A Perfect Day

At various times today, I said to myself or right out loud, "What a day! What a perfect day!" This evening, as I was thinking I should blog about it, I remembered I'm working on the Children's Devotional for the September issue of Forsyth Family Magazine. Its working title? "What a Day!" I guess it just goes to show you need to experience what you preach.

I had no agenda today, no to-do list. Of course there were kitties to feed and breakfast to get on the table and then dishes to wash, but after that the day just rolled out, smoothly, a bit at a time. Actually, the first big smile of the day was right after breakfast when the mail came. Look at my new mouse pad from Shutterfly.

My family! A smile every time I sit at my computer :)

The cookie jar was empty, so I decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Instead of making the whole recipe, I went with a half batch. That means there aren't any extras to put in the freezer, but it was a good decision. And, if I do say so myself, Yum!

I have fresh peaches, thanks to Beth and Edith making a trip to the fruit stands the other day, so I decided to make a peach cake. It's not a fancy cake, but it's easy and delicious. I have the recipe written on a slip of paper, but I don't know where I originally got it. The recipe here is the same except for the following: Whisk the eggs in the bowl and add 1 tsp. vanilla. Then add the other ingredients (except the peaches and nuts) and stir by hand. (No beaters to wash). I used only 1/2 tsp salt. When it's all combined, then gently stir in the peaches and nuts. Bake as directed.

Music blasting from the living room kept me bopping all day long. Casting Crowns,The Beach Boys, Selah, Lady Antebellum, Kutless - good stuff!

Weldon came in about 4:00 and asked if I could come help him for a few minutes. Nothing was in the oven or cooking on the stove, so off I went. He was working on the baler and my job was to slip a bolt on either end of the big roller when he got it in position. Unfortunately, that never happened. That sucker is HEAVY!

The good news is that neighbor Clay stopped to help. I hurried out with some cake for him to take home. The bad news is that the bolt Weldon had didn't fit or wasn't just right in some way. The good news is that, after supper, he was able to get a bolt in town, so hopefully he can put it back together tomorrow. We're ending on the good news!

When I went out to feed the kitties, my heart almost stopped beating. There was Adorable (French pronunciation, please)! She has been gone for three or four days! She was coming across the yard, leaning into each cat she met, as though to say, "I'm home! I've missed you." She was a little thinner than usual, but otherwise looked good. She just kept leaning in for snuggles. So sweet!

Adorable (pictured) and Beatrice are the only two left from the first-ever batch of attic kitties :)

Today was an all-around beautiful day. Every time I went outside, I stretched my arms out in airplane mode and let the sun do its warming thing. I was glad I didn't have to be out there working, but I love the sensation of the sun soaking in a bit. Haiti memories :) Not only was the day lovely; my heart was calm, peaceful, and content. Beautiful.

What a day! What a perfect day!

The Inconclusive Muse

Since retiring from milking cows, I'm not so involved with the daily goings-on of the farm, and I've been feeling like the title of my blog isn't as appropriate as it used to be. However, I still live on a farm and I still muse. Here's a definition of "muse" that is very me: to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively. It's that last word that nails it. I can think and ponder and roll things around in my head for hours, and never come to any definite conclusion. So ... Farm Muse it is.

And where have my thoughts taken me lately? Well, I've realized how blessed I am to have such a wonderfully varied life. I can't believe all the "new stuff" I've been getting into. I attend the new youth service at our church on Wednesday nights, I recently went to a "pajama party," and I've taken up coloring. Weldon was a little concerned that I might be entering my second childhood, but I'm thinking a second childhood isn't such a bad thing.

We went to a birthday party this month. Ahhh. Family. Fun. Festivities.

I said goodbye to the piano I never played ...

and sang hello to a new autoharp. I didn't feel guilty about buying it, because I used money I had earned from my book sales. When the autoharp arrived, I realized I would need a pitch pipe to tune it. Drat! Then (don't ask me how my mind even went there), I found an online pitch pipe. Yes, I did. All by myself. And it works! And I tuned my autoharp. And I'm playing it. Yes, I am!

This month I pondered the life of this troubled man ...

and I wondered if my daughter had a subliminal message in mind when she sent me this beautiful shirt. In both cases, my thoughts were inconclusive.

Valentine's Day has come and gone. Hearts and chocolate and love. It's a nice holiday—especially nice for Hallmark. And Build-A-Bear! Who knew?

We're just 18 days into February, but I've had enough of winter. We haven't had much snow but, when we add all the rain and sleet into the slushy mix, it's too much. Come on, Spring (says the Minnesotan who has seen 40° below zero)! The kitties agree with me.

Now you're privy to some of my musings and have taken a glimpse into my world. It's pretty neat, isn't it? You should come visit sometime.