Visitors to our Pond

It was so nice to see this pair return again.  (I am not really sure if it is the same pair but they have been given the names of Carlotta and George again.)

Sarah went outside yesterday morning, still in her pajamas to get as close as she could to them.

It sure would be sweet if they bring their babies here later this spring.  We are certainly blessed to have this little pond just about 50 feet from our front steps.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

Warm Friday Walk and Thanks

Thank you for contributing and encouraging.  I received many questions and plan to answer them over a series of posts.  After spending much of Thursday evening and Friday praying and thinking as I went about my daily work, I received an email from a woman that lives in very rural Canada.    She and her husband have 11 children and live very simply, off grid, 20 minutes from the nearest neighbor.  They hunt and grow most of their own food and the rest is made from scratch.  She shared how their life is full of joy and how each child has been a blessing.

After her encouraging words I went for a walk last Friday afternoon to enjoy the unseasonable warmth (which is long gone now as the very cold weather has returned) with a feeling of renewal and optimism.

Looking down our driveway, Nolan helping to clear some of the slush.

I walk over a bridge just down our road and took a picture of the stream below.

The mud is a welcome sight!  I enjoyed feeling my feet seep down with each step.

I have always loved how beautiful the bare tree branches look against the sky as the sun is just beginning to set.

Wishing you a joyful week,
Tonya

{this moment}

I've decided to join in with Soulemama ~

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. "

Bringing Beauty Inside

Today I walked around outside gathering three bouquets as the previous ones were faded.

These for our our dining table.

~the pink wildflowers are musk mallows~

~day lilies for the kitchen windowsill~

~daisies for the bathroom~

There is so much joy in gathering these with my younger children with scissors in hands on this beautiful summer day; bringing beauty from outside - in.

Later, as I walk through our little rustic cottage I smile as admire each beautiful bouquet. I am reminded of God's amazing creation.

What are you gathering, picking, cutting and bringing into your home to admire and enjoy?

Warm wishes, Tonya

(Also, if you have a moment, consider entering a giveaway at the Natural Kids Blog, for a handmade wool crown. I am honored to be a member of this creative and talented Etsy team.)

Journals

I have for some time kept an inspiration journal. It is a simple, black, hard covered sketch book. Inside I put pictures, quotes, and more. It is a pleasure to look through it when I need an idea or encouragement.

Recently I have started a wildflower journal. When the children bring me a new wildflower picked from our property, we identity it together with our wildflower book and then I sit and and sketch it and make a note about where it was found, by whom and the date.

This has given me a reason to sketch when in the past it was so easy to make excuses why I had too many other things to do.

It has also encouraged some of the children to sit and draw with me.

Do you keep journal?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Thankful Today for....

....lots of baking done....

...the thoughtfulness and kindness from my sixteen year old son...

...Abraham's sweet blond unruly hair.....

...the beautiful apple blossoms in bloom....

Warm wishes, Tonya

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(Don't forget to leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing on Sunday evening for two ribbon runners.)

The Little Things

~ robins built a nest in our barn on top of a bicycle tire hanging on the wall...

such beautiful little eggs~

Here is a sweet poem to share on this beautiful Sunday.

The Little Things

by Anne Campbell

It would be a weary world,

God knows,

Without the little things!

The little stem that holds the rose,

The little bird that sings,

The little love that grows and grows,

The little thought that wings!

It would be a dreary world,

God knows,

Without the little things!

The little joys, the little woes

That all our loving brings,

The little prayer at evening's close,

The little hand that clings!

Warm wishes, Tonya