Baby Chicks

 What's cuter than a bunch of baby chicks...?

...A cute little boy holding a baby chick.

We slaughtered our first batch of chickens last week. (Yep, it was me that slit all those throats...)That was only 10. But it sure does feel good to have some home-grown free range chickens in the freezer. 

Last week I also went back to the Hatcheries and asked for twenty new baby chicks. She handed me the box back and asked me if it was ok if there were more like thirty. I said yes. Since these are free rejects, it is easy to loose some at first, but so far we have only lost three. I am not a person to kill off baby chicks just because there are too many, so we will try to raise all of them. I can't say I am looking forward to slaughtering day or days, but hey, it will be worth it once I have thirty home-grown free-range chickens in my freezer...or maybe I'll sell the extra and make a few dimes...

 

When I went to buy feed at the mill recently, I saw this calender that was for the taking and I couldn't resist, seeing as we are in the chicken raising business now. Cute cute.

My next fun Project

 A beautiful hutch I plan to restore. Maybe its not real perty yet, but I can already see how it will look, and to me that is beautiful. Remember I told you I had gotten something special when we went to MET? Let me tell you how I came across it. 

When I walked about the grounds at the resort, peeking into the old sheds on the property, I saw this piece of furniture standing in one corner, somewhat exposed to the the rain at times, and not having a proper place to sit on. I felt kinda sorry for it... I went back to Daniel and told him, I am going to ask to buy it. I think I just about embarrassed him, and he said they probably won't sell it. I asked anyway, and they said it was mine for 50 Bze. After only a little bit of thinking,... "Yes, I'm taking it"!

OK, I agree it looks a little sad yet. It came with one drawer and the doors missing, the bottom shelf gone, the boards in bottom starting to rot, one door knob gone AND the back torn away... Perhaps you're thinking, what could I possibly have seen in this piece of junk that compelled me to pay 50 for it! I'll tell you what: A sturdy frame like you don't often see built anymore that can last another couple hundred years if taken care of. I saw a lovely white hutch with my vintage enamelware displayed behind the glass doors, which are all intact. When I said recently that all I needed to display the dishes was a cabinet painted white, I had NO idea I would come across the perfect thing so soon.

I saw in this hutch what I saw in these old pieces which I have already restored...

before...

 ...after

I will be sure to let you all know how this next project works out, but first I have other priorities I need to tend to. So, in a while!

Photo Update

Now and then I have accumulated a bunch of photos that are too good not to share, so here goes...

 The cake I made for my girl and her friend's birthdays.

 

  

In Belize we harvest soy beans in March.

Picnicking at our property, where we have an orchard and are starting to plan building a house someday. Someday.

 

Carefree days of childhood. I am enjoying them too!

 Rainbows, the best I ever saw.

 

 These cherries are ripe in Belize now. Very good.

Learning.

 Timothy and his blue tractor. With him even green is blue, cause Daddy drives a blue tractor.

My sweet niece who is always ready to pose with a smile.

Our sweet Jovia

   Today we received another letter from a very dear young girl who lives in Uganda. It brought tears to my eyes, and I want share part of it with you. But first, let me introduce to you Jovia Nalumansi, Jessica's twin and pen pal from across the world, and how it all happened.

After I had my last baby I went through a period where I felt the need to do something for someone else.  I felt we had everything we needed, we lived such a full life, while there were so many people who don't. It just seemed to happen more and more that whenever I went online during that time, up would come world vision ads. I couldn't get it out of my mind anymore, so I started looking into it. I searched for someone Jessica's age, and it was not hard. There were several girls who were her twins, but Jovia stood out. Her eyes were pleading at me to care for her. Even their names were sort of similar. I prayed about it, talked to Daniel and Jessica, and we all felt like we should do this. I have not regretted it since, not one bit. I just wish and hope that one day we can sponsor more children like her, as big a blessing as it is.

With Jessica being homeschooled, I saw this as a great opportunity for her to learn about other cultures. For now, this is the only 'social studies course' she takes. And because she is (so far) an only girl, I thought this would be a special way for her to 'adopt' a sister.


Here is a part of the letter:


Dear lovely Sponsor.


This is Jovia saying hullo! How are you doing? I was glad to receive your letters. Joy filled my heart and tears rolled down my eyes as my helper read word by word of your letters. 


Thank you for the gifts you enclosed there in of your family photo and lovely letter from Jessica. Send my greetings to Jessica. I loved the way she writes. I am trying to copy the way she writes. 


Then she goes on writing about the weather and her school. Actually it is not her writing, but a world vision staff who writes for her. She included her name in her own handwriting at the end of this letter, and it made me extremely happy to see she is making progress in school. Her grade marks have been pretty good so far.

It is very rewarding to know that because you sponsor a child like this, she can go to school. Plus, her family has enough to eat. One family's life is changed for the better, all because of your $1 a day that you are willing to sacrifice. Believe me, it is worth it. I would encourage more people to do this; you will not regret it.


Michael Landon Jr. has made a film in Uganda about two orphans that I cannot wait to see; here is the trailer for it. It takes place in Uganda; I believe not far from where Jovia lives.

I will leave you with two verses that come to mind right now:

Matthew 17: 5  "And whoever receives one such little child because of My name, receives ME."

Luke 16: 9 "And I say to you, Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles".

It's hot in Belize

Right around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That is when my sweet iced black tea tastes real good...

I am on the lookout for these quart jars with handles, so if you come across any, let me know! This one I purchased in Tennessee, where people drink lots of sweet tea, and a jar like this comes in handy. Like it does in Belize. (Photo is taken in the Smoky Mountains)