My Clothesline

Waiting for spring............. I can't wait to hang my clothes on my clothesline and watch them fly in the Kansas wind to dry. Anyone out there relating? Not sure if there is more snow coming.......... but another storm in another week. Oh my, I pray the Lord will keep my heart in perfect peace. Smile! Thought you might enjoy this beautiful picture of my clothesline. It really is pretty don't you think. Enjoy your weekend. You are all in my prayers.

Blessings,

Linda

Excellent Video, It Will Touch Your Heart!

Our family watched this video this morning (older children can watch, but little ones best be protected). We cried and asked the Lord to stir our hearts, as to what we should do. It was very sobering to think all that has happened in Haiti. God has scattered His people in Haiti and wants to rebuild. You will see by this video that He is still in the business of using those "who will be used by Him "to" build His church. Not with brick and mortar, but in the Hearts of Man. That they would go out and touch lives, so that all may be saved. We are a family that wants to be used. After you watch this we trust the Holy Spirit will be moving in your family also. He has a work for us to do, PRAY and GIVE. I know I can't go at this time, but like a friend of ours said last night. There are already people in place there, they can be our mouth, hands and feet. They need money to buy medicine, water and food. Mars Hill from Washington State is doing that right now. On the video, you will meet Grandma Angel. It will bless you as you hear how God used her. You will meet pastors who have lost their whole congregation. You will meet another pastor who has 4 little children, who had just buried his wife. She had been sitting in his class learning from his teaching. It makes me think of the scripture in Eph 5:25-27. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." He ran outside to see what was going on only to turn and watch the building collapse on the students and his precious wife. What heartache, but what a precious man to have been washing his wife in the word right before she met JESUS! I want to do more! Praying that we will know what the Lord has for us to do. I am sure our Father will tell us. I will pray He will tell you also. I love you friends! If you have a minute and listen to the video, tell me what you think.

Staying on my knees,

Linda

P.S. For those of you who have followed my blog and have been praying for my dad, thank you. He just called and said that he will be going into the nursing home tomorrow where my momma (his wife) is at. He has been a shut in, in his own home and hasn't seen her for a long time. Now I'm thinking after I just wrote the verse about husbands, he will be able to wash her in the word every day. God will do something very special for the both them. I will wait, watch and see. He asked to be put in the same room with her. How sweet! That will make our life a little simpler for a while......... smile..... Not having to go two place!

Thank you Lord for giving me the desires of my heart in this situation! You are sooo good to me. Please bless all my friends, that have followed my Dad's situation and prayed for us. I know that you have heard and answered their prayers.

Peace Creek, not far from our farm

This is a lot of snowflakes! I wish you could see how pretty it really is, even though some of you are not quit as excited as myself, about my snow and want it to stay away from you! Smile...

I just love pictures of fence posts.

The trees a loaded down with lots of snow.

I will enjoy today, for tomorrow it will soon be spring....

He Gives Beauty For Ashes

Don't forget to sign up for our drawing for the Cookbook and Library Book Bag. Ends this coming Wed. Feb. 3rd. Go to my January 22 post and leave a comment please.

Also still have some Valentine gifts available. Post January 18th. I have sold so many and I want to thank you all who bought from me!!!!!

Mr Phil went out this morning to take some pictures for me. I just love him so much!

He is such a sweetie to letting me stay in and keep warm.

You are welcome to use this picture for your encouragement on your

blog, if you like. Just put that it is from Prairie Flower Farm please.

It is truly a winter wonder land everywhere you look on our farm. The trees have ice and snow clinging to their branches . The wind started blowing and the snow was swirling everywhere in the sky. Wish we could have captured it on camera for you; as it really looked beautiful. I could even see it in the house. The ice cycles are about 3-4ft. long on the side of the house. We have not left our place for the last day and a half. That means PEACE in our home. Not having to run around and go here and there has been so delightful for this momma. I have been talking to my Dad and he is as snug as a bug in the hospital. Safe, that also feels good to me. He is feeling and looking much better. Our older kids that live closer to him are going and keeping us posted. Today we will go in and check on him though. He will like. I want to thank allllllll of you who have prayed and encouraged our family with comments on my blog. I believe that your prayers have been answered by the Lord for my dad. I told him that you were all praying and he said Thank You.

This last summer we took rolls of barbed wire down.

I think it looks so pretty with snow on it. Don't ya think?

The trees are hanging with ice and snow. BEAUTIFUL!

"Fuzzy Wuzzy Juneau" is wanting her food this morning.

She is so pretty with her thick coat. I love a horses nose. Don't

know why, I just do.

Those of you who have been following the Livesay family in Haiti please go and read this. Click Please start praying that the Lord would step in. That is their hope. It must be so sad for Troy and Tara. Thank you! If you wouldn't mind putting their picture and link up on your blog to get the info out, as to what is going on in Haiti. They would appreciate it I am sure. I don't even know them, but I do go and read at least 2 times a day. I have grown to love their heart for man in the name of JESUS.

I heart you all, you make my day special! Some of you write me so I can pray. It is an honor and I thank you for letting me know your needs also. I know we all have them and if we don't tell them we walk alone. The Lord gave us each other for sure.

Blessings,
Linda

It's snowing, it's snowing I am singing!

This is my little brooder house for my baby chicks. I use it to house my babies

in the spring. It is old a loved by me!

You are welcome to use this picture for your encouragement on your

blog, if you like. Just put that it is from Prairie Flower Farm please.

Hello, It is snowing! We have 5" and more to come. I am all snuggy in my little farmhouse and "lovin" looking out my window. It is sooo beautiful. Wish you could come and have some snow ice cream with me. Have a nice day! I am sure to have one with all this beauty around me!

This art work is from Tressa when she was little for a book that we did called Grandma's House. Makes me smile!

Blessings,

Linda

Waking Up To Kansas Weather

This tree is down our lane. It has never looked prettier!

Off to the north west on a tree row from our house.

This is a weed bush. So pretty.

Out across the field north of our farm.

Our family woke up this morning to a winter wonder land. It was so beautiful. Wish you could have seen. I am recording these pictures on my blog for my family and you are a part of that!!!!! The trees had about 1/3" of ice crystals all over them. The crystals were everywhere. The clothespin line, bushes, on my CHRISTmas garlands and as the wind blew little snowflakes were flying everywhere. It was the Lord's beauty to behold. I did just that. He gave me a present this morning. I am reminded that He plans my days.

Outside as it is melting you can hear the droplets hitting the roof. It is a pretty sound. I am enjoying my day.

from our Home to yours,

Linda

Feed the Birdies Please!

This is a little junko. They are one of my favorite little birds. Doesn't he

look so sweet just perched on the end of my bird feeder?

It is bitter cold here in Kansas. It is 5 degrees outside. When you live on a farm it takes a lot more work to keep all the animals fed, watered and kind of warm. We are also feeding the birdies lots of birdseed. The pictures are taken right out my kitchen window. They are all puffy this time of year, specially since the weather is cold. Just thought you would like to see.

Mr. Cardinal has lived on our farm for sometime. He was extra bushy yesterday when I took this picture. He almost doesn't look real. He sat in the evergreen tree all day. Mrs. used to live on our farm, but she has not been around for some time. Makes me sad. I love watching them in the spring time courting. They really do! He breaks open the seed for her and feeds her. It happens every spring! I hope a momma bird from another farm kicks one of her girls out of the nest so she will come live at my farm. That doesn't sound very nice of me to say that after I wrote it. smile!

If you like the scripture picture, you are welcome to use it on your blog for encouragement. Just put that it is from Prairie Flower Farm. I love this scripture and I am so thankful for the love the Lord has for me. He is so totally wonderful! If someone has not told you they love you today, I do and so does Jesus!!!!!!!! He said so on the cross!!!!!

If you came to my house I would serve you hot cocoa with fresh whip cream on the top or Wild Huckleberry Sweet Tea that my friend gave me! What would you serve at your house?

From my Home to yours,

Linda

Christmas Raspberry Jalapeno Jam and YoYo's

Christmas Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

I was working on a new ad that is going to be in the new Girlhood Home Companion today. We took a picture for the ad of one of our most favorite jams. It is so nice for a fast snack or a needed gift. Put a real pretty Christmas small plate, jar of Christmas Raspberry Jalapeno Jam, a block of cream cheese and some wheat Ritz crackers into a decorated basket. Make a square bread cloth and line the basket. Stick in an evergreen pick (think the classes at Stutzman's are getting to me) and some berries! It makes a real inexpensive and fast gift for that someone. Be sure to find a family that you do not know this year and bless them. The Bible says to bless

This recipe makes up really fast and easy.

Christmas Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cups chopped jalapeno pepper

3 cups white sugar

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

6 fluid ounce container liquid pectin

Serilize jars and lids by immersing into boiling water for

at least 5 minutes. In a saucepan, combine the raspberries,

bell pepper, and jalapeno peppers with the sugar and

cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat

and boil rapidly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let

stand for 5 minutes

Stir in the liquid pectin. Pour jam into sterilized jars and

seal. Store in a cool dark place. Refrigerate after opening.

When you go to serve this place the brick of cream cheese in the middle of your pretty plate. Pour part of the jam over the top and let it come down on the sides. Place the little plate on to a larger plate and arrange the crackers along the edge of the plate. Looks so pretty. Put a decorative knife on the side also. This will have your guests wanting the recipe!!!!!!!

Right now I can hear a huge flock of Canadian Geese going over our farm. The sound brings so many wonderful memories to mind. When I was a little girl my daddy had some Canadian Geese eggs and he incubated them. They would follow him all over our homestead. We also had a little pond that he had dredged out for our family to swim in. Those geese would run right beside him as he would go to jump in our pond. What a fun memory! Lately the sky has just been full of geese and red winged blackbirds. Every time you go out they are talking to each other. I just love living on a farm. It is very quiet. I like!

I have been making lots of yoyo's. I always have a baggie ready with lots of yoyo's to makeup. I was in a Mary Jane Farm yoyo swap with yoyo's and they are starting to come to my mailbox. I have been using a large and regular size mason jar lids. They are so easy and make the cutest table doilies, if you sew them together. Trace around the lid onto the fabrics you have chosen. Cut out the circles and turn the edges under just a little under 1/4"sewing a continuous thread all around the circle. Be sure to use double thread. Pull after you have gone around the whole circle. Secure threads. As you see in the picture I used lots of different fabrics. I like to iron each yoyo, I think they look better. You can make all kinds of shapes. I just made a rectangle shape. 7 across and 6 down. Enjoy!!!

Blessings,

Linda

Today was a "GIRL DAY!

Stutzmans Greenhouse. on Hwy 61 in Pleasantview Kansas is having a Holiday Workshop every Sat. until Dec. 5th. Today my friends Alicia, Aubrey, my daughters Tressa, Taylor and I went there today. As you will see from the pictures, it was a beautiful day. Larry is their in house designer. He gave us all wonderful design tips for homes and outside decor. It will be fun to use some of the ideas on my farm buildings and our home.

This little building was built inside their greenhouse. Tooooo cute. I am so excited about decorating this year.

Now I would not decorate like this even though I think it is very pretty, but today he was showing us how we can use anything ........................

to decorate with, like old chairs. He would just hook the tree right up to things........................he said to not hang things off the tree, but to snuggle them in the tree. It really did look nice. He also would cut the ribbon in 12" pieces and tucked those in the tree.

he took an old milk can, used brown kraft paper in long sheetsand tucked the paper into the tree hooking it with the branches....... I like.... We live on an old dairy farm. We have lots of cans up in the barn. Mmmmmm...... I will have to climb the ladder to the loft. Wouldn't this be neat by your mailbox?

I have one of these wagons!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to do this one for sure!!!!!!!!! He just filled the bottom with burlap and then decorated the tree. Isn't that the cutest thing ever??????

They wrapped presents in burlap and wrapped up with ribbon.

Look how they decorated around the mirror of this old bureau. It was so pretty. That birdhouse would be so sweet with a little fat chicken in it. Not a real one. You know like my little chicken by my chicken coop. Oh my, I think my girls need a little "decoratin" goin on in and outside the coop!!! Okay Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm, I want to see what you are going to do. hehehe

This fireplace..... I like alot!!

I like the mirror and berries. Thought the sled was too cute.

Better pic of the sled. I had one of those when I lived in Alaska. I would really like to find one.

Larry took old suitcases and actually put a tree inside to the side. It really was neat.

This picture was a real favorite. They had lots of these kind of pictures. Beautiful!

This was another that I thought was very pretty. They have lots of gift items to buy. The whole time there at Stutzman was so beautiful. The ladies that work there are incredible. They are all so helpful. If you get to go look up Kim she is the cutest!!!! She makes you feel like a friend! Hope you can go. If you live in Wichita it is probably under an hour drive.

I hope this is readable. Every Sat they are having holiday workshops

www.stutzmans.com The address is 6709 W. Hwy 61, Hutchinson, Ks

800 279 4505 or 620 662 0559. Tell them I sent you. It is so beautiful there.

I thought this sign was so cute. I have been doing orders and can't wait to start on some of my Christmas presents for my family. Hope you are all enjoying the Thanksgiving season. It is getting so close so fast!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Need Help Please, Getting Ready!

Our daughter made me a cup of Peppermint tea, using the little snowman teapot.

She gave it to me in my snowman cup!!

Isn't this the sweetest little snowman teapot? My Tressy came home this Sat., after she had been gone all day with one of her special friends. She had it wrapped and I was so excited to see what it was. I love surprises, don't you??!!!! It was this sweet teapot for my "Grammie and Poppa Camp". I am getting things together for the party for when it snows. Now here is where you all come in. I know there are some real creative mommies, grammies and ladies out there! Help! I need some snowman games, treats and craft ideas. I have the snowman soup recipe, rice crispy snowmen, and these adorable doughnuts with a candy for the nose, but I would love it if you would take a minute and give some ideas. If you have pictures send them and I will do a post for the snowman party. Thank you so much for joining in!!!

Also, please pray for our family. Our daughter Tay has not been feeling well.She is going to the doctor today. I didn't feel well on Wed. and Thurs. We don't want anyone else in our family to get anything. Thank you!

Blessings,
Linda

I Am So Excited! Two Done Two To Go!

First of all don't forget about the sign up for the giveaway. We only have this Friday and until Sat. noon!!!! I so want you all to get a chance to win. Chicken Curtain Giveaway

Winter Thyme In A Jar click here

Fall Thyme In A Jar click here

Second many of you know that I have been trying to get some new products in my store. Well today is the day. You can click on the picture of each item and it will take you to my store. I have had this fun idea in my head about Seasons In A Jar for awhile now. I mentioned it way back and here I am getting it done. I always want to do to many things all at one time! Well, when I was out in Colorado I had a lot of time to work on some things. Here are our new "Kits In A Jar". Hope you like. I will do the Spring and Summer later. I still have some finished products that I want to get up next. Enjoy!

Blessings,
Linda