Blessings to be counted

I pick up the toys when I sweep and mop.  Chica takes them all back out, and it makes me laugh!  She has certain toys she likes to play with or carry around...but mostly...she just wants them out and available.

I planted seeds to see if we can do some planter boxes at the new house.  Everything is so green and pretty right now.  The cottage garden seeds have really taken off too.

 

Alisa came to spend the weekend after she worked on Saturday.  We went to a coffee shop that was on my bucket list!  We shared a crepe.  

Flowers from my dear Alisa for Mother's Day!

A new door and re-using the trim...with some modifications.

Is this or is this not a snake skin?  I always look very carefully where I walk.

Fresh cookies for my guys!

Hemming some pants for Ashlynn...and feeling bad that I did not teach my girls to do this...like my Mom taught me.

Patching the holes they made last week!

Grainger County tomatoes and cucumbers...supposedly, they are the best around these parts.  Ted requested homemade pickles...so here goes!

Remembering my mother

This is my view from the front porch this week.  The flowers are growing beautifully.  The birds are singing happily.  We are waiting for the hummingbirds to find the feeder.  One visited the flowers on Sunday, so I made the sugar water and got it out.  The plaque that was given to me the summer Mom went to Heaven sits quietly waiting for a place amidst a new flower garden.  I planted seeds of a perennial mix as a reminder of my Mom.  She had such pretty perennials when we lived in Michigan.  She continued to nurture beautiful plants in Canada, Illinois, and Wisconsin each spring and summer growing season.  I am looking to add more colorful baskets to our new home soon.

This is Mom's second Mother's Day in Heaven.  I miss her and the times we had to sit and talk, whether near or far away, with a cup of coffee in our hands.  Every day, there is something in my life that reminds me of Mom...a conversation, a teaching, a picture, a piece of decor, a skill learned, or a liking of something she fostered or shared.

Last week during our Bible study, the teacher mentioned grief and how we deal with missing those who have gone to Heaven.  All of a sudden, tears were streaming down my face, and I was fighting to not lose control.  She shared the passage in Isaiah 58 and how God encouraged her heart after her parents passed on to their Heavenly Home.  We miss our loved ones, but we press on and get lost in other people's lives...ministering...pouring out...extending our hearts and souls.  That is exactly what I watched my Mother do for years!  And so...as Mom spends this second Mother's Day in Heaven...I will work on pouring into others that God brings across my path.

Tuesday's outing

I got up early to take Ted to work so I could have a vehicle.  The dogs were not sure what was happening and why I left so early!  Chica's hair showed how hard she was napping. We cuddled up in the chair.

I left and went over to have lunch with a new friend.  She made yummy grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato.  We chatted and I enjoyed seeing her inviting home.  She made the beautiful broken glass picture.

A cup of tea and a slice of cake with a sister in Christ was encouraging.

 

I am ready to buy stock in this company!

Teddy had these cool insect traps in place when we moved in...and they worked well!  The moth is beautiful.

I got the surprise of my life when I unplugged the trap to plug in the heater to take the chill off the house the other morning!

Not sure how long it had been there...but it wasn't moving!

Poor little guy...but wait...how long was he in the house before he found the trap!

 

Noticing the various bug's life here

 

Getting ready

 

I love the writings of Corrie Ten Boom

As I read this one again this week, I cried!  So quickly I lose focus on the important work that God is doing in each moment, day, and event in my life.
 

Saturday's job...replacing the side door

Ted prepped...

Teddy came with more supplies and tools...

and they both are glad that the door fits and is not going as badly as they were expecting.  "Nothing is square about this!"  Ted measured the door, and there was about 3/4 inch to work with..."We can shim it!"  We are finding that former workers of projects on this house liked to use caulk!  "Not gonna lie...that is what I would use too!"  We would joke about duct tape and wire in the past...but now...Gorilla glue, Liquid Nails, and caulk are preferences!

And I laugh...because I have gone and bought both to help me do what I have had to do in the last couple of months!

 

A Beautiful Saturday Morning

I was invited to join new friends for a tea time and Bible study.  I feel a connection with the gal who hosted in many different ways!

I met new ladies from our church.

A yummy quiche, frozen fruit fluff, banana nut muffins, and mini cream puffs.  I got teary seeing all tea cups and special touches...reminds me of Mom!  I am looking forward to finding all my pretties and sharing time in our home again with family and new friends.

I jumped into the study in James with them.  Chapter 3!  One of the gals owns horses and brought along a real-life prop.  We had a lovely time together, full of lively conversation...both challenging, somber, serious, and humorous.  These ladies were a blessing to me this morning and I am looking forward to next month.

 

I did it!!!

I started last Thursday taking the class for ESL teaching.  I chose a company that was known worldwide and accredited.

I spent 120 hours going through all the material.  It was all reading with quizzes throughout each module.

The final test was 65 questions.  I passed with a 98.46% on the first try!  I was so excited.

I am now ready for the next step that God has for me.  Ted has details to iron out.  And I need some of my teaching tools that are buried in storage.
 

A Week In Pictures

We are doing lots of research as we get ready to move onto a new property.  One of the things we would like to try our hand at is raising chickens.  We have Teddy and Sloan's experience to draw from, as well as, various people from work and church. Of course, we are also watching various videos.  Ted started an experiment of growing azolla and duckweed as part of an extra protein source.

We started it here and laid it out to dry.

We had two dates in a row...both with BBQ each from a different place.  This was Friday night's plate!

Saturday was for projects again!  More drywall and patching...

Foggy Sunday morning drive...

Now that we have more warm weather...more bugs are visiting...and they are impressive in size!

I stopped at the From the Ground Up market, and they had gallon buckets of fresh-picked strawberries!

Oh my are they good!  I added some vanilla Greek yogurt for an afternoon treat.

And then made a strawberry dessert...with fresh whipped cream!  Ted was not interested...so I get to enjoy it all by myself.  Oh well!

It hit me how grown in everything has gotten!  Teddy replaced some deck boards on Saturday.

Making beef jerky for my love!

Every day is filled with different activities and opportunities.  I am enjoying the variety!  We continue to wait with expectation on God's timing for the new house!  We are now counting down the days.

 

A new month