The alarm didn't go off this morning. It's Saturday, so no need to be structured today. But my internal alarm went off at 6:20 AM. There never truly is "sleeping in" for me.
So far today I've set six rib-eye steaks to marinate and cut up a watermelon and I made a delectable potato salad and now I'm set for our dinner guests tonight. I don't like steak. I know, I know, I'm not like most folks. It is just too much to chew. A smoked pork chop sounded much better to me, so that is what I'm having. There are hot dogs and hamburgers for the two little guys who are joining us.
I love our local butcher shop. I called them up and gave them my order; told them I would pick it up on my lunch hour. Because they were so efficient in getting my order ready I had enough time to make the trek home and put my purchases in the fridge before returning to my 8-5. We live in the country, I work in the country, and so round trip I traveled at least 20 miles or a few more to get that meat in the fridge and be back in my chair in the office within the hour. I even had time to make one of those hot dogs I purchased and eat it on my way back to my office.
Love that butcher shop!
Persecuted
I don't want to be all depressing, but have you all heard in the news of the lady is going to be flogged and hung for her Christian belief? It sounds like she has two years to spend with her children and then she will be flogged and hung. When I hear such things it is hard for me to kind of "go on" with my daily life and feel at peace with what I'm doing. My life seems so superficial when I think about others in the world who are living such a hard, hard life, being persecuted for their faith and not allowed to live freely as I do.
Knowing of situations like this make me think deeply and unsettles my soul.
I'm sure that is how God meant it to be, so we pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just pray, when you think about it, for this lady and others whose stories we don't know about.
As I was looking through my camera this morning I was surprised with what I saw. I knew, of course, that I had taken pictures, but just didn't know how they had turned out. I hope you will enjoy my show and tell.
Earlier I had shared on Facebook a picture of a new little colt our neighbor's horse had recently. They also graze in our pasture, which is where I took these pictures. Here he is with his mama and some of the other family members in the background.
Another shot of just mama and son.
Is there anything cuter right now?
Curious.
And so are they. Curious at what is going on, on the other side of the fence.
You know I always have to insert a cat picture somewhere!
Sorry to those of you who totally despise cats.
Some folks despise cats....I don't understand their ways.
The Amish Horse Whisperer
My neighbor, Mr. Amish, was out in his field the other day so I grabbed my camera and from the shelter of our cottage on the hill I took pictures through the screen in the door, because I didn't want Mr. Amish to see me clicking away.
But here he is breaking a horse. This all happened in about five minutes time.
Not kidding at all.
Love this, I wonder what he was saying to his horse?
Awe...how sweet!!!!
Amish Country
The yellow in this picture makes the whole thing so pretty, but then to really look at the picture and see the horses and the cows way in the back and, of course, the farm buildings, the silo, it all just screams, Amish Country, USA!
It was in the heat of the day and these very smart cows found reprieve from the the sun under this grove of trees. How pretty are they?
One horse was taking herself a very long drink.
I have a thing for fences and yellow flowers mixed in with green grass. This picture is just for me, but you may enjoy it too.
This was up, high on a hill. I love the stone chimney, and I have a feeling there is more to this little cabin on the side I couldn't see, what do you think?
Gorgeous.
Garden to Table
When I came by this farm, I just had to stop and get a few pictures close up. I wish you could see these fields for yourself. On the other side of the road there were two teams of horses and two Amish fellows working the ground. I didn't want to take their pictures because I know how much they don't like that. I so badly wanted to take their pictures though, but it would have been too "in their face" so I let it be.
Love the little shed in the background.
A field that wasn't quite finished being plowed, it just struck me as so pretty, maybe it because of the woods in the background and the straight rows and the greens all around the brown of the dirt.
Garden of Eden?
A couple months back I had written a post about an Amish man and his toys. You can read about him here. Well, Dan and his wife Anna invited us over for dinner this past Thursday night and I took my camera along because I knew that we were in for a real treat. Dan and Anna have created this little haven beside their home and they share it with all kinds of people. They love to cook and grill and bake and they also enjoy entertaining. I feel so blessed to have been invited over to partake of this cozy little abode they have created. Fancy vacations are not on their radar, they would rather sit around a good campfire with their family and friends then to see the world.
Below you will see parts of their little haven. I took so many pictures, but I can't put them all here, but I hope you get the gist of what it was like when we were there. My only regret is that because they are Amish I couldn't take a lot of pictures with all of us visiting, etc.
They were making pizza for us in their pizza oven. The men were standing there watching the fire and Anna is looking at the campfire I think. That is as close of a picture you will see of this fine couple.
Pizza ready for the oven. They baked three pizzas, but there was no way we could eat all of them. They were so delicious!
Pizza in the oven.
Doesn't that look beautiful and delicious?
It was! And we sat right beside the oven to eat and it was a gorgeous night too. What a treat! There was also grilled chicken and cole slaw and muskmelon and pecan pie and ice cream and they baked an apple crisp in the pizza oven, as well. The food flowed like there was no tomorrow and every morsel was tasty and perfection.
This is their fire ring that was sat around later in the evening. Dan had taken us back out to his shop so that Mr. Wonderful could see his toys too.
There were two red birds, maybe cardinals...I don't know my birds...flying through the tree tops, chasing each other and I finally was able to get a shot of the one.
Across the street is a farm. Isn't that just beautiful through the trees and flowers? The cow! Perfect spot for it when I was clicking away.
Bloom where you are planted. Dan and Anna for sure, for sure bloom where they've been planted. Such giving people, they could give lessons in how to be hospitable.
Yep! That happened too as I was taking pictures, do you here the horse's shoes hit the pavement? clip clop clip clop
This was our campfire, just starting.
Smoke in the trees.
As the night moved in on us, there was less light, but the campfire was nice and bright.
It was a most pleasant night and one that inspired me and blessed me.
The one who calls me mommi.
Love his little lips and his shadow!
Priceless!
I love him so much...he just makes my heart swell up!
