A Saturday Night Posting...

Hello dearies.. 

A Saturday night posting here on the Blessed Hearth.. 

I am so glad you have stopped by tonight.. 

  

As I sit here in the sun room and type these words to you, I can hear my husband in the family room chatting with our youngest son out in Alberta.. 

My heart is full.  

I expect yours is too... 

What is it about a mother?  

When everything is lovely and our kids are great then we are lovely too.. 

But when the world is turned upside down you want those chicks near to you..  

You know they are grown with lives of their own and able to make decisions and fend for themselves but you feel better when they are near.. 

You put them in the hands of the Father but yet our heart yearns to hug them close...

Isn't it wonderful that we have a Father above who feels the same.. 

He gathers us under his wings and we will find refuge... 

He is a faithful God and during these terrible times we can put our faith and trust in Him.. 

Not that we don't have moments of anxiety but we can take a time out with Him and get back our peace..

I didn't mean to get to that already in the post but there it is.. smile.. 

How are you all doing? 

We are in isolation along with most of the world.. 

Doing our thing.. 

Just the two of us.. 

We were so happy to have our oldest son visit this morning.. 

Outside in the windy day with lots of space between us.. 

But so happy to see him.. 

To see his sweet smile... 

Thanking the Lord for the special moments.. 

The rest of the time though it is just Terry and I.. 

It is not hard to keep ourselves occupied though.. 

I will share a few of our doings with you as I always have..   

This post is not in order of the days but anyway.. 

We visited the farm and trying to get it ready for the summer months... 

An early foggy morning there when we arrived.. 

Terry put the fire on while I read in the truck for a bit while it warmed up.. 

The house is not heated all winter and the water is turned off.. 

We do not always get to be here as early as this year.. 

There is snow but mostly mild and windy days.. 

That means the snow won't last long.. 

The kitchen and porch do not take long to warm up.. 

Water is turned back on and a big kettle boils on the old wood stove.. 

My chore this day is to clean the kitchen and pantry ... 

Here are some pics of the pantry... 

Everything is cleaned but there are always some new decorating to do... 

I seem to always have little things I want done.. 

Hopefully we will get an old old sink put in this spring... 

It will go there where the pots are hanging above.. 

The shelving will be taken out and put on another wall.. 

I guess I only took one side of the room but will take more later... 

The old cupboard with the pine cones hanging are on that side..

Our oldest son brought the cones to me one day last summer when he was walking out in the woods.. 

I thought I would hang them below Tasha Tudor's pantry pic.. smile.. 

Then of course we always have lunch there..  

This is the turkey I talked about last post.. 

Sliced and frozen with a tub of gravy.. 

An easy meal to get ready.. 

We bought a big bag of turnip last fall.. 

They were starting to soften up so Terry peeled and we cooked and mashed them.. 

The first time I have frozen turnip.. 

Remember my wonderful old stove.. 

I actually found the knob that was missing.. grin.. 

Many years ago we had a hobby farm in Sussex.. 

We had 3 sheep and chickens, turkeys, geese and even a bunny.. 

I so loved those sheep .. 

After we bought this farm we really didn't go there much for the summers as we had our cottage by the sea.. 

Then about three years ago we decided to try out the farm and see how we liked doing the hippie -want- to- be thing.. 

I am sure I have written posts about that but anyway.. 

I have wanted and yearned for three sheep and a donkey.. 

I love love donkeys.. 

Well, he doesn't think we need them.. 

We come home again in the fall and where would we put three sheep and a donkey.. Pray tell.. sigh.. 

Well.. 

I was at a yard sale and there on the table were these 3 wee sheep and a donkey.. 

I thought they were trying to tell me something.. 

I bought them and took them to the farm.. 

They are a constant reminder to Terry that I have not given up!  grin.. 

Oh my.. 

This is turning into another one of those long posts.. 

Oh well.. 

You have no place to go.. grin.. 

Since I am on a story telling binge... 

May I share one more with you.. 

I had a lot of plants at the farm last summer.. 

Then in the fall I bring them all home again.. 

As you know .. I love my plants.. 

Well.. 

We were home quite awhile and I noticed that my Strawberry Begonia was missing.. 

I had a small one that I had planted but could not find my big one.. 

We went to the farm a couple of times but I looked around and couldn't see it.. 

It was odd!  

Anyway.. 

We arrived at the farm for the first time to stay for the day.. 

I am doing my thing.. 

I needed something in the living room which was very cold.. 

We keep the french door closed in there for the first several times as it takes awhile to get the place warm and dried out.. 

Well.. on with the story Faye... 

I happened to look on top of the hutch which had a ladder leaning against it and thought I saw a plant pot.. 

Yup.. 

Lo and behold... 

There it was!!! 

And... 

Alive and well!  

No water and freezing all winter.. 

Isn't that amazing!  

The dear thing came right home with me.. 

It is on the kitchen windowsill and soaking in the sun.. 

I think it has grown a few inches.. 

I know.. 

I am half baked!  

Here on the home front.. 

My fave view as you all know.. 

Bleak and Cloudy but the promise of Spring is everywhere.. 

Spring is coming to New Brunswick.. 

Well, it is actually here but not really!  grin.. 

We are so behind some of you.. 

A friend from Arkansas sending me daffodil pics today.. 

Sad... just sad... lol!  

Made a couple of  rolls of bread the other day.. 

One of sourdough... 

Lori was asking about the brand of sourdough flour.. 

I bought it at a Bulk Barn and there are no brands perse there.. 

Just a bin of flour that you scoop out.. 

Sorry about that.. 

Then a loaf of whole wheat no knead bread with sesame seeds.. 

I forgot to take a pic of it baked but it was delicious... 

And a big bowl of chicken soup with dumplings.. 

No.. a dumpling..

That is all I get.. grin..

On these lovely warm blowy days I do laundry and hang it out..  

Our waterbed sprung a leak in it.. 

The first time.. 

Oh well.. 

All fixed and back to normal.. 

Made for a bit of laundry in one night though.. grin..

And it was on Terry's side.. grin..  

Another meal.. 

Put this one on Instagram.. sorry girls if you have already seen it!  

One of my little projects.. 

Slow stitching.. 

Tis my first try so not so great.. 

Love doing this craft though.. 

Then just before all this world crisis actually took place.. 

We spent a wonderful few hours with our daughter.. 

She was decorating her church for a Cherish Conference for girls.. 

It is a lovely time and the girls look forward to it all year..

This year the theme was to be Sparkle..  

Here are a few of the trimmings.. 

Shonda and her friends were almost finished ... 

So awesome!  

So much work and talent.. 

but lots of fun, too, I am sure.. 

I had my pic taken with Shonda on the left and a dear friend she grew up with.. Wanda on the right.. 

I had a grand time.. 

The next morning Shonda messaged me that the government would not allow that many in a conference so it was cancelled!!  

Oh my!  

Understandable for sure but so much work.. 

I hope they can use it all next year.. eh!  

Just one more thing.. 

Made some cookies.. 

I know.. 

We all make cookies but at this time when everything is haywire; 

it seems one just needs a cookie...

Right???  

A lovely hot cup of tea and one cookie served on an old fashioned plate.. 

Makes the world a better place.. grin.. 

I found this recipe in an old old book.. 

I told Terry it was the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever ate!  

Not sure if the cookie was that great or the fact that I had not had one for months made the difference.. grin.. 

If you make them then please let me know if you think the same!  

Well, dear hearts.. 

This is all for tonight.. 

A very long post once again and I don't blame you if you just scroll down the pics and say hello..  

But it was still wonderful to be able to chat with you again.. 

Isn't life grand?  

Really, though?  

Won't we appreciate normal when it comes back?  

When we can hug our big kids and shake someone's hand and go through that door at church and tell the pastor's kids how beautiful they are... 

Won't it? 

Not having our hearts quake when someone coughs a mile away from you?  grin.. 

Did you see that video clip of the cat?  

Oh my word... 

It is so funny!  

Anyway.. 

Here is an amazing clip art someone came up with.. 

Now how awesome is that!  

Says it all.. 

I take Christ.. 

Don't you?  

No matter what we go through, He will be there with us.. 

God bless you dear things and I will be praying for you and yours  and you pray for me and mine.. 

OK?  

Thank you for being here.. 

Summer Days on the Farm...

Happy Monday dear hearts!  

Here I am again finally!  

How are you all doing?  

We are getting along and enjoying our summer days for the most part.. 

I am really enjoying my swing on the little deck at the farm.. 

I think I mentioned Terry bought it for ten dollars at an auction.. 

It is a bit dilapidated but comfy non the less.. 

That is my view up above when I am sitting sideways.. grin.. 

And this is the view if I turn my head.. One of our raised beds... 

Just full of goodness.. 

Our gardens are finally starting to grow with some lovely hot weather we have been having.. 

It was really warm today but now has clouded up and I think it will rain.. 

We need that too.. 

This is another view of the barn.. 

An old birdhouse Terry made years and years ago when we were in the Craft Business... 

Can't say that I miss that though!  

There are many good things about retirement.. 

One being you only work at what you want to.. 

Or perhaps not at all.. grin.. 

We are spending several days a week at the farm but still not overnight.. 

I really thought we would be by now but am not minding coming home at nights at all.. 

Still accomplishing some stuff out there but not as much if we were staying .. We may yet!  Who knows?  smile.. 

Here is an Instagram post that I had on..

Just a casual table setting out there.. 

One of the meals out there at noon...  

Washed some Romaine lettuce.. 

Used one of my lettuce drying bags made from an absorbent tea towel.. I think I bought them at Costco.. 

Just sew up the sides and there you have it..
Put in the washed lettuces or greens and roll up and keep in fridge till you need them or use right away..  

I detest salad spinners but to each her own, eh!

Anyway... 

A few garlic fried shrimp and toast and there was our noon meal..
oh .. and Caesar Salad...  

Another little hint for you which you probably know.. 

But if you buy this kind of cheese... 

Terry's favourite!  

I like shaving it off a block but not him so we compromise.. 

I have mine and he has his.. grin.. 

The cover off the plastic jar fits onto a mason jar.. 

Now... Isn't that nicer?  smile.. 

I picked some Swiss Chard one day for lunch.. 

And made this soup... 

Oh my word.. 

It was delicious and soooo easy.. 

No recipe.. 

Enough for two people.. 

But I ate it all.. 

Terry of course did not want to try it.. sigh.. 

I had to make him something else.. 

Swiss Chard Soup

Put some water on to boil and cook 1/2 cup of Couscous according to directions.. 

Really it only takes about 10 minutes.. Drain.. 

In a pot with a bit of oil saute up some garlic cloves, minced or if you have garlic scapes which I did then

 chop a couple of them up.. Add chopped onion if you like.. Do this for a few minutes then add

 3 cups of chicken broth along with salt, pepper, chili flakes, and a big handful of Chard.. 

Simmer until chard is cooked and add drained couscous.. 

Add some shaved parm or shake in some from the above jar.. 

Serve... 

Oh.. I chopped up the chard and stems.. 

We don't spend all of our days at the farm and this was a special day.. 

Every Summer we spend a day together as Family Day.

We all went to church together first at Mission Point Church where Shonda, Dave and the boys attend.. 

It was fantastic.. 

So enjoyed seeing old friends, too.. 

Then we headed for the Irving Nature Park in West St. John.. 

What a lovely place.. 

Great places to have a picnic and BBQ.. 

The food of course was delicious and we had so much fun!  

Then the kids all took a hike but Terry and I sat on the beach.. 

I told them not to rush.. 

The wind was blowing and the waves were gorgeous!  

My new go-to place, I think... 

Wish it wasn't so far away.. 

But when we can we will be popping over there if only for an hour..

Then they all came and found us.. 

This is a special pic for me.. 

Our grandsons and me minus one.. 

Sweet Jared who is the oldest had to work.. 

Missed him and his uncle.. 

It times like this when we wish our youngest son lived near but this is how it is... 

Anyway... 

We just sat around there and gabbed then headed for the closest Tim Horton's and gabbed some more.. smile.. 

What a great day! 

So thankful for the blessing of family.. 

God has been good to us..

Now back to farm stuff..  

My first bunch of Lavender to dry.. 

I am so excited that all my plants survived the Winter.. 

Hanging them to dry as I pick them.. 

There will be several more bunches, I think.. 

Then one afternoon I made the bunting for outside.. 

And the dear man hung it for me.. 

From the lilac tree to the apple one.. 

We think of Charlie often when we are doing things like this outside..  

We do miss him...

And the bunting is up... 

Been collecting some Wild Medicine.. 

Yarrow... 

Cornflowers.. 

The dehydrator is running with roses at the moment.. 

I will need to get them out soon.. 

Hoping to make soap as well as medicine this Fall...

I found out something that you girls probably have known for years but I am a slow learner.. 

I was unpacking a few boxes of linens and lace from the cottage... 

I came across a few old old white pillowcases which had yellowed but the crochet on them was lovely... 

I washed them up and put them out there on the line.. 

I believe I showed a pic last post.. 

Anyway.. 

The rain came and so I just left them on the line and we didn't get back for a few days.. 

The sun had been out and it had been hot.. 

Well.. 

Those darling pillowcases are now as white as snow!!!  

So when you drive by here or out there you may see white blowing in the breeze.. 

I have lots of old linens and instead of tearing off the lace I will be able to use them.. 

Did you know that trick?  

Well it was lovely chatting with you all.. 

I make long posts because I don't get to it often enough.. 

So please bear with me.. 

Am so loving these bright summer days.. 

Hope they last for awhile yet, eh!  

Of course we have had wonderful weather.. 

Not too hot except for a few days here and there.. 

So I am enjoying them so much.. 

Take care my friends and I thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments here and on FB.. 

Love your comments on Instagram, too.. 

Here is a pic I put on Instagram today.. 

The comment I put on said.. 

Just when you want to bean him he brings you flowers.. 

The hash tags read.. 

my fave flowers

wild flowers

hubby sweetness

sometimes he is a pain though

thankful to God for him.. 

For some reason I see that Shonda commented with LOL symbols.. 

Yup... she knows.. LOL.. 

Bye for now luvies and I will be praying for you and you pray for me.. 

God is still on the Throne.. 

xo