The roots are in the ground and now the rows seem to stretch for as long as the eye can see.

It will be three years before we'll be picking it full pick. It will add on to my older patch. In fact yesterday Mark and I picked asparagus for the first time this year. If you want a little bending over exercise, come by. We love the help. There's nothing like fresh, cooked asparagus. Yummy!

Rhubarb and asparagus are our earliest garden offerings. The rhubarb loved that good rain we had. Now just add some sunshine and warmth and I'll have me a rhubarb pie.

Whenever I go out to the garden the animals always make themselves known. Just how many creatures are in this picture?

And "No" you can't go to market with me Saturday, the market master would be sure to notice!

So, I'm sure your garden vegetables are bigger then mine. I am glad they are coming up and growing. Here's a couple pics of them.


Can't wait for the market to start! It will warm up and seem like summer soon.

Saying Goodbye to Winter! Spring is in the air~

Aren't we all so thankful for the great weather we've been having here in Iowa? I love hearing the birds sing and watching everything turn green. The only downside is that now there's an abundance of work outside that I didn't have all winter. I'm not complaining, though, for outside work is something I love as long as I can keep it under control.

So the farmer's markets start just in 3 weeks. I'm really wondering if the asparagus is going to dare come up. The rhubarb is hesitantly peeking it's head out. Yesterday 1000 new asparagus roots showed up at my door. My back is groaning at the very thought. It's still screaming about the 3,000 onion sets it's had to bend down and plant. Blessedly my husband has been home to help with all that bending.

I can just feel the excitement of another market year starting. Hope the weather will cooperate. The outside market is so dependent on the weather. Here's a picture of one hill of rhubarb bravely peeking out.
That's about all there is to show of my garden right now. Morel mushrooms, also, are right around the corner.

Hope you all had a blessed Easter celebration. Most of my family were here for the weekend. Here's a couple pics of those adorable grandkids.


What a hope we all cling to and have. Hope of another coming resurrection of the dead in Christ and we who remain being lifted out of this world! Come, Lord Jesus!

Cute Youtube video

Have you guys seen "Depression Cooking With Clara" on Youtube? It is adorable. There are about 7 short videos that explain how she remembered her mother cooking during the depression and experiences she remembers. May we each grow old as gracefully and honor God with our lives and lips! 

"The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7

Unshaken amidst the changes in life!!!

We just never know what's around the turn of the road. After coming home from spending a few days with Mark's Dad in Arizona, we found Mark's job had ended. Now that's a big turn in the road considering Mark's worked there for the last 23 years. When I did the subtraction in my head, he was 33 when he started. EEEKKK Time sure does fly, doesn't it? Our oldest son is 32, so that seems really young to me now. I am so thankful to be serving a God who is never changing and all powerful. He reaches into each of our lives and ministers as He knows best. So the very first day as Mark was wondering around in shock and looking lost the Lord did something really special to encourage my heart. You see about 24 years ago as the farm problems raged, the bank closed down on us, we had no money, and we were very discouraged I opened the hymnbook to "Count Your Blessings" and started reading those famous words "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost; Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." That was a real turning point for us back then. Well Monday, Josie was struggling with a song her piano teacher had assigned her and because of a lack of flats I didn't recognize it, either. She asked me to play it for her and sure enough, that was the hymn. What a blessing to my heart! The Lord is so good!!! He has since showered us with wonderful verses of reassurances that thrill our hearts. Phil. 4:19 "The Lord will supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus". Isn't the Lord just wonderful!!! We have been thanking the Lord for the freedom Mark now has to farm, help me with farmer's market and do some farm help for neighbors. How great to wake up to the smell of coffee every morning (made by someone other then me), bike riding with my husband and just being around that wonderful man I married 35 years ago. What a blessing. The Lord will surely provide for our needs and we'll have to tighten our belt of spending. Here's a few pictures of Sedona, AZ. A gorgeous spot if you ever get a chance to visit. 

Best part seeing Jesse and Edna!

The best part of going to Puerto Rico was seeing Jesse and Edna. They ate out with us before the cruise, then spent a little time running us around after we returned. They both looked great and are going crazy studying in school. Wish I could spend a little more time in Puerto Rico and escape the dismal winter Iowa usually gives us, but after going there twice this winter ~ I'm not complaining. 

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually..." Heb. 13:15

Cruise 2009

Our first cruise turned out to be memorable! I highly recommend cruising, especially if you enjoy great food, being dropped off each morning at a beautiful island, not handing out money every time you turn around, being waited on hand and foot, etc. I could just rave on and on. Sorry about that. I've vacationed a lot for poor little old me and always planned, scrimped and saved on my own. If you know me, you know what I'm saying. We loved Hawaii, but hated eating mainly granola bars and staying in cruddy motels. Hawaii is just gorgeous, so I sure wouldn't complain, but a cruise is so00000 easy and fun. I now would recommend it over anything I've ever done. You do have to do your planning when dropped off on an island to not foolishly spend too much. If anyone wants my 2 cent advice, just call. Here's some pics of our cruise. 

Ooops, somehow the picture of Fatty didn't load. Let's try again.

While I was out looking over the divided goose situation I decided to feel Bullseye.

I better include what Fatty does most of the day, too, to give you a real picture of rest.

So my morning began reading in my morning and evening devotionsby Mrs. Charles Cowman about a woman that was very anxious and troubled even though she was a Christian. No one could convince her otherwise till one night she had a dream about a great crowd of people walking along a highway all tired and burdened. They were nearly all carrying little black bundles on their back that were weighing them all down. Looking up from her heavy bundle she saw a Man with a bright loving face passing hither and thither through the crowd comforting the people. At last He came near and she saw it was her Savior. She told Him how tired she was and He smiled sadly and said: " My dear child, I did not give you these loads, you have no need of them. They are the Devil's burdens and they are wearing out your life. Just drop them, refuse to touch them with one of your fingers and you will find the path easy and you will be as if borne on eagle's wings." From that day forward she was the most cheerful and happy member of the household. 

What a comfort this story is to me in these troubled times. Heb. 4:9 is one of my favorites: "There remains a rest to the people of God." 

Speaking opposite of rest, I just got a Polar heart rate monitor. It's been fun to figure out my exercise zone and try to keep it for 60 min. a day. Quite a challenge during the winter. Today instead of going to the gym, I exercised at home with the treadmill, stepper (I picked up at Goodwill) and a pilates dvd. Quite grueling but good for this nearly 55 year old body. 

One goose flew the coop. All of Jesse and my hard work to get them out of the farm pond has resulted in division for the two geese on our farm. I opened the fence and hopefully they won't fly off to the neighbors and get eaten by their dog. 

Now that I've managed to get my picture here twice, I'm crawling along at record speed to figuring it out on my own. How about adding another picture. Here's two of my favorite things to look at on a cold, winter day. 

Joining the Blogging World

Well, this is my first effort at blogging. This is quite a bit to add to my brain trying to figure it all out, but I'm managing little by little. Let's try and add a picture.