But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. ~ Psalm 1:2-3
On Saturday, I attended a Handbell Conference with my friend Tracie in Columbia, SC. What fun we had! Last year, we started a Chime Choir at our church, so this conference was perfect to motivate us with creative ideas for the new year. I had not played handbells since high school and had forgotten how much I love playing. I think we may have a bit of handbell fever now and wouldn’t mind seeing the church start a savings account for a set. It could happen. =0)
Back to Harvesting! Chad and I spent a bit of the morning walking the muscadine vines. What a Tuscan aroma they bring into the house!
Bingley discovered a new love! While we picked from the vines, Bingley was eating the muscadines from the ground. At times it was a race to beat him to the good ones. Then when his pickings were slime, he started eating them off the vines… and then thought he could pick out of my bowl! “Out of my bowl, Bingley!” I must have said more than a few times. I won’t be surprised if he has a tummy ache later from all that he ate, skins, seeds, and all. He was so happy in those vines, he even posed for a picture. I did manage to get my share of the crop, thankfully. =0) I’m debaitng whether to try to make jam. It doesn’t sound hard, but do I need more?
Well, my site was starting to look like the grocery store again. This week has been filled with anything but kitchen work. On Saturday night, our dear friends’ son went home to be with Jesus. This photo of Matthew a few years ago is classic! He loved Western Day at Westside.
Today, we celebrated Matthew’s 21 years with a Memorial service after the burial. Our church was full to overflowing with all of those who loved Matthew and had been touched by his special life. He will be greatly missed but we’re comforted knowing that he is in heaven with a perfect mind and body. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Pop! Pop! Pop! The symphony of the lids delights my ears today! What a great sound promising tomato dinners to come. There are few sights more pleasant to this country girl than canned tomatoes! And these are a pretty red. Our little crop yeilded 2 1/2 quarts. That’s better than nothing! =0)
Our AWANA started up last night. The 3rd & 4th grade girls class is larger this year and we’re looking forward to a great class!
Our kitchen is filled with the aroma of pears, better than a Yankee candle.
Chad’s parents have a pear tree that was loaded with pears this year. They kindly shared plenty with us. Chopping and peeling days are ahead. =)
Our largest Tomato Harvest came in this morning. We have about 12 plants that have struggled through the summer heat and plant sickness. I aspired to have enough tomatoes to can this year since our pantry is down to 1 jar, but we might have to wait until next year’s crop. In fact, I might have more luck buying from a local market next year than trying to keep plants alive in our hot back yard. But this bunch might be enough for 1 or 2 quarts. =)
Now, our cherry tomatoes have thrived in the drought. They grew about 3 feet taller than the trellis and were beat down by a heavy rain storm. That didn’t stop them. They kept growing though bent in half and live up to their name “Sweet 100.” Now I’m looking for recipes for this mass of cherry tomatoes.
What a mess we made in the kitchen yesterday!!!!
What can I say? I’m the mom who doesn’t want to pay big bucks every six weeks to keep her pup looking ship shape. So, I attempt myself… though Bingley seems to think he has a say in it. In most situations of life, he is so obedient and I feel spoiled that he is so good. But then there are days like yesterday when we wrestled in the kitchen for hours over his hair cut. He only ended up with one unseemly notch from all his squirming. But the nails! Oh, he protested as if his life depended on it. I’ve learned not to tackle that job alone.
I’ve also learned that there must be times in a “parent’s” life when you just cannot make your child/dog obey no matter the tatic and effort and prayer you invest. I guess it is hard not to think it is a reflection of you and your abilities to parent. But God gave each a will and each one must learn to reign that will into obedience. It seemed that Bingley made that ordeal so much harder than it had to be. Do you think God feels that way about us sometimes? If we would just obey willingly and trust him for our good without a struggle, we’d be better off. Bingley didn’t make choices that affect his eternity, but he is training me to grow patience and understanding for the human plight of my future children. I hope I will remember this when I am tempted to be very frustrated at their disobedience. How long-suffering and patient the Father is with us!!!!
I think Bingley picked up something from little Caleb playing with the nuts.
This morning he came into a room with a nut in his mouth. He had not been outside, so I knew where he got it from. He saw Caleb getting nuts out of the bowl and decided he could do that too. So, I watched him after I took it away and sure enough he returned to get another.
How is it that kids and/or puppies can be so cute when they’re being disobedient? He put his front paws on the bench so he could lean his head sideways into the bowl to pick out one nut. What precision!
Of course, I had to take the nuts away and the face he gave me was quite pitiful. But he was happy again when I brought out his chew bone and forgot all about the nuts. Will kids be this easily distracted? He might be spoiling us with his compliant obedience. =0)
Today we had a special treat at church. Daniel and Jennifer Arnold, friends from college, came to Westside as missionaries on deputation to Germany! We so enjoyed having them for lunch and getting to meet Caleb and Lucy!
Caleb and Bingley got along spledidly! They chased each other around the kitchen and living room until they both got tired and ready for a nap. It’s amazing what simple things will amuze little ones. Caleb was fascinated for a while with our bowl of nuts. Bingley had a hard time relating to that and went in search of his own toy. =0)
Lucy, about 8 weeks old, was a sweet girl. She slept so well that her Mama even got to finish lunch before it was Lucy’s turn. Today was a fun day with the sweet fellowship of friends and pure pleasure of seeing church family again!
