Taken Up with Old Ways…

This summer has definitely been a season of change for me.  I’ve had my hand in things I don’t normally do; for instance drawing.  I enjoyed ICAD 20.15 – so much I bought a sketch book and have continued to draw or sketch regularly.
I recently, began crocheting again… making cute little hanging towels for my daughters kitchens! It made the time go quick at the hospital today… and it’s nice when the weather is too hot to be outside, but I want something to do with my hands!  It’s light work…so it doesn’t make me hot, like crocheting a blanket would!
I’ve also been taken up with old ways…

After Easter and On A Monday-

 

We usually start off the week bright and early!  Our oldest daughter drops her children off on the way to work… around 7-ish and I hit the floor running.

Today was a little bit slower. I had a text on my phone when I got up today; she was telling me I wouldn’t have the kids.  I was still planning on having Easton—His momma took The Honey for his labs in Palestine; getting ready for his check up on Friday.  She is going back to school to finish out her degree and becoming an RN—so she and her dad stopped off at the U.T. campus there—she talked to a counselor and picked up some schedules and pre-requisite forms.  I’m glad she is finishing up—it is going to be hard the next 2 1/2 years—but I’m very proud of her for doing it.  Having her and her family living here on our property will be good too, I will be able to continue helping with the boys… including the new baby. ;)

While Honey was gone —I took Easton and we went to the FEED STORE—for dog food and chicken feed.  Came home –unloaded.  We let the chickens out and checked for eggs, then he and I walked around the yard… picking up and dumping out any standing water that would be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

That’s important this time of year! 

On Sunday, All the kids were here yesterday for the Easter activities.   The Newlyweds, the girls and their families, our oldest son and family; and also My Dad, youngest brother and his boys!  A full house!  We started out with rain early in the morning before sun up—I thought an egg hunt would be a wash out… but no. 

The rain stopped long enough for the guys to hide them and the kids to hunt them… and then back to drizzling.

I think it was our first ever—RAIN BOOTS AND EGG HUNT ! 

It was pretty successful.

I hope your week is off to a good start and Most of all—you had time doing something you love with the people you love.  I also hope you had time to reflect and think on Christ!

‘Til next time-

Have a blessed week!

Patricia

::Blogging among Friends, Family and Strangers-

 

When I began blogging I had no idea what to expect.  I certainly didn’t think I’d land in the midst of such good company! At the time, I didn’t want to put myself out there so plainly—So, I blogged anonymously and that was SAFE,right?  

Better to be judged by a few strangers, than open yourself up to ridicule by your family any day!

I truly have no idea why I thought that—but I did.  I threw out the thoughts on unconditional love, Blood being thicker than water and HOME being a refuge—safe place.  I knew I was different, a bit quirky and an outright throw-back to another time and place.  

So, I came here and I blogged.

But from the beginning::

I’ve actually been blogging much longer than Corn in My Coffee-pot—when I first started blogging I was on a homeschooling platform and mainly wrote about my teens, school, and life in a FULL HOUSE!   A DULL-ROAR—that was the name of the blog.  It’s no longer there—I moved the files to blogger and resumed writing with a similar URL, different blog name – about spiritual matters, Faith in God, and my personal bible studies.   I began studying things with spiritual eyes—I had things opened up to me, that I hadn’t understood before.  After a short while—I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of the Gospel.   Some of it pretty deep.  In fact, I was in new territory for myself.  

I was dealing with the scriptures in a way that was relieving but at the same time, I had wrong doctrines so ingrained within me—that it became a struggle.  Anyone that knew me and knew about my THEN blog—often told me it was deep or over their heads.  I closed it. I keep it private. 

Not out of fear of people or shame—please don’t mis-understand; but out of Reverence for God.  What He has shown me in my quiet times—was for THIS WOMAN.   Maybe in another time;  I might be to a point of sharing it.

Instead, I moved on an decided to let my light shine in other areas, doing what I love, chatting, sharing about homemaking and being frugal and making do;  I began sharing about the resources God has blessed me with here in our home and becoming the best steward I could be with what we are blessed to receive.  I truly thought, I’d be sharing all this with young moms!

And NOW::

Well, guess what?!

While I Do have some young moms that pop in on occasion—usually they write me directly instead of comments; I mainly have an opportunity to talk with women my own age, middle-aged women, older moms, early Grandmas and Retirees or close to it!  YOU!

I still share all the ways I make our “fixed income” stretch! 

Is that where I thought I’d go with this little blog? No! I don’t blog a lot of recipes, but instead how to stretch the food budget, gardening, and raising chickens and crafting; sewing, crocheting, re-purposing, etc.

Am I a mommy blogger?  SURE! a grand-mommy blogger. Do I blog about raising my kiddos? No. instead I write about having our Littles be a big part of our daily lives!

Do I blog about magazine worthy rooms?  No, instead I blog about making our home comfortable.  Though, eclectic – it is suited to our tastes and our needs on a budget.  A small very limited budget.  But we are comfortable with that. 

I had my ‘blog-iversary’ for this blog in September—I began it about 6 years ago. Couple that with the previous 2 blogs and  I’ve been blogging almost 10 years!

You’d think I’d be further along this avenue.  Here I am still trying to figure things out. As to the ANONYMOUS  blogging—I recently, connected my blog QUITE openly with my  Instagram account—adding the blog link to my profile.  I have family and friends that follow along there—mostly blogging friends, but some close relations. Anyway--

--the Cat is more or less out of the bag, as they say. 

My life is an open book really.

When I sat down to write today, I really had no idea what I was going to write about—I just knew I felt a little bit chatty today.  I suppose I felt like saying--

If you, my family or friends (new and old alike)  have come here from Instagram… Say hello!  Leave me a comment.  No LURKING ALLOWED Y’ALL!

To my regular readers--- Thank You, really.  For always letting me share my heart—for your kindness and encouragement!  It really does feel like HOME here. ;)

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed~

      Patricia



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“ Whatever you DO, do your work heartily as for the LORD, rather than for men, Knowing that from the LORD you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the LORD Christ whom you serve.” ~Colossians 3: 23-24

:: 20.15 Here We Come!

Hi all! 

Hope your first day in this New Year was a pleasant one.  Ours was wonderful.  For the New Years Eve celebration—Honey and I spent it here quietly, at home.  Occasionally, we heard the FIRE CRACKERS down the road at our neighbors.  They have the biggest BOOMIN FIRE CRACKERS!   But it was still fun seeing them and hearing them.  I thought about heading out to see them and try and get a few pictures…because YES! They’re that big.  But it was just too cold.  I didn’t want to leave the warm and toasty fire for a picture.

Buster had the right idea.

Instead, we ate toast and oatmeal for supper!  I know… not fancy is it?  My kitchen is still dis-jointed.  I’ve not moved one stitch of furniture back.  I knew we’d be gone all day today and thought it would be an extra day to let the floor cure. 

Today—to my oldest daughters house.

Food, family and our yearly PICTIONARY event.  We take it pretty seriously, PICTIONARY. It’s competitive. It’s crazy---

It’s WAR! my team lost. Then hug and make up. ;)

We pass the Holiday Journal around and everyone writes something sentimental or profound…or just plain ridiculous in there for posterity.

This year… my uncle and my aunt, whom I’ve not seen in a few years…since my Dad’s 70th birthday came and joined the fun. They brought along some of my cousins and we had a blast, truly.

As for 20.15—I’m looking forward to DO-ing.   I don’t make resolutions.  I’ve always let a word be my focus.  Last years… was Balance.  I couldn’t have been more UNbalanced most of the year.  I struggled to find balance most days. Here on the blog, in my home and in my heart.  A lot going on, in every aspect of my life. I wasn’t going to choose a word this year…because I struggled so much last year.  But—after giving it some thought.  I decided  on DO.   Just DO.    A verb:  DO.  

It suits me in many ways. With my FAMILY, FINANCE, the MOVE, crafting, rocking the babies, MOVING FOR MY HEALTH… charitable work, hospitality; and here on the blog WRITING. Something I always plan to DO.  I am not  saying it will happen—but I’m going to try – to write something EVERYDAY.  DO.  It’s on the top of my list. To write. 

We’ll see.

Any new plans for your year?  Looking at making changes in routines, residence, personal challenges?  Share it…

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

           Patricia



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“Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap if you faint not.”  Galatians 6:9

:: A Relaxing Sunday

 

This is how the Honey and I have spent our day so far! Only picture me with a crochet hook (and a little less than dolled up!)  ;and him with his iPhone!

 

Source:  google images

Another cool day—it is supposed to warm up—but the house stays chilly; especially when it’s breezy out. So we already have the fire going; both yesterday and today.

It’s not roaring—but it’s enough to knock the chill down.

I’ve got beans on the stove and cornbread in the oven… it helps to warm the home; and our bellies! 

I’ll be sitting down in a bit to make out new menus for November—and we’ll probably be hitting the grocery store later in the week.

Have a great week!

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



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Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. ~ Titus 2: 3-5

:: An Infamous Legend- Bonnie Parker

More of My Walk Through Town--

It Reads…

~KEMP CALABOOSE~

Built in the early 1900s the calaboose was used to jail offenders of the law.

It is legend that Bonnie Parker (of Bonnie and Clyde fame) and one other member of the Barrow Gang were held here in 1932.

Marker donated by supporters of the Kemp Development Fund

:: Sharing in the American Dream

~ You'll get 2 posts today in your email if you subscribe to Corn in My Coffee-Pot. PLEASE SEE THIS ONE  as well as, the next installment of 31 Days of Writing! 
I'm  doing a quick post this weekend for my SIL and Daughter. They are trying to get their business up and going strong.  They install screens for porches, retractable awnings, solar screens on existing windows, shutters and more. Please check them out on Facebook.  "Like" their page or even "Share" it so your friends can like it.  LAKEVIEW SUN CONTROL   Even if you don't live in the area, you help them with advertising and living the American Dream-- by owning their own business! 

I've asked people on Facebook to share or like their page and the more likes the better for them...they get better advertising perks for the business.  I'm not a big FACE-BOOKIAN... most of you know this...  but I do have a great number of people who read here at Corn and I thought I'd put it out there for y'all.  LAKEVIEW SUN CONTROL *  JUST CLICK THE LINK UP THERE  AND LIKE THEM ON FACEBOOK.  * From Them and From Me THANK YOU SO MUCH!  'Til next time be blessed ** While I am kin to the owners of this company, I have not been paid, black mailed or withheld from seeing my grandchildren in order to advertise for them. Oh yes! And All thoughts and opinions are my own. :) 

:: Leaving Something for our Children

Last Friday marked the 6 months out UNTIL my 50th birthday.  I had been thinking about it for a while now; trying to decide what I would do to mark the occasion. 

:: Easily Distracted from My Duties-

It’s almost Fall! 

This weekend’s plans are to prep the beds for a Fall garden, turn the soil mix in some compost and decide what cool weather veggies I want to grow.  The chicken coop needs cleaning out – having no Littles  this weekend will possibly mean we can make quick work of it and I can work in my craft room UNINTERRUPTED!

I want to sew! Last week sometime I received this in my email …

Courtesy of Groupon and my iPhone.

:: Cleaning, Reading and Crocheting

Not always in that order, though. 
We had a pretty day today. It was overcast and looked like it was going to rain all day; so far, nothing. But the breeze and cooler temperature reminds me of Fall.  I guess it is inching closer and closer even though a few weeks ago…the day time highs were hitting 3 digits, I still wasn’t ready for Fall—I think I’m getting there now! 

It’s like Watching Paint Dry-

Waiting on me to post, I know. 

OR… COLOR WHEEL EYES.
Waiting on me to get to the point. So thrilling. 

I painted my kitchen wall a couple of weeks ago; and today while editing and uploading pictures, I found this one. You can plainly see the shade variation in the dry paint and the wet paint.

:: Patriotic Flowers-

I wish these flowers didn’t have to fade. 
They are beautiful.
 
***********RED

:: Moving into July-

I can not believe  it is July already! 
Our weather has been unusually cool for summer time. Except for a few humid days …I wouldn’t even know it was Summer.
I spent a little bit of time on the porch the other day—I put out some flags I painted last year—and never posted about them.  I made them from some shutters I had in my resource pile…



I made a couple of U.S. versions of the flag and of course I had to make one for the Lone Star State too!

::Peculiar Flowers, Rain and The Wi-fi Guy

(iphone picture---from my car!)

Wednesday morning I was coming back from town and saw some big (what I call big) flowers.  I was traveling down the JCT at highway speeds—I was able to see the detail on these flowers enough to recognize color and form—So they were big!  I saw 3 small patches of them

:: Letters From Home—Strangers in my Back yard

 

About 2 weeks ago—I had to make a quick run into town and was shopping at the dollar store—when my cell phone started ringing.  I thought it was T.H. calling me to add to my list of things to purchase.  But when I looked at the phone—there was no name, but the number was recognizable to me.  It was the Electric Co-op.

Naturally, I answered it.  They had a recorded message saying the line men would be making rounds in our neighborhood to check our poles for any maintenance work that needed to be done on them. 

They showed up this week. This photo is courtesy of The Honey—as I was in my swim suit… and out to the pool with the kiddos. I Hoping they’d be done before the rain came… I don’t like swimming with strangers in my back yard. ;)

You can see the clouds rolling in. They were probably hoping the same thing. Not to mention—they were hard at work –doing a dangerous job and to busy to worry about a bunch of kids in the pool with their Oma!  But still! 

Either way—they were done and out of there and the clouds rolled on by …until later that day. Then we had some pretty stormy weather.

While he was out in the yard—T.H.  took these pictures of our Crepe Myrtles.  They are in full bloom everywhere and so pretty! I ‘hi-jacked’ his pictures… I’m sure that he won’t mind.

I don’t know the exact names of these—as you can see the top ones are the ‘watermelon’ color.

And the ones below that are in the front yard--- are more of a ‘dusty rose’ color.  It’s hard to say which ones are prettier.

I just know they are beautiful to look at and I give all the credit to the mass amounts of rainfall we’ve gotten this year.  I know we are still in a drought stage; and the mosquitoes are not something I enjoy either. But the rain we’ve had has been wonderful. Can you see how tall the grass is getting?! It was like watching it grow…

Oh, yes… It won’t be long—and I expect to be seeing cows out back again soon! I don’t have pictures of the new fence—but the barbed wire is up out back…workers came this week and did that too!  that made for another uncomfortable day of swimming. Between the power company, the fence-guys, the UPS, etc. -  The kiddos are all testing their “is that a stranger?” boundaries. 

Several of you mentioned Leslie Sansone to me, either in comments or email.  Thanks again!  I’ve been walking this week in the evenings.  I’m just starting out… so for this week I’ve walked about 3 miles!  It definitely makes an over all difference in how I feel when I go to sleep at night!

I’ve got lots more to report on that—later. In the mean time.  Stay Cool…or warm depending on what part of the world your reading this from!

Til next time, Be Blessed!



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The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. ~Psalm 28:7

:: Bits of Gold--

I knew it was coming. The dozer. The man who NOW owns the property behind us stopped by on Sunday to tell us.

 

He had asked us back in February—if it would be okay to take down the fence and put up NEW fence, in order to keep his cows in his field.

I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I guess,  NEW FENCE.

You can see the gnarly old barbed wire--- it was so mangled, it wasn’t doing the job.

We waked some mornings with cattle ‘lowing’…very close to the back porch!

Our corner post with our next door neighbor.  She actually had cows under her carport and at the patio door one morning! 

 

I’m torn.

Not sure how to feel. On the one hand—we’re getting a new fence back there. On the other hand—we have lost a lot of trees. Trees that grew right on the fence row.  The picture above shows the ‘China Berry’ (Texas Soap Berry Tree) that we lost last summer – we asked if he’d push it our way. We’ll cut it for fuel next winter.

 

These Pillars are staying. I’m glad. They serve as a solid place to “tie-in” and they mark our property line too. They serve as SOMETHING FAMILIAR in this Unfamiliar time. I’m assuming he will be putting barbed wire back up there. One thing that gives me a little bit of peace about the whole thing; At least he is putting his cows back out there when this is all over and done with…and not a Sub-division, or RV park or something like that.

Still, the trees being down has changed everything so quickly. Overnight.

I was wondering where all the birds have gone.  Today, I noticed there were more in our yard and around our home. I saw several flying to the old oak tree out back.

(looking down the property line) The Oak on the left—in OUR field and the tree straight down…barely inside the line.

This pile of trees represents homeless and misplaced birds. I wondered how many nests for birds, squirrels, etc. were disrupted when these trees were pushed into a pile.  Even the field of Black Eyed Susan's were crushed as the Dozer…chomped, chomped, chomped it’s way through the pasture.

This ‘Susan’ … a casualty. 

Still, I know more trees will grow. I don’t know if I’ll be here to sit under their shade and walk in the breeze that will rustle their leaves.  I’m so grateful today, to have this view regardless. Very soon, the fence will be up and the cows will be back.

 

For now, I AM trying to get used to the view again. The birds are not the only ones misplaced.  I sort of feel as though I am misplaced too. It is a strange feeling having someone fiddle with your surroundings.

The sunset a little differently tonight.

Til next time, Be Blessed!



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Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

:: Friendly Chatter::

Hi Y’all!   I just wanted to pop in here and let all of you know…
I have missed you…
It’s been almost 2 months since I last posted.
Bet you are wondering what in my country world have I been up to? 
I don’t, however, bet that you’ve lost any sleep over it!  Ha! 
But that’s okay…just knowing you think about me and pray for me is enough.  Many of you have left comments and quite a few of you have sent emails. 
You ALL are great!
You may have noticed I changed my header… did that this morning.  If you follow me on INSTAGRAM (I have been posting more frequently there lately than anywhere else.) then you’ve seen that picture in my header before!  The header picture is of my new cup towels. 
I bought those cute little cup towels at the Dollar General. It was splurge on my Birthday…yes!  my birthday has passed while I was away.  It was in March. Anyway—I bought up all they had left of this pattern for the vintage looking coffee-pots!!  So cute! and I just love the colors. The brown will go nicely with my chocolate brown chambers range in my kitchen.  I’m going to crochet little handles on them and get extra mileage from each towel and I’m thinking of adding an edge to the hot pads.
I removed the etsy from my sidebar today too while I was dinkin’ around the old blog.  I currently have no listings there.  You’d think I’d have restocked in the past  2 months.  But I have not.
Anyway—Today is our wedding anniversary, the Honey and I have been married 31 years! I was waked with breakfast in bed!  We have had our fair share of bumps along the way…but it has made us stronger ,I suppose. I cant think of anyone else I’d rather travel a bumpy road with than The Honey. :)
I’ve talked about ‘me’ enough for today. Hope you are blessed in all of your work and play today. I’ll  be getting around to many of your blogs—
For you!

Beautiful Springtime ‘Wisteria’
Til next time, Be Blessed!



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"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ~John 15:13~

:: The Blue Room and Winter ILLs ::

I took this photo the other day…The weather finally started to warm up a little bit here. The sun peaked out (it’s been overcast and dreary) and I wanted to take some pictures outside.  I didn’t have much luck with it…still trying to figure out what is wrong with my camera.
I replaced the batteries with new rechargeable batteries—I told you before my old ones are going on 4  years old.
However they still work!
Anyway—my pictures are still somewhat grainy.  I think I just need to break down and find a camera shop and see if they can clean the inside parts.


I took several pictures this one was the best.  I was standing near the wood burning stove in the living room and the door was open and the light on so I figured I’d take this opportunity to catch up with all of you and let you know a little bit of what is going on here with us!
Most of you know that I babysit my grandchildren during the week; while my grown kids go off to make a buck—they bring The Littles here to be with us during the day…
Well—they’ve all been sick!  Bronchitis and virus infection.  No flu---thank goodness.  But even “V”  the four month old has been sick.  This doesn’t happen with us very often.  The generally stay well except occasional  allergies—which YES, can make a child or adult feel just as crummy.  But not the whole shebang. 
No appetites , not drinking enough—making sure the worst ones get their breathing treatments. 
I’ve felt like I was running an outpatient clinic instead of an in home day care!  I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining.  I have just been
PLUM
TUCKERED
OUT!
Fortunately, I  DID NOT get sick.  Just tired. :/
I did start to feel a little bit of a sinus congestion—but nipped it in the bud the first day or so at the onset; with ACV and Baking Soda AND a couple of doses over 48 hrs of GARLIC AND HONEY mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice.  These are  My “GO TO” remedies WHENEVER I feel something coming on and I want to fight it. (I'm not a doctor keep in mind results may vary  :) )   

*Affiliate Link to follow*

I use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

I purchase it here at a local bakery in town-- but you may click on the link and purchase it through Amazon! 

I do wish I could get TH to drink this or take the garlic and honey…but he won’t.   Well, now he is sick and not sleeping well at night…coughing his head off—we’re getting very little sleep. :/
The bedroom up top? 
Our son is living here temporarily  -- So he is occupying this room and his Littles, when they come to visit.  I won’t delve into that here but prayers for our family would be much appreciated if you think of us.
I have plenty to write about; but just haven’t had the time
OR
SCRUPLES
TO DO IT!
Thank you for those inquiries as to how we are doing.  I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Til next time, Be Blessed!



* by clicking on affiliate links (and making a purchase at Amazon) in the post or any other post on this blog you help this blogger earn a little bit of income for her family WITHOUT IT COSTING YOU A PENNY!

 

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I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live; but Christ who lives inside of me. The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself up for me. 
~Galatians 2:20