~~Appreciating What You Have~~

As winter moves forward in Kansas and we are 'house bound' one can't help but take a good look at their own home. I mean when your cooped up for days on end, one can't help but be aware of the things surrounding them. I'm going to admit something here.....For weeks I have read all the wonderful blogs out in Blog Land and drooled over all the wonderful, big homes displayed. To be honest, it's not hard to be envious of some of these women's homes. Not only are they big and the furniture perfect for each and every room but these women are always going shopping and buying more. Whether it's a big piece or something small to add just the right touch (Okay, they call it 'tweeking' but I absolutely hate that word!!) money seems to be no object.

The past two weeks we have watched the horrid and destruction in Haiti unfold. We have watched people who owned next to nothing lose even more....The most precious things they had, their loved ones. Among this nature made hell and grief beyond belief we saw the true sprit of human nature come through. With no money to build back their homes they put what we primitive lovers call 'make-do's' into work. Taking bits and pieces of tin, wood and rocks they have constructed new 'home's' to provide shelter for their families.

As I watched I was suddenly not only ashamed of myself (For being envious of others wonderful homes.) but for the people who own these homes. Why do American people think they need so much? Why do we think we have to have the best, the most perfect things for our homes? Why do we feel each room as to have just that 'right touch' for everyone to see?

Shortly after this devastating earthquake hit I was up early one morning walking through our house. Walking down our hallway my hand brushed against an antique piece of furniture and it was as though a jolt of electricity went through me. This old familiar piece of furniture that has been around for close to one hundred years was calling to me. It was telling me to take a good look at my house. With only the dim light of daylight starting to break through the front window, I looked around at this old house we call home. Yes, the carpet is worn in some places almost through and yes the walls need painting in the worst sort of way. The furniture has seen better days and nothing ever seems to stay in it's place thanks to kids and animals. But as I looked at each familiar room it showed me something else. This was OUR HOME! The home that we worked long hours and scrimped and saved for so we could have it paid off by the time we were fifty. The house that our kids call "home" and one that brings them comfort when things aren't going well.

Oh, I'll continue to buy pieces for this old house as we run across them at yard sales and I'll continue to make little things to give each room a different look. But no longer will I envy other woman and their gorgeous big homes with wonderful furnishings. My home is OURS and just like the people of Haiti, I will 'make-do' with what I have and thank God every day that He has allowed us to have a roof over our heads, food on our table and our family to be together. After all, isn't that what a home really is? With Love, Sher

~~Winter 2010~~

The winter of 2010 is one we here on the prairie will not soon forget. It started on Christmas Eve day with ice/sleet. By evening the snow had moved in and what a snow it was. Visibility went down to zero and suddenly we were in a blizzard. All night the wind howled and the very core of the house shook. Morning brought dark skies and snow so deep Keith actually had to break a window out on our back door to get outside.

Since then we have not only had several more snowfalls but we are experiencing bitter cold temperatures. By the middle of the week our highs are suppose to be -7 during the day. Now for Kansas, that's COLD!!!!

Christmas is always a busy time for us (And I'm sure you too!) and this year we had the added excitement of waiting on our precious new granddaughter to be born and our newly married kids to be moving into their first home. So, we kept putting off our monthly shopping trip to Topeka until it was to late....Bad weather was upon us.

Anyone that knows our family knows we can not live without a 'Sam's Run' at least once every six weeks. So, tomorrow Keith & I are going to brave the cold and make a mad dash for Topeka. I hate leaving the farm when the kids are in school but we have no choice....If I don't have pork and chicken to cook with, I'm lost. I know this is going to be a very expensive day for us (You would have a light stroke if you saw our grocery list but I swear I'm out of everything!!) but it can't be helped. By the time we get home not only will our deep freeze but also our pantry will be filled to the brim.

Once we have plenty of food in the house I plan to sit before the fireplace and start some serious stitching and hooking. I have so many ideas whirling around my head and thankfully everything bought to complete them. So, check back in a few days and I'll be sharing pictures of what all I'm making.

And now it's time to head my little ones towards the tub and then in a few hours they'll both be tucked in for the night. I hope this finds you safe & sound in a warm house, enjoying the Winter of 2010! Hugs, Sher