tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59816492715745008772024-03-13T05:31:37.781-05:00Sweete FelicityLove Notes from HomeMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.comBlogger599125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-10264799334924383052024-03-01T10:02:00.003-06:002024-03-01T10:02:43.111-06:00We Have a New Home on the Internet!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dear Friends,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just popping in after a long absence to let you all know that I have a website for my herbal business, with a blog featuring stories and information about herbs and nutrition. The website is https://blossomandbirdsong.com/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope to see you there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marqueta</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ScRfJrXxQ/X8Q9hy7vMCI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/1PVIlQwa_YgtoRazjYWuawMkqE9mEySpwCPcBGAsYHg/s4898/IMG_6772.CR2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4898" data-original-width="3265" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ScRfJrXxQ/X8Q9hy7vMCI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/1PVIlQwa_YgtoRazjYWuawMkqE9mEySpwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_6772.CR2" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfPgiHgmPK0/X8Q9h7rItKI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/m4zHyoOVFtcuBQGj3oZhBiGVMvWJ-MxdgCPcBGAsYHg/s4898/IMG_6441.CR2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4898" data-original-width="3265" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfPgiHgmPK0/X8Q9h7rItKI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/m4zHyoOVFtcuBQGj3oZhBiGVMvWJ-MxdgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_6441.CR2" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkv2NIREjsY/X8Q9h7ug55I/AAAAAAAC5Mc/IUnWUmnvtakUaCSRtdOwWnjIOLAGg2XFQCPcBGAsYHg/s5184/IMG_2370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkv2NIREjsY/X8Q9h7ug55I/AAAAAAAC5Mc/IUnWUmnvtakUaCSRtdOwWnjIOLAGg2XFQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Uzkwg2bC3g/X8Q9h3u3_tI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/Yuxptn1nzEI3mA6TLMO252AP1GV7g9DxwCPcBGAsYHg/s5184/IMG_2325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Uzkwg2bC3g/X8Q9h3u3_tI/AAAAAAAC5Mc/Yuxptn1nzEI3mA6TLMO252AP1GV7g9DxwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-25519191227828124302021-07-15T12:14:00.000-05:002021-07-15T12:14:02.895-05:00Midsummer Fun<p></p><p>Dear Friends,</p><p>Happy summer to you! We have been busy working in the garden, and keeping up with all the crazy places that the chickens are trying to make into nests!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMLbB9G2tGs/YN9Z9-raWTI/AAAAAAAC8-Q/kcKrvujJnfIHd4mknH6SGCkaynpVddovACLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0471.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMLbB9G2tGs/YN9Z9-raWTI/AAAAAAAC8-Q/kcKrvujJnfIHd4mknH6SGCkaynpVddovACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0471.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've been learning about bumble bees, and watching them make their way through all the flowers. <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uko-aeVoy74/YN9aGmRe5PI/AAAAAAAC8-U/_hdnSKE-MP0TPT04cfVsAlwEpTUX4k9ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0492.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uko-aeVoy74/YN9aGmRe5PI/AAAAAAAC8-U/_hdnSKE-MP0TPT04cfVsAlwEpTUX4k9ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xhEEclf7RwU/YN9aItNsC8I/AAAAAAAC8-Y/GK-PGtHgCegDxvoxMM5XO6-b95WXv_eEACLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xhEEclf7RwU/YN9aItNsC8I/AAAAAAAC8-Y/GK-PGtHgCegDxvoxMM5XO6-b95WXv_eEACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6F23_AriyU8/YN9aMRL9RvI/AAAAAAAC8-c/cHFdy3ETpi4u7d77O9kYJv91cP3c2VkfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6F23_AriyU8/YN9aMRL9RvI/AAAAAAAC8-c/cHFdy3ETpi4u7d77O9kYJv91cP3c2VkfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Fairy houses were made for Midsummer's Day. They were made festive with various flower petals and leaves.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-921q2NVJAnc/YN9aU6li9mI/AAAAAAAC8-k/d47B_M97JRMSYEjKg-ys0yw3Eq1stboMACLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0441.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-921q2NVJAnc/YN9aU6li9mI/AAAAAAAC8-k/d47B_M97JRMSYEjKg-ys0yw3Eq1stboMACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0441.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYpCrNNy19M/YN9aUiEpb4I/AAAAAAAC8-g/msqcu2_cHSQkxnpfdOs1GPJ6kWOKNbFSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0443.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYpCrNNy19M/YN9aUiEpb4I/AAAAAAAC8-g/msqcu2_cHSQkxnpfdOs1GPJ6kWOKNbFSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R4KNMIyTLo/YN9aXYsNZBI/AAAAAAAC8-o/Km94VXXCeQ46qkc4p3o-Zgd7PjBlKl-7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0458.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R4KNMIyTLo/YN9aXYsNZBI/AAAAAAAC8-o/Km94VXXCeQ46qkc4p3o-Zgd7PjBlKl-7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yESEvsTNv8/YN9aZo3OXbI/AAAAAAAC8-w/DJy2eZ4CTbcXWnj-KKJibH6tL4zHnviBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yESEvsTNv8/YN9aZo3OXbI/AAAAAAAC8-w/DJy2eZ4CTbcXWnj-KKJibH6tL4zHnviBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This last picture is a swing made for the fairies' benefit. I'm sure they enjoyed it!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59U6jBuPl8g/YN9au7xqkoI/AAAAAAAC8_A/ynmWRAY_Hko1cTu1CfhME_ATEFuWGhZgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_0440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59U6jBuPl8g/YN9au7xqkoI/AAAAAAAC8_A/ynmWRAY_Hko1cTu1CfhME_ATEFuWGhZgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We hope that you are having a lovely summer, and we pray for those of you who are suffering from extreme temperatures. We know it must be hard!</p><p>Love,</p><p>Marqueta</p><p style="text-align: center;">********************************** <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="card-header pb-2 pt-3 bg-white" data-v-197036e9="" style="text-align: center;"><div data-v-197036e9=""><div class="d-flex poem__title mb-1" data-v-197036e9=""><h1 class="card-title" data-v-197036e9="" itemprop="name">To Summer</h1></div><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""><a class="" data-v-197036e9="" href="https://poets.org/poet/william-blake" itemprop="author" target="_self">William Blake</a><span class="dates" data-v-197036e9=""> - 1757-1827</span></span></div></div><div class="card-body" data-v-197036e9="" style="text-align: center;"><div class="poem__body px-md-4 font-serif" data-v-197036e9=""> <p>O Thou who passest thro’ our vallies in<br />Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat<br />That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,<br />Oft pitched’st here thy golden tent, and oft<br />Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld<br />With joy, thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.</p><p>Beneath our thickest shades we oft have heard<br />Thy voice, when noon upon his fervid car<br />Rode o’er the deep of heaven; beside our springs<br />Sit down, and in our mossy vallies, on<br />Some bank beside a river clear, throw thy<br />Silk draperies off, and rush into the stream:<br />Our vallies love the Summer in his pride.</p><p>Our bards are fam’d who strike the silver wire:<br />Our youth are bolder than the southern swains:<br />Our maidens fairer in the sprightly dance:<br />We lack not songs, nor instruments of joy,<br />Nor echoes sweet, nor waters clear as heaven,<br />Nor laurel wreaths against the sultry heat.</p> </div></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p></p>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-78217974838343437462020-08-25T11:18:00.000-05:002020-08-25T11:18:21.523-05:00Summertime on the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dear friends,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a hot, dry summer here in the Ozarks! We've been busy watering everything, along with harvesting and processing the vegetables from the garden. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a video tour of our big garden out back~ https://youtu.be/MW8N9AnM3wI</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids are getting bigger and more naughty than ever. Their mothers went back to our friends who have a place to keep them now, so they have decided that if their mothers went somewhere, they're going to go somewhere, too! They were jumping over the electric fence to get into the garden, so I became desperate and started hiding in the garden and popping them with a bb gun every time they jumped over, hoping they would think if was the fence and not I. It seems to have worked, since they haven't gone in for about four days now, as opposed to every time I turned around, like before. They also like to join the neighbors' cows in their pasture, which is completely eaten down and only has grass.</div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Books are on the menu today~</i></div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hW4jxhLfwWo/X0OwkgBljiI/AAAAAAAC2L4/kayx4QiEgaYTTBl3SKpscfwsx_6gLln-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200821_162742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hW4jxhLfwWo/X0OwkgBljiI/AAAAAAAC2L4/kayx4QiEgaYTTBl3SKpscfwsx_6gLln-wCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200821_162742.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the bunny front, we caught a cottontail bunny out in the field a couple of months ago and raised it up, but it really wasn't happy, so we released it in a good spot away from other people's garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My, what big eyes you have!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEW-u28xHBM/XwXrNgOqTDI/AAAAAAACybI/v7CXh2Qmdfsb9kZ4vr50VP71XQs4irzHwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200629_141519598_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEW-u28xHBM/XwXrNgOqTDI/AAAAAAACybI/v7CXh2Qmdfsb9kZ4vr50VP71XQs4irzHwCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200629_141519598_1.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Our second doe rabbit had nine bunnies, and we've found homes for seven of them so far. When it's hot, rabbits have a hard time cooling off, so we've been freezing jugs of water and placing it in their cages to lie next to.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEW-u28xHBM/XwXrNgOqTDI/AAAAAAACybI/v7CXh2Qmdfsb9kZ4vr50VP71XQs4irzHwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200629_141519598_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<div><br /></div>The butterflies have been quite abundant this year, especially on the wildflowers and zinnias. We love raising flowers to bring in the pollinators, because it helps us to have a better garden overall.<div><br />
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<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The lemon squash and burpless cucumbers have done the best out of everything in the garden, so far. For a month now they've really been putting out the fruit, and I've had to get really creative with hiding squash in breads, pancakes, etc. Out of fifty tomato plants, we had an okay harvest, but between the hornworms, goats, and a blight, they are limping along. Thankfully we've found other sources of tomatoes to put up salsa, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and juice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT6EgNnTzjU/X0U4-jW2G8I/AAAAAAAC2MY/13Pkjlgr63wFxfVEnv5JRYy8hP-_UBL6QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200810_111823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT6EgNnTzjU/X0U4-jW2G8I/AAAAAAAC2MY/13Pkjlgr63wFxfVEnv5JRYy8hP-_UBL6QCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200810_111823.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And last, but not least, my oldest son has made himself a shirt, to advertise his own Youtube channel. How clever is that!</div><div><br />
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May you be blessed as you finish the rest of this summer. Stay cool, dear friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marqueta</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-51940936086245173342020-06-21T19:12:00.002-05:002020-06-21T19:12:35.040-05:00Spring Time Is Here!Dear Friends,<br />
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My apologies for the long absence! My computer was being naughty, and then my firewall said my blog had a virus and wouldn't allow me to access it. Hopefully we'll have better luck from now on.<br />
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We've been blessed to have lots of farm babies lately.<br />
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We're taking care of our friends' goats until they find a new home, and they had kids (one had 5!). Our dog also had five puppies (anyone want one?). And our rabbit just had five bunnies!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bfRXDK6Mvs/Xu_zPyiaNAI/AAAAAAACxSw/cIoGg8xEFEgzblz0KQcOpQikZpNiHrZ8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bfRXDK6Mvs/Xu_zPyiaNAI/AAAAAAACxSw/cIoGg8xEFEgzblz0KQcOpQikZpNiHrZ8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2436.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4VxQmcJU3k/Xu_3HKVWfOI/AAAAAAACxTE/jwhyknbBP5YkEthzOTL5EqH73YyS3xlwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4VxQmcJU3k/Xu_3HKVWfOI/AAAAAAACxTE/jwhyknbBP5YkEthzOTL5EqH73YyS3xlwACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0867.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I hope that you are doing well.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Marqueta</div>
Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-30717407836060968782019-10-23T11:32:00.000-05:002019-10-23T11:32:09.581-05:00The Doll's Faire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8tfoGzow0/XbB2PptQPAI/AAAAAAACeBg/W-grX20eGYwLqHVdys7-1XsGhDYmYqBKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8tfoGzow0/XbB2PptQPAI/AAAAAAACeBg/W-grX20eGYwLqHVdys7-1XsGhDYmYqBKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0264.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Our family's dolls recently had their eleventh Autumn Faire to celebrate the harvest and handicrafts.<br />
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<i>There were displays of various kinds, such as this one for savoury food~</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPWmM5tDrY0/Xa9W644DMcI/AAAAAAACd7k/BNuENnV4-C0J0ta_FhkfIWwg0eM89vNSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPWmM5tDrY0/Xa9W644DMcI/AAAAAAACd7k/BNuENnV4-C0J0ta_FhkfIWwg0eM89vNSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>A doughnut stand with delicious chocolate-covered pastries~</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHOKkv-ncGk/XbB6m-JnquI/AAAAAAACeCo/ojueG2mng7g-UPUPy46Fu9jHi8V6eSEFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHOKkv-ncGk/XbB6m-JnquI/AAAAAAACeCo/ojueG2mng7g-UPUPy46Fu9jHi8V6eSEFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0276.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dryfmrpMLU/XbB6pWmatgI/AAAAAAACeCs/-mxOsQxctcQob8yFyZPR3FGvnFzHQx9wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dryfmrpMLU/XbB6pWmatgI/AAAAAAACeCs/-mxOsQxctcQob8yFyZPR3FGvnFzHQx9wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0295.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
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<i>This is "C&D's Eat Place," where one could buy yummy sandwiches and bubbly drinks!</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZGV3nniSkI/XbB6div_xkI/AAAAAAACeCg/30E_jKkxyHIzWMyU3OlqVwIbCuHP2ZSgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZGV3nniSkI/XbB6div_xkI/AAAAAAACeCg/30E_jKkxyHIzWMyU3OlqVwIbCuHP2ZSgACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The hand-made book display is always a favourite!</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZEgrwE0p_E/Xa9XG_YnE0I/AAAAAAACd70/oHoHC1wyMeUnV-08GLdNbkFBuLYZoCNXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZEgrwE0p_E/Xa9XG_YnE0I/AAAAAAACd70/oHoHC1wyMeUnV-08GLdNbkFBuLYZoCNXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0273.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>~And don't forget the handicrafts and botanical displays (I helped make the orange pajamas and nightgowns)!</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSpAc6a6d5I/Xa9W8I4z3TI/AAAAAAACd7s/5mqUotc4iZIlhwB4OVEkCwt_rnIimmeMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSpAc6a6d5I/Xa9W8I4z3TI/AAAAAAACd7s/5mqUotc4iZIlhwB4OVEkCwt_rnIimmeMACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0266.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I hope you enjoyed our little Faire. We certainly did!<br />
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Love and blessings,<br />
<br />
Marqueta<br />
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Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-28125282987519201682019-09-03T11:08:00.000-05:002019-09-03T11:09:41.271-05:00Cannin' Days Are Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKTrUIISu1M/XW6NujL1YJI/AAAAAAACc64/JWBS3IXSrA8yEu_ROiblu7bobD5NPQJUQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190903_105438406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKTrUIISu1M/XW6NujL1YJI/AAAAAAACc64/JWBS3IXSrA8yEu_ROiblu7bobD5NPQJUQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20190903_105438406.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Happy September to you!<br />
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The long, hot days of summer are beginning to wane at last (although this week we are seeing temperatures near 90!). The slant of the sun has changed, making us squint when we go out at mid-day.<br />
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We have been harvesting and drying as many herbs and greens as we can, to last through the winter. Our "temperate tulsi" from Strictly Medicinal Seeds has grown into a sea of leaves and flowers that taste clove-like and sweet. I am very pleased with this plant, and highly recommend the seeds.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EpG6kc4An0/XW6Lw3cu7SI/AAAAAAACc6c/EHYtKl6rrBENTZMRGnb1ut2I4Mo_vCpzwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190903_094058123_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EpG6kc4An0/XW6Lw3cu7SI/AAAAAAACc6c/EHYtKl6rrBENTZMRGnb1ut2I4Mo_vCpzwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20190903_094058123_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also ordered a Japanese Potted Vine (Immortality Plant) from Strictly Medicinal Seeds, and it is finally starting to take off onto its tomato cage trellis. This one is not cold hardy, so we will have to bring it inside soon.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3WS28IEWSs/XW6Lw-MAhJI/AAAAAAACc6c/LEtlxcTBSVcTQmLWJfnYNZV6aShCUCQdwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190903_092515521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3WS28IEWSs/XW6Lw-MAhJI/AAAAAAACc6c/LEtlxcTBSVcTQmLWJfnYNZV6aShCUCQdwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20190903_092515521.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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There are always a few surprises in the gardens (evidence of the existence of fairies?). This year we have a lovely melon plant growing in the middle of the herb garden!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyIx6lQq9tw/XW6Lw8g_cmI/AAAAAAACc6c/JCJC_i-DULcqv2SmWK25utheJn8nlt4TwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190903_094117063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyIx6lQq9tw/XW6Lw8g_cmI/AAAAAAACc6c/JCJC_i-DULcqv2SmWK25utheJn8nlt4TwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20190903_094117063.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>And our pullets surprised us by starting to lay eggs at five months of age, instead of the usual six.</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1B_OBmbzH40/XW6NUVb-EHI/AAAAAAACc6o/JT3lrBVAYI4jO1qLpwoavhif1_ykWroNACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190829_071906240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1B_OBmbzH40/XW6NUVb-EHI/AAAAAAACc6o/JT3lrBVAYI4jO1qLpwoavhif1_ykWroNACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_20190829_071906240.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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We've been canning tomatoes and peaches, and drying and freezing pears the neighbors gave us, and plums from the local Mennonite bulk store. Our small Bartlett pear tree had its fruit stripped by some creature in the night (probably raccoons), while this pear is still loaded with fruit, which we will be canning soon. We think it is a Comice pear, since it has a grainy texture and thick skin. If we can get all the fruit, there would be enough for around 100 quarts or so of sauce and preserves. Time to buy more jars!</div>
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I hope that you have had a fruitful summer as well, in spite of the heat and bug bites!<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Marqueta<br />
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<i>Canning Time by Edgar A. Guest</i></div>
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<i>There’s a wondrous smell of spices</i></div>
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<i><i>In the kitchen,</i></i></div>
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<i>Most bewitchin’;</i></div>
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<i>There are fruits cut into slices</i></div>
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<i>That just set the palate itchin’;</i></div>
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<i>There’s the sound of spoon on platter</i></div>
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<i>And the rattle and the clatter;</i></div>
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<i>And a bunch of kids are hastin’</i></div>
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<i>To the splendid joy of tastin’;</i></div>
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<i>It’s the fragrant time of year</i></div>
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<i>When fruit-cannin’ days are here.</i></div>
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<i>There’s a good wife gayly smilin’</i></div>
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<i><i>And perspirin’</i></i></div>
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<i>Some, and tirin’;</i></div>
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<i>And while jars on jar she’s pilin’</i></div>
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<i>And the necks o’ them she’s wirin’</i></div>
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<i>I’m a-sittin’ here an’ dreamin’</i></div>
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<i>Of the kettles that are steamin’,</i></div>
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<i>And the cares that have been troublin’</i></div>
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<i>All have vanished in the bubblin’.</i></div>
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<i>I am happy that I’m here</i></div>
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<i>At the cannin’ time of year.</i></div>
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<i>Lord, I’m sorry for the feller</i></div>
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<i><i>That is missin’</i></i></div>
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<i>All the hissin’</i></div>
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<i>Of the juices, red and yeller,</i></div>
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<i>And can never sit and listen</i></div>
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<i>To the rattle and the clutter</i></div>
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<i>Of the sound of spoon on platter.</i></div>
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<i>I am sorry for the single,</i></div>
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<i>For they miss the thrill and tingle</i></div>
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<i>Of the splendid time of year</i></div>
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<i>When the cannin’ days are here.</i></div>
</i>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-46829947863210584272019-08-02T21:11:00.000-05:002019-08-02T21:13:19.158-05:00The Garden in August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTOYqMaPfHA/XS9gg5XhfzI/AAAAAAACZ1E/ERDVMFUWKX4lLlYHp_MNGSoQ3A1TOV5OwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTOYqMaPfHA/XS9gg5XhfzI/AAAAAAACZ1E/ERDVMFUWKX4lLlYHp_MNGSoQ3A1TOV5OwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0451.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
The last full month of summer is now upon us!<br />
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Frankie found a tiny kitten when he was looking for a lost baseball in our yard, and fortunately we found someone with a mama cat who took it in until it was weaned (The kitten is not showing signs of being tidy with a litter box, so we will be looking for a new home for him where he can be outside!).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSHXmEzpdXI/XS9eQq6gYWI/AAAAAAACZ0U/ztS5QxOyNhgjTZsflvCJ08IO6y3INbX5ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSHXmEzpdXI/XS9eQq6gYWI/AAAAAAACZ0U/ztS5QxOyNhgjTZsflvCJ08IO6y3INbX5ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0447.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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It was quite hot for a while, but we've had some nice cooling rains that have helped us not have to water so much. The lilies were especially lovely in the rain!<br />
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Japanese beetles have now almost completely defoliated the hollyhocks and de-flowered the roses, so I'm grateful that we have cameras to capture fleeting moments of perfection.<br />
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<i>Japanese beetle damage</i></div>
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......<i>The zinnias, on the other hand, are bothered by nothing!</i></div>
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We grew sword beans for the first time this year, and although they are nicely covering our cattle panel arbor, they have yet to put out any blossoms. Gardening is such a process of trying, trying again and experimenting that you can never tell what results you will get from one year to the next. I usually try to plant many different varieties, hoping that at least something will do well. This year it is proving to be "dragon tongue" beans.<br />
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Everyone besides Mr. Graham, Audrey, Hyrum, and I have been performing at the annual "Laura's Memories" outdoor play in honor of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Here are Tasha and Evangeline rehearsing with a few of the other girls~<span id="goog_1186285573"></span></div>
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I hope that you are staying cool and enjoying time spent in nature wherever you are!<br />
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Love,<br />
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Marqueta<br />
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<i>"When the mind is festering with trouble or the heart torn, we can find healing among the silence of mountains or fields, or listen to the simple, steadying rhythm of waves. The slowness and stillness gradually takes us over. Our breathing deepens and our hearts calm and our hungers relent. When serenity is restored, new perspectives open to us and difficulty can begin to seem like an invitation to new growth.</i></div>
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<i>This invitation to friendship with nature does of course entail a <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">willingness to be alone out there. Yet this aloneness is anything but lonely. Solitude gradually clarifies the heart until a true tranquility is reached. The irony is that at the heart of that aloneness you feel intimately connected with the world. Indeed, the beauty of nature is often the wisest balm for it gently relieves and releases the caged mind."</span></i></div>
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<i>JOHN O'DONOHUE</i></div>
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Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-32883947071714465302019-07-01T12:45:00.002-05:002019-07-01T12:45:46.962-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy July, my friends!<br />
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The flowers are starting to take off (the poppies and lilies finally decided to bloom), and so is the heat.<br />
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This squash is starting to grow up onto our front steps, which should be interesting by the end of summer. . .<br />
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The roses are being attacked by Japanese beetles, so we are out hand-picking them and feeding the beetles to the ducks. I made a video on different uses for rose petals and hips, which make all the hand-picking worth it!<br />
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Love,<br />
Marqueta<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HkOQSQ7KDgA" width="560"></iframe>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-59548608512090019192019-06-23T17:38:00.002-05:002019-06-23T17:38:16.064-05:00Learning From Our MistakesDear Friends,<br />
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I've had some things rolling around in my mind lately that I thought I would share with you. First off, it's okay to make mistakes! In fact, most of our learning comes from making our own mistakes. We may glean information from others' experiences from books or word of mouth, try to follow what others have done, and then fail miserably in our attempts, just because our situation is completely unique to ourselves.<br />
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For instance: this spring I was watching lots of YouTube videos to learn new things about how to turn our four acres of land into a productive homestead. Justin Rhodes had a set-up with two American Guinea Hogs and thirty chickens in portable electric fencing that beautifully prepared his garden for planting. I thought that sounded like a great idea, so I found a couple of adorable American Guinea x Kune Kune piglets and a dozen hens (on top of a dozen chicks from Tractor Supply) to get started. I noticed that the piglets weren't rooting very much, but a friend reassured me that their snouts were still soft and they would in time. Well, several hundred pounds of feed later, they still would only root a little bit, then start wallowing in one spot. Apparently, Kune Kune aren't able to root well, since their snouts are shorter. These pigs wouldn't eat the grass they were supposed to eat, either, so we ended up selling them before we took our trip out West. From a purely financial point of view, it was a complete disaster, but from the experience point of view, it was a valuable lesson that there are pigs, and then there are pigs! Who knew?<br />
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Then there were the chicks we bought last year at the farmers market that turned out to be all roosters except one. What a learning experience THAT was! So this year, I have resisted the cute little chicks peeping at the market, and have gone with chicks that are guaranteed to be pullets.</div>
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I could go on and on, but my point is that as long as we are living, we will make mistakes, and that mistakes are perfectly okay! We shouldn't beat ourselves up over them and repeat them to ourselves over and over, punishing ourselves for not knowing better. When we act to the best of our knowledge and ability, then the so-called "mistakes" that happen are just a tool to help us learn and grow. Someone once said, "He who makes no mistakes rarely makes anything." I would encourage you to go out and give life your all, knowing that everything works out in the end, and that those experiences you will gain will be for your benefit in the end.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Marqueta</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><i>"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">~James Allen</span></i></div>
Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-76488124252634169842019-05-29T20:45:00.001-05:002019-05-29T20:45:44.249-05:00We Took a Little Trip. . . Dear Friends,<br />
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We recently returned from an all-too short trip to see our family members who live in Idaho and Utah. It has been four years since we've been back there, and we figured that this would probably be the last time that all of us could make it together, since the little birdies are bound to fly away from the nest eventually!<br />
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<i>We enjoyed the wide open spaces and mountains-</i></div>
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It was wonderful seeing everyone at my mother's house (my nephew and his wife had strep throat, so they wore masks to keep it from spreading to the rest of us), and we had a lovely sing-along.</div>
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My brother treated us to the first performance of a song he wrote about Roy Rogers.</div>
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We enjoyed the beautiful Latter-Day Saint temple in Idaho Falls,</div>
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... along with many beautiful crab apple trees blooming across the river.</div>
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Later that week, we visited family in Utah and went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City.</div>
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Mr. Graham and I re-enacted our wedding photo from 23 years before. . . kind of.</div>
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And here are a few additional members of the family that weren't around 23 years ago!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">On the way back we stopped at the National Dinosaur Park in Vernal, Utah, since Hyrum loves dinosaurs. </span><br />
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At last we returned to the green rolling hills of our home state, waiting for us with sticky humidity!</div>
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It was a long, long ride in a Suburban full of nine people, but we have wonderful memories to treasure the rest of our lives!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Marqueta</div>
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<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-20230718619176060552018-11-14T10:36:00.003-06:002018-11-14T10:36:58.503-06:00Golden Days of Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Brr, it's cold today! We had a few warm, sunny days this autumn to enjoy playing in the leaves.<br />
<br />
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<i>First, you have to rake them into a big pile (next to a tree is best),</i></div>
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<i>Then you get your older brother to give you a boost into the tree~</i></div>
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<i>And then you jump!</i></div>
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<b>"Come, Little Leaves" </b></div>
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<b>by George Cooper</b></div>
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<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Come, little leaves, " said the wind one day, </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
" Come o'er the meadows with me and play; </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Put on your dresses of red and gold, </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
For summer is gone and the days grow cold. " </div>
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<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call, </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Down they came fluttering, one and all; </div>
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Over the brown fields they danced and flew, </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Singing the glad little songs they knew. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
" Cricket, good-by, we've been friends so long, </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Little brook, sing us your farewell song; </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Say you are sorry to see us go; </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Ah, you will miss us, right well we know. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
" Dear little lambs in your fleecy fold, </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Mother will keep you from harm and cold; </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Fondly we watched you in vale and glade, </div>
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Say, will you dream of our loving shade? " </div>
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<i><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went, </div>
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Winter had called them, and they were content; </div>
</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Soon, fast asleep in their earthy beds, </div>
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The snow laid a coverlid over their heads.</div>
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Love,<br />
Marqueta<br />
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<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-64705291323956095162018-10-11T14:34:00.002-05:002018-10-11T14:34:50.587-05:00Somebody Had a Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiq3ge55w-o/W7-jd7TSjYI/AAAAAAAB1-k/0CHFfhw19UAFY9m0MPfA1wcIFNTMDzk6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiq3ge55w-o/W7-jd7TSjYI/AAAAAAAB1-k/0CHFfhw19UAFY9m0MPfA1wcIFNTMDzk6ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Someone special had a birthday this month! Someone who loves dinosaurs, and knows how to say all of their names (we made a T-Rex head for his cake at his request).<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9dcf52G3t8/W7-ja4ItuoI/AAAAAAAB1-c/aM89saCl8bcxaBVeo5_75Ed2VUvk5-YugCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9dcf52G3t8/W7-ja4ItuoI/AAAAAAAB1-c/aM89saCl8bcxaBVeo5_75Ed2VUvk5-YugCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Someone who also LOVES our ducks, especially since they don't run away like the chickens do, which makes them easy to catch. And they kind of look like dinosaurs....<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Frd8F3d8vPA/W7-ja9Q16QI/AAAAAAAB1-g/kpOiPdm__w8fI-zjx43xg89cATDaf6qOQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Frd8F3d8vPA/W7-ja9Q16QI/AAAAAAAB1-g/kpOiPdm__w8fI-zjx43xg89cATDaf6qOQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3180.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Someone who helped me build a duck house out of pallets to keep the ducks safe and sound (and who loves playing he's a duck in the house, as well).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7dug1WEGjU/W7-j_S81i3I/AAAAAAAB1-w/pdKumrWK4lQ3UnvG8vRWCdby4wQM7llXACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7dug1WEGjU/W7-j_S81i3I/AAAAAAAB1-w/pdKumrWK4lQ3UnvG8vRWCdby4wQM7llXACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2923.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Happy 5th birthday, Hyrum!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Marqueta<br />
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<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-6378423925575964382018-08-14T11:56:00.000-05:002018-08-14T11:56:00.082-05:00Hello, Late Summer!Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Can you believe that we're already into the last full month of summer? Our summer here in Missouri has been so hot and dry that we were struggling just to keep our plants and trees alive. Lately it's been cooling off, little by little, and trees are already showing yellow leaves, so we think we may be headed for an early fall and winter. Mother Nature is never boring! She always has a few surprises up her sleeve.<br />
<br />
Lately I've been busy running around taking care of vehicle business. First I had to take in our station wagon to have one of the sensors (starts with a 'p') replaced. Then my daughter AnnaMarie bought a pickup truck and I had to go have it safety-tested. Then the sensor on the station wagon malfunctioned because the EGR sensor was malfunctioning, so I had to take it back it to have that fixed. Then I went to register the truck, and was informed that I needed a copy of last year's tax receipts first (in addition to the title, proof of insurance, and proof of inspection), so it was back home to locate those! Although the folks at the service station were super friendly, and we did find a nice thrift store near the DMV, I am ready to stay home and catch up on everything for a few days.<br />
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Thankfully we had a nice, soaking rain this morning, so I didn't have to go out and water. Here are a few photos from our front garden~<br />
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<i>A pink morning glory that grew itself~</i></div>
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<i>Runner bean blossoms that the hummingbirds really love~ </i></div>
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<i>A verbena bonarienses that came as a bonus in a potted plant from the farmer's market this spring~</i></div>
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<i>And tell me what I was thinking when I planted this squash next to these tomatoes?</i></div>
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<i>The poke berries are ripening, tempting us to go out and have a "fight," wherein one tries to smear berries on one's neighbor without getting any on himself~</i></div>
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Being out and about bring a sense of unbalance to my life, so I like to spend as much time in my garden afterwards, just enjoying the flowers and listening to the birds.<br />
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I hope that you are finding something to bring balance into your life today!<br />
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Blessings to you,<br />
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Marqueta<br />
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"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul."</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">— Alfred Austin</strong></div>
Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-65984229412436415762018-07-03T13:36:00.000-05:002018-07-03T13:36:04.432-05:00Happy Hot July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
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The above picture shows one of our ducklings enjoy a yummy tomato hornworm for a snack. It's been so hot here lately, that the bugs and weeds have gotten ahead of us! The hornworms took out five tomato plants without our even knowing they were there; squash bugs are after the squash and cucumbers; and Japanese beetles have chewed up our baby fruit trees, corn, roses, elder bushes, and about everything else around here. Such is gardening, and so we plant again and try to be more diligent in the future.<br />
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A few sunflowers are blooming in the yard. Some were planted by birds from the feeder, and others were seeds from Baker Creek (I can't remember which variety, but they smell yummy).<br />
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This rose has been chewed on by Japanese beetles, but it's still beautiful. I was not expecting our front yard roses to bloom this year, since we just put them in, but after settling their roots for a few months, they are really taking off.<br />
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Our marshmallow plant that we bought at a local farmer's market is beginning to bloom, and we hope it goes to seed and spreads all around in future years. Marshmallow is a great herb that is cooling and soothing to the mucous membranes.<br />
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Wildflowers are blooming everywhere along the roads in the Ozarks, and we were excited to find these Black-Eyed Susans growing wild on our property.<br />
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We started Lemon Bee Balm (horsemint) from Baker Creek Seeds back in February, and they are doing well. They have a strong, oregano-like flavour, and are a powerful anti-bacterial herb.<br />
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I haven't had a chance to do any drawing since we moved here, so I thought I would take time to draw a horsemint blossom before it faded. Perhaps I should have chosen something easier!<br />
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May this find you all doing well and keeping cool this summer. Let's pray for those who are not receiving enough rain and are suffering from wildfires at this time!<br />
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Love,<br />
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MarquetaMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-35762062673949734512018-06-21T12:41:00.001-05:002018-06-21T12:41:32.862-05:00Happy Midsummer's Day!Dear Friends,<br />
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This year is flying on eagles' wings! Can half the year be gone already? We have been taking life one day at a time, working mostly outside (sadly, the house has been greatly neglected) to get the bulk of the garden in while there was still time.<br />
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I have been sneaking beans here and there, as well as squash, trying to fill in every available space.<br />
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<i>Today we harvested some yummy purple ones!</i></div>
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The roses I planted in March are starting to bloom. We pinched the first buds off to encourage leafy growth, but they have decided that it's time to put out blossoms, in spite of our pruning efforts! I will be pinching off the petals to use in potpourri, and to prevent them from forming hips this year (Setting fruit the first year makes for a weaker plant).<br />
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Our chicks are getting bigger, and the ducklings are huge! I am working on making a duck house for them, since all we have are the movable pens, and I'm nervous about leaving them outside all night with predators around. It's been so hot lately, that it's been hard to get out and do anything physical without getting heat exhaustion, but thankfully the next few days are supposed to be cooler, so we'll be out working hard.</div>
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I'll leave you with a link to "Mabel on Midsummer Day," which is the poem we read to our children every Midsummer's Day. I first shared it back in 2009, when we lived in Idaho.<br />
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http://sweetefelicity.blogspot.com/2009/06/mabel-on-midsummer-day.html<br />
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Love,<br />
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Marqueta<br />
<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-64750988135428737272018-05-29T12:21:00.000-05:002018-05-29T12:21:16.780-05:00Happy May (Catch-up Post)!Dear Friends,<br />
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My, oh my, it's been over a month since I last posted! I have been so busy in the garden I have had nary a chance to get in and work on my blog (those of you who are friends on Facebook have been more informed).<br />
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We bought chicks and ducklings the first of the month, and have been busy making movable pens for them, to keep them safe. One of our dogs killed two chicks, sadly, before we had them in a good place, and another chick died of natural causes. Life with animals can be hard!<br />
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We've been feeding the local hummingbirds and orioles, although now the honeysuckle is blooming at present, and they are having more fun enjoying a natural diet!<br />
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Turtles are on the move right now, and we have tried to save as many as we could safely pull over to help cross the roads. These two turtles were in our yard and road, so we played with them for a bit.<br />
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Phoebes are nesting in our front porch, so I've had to move the bird feeders where the other birds won't be dive-bombed every time they come for a snack.<br />
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We enjoyed going to (and performing at) the Spring Planting Festival at Baker Creek. Ken performed as Elvis, and the children sang a few songs as well. We were happy to meet John Denver's banjo player and writer of "Grandma's Feather Bed," Jim Connor.<br />
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I hope that you have had a lovely month of May, despite the crazy weather that seems to be happening all over the world!<br />
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Love,<br />
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Marqueta<br />
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<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-87136042194406527372018-04-20T13:21:00.000-05:002018-04-20T13:21:04.324-05:00Enjoying Nature, and More Projects!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Thank you for all the kind birthday wishes. We have been enjoying seeing all the new growth in our yard, and along the roads nearby. I was excited to find two patches of May apples growing on our property the other day, as well as a little fern. Normally we would have to take a drive to the country for wildflower-viewing, so it's nice to have it all around us. Now we just have to drive a ways to do any shopping!<br />
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We have been planting lots of peas, radishes, carrots, favas, and salad greens in our garden, and hoping that they survive all the frosts we've been having lately!<br />
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<i> These are Thomas Laxton peas, which we learned were bred by a famous friend of Charles Darwin.</i></div>
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The children and I have been building a strawberry planter box out of pallets, in hopes of keeping the rabbits from eating them once they start growing. We're trying Ozark Beauty strawberries, which should do well, since they were bred in this area. Gardening is always an adventure! We also have put in lots of alpine strawberries that we started from seed purchased from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co, where our three oldest daughters work. If you will be in the area for the Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival in May, the girls and Frankie will be performing a few songs and we would love to meet you!<br />
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May you have a wonderful day.<br />
Love,<br />
MarquetaMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-67955485504661791042018-04-19T11:15:00.003-05:002018-04-19T11:15:56.095-05:00Birthday Time Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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This past Sunday I became 90 divided by 2. We had church in the morning, and in the afternoon, my girls made me a beautiful cake with strawberries and magnolia blossoms on it. Magnolia blossoms are a little strong, but they're good medicine, so it was worth it!<br />
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Hyrum gave me a sweet hug and a tractor made out of Legos to help in the garden (we'll see how THAT goes!).<br />
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We had fun target-practicing in the woods on Saturday. and Mother Nature blessed me with gold in the form of finches, as well as dandelion blossoms all over the yard.<br />
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We also had our first asparagus harvest from the bed that planted years ago, so that was an especially wonderful treat.<br />
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I am so grateful to finally be here in land in the country, where we will be busy doing more projects than I can keep track of, until we make a real homestead out of our place. There are fences to install, chicken coops and other animal shelters to make, a greenhouse or two to figure out, ponds and other waterworks to dig, etc. etc. My husband suffers from severe diabetic neuropathy, so thank goodness for wonderful people from our church who are willing to come lend a hand with tilling, clearing brush, etc. and neighbors that offer to help, as well!<br />
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Thank you to all my friends who read this blog. Your friendship means more than you know.<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Marqueta<br />
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<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-25364253888801597242018-03-26T15:32:00.001-05:002018-03-26T15:32:21.049-05:00Spring Has Sprung!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
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We have been watching in great anticipation as our magnolia tree began unfurling its fuzzy buds, wondering which kind it was. Now we know that it is a lovely, all-white Star variety, and we couldn't be happier! It is close enough to the house to be able to see the birds perched in its branches from our bedroom window upstairs.<br />
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Speaking of birds, we are now feeding a flock of nearly 100 goldfinches that have decided that ours is a wonderful place to eat thistle and sunflower seeds.<br />
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<i>They empty the feeders about every other day!</i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wiRTYFS84yQ/WrlWE534JSI/AAAAAAABq-Q/SsEo3lIN4uYjf0nxv89bszTjvKpZbe9fwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Violets are blooming in our woods, both the regular purple colour, as well as a bi-colored type that is very sweet.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mBb8BRR3xE/WrlWTniUWPI/AAAAAAABq-U/FbIKFfrR2ocFwtMLEC5JKFUWXwt-TURagCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mBb8BRR3xE/WrlWTniUWPI/AAAAAAABq-U/FbIKFfrR2ocFwtMLEC5JKFUWXwt-TURagCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3484.JPG" width="640" /></a> The neighbors' cow surprised us by having a wee calf the other day. We wondered why she was bawling all morning! Cows are very interesting creatures, even trying to eat plastic through the fence.<br />
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Have a wonderful day!<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
MarquetaMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-40386376760359961412018-03-06T15:09:00.000-06:002018-03-06T15:09:05.655-06:00Working on the Garden and New Puppies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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As you can see, we've been busy feeding the local goldfinch population! I've never had a single finch eat from a thistle sock before, but they've emptied out three in the last week, and I had to buy four more today! Did I mention it's expensive? But the little birds bring us so much joy with their singing, it is worth every penny.<br />
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We've been working outside when the weather permits, building raised beds and putting in some cold-hardy crops like lettuce, pak choy, arugula, and broad beans. In the picture below you'll see three of my helpers digging a small pond for a memorial garden in the front. We are going to put lilies around it for our Victoria Lily, who died at birth ten years ago.<br />
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We'll be building a rose arbor as well, an fencing it all in so the deer don't come dine on them. We have lots of multiflora roses around the property, so I'm hoping the deer will eat them and leave our nice ones alone. We'll see how my theory pans out!<br />
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We picked up some "Craigslist Special" puppies that a person not far from us was giving away, to be future guard dogs on the homestead. We saw a bobcat the other day on the road by our house, and have heard coyotes howling nearby, so good guard dogs will be helpful once we get chickens.<br />
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I hope that you are having a wonderful March so far, and enjoying the greening of the spring (if it is where you are!).<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
MarquetaMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-22994388790442771152018-02-14T15:01:00.002-06:002018-02-14T15:01:39.374-06:00Settling In, and Getting Busy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
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We've been officially moved in for less than two weeks here at our new home, but we've already done quite a few projects and improvements.<br />
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Here is the new floor in the girls' room, after we pulled the old carpet out. They laid the whole thing themselves (with the help of their ten-year old brother!).<br />
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We brought along the stray cat that adopted us in Springfield (on the top stair), along with our cat Ginger. They were exhausted after the long car ride!<br />
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We've been exploring the woods around our home, and getting busy cutting down all the invasive Amur and Japanese honeysuckle that has taken over (You can see a small one next to the tree below~ we still have hundreds to cut down).</div>
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We've put up a couple of bird feeders and discovered just how many birds there are in this area! I've never had goldfinches come to my feeders before, but there are plenty of them here (along with a purple finch).<br />
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We have found digging bars come in handy when digging holes for things like clothes line posts (we've also found that they're really heavy!).<br />
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The lawn on the side yard is going to be our kitchen garden, so we are using our old moving boxes as a grass-killer, holding them down with some of the many rocks found along our dirt road.<br />
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The sunrises and sunsets here are quite beautiful, casting a colorful blessing on our little homestead-in-the-making.<br />
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If I haven't stopped by to visit my friends' blogs lately, know that I am thinking of you, and will visit soon!<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Marqueta<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0n5HDjSQI/Wn7wGiQFekI/AAAAAAABmjM/6UiIMU5GpzExOfpG3-O31-WgpocpmSMCwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0n5HDjSQI/Wn7wGiQFekI/AAAAAAABmjM/6UiIMU5GpzExOfpG3-O31-WgpocpmSMCwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1894.JPG" width="640" /></a>Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-60895259886084575312018-02-01T18:14:00.002-06:002018-02-01T18:14:55.022-06:00We've Moved! (Almost)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Friends,<br />
We are so excited to have found a nice home on four acres for our family! We closed on the house last week, and the children and I camped out there for a few days to rip out yucky carpet,<br />
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Put on new flooring. . .<br /><br /><br />
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. . .tear down walls that should be doorways, </div>
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. . . and begin the task of covering the brown walls with something a little more light.<br />
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We've also gotten to know a few of our neighbors, including this little guy~<br />
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We'll post more pictures once we get truly settled in, but until then, may you have a wonderful weekend!<br />
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Love,<br />
Marqueta</div>
Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-24890177801295475732018-01-22T16:36:00.000-06:002018-01-23T10:37:32.999-06:00January Brings the Snow. . . . <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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. . . <i>Makes our feet and fingers glow.</i></div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Missouri has been a winter wonderland lately! Our snow has now melted, and we've gotten lots of rain the past day or so, but the snow certainly made an impression while it lasted!<br />
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The little ones loved it most of all (and some of the older ones were not TOO sad to miss a day of work), playing Fox and Geese and making snow people (and a puppy).<br />
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<i>This interesting snow creature was the result of the neighbor boys having knocked down Frankie's snowman, and Hyrum donating the head of his puppy in its stead.</i></div>
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I hope you've been enjoying a snow day or two, as well!<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Marqueta</div>
Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-43259220480440915802017-12-31T16:08:00.001-06:002018-01-01T10:55:24.790-06:00It Was a Merry Little Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,<br />
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I hope that you all enjoyed a lovely Christmas, and that a blessed and happy New Year will be yours!<br />
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As you can see, we re-enacted the Nativity on Christmas Eve, and opened a few simple gifts on Christmas morning.<br />
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Games and Legos were the "big thing" this year!<br />
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A "secret Santa" left a ham and holiday fruits and veggies on our door step on Christmas Eve, so we enjoyed them for our Christmas meal (Thank you, whoever you are!).<br />
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My favorite photo is this one of Hyrum, fallen asleep next to the tree with his neck warmer and Jesus doll that I made. Sweet little dreamer!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Love,<br />
Marqueta<br />
<br />Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981649271574500877.post-27584556970416463722017-12-19T10:13:00.000-06:002018-01-12T10:50:41.837-06:00The Doll's Christmas FaireDear Friends,<br />
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Christmas is quickly approaching! My children thought it would be fun to have a Christmas Faire featuring booths about how different countries celebrate Christmas, since we weren't able to do our Labor Day fair this year.<br />
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There were booths from America, Africa, Peru and Chile, Mexico, Scandanavia, and several others. They took turns telling about how Christmas is celebrated in each place, then there were crafts and games. They even made "food" out of clay!<br />
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Gandalf presided over the festivities as Father Christmas.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed sharing a little of the creativity that goes on at our busy house!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
MarquetaMarqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13471332103238738458noreply@blogger.com7