General Bullfrog.

The other day as I walked toward the garden minding my own business, I passed the crock (a cinder block structure in the ground that is full of water) and the sound of a large kerplop and sploosh hit my ears. Recovering from the blow ;) I peered down into the murky depth of the crock intent on discovering what had made the disturbing noise, I saw a shadowy shape of a large frog sitting on the muddy bottom of crock.

I ran and told Josiah who came out armed to catch the creature. Upon doing so we discovered a ginormous bullfrog.

General bullfrog, as we called him was to large for the crock so we evacuated him to the pond where he would be much more comfortable, if that is he stays away from our resident
Great Blue Huron.

~Chs

The Day of Visitors.

Last Friday was a day of visitors. First, at noon Uncle Dave, Dads brother, came for lunch. Uncle Dave lives in California, but comes every year for his post office reunion.


We enjoyed showing him all the new things at our "Mini Farm".

Joshua found out that Uncle Dave had done his Basic training at the same place where Josh is going to do his, and they both enjoyed discussing all about the different points of basic training.

Our next visitors were Mr. and Mrs. Diekema, long time friends (Mr. Diekema married Mom and Dad) who have been living down in Florida for twenty or more years.

It was delightful to see them as we hadn't for over four years, and we immensely enjoyed the fellowship time we were able to spend with them as fellow Christians.


We took them on a tour around our back path's,


and they got to see the finishing of the channel first hand.


We even coerced them into trying out their hands at milking Fiona.
Over all it was a wonderful day of visiting and talking with friends and relations.

~Chs

Java's in the Dog House!

Fiona uses the dog house as a look out. . . .



. . and Java hides inside.

Backyard Makeover Episode 4: Mud Mud everywhere!

So on the Tuesday after Labor Day, Mr. Ostrander a wonderful friend from our church came over with his tractor to start on the pond.

Here comes the big Tractor!!


Then came all the discussions of the possibilities of how, where and when.

Then the very first shovelful was dug!!

We all watched in amazement as Mr. Ostrander worked the giganticus machine.

There were a few leftover piles of grass which we quickly carted away so Mr. Ostrander could continue the river.

Wahoo!!! front half of the river is done, the pond is begun.

The frogs loved the mud and water.

Shovelful after shovelful he pulled up. It took a whole week and a half for him to finish, but when he was done it was....

Wonderful!!!


We are so thankful to Mr. Ostrander for his great generosity and for all the time and effort he spent on our pond. But.... though the pond is done, there is still "piles" of work, to be spread out. So please stay around, and I will keep you updated on the "Backyard Makeover".

~Chs

Backyard Makeover Episode 3: Good Bye Grass!

The next step toward getting our pond dug out back, was to cut down all the thick grass so the ground could dry out.

Well, we found out that cutting down grass wasn't as simple as it sounds. It involved tons of labor and the sacrifice of gallons of sweat, along with the gain of aching muscles, which we didn't even know existed.

For one thing, it took a lot of large steps to accomplish the huge goal. First we used the heavy duty high powered trimmer that our friends kindly loaned us to whack down the thick resisting grass. Next the grass had to be raked into piles for easier removal. This step was the cause of loud groaning during the following days, due to the many blisters formed on the aching hands of the raking crew.

After the grass had been painfully raked into piles they had to be picked up and loaded into the trailer of our faithful Tractor, which transported them (with a little help from his driver =) to the burn pit in the yard where they were consumed.

Until we discovered that said grass was akin to weedy hay, which our dear goats enjoy immensely. This knowledge saved the poor grass from the horrible fate of being burned, and caused it to be reserved for the purpose of being eaten. ;)

The toughest part to demolish in the back, was the section over grown with tough reeds. These reed were to stiff and too long to be cut with the weed whacker, and therefore had to be chopped to pieces by hand.

But we persevered day in day out. (okay, so we weren't working twenty-four/seven by any means, but it seemed that long)

Another job that was necessary for the weed whacker to be able to work properly, was the removing of any large twigs, stumps and woody materials. Josh was our man, swinging the ax o'er his shoulder.

After days of labor the back acre was conquered.

So now the back acre is ready for one of the final steps, digging! Pond and river here we come!!!

~Chs

Gods blessing; Harvest

As the summer draws slowly to a close, a new phase of the gardening year at
Lily Springs Gardens has arrived.

Harvest, I believe it is my favorite part of gardening.

Harvesting the fruits of your labor is so satisfying, it is the culmination of everything, the realization of things hoped and longed for.

When you plant those tiny seedlings in the spring, you really are having faith that in the fall at their allotted time they will produce nourishing fruits and seeds, and all this actually happens because of God.

It is His rain, His sun, His wind, His warmth, and His atmosphere, that makes everything grow.
"While the earth remains neither seed time or harvest, snow or heat, day or night shall not cease!"
Thank you Lord for this gift of seasons.

~Chs

A Harvest Song

The Corn waves on a thousand hills,
Reflected in the sparkling rills;
The earth has had its meed of rain,
The sun has spread its warmth again.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the pleasant harvest morn.

Sing out a song of trust and love,
Sing praises to the God above,-
A new glad song of gratitude;
His work is ever kind and good.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the pleasant harvest morn.


But other corn is ripening still
than that which waves on breezy hill;
Another sun shines on today,
And soon the husbandmen will say,
Put in the sickle reap the corn;
'Tis the eternal harvest morn.


And Death shall be the reaper then,
Among the standing fields of men,
And many a one with glad surprise
Be gathered to the smiling skies.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
For soon 'twill be the harvest morn.


Oh, to be ready for that day,
With its magnificent array!
Oh, to be fully ripe, that we
Among the garnered grains may be!
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the solemn harvest morn.

By Marianne Farningham

He's Gone!!!!! =(

We lost two boys in one week, and are devastated.

Saturday morning a delegation of us drove John over to the Flint airport to send him off to Texas. All went well. He got checked in on time, we said our good byes and watched as he went through security and disappeared from our sight. At least it's only across the country instead of around the world.
It is comforting to know that God is watching over Daniel in China and John in Texas. We would appreciate your prayers for John as he tries to study and complete his college degree.
Miss you lots John! See you soon!

~Chs