Sunday Blessings

This post will not be long.....Just want to say how blessed we are.  Doug and I got to got to  church this morning! WOW is all I can say.  It was wonderful seeing all of our church family and feeling the awesome power of our Sweet Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I don't want to ever not give Him praise for His miracle working power and healing that has taken place in Doug's life.

One more sweet blessing.  In the photos below a sweet mama bird has chosen my fern to call home and raise her young. How special am I?!

Dog Days of Summer

I haven't been able to post daily due to the fact that Doug still needs my care.  He is getting more independent each day and for that I am thankful, not for me, but for him.  His therapy is coming along nicely.  The OT told us Wednesday that he has made tremendous progress in a week!  WooHoo! We give all the praise to the Good Lord for the healing that is taking place.

In the middle of this, I have gotten to do a little canning and freezing.  Today I froze 3 quarts of tomatoes. Wednesday I put up 8 1/2 pints of Chow Chow.  I hope it taste as good as it looks.

The Dog Days of Summer are here....I looked out the other day and the neighborhood dog was on top of our picnic table taking a nap. I guess that was the coolest place he could find.

  

It's a hard life, but someone has to do it.  It is hot when you have to nap on the picnic table. :)

Dehydration

I have tomatoes that are absolutely gorgeous.  We have had them every way imaginable and are still loving them.  I was planning on canning tomatoes, salsa, spaghetti sauce and whatever else I could find to do with tomatoes, but those plans have been changed.  Since Doug's accident, we have been able to share tomatoes with family and friends and still enjoy them ourselves.  I didn't know what I could do with the extras!  Doug was watching pictures on the computer the other day and said...why don't you dehydrate them like you have in the past.  So, today I have a full dehydrator going and they will be so good this winter.  Thankful for a helpful husband.

Hot Air

Of all times for our air conditioner to go out....Yes it did...I went out Sunday morning sometime.
I called our heating/air man and he came out today.  They said they would come out yesterday, but it wasn't so bad that we couldn't stand it.  We opened all the windows and doors and turned the fans on us.
Carl came today and a part that starts the compressor exploded.  He replaced the part and has us up and running again.  He blessed us and I know that God will in turn bless him.  So thankful that God smiled on us and gave us a cool day in July!

Doug is coming along and will have therapy tomorrow.  I know that God has this and he will be continuing to gain strength every day.

I picked tomatoes, jalapenos, and banana peppers today.  The tomatoes are so good.  Giving most of the veggies to friends that have been so helpful.  I don't feel that I can neglect Doug and can so next year maybe.

Life Turned Upside Down

I haven't posted in quite a few days. ...

Doug and I chaperoned a group of kids to church camp on June 27th.  I didn't take my computer with be so I could focus the kids and spending time with them.  We enjoyed camp and kids were among the best kids I have ever met in my life.

On Thursday morning, I knocked on Doug's cabin door to wake him for breakfast.  I heard someone fall and thought one of the kids had tripped over something and fell into the door.  I hollered, but no one answered me.  Finally, one of the boys cracked the door and told me that Doug had fell out of the top bunk and landed on his head.  He went from full mobility to total paralysis in less than 10 seconds.  We got medical help and he went to Osage Beach Hospital by ambulance.  Then they took him by med flight to Springfield, MO Mercy Hospital.  He was there for six days.
He received excellent care and is now home and receiving therapy.

It has been a roller coaster of emotions for both him and me.  Mostly him.  This has been one of those life changing events that happens and I know that God has everything under control.

I have not posted details on here because it takes time.  I have to be ever mindful that he needs me at the drop of a hat.  I will share more of God's goodness in days to come.

We are thanking God for the miracle that we have been blessed with.

Sweet Southern Sun Tea

As the days of the summer roll and I am trying to quench my thirst,  I think of how can this be done.

 My mind reminisces to the days when I was a kid playing outside in the heat because the house wasn't any cooler.  Really outside was probably cooler than the house.  With three brothers to go on adventures with, who would want to stay inside.  But there always came a time when drinking from the water hose was just not what you wanted.  My mom would make Sun Tea and sweeten it Southern style.  Oh, boy was it ever good....yes cool sweet liquid sliding down my parched throat was just what the body needed.

So the other day I remembered Sun Tea and bought me a half gallon of pickles from Atwoods.  We  finally ate all the pickles and I washed the jar out with warm soapy water to get all the pickle smell out of it. The next morning, I woke up early and put water and two family sized tea bags in it.  That afternoon, I brought the warm jug of tea in and sweetened it, put it in the refrigerator to let it cool.

Yes, Sweet Southern Sun Tea is in my glass as I'm writing.  Just like I remembered!

Dog Days of Summer

I believe the the dog days of summer are here!  The heat is intense on the homestead.  We have started watering the East Garden because the hubby is determined to have those luscious tomatoes we have waited for so long. We have plenty on the vines, they just need a little more time to ripen.  Our corn is coming along nicely and I can't wait to sink my teeth into the sweet sugary taste as it pops into my mouth....am I hungry or what?

I have tried to fix summer dinners that will appeal to the taste buds even though we have been outside working all day.  Last night I made Iron Skillet Hamburger steak with steamed yellow squash and fresh sliced tomatoes.

I am working at the farmer's market to sell the excess that I have.  The market has several hard working farmers that show up on Saturday to sell their goods. I love visiting with people of the community and being able to provide homegrown vegetables that they can afford.

I have put up 25 pints of various pickles.  I am waiting on the okra so I can pickle some of it. I will also be canning tomatoes, peppers, spaghetti sauce, salsa and anything else I can come up with.

I made two loaves of bread today so we would have fresh bread.  It always seems to be fresh when I bake bread because it never last long enough to get stale.  I sliced it and we had grilled cheese for lunch on it. YUM

Aren't these two the cutest!