Equally Yoked

While reading a book my Mom loaned me titled The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball I found it interesting what she said about the team of draft horses they use on their farm. The horses were not the same. Both horses had their own strengths and personalities. One horse was most defiantly the lead horse, the head of the team so to speak. When one horse became weary of the work the other pulled harder and she saw how the weaker horse was encouraged and continued to work alongside with renewed vigor. The beauty of this to me was despite the differences the horses worked as a team and became one powerful unit.
 Now when I read about not being unequally yoked I see the meaning differently.
 While my husband and I may have different interests in some areas, i.e. I enjoy knitting, he does not, we have the desire to pull together, we will work together, side by side and where one is weak we should not criticize but instead step up, encourage and be strong.
   In our case, the Lord holds the reins in our lives and when we follow His instruction we reap the blessings. Yes, we have free will but letting the Lord guide you with His word is how I think of the reins. Being equally yoked to me does not mean being equal in personality, which is a relief, because I don't know that I could live with someone just like me. :D
                                           
 On another note, today the weather is beautiful, sunny and in the low 70s. I sat outside while the boys played and started ( for the second time ) knitting a hat for myself. I want one with ear-flaps and a tassel instead of a pom-pom. I  hope it turns out!
 On a really different note, I would love to have a British White herd of cows, they have many virtues one being that they do well even in poor pasture but most importantly, they are darling.

 I know, you want one too!

Thanks Adam and Eve

I have family from out of town coming to visit tomorrow. We are all looking forward to enjoying a week of laughter and fun at the lake. I prepared like an Amish women making homemade potato salad, hard-boiled eggs, bread, and much more today in between events and work in the garden. My parents blessed me with strawberries from their strawberry patch so I am set in the dessert and fresh fruit area thanks to them!
 This morning we cleaned the house and went to the local library to sign up for the Summer Book Club. While waiting outside in the sunshine to sign-up one of the ladies said, "Will you look at that!" We all looked up as three large John Deere tractors drove by. A silence came over everyone as they passed, almost as if we were paying them reverence. Once they passed one of the ladies said, "Well, they will have those fields done in no time!" We all agreed and conversations turned to farming.
 Once my boys were signed up they quickly went to get in-line for some face-painting. We saw the daughter of the family that we had purchased our pigs from and said "hello". She asked how the pigs were doing and the boys excitedly answered her that they were doing well. Another boy piped up that his family had pigs as well and so the conversation continued, children having their faces painted while talking hogs.
Later we left the library happy with a bag of books and prizes from sign-up day.
 Once at home the work began and as soon as the housework was done we turned to the garden. We had a lot of work to do and little time. I loosened the weeds with a hoe and the boys followed behind picking them up and putting them in a bucket. We told made-up stories and the time passed quickly. Once the boys were finished they went off to play with the neighbor children and I continued to weed and than plant the rest of my seedlings. I hacked at the earth like a mad woman. " This earth will be mine, it will grow food for my family!"
 While wildly whacking at a patch of weeds I thought of a sermon about Adam and Eve where the speaker said, " You had one job!" when he spoke about Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. "Thanks Adam and Eve I thought, thanks a lot! Now I have to fight off weeds so that I can grow a tomato!"
 Later I reached for a book I have been reading ( more about that later ) and noticed my veins were "popping". While weeding the garden the last few weeks has been hard it is helping me get back into shape and I have to admit, I like it! Gorgeous George step aside, Earth Momma coming through!
 As is often the case, something good can come from something bad.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy a bit of sunshine!

           Reading The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery
 

Maybe Because it is Spring...

I was reading an article that addressed the cost of having and caring for a lawn. The cost of seed, fertilizer, water, cost of fuel to mow the lawn, along with how much time is put into maintaining a lawn. According to this article, you can read the whole article here, having a well cared for lawn can be costly.
 I have always told AJ that I don't need a large lawn, just enough for the us to relax and ride dirt bikes. Yes, we use our land!
We would rather have animals, garden, herbs, along with some fruit or nut trees growing in the ground rather than large areas of grass.
Part of my mindset concerning this subject might come from my growing up with land covered in pasture for animals, large gardens and fruit trees. Even our "flower boxes" were filled with strawberries!
 When I came to the comment asking what could be done with the space that at the moment was covered in lawn I was saddened and surprised that he did not think to plant a garden it it's stead.  Another option would be to put up some nice fencing and have a few chickens ( if allowed by the county ) , maybe plant an orchard.
   Maybe because it is spring my whole being just wants to plant and have something grow.
We did put up the white flag and admit that it is going to be a cool summer, we planted radishes, carrots and just recently beets. We have started plants inside but it is still a bit chilly for them to be planted outside, maybe next week. Baby steps.
 A book my Mom loaned me and I highly recommend reading is The Dirty Life A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball. You might have a hard time resisting the urge to plant a garden or buy a few chicks from the farm store after you read this book.  Enjoy!
 

Spring Snow

                When we brought the pigs home it was sunny and mild.

 I know that we often have a cool spring. I remember walking into church with my sister on Easter Sunday wearing winter coats over our short-sleeved, ruffled, Easter dresses. Despite this memory I was still surprised by the fact that there was snow on the ground this morning.
  I bundled the boys up as if it was January before we walked to the bus stop. My youngest was not very excited about putting his snow-pants on in springtime.
  When I was telling my husband that I had fed the pigs he asked me if I had checked the water in the hose to see if it was frozen. Feeling dumb ( I know better! ) I went back out with a bucket of water. Rule # 1 with pigs, they must always have water.
   I also gave the pigs some extra hay and bedding, now we are all snug and warm, hope you are as well!

All Within Five Miles

Last weekend we went to a book-sale at our local library, I walked away with two bags of very old history books for two dollars! The best part though was when the librarian announced that they were handing out bags, each child could fill a bag with any of the children's books for free! We enjoyed reading some of those treasures this morning!

 On the way home from this event we stopped at a farm that has Jersey cows. I was hoping to speak with the farmer and see if they would sell me milk for the pigs we may be getting soon. No one was home but I did meet the neighbor lady on the way to my car. She kindly agreed to give them my card and let them know that I was interested in buying about five gallons ( I came up with that amount on the spot, a good question, one I had not thought of, sigh ) of milk per week. 

 Now if you know me the fact that I stopped at a complete strangers house might come as a shock to you. The fact that I have been driving past this small farm for months trying to figure out what to say if I ever worked up the nerve to actually knock on the door is not a surprise to you at all. " Do I say my full name? Will they let me bring my own containers for the milk. How much do I want to pay? Do I admit that I would love to come and milk one of their cows by hand...hmm, maybe leave that part out." 

  Today we stopped at another farm and bought eggs. I love shopping this way, supporting the local farmers and knowing that we are putting fresh, real food on the table is wonderful! 

  TTFN! 

 

Blue Sky and Sunshine

The sunshine and open pasture is calling my name. I want to run outside so that I can run and jump in the warm rays of the sun. I want to smell the earth coming alive around me and rejoice with the birds!
 From the looks of these pictures, my nephew had the same desire. I love the openness Anna was able to capture in these photos.

"Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers." ~Byron Caldwell Smith, letter to Kate Stephens

Off to catch some sun! 

Thoughts...

This quote really captures how I feel about winter. I love each season but I do need a time to rest and winter gives me that time.
 Now that we live in the country again we are enjoying how the world shuts down during and after a snowstorm. The mail does not come, the schools and stores close ,the roads are quiet, there is a silence that only winter brings.
Winter is coming to an end and I can honestly say that it was a wonderful season of rest and time with family. We enjoyed hot coffee with lots of milk in the morning and reading books by the fire at night. We enjoyed the wonder of freshly fallen snow. We wore woolen hats that kept us warm even when the Polar Vortex plunged temperatures below zero. We embraced winter and now we look forward to spring a time of rebirth and hope for what the coming year holds.


~"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...
 In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself." ~ Ruth Stout

Fear not, spring is coming. :)