Forever Together

When you're having a bad day, tell me.
When your day is great, share it with me.
When you need a hand to hold, grab for mine.
Don't count me out.

When you're feeling lonely, I'm here.
When you want to dance, I'm your partner.
When you need advice, I've got it.
Don't count me out.

I'm here. I'm always here.

When your night is dark and long, I'll greet you with the sun.
When you can't see me, use your mind's eye.
When you don't hear my voice, quiet your thoughts, because I'm speaking.
Don't count me out.

When you laugh, I'm laughing too.
When you celebrate, I'm cheering too.
When your path gets fuzzy, I'll guide you.
Don't count me out.

I'm here. I'm always here.

When you raise your glass, I'm toasting too.
When you kneel to pray, pray with me.
When you're singing, I've got the beat.
Don't count me out.

I'm in the little things and in the big days.

I'll be that butterfly that catches your eye.
I'll be that smell that stops you in your tracks.
I'll be that song that reminds you of me.
I'll be that chill on your skin and the goose bumps up your back.

Our relationship has not ended. Only changed.
I'm here. I'm always here.

Charley A. Klosterman
May 28, 1947 - August 18, 2012

my own.

"Work is love made visible."
- Khalil Gibran

There is something humbling, exciting, and soul filling when you look around and see all you've done with your own two hands. The pride that comes with saying, "I did it."

Let it be house work. 12 loads of laundry, clean, folded, and put away. Let it be climbing a mountain. Step by step. Let it be whatever. You did it and that is awesome.

As I stand in my garden watering the tomatoes, squash, peppers, I look around at all Shawn and I have accomplished and completed with our two hands. I couldn't let that moment go uncaptured...

 The scallons we grew on the chopping board I made...

 the gate to the garden made from rescrapped wood. Keeping the dogs out (somewhat) and the veggies safe (somewhat).

 The herbs rooted in a raised, reclaimed wood box...

Deck furniture and a classic milk jug re-done and appreciated daily

This is our little piece of God given land. Entrusted to us to cherish, and build up. May we always find the work of our hands simply rewarding...and from love.

Have a great week everyone!

Buckeyes!

This past weekend the girls got together for a bachelorette party for one of my best friend's! Driving up to Ohio I immediately thought Buckeyes! The bride-to-be loves them and they will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. But I couldn't just take them in a box! Blasphemy! They needed to be cute, creative, different, delicious, personal, fun, and travel friendly. Sure, no prob!

So here's where my thoughts (and google) took me...

Fun and playful fabric!

Hay twine. Adds a rustic touch.

And fun bachelorette stickers!

What country girl doesn't rely on Buckeyes as their go-to food of choice?

MMMMM! Enjoy!

Buckeye:
1 stick of butter softened
3 cups powder sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
Approximately 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Combine first 3 ingredients until well mixed. Roll into bight size balls and place onto cookie sheet. Then place in freezer to harden. Approximately, 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt chocolate.
Use a toothpick and spoon to dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate.
Place them back on the cookie sheet and put back into freezer. When chocolate has harden, EAT AND ENJOY!

Love for Mom

Being a mom is a tough job.

For the majority of the children's life the role of the mother is taken for granted, underestimated, and under appreciated. As a child, we forget that moms are human. They are held on scrutinized pedestals. Moms are the center of the cause for their children being great or a menace. Discipline is encouraged and then seen as abuse. Love is seen as essential and then being too coddling. Every single move is measured, weighed, and valued as either being too little or too much.

Being a mom is a tough job.

More times than not, moms hold families together and come hell or high water nothing will split them up while she is still alive. Moms are glue, duck tape, and tough as nails. Ask for very little and receive even less. Moms are their own toughest critics while being criticized by others. They bring home the bacon and the groceries, and still do the cooking. They do it all, and yet have eyes rolled in their direction when asking for help; when asking for love. The last one to sit down at the dinner table and the first to be interrupted.

Being a mom is a tough job.

But one day, hopefully, that child with an I-know-better attitude will grow up and see the role from the other side as a mother/mother figure, and will gain an appreciation for what their mother has done for them.



Dear Mom,

The only way I have of sharing the feelings of a mother is through my dogs. Yes, I know completely different, though it's as close as I can get. I simply love their hugs and kisses and their groaning "I love you"s. I soak it up each and every day. As their caretaker, I hope they simply understand my love for them.

So, I want you to know my love for you.

You are more than a mom. You are a friend, a teacher, an example. I follow your lead. We are closer than blood related; your sole lives in me and through me. Your laugh is contagious and your energy is room filling. Your giving personality will never be a fault of yours so embrace it, no matter what other's say. The world needs more giving people.

You are a tough and confident woman. Self assured, though humble. You instill confidence in everyone you meet. You taught me that I can do anything, and achieve anything. You taught me to be strong, and compassionate. Assertive, and kind. To do what's right even when it's hard.

I am proud to say that you and dad raised 3 successful children based on discipline and structure. You held your ground when we tried so hard shake it. You said no, and then with tantrums and tears, you still said no. Thank you. Because of that, you taught me the value of hard work and the gratification of earning something on my own.

Thank you for surrounding me with a faith-based lifestyle. The hells of life are far more bearable because of my relationship with Christ. Thank you for teaching me the respect of God as our Father. Thank you for teaching me the benefit of putting Christ first in my marriage. And God thanks you too!

I can only hope that one day when I have children of my own, I will be half the mother that you are.

You are a wonderful mother. A great mother. And so much more!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.
I love you,
Sarah

Thank you for being a friend.
Travel down the road and back again.
Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant.

And if you threw a party,
invited everyone you knew.
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
and the card attached would say,
thank you for being a friend.

At Natural Bridge. Squeezing hands because that's what a mom will do to her daughter, no matter the age, when your crossing that bridge.

 

God's Skys

It has been asked to Mr. P and I on more than one occasion, "Why do you want to live out there?" Or we have had the comments made, "You should really move into Oldham County."

And the number one reason that gets told to us is because Oldham County has better schools. Then comes, "You'll be closer to everything."

Well, maybe the schools are 'better'...that is still up for debate, and we look forward to sending our children to private schools anyways. Also, we live 23 mintues from the Summit and many of our favorite restaurants so distance isn't an issue.

But there are more than 365 reasons as to why we like, and want, to stay in Henry County.

Case and point, please see below.

First 3 photos are of a Spring morning just a couple of days ago. 4th picture is a Winter morning. And the last, well, you'll see.



The abundancy of herbs I can grow, too!

Mr. P and I joke that our first starter home might just be the one we grow old in. We LOVE our Henry County, simple kinda life!

Furniture for Sale!

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful Kentucky weather! LOVE living in the Bluegrass State!

I have a king size, 6 piece bedroom suite I am trying/needing to sell. I had high hopes that it would work in my house but unfortunately it is too big for the room.

Here are the specks:
Ethan Allen French Country Collection
Solid wood
King Size
Includes: 2 matching side lamps, beautiful comforter, skirt, and decorative pillows.
All in great condition, minimal wear.

I'm asking $2900 obo.
Please email me if you are interested. sarah_pendergest@yahoo.com

Here are the pictures that I have of everything. Please pass this along to any and all!

 

"I love you." is spelt M-A-R-C-I-A.

You don't have to go to France or Italy or some exotic location to find a real love story. Sometimes it's in your own back yard. This love story is what life is all about.

In the Fall of 2008 Tom set out to plant around 1000 daffodils. Now, if your reaction was anything like mine, you probably thought to yourself, "1000?!?!? That's a lot of planting!" But for Tom, his flowers are his hobby and day after day he would spend his time tending to his flowers that make up his very own park.

On this particular day while he planted the 1000 bulbs, his thoughts were with his wife.

That following February Tom was diagnosed with cancer. Very ill, and not knowing how long he had left on this Earth he told his wife in case their time together was cut short, her name would bloom on their hillside come Spring.

And just as he had said, the flowers bloomed. Spelling out his loves' name, Marcia.

Tom is still at home enjoying his park and his time with Marcia. But, when the time comes for our Lord to call him home to rest, Marcia will forever know his love for her when Spring comes back around. And Tom will still be there. He will be there in the blooms, and in the passing breeze through the flowers. He will be by her side when she steps out to see them for the first time each Spring. She will forever know that when those flowers spell out her name, Tom is there with her saying, "I love you."

These flowers can be seen off of Radcliff Road in Henry County. A true landmark of love.