Alabama

Hubby and I travelled to Alabama over the weekend for the wedding of a dear cousin and his lovely bride.  We met a lot of terrific people whose company we enjoyed all weekend.  The food at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception was exceptional.  The bride and groom entertained through all the festivities and still managed time for each other.  A lot of good memories were established by this unique pair.  Their love for each other, their God, their family and their friends was expressed throughout the rehearsal, wedding and reception.  I came home feeling blessed to have witnessed the occasion.

Mother's Day was bittersweet as I was not with either of my children as hubby and I travelled home.  Spoke with both though and I know as they know they are very much loved and have given me great joy.  I feel blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and daughter-in-law.  They are both good mothers, wives and daughters.  The same applies to my son and son-in-law.  I know I have the love of my family and I can think of no greater gift on Mother's day. 

I received a most delightful tub of Impatiens from my youngest granddaughters.  Impatiens is my most favorite summer flowers.  Also known as jewel leaf, this is one of my favorite herbs as it has both aesthetic and medicinal value.  Whether the girls realized the double value of their gift is doubtful, but that tub sure made me smile!

Before I close this little note I feel the need to ask for prayers for the people of Alabama.  The tornado damage is very widespread in this state as we witnessed through our drive through central and north Alabama.  I have been told that the southern parts of the state were damaged much worse than the areas I saw.  An insurance adjuster I spoke with during my stay said the damage was more like the results of a hurricane.  Recovery is still on going and many people are still homeless and doing without. 

Until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

I thoroughly enjoyed my "Girlfriends in God" devotional this morning.  It sent me to my Bible to read the last chapter.  It reinforces all the promises of God and yes, it tells us everything ends as God has promised. If you get a chance today, visit "Girlfriends In God".

Big yard sale this weekend with goodies from multiple households.  Hope people find the treasures among what we consider our junk.  I am a pack rat and so are some of the participants of our sale, so there is no telling what you will turn up that you can't live without.  I really enjoy "yard sales".  I get to visit with neighbors who are too busy with their own lives to visit and I always meet new friends.  It will be cold this weekend so the coffee will be flowing.

It seems to get further and further between visits of my daughter and her family.  I get needy after a few weeks and sometimes my heart pines to touch my grandchildren.  They still have that great child smell when you hug them and your chin hits the top of their heads.  Their little arms - some getting longer- wrap around your waist and squeeze - it is the best feeling in the world.

I am once again getting in the sewing mood, so I hope to be turning out "something to die for" in the next few weeks.  Hopefully I will get creative between now and then.  Daughter has already gotten her customized Christmas stockings going and has received several orders.  The year has flown by and it is closing on the end of another year.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I am so excited to see all the family once again.  As time passes we seem to move hither and yon and don't stay in touch as we go about our business.  Nephew is gracing us with some new recipes again this year and I am delighted to test his creations.  There is so much to be thankful for this year.  It has had its ups and downs, but as in the Bible, everything turned out okay.  

Feeding a bunch of bikers a pot of chili for dinner, so I must get to it.  Until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle 

My Writings

As many of you know I have been writing children's stories for over a year now. No, they are not published!  I keep editing and rewriting and then editing some more.  The once upon a time stand alone stories are now a chapter book.  My sister, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and my friends have read and re-read the stories and always come back with something that needs fixing.  I am so glad!  I hate to look like a dummy to those to who I submit my stories and I sure don't want any more rejection letters.  I have found three or four agents that handle stories focusing on the "down home on the farm" stories that promote good moral decisions.

I may be pumping myself up, but the rejections I have received so far on the stand alone stories advise me it is not their type of story or genre.  I have yet to be told I can't write or my story line is horrible, so picking myself up, I go back to the blank sheet and write some more.  The most difficult thing I have found is to keep the verbiage on the grade level for which I am writing.  It is easier to accomplish if I stay on the story than when I take a break and then come back.  The story line doesn't change, I just have to re-acclimate my mind to writing at the proper level.

My problem is there are still a bunch of stories floating around in my mind following the same line as the eight or ten I have already written and I don't know how to cut off what is finished.  Do I need to start a new book or let it go with what I have?  It seems kind of ridiculous to start a new book when I don't have the other one published, but I have been told to keep on writing.  Edit the old and start something new.  So, there you have it - I am following the professional advice of these successful people and I just keep on keeping on!

Regardless of the outcome of this writing project of mine, it has been most rewarding and lot's of fun.  There are some excerpts of my Belles Farm stories on my website (click on the link at the top of my blog) and some stories that I really need to go back and expound upon and edit.  Some days I just start writing without thought to where I am going, so there are a few stories that need some polish. 

A busy day ahead so I must run, but thanks for dropping by.  Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Kids Are Coming!

My quarterly visit from my grandchildren from the north is happening this coming week!  This is really a joke as I do get to see them about every 3-4 weeks, but it just seems like it is only 4 times a year! 

My Boy Scout grandson and my clogging granddaughter seem to grow at least 3  or 4 inches between each visit.  Growing up and will soon beg not to have to go to Nanna's.  Thank you Jesus for a loving and caring daughter that drags them south to make sure Nanna and PawPaw are okay!  My children are the most wonderful children in the world and I am blessed that they are both good providers and loving parents. 

I am almost done with my major chores so my time can be spent visiting with them and storing up until the next visit. 

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the day of Thanksgiving for the Mother's of this world.  For me it is a day of Thanksgiving for my children and grandchildren.  The times of getting up in the middle of the night, getting through the terrible twos, the sometimes terrific threes, the sickness, the injuries, the stubbornness, all the trials and tribulations of childhood are forgotten by the smiles on the faces of just one accomplishment.  The minutes, hours, and days of happiness and joy brought about by a child are irreplaceable.

I am proud of the people that my children have become in spite of my inexperience.  My children have provided me with the greatest gift I could ever receive and that is my grandchildren.  To my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, thank you for being the parents that you are and instilling in my grandchildren the joy of living and the love of God.

I thank you!

To the rest of you Mother's and Grandmother's out there I hope you have a peaceful, joy filled day.  Some of you have children and grandchildren serving our country on foreign lands and will not be seeing them this year on this special day.  My prayer for you and them is for a safe and happy day.   May they return to you unharmed with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts. 





Happy Reading!
Belle 

Thank You, Preacher Mac!

I sat in the same pew I did 50 years ago and the memories came flooding back.  With Johnny, Gwen, Billy, Barbara, Donald, Dennis, Dean and the rest easily slouched down in the pew behind.  Janice, Diane, Mary Ann and I would peek over the top to watch them as the good old gospel songs were sung and we all waited for Preacher Mac to call his "Syrup Soppers" to the front to listen to our special Bible story and sing our special songs.  There was not a child in that church that did not know that Jesus loved every one of us and we were His.   He made his children a part of the church, keeping the families worshipping together. 

Preacher Mac didn't wait to teach us, but he grasp our little minds early with love and caring and showed us that we belonged to Jesus.   We were left with no doubt that Jesus had claimed us, would protect us, and guide us through life.  We felt the security of Jesus' love. 

Through Preacher Mac's stories we learned the Bible from front to back, from God's great creations to his son returning to gather us all up unto the heavens at the end of time.  We were taught not only the words of the Bible, but how it applies to our lives today.  He taught us fear out of reverance and the joy found in living our lives for Christ Jesus. 

Preacher Mac was a special man.  He could reprimand from the pulpit without offending, yet each and every offender knew he was being admonished, leavingmany wondering how did he find out about that.  He had a Bible verse for every occurrance and didn't just share the verse, but  could explain exactly how it applied to each of us and our situations.  He knew his people and he knew his Bible.

Our little church flourished under his ministry.  No one missed church on Sunday and if we did Preacher Mac would visit or call before services on Sunday night.  During his ministry we had more "dinners on the ground" than any other time, because everyone wanted to eat with the preacher. 

Preacher Mac taught us to give thanks when God'a sun comes up in the morning giving us another day to His moon rising at night signaling the time for rest from our labors.  God created it all for our benefit and enjoyment that we might glorify Him.  Preacher Mac belived and taught that we should pray continually asking God to guide our thoughts, steps and actions.  If it would not be pleasing to God, leave it alone.

There are many scholarly pastors in the world, but few great teachers.  Preacher Mac was touched by God and it was evident in the way he lived his life and preached the Gospel.  I thank God for sending him to our little Church and enriching all the lives of those that had the honor of knowing him.  This little "Syrup Sopper" remembers.

Diary of Hatching an Egg

As I related before my ever inspiring and adventurous husband purchased 10 dozen eggs at our local livestock auction.  After much research he gathered the parts for an incubator (thermometer, thermostat, water container, egg racks - we had all these items on hand) and proceded to put one together.  The trickiest part was keeping the temperature between 99 and 100 degrees.  The incubation process will not start until the 99 degree temp is achieved and held for several hours.  However, much over 100 degrees will fry the eggs and burn the embryo neither of which was our desire.  We want baby chicks!

After monitoring the temperature in our incubator for 24 hours, we felt we were safe in adding the eggs.  During the loading process, a egg carton tumbled to the floor and we lost 5 eggs, oops!, but that is just the first accident in this process.  We were able to load 7 dozen eggs in our incubator and felt we were on our way.  At 50 cent a dozen, hubby and I feel this is an inexpensive trial run and if we get baby chicks, so much the better.  On Monday, one egg crack during the turning process.  Tuesday produced the same problem.  If it continues, we will have to investigate further, but soft shell eggs are more difficult to hatch.  Soft shells is the result of the lack of nutrients in the laying hen.  Now in Day 4, we are anxious to see if we have learned anything in this process and if successful to celebrate the little hatchlings.

When a setting hen sits on her eggs, she turns them with her feet several times each day.  If the eggs are not turned, the clear fluid (known as the egg white) will adher to the inside of the shell and the embryo will not develop properly resulting in physical deformity.  Nutrients are contained in the egg white to nourish the little chicken embryo until it is developed and ready to hatch.   So, we started the process and turn the eggs at least 3 times a day.  It takes only 15 to 20 minutes.  The hatching process will take about 20 days depending on  - well a lot of things!  I think I am getting into this process of egg hatching. 

None of our hens will sit on the eggs we put in the nest.  I know there could be several reasons, but maybe I just don't have a brooder.  I wish for a broody hen right now. 

Meanwhile, the new baby chicks are hungry little buggers and are taking in three bowls of food per day.  I guess they are making up for the time lost living on egg whites.  They are all over my hands as I fill their bowl and devour the food like they are being starved!  Black with some light feathering of down on the throat to their front legs, they are beautiful.  They are growing rapidly and in a few weeks we will get them ready to go in with the other hens.  They are confined for now in a nice roomy pen safe and sound, except when the grandchildren come for a look.  At this stage they are not allowed to handle them, both are too young to understand the need for restraint or the power of their little hands.

I was sad to see that one of the Metro Atlanta cities banned pet chickens from their city limits.  Chickens are not noisy, make great pets, and teach children responsibility among other things.  There was much discussion on the fecal matter causing an unpleasant odor, but unless you have a lot of chickens, there is no odor.  I am afraid for those who perfer the smell of vehicle exhaust and smog over the natural odor of people and animals. 

The baby chicks are waiting on me and I have chores to tend to.  Sound like a farmer again, don't I?  Thanks for dropping in and come back soon as the Diary of Hatching an Egg continues.

Happy reading!
Belle

Reflections

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." 
Exodus 20:12  NIV

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor you father and mother" --which is the first commandment with a promise -- "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.""
Ephesians 6:1-4  NIV

"In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. " For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the Church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
Ephesians 5:28-33  NIV

When do we stop being children?  What is the point in our lives when we stop obeying our parents and make our own decisions for our life?  Is it at the point of marriage?  There is no where is the Bible that says you are no longer a child at 18 or 21.

Some parents don't know when to let go - to let their children lead their own lives and be responsible for their own decisions and actions.  Some children don't know when to quit depending on their parents, after all it is much easier to let someone else take care of you than it is to to take care of yourself.

As children, we rant and rail against parental control, yet when we reach adulthood we find that life is not so easy.  Many would rather let their parents make the decisions.  In the same vein, some parents are afraid of being alone so they make their children dependent on them thereby inhibiting their child's emotional and psychological growth. 

What happens when the parents are gone?  A dependent child, unable to make decisions on their own, will flounder, be confused and may not seem to grieve for their lost parent.  They will search for someone else to be their caretaker, to help them make decisions.  An independent child will feel grief for their lost, but will continue with little interruption in their day to day living. 

Some parents try to control their children so much that when adulthood is reached, the child escapes to get away from their parents.  Some move away, some cut off all contact with their parents.  Others are so afraid of making a mistake they stay under their parent's control where they feel safe. 

A man gets married and establishes a home for he and his wife.  He is intelligent, well adjusted, works hard and provides well for his family.  Over the years drastic changes occur in his parent's lives.  They become confused and start to flounder.  They become emotionally dependent on their son. This emotional dependency rapidly progresses to a desire to be the "child's" parent and exercise parental control once again.  This well established, self sufficient man balks at the interference in his life.  To stop the interference and control the man shuns his parents and severs all ties leaving him feeling bereft and angry and his parents frustrated and angry.

A woman raised in a harsh disciplinary home gets married and moves away.  This woman was well prepared for the world as she had taken care of her parent's household and learned to be independent.  She and her husband establish their own home and began their family.   As the years past, her parent's retire and as time passes they lose their contacts and failed to remain active.  They turned their focus on their daughter's life again trying to exercise parental control.  The unwelcome intrusion into this woman's life causes many rifts and heartaches.  She now limits her contact with her parents. 

A man raised in an unstable household, gets married and moves not far from his parents.  He works hard every day and builds a family.  However, he continues to go to his father and mother for support and help in his decision making.  When his family falls apart he returns to the home of his father. As time passes, he loses both parents and is left alone.  He does not know which direction to go and searches to find help from others.

My earlier post addressed the question of what makes a good parent.  We take what we think is the best part of how we were raised and apply it to the raising of our children.  Our children will hopefully do the same.  As children we turn to our parents for guidance, security, and support. 

Adult children can still find comfort and security in a relationship with their parents, but you must set guidelines for yourself (you cannot control your parents actions) and stick with those guidelines.  It starts with viewing your parents as individuals, not as your parents - if you are close to your parents, then view them as a close friend.  But remember, they are people with their own interests, habits, customs, lifestyle.  You do not always agree with choices your friends make, why would you expect to always agree to the choices your parents make?  Unless you are financially dependent on your parents, do not discuss your financial situation with them - if they probe, tell them it is none of their business.  It may hurt their feelings at first, but it will stop a lot of frustration and anger on your part and most people don't discuss finances with their friends. 

Find a common ground between you and your parents.  Always try to be positive.  If you don't want to be ridiculed, don't ridicule your parents - believe me, parents are fully aware of the mistakes they have made. Don't bring up unpleasant incidences from the past.  I have many bad memories of my childhood, but they are my memories - no one else remembers in the same way or with the same feelings I have.  Don't bring your siblings into the mix.  Your parents relationship with your siblings are their business.  Don't judge - God will take care of that.  Don't allow your parents to pull out the guilt trip bag.  The past is over, it can't be undone.  What you did when you were 16 should have been handled at the time.  Too late now to relive or judge what should or should not have been done.  Gifts are gifts.  I have heard so many times "you forget I gave you" or "after all I have done for you" - it doesn't matter!  If it was not given freely and with a loving heart, it wasn't a gift at all and if it is something that can be returned - do so! Reminders of things given is another venue of manipulation and has no place in a parent child relationship and certainly not in a friendship.

If you have to say you are sorry - do so with meaning - know why you are sorry.  Explain yourself with kindness.  My parents are now old (I hope they don't read this) and old people can be mean, hateful, and spiteful.  It is okay, you don't know what these people we call parents are carrying on their hearts.  It could be regret, loneliness, defeat, loss, or just confusion.  I see so much hate and bitterness in this world.  Be nice! 

Now I am going to repeat myself - children do not come with instructions.  BUT, the Bible is the best instruction book I have found for living life and that includes raising children.  When things get rough there are a multitude of scriptures to ease our hearts and minds. 

Thank you for dropping by!

Happy reading!
Belle

Projects

I am starting some new sewing projects and plan to open an Etsy shop in the near future. I have some unique items in development and would love some feedback when they are posted.

The ties that I have made have been confiscated by Hubby. I guess I will have to get outlandish before he will leave them alone; his interest and praise is a huge boost to my confidence.

The time is now for summer planning and I have several items chasing around in my mind. If summer is as warm as winter has been cold, the styles will have to be cool and comfortable. I have definitely not presented much style this winter as I seem to have lived in my sweats, but I have stayed warm and cozy.

The grandchildren have also provided many ideas. They have even picked the material for their requested projects. It is surprising what little ones can envision when all they see is a piece of material.

I am off to my sewing. Thanks for dropping in - I look forward to your visits.

Happy reading!

Belle

Contentment

What a wonderful Christmas season! Get togethers are so much fun when egos are left at home. For our family the focus was on the little ones and they really put on a show! Each of the children were not only excited by their own gifts, they were excited for their brothers, sisters, and cousins. They laughed, shared, and played - gleeful as wished for and each brought a smile to our faces.

We are a female dominate family with five girls and four boys, but on Christmas Eve there were four girls and one boy and he quickly learned he was definitely outnumbered. However, with the grace and charm of a true gentleman, he fell right in with the girls, depending on Dad and uncles when he needed support.

Mom and Dad did not get too tired but were more than ready for us to clear out and give them their quiet. Dad got a real laugh over the suspenders that Mom gave him and there was a gleam in his eye when he opened box after box of his favorite candy - peanut brittle. Mom seemed a little confused as her gift pile mounted, but did so with a smile on her face. My Mother has always been the big giver in the family and a much appreciated one at that. This year with her limited mobility and lack of stamina, she assured that all had a gift, but could not manage to shop as diligently as she once could. Ah-h-h! The benefits of getting older. I am not a shopper!

The older boys were told they had to get under the piano to open their presents as through the years, that is where they would hide, knowing that Mom had purchased them all underwear and socks. Getting under the piano to open a present has become a favorite joke that the little ones still don't understand.

As the little ones got tired and fussy still thinking of Santa to come, as the big ones dreamed of pajamas and bed, we all quietly slipped away so Nanny and Pa could rest. I am so blessed to have such a loving and compassionate family. God has blessed us with his love and given us the joy of living along with the contentment gained from both.

As we look forward to the coming year, I wish for peace, joy and contentment for everyone. May God bless each heart with forgiveness, understanding, and compassion for our fellow man.

Happy reading!

Belle

Merry Christmas!

Christmas arrived quickly for me this year and I know it will be gone just as fast. I wish for each and everyone of you a joyful and safe Christmas.

Our Christmas tradition of visiting with my parents on Christmas eve will prevail once again. My parents are much older now and the revelry of so many children, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren put them on edge after a short time, but we want and need to spend those joyful moments with them. We don't linger as we once would for fear of tiring them out, but they have given up their tradition of visiting all the little ones on Christmas morn so on Christmas eve we celebrate with the people that started this group called our family.

We will eat too much, as always. Our hearts will be full from the twinkling of those innocent eyes and the wonder expressed with each package they receive. Oh! How I wish for the innocence of a child.

I miss my daughter and my oldest grandchildren terribly, but look forward to seeing them after the first of the year.

Thank you for allowing me to share a small portion of my thoughts and my life over the past few months. It has been an enjoyable year of discovery and peace in my journey to rediscover myself.

Again, I wish for you a safe and Merry Christmas!

Happy reading!

Belle

My Girls

A sleep over with 3 girls of different ages - I could not imagine. My children had sleepovers which consisted of music playing all night, prank phone calls, science experiments conducted on the living room floor, consumption of more food than I could cook and sleeping till noon the next day.

I had the first ever sleep over for my grand daughters on Saturday - one of the quieter visits I can remember. They had a beautiful dress up session with a wedding dress, a prom dress, and a bridesmaid's dress. Each took turns with no rushing or arguing. They are all so wonderful! The three are so different in their looks, actions, and reactions, yet so alike in their love for each other and their choices of play. I can picture them now in their own prom dresses, but am not quite ready for the wedding dresses. At three, four and a half and seven, I think they have a little while to go and I can let them grow a bit before the wedding dress age.

The three year old is so solemn and serious, but a wonderful athlete. Beautiful eyes watching every move as she goes her own way, ignoring her cousins until they invade her space or intentionally leave her out. The four and a half with her petite self, quick as a sprite and so full of energy. Never still, always singing or dancing - she will be my vocalist or actress. The seven year old tall, graceful, and elegant with searching brown eyes reflecting much love and caring, yet shy on approach will probably be a designer.

They were early to bed and early up, which really surprised me. We had a good breakfast and everyone started on their separate ventures for the day. I want to do it again. They were wonderful to listen to and watch. Thanks to two great Mothers, I could just sit back and enjoy.

And, I now have six wonderful sun catchers hanging on my porch in just the right spot to glimpse as I write. My talented girls all painted them on Saturday night. It took the hummingbirds a little bit to become adjusted to the addition right above their feeder, but hunger won out and they are back. The cookie dough didn't make it to the oven, but is snug in the freezer waiting for the next visit when it can be shared with the only grandson who I missed very much this weekend.

I want to thank my children for knowing how to share their children with me and hubby. We love you guys!