You come too...

A Simply Lovely Life

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;
I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may)
I sha'n't be gone long---You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf
That's standing by the mother. It's so young
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I sha'n't be gone long,---You come too.

Robert Frost
The Pasture

And it was summer, warm, beautiful summer...........once again.



Celeisa and Aimaija picking green beans for lunch, with Julia.



Toad in the garden.

Sally Pickle Brown, queen bean picker.

Princess and the beans.

There's no place like home.

The snug and cozy, 175 year old post and beam *hobbit house* on nearly 20 acres, that God lovingly blessed us with. We're enjoying it so much. The wonderful porch is twice as long as our old porch :o) We've been able to make all kinds of creative use of it. I love it.

Very dear Amish friends--our neighbors--came by for a morning of fishing on the big pond across the road. The catch was so good there was enough for lunch, for their family, and for ours.






Julia, headed out to the front garden.





Lots of big, old apple trees, heavy-ladened with apples.



100, free-ranging, organically grown, chickens (this photo was taken the day of their--warm, fuzzy--arrival), to be harvested in a week or so. Getting lots of loving provision and attention in the meantime--total understatement, entirely :o).

One of Sophia's adorable bonnets that she's taken to makin' (for herself and all the little gals), from cloth napkins fastened with diaper pins. Too sweet :o)

When the *tall gene* (and the *shortie gene*) make/s two, four, six, look like two, four, ten :o)

James and Sophia.



James and Aimaija.





Rosie and Celeisa.



Aimaija.



Fair-maiden-eating sea creature. Run for your life.



Nicholai.

Toad in the water. Celeisa.



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Sophia, happy little mama to the many beloved little kids. Toting them around. Bottle feeding them. One of 3 little mamas in *little mama heaven*.

Little Papa.



Julia, of the mother's heart, too.

Toad, tuckered out.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.

John Lubbock

That beautiful season, the Summer.
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Our dear friends, the precious West ladies, are coming later in the week, to stay for a week. What fun! We're all looking forward to it so much.

Perhaps you've had the pleasure of hearing *Green Beans in the Garden*, already. You'll need to pause the music (lower left side bar) before you listen, if and when you do.

CeCe (who's the lovely lass playing the guitar), wrote this beautiful little song when she was 15.

The smell of manure, of sun on foliage, of evaporating water, rose to my head: two steps farther, and I could look down into the vegetable garden enclosed within it's tall pale of reeds--rich chocolate earth studded emerald green, frothed with the white of cauliflowers, jeweled with the purple globes of eggplant and the scarlet wealth of tomatoes.

Doris Lessing

If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the morrow that we had done.

John Lubbock

Hello to each old pal (and new) that finds their way back here :o) It's been so long. I guess I never could have imagined that it would take me nearly a year to get back to the blog (to the computer, really)---but it has. I've missed everyone and have decided to just go ahead and move back into the neighborhood and make the blog public, once again.

Though I would so love to be able to send out invites to everyone that so sweetly asked if I please would, if I came back to blogging, I don't think that realistically I can. So, I think the news will have to, for now, be shared by "word-of-mouth", and anyone that would like to spread the word, can please feel free to do so. I'm not sure just how often I'll be able to post, but I'm here, and will hopefully pick up speed and get moving along at a fairly good clip, before too long. As you can imagine, I am more than a little bit out of practice :o)

We got settled into our new home on January 1st, in the dead of winter! What an adventure getting here with all the children and the animals. Dear friends went way out of their way to help us get moved and settled in. I'll always remember and be so grateful for their kindness.

The house, as I shared above, is a 175 year old post and beam farmhouse. Remember our old house with the high ceilings? This house is so cozy-cottage-hobbit-like, with it's (much) low(er) ceilings, downstairs. The upstairs ceilings have the exposed beams and are nice and high. But, I've come to love the warm embracing feeling that the downstairs has, too.

I'll give just a tiny peek into the most recent happenings (in the little one's/and Chubb's case--the tiny peek would mean, today, this very hour :o) in addition to the usually daily going-ons...

James, left his small engine repair business behind, which was no small thing, as it had grown so nicely and he would have been out in a shop this year, but God has kindly blessed him in his new endeavor, of organic farming. He's found the best of friends (our entire family has) in a wonderful Amishman and his lovely large family (15 children :o) that has extended loving kindnesses too numerous to number over these past months with all things new. He's been selling his produce, as well as the produce of some of our Amish neighbors. Actually, Rosie's been manning the booths at the markets, for him.

Joseph, is continuing on with his school work and also working for big brother Wesley. He really enjoys it and is learning an unbelievable amount *on the job*.

Rosie, is busy, busy, busy, continuing right on doing all the things she so loves; reading, writing, sewing, knitting, cooking, taking care of the animals, and tending to the large front garden (James has his produce growing in a large field in the back of the property).

Chubb, has been doing alot of woodworking, outfitting all the little ones with shields and swords and battle axes and leading them forth in battle. He still reigns supreme as superstar big brother :o)

Julia, continues to blossom into the loveliest young woman. She has really been enjoying caring for all the animals, and would just love to have a horse--perhaps one day. She continues to read, read, read every spare moment and is growing by leaps and bounds in her sewing skills. She's getting ready to launch into making dolls and doll clothes, for the littlest ones.

Let's see, Aimaija, is (even in the midst/and heat of the battles) nearly always found with baby doll in arms (or tied around her waist in an apron. Very, very adorable. They all do this--I'll have to show you :o)

Nicholai, is woodworking alongside Chubb, while they are both squeezing every drop of life out of this delightful summer.

Ditto, for Sally Brown, who is most definitely still a *pickle*, in the finest sense of the word. And, I might add, at this point, far more sweet than dill :o)

And, ditto for Celeisa, as well, running with the pack like a big girl, more the *toad* every single day. I love toads :o)

And....the latest big news.....

Just this past weekend, Wesley, Claire, Josie and Maggie Lou made the move from 6 hours away and are now living just a hop-skip-and-a- jump, from our new home. It's been (strangely) wonderful to be seeing them everyday! I give a little jump everytime Wesley just pops in the door from out of nowhere, thinking *who's that*, or *hey! what's he doing here??* :o).

They have a beautiful place. A lovely mobile home, set w-a-y back off the road on over 10 acres. To say they are thankful and excited would be an understatement (they're as happy as our 100 chickens ;o). Yesterday, was my dear darling boy's birthday (and mine and Big Papa's 24th anniversary). He turned 23 years old. We popped in for a visit and had some ice cream birthday cake and went for a (birthday :o) stroll around the property, way out back by one of two big beaver ponds. What a privilege to be able to just stop by, once again. Oh how we'd missed them. Six hours is such a l-o-n-g drive for little ones (I could hardly stand to think of them setting out on the journey each time they did come) Josie and Maggie have changed so much since I last shared photos--especially, Bug. I'll try and get some pictures up soon. Claire's mama, Linda, totally beautiful (inside and out) was amazing. She was with them for about a week helping in any and every way that she could; packing up before the move, making the move with them, and then getting them settled in once they arrived. What a loving servant's heart she has. What a hard worker she is. It was such a joy for all of us to get to spend time in sweet fellowship and shared meals with this treasured friend. We're praying Claire's mom and dad on over to the neighborhood, now ;o) I have some nice photos that I got of the three generations of beautiful girls.....Linda, Claire, Josie and Maggie, that I'll put up, too, soon as time allows.

Big Papa, really enjoys his new job, and absolutely *loves* our new home and property. He's so grateful for how God so faithfully provided for us all. I do, and am, too. A bit of stretching and lots of growing. What an adventure it has been (and will no doubt continue to be :o).

We have 100 meat chickens (for pracitical reasons, no names), a steer (Louie, who the children have had a great time feeding a bottle to), two milking goats (Maisie and Mattie, who the children have had an interesting time learning how to milk. I think they've got it down, now :o), 4 kids (Shwanlea, Bearlie, Belle, and Tuck) and our gentle mannered male goat, Pippin, (who thinks he's a dog) is still with us--enjoying his new home. Our goose, Cous-Cous, couldn't be happier, here, as we have a nice big pond for her to paddle around in, if she likes. The dogs are pleased. The kitties are pleased. Rosie's birds are pleased--enjoying that nice big porch and the lovely scenery out and beyond.

So far, so good, it seems.....for everything and everyone :o So, just a quick update. Looking forward to spending time catching up and journeying ahead, together.

With much love, Jewels

P.S.....and most especially, so many of you have written to me, before, during, and after the move and (I know you most likely will not be surprised to hear this) try as I did, I wasn't able to keep up with correspondence--period-- via email or snail mail. In order to rest up and get everything situated and running smoothly prior *to* the move, and on this side, *following* the move--with countless changes having occurred,  I had to focus almost exclusively on my family and home life, setting the computer aside almost entirely for a season. So please, do accept my sincere apology for not having written, and I hope not a single one of you will take it personally. It wasn't you, it was me, trying to keep all my priorities in proper order. Thanks for your kind understanding in this. It's nice to be able to send out one big hello, straightaway. Hopefully, it will make it's way out there to each one of you :o)

Comments

[Leah S]

Jewels, so nice to see you posting again! :)

[Jen]

Wow! I'm so grateful you are blogging again! Your testimony, touched me greatly!!!! God is using you to help me really appreciate His blessings, and they are all in the simple things of my life! Anyway, if it isn't intentional that your blog is public again, I would be eternally grateful to be able to continue reading it. Thank you so much for your consideration!!

[Lindsay]

Jewels,

I couldn't believe it when "Eyes of Wonder" showed up on my blog feed in my e-mail account. Then my heart fluttered as I tried to navigate here; what if this should be some computer fluke that would take me to find once again that the blog is inaccessible?! Oh, but sweet truth, you have a post here again! It's good to see you all back. =)

On a side note, I can't believe how much Celeisa has grown. Things have a way of staying in one's mind in such a way that one expects them to be as they were when one last encountered them.

[Sandra]

Such a joy to see you back again. Do you know that I just Googled "Eyes of Wonder" as I've been doing periodically, just in case you were blogging again, and there you were. Heart fluttered just like the lady above. I've missed this blog more than anything else I read, and as a frazzled mom who seems to live in a state of chaos, this is like a cool drink of water. Your photos, your words, the tone of your writing, it so beautiful. God bless you dear Jewels, it is so, so great to have you back.
Your Sister in Christ,
Sandra

PS Your new place looks perfect!

[Jen]

Yeah then!!!!! When you were blogging last, I was on the computer way too much, and had my priorities way out of God's design!! I just printed out your entry "My daughter, my friend" (I believe it was called), as THAT was the testimony I was speaking of above. What a Godly inspiration that post was! SO glad to have you back! Yeah!!!! And your house looks so beautiful! I can't wait to see pics of the inside!

[Tracy]

Welcome back, Jewels! You were greatly missed during your blogging hiatus. I checked your blog regularly & especially lately had a feeling you would soon return. So glad to *see* you again!

[anya]

Oh I was also so happy to open my blog feed and see Eyes of Wonder listed! I started blogging just before you stopped and always felt inspired and refreshed when I stopped by here. Thank you for the update and what a wonderful home you seem to have found! I will be sharing the news of your return over at my blog:)Blessings!

[little jenny wren]

Welcome back old friend.

[Hannah]

Tears in my eyes. So happy its true that you're back online. had been praying it would be so.
Blessings,
Hannah

[Nissa]

I'm overjoyed to see you back again! I've missed your posts so very much.

[Kimberly]

So glad you're back!!! You've been missed!

[jan]

So glad to have you back, Jewels! Missed you. Jan

[Irene]

Welcome back! Finding out that you re-opened your blog is like finding out an old friend has moved back into the neighborhood. I have missed you and it's so lovely to catch up.

[Sharon]

I am so happy that you are back -have missed your lovely and peaceful posts so much!

[MrsMK]

JEWELS!!!

I've often wondered and prayed for you in this past year....how your children have grown....what a beautiful new place!! So good to hear from you again!

[Lady Dorothy]

When I read the simple statement, "Jewels is back," on Little Jenny Wren, it was like my heart skipped a beat! Woohoo! Such a wonderful surprise! Your ray of sunshine is back in our lives! We've missed you.

[Kether]

Just yesterday I found myself thinking of you and your sweet family while stopped at a stoplight.
I am so glad that you're back!

[Kether]

Just yesterday I found myself thinking of you and your sweet family while stopped at a stoplight.
I am so glad that you're back!

[Niki]

So happy you are blogging again *you were missed very much* by our family.

So pleased to hear you are all doing well and to see the growing the children have done!

Blessings,
Niki

[Kristianna]

I, too, am happy to see you are blogging again. What beautiful photos in this post. You are so generous to share your family with us.

I've thought of you often, Jewels, over the last year, hoping you are feeling well and that the move wasn't too hard on you and your family.

I am so happy to "see" you again.

K

[Jodi]

What a joy to see you back and a delight to catch up with your dear family.

[Tami]

((Jewels)),My sweet friend, oh how I've missed you! Tears of joy flowing, I am so happy you are blogging again. The children are getting so big! Can't wait to *visit* you here as your time allows. In God's Love, Tami

[Elizabeth Anne]

Jewels,

I wept with joy when I saw you were back! you're such a blessing to all of us, and I'm so thankful that you've been able to return. Thank you for the beautiful pictures! You have indeed been richly blessed!

[Willow Caroline]

What absolute joy and thrill it is to see you again and know you are all well... and to once again be able to escape to your lovely place on the internet from time to time. Welcome, welcome, welcome back!

[Laura Kennedy]

Welcome back to us Jewels! After a busy day I so enjoy your web site. You and I have had very different lives yet I feel connected to you in memories of raising my children, Nature and love of God. Be well, warm thoughts to you,Laura Kennedy