Wordless Wednesday

Critter Tale

This week with the critters started out great, but went down hill and hit a tree... but I think we learned a thing or two.

Chicks
6 fuzzy black chicks arrived on Sunday! Loud little things and they eat like crazy, but they fit right in with the rest of the crew. We hope they are all hens and we are looking forward to having our own supply of eggs and bug control in the garden!

Daffy Duck 
Monday night we went to feed Daffy but opened the door to find a 6 foot long black snake stretched across the floor. We were thankful that Daffy came racing out the door unhurt. We removed the snake, checked for holes in the coop and secured the door. We were uneasy about the snake, but as big as Daffy has grown we were not too worried. We also like having the black snakes around for rodent control so we didn't kill this one. We should have... because Tuesday morning we knew something was wrong when Daffy wasn't peeping... The snake was no where to be found, but it has killed Daffy... Now I am so mad at that snake that I might just kill every snake I see for the next 10 years. It made us sick.

I grew up on a farm seeing animals die, even having to put animals down many times due to sickness. We also knew most of the animals were going to die for meat anyway. But when you work hard to rescue and save a critter and then its killed for no reason I get mad and can't stand it...

We are already planning to get more ducks. But not until we go snake hunting and build a better, more snake proof coop.

Hummingbirds 
Good news though! We now see three hummingbirds at the feeder everyday. And they are sure to let us know when the feeder is empty! Even in the pouring rain those guys are out there zipping around!

God Bless! 

Content or Complacent?

Often contentment and complacency are confused and mixed up. This is understandable since they both relate to satisfaction. But we need to be clear on the difference as we move toward godly contentment.

Contentment is good, it is godly, it is biblical. Complacency is dangerous. 

As we learned in my last post on contentment, the definition of contentment is: pleased and satisfied : not needing more. 

But on the other hand... 

According to Merriam-Webster, complacency  is "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." also  "a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better."


Dictionary.com says complacency is "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc."


Proverbs 1:32 says "For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."

The definition of complacency also reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they say, 'peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."

Let us be content with the blessings of God, but never deceived into complacency.  As followers of Christ let us be satisfied in Christ, not in the things of this world. Be aware the satan's greatest tool is complacency, he tricks people into thinking life is great to keep them from seeing their need for our Savior.

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

Wordless Wednesday

Stories by the Fire: The Ski Adventure

Ski with... um... what's the sign say?

Several years ago, before I was trained as a National Ski Patroller, my family took a trip to Smugglers Notch Vermont. There was 13 of us, packed and squished into cars, for the long drive up. Skis loaded on top and tons of warm clothes, snacks and laughter. It was one of those trips that seemed like a dream, or at least, for us kids who didnt have to pay or do anything of the planning! 

We arrivied in Vermont to beautiful snow and sun. To me this was far better than any beach and sun.The  week was packed with skiing, games, good food, tubbing and exploring. The skiing was great! We spent most of out time in the black diamond glades, we even found an ice cave! Due  to our 'exploring' dad decided to buy us helmets, hmm... wise move dad! (I still have and wear the very same helmet!). 

The last day of the trip we woke up to 8 inches of light fluffy perfect beautiful awesome POWDER!!!!!   

My older brother (you will start to see a theme when it comes to stories with my older brother *grin*) and I took off to the far mountian to explore new glades and the deep powder. Now let me tell you, this powder was like no other I have ever skied. So deep, so light, so perfect. It  made you feel like a pro skiier out in the back county. Not even kidding, it. was. awesome! 

We headed down into a glade, enjoying the snow and the beauty of the day. Like I said, it was a new glade we had not even been near yet, but it was great! Racing along we beween pine trees we got down into a chute... My brother was ahead of me and suddenly stopped. We had come to a 15ft drop off!!!!! Now what?!?!?

Being the brave older brother, he decided to jump off first... He landed, almost disappearing in the snow. I heard a loud OUCH!!!!!! Starting to panic I jumped off, and disappeared deep into the snow. I was convinced I lost my skis, but was concerned about my brother. 

When I got over to him his face was an awful color of blue and white. With all the layers of clothes it was hard to tell, but his wrist was deformed... 

Thankfully, another skier came by from another direction and I flagged him down to go for help. We were still way out on the mountain... After what seemed like hours the ski patrol arrived with a sled. They quickly got him taken care of and to the base of the mountain. I was happy when his face regained a normal color! 

They splinted his wrist but it was several hours later on our way back to Pennsylvania before he was able to get it set and cast. We tease him to this day about ending our ski trip. But all things considered it was a good day and a wonderful trip!! 

                                        

Mulberries!!!!

I. LOVE. Mulberries.

I love the taste of mulberries, I love picking mulberries and most of all I love the memories that come with picking mulberries. If you have never picked or eaten mulberries you must add it to you adventure list! 

Mulberry Tips:

The best way to pick mulberries is while riding a horse:
At my grandparents in Nebraska my horse Midnight and I would go racing down the dirt road, along the canal and to our secret mulberry trees. From his back I could reach tons of mulberries, as long as I snatched them before he did! We could come home hours later, hot, tired and stained purple. Picking from the platform of a John Deere 4440 works well too, plus you can cultivate a row or two while your out!

Hide the Evidence:
If you don't want to give away the location of your tree or share the berries you will need to hide the evidence. This is tricky.  After picking berries your hands (and possibly face and other body parts) will be stained purple. It doesn't come off easy. I found the best solution is to stop at the shop and work on a broken tractor (there always seems to be one around) then no one will notice the purple under all the grease!

Note: the lack of purple stains just means I hadn't picked enough yet. 

Collect Enough to Make A Pie:

Hmm... I have never collected enough to make a pie. The bucket never seems to get full. But it sounds like a good idea!! If you have made one please let me know how it turned out!! 

Watch for Critters:

Critters are not dumb. They too know how yummy mulberries are on a hot day. Birds, bears, horses, snakes, bees, WATCH OUT!! If you are wading through weeds or climbing the trees be sure to wear boots and long pants. 

Find or Plant Trees: 

On the farm in Nebraska mulberry trees were everywhere! Here they are a little fewer in between. But don't panic! If you are not sure mulberries grow in your area check with you local forestry specialist or keep your eyes open. Mulberries grow in most of the U.S. and if you can't find a wild tree you can order trees to plant. Just make sure you purchase the correct variety for you area. 

Enjoy!!

Critter Tale

From critters we see to critters we raise we enjoy them all, even if they run and hide under the muddy shed in the middle of a storm until we retrieve them (by crawling in the mud).

We have been enjoying the pair of hummingbirds at the feeder. They crashed into the hosta bush this week, but came back racing around faster then ever! 

Mr. Bear has visited several times and inspected the potato plot on one visit. He seems to like posing for the game cam too. And as long as there are enough blue berries for the both of us we will get along just fine. 

Daffy Duck, the critter that hid under the shed in the storm, is growing fast and getting lots of feathers now. 

We just got word that our chicks hatched! They will be arriving in a few days! Time to get the pen and heat lamp ready! 

Come back next week to see the chicks!!

Mr. Bear comes to visit