From Berries to Jam...

 ...In the space of an hour.

Our cultivated gone wild Blackberry patch has outdone itself this year.

We pick what we can without full armor (those thorns are downright wicked!) and cart them inside leaving the rest for the birds.

Within an hour Faith has performed her magic, and voila, in the place of the basket of berries stand shining jars of Blackberry/Strawberry Jam, ready to be spread on toast in the morning (or in this case carried down to the cellar for days to come).  This is done almost every other day, as the Blackberries continue to ripen and amaze and charm us!  :)

~Chs

The Creatures Declare the Glory of their Creator

A couple of weeks ago Josiah noticed that the little female hummingbird that has been hanging around, had a reason for her loitering.

 A perfectly formed, magnificently tiny nest, perched on a small branch in our maple tree.

 "Hello?"

A few days later, when momma hummer was off her nest, Josiah and I were able to spot two adorable baby beaks sticking out of the nest.  

To me Hummingbirds scream their Makers creative power.  They are so tiny, yet so complex.  So vulnerable, yet so fast.  God has created them with so many mechanisms, I am constantly amazed at their ability to maneuver.  Seriously it's not every bird that can fly backwards with out wind blowing them.  And the way they zip in and out back and forth, side ways, up, down, hold still, hover.  Mind blowing.

Manifesting the glory of God.

~Chs

The Twins Celebrate

July has been flying by at an alarming rate, and I now find myself in the embarrassing position of still filling you in on events from the middle of the month, now that it is about to close.

Two weeks ago we celebrated Mother and her twin Carmen's Birthday.  I am afraid I would not be exactly popular if I gave their age :)

We held the celebration at Pine Grove park as we have done so many times in the past years.

It was very relaxing and beautiful as we watched the river continually run by, bright blue, reflecting the sky above.

On very auspicious occasions we drag one of our frozen Apple Ciders out of it's hidden location (no more Cider this year! :(    The only problem is when you forget to get the Cider out in time to thaw.  Oh, well, just set it out in the middle of the park in the sunshine!!

We saw some fairly unusual sights that day, but one of our favorites was the tractor crossing the Blue Water  Bridge... backwards :)

The beautiful, and brilliant birthday girls.  

We had some difficulty getting the candles lit all the way around due to the wind.  But with some fast finger work, and the help of the cake topper, we managed to not only light them all, but also keep them going long enough for the "girls" to blow them out.

Presents were mutually exchanged,

and smiles freely bestowed.

We enjoyed the cake and ice cream (quickly of course as this sweet but sticky item doesn't stay in it's solid form long in the July heat) and then sat back for a time of relaxation and fellowship.

One of the other sights at the park was this gentleman who was making a granite drawing on black canvas.  It was really intriguing and fascinating as we saw when we went to check it out before we left.

By far our favorite part was the marble checkerboards set in and around the picnic tables.  Josiah played a game with Theresa (who we were happy to have join us even though Josh was unable), one with Dad, one with himself, and finally one with Sadie Rose.  Sadie Rose was too good at the game for Josiah's level, and he was forced to give up after she had disposed of all his pieces in one way or another.  :)

We were about to head homeward, but decided to make a stop at the light house park to "dip our feet in the cool water".  By the time we reached the lake we were in definite need of something cool, the sand was BURNING hot!!

Sadie was more than happy to join us.  Such a water dog :P

We had the Port Huron party on Friday but Mothers real birthday was Sunday, so of course we had some more cake and ice cream then!  We are all so thankful for our Mumsie, and all the hard work she puts in here around the farm.   Love you Mumsie dear, and may God bless you with peace, rest, wisdom, love, and much, much, much more.

~Chs

WIT Conference 2012

Last year Faith and I attended the Whatever It Takes Singles (WIT) conference for the first time.  We were so very blessed by it, so when the time rolled around again this year, Faith and I were ready to go, excited to see how God would continue to work this year.

Faith and I have a wonderful agreement when it comes to road trips.  She drives, and I hold the maps and tell her where to go.  

When we arrived at Verity, we were met by our dear friends from Wisconsin that we had met last year.

The conference was wonderful, and the LORD really was able to show both Faith and I many things through the speakers.

After the first session Thursday night, everyone was split up into table groups.  Faith and I were each blessed with a wonderful group of girls.

We made new friends, caught up on old ones, and learned many, many things.

Though our room didn't hold as many people this time around we still had a lovely time getting to know the other girls.  God blessed our time there immensely and we are extremely grateful for the teaching, friendship and memories that we have.

~Chs

The Evening of the Fourth

For the first year since we moved here, most of us skipped the Hadley parade.  It was a little hot for most of us, and the rest of us were just a little too busy, so we stayed home and tried to relax and finish up some last minute details for the family gathering we were planning that evening.

Everyone was due to arrive around 4ish or so.  Unfortunately Aunt Myrt and Uncle Warren were not able to join us this year.  But of course we had John and Mandi who have never been to one of our fourth gatherings, as well as Grace and her new husband Tim.

"Yummy"

We were also blessed to have Aunt Carmen and Uncle Tim's adopted family come.  Their littlest, Abby is absolutely adorable.

"Happy couple"

The boys and Josiah found it amusing that Josiah was still nearly as tall as them when he was kneeling down.

Always a full plate on the Fourth :)

Enjoying God's blessing in the form of food.

Fellowship.

Cuteness!!!

Everyone enjoyed looking around the farm, and the boys tried some fishing as well.

For our dessert we moved downstairs where it was a ton cooler!  Our delicious dessert was angel food cake (made by the amazing birthday girl herself) or pound cake topped with strawberries and blueberries and whipping cream.  Delicious!

It was a very wonderful day, and we hope was a blessing to Faith.  May God continue to bless her in the future years!

~Chs

The Fourth: Our Country's Birthday

The morning of the fourth dawned warm and sunny. Dad, Faith, Josiah, and I packed into the car and headed into town for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Josh and Theresa were already there (Josh dressed out in his ACU's)

Patriotic clothing was in dominance.

As well as some historical outfits.

The program was well done and inspiring as usual.  

"Hip Hip Huzzah for the United States of America!"

The cross the centuries couple:)  A very handsome pair if I may say so myself.