Peonies and worn boots

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and I have this bush that produces some of the most beautiful and fragrant pink flowers.  To me they are a sweet reward!  I love to inhale that fragrance at any time, but at the end of a long, work-worn day it is extra special.
The worn boots just remind me of the rewards of hard work!  Yes, we will be tattered and torn, ragged around the edges, worn out . . but the accomplishments are so rewarding and satisfying.  Ahhhh . . the fragrances of work done!

Aren't NIECES just NICE!!!

My daughter, Robin and I were able to see and spend time with my oldest sister's (Jan) daughter, Lynnelle Beaver, who lives in Westminster, CO

And, we were able to see and visit briefly with Kerry Gardner, who actually married into the family.  She is married to Tim Gardner, my oldest brother's (Noel) middle son and they live in Parker, CO.  On the far right is my oldest sister, Jan, who also lives in Westminster, CO.

In the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area my sister's (Marilyn) daughter, Melanie Danbrook, came from British Columbia and spent the weekend camping with us and some other farmgirl friends.

I have lots of other nice nieces and nephews too.  These are the ones we were able to see this summer!

MOTHERS and DAUGHTERS



Robin, Mary Jane, me and Megan

Precious daughters, Megan and Robin

Robin, my daughter, and I had the wonderful privilege of taking a three week road trip this summer.  We traveled in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. 
Our final destination was MaryJanes Farm in Moscow, Idaho where we stayed at MaryJanes Outpost B&B for three nights.  On our second day there we enjoyed a Tea Party hosted by MaryJane, her daughter, Meg and other gals at the farm,  Kim, Rebekah, and Alicia.
It was such fun to share this time with farmgirls from Wisconsin, Missouri, Idaho, and Washington. (I'm from Colorado and my daughter is from Arizona)
It was such and honor to meet Mary Jane and for a few moments we "traded" daughters.  As you can see we had such fun and enjoyed each other so much.

I know that MJ and Meg are close and their relationship and friendship is priceless. 

I am so grateful for my daughter and the incredible friendship we have and that we can just have the best time doing things together, traveling, sharing a tent, laughing, stopping at Starbucks, hanging out . . .whatever.
It was the trip of a lifetime!  Time with my daughter!!!  I am blessed!!!

Western Hospitality . . . AWESOME!!

This summer I had the WONDERFUL privilege of taking a road trip with my daughter, Robin,  . . . "Farmgirls on the Loose" in connection with MaryJanes Farm Farmgirl Connection.   We met and were taken care of in grand, glorious style by farmgirls in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.  There is absolutely NOTHING like Western hospitality!  Thank you for sharing your homes, your familes, your dining tables, communities . . and all the fun with us!!!!Ilene Wilson, one of the "chicks" in our Farmgirls Southwest Henhouse.  She prepared one of the most fabulous lunches ever for a "chick" lunch at her home in Denver

The Pilgrim family on the ranch near Baggs, WY  let us stay for a couple days.  We saw their ranch, cattle, horses, sheep . . tied aprons on goats and calves. Man what a good time we had.  Michelle is one of our Farmgirls

On the right is Denise Smart, Farmgirl from Green River, WY with her daughter and grandson.  They provided an amazing lunch in a park for us as we traveled through their beautiful city. 

And, then we were able to stay with the Ed and Kathy O'Hara, with their daughters, Mia and Erin.  They have a beautiful place in Hayden, Idaho which is near Coeur d/Alene.  Marvelous cinnamon rolls, great burgers . . . and such a fun time.

 Cy and Diana near Orofino, Idaho have a BEAUTIFUL place overlooking Dworshack Reservoir.  They have a HUGE house they hope to turn into a B&B.  We all had our own bedroom with quilts made by Diana.  What a restful, relaxing gorgeous place to stay. 

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for showing us your true WESTERN HOSPITALITY!!!

Adversity

Reading from Oswald Chambers, "MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST" .  The typical view of the Christian life is being delivered from all adversity.  But it actually means being delivered in adversity.  "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1.  God does not give us overcoming life - He gives us life as we overcome.  The strain of life is what builds our strength.  If there is no strain, there is no strength."

I pray for His continued strength for the stresses and strains of life and the difficulties that come my way that seem impossible.  Thank you Lord, for your grace, mercy, strength and love!

"Gunsmoke" . .. and cornflowers

One morning about 2 weeks ago as I was returning from my morning power walk I noticed that all of our Longhorns were laying down, enjoying the morning sun.  They had been across the lane in another pasture up until about 3 days before this picture was taken so this pasture had grown up quite nicely.

This is a picture of "Gunsmoke" the 4-month old Longhorn calf, now a steer, peering at me through the periwinkle cornflowers.