BareFoot Days

Haiti 2014 {Traveling}

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 04:56:00 +0000

I was blessed earlier this summer to go on a week long trip to Haiti. I had been praying for an opportunity to go on a missions trip since November/December and a friend told me about this trip around February. I thought and prayed about it and decided I would look more into it. I knew that doors had to be opened for me to go (finances, getting off work...). It amazed how God really showed me this is what I was supposed to do.

I went through Rebel Ministries and while we were in Haiti we stayed at Mission of Hope. If your church or family or just you is looking to do some missions down in Haiti, I highly recommend this organization.

We had a group of 40 going, I believe the youngest was 8 and then we had middle aged adults going. It was a really nice age range. One concern I had before we left was not getting to know people very well. I'm not a people person by any means and getting to know new people is not my forte. Before we left, I only knew like 4 people on the trip. A good friend of mine went and then we had done some small group stuff before we left. I can't believe how close our group got in just a week! That was definitely a God thing.

We left around one o'clockish the morning of June 25 to head up to Detroit (about 2 1/2 hours). We got a charter bus, so super comfy seats + no sleep the past couple of days = Esther sleeps the whole way there. So when we got to the airport it was around 3:30 ish. We got into the airport and there is absolutely no one there, but a couple of security guards. Come to find out the airport doesn't actually open until 5. Who knew airports actually closed??? So we just chilled out in the lobby for an hour and a half.

Our travel group {Me, Scotty, Michelle}

We were divided into 10 travel groups (so groups of 4), so that way our leader only had to keep track of 10 people instead of 40 :) My travel group had my friend and me then a father and son. I loved our group! The travel groups stuck together in the airports and when we went through customs.

The airport looked like a prison. It had barb wire surrounding it.

We got to Port-au-Prince in the afternoon and spent forever trying to get out of the airport parking lot. It was extremely crowded and we pretty much got stuck in a traffic jam. Our bus driver was amazing though and was able to get us out. There were a ton of people just outside the airport watching as people came out because they had absolutely nothing else to do. That was their entertainment for the day.

Since our group was so big, we rode in school buses the whole week. We also had a group of 5 from Delaware with us, then all our translators, village champions, and interns. Most of the time, there were seats missing on the bus, so some of us had to stand while traveling. Haitian driving is nothing like American driving! The only time I had to stand was on the way back to the airport, so the roads were slightly smoother than in the village.

Those little blue dots are tents. They're just tarps on a crude frame of sorts

Once we were finally able to get on the road from the airport, it was about an hour drive to the mission. It was definitely a culture shock. There was trash everywhere. Cars were honking constantly, people were yelling, the smells were different (and not good ones). On the way we were able to see in the distance tent cities. That was really hard for me to see. They were using tarps the same size as the ones we use to cover hay here at home. People actually live under those and here they're just used to cover our material possessions.

{continued}

A Frosty Sunrise

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 20:17:00 +0000

I was coming in from chicken chores and couldn't resist getting some pictures. The sun was just starting to rise and the frost was clinging to the trees... How can you not believe there isn't a Creator?

Snow Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:35:00 +0000

We're in the middle of a snow storm right now. Currently we have about 5 inches of snow (on top of the 6 inches we got a couple of days ago), and it's supposed to snow the rest of the day.

Angels We Have Heard on High {Christmas Hymns #1}

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

e width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yJZCR30TN_Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Angels We Have Heard on High is a based on a traditional French carol ' Les Anges dans nos campagnes' . In 1862 it was translated by James Chadwick into English into the carol we all know today.

Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:54:00 +0000

Hoping you all have a very happy {and safe!} Thanksgiving!

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;

Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Life As of Late

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:50:00 +0000

I started my new job about 2 weeks ago at a bakery in a local grocery store. The hours are taking some getting used to, but I really like the job. Most days I go in at 2am and then get off between 8 and 9. I've never worked 3rd shift before this, but I can tell already that I like it a lot more than 2nd shift! My main job right now is frying and glazing the doughnuts. After I'm done with that, I help to make sure the shelves are stocked with pies, cookies, etc. ;)

{via}

Harvest is starting to slow down a tad here. I love the smell of harvest. The earthy smell of the corn, dusty smell of the beans, sweet smell of hay. This year it really hit me of how privileged I am to be a part of it (not that I do any of the actual harvesting). When I take my walks in the evening, I know most of the people who pass me hauling implements or driving the grain trucks or the tractors/combines. Even if I don't know them, they still wave. It's the small things. :) I just can't imagine living in bigger cities, not knowing who my neighbors are or how my food originally started out.

{via}

The past couple of days it's been spitting snow...and rain and sleet (if you want to see all kinds of weather in just one day, you really need to visit the Midwest). When I left work this morning there was a dusting of snow on my truck. The trees are changing in stages. I was kind of disappointed that the colors weren't more vibrant this year. It seems that two or three kinds of trees will change colors, then a storm will come and blow them all away, then the next round of trees will change.

I made my first pumpkin recipe of the season last weekend! I'm trying to sort through all my pumpkin recipes and decide what to make next. It all sounds so good!

Stones Trace {2013}

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 21:26:00 +0000

Every September there is a fair nearby that celebrates the pioneers and Indians that lived in this area around 150 years ago. This year, Grandma, Mom, and I were able to participate. We were able to demonstrate some of the needle work that the women would have done during the Civil War-era. Grandma hand quilted, Mom embroidered, and I crocheted.

All day, there are different groups, bands, or individuals who come up and perform for about 20 minutes at a time. One of my favorites were the cloggers. They make it look so easy.

A guy from the 'militia'. They would raise and lower the flag at opening and closing. Then sound the cannon at every hour.

This is pretty much a flea market. Anyone who is selling or demonstrating has to be in period correct outfits and live like they would have 150 years ago.

The tent we were demonstrating in. On the left is the DAR booth. Then on the right is where we were demonstrating our needle work. There were other ladies demonstrating elsewhere, but since we all knew each other they let us sit together :)

Along with my family, there was another lady in the tent making penny rugs. It was really neat to hear the history behind them.

Penny rug demonstrator ;)

Grandma

Mother dearest

(who is going to kill me for putting this up. Love you Mom! ;) )

The DAR side of the tent.

Also while we were demonstrating, we had 'apprentices'. We had 4 middle school girls come over during the two days and their goal was to learn about needlework. I was able to teach two girls how to crochet (which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be).

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:06:00 +0000

I was looking back at some of last year's posts and couldn't believe that this time last year we were hitting 100*! It's just now warming up into the 80's. I was hoping so much for a warm summer this year. It just took a tad longer this year =)

We have the majority of our garden planted. Andrew has been working super hard in it, keeping the weeds down to a minimum. The beans and corn are really doing well. Almost all the bean seeds we planted sprouted, which is a first.

VBS is next week (super stoked!). I'm supposed to shadow the music teacher around, since she can't be there for the program. We'll see how that goes. I don't really care to sing (that's why I play piano =) ).

P.S. Have you visited A Pinch of Classy yet? I contribute on Wednesdays (when I remember *ahem*). The girls over there have a ton of great reviews on clothes, beauty products, etc, plus outfit posts and some posts to make you think a little. So go on over and comment!

Undecided

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:20:00 +0000

Warning: Completely random post with no real point.

Everytime I come back after an unplanned break, I always tell myself, "I'm going to blog regularly now." I'm not even going to bother this time =) I know it probably won't happen. Just like telling myself, I'm going to write my penpals back in an orderly fashion every time I get a letter (sorry Hannah, I promise I'm getting your's around =) ).

So, what's been happening in Northern Indiana recently? Well, it's finally warming up and smells like spring outside! More like freshly cut grass and plowed fields, but that's spring to me. Towards the end of April we ended up with 6 or 7 inches of snow one night and then it melted by noon o.O This time last year, we were well into the 80's and had been there for about a month. Definitely not the same this year.

I got a job sewing at a factory of sorts around mid-March. I was there for about a month and then the doors shut. Some super sketchy business going on there and an extremely long story behind that, so I'll spare you the details. Needless to say, I'm back at the grocery store. I'm enjoying it much more the second time. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think a lot of it has to do with my mindset. Making a conscious decision to enjoy it has helped tremendously. I'm still not sure what I want to do job wise. Right now I'm toying with the idea of college to get a certificate in bookkeeping. It wouldn't be my first choice, so I don't know what's going to happen. It would be so much easier if I knew what the future held. Mainly if I knew, if I'd ever have a family of my own. I don't want to spend a ton of money on something that will be completely useless in the next 10 years. I guess for now, I'll just take it a day at a time and see where God leads me (so hard to do sometimes!).

I bought my first vehicle about two months ago! It's a little s10 and I love it! Sadly, I hit a deer this past week, so a headlight is missing and my passenger door won't open. I'm hoping with a little TLC and some elbow grease (mainly Dad's =) ) it'll be good to go.

Andrew and I have got some of our garden seeds started now. Dad plowed the garden up this past weekend, so we should get at least the beets, carrots, and onions in sometime soon. Andrew wanted to do some plants I've never tried (like brussel sprouts and egg plant). We'll see if they even grow since I've never messed with them before =)

Well, I guess that's a quick catch-up. Hopefully next time won't be so long!

(All images via Pinterest except truck picture, which is mine.)

A Pinch of Classy

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:20:00 +0000

I've started contributing to a new modesty blog called, A Pinch of Classy. Hop on over if you would like to hear encouragement and advice on modesty.

Long Time

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:27:00 +0000

{source}

I was looking at my last post and I couldn't believe it was in October! I attempted to design my first blog background a month or two ago. The first one went well, I just need to adjust the size a little. In the meantime, I'm using a background made by my friend, Hannah. If you haven't seen her backgrounds yet, you need to go check out the blog she has for them.

I've been working quite a bit lately and it seems any free day I have I'm always doing something or other (hence the forgotten blog) =) I'm working at a local grocery store. I'm looking around trying to find something else. Something full time and little more consistent. I'm not sure exactly what I want to do. All in the Lord's timing.

I have a ton of pictures I've wanted to post (some all the way back from June and July). I don't know if I'll actually post them or not. That seems so long ago =)

Until next time!

Mess

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 03:15:00 +0000

Between working, homeschooling my youngest brother (more on that another time!), our main computer having fits, and all the other little things of life, my poor blog has been much neglected.

I've been off and on trying to tidy up my blog a little. I set my blog on private thinking I could re-do it pretty fast, but I should have known form the beginning that wasn't going to happen. I've set it back on public viewing, so I can still post and you all can see it =)

I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to blog designing. I'm pretty much looking a tutorials online, learning as I go. I guess it's a good thing I don't have any expectations for how I want it to turn out =)

Please bear with me and kindly ignore the mess =)

Louisa May Alcott Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:02:00 +0000

I didn't accomplish what I had wanted to with the Louisa May Alcott challenge. I had hoped to read:

~Little Women

~Good Wives

~Little Men

~Jo's Boys

I was able to read Little Women and Good Wives and I started on Little Men. (I ended up being much busier than I had anticipated this summer =) )

I really enjoy reading Little Women/Good Wives. This is probably the 5th time I've read through them both. I didn't realize it was two separate books until this challenge =) When I was looking into what books I wanted to read of Louisa Alcott's, I discovered that there were a total of 4 books in the series!

~~~~~~~

While reading the Little Women series, I related best to Jo. She's always been my favourite of the March sisters, and probably always will be. Her stubbornness and strong opinions along with her tomboyish attitude are something I can relate to and remind me of myself.

Every time I read Little Women, I want to cry when Beth dies. I know it's coming and I've read it before, but it gets me every time. I want to cry along with Jo (can you tell I get too involved in these books? =) ).

I'm really enjoying Little Men. Though, I'm not far into it, I'm liking it better than the previous two books. I think Louisa Alcott's writing style is slightly different in this than in Little Women/Good Wives and to me, it's more enjoyable to read.

~~~~~~~

It was refreshing to read Louisa May Alcott's writing this summer. I love her writing style. It's different than what I read from most contemporary authors in the respect of the characters and story line.

This summer/fall, I'm hoping to finally finish the Little Women series and then move on to some of her other works.

~~~~~~~

Thanks Tarissa for hosting this challenge. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on LAM's books =)

Quick Catch-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 04:30:00 +0000

This summer has been one of my busiest that I can remember. Sorry for the lack of pictures in this post. I've hardly touched my camera this summer.

At the beginning of July, I was busy getting my 4-H projects around. I ended up doing photography (black & white poster and colour poster) and baking (snickerdoodle muffins). This was only my second time doing 4-H. The last time I did 4-H was in 5th grade, I believe. A friend convinced me to do it again this year and since it would be the last year I could do it, I went for it. All my projects got blue ribbons, so that was really exciting =)

July 10th I celebrated my 18th birthday. I spent most of the day at the fairgrounds waiting for my photography to be judged. To me, 18 just sounds so grown-up, though I don't feel all grown-up =) I have to sign my own papers at the doctor's office, I signed up to register to vote, I can now buy stuff from infomercials (not that I will, but I can =) ), etc. Too old I tell ya, too old!

Around the end of July we finally got rain! From the beginning of June to that time, we had only gotten half an inch of rain. It was hot (90's and low 100's) and dry. The corn was curling, the bean weren't growing, the garden looked pathetic, and the grass looked like it usually does in August. Harvest is still questionable as to what the crops will actually produce, but we know it's all in the Lord's timing.

{source}

The last full week in July, I went out to Pennsylvania with a group from church for BBI and Brethren Alive. It was loads of fun, as always. We left on Fri, July 20th and got back late on the 29th. Hopefully a post about it sometime soon. I'm headed back to Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks for Camp Meeting (my first time!).

The rest of my time is usually spent working. I work at a grocery store owned by a family from church. People ask me what I do there and I'm never really sure how to describe what I do; a little bit of everything I guess =) The majority of the time I'm at the register and once a week I do grocery (sack groceries, carry-out, stock shelves, etc.). Occasionally I'll work in produce packaging the fruits and veggies and setting them out. For the most part I like it. I get 2-3 days off, though I work Saturdays, and the hours aren't bad. All-in-all I'd rather be home. Someday I will, someday...

What has your summer been like?

Ridiculous Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:45:00 +0000

Tonight

Mostly
Clear
Lo 55 °F

Wednesday

Hot

Hi 91 °F

Wednesday
Night

Mostly
Clear
Lo 67 °F

Thursday

Hot

Hi 101 °F

Thursday
Night

Partly
Cloudy
Lo 75 °F

Friday

Hot

Hi 94 °F

Friday
Night

Partly
Cloudy
Lo 72 °F

Saturday

Hot

Hi 92 °F

Saturday
Night

Partly
Cloudy
Lo 70 °F

Look at Thursday! I can't think of the last time it reached 100 F here. Yet notice there is still no rain in site. There's a slight chance a week from tomorrow *sigh*

Back {Again}

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 22:17:00 +0000

We've been so busy since my last post {almost 3 weeks ago!}.

Northern Indiana has definitely been feeling summer-y! The majority of June has been hot! It's not too bad right now (mid-80's), but we're predicted to hit 100 F by the middle of the week. I'm going to try and get all the weeding and laundry done before the heat hits.

~~~~~~~

Right before we left. We all decided to wear neon and surprise our youth pastor and Brittany =)

At the beginning of June our youth group went on a work trip. We went to Camp Inspiration Hills in Burbank, OH {near Wooster}. It wasn't as long as our trip last year {we only stayed Sunday-Wednesday}. We were able to stay in the same building that we stayed in last year which was a huge blessing. During the week we picked up sticks, weeded flower beds, smoothed out gravel, but our big project was painting their garage. We {Michelle, Brittany, and I} power washed the loose paint off the garage. Then, all of us painted it. It looked so much better after a fresh coat of paint, though we didn't =) Wednesday night we still had paint all over our arms and legs, I even had a chunk in my hair.

On Tuesday night we went to Der Dutchman, where we went last year just no yodeling old men this time. It was a lot of fun and some of us ate a little too much. A certain fellow from youth group decided to see how much he could eat. His meal included 3 glasses of pop, 2 chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, 5 rolls with Amish peanut butter, a piece of butterscotch pie, a piece of peanut butter pie, and then a scoop of ice cream. Towards the end he was rocking himself back and forth between each bite trying to get it all finished. The trip back to the camp takes an hour and we were in the middle of Holmes county, so there are a lot of hills. We were all hoping he wouldn't lose his supper on the way home.

Once again Brittany posted about our trip. You can see the pictures at Blue River Youth :)

~~~~~~~~

{via}

This past week was VBS at church {tonight is the kids' program}. The theme this year was IncrediWorld Amazement Park by Answers in Genesis. I was able to go Thursday and Friday for the whole day, but only part days earlier in the week due to work. I love working with all the kids and it makes my day to see them having so much fun.

~~~~~~~

{via}

It has been so dry around here lately. There was a chance of rain today, but I think that has kind of fizzled out. The grass looks like it does in the middle of July or August. The crops are spotty and the corn leaves all curled up. Even the trees look dry. Right now our county and several others are under a burn notice due to the drought. My garden looks absolutely horrible {besides needing weeded}. I planted about 20 tomato plants and only 1 looks half alive. My beets and green beans are looking really good, but I planted them 2 weeks earlier than everything else. Out of 3 hills of squash only one has sprouted. The carrots, peppers, and pumpkins are doing absolutely nothing.

Central and southern Indiana are having trouble with West Nile due to it being so wet. It's amazing the contrast in one state.

~~~~~~~

An update on the Louisa May Alcott challenge. I'm not even half way through Little Women. I know it's not even July yet, but I was hoping to be farther along. The next couple weeks should slow down a little until the fair comes {mid-July} then we get hectic again =)

Louisa May Alcott

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 03:53:00 +0000

Tarissa from In the Bookcase is hosting a Louisa May Alcott challenge this summer. It runs now through August 10th. You compile a list of books by or about Louisa May Alcott that you want to read, then read and post about them.

I never realized that there were three books (four if you separate Little Women and Good Wives} in the Little Women series. In fact, I didn't realize it was a series at all! So, this summer I would like to read:
~Little Women~
~The Good Wives~
~Little Men~
~Jo's Boys~

Those will be my starting point and I will probably add more as the summer goes on =)

March, April, & May's Good Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Thu, 31 May 2012 03:07:00 +0000

I've kind of taken an unplanned blogging break. I'll explain in a later post =)

Cleaning Tips
-31 Ways to Use a Mason Jar in Your Kitchen~Mrs. Stephanie
-Recipe for a Toxin-Free Kitchen: 10 Homemade Kitchen Cleaners~Mrs. Erin

Gardening
-Why Start Seeds Indoors?~Mrs. Amy

Ponderings
-The Deception of Marketing and Media~Mrs. Jacqueline
-Torn Between My Head and My Heart~Mrs. Bonnie
-Are You In-Secure?~Mrs. Renee
-Waiting Room: Part I~Miss Mikaela
-Waiting Room: Part II~Miss Mikaela
-Waiting Room: Part III~Miss Mikaela
-Marked~Miss Lauren
-Beware the Take-you-for-granted-hum-drum-yawn-producing-mechanical-routine relationship~Miss Lauren
-Finding Your Romance in Christ~Miss Elisha
-When Pain Paralyzes~Mrs. Carole
-Grace for the Woman Who Doesn't Know~Mrs. Sarah Mae
-Oh Brother~Miss Lauren
-Sturdy Womanhood~Mrs. Jacqueline
-Thinking Caps~Miss Shelby
-Saying Thank You~Mrs. Veronica
-Taking Dominion By Washing Feet~Miss Bria
-Hospitality and Homelife: A Forgotten Conduit for Ministry~Mrs. Bambi
-Judge Ye Not!~Miss Bethany
-Sharing Our Struggles~Miss Johanna

Lilacs

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:26:00 +0000

I'm Back

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:58:00 +0000

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! Since I last posted...

...The youth usually put on a Son Rise Service at church. We perform a play and then serve breakfast. This year our play was about some country cousins going to visit their city cousins. The city cousins don't understand the true reason for church and just use it as a social club. The country cousins teach them what church is really for. I was one of the country cousins, Brenda Mae. This was my first major part in a play and I really enjoyed it. Keith was the uppity pastor from the First Church of the Stained Glass =)

Photo by Mom

I don't have a picture of us in our play outfits, but here is one taken in our Easter outfits (I'm not sure why I'm making the weird face). I procrastinated about making my Easter jumper until Saturday. Definitely not happening again....

...I am completely finished with school! I finished almost two weeks ago and I'm still not sure what to do with all my extra time =) I'm hoping to get back into a bakery in the near future. I will also be teaching knitting and crocheting classes at JoAnn's sometime soon.

...Our garden is slowly coming together. I've planted a row of lettuce and two rows of beets so far. I hope to get at least one more row of beets in. I also have the bell peppers and tomatoes sprouting on our porch.

...My latest item up in Etsy.

I have more pictures that still need some final touches. Maybe later in the week I'll get them up =)

Spring Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:32:00 +0000

A couple days ago I went out took some pictures of our budding trees and flowers. Most have grown quite a bit since then, but here they are anyway =)

Forsythia

Raindrop

Lilac Bush

Bird's Nest

Azaleas

Rhubarb

Today my friend came over and we did my senior pictures. Can't wait to see how they turned out!

Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:28:00 +0000

*Note: I started off with the intention of just posting about spring, but then I got into a basketball/football thing. Sorry it's just a conglomeration of things =) *

I'm so excited spring is finally here! Not that we had much of a winter, but it's still here!

{via}

{The forecast for Ft. Wayne from this previous week. You can see the records broken and what the average high is supposed to be for March.}

This past week has been hot! On Wednesday we almost hit 90*. Northeastern Indiana was warmer than any other major city in the country (Phoenix, Miami, Houston, etc.)

A lot of our trees have started budding, including the lilac bushes. I'm really hoping it doesn't freeze or the lilacs won't bloom very well. What's spring without lilacs?!

Our forsythia bush has bloomed. The azalea bush is starting to bloom. I'll post pictures later =)

{via}

On a sadder note, Tim Tebow was traded to the Jets. (No, I do not obsess over him like some other teenage girls =) ) The Jets are number three on my 'NFL Can't Stand List', right behind the Patriots and the Steelers. (You can see why this is so sad now.) Peyton Manning was the one who took Tebow's place on the Broncos, but Manning's from the Colts. Then the Colts get rid of all the rest of my favorite players... *Ugh* I don't know why I'm complaining when I'm a Cheesehead anyway.

Pretty sad when the only drama in my life is football =)

{via}

And back to happy stuff... IU is in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in almost 10 years. I don't really cheer for IU, but it's nice having a team from your home state in there. Last night was the first time this season I've watched basketball and oh how I have missed you basketball! I really don't know why I didn't watch it earlier... I watched Wisconsin lose to Syracuse (which was a really good game by the way). I really like Wisconsin, but I'll take it since the game was so good. Anyway, tonight at 9:45 on CBS be cheering for IU. =)

Miscellany Post

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:51:00 +0000

It is soooo nice out right now. It's sunny and in the mid-70's with a slight breeze. Oh bliss!!!

Tonight

Chance
Tstms
Lo 59 °F

Thursday

Chance
Tstms
Hi 76 °F

Thursday
Night

Chance
Tstms
Lo 58 °F

Friday

Chance
Tstms
Hi 78 °F

Friday
Night

Mostly
Cloudy
Lo 57 °F

Saturday

Chance
Tstms
Hi 76 °F

Saturday
Night

Chance
Tstms
Lo 58 °F

Sunday

Partly
Sunny
Hi 76 °F

Aren't you all jealous? =)

{via}

We opened up some windows today and are letting the house air out. I've been washing our bedding and hanging it out. I love getting into bed after the sheets and blankets have been hung out.

We still haven't ordered our seeds for the garden *ahem*, but I have a list all planned out. It's just a matter of getting it sent in.

I absolutely detest Daylight Savings. Once upon a time Indiana was normal and didn't participate in it, but now, unfortunately, we do. I honestly don't see the point in it. I think of more bad things about it than good...

2012 =)

God Made a Farmer

noreply@blogger.com (Esther) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:06:00 +0000

I think this about sums it up. I can see my dad doing almost all these things =)

"And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the field, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the township board." So God made a farmer.

"I need somebody with arms strong enough to wrestle a calf, and yet gentle enough to cradle his own grandchild."

"Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait for lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies, then tell the ladies to be sure to come back real soon, and mean it." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt and watch it die, then dry his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year'. I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from an ash tree, shoe a horse, and can fix a harness with hay wire, feed sacks, and shoe scraps. Who, during planting time and harvest season will finish his 40-hour week by Tuesday and then, paining from tractor back, up in another 72 hours." So God made the farmer.

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds, and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bales, yet gentle enough to help a newborn calf begin to suckle, and tend the pink-combed pullets. Someone who will stop his mower in an instant to avoid the nest of meadowlarks."

It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight, and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed, brake, disk, plow, plant, strain the milk, replenish the self-feeder, and finish a hard week's work with an eight mile drive to church. Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft, strong bonds of sharing. Who would laugh, and then sigh, and then reply with smiling eyes when his family says that they are proud of what Dad does. "So God made a farmer."

~Author Unknown

Thanks to Goat Song Farm for sharing.