Thought I'd Show You All The Beautiful Walk To My Chicken Coop :)

Hi all! :-) I have a lovely walk to my chicken coop every day. At least twice, more if I don't have Brannon do the morning food and water check and take scraps up for me.

The first pic is from my kitchen steps
This one is from the white shed you can see in the first pic

From the wood stove made of barrels (by the blue vw)

The boys and I spent a morning while our chicks were small clearing this little path. It has become rather overgrown since then, time for a trim :)

One view from the cedar... can you see the coop yet?

A little closer...there it is!

And here's the path from the cedar, you can see what I mean about needing a trim...

And, here we are!

Happy chickens...

A spider I found by the side of the path

As I walked back from taking pictures I heard a happy little voice singing "Yo-ho! Yo-ho!" :-D This is what I found...

Big brother was singing happily too...

Joshua was even happier when Brother finally came outside with him :-)

Recent Photographic Efforts

Parade Fun

When I *Tried* to Shoot My Sis-in-law's Bow...

Yeah. Ouch. Mostly embarrassing though...

Wild Fun

Day 6

Well, my diet plans have had to change quite a bit. Due to inadequate funding the smoothie experiment has been cut short. I went five days completely on smoothies and am now back to eating regularly. I may do breakfast smoothies or protein drinks until my supplies run out completely. No, I didn't miscalculate that badly :) You see, my sweet hubby decided to join me as a form of encouragement. Because he requires a somewhat heartier smoothie than I do...


I didn't have the heart to tell him what would happen, he was so enthusiastic in his support :)
I am rather frightened, not sure if I can keep up with eating a lot less than I have been for the last couple years. I hope so. At least I can keep exercising. That's been a good challenge and almost fun, if rather painful. Friday instead of the elliptical machine I played tag in the park with my three boys. Definitely a good work-out there.



So, for this week I should be looking at protein drink for breakfast, soup or beans and rice for lunch and a big lovely salad with salsa and dressing for dinner. Sounds yummy :-) I am so glad our garden is producing lettuce now. I can't wait until we get our greenhouse in and get to have greens year round. This family of four can eat a ton of lettuce, or should I say 'salad' as the boys call anything green leafy and edible we identify growing outside ;)

Day 2

It's only day two and already I can't wait until I can go grocery shopping and add some variation to my smoothies. But, I guess it's six smoothies down. That's a lot of the same taste! I'm dreaming of almonds, dates, and bananas. :-)


Yesterday evening was very interesting. I was a bit hungry but the psychological need for food, i.e. food and relaxation go together, was intense. Hunger was definitely in the backseat. Today, I'm just hungry. But this psychological need for food as more than sustenance is what the next few weeks is really all about. I need all the prayers I can get from you all as I seek to break this addiction. Because it truly is an addiction. Now I understand perfectly that food can be for celebrating and sometimes even comfort. It has marvelous memories associated with it--why else would we eat the same thing every thanksgiving, etc... For me it has become a daily need to comfort my discouragement. I feel every bit as trapped as a friend of mine who must have cigarettes every day, or my dad with his beer every day after work.


God has been speaking to me about getting in the best possible shape for the adventures He has in store for me. Not the least of which is this daily adventure of raising children I am already engaged in!!! Joshua dreams of the day when mama is slim and strong so she can run with him (though today he said, and I quote "but if you're fat there's more of you to love!" LOL). I've been slacking I must say. I do have good excuses most of the time...


The first step for me is to get free of this addiction to comfort from the wrong place. With the help of the Holy Spirit I will succeed. This diet is just an outward sign of my desire for freedom. It's my step forward, my attempt to make myself open to the Holy Spirit's work in me. So, there's some direction for your prayers my dear friends and family :-)


Thank you again for all your support and love!