Monday, December 22, 2008

Merry Christmas


We are on the road today, heading out of town to spend time with family. I want to wish each of you a wonderful Christmas time, full of warmth, love and blessings.
I also wanted to express my heartfelt thank you to each who spoke a special prayer on Tracy's behalf. I feel truly blessed to belong to such a caring and supportive community. Giving of yourself is the greatest gift any of us can give, and so again I say "Thank you" for taking the time to lift her up before the Lord.
Merry Christmas, my friends~ Rhonda

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Prayer for Tracy


Today I am sending out a call to prayer for a wonderful young woman~Tracy.
Tracy is a dear friend of our family that has been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her left breast, T5 bone cancer which came from the breast cancer and a kidney tumor. She is undergoing a 3 phase treatment plan which includes:
1st - strong, triple-drug chemotherapy
2nd - surgery after chemo is completed
3rd - radiation to take care of any remaining cancerous cells
She is currently in the 1st phase of treatment and has been since November 5th. I chide myself for not bringing her before the wonderful prayer warriors I have come to know here in the blogging community before now. The latest update that I received yesterday said this~
Well, God is good!
After good lab results (I was really worried about them because I am trying to catch a cold again) and a positive doctor's appointment (he really thinks the tumor is totally shrinking), I was able to start my 3rd session of chemo today.
So, I am staying on schedule - yippie!!!

My Neulasta shot is scheduled for late afternoon on Thursday, 12/18.
I ask that you pray for me especially on that day and a few days after.
This is the shot that kicks the production of bone marrow into high gear.
This is the one that "kicks my butt" each time due to horrific bone pains.

We will keep you posted if anything changes.

Tracy
Won't you please join me and the rest of Tracy's family and friends in prayers on her behalf for the success of the treatments and the easing of the pain that the necessary treatments cause.
Tracy does not have a blog, but I know she would appreciate any prayers and words of encouragement you would like to share.
~ Rhonda

Friday, December 12, 2008

Moon Watching



A Wonderful Sight
December 12 — The Full Cold Moon
Sky watchers will be dazzled by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee. When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets. The Moon is also high at this time of year; when it's overhead (near midnight), it will light up the landscape. Take a magical stroll and see your world at night. You won't need a flashlight!

Thought I would pass along this note from the Almanac Bulletin~Enjoy!

Article and Photos~The Old Farmer's Almanac

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Going Blonde

Going....
Going...

Gone!

While the rest of the nation hit the stores on Black Friday, I took advantage of our two day reprieve from an early winter and painted the thrift chairs I got on my Birthday. Now they will by no means pass a close-up inspection, for while I consider myself fairly competent in a multitude of craft genres, Spray painting requires a certain finesse and patience that I simply do not possess. Maybe in the Spring I will take them back out and re-do them, but probably I will simply embrace their little imperfections and never look back.



The table is still in the process of being stripped down and will require a couple more days of work. Of course in my true 'put the cart before the horse' form, I eagerly removed the current dinning set, so there are currently four lovely chairs sitting in my kitchen and NO table. Sweet hubby hesitantly asked this morning...."How long will we be without a table?" Sorry, honey! Soon I promise:)





On a completely different note~
Last night as my little one was saying his prayers he spoke his list of things he was thankful for......

"Lord, I am thankful for Christopher Columbus, technology,
and lots of things Lord. But, mostly Lord, I am thankful for my
Parents and Me. Amen."
Yes, I teared up then and just now as I typed it. ~Rhonda

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Giving Thanks

This post is part of a post I wrote last year for the Gratitude Gala. The words and the sentiment still hold true today......As I pondered the design of this post, I considered the numerous moments that surround me in blessings daily. I arise each new day and begin my tasks. In a warm and comfortable home, I sip my coffee and correspond with friends. Laughing and crying, gaining new wisdom and inspiration with each visit.

I tend to my animals and the soil from which I gain sustenance and a sense of self-sufficiency.



I have the ability and resources necessary to cook our meals and wash our clothes.
During the day, I often touch base with those I hold dear, my parents who provided the foundation of love and instruction that I have built my life upon. My brother and sisters who are not only my siblings but my closest friends and confidants.
I am often caught off guard and filled with happiness as I recognize the little moments of wonder and beauty that remind me that life is more than
chores and expectations.
In the evening, as my husband returns from work, the focus shifts to family together time. Talking, relaxing and relating our day.


At the close of the day, I snuggle my son into bed and I am humbled by the infinite gifts the Lord has provided, in spite of my sins and shortcomings.



I am thankful that I have the ability to Praise Him openly, for his provisions and grace.
And it occurs to me that even though time has altered the appearance of our world dramatically since the first Thanksgiving, the things that we are most thankful for have not changed.


Food, shelter, the knowledge and tools necessary to survive and thrive. Our families and the lives that we share together. A sense of love and acceptance gained through our relationships. The aspects of our lives that bring us peace and joy. The freedom to rejoice in fellowship and gather in worship. These have always been the whispered points of gratitude in our daily prayers and I suspect that they always will be.
Happy Thanksgiving, Friends~ Rhonda

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fields of Gold

"I never made promises lightly,

there have been some that I've broken .
But I swear in the days still left

we will walk in

fields of gold."


"We'll walk in

fields of gold."

Monday, November 3, 2008

What's A Christ-Follower To Do? VOTE!

"When you become entitled to exercise the right to vote for public officials, let it be impressed upon your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, 'just men who rule in the fear of God.' ...if citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted." Noah Webster

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities...." Ephesians 6:12

For me the election comes down to this..... VALUES~
The Sanctity of Marriage
Sorry for the glare, it's hard to take a picture of a picture.




The Right to Life


Yesterday, my Pastor reminded us that as Christians we are to make our choices based on "the core values that sync up to biblical truth." Tomorrow, when I cast my ballot I will take that reminder to the polls.


"When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan." Proverbs 29:2


~Rhonda

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Tricks and Treats

We started our Halloween night by taking our son, a.k.a. Mr. Bones, to the town square where the merchants were giving out goodies....


There were lots of wonderful costumes to behold~ like this person in the Chewbacca outfit that looked for all the world like the real Chewie!Even the family pets got in to the spirit of things. I just loved this precious little Pomeranian, but she wouldn't hold still long enough for me to get a good photo, too many sugary treats I suppose. When I am an old woman, I am going to have a little pooch just like this. I will dress her up like a little princess everyday and carry her around in her own special pooch purse and I will call her
Frou Frou :-) Forgive me, I digress....
After making our way around the square, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for a Halloween cook-out and then on to the door to door trick or treating. The haul was quite impressive.....
Of course my son was not the only one to receive treats yesterday. I got my own little Halloween goodie package from Ms. Peggy at Hidden Haven Homestead. She was so thoughtful to send me a Birthday gift of some of her fabulous Goat's Milk soaps. Thank you Peggy!! You were very generous!



If you are looking for gifts for someone, or yourself, I highly recommend the Hidden Haven soaps and lotions... they are wonderful!!


And of course we all get a little treat tonight! An extra hour of sleep ~ Don't forget to set your clocks back..... ~Rhonda

Photo courtesy of Country Living

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween


May your day be filled with ghoulishly sweet treats~Rhonda.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Final Harvest

This weekend my sweet little garden helper and I, gathered the last of
the summer garden's bounty
~

The late crop of raspberries was a nice surprise, although, not all of these luscious little berries will not get the chance to ripen completely....there is a freeze warning for tonight.


I planted my sweet potatoes late this year, so they are small....too small for baking, but just right for roasting! The little orange peppers are supposed to be bell peppers.....hummm, I guess they got crossed with the jalapeno plant, at least they taste sweet :-) I will use the seeds in the dried okra pods for planting next year.
We also collected some green bell peppers to freeze and use through out the winter, and a few green tomatoes that I will pass along to my mother because she enjoys fried green tomatoes and I do not!


I left some of my beans on the vine to dry. I will use these as seeds next Spring.


And a last delicate pink rose bud. I think I will snip it and bring it inside so that its petals don't get burned by the frost.

Today is a stay indoors, puttery kind of day. The temps are in the 40's the wind is whipping around at 20 miles and hour and I am about to start a pot of homemade veggie soup to simmering for supper. By the time my son and hubby get in, the whole house will beckon them to come in from the cold and enjoy the comfort of home:-)
Hope you all have a cozy, puttery day as well~ Rhonda

Monday, October 20, 2008

A thrifting we will go, a thrifting we will go....

...high-ho, the derry-o, a thrifting we will go.



I spent my birthday hopping from one Goodwill/Thrift store to another:-)

It was glorious~ wandering through isles of discarded items. I felt like I was on the Island of Misfit Toys....examining one little quirky treasure after another, each hoping some kind soul will take them home, clean, mend and love them.


I couldn't for the life of me figure out how someone could part with this precious little Homer Laughlin bowl, with its delicate floral bouquet and thin red rim. I gladly laid down the $1.51 required to remove it from the island, and when I got it home I gave it a warm bath and filled it with tart little Winesap apples. I think it is happy atop the linen chest, surrounded by new friends....

One of which is my Little Green Vase. I think the yellow dahlias are perfect for it, don't you agree?


I also purchased a project. You know what I mean.... you've got some decorating desire you've been mulling over in the back of your mind and as the idea begins to take on a definite shape, you start to look for objects to fit the bill. Then one day, it happens, you look around and~ Eureka!~ there it is!! Of course, in its current state is rarely the way you envisioned it, but you say to yourself, "It's PERFECT! All I have to do is....."

Now, sure, I realize you could just go out and by exactly what you are looking for, but, really now, where's the fun in that?


I have been wanting a white distressed farm table and chairs.

Yes, I think this will do nicely:-)

Sooooo, I better finish my second cup of coffee and get to it!

I wish you all a day filled with satisfying projects~Rhonda

Friday, October 17, 2008

Another Year Older....

It's time for cake and candles ~42~ to be exact. Today is my birthday:-)In honor of the occasion, and because I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, I bought myself a little present.....


A beautiful little green vase, handmade by Farmgirl Julie! If you haven't had a chance to view her creations, just click on the link and check them out.


Don't you think it will look perfect filled with yellow dahlias. As soon as it gets light, I think I will go and pick some....

Hope your day feels like a celebration~

Rhonda

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Find a Happy Place

When life comes at me full force and one calamity seems to follow on the heels of another, I start to replay the words of wisdom spoken by the animated starfish ~Peach~ from Finding Nemo. As trouble literally came knocking in the form of~DARLA!~ and the world was shaking all around her she cried out,..."Find a happy place, find a happy place, find a HAPPY PLACE!"

This weekend my family and I found a happy place, camping in the great outdoors of one of our lovely State Parks.

While the scenery was definitely serene~

What made the trip all the more special was being able to spend four days of uninterrupted time with the people who I hold most dear.

I am so grateful to belong to a very close knit family. I draw a sense of support and acceptance from them that I find no where else. We wash away the stress of hectic times with the occasional sob session and rounds of laughter that leave or sides aching and our eyes watery.

So while the trip allowed me to "disconnect" and convene with nature, the real source of renewal came from the chance to reconnect with the key parts of my foundation, the ones who have guided me and accompanied me along my path of life, the constant in any uncertainty. The happiest place I know....My Family.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

One Down...

Yesterday, Hubby's friend came over and cut the tree out of the chicken run.

Thanks, Mr. Jason!!!

Gratefully, both coops were spared:-))))

All that is left to do now is rebuild the run area.... Sounds simple enough, huh?

Take a deep breath, count my blessings ~including a big "Praise the Lord" for a generous prescription of Naproxen~ and start again.

Hope your next few days are not nearly as physically demanding as mine are going to be;-) Rhonda