Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Baby It’s Cold Outside

autumn glory and snow-w

 

It rained and rained and then it poured.

The wind blew and blew and then it pounded.

For twenty-four hours it had been wet and blustery. Then the temperatures dropped yesterday afternoon and those closely packed rain drops turned into white delight.

All the rain that so thoughtfully flooded the roads quickly turned icy. The snow added another slick element as it combined with the excess water to create slush.

Therefore every activity in the county was called off.  I was Oh so grateful!  I got to stay home.  I didn’t have to go out. I’m pretty sure I needed a break. God must have known!

And so we snuggled down while thick heavy flakes whipped across the fields and roads and night dropped down upon the land.

We listened on my firefighter man’s portable radio as surrounding fire departments were called to accident after accident.  And I prayed.  Prayed for the safety of those on the roads and safety for the rescue personnel who came to help them.

My heart was thick with thankfulness as we sat down to a warm meal, in a warm, cozy home, with all of us safe in our seats around the table.

 

spaghetti

This morning we woke to this.

snow-1

 

And I couldn’t resist.  I had to get outside.

 

snow-2

However, I miss judged when I put on my tennis shoes.  There were drifts almost to my knees in our back yard, so I had to go back in. 

I really need to dig out my winter boots.  You know the big pair that my husband bought me.  The warmest pair Cabela’s makes. Oh! These aren’t cutesy, fashionable women’s boots. These are men’s “livin’ in the Tundra” type boots. I who have horrible circulation, who have been told by the doctor to, “make sure you keep your feet warm”, I wear these boots even though they make me look like a clown.  Because here in the north country we don’t dress like a fashion queen out of a magazine!  It always makes me smile and chuckle when I see the “country” magazines that feature these adorable outfits for country living ladies.  UMMM! Excuse me, but are you really going out to the poopy barn to feed the animals in that outfit?  How about mucking out the barn?  Me, personally, I wear my oldest clothing for that job. We certainly don’t don our $300 dollar outfits complete with a stylin’ pair of high fashion boots to go out to do chores.  We’re real life here!  It’s chore coats, warm hats, thick gloves, long johns, wool socks, and big boots. Can I get an Amen from my real country girl’s our there?!

Anyway, I digress!

My oldest son had to do chores for a friend this morning.  So, we braved the roads in our vintage, rear wheel drive, ride that is in desperate need of some new tires.

Of course I had to take my camera along!

snowy trees-w snow on cattail-w snow on trees-1

 

snow on pines-w

goat

 

We did real well….until I went to back out of the drive from doing chores.  I was chatting at my son and I forgot you can’t turn the wheel to back out of their drive because it goes down into a ditch.  OOPS!  Yep, I did it.  I didn’t back straight out and my old ride is pretty much helpless without traction of some sort.  I started to go off the drive and into the yard. Thankfully we had brought along a shovel and so my guy went to shoveling, then pushing, then shoveling.  And with a little snow driving knowledge and a bit of muscle we got ourselves unstuck and back home where it was warm!  I’m so happy that I didn’t have to call for reinforcements! Which would have required trekking over to the house next to our friends, smiling sheepishly,  and asking to use their phone.

Now that I’m home, it’s time for a big mug of coffee and continued thanksgiving to my Lord for the beauty and safety He has provided!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Scavenger Hunt- 11/27

This weeks items: Waiting, Foliage, Candid, Knife,fork & spoon, Rule of thirds

 

Waiting

waiting-w

 

 

Foliage

leaf and fence-w

 

 

Candid

With a busy week preparing for Thanksgiving I reached back into my photos from a couple of weeks ago. This was a totally candid shot of my daughter exploring down at our little pond.

sis-pond-w

 

Knife, Spoon, Fork

fork and spoon

 

Rule of Thirds

The fork in this photo follows the Rule of Thirds.

pumpkin pie

 

Linked up with Ashley:

 

scavenger hunt

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Worship Deep

It was just her and I in the car on an hour long journey.  I glanced back in the mirror and was blessed by the rosy cheeks and bright, life-filled eyes gazing back at me.  Sweetness and curiosity practically oozed from her as she asked me about worshipping.

“Mom, when we sing in church do we worship God?”

“Mom, when we just sing with the radio is that worship?”

“How about when we make up songs? Is that worship?”

I answered a resounding, “YES”, to all of the questions she fired at me.

She responded with a beautiful song of worship straight from her love filled heart…

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah

Praising the Lord!

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

Better than a little cherry on top.

Better than cherries on top.

Okay…maybe a little cherry on top.

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah

Praising the Lord!

This girl of mine amazes me at the thoughts she has.  I was astounded that she had so many questions about worship. But, really should I be?  God has been teaching me much about worship and how important it is. Why shouldn’t He use my child to help me see worship  in a child-like, simple, untangled, and unrestricted manner?

DSC_0043

Worship, to honor and revere, to bow down and acknowledge God’s deity.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among the peoples. For great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise; …Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth….Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant and everything in them. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing, before the LORD,…  (portions of Psalm 96)

Today, I am rejoicing.

Today, I am singing.

Today, I am proclaiming His goodness.

Today, I am accepting His love.

Today, I am acknowledging His holiness.

The very earth proclaims His greatness.  And so today and every day that follows I will lift my voice and heart in worship of my Holy Lord and Savior.

With song.  With praise. With reverence. With awe. With prayer.

WORSHIP!

prayer-1

 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Scavenger Hunt~ 11/20

This weeks items: Mainly One Color, Around the Home, Reflection, Writing, Water

 

Mainly One Color

yarn-2

 

Around the Home

buttons-w

 

Reflection

reflection

 

Writing

book

 

Water

water on begonia-w

 

This photo linked up with:

Shoot-Edit-Submit

 

Linked up with Ashley:

scavenger hunt

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Just a Little Kiss

Just a little kiss….that’s all I asked for!

 

d-family-10

D-family-11

 

D-family-12

 

D-family-13

And they gave me so much more!  Love this series of photos of my sister and brother-in-law! Thanks you two for being willing participants!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

In the Quiet

Five-twenty AM, it’s just him and I in the quiet of the morning. The tick-tock of the clock is magnified as we talk in hushed whispers to one another.

Today is the day.  The long planned for and anticipated day.  Deer season has begun.

We talk about what he’s going to do, where he’s going, what his plans are for this big deer hunt. He talks and I listen with my mother’s heart, buckets of love charging from my soul.

I see him by oldest boy so grown up, yet still my little boy. I want to grab him and hold him close. I want to cover his head in kisses. Instead we joke.

I watch as he dons his many layers. I hold my breath as he doses every inch of his clothing and equipment in dirt spray. I help him tighten his fanny pack full of essentials. He doesn’t really need my help, I just need to give it.

Love pours from my eyes as I watch him place the orange camo hat that was his dad’s when he was a teenager, on his head.  Can he see it?  Can he feel the thickness of the love and compassion in our little mudroom?

I can. It’s lodged in my throat.

He picks up his gun. I don’t dare hug him now and leave my scent on him for the deer to catch. So I pretend to hug him. I blow him kisses. He smirks. I tell him I will be praying for safety and a successful hunt as he heads out in to the dark. 

I walk quickly through the house to the living room window. I watch him as he walks across the yard. I pray. I watch as he reaches the field. I pray. I watch until I can’t see him anymore and I pray.

I pray, thanking God for sending me such a wonderful son. And I ask Him to provide safety, wisdom, and success to my growing up man/child. And I ask Him to guide me as we walk together into this brand new time of life. A big boy getting bigger and a momma who is learning to let go bit by bit.

And in the quiet I hand him over to God…again.

 

deer-ij-w (His first buck!  Gotten this morning at 7:30 AM!)

 

UPDATE…..

(Deer #2 shot in the evening.)

Deer2-ij-w

The Buck Master has arrived!

 

UPDATED UPDATE…

(boy #2 shot his first ever deer last night)

deer-jm-w

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Scavenger Hunt~ 11/13

This weeks items: Before & After, Opposing Lines, Custom Bokeh, Which Pair of Shoes Should I Wear, and Little Features

 

Before & After

I like to get it right in camera, but obviously this time my metering of her face was off and my focus was a bit soft.  Definitely not spot on like I want it to be. So here is my edit.

219

Opposing Lines

fence post-blk & wht-w

Exploring with a camera

Custom Bokeh

custom bokeh-1

 

Which Pair of Shoes Should I Wear?

Boots, of course!

sis at pond

 

Little Features

little features-w

 

Shoot-Edit-Submit

 

 

Linked up with Ashley:

scavenger hunt

Friday, November 11, 2011

SycamoreLane Holiday Sale

 

etsy2 

Looking for that perfect gift for your spouse, sibling, child or neighbor?  I would love it if you would check out my shop!

It’s sale time at SycamoreLane!  I’m offering 15% off any purchases for the rest of the month of November! Just use coupon code HOLIDAYSALE2011 when checking out.

I’ve added new items in the past few weeks so, if you haven’t dropped by my shop lately, take a few minutes to see what’s new.

 

etsy uploads1

 

Happy shopping! 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

It’s Dreary Here Today, So Let’s Talk Cooking

 

If your like me, this time of year makes you want to cook! I love that about autumn. The cool temperatures that make your cheeks pink, the gray skies that make you light candles, the fact that your spending a bit more time indoors than out.  All these things make me want to whip up big batches of bread, baked goods, and my favorite winter time meals.

Pure Comfort!

One of my favorite fall recipes is:

Stuffed Green Peppers

stuffed green peppers-w

 

4-5 large green peppers

1 lb of ground sausage, ground venison or ground beef (I use a combination of sausage and venison)

1/2 c  onion, chopped

1 15oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 c  long grain rice

1/2c  water (or enough to make 1 c liquid when combined with tomato juice)

1/2 t  salt

1/4 t  pepper

1 T  Worcestershire sauce

3/4 t  dried basil, crushed

3/4 c  shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack

 

Halve peppers lengthwise, remove stems and seeds.  Immerse peppers into boiling water for 3 minutes.  Remove, sprinkle insides with salt. Invert on paper towels to drain well.

In skillet cook meat and onion to brown. Remove any fat.  Stir in undrained tomatoes, uncooked rice, Worcestershire, basil, water, salt and pepper.  Bring to boil; reducing heat. Cover and simmer for 15-18 min. or till rice is tender. Stir in 1/2c of the cheese.  Fill peppers with meat mixture. Place in greased 9x13 pan with any remaining meat mixture.

Bake 375 for about 15 minutes or till heated through.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4c cheese. Place back in oven till cheese is melted.

Serves 6

(altered from recipe in Better Homes in Gardens New Cook Book)

 

And while your whipping up some super, scrumptious, stuffed peppers you better make a loaf of

 

Poppy Seed Braid loaf

poppy seed braid bread

Combine:

1 T yeast

1 c warm water

1t sugar

Let these set until the yeast is proofed (bubbly).

Stir in:

1 egg, beaten

1/4c oil

1t salt

Add:

4-5 c flour

Stir in 3 cup of the flour beat well.  Add in as much of the remaining flour as you can with the spoon. Then knead in remaining flour. Knead for about 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.

Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Punch down dough and gently knead for 2 minutes.  Split into 3 pieces and make into 15” ropes.  Braid.  Let rise 30 minutes.  Brush loaf with milk and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

(recipe taken from The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking)

 

What are some of your favorite fall recipes?

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Scavenger Hunt~ 11/06

This weeks items:  Food, Purple, In Disguise, Shapes, Photographer’s Choice

 

Food

apples-w

 

 

Purple

These Alyssum are the last flowers alive in my garden. They just keep hanging on through the hard frosts. I’m so glad for the bit of color they bring!

purple-w

 

In Disguise

This Liatris is in disguise!  Next spring it will once again will bloom with beautiful purple flowers.

seed head of liatrus-w

 

Shapes

This country girl likes the shapes within this ear of corn.

corn-w

 

Photographer’s Choice

My precious sister, brother-in-law, and my beautiful nephews and niece!

M- Family

 

And because I just couldn’t help myself….

mack

 

Linked up with Ashley:

scavenger hunt

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...