Time

This school year I have been going through the devotional "Christian Manhood" with Caleb and Zachary. In our study a couple of weeks ago, we were studying about time. Don't you love it when you are teaching your children a spiritual truth and it seems to hit you more than them?  I never thought this lesson would impact me the way it did....but I won't think of time the same anymore!

Time is such a precious thing, a valuable gift, yet we tend to take it for granted. Our time here on earth has been measured out by God. We don't know how much time we have here on earth. We don't know if we will even wake up tomorrow morning. We don't know how many breaths we have left in us. I find that to be a very sobering thought. Not because I am scared of dying, because I know where I will spend eternity, but because I want to know that I know that I have accomplished all God has put me on earth for.

Once time is gone....it's gone!! We can never get last year, last week, yesterday, or even the last minute back! It's gone, forever!

I think about my free time and how I use it.  I look forward to those times where I can just relax for a few minutes in the evening. Those times where all the littles are tucked into bed and I can just sit and do nothing if I want! But lately I have been asking myself....what would God want me to do with this free time? Now, don't get me wrong. I am not against relaxing....we need rest and relaxation to be refreshed. But I think that even in my relaxing moments I can use my time wisely or unwisely. What do I spend those moments doing? Fulfilling the lust of the flesh or renewing my mind and spirit?

Here's a quote from the devotional book that really made me think. "Will what you are going to do with your time affect your affections? Will it in any way block your sense of the presence of God? Will it take away your desire for spiritual things? Will the way you use your time cause you to become more materialistic? Is your first concern for lost people or for the things money can buy? If what you plan to do with your time will in any way cause you to be less interested in spiritual things, then don't do it! Many people have set their affections on things, and they have little time or interest for those who are unsaved or for helping other Christians. Are you seeking only pleasure throughout the way you use your time?"

Then there is how I manage my time. As the years went by and we had more and more children, I realized the importance of using my time wisely in our home. I found that if I didn't have some kind of a schedule in my day I would tend to waste too much time and things just wouldn't get done! There are so many things that can steal my time. Internet, books, videos, visiting friends, texting or talking on the phone....not that these things are bad, but it is too easy to get lost in them and loose all sense of time. I have a responsibility to God and to my family to manage my time wisely. If day after day the laundry isn't getting washed/folded, if we are eating too much fast food, if my house is always in a state of chaos, if my kids are undisciplined....I need to re-evaluate the way I am spending my time because more often than not, my energies have been put into the wrong places.

It takes self-control to manage my time wisely. It would be easier many days to sit on the couch and read a book rather than doing laundry, cleaning house or making meals. It would be easier to spend time on the internet and ignore the children who are running wild around me. It would be easier to watch a movie and get lost in the moment rather than address what needs to be done around me. But if I choose to do these things, I am not using my time wisely. I am being a time waster. Of course there are some days where there are just not enough hours in the day and I just have to ignore the work around me and do some relaxing but this isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about being characterized by wasting time.

So these days I have been finding myself thinking a little bit more of how I use my time. I want to use my spare time to do something that will not just be chaffed burnt up one day, but will things that will affect my eternity in heaven. I only have a short time here on earth for my life is but a vapour, it's here today but it could be gone tomorrow.

How are you spending your time?

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time because the days are evil. Eph.5:15-16

• 
  

25 Years

This fall marks 25 years that Mark and I will be married. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that we said our vows to each other, and then I look around at all of our children and realize it's obviously been a few years :)

Getting married to my husband was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel so blessed that God brought us together. I never dreamed that we would be where we are in life 25 years later! The journey we have been on has been an exciting one. And I can say with all my heart that I hope we will be together AT LEAST another 25 years!

So since this year marks a very special milestone I thought it might be a good time to do a series on marriage from the perspective of me, a wife.  I would like to do 25 posts on this subject, but realistically I don't think I will get there! But I will try! And because I am a wife, I am going to talk to the wives paticularily. But I believe that many of these principles can apply to both husband and wife.

So here's where you come in. Are there any particular subjects you would like me to cover? Is there a question about us (marriage related) that you have been wondering? Leave me a comment and tell me what it is :) I can't promise that I will answer every one, but I will try my bestest!

When Mark and I got married I was 18 years old. People thought we were too young.....we thought we were mature, responsible and ready for marriage. I have never regretted getting married at 18, although I wish that I had been taught a few more things about being a wife. My mom was an amazing wife to my dad, but there were many principles that she had never learned, therefore she wasn't able to pass down to me. So I had to learn as I went along and am so grateful to God for teaching me how He did. In those early years there was no one to mentor me to be a Godly wife.  No one to take me under their wing and teach me what it meant to be a help meet to my husband. That's why it's so important for me today to be that woman to other wives who are searching. I know what it's like to struggle, fail, pick myself up and cry out to God for answers. I don't regret those days, for I know that I drew closer to God while I searched my heart and His word for answers. And I am thankful that after a few years God did bring someone into my life to mentor me. Someone who took the time to listen and give advice. (thanks Helen!!!)

God has taught me many things over the last 25 years. And it is only by His grace that I am the wife that I am today. And even though I look back and see how far I have come, I look forward and see how much I can improve. I am so grateful for His constant teaching, nudging, and pruning in my life. I always want my heart to be pliable so 'He who has begun a good work in me can complete it'!

Anyway, what I am going to share is something that I think is a real important principle for a wife to practice. NEVER SPEAK BADLY, NEGATIVELY OR COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND BEHIND HIS BACK OR TO HIS FACE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.  I cringe when I hear wives put their husbands down, or complain about them in a group of people or even just one on one. And if a wife comes and starts to do this to me, I quickly shut down the conversation, change the subject, or encourage them to honour their husbands by their words. And sadly, do you know where I have seen this happen the most? In a woman's bible study or get together. I know....I've been there....I've participated.  Really ladies, this is cheap and I don't believe it is honoring to God. Your husband has been place by God as your head. Respect that!

God's word tells us in Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." I quote this verse often to our children because  it is often needed. But  I realize how I also need to live this every day in our marriage. What purpose does putting my husband down serve? NONE!!!

 I know there are some woman who will say, "But it's just in fun!" Well....find another way to have fun....and don't let it be at the expense of your husband.

I have made sure to teach this truth to my children as well. I am very careful not to talk negatively about their Dad to them. Not that I have never done it, I am human, I have slipped. But this is something that I have been very diligent to try and live every day. I have told my girls that one day when they are married (Lord willing) if they call me up and start complaining about their husband, I will hang up on them!!!! And I mean it!!! I will not be a third party to something that should be between a husband and a wife. Not that I don't want to be there for them....I do! But all they have to say is, "Please pray." That's all I need to hear! And if they need advice on how to work on their own hearts, I will gladly give that to them to. But that's where it will end!

So I just want to encourage you ladies, speak positively about your husband....to his face and behind his back. If you have a complaint about him, don't announce it to the world. First check your own heart and then pray for his. And if we are ever talking together and you complain about me to your husband......you know what I'll do :)

Family Pictures 2012

 I thought I better post our christmas family pictures 

because come April/May they are going to be out of date!!!!!

But, getting family pictures done with this CRAZY family 

is quite a challenge!!!

For there are SOME who never seem to co-operate.

 

Some who never seem to be paying ATTENTION!!!

And they seem to think that taking a family is just a big JOKE!!!! 

 Ya, you know who you are...

trying to act all INNOCENT like!!!!

Our beautiful GIRLS

And our handsome BOYS

And here's the reason why we are getting GRAY hair!!!

And the reason why we feel so INCREDIBLY blessed!

Mark and I and our precious GRANDCHILDREN

The WELL BEHAVED married couple :)

My HONEY and I

And finally.... a picture where everyone CO-OPERATED !!!!

(Actually if the truth be told, this was one of the very FIRST pictures we took!!! 

Would have save us a lot of SMILING if we would have know that :)

 “Your children are the greatest gift God will give to you, 

and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. 

Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God. 

Be a person in whom they can have faith. 

When you are old, 

nothing else you've done will have mattered as much.” 

― Lisa Wingate

A Walk Of Their Own

We sometimes have to chuckle at the questions that people will ask us concerning our children. Are you ever going to let them leave home? Are you going to make them all have as many children as you? Once they are married are you going to get them to all live together on your farm (I wish!). Or are you ever going to let them get married? As if we are going to dictate what they do and say for the rest of their lives!!!

We know that some people think we shelter our children too much. We also know that they think we are often a little "radical" in the way we raise our children. So we are not surprised when we get questions like this.

We would be the first to admit that we shelter our children...and we don't see as a bad thing. We would also be the first to admit that we hope that our children will take on the beliefs and standards that we live by. We feel that is what our calling as parents is all about!

Every day we deposit things into our child's lives. Some are positive and unfortunately some are negative.  Every day we share our faith/beliefs with them....sometimes with words....mostly without. Every day our children's personality, character and beliefs are formed.

We have always made a point that our children would know why we have the standards that we do. We don't just have a bunch of rules that they need to abide by, rather we have standards that we believe God has called us to uphold.  We teach them things like contentment, love, purity, trust, submission, leadership, servanthood, generosity.  All of these things are taught knowing that it will equip them for the path that God has for them. We don't know all of the things our children are going to face in life. But we know the tools they there comes a time in their life where it all clicks. Sometimes it happens over a period of years, sometimes it is an "ah ha" moment. A time where God reveal Himself to them personally. These times are so exciting for us as parents.

I make it a point to tell my children often that God placed them in this family for a specific purpose. To equip them for the life that He has for them. He could have chosen to place them in a family with one or two siblings, but He didn't, He chose them to be born into this family. And every time their character is tested, every time things seem overwhelming or unfair, they need to remind themselves that this is exactly where God wants them to be and to know in their hearts that His ways are perfect.

Our goal as parents is so much more than making sure our children have food, clothes and education for years they live under our roof. No, our goal is to equip them to become all that God has created them to be and to give them the spiritual tools that they need to face whatever it is that God has planned for their lives. What a challenge...what a privilege!!!

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, 

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, 

when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  Deut:6:6-9

To Complain or Not to Complain

Our family has been very sick over the last little while. We have had many viruses hit our home already this winter, but this one takes the cake!!! This virus is a mega virus! It wiped everyone right out for a few days (and still has some in it's clutches!) Thankfully we are starting to see some improvements. And thankfully I have been saved from this virus....only by the Lord's grace!

As you mom's know, being a caretaker of sick kids can be draining. Being up in the night with the babies and then having to take care of everyone during the day takes a lot out of you. One would find it easy to complain.

I think I have shared this before, but once when we had a newborn and I was up in the night for the upteenth time with him, my flesh wanted to complain. But then God reminded me of a friend of mine who had just had a baby as well and because of various complications, her baby had to stay in the hospital while she went home to her family. She had to drive in to the city to see her baby. As I held my little guy I was filled with such gratefulness that I was able to have my little guy home and had the privilege of cuddling him, even in the wee hours of the morning. My perspective changed.....my circumstances didn't. And that perspective has stayed with me. Every time I am up in the night with a sick child or an unsettled baby, I think of  truly blessed I am to have children to hold and cuddle.

This winter it seems I have had plenty of opportunity to chose to complain or rejoice. Granted it's not easy when our children are sick, but does that really give us an excuse to complain? Well not if we read God's word....the words that I say to my children many times over in their life time. "Do all things without complaining or disputing." Phil. 2:4  I don't see a special clause in there for mother's of sick children...do you? Or how about this one, "Rejoice in The Lord always." Phil. 4:4  And if it wasn't enough to say it once, it goes on to say, "And again I say rejoice!" Again, no special footnotes for a mom who has had a sleepless night!

Really, why do I complain anyway? Complaining makes me feel more crumby and more dissatisfied with my circumstances. It's for my good to folllow God's commands to rejoice and not complain.....this is when I will experience true joy!

Eternity

There's just something about a new year isn't there? It makes people think of a clean slate, a fresh start. This time of year it's common to hear people talk of all the goals they hope to accomplish in the new year, or what their "theme" is for the year.

I find myself thinking of these things too. I also find myself thinking "I wonder what this year will hold?" When I look back on last year, and see all of the events that took place, I wonder how this year could be any more eventful!?!?!

But I know the potential is there! Actually, just every day life is an event around here!

I find it interesting and humbling to think that God knows exactly what this year holds for me. That He know what my next moments hold. He knows what trials I will go through. He knows what victories I will experience. He knows everything about me, past, present and future.

I love to reflect on Psalm 139.

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 
5 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 
21 Do I not hate thosewho hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

As I think about my goals for the year I too often catch myself focusing on things that are not eternal. Things that moth and rust will destroy. Things that really will not matter for eternity. 

But I find my flesh fights me, it wants to focus on earthly things. I put it to death everyday. But too many times I let my flesh rule me. I get caught up in my fleshly desires and forget the things that will matter for eternity.

I don't believe it's wrong to set goals. I set goals daily, monthly and even yearly. But I believe it is wrong to let the desires of my flesh be the motivation for the goals I make. 

I need to ask myself....what is going to matter for eternity? Of course obviously and ultimately, it's where I will spend eternity. Have I done everything to insure that I am going to spend eternity in heaven? Do I live my life daily for the One who holds my life in His hands? Do I daily deny my flesh and rather live in and walk in the Spirit? (Galations 5: 24-25 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.) 

So the question I want to ask myself over and over in 2013 is....When all is said and done....When all my earthly possessions are gone....When I stand before my God face to face and give account of my life...will I be able to look back on this year....however many days that I live in it and be able to say, "I lived 2013 with eternity in mind". That's my desire, that's my goal. And I pray it will be yours too.

Beauty of Winter

Here's what we woke up to this morning! 

Even though I don't really like the cold of winter, the beauty of it often takes my breath away! 

Really pictures cannot do the scenery justice, 

but I will try anyway :)

Oh and this post was just for you Meg!!!

The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1

Life Updates

Wow!!! It's been awhile since we have given an update of what's going on around here!!!

So, here it goes :)

Well as you have probably guessed, harvest is wrapped up...and all the field work is done too :) Just in time because the day after we finished our field work it got wet and hasn't dried properly since then!!

I wrote a post here about the challenging times we had over the summer. God taught us a lot through this as we were reminded once again that our hope is in the Lord. Without Him we can do nothing. He owns all of us and all that we have is His. Most of the crops ended up surprisingly good after what they had been through. Some of the crops did very poorly. But the grain prices have been very good and so taking this into consideration it looks like we may end up with a close to average year. We are so thankful to a God who supplies our every need!

News?  Josh and Rebecca are expecting baby #3 in April. We are all very excited :) So as we speak the men are working on an addition to their home. At the present they have only two bedrooms...one being very tiny....so they decided to add two more bedrooms. So that has been the project for the last couple of weeks. It was a rush to get the frame up and it closed in and get it shingled before the cold weather hit! But we got it too that point and now even though it's COLD...the work can be done undercover!

The produce from the garden is all canned, frozen and brought in....and a lot of it has been eaten :) Everything did pretty well this year. Cucumbers did the best and carrots did the worst. It's amazing to me how every year is different. I am so thankful for the few short months we have to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and I already can hardly wait for next years fresh produce. I say this after I just cut up a store bought cucumber for a salad....just NOT the same...nope...not even close!!!

We started back to the bookwork part of our homeschooling back in September. So far so good. It took us a little while to get a good schedule going, but I think we have it figured. That is until something changes....and it always does. But for now I will enjoy our routine!!! This year we have 6 students. Jen teaches Caleb and Zach and I have the rest. The beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility. The flexibility of motivated kids who wake up at 6:00 to start school and are done 3/4 of it by 8:00. The flexibility of taking a day off for a birthday. The flexibility of taking a day trip when others have to be in school. The flexibility of snuggling and reading a book together. The flexibility of putting everything aside and learning about something that has peaked our interest. The flexibility of going for a picnic and nature walk (see here and here), the flexibility of making a cookie map, the flexibility of making a ziggurat in the snow. The flexibility of helping put an addition on a house....and the list goes on :) But you get the point!

We started another parenting class last week. We are again very excited about the group we have this year. They all have younger children and out of the 5 couples, 3 of them are expecting!!! Also a first for us, Josh and Rebecca are in our class this year. What a privilege to be able to pass this on to the next generation. Hopefully someday they will be able to lead a class too :)

Oh ya, and as of Saturday....IT'S WINTER!!!! What a change from last year when we were wondering if we would have any substantial amount of snow for Christmas! It feels like January as we now have over a foot of snow! The kids love it. They are playing a lot more outside now. There is always that awkward time in late fall when it's too cold to play on the trampoline, play sports, or have water fights :) but yet there is no snow. So they alway like it when the snow comes and are anxiously awaiting for the skating rink to get started.

And I realize I haven't given an update on this little man for awhile! Elijah is 8 months old now. One word sums him all up....ENERGETIC! Ever since he was just little he can't keep still.When he was in his car seat he would move his feet like he was running...fast! It was hilarious! Now he is pulling himself all around the house...on his belly. He can get into crawling position and is often found in the "push up" position, and can pull himself up on thing right from his tummy (he is going to have a very "in-shape" upper body :) He can sign 'please', and 'all done' and can make many "noises" on command. Right now his daddy is trying to teach him that when he tickles his feet he should say "Ha, ha, ha!" in a very manly voice.  He's getting it :) He also likes to clap and play pat-a-cake and any time someone plays the piano he tries his best to get as close as he can.

AND....all day he is smothered with hugs and kisses....just cause he's so cute :)

I think that about wraps it up. Did I miss anything???

24 Years

Last month Mark and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. I meant to do a post back then but we were too busy celebrating.....or something :)

24 years is a wonderful long time to be married. I can truly say that I love my husband more today than I did the day that we married. How could I not.....with the wonderful man that he is!!!

Since we have learned a thing or two over the years I thought I would share 24 marriage tips that we have learned along the way.


1. God has given a perfect order in which He wants the family to be in. Husbands as the head, wives in submission to the husband. If you follow this plan....God's perfect plan....you will have a God honoring marriage. I could write a whole post on this subject :)

2.  Always make time for each other. Spending time alone together as a coupleis easy to put on the back burner.....especially with the busy life of a family. But we have found that it is so important to spend some quality time together as a couple. A scheduled date is a great place to start. Now a date doesn't mean that you have to actually leave the house....it could be after the kids are in bed....eating a special something together...spending some time talking......share your dreams...... whisper sweet nothings......doesn't have to cost a dime :) But the investment that you are putting into your marriage is invaluable! So many couples make the mistake of pouring their whole lives into their children in their growing up years and then one day their children leave the home and they wake up next to each other as complete strangers! It's not enough just to live in the same house! You have to nurture and grow in your relationship together. The best gift that you can give to your children is a strong husband/wife relationship!!!

3. Spend time doing outside activities together as a couple. Too many times the husband goes to his meetings, coffee times, fun times and studies....the wife goes to her meetings, coffee times, fun times and studies...but they don't do much together. He goes one way....she goes another....and they don't share experiences together. Don't covet your "me" individual time....work on your "together' time.

4. Learn each others love language and show your spouse love this way. Gary Chapman's book "The Five Love Languages" is a great book to read to learn about your spouses love language.

5. Serve each other. Society is so full of me-ism....and servanthood is frowned upon. So many couples will do anything for other people, but when it comes to their own spouse's they think that serving them is not necessary. NOT!!!

6. Don't EVER speak unkindly, badly or make fun of your spouse...in front of them to other people, or behind their back. There is no good reason to put your spouse down except to make yourself look better.

7. Be quick to say, "Will you forgive me". Don't let hard feelings fester and grow. Deal with them right away. The longer you wait to ask for forgiveness....the harder it is.

8. Be quick to forgive. Don't withhold forgiveness to teach your spouse a lesson.

9. The silent treatment is just plain nasty. Don't do it!!!!!!

10. Fulfill your husband or wife duties in the physical aspect. That's all I am going to say :)

11. Listen to each other....and respond. Even if you are not interested in something...your spouse may be. Give full attention to them when they are talking.

12. If you can't say anything nice....don't say anything at all!!!

13, Don't have his money and her money. Or his things and her things. You are one....your possessions should be too!

14. Love unconditionally.

15. Don't raise your voice at each other. If you keep calm, things will go much better.

16. Boast often about your spouse in front of other people.

17. Listen to the unspoken messages from your spouse.

18. Work on your own heart. So many times we want to fix our spouse, but really it's our own heart we need to work on. When you see a fault in your spouse...take the log out of your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your spouse's

19. Don't spend time alone together with people of the opposite sex...even if it's just in the name of friendship. Guard your heart carefully.

20. Pray for your spouse

21. Give expecting nothing in return

22. Laugh together often

23. Compliment your spouse

AND......

24. Don't ever take your spouse for granted! Life is short and you never know when your time with them will end. 

Of course this list is not exclusive or in any particular order...just stuff we have learned over the years!!!

 Here is part of a photo shoot Megan did  for us around our anniversary. 

Generation to Generation

This morning I was thinking about raising a Godly generation. I know and often reflect on the fact that the way we raise and train our children now will affect generations to come! If everyone of our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren follow the Lord, what a mighty army we will be for God!!!  So just for fun, I got out the white board and calculator and started our school day off with this practical math :) Here is what we came up with.

If all of our children have 3 children and their children have 3 children and so forth....

39 grandchildren
117 great grandchildren
351 great great grandchildren

If all of our children have 5 children and so forth.....

65 grandchildren
325 great grandchildren
1,625 great great grandchildren

If all of our children have 8 children  and so forth.....

104 grandchildren
832 great grandchildren
6,656 great, great grandchildren

And if all of our children had 13 children?????? and so forth?????

169 grandchildren
2197 great grandchildren
28,561 great great grandchildren!!!!!!!!!

And just for fun, let's take it one generation further.....
371,293 great, great, great grandchildren!!!!!

Wow.....those numbers blew me away! Now I know, I know....this is highly unlikely....but still fun to think about :) It was surprising how much the numbers climbed once we added just a few more children every time.

Anyway, the point is, every time you train, discipline, correct, encourage....don't think of it as just for the moment....think of it as affecting the generations to come!!! It's a great responsibility and a great privilege, a great honour. God has entrusted these children into our care, knowing the impact that it they will have on the generations to come. What a tremendous blessing!


Oh and by the way....does anybody out there know of a place where we can get name tags for at a good price???? I think we may need to stock up :)

The Fruit of the Land

Since our garden saw frost for a few mornings in a row now canning season is officially over!
It was a pretty good year garden wise. The only thing that didn't do well at all were the peppers. They were all plant and no peppers!!! So we had to buy our peppers this year to make our salsa and pasta sauce. The cucumbers were probably the best we have ever had, thanks to a very long season. We finally just stopped canning them and just ate LOTS!!! I am not sick of them though....don't think I could ever get sick of them :)

It's always kind of a happy sad thing when the garden is done. We look forward to not having to can every day....but will miss eating all the yummy fresh veggies and fruit. But we will appreciate it all the more again next summer when we once again taste the garden's yummy goodness.

I am so thankful that we are able to plant a garden. Even though its a HUGE work load...it's so worth it. It saves us a bundle on groceries, that's for sure. And it's so much more fun to eat the food that we have worked so hard to bring to the table.

More than for my sake than anything, here is a list of what we canned this year. We always wonder how much to can...especially on a year like this when there is more of something than we can keep up with. So next year we can just look back here :) I didn't count any of our freezer produce (corn, peas, raspberries, jam, gooseberries, saskatoons or strawberries) because we usually don't have even enough of this and we alway freeze all that we have :) We would have to have a much bigger garden space to put up enough of these things for our family for the year. So for now we are very thankful for what we have :)

Anyway, here is the list:

26 Quarts Whole Tomatoes (used mostly for soup)

54 Quarts Pickles (dill and sweet sliced)
35 Quarts Salsa
37 Quarts Pasta/Pizza Sauce
16 Quarts Apple Pie Filling
49 Pints Relish
30 Quarts Apple Juice
10 Pints Condensed Tomato Soup

That's 222 jars of pure homegrown goodness :)


                            When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

Psalm 128:2