Summer Faire Workshop~ Summer Bike Ride

I really loved this project! I made my character to represent me. A farm girl at heart on my bicycle. A basket full of wildflowers with my beloved little red hen, "Dusty" from my childhood. She would ride with me on my bike as a child...Such a sweet memory for me. I also added bunting, a tea kettle, some patchwork quilts and some of my jams and a little house. 

If I lived on a farm I would dress just like this with overalls and floral tops with a bandanna o=over my hair.  It was pure joy making this little scene! It makes me happy!!! 

Happy Summer!!!

Summertime Jam Series~ Farmer Boy Tomato Jam

~Farmer Boy Tomato Jam~

Adapted from Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls & Little House Cookbook

SERVES: 2 PINTS

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes
• 1½ cups light brown sugar
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 
• 2 half-pint jars

Preparation

1. Add the tomatoes to a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to crush the tomatoes.
2. Transfer the tomato puree to a medium skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, lemon zest and juice, and ground ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and jammy – this will take about an hour. 
3. Ladle the jam into the jars and seal. Process in water bath canner with boiling water for 10 minutes. The jam is delicious right away, but tastes even better after a few weeks. Shelf life is good for up to one year. Once opened use within 2 months.

Oh my this one is delish! 

A perfect jam for crackers and cheese, 

on BBQ Chicken or spread out on toast. 

ENJOY!!!!

My Birthday

I celebrated my 43rd candle last week. Can't believe how fast the years are flying by. I had a good birthday this year...Even though we spent it a bit sick...It was quiet yet sweet. My Hubby spoiled me this year for our anniversary and birthday...giving me a bit of spending money. So...I went to a vintage/salvage shop and found a few pieces that fit perfectly in our home. I got a little old window, an old screen door, an awesome metal tool box and a vintage kitchen stool.

I didn't get very good pictures...I used my phone. But will share a little home tour soon with better pictures. I hung the old window in the kitchen area and the old screen above our television with a basket of flowers. I'm using the metal tool box on my dining table, just not sure what I want to fill it with as of yet. Then I added the stool to our breakfast bar. I'm going to be painting my dining table and switching out the chairs for a new look. Everything in our new home is coming together nicely. We are making it our home sweet home.

Thank you to all my friends, my MIL, my in laws, my dad and step mom, my brother and sweet Mr. Darling and my kids for wishing me the happiest birthday. 

You guys are a very important part of my life.  

You are blessings.

Year Twenty~One

We celebrated year Twenty~One this weekend. 

I remember our wedding day as if it were yesterday. Waking up in the morning with my Nieces and my In Laws, they curled my hair and helped me get ready for the biggest day of my life. We went down to the Chapel and there waiting for me at the alter was my dear Mr. Darling who was smiling from ear to ear. My father in Law walked me down the aisle, tears streaming from my face. Mr. Darling reached for my hand, we shared our vows...in which I cried the whole way through them. They were not sad tears, they were tears of joy!

I finally married my best friend, my one true love. 

It was Easter Sunday...

Our reception was an Easter lunch with my new family. 

A day I will always cherish!

We have been through a lot! 

These many years have brought us joy and sorrow, life and loss, and happiness and hardships. 

I feel these things have grown us mentally, physically and spiritually, and have only brought us closer to not only one another, but closer to our Lord. His hand has been there through it all. A life we are thankful and grateful for, a life we truly don't deserve, but blessed by. He has opened our eyes to so much, even the hate that people have for us...But we endure these trials and conflicts with outsiders, knowing that we (As Christians) will be persecuted just as Christ was. Yet, He has also shown us much love through His people (fellow believers) A love that only a believer would truly know. We are truly blessed by those He has put into our lives, those who love us for who we are, who accept us for what we are and unconditionally love us and never seek something back in return nor stab us in the back.. or speak ill of us... We have on so many different accounts been lifted up and loved through prayer and acts of kindness and pure generosity from others through the name of Christ. It has been humbling and amazing. We are blessed to walk this life with the family of God. 

I think of Ruth in the Bible, who left her people to be with Naomi, her mother in law. Making Naomi's people her people. She trusted in the Lord and never looked back. When I married my husband we were given this scripture from the Chapel Pastor who married us.

 For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 

Ruth 1:16-17

This quote from Ruth means a lot to me, for I feel this very way.

I am prepared for the road ahead, which will surely not be an easy one. But we will not be walking it alone. The Lord is with us to carry us through. I am ready!

I pray the Lord will bless us with many more years in marriage together.

In The Dining Room and Making Lists

Oops it has been almost two weeks since I last posted. It has been busy round here as I have been trying to catch up on life and meld with the new schedules and demands. I know we will eventually get it down sooner or later. I finally manage to clean up my dining room area after I had demolished the house by moving out furniture and moving in other pieces as well as going through things...It really does get worse before it all gets better. It has also taken me a little longer due to the heat here. It has been relentlessly in the upper 90's as we have moved into Fall...and our place does not have air...nor do we get very good cross breeze. Slowly but surely I am seeing the light.

Notice my newest friend here. We found this Rooster head while thrifting not too long ago for two bucks. I had to bring his whimsical charm to my home. I knew he would be happy here. He fits in perfectly. My dream is still to someday have a little flock of chickens. Oh how I miss raising chickens. Chickens bring back the best of memories in my childhood.

 Someday I will have them...someday.

I have also taken my dear Mr. Darling's advice to keeping lists and be a bit more organized. The follow through is still hard for me because I am a bit flighty when it comes to chores. I just always have been. He is a list maker and swears by them to keep him on task with his day. Me...I am trying...But there are times I forget it's even there and I don't check off things or I forget to fill it out daily. I know it's pretty bad at my age I don't have this one down. I need grace everyday... 

I will keep trying. I must admit though even making out my grocery list has been very helpful and keeps me on the right track and I am able to plan our meals out a lot better. That is a no brainer. I admit I have not always been good with taking a list to the store and let me tell you when I don't have a list or a plan...Things fall apart at home and we end up making extra trips to the grocery not to mention we probably end up spending more money by not planning well..

Next,  I need to tackle the sewing room. Since next month we will be having family over...So excited to see my Mother in Law and our son is coming home for a couple days too. It will be a great time as Mr. Darling will be officially ordained as a Pastor. Let's just hope I can keep it all up ...