Farmer's Market Report

Jesse and I had a wonderful time at the Farmer's Market. We took 5 or 6 types of fudge, several types of cookies and bars and some lettuce and micro greens. I LOVE the market. We did better than we have so far. Not getting rich by any means, but my son is developing a love of the market atmosphere and all my children are learning about baking, wildcrafting, making salves etc. Grace-Marie got fired last week because she was disobedient and difficult. Actually, I suppose she was just laid off, as we will give her another chance next week.

We had so much fun with our 4 Alarm, He-Man-Woman-Hater Fudge! (Named from the club on Little Rascals)
I made it for the people who complained that the regular Jalapeno fudge wasn't hot enough. This one definitely was! It tasted really good, but I could only eat a tiny nibble because of the heat. That is the only kind I should keep around.

I have been feeling good about getting in close to 5 miles walking as many days per week as I can. It is an accomplishment for me. Tonight; however, I talked to my sister-in-law and she told me that a lady we both know who is 86, is putting in 20 miles per day on a stationary bike! Now she could have just kept that information to herself! If I live to be 86, I probably won't even be able to get on a stationary bike. The nerve of some people.

I hope you had half as much fun as I had today (and that you didn't have an embarassing, earth shaking, bone crushing fall on concrete in front of half the town). I hope your sunset was stunning. I hope you see the sunrise. I hope when you count your blessings, you run out of fingers and toes.

God bless you!

Lawana

Bungee cords and Baling Twine

Sometimes I worry a little that my children will grow up feeling that they were deprived during their childhoods. Ask me in about twenty years and I will perhaps know what effect our frugal and humble lifestyle has on people when they grow up. I am not sure how they will remember the years of wearing only hand me down and thrift store clothing, working to earn money for anything above food and shelter, wildcrafting, Farmer's Marketing and generally making do with what is at hand. I didn't design it to be this way. The life I envisioned had just a little more money for discretionary spending. It would have included a small allowance, a few more new clothes, a little more exposure to the inside of a restaurant and a little more travel.

In reality; however, life is what it is. I was brought up in a similar fashion, though my parents didn't do any entrepreneurial stuff. We ate simple foods, wore inexpensive and hand me down clothing and tried to keep both ends together in the middle. I remember well  when my dad wasn't able to work for various reasons. I remember things being tight. What I don't remember is feeling poor. We were spiritually rich. We loved each other and we welcomed others in our home and family. I hope my children will recall feeling the same way.

I see eveidence that my children are benefitting from not being able to run to the store for everything though. When we are out of one ingredient for a recipe, that almost never thwarts my clever kids. Applesauce will replace oil in baked goods, mayo can sub for eggs or shortening in many baked items as well. They all know how to use powdered milk for anything requiring liquid milk. It is nice to know that we can all put something passably edble together in spite of missing ingredients.

I am most entertained by my family's use of baling twine, Bungee cords, tarps, duct tape and glue! At this very moment, we have a kennel built out of recycled chain link panels. It has Bungee cord hinges and some of the broken brackets have been replaced by zip ties. Our vacuum cleaner maintains suction due to a duct tape repair. Our pigs are shaded and protected from the heat by a tarp and zip ties. Parts of some of our cars have been repaired with tape, glue and (sorry honey, I had to share it) dental floss!

I think we might get kicked out of some neighborhoods, but thankfully most members of our neighborhood get around on hooves or paws and don't concern themselves much with countryside renovations. Our human neighbors too are kind and forgiving of an area of dereliction here or there. I am thankful for the experiences we are having . Sometimes I wish my chldren had it a little easier, but it will be interesting to see how they turn out and whether they carry on the family dental-floss-holding -in-the headlight where mom hit the deer with the van legacy.

Enjoy yourselves!

P.S. Go here http://www.cowboypoetry.com/stephaniedavis.htm#Baling to read the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.

Lawana

Thankful Again 2

I am thankful for so many things. First and foremost, I am thankful that God holds me in his hand. I am thankful that nothing surprises him or catches him off guard. I am thankful for my good husband and the fact that he has stuck by me all these years in spite of the fact that I am pretty much crazy most of the time. My children are a blessing to me as well, even though I sometimes want to trade them all for puppies.

I am thankful that G. from the farmer's market gave me pink peonies! I am thankful for a summer storm and that the big limbs that fell missed our house. I am also thankul for access to a camera and that I was able to capture the full moon rising last month.

Here is a quick list from a poll I just conducted around the dinner table.

Child 1: I am thankful for the kitty and Pastor. (Sorry Pastor that was her order!)
Child 2: I am thankful for God,  my dog, my bike and my brothers and sisters.
Child 3: I am thankful to be selected for 4-H congress and having a car to drive.
Child 4: I am thankful for my family and my church family.
Child 5: (He was at work, so I am assuming he would be thankful for employment)
The Poppie: I am thankful for my wife, and grateful children who open the gate for me when  
I drive up in the yard. I am also thankful for a "woman cooked meal".
The Grannie: (Poll conducted by phone) I am thankful for Life, Health and Family.

I am also thankful that you took the time to read this.
God bless you!
Lawana

Farmer's Market Report

Jesse (9) and Grace-Marie (6) sold baked goods at the market on Saturday. They worked their table, visited with their little entrepreneur friends, lusted after other people's goods and learned a lot. They made 11 dollars profit which was all used to buy ingredients for the future.

Jesse is getting a handle on engaging customers and counting change. Grace-Marie is still pretty distracted, especially by the other tables and sellers, but is learning how to look people in the eye and talk loudly. Jesse is better at selling and counting back change than he is talking loudly. He is very quiet by  nature . I hope to get a picture of their table next week when my camera comes home from camp.

So... not much in the way of financial profits, but many benefits anyway. I enjoyed the time with my children.

This is what God's word says about what we might have been tempted to call an unprofitable day.

Proverbs 14:23 (KJV) In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.


Gotta go!

Lawana

Bits and Pieces

Here are some things you may not know, or care to know, but I need to share. Our oldest son is a helicopter pilot. He is a decorated hero. He has a wonderful wife and his children are beautiful. We pray for him every day. They have a Chiweenie just as we do. They NEED our prayers if their chiweenie is anything like ours!

Our second son is also a decorated hero. He is now working in the defense industry as a civilian. His wife is a gift and his boys are way too sweet. There is another baby on the way. We are very proud of them all and pray for them every day, even though they do not have a chiweenie. They do, however, have Spud, the talking, "Woody" impersonating cat. Amazing!

Our third son is on a boat in Bristol bay trying to catch all the sockeye salmon in the ocean. He left his precious wife here to hold down the fort. We pray for them though they neither have a chiweenie, nor a Woody impersonating cat. They do have a very sweet marriage and lots of cute names for the adorable children they will have some day. Oh and this daughter-in-law tries to alienate the affections of my new kitten, Strongbad, whom she calls Kevin!

Our 4th son is bearing down on his 18th birthday and hoping to transition to supported independent living. He now owns a rice maker, two Tupperware containers with lids,and  an electric teapot. I am pretty sure visions of sugarplums are dancing in his head. We pray for him daily, though he owns no Chiweenie, no Woody impersonating cat nor does he rename and try to steal my kitten Strongbad!

Our 16 year old son is driving, a lot, everywhere, every day. He would drive to the bathroom if we would let him. I think he drives in his sleep! He has suddenly become blind to the dents and faded paint of the decades old Chevy Cavalier we let him use. It has an engine...and wheels...it starts...and runs...it is therefore a thing of beauty. We pray for him every day for obvious reasons!

Our 15 year old daughter is away at camp...for the first time...in the far away land of Idaho. She could have driven there. She could probably run the camp. She might be having fun right now without us! We pray for her daily, though she has neither a Chiweenie, nor a talking cat, nor visions of sugarplums, nor the alienated affections of Strongbad/Kevin. She does;  however, own a pig named Ariadne. Hey! Are there boys at that camp?

Our 9 year old son has prayed diligently to get to go to VBS. God has said, "Yes." and has provided a way for him to stay in Missoula with friends. (Thanks R and S!) He will be staying away from us for four days and 3 nights. I am not sure that is allowed. He will probably not even notice we are home alone without him. We pray for him because Vacation Bible School with Brother Larry Hoyle is amazing, challenging and possibly dangerous!

Our 6 year old daughter is amazing. With paralyzed legs, she is taking her world by storm. She is able and impressive. She is visiting with friends this week. She hopes to play in the water with her little friend Eve. We pray for her because she can get into more trouble than  2 Chiweenies, 2 cats, talking and non talking, a driving 16 year old, a helicopter pilot, a commercial fisherman  and a whole summer camp full of kids combined.

My beloved has migraines that mimic strokes, strokes that mimic migraines and sometimes both at the same time. That happened today during church. After 5 hours at the E.R. we determined it was the former. I am so thankful there was no stroke. God is so merciful. The dad to all the amazing young people I mentioned before needs to be in good shape to keep up with them.

In the stress of the hospital visit, I left my purse in the grocery store. Thank you God and whoever the honest person was who took the purse, untouched to the manager.

I thank God for my family. For health, safety and happiness. I hope you are enjoying these blessings too.

Lawana
P.S. We had frost here in my yard this morning! June 27th and frost!

Father's Day 2011

I am not sure if you all know this, but I have an excellent husband. He is faithful, loving, kind, an excellent provider, romantic and friendly. He has encouraged me in all my crazy endeavors over the years. He has loved me in skinny jeans, in mu mus and everything in between. He has loved my family, endured my dogs (and loved a few of them) hauled my horses, fenced the pastures, held me when I have been broken hearted, celebrated my accomplishments, welcomed my friends and even had a few cups of coffee with them even though he isn't "old enough" to drink it.

Perhaps the biggest thing that makes Clint my hero is that he has welcomed children into our home. By birth, adoption and association. From the first positive pregnancy test (which I kindly announced in his sleeping ear at 4:00 AM!) through miscarriages, births, and adoptions, Clint has been an amazing father. He has gotten up at night, changed diapers, walked the floor patting our colicky daughter for hours on end. He has worn babies in back packs, pushed double strollers, carried children on his shoulders, around his middle, had them walk on top of his feet and had them trample his heart.

Clint has been Dad and Poppy to many kids who are still part of our family and some who have made other choices. He has been abundantly patient as only the dad of a large family can experience patience. It is possible, in one day to have disasters involving little mechanics, little tool borrowers and helpers to the extent that every mechanical device on the ranch is disabled and the tools to try to redeem them cannot be found! When this happens and nobody is duct taped to a tree, that is one patient man!

I am thankful that my husband has chosen the high road. He has never had a cool truck (though I hope someday to get him one) almost never had a store bought gift on any occasion, will possibly never be able to afford a hobby, or to retire or to travel. He will still be raising children in his "golden years". What he has done, however is to love those who may not be able to love back, or those who love in a very limited way. He has loved children whose birth families have trusted blindly that he would be good to them. He has taken that amazing gift and responsibility seriously. He has extended love in the face of rejection and railing. After being rejected, he has chosen to love again. Every child who has entered our family, by whatever means,has been given the same thing, Clint's unconditional love, his name, an inheritance and a chance to grow in the shadow of an amazing man for a while.

When I met Clint, he had a failed marriage in his past, as did I. As we were getting to know each other, I noticed how humbly he approached the things pertaining to his sons and his former wife. I was honored to know such a man. Though I know he now has regrets that he wasn't more assertive in getting time with his boys in the early days, he did a few things very well. First, he loved them and he supported them. He prayed for them. He bragged on them and was amazed at their accomplishments (he still is, by the way). Perhaps most importantly, he honored their mom and their stepdad. Though his first marriage (like mine and everyone else's) failed from lack of honor, lack of wisdom and lack of care, Clint was able to recover, love from afar and give his boys the gift of respecting their mother and allowing them to love another dad without feeling torn. What an amazing man!

I want to publicly thank God for giving my children the most wonderful father possible. Clint, thank you for doing the hard jobs. Thank you for loving our children so selflessly.
I love you with all my heart!
Lawana

New Batteries in the Camera

Here are some pictures we have taken in the last week.




sweet time with the Poppy

 

Go Becky!

making good memories



fast dry







Intensely studying





Apple blossoms



lots of water coming into the river

            I hope you are seeing beauty in the people and places around you.
                                                        

                                                   God bless you!

Why People Put Sweaters on Dogs

This morning, it is chilly in my house and my little Boston Terrier, Corky, is cold. I can tell because he is curled up very tightly in the bathroom rug. For a moment, it crossed my mind that he might need a sweater. That was it.  I had a momentary thought about a sweater and then moved on to the business of the day. It is not likely that Corky will ever wear a sweater. It is not that I don't care if he is cold. It is not that I couldn't make him a sweater. It is a matter of where I am in the game of life.

If I had owned Corky when I was single, the dog would have had a sweater. In fact, he would have had several and one of them would have been some macho cowboy outfit for him to wear when I took him to walk at the lake. When I was first married, the dog would have had a sweater. I would have probably ditched the cute one and left him in a black watch plaid or a herringbone as I focused more on my home and my husband.

When I had one or two children. The dog could have still had a sweater, though it probably would have stayed on him too long between washings or it might have languished in the laundry for days while he wished I would get my act together. That would have been a good time for this theoretical dog to learn what Corky knows well. That is how to wrap up in the bathroom rug!

Corky is a real dog who lives with us and is loyal in spite of our craziness. He came into our lives in the midst of our son's kidney transplant and major upheaval. He was a tiny waif and actually did have a sweater thanks to our dear friend Sara. I suspect that Sara feared for his safety and health and was trying to save his life. Corky survived us and out grew that sweater, never to wear another one.

We really do love Corky. However, if love is measured in doggie apparel we will never get a passing score. Well, maybe, if Corky lives long enough for all the children to get grown. When there are no human booboos to tend, no large meals to serve to hungry children, no complicated schedule of 4-H and Driver's education, and no multiple medical and dental appointment days, things could change. If, at this point, I have a few brain cells left, I could notice Corky's shivering geriatric form wrapped in the bathroom rug and offer to take a trip to Petsmart and buy him a nice cable knit, Mr. Roger's type sweater. The zipper would make it easier on my arthritic hands.

Back to the theoretical dog. If he survived the early sweatered years and the middle years of benign neglect, he very well could find himself at the stage of once again wearing clothing. He could be having his own little dish of ice cream every night and his name might have gradually been changed to "Baby". He probably would be invited to go in the car and sit on the furniture. The grandchildren would be warned not to bother Baby's toys, which might even be stored in his own doggie toy box.

Real dogs don't last long enough to experience all the stages in the life of a family. Families who love dogs always wish they did. Rudyard Kipling expressed this wish best in this poem. Corky is middle aged and bedraggled from years of love. Knowing what I know about dogs and how short a time we have to enjoy them, I should probably start knitting a sweater for him. Or maybe, I will just throw an old towel over him and light the heater.

Lawana