Began the day sewing and ended with campfire

It was a drizzly morning.  Dude worked inside the birdhouse and a friend came over to sew with me. 

I hadn't even cut out my fabric yet, so , I got to work. 

Some of the sewing got a bit complicated.

My friend, Susan, already had one of her deer head's done...okay, okay she had two finished. 

There was a lot of pinning to be done. 

I got a little crazy sewing my deer head. Bread was finished baking in the background and the Beatles playing to keep us going.

Susan and Dude attaching the wood base ... what a nice guy to stop and help us.  

Me and Susan. My deer looks like it needs to go on a diet!

We did it!! Our deers are finished. I was proud when my grandson said, Grandma, you did a really good job. 

We cleaned up mess, Susan went home and 

we took an afternoon rest and them we headed out for our annual sing-a-long.  On the Friday night, after the longest day of the year, neighbors host a John Denver sing-a-long … well, it really isn't just John Denver and they have renamed it Keenstock 2018.  Tomorrow there will be a day long concert as well with a variety of singers and bands. 

Tonight a big bonfire is lit in the middle of nowhere among wheat and corn fields.  We were afraid the weather would turn bad but we were lucky with a clear and starry night. 

   Kids roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. 

 We could see the moon, Jupiter and Venus. 

We were grateful it didn't rain, even if it was a little chilly.  We had a great time singing with everyone almost to midnight.

Here's to summer. 

peace 

Sunday funday, deer, crafts, canning, faith and kindness of the day.

Living on the plains the only wildlife we usually see are rabbits, geese, turkeys and the occasional raccoon. Well, there was that once when the beaver arrived at our neighbors via the irrigation ditch and stuck around when the water was turned off due to having no way to get home.  But today, probably due to how dry it is here, a mom and her family came to visit. It was a delight to see them. 

I found these things in a Christmas box from last year and decided I could make an ornament or two. I saw one similar browsing the internet a week or so ago. 

I spray painted the paper roll silver and coated the inside with glue.

Then coated the inside with snow flakes.

I hot glued a few miniature on the inside. 

Wrapped a wire around it so it would hang up and added tinsel. 

Then it was time for our evening walk.  You can see the clouds over the mountains heading our way. 

Dude thought this broken tree looked like someone reaching for the sky. 

Time to make Christmas jelly - more strawberry jalapeño jam. 

I made 18 jars. 

Our meals we are trying to eat 80% fruits and vegetables. Tonight was taco salad. From the garden was lettuce, onion and pickled hot peppers. Added black beans, pineapple, olives, and cheese.  The dressing was homemade salsa mixed with ranch dressing. It was so addictive.  (Dude did add beef to his).

Kindness of the day. Donating a gift to the Christmas angel program. 

Today was the first day of Advent. Maranatha - "Come  Lord Jesus"  Our lives are restless. It is a time of hope and joy. More and more we tend to ignore the reality of the cross in our daily lives. But, again the more we show those around us , especially children, what we believe through our actions they will become sponges and soak up what they see. One of my sons on the outside looks like a tattooed biker and an agnostic. Yet, at Thanksgiving we began to talk about Advent coming up. To which he started singing.... "Preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepare ye the way of the Lord." I was stunned and said, "You remember?"  He told me how could he not. We had traditions played out every year at home and at church. It was ingrained. It is important we keep up our faith and traditions so they are not lost. Keep hopeful and watchful. 

Do you have a home advent wreath? If so, do you say the prayers that go with it?  Do you let the youngest child light the candle each night at the meal time? Do you eat meals together still? 

peace