Garden Beginnings, Small Group and More - The Walnut Acre Daily: Friday, March 28, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. ~ Psalm 62:7 

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

This morning we went (as usual) to my sister's for a combined learning time. We did some worksheets and played some games. Amanda went along and helped with the younger children.

Austin has a friend over this evening and I can hear them in Austin's room now, playing games, talking and watching videos. 

IN THE KITCHEN

 Today for breakfast and lunch we had whatever random things we wanted - soup, crackers, oranges, applesauce, juice, eggs, cereal, etc. For dinner this evening I fixed a big kettle of cabbage, sausage and onions, another kettle of pasta with seasonings and also heated a can of baked beans. This is one of Doug's favorite meals.

YARD AND GARDEN

I am so excited that a lot of the seeds I planted in flats are growing so well. There are lots of tomato plants -three different varieties. Also cantalope, eggplants, and peppers. The peppers aren't growing much yet but I think I see a few peeking through.

There are also lots of seeds planted in the garden - lettuce, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli, onions, and beets, and okra. So far though, I haven't seen any little green plants poking through the ground. It's been cold, wet, and snowy since I planted them though.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Our chickens are doing well but not laying many eggs right now. We have nine hens and are hoping to start getting lots of eggs again soon. 

OUT AND ABOUT

This afternoon was Amanda's afternoon to go to the SPCA. She took two dogs out to play. The first one was Lia. She's a sweet dog and Amanda really enjoyed her time with her.

The second was a pit bull/terrier named Jenny. She had a lot of energy and a lot of personality.

Before we leave Amanda likes to give each dog a treat. 

Tonight was small group night for Doug and I. It has been a wonderful experience to be in a small group again. We are six weeks into an eight week study called Don't Just Go to Church, Be the Church. This study was written by six different members of our church. It has been so nice to share thoughts and laughter and to learn from each other. Tonight was no different. We talked, laughed, dis cussed, prayed, ate, and enjoyed being together. There were three gone tonight and we missed them. But the remaining seven of us had a wonderful evening. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Grace is not a teaching. It is not a doctrine. It is not a topic in Bible school curricula. Grace is a person and His name is Jesus. ~ Joseph Prince

~ Linking Here ~

Busy Monday - Boy Scouts, SPCA, and More - The Walnut Acre Daily - Monday November 25, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

What a busy day! But it was the kind of busy I enjoy. Here are a few glimpses into our day.

Reading lessons - reading a Bob Books reader and doing a set of word sorts.

Playing games - Hello Kitty Bingo and UNO.

Simple Pilgrim and Native American stick puppets.



Austin working on his math lesson with Doug and Amanda practicing on the drums. 

Books and Games We Enjoyed Today

IN THE KITCHEN

The kids did not want to wake up this morning so we started a little late. We had cereal and fruit for breakfast just before we rushed into our day.

For lunch we had leftover Cheddar Chicken Chowder, and Amanda fried some potatoes and bacon, adding a little cheese for extra flavor. It was delicious! We had applesauce as well to round out our meal.

This evening I made a macaroni chicken cheese casserole and corn for dinner. We also had some potato salad left over from Sunday lunch. 

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

I am told (by Amanda) that this one of the prettiest little hens ever! She took these photos this afternoon to prove it.

OUT AND ABOUT

My niece and nephew have been wanting guinea pigs and we thought there might be some at the SPCA so this afternoon we went out there to see. There were no guinea pigs but we did have fun visiting the dogs and cats. Amanda enjoyed introducing some of her favorite dogs to the other kids. Michael was upset by the noise of the dogs barking at first and I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to stay in the room, but he worked through it and was able to enjoy seeing the dogs after a few minutes. 

I'm sure he enjoyed the relief of a quiet room full of cats. Amanda is starting to think about getting another cat but I'm not sure I'm ready for that. 

This evening Austin and Michael went to Scouts. Doug went with Austin to his meeting and I went with Michael. The boys in Michael's group played a game to review the things they have been working on so far - recycling, safety, nutrition, and the rules of bowling. They have also been talking about citizenship and honesty. Then each boy wrapped a gift to give to someone special. They had a snack and then because there was a little time left they played a game of I Spy. 

Austin is still working on his art merit badge and is getting close to earning it. They also worked on plans for their annual Old Fashioned Christmas weekend in a couple weeks. They are really looking forward to that. I heart what the menu is for the weekend and now I want to go. Some of the things on the menu for various meals are smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. scrambled eggs and bacon, chocolate cake, pizza with add your own toppings, and more. They are going to have a gift exchange and that weekend and also holding elections for positions within the troop. It should be an interesting weekend for them. 

TODAY'S QUOTE

Don't expect anything original from an echo. ~ Author Unknown

~ Linking Here ~

The Walnut Acre Daily Thursday October 10, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

~ Proverbs 19:20-21

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Today has been wonderful. I was able to take a large part of the day and enjoy some time to just work in my planner, tweak our schedules, do some blog work and simply soak in the peace and quiet. A friend took the kids for me from 9:00 AM until 3:20 PM and I went to the library and for the day. The library is one of my very favorite places to simply relax and regroup. My favorite library even has a little place where patrons can make a cup of coffee or tea and sip while they work. Thank you so much Karen for letting me have this time today.

Later this afternoon I took Amanda to the SPCA so she could work with some of the dogs there. This is still a very important part of her week that she looks forward to very much.

Later this evening is my weekly hour in the Community Prayer Room at church with my friend Tammy. 

IN THE KITCHEN

Breakfast this morning was simple - cereal with milk, bananas and juice. Michael helped me put meatballs for meatball subs in the slow cooker before I left this morning and that was what they had for lunch, along with some applesauce. On my way home from the SPCA this evening I stopped at McDonald's and bought chicken sandwiches for our dinner. 

ON MY MIND

There has been a lot on my mind lately - but one of the things in the forefront has been how much I tend to think I can do things on my own and that no one will understand some of the things I struggle with. But as I've opened up more and talked to more people I've realized how important it is to share with others instead of trying to walk alone. Of course, God is always with me, but He also made us to be in relationship with each other. Anxiety and OCD has made life very difficult for me for a large part of this year (and has been a large part of the reason my blogging has been so sporadic lately) but it has also made me grow in a lot of ways. God has used this time that I've worked on getting past these things to teach me so much about His love for me and His desire for me to stop trying to walk through things by myself. 

READING AROUND THE WEB

A Balanced Life is a Beautiful Life at The Welcoming House

How to Plant a Fall Garden at New Life On A Homestead

TODAY'S QUOTE

As long as you live, keep learning how to live. ~Seneca

A Unique Hair Style, Lawnmower Repair, and SPCA Dogs - The Walnut Acre Daily Friday August 9, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

~ Luke 12:6-7

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Today Doug finished the repairs on a lawnmower he's been working on. Michael has been supervising the whole process and today Austin even got in on the fun. 

I laughed while they were loading it because this is what I was hearing . . . 

"Push!"

"Harder, harder!"

"Not THAT hard!!!"

This afternoon I took Amanda to the SPCA to work with animals there.

First she spent some time with Rosie and Bailey. They've been together all there lives and share a kennel at the shelter. They are sweet dogs and Amanda tries to always spend at least a little time with them. 

Then she worked with Weego awhile. He is also seemed to be a very sweet natured dog. He's not really eating her hand here, he just getting a treat. Amanda worked awhile with him on give her a paw for a treat. She also brushed him.

Leah is a very shy dog but Amanda soon won her over. She loved the treats and being brushed as well. 

When we came home Doug was working in garage. He was telling me all about how good Michael was while we were gone. In fact, I think, he used the word "perfect." Then Michael walked out of the house with a funny look on his face and an even funnier look on his head. The little boy with "perfect" behavior had given himself a haircut!

There was nothing to do but finish the job so I gave him a haircut. And since was already in the haircutting mode, I gave Austin and Doug haircuts too. 

TODAY'S QUOTE

Don't find fault. Find a remedy. ~ Henry Ford