Spreading the "Word"

We have many trees on our property. Remember the Chainsaw Party a few blogs ago? My honey and his "buds" were clearing the property of a few trees so that we could put in a pool. It was quite the event!

Today I discovered a tree I had never seen before. One that is really quite beautiful...with pretty yellow flowers. After surfing the web I found out it is called a yellow poplar...or tulip tree. I will try my best to make sure that this tree is never a victim of the chainsaw gang!

About 3 weeks ago there was a knock a the door. The local electric company had hired a tree service to trim all of the trees that touch the power lines. The man standing at my door worked for the tree service and was there to inform me that they would be cutting back some trees on our property. "Was I interested in keeping the wood that they cut, or should he haul it away?" Well, since there are countless things that I now know can be made out of logs I told him we would like to keep the wood.

The next day my honey was riding by where they had trimmed our trees. There lying on the ground next to one of the trees, was a piece of freshly cut wood...and carved into the wood was the Christian "fish symbol". It was really quite beautiful to see...a simple carving by some one's chainsaw...a refreshing reminder that we Christians are not alone out there.

We've kept the piece of wood and gave it a resting spot at the entrance to the bridge. Here we can see it everyday as we enter our property. It is a great way to remind us just how blessed we are. Thank you, Jesus!...and thank you our anonymous Christian friend.

The Sweater Maker

Some of us have been blessed with a creative relative who likes to share their talent with other members of the family. I have one of those relatives...my dear Aunt Jean.

My Aunt Jean...now an octogenarian...used to make her own clothes...sing in in the church choir...bowl every week and very well, I might add...and work outside the home as a corporate secretary. She loved to travel by car, and has visited all of the states in our country (of course she did not drive to a couple!)...but has lived in only two of those states, New Jersey and Nevada.

She also has been knitting for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have received countless items hand knit by her: sweaters...my Christmas stocking...sweaters...hat/scarfs...sweaters...Barbie clothes...sweaters...a shawl...sweaters...an afghan...and sweaters...just to name a few.

My all time favorite was knit in the 70s when I was in high school. She made me a burnt orange jumpsuit!! It had stripes of tan and brown around the collar and cuffs. It was made with HUGE bellbottom pant legs. WOW!!!...what a flashback I just had!! LOL!! I was quite stunning in it!! The thing is, though, it weighed more than me at the time!!!

She has knit my children their baptismal gown...sweaters...baby clothes...sweaters...their Christmas stockings...sweaters... hats/scarfs...sweaters...afghans...and sweaters.

She knits for EVERY family member...her sisters and spouses...nieces/nephews and spouses...great nieces/nephews and their spouses and children...and so on and so on. She knits for about 50 people that I know of, and probably a bunch that I don't!!

Every year...without fail...for as far back as the beginning of time...she has knit everyone a sweater for Christmas...a different style each year...in a multitude of colors. It was no surprise what was inside her package!

This past Christmas we did not receive sweaters. This year she retired her knitting needles and is giving her tired hands a rest. It was strange not to receive her sweaters. A family tradition has ended.

Someone will have to learn how to knit. "Knit one...pearl two"! That is all that I remember from the one time she tried to teach me. But the thing is...I remember the words...just not what they mean!

Someone will have to continue the tradition of the Christmas stockings. Every family member has one! The new grandbaby will need one!

Leigh???...Carrie???...Jessie???...Will???...which one of you will it be? I am certain Aunt Jean would love to teach one or all of you!!!

A one of kind "treasure"

My friend, Jean, and I spent her birthday browsing at a flea market near us. I love flea markets. You can find some real "treasures" at flea markets.

I have been to this particular Tuesday flea market many times...and it has always been packed full of vendors and shoppers. But because they were open on Memorial Day, only a handful of vendors set-up their tables today....apparently only the desperate to move their goods vendors.

Now...if you have ever been to a flea market you know that some of the vendors are just pedaling knock-offs of someone else's hard work...I have been known to purchase these items in the past. Some of the vendors are selling food items, or flowers, or perfumes. Some of the vendors deal only in antiques.

Well...apparently these vendors were home resting up after a long and busy holiday weekend where sales were good so therefore a much needed break was warranted. Very few of them were set-up today.

The majority of the vendors there today were selling the miracle creams and lotions...the velvet paintings...the CDs of artists who have been dead and gone a long time...and the 2008 calendars. And then there were the "creative" type vendors that were displaying the goods they "created" with their own hands. You know...license plates made into birdhouses and purses...jewelry made out of broken pieces of china or bottle caps...garden decorations made from old garden tools decorated with things like door knobs and keys and old silverware and coffeepots. These are the fun things to see...things that you may or may not say..."wow...I never would have thought of that!"

Occasionally at these vendor tables you will find a real "treasure"...a true conversation piece...an unbelievable one-of-a-kind gem!!

Today I found that treasure! I walked past it...almost missing it completely...then slowly realized what I was seeing. I quickly brought Jean's attention to it. She squinted...focused...giggled and then just turned and walked away. I, on the other hand, could not move.

I was frozen to the spot...my eyes filling with tears...the laughter rising from deep inside me! I could not believe what I was seeing. I think it must have been created by a husband/wife team. They discovered a way to bring their two worlds together...working side by side to create the perfect piece.

You must have just the right decor to display this work of art. I knew immediately I did not have it. But some where out there one of you may. I guess it would be a cross between a yurt and a ladies bathroom.

I can give you directions to the flea market if you are interested. Something tells me it will still be there next week!

Adjusting to Mother Nature

I love it here...the woods...the creek...but mostly the serenity. It's a good thing, because being surrounded by Mother Nature has brought me into close contact with things I really tried to steer clear of in the past.

I have never really been the "outdoorsy" type. Although I did a little camping (church camp) when I was in grade school...I was always happy to get back home to my own bed and bathroom. I am not a fan of bugs and critters.

Now the deer that I see from my window...and the geese I chase down the lane...and the ducks I see swimming in the creek...and the blue heron that circles our property...these are all beautiful sights...great examples of the sheer wonder of God's creation. And they are all far enough away from me that I do not worry whether or not they will come close enough to me to actually touch me. But...there are some of God's creatures that are too bold for me.

Let's take for instance bugs...yikees! From carpenter ants...to spiders...to Pennsylvania's version of a "stink bug"...to centipedes...to silverfish...I have experienced them all. I hate bugs...they really make me feel all crrrreeeeppppy...and crrrraaaawwwwlllly. And critters???...that's another whole level of creepy crawly yuckiness!

I think that all critters such as rodents and snakes should be banned from the earth! Mice...rats...snakes...are totally gross creatures that just give me the "heebiejeebies". All of these have reared their ugly heads here at the Money Pit...but thank goodness I have not crossed paths with any of them personally.

I know that they are all a part of Mother Nature...I just wish they were silent partners and/or nocturnal so that I would never have a chance to cross their paths. My honey does his best to shelter me from them...however...the fact remains they are here...and actually were here before us...so they do have some claim to the property.

I know I must learn to adapt to them...since this is hopefully our last stopping place before I reach the pearly gates. I will try hard to be brave. But, maybe they could all become extinct...like the dinosaurs. No one misses the dinosaurs, right?

But...here's a thought...do you think there are bugs and critters in Heaven? I sure hope not.

Reservations at the Inn

Well...the Money Pit has truly become our dream home. We have lots to do yet, but even if we don't do another thing...it is definitely a dream come true.

Today as we were leaving to get Sunday breakfast at the local diner...gotta love the east coast diners...and we saw the first baby geese of the season. We have had a flock of geese here on the property for the last couple months, and we knew they had laid their eggs close by. Sure enough...the first "family" was out for a Sunday stroll.

Cailyn's daddy, Chris, was visiting over Easter. He took a walk through the woods and saw a herd of deer..."15 whitetails"...as he described them...watering at a pond that borders our property.

And today I looked out the back window and saw a bunch of daffodils blooming in the middle of the woods. Not sure who planted them...but I sure am enjoying the sight!

It is so peaceful and beautiful here. We are in the process of building a screened porch and pool with hot tub. All we need now to complete the dream is for our friends to travel here and enjoy it with us! We would love to have you all come for a visit soon!!

The "Inn" is open...so book your reservation!

The Icing on the Cake

It has been a wonderful Easter!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed having all my "little" birds here in our new nest (AKA the Money Pit). Leigh surprised us by arriving Wednesday night...we had not expected her to come at all. Jessie arrived Thursday...Will Friday...and Carrie, Cailyn and Chris on Saturday. I was in Heaven! Who could ask for anything more??

We visited our old church in NJ, where my Mom was "saving" seats for us. We come from an old Presbyterian church where years ago you actually purchased your seats in the pews. They no longer follow that practice, but we sit in the same pew location as my great grandmother's family did some hundreds of years ago. The church celebrated it's 250th "birthday" in 1990....so that makes it...269 years old now!

Wait, I was not supposed to be blogging about my old church, but my wonderful Easter. They are, however, greatly connected thanks to our risen Lord!!

So...back to my Easter week...I am so in love with my grandbaby Cailyn! She is nothing but joy...even when she is throwing a tantrum typical of her age. And the "soon to be here" grandbaby boy has been very active in his mommy's tummy!! He will arrive around June 11th...can't wait!!

I love my "little birds" with all of my heart, and cherish every moment I am with them, but a grandchild is totally different. It is all of the rewards, and none of the pain that goes with parenting. It is the icing on the cake that...as you learned how to master it...you undercooked it...overcooked it...forgot ingredients...mismeasured ingredients...added ingredients that you thought would help the recipe, only to find out differently...and definitely ate way too much of, but loved every bite!

I am so looking forward to this summer when I know the "little birds" will all "fly back" and spend time with us again. And included in that trip will be our new grandbaby boy!!!

More icing...different flavor...all the sweetest part of the cake!

A computer by any other name...

Depending on who you talk to my honey and I are either young or old.

My parents, and anyone over 40 refer to us as young...this is a good thing...as I do not feel old...and "they" (who are "they", anyway?) say you are as young as you feel. Therefore...on a daily basis...I range in age anywhere from 30-60! It is a mental thing...but is usually determined by an ache or pain...or lack there of.

Our kids...on the other hand...have been known to say on occasion..."you and Dad are so old!" This comment, at times, has been painful to hear...but mostly is just shrugged off as part of the circle of life. At times I look at them and can not figure out how I can have children so close to my own age. Mental...or better known as "off your rocker"???

My honey and I are pretty much "in the times" with all the new gadgets and stuff. I, on occasion, have had to ask assistance of my children on how to work a certain feature on a gadget...let's say my cellphone for instance...but I learn quickly. There is NO truth to the "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" theory.

So...we know about the gadgets...we can work them with enough knowledge to get by in this world...and look like we know what we are doing. But...sometimes the "empty nest age" clicks into gear...we have a brief moment of senility...forgetfullness...and just stumble along. My honey and I have reached the point where we try to assist each other when this happens before anyone else realizes we have had a brain "bump".

My honey had just such a moment the other day. I did not correct him...because it really was quite comical...and made for a good laugh...which "they" say is the best medicine and helps you to live longer! What did he do??? This man...a very intelligent corporate executive...was talking about his computer...but forgot what the word was for computer...just a momentary brain "bump"...so he called it the first thing that came to his mind....................

the "EMAIL MACHINE". I know....it is funny...you can laugh.

One thing good about getting older is that you can laugh at your own mistakes...and really don't care if others laugh at you!!

After all...as "they" say...a computer by any other name...is still a computer!