35 Years

 April 30th - 1988 - 2023 

35th Wedding Anniversary

We have been so blessed these 35 years!  Like the rest of you, we have had our trials and triumphs; losses and gains.  In all that, 35 years of living (I can hardly believe it), we are still working together every day.  Working, I was hesitant to use that word, but growing, changing and loving for 35 years requires work.  Working on trust, unity, dedication, selflessness, forgiveness, compromise, compassion, passion, loyalty, friendship, Godly ways, patience, grace; these things .... keys to a .... any successful relationship.  

I asked Al this morning what he felt was a key to our marriage.  He said forgiveness.  I would have to agree.  If you can't forgive each other, you will fail.  We also agreed that compromise would be one too.  One person can't get everything they want (even though I do try...ahahah) have you seen my farm.  He really tries to fulfill my dreams.  He has built me so many buildings.  

I was thinking about our big barn remodel.  You can see pictures here:  Barn Remodel  We had neighbors say "Why don't you just tear that old thing down and build a new one?  I'm sure it would be chaper!"  They weren't wrong.  However, they were missing the point.  We had a desire to save it.  I guess I think on this example because, the barn had cracks in the foundation, some even had to be replaced.  However, the old structure was standing.  Taking out the bad, repairing the cracks, rebuilding made our old barn stronger.  Relationships, marriages are like that too.  In 35 years, you'll have a few cracks...but don't give up or tear it down because something new would be easier.  You work....you know all those words in the beginning of this post....and mend.  

And in doing so, you'll still be standing in every season of life.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday, April 28

 Good Morning, it's Farmhouse Friday.  I've missed a few Friday's, but not much going on anyway.

We had a very nice Easter with family.

We celebrated our grandson's 1st Birthday.

We did a Living Estate sale in Clintonville, WI. 

We have NOT been working on painting or remodeling.

My chickens have been busy.

Our daughter hosted 2 clinics at her business,  Wholehearted Herd Counseling, LLC  For one of them, our other daughter prepared the food and I was able to babysit both of my grands.  It was so fun.  I may get in trouble for sharing...but, look at these faces.  They both were so happy to eat a cookie....ahahah!  I can't handle how cute this is!  

We started our next estate sale yesterday.  This one has so many NEW items.  We are doing 1 sale with just the 20 some tubs of plus size women's clothing.  So much stuff!  

I will share something on Sunday...I need to find pictures first.

Have a great weekend.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday - April 7, 2023

 Happy Farmhouse Friday - Good Friday

I've challenged myself this year to dig deeper in God's word.  I've been so blessed in doing so.  I'm revisiting so many old stories and studying little details, I never noticed before.   Just as your view and opinion of things change as you get older, mature in life's experiences so does one's understanding of scripture.   The Bible isn't a "one and done" read.  It is more than that!  This week one of my readings was the book of Ruth.  It was a reminder to me, this Good Friday, that Jesus is our "kinsman redeemer."  Jesus is the truth, the way and the life.  He stands at the door knocking.  I would be remiss not to mention that.  He did it all for the remiss..ion of our sins.  

We will celebrate Easter and Ezra's 1st birthday at my mother-in-law's house.  Should be a FULL house.  I'm bringing roasted chickens (3), stuffing and a green salad.  Grandma is making ham, bubble bread, mashed potatoes and corn.  Others are bringing, green bean bake, cake pops and pie.  

How is the remodeling going?  Well... Al did stain all the shelves this week.  We need to buy trim, closet doors and stain all of those.  I need to paint the custom cabinetry my nephew made and all the walls.  I will share at some point.  It's all just so  expensive to do at once.  

We can see some grass now.  The deer are so hungry.

Is there snow by you?  Are you cooking for Easter?  If so, what are you making?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.