A Wonderful Birthday!

Today I am having my ___ birthday!  I can hardly imagine that I have lived to be this old!!!  When I was a teenager I thought the year 2000 would never come.  Certainly the Lord would return before that futuristic date!  There have also been days when because of different health problems I didn't think I'd live this long.  So, I am very, very thankful to be having another birthday!!!  I am thankful for seven wonderful children, a wonderful son-in-law, wonderful daughter-in-law, three wonderful grandsons, and wonderful grandaughter!!  I am also so thankful for a wonderful husband!  We have an anniversary in a few days so maybe I'll share a little more then about just how wonderful he is!  Also thankful for wonderful friends, and if you're reading this, you can include yourself in that wonderful!  With my children around me, asking me "What can I do for you?" all day, I am having a wonderful day and I hope you all do too! (I would've let the kids do a post today but who knows what they would've written!)

Merry Christmas!!

Arthur took his students to the local care center to "practice" their Christmas program.  They did a good job and I especially loved seeing the students interact with the elderly people.  The school is within walking distance so they've been there a few times.

We're probably the only house around that has a variety of cows on our tree.   Seems people think we like cows or something and give them to us!  I don't mind, especially when I get to see Daniel and David walk over to the tree and look for the cows.

A couple days ago the school had their actual program with singing, scripture quoting and a skit.  It went really good, which is a relief!

Hosanna and Miriam helped the school girls make this really good cheesecake dessert to serve their parents.  Doesn't it look pretty!  

Enjoy this picture of Miriam. She got new glasses since her old pair broke for the umpteenth time and were no longer repairable.  So, next time you see her she should be able to see a little better.
I'm so sorry we haven't posted more often.  Things just get so busy.  Today we put a new bed in our bedroom.  I've ordered new bedding and I'm excited to get it.  A new coat of paint is coming after Christmas as well.  Thank you, Arthur, for the nice gift!

I trust that you will all have a wonderful Christmas this year!  

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!"
I Timothy 1:15 

Cattle Haulin'

Well today is a cattle hauling day.  Please pray for their safety today as the roads are really slick with the freezing rain we had yesterday.  Notice there is a dusting of snow!  Finally!  Have a great wintery day!  I'm so glad God made seasons and the variety of weather we have!

The Party

Priscilla hosted a party yesterday.  At first it was going to be just the girls her age but then decided to add sisters and  so it was a nice group.  They played some games, Miriam did a devotional and helped get some lunch ready while they opened some presents in a gift exchange.  They did some other things and I think everyone had a good time.  I am so thankful for the young ladies in our church and their desire to please God.  I'm so thankful that we are not on an "island" in our walk with God and have other like-minded people to travel with!

Isaac

Isaac always keeps busy.  We've been doing a lot of work with cattle the last couple of weeks and so he's been taking pictures of each of his cows, bulls, and calves.  They're so cute!

Isaac's also been doing lots of trapping this fall.  Today he was pleased to get a fox, a raccoon, muskrat, and otter.     The otter especially is a prize when trapping.  The fox he got in a snare.  And so, that's what's been keeping Isaac busy. The rest of us are busy too, we just don't have pictures to prove it!

Have a great Lord's Day tomorrow!!!

Hockey Time

Well, it's that time of year again.  It's so nice having a few arenas to choose from that are free for using during the day.  On this particular day, Wednesday of this week, it was my kids, the J. kids, and the C. kids.   I am glad this time of year to have everyone out of the house to do some gift wrapping!

 

Oops, I should of rotated this one.  Wow, you look tall J. in skates!

Some days the girls play hockey with the guys and some days they just skate around.  

Looks like E. is working on being a hockey player some day, too!

I would guess you'll see more skating pictures before the winter is over.  Meanwhile, we still don't have a cover of snow on the ground.  Amazing!  No, I'm not worried about having a white Christmas.  It will come, eventually!

Ladies, girls, you are invited to the Christmas Tea at our church!  Tuesday the 13th at 7:00 PM.
Have a great day!

Ham it Is!

Knowing it was time to post something, and knowing that we really haven't been doing too much worth posting, we thought we'd share a recipe with you that a friend gave me a couple of years ago.
You can fool anyone into thinking this is ham! And just for the record, this is a sandwich for Arthur's lunch for tomorrow.

Venison Ham
(In this case, it was buffalo)

Take one large roast.
Poke holes it it all over.

Boil: 4 Cups of Water
              1 Cup Tenderquick

Cool to room temperature.

Put roast in ice cream pail and cover with water/tenderquick solution.
Soak 4-7 days in fridge. (It's so cold right now we use our entryway as a fridge :)
Turn 2 times a day. (Oops, I forgot most days but it turned out anyway)

Rinse after 4-7 days depending on how strong you want it.
Put it in a pan and cover with water.
Add 2 oz. liquid smoke.
Boil / cook for one hour.
The meat will be pink.

Enjoy!