Putting It Off...

We just had our septic system pumped out the other day. Please don't panic...I didn't take any pictures...although as my son was finishing up his lessons at the kitchen table, and the big truck was making horrific noises in our yard, he did ask why I wasn't taking pictures for my blog. Guess he's getting used to me looking for photo opportunities all throughout my day!


It all started with a little gurgle.We heard it one evening after my three sons (no pun intended) came inside after a hot, sticky game of basketball. They were all in desperate need of showers...and laundry was definitely on my list! Well, after the third shower...we heard this little gurgle in the drain. My husband asked, "Can you remember the last time we had our system pumped?" I thought that it had only been a few years...but boy, does time fly when you're not watching! We looked at our records...it had been over 10!

So...the next evening my husband dug up the covers...and without going into detail...we were definitely in need of having this service done...SOON! I called our local serviceman the next day...told him of our dilemma...his response was..."Boy, sounds like you might have trouble!" He promised to be out the next day. I immediately went into worry mode...what if we needed a whole new system? This just wasn't in the budget for this year...we need to shingle the roof. I tried to give it to God...but still...I worried.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
I Peter 5:7

The next day, as the gentleman and his father took care of things...I watched from the kitchen door and began to ponder...what else had I been putting off?

...Are there more chores that need doing before problems arise?

...Are there promises I've made that I haven't kept yet?

...Have I hurt someone and need to ask for forgiveness?

...Is there someone I need to forgive?

...Are there unrepentant sins in my life?

...Is there someone that I need to share Jesus with?

I thought about these things as I waited for the results. Praise God, our system did not need any further repair. I sent the man and his father away with blueberry muffins, my recipe for natural garden pesticide, and my heartfelt gratitude to them and to my Savior. And a promise to myself...to try and not "put things off" anymore.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

Head Covering

I just finished this
little newborn hat.



I really love this pattern (I have included the directions at the end of this post)...it is so simple and easy to take with you when you go to an appointment and have to wait. I especially like it because of the story behind it. I got this pattern from my sister's mother-in-law. She is an elderly lady in Vermont who is very limited in mobility due to back and leg issues...and so she knits...hats upon hats. What does she do with all these hats? Well, she brings them into the hospital to donate to the newborns. This is her ministry. When I am working on one of these and someone asks me what I'm making...I tell them about Lucille...and about Jesus.

So, what is a hat? Most simply put...it is a head covering. Something that we put on to protect the head. Lately, I've been hearing about so much controversy over the issue of women and headcoverings. It always saddens me when Christians argue. It is my feeling that instead of arguing with one another, and trying to determine who is "right" and who is "wrong"...what we ought to be doing is "diligently searching the scriptures".

"Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and behold, if it be truth..." Deuteronomy 13:14

I get goosebumps when I am reading the scriptures and God points out a Truth to me. I may have read that same passage hundreds of times before...but suddenly, I see it in a whole new "Light". Last evening our family was in Matthew. We began to talk about his recording of Jesus' first act of his ministry...being baptised. An act of obedience. And God was so pleased.

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17

That's what it's all about, ladies...plain and simple...obedience. Because we love Him, not because we have to. The Law was the Old Covenant...now we obey out of love...because we want to please Him.

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" Ephesians 4:10


Funny, this headcovering issue wasn't even a concern 50 or 60 years ago. Back then, when you entered a church, every women wore a hat of some sort. Perhaps it is an issue now because back then the women were not instructed as to why they should cover their heads...and so they did not pass this act of obedience on to their daughters.


We shouldn't just do things blindly...we need to know why we do what we do. If not, we will be easily tempted to go another way. So ladies, search the scriptures for every Truth. Pray and wait for God to reveal His Word to you. Until He does, He does not hold you under obligation. Turn to your husbands and other men of God for help with answers to your questions. And then, be obedient...because you love Him.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 4:15





Newborn Baby Hat Instructions...

Use a set of No. 4 Needles and baby or sport yarn

Cast on 72 stitches and distribute evenly on three needles.

K2 P2 around each row until piece measures 6 1/2 inches long.

Next row: *K2, K2 together. Repeat * around entire row.

Next row: *K1, K2 together. Repeat * around entire row.

Last row: *K2 together. Repeat * around entire row.

Pull yarn through remaining stitches.

Top with PomPom.

Turn bottom of hat up about 1 inch to form rim.

It Really Works!

Just a quick note to let you know that we have witnessed first-hand that the "pest-aside" solution I use really does work! I wished that I had been with it enough to grab my camera...but I was so surprised that, well, no photos. We have been using this spray for about 3 years or so...and though we knew that it kept bugs away...we couldn't be absolutely sure about the animals...since we had never seen any in the garden. Until last evening! We were just about to sit down to our Family Bible Time when my husband happened to look out the living room window. In our front garden...just about to walk through...was a big, beautiful doe! She stopped at each row...walked through corn, potatoes, carrots, radishes, beans, onions, sunflowers...sniffed each one...but never nibbled on a single plant! We were simply amazed...we were pretty sure that it kept the animals away...but had never seen proof positive...for all we knew, nothing had found our garden yet. It was a relief to know that it worked! Just thought I'd share...if you are bothered by "pests"...just thought I'd post the recipe again.

My PEST ASIDE! Recipe
What you need...
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 cups boiling water
5 gallon garden sprayer




Mix ingredients together in bowl with lid, cover the mixture and let it set overnight. Believe me, by morning this will stink!





Strain mixture through cheesecloth to catch any unmixed powder. Pour into garden sprayer and then fill sprayer to the top with warm water.





Spray anything that you want to keep "pest free". Because of the taste, critters won't touch the plants!

I usually spray about once every two to three weeks...or after a heavy rain because the mixture will wash off.

I buy the cheapest variety of spices...our Renys,Walmart, and Dollar Store carry these for 50 cents each. A very inexpensive and non-toxic pesticide!

On another note, as we were watching this beautiful creature...I was thinking of Psalm 42:1...if she takes a nibble of any of these plants...she surely will be panting for the water brook! It made me realize, as my family spent time in the word of God, that I needed to be searching diligently for "food" to feast on, and to be "panting" after His Word.

"As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." Psalm 42:1

Without Spot Nor Blemish

I love dolls...






I love to make dolls. I make these little "lovies" using two socks.










I made these felt dolls for my parents.







I like to find old dolls at thrift stores or yard sales, make new clothes for them, and then give them away as a gift to some little girl.









My mother knows how much I enjoy dolls. For my birthday, she found this old child's rocking chair and this doll at a salvation army store.





Mom is always watching for old dolls. Last week, during our evening Bible study, we heard a car outside. It was just beginning to get dark...so this was unusual for us. My parents came through the door. They had been out shopping and to dinner, and my mom had found a treasure at the Goodwill store...an old doll for $1.99! She was just beautiful...except for the one big inkspot on her dress (which was probably why she was so inexpensive).



"I just love her little face," my mom said. "Perhaps you could make her a new dress. But before you do, spray a little hairspray on this inkspot...I've heard that it will dissolve ink."



Well, I had never heard that before...but I was willing to give it a try. Unbelievable! The spot came right out! And the dress...well, after a washing...it looked brand new.

You know, I'm so thankful that mom didn't just pass by this doll because her dress was "spotted". And I'm thankful that the hairspray "washed" away the inkspot.

But,more importantly, I'm thankful that our Lord and Savior doesn't pass us by because of all of our "spots and blemishes". He loves us despite of these...and He longs for us to come to Him...with all our faults... to wash us clean...and by His blood we will be made righteous.

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" I Peter 1:19

"Lettuce" Remain Faithful

First, the rain...

Then, the sun...

Then, the weeds!



I spent a good part of the morning in the garden with the corn. Seems like overnight, there were more weeds than corn coming up. As I worked my way up the first row, I came across a strange sight...lettuce!


Now, this is especially strange in our garden because our corn in planted in the front garden...and the lettuce is planted way out back in a raised bed.


As I worked along and noticed the lettuce, I was planning to just pluck it out as I was doing with the weeds, when suddenly I thought of my husband.

Now, before you jump to the wrong conclusions, my husband is by no means small, green, and limpy. Quite the opposite. He stands over 6 feet tall and has broad shoulders. He is a hard worker and a wonderful husband and father. He is quiet, respectful...an honorable man of God.

So, why did the lettuce remind me of him, you ask? Well, you see, my husband is an electrician in a large company that employs many workers. All day he is surrounded by many people who do not know the Lord. Often times, the atmosphere is far from "Christian-like". So he stands alone, much like this lettuce in rows and rows of corn.

As I thought about how the corn will grow taller and taller, overshadowing the lettuce, I thought about how the negative attitudes of some of the people that he works with must be very overpowering sometimes. But he never complains...in fact, most evenings, during our evening family Bible time, he usually has a quiet story about someone that he was able to share a word of God with that day. He never makes too much of it, but I know that he is a powerful witness for the Lord each and every day.




I think I'll leave that lettuce right where it is...




...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8b

A Special Post for Miss Kate...And Any Other Friends With Naughty Chickens!

How could anyone find fault with something this small, fluffy, and adorable?



Totally impossible, you say. And I would have to agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, these cuties do not stay this small, fluffy, and adorable forever...and we all know what can happen when you cross a full grown hen with a veggie garden...if you don't, please ask my new friend, Miss Kate!

And so, Miss Kate, this post is for you, and for any other friends out there in blogland who are tired of fencing in their gardens...or their hens...in order to keep the two separate! Please forgive me in taking so long to post it...I know that I promised this to you days ago!

Now I wouldn't give up my farm fresh eggs for anything. We had a small pen for our "ladies" for when we were not at home, but much prefer to let them range freely...for they lay so much better when they are able to do this. But, like many of you, we depend on our gardens to provide for us during those cold winter months.

So...during the best time to range freely...the summer months...we had to keep our "ladies" penned up, because of course they love our peas and beans almost as much as we do.

Finally, my husband and sons decided that we could have the best of both worlds, save our garden and let the ladies range. They drew up some plans...and for almost no cost...built this portable hen pen.


.
The pen was built with materials that we picked up at our local transfer station (aka "town dump"). We are fortunate to live in a town that is very much into recycling. In addition to the usual spots for trash and recyclables...we also have a firewood pile, a lumber pile, and a metal pile. Folks are encouraged to reuse items from these piles whenever possible. My husband found the chicken wire, the lumber, and the door there (which was an old door to a rabbit pen).

The entire pen is 4 ft. by 8 ft. by 2 1/2 ft. high. It is extremely light and easy to pull around. Right now we put a waterer in it...but my husband and sons are working on a small box that will fit onto the top for the ladies to use as a place for egg laying. This box will also have a spot for a waterer attachment.




This "door" slides up to open...when pushed up against our henhouse, it fits exactly with the side door.


This rope is used the pull the pen all over the lawn...we just move them several times during the day. They especially like it if we leave them right over an ant hill!



My guys rounded the ends of the bottom pieces of lumber to make them like "skidders", which makes this very easy to pull across the grass! Even my little niece can pull it will almost no difficulty!


One of our friends built a long skinny rounded one out of pvc pipe and wire and puts it between the rows in his garden...and the hens do the weeding for him!


"...how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings..." Luke 14:34

A Memorial???

Our little village has a Memorial Day parade each year. Yesterday, we went to the parade to see my dad.


My father served in the Army/Air Force during World War II. Every year, he drives his restored 48 Ford in the parade. My youngest rides in the passenger seat and has since he was big enough to see over the dashboard. And the rest of us go to watch...and to honor my dad.

"Honour thy father and thy mother..." Matthew 19:19

My father is 86. Looking at him yesterday, I realized that he might not be able to drive his 48 next year in the parade...that in fact, my youngest son would perhaps be driving instead, and my dad would ride in the passenger seat. I know that Samuel would be proud to do this...to honor his grandfather.

As we watched the remainder of the parade...I noticed that some were there for other reasons...to collect contributions, to throw candy, to promote some other cause...but not to honor. At the end of the parade is a memorial service, with band music, guest speakers, a 21 gun salute, and a laying of the wreath. As we stood, I noticed that many were not there to listen to the service, but only to catch up on the latest happenings with those they hadn't seen since perhaps the last Memorial Day parade. I wondered why they were there. And suddenly, I felt very sad.

It concerned me that perhaps this Memorial Day parade/service was like many church services that go on each and every Sunday all across our country. That many attend for other reasons; to socialize, to hear great music, or perhaps to catch up on the latest gossip, but not to honor and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I wonder if this makes Him sad???

"That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father." John 5:23