It has been a month since I last blogged. A busy month of settling back into life home from New York; life once again with just Don and I; enjoying the wonders of springtime; spring cleaning; planting flowers and vegies; and just the enjoyment of home and family.
I love spring. I love planting things. And the wildflowers--what a portrait they have painted in this beautiful land we are blessed to live in. Such vivid colors. An ever-changing scene of colors and flowers---when one kind fades away, another is there to replace it. And the birds, the cheerful melodies of the birds in spring.
I relish every moment. Has been so wonderful to have the house open to the breezes, the smells, the sounds of nature and life. I feel so incredibly blessed to have lived in this home for 30 years now. To be surrounded by so many memories, familiar smells and sounds that go and come each and every year. To experience such a rhythm of life. To have my grandchildren play on the same old playground slide and swings as their parents; swim in the same old stock tank; do the same barn chores; play in the same tree house; and get dirty in the same driveway gravel.
I love my flowers--they just fill my heart with joy. I love how they welcome me with their bright smiley faces when I walk the brick pathway to the front door. How the smell of honeysuckle greets me as I walk in the chicken yard. How the cheerful "bob-white" call of Bob (my pet quail) greets me at 6:15 every morning. I love the sounds the hens make telling the world they just laid an egg and the roosters crowing each morning. I even love the noisy guineas as they tell us of a hawk flying over or a strange dog in the yard. It is not a quiet place I live in, but it is familiar and it is home and I cherish it. I love the sound of the wind and the tinkle of wind chimes. And most of all I thank God for Mockingbirds--for their beautiful, long songs that go on and on and just bring joy to my heart.
I love going out in the garden each morning and seeing the tomato plants loaded with all shapes and sizes of green tomatoes. And the pepper plants with all colors and varieties of peppers. And the smell of the cilantro and the dill and basil and rosemary as I brush it lightly with my hand. I scope the plants for those pesky caterpillars that are intent on devouring my plants. Mason and I spent much time capturing them in a jar then dropping them in the chickens water tank and pushing them down with a stick until they drowned. (such a lovely way to bond with your grandson.....) The snap peas are about to succumb to the heat but they are so good to eat right off the vine. I just love watching things grow. I think I caught this from my daddy to also loved growing things. Each spring I just cannot keep my hands out of the dirt and stop potting more flowers and stop planting just one more variety of tomato. And then the heat comes......and the hours spent watering everything. But I would have it no other way.
I thank God everyday for each blessing of home. To have lived in this same home for so long; for giving me the desires of my heart to live in the country, to raise animals and gardens and kids all together. I mean, I gave birth to Jenny Rose right here in this house. And right now I am typing this in the school room where I schooled 6 kids for a total of 13 years. Such memories. How grateful I am to have been able to home school and spend more time than normal with my kids. My friend Alisa sent me a "you-tube" entitled "The Treasure of an Ordinary Day" that was so beautiful and so truthful about how the best memories we have are just those of an ordinary day. I try not to ever take anything for granted but to find joy and pleasure in each moment and treasure it as a gift.
Having five of my kids and their kids here for Mother's day was so wonderful. Just to watch the cousins all play together and spend time just being together with all of them. My cup runneth over. I am blessed. I am so very thankful for each and every one of them and for each and every thing God has brought into my life. He is so good. For my sweet husband who does so much to keep this old place in tact and repaired and help out with anything and everything. He can build and fix just about anything. And to watch him play with the grandkids and patiently try to teach them something new--brings such joy to my heart.
So I, once again, I just say: Thank you, God, for blessing me with home and family and life abundantly, and all of your beautiful creation. I love you, Lord, and I am grateful.
I love the hen house. All the grandkids love gathering eggs.
Our favorite very old plum tree that makes the most delicious plums. It is loaded!
Look at all those yummy apricots. I can't wait til they are ready.
Dickens is most interested in Grant's train. She just can't figure out what that is....
Grant so dirty from playing with Hayden in the driveway--just like their mommy's did.
Grant and Hayden rolling in the dirt and gravel. So fun to be a boy!
Amber and Hayden
Me and my oldest "baby boy".
Isn't Grant the cutest thing in his tie all ready for church?
I thought this goat was going to eat Don's camera.
Best chums: Beki and Amber
It was a might windy at the Strawberry Farm.
But the wind didn't slow down Beki from pickin' a box full of luscious berries.
Grant is an expert picker---and sampler.
Hayden takes berry pickin' very seriously.
Just a colorful wildflower scene a bit down the road from us.
I took this picture of a fox on the road to our ranch. I love it.
The view from our front porch. What a gorgeous masterpiece.
"The fields of home" We are blessed.
