Boy, Winter Has Arrived!

And maybe just a little more than we wanted. Nevertheless, we do get a white Christmas this year! We have 9" of snow covered and weighed down by 1/4 inch ice. 2 - 4 more inches of snow expected today. We're pretty much socked in but no need to go out anyway. Except that Bennie has to go to work and has just left. He's headed east where there is much more snow but no ice. And that is good! Say a prayer for him tonight. Here are some pic's of our area. Hope you all are enjoying your time at home this weekend.


The pond today!
The house yesterday.
Enjoying being stuck at home in front of the computer.
The greenhouse warm and cozy!
A couple of nights ago.

Fun times at the "farm"

Kade and Reeese had a great day at a friends mini farm. We celebrated Walt's 60th birthday and the boys enjoyed playing with the new chicks there, who are only about 4 weeks old. They will be fine egg producers the Spring.

Well I have no job as the industry has slowed down a bit. So I have been busy canning fruits, stacking firewood and getting ready for winter. It comes as quickly and decisively as summer. One day sunny, the next day rain and rain and rain. Until May of next year. My tomatoes have barely started ripening. The greenhouse will continue (hopefully) to provide winter vegetables such as cabbage, peas and spinach. And hopefully the neighbors won't suspect I am growing anything but legal vege's! I installed 2 grow lights to extend the growing season.

Bennie is getting ready for his trip to Nicaragua. I hope to make a trip to Texas and Tennessee to visit my siblings. My brother is not doing too well. We hope to all spend Thanksgiving together.

A San Juan Summer?

Of sorts. The weather didn't cooperate very much (that seems to be this summers' theme)! I was a little disappointed, but it was good to be on the water and see the islands again. We couldn't use the heater at night because the batteries wouldn't stay charged, and it was cold! But other than that, it was a good vacation. I suppose if we had gone south instead of north, it may have turned out different. I really do like camping in our trailer just fine though! We will try to squeeze one more weekend in at the end of this month.

Is Summer Going to Appear This Year?

Well ready or not, we're plunging in. Has the weather where you are been stranger than normal this year? My poor garden is so confused. But I have found one method that ANYONE can put together. Even the kids! I experimented with many different methods this year and the one that did the best is called "lasagna layering" which consists of placeing a layer of newspaper ANYWHERE, (on top of grass, weeds, dirt) and then putting 2" of peat moss shavings, organic matter (grass clippings) and water, making 5 layers. You can put it within a border or without. Then stick your plants in and keep them watered. They LOVE IT!!!

We are so excited about a sailing trip to the San Juan Islands coming up (courtesy of Uncle Sam). We'll take lots of pictures. We haven't been on a real vacation for years. Not that life hasn't been good! Don't get me wrong. But I'm feeling spoiled with this one. Like a 4th honeymoon. I guess that's not bad in 37 years! Yes, we sold or boat almost 2 years ago. I hope we can still remember how to sail. So what fun things have you all been up to??? Life is getting stressful for many of us; I hope you are able to take a fun break and forget the troubles in your life for a time. "Laughter makes the heart glad!"

Anyone...anyone?

Is anyone besides me reading this blog????

Well, Debbie, I guess maybe it's just you and me, Babe!

Is Anyone There?

I don't know if anyone is there, but I will do my monthly update anyway. I know it's been getting farther in-between times for my updates. Work has slowed down some for me so it's time to take advantage of this time I have.

I have another book to add to my collections of good books to read. This is another life changing one though......just a warning! K.P. Yohannan, Revolution in World Missions. Even if you are not "mission minded", there is some eye-opening info here that will change the way you look at our world.

We enjoyed a weekend of camping at White Salmon over the 4th. It was good to get away and just talk. We have a need to figure out what it is the Lord (Who owns us), wants to do with the rest of our lives here. It is something, I am ashamed to say, we should have been diligent about much sooner than this. But I guess as we get older we get more serious about what we have done with our life, and what should we be doing with the rest of it. BUT....even more importantly than that, He has been speaking to both of our hearts about the shortness of time, and how we are wasting it! And as His children, what business is it that we should be about? Making money, buying, selling, eating, visiting with friends, etc.....and in and of itself, that's not bad. It's the typical life here in America. But is it what He has for His children? Have things become more important than people? Hasn't He promised He will always take care of us, if we trust Him? Those are the thoughts He has been bringing to us quite strongly lately. So we know He wants to re-direct our paths.

I'll keep you updated on what He speaks to us. We will be spending much time in prayer with Him. It's exciting to wait on Him. Never a dull moment:~) I hope you are enjoying this season in your life.

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Summer is taking it's time....

to get here. It's been a slow warm-up for us here in the Northwest. I've been working more than usual and went to Texas to see my brother with cancer. So I just wanted to give a quick update and will write more later along with pic's of my garden. It's up and running, and I'm just hoping it will warm up here soon. I've got cauliflower, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and snowpeas in the ground over the weekend. A few tomatoes and cucumbers will remain in the greenhouse just in case! The fig tree is really growing, and the apple tree has lots of blossoms on it. Strawberries are turning red and we should be enjoying them in another week or so.

Every Tuesday I get to spend a few hours with the "boys", Reese and Kade while Jen goes to school. You know I have really been enjoying that! I've finished reading Joel Rosenberg's latest and last book in a series, "Dead Heat". I sure hope the things in there don't come true, as with his other books. But it really does look inevitable. We all know it's just a matter of when, not if.

And, this weekend we are going camping at the coast with Kade. I know he will enjoy all the bunnies and horses at the campground. The 5th wheel is about ready to go and so are we! I'll send pic's soon. I hope you all are enjoying these days, as we never know how many we have left! Make the best of them, I always say.

First Day of Spring

Yippee! My favorite time of year is here. Two first pictures are from our recent weekend trip to Cannon Beach. It was rainy (of course!) but good to get away. The rabbits at Sea Ranch are very friendly. And there are many of them. We plan to return in May with our grandson. The horses will be there then and I'm sure he will have a great time.

The last picture is what I have been busy with for weeks. The greenhouse! I think I should find a good name for it. If you have any ideas, send them along. Zac was a BIG help, and now it houses some 60 vegetable plants getting ready for the ground May 1st. I'm trying purple cauliflower, red bell peppers and white rice popcorn this year, to name just a few. There is also 2 kinds of cucumbers, salad mix, 2 varieties of tomatoes, snow peas, sweet peas, and more growing. Oh, and water cress; one of my favorites for salads (rich in nutrients) and hard to find at the store. I'll keep planting that at 2 - 3 week intervals so I'll have some all summer.

Yesterday I went to Shorty's Nursery and purchased a fig tree (yum!) and a self fertile Chehalis apple tree. The fig will do well in it's pot in the greenhouse for this year. The apple will be planted along the back fence (where the sun is good all day) and I am training it to just grow up the fence and out. Not into the yard. Saves space that way. Next week I have raspberry plants, roses, Passion flower plant and garden accessories coming in the mail from up north. This winter has turned out to be satisfying, in that I started planning early and will reap the rewards earlier because of it. I really do love gardening. If you need help in that area, I found 2 dvd's from Netflix that helped. Jerry Baker's gardening tips, and Rebecca's gardens. Lots of good ideas from those. I also ask the nursery a lot of questions. And of course, read a lot, too.

But for this weekend the focus is The Resurrection Celebration (better known as easter). I never cease to be amazed at what a wonderful God we have, the best friend in Jesus, who died for you and me. This world can be depressing, and unpredictable. But in Him, our future is secure and something to look forward too! Hallelujah!! Have a great weekend.

Knock, knock, knockin' on Heaven's door

I find the mysteries of the parables in the bible compelling. I want to know more. And I find that as I keep looking for answers to the mysteries, they are revealed every time I read them. He does promise to answer our prayers, but maybe we give up too soon sometimes.

"There was a certain city with a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. There was a widow in this city, and she came to him, saying 'Get justice for me from my adversary'. And he would not, for a while. But afterward he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' Hear what the unjust judge said. Now shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" The words of Jesus

I want to be found faithful. There are many reasons, the least of which is what He has waiting for me. To be found faithful, is a crown all by itself. To be invited to supper that He has prepared for us, is a gift I don't ever want to walk away from because I am too busy in this life with 'things' that the world has set in front of me. He has more for me than that. And for you. Find them in the mysteries of the parables.

The Shack

Well I spent 8 hours engrossed in the most awesome book I've ever read. Click on the title for a preview. I couldn't put it down. It will change your life, I can guarantee. And I don't dare give any of it away. You just have to go there, to the shack.

It is very cold here. With the wind it is below 20 degrees. BUT..... sunny! I can live with the cold if it is sunny. I have a week to myself, and my goal is to get busy with a couple of things I would like to do to start a home business. Wish me well, and pray if you like. I wouldn't mind, at all! I'll keep you posted. Enjoy the rays. I'm sure they will be short lived, but at least we can get a little Vitamin D back in to our blood. C U you soon.

Our most recent sunshine!!

I have sent many of you this link, but for those who haven't seen this, it is amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvxWVHzEZ1w. You may have to past this in your browser and if that doesn't work, just go to the youtube website and look for the "Everything" link.

The sun is out....yippee. We in the northwest consider it a truly great blessing to see the sun this time of year. Spring fever sets in and I'm ready to start the garden. But not yet. Timing is everything. But I am getting it ready now. I'll be building cold frames this week to get some things started. My seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom seeds will arrive this week.

Bennie has started a new book......yes he has actually been reading!! It's called simply "The Shack". He couldn't put it down so you know it has to be good. I can't wait until he gets home so I can start it.

Here's hoping God is watching over you and sending His "Sonshine" in more than one way, your way!!

Time to plan ahead

While watching the Seahawks get whooped by the Packers, I felt a little excitement because of the days getting longer, and the promise of Spring around the corner. Although the weather this winter has been crazy, it will change soon. The tornado in Vancouver was pretty close, but did little damage compared to mid-west tornado's. But a bit unusual for us here in the Northwest.

East of us the snow is still piling up. Just very rainy here, as usual. Cabin fever usually sets in about this time of year. So I start looking at seed catalogues and thinking of springtime. It's actually coming around more quickly than I expected. I suppose that's typical of us getting older, you know. Time going by faster.....

Baker Creek Heirloom Co. is a new source I'm trying for seeds this year. Non-hybrid seeds are available through them. Their website is www.rareseeds.com if you're interested. I will keep you posted on any other new finds. I'l be traveling with Bennie east this month while he works there. Crocheting and dog walking will take up some of my time, while I hope to visit Aunt Cherri. Our last visit that way didn't work out, so we'll try it again. Hopes this finds you all keeping busy, and filled with joy because of who you are.....to Him. A precious child!!