Dixie Farm Girl

Even an Old Chair

2012-01-21T18:24:00.000-08:00

I had completely gutted my room. And when I say "gutted", I mean, in every sense of that word. Stuff was all over my bed, my floor, I had a big trashbag full of nothin' but junk. My head was beginning to hurt. Every drawer had been emptied, re-organized, and put back together. Every corner was dusted. My closet, oh my closet. It was straightened up. All my clothes were in perfect order.....skirts, shirts, jeans, exercise clothes....very good. My desk was cleared off, my papers & notebooks put in proper places. I don't know exactly what sparked the desire for me to revamp my living quarters, but, being the passionate person I am....well, it got 'hold of me and didn't let go until I was done. It took two evenings for me to completely finish it. When I got done with this rather large undertaking, I realized that I needed a chair.I have a wonderful desk in my room that my talented Dedad built. I love that desk. However, I have always just pulled a chair in from the computer room when I wanted to sit at it. My poor desk was chairless. I looked at my newly happy room, and looked at my poor desk. Yeah, it was certain. No more computer chairs for that desk. He needed a constant companion.I have always loved antiques, and while looking upon this lonely desk, I envisioned the perfect old, rickety chair for it. This chair I saw in my mind, I have seen many times at different antique stores and such. It would look perfect. As my thought process goes, I began considering when I could get to an antique store to look for it. I needed to go to Athens for a few errands on Friday....maybe I could stop by that little antique store...oh where is it?....oh yeah, right off of 78....little ways down on Atlanta Highway.....hmmm...but then again....IF I happen to find my chair....it would be much too expensive I am sure....that store probably does charge high prices....well, then again, it's not hurting anything to take a look....and if it's no more than...say...twenty bucks..then I'd buy it. Yep I'm going. I'll take a chance.I pulled into the drive of the antique store. I swung my legs out of my old Chevy and made my way to the door. Whoa. Why had I never been here before!?Spread out before me was a huge warehouse with nothing but antiques. I was in heaven. I contained the squeal of delight that attempted to make it's way into the dimly lit store. Whoa. I began slowly perusing the different booths; absolutely inhaling the beauty of some of those items. I came to the third or fourth booth. Whoa. What's that? Whoa. There it is. That's exactly what I had in mind. That's totally my chair! I hunted for the price tag.$20.00$200? NO. $20. Seriously? Whoa. That is my chair!I gently took off the plates and dishcloths that made their temporary homes on my chair and swiftly took it to the check-out counter. I really, really felt like squealing.I truly felt like my Father was smiling at me. He thought He would send me a simple blessing that day. I really felt special. It made me so happy. Maybe it's silly to be so giddy over an old chair. Well, I am. But even more than that old chair, I am so happy to know that my True Lover thinks of me so often. That He would delight in giving me a special gift like that. Even an old chair.

I think it looks gorgeous.

DIY: earring holder

2012-01-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

I love my earrings. I have one favorite necklace that I wear all the time (it was my great-grandmother's), I have a special bracelet my sister gave me, and of course my promise ring. I'm good with that. But earrings, I believe, you can never have enough of. There are just too many. So many different kinds and styles. I am very picky about mine, and yet I still have a wide assortment. And each set has a story. I know where each pair came from. It's the truth. I just love my earrings. =)I had a problem though. I had so many crammed into one tiny dish on my dresser, that it took me forever to find the matches sometimes.I decided I needed some kind of earring holder or jewelry tree or something...I searched online for something.....I checked Anthropologie (which they did have some nice ones!), and a few other sources. I just didn't feel like paying a whole bunch of money for something so doggone simple.I logged onto Pinterest and searched for ideas..... I got some. =) I could have made several different types, but I finally settled on the simplest, and continued in my endeavors. I went to wally world and bought a cheap frame, along with a spool of some cream-colored, cotton lace from the craft department. I got home, took my goods to my brother's shed, and set to work. Gutted the frame to where I just had the wooden part, and simply nailed the strands of lace where I wanted them to go. Super easy and fun.Of course, the best part was when my sister and I got to place all of my neat pairs in their places on the holder. Looks real purty, I think. =)

Well girls, what are you waiting for? Go get to work on one! I promise you will love it! =)

Look Back and Smile...

2012-01-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted to do a short little post about last year in review. I wanted to look back and count my blessings and see all the adventures I had and all the memories my family shared. It was quite overwhelming looking at all the pictures we have taken since last January. It was amazing. So many good things I was blessed with. Good times and wonderful memories. All I can say is I am astounded by God's grace and goodness. Though it was quite a year indeed, well, it was quite a year indeed! I am going to post just a few of my favorite pictures from this past year.January 1st of last year was the day I went to pick up my best friend. That friend happened to be an 1985 Chevrolet pick-up truck. I named him Scottie and he has definitely proved to be a true pal.

Later in January I was blessed to go on a day trip with my good friend Lindsey to Helen. This was such a fun adventure, and the memories made were even better...hiking, trying on goofy hats, knocking over guardrails... I can't help but smile as my thoughts drift back to last January...

In February I got to go on another adventure. My friend Michelle and I drove all the way down to Perry for the rodeo. Oh goodness. This was one of the highlights of my winter. For a gardener, the winter can sometimes be a bit boring, but going to a rodeo is my kind of fun...

~ Winter finally passed, and Spring quietly came into my life... My heart thrilled with the thought of going outside and beginning to prepare dirt for the gardens...and so I did...There's something almost magical about the very first part of Spring. Like a world waking up from a restful silence.

Animals are very important to me. I was very happy at the blessing of little chicks (or Chickalees or Bitties, as I call them) that were hatched by my very own hens. They brought me more smiles than I can count...

Another critter we are often blessed with, of course, is the kitten...they always make me smile...

...as the days slowly (but all too quickly) passed, the garden began its endeavors...

Again, the days began passing, and it was time for more planting. My wonderful friend Elisha came over for a weekend adventure. Sweet memories of getting lost in Atlanta looking for Farmer D's, trying to fit seven million tomato seedlings into the back of my truck, lots of happy smiles, and getting our bare feet plenty dirty.

and the garden grew...

and the bitties grew...

Precious time was spent with the people I love. Siblings make me smile... and so do my grandparents....

and the garden grew...

One of my adventures of last year (and it's a long story) had to do with me, and one big ol' honkin' tiller.It makes me smile, and laugh, every time I sit and remember this...it whooped me.

and the garden grew...

The Statham Farmer's Market was definitely one of the highlights of my year. Every Saturday... getting there really early...setting up my table...talking with great folks...it truly was a huge blessing to my year, and quite often the very thing that helped me get through the tough times of my summer.

Our family was blessed yet again to go to Hilton Head, SC for our Summer vacation. Oh what fun we had!!Very precious memories...ridiculous amounts of laughter...and love like no other.So thankful for this time with my amzing family

and the kittens kept growing...

and so did the garden...

and God gave me flowers...

And as quickly as the Spring and Summer came, they left just as quickly....leaving with me so many memories and lessons.Autumn and Winter so far have been lovely. The weather hasn't been as cold as it usually is, and I have enjoyed that...Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's were so much fun!! Lot's of time with family and those I love so very much. 2011 seemed to go by so fast, and yet it seems so much of my life was wrapped up in that year. I look back and ponder all those things that took place, the leaps I took, the fears I faced, the blessings God gave, and I get lost in the nostalgia of it all. I smile at the family He has given me. I am blessed. I am loved. I am so thankful.Happy New Year everyone! Look back and smile on all the things that brought you joy last year. And may God bless 2012!!

Fear vs. Love

2011-12-15T02:36:00.001-08:00

My dear friend and sister in Christ posted this blog post the other day, and I just had to share it. I can very well relate to this post and in fact, just reading the Scriptures at the end brought me to tears. I asked her if I could re-post it on my blog and she graciously said I could. I hope it is as much of a blessing to ya'll as it has been to me.
and without further ado.....

Fear vs Perfect Love

A Bridegrooms love for his Bride is only a reflection of God's Perfect love for His Church.

Perfect Love - Agape love, a love that only God can show. Love that can never fail. A Love that defeats fear.

Fear - fear, dread, terror a) that which strikes terror ...a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Have you ever experienced fear? I have. The things I fear the most usually come in the form of thoughts...little lies that have a bit of truth in them or questions. The devil knows how to work, he plants a thought and lets it fester for awhile and then comes back and picks at it and on top of that pours salt in the wound.

I am going to try to make this short and sweet, I have actually been writing this over a period of about three weeks now, but I kept getting interrupted (that happens when you live in a family of five adults and one teenager).

Lately I have been struggling with a lot of fear in my life, fears of the future, fears of not choosing correctly in big decisions, fears of one day becoming the woman that I swore I never would be, fear of being a bad wife and mother, fears that my body will never be perfect and that no man would ever want me, fear after fear had overtaken me, consumed my thoughts to the point of deep depression.

A lot of it could have been dealt with had I just taken it to both of my Fathers (heavenly and earthly), but instead (as always) I tried to fix it on my own. I worked and worked at it for weeks, but instead of getting better my brother, sisters and Dad started to notice I was very snappy, I never smiled, I couldn't communicate with them and I was just all in all miserable.

My Dad asked me one day why I had not talked to him about these things, at first I was annoyed, why would I want to talk about these things in my life that scared me so bad? Why would I want one of the people that I try to please the most to know my faults and fears? But it was through him that I realized that God wants us to communicate our fears to him and our earthly authorities. It was only then that I could see the folly of these thoughts, fears, and emotions.

God does not want our lives to be ruled by fear, if He did why would He have sent His one and ONLY Son to die for us, when we could have just continued to sacrifice and live as best we could and only hope that we had done enough to appease God and get into heaven? Why would He write a love letter to each and everyone of us? Why would He love us that much? Why?

Because He is our Father, our Creator, our Bridegroom, our Last Adam, our Perfect Love, our Jehovah-Jireh, The Great I AM.

Only God can take my fears away and turn them into His strength, just like Paul's thorn in the flesh (see 2 Cor. 12:9-10). I really believe that is all I can say in my own words, but I think that the Word will have some light to shed on this...so without further ado, here is 1 John 4 to finish off this post:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

visit her blog at http://daughter-of-vision.blogspot.com/

A Fall Market

2011-10-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I was blessed to attend a small market in Monroe. I really enjoyed the day, and the Lord blessed my sales as well!

I had stayed up til 2 am that morning getting ready for it, and had to get up at 5 to load my truck. But I did it. And while walking outside that morning, while the sky was still navy bean blue and filled with stars, I was blessed with a brilliant sight. I witnessed an extremely bright falling star. I *so* needed to see that. I literally said out loud to myself, "WHOA." I then whispered a "thank you" as my warm breath made smoke in the cold autumn air.

I proceeded loading my truck, feeling cozy with the thought that I was not alone. Feeling blessed that the same God that made those gorgeous stars also made me. Feeling loved with the thought that He also holds my future.

I got to the market site. I had beat the sun. My tent was up before it was. It was freezing. But it was beautiful when the sun decided to wake.

I love this photo. It captures the feeling of that morning so well. It's a few men with their old GMC pick-up. They made very good Barbeque.

My table was filled with my herbal goodies. :)

And I, of course, had to bring what few zinnias I had left.

Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Few Things on Fall...

2011-10-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the full hunter's moon. I went outside to take a look, but it's too cloudy out here to view it in its full glory tonight. But I know it's still shining. And ever so brightly.

The clouds just cover it.

You all know how I love analogies. Here's another occasion for one. :)

I know a lot of people who are going through hard times right now. Whether it's education, family, relationships...whatever it may be. Life is hard. There are ups and downs. I am struggling right now. There are a lot of unanswered questions. I feel like I have used the words "why" and "I don't know" way yonder too much the past several months. And sometimes, even when I know the moon is full, I look up, and all I see are clouds.

Does this make sense? I know God is in control, I know I can trust Him, and I know everything is going to be okay. Yet I look to the sky and wonder why I can't see the moon in all its brilliancy.

Oh it's there. It is. I promise. But sometimes there are clouds that block its full view. Just like if you were walking down a road. Maybe you know you are on the right road. But maybe all you can see are the steps you are taking right at that moment. You know it's a good road you are on..... (I have another analogy I could use, but I shall spare that for a later time. ;) Okay, back to the moon and such..... :)

I remember reading a journal entry I had written several years back. I was trying to be poetic I suppose at the end of my entry and said something to the effect of how it was so dark outside, and how brilliantly the sun must be shining on the other side of the world. I thought that was neat.

So tonight as I think on that beautiful hunter's moon that is right outside my bedroom window as I sit here typing this....yes, I may not see all it's brilliancy right now and I may not even be able to see it tomorrow night... I know that it's there. There. Where it has always been. Shining with such great vigor that it glorifies its Maker.

And that same Maker has plans for me. My life and His plan...kinda like that moon. There will be times when I can see the full glory and beauty of it all, and there will be times where all I can see are the clouds. But I must live with the contentment, joy, and peace that comes with the same knowing as when a moon is still shining on a cloudy night.

I hope this makes sense. It does to me. Sometimes it's hard to articulate what's in my heart. But I think it's good to make an effort.

On a simpler and slightly more light-hearted note, let me just say how thankful I am for Fall right now!! The cooler temperatures and the changing mural of leaves is a welcome stranger. Autumn truly is a beautiful time of year. I was looking through some photos from last year, and came across a few from a trip on the Blueridge Parkway I had taken with some great friends last October. They capture the beauty of Fall so well I thought I'd share some. :)

Amazing. Absolutely amazing how our Creator blessed us with such beauty to behold. :)

Well, a little update.....we found wonderful homes for all four of our precious kittens, so we are thankful for that. :) We do love our kittens so much.

A few days ago, Makayla's friend Betsy came over to play. It was so precious to see them play and spend time with the kittens. Made me wish I was a small girl again. Mmmmm.... :)

Now that, is brilliancy. :) Love these sweet beauties of childhood.

Hope everyone has a beautiful rest of the week!

And don't forget.... that glorious hunter's moon... it is shining... ever so brightly

Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

The first day of autumn... trust... and I finally smell like a horse again!

2011-09-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Autumnal Equinox took place on the twenty-third. It made me happy. The season has finally changed. So begins a new season in my life. Summer is over. The events that took place have passed. A new season has arrived. I am grateful. I am scared. I have a lot to do. I wonder. I ask. I am confused. Yet the leaves fall and I will look to each one and decide to look upon them ~ not as dead members of a tree, but as an opportunity for new life to begin.

This past summer I have learned a lot about trust. And lost a lot of it. I have always taken people at face-value. This year that has hurt me. It confused me and it hurt me. It encouraged me, though, that there is only One Being with whom I can fully put my trust in. That is my Creator. My Savior. The One who formed me and fashioned me. It has grown me closer to my True Lover than I ever thought possible. And that has been amazing.

On the Twenty-third I was blessed to be able to go riding with a very good friend of mine. I have not ridden horses since my auto accident back in '09. I have been hankering to something fierce! but just have not had the time. Now, many of you don't know that I used to own horses, but had to sell them back in '08. Anyway, needless to say, this equine-loving country gal was LONG overdue for some good horse therapy, that's for sure. It was such a beautiful day; a wonderful day; a freeing day. I thought to myself...hmm, riding horses is a form of trust. Maybe it is possible for me to trust again. The thought made me smile.

Well, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and it turned out to be a most remarkable day.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Psalm 5:11
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 16:1
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Family Fun!

2011-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

We were extremely blessed to have a very relaxing Sunday, and able to spend a lot of sweet family time together. :) It's days like this that I cherish. It's days like this that I will remember for the rest of my life. Days like this, I can hardly fathom how remarkably blessed I am.

We love to play wiffle ball. We kinda have our own rules that we play by, and sometimes that includes regularly changing those rules. ;) We are always so silly when we get to playing this game! I love it. That much laughing is good for the soul. :)

I just had to include these. =) Our family raises such sweet cats! I don't know what it is, but we always do. :)

I hope everyone had as blessed a Sunday as we did!

Monday Musings...

2011-09-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today went by with such a fervor that I can't even remember taking a breath. Well, I take that back. Yes, the first eight hours of the day were complete craziness (isn't that the way it is in any work place on a Monday?), but I finally got to the point of clocking out and heading towards home.

I finally did take a breath, changed into my Levi's, and went out to look after my chickens. I decided it was time to put my little brood of five yongsters in with the rest of the flock. They have never been happier! I have grown very fond of those five. They were hatched at a time when I really needed to see new life. They were a blessing to me in the darkest part of my summer. And boy have they grown! They seemed to mingle with the rest of the birds very well. That made me happy. :)

I got to sit down outside for a while with some of my favorite gardening books (ha! Is it EVER too early to start planning for next season??! My brain is so full right now it is (happily) overwhelmed! "Hairy vetch...when do I plant that? Gotta get my tiller back...which market will I do next year...gotta sell my truck...need a source for seedlings...or a greenhouse..haha...don't you dare start looking at seed catalogs now, Jess...need to read more about irrigation...oh and brush up on companion planting...." etc and etc! =)

It was really nice sitting out there, soaking up the sun and watching the long, late afternoon shadows it cast.

.....Have ya'll noticed all the butterflies out lately?

Oh my goodness. I love butterflies. So very much.
Just another thing that is so precious to me. I love to watch as they carelessly flit about. I was talking to a co-worker the other day about the little beauties and how much I loved them. I told her I loved how they always seemed so happy. She replied by saying that even if they occasioned a little unhappiness, then we would have no way of knowing. Hah! I puckered my lower lip in a sad face and told her, oh well, they seemed like they were always happy to me. :)

I think it's true. They are amazing creatures. They're beautiful. And to me, they are a symbol of joy. Of happiness. And almost, of peace. I guess it's not that they "carelessly" flit about. Because they are certainly smart. After all, the Monarchs migrate to Mexico I've been told! How incredible is that?

I guess....well, I guess they just peacefully flit about. I like that. And when I see butterflies, it always brings a smile to my face.

Here's one little happy fella I shot a picture of while outside today...

While I am at it, let me post a couple pictures of the adorable kittens we have right now! There are four in this litter, and they are about four weeks old right now. Definitely the cutest stage of a kitty's life! They are so much fun to have around, and oh. so. cute. :)

Happy Monday, everyone!!

Inspire

2011-08-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight. Silence would teach him the joys of sound.

Now and then I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I asked a friend, who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, what she had observed. "Nothing in particular," she replied.

How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening nature after her winter's sleep. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song.

~Helen Keller

I am reading a very good book right now, and included within its pages was this amazing account.

Ponder that for just a second.

Now, me...see, I am already a very observant person. I inhale sunshine, I tarry under the dappled shade of an old, spreading oak tree. My heart smiles at each mockingbird that rushes from brush to bramble. I love God's creation. I appreciate it.

But think for just a second....all Helen Keller-isms aside....do we really observe, inhale, inspire, digest, and truly, truly appreciate everything that God has blessed us with. We can see. We can touch, feel, hear, smell, and communicate. We have health, we have our needs supplied. We have the love of our families.

We must take the time and "feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf".

Absolutely no denying it. I never want to be guilty of walking through the woods, or life, guilty of observing "nothing in particular".

...and God gave me flowers

2011-08-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ya know how sometimes life can really be confusing? Ya know how sometimes the ordinary seems really ordinary and you just feel like you're existing? It's really hard to explain. To articulate. But I just have to share this fact.

I planted sunflowers this season with muh excitement. I love them. Always have. A lot. Well, all season I watched as the plants matured and grew, and were just about to bloom. I always looked upon them with love, with anticipation for them to finally stretch those petals and shine.

This summer has been a good summer for me. It has been joyous, exciting...and it has been solemn. It has been hard in many parts. And as much as I despise cold weather, I am ready for the season to change. For indeed, there is a time and a season for everything. But this summer has been one of growth. I have grown. I have laughed and smiled, and I have wept bitterly. I am not going to go into all the reasons and the details. There is no need for that. Suffice it to say, well, like I said, it's just been one long summer of growing. Trying. Crying. Calling out to my Savior. Him taking me by the hand and saying, "It's okay, Jessi. Just trust me." Him holding me, and whispering into my ear, "I love you." He has blessed me. He has protected me. He has been gracious, faithful; and His loving-kindness has not been exhausted.

One day I went out to Darby Farms. I was really strugging this particular day. I was trying, I really was, but I just needed to go and cry and talk to my Abba Father. I went out to the field, and I knew I had a lot of picking to do, and I remembered to myself ...."ooooh, I bet a lot of the flowers have bloomed!" (for it had been a few days since being out there)

I parked my truck in the middle of the field like always, and even before I swung my legs out of the truck door, I saw them. There they were. Stately, gentle, humble, and oh so lovely yellow---sunflowers. It was a strange sensation. I slammed the door, I threw down my harvesting baskets (for I was supossed to be picking peppers) , and I raced down to where the small regiment of flowers stood. They were beautiful. I crawled under my electric fence and came close to them. I bent one very tall one down to my face. With my eyes I absorbed its beauty. Its detail. Its intricacy. I released it and took a few steps back. I went to the next bloom. This one had more color. It looked like a gorgeous sunset. I stood back again. I looked down the row of flowers. I smiled.

The wind blew slightly, tossling my long hair over my shoulders.

I stood still. I was overwhelmed by this gift of yellow beauty.

Then it was like God reached down, put His hand on my shoulder, and said.

"See baby. These are from me. I hope you like them; I sure do love you."

Tears began to flow. I strode back to the stand of flowers, I gazed up at them through a watery gaze.

"Thank you."

Thank you so much.

This may seem different. It may even seem way too transparent. But I am a passionate and transparent person. Truth is; fact of the matter is, well, this moment was incredibly special to me. And I believe with everything within me that those flowers were a gift from my heavenly Father. Just as His word is a Love letter, well... He brought me flowers. He loves me. Enough to show me His loving-kindness and his grace through a humble stand of Sunflowers.

Thank you, Father. I love you.

~Blessings at Darby's~

2011-07-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have to say, one of my favorite things this Summer has been going out to Darby Farms and having a garden space over there. It has been a challenge, no doubt, and if it weren't for some certain factors in my life right now, I know it could have been even better. But the fact is: The Lord has blessed it abundantly.

I wanted to share some photos of the garden out there, since I really haven't posted much about it at all. It has been such a fun and wonderful and challenging and back-breaking and overwhelming and awesome adventure. :)

This is my very first year growing watermelon. Well, all right, I did grow "Sugar Baby" watermelon one year, and it did pretty well, but to me, that ain't a REAL watermelon. Ya know, a good ol' "Georgian sweet and juicy and oh my goodness give me more" melon. This year I knew I wanted to grow some of the aforementioned variety. So I did. And while I have yet to taste them, for they are still quite small, I have a feeling they are going to be delectable! I am quite excited. :)

It is the chief of this world's luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat. It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took; we know it because she repented.
~Mark Twain

The rain we were blessed with two weeks ago certainly helped out with things a great deal. Note Daniel Dover's portable chicken pens in the distance. Just one more blessing of being out there is being close to all his happy chickens and turkeys.

One of MANY pepper plants and MANY varieties. It's funny how much I love to grow peppers, considering I will only eat the sweet ones. ;) Oh well, they are so much fun to grow!

Beautiful watermelon vines..... (happy sigh)

To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch their renewal of life -- this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.
-Charles Dudley Warner

Gotta have plenty of good ol' okra and squash!!

The kiss of the sun for pardon.
The song of the birds for mirth.
One is nearer God's heart in a garden.
Than anywhere else on earth.

`Dorothy Franes Blomfield Gurney
1858-1932

Markets 4 and 5 :)

2011-07-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Market on July 2nd was the best market yet. Plus, it was so much fun to be there and enjoy the patriotic spirit that filled the air!

Enjoy a few pics from that day. :)

The Market this past Saturday was also very good! I am just really, really enjoying these so very much!!

Late June Blessings...

2011-07-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

Chickens are wonderful creatures. Hens are special. Broody hens are (sometimes a hassle) but undeniably intent. This year I have had more broody hens than I ever have. It has been such fun. :) I am perpetually amazed and awed by their maternal instinct and the protection they give to their young.

Ya know, every time I see a mother hen gently spreading her wings over her little fuzzy babies, cooing, making sure they are safe and warm, it makes me so happy. She wants them to know that she is there. That they are there. She's got them. They're gonna be all right. They are safe, because her wings cover them. This sight has blessed my heart several times, and each time I am reminded of these wonderful verses of Scripture.

~Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

~Psalm 36:7
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

~Psalm 57:1
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

~Psalm 63:7
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Now, it may seem odd to use such a simple agrarian analogy, but I can very easily relate to agrarian analogies, and in fact, Jesus used them quite often. :)

Every time I see that beautiful sight: a mother hen loving and protecting her children---I think to those scriptures, and it reminds me of God's love towards us: His children. Sometimes it overwhelms me, and on one or two occasions, has brought me to tears. It's just quite amazing. Really, it is.

~Psalm 91:4
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

We are all so very blessed. Rejoice in the Lord. Trust in Him. Rest under His wings.

Three Farmers Markets and Misc. Garden Ramblings...

2011-06-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

I had every intention of posting about each Farmers Market as they occured; however, must I really explain that I have failed at doing so?

Let me fix that right quick. ;)

This year has brought me many new opportunities. One of those being the blessing of participating in a Farmers Market. The small and lovely town of Statham is about half an hour away from our town of Good Hope, and this is their first year holding a market. I was invited to be a grower, and like I said, it has been a true blessing.
Exhausting? You bet your boots. But it has been an adventure and I look forward to every single Market day. It has been so much fun meeting all sorts of nice people, and meeting folks with the same interests and passions about sustainability or homesteading or etc. It is refreshing and it is indeed something I am truly enjoying being a part of. I love it! I feel like it is a small step towards something much bigger and even more bountiful.

Here are some pictures from the last three markets that have taken place. Enjoy!

It has been fun so far, and I am excited to know that it will continue on until September!

As for my gardens, they are doing pretty well. I have been very blessed. Squash bugs have come to my squash plants, and a few rogue chickens have been enjoying a few of my cucumbers a little too much, but other than that things are looking good. Over at Darby Farms things are looking good as well, but I will do another post on that at a later date. Are any of you getting any ripe maters yet? I have gotten a few Yellow Pears and a few Romas, but I just can't wait to get my hands on a big ol' red Brandywine! Ah! Patience, Jessi, patience. That's what I keep having to tell myself. :)

Picked the first mess of okra yesterday. Picked some Giant Marconi Peppers. The other pepper plants are looking quite strong and robust. The soybeans have been harvested. The Melon plants are starting to run. The Zinnias seem to be celebrating a lovely first week of summer. The bush beans keep putting on new blooms. The catmint plants are almost up to my chest. Yeah, I think I will be a gardener for the rest of my days.

Here are some more pictures.

Garden Update in Pictures

2011-06-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

Okay....wow! I have so much to cover, but I am not going to for lack of time at the moment. ;) However, I do want to share some additional garden pictures!! The Lord has truly blessed me in so many ways, and He has blessed my garden. It is looking great and I am so thankful for its productivity. The glory goes to God!

Enjoy these pics!!

Hopefully I will post again very soon. I have a lot of very happy, sunshiney things to cover. =) The Statham Farmer's Market, a wonderful produce trailer and the amazing young man who is restoring it, and so many other things. The Lord has blessed my life in so many ways. I am overwhelmed by His love and favor. We serve a wonderful and loving Savior!!

Garden Update =)

2011-05-10T14:19:00.001-07:00

Just a quick garden update before May ends! Haha!! I apologize for not posting near as often as I should. You all can blame it on Chick-fil-a. ;)
Naw, but in all seriousness, these past two months have been wonderful. Crazy busy, but wonderful. The sunshine has been glorious, wouldn't ya'll agree? And I just love this warm weather. It makes me happy. Everything is green, the trees are in their full foilage, critters are everywhere, the night critters strike up an amazing jam session every evening, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle fills the warm air. I like it. Yep, it makes me happy. =)

My garden here on our land is doing really well. Everything seems to be thriving (except my eggplants--rude flea beetles!) and I am getting even more excited as the season progresses. However, I am embarassingly behind in garden work over at Darby Farms, and am currently overwhelmed. :P HA!
Yes I know I am working a full time daytime job and everyone told me it would be a challenge to keep with everything that's on my plate, and they were right; I knew they would be right, but I am not giving up. This is a season, and it will get done. It will just take a little sweat and even more patience. And the Lord is really teaching me Patience. And how to "enjoy the journey". And you know what? I am enjoying the journey. Immensely. I knew this was going to be a good Summer. No, I knew it was somehow going to be a great Summer....and I still know that in my heart, in my bones, in my spirit. I am excited. I am looking forward to journeying to where the Lord wants me. The journey has begun and I am enjoying it in more ways than one. And that....that, makes me happy. :)

Here are a few pictures of some happy green things a growin' round here! =)

Seeds, Dirt, Sun, and Joy!

2011-04-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

It's here folks. I can really feel it. I love it. Sringtime is simply wonderful. For the person who is on the agrarian path it is indeed a busy time of year (indeed!), but it is so very worth it.

The other day after putting in a full day's work outside, I just couldn't sit still. I wanted to run, and leap for joy. I was so excited, and so completely happy. I had spent the day outside, in the sweet sunshine, with a wonderful friend and a lovely sister, and had worked hard. There is nothing to compare with that feeling. I had just put in so many seeds, and could just imagine how everything would look by June or July. And too, there's just something about putting a seed in the ground, covering it, and bidding it to be sure and grow strong. And then, soon enough it will germinate. And soon thereafter, it will be a big ol' squash plant, or stalk of okra, or whatever. And then soon after that, it will begin bearing fruit. Just going down a row, gently touching the dirt, carefully placing the seeds in their places--well, it's just something that cain't be explained. It's a happy thing.

I still have a half acre to finish, so there is still a lot of work left to be done. I can hardly wait though, and I will be sure and post pictures of that adventure when it comes.

I love the sun. And it sure has been exceedingly lovely lately. I love how it gives warmth and energy. I love the way it shines on the plants and the grass; and through the trees, dappling the ground beneath.

I love the dirt. I love working in it. I love getting my hands dirty and getting those plants or seeds off to a good start.

And I love the joy that comes from doing so.

I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely week!

Mak and Elisha sure were a great help to me!

A Lil' More Sunshine

2011-03-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

Yup yup. =) Sunshine + dirt = much happiness. =)

Sunshine, on my shoulders, makes me happy =)

2011-02-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

Indeed it does. And we have had a good deal of it lately. It has been wonderful. :)

I wanted to give an update on my gardening endeavers and what I've been up to over the past few weeks.

First of all, I have completed the first step of the application process to become Certified Naturally Grown. I am so excited about this, and I consider it a pretty big step.

Secondly,

Meet Daniel Dover.

My wonderful farmer mentor. He is the owner of Darby Farms here in Good Hope. He raises pastured poultry. (Eggs, meat birds, and turkeys) He and his family, Jeni and Darby, have been a wonderful help and inspiration to me. I am so thankful to them.

So, ya know the half acre of land that they leased me to work, well, we had to get it broke up. :)

And now, it's all broke up and lookin' so purdy.

There is more sunshine to come. More warm weather. More garden work. It all makes me so happy. I have a feeling that this coming Spring and Summer are going to be the best I've experienced yet. :)

"Sunshine, on my shoulders, makes me happy.
Sunshine, in my eyes, can make me cry.
Sunshine, on the water, looks so lovely...
Sunshine, almost always, makes me high..."

Garden Planning and much excitement!!

2011-01-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year. Yep, it's freezing cold outside, you have no choice but to put on shoes and socks, and all you can think 'bout is fresh, juicy maters. Yet they are not there. Nope. The garden plot is covered in a layer of mulch and compost and waits for the Spring.

So, what is a die-hard Georgian who loves to garden to do? Well, plan for Spring of course. And I dunno about all of ya'll, but I thoroughly enjoy this part of the process pretty well. I always do.

So what exactly does that involve for me?

First off, it would involve seed catalogs!! I receive several every year, but this year, I ordered exclusively from Baker Creek and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, and all I can say is that I am extremely pleased. :)

Second, I would have to say that re-learning is part of the process. I gather all of my garden books together and start reading as if I am new to gardening again. Although you will read lots and lots that you already know, trust me, you will gain more knowledge by doing this. So re-read and re-read! :)

The next thing I do is draw diagrams of my garden and where I will put what. I strongly believe in companion planting, and so you must make sure your plants are next to their good friends!
A few good links to look at are as follows:

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

http://www.companionplanting.net/

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/complant.html

Now, I have some very exciting news. Not only will I be doing my garden here at home, but Daniel and Jeni of Darby Farms have given me the opportunity to grow and manage a garden on their property as well. I cain't even begin to express my excited state of excited-ness!! It is probably four or five times the size of my own, so it will give me many new possibilities. I will have room for so many new things, and too, I will be selling at two Farmers markets this year. Can you say EXCITEMENT! The Lord is really opening all kinds of doors for me, and I am so thankful for all these opportunities!

Jess is excited. And she hasn't even had any caffeine. Nope, for some reason, anything pertaining to agriculture or horticulture has the same (if not better) effect on me. Ohhhhh sweet Springtime, I am so looking forward to your arrival!

Just wonderin'......

2011-01-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

have any of you other chicken-raisers ever received from one of your girls an egg this small???????

Yeah, I laughed as I was gathering the eggs for the day. It is certainly the smallest I have ever found. :)

Just so you can see the size in comparison to my hand...

I dunno. I'm amused. :)

Startin' off the new year with a new friend :)

2011-01-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Sooooo I have been searching and searching for a new vehicle. I have been praying for one too. Little did I know my prayers would be answered so quickly. AND, that the answer would be beyond my wildest dreams. So, I would like to introduce ya'll to my brand spankin' new friend...from 1985......=)

Ain't he the most handsome Chevy you ever did see!!! Maybe I am slightly biased, but let me just say that I am quite smitten. =)

Yep, I am a very happy gal... :)

Happiness is....

2010-12-31T13:07:00.001-08:00

....speckle-dy eggs =)

Yes I have been raising chickens for several years. Yes I have been getting fresh eggs for that long......and yet for some reason when I get those occasional speckle-dy eggs, I just can't help but smile. My heart is filled with joy by the smallest and strangest of things.

but nontheless....I still love those speckle-dy eggs. :)

A Wonderful Memory and Georgia Snow!

2010-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was so very special to me. Everything about it was wonderful. There was one incident that positively blew my mind, made me cry, and reminded me how remarkably blessed I truly am with such a wonderful family.

It was dark. The day had passed with such a joyous fervor that everyone was finally beginning to grow sleepy. Daddy told all of us to head to the living room, sit down, and get comfortable. So we did. He turned on an instrumental Christmas song, turned the overhead lights off, and came to join us in the living room. He was holding a piece of paper. We all were there, sitting, waiting...perhaps slightly confused and certainly curious. There we were, all six of us...sitting in a warm home, together, with the lights from our Christmas tree shedding a little light there on Daddy. And outside, yes, out there were huge, beautiful snowflakes quickly making their way to the ground. It was beautiful. Then Daddy took that paper and began reading. I cannot even begin to tell you what he said. All I can say is that his love letter to his family, each one of us, from the youngest to Mama, had us all in tears. Happy tears. Tears of peace and joy and the realization of such wonderful love. It was incredible.

Yes, Christmas, it is a lovely day; but when you receive a gift like that...a gift that tells you how much you are loved by your father, and how special it is to be in such an amazing family, well, all I can say is that this is something I will always....always... remember...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

but yes, as I said, it did snow! I thought I would share a few photos of the pretty white powdery stuff we got to see the next day. =D

:) :) :) :) :)

"It's that time of year, when all the world falls in love..."

2010-12-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Note: this blog post is for my followers who happen to be un-spoken-for and un-married young women... :)

Yep, it's that time of year......when all the world falls in love! Well, so they say. And I think there is some truth in that. Well, you know...IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME! The time that you most certainly would want someone in your life to share in the magic and joy of the season. Right?

Right.

I have a confession to make.

I am lonely. I am bona fide lonesome.

How many of you other young ladies out there are feeling the same way I am right now?

I'm about to become really transparent here. Okay? Just bear with me.

I don't like it. I am having a hard time with the fact that the Lord has not brought my man into my life yet. I don't like the fact that I am still un-spoken for. I am struggling with the fact that it seems like EVERYONE around me is courting, or becoming engaged, or getting married. I feel like a barren woman around a lot of women who are with child. I don't like it.

I am human, a female human at that, and so I am prone to self-pity. I am prone to doubt, to fear, to insecurity, and to psycho-analysis. :P It's hard. Yes ma'am, it is quite hard. I simply cannot and will not sit here and pretend to be content; pretend like I am a perfectly patient woman and will be all smiles until God brings me and my man together. I refuse. That is not healthy. It is not natural. I have cried myself to sleep I don't know how many times...and that's all right. It's okay. There is a reason we have tear ducts. See, almost every time I have cried, I have been in prayer. When I express myself and my feelings to my Savior, I cry; especially when it concerns things of this nature. He hears me; and He cares. I know He does. After all, He is the one who made me a woman. He is the one who has called me to one day be a wife and mother...He is the one who has put those desires and affections in my heart. It's the way we are programmed!!

and that's when He catches each one of those tears...and He leads me to a passage of Scripture. He has His own ways of putting His hand on my shoulder, of hugging me, of telling me that it's all going to be all right. He whispers "Fret not" into my ear. And then I am covered in peace.

Until the next time something reminds me of just how lonesome I really am, and how badly I want that kind of companionship....and how everyone else around me has it, and then I get to thinking "well then, something must be terribly wrong with me..."
a million miles a minute....thoughts...fears...insecurities...boom, boom, boom...
back at square one...........where did that peace go? Where did that contentment run and hide?

Ha! It's ridiculous!! It really is.

I am sharing all this in hopes that I am not the only one who has these feelings. These swings. These loony ups and downs. I am just stating the fact that I am a very imperfect human who is struggling right now.

Yes you need to keep yourself busy while you wait for your man. Yes, you need to be filled with the joy of the Lord. Yes, you do need to pray and seek and pray and read and pray. Yes, you do need to help your family and be a blessing to those you do have in your life currently.....I am by no means dis-crediting those things! By no means! I am just trying to communicate that it is not easy waiting. It ain't easy a'tall! That it's (hopefully) normal to struggle, to have ups and downs, to be a crazy loon at times. Just keep seeking God and His will and ask for the grace to pull through.

And that's the thing. It WILL happen! It will! One day I will be very happily married to the most amazing man in the world.....I'll be pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen...I will have several other young'uns all running about me, and I will be incandescently happy. It will be my dream come true. And I'll say it one more time! it will come true. One day. And that's where the problem lies....we females don't like it when we don't know things...and in this situation the question is WHEN? It's enough to drive us mad. Right? Of course. That's one of the reasons we cry ourselves to sleep. Yep. Oh dear....

but like I said, it will happen one day and that is EXCITING! Very much so! :)
The waiting will be all worth it.

So, in the meantime....l

--love those you have the ability to love! Your parents, your siblings, your godly companions

--find ways to bless others

--explore and persue your personal interests--it's okay! I promise! I like chickens and gardening, SO, I am going to have fun this Spring with chickens and gardening!! =D

--smile, and find joy in the little things we take for granted every day...get drunk on sunshine....catch sight of a bluebird...get lost in the eyes of your youngest sibling...take note of every time your mother blesses you...and sigh often...sigh contentedly with the overwhelming-ness of the love you already have in your life

--pray
yes, pray, and pray hard. Pray for God to bolster your heart with hope...to give you the grace to get through the ups and downs, to lead you by the hand...to speak to you...to cover you with peace.

and pray for your man. No, you still don't know who or where he is. Neither do I. But we can pray nontheless. Pray for the Lord your God to keep him...to pour out His love on him, to abundantly shower him with His blessings...and one day, in His perfect timing....well, you'll know that you know that you know. :)

So ladies, be strong and of good courage. But don't be afraid to cry. Breakdowns are expected and Mama's hugs are remedial. Read the Word of our Lord. Ask Him to hear you; He does. And one day......one day.....we will all be happily married and expecting our sixth child and we will smile...and think to ourselves...."oh Lord, why did we ever doubt you?" :)

Psalm 37:5
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."

oh, and go read Psalm 139 while you're at it. :)

Handsome Lil' Fella...

2010-11-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Sooooooo, I was driving home from work, window down, enjoying the warm weather, and I turned onto the paved portion of Old Good Hope Rd.....

I was driving a little quicker than I should have I reckon (blame the city! they're the ones who paved it!) since I was on the home stretch, and I passed a big ol' snake in the road. Oh that's neat, that's a pretty nice snake there.....a SNAKE!!! I hit the brakes, put that car in reverse....sure enough....a nice snake all right...a COPPERHEAD! I was so excited. I slammed the car in park and grabbed my camera out of my purse. Yes, I had my camera. And yes, I did get out of my car in the middle of the road to take a photo of a venemous snake. I did. I truly did. And I was thrilled. It made my day!! =)

See how handsome he is? Too good-lookin' to pass by... :)

After his photo shoot I got back in the car, and promptly ran over the poor thing. Bless his heart. If only he weren't venemous...

It's Here...

2010-10-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's here. I hear it in the early morning before the sun awakes. It whistles through the trees. It shakes them, and throws their ruddy leaves to the ground. It sends the geese away. It makes the clouds smile when the sun decides to wake up. With the fog it hides the tranquil deer, as they graze in the field. An auburn fox bounds across the dusty country road. The squirrels play and chatter incessantly. The goats all run about, glad for its cool, whispering voice. And I know it has arrived.

My close friend, Autumn.

A Year Ago Today

2010-10-16T09:12:00.001-07:00

A year ago today, I was changed forever. It would be impossible, utterly impossible, to write down the whole episode exactly how I want it recorded, just as it would be impossible to explain all that I have personally learned since that cold, fall night.

But I will attempt to at least recount some of that awful, yet glorious day of my life. Or, as it was, the first day of the rest of my life.

Yes, it was a cold, yet lovely fall evening. Josh, Coley, Makayla, and I were all a part of Social Circle's community play, it was our fourth year being a part of it. We always enjoyed our time at the theatre, and this time around was no different. It was the sixteenth of October, and that very night was going to be the opening night of the play! We were all very excited! Us four young'uns had to get there early for roll call, so we loaded up in my Durango and headed towards the town of Social Circle. I was driving us there, and Mama was planning on meeting us there at show time. I remember that we were all very giddy, because there was a mixture of excitement and nervousness, a result of all plays and opening nights I suppose. We found a good Country song on the radio, and sang along as we drove on to the theatre.

I don't remember much of this evening, but I do remember some. I know that the show went really well, and we all had a wonderful time. I do remember one thing very distinctly, however. After the show, right after I had changed and we were about to leave, a woman came up to me. This was a lady I did not know and had never even seen before. She had been talking to Mama and then came straight for me. She boldly blessed me, and encouraged me in some things I was going through at the time. I was stunned. Here was a lady who didn't even know me, and she, after talking to mama for only a few minutes, was speaking God's blessings over me. And I was blessed. I was so touched by her words and I was so encouraged. It truly was a blessing.

Well, after this remarkable moment, I headed outside with my family. The plan was for me to take Joshua to Victory Baptist Church in Loganville. They were having a function, and some of our friends had invited him. Mama would go ahead and head home, and take Coley and Makayla with her, since it was so late already.

We got out to our vehicles and exchanged all our hugs and kisses and 'I love you's".
Makayla asked if she could ride with me and Josh out to Loganville. We said that she really needed to get home and get to bed instead. I am so glad she didn't ride with us. So glad. Just another piece of the providential plan...

Well, Josh and I loaded up and drove away, en route to Loganville....and to so much more that we would have never been able to imagine.

Soon enough Mama got home with Makayla and Coley, and pulled into the garage. Before getting out, even before they opened any doors, Mama said she felt like she needed to pray for mine and Josh's protection. And so they did. They prayed for God to keep His hedge of pretection around us while we were on the road and to keep His angels encamped around us. They prayed. And God heard them.

Meanwhile, and later we learned it was at the exact time they were praying, my little Dodge Durango slammed into the front of a Winder/Barrow school bus.

I don't remember much. Not much at all, I do remember a little, but it was as though I knew I was asleep, and I was dreaming I was in a car accident. It was just a bad dream, and I knew I would wake up. It was hazy, I remember there being lots of lights, an EMT worker, and a tremendous amount of pressure on my left leg. But that's about it. And it's all very blurry.

But, there were lots of stories I heard while I was in the hospital, so here's a little information according to other eyewitnesses.

The first people that showed up on the scene were horrified. The vehicle looked awful. They called the police and checked on us. Josh was okay, but delirious and deinitely injured in some way. They came over to me, but walked away to call Georgia State Patrol. After all, the driver was dead. She was bent underneath the steering wheel, and they couldn't get to her... but there was no respiration...and yep, no heartbeat.

Soon more people came to the scene, one of them "happening" to be a nurse. She "happened' to be riding home that night at exactly that time. She got out and came over to me and Josh. She checked me. No breathing...and yep, no heartbeat. I was gone. There was nohing she could so. She walked away. Then, something inside of her said to go back, and just try. So she obeyed. She came over to me but couldn't really get to me. The seat was now so close to the steering wheel and dash. She got another by-stander to go through the back window and pull on my seat. He pulled, and managed to get that seat back just enough to where she could grab my hair and pull me upright. She began one-hand chest compressions, and then, after some time, I let out a scream. She told me later that the scream sent a thrill through her. It meant that I was alive and that now there was some oxygen in those lungs!

Well, the medical personnel got to work. Between pumping morphine and trying to keep me calm, they worked diligently. I was so entrapped in the vehicle, that they had to obtain the extraction equipment from three different counties. It took them a full two hours to finally get me out. My left leg was so terribly swollen and the emergency brake pedal was lodged into the lower leg, it was indeed a challenge. Actually, I was just minutes away from being an amputee. I am so grateful for their determination. Forever grateful.

Once they got me out, they wheeled me over to the helicopter and life-flighted me to Atlanta Medical Center. Meanwhile, Joshua was taken to Gwinett Medical Center.

Before I was even extracted, Mama, Coley, and Makayla were at home getting ready for bed. The phone rang, and Coley saw on the caller ID that it was my cell phone. He said "Mama, it's Jess." Mama told him to go ahead and answer it, that I was probably lost. He did, and heard a voice that was not mine. He froze, and quickly handed the phone to Mama. She took it and could barely answer, because she knew something was terribly wrong. Coley ran to wake Daddy up, and very quickly they loaded up and started towards that terrible Bay Creek Church Road. Soon they arrived on the scene, and I am so sorry that they had to witness all of that, because I was still in a very bad state. But the Lord upheld them and they prayed and prayed.

They decided to drive to Atlanta Medical, to be with me, and my grandparents went to Gwinett to be with Joshua.

Well, of course I remember nothing of that, and nothing about ICU. My injuries included a concussion, broken femur, broken fibula, three broken metatarsals, a few torn extensor tendons, and a really nasty gash in my lower leg from where the brake pedal was lodged. They immediately rushed me into surgery. They rodded my femur, repaired the tendons, and cleanded all the glass and metal out of the gash.

Josh had sustained a concussion, and a gash in his head and his arm, but praise the Lord, no broken bones!

What is amazing to me is the fact that we had no internal injuries. We were indeed blessed.

Well, after a long week in ICU, they moved me to rehab. And after a long week there, I was finally able to come home. There are a million stories I could tell about the time in the hospital, all good and some funny, but there simply isn't the time or the space. One of the things that meant and still means so much to me, was all the visitors I had. Oh my goodness, I cannot begin to describe the joy that brought me. And to all of you who did visit me and got to witness me and my "out of it" state, I am so sorry. Pain and drugs can make a person so weird! ha! But in all seriousness, I cannot begin to thank each and every one of you who came.

And then there are the phone calls, the cards, the letters, the meals, the flowers, the prayer journals, the Bible verses, and the PRAYERS. God is so good. And He heard every single prayer. He blessed me beyond measure. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Each and every person who thought of me during that time, thank you. I could start listing names, but I am not even going to attempt that. All I know is I could never adequately share my appreciation and my joy.

So here it is, a year later. I am whole. Josh is whole. Our family is whole. And God is good. And He still would have been good had he taken me or Josh. Yes, even then. But I am thankful that we are still here. Still alive, still breathing, and still we have the opportunity to live out our lives for His glory. He ain't finished with us yet. What a remarkable miracle, And what a lesson. We are only one heartbeat away from eternity. Be ready.

And in all things, Praise the LORD!

"Oh Social Circle, might be a one-light town....

2010-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

...but finer people on this earth cannot be found, Oh Social Circle, one by one we do our part, in this close-knit town with love of God, and family at its heart."

and so the song goes. The opening song of the community play we are in once again. "Stories from the Well", it is called, and this year's theme is THE BEST of ten years. Our family has been involved for four years now. I cannot begin to express how much this play, the people at the theatre, and the town of Social Circle mean to us.

The play is always a lot of fun, and although the main plot is always a bit different, the setting is the same. You see, our playwright, Sue Lee, goes out into the community, collecting stories from some of the native Social Circlians. Folks like those that own Claude T. Wiley's General Store. Those that know what life was like during the thirties and forties. Those that know how close family should be. Those that can tell of the traditions they kept. Those that know the stories that were told. Even stories like...oh that one of the old scary woman named Soap Sally...the one who would wander around Alcovy bridge, searching for wandering children. Those that know the effects of being bitten by a rattlesnake. Those that know how Mabel prayed for Buddy after he was bit...and how his daddy didn't end up shooting him after all. Oh and those people who know how hard it was to tap dance, especially if you don't know your right from your left. Oh, and then there's that one time a Yankee dandy visited the General Store, and poor Abner had to drive him out to the William's place...

See? Good stuff, huh? and you poor folks don't have a clue as to what I am talking about. And you won't, unless you come and see the play this weekend! ;)

For those who can't come, I will post a few pictures (although they are very low-quality) so you can see all the fun we have. =)

Even though we are bonafide Good Hopians, we become Social Circlians for one month out of the year, and we have such a good time!

The Truth...and how beautiful it is

2010-09-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

It's a fact that chickens have to eat. It's a fact that cell phone and insurance bills need to be paid. It's a fact that gasoline is sometimes needed. Well, it's also a fact that I have to find money somewhere. I have been blessed with some small jobs helping a couple ladies with their house-keeping, and have enjoyed that immensely. However, I feel I need something more, since I am barely keeping up and I want to start saving a lot more. Well, I filled out and dropped off a few applications in Monroe. One of them being at Chik-fil-a. Well, a few days passed and I was called back for an interview.

During the course of my second interview, which was with the store operator, he asked me a very profound question.

"So, what would you say your long-term goals are? What is your goal in life?"

I was dumbfounded. Not because it was an unusual question, but because I knew my answer would stun the poor man. Thoughts and words raced through my mind and I was strugging for words to say. "Oh Lord", I thought, "what am I supposed to say to this?"

I sure couldn't say, "Well, I am going to attend college and pursue a career in ______."

What was I going to say? Oh dawg this was hard!

about ten seconds passed while all this was going through my head, I looked the man in the eyes, and told him the truth.

"Well, um, to glorify God, and um, to one day be a godly wife and mother, Lord willin'."

His eyes did not drop. His brows did not furrow. His face did not take on a skeptical expression at all. Instead, a smile spread across his face. A smile crept across mine, and I continued....

"I know you probably don't get that answer too often, but it's true, and those are my goals."

His smile lingered, and he said, "Well, I think that's great."

Now, I was very blessed to get this person and I am so thankful for his kindness.

But ya know. Think about it. I am a 19 year old un-married, un-spoken for female, and my desires, my goals, everything I want to be, well, it's so RIDICULOUSLY different than what everyone else around me wants. I see other girls my age, and all they can think about is education and career. Or maybe their boyfriends. Or maybe going to that party next weekend. I see what they want. And I see what they're getting. And I don't want it. But what about what other folks want for me? When they ask me questions similiar to that asked by Mr. Store Operator, they expect a good answer. They expect a smiling gal like me to tell them of the college I am attending. They expect me to tell them of my latest boyfriend, and how that's going. They expect me to tell them of all the things I am learning in my classes. They expect to hear how I hope to grow in the career they think I must have chosen. After all, I am a smart gal.

I stand there, wondering how on earth to respond. My mind is criss-crossed with a million thoughts. How would they respond if I told them I have absolutely no desire to attend college, and that I don't think it's necessary for everyone. Especially for me. And if I were to tell them, well, that one day I hope to have as many children as the Lord sees fit to give, well Lord have mercy, some folks might just faint. How are they to understand that my heart is yearning and praying for my future husband. And they sure don't wanna know the kinda books I've been reading!! (see previous post ;)

It's a hard thing. It really is. And all you girls out there with similiar convictions-- I am sure you've been placed in the same situations.

I dunno. I'm done. I am done with it. I am done with being afraid to share what my desires really are. I am done with standing there, struggling for things to say so I won't offend anyone or I won't confuse or astound them with my radical "goals." I am not ashamed. Nope. That's it. This is my life, for God's glory. And if anyone ever asks me (and good gracious I know they will), well, I will tell them. With a huge smile on my face. A sincere smile. And certainly with peace in my heart. "I think the Lord has called me to be a daughter and sister for now. And one day, (oh glorious day!) I will be a wife and mother."

They shout for joy, they also sing...

2010-09-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

"Which by His strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power."

..."Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou settlest the furrows thereof: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop abundance....

...They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side."

Psalms 65:6; 10-12

A Few Good Books...

2010-09-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well, after reading sooo many good books over the last year and especially in the past several weeks, I thought I may as well do a post on what I have been reading lately. First of all, let me say, that this post is directed to my female followers. :P Just so ya'll know.

I am not a fast reader. Sadly. But it's true. But at the same time I truly enjoy reading, especially information books.

After reading Debi Pearl's new book Preparing to be a Helpmeet, my eyes were really opened as to how important reading is. I am specifically referring to the chapter on knowledge. Wow! She makes some awesome points and some pretty good book recommendations. However, there are so many more on my list---either that I have already read (long ago or recently) or am planning to read, and so I thought I'd share those and get some of you girls' feedback.

Well, the main categories Mrs. Pearl lists are wonderful, and she lists some outstanding resources, but like I said, I have a few that I would like to recommend to fellow young women like me, who are preparing and waiting on that glorious day of becoming more than a daughter & sister. (meaning wife & mama.) =)

First of all, in regards to health & herbology, some that I have found useful are Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phylis Balch and Dr. Christopher's Herbal Home Health Care. I really do like Dr. Christopher's works, I took an online course through his School of Natural Healing and enjoyed it immensely. Though they are not Christians, it has some wonderful information. Ms. Balch's book is just a plain ol' must- have. I don't have much to say about it other than the fact that you need it. :) And there are a million others out there that are just wonderful. I just wanted to list these two specifically since Mrs. Pearl did not.

These next few categories I am going to combine. This would include womanhood/marriage/courtship/etc.

Of course, and even though it's mentioned in the book, Created to be His Help Meet just goes without saying. Personally I think it's a great book for young women to read, even if they are unmarried. I would love some feedback on this one. ;) But seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a great deal from it. I actually read Created before I read Preparing, and I have to honestly say that I liked Created the best. I highly recommend it and will read it several more times.

Another recommendation is this: Fascinating Womanhood. (Yes, another book for married women, but as I said, if you are of marrying age and your parents approve, I think it's extremely beneficial.) You will have to read it for yourself--and tell me what you think! It is similiar to Created in some ways, but it is MUCH more detailed and I learned quite a bit. It is remarkable.

Now, there's no need to list all the books out there regarding courtship, but there is a small one that she failed to list: Of Knights and Fair Maidens. Certainly a must-have. Along with a million others.

This next part is geared toward the knowledge you'll need in preparation for the blessing of children. :)

First of all, I say start with anything and everything by Dr. William Sears. Specifically Christian Parenting and Child Care and The Breastfeeding Book.

Another good one is Attachment Parenting, by Katie Granju. I highly, highly recommend this one! =)

...and of course...you simply can't go without reading Mrs. Nancy Campbell's outstanding, compelling, positively awesome book-- Be Fruitful and Multiply.

I wish everyone in the world would read that book. I really do. Just imagine.

Hopefully this list will help some of you choose what you wanna get at the library next. =) Or maybe you can grab one of these off your Mama's bookshelf. :) Either way, go start reading! And gain some good knowledge too!

(I wanna mention here that books are books, written by humans. The only book I believe in with ALL my heart is the one written by God. So, do realize that I may not agree with every single little tiny thing in some of these books. As with everthing in life, you gotta savor the meat, but spit out the fat. ;)

Bitties do grow, ever so quickly :)

2010-08-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Oh dear!!

I have come to the realization that I have no recent pictures of my sweet chickens on here!! I shall remedy this at once. ;)

They have grown so fast, and I must say I am so very proud of my girls. =)

They are perfectly beautiful, and sooooo very friendly. Yes, I do make friends out of my chickens. Makes me so happy....

See, here are two of my Orpingtons... :)

I think that the Orpington has got to be my favorite breed of all. Well, of course I say that, and then think of ten other breeds that could be my favorite--oh well, suffice it to say that I LOVE my Orpingtons!

Now the big hen you see in this next photo is my Dark Brahma, who we lovingly named Alma, after one of the characters in the old film, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. She is such a sweet bird!! and huge too!

a sweet Brown Leghorn (or in my case, "Leg'rn ;) and a sweet Hamburg

Such a lovely sight...

I don't know why I get so ridiculously excited about my birds. I have had so many, and for a while now I have been raising them. It's just with each new generation, it brings me so much joy.

This new generation just recently started laying. Imagine the happiness that surrounds me each time I make this discovery. I simply can't describe it. I guess I'm just crazy. ;)

but I do enjoy my scrambled eggs every morning...

and they are just so very beautiful, don't ya think?

It has been said by some women that they would have a hard time going through life without chocolate, but in my case, I would have a hard time without the joy of my chickens...

Back from the Island :)

2010-08-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

Our family was blessed to go on a vacation again this year to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We had such a wonderful time!! I am going to share a handful of photos with ya'll. Hope ya enjoy seeing 'em!

First of all, This is the pond that was behind the house we stayed at. :)

and I am sure that all my friends and readers can imagine how ridiculously happy I was when I saw this handsome fella. :)

Gators!! Oh me! What other gal can get so much pleasure from seeing a crocodilian? Only me. I am crazy. I wanted to bring one home to put in Tal's lake, but no one would help me wrastle the thing.

The trip was filled with so much fun! (even apart from the gators. ;)
We spent a lot of time riding our bikes, going to the beach, going to Harbour Town, the lighthouse, hanging out at the pool at the house, and just being together. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying this Summer (and boy is it flying by!!)

Veggies fer sale...

2010-07-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun these past few weeks trying to market some of my produce in hopes of making some extra money. (after all, my chickens do have to eat. ;)

Last Saturday there was a market in High Shoals, a small community not too far from here. I must say I had a truly wonderful time and met some of the nicest folks!

The Lord has really blessed my garden this year, and I am so pleased and thankful.

I have also been going up to the General Store when time allows and setting up a table there. I am so blessed to live in a town that still has this!!!

Hope everyone has a splendid rest of the week!!

Makes me so very HAPPY!!

2010-06-21T20:11:00.001-07:00

Well folks, every one of my readers knows how ridiculously excited I am capable of getting over little things.

To me, they are big things! Such as harvesting the first few things from the garden.

I never really realized just how much I LOVE fried green maters til now.

I think I will be spending all day tomorrow snappin, blanchin, and puttin up beans.

I have a lot of squash. In fact, I gave some to the plumber that came over the other day--he was very happy. :)

and as soon as my maters and peppers are ready----shoo-weeeeee---LOOK OUT!!

Here are some yummy heirloom squash!

My sweet lil "Fairytale" eggplant

Heirloom Dragon Tongue beans!

Here's a few updated pictures of the garden.... :)

Hope everyone has enjoyed this beautiful first day of summer!!

The Two Things...

2010-05-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

There are two things that make my summer so delightful. Well, there is actually a list about three feet long of the things I love about the Spring and Summer, but there are two things that I specifically love!

Kittens!

I dunno. All I know is they are so much fun! I think it's great for the bitty siblings too, to be able to play with them and nurture them. They are so sweet with them!! I really enjoy having them around, and it will be bittersweet as they go to new homes. It's just so wonderful to walk out to the shed and have all these sweet kitties greet you!

These kittens and the time my siblings and I have spent loving them (and all the time sitting or laying in the grass with each other, playing with the kittens, laughing and enjoying the sunshine, and each other) will be something I'll always hold very dear. It's a simple yet profound part of my life, and it means the world to me.

and another thing (of course!) is the garden. It has got to be the one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Not only do I love working in it, but to me, just the sight of all those sweet green plants growing sends a thrill through me. I think the Lord delights in it as well. Don't you? When you take time to help cultivate and tend to His creation, I think He delights in that.
I just really enjoy it altogether, and cannot imagine my life without at least a little bit of tilled dirt! It just plumb makes me happy! :)

May God bless each one of you this summer, and remember to cherish the little things!!

and so it grows... :)

2010-05-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

Gardening is an exercise in optimism. Sometimes,
it is a triumph of hope over experience.
- Marina Schinz

Gardening is a labour full of tranquility and satisfaction; natural
and instructive, and as such contributes to the most serious
contemplation, experience, health and longevity.
- John Evelyn,

Garden: One of a vast number of free outdoor restaurants operated by
charity-minded amateurs in an effort to provide healthful, balanced
meals for insects, birds and animals.
- Henry Beard and Roy McKie, Gardener's Dictionary

It is always exciting to open the door and go out
into the garden for the first time on any day.
- Marion Cran

Gardening is medicine that does not need
a prescription ... And with no limit on dosage.
- Author unknown

It is utterly forbidden to be half-hearted about gardening.
You have got to love your garden, whether you like it or not.
- W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman, Garden Rubbish, 1936

God Almighty first planted a garden; and indeed, it is the
purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment
to the spirits of man, without which buildings and palaces
are but gross handiworks.
-Frances Bacon, 1625

I have a friend...

2010-05-11T18:10:00.001-07:00

who is quite a person. She has loved me from the very beginning, and even before that. There is never a day that passes where I am not aware of this love.

This friend has a smile that can light up the state of Georgia, and I am blessed to see this smile multiple times a day. She is the epitome of a joyful woman, and has taught me so much.

She loves the Lord, and teaches her children to serve Him.

I am truly blessed to have a friend such as this, but I am blessed even more because I get to call her Mama.

Me, Makayla, my wonderful Mama, and wonderful Nana.

Mama with her handsome sons. :)

We tried to get a picture together, but DeDad promptly interrupted that plan. :P

If you love your Mama, be sure to tell her so. If you are blessed by her, be sure to hug her tightly. If you are the recipient of a beautiful smile every day, then return that smile. Mothers are indeed a blessing, and mine is my best friend!!

Bitty Kitties

2010-05-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

I just don't reckon there's much need for captionin' on this post. Just enjoy the cuteness of these little rascals! :)

Cute, ain't they? :)

Camo Buckets and Pill Bugs

2010-05-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

I reckon it's a well-known fact by now that I am crazy. But when it comes to gardening and seedlings of the nightshade family, I am extremely crazy. Mama knows. Oh she knows. She knows it's dangerous to take me to a plant nursery. She knows if we go to Wally World, we must positively walk through the garden section or I may actually have a panic attack. And Lord have mercy, if we see some pretty mater seedlings, then that's it. I am in a state of complete bliss. I am uncontrollable. (Next year I am going back to starting all of my seedlings myself, to help with my fetish. Help, but I am certain it will not cure it. ;)

So what is so uncontrollable about it all? Well, considering I have a rather small garden, my aspirations always come out much larger than the amount of tilled earth.

Example: I probably only have enough room in my garden for about 18 pepper plants. I am now the proud Mama of over 50 pepper plants! This means that I have tried to get creative and find places for them all.
I already broke ALL rules when it comes to spacing. I have already used all of my raised beds, and I have already used all the buckets and pots in my possession.
I was in a predicament.

So Mama and I went to Wal-Mart to look at buying some more pots.
"Shooo-weee!! Those are mighty expensive pieces of plastic." I was distraught, and even had a conversation with another lady looking at the pots. She agreed. Mighty expensve.

I had already thought about using 5-gallon buckets, but I didn't have any available, and was kinda hoping for something slightly more attractive, but hey, they would certainly work.

So we headed over to where they kept their 5-gallon buckets. There they were. White. Green. Blue. Camo.

"Camo?! Camo buckets! That's awesome."

The rest is history. Nestled in some good compost in their little camo buckets are some very happy pepper plants.

Now I don't know about you, but I believe "roly polies" are a necessary part of childhood. While I was out planting today, I was able to watch and listen to little Makayla as she played and talked to these little creatures. That made my day so special. I remember when I was her age and I was playing with pill bugs (and salamanders and tadpoles and lizards and turtles and frogs and any other critter I could get my hands on) and that made me stop and think, Man! Time really does fly!

Well, that's about all. Tomorrow I gotta call the neighbors and find out if it's okay for me to plant my five other mater plants on the property line. That's the only other place I got left. And unfortunately, those camo buckets ain't big enough for maters.

To Stake? To Cage? To Let Sprawl?

2010-04-26T20:16:00.001-07:00

Those are the questions. Well, who has the answers? I know purty well that I shore don't. ;)

I think it's one of those things in the world of gardening that there is no answer for. Yes, folks have their preferences, but is there really a bona fide answer?

I don't believe so.

The very first year that I had a garden, I really didn't have a clue what I was doing. I planted several tomato plants and watched them grow. And grow. Well, I did declare, they were gettin' mighty big. In fact, now they were bearing fruit, and couldn't stand up any longer. I tried to stake them with bamboo stakes.

Uh huh. That worked. Sure.

No. It did no good. So....I allowed the rascals to sprawl. They did just fine, actually. It did result in lots of wasted fruit, but other than that, it wasn't necessarily a "bad" experience. I just knew that I most certainly needed to try tomato cages the next time around. I would be ready!

So the next season came, and the cages were purchased (and some made), and I was ready. They would not sprawl this time. Not iffen I could help it. The little bitty mater plants were caged, and through the summer they grew, and did very well, and the fruit was easy to get to, and all was well with the world of my gardening experiences.

I caged them for a few more years after that, but this year, I was convinced that they could grow much larger if they were not confined to a cage, but instead were staked with a large, strong stake. (not the previous wimpy bamboo stake of my first year of gardening ;P) I dunno, I just feel that last year my maters were confined and didn't do as well as they could've done...seemed like the cages were just made too small. Even the big ones seemed too small.

Well, I could have used really large sticks from the woods, but I just didn't have the time these past few weeks to go hunting for 'em, so instead Mama and I headed to The Home Depot. I knew the stakes that they sell in the garden section would not be large enough for what I had in mind, so we headed over to lumber. We found a few things that could have worked, but the prices were high, to us anyway, especially because we had to buy over a dozen. Well, we kept on searching, and finally found the perfect lumber to use. It was tall, it was strong, it was... well...just what I had in mind! AND, to top it all off, the price was $1.09!!! Needless to say, I was ridiculously excited, and Mama and I proceeded to load them onto our cart. We got to the cash register and our total came to over $80!! "WHAT?", we asked. "Oh, they're $1.09 per foot."
My heart sank. We went to put them back in their places. Oh it was so sad. BUT, Mama spotted something else that she thought might work. We compromised.

So thar ya have it. My interesting experiences--exposed.

This is my plan for my nightshades this year: cage my eggplants, stake my peppers, and stake my maters. I am in an experimental mode this season for some reason. I am going to see how I like this, and maybe next year, I'll do the Florida Stake and Weave method! Now there's a method I hear is great!

Now I wanna hear from ya'll. Do you stake, cage, trellis, let sprawl, or stake and weave your nightshades? I am curious... :P

Companion Planting

2010-04-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

I have found that this is the way to go when gardening. I have never once used synthetic pesticides, or even organic ones for that matter. That does not mean that I have never had pests (I certainly have), but I KNOW that this method of gardening helps a GREAT deal. I have noticed a huge difference. Will I still have aphids and other critters that come and visit? You bet your boots!! But I am convinced that this is so much better than pesticides.

Below is one of the best lists I have found.

PLANT GUIDE

ALFALFA: Perennial that roots deeply. Fixes the soil with nitrogen, accumulates iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. Withstands droughts with it's long taproot and can improve just about any soil! Alfalfa has the ability to break up hard clay soil and can even send its' roots through rocks! Now that is a tenacious plant! Alfalfa is practically pest and disease free. It needs only natural rainfall to survive.

AMARANTH: A tropical annual that needs hot conditions to flourish. Good with sweet corn, it's leaves provide shade giving the corm a rich, moist root run. Host to predatory ground beetles. Eat the young leaves in salads.

ANISE: Licorice flavored herb, good host for predatory wasps which prey on aphids and it is also said to repel aphids. Deters pests from brassicas by camouflaging their odor. Improves the vigor of any plants growing near it. Used in ointments to protect against bug stings and bites. Good to plant with coriander.

ARTEMISIAS: See Wormwood

ASPARAGUS: Friends: Aster family flowers, dill ,coriander, tomatoes, parsley, basil, comfrey and marigolds. Avoid: Onions, garlic and potatoes.

BASIL: Plant with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor. Basil also does well with peppers, oregano, asparagus and petunias. Basil can be helpful in repelling thrips. It is said to repel flies and mosquitoes. Do not plant near rue or sage.

BAY LEAF: A fresh leaf bay leaf in each storage container of beans or grains will deter weevils and moths. Sprinkle dried leaves with other deterrent herbs in garden as natural insecticide dust. A good combo: Bay leaves, cayenne pepper, tansy and peppermint.

For ladybug invasions try spreading bay leaves around in your house anywhere they are getting in and congregating. They should leave.

BEANS: All bean enrich the soil with nitrogen fixed form the air. In general they are good company for carrots, celery, chards, corn, eggplant, peas, potatoes, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers. Beans are great for heavy nitrogen users like corn and grain plants because beans fix nitrogen from the air into the soil so the nitrogen used up by the corn and grains are replaced at the end of the season when the bean plants die back. French Haricot beans, sweet corn and melons are a good combo. Summer savory deters bean beetles and improves growth and flavor. Keep beans away from the alliums.

BEE BALM (Oswego, Monarda): Plant with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor. Great for attracting beneficials and bees of course. Pretty perennial that tends to get powdery mildew.

BEET: Good for adding minerals to the soil. The leaves are composed of 25% magnesium making them a valuable addition to the compost pile if you don't care to eat them. Beets are also beneficial to beans with the exception of runner beans. Runner or pole beans and beets stunt each other's growth. Companions for beets are lettuce, onions and brassicas. Beets and kohlrabi grow perfectly together. Beets are helped by garlic and mints. Garlic improves growth and flavor. Rather than planting invasive mints around beets use your mint clippings as a mulch.

BORAGE: Companion plant for tomatoes, squash, strawberries and most plants. Deters tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. One of the best bee and wasp attracting plants. Adds trace minerals to the soil and a good addition the compost pile. The leaves contain vitamin C and are rich in calcium, potassium and mineral salts. Borage may benefit any plant it is growing next to via increasing resistance to pests and disease. It also makes a nice mulch for most plants. Borage and strawberries help each other and strawberry farmers always set a few plants in their beds to enhance the fruits flavor and yield. Plant near tomatoes to improve growth and disease resistance. After you have planned this annual once it will self seed. Borage flowers are edible.

BRASSICA: Benefit from chamomile, peppermint, dill, sage, and rosemary. They need rich soil with plenty of lime to flourish. Avoid planting with mustards, nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, etc).

BUCKWHEAT: (Member of the family Polygonaceae) Accumulates calcium and can be grown as an excellent cover crop aka green manure. Buckwheat’s shallow white blossoms attract beneficial insects that control or parasitize aphids, mites and other pests. The beneficials it attracts include the following: hover flies (Syrphidae), predatory wasps, minute pirate bugs, insidious flower bugs, tachinid flies and lady beetles. Flowering may start within three weeks of planting and continue for up to 10 weeks. Buckwheat will take up phosphorus and some minor nutrients that are otherwise unavailable to plants. These nutrients are released as the residue of the buckwheat breaks down and are then available for later crops. The fine roots makes topsoil loose and friable with only minimal tillage.

CABBAGE: Celery, dill, onions and potatoes are good companion plants. Celery improves growth and health. Clover interplanted with cabbage has been shown to reduce the native cabbage aphid and cabbageworm populations by interfering with the colonization of the pests and increasing the number of predatory ground beetles. Plant Chamomile with cabbage as it Improves growth and flavor. Cabbage does not get along with strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, rue, grapes and pole beans.

CARAWAY: Good for loosening compacted soil with it's deep roots so it's also compatible next to shallow rooted crops. Plant it with strawberries. Caraway can be tricky to establish. The flowers attract a number of beneficial insects especially the tiny parasitic wasps. Keep it away from dill and fennel.

CARROTS: Their pals are leaf lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Plant dill and parsnips away from carrots. Flax produces an oil that may protect root vegetables like carrots from some pests. One drawback with tomatoes and carrots: tomato plants can stunt the growth of your carrots but the carrots will still be of good flavor.

CATNIP: Deters flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants and weevils. We have found it repels mice quite well: mice were wreaking havoc in our outbuildings, we spread sprigs of mint throughout and the mice split! Use sprigs of mint anywhere in the house you want deter mice and ants. Smells good and very safe.

CELERY: Companions: Bean, cabbage family, leek, onion, spinach and tomato. Flowers for celery: cosmos, daisies and snapdragons. Foe: Corn.

CHAMOMILE, GERMAN: Annual. Improves flavor of cabbages, cucumbers and onions. Host to hoverflies and wasps. Accumulates calcium, potassium and sulfur, later returning them to the soil. Increases oil production from herbs. Leave some flowers unpicked and German chamomile will reseed itself. Roman chamomile is a low growing perennial that will tolerate almost any soil conditions. Both like full sun. Growing chamomile of any type is considered a tonic for anything you grow in the garden.

CHARDS: Companions: Bean, cabbage family and onion.

CHERVIL: Companion to radishes, lettuce and broccoli for improved growth and flavor. Keeps aphids off lettuce. Said to deter slugs. Likes shade.

CHIVES: Improves growth and flavor of carrots and tomatoes. A friend to apples, carrots, tomatoes, brassica (broccoli, cabbage, mustard, etc) and many others. Keeps aphids help to keep aphids away from tomatoes, mums and sunflowers. Chives may drive away Japanese beetles and carrot rust fly. Planted among apple trees it helps prevent scab and among roses it prevents black spot. You will need patience as it takes about 3 years for plantings of chives to prevent the 2 diseases. A tea of chives may be used on cucumbers and gooseberries to prevent downy and powdery mildews. Avoid planting near beans and peas. See chive tea on disease page.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS: C. coccineum kills root nematodes. (the bad ones) It's flowers along with those of C. cineraruaefolium have been used as botanical pesticides for centuries. (i.e. pyrethrum) White flowering chrysanthemums repel Japanese beetles.

CLOVER: Long used as a green manure and plant companion and is especially good to plant under grapevines. Attracts many beneficials. Useful planted around apple trees to attract predators of the woolly aphid. Clover interplanted with cabbage has been shown to reduce the native cabbage aphid and cabbageworm populations by interfering with the colonization of the pests and increasing the number of predator ground beetles.

COMFREY: Accumulates calcium, phosphorous and potassium. Likes wet spots to grow in. Comfrey is beneficial to avocado and most other fruit trees. Traditional medicinal plant. Good trap crop for slugs.

CORIANDER: Repels aphids, spider mites and potato beetle. A tea from this can be used as a spray for spider mites. A partner for anise.

CORN: Amaranth, beans, cucumber, white geranium, lamb's quarters, melons, morning glory, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower. A classic example is to grow climbing beans up corn while inter-planting pumpkins. The corn provides a natural trellis for the beans, pumpkins smother the weeds and helps corn roots retain moisture. Corn is a heavy feeder and the beans fix nitrogen from air into the soil. The beans do not feed the corn will it is growing but when the bean plants die back they return nitrogen to the soil that was used up by the corn. A win-win situation. Another interesting helper for corn is the weed Pig's Thistle which raises nutrients from the subsoil to where the corn can reach them. Keep corn away from celery and tomato plants.

COSTMARY: This 2-3 foot tall perennial of the chrysanthemum family helps to repel moths.

CUCUMBERS: Cucumbers are great to plant with corn and beans. The three plants like the same conditions warmth, rich soil and plenty of moisture. Let the cucumbers grow up and over your corn plants. A great duet is to plant cukes with sunflowers. The sunflowers provide a strong support for the vines. Cukes also do well with peas, beets, radishes and carrots. Radishes are a good deterrent against cucumber beetles. Dill planted with cucumbers helps by attracting beneficial predators. Nasturtium improves growth and flavor. Keep sage, potatoes and rue away from cucumbers.

DAHLIAS: These beautiful, tuberous annuals that can have up to dinner plate size flowers repels nematodes!

DILL: Improves growth and health of cabbage. Do not plant near carrots, caraway or tomatoes. Best friend for lettuce. Attracts hoverflies and predatory wasps. Repels aphids and spider mites to some degree. Also may repel the dreaded squash bug! (scatter some good size dill leaves on plants that are suspect to squash bugs, like squash plants.) Dill goes well with lettuce, onions, cabbage, sweet corn and cucumbers. Dill does attract the tomato horn worm so it would be useful to plant it somewhere away from your tomato plants to keep the destructive horn worm away from them. Do plant dill in an appropriate spot for the swallowtail butterfly caterpillars to feed on. Even their caterpillars are beautiful.

EGGPLANT: Plant with amaranth, beans, peas, spinach, tarragon, thyme and marigold. Eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and does well with peppers. Avoid planting fennel near eggplant.

ELDERBERRY: A spray (see insect treatments) made from the leaves can be used against aphids, carrot root fly, cucumber beetles and peach tree borers. Put branches and leaves in mole runs to banish them. Elderberry leaves added to the compost pile speeds up the decomposing process.

FLAX: Plant with carrots, and potatoes. Flax contains tannin and linseed oils which may offend the Colorado potato bug. Flax is an annual from 1-4 feet tall with blue or white flowers that readily self sows.

FOUR-O'CLOCKS: Draws Japanese beetles like a magnet which then dine on the foliage. The foliage is pure poison to them and they won't live to have dessert! It is important to mention that Four O'clock are also poisonous to humans and animals. Please be careful where you plant them if you have children and pets. They are a beautiful annual plant growing from 2-3 feet high with a bushy growth form.

GARLIC: Plant near roses to repel aphids. It also benefits apple trees, pear trees, cucumbers, peas, lettuce and celery. Garlic accumulates sulfur: a naturally occurring fungicide which will help in the garden with disease prevention. Garlic is systemic in action as it is taken up the plants through their pores and when garlic tea is used as a soil drench it is also taken up by the plant roots. Has value in offending codling moths, Japanese beetles, root maggots, snails, and carrot root fly. Researchers have observed that time-released garlic capsules planted at the bases of fruit trees actually kept deer away. It's certainly worth a try! Concentrated garlic sprays have been observed to repel and kill whiteflies, aphids and fungus gnats among others with as little as a 6-8% concentration! It is safe for use on orchids too.

Try concentrated Garlic Barrier Insect Repellent!

GERANIUM: -Repels cabbage worms and Japanese beetles, plant around grapes, roses, corn, tomatoes, peppers and cabbage. Geraniums help to distract beet leafhoppers, carrier of the curly top virus.

GOPHER PURGE: Deters gophers, and moles.

GRAPES: Hyssop is beneficial to grapes as are basil, beans, geraniums, oregano, clover, peas, or blackberries. Keep radishes and cabbage away from grapes. Planting clover increases the soil fertility for grapes. Chives with grapes help repel aphids. Plant your vines under Elm or Mulberry trees.

HEMP: Repels many types of beetles which attack brassicas.

HORSERADISH: Plant in containers in the potato patch to keep away Colorado potato bugs. Horseradish increases the disease resistance of potatoes. There are some very effective insect sprays that can be made with the root. Use the bottomless pot method to keep horseradish contained. Also repels Blister beetles. We have observed that the root can yield anti-fungal properties when a tea is made from it. (See: Horseradish: Disease)

HOREHOUND: (Marrubium Vulgare) like many varieties in the mint family, the many tiny flowers attract Braconid and Icheumonid wasps, and Tachnid and Syrid flies. The larval forms of these insects parasitize or otherwise consume many other insects pests. It grows where many others fail to thrive and can survive harsh winters. Blooms over a long season, attracting beneficial insects almost as long as you are likely to need them. For best results use horehound directly as a companion plant. Stimulates and aids fruiting in tomatoes and peppers.

HYSSOP: Companion plant to cabbage and grapes, deters cabbage moths and flea beetles. Do not plant near radishes. Hyssop may be the number one preference among bees and some beekeepers rub the hive with it to encourage the bees to keep to their home. It is not as invasive as other members of the mint family making it safer for interplanting.

KELP: When used in a powder mixture or tea as a spray, this versatile sea herb will not only repel insects but feed the vegetables. In particular we have observed that kelp foliar sprays keep aphids and Japanese beetles away when used as a spray every 8 days before and during infestation times. If you have access to seaweed, use it as a mulch to keep slugs away.

KOHLRABI: May be planted with cucumber, onion and chives. Kohlrabi and beets are perfect to grow with one another! Do not plant kohlrabi with pole beans, pepper, strawberry or tomatoes.

LAMIUM: This will repel potato bugs- a big problem for many gardeners!

LARKSPUR: An annual member of the Delphinium family, larkspur will attract Japanese beetles. They dine and die! Larkspur is poisonous to humans too.

LAVENDER: Repels fleas and moths. Prolific flowering lavender nourishes many nectar feeding and beneficial insects. Lavenders can protect nearby plants from insects such as whitefly, and lavender planted under and near fruit trees can deter codling moth. Use dried sprigs of lavender to repel moths. Start plants in winter from cuttings, setting out in spring.

LEEKS: Use leeks near apple trees, carrots, celery and onions which will improve their growth. Leeks also repel carrot flies. Avoid planting near legumes.

LEMON BALM: Sprinkle throughout the garden in an herbal powder mixture to deter many bugs. Lemon balm has citronella compounds that make this work: crush and rub the leaves on your skin to keep mosquitoes away! Use to ward off squash bugs!

LETTUCE: Does well with beets, bush beans, pole beans, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, onion, radish and strawberries. It grows happily in the shade under young sunflowers.

LOVAGE: Improves flavor and health of most plants. Good habitat for ground beetles. A large plant, use one planted as a backdrop. Similar to celery in flavor.

MARIGOLDS: (Calendula): Given a lot of credit as a pest deterrent. Keeps soil free of bad nematodes; supposed to discourage many insects. Plant freely throughout the garden. The marigolds you choose must be a scented variety for them to work. One down side is that marigolds do attract spider mites and slugs.

French Marigold (T. patula) has roots that exude a substance which spreads in their immediate vicinity killing nematodes. For nematode control you want to plant dense areas of them. There have been some studies done that proved this nematode killing effect lasted for several years after the plants were These marigolds also help to deter whiteflies when planted around tomatoes and can be used in greenhouses for the same purpose. Whiteflies hate the smell of marigolds. Do not plant French marigolds next to bean plants.

Mexican marigold (T. minuta) is the most powerful of the insect repelling marigolds and may also overwhelm weed roots such as bind weed! It is said to repel the Mexican bean beetle and wild bunnies! Be careful it can have an herbicidal effect on some plants like beans and cabbage.

MARJORAM: As a companion plant it improves the flavor of vegetables and herbs. Sweet marjoram is the most commonly grown type.

MELONS: Companions: Corn, pumpkin, radish and squash. Other suggested helpers for melons are as follows: Marigold deters beetles, nasturtium deters bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.

MINT: Deters white cabbage moths, ants, rodents, flea beetles, fleas, aphids and improves the health of cabbage and tomatoes. Use cuttings as a mulch around members of the brassica family. Mint flowers attract hoverflies and predatory wasps. Earthworms are quite attracted to mint plantings. Be careful where you plant it as mint is an incredibly invasive perennial. We have found that placing peppermint cuttings (fresh or dried) where mice are a problem is very effective in driving them off!

MOLE PLANTS: (castor bean plant) Deter moles and mice if planted here and there throughout the garden. Drop a seed of this in mole runs to drive them away. This is a poisonous plant. See Moles: Critter Trouble

MORNING GLORIES: They attract hoverflies. Plus if you want a fast growing annual vine to cover something up morning glory is an excellent choice.

NASTURTIUMS: Nasturtium is an excellent companion for many plants. It is a companion to radishes, cabbage family plants (cabbage, collards, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, broccoli and mustards), deterring aphids, squash bugs, and striped pumpkin beetles, and improving growth and flavor. Plant as a barrier around tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, and under fruit trees. Deters wooly aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles and other pests of the cucurbit family. Great trap crop for aphids (in particular the black aphids) which it does attract, especially the yellow flowering varieties. It likes poor soil with low moisture and no fertilizer. Keeping that in mind there is no reason not to set potted nasturtiums among your garden beds. It has been the practice of some fruit growers that planting nasturtiums every year in the root zone of fruit trees allow the trees to take up the pungent odor of the plants and repel bugs. Studies say it is among the best at attracting predatory insects. It has no taste effect on the fruit. A nice variety to grow is Alaska which has attractive green and white variegated leaves. The leaves, flowers and seeds of nasturtiums are all edible and wonderful in salads!
Try our recipe for: Nasturtium Salad

NETTLES, STINGING: The flowers attract bees. Sprays made from these are rich in silica and calcium. Invigorating for plants and improves their disease resistance. Leaving the mixture to rot, it then makes an excellent liquid feed. Comfrey improves the liquid feed even more. Hairs on the nettles' leaves contain formic acid which "stings" you.

OKRA: (Hibiscus esculentus ) Plant lettuce around your okra plants and they will shade the lettuce in the summer giving you some more growing time. Okra also does well with peppers and eggplants as it helps protect these brittle stemmed plants from high winds. It also gets along with basil, cucumbers, melons, and black eyed peas. For planting with the peas plant your Okra first. When the okra is up and established plant the peas around the edges of the okra planting. You may find that the peas are far less bothered by aphids when near okra.

ONIONS: Planting chamomile and summer savory with onions improves their flavor. Other companions are carrot, leek, beets, kohlrabi, strawberries, brassicas, dill, lettuce and tomatoes. Intercropping onions and leeks with your carrots confuses the carrot and onion flies! Onions planted with strawberries help the berries fight disease. Keep onions away from peas and asparagus.

OPAL BASIL: An annual herb that is pretty, tasty and said to repel hornworms! Like the other basils it also does well with peppers, oregano, asparagus and petunias. Keep away from rue and sage.

OREGANO: Can be used with most crops but especially good for cabbage. Plant near broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to repel cabbage butterfly and near cucumbers to repel cucumber beetle. Also benefits grapes.

PARSLEY: Allies: Asparagus, carrot, chives, onions, roses and tomato. Sprinkle the leaves on tomatoes, and asparagus. Use as a tea to ward off asparagus beetles. Attracts hoverflies. Let some go to seed to attract the tiny parasitic wasps and hoverflies. Parsley increases the fragrance of roses when planted around their base. Rose problems? See: Rose Rx for answers. Mint and parsley are enemies. Keep them well away from one another.

PEAS: Peas fix nitrogen in the soil. Plant next to corn. Companions for peas are bush beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Celery, Chicory, Corn Cucumber, Eggplant, Parsley, Early Potato, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, Sweet pepper and Turnips. Do not plant peas with onions.

PEPPERMINT: Repels white cabbage moths, aphids and flea beetles. It is the menthol content in mints that acts as an insect repellant. Bees and other good guys love it.

PEPPERS, BELL (Sweet Peppers): Plant peppers near tomatoes, parsley, basil, geraniums, marjoram, lovage, petunia and carrots. Onions make an excellent companion plant for peppers. They do quite well with okra as it shelters them and protects the brittle stems from wind. Don't plant them near fennel or kohlrabi. They should also not be grown near apricot trees because a fungus that the pepper is prone to can cause a lot of harm to the apricot tree. Peppers can double as ornamentals, so tuck some into flowerbeds and borders. Harvesting tip: The traditional bell pepper, for example, is harvested green, even though most varieties will mature red, orange, or yellow. Peppers can be harvested at any stage of growth, but their flavor doesn't fully develop until maturity.

PEPPERS, HOT: Chili peppers have root exudates that prevent root rot and other Fusarium diseases. Plant anywhere you have these problems. While you should always plant chili peppers close together, providing shelter from the sun with other plants will help keep them from drying out and provide more humidity. Tomato plants, green peppers, and okra are good protection for them. Teas made from hot peppers can be useful as insect sprays. Hot peppers like to be grouped with cucumbers, eggplant, escarole, tomato, okra, Swiss chard and squash. Herbs to plant near them include: basils, oregano, parsley and rosemary. Never put them next to any beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or fennel.

PENNYROYAL: Repels fleas. The leaves when crushed and rubbed onto your skin will repel chiggers, flies, gnats, mosquitoes and ticks. Warning: Pennyroyal is highly toxic to cats. It should not be planted where cats might ingest it and never rubbed onto their skin.

PETUNIAS: They repel the asparagus beetle, leafhoppers, certain aphids, tomato worms, Mexican bean beetles and general garden pests. A good companion to tomatoes, but plant everywhere. The leaves can be used in a tea to make a potent bug spray.

POACHED EGG PLANT: Grow poached egg plant with tomatoes, they will attract hover flies and hover flies eat aphids.

POTATO: Companions for potatoes are bush bean, members of the cabbage family, carrot, celery, corn, dead nettle, flax, horseradish, marigold, peas, petunia, onion and Tagetes marigold. Protect them from scab by putting comfrey leaves in with your potato sets at planting time. Horseradish, planted at the corners of the potato patch, provides general protection. Don't plant these around potatoes: asparagus, cucumber, kohlrabi, parsnip, pumpkin, rutabaga, squash family, sunflower, turnip and fennel. Keep potatoes and tomatoes apart as they both can get early and late blight contaminating each other.

PUMPKINS: Pumpkin pals are corn, melon and squash. Marigold deters beetles. Nasturtium deters bugs, beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.

PURSLANE: This edible weed makes good ground cover in the corn patch. Use the stems, leaves and seeds in stir-frys. Pickle the green seed pod for caper substitutes. If purslane is growing in your garden it means you have healthy, fertile soil!

RADISH: One of the workhorses for the garden. Companions for radishes are: radish, beet, bush beans, pole beans, carrots, chervil, cucumber, lettuce, melons, nasturtium, parsnip, peas, spinach and members of the squash family. Why plant radishes with your squash plants? Radishes may protect them from squash borers. Anything that will help keep them away is worth a try. Radishes are a deterrent against cucumber beetles and rust flies. Chervil and nasturtium improve radish growth and flavor. Planting them around corn and letting them go to seed will also help fight corn borers. Chinese Daikon and Snow Belle radishes are favorites of flea beetles. Plant these at 6 to 12 inch intervals amongst broccoli. In one trial, this measurably reduced damage to broccoli. Radishes will lure leafminers away from spinach. The damage the leafminers do to radish leaves does not stop the radish roots from growing, a win-win situation. Keep radishes away from hyssop plants, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and turnips. For some good eating try our delicious Radish varieties.

RHUBARB: A good companion to all brassicas. Try planting cabbage and broccoli plants your rhubarb patch watch them thrive. Rhubarb protects beans against black fly. Some other interesting companions for rhubarb are the beautiful columbine flowers, garlic, onion and roses! It helps deter red spider mites from the columbines. A spray made from boiled rhubarb leaves, which contain the poison oxalic acid may be used to prevent blackspot on roses and as an aphicide.

ROSEMARY: Companion plant to cabbage, beans, carrots and sage. Deters cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies. Use cuttings to place by the crowns of carrots for carrot flies. Zones 6 and colder can overwinter rosemary as houseplants or take cuttings.

RUE: Deters aphids, fish moths, flea beetle, onion maggot, slugs, snails, flies and Japanese beetles in roses and raspberries. Companions for rue are roses, fruits (in particular figs), raspberries and lavender. To make it even more effective with Japanese beetles: crush a few leaves to release the smell. Has helped repel cats for us. You should not plant rue near cucumbers, cabbage, basil or sage. A pretty perennial with bluish-gray leaves. May be grown indoors in a sunny window. Rue may cause skin irritation in some individuals. Remedy: See cats and dogs: Rue spray.

RYE: An excellent use of plant allelopathy is the use of mow-killed grain rye as a mulch. The allelochemicals that leach from the rye residue prevent weed germination but do not harm transplanted tomatoes, broccoli, or many other vegetables.

SAGE: Use as a companion plant with broccoli, cauliflower, rosemary, cabbage, and carrots to deter cabbage moths, beetles, black flea beetles and carrot flies. Do not plant near cucumbers, onions or rue. Sage repels cabbage moths and black flea beetles. Allowing sage to flower will also attract many beneficial insects and the flowers are pretty. There are some very striking varieties of sage with variegated foliage that can be used for their ornamental as well as practical qualities. More on sage.

SPINACH: Plant with peas and beans as they provide natural shade for the spinach. Gets along with cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, onion, peas, strawberries.

SOUTHERNWOOD: Plant with cabbage, and here and there in the garden. Wonderful lemony scent when crushed or brushed in passing. Roots easily from cuttings. Does not like fertilizer! It is a perennial that can get quite bushy. We have started to cut it back every spring and it comes back in not time. A delightful plant that is virtually pest free.

SOYBEANS: They add nitrogen to the soil making them a good companion to corn. They repel chinch bugs and Japanese beetles. Why not try soybeans, they are good for you. They are many tasty ways to prepare them.

SQUASH: Companions: Corn, cucumbers, icicle radishes, melon and pumpkin. Helpers: Borage deters worms, improves growth and flavor. Marigolds deters beetle. Nasturtium deters squash bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.

STRAWBERRY: Friends are beans, borage, lettuce, onions, spinach and thyme. Foes: Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kohlrabi. Allies: Borage strengthens resistance to insects and disease. Thyme, as a border, deters worms.

SUMMER SAVORY: Plant with beans and onions to improve growth and flavor. Discourages cabbage moths, Mexican bean beetles and black aphids. Honey bees love it.

SUNFLOWERS: Planting sunflowers with corn is said by some to increase the yield. Aphids a problem? Definitely plant a few sunflowers here and there in the garden. Step back and watch the ants herd the aphids onto them. We have been doing this for years and it is remarkable. The sunflowers are so tough that the aphids cause very little damage and you will have nice seed heads for the birds to enjoy. Sunflowers also attract hummingbirds which eat whiteflies. Talk about a symbiotic relationship!

SWEET ALYSSUM: Direct seed or set out starts of sweet alyssum near plants that have been attacked by aphids in the past. Alyssum flowers attract hoverflies whose larva devour aphids. Another plus is their blooms draw bees to pollinate early blooming fruit trees. They will reseed freely and make a beautiful groundcover every year.

TANSY: Plant with fruit trees, roses and raspberries keeping in mind that it can be invasive and is not the most attractive of plants. Tansy which is often recommended as an ant repellant may only work on sugar type ants. These are the ones that you see on peonies and marching into the kitchen. At least for us placing tansy clippings by the greenhouse door has kept them out. Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, ants and mice! Tie up and hang a bunch of tansy leaves indoors as a fly repellent. Use clippings as a mulch as needed. Don't be afraid to cut the plant up as tansy will bounce back from any abuse heaped on it! It is also a helpful addition to the compost pile with its' high potassium content.

Tansy Warning: You do not want to plant Tansy anywhere that livestock can feed on it as it is toxic to many animals. Do not let it go to seed either as it may germinate in livestock fields.

TARRAGON: Plant throughout the garden, not many pests like this one. Recommended to enhance growth and flavor of vegetables.

THYME: Deters cabbage worms. Wooly thyme makes a wonderful groundcover. You may want to use the upright form of thyme in the garden rather than the groundcover types. Thyme is easy to grow from seeds or cuttings. Older woody plants should be divided in spring.

TOMATOES: Tomato allies are many: asparagus, basil, bean, carrots, celery, chive, cucumber, garlic, head lettuce, marigold, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, pepper, marigold, pot marigold and sow thistle. One drawback with tomatoes and carrots: tomato plants can stunt the growth of your carrots but the carrots will still be of good flavor. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, improves growth and flavor. Bee balm, chives and mint improve health and flavor. Borage deters tomato worm, improves growth and flavor. Dill, until mature, improves growth and health, mature dill retards tomato growth. Enemies: corn and tomato are attacked by the same worm. Kohlrabi stunts tomato growth. Keep potatoes and tomatoes apart as they both can get early and late blight contaminating each other. Keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them. Don't plant them under walnut trees as they will get walnut wilt: a disease of tomatoes growing underneath walnut trees.

WHITE GERANIUMS: These members of the pelargonum family draw Japanese beetles to feast on the foliage which in turn kills them.

WORMWOOD: Keeps animals out of the garden when planted as a border. An excellent deterrent to most insects. Don’t plant wormwood with peas or beans. A tea made from wormwood will repel cabbage moths, slugs, snails, black flea beetles and fleas effectively. The two best varieties for making insect spray are Silver King and Powis Castle. Adversely Powis castle attracts ladybugs which in turn breed directly on the plant. Silver Mound is great as a border plant and the most toxic wormwood. Note: As wormwood actually produces a botanical poison do not use it directly on food crops.
See More on wormwood. for more details.
For insect spray: See wormwood spray

YARROW: Yarrow has insect repelling qualities and is an excellent natural fertilizer. A handful of yarrow leaves added to the compost pile really speeds things up. Try it! It also attracts predatory wasps and ladybugs to name just two. It may increase the essential oil content of herbs when planted among them. Yarrow has so many wonderful properties to it and is an ingredient in our own Golden Harvest Fertilizer.

ZINNIA: Pretty zinnias attract hummingbirds which eat whiteflies. Alternately the pastel varieties of zinnias can be used as a trap crop for Japanese beetles. All zinnias attract bees and other insect pollinators.

(taken from www.ghorganics.com)

I would love to hear any of ya'll's experiences with companion planting.

The Current State of Things... :)

2010-04-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

I just beat everything, you know that!! (To folks unfortunate enough not to watch Andy Griffith...well, just forget it.)

Shame on me for going so long without posting anything. That's just sad.

Let me give ya an update on what's goin' on around here.

The chicken bitties are doing very well and are growing quite quickly as always. My love for Orpingtons has been reinforced even more than before, as I now have whites and buffs. AND, I am convinced that it is a "white egg-layer thing" to be skittish. My Hamburgs and Single Comb Brown Leghorns just hollar like crazy anytime I try to get close to them. My Australorps and Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks love me to death, but shoooo-wee, them white egg layers think I'm a chicken thievter or sumthin'.

The garden is doing well. My lettuce and spinach is looking purty good. I have not planted my summer seeds or plants yet as I am not fond of the weather's tendency to trick folks. I would rather have healthy crops later in the year than have a purty plant right up until a cool evening. I am hoping it stays warm so I can plant next weekend, however. We'll just have to see.

I am very happy with my herb garden this year. All my perennials came back nicely and I got some more planted. I am a fool for mints!! My favorite thing to do is grab a leaf from my stevia plant, and a leaf or two from my chocolate mint, and pop them both in my mouth....ohhhhhh....sooooo good.
It's still rather young, I can't wait to see it later this year!

I am so happy. The grass is turning back to that brilliant shade of green, the hardwoods have put out their new leaves, and the birds are singin' their hearts out.
The night critters have picked up their bows in the evenings and have started their jam sessions back again. I am very thankful for that.

Yep, no doubt about it. I love this kinda weather. Makes me wanna sing...

"White tail buck deer, munchin' on clover, Red-tail hawk, sittin' on a limb. A chubby old groundhog, croakin' bullfrog, free as the feelin' in the wind..."

The Defense of Fort Wallace-Wood

2010-03-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was blessed to go way down to Reidsville, GA for the Battle at Manassas, Defense of Fort Wallace-Wood. In addition, I was able to spend the day with some good friends from church. The weather was beautiful and we had a wonderful time!
Enjoy these few photos!

I am not sure why it posted two of the same video, but anyway...

God Save the South!!

Deo Vindice!!!

A Few Thoughts and New Bitties!

2010-03-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

As I was working in the garden today, feeling the sun on my arms and face, and the cool soil under my feet, I realized something. Well, it's something I have known and appreciated since the day I woke up in ICU, but it brought me to tears today.

My heart swelled with joy. And thankfulness. And wonder. And...and...and love for my Savior. My wonderful Savior!

I am here today. Because of HIM. It's an overwhelmingly wonderful realization. A wonderful fact. A wonderful, wonderful thing!

On a simpler note, I ordered my new chickens, and they arrived Sunday. I am so happy with them! Thought ya'll would like to see 'em.

There's a total of 45. I got Buff and White Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Brown Leghorns, and Partridge Plymouth Rocks.

And by the way, they love mandolin music. Apparently my playing has a soporific effect on the little things. :)

Battle of Aiken

2010-02-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

We had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Battle of Aiken reenactment last weekend. I could go on and on about how much fun we had, and I could type up the history of the Battle of Aiken, but I'm just gonna share some pictures. Suffice it to say, we had a wonderful, wonderful time!

Apparently he is proud of his heritage.

Captain Leland Milton of the Georgia Fifth Cavalry

God save the South

Georgians Turned Eskimo

2010-02-19T04:08:00.000-08:00

This is a little late, but I reckon everyone knows all about that snowfall we got last week. Now that was the most snow I have ever seen in my life! The snow was comin' down so hard and to our surprise (and some joy) it seemed to be sticking. By the time the sun was beginning its descent, Good Hope (and all other parts of this great state, for that matter) was a huge white world. Now, I am one of the rather cold-natured folks, which means I will take one good snowfall, and I will play in it all day long, but as soon as it melts, that's it. Or it better be it. This is Georgia. And this Georgian (meaning me) despises socks, and all things that you wear when it's freeing out. We did have fun playing in the snow, however. Even though I was cringing when I had to put on two pairs of socks. My philosophy is that socks are for Eskimos and Yankees. Not for a Georgian. But as it is, the global warming is slacking off (oh I wish it would come back!) ;)

Anyway, wanna see some pictures of us playing in the evidence of global warmi...I mean, Global Climate Change? (anyone who knows me, knows that is sarcastic, very)

Sew Much Fun!

2010-02-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

Last week I was blessed to go and spend the week with my grandparents (Nana and Dedad) in Snellville. Nana and I got a lot of sewing done, Dedad loved my cinnamon rolls, and the chicken pot pie made with my great-great grandmother's recipe was astounding! Thank you Nana and Dedad for a wonderful week!! I had a blast and love you both so very much!

fabric...

one of the skirts we made...

and another...

We made three of these matching tiered skirts. Makayla's is not pictured because it wasn't quite done.

I am blessed beyond measure for such wonderful grandparents!

on being young...

2010-02-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Sweet and sunny childhood,
With its careless, thoughtless air,
Like the verdant, tangled wildwood,
Wants the training hand of care.

See it springing all around us --
Glad to know, and quick to learn;
Asking questions that confound us;
Teaching lessons in its turn.

Who loves not its joyous revel,
Leaping lightly on the lawn,
Up the knoll, along the level,
Free and graceful as a fawn?

Let it revel; it is nature
Giving to the little dears
Strength of limb, and healthful features,
For the toil of coming years.

Childhood is a fountain welling,
Trace its channel in the sand,
And its currents, spreading, swelling,
Will revive the withered land.

Childhood is the vernal season;
Trim and train the tender shoot;
Love is to the coming reason,
As the blossom to the fruit.

(poem by David Bates)

One Down....

2010-01-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

.....lots more to go.

But at least that's a start!

This is a very simplified version of *Around the World* pattern. I made it much smaller and more simple, and I think it makes a nice baby quilt.

It's going in my hope chest... :)

French Fries

2010-01-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

I've been making these a lot lately, and they are absolutely delicious.

The bitties love them too.

It is still not a perfect nutritional choice, but is a better alternative to store-bought fries. It's a great snack if you are craving something with a lot of carbs.

I make them by cutting the taters with a special kitchen utensil that Mama got a long time ago. I'm not sure what it's called, but it works great.

I throw all the cut taters in a big bowl, spray on quite a bit of olive oil, add a lot of Celtic sea salt, and toss them round and round.

That's all there is to it. Well, you do gotta cook 'em. :)
Just spread them out on a stoneware, set the oven to 400 degrees, and wait...

And then enjoy!
I'm tellin' you, they are very, very good!

But you know what? I got to thinkin', they really shouldn't be called French fries.
Seein' as I am not French, and seein' as I bake 'em rather than fry 'em.

I dunno. What should they be called?

Rules for the South

2010-01-10T21:15:00.001-08:00

I got this as an E-mail a while back and thought it was pretty good.

Rules For Visiting The South
If you are going to live or visit in the
South, you need to know these rules.

1. That farm boy you see at the gas station did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.

2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator.
Drive it or get out of the way.

3. The red dirt -- it's called clay. Red clay. If You
like the color, don't wash your car for a couple weeks
-- it'll be permanent.

4. We all started hunting and fishing when we were
seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.

5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't
cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle.
We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for -- bait.

6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of Mallards
are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might want to ensure it's not up to your ear at the time.

8. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the
menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the
Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

9. Tea - yeah, we have tea. It comes in a glass over
ice and is sweet. You want it hot -- sit it in the
sun. You want it unsweetened -- add a lot of water.

10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown,
wet, and served over ice.

11. So you have a sixty thousand-dollar car. We're
real impressed. We have a quarter of a million-dollar
combine that we only use two weeks a year.

12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight In
town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

13. We eat dinner together with our families. We pray before we eat (yeah, even breakfast). We still address our seniors with "yes, sir" and "yes,
ma'am," and we sometimes still take Sunday drives around town to see friends and neighbors.

14. We don't do "hurry up" well.

15. Greens - yeah, we have greens, but you don't putt
on them. You boil them with salty fatback, bacon or a
ham hock.

16. Yeah, we eat catfish, bass, bream (pronounced brim), and carp. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

17. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstate 85 goes two ways - Interstate 40 goes the other two. Pick one.

18. Grits are corn. You put butter, salt, and maybe even some pepper on them. If you want to put milk and sugar on them , then you want Cream of Wheat - go to Kansas. That would be I-40 west.

19. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season or turkey season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, maple syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.

20. So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

21. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators - and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.

22 . That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot -- his name is "Sir," no matter how young he is.

23 We have lots of pine trees. They have sap. It drips from them. You park your Navigator under them, and they'll leave a logo on your hood.

Raw Pizza

2010-01-06T16:09:00.001-08:00

I tried this yesterday and it was so very yummy. It wasn't hard to make at all, and I thought I'd share the recipe.

Raw Pizza Dough
1 lb almond meal
1/4 c water
Herbs of choice

To make the dough pour in 1/4 c water to start with. Add more as needed until the consistency dough is reached. I ended up using about 1/2 cup. Mix with a spoon or knead or whatever. Add as much salt or herbs as you see fit. I added oregano, basil, and a dash of garlic powder.

Now you knead and roll it out like a pizza crust and place it on your dehydrator tray.

I dehydrated it for about six hours.

In the meantime, I made a raw "Ricotta Cheese" to put on top.

Raw "Cheese"
1 c almonds (soaked)
1/2 c cashews
1 c water
1 tsp lemon juice
garlic if desired

Throw the almond and cashews in your food processor or high-falutin' blender, and blend until the desired consistency is reached. Add the water, salt, and lemon juice and blend a bit more. There ya go. It's best if you put in the refrigerator for a few hours. I actually took some baby carrots and dipped them in there, and that was very good. So this could actually double as a dip.

Well, this is what my "pizza" looked like once I was done. (This is the small one, it also made a big one) I added the raw "cheese", spinach leaves, sunflower seeds, and maters. The topping possibilities are endless! It was really, really yummy.

The Seeds Are Here!!

2010-01-02T15:33:00.001-08:00

Imagine how happy I was when the bitties went to get the mail and then hollared, "Jess!! Your seeds are here!!!"

Very happy!

Some of God's Handiwork

2009-12-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Seems to me we very often take His creation too much for granted.

How many times does a person riding in the car miss a beautiful red-tailed hawk as it sits upon a fence post. How many people forget to look at the present beauty in the sky because they're worried about where they have to be next.

Oh, we're all guilty.

My problem is I look too forward to Spring to realize the splendor of Winter. I forget that the cows in the pasture have grown fuzzy, I forget that the deer have turned a new shade of brown, I forget that the hawk is still her busy self. I realize that my beloved cottonfields have been picked, but forget to realize that they still hold a beauty all their own. The grass is brown, but I forget that the sky is still a brilliant shade of blue. It ain't warm outside, but I forget that the sun is still shining. I can't go down to the creek, but I forget to notice the level has finally risen. My gardening is currently limited, but I forget that my good friends, the earthworms, are hard at work. The lightnin' bugs ain't out yet; won't be for a while, but the stars are still out. The night critters ain't singin' as loud, the crickets ain't playin' their tiny fiddles as loud, but I forget that they'll return even louder than before.

The other day Mama and I were on our way to my physical therapy. The sky was just drop dead gorgeous. It was spectacular. Just so happens that I had my camera with me, so I snapped a few pictures. Now, I ain't no photographer, and I ain't gonna pretend to be, but my humble camera did try with all its might to capture the beauty that day.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Heirloom Seed Source

2009-12-28T12:51:00.000-08:00

The other day I was browsing the internet looking for an heirloom seed source, because in the midst of all my garden planning, I decided on planting all heirlooms rather than all organic.

Well folks, I am so excited. In my browsing I found a wonderful company called Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

I ordered their free catalog.

I got it and, man! Shooooo-weeee! I threw my other catalogs away. All I needed was this one.

I placed my order yesterday and am excitedly awaiting the arrival of those precious seeds!

I only ordered my "direct sow" seeds from them, however, since I decided not to start anything indoors this year, due to the accident. That is very sad, but I have located a nursery not too far from us that starts and sells their own heirloom maters. So I'm good.

Anyway, let me give a link to Baker Creek's website...

All right ya'll, bye now, I'm going to go look through my catalog again....

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

Allright! Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!

I have fallen short of posting anything about Christmas. Oh well, everyone else on the blogosphere has, so that should make up for the lack of mine. I will say, however, that we are so blessed this Christmas. We are blessed every year, but this year, on October 16, our eyes were opened a little wider. it was given a different meaning. God spared my brother and I, and we are so thankful. Praise the Savior!

Let me add, too, (before I go watch Pixar's "UP" with my bitties) that another blessing of today involved firearms. My wonderful Dedad let me shoot his Glock .40.
Certainly a highlight of today! Amazin' feelin'.

Well, ya'll have a wonderful rest of the year!!

Psalm 48:10
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

Almonds, Anyone?

2009-12-17T16:02:00.001-08:00

Surely you all know how hard TRULY RAW almonds are to come by. If you know this then you also know that any good almonds you do find are outrageously expensive. You end up paying a large amount of hard-earned cash on a few ounces of almonds that probably aren't even truly raw.

Well, let me tell you how our family was blessed with almonds (and a few other items) this month.

Mama has connections with someone who has friends who own a very large farm in Californy. They were offering a HUGE (I'm talkin' huge) deal on TRULY RAW almonds. She took advantage of the situation.

There was one catch, however. You had to order a minimum of 200lbs at a time. Well, we love our almonds, but....however big the discount was, that was still a lot at one time.

So Mama began contacting folks we know and started asking if they would like to order some as well. Needless to say, we placed an order for a whole mess a' almonds and when they finally arrived, Mama and I got to have some fun!

Each person ordered a different amount, ranging from 30 lbs to 3 lbs, so we got to weigh each bag and sort them all out. It was a lot of fun, actiually.

Here are some already weighed and ready to go to their new homes. :)

But wait, that ain't all!! There was also a HUGE deal on RAW honey. (I mean, like, 100% better than Breadbeckers deal on honey.)
This is like striking gold! We we're so excited!

Just look at that... Like I said, pure gold.

That still ain't all.
Cashews!! Another HUGE deal!

Back to weighin' and sortin' again!

Sorry folks, but that still ain't all! Do any of ya'll know about chia? Well, Mama does, and she LOVES it! You can throw it in your green smoothies and Mama makes a raw "pudding" out of it. Anyway, she was outrageously happy to get this deal on her chia seeds. It was really a huge blessing!

Stars Once Again!

2009-12-15T17:06:00.000-08:00

I am tellin' you, I have got three very talented siblings!
They were in another production this past week and boy! they were good!
Coley and Makayla had parts in the play, and Josh worked backstage. (I, of course, hopped to my seat in the theatre, planted myself comfortably, and watched their performances all weekend :) )
It was a wonderful Christmas play and had a great message. They really enjoyed being a part of it.
Anwyay, here are a few photos for your enjoyment...

Makayla and some of her friends in costume. It should be outlawed to be THAT cute!

Coley and some of his pals all spiffed up. Another breaking of the law by being SO cute. Well, excuse me, handsome....

My handsome Coley

My lovely Mak-Mak

Let me add too, that Joshua did an outstanding job helping backstage. But, alas, once again I have no picture of him. Rascal. It may have something to do with the fact he did not enjoy wearing all black... Anyway, he did a great job behind the scenes!

(One more thing. This is for a good friend Mr. Richard, and has nothing to do with this post. But Mr. Richard, I have been pickin' on that mando! :) Thank you again!

What I've Been Doin'...

2009-12-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

Well now, I am so sorry I ain't posted anything for a while.

Anyway, here's an update on my health. I am actually doin' really well, and the physical therapy has been a tremendous help. I don't have to use that stinkin' old walker anymore, and have graduated to crutches! It has been amazing how the Lord has worked in this whole situation. I am a VERY blessed girl. I am getting around a lot more, and have been outside several more times. That, however, does not mean I am pain-free. Unfortunately, I still have to spend a good deal of time immobile. But that's all right. It's December and I am already lookin' forward to Spring with wide open eyes. By Spring I should be to 100% and have my range of motion back. Yay! I can't wait to get in the garden again!
So what have I been doin' lately? Well, here are a few things worthy of posting.

Actually, first I need to say that I have sold almost all of my critters. Yes, it was hard for me, but it was easier than still having them but not being able to care for them. Yes, Josh has been a huge help with their care, but I didn't know how long it would take for me to get completely better, and I decided I just wanted to start over once I recovered completely.

So, I plan on starting over come Spring. Needless to say, I am SOOOO excited about the coming months. So that's what I've been' doin'. Plannin' for Spring.

Can you tell I miss my chickens?

Soooo, I went ahead and made a list of the breeds I want for my next flock...all heritage breeds...

I have been blessed by not catching the swine flu, but I do have ovine/caprine fever. (for you city slickers that would mean I am really hankering for some sheep and/or goats) So I have been looking in the GA Market Bulletin for just that...

I have been doin' some garden plannin'...

I am hopin' Josh will build me a few of these... :)

And last but not least, I have been readin' some of these. (Special thanks to the Anderson family!!!)

Oh wait, one more thing! Josh and the bitties (what I affectionately call my youngest siblings) and I got to go over to Nana and DeDad's house to make our traditional gingerbread houses.

Well, that's all folks! You'll hear from me again sooner or later.

I Got to go Outside!

2009-11-15T05:48:00.000-08:00

Oh my, oh my, oh my!!! What a beautiful day it was yesterday!

I have been inside recovering, and I can't really get around without my walker, (that's right folks--a walker--with tennis balls and everything) but yesterday I became adventurous. Well, my wonderful grandparents also encouraged me to, but I finally got to go outside and soak up some nice Autumn sun! I also got to play with the kittens and the few chickens I have left. I evaluated the garden plot, because as you all should know, I have garden fever to the extreme right now, and have only been able to plan on paper, which I love anyway, but yeah. Usually I do all the hoein' and tillin' and cultivatin' and rakin' leaves over the plot, and pourin' compost on the plot, and turnin' it in, and etc. Well, since I can't exactly tie myself and my walker to a tiller, Josh has been a huge help!! Praise God for big, strong brothers!

I had so much fun yesterday, although I really paid for it later, I was so spent and sore! Eh, it was well worth it!

God is Good

2009-10-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

I really don't know how to begin this post. I am honestly at a complete loss as to where I should begin.

I reckon I'll start from where I can remember.

Oh wait. I don't remember anything. At least not until they transferred me from ICU.

Friday, October 16
All us kids were so very excited. It was the opening night for the play we were in. We were performing with Social Circle Theatre. We had been practicing for so long. Our dress rehearsals had been that week. We were thrilled about opening night! We couldn't wait!

Finally the time came for us younguns to take off toward the small town of Social Circle. Mama would meet us over there closer to show time. We loaded up into my red Dodge Durango. We found a good country song on the radio, and we were off!

The show went great and we truly enjoyed ourselves. That's about all I remember.

The following is according to family members>

Josh and I loaded into the Durango. Mama was going to ride with the bitties. There was a church function Joshua wanted to go to, so I agreed to take him. We headed toward Loganville. I approached the stop sign on Bay Creek Church Rd.

School buses are big. They are big and fast. Especially when they have no stop sign and aren't supposed to stop.

My little red Durango slammed into that Winder/Barrow county school bus. The marching band was on its way home from a football game.

It took two hours to pry my body from the wreck. Those EMS worked so hard. I am forever grateful for their determination. Miraculously, a nurse showed up on the scene. She was truly an angel in the whole situation.

Josh got out. No one knows how. He had sustained a concussion. He had several cuts and bruises, but overall he was all right. He was sent to a different hospital.

I was life-flighted to Atlanta Medical Center. I've always wanted to ride in a helicopter. Too bad it was under those circumstances.

I was immediately rushed to ICU. My femur(left) had broken in half. My fibula had been fractured and my left foot was just plumb "tore up". The tendons had to be repaired in surgery that next morning. Mama said my left leg was twice the size of the rest of my body. I had blood on my brain, and fluid in my lungs. They put me on a ventilator. I have positively no recollection of any of this.

Let's skip to last Saturday. They transferred me to the rehab floor. I was still on oxygen and my banged-up leg hurt like nothin' I've ever felt before. I ain't gonna lie. It HURT. I was not a very kind patient to some of the nurses. Considering they had me doped on drugs, I was in pain, I wanted my Mama, and they were poking me with needles, maybe it's justified. Well, after that mornin', I was much kinder, and made friends with every single nurse on the rehab floor. They'll remember that first mornin', though. :)

Today was the day I was looking most forward to. I got to come home!! Needless to say, I was very excited.

There's still a very long road ahead of me, but the Lord will help me.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to all of the wonderful people who have been encouraging me during this time. I couldn't do it without all my wonderful family and friends. All of the fervent prayers, the lovely cards, the beautiful flowers, the yummy food....all the LOVE!!! I am so humbled by everyone.

Ohhh, everyone on the school bus was safe. There were several cuts and contusions, and a bloody nose, but the Lord was merciful to all those on board.

The Lord has taught me so much these past few weeks. I can't really just write it all out, but let me say.... I am so very thankful for the Providence of God. I am so thankful for His mercy. I am so thankful for His love, His grace, His goodness, His glory, His timing.

God is good!!!!!!

Andersonville

2009-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

(Jest go ahead and prepare yourself for a whole mess of photos--I don't feel like doin' any typin'. :)

Trying very hard to look serious...

Coley

He is much too handsome...Don't you think?

Makayla

Purty little thang...

We were blessed to find our great-grandfather, Steve C. Pierce's grave. He served as a mess sergeant in World War I.

"Oh the Wind and Rain..."

2009-09-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hot dawg!! We have had some kind of rain these past several days.

Historical. That about sums it up.

Personally for us, it's been no inconvenience. We ain't under water, and Jack's Creek didn't overflow. The town of Good Hope was blessed.

The only thing we have to show for all this rain is....well...

these things...

(: (: (: (:

Shout, Shout, the Battle Cry...

2009-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

....of FREEDOM.

Our Dixie forever,
She's never at a loss,
Down with the eagle,
and up with the cross.

We will rally 'round our Bonnie flag,
We'll rally once again!
Shout! Shout!
The Battle Cry of Freedom!

I have never before posted about any reenactments, but that will change today.

I must begin with my personal 1860's attire.
A few years ago, my Nana and I made a lovely dress to wear when attending reenactments. While it was a very pretty dress, I soon learned it was quite "farby".(that means severely historically inaccurate--uh oh!) So I began attending events dressed as a regular ol' spectator. In the meantime, I was really pining for a dress that was accurate. I began looking at patterns that were historical and asked Nana if we could begin another project. So we did. Several months passed, and it still wasn't complete. I was just so plumb busy---and perplexed by the complexity of the pattern. I wanted the dress completed, so I called a wonderful lady and asked if she would finish making it for me. She happily agreed. She is an amazing seamstress and does outstanding work. Needless to say, the dress turned out to be amazing!

I think she did an outstanding job!!
(special thanks to Cooper White for taking the photos)

Daddy and I were blessed to attend the 145th Anniversary of the Atlanta Campaign yesterday, and had a grand ol' time!

The Yanks should've never tried to climb Cheatem's Hill!!

I failed to take many snapshots, but I did get some video, so this will have to suffice.

Kilpatrick's Raid and Battle of Cheatem's Hill

Cottage Industry

2009-08-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been planning and creating and praying for a few months now, and I have finally launched my home-based "business" !!!

I will be selling my hand made herbal salves, as well as a few other things. It is somewhat small at the time being, but I hope to be adding more very soon. Expect to see more by Christmas. I am hoping to add some body spritzes, a line of propolis-based salves, soaps, and even a few baby products.

I am still working on the website, so bear with me. :) Please feel free to go check it out!

www.cherokeeroseherbal.weebly.com

Genesis 1:12 "And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

Psalm 104:14 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth."

That's When You Know...

2009-08-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

6:30 AM: I head out to the shed to start my morning feeding duties. It's still somewhat dark. The night critters are still singing. The peepers are havin' a grand ol' time, and the crickets are playing their tiny fiddles. I make my way to the chicken coop and see a gray figure walking nearby. First, I think it is one of our cats. No, it's slinking. It ain't a cat. Oh My!! It's a postum (as we call them)! I put down my grain bucket and run like mad back to the house. I know the biddies (what I affectionately call my siblings) will wanna see this, so I know I need to get my camera. It is too early to wake them. By this time the postum is up in a tree next to the coop. Sweet little thing.

Now, postums were a regular occurrence last summer, but this is the first I've seen since then. Naturally I was amused.

Last year a big granddaddy postum came and decided to take residence IN my chicken coop. I was not amused by him. Well, I was, but in a different way. I was angry with him, and my hazel eyes showed it. :) I went after him like I would go after a Yank, hoe in hand. No one goes and steals eggs from my henhouse! He didn't know what happened. He ended up being picked up by the tail and thrown into a wire cage. Well, I had caught 'im, so I wasn't angry anymore. Just amused. We had a 4-H poultry judging meeting that afternoon, so I thought I'd bring 'im to show off.
Oh yeah. Everyone got a kick out of that.

We got home and traveled over to the edge of Mr. Thompson's woods. We let him go his way. I wonder iffen we should have let Mr. Thompson know? Anyway, he slinked on off into the piney woods and that was the end of Ernest T. Yeah, of course that's what we named him. A perfect fit. Yup, after my dear, beloved Ernest T. (If you don't watch Andy Griffith at our house, you just wouldn't understand.) I wonder if he knows a she-postum named Romeena?

Hey! Maybe that was Romeena I saw this mornin'? She may pronounce it Ramona, but he would prefer Romeena.

Well, I guess that's how you know you are a Georgian, a homeschooled kid that lives in Good Hope. When you get excited about a postum and name him after your favorite Andy Griffith Show character. Yup. It's official. I'm crazy. A crazy female that thinks postums and other critters are perfectly acceptable. In fact, she is amused by them! Good grief! She is crazy! At least we don't have any bears in our area. I'd die for sure.

I reckon I still should've eaten 'im.

Now I just need to find a coon and name 'im Malcolm Merriweather.

Or maybe a skunk and name 'im Gomer.

Oh, What You Can Find.....

2009-08-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

.....in a COMPOST pile!!

That's right. I had a little baby mango tree and a little baby avocado tree growing very contentedly right in my compost bin. Take a look.

Very cute mango plant.

Just look at that.

One more look.

A contented avocado plant.

Look at that.

I just thought this was so neat! I tend to be amused and excited by such things. Isn't that wild they just decided to up and grow.

Now,
I certainly know what is supposed to go into a compost bin, and I certainly know that the books recommend leaving out large, hard seeds, pits, and such, but c'mon....
If I hadn't thrown these guys in, I wouldn't have been able to see this really neat occurrence.

And besides, when do I go strictly by the books?

Hmmmm, maybe I'll have a pineapple tree soon....

(: (: (: (:

Photos from Hilton Head

2009-08-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Just a few from our wonderful trip!

Two of my favorite things there...
Spanish Moss...

And Gators.

We were excited to see these!!

Back Home and a few Squarsh Things....

2009-07-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well, we have returned from that great state that first seceded and shooo-weeee!

We had so much fun!! We swam and rode bikes and saw gators and rode bikes and swam and rode in a boat and "clumb" a lighthouse and I found a million sand dollars and we swam. Ohhhh, we had such a great time. Why is the beach so much fun?

We were sad to leave, but we were glad to get back home. Anyway, I will have some pictures or a slideshow or sumthin' up soon, but til then, take a look at what has been goin' on in my garden.

Jalapenos. Too bad I do not like them. Daddy says I grow 'em extra hot. I dunno... they're always hot. Too hot. :)

Craziness. WHAT are these? I did NOT plant anything that was supposed to turn out this way. I found these growing on my squash vines, but they ain't no pattipan or zuchinni. They look kinda like my spaghetti squash last year, but not quite. The Lord may have blessed me with a green thumb, I dunno, but I do know I am no aspiring biology professor or nuthin'.....so....how did this happen? Did my squash plants cross-pollinate, producing a "mutt" squash? That be the only thang I can figger. Iffen any of you know, please pass on the knowledge. Did I just grow an alien squash or something? Craziness.

Last but not least....
My handsome army of butternuts. Yumminess.

S. C. Bound!!

2009-07-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let ya'll know we will be heading to Hilton Head, SC, tomorrow. We are so excited!

We may or may not have internet access down there, but I will post once we return.

Farewell!

Miracle Grow---Nothin' !

2009-07-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Daddy and I got home from the music barn Saturday night and came home to our usual counter-full of squash. Well, I had just picked some more that very day, but apparently, I had missed one. Sqaush are very good at hiding themselves from the one harvesting, ya know. Anyway, Mama had been outside playing with Coley and Makayla that evening, while Daddy and I were away grinnin' to some pickin', and had accidentally come across this monster.

That is one of those Israeli varieties I tried this year. They ain't supposed to get that big, though! They usually get a little bigger than Zuchinni, but hey, this guy thought otherwise. I just can't believe I hadn't noticed it!

No, my squash plants aren't on steroids. Just good ol' TLC and compost!

Easy as (Raw) Pie...

2009-07-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the delicious raw blueberry pie recipe Mama and Makayla made. Let me say, it was AMAZING!

Fresh Blueberry Pie
Crust
2 C almonds
1/2 C dates, seeds removed
pinch of sea salt

Filling
5 C fresh blueberries
2 ripe bananas
1 1/2 T Raw Honey

Preparation:
For the crust, in a food processor, grind the almonds until fine. Add the dates and salt and blend until the mixture binds together between your fingers when pinched. Press into 9" glass pie pan and set to one side.

For the filling, in a food processor, combine four cups of the berries, bananas, and honey. Blend until smooth. Remove from processor bowl and stir in remaining berries. Pour into the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least three hours. Serve and enjoy.

Okay, I just had to add this. :)
Annie, our Yorkshire, is a raw food dog! Okay, not really, but her favorite treats are carrots, lettuce, kale, etc... Makayla says she has gone raw. :)

Zac, our Highlander, on the other hand, "likes that heated-up stuff",as Makayla says. :)

Now back to the food...

Here is what Mama and I made. It is incredible! You could feed this to a die-hard bacon lover, and even they would be hooked! It's pretty simple, too.

Eggplant Bacon

Pride and Joy

2009-07-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

I could do a long post about our country, but since I'm tired and a lot of other folks will be doing that, I'll just tell a little about what we did today.

It was a pretty laid back morning...which is always nice. I snapped a whole mess of beans, made some homemade lip balm, and Mama and I put a bunch of eggplant in the dehydrator (post on that coming soon). Mama and Makayla made a raw blueberry pie (post coming soon), and then we all went to find somewhere that was going to shoot off some fireworks.

Me and Makayla

Mama and Coley

Daddy and...I don't know who that is...

More Garden Photos

2009-06-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

The maters are lookin' good.

One of many Basil plants. Lots of pesto has been made!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Ohhh...yummy eggplant!

A friend...

Cool as a cuke...

Plen'y a these...

An' these...

An' these...

Flowers (obviously)

Finally! A sunflower! Goats got 'em last year, and the year before...

Little tiny itty bitty watermelon

That's right purty...

So is that...

Soybeans are so prolific!

So are they...

Man! I got some pickin' to do!

I love summertime!!

I almost forgot! I have a new nickname...

The "Squash Girl of Good Hope"