The Joyce of Living

As most of my farming friends can agree, now is the time to begin prepping for all the Spring things.  I feel that we may be a few weeks behind, but I'm trying not to let that hinder my nerves.  The rain has made prepping the garden beds impossible.  Today, we had a break in the rain, allowing us to make the critters beds and coops dry and comfortable.  I hate doing strenuous work on Sundays.  What is supposed to be our day of rest, has ended up being when we have time to actually get things done.  After church today, I went straight to the hay round and began the scratchy task of taking out old hay and replacing it with new.  Animals have a way of telling you that they aren't exactly pleased with their current living quarters.  Our egg production has been low and the rabbits haven't exactly been hopping for joy. Today, that changed.  Sunshine has a way of making things better.  My outlook changed from having the lazee blahs to the oos...

I think I am right there with most of the population wanting so much, yet knowing that it can't just be picked out of thin air.  I have to constantly remind myself that there is no need in trying to hurry a process that I have no control of anyway.  I saw a quote the other day that said, "Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."  I pray that the Lord would give me the ability to just be patient, and wait on Him to move the mountains that seem so big. In other news, we are getting soaked over here.  So much rain has fallen this winter, completely obliterating any hope of a substantial winter.  I believe I saw earlier in the month that this has been the wettest season on record, and I absolutely believe that.  Mucks and my Totes rain jacket have been my best friends, keeping me as dry as they can.  I have nearly lost my boots, more than once because the mud wants to suck me into its nasty murky jowls.  This week, w...

This year, Andrew and I took on a huge endeavor of tripling our garden compared to last summer.  We've had an abundance of cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.  However, our beans were lacking sufficiently to the point that I was about to purchase fresh green beans elsewhere.  I mean, I only had four jars left in my cupboards from last year's harvest.  I needed my beans!  I would look at posts on Facebook of friend's abundant bean harvest, and I'll be honest, I felt completely defeated.  We purposely planted two huge rows to ensure that we would have beans coming out of our ears.  And here we were, at the end of July, with no beans.  About a week ago we were in the garden, picking tomatoes, deciding if it was time to rip up some of our crops that were on their way out, and plotting on other crop endeavors.  Andrew decided to take a look at the beans, and low and behold we had beans.  Our bean bushes were not even worthy to be ca...

I finished another three books this week.  Enjoy the reviews below! # 7. The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston      This book introduces Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, a 384 year old witch.  Throughout the centuries, she has been terrorized by a man that she was once infatuated with.  Elizabeth, firstly known as Bess, once lived in a quaint little home with her mother, father, and two younger siblings.  When the plague hits their small village, the family is ripped apart with the sickness taking the lives of Bess' two siblings and father.  When she becomes ill herself, Bess' mother takes it upon herself to sell her soul to the devil so her only remaining child might be spared.  She becomes a witch who is caught and tried for her affiliation.  At her mother's demise, Bess is instructed to go to Gideon, for he will know what to do in order for her to survive. Brackston tells the story of Bess and how she had to change her name and her ...

This is the second post I've blogged in regards to the books I have read thus far in 2018.  This edition includes: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman    #4.   A Wrinkle in Time is a wonderful book that intertwines modern science with good moral values when encountered by dark disturbing forces.  Appropriate for all ages, I found this tale to be utterly fascinating!  From the get-go, I was drawn into the message that L'Engle was stating.  The position a brother and sister is in will break your heart.  Their father, who works for the government, (top secret stuff) has gone missing.  Their mother is positive he will come back and be completely unscathed.  However, her children can read the worried expression on her face.  Sometimes in a fit of helplessness, children have to take matters into their own hands.  They do just that with the h...

The simple ways of life - getting your hands dirty - growing your own food - feeding the animals that will sustain you in return - a simple sunset - loving and hugging those family members that mean so much to you.... Over the past several months, I have been able to take a step back and evaluate what is truly important. My life once consisted of filling up an agenda and being at every social function imaginable.  I had this assumption that to live was to go, go, go.  However, in twelve months my life has completely changed, for the better. Nowadays, I have slowed down, and am enjoying taking care of myself and those that mean the most to me.  I have learned that living a life where there is something to live for is so much more important than trying to be seen by others, just to be seen.  I want to be as independent as possible.  And Andrew is helping me get there.  We have agreed that simple living is the best living.  Growing food and doin...

     I have always found great comfort in a blanket. If you see me at my house I am usually cuddled up under a throw. I am the person that grabs the afghan off the couch when visiting friends and family. I have crocheted several afghans over the years and I love the heaviness that they bring over my sometimes cold and tired body.      I also love a blanket of snow. I prepared for the winter storm that we were threatened so I wouldn’t have to go far from my home. I have so enjoyed the past few days of enjoying the sweet comforts of life - a wonderful boyfriend, good food, and sweet nothingness. Our world was covered in a blanket of white. I believe sometimes we need these coverings because our bodies are tired and they need rest. If you’re like me, rest comes easy when you’re in a warm home while everything on the outside is bitter cold. I have been able to catch up on some much needed sleep.     Blankets . They wrap you up and give the...