Dump pictures and the tressures

Even a potatoe digger in the dump

found treasures-grinding stone, lid to a cook stove

next year's work

future planters, yesterdays cookware

the center to the iron bed

spokes to a iron bed that will be in the garden next year.

the last picture is of what has been cleared of junk.

On my Soap Box

When we moved into our place in the country on the first walk into the woods we found out that the woods behind and to the north of the house had been used as a dumping site. So for the last 4+ years we have been hauling out 5 gallon pails at a time to the garbage can. This morning I made my walk out with the pail and realized that I am making headway in this endeavor. I can now walk 20 or so yards into the woods before I hit the garbage line. I really don't mind doing it as it is something that needs to be done for safety and for eye appeal. The first year we moved in Rosey cut the artery in her leg from running in the woods, that was scarey and an emergency trip to see Dr Woody.

When I go out I always look for a treasure, and I have found them. I found a grinding stone that has been well used and now decorates the garden. I have found old iron bed frames that will be in the garden next year as a decoration. Today I found 2 old enamel roasters. I plan on filling them with dirt and using them in my garden next to the parts of the old cook stove. But for the most part it goes into the garbage can waiting for the haulers on Wednesday morning.

Will I ever get it done, hopefully but I have to be realistic. It does give me something to do and it gives me a great sence of pride knowing that I am making the woods and our little environment a little safer to walk in.

Life on the farm-early morning

Just wanted to share this beautiful sunrise with everyone.

WHAT...MORE plants

Shame on me, but I can not resist a good sale, and it was a good sale. Lowes was clearanceing out their perennials for $ 1.00 to $1.50 each. So I bought about 40 pots. I was brave and did not sneak them in to be planted as I am so famous for doing. I picked up some beautiful red knock out shrub roses, variegated sedum, batchelor buttons, coreaposis, and a lot more. I did share some with Kathy as I did owe her for the laundry soap she picked up for me. It took a while but they are all planted and hopefully they will survive the winter. I said I would not start a new flower bed.................but I did. It is on a knoll by the barn and will look pretty with some flowering plants. OK no more, will not buy until spring, I promise.

My sister, my best friend

It has been 2 years since I felt the strong hands of my sister Joyce. 2 years since the Lord said you are so tired, come home and rest and I shall have you drink from the living water and you shall be well and spend eternity with me. look here are your Mom and Dad waiting and brother Bill.
Your hands were strong in what ever you did, from the back rubs to ease the tension of the day to the enduring hours of knitting or crocheting such beautiful afghan's. Your hands were strong when they held you in an embrace that said hello glad you came. Your hands were beautiful as they were strong, and oh how you loved rings-kind of a legacy.

I miss you sis, we had such a beautiful relationship for 59 years, we were 1 year, 1 week, and 1 day apart and how I loved you. I can lift my head high and say we never had a fight. Your strength has been an inspiration to me. Knowing the battle you fought against cancer has given me the determination and strength to get through. You said God put you on earth to teach people how to die and you sure did teach us that life and living is so important. First you had the love of God, you relied on him to guide you and didn't mind sharing that love. You had the love of life and the zest to enjoy it. You were caring, compassionate and always put others in front of yourself.

I miss you sis, but one day we will be together in a place more wonderful than what you left behind. Until then I love and miss you Joyce.

2/13/1948-10/24-2007

Joyce Margaret De Leeuw Hughes

Posted by Mary D at 2:02 AM

New Job

First off it is nice to see a comment, so I do know someone is readying my ramblings.
My first day at Park Place Assisted Living was an absolute blast, I left wanting to run and buy more scrubs to wear. These folks are so much fun and it is great to just be yourself and not have to worry about looking silly or stupid. Many of the residents lived at Sun Chase at one time or another and that is where my Mom lived so many remembered her. Yesterday I got started in the kitchen, everyone has an assigned task for the day ie kitchen-meds-baths/laundry and you rotate but all pitch in together as a team to help get each task done. The staff are friendly and helpful and a lot of fun. It will be a challenge learning each new face and name but given time will know not only them but their families etc. I have always enjoyed working with the elderly so I feel right at home. I will be working every 3rd weekend and then PRN as someone wants the day off or calls in sick. They said I should get more than my share of hours. Yes it does beat making donuts at 3:15 am. I will stay on at Caseys until I see how my hours at Park Place come in. So off to work in just a little while. Each of you have a good day.

????????? is anyone out there??????????

Very few comments, does anyone read this??

Off to work I go

Today I start floor orientation at Park Place assisted living. Today and tomorrow I will be working from 8am-2pm. Next week on Th/Fr I will work from 2pm-1am. So before I go this morning I have to run out and do horse chores, but that only takes a few minutes. I have packed a lunch, but will have to remember to take it. It will be nice to be working again in an assisted living as I so enjoyed Prairie Crossing and would still be there but the facility closed. Was fun to go out and buy scrubs to wear, they are very comfortable to wear. There are beds for 30 at Park Place so have a lot of names and faces to learn. The pay is a lot more than I was making at Caseys so will be able to pay off some bills quicker. Will keep you posted as to how my orientation days are going. Tonight I have a KEEP (Kidney Early Evaluation and Prevention) test in Sioux Falls. Since I donated a kidney 8 years ago I need to do a yearly check up on it and these tests are free and sent to my physician.

So off to work I go..................

It takes a village

It was said the other day on TV that it takes a village to raise a child, but the village is now gone. It was reflecting that our "village" our family unit has become so mobile and so far spread apart that the family unit we had as a child growing up is no longer in existence for this generation of children growing up. Where we had Grandma and Grandpa almost next door and cousins to play with enough to make up a good baseball or football team. Sundays were reserved for church and then to Grandmas house for dinner. Conversation was over coffee and maybe the telephone party line, sharing the latest happenings in the family and neighborhood. Movies were at the drive in or the local theater, now they are recorded to watch later when you are not so busy. This is how it was when I was growing up. God first, family second, neighbors third and friends last. Gardens were shared as was the harvest. Canning was done together and shared equally. What does this generation have-I pods instead of AM radio, cell phones for on the go, texting instead of voice conversations, Instant Messaging/Blogs/are your link now to the world and email has replaced the time old letter and postage stamp. Do I miss it...I sure do. I miss the personalization that a conversation over a cup of coffee, a phone call to hear a loved ones voice vs a beeping message on the phone that you have a text message. I do feel left out when it comes to the old fashioned family gatherings. Our lives have become way too hectic and time consumed. Our grandchildren are missing out on real value of family gatherings, neighborhood football and cousins. We have become way too mobile and have lost the old fashioned touch. I am glad that I am in the fall of my life and I have the wonderful memories of my childhood to carry me though this electronic age. Nothing will never replace the knock on the door for coffee and shared company or the ring of the phone to say hi.

Finally Fall

Took a nice walk in the woods with the camera

It is such a beautiful day so Rosey and I went for a walk in the woods and around the edge of the property by the corn fields. The colors are still pretty, but we are loosing a lot of the leaves and it wont be long before it is really winter. Wyn the stallion has come back home. There was some loud discussion between the mare and stallion as to who was boss, the mare won. Enjoy the pictures.

Happy Birthday Sue

39 years ago today I became a Mom for the first time. Susan Annie Morrison (now Littlefield) came into the world at 4:55pm weighing 7# 4oz and 19" long. She had light fuzzy hair and a little angelic face that made any Mom smile. It is hard to describe the feelings of becoming a Mom for the first time, it is something that must be experienced to totally understand it. I was so excited and proud to show her off, my Dad had to come up to see his first grand daughter first hand standing by the nursery window just beaming. A lot has changed in birthing since my first one came into this world. Dads were not allowed in the delivery room, there were no epidurals for pain and you stay in in the hospital at least 3 days and the baby was in your room for feeding time only. But what has not changed is the fact that when your baby is born you become a Mom. In the 39 years I have been Sue's Mom, I have watched her grow to become a beautiful, successful business woman and a mom of her own. Happy Birthday Sue. I love you,

Nature and all her suprises

harlan called me over to look out our picture window in the kitchen, this is what we say, there were 3 of them all together. They stayed for about a half hr

Catching up on fall housekeeping

Now that it is a little cooler outside I have turned my attention to working in the house and getting into the corners...good bye spiders and their webs. All the cupboards have been washed down with Murphy Soap and the floors have been steamed and now are shinning with a coat of wax. I have been at it for 2 days and the progress is really showing. Will knock off soon and take it easy as I do have to work Caseys tomorrow and Sun. But the weekends there are getting shorter and shorter. It will be so nice to be off for some weekends. Anyone want their house cleaned??? I am on a roll. Closets are next.

Lovey the Minature Horse

Snapped a couple pictures of Lovey in our pasture this morning, as you can see the snow is gone for now. All I have to do is tap her grain pan and she comes a running. Lovey is due to have a foal in the spring so will keep you posted. My England grand kids really were excited to see pictures of the horse I have been talking about. Lovey does not belong to me, but to the neighbor down a mile. She lives with us and I do all the chores. I have the best of both worlds a horse to look after and none of the bills.

Home

Well Rosey and I are home after a wonderful 3 day seminar. We both learned a ton of information and I have started her with some useful training. For a old gal she catches on (me??)

We are in our first winter storm watch and suppose to get 5 or more inches tonight. I gather winter is here. I can remember when Sue came home from the hospital and we had such a beautiful Indian summer to celebrate, leaves of all colors on the trees and a nice fall warmth. Happy birthday Sue on this coming Saturday. Gads is it possible you are now reaching the holding stage??

SAR Weekend

It has been such a fun/fact/high energy weekend. Rosey and I have been at Midway Camp between Volga and Brookings for a Search and Rescue seminar. She did very good on her air scent find. We then worked with her on HRD (human remains detection.) This is where she really took a spotlight. The instructors are from Madison WI and were calling Rosey a natural when it came to HRD. She even found the grave dirt hidden in a jar in a dresser drawer. Now I have my work cut out for getting her fine tuned. We were also taken up by CAP (Civil Air Patrol), a half hour flight over Brookings. In case we would ever be called out on an actual search and it is across the state, CAP will fly both Rosey and I to the scene. I thought that it would be an easy ride but didnt figure on her falling asleep. So flying will not be a problem in the future. It has been a good learning experience and yet I still have today to finish up on with more lectures. By the way the pictures of Rosey, she is wearing Mutt Muffs a headset designed for dogs while flying. She had no problems wearing them.

This will be a busy weekend

Last night I was at Midway Camp with the Brookings County Search and Rescue for a all weekend seminar. We had a terrific 4 hr seminar on human remains detection. Today Rosey and I will be back for an all day outdoor practice/training for Air Scent, HRD, tracking/trailing. Since Rosey is certified in air scent, I am particularly interested in HRD. Of course to make this weekend even more fun we got a good solid inch of snow (wet) so dry clothes are packed.

Kitchen is CLOSED to canning/freezing

10 quarts of applesauce is done and the lids are pinging the sound that they are sealed. I am officially done until next year. It has been a good harvest for which we say a prayer of thanks.

Applesauce anyone??

This is it (I hope) the last of the canning-am making cinnamon applesauce. Should get a good
6-8 quarts canned. Then I can clean off the counters and try to get back to normal messes. We are suppose to get a freeze in day or so and I am actually cheering on the weatherman hoping it comes so I can finally be done with the garden. I am not going to bring any plants in for the winter. They are cheap enough in the stores in the spring and I don't have the mess. Now what am I going to do with my free time? Don't worry I will find something.

PS way to go Vikings last night a terrific game.

Done Canning

I can now say I am done canning. I put up 3 more quarts of tomatoes last night and that is it. I have enough to get us through a pretty hard winter. Also froze onions and dehydrated some. The harvest season is starting to wind down. The only thing I have left is apples to freeze and those I can do a little every day. Both freezers and shelves are getting full and it is a good feeling. For winter activities I will be up in the sewing room most of the time.

Yesterday I went to the barn and put up plastic over the windows that have been long gone. It is alot warmer in there without the cold wind blowing through it and I am sure the horse will notice it. I still have to clean out her box stall full of cut wood, and should do that before we have a foot of snow.

I am sure my brother Charlie is remembering today as the anniversary of his hunting accident where he lost his arm. That was 38 years ago.

Mom-my Master Gardener-my friend

Today marks the 4th anniversary of Mom's passing to the most beautiful gardens in Heaven ever created. I appreciate my Mom even more now that I do not have her around. I treasure her wisdom, the teaching of so many daily activities from ironing to canning and above all the love of a garden. Her gnarled hands are a testimony to all the loving deeds this beautiful woman did for others, she believed in giving and give she did. She taught us the love of our Savior and to love one another. Miss you and love you Mom.

Raspberries

Went over to Penny's yesterday and picked raspberries (20 cups) and apples. Jam is on the stove, it tastes so darn good. (I might share.) Will be making apple cider at the Master Gardener meeting tonight. Judy McLaughlin and I are hosting it. Tomorrow will be putting up more apples for pies to put in the freezer. Yes we did get a light frost so that is going to put a halt to most of my harvest. I do enjoy it and feel blessed that God provided us with so much to eat, share and enjoy.