Solar Eclipse 2017

We are blessed to live in Tennessee , which was a prime viewing spot for the Great American Eclipse. Unfortunately we were outside the path of totality by a few miles. We had a wonderful show though. BabyGirl, Roosie , Toodles and I were able to have our own little viewing party. Tman and Hoopy had to work. We made viewers with boxes and they worked well. We also had a welding helmet that we shared to gaze at it. It was amazing to watch God's work in the sky today. As I said earlier, we were not in path of totality so we did not have complete darkness, but we did have some wonderfully weird lighting. Also the crickets cut loose at  full volume for 2 minutes then stopped. The drop in temperature was noticeable for us also. The show didn't last long but it was worth the wait. I'm just very thankful today for the goodness of God and His masterful works. Blessings ~ Nikki

Friday obviously the 13th

Today is just another day but for poor Toodles it was a rough one. He had to have surgery today to remove infection and metal fragments from his finger. Now its a long night in the hospital for IV antibiotics. At least he is feeling much better than yesterday. Nasty nail =1 Toodles =0 Prayers appreciated for a quick recovery. ~ Blessings !

New Year New Hello

Let me start off by saying how much I truly, always, enjoyed blogging. Many years ago I joined Homeschool Blogger and Homestead Blogger to find socialization among fellow homeschoolers, homesteaders and Christians. I loved the outlet that blogging gave me. I loved the many people I “met” in cyberspace who shared so many common dreams and goals as my own family. When those sites went down I was so lost. I started these blogs here on blogger but still lost touch with so many from the other sites. Still, I had a place to come and document our lives, share things I had made for our homeschool and things I had made to use in our ministries at church. Then as our life needs began to change and I headed back to school and into the work force, these blogs got lost in the shuffle. I had big dreams and goals of coming back and dusting off the blogs but again, no follow through.  Now don’t get me wrong, I had no dream to be one of the super mommy bloggers. Still don’t. I believe my super mommy power is in the home not the web. But I do miss the outlet blogging has been for me; especially as I battled through some issues with depression and anxiety. I should have come here to put words to page…it has always been a comfort to me to write. I may not do it well but I love it. Anyway, my lovely daughters have convinced me to get back to my happy place, to say something, even if I’m the only one who reads it. So here I go again. Read, share, enjoy if you can. And hey, maybe say hello to let me know you have been by. Encourage me when you see me lagging.  Blessing everyone! Nikki , TnMtnRose

Sleepy Days and Baby to Be

It's such a beautiful day! Spring decided to spring on us last week; and it has been marvelous I must say. Of course the doors and windows are open and the fans are running. All that lovely breeze, sunshine and white noise makes me want to nap. It looks like winter may visit again for a day or two next week but for now I'm enjoying the warmth. I'm planning out what I want to do with the yard and house this spring. I have it all in my head I just need to get it to paper so I don't forget it. Forgetfulness comes with the territory I hear. What territory you ask? Well, the Mamaw territory! See, I'm gonna be a Mamaw in October! I'm, we all, are super excited. Tman and his lovely wife are expecting :)  Time to get into baby mode :) it's been so many years since a little one was in our home. I am a blessed woman for sure. Blessings ~ Nikki

One of 2016's Goals

So one of my many goals this year is to walk\run 14 miles a week. This may not seem like much but it is for me. I have arthritis and a hip that doesn't often want to cooperate. It's just a small fitness goal that makes me feel better . My girls are my exercise buddies. We have a lovely route taking us through rolling hills of beautiful farmland. We have been having summer like temps since before Christmas but this week Winter has come to town. It makes for chilly but invigorating walks :) What are some of your goals for 2016? Blessings ~ Nikki

Our frosty morning view on our route.

Happy New Year

I hope the new year finds everyone well. It seems Winter has decided to finally show up after having 70 degree weather through Christmas. Winter also brought his buddy the flu with him. Poor Toodles has been sick for this past week but is finally on the mend. I'm trying to stay well myself plus keep the kiddos from getting sick. I have been making my favorite tea and trying to get everyone to drink it. Those who have are doing well at fighting the sickness off. Of course these wonderful herbs have some antiviral properties :)

Its a simple tea if you would like to try it. I use dried peppermint but prepackaged herbal peppermint tea is great too. I use tea bags from Adagio ( Tea Filters ) to hold my ingredients.  In a 1/2 gallon jar I use 1/2 tsp of dried peppermint, 1/4 tsp powdered ginger, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, 1-2 tbs honey, 2tsp lemon juice. I hang the filter off the side of the jar ( they are really long filters) and screw the ring on it. I then pour boiling water in the jar and steep for 3 - 5 minuets. It all depends on how strong you want it. Sometimes I add more honey in my cup for a sweeter flavor.
I have set several goals for this year and blogging at least weekly is one of them. So often I say I'm going to be an active blogger again but life gets so busy and its always the things we enjoy that seem to drop off the list of must do's. There have been some great changes though and hopefully this is a goal I can keep . I miss the bloggy world :/ We still don't have internet at our place. Mainly because only thing available is a mobile hotspot or satellite internet and I am overly cautious of that 2 year contract . So for now its reading and blogging by my phone or at the library; which is where I am today. By the way, I think they forgot to turn off the AC in here...it is FREEZING! Anyway, be well and blessings til we meet again!

First Day!

Today was my first day on the job as an RN. I have a long week because of orientation and training but soon I will have my 3 day work week. I will have longer work days but at least I will be home at night and for most of the week. Spring has sprung here which makes us long to do more things outside for school. Everything is finally blooming, including some surprise tulips in our new yard. We have been doing some garden planning and outside clean up. We dug a firepit the other day. We have to get some pavers to line it but at least the hard part is done. We have gotten to spend the past two weekends helping my parents build a shed. Hoopy and Tman learned some valuable work skills from their Dad and Papaw during the construction. There is still some work to be done but Hoopy statred back working weekends at his summer job and Tman got a new job at a local ranch. BabyGirl is continuing at her job without me ( I miss working with her) and Roosie just celebrated her 15th birthday Friday. So many changes are happening ! Seasons *sigh* But as always God is good :)