Bodies crammed to the front of our van, for we being the audience watched with surprise as mice, the actors, scampered around our precious bee hives. Earlier they had tried some scavenger practices but now with metal mesh and staples their endeavors have been successfully halted.

Shining the car headlights on the hives, we observed the mice quickly moving around. Our mice hunter, Adam, had placed several traps around the area – one mouse actually tried licking the tempting PB morsel off a trap. The audience was somewhat hoping the trap would spring but it ended up doing otherwise.

Because of time, the van moved away from the hive site, got on the main highway, and began heading back. Occupants were comfortable and ready to enjoy the hour long trip back home, when.”WAIT A MINUTE!” echoed from the back seat, “I FORGOT SOMETHING AT THE LAND” was the conclusion of the outburst.

Finding out what it was and perceiving the importance of retrieving it, the driver took the next available U-turn. Arriving back, we pulled into our property, the hive site not faraway. A skunk lumbered in front of us.  After observing the skunk, the retrieving of the forgotten was quickly accomplished. Then it was decided to take one last look at the hive site. We soon realized there was one less actor on the stage. Somehow, we believe, the PB wasn’t coming off smoothly enough, and.well. the trap was forced to do it’s work, and I have to say, did it in the most efficient and sufficient manner.  

Finally back on the road, no more “wait a minutes” were heard and closure was brought to yet another evening in this fast paced life God has called us to wisely steward and enjoy.

The M&M Team were excited about this eye sore. They had the necessary medicine to cure it and they were ready. Though not completely finished (spackle drying), the corner is healing from it’s former sufferings and, Lord willing, by Monday, the nasty eye sore will be gone and a damaged corner will become orderly and appealing. M1 and M2 enjoyed this opportunity to be back in business and are anticipating the next wonderful eye sore.

One of my many favorite traditions to do around Christmas time, is to go with my family and pick out our Christmas Tree. We usually go in the evening when all  the Christmas lights are on in the neighborhood and when the busy-ness of the day is past. This year we decided to get our tree at the wonderful store: Home Depot. Upon arriving, we invaded  the place in search of the best and loveliest Christmas Tree for the Wilkes team’s home.  Looking, seeking, peering, and trying to find a tree isn’t an easy task for a family of eleven . When someone would think they had the right one, we all would  gather around and inspect it, but none of them were quite right. What could be our problem?

Finally after looking at ten to fifteen trees and about  thirty minutes later the answer came. One of the employees came to the rescue. He seeing that we were in need of a tree, went to work on finding one. All of us stood back wondering if he would be able. To our amazement, he chose the best one for us out of the many long rows of trees. Cheers rang out as he showed us the perfect tree that would soon be in our living room. Quickly and happily we all piled back into the car with the Christmas tree and drove home.

The cup was half empty, The cup was half full

The milk dumped all over the floor! There still was a whole cup’s worth in the jar!

The right shoe always seemed to be missing! The left shoe was always in it’s place!

The Car constantly has problems! The Car ran smoothly yesterday!

The weather rained incessantly. The sun peeped through off and on.

The bugs infested the salt shaker. The salt shaker was bug-less plus one.

The tomato was half rotten. Half a tomato was perfectly ripe.

The children hardly ever obey! The children are hardily learning to obey!

For all the effort, it twas only a few solitary pennies. For all the effort, it twas a blessing of pennies.

Oh what a chair – it’s leg just had to give way! Oh what a chair – it lasted for so long!

If there is a God, why do people die? If there is a God, why do people live?

The sinner’s destiny is hell! The sinner’s salvation is Christ!

The Wicked are multiplying like weeds in a garden. The harvest is plentiful and the righteous must be ready!

Sin is always at the door. Christ is always the doorkeeper.

Death is tormenting. Death holds no sting.

No Christ no heaven, Know Christ no hell.

The glory of man is his strength. The glory of God is His strength.

It was the period of languishing. It was the period of rejoicing

Joy emerged. despondency ruled.

Everyone understood. No one understood.

It truly was the best of times and it truly was the worst of times.

How can this all be true?

Because perspective determines the proper response. For example, one individual perceives his life as full of problems and he is sad, yet just change his perspective and the same problems can be the means of bringing tears of joy.

Reader, may your perspective be in accordance with God and his word. May you see as He sees. May his Word lead you and guide you into the understanding of all Truth. May you rest in His holy promise (even when you feel otherwise) that “all things work together for good to them that love God and to those who are the called according to his purpose.”** Yes, situations may seem at their worst  but from God’s perspective they are working according to his best and perfect plan. Trust in him.

*A quote from a book by Charles Dickens

**Romans 8:28

From time to time throughout the year, the services of our in house, "Honey Brook Publications Dept" are called upon. The precise process from the original ‘idea’ to final ‘production’ is a rather simple series of steps but one worthy of explanation to the general public. It has thus been decided that a behind the scenes ‘tour’ would prove beneficial to our reading audience.

We find each part to be essential for the achieving of optimum results. In the absence of any one of these critical team members, the operations are hindered immensely.

Not more than a fortnight or two ago, the Honey Brook Publications Department took part in the production of a particular document that was to be mailed. As the document was completed with the usual alacrity and felicitous behavior of the members of the said department, opportunity was afforded for company photos. These photos will help to highlight the important steps of their production line.

And so without further ado, we wish to introduce you to the various and sundry participants of the Honey Brook Publications Department:

Thank you for tuning in for today’s Special Report made possible by the refreshing and scrumptious meals of our dear Mother and the provision of our wonderful Father.

There is joy & an abundance of memories in simply working together in harmony as a family and as a team!

Lest any of us think that with the advent of computers, the day will come when spelling and grammar are deemed not as necessary, this poem is sure to show that old Microsoft Word has a fallacy point or two . Though a little out of the ordinary, this post will bring a good laugh to your day as it sure did us. There is certainly an analogy or two wrapped up in this phenomenon that is worth the heeding – any thoughts?

Keep up the diligent work on spelling & grammar and don’t depend too much on that old “pea sea“!

Ode to the Spell Checker

I have a spelling checker.
It came with my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue,
Miss steaks aye can knot sea.

Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished in its weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.

A checker is aye bless sing,
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.

To rite with care is quite a feet,
Of which won should bee proud.
And wee mussed dew the best we can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.

And now bee cause my spelling,
Is checked with such grate flare,
There are know faults with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.

Each frays come posed up on my screen,
Eye trussed to bee a joule,
The checker poured o’er every word,
To cheque sum spelling rule.

That’s why aye brake in two averse,
Bye righting wants too pleas,
Sow now ewe sea why aye dew prays,
Such soft wear for pea seas.

A little while ago while Mommy and Daddy were out on a date, we decided to have an ice cream contest. Everyone had to make something with ice cream and all types of yummy stuff like chocolate chips, ice cream cones, marshmallows, nuts, craisins, marshmallow cream, and other things. We had to build quickly so our ice cream would not melt.

Then, starting with Markie and going all the way up to Joshua, each one picked their favorite ice cream creation. The part I liked best was eating the ice cream .

From Thursday on, the forecast called for rain. Yet, Thursday was beautiful, clear skies and a delightful breeze. We were so successful working around the property that afternoon and praising the Lord that it was not raining, that no one thought to set the tent up right away. 

About half way throught dinner ( which was around 8:00pm ) we looked up and to our astonishment huge dark clouds were rolling our way! I wish I had a picture of it. It looked like a massive wave rolling towards us!!! We JUMPED to our feet and yelled “the TENT!!” “We don’t have it set up yet and the rain is almost here!! HURRY EVERYBODY!!!!”

Everyone pitched in, and we began to set the tent. While some were setting the tent others were putting all the camping gear under cover so it would not get wet, as well as putting dinner away. We kept looking up and that BIG wave was coming closer! Suddenly the wind began to pick up! Now do you know how hard it is to set a tent in real gusty wind? It is near impossible, but with Dad’s wisdom and guidance we began to see progress.

THEN it happened! The huge wave was upon us! It started raining. We still did not have the rain fly up so all the camping gear that was in the tent began to get wet, as well as all of US!! We began working even fast which just encouraged the rain to fall even faster . By this time we just started laughing, we couldn’t belive what we had gotten ourselves into!

We finally got everything in order by 10:00 pm that evening.  We learned a valuble lesson that night to not take sunny weather for granted  But good work Wilkes team! It was a blessing to see everyone work with such enthusiasm in such extreme circumstances! It was definantly a night we all will not forget!

Our local weatherman, who we call up almost daily to hear his recorded daily forecast, informed us of today’s holiday early this morning. So in the spirit of good family fun and memory making, our favorite cook, Mom, baked up another one of her famous batches of banana bread (in the form of delectable, quaint muffins). So, with that said, my 4 favorite cooks would like to share one of their favorite recipies for Banana Bread! We’re sure you will enjoy!

Sunrise Banana Muffins (taken from one of Mom’s favorite cook books, the “No-Guesswork Cooking.”)

1. 3 Medium bananas (1 3/4 C. mashed)
   _____________________________
2. 2 Eggs
3. 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
4. 1/3 Cups Oil
5. 1/2 cup of honey (we actually did without on this today)
6. 2 Tbsp Buttermilk (this actually equals 1oz!)
   _____________________________
7. 2 cups whole wheat flour
8. 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
9. 1/2 tsp Salt
10. 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
    _____________________________
11. 1/4 cup Pecans (for those who prefer a more crunchy and nutty taste)

Now, Add all the wet ingredients (section 2) to your mashed bananas. In a seperate bowl combine the dry ingredients and then add to liquid mixture. Mix with a spoon until smooth. If using nuts, fold them into the batter at this time. Then divide the batter into greased muffin pans and bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Fun, A-peal-ing Banana Tid Bits:

Did you know that the banana is actually the world’s largest herb, and is a member of the lily family? (Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow…)

For some timely advice on storing bananas, please visit our favorite family blog site, www.staddonfamily.com and go to the Banana Post!

May you enjoy many more fun Banana Bread Days!

Scrumptously Yours, The Wilkes Team cooks……and their eager supporters! “…every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

 For more exciting information and pictures of the banana plant, go to Dole5ADay.