So, I harvested 30 trees, three times, weighing total fruit weight per tree, and taking a sub-sample of five fruit per quadrant - or twenty fruit per tree. After each harvest, each fruit needed to be photographed, exterior color measured, interior color measured, firmness tested, and then more sub-samples taken for even more tests in the future. All of this included many hours on my feet, several very late nights and dealing with multiple mushy, yucky, stinky peaches.
Needless to say, I'm really over peaches right now and may continue to be for quite some time, as such that's all I want to tell you about the event and am now going to try to forget it...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
We interrrupt your regularly scheduled program...
Chris and I just celebrating our Fifth wedding anniversary this weekend! While we were busy celebrating, planning and pursuing other projects it was rather amazing to reflect on all that has happened in such a short time.
Disclaimer: This post is about to get very retrospective and possibly mushy. If this bothers your stomach, feel free to skip to another post!
Looking back on the last five years and how happy I am in our marriage now, I like to think its something I did to make our marriage wonderful. Some extra planning, listening or compromise on my part must be why we feel so successful and content, right? After seeing Chris' parents go through such a drawn out divorce I will say we devoted a lot of time and thought to how we could avoid finding ourselves in the same situation twenty five years from now, but in all honesty neither of us can take the credit for making it this far. It is purely the grace of God showered on our lives.
His grace opened our eyes to the mistakes we wanted to avoid in the relationships we could see around us, His grace guided us through what sinful tendencies in our own lives needed addressed before they could becoming areas of dissension, His grace gave us the grace to love each other when we were less than loveable and return gentle words for the harsh ones given. Don't get me wrong, we didn't start out jiving all the time and calmly explaining how the other might have hurt us, but God kept our hearts tender towards each other and reminded us why we were committed to making this work - and it has so been worth every minute! Every tongue bitten, every annoyance endured, every apology offered, every forgiveness granted - they have all brought us closer, made us stronger and made our marriage oh so much sweeter.
When we first got married I didn't understand how it could get any better, we were in love, how does it get better than that? Our love now is deeper, more secure, for the storms it has weathered (however serious or silly those storms were), it is , dare I say, comfortable. I used to dread that word in a relationship. I thought it meant the couple had quit trying, or was truly bored with their relationship, but that's not what I mean. I feel safe with Chris, and because I feel safe with him I am comfortable. I'm not concerned what he will think if I act silly, or share my craziest thoughts. I know he has seen me at my worst and still loved me, so I no longer fear his reaction or rejection. It reminds me of the love Christ has for us (which is what marriage was partially created for, right?), while Chris is obviously not perfect he does try to show me a Christ-like love, an accepting and sacrificial love - a love that casts out fear.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear. 1 John 4:18
That verse used to confuse me, but through God's grace and the example of my husband's love, it now brings me great joy and a deeper understanding of the love of Christ for His children. I thank God often for the time he has given me with my husband and the blessing of growing with him over the last five years! I can't wait to see what the future will bring!
Disclaimer: This post is about to get very retrospective and possibly mushy. If this bothers your stomach, feel free to skip to another post!
Looking back on the last five years and how happy I am in our marriage now, I like to think its something I did to make our marriage wonderful. Some extra planning, listening or compromise on my part must be why we feel so successful and content, right? After seeing Chris' parents go through such a drawn out divorce I will say we devoted a lot of time and thought to how we could avoid finding ourselves in the same situation twenty five years from now, but in all honesty neither of us can take the credit for making it this far. It is purely the grace of God showered on our lives.
His grace opened our eyes to the mistakes we wanted to avoid in the relationships we could see around us, His grace guided us through what sinful tendencies in our own lives needed addressed before they could becoming areas of dissension, His grace gave us the grace to love each other when we were less than loveable and return gentle words for the harsh ones given. Don't get me wrong, we didn't start out jiving all the time and calmly explaining how the other might have hurt us, but God kept our hearts tender towards each other and reminded us why we were committed to making this work - and it has so been worth every minute! Every tongue bitten, every annoyance endured, every apology offered, every forgiveness granted - they have all brought us closer, made us stronger and made our marriage oh so much sweeter.
When we first got married I didn't understand how it could get any better, we were in love, how does it get better than that? Our love now is deeper, more secure, for the storms it has weathered (however serious or silly those storms were), it is , dare I say, comfortable. I used to dread that word in a relationship. I thought it meant the couple had quit trying, or was truly bored with their relationship, but that's not what I mean. I feel safe with Chris, and because I feel safe with him I am comfortable. I'm not concerned what he will think if I act silly, or share my craziest thoughts. I know he has seen me at my worst and still loved me, so I no longer fear his reaction or rejection. It reminds me of the love Christ has for us (which is what marriage was partially created for, right?), while Chris is obviously not perfect he does try to show me a Christ-like love, an accepting and sacrificial love - a love that casts out fear.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear. 1 John 4:18
That verse used to confuse me, but through God's grace and the example of my husband's love, it now brings me great joy and a deeper understanding of the love of Christ for His children. I thank God often for the time he has given me with my husband and the blessing of growing with him over the last five years! I can't wait to see what the future will bring!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
World Traveler... Sort Of
I feel like I've been all over the nation recently... and in some ways I have! My first trip was North.
I was invited by my old professor to share what I was working on in my PhD program with my old department. It was a really fun idea to me because I really enjoyed my professors at WKU and I planned on getting some much needed visits in while I was at it! Also, I have a new appreciation for my old university after being at one which is so much bigger and seems to come with so much more pressure. Needless to say it was fun and refreshing to return for a little while!
During this trip I also was able to visit with my family! It was a precious time and we even got a few things accomplished!
This was also a time of graduations! Two of my good friends were graduating as well as one of my cousins. I was able to celebrate with everyone and also spend some extra time with friends and family simultaneously!
I think I could have spent a month before I felt saturated with friend and family time, but my husband was waiting at home, so back to Florida I went!
I was invited by my old professor to share what I was working on in my PhD program with my old department. It was a really fun idea to me because I really enjoyed my professors at WKU and I planned on getting some much needed visits in while I was at it! Also, I have a new appreciation for my old university after being at one which is so much bigger and seems to come with so much more pressure. Needless to say it was fun and refreshing to return for a little while!
During this trip I also was able to visit with my family! It was a precious time and we even got a few things accomplished!
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| Planting Asparagus! |
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| They really looked like spiders or octopus! |
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| My amazing sister and her hubby! |
This was also a time of graduations! Two of my good friends were graduating as well as one of my cousins. I was able to celebrate with everyone and also spend some extra time with friends and family simultaneously!
Why so quiet?
No, I didn't get raptured, but I have enjoyed the jokes I've seen since then.
Can't think of a rapture joke? Don't worry - its not the end of the world.
Rapture jokes are flying like there's no tomorrow.
Yes, yes very groan worthy, but I still enjoyed them. Seriously though, since I updated you last we have been exceptionally busy, not to mention well traveled. I have finished classes, Chris finished the round of classes he was on and started into the work for his upcoming intensives, I went to Bowling Green and presented my proposal to my Alma Mater, while there I got to visit many friends, then drove to my family's and spent several days with them, went back to BG for friends graduation, came home to Florida right as peach harvest began, harvested twice and processed all the fruit before flying to Arizona for a weekend and celebrating Chris' mom's wedding with her and her new husband, flying back, harvesting and processing fruit again... and oh yeah, finding out we are pregnant!
As you can see there is LOTS to catch you up on, but right now some rice crispys are calling my name. I promise to be back shortly with lots of updates, starting with the ones from furthest back to most recent. I might not talk about them peaches much... its still to fresh and I'm still rather disgusted by them.
I will leave you with this picture though!
Can't think of a rapture joke? Don't worry - its not the end of the world.
Rapture jokes are flying like there's no tomorrow.
Yes, yes very groan worthy, but I still enjoyed them. Seriously though, since I updated you last we have been exceptionally busy, not to mention well traveled. I have finished classes, Chris finished the round of classes he was on and started into the work for his upcoming intensives, I went to Bowling Green and presented my proposal to my Alma Mater, while there I got to visit many friends, then drove to my family's and spent several days with them, went back to BG for friends graduation, came home to Florida right as peach harvest began, harvested twice and processed all the fruit before flying to Arizona for a weekend and celebrating Chris' mom's wedding with her and her new husband, flying back, harvesting and processing fruit again... and oh yeah, finding out we are pregnant!
As you can see there is LOTS to catch you up on, but right now some rice crispys are calling my name. I promise to be back shortly with lots of updates, starting with the ones from furthest back to most recent. I might not talk about them peaches much... its still to fresh and I'm still rather disgusted by them.
I will leave you with this picture though!
Friday, May 6, 2011
My new skirt!
Pandora was fascinated with the pattern and fabric laid out on my table and kept trying to hold it down for me! Unfortunately this meant she was right where I needed to pin and cut.
I tried to follow the directions, but I think I made my seams too small, and therefore the skirt a little bigger than I intended. That's okay though because now it is even more twirly!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thankful Thursday
I am in Indiana!!! Sorry I don't have any pictures yet, but much of my Thankful Thursday is going to be dedicated to this trip!
Before that though, I am so thankful for my husband and his patience as I ran around like crazy getting ready for this week! He has been wonderful helping me pack, print off tickets, reminding me of things I need to bring, picking up the slack where I was distracted and feeding me! Such an awesome hubby!
I am so thankful that I made my flight and my connection with time to spare! There were no malfunctions, delays or difficulties the whole flight, such a relief because I was more nervous than I like to admit! Also thankful for my Grandpa and Grandma Shirley who met my Mom and helped her get into and out of the airport with all of my siblings, AND made us a delicious lunch! Such a treat!
Then I got to spend some much needed time with my family before traveling south to give a presentation. All of my brothers and sisters have gotten so big!!! One of them is finally taller than me! Its a little sad because our hugs have forever changed, but I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.
I have had some of the few precious sunny days for this area, they have experienced 26 inches of rain in the last three and a half weeks! While this is good for the grass and trees, it isn't so good for the farmers because the ground has been to wet to do anything with, including planting or putting up hay. Hopefully it will dry out long enough while we are here that I can help my Mom get some of her garden in though!
Finally, I and so thankful to be staying with one of my dear friends here in Bowling Green! It has been so refreshing to talk and catch up on each other's lives, and I am so grateful for their generosity in being my host!
What are you thankful for this week?
Before that though, I am so thankful for my husband and his patience as I ran around like crazy getting ready for this week! He has been wonderful helping me pack, print off tickets, reminding me of things I need to bring, picking up the slack where I was distracted and feeding me! Such an awesome hubby!
I am so thankful that I made my flight and my connection with time to spare! There were no malfunctions, delays or difficulties the whole flight, such a relief because I was more nervous than I like to admit! Also thankful for my Grandpa and Grandma Shirley who met my Mom and helped her get into and out of the airport with all of my siblings, AND made us a delicious lunch! Such a treat!
Then I got to spend some much needed time with my family before traveling south to give a presentation. All of my brothers and sisters have gotten so big!!! One of them is finally taller than me! Its a little sad because our hugs have forever changed, but I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.
I have had some of the few precious sunny days for this area, they have experienced 26 inches of rain in the last three and a half weeks! While this is good for the grass and trees, it isn't so good for the farmers because the ground has been to wet to do anything with, including planting or putting up hay. Hopefully it will dry out long enough while we are here that I can help my Mom get some of her garden in though!
Finally, I and so thankful to be staying with one of my dear friends here in Bowling Green! It has been so refreshing to talk and catch up on each other's lives, and I am so grateful for their generosity in being my host!
What are you thankful for this week?
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