An Apple a Day... give or take a hundred or two

My little watercolor magnet - Apples!

     So, yesterday we went to the farmer's market in a town about half an hour from ours.  They have a nice pavillion where "just folks" can set up  booths and sell their fruit, vegetables, preserves, baked goods, honey, etc.  Food stuff.  Homegrown.  Healthy.  We like!
     At the last minute, just before we got in the truck, I suggested to Moshe that we take some eggs with us and see if we could trade.  Great success! We traded eggs for some wonderful local honey and some beautiful butternut squash, plus we made new connections with those folks - traded phone numbers, that sort of thing. 
     We also bought bell peppers, both red and green - for 33 cents each!!! Can you believe it?  And, we bought a big sack of locally-grown sweet potatoes - about 10 pounds for 3 dollars and change.  And a few tomatoes - surely the last for the year for local tomatoes.
    
       And, of course, we bought lots and lots of apples.  More apples to make apple butter, apple sauce, apple pie filling.  More apples to dehydrate. So, I am back in the apple-processing mode... Will be peeling, coring, slicing, cooking, spicing, canning, drying apples. Praise God for the wonderful kitchen gadgets that help with all these apple duties!  We are blessed beyond measure to have peeler-slicer-corer, a blender, a cuisinart, and an enormous pressure cooker, all of which I will use today.
          If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, I should be healthy for several more months!
                                                                                        Shalom y'all,
                                                            Twyla
        

On Giving Thanks - The Last Day of Sukkot

Porch decorations for Sukkot/Thanksgiving

          Today is the last day of Sukkot. We are going to leave the sukkah decorations up through the month of October, and, possibly November.  Decorating for Sukkot is based on the theme of the harvest, so it stands to reason that I would keep the screened porch decorated with Autumn leaves, artificial fruit, dried flowers, and cornstalks.  We had a great Sukkot - had friends over for great meals and conversations.  We had an extra table set up for our "unseen visitors" - one always invites such persons as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus for Sukkot.  Although we didn't see them in the physical, we can be certain they were present in the spiritual realm.
        
           And, so the next holiday we will celebrate is Thanksgiving.  (Trust me, we will NOT observe Halloween!)  Did y'all know that originally when the Pigrims celebrated "Thanksgiving", they were actually observing Sukkot?  They observed this holiday earlier in the year than what Americans now celebrate Thanksgiving, and it was to thank God for the harvest.  They originally celebrated this day of thanks between Sept 21 and Nov 9, but usually in early October... THAT is Sukkot. See this site for further reading on this subject. The people who came to this land were obeying Torah in their harvest celebration.
           It was many, many years later that President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday - to be observed on the last Thursday of November. See this site to read more about this.

Nothing like having a little bed right by the dining tables1

Shalom Y'all,
          Twyla

Modeh Ani

          According to the sages, when we wake up each morning, God restores our soul within us so that we can live another day. Just as God revives us from sleep each morning, so will He revive us from death to the presence of His eternal light.
          The Modei Ani is one of the first prayers a Jewish child learns. ( A little boy would say "mo-deh", and a little girl would say "mo-dah".) This prayer is a prayer of thanks to God for providing another day.
        

  The transliteration (how to pronounce the words) of the Hebrew is:
                 

My watercolor/calligraphy of the Modei Ani

  Mo-deh  'a-ni   le-fa-ney-kha  me-lekh 
  chai  ve-qai-yam   
  'e-mu-na-te-kha  rab-bah  be-chem-lah
   nish-ma- ti  bi  she-he-che-zar-ta.

           
  And, the English translation is:

 I thank you, living and eternal King,
 for returning my soul within me in compassion,     great is Your  faithfulness.

Shalom Y'all - Twyla

OUCH!

A collection of our organic eggs

            

               Okay.  Look at the size of the egg second from the left.  Look at all the other eggs.  Look at the BIG egg again... Thus far, every woman who has seen this egg says the same thing: "Ouch!" All our chickens' eggs are on the large size.  I guess we are feeding them well, or, maybe it's the hugs and kind words we give them. A couple of our chickens lay double-yolked eggs every day;  they are pretty good sized...  Surely, it has got to hurt laying these bigguns'.
               But, THIS egg is big!  Just big!  We are wondering if it will be a triple-yolked egg.  Is there such a thing?  I don't know.  Moshe and I talked about blowing out the egg so as to preserve the eggshell; then I could use it for some sort of craft display.  But, if we do that, we won't know how many yolks it has.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.
               Moshe measured a regular egg and "the monster egg".  A regular egg measures 1.60 in wide by 2.045 in tall. The monster egg measures 1.89 inwide by 2.725 in tall.  In other words, the monster egg is  one-third of an inch wider and three-quarters of an inch taller than a normal egg.

Wow!     Shalom Y'all,     Twyla

Feast of Tabernacles

         Good morning and Shabbat shalom.  Today we will be celebrating Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths, Feast of Ingathering) with friends and family.  For my blog today,  I copied an article from First Fruits of Zion, which explains the traditions of celebration, the meaning of the holiday, and its prophetic meaning.   It is beautiful, and I hope you will take the time to read it.


Tribute to King Messiah

Parasha: Sukkot

Shabbat Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot

שבת חול המועד סכות

Thought for the Week

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

Commentary

You shall celebrate ... the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD your God. (Exodus 34:22-24)

The last appointment on God's calendar is the Feast of Booths. The Hebrew name of the festival is Sukkot, a word that means "shelters, stables or huts." These temporary, tent-like structures are often translated as "tabernacles" in our English Bibles. The festival is so named because Israel is commanded to annually build such dwelling places as a reminder of the post-exodus years when they lived in huts and booths, following God in the wilderness.

In Exodus 34, however, the same festival is called "The Feast of Ingathering." Coming at the end of the agricultural cycle in Israel, the festival of Sukkot is harvest festival during with the children of Israel celebrated the harvest and reveled in God's goodness.

Many beautiful traditions are attached to the annual Festival of Booths. For example, it is traditional to invite guests into one's booth for a festive meal each night of the festival. Among the list of invitees are some auspicious names: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David. Each one is specially invited to come into the booth and pull up a chair at the table. Obviously, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David are unlikely to actually attend the meal, since they are all dead. That, however, is the point of the ritual. The Feast of Booths anticipates the Messianic Age, when the dead will be raised to life again and we will all sit at the table with the aforementioned in the kingdom of heaven.

When Messiah comes, He will bring in the final harvest of God's kingdom and institute an age of peace and prosperity upon the earth. The prophets relate that day to the festival of Sukkot, a day when every man will sit beneath his own vine and fig tree. A tabernacle of glory will be spread over Jerusalem.1

According to the prophets, the Feast of Booths celebrates a time when all nations will ascend to Jerusalem bearing tribute to King Messiah and celebrating the festival.2

Sukkot is the great festival, the culmination of all the appointed times. Sukkot is to the other festivals what the Sabbath is to the other six days of the week. As such it is a fitting foreshadowing of that great celebration of creation when the entire world will live in peace and brotherhood under the reign and rule of the righteous Messiah King. Just as the weekly Sabbath foreshadows the millennium, Sukkot also looks forward to that great age. Therefore, the festival of Sukkot, like all the festivals, foreshadows Messiah.

First Fruits of Zion
PO Box 649
Marshfield, MO 65706-0649 USA
Phone: 417 468 2741      Toll-free: 800 775 4807


                                                                                         Shalom Y'all, Twyla

Equal Time for Moxie

     Yesterday I blogged about CassPurr.  Not to be outdone, Moxie turned on the charm and deserves a note in her honor.
     When Moxie first arrived here almost two weeks ago, she was nervous and highstrung.  Of course, she didn't know what was going on.  She didn't know why her previous owners took her on a two-hour drive, stayed a couple days, then  left her here.  She didn't know whether she would be staying with us ten hours or ten minutes. Her anxiety showed.  She cried all night the first night, and would wet the floor at the slightest provocation.  It was her second day here when Moshe decided to let her ride in the truck with him to town.  She hesitantly agreed to get in the truck and cowered in the floorboard the whole trip.  She looked at him as if to say, "I like you okay, but I'm not sure about this riding stuff."  She has since ridden to town  a couple times with Moshe,  got more confident with each trip, but still wasn't crazy about "the vehicle thing".
     So, yesterday, Miss Moxie really surprised me.  I had gone grocery shopping.  I came home, and stopped in the driveway to get the mail. Moxie came running out to meet me.  Moshe hollered to her that it was "just Mommy", and not to bark.  He didn't see what she did, nor did I.  But, when I tried to get back in the Jeep, there was Moxie, sitting in the driver's seat and just a' grinnin'. She had made the big time!  I patted the passenger side and she graciously moved over.  We drove up the driveway, and that was one happy dog!
   And, so it is with people.  Sometimes - perhaps often - when we think an event isn't so great, it turns out to be the day of our life!
                                                                     Shalom Y'all,     Twyla
  

I am Too Old to Have an Infant in the House!

CassPurr - "Mr. Innocent"

     Okay. Y'all have heard me talk about my cat, CassPurr.  I adopted "Cassie" from the Humane Society, so I don't really know his history.  Until Spring, CassPurr stayed in the house exclusively.  Since he had been declawed prior to the adoption, I assumed he had always been an indoor cat.  But, come warm weather, I guess he got "Spring fever".  He kept sneaking out, only to get beat up by some unidentified cat.  He would come back in for a few days, heal up, and go back out for more.
     Then, one day, CassPurr began winning the battles.  He was no longer getting hurt;  instead, he was beating up the other cats - even without claws!  One day, we watched a big grey tom cat enter the front yard.  When CassPurr saw the cat, he puffed
up like a porcupine and ran lafter that cat like greased lightning.  CassPurr is a big cat, anyhow ;  he weighs about 25 pounds- so, when he is "puffed up for battle", his appearance is formidable.  I don't blame the other cats for running for cover...
     Anyhow, Cassie has been king of the outdoors all Spring and Summer.  Although he's a white cat, he has shown up with various shades of yellow, grey, and brown fur the past several months. One time Moshe gave CassPurr a bath.  Cassie tolerated it pretty well, but immediately went outside and rolled in the dirt. All Summer he literally would not set foot in the house, preferring to sleep out in the bushes,  under the house, or aroung the shed. Then. about a week ago, CassPurr asked to come in. I fed him in his old spot in the kitchen, and he has barely left the house since!

Bedtime for Cassie

  
   
    Well... last night, Cassie decided he wanted to play.   All night.   He walked on me,  pulled and chewed my hair, licked my face until it hurt, nibbled my fingers.  He talked and purred.  If I put my hands under the covers, he dug for them, wanting to be petted.  I was up at midnight, one, three, four, and six o'clock. Sheesh!  I never had to get up THAT much with my daughter when she was an infant.

    
           I'm so-o-o  tired today. And so it has dawned on me that God knew what He was doing when he designed  women's bodies to NOT have babies after "a certain age".  I can't imagine.  Tonight, if CassPurr doesn't behave, he is going out!  Can't do that with an infant!

Let's hope for this!

Shalom Y'all,     Twyla

Fall is Approaching

My watercolor, entitled "Mountain View"

          Yes, we are still doing our Fall Cleaning.  Almost done.  It feels so good.  Everything looks so nice;  I always find changing the decor invigorating,  Moshe said, "It's as if we have a new house, without moving!"  It really IS, too;  because we have changed all the rooms except the bathrooms. (I'd change them, too, if I had the time!)  We plan to do the last little touches tomorrow...  looking forward to re-establishing a routine of some sort...
     This month has been exceptionally warm for this area.  A couple days ago I was talking with a lady who has lived here for many years. She said she can't remember a Summer this hot, and certainly not a September this warm.  But, Fall is approaching.  Every day we see a few more red, yellow, and  brown leaves among the green of the trees.  Quite a few leaves are falling in the roads, too.  I like all the seasons, but Autumn is my favorite.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's because of the beautiful colors of the trees.  Maybe it's memories of bonfires and hayrides and roasting marshmallows and picking apples off the trees. Maybe it's just time for a change in temperature and a change of pace.  Spring and Summer are hectic for the farmer;  Fall and Winter provide us with more time for reading, playing board games,  and hobbies.  I'm ready... How 'bout you?
                                                                 Shalom Y'all,     Twyla

The Price of Progress

          I'm not sure what "progress" is.   I feel a certain sadness when I see a scene such as this: an old chimney stands abanboned, grown over with weeds and vines.  And ugly black fabric is tacked into the earth to prevent erosion while the heavy equipment moves in to level off the  land in anticipation of building... what? Another empty strip mall?  A row of ticky-tacky houses which won't be standing after twenty years.
      The old fireplace and chimney look massive and well-built.  What ever happened to the home they provided with warmth? Did it crumble? Burn? Why didn't the owners rebuild? Sad.
     Here's a poem, written by my brother, Larry - about forty years ago - it could be the lament of a rejected lover or an old abandoned homesite.
              
                   Gold of the Sea
               I stand naked close to you,
               But you've forgotten time since lost.
               I ask you, "Won't you touch me?"
              With a laugh, you tear open my chest,
               wrench out my heart,
               and, drain my blood into a crystal cup;
               then drink it.
               Every drop.
                                                                                Shalom Y'all,      Twyla

Pretty Face

Pretty Face, setting on her eggs

     "Pretty Face" is the name of one of our hens.  Pretty Face has decided to be broody. For a chicken, being broody means she wants to set on eggs. Her eggs. "Miss Congeniality's" eggs. "Runt's" eggs.  EVERYBODY's eggs!  Pretty Face has been sitting/setting for 4 or 5 days now.  Since she's in the coop that doesn't have a rooster, Moshe traded her eggs for (hopefully) fertilized ones from the coop that does have the rooster.  He gave her three eggs, and labeled them #1, #2, and #3 with a pencil. This way if she keeps gathering everybody else's eggs, like she's been doing the past couple days, we can take away the unmarked eggs and leave numbers one, two, and three for her to hatch.  (This morning she had eight eggs under her; I've read where hens will try to set as many as twenty!!!).
     Pretty Face is the only chicken of our dozen to demonstrate this broody behavior.  Isn't it funny how just one chicken decided to feel motherly?  From what I've read, usually if a chicken gets broody, she will be a good mother hen.  Most of them never feel like setting. We are blessed to have Pretty Face, because we were hoping to raise some chicks.  So far, God has provided everything we've hoped for when it comes to our animals. So, we are marking the calendar for twenty-one days, and, will see if we get some baby chicks.
     Now that Pretty Face has the distinction of being a brood hen, she will need to be moved - soon - to her own little chicken condo.  The little private chicken house only needs to be one room and can be used for incubation, hatching, and then for a week or so after the chicks have hatched. Baby chicks grow daily, and they will need another place fairly soon after hatching. We are already thinking about gathering materials for Moshe to build a third ark.   We'll see...
                                                              Shalom Y'all - Twyla
   

Beach plans

Ducks know the crinkle of  Ritz crackers wrapper!

        We have really worked around the house the past two or three days.  Like I mentioned in my last post - Fall cleaning, rearranging, sorting, revamping.  There is still a bit to do, but it's coming along. Tomorrow, being Shabbat, and Yom Kippur, we will have a day of rest.  I checked the weather forecast and it's supposed to be hot, sunny, and clear - warmer than usual for this time of year with 0% chance of precip.
     So, it will be off to the beach.  Hooray!  For the past couple weeks, when we go to the beach, we wonder if it will be the last time for this year... Then, another glorious weather day crops up, and away we go.  Last year at this time it had already cooled off, so I am very thankful for every summery day - especially when it lands on a Saturday!

         I've already prepared all the food for our cooler and packed the beach bag  - including lots of Ritz crackers and stale bread for the ducks and fishies.  Shabbat supper is simmering on the stove, and I'm about to wind down for the evening.  Shabbat shalom!
                                                                                        Twyla

Fall Cleaning

     Oh, my goodness!  SOMEBODY got it in her head to start Fall cleaning... Guess who?  Much like Spring cleaning, it is tiring, yet fun.  I love to rearrange furniture, and, I'm married to the most cooperative guy on the planet.  He not only helps with the moving and cleaning, but also really likes the results!  How nice! I got this brainstorm to swap entire rooms.  So, all the STUFF from two rooms had to be moved.  Wow.  What a job.  But, it's almost completely done, and it has only taken two days. I am amazed.  Of course, my feet hurt terribly, but, that will pass.  I'm so excited;  taking a break at the computer right now, but, can't wait to go back out there and hang curtains!  Photos of the room-swapping result to follow another day...

An Autumn view in the mountains.

      Interesting that the spirit hit me to do Fall cleaning just a few days before Yom Kippur -  the day of atonement.    In Judaism, there is a period of 10 days (the ten days of awe), wherein one is supposed to examine oneself, and "clean up" any messes from the past year... This brings one to better self-realization and to a higher level of communion with God.
  
      So, we are Fall cleaning within and without this week. 


     Shalom Y'all,    
     Twyla

My Daughter's Birthday

     Wow.  33 years ago today, after less than 3 hours of labor, my sweet little baby girl was born.  She was born smiling and bright-eyed, and remains the same to this day.  Happy birthday, Melody!
     When Melody was 3 years old, I made her a doll, Nancy.  I also made them matching outfilts - royal blue & white flower-print dresses with royal blue & white dotted pinafores.  A couple years later, I made new outfits for them both - emerald green dresses with pinafores made of "My Melody" fabric, a  pink, white, and emerald green print, bought at the "Hello Kitty" store. (When we discovered the "My Melody" character at the Hello Kitty store, we HAD to have the lunchbox, the stickers, the tote bag, etc., etc., etc.)
     Melody still has Nancy.  Nancy has been through many events of life. Births and deaths. College days. Marriage.  City living and country living. Poor Nancy was getting worse-for-wear, so, Melody decided to wash her.  In the washing machine.  Poor Nancy!  Her embroidered face was almost gone. Several of her joints had come apart, and her stuffing was missing.  Her hair was terribly tangled.  One foot was completely missing!  Oh, my!  Melody asked me to fix her...

     So, I've been working on Nancy for a month or so now... She is back to her happy little self, has new feet (made out of an actual pair of Melody's baby socks!), and a new outfit.  I'm going to re-give Nancy to Melody today for her birthday.  Can't wait to see the reaction.


                                          Nancy after her "makeover".  Doesn't she look happy?
                                                      Shalom Y'all, Twyla

and Heeeere's Moxie!

Yup. We have a new member to the Ben-David household.  We adopted Moxie from some very good friends.  Moxie was a country dog, trying to live in the city.  She is adapting miraculously well to her new home here in the mountains.  She is already (in less than 24 hours) aware of where "her" acreage ends, knows several of the household rules, and will sit, stay and heel on command.  She seems very happy to be able to run free with no leash.  She respects the chickens and does not bark at them. Good dog... Good dog... We are  amazed at how quickly she is learning.
     Moxie and CassPurr haven't quite come to terms yet; but, we're certain that they'll work it out.  Moxie grew up with cats,  and CassPurr has had dog friends, so it's just a matter of time.
     We are blessed.
                                    Shalom, y'all,
                                                                                    Twyla

Thoughts on Old Barns

     As I've said before, I collect pictures of old barns.  Somehow, the more dilapidated they are, the more interesting I find them. I think they show character in their worn appearance.  The weary-looking barns have more to say than a brand-spankin' new, store-bought, pre-fab building; the wear speaks of purpose, usefulness, perhaps of being abandoned or replaced... There is a certain beauty in the discoloration of the wood, the rusting of the tin roof, the holes where little wild animals have created homes for themselves in these "empty" buildings.  Some are overtaken with vines or weeds or moss.  They could speak volumes about the cycle of life, if only one would listen...
     Like people,  appearance is only a small part of the testimony.  A person - or a barn - can look pretty darn worn out, yet testify of a noble and productive life.  We should all be so fortunate as to converse - really converse - with the elderly.  They have so much to offer. Back home, I knew a lady who was 102 years old, and sharp as a tack. She had difficulty hearing and seeing.  She  used a cane to walk, and had her share  of aches and pains.  But, ohhh, her spirit! Her sense of humor. Her recollections of things past! Wow!

          This barn seems beyond repair, yet, what all purposes did it have over the years?
                                                                     Shalom Y'all,  Twyla

An Earth-shaking Trip to the Beach

     Yesterday we went to the beach.  It was a beautiful, cloudless day. A bit cooler than the last time we went, we didn't bother to float on our rafts, but greatly enjoyed sitting in our beach chairs with our feet in the water, feeding the fish and the ducks. The fish and ducks know our voices now, and quickly come to greet us... they're not dumb... they know we feed them every time!

   The ducks were up at the edge of the parking lot when we arrived, and Moshe got some photos of them following me down to the beach.  They are shameless little beggars!  They not only recognize our voices, they know the sound of me opening a sleeve of Ritz crackers - their favorite!
     We've noticed that Mama Duck stays further away from her five babies... I guess she is getting ready to release them;  they are bigger than she is!
Summer is so close to being over.  I will miss all our little friends from nature.  I hope they will remember us next year...

     So, anyhow, we were sitting in the water in our beach chairs, when we noticed a bizarre occurence.  Moshe and I both saw it at the same time... the waves on the beach started going backwards.  This continued for about a minute, maybe two... Neither of us had ever seen such a thing before.  Moshe spoke
what I was thinking - earthquake. 
     Well, so far as I know, nobody here in our little mountain town felt the earth move or heard their china rattling... Nevertheless, I looked on an Internet site which traces earthquake activity, and there was an earthquake  on the New Madrid Fault within minutes prior to our experience.  Wow!

 
      What we experienced is called a seiche - an oscillation of a body of water caused by the movement of the ground or underground from an earthquake.
     The photo to the right is of the part of the beach where we saw the backwards waves. Absolutely
fascinating to see such an unusual sight, but, I think it's enough earthquake activity for me!!!

             Shalom Y'all,   Twyla

Rosh Hashanah - Happy New Year!

      This morning, along with our eggs and  toast, I fixed a plate of apple wedges and a bowl of honey for dipping;  these are the traditional food for Rosh Hashana - one tastes the sweetness and ask G-d to bring that sweetness into the next year. Rosh Hashana is the REAL new year's day,  Per the LORD's calendar, the Hebrew calendar, this is the first day of a new year.  Like most things  today, the worldly idea of New Year's day is rowdy music, lots of alcohol, frantic dancing, etc. - We live in what I call "opposite world". Almost everything has gotten warped and twisted, so that what people consider "normal" is, in fact, anti-G-d. Things are the opposite of what they were created to be...
     Rosh Hashana is a high Holy day.  An "extra Sabbath" this week. A day to thank Abba Father for  His many blessings, and, to ask  His blessing on the new year to come.  Last night we lit the Sabbath candles, and "took communion" - Kiddush - to host in the new year.  We prayed together and separately that the LORD will protect us this year and make us a blessing to others.
     Above is another of my paintings. A Torah scroll, opened to the ten commandments.  I painstakingly copied the commandments letter-by-letter, in Hebrew, just as the anciect scribes were required to do with the entire Torah.  Rosh Hashana is the day of Teshuva - repentance and the turning back to Torah... Not quite the same as the revelry of "opposite world".
     We are going to the beach today.  We're taking a picnic lunch and lots of food for the fish and ducks.
And our devotions books  (communing with each other and God on a beach all to ourselves is awesome!)
When we come home this afternoon we will watch a movie and graze on various snacks in the fridge and cupboards.  Relaxation. Meditation. Adoration.
     Shanah Tovah!  (Happy New Year!)
                                                                                           Shalom y'all,     Twyla

Rapunzel Nightshade

   This is one of our last bell peppers for the season. Wow, have we been blessed with a prolific garden.  Every item we planted has provided us with far more than we dreamt.  God is like that - giving us more than we can imagine, if only we allow Him to...  (Take the seed, plant it in good soil, water it with The Word, keep it away from rocky areas, weeds, and varmints....)
     Moshe and I will miss the fresh vegetables. But, once cool weather sets in,  we'll crave soups and stews and hot casseroles.  Then  we will be reminded of our wonderful harvest and rewarded for the many hours of canning, freezing, and drying fruits and vegetables.  We are looking forward to homemade spaghetti sauce, using our own marinara sauce, canned tomatoes, frozen zuchinni, dried onions and garlic - even our own dried hot pepper, basil, and oregano.
     We are blessed, blessed, blessed!
     As you can see from this picture  this little bell pepper didn't form exactly right. Somehow it "folded itself upon itself". It also was much smaller than all the other peppers.  If I were a little runt of a deformed pepper,  someone might not want me, might discard me as useless, imperfect,  not good enough.  I might feel really bad about myself...  But, wait...
   
                                                                          Flip me over...
                                                                     

   

Add a couple of cloves for eyes...

And some shredded carrot for hair... and, I become Rapunzel Nightshade - the happiest bell pepper in town. 

I know... sometimes I'm just goofy... Bet it made you smile, though!

Shalom y'all,     Twyla

Chicken Talk

     Chickens talk to me and I understand most of what they're saying. (Scary, isn't it?) When our chickens were only a few days old, I could tell whether or not they were happy.  Just as a mother knows her babies' different cries,  I could tell when they were simply greeting Moshe and me, when they were hungry, when they were distressed. They were and are still very social, and always talk to us when they see or hear us.
     Yesterday we were sitting in our office at the computers when I heard a chicken cackle.  I said to Moshe, "Somebody is announcing that she just layed an egg."  He was amazed and amused at my interpretation of chicken language. I can't decide if the "I-just-produced-an-egg cackle" is a proud statement
of accomplishment or a statement of relief - "Sheesh, I'm glad THAT'S over!"  But, regardless, it is a recognizable statement.
     One day we were out doing various yard chores.  We had checked the coops for eggs, then went on to harvest some veggies.  A couple minutes into our gardening there was a big commotion.  The chickens in coop #2 were making strange noises I had never heard before.  I instinctively knew it was some sort of alarm. I told Moshe something was wrong.  (Moshe has a slight hearing deficit, whereas my hearing is more keen than 'most anyone I've ever met.) We turned around and discovered that we had left the door open on coop #1.  Most of the chickens were outside, ambling around, enjoying the dandelions.  The chickens in coop #2 had told on them!  They either sensed danger or were jealous over the other chickens' treat.  Regardless, they knew something wasn't quite right and they let us know...
     Brewster, the rooster is very bossy with "his girls".  He struts around, saying, "Buh-buh-buh-buh-buh".  He says this more when he sees us approaching the coop or when he hears us talking.  When we offer dandelion greens or violet leaves (two of their favorite treats), his talk increases.  But, he doesn't eat much of it.  He's telling his girls, "Here's a treat. This will make our eggs better, their shells stronger. Eat up. Ladies first."  These are just a couple of examples of chicken talk.  There are at least 5 more distinct sounds which I interpret to mean different things... 
     I decided to Google "Chicken Language" and see if any of these had been noted my other chicken owners.  The first site I found was hilarious!  This is the site, should you decide to Google it:  uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Chicken_(language
     Here is an excerpt from their site. (I read the entire site aloud to Moshe and we screamed with laughter... hope you will enjoy it, too.)
  

 History of Chicken Language


The langauge of Chicken was first recorded in 5678BC, since then it has come in 5 stages of advancement. From 5678BC to approx' 2000BC it was the 'Chicken basic' age of Chicken language. From about 2000BC to 980BC it was called the 'Peckish age'. This was a major point in Chicken history where all chickens revolted against their evil leaders of the Quackian Empire of the Ducks. From then on from 980BC to about 20AD it was the period of the 'Cluckish age' where Chicken language took one step more advance. this was a famous time where verbs, adverbs and pronouns were developed. During the time of the age of 'The Fried Chicken Empire' (20AD to 1923AD) the language took another step forward in developing. The language of 'Pok BraWk!' was developed taking it forward, still today in modern society 'Pok BraWk!' is still used in some books. From 1923 after the war between the 'Kentuckistan Chicken Empire' and the 'Power Beak Republic' war was waged, Chicken language was taken into modern account. The new and official language of 'Cluckin' Common' was formed. This being the new language which is used by all Chickens world wide. Until the 'Pecking Beak of Cluck Union' was crumbled due to the rise of the almost invincible demonic powers of the 'Kuntucky fried chicken', 'BaWk Donalds' and other minor evil fast food outlets came out, 'Cluckin' Common' language still holds as the official language.


Pope Chick o' Fillet III[edit] Chicken Academy

The official building of where the language of 'Pok BraWk!' was the Académie de poulet d'institut d'histoire, de sciences économiques et de langue. (Chicken Academy of History, Economics and Language Institute.) Which was established in 29AD and still stands today, it has been made over 8 times due to erosion. This academy was presented by Pope 'Chick o' fillet III'. This would be the place where the official records and history of the Chicken people of age would be kept for eternity.

Happy Clucking!

Shalom Y'all,      Twyla

Elvis and Me

           Elvis is a good friend of mine.  After all those reports of losing him, I thought I'd clarify things once and for all - Elvis is still around, and he resides at my house!
           He's a little squarer than you probably remember him; but, hey, the years tend to do that to all of us...
           He still has that shiny black outfit... You know, the one he shimmied in to the delight of millions of naive highschool girls.  The one that Ed Sullivan did not want on his variety show.
           But, same as all of us, he's getting older.  He has a lot of gas,  makes several other odd noises, and can be cranky  and kind of cold in the morning.
           I would miss him terribly if he left for any reason.
           Y'know, Elvis was originally a country boy, so it makes sense that he ended up here... the simple life... country living. I think he's happier than he's ever been!

Elvis and me... did you guess?     :)
  Shalom Y'all!     Twyla

        

We're All Little Children

          Yep. Regardless of how fearless we try to appear, how grown-up we try to act, how sophisticated we try to present ourselves as being,  we all are little children.
          What do children need to be happy and well-adjusted?
               #1: Love.  Everybody needs love.  And, we don't just need love; we need to know that we are loved.  We all need to love and be loved.  We all desire to be told we are loved and shown we are loved.  And, we want to be able to express love, without fear of rejection.  What happens when these things are missing in life?  Depression, fear, lack of trust, disrespect for authority, inadequate relationships...  to name a few.
                #2: Attention.  Someone who will really listen.  Someone who spends time, invests time.  Someone who will just hold you when you're tired or sad.  Everybody needs somebody.  Without attention from other human beings, life is empty and lonely.  Babies in orphanages have been known to die due to lack of human touch. Sick elderly people give up if they are lonely as well as physically ailing.
               #3: Discipline.  Yes, discipline.  We all need rules to live by.  Most of us do better if we have somewhat of a schedule - eat meals at about the same time every day, get up around the same time each morning, etc.  Children desperately need structure in their  lives and to be told what is right and wrong. The older I get, the more I realize that I desperately need these things as well.  I find that the more disciplined my life is, the closer I feel to God.  God is a God of order, not confusion. What does your inner child need?  Try to find out; then, fulfill it. You're only young once - now!

Me, many moons ago, with my parents.

                                                               Shalom Y'all,   Twyla

Dare To Be Different

               This is one of my most-favorite-ever watercolors.  I painted it over three years ago, and it remains a favorite.  I painted this when I saw a bunch of tulips in the flower bed right by my doorway.  All of them were the same, except one.   I felt akin to the different tulip;  I have never quite "fit in", sometimes to my chagrin and sometimes to my relief...
                ...to my chagrin, back in my highschool days when everybody wants to fit in; I was the artistic type, the one who dressed differently, the all-A student who did NOT participate in student council, because it was too clique-ish...
               ...and, to my relief, throughout my Christian walk I don't WANT to fit in!  The LORD tells His people to be set apart.  And, I am set apart.  I am the orange tulip. All praise be to God.
               Dare to be different!
                                                                                       Shalom Y'all!     Twyla
              

You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover

               Everybody knows the feeling; it's almost pay day and it's time to think about paying the bills. Ugh. It's been a rough week - physical challenges, emotional upsets... the human condition.  Then, comes the credit card statement in the mail.  Now, we don't  believe in debt, but, sometimes one has to use a credit card for certain purchases.  During the past couple months we have used the credit card  more than usual. So, I dreaded opening the statement. Moshe and I talked yesterday about having to tighten  the budget belt even more (yikes!) so that we could pay off the balance.  Ugh, again!
               So this morning, with a deep breath and much gnashing of teeth, I opened the statement.... We have a credit for six dollars and some-odd cents!  Not a debit.  A credit.  Wow!  I had forgotten that I sent extra money last month in anticipation of the extra expenses this month.  What a cool thing to forget!  What a nice gift from God!
               Now, instead of being an object of dread, the credit card statement represents gladness.  It's the same piece of paper; it is our outlook that has changed.  And, so it is with people, places, things.  We mustn't jump to conclusions when all we see is the outer appearance.

         This is us. Moshe and  Twyla, taken  several months ago.  Just looking at this photo, what would you know about us?  Probably not  that we are devout believers in Jesus as our personal Saviors... Probably  not  that we are into chickens.  Probably  not that we are complete squares.(My Dad said to me one time, "You're so square, you're a cube".  My reply, "Thank you!"  You might think, looking at the large percentage of white hair on our heads, that we've been married for a long time.  Actually, our nine-month anniversary will be in a week or so.  That's for our first wedding;  the second one was a few months later... But, that's another story.
     So, don't judge a book by its cover - even if it's
                                                                                      from the credit card company!
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                      Shalom, Y'all,
                                                                                                                                      Twyla

Green Tomato Pie

     A couple days ago I blogged on tomato pie, and included pics of nice ripe, red, just-picked tomatoes from our garden. Well, this morning I made a green tomato pie; it's still baking so I've no idea how it will turn out. Yesterday morning we picked all the tomatoes, both red and green, from all but two of our tomato plants.  The season is nearly over.  The vines are now shredded and have become part of the compost pile.  Such is the pattern of farmlife.  Nothing goes to waste and nothing is unimportant. 
     No wonder Jesus made so many analogies to agriculture in His teachings.  In the big picture, all of life has the same patterns as agriculture.  Life and death. The importance of details. Reaping and sowing.  Preparing good soil to get a good harvest.  Watering with the Word...
     But, I digress.  Autumn is clearly around the corner.  The Summer crops are giving their last hurrah, a few leaves are beginning to turn yellow, red, and orange.  CassPurr is actively shedding his fur, growing in a new, thicker coat for Winter.  And, I am baking a green tomato pie.  (Recipe below)

                                                   Amish Green Tomato Pie

                                                       9 inch Double Crust
                                                       3 Cups Green Tomatoes, sliced thin
                                                       1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
                                                       1/2 Cup Molasses
                                                       1/2 Cup Water
                                                       2 Tbsp Flour
                                                       1 tsp Cinnamon
                                                       1/4 tsp Nutmeg

                                            Prepare for 9-inch double crust pie.
                                            Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

         In a bowl, place 3 cups sliced green tomatoes; cover with boiling water; let set
10 minutes.  Drain; put in pie shell. Add brown sugar, molasses, water, flour, cinnamon,
and nutmeg.  Cover with  top crust.
       Bake at 350 degrees, 45 - 60 minutes.

               *** If you don't like molasses, you won't like this pie!  Opt for fried green tomatoes, or, wrap your green tomatoes in black & white newspaper;  they will ripen.  Check them once a week for ripening... Two years ago, we had tomatoes up to December!!!
                                                                                                                    Shalom, y'all.      Twyla