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.

What’s Up

The Farmer and I have not had our camper out for over a year now. I guess it’s been two years this April. We didn’t plan it this way but this is where we are at right now. We are with a group called SOWERS and normally we go twice a year to serve at a location that we select for a month. We did travel to Big Sandy, Texas last April and served at Alert Academy. We did not take our camper there, due to issues with our pickup. Some wonderful SOWER friends allowed us to stay in their very nice rig. It was delightful to be with old friends again and make new ones. It was a blessing to our hearts.

We didn’t go in the fall as the Farmer was hauling corn for a neighbor for four months. This took from September through December. We had our hopes high to serve in Texas again this April but alas, that was not going to happen. The Farmer needs a new knee before he can do much work. We leave this week on Thursday to finally visit with a surgeon and see what, where and when he can get his knee replaced.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” -Saint Augustine.

Our nineteen foot camper sits in our Quonset and hasn’t seen any action except at Christmas and other holidays when all the family comes home. Then it becomes our extra bedroom along with our little Tear Drop camper.

At this time we do not know how long it will be until we can roam again with our Dutch ovens. We have used the Dutch ovens on our farm here and have cooked up some good things for company. The Farmer’s bride even got second place in our church’s Chili Cookoff in one of the Dutch ovens. The Farmer wasn’t much help as he was hauling corn.

“Life is made for good friends and great adventures.” – Anonymous

We have been busy following our grandchildren as they continue to grow up. We go from football, track, cross country, soccer, vocal presentations, piano recitals, wrestling, and volleyball. They do keep us on the road. Because we will be homebound for a moment, I am planting a bit of a garden. We will see how that grows.

Well, that is our sad story. Really we are truly blessed and grateful to our generous Lord that we are in good health and knees and other things can be fixed. However, we are really missing our SOWER friends and our SOWER projects. Just thought I would update you on “Wherethedutchovensroam”. Those Dutch ovens are at home on the prairie right now. Come see us and we will get them out and do some cooking.

God bless you all friends.

“Come Up Higher”

Come Up Higher!

“Beloved! Come up higher! I have more for you.”

Tommy Tenney says that God is calling you to a higher level of commitment. Forget the plans you made for yourself. Die to self. (Jer. 50:14)

Claim your upgrade. Perhaps you have been asked to move from the normal section of the airplane and have been upgraded to First Class. Would you refuse the upgrade? Come and accept a move to the upper level.

Is 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Eagles fly higher than any other creature. As they catch the wind, it carries them even higher. The eagles’ eyes are sharper and keener than any other. Eagles are discerning. Eagles know just how to make the wind currents work for them and they have the highest view of all that is happening below them.

IS 43:18-19 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

As we embrace the beginnings of a new year, 2025, a powerful message from God resonates: God is urging us to embrace the new beginnings that lie ahead. There are new dreams, new visions, new beginnings and new adventures with the Lord ahead of us. But as Paul says in Phil.3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things with are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

There it is “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God!” God is calling us to come up higher. This will require us unloading some of the baggage we have held onto for years. Do we have hurtful words stored in our memory banks, unforgiveness, shame, unrepentant hearts, wounds and other heavy memories? Our Lord says to cast our care on Him. That will certainly lighten our load and set us free to accept the call to come up higher with Him. We can’t take the next step higher if we are loaded down with the burdens of the past.

Accept the upward call of God. Accept the upgrade.

There is an interesting story in the Bible in Judges 1:14 and Joshua 15:15-19. Caleb’s daughter Achsah was offered as a pawn by her father. She was offered in marriage to the man who could attack and capture Kiriath Sepher. Caleb’s nephew Othniel captured Kiriath Sepher and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah in marriage to him. One day she asked her father for a blessing. She asked for the upper and lower springs of water on the field that he gave to them. She knew she had her father’s favor and she did not see herself as a victim but as an heir of her father, a favored heir. She had every reason to have the attitude of a victim. But she had the attitude of an heir. What if she asked only for the lower springs then the upper area would have been dry and unusable. We can’t receive an upper springs inheritance with a lower springs mindset.

Understand who you are in Christ.

“Come up higher!” This is a word that has the power to pull you into the more God has for you. We must know that we are heirs in Christ. Rom. 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory

The Big Surprise

First Christmas

The Big Surprise

First Christmas

A 1967 International pickup was our first married Christmas chariot. It carried us on our trip to Blackburn, OK to celebrate Christmas with my Granny. We had a fuel tank in the bed of the pickup and could just pull over and pump in more gas when we needed it. I had to sit in the middle close to the Farmer as we traveled as there was a big Christmas wrapped box against the passenger side door. The Farmer was going to surprise his bride on Christmas Eve with a beautiful sewing machine.

It was sweet for this bride to bring her new husband to share Christmas with her precious extended family and with her dear Granny. Christmas Eve on Granny and Pap-Paw’s ranch was a very treasured tradition. Pap-Paw passed before the Farmer had a chance to get to love him. He passed when I was twelve years old. He made a big difference in my life by leading me to the Lord. Granny was a wonderful hostess and she treated her family like royalty. Her cold stairway in her two story house was filled with sweet treats on each of the steps. They were chilling there after being made by Granny’s own hands.

The family gathered in her kitchen to play hours and hours of pitch with cigarette smoke filling up the room with a cloud. It was a rowdy time of love, competition and cooking all gathered in the same room. That old kitchen was rocking.

The Christmas tree was cut down from many on their ranch and decorated with all the old ornaments made by children and cherished through the years.

On this first married Christmas Eve both the Farmer and his bride were to be surprised. He was surprising her with that sewing machine and she was surprising him because she had found the receipt for a sewing machine in his documents and she knew what was in that box that he had so carefully hauled from Kansas to Granny’s. It was a double surprise!

Fifty-two years later we won’t be traveling to Granny’s except in our memories. Our own children and grandchildren will be traveling home to the farm to celebrate the birth of our King the weekend after Christmas. This old farm will be bursting at the seams! This bride and her Farmer hope to be half of the gracious hostess that Granny was.

We’ve had a full year this 2024. We traveled much to participate in our grandchildren’s lives. We have visited college campuses, new apartments, watched cross country, football, wrestling, basketball, tumbling, vocal concerts and more. Our grandchildren are not children anymore. Only two are in elementary school. All of the rest are in high school, college, and one has a graduated college and has a great job as an engineer.

In April we worked with our SOWER group at Alert Academy in Big Sandy, TX. It was so wonderful to spend time with some of our friends and clean out an old green house and help refurbish some fencing and remodel. June found us at a great nephew’s wedding in Wisconsin. We took a boat ride on Lake Superior around the Apostle Islands and managed to find some quilt shops along the way. Grandparents’ lunch day with our two in elementary school was another highlight of our year and a trip to the Louisburg Cider Mill with the Myers was a hit.

Our Generations Church has moved into our new church building, debt free. The Lord has been kind and so gracious to us and every day we feel blessed and filled with gratitude for His many blessings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Luke 2:15 TPT “Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.”

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.