Remember, Please !

" Soldier, rest!Thy warfare is o'er, Dream of fighting fields no more." Sir Walter Scott "War mends but few, and spoils multitudes." Jeremy Taylor "I heard the sound of Taps one night when everything was still I listened to the bugler play and felt a certain chill I wondered how many times that Taps had meant 'Amen', When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington, No, freedom isn't free." Memorial Day Poems "So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for He Himself knows our frame, He is mindful that we are but dust.As for man, his days are like grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourishes, when the wind has passed over it, it is no more....but the loving kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him." Psalm 103 :13-16

What can we really say to the families of fallen soldiers ? Memorials and tributes do not bring back their loved ones or repair the wounds and scars of the families who have lost them . Memorials and tributes do not reach the fallen in their graves. Lives interrupted, forever.Respect though, is due them, and memorials serve us, the living. Memorials hopefully cause us to pause and remember the lost and fallen of so many wars and realize the true cost of war and strive to appreciate each other and what we have because of the sacrifice of so many for so many. In memory of the fallen, may there always be someone to remember you and tell your story.

Of Turkeys & Memories

Two of my Midget White turkey poults at a few days of age, exploring in the sun room.

Here is a picture of our oldest Grandchild, our Grandson CT, holding one of the poults. This brought back so many fond memories of him as a toddler, fascinated by other poults we raised.

Just look at how small he was way back when....

The size his baby brother Little 'J' is now. Here Little 'J' is carefully reaching to touch one of my new poults. Just like his big brother did a few years ago. Where has the time gone?

Little 'J' carefully and tenderly petting the baby turkey.

Sister M.N. also holds the little turkey, she is very careful and gentle.

The turkeys have already grown so quickly, and so have our Grandchildren. I pray often I will remember these moments, so many sweet and special moments. Children and Grandchildren grow up and baby animals grow up even more quickly. We grow older so very quickly, and then... Life is a gift from God not to be squandered, but to be enjoyed, lived with love and joy in Him, no matter our circumstance. I want to remember this! "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom, oh satisfy us in the morning with Thy loving kindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days...make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us...and let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and do confirm for us the work of our hands, Yes, confirm the work of our hands." Psalm 90 : 12,14,15,17

Turkeys In A Teacup Thursday~

Hmmm...,

Maybe...,

How in the world?.....

And this is a good idea because....?

TWO turkeys in a teacup?

Is she kidding? ! ?

We don't think so Kathy, we're outta here~

Tea Cup & Tea TimeTuesday

I am really enjoying Teacup and Tea Time Tuesday. I should re-title my Tuesday posts as All Things Tea-Tuesday ! This is hosted by Martha* & Terri* and Tea Time Tuesday is hosted by Lady Katharine*. Click onto their names to see their blogs and the tea cups and tea settings of so many others.

Today I used Polish Ware my sister Karen gave me and the special tea cup is a gift from my grandmother. Do you see the little polka dotted lady in kerchief? She is the cover of a covered dish. This works very well for dining on the porch. I can keep my croissants filled with chicken salad safe from the cats and any other critters looking for a free meal until I actually sit myself down to enjoy my tea time lunch. The Polish Ware teapot is the nicest tea pot I own. I rarely use it for fear of breaking it, although it is actually a very heavy and easy to handle tea pot. The tea pot has it's own warmer too.

Blue and white with silver metallic embellishment, what's not to love about this tea-cup? The bottom of the cup and saucer say "Made In Germany" and "U.S. Zone".

I used linens I have collected. This woven table runner is one I purchased in an antique shop. It is made of linen . There are no tags or labels on it but it reminds me very much of a lot of Scandinavian linens I love and admire.

I love to read while eating and sipping tea.Today I read about the history of Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day.

Remember: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but the woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Blessings to you at Tea Time and all through the day, thank-you for visiting me and allowing me to share my special tea cups and dishes.

Extra Help In The Garden

Buttercup and her son Basil were enlisted to help my husband tame his vegetable garden.

This has been a very cold and wet spring. Combined with my husband's work schedule and many weekend obligations away from home, time in the vegetable garden has been scarce.Which means the grass and weeds are thriving. My husband loves his vegetable garden though and has a lot more planting to do but the back half of the garden was thick with grass.

I reminded him we have grass eaters living here , lots of them. So he put temporary fencing between the planted vegetable beds and the out of control grass, then we put mother and son Jacob sheep (Buttercup & Basil ) in the back half of the garden where they filled up on the grass, and fertilized the garden too! I also put 2 little chicken tractors in the garden . Each chicken tractor has 1 rooster in it and I move them daily. The roosters scratch up the earth as they eat the bugs and grass under them. They also take a lot of time to crow at each other and fertilize the garden.

Another view of the bi-sected garden with sheep and chickens at work.The area behind the vegetable garden is a wetland that divides our property from my husband's youngest sister and her husband's home and property. The duck pen is the red-roofed structure. The ducks pen themselves up in the evening where I usually remember to close the door to protect them from night predators. So far this year we have not lost any of our ducks to coyotes, raccoons, dogs, etc. A first for us. I recommend penning your ducks and other poultry around here if you intend to keep them alive.

My husband's Hosta bed. This bed is the temporary home for the Hostas until we find new places to plant them.Kind of a Hosta foster home.The Hosta Fosta home is in the vegetable garden too, all the little Hostas waiting for a home. Maybe with better weather and a bit more time, plus the enlisted help around here, we can get on with a more successful and productive garden before our winter/spring and winter/summer turn into winter/fall~

TeaCup Turkeys

This was last week. Two turkeys in a tea cup. "Isn't this nice and cozy Tom?"

Today, the same turkeys in a tea cup, almost! "Tom, I am not sure you're gonna fit in the teacup with me." "Tina, of course I'll fit, let me show you."

"See ? I do fit right in with you Tina, and this is very cozy!"

"Um, Tom...you squeezed me out. Tom...hey,um..."

"I think I lost my place in the tea cup,and Tom planned it this way all along. Two turkeys in a tea cup my foot, hmmmpf!" Don't you think Tom looks pretty pleased with himself?

TeaTime Tuesday

It is again TeaTime Tuesday hosted by Martha* and Lady Katherine* ! Just click onto their names and you will be magically whisked away to their blogs to see the teacups and tea party settings of many others . This is so much fun, I enjoy seeing all the teacups and tea settings.

The teacup I am using for my tea today is Blue Danube, by Noritake. This cup is one of many that go with my favorite set of china. You can see I have snack plates and napkin rings in my china pattern too. "The mere chink of cups and saucers turns the mind to happy repose." George Gissing

For tea today I had mint tea with my egg salad sandwich and grapes. "Hospitality and love go together like a teacup and saucer. Both can stand alone, but one without the other is not complete."

The grapes were part of my centerpiece, and I also added some of last weeks' tea cookies to the edible display. "I always fear that Creation will expire before teatime." Sydney Smith

A pretty ivy-filled pink polka dot tea pot~I just might use this tea pot in another Teacup Tuesday very soon. "Tea has qualities that refresh and relax, that warm and comfort. It was said in Victorian times that a good cup of tea would unlock all the secrets a woman carried in her heart." Mary Mason Campbell

Silly ( Stupid?) Sheep

This is Chicory and yes, her head IS stuck in the fence. For the umpteenth time!

Not to worry though, in between baaing and bawling loudly, she takes time to snack on the grass on the other side of the fence. She won't starve while waiting yet again for us to dis-entangle her from the fence.

SEE?

This is Chicory's half sister, Buttercup with her ram lamb Basil by her side. She too is stuck in the fence for the umpteenth time, in one day! Lest you think she is lacking grass on her side of the fence, look again...lots of lush green grass is growing on her side of the fence, but you know the old saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". I only have two 2-horned sheep and they are the only sheep constantly getting stuck in the fences. The 4 to 6 horned sheep don't fit through the fences and the polled ( hornless) sheep don't get stuck. I know, I know, I need to fix the fences so the sheep can't get their horns through but have had no spare time this week.As I reflect on how many times my husband and I have had to go and release the silly sheep I think if we could have consolidated a chunk of that much time we could have done a very fine job of fence adjustment for these sheep. Today we will. But don't you think they would have learned already that this is bad, bad, BAD for them? Above is Basil , standing by his Mom, Buttercup, STUCK AGAIN! There is a reason we are called sheep in the Bible, and why we need a shepherd, THE Shepherd. My sheep inevitably return time after time to the very things that get them in trouble and don't seem to learn their lesson. Then they run away from me or struggle with me when I am only trying to help them. Silly, foolish, needy, wonderful, and beloved sheep. I love them, but nowhere near as much as our Shepherd, Jesus , loves and cares for us, His sheep. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 Below is a video of a man talking about the very verse quoted above. It is longer than I like to post, because I know you are all busy people and over 5 minutes is a big chunk of time. However, I was enchanted by his accent, the scenic background, and could have listened to him even longer ( so I listened to him twice). May all you sheep of His pasture rejoice in the safety and security of the Shepherd's care and love. May those of you without the Shepherd seek Him~ Happy Sunday

Racka~ Hungarian Sheep

Timi from Hungary has e-mailed me some pictures of her amazing sheep. She and her little girl enjoy their sheep very much. The picture of the sheep above is taken from Wikipedia* which Timi referred me to . The name of this breed of sheep is Racka.Look at those horns!

Here is Timi's older ewe, Rozi. Timi sent me a picture awhile back before Rozi was sheared. I think Rozi is pretty. This breed is known for it's spiral horns, unlike any other domestic sheep horns and the horns may grow up to 2 feet long. The breed does originate in Hungary and "existed since at least 1800, when the first registry was established. It is a hardy, multi-purpose breed used for milking, wool, and meat. Their wool is long and coarse....ewes weigh around 88 lbs. and rams 132 lbs. The breed unique appearance and quiet disposition would make it a desirable animal for hobby situations." Wikipedia I wonder if there are any being kept in America?

Timi and her family bought a lamb of the same breed and named her Dora, because she was born on Dora's ( a Saint) Day. Thank-you Timi for allowing me to share your sheep on my blog! The weather has warmed up and I find I am spending most of my time outside catching up on the weeding in my herb and flower gardens. The animal pens all need cleaning and daylight is obliging by sticking around longer. When I take a break from working outside I just want to sit on the porch and soak up the sunshine while I watch the beautiful Goldfinches, red and purple finches, grosbeaks and many other small birds flitting and flying around , almost within arm's length. Hummingbirds are everywhere, buzzing so close to my face , lovely days to revel in the many small miracles we have here at home. "When I consider Thy heavens , the work of Thy fingers.....what is man that Thou art mindful of him.. yet Thous hast made him a little lower than God, and crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. Oh Lord , our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth!" Psalm 7 : 3-9

What's Better Than A Turkey In A Teacup?

What's better than a turkey in a teacup?

Two turkeys in a teacup!

These little cuties are called "poults", that is what a baby turkey is called. They are Midget White Turkeys. They will not be as big as the turkeys we have raised in the past, but more about them in a later post. For now I am enjoying participating in Teacup Tuesday hosted by Martha* . Check out her blog and all the favorite teacups! This is one of my favorite teacups and saucers. Of course I washed out the teacup after the turkeys perched in it. Turkeys can really leave a mess behind after they have had tea with you, but how often can a lady say she has had turkeys to tea and two of them fit into her teacup?

My Favorite Tea Cup & Porch Tea Party

This is my favorite teacup & saucer. I have many teacups I like very much, but this is still my favorite. I found it on a trip to Oregon and back with my sister Joni. We stopped at a little old antique shop in a little old logging town high in the mountains. The cup has a thin crack in it, but it does not leak. The cup just feels right in my hand. I do not drink coffee out of it , ever! This is my cup for tea when I am feeling like pampering myself, or comforting myself. Cielo, at The House In The Roses is hosting a Victorian Tea Party in celebration of Mother's Day and has invited any and all interested to share their favorite teacup. Check out her blog to see all the beloved tea cups, and maybe see other tea parties and teacups too! Since I was getting out my favorite teacup, and the sunshine finally peeped out from behind the clouds, warming up our porch, I decided I would make a little tea party for just myself. Candy Cat invited herself, so I let her warm my feet. I prepared a simple salad for myself. Baby greens with yellow peppers and hard boiled egg on the side. Lest you think me virtuous in my eating habits I will admit I drenched the salad in Ranch dressing. I made a pot of Peach Passion tea, and to really treat myself, read while I ate. What else would I read now that gardening weather is finally upon us? Why, books on herbs! My herb garden is really needing a lot of work, but I digress. I am enjoying myself by having tea, not working in the garden today, no sirree!

Here is a tea cozy I made. It matches the table cloth , see?

Here is my pink tea pot without the tea cozy.A tea cozy is very nice to have to keep the pot of tea hot, especially when I am having tea outside.

So Cielo, here is my favorite teacup and saucer!

Here are the undersides of the cup and saucer. If you wish to view the markings more clearly click on the picture to enlarge it.

I forgot to show you my dessert. Doesn't that chocolate cupcake look delicious? It even says "Happy Mother's Day!"

A personal reflection on Mother's Day. For many years this day was one I dreaded. I love my mother, but our relationship was , well, difficult. My sisters and I all had mixed feelings about this day. I also know many, many others who have lost mothers they still deeply miss and mourn. For others still, they as mothers have been estranged from their own children, and this day reminds them of joys they yearn for but have not come, and may never come. But we are all to be thankful for whatever circumstance we are in now, and if we have failed as daughters or mothers, we can rise up this morning and thank God for today and begin , one day at a time to become the person God has intended us to be. We can apologize and make amends where possible. If our estrangement appears to be permanent, either through death or being cut out of the life of our loved one, we can ask for God's forgiveness if we were wrong and then go on with our life ,or forgive the loved one who hurt us. Through forgiveness in Him we are made new. MADE NEW! Don't look back anymore, except to pray for our loved ones. Don't beat yourself up anymore. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Every day~

This being said, I am thankful I am a mother, and a grandmother. My children, all now grown , have made my life more blessed than I can express , thank-you God for my children and Grandchildren!

"And it came to me, and I knew what I had to have before my soul would rest. I wanted to belong-to belong to my mother, and in return-I wanted my mother to belong to me." Gloria Vanderbilt

"There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good mother." Jill Churchill