Wow.

Jesus, help me to make something beautiful for You. In this poem. In this bit of earth. In this cake or loaf of bread or painting or song. Not only can I not do it truly, essentially, without You. I can't do it for You without You. ~ Lanier

If this qoute doesn't make you think, than perhaps you need to take a look at your walk with Jesus. No matter how small, we can do everything in our day for His glory. But we can't do it for His glory without Him!

Think about this friends ~ so inspiring.

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Tale of a Cowboy by Isaac Krause

Hey everyone, it's me, Isaac.

I have an amazing story that I got to tell ya'.

Author's note - (this story is merely fiction and does not contain a word of truth.)

This afternoon, I was feeling particularly restless, as all true cowboys do. I told Rachel I'd be outside riding Black Beauty if she needed me. She said okay.

As I was ridin' along, and feeling keen on the saddle, I spotted a great rattler a few feet yonder.

And let me tell you fellers, it was really big! This big, to be exact.

I stood up straight, strong, and manly and disposed of that slimy reptile. He tried to strike me but I struck him first - course I didn't tell Rachel, cuz' girls get scared sometimes.

I checked to see if Black Beauty was doin' okay. She was, so I kept on ridin'.

Then after a while, I checked my watch and noticed that time was wanin'. I knew I had to get back to the ranch and do the chores, so that ended my adventure.
All in a day's work, really - that's what we men are here for.

Thanks for listening to my story, everyone!

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Black Forest Cookies, Anyone?

Last week I made these delectable cookies.....Black Forest Cookies.

You know that you've made a good cookie when your brother takes one after you've already told him no more.

You know you've struck a golden recipe when the entire batch is gone by nightfall.

You know that these cookies are dangerous when you can't stop eating them.

Black Forest Cookies

1 C. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 C. granola cereal

1/2 C. flaked coconut

1/4 C. chopped nuts

1 (6 oz.) package chocolate chips

2/3 C. lightly packed brown sugar

1/2 C. softened butter

1 egg

1/2 C. chopped maraschino cherries

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffly. Beat in egg. Add in remaining ingredients, except cherries. Batter will be thick! Fold in chopped cherries. Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes.

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Farm Update

Well, how have you all been enjoying the nice spring weather? It has been simply gorgeous here the last few weeks. I am just loving this warm weather!!

Our two goats, Pearl and Daisy, are both due to kid next month. Ask anyone in the family, I am SO EXCITED about this!


This is Pearl, our Oberhasli goat. For a long time, we weren't sure if she was pregnant or not, but this week while she was on the milking stand, I put my hand underneath her belly and could actually feel the babies moving around! It was so neat. (And sweet, too!) So now we are confidently expecting her to kid June 10th or so.

This is Daisy, our little Oberhasli/Nubian goat. She is due on the 28th of May. It has been very interesting to watch her udder develop the last month or so! I hope she is a good milker, since we want to make cheese this year.

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Park-Bench Pizazz

This morning, Isaac and I went for a walk. He brought along his blue and orange shovel for the trek, just in case we ran across any snakes.

First we posed in the dirt next to the porch.

After a few failed attempts at a cute picture, he suggested we move on to my garden, a much more exciting place. So I complied. And that's when we found....the park bench.

We had to get on and off the park bench a few times, just to make sure Mr. Shovel was positioned correctly.

And then Isaac gave me his humble opinion of my weedy garden. He said I had been lazy with it and needed to weed it really soon. I agreed whole heartedly.

Isaac, through tears or laughter, brings loads of sunshine into our family. Happy 2 1/2 months home!

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