyer, and I - with Bethany in the background and Buck wanting in on it all!
It was a terrific time spent went them; a time of renewing friendships (we don't get to see them very often), a time of good discussions, and a time of working together!! We hope to see them again soon!

Finished!!
As soon as the fall cleaning was finished, Momma and I started working on our quilts. I had bought my quilt top at a yard sale well over a year ago now, and I was oh so anxious to see it completed. It took almost two weeks, as we had guests and other things that needed doing, but it's now finished and draped over the bench inside the back door!!! Oh I love it and am so pleased with how it turned out!

Being goofy...
Sawyer has been our entertainment of late!!! In the above picture he had just gotten knocked into the sink and we were all laughing at him!!! His comment upon being 'rescued' was "Oh, now my pants are wet!" which sent us into even further peals of laughter!! I love his smile... his eyes glow or 'dance' when that smile of his comes out!! Its the sweetest thing ever! Yes, he wears a hat most of the time - it just adds to his cuteness! :o)

Still in the works
Trevor has been working on the chicken coop, every chance he finds, with Sayre's help. The above picture is where the construction is on it right now. They have one full side plus a partial side of the coop to put the siding on, and then they'll move indoors putting in widows and doors, building nest boxes and roosts, and then I'll move the chickens in!!! I can't wait till that day!

The Chicky-y-doos
Speaking of the chickens, we are now getting anywhere from 11 to 13 eggs a day!! Thankfully we have a source that WANTS as many eggs as we can spare, otherwise we'd have a bit of a problem on our hands! :o)
These birds are an absolute blast!!! The ones that fly the fence have become rather bold and are up near the house scratching in the dirt... I have to count the birds each evening just to make sure that everyone is back in. I have to wonder if I don't have chickens laying outside of the pen.

A FIRST for us!
The best and most exciting part of the past few weeks has been the addition of a new calf to my herd of cows!!! She arrived last Sunday evening and is the cutest little thing ever!! She's highly curious and rather energetic for a new calf, I think. I have two more heifers that are due any day which is giving us allot of suspense and anticipation here!! It's going to be so neat to see all three of the calves running around out at Bull Run!

My Family~Winter 2009
In Front left to right: Sawyer, Momma, Me, and Thelma - Trevor's wife
In Back: Sayre, Daddy, Tristan, Trevor, and Collin.

Over these past weeks I've been doing some serious thinking in regards to my blog, and I've come to the conclusion that it is time for me to close this season of my life. There are so many things that I want to learn about or research, projects that I need to do, and new things that I want to delve into; as I've stepped back and looked at this area, the question that has kept coming to my mind is "What would the Lord have me to do during this time of life?". I'm here to serve the Lord by serving my family... this is a time of learning from my Mother... this is the time to learn things that I might not have the time to learn about years down the road... and I could go on.

I do not make this decision lightly; I've prayed about it, talked about it, and thought about it for quite a few weeks. But this is the right thing for me to do. I'll be leaving the blog up, but not posting (well, maybe I'll pop in every so often with a new post, but I'm not going to commit to anything).
I have so very much enjoyed blogging - from getting to know some of my readers through comments they leave all the way down to the encouragement y'all have been to me! It's been a wonderful time!! Than you for making it so!

To all my readers I wish you a Happy New Year! :o)

Rain... Rain... Rain...

2009-11-11T14:58:00.002-05:00

It's been a rainy yet delightful past day and a half! We've most certainly enjoyed our time spent indoors doing and focusing on things that are not 'everyday'. We had a good reason to be indoors... a little rain isn't enough to keep us from being outside, but when it's a downpour most of the day, then we do our utmost to stay dry. In the past thirty hours we've received just shy of five inches of rain!!! It's made feeding critters rather interesting... and wet!

View from my room...
As of yesterday around 4:00, which is when the rained slacked off enough for me to hasten out a give the critters an early feeding, we had received right at the inch and a half mark- per our rain gauge. When I woke up this morning I was surprised to see that the pond had tripled in size!!

Close up
It rained hard and steady all night long not slacking off until around 10:00 this morning. In addition to the water that the pond receives, it also holds the water draining from the front yard. I'm surprised, yet not really, that there was this much of a change from yesterday afternoon!! It's really neat! I'm already thinking a canoe ride is in order as soon as I find the canoe!! :o)

A wet and excited dog!! :o)
I headed out for a walk around 11:00 to clear my mind and to see the sights. Jasper had been outside for sometime already, but he was so happy to have me out there with him! It was seriously swampy out there... you don't quite leave footprints as you walk but it's 'pert near close'!!! There's been a nice wind most of the day which should help towards drying things out. I love seeing the ripples that it makes on the pond...

Stayin' busy...
So what have we been doing during the rain? Well, Mommas been working on making the house more into a home. Right now she's working on cleaning out her china which includes washing it and, to an extent, re-arranging the furniture that holds it. She and Sawyer took a break to make cookies this morning. Have I mentioned that Sawyer l.o.v.e.s to bake?

Hibernatin' in the sewing room...

I've spent every free moment of the past few days working in the sewing room. Some denim has been my focus and I ventured into uncharted territory by doing two rows of top stitching along each seam. My seam ripper and I are getting to be good friends these days... I feel as if I've done more 'picking'/ripping out than I've done sewing!!! :o) It's all for a good cause and I'm really enjoying the end result!

It all started out...
This was taken last Friday as I began cutting out the fabric. It was chilly in the house and the back porch offered me the perfect spot to get warmed up, naturally!!! It most certainly did the trick!
Despite the fun stuff we've been doing, I'm already looking forward to the sun coming out once again! It will be such a cheerful event!!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Nearer, Still Nearer

Words & Music by: Lelia N. Morris, 1862-1929

Nearer, still nearer- close to Thy heart,
Draw my, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast,
Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest,"
Shelter me safe in that "Have of Rest."

Nearer, still nearer- nothing I bring,
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus my King-
Only my sinful, no contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Nearer, still nearer- Lord, to be Thine,
Sin with its follies I gladly resign-
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give m but Jesus, my Lord crucified,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

Nearer, still nearer- while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages, ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.

Another Year Older...

2009-11-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated Sawyer's fourth birthday... where did the past four years go?? It wasn't too long ago that he was a sweet and cuddly little baby, and now here he is...

Patiently Posing for Momma
... a sweet four year old that has such a tender heart.

OHhhhhhhhhhhhhh Boy!
I must say that his birthday celebration was unlike anything that I've ever seen, thanks to Sawyer! Birthdays around here are a family affair and although we all have fun, they are rather low keyed. This was NOT the case last night...

Trevor and Thelma-still newlyweds! :o)
Sawyer had spent most of the day wishing everyone a "Happy Birthday" when they wished him one!!! He talked about his birthday cake, became tickled pink when we sang the "Happy Birthday" song to him, and was just in general EXCITED over it all!
After dinner and conversation, it was present time... the most anticipated time for him!

"A Dump Truck!!!"
The look in the above two photos of Ham-man opening his gifts literally say it all. As he tore paper off of the gifts he would say "Oooohhh, it's a ______!! Thank you soooooooooooooo much!!!! Ohhhhhh boy!!! Thank you_________!!!"

As I sat there watching it all take place, I couldn't help but stand amazed with his thankful heart. Yes, he was excited over it all, but he would take the time to look the giver in the eye and to say "Thank you!". His excitement was contagious to all around the table and we all were wearing big grins and laughing out hearts out by the time he opened the last gift! It was truly a very special time for all involved.

Sawyer is turning into a fine little man. His thankfulness isn't limited to birthday presents; it carries over into everyday life- when I take clean clothes to his room he says "Oh Ashley, thank you for my clean clothes". When Momma comes home from the store we hear "Thank you for the wonderful food, Momma!". Or simply when something ordinary happens it's not unusual to hear "Ohhhh, thank you!!!" come from his mouth!

He's become a real help as well. He cheerfully brings me some laundry when I'm unable to get it, enjoys helping in the kitchen and will volunteer his services in there, he can unload the silverware from the dishwasher, and will be a big help if we will only allow him to.

Yes, Sawyer is a huge part of our family. We all love him dearly and count ourselves blessed to count him among us!

A Recipe...

2009-11-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

It's been requested that I share the recipe for the brownies that I shared in a post last week. Since I have a tried and true brownie recipe that everyone absolutely loves I'm beginning to expand my horizons a bit. For some strange and unknown reason, peanut butter swirl brownies have been on my mind the past few weeks so I went scouring the Internet to see what I could come up with. This is what I finally decided to try...

Michelle's Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies.

2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, 1/4 white sugar, 1 egg, and milk until smooth. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, 2 cups white sugar, and vanilla. Mix in the remaining three eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; mix into the batter. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Remove 1 cup of the chocolate batter. Spread the remaining batter into the prepared pan. Spread the peanut butter filling over the top. Drop reserved chocolate batter by teaspoonful over the filling. Using a knife, gently swirl through the top layers for a marbled. effect.

5. Bake for 35- 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out almost clean. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

This was a pretty good recipe one that I would definitely make again but try several different things to see if I can improve on it.

1.) I had an 8 ounce block of cream cheese and didn't feel like cutting off and storing the extra two ounces (I remembered what happened the last time we stored the 'leftover' portion). Next time I will most certainly use the six ounces that the recipe calls for. The brownies were almost to 'rich' and not 'peanut-buttery' enough... I'm a thinkin' it was the extra cream cheese.

2.) Also, just out of curiosity, I will melt the butter and sugar together on the stove instead of melting the butter and then adding everything to it. This also means I'll mix the brownie batter up by hand instead of using the mixer. They always seem to be better when they are done 'on the stove', so to speak.

I may search the Internet some more before I finally decide on 'THE' recipe... but maybe inspiration will strike causing me to get creative and figure out how to take the 'tried and true' recipe and add the perfect peanut butter mixture to it!!! Now THAT sounds great!!! :o)

Enjoy!!!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-11-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Music by: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934
Words by: George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay!
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence, humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

EXCITEMENT!!!!!!

2009-10-30T11:20:00.000-04:00

Finally, after seemingly months of eager anticipating and wondering "when will it happen"...... it happened!!!

Nestled amongst the golf balls...
We got out first egg!!!!

Posing for a picture...
I headed out to the pen late yesterday afternoon just to see how the chicky-doos were doing. This involves checking the food, water AND, most importantly of late, the 'nest tub' (which is a blue barrel cut in half length wise) for 'treasures'; as well as standing around and watching the flock hunt for grubs, sun themselves, or take dust baths. It's always entertaining to see!!!
This particular afternoon there was a twist to it all. There was an EGG in a NEST that a HEN had made!!!! Talk about the culmination of all that we've put into these girls!

After I dumped the feeder out...
One of these lovely ladies, not the rooster in the middle of the photo, gave us our first egg. We believe her to be of the Australorpe breed which are the black hens in the above photo- their are fourteen of them.

Showing off the egg!
We were pretty excited over the egg!!! It's tiny but it's a start!!! I'm already restraining myself from tromping out to the pen every hour just to see if there might be any more out there!!! It's hard, but as long as I stay busy I will manage!!! EXCITEMENT!!! :o)

Ruler of the Roost...
I'll end the post with Mr. Rooster. He's a wreck. He can't crow... it's more like a one syllable squawk that sounds atrocious!!! He normally crows while they are still penned up in the mornings, when he's feeling really good during the late afternoons, and now, as of last night around 8:30, he crows in the dark! I sure hope his vocal chord growth catches up with the growth that his body is doing!!! I'm not sure how much longer of the squawking we can take! :o)

If you look close enough at the area behind the rooster you will see the beginnings of the chicken coop!! Daddy has the posts and a board for one side of the coop all ready and this weekend he'll be working on it, if it doesn't rain! I'm so excited!! Eggs and the beginnings of a coop all at the same time! :o)

Baking....

2009-10-29T16:50:00.000-04:00

The sun is shining here at our place and it's simply delightful outdoors! The widows are open upstairs, and in various room throughout the house, letting in the fresh air from outside! It makes the room feel crisp and fresh after being shut up for so long due to rain or humidity.

View from the barn and chicken pen...
After spending quite a bit of time indoors last week, I was surprised to see how much the leaves had changed color!!! The River Birches are beautiful with their yellowing leaves which are quickly calling to the ground... pretty soon the trees will be completely bare and will look quite desolate until next spring.

Fresh from the oven...
With the windows open and the back door rotating between an open and closed state this morning, I jumped into some baking. We were on our last loaf of whole wheat bread so a new batch was on the agenda. For the past month or so, I have had quite a time with the bread... it's been dry and has risen only to fall when it's baked. I've used the same recipe and done nothing different than in times past, but it still turns out... to the eye unappealing. There has been a new recipe that I've been working with as well, and I've had the exact same results. Yesterday, Momma and I got to wondering if our yeast couldn't be 'bad' so she picked a new package up when she stopped at the Pantry Shoppe yesterday. So this morning, once the bread had risen beautifully, I turned the oven on and held my breath willing myself to NOT look at the oven for at least ten minutes (a watched pot never boils). Finally, I could take it no longer and just had to take a peek... the bread had pretty much STAYED risen!!!! Yes, there was a bit of 'settling' but there was a bouncy little person runinng around. I'm tickled pink!!! This is the first 'decent' rising I've had in a month!!! Granted, it could be better but I'm thrilled with what it did!!!

Michelle's Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies...
While the bread was baking I mixed up a batch of brownies. This is a new recipe but it sounded really good per the reviews I read. The 'white swirls' is a peanut butter and cream cheese mixture that tasted really good!! I have high hopes for these brownies... they are sitting on the counter at the moment. I wonder if they will make it to the table without anyone pilfering a bite!!! :o) We like to pilfer!!! Especially if it's good!!!

There is such a sense of satisfaction in seeing jobs well done; and I'm really looking forward to seeing how tasty both the bread and the brownies are!!!

A Week Full of Projects!

2009-10-26T13:46:00.000-04:00

This past week was a busy yet delightful and productive week! We had revival services at church Tuesday through Saturday evenings, I had rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, a performance on Friday evening, and the time in between it all was spent staying busy with all sorts of things!

I decided to dedicate last week to working on a few projects that had become 'unbearable' and we're starting to hang over my head. I was ready to begin work on them and I even had help on one of them!

Pinning the lining and curtain together
Just over a week ago now, a friend that I hadn't seen in quite a few years came to visit for a few days and, as it would turn out, she discovered that I was getting ready to begin assembling curtains for my room. Somehow or another we began working on them the last day she was here, but didn't finish them as we ran into a 'the curtain-rod-won't-fit-into-the-'sleeve'' type of problem. We did get the hardest part done and it would be easy sailing to finish them.

Pausing for the camera...
Please pardon our laundry... rainy days and freshly laundered 'hanging clothes' don't mix very well!
So Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were dedicated to me finishing them!!! Yes, it took a while but see, I ran into a 'one curtain is longer than the other and everything is already sewn up' wall and as my Momma was rather wrapped up in getting the living room put back together, I thought it best to wait until she had a free moment.

Finished...
Finally, the free moment arrived and we looked/measured/compared curtains only to find that there was no problem!!!! Whatever was wrong had apparently fixed itself while I worked on other things!! So, that afternoon I was able to finish them and get them hung!!!

Comparing...
While waiting for the free moment with Momma, I worked on several other projects. Piecing my quilt backing together was something that I've been aching to do for quite some time.
In this photo I'm measuring to see how wide the fabric will be once it's unfolded.

Pinning...
Once I had cut the lining in half lengthwise, it was time for me to pin the two pieces together length wise (the fabric was about 40 inches wide and I needed to widths... I wound up with the back being about 80 inches wide and about six feet long! :o) and then sew them together. Then it was back in the storage bag the quilt back and top went to await the next step... which is pinning.

Finishing a project...
Momma has been faithful to remind me, over the past several weeks, to finish my black dress. All that was left was to sew what I'll call 'contrast binding', made up of some black shiny material, along the neckline and sleeves. It wasn't much and I knew it wouldn't take long... it was the idea of sitting still and hand sewing that I wasn't keen on; especially since it meant doing it during the day. But the dress needed to be finished in time for the concert, so I focused my attentions on it and completed it, much to my joy!! It looks terrific... and finished! The little details add so much to a garment, do they not?

Folding out fabric...
After all of the above mentioned projects were done, I chose to put a skirt together. I had a pattern that I wanted to sew again, this time making a few changes, so I rummaged around in my fabric stash and found a cheerful print that was perfect.

I used Simplicity 2609 view D and simply shortened the 'yoke' by about two inches; next time I plan on shortening it only by 1-1/2 inches. I had to add extra length to the skirt which was a process... but I think I may be able to do it again.
My all time favorite skirt pattern is Simplicity 9825 view D. One of these days I'm going to get adventurous and do view E which is the same thing just with all the stitching!
Do you have a favorite skirt patter?

Friday I spent mending a few items and shocking my Mother in the process!! She never thought she would see the day that her daughter would actually be concerned about picking out seams, re-pinning/re-aligning, and finally sewing it all back together! It was quite the treat to see her shocked face when I told her what I'd been up to!! :o)

I am not at all sure as to what this week holds. I still have some mending to work on, a cross-stitch that desperately needs attention, a quilt that is working it's charm on me (which means that I'm getting in the mood to put it together!) and any number of other projects that I could dive into!!!
I hope y'all have a splendid day!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-10-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

How Great Thou Art

Words by: Stuart K. Hine, 1899-1989
Music by: Swedish folk melody; revised by Jean Staneschi: arr. Stuart K Hine

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou Art, how great Thou art!

When thru the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savor God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

What we are up to... in pictures!

2009-10-17T15:16:00.002-04:00

Day in and day out find us doing some of the same everyday tasks; chores, cooking, animals, etc. but the days do differ in what we occupy our time with. Here's a quick look at some ordinary and not so ordinary tasks that we do.

Helping Feed the Critters- let's see... five dogs, twenty-nine chickens, and who knows how many rabbits. Oh should I count the tank of mice that Sayre was keeping out in the shop? Who knows where it is now!

Working on the always accumulating baskets of laundry! This is most definitely a task that must be done daily!

"Roll pat, roll pat, we're making a treat for Daddy" Cooking or baking is something that Momma and I do on a daily basis. Sawyer loves to help, as you can tell!

Chicken wrangling... do you know that chickens scatter when you try to catch them? Makes catching the roosters verrrry challenging! We had to butcher our roosters due to them becoming increasingly aggressive towards the hens. I miss their crowing that began before five in the morning as well as their afternoon crowing. Hopefully the Australorpe rooster that we kept will soon find his voice!

Sewing during any free time I have... I haven't had much free time this week and I'm aching to sew!

Painting... this project has been underway for several weeks now. The boys worked on the trim this past Thursday and I must say that it looks quite sharp!

Heading off to a rehearsal. The performance is in less than a week so in addition to practicing every day I've been attending rehearsals. It's been quite fun!

And that's a peek into what's keeping us busy these days! I'll be taking the next week off from blogging as we have a busy week ahead of us. I'll get back to regular posting the following week.

Lesson from a Dog

2009-10-15T16:06:00.000-04:00

Jasper is the only dog that is allowed to run around loose without constant supervision. However, due to different circumstances lately, I have been putting him out in the pen with the other three- Lila, Buck, and Rueger. He greatly dislikes being put out there and I usually have to drag him out to the pen; once out there, he pokes around for a bit and then spends the remainder of the time sitting at the gate waiting for me to reappear.

Patiently Waiting...
One recent afternoon, when Jasper had been in the pen all day, I happened to look out the sewing room window to see what the dogs were up to. I couldn't see anything specific... so I made a slight noise, and I do mean slight, to see where 'everyone' was. Up pops ONE head by the gate. Yes, that head belonged to Jasper and as soon as he saw me in the window he jumped up. "Goodness" I laughed, "that dog is always watching for me. It doesn't matter what time of day it is or how much fun it is to run around, he's always there waiting and hoping that I'll come get him!"

After the Rain...
All of a sudden I had several thoughts go through my mind: "Are you always looking for the Lord? Are you constantly seeking His guidance in your life? Are you endeavoring to become more like Him everyday? What has the Lord been working on in your life?"

As a child of God we need to be listening to the Lord. Listening and heeding what the Lord shows us through His Word. The Lord doesn't speak to us like we speak to each other... instead He opens our eyes as we read and study His Word, He impresses His will upon our hearts, and as we seek His will He will give us the discernment to see it.
I've begun to realize that Gods' children are constantly growing and seeing things in their lives which are not pleasing to the Lord. For me, this can be overwhelming as I am the type of person who likes problems fixed now. But this isn't how the Lord works; He opens our eyes to these things and will then give us the strength to work on them. It's hard and at times very discouraging to see how we fail, but through these times we have the opportunity to lean on the Lord while choosing to do right. In the end, the victory is sweet and we've drawn even closer to our Lord!

Recent Shopping Trips with Momma

2009-10-13T16:21:00.000-04:00

I have had a hankering to visit our local Antique Mall for several weeks now. The building has over 27,000 square feet filled to overflowing with antiques and collectibles!!! I usually find and come away with a new found 'treasure' each time I visit! This past Friday, Momma and I headed out there for a long overdue perusal of the booths.

Pieces of History
While we browsed the aisles, we kept our eyes open for old books, magazines, sewing things, bottles, and whatever the other was interested in finding. I was particularly in the market for old books while Momma always focuses on linens and old magazines. I am always drawn to blue ball jars, and at one booth I found 'the' ball jar. Pictured above, on the left, I was amazed to see it in such wonderful condition... top and porcelain 'insulator' were even intact and appear to have never been used! I put it in our collective shopping basket and we continued our journey through the mall.

(note: the clear Atlas jar on the right was found at a local thrift store later on in the day. It too is old; it came with the top, but is missing the metal 'wiring' that held the top in place, but you can the brown markings where it sat.)

The mall is made up of different 'rooms', so to speak. It's a huge metal building yet has walls dividing it into five different sections. As Momma and I began meandering through the third section, my eyes were drawn to several shelves of old books... with-in the shelves I found two wonderful old books that I would have bought, but I'm afraid that Ashley was on a budget and had to pass these books up. I'll admit that I was just a little downcast as I stepped away from the booth, as they were exactly what I was looking for. Moments later, my eyes caught sight of a basket of books in a neighboring booth- as I went through them I almost put the basket aside as they were the mechanical/technical type of literature; however, I have learned from my Momma that you go through everything in search of treasure, and so I heeded her advice. I sure am glad I did, for one of the very last books to be looked at was a volume from "The Riverside Library for Young People" that was printed in 1891! It has one or two pages that I need to repair and then I'll be reading it. It appears to be an autobiography of the authors growing up years.

Momma walked away with a few more items than I did, mainly in the linen category. I love these Mother and Daughter antique and thrift store shopping trips! We have such wonderful times together and always aid each other in our search for 'treasures'!

Replenishing the Supply
Yesterday, as it was raining, Momma and I headed into Greenwood for a small shopping trip. Hancocks' Fabric was running an amazing sale (fabric, buttons, needles, and some notions were 50% off and patterns were $0.99!!!! ), we needed dog food, thrift stores were in need of visiting, and of course a stop at Aldi was in order so off we went. Hancocks' was our main interest and we duly interested ourselves in it for an hour and a half!!! We perused patterns, agonized over what 'indoor/outdoor' fabric would be best for the porch furniture, scoured the shelves of fabric for the 'perfect' piece, and came away with most of our items being half off which excited us to no end!!! Momma was so proud of herself for not buying any fabric while I got several pieces to replenish my winter wardrobe with. Her find for the day was getting the foam for the porch furniture cushions half off!

An Afternoon Romp
We made it home around 3:30 where we were greeted by a wet dog and a thirteen year old hollering "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!! Where on EARTH have y'all BEEN???!" He made up for all his noise by helping us unload the 'burb. :o) I spent the remainder of the afternoon washing my fabric, putting our goodies away, and finishing up the things that I had dropped earlier that morning to go with Momma.

I love shopping with Mom even though it can get tendious, but it's always worth it! We have fun together, laugh together, have wonderful conversation together, and enjoy being together! I think I have a terrific Momma!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-10-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

Our Great Savior

Words by: J. Wilbur Chapman, 1859-1918
Music by: Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul!
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my vict'ry wins.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows o'er me roll;
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
Wile the tempest still is high;
Storms about me, night o'er-takes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find;
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Garden Preparation for Winter

2009-10-10T18:08:00.001-04:00

As we watch the leaves on the trees begin to change colors, enjoy the cooler days, and begin to wrap up the gardening season, my mind begins wandering to next years garden and different things I'd like to try.

As caladiums, elephant ears, nasturtiums, dahlia's, cosmos, zinnia's, sunflowers, and a host of other plants drift through my mind, I'm suddenly reminded that there are plants that need to be dug up before the first frost. Namely my elephant ear and amaryllis bulbs. The elephant ears can wait for a few more weeks, but the amaryllis need tending to right now if I want to possibly have blooms this spring.

Trimming the tops of the amaryllis off
I planted the amaryllis, pot and all, in my garden early this past spring with the intent to dig them up and bring them indoors this fall. This afternoon, after pulling up other plants and doing a bit of weeding, I dug up the amaryllis and took them into the shop. I cleaned the pots up just a bit and then began trimming the leaves off of the plants.

Stashed away for the next few months.
Then I placed them, still in the pots, in a cardboard box and set them on "Ashley's Gardening/Dog Stuff/Outdoor Stuff" shelf, where they will reside till January. I've read and been told that if you keep the plants in a cool dark place you can bring them out after a certain number of weeks and begin to tend to them (ie. feed, water, give them conditions that are right for growth). They will then, supposedly, bloom again- although it won't be anything like it was last year. Amaryllis put on a prolific show every three years and the bulbs or flowers that we buy from the store are 'first year bloomers' which is why they cost more. In January I will re-pot the bulbs and then begin another cycle of amaryllis care. I can't wait to see the results!

Laid Back Days

2009-10-07T11:55:00.000-04:00

Finally, after ten days of separation, my family is back together again!!! The house always seems empty when just one or two people are gone, so I'm thrilled that it is once again filled with people and 'homey noises'. Right now, Mom and Sayre are doing school, Sawyer is playing with a fire truck, and Collin (with the help of his friend Seth) are painting in the front room. These sounds mean that there is a family in this house!!

Organizing
So far, this week has been a laid back week and we're enjoying catching up with life. The rainy and cloudy weather has been perfect for doing this, and we've been able to focus on various tasks. The big task for me was to take all the 'piles' that have been accumulating in my room and dump on my bed so that I could then clean my room. Afterwards, I sorted through everything (I even got rid of some stuff!!) and dug some fall decoration/s out.

In the sewing room
Mom and I are also endeavoring to get into the sewing room for a bit each day. Momma was able to get quite a few sewing projects finished while she was gone (she took her sewing machine with her) and now she's doing some altering in addition to some mending.
I've been contemplating what I should use several pieces of stashed fabric for; in particular a piece of black cotton/polyester. I finally decided on a skirt and was able to get it cut out yesterday! My plan is to spend some time working on it this afternoon!

The 'To Read' Books
In the midst of it all, I'm working on my stack of 'to read' books. This stack is continually changing as different books come my way and take precedence over others. I three of these books started... "Darwin's Plantation", "Safely Home", and "The Hobbit". My goal is to finish Darwin's Plantation by the end of the month as it belongs to Trevor and it's been on my stack since before last Christmas!!
I love to read and if I don't watch out I'll easily spend an entire day reading!! Not good when there are other things that I should be doing.

So, this is a bit of what's been going on here at the Castlebury's. I'm so glad that we're all back together again!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-10-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Such Love

Words by C. Bishop
Music by: Robert Harkness

That God should love a sinner such as I,
Should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss
Nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh,
How wonderful is love like this!

Such love, such wondrous love!
Such love, such wondrous love!
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

That Christ should join so freely in the scheme,
Although it meant His death on Calvary-
Did ever human tongue find nobler theme,
Than love divine that ransomed me?

Such love, such wondrous love!
Such love, such wondrous love!
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

That for a willful outcast such as I
The Father planned, the Saviour bled and died,
Temptation for a worthless slave to buy,
Who long had law and grace defied!

Such love, such wondrous love!
Such love, such wondrous love!
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

And now He takes me to His heart-a son;
He asks me not to fill a servants place.
The "far off country" wand'rings all are done;
Wide open are His arms of grace.

Such love, such wondrous love!
Such love, such wondrous love!
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

An Award...

2009-10-02T17:25:00.000-04:00

Recently, LaSara awarded me this "Honest Scrap" award which means that I get to list ten honest things, not necessarily random facts I suppose, about myself. The thought "why am I doing this? My brothers would be better able to fulfill this request than I can", crosses my mind, but I'll try to do my best! :o)

1) I have the hardest time getting up in the morning and am very prone to sleeping through the alarm! A friend recommended placing the alarm clock on the opposite side of the room... wow!!! It's amazing!!! I'm up the moment the alarm starts going off, and I stay up!
You know, the alarm sounds louder on that side of the room.

2) I love puzzles! Currently I have a three thousand piece puzzle, that has been in the works for six weeks, about a third of the way done. I usually work on the puzzles during phone calls with a certain person, as it helps to have my hands busy while we talk, but I have been known to 'drop in' on it during the day. Once I sit down and start fitting pieces together, it's hard to stop! :o)

3) I'm not a shopper by nature. My method of shopping is to go in, get what I need, and leave. I have a plan of action- where I'm starting in the store and where I'll end. I DON'T stop in between, unless I see that item I've been searching for ages for.
With that said, do I enjoy walking through an antique store/mall or the thrift store. AND I don't mind 'going along for the ride' with others.

4) Ernest T. Bass was my 'hero' when I was quite a bit younger. Trevor and I would play 'Andy Griffith' and, since he is two years younger than I, he got to be Andy (because Andy can't run very fast) and I was Ernest T. (because Ernest T. can run faster than Andy). I had great fun jumping over walls and running around like a 'maniac', but it never lasted very long seeing how 'Andy' couldn't catch me!

5) I have just come to the wonderful realization that walnuts are the perfect addition to brownies!! I've often wondered how the bakeries can make such delicious brownies... Thanks to Sayre, who stirred up an impromptu batch of brownies last night and added walnuts just on a whim, I have had my taste buds 'enlightened'! They are delicious!

6) I own three heifers that are due to calve in December or January. Two of them are pictured here. It's exciting to see the heifers getting larger and then, when they calve, it will be neat to see mother's and calves all together!

7) I like to see a book and flip through it, before I purchase it online. I usually will request the book from our library and peruse it to see if it is something that I really want. It works this way with music books (I head to the music store to see those) and reading material.

8) I am so truly thankful for the Lord and His working in my heart even when I was a rebellious young person. He has done a mighty work in my life over the past ten or so years; it can only be explained by our loving Lord and Savior. You can read more about it here.

9) There are many times that I wish for a sister to help and have fun with while 'we' work! I can only imagine the enjoyment that comes from working together- the fun, the singing, the laughter, and the good conversations that would come of it. Instead of a sister, though, I have my Momma who has taken the place of a sister and is my friend! I don't know what I would do without her!

10) My timer is going off... that means the bread is done rising and it's time for me to get the evening started!

Have a wonderful evening!

2009-09-30T16:37:00.000-04:00

What a lovely week it's been so far!! I do believe fall is here or at least the fall temperatures are here! We've been able to have the windows open and the breeze fluttering the curtains all day long; it becomes necessary to close most of them at night as it gets so chilly! Bundling up is almost a must in the mornings!

Welcome!
I think my favorite aspect of fall is the slant of the sun... and the beautiful weather! I don't know what it is about the sun at this time of year, but I always feel invigorated, energized, and refreshed when I'm outdoors. The sun gives everything crisp-fresh look- it's almost like giving one a fresh perspective, if that makes sense.

Digging Holes
Sawyer and I have been spending part of our days outdoors, usually after he gets up from his nap. We saunter out into the different gardens and while I deadhead and weed away in my garden, he's out digging holes, smoothing dirt, and driving trucks in the big garden. He doesn't stay engrossed for very long, as he's soon walking over to tell me about what he's busy doing!

Out in the Big Garden...
My fall garden is doing well so far! The broccoli and onion plants are doing wonderfully and growing to their hearts content. The cabbage, however, seems to be struggling but I can't tell you why I think that. They just doesn't look 'right'- almost like their a little stressed and I know that one plant has died. Since I've just noticed their stressed look, I'll keep an eye on them for another day or two just to make sure I'm not imagining anything! :o)

My Mums...
It's almost time for me to begin the fall clean-up in my garden. I can tell things have just about reached the end of their life and are beginning to die back. However, these mums are bringing such life and color into the garden with their profuse blooms! The orange/red mum has been blooming for about three weeks now while the purple mum, in the back, is on the verge of blooming! I'm hoping that by removing the spent blooms, I can lengthen their bloom time!

Out in the chicken yard
I love going out and watching the chickens! This afternoon I walked out there and found several birds 'splayed out' under the Rose of Sharon bushes taking dust baths and having a grand ol' time...

In action...
They never fail to amuse me especially if the decide to run someplace!
Isn't it amazing that these birds, which were sent to us as day old chicks, instinctively know to take dust baths or to run for cover when a hawk or vulture comes gliding over?! They didn't have the opportunity to learn from their mother, yet our Lord created them with these instincts. What a wise, creative, and loving God we serve!

Late last night...
Trevor and Thelma invited 'us kids' over for supper last night! We had a blast with them.... I especially did as Thelma let me peek into her stash of fabric and corresponding patterns (she had just made a trip to the fabric store... now I'm inspired!!!). Around 9:45 ALL OF US wound up here at home partaking of the ice cream and cookies that Collin had so willingly donated for our consumption!!

Spur of the moment parties are best!
We watched several Andy Griffith episodes and then spent some time talking before Trevor and Thelma headed back home. All of the boys were in rare form last night... Trevor especially... oh my goodness, it was a b.l.a.s.t.! Tristan was the main conversationalist as he always has interesting 'dairy type news' to share!
I have some wonderful brothers! Can you see what time the clock on the kitchen wall says?

What I found this morning...
...as I walked into my room!!! Sayre had so kindly shown Sawyer the art of jumping off of Ashley's bed, and he, Sawyer, was more than willing to demonstrate this 'art' to me!!! ***Sigh*** The day definitely been just as interesting as this morning start out as! :o) Sofa cushions, blankets, stuffed animals, and a wooden sword have been just few of the 'tools' that Hammie has had in his 'tool belt' today!

Life is NOT dull with an active three year old in the house!!! When it gets quiet, you know that they are up to something!!! And when there is screaming and pattering feet, you know that there is excess energy that needs to be run off!!! :o) MmmmHmmm... Life is good!

Life of Late

2009-09-28T08:29:00.000-04:00

*Warning: Sawyer is the only photogenic person in the house at the moment, so each photo in this post contains him!!*

The past little while has found me occupied in holding down the fort. From cooking to cleaning, laundry to dishes, playing referee to wiping a runny nose, life has not been dull!!! It has been a hum of activity here!

Makin' Pizza
Sawyer has been my pal in the kitchen as I've attempted to find things that he can do to help. He has a fascination with making things and loves to work the mixer AND crack eggs!
It has been rainy or overcast quite a bit, so this has kept him indoors near the kitchen and ready at hand to help.

Waitin' for his story...
Each afternoon and each evening, we read the same story about a fire engine. I've mentioned reading something different but no, he likes the fire engine story so that's what we're going to read! I do believe that I'm well on my way to having it memorized!
One thing about Sawyer is that he has a mind like a sponge. He has whole books or stories memorized and he will either re-enact them in his play, or will recite the whole story for us. It isn't uncommon for him to burst out "You need to be gentled, Cracker!" which is a line from story about a horse who wouldn't let his heart be tamed/gentled. It is quite the reminder to me that what we are reading to him or talking about while around him will make an impression on him. It might not be seen right away, but it will show itself later.

One way to occupy himself :o)

While I was busy cooking Sawyer used his imagination to occupy himself. The microwave is the firehouse and he had 'guys' climbing all over it (although they eventually wound up floating in the sink with him 'helping' them to swim); I'm not sure what he was playing, but it sure kept him occupied for quite some time!

These past few days have been almost a whirlwind and at times almost overwhelming, but the Lord is our help and will give us wisdom and guidance as we need it!

Today is a new day.... a day full of possibilities. It's fresh and clean, the sun is shining and the sky is blue! I think that we will be outdoors working in the garden, spend a bit fishing, and just enjoying the beautiful weather!
Have a wonderful day!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-09-27T09:00:00.001-04:00

Footsteps of Jesus

Words by: Mary B.C. Slade, 1826-1882
Music by: Asa B. Everett, 1828-1875

Sweetly, Lord have we heard Thee calling,
"Come, follow Me!"
And we see where Thy footprints falling,
Lead us to Thee.

Footprints of Jesus
That make the path way glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where-e'er they go.

Though they lead o'er the cold dark mountains,
Seeking His sheep,
Or along by Siloam's fountains,
Helping the weak.

Footprints of Jesus
That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where-e'er they go

If the lead thru the temple holy,
Preaching the Word,
Of in homes of the poor and lowly,
Serving the Lord.

Footprints of Jesus
That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus,
Were-e'er they go.

Then at last, when on high He sees us,
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne.

Footprints of Jesus
That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where-e'er the go.

A Truly Fantastic Day!

2009-09-21T16:01:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday was a f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c. day in so many different ways!!! I could sit here and type out each and every thing that contributed to it being wonderful, but I think it best to just highlight a few events.

Event #1

Putting in my fall garden
I was not planning on having a fall garden this year, but when I found plants at a 'can't pass them up' price, well I decided to have a fall garden! :o) I came home with cauliflower, onions, and cabbage- six of each plants.

Just finished
Since all of the plants need a large amount of room, I planted them out in the big garden where the would have room to grow nice and large. We've been blessed with quite a bit of rain in the past several days, so Saturday was the perfect time to plant!
Do you see Sawyer playing behind me? By the time he was all through playing, he was a nice muddy brown color! :o) Water and dirt are a huge draw for him... combine those two items and it's like a magnet!! He will definitely find it!!

Event #2

Out with Tristan
Towards the end of the day Tristan (who is putting up more fence at Bull Run) called and told me that I needed to come over and see my heifers as they were very close. I headed over there and spent the next twenty or so minutes talking with him about all the heifers amongst other cow related things.
This particular heifer (who happens to belong to Tristan) was hilarious to watch!!! She was playing in the water swishing her head and neck back and forth over the top of it! She would only do it when we weren't looking, and would immediately stop when we commented on it! I was quite amusing... there is apparently another heifers that stands in the stock tank; now that I would LOVE to see!!!

B-Moo
I realize this picture isn't the best out there, but I really like it! Let me explain... B-Moo came up to Tristan and I looking for anything that we might have to offer; alfalfa cubes or petting, he wasn't too particular. We spent time rubbing him and observing how much weight he was putting on before he became interested in tasting my skirt and trying to get a hold of my camera!! I took this picture as he was trying to extend his head far enough to lick the camera. I somehow managed to get Tristan in there which was an added bonus- I really like the smile on his face! You know, he's a good guy!

Event #3

All encompassing excitement
But the event that made my day, was the arrival of my new sewing machine!!! I've been looking into different machines/brands several weeks and finally decided to purchase one like my Mommas, as I know her machine and have sewn on it many a time. I found this one online and it's practically BRAND NEW!!! I'm so pleased and am really looking forward to put something together on it!!!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-09-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

Will Jesus Find Us Watching

Words by: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music by: William H. Doane, 1832-1915

When Jesus comes to reward His servants,
Whether it be noon or night,
Faithful to Him will He find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

If, at the dawn of the early morning,
He shall call us one by one,
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee—“Well done”?

O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,
We shall have a glorious rest.

O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

Blessèd are those whom the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?

O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

You can hear the tune to this hymn, here.

An Afternoon Jaunt Outdoors Yeilds....

2009-09-17T10:18:00.001-04:00

Late yesterday afternoon the sun began to peek out from between the rain clouds that had been low in the sky all day, and I decided to head outdoors for the remaining little while before dinner preparations began. As I sauntered through my garden I was struck with how colorful and bright the flowers were after the rain; they were simply begging to be picked! So I ran inside for a bottle of water and began to cut flowers to bring indoors.

Gracing the bookshelf...
After arranging them in vases, some of this 'flowery sunshine' found themselves gracing my bookshelf...

Perking up the desk...
And brightening an otherwise lacking corner of my room.

I love it!!!
I started Dahlias from seed this past April and I've been amazed at how well they have done! The flowers are so striking against the blue bottle that Sayre scrounged from the local dirt road/creek (he knows I love blue bottles and brings them to me when he finds one I might like :o). It was the perfect size for them!

A fun, yet simple, twist
I found this 'vase' at a local store and love to place cosmos and daisies in it. It's a sure fire way to spruce up my bookshelf!

An old bottle
Some of my favorite 'vases' to use are old bottles that we have collected. This one says "Alton Illinois" on it, so it could have possibly been something that my Dad found when he was younger. The old bottles are so interesting and the ones that have writing on them have a special draw to me.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend the remainder of the afternoon! It was the first time in a very long time that I had taken the time to do this. It's almost therapy... although, gardening is more like therapy! :o)

2009-09-15T10:04:00.001-04:00

We have been having some beautiful weather here in South Carolina! I'm loving every moment of it as I cannot remember a September that has been this cool! The past two weeks have definitely been exciting weeks!!! We had an out of town guest, organized and held a yard sale, worked in the gardens, and welcomed new additions to our animal family!!!
A few pictures are most definitely in order!

Sprucing my garden up
I agonize over what to plant in my garden; there are so many plants out there that I find it hard to make a decision on what to plant! My favorite way to shop for plants is to find a store that is having a plant sale and to purchase the items that I really like. However, the past several weeks have found me with the strong desire to have some mums. My next trip to Walmart found me out in the garden section agonizing over which color of mums to purchase.... I came home with a purple, a yellow, and a deep red. I'm thrilled with them and am eagerly waiting for them to grow!

Making a sign...
Last Friday evening found me making signs for our yard sale the next day. Sayre attached the foam board to the stake and I added 'wordage'.

All set up
Our neighbor, Mrs. Ashley, joined us for last Saturday's yard sale! We had such a wonderful time as well as having several interesting experiences! The picture doesn't do a good job of showing how much stuff we did have out.

Would anybody be interested in....
Sayre had a rabbit AND a cage that he was trying to sell and although he had many 'lookers' he didn't have any 'takers'!
The thing I really liked about this yard sale was that when we were done, we carted all of the unsold and unwanted items to the local thrift store for them to sell!! We did keep several things (such as the rabbit and the cookies!) that we will try to sell through different avenues; one must simply love thrift stores!!! :o)

New additions...
Probably the most exciting thing, aside from our recent guest, has been the addition of three heifers out at Bull Run! They are very skittish and it will take a bit for them to get used to us; but with the help of alfalfa cubes and Tristan's heifers, I have a feeling that they will eventually come around! One very exciting thing about these girls is that they are due to calve in December and January! It's going to be fun to see calves alongside these monstrous girls!!! (they are quite a bit larger than Tristan's heifers)

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-09-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

We'll Understand it Better By and By

Words and Music by: Charles A. Tindley

We are tossed and driv’n on the restless sea of time;
Somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine;
In that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away,
We will understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

We are often destitute of the things that life demands,
Want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands;
We are trusting in the Lord, and according to God’s Word,
We will understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God could lead us to that blessèd promised land;
But He guides us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,
But we’ll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

Early Morning Chores

2009-09-10T13:46:00.000-04:00

Early mornings are my most favorite time of day. Getting up early while it's still dark outside and curling up on my bed with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and my Bible is something that I look forward to with relish! There's nothing quite like spending time with the Lord first thing...
When the sun begins to touch a certain spot on the trees, usually around seven thirty, it is then time for me to head outside and take care of the critters.

Patiently waiting
While I fill water bowls (one inside and one on the back porch), talk with my family, or start a load of laundry Jasper hangs around at the back of the house waiting for breakfast. Often times he'll wind up on the porch and watch my progress through the windows of the door!

It's that time of day
After doing those few indoor things, I head out to the shop where I dish up Jasper's, Lila's, and the chickens food. Jasper continues to wait so patiently on me! :o)

Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3
Out to the dog pen I head where I am greeted by (left to right) Lila, Rueger, and Buck who are all in a high state of excitement! Muddy paws, barking, wagging tails, and general excitement erupt when they see me coming!

Time for some attention
They all thoroughly enjoy getting pet and scratched! Thankfully they have calmed down enough by this time for me to do this without getting to muddy!

Across the field
All to soon it's time for me to head out to feed, water, and check on the chick-y-doos. I already have the feed bucket with me so it's a nice jaunt across the dew covered field as I listen to the crowing and other chicken noises.

Chicken greetings
They all eagerly meet me at the gate and flock around my feet as I walk over to the feeders! If I walk fast enough I can look back and see quite the string of birds following in my footsteps, but I can't look back for to long as a bird will walk right in front of me, and I don't want to step on it!

After my chores are finished I head indoors to get the day started. The early morning and all it entails is definitely my favorite part of the day. It's new and fresh just bursting with excitement and promise of a wonderful new day that is ahead of us!

Labor Day...

2009-09-07T17:33:00.000-04:00

A fun filled weekend...

...and I'm highly distracted! :o)

Visit here for a few more photos.

Hymn for Sunday

2009-09-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Savior, More than Life

Words by: Fanny Crosby
Music by: W.H. Doane

You can hear the music to this hymn Here

Savior, more than life to me,
I am clinging, clinging, close to Thee;
Let Thy precious blood applied,
Keep me ever, ever near Thy side.

Every day, every hour,
Let me feel Thy cleansing pow’r;
May Thy tender love to me
Bind me closer, closer, Lord to Thee.

Through this changing world below,
Lead me gently, gently as I go;
Trusting Thee, I cannot stray,
I can never, never lose my way.

Every day, every hour,
Let me feel Thy cleansing pow’r;
May Thy tender love to me
Bind me closer, closer, Lord to Thee.

Let me love Thee more and more,
Till this fleeting, fleeting life is o’er;
Till my soul is lost in love,
In a brighter, brighter world above.

Every day, every hour,
Let me feel Thy cleansing pow’r;
May Thy tender love to me
Bind me closer, closer, Lord to Thee.

The Chickens that Reside Here

2009-09-04T12:37:00.002-04:00

The chicks that we received via that United States Postal Service in May, are now almost fourteen weeks old! Some days it seems like such a looong time since they were little peepers, and yet at the same time it seems like it was just yesterday that they were so very tiny. We've been fortunate in only loosing four chickens so far and at last 'head count' we have a grand total of forty-one chickens residing in our former dog pen! Oh yes, our flock is comprised of twenty-six hens and fifteen roosters! It appears the the hatchery sent us mostly barred rock roosters as we only have four hens from that batch!! :o)

When the gate opens....
Most every time someone walks into the pen this is what they will quickly encounter. The chickens have learned that a human beings entrance into the pen usually means that they come bearing treats or food! They love any and all scraps that we send their way, but watermelon is a definite favorite.

We prefer to drink out of the mud puddle...
The Barred Rock roosters are by far the most friendly of all the chickens. The roosters are usually the first to arrive at the gate and are always first in line during feeding time. There does seem to be one particular rooster that follows me around from time to time, but I have yet to confirm that it is the same one each and every time (they all look alike at first glance and I have investigated deeply enough)

Speckled Sussex
We have three or four really pretty Sussex roosters that are something else to watch strut around. The hens don't even begin to have the color contrast the the roosters do. One of these guys has been working on his crow a TON and is sounding quite good! I think he's most likely the top dog out there as no one really seems to mess with him.

We prefer to stay here for the night...
Every evening we have to get these Sussex hens out of a tree/tall bush and it can be quite the event! They are loathe to let go of the limb so some wing flapping and squawking always accompany this 'ritual'. They are having an influence on the rest of the flock as the numbers in the 'tree' have grown to five of late. It's only the Sussex hens, though.

Eating a tasty treat
I am really enjoying our chickens!! There is personality and antics that make tending to them so much fun! They are not very keen on being held but they sure do enjoy gathering around your ankles, pecking at shiny stuff (like camera's), investigating your feet, and if you stand still for long enough some of them will take a cat nap nearby! Tending to the 'chick-y-doos' is one of the highlights of my day!

During the Past Few Days...

2009-09-02T12:27:00.000-04:00

Our homeplace has been a hive of activity lately... Here's what we've been up to!

Helping Momma
The past few weeks Momma has been busy cleaning out our attic. The attic is located above the garage and has required the boys to haul the boxes and bags indoors for her to go through. Last week Momma went through, re-organized, and repacked all of us kids keepsakes into plastic bins. Sawyer really enjoyed being involved in this task as it meant sorting through stuffed animals, playing with toys, and investigating everything! Momma is now nearing the end of this huge task which has her very excited!

Doing my own cleaning...
As I watched Momma going through things and setting items aside for the yard sale, I was inspired to go through my own belongings! My room was in dire need of a cleaning and straightening up anyway, so I jumped in one rainy day! I was able to go through two bookcases, the vanity, and both closets during an afternoon which was very exciting for me! I still have a bit left to go through in addition to dusting everything when I'm done; I love to go through my belongings and re-organize them!

Lessons in the Art of Washing Vehicles...
It was just the boys and I here yesterday evening as our parents were spending time with some very good friends. It had been a big day for Sayre, Sawyer, and I... most of the it was spent in Greenville running around and we had gotten home just in time to start dinner and feed animals. Around six o'clock I asked Collin to wake Sawyer up and take him outside to run some energy off of him; washing Collin's truck was his energy burner and quite frankly it was a great idea!! You could hear Collin out there instructing him to spray the hose on certain spots rather than on himself (Collin).

The Handyman
Sayre rebuilt the dog shelter several days ago! One of the dogs had pulled the tarp roof off and they all had enjoyed shredding it so a new top was in order. This one is staying put though... it's made out of solid sheet of wood (the correct term is escaping me at the moment) and won't go anywhere until a tornado or super strong winds come through!

Work around the place
Collin and his friend Seth work for a tree company, which is nice for both of their families. One day last week they brought home the chain saws and worked on removing the pine tree that was leaning towards the barn. Seth used the 'extended saw' to take the tree down bit by bit, while Collin worked on the ground cutting up the sections as they fell. It was fun to watch!

Lots going on that is terrifically fun, enjoyable, and perfect for learning from!

This, That, and a bit of the Other...

2009-08-31T11:33:00.000-04:00

Last week was a bit of a busy week... running errands, rushing to appointments, packing orders, and keeping up with normal things in the midst of it all. I was anxiously awaiting Saturday's arrival as it meant that the day could be spent enjoying the great out doors!

The end of the season
The day was beautiful- perfect for hanging out laundry and gardening, so after my horn lesson I headed out to the garden. Daddy was planning on getting the garden plowed under and had headed out there bright and early to begin pulling up plant supports and the slowly dying plants. After discussing with him the areas that needed plowing I started pulling some weeds; the rain that we had received the afternoon before helped to make this task easier!

"I'm playing wif wywa bewle"
As soon as I finished the weeding, I hopped on the lawn mower (which is always in high demand here!) and began work on the dog pen. Sawyer helped for part of the time before informing me that he would much rather play with the dogs, specifically Lila, than mow!

Working together
Pretty soon I noticed that Sayre had taken over plowing the garden and that he had a happy helper with him!!! Sawyer loves anything tractors and is always eager to take a ride on one!
Sayre's help was really appreciated as Daddy had had to run someplace and didn't make it home until late in the afternoon. Sayre has really been picking up the slack around here and is turning into quite a fine young man.

Ready for his 'nap'
As the afternoon wore on, I began to notice that Sawyer had a glazed over look in his eyes... the look that he gets when he's tired. I asked him if he wanted a nap and he said yes... We brought out the picnic blanket for him to lay down on, he carted out his blanket full of stuffed animals, and plopped himself down.....

'Nap time'
... to read 'Curious George' books! I don't think he got much rest out of nap time though... he was up and running around thirty minutes after this photo was taken!!

Fall gardening
Momma had spent most of her day out in the cutting garden weeding, cleaning/sprucing up, and planting seeds for the fall garden. She got so much done and happy with how everything went!

At the end of the day
The day began winding down and everyone began to make their ways to the house around 7:00 for dinner. Sawyer remembered to pick up his nap time stuff and found a great way to only make ONE trip to the house with all of that stuff!!! :o)

Saturday was a very profitable for us all; yes, it was work but it was work that we had had planned for quite some time to do. It felt so good to get it all accomplished and was almost invigorating to see it all happen! It's given me the extra incentive to keep plugging away at everything there is to do this week!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-08-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

Follow On

Words by: William O. Cushing, 1823-1902
Music by:Robert Lowry, 1826-1899

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow;
Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on,
Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.

Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on!
Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I would follow on!

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.

Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on!
Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I would follow on!

Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God.

Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on!
Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I would follow on!

2009-08-24T12:16:00.000-04:00

Now that the weather has brought temperatures that are perfect for working outdoors, I've taken a fresh interest in the garden, taking the dogs for walks, and just plain 'ol being outdoors! I tend to neglect these things when it becomes to hot, so I'm always thrilled when the temperatures drop down to the lower nineties or upper eighties! On top of the wonderful temps, the Lord has also sent some much needed rain our way! I love to hear the storms come through at night and to go out the next morning and see the water laden grass, trees, and flowers.
With all of the above happening towards the end of last week, I decided to head out to the garden and get to work pulling things up!

Jasper & Lila
Before I get into the gardening part of this post, let me give you a quick peek into what I've been observing this morning. Lila, on the left, has been out since yesterday evening but she's been hanging around with Jasper all morning. With the two dogs staying in the vicinity of the back porch, it gets to be quite interesting as we walk out the door!!! Lila lays in front of the door and Jasper sits at the top of the stairs!! Mommas been coming in with arm fulls of stuff (she's going through the attic) and it becomes rather interesting at times!! Thankfully, they do seem to understand what we mean when we shoo them off! :o)

Anyhow... now to the gardening part!

A Work in Progress
I spent a good portion of my Saturday out in the vegetable garden, which has gone wild of late. The sunflowers had finished blooming and were ready to be pulled out so that was my main focus. As I stood and contemplated our poor garden, I decided that since the ground was wet it was the perfect time to pull weeds!

Out In the Midst of it All...
So pull away I did, AFTER pulling up the sunflowers. There were two plots of sunflowers and a plot that was full of weeds to attack, so I utilized 'the beast' (Daddy's truck) to help haul all this stuff off. By the time I called it an afternoon, I had a huge truck load of plants and weeds to dump!

Finished!!!!
I felt quite satisfied with what had gotten done! I love seeing things go from looking awful to looking good!!! That part of the garden looks one hundred percent better and I now have a plan of action for the rest of it!!! I shall be working my way through the plots on the right side on the garden (in the photo- the mass of green in the photo is our watermelon patch, not weeds!!) as they are the easiest and probably most needed at the moment. This will be my focus for the next several days... weeding and pulling out the plants that are done for the season. Fall is almost here!!!

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-08-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

I Am Resolved

Words by: Palmer Hartsough, 1844-1932
Music by: James H. Fillmore, 1849-1936

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler-
These have allured my sight.

I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One-
He hath the words of life.

I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth-
He is the living way.

I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may best me,
Still will I enter in.

I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

Something I've Been Pondering On.

2009-08-18T16:17:00.002-04:00

My family and I attend a small church out in the middle of the country. There are about thirty people in the congregation with the majority of it being older couples who have a burning desire to serve the Lord. They are very dear and precious folks who have been wonderful examples to us.
Two Sundays ago, my Mom and I were approached about helping out with the music for the next several Sundays, as our main pianist needed to take some time to rest and recuperate after surgery. This meant that Momma would become the pianist and I would continue to play my French Horn; not a real big change but a change that has us both 'on our toes' to be prepared for piano related sight-reading!

This past Sunday morning was the first day for us... everything went well and the hymns that were sung were so encouraging! As we moved in to the offertory and the special music part of the service I laid my horn aside, picked up the hymn book I had brought with me, and sat down at the piano. The organist and I were to play the offertory together and then I was on for the special music. I was nervous. We don't rehearse beforehand. I'm playing multiple notes and using multiple fingers at one time. I was in a nervous sweat and my hands were slick. I had not had a chance to go over the special that I was to be playing. Granted it was a hymn that I knew well, but having a chance to run through it before-hand helps one feel more confident. I was in a position that my piano teacher had told me about on numerous occasions and attempted to prepare me for.

As I sat there listening to one of the dear older men stand and thank the Lord for the young people in our church and the talents that each one has, my mind was drawn to how the Lord will use a person if they will allow themselves to be used. How much of a blessing and encouragement they can be to others if they would just be willing to give of themselves. How one plays, whether the person performing thinks it's good or bad, doesn't matter as it can be a huge blessing to those listening and will bring honor and glory to the Lord.

As I sat there thinking about this, I realized that it didn't really matter if I was nervous before playing; what mattered was my heart attitude. Was I doing this grudgingly/unwillingly or with a heart that truly sought the Lords' honor and glory through what I was going to be playing. It wasn't that long ago that I would not have been caught dead playing the offertory let alone the special... I didn't think I was good enough (and I still think that), knew that I would mess up, and be so nervous that I wouldn't be able to play the hymn right. But I finally came to the point where I realized that my ability to play the piano and french horn are God given gifts; I shouldn't keep them to myself but instead be willing to use them.

As I pondered these thoughts, I began to ask the Lord to help me convey the message of the hymn as I played. I wanted the focus to be on the Lord and not on me. Yes, I'll admit that I asked Him for a calm heart and hands as I played, but my focus was not on how 'well' I was going to play but on the message of the hymn truly being conveyed. Once I began to play, to feel the solid keys under my fingers, and to hear the words of one of my favorite hymns resound through the room "He leadeth me, oh blessed thought! Oh words with heav'nly comfort fraught..." I knew that no matter how 'bad' my playing was, the Lord was still going to be glorified.

So now you may be asking, "what's the purpose of this rambly post?"... Well, I remember what it was like to be asked to play for a song service (as in 'congregational singing', offertory, and possibly special) or offertory, and the thick ribbon of nervousness that would streak through my system for days or weeks in advance. I couldn't play like the main pianist did or like the others who had these big magnificent offertories, but I could play and that was all that was needed and asked of.

I suppose the point of this post is to encourage any 'players of the piano' (or any other instrument for that matter) like me, to be willing to let the Lord use your talent instead of hiding it. Yes, it's difficult and nerve wracking at first to step out of your comfort zone and play in front of others, but once you take the first step the following ones become easier. When you know that you are going to be playing (this could be days, weeks, or moments before) begin asking the Lord to be your strength at that time. Ask Him to help you convey the message of the hymn, to focus on giving Him the honor and glory instead of seeking your own, and to speak to you through this time.

May we truly seek to use our lives to honor and glorify the Lord!

Hymn for Sunday

2009-08-16T09:00:00.003-04:00

Trusting Jesus

Words by: Edgar Page Stites, 1836-1921
Music by: Ira D. Sankey, 1840-1908

Simply trusting ev'ry day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what-e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly does His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what-e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what-e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what-e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

A Random Day

2009-08-14T15:49:00.002-04:00

Early this morning Momma, Sayre, Trevor and Thelma headed out to the Greene's to pick green beans! It was perfect weather for picking- cool and cloudy, so off they headed. Just as a note- the Greene's have more beans than they can put up or use, so they have kindly let us pick several times.
That left Sawyer and I here to hold down the fort...

Loading the stereo up with CD's
The first order of business was to put on some music to help cheer the place up! No, we weren't sad or unhappy, but it was a little quieter than normal and with it being cloudy and a bit foggy outside we could stand some happy lively music to help make the place seem more alive!

Morning Work
After that we cleaned the kitchen up, ate breakfast, and worked on housework. Sawyer loves to be involved in whatever we are doing. If he sees us washing dishes or cooking he dashes for his black stool so that he can get involved. Right now he's working on the finer art of drying dishes; he thoroughly enjoys washing (it's more like playing in the water!) so it's time for him to learn the 'technique' of drying a clean dish! :o)

Play Time
Once we got our housework finished I had Sawyer pull out some toys to occupy himself while I tended to some computer related business. He's a very busy little boy and kept himself occupied until Mom got home (anyone driving down the driveway is an event and will most likely be greeted by Sawyer standing on the back porch!).

The Morning Outing
Soon after Momma got home, Sawyer and I loaded up and headed into Honea Path for a quick shopping trip. He even took his cherry tomato with him... I'm not sure why, but took it he did! :o) He had been out in the garden with Momma for a bit which is where it came from!
It's always an adventure to take this three year old shopping, especially if there aren't carts to 'contain' him in. These times are very good opportunities for me to learn patience and to teach him to control himself in these 'real life experiences'.

Busy Snappin'
This afternoon has been just a good as the morning! Momma and Sayre came home with a putty bucket full of green beans this morning, so I spent a while out on the front porch snapping away and enjoying the outdoors! There was a nice breeze, lots of white clouds in the sky, and the outdoors to observe and listen to! It was terrific!

Yet Again...
Yes, more beans means more canning which is what's going on at the moment! Thankfully it's just beans and only a few at that!

In the Sewing Room

2009-08-12T13:38:00.001-04:00

The past few days have been really hot here is South Carolina which have made it perfect for indoor tasks. Like... sewing!!! The sewing room has been a busy place of late and I've really enjoyed working with others in there; even though we are working on different projects, the fellowship, banter, and conversation all make our times together memorable!

Busily constructing
I had mentioned in last Thursdays' post that the sewing room was going to be busy that afternoon. Well, it was busy not only on Thursday afternoon also the entire day Friday!!! Thelma came visitin' both days, bringing her sewing machine and goods to sew. We had a blast!

A Creative 'Mess'
(one has to make a mess in order to create something good/beautiful, right? That's how it works in the kitchen so surely it applies here!)
This table is perfect for cutting fabric out on, as you can see, but it was not destined for much fabric cutting on those two days! Momma was in the midst of creating or adding something on to a new pattern... I'm still not sure what it was all about, although I think she did get it figured out!

Taking a picture break
Monday and Tuesday of this week have been spent in the sewing room as well. I've been working on a blouse while Momma has been focusing her attention on a dress.
Both of us have had the 'itch' (strong desire) to sew these past few weeks and we're thoroughly enjoying our time spent together in the sewing room! She laughs at me though... I sit down to do the simplest thing (such as stay stitch the neckline) and will inevitably have problems; first my thread breaks and then I have bobbin issues. Once I get those sorted out my tension is wrong and then my bobbin starts acting up again!!! It's enough to drive a person batty!!! Thankfully she finds entertainment in it!

A New Trick
While us ladies were busy in the sewing room last Friday, Sawyer came up with a new trick. He enjoys reading a book that shows a baby fox holding his bottle with his feet. Sawyer decided to try this out to see if it works! It was quite entertaining to walk into the living room and see him doing this. "What in the world are you doing?" was my first response. "Hold that pose while I get my camera" was the next! :o) Little brothers are so much fun!

Looking Back...

2009-08-10T12:32:00.008-04:00

This year has been a wonderful year; a year of changes, growth, learning, new experiences, and overall wonderful times for my family and I.

The Wedding Party
The biggest change of this year took place at the beginning of the year, which was spent gearing up for, and rejoicing in, the marriage of Trevor and Thelma! Mom and I were involved in making the bridesmaids dresses while the boys helped Trevor finish up his house. It was an exciting time, although sometimes a bit crazy and hectic, as a new arm of the Castlebury family was established!

Spring Time gardening...
Soon after the wedding, we began gearing up for our 2009 gardening season and put allot of work into getting the garden ready for planting. Once the garden was growing well and bearing fruit, we began to preserve or can the produce that was given to us or came from our garden. Since canning green beans was on our 'want to learn how to do' list, a pressure canner was invested in and we've been learning how to use it; not only for canning but also for everyday cooking!! Did you know that you can have a meal that contains dry beans ready in about a half an hour??? Amazing... and very tasty too!!!

Momma & I putting up tomatoes last year...
Adding in a few (ok, forty-two to be exact!) chickens, reading up on gardening, broadening our sewing repertoire, and a host of other things have all made this year a wonderful and memorable one! I am truly blessed with the Mother that the Lord has given me, as she has so much wisdom in many areas and a thirst to learn about even more things!

Workin' Away
But there is one other thing that has taken place this year... one that affects me. At the beginning of January my Dad, after corresponding with a young man for several months, granted him permission to get to know me. Ryan and I have spent this year getting to know each other, under the guidance of our parents. Now, eight months later, we have entered into a time of courtship where we are getting to know each other in a deeper way with the intent of determining whether the Lord would have us marry.

This is a time of excitement for both Ryan and I (and our families!) as we seek the Lords' will and watch the Lord work in our lives! As we've gotten to know each other, I've been so impressed with Ryan's heart for the Lord and his desire to be in the center of the Lord's will. I've been challenged in my own walk with the Lord; challenged to seriously search out the Lord's heart in all things and to bring myself, even more, under the Lord's control. What a blessing it is to have friends that challenge and encourage us in our walk with the Lord!

Yes, the past eight months have been wonderful... a time of many changes and additions, a time of learning and growing, and a time of growing closer as a family. They sure have flown by in a hurry!

Hymn for Sunday

2009-08-09T09:00:00.003-04:00

Keep Walking with the Lord

Words by: Frank Garlock, 1930-
Music by:Frank Garlock, 1930- ; Flora Jean Garlock, 1930-

Jesus wants to keep us in His care;
Ev'ry-where we go He's always there.
He can give us joy beyond compare,
Walking in the goodness of the Lord.

Keep walking with the Lord all the way;
Keep trusting in His Word ev'ry day.
Keep looking for the Son, watch and pray-
Keep walking , trusting, all the way,
Looking, watching, praying ev'ry day.

If we follow Jesus, He will lead;
He will then supply our ev'ry need.
Absolute success is guaranteed-
Walking in the goodness of the Lord.

Keep walking with the Lord all the way;
Keep trusting in His Word ev'ry day.
Keep looking for the Son, watch and pray-
Keep walking, trusting, all the way,
Looking, watching, praying ev'ry day.

Jesus is our Savior, God and King;
We can look to Him for ev'ry-thing.
After all He's done, let's shout and sing-
Walking in the goodness of the Lord.

Keep walking with the Lord all the way;
Keep trusting in His Word ev'ry day.
Keep looking for the Son, watch and pray-
Keep walking, trusting, all the way,
Looking, watching, praying ev'ry day.

A Quick Catch Up...

2009-08-06T11:14:00.001-04:00

Since my last post, well over a week ago now, we have been wonderfully busy around here!! I'm so thankful for the work to do; as nice as having 'nothing' to do for a whole entire day/s sounds, I do believe it would become 'not-so-nice' very quickly. I enjoy having things to do!

My camera has not been used much of late, but I shall try to give you a glimpse into some of the activities that we've been involved in (sorry, no 'action' photos. I'm not sure why I didn't think to get my camera out!)

Putting up garden produce...
About a week and a half ago, our Pastor's wife gave us a TON of tomatoes!!! Since our tomato plants seem to like the nice green shade of it's fruit, Mom let her know that she was more than willing to take any and all tomatoes that were given to this dear lady! She has now provided us with almost 50 pounds of tomatoes... I think. So, Mommas been making tomato sauce and juice this past week which translates to about 24 pints and a half of sauce and around 10 pints and a half of juice, with more tomatoes still to do. We also put up 35 quarts of green beans with the desire to do more. And finally, we've done a smattering of jams/jellies and relishes. It's been fun and rewarding to see the fruits of our labors!

Voracious Eaters...
Sometime during the afternoons, I head out and visit with the chickens. They are quite amusing to watch and will come running when they hear the gate clang- they think you have something for them (which, we usually do!) I let them out into Momma's garden area for several days, which they really enjoyed scratching around in, but since they got into everything I decided to put them back in their pen. Still, they cleaned the place up pretty well!!
What is it about watching chickens that is so relaxing and almost addicting?

Boy stuff
An afternoon occurrence here, is watching Sayre dig a hole. "Why is he digging a hole?" you may ask... well, I'm not really sure! I've heard that he's digging the pond out, but to me digging the pond out means that you... well, dig the pond out, not dig a hole beside it!!! Whatever his reason may be behind removing the dirt I know that he's enjoying, it gaining skills on the tractor, and exercising his planning/design qualities!

The new addition...
This Blue Heeler is Tristan's newest friend! He's been here over a week now and it's amazing how well he has fit into the dog family! We haven't had a single problem and that's with him and our three dog being penned up TOGETHER for hours each day!! It's quite amazing! As you can tell, he and Buck are getting along splendidly!

An unusual occurrence
One Monday evening, not to long ago, we had a 'traffic jam' in our driveway! Trevor had been by to pick up a load off his junk pile and met Daddy on his way out. They sat and talked for twenty or thirty minutes... then Tristan drove up, got out, and started talking with them! Mom and I were in the kitchen watching all this from the windows, and had to laugh at it all!! The only thing that would have made it even better would have been if Collin had drove up and joined in!

That's a little bit of what's going on in our neck of the woods. Tomorrow, Momma will be working on getting the remainder of the tomatoes canned and I'm not for certain if we will be getting more green beans. If we are, I know where I'll be! :o) I also have the 'itch' to sew which is good as I have an uncompleted skirt just begging for me to finish it. Momma also has the 'itch' and I hear that Thelma may be coming over during the next few days for a sewing 'party'; sounds like the sewing room will have the sound of humming sewing machines resonating through it real soon!!!

Hymn for Sunday

2009-07-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Does Jesus Care

Words by: Frank E. Graeff, 1860-1919
Music by: J. Lincoln Hall, 1866-1930

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Tho' my tears flow all the night long?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I've said "good-bye"
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks-
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

A Few Verses

2009-07-23T14:00:00.003-04:00

I thought I would share a few verses that have encouraged me in my walk with the Lord. Each time I read them, a thirst to know the Lord and to praise Him for everything is put into my heart. May I truly thirst after Him ever single day...

Psalm 63:1-8
O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is:
To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.
Because They lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.
Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips:
When I remember Thee upon my bed and meditate on Thee in the night watches.
Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy winds will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.

A Delicious Dessert

2009-07-21T14:00:00.002-04:00

It's at this time of year when the harvesting of fruit is at it's peak, that we get to implement some of our favorite fruit recipes. Recipes that refresh and bring back memories from the previous summers.
Fruit Pizza is one of these recipes. Found, we believe, in a Perennials magazine quite a few years ago, this is one our favorite ways to use up extra fruit that we may have. It's the perfect ending to a hot day and oh so refreshing with all of the fruit on it. Oh my mouth is watering for it as I type!!!
This is just to good to keep to myself.....

Crust:
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. lemon extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar; beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking power, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture. Beat well. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Press dough into a greased 12-in. or 14-in. pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until a light golden brown. Cool completely.

Spread:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup whipped topping

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add whipped topping; mix well. Spread over crust. Add your choice of fruits; our favorites are strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, peaches, bananas', or anything else that we may have handy.

Glaze:
1/4 orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup hot water
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar

Combine glaze ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Brush over fruit. Store in the refrigerator.
Yield: 12-14 servings

Hymn for Sunday

2009-07-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

Singing I Go

Words by: Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851-1920
Music by: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921

The trusting heart to Jesus clings,
Nor any ill forebodes,
But at the cross of Calv'ry sings,
Praise God for lifted loads!

Singing I go along life's road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Sing I go along life's road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

The passing days bring many care,
"Fear not," I hear Him say,
And when my fears are turned to prayers,
The burdens slip away.

Sing I go along life's road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing I go along life's road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

He tells me of my Father's love
And never slumb'ring eye;
My everlasting King above
Will all my needs supply.

Singing I go along life's road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing I go along life's road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

When to the throne of grace I flee,
I find the promise true,
The mighty arms upholding me
Will bear my burdens too.

Singing I go along life's road
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing I go along life's road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

For my Daddy..

2009-07-17T14:00:00.003-04:00

Today is my Daddy's birthday!!!

I hope your day is a wonderful day, Daddy!!! I love you!

My Daddy is a terrific Daddy. He thinks things through and gives us advice based on what the Bible says. The Bible is his guidebook. That is what I really appreciate my Dad.

Summer Fun for a Little Boy- #2

2009-07-14T14:00:00.004-04:00

Being the oldest of six children I have been able to watch Momma and she trains and brings up the younger children. This is especially true with Sawyer; he's twenty-one years younger than me, so I can actually remember what all Momma has done and things she's teaching him. This truly a opportunity I have, one that I greatly enjoy and appreciate! I'm learning for the future!

A Special Breakfast
One of the things Momma does with Sawyer is to create memories in the simplest way. A friend of the family, whom Sawyer really enjoys being with, brought him some Dunkin Donuts one day!!! This created the perfect memory making time for Momma!

"I Love Donuts Ashey!!"
She and Sawyer had breakfast in his room!!!! Oh how he enjoyed this treat!!! He really enjoyed eating the sprinkles off the donut before eating the bread part!!
A memory was made and a bond was formed.

Catching chicks...
One of Sawyer's favorite things to do these days, is to come into the chick pen and catch a chick!!! He's find a spot and sit oh so still while the chick sits quietly in his lap. After he has sat for a while, the chicks will begin to cluster around his feet and check him out! He thoroughly enjoys this!

Contemplating...

Country Boy!!!
Of course, the ultimate in summer fun for Sawyer is filling the stock tank!! He stands there and holds the hose or splashes it all over (including himself!) while the tank fills. He is becoming a big help and wanting to do all sorts of 'big boy' things now that he is able too!!

He's a very special blessing to our family!

Hymn for Sunday

2009-07-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Jesus, I am Resting, Resting

Words by: Jean S. Pigott, 1845- 1882
Music by: James Mountain, 1844- 1933

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster broader than the sea!
O how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings
Meets, supplies its ev'ry need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
This is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Of the Garden and Chicks...

2009-07-10T14:00:00.002-04:00

It's high time that I did an update on these two things. Allot has taken place in regards to the garden and the chicks... let me share some of it with you!

Gifts from a dear lady at church
I knew zucchini could get big, but the one on the left was a monster!!! Since there has been such a plethora of these fruits at church (one lady is giving them away), we've been enjoying them in stir fry, soups, and zucchini bread. They are really good!! Momma and I are already planning on growing one or two plants in next years garden!

Squash
The squash is also in production mode now which has been wonderful!!! I'm not sure which I enjoy more, squash or green beans. Anyhow, with so much squash on hand, we're trying our hand at blanching and then freezing it all. From what we've been told this is the best way to preserve it so we shall see how it goes with it. Ours usually gets a 'freezer/ rubbery' taste and feel to it...
Do any of y'all have suggestions as to how to preserve it?

Out in the watermelon patch...
Oh I can't tell you how thrilling it is to see watermelon growing out in the garden!!! I don't particularly enjoy this fruit (I know, I'm different!:o) but I sure do enjoy watching it grow! We have two varieties out there with one mound of each. I shall be interesting to see how much those eight plants produce!

Flowering okra..
We are growing an heirloom variety of okra that is purple in color... so far we haven't cut enough to eat, but we're slowly getting there. These plants like hot dry weather, so it will be the end of this month at the earliest before it starts producing in earnest. I think these flowers are very very pretty. Not exactly the kind of flower that I would expect to find on a vegetable plant.

A mass of vines...
My gourd plants are doing very very well and I'm tickled pink over them!!! It looks as though I have varieties one of which is kind of knobby and completely white... I do hope it changes color very soon!!!

Harvest
We've been harvesting cucumbers, green beans- which have petered out now, peppers and tomatoes in addition to the squash. Momma made up some pickles yesterday from our stash of cucumbers and the above picture was all that was left after her efforts. What is it about fresh vegetables from the garden that satisfies like nothing else can??

Rays of sunshine...
One plot of sunflowers is in FULL bloom and is absolutely beautiful!!! Their cheerful faces nod in the breeze and can be seen one when is walking towards the garden. Oh I love these flowers!!

The chicks have done some growing of their own since the last time I posted pictures of them...

A Speckled Sussex and a Barred Rock
They are right six weeks old now and are developing their personalities. The Barred Rocks are definitely the friendliest of the bunch and are always curious about what we're doing! The Sussex are becoming more curious and bold with each passing day; both breeds put up a fuss when we pick them up, but as soon as they are settled into our hands they quit peeping and enjoy the attention!

Australorpes
These birds are by far the skittish but we're working on that. For quite some time they have looked like adult 'baby sized buzzards(if that makes a lick of sense!) but have just recently begun to 'grow into' their bodies. They have some of the longest legs...

Staying busy
There is never a moment of no movement with the chicks. They are always busy doing something, unless they are sleeping. I love to sit out there and watch them scratch around, pick at the scraps that we through out for them (they love corn!), or chase the bugs that come flying through. I've had several jump and walk up my back or even jump into my lap! It's always a treat when they do that!

The garden and the chicks are two of the things that I spend time working in. Both things bring a sense of peace and purpose with them. I love living out here!

Summer Fun for a Little Boy- #1

2009-07-08T17:05:00.000-04:00

During a recent shopping trip, Momma decided to pick up a 'slip and slide' for Sawyer and as Saturday was a rather warm day, it was decided to show Sawyer how it worked!! Here are the results from it!

First time for everything
We discovered that our water pressure was not equal to what this slide required to make a person 'slip' down it. Daddy and Sayre had to push him down!! :o)

His smile says it all!

Sawyer sized waterworks
At the bottom of the slide was a pool of water that Ham-man enjoyed playing in. He really liked throwing water at me.

In mid-jump...

Finally...Success!!!
Daddy drug the other hose out to get some extra water going down the slide, and Sayre proceeded to push Sawyer down!! Ohhhhh how he loved landing in the pool at the bottom! :o)

This picture speaks for itself!

Splashing
We also got the pool out for him to enjoy! He was really wound up that afternoon; he was jumping into every puddle of water he could find even if it was just the little amount that had accumulated in the bottom of the pool as I filled it!!!

It was a delight to watch him play in the water! I can remember playing in pools and going down slip 'n slides as a kid and no summer was complete without either of these things. Water.... the main attracting for children each summer (well ok, so maybe children aren't the only ones who are attracted to it!! :o)

The Fourth of July

2009-07-06T16:15:00.001-04:00

Here at the Castlebury's we tend to stick around home for the summer holidays. While we enjoy going places/events during this time of year, often times things come up (such as house projects that need finishing up or being to tired or getting to late for us to go anywhere; time has knack of getting away from us over here!!) This Saturday, the 4th., we were planning on doing something during the evening hours; a nearby town had a festival and fireworks and a neighboring church had a celebration as well. But something came up... I mean seriously came up. Tristan had plans to round the bull up and take him back to Mr. T's farm BUT, seeing as how we don't have corrals, gates, or anything necessary to load cattle into trailers, Daddy and the boys had to round the beast up by 'hand'. Rounding him up took all day, several tries, lots of patience, and nimble legs to get out of his way when he ran at you. By the time everyone got back home it was simply to late to do anything; I'm sure the boys have quite a few interesting memories though!!! :o)

Thankfully, Momma had planned a special Fourth of July lunch which was heartily enjoyed by all of us!!! I think this 'celebration' was more memorable than ones from past years! Here are a few reasons why...

The newlyweds
Just a year ago, Trevor and Thelma had just began courting and now, a year later, they've been married for three months!! WOW!! The time has flown by!
It's always fun when they stop in. Trevor brings goofy, thoughtful, and interesting conversation with him while Thelma brings practical (well, to us ladies anyway... we usually wind up talking about sewing, books, or anything related to the pursuits we're all involved in) and fun times with her!

Laughing at Trevor
We out under the Pecan Tree, which is out by my garden, with the 'skeeters and flies. The conversation was quite interesting and never lagged a bit!!!
I'm not sure what's going through Sawyer's mind at the moment... he was having a great time!

After the meal
The menu was 'steak done on the grill, boiled corn on the cob (YUMMM!), veggies from the garden, fruit pizza, sweet tea, and homemade ice cream'. It was delicious!

Pitching in to help
Collin was a huge help at getting everything toted outside as well as making sure we all had dessert! Of course it helped that he was hungry or ready for dessert!

Everyone pitching in or offering assistance made the day even more special. Our family was all together and enjoying each other to the fullest!

Brothers
As disgusting as this may sound, the conversation at the point this picture was taken, was in regards to the best way to put a chicken down. Yes, we have some very interesting meal time conversation! :o)

Having our family all together, the terrific conversations, the way everyone pitched in, and just being together made this years 4th of July a memorable one!

Hymn for Sunday

2009-07-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

O Say, But I'm Glad

Words by: James Patrick Sullivan, 1876-1948
Music by: Mildred Sullivan Lacour, 1916-?

There is a song in my heart today,
Something I never had;
Jesus has taken my sins away,
O say but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

Wonderful, marvelous love He brings,
Into a heart that's sad;
Through darkest tunnels the soul can sing,
O say, but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

Won't you come to Him with all your care,
Weary, and worn and sad?
You, too, will sing as His love you share,
O say, but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

I've Been Tagged...

2009-07-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week, I was tagged by Rebekah to post the sixth picture out of my sixth folder so here it is.

Trevor being ganged up on...
This was taken quite a while back but I really enjoyed seeing how Thelma and Sayre are making it possible for Sawyer to tickle Trevor! They all ganged up on him and it was a sight, not to mention a noise, to behold!!!

There you have it; the sixth picture from my sixth folder. Hmmm... I now tag... anyone who wants to do it!! Just leave me a comment if you do!

A Little Catching Up

2009-06-29T17:04:00.001-04:00

I have had ideas for several posts floating around in my noggin' (referring to my mind) for the past week, but due to the fact that I either lack the pictures for them, cannot get decent pictures, or am just plain old to busy to make an attempt at taking them, I have given up hope of ever getting them posted!
So today, let me share with you a few of the things that have been keeping my busy of late.

Taken by Sawyer
A week ago this past Saturday I began working on sanding and 'refinishing' the porch swing. It was looking rather weather beaten and something needed to be done to it. I spent time each day last week applying tongue oil, lightly sanding between coats, and buffing once the oil was dry enough to touch. I applied the last coat Saturday afternoon and Sayre helped me hang it back up. It looks one hundred percent better!
Now this week, I'm working on the child sized swing that was mine when I was allot younger.

Skirt number 1
I've also been trying to spend a little bit of time each day in the sewing room whittling down my stash of fabric. So far I have three skirts made and am enjoying the pace at which my fabric is disappearing! My Mom and I have made a 'pact'; no more fabric until we use up the stuff that is in our stashes!! :o) I doubt that we will keep this 'pact' as there are simply sales that one cannot pass up; as in you would be nuts to pass a price like that up! (sale tables are a great weakness for us!)

Skirt number 2
Most all of my skirts are made from 100% cotton and are colorful! More often than not, I have trouble finding a top that matches the newly made skirt! Tell me that I'm not the only one who has this problem!!
Last week I finished a khaki/light tan skirt with brown top stitching that I don't have a picture of. So far I think it rates among my favorite skirts as it is simply so comfortable!

Messing with the dogs...
In between sewing, gardening, chicks, mowing, filling stock tanks, refinishing projects, household projects, and a host of other things, I have managed to spend some time with the dogs. This afternoon found me out in the cow/dog pen mowing and I wound up playing tug of war with Lila which eventually turned into a rub her belly session. She heartily enjoyed the attention!

One of my favorite ways to spend a summer evening is to go out into the pen and just sit... sit and listen to the crickets, frogs, and other evening noises while petting the dogs. There is such contentment in listening as the day winds down.

That's a little of what has been keeping me busy of late!
You might find it interesting to know that this post consisted of the only decent, or readily taken, pictures that I had lined up for the posts that were floating around in my mind last week!

A Few Pictures...

2009-06-20T10:00:00.001-04:00

This past week has been a busy yet enjoyable one- full of gardening, housework, sewing, dogs, projects, chick fun, and many other fun and enjoyable things! Here a just a few pictures to give you a glimpse into what all my family and I have been doing.

My little helper
Late Thursday afternoon found me hurriedly finishing the mowing of the cow/dog pen before the storm one could see in the distance rolled in. Ham-Man had just gotten up from his nap and was parked on crate (in the pen) partaking of a snack that consisted of a cookie, a graham cracker, and ice water while I mowed away. When I finished he was thrilled to ride with me back to the garage- but first we had to get the camera! :o) I love how his cheeks are all 'smashed' as a result of the earmuffs!

Out in the garden
Earlier this week, Hammie and I were out in the garden together... me transplanting the lettuce to under the sunflowers and him asking questions or using my camera!

Diligently working...
Momma found this window 'planter' along side the road several years ago and has always wanted to use it for something. Now she has a use; first she had to scrape/sand it, then she had to prime it, and finally she had to paint it. She finished yesterday afternoon and it's ready to hang off of the back porch where it will be holding potted plants!!! It's a really nice shade of black (actually, it's just a nice texture!) and I'm so anxious to see how it looks filled with plants!

A Mouthful...
Late Thursday afternoon we had a storm come through that had allot of wind and quite a bit of rain. It blew our corn not quite half way over, so I spent some time standing it all back up yesterday morning. I found several broken stalks which I then fed to B-Moo who really enjoys them!! Can you see the bright green stalk just barely sticking out of his mouth???

"Taking care of my things"
Sawyer loves to roll his trucks around in the dirt and mud every single day. He has a spot in the big garden that has been designated his and will spend allot of time playing in it if left to himself. With all of that dirt things get rather dirty and when he wants to play trucks inside he must first wash them off. Out comes the black stool, which he shoves to the sink, and he puts everything in the sink. He takes the initiative to wash them off and then dry them before playing with them. He's becoming a very good caretaker!

Well, that's a glimpse into some of what all has taken place this week. I must be off now!

Caution: Garden Update!

2009-06-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

After many weeks of hard work, we are now beginning to enjoy the fruits of our labors! Sayre has begun to bring squash in from his plant, we have peppers on a few plants, the beans are in bloom, and sooo much more!

Since this one thing has been occupying a large amount of my time and thought, I decided a little garden 'tour' would be in order.
Most all of these pictures were taken well over a week ago and all of the plants have doubled in size since then!

Corn and Okra
The corn is doing very very well, thanks to the fertilizer that Daddy scattered and the nice rains that we have had over the past several weeks! The stalks are now about five feet tall ,the tassels are beginning to show, and the June bugs/Japanese beetles will soon be going to town on them. We had a storm come through late last week, which mowed the corn down... Sayre, Sawyer, and I spent the next morning hauling dirt and mounding the stalks with it. Since doing all that, the corn has survived several storms very nicely!

The Watermelon Patch
This patch used to be the eyesore of the garden; I'm all about neat and tidiness in the garden and this was nothing but weeds and crabgrass. It took me two days of weeding by hand and hoeing the crabgrass up to bring this little plot into usable-ness. We did have four hills of watermelon seeds, but do to bad seeds and a dog, we are down to two living hills.

Moving right along
Next to the watermelon we have a plot of squash which are doing amazingly well!!! They have doubled in size since this picture was taken and are full of bright yellow flowers in addition to a few small squash. Earlier this week I planted the nasturtium (which is in the planter) in the plot, laid down newspaper, and asked Sayre to put pine straw on top. It looks much better and will help keep the moisture in and weeds out!

Sunflowers
Behind the squash plot are two plots of sunflowers. There really are two plots pictured here, but you can't tell. The front plot is huge!!! As in, the sunflowers are taller than I am now!!!! I love the cheerful colors and happy faces that sunflowers add to a garden!!!

Beans, beans, and more beans!
We finally have rows in our bean plot thanks to my Daddy!! He pounded the t-posts down and stretched twine for the beans to climb on! It will make picking so much easier!

Gourds...
To the right of the beans are my gourds....

...with 'not so little anymore' gourds on the vines!!! I've been having a problem with wilt on these plants and I'm not quite sure what going on. Hopefully, it won't spread to the rest of the plants.
The large space behind the gourds is now full of cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers (I just forgot to get pictures of all that).

More sunflowers
These flowers have since opened and are rather interesting to see... the flowers didn't develop fully and are lacking in many many petals. Makes for quite the interesting object to observe!

Rainbow after the storm
The late afternoons of last week were full of thunderstorm activity; we are so thankful for the rain that the Lord has been sending our way! This time last year our grass was beginning to turn brown and we were watering by hand every other evening. The Lord has been very gracious to us this year!

Well, I'm off to tend to my garden after escorting our little chicks out of doors (that's another story for another day!).

A Hymn for Sunday

2009-06-14T09:00:00.001-04:00

Holy, Holy, Holy

Words by: Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Music by: John B. Dykes, 1823-1876

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and ever more shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou are holy- there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow'r, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy- merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Life-Both Plant and Animal

2009-06-10T14:00:00.002-04:00

My orchid has been in bloom since the middle February, bringing much joy and color to every room that it has resided in.

The beginning stage of blooms...
If there is one reason that I enjoy my orchid, it would be because the blooms last forever with minimal care on my part. A nice watering, once a week, with special orchid food is all it needs, although I do let it soak the water that is poured over it (which, I hear, is a no-no).

Still goin' strong
Now, here we are almost four months since it started to open it's 'balls of buds' and it's just beginning to show small signs of coming to an end. Last week, I cut off the very first flower that opened, but all of the other are still full of color and life!

Wonderful color
I'm thoroughly enjoying every moment that this neat plant blooms! I recently ran across another, albeit smaller, orchid that was on the half price rack; all that was wrong with it were leaves that didn't quite like they should as well as a tear in one of the newer leaves. Since it still looked healthy I picked it up and brought it home. It's been re-potted (why do they put these plants in such small pots?) and has a nice new home on the stand in the up-stairs hallway. It bloomed a looong time ago, but with care and indirect bright light, I hope to coerce it into blooming by the end of the year!

What I've been digging through....

New life in the woods
I was curious as to what my family was up to this time last summer, so I went looking through our 'photo archives'. I was pleasantly surprised (I'm not sure why) when I ran across these pictures taken just over a year ago. For whatever reason, Collin had been reading in his tree stand when he began hearing noises off in the woods, so off he went to investigate.

What he found were two fawns who had just emerge into the world not very long ago. One was still wet and was trying to find it's legs! By the time Sayre and I made it down to see them, there was only one fawn left. It was so neat being able to see such new life and in a fawn especially! I did a post on it that has quite a few more pictures to it. What a wonderful time that the boys and I were able to see!
Life in the country certainly is great!

Happenings at the Castlebury Place

2009-06-08T16:40:00.000-04:00

It has been a busy past several days, but they have been ohhhh so good!!! Yard saleing this past Saturday, talking with family while watching the chicks eat and play, attending church and fellow shipping with the folks there, practicing my horn, sewing, tending to household duties and getting caught up on the 'to do' lists, and watching the rain fall (read deluge; we received four inches in a little over twenty-four hours!) and form puddles in the yard and driveway while also seeing the pond rapidly expand, have been a few of the things that have kept my family and I on our toes the past several days!

The butterflies have returned!
This week promises just as much fun busy-ness taking place either in the garden, out with the chicks, or working on the 'refinishing' the porch swing project that I'm hoping to start in the next day or so! I spent about two hours of this morning out in the garden weeding and making feeble attempts at figuring out what is ailing several plants. I love spending time out there and the cool morning hours are perfect for it!
In the next few pictures, I'll be sharing some of the most recent highlights from today and this past week. Hopefully, you can see a little glimpse of what life is like here during the summer!

Sitting on her nest
About a week ago Sayre found this nest while mowing out near the garden...

The occupants
Inside it were three or four recently hatched babies. I was thrilled to see this as it is the same type of bird whose nest in my butterfly bush was ransacked several weeks ago; I am eager to be able to watch these little guys grow!

A weeks worth of growth
As the story of my life seems to be, I became busy and quickly forgot about the nest and the babies. This morning, as I was tying Lila up to this particular tree I was reminded about the nest and went to investigate. Momma was on the nest, but quickly flew away as I watched her. I was amazed at how quickly the newly hatched babies had grown! The nest looks like it will soon be outgrown! I would have loved to watch these little guys a bit longer, but momma bird was becoming rather anxious about her offspring and I thought it best to head on out to the garden.

Now for a glimpse into some of last weeks happenings.

Ummm.... yes?
We had Trevor and Thelma over for dinner and a movie last Thursday evening! We provided dinner and they provided a movie about the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea during their flight from Egypt. It was very fascinating and helped one imagine a bit better what took place.

Three year old photography
Sawyer loves to use my camera and he's becoming quite good at it too! We're still working on him not rapidly moving the camera while taking the picture, but he seems to be getting the idea. The above picture is a sampling of his large collection... Yes, that is his face on the left! I'm not sure how he managed that one! :o)

Speckled Sussex
The chicks have been here for a whole entire week now, but goodness, does it ever seem much longer! They have really begun to grow and I was noticing yesterday that the Australorps are begging to look more like ducklings that chickens!

Barred Rocks
As you can see, they are beginning to get their wing feathers as well as their tails feathers. The Sussex seem to be getting their feathers in much quicker than the other two breeds. With all of the growth taking place, it means that they have 'found their legs' and are using them allot. They have taken to jumping out of the pool that we have and it isn't unusual to find several out milling around the shop! Means we need to check on them more frequently! :o)

Testing Rex's taste buds...
Sayre, on a whim, decided to see if his steers (they really can't be called calves or cows, as they are neither of those!) liked corn chips. Rex readily ate all of the chips that were allotted to him while B-Moo only became interested AFTER he saw that the portion he had passed up were going to Rex! So, now we know that we can use corn chips as 'treats' for the boys... now we just need to train them to do something! ;o)

A new experience
Today, after lunch, Momma set up the sprinkler for Sawyer to run through. He had been eagerly talking about "spwinkwing aftuh wunch" and was raring to go when Momma gave him the Ay-oaky.

Avoiding the water
He didn't seem to keen on getting wet and began asking for dry clothes soon after getting slightly damp! Momma took matters into her own hands and started spraying him... I love his expression in the above picture!

It's fun!
Momma showed him how to run through the water, hootin' and hollerin' the whole way! After being sprayed and being placed in the midst of the water, he decided that he enjoyed it! The whole process was hilarious to watch!

Headin' out to check the rain gauge
Sawyer is such a sweet little man who is turning more and more into a boy each and every day. Before we know it, he'll be taking care of his own pets and playing in the creek by himself. Where have the past three and a half years gone?

Well, the first day of the week is almost over with and there is still some un-done things that I much 'tend to!

Things That Brighten My morning

2009-06-03T14:00:00.002-04:00

As I came into the kitchen around 6:30 this morning, I was greeted by my sweet Momma who was busy fixing Tristan's lunch. She is so faithful at making sure the men folk have a lunch or breakfast to take with them. After exchanging 'good mornings' I went about my 'early' morning tasks of filling water bowls and headed out to feed the dogs. When I came back in, this is what I found...

Inscribed on a spare envelope...

A sweet note from my Momma asking me to build another pot of coffee once I poured my cup of coffee! These notes never fail to bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart when I find them! Early morning notes are the best! :o)

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

2009-06-03T08:58:00.000-04:00

For those of you who are curious as to what mint chocolate ice cream recipe we used during this post allow me to share it with you. But, before I get into the recipe itself, let me state that we simply took our vanilla ice cream recipe and turned it into a mint chocolate recipe! We used this recipe to help us decide on proportions for the vanilla and mint extract.

Mint Chocolate Ice Cream

2 eggs
1-1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
5 c. liquid (1/2-half & half and 1/2 whipping cream)
1 cup miniature semi sweet chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Pour into ice cream freezer and freeze according to directions. Right before the ice cream looks 'done', add the chocolate chips. Adding them at the beginning will cause them to sink and become distributed through the ice cream.
Makes about 2 quarts.

While I was looking around on the Internet for a different ice cream recipes, I ran across this delicious sounding recipe. We will be making it next time as it sounds to good to be true and even more wonderful than anything we've ever made! We even have the mint plants to do it with!

Animal News

2009-06-01T17:00:00.000-04:00

Lots and lots of animal related things have been happening here at our green acres the past few days! There is so much to be excited about and new things to observe!

A boy and his steers...
Yesterday, Tristan brought B-Moo back to our place without telling a soul what he was doing!! He must like to surprise us, because that is exactly what he did! In the above picture, Sayre is swatting flies off of the 'calves'; he could spend hours doing this, and interestingly enough, the calves seem to enjoy it!

The new addition...
Both of 'the boys' are getting along just great! B-Moo will stand on top of the dirt pile and moo at Rex who is on the opposite side of the field! They mosey around the field and graze together; oh it's a neat sight to see! The field is beginning to look a little smaller these days...

Turkey update
Here is a recent picture of the Turk's. Their necks can get redder than the neck of the turkey that is standing; it's really neat to sit and watch. These guys live out by the barn and we can hear them making noise all the way up at the house!

As exciting as all of these things are, there is something that tips the scale and has made life even more wonderful!

Fresh from the post office

Our chicks arrived!!!!!!!

Around 7:00 this morning our local post office called to let us know that the chicks had arrived and were ready to be picked up, so off Momma and I went to pick up these long anticipated peepers!

Speckled Sussex
There are forty-five chicks and three varieties; Speckled Sussex, Barred Rock, and Australorpe. The Barred Rocks and Australorpes look almost identical so it takes just a bit of examining before exclaiming which is which!

Watching and learning
We've been spending quite a bit of time out in the shop today watching the newest additions. We could simply sit for hours and watch all that they do!

A warm spot
One thing that we really enjoy is getting them to fall asleep in our hands. They hunker down so contentedly and soon doze off. It can't get much sweeter than that...

In other 'baby animal' news...

More babies...
One of Sayre's rabbits had a litter of three babies about ten days ago. They are some of the cutest little things ever! This little one seems to be very laid back as it was the only one out of the three that would stay put in my hand!
There is one more rabbit that is due any day... more little rabbits to play and cuddle with!

Being so careful...
It has been a wonderful past several days with all sorts of animal goings' on... what a privilege it is to be able to care for all of these things that the Lord has given us.

So if things are silent here for a while, just imagine me messing with all of the new additions that have just arrived!!! I have a feeling all of this will be highly distracting to me for a while! :o)

Hymn for Sunday

2009-05-31T09:00:00.001-04:00

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Words by: William R. Featherston, 1846-1873
Music by: Adoniram J. Gordon, 1836-1895

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine,
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now!

I love Thee because Thous hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now!

I will love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath,
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now!

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now!

A Summertime Treat

2009-05-28T09:41:00.000-04:00

For as long as I can remember, homemade ice cream has been the most anticipated and look forward to summer time treat for my family! Store bought ice cream just doesn't even begin to compare, and neither does it disappear as quickly, which of course means that it's delicious! Growing up, I can remember sitting and watching Daddy supervise the freezer as it turned and how he carefully made sure all the salty ice water came out of the drain hole in the cedar bucket. Those childhood memories are the ones that I treasure...

Momma and Daddy received their first ice cream freezer as a wedding gift just over twenty-seven years ago, and it's been a family 'tradition' ever since then! The summer holidays, Memorial Day- the 4th of July- Labor Day, are days when we stir up some ice cream and then sit out on the porch, or in the driveway, and watch it get turned into that refreshing summer time delicacy!

Helping Daddy...
This past Monday, Memorial Day, was no exception. Daddy had the day off and we made plans to grill some meat for our evening meal. Of course, making ice cream had to be on the agenda as it just doesn't seem like a holiday if we don't have it! Mint chocolate chip was on the agenda as it was a 'hot' humid day that begged for the refreshing kick that mint can give

How many Castlebury's does it take to supervise...

Around 4:30 I headed out to the front porch to begin the 'ice cream freezing period'-once you have all of your ingredients mixed together, you put it in the freezer canister which sits inside the cedar bucket, put ice and salt around the canister, plug it in and watch it spin around and around and... :o)

Almost done...
After about an hour of us watching it go 'round and 'round, adding over ten pounds of ice in addition to salt, and un-sticking the canister when the ice kept it from moving, we were finally able to add the chocolate chips/shavings.

Time to add the chocolate...
If we were to add the chocolate at the very beginning, it all would have sunk to the bottom and no amount of stirring would have brought them to the top. Of course, with mint chocolate chip ice cream the half of the taste is in the chocolate that is distributed all throughout it!
Several minutes after adding the chocolate, we called the ice cream done... now we had to contain ourselves until it was time to actually dip it up!! Well, some of us did anyways! :o)

An eager observer...
I found it so amusing to see how the noise that the freezer made seemed to draw people! First it was the dogs... then Daddy came sauntering around the house... Sawyer got up from his nap and came knocking on the front door to be let out (he can't open the door yet!)... then Momma showed up... next, Collin drove down the driveway and stopped to watch... and finally, Sayre came pedaling around the other side of the house! This is definately a family affair; even if we all filter in and out during the time spent with the freezer!
Ohhhh do we ever love homemade ice cream!!!