Coveting My Neighbor's Cows

He's got some beauties- old and young- and I can't help feeling a little envious.

At least they don't mind my staring.  In fact, they stare right back.

 Gorgeous rich colors, calm temperaments and curious natures.

Beautiful!

One on One

Every now and then, we invite a single grandchild over to spend the night at our house.  It's a special time with just that child and they eagerly look forward to their day.
Most of the time we don't do anything special, just the regular chores and cooking together, etc.  They love it all and remind us when it's their turn.

This time it was Brig's turn.  At three years old-

going on four, he loves to check the nests for chicken eggs, pretend to drive the lawn mower, get rides on the 4-wheeler and help make pancakes.  He also loves following his Papa wherever he goes, asking us lots of questions and just doing general boy things outdoors.

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

Birthday Time

In our extended family from January 29 thru March 6, we have a lot of birthdays.  
Ten total.  
It's a busy time to say the least.

Five of those include The Man of the House, two of our sons, our daughter-in-love and our grandson. 

Wonderful, grand human beings.

 I'm so thankful for them all!

 



 

Valentine's Surprise

Coming home from church today, we did a double take when noticing a baby goat in the pasture.  

I've been waiting (somewhat) patiently for my Lamancha doe, Ember, to kid.  Not knowing her dates for certain, it's been a wait and see period of time.  She chose a fine Sunday morning to gift me with two adorable kids- a little gray and white buckling and a black and white doeling.

 A Valentine surprise!  My 14 year old daughter sprinted to the pasture and leapt over the fence in her excitement. 
The Man of the House grinning at me,  I ran inside the house to grab my farm boots as it had rained all night and was pretty mucky out.  I then took my time inspecting the little sweethearts in my church skirt and rubber boots.  
We gave mom some sweet grain, dipped their umbilical cords in iodine and made sure they looked fed.  

 This gift was SO much better than a box of chocolates. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

A New Year

 Thinking of my grandma today.  
A new  year begins and I have a fresh perspective on the span of a human life- the souls they touch, the beauty they add to the world.  
Grandma added a lot of beauty.

 Thanks to her, I have been given:

A love of photography
An appreciation of art and any artistic skills I may possess
A broader perspective on motherhood and the preciousness of my children
Bed-making skills
Canning skills
Love for animals and a responsibility for their care under my stewardship
Love of gardening and making an eden of my own backyard
Appreciation for what I have and reminders to take care of what I've been given
The ability to drop boring practicality at times in exchange for seeing the world through magical eyes

Grandma taught me so much- from table manners to oil painting, remodeling homes to family history...she was a do-it-yourselfer in every way.  

She had the loveliest lilt to her voice, and reminded us always that you can lift others with your words...and that unkindness or crass comments were not appropriate.

She cheered the underdog and fiercely protected the weak, was no-nonsense about rudeness and taught that 'pretty is as pretty does.'   

She gave me my mother.

Thank you Grandma.  2016 will be a great year because I'm your granddaughter and I won't forget.