Marriage is Like Farming- It Must be Cultivated

Marriage
Marriage is Like Farming- It Must be Cultivated
The grain bag was almost empty, so I reached deeply into the dark bag to get a scoop for my chickens… Suddenly something scurried up my arm sleeve! You would have thought an anaconda was in my shirt the way I jumped and screamed! Within 10 seconds a mouse jumped right out of the top of my shirt! I’m surprised we didn't both roll over and die right there! People[...]

Mulberry Sorbet- Super Hero Food

Cooking, Recipes, The Farm
Mulberry Sorbet- Super Hero Food
Mulberries are the latest rage in “superfood.”  Their antioxidants are 79% higher than blueberries and 24% higher than cranberries. They contain  high levels of resveratrol- the super hero antioxidant. They outperform cranberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries with its phytoactive ingredients! In a recent article by the Journal of Infectious Disease[...]

A Season to Work

Family life
A Season to Work
When we were raising our five daughters, we worked hard every day. I thought for sure the next season of life would be easier.  You know... -less work. I've come to realize that as long as I have life in this body, it will be a season to work.  We have a friend on the farm helping  today (Luciano) who just said, "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up t[...]

Hazelnut Sweet Potato Flatbread

Nutrition, Recipes
Hazelnut Sweet Potato Flatbread
Organic Sweet Potato Flatbread A delicious paleo flatbread that taste like heaven.You would never know it’s healthy!  Every ingredient is packed with life-giving nutrients. This recipe makes 4 sandwiches, 8 flat breads. You’ll probably want to double it! Ingredients 3 tabs Hazelnut flour or substitute w/Coconut flour  or almond (Hazelnuts contains phytopc[...]

When Your Plan to Keep out of Trouble- Fails

Spiritual Life
When Your Plan to Keep out of Trouble- Fails
Have you ever made a plan to keep out of trouble, but instead found yourself in double trouble? Oh my goodness… That was ME- this week! My daughter got a job 18 hours from home and needed to get there immediately. But, we didn't have a budget for the move. Question: Do we use credit and go into debt? Answer: Avoid debt at ALL COSTS. Keep the goal and stay o[...]

40 Day No Complaining Fast

Family life, Marriage, Relationships, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized
40 Day No Complaining Fast
My 40 day fast ended abruptly before my head hit the pillow, on the first day! Yep, my plan was to… fast from complaining. I was pretty excited over the possibility of reigning all those negative thoughts… then I woke up on the first morning- and our pipes had frozen! I stood with my blow dryer, blowing hot air on to pipes while Dale sawed huge holes out of our dr[...]

Valentine’s Day Recipes and Movie

Family life, Holidays, Recipes
Valentine's Day Recipes and Movie
This year, make Valentine's Day memorable for your entire family without breaking the bank! There's no need to venture out to a restaurant and subject yourself to the movie theater, when you can make it even more special at home... This past week Dale and I watched an amazing movie that I want to share with you. It's a love story. Quo Vadis is a ro[...]

Called to Be An Eye Witness

Spiritual Life, Walking in the Spirit
Called to Be An Eye Witness
The plane was jam packed- yet an empty seat was right next to me. Ahh, I profusely thanked the Lord, for only He knew how exhausted I really was. I took my boots off... laid my head back, closed my eyes and started to praise God for His graciousness. Twenty minutes into flight a man came up and asked me, “ Can I sit here? There’s a screaming baby back[...]

When God Interrupts Your Plans for His- Just Do it!

Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Walking in the Spirit
When God Interrupts Your Plans for His- Just Do it!
We’d been cooped inside the vehicle way too long! The kids were fighting. Everyone starving... but the good news? We were only 10 minutes from home. Until suddenly I realized... I needed one item from the grocery store. Yeah. . . I reassured them, “I only need one thing and I’ll be out in less than four minutes.     I promise. Set the timer!” They wail[...]

Keep it Shut

Family life, Marriage, Relationships, Uncategorized
Keep it Shut
Sunday morning fights. Ugh… Kids fighting, shoes missing, and Dale and I who are usually in crazy love- nearly ready for separation before we walk inside the church on Sunday morning. Yikes! This past Sunday wasn’t a lot different. I wanted to go in late and leave early so as not to touch any of the “sick” folks carrying that horrible flu bug. Yeah it’s the [...]

Merry Christmas

Uncategorized
May the Lord bless your home with His peace, presence and  power this Christmas. May He do more that you could ever think or imagine with your family. Lord be glorified in our weaknesses and consume us with Your love this week! You are the King of kings and Lord of lords!! Thank You! In Jesus' Name, Amen Luke 2: 2-202 And it came to pass in those days that a decr[...]

Gingerbread Legacies

Family life, Holidays, Raising children
Gingerbread Legacies
One of my favorite Christmas decorations is our permanent gingerbread ornaments with family names on them.  This year, the Lord has graciously added to us three grandchildren and a son in law. I love these ornaments because each one tells a story. I love to reflect on memories of the ones who have passed into their eternal home. Great Grandma Rowley didn't h[...]

Give and It Will Be Given to You

Spiritual Life, Uncategorized
Give and It Will Be Given to You
It was the last weekend before Christmas…  I was waiting in the endless line of cars at Union Station in Washington, DC to pick up our daughter, Jennifer.  She had traveled from New York City to spend the holiday with us. When our five daughters were teenagers I started the tradition of taking each one individually to pick out their Christmas gift.  It served a[...]