While We Were Gone

 Faith and I didn't have all the excitement last week.  When we had time off, we would call home and hear the stories of the day.  From Strawberries, to Snapping Turtles (to be elaborated on later) it was all interesting, and one of the stories had to do with Josiah going out to feed his chickens one morning, and discovering a little creature laying next to one of his extra empty hoop houses.

Can you spot it??

 A brand new, just born, absolutely adorable fawn was curled up in the grass.  Josiah thinks that the Momma gave birth the night before, and left for the day.  It was gone by the next morning, so we are assuming Momma came back and took her baby away.

It is always wonderful being able to get close up looks at God's marvelous creation!

"The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth; and in His temple everyone says 'Glory!"

(Photos by Josiah)

~Chs

Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God."

 "This is my Father's world, He shines in all that's fair."

 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal Godhead, so that they are without excuse."  

"Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him all the earth."

(Photos by yours truly)

A Week at Camp

For the past 2 years, on the second week of June, Faith has accompanied three of our friends, the Thompsons, to Camp Living Waters in Luther MI, to volunteer for the Special Week that they hold.  This year the Thompsons were, for various reasons, unable to attend, and it worked out that both Faith and I were able to go together!   The week was memorable in so many ways, and we were so blessed to be able to spend it with such precious people, as well as being able to work with horses at the ranch.  I had a hard time selecting "a-few" photos from the week, so this post is picture-full, and long.  I hope you enjoy these "snap-shots" from our week at camp.

{Cabin row, including Aspen, the Cabin where Faith slept for the week}

The camp is set on 100 gorgeous acres including a large lake, and the property is full of beautiful wild life.

Faith gave me a tour on Sunday when I arrived (the campers weren't scheduled to come till Monday), and of course the ranch was one of the places we visited.

{Pretty Chino}

{Apache was so Handsome!}

{Sailor, a new horse}

{Steps down to Lake Stewart}

{Chapel/Worship time in the Lodge}

Originally Faith and I were both supposed to help out in Chickadee, but things changed, and Faith moved over to Aspen.  We both had wonderful Counselors in our cabins who we enjoyed helping.

The theme for camp this year was "Unchained"... and the theme song, "There is Power in the Name of Jesus to Break every Chain".

The campers all arrived Monday afternoon, and the rest of the day was spent in meeting everyone, having hugs all around, getting them all settled, and just hanging out.

{Joanie and I}

That night we had "Carnival", which included bowling, bean bag toss, fishing, and the campers favorite, where if they made a basket they got to dump a cup of cold water on their counselor of choice! :)

Before we went to bed we had a wonderful song time around the camp fire.

{Scout the "ranch dog"}

Tuesday morning found us down at the barn after breakfast getting ready for the rides of the day.

We had 2 groups of campers come down, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and in-between we got to ride to help exercise the horses, as well as allow Judy (who ran the ranch) to teach the "wranglers" for the rest of the summer. Of course, since I was on a horse (or helping out with the campers) I don't have any photos of the actual rides. 

Not all of the campers rode, but they loved to pet the horses, and we also had baby bunnies for them to pet and hold.

{Coloring, one of the favorite activities}

{Another favorite craft, making bracelets}

{Jeff and Judy an amazing Christian couple who put SO much into Camp Living Waters}

Wednesday night was "the Birthday Party," where we celebrated everyone's birthdays in one fell swoop.  There were Pinatas, and face painting, bowling, and cake for snack.  One of my favorite nights. 

{Bambi, one of the horses}

{Faith and a soft squishy bunny!}

Thursday night was the Talent Show.  We had everything from singing, to dancing, speech making, favorite people lists.... the works!

The saddest day of the week had to be Friday, the day everyone went home.  The morning was overflowing with packing, hugs, tears, more hugs, and good byes.

That was Faith and my past week in a nutshell.  It was a truly amazing week and I definitely wouldn't be  adverse to returning next year if God wills it! :)

~Chs

It Has Begun!

It is that time of year!  The time of aching backs, sticky fingers, satisfied bellies, overabundance of Vitamin C's, has arrived, all caused by these delightful little red globes of goodness known as Strawberries! 

So far we have picked 4 times (every other day) 

(Faith found this darling pillow at an estate sale and it was the perfect prop for a Strawberry photo shoot) 

The first day we had a humble amount of 1 quart, and the next two pickings we acquired 3 each time....

But tonight, with 4 people picking and lots of time, we gathered 17 quarts of strawberries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has begun for sure.

~Chs

An Overabundance Of Posting Material

It has happened again.  Logically of course, whenever I have plenty of time, I have nothing to write about, for this poor neglected blog.  But naturally, when interesting, note-worthy events transpire, they just happen to pile up on top of each other, leaving me no time whatsoever to relate the facts to you my readers.

That is exactly what occurred in the past 2 weeks, and I will try my utmost to get everything organized and written about to share with "y'all" as soon as possible. :)

~Chs

Abounding with Baby Fowl: Part 2

We have had so many little birdies hatching out here and there, that I just haven't been able to keep track of them!  Let alone tell you all about them. :)

These are my ducklings. :) I hatched out 31 of them last week!!!

31 ducklings in a tub....

Most of them were sold before they hatched but I do have some still available, if anyone is interested. :)

Aren't they just adorable!!

This is Bubbles.  The duckling that came out completely different then he was supposed to! So Bubbles is staying around so I can see how he turns out.

So much going on around here, never a dull moment!

~Chs

May's Feathered Friends and Forgotten Flowers

 May is already gone.  What a month.  So many things bloomed, hatched, grew, arrived.  Our little Crab apple Tree was fabulous this year, and so fragrant.  The perfume pervaded the whole yard!

 Back in our enormous Crab Apple bush (at least that is what we think it is) a little Robin's nest was tucked amongst the branches.  We actually had multiple robins nest in the various trees around the house, but this one was the only nest that didn't require a precarious position on a ladder to photograph. :)

The bush too, was overloaded with blossoms.   

Mamma Robin was rather protective of her fledglings, and kept hopping around the bush scolding me, and looking beautiful among the blossoms.  

The first batch of dandelions bloomed and have gone to seed.....  they were actually quite beautiful, white and fluffy.  

The front flower bed is overtaken with Columbines right now, their little bell shaped heads nodding downwards and swaying in the breeze. 

And the Poppies!!!  They might be short lived, but they are so vivid and full of life.  I love their feathery, paper like petals, and the way the stems grow in crazy shapes till they bloom. 

The Lily of the Valley is done now, but in its peak it was such a treat to walk along the front of the house, they smelled so lovely! 

Bird voices are everywhere.  Singing, quarreling, warning, fighting, or just warbling away in pure delight!

The gold finches are officially gold....

And the Humming Birds are back.  They are such personable little birds.  They actually let us know when their feeder is low.  Last year we had a nest in the front maple tree. Maybe they will stick around again! 

 The warblers have come through, and tease us from the tippy top of the trees,

 and the flashy Oriole made an appearance, multiple ones showing up at our orange many times each day.  They have now laid off coming (it might have something to do with the fact that we forgot to refresh their oranges) and most likely are out seriously setting up house keeping.

So there is a little re-cap on some of the beauty that has been around us during May.  Looking forward to what June will bring!!

~Chs