Farm Memories

Daddy had some awfully good help back in the day!

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July 10 :: Colorful

This is my beautiful patchwork quilt made especially for me by my sister, Lisa. 

With so many of our other family members, as a gift of her time and talent, she's expertly 

guided each one in making a quilt of their very own. From helping them to select well-

coordinated fabrics, carefully cutting out all of the pieces, and then patiently sewing them 

together, she's been there every step of the way, always the enthusiastic and encouraging 

teacher. 

With us living so far away and our visits back always going so fast, she delighted me with 

this wonderful surprise several years ago. 

Knowing how much I miss our family and our shared history with the Texas prairie, she 

intentionally chose farm-themed fabrics and stitched them together with love.  I'm so very 

proud of her sweet gift and enjoy seeing it hanging from its place of honor every single day 

from right here in my chair. 

❤️

And would you believe, she asks with a warm twinkle, that I'm still finding the smiles she 

so thoughtfully pieced, pressed, and tucked inside?

Yes. 

I thought you might. 

😉

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Everyday Beauty :: Water

Being raised a farmer's daughter on the hot, dry and dusty plains of Texas, I came to know 

very early on that water was our lifeblood. Our family prayed for rain every single day and 

twice on Sunday as it was a regular petition at Mass.

We received so little that, rather than quarters or eighths, we counted rain in sixteenths and, 

during really dry times, we even counted it in hundredths. Every single, precious drop was 

celebrated and how much "moisture" we'd received was included as a regular highlight in 

letters to loved ones who lived states away. 

In a conversation with Daddy this past Sunday evening, he told me "they "claim" Amarillo's 

annual rainfall is 19-20". He then told me about a time when all that fell for an entire year 

was 6 inches!  I asked was he farming then and he said, "Yes. Nothin' grew that year." 

Don't let anyone tell ya that farmers', especially those in the Texas panhandle, aren't 

tenacious!

Here in Georgia we get about 50" a year and, even after moving away almost 29 years ago, 

raindrops on my windshield still feel very much like holy water sent straight from Heaven.

#everydaybeauty 

#handtohearteverydaybeauty

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Everyday Beauty :: Evidence of Where I Came

. Growing up with peacocks on our farm was always such fun. I love that Daddy still keeps 

  them on his homestead and I'm so grateful he thought to send me home with a handful of 

  feathers one year.

. My First Communion book says the special day was April 13, 1969 and my faith remains 

  an integral part of who I am.

. The gold "D" on the same chain as my cross was Moma's last (tangible) gift to me. Before 

  she died she had the diamonds from the wedding ring Daddy gave her mounted on each one 

  of our initials and gave them to us on Christmas Eve 1996.

. Angels have long had a very special meaning for me and I chose this one because we prayed 

  before every meal as a family and still do.

. I love the blessed peace of candlelight which always speaks to me of hope (whether I realize 

  it in the moment or not).

. My black lantern has Stars on it, reminding me of the vast Texas Prairie sky that I grew up 

  under.

. The piece of cement "stone" anchoring my tableau is from the old farmhouse where I did 

  most of my growing up and still have such fond memories of.

❤️

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August Break 2015 :: Sweet Delights

Delightful, sweet little companions 

and very good company 

along my way. 

Each one a gentle reminder 

of loved ones 

and, when I need it, 

reassurance that all is well. 

My sweet little butterfly 

is from my Moma 

and the back says 

that she gave it to me in Jan. 1994 - 

almost 25 years ago! 

❤️

Smiling because 

I know she'd enjoy knowing 

that I am thinking about her today 

and sending love. 

❤️❤️❤️

Another sweet delight 

for this farmer's daughter's heart

is the blessing of rain.

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Darlin' Debbie Jo

In our family albums there are pictures with this photo of 2-year old me smiling from the background on a bookshelf in our home. My beloved grandmother's albums held pictures of another copy of this same photo of me smiling from the background of their home, both the farmhouse next to our trailer house when I was a wee one and then the small house in town when they moved because Grandpa (semi <wink>)-retired from farming.

Smiling softly because I remember seeing the one on my Grandma's table and can still recall the warm sense of how I felt I *belonged* to her because she kept my picture out. And we had a good bit in common, she and I... our eye for detail, plus she is the one who taught me to bake and crochet, and instilled my love of letter-writing.  :)

Both she and my dear Grandpa died 4 months apart (another story for another day) 39 years ago and I'm so grateful that their copy of this photo now lives here with me.

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InstaAdvent 20 :: Holiday Prep

Grinning because I couldn't decide

which photo I liked better.

The Christmas tree fabric 

is my apron that I've worn 

for years (and years!).

I made it using one of Moma's

for a pattern 

and it's like the ones 

she and Grandma used to wear.

When I bake,

especially at holiday time,

I like to have a lighted candle with me,

just like a dear family friend 

and her mom did.

The flame reminds me of fond times 

spent in the kitchen 

preparing nourishment for our family

with the women I love so much.

Many of them

have passed on 

and the candle reminds me

that they are still close by

and their love

never 

burns away.

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Blessing Basking ~ Day 6

Today I am grateful for the gift of a lovely morning rain. 

As a farmer's daughter, raised on the Texas prairie, 

we prayed for rain for our thirsty crops every. single. day. 

(With the exception of harvest time, of course.)

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