Back At It, Thanks to Great Blogs

I am back to the blogging. Went through some life changes. Changes I have never had to go through and change is hard on me. I wish it wasn't. I am a little too sensitive I guess. My mother, who had been ill with COPD took a turn for the worse this winter. My father needed help. I spent a lot of time with him on the phone and also going down to their home to be with them. On May 11 my mother died. She had been in the last stages of dying for a number of months. Not eating, sleeping many hours of the day, and getting more and more confused. My father hoped she would make it through the summer because she loved to sit out and read. She just couldn't though. Probably many people make the assumption that because a person is so ill that they will be prepared and ready when that person dies. I was not surprised when my mom died, but I was not as prepared for all the emotions as I thought I would be. It has been a process for me. I think I am on the upswing now though.

Of course life goes on, even in the tough times. Normal day to day things have to be done. School, homeschool, work, making meals, you know, that normal everyday stuff.

We had exciting changes as well. My third and youngest son was accepted into the college he liked. He graduated from high school with honors and awards and is working towards his newest chapter in his life.

I am thankful for my husband, children, and close friends. We are healthy and happy. It has taken me longer than I would have wanted to get back into positive thoughts and some days it is still a battle. I struggle with why I have days that everything and everyone seems bad and negative but on other days everything is beautiful and full of life.

I am thankful for all the wonderful blogs that I read. I have a list of them on the right side bar. They encourage me, teach me new things, and entertain me.

I tried Facebook for a bit (almost two years) but have decided it isn't for me. Most of my close friends are not on FB and I felt pressured to friend people I didn't really care that much about. I hated the ads and the negative and sensationalized videos and pictures that some people posted. I didn't like the feeling of having to 'like' peoples status's even if I didn't really like them. I didn't like the constant inspirational quotes that people placed daily. Not that I don't need inspiration, just that it loses genuineness when you read the same ones everyday. I don't get inspired by quotes or phrases.  I get inspired by family, friends, my work, and nature. I first joined Facebook to communicate with my older children, but they all have phones that text and they are all here in Maine if not here at home now so there is no need for Facebook.

As I have said before, this blog is mainly for me. If other people find enjoyment, encouragement, or education from it then that is good too.

Latke's for All

My daughters and I made a lot of Latkes recently. I mean a lot!

My very best friend makes them much better than I. So I have been told by my family. That is fine. She has taught my girls well though. Both girls shredded and drained and squeezed potatoes by the hundreds. (It seemed) Then I was instructed to add flour and salt and pepper and nothing else. No, not eggs. That isn't the way my friend does it.

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Because my daughters were in charge of how the Latke's got made they were perfect and "almost" just like my friends' Latke's. They were very, very good.

Feathered Friend Friday

Joining Tammy at Our Neck of the Woods today for her Feathered Friend Friday. I love my girls! They have had it rough lately. It has been so very cold. Then we had one day of very warm temps and down pour rain and they had a lake in the run.

It has frozen right back up again here. Milder temps are in store soon. Too mild for my liking but I can't control the weather! Mostly the girls have been staying inside the coop. They just don't like the wind and ice.

They come out when I go out there to give water or a treat or two. Some of them have a little frost bite on the combs but for the most part they are doing fine. Still laying, although not as much of course. But we have just a bit more daylight coming every day and I am sure the egg production will improve soon.

I hope everyone's chickens and farm and homestead animals are surviving through this blast of winter weather we are having!