LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE IN THE GREAT OUT OF DOORS

THE MONTH OF APRIL HAS BEEN OVERLY BUSY FOR ME and busy months are sometimes needed.  The landscape that I have seen this month as I travel across the Kansas Prairie and through small communities has been one of winter grays turning into splashes of color awakening the horizons.  Light greens in the trees with pink from the red bud trees add beauty as the season becomes Spring.  Trees with white blossoms, pink Red Bud trees, yellow Forsythia bushes, Tulips in a variety of colors, Daffodils and Jonquils popping through the soil...mark the early Spring.  This is one sight I long for after a very cold winter where colors have been dormant.  With the Spring colors waking up, I sense a time of year that I absolutely love.

Dandelions are popping up with splashes of bright canary yellow flowers.  Actually dandelions are edible as they are a HERB with great health benefits for those who eat them.  Today, I'll go pick some and mix them into a salad pretending I have no idea that so many dislike these edible herbs growing in their lawns.  God is freely providing abundant herbs that so many greatly dislike calling them weeds.  If eating dandelions, make sure the dandelions have not been sprayed with chemicals to kill them.    

I have been on the road quite a bit this month going from here to there and back again to here.  Here I am.  Seeing the bountiful prairies as I drive the car along the way adds tranquility as a driver being transported to other places that I need to be.  Yesterday, I drove by LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE MUSEUM outside of Independence, Kansas.  Decided to stop, stretch my legs and see the inside of the buildings they have there to tour seeing first hand how others lived many moons ago.

Standing in the great outdoors made me want to just stay there and live.  grins.  The weather was pleasant which added to admiring the surroundings I was seeing.  The Gift Store was open, the Log Cabin, School House and Post Office as well.  I picked up a little doll that I thought was simply too cute.  She is now sitting on my bookshelves at HOME.  Hubby purchased a coffee mug that he is drinking his morning coffee out of today.

The Gift Store is located in a tiny old FARMHOUSE where shelves are loaded with many books for sell.  Rhonda, the nice sells clerk was playing PA's FIDDLE music which added a nice touch to the place where we looked around.    

The flower border around the front of the FARMHOUSE was ripe with green leafed Irises getting ready to bloom.  A Lilac bush in the yard was already bloomed so we got a whiff of the lilac fragrance which took me back to my childhood where we had a large Lilac bush in the corner of the backyard where I played for hours in the safety of my fenced-in yard under the tall tree that stood next to a redwood fence.  I was in Heaven as I played in the dirt under the shade tree that had the Lilac bush beside it.  I could hide in this corner behind the Lilac bush, the Elm tree and the redwood fence.  

I can be there in a split second in my thoughts.  Life was simpler then and I think I need to return to this instead of harboring so many chaotic thoughts that only run me down.  Chaotic activities can go right along with it.

Early Spring on the Prairie is all I wanted as I stood there feeling the cool breeze blow across my face and body.  We were the only ones there for the time being and it was BLISS.  

I feel a change coming on.  Deep serious thoughts of what needs added to my LIFE and what needs to change.  When I have moments like this, I know that I am able to think and hear clearly what's in my heart.

I no longer want to attend church that is like a broadway production. I don't need the hustle and bustle of city life.  I don't even need or want all the glitz and glamour of city life.  I can be content living away from the crowds and traffic doing more of my own thing.  

Little House on the Prairie
isn't just about stories for children and books written by 

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder, 

but can be a state of mind with thoughts that entertain leading to a better LIFE.

~d

If you click on the pics, they will enlarge making it easier to read the signs in this blog post.  

Mix Celery With Carrot ~ The Secret Nobody Will Ever Tell You ~ Thank Me...

NEW COOKBOOK

I HAVE NOTICED THIS COOK BOOK at Menards for several months now.  There was only one left on the shelf and I have been wanting one.  I probably should have checked Wal-Mart prices online for comparison shopping before chucking out the entire amount.  I could have saved $8 by buying it through the internet.  Shucks.  $8 is $8 or is it?  

Do I return this copy to the store to get my money back or do I accept that I have the book already and go on?  The car would probably eat $5 worth of fuel by taking it back to save $8 in theory.  I believe I will just count it as experience and be glad I have this great cook book in my Library.

The pictures in the book are super good and the recipes easy to read.  Okay doe-kay then...I will enjoy the book and call it good.

Do you collect COOK BOOKS?

Blessings to you,
~d

EASTER/RESURRECTION SUNDAY

We'll celebrate Easter/Resurrection Sunday! Eternal life is through Jesus CHRIST, the only begotten son of God, when He is our personal Savior.  

Blessings to you.  

IT IS FINISHED...the Lord Jesus did the work. He took the sins of the world and died for all of mankind then rose from the dead to sit in a place of authority where He prays for us.  

We can be a child of the most high God in a rightful relationship with HIM filled with HIS Holy Spirit and have eternal life. 

He is the GOOD NEWS. He is the GOSPEL. He is the GREAT I AM. He is the Messiah. He is the lamb of God. He is the word of God. He is the beginning and the end. He is the author of our faith. He is alive and well. Hallelujah.  

Many blessings to you, blessings in your relationships, blessings in your home, blessings in your family.

  May you have a wonderful Easter/Resurrection Sunday!

He is worthy of our praise,

~d

NO BUNNIES FOR EASTER...

Source from the internet

SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN HOME, I will not be fixing EASTER BASKETS for my Grandchildren this year...I purchased Easter cards and will be doing good to get them in the mail.  Through the years, I have enjoyed making up Easter Baskets for them.  I won't be doing it this year since I was out of town taking care of my elderly Mom as she recovers from a broken hip.  I will wish them a blessed HOLIDAY and call it good.

Grandma here can only do so much and my much is too much for me to do.  

In my HOME, I usually have bunnies sitting out along with eggs...not this year.  I'll be doing good to get the laundry caught up,  catch my breath and run some errands.  No special Easter meal this Sunday.  I will PRAISE THE LORD anyhow giving HIM thanks for LIFE ETERNAL!  I am finding out that sometimes there just won't be a big meal, bunnies sitting around the house, no easter baskets or decorating and hiding eggs.

I hope in the future, I get use to working things up early on so things like Easter Baskets are ready to go when needed.  I see a necessity to plan ahead.  Life has surprises and when my Mom fell breaking her hip...it was life changing for her and her children.  The trickle down effect happened.  My hands on experience was one of having to help out with my elderly mother.  This became my Christian ministry.  

There were trips from our HOME to the Hospital where she was.  The waiting for surgery, the surgery, the recovery...trip home.  Hubby's Doctor's appointment.  Stopping her mail.  Picking up her clothing, make-up, grooming supplies, cell phone, charger, hearing aid charger.  Trip back to Hospital.  The two hour drive home.  Things to do.  More mail to pick up.  Trip back to hospital.  Flowers.  Trip back Home.  Rest.  Trip back to hospital to pick Mom up and take her to her home.  Stay to care for her.  Week goes by.  Birthday party for her.  Finally Home before doing another shift taking care of her.  I am tired and I hope I get rested up before returning. 

My ministry changed for the time being.  My Husband and HOME are my main ministry and I know full well that this is where I am needed, but Mom has a health crisis and I need to help her out for a short time.  I am also helping her thin out her clothing to downsize her wardrobe.  I'll see if I can thin out her kitchen cabinets and other things about her apartment when I return.  

SO for EASTER 2022...there will be no Easter eggs to decorate, no extra Easter Bunnies sitting about my own HOME nor Easter Baskets made up for the GRANDS, no big Easter dinner.  The pomp and circumstance will not be.  

Still Jesus will be remembered and I will praise the Lord for much. He did the WORK!  It.  is.  finished.  He is the one to praise.

I will praise the Lord.    

Much to be thankful for...Eternal LIFE.  E T E R N A L  LIFE.  A HOME, loving Husband, wonderful family.  A prayer LIFE to ALMIGHTY GOD.  I am not alone.  I have much to be thankful for.  Much.

Resurrection Sunday is near.  
~d

Earlier Easters

HOME FOR NOW...

The week would pass and MOM's children planned her 90th birthday. Up until the day she was released from the Hospital, we did not know where she'd be and if we could even have a birthday party or not.  We did and it was nice to have so many family members together with some of her close friends.

Her hip doesn't hurt, but her knee sure does.  It is extremely difficult to walk on that leg.  She's moving, but it is very slow.  A RN came to the house to visit about the next steps of recovery. Physical Therapist will be making house calls for 30 to 60 days.  Depends on her progress.  In the mean time, Assisted Living facilities and Long Term Care facilities are being checked into.

Not receiving new patients due to SHORTAGE IN STAFFING was heard.  Not taking any new peeps due to no beds available.  This is really interesting.  Hubby and I stopped in with one facility that is remodeling the rooms.  We're familiar with it because my older brother lived there before he passed away.  Gathering up information.

My sister is staying with my Mom for now and I will return later.  Mom has four medical appointments the week I will be staying with her.  After this week we will have to evaluate how she is doing and what she is going to do about her home environment.  Each day I hope she gets stronger and can stay right where she is.  She could get a LIFE LINE NECKLACE, ride the town shuttle, have groceries delivered to her home, Meals on Wheels to her HOME.  Then when I go to visit, I could bring her things, take her out to shop, attend doctor's appointments, hair appointments, take her out to eat, shop, etc.  

TODAY WAS SO WINDY, I ABOUT BLEW AWAY.  The temps were about 90 degrees as we were out and about shopping and paying bills.  SUMMER WEATHER.  Not ready for that as we haven't had SPRING yet.  Wasn't too bad temp-wise as the wind cooled things off some.  The car's air conditioner wasn't working the best.  Went shopping to buy some organic veggies, pay some bills, make a DONATION DROP, have a STAR BUCK's green tea and eat a Apple Pecan Salad.  I have to get back to eating more veggies.  A have to!  Have to.  Walking a must. Breathing.

AS I TYPE, a thunder storm is blowing in.  Pray it is uneventful.  I don't mind gentle rain storms, but these KANSAS THUNDERSTORMS chill me to the bone.  Tornadoes scare me.  God protect us and our property.      

The tulips are in bloom.  Love them.  The wind will more than likely whipped the tulips about. Yesterday...AS I DROVE INTO TOWN, the Public Park is beginning to show SPRING COLORS. I LOVED IT!!!  This is one season I look forward to when the weather is mild and non-threatening.  I could do a HAPPY DANCE.  

Over the past week, I have been taking care of my Mom at her HOME.  Full time care.  Hubby and I picked up MOM from the Hospital, stopped by WALMARTS for supplies, drove on to her apartment and got her settled in after she had been at the hospital for three weeks.  

While I stayed with her, I organized clothing in her closet grouping the colors together and started thinning out her clothing.  As she sat in her recliner, I would carry a couple of outfits for her to look at and decide which ones she would turn loose of.  It was a very slow process as she had to look at each article.  I told her this was round one.  After we go through all of her hanging clothing then we will evaluate which ones to thin out again because MOM you don't need 15 pairs of black slacks.   

I started a KEEP PILE and a DONATE PILE.  Then I had to clean out her closet because the HANDY MAN was going to come and fix the clothing rod.  We hauled off maybe 50 clothing articles.  Got through her blacks, grays, whites, tans and a few red clothing.  When I return later in the month then I will finish up the color wheel of clothing and be done with this go round. Round two will come later by looking at the clothes again and decide what to keep.  She is a clothes horse and a half.  She does have some beautiful clothing and it is difficult for her to thin this out.  She likes this and this and this.  No problem liking clothing, jewelry, and purses.  

Next, will come her folded sweaters, rolled blouses in drawers, colored slacks and jeans.  She hasn't worn a dress in along time so we can cut back to maybe 5 dresses.  Casual clothing will be the brunt of her wardrobe.  A few nicer sort-of dressy clothing.  She will not need a dozen coats anymore.  Maybe two and several jackets, not 10.  Sweaters the same.  Then there's the shoes and purses.  Oh my.  

Black, brown and tan shoes, maybe some white ones for Spring and Summer seasons.  Slip ons and sandals.  Not sure about her purses, but she has quite a few.  

She has a stash of body lotions that she could give away to many people.  No shortage of body lotions.  I think I should thin out her old make-up and bless her with all new ones.  The basics.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of her make-up is 5o years old.  50...years...old.  She's over-due. LONG over due.

THINKING BACK TO MY MOM's 90th Birthday PARTY!
Mom turned 90.  We celebrated on her actual 90th birthday with family and a few friends.  Several cakes, nuts and mints.  Tea, coffee, water, lemonade and Propel to drink.  

  

US KIDS WITH MOM

MOM WITH HER GREAT GRANDCHILDREN 
THAT WERE THERE  

MOM WITH HER GRANDCHILDREN

Hubby and I getting old ourselves.

GOD truly BLESSED me when I was born to this lady.  
I am truly blessed to call her Momma.

Welp...back to it,
~d