Family Pictures

Family Pictures. The very thought brings some to cringe and keel over in angst. This was the first year we actually attempted them. The weather has been somewhat nice and of course, I picked a day that we were all fighting sickness. 

We'd thought about doing something with the horses but decided to wait until next year, when we will have all four of our horses trained well as my niece is currently working with our youngest mare, Eowyn (for all you fellow Lord of the Rings fans :)).

So, this year we thought about incorporating guns. Something fun, something different. How many of you actually receive a Christmas picture with a friend carrying a gun? We thought it was a fabulous idea! 

I realized after the shot was taken that although Marty is proudly displaying his .270, his face is blocked and we aren't doing an ad for Ruger. I would normally have noticed something like this right away, but my brain isn't working as normal (or maybe it never did) and running back and forth from the camera, set on timer, to my spot has it's disadvantages.

It was slightly windy that morning, as noted in my hair. Jacob also decided that my pistol looked more interesting than his rifle. 

We traded guns. Apparently it was more fascinating than looking at the camera. (For all you concerned parents, the pistol is not loaded.)

I wanted to do something fun with our boots, and to share with those who didn't know, that we're expecting. 

The one to pass the test. Later to be seen on our Christmas card. :)

Jesus Christ {The Divine God}

I have been slowly reading through the gospel of John. Each day I've been taking a small section and journaling about the character and nature of Jesus Christ. 

As many times as I've read this book, reading in small chunks and really looking at Who Jesus Is has opened my eyes to some vast discoveries; things that I knew, but hadn't really absorbed. I thought I would share one of them with you. 

John 2:13-22
It's the Passover, Jesus has gone to Jerusalem. He finds the temple turned into the local sale barn where all animals needed for sacrifices are being sold, and money changers exchanging money. He makes a whip, drives everyone out, pours out the coins, turns over tables, tells those selling doves to "stop making My Father's house a place of business." 

vs. 18 "The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?"

vs. 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.""

They, of course, argue the fact that it took 60 years to build the temple and how could He do it in three days? Vs. 21-22 go on to say that Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body and when He was raised, "His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken." (italics mine)

I tried to do a brief summary, with keeping the most important words of Jesus written out as it says in Scripture. As you may have noticed, I took the liberties of bold-facing one word in vs. 19.

I read and reread and read this passage some more. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."


I'm not always very good at thoroughly explaining my thoughts, and I hope that you can follow me on this one. I believe in the Triune God, the Trinity-that God is Three in One-Father, Son, Holy Spirit. He never ceases to be one of the other three while He manifests Himself as One of them.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking of Himself. He says He will raise Himself up in three days.

Do you see it?

Without those He's speaking to realize what He's saying, He's telling them that He is the Divine, Holy God! 

I have known this. I have believed this for a long time. But not until the other day when I read through this passage did it hit me right between the eyes! 

I cannot express my great joy as the tears roll down my face right now. This is Jesus. To whom I shamelessly bow before. 

He wasn't just a man who walked the earth. 

He is Jesus Christ, the Divine God. 

Cattle Drive and A Walk through Our Wood {Adventures of the Week}

One of my absolute favorite parts of Marty's job is getting to move cows. We had a small cattle drive this week of about five miles. We've begun the gathering of all our herds into one big herd to prepare for calf sale day in November.

Since it was a small herd, we only needed one extra person and recruited our Cousin A. It worked out that I was able to ride, while my mother-in-law kindly watched J and flagged for us. Flagging involves driving a vehicle a fair distance in front of the herd to warn on-coming traffic of a temporary road blockage, the cows. With our area being hilly, this is especially helpful as a semi could come over a hill as we're going up and.....splat. You get the idea. 

I haven't been able to do this in a while as I'm usually the one flagging, or for whatever reason it hasn't worked out. I was very excited to participate in my favorite ranching activity and asked my mother-in-law to take some pictures to prove to the world that I do do more than just keep house. :)

Marty and A making sure her stirrups are at the proper length. Riding with stirrups too short or too long makes for a very uncomfortable and unenjoyable roundup.

Putting the bridal on my beloved, Twilight. She's about 20 years old and is finally slowing down. It's rather sad as she's spent most of her life a spirited and spunky gal. 

A and I heading out.

Bringing the cows under the interstate. As you can see in the background, our state is extremely dry and fires are a huge threat. The land behind you was burned a month ago and threatened three homes, all of which were saved.

A, myself and Marty. I love seeing him on a horse. It makes me excited. That's probably what I was telling him. :)

On another adventure of the week, J and I went for a walk through our woods. Our "homestead" is surrounded by a belt of trees on the north and west side, the "shelter belt." It's very much appreciated when the winds are horrid and the snow deep. When I leave the shelter, it amazes me how much of a difference it makes. I love taking him on adventures there because 1) I really miss Wisconsin in the fall and I can almost pretend I'm there and 2) we love the sound of the leaves crunching beneath our feet. 

"Come on, Mom! This way"

Some areas of exploration involve some tricky moves to get through.

Sticks are perfect to protect Mom from any unfriendly fiends.

Picking "blueberries" to carry through the woods and throw at random objects. :)

Dinner Tonight

Creamy Herbed Chicken on a Brown Rice pilaf with Raisins and Sliced Almonds, topped with Pears 

and Herbed Peas on the side

I tried a new recipe tonight. It was superb! Marty has already requested it again. 
As I was preparing it, the intoxicating scent of shallots and thyme brought many warm and comfortable feelings. I thought since it smelled so wonderful, I would take a few photos to add to my food portfolio.

To Seven Years

Seven years ago today I made a lifetime vow and commitment to this man. 

Some days it seems as though those seven years have flashed by and I am left with all that has been accomplished to show that it hasn't. These seven have not always been easy, in fact, much of it has been hard. It's been hard for me to adjust to this different lifestyle, small community, distance from family. During these seven years I have lost many things, but gained more of what matters.

I have lost the close proximity of my family and gained a oneness with my husband.

I have lost much of myself and gained more of Christ. 

I have lost some independence but gained a companionship that far outweighs. 

I have lost my virginity and gained a bond with one man that our current culture cannot conceive of.

I have lost site of a career outside the home and gained the joyful thrills of motherhood. 

Some days I morn what I have lost, and then I look beyond myself and see what more I have gained.

I am humbled. I am thankful.

Each day I praise the Lord for this incredible man that He's given to me. I wasn't really looking and he just showed up. I wasn't really interested but we developed a friendship that soon caused me to desire more. 

He leads our family. He provides for us. As far as I'm concerned, he is the standard I look to in his occupational field. He is a man of respect and dignity, kindness and truthfulness. He seeks to be careful how he treats people, but also wants to gently challenge them in their thinking that might be misconstrued.

He is a man of prayer and deep thought. He is a humble servant of Jesus Christ. He desires and acts upon a lifetime goal of glorifying the Lord and enjoying Him forever. 

He has taught me much of what the ultimate goal of working should be-not for a paycheck, but to honor the Lord in all aspects.

He is my closest and most trusted friend. He is my husband.

Happy Anniversary, Marty. I love you more each day.

April 2005

Fall Cow Working

Every September we have what is known as "Fall Cow Working" or "Preconditioning." The herd is rounded up and all the spring calves are given shots that help them fight possible illnesses during the winter. We usually sell calves six weeks later, when the new buyers will then give them a booster shot. 

We also weigh the calves. Marty likes to have a record of how productive the mothers have been in raising their young. This year, with the drought, some people have had a tough time. There isn't as much grass to go around and there are a lot of ranches in South Dakota struggling. Our calves, however, have had some of the best weights we've seen. Especially considering this years weather conditions.

A few years ago when we experienced drought, Marty had told me that the dry grass is actually better for the cows/calves than the greener grass. The nutrients are more condensed/concentrated and the cattle tend to do better on dry than wet grass. The only problem is that a rancher needs more of it. This year we were able to lease some more land, which helped a lot, and Marty's really good at proper land management. This helps insure good grazing seasons by rotating pastures during certain times of the year. 

With that said, I thought I would share just a few pictures I'd taken of the day. I didn't do a whole lot this year as I've been feeling pretty sore. My busy day is always the one before when I prepare food for the crew.

My sister and brother-in-law and their two oldest girls helping to round up one of the herds.

Marty and our son, on the horse in the middle.

So thankful for this crew. They worked so hard all day long.

 I thought I would play around with some food photography, while I was waiting for the crew to come in for dinner. 

Deviled Eggs are generally a staple when I cook for a day of working cows.

Fresh fruit is, too.

Marty requested burgers and what good are they plain without the fixings?

I made them "Marty style". Thick and huge. They were over a pound each! Several of the guys had two! I could barely eat one...

What meal is complete without dessert? I usually make pie, but my sister-in-law's birthday was a few weeks prior and I'd been meaning to make her an angel food cake. Yum!

Also made Spiced Plum Tart. This was a new one. I think I'll add it to my repertoire.

  Would you like to join us next year? We'd sure love to have ya! :)

Some of My Favorite Things

I live in a little yellow house on the top of a hill.

It's not a fancy, elaborately built house. It's warm in the winter (except for a draft around the baseboard on the north side), and cool in the summer. It has wood paneling, which I've gradually been painting over the year that we've owned it. I've lived here for seven years. Six of them we leased it and just last September, we were able to purchase it and the 50 acres surrounding it. 

I try not to place great value in material things, as one day they will all be gone, as well as I. However, I do want to take care of the things we have, the things God has blessed us with while we are on this earth for the duration of our lives. 

Almost our entire house has been furnished from the kindness of others. Grandparents moving and passing on their items, a church giving away it's older piano. I sometimes just sit (I have to rest a lot more now with this baby getting bigger) and thank the Lord for all that He's provided through the generosity of others. I thought I would share a few photos of some of my favorite little places in my house. 

I love pictures of family. I love my parents. I love my grandparents. My great-grandmother, Jennie Tobiassen, traveled from Norway to New York when she was 19. She worked as a maid in the city and then eventually moved to Chicago, where she met my grandfather, Karl Jacobsen, who was also from Norway. He used to drive up to Wisconsin to purchase eggs from farmers and then he'd sell them to restaurants, grocery stores and families in the Chicago area. My grandmother, Shirley, grew up in NW Chicago with fields of wildflowers on it's edge. Those fields no longer exist as they now exhibit homes.

I love fresh produce ripening on my counter.

I love my little boy and how much he loves to snuggle and play with Sock Monkey. They are the best of friends.

This wooden cabinet was found in an old school house on my property. It used to be a hideous shade of turquoise. I've found that I very much enjoy taking old pieces of furniture, (or making something new from reclaimed wood I've found) refinishing them and using them in my house. I've fixed up a hutch and made a headboard for our bed, a coffee table and an entertainment center. 

On top of the cabinet sit a little blue vase my sister made in college and a green vase that displayed the most beautiful flowers from my husband. A good friend gave me the wine rack, which is another of my favorite things. It all makes much kitchen give a little flavor of Tuscany.

I love watching my little boy play. He loves his tractors. The green ones. Only. Any other tractor different than John Deere is cursing in this house. :) He imitates everything that Dad does. He loads "haybales" of wooden blocks onto his little flatbed trailer. He would do this all day if riding in the tractor while Dad actually does it wasn't more fun.

Everyone in this house has a hat. I love them. They make me smile. The cowboy hat is such a great piece of American history, yet still alive today.

My flower garden didn't do so well this year. The grasshoppers and the heat really beat us down. My husband has helped keep it watered and flowers are coming back and blooming! I feel like it's spring all over again! 

I planted watermelon for the first time and thought I wasn't going to get anything, due to the heat and grasshoppers. It's not the middle of the summer anymore, but we'll be eating watermelon! 

Although sometimes he appears gruff and mean, this is the first dog I've ever had and I love him. Bo. He's been with Marty for 12 years. He has arthritis. He was hit by a moving vehicle when he was young. As a dog, he has a right to be a little grouchy. He's loyal. He's lovable and no matter what kind of mood I'm in, he always wants to be scratched. 

This is Silver. She's a blue heeler, too. Bo is a mix of blue and red. She's very fluffy. It's not very common for her breed. She's a great dog. Very happy and loyal. She like skunks a little too much. 

This is my little boy. He's a great helper. He loves working with Dad. He also loves cooking with Mom. We love him. We'll keep him. I'm very proud of him. I think I love him more and more each day. We laugh and play together a lot. Mostly tractors.