Crow Never Crowed

and so we're roosterless again. Well, technically we have three, but they are still growing and not crowing. :) I can't remember if I've shown you the "chicken barn", but this is what it looks like right now. Except Adam put an actual door on the rooster pen there on the side. We have to finish the roof, but as I am laid up with a screwed up back right now it will continue to look like this for a while. This is a happy and tired us from one evening last week.

I hope you have been remembering to smile. It is very important for the world to see that grin of yours!!!

love

Malinda

Busy is Good

The peas are but a fond memory... They were good while they lasted, but I tell you I am GLAD to have the room in the garden. Adam took down one trellis and I (yes ME) took down the other. He tilled the beds while I was teaching yesterday. The chickens got the vines...

The little chickies did, too. They are growing like crazy and we are mostly done with the coop. Have to get some shade cloth and chicken wire and that project will be OVER. Thank the good Lord.

Here is the garden from the back. I'm excited about the corn... mmmm....

Adam planted a new kind of cucumber this year called White Wonders. They are groing well and we are excited to try them.

The bee balm by the barn is blooming. It is so pretty.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Love,

Malinda

If Pictures are Worth 1,000 Words, Then Why Do I Still Have Words??

We ordered seeds for this plant three or four years ago. The flowers are so pretty and dainty. The plant is called Marshmallow. If you are interested in learning more about it, here ya go:
http://www.woodlandfairyacres.com/historyofmarshmallows.php It was too much for me to summarize this morning. Just click the link if you want to read about it.
I love the simpleness of the flowers...

And the bees love it. See the one flying off? I think he's shy...

Purple Cone Flower...

This cat followed me everywhere this morning. We had a love fest on the front porch. Funny thing is, this cat has never let me touch it very much at all and actually ended up in my lap trying to groom me. Thing is, I had told Adam to take this very cat (among others) to the pound because we just have too many and due to circumstances beyond our control have had a few more show up.

Scary grooming session, but he wasn't hurting me - just trying to get me to hold still... I don't know what lesson I'm supposed to be learning, but the cat still has to go. Now I just feel worse about it. Sorry cat...

We took a trip together to the yarrow. The pink variety bloomed yesterday. It is so pretty. By now, you probably think I have issues because I have three different kinds of yarrow. Well, I'd have more if I could find it. I have no idea why I think it is so pretty - I just do. It makes me happy to look at...

See? I bet you feel all happy now, too! How can you look at that and not smile, I ask you??

Then we went to the chicken coop. I forgot to get the eggs yesterday and my grumpy hens will start eating the eggs if I leave them for very long. So I go to get the eggs and the white chicken that always escapes escaped. The cat there watched me chase it around the yard for five minutes. She is very tricky, that hen. You have to heard her just right or you go in circles for days. Five minutes is about close to my best time with that chicken. I'd have taken a picture, but then it would've taken longer and it has become a personal issue with me. She doesn't do it to Adam... maybe it is because he closes the door to the coop when he gets the eggs... :)

We have eaten and gifted a full bed of potatoes so far. Don't worry. There are more. LOTS more...

We have a whole trellis of peas that we are going to let ripen for seeds for next year. We love sugar snaps and I have decided that next year I am going to plant peas like we planted potatoes this year. I will then be happy with the amount of sugar snap peas in my garden.

We like to plant turnips and kohl rabi in the pea beds. They fit perfectly and feed at different levels in the soil. We take up less room in other beds and also do not waste space in the beds we plant in. See the turnips at the bottom of the picture??

If I had to title this picture it would be, "Really Big Honkin' Turnip". Because that is what that is. Now I have nothing against turnips, but I don't eat them like I do potatoes or chocolate, ok? I'm not afraid to tell you this. Adam does love his turnips better than chocolate because he doesn't really like sweets at all. I could say, "Honey, we are having creamed turnips for dessert." and he would be giddy with excitement. I don't know what is wrong with him, but what is wrong with me is that we don't grow chocolate and I have know idea what I'm going to do with all of the turnips in my keeping. Adam just says, "Well, Baby, they store well..." Thanks, dear. Thanks a lot. :) Now I'll just invent a place to store them... They are pretty, though, aren't they?

The bees were going crazy this morning. They were covered in pollen and buzzing around everywhere. Please ignore my weeds. We are not ignoring them - it is just that there are a LOT of them and two of us!! We're workin' on it - promise!

Mr. Ladybug was covered in pollen. Do you see it on him? You know I can't resist a ladybug picture... Thanks for tolerating my eccentricities!

My first stargazer lily bloomed this morning. All is now well with my soul.

And I hope it is well with yours. If not, go look at some bugs and flowers. You're bound to feel better!

All my love,

Malinda

Before...

There are things that happen in all of our lives for better or worse that make us stop and KNOW we need to pray. There are times when we feel like the only thing we CAN do is pray. I took maybe twenty or so steps this morning before I literally dropped to my knees on my front porch and told God this: Help me help them, help me help me, be with us all, and I REALLY need to get rid of some kittens. Thing is, though, that God was already doing what I asked Him to do before I said a word. He was there waaaaaaaay before I stopped and talked to Him. He was already helping me and them, but I just felt like saying those words aloud to God - I figure even if He can't make the kittens miraculously disappear that He got a chuckle out of my plea...

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes, we do need to pray because our relationship with God is strengthened that way and He needs to hear from us what is on our hearts so that we learn to always trust Him, but I feel like His answer to me this morning was, "Quit worrying, Malinda. Life isn't easy and you're just learning that. I'll help you. Just lean on Me."

I forget to let go of my burdens and worries and let Jesus have them. Not all of the time, but the big ones are hard to let go of. I just have to keep remembering that even though I do ok, God does better. He is already there - before I pray and before I even know I'm gonna need to talk to Him - He is there...

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Malinda

Happiness: Two by Two

These two have WAY too much fun when they get together... He's waiting on his other half. Nothing says adorable like a long haired boy with flowers that is waiting on a girl who just got her diploma. Be still my beating heart...

THESE two never stop laughing when they get together. I have tons of pictures just like this one. Nothing compares to the bond between a mother and her son... It is so fun to listen to their conversations!!

THESE two just make me smile. How happy they look and I just smile when I see them together. They are so sweet to each other and such enjoyable people to be around and talk to. Words cannot express how happy I am that that girl has found some happiness. Love you, Audy.

And these two belong together. Forever. Pardon my mushiness, but I'm feeling mushy today. He is the most considerate, kind, and caring person I've ever met. I heart him.

Tell someone that you love them today. Someone that makes you feel happy inside just because of who they are.

All Done With H.S. Graduations for a While

Well, she did it! We are all so proud of you, Chloe!! Her brother graduated from the same high school 13 years ago. Isn't she beautiful??

With the sweet Daddy who got her a bunch of BEAUTIFUL white roses.

And the boy... He got her those georgeous flowers. I think she likes him just a little bit...

Her mama and big sister love her just a little bit, I think. Look how happy!!

I think I love her just a little bit, too...

Ok, Chlo. Next up is culinary school, right?? MMmmmm. I can't wait til THAT graduation!!!

Randomness

Peanut needs a home. The county I live in does not have a no kill shelter and I can't bear to send her to the "pound". If anyone needs a friendly, bouncy, spayed, house-trained-but-will-live-outside dog, I'll pay them $25 to give her a good home!! I have passed the time in my life that lots of dogs are fun... moving on... Yarrow. I love yarrow. Especially the stuff that is native to the yard and surrounding property. It has the prettiest foliage and the flowers are so dainty and perfect. I have taken no less than TONS of pictures of yarrow. Every spring it seems new to me. I dug up a big clump out of my yard and put it in with the herbs that I like to grow in my garden. I also go out of my way to mow around it when I see that it will flower soon. Adam is so sweet. He just smiles and shakes his head when I ask him not to mow the places I "missed" and says, "I'll try not to, baby." He knows that it makes me happy to see blooming all over. I have some out front that blooms pink and ohmygoodness it is pretty.

That is it for today, folks. I am going into Nashville this morning to wish my big sister a happiest birthday yet and then coming home to weed my garden. The massive rains have let the garden get ahead of me in that area I'm afraid. That is ok, though. Today is a COMPLETE day off. I haven't had one of those in a WHILE. I will be able to get lots done this afternoon while Adam is teaching and am looking forward to sweating and getting a good garden workout... Yay!!

Have such a good day and remember that people are people and everyone deserves a smile!!

Love,

Malinda

And She's Finished!!!!

My baby sister graduated from college this past Saturday. I tried to find her in the sea of hats, but she actually found me instead... How happy she looks!! (Awesome shoes, by the way, kid.) I had the great priviledge of being the "niece wrangler". Adam sat in the bleachers with his cousin-in-law, Rachel, and let me be free to wander around with Anndee and Navy. My nerves were very thankful for this. This is in between wanderings... Anndee

and sweet Navy...

Here is the girl in line to get her diploma.

And here she is after just getting it. *I cried.*

Then I went back to wrangling the girls. We went on several walks.

Took lots of pictures.

And waited at the door for Monna. Look at that happy smile!!! (and the cool shoes again...)

I love the look on her face! That is her Lovin' Husband - J.C. - and our sweet Mama.

I'm all teary again.

These are Monna's newest family members (J.C.'s parents Davida and John). Look between her and J.C. Anndee was a little ornery at this point, but that's ok. :)

Our wonderful Granny came down from Ohio to see all the festivities. We so miss our Gramps and are happy that Granny has been visiting often. It is nice just to be able to hug her whenever I want!! *Granny gives just the BEST hugs.*

If my dad had buttons on his shirt, they'd be popping off!! And a happy, proud, pretty Mama. Sorry Monna, but I only had this picture of you with Daddy and Ma. Your closed eyes are just beautiful!

And some seriously proud sisters!! Those girls there are two of the very best friends I'll ever have in my life. That is Betsy on the right. She has the distinction of being the best self-picture taker in the family... When I try to get 3 people in a picture, I usually just get one and a half! I've never noticed before, but we all have the same eyes... *happy*

Words can't express how much I love this girl and how proud of her I am.

Here's to the rest of your life, Monna Shelly! You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you!!!!!!