Patience, Progress, and Perseverence

Well after a short freeze, a little southern snow, a lot of rain and puddled ground drying just enough, Little Ricky and I finally got our blueberry and blackberry plants in the ground!  We must decide where to plant our fig tree and do that today, along with irish potatoes going in the garden.  We also had our septic tank uncovered, inspected, some new pipes laid, and the tank cleaned out - all finished yesterday.  AND Ricky got the second most important custom built cabinet up in the kitchen last night so today I get to unpack more kitchen boxes and organize more!!!!  Progress.  Some days I see none.  Other days I see a lot.  And Patience.  I must say I have had to exercise more patience since our move to begin our country homestead than I can ever remember.  The weather and conditions, along with the lack of time and us doing most everything ourselves, will continue to challenge my patience.  But, hey, we've been in the camphouse for six months now (I'm done counting in weeks) and actually began the move process a year ago this month, so the fact that I haven't "lost it" (permanently anyway) says that my patience has evolved.  Been tried and tested, but evolved.  Patience is THE virtue for such a time as this in my life and progress, the goal.  And as we daily and diligently seek God's wisdom for each step, we will persevere!


"....and let us run with endurance the race set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

How's About Cookin' Somethin' Up With Me?

We have a kitchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!  An awesome brand spankin' new custom kitchen!  Well, okay, it is still in progress, but I have a stovetop - oven got damaged during move - 'fridge, sink, microwave, and three custom built (by Ricky) cabinets up, and have been able to unpack pots and pans, knives, cutting boards, spices, and more!  Haven't had time to blog - been cookin!  In the last three days I've cooked fried bacon and eggs, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti, beef and vegetable soup, and chicken and dumplings!  Ricky cooked fried bacon, white breakfast gravy and eggs.  Even Little Ricky's getting in on the cooking making mac' n cheese!  Nothing beats home cookin'!  Yes!  Can't stay away from the stovetop!  We still have a ways to go before the kitchen is "complete", but hey, this is happening!  We have actually sat around a makeshift kitchen table and had meals together as a family again.  It has been too long!  Little Ricky even said that it was like we were a family again!  And we are spending SO much more time in the main house now that we have a kitchen!  We are also in the process of dehydrating 50 pounds of carrots this week and today I will begin blanching and freezing around 15 pounds of broccoli!  The kitchen has always been the hub of our home, so we're officially now well on our way to having a real home again!  

"Hey, hey, good lookin', whatcha got cookin'?  How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?" 

What A Friend!

Isn't it wonderful to have a friend that's closer than no other?  Who must be truthful in all things and saves me from myself!  A friend who is a wonderful counselor and tells me which way to turn when I am at a crossroads.  A loving friend who always shows up right when needed as if he knows my thoughts and needs before I do!  And when I grow weary of walking a tough road he actually picks me up and carries me the rest of the way.   Oh, and he doesn't care about what I look like on the outside - he sees my heart, abides in it, and knows me intimately.  He makes me laugh, is full of lovely surprises, and gives me the desires of my heart!  And he will never leave me.  Oh, what a Friend I have!