SPENT THIS LABOR DAY MAKING PEAR HONEY AND LOVING LIFE

G-son arrived at 7:30 this morning in his pj's, but would not go back to sleep.He had some of his mom's left over apple cake and milk for breakfast.Daughter called and wanted us to meet her at the Apple Festival at 9:00.It was so nice but she had to leave before some of the vendors opened,we enjoyed the non-crowded streets and talked and caught up with neighbors and friends who are selling at the festival and had time to chat this morning.We left about 10:30 and headed for Sam's club to pick up a few things.G-son has been like a little angel all morning, so he got pizza for lunch,when the lady behind the counter ask him what kind of pizza he wanted,he said "triangle pizza",we all had a great laugh over that.When we got home we ate lunch and then I went out and picked pears to make pear honey,yum yum....In about 2 hours I turned this basket of pears into 16 jars of pear honey and it is really delicious.
While I was in the kitchen it started to storm,hubbie,daughter and I had to get a tarp and cover the ditch in the front yard to keep water out of it so it wouldn't run into our basement.We got it covered while lightening flashed all around us,Sadie was scared and kept falling in the ditch trying to get under the tarp,we all got soaked.
It rained almost an inch and when it stopped,hubbie had to pump water off the tarp that sunk into the ditch.G-son slept through all the excitement and thunder.Daughter got him up after the storm and played with him while d-in-love went to get them some supper.
Hubbie went to check the waterhole and I walked down to see how he was doing and almost tripped over this huge bull frog,he was about 6" long......and he didn't seem to mind having his picture taken at all.This is one of those times when I just stand in awe of our Creator,when you get to look closely at the intricate designs on His creations and marvel at the beauty of nature.Tonight when I lay in bed listening to the frogs I'll wonder which of those sweet voices this guy is. The creek is up a little and hubbie took advantage of the swifter water to work on the waterhole to make it deeper.I walked a shorter walk tonight as I have a lot to do when I get in.
After I got my wet socks and shoes off I posted my Avon order online and started baking cakes,I baked 1 granny pound, 1 7-up pound, 2 blackberry wine,and 1 chocolate pound.This week will be slow if it is like they normally are after a holiday so I'll get a breather.
I love the clear sky after a rain and today was no exception,I just had to take some pictures...
Everyone is in bed but me and I love the quite solitude of the late nights.I am enjoying life to the fullest right now.I thought today, looking in on a sleeping g-son,at how my life is so perfect with my grown children still in the vicinity and getting to see g-son almost everyday and enjoy watching him grow up.I wouldn't trade places with any one else on earth right now and I never forget to thank God everyday for making all this possible.This world is such a beautiful place if you will just take time to look around and "smell the flowers" as the old saying goes.Speaking of flowers, today's wildflower known as LADYSTHUMB has an interesting story...On the green leaves there is a dark purple heart shape,
said to have been put there when the Virgin Mary pinched the leaves,it is also called Virginsthumb in some parts of the world.In Europe it is sometimes called HEARTHEAL,
the Europeans believe the heart shape means it is good for your heart and is used as medicine for heart problems
there.To us here it is just an invasive weed,but I'll never look at it the same way again after reading about it,and will always wonder,just how did that heart get on the leaves??????????
It is 11:30 I just took the last cakes out of the ovens and put the glaze on the wine cakes,finished for the day I am forever grateful for everyday I can live and worship the MAKER of all and do my best to glorify HIS name in all I do. Good Night.

IT'S BEEN ONE OF THOSE "OX IN THE DITCH" SUNDAYS, FORGIVE US

Almost late for church this morning because I stuck my eye with my mascara wand,ouch that hurt and was messy.Had a nice service, d-in-love played part of 2 songs on her violin and everyone loved it.We had 3 people join our church today,what a blessing,God is always hard at work.
When we got home daughter had already gone after her grandfather and they were waiting on us.Today's lunch bunch was those 2 and d-in-love and g-son as #1 son had to go estimate a job today because he had worked all week and didn't have another chance so he will be late for lunch but I know he will be here as he loves my 7-layer salad.#2 son is playing golf again (he should be really good at that game with all the practice he puts in).After we ate #1 son had to dig our new waterline as he is working all week again.When he brought his machine down here,g-son was outside and he said I have 1 of those and came running inside to get his,it was really cute as he worked digging dirt the whole time his dad did....He's like any other little boy and wants to do what ever his dad does (be careful dad).
We don't like to work on Sunday but it's apple picking season and he works 6 days a week so it was either today or try to do it after dark one night.My dad had an old saying when he had to work on Sunday, if the ox gets in the ditch,even if it is Sunday,you have to get him out. Now I have this ditch in my front yard,hope no ox comes along before the plumbers get here......Daughter took father-in-law home early as he was ready to go,he acted like he didn't feel well today. His home health nurse told me yesterday,he had his pills messed up again,but refused to let her help with it,she sounded pretty upset with him.
Daughter stopped at Sonic on her way back and brought everyone something to drink.We talked for a while then #1 son and family went home.I went out to walk and took a long one,the weather is really nice today,it is warm 82 but cloudy,I tried to take some pictures of our heifers to put on craigslist to sell, now we have to decide on a price for them,it's hard to get them all in 1 picture.I came in the house and ate a bowl of salad for supper with hubbie,then he went to feed and I put my dogs up.I wrote up some Avon orders,the order doesn't go off until Tuesday this time because of Labor day so I'll finish tomorrow.I gave Bernie and Dolly a bath and when I finish this I'm headed for bed it is 12:15, g-son will be here early tomorrow morning.Lord I love you and thank you for all my blessings. Good Night.

APPLE FESTIVAL SATURDAY

Well it is finally here the most dreaded Saturday of the year.We got up an hour earlier and finished loading.There was already a crowd there but there was ample parking and set-up went smoothly.As long as I get set up and am in my spot behind my table it's all good.Today was fairly busy but not what you would expect for as many people as passed through but that is just what a lot of the crowd did,they found free parking in our lot and just walked through and went on up to main street.The 4-H was setting up to collect money for parking when we closed,some people will get a surprise when they come back to their cars as they will have to pay for parking,there were signs all over stating this message.Everyone that was coming back from up on main street was talking about how hot and crowded it was up there,I'm glad I went last night.All the apple grower neighbors I talked to said they were doing a good business, so good for them.
I went to Aldi and Walmart on the way home to pick up supplies and I decided to make a 7-layer salad for lunch tomorrow so I got the ingredients for that.With all the traffic I still didn't get home until almost 4:00,hubbie and I unloaded and put things away.We decided to go on up and clean church early,I almost got into a large bee's nest,I was sweeping spider webs off the front porch of the sanctuary and found a huge yellow hornets nest that I was about to sweep over,thank you Lord,I saw it and was able to stop the broom in mid-air,whew!! Hubbie got the bee spray and eradicated them on the spot.I saw the Bible School director and told her about it and we know it had to have been there during Bible School,but God was protecting all those kids.
We came home and watched the news and ate smoked trout raviolis for supper with squash and corn. After supper I walked and hubbie dug potatoes for tomorrow and we both fed the animals before coming in for the evening.I am drained from the hectic rush of the last 3 days and am looking forward to early bedtime tonight.The wildflower tonight is a common one BLACK-EYED SUSAN it is recognizable by its bright yellow bracs and dome shaped brownish black center.It is the state flower of Maryland.Modern use is limited to making a warm infusion with the roots for use as a wash for sores and swellings.Ojibwa indians used it as a poultice for snake bites and to treat colds and worms in chrildren.Other indian tribes used juice from its roots as earache drops.These flowers are so bright and cheerful they just make you smile.
I finally remembered to order cake boxes,I have been out for a week,I hope it doesn't take as long to get them as it did last time.Hubbie is watching a race on TV,it is just 9:30 but I think I here my bubble bath calling me then maybe I'll catch up on some magazine reading propped up in bed.See you in church tomorrow as we worship and praise God for all his blessings.GOOD NIGHT.

APPLE FESTIVAL VISIT AFTER VERY BUSY BAKING DAY

Started off a busy day with phone calls of cake orders this morning.After a bowl of cereal and cup of hot green tea I started baking,5 granny pound, 1 7-up pound, 1 lemon pound, 1 chocolate pound, 1 blackberry wine cake, 18 caramel, 4 chocolate, 2 coconut cakes.While my last cakes were in the ovens I iced 12 of the caramels ,wrapped and labeled them.I finished all this about 2:30,whew!!!
I did some paperwork that had to be done today and then went to the garden to cut basil to sell tomorrow.Hubbie came home and started mowing the lawn.I sat down to watch the news and daughter came in wanting me to go to the Apple Festival with her for a little while.Friday night is a good time to go,it is cool and not so crowded.I told hubbie I would be back at 8:00 and we would go clean church but we saw so many people we knew and stopped to talk so many times ,we also shopped at some of the booths,I bought a couple of Christmas presents and I didn't get home until 8:45, so we will wait until tomorrow to clean church. I haven't gotten to do much with daughter in a while because of her work hours so maybe we can do more things together now with her new job,that will be so nice, after all I consider her and my d-in-love my best friends.Maybe this Christmas season we will get to go shopping like we always used to do,I'll look forward to that.I iced 6 more caramel cakes, 4 chocolate and 2 coconut cakes and wrapped and loaded all in the van tonight except the coconuts as they have to stay in the fridg.D-in-love is making apple/walnut cakes and will bring them in the morning.We're getting up an hour earlier so we can beat the crowds to get set up.This will be the busiest day for a while.
Well it is 12:30 ,my legs,back and feet hurt and my eyelids are very heavy,it is time for a rest,no time for a wildflower lesson tonight. Thanking God for giving me the strength to get everything done today and mix in some fun as well,God is great.Good Night.

ANOTHER BUSY MARKET DAY GEARING UP FOR APPLE FESTIVAL

This morning was easy getting to market with hubbie off work and helping,he even followed me in and helped me unload as he had some in town errands to run.Had a busy day,everyone getting cakes so they wouldn't have to get in the Apple Festival crowd Saturday.Sold quite a few crafts today also.#2 son, the mailman came by to see me as he brought the market mail in,he only worked 2 days this week but has a full week next week.
Left market and went to a re-sale store to look for a rocking chair,
didn't find a chair but found a dining room set I would love to have,it
would be perfect for my dining room and everyone would have a seat at it,now only 6 people can fit at mine and it has no leaf.This one actually has 2 leaves which would be good on holidays when we have more company.The price was originally $900 and it was marked down to $600 with 25% more off,but when the lady came over to talk to me about it, she said to wait until after Labor Day because it would be 50% off,so I decide to take a chance that it will still be there. I still need to find a rocker for the living room.
I mailed bills at the P.O.,made 3 Avon stops and went by Aldi and Walmart for baking supplies,made it home at 4:15.Hubbie helped me unload and put things away,he was just finishing up the pad at the well,it looks good...We are getting closer to having this project behind us.
While he put away tools and took a breaker out to take to work tomorrow to get a replacement,I rested on the couch and watched the news.We ate a light supper and I walked and checked the waterhole and fences,the neighbor unloaded some new cattle in his pasture and it sure got the attention of all ours.I put my dogs up and we went to clean the church.Tonight was window washing night along with the regular work.Hubbie went to bed as soon as we came home and I'm blogging and listening to the news on TV.Today's wildflower is JOE PYE WEED this plant gets its name from an Indian Herb doctor named Joe Pye during early colonial days he was said to have cured Typhus Fever with this herb.It is also called QUEEN OF THE MEADOW because of it's large beautiful blooms that butterflies just love.This next one is a very familiar one called GOLDENROD, it has many medicinal uses.It has been used as an anti-inflammatory drug, a diuretic,it is said to promote wound healing and is widely used as a kidney and bladder tonic. Tea can be made from the flowers and when bees make honey from goldenrod it is a water white,spicy tasting deliciously mild honey.It is also hailed by many to be a sign of good luck or good fortune,but considered by some to be a troublesome weed. The goldenrod plant contains natural rubber and the tires on Henry Fords Model-T were actually made from the goldenrod plant,but manufacture of rubber from this plant never got past experimental stages.Goldenrod is the state flower for Kentucky,Nebraska and South Carolina.
Today has been a little warmer about 77 but this evening cooled down nicely and tonight is suppose to be 58 again,maybe we are in for an early fall,okay by me!!!!
Looking forward to a busy baking day tomorrow and what ever else God sends my way.Counting my many blessings as I get ready to call it a day.Thank you Lord and Good Night.

FALL IS DEFINETLY IN THE AIR

Got up early to be sure I'm up when the plumbers get here,didn't feel like cereal this morning,just had toast and green tea.Let the dogs out and started icing caramel cakes,I iced 18 this morning,that should make tonight easier.Plumbers came while I was working,#1 son was here so I let him handle what they wanted to know.G-son is watching cartoons and having cake and caramel icing for breakfast with milk.They have to decide where to pour a cement pad to set the pressure tank on and they hooked the pump up and pumped some water out,it looks very clear.They have the waterlines and electric wires ran so we can pour the pad,that's all they can do today.
After they left we had lunch and #1 son left to go to a job and g-son and I made a door prize avon delivery and went to Ingles to pick up a few things. We played outside for a while, he rode his tricycle until he got tired from petaling it in the gravel driveway and wanted to go inside.We had a snack and hubbie came home,he played with g-son while I took a rest and watched the news.He says there is something wrong in our breaker box and we can't hook the well pump where we thought we could (nothings ever easy).He is taking tomorrow off to pour the pad and get an electrician to check out the breakers.#1 son came after g-son and we ate supper after they left. I feel better after my rest time and took the dogs for a short walk while hubbie planted some collard and kale seeds so we can have fresh greens this fall.Tonight is the first night I did need a jacket on my walk,it was about 72 today and since the sun went down it has really gotten cool,ahhhhhhh fall is in the air,I can feel it.
I started icing when I got back in the house,I iced 6 more caramel cakes,4 chocolate and 4 coconut cakes and wrapped and boxed some of them.Daughter came in from her last day on her TV job and she looked happy,I think she really likes her new job. She has a volleyball game to coach tomorrow evening.Today's plant is called MORNING GLORY because it produces beautiful ,colorful blooms that last only about 2 hours in the morning and then close into a little bud.The seeds of the morning glory when eaten produce a LSD type high and where greatly used in the 60's by the hippie generation.Retailers now keep a watchful eye on who is buying the seeds in their stores.We have a lot of these on our farm and in the mornings they are so pretty and smell so sweet.The flowers are on a vine that can grow up to 10 feet in length.
It is 12:30,everyone else is snoring ,I am heading that way myself,it is so cool tonight I know I can sleep good.Thank you Lord for another blessed day.Good Night.

GOLDIE, LUCKY, TRI-POD, CHOVIE, RELAXATION TOOLS

1st day of September, a beautiful sunny,cool,fall like day.Well drillers came about 9:15,I left to collect Avon money but that business was closed,grrrrrrrr,not a good start for the day.When I got back home the inspector was leaving and the drillers said everything was done.I called the plumber and he said they would be by later today to make a parts list. I did a load of towels and hung them out in the sunny,breezy weather. Cleaned house all morning and changed the water in my aquariums while I am still on the old well,this will give me time to have the new water tested before I put it on my fish.I have 4 fish....Goldie the gold fish,
Lucky the black molly,Tri-pod the blue beta and Chovie the red beta.D-in-love gave me Goldie,Lucky and Tri-pod and actually Chovie belongs to daughter, but I got tired of walking downstairs to feed it when she wasn't here so I just brought him up and sat him beside Tri-pod,they enjoy staring at each other.I enjoy watching them,it is very relaxing to me.I keep bamboo growing in the tanks to help keep the water clear and they enjoy swimming around it and through it.
#1 son called to see if g-son could stay here today as other g-ma has no water at her house.We had lunch and then he helped me dust,haha,the light touch of dusting escaped him and after picking up 3 things he knocked off I put away the dusters.
Plumbers came and measured for waterline and electric line,said they'd be back in the morning to put the pump in.G-son loves playing in the sand that came out of the well.It's more fun to slide on a sandy slide too.He carefully carried handfuls of sand and poured it on that slide for 20 minutes.He loves the outside and makes his own fun even listening to his echo inside a bucket over his head......Hubbie came home and we came inside and I took 2 Avon orders while he fixed supper.D-in-love came after g-son and I went on a long walk again tonight while hubbie fed animals.I came back in and started my cake layers,I baked 76 layers tonight,holiday weekends are really busy for me.
Today's plant is another poisonous one this is HORSE NETTLE it contains solanine a violently toxic chemical.The berries contain less of this chemical and herb doctors use the fried ripe yellow or orange berries as sedatives and anti-spasmodics. This plant is a member of the nightshade family which includes tomatoes and potatoes and while reading about this poison I discovered that sun greened potatoes have solanine in them and it will not cook out of them so never eat green potatoes!! This is a very sticky plant and the spines leave a stinging pain in everything they touch.
Okay that's about it for tonight,it is after 1 am,all my cakes are out of the ovens and I am headed for a short nights sleep.Thank you Lord for your blessings today and please forgive my shortcomings.Good Night.