She Is Published!!!

Hannah was asked a while back to be in a cookbook and today we received a copy!!! Soon they will be available on her site for purchase. It is called 'Foodies Of the World' and it has some amazing recipes in it; so check over at Honey & Jam for your copy.

You Go Girl!!!!!

October 1st

My handsome young man

So Blessed

I am just constantly amazed at God's provision and that sometimes bothers me. I shouldn't be, He promises He will provide and so many times He does more than just provide.

Our business is still bustling, Hannah just finished her first 'big' contract with Peanut Butter & Co. and continues to sell prints as she seeks direction on expanding her business. She will be doing a session on food photography at a blogging conference in Atlanta in December. Sarah is working diligently on school, learning how to be a Venture Crew member and practicing mandolin as she becomes more of a gracious young woman each day. Hayden is enjoying his harder subjects this year and is becoming a wonderful guitar player while accomplishing so much in Scouts. How blessed we are!

I have fought with pneumonia for the last 2 weeks or so, but the family has picked up the slack and taken care of things. It has been frustrating to not be able to walk 20 feet without having to stop to catch my breathe. Hopefully I am on the mend.

We are planning a trip west for the near future. We have only been as far as Texas and look forward to exploring Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and more. The kids are getting older and in 5 short years all of them could be out of the house. (I may cry now) So, this could be one of the last big family trips.

So they will be called Oaks of Righteousness,
the planting of the Lord,
that He may be glorified.”
- Isaiah 61:1-3 -

New Member of the Family

We (well, me mostly) have been looking for another dog to adopt. Our sweet old black lab died around the time Otis got bit by the snake and our beagle/basset is old.

Saturday the kids and I were riding from town and a pet rescue was set up at the apple house. Hannah, who can't pass up a dog either, turned in and parked in front of the tent.

There she was. I knew it was the one. We jumped out and went right up to her. The lady thought we were crazy. She thought we had just pulled in and decided at that moment to get a dog.

She asked all kinds of questions. I told her the story about our lab dying and how we had been looking online for a rescue for a while. We all explained that we had other pets and loved them dearly.

So without you having to wait any longer; meet Margot!

She just fits right in to our family.

Delano Community Farm Market

Though I have felt poorly for several days and we didn't bake for our farmers market today, I had promised the kids that we would go to a Mennonite market in TN. So, I bucked up and we headed out to find this market.

It is just above Benton, TN and off the main hwy. You head up this little road, by the fields and right up to the little market. It is in a little open air building and the variety is incredible. They have all kinds of vegetables, jams, jellies, honey, soap, bread, etc.

At the check out they used an old adding machine; the big ones that you press the numbers then pull the handle. Too neat! We spent only 30.00 and got jelly, sorghum, potatoes, peanuts, bread, sticky buns, squash and seed.

I loved the sign out front (see below) Inside the store there were additional signs about dress. Modesty is still alive and well!!

I survived the day and we saw some beautiful farm land. This is worth the drive, so make plans. They are open from April til November.

146 Needle Eye Lane in Delano, TN 37325
It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

It's Labor Day, No More White

...not that I even wear white

The feel of fall is in the air here in the N. Ga. mtns. The mornings are chilly and you can sense autumn approaching. We throw open all the doors so we can feel the cool air and think about pumpkins; we love pumpkins.

Now we can sit on the porch with hot tea in the mornings or evenings with a good book.

Pull out our beloved sweaters.

Enjoy baking because it's not so hot.

Buy caramel apples at the local apple house.

And drive our country roads looking for fall colors.

The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.

-louisa may alcott

photography by Hannah Queen

Court of Honor

Tonight was a great Court of Honor for Hayden. He advanced to Star rank, received 4 merit badges and received the World Conservation Award! (shown below)

Receiving his Star rank from the scout master

Waiting to receive a merit badge



With his dad (no, I cannot explain William's face!)

It is exciting to watch Hayden grow, physically and mentally. Boy Scouts is a wonderful program that helps young men to learn discipline, responsibility and leadership. His scout master spoke of how Hayden helps the younger boys work on rank and how he is the troops knot master. He doesn't puff up, but accepts these tasks humbly.

Life

We have started school again, so we have been busy getting back into the swing. I am so happy to be back teaching, it is one of my favorite things to do.

Sarah is in the 11th grade. And by the way, when did that happen?! Hayden is in the 8th; I know I missed about 10 yrs. somewhere. Hannah continues to learn her craft and increase her business; it is truly a blessing to watch. At times she is stretched and challenged, frustrated and discouraged; but she continues to push through.

William continues to be busy with work; another blessing. We are trying to save up for winter; it has been hard with those unexpected needs. ie, tires, ladder, etc. But, I know God will provide.

I am re-reading 'No Compromise' by Keith Green. I haven't read it in several years and it was time. I think this is my third time reading it, but it always motivates me to make sure I am centered spiritually and not compromising my beliefs.

I'll leave you with some recent pictures Hannah has done. Enjoy and head over to her Etsy shop to look around!

She is 16

Our sweet Sarah turned 16 on Friday. Wow, time does fly for this mama.

We headed to Chick-Fil-A Friday morning for a birthday breakfast, which also happened to be the one yr. anniversary for the Ellijay Chick-Fil-A!

After that we went into town to paint pottery. We really enjoy painting, it is so relaxing. Hannah, Hayden and I did mugs. Sarah decided to do a flower vase and a little dish that turned out adorable.

The boys left for a camp out Friday night, so Saturday us girls headed to Chattanooga. Hannah and Sarah got haircuts, we went to Greenlife and then to eat at P.F. Changs.

Sarah working on her pottery.

Sarah's cute '3 peas in a pod' dish.

Hannah's spotted mug.



Hayden working on his mug.

“I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”

Venture Crew

Sarah went on her first Venture Crew weekend and she had a great time. It was hard, hot and she slept in a hovel (mom's feelings, not Sarah's!), but she hung in there!

This is outside my little southern belle's comfort zone, but she is a tough cookie (steel magnolia).

My Weekend

Spent the weekend with these two...




because this one is at camp


with this sweet dad and a bunch of girls and boys.

Venture Crew has come into our lives!

Sweetness

Hannah did her first infant photo shoot this week. The humidity was terrible, the baby didn't have a full belly, but she nailed it!!

Honey and Jam Photography