Sammy

It's a boy!  We added another member to the family.  Sammy.  What a beautiful, fuzzy, little baby he is.
Our dear friends, Pat and Larry, blessed us with this little fuzzball.  They even provided a bunny hutch.  I can't wait to give it a fresh coat of barn red paint.

With spring comes new life, hope, and joy.  Praise God.  We are so very blessed.

Snow! Again!

After this beautiful weekend of sunshine and short sleeves,  we woke to a coating of snow.  Even the children are ready for spring.  Snow has lost its appeal.

One thing that helped to brighten the morning is my farmgirl baker.  She made a healthy version of coconut macaroons and vanilla cupcakes.  She is in her full glory in the kitchen.

There is a piece of her carrot cake left that is calling my name, but I am staying strong.  Hopefully my hubby will quickly eat it and the temptation will be gone!

The Best Weekend!

What a wonderful weekend we had!  Thursday was the excellent news that my tumor markers had gone down by 100 points!  We shopped, ate at Chipolte's, and watched a movie.  Pussycat got her ears pierced.

On Friday I dug in the dirt and planted sugar snap peas, little marvel peas, carrots, beets, kale, lettuce, spinach, and swiss chard.  It was 74 degrees and sunny.  We spent time watching the chickens scratch.  They are laying about 10 eggs a day.  We ended with a delicious meal of grilled chicken sausage, broccoli, julienned beets and squash, and apples with cashew butter for dessert.

This morning I planted brassicas with Annette, Marie, and Kim, my 3 favorite Farm Women.  When I came home Hunk of Burning Love cut up some trees that had fallen over the winter.   The 2 oldest farmers in training and I stacked the wood while Pussycat stayed on chicken patrol diligently watching for hawks.   I found a ton of great flat rocks for building rock walls.  Hubby lovingly calls me "Joe Rockhead".

Cupcake made a great lunch of turkey, beef, and raw cheese roll ups, deviled eggs, and chocolate fudge cookies.  The day ended with a four wheeler ride and a dinner of oven roasted chicken, broccoli, and sauteed beets and squash.

Encouraging Words

I want to always remember how God uses children as an encouragement.
This morning Pussycat was rubbing my head and said, "Mom.  You have 2 big curls.  A big one at your sideburn and one behind your ear."  This sweet little girl is my cheerleader for my growing hair.  She is always rubbing my head and telling me how soft my hair is.

Losing my hair was one of the most difficult things about cancer.  I have always had a headful of thick, curls.  I am comforted by my children.  They are such an encouragement.  It is a reminder to live life as an encouragement to others and try to lift them up instead of bringing them down.  Through the eyes of children we can learn so much.

10 Years Old

My favorite boy farmer turned 10 yesterday.  Where does the time go?  He is such a compassionate little guy.   He is my prayer warrior.  I am one proud Mama!

We started the day off with our tradition of breakfast in bed.  He requested omelet puffs and a pumpkin shake.  The day ended with a healthy version of chocolate cake made by his big sis, Cupcake.

Spring!

Spring is a time of new life and new beginnings.  It has been a rough winter.  In Sept. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I didn't see that coming.  Life has been a scary blur since then.  I hibernated for most of the winter.

But........now it is spring.  New life and new beginnings.  I feel healthy and strong.  In fact, I haven't felt this good in years.  My hair is starting to grow back.  I have adopted healthy eating habits for myself and my family.  I am finding joy again.  I have started dreaming and making new plans.  I have started quilting again.

This weekend was spent outside cleaning out flower beds and trimming old debris.  It was very therapeutic.  The tulips and daffodils are poking out.  Even our chickens are singing with happiness.  We are getting about 10 eggs a day from our 12 girls.  It is pure joy to hear them everyday.  They bring me so much happiness.

My mind looks forward to summer...dreams of camping and preserving food.  I understand just how important it is to know where your food comes from.