Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A little of this, a little of that

Just so you know, I'm okay. Since my last post warned I might get pulled under the garden vines, only to be followed by months of silence, I thought I'd let you know that right off the bat. Things haven't really been crazier than normal I suppose, and I have plenty to talk about, so I have no reason for being bloggy quiet other than I just didn't make the time. But anyway...

We have 2 chickens! Thelma and Louise. They are wonderful and each lay an egg a day, which is plenty when I'm not baking for market. I still haven't figured out what breed they are though. Here's Jacob talking to them. Caleb was unsure about the new squatters...he kept his distance. We have a new larger home planned for them in the next week or so.

I've still been busy cleaning house and simplifying, which has been so satisfying. I would pick something up, think it was still possible I would use it, and then realize I hadn't in 5 years, or 8, or 11. Ridiculous. So I got rid of it. But, of course the inevitable happens and I discover an actual need for it the next week. At first this might seem like a reason to slow down, but I refuse to let one or two incidents be an excuse to remain bogged down with stuff. This journey has been so amazing in the spiritual effect it has had on me. I want to be the best steward of what God has given me and my family, and responsibly take care of and appreciate our things. However, I refuse to live in fear that if I donate something I have no current use for, that I may happen to need it one day. I think I am being a better steward by not surrounding myself with things so numerous I can't keep up with them. I need to actually be able to find something when I do happen to need it. I'm enjoying this season very much.

On a completely different note, I baked some amazing chocolate toffee cookies yesterday. I think they may be my new fave. (At least for a few months. I'm so fickle with my baking.)

Oh! And something very exciting for our family! I am officially a Pampered Chef consultant! I love their products and have been using them for years, and well, we could use the money. I don't know why it never occurred to me before now, but I'll just consider it God's providential timing. We're going to give it a few months and see how it goes. Hopefully it will be amazingly perfect for our little family, but if not, at least we're showing God we're not burying our talent and actually trying to work and be profitable. So, if you are at all interested in booking a show, contact me! I would be happy to help you earn some free and discounted product for you home. (Or possibly help you get some great deals on Christmas presents?) I'm really looking forward to this venture.

Those are some big things in the last few months here on our home front. The market is done for the year, and I think I'm glad to be taking a break. My garden seems to be making a rally, however. I have green tomatoes and a fresh round of okra coming in...we'll see what happens there. I also have some carrots that aren't quite ready for harvest too. It's possible I have forgotten some other large event, but I have 2-year-olds, and by 5 o'clock, I'm pretty tired. Hence, the 'break' where I sit here and blog for the first time in months.