My Way, My Day, It's My BIRTHDAY

Feisty. Fearless. Fabulous. Fifty.

I have been waiting for this day my whole life. What a day to celebrate! This exciting event has been in the works for several years now. Many of you have been in on the plan from the beginning, while some of you have just recently heard about it. Either way, I hope that I have blessed you in some way today.

My plan: celebrate by giving $50 to as many of my favorite organizations as I possibly can. I've been saving my pennies, dimes, and dollars. I've researched and contacted a few local organizations and a couple larger ones. I've chosen the ones that have a special meaning to me and my family.  My resources are far from unlimited, but with some creative techniques, I have managed to get the money necessary to be a blessing to a few great organizations. Please understand, I am a simple woman, of very modest means. I'm an office manager for a Virginia State Agency, not rich by any means. So far, 2019 has not been kind to me. When hard times come, I've never been one to hide or cry or get depressed. So I have faced these challenges in the best way I can and I'm determined to find joy in the everyday and the exceptional days too. 

This is the view from my driveway and it is how I begin each day. Who wouldn't be ready to start a new day (or new adventure) looking at this each morning? 

So.......my 50th birthday has arrived! I've been waiting for this for so long and I've worked hard to make it happen. Nothing will stop me! I'm so excited to help these organizations today!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Before I go any further, I want to encourage YOU to find a way to do something good too. Find someone and just encourage them, donate to a good cause, take someone a meal or just share a kind smile. We need more good in the world.

We started the day with coffee, of course. I picked up my sister Sandi and we drove to Joe Beans in Appomattox. We ordered our drinks and paid for them, then gave the gals a $50 bill to pay for the cars behind us, as far as it would go. I'm not sure they knew what to think about that, but we convinced them to let us take a quick picture with them.

Now for the organizations. I have included links, so feel free to go check them out yourself!

1. Virginia State Parks Employee Benevolence Fund. This organization helps out state park employees in many different ways. It's a true "helping our own" type of organization and I'm happy to help them continue that. Here's me with Eric Hougland, Professional Development Coordinator for Virginia State Parks. (I did this a few days early)                                                                                                            
   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                
2. Special Olympics Wow! The things this organization does are amazing and so encouraging. This one has a very prominent place in my heart because of Jackson. I made this donation online. I paid $52 to include processing fees for them.                                                                         
   
                                                                                                                                                                                
3. Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Scholarship Fund This is my church and they have been helping church members attend college for years. My own children were awarded scholarship money and it was truly appreciated. I'd love to see this fund continue to bless local students. Here I am with Helen Talbert.                                                                                                                    
   
                                                                                                                    
4. Buckingham County 4-H The Virginia Cooperative Extension has been a part of me for almost my whole life. They truly help kids (and adults) in the local community in so many ways. I chose to help a child attend 4-H summer camp.                                                                                                                                                     
   
                                                                                
5. Buckingham VFW So much good this group does to help veterans. Our veterans deserve so much more than they get. I'm happy to help this group. I wasn't expecting so many members to meet me there today, but I was so glad they did. They kept telling me "Oh we're expecting a couple more folks" "So and so is coming." It ended up being nine veterans there! Thank you all for your service to our country, it's because of you folks like you and your sacrifice that I can enjoy such a blessed life. I'm handing the check to "Uncle Vic" Moss there.                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
                                                         
6. Buckingham County Rescue Squad I appreciate these folks so much! A couple weeks ago, my grandson was involved in a very serious accident and the men and women who responded treated him (and his parents) with such kindness, compassion, and professionalism that our family will be forever grateful. Jackson's doing great, by the way! It was a special treat to meet Jeanie O'Brien from JOTV News also. She was super nice, even though she's a celebrity and everything. She let Sandi and I use her private restroom. After all the coffee, we needed it.                                                                                                                    
   
                                                                                                                                                                                   
7. Pregnancy Support  Center of Southside Virginia I have been a supporter of this organization through their annual Walk for Life. They do so much in this area to advocate for the unborn and I just love that. I believe with all my heart that every life is precious and every child deserves to be born and loved. Karen Caldwell gave us a tour and talked to us about how they help their clients and how they are sharing the gospel of Christ with them. I took along a couple of baby quilts that I had made too. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 129:14                 
   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
8. Appomattox County Pet Center I love how these folks take care of the animals that come into the center and I pray that they all find homes, although not my home. I cannot be responsible for another living thing at this point! Luckily I got out of there empty-handed. We did walk through and say hello to the dogs. Pony was my favorite, he looked like he was part chocolate lab. God bless ya'll for what you do!                                                                                                                                                                 
   
   
   
                                                                            
9. Gleaning for the World I chose the WINGS program. It helps to empower women around the world in ways that I never thought was necessary. Here I am with Danielle Sarchet (and Sandi got in this picture too!) holding four WINGS kits. Four kits is about what $50 will do. Gleaning is a great organization and more than 98% of their financial gifts are used for their programs rather than administration and fund-raising. They are ranked the most efficient charity! AND they are right here in Central Virginia. We might do more to help them out, with our church family. They have many opportunities for volunteers. 

As God has greatly blessed me, I'm happy to pass it along and bless others. Hopefully I will never stop doing that and not just on my birthday. It is my wish and my prayer that folks will see this, hear about this, or cross paths with me today and then be encouraged to do this same. Even a small simple act of kindness does not go unnoticed. If an ordinary 50-year-old from Buckingham County, Virginia, of average means, with limited resources can do this, anyone can!

We did some spontaneous gifting today too. First, we were riding by the workplace of a good friend and decided she might need a quick visit (and blessing). So we stopped by and gave Sally a $50 bill. I'm pretty sure we made her day! We took a few minutes to talk about how we used to ride the school bus together, that was a long time ago. Sally is such a kind person. I'm glad we were able to make her smile. (And Sandi got in the picture there too!)

At lunch, we ate at Uptown Café in Farmville and may or may not have stuffed an extra large bill in the tip jar. Then we went to Merk's Place for dessert, where I got yummy turtle cheesecake and Sandi enjoyed delightful chocolate cake. While sitting at the lunch counter, an older lady came in and ordered lunch. When we left, we paid her bill without her knowing it. I'm sure that was a nice surprise. We also may or may not have left an extra large bill for our sweet waitress.

Since my grandson Jason's school was on Spring Break, I sent his teacher $50 on Monday. This was to be used in any way she thought would be needed. Teachers spend their own money on items for the classroom all the time. I was so happy to give back to her!

The only disappointing thing that happened today was I heard there was a bike on clearance for $30 at Walmart that I wanted. I checked the website, found out the Madison Heights Walmart had three in stock. We high-tailed it over there only to find that the bike we thought was $30 was actually $116. Still a good price, but not worth the drive and not worth the struggle of stuffing it into my little car. So we went out of our way for nothing. We did meet a very nice department manager who did a wonderful job explaining how the website doesn't always have things right.

Many thanks to my family members who have contributed to my birthday fund. I appreciate you choosing to give me money instead of gifts for the last couple of birthdays/Christmases. I hope you all approve of the way I have used it. I LOVE YOU ALL!

When I got home after a long and exhausting day, there was a package at my door. It was the sweetest gift, a Chicken Farmer Barbie! Thank you Robin, that gives you the title of favorite cousin! Isn't it the greatest?

One last very special thank you to my sister, Sandi. Since we have celebrated the last 49 birthdays together, it was fitting that you would share this wonderful adventure with me today. Thanks for taking the day off to spend it with me. Thank you for the coffee, lunch, dessert, and getting into the spirit of giving yourself! I wasn't expecting you to come prepared with $50 bills too! Happy Birthday to you tomorrow! I LOVE YOU!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, 

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! God is good, y'all!

Not My Typical Week

Life is always full for us here at Lanky Ridge. I'm trying to do better at taking pictures of all the ordinary things that happen day to day. It really is the simple and ordinary things that enhance and show us beauty, isn't it?

Monkey Grass from my Grandma Seay's yard (now planted in my yard)

Flowering Spurge just outside our chicken run

Persimmons with just a tad of "blush" along our driveway

Our weeks tend to come and go in a certain order. There's beauty in the normal, of course. There's "real" work for me, farm work for The Hubs, and "home" work for both of us.

Tomatoes from our garden

I turned them into a wonderful sauce that we enjoyed on spaghetti and also on pizza this week

Most of the time, we're moving along in our routine and we like it that way. Then we have the occasional day, week, or month when things are just off. This has been one of those weeks. Between summer garden produce needing to be preserved, work meetings to attend, and our little community it's just been hectic.

The view from the 16th floor of my "real job's" headquarters in Richmond. I was there for a meeting on Monday which is NOT typical

I've been asking my boss for a laptop computer for about two years. I finally got a hand-me-down Dell. I'm learning about all it's quirks.

A very large bear in the gift shop at Natural Bridge State Park. I was there for another "real job" meeting, again NOT typical. It's my second favorite Virginia State Park, by the way.

Tote bags made from coffee bean sacks in the Natural Bridge Artisan Center. I've been working on some crafts to sell at upcoming craft fairs too. I knit or quilt whenever I have a few minutes and almost always have a little project with me.

Paw paws are beginning to ripen in the area. Have you ever tried one? 

A beautiful view that I get to enjoy every day at Holliday Lake State Park in Appomattox. This just begs for a kayak, doesn't it?

We laid to rest a friend this week, but we know we'll see her again one day.

A box of chocolate that we got from our son's company out in Utah. If you like dark chocolate, check out Ritual Chocolate. 

I'm planning a kayak trip with my sister for later on today. That too is pretty unusual. So you can see it's just been a strange and crazy week. I guess that is to be expected sometimes in life.

Beautiful Hand Made Quilts

For those wishing to place an order for a custom made baby quilt, here are a few examples of my work. All quilts are machine pieced and hand quilted. They are custom designed for you, with your choice of colors/patterns. It takes me about 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on how many projects I have going. The price is dependent on the design and fabrics, with discounts for using my choice of design and fabrics with your color choices. The average price is $50.00 per quilt. The size is roughly 42 inches by 36 inches. I can customize the size if desired.

Patriotic four-square in borders

Lovely strips for Nina's quilt

Galaxy nine-patch, cute model not included

Pink & brown triangles, Hannah's quilt 

Rail fence pattern on Sophie's

Bricks and strips in red and teal

Various

Sampler column pattern, Baby Luke's quilt

More bricks in strips on Faron's quilt

Granddaughter June's quilt, nine patch with borders (this was duplicating her mom's baby quilt that I made over 20 years ago!)

Detail of hand quilting on Charlotte's quilt, my favorite part!

More detail of hand quilting on Aubrey's quilt

While working on baby quilts, I always pray for the baby who will receive the quilt. So you get covered in the quilt and the prayers. There's no additional cost for the prayers!

Please contact me with any questions or to place an order. Please note, if you're looking here, it's likely I've already given you my contact information. If not, send me a message here with your phone number and I'll be in touch soon. Or you can email sarah.lankford@yahoo.com

Ma and Pa Homesteaders

Things have been really busy around Lanky Ridge Farm over the last few months. That's no excuse for how long it has been since I published an article, but I'll just acknowledge the fact and move on. You should too.

Last night as The Hubs and I settled down to rest our tired bones, I realized how far we've come. We have become quite the homesteaders. It's been a long time since we lived in the city and The Hubs was serving our country with honor and distinction.

I grew up on a farm where my parents and grandparents did most things the old fashioned way. We grew our own vegetables in a large garden. Mom and Nanny canned, pickled and jammed more than their fair share of produce. They also used what they had, and used it up. Most of our food could have been called "home-cooking" and it was from scratch. Daddy always made sure we had beef in the freezer, and hams and bacon in the smoke house. We also had fish from the river and deer from the woods. We never really needed anything.

Somehow, living in a city, we lost sight of that lifestyle. We would visit the farm and enjoy the bounty. But in our own life, that's not how we lived. So when The Hubs retired from the Navy and we built our little house on Lanky Ridge, we were determined to get back to "the way things USED to be."

So last night, the reality of our lifestyle just hit me: we've done it. Oh, we still have a long way to go to really consider ourselves completely self-sufficient. But for now, I'm going to sit back and marvel at how far we've come.

Here are the things that we have done in the last couple weeks:

1. We've enjoyed all homemade, from scratch meals. Some examples include: baked chicken and stuffing; ham and cheese panini; stuffed peppers; spaghetti; beans & rice with cornbread; pizza; omeletes. We're using a lot of garden produce right now.
2. We entertained some friends from out of state. This included a huge July 4th celebration with our neighbors and church family (also fireworks!). My friend and I made this awesome flag-themed taco salad.
   
3. We've been taking care of our garden. This includes weeding, picking, watering, etc. We also picked, snapped and canned two canner loads of green beans; cut up and froze or dehydrated peppers (various kinds); we've frozen some tomatoes until we have enough to make a large pot of spaghetti sauce; kept the deer and rabbits away from our garden and apple trees (it's an on-going battle).
   
   
   
   
4. We butchered some of our chickens. This is a first for us! We're so excited to have home-grown chicken in which we know what they ate (or didn't eat). And we can't wait for our other chickens to begin laying eggs!
   
5. I helped my sister take some awesome pictures of our new grandson. He's only two weeks old and some pictures also included his two-year-old brother.
6. I taught my regular Wednesday night, women's Bible study at church.
7. We've both been working on furniture refinishing projects. The Hubs has been refinishing kitchen chairs for my mom (one at a time) and I've been chalk-painting some fun items. 
   
   
   
   
8. We take care of all our animals: three dogs, one cat, and our chickens. With the hot weather we've been having here in Central Virginia, that has included constantly monitoring their behavior and giving LOTS of fresh cool water.
9. We do laundry using homemade detergent and we hang it to dry.
10. We use homemade cleaners to clean and disinfect our home.
11. I also work a 40+ hour a week job.
12. Since our daughter just had her second baby, we've been helping her out some. We enjoyed having our two-year-old grandson with us while the baby was born. We're always glad to keep him for a few hours if she needs help. She lives close by so it's easy to run over and offer help--babysitting, shopping, cooking. Nana's are good at that!

I just think that is an impressive list! It was really hot yesterday, and while I was fixing myself a refreshing mint julep (with mint from my own herb garden), I was just so amazed at these accomplishments! I hope this encourages you to become more self-sufficient. It's really in the details. Do one small thing consistently, until it becomes a habit. Then do something more. Keep going until you're saying to yourself "I've come a long way, baby."

I know for us, we feel good about what we've done. Our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner. But we're here now and homesteading feels good.  I think it looks good on us!

Please leave a comment about what you're doing (or what you want to do) to become more like a homesteader.