Humble Origins

2012-02-01T11:33:00.005-06:00

Have you been clutched by the claws of the latest social monster known as "Pinterest"?

Pinterest soothes my restless soul, nurtures my creative spirit and feeds my obsessive compulsive nature.

If you know the essence and the truth of the words I speak then we are sister and brother.

If you question the above then come with me my pretty and join me in a most delicious addiction.

*insert sinister laughter here*

I tease. Come along with me and I'll share with you a few things I've "pinned".

There's words of inspiration...

Source: weheartit.com via tj on Pinterest

Fabulous ideas...

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via tj on Pinterest

Recipes for every culinary taste...

Source: tandriantastytidbits.blogspot.com via tj on Pinterest

Get your fash'on...

Source: macys.com via tj on Pinterest

Photography that will leave one speechless...

Source: vi.sualize.us via tj on Pinterest

Oh look! A chicken!...

Source: stephengreenarmytage.com via tj on Pinterest

Things to make one laugh...

Source: Uploaded by user via tj on Pinterest

Things to make one think...

Source: Uploaded by user via tj on Pinterest

Crafty tutorials...

Source: thecraftingchicks.com via tj on Pinterest

And my nemesis, sweets...

Source: allrecipes.com via tj on Pinterest

Oh dear...

Source: homemadesimple.com via tj on Pinterest

And this is just a small sample of what is there.

So there you have it my friends.
That concludes my mini tour of my dream state, also known as Pinterest

You can if you like too.

Thank you for following along in my craziness otherwise known as this blog.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
tj

2012-01-30T08:11:00.000-06:00

"Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color."

-Author Unknown

Blessings,

2012-01-29T12:00:00.010-06:00

[singing] "Blackbird singing in the dead of niiight"

"Looking for love until it's riiight"

"Blaaack-bird flyyy."

Oh.

Well, hello there. It's so nice to see you here.

I love to sing don't you?

My husband says that my singing is equal to fingernails going down a chalkboard. *eyeroll*

I sing anyway. *giggle*

I have a wee friend here with me today and I'd like to introduce you to her.

Her name is, "Jane". Her peeps call her "Plain Jane".

She's looking for love in all the wrong places so I informed her that she needs to expand her market base. And shake her tail feathers a bit.

So she's gonna make her debut on Etsy later today. She's a tad bit nervous.

I told her not to be.

Etsy peeps are sweet peeps.

So without further adieu...

Thank you for stopping by.

I hope you're having a spectacular day.

Love,

2012-01-27T08:27:00.003-06:00

Five Things I Am Grateful For Today:

My ability to be patient.
A good orange.
Creating something and it finishes looking almost as I had envisioned it. (post on it coming soon)
Some days I have to rest and these two always accompany me 'causing me to nap with a smile.

5. Sunshine.

So do tell. What five things are you grateful for today?

You can either list 'em in the comments or if you like you can post your Gratitude List on your blog and then leave a link in your comment so we can all visit and see too. *smile*

Thank you for sharing.

Love,
tj

2012-01-26T10:17:00.002-06:00

The other day I was in the kitchen looking out the window and saw approximately thirty Canada Geese standing on the lake road below our home. I love that.

Anyway, my humble homesteader of a husband, bj, doesn't.

My husband spied the flock of geese and the conversation quickly turned ugly in regards to my husband's desire to "thin out the herd" so to speak.

Which translates to goose hunting.

Seeing the geese brought back a lovely memory of a dear, sweet African Goose I named, "Buddy".

He was a stray obviously from a neighboring farm and he at some point was "adopted" by a small family of Canada Geese. I longed to make Buddy a part of our little homestead but apparently he had been with this family for some time and to him that was where he belonged.

I watched as Buddy would babysit the goslings as the parents went about their business picking nutritious grasses and weeds around our pond. The little babies would "plop" down in the grass and preen themselves as Buddy looked on. He loved his little adopted family.

He assisted in raising two families from that pair of geese in the time that I knew him.

Well, it wasn't long before I was enamored with Buddy.

Anything that loves like that is aces in my book and my heart soon belonged to Buddy.

I would feed him cracked corn from an old metal coffee can that we keep in the feed box on our screened porch and he and his lil' family would make their way up the lake road to eat. Of course his love of cracked corn was accompanied by a series of extremely loud and excited "honks".

Okay, so it was more like, "HONK!", "HONK!", "HONK!"...*giggle*

He eventually would come up to me and eat from my hand while his little family ate at a safer distance.

Well needless to say, not everyone around me shared in my love of Buddy.

My neighbors strongly disliked the noise and so did my husband.

It wasn't long before one day I heard gunshot down by the lake. Our neighbor had hired a hunter to come and take care of the ever rising Canada Goose population.

Sadly, Buddy was one of 'em.

He was gone.

So, the conversation the other day brought to surface those memories of sweet Buddy and it also prompted me to look up a photo I had taken of Buddy with his little adopted family on our pond one rainy Spring day.

And I thought I'd share it with you.

I appropriately titled the photo..."Love Wins".

"Everybody needs his memories. They keep the wolf of insignificance from the door."

-Saul Bellow

Thank you for being here.

Love,

2012-01-25T09:54:00.005-06:00

It is a horrid thought to think that this very moment there are people starving.

I know, I know, right now you're thinking, "whoa tj, let's ease into this a lil' bit", but how does one ease into the thought of others, whether it be man or beast, simply perishing due to lack of food I ask you?

Think about it...

Right now, there is someone, make that more than one - make that tens of thousands,

m-i-l-l-i-o-n-s, of people, starving.

For instance, did you know that every 3.6 seconds someone in our world dies of hunger?

It literally breaks the heart and boggles the mind doesn't it?

There's something we can do about it. Yes there is.

And you wanna know what? You don't have to leave your chair, your home, change out of your pajamas or any of that nonsense.

And one more thing. It's free.

It's a website called, "Free Rice" and all you have to do is click on the highlighted words or the banner over there to start. You will see on the website that you can choose from a myriad of subjects such as English Vocabulary (my personal fav'), or there's Geography (I so struggled with that in school), and then there's Math, Chemistry and a choice of others as well. And what is so great about this is that for each answer you get correct they donate 10 grains of rice thru the World Food Programme to help end hunger.

Not only are you blowing cobwebs out of the ol' brain bucket but you're helping to feed someone too. It's a win-win.

And since we're on the subject of hunger and feeding, you didn't think I'd go off and forget our furry friends did you? They're people too, am I right? You know.

As you also know our nation's animal shelters are over populated with homeless dogs and cats. Annually our nation's animal shelters take in approx. 6 - 8 million dogs and cats.

Yes, 6 - 8 m-i-l-l-i-o-n. Out of that 6 - 8 million that enter the animal shelters annually over half are euthanized. That is 3 - 4 m-i-l-l-i-o-n dogs and cats put to death in one year. The statistics are simply staggering. And sickening. And just plain sad.

Well, out of those m-i-l-l-i-o-n-s of homeless cats and dogs you know there is hunger and there are two websites working along the same concept as the one I mentioned above only they help to feed hungry dogs and cats in Animal Shelters. This is the brainchild of an 11 year old girl, Mimi Ausland, from Bend, Oregon who launched "Free Kibble" to help feed the hungry dogs and cats at her local Animal Shelter. This was back in 2008, now Free Kibble feeds thousands of dogs and cats in shelters, rescues and thru food-banks across this wonderful country of ours everyday.

Once again, you don't need to leave your chair, your home or change out of your pajamas because all you need to do is visit "Free Kibble", click the highlighted words or the banner up there to start, answer the question you see there and whether your answer is right or wrong they still donate 10 pieces of kibble to help feed hungry dogs.

Now to feed the hungry felines you can either click the highlighted "Free Kibble Kat" words (you just passed 'em), or you can just click on the banner located to your left here and you're good to go.

I've even signed up for their daily email reminders so I don't forget to go and spread some love. And kibble.

So see? There's so much good you can do without even leaving the comfort of your own home.

Or your pajamas. *smile*

Thank you for listening and helping and as always, thank you for stopping by to visit!
I appreciate it a m-i-l-l-i-o-n times over. *wink*

Love,
tj

2012-01-24T07:30:00.016-06:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

-Robert Frost

Have a great day dear friends!

Love,

2012-01-23T10:22:00.000-06:00

Whoa.

It's Monday.

Peace & blessings my friends,
tj

2012-01-22T11:48:00.004-06:00

Hello my lil' fart blossoms! *waving*

What is going on with you today?

Well, whatever you got goin' on I hope you all are well.

Here at our humble lil' homestead I've kinda dipped my toes into the world of paper mache. On a very small scale mind you but I thought I'd share it with you 'cause, well, that's how I roll.

She's a bit wonky and I didn't realize until I was photographing her that my printer jumped while printing her banner so it double scripted the type. I don't know why I didn't see that last night. Maybe it had to do with "Poot" our little cat, assisting me in the final details. Somehow between all the, "Poot, no.", "Poot, get down from there.", "Poot, don't eat that."...it got by me. *sigh*

And judging from her beak I think she looks like she just finished a hot dog with loads of mustard. So a little tweaking in that department duly noted.

And I was going for the look of old Ironstone. You know, with all the crazing, aging and crackling and I don't feel I've quite reached that goal. And I think more details are in order as far as possibly feathering. Oh, and more details with the eyes.

So anyway, enough of my critiquing 'cause this could go on and on...

Here she is:

See?

Wonky. *giggle*

Now it's time to get a little groove on, you think?

This is one of my most all time fav' songs.

Here you go:

[singing] "Ooo!" "Le-e-e-e-ets stay to-ge-e-ther" [now humming]

Let's do, 'kay? *wink*

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
tj

2012-01-21T10:13:00.004-06:00

Five Things I Am Grateful For Today:

The crackle of the cold wood steps as I filled the bird feeder this morning.
The smell of wood smoke in the air outside.
Being alive.
That you stopped by here.

And...

5. This.

"When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength.

Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks,

the fault lies in yourself."
-Tecumseh

What five things are you grateful for today?

Love,

2012-01-20T13:00:00.004-06:00

Is it wrong to pray to God and ask him to please make this dream possible?

If so, forgive me.

Available here.

"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving.
And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing."

-Louisa May Alcott

Love, tj

2012-01-15T05:03:00.004-06:00

'Tis January and the mornings are cold,
the winds blow brisk and oh so bold.
Snow is on the ground,
as far as I can see.
Makes it hard to leave my basket,
to go outside and pee.
-Salty Jacobs, 2012

2012-01-13T10:26:00.000-06:00

We are having the most ethereal snowfall at this moment.

You know the one where the snowflakes are the size of goose down feathers and they each fall to and fro, to and fro, ever so gently?

Yeah, that one.

Happiness came today and sat softly on my shoulder in the form of a snowflake.

Love,
tj

2012-01-10T09:50:00.016-06:00

We are snowless. We had a light dusting back in December and that has been it.

And with the exception of a couple of flakes, that being my husband and I, we got...nothing.

Last year around this time it was a winter wonderland here. Oh, the beauty.

Don't be hatin', 'cause, well truth be told, I love Winter. *now ducking*giggle*

I love how the season forces one to slow down, cuddle up and live in the moment.

No Garden screaming, "Weed me!", or the Lawn chanting, "Mow!, Mow!, Mow!", or flowers bending their sweet heads my way politely requesting in their lil' British accents, "Excuse me Mum, we need mulch over here, please and thank you."

Nope. Just silence.

Silence is golden don'tcha kno'. *smile*

via

Well, anyway, if you're missing snowflakes like I'm missing snowflakes then I've gotta wee cure for you.

There is this wonderful website where you can create your own snowflakes.

Yes my lovelies, you heard me correctly. You can create your own snowflakes.

Just click on the button below to get started.

Sweet, yes?

Enjoy!

Love,
tj

[singing] "When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland."

2012-01-08T08:13:00.001-06:00

We try to balance the testosterone and the estrogen here at our homestead. We have my husband and I and then with the pets we try to balance the two, you know, make it even steven as much as we can. But, most always and much to my husband's dismay, the girls reign.

So I thought I'd give you a lil' introduction to the men in my life. Shall we?

First off, meet my better half. The song in my heart. The peanut butter to my jelly. The ache in my loins.

Er' wait, women don't have loins, do we? We have thighs.

Yeah. Thighs. I hate my thighs. They're lumpy and white and resemble cottage cheese. *heavy sigh*

Anyway, he's what floats my boat. Cranks by tractor. Blows my skirt up and my barn doors open.

And yes, at times, he's even the burr under my saddle.

Lately, he's been more of the latter. *giggle*eye roll*

Meet, my husband...

"bj"

Yeah, we like to keep things simple around here. Me, "tj". Him, "bj". [said like Tarzan]

For a long time we had a cat named, "Mama Kitty" who had a litter of kittens and we kept two of the kittens from that litter. Both were girls and one was the runt of the litter.

The runt we named, "Baby Kitty". Her sister we named, are you ready for this?

"Sister Kitty". See? Simple.

My husband was born in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Green Bay. Which makes him bleed green and gold. If you asked him what floats his boat or cranks his tractor, blows his skirt up or his barn doors open; he'd answer, "The Green Bay Packers" without missing a beat. Not his loving and loyal wife. No. Uh uh. *giggle*shrug*

He's hard working and funny. Thinks good thoughts but doesn't always act on them, really. Total extrovert. Avid hunter and fisherman. Proud "Cheesehead". Crotchety and cantankerous at times. Cute. Loyal. Friendly. Loving.

He's da man.

Behind Testosterone Door No. 2 is...

"Gabe"

Also lovingly known as, "Schmitten", "Punkin' Head" & "My Lil' Cherry Blossom".

He has the strength of a lion yet the heart of a kitten.

He loves us, but I am the keeper of his heart.

He is painfully shy and very serious. If a stranger crossed his path they would mistake him to be feral. Little would they know that he is one of the sweetest, kindest creatures any one person could love. And I am that lucky one person.

He has a story to tell which I will share with you someday soon.

Also, he eats the heads off of squirrels. *shudders*

Last but not least is the Frizzle to my Shizzle.

"Mr. Whipple"

He is our Frizzle Cochin Bantam Rooster.

He is the creme de la creme of the poultry scene. Hens flock to him, pardon the pun. Grown women and even men swoon over him and long to have him.

He's even our barn's Mascot for my Save Our Barn Campaign over here.

To say he is loved is an understatement.

He is adored.

And there you have it. I hope I didn't bore you to tears with my version of Two & A Half Men.

My apologies if I did.

And my sincerest gratitude if you managed to make it this far. It still amazes me that anyone visits and truly reads and sees this stuff.

I truly appreciate it I want you to know.

Oh, and one more thing. I thought this was too cute not to share so here it is:

*giggle*snort*

Peace & Blessings,
tj

2012-01-06T11:08:00.001-06:00

I heart this.

This is one of those affirmations that one needs to read daily, don'tcha think?

There's a wonderful and talented Artist who makes wonderful things like this, and they're available here.

Oh, and furthermore, she lives in a fine farmhouse. Hence the name of her wonderful blog, here.

Wonderful, right? I think so.

Life is wonderful.

And you're wonderful.

And that's all I have for now 'cept to wish you a wonderful day filled with wonderful things!

Love,
tj

2012-01-04T08:41:00.002-06:00

"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me."

-Author unknown

Peace & Blessings,
tj

2012-01-01T18:01:00.003-06:00

Long ago I found a wonderful Artist, Lori Ann Cornelis, here.

Which recently lead Me to this wonderful Husband & Wife Artist Team, Daryl & Nicole McMahon, here.

That lead to this, ending up here.

Peace & Blessings,

2011-12-31T15:40:00.006-06:00

I am ready for a new year.

Aren't you?

This past year has been a tough one.

I know better times are ahead, I just have to believe and be patient.

As a matter of fact, I already see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh wait, that's just a reflection off my eyeglasses.

Oh well.
*giggle*shrug*

[pause]

It's a balmy 60 degrees here today!

60 degrees!

60!

Some of the locals at Walmart this morning were sporting shorts and flip-flops. I know I should revel in this unseasonably warm weather but I'm the kinda gal that likes things the way they're supposed to be. So when it's supposed a be a certain Season then I want it to be that Season. If it's Summer then I want Summer. I want warm breezes and sunshine. If it's Winter then I want Winter. I want cold and snow.

I know, I know, crazy right?

I'ma dork. *giggle*eye roll*

[pause]

Everyone's a flutter today because it's New Year's Eve.

Putting the champagne on ice and getting their party shoes on to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new.

I've never been much of party person when it comes to this holiday. You're apt to find me home, cozy, safe and sober. And anymore, in bed before the ball drops.

So tell me my friends, do you have any plans this evening?

Well, whatever you do this New Year's Eve please have fun and above all, be safe. I want you all around for a long time, 'kay? And whatever you do please gimme details. *wink*

And finally, I want to wish each and every one of you a very, very "Happy New Year"!

May your New Year be f-i-l-l-e-d with love, happiness, prosperity and good health!

And here's a New Year's (((hug))) for anyone that stops by. Do ya feel it? *smile*

Peace & blessings,

"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done and

cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives. Not looking for flaws, but for potential."

-Ellen Goodman

2011-12-29T10:49:00.004-06:00

Blessings,

2011-12-26T12:51:00.002-06:00

Whassup Buttercup?

It's a cookies-for-breakfast-pajamas-'til-noon-silence-is-golden kinda day here.

Are you in a food induced coma while basking in the glow of Christmas Past

or have you resumed your normal daily activities as if nothing happened kinda Peep?

Do tell. I'm on a need to know basis here.

Thank you.

*wink*smile*

However this finds you today I hope you are warm, happy, well fed and loved.

And nothing less.

Love,

2011-12-24T18:03:00.000-06:00

My Christmas wish for you my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year too

Love,tj

2011-12-09T08:43:00.004-06:00

You can be happy tomorrow.

You can be happy when you get through your list of things to do.

You can be happy when you meet the one.

You can be happy when you get the right job.

You can be happy when you get the raise.

You can be happy when you stop buying the things you need and start buying the things you want.

You can be happy when you retire.

You can be happy when the weather suits you.

You can be happy on a plane.

You can be happy in the rain.

Or you can stop reading this, take a deep breath, and be happy right now.

*smile*

Love,

2011-12-06T10:35:00.002-06:00

A senior citizen was driving down the freeway.

His cell phone rang.

Answering, he heard his wife's voice, urgently warning him...

"Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Interstate 77. Please be careful!"

"Heck", said Herman,

"It's not just one car, it's hundreds of 'em!"

*giggle*snort*

Blessings, tj

2011-12-04T19:37:00.002-06:00

“No Mama”, she said quietly.

I looked at her and asked, “What is it dear?”

“My face. It’s wrong.”

I responded, “your face is beautiful, if I say so myself. I stitched you beautiful faded red lips, eyes that speak of kindness and a tiny pinched nose, what could I have done better?”

She sighed deeply and replied, “my face is beautiful but it isn’t fitting for a heart and body such as mine. Look at me, I am aged, worn and torn. My fingers have been nibbled my mice and my lovely old dress is tattered and stained. I thank you for giving me such a lovely face, really I do, but this isn’t how I wish to look.”

She added, “I am humble and I want my face to reflect that.”

I had felt beaten down by the creation of this doll. It seemed everything I wanted for her was met with apprehension and discontent.

I wanted Angel’s wings. “Oh please no!” she responded to that thought.

I then wanted a Halo for her head. “No, I am not an Angel” she said.

I wished for her to hang, say from an interior door or a cupboard door even. “I wish to sit thank you”, she said.

I asked, “Would you like to hold a dog or a cat or a wreath of Sweet Annie maybe?”

She shook her head and looked me square in the eyes and said, “No Mama, I just wish to be. Just be.”

It was then that I understood.

I left her alone for the night upstairs on my work table. I felt as if I had finally got it and now it was up to me to remedy what was tormenting her so.

The next morning I returned and told her of my plan to give her a new face. The process would not be simple as she is constructed from an old and very fragile cotton quilt backing, it would all have to be reconstructed but the final outcome would be the faintest, sweetest pencil drawn features that would reflect the simplicity that she longed for. That is her. With that I got to work.

When all was said and done, she sighed a deep sigh of relief. She was pleased.

Now she dreams of a place to belong and someone to love her.

Little does she know that the latter of her dream has already come true.

She is available here.

Blessings, tj

2011-12-01T10:53:00.002-06:00

December the first.

The menfolk are sleeping in.

Dirty laundry is being executed.

Our hearts and souls are being warmed by the fire.

Fall decor is making way for Winter greenery.

And this is my ear worm today. *smile*

"While snow the window-panes bedim,
The fire curls up a sunny charm,
Where, creaming o'er the pitcher's rim,
The flowering ale is set to warm;
Mirth, full of joy as summer bees,
Sits there, its pleasures to impart,
And children, 'tween their parent's knees,
Sing scraps of carols o'er by heart."
-John Clare, "December"

...

"To those of you who commented and emailed your well wishes and prayers regarding my husband's illness and the loss of our sweet Maggy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, I do."
...

Blessings, tj

2011-11-27T08:08:00.004-06:00

Their story.

Right around five or six years ago our neighbors at the end of the road foreclosed on their home.

From the outside they appeared to have everything.

A custom built, half million dollar house complete with a black Humvee in the driveway with a black Mercedes Sedan to match. For appearance's sake, it screamed, "success".

They were people of money. Yet, it couldn't buy them common sense.

They left behind everything. Including, two sweet and loving Labrador Retrievers.

The first one, a Yellow Lab' named, "Sunny". Sunny is the alpha. She dominates. In her world, she is first. She's happy-go-lucky yet always on guard. You will find her laying in our yard, wagging her tail for no apparent reason. She dances and spins when it's time to eat. She barks at strangers. She seemingly chooses men over women but doesn't play favorites. Sunny is just happy to "be". She will come up and stick her head between your legs and simply stand there until you stop laughing and pet her.

The second, a Chocolate Lab' named, "Maggy". Maggy is the omega. She is the absolute lover. Submissive. Passive. Playful. Quiet. Demure and sweet. You are everything in her world. If you raised your arm to quickly she would cower to the ground. If you're standing she would quietly come up from behind and place the round of her head under your hand. Of if you are sitting, your lap was her pillow. Maggy and I took to each other like peanut butter on bread.

They were left outside in their large dog pen which leaned on a hillside in the woods.

We didn't know of the impending foreclosure so we weren't really aware that the neighbors had vacated. It wasn't until much later that we heard the dogs incessant barking.

We realized then that we hadn't seen the neighbors drive by in while.

We put two and two together and walked down there one night to check on the dogs. We could see their water bucket overturned and empty food bowls. We quickly replenished their water and gave them food.

We could see via flashlight that packages had been left stacked on the home's front porch by mail delivery.

Days later, the Police came. They were searching for the man of the house for tax fraud. The Police asked if we wanted to take the two dogs and their outdoor pen or otherwise they would have to take them to the local Animal Shelter.

We said, "yes, we will take them".

It wasn't until we went to bring them to their new home that we realized the extent of the deplorable conditions in which they were living.

We know they were let out of their pen every so often because we would see the dogs running thru our yard late at night. A few times we seen each dog pregnant and even once saw a litter of puppies at the end of the neighbors driveway. The puppies quickly disappeared. Other than that, both dogs were rarely ever let out of their pen.

As mentioned before their pen was tucked onto a wooded hillside to which their two rotting wooden dog houses sat facing upward on the hillside. As you can imagine whenever it rained the muck, mud, feces ran downhill directly into their dog houses.

We brought Sunny and Maggy to our home and immediately placed their large pen on a concrete foundation and purchased a dog pen shade cover.

We brought 'em home a fully insulated dog house fit for two so these, what I referred to as, "soul sisters", could sleep side by side.

They had their first ever veterinarian appointments where they confirmed that they were somewhere around five years old. Both dogs were then spayed and treated for heart worms.

We fitted them both with wireless fence dog collars so they could come and go from their pen as they wished but still be confined to the safety of their yard.

They became a part of our home, lives and family like they were here from the beginning. The transition was astounding.

Never once. Never. Did a day go by that they didn't show their undying love and gratitude towards us.

For just the simple things such as feeding time. Fresh water. Play time in the pond. Pats on the head. Daily dog cookies. Their daily affirmations of, "you both are such good girls!" and "we love you!".

[pause]

Well, last week my husband had to be admitted into the hospital and during this time I had to take our Chocolate Lab', Maggy, to the Vet. She hadn't been well as of late, she has been having a hard time eating. The Vet scheduled her for a x-ray.

The Vet and myself both thought is was most likely something as simple as an abscessed tooth. It wasn't.

The Vet even commended Maggy on the wagging of her tail because from the size and type of the tumor and where it was located between her jaw and left eye that she was in immense pain.

The Vet gave me several options but given Maggy's age, the best for her was the worst for me.

I had to say farewell to our sweet Maggy that very same day.

I struggled at first with the fact of not bringing her home to her final resting place. I. Struggled. There was no grave ready. My husband is sick and I've been spending my days at the hospital. I told myself I'd have to walk away.

Only I couldn't.

I spoke with our Vet the next day and he said her body was still there and that they would hold her while I dug her grave. I dug her grave like there was no tomorrow. At one point I rested my chin on my hands over the end of the shovel's handle and I could see Maggy, plain as day, running towards me.

Back by our wood's edge she is in her final resting place. A place she loved.

God I love her and miss her terribly so.

[pause]

Sunny, the Yellow Lab', is doing better than expected. Only time will tell how she will handle this loss of her best friend since they have known each other since they were puppies.

Sadly, age has not been on Sunny's side lately.

We have tried over the years to introduce the both of them to being in our home but they wouldn't have it. The didn't mind visiting inside but after a hour or so they were pining to be outside where they would "patrol" their humble lil' homestead.

We do know that we want both of them to be buried side by side. So at the risk of sounding a bit odd, we are going to prepare her grave as well as soon as my husband is better.

We want to be prepared in the event the good Lord calls her Home in the midst of Winter.

She will have her final resting place next to her lifelong friend.

[pause]

Below, I am sharing with you my fav' photo of our sweet Maggy as I will always remember her.

Last Christmas Eve we had a most beautiful snowfall. It was absolutely...magical.

My husband was on the tractor plowing the road and I was taking photos of this snowy, wondrous beauty that surrounded me.

Sweet Maggy was behind our smallest barn watching my husband on the tractor when suddenly she caught a glimpse of me in our driveway.

She looked at me.

Then looked again. As if to say, "is that you Mom?"

I lifted the camera towards her and giggled. And she knew.

She ran towards me like her pants were on fire and her behind was catching.

To see that much joy, and love, running towards you is, well...*speechless*.

"Mom!"

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive."

-Gilda Radner

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

-Roger Caras

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
-Will Rogers

_____________________________________________________________________

I posted about our sweet Maggy the day of her death and a dear friend left a most poignant and sweet comment, thank you Ron. *smile*

The next morning I deleted that particular post feeling that grief and sadness is not what I wanted my blog to represent.

But then I thought, isn't time of grief and sadness the very reason we are grateful for the joy and happiness?

If not for the dark would we not know light?

[pause]

Thank you for being here.

Really.

It means more than you'll ever know.

Love, tj

2011-11-24T08:45:00.007-06:00

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

-Melody Beattie

Happy Thanksgiving,
tj
*smile*

2011-11-11T19:48:00.000-06:00

"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul

than their simplicity might suggest."

-Thomas Moore, Irish Poet, 1779-1852

2011-11-09T17:17:00.003-06:00

Wednesday evening.

Another day here at the homestead.

It was one of those blissfully, blustery, windy days that makes one not even want to go outside.
Peek outside every so often, possibly. That's it.

It's five o' clock in the evening, supper is cooking on the stove, the old house is quiet.

Our cat, "Poot", is taking a cat nap over in my reading chair in the corner of our kitchen.

I thought I'd share that with you, so here it is:

I'm finding myself today counting my blessings. Some of 'em I even counted twice.

[whispering] "Shhhhhh, don't tell the Big Guy."... *wink*nod*

Oh, there goes the oven timer. I gotta go.

Hoping you are enjoying your evening and don't forget to count your blessings tonight, 'kay?

And go ahead and count some of 'em twice. I'm almost certain He won't care. *wink*

Blessings, tj

2011-11-07T09:29:00.002-06:00

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway."

-Mother Theresa

2011-11-03T09:47:00.019-05:00

I need your opinion please.

Would you give...

...one of these?

To help save...

...one of these?

What do you think of in return for your one dollar donation, that upon completion of the restoration of our old barn, I would hand write your name on the inside upstairs loft walls of our old barn for generations to see.

Now I won't disclose at this time just how many one dollars I am going to need to save this treasured beauty.

Let's just say it's, oodles.

*smile*

But rest assured, all of that information as well as photos, specs and job bid are coming soon in the form of another page that will be linked here.

This idea of mine is born from the paper balloons you see sometimes in fast food joints where you donate one dollar to said charity and they write your name on a paper balloon for all the public to see.

I was sitting in the drive-thru of above fast food joint reading the paper balloons in the drive-thru window when it hit me, "I wonder if people would donate one dollar to save a barn?".

I went on thinking, "I wonder what my Peeps (you) would think?".

*smile*

And then my order came, I smelled hot french fries, and my train of thought stopped dead in its tracks.

*giggle*

And and this doesn't mean that I will stop selling my delicious, homemade Poppy Seed Coleslaw Dressing to the masses.

Oh no.

This is just another avenue I am thinking of pursuing to help save...

...a friend.

So for now, I need your highly valued, constructive, and only kind opinion, on this please.

Let me have it.

Would you yourself donate one dollar to help save an old barn? Honestly?

If you did, would your name being written on the old barn be a sufficient trade for your donation?

Would you feel comfortable donating via Paypal?

What would stop you from donating?

Do you think I'm crazy?

Should I be shackled?

Please advise.

Thank you.

No. Seriously. Thank you.

*smile*

Love, tj

2011-10-30T07:41:00.039-05:00

I love Sundays.

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week"
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*sigh*

Blessings, tj

2011-10-21T13:58:00.015-05:00

Here's what's on the table Mabel.

She wants a face. With faded red, stitched lips.

I want simplicity.

I want her to have angel's wings.

Long, angelic wings. Like angels in the cemetery.

She wants to sit.

I want her to hang.

We both agree I should repair the hole in her antique dress...I think.

We shall see.

This one...

...is proving to be a bit o' a challenge.

I'm up to it...I think.

You know, I'm thinking about whippin' up some pumpkins.

Just throw caution to the wind, my back to the ol' treadle and reconnect with my electric sewing machine

and just whip up some cucurbitas.

[ahem]

I mean, pumpkins.

We shall see.

Other artisans are working on Christmas creations and here I am thinking about whipping up pumpkins.

A. week. before. Halloween.

Gosh, you know, I've always been a day late and a dollar short.

If I were an antelope, I'd be one of the first taken out of the herd by some hunger ravaged tiger.

Why?

Because I'd be the one hanging out, lollygaggin' around at the back of the herd, unsuspecting, thinking to

my little antelope self, "oh, I'll catch up with them in due time".

Then...

"BAM!"

Dinner.

Oh well.

*giggle*shrug*

Well, I guess I oughta get on back upstairs and give the primitive gal up there a face, and some wings...

...I think.

*wink*giggle*

Thank you for stopping by and being a part of this lil' bit o' craziness I call a blog.

I appreciate it more than you know.

Love,

2011-10-09T12:40:00.003-05:00

"O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to be beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away."
-Robert Frost, "October"

Blessings,
tj

2011-10-03T18:19:00.004-05:00

Available here.

*smile*

Blessings,

2011-09-28T08:17:00.008-05:00

September morn'.

*smile*

Blessings,

2011-09-26T21:12:00.013-05:00

I've been incognito.

Not really. I've been really, really busy and besides, I just like saying the word, "incognito".

In-cog-neat-toe.

Incognito.

Go ahead, say it, I'll wait...

You did, didn't you? I knew you would.

Cool word, yes? *smile*giggle*shrug*

Do you have a fav' word that you like the way it sounds, the way it feels when you say it, the way it rolls off your tongue?

Is this getting weird? I digress.

Moving on...

......................................................................

To this:

*giggle*snort*

I know, crazy right?

Meet, "Salty". She's our Schnoodle.

Go ahead, say it, I'll wait...

"Schnoo-dool".

Schnoodle.

See? Fun. Now, aren't you glad you stopped by? *chuckle*

Well, I'm glad you did. Seriously.

And I want to take this moment to say, "thank you", another favorite word of mine, for your kind words regarding my last post when I kinda let my guard down about this flurry of loved ones suddenly taking flight and heading heaven bound.

I'm better now, thanks to you.
*smile*

......................................................................

I came upon this long ago and saved it because I liked it.

And things I like or love, I share with those I like, or love.

So without further adieu...

Desideratum

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann

Love,
tj

2011-09-17T13:31:00.016-05:00

People I love are dying.

Not all at once mind you but there have been quite a few here as of late.

I am not very fond of death you know. I don't like it.

To me, that is the hardest part I find about myself growing older is that people I love or have known thruout my life are dying. The older I get the more prevalent death seems. That's a given.

Three out of the four so far that have passed away were elderly and for some reason it is easier to accept their passing because they have lived. Maybe they would've lived a while longer but for the most part they got their fair share of life's pie.

One recently wasn't elderly. Her calling was too soon and it was unjust. Her diagnosis came and death closely followed and her death wasn't easy either. I will never understand when good, loving, kind, giving people get dealt a bad hand, put up a fight to live only to lose and then have to fight to die.

When I finally meet my Maker, I'm gonna inquire about that...

On a much lighter note *smile*...

'Tis a brisk day today here at our humble lil' homestead and I am loving it!

Don't you just love when Autumn makes her impending presence known?

I noticed the other evening while sitting on the porch that as the wind was blowing thru the trees it was as if it were announcing,

"Autumn is coming!",

"Autumn is coming!"...

...it's music to my ears.

Speaking of music to my ears, I am leaving you with a lil' Louis Armstrong.

This is happy music I'm telling ya.

And besides, I wouldn't leave ya with all that meat and no potatoes. No sir.*wink*

Love,

2011-09-15T17:20:00.023-05:00

Available here.

Thank you for looking and have a fantastic day my friends!

*smile*

Blessings,
tj

2011-09-06T11:50:00.001-05:00

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for

and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool

for love

for your dream

for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.

I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow

if you have been opened by life's betrayals

or have become shriveled and closed

from fear or further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain

mine or your own

without moving to hide it

or fade it

or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy

mine or your own

if you can dance with wildness

and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes

without cautioning us

to be careful

to be realistic

to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me

is true.

I want to know if you can

disappoint another

to be true to yourself.

If you can bear the accusation of betrayal

and not betray your own soul.

If you can be faithless

and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty

even when it is not pretty

every day.

And if you can source your own life

from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure

yours and mine

and still stand at the edge of the lake

and shout to the silver of the moon,

"Yes."

It doesn't interest me

to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up

after the night of grief and despair

weary and bruised to the bone

and do what needs to be done

to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know

or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand

in the centre of the fire

with me

and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom

you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you

from the inside

when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone

with yourself

and if you truly like the company you keep

in the empty moments.

-Oriah

a photo by Humble Origins on Flickr.

Blessings,

2011-09-02T21:25:00.004-05:00

A beautiful message set to beautiful music...

...for You. And for Me.

Enjoy.

*smile*

Blessings,

2011-08-30T09:00:00.064-05:00

Here's what's on the table, Mabel...

a photo by Humble Origins on Flickr.

They're all part of my creative conspiracy, yet to be.

One day soon you too shall see.

Patience, my pretties.

Patience.

[insert sinister laughter here]

*giggle*wink*

Blessings,

2011-08-28T11:49:00.192-05:00

Sadly there hasn't been a whole heckuva lot goin' on around here at our humble lil' homestead.

Which sometimes, can be a good thing.

You know, quiet and mundane is not so bad.

Yeah.

*shrug*smile*

Tomatoes are coming in like gangbusters!

(said with much enthusiasm)

You say, "to-mae-toe" and I say, "salt & pepper please".

In other garden news, our pumpkins were doing great but it looks like they are losing their battle to the Squash Bugs.

Those lil' bastages!

[ahem] Sorry.

Last year was a stellar year for pumpkins.

I was sooo happy.

I love pumpkins.

*swoon*sigh*

Seriously.

If there were such a thing as Pumpkin Intervention...

...I'd be a perfect candidate.

......................................................................

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than to be crowded on a velvet cushion."

-Henry David Thoreau

......................................................................

I couldn't leave the garden without stopping to acknowledge...

...the grande dame of our homestead.

I love her.

Of course, you knew that already.

......................................................................

Word on the street was that there was a really fun guy waiting for me out in our driveway.

"Wow!", I thought.

As I picked up my pace my mind was racing, "who could this be?", "and for lil' ol' moi?!"...

"Gosh, after such a slow, quiet, boring even, kinduva week here this girl could use a lil' fun!"

"Yay for me!", as I dropped my basket of tomatoes and hit full stride.

I rounded the corner of the house slowing my pace some as I didn't want to appear to anxious and at the same time trying to straighten any wayward strands of hair and quickly wiping the sweat from my brow.

Then, I stopped dead in my tracks.

My heart sank.

I fell to my knees.

I looked to the sky and shouted towards the heavens, "No!", "No!", "No!"

And then...

...and then...

I took a picture.

Of my...

(Flickr)

...fungi.

*giggle*snort*snort*

Blessings,

2011-08-20T11:16:00.008-05:00

"Poot" the cat is taken.

(Flickr)

*giggle*

Sign is available here.

Blessings,

2011-08-15T06:49:00.003-05:00

(Flickr)

"May God give you...

For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile,

for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,

for every sigh a sweet song and

an answer for every prayer."

-Irish Blessing

Blessings,
tj

2011-08-14T12:19:00.006-05:00

Yesterday evening Saturday, I was upstairs in my sewing room working on a project but I kept having creative spurts intermixed with bouts of boredom. I'd put down my needle & thread and gaze out the window,

"oh look, a bird!"...

"oh my, whatta beautiful sunset"...

Then, I'd have a pang of guilt 'cause I have other projects started that I should be working on and here I am working on a new one.

*sigh*

[eat skittle]

I sew a little more.

Contemplate.

Pick up seam ripper.

Contemplate some more.

[eat skittle]

Put down seam ripper.

[eat another skittle]

Repeat above seven steps for several more hours then...

go get camera.

As I was taking pictures around me I was wondering,

"I wonder what my friends, you, are doing tonight?"...

followed by...

"certainly not taking photos of their sewing table."

*giggle*shrug*

[eat skittle]

Anyway...

...without further adieu, here's what's on the table Mabel...

...and that my friends is yesterday evening in a nutshell.

Which is leading me to believe I should be locked up in a nutshell never to see the light of day again.

*giggle*

Please [begging], feel free to share your Saturday evening details as I live vicariously thru you, 'kay?

Thanks.

__________________________________________________________________________________

"The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person."

-Frank Barron

__________________________________________________________________________________

Blessings,

2011-08-13T14:24:00.001-05:00

*giggle*snort*eyeroll*

Blessings,

2011-08-10T20:27:00.004-05:00

(Flickr)
School yourself to savour most
Joys that have but little cost;
Prove the best of life is free,
Sun and stars and sky and sea;
Eager in your eyes to please,
Proffer meadows, brooks and trees;
Nature strives for your content,
Never charging you a cent.

Learn to love a garden gay,
Flowers and fruit in rich array.
Care for dogs and singing birds,
Have for children cheery words.
Find plain food and comfort are
More than luxury by far.
Music, books and honest friends
Outweigh golden dividends.

Love your work and do it well,
Scorning not a leisure spell.
Hold the truest form of wealth
Body fit and ruddy health.
Let your smile of happiness
Rustic peace serenely stress:
Home to love and heart to pray--
Thank your God for every day.

-Robert Service

Blessings,

2011-07-30T12:17:00.011-05:00

When I first started...

(Flickr)

...this whole episode of selling my homemade, [ahem] delicious, homemade coleslaw dressing, I didn't feel confident in creating the label. I felt I was trying to stuff too much information, different fonts, graphics and blah, blah, blah into a simple 2 in. x 4 in. label.

And I was doing all this using Microsoft Word, circa 1863, with Avery's Label Wizard.

...lemme just say that I went to bed many an evening with crossed eyes and a pounding headache.

("Sorry honey, I r-e-a-l-l-y did have a headache"...)

Not to mention, I needed to supply the ingredient list so people knew what they were about to consume,

*breathe*

plus directions on how to use my stuff-that-cabbage-dreams-are-made-of,

*deep breathe*

plus, I wanted a lil' extra somethin'-somethin' for the top of the jar to promote the very reason I come out of my little hiding space I call home and timidly place myself out there for all the world to see.

*now looking at ground and shuffling feet*

Alas, it is finished. I am pleased with the way it all turned out. I was looking for simplicity with a lil' "pop", and I think I've got it...

*fingers crossed*

Of course, I can never leave well enough alone and I do have to painfully admit that the other day when I was about to ship two jars of my coleslaw dressing off, both sporting their new & improved labels, to be part of a Silent Auction/Benefit; I noticed this:

See that? The back label text box needs to be centered amidst the checkered gingham background.

And I know we have better photos of our old barn to use in place of that particular photo used in the top label...

But,

overall,

I am pleased.

For now.

*eye roll*giggle*

I also loved that when I looked at the photos I took of the jar with the new labels that the reflection of our old barn appeared in the jar.

It's little things like that in life that make me smile.

So there you have it folks.

*giggle*

Vessels of this yummy deliciousness that I call coleslaw dressing can be found

here and here

Thank you for your support!

Blessings,