St. Therese of the Child Jesus

" I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth. "

October 1st is the feast day of St. Therese. She's a favorite saint of mine and many people worldwide .

She grew up in a small town in France in a loving and devout Catholic family. She and all her sisters became nuns. She died at a young age but left us a great book ...The Story of a Soul. I read her autobiography and found it simple yet very profound. It's a great book to read if you're suffering in any way. (I read it one time when I was sick with the flu). She shows a beautiful example of how to live for Jesus. I want to read it again.

Also, Happy baptism anniversary to Julia and name day for Rebecca Therese!

Correction

The hummingbirds are still here! I saw one at the feeder this morning. Yeah!

Red Cardinals

The hummingbirds are gone now (boo hoo!) but I did see a pair of cardinals on our back porch this morning. I especially love to see them in the snow. The bright red against the white snow is so beautiful!

Chicken tractor

Michael went to go pick up the chicken tractor he found on Craig's List. Great find, Michael and thank you for going out in the thunderstorm to go and pick it up.

Now for the chickens!

I love fresh eggs from pastured chickens ever since we had them in California.

Happy Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to my good friend, June, in California! Also, another wonderful friend, Patty, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy this morning...Nicholas John! Congratulations!!

We had a rainy day here. There was a beautiful rainbow followed by a flood! It's better now. The rain has passed.

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa drove all the way from Washington state to come and visit us last week! We had a great visit!! We did a lot of shopping together, we drove up Skyline Drive, and Grandma helped in the garden and in the house. The week went by so quickly. We really appreciate the big effort of coming out and see us!

Another favorite

The chickadees are returning to my feeders and I'm so happy to see them again. They are another favorite bird of mine. They are supposed to be one of the easiest birds to hand feed. I would love to do that someday when I have more time on my hands!

St.Padre Pio

Padre Pio is one of my favorite saints! He grew up in Italy in a poor family and had a great devotion to God from a young age. His father traveled to America so that he could provide for his family and so that Padre Pio could go to seminary. He became a priest and many miracles followed. He would spend many long hours in the confessional bringing sinners back to God. He knew when people were there out of curiosity and would tell them to come back when they were sincere. He had an incredible love for the Eucharist and for salvation of souls.

I went to San Giovanni Rotando, Italy some years ago and was so happy to see where Padre Pio lived and prayed. Tomorrow is his feast day (Sept. 23rd). Our pastor, Father Fasano, has a big devotion to Padre Pio. We are so blessed!

Padre Pio's words:

My heart is filled with a fire of love....It is a delicate and very gentle flame which consumes without causing any pain....this is a wonderful thing for me, something I will perhaps never understand until I get to Heaven.

Bonny

Bonny, our Jersey cow, came with us from California. She's been a great cow and milker. She usually gives 2 gallons of rich milk each day with only one milking. Michael does the milking each evening after work. Thank you, Michael!

Still here!

We've been having beautiful Fall weather here. The mornings and evenings have been cooler but...the hummers are still here! I'm happy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCldyotlmHs

Mikey and Becca

Mikey likes scrambled eggs (farm fresh!) and Becca likes hanging out with the horses.

Look at this one

This little hummer is sticking out her tongue or maybe something is wrong with the tongue. We kept seeing one here that had it 's tongue out all the time. It's usually only when they are drinking (licking) the nectar or sugar water.

I love this song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNAwhBwKk4&eurl=http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juldos/489309/

My theme song right now as the hummingbirds are getting ready to leave until next spring. I remember this song from when I was growing up. I love all the photos of the hummers with the music!

A Wonderful Surprise

We had a great surprise visit from our great friends from California today!! Thank you for coming to see us, Jim and Theresa... we love you guys!!

Going to choir in style

Michael and his good friend Paul on their way to choir!

Hannah's new car!

Hannah's on the road now with her new RED car named Roxy! She's lovin' it!

Tasha Tudor

My favorite illustrator passed away recently...Tasha Tudor. I first discovered her work at a used book store. I purchased the book Around the Year. Her drawings have so much detail and beauty. She captures the wonder of childhood and country living. Eternal rest grant unto her, Oh Lord... Amen

Hummingbirds

My time is short with the hummingbirds here...they will be leaving soon and not returning until next spring. I am appreciating them more and more now that I live in Virgina where they are seasonal.

I often have dreams of hummingbirds. What does that mean? I don't know but I sure do find them beautiful, fascinating and wonderful.

Gypsy Vanners

Last year, on my birthday, I treated myself to visting a horse farm here in Virginia. They have Gypsy Vanners! They shipped them here from Ireland. I am a big fan of draft horses in general but these...!!! I love seeing these gentle giants and I can only imagine riding a Gypsy!

Mikey Loves Letters

Mikey is fascinated with numbers and letters. I found these tub toys at Walmart and I love them because they stick to the side of the bath. He loves his bath now!

New critters

Hello! We have a couple of new additions at our home. Rebecca has a new bunny named Toffee and Marianna has a cat named Princess. She's the cat that came back after she was missing for almost 2 weeks! A nun over at the college found her and brought her back to us.