Canning time

Well, when you have a good garden there is always something to can and share. Since most of our family lives nearby they share in the bounty, almost daily. Our youngest daughter, Ellie and I, can together sometimes. That means two pressure cookers at once. It helps to have someone to talk with and share in the workload.
Since I've been "under the weather" lately, she has really been a blessing to me. Those of you who still can know it takes lots of preparation. Jars, lids, pots, etc. have to be clean and ready for use. The produce has to be fresh, cleaned, and prepared for blancheing. Pressure times noted, dates written on lids, and space to put the finished product. It is work, sweat, and sometimes pressure on bodies too, but the joy of seeing the jars all lined up....the reward.
We all like to think on the rewards of this life, and the rewards of eternal life. We want to hear"well done, my good and faithfull servant. Yes, servant, to serve others is the highest calling.
Have you ever thought about that what you do unto others, you do unto Jesus? He says it in His Word. Sure makes me sit up and think on how I treat others.

Well, we are still gardening. Everything has come up, and Billy is watering. There are watermelons, cantalopes, tomatoes, bell peppers, green egg plants, sweet onions, squash, cucumbers, red beans and snap beans. Wow! Good thing we aren't planting as much as we used to plant.

Later, when it is warmer, we will also plant okra. It doesn't like cool weather. Looks like we will have something to eat for a while if everything does well. The good Lord willing. Might even have enough to put some up.

Our son in law has a turtle farm and the turtles have started laying. So that means my husband will be busy too helping wherever he is needed. Turtles love warm weather. Keeps everyone busy around here.

The great grandson, Fabien, loves to ride the four wheeler with his Paw paw Billy. He makes sure to be around when Billy passes going home from working with the turtles. That way we all get a little visit from him everyday. He's learning about being around working people who love one another, and are good to him.

He always says "Maw maw, I'm hungry." Ha ha, that means what's in the cookie jar. Even moms like something from the cookie jar. Our grown grandchildren are always looking for a little something too. Everyone loves to sit on the porch to share their news of the day. That way we get to watch them grow, and share the wisdom God has given us from his Word. We laugh and sometimes tease, all in fun.

Baby Eli is growing so fast. He has such good hand eye coordination. Always smiling and grabbing things within his reach. His mom is a regular visitor. She only has to walk a short way to our house, pushing him in his stroller. We are so blessed! May seems like such an ordinary way to live, but to live in peace and to have work to do is the best way.

Everyone is smiling over this wonderful, sunny weather. Just makes you want to do something outside. My hubby worked on the tractor today getting the garden ground ready for plants or seeds. Then put the fertilizer out, making sure to get the rows where the watermelons will go.

The ground is still kind of wet, but not too much so.

I even uncovered part of my flowerbeds. Still too early to completely uncover them. We can still get a freeze up until Easter.

Love letting the sun shine in the house. Of course, it shows up the dust that I've been saving, but that is going to change. Isn't it amazing how much energy you get just from good weather. Especially after such a winter as we have had.

Also enjoyed having our great grand daughter here for a while today. Such a little prissy missy. She is adorable, and can talk the wings off a butterfly. She is so tiny and active. Seeing things through her eyes is such fun. She was thrilled to ride the tractor with Paw paw Billy. He even let her think she was steering. Of course, he had to brag on her a bit, which caused her to smile and sit up a little straighter. What joy children are.

Well, its time to cook the turnips I dug up. Better head for the house.

Well, here we are in the middle of the coldest winter that I can remember. Maybe its because I'm older that I notice the weather more, but I don't remember having to stay inside this much before. We have had some winters where we were still in shirt sleeves in December.

Sure does make you more creative about how you spend your time. Television gets old after a while, and the sitting isn't so good either. Good reading time though, especially for someone like myself that loves reading.

Also good cooking, baking weather. All those comfort foods begin to show up. Anything hot, and filling and maybe a little sweet too. Sure helps to have some "insulation" against the cold.

The sweet potatoes really warm up the kitchen and make it smell so good.

Thank the good Lord that we haven't had any serious sickness in the family this winter. Just the nasties and a few other things. We did lose my brother, Bill, in October to a battle with cancer. May the Lord hold him close. We miss him so much, but we know he was having a hard time.

Some having to leave and some new ones coming on. We got a new great-grandson in September of last year. His name is Eli, and he sure does favor his mom. That makes three, one being a girl. She was first, and her name is Lexie. Some call her "little miss." They are all so sweet and special to us. The two oldest love books, and we love to read to them. Fabien, the second one has his favorites, and goes straight for them when he comes. He also loves my cookie jar.

We also have an addition to our home that has kept Paw paw busy. His name is Ringo, and he's a young beagle. Very handsome and extremely busy looking for ways to get out of the yard. It has been a challenge to stay ahead of him. He is very affectionate, and has been fortunate not to get killed on the highway. Anyone who knows about beagles knows they love to find ways to go in the wild, blue yonder.

Well, its time to go fix something for supper. What shall it be?