Choose Love; Have Peace

I saw it all over Facebook at the start of the year--choose your word for the year! I thought it sounded nice and perhaps I would come up with a one-word motto for the year. It sorta reminded me of college football teams. They select a word, post it on a sign, and then hit that sign as they run out of the tunnel onto the field. It's their inspiration.

My problem was that I couldn't come up with a one word motto for my year.

Not that it mattered because I could definitely proceed along my walk with the Lord without having a one-word slogan. He wasn't going to be too disappointed in me for that one (I give him a list of other things I do that he shakes his head at). I just filed the thought away and didn't put much consideration into it again.

Until one night... I have these horrible dreams sometimes that something has happened to my children or my husband and I have a hard time waking myself from them. I feel myself being so sad and try to talk myself out of these thoughts and dreams but it seems like such a challenge as I lay there in slumber. Perhaps this fear of something happening to your off-spring is just the burden that every mother carries but the bible tells us not to live in fear. This is one thing that I try to remind myself of as these thoughts occur--fear not!

This particular night though as I laid there struggling with my mind I got a new message--choose love. God so gentle whispered it that I could barely hear it in my distraction. I said the words in my head--"choose love." The fear seemed to start to fade. With each repeating of those words, I could feel the love and safety that God brings to me. Choose love.

I think because God is love that when I focus on that, I'm in turn focusing on HIM. I choose love.

And peace, it just seems to follow.

Once I choose love, God provides me peace. 

Psalm 29:11 "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

So I may not have settled on just ONE word and ended up with a few, but I have something that God gave to me that is a pretty darn good motto for this phase of my life. Choose love; have peace.

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

Since that night, when I have those awful thoughts that enter my mind, I repeat to myself "choose love" over and over again until I feel the peace of God. And all is good.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

With love,

Reynie

Chicken Research

I grew up with chickens and one really mean rooster by the name of "Big Red!" He was a fierce old fella. That's the "Red" below...

My grandmother had them around her farm and when I was a little older I remember us having them at an old yellow house we lived at in Moreland. We entered some chickens in the fair one year and I remember getting a blue ribbon. The ducks one ribbones, too.

They always seemed like the playmates for me and my siblings. They would roam around free range--or maybe they just got out of the pen--who knows, but nonetheless they were always our constant companions as children. I remember we had one of those classic blue plastic swimming pools in the summer and the ducks always got in with us to take a swim. I think once they snapped at my little brother, Carson and after that, we let them have their "adults only" swim.

Usually in summer I get lucky enough to obtain a few local chicken eggs which is always a treat to me! The color of the yolk and the fresh taste of a local, fresh chicken egg is like magic. The store bought eggs, even if free range organic, can't compare.

Last year we took on our first family pet, a tough-guy orange and white cat named Mittens. Little terrorist. We love him dearly and he is essential to keeping the mouse population under control at our little farm. I've been able to adjust to having another mouth to feed in addition to my four and six year old kids! I was worried that it might stress me out, but I've had no real stress problems... well, nothing that a nice glass of red wine at the end of the day can't fix. After I felt comfortable with our cat I started to feel more confident that I could add more pets to our palace. That's when the chicken craze started.

I knew spring would be coming and that would be the prime time to start my own flock. I've been researching and reading and chatting and day dreaming about all things chicken!

These are some of my favorite sites that I've found very helpful in my research:

Backyard Chickens
Fresh Eggs Daily
The Chicken Chick

Now, those are the "big timers" when it comes to chickens. There a ton of other bloggers out there that have info on chicken keeping. To track everyone, I started a Pinterest board on chickens. This allows me to keep up with my articles and what I should be reading on.

The best advice though is going to come from the other local farmers. My father-in-law has been a wealth of information for me. Although, he did try to convince me that I need thirty chickens! ha! Love the Big One!

After all the research and the investiagting and praying, I finally have settled on my own little flock that includes 12 chickens and 2 ducks!! Here's a snap shot with more to come!!

With love,

Reynie

Chow-Chow

I think "chow-chow" is a Southern thing, but I may be wrong about that. Wouldn't be the first time. Nonetheless, I love this classic Southern relish. Some times it's sweet, sometimes it's spicy. I like mine with a little of both. The spice up front and the sweet that trails on the back-end. Yum-O!

Once a year I try to make a big batch of chow-chow and then stock it away for when the fresh peas are harvested. Of course, we eat it along the year, but I always keep an eye on how many jars are left to ensure we have some come pea time!

I usually find myself making my chow-chow around late fall into winter. Since the main ingredient is cabbage, I wait till my garden produces enough big, crunchy heads of cabbage to use for the recipe.

I grew up watching my Momma can things--if that woman could harvest it, jam it, relish it.. she was going to put it in a mason jar for future consumption. I was always fascinated by the rows of neatly stacked mason jars with their various colors of food contents. I knew that each one held some sort of treat! But for some reason, I was very intimidated by canning--I had this fear that I was going to give some one Botulism. I'm sure the fear developed from watching some documentary show about bad canning technique.

 

A few years back I got over my fear when I ended up with an over abundance of cabbage in my fall garden. It was just one of those years that Mother Nature sprang everything to life in mass quantities. And since I hate to waste my beautiful garden produce, I looked into cabbage recipes. After many nights of cooked cabbage, cabbage casserole, cabbage soup... you name it, I needed something else to do with it. That's when I came across a chow-chow recipe.

 

I sucked up my fear, broke out my Momma's old canning guide from many moons ago, and went to experimenting. I shredded the cabbage, added salt, and let it soak for a night. The next day, I did as the recipe directed--added tomatoes, onions, peppers of all sorts, and spices galore! When I started cooking it, I could smell the wonderful aromas so I stuck my head over the pot to get a better sniff and about burned my eye balls out with the onion/pepper fumes! Holy-moly!  

I got out my collection of mason jars and washed them in the dish washer... maybe twice just to make sure the bacteria was dead and I wouldn't have botulism stuck in any cracks. I boiled them as directed... maybe longer... you know that entire botulism thing?

The first time I tried adding the hot mixture to the hot jar was comical... and painful. I may have burnt myself once or twice. The next time I did canning I was sure to purchase some neat little gadgets that would help out tremendously in the pouring process. Lesson learned.

After they were canned up, back in the hot water bath they went for a while before coming to their final resting place on the kitchen counter for full cooling. After having a few years of canning under my belt now, I think besides eating the goodness, my favorite part of it is hearing the little jars "pop" as they cool. That little pop of the lid always excites me!

Don't be afraid of the botulism!

With love,

Reynie

Weekend Review

This past weekend was a typical weekend around our house. The highlight was taking the kids to their cousin's birthday party at the bowling center. Have you ever been cosmic bowling? The kids loved it, but I've decided I'm too old and too blind for that stuff. I've got to have lights to see where the ball is going! I can already predict I'll be grumpy when I'm old(er). Regardless, it was a big hit for my young bowlers even if I couldn't see in front of me! And happy birthday cousin, Addy!

Saturday morning, pre-birthday party, we started the day off with a big breakfast. I have fond memories of my Daddy always making these big breakfasts! Makes sense that the man now owns a Huddle House restaurant that serves breakfast 24 X 7. So I guess I came with the big-breakfast gene naturally. This week it was a fixin' of bacon, homemade biscuits, and eggs. We also had a few blueberries--my son's favorite!

After the birthday party extravaganza we stopped at Tractor Supply Co to purchase some items we will need for our new baby chicks (that's another post!). While shopping on chicken supplies my children feel in love with this plush, red barn chicken coop. After explaining that we were not taking the chicken coop home, they settled for the consolation purchase of a new kid-sized rack and shovel. Off to the garden we went to try them out.

This was the end product of our Tractor Supply Co shopping trip... My baby chickens will arrive soon! This Momma bird is prepared! (i think).

While the kids were occupied with digging in the garden, I planted my new raspberry bushes. I think once they get a little size on them, I will transplant them to my "orchard" (my husband laughs when I say "orchard" as all it consists of right now is three blueberry bushes, a half-to-almost-dead grape vine, and a fig tree... but soon enough it will be a big, bountiful collection of fruit trees and bushes that the Garden-of-Eden would be envious of!!). 

And this guy... still making such crisp, green collard leaves! Yep, we ate some of that for dinner on Sunday!

After some hard garden and yard work one deserves some homemade pizza and beer. Well, beer for me and milk for them. You can't tell in the picture below but that pizza had about four different combinations to it. The one thing about making pizza from scratch is that you can jazz it up anyway you want to and hopefully please everyone!

Sunday was a little lazy. It started out raining so we skipped church. I had the ongoing earache issues that I seem to be suffering with this season so I needed some down time and an extra cup of Joe. (note to self: look into the essential oils to try to find something to help my stupid earaches.)

 

After a few cups of coffee I went to work in the kitchen. A few weeks back I had tried to make a batch of rolls for dinner and they failed to rise properly. I ended up using the dough for pretzels which turned out okay knowing what I started with. I had to redeem myself (and my confidence) so I went at it again. This time I opted for bread loaves vs dinner rolls. And it turned out beautiful! Ahhh, the smell of fresh baked bread on a Sunday is so comforting. Good stuff, kids!

 

Sunday afternoon Kimmie and I started work on the kids homework area. I shared how I have a Pinterest board for all my ideas to make this area more efficient. I finally put some of those ideas to work. We made a good run at organizing the craft supplies (and Lord knows there is a magnitude of craft supplies!) but we have many more details to complete. I'll post a after picture once it all comes together.

I'll say though that I love this sort of time with my daughter. It is so rewarding getting to spend time with her working on some sort of project and watching her work through the ideas in her head. I know the time will come too quickly where she doesn't want to spend her Sunday afternoon doing projects with Momma so I try to soak up the goodness while I can!

And this guy kept a watchful eye on me all weekend! My cat loves his kitty window seat so he can observe all things going on in the kitchen. He's a curious fella but at times I feel like he is sitting there thinking, "she ain't doing that right!" Look at his face... You know how cats are... judgmental little beast.

The weekend overall was a nice one and now back to the grind! Blessed to have a grind to go back to though!

Here's wishing you had a nice weekend and great week ahead!

With love,

Reynie

Bread Making

For some time now I've been a little freaked out that the store-bought bread never seems to mold. It can sit in my bread basket for two weeks plus and never grow any penicillin! Weird. That just doesn't seem natural or normal. That has lead me to want to make my own bread. That way, I know what goes in it and that it isn't full of chemicals, bread conditioners, and other no-nos.

I decided to start basic so I used the recipe on the back of the White Lily bread flour bag. Seemed pretty straight forward so here goes...

I've made my family's yeast rolls since I was knee high to my Mom so I'm familiar with working with yeast. The important thing is that it bubbles and gets all yeast-ee like.

The milk and shortening mixture always seems so good to me. It has this comforting type smell that let's you know that something good is coming.

Working with the dough is classified as an aerobic workout. It takes some muscle power to mix this stuff around for the needed time.

I get anxious watching it rise. It looks so pretty and puffy and I know it is going to taste wonderful once it's baked.

And it didn't disappoint!

I was proud of myself for stepping out to try a new bread recipe. I now have a little confidence in the bread making department on hope to start doing more of this. I'll be blog hopping looking for some good recipes but if you have one, please share! 

With Love,

Reynie

Valentines Special Dates

Since my sweet Kimmie was about two years old her Daddy has always taken her out for a special Valentine's dinner. Just the two of them! I think the first year I arranged it for them. I saw an ad for a "Daddy-Daughter Date Night" at Chick-fil-A. They had a special section for the event and had the cow coming for a visit. At the time, that's all it took to get my Kimmie because she loves the playground and the cow. 

But then times changed. She discovered Olive Garden. She loves the bread sticks. I can't disagree with her on it. I mean really, who doesn't love those things? And the salad? Really? Love for real!

So for the last few years Daddy has taken her to the Olive Garden. It's the freakin' cutest thing EVER! 

I try to get her all excited by taking her shopping for a new dress (just a note--you can get cute after Christmas sales on red dresses that work perfect for V-day date night). Then I curl her hair and get her nails done. Daddy gets all dressed up in his best blue jeans and boots (such a cowboy)! He always buys her a corsage. I didn't suggest that--he came up with that on his own! Go Daddy! And this year she made him a special card. She loves him! Her first true love!!

In years past Will and I have chilled at home. We get a take out pizza and would watch some TV. But this year he is old enough that I decided we needed a date night, too. I tried to buy him a fancy shirt but he is his father's son so he refused it for a more simpler red shirt. Go figure.

My two little loves! (no chance of ever getting them to both look at the camera at the same time!). And note that Will refused to take off his "play" jeans for his fancy jeans, but I figured it was his date night so why argue. A cowboy in the making!

I think my favorite part with little man was when I asked him what he wanted me to wear--a pretty dress or jeans?? He was matter-of-fact with "jeans!" And then he kept it really simple by choice of restaurant--"Sharpsburg Takeout" (a local favorite!) for a hamburger! Gotta love a simple man!

Daddy went all out this year with his corsage for Kimmie. Sometimes I have to try to rain Daddy back in because when it comes to his baby girl, only the best will do! Lord, help him! So her flowers were hot pink with some sort of glitter and sparkly things on them... please say a prayer for me because I know this will only get worse... chu-ching!!

Off they went and off my little man and I went! We made it back home way before they did. We made some homemade pies in the wood burning stove (another post, another time on that one!). And then snuggled in Momma's bed for some TV time. I know I only have a limited amount of snuggles left from this little boy so I truly appreciate them all.

Love these kids to pieces!!

1 Samuel 1:27-28 "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:"

 

What a great time all around! The special time little man and I had together was priceless and I know Kimmie loved her time with Daddy. If you could see her smile as she climbed up in his truck... truly priceless!

Daddy and I celebrated this past weekend together with steak, lobster, and the rest ain't your business! (wink, wink). Grandmommy kept the kids on Friday night so we could have a great Valentine's celebration together (see my instagram for the photo opps!). Can I just say that Grandommy is a Saint??

Remember God's love on this special day!

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-15

With Love,

Reynie

Lent: I give up!

Today is Ash Wednesday--the first day of Lent. I was raised a Methodist and I grew up attending a Wednesday night service on Ash Wednesday where ashes were placed on our foreheads. I had always heard the preacher talk about "lent," but I never really knew how that all came together. It seemed like religious talk to me and lots of rituals that were a little foreign.

When I got to college I had a Catholic friend who was always trying to "give something up for Lent." But again, it just never clicked for me.

In my twenties is when I started to discover what religion meant to me but what I ended up finding was a relationship with God--in three distinct ways: a loving father, a son of flesh, and the guiding holy spirit. Once I figured out how God in three forms related to my life only then could I be open to a relationship.

Our relationship formed and has grown stronger over the years. I lean on our bond daily and I find that I want to know more of God all the time. As a side effect of my need for knowledge, I've done a lot of research and education on religion and how God as we know Him came to be today. It's interesting stuff!

Through this, I have settled comfortably in my Methodist doctrine and feel it matches my thoughts and relationship the best--not always but mostly. Yet there are still practices from other religions that I observe and borrow as I find they add to my relationship, worship, and understanding of God. One of those practices is Lent.

Now, some Methodist would say that "giving up" for Lent is absolutely positively part of our doctrine but I've found that in visiting multiple Methodist churches over the years that most of the churches in the south don't necessarily "wide-spread" observe it the same as our Catholic friends (note that I'm not a certified clergy but just someone speaking on their own observations). So, nonetheless, I borrow this custom of "giving something up" and add it to my lent period.

The giving up started with wine one year... that didn't last long. Then one year it was cursing (Lord, help me as I know I have the mouth of a sailor!) and it only took the first rush-hour before I failed that one. Then one year it was giving up Facebook. I think I was secretly satisfied to do that and finally achieved one for forty days! But since those trial years I've learned more for what it means for ME to give.

I think what God wants most of me is my time and for me to have peace. Like any parent of a child. He wants me to give up the strife I go through and settle in Him for a few minutes a day so that I can afford to give myself that peace that He promises me. He wants me to be still and know that He is God! That he is in control! That all I have to do is fear not!

Joel 2:12-13: “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

It may seem like something I should do every day no matter if it is Lent or not, but I find it so challenging with all the "important stuff" going on in my life. I'm busy from sun-up to sun-down and constantly moving on to the next thing in my life once I've checked something off my to-do list. I hardly ever find peaceful moments on a consistent day-to-day basis. And Lent forces me to bring that exercise back into my life. Bring peace back into my life.

1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,..."

Hopefully after the forty days is over it will have become a routine again. Something I long for daily. And if I can continue it--continue to take five minutes a day to be in relationship with God without asking Him for something--just being in His presence then life will be better. I'll be a better person. A better wife. A better mother. He will live with me and I'll have no choice but to be better.

Daniel 9:3 "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."

So my challenge is that over the next forty days I am to take time to be with Him in peace. I pray Lord that you are there when I show up, but I already know you will be.

I wish you time and peace during this lent season as well.

Peace be with you...

With Love,
Reynie

Biscuits: A Saturday Morning Favorite

I love me a nice warm biscuit on a Saturday morning! I like to watch the butter slowly melt on it and then dribbling some honey on top of it. I really like it when the honey and butter mixture run down my fingers and I have to quickly lick it off before it falls to a mess. Pair it with a cup of hot coffee and I'm so satisfied.

I sometimes want to be lazy and just pop open one of those already prepared cans of biscuits. You know the one that is supposed to be easy to open but half the time you end up beating the can to death on the counter top before it magically "pops" out the biscuits. Yep, those. They are easy to make and taste fairly good, but for someone who made a resolution to start making my own bread, this is not a good option. And really, the ones you make from scratch--no comparison!

This past weekend I got out my favorite cookbook and referenced the baking soda biscuit recipe while sipping my first cup of hot coffee.

And as I was finishing up mixing the ingredients, and of course on cue, my daughter comes in to help. I love her in the kitchen with me. Even when she wants to ask a hundred questions before I've finished my first cup of joe. She is too young yet to understand the concept of "not a morning person" and "coffee before talking." I'm trying to help her know about these things...

She cut the biscuits out and placed them on the cooking sheet. She even buttered the tops with the melted butter.

And when they came out of the oven, she helped me eat them. Such a good little helper!

I'm slowly adding new bread making experiences to my recipe box and hopefully my family will benefit from the goodness of it. Food made with love!

With Love,

Reynie