Strawberry Preserves Are Like Summer In a Jar.

We picked the first batch of strawberries from the garden and after a few servings of strawberry shortcake the rest were cooked up into wonderful sweet strawberry preserves.  

Nothing in these preserves but sugar, strawberries, gel and a whole lotta love.

Cook it to a frothy boil and fill those jars.

Strawberry Summer in a jar!  My son suggested we sell the jam to which we responded, ‘no way it’s too valuable!’

Off To Church Camp

New jeans, sneakers, shorts, t-shirts, travel containers, water bottle, snacks. Several trips to Wal-Mart. Long days and short nights. Meals prepared and frozen, wash all caught up.  James and I are off to Church camp and we are thrilled.  This is a first for both of us and we are super excited. James will be involved in the teen program and I will be with 2nd and 3rd grade girls.

There will be lots of activities and time in the word. I will be a dorm monitor and help with the crafts every afternoon as well as listen to memory verses and just generally be available.  James will stay with the teens and we probably won’t see each other all week which will be nice for him!  Please pray for us.

Gut Wrenching Work…I Love It!

I desperately need exercise and being stuck indoors all winter has not helped. In London the best way to get around was your legs and public transport. This kept me pretty fit. I used to walk 1.5 miles to school every morning and got to where I didn’t want to travel in any other way.
This is not possible in the rural areas of SW Virginia. There are no side walks and no public transport that I am aware of. Having a car is a must even to pop to the local store. So I have become very unfit. I had successfully avoided Bronchitis for the last five years due to my new fit lifestyle only to break that record this year. SO, I have no alternative than to get busy.
I have discovered there are lots of practical things that can be done around the farm and so I have been jumping in. I am hoping to put off going to the Gym, not only because I am too pragmatic to spend hours working on fitness, but also because I don’t want to spend the money!


Here is our potatoe and corn field. If it looks long that’s because it is. These potatoes now need earthing up. This is a process of mounding up the dirt around the plant so that when it puts out side shoots the potatoes will not go green. Pa did two rows and James and I struggled to do one. Let me tell you, besides the heat and humidity, this is gut wrenching work. There were more than a few moments of nausea and dizziness!
The back growth is corn coming through and we are staggering the plantings so that we can keep the corn coming at the end of the summer months. We have planted extra this year so that we can feed the chickens. I was amused to see that they color the corn this florescent pink. A very wise idea as the ground dries at such a rate in the heat it is easy to lose where you have put it before you can go back and cover it over.
 

 Fresh air, fresh food and good health, I love it.

‘Lord, Change Me!’ by Evelyn Christenson

I am not sure what drew me to this book. Like so many of my books it was suggested to me a long time ago. I have no regrets about not reading it as I trust that timing is everything.

I haven’t read far in yet but the Lord has already gone to work. It’s not the book that did the work as I was not particularly impressed by her first chapter but rather it is the Spirit of the Lord going to work on my heart. 

I find myself in situations that have driven me to my knees lately and I am convinced that if things are this bad then I am the one in the melting pot and God must be working on ME. Thus my hearts cry, “Lord, please change me!” Have you found yourself in the this place lately. Has it occurred to you that rather than pray for the circumstances you should pray for yourself? Leave a word in the comments and we can pray for each other.

I came across this video and thought it to be a good start.

Lord, Change Me

Peonies Are In Bloom

Looking Forward To That Honey

It’s been so rainy that Lilly and I have not been down the green lane for a few weeks.  It has completely transformed. The hedgerows are teaming with white flowers from the Blackberry briars and everything looks like it is on steroids. The growth that occurs as a result of the sun and rain is phenomenal. Grass has to be mowed every 5 days or you have a serious problem.

As Lilly and I walked along I was very aware of the bees. There was a continual and almost overwhelming hum coming from all the nectar producing blossom. I actually found myself checking for a swarm because the noise was so intense. I got a thrill knowing they were most likely to be Jim’s bees at work. Looking forward to that honey!

Adding a Little Color To My Life

 

Window Box’s are in. I combined flowers and some herbs. Nasturtiums will make a nice trailing appearance and I can throw them in a salad for a little flair.

I have been  so sick for the last 9 days. I started with a cold virus that my husband generously shared with me and developed into Bronchitis! I should be teaching my kids tonight but don’t have the energy and shouldn’t share my germs.

This week I interviewed for a job that I was sure was mine but, alas, I was wrong. I breezed through the interview with glowing letters of reference and an amazing educational portfolio. The interviewer even made remarks about me being impressive. I was more than qualified for the job but I didn’t even get a call back. A little deflating to say the least. After having Virginia Dept. of Ed. refuse to consider me for a license to teach because my degree was not regionally accredited I am a little winded.  Lord I know it’s not just about me! I trust that whatever you are doing in my life and the lives of those around me is for your glory.