Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Inbetween booty

I popped out today to do some in between shopping, you know, after one holiday and before the next.  Just enough to get through.  These week-end holidays have my nice little routine all discombobulated!  The bonus is that the Dollar General Market is having another $5 off coupon this Saturday, Jan. 1st.  They seem to do this every other week, for one day only, always a Sat. and never before a holiday.  That $5 off takes care of sale tax on $50 worth of food!  Anyway . . . I just wanted to brag on a major mark-down find I found today at the Bi-Rite.  I snagged their last three bags of fresh cranberries at less than half price!  I don't know about where you are, but here they reached $2.50 a bag - I know!  So we only had one bag for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.  These I will freeze for next year (they are good in the freezer for up to a year) when they might just be $3 a bag, geesh.  I got a couple of other good finds as well.  I just want to remind everyone in these tight times to always look for reduced items.  Most major stores mark perishables and discontinued items to half price and keep them in a special location.  There are even stores that cater to discontinued items, down here they are called grocery outlet stores or united grocery outlets (u-go's).  You can often times even find organic items at these stores.  I do the bulk of my shopping with reduced food and at our Dollar General Market.  I save on gas as out local Wal-marts and other chains are over 20 miles away.   I haven't grocery shopped at a Wal-mart in over a year, except to pick up some extras while camping.  However I will go to our 'uptown' Kroger to get hard to find specialty items such as aluminum -free baking powder and egg replacement powder.

While we are on the subject of being frugal, I want to pass along a little tibbet of wisdom I gleaned and have made my mantra: Never buy anything new if you don't have too.  That has sure helped us live on one income so I can be a SAHM whom homeschools and raised godly children.  I mean if you bed sheet rips . . . sew it.  Paying  $15 for a large bag of clothing (works out to about  $.80 for 20 pieces) is much better for growing kids than $10 an item at the chain store.  You get the picture.  Take back your lives and your cash and stop being lemmings with a heard mentality for the consumer company's who make cheap items so that you will have to keep purchasing new every 4-6 months!  And above all else, let God take care of you.  Pray to Him, give all glory to Him and put all your faith in Him.  He needs your help far less often than you suppose.  Look to Matthew 6:19-34. 

Ok, enough, off my soap box (recycled don't ya know) now.  LOL  Blessings, Beth Ann

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Comish

I am proud to say that I finished my first commissioned knitting piece on time : )  Although it gave me kittens quite a few times, but I tend to be a perfectionist.  It was worth it by the look of the finished piece however.  I took the order right before Thanksgiving and started it a couple days after.  I finished it two days before Christmas and put the finishing touches and fringe on it Christmas eve, about one hour before delivering it!  I was very happy with this piece and myself for setting a goal and finishing it.  I might have been able to do it faster if I hadn't also been teaching school, cooking, decorating for the holidays, attending parties, gift shopping/wrapping and cleaning!  Whew!  Many people saw me working on this and now they want one too!  I said no more scarves until next year!  I would actually like to do something for myself for a change, but we will see.  I am still working on a pair of socks and I still have that specialty yarn for the knitted cargo pants I want to make.  Sigh.  While I was helping B with her knitting last night (see, nothing for me), Z walked up and asked if I could make him a matching beanie for his scarf.  Double sigh.  I still have B's scarf to finish and none of these people pay!  LOL

Here is the finished scarf, in Griffindor House colors.


The small narrow strips indicate a year 3/4 scarf


Here are the two Harry Potter scarves side by side.  Larger stripes are year 1/2  and this one is Z's in Raven claws house colors.  Other differences are that year 1/2 is knitted in long tube and tied off with tassels.  Scarf 3/4 is a single ribbed knit with fringe ends.  Both are pretty good looking and a nice pattern to knit.

Let me know if you want one and I can also make matching hats, mittens, socks, and bookmarks : )
Blessings, Beth Ann

Monday, December 27, 2010

All done

Am I the only one who feels a post holiday let down?  I almost hate to see the actual holiday arrive.  The anticipation is the best part, that and seeing the smiles when someone opens a gift they adore!  But here are a few of those smiles as we close out the holiday memories of 2010.

Here E is rocking out to here new 'electric' guitar.  It came with a psychedelic mic stand too.  If you know E, then you know how much fun she is having with this!


We make sure all the kids get plenty of art/craft items.  Here is Z with some 'blow' art pens and stencils.  He also received two boxes of origami (which he is great at), and it is almost empty!


 
Another million dollar smile shot of B - LOL  The smile is for more 'Twilight' stuff, sigh.


And here is twin son E, busy building with the new marble run set, sent from Vegas.  It has kept all the kids and even K pretty busy, also a cat as well : )


One last look at the tree for another year.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Lights of the season

I finely found the time to pop outside to take some pic's of the lights in our yard.  It is an on-going project of my oldest son's.  He works on it and adds to it daily.  He is already plotting what he wants to add next year (think frosty from Christmas with the Kranks).  We have taken to calling him Clark, as in Clark Griswold from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - LOL  The only thing holding him in check is money or lack of it.  On the other hand, last week we came home from church and there was a huge box of holiday lights and extras on our front porch.  Pre-loved, but still . . . The word has gotten out, and I couldn't be prouder : )  There are worse things for a kid to be into, right?  Let me share a few glimpse with you:

This is our side yard, next to the main drive way.  I received the deer last year as a gift, which Z promptly put together and put outside!

Here is our mail box.  It is hard to tell, but Z affixed a star to the top post.  The snowman flag hangs from a solar lamp post and changes with the season.  This pic is of the other side yard, next to the RV drive way and fence.



This is an angled view of the front and does include some of the side yard and driveway.  We bought this little snowman to make sure we had one each year since snow is a scarce commodity here.  Notice the small inflatable toy soldier in front of the porch pillar, there is a matching one on the other side and ditto with the spiral tree too.  If you look in the window you can see our Christmas tree.


Here is a view inside looking out . . .


And this pic is just for Grandma S and has nothing to do with Christmas except that we miss you and Grandpa D and wish we were together this time of year.  Just wanted you to know Pumpkin is still kicking and missing you.   Remember the holiday you were so busy feeding her turkey you didn't realize baby Eli was putting stuffing in your pockets?  LOL  Love you and the rest of our family too.  I hope sharing these pic's helps to make us feel closer  as we can't be with ya all.  Hugs and kisses.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Others

Last Sunday in church we learned about doing for others and how even Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.  I received the chance today to do something for 'others', and it felt soooooooo good!  I wanted to thank the people who gave me the opportunity to spread a little Christmas spirit to a family who needed some help.  It was awesome and I can't wait to do it again!  I love my church family and am thankful everyday that God led us here!

Speaking of Christmas cheer, aren't these two, too cute?  They are getting so big, can't believe they will be 7 in the spring ~ wow!


I know it's hard to tell, but there is more than one ferret in this picture : )  The big one on top is a cinnamon male named Hobb, and he is very social.


These two aren't half bad either - LOL  Zach will be 18 in three weeks!  WOW and double wow!  When did that happen?  Bre is turning into such a beauty.  Notice the wonderful brace - free smile, she is such a sweetie : )

Well enough bragging on my blessings, Beth Ann
"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving" Psalm 95:2a

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Holiday happenings

I know it's been a few days since I blogged, but blessedly there really hasn't been much going on here.  I have been cooking, cleaning and knitting on a commission piece.  Hubby has been doing the Zone thing and some car jobs, praise the LORD!  Those extra jobs ALWAYS come just when we need them most, the way God planned I imagine : )  The kids have been, well kids - LOL  The twins are pretty wound up about the holidays and even the older kids have been spotted shaking a few packages.  The weather has been the big scene stealer.  We had an Indian summer, right through Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to enjoy our holiday on the deck in bright sunny weather.  Then bang!  Next thing you know the furnace is on!  We even had three snow days for our public school system here.  There is only one plow in our county and that doesn't help with the ice in the hallows.  Don't fear though, we still had school here!  LOL   Other big news is that as of yesterday, two weeks until the end of the year, we met the deductible on our pharmacy insurance and I got my pills for free!  Yea baby, that's what I'm talking about - LOL  Better late than never I guess : )

This one of our most cherished ornaments.  We picked it up on Edisto Island, South Carolina.



We went Christmas caroling with our church last night.  Good times were had by all.  It was very icy and I almost fell, but son and hubby saved me.  I have great guys and am very blessed.  A friend took this family pic of us after at the coffee & cocoa portion of the evening.  I wonder if I can get these into cards in time for Christmas?


This is another favorite ornament.  I made it the center of a wreath I made for our front door.  Sh .......


Blessings, Beth Ann

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Excursion

Last night was soooo much fun that I thought I would blog about it this morning, while enjoying my raspberry-chocolate friendship coffee : )
We did something we don't usually do very often . . . went out as a family and had dinner!  All six of us, plus B's friend and Z's girl friend = zoo!  We picked Z up from work and let him drive (always fun) into the 'boro.  Just want to say right here, praise the Lord for our Durango and it's 8 seat belts : )   Our first stop was Animal City (guess which one of us wanted to go there . . . ).  Love that place, they always have fun and exotic animals as well as the mundane, at good prices.  They are not a chain, but good christian family owned business that puts the welfare of the animals first.  Believe me, take a look and you will notice that not one animal looks like it has missed a meal in quite a while - LOL  Yesterday they had a pen of 'Beannies' or what we call 'Deagles', a Beagle/dachshund mix, puppies.  They were a brown dapple, and sooooooooooooo cute!  I am such a sucker for a doxin, sigh.
Next stop was dinner at Ci-Ci's pizza.  It is a buffet place w/video games.  In other words, a kids haven and total chaos reigns.  Yes, the kids loved it, especially the twins.  The last time we were there the twins were two.  With the Christmas carols playing on the radio and all the decorations lite up in town, and all the kids chattering away; it was such a festive atmosphere, sigh- happiness. After dinner we strolled down to the Goodwill which was in the same mall and poked around.  Clark, I mean, Z (we call him Clark, for Clark Griswold in the Christmas vacation movie) scored several boxes of un-opened Christmas lights.  He was litterly floating in estcasy on the way home.  We let him drive back home and after we dropped off his girlfriend, well it was 10:30 before we got the twins in bed.  Z decided he had to put all the lights up last night, so there he was at 11 p.m. and some how he coerced his sister into helping him!  We went to bed!
Now it is the next day and the twins still got up early : (  They have been battling colds for a week and now they are weepy.  It is also raining outside and I find myself wondering if I should take them to the Christmas Parade at noon or not . . .    Anyway, it's worth it.  Last night was soooo wonderful.  As the children get older it seems to get more complicated time wise and money wise too, to travel as a family and do things outside our home.  I feel last night was a special gift from God.

For the past couple days I was in a funk, thinking and praying on some farm land, still : (  We have been praying on this for about 3 years now.  The answer is always, not now.  Sometimes I just get sooooo impatient.  Especially when we are having issues with the managiery we already have.  I know we need more room and I don't ever want to be a problem to our neighbors.  So I spent two days on the computer looking at property everywhere from Maine to Montana.  Yesterday I was so frustrated that I layed down and did some heavy duty praying.  I told God I would go anywhere He wanted me to, just let me know what His will was.  Nothing.  When I hear from God it is usually pretty quick.  I think I haven't been still or quiet enough lately.  After a while, when I was very quiet and still, I got it.  The answer was that I could go anywhere I wanted, as long as I stayed in Cannon Co.   LOL  I always knew God had a sense of humor.  But I was also reminded of all that He moved to get us here.  We were not headed here when we started out.  The answer floored me and gave me reason to sit and think and remember some more.  I went upstairs feeling sad and sorry for myself.  I came down feeling restored and remembered by my father, savior and God!  I am sooo grateful that He is never to busy to let me know that He knows my wants, but  not to always give it to me if it's not whats best.  Just like any good father would!  Amen.  I hope this makes sense.  I have had to stop typing several times, as I have to keep putting out fires with weepy children and answering questions for a husband who apparently knows where nothing is in this house we have lived in for almost ten years now - LOL  Man I love this house, this family, life and God!  AMEN

Blessings, Beth Ann

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Time passing . . .

Thought I should check in, it's been a week or so since I last blogged.  There has been some ups and downs.  The ups are; Thanksgiving was sooooooo wonderful!  At one point there were almost two dozen people here!  Only half that stayed to eat, the others came and went for coffee, fellowship and dessert.  The weather was perfect and so was the food.  Hubby deep fried a 20 lb. for us and a 9 lb. for some friends to take home.  We also had some blooming onions ~ delish!!!!  There were 3 different coffee's, 4 different pies and more finger foods than the kids could eat in one sitting (and they tried).  Another up was black Friday.  We didn't do the actual black Friday thing, but that was hubbies pay day, and there was some overtime on there.  So we did the bulk of our holiday shopping before 8 a.m. and I am proud to say we stayed in the 'bury.  Between that and the computer, we now have 95% of our Christmas shopping done.  After that I headed into the city or the 'boro with a friend, and we went to a huge sale at a resale place.  I scored some flannel sheets for $3, yea me!  I had been pricing out a second pair of them for our queen size bed, so was a major find.  Now for the down side . . . The night before Thanksgiving our cat Bubbles passed away.  It was sudden and it was sad.  She was our paralyzed cat, and her bladder collapsed.  That is common we are told, in animals that have to be expressed manually.  We only had her two years, but she was special.  Our oldest son took it extremely hard as it followed on the heals of him loosing his much beloved guinea pig (whom he can't sleep without).  So our house has been full of sudden angry outbursts and  much misdirected anger.  He is such a sensitive soul and we can only pray and encourage him that this is a lesson on which path his future may rest.

Here is Bubbles in her 'pack n' play' that we borrowed from the twins



Here is Bubbles at a birthday party for another one of our cats, Tina, back in Sept.



Bubbles liked to be put on the back of the sofa to sun her buns, like all other cats

Bubbles was brought to the animal clinic after being attacked by about 6 pit pulls and we aren't sure how old she was, some where between 1 and 2.   RIP Bubbles 2006-2010

Blessings, Beth Ann

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pumpkins, pumpkins; we like pumpkins . . .

Tomorrow is the big day, Turkey day that is and with that, the coming of the holiday season.  So pumpkins are done, and time to be cooked down and froze for a future yummy recipe this winter.   The kids were sad to see their Halloween pumpkin patch finds "killed" as they so eloquently put it, but will rejoice in the delish food to follow.


To start: smuggle in before mentioned p's without drawing attention to  yourself, put on some good Christmas music and stab the buggers - LOL  Seriously, cut them in half, gut them and scrap clean.  Save seeds for roasting latter if your into that.  We are, but no pic to show since they got gobbled up (pun intended) ASAP!  Just remember to soak your seeds in salt water overnight (I used pickling salt) before roasting.
There are two ways to cook/steam your squash.  You can put them on a jelly roll pan with 1/4 cup water, cover with foil and bake at 400 for 1 1/2 hrs.   Much like cooking a spaghetti squash.

I prefer the crock pot method.  Chop up your cleaned pumpkin and toss in your largest crock
with 1/4 cup water.  Cover and cook on low 5 hours.  


Either way you choose to cook it, make sure to let it cool completely before scraping cooked flesh from shell. 


I package my cooked pumpkin up in 15 - 16 oz. size freezer bag, even though canned pumpkin is sold in either 15 oz. or 29 oz. cans. 


I turned mine into home made pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.  I made spelt pie crust for these beauties.


Perfect!  Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then turn down to 350 for 50 minutes, works every time.  Now I just have to fend the kids, husband and animals off until tomorrow  : )


Blessings, Beth Ann

Unload the camera

Today is the day before Thanksgiving, 30 days to Christmas (ssh, you didn't hear that from me) and I need to get all the pic's off my camera, to make room for the new holiday ones!  I picked some of my fave to share with you here and I will do a cooked pumpkin blog as well.  I know, I can't wait either !

This first pic is of the tree in Z's room.  He cleaned his room real good a week or so ago (after taking down all his guinea pig stuff) and had his girl friend and the twins help him put the tree up.
It's a white tree that he asked for and received as a gift.  I picked up some vintage blue and silver ornaments last year at the flea market and he put blue lights on it.  Even the silver snowflake on top was a flea market find.  For a guy, my son has always had style! 


This is the second Harry Potter scarf I am knitting.  This one is for B.  It is a Huffle Puff year 3/4 scarf and is going quit well.  I have four more that I would like to make as gifts and another that is an order from a church friend.  I fear I will never get my socks or camo cargo pants knitted for myself!


Here is twin son E with Santa last Saturday.  Twin dd was timid and then I just didn't get a good pic of her - poo : (  Notice the sunshine and the short sleeves on a mid November morning.  I love living in the south!



This is B's room.  Notice the paper chain on the ceiling, it goes all around her room, almost twice.  I have no idea why, but her and two friends spent most of the week-end working on this.  And yes, that is yet another Christmas tree in her room (bottom left hand corner)


Another look at the amazing paper chain : )

Blessings, Beth Ann

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Syrup and stuff

Greetings all, today sees high winds and rain here in middle TN.  I am missing our Indian summer : ( 
Yesterday I was as busy as a tick on a trampoline (I don't know what that means either, but it sounds good right?)!  Many of the things I worked on were in the kitchen, as usual.  I thought I would share a couple of good home made recipes and ideas with ya.

First,  I made my own pancake syrup.  I have done this before with a recipe that calls for brown sugar and cornstarch.  I tried a couple of different times and was unhappy with the results each time.  I just hate buying syrup, corn syrup, water and chemicals - yuck!  Well I stumbled on this one and just love it:

MAPLE SYRUP

Boil 1/3 cup water, than stir in 1 cup honey and 1/2 tsp. maple flavor extract.  Let cool and store in refrigerator.

makes 1 1/3 cups syrup

* You can also add a stick of butter to simmering water for 'honey butter syrup'.

I like this much better and as we buy our honey local, it's good for the allergies!
Speaking of allergies, syrup and honey:  I also stumbled on a remedy for home made cough syrup.  It got rave reviews and testimonies on the website.  Again, it is made with honey.  Go local and you can't go wrong.

Cough Syrup

Mix 1 part whiskey (about 1/2 pint) with 1 part honey (about 1 cup) in a mason jar or other glass container.  Crush 3 hard peppermint candies and add to jar.  Screw tight and shake vigorously until candy dissolves.  Take by the teaspoon as needed for cough.  No need to refrigerate.

I am thinking this is a good thing, again no chemicals and most likely give it a go with cold season soon upon us.  I know what your thinking, with those ingredients, who cares if it works!  LOL

One last thing to share with you, how to use up left over cooked grains; such as oatmeal, millet and amaranth.    One thing I like to do is pour the left over into my glass bread dish and refrigerate over night.  It takes on a nice molded shape that is easy to slice and fry.  Everything taste better fried in real butter right!  Oatmeal is great this way and served with either the syrup or honey.  However the millet and amaranth don't hold together well in the heat.  My husband has taken to making them into 'hashbrowns'.   Just smash them down and fry in butter like you would shredded hash browns.  Delish!   A great way to use up food and not waste in this economy, not to mention the health benefits of 'real' food and grains vs. packaged and processed.

OK, that's enough for now.  I think I have to go track down my lawn furniture that blew off my front porch.  I want to crack some joke here about Dorothy and Oz, but seeing as how that is the play my son has been working in for the past two weeks (one more to go), I believe I skip the irony.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Random chit-chat

As my mom would say, 'not much happening here'.  That's a good thing right?  LOL  Just thought I would pop in and let ya all know I am still thinking about you all : )   I guess my mom has been on my mind recently.  I talked to her last week , she called to let me know she was a great - grandma again (nine now).  She let it slip that she had a concussion.  Yeah, she's that kind of mom.  She did that once after her strokes as well.  Maybe she doesn't want to tell me because she knows she will get 'a talk'in to'.  Maybe she doesn't know how much I care or worry.  When did our rolls get reversed?  I wish we lived closer to her and my sis and daughter, even though I know I am right where God wants me and I have to be faithful to God.  He has been on my mind as well.  I knew last week that we had a tough or 'tight' week ahead of us, and spent extra time in prayer over this and as always, the farm property issue.  I must confess that I am blessed enough to have 'heard' God answer on a few occasions.  I relish His small still voice.  Some folks aren't so lucky or they aren't quiet enough to hear Him.  I will say I was amazed at how fast he answered me this time.  I hadn't even really finished praying yet! LOL  One of the items I was praying on was working outside the home.  I have prayed on this a number of times, not really getting an answer and not really been blessed by any venture either.  This time however, He explained to me that it would not be to His glory or a testament to Him if I worked.  We best show our faith by letting him take care of us and sharing this with others.  Every time we have a 'tight' week and make it to the end with out missing a meal, or hubby getting a car job, we are showing that our faith is strong and that we believe in Him.  Every time we have the money from 'somewhere' to pay for school books, tuition or even a pair of shoes, we are testifying that God has provided for us as we follow His will for me to be a SAHM and to home school.  If I turn to outside the home for a counted on weekly check, I am saying I need a safety net or a 'back-up' plan, just in case this whole God thing isn't real.  I was awed by this information that was bestowed upon me and couldn't wait to share it with my husband.  God doesn't have to share his plan with us, and rarely does, talk about an answer to a prayer!  I have walked around the rest of the week with my head held higher and my smile bigger.  And are we ever blessed!  Hubby came home the other night with news of yet another person he knows, who is losing their home.  We  wonder quiet often why others seem to have 'more' than us, but then we hear news like this and know that they might have 'stuff', but they weren't blessed.  Everyday I am thankful for my humble home, my amazing husband, my extraordinary children, my church support system, friends that just don't stop helping me and others, and the chance to pay those blessings forward to others.  I am even thankful for the 'tight' times and the animal ministry that seems so overwhelming at times.  For without these challenges, we will never grow and get the chance to let God be our rock, light and savior.

Blessings, Beth Ann
p.s. still no answer on the property thing- poo : (

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Kudos to Facebook

I know that there are as many different opinions on the website Facebook as there is stars in the sky, but I am here to tell you mine is an appreciative one.  Initially I only join because my sister, who lives 800 miles away, asked me to.  It seemed like a good way to keep in touch, and it has been.  Then I started reconnecting with classmates from high school, again a good thing.  I have never had a bad experience with FB.  I have also come to appreciate that I keep local friends updated as well, sometimes it is quicker and easier than email or phone!  But the main reason I am blogging about FB today is that it helped my brother find me and my family on=line.  My brother is ten years older than I, and I hadn't seen him in over ten years.  I didn't even know if he was alive.  I am not going to get into the details of this or pass any judgment.  I was just so unbelievably joyful to hear from him.  He found my sister first, not knowing I had remarried and had a different last name, and then me.  When he called me, well it was the answer to many prayers!  We may not have many things to say in the day to day course of our lives, but through FB I see his activity and have a satisfaction of knowing he is well and still out there being my brother.  Sorry if this sounds mushy, but wait, it gets worse - LOL  Yesterday my brother posted the first recent photo of himself that I have seen in over ten years, on FB.  Wow!  He still looks the same (all his hair for a guy over 5o - LOL) and it made me cry to see him.  I showed it to my husband, the first time he had seen the guy and the first thing he said was, "he looks just like Z in the face" (my oldest son).  My friend came over to have coffee and I made her look at it too, and she made almost the same comment.  Such a good feeling for someone who comes from such a small family, to have this validation of our DNA (for lack of a better term).  Just want to share this with ya'll and if you don't know me from my previous life, here is my big brother:

J or as his friends in school called him, Murph.  Happy early b-day big bro!




And here is yet another random pet pic to keep you entertained:

Daughter B with the new rescue kitten (Nala), waiting to be awakened for school : )

Blessings, Beth Ann

Friday, November 05, 2010

Pet odds and ends

We had a sad passing here in our home, last night.  Luna the rescue guinea pig .  Which brought to mind that I should blog again on our animal ministry, or I should say our son's ministry.  My oldest son has aspired to be a veterinarian since he was age four.  When my mini doxin became disabled, it led to him volunteering at the local animal clinic and now he works there and is a senior in school.  We home school, so he has a more flexible schedule than most; a God thing for sure.    Our close relationship with the people at the animal clinic lead them to know our hearts and us into the animal rescue world.  When Z first started asking to bring home animals, my husband and I prayed on it long and hard.  Our answer was found in the book of Genesis, where we are commanded to take charge of the animals.  Not everyone ministry looks the same, which is good, and everyone is called to one.  Ours is animals.  We have been doing this almost four years, and not once have we not been able to help provide.  Luna was our first, she was left in Doc's drive way (he lives by us) while he was at the clinic, and she had a bad case of mange.  Doc and Z nursed her back to good health and for the past 3 years she was a fat and sassy pig!  Here are a few more, but certainly not all our rescue animals.

This is Angle, a pit bull mix.  You may remember that Z rescued 9 puppies last summer, she is the mother.  Z and another lady from our church who does animal rescue, went back and rescues the mom the next day.  She still has sores from where she was so emaciated that her bones rubbed the ground when she lay down.  I call this a real rags to riches story. Angle went from a starving dog to a pageant winner at the local pet parade!


Sorry this pic is so blurry.  This is Zoey, a boxer/terrier mix, sleeping on our laundry basket.  She is 100% Z's dog, she loves that boy.  He brought her home when her previous owner abandoned her at the clinic with a pro=lapsing rectum (her poo-shoot kept falling out).  She was stitched up and hasn't had a rectum issue since, plenty of other issues though! LOL


This is Tina, the only surviving kitten from a box of three left on our front walk.  There were 3 white, 4 week old kittens, all with parasites.  My middle dd, Bre, hand feed her every two hours for the first few weeks we had her.  It's a shame people do that, how selfish.  As you can see, she is now a very large and happy cat.


OK, this isn't a rescue cat, actually she came with us from MI when we moved.  I just think it's interesting that yet another pet likes to sleep on our dirty laundry, and we have a ton of that since our washer has been broken for 9 months now and we do all our laundry by hand (which is a bummer since we have handicapped animals that require daily bedding changes, twice a day).


This is Nala, our latest acquisition.  God brought her to our house. We found her under hubby's car, almost dead.  Some of our neighbors said they saw her a couple days earlier, two blocks over from our house.  Doc said she would have died in a few hours if we hadn't brought her in when we did.  She is now one of the most pleasant cats we have, and yet again you can see that all the animals tend to conjugate to certain areas of the house (like the back of the living room sofa).

Like I said, this is by no means all our animals but just a few pleasant happy endings.  Each one has their own story and happy ending.  While we will miss Luna, we know she had a good quality of life and really, that's what it's all about.  My son is taking this passing hard and is learning many life lessons, such as how blessed he is to have such an incredible support system with his friends, family and co=workers.  If your out and about today, hug your local animal care giver.

Blessings, Beth Ann

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Faces of Halloween

I know today is Halloween, but here in the bible belt, we don't do that on a Sunday!  So last night was our big hu-rah!  It was another sunny, warm day in middle TN. and we were blessed to spend it with many family and friends.  I cooked all day and around 4p.m. headed over to my friends home,  right in the center of town.  They close the street down and have a huge block party, food, games, candy, you name it.  The library is 5 houses down and they counted 1156 trick or treaters last night.  It really is something to see.  Kids were literly waiting in line for us to hand out the 'goods' : )  Here is a brief glimpse of the fun.


My friend L A, and our humble host, welcoming us to her front porch; with warm southern hospitality.



Here is twin son, getting something to eat before heading out for the big adventure. 


Twin daughter and see the 'window' from her missing teeth?  LOL


This is L A's dd, S.    What a pretty little thing : )


Here is my middle dd, doesn't she looked thrilled? 


Here is C and S, two more friends from church.  They came to help pass the brain around.  You had to be there : )


I made buffalo bat bones . . .

I cooked up some goblin eggs,

then cracked them open and stuffed them!


I also managed to find some monster eyeballs for a special treat!

Hope your special days are filled with food, friends and fellowship like mine was.
  Blessings, Beth Ann