A Merry Apple-picking Party

Dear Friends,

Thank you for stopping by Merry Hearts Cottage today~ We feel very blessed by your friendship and continued support!

We thought we'd take a little break from getting ready to move and go to Aunt Nicki's house, where the Transparent apples are on. Our cousins were there at the same time, so it was a real picking party, indeed!

Enjoy the pictures that Audrey and AnnaMarie took of our day~

Here are our cousins working their side of the tree~

And AnnaMarie demonstrates yet another clever use for a stirrup hoe!

Although the apples grew out of Frankie's reach, there were plenty of windfalls for him.

Of course, it was not all work and no play. Some of us took time to enjoy the swing under the old cottonwood in the yard.

We have also been enjoying little reading breaks here and there, while nursing Rebecca, and would like to share a few gems from "Mother's Magazine", September 1879.

"A Recipe to Be Miserable- The best recipe we know, if you want to be miserable, is to think about yourself, how much you lost, how much you have not made, and the poor prospect for the future. A brave man with a soul in him gets out of such pitiful ruts and laughs at discouragements, rolls up his sleeves, whistles and sings, and makes the best of life. This earth was never intended as a paradise, and the man who rises above his discouragements and keeps his manhood, will only be the stronger and better for his adversities.

Many a noble ship has been saved by throwing overboard its valuable cargo, and many a man better and more humane after he has lost his gold."

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What Can We Do?

by Kate Meriden

We can be just,
We can be true,
And this is work
We all can do;
And wrongs may right,
And sins may stay,
And souls in night
Restore to day:

And with no hope
Of like return,
Much good may do;
And grace may earn,
With naught in view
But duty done:
Be just and true
To every one.

Love,

Marqueta