Our Last Days at Cedar Pond ?

The sale of Cedar Pond is pending. We had two offers to buy Cedar Pond right after the open house, the first day it was shown.

I see I haven't blogged since April 10th, but we've been busy packing, sorting, cleaning, moving things to our future home and depositing other items at the local dump and Goodwill.

I am still tending my gardens and sometimes have to distract myself so I don't cry. That is really the reason I haven't blogged lately. Every time I begin to post pictures or write on my blog , so many emotions flood my heart and mind that I opt for a snack to munch while watching t.v. or reading a book, or catching up with friends and family on Facebook. Quick distractions.

Of course, having kept chickens for many years now I have learned not to count my chickens until they hatch and I know Cedar Pond is not truly sold until all the paperwork is signed and official. But it does appear another family with young children will be loving life here at Cedar Pond soon.

We had a big work party in April when most of our family came together to help prepare Cedar Pond for sale and also help load a lot of heavy stuff into a rental truck. We drove 6 hours , over the mountains and far away, to our future home. We unloaded the truck , storing our belongings in the barn there. We still have at least 2 more truck loads of stuff to move  ( how did we accumulate so much STUFF ? ) not including my sheep, my geese, and my chickens.

I hope you don't get the wrong idea about my feelings though. I am prone to nostalgia and "what-if's", but not sorry to be moving . We built Cedar Pond from raw land almost 30 years ago. We raised our children here and enjoyed life here . I knew this was the right decision for many reasons, but I also knew I was ready to move for sure when the last few trips to our future home I did not want to return to Cedar Pond because I was home . My home over the mountains and far away !

Home Again

 I've been gone for awhile , over the mountains and far away !

 We were enjoying our place there where there is always plenty to do .We had our children & grandchildren with us for Easter. Our 8 grandchildren were able to spend time with each other , playing in the woods , building a fort, hunting, and hanging out.

 My husband got to drive a tractor ( he harrowed the fields ), thanks to our youngest son who loaned us his. I know my husband enjoyed this ,good thing, because it took all day to harrow the fields to get them ready for hay.

 Everything we did outside was observed with great interest by the cattle next door. They often lined up at the fence line to nose our dogs and would follow us from their side of the fence like curious puppies. I could hear them commenting to each other about our comings and goings.

 Spring turkey hunting kept these three out in the fields and woods. There are wild turkeys everywhere. The turkeys hang out in the fields with the deer and they bed down together at night. If you're in this part of the country you can even find wild turkeys in the towns and cities.

The weather put on quite a show. We experienced snow, hail, rain, sunshine, and amazing cloud formations . This huge pink cloud rolled in just before sunset one night and hovered over us for quite awhile, finally dropping a quickly dispelled rainstorm

It makes my heart glad to see my grandchildren together outside. Here they are running for our woods because the sunshine they began their walk in turned to a down- pouring of rain. When they came back in from the woods there was again sunshine.

What we do not have at our place over the mountains is the internet or television and I rarely carry my cell phone . To me , this was bliss. Sometimes I just need to disconnect from those distractions and take time to think , to appreciate the timeless things and blessings in life. That being said , I am back on this side of the mountains, ready and energized to jump back into the things I enjoy here, and blogging is one of the blessings I enjoy. We are home again at Cedar Pond. "Only that traveling is good which reveals to me the value of home and enables me to enjoy it better." Henry David Thoreau

A New Year Of Possiblities & Blessings

 The Christmas decorations are all put away. The only indication of our festivities are the boxes of Christmas candy and Christmas cookies on the kitchen counter. I love Christmas and all the Christmas decorating that comes with it but by the end of December I crave clear counter-tops and simple, almost bland home adornment. I finally got my thank-you cards and a few very late Christmas cards off in the mail and now am preparing practically  for the new year around here.

 Today I separated my pregnant ewes ( female sheep ) from the ewes I did not have bred this past year. The un-bred ewes will be wormed & vaccinated Sunday, while the bred ewes will have increased rations. I put my ewes in with the rams later this year so am not expecting any lambs before the end of February. Here are a few of my favorite ewes. I can't help myself, I just love their faces and love to watch them.

 I also cleaned poultry pens today. Boy, that was back-breaking work and my husband came home just in time to help. And he was a big help ! He shoveled & carted at least 6 wheelbarrows of poultry poop & built up shavings from their pens to his vegetable garden. I shoveled and carted at least that many to areas in the back of our home needing such precious fill. I also dusted my chickens with the powder that rids them of poultry lice , added hen grit to their pens and contentedly watched them settle in for the night in freshly cleaned pens & nest boxes. I have to admit that all this heavy work takes a toll on me now-a-days and after this much work I need aspirin, hot tea, and rest. But tomorrow I'll be fine.

Now I feel I can begin again to craft with my wool , making more little sheep, weaving more rugs , and spinning up the wool my beloved flock produces into yarn. There is of course the anticipation of new lambs and new chicks in the spring, more special times with my husband of over 40 years, and the joy knowing we are able to spend much time with our grown children and their children. My home is clean, my animal pens are clean, a new year of possibilities lies ahead . My cup of blessings is full to overflowing. God is good, praise Him !

Home ~ To Cedar Pond

My drive home from almost anywhere is scenic. This is Mount Rainier viewed barely 5 miles from home. It I so easy to take this view for granted because I see the mountains every day if there is no cloud cover or there are no trees obstructing the view.

The main highway a scant 1/2 mile from our road. Just look at those snow covered hills.

I'll be making a left turn just past the telephone pole with the orange-red ribbon around it.

The left turn onto the private gravel road leading to our home .

The neighbor's horse is always curious about passers-by.

Home ! The gate posts to Cedar Pond , made and constructed for us by our grown children, welcome us home. Home. I love that word and all it implies. Home.

 

Don't forget to leave a comment to be included in the drawing for a flock of 3 Wee Little Sheep !

Sedum Roof For The Birds

 Just a birdhouse with no roof, but no ordinary roof-less birdhouse. This house is now a home ! This birdhouse was built many years ago by our nephew Kevin*, during a summer visit to Cedar Pond, and over the years the turquoise roof fell apart and finally blew away in a storm. I stuck a small pot of sedums in the little house never dreaming a pair of birds would move in and raise a family.

 A pair of Oregon Juncos have moved in , built a nest, and are tending the eggs carefully. And protectively. The father Junco is not happy with me being nearby, but I have to pass the birdhouse to water and feed my sheep. Really Mr. Junco, I won't disturb your nest.

 Both Mr. & Mrs. Junco were chattering and chittering at me as I did my chores near their home, but soon after I was done they resumed their parental duties and delights. ( I like thinking of parenting as a delight!)

 Can you see the bird ( Oregon Junco) peeking out?

Who knew a roofless birdhouse could be a home? An Oregon Junco, that's who. "To build a house is one thing, but to make it a home is quite another." Louis L'Amour

Sit A Spell & Visit

The view from my kitchen and living room, out this window and looking at the lawn and the pond. I view this as I cook, as I clean, as I talk on the phone.This view is especially enchanting and interesting to me when it is snowing or raining. I watch my flock of ducks waddle around our lawn from here, I watch my doves from here. I see wild rabbits hop to and fro and Towhees ( birds) flick from the bushes to the lower branches of the trees from here. Our living room is really part of a big room. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are all one room. My husband and I designed the room this way so we could be part of all that goes on as we cook , visit, and partake of meals with those we love. Sharing your home, your heart, and a meal with others really is a personal matter.For my husband and myself this is a pleasure and a blessing.We designed our home to offer hospitality , heart-felt hospitality. When we have people over to share a meal with us it is a time to not only share a meal, but to share our lives . Isn't this really what sharing is? My husband and I are always striving to make our home a friendly home. One that does not intimidate others, but is welcoming and also forgiving of children's and adult's spilling ( also forgiving of pet dogs & cats). One that is open enough to move about, one that says "sit a spell & relax, you are among friends." We mean this, really. Truly though, hospitality is from the heart, and does not require anything more than a host / hostess who means this. A big house, lots of food and drink,fancy doings, are not necessary and are often a hindrance to true hospitality.Did you know hospitality is commanded by God? "Be hospitable to one another without complaint." I Peter 4:9 , "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.." Hebrews 13:2

Vacationing Where My Heart Desires

My poor husband. He loves to travel and see new and exciting places. Unfortunately he is stuck with me, and I HATE to travel! I was an Army brat and we moved frequently. I don't know how many schools I attended, but we seemed to move way too often for me. We traveled by car when the Army decided to transfer our Dad, with the exception of our 3 years in Hawaii, the car just would not take us there. I remember telling myself I would not marry a soldier and I was going to stay put when I did grow up. Besides, I get car-sick very easily, so traveling across country is not pleasant for me. I guess if you're not prone to car-sickness just imagine being nauseous and feeling like barfing your way across country. Not too pleasant for my traveling companions either. During many vacations away from home, although I did enjoy myself, the places we went, the company we kept...I would always find myself straying over to pet dogs being walked by complete strangers and I would miss my dogs.I find myself gazing longingly at sheep and goats along side the highways and by-ways, and then miss my sheep and goats. My kind husband would put up with me dragging him off to check out yarn and fiber shops and taking time to speak to the spinners and weavers at tourist sights. Every cat I would see reminded me of my cats, and I would miss my cats. The beautiful gardens made me want to work in MY garden. Good grief, I might as well be home enjoying MY flocks, dogs and cats, our gardens and pond. ( Hey, I can go boating here too) Hmmm,if I took my vacation here, at home,I could use the vacation time to spin up my wool, read books I have stacked by the bed. I might even take time to enjoy our jacuzzi tub and bedroom fireplace...better than those of many a hotel or motel we have slept in. Best of all , I will not be obligated to go anywhere unless the urge strikes. I know, I WILL vacation here at home! And I am, for the next 3 days. I am so excited, a Stay-cation in my favorite place of all. The best thing about a vacation here at home is I get to share it with my husband and he enjoys home too.

"Where could I travel to ? What would tempt me ? I am already here. I don't have to step outside this yard ! I am home where my heart is. " Gladys Taber "Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night . I would be willing to go around the world if I came back in time to light the candles and set the table for supper." Gladys Taber

America, My Home

Our Front Porch

"We ask Thee to lead our country in the paths where Thou wouldst have her walk, to do the tasks which Thou hast laid before her. So may we together seek happiness for all our citizens in the name of Him who created all equal in His sight, and therefore brothers.Amen. " Peter Marshall I love my country, my home. I am so thankful God allowed me to be born here in America and I am so thankful for the many, take -for -granted privileges I have because I was born here. I believe to despise your country, your home, is to despise what God in His wisdom has granted you, wherever you are. Does He not tell us to be content with what He provides? (Philippians 4:11) I would be content to live wherever God plants me ( might take an attitude adjustment ), because He knows best. I am so thankful though that this country is my home, for the many freedoms I enjoy. Thank-you Lord for America, my home! Celebrate with joy and thankfulness today for the freedoms we still have, pray for our leaders ,our men and women in the military who serve at the bidding of our leaders, and enjoy the fireworks!

TRUE FREEDOM: "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36

Spot on Nesting....and Home

~I made this as a centerpiece for a family tea I held in my home in the spring.The theme of the tea I gave for the ladies in the family was HOME.~~Inside this candle lantern is a nest my grandchildren found on the ground the day before the tea. In my grandchildrens' defense, they did not know the nest was probably being used at the time, after all, it was on the ground, not in a tree. After consulting my Bird's nest identification book we discovered it is the nest of a Rufous -sided Towhee, and they nest in low bushes, vines, and the ground. The grandchildren were VERY excited to give the nest to me because they know I highly value bird's nests...and birds too.

~I decided to create a centerpiece for my tea using this precious gift. Inside my candle lantern I made a tag with one of a few definitions of nesting. "Nest:any small or cozy place of abode, a snuggery or retreat." Funk and Wagnalls new Standard Dictionary ~Is that not just the best description one could ever want of HOME ? I have always wanted my home to be cozy, a place of retreat and comfort..a place that nourishes the body and soul. A place where family and friend and even stranger can find some comfort and encouragement. "If we return to the old home as to a nest, it is because memories are dreams, because the home of other days has become a great image of lost intimacy." Gaston Bachelard ~"This sense that you are really, truly home cannot be drawn up like a blueprint. It never depends on how many hollyhocks are planted beside the garden gate. It doesn't even matter if the front door leads to a three bedroom ranch exactly like every other on the block or a Victorian high up on a hill...It's any house where the children sleep peacefully in their beds on winter nights , dreaming beneath warm quilts. It's any address where you realize-perhaps at long last-your own good fortune." Alice Hoffman Doesn't this quote sound like a description of a nest, a snuggery ?A cozy place everyone's heart yearns for? ~Home, our own home...does not require much. And a home does not need to actually be owned by us. We have made a home in an old trailer we bought and lived in for 3 years before we built our house. Our daughter and her family made their HOME a tent they lived in for months while their house was built.Big difference, house and home. One is a structure, the other an abode, a dwelling for the heart and soul. I love being home, in my house!I love the little nest my Hubby and I share, with each other, friends, and family !

Family....Blessings Undeserved and Priceless

~~~Sisters ! Here three of the four sisters, our granddaughters, are posing for me at pond side. They were swinging on the hammock, frog hunting, tossing pebbles in the pond....just being little girls excited to be at Grandma and Grandpa's home and visiting all the relatives that came especially to see THEM and rejoice in long awaited answered prayer. ( Their sister was taking her turn at spending the night at a favorite Auntie's home with cousins to play with )~~~Aunt Joni snuggles with three of the sisters. She has upheld the sisters father ( our oldest son ) in prayer and phone counsel and she and her husband have a soft spot for our son and his plight broke their hearts...they and their church and friends have helped support our son when we despaired of ever being able to get our precious granddaughters the justice that seemed out of reach of reason and sensibility. Thank-you Joni ! ~~~" To us , family means putting your arms around each other and being there." Barbara Bush ~~~Sister Karen sharing what she called a " blonde moment" with three of our very blonde granddaughters. Karen has also been so supportive, and she has had her prayer group praying for our son and his daughters......Karen has had her share of trying times and I have learned so much from my sisters , all three of them, and been so comforted to know they are supporting us and praying for us and just plain there for us ! It kind of makes me ashamed to realize how often I have failed them and they have been there for me anyway ! ~~~" The family. We were a strange little band of characters, trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving. laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." Erma Bombeck ~~~A favorite Auntie of the granddaughters, our daughter, allowing #4 granddaughter hold her baby ,our #2 grandson. The granddaughters are very kind to their youngest cousin. ( note the jar on the coffee table. The granddaughters found a new pet at our place, FUZZY the caterpillar. ) ~~~From left to right : # 4 granddaughter, # 1 granddaughter and #6 granddaughter hold up the eggs they gathered. They were so excited to gather eggs and pick apples and pears and help me feed the sheep and ducks and bake and.....we are so blessed ! God has protected our granddaughters, He brought our son, their father, home safely from his 2nd tour of Iraq as a tank commander for the USMC. God gave our son the comfort a faithless wife would not, and finally...FINALLY, after 1 and 1/2 years of an indifferent legal system that cost us more dearly than all the money spent...our son and granddaughters are home. Home where healing can begin for 4 precious little girls. Home where four precious little girls can start being little girls again. Where doing chores and homework and learning the very basic and kind rules of life are the hardest things to put up with.

~~~" In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony." Eva Burrows

~~~"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel they are joined for life- to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. " George Eliot