Caleb

 Caleb had his braces removed today! It was delayed because of CoVid, but it finally happened!

Muscadine Grapevine

 

Sought after for their high sugar content, muscadines are a favorite.
Hopefully in a year or two I will have some vines to sell.

I love walking around our farm and seeing the fruit of my labor...literally!

A Face Only A Mother Can Love

She was sleeping in my arms like a baby.
Maggie has been a very pampered poodle going on 10 years now.

Waterboarding Emily

 

As I shared before, a malfunctioning dispenser shot a chemical into Emily's eye.

This is the second eye rinsing. I did the first.

When we were making her laugh, I snapped a picture so she could see it later.

"My eye is fine!"

Things went well

 Amanda is home and resting. Thank you to all who were praying. 

Renewing Our Minds in Difficult Relationships

Some people refuse to bend when someone corrects them. Eventually they will break, and there will be no one to repair the damage.

Proverbs 29:1

The Bible tells us how to give proper place to God and others. We don't like submitting, renewing our minds, or disciplining ourselves. We want our friends and family to tell us we are justified so we can continue in the way that we want to go. We want to dwell in thoughts that promote self and support our thinking. We want to avoid having to make an apology because it will cost our pride far too much.

When we are humbled before God and are giving Him the right place in our lives, we do not care if it costs us to admit the other side has a valid point. When our minds are renewed in accordance to God's Word, our selfish ambitions die, and we esteem the other person as better than ourselves. Submission to the authority of God through our obedience brings control to our flesh. We know a humbled apology to an offended person is pleasing to the Lord and necessary for growth. Once our flesh is under submission to the Most High, we gain in a renewed mind and spirit.  

Division is not something a sincere Christian can happily accept. It should grieve the Christian's spirit and motivate him to work towards healing and restoration, if at all possible. Our relationship with God affects our mindset towards other people. The closer we are to the Lord, the more we want His way in our lives. Our thoughts and actions when dealing with people will reflect our relationship with Him. Unity becomes a focus, because unity is the work of sincere Christians who are willing to sacrifice fleshly pride for God's way to strengthen and grow the church. 

God can heal relationships if His people give Him proper place in their lives. My family has seen this happen, and we praise the Lord for it!! It is a very beautiful and precious experience. It takes a lot of work of looking squarely at self and surrendering to God's will. It takes unity minded mature Christians on both sides who are willing to die to self and focus on their own shortcomings while bearing with another's. If you are under God's authority instead of your own, God can do a beautiful work that will amaze you and those watching! 

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

Proverbs 15:32

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid
Proverbs 12:1

So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
Philippians 2:1-7

Relaxing

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalms 62:5-7

Short Update

Hannah did great getting her filling put in today. No issues and no pain! Thank you to those who were asking about and praying for her.

Amanda has her surgery on Thursday. Prayers for a smooth procedure and quick healing, please.

Brandon is in the middle of something big and important. I will never be able to share the details of this publicly, but it is a significant investigation. It may lead to bigger things for him eventually. Prayers for his wisdom and success appreciated.

Stayed with Her Daddy

 

After Hannah's root canal, we gave her a choice of going home or hanging out with Daddy at work. He gave her the shirt she's wearing with the company logo and new campaign.

She wanted to go back to work with her wonderful Dad!

Clint's boss and his men loved having her around.

Over the years, they've come to know all of our children.

We are truly blessed!

Keep me near you like a seal you wear over your heart,
    like a signet ring you wear on your hand.
Love is as strong as death.
    Passion is as strong as the grave.
Its sparks become a flame,
    and it grows to become a great fire!
 A flood cannot put out love.
    Rivers cannot drown love.
Would people despise a man for giving
    everything he owns for love?

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Today, Clint and I are celebrating 

32 years of marriage 
and 35!!!! years together as a couple.

Our grand adventure continues...

We are Called to be Holy

If you think you can walk in holiness 

without keeping in perpetual fellowship with Christ, 

you have made a great mistake. 

If you would be holy, you must be close to Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon

Hannah Root Canal

  

 

Hannah did great through the root canal to save her badly broken tooth!

Coronavirus

Three people where some of our family work have positive tests or have symptoms and are being tested. This has occurred over the last two weeks. So far, all have very mild cases. They and those who worked directly with them have been sent home until cleared by doctors.

None of our family worked directly with those who are ill. Amanda might have, but she swapped days to help a friend and ended up having five days off during that time. That change in schedule kept her from being anywhere near the ill person. However, she now has to work five 12 hour night shifts in a row. Please keep her covered in prayer. It is very hard on her.

Girly Dog Going for a Ride

 

My son's dog, Girly, thinks she is one of our younger girls.
She loved it when they strapped her in as we returned home from a short drive.

Suburban

I am thankful the suburban's transmission gave out when and where it did. I had been driving it the previous afternoon...three backups before the transmission gave out. I would have pushed it back into the driveway where I was lending a hand, but I would not have enjoyed having myself and my girls in the middle of that particular road. That spot is the exact spot a woman was hit in her car as she pulled out of her driveway. She later died of her injuries. Last week someone ran over the mailbox and metal posts. So, I am thankful we weren't having to deal with pushing the suburban in that spot. It also happened when all of our family could come help push it out of the muddy depression the front tires where the front tires were sitting. It took all nine of us to push it out with a rocking momentum, but we did it! We did not need to wait for a tow truck which I think is worse than paying for one. I so enjoyed seeing our family work together to overcome an obstacle. We are very strong and very close which is also God's doing!

Who can ever praise him enough?
Psalms 106:2b

Hannah at Work with Clint

Hannah in Clint's office

Black Racer Snakes Hatching

Amanda did a fantastic job with the black racer snake eggs she found when she moved a tarp. All 15 hatched! She was surprised they all hatched because she had disturbed the clutch quite a bit before she saw them. 

She took these pictures of them hatching for us. Yesterday, she brought them over for a quick homeschool lesson before she let them go on four different properties (with permission) where they will help control rodents. (Update: She found a fifth property for a few.)

Caleb was not home, and he wanted to see them. So, Amanda left one for him to release. She took the rest to Brandon's house for him to see too. All three of the youngest girls held one. So did the mama of this happy gang! Clint did not get to see them because there was a major power outage at work keeping him until very late. 

 

   

 

Au Revoir Mon Fidèle Destrier

While watching the moving clouds make sunbeams dance on the quiet waters of the York River, my bestie, my golden steed, passed away. She and I have been on many grand adventures together from mountain tops to seashores from carrying car seats to hauling a miniature horse.

At least she ended her time with us while doing something she loved which was taking her family off roading to see new and beautiful sights. 

We were enjoying a romantic outing together when Clint put her in reverse so we could get dinner and head home. We heard a loud "ker-CHUNK!" He quickly determined we could go forward, but there was no reverse. 

I called in the calvary of which all were able to immediately respond and come to our aid. Our army of nine rocked the suburban back and forth to get out of the trenches of mud her front tires were settled into and pushed her until we had her facing the direction we needed to go...home. Our strength as a family amazed the people watching, and they cheered when I told them our seven is the army the Lord gave Clint and I.

With her quickly waning strength, she very slowly led her own celebration of life parade home followed by two family vehicles. She had to catch her breath a few times, but with her very last breath, she pulled into the spot she will very likely never pull herself from. 

We are very thankful God allowed us to get her home without a tow truck.

Is she really done? Who knows! My man is an amazing car doctor. We'll see if there are any miracles to be had!

Update: Click here for Clint's evaluation of the suburban.

Finally!

 

For two years now, I have been trying to get Hopi Pale Gray squash seeds. I finally got some of these rare seeds many people are working hard to save. These are an heirloom variety seeds that produce a large squash that weighs 10-15 pounds and will keep for up to a year if stored properly. I am looking for a few experienced gardeners to share some of the Hopi Pale Gray squash seeds with. If that's you, please contact me in the link in the header.

The Blue Hubbard seeds will be an attempt to attract squash bugs away from my yellow squash and zucchini. Plus, I get to grow a new to me veggie!

*********************

"And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is, free and undeserved."
–Romans 11:6

THANK YOU!

 Thank you to the kind soul(s) who left the bikes for the girls! 

What a nice gift and surprise!!

I've said it before and I will say it again, 

Clint and I know some of the nicest people on this planet!

Sweet Relief from the Heat

Our sweet and tasty homegrown honeydew melons were a great treat on a hot day, but three of them only lasted a few hours from the time they were picked. We knew they were ready to pick when they were a creamy yellow, had a spring back action when pressed opposite of the vine (that dot on the bottom), and smelled sweet. The three youngest girls made short work of the melons for lunch and snacks. Our rinds go right to our livestock, so they get a treat too! This is the heirloom variety "green flesh." 

If you need seeds, lmk. You can save them for next year. If you have 90 days before your first frost date, you can plant them now. I have way more than I can use, and I love to share with others. If you ask, I might have extras of other seeds like watermelon, squash, etc.

Amanda's Surgery

Amanda's surgery is August 27. 

Because of CoVid, I can't go inside with her, but... 

Due to the risk of the general anesthesia she will be under, I have to remain on the premises. If I do not, they will not do the procedure. 

Amanda handles things really well (very high pain tolerance) and will probably be more bothered by me fussing over her than the pain, but (and you seasoned mama's will get this)...

...a mother has to mother!

Please pray for my baby girl. 

Asteroid Maps

Asteroid map: Put in a location if an asteroid hit nearby.

3D Interactive Asteroid Space Visualization Dazzling!

Friends Struggling

Dear Reader, as you have read in some of my posts, I have some friends and extended family who are struggling very, very hard with the events of this year. Some of them have had to implement big changes in their lives. Others lost loved ones and could not say goodbye in their own way because of CoVid restrictions. Others have had health issues reveal themselves and they are having to go for procedures without their support person. It's a tough time for many. Will you pray with me for them today?

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

From My Scribble Pad 6

I never finished it. I'm not happy with it...especially the feet.

These were done many moons ago. I have not stopped to take time to draw in a long while. I want to and often think about it, but I have been burning the candle at both ends for months now. Something good is happening! I hope I can fit some art time in soon.

not one of them can save me

I may know all the doctrines of the Bible, 

but unless I know Christ, 

there is not one of them that can save me. 

-Charles Spurgeon

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. John 3:3

Let's Focus Together on the One Who Controls the Storm

When a hunter is aiming for something, he uses his scope to focus solely on the object. His vision and attention becomes so pinpointed on his target that all distractions fade away. When my eyes are firmly affixed on Jesus I can't see or hear the storm. The only thing in my line of sight is the One who controls the storm. I find peace by being so focused on Jesus that the clamor of this world ceases.-w

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Dear Reader, This has been a tumultuous year with plenty of bad news. I know the Remedy for fear and anxiousness. If you need someone to listen and give you encouragement, my email is in the header. Sometimes it helps having someone to talk with to give a different perspective. Love to all!

LOCALS: Missing Wallet Might Be on Roadside or in Your Driveway

The Fed Ex driver for my neighborhood thinks he lost his wallet right after he received a phone call from his boss telling him he needed to stop his deliveries and go home because his father had died suddenly. He was very distraught. 

He needs the ID, bank card, etc in that wallet to get home to SC. 

This is legit. The initials on the ID are O.W. He thinks it was lost around our neighborhood's yacht club/marina. 

He was in our driveway a very long time, so we think he may have been here looking for it. Caleb and our girls searched the whole area and along the road at the end of our driveway. The girls and I will drive around the whole neighborhood to look in a little while. We will be the ones in the gold suburban smiling and waving at everyone! :-)

If you find it, please let me know through a text (email in header of page), and I can get you in touch with the person who can get it to him. 

I want to homeschool, but I don't have the money to buy curriculum.

How to save money on homeschool?

If you do not have money for homeschooling curriculum or feel your program is lacking in some areas, you can find free resources online. Find grade level scope and sequence lists from an accredited program and then find the free online resources to check those things off. It will add a little extra time to your preparation, but you will save the costs. I use to find free resources to supplement the core curriculum I purchased.

There are also free homeschooling curriculums online you can use as stand alone or as supplement to your own. Easy Peasy use to be one of them. A little effort in searching should yield others.

Thank you!

 Thank you, Jim!

Local Boat Parade

There was an estimated 550 boats showing support 
for President Trump in the York River Boat Parade.

It was something to see!

Main Purpose of This Blog

"Come and listen, all you who fear God, 

and I will tell you what He did for me."

Psalms 66:16

Tree Collard Seeds Started in Rockwool Cubes

I paid for 50 seeds, but I received over 120. 

I used that one package to double seed (2 seeds each hole) 60 rockwool cubes, and there were a scarce few left over.

Rockwool cubes are the bomb!

Gardening can be as expensive as you want it to be.

I don't feel it is wise or good stewardship to overpay for anything.

Locals: I plan to sell some of the tree collard seedlings in a few more weeks. They will be $6? (not sure yet-need to figure my costs) a plant, OR you can trade some garden produce. You will have to watch these plants closely in our area. We are right on the edge of the cold they can take. Bringing them indoors or a greenhouse or porch might work to keep them going. I don't know. I am learning. I have some I will plant in 5 gallon buckets so I can move them. I will plant others in different spots to see how they do.

What's Happening

Hannah had a tooth break Sunday. It has a piece that is still attached but unstable. We keep a few dental repair kits in our home/auto/hiking/camping first aid supply kits, so we patched it with that until she can see our dentist. She was in some pain until we patched it. She has no pain currently, and we hope to keep it that way. We are home and trying to get her seen today but CoVid. Sigh. Please pray we can get her tooth fixed asap, and that we can keep it from causing her pain until then. 

Update: We have an appointment at 4:30 today.

Update #2: The dentist liked the temporary filling we put in Hannah's tooth. She is going to need a root canal, and then they will fill the tooth. I was upset that her adult tooth is so damaged, but God sent some perspective through a good friend who is battling an insurance company for her special need child's necessary tanks of oxygen. Hannah is blessed it's such a minor thing and so easily repaired. She has not had any pain since we filled it. 

Update #3: Hannah has to go to a specialist to have the work done. She has her first appointment on Monday at 8 a.m. She's taking it very well.

Clint's and my time away over the weekend was interrupted, but that's OK. Life happens, and when it does, we tend to roll with it. I honestly do not care where I am as long as I am with Clint. He says he feels the same about me. 

We had someone beg us to meet them for a farm sale on Friday. It was the only time they could come since they had to travel all the way from New York. They asked nicely, so we obliged them.

We are usually within an hour or two from home, so it wasn't a big deal. It had to have been God's timing that we were home for the farm sale...

Thankfully we were present when Emily had a caustic chemical squirt in her eye from a malfunctioning pump dispenser causing instant and terrible pain and a lot of worry. I am afraid our first aid treatment looked a lot like waterboarding, but we got her eye rinsed out very well. We kept her laughing through it too. We had her lying in the tub so we could pour bottled water into her eye within 15 seconds of the accident. God gave me a fast reaction time, and it has certainly been a strong asset with our large family and the events we've gone through. He designed me specifically to be a mother to this large, happy, fun loving, and crazy family. 

Caleb went to the store and purchased Emily Visine to help soothe her injured eye. I love how our family is automatically "all hands on deck" during an emergency to help one another any way we can. Most of the time, I do not need to ask for a wet washcloth for a sick family member or a bag of ice for a bump or bruise or whatever...the family just goes into action while Clint and I assess the situation. Emily had some scary moments especially when the pain was great and she could not see. Praise the Lord, her eye is right as rain today. 

Emily said she knew we'd fix it if she could just figure out how to get to us. Since walking blind didn't work well, she cried out to us until we heard and went to her. That's was a good reminder to look to my Heavenly Father with that complete trust in His goodness and abilities. All I have to do is cry out to Him and He will respond. He is even better at helping the blind to see and taking our pain from us. Even better, He doesn't waterboard us like two crazy scared parents trying to save their child's sight. :-)

Amanda is asking for prayer for deep, restful sleep between the overtime she has been taking. She has three weeks to go before the employee returns. Her taking extra shifts is freeing an employee to help with CoVid relief. She is basically working and sleeping, and we can see the toll it is taking on her. Our family is trying to help her where we can.

Hurricane Isaias damaged our corn JUST before it would have been mature. We don't believe in crying over spilled milk around here. We find a way to make the best of whatever life throws at us. Our rabbits are munching on the undeveloped corn. The stalks have been pulled and will help fill in a new raised bed this fall. We have one stand that survived somewhat, and we will give it time to see what it will do. We have two more plantings in the early stages that did just fine through the storm. And, we are getting ready to replant again since we have time before our estimated first frost. Our gang is so ready for cooler temps to make working outdoors more enjoyable.

Please keep praying:

Shonda is still on hospice. Her pain is intense at times. She says she is ready to go home when the Lord calls her name. Update  Please pray hard that God intervenes and that she gets the pain relief that she needs. Hospice is starting to cut back on pain relief while the pain is getting WORSE. The cardiac doctor has approved turning off her pacemaker. "I’ve been told that they’ve planned a date but I would have no comfort care the day of before, during, or after. This is obviously not what I was told when I signed up for care with them"

Katherine-The judge said he will not make a decision about custody until he hears more. 

Timmy is going to have his kidney stones removed soon. He also has some bed sores that are not healing like they should.

Thank you to those who pray for our family. We are very grateful and covet those prayers. Please let us know how we can pray for you. Love to all from all of us!

Prayers Please

Joshua had an eventful morning! Jacinta, co-worker of his and Caleb's, slipped and broke her ankle. She stepped on cardboard boxes that slipped under her shoe. The break is very bad with two broken bones and torn ligaments and tendons. Her foot was hanging and facing in the wrong direction. 

She will not be able to walk on it for a year according to her doctor. She is in the hospital waiting for surgery.

Joshua heard another employee scream when she saw Jacinta's foot.  He said having a large family helped him take control and get people moving to get her help. He had her loaded in a vehicle and at the hospital within 30 minutes. A truck was being unloaded and hallways had to be cleared of many boxes, so I feel they did really well especially since the trip to the ER took 7 minutes. They had to move her very slowly due to the unstable injury and pain. They used an office chair to transport her to the truck. 

Jacinta is 26 years old and was moving into her first apartment in 11 days. Please pray she is let out of the lease.

The Trimmings from the Tree Collards

The trimmings from the tree collard cuttings did not go to waste.

I put them on a paper plate for my redfoot tortoises. 

Chevelle (left) ate them all while Ranger (right) watched.

I'm still trying to figure out the nearly imperceptible actions she must be giving to show dominance to make him back off.

Tree collards are a super food

I first learned about the tree collards last year and decided to take the plunge and try my hand at growing them this year. I love raising heritage breed livestock and growing heirloom, nearly extinct, or unusual vegetable plants. We are losing far too much that might prove to be beneficial to future generations. I am thankful I am in a position to help preserve plant diversity.

THANK YOU!

 Thank you again, Skyler and Joseph!

With love, Mama Asbell

Tree Collard Cuttings

I am getting a TON of questions regarding the purple tree collards, so I am posting pictures and info about them over the next few days.

These cuttings came from The Clayton Farm.

I also purchased seeds from them to start more.

I stored them in the fridge until I could get to them (about a day and a half).

I cut new diagonal ends with an alcohol treated knife and soaked them in water while I prepared the rest. 

I removed all except two leaves and dipped the ends in honey (kills bacteria that might prevent rooting).

I put them in plastic cups (20 ounce) filled with potting mix.

I watered them from the top to help remove air pockets with water that had the rooting aid pictured above.

Then, I reused plastic utensils to support a 1 quart freezer bag to help keep the cutting from drying out so quickly. We will see how it goes!

Update: They are looking good so far!

What Governs Your Mind?

The mind governed by the flesh is death, 

but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

Romans 8:6

Dear Reader, we become weak minded when we give room for worldly thinking and selfishness. To become strong minded, we need to discipline our thoughts with God's Word. This life is not a game. There are no dress rehearsals. We are told to put on armor because we are soldiers! Live accordingly.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and 

we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 10:5

It is Biblical to Store for Lean Times

If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know I like working with heritage breed livestock and heirloom seeds. I could not get some of the seeds I wanted from my normal suppliers, so I had to look a little harder. I am glad I keep years worth of seeds on hand. I was still able to get the rare squash seeds I hope to grow ordered. 

Here's the note that came with the order:

"Since we are all still living with the effects that the pandemic and subsequent economic unrest, it should be no surprise to hear that disruptions can possibly occur that may slow delivery. Just as there are no cuts in line at your local store, we fill orders fairly on a first in / first out basis. Please DO NOT ask for preferential treatment, it will not be considered.

Due to the unprecedented interest in gardening during this pandemic, we have been experiencing higher than normal order volume. Although we will try and ship as quickly as possible, it may take up to 7 business days from receipt until we mail your package to you. This email is confirming that your order has been received and that it is in our queue. Another email will be sent when your order is mailed and on its way to you. Also keep in mind that the U.S. Postal Service is experiencing delays; currently 3 to 10 days, depending partly on the class of mail service that you selected at checkout."

Dear Reader, If you are a Christian who reads the Bible and believes it gives us instructions for living, then you should be preparing for lean times. It does not take as much money as you may think to put a little away each time your grocery shop. I started with a lean income and a houseful of seven growing children. One of the easiest ways to build up your food storage is to look for ways to reduce food waste. Another method is through gardening. Instead of planting landscaping varieties of bushes and trees, I planted grapevines, fruit trees, medicinal plants, etc. There are many ways to accomplish the same goal, but you will get anywhere until you get started. You don't need to be on a farm either. I have friends who live in cities who are very, very well stocked up for lean times. 

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man swallows it up. 

Proverbs 21:20

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 6:6-11

Vaccine Research

credit in image

Clint and I did all of those things and more before we made our decision. 

Clint was informing nurses and doctors of what was written on the vaccine inserts of the shots they were giving children every day. He made them get an insert and he pointed out the sections to them. THEY were floored because they had no idea!! It never occurred to them to read the insert which listed ingredients, side effects, and much more. Don't assume the medical professionals know what they are putting into your child.

With corruption as widespread as it is in every level of every industry, blind trust is not an action of the wise. Ask questions. Do research. Demand answers. Your child is counting on you to stand between them and possible harm.

Please take the time and do thorough research. 

Their health is worth it!

Your health is too.

Whatever you decide, I will support your choice, 

but please do the research and make an educated decision.

I like him just because he loves her so much!

Grey is Bethany's cat. He was originally Amanda's but he chose Bethany. He was so depressed when Amanda moved with him into her new house. So, Amanda brought him back home to Bethany where they are happy as can be! Here's how Grey holds onto Bethany's legs while she is doing her college course work. He also watches over her when she sleeps. If she is away from home for too long, he finds me and stares at me until I give him reassurance she will return. He will also stare at the door for hours.

Thank you!

Thank you Luke and Katelyn!

Care packages mailed!

Love,

"Aunt" W

Hurricane Isaias

We did not have very much damage compared to areas north and south and west of us. We were awoken many times by tornado warnings and watches including one for our road. We lost a bit of siding, and the corn fell over. I also found a shingle, but I can't figure out where it came from. The girls and I will try to stand the corn up after the garden dries out some. We'll see what happens. Thank you to all who prayed for us and asked after us. I am not ignoring anyone. I am very busy pressure canning and planning for a long weekend at our little hideaway along the East River (starting @ 4 today) with that handsome man of mine! 

Love to all!

Prayers for Brandon

Brandon begins his new job this week. Please keep him covered in prayer for a smooth transition for the big changes ahead.

He is Faithful

If we confess our sins, 

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

I love this verse and the promise it holds.

Dear Reader, aren't you thankful we have a loving Father we can share our hearts freely with saying all of the things that other people might judge as sinful, shallow, or foolish? We can be REAL with Him. We can find REST with Him. To ignore the opportunity to be truly seen and heard and accepted as we are with Him would be foolish. What a blessing to have an intimate relationship with the Holy God! Love to all!

Brandon's Job Announcement

I put this up for the family and friends who said they wanted to see/read it.

Our entire family is still over the moon and back happy for Brandon's great success!

Can I Save Seeds from Grocery Store Produce?

Can you name these squash varieties? Answer at the bottom of the post.

A sweet, young mother of two asked me: 

Can I Save Seeds from Grocery Store Fruits and Vegetables?

We can always find some good in everything. CoVid has certainly brought a lot of suffering and hardship, but it is good to hear from so many who have a new or a renewed interest in gardening, preserving a harvest, and becoming more independent in providing for one's needs. Proverbs 21:20 tells us that the wise store up the good things they need, but the fool uses it up right away. 

The answer is: yes, you can. Somethings will do better than others. Heirloom varieties are best choices. Research the difference between heirloom and hybrid to understand why.

I rinse them off, pick any bits of pulp out, and dry them on a plate for a week. Then, I dry them a little more in my dehydrator making sure they stay lower than 95F. Any higher will kill the seed. Then, I store them in mylar zipper top bags. 

I always save seeds from winter squashes, melons, tomatoes, peppers, and more. 

You can even get mushroom spores to grow. 

You can regrow the ends of celery and lettuces. 

Many grains and legumes will also grow and produce food.

You can regrow the tops of carrots and parsnips too. They will not grow a new root you can eat, but you can get them to produce seeds.

Seeds used for culinary herbs and spices will also grow.

Some fresh herbs are easily rooted to start new plants. 

Tubers like potatoes, sunchokes, horseradish, sweet potatoes, turmeric, jicama, and ginger will also grow. (Whenever my potatoes sprout, I cut them up, let them scab over, and plant them.)

Fruits like apples and pears can grow trees, but the fruit may not be consistent in quality...meaning the fruit may be completely different than the fruit you took the seed from. 

You can harvest blueberry and strawberry seeds too.

Look for organic and grown in the USA when you can. Some vegetables, especially potatoes are sprayed with growth inhibitors. I have rinsed off (rubbing the skin with my hands gently under water-avoid knocking off the "eyes") nonorganic potatoes, and they have sprouted for me. Also, some fruits and vegetables that are imported are irradiated and that will affect growth. Some things may take multiple tries, but experimentation is part of the fun in gardening!

I am sure there are more ways you can take advantage of the grocery store offerings to increase your garden, but this is what I could think of off the top of my head. 

Happy Gardening and Mothering!

Answer: green-acorn squash, yellow-spaghetti squash, tan-butternut squash

Hurricane Isaias

See that little dot in the red along Virginia's coast? 

That's where we are located.

We will see sustained tropical force winds.

 

Other than our corn, I don't expect much damage.

another good day in a very beautiful and abundantly blessed life!

The sweat has been dripping off of us like rain while we storm prep for the hurricane in this oppressive humidity. I've been looking at my corn which about a week or two from harvesting and thinking to myself it's "done for" due to the winds we're going to get.

Then, Clint's car broke down. I couldn't find one of the straps to our tow dolly. Frustrating moments.

I'm going to praise the Lord anyway!

I am healthy and able to work in the heat to prevent storm damage.

The corn will feed our poultry and rabbits if we don't get to enjoy it. I have more planted for fall harvesting, and we have plenty of food to eat without it.

I've been trying to get my hardworking husband to purchase himself a nicer vehicle for years now, but he likes to drive them until they are DONE. That car is done, so I get my way finally :-)!

And, I have the cash from farm sales to pay for his new used vehicle so we don't have to touch our savings account!

We have a tow dolly, so we don't have to pay a tow truck.

Brandon, Caleb, and Bethany took the suburban and tow dolly to Clint so I could continue storm prepping with Emily and Hannah. I love how our family pulls together!

Clint found a way to tie the car down with another strap to replace the missing one.

When you've been through some hard stuff like FEMA disasters, major fire losses, that endurance teaching hyperemesis gravidarum, and those awful, heart wrenching, life changing, faith defining nine stillbirths and miscarriages, it gives you perspective on what bad days really look like.

From my perspective, today is another good day in a very beautiful and abundantly blessed life!

Thank you, Lord!!

Update: 1:05 p.m.

Well, our tow dolly broke. With the car on it. I am still praising the Lord! 

The failure happened in a parking lot instead of on the I64. Caleb, Brandon, and Bethany were there to help Clint get the car off the dolly so a tow truck could come get it.

No accident was caused. 

No one was hurt. 

A tow truck arrived within five minutes of Clint calling. They should still be able to get home before the thunderstorm hits.

We had planned to go back with our trailer to get the tow dolly, but the tow truck driver said he could get it on the truck even with the car and would bring it home for us for free. (He feels bad we've had such a challenging day.)

God is good! He is so good, that I refuse to complain or let my mood slip over the craziness in this day. He is worth to be praised even when things are not going our way. 

Snake Eggs Part 2

While it has not been two weeks since it was shared in the blog, it has been two weeks since Amanda candled the black snake eggs she found outside of her home. Wanting to show good stewardship over God's creation, she decided to hatch them and then release them (with permission) at different locations. They are in a container with latches, and so far, it appears to be going very well. Our entire family has taken an interest in her snake eggs, not because we are huge snake enthusiasts (we're not), but because we love Amanda and it is a part of her life she wants to share with us. Those parents who have ears, let them hear.

 

The eggs appeared to be larger than last time.
Unlike chicken eggs with their hard shells, snake eggs have leathery shells.

 

Not only does Amanda take joy in learning new things, 

she also enjoys sharing knowledge with others.

   

pink = blood = life

We could also see it moving inside.

 

I am not feeling very positive about this one, but Amanda thought she saw movement. It might just be developing slower which happens with poultry eggs too.

Amanda plans to bring them back in two weeks, and I will do my best to get pictures and update the blog about them for our homeschooling friends.