Dinner Is Always Simple When You Have Guests!

You are welcome to use my picture on your blog, if you like.

I had these flowers on our table last night. Simple, but pretty! I used a little pitcher, tied a ribbon around the handle and went and picked flowers and mint on the farm. If you use your mint in your flowers it gives a wonderful aroma to the sitting area.

Hello sweetie ladies,

Last night we had guests in our little Potter's Shed. Some of you might not know what that is. My Mother In Love (who is now with the Lord) used it as a shed for her mowers and tools. I wanted to fix it up as a place to put my veggies and flowers in the trough and also a place to entertain. Over the years it has become a place of refuge for family and friends. The header on my blog is the entrance to the Potter's Shed. The roof was blown off years back when a very gusty wind came through the farm. I like it that way, because when the night time falls and the moon and stars come out, it is a little hideaway. I also have CHRISTmas lights all around the top edge of the shed. Well, last night we had some friends of the family come for supper. The young man asked why was it named the Potter's Shed. I got to tell him that it has been a place where the Potter (Jesus) has let us encourage weary families in their journey here on earth. I truly believe that our homes are to be used to entertain and nurture. In the summer I get to use this sweet little hideaway to do that. We as Christians must have encouragement and reach out to those the Lord puts in our path. Not everyone, just those we touch shoulders with in the day to day life. It is a privilege to do. I remember a wise lady. She said when you entertain, make it simple. Plan the day before and be prepared. Don't make it a burden. I have always remembered that, because with my life it has to be simple or I can't do it and won't because it would become a burden. I entertained even when my kids were little. Sometimes I only made soup and homemade bread. We can learned so much from others when we eat together. That was the case last night. I had young ladies and a young man that sat at my table. I remember sitting at other families tables when I was young with my little family and I would gleaned from them, just by eating with them. I watched everything they did. How they set the table, what they prepared, their conversation and what they said. They would always encourage me as a young Mother and I loved it. I can do that now and we did in simple ways last night. We all walked away blessed. Talking about the Lord and the plans that He had for their lives. It was a sweet night. The meal again was simple. The conversation was made into a memory.

I thought I would show you little places in the Potter's Shed of pictures I have shot.

This door leads into the silo. It is not used anymore,

but it is still a special place on the farm.

I want to make a Secret Garden in it some day.

I love this latch. Look at the little cut pieces of steel to help hold

the nail in. Farmer's are wise.

A shelf full of my clay pots.

The morning sun, in the Potter's shed, welcoming the day!

Yesterday Heather from Heather's Blog-o-rama asked me what kind of camera I use.

It is a very simple one.

A Nikon COOLPIX L22. I love it and think the pic's turn out wonderful for what I need

it for. I want something very simple and it is not expensive either.

Also Angie from Blissfully Blessed said,

"Don't you just love fresh fruit and all that can be done with it. Jellies, jams, cobblers, pies(yum, yum). Not every made the jams or jellies but willing to try. Someone gave me a quart of blackberry juice, if you know what I can do with it please let me know) God is so good."

I told Angie that I use Ball Easy Gel Liquid Fruit Pectin or my jams and jellies. This was the only picture I could find, not very big. Sorry! It will work great for the black berry juice that was given to her. How fun for you Angie that you were blessed so nice!

My girls just called. They just left to go running with their friend, Micah. They are running every morning and then starting on Monday they are going to be doing a Mark Driscoll Bible study on the book of Ruth. It is an excellent study. We did it last year and it is on the web. I will tell you about it tomorrow and maybe you can go through it with yourself or daughter. I'll see what the girls might want to get started on their blogs. Hmmmm sounds fun! Anyway, I told the girls I would fix up the Potter's Shed and fix them breakfast this morning. Remember easy? Scones, strawberries and whip cream. I will get to sit and listen to their girl talk. It will be a good morning. Not what I planned, but I wouldn't miss it for anything. I wish you could come!

I will go light the candles and get everything ready.

They will like to be pampered by their Momma and Auntie!

Have a special day, you make the sunshine in my life! I will be putting up apricots for the winter today and finishing up some sewing that has to be finished!

Love you bunches, from the farm