What’s Happening at Cozy Acres, Outside and Inside

February 21 is a beautiful winter day on Cozy Acres. The Farmer said, ” Today I’ll get the planting done”   Walk around with me, I’ll show you.

Last week the Farmer dug up a wayward wisteria and put up this woven wire trellis. Monday 4 star jasmine were purchased with a gift certificate from Capital Nursery.




Compost, fertilizer and tools all together
The Farmer has planting sown to a science.

Star Jasmine at home at Cozy Acres.

Some plants are starting to bloom.

Three varieties of violets and primroses are coming up.

Christmas Rose from Grandma Crain.

Today’s Seed Nursery

Fig cuttings

Future Greenhouse

Behind the tractor shed, facing south and west

Railroad ties for footing, river rocks for flooring

Wood for framing

Poor picture, used patio doors and assorted windows
from Enterprise Glass, Mary’s employer

Winter Garden

Kind of weedy, still trying to perfect winter gardening.

Beets

Broccoli takes about a minute to steam to tender crisp.

Cauliflower, onions, greens

Monday the Farmer purchased 5 citrus trees, Meyer Lemon, Blood Orange, Navel Orange,  Rio Red grapefruit, and a Satsuma tangerine.

Trees will get planted in the front yard north side of house.

The Farmer on his knees again, praying while planting, I’m sure.

Grass will be removed inside the circle, tree planted, mulched thickly, river rock will border each planting.

You have to see the daffodils around the pecan tree.

Daffodils and china lilies from Grandma Crain and the Lincoln Avenue property.

View from north porch.

Of course, Grizz and Buster are overseeing everything.

Inside at Cozy Acres is not near as exciting, except to me.

Knitting stuff first.
I’ve been trying to finish some projects.

Only about 3-4 inches and the hood will be done on this sweatshirt sweater.

Tails are waiting to be woven in and these dishcloths are done.

This ‘Knit-a-long’ scarf is the most challenging project I have ever tried. I love the color of the yarn and the bronze beads accent it beautifully. My skills are falling short, but I’m not giving up.

I started this slouchy sock hat this week. I tried it on and it’s time to rip it allllllllll out. I knitted it  so loosely on size 10 needles,  that it is big enough for a giant, not the petite young lady I’ve in mind.

New yarn this month plus the hat yarn.

Quilting now.

My Christmas window hanging binding is pinned and ready to hand stitch and it’s done. Ready for next Christmas.

I’m on track with the Bread and Butter Quilting Club quilt for this year.

This year’s project.

The stripe  and all but 7 of the coordinating fabrics;   I found in my stash.

The center block, I fussy cut the urn from the stripe fabric, from cutting to final pressing about 4 hours.  For any quilters that read this, the flying geese were made with the one seam method.  I used method 4. I really like this method. I get  a good 1/4 inch from outside points to edge of block, so I don’t won’t loose any points that way and the three dimensional look is neat.

This is what our days are looking  like at Cozy Acres; and there are the chickens, and the little girlies 3 days a week, general yard work, juicing, and life.   I wouldn’t trade it for ……………..well, maybe I’ll think about this a little longer. 🙂

Published in: on February 21, 2012 at 2:19 pm  Comments (1)  

One Thousand Gifts — February Joy Dare, part 2

One Thousand Gifts in2012

February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

February 11  3 gifts found in working

The gift of a job well done

The gift of accomplishment  for persevering when learning a new knitting pattern and finally figuring it out.

The gift of rest after hard toil

February 12   3 hard eucharisteos

The estrangement  and the healing between my daughter and I.

The losing of our business and home, opening the door to new possibilities.

The illness I experienced when  at 19 the drs. gave me a week to live; married 15 months with a premature daughter. The Lord giving me the promise in Psalms 91  with long life I will satisfy ….44 years ago.

February 13  3 gifts you found behind a door today

The gift of a straightening after finding a mess in the cupboard where we toss empty plastic/paper bags

The gift of a fresh morning after opening the front door for the first time this morning

The gift of opportunity to create when I open the door of my Stash Home.

February 14  3 ways you feel the love of God

I feel God’s love in every sunset.
I feel God’s love in the Farmer’s arms.
I feel God’s love as I bow before Him in prayer.

February 15

A gift in losing something  —  During my first miscarriage I learned God could take me through what I had feared and ‘the anchor holds’.

A gift in finding something  —  finding ‘contentment in whatsoever state I’m in’

A gift in making something  —

February 16 3 gifts in shadows

Care  —  Psalms 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Comfort  —  Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Hope  —  1Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

February 17 3 gifts giving/serving

The gift to be able organize the planning, preparation and serving of the yearly Church of God fellowship meeting meals.

The gift of hearing  ‘this is tasty’ when serving a new recipe.

The gift of being able to care for my mother-in-law occasionally.

February 18  3 gifts on paper

Gift of instructions to learn how to knit, I taught myself initially, and since all the written patterns and books I’ve read that increased that knowledge

 Gift of the first birthday card I received from the Farmer on my 18th birthday, “Fun being young, wasn’t it!”

  Gift of books, books, books, all kinds  —   children’s, novels, poetry, devotionals, instructional, cookbooks. . .

February 19  3 gifts that were “plan B’s”

I haven’t consciously set goals or made definite plans for my life that have failed. I mostly have just taken life as it came and  tried to do the best I could.  That is the Gift I was given, acceptance.

This isn’t a picture of  me, just the attitude I strive for.

February 20  a gift at breakfast lunch and dinner

The gifts of my favorite foods:

Breakfast  –  Chicken Fried Steak at the Coffee Pot (no longer in business, but it wasn’t my fault).

Lunch  –  Bacon, tomato and avocado sandwich with a cup of tomato soup.

Dinner  —  recipe from Mom  — meatloaf  !

Gifts 240-268

Published in: on February 19, 2012 at 6:14 pm  Leave a Comment  

Five Minute Friday — Delight

We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery at how much creativity is crammed in our heads and even if we just unlock if for five minutes it can paint the world in dazzling wonder.

 

Dazzling wonder describes my delight.

Prompt  —  Delight

DELIGHT, n. a high degree of gratification : joy; also : extreme satisfaction. 2. : something that gives great pleasure

Start:

Last week I wrote of a personality trait exposed to me by the Lord.

I wrote of my struggle to trust.

then I  prayed and cried

I asked forgiveness, determined that what ever it would take with the Lord’s help I would do all I could to change.

I was forgiven.

I didn’t have to do anything.  God did it.

He changed my thoughts from scorn to respect, from scorning to acknowledging and accepting, from scornful to appreciative.

Can you imagine my delight!?!

Stop.

Psalm 86:4-5  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Join with other writers here.

Published in: on February 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm  Comments (3)  

{this moment} — giggles

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Join other ‘moments’ here.

Published in: on February 17, 2012 at 3:29 pm  Comments (2)  

Wordless Wednesday — This is Why

On Wednesday’s I am wordless. . .

See what others are not saying here.

Published in: on February 16, 2012 at 5:05 pm  Comments (2)  

One Thousand Gifts — February Joy Dare

One Thousand Gifts in2012

February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

February 1

a gift found at 11:30, at 2:30 and at 6:30

at 11:30 am   —  fresh vegetable juice from the Farmer
at 2:30 pm  —  littlies sleeping
at 6:30 pm  —  safely arriving home

February 2

3 things over heard today all gifts

“Temper your expectations so you aren’t  overcome with discouragement”

Chorus from a song  — “God will make this trial a blessing though it sends me to my knees, Though my tears flow like a river yet in Him there’s sweet relief, There’s no need to get discouraged there’s no need to talk defeat, God will make this trial a blessing and the whole wide world will see”

“I put 30.00 worth of gas in the car today” the Farmer

February 3

3 gifts found in writing

Linking with Five Minute Friday and being reminded that Jesus and His sacrifice is Real

An excerpt from Streams in the Desert  February 1, This Thing is from Me

In my devotions;  Proverbs 16:23  “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips”. ever striving to have “the law of kindness is in her mouth.”

February 4

3 gifts found when bent down

I have difficulty physically bending down, so in my heart I am bowing:

A gift while bending low in devotions I found: Proverbs 17:8  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. In the center column for ‘a precious stone’ I read ‘a stone of grace’.

Receiving the  gift of forgiveness while bending low in saying I’m sorry.

When bending down, little hands reach up.

February 5

One gift stitched:  A quilt as a memento of our Journey across the USA

One gift , hammered  This shed hammered, nailed, sawed, painted by my son and his friends became my pantry, office supply station, yarn and fabric stash home, daycare storage, and pile it place. Thank you!

One gift woven:  The love of  a daughter and mother can have woven together

February 6

3 gifts found outside

The front porch deck

Just after the deck was finished, October 2010

What the deck looked like in July, 2011

 A row of iris blooming happily in their new home
The green leaves of bulbs heralding the coming of spring

February 7

3 gifts red

The Words of Christ
A new-to-me sweater
A red almond  M&M

February8

a gift broken,  what I brought to Christ  – a broken and contrite heart

a gift fixed,    the foot control for my sewing machine by the  Farmer

a gift thrifted  —  a long sleeved blue flat knit sweater I’d been wanting to use to layer

February 9

3 gifts that were surprises  —  unexpected grace

“Would you like to do something Tuesday?

How easy Christ’s yoke has been regarding a need that seemed so hard!

Last year’s hyacinth re-blooming

February 10

3 times you heard laughter today

My three daughters laughing at something I said.

During Sunday’s message at an example of Christian living that rang true, lemons trees and lemons

Friendly laughter while visiting an ill friend

Gifts 209  —  239

Published in: on February 13, 2012 at 3:59 pm  Leave a Comment  

The Reward of Trust

Yesterday Five Minute Friday’s writing prompt was trust. I wrote about my struggle with trusting. During my devotions the Lord had exposed a characteristic in my life. I had seen the tip of it before and called it being critical. I am ashamed to say what I saw as I looked at what the Lord saw.

Sometimes we pray, ‘help me to see myself as  You see me.’ Be careful, the picture is not always beautiful.

I had honestly prayed.

 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24

I really wanted to know if there was any ‘wicked way in me’. Wicked is a very strong word. I didn’t think there was any wickedness in me. I was wrong. That is why I was so shocked. What I saw and what God saw were so different.

So while I was very thankful for God’s mercy to me to show me this wicked way; I was overcome with sorrow and grief. I prayed. My heart wept. I struggled.  I wrestled with the Lord. I didn’t want it in my life. What could I do to change? It seemed so huge a mountain. Through the day as this type of thought would come, and come they did, it was such a way of thinking I had accepted. I grieved anew. What can I do? How do I change?  Can I even change or am I undone completely?

Yesterday I wrote about my struggle with trust. I struggled and wrestled but I didn’t let go. I had to believe that if God showed me this cancer in my heart somehow He had the operation, the chemo therapy, the radiation to cure it. The procedure may leave scars. It may hurt. It may last for months. I may lose my hair. Despite all that  I would be cured.

I continued to pray and seek God’s face. He continued to hold my hand.

I asked for the procedure, for whatever it takes. He said, “The thoughts  will come, because you’ve allowed them entrance. As they come, I’ll point them out to  you and you can cast them away and replace it with kindness  You’ll replace them with respect for the person, acknowledgement of difference, acceptance of differences, you’ll be humble and appreciative.

This is my tool:

2Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Whenever I read this scripture, I think  ‘imaginations/high things’ those are thoughts that would separate or try to bring a wedge between me and God or His people. This was the way I would be able to conquer every thought.

With the tool came the encouragement in Proverbs 24:3-4 and 12-14

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
My son (daughter), eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:  So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge only come from God. My wisdom, etc. was so much lower than God’s. I couldn’t see what He could.

I can trust Him. God has forgiven me. I am not that way any more. Those thoughts don’t come from my heart anymore. It is a habit way of thinking, from now on I will be working by God’s grace to develop a new habit.   He will be leading “me in the way everlasting.”

He will let me hold His Hand every thought by thought.

I had another desire for restoration. My thoughts were standing in the way. As I am obedient to what the Lord is showing me, ‘my expectation’ shall be fulfilled.

I am gratefully trusting God.

Published in: on February 11, 2012 at 10:40 am  Leave a Comment  

Five Minute Friday — Trust

 

On Fridays we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

 

I’m joining with Lisa at: http://thegypsymama.com/2012/02/five-minute-friday-trust/

Start:

TRUST   —   reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence. 2. confident expectation of something; hope.

I prayed: Psalms 139:23-24 ” Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ”

I trusted that all would be right.

I searched and made a list.

I trusted all would be improved.

I prayed.

I read His Word.

I am still trusting  —  being helped  —  receiving guidance.

I am encouraged that what is shown can be committed to His Care and still trust in His Help.

Then………..Exposure………..Shock

What is this?!     Is this what I am?

I look up the word.

I read the definition.

The Thesaurus is plain to describe me.

The antonyms are opposite and what I am not an antonym.

Now  — where is my trust?

My prayer has been answered.

God searched and found.

My trial is:

What do I do?

Where do I go?

How do I start?

I read and pr ay  —  Now ” lead me in the way everlasting. ”

“TRUST ” is whispered.

And I remind my undone self.

I have trusted.

I trusted.

I trust.

I am trusting.

I shall be trusting.

Stop.

As I read this over ‘ I ‘ is prominent. That surely is part of the problem, but the fruit of that I is so ugly and hurtful. I despair and in my despair I am struggling to continue to trust.

Published in: on February 10, 2012 at 11:23 am  Comments (3)  

Yarn Along — Playing not working

Discouraged is the word of the day in this yarn house.

Feather and fan shawl had to have its border frogged out and now sits in time out.

KAL is hiding its face because the beads are not co-operating.

So I played with  a leaf border I saw.  I could do that.

and I played with  a diagonal scarf with two cables that had to be ripped several times before I could read all the directions.

These are just samples to see of I could do them.

Listening to ‘A Garden to Keep’ by Jamie Langston Turner, a story of how a woman reviews her marriage after learning her husband is having an affair. I’m about half way through the book – I have mixed feelings, but it does have me compare my actions and feelings with hers about what makes a  marriage.

Joining in with Ginny for the weekly yarn along.

Published in: on February 9, 2012 at 12:58 am  Comments (1)  

Wordless Wednesday — Reality

Check out other Wordless people here.

Published in: on February 8, 2012 at 11:54 am  Comments (2)  

One Thousand Gifts — January Joy Dare

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2012

January Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

January 23

three gifts found in Christ

An example to follow, Forgiveness and  An intercessor

January 24

three things blue

My favorite denim skirt
Shades of blue, from palest of a winter sky to the deepest of the blue black of night
The happy blue of Dutch Irises

January 25

One grace borrowed —  this prompt list of gifts to discover
One grace found  —  God’s promises are never failing
One grace inherited   —   carnival glass bowl from my mother, it’s packed   so no picture

January 26

One gift before 9 am  —  A morning kiss from the Farmer
One gift before noon  —  Encouragement from blogger ‘friends’
One gift before dark  —  Quietness at Cozy Acres as the chickens return to their nests and the day rests

January 27

Three gifts that might never have been

4 of my children if what the doctor said had been true.
A 53 day road trip across the USA if we had not owned a business.
Cozy Acres would never have been if we had not lost that same business.

January 28

3 graces found in your friends

Laughter, adventure, and acceptance

January 29

A song heard  —  “Every Need Supplied, Cleansing, Healing, Sweet peace inside, Every Need Supplied.”
A soft word  —  “Well, Good Morning” every day by the Farmer.
Where you saw light  —  Every night I look up to the heavens and check to see the moon and the stars, and I’m thankful for yet another day.

January 30

3 old things seen new

My walk with the Lord, improving this year.
My relationship with the Farmer as we adjust to new times in our lives
Our ways of eating seen new to better health.

January 31

a gift found

On a paper–  “Bought in 1923. In Peters Drug store in Pawnee, Okla. 19cents each.” Written on a scrap of paper by my Grandmother Ripley and tucked in between three clear glass bowls. I have loved using them. Now they live with my daughters.

On a person  —  enjoying that fresh washed baby powder scent  on a little one while rocking it to sleep

In a picture  —  I love this Grannie’s arms and hands, sheltering, supporting, loving, being there with all she can

Gifts 181 —  208

Published in: on February 6, 2012 at 10:48 am  Leave a Comment  

Five Minute Friday — It’s Real!

Because it’s Friday!

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery.

Today’s prompt  —  Real

start with questions:

Is what I imagine about my life real?

Am I looking in the window at a play scene?

Do I think what is in my head is real life?

What is real?

What is make believe?

How can I tell the difference?

Which one do I really want to choose?

Is one better than the other?

Do I really want to know?

Foolish, Foolish questions.

I check my guidebook  —

and I find

Thomas had questions and doubts, too.

Our Christ gently told him  — touch what is real and believe……..

Christ tells me  —  believe in me and ye shall have real life…….
(paraphrasing mine )

No more questions.

John 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

To read more Five Minute Fridays, click here.

Published in: on February 3, 2012 at 11:30 am  Comments (1)  

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

linking with other moments:  http://www.soulemama.com/

Published in: on February 3, 2012 at 10:54 am  Comments (1)  

Whimsical, Light-hearted, Quirky

The Nester wrote about

Whimsical, Light-hearted and Quirky things that live with us.

The storyteller lives with me.

I purchased her in New Mexico.

I also have a collection of Tom Clark figurines.

Knit and Pearl are two of my favorites.
My youngest daughter bought them for me at a ‘junke shoppe.’

See her ‘W-L-M’ here
http://www.thenester.com/2012/02/de-seriousfyyour-home.html

Published in: on February 3, 2012 at 10:39 am  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — January Joy Dare

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2012

January Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

January 15

one thing you wore  —  a scarf/shawl knitted for me by my daughter
one thing you gave away  —   fabric waiting to be made into a quilt, and a
daughter doing just that


one thing you share  —  my love of quilting

January 16

three ways you witnessed happiness

a little girl’s “Thank you, Grannie!”
a grandson’s telling a feat accomplished


a special young lady sharing the doll she’d made all by herself for a younger sister

January 17

one gift that made you laugh  —  a grandson’s  grin


one gift that made you pray  —  a daughter far away and near again
one gift that made you quiet  —  acknowledging God’s all encompassing control of every situation

January 18

three gifts from God’s word

The gift of Salvation
The gift of Hope
The gift of an Unchanging God

January 19

a grace in the kitchen  —   the Farmer cleaning up after juicing
a grace in the weather — warm enough to let the doors be open to blow fresh air through the house
a grace that might never have been  —  a long life being lived after the doctor’s predicted less than a week to live

January 20

three gifts you saw only when you got close up

the beautiful quilting my daughter does on my quilts
dew drops on the poinsettias


color variations in last summer’s zinnias

January 21

one thing in the sky — a full rainbow
one thing in your memory — my daddy’s smile
one thing that’s ugly-beautiful  —  the gnarly oaks many years old

January 22

one grace wrinkled  —  a picture of the Farmer and me one week before we were married
one grace smooth  —  the way my knitting needles feel in my fingers
one grace unfolded —   God’s word, it’s new every morning

Gifts 156-180

Published in: on February 2, 2012 at 11:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
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