We recently visited the Pioneer Trails Museum.  Notice the box of yarn.  All I can think is that is not near enough yarn for a 5 month trip, riding in a covered wagon! 

Birthday Girl!

 

Today was my sweet little baby's 3rd birthday.  At times it seems like just yesterday that she entered our world, all 3 pounds 12 ounces of her.  She was 2 months early, and she spent a month in the NICU.  That month felt like a lifetime.  I wanted to bring my little baby home so badly, to hold her and cuddle her and not be surrounded by nurses and doctors and machinery that made buzzing and beeping noises constantly. 

 

The day we brought her home, we were so scared.  She was tiny.  Oh so tiny.  The nurses just chuckled when I expressed my fear.  "You'll be fine", they assured me.

 

And we were.  We were just fine.  Perfect, actually. 

 

My oldest daughter often says to me, "What did we do without this baby in our lives?"  And I can't answer her, because I don't remember.  She's such an integral part of our family, that I can't remember our world without her. 

 

Happy Birthday, Jo.  We are so happy that you have been a part of our family and our hearts for the last 3 years.  You are so very loved! 

At the Park

Independence Farmers Market pics, and soap shop address

 

Here's a couple of soap pics from the weekend.  I'm so disappointed, I forgot to replace my camera card, so I had to use my phone.  BUT...  a nice new friend that I met Saturday took some pics, so hopefully I'll have more weekend pictures to share soon!

 

Also....  here's the new soap shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshPickedSoaps

 

I don't have much listed yet, but soon I will have a shop full of our delicious soaps! 

Beet greens = compost? Not anymore!

You know those beautiful leafy greens at the top of your bunch of fresh beets from the farmer's market?  Don't throw them in the compost bucket, cook them! 
This is so simple that it does not even warrant being written in recipe form.  Trim the red, woody stems from the tasty, tender green part.  put them in a pan with butter, olive oil, or any other fat you choose.  Season to taste.  I used Applewood smoked salt, which has become my favorite.  You can add some chopped garlic or onions if you would like.  Anything goes here.  Sautee for about 10 minutes, until the greens become wilty and tender.  And that's it!  Could it be any easier?

I went a step further and added a can of white beans for a super satisfying lunch.  Delicious!

 

a quick web search for "beet green recipes" will result in a treasure trove of other recipes.  Let me know if you try them!

Strawberry Festival

Last Saturday we attended the Strawberry Festival at the Vaile Mansion in Independence, MO.  It was a fantastic time!  I didn't get much time to walk around and take pictures, but I did get a few.

That's my handsome hubby, and our booth.

 

a close up shot of our booth

 

 

This vendor had so many beautiful plants

 

The doors to the Vaile Mansion, and ladies who give tours.  Don't you love their hats?

 

Not the best shot, but this is the kettle corn vendor, in period clothing.  Yummiest kettle corn ever!

 

In other news, I cut the rest of our beautiful peonies and placed them in the window.

 

 

And, our peach trees are full of little baby peaches. 

 

 

 

This weekend has been a bit sad for me.  My little brick and mortar shop is closing.  Even though it is for the best, and it is what I wanted, I am still heartbroken.  My shop was like my little baby.  I created it from nothing, and I was so proud of my "little business that could."  So, I'm mourning the loss of my little dream.

I'm very excited about all my new dreams and adventures.

But, that's not what this post is about.

I'm also very disappointed in myself.  I've become so jaded that, instead of being grateful for huge unexpected blessings, I spend my time trying to figure out where the ugly is, how it's going to come back to bite me later.

To make a long story short, a stranger did something nice for me.  Something super nice, involving what I consider to be a huge amount of money.  She said, "Consider this a blessing from God, and I know I will be blessed because of this, too."  Instead of jumping for joy and thanking my God for coming through for me once again, I questioned everything about this beautiful momet.  What's in it for the stranger?  Could she somehow be conning me, will this hurt me later on?  and so on and so forth.  I wanted to call her back and talk her out of her generous gift, return her blessing with a polite "no thank you".  All because I have been conditioned to believe that people are only out for themselves, especially when it comes to situations involving money. 

This has to change.

I am ashamed of myself.

I am going to spend the rest of my day in gratitude.  And then, the rest of my life.  I am going to retrain myself to know that people are good, people are generous.  Good things do happen, with no bad side effects.