I loved to listen to the Carpenters when I was a kid...so the song, "Rainy Days and Mondays" is appropriate about now!  LOL!  It's been quite rainy, not uncommon for this time of year in Nevada, though it's not consistent each year.  My Mom mentioned a couple of weeks back that it was possible that Vegas would exceed it's annual rainfall average that week.  Our heaviest downpour in Pahrump, at least in our little corner of it, seemed to be last Saturday.  Big puddles!  Lakes, sink holes, wet dogs...all kinds of aftermath in our big yard.  Hopefully, Death Valley will have a nice bloom this spring, and since it's only an hour away, not a bad place for Sunday afternoon drives or Saturday picnics. 

The sports routine for the Spring is just getting into gear.  15 yo dd is going out for softball, and has been hard at work since soccer season ended.  Baseball signups are underway, and it's a week and a half 'til tryouts for 13 yo ds.  He and dh have been keeping up on some catch, gonna have to put in some work so he's ready.  March 1 is the start of practices for his league...at that point, it will be much running to and fro!

Of course, orthodontia has kept me running to and fro, anyway.  One daughter (16 yo) nearly done with braces...she will have them off next week...and one(11 yo) just beginning with an expander...ouch!  It's an hour plus drive, but we have Red Rock to provide lovely scenery!

Meanwhile, dh has been working the rototiller on weekends, when it's not too rainy, and so the excitement of gardening is just around the corner.  We harvested the remainder of our carrots a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sold on the variety I picked up last year, "envy", which is reported to do well in clay like soil.  I don't see it in many of the catalogs, but Nichols carries it.  I'm hoping with all of the tilling that's been done, that I can get some lettuce, spinach, onions, and garlic going soon.  My major crops will not be planted until May.  Regardless, I'll be poring over my seed catalogs, in search of interesting varieties to try.  Besides the carrots, I was fortunate to find a delicate and pretty cantaloupe last year, one that is worth planting every year.  Charentais, also carried by Nichols, has a blue colored skin that turns to a light yellow when it ripens.  So much nicer than guessing and picking an unripe melon!  I won't repeat the Kolb's gem watermelons, though, which came from a different seed company.  Their texture and flavor were awful.  Trial and error, the name of the game!

That's the news for now...transition in the air, but then again, the groundhog did see his shadow!  Still, spring is not too far away.  The wait should be tolerable, if we don't have too much more rain!

Blessings from the ranch!

My unfit gift
Is lifted high
In childish hope
That You will find
All that is offered
A pleasing sacrifice!


A.D.W.   2010

It's been a busy week, as we used our long weekend to get some work done on the addition.  DH put some protective material over the Densglass shell outside, and now, instead of bright yellow, it's a deep rusty orange color.  From a distance, it looks nice...I grew up around these colors!  My Dad had a nice dress shirt about the same color, as well as a deep orange kitchen sink, and an orange fridge.  Since my lavendar walls are indoors, things don't clash, so I'm content!  LOL!  We'll look at putting foam and netting, then a finish coat on in the nearish future, EIFS (?), a system used by many a fancy Vegas project.  Benefit of being a part of the construction industry, especially the one that puts the foundation and the outer finish on so many buildings.  Interesting combination from a Christian point of view.  The foundation of a work is key to it's sustainability.  The finish, essential to it's protective quality.  Looks are nice, but useless if leaky.  A poor finish leads to susceptibility to the elements and their effects.  Lack of a good foundation, and it won't matter what the rest looks like.  The beginnings and the end of a work, the foundation and the finish...good points to ponder. 

We butchered our big female turkey New Year's Eve, and she was 31 lbs., but very fatty.  We'll get the timing down next year.  I think a meat grinder would be a sensible investment so that my kids aren't so tired of turkey next year.  All in all, we've done much better with the last year's flock.  Another 3 months, and it will be time to buy chicks again.

Seed catalogs are beginning to arrive.  I know that some of the seeds I wanted last year were gone early, so it's time to start planning. 

Time to start thinking sports again.  DD should be back at softball practice directly, and baseball signups will be happening later in the month, I'm sure.  13 yo has started to sprout!

It's a time to plan and to reflect.  I didn't accomplish much on some writing projects last year, but in the interim, I've had time to mull over things and consider new elements.  Organization is difficult, so I hope that I can get a better handle on it with my writing. 

Driving lessons loom, as 16 yo needs to get some good practice time in.  Don't know that I'm so afraid of the driving...maybe just the growing up it represents!  Still, we made a good effort yesterday.  I'm thankful for dirt roads!

May you be blessed as you plan for and live the year ahead.  May every moment matter, especially the ones where you take hold of the liberty given by the King to live in Him and for Him as He lives in you!  Abide richly and victoriously in His glorious love!

Blessings from the Ranch!

It's been a busy season here at the ranch!  A blessed time, but hard to find time to log much here on the blog!  Just a little summary, as I take a moment to look back at the last month and a  half.

Thanksgiving was lovely!  We butchered a male broad-breasted white turkey for the celebration, which dh delivered to my Mom for preparation, as the family get-together was at my grandmother's home.  The turkey weighed 40 lbs.  The only glitch was that it cooked much more quickly than expected.  Apparently, a brined turkey cooks more quickly?  Guess I'll have to study a little better!  Hubby was able to share a couple of turkeys with colleagues, and we still have 3 hens to go.  We may be butchering tonight as we ring out the new year. 

Thanksgiving baking was a blast, too, although I fudged a little bit, and bought pre-made crusts.  My Mom makes wonderful pie crusts, but I never quite got the hang of it, and so I opted for the easy way out.  Note to self:  deep dish crusts are the best choice!  Double recipes made for enough to fill 3 crusts of the shallow variety.  With 9-10 pies and a cheesecake, plus mini cheesecakes made by 11 yo dd, we were a little overwhelmed with rich food. 

Vacation for DH fell in the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which was really nice, as we had some good construction time.  The weather was nice through most of it, though it started out questionably as we had a weekend rain that delayed the constructing.  The addition, which started out as an attempt to shade the swamp cooler in order to improve its efficiency, had been on hold until we could get some things figured out related to the shed and the end.  Over the time we had to work, the end was closed in, a big job that made a huge difference in the atmosphere and temperature.  The big enclosed patio turned sala will handle a great family area, dining, and kitchen when it is complete.  DH surprised me the evening before Christmas Eve by painting the wall in the family portion of the room a beautiful lavendar, same color as we used in our wedding.  Matches my sage bushes' flowers out back!  With a nice paneling on the lower half of the wall, it's shaping up quite nicely.  We'll be working on some electrical this weekend, thanks to the help of a friend.

Christmas was enjoyable, pretty calm and easy going.  With the new openness of the addition, it was quite enjoyable.  Whereas Thanksgiving was very much about special foods, Christmas was more about enjoying our time.  The girls did some baking the week before, but Christmas dinner was simple.  Lots of time for kids to play, and for Mom and Dad to relax! 

The following night, we celebrated my Dad's retirement, with my siblings and some other family members joining to congratulate and spend time.  Monday, we had a blast decorating gingerbread houses as my parents, my sister and her kiddos, and my brother joined us.  Great fun! 

My apologies to all my blog buddies out there...seems like computer time is limited, and when I get a few minutes, I'm more apt to spend it in other venues.  Hopefully, in the new year, I'll be able to make the rounds and greet you!  In the meantime, may your New Year be wonderful!

Blessings from the ranch!

When the burdensome moment passes,
And I turn for just a glance
At the mountain You have moved,
And the way that You helped me through...
I will revel in Your glory.
I will shout my thanks and praise.
I will treasure mountain moments,
As You straighten paths and guide the way.

When the mountain looms,
I cry to You;
I stretch my heart,
But still fall short.
Though I think there's faith,
I find the lack,
But it's filled by You
As You hold me back...
And move the mountain.

I will revel in Your glory
I will shout my thanks and praise
I will treasure mountain moments
As You straighten paths and guide the way.


A.D.W.    2009

Fall is in full swing!  A Southern wind on Tuesday became a North wind on Wednesday, and morning lows dropped from upper 60's to mid 40's in two days' time.  Brr!  Possibilities of a low in the 30's this weekend is a little bit of a concern, as my tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes.  Just a little early to be quite that low.  Yikes!  We'll see what happens.  The garden has wound down in many respects.  Squash are almost completely done, and cucumbers are nearly so.  Tomatoes will keep going until the frost hits.  My melon are mostly done, and the corn crop was a total dissappointment this year.  Pumpkins, too.  I'm hoping my pole beans do well.  There are loads of blossoms, but I had a hard time finding any for the festival.

Speaking of the festival, last week was busy, but fun.  We entered 72 items in the fair...an average of 9 per person participating from our household.  Much of our produce did well, with 13 yo son earning first place ribbons on all of his entries.  5 yo son picked a watermelon, and got a grand champion ribbon on it.  I got lot champion ribbons on my yellow pear tomatoes and on my "Long of Naples" winter squash (28.2 lbs.).  13 yo entered the big (31.2 lbs) watermelon, which got a first.  10 yo dd earned several ribbons with her sculpey clay artwork, and with her decorated cake.  I entered some of my last year's poems, one of which received a second and a reserve lot champion.  The judge's remarks indicate that he/she wasn't all that taken with most of them, as the one ribbon-winning entry said, "At last...continuity"...oh, well.  The poems with Christian reference seemed to receive the worst marks and comments.  The ribbon winning one, "The Quiet Sounds of Evening".  Gotta laugh, though...many of my poems are a little disjoint because of the manner in which they come together, reflective of a busy Mom who must grab the moments as they present themselves.  New strategy next time I enter more than one item:  package and print them all differently so as not to cause the judge an attitude if they dislike one or more.  Grin!

Fall in our corner of the desert means birthdays, and we have two coming this month.  We will also be watching our flock of turkeys fatten up for Thanksgiving and beyond, Lord willing.  One of the hens had a limp, and perhaps hurt its leg.  We butchered it yesterday.  14 lbs. after cleaning it.  2 years ago, the hen we had for Thanksgiving dinner weighed in at 30 lbs. after it was butchered and cleaned.  It had nearly 2 more months to fatten up, though.  Turkey cooking tomorrow, and a little time to wait before the next one. 

Soccer is still busy, kicking back into gear after the Fall Festival break.  14 yo dd has 4 games to go before the high school JV season is finished.  The other kids have games through the first week of November, and then playoffs for the older 2.  Busy, chilly weeks ahead.  And, that's the news for now from the ranch!  Blessings!

Slowing of the season,

Autumn breezes dust my face

With the drying leaves

Of slowing crops;

Production takes a lesser pace.


Tangled vines

And cooling days

Evidence the summer's grace;

Earth giving forth,

In each season, its due.

God's bountiful provision,

My reflection in

The season's change.


A.D.W.   2009

Nation on its knees,
Bowed in grief and disbelief.
Nation on its face,
Plundered by an angry thief
Who seeks to steal, to kill,
Destroy...
Who glories when
he steals our joy.
And yet, his seeming victory
his greatest loss
When we're brought to our knees;
For worship and prayer,
Faith and trust,
Are treasures that
Will never rust.
Though war is waged,
he's missed the mark,
For he stirs us up
And the Father calls,
And we bend and are broken
For the Father's heart
For a dying world,
And we stand and we march
On in His name,
Carry a torch, speaking His word,
Promises claim.

Press on,
He is coming!
Press on,
He is here!
There is hope in His name...
His glory is near.


A.D.W.   September 17, 2001

Ginny at Proverbs 22:6 Academy conferred this award upon my humble little blog...grin!  Thanks, Ginny.  I don't know if I can comply with the requirements, as I've been a little neglectful of my homeschoolblogger buddies, and with the household computers dedicated to school right now, probably won't be able to pass it on to the 7 or so that I am supposed to share the award with.  Still, I suppose I can comply with the sharing of 10 honest things about myself...well, maybe.    Let's see...

1.  I hated gardening as a kid...love it as an adult.

2.  I'm very disorganized!  Hubby is very organized.  Just compare my purse to his wallet, and you'll see.

3.  I hate to cook from recipes.  If I can't wing it, it's very rare I'll fix it.  Unless I'm baking.

4.  I hate beets.  I grew some this year, but even the exotic looking ones still taste slimy.  Yuck.

5.  I love Dr. Seuss books because they rhyme!

6.  I can't wait 'til the Fall Festival!  It's two weeks away, and the kids and I usually have a blast entering arts, crafts, homegrown veggies, and baked goods!  I'm starting to think about which poems I want to enter this year.

7.  My best poems sometimes start with the oddest thoughts or in the most unusual places, like the shower.  The things that inspire me to write are works of the Lord, both those recorded in the Bible and those in my life, as well as nature and mountains, and of course, listening to Rich Mullins or my hubby on his guitar. 

8.  I'm a terrible housekeeper.  Too easily distracted.

9.  I hate driving!  Teaching my 16 yo is gonna be a challenge.

10.  I love fishing, but don't like eating the fish so much.  I kinda cringe when people order fish at a restaurant...not my favorite!  LOL!

I'll have to do the passing on of the award at a different juncture, as the day has dawned and kids need tending!

Blessings from the ranch! 

Shadow of a blessing

In the shadow of a doubt;

Uncertainty that tugs the heart

As emboldened feet step out.


Hearken my heart, Lord;

Strengthen my faith.

Lift up my arms.

Don't let me faint.


There would not be shadows

If there were not light;

The shadow of the blessing

Is keeping You in sight.



A.D.W.     2009

Nothing more than a black sheep;
Nothing less than His own kin!
Unblemished One,
The perfect Son,
In mercy, took me in.
No spot or stain upon Him,
The sacrificial Lamb,
Lifted high in grave dishonor,
Honors this unworthy one.
I am nothing more than a black sheep,
Unfit to pay the price;
Purchased by His perfect gift...
Unblemished, worthy sacrifice...
Nothing less, now, than His kin,
With an everlasting, perfect hope
That only comes through Him.



ADW 2009

Midnight dance...
The rabbits prance
To and fro across the plain;
Coyote cry...
The bunnies fly
Off to hide in the desert terrain.

Morning mountain landscape
And slowly fading haze;
Chilly air...
The prancing hare
Fades into the morning
To rest a bit
'Til it's time to dance
The night away again!



A.D.W.   2009

Or trying, I should say!

Lots of little snippets!

Shepherd boy...
Caretaker's joy
As he moves amidst the flock;
Watchful eye,
Compassionate heart...
That of a humble king.
Concern for his charge,
Love directs all
From shepherd to king,
With a high and honored call.

Carpenter boy...
Builder's joy
To finish each pressing task.
Keenest eye to the work...
Heart that recognized, in union with touch,
The finished feel of the crafted piece;
From carpenter to king,
With a high and honored call.



A.D.W.   2009

Insufficient love...
When pressed,
My heart spews forth
Reviling thought,
Offending words,
Returning wrong
When another hurts;
Insufficient love.

All sufficient One...
Only You
Can move beyond
The lack of love
In me.
Conditions of
My hardened heart,
Unconditionally cleansed
Through Your perfect work...
A love that expands
And unconditionally extends
Beyond all that I lack,
Overwhelming and driving
Unconditional fact
Of your sufficiency.


A.D.W.   2009

An empty weed-filled bed;
Passersby take little note.
A sneer,
A glance, and then, away;
Eyes quickly turn
From the rundown place.

An empty weed-filled bed...
One pair of eyes rest long;
Garden gaze into bygone days.
Faintest of smiles at remembered warmth,
Faithfully tended and carefully groomed,
Whilst prayers gently offered,
Life, graciously pondered,
In bountiful, beautiful, growing time
Rest heavy in the wistful mind.


A.D.W.   2009

Time, as I see it...
Time, from my view,
Often drags in fulfilling
The promises due
To complete the sum of Your word.

Time as You see it
Is filled with Your grace,
Lending the option
For all to embrace
The promises given;
The sum of Your word
Gives time, that all might come
Unto You.

Time passing and hinting...
Fulfillment will be
According to Your time.


A.D.W.   2009