Tag Archives: God’s gifts

January 13, 2013 · 17:00

We The People.

Over and over, in the past few weeks, I have either been a  part of  conversations about community or an eaves dropper of a conversation.

When I was little, in my head, I thought a community was a church basement filled with women in skirts, and children running around.  Asbestos tiled floors.  Fluorescent lighting.  I don’t see the men in my mind. I am fairly confident they were around.  A buffet displayed by the people.  Foil covered dishes filled with different homemade casseroles and delectables.

I was always on the outside looking in.  Always.  Always.  We, as a family, didn’t participate in many events like this.  In fact, I don’t remember  attending a single event with my family that included the near by community.

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I did not participate in sports when I was little or bigger.  I did not experience community there.  Maybe I was locked in a closet then, but I didn’t know they really existed.  Kickball.  I remember that.  If you are older than 50 and female….  Did you play a sport?

Anywhoooo.  I am thinkin’ community is important.  I’m guessing that community might be an integral part in the success of this whole plan.   Are we suppose to lean on, share, draw from one another?  Use each other?  Learn from each other?  Heal each other?  Have fun with each other? Come together for common causes?

For most of my life I have not understood.  It is becoming clear.  God has a serious plan and it is not just about He and I.  Even though, I would really like that.  I like my little thing I got goin’ with Him.  I forget that the people to the left and the right of me are His also.  He loves them too.  Oh I get it.  I am supposed to include them too.  Ah.  Darn.  Really?  How ’bout the guy who believes the opposite of me.  Him too, huh?  Huh.    And the gal down the way there, that looks at me like I’m nuts?  Her too?  Hmmm.

I am by nature and/or experience somewhat of a loner.   I  think it is a combination of liking solitude, and lacking  experience in community.    It never ceases to amaze me how much our little childhood experiences fiercely affect our adult lives.

So, what am I learning about community now that I am more aware of them and my part(or lack there of)?  I am learning that I want to be a part .

I am learning that the members have to be actively participating in the community using care, kindness and patience in order for it to be a healthy, vibrant group.

It is extremely easy for me to withdraw from this desire.  Because I don’t know how.   But I am trying to put my left foot in.  Next, I will put my right foot in.  Next thing you know, I’ll be shaking all about.

Then helllooooo,  Community.

Karen has arrived.

Someday.

You sure I can’t just join the community of chickens?  I love their conversation.  They make me laugh out loud.  I have to remind myself that people make me laugh too. And that I like being with them.

Chicken Community

Chicken Community

Or the doggie community?

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I can snarf around with the best of them.

I love people.  I am just afraid.

P.S.  I penned this post last night.  This morning we attended Mass in our  little church in our cute little village.  Fr. Eric, our priest, was giving his last Mass at our church as he moves on to a new parish elsewhere.  The sermon was about community.   He cried through the homily.  We all cried.  It was profoundly moving.  Our tears tasted of love, togetherness and community.

God bless,

Karen

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January 9, 2013 · 05:00

A Hoosier Salute

My son attended a high school that was born in 2004.  Blessed Theodore Guerin High School.  Two years after it opened, Blessed Theodore Guerin was canonized a saint in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica thus changing it to St. Theodore Guerin High School.  Many students, parents, and staff went to Rome to celebrate that miracle.  Two students had the privilege of processing in with Pope Benedict, one carrying his staff.  The chance for any of us to participate in the canonization of a saint, or to be closely connected to one becoming a saint is about ten million to one or more.

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Theodore Guerin was born in 1798 in France.  In 1839, years after she had entered the religious life, she was summoned to the United States to form a community that educated, provide religious instruction and assist the ailing.  She was excited and willing.  She made the journey over the pond with five of her Sister compadres.

They found themselves dumped into a dense forest outside of Terre Haute, Indiana with desolation abounding for miles.  I am thinkin’ that is not what they had envisioned.   They persevered.  I love that.  I would have gone home.  Without going into details, St. Mary of the Woods college was born and today is a sacred place for the education of women .

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My good friend  who graced me with her presence (waving her stunning St. Mary of the Woods ring around me as usual) over the holidays brought me the 2013  St. Mary of the Woods Calendar with wonderful quotes from Theodore giving  her impression of Indiana in those early days of , what I would think, tremendous challenge.  By the way, I want to take online courses so that I, too,  one day  can wear one of those rings.   So cool.  There is something about this place, that I have never visited, that calls out to me.  I know that there is a big part of me that would like to be a nun and I know they have them there.  And then there is the ring,  of course.  And my dear friend who I look up to because she had the privilege of going to St. Mary of the Woods.   And my son went to  St. Theodore Guerin which was probably the most incredible experience that our family encountered.   And she, herself,  says that any one of us could be a saint.  I know that is a little lofty of me to think I can  be one.  But, it would be pretty cool, wouldn’t you say?   I want to be touched by this woman.

So, what did she say, back then,  about our Hoosierland?

She said:

“The beauty of the forests of Indiana in the rich and lovely month of May surpasses all description.  The rivers, swollen by the rains, flow through long lanes of verdure, caressing the islands they seem to carry with them in their course and which look like floating nosegays.  The trees raise their straight trunks to the height of more than a hundred and twenty feet and are crowned with tops of admirable beauty.  The magnolia, the dogwood, the catalpa covered with white flowers, the perfumed snow of the springtime, intermingle with the delicate green of the other trees.”

Uh, yes.  This still exists.

“….each excursion we discover something marvelous, beautiful, and useful..At each step we can admire the grandeur, the power, the goodness of God…..I love our woods and solitude very much.”

Amen to that.

She says, ” We have much to suffer from the climate.  It is so changeable that in one day we sometimes experience extremes both of heat and cold.  For three or four weeks the heat has been suffocating….When there is no breeze at all, one can scarcely breathe. …..At St. Mary’s it has rained only once since the last days of April (written in July)…..It is surprising that the trees, and even the corn, etc.  remain fresh looking in such a drought.  This is owing, unquestionably to the heavy dew which falls every night. ”

Sound familiar?

“This land was no longer for me the land of exile; it was the portion of my inheritance, and in it I hope to dwell all the days of my life.”

Yeah, me too.

and

“What have we to do in order to be saints?  Nothing extraordinary; nothing more than what we do every day.  Only do it for his love.

My goal.  Lofty.  Unattainable.  Nonetheless.

St. Karen. You likey?

St. Karen.  Attractive, ain’t she?

God bless,

Karen

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January 2, 2013 · 12:57

Was That 6 Months? Or Two Weeks?

Welcome to the Shieling these past two weeks.   But, are you sure this past two weeks didn’t really take 6 months?  We are whipped. But loved.  We felt the Spirit of Christmas here with us.   I have lots of thoughts running through my head about the coming year.  I will share later.

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Welcome.

Over the river and through the woods.  Or over the woods and through the river.  Or over the river wood and off  the road into a ditch.  Yeah.  That’s how it happens here.

Welcome! From Karen, Pops and gang.

Welcome! From Karen, Pops and gang.

Meet Virginia, our new St. Bernard

Meet Virginia, our new St. Bernard

..and, meet Franics, our new Great Pyrenees

..and, meet Franics, our new Great Pyrenees

Francis, meet Virginia.

Francis, meet Virginia.

Sledding

Sledding

Yippee Ti Yay, Cow Patty!!

Yippee Ti Yay, Cow Patty!!

Hot Chocolate and campfire.

Hot Chocolate and campfire.

Shootin' up some coon. uh, just kidding. Shootin' at each other.

Shootin’ up some coon.   Uh, just kidding. Shootin’ at each other.

Cross country skiing. Kinda.

Cross country skiing.   Kinda.

Beautiful, beautiful snowy evening.

Beautiful, beautiful snowy evening.

Rigorous competitions.

Rigorous competitions.

Fine Foodies

Fine Foodies

Best of all? Kids to clean up.

Best of all? Kids to clean up.

Special guests.

Special guests.

It was a super time with super people.

May God bless you and yours this new year.  I pray that you grow  in a way  that inspires others.

God bless,

Karen

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December 18, 2012 · 07:50

Where Does It all Begin? Where Does It All End?

“I don’t know if the rest of the country is struggling to understand it the same way we are here,” she said. “Life goes on, but you’re not the same. Is the rest of the country — are they going about their regular activities? Is it just another news story to them?” –Donna who works at a school nearby Sandy Hook Elementary.

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”   –  Corrie Ten Boom

We can wake up each day determined to spread compassion, forgiveness, hope, peace, joy and love within our own small world, and inspire others to live their lives the very same way. We can become accountable. We can PRAY. – Sandi Regan

 

I quote other’s words because I have no words for what happened Friday other than, I am truly sorry for my part.  And my heart quivers for the people.

What can we do to move forward?

When tragedies happen,  the enemy celebrates victory.  The injection of fear into our hearts.  Accomplished.   We all want to cry out our fear.   We run in circles  bigger and bigger, crying out loud.  Louder and louder.   It is the guns.  It is the mental people neglect.  It is the government.  We have our fingers pointed at each other as if we are all holding a gun.    We are afraid.

Fear.

I have always heard that the opposite of fear is love.   We are incapable of loving when fear grabs a hold and causes us to draw in.   Emotions such as anger,  hopelessness,  resentment, frustration, etc.  are all symptoms of fear.  We are not getting our needs or wants met and it reduces us into a state of fear.   It causes us to withdraw into ourselves and then we cannot love.    We can ask our selves a series of questions and the fear can always be revealed.   If I do not get the outcome that I want or feel I deserve, then what becomes of me?  ME.  The cycle begins.  Love steps aside to make room for fear.   The two cannot survive in the room together.

I think I need to begin WITH  ME.   To get OUTTA  ME.

So,  that I can love.

We have different agendas based on our life experiences.  We become afraid based on the feelings those experiences evoke.   And we run on that fuel.  For our whole life,  if we allow.   Fear dictates our every move.   Our every action is determined by what has happened or not happened to us in our past and how we have internalized it.

I  don’t have to allow fear to dictate my life.  I can move fear to the basement and let love take over my soul.

I use to be fearful of many,  many things.  You name it.    I think I have  stated my fears in an old post,  so I wont go there.  It helps me to determine the fears that cause me angst.  When I feel a negative emotion, I ask myself : What about this  situation am I not getting what I want?  It does take an element of honesty here.  Lots and lots of practice.  And then:  If I should fail to  get what I want or need, what is the worst case scenario?  And then: If the worse case scenario happens, so what?   If I break the whole scenario down, I am able to get a proper perspective that will disarm my fear.  Freed up to love.   Most of our fears are about things that actually never happen.

We are experts at projecting failure, hurt, disappointment,  neglect,  catastrophe, etc on our future and the future of others.  All because of fear.

So, what does this have to do with the gun man in Connecticut?   If I am able to stop  thrashing my fears onto my neighbors,  and instead,  spread the love I have in my heart to my neighbor, we will be one baby step closer to a peace.

We all have responsibility here.

It is not just about the gun man.  It begins with my behavior toward you, my behavior about you to others and  my behavior about others to you.  We are either spreading love or fear.  The media are doing a super job spreading fear.  They clearly don’t understand the fear/love connection.

This is what we are spreading.

This is what is being spread through fear.

This is what we should be spreading around.

This is what we should be spreading around.

God removes my fear  when I pray.   He does not remove my fear when I do not.

God bless,

Karen

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December 12, 2012 · 19:27

Sleepy Time

Isn’t it funny how we spend the first 12 years of our life fighting the urge to sleep or fighting the someone who is trying to make us sleep?  Oh my goodness,  don’t make me go to sleep, I may missssssssssss something.    Ages 13-25, love to sleep ONLY if it is on their terms and it usually doesn’t fall in line with normal working, living hours.   Then we get to ages 25-50 when we are SOOOOO tired but the 1-12’s and the 13-25’s wont let us sleep.    When we reach 50, there aint nothing stoppin’ us.  We get to sleep.  Sleep.   Sleep.  Unless your hormones are so outrageously out of whack that you lie awake all night as if you’ve  sucked down 4 cups of coffee for your nightcap.

IMG_3571 The way I see it, we were designed for sleep and it is a very important element to our well-being.  It is supposed to take up a third of our life.  It only makes sense that we should take it seriously.  We take eating seriously and it only takes up 1/8 of our time. (Supposedly.  Some take liberties there). We take work seriously.   A third of our time.

Where have we gotten the idea that sleep is a side bar in the grand scheme of things.  Whimpy people go to bed at a decent hour.   We apologize around here if we’re tired.   ????    “I’m sorry I’m so tired.  I shouldn’t be.    I have only fed every animal in the county, built a barn, and  shoveled pea gravel so far today, I don’t know why I should be so tired.  Please forgive me.”   Pops apologizes when he takes a nap once in a blue moon.  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”  Does this make any sense to you?  We are nuts.

People, sleep is necessary.  It is imperative for good health.  And boy, I am finding out the hard way.  I lie awake all night and can hardly keep my eyes open during the day.

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I don’t feel like going through all the medical trauma sleep deprivation puts on our bodies, minds and souls. We have all been exhausted.  We know what it feels like.  I believe it has long-term effects.  Same as putting any other stress on our bodies.

In order for us to feel rested we are supposed to go through different cycles of sleep.  I never get to the second, third or however many there are.  Whatever cycle dreaming falls under, that is not happening.  I have read that calcium/magnesium taken at bedtime helps get a restful night sleep.  I take that and have for several years.  Ain’t workin’.  UNTIL last night I kicked it up two notches.  Guess what?  I didn’t wake up ALL NIGHT.  And you know what?  I had a super long dream taboot.  It was a nightmare, but, hey,  I’ll take what I can get.  No one got killed.  I cant wait to try it again tonight.  My bed is calling me as we speak.

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I love sleep.  I hope I can really sleep again someday.  It does wreak havoc on our lives and I don’t think we have a healthy respect for it.  Did you know that getting rest is one of the Ten Commandments?  For goodness sakes.  I think He is really serious about this rest thing.  I think I wanna do my part.   If I can.

Rest is spoken of many times in the Bible but the following verse is one of my all time favorite verses.  It makes me want to collapse and breath a huge sigh and smile in delight that we were designed to and for rest.  Amen,  sista.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Do you just love it?  LOVE IT.

I’ve even gone as far as embroidering “sleep” verses on blankets.

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I will pray for sleep for you, if you pray for sleep for me.  Deal?

God bless,

Karen

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December 6, 2012 · 12:58

Are We Original? Or Copycats?

We are all creators in one form or another.   Are we creating something that has been done  before,  or are we original?  As an artist, I think I’m being original.  But the fact is, I’m not.  Literally everything I do has been done before in someway.  My unique style and interpretation or impression  makes my work original.  The gift  that God gave me and only me.  He wants us to use each other for learning, inspiration and encouragement.   I’m sure you’ve heard that copying is the highest form of flattery.  Just as long it is not copying verbatim, I am sure.  I’m glad you like my stuff,  but don’t take it and call it yers.

There are few people in the world that are truly original. Thomas Edison.  Benjamin Franklin.  Bill Gates.  da Vinci.  Those kinda folks.  Even the lady who invented Spanx was just modeling her product after the ol’ girdle.  Not sure her name for it is better though.

Dale Chihuly is an artist. I have studied him for years but recently  I saw a documentary about him that stunned me.  He blows glass.   In that regard, he is a copycat.  His style is so completely original that I’m almost sure that he is the only guy that has done what he does to date.  In our history. I could be wrong.   Enjoy his beautiful glass gardens and sculptures.  Complete and utter genius.

Dale Chihuly

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PENTAX Image

Chihuly

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 chihuly22

display

I hope this brightens your day as it has mine.

God bless,

Karen

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December 2, 2012 · 14:10

Never Ending Saga

Who likes working out?

I think it is a mental game I play with myself.   The thought seeps dread into my bones.  I have to peel myself out of the chair to get the game rolling.   I get to the work out room.  I spend the first 10 minutes surfing the tv to find the perfect show that is going to get me through this dreadful event.  When I lived in the suburbs, I would walk into the gym and immediately scan all the TVs to find the show that was going to make the game tolerable.  Most of the time, there wouldn’t be anything I like, which makes sense, since the only show I watch is Jeopardy.   I do watch the Bachelor from time to time.  I know.  I know.  Really bad.  But I liked the Dating Game when I was little too.  Something about match making.  That’s a whole nother deal we don’t need to get into.

Anywhooooo….Am I sounding familiar?  Just wondering if it’s just me.

Green Acres is the place for me. 

Farm livin’ is the life for me. 

Land spreadin’ out so far and wide

(to  keep this body from jigglin’ from side to side.)
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Well… that  is what I thought.  I never would have to work out again when we moved out here.  Hiking up and down these hills, hawlin’ buckets of water to and fro, heaving huge bags of feed over my shoulder, etceteraaaa, etceteraaaa.
I got through Spring and Summer without much damage but fall and winter are creeping in.  Right up my legs.  My chore load has slowed way down.  Walkin’ back and forth to the cow barn ain’t cuttin’ it.
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I look and feel like a Crispy Creme doughnut.  But what I’d like to know, is how did I get to look like a crispy creme doughnut when I haven’t eaten any.
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 But, boy, I’d like to.
So, today,  I have begun the long journey back.  ugh.  I know it wont take too much,  but it’s just that dreaded thought of planned, contrived movement.   Do I move enough in a day?  The answer is yes.  But I don’t like having 2 sets of boobs popping out of my bra,  if you know what I mean.   So, I must take action.
We all have a comfortable place for our bodies to be.  We allow it to get uncomfortable for a while, then action needs to take place.   That is not a bad thing,  if we don’t sit in that uncomfortable place too long and let it grow into an uncomfortable, unhealthy place.  If that goes on too long we wallow in an uncomfortable, unhealthy,  sick place and then bad things lead to real bad things…..you get da pitcha.
Life is full and round,  isn’t it?  I just love it.
What I wonder is…we all suffer from lots of ailments during this time of year that surround the holidays.  I wonder if we moved our bodies and made the healthy food and drink choices during this time if we would slide through unscathed.  I’m thinkin’ I know the answer to that.
Have a super, blessed week.  God loves you.  And me.  Thank goodness.  I couldn’t carry on if He didn’t.
God bless,
Karen

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November 20, 2012 · 10:36

Lighten Up The Load..

on Thanksgiving.  If you can.

We had a Thanksgiving dinner when our son, Sam, was on leave from the Army last Sunday.  I was at my art conference and wasn’t getting home until Sunday evening, so Pops was in charge of making the food.  Oh boy.  It was all yummy,  but the poor man……… Lets just say…..How can I be nice here……I love him.  Things get a little out of hand when the going gets going.  He was so exhausted when it was all said and done.   I asked if it was worth it.  He said no.  But that it was great to have everyone here.  But we could have peanut butter and jelly with the same people here, right?  And Pops would have been able to enjoy Catch Phrase with us in the living room instead of losing his pretty little head in the kitchen.   Is it worth it?  (My head is always thinking about  stuff like this. )   Why do we make SOO MUCH FOOD?  And it’s not only so much food but it is so much heavy,  decadent food.  Can we cut corners somewhere?  I have a  new friend who just told me they never have the huge dinner.  Never.  They do their own thing and don’t think a thing about it.  Good for you, Sarah.  People time is the most important, right?

In my world????  (What is that?)  I wouldn’t cut fat cause I happen to know fat is good for you.  Good organic, local fat, that is.  I would cut sugars and omit some of the bread/noodle/white potato  stuff.  I KNOW. I KNOW.  Stuffing is SO GOOOOOOODD.  Why not eat the stuffing and forget the other starchy things.  When you look at a plate of thanksgiving food, really it looks so…well..ugh.  With the exception of a tiny section of green beans maybe and a quarter size of red tarty stuff ruining everything around it.

After Thanksgiving…bring to boil the carcass and  simmer for  two days or more. The longer the better.   Pour broth in glass containers 2/3 and freeze for future use for soups, rice, or any good thing.  It is the best thing ever.

Below are three recipes for lightening up the sugar.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Most casseroles call for at least a cup of sugar.  This calls for  2 T.  We had it and we loved it.

  • 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted plus more for the preparing the pan
  • 2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar unrefined.
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and pierce each one 2 or 3 times with a fork. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F. Scoop the sweet potato out of their skins and into a medium bowl. Discard the skins. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Add the eggs, butter, coconut palm sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Butter an 8 by 8-inch casserole.  Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pan and sprinkle the top with the pecans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a bit puffy. Serve immediately.

PUMPKIN CAKE BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

(No flour and small amount of honey as sweetener)

CAKE BARS

1 c. pumpkin puree

1 c. almond butter

1/2 c. raw honey

2 eggs

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1 t. vanilla (pure)

1 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. cloves (optional

pecans or walnuts.

350 degrees.   8 x 8 pan 30 minutes

ICING

2 package cream cheese, softened organic.

1/3 c. honey

2 t. vanilla extract

Mix. Spread.

WALNUT CHOCOLATE CHUNK ICE CREAM

(No sugar added. Dairy free)

This is really good.  But if not eaten day of, it gets really hard in freezer but still tastes good.

1 13 oz. can of full fat organic coconut milk

1/4 c. chopped walnuts.(soaked and dried if possible)

2 ripe bananas, mashed

Pinch of salt

1/4 c. finely chopped dark chocolate.

10 drops of stevia

splash of vanilla

Heat coconut milk until smooth.  Stir in walnuts, banana, salt vanilla.  Pour into glass container and cool.  Add chocolate and stevia.  Freeze, stirring occasionally.

I pray safe travels, loving family time, and relaxed digestive state for all.

God bless,

Karen

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November 15, 2012 · 21:39

Queen Of The Farm

Uh…no,  it is not I.

It is Claire.  Claire is very popular as you might imagine by looking at her photo.

Her tongue sticks out like that all the time.  Poor thing’ s tongue is too long for her mouth.  You should watch as she tries to eat her food.  The stuff is flying all over the place.

Claire has a palace that includes two homes.  She has the Chick-Condo and she has her Summer Cottage.
It is hard to understand how we can have a dog as beautiful and wonderful as this and we don’t let her out of her pasture.     She is a Great Pyrenees.  They are livestock guard dogs who take their jobs extremely serious.  Many people get them because they are so beautiful but find they are difficult to handle and keep in place.  As a result there is a huge rescue community for all the Pyrs that have been given up because they didn’t “behave”.  Ours is lovely because she is doing exactly what she was bred to do.  Work.

Let’s take a peek.

Her pasture.

She has never been out of this pasture.  It is about twice the size that you see here.  She owns this pasture and guards it well.

The front of her domain as we walk to her house.

The Chick-Condo

She guards the chickens. And a goat or two.    The chickens have half the condo and she has the other half.  She cannot access their quarters because she will eat the eggs,  but they can sneak into hers.

She has about 24 chickens that she guards. It works.  We have guinea hens that roam around our property and we are losing them to predators.  We have never lost a chicken under the watchful eye of Claire.   As soon as we go in at night and the sun goes down, she begins walking the perimeter of the pasture  and barks a lot.  Pyrs do that.  We knew that going in and we accept that.  It is part of their job.  She rallies all night  until dawn.   Claire never makes a peep during the daylight hours unless there is a visible threat.  She rests.   She is very happy doing her job.

The infirmary

The little coop you see in the photo is the infirmary.  That is where hens go when Claire has licked them to near death.  She has never killed a chicken and is very gentle with them but she likes to toss them about and lick them.  Sometimes I will go out there and there will be a chicken lying on its back with its legs straight up in the air playing dead while she licks her tummy.

The Summer Cottage

This is Claire’s getaway cottage.  We found her there a lot this summer as it gets lots of shade.  Sometimes she just needs to get away from her stressful life and vacation for a while.  The flock goes crazy when she is away.  Party time.

But she doesn’t stay gone for too long.  Other wise, someone may come along and take the eggs.

And we wouldn’t want that to happen now, would we?

Please, do not worry that Claire gets lonely at her palace. Her home is in the middle of everything that ever goes on around here.  She misses nothing.   She gets visitors all the time.  We walk with her 3 times a day in her pasture and she is constantly battling all the other critters who want to be part of her posse.  Because she is queen of the land.

She is the happiest, most content dog we have ever had.  We attribute that to letting her do her job.   She has taught us so much about living with and training dogs.   Any dog that is raised on this property going forward  will be trained for  a job.  Thanks, Claire, for teaching us that really important lesson.

Thanks for stopping by.

God bless,

Karen

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November 13, 2012 · 22:11

Is This The Season For You?

We are amping up for the season.   What season?

Spike, the Norway Spruce

Oh.  This season.  This season meaning the holidays?  Or this season meaning the winter season?

How can we use this winter season to prepare us for this holiday season?

It snowed here yesterday for the first time this season.  For about 20 minutes.  It was quiet.  When I look at snow,  it gets quiet in my soul.

I have been watching nature get ready for the winter season.  I think the snakes might be sleeping now.  Shh.   The plants have died back.  The trees have gone to sleep.   The air is quiet.  The nights are wonderfully crisp on my walks to and from the barn.  Peace.   The skies are twinkly and dark and wintery.  We welcome all of this cause it spells rest.

This morning’s walk to cows

God gave us time to rest.  He gave us  a rest period daily.  He created a day of rest for us within our week.  And winter was created to give both nature and humans rest.   It is a time to rejuvenate our very tired bodies, souls and minds from 9 months of go.  Did you know there are even cold season vegetables  ( potatoes, some varieties of squash, root vegetables, brussels sprouts) and warm season vegetables ( lettuce and other green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers)?  Winter season is for us to warm our insides, hunker down and cozy up.

I am glad that Jesus’ birth is in the dead of winter.  It is a perfect kind of time where we can turn our focus on Him.   I like to imagine Mary and Joseph traveling in the quiet of night to the barn.  Snowy and still.  I don’t even know if it snows where they lived.  But it snows in my mind.

So,  how can we take all this quiet, stillness and restfulness of our winter season and channel it into our holiday season?  It is quite easy to allow the over stimulated media and commercial world to seep into our pores.  But we have a choice,  as in all actions we take.  I am talkin’ to myself here too, don’t you know.

I use to abhor the holiday season.  I resented the fact that materialism overshadowed the real meaning of Christmas.  I have little energy as it is, let alone throw in a curve ball that includes taking all of your home decorations down and put up  stuff  for two weeks, then take it all down again.   And shop more in a three-week period than the whole rest of the year combined.  What is so glorious about that?  Rejoice?

Last time I looked,  Christmas was a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord.  Why are we celebrating if it isn’t about Him anymore?  Why are we celebrating when we don’t believe in Him anymore?

I don’t abhor it anymore.  I made the decision not to.  I don’t have to play follow the commercial leader if I don’t want to.  I will follow my own Leader.   I decided to enjoy the season.  I decided to use the winter season to prepare me for the birth of Christ, er, I mean, the holiday season.

These are the actions that  I plan to implement this season:

1.  Make  a list that is short enough that is attainable.  Daily.  Dont bite off more than you can chew.

2.  Take in the quiet moments that winter treats us to.  Daily.

3.  Make sure that while I am doing the shopping thing,  I enjoy time with friends.  Like lunch with a friend.

4.  Be honest with myself.  Say no when I don’t want to do something.

5.  Go to bed early.

6.  Shop less.  Give less things.   Celebrate time with others instead.  Who can afford all that stuff anyway.

7.  GRATITUDE LIST.  It will make you smile more minutes everyday.

8.  What e’er else.  Take it slooowwwww and easy.

9. Think about someone else.  Make some else’s day.

10.  Drink water.

11.  The most important …… enjoy my time in prayer with our Creator.

Sunday, we cooked our turkey that we raised and butchered ourselves.    And believe ir or not, it was yummy.  Kinda.

God bless your soul,

Karen

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