Daisy Chains

Somehow my childhood passed by without ever learning how to make a daisy chain. I remember trying to braid them together and it never worked to my satisfaction. My girls, however, had the privilege of being taught how to, by a young friend. They, in turn, taught me. They can spend long amounts of time, making chains with clover blossoms, daisys, and last fall, Damaris even did it with fallen leaves, to my delight! Lovely swags can be hung or draped anywhere!

What a lovely way to spend time! What goes through their minds while their hands are occupied with such a task?

Six year old hands...

Consider the daisies...

My "Produce"

It is interesting to see how each one's interests develope, how they grow... What will my little garden grow into? A red pepper is much sweeter that a green one, why woudn't it be?! It is riper! What is God's plan to "ripen" me into? And each one of these children?...I trust He will equip each of them for what He has in store.
We didn't bring chairs along to the produce stand, but watermelons worked nicely for the little ones!

Like I previously said, Devereaux really likes the peaches! Damaris likes to read!

This picture reflects each one... Chloe and Abi love the fine dust on the hard packed dirt. They scooped it into piles, sifted it between their fingers, and generally got dirty. Hadassah made daisy chains, Damaris read, Devereaux...ate! :)

A gift from one of my girls...

Produce, anyone?

I just can't resist posting a few pictures of the bounty that John has been bringing up from the south. It's so lovely to have fresh produce a bit earlier than our gardens here. Steamed red potatoes, so quick and yummy with butter, salt and pepper...

We like to eat cucumber sticks...in fact we like to have a peeler and salt shaker along and we are in business!

Sweet onions, particularly Vidalias! We are learning to enjoy them on their own. Stick a chunk on a kabob on the grill...

Has anyone ever made a Peach Cheesecake? In the same way that folks like a cheesecake with cherry pie filling on top, try peaches! You might never go back to cherries!
Make a glaze with 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 2& 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch. Cook 'til it thickens, then while still hot, add 3 tablespoons orange jello. Cool and add cut up, fresh peaches. Top your favorite cheesecake recipe with this!
(No, don't use peach jello, I discovered quite by accident that orange makes it way better.)

Hmmm... right about now, it might be a good idea to quit blogging and go make...you guessed it...Peach Cheesecake!

Summer is Here!

Summer seems to finally be here! It's official now, because we've tasted it!
Abe's brother John, each summer, runs a little roadside produce stand along State Route 39. We have a little piece of property that is easy access, so it works out good. Growing or selling produce is what the Mast family grew up doing, so it's kind of in their blood, so to speak. (Abe's Dad and two other of his brothers also sell produce, only in North Carolina.)
Anyway, we like to help out when the need, or opportunity, arises. My Mom watches the stand for Johnny off and on thru the week. My sis, Paula, and her kids help as needed, too. Last week we went down to help unload a load fresh in from South Carolina. Oh, those peaches!!! Picked tree ripe the morning before... and I do mean tree ripe!!! After helping unload watermelons and cantelope, when my back was turned, Uncle Johnny was endearing himself to my girls! Abigail had streams of juice all the way to her toes! She hasn't figured out the need to lean out!

Chloe tells me she "especially likes the skin".

Due to modern methods of doing laundry, we didn't even end up with any stains!

Devereaux (John's son, age 6) ate peaches straight time!
The kids all love hanging out down there. There is a spring where water runs year round out of the bank. There are crawdads to be found... Damaris really likes helping with the customers. Hopefully helping out there will give opportunity to learn making change, handling money, being less shy, etc. She also likes to refill displays, which is a big help when it gets busy.
If you live in Holmes County, Ohio, this is just east of West Holmes High School. Stop by and sample a melon...or a peach!

Tradition

At our house, we have a plenty of girly toys! We have this doll stroller that does actually have a doll in it from time to time, but traditionally, each of the girls has had their turn in it... We didn't want to leave Lara out, now did we?!

She seemed to like it quite well! Big brother Alex had to take her for a spin too!
Check out the blue eyes... so far they seem to be staying that way and we are all cheering! She is the only one in the Mast/Isaac line so far, that's hanging on to those baby-blues!

Don't you just love babies little legs..feet...toes...
Actually the whole package is rather nice, I'd say!

Belated Memorial Day Moments

I will here confess why I like a parade...
Forget the floats, cheesy or otherwise...
Forget the fancy cars, old tractors, big trucks, high-stepping horses, etc...
I'm there for the marching bands!
There was a small parade in Nashville (Ohio), just down the road from home. We never miss it. Probably for various reasons...

Every time I hear or see a marching band, I have to fight back tears... They make me feel so emotional! No, I never was in one, it's not due to fond memories or nostalgia... All I know to say is they effect me, like a hint of things to come...
Togetherness...in a big way...
Harmony...like we never heard yet...
Oneness...
Proclaiming...
Exulting...
Lifting high...
I go to parades and wait for the marching bands...for a foretaste.
I go home and let God do business in my life in order to experience the reality of that fellowship in an ever-widening circle.
HOLY! HOLY! HOLY!

My girls will tell you, without hesitation, that they like parades because of the candy that people throw...

I was very pleased to watch, as Damaris retrieved the loot that was out in the street, to see that she brought it back and distributed it amongst themselves. No squabbles, just seeing who wanted what... their own little picture of harmony. It just added to my already "emotional" state. Thank you, Lord God, for the blessings they are! I am forever in Your debt for all Your goodness to me!

This little fellow was so cute, I couldn't leave him out!

Under His Wings

Don't you just love it when you find yourself humming a song over and over, and finally realize that you are doing it and think about why is it sticking, and where did I hear this, etc.?
Well, tonight the one I found myself singing in the shower is this one:

Under His wings I am safely abiding;

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;

He has redeemed me and I am His child.

Chorus:

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;

Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Which brings me to an account I read some years back that I clipped and kept where I reread it from time to time...

"An article in National Geografic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had ushered her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)"

Who from His love can sever?!

He says, "How often would I have gathered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not."

What have we got to lose? Independence? It's not all it's cracked up to be... (The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. It is not within a man to direct his steps...)

Take cover under His wings and you will find it a place of refuge.