HOLY TOMATOES

Woke to a ringing phone this morning from the plumber I called last week,he is coming over this morning to look at my job.At least I didn't have to call him back, although I did ask my cousin who is his wife's sister in church yesterday if he was sick or something because he hadn't called me back,I'm sure she jarred his memory of my call.Anyway he was here right after I had breakfast and after looking at all the water lines gave me a very good estimate, plus him,his son-in-law and 1 other older man is all who will be in my house.I'm funny like that and didn't want a bunch of who knows whats in my house looking around.I believe in the old saying "you can never be to careful".
Tomatoes,tomatoes and more tomatoes,hubbie told me last night I needed to do something with these because he had to pick more today.So with everything else going on today and g-son here I am just canning this bunch,I can open them later and make something with them if I want to.I canned 7 quarts out of these baskets......I know tomatoes need to be picked again and I think the beans do too, maybe it won't rain this evening and we can get in the garden.
I also sliced up a gallon bag of peaches for the freezer while the tomatoes processed.G-son and I had lunch and a well driller came to give me an estimate on the well,he is $1 a foot higher than another guy who didn't come to look just gave an estimate on the phone,I am going to get 1 more estimate and then we'll decide who does it.It is amazing how different it is now than just a year ago ,people were waiting on a list for 6 months to get wells drilled and now they will come the next day,that's a bad sign for all businesses.
G-son has been an angel through all the activity this morning,he has just been relaxing in front of the TV.....It has turned into a sunny day with temps in the low 80's so we are headed outside for awhile to try to find a not so muddy spot to play.
Well there's no mud in the wagon,and he rode for awhile, then he wanted to pull the dogs around like he has done before but he was going down a hill and fast so they wouldn't stay in the wagon.
So g-son finally decided to ride and steer himself down the hill which worked for a long way until he decided to turn directly into the fence where his legs found the barbwire behind the boards.
He didn't know what was hurting him and started kicking to get it off which made it worse,so both legs got all scratched up and we came inside to wash away the blood which made it look worse than it really was,thank goodness,so I gave him some comfort food (cake and milk) and he settled down and we played in his playroom until pawpaw came home.We all played and had another snack before mommy and aunt T came home from work.After he had a short visit with aunt T mommy took him home.
Hubbie, daughter and I ate leftovers for supper ,#2 son also came in to exchange haircuts with hubbie again and he ate all that was left.
Hubbie picked another basket of tomatoes,daughter wants to make some salsa maybe tomorrow afternoon.
I heard Canadian Geese honking on my walk this evening that's a sure sign fall is on its way.Fall is my favorite time of the year as things kind of slow down and everything snuggles down ready for winter,it just seems as if the world gives a big satisfied sigh,and the beauty of fall in these mountains just can't be beat.
Hubbie and I were going to start cleaning out the basement under the waterlines tonight but daughter has to go back to work at 1:00 am as she is taking the place of the early morning producer and will get off at 8:00 in the morning, so she is sleeping and we can't work down there without making noise so we'll postpone that until tomorrow.I will to talk to another well guy tomorrow afternoon.I have to deliver Avon in the morning.
Hubbie went to bed early and I started baking cakes although I only have 2 granny pound,and 1 blackberry wine to make tonight it seems like I am forgetting something.
Maybe it will be an early bedtime again tonight,as it is 10:40 now and I just took the cakes out of the oven and glazed the wine cake.They are talking on the news about the hurricane out in the Atlantic I hope it misses the coast.It has been a beautiful day today.Thank you God for all your blessings today and forgive me of all my shortcomings.Good Night.

RAINY SUNDAY

Went to church this morning with dark clouds looming,message was inspirational today and as I was reading ahead in the text of my Bible which is a Kirban reference Bible,at the bottom of every page it has an explanation of the text and as I read this today one sentence has really stuck in my head all day especially after listening to the kids worry about their futures in this economy.The sentence read"If you are stranded in the middle of a large lake it is good to start praying,it is also wise to start paddling toward shore". I think the message trying to be conveyed here is God will only help us if we are trying our best to help ourselves.
We had deacon nominations today and they called hubbie to make sure he would serve as he had been nominated,he has been a deacon in the past.
#1 son went after grandfather for lunch as daughter has gone rafting today.#2 son is playing golf in South Carolina with some friends so lunch bunch was #1 son,daughter-in-love,g-son,father-in-law and hubbie and I. After we ate I wrapped a present for a baby shower for a young girl in church and D-in-love took it with her as she was helping serve at the shower.I played with g-son in his playroom as it has been raining all day.
#1 son took g-son home and hubbie and I took father-in-law home then drove over to a house b-friend is interested in now and stopped at Ingles to pick up a few things I forgot yesterday.
Came home about 6:00 and it is still raining lightly,we had sandwiches for supper,I bought some Munster cheese yesterday and wanted to see what it tasted like,it was pretty good but not so different from cheddar.After we ate we sat around and I took a nap,probably not a smart thing this close to bed time,but it is just that kind of evening,so relaxed and nice cool rain outside.
When I got up I fed and put up my outside dogs,they are always so glad for Sunday feeding time as they usually get some table scraps from lunch.Then hubbie and I groomed our 2 inside 4-legged children,we clipped 1 toenail on Bernie to close and had to put corn starch on it to get it to stop bleeding,a dogs toenail will pour the blood for a long time if you don't put something on it,however he didn't even act like anything happened,I think they are just so glad that we don't take them to a groomer anymore.Dolly didn't mind the last groomer I was taking them to but Bernie hated everyone we took him to,but his hair is so fine and is hard to clip with clippers I think it was worse on him than Dolly.Anyway that was one thing we decided we could save money on because it only takes us about 1 1/2 hours to groom them both and we only do it about every 3 months as we cut their hair shorter than the groomer ever would even when I ask them to cut it shorter,I guess they didn't want to go that long between haircuts (money).
I am listening to the 11:00 news now and I hear the rain pounding the porch awning, finishing this blog and then I am headed to bed. Remember God loves you. Good Night.

DAY FILLED WITH HURRY HURRY UPS

A lot to do this morning before I get to market.I was only 5 minutes late getting to market and that was amazing after all the cakes I had to cut and wrap this morning,although I keep looking around to see if I have all my clothes on,ha ha. Had a very busy market day,had some nice visits with the neighbors,caught up on their beach vacation and trip to the "World's largest yard sale" this sounds like loads of fun and she said you can find anything you are looking for there.They have a lot of antiques in their house so they look for particular things and this year they only went through Tennessee and Kentucky whew that would be serious yard sale shopping.Sold mostly cakes and herbs today,very few crafts, but did sell 2 of daughter's mosaic picture frames,she was happy.I had a late customer and had to hurry to get everything loaded,hope I got everything I was supposed to,seems like I've been in a hurry and running 1 step behind all day.
Went by P.O. to mail a sympathy card to a friend that lost her mother last week,then to Aldi and Walmart to get baking supplies and groceries.In Walmart I started getting a headache and realized I hadn't eaten lunch so I went to Chick-fil-a to see if I could head off the headache and it worked,hubbie says I am the only person he knows that can forget to eat.
When I got home hubbie was helping daughter's b-friend work on his brakes,daughter had a baby kitten b-friend had taken away from one of the dogs.After she helped me unload and put things away we went to the barn and found the momma cat and 1 more kitten and put that one back with her.She didn't like us messing around her so I hope she will move them and hide them a lot better so the dogs can't find her,she is kind of wild because she stays in the barn away from everyone and we just put feed out for her, we don't know where she came from as she just showed up one day,these are the first kittens we've seen.Daughter and b-friend left to go look at 2 houses and I took the dogs walking to get them away from the barn,hubbie is digging out the waterhole.I came back put the dogs up and fed them and went to check on the kittens and mama cat was in the process of moving them,I hope she finds a good hiding place.
We came in and broke beans hubbie had picked earlier for lunch tomorrow,I read my new Grit magazine,it has some good pickle recipes in it this month.
I'm tired tonight and glad I don't have anything that has to be done.It has been a rewarding day as always in the care of my precious Savior Jesus Christ I have a feeling of great peacefulness and am going to enjoy a rare early bedtime,it is only 9:45. See you at church tomorrow praising His name. good night.

BUSY FRIDAY, RAIN REALLY MAKES GRASS GROW

Woke to ringing phone, 1st with Avon order then a cake order,I'm fully awake now so might as well get up.It is another foggy morning (another snow!!!!) hubbie is off today so he is catching up on outside stuff while waiting for the grass to dry so he can hopefully mow before it rains.Sun came out and it is only 76, nice weather, wish I could spend some time outside this morning but my ovens are calling.I did go out and pick some fresh blackberries probably the last I will have for some bread.I baked 28 layers for iced cakes, 4 granny pound ,2 peach wine, 1 blackberry wine, 2 loaves fresh blackberry bread,2 chocolate pound, and some chocolate chip muffins, glazed the wine cakes and ate sandwich and chips and salsa for lunch,finished all this by 2:15,whew!!!!!!!
Hubbie is now mowing grass and it is cloudy,hope he beats the rain.I went outside and put flea drops on 1 dog then I couldn't find the other 2, don't know why they hate this stuff so bad,someone once told me it is because they are all Australian Shepherds and they have such a keen since of smell it bothers them, although I now use a brand I can't smell, but then I'm sure my smeller isn't as good as theirs.Temps are now in the mid 80's and it feels humid,at least he got the mowing done and now is off on the tractor to bushhog in the pastures.I'm wondering where that plumber is that was suppose to call and come give me an estimate,I hate it when you have to call back and say "remember me" I want to maybe give you some work!!!!!!
I did some (never ending) paperwork and some ironing then took a coffee break.
After a cup of coffee I wrapped and labeled some cakes,here is some of my mornings work....
I decided to go walk early today,it is pretty cloudy and cooler so it won't be to hot,uummm, the smell of freshly cut grass I love it.I discovered our waterhole is almost dry, more digging for hubbie tomorrow.
I came in and ate a salad for supper and we went to clean the church a bit early tonight.
When we got home hubbie helped me put the flea drops on the other dogs before I fed them,I hate that they act like it hurts them but it's better than being covered with fleas and ticks.
I iced 12 caramel cakes, 5 chocolate, 3 coconut and wrapped and cut all I could tonight,hubbie made boxes for my orders before he went to bed.
I seem to have my energy back tonight,THANK YOU JESUS.
As I walked today I was wishing I had a better camera to take close-up pictures,I think I'll start looking up some info to see what I need to do what I want.
This has been a lovely day, busy but nice Glory be to God for all the things we got done today.
It is 11:45 and I'm through for the day.GOD LOVES YOU AND ME. good night.

FOGGY MORNING ,BRIGHT SUNFLOWER AFTERNOON

Yessss!!! Alarm went off 30 minutes early and I actually heard it,good start to a busy day.After everything was ready and the van loaded I was 20 minutes earlier than usual just as hoped so I headed to my early Avon delivery,this is a place where all spanish speaking people work and we have a plan we follow to communicate,I deliver their orders on Thursday (they don't work on Friday) and give them a chance to see how much money they owe me then I go back Monday or Tuesday and collect for their orders at their morning break time.
There is an old saying that for every foggy morning in August their will be a snow in winter,well mark 1 snow down for this winter as I took this picture on my way out this morning.Market was pretty busy today and I packaged some dry basil to sell and crocheted tops on 3 towels between customers. Two Avon customer came after their orders.As I was leaving a neighbor who sells sunflowers gave me a bunch he didn't sell,they are so pretty I just had to share.I love sun flowers they just seem to brighten a room and they make you smile everytime you are near them,at least they do that for me.I hope he has some more Saturday and I will get some for church Sunday.
I had extra errands today after market and didn't get home until after 4:30,hubbie was here to help me unload and get everything put away.He ate supper but I have had an upset stomach all day and just not wanted anything to eat.I laid down on the couch to watch the news as it is starting to sprinkle rain again.I woke up an hour later starving,I guess what ever has been wrong with my stomach went away during my nap,Thanks Lord.I ate a salad and some leftover rice daughter had made last night and the last biscuit with more jam,yummm.Okay that feels so much better,it never really rained much but the grass is wet so I think I'll pass on my daily walk and go clean church a little early.
Hubbie's vacuum handle broke but he taped it to finish tonight and will try to glue it when we get home.
At home hubbie is getting ready for bed and as soon as I finish this I'm headed that way, I hope my little afternoon nap doesn't mess up my night sleep like it usually does.Well wonder what tomorrow will bring, it's always exciting to wake up to another day of serving our Lord and see what blessings He has in His plans for me.Good Night.

RAINY , EXTRA COOL AUGUST DAY

Woke to rain blowing against the window this morning.After regular chores I spent some time on the phone lining up some plumbers for bids on our job.Then I decided to take advantage of the 65 degree temps and work in my sewing shop.I needed to finish some doll cloths for a red riding hood doll and needed to make some more aprons for a church group in town who sponsors a "Feed the Kids" program,I made 25 aprons for them in May and June,they furnished the material and when I tried to give back what was left they said just to make more aprons.I have been so busy I just haven't had time so I made 5 more aprons today for them.
It was lunch time when I finished sewing,after a salad and sandwich I started laundry and housework.It has stopped raining but is still cloudy and cool outside about 76 now,pretty cool for August.I took 2 cake orders for Saturday,1 for 6 cakes.
While my freshly mopped floors dried I went in my office and payed bills for the week.My friend called and said my Avon order just came about 3:00 so I went to pick it up,I bagged it as soon as I got home and stamped all my books for delivery.Hubbie came in while I was working on this and started frying the okra he cut yesterday,we had baked chicken and tomatoes to go with it for supper and a biscuit with some of daughters black&blue berry jam for dessert.
He went to spray more fungicide on the beans and I went walking with the dogs to check the fence and waterhole, everything was fine..This is Annie keeping a watchful eye out for me, this isn't the picture I wanted as right before I took this one she stood up on her hind legs to see above the tall grass but I missed that one.She is my constant companion around the farm.
I came back in and rested for 30 minutes before it was time to start icing cakes,I iced 12 caramels,4 chocolates, 2 coconuts tonight.
Tomorrow afternoon will sure be alot easier if I can get left early enough in the morning to make 1 Avon delivery on the way to market,that's my plan so I'm off to bath and bed now.GOD BLESS and good night.

DAY FILLED WITH GOOD NEWS

Awoke to a bright sunny day,mornings are so nice and cool.After taking care of the animals and breakfast I started some laundry since I have a doctors appointment at 2:20 I didn't hang any outside,it will probably rain again today.While I did 2 loads of laundry I did some housework.
At 11:00 I started making my pasta sauce ,I've never made this before and it was a little more involved but it turned out good and really taste good.....At least my dining room table isn't
covered with baskets of tomatoes anymore.
It is getting time to get ready to go to the Dermatologist which is not my favorite place to go,my stomach has already started to churn,today I am having a re-check on a squamous cell cancer he cut off my lower leg in June,he will possibly shave it again and burn it to kill more cancer cells (OH JOY).
I have more reason to dread these visits,this all stared in April when he found a level 2 melanoma cancer on my arm,I went back in May for the second cut which took a large football shape chunk out of my arm,I have a terrible scar,but it is at my elbow joint and isn't so noticeable.The agony I went through waiting to find out if the cancer had spread to a much larger area was tough and I am very thankful for all the prayers that went up for me during this wait.By the Grace of God it had not spread and the doctor felt like all the cancer was gone with this second cut, here's a big HALLELUJAH.I truly felt like my guardian angle had snatched me from the brink of a health disaster for the second time in recent years as I waited and waited knowing that mole on my arm didn't look right before going to the doctor and have no idea why I decided to go when I did.I'm sure thankful that God just takes over sometimes when we don't realize what is best for us,He's just wonderfully caring like that.
I went back in June to have a full body exam and he found 2 more places he cut out and sent off,I dread the cuts because mine always get infected,anyway 1 of these came back in a moderate melanoma change and the other 1 came back a squamous cell cancer.I've decided my skin has declared war on me for all the years of sun abuse I put it through.
So that is where I'm at today with the squamous cell re-check.Another big HALLELUJAH when he looked at my leg he said he didn't need to make another cut as it showed no more signs of cancer.He actually called it Bowens disease which is a surface squamous cell and because he cauterized the spot when he cut it off and it had all but went away we are just going to watch it.
I haven't been surprised by the fact that I have skin cancer because I have spent all my life outside .I was raised on a cattle/crop farm and as soon as I could reach the brake petal on a tractor I was helping my daddy in the fields and sunscreen was never heard of back then,at least by my parents.I also loved laying in the sun in my teen years , then when I married, my husband and I farmed and I spent alot of time again on a tractor in the hay fields,still no sunscreen.I always used sunscreen at the lake or beach but never thought of it when we were working.But I still love the feel of the sun on my skin,I just have to be careful not to get too much,like doc says sun doesn't cause cancer,sunburn causes cancer.
Before I left his office I asked the girl at the desk to look up and tell me how much she thought my insurance was going to pay because I haven't gotten any statements from my insurance to see what they paid.And here is the biggest HALLELUJAH of all since all my specimens have had cancer cells in them my insurance has totally paid for everything ,there was not even a deductible because this is considered to be preventative treatment.GOOD NEWS GOOD NEWS!!
I left and went to a little store that was just up the road just to celebrate my good fortune by shopping. I found several things and had to laugh when I checked out as my bill was almost $50 and that is what I was expecting to pay the doctor today for my co-pay, but didn't have to pay him anything. It was pouring the rain when I left the store and headed home.By the time I got home it was just starting to rain here and it never did rain much , and now the sun is back out at 5:00.
Hubbie came home and layed down,he had worked outside all day and the heat just sapped all his energy.I am writing this long blog while he is taking his nap.
When hubbie got up he grilled the steaks we didn't eat Saturday and we ate supper.Afterward he went to the garden and cut okra,dug potatoes, and picked tomatoes and squash.We have so many red potatoes he dug some for me to sell at market Thursday,they won't keep in winter like white potatoes and we haven't ate as many as we usually do.I went to walk and found the waterhole filled with sticks,sand and trash from the high water yesterday,so hubbie had to dig it out.....The weather feels much better today 86 and not so humid this evening as it has been.I came back to the house and talked to daughter,she said b-friend didn't get the house he was looking at.I kind of think that might be a blessing due to all the issues with that house.
She was eating some of my salsa and talking about how good it was so I'm sure we will be making more for her as soon as we get enough tomatoes. I put away some of the big pots and bowls so I will have room to bake.I baked 48 layers tonight,my orders have slowed some in the last 2 weeks.It is almost 11:20 and I just put the last layers in so while I listen to the news I'm writing in my blog.This has been one of those days that things have just fell into place for me hope it continues tomorrow and so on.Praising God for all my blessings today and believe me I never fail to give all the credit for my good fortune to my Heavenly Father. Good Night.