Two years ago I posted about supporting local farmers by subscribing to their farms and receiving local organic produce.  Here's the post from June 2006.  CSAs  and then I posted a photo of the box contents: CSA Box contents  In the first article I list a link for you to discover your own local CSA. 

 I just signed up and am sharing a full share (family of four) with my mom. We're not sharing each individual box, but she'll pick up one week and I'll pick up the next.

This seems to work well. I did this last year with my friend Mary, a sweet neighbor. It seemed to be the right amount of produce for our veggie-lovin' family of three, plus frequent company, and Mary's family of seven last summer.

The price has gone up $145.00 in two years.  I just paid and it was $625.00 but that doesn't include my fifty dollar deposit at the end of last year, and also my $20.00 credit for referring a friend. So the total for the 16 weeks produce before those deductions is $695.00. With my $20.00 discount it averages out to $42.30 per week.  This includes seasonal vegetables, a dozen eggs, fresh herbs, and some extras they throw in like hummus, baba-ganoush, a jar of honey, and at the end of the season I can take all the extra tomatoes I'd like.  I use those to can Chile Sauce, or freeze for pasta sauce. 

 I'll be listing my box contents as I pick it up this summer, so watch for those updates. I'll also check the prices this year against the grocery store near me to see the difference.  I'm going to carefully check to see if this is worth continuing. 

Last year it was $37.00 per week, so we'll have to see if I get less this year due to everything going up, or if it's the same. I do try to serve my family more veggies meals during the CSA season, but we tend to eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits year round.

My chiropractor is signing up his family for the CSA this year and gets very excited about it when we talk about it. I think he thinks it will be a cool farm experience for his little kids to go to the farm to do the pick-up. I told him this farm does not have any farm animals, nor does it have any traditional farm barns, etc. so he wouldn't be dissapointed.  This farm family lives in a traditional home on a piece of land with a green house, and several garden plots scattered around the land.  They get the eggs from another local farmer, so we don't even get to see the chickens. 

The driving distance is 20 minutes from my home, and about 10 minutes for my mom, so I'll also take into consideration the gas prices and mileage of my car.  I'll be interested in seeing if the CSA plus growing some of our own veggies in the garden makes a difference in our grocery bill. 

 One of my favorite sites on the internet is the Homeschooler's Swap.    I've made many online friends there and have even met some of them in person.  It's a place where homeschoolers are drawn to share their lives, and even many folks who no longer homeschool stay around because it's such a friendly place on the net. 

One of the swappie mamas decided to host a theme for us to share photos of our charm bracelets and a little bit about the charms we've collected.

Several years ago I bought myself this charm bracelet and the watering can, lacrosse stick, and thimble charms. 

The lacrosse stick represents the many years my two sons played this sport, and the sacrifice of a mom who transports said (dirty, stinky) boys with all their equipment to and from games, practices, etc.  Did you know Lacrosse is a sport native to Maryland indians?  They used to play to the death.  Thankfully my sons survived playing in high school and in college.

The watering can represents my love of gardening.  I could dig in the dirt all day, dividing perrenials, moving plants to better locations in my garden, weeding, and mulching.  I love it!  It's one of the most rewarding chores to be done at home. 

The thimble represents my love of needle crafts.  For as long as I can remember I've been in love with fiber arts and sewing.  I still have a burlap and yarn Thanksgiving creation I made when I was 7 or eight years old in my cedar chest.  It says "Happy Thanksgiving" along with a pilgrim hat.  Right before buying the thimble I'd made an historic 1830's dress:  the skirt, the bodice, the undersleeves, etc. for a local historic fashion show tea my daughter and I were in.  I love crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, embroidery, quilting, and ....too many interests when it comes to needcraft. 

The next charm was a gift from my husband:  The bible with the cross represented a commitment he'd made to me to take his role of spiritual leader in our home more seriously. 

My three kiddos bought me the #1 MOM charm, which I know it's backwards in the photo.  Oh well, you guys are smart enough to read backwards, aren't you?  Afterall, the majority of you have homeschooled, right?

The light house represents my love for the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  We've vacationed in OBX for most of the 27 years we've been married.  

Being married to an Irishman, and studying Ireland with my kiddos during our homeschooling years gave me the right (really?)  to wear the Shamrock. 

The tea pot is a representative of my love of tea.  I love to drink it, make it, host tea parties, visit tea shops, etc.  In fact, I've enjoyed visiting two tea shops with two swappies.  My local FITF (friend in the flesh) DollyM and I drove up to meet another swappie, Lori, one time at Civilitea in Gettysburg.  We had a marvelous day with Lori, and she even shared her culinary expertise by making us dinner that evening at her home.  The other swappie friend, Flamingo Sherri came from Georgia to visit her son in Baltimore  two years ago and this time Lori drove down to meet Dolly M, Sherri and I  at Tea on the Tiber in Ellicott City.  It was a lovely afternoon, and we topped it off by a trip to Trader Joe's. 

Oh my, how could I forget....... my cooking utensils.   I love to cook.  I grew up learning from my grandmother, and mother, and they're fantastic cooks.  Grandma owned a little cafe called The White House cafe in Oklahoma City, OK.  I spent many days there with grandma, watching her and the other cooks provide delicious home cooked meals for her "regulars."  Those would be her regular customers who came in at least once a day for breakfast, and or lunch.  There was Sarge the jeweler from next door, Sam, who worked across the street at the bank, the ladies from the beauty shop next door, etc.  Oh, and after Grandpa died, she even married one of the salesmen from C.R. Anthony's who REALLY liked her cooking.  ;-)  It was Mayberry, USA, right in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma serving up wonderful meals and neighborhood charm. 

 I have one more charm I just had put on this week after I'd taken the photo.  It's an eagle which represents our trip to Alaskas last June where eagles flying overhead were a dime a dozen. 

This was fun, and I can't wait to visit the other swappie charm bracelets here. 

For now, gotta run. 

Dana

Today is the last day of class for my daughter in our homeschool group. We've been involved with this group for 14 years, and it seems like yesterday when this young lady was a preschooler. 

We went to the gym together at 6:00 am, worked out, came home to read a couple chapters of Girl Talk, by Carolyn Mahaney, and soon we'll stop at Starbucks for a celebratory cup of coffee. 

Just wanted to share this bittersweet moment with you.  God's been so faithful to her in so many ways, as she's grown in grace and beauty from the inside out. 

With a tear rolling down my cheek,

Dana

I came across this list of basic rules for hanging clothes out on the line, and a poem.  If you've never hung clothes out on a line, try it this spring and summer.  With the cost of electricity it will help the family budget and it's enjoyable too. 

THE BASIC RULES

1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes. Walk the length of each line with a damp cloth around the line.

2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order and always hang whites with whites and hang them first.

3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders, always by the tail. What would the neighbors think?

4. Wash day on a Monday...........never hang clothes on the weekend or Sunday for heaven's sake!

5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your 'unmentionables' in the middle.

6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather.............clothes would 'freeze dry.'

7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes. Pins left on the line was 'tacky'.

8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.

9. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket and ready to be ironed.

10. IRONED?????????? Well, that's a whole other subject.

A POEM

A clothes line was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the 'fancy sheets'
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the 'company table cloths'
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It said, 'Gone on vacation now'
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, 'We're back!' when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way..

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

If you or anyone you know suffers from depression, please listen to the sermon preached Sunday  at our church.  What a testimony of God's mercy poured out on this same pastor I refered to in my last post.  Again, and again, we're amazed at just how humble and accountable our pastors are to their church family, each other, and ultimately to God.  We're so blessed.

I'm downloading this to my ipod, so I'll have access to listen anytime.  It's the message dated 4-13-08

http://www.covlife.org/

Today is my husband's birthday.  He's such a wonderful provider and friend, lover and confidante.  His humor tickles me most of the time, and he's incredibly clever.  I'm amazed at his perserverance and faithfulness in running his own business despite incredible daily hoops and landmines he navigates. 

His gift is serving and I'm so blessed by the ways he serves me and our family.  After coming home from work, kissing me and my daughter and then feeding the dogs, his readiness to serve is apparent by his words, "How can I help?"  I've grown accustomed to this, but realize how incredibly blessed I am to have a husband who truly wants to help me in any way he can in the kitchen and around the house.  He never complains about much that I do or don't do, and is always encouraging me in my hobbies and interests.

He's growing in knowledge and wisdom of God's purpose for his life more and more each day, and I'm so proud of him. 

Happy Birthday, Michael!  I love you~

My dear husband has entered the world of blogging.  He's an avid bird watcher and his goal since January 1 has been to see and identify 100 different species of birds here in our county.  He's well on his way with over 70 birds.  His blog is dedicated to this goal.

http://fr84wrdr.blogspot.com/

Well, OK, I lied.  It's not Wordless at all.  Here's a photo of my daugther as a toddler sniffing flowers.  It's one of my favorites  as I've begun digging through photos in an attempt to pick and choose the cutest and most memorable for an album I'll present to her on her graduation day.  

Dana

My husband and I are members of our local bird club.  We don't get to attend many meetings, but keep up with sightings of unusual migrating visitors and reports of interesting birds.  In my husband's attempt to see and record 100 birds in our county, he's been taking daily walks around various lakes, ponds, and paths.  I don't join him on cold, rainy or windy days, but when he makes a good find, he will take me on a milder day to see what he's found. 

My bird-lover took a walk recently with other bird club members and got a tip on the location of a Great Horned Owl.  Last Friday he closed his office early and came home to scoop me up to go see this beauty.  She'd been spotted high in a nest with two nestlings behind a rather busy shopping center near our home. 

As we parked at a park-and-ride lot and readied our gear, (binoculars, camera, field guide, etc.) a gentleman spotted us and asked if we'd come to see the owl.  Apparently, when my husband strapped on his binoculars that was a dead giveaway. 

Then he told us the high winds from the night before had broken a branch which supported the nest and it was destroyed.  He'd been there an hour or so earlier and had found the two nestlings on the ground.  Thinking fast, he made many phone calls and eventually found Judi from All Creatures Great and Small.  She runs a wild animal rescue service and knew just what to do when he called. 

Judi arrived shortly after and the four of us trudged through the brambles to get to the best location to search for the survivors.  Rick gave us a wide area to search, but instructed us to watch where we walked, and watch our heads as Momma Owl was nearby watching us from the trees. 

Sure enough, we came upon one of the survivors, but found it was dead and had a broken wing.  It was a beautiful cream-colored furry ball the size of a football, with talons which sent shivers up our spines.  They were HUGE!  This reminded us of Momma Owl's grasping strength capacity of 200 lbs. per square inch!!!!  Gulp!   Huh..... this means she could inflict serious damage, if she thought we were getting too close to her babies.  

After finding the dead baby we decided to pay more attention to Momma, as she was screeching and carrying on as if to distract us or scare us away.  We thought she might lead us to her sole survivor.  She gave us a warning by buzzing about 20 feet above our heads we were getting too close for her comfort.  After combing the area below the tree, a nearby ridge, and a stream, we decided to abandon the rescue effort. 

Today I received the fantastic photos from this man we met in the parking lot, Rick.  He had a MEGA lens camera which impressed our socks off, and his photos are proof of his ability along with the professional equipment.  BTW, Rick not only loves photography, but is a race car driver we discovered by his business card. 

Here's a photo of the mom in the nest with her baby, and it was taken by another birder.   The babies can fly if their wings are developed enough, but we'll have to go back to see if we can see these two with our own eyes and whether or not they found a new home. 

This whole experience reminded me of another owl rescue.  I was waiting outside the library in Carmichael, California for my mom to come pick me up from study time with a friend.  As we waited we walked down the road a bit and saw a white fluffy "thing" on the side of the road.  Upon closer inspection, we discovered it was an immature Snowy Owl and still alive.  It looked as if it had fallen out of a palm tree nest right above our heads.  I begged and begged my mom to let me bring it home.  After all, we couldn't just leave it there.  Mom gave in, and after many phone calls the Sacramento zoo agreed to advise me on how to care for the baby, and also would take the owl the next day.  I fed it raw ground beef that night, water, and kept it in a shoe box all tucked in.  The next day we drove it to the zoo.  I remember feeling very proud of being part of this rescue.  Here's a photo of this beautiful owl. 

On Monday we took a hike in a local state park.  It was a beautiful day and an unusual 73 degrees here in Maryland.  So we packed up the dogs and brought our daugther, too. 

Here are some photos. 

We brought all our bird-watching gear, but the only new bird we saw was a Chinese Goose along the edge of the river.  A kayaker, a jogger, some horseback riders, and another family walking their labrador puppy were the only company we saw on the trail.  It was a little drizzly by the end of our walk and the dogs were muddy, so we let them wade into the shoreline to wash off before sticking them back in the car.

Here's a photo of me before the rain began.       One the way home my husband suggested stopping at Starbucks for coffee.  Ahhhh..... the reward of a long hike was much appreciated.  Thanks!

 We were met with a wonderful aroma coming from the crockpot when we arrived home.  I'd put a pork roast in with onions, rosemary, thyme, sage, and sliced apples to cook before the hike.  I'm so glad my husband had the day off and planned this hike for us.  We've been stuck in the the daily grind of waiting out the winter far too long, and we needed a change of scenery, and a breath of fresh air. 

I've been blogless lately.  I often think of things I want to write, but busy-ness gets in the way. 

So, to start the week off I'll write about my weekend which was busy and fun-filled, yet challenging.

Friday night I hosted a meeting for the committee I chair in our homeschool group.  It's the Mom's Support Night Committee. We're the bones of this organizations mandatory monthly meeting.  We plan for speakers in teaching tips, devotions, praise and worship leaders, table decorations, refreshments, and the agenda for the evening program. 

We have 11 members and most of the members of this committee are also new to the organization.  This has been a mixed blessing.  New folks are excited to be here, but they're also needing to be served instead of focusing on serving others.  My challenge was to balance both of these needs in a group of seventy-plus members.  We were able to plan our next two meetings and had lots of fun discussing pros and cons of our previous meetings since September. 

Since I enjoy hospitality I served a Chocolate Chess and  Buttermilk Coconut pies, along with cheese and crackers, fresh blackberries, and some chocolates (of course!)

Saturday I was busy cooking for a Mardi Gras and Super Bowl parties we attended, when a girlfriend called to get my coleslaw recipe.  She was coming to the same SB party and had signed up to bring this side dish to go along with the host families pulled pork sandwiches.  By the time I read her my recipe, I realized I had all the ingredients, and since she was running errands in my part of town I invited her over to make the slaw here.  We had a blast drinking tea, shredding cabbage, and catching up with one another.  I finished my Cajun Caviar to take the the Mardi Gras party that evening. 

The Mardi Gras party was ..... um, ........ interesting and posed my biggest challenge. 

This is an annual event held by some folks we met through my daughter's volleyball team.  These folks are blessed with a huge home on a beautful river.  They're very gracious, humble, and easy to be with, yet totally secular.  Whenever I mention the Lord, or anything about my faith, I'm greeted with a glazed, silent response.    I always leave this party thinking I'd have a much better time if I were not a Christian, but I am, and the drinking, conversations, and general revelry, sans God, bothers me immensely.  I know God has placed me in the lives of these folks and other v-ball parents who also attend for a purpose, but I don't feel like I'm ever prepared for these encounters.   One woman in particular has even said to me, she's never met a Christian like me who can have fun and isn't a stick-in-the-mud.  This comment haunted me for months, and left me wondering, if, perhaps I was slipping into worldliness when I'm with her.  I always try to encourage her by praying for her requests, and caring for her and her family by just spending time with her, and opening up my life to her.  Like I said, I always leave with a greater burden and feeling more inadequate.  I need to commit to praying for these folks and my role in thier lives.

The Super Bowl party was held in  a couple's home where we've spent lots of time.  We even vacation with them, and another family at the party.   We've been in Bible study with this group for many years.  The kids who come along range in ages from twenty-four down to five.  All those who LOVE football watch the game, and all those who do not, (read:  the ladies) sit in the dining room and enjoy the evening together, eating, talking, and just enjoying Christian fellowship.  Remembering the previous evening I almost felt guilty basking in this comfortable setting, yet still struggling with how God wants to use me in this other circle of friends. 

I awoke this morning, still burdened for sharing Christ with my Mardi Gras friends, yet  this is necessary in all my encouters.  I'm encouraged and resolved to read and study this book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, by Mark Dever. 

The forward is by C.J. Mahaney, former senior pastor of my church.

I'll be blogging about this book this week and how I can apply what I learn, specifically to this group of friends.  Pray for me, will you? 

It's a You Tube entitled Women in Art.  It's fascinating to watch.  I first saw this at my church at the end of a Women's night where the main speaker talked about God's purpose for women.  It was a wonderful evening, as as we exited the sanctuary this You Tube played on the screen over and over. 

I wish I could figure out how to upload it here on my blog, but the best I can do today is ask you click on the link.

Women in Art 

My friend Karen at Between Two Worlds has asked for tips for menu/meal planning.  I can tell from her latest entry, she was trained well by her mother.  Praise God!  This is such a blessing to your family to have this area of your life under control.  It helps save money, and makes meal time something to look forward to instead of a stressful time of not know what's for dinner.   We can bless our families by serving healthy meals at the table. 

I have three tips to share: 

1.  Make the table an attractive place to gather.  You don't need money to cut some greenery this time of year and place in a vase for the table.  I love Nandina especially for it's dainty elongated leaves and bright red berries.  Some evergreens from long or short-needled pines add a fresh scent to your whole home.  Light candles at least one night a week.  Yes, even with the kids at the table.   Lower the lights, and see how lighting can change the mood of your home. 

2.  We've made table time after dinner a fun part of our evening.  We have lots of activities we do depending on the season, and our interests.  After clearing the dishes from the table, someone volunteers to make a pot of tea and find some sweet treat to go with the tea for the table.  Then the fun begins!

In November of last year we went through Vocabulary Cartoons after dinner.  One of us acted as teacher/instructor for the night.  We read the ten words one at a time and asked for guesses as to definitions.  Then we share the funny cartoons which help mentally imprint this word and it's definition in our minds.  Then the fun part comes with the TEST!   The definitions are read and we race to raise our hands to be chosen to say the word.  We all have tons of fun playing with these new words, and see how many ways we can use them throughout the rest of the evening.    We also read books aloud, read scripture, and play speed scrabble, or work on crossword puzzles together during this special time after dinner. 

3.  My last tip concerns leftovers and ways to use them up.  In my home it's traditional to have  Saturday Quesadillas made from leftover meat from the weeks meals.  Here's how we do it:

Chop leftover chicken or beef, or use taco meat from the freezer

You can also add some leftover mashed beans, kidney, pinto, or black are good

Mix in some grated Cheddar or Monteray Jack cheese, or mix them

Stir in some salsa to bind the cheese and meat together

Add some chopped onion, green onions, cilantro leaves, minced red or green peppers

Heat a cast iron skillet or your favorite heavy bottomed skillet.  Add some butter and olive oil and throw in a flour or corn tortilla.  Add two or three large spoonfuls of the meat mixture, a little extra cheese to help the top stick, and top it with another tortilla.  Flip when it begins to brown and brown on the other side.  Cut into wedges with a pizza cutter, and serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, refried or canned beans and fruit. 

In the summer we like to make these outside on the side burner of our grill, so we don't heat the kitchen.  Plus we eat as many meals outside on our covered porch as possible.  Enjoy this fun way to clean out the fridge. 

As I look forward to this new year I realize I could rename my login to "Danalessthan50" for just a few more months.  As I face turning fifty I realize I want to lose some weight.  It seems like since my last baby, which was over 17 years ago, the lbs. have crept on slowly but steadily.  It used to be that adding exercise would change the scales, but I'm finding that no longer works.

Yesterday I joined Weight Watchers.  My doctor recommended this over a year ago, and I've been resistant.  I don't like pre-packaged foods, artificial sweetners, or prepared foods.  I've read enough over the years to learn about nutritious foods, and am convinced whole foods closest to the way God made them are best for our bodies.  My resistance to joining WW is the seemingly deceptive way people use many artificial or prepared foods to convince them they're not being deprived of what they really want. 

This was confirmed at the first meeting when someone asked what they could drink which did not contain artificial sweetners.  Many in the class said, "Water!" but the leader actually paused, put her hand up to her chin, and said "hmmmm..... let's see, what could you drink?"  The leader is all for artificial sweetened drinks, so she actually had to think about this question.  Oh brother........

I was pleasantly surprised at the foods listed in the point system and yesterday I was able to stay within the points alloted to me with the real foods I eat.  I went to bed not feeling deprived at all, but instead quite satisfied.   So, pray for me as I refocus on portion control, that I'll not become impatient with weight lose, or impatient with the stupid questions and/or answers at the meetings, and I can recapture the temple God gave me.  I don't want to be skinny, come on, I know that's not going to happen, just heathier and a few (40) lbs. lighter by my fiftieth birthday. 

of Gratefulness.......

Which means I'll be writing my Christmas gift thank-you cards.  If you've not yet written yours, grab a cup of whatever you like, and join me. 

I'm also just now sending out my Christmas cards for 2007.  I never seem to get big chunks of time to do this until AFTER Christmas.  Oh well, I've never been disappointed to get a Christmas card, letter, and photo after the new year. 

Come on, get out those thank-you cards, your stamps, a favorite pen, and start writing. 

In gratefulness,

Dana

Go check out her new "do."  She just recently donated TWO big ponytails to Locks of Love

Now, I've always taught my kids to live out the motto "With Privilege Comes Responsibility."  Heaven forbid I don't practice what I've preached!!  So with the privilege of receiving this award I'll pass it onto the following recipients. 

Here's a blog I've read off and on, but I'm always encouraged to see what homemaking adventures this lady is up to.  She also takes beautiful photos of her garden.  Her name is Rachelle and when I visited her blog today, I saw she had some incredibly wonderful news.  Go check it out. 

Another faithful blogger who I enjoy reading is Michelle over at School of Thankful Hearts I found her by clicking "Random Blog" and discovered she also lived in my state at one time.   I found her around the time of our Alaskan cruise, and was drawn to the fact that she and her husband run a Christian Camp in Alaska.  We also share a love of the same authors.  Michelle considers her life to be electic, and I can so relate. 

The next recipient of the Blog Friend Forever award goes to Rebeca at Carried on the Wind I always find her adventures exciting and she didn't let me down recently with her entry on shopping in Mexico.  Whew~

Deb at Deb on the Run is the only blogger I've met on Homeschoolblogger, then actually met in person.  Our daugthers sing in an acapella group together.  In fact they have a concert coming up at the Austrailian Embassy very soon.  Deb's contempletive blog entries have been a great introduction to application of Christian Orthodoxy in a homeschooling family.   She's always encouraged me to write more often here on my blog.  Oh, and one other thing, I don't think I've ever known anyone who reads more than Deb, and she has SIX kids. 

Another must read for me is Lisa's The Homestead Way of Life  I'm a surburan homesteader wannabe.  Reading Lisa's newsletter, which is a great publication, btw, always inspires me to make the most of my little piece of land the Lord's blessed us with.  I submitted recipes to her newsletter this fall when my garden was overflowing and creativity was a must. 

This photo proves we're still smiling, yet we're drowning in the midst of home improvement projects around here. Why is it one project always leads to another and another, and well you get the idea.  If you own a home, I'm sure you've experienced this snowball phenomenon. 

Early in the spring our pipes in our mudroom burst due to a deep freeze.  This was the third time this had happened in this room.  The room has three exterior walls and was not warm enough to keep the pipes leading to the washing machine warm enough from freezing and consequently bursting.  The first time this happened it sounded as if someone were taking a shower beneath my feet.  Yikes.  We tried insulating the pipes, etc. etc. Nothing was a permanent fix.

The ultimate fix so it will NEVER happen again was to have the pipes and washing machine relocated to the interior wall in this room.  My husband dug out the flooring, and wet, disgusting old insulation all the way down to the foundation, then rebuilt and reinsulated.  What a guy! This fall he removed the cabinets, painted, and shopped for wainscoting and tile. 

In the meantime, we had our plumber give us an estimate on installing a gas log in our fireplace to combat the high cost of heating our home.  He suggested we not tile the mudroom floor yet, as he wants to use that space for his pipeworks.  So, we were left with the task of ordering the gas logs from an online resource and getting the chimney swept.

Not long after that, our dishwasher leaked and buckled the hardwood floor in the ktichen, so halt the plans on the mudroom, Let's shop for a new dishwasher and decide on the repairs of the floor.   The new dishwasher is now sitting in the garage waiting for the floor repairs to be completed.  Yes, you guessed it, we're doing dishes by hand, and it's getting old fairly quickly.  We're almost certain we'll replace the hardwood floors in the kitchen and family room with prefinished wood, instead of replacing the buckled area, and living through a sanding and refinishing process which would have us move out of the house for at least four days.  

The fire in the oven topped it all off.  I'll tell you folks it's been interesting around here trying to put meals on the table using a crockpot, microwave, electric skillet and toaster oven, and grill.  It's doable but without a dishwasher makes it all very time consuming.   We've had to remain very flexible, but I'm wanting it all put back together now.  Enough fun and excitement, thank you. 

This week the new oven will be delivered and installed.  The old one was still under warranty.  Thank you Lord.

The dishwasher will be installed whether or not the floors are completed.

The gas logs will be ordered by a friend who's a dealer AND chimney sweep.

The plumber will come and solder, and cut, and whatever else plumbers do to install gas logs.

My husband can begin tiling the mudroom floor, then installing the wainscoting.  When that's begun I'll order new cabinets for that room. 

Whew~ it's enough to make my head swim, and become very grumpy, but I'm still smiling and thanking God for our home nonetheless. 

My thoughts have been on Psalm 27:13-14, which says:

 I am STILL confident of this:   I will see the  goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. 

I don't think it's a mistake that David wrote "wait for the Lord" twice in that last verse.  He whined, and became exasperated just like us occassionally, yet knew where his hope came from.

When I've been tempted to have a pity party, I've thought of this sign  I saw while on vacation this summer.  I knew I took a photo of it for a purpose, just didn't know I'd be preaching to to myself.