All yee all yee out come free...

I heard you calling but I just had to stay out and play...
:)

We went to the forest.
Did you guess it?
Following some advice I kept the hush until our return.


We camped at around 7500 feet.
It was beautiful!
I had a vision of our place and this was what I saw.
I had a dream about a skunk so I stopped for ice and got three large cans of tomato juice.
Steve's employer let him work 4 /10 hour shifts and we left early Friday morning.
We just LOVE the Chevy it pulls so well.
The trip up was better than last and we used much less fuel.
Our camp spot was a primitive with a creek.
Click to enlarge any image

Someone before us very thoughtfully built a lean too.
Cool to look at but the kids were not to sure about who or what else might of taken residency.

This was truly an amazing structure.

Looking toward the creek
Walk with me down the slope and come see the creek.We had a wonderful time all Friday down here.
I taught the children how to make a dam.
We removed all the rocks and then had a nice swimming hole.

This tree stump was just a sapling when General Crook forged the trail across Arizona.
It is over 200 years old.
Amazing story is told by a tree if you listen.
The rains were more plentiful back then and over the last 50 years or so the growth slowed significantly.

He is so beautiful!
Dash walked this old man all the way up to camp.
He had a wonderful girth and I would suppose him to be here rotting another 50 years.

Dove showed amazing resiliency and kept to the task all day!
We were able to raise water level about 6 inches and the pool sunken another 3-4 inches.

Dash never stopped up and down the stream just lovin' life!

After a while I simply sat and directed.
I also dug out the silt under the stones and then Dove lifted and removed them placing them on the dam. It felt so wonderful teaching her the ways of the earth. This is my desire for both of the children. We obtained some good control over the flow. The kids learned about the path of least resistance.
So much of life revolves around that simple truth.

The depth became really nice for the kids to play in.

Dove was determined to remove a boulder way to much mass!
So I dug around it for a good hour or so.
I rubbed the silt and the water flowed down through the dam to remove it.

Well I was sitting on that sitting stone digging out the silt to be able to rock the boulder out of place and as I sat there the sun shifted over time.
Several hours passed as we created this pool.
Well while I was digging I had the scare of my life!
Well at least one of them.
I was looking down into the water and there was a human hand under that big old rock!!!!!!!
I freaked out!!
Pulled the kids out of the water post hast.
"What's wrong Momma?"

"go get your father, tell him come NOW!"

"Why momma?"

"go now!"

So Steve comes to the water as the very inquisitive children wonder why mom is quietly freaking out.
He goes into the pool to check it out.
Now he has his boots on so he climbed the rock to get vantage.
I could not see it.
I then approached to point to where.
I tell him of the digging and the stick and the image and not the children know.

We are all very pins and needles...

He then holds his hand over the water to point and ask me the location...
Then he sees it!!!!!!!!

The reflection of his hand.
I saw the refection of my own hand in the water reverse image!

Well do we have a ghost story to tell!!!!!!!
Hahahahahahhaha

It was so freaky!!!!!!!!!

got my tummy in knots for a while
after many hugs and much consoling and the expressed
"it would of freaked me out too!" by my husband

We all had a few good laughs.
Hope you did too.

So supper of spaghetti with whole wheat noodles...
Let me say my men are gracious!
I thought it was horrible and so did Dove.
I think the forest critters enjoyed it hahahahah....
But the guys ATE IT!!!!!!! they will eat anything hahah

The face said it all....
Note Dash just shoveling it in.
Maybe he did not even taste it
:)
lol

Well speaking of faces...
You try to take pictures of happy goofy children
:)

What amusement...
no they were not really picking it
at least not this time
hahahahhah

Oh they were just cutting up.

We played a board game till we all just wanted to finish it the next morning.
Note that Dash fell out that fast!

New day new adventure...

We all hiked down to the pump house.
A good 3/4 mile hike.
I stayed on the road and they went down to the creek side for the hike.

Then I saw them...
Oh they were all around!

This orange flowers were covered with butterflies and we enjoyed these things all weekend.
They were all around camp too.

I loved this image of the trees arched over my head.

Well on our hike they found an even better water hole.
So we made a plan for later to return to it.

Meanwhile I found some beauty on my own up on the road.

I had gotten way ahead of them and then I heard my boy.
He was so happy to catch up to me.

Just as he did a great blue hearon flew over head.
I saw 4 of them that day and was the only one to get to do so.

Soon behind came up my other dear ones.
They felt bad to let me walk alone.

Even thought the day was just begun the heat was becoming a force to reckon with.
We pressed on on coming so far.

This is a secure site.
It is a large water supply for upper Arizona.

Fast white water. Two streams murge the water pumped up and the creek we are camped on.

The bridge or porch of it had the air from the water flowing up through the cracks with such force that it was the best air conditioner you could imagine.
We all cooled off.

It really felt wonderful
even at 7500 feet it gets rather warm.

It is a rule that your never really able to get everyone to smile at the same time.
Dove would rather be at camp and yes you can really tell she is becoming a pre teen.

They took lambs ears (a large leafed plant) and had races.

This was very significant force of water.

This sign is so old it was old when Steve was a boy.

Every one had a big appitite and so a breakfast of bacon and eggs was as good as it gets.

Happy happy

kids.

After our big breakfast it was down the slope to our water hole.
The Daddy man and Dove had a secrete...

They had spotted fish in the water hole.
nope no hand just a few fish
:)

Dove wanted to submerge herself and was her quirky self.
When she does this I am reminded of her needs.
Sometimes I just forget.

She is so dog gone SWEET!

The Daddy man had his daily headache so he was feeling badly.
We got to get him into the doctor.
Please pray for his health.

The kids often do not realize them self in space and we often get hurt they do not ever mean it to happen but they just forget themseves and do not realize it hurts.

It is His heart to gain a nice image for his new project.
It is in it's infantsy so I have to keep hush hush yet.

Now look at that dam!
They did a great job!

Dash is paddling an imaginary boat.

To beautiful not to show you!

All along the creek were berry bushes.
I think either raspberry or black berry.
We may return in time for picken season.
As long as the chiggers stay at bay and the fruit is not overcome with aphids it looks like it could be promising.
I love love love to harvest our own foods.

The butterfly's were really doing the work of pollinators I think the harvest would be large.
I'll have to do home work and find out the time line to harvest.

Well the time came that we would return to the other pond.
So we all loaded up in the truck and drove down the road to it.
It was so fun.

I love this guy.
We hiked a little way and down the embankment

My blue jeans man does not ware shorts and this is why.
He just is not thinking bare legs, unfortunately the woods have a way of making you think about where your walking when you have shorts on...
Poor guy!
All the way down his leg ouch!

Now this marvel of a tree took our breadth away!

The center of it is hollow it is one ancient tree

The pond was so perfect for the kids to play in.

same tree look at the mass of it!

a glee was anounced when the slide rock was discovered.

Little boys and old ones :)lol look under logs of course!
found one weird worm.

Me thinks...leach!

The end of this thing had a strange flange of a opening.

Wow did it move funny, I have never witnessed one slither the way it did. It was rather fsasenating!

I loved all the flora around the creek flowers too many to imagine.

Now over 50 time the race was on over and over.

Bark as in dog Ship and Private Parts (it's a boy thing) :)
the falls and the rapids it was amazing that any of the crew survived!
They were capsized and ship wrecked in mighty waves....

acahummm.....

over and over and over and over this was the scene.

Daddy Man and I sat marveling in the wonder of the two little sailors in our charge.

He finally gave way to fatigue...it only lasted till the sun came through the trees when the clouds parted.

They had so much fun...

We all returned to base camp and I got to do my favorite thing when I am camping....

Wash my hair...
Steve found this on the side of the camper last trip.
We did not even know it was there.
It was hooked up to the hot water tank too.
oh that was so refreshing.

Time to load up...
The children played and we folded blankets and loaded up the supplies for next time.
This trip was time to return to our wonderful life at home.

Refreshed.
We rolled up the bags.
I almost gave the bear quilts away...
I am so grateful that we still have them.
I use the quilts to cover the mattresses and to stuff around the sides for insulation.
However we needed no insulation this trip.
The weather was perfect!

We had the windows open all night and it was not even cold.
It was also warm in the day but not hot.

by the way the skunk dream...
When I was sitting there in camp I looked up to the kids side of the cabin to see a very large skunk staring at me.
It was Doves stuffed toy!

Well this day drove us back down the mountain and back home to begin again the daily rutien that we are so very blessed to have.

When we contacted the friend that Steve has been trasporting to work (car pooling) to help him out.
Bad news they had let him go.
He was a sub-contracted fellow so he was not a fired of such they just do not have enough work to keep him right now.
He is no longer employed at Steves site.
Very sad for my man to hear. He loves his friend so.
It is in no way a bad reflection on my man.
They have been buddies for over 30 years and to see him on such hard times breaks my mans heart.

The garden is happy...a little hot for it but I have 4-5 large melons coming along well.
Two more butternut squash and some peas to pick in the marrow.
For now.
I am home and it took me three hours to do this post!
I hope you enjoyed your visit to the forest...

TAG your it.

One Lovely Blog Award

Thank You Annette

Hay folks I am going off line until Sunday evening.
All is fine, just need to do something.
Tell you about then.
Made you wonder...ah ha
Appreciate your prayers and I will keep ya all in mine too.

your still welcome to comment

Kitchen windows

Click image to enlarge
beaded of course:)

There was exactly like not an 1/8th on an inch difference of beads to do the little lamp.
There is another valence to use in the kichen cafe style.
I am a bit iffy whether I will use it.

You can find a tutorial over at
A Place to Create

"I do not know how you do all of what you do?"

Many of you sweet folk will often make mention of this sort.
Perhaps it is time I address the HOW of it.

Sheer determination.

You see so much of my life was lost in my youth (see a life restored) due to the control of others
and well...with the threat of the Alzheimer's/early onset dementia over me with the demilenation in my brain....
Well I just do not want to let anything take away even a moment I have here now.
I have fought so hard for my life and I just have to live it to it's top.

Although I am only 48 I have faced death in the eye several times personally.
That helps one to gain a greater appreciation to extend the strength of ability.
Ability is often taken for granted.

I have also stared down the eye of the death of so many dear friends and loved ones along the way.
Lives and promise lost.
I am who I am and live as I do not only for myself but for all those others who's lives were cut short often due to the hopelessness that overtook their reason.
I live on for them too.
My life was given back to me.
I fought so very hard for it and the darkness did not win.

It is that determination that compels forward.

The hours upon this earth are so short.

Organization, Ergonomics, Education and Study all play a key role in the logistical
HOW DO I?
It is by that unmerited favor that shines upon me that is the real key.
I am loved that is the fuel.
I spent the first third of my life not knowing what it was to be loved.
The second third of my life learning how to receive it and believe I am worthy of it.
This the finale the third part the stanza that will be remembered of me...
I am living it.

I just want to grab life by the tail and hold on for all I am worth.

Thankful Thrusday

Last night through the shadow of the haunting pain of my back
I was able to really enjoy myself at the sewing machine.
There will be a tutorial over at A Place to Create soon.

This I am thankful for
that I am physically able to set to task with the skills gained and talents given.

We have our abilities to be used.

It is a terrible thing for those who suffer with skills that they are physically unable make use of them.

Do this day what you are ABLE to do with the cheer within your heart.

That we are able to do it.

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Exodus 31:6
Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

Exodus 28:6
[ The Ephod ] "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

These beads have been around for a long while There were just enough to create a look I was after here. I really love beads of course you all probably already know that about me.

That red fabric was from the home school days.

I used to read a cute book to Dove when she was three or so.

The Bellveiw Hotel

The guest received the red carpet treatment .

The carpet got out of control and rolled right to the dock.

Dove wished she could walk on a red carpet so I made her one.

That is why this was so simple it was already hemmed.

It is fond and every time I see that window I just can see my little girl walking so respectfully down that red carpet.

The Artichoke Adventure...

stock image

Good Evening Friends
Well today was an adventure.
Spent mostly laying low (for me anyhow)
I did a few light duty chores and had the children change out the washer/dryer.

A friend came over at noon to give me a little adventure in life.
She had heard me say I had never tried artichoke.
She called yesterday much to her joy the grocer had some for a$1 each and they were large ones.
She used my largest pot and boiled that thing some 45 minutes until it was finally ready.

She the kids and I all sat to try this odd veggie.
We dipped it in mayo...
Well I really did not hate or particularly did I like it but...
I would not go out of my way to have another one.
She was so sweet, she gave me the heart we split among the kids.
Dove was very gracious and tried it and tried her best to be complimentary.
Dove does not like it but she did try it.

Now Dash he really liked it.
Dash will eat most anything except potato's

It was an adventure.
One I doubt that will be repeated except perhaps one more time.
She left one for me to cook for Steve...I think however I will steam it.
Boiled veggie is not my way, soaks all the nutrients out of things.
Perhaps steamed might improve the adventure.

What do you think?
Any suggestions?

Some light sewing tonight and easy listening to some old Cat Stevens Tea for the Tillerman album. I just LOVE what I have done so far.
I'll show you in the morning.
My Sweet heart remembered my fondness for it and downloaded it.
That is so sweet.

My back is still a bit iffy.

Please Pray

Grayson in the NICU tonight....

Visit Grammy Girlfriend here to offer your comments of support
Thank you

Our National History

Tackle it Tuesday

My big task today was to make tamales, green sauce and a good dinner.
See that bottle of javinaros (sp) well ...
Today I am in a tremendous amount of back pain so I finally broke down and took too pain pills...
You know in order to function and stop crying out.

Well function does not = functioning well...
Ha
That little jar of gold was a gift they are real smoked peppers.
I did not function well...
Ha
I made the green sauce and all but finished added the peppers oop first mistake see that plural peppers....oh no...

So It smelled or rather emitted a very hot scent...
Me silly , on two pain pills me...
Tasted it!
I just dipped my finger in it that is all....
oh no no no
Immediately I was at the sink spiting and clearing with water and almost lost the "cookies".
Dove ran for a cracker for me to absorb the oils. OH OH OH OH OH OH
Well you see that little jar there?

Hell fire in a bottle!
I added two of them.
My apron is off for the day!
function = eating well and not going through hellfire.

My fabric heaven has turned into a big mess!
Neglected sewing Machine and just pining for my attention

For those of you who sew...
We who think of color like a child thinks of candy...

This is my tackle...
Well one of them.
I have so many things I long to create and they are put off on the back burner of priority.

Sewing creating and just having some fun with it.

Oh but the tasks that are never ending call me away into laundry and tortilla making and and and and and ...

well if all that is just going to go on and on and on....

perhaps it is the time to pull this forward.

Gratituesday

I am thankful for pain pills.
children who are loving
Dash prayers
good friends praying
A husband loving and praying
and a back that will soon be better

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, June 22, 2009

Outside My Window... Is night in all of it's calm.

I am thinking... How nice the evening was with my friend. We went to a Korean Tea House. It was really fun and relaxing. It was an adventure in the Korean ritual of tea service. Very cool cultural experience.

I am thankful for... Every breadth every instant each life

From the kitchen... Tamales in the morning to make, the chicken has been boned.

I am wearing...Full Make up . Yes me... I have a pink ironed dress on and earrings and a beaded french wire brooch of a flower that I made many years ago.

I am reading...Eldala the book written by the friend I spent my evening with.

I am creating... nothing right now.

I am hearing...Crickets! many many of them!
The A/C unit on the other side of the wall.

I am going...To delight in the love of those whom I care so deeply, the love yes that they have for me but more so the love, fondness and thoughts of them. of you

Around the house...The home has improved greatly. I have been inplimenting some Fung Shuy decorating techniques.

One of my favorite things...My sons Bed time kisses and my little girls hugs.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Laundry, tamales, breads baked for hot dog and hamburger buns. Garden care. Child play time with my kids.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

We created a little corner desk at the foot of Doves bed and a shelf for her houses.
I have given her the use of an OFF LINE lap top that was mine many years ago.
She is allowed to share it.
We created a family social spot in the family area of the house.
It has been used over and over in just the last few days!
Love it!
It is a little tight but is a really nice feel to come and visit each other.
By making that chatting place I opened up the main living room. It is the creative center for the children.
They are in there watching the TV , well now less TV more creating.
It has a lot of clean up yet, they are using it constantly!
It will have their art books and things on the shelves nearby.
LOVE IT!
yes it is in the living room
lets have some LIVING IN THIS ROOM!
It is not just for show.

Happy are you the Father of our children.

Let us not forget we have a Heavenly Father...

He^a]"> predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

You are your Fathers Son
My love...

For you did not forget that you yourself being adopted into the embrace of a loving father.
A God who comforts you in every way.
You set to take his example into your life.
As he pursued you.
You pursued your children
Your choice, the way you became a father was one that few men make.

You laid down you own desires and dreams and goals to give them a life.
To give us a life together.

You traversed the globe.
Braved elements that are far beyond the understanding of most.

Intentional was your becoming a father.
To first gain our daughter.
Intentional and with choice were the great risks you took to afford a father to your children.
All of this you chose to do willingly. Your risk to return after the towers of 911 fell...
The risk of life lost and dreams snatched...
Letting go of the certain to risk another chance for your dearly adopted son.
As we set into a trust the accounts and to wills prepared the possibility of loss our own lives...

Your choice for another above yourself and the family secure we already had...

Your a FATHER
For you are for them.
You pursued them and yet still do.

Watch and see that it is good
all that you had risked was rewarded so many times over.

As you lead them up the hills and through the valleys of life.

The example of courage is exemplary.
The humor you have instilled in them make life lighter.
The example of leadership in our marriage is unity that provides a safety too few children have ever known.

In accordance with your pleasure and will you have chosen wisely.
I see that good pleasure in your eyes and theirs.

The consequences of your choices have given you the life of a
FATHER.

So happy are you the Father of our children.

The GOOD MAKERS generous gift.

I received a email this evening...

My dear sweet Donetta.

It was so good hearing from you!

NOW...a check is on it's way to the Bloggers Retreat Fund that has been designated as YOUR REGISTRATION FEE.

So---all you have to do is jump/shout/praise GOD!

I was notified by e-mail that it was to remain anonymous. And it will. So just blog about the miracle of the LORD! Spreading HIS love is the best way to thank anyone!

I love you!


My reply...

stunned...Stunned...Stunned
a fullness envelopes me...I am basking...
kindness got my tongue

Please express my deep gratitude to the gift giver. It is a joy to see and feel the loosening of the inappropriate guilt I have been struggling with once I paid for the airline tickets. I felt so uneasy spending so much on myself when the family could afford so many things with those said funds. Now I take ease...receive this thing that God has set before me an offering asking me my choice. I said yes I really want to go and He said you are there. Stunned it is like that weight replaced with a fullness of gratitude an adventure and the hope for a rest and fellowship.

My dear sister I am tired and this hope and expectation will sail me through the months ahead as I set task to parent and wifery and homemaking gardening and all. There is a window to fix a gaze on to those amazing trees and the lake and the green of the wood.
Those eyes and embraces and risk reward of courage spent traveling across the country on my own with HIM.

Good things in store.
Did you see the post at what happened tonight.
We did the budget and saw we had 73. left to do grocery go look the tab was 73.!!!!!!!!!!! $95 savings!
To funny and fun being HIS friend His presence is awesome!

strange thoughts...
I was thinking about puking last night while I was falling asleep laying there and how wonderful it is when I am even ill that He is right there and so close I could touch him. As he is now touching us.

Steve asked to extend his appreciation as well.
Dove was so amazed too.
just HOLY
stunned
loving you
Donetta

My Dear benefactor
A benefactor is a person who gives some form of help to benefit a person, group or organization (the beneficiary,) often gifting a monetary contribution in the form of an endowment to help a cause. Benefactors are humanitarian leaders and charitable patrons providing assistance in many forms, such as an alumnus from a university giving back to a college or an individual providing assistance to others. The word benefactor comes from Latin bene (good) and factor (maker).

Your generosity is a warm and exciting embrace. I think I am just still in a bit of shook it feels good though:) Kids are asleep or I would be very vocal I am sure. Hahahha
Just can't wait to tell Dash too.

It is good that you make. Love is the only thing that makes me ever cry. Tears heal. Your kindness is healing. I appreciate you heart toward me.

Menu Plan Monday

Good Morning!

Well it is the last week of June already.
Last week I spontaneously added a note to myself on the master grocery shopping list.
see image
Remember to ask specifically for your every need.
Dependence is a good thing in that relationship. :)

This morning the harvest was ready for the Butternut squash that helped itself to grow in the garden.
I did not plant this fellow...
Best guess is the compost.

3 1/2 pounds!
There is tree more in the cue growing into a fine meal for us.
Now butternut is one of my favorite...
cut the squash in half length wise.
Scoop out the seeds (toss them in the compost ya never know hahah).
Perhaps I will save these intentionally to replant later.
Lay them flat in a small amount of water and bake for one hour
Add some brown sugar, or maple syrup perhaps some mace or nutmeg.
Oh man it is really living!

Well It has been a very expensive month for us.
What with tires, a ticket and a retreat so many other little and big hits that we felt we were totally over budget.
I have worked so very hard on the grocery and other expenses to keep to a minimum.
Well to our amazement we kept within our self imposed goals.

So at the end of it all we see we sill be able to do the things we desired and with the 73. left I headed off to the grocery with a hand full of coupons and the work on the lead in adds I did during the week.

Look at that receipt!
My budget was $73.!
Dash wanted to come with me and so I had a bit of a distraction added in.
He was very sweet and good.
Just very VERY talkative.

We got everything we needed and had the coupons for.

Total spent $73.76

Total savings! $95.67

big hug from husband!

Like I said we got every thing we needed!

We are well covered till the first and will be able to keep to goal.
Keeping track of every dollar both coming in and going out is awesome!
We have so much peace.
Our overtime stopped this month.
This too is a blessing for Dash has a visit down at St Joe's Children's the second week of July.
By that time we will be off it for two pay checks of 80 hours each.
We will then be easily able to qualify once again for the 0% out of pocket coverage.
Now we are at 100% out of pocket because we worked so much overtime to pay off the $14,000. in medical copay's last year. We did it we paid it all off no debt.
Do you see it?

Provision and all I have need of his hand has provided.
The loss of overtime was a big hit and yet we made it.
We will now be able to qualify!

Even to the dollar!
Cool
By the way I was not counting the amount because I was interacting with Dash too.

The kitchen freezer became my baking storage near the baking center.
I used to keep it in the outside freezer (it keeps fresher) .
Now it is right there where I can see the flours I have.

Rye, millet, corn meal, amaranth,soy, flax and so on.
This will make baking much easier and now that I am baking every other day that will be nice.