Summer Days and Little Things

We're just about half way through summer.  Life carries on and so do we.  Nothing profound is going on in our part of the world. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, grown daughters, grandchildren, picnics at the river and beach, writing and a few creative projects…. they are all the everyday things that I am up to this summer.

I got my crocheting out again recently.  It has been a few years since I have worked on any kind of crocheting or knitting.  Marie,  Elizabeth and I found a large stash of yarn that I had stored.  We all got inspired and have been crocheting ever since. It has been very satisfying to crochet  in the spare moments.

The grandkids and I are going to paint rocks this week, and I bought a bushel of Georgia Peaches at a roadside stand the other day. I am thinking of making a Cream Peach Pie; these are ordinary uneventful little things  to be sure, but they are the substance of life.  I remember when I was growing up, how the summer seemed to stretch so long.  My best friend Judy and I would mull over what we wanted to do on each day, and would always end up riding our bikes, swimming, playing board games, hopscotch or four square. or walking to the little 7 eleven convenience store a couple of miles away.  Our biggest cares were the few chores that we had to do, and where we got the latest skinned knee.  There is something so sweet about those days, that were simple, and uneventful.  Some of the little mundane  have more value in them than we sometimes realize.

I don't think we should underestimate the value of the  ordinary and little things. Living a peaceful and quiet life in itself is a testimony.  A smile someone gives you when you are struggling with something painful in your life may seem small, to them, but it is really BIG to you. I know this first hand.  A little word of encouragement may go unnoticed by others; but to you it is huge and it does not go unnoticed by God. He sees the faithfulness in all of the little things that you do: getting up each day and providing for your family, the kindness you show to others, the help you offer, the noticing of someone that no one else notices, the eye contact you make with a smile or a nod or a kind word, the honor you give others, the words you speak, the sweet memories you create with your family, the work you do with diligence, the prayers you pray for loved ones and strangers alike, the forgiveness you extend, the love that flows from you, expressed in a touch or an action; cooking a meal or writing a note or making a little gift or even the giving of a cup of cold water, It is valuable, its like glue that holds our life together.

I hope you are all doing well.  Perhaps your days are filled with ordinary little things, but don't underestimate the value of those things, or be impatient that nothing seems to be happening.  So much goes on in the unseen world that we don't see at this moment.

Have a great week Everyone.

And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Matt. 10:42

Creative Delights

Wednesdays are my art class day. I look forward to Wednesdays very much, because when I am there, I paint without distraction or guilt. Today I missed art class, because of a flat tire. Unfortunately, we get our fair share of flat tires, because we live out on a dirt road.

We are having another snow storm today... this one looks like it may produce more than the last one, which didn't do nearly like the weatherman said it would. I am doing my art work at home today, while Steve took the car in on some business, and to get the tire fixed. I always feel that when I get to work at any creative project, I am blessed, and feel very happy. I have been working on pictures for some storybooks that I have written. I am getting the pictures done slowly. I find that it is often hard accomplish a lot by the way of drawings and paintings at home, because there is always so many distractions, and so much that needs doing, and I have had to learn to fight the feeling that I shouldn't be doing this, I should be doing that. Steve has helped, and often tells me "forget about the housework and get the storybooks done". I am having to learn to adjust the expectations that I feel about myself. I am coming to a different stage in my life, and the seasons are changing for me. It is nice to have this portion to look forward to. When we women wrap our world around family, there is an adjustment that can be difficult when the children all grow up and leave home. I say "be encouraged" if you are transitioning into this stage of life, allow yourself to be blessed in "the new", take pleasure in a different freedom that allows you to pursue more of those creative delights and don't let guilt keep you from flourishing in something different.



If you are still raising your children, enjoy them in the midst of those pursuits that you love; those creative delights.  Include them and let them partake, it will free you to still pursue creative projects, without neglecting your babies. If you love to cook, let them cook with you; don't worry about the mess. If you love to sew, let them sew; take the time to teach them a few of those things, and you will be rewarded with little companions that share some of your joys. I know my kids have all got creative bugs and I think it is because we nurtured that in them. Cooking, sewing, painting, writing, making jewelry, photography, gardening, decorating, crafting, scrapbooking, designing, drafting, music, or just making something lovely, are all expressions of the creative DNA that I think our Heavenly Father put in each of us. Even science, math and sports have a creative aspect to them. That which you love to do, takes on a creative aspect to it. We are made in the image of our Father in Heaven, and He is a Creator, no wonder that we are like that as well.

Pencils and pens are calling...

And paintbrushes,

and beads,

Colors, shapes, textures...

Crochet Hooks,

All just too hard to resist.

So don't. 

Hope you all have a happy creative week.

"Unless You Become Like One Of These...."

Okay, I just had to share this video of my little grandson Ezra.  Marie and Jon sent it to us the other day, and Steve and I just keep eating it up, it is so cute.  One year old Ezra is watching a Gospel singer from a video on the computer. The song is saying J..E..S..U..S Jesus! And Ezra in all his excitement is shouting "Jesus" in baby shouts.  I am amazed that a one year old gets it so well.  It is blessing our socks off!  I think it will bless you too.

For the Love of Goats

This story was brought to my mind recently through a blog conversation I had with Keri from Keri--on.blogspot.com, so thought I would tell the story for everyone.   It is a funny story, at least... 20 some years later it is...funny.  I really am amazed that over 20 years have gone by since that happened... but yes, my first four children are now 26, 26, 28, and 30. I think they were about the ages of 2, 2, 4, and 6 at that time.... guess that makes the story closer to 25 years ago, but  let me tell it to you.

     When I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of growing up,  living in the country, and owning all kinds of animals. I kept that dream into my young adult life, and married a handsome cowboy from Colorado. After about 7 years of marriage, we were able to move to Colorado (or in Steve's case: back to Colorado).

Oh what delight to get to begin the dreams of having a farm/ranch and all kinds of animals.  Now obviously,  horses and cows go hand in hand with any ranchers idea of what ranching is all about, but chickens and goats and what ever else I could come up  with were not necessarily something this particular rancher was as enthusiastic about.... but this rancher was eager and ready to please his wife, so we went to a little farm auction not far from here and got our first goat.  We really didn't know anything about goats, but were willing to learn and I was excited at the prospect.  I had an image of Eden in my head, where all the dear little animals would roam happily and freely around the property, coming in eagerly at milking time or bedtime,  playing gently with my  children, and walking companionably with us all on afternoon walks.  Chickens roaming the gardens and eradicating all the unwanted bugs while not touching one plant that did not belong to them.  Oh yes, such bliss.  I'm sure you can get the picture.

It really was fun...no really it was... and crazy... and chaotic.... We did get to milk our goat, and learn how to make goat cheese.... She did play with the children...( did I say  gently? well, never mind that)... she did go on afternoon  walks with us (only a few head butting battles and minor injuries... no worries... tough kids).....but lets see in the process, we also learned about goat breeds, and goat pens (and consequences of the lack of them).... companionable goats? yes,  at least to all but the Mama  of the family (I was never really sure if she was trying to kill me or she was just playing).... we did learn that some goats are taken purposely to farm sales  because... well, they were not necessarily ideal. We did love our chickens.... and had wonderful fresh eggs... and we did  have a delightful garden... what was left of it....and we did learn not to let the goat out of the pen (which we eventually constructed) while the "addition" to our little house was under construction (especially while husband has framing hammer in hand and no more patience for goat who takes too many liberties and one too many blueprints eaten for lunch .... hubby did,  however,  improve his tomahawk throwing skills while practicing with framing hammer) or leave her out while changing out chocolate cookies in oven.... unless of course you didn't mind a goat coming through your ceiling.

Okay, so now I have you.... and if any of you don't believe this story, just ask my older children, they were there... happily eating cookies at their little table in the kitchen... thinking all was right with the world until..." what in the world is that noise....?!!!!?"

Now I was also thinking all was right with the world and humming happily to myself and breathing in the delightful smell of fresh baked cookies When..."Uh oh. I left the goat out while I popped back inside to change these cookies  "rats", Steve told me not to  do that... he reminded me how she loved getting into the "addition"  and onto the roof because of her fantasies of being a mountain goat... he reminded me how he had  ripped off the existing roof on that one side and there is nothing there right now except insulation and sheet rock. he told me to keep an eye on her ... is that a hoof I see coming through the ceiling? ".

Well, the rest just gets better... or is it worse.... there were no more delightful thoughts of chocolate  cookies, no serene motherly blessings to such dear children... no, there was a goat on top of the stove!

The children were crying at least some of them were...(I'm sure like myself, they had no idea what was happening... earthquake perhaps... "the rapture".... I don't know it was just something loud and unbelievable.  I heard Luke (the 4 year old) mutter "Daddy's gonna shoot that goat, he's gonna shoot that goat and use real bullets"... and then the goat ran bleating through the house.... apparently not a scratch on her.   Steve was away at the moment... I was thinking.. "what shall I do  what shall I tell him?"  I did think quickly, because I knew we would be eating goat for dinner if I didn't come up with a quick plan.

"Oh yes", I thought to myself , "the neighbors have been wanting to get a goat themselves.... I will call them and tell them to come quickly and get this goat if they would like to have it for free".  And so I did and so they did.  My husband called before returning home.  This is what I told him on the phone; "Sweetie, there's been an accident"... now I really was getting choked up as I was trying to tell him... and of course my husband thought someone has been seriously hurt, so his heart went right into his throat.  "whats going on is everyone okay?"   You can imagine his relief  when it was nothing more than; "the goat fell through the ceiling!"

Ahhh such blissful days when we were young....ha ha. We have had quite a few goats and chickens since that day and my husband is a patient man who has blessed me with his perseverance and love.  He fixed our kitchen ceiling, while at the same time finishing the floor to our upstairs, and the addition was completed.  We never again had a goat in the kitchen, although, there have been many calves in there (those needing a little extra help after coming into the world on a cold wintry night).  There are many more stories to tell, but another day, another blog post.  In recent years Steve's career went through some changes and we come and go from the ranch more often, and don't raise the animals like we used to...so we have only 2 dogs and 2 cats to entertain us. But I was dreaming yesterday about "Alpaca's".  Wool is such a delightful thing... I would really love to learn how to "Spin" and "weave"....  I feel the full "Proverbs 31 Woman" coming on.  Smile.

Have a blessed week everyone

Love  Ya,

Pam

To this day, I still really love goats, and Nubians are my favorite

Steve brings a little Valentines Day Calf to join the party  20 something years ago. (Steve on left, Elizabeth in foreground and little friends on either side).

All of the "four" together with friends... about the time of "goat incident" (The Blondies are all mine).  (Nathan in back on left, Elizabeth on his lap, Marie on friends lap, Luke squeezed between baby Danielle (friend) and Marie.

Nathan and Himilce with new baby goat.... the first time Himilce came to meet us.