Happy 40th BIRTHday to HEATHER!!

A little pictorial montage dedicated to my sister-chic, Heather, on her 40th birthday! Heather, you continue to be an inspiration to me and I am grateful for MargeAnne introducing us 9 years ago.

Enrichment

I have always known the truth in the saying, "the more you give, the more you receive", but I still am surprised at the depth of this truth. This past weekend is a classic example.  In giving the gift of a Healing Yoga Retreat (conducted by my beautiful friend, Wendy Billie), to my Heather for her 40th birthday, I was enriched, inspired, energized, uplifted, healed, and motivated. I was able to quiet my mind and listen to the truth within myself and the truth surrounding me.  Here is what I know:  I am a believer in God and His only Son, Jesus Christ.  He surrounds me with the gift of Love.  When I quiet my mind and listen with my heart, I hear that Love; I feel that Love; I become that Love. When I struggle with doubt and feeling worthy of the Love, it closes me off from truly receiving what He intends. I am a work-in-progress. I am evolving. I strive to keep my heart open to accept Love. 2012 is and continues to be a time of ENRICHment.

Another party PLUS the annual apple harvest

 We headed to the farm Saturday morning and Kippy got to celebrate her 12th birthday one more time!  This time with family and extended family from out of town (Aunt Joan, Aunt Judy, cousins Julie & Maria).

 By special request, Grandma Rose made a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, plus a few extra chocolate mustaches to go with.

 

 It wasn't all about the party at the farm.  There was some work to be done. While Uncle Randy, cousin Brett, & cousin Kaleb were busy bringing in the corn harvest, the rest of the clan worked to get the apple harvest completed.  Although, much of the low hanging fruit had already been feasted on, there was still work to be done.

 The apple trees were loaded with apples, but many of them had become food for the birds who also realized how juicy and delicious those honey crisp apples were. 

 Steve got his traditional job of loading up in dad's Cherry Picker and harvesting all the apples too high to reach by step ladder.

 Dad was in position to catch the apples that Steve threw down and Kippy sorted the apples into the appropriate bucket.  The sorting isn't an exact science, but there is a method to the madness.

If there was nothing salvageable with the apple, it would go into the crap-apple bucket.  These apples got fed to the chickens.  Bluck!  This is all bird damage.  Dirty birds!!

Completely perfect, unblemished apples were put in the "teacher" apple bucket.  These apples were shined up by Kippy and personally handed out to each of the teachers at Our Lady of Victory.

The rest of the apples were sorted out for apple sauce, apple pie or just plain old eating.

 Of course, there was always a kitten or two around to get a little extra attention from Kippy.

 Abby practiced some of her newly acquired driving skills by taking a load of crap-apples to the chickens.

We also didn't miss an opportunity to get some photos of Kippy next to her now 12 year old Red Canadian Cherry tree.  And Meg didn't miss a chance to get some extra love from Kippy too.