tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63926509230129779052024-03-04T21:26:25.492-08:00Learning To Be MePamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-42832018082716662002018-06-26T17:35:00.002-07:002018-06-26T17:37:50.261-07:00Where's Pam?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Guess what, Friends?!! I have a new blog / website.<br /><br />Please join me over at <a href="http://pamstahl.com/">pamstahl.com</a>!!<br /><br />Take care,<br />pam</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-45376496157582566712017-12-14T10:34:00.000-08:002017-12-14T10:34:10.420-08:00What is Enough for Christmas?<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I woke up feeling a little sad and very inadequate.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When I peeled back the feeling of inadequacy, I found it was related to Christmas.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I think I got off to a good start with my holiday preparations, but then I got a little side-tracked with some other life issues that demanded my full attention and energy.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yesterday, my oldest child announced that it was 12 days until Christmas.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh No. I’m not ready and I don’t really know what “ready” means.</div>
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This is a bit of a recurrent theme for me. This feeling of inadequacy, not measuring up, not doing enough, and not even knowing what I’m supposed to be doing can rise up with regard to most anything! Geez! Enough already!! I mean, come on….Who gets worried over Valentine’s Day? Easter? Back to School events? Big Days? Little Days? Spring Break? Fall Break? Please don’t make me go on!</div>
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I think there are a few different things involved in this anxiety. I really don’t have a good compass on these matters from childhood. I am sort of just winging it, making it up as I go–which isn’t altogether bad, but it does lend itself to a fear of totally missing the boat and not doing something that’s really important and meaningful for my kids.</div>
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I also think the media likes to feed into this anxiety. If I am kept in this anxious frenzy, I may just keep buying more trying to fill this emotional hole. Do you see how this hamster wheel will just keep spinning? Ugh! I can’t buy my way out of this!! No one can. At some point we have to find our own place of peace and rest in it.</div>
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The comparison game can have positive and negative effects on me. I have to actively seek the positive (isn’t that always the case!) I can hang out on facebook or my social media of choice and see the happiest, most joyful, perfectly dressed holiday moments and feel like a complete dud that will never measure up! OR….I can call a friend, a soul-mate-kind-of-friend, and find that they might be struggling a bit too, that the dog ate their decorations and they spent a big chunk of their Christmas budget on the trip to the vet!</div>
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I also need to remember that some of us are great at decorating, some love making dessert treats, some make delightful little gifts by hand, some have everything ready by December 1….you know these people!! It’s okay if none of these are your special gift. Personally, I’m not tops at any of those. And most days I can’t even remember what my gift is!</div>
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Maybe my gift is doing my best to show up and be present for those I love every day in my own perfectly imperfect way. (and write run on sentences!)</div>
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Today’s feelings of inadequacy have led to some positive action on my part.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I am asking each of my children and my husband what is important for them in our Christmas celebration? <br />Turns out the answers are sweet and fairly simple.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I also need to answer the question myself.</div>
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May your day be incredibly blessed with clarity and peace in this holiday season.</div>
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Remember….You are enough.</div>
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love,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />pam</div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-5109807449443800452017-05-25T18:04:00.000-07:002017-05-25T18:04:59.902-07:00Hands 2 Help 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK6DdwI9W7KIe65ffPcsCfnJiKJmRO1mgc5uZHupZ1Z1zihUgg2cPHrxrTenyyRorhZbFFPB2jKp8WAYUbwyfpV6wigzgQApr6_iL5NOBQqJAHyH-M79gelfKWBtecrvZW1FNBW3hBlVb/s1600/2016+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK6DdwI9W7KIe65ffPcsCfnJiKJmRO1mgc5uZHupZ1Z1zihUgg2cPHrxrTenyyRorhZbFFPB2jKp8WAYUbwyfpV6wigzgQApr6_iL5NOBQqJAHyH-M79gelfKWBtecrvZW1FNBW3hBlVb/s640/2016+067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 Hands 2 Help Donation Quilt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />My Hands 2 Help quilt is not quite done, but it's <i>really</i> close. I'm posting a picture now to link up with <a href="https://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah's blog</a>.<br /><br />I started this quilt many moons ago, but who's counting! <br /><br />(I actually started a different quilt using the <a href="https://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-first-stunning-stars-quilt-scrappy.html" target="_blank">Charming Stars</a> pattern that Sarah featured early on with H2H. Let's just say that I got a little too attached to it! I'll try to show it to you soon. It's still just a top, but it really speaks to me and since I've never really made a quilt for myself....we'll see if I can really do that or not!)<br /><br />The string blocks in the quilt pictured above were made using a method that I learned from <a href="http://www.gwenmarston.com/" target="_blank">Gwen Marston</a>. Basically, you sew panels of strips together, apply spray starch to keep it from stretching as you cut along the bias, and then cut your shapes from the fabric panels. It's fun and fairly mindless.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpeHTutQcv2Qcq2BncCvE-f1Ghh8tsAqZCcp8JfjUVbl-xK1M8d096NrWmIwdLnrqcOdPtz827Kg7keUS7H95lgRfEZqdWeFvld6e-mTX0tZ4Q6cHqNtFm37g-O24T7bb8u02aqVtmP9g/s1600/2016+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpeHTutQcv2Qcq2BncCvE-f1Ghh8tsAqZCcp8JfjUVbl-xK1M8d096NrWmIwdLnrqcOdPtz827Kg7keUS7H95lgRfEZqdWeFvld6e-mTX0tZ4Q6cHqNtFm37g-O24T7bb8u02aqVtmP9g/s640/2016+070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back of the H2H quilt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a Juki sewing machine last year, so I was experimenting with it on the quilting. You can't really see the quilting pattern from the front of the quilt, but I know it's there. :)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as I add a few more rows of quilting and the binding, this quilt is heading to <a href="http://www.iistl.org/index.html" target="_blank">Refugee Charity in St. Louis</a>. I hope it makes someone's transition a little easier. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF0i2A0-LCx1tJI0fS0cGDIpVKtdfSSBWIlezUGQ2kS6urxLcaeFGjHJssdsqy3Kq6xZxZapzGrMWxzUMUH78RMeu4Ba8aJyyaNJaB-ZRONefNEJMfy3YUt6E2iiu_FHwEY74UDhMjA-M/s1600/2016+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF0i2A0-LCx1tJI0fS0cGDIpVKtdfSSBWIlezUGQ2kS6urxLcaeFGjHJssdsqy3Kq6xZxZapzGrMWxzUMUH78RMeu4Ba8aJyyaNJaB-ZRONefNEJMfy3YUt6E2iiu_FHwEY74UDhMjA-M/s640/2016+069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />And here is my favorite picture...My daughter and her friends!<br /><br />Thank you, Sarah, for encouraging all of us and organizing our efforts (herding cats!)<br /><br />pam<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-35382459811559789262017-02-23T18:55:00.001-08:002017-02-26T14:35:18.521-08:00grief and God<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have had 2 major losses already this year. One in our extended family. The other was my husband's best friend. Each morning I find myself sitting in the grief and pain of these losses. I'm noticing that current grief has a way of pulling old losses to the surface again, too. As if the current grief isn't enough...old grief wants to join in the party! Ugh! It seems the only way through it is to go <i>through</i> it....I've side-stepped and avoided pain for most of my life. That method worked for a while, but certainly isn't a good long-term solution.<br /><br />I do a lot of journaling to process what comes up for me each day. I also seek God's input when I journal. Sometimes I hear a little from Him and sometimes there is a lot. I feel very vulnerable, but I want to try sharing some of this with you.<br /><br />From today:<br />Lord, please speak Your Truth to me. Help me to have clarity, grace, and love in this day. Help me to hear You, Lord. Please let there be healing in our hearts, minds, and bodies today.<br /></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's okay Sweet Child. <br />It's okay to cry and feel this sadness.<br />It's okay to be a child and not be responsible for everything.<br />It's okay to just be today--to just be and look for fun things to do.<br /><br />Your childhood was never like that.<br />You can claim moments of that now.<br />You can be free in Me.<br /><br />I love you, Sweet Child.<br />I love you when you are up and when you struggle and feel down.<br />I always love you.<br />It is safe to go through whatever you are feeling.<br /><br />It's okay to have fun.<br />You aren't going to go off the rails and stop taking care of your family.<br />You might feel more light-hearted while you care for them though.<br />You are relearning your childhood--seeking some childish ways.<br />This is good.<br /><br />Embrace yourself.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Love yourself.</i><br /><i>Be good to yourself today.</i><br /><br /><i>All is well in the Universe.</i><br /><i>You can take off your cape-- stop feeling responsible for everything and just be you.</i><br /><i>I love you, Child.</i><br /><i>Take today as it comes and practice doing the fun things.</i><br /><br /><br />May your day be blessed,<br />pam</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-29095215402532767652015-03-27T09:22:00.001-07:002015-03-27T09:22:11.763-07:00you are enough, My Beloved<span style="font-family: inherit;">I awoke this morning feeling anxious because my mind always thinks that there is too much to do.<br /><br />It tells me to hurry and run to the next thing. It keeps me feeling stressed and others feel it, too....especially my children.<br /><br />During my quiet time, I went to Jesus and asked if there is something else that I need to see regarding this? Is there some way to resolve this anxious feeling?<br /><i>Don't be anxious. Just turn to Me.</i><br /><br />I can't hold it all together, Lord. I keep trying and I just can't. I see other people holding things together just beautifully, but I always seem to be running 3 steps behind or spinning in a circle. Why Lord?? (no answer heard)<br /><br />Jesus, what do I do with this world that tells me to run faster and do more?<br /><i>You run your own race. The course is set by Me.</i><i>You have to let go of this anxiety, Pam. It will kill you.</i><br /><br />Is the answer in simplifying? That seems to be a myth to me. Please help me see the truth, Jesus.<br /><i>It's Me. I am the Truth and the only way to journey successfully through this world.</i> <br /> <br />Then I heard the Most Beautiful Words:<br /><i>You are enough, Pam...just as you are. You are beautifully, wonderfully made. I created you with love.</i><br /><br />I felt God's love and peace fill me. He kept telling me "<i>You are enough.</i>" Finally I was able to say it to myself. "I am enough."<br /><br />Oh Thank You, Sweet Lord!<br /><br />I guess this means when I run this crazy "I can't do it all" game, it's really me thinking, "I am not enough." But that's not what Jesus says.<br /><br />I sat a little longer, thinking about all this. I found myself applying the "enough" to more things:<br /><br />I am enough.<br />The kids are enough.<br />We are doing enough.<br />The house is clean enough. (haha!)<br />We are studying and doing enough with school.<br />I am working on taxes and bookwork enough.<br />I am cooking enough, shopping enough, doing enough.<br />My husband is doing enough--he is not behind with his work either.<br />Everything will work out.<br />God and His Grace are enough to see us through all our struggles.<br />I have enough energy and mental strength to do all that needs to be done today.<br />I am loving enough.<br />I am living enough.<br />We are organized enough.<br />I have plenty of time today--enough!<br />I am enough!<br /><br />THANK YOU, LORD JESUS!!<br /><br /><br />I feel God nudging me to share this today.<br /><br />Someone else must need to hear this. These words are for you:<br /><br /><i>You are enough. <br />You are loved. <br />You are precious and dear. <br />Jesus loves You. <br />You are His Beloved Child. </i></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-48373174038989386672015-03-20T16:07:00.000-07:002015-03-20T16:07:19.423-07:00Just Fake It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Been wondering where I've been?<br />Me too.<br />My life spun out of control for the past year.<br />My Dad died in March 2014. I was already on rocky ground emotionally before he died.<br />His death was sort of a nail in my coffin, too.<br />Emotional healing is hard. Really hard. And it takes a lot of time. At least it has for me.<br />I've learned a lot in the past year. <br />I've learned that I don't want to go backwards, and yet sometimes I still do.<br />I've learned that I have to go back and face the pain, walk through it, to find freedom and healing on the other side.<br />I've learned that depression and anxiety prefer to play a sick game together.<br />I've learned that a full night of sleep is a most beautiful thing.<br /><br />I've recently realized that I've forgotten how to dream and have goals for my life. <br />Today I decided that even though I feel empty and without dreams, I will create some made up dreams. <br />Sort of a 'fake it till you make it' plan.<br />I'm going to keep reading through my made up dreams until I start feeling again...until my dreams become real and important to me again.<br /><br />One of my dreams is to help others whose emotional life is spinning out of control.<br />I don't really know how I will do that.<br />But I know that I can't help anyone in my silence.<br />....and so I will share.<br />The up's<br />The down's<br />and the building of a life in between.<br /><br />May God bless your soul richly today.<br />pam<br /> </span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-78780448499946851672014-06-06T06:57:00.000-07:002014-06-06T06:57:19.593-07:00Anxiety, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Living with Anxiety is awful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've found myself in Anxiety's powerful, life-draining grip for the last few months. It started with some life struggles and was compounded by the death of my Dad. Panic and constant anxiety ensued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've tried to put all this into a nice, tidy story for you--but frankly, this episode of my life won't submit to a handful of painful, witty paragraphs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This morning I see that this should be shared in little pieces. I will share as part of my healing with hopes that it will facilitate any needed healing in your heart, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a really good video by Brene Brown about shame and sharing our stories in order to heal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />May God bless you with insight and healing today,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pam<br /><br /><br /><i>Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6</i><br /><br /><br /></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-39416480489289908962014-05-13T19:49:00.000-07:002014-05-13T19:49:24.943-07:00How NOT to Have a Perfect Garden!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4Vcj7LfZicRLeoCXWdz6yNsnEglCEq_a6y0W8UCx83F0-1gTb1v90Jh5tGzv2-99GmaFYXdL9hCYRKtTzW_h9LcuCWQEUQibGAjjfRYCtyLC7atsgbRg1l4hEABTg_qDqUrj4yn15Evo/s1600/potato+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4Vcj7LfZicRLeoCXWdz6yNsnEglCEq_a6y0W8UCx83F0-1gTb1v90Jh5tGzv2-99GmaFYXdL9hCYRKtTzW_h9LcuCWQEUQibGAjjfRYCtyLC7atsgbRg1l4hEABTg_qDqUrj4yn15Evo/s1600/potato+row.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out my potato row! <br />
Now there's some imperfection for you...<br />
Looks like I need to lay off the wine coolers<br />
before I head out to the garden!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, you read that right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't want you to have a perfect garden! Perfect gardens never happen...at least not in my world. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZeh1mhmzlhe9R1unypCMIbjLq9NsxUNytP6VeZRESFmaguxCyxSTy7nS7PsHOZZ2UPNGbEBAk7m7Q9FkGACuPA56YPJ4L75fITPTktv7ta2fK3Zna3n5I6fe0M2tgDHrwOybXOtQscXR/s1600/spud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZeh1mhmzlhe9R1unypCMIbjLq9NsxUNytP6VeZRESFmaguxCyxSTy7nS7PsHOZZ2UPNGbEBAk7m7Q9FkGACuPA56YPJ4L75fITPTktv7ta2fK3Zna3n5I6fe0M2tgDHrwOybXOtQscXR/s1600/spud.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out this beautiful spud! He's from some left-over potatoes<br />
that I got from Azure Standard. Since they are organic, they<br />
started sprouting before we could finish eating them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's important that you get over the perfect garden plan. Avoid it! Set yourself free. Enjoy your imperfect garden. Have peace and joy in the imperfections. They are beautiful. </span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" /><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm telling you this because I dream in "perfect". I research and try to figure out all the perfect answers for every question before it even gets asked. Sometimes I find multiple answers to each question which really throws me off my perfect rails. The needed decisions keep piling up and I get completely bogged down in it all. </span><br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2OGDQm6QOSSwqFGAfwZcLYrSTKTzQ-3r3ZK_B3NpVC05aoxUHcF0gBF6M4Y-OCocfGmF_AaoSGxM5Jx2RzdibMWjT4gx7tQOicMaza2VWcYPL0B-RCdqt3oJvAg-xS2baoNXToJWQLTY/s1600/crazy+spud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2OGDQm6QOSSwqFGAfwZcLYrSTKTzQ-3r3ZK_B3NpVC05aoxUHcF0gBF6M4Y-OCocfGmF_AaoSGxM5Jx2RzdibMWjT4gx7tQOicMaza2VWcYPL0B-RCdqt3oJvAg-xS2baoNXToJWQLTY/s1600/crazy+spud.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Crazy Spud!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />I'm telling you...Don't go there! Trying to figure out all the right answers and create a perfect garden is really code for "I'm not going to have a garden at all." <br /><br />That would be sad. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy a few plants or seeds and stick them in the ground. Do your best to help them along, but trust that your plants do not require a "perfect" world. Their job is to grow and they will do their very best to accomplish that end. Let them! <br /><br />There is much to wonder about in the garden. Turns out, playing in the dirt is good for our soul.<br /><br />may your day and your garden be blessed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">pam<br /><br /></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-3215863406479219072014-05-12T06:54:00.000-07:002014-05-12T07:06:02.557-07:00An Ode to Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4VT6uyv5m3-P0TkQrKSAs2AvV0CHrzglqv4AD5TXv6_cN9GPteDfYdMAHRaKv-JwkkPX4H85cai7FwTuuf6mHkO-G8rcFkIA0lwU_FKQEfYYPplyfjNrjeURLJw9ymvTTjt_zWhsO9uH/s1600/wheat+belly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4VT6uyv5m3-P0TkQrKSAs2AvV0CHrzglqv4AD5TXv6_cN9GPteDfYdMAHRaKv-JwkkPX4H85cai7FwTuuf6mHkO-G8rcFkIA0lwU_FKQEfYYPplyfjNrjeURLJw9ymvTTjt_zWhsO9uH/s1600/wheat+belly.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I don't want to be gluten free!!!</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />I used to be a pusher! I was a whole-wheat bread pushin' Mama.<br />I gave piping hot loaves of delicious bread to hundreds of people. <br />I equated homemade bread with love.<br /><br />My family enjoyed and expected a warm loaf of bread with nearly every meal.<br />My children became bread snobs who scoffed at 2-day old, cold bread!<br /><br />Then one day, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.<br /><br />I read a book that challenged me to wonder if eating wheat was contributing to/causing some of the odd health issues that I had. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1399900893816&tag=realwomenquil-20&url=search-alias%3Daps#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wheat%20belly&sprefix=wheat+bel%2Caps%2C222&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awheat%20belly&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1399900897331&linkId=NY4D2UUXGTCZPTUM">Wheat Belly</a> (affiliate link) challenged me to stop eating wheat for a while to see if I felt better.<br /><br />Within 3 days, I had the answer. <br />My brain fog lifted. I had energy and could think clearly <u>all</u> day. I stopped needing naps and large amounts of caffeine just to get through the day.<br /><br />I've been off wheat for a year now. <br />I'll admit that giving up all those yummy bread-foods has left a little hole in my life.<br /><br />I would love to wolf down a loaf of homemade bread (or pancakes, crackers, cinnamon rolls, bagels....) right now! Unfortunately, this just isn't possible. I've tested the waters. <br /><br />When I eat wheat/gluten, I experience profound brain fog within an hour (usually much sooner). <br /><br />What does this brain fog look like for me? <br />I can't keep my eyes open or focus on people that are talking to me. (rude, huh?!)<br />I fight and struggle, but simply can't stay awake. My body insists that I sleep.<br /><br />Before giving up the wheat, I stayed at a low-mid level of brain fog all afternoon. <br /><br />I am so thankful to have clear thinking again, but truly I don't want to walk the gluten-free path! I'm lazy. I prefer to fit in and eat what everyone else is eating. I don't want to be an oddball that requires special foods.<br /><br />Bottom Line: I MISS MY BREAD!!!<br /><br /><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pam-Stahl-Creative-Health-Solutions/628257627253893">I'll be sharing more about my gluten-free journey on facebook. Join me there! </a></b><br /><br /><br />Have you experienced brain fog or other symptoms of gluten sensitivity? <br /><br /><br />many blessings to you,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">pam</span><br /><br />linked to <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/05/homestead-barn-hop-159.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>!</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-81263560187472684012014-01-31T19:21:00.000-08:002014-01-31T19:26:04.607-08:00Twin Quilts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GyftZFvht4HnWQaQGxr15YyQLb4ZXq-UrC5dQ8e2sW3S24XAwr75dc7w1jGw16RYuCOZafgv5ixS4ODCNaJpBUMsWGSNa9jKoM-TaNf27IBZ8ur3Qul-lHVxuZ8cfRuMd0wN_9ps1e5o/s1600/blog_quilt+1+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GyftZFvht4HnWQaQGxr15YyQLb4ZXq-UrC5dQ8e2sW3S24XAwr75dc7w1jGw16RYuCOZafgv5ixS4ODCNaJpBUMsWGSNa9jKoM-TaNf27IBZ8ur3Qul-lHVxuZ8cfRuMd0wN_9ps1e5o/s1600/blog_quilt+1+full.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt One</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_86nucctWlkckND_u_7_cfbFh42WecPrL924s4x8XkrYlle4IANRYlkOs-OjpXMkXR6JIrMuLDD0IOuABgNfaWyk5Euc-iwA9_yy4lgS7VpxiRkD-_bHNj2wjABWnQj3dfNSIqy0-ShyphenhyphenO/s1600/blog_quilt+1+quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EB0LUzVXCh3JKQ928bP2h5T5OgC-96HmovXLk0pnLsotrk2eqO-8OovzqtD7IymV7q8GPjpdUhNMFUEUqiC-omvOR7CAqSFH7cnFVGygU0ITcHFzO0JQ0AM1irMPKeSz2c9onMi1A5A8/s1600/blog_quilt+1+quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EB0LUzVXCh3JKQ928bP2h5T5OgC-96HmovXLk0pnLsotrk2eqO-8OovzqtD7IymV7q8GPjpdUhNMFUEUqiC-omvOR7CAqSFH7cnFVGygU0ITcHFzO0JQ0AM1irMPKeSz2c9onMi1A5A8/s1600/blog_quilt+1+quilting.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting on Quilt One</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_86nucctWlkckND_u_7_cfbFh42WecPrL924s4x8XkrYlle4IANRYlkOs-OjpXMkXR6JIrMuLDD0IOuABgNfaWyk5Euc-iwA9_yy4lgS7VpxiRkD-_bHNj2wjABWnQj3dfNSIqy0-ShyphenhyphenO/s1600/blog_quilt+1+quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
This is a first for me--quilts for twins! I finished them last week and got them shipped yesterday. Yippee!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESdwEju8PayerrTZ9W_OTFznk0clJ85m56RWwu1pwqKlgOzIrFTdjTtoC1r7tuNkAA0PnWevTpi41MG2O1825eO8gKRDz6ubWWWrLwtIZretIkmNcv_ZsPrvYiPh8iRvtbwBzHMk9LNMJ/s1600/blog_quilt+2+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESdwEju8PayerrTZ9W_OTFznk0clJ85m56RWwu1pwqKlgOzIrFTdjTtoC1r7tuNkAA0PnWevTpi41MG2O1825eO8gKRDz6ubWWWrLwtIZretIkmNcv_ZsPrvYiPh8iRvtbwBzHMk9LNMJ/s1600/blog_quilt+2+full.jpg" height="400" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt Two</td></tr>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTRDmSz0U_M9u1uGjZMX_rmC4WFg67_1G9iRVAPyEbfJfT4bdnuF2Cyjw_D4cNC0Y5DZcgiuiyuvjvQ14swbwx7RaspaSEwlwNTcjh_ggMVSksJpRxX76K5Q-3MeMSxyGfEpmCpBAOwFL/s1600/blog_quilt+2+quilting.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting on Quilt Two</td></tr>
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I'm sure you've figured out that these are scrappy creations. Sometimes
when I want to sew without thinking, I pull out my 2 1/2" squares and
make 9 patch blocks. I have several extremely exacting methods for
making these (tongue in cheek, of course!): <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Put together really strange color / fabric combos.<br />
2. Sew together fabrics that I have enough squares to make a block out of.<br />
3. Blindly sew the fabrics on the top of the pile.<br />
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<br />
The
recipient twins are a year old and I want them to be able to easily
identify their own quilt, so I gave the quilts very different bindings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfrRf18Av6HYa_0zNFN7p1G-ByjBxIrQ4uKT9q6O9x5hjTLEsorJunI9faz3NPYca2bvfkX-dupiAPb0jZ-kmQNur5g71Wg-3sU_PGA_-IKUsAQmyo_3Nc4pU5Mp-bZIN4xDG58tFeRtu/s1600/blog_twin+quilt+bindings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfrRf18Av6HYa_0zNFN7p1G-ByjBxIrQ4uKT9q6O9x5hjTLEsorJunI9faz3NPYca2bvfkX-dupiAPb0jZ-kmQNur5g71Wg-3sU_PGA_-IKUsAQmyo_3Nc4pU5Mp-bZIN4xDG58tFeRtu/s1600/blog_twin+quilt+bindings.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hooray for finishes!! Lots of <a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2014/01/gold-stars.html" target="_blank">Gold Stars</a> today. :)<br />
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Praising God Today!<br />
pam<br />
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Linked to<a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2014/01/can-i-get-whoop-whoop.html" target="_blank"> Whoop Whoop Friday!</a> and <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/01/as-abstract-ii.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>.<br /><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_X0SpYjzz0Q_NMTZZwVxK6-S9htISkTzJah6BBCB4OREab-mabAqzlj1aFoUO8MF-Io6S-DHxCz9rTOyLSYGzSBH04jz9fuABZrA8RFPR1rUhrsRjpzeDwIh-MJLPROb58rpkF_00-Fy/s1600/blog_twin+quilt+bindings.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_X0SpYjzz0Q_NMTZZwVxK6-S9htISkTzJah6BBCB4OREab-mabAqzlj1aFoUO8MF-Io6S-DHxCz9rTOyLSYGzSBH04jz9fuABZrA8RFPR1rUhrsRjpzeDwIh-MJLPROb58rpkF_00-Fy/s1600/blog_twin+quilt+bindings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_X0SpYjzz0Q_NMTZZwVxK6-S9htISkTzJah6BBCB4OREab-mabAqzlj1aFoUO8MF-Io6S-DHxCz9rTOyLSYGzSBH04jz9fuABZrA8RFPR1rUhrsRjpzeDwIh-MJLPROb58rpkF_00-Fy/s1600/blog_twin+quilt+bindings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-20246516262322297622014-01-22T12:51:00.003-08:002014-01-22T12:52:16.314-08:00Bottle Calf 101<i>I am friends with <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/" target="_blank">Jill at Prairie Homestead</a>.
She asked me to be a guest blogger for her (hooray!), so I compiled
this story from blog postings over the last year as we raised a bottle
calf. <br /><br />If you've been following along for a while, you might want to just skip to the end for our TOP 5 TIPS for RAISING a BOTTLE CALF.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCypVUwuU_mT8a4B0IpaDYfJV3FIBWJM5rRJ_r2m2sTI1mFkgq4wTlL6b20VlXvEXHd2lAqzGlEPMkOEb00awbMLfHataWxAKXj9nKhMvV9vy4loqriW9XivYngKorbA5WpryGWWbOIOeY/s1600/blog+Bob+feeding.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCypVUwuU_mT8a4B0IpaDYfJV3FIBWJM5rRJ_r2m2sTI1mFkgq4wTlL6b20VlXvEXHd2lAqzGlEPMkOEb00awbMLfHataWxAKXj9nKhMvV9vy4loqriW9XivYngKorbA5WpryGWWbOIOeY/s1600/blog+Bob+feeding.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<h2 class="date-header">
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<h3>
Thursday, January 3, 2013</h3>
Have you heard the saying, "Be careful what you wish for?" <br />
I should edit that to, "Be careful what you mention to a farmer!"<br />
<br />
Early
in December (2012) I mentioned to a new farmer friend that we might want to
raise a bottle calf this year for beef. Of course I was speaking way
ahead of being ready for said bottle calf and truly had no thought of
this happening until MUCH later in 2013.<br />
<br />
So guess who calls on December 31?!<br />
<br />
This
farmer had a cow that had delivered twins and was rejecting the female
calf. He was taking care of the calf that night but REALLY wanted
someone else to take her the next day. He reminded me that she would be
sterile due to twin pregnancy with male/female combo. A little
research tells me that the female from this set of twins is sterile 92%
of the time. In other words, she is destined to be a beef cow.<br />
<br />
I
battled the pro's and con's all night. I tend to work out dilemmas
while I sleep. When I got up I was certain the correct answer was "no"
since we simply weren't ready, not to mention It's WINTER!<br />
<br />
Then I went outside for chores. The sun was bright and glorious. I could sense God's hope and blessing.<br />
<br />
When
next I talked with the farmer, I said "yes". He didn't waste any time
bringing her and a bottle over to me. She wasn't as vigorous as I had
hoped when she arrived, but she was ok. She had just been fed, so we
snuggled her into a stall to rest for about an hour.<br />
<br />
When I went to feed her, she was chilled and very weak. She couldn't stand up or drink from the bottle. <br />
<br />
All my medical background and Mommy instincts kicked in. <br />
<br />
I
picked her up and took her directly into the house. We set up our ICU
in the laundry room (which just happens to be my sewing nook, too!) We
warmed up hot packs and bundled her in blankets. I started dripping
warm colostrum (saved in the freezer from when our Jersey delivered in
September) down her throat with a turkey baster (thanks Dorothy). She
couldn't even struggle. Sometimes her eyes would roll back and I was
sure she was dying. She had no muscle tone. <br />
<br />
I called my Mom and asked for prayer. I knew it would be a miracle from God if she survived the night.<br />
<br />
This
process all started around 4pm. At 9pm she pulled her legs up under
her. Minutes later she stood up....wobbly, but up. We put a dog
crate in the laundry room and tucked her in with blankets. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuOw17LwWKV8FNkRJcBVj-80YN_hLjGZLos1M6CKAM5UpWCWnyRhg0CpCh4917njlP3EVDjdM7uTfZoBrarP26yFED8sw62zKWITcdkJVDiyy1jE2i7swB2P7CuVO5QGi0gT4vNIwE8qK/s1600/blog_calf+laundry+room.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuOw17LwWKV8FNkRJcBVj-80YN_hLjGZLos1M6CKAM5UpWCWnyRhg0CpCh4917njlP3EVDjdM7uTfZoBrarP26yFED8sw62zKWITcdkJVDiyy1jE2i7swB2P7CuVO5QGi0gT4vNIwE8qK/s1600/blog_calf+laundry+room.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First days spent in the laundry room!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next morning she was alive! She even gave a little moo when I went
in to feed her. She took milk from my trusty turkey baster, but
couldn't suck from a bottle. <br />
<br />
Around 3pm on January 2, she took the last bit
of her first quart of colostrum. It had taken nearly 24 hours to get just
one quart in her. I knew she would get dehydrated if we didn't pick up
the pace a bit. Then another miracle occurred! She latched onto the
nipple of my calf bottle and started sucking. Next thing I knew, she
had drained her 2nd quart of colostrum!! Praise God! I broke out in
songs of praise. What a victory! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l_rKhr2DcoxrrCEfvTI9eWDNIbhdYBsVruvlaPAE95eadFjTW4w4sHxZ_l-AN6U-5t3cOu3LrQNA9hQ_v_Ku7lbWV-7pu12hzVTw3YzZ694wuHTC7RmQUmtmrDBtB9FvMSAfP-Uvekck/s1600/bambi+looking+back.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You want me to do WHAT?!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h3>
Thursday, January 17, 2013</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our little New Year's bottle calf has had a rough time getting a foothold in this world. <br />
<br />
At
one week of age, her umbilical stump was obviously infected. She was
exhausted and puny. The vet gave me an arsenal of shots to give her
including antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory, and Vit B. She perked right
up! Hooray!<br />
<br />
Then about 5 days later, she tanked again. This
time with a respiratory infection. She became fairly lifeless and
I thought she might die. Our vet (Thank God for vets!) said that she
needed a different antibiotic to knock this out. <br />
<br />
The vet
explained that cows have bacteria that live in their trachea. The bacteria
never cause a problem until the cow gets stressed and her resistance
goes down. The good news is that this too was promptly eradicated with
antibiotics! (Thank God for
antibiotics!)<br />
<br />
My sweet dairy cow, Bambi, has not officially adopted the calf, but does allow the calf to nurse just before I milk her. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-vKg7X8aaBOHmnZLwZsigvcFNtfuDwj4LpUDwmUQ7iJ6lza4UKAODrbl3hD9kpyZaWoL2hyphenhyphenjibSK0xA5Eft3Fj9AN6eUOXW_H_iiamQcMoKJL5KXHUwCYw9G-PPO7BmNU8hSEkOt-BpB/s1600/bob+nursing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-vKg7X8aaBOHmnZLwZsigvcFNtfuDwj4LpUDwmUQ7iJ6lza4UKAODrbl3hD9kpyZaWoL2hyphenhyphenjibSK0xA5Eft3Fj9AN6eUOXW_H_iiamQcMoKJL5KXHUwCYw9G-PPO7BmNU8hSEkOt-BpB/s1600/bob+nursing.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The calf doesn't seem offended that Bambi has to be restrained in a
steel head gate before she will allow her to nurse! I believe she
is thinking, "Rich, creamy milk...Who cares how you get it!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 class="date-header">
Sunday, February 10, 2013</h3>
So any guesses as to what I've been hauling in my van?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kQmJe_H2QawIfdrj6cPbfDJ64Jhu0x15wtcEY4p0YJgCe16rcDM4MqUXV7eBKKtyAkGGvxucnJgE7ATg9ujvIPSt6qEcd0Wp4qqSO5Y5h3XmT_nV2oW2laJ1hyDo-i7jhRRW03w3kMEL/s1600/blog_calf+in+van+800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kQmJe_H2QawIfdrj6cPbfDJ64Jhu0x15wtcEY4p0YJgCe16rcDM4MqUXV7eBKKtyAkGGvxucnJgE7ATg9ujvIPSt6qEcd0Wp4qqSO5Y5h3XmT_nV2oW2laJ1hyDo-i7jhRRW03w3kMEL/s1600/blog_calf+in+van+800.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, that's Bob the calf. Apparently some of you didn't get the
memo---Last Tuesday was "Take Your Calf for a Drive" Day! At least it
was around here. The calf needed to visit the vet and all I could think
to do was stick her in the back of the Mom Mobile! We've hauled
chickens, dogs, cats, and skads of kids in there...so why not a calf?! <br />
<br />
We
did get a lot of funny looks. I'm glad no on ran into us while they
were pointing and gawking. She practiced her very loud moo the whole
way there!<br />
<br />
Bob was much more subdued on the trip home after having the abscess in her navel drained. </div>
<br />
<h3 class="date-header">
Sunday, March 10, 2013</h3>
Growing big and strong. <br />
We are still battling the umbilical infection. <br />
This infection necessitated yet another van ride
to the vet about 3 weeks ago to incise and drain the abscess again.
Apparently abscesses can reach quite deep and are difficult to
cure....(Bob and I can testify to that!)<br />
<h2 class="date-header">
</h2>
<br />
<h3 class="date-header">
Tuesday, May 28, 2013</h3>
I've
been afraid to say this out loud, but I think it's safe to proclaim
that Bob the Bottle calf's navel abscess is healed!! ALL the Glory goes
to God! He blessed me with a great vet with lots of ideas, who also
respected my thoughts and observations. God gave me patience and
endurance to doctor Bob's wound twice daily for about 3 1/2 months. God
also put my previous training as a nurse to good use. <br />
<h2 class="date-header">
</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU-9E_iqgH1_yV7zNe9s62Vi6v7HNNQ29cx0w69dLgl7KbvCBzi6TrdmTI8S2rJh7Jhl1UlHSK8gn4NYRFAWF-QPPZfWwxYA_50bmFPPFVrjAfXddMuAkTJAUhGt_GxYA8ZsbM0kcnXus/s1600/blog_bob+and+annabelle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU-9E_iqgH1_yV7zNe9s62Vi6v7HNNQ29cx0w69dLgl7KbvCBzi6TrdmTI8S2rJh7Jhl1UlHSK8gn4NYRFAWF-QPPZfWwxYA_50bmFPPFVrjAfXddMuAkTJAUhGt_GxYA8ZsbM0kcnXus/s1600/blog_bob+and+annabelle.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabelle and Bob <br />
(Bob is sad with this new "milkless" arrangement!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the
end it was most definitely God who strengthened Bob and gave me courage
to let the abscess heal over and encapsulate (this flies totally in the
face of all that past training!). I still check Bob's belly
periodically and have to sing a little verse of praise every time I
realize that the infection has resolved!!<br />
<br />
Shortly after the
infection healed, I had to make an executive decision and wean Bob away
from Bambi (my Jersey milk cow). I really wanted to let her nurse
longer, but Bob was starting to scare me. That probably sounds
strange....I'll try to explain. Because of so much handling by me, on
some level Bob thinks of me as her mother. This leads to a myriad of
problems since Bob rapidly outgrew me in size and strength. As long as
Bob nursed I needed to lead her in and out of Bambi's paddock (unless we
didn't want any milk that day). Bob grew really pushy with
me....literally. She would no longer walk at my side, instead she
shadowed right behind me and tried to bump me along with her head. She
would even come running up in the pasture and start head bumping me to
get my attention. Trust me, she had it. It gave me the creeps and I
started being fearful for myself and my kids, too. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
December 2013</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB34Yf5Pp__tnQW_D7M4dOahEn8zuHIk-PVLyfbGTtm_uLWXqRWLwtvyrR_6M-_GTqFmxiI1cS6zf6DBZOXtuQukr3inYgTwqSOM2yO0S6AJlFvNlzpFrSNdyDqI4Oq6pt1F4GC3NFGd_i/s1600/blog_Bob+Dec+2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB34Yf5Pp__tnQW_D7M4dOahEn8zuHIk-PVLyfbGTtm_uLWXqRWLwtvyrR_6M-_GTqFmxiI1cS6zf6DBZOXtuQukr3inYgTwqSOM2yO0S6AJlFvNlzpFrSNdyDqI4Oq6pt1F4GC3NFGd_i/s1600/blog_Bob+Dec+2013.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bob
continues to be strong and healthy. She now weighs about 600 pounds.
She is an easy keeper and maintains her weight and condition well on
pasture and hay, being fully grass fed.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately
she still thinks I'm her mama. This sounds kind of cute, but in reality
it's quite dangerous. Cows use their heads and the strength of their
necks to bump each other, push one another around, and even charge to
get another cow out of their way. Because Bob relates to me as a cow,
she tries to push and bump me with her head. She also gets excited when
she sees me in the pasture and runs to "greet" me. I'm thankful that
this behavior doesn't get exhibited with any other members of our
family. I've learned to be very cautious in the pasture and work near
the fence.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Top 5 Tips for Raising a Bottle Calf</h3>
<h3>
1. Choose a healthy calf. </h3>
Colostrum at birth, especially
during the first 24 hours of life, is the key to long-term health and
survival. The colostrum is filled with antibodies and nutrition that
helps build a strong, healthy immune system. During that first 24
hours, the gut is fully open and ready to absorb those antibodies. <a href="http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq8021" target="_blank">Here is a really good article about colostrum, antibodies, and the gut.</a><br />
<br />
Ideally
a bottle calf will spend it's first few days (a week is even better!)
with it's mother getting all the colostrum it needs. But if the mother
died or if she is being used as a milk cow, the calf may not have gotten
this luxury. Be sure and confirm that the calf was with its mother for
initial colostrum OR that the calf was given colostrum by bottle right
away after birth. <br />
<br />
This is key. <br />
<br />
<h3>
2. Be prepared.</h3>
This is really a tie with #1. You need to be prepared for the arrival of your calf. <br />
You will need: <br />
** a calf bottle<br />
** colostrum if taking calf as newborn <br />
** fresh milk or milk replacer<br />
**
shelter for inclement weather--cows typically don't require much in the
way of shelter, but remember that a bottle calf is already stressed
without it's mama, so you want to protect it from any harsh weather. <br />
<br />
<h3>
3. If you have a milk cow, use her!</h3>
If you are blessed to have a family milk cow, get her in on the action!<br />
When
your milk cow delivers her own calf, save some of her colostrum in the
deep freezer. Don't think that you are robbing her calf of these
precious nutrients. Your milk cow produces an over-abundance of
colostrum those first days, so store some away.<br />
<br />
Give
your bottle calf fresh milk from your family milk cow. This will be a
huge savings and is, of course, packed with the best nutrition. <br />
<br />
Consider letting the calf nurse your milk cow when she is secured in the milking stanchion. <br />
<br />
Allow
calf to pasture with your milk cow. One of the ways that mama cow's
identify their calf is by the smell of its stool....by giving the bottle
calf milk from your milk cow, your bottle calf will start to smell like
<i>her</i> calf. This aides in the adoption process.<br />
<br />
<h3>
4. Cows are herd animals.</h3>
Your bottle calf will do best growing
up with other herd animals. Some people raise 2 bottle calves together
to accomplish this. You can also raise your calf with horses, sheep, or
goats if you don't have another cow around to befriend it. <br />
<h3>
<br />5. Don't get attached.</h3>
I wish I could tell you that this is
easy, but it's not. Calves are cute! Your bottle calf doesn't have a
mother and you may feel compelled to fill this need. Resist! <br />
<br />
Because
of Bob's poor initial health status, I handled and mothered her
entirely too much. I hope you will learn from my mistake. <br />
<br />
Also
remember that getting attached will only complicate the situation when
it comes time to haul away your grown cow--either selling to someone
else or taking to the meat processor. Most homesteaders raise a bottle
calf with plans to use the meat themselves. You will be better able to
carry out this plan if you get the bottle calf out into the pasture with
other animals asap and let him have a healthy "cow" life. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>So will our family raise another bottle calf? Yes, most likely. <br />Will I follow my own advice--I sure hope so! </i><br />
<br />
best wishes to you on this journey,<br />
pam<br />
<br />
Praising God Today!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-72820901122497312432014-01-10T05:33:00.001-08:002014-01-10T18:12:34.852-08:00Organizing my Efforts<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been sorting through my collection of projects, fabric, and assorted bits and pieces of crafty endeavors. <br />
<br />
I
seem to spend a lot of time starting things. I'm not quite so gifted
in the finishing department. Starting new projects and trying out new
techniques and color combinations is very exciting to me. That's good.
Since that's an exciting part of my creativity, I want to keep it.<br />
<br />
But
I also enjoy seeing projects through to completion. This is a deeper
joy. This is an area that I need to further develop this year.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bonnie Hunter</a>
has been talking on recent Quilt Cams about Finishing. She is choosing
Finish as her word for the year. She suggests that people stop working
on so many projects at once and devote their energy to seeing one at a
time through to completion. Bonnie recommends having one project that
you are piecing, one that your are quilting / finishing, one that is
being pieced as a <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/leaders-enders-whys-and-hows.html" target="_blank">Leaders / Enders</a>
project, and one that you are hand piecing and carrying with you for
all those odd little moments that come up in the course of life.<br />
<br />
I
like this plan. I'm trying to corral my efforts to line up with her
ideas (in my own quirky way, of course!). In addition to her project
designations, I also have one quilt that I am hand quilting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfXX0XkYP5_kDTqsGUKDhhMCLVyqDPfNqo6gzgWEuOsWCxdlCVU1zTSOdC3vET5usGEvlku37RckCtY69h3qqNDhHsm-JdsAtXSN29XcilwZZTTzQbJYbg8aPT9aYydAl2vOgQfZo31Uc/s1600/blog_on+deck.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As I sorted my projects, I figured out another way to help myself keep
moving forward with my projects. I chose a project and designated it as
being "On Deck". I put all the parts for that project together in a
box along with a list of what needs to be done. This is very helpful to
me because I tend to lose steam when I do complete a quilt or project,
because I can't seem to decide what to do next. Now that decision is
already made and I can look forward to the On Deck project! Plus my
mind is now thinking about the On Deck project and puzzling
through the creative questions involved with putting that top together.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfXX0XkYP5_kDTqsGUKDhhMCLVyqDPfNqo6gzgWEuOsWCxdlCVU1zTSOdC3vET5usGEvlku37RckCtY69h3qqNDhHsm-JdsAtXSN29XcilwZZTTzQbJYbg8aPT9aYydAl2vOgQfZo31Uc/s1600/blog_on+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfXX0XkYP5_kDTqsGUKDhhMCLVyqDPfNqo6gzgWEuOsWCxdlCVU1zTSOdC3vET5usGEvlku37RckCtY69h3qqNDhHsm-JdsAtXSN29XcilwZZTTzQbJYbg8aPT9aYydAl2vOgQfZo31Uc/s1600/blog_on+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxtZd0VnLnIhCgWbccPLPU4s0U6jpFBqpB9PActFyDsjOehOIt7HCO-hysTJWsSZFXQmOBIHlwsxS3VfFj9lCgFUjqwmoZGd3CzHCSp6Q2ywaIDQga_yXvrYliWvVEE_PhZ-u_jkDQyNi/s1600/blog_reunion+quilt+list.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The list helps me to clue in to where I was headed with this<br />
project and what still needs to be done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxtZd0VnLnIhCgWbccPLPU4s0U6jpFBqpB9PActFyDsjOehOIt7HCO-hysTJWsSZFXQmOBIHlwsxS3VfFj9lCgFUjqwmoZGd3CzHCSp6Q2ywaIDQga_yXvrYliWvVEE_PhZ-u_jkDQyNi/s1600/blog_reunion+quilt+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxtZd0VnLnIhCgWbccPLPU4s0U6jpFBqpB9PActFyDsjOehOIt7HCO-hysTJWsSZFXQmOBIHlwsxS3VfFj9lCgFUjqwmoZGd3CzHCSp6Q2ywaIDQga_yXvrYliWvVEE_PhZ-u_jkDQyNi/s1600/blog_reunion+quilt+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
How do you keep your projects moving along? Please share your tips with us!<br />
<br />
Praising God today!!<br />
<br />
many blessings,<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-83316476824461782362014-01-09T05:53:00.002-08:002014-01-09T05:53:40.592-08:00Gold StarsOver the years, I've developed a habit that I now desperately want to change. <br />
<br />
Procrastination. <br />
<br />
Procrastination is not my friend. It never comforts or inspires me. <br />
<br />
Procrastination muddles my mind and makes me think I'm doing too much and that I don't really have time to do the things I really want to do--the activities that I know, deep down in my soul, I should be doing. <br />
<br />
Procrastination steals our energy. Instead of taking action, we use lots of energy just thinking of all the things we should be doing. Having a busy, spinning brain makes you tired but doesn't really accomplish anything meaningful.<br />
<br />
Procrastination is an enemy of all the good things that God has placed before us to do. <br />
<br />
<br />
One thing that seems to help in the battle against Procrastination is having a list and knowing the next thing that needs to be done. <br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0tjMucRJl_9I3T4noauBKuCucEF6son3Gc_-OX76ynHISh24c9UDRO_qBgFEkO7K6e3WRd61kTwsBgaUcohCCAEY6u0ic7H987RPzk3O4x9QCWNPjA0AHy8BU5RF1hR4KYHgdwbz39a1/s1600/blog_goal+task+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0tjMucRJl_9I3T4noauBKuCucEF6son3Gc_-OX76ynHISh24c9UDRO_qBgFEkO7K6e3WRd61kTwsBgaUcohCCAEY6u0ic7H987RPzk3O4x9QCWNPjA0AHy8BU5RF1hR4KYHgdwbz39a1/s1600/blog_goal+task+list.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I scribble out my list at the top of each week's calendar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I've gone one more than this.<br /><br />I'm developing a list each week of tasks that need to be completed. This list includes tasks related to our home, farm, family, and my creative endeavors....a list of things that really need to be done, but keep getting put off. <br /><br />When I step up and complete one of these tasks, I give myself a "gold
star". (apparently my 1st grade teacher had it right all along!). My
grown up "gold stars" are shown on my calendar written in purple with a
big check mark by them. I also get to mark the task off my list, but I
find that by writing it in purple and making a big deal out of it, I get
an even bigger charge out of the accomplishment! <br /><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQTkne6NwT622lo4EKub9II7p4CL1SgxH6z-QC5shyphenhyphenXCH-1YYtjUN8f9lPAxS8Co-oeasLLwIePwn0CQpE34flw7POvq5_jHtghKLQ2tUbLutNbQAqyzp9LmNobYV8F6-6_tTp0MPAkpA/s1600/blog_purple+entries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQTkne6NwT622lo4EKub9II7p4CL1SgxH6z-QC5shyphenhyphenXCH-1YYtjUN8f9lPAxS8Co-oeasLLwIePwn0CQpE34flw7POvq5_jHtghKLQ2tUbLutNbQAqyzp9LmNobYV8F6-6_tTp0MPAkpA/s1600/blog_purple+entries.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gold Stars" being celebrated!</td></tr>
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<br /><br />
I started giving myself these "gold stars" a couple weeks ago. I would find myself late in the day trying to do something on my list to be able to get a star. It was such a great feeling to eek out a star for the day even if I squeaked it in just before retiring to bed!<br /><br />
This week I've noticed that Procrastination has even less of a hold on me. I'm getting 2-3 gold stars per DAY!! I'm becoming more productive! I'm spending less energy thinking about what I should be doing, and more energy actually doing it! Hooray!!<br /><br />Do you battle Procrastination?? Have you found ways to stand strong and become a Finisher of good works? Please share!<br /><br />Praising God today!!<br /><br />many blessings,<br />
pam<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-27017722480310335282014-01-06T05:47:00.000-08:002014-01-06T05:47:32.319-08:00New Directions<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been doing lots of thinking about the New Year. Evaluating the
activities of my life. Figuring out what works and what doesn't. I
love January for all the hope and newness of it--January is bursting
with possibilities! I'm working on setting goals. My husband and I
have been setting goals each January for many years. We find this habit
to be very beneficial. <br /><br />While mulling around on the goal thing
(goal-setting requires lots of mulling-around time for me!), I decided
to reclaim a buried machine in my laundry room. I've been doing some
finishing work with bindings for the quilt ministry, so my electric
machine is set up with the walking foot. Switching feet and settings
and thread when I need to piece something is certainly a do-able task,
but really not necessary when I am blessed to have another machine!
Duh!<br /><br />I should have taken a picture of the buried treasure when I
started this little New Year's endeavor. Here is the machine
uncovered. Hooray!<br /><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Roa-4XbqXcLQfX1h9QLRzRUVtZij-W2cf-ToRiaw68IbnA_5m-WTNuiBSlWc4D0WF8vQ8U8U3A1RNDaiysalcrsWAHM1vXylNGOMgX8WIEz1hFYy7y9CZ2XHQDNTFz6xx7tZfa8NvRAb/s1600/blog_treadle+uncovered.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singer 201. Love this machine!!</td></tr>
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<br />Pulling back to give you a better view of the laundry / sewing / mudroom / animal supply room / milking supply room / canning closet / if you can't find a spot for it, put it in here-room....<br /><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4z1C2kc5dAeG_muSzjIc7nCwlm7arRQolVATndmkz-7HVLsGapNIuELwTbke_DD0RgfOnNGCttHOH7DuVQX9mbG8VuInIY-lS-uAOlaFiGGHalAzFh7v_LYko13M0bIftLvH2QVqScea/s1600/blog_laundry+with+treadle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4z1C2kc5dAeG_muSzjIc7nCwlm7arRQolVATndmkz-7HVLsGapNIuELwTbke_DD0RgfOnNGCttHOH7DuVQX9mbG8VuInIY-lS-uAOlaFiGGHalAzFh7v_LYko13M0bIftLvH2QVqScea/s1600/blog_laundry+with+treadle.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our laundry room gets a LOT of action!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And now to look at the adjoining dining space to see some of the offending clutter that was removed during the process:<br /><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMzQz5-V5GkFJCKXzwY91TJlJosV0cvJ43j_cFO2s2MD1yBqJIPcAFd0QD9FQ7lQXwKxJsq9RoxTa0whzLgB0s85VayC7q8MJcpus9wJOeMzV0Q81H0l9sNd4fmpGWLJYTTRwdF_Kh_q9/s1600/blog_stuff+on+table.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table full of stuff to be relocated. More on the floor. </td></tr>
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I'm enjoying my 2-machine set up! Hooray! <br /><br />Here is my other
girl. I love these old machines! I sprung for some Aurifil quilting
thread to use on this one and am in awe at the beautiful stitches. :)<br /><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtBFgck4zLNgAYlBwYLqz1yVE-KEHOW9XErtdwfWfmJkVGFvM54uYb4RLKMF_lY8k0h1CLpg1DOw7pTdUeMCaiT1fAOFHLpsn5OL3uzGvOXv6K97vL7Ye1MY6igiHfn1D7tjwPRoidbZ3/s1600/blog_quilting+machine.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet color, but don't be fooled--she's a workhorse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So what are you doing with January and this whole new year that spreads before us? <br />Are you changing directions with anything? Or maybe just tweaking what you are already doing?<br />Will you learn a new skill? Or change a habit?<br /><br />Praising God each and every day!<br /><br />many blessings,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
pam</div>
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-806111021091747692013-12-22T15:23:00.001-08:002013-12-22T15:28:45.935-08:00Another Finish!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLqv6Qzp9Hubc3tf389vz4yK2HZHVUrijs7tQEpqWzVv8fwqWWHgxAaZE93DySzgDP9xh9DsIfuUePanI3eOqG9rEG6aP-3czGXs8H8t_d4C4o9l4m-VO9RLgtU8IkzkgGd3NlQdgnE9W/s1600/blog_vest+w+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLqv6Qzp9Hubc3tf389vz4yK2HZHVUrijs7tQEpqWzVv8fwqWWHgxAaZE93DySzgDP9xh9DsIfuUePanI3eOqG9rEG6aP-3czGXs8H8t_d4C4o9l4m-VO9RLgtU8IkzkgGd3NlQdgnE9W/s400/blog_vest+w+me.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporting my new sweater vest!</td></tr>
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Are those angels singing??? Probably just a joyful Christmas song
spinning round my happy brain, but surely the celestial beings are at
least a little happy about this finish!! <br />
<br />
I'm determined to
become a Finisher like <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my friend Sarah</a>. She makes a list every week and
finishes things. It's a miracle....nothing short of a miracle, at
least to a procrastinating non-finisher like me. <br />
But that's all
changing. I am transforming into the Joyful Finisher!<br />
<br />
I'm still
pinching myself that this vest is finished. It has been lingering for
well over a year just waiting for me to <i>knit the button loops</i>! That's
really embarrassing to admit, but I think that may be a piece of the
mystery to my unfinished projects. I get stuck--for a variety of
reasons, but stuck none-the-less. Anyway, I didn't know how to knit the loops so instead of putting some effort into figuring that out, I put the whole thing away. Once a project gets set aside with an issue, it's REALLY hard to pick it up and run with it again. <br />
<br />
<br />
This sweater vest has so much learning in it! <br />
<br />
**I spun the yarn from fleece that I blended. It's bulky, but soft and a bit silky to touch. Very warm!<br />
<br />
**I learned to make cables! Fun!<br />
<br />
**First steek! This was knit in the round and then cut down the front. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zk1wmPY6KHH7h3r80ur8yL4uBk5ExBvlGNfRfv92VNmlqfoygBBqxJpKZy5KiSs7m5pAY3QHnNoAz-GWTRYCahJezPbTDWzN68TV3Q2CZDyz5IHMaZ2ZSliWcS0xg9K42ne4SI-PV9a9/s400/blog_vest+back.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="265" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cables run down the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiySMksRiMpQ0k-37kGs483yIKuU3DxXH7SdSrtLN1Nyb-ulIvNNEzg-jHConbwmTnIKpPBgxnfN_mL1r8q_0-P33uEg-eIjvHnHrENj2xZy-q7rKjMXJKxzeoF6WLH1OlqXq0l1VFXTGv/s1600/blog_vest+hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This pattern is in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=handknitting%20with%20meg%20swansen&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=handknitting%20with%2Caps%2C639&tag=realwomenquil-20&url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank">Handknitting with Meg Swanson</a> (affiliate link to Amazon). I bought a video by Meg that teaches the construction step-by-step. I highly recommend the book and video for learning these techniques. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiySMksRiMpQ0k-37kGs483yIKuU3DxXH7SdSrtLN1Nyb-ulIvNNEzg-jHConbwmTnIKpPBgxnfN_mL1r8q_0-P33uEg-eIjvHnHrENj2xZy-q7rKjMXJKxzeoF6WLH1OlqXq0l1VFXTGv/s1600/blog_vest+hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiySMksRiMpQ0k-37kGs483yIKuU3DxXH7SdSrtLN1Nyb-ulIvNNEzg-jHConbwmTnIKpPBgxnfN_mL1r8q_0-P33uEg-eIjvHnHrENj2xZy-q7rKjMXJKxzeoF6WLH1OlqXq0l1VFXTGv/s400/blog_vest+hanging.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<br />
I still need to block it and I think I'll add one more loop and button to the front (now that I know how!!). I'm a happy camper!<br />
<br />
I hope you are blessed with a finish this week, too!<br />
<br />
Praising God in All Things!<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
Linked to <a href="http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2013/12/slow-sunday-stitching.html" target="_blank">Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday</a>!<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-63273226306847115382013-12-20T06:03:00.000-08:002013-12-20T08:11:54.753-08:00Friday Finish!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7qyYGxOwTucWpsTDDna-i9LTwWoBE5rK1cLRSF8YlS574MpYjflBYo2ch4SGM2GW20SqQO8jqVLYOq49qeUqboZEQ0idiVeAmACi8SwS5xDPhgym_98tbw6rnJDPjRErrZ5wKThCy4LY/s1600/blog_tommys+quilt+11_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7qyYGxOwTucWpsTDDna-i9LTwWoBE5rK1cLRSF8YlS574MpYjflBYo2ch4SGM2GW20SqQO8jqVLYOq49qeUqboZEQ0idiVeAmACi8SwS5xDPhgym_98tbw6rnJDPjRErrZ5wKThCy4LY/s400/blog_tommys+quilt+11_2013.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer Quilt for Tommy and Tami</td></tr>
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This quilt was finished and mailed a few weeks ago.<br />
I've been wanting to share it here, but it was a little too painful.<br />
<br />
This
quilt was made through our church's <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/p/piecelovequilt.html" target="_blank">prayer quilt ministry</a> (which gets
LOTS of support from quilters throughout the world! God is so cool like
that!) <br />
<br />
We received this gorgeous 25-patch quilt top by mail!!
(If you made this top, please wave your hand and take a little
bow!--this is an awesome quilt top!! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!
for taking part in this ministry!) <br />
<br />
I added borders and did the binding. <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> quilted it. As a group we prayed over it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxMntXac0vN13_u3XU6pvPfj2-Lh0TZKM3iNMMlo-QM0lAK3KdF_7e8-222DS6q16jEe9Mq4SfYaqvZqjdU6z3xnLxau9shxEPpYSFQHi8DsO_hxJ5Y9pT4GYshfiq1Kjol_E7XgMycZ0/s400/blog_tommys+quilt+CU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of Prayer Quilt--has a snuggly flannel back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The quilt was mailed to a precious friend of my husband to encourage and comfort him as he battles cancer. My heart sings whenever I spend time helping with the Quilt Ministry, but it's still hard when the quilt is destined for someone dear to you.<br />
<br />
I am Rejoicing in the Lord today! <br />
Thank You for blessing my life with the Quilt Ministry, Lord! <br />
Thank you for all the precious fellowship that occurs as we create these special quilts! <br />
Thank You for Your Love and Your Sweet Son Jesus!<br />
<br />
I am richly blessed.<br />
<br />
May your day be blessed as You Rejoice in the Lord!<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Linked to <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/12/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-another-one-bites.html" target="_blank">Confessions of a Fabric Addict</a>. and <br /><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-custom-quilt.html" target="_blank">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-30893673901712442782013-12-17T16:10:00.000-08:002015-07-10T13:13:21.931-07:00Chicken Therapy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGOfiPDEMn_VmS2U5Ijd3Rh-NkufN4KJwrQLaN-EuDVWkErA1GusQkTAKfMKIeK0ZP82qgjG4wdLazhPY7De9JnfU8VzvuBOfVwm64v53R0JH9_bxiUpKJgR8IC8jbDiqBOWZS2IruNTL/s1600/blog_Dorth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGOfiPDEMn_VmS2U5Ijd3Rh-NkufN4KJwrQLaN-EuDVWkErA1GusQkTAKfMKIeK0ZP82qgjG4wdLazhPY7De9JnfU8VzvuBOfVwm64v53R0JH9_bxiUpKJgR8IC8jbDiqBOWZS2IruNTL/s400/blog_Dorth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorth (the chicken) is feeling a bit crummy!</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Yes, this one is my kid....no doubt about it.<br />
<br />
We traveled to see family last weekend. The night before we returned I heard my sweet daughter say, "I miss my chickens!"<br />
<br />
I totally understood the sentiment. I went to bed that same night fretting over the cows even though I had stockpiled water and hay to meet their needs. Let's just say there is peace for my soul when I get to check on them every day. <br />
<br />
Last night one of the chickens showed up with a respiratory infection. She sounded raspy and one of her eyes looked kind of bubbly--like it was foaming (sorry if that was too much info!). It was nearly dark, so I had to make a decision quickly. (If you haven't been blessed with your own chickens, just know that they go to bed at dusk/dark regardless of what time that might occur. So right now, they shut down at 5pm. They climb into their coop, settle in a nest or on the roosting bar and call it a day until the sun shows up again.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, I did some quick research to determine the best course with the sickly bird. Some sources recommended that we do away with her to protect the rest of the flock. I knew that wasn't the right path for us. <br />
<br />
We isolated her into her own little pen and secured a tarp over it since she would have to depend on her own body heat for warmth through the night. I did a quick search to find which essential oils might help the situation. I tapped into <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/" target="_blank">Jill's experience</a> and mixed up some Melaleuca and Frankincense oil with a couple teaspoons of carrier oil. Massaged a bit into the bottoms of the bird's feet (which she greatly appreciated, much like a human!)<br />
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This morning found the bird looking a bit better. The raspy respirations had improved and so had the eyes! Praise God!<br />
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And more good news, the other birds all look healthy this morning, too. That's one of the big concerns with chickens that they will infect all their friends! (much like humans, again!)<br />
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We reapplied the Melaleuca / Frankincense oil combo to her feet in the morning and again a lunch. Planning to keep her penned separately until all the symptoms clear.<br />
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The sun is out and we are having a gorgeous day. While I was finishing up my chores, I found my daughter hanging out with the chickens. She smiled and said, "Chickens are My Therapy!" <br />
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Yes, she's definitely my kid!<br />
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may you be blessed with time for your "therapy" today, too!<br />
pam<br />
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Praising God for All Things!!<br />
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Linked to <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/12/homestead-barn-hop-140.html" target="_blank">Homestead Blog Hop!</a>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-37690453527963297452013-12-15T17:55:00.001-08:002013-12-15T17:58:02.672-08:00Lots of Slow Stitching<div style="text-align: left;">
I spent many hours traveling in the car this weekend. Thankfully I had
my favorite driver in the pilot position and I could stitch the hours
away!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC_9lTkSSXkc-tsAv7DM-wGo_40jFkP3s-IaLE0nLVPXl2f9SqFtKayCJhUaGUJaDcCqFtuRz2mStgGHfVPJRDi5S2g-4P7xiaB2Zj9BXdOHrWs-C0hq54e5SkrrIOBaAnPqg6s27y3Bb/s1600/blog_garden+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC_9lTkSSXkc-tsAv7DM-wGo_40jFkP3s-IaLE0nLVPXl2f9SqFtKayCJhUaGUJaDcCqFtuRz2mStgGHfVPJRDi5S2g-4P7xiaB2Zj9BXdOHrWs-C0hq54e5SkrrIOBaAnPqg6s27y3Bb/s400/blog_garden+stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made some more Garden Stars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXRMxZ6F9R5TLEAlyqXGWi7kKgsWpRJcD0jJ-ZM4XiwvQyMyQ0MSAzl9ZXSKge7_ctV5RPpzZtFkb7_6PgHAizCumxYIdKi8WN86iCRt7cKteMdIl8ddSEGm6OJGz09Ge5qLg9A78e5_C/s400/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I seem to like this squished setting better.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXRMxZ6F9R5TLEAlyqXGWi7kKgsWpRJcD0jJ-ZM4XiwvQyMyQ0MSAzl9ZXSKge7_ctV5RPpzZtFkb7_6PgHAizCumxYIdKi8WN86iCRt7cKteMdIl8ddSEGm6OJGz09Ge5qLg9A78e5_C/s1600/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Somewhere along the line, I got a wild hair to make some flower garden blocks (because, of course I NEED another project!) I just couldn't resist playing with some of the leftover centers from the Garden Star project. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a little detour with these cuties.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXRMxZ6F9R5TLEAlyqXGWi7kKgsWpRJcD0jJ-ZM4XiwvQyMyQ0MSAzl9ZXSKge7_ctV5RPpzZtFkb7_6PgHAizCumxYIdKi8WN86iCRt7cKteMdIl8ddSEGm6OJGz09Ge5qLg9A78e5_C/s1600/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXRMxZ6F9R5TLEAlyqXGWi7kKgsWpRJcD0jJ-ZM4XiwvQyMyQ0MSAzl9ZXSKge7_ctV5RPpzZtFkb7_6PgHAizCumxYIdKi8WN86iCRt7cKteMdIl8ddSEGm6OJGz09Ge5qLg9A78e5_C/s1600/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
These flower garden blocks are quite a bit larger than<a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/02/flower-garden-and-whats-in-pams-van.html" target="_blank"> this project</a>. I've always had a thing for Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts. Hopefully I'll even finish one some day!<br />
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<a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/12/praise-him.html" target="_blank">Still Praising God!</a><br />
pam<br />
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<br />Linked to <a href="http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2013/12/slow-stitching-sunday-thank-you.html" target="_blank">Kathy's Slow Stitching</a>.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-11086596937853304692013-12-07T14:06:00.001-08:002013-12-07T14:06:28.238-08:00Praise Him!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDndLp5Mbt1jxp1YH0LMmpxIFJpwcN7s6bbz-X3OZFCKeYq-yAKfoPHeUVMZhgM6Sn0FLIo6EPOtbb1UuSvHgDT-fD-2Nxw5CS4Z5dag72ozWYmxD6aeg3aggRgKZ-AtiOdUE5Wl-h23-m/s400/blog_new+life.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Life</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDndLp5Mbt1jxp1YH0LMmpxIFJpwcN7s6bbz-X3OZFCKeYq-yAKfoPHeUVMZhgM6Sn0FLIo6EPOtbb1UuSvHgDT-fD-2Nxw5CS4Z5dag72ozWYmxD6aeg3aggRgKZ-AtiOdUE5Wl-h23-m/s1600/blog_new+life.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a>I gotta come clean. I've had some really rough weeks recently. I've hit some lows and I don't like being there. I've had that lost, empty feeling. Those that know me, know that I've been here before. <br /><br />I found myself crying a lot--actually, more like trying not to cry. Trying to hold myself together and present a happy face for my family. (Note to self...this approach never works....you already knew this, ya big dummy!)<br /><br />I finally knew what I needed to do. Tell some trusted friends about the struggle, the inner turmoil and sadness. Ask them to pray. Prayer works. Opening up and sharing the pain helps. I don't exactly know why it's so hard to get to this point, but I have to get to a really dark place before I can open my mouth and ask. I just never want to burden other people with my pain, my struggle. I don't ever want to make someone else feel this bad. <br /><br />I think this is predominately a spiritual struggle. If the Enemy can stifle my spirit, he wins--he pulls me low and I struggle in all areas....managing my home and family, educating our children, ministering to others. The Enemy wins when I become ineffective in all these areas.<br /><br />He wins until I pull my depression out into the Light. I share and receive healing prayers and love. And of course my dear friends want to know why I didn't tell them sooner. I sometimes wonder the same thing.<br /><br />One dear friend reminded me that the Bible says that I am to Praise God in all things. I am to Praise Him for Depression! Let's just say that I had NOT been praising God for this struggle. I <i>had</i> been praying fervently asking Him to take the struggle away or make me strong enough to walk through it, but I had forgotten about the praise. My friend suggested that I Praise God for this out of my desire to obey Him. I'm not telling Him that I love depression, just simply that I Praise Him and trust that He will see me through this to grow me and/or to bring glory to His Kingdom. I can trust that He will use my pain. I can trust that He will see me through this. I can trust that He is purifying me. <br /><br />I am Praising God for my depression! <br /><br />Praising God changes everything about this struggle. <br /><br />Thank you, Patti, for reminding me to Praise Him.<br />Thank you, Dear Friends, for carrying me to Christ in prayer. <br />Thank you, Craig, for helping me to cry.<br /><br />Thank You, Lord, for not giving up on me even when I have to repeat these lessons over and over. <br />Thank You for Your Patience, Love, Kindness, Peace.<br /><br />I have depression. <br />I am blessed.<br /><br />much love,<br />
pam<br /><br /><br /><i>Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.</i><br />
<i>Worship the Lord with gladness;<br />come before Him with joyful songs.<br />Know that the Lord is God<br />It is He who made us, and we are His;<br />We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.<br /><br />Enter His gates with thanksgiving<br />and His courts with praise;<br />give thanks to Him and praise His name.<br /><br />For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;<br />His faithfulness continues through all generations.<br /> Psalm 100</i><br /><br /><br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-27027041143625452772013-11-21T09:48:00.001-08:002013-11-24T14:59:35.697-08:00Slow Stitching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-WhNbzrsTdoxfQn4a9AkiOL8wZVT3b4h9f01zK6MrTKbQ3wNBKV80_C4y-71fbWqfhHnp79kGFBmDuiV9SDgSnb3EEX4wxEzGKCgcvkBTiy1xXf2vsPUkZBBNMUl5XVmHikUsvikfdFI/s1600/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-WhNbzrsTdoxfQn4a9AkiOL8wZVT3b4h9f01zK6MrTKbQ3wNBKV80_C4y-71fbWqfhHnp79kGFBmDuiV9SDgSnb3EEX4wxEzGKCgcvkBTiy1xXf2vsPUkZBBNMUl5XVmHikUsvikfdFI/s320/blog_garden+stars+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed <a href="http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2013/11/slow-sunday-stitching-for-your-health.html" target="_blank">Kathy's post</a> this past Sunday and was inspired to get out some of my own Slow Stitching. I've been hand sewing these blocks for a while. It's easy work, but does require that you sit down and relax and stitch. Sometimes I forget how nice simple sewing is. Thanks for reminding me Kathy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cYJ4vKQjjNTbgSp9k5kloFoEpAzQZOYr3sHLUg7vk09dtZ9RiNRcOXY_HJkHwxVUsrl6prN9K_-GcuKgyrAHcaI9bxaU5v5D3JEiIrk3Im_5jAHF-zbodf100lZgSTOnYb-WbeKjkDfr/s400/blog_garden+stars+with+white.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with the setting and a white-based<br />
background fabric</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cYJ4vKQjjNTbgSp9k5kloFoEpAzQZOYr3sHLUg7vk09dtZ9RiNRcOXY_HJkHwxVUsrl6prN9K_-GcuKgyrAHcaI9bxaU5v5D3JEiIrk3Im_5jAHF-zbodf100lZgSTOnYb-WbeKjkDfr/s1600/blog_garden+stars+with+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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After stitching a while, I played with the setting. My daughter got excited and thinks this should be a quilt for a baby girl. Which led to the question--"Who is expecting a baby girl?" She didn't know, but says there's always someone at church having a baby. Good point.<br />
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I had kind of thought this might grow larger than a baby quilt. Time will tell. I'll keep stitching these as the spirit moves me. When I grow tired, I'll likely call it big enough! I sew a lot without a definite plan in mind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAzP1NFcWl430eb38BVJBaNAEkCZDB2NK6W0M82qUu4uyc45Yp-6ZH2b7YLCPnNXrHuXimmFkJBC7riFDqB_VQMn7P7L7a4BEIibF12XB3zSzX8jyoEqM4-l0HLytvGAsLS7RNyOEN5gs/s1600/blog_garden+stars+with+gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAzP1NFcWl430eb38BVJBaNAEkCZDB2NK6W0M82qUu4uyc45Yp-6ZH2b7YLCPnNXrHuXimmFkJBC7riFDqB_VQMn7P7L7a4BEIibF12XB3zSzX8jyoEqM4-l0HLytvGAsLS7RNyOEN5gs/s400/blog_garden+stars+with+gray.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe gray?</td></tr>
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Hope you are enjoying the sweet rhythm of this day.<br />
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many blessings,<br />
pam<br />
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<i>Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,<br />for His compassions never fail.<br />They are new every morning;</i><br />
<i>great is Your faithfulness.<br /> Lamentations 3:22-23<br /><br /></i>Linked to <a href="http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2013/11/slow-stitching-on-sunday-binding-time.html" target="_blank">Kathy's Slow Stitching.</a><br />
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-56896899986154006432013-11-18T09:15:00.000-08:002013-11-18T09:15:30.573-08:00Itty Bitty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GEKlH09jxShVD7kfwwqKnAMMMSWskwd9Zf5bZLLWeT7b6A3JTvxxTooN0ZqyXTufm9wO80HdC0p_IttU0G-CZyOAZANYWlTqVYH3jVVRtJnJt-lLao9403i-hOjVuYqz0A1NInmAeKYW/s1600/blog_first+2+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GEKlH09jxShVD7kfwwqKnAMMMSWskwd9Zf5bZLLWeT7b6A3JTvxxTooN0ZqyXTufm9wO80HdC0p_IttU0G-CZyOAZANYWlTqVYH3jVVRtJnJt-lLao9403i-hOjVuYqz0A1NInmAeKYW/s400/blog_first+2+stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First 2 stars.<br />These finish to 2 inches!!</td></tr>
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<br />I'm sewing up stars per the mystery directions at <a href="http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/2013/11/countdown-to-christmas_18.html" target="_blank">Temecula Quilts</a>.<br />I knew the cutting sizes seemed small, but chose to take the path of denial even though I was cutting little 1" squares!<br /><br />I've never worked this small before. It's not easy, but strangely fun. It makes no sense from a practical standpoint, but I have to giggle at these tiny blocks. This is a serious stretch to my sewing skills, but I think I can still make these girls go together.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrPym9aQxR6535NASOCginn8zAHE1Yoh6Vk3JrbLcV7vmD8U2-_ile7e0CmStqAAW4SP5CiPS6Hy8pf0V9dP0tCMj8sYEqKLLxVH_H5CC22Jxf4lI7ZI7Rd28psd-h1ie6S2Es4jshQ4t/s1600/blog_little+stars+with+6+inch+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrPym9aQxR6535NASOCginn8zAHE1Yoh6Vk3JrbLcV7vmD8U2-_ile7e0CmStqAAW4SP5CiPS6Hy8pf0V9dP0tCMj8sYEqKLLxVH_H5CC22Jxf4lI7ZI7Rd28psd-h1ie6S2Es4jshQ4t/s400/blog_little+stars+with+6+inch+block.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 inch Stars next to 6 inch 9-patch block!</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Hope you are having a fabulous day!<br /><br />blessings,<br />
pam<br /><br /><br /><i>May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight,<br />O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.<br /> Psalm 19:14</i><br /><br /><br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-31163497264210860812013-11-04T09:19:00.002-08:002013-11-04T09:21:36.209-08:00Remember the Animals Work for YOU!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWvongAYMSS9LRMTF5Qg46eJfWaO3Sf0auAhDNm-MXc1j4gSNIxYPIXraEvjIr8tnCpV3pHVQgK7IRpaGGE62v1lEcqNL2p448yPZk8_MFdPFPjPL2ZIgSA_29m0UNCYcCfeZWqAjnN6_/s1600/blog_boots+with+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWvongAYMSS9LRMTF5Qg46eJfWaO3Sf0auAhDNm-MXc1j4gSNIxYPIXraEvjIr8tnCpV3pHVQgK7IRpaGGE62v1lEcqNL2p448yPZk8_MFdPFPjPL2ZIgSA_29m0UNCYcCfeZWqAjnN6_/s400/blog_boots+with+cap.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boots busy at work entertaining her Humans!</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
You know how sometimes a phrase will really
stick in your head? This post is about one of those
phrases....Something said to me that most likely the speaker had no idea
the impact of his words.<br />
<br />
This goes back to
March 2012 when we bought our family milk cow, Bambi. We purchased
Bambi from a dear farming family. We had been buying a veggie CSA and
also sides of grassfed beef from the Vaughn family of <a href="http://rockygladefarm.com/index.php" target="_blank">Rocky Glade Farm</a> for many years. They
were our farmers and also our friends. Buying a milk cow from them was
the next natural step for us. <br />
<br />
When Bambi became available we
were not quite ready. (Are you ever completely prepared for a full-grown
member of the bovine family to arrive?!!) <br />
<br />
On my quest to be as
ready as possible, I started asking Jim Vaughn (farmer extraordinaire!)
many questions. He patiently answered me. Thank goodness he didn't
point out what a compete dodo brain I was because I would most certainly
have lost my nerve. <br />
<br />
One thing I asked Jim about was Bambi's
schedule. You know I wanted to do this right, so I was planning to
adjust my world to whatever was needed to care for Bambi. <br />
<br />
Jim's words were priceless.<br />
<br />
<b>"You don't work for the animals. <br />The animals work for you."</b><br />
<br />
Total light-bulb moment for me! <br />
<br />
In my heart, I still <i>really </i>wanted
to know Bambi's schedule, but Jim (in great wisdom) never told me. He
wanted us to adapt Bambi to our family, not the other way around. <br />
<br />
As
a homesteader, I am forever grateful for Jim's words of wisdom.
Applying this truth has led to many wonderful discoveries.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqhdvWSLv8FNzICk6D26fOOZCwpOLTkYBgr-sm0lEfYCs72WH8xYQOwR8nEgDyjqN2LGkFh6Rexo5IHHWwKOKtcAk74V1UA0RgZQEE7BIq41Tgslg8lX5QBN6FuEu-qy9cJDfDoUzVAuK/s1600/blog_Bambi+and+Becky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqhdvWSLv8FNzICk6D26fOOZCwpOLTkYBgr-sm0lEfYCs72WH8xYQOwR8nEgDyjqN2LGkFh6Rexo5IHHWwKOKtcAk74V1UA0RgZQEE7BIq41Tgslg8lX5QBN6FuEu-qy9cJDfDoUzVAuK/s400/blog_Bambi+and+Becky.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky receives a thorough cleaning from Bambi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I'll use Bambi as an example of this.</b> <br />
<b>** </b>Did you know that you don't have to milk a cow twice a day? <br />
You need to adjust their milking schedule and production to fit your needs!<br />
<br />
<b>**</b> Did you know that there's no rule saying you have to milk in the morning? <br />
Mornings aren't good for my schedule right now, so I milk in the afternoon!<br />
<br />
<b>**</b> Did you know that with some planning, you can even skip days of milking altogether?! <br />
Planning is the key.<br />
<br />
<b>**</b> Did
you know that it's absolutely fine to leave the calf with her mama to
raise and skip all the complications of separating the two and feeding
with a bottle? <br />
That's what we do! We aren't a commercial dairy farm--there's no reason for us to act like one unless that's what fits our needs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/meet-becky.html" target="_blank">Bambi delivered her calf in September</a>. I knew
that we did not have a use for 1-2 gallons of milk per day. I have
milked Bambi enough to keep her from getting mastitis, but not so much
that her milk production increased. <br />
<br />
Just because we have a milk
cow does not mean that we have to push her to full capacity with
regards to milk production. If we don't need that much milk, it's
really a waste of time and resources to obtain so much. It takes
nutritional energy for Bambi to produce milk. I would prefer she use
that energy to keep her own body in good condition and prepare for her
next pregnancy. Having more milk than we can use takes up my time
and energy, too. Having a fridge full of milk is a blessing if you can
use it. If you can't, it becomes exhausting trying to find uses for an overabundance of the white stuff! (remember, more is arriving every day!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiGUm35eM1QtdqaCh8wj30uqlXrVZmWy14Q9V9bzT59A7deAqygGeiGecpMkwV6fbKGShdFTQQY5NChv7SiwWFdNy9WPr-Rg1KBI96ue6JysQPLpJphhMboTeX11vV5FgVDaylG2aufJX/s1600/blog_udder+check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiGUm35eM1QtdqaCh8wj30uqlXrVZmWy14Q9V9bzT59A7deAqygGeiGecpMkwV6fbKGShdFTQQY5NChv7SiwWFdNy9WPr-Rg1KBI96ue6JysQPLpJphhMboTeX11vV5FgVDaylG2aufJX/s400/blog_udder+check.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udder Check--back teats look a little tight--will milk just <br />
a bit to relieve the pressure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
About 2 weeks ago, I decreased our daily milking to every other day. I was
able to do this because the calf has grown and is able to handle more of
Bambi's milk production for her own growing body. I still monitor
Bambi every day. If one of the teats is engorged (typically one of the back
teats since they aren't as easy for the calf to nurse from), I milk just
a bit out of it. "Just a bit" is key here. I'm just wanting to
relieve the pressure, not stimulate increased production.<br />
<br />
In the
near future, we will need to separate Bambi and her calf the night
before I want to milk her. They will be next to each other, just not
close enough for the calf to nurse. <br />
<br />
All of this is a natural
progression as the calf grows and consumes more milk. Don't worry about
stealing milk from the calf. The calf is already eating grass and
drinking water just fine. Having mama's milk is a bonus for her health
and nutrition. She'll still get plenty of milk even on the days that I
milk Bambi.<br />
<br />
I hope this encourages you to Let the Animals Work for You! (Thanks Jim!)<br />
<br />
many blessings,<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34</i><br />
<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/11/homestead-barn-hop-134.html" target="_blank">Linked to Homestead Barn Hop!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-75702222478611247492013-11-01T07:34:00.001-07:002013-11-01T13:48:53.770-07:00Friday Fun! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x7GjluA36KDD9Hw4K8hO9mq7pL6kjXUkiOO0yzKQmXS0oONigLBhw_CSfGSBNnAZzMRo_fa1sE22Sp43HGqzZD2v77mv3EfzCTsFazRDG1Cbr3VmDWPNgO_D0-fVNk_Xrfd7j1J7lEdO/s1600/blog_string+top+with+sashings+and+cornerstones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x7GjluA36KDD9Hw4K8hO9mq7pL6kjXUkiOO0yzKQmXS0oONigLBhw_CSfGSBNnAZzMRo_fa1sE22Sp43HGqzZD2v77mv3EfzCTsFazRDG1Cbr3VmDWPNgO_D0-fVNk_Xrfd7j1J7lEdO/s400/blog_string+top+with+sashings+and+cornerstones.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrappy String Quilt<br />
I love the little hands holding the quilt!<br />
And if you look closely, you'll notice our sock collection <br />
which is quite handy because you never really know when<br />
when your feet will get cold and you might want a sock!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Hooray!! I have a finish! A finished top, at least (celebrate every victory, I say!) Remember my <a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/play-first.html" target="_blank">post about playing first</a>? Well, guess what? When you sew a little every day, you actually get things done! Funny how those things go together!!<br />
<br />
This quilt is made entirely from my stash. I found a box with the scrappy string blocks with the purple centers and decided to play with sashings and cornerstones. The outer purple border was chosen because I had enough of it (I know you were hoping to hear of my genius and creativity, but no...sometimes a fabric makes the cut simply based on yardage on hand!)<br />
<br />
I am actually thinking of having this machine quilted by a friend with a longarm! GASP! This is a major step towards creative happiness for me. You see I've always felt that I had to complete all of my quilts for them to be mine. I love finishing my own quilts, but this is so freeing to dump my rigid rules and allow myself the freedom to choose to send my top for quilting. <br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQK4PMMpSz77zH7YFhZsL3VehCY-FiFkqgGhhWyJt-jDvnbn5RGAI1aPstF9sAkKjskR8_j5HJQDgoU5SWtwIiVlwlYfu7_eHMeMBdkw6X0n1OpUb3_dIo98nBgrK6aPyi2fzxA9uny9A/s400/blog_quilt+group+with+Sarah.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesday Night Quilt Ministry<br />
Sarah C. is standing near the center--in the white shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQK4PMMpSz77zH7YFhZsL3VehCY-FiFkqgGhhWyJt-jDvnbn5RGAI1aPstF9sAkKjskR8_j5HJQDgoU5SWtwIiVlwlYfu7_eHMeMBdkw6X0n1OpUb3_dIo98nBgrK6aPyi2fzxA9uny9A/s1600/blog_quilt+group+with+Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQK4PMMpSz77zH7YFhZsL3VehCY-FiFkqgGhhWyJt-jDvnbn5RGAI1aPstF9sAkKjskR8_j5HJQDgoU5SWtwIiVlwlYfu7_eHMeMBdkw6X0n1OpUb3_dIo98nBgrK6aPyi2fzxA9uny9A/s1600/blog_quilt+group+with+Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am so blessed to get to sew and fellowship with dear friends every week!! I took these pictures at our weekly quilt ministry gathering. <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> calls it our Sweat Shop! There is so much going on in this room every week. I think of it as organized chaos. <br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU-Sph7veJM-oYU2ZHCK7OUkW35U_oYi-d21RApvHN7bMZW8YDCTSkcYuj65oHCY71GSyBi8t8hFgzOc-TzIzgtJVo7EMJrQHu4-94D4o_P02F5bBZkUhqALmXODRBcrzkw2dQgO-GclL/s400/blog_quilt+group.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of our precious group. <br />
God is so good to us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Sewing with friends has blessed my life beyond measure. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of this quilt ministry. <br />
<br />
***********<br />
<br />
Last night I saw a <a href="http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/2013/10/countdown-to-christmas.html" target="_blank">Christmas sewing project</a> that made my heart skip a beat. It's actually a mystery type thing, I think. I'm new to this way of playing. Anyway, I got all jazzed up (I finished that top, so of course I should start another project to keep the solar system equilibrium in order!) and cut nearly all the pieces and will be ready to sew when they post the first step. <br />
<br />
This is even more fun because I pulled all the fabric right out of my stash. I'm not against buying fabric (oh no, not me!), but I get a special thrill from using what I already have. <br />
<br />
So tell us what fun thing you are doing today!!<br />
<br />
may your day be blessed beyond measure!<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>This is the day that the Lord has made;<br />let us rejoice and be glad in it.<br /> Psalm 118:24<br /></i><a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/11/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-orphans-no-longer.html" target="_blank">Linked to Sarah's Whoop Whoop Friday!</a><i><br /></i><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2013/11/shady-quilt.html" target="_blank">Also linked to Crazy Mom Quilts!</a><i><br /></i><br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-19048583999944378662013-10-30T09:02:00.002-07:002015-07-10T13:18:35.351-07:00Therapeutic Journaling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd6BN1hAeEB19Nc-cyqdtbUHvc6ceo4W7ayyg64g2JK4EMsVhJ-jKZxnnB9y9TuVEhyB6W1rCtWk-lJuP6VHBeGkhJSBN509pvHEEhs-2-As9X1-gbRzDeOZJNHpAs9cSm49diDjPrL4W/s1600/blog_therapeuticjournaling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd6BN1hAeEB19Nc-cyqdtbUHvc6ceo4W7ayyg64g2JK4EMsVhJ-jKZxnnB9y9TuVEhyB6W1rCtWk-lJuP6VHBeGkhJSBN509pvHEEhs-2-As9X1-gbRzDeOZJNHpAs9cSm49diDjPrL4W/s400/blog_therapeuticjournaling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of the issues that has plagued me with my depression is an ongoing sense of deep sorrow. Sorrow without explanation. Sorrow and its cousins Guilt and Shame. It's easy to push Sorrow, Guilt, and Shame deep down in our gut--cover it over, and do our best to be happy. But with years of this chronic stuffing, Sorrow, Guilt, and Shame grow larger than life. Hiding them away somehow fortifies them and they grow and grow and grow. <br />
<br />
Eventually they bubble over. We are no longer strong enough to contain these toxic emotions. They come out. They prefer to show up at the most inopportune times. It isn't pretty. It's frightening to us and our loved ones. <br />
<br />
The first time Sorrow, Guilt, and Shame reared their ugly heads for me was about 10 years ago after a difficult pregnancy. The outcome of the pregnancy was good, but the anxiety and fears took a toll on me emotionally. I cried for no reason. I sat, numb and lifeless, and cried. I tried to pull myself together and couldn't. That's when I started taking antidepressants. I talked to a counselor briefly, but only dealt with the surface level which was a determination that I <i>should</i> be joyful--my precious baby was healthy, my lengthy hospital stay was over, I was reunited with my dear family. I chose not to go deeper at that time. <br />
<br />
10 years of depression and assorted antidepressants followed. They worked. Sort of.<br />
<br />
Last year, the antidepressants stopped working. This was actually a blessing since the meds really weren't working very well overall. I was back to feeling numb and lifeless a lot although I could still manage to hold myself and my family together to some degree. <br />
<br />
As the doctor changed dosages and meds, I found that sometimes antidepressants will actually mimic or worsen the very symptoms of depression! That's when I knew that I had to get off the bus. I didn't know how to proceed, but I knew in my heart that God wanted me off the medications.<br />
<br />
I am happy to say that I am off the antidepressants. They were weaned over the course of many, many months. Weaning off the antidepressants was painstakingly slow because my body was fully addicted to those chemicals. My body had to learn to create it's own happy chemicals again. <br />
<br />
I've sought out a variety of alternative, natural remedies. I use essential oils and assorted supplements to support my health. I hope to share more about that in future posts, but you are welcome to <a href="mailto:pamstahl@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a> if you want more info. <br />
<br />
I've also started working with a counselor. Therapeutic Journaling was one of my first assignments. This practice has great value for me. <br />
<br />
I like to do my Therapeutic Journaling in the morning. It's easy to do. <br />
What tools will you need? Blank paper, a pen, tissue, and a trash can. <br />
<br />
You'll need a safe place to work by yourself. Sit down and start writing. Just write whatever comes to mind. Don't try to edit or clean up your thinking. If anger bubbles up, let it. Write it out. Cry As Needed. When Sorrow, Guilt, and Shame rise to the top of your consciousness LET THEM OUT! Don't try to figure anything out or analyze it. Just let it out. Write it out. You will cry. You need to cry to purge these old toxic messages. <br />
<br />
The first few times you try this, you may write a LOT of pages. I did. As I chip away at the stuff in there, less is coming up. My writing has gotten a bit shorter. My typical journaling session fills both sides of lined paper. This is just my experience--yours may be different. There are no rules.<br />
<br />
How will you know when to stop writing? The tone of your scribbles will change. It will change from anger and sorrow, to hopefulness and answers. Then you'll just sort of know that you are done.<br />
<br />
Next step? Crumble up the paper(s) and throw them promptly in the trash. You can choose other methods to destroy the page--you might prefer to burn or shred your pages. Any way is fine, but you <b>must</b> destroy the page. Do NOT reread the paper first. Just get rid of it. Be Free. Have peace. Allow joy to enter your soul.<br />
<br />
So here are the basics again:<br />
Write. Cry. Destroy paper. Repeat.<br />
<br />
After that, you need to say some positive affirmations. Fill your mind with positive encouraging words. (we'll chat more about this later, too.)<br />
<br />
You are a dearly loved Child of God. God sent His Son Jesus to free us from guilt, shame, and sin. Jesus is happy to take these heavy burdens from us. We must choose to let Him.<br />
<br />
may you feel God's incredible love for you today,<br />
pam<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,<br />who daily bears our burdens.<br /> Psalm 68:19</i><br />
<br />
<br />
IMPORTANT! I am not a doctor. I am not prescribing health care for you. You are a grown up. You can take responsibility for your health and wellness choices. My only purpose is to share what I have experienced. I use Essential Oils and Products and share these products with others as an Independent Product Consultant. (translation: I make money when you purchase these products through me). I only share these products because they work for me and my family. <br />
<br />
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT! If you take antidepressants, do not stop them abruptly! This is very dangerous. Antidepressants should only be weaned with the guidance of your doctor. Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392650923012977905.post-62397291433952532492013-10-28T10:02:00.000-07:002013-10-28T10:06:41.884-07:00Fall Blessings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQLdpes0H-o-J-v-hcC1VMgD5HiWzbRP0ONUbbzAQbhbUggGfVnVFLmNff2ArG3TxT70BCr9kHKj0GmzVcVAxPqxaC7JrJU5keALthPZGWHBEEixXiVqwxCk3D9tc6d_Hi95FUOz6FG1Q/s1600/blog_canned+goods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQLdpes0H-o-J-v-hcC1VMgD5HiWzbRP0ONUbbzAQbhbUggGfVnVFLmNff2ArG3TxT70BCr9kHKj0GmzVcVAxPqxaC7JrJU5keALthPZGWHBEEixXiVqwxCk3D9tc6d_Hi95FUOz6FG1Q/s400/blog_canned+goods.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry with applesauce, green beans,<br />
tomatoes, and pickles. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wWIXWb3z_RXAV87BKQR4prtseMyyT4NEKH7IXF1ng6iidWN8VJcjXE83q1DH6c3Yud8pACWOsT0ZB4FdmlFJuhLKgYj0Uuy6Q1YAMPKzDIYjtRgZUhtnJlyLwSjkLtwgvX4SfbK2Ipmn/s1600/blog_team+stahl+with+hay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I LOVE a stocked pantry! And even more so when the pantry is stocked with the bounty of our own garden. We still have some more applesauce to can from apples that we bought locally. We've got apple trees started on our place, but they aren't quite old enough to produce apples. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wWIXWb3z_RXAV87BKQR4prtseMyyT4NEKH7IXF1ng6iidWN8VJcjXE83q1DH6c3Yud8pACWOsT0ZB4FdmlFJuhLKgYj0Uuy6Q1YAMPKzDIYjtRgZUhtnJlyLwSjkLtwgvX4SfbK2Ipmn/s1600/blog_team+stahl+with+hay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wWIXWb3z_RXAV87BKQR4prtseMyyT4NEKH7IXF1ng6iidWN8VJcjXE83q1DH6c3Yud8pACWOsT0ZB4FdmlFJuhLKgYj0Uuy6Q1YAMPKzDIYjtRgZUhtnJlyLwSjkLtwgvX4SfbK2Ipmn/s400/blog_team+stahl+with+hay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Stahl working the hay delivery!</td></tr>
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Hay was delivered this weekend! It's such a relief to have hay ready for the winter--equivalent to stocked pantry and freezer for the humans! I'm not sure why I put off getting hay for so long each year. I seem to worry and fret about the decisions associated with hay far too much. Thankfully it all came together this weekend complete with help from my home-grown work force.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moveable animal shelter and round bales in the pasture</td></tr>
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This is a new shelter that my very talented, very patient husband built for me! It's solid but not too heavy. 2 people can actually attach a strap to it, lift the front end and pull it to the next pasture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM2AZ6jHajNJoWOu4mxp0-cYBPGXuaBcB34QwU_H-Qk6cOkmowkhPVgVcdSUijdq-4eTcACiJtc4HWsKMZk48amXv1dyU7BeRMwwuGkWjjK16cgjo-5w09nadWpVGtm3geoNvxUPqZDch/s400/blog_hay+in+barn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hay in the barn. Beautiful!</td></tr>
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We placed one roll of hay in each of our 4 long grazing paddocks. The rest is stored in the dry barn. We have been practicing rotational grazing using a variety of methods for a couple years. We are modifying it just a bit for the winter to keep from moving the shelter as often. Trying to find a happy balance between pasture health and work load/time required to move animals/shelter/water. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT5vyH_rhVUZAm23Gc_AhyphenhyphenTO2i6WTwPuGibwzGuMkMuSsRxeO07YEf_jsAuvR8WrJZ8LhuuuGmsMvuKHuBGkgNiPjibAcwZ0RrEfLz2nNWaEJc5ggpkQbuTTDU8F1dDXdZ0tLFDFwb-vb/s1600/blog_cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT5vyH_rhVUZAm23Gc_AhyphenhyphenTO2i6WTwPuGibwzGuMkMuSsRxeO07YEf_jsAuvR8WrJZ8LhuuuGmsMvuKHuBGkgNiPjibAcwZ0RrEfLz2nNWaEJc5ggpkQbuTTDU8F1dDXdZ0tLFDFwb-vb/s400/blog_cows.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky, Bambi, Bob, and Annabelle<br />
Our little bovine collection.</td></tr>
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One last thing of farm interest. See little <a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/meet-becky.html" target="_blank">Becky</a> to the left of this picture. Turns out she is a real socialite! She kept jumping fences to be with <a href="http://creativecrazygirl.blogspot.com/2013/05/updates.html" target="_blank">Bob and Annabelle</a>. This has been frustrating since ideally a nursing calf will stay with her mama--duh! I think Becky would fill her belly and then set out to find playmates--forgetting that her tummy would get empty again. (not sure why she never jumped back to be with her mama).<br />
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Today I found that all 4 cows had managed to get into the same pasture. I had been keeping them separate because Annabelle and Bob still tried to nurse poor Bambi whenever the opportunity arose. <br />
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But, O Happy Day! Today, Bambi refused to let either of the older girls nurse! It looks like the 4-some can share a pasture harmoniously! This is such good news because now I can just manage one group of animals with the pasture rotation! Also good news that I no longer need to retrieve and return Becky to her mama each day!<br />
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<b>To all the Homesteading Newbies out there</b>, I want to offer a word of encouragement!<br />
We have lived on our little farm for a bit more than 2 years. <br />
I'm starting to hear strange new things come out of my mouth!<br />
Words like:<br />
** I know what to do next!<br />
<br />
** Hey, we've got that tool/seed/supply, and I even know where to find it!<br />
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** Sure, I know how to do that!<br />
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This is a whole new and much-welcomed experience! <br />
So please be encouraged if you are taking this new path. There really is a point where you will have the knowledge <i>and</i> tools that you need when a project rolls around!! <br />
<br />
many blessings,<br />
pam<br />
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<i>But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; <br />may they be happy and joyful.<br />Psalm 68: 3<br /><br /></i><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/10/homestead-barn-hop-133.html" target="_blank">Linked to Homestead Barn Hop!</a><i><br /></i><br />
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04189355877421698359noreply@blogger.com3