Happy Day

Hello! It has been quite a while since I've last written to everybody! It was Father's day this past weekend,(and since we're newlyweds, juggling our first Father's Day as a married couple was quite tiring!)  and over the course of a couple weeks, I've been planning out our camping trip. We leave July 2. I'll have many awesome pictures from that trip! I've also been trying to get a saddle fitter out for my horse. (It's funny how nervous I get about calling to get information about things that I don't know! I sometimes literally will panic! Leave me a comment if you sometimes feel that way too when you have an issue to sort out that involves a bit of work!) Then after that, it's training time for him! I just wanted to share a couple things with you today

Now, this is something that I'm CONSTANTLY working on trying to do. More often than I'd like to admit, I'm not very good at choosing to feed my faith first, but I'll keep trying to! 

Darling, you have so much more ahead of you. Look to the past for reassurance of how His plan always worked for your greater good, and then expectantly hope for what God is yet to do! 

Protecting Agriculture

Industrial Park Will Take Away From ALR  This was what I read in the paper on June 9th. Apparently, there's a developer who wants to take a section of the Agricultural Land Reserve in Bradner and turn it into an industrial park. He argues that it will create $4.7 billion in economic activity, and create close to 5,000 jobs. It's a 300 acre piece of land.

Meanwhile, farmers under the age of 35 have decreased from 9.1% to 8.2% in 2011 according to Stat's Canada. Why would we take away another resource out of the young farmer's hands? While this project may create a short relief for British Columbia in this economic recession, in the long run it's Canada's farmers who create a sustainable economy by providing the nation, and the world with food. I hope that the Agricultural Land Commission will stand their ground against this project! Stop hurting the farmers who provide for you.

That is my rant for the day. If you click on the link above, you can read the article for yourself.

Passionate

This little farm girl has been thinking an awful lot about the desires of her heart as of late. I think that I have "discovered" it. Ironically enough, I've been surrounded by my desire and passion my entire life. It took moving away from it all to finally see how much I want it. I desire the land. Farming. Horses. Tractors. Long days working beside my husband. Young sons and daughters riding in truck beds. I desire it so much, it brings tears to my eyes whenever I dare to imagine it. 

One thing that God is really teaching me right now is that I have to be thankful for the things that I have now. I have to acknowledge him now. Not later. Now. Because why on earth would my Father bless me with more if I'm not grateful for what I have right now? Why would He give me more if I refuse to acknowledge him here and now? If I refuse to do that now, when I have little, since we're just starting out,  when would I acknowledge the greatness of my Father when I do have more? I wouldn't. And I know that. 

I also so whole heartedly believe that when God gives us such a passion, a desire for something, that He will not deny us of that desire. It may take a few steps along the way. It has to be earned. When God places a purpose within you, He will fulfill that purpose through you! So always dare to dream so big! You're on a journey to entering into your desire. 

When The Farmers Go To Town....

Monday was a good day. I got to spend it doing what girls do best: shopping! My sister and I headed down to the local Value Village (yes that's right! Why pay more for something when you can pay less and still get that something??) and we spent a few hours scouring the racks for jeans and dresses. It was a success! It always makes me feel like a super-farmwife when I can get great things at a great deal with my hubby's hard earned money!

Here's a little post to encourage y'all:

This is just the beginning, my friends!

And this one too: 

I hope that you enjoy today to the FULLEST! God bless! 

Water On The Countryside

The summer rain slips in. I can smell it.  How it likes to tease the farmers! It makes them worry about their fields. Ploughing still needs to be done, subsoiling, planting, there's still hay on the ground. The rain would always set in slowly in the valley where I grew up. It rolls in like mist, creeping from the mountains across the farms. I'm convinced that most of the Weather Network's ratings come from local farmers. 

A storm brewing in the Fraser Valley 

It's so ironic that townsfolk consider rainy days to be lazy days. That is far from the truth for  this farmer's daughter, who is now also a farmwife. They turn into busy days. Hurried, rushed, hard working days. It's a challenge to try to get your fields caught up before the rain arrives. But then, when it does arrive, Hallelujah! The farmers can rest for a moment. Then we carry on until summer showers come again. 

The sun shows up again

Rainy days in the valley bring newness. It's incredible to see just how high the corn seedlings shoot up after one good rain and a few days of sun. Summer rain always shows up at just the right time -- when it's most needed. It brings green back to the valley again. Such a wonderful, fresh source of renewal.

Sometimes, if the storm is just right, we get thunder and lightening. A very rare occurrence. Other times we're blessed when we get to see this: 

 

And God's great promise still remains. 

He provides rain for the earth; 
    he sends water on the countryside.

Job 5:10

Some Beautiful Barns

Since you all know that I love big old barns, here are some more pictures of them! It's so incredible to think that these old barns were someone's pride and joy. They were a save haven for grains, hay and beasts. Although they may look a little forlorn, they are still a thing of beauty, and proof that hard work always will pay off. They're still being seen and admired for generations to come.

Click to See More Country Images

Chicken Fried

Since my last post was about chicken farming, I figured I should post a delish chicken dish today. This recipe was originally posted on The Girl Who Ate Everything. It's one of the tastiest things ever! Enjoy!

(PS: This chicken would be excellent grilled, or on kabobs!)

Chicken Gyros: 


Tzatziki sauce: 

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 regular cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Extra virgin olive oil

For the chicken:
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon (2-3 Tablespoons)
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper
1 1/4 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

To assemble: Pita bread
Fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
Red onion, sliced thin

Directions:
Shred the cucumber or chop in food processor. Wrap in a towel a squeeze to remove as much water as possible. Mix together the yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

To prepare the chicken, combine the garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, yogurt, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk together until mixed well. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

Cook the chicken as desired, either in the skillet or with the broiler. Once the chicken is completely cooked through, transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into strips. Heat pitas. Top with chicken, tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes and sliced onions. Serve immediately.

Follow The Girl Who Ate Everything