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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Barnhouse Farm Tour !

From our house to your house...blessings to you and yours. Today's post is about a little of what's been going on at the barnhouse this past weekend and this spring. We had a glorious long weekend with my husband home for an extra day, and we also celebrated the resurrection of our Savior! The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, and we really enjoyed making special memories together. Aren't weekends a great time for making memories? That special meal, extra time for reading books while sipping tea, morning coffee or tea and devotions on the front porch, productive projects that leave you with a good feeling at the end of the day when you look back and see the fruit of your labor....and shared experiences. I'm so thankful for the opportunities to make home the most special place on earth; a cozy nest where we all can be nurtured, accepted and loved...in spite of our blemishes:)
We had planned on having a family picture snapped this weekend, but it didn't happen:( One of our daughters did snap this picture just before we left for church Sunday morning. It's a picture of me and my sweetheart/hubby of thirty years.
The poor little muskrat in the picture above had a run-in with our dog, Tank. Tank won. The little ones will want to place him in their little animal cemetery. Funny thing happened while I was posting these pictures. I didn't intend to post this one...I was trying to retrieve the one of me and hubby, but I pulled the number from the wrong picture file. Imagine my surprise when the picture downloaded...I'm expecting a picture of the happy couple and instead I see the above little fella! I decided to leave it anyway.
The farrier came this weekend to trim the Percheron horses' hooves. They are very gentle and good dependable workers. This weekend was a good time for plowing. The earth was damp in some areas, but we got a good bit done. We have five garden areas this year, and the boys used the horses for plowing where the corn and beans will be planted.

One son found a store last week that sells Lodge cast iron cookware at a very good price, and we love cooking with cast iron. The pieces didn't pass inspection because of a little nick or some sort of imperfection, but they look GREAT to us. No holes or anything. He brought home all that you see on the table, the books you see there, and several others. One of the books he gave to me because I love eighteenth century history and such. I can't wait until I have little snippets of time for reading.
Weekends around here definitely include special treats. These were made recently by Bethany. I think she got the recipe from a MaryJanesFarm magazine?? They were yummy and beautiful. Emily made a delicious whole wheat Mandarin Orange cake for our Sunday dinner. It disappeared before I could get a picture:(
Our new bull calf was born this spring. He's growing very nicely, and we enjoy watching his playful antics in the pasture.
A gift from my little ones. They bring frequent *offerings* each day...at least until the flowers are all gone. Speaking of flowers being all gone... I've had thirteen two year olds in my lifetime and they've all enjoyed bringing me flowers. I'd always ooh and ah and make a happy fuss over their gifts, so they'd bring me more...and more... and.....pretty soon I had NO flowers left. They weren't picking just the wildflowers but the ones I had bought and planted as well. I purchased several bouquets of silk flowers and made a special garden for whomever the two year old happened to be. They'd *pick* their flowers and bring them to me almost every hour. When they were napping I'd go out and *re-plant* their flowers to be picked again the next day!

Two daughters doing the dishes together and sharing a laugh. Children are SUCH a blessing!
Johnathon and Hannah Joy are painting the new window boxes. These are the ones made from the free pallets of wood we get from the mattress company. Our old ones were rotting, so they made new ones for all the windows! We have a cat who thinks one of the boxes is her home, and we've also had a hen lay eggs in the one on the right. I really enjoyed watching her through my kitchen window.
The strawberries are looking really good. I know we'll need a lot more boxes for our family, but we wanted to practice before planting to many! We'll have to mix up some of our raw milk and strawberries very soon and make homemade ice cream:)

Sorry for the fuzzy picture. We have new chicks and some others coming along in the incubator. They should be hatching in a few more days.
The cows and bull are very happy to have the new spring grass. Certainly helps with their milk production:)
Saturdays are big baking days around here. The bread above ended up strangely shaped, but that sometimes happens around here when the humidity is bad.
More bread rising.

Melanie has a seat with a view:)
Love the springtime beauty. God THE Artist!

Our chocolate peppermint tea is looking very nice. We'll be sipping some very soon.
Painting of the window boxes is done.
Parsley...we love making parsley pesto to be served with vegetable sticks, pasta, or pita chips. We mix 1 cup olive oil, 1 or 2 garlic cloves, 3 bunches of parsley, and 2 cups parmesan cheese together and blend until smooth. Very addictive.
Sage has flowered.
Lemon Balm.

The kiwi bushes are loaded this year!


We have some raised beds just outside the kitchen door for easy access. Most of our gardening is done using traditional rows and away from the house. We're trying to learn a little bit more each year, and we're so thankful to live in a community and among friends who are so encouraging and willing to share their knowledge.
More free wood just waiting to be taken apart and re-purposed!!
Jacob completing the last of the window boxes.
Jordan working at the bee hives.


Finished up some plowing on the hill. Emily is taking some tasty vegetable scraps to *The Chicken Concern*!
A good days work is done.

Blessings,

Sherry

This post is linked to Barn Hop #10. Hosted by Amy at Homestead Revival, Jill at The Prairie Homestead, Kendra at New Life on a Homestead, and Megan at A Blossoming Homestead.

53 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Sherry (I see I have been spelling your name wrong) Sorry..
    I loved your post today with all the pics... I was happy to see the one of you and your husband. You are sooo pretty and young.. Then to have so many children...
    Everything is so lovely and you are so blessed.
    Thanks so much for sharing..
    Blessings...

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  2. Just found your blog and have been browsing for a lit bit. It is so full of wonderful things. I am longing to be in the country with some land and become a homesteader. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. What a beautiful busy full life you have :)
    Thanks for sharing, love the pics!

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  4. I so enjoyed your blog hop and peeking around in your farm..love that little calf and those precious chicks....pallets look at all those..I have been on the hunt for a small one...and did find it on someones curb for trash which I will repurpose..so many nice things to be made with those... I would love to live in a more rural area to have a few yard birds, a bunny, some ducks...and a long line for flapping my clothes...ahhhhhh nice...

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  5. What beautiful pictures...I love the window boxes! My son, Tanner, likes to build and I think these would be a great first-time-with-permission project for him. BTW~LOVE your kitchen table!

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  6. Kim,

    Thank you! I hope your son does enjoy building some window boxes. It's been a great opportunity for our boys to practice their budding building skills:) Oh, I also love my kitchen table...it was made by my husband many years ago and given to me for Christmas. It has become quite *distressed* and more precious to me with each passing year. The memories made around this table are priceless. Blessings,

    Sherry

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  7. You have a beautiful place! Lots going on. I wish the rain would stop here in the midwest so that we could get on with our spring chores.

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  8. Everything looks so pretty. Your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Enjoyed the tour and hearing about the happenings! Sounds like a blessed week! Thanks for linking up to the barn hop.

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  10. You have an absolutely lovely farm! I love those window boxes...they turned out wonderfully:).

    Have a blessed week!

    ~Julia

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  11. Sherry!!!! Ok, Thats it! Im packin my bags and comin to yer house! LOL Really though, what a wonderful place you have there! I love the picture of you and your sweetheart/hubby he is pretty cute (mine always wears a cap too) and you are beautiful! What a cute couple you are. 30 years is somthing to say these days, I know, me and mine have been married 36 years. We married so young. I was 15 1/2 and he was 16. I give God all the glory.

    I really enjoyed all the pictures from around your farm. The bull calf is adorable and the fact that I love your big horses is no secret.
    Does your farrier charge more to shoe the big horses? I can't believe what we have to pay to have our riding horses shod. I think its up to $90 a horse now.

    I can't believe you have roses on your bushes already. We don't get roses here until June and July.

    Those cast iron pans were a great find.....I love mine. I have always used cast iron for some things. I have 3 sizes and a dutch oven that is covered with porcelain (red of coarse).

    Oh! Guess what I made for dinner last night?
    Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie and blooming bread.
    It was a big hit!
    I can't wait to try your parcley pesto.

    Blessing friend, Im so glad I have met you too.

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  12. Sherry, I just found out about the devastating news. Please know that I am praying for you and your precious family. I know we hardly know one another, but I felt so blessed to discover your family and blog. I pray that God will pour out His peace and comfort to you all!

    ~Julia

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  13. I know that you don't know me past just starting to follow my blog from the Curriculum Clean-Out, but I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers. I can not even begin to know what you are going through, but just as Julia said, my prayer is that you will feel God's comfort in these days. sending you love from VA~

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  14. Sherry, I don't know if you'll even see this comment... I'm grieving with you sister, but rejoicing that your husband has finished his race and is safe in the arms of Jesus for all eternity as I write this. What a beautiful legacy he has left to testify of his faithfulness to the Savior!

    God will sustain you and lift you up; He will be your provider as He has always been. Praying for you without ceasing! Wish I could give you a big hug right now!!

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  15. My heart breaks for your family. Praying for you... ~Michelle

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  16. I am keeping your pracious family lifted up in prayer. Praying for God's comfort and grace to carry you.

    Jeana

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  17. AS others have said, although we do not know eachother, I know that you are my sister in Christ. My heart aches for you during this devastating time. I cannot even begin to think I understand what your going through. But I do know that our God is faithful. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted! What an amazing legacy your husband has left behind. I will continue to pray for you and yours. God is good all the time, Glory be to God!

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  18. Just found your blog on Monday of this week, but after reading the entire blog in one sitting I felt like I knew you personally. I sat here in tears as I read the news. My heart aches for you and your family. There are no words I can say that would make you feel better, but know that I am praying for the Lord's peace, comfort, and strength for you all.

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  19. Sherry...I am soo sorry!! How are the children?I would give any thing to be able to come help out.I sit here crying for a Sister who is grieving and I know is feeling lost.I am in shock.I know God keeps His promises to us.I know my brother Tom is in Heaven...worshiping Jesus right now!!I know Jesus will comfort you and hold you and give you what you need to get thru this!!!Be strong...You can do it!I will be praying for you and all the children.

    Hugs and Blesings my sweet friend. Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  20. Lifting you and your family up in prayer!

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  21. Dear Sherry,
    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Tom and home. I can't begin to fathom the enormity of your grief. I pray that you are being comforted by our Heavenly Father, the prayers of others and the loved ones and friends who surround you.
    May God bless you in this difficult, shocking time.
    Teri

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  22. Sherry, I don't know if you will ever get this message, if you will ever be back on your blog. I wanted to leave a message just in case. Please know that you have a sister in Christ in Utah that is praying for you and your children. I'm in shock and greaving with you dear sister. I can't even imagine what you are going through. I am comforted in knowing that you know Jesus and that your husband is with Him now. This is sad enough, how much sadder for those who have no hope. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and help in some way.
    Praying!

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  23. Sherry, my heart weeps for you. How can I even express what I'd like to say?

    Please know that I, along with so many others, am lifting you up in prayer. May you feel God's arms wrapped so tenderly around you in the days to come.

    The report of how your husband protected you all until the end was so moving and inspiring. What a hero! What a man of God!

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  24. Dearest Sherry

    I hope you and your family are feeling all the love coming your way from around the world and of course from heaven above. My heart is breaking for you. I don't know you but I wish I was there to help out in some way....at least give everyone one of you a hug. Make you some biscuits, just something. You are in my prayers. Sheryl from up here in British Columbia. I hope you see all the lovely messages. Love Sheryl

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  25. My heart is so very heavy for you and your family. I simply cannot wrap my mind around the pain. Praying for you all in Indiana.

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  26. Oh how He loves you and is the helper of the widow and the fatherless. May you find comfort and hope each new morning.

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  27. Dear Sherry,

    I just recently found your blog through the Barn Hop on homestead revival. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in mine and my families prayers. My heart is heavy for you and I just pray that you and your family are able to feel the love and prayers being sent out to you from all of us readers and that they wrap around y'all like a warm hug to hold and protect your through this tragic time.

    Meagan

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  28. Sherry, I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your children. My heart hurts for you. I am so sorry.
    Your sister in Christ,
    Rachel

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  29. I am sorry for your huge loss...

    May God protect you and provide for all your needs at this time of tragedy.

    You will all be in my prayers too,

    xTania

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  30. Sherry,

    This is my first visit to your blog via a post about your devastating loss from Hannah of Cultivating Home.

    My heart breaks for you. Praying for God's presence, comfort and peace to be with you and your family in the days ahead.

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  31. Praying for you and your family!

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  32. The Redman family is praying for all of you. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort during this challenging time. We love you and think of you often. Proverbs 3:5,6

    Love - Redmans

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  33. My daughter told me about you and your family and what happened during the terrible tornado. Please know that you are in my prayers. Looking at your last post on Easter Sunday and realizing all your loss just breaks my heart for you and your family. I pray you feel God's comfort.

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  34. Found your blog linked through another, where I saw a video about the tornado and how it affected your family. Know that I'm praying for you, from far away, and may there be so much love and encouragement for you and your family.

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  35. Dear Sherrie, I have been following the story surrounding your family for these past few days and I tear up every time. My own married daughter's home was destroyed here in MS by tornado as well but we praise God that they were not at home and are all safe. I cannot imagine the grief you are all experiencing but I trust that your husband is resting safely in the arms of Jesus. I have seen the video with your Jordan's testimony and can tell that you and Tom have done a wonderful job in raising him for the Lord's work. Praying that you all have peace and comfort as you begin a new journey through life.

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  36. I just read your story on another blog earlier today, and then found your blog through a hop from homestead revival. I'm so sorry for the pain you and your family are facing right now, with the loss of your husband, your children's father and your home. I know the peace Jesus can give when friends pray for you. I hope you realize that people from all over the world are lifting you up in their prayers. You seem like such a strong woman, I pray that God brings many alongside you to help give you strength as you grieve and move on.

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  37. Dearest Sherry, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what has happened. When I read the news all I could do was sit and cry, it's amazing how much you can care about brothers and sisters in Christ whom you have never met personally. I really have no words to say that will heal your hurts, but I know the one who does. I want you to know you are in my prayers and I have let everyone around here in TN know and they are praying also. I have been so touched by the videos of your son that are on the web. He is a testament of the love and teaching your husband and your self have giving to your family. I know you have many dear friends who will be around you physically, but I also know from the many comments you also have many friends who are with you in their hearts. Although I can't be there in person, I am praying for God's comfort and peace for you and your children. God Bless

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  38. Sherry, Your blog is beautiful. I had not seen it before today when I found a link in another blog I was reading. Seeing the beauty in this blog post and the "ashes" in the videos reminds me of Isaiah 61:3. I pray that He will give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I am praying for you and your children.

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  39. Dear Sister in Christ,
    I was so saddened to read of your loss! I'm so sorry for you and your family. Your husband left a good name behind- priceless! May the God of all comfort hold you close and give you great grace at this time of pain and hurting.

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  40. Praying daily for your precious family.

    Thank you for sharing this post - the beauty that I see came from your hearts and that flowed out to make your beautiful home life. That legacy of your husband's and yours will continue in the lives of your children!

    God Bless you.
    Deanna

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  41. Sherry. I just found your blog and want you know that our family has had you in our prayers. We are so sorry for your loss and pray the Lord's blessings will be upon your family in abundance.

    God bless you and your beautiful family.
    Tricia

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  42. Sherry:

    You have been in my prayers many times a day since last Thursday when I learned of your family and what you have suffered during the storms. I pray you that you and your sweet children find healing... that those days you don't even know where to begin, God brings comfort and clarity .... that the loving arms of the Abba Father will surround each of your children ..... that the Bridegroom will be your own comfort. May He wash over you hourly, even minute-by-minute, with peace and comfort.

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  43. Hello Sherry,

    I don't know if you can read comments right now, but I just wanted to let you know that my children and I are praying for you. I just don't even know what to say. It is amazing how everything we own (and love) can be taken from us in a heartbeat, and it reminds me to ask myself if I am taking the important things for granted, and putting things of little importance up higher than they should be.

    But I'm sure you probably don't want to hear about that now, as you are grieving. Please know that I and many others who do not know you personally are grieving with you. Yours and the others' families have been on my heart constantly, just trying to imagine being in your shoes. I am sorry for your loss. I know the Father has a plan in all of this, a good plan. Because it is obvious that your family loves Him.

    I just pray for comfort for you and your children. I pray you are safe and warm. I pray you can rest knowing that Almighty God loves you more than you can imagine.

    God's blessings on you,
    Mrs. Q

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  44. Sherry, we are so, so sorry to hear about what your family is going through. You are so precious and, as is made obvious by the beautiful comments before mine, are being prayed for by many, many people. Your ministry to so many through your home and family has been a blessing to us and we are praying fervently for you. With love, Lisa Pennington~

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  45. I just happened across your beautiful blog when I heard your devastating news. I was in tears as I read what happened. I am praying for you and your children and will continue to do so. I am just heartbroken for your family.

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  46. Sherry and family,
    I have no words of my own to offer....only prayers.
    May God's great arms comfort you.

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  47. Our family is praying for all of your family! I pray that you will find comfort in The God of all Comfort!
    Tara

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  48. Thursday May 5th. I sit here re-reading and copying the recipes here.I miss my new friend.I started getting squash from the garden...and I never got to ask you how you put it up to use for pies and such.So I batter it..and seal a meal it for frying.
    So many are asking what they can do...we just send them to a website for your area..and I say to them to mention the Lee family.
    I want you to know we are all still lifting you up in our daily lives.I can't imagine...but I do know you are my Sister in Christ...and our Father is taking care of you and your family!!!
    I would love to hear from you some time down the road. Hugs and big Tx Squeezes.
    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  49. When I read what has happened to your sweet family, lovely home and beloved groom....my mind has not stopped coming back to you. I am lifting you up in prayer often. Please know that I am thinking of all of you so very much. Sending a hug to you.....

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  50. Hello dear Sherry.. I look back and notice that I was the first one to comment on this post.. How time changes things. I was so happy to find such a dear friend and sister in Christ.. So loved the picture of you and your sweet husband.. Such a precious photo for you to cherish.. I just wanted to let you know that you and your children have been in our prayers. Lifting you up in prayer that the God of peace would give you all comfort and strength..
    I cannot even began to imagine your loss but we know that God's Grace is sufficent... He'll take you through..
    Love and Prayers
    Faye....

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  51. Our family and our church has been praying. God be with you. Please know we care for your family!

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  52. I just found your blog...I am so, so sorry for your loss....please know that I, too, am praying for you and your family.

    Warmly,
    Katy

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