Stairway to Christmas at Granny’s

Granny was a very special person in my life. She lived in Blackburn, Oklahoma. Of course I loved Pap-paw too. He always had a job for us grandkids. They owned a ranch with several ponds and raised cotton, hogs and beef cattle. He fed out hogs and called them to the trough each morning. He would yell, “Soouueee, soouuee, pig, pig, pig!” Those pigs would come running. One time he had us count out the wheat kernels in a sample of feed and the vetch seeds. I think maybe he was trying to keep us busy so we wouldn’t be in his way, but I’m not sure.

Granny would come out the door of the house on a run when we drove in her yard. She always had an apron tied around her middle. She would run out the door like she had been waiting for us to drive in. We couldn’t wait to get out of the car to get one of her hugs.

Granny and Pap-paw’s house was an old two story house with a smoke house nearby. They did their own meat processing and had a large garden and chickens for eggs and meals. They were the real homesteader type of people and self-sufficient. They had to be. The second story of the house was not heated. But there was a transom window you could open. That would give you some hope of some heat. A trip up the stairs in the winter was a quick one. You would fly under the covers and deep breathe so that your breath would warm the bed some.

Christmas was a very special time there. By the time all the grandchildren arrived the tree had been selected from the ranch and was decorated with bubble lights, popcorn and other ornaments. Tinsel covered the tree from top to bottom. There were many presents under the tree. Many were homemade as money was tight.

“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth, sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

Granny out did herself with her delights she made each Christmas. That stairway was filled with candy that she had made and was keeping cold until everyone arrived. There were tins of fudge, peanut brittle, divinity, peanut patties and cookies. I’m afraid that on those quick trips up the stairs to bed, there might have been some stops to open a can and sneak a treat! Granny never seemed to be concerned about the missing candy. I’ve never had any divinity quite like her divinity.

Here is her recipe for Granny’s Peanut Patties:

2 1/2 cups of sugar
2/3 cup of white syrup
½ cup of cream or evaporated milk
3 cups of raw peanuts
Dash of salt

Place all of the ingredients in a deep skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook for one hour or until it reaches 234 to 240 degrees, then add 1 Tablespoon of butter and a Tablespoon of vanilla. Mix, then spoon out onto buttered sheet.

You must place it in a Christmas tin and put it on a cold stairway to really experience this delight. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Wheat Planting on the Prairie

Wheat Planting Time on the Prairie

Mid-September to the first of October is the ideal time to plant wheat here on the prairie. Wheat was always the primary crop that we planted on our farm when we were farming full time. The farmers work all year to raise that crop as that is your main source of income for the year. It is vital to the success of the farm, family and finances. Because of these dynamics it can be a very stressful time of year. Much work must be accomplished on the farm to care for the crops and the animals with the winter months fast approaching. We usually carried over a truck load of wheat from last July’s harvest so that it could be used to plant or drill the new crop of wheat. This seed wheat needs to be cleaned to remove trash and make it as clean as possible to plant.

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

One year the land we were planting wheat on had not been prepared as properly as the Farmer liked it to be. Some of the weeds on one piece of ground had grown too big and we couldn’t get the ground worked with the tractor and sweep machine as much as we liked. So we decided to drill the wheat while we still had some moisture and began the process. The Bride is the Farmer’s only hired man as the sons and daughter were in school.

The Farmer’s plan was that the Bride would help to load the drill with seed wheat with 5 gallon buckets as he was down in his back and couldn’t do all that he wanted to do. This process went along pretty well. It was during the next step that the problems began to appear. The Farmer drove the tractor while the Bride rode on the drill to make sure we could get through the weeds and that the seeds were going into the ground as they should. Because we know from the scripture above, unless the wheat falls into the ground and dies it does not produce and we needed much fruit!

This plan, although a good one did not work well as the Bride got over whelmed with her duties and fell quite behind. The Farmer always has a good plan B ready and we changed spots. The Bride drove the tractor while the Farmer rode on the drill. This was better but the Bride was very concerned that she would knock her precious Farmer off of the drill with her antics as the driver. Also the tractor is very noisy and it makes it extremely hard to hear the Farmer and his instructions. The Bride has never understood Farmer sign language. She did however understand that she was to stop the tractor when the Farmer began to hit the drill with a crow bar with great force. He said he was not angry he was just trying to get the Bride’s attention to STOP the tractor.

Life is like a field, where we must gather what we grow, weed or wheat…this is the law, we reap the crop we sow. – Patience Strong.

Needless to say, it was a long day and there were some marriage issues that arose BUT the wheat did finally get drilled and a very tired Farmer and Bride got home to a nice warm shower after a strenuous day in the dirt.

Ola’s Chair

Medicine Creek, NE was a great place to spend Labor Day Weekend, 2025. Finally after two years we pulled our 19 foot camper out of the quonset and took it down the road on a camping trip. The Farmer and I joined our son, daughter in law and her parents for a weekend of camping. No grandchildren were along on this trip as our son and his wife had just sent their boys off to college. We did have a couple of dogs along though to add to the fun. Ola and Bentley were the canine crew on our trip. Ola belongs to our son. Ola has her very own camp chair. It is a rocker and she does enjoy it. She is also willing to take other open camping chairs (muddy paws and all)! She is a Springer Spaniel, I think. She has lots of energy and really enjoyed her walks along the lake.

Sometimes it is so difficult to find a place to camp on a holiday weekend. This was a very nice place not too far from home and there were still camping spots available. We were all ready for a restful weekend of camping, enjoying nature, and some good food. It rained off and on for the weekend but it didn’t dampen our time together. We just put out the awnings and the easy up and visited, played games and enjoyed a nice fire every evening.

The sunsets over the lake were beautiful and very rewarding. It was delightful to see families with children of all ages just enjoying all the time outdoors with no tablets and other devices. Even if they were along there was no internet available or much cell service. Kids went swimming, boating, enjoyed outdoor games and just had fun being together. All in all it was just really nice and enjoyable. Thank you, Jenny for inviting us to go along.

Ski Trip with Surprise Adventure

The Farmer used to ski and we would take youth groups on ski trips. The Farmer’s bride took ski school when their daughter was about 11. Their daughter took off like a flash and the bride of the Farmer flunked ski school. She was always proud of being such a good student. She was Salutatorian of her high school class. But those studies did not include insanity, such as putting two wooden boards on the bottom of your boots and heading down a mountain with only a ski pole to protect you from injury. This Grammy has some common sense and that does not make any sense, when you could be shopping!

“Skiing combines outdoor fun with knocking down trees with your face.” – Dave Berry

That was all a few years ago. This year in March, that same daughter, who now has four children of her own, invited us to meet them in Breckenridge, Colorado to join their families’ ski trip. We didn’t ski as the Farmer has a bum knee he’s going to get replaced and well, you know my thoughts on skiing. We were along in case Addie got tired of skiing and needed to go back to the hotel for some craft time with Grammy. It’s a good thing I always have crafts and will travel.

The last day of the ski trip it started to snow really heavy in the mountains and we planned to travel home that night. The forecast in Kansas was pretty awful, with winds of 80 mph and blowing dust. It was decided that instead of staying in Denver that night we would leave Breckenridge early afternoon and head for the farm.

The wind was ferocious but we made it to farm around 10pm. We caught some water and got everyone to bed as it looked like it might be an interesting night. About 2am we lost power and our windows of the old farmhouse were plastered with snow. In all we received ten inches of blowing snow with very large drifts. There would be no snow plow through our country road and no way to get out of our drive. The interstate was closed anyway. We had enough water to keep us all going and a gas cook stove with plenty of supplies. It was a great adventure and our hearts were so grateful to be home. We were not too warm as we had no heat but we weren’t too cold either. No internet so we played games and had a grand time.

“A perfect example of the power of prayer is when a big blizzard closes the schools on the day of a big exam.” – Doug Larson

Our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren were able to get out the next morning and head home. It was a great adventure and we were truly blessed to be safe and home.

Growing Lettuce in a Mason Jar

Just starting my lettuce garden.

This last winter as I longed for Spring, a magazine showed up in our mail box with the story of an elderly man who started growing lettuce in mason jars using the Kratky method during Covid. He had videos online and gave out a list of all the items needed to begin growing lettuce in your own home. You need a mason jar, a net pot, growing medium (like rockwool), hydroponic nutrients, seeds, a light source and a timer. Fill the jar with the water and nutrients, plant the seeds in the rockwool and place in net cup in the top of the jar and add light. Cover the jar with a black sock to block light which prevents algae. Or purchase amber mason jars.

That’s about all there is to it and you can grow your own delicious salad every day and in every season.

Jerry(the man whose videos I followed), suggested to start with butter crunch lettuce seeds. I have also grown, per his suggestion, merlot and outredgeous lettuce. Both of these lettuces are not only tasty but they are beautiful. You can find many videos on everything needed and instructions to grow lettuce.

Now sit back and enjoy your delicious salad.

The Summer of Graduations -2025

Three of our grandchildren graduated this summer. Two from high school and one from college. Graduate means to receive an academic degree or diploma.

“The two most important days of your life are when you were born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

May was certainly filled with Senior Art Shows for our college graduate and her graduation, high school celebrations from the small town, small high school class to the Texas graduation of several thousand. The Farmer didn’t get to attend Willow’s graduation in Texas as he had just had knee replacement surgery. Thankfully, our daughter Esther and granddaughter met me in Wichita and we traveled to the graduation. It was a wonderful trip and it was great to celebrate Willow. Asa’s graduation from high school was especially sweet as his high school was burned in an arson fire a couple of years ago. His small town is full of overcomers. Anna is our college graduate and she is now teaching high school art in her home town and has already been recognized for her achievements. Asa is off to Kansas State University and Willow will soon be going to Boston University.

Western Kansas is green even in September and the crops growing around our yard look exceptional. We have had just enough rains to keep things growing and green. Usually by this time of the year the buffalo grass is brown so we are enjoying this extension of green and praying for an abundant harvest. Picking corn has just begun in this area. Asa and Albert, his dad, came to our farm and used the Farmer’s lift in his shop to work on a pickup. It was fun to have them around for a few days this summer while Jenny our daughter-in-love was on a mission in Guatemala. The lift helps so much to work on things.

The Farmer’s sister, Dorothy passed this summer and went to meet her Savior. She was exactly fourteen years older than the Farmer as he was born on her fourteenth birthday. She said she never forgave him for messing up her birthday J but I think she did and loved having a little baby brother to dress up in tiny dresses. Her services were in St. Louis only two weeks before our family reunion. We were able to spend some much needed time with family and reminiscing. She will certainly be missed and it leaves the Farmer’s family of seven kids to just three left now.

We were not able to go on a SOWER mission this year due to the Farmer’s knee and surgery. Our hope is to be able to go next year. Some of our favorite couples to work with at these projects have experienced great loss. Two couples have suddenly lost their spouses and are trying to navigate how the future looks for their lives. We know that God has a plan and purpose for their future.

“The darker the night, the brighter the stars, the deeper the grief, the closer is God.”- Fyodor Dostoesky

Just like your summer of 2025 ours has been full and rewarding. We’ve experienced grieving, joys and celebrations. Spending time with family and is becoming even more important as we see grandchildren grow and spread their wings. Cherishing friendships is vital to our existence and our true happiness.

“ Cherish your friends and family as if your life depends on it. Because it does.”- Ann Richards

Aunt Maudie’s Buckaroons

Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, …

Jude 1:25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen.

Strongs Concordance says that Majesty is for greatness, divinity, God himself. Majesty describes the splendor, greatness and extreme power of God. The word attempts to describe His divinity. It helps us to have the true awe and reverence we should have for Our Lord and Savior.

Majesty, Worship His Majesty by Jack Hayford

Majesty, worship His Majesty: Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority, Flow from His throne unto His own, His anthems raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.
Majesty, worship HIs Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.

Aunt Maudie was Pastor Curly’s wife for many years. The ministry they had to their flock was a sight to behold. They gave all to serve their little country church for many years. I think 40 to be exact until Curly graduated to glory due to a battle with cancer. Aunt Maudie was the perfect wife for the pastor of the church. She was full of hospitality, could teach classes on the spur of the moment, and she could lead a choir and most importantly … she could play the piano. And she could play every hymn in the hymnal at the drop of the hat. Any request for a favorite hymn would not challenge her. She raised three children of her own, raised a garden, ministered to a whole community and as most pastor wives do… she lived in a fishbowl. In the parsonage beside the church where everyone knew everything that went on in their home.

“Life is better with fresh baked cookies!” – Anonymous

Aunt Maudie was Aunt Maudie to us because her sister was the mother of the Farmer. They lived one half mile apart on a country road called the redline. The church was also on that dirt country road and people came from miles around to worship their Majesty. That was Aunt Maudie’s favorite song. I know because I used to help lead worship and she told me several times that she loved that song and her life demonstrated that she surely did love her Majesty.

Aunt Maudie was a good cook and her Buckaroon cookies were always a hit and that sweet recipe made it into my recipe box and I want to share it with you.

1 C. shortening
1 C. granulated sugar
1 C. brown sugar
Cream together, well.

Add 2 eggs
½ teas. Baking powder
1 teas. Soda
½ teas. Salt
1 teas. Vanilla
Add to the mixture:
2 C. sifted flour
2 C. oatmeal (quick oats)
1 pkg. chocolate chips and chopped nuts if desired.

Roll small amount of dough in a ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until light brown.

The recipe in Aunt Maudie’s writing says, “Happy Eating”!

Aunt Maudie personified the adage of a servant of God. She served her Majesty in every way possible. Enjoy her cookies and find someone today to serve.

It’s a Wrap – Cousin Camp 2025

Well, it’s a wrap. Cousin camp 2025 is in the books. I have 12 grandchildren and I had three that were able to come this year. Some of them are growing up and have jobs and are having to be adults now. That’s so sad for grandma . Some are involved in all kinds of activities and have jobs too for the summer.

I am so thankful for the three that were able to come. We were able to meet up with one other grandson for an evening meal as he was home from college for a couple of weeks. Grandpa and Grandma are very blessed to be able to spend this time with these precious kids as we see our grandchildren are growing up.

” Some family trees bear an enormous crop of nuts!” -Wayne Huizenga

We had a great time and Grandpa helped them in the woodshop to make some beautiful bookends and Grandma kept them busy with all kinds of crafts. We painted with our toes (this was a special request from a couple of years ago) and got some masterpieces! They did a turtle, penguin and a star fish. They did better with their toes than this Grammy can do with her fingers! We did some beading pictures with beads and double stick tape. This was an idea from my niece and was a real hit! This group is a talented bunch. I was amazed at their creativity as they came up with some really neat projects.

Time with a few additional cousins.

We played some games, went swimming at the pool and enjoyed the waterslides at the pool here in Quinter. We also went to a trampoline park in Salina and we played putt putt golf in Hays so all in all, it was a successful time. I think the kids and grandpa and grandma were tired at the end of the time together, but it was a blessing to be able to have these cousins here.

We shared some great devotions in the morning and some prayer times. Nothing no nothing could make us richer than be able to spend this time with these kids and our Lord. We’re going to keep declaring Isaiah 59:21. “The Lord says that my spirit is upon you and my words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants or from the mouth of your descendants, descendants Says the Lord forevermore.”

“Family. A snug kind of word.” Fannie Hurst

What a precious friend we have in Jesus. And what a precious time with this group. Just this last weekend we were blessed to spend time with six of our grandkids. We ate lunch for Grandparents Day at Addie’s school. She is the only grandchild we have still in elementary school. We got to watch her brother’s run in Cross Country. Luke took first in the fifth grade boys’ race. Judah and Jake ran very well in their races also. Then we drove to Kansas State University to have lunch with two grandsons majoring in Computer Science. It was a delightful lunch just hearing them talk about their classes and their time there on campus.

Have Crafts Will Travel

“The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Grammie did you bring any crafts?” This is what I used to hear each time I visited a grandchild. I love to treat my grandchildren to a new craft or an idea to create something. We are all created in the image of God and since He is the creator we also are creative. I didn’t use to think that I was creative but I do have some creative genes in my system.

When my own children were young we were involved in 4-H and I do not know how this came about but I became the craft leader for the Saline Valley 4H club. I think it was because I couldn’t really fill any of the other leadership positions. As a young mother, I had tried my hand at a few things. I quilted a pillow top, made some ceramics, made some macramé flower pot hangers, and a few other things. Now that I was in leadership though I had to up my skills to lead a whole 4H group to success for the County Fair.

This experience led me to be the Grammie that always had crafts in her sack. I didn’t dare show up without an idea and a project. I also would have cousin camp every summer where the grands would make some great projects including tie dye, wood projects with grandpa and science experiments.

Now my grandchildren are in high school or college and Grammie’s stash of crafts are sitting idle. I have found a new avenue for my hidden talent (it’s really hidden!) and that is now I am teaching Kid Zone at church and I have a whole new group of children excited about my crafts. I think I will adopt some of them as grandchildren. Yes, I think that is my new plan.

“Crafting is the art of turning ordinary objects into extraordinary things.” Unknown

HAVE CRAFTS, WILL TRAVEL!

My Hiding Place

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun”. – Mary Lou Cook

An old threshing machine was a delightful plaything for my cousins and I. We made it to be everything we could possibility imagine. It was also a great place to hide in games of tag or hide and seek. It used to be very useful in agriculture but they had outlived their day and were just sitting in pastures and along roadways everywhere. Combines pulled by a tractor had made them obsolete. My Pap-paw and Granny were the most fortunate people that I knew with one in their pasture just past the old chicken house. When my cousins and I could gather at the old ranch and traverse through the old cotton field we found that old threshing machine. My, it turned into a spaceship, a battleship, a pirate ship, and anything else our imaginations could think of. We spent hours there just enjoying our own creativity and using our imaginations. We invented so many ways to use this equipment. We took tremendous risks and we broke some rules and we made mistakes and we had some fun.

The more we could stay away from the house the better. Back at the house our parents and grandparents probably had green beans for us to snap, or Pap-Paw had use take a sample of wheat and vetch and had the cousins and I count the quantity of each in that sample. (I think it was his way of keeping us busy!) Or maybe there was an ice cream freezer that needed cranking. We loved that ice cream but not the cranking part, although the end result was worth it.

Today my hiding place is any place I can get alone with the Word of God and allow Him some time to speak to me. He speaks to me much but I don’t always take the time to listen. How can I not take the time to listen?!? How can I not listen to the Almighty God! When I do listen, I am amazed at His goodness and His kindness to me. He is no respecter of persons and He will and does speak to you also. I am not special as He loves all His sons and daughters and His desire is for us to hear Him and follow His heart.

Psalms 119:114 TPT You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word!

Psalms 119:114 ESV You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.