PUZZLE

Our family loves to put together puzzles. In our basement we have a round table with four chairs, its the puzzle table. Almost anytime of the year you can go downstairs and there will be a puzzle on it. It is something everyone can participate in. I remember doing puzzles at my grandparents. It was a time to speak quietly with one another , building something together, Then at home as a child we did puzzles in the winter. We would get out the card table and puzzle away . Sometimes you sit for hours then other times you walk by and see apiece to put in. Puzzles are  good at concentration, problem solving, determination and aggravation. We get most of our puzzles at garage sales. Then pass them on to other family members and friends who enjoy them like we do. Since we have been home, we are like the puzzle library. People call and ask for 4 or...6. Sometimes we say pass that on you don't have to return. Then at other times we say, return that one and we will do it again next year. (if its a really good keeper)
Life is a puzzle sometimes our pieces fall perfectly into place, other times we try to force parts of or life into place as we would like. There are days when we feel like we are missing a few of our pieces . But when its all said and done, we are a complete picture to enjoy. Enjoy all the pieces in your life.

Sky

Each morning as I drive to work the past few weeks have been beautiful. There is no better word for it than that- beautiful. The colors of an artist palate are brushed across the morning sky. Reds, blues, greens,pinks and purples  are on the backdrop of blue with a  wisp of white. It sure is a sight that fills my soul with happiness as I drive to work. It is a sign that I can make it through anything with a lovely sight to hold me over until I get home. The morning sky is silhouetted with a farm deserted with no cows in the lot. But towering over trying to touch the vibrant upward color, is three perfectly aligned in height from the tallest to the shortest grain silos. Needless to say I am looking forward to my drive in the morning. 

eggs

One of the highlights of my day is going out to talk to my chickens. When I talk, they listen. When I bring them scraps as a treat, they squawk at me happily. When they see me coming toward their coop they run as fast as they can to greet me. They give me joy. They also leave me gifts. Eggs! Each day I can't wait to count those oval wonders. Today 10, that is amazing as I only have 13 hens, plus 2 roosters. I give my daughters a dozen, my parents, friends...then sell the rest for a good price. I have given up having beautiful flower beds, as they eat them. I have given up strawberry beds, as they eat them. This is in exchange for them eating thousands of bugs. Running around my yard making me laugh. Cackling a tune that only they can sing. Plus those beautiful oval perfect delicious eggs they leave me. I sure like my chickens!      

Baked

This week on my way to Shipsewana to grocery shop in bulk I stopped by a few Amish garage sales. Everyone of them were held in a heated garage or basement. It is sorta chilly outside so that felt nice on my oldish bones to be warm as I searched for treasures. What I was most excited about was the baked goods I bought. My car just filled up with chocolate chip, sugar, and molasses cookies, a loaf of bread, plus cinnamon rolls. Which I put in lunchboxes the next day. When friends stopped in they enjoyed a treat too. Another goodie I got was 2 butternut squash for a quarter each. My family loves squash. I can't wait when I bake them for the house to be filled with deliciousness aroma of Fall. Well... I had a wonderful time shopping. Oh I asked one lady what time she got up to start baking the cookies as they had just came out of the oven...4am was the answer! I thanked her for making them as would my family.  

Patch

Yesterday I went outside to check on my chickens and ducks. I knew with all the warm weather I would not need to water them. I was right, water puddles were everywhere. We have a low spot in the driveway there was a duck swimming party going on . Wings flapping, bills dipping, tails wiggling , water flying all around. So while the ducks were having a good time the chickens were too. There in the yard was one patch of grass showing green around the white snow. There were the chickens scratching the heck out of that patch. dead grass was flying in the air with bits of dirt. Their feet were using muscles that needed exercising from winter dormancy. What fun they were all having on this warm spring day!

Zero

The book 50 Degrees Below Zero is how it feels outside today. It is so cold out. How do you know? Well when I went out, I first slid and almost fell as the snow was ice. Then my face felt frozen. My skin was tight red, burnt by the wind. My dog ran out of the garage then turned around and came right back in. She was cold, she wanted back in the warmth. Once to the chicken coop I opened the door to see frost crystals on the inside of the walls. It was like a disco ball, glitter frost from the chickens breath was on the board wall, beautiful. I was out only a few minutes, however it felt longer. Like the book Below Zero , I felt frozen stiff and was so happy to be inside my warm house.    

Time

It seems like when you have days off they go by so quickly. They also seem like I never stop working. As soon as I get up I see something that needs done. I cook yummy dishes for my family, You know the things that you never have the time to cook or prepare except on a snow day?  I see the dirt and dust around my house so I clean. I pick up, then put away what I see out of place. If I take a nap it's dark by the time I get up because of the shorter days. Therefore I try hard to just keep moving. So I go gather the eggs and fill the hens feeders. By the time everyone gets home, I feel like I have worked harder than if I was at my job. Time sure went fast on this day, I'm exhausted, ready for bed and thankfully a 2 hour delay  in the morning so i can sleep in!