Its been quite a while since I posted a recipe. Due to my busy schedule, I haven't been doing much cooking and haven't had any time for trying out new recipes.
Last week, my mom's friend Carolyn sent me a recipe tutorial she had put together for Blueberry Muffins. I've posted at least one other recipe of Carolyn's awhile back and she does a great job with her step by step photo's.
So here is the pictures and directions Carolyn sent me...don't they look delicious!?
Thanks for sharing this, Carolyn!

1. FOR THE TOPPING: Stir the sugar and lemon zest together in a
small bowl until combined, set aside

2. FOR THE MUFFINS: Bring 1 cup of the blueberries and 1 tsp of sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Cook, mashing the berries with a spoon several times and
stirring frequently, until the berries have broken down and the mixture is thickened and reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 6 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, 10-15
minutes. (This is supposed to be similar to a jam)

3. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 425*. Spray a standard-size muffin pan with vegetable oil spray.
4. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.

5. In a separate bowl whisk the remaining 1 1/8 cups sugar and the eggs until think and homogeneous, about 45 seconds.

6. Slowly whisk butter and oil into the egg mixture until combined.

7. Whisk buttermilk and vanilla into the
egg mixture until combined.

8. Using a rubber spatula or spoon, fold the egg mixture and the remaining 1 cup blueberries into the flour mixture until just moistened. (The batter will be very lumpy with a few spots of dry flour; do not over mix)

9. Using a 1/3 cup measure or an ice cream scoop, divide the
batter equally among the prepared muffin cups.

10. Spoon 1 tsp of the cooked berry mixture into the center of
each mound of batter.

11. Using a chopstick, skewer, or toothpick, gently swirl the
berry filling into the batter using a figure-eight motion and bringing batter up
from the bottom.

12. Sprinkle the lemon sugar evenly over the muffins (this will soak in as you’re adding it).

13. Bake until the muffin tops are golden and just firm, 17-19 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Flowers seem to be this weeks theme. There are lots of them blooming around the farm.

I think my favorite picture this week is the caterpillar. I was kneeling down to take a picture of a flower and spotted him among the stems. I love his bright colors.

All the pictures this week were taken with my phone. I forgot my camera at the auction hall so had to make do!

Ever since I joined Google+, I've found so many great quotes!
Some of these came from Google+ and some my friend Kristina shared with me. I can't decide which one I like best.

This is an amazing prayer!

This is a prayer which is said to have been found in the pocket of a deceased confederate Soldier during the American Civil War.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.

On Saturday we went to a friends open house.
There were lots of people there that we hadn't seen for a long time. It was great to catch up and visit.
We had a great time, Lydia playing with her friends, Seth and Levi enjoyed playing volley ball and Dad and I visited. Mom couldn't come with us because she went to relay for life for my aunt who has fourth stage bone cancer.
Below are a couple of photos.

I snapped most of these pictures on Monday and they've been sitting in my files just waiting for Friday!
My favorite is the bunny in my hand.

Twins again! Pepper had a boy and girl last night. She is a first time mom and didn't know what to do with them. She just walked away. Mom bottled them today, but with our busy schedule, she doesn't have time to bottle feed two babies so we gave them back to the lady we got Pepper from. Lorna came and picked them up tonight. I ran out there just before she got here and snapped a few pictures of them. The boy is the top two pictures and the girl is the bottom too. The boy is super flashy!

Sabriyah is jealous of all these new babies

When we got home from the auction hall, I took out a saddle to start working on getting Rio sacked out. It took me a while, but I got him saddled and led him around with it one, snapping the stirrups down and smacking the leather. He did pretty good considering I haven't done anything like this with him before. Then I turned him loose and whooee! He bucked liked a rodeo horse, but it didn't take him long to figure out he couldn't get that thing off so he might as well deal with it. It was riding a little high because of how I had to cinch it....I don't have a cinch small enough so I had to use leather straps.

The Champlins  sent me a good picture they got of Rio having his first rider, little Joanna.

I got some nice shots of the other horses while I was out there.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem.
Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man’s sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . … . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .’I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . … lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. …. . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older
person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We
will all, one day, be there, too!

Yesterday Belle, our older Nubian doe, had twins! A boy and girl.
We will be keeping the boy until after our trip to Alaska, so they can keep Belle in milk and we will be keeping the girl and breeding her next year. We are trying to come up with an Arabic name for her.
The first two pictures are the girl and the second two are the boy.
Shiloh and Pepper are due any time. We will probably have more babies by the end of the week.

I took two of the baby bunnies out to get some pictures. They are adorable, chubby little things. The mama wasn't too happy with me, but I think she was appeased when I returned her darlings safe and sound!

Today we were putting up hay. Seth, Levi, Grandpa and Uncle Greg did the majority of the work, but I helped some, enough to get some blisters!
We put up about 300 square bales and I'm not sure how many round bales. It was one of the hottest days yet and we went through a lot of water! The dogs enjoyed riding on the wagons with us some of the time.

I had some great opportunities for pictures while at conference, including photographing some people. Not my usual subjects but I think I got some good ones.
My favorite shot is the top one. I love this little swan!  I was able to get within about five feet of this swan family and they provided some amazing pictures!
What's your favorite photo this week?

Which one is your favorite? I like the first one.

Last week we traded Reggie for two horses, a mare and a gelding.
The mare's name is Abby and the gelding's name was Smokey, but obviously that isn't going to work as we already have a Smoke!
He is a beautiful appaloosa and looks very much like a Native American horse. We are still trying to decide on a name for him, so if you have any suggestions, leave a comment below! We are trying to think of something Indian to fit his coloring.
Abby is going to be Levi's horse. I went to ride her yesterday evening and she acted up some, not wanting to be caught or take the bit. I didn't want to get on her while she was so agitated so I decided to do some round penning first. I didn't do the full round penning, just the initial join up. The first time I sent her out, she jumped over a panel I had used as a gate and took off. I got her back and then it wasn't long before she responded and joined up. Levi and I both rode her. She is very similar to Smoke in how she handles and in her training. Levi is looking forward to competing with her this fall.
The appy was thrown in with Abby so we're not sure if we have a use for him or if he'll stay around. The lady said he was sixteen but I think he is under ten. I haven't checked his teeth yet. He's shy, but sweet and I think he will respond really well to  round penning. I'm eager to work with him.
I also rode Smoke and Lena yesterday. Lena hadn't been ridden in about ten months and she was a little stubborn, but not too bad. She felt good.
I cut Rio with Smoke like he was a cow. That was fun! Rio was dashing back and forth and Smoke was keeping up.

I'm back! Friday night through Monday night we were camping out in Indiana at the annual Dunkard Brethren Church Conference. It starts on Saturday afternoon and goes through Wednesday. We couldn't stay for the whole time because this week is our take in time for consignments, but we enjoyed the time we spent there.
The camp ground was great...lots of old and interesting buildings and it was beautiful right next to the lake. I took about 600 pictures and enjoyed some peaceful walks by the lake. I even got to see two swans with their babies....pictures of them coming on Photo Friday!
The youth enjoyed some fun activities including a game with balloons where you blow up a balloon and write your name on it, then toss all the balloons together. After that, everyone gets one of the balloons again, with a different person's name on it and you have to go find that person. It was a way to get us to meet new people. It was fun.
The youth also played a TON of volleyball. I didn't play, just watched and got lots of pictures! Seth and Levi enjoyed playing though.
We also had a singing with all the youth one night. I loved that. I got some recordings of the songs on my phone and I think I will be able to post some of them here.
The last night we were there, Seth stayed up with one of his friends, Orion, until 3 am. I gave up at midnight!
We had a great time over the weekend and the sermons were good.
Here's some pictures of our time there. More coming on Photo Friday.

The days were ticking by and I was getting worried...I had no pictures for today's post!
And then....
I took a walk.
And suddenly, I wasn't worried anymore!
Tons of opportunities popped up for beautiful pictures...I got so many I couldn't share them all! More to put aside for a rainy day!
My favorites are the daisy pictures.
I love daisies.
Next to tulips, they are my favorite flower. What is yours?
It's so wonderful to see all the plants coming to life and covering the ground with beautiful colors and patterns.
We are off for a weekend in Indiana attending a church conference. We will be back late Monday night. I will try to do a post or two while we are gone if I can...or I may not be back until Tuesday!

Yup, its another bright summer morning on the Lotter Farm and the critters are just waking up, ready for breakfast! Sabriyah isn't very photogenic this early in the morning!

All three of these girls are big and pregnant. Babies should be arriving soon!

Six baby bunnies have arrived. And no, the black and white rabbit is not in a cage...she managed to get the top of her hutch open and got out...thankfully I was able to catch her. Naughty Nancy!

Shep and Maple are in the usual places...one watching the goats and the other watching him with her ever present stick :)

Tiny and Waldo keep us amused with their antics, especially Tiny. She runs in the house door at every opportunity and loves to be petted and spoiled. Waldo likes to hunt in the swamp and is turning into a handsome man!

The horses are all looking beautiful after loosing their winter coats. Rio is growing by leaps and bounds and is beginning to talk. It's so cute! (We had to move Reggie on for various reasons and traded him for two new horses. Pics and descriptions coming soon)

Baby chicks are arriving and the ones already here are growing quickly!

About two or three weeks ago I rode Smoke out of the small pen and out into the open for the first time since the accident. She had shown me enough fire, I knew that this ride was make it or break it in a way...either I conquered her, or she conquered me.
We didn't start out too well. I put my foot in the stirrup and hauled myself up and she instantly started pushing the gate and getting really light on her front end. She had reared on me before so I didn't take that lightly. I got off and calmed her down. She wanted back to her buddies and she was letting me know it.
I wasn't sure what to do...I didn't want to get back on with her acting the way she was, but I didn't want to give up either, knowing I would have a worse fight on my hands the next time if I did.
So I just took hold of the reins and started walking...away from where she wanted to go. She followed me complacently and we walked all the way to the back of the 35 acre pasture we were in. When we got to the back meadow, I unsnapped one end of the reins and started lunging her. Usually she doesn't really like to lunge, but this time she didn't want to stop. She had a lot of energy and really wanted to get it out, so I let her. I made her lope first one way, then the next and back the other way again. At first, her head was really high and her ears kept flicking back and forth.
After about twenty minutes of this, her head came down and her ears stayed locked on me.
Then I changed it up a bit and started lunging her over a log, so she had to use up some more energy jumping.
By now I was feeling a little better about all of it and started walking her back up to the front of the pasture.
We walked back and forth several times until I felt she was calm enough, then I got on.
I was nervous, but I just walked her about twenty feet from the gate, stopped, and turned around. We did that for about half an hour, getting farther from the gate each time. She still felt pretty hot, but was controllable.
By the end of the ride, I was able to trot her a little and felt pretty pleased with her progress.
I have ridden her out in the open three more times since then and have gained more confidence and control each time. The last time I rode her out there, I was able to canter her freely, with no fear of her bolting or reacting to the control of the reins. She wasn't happy with the slower pace, but did pretty well considering her love for speed. I found a clearing big enough to lope a circle in and I worked her on lead changes and speed control.
It's getting pretty old having to put my brace on each time I want to ride. My next doctor appointment is toward the end of June and I'm hoping I'm healed enough to have it off completely. It's getting way too hot to wear it like that! I'm glad I didn't have to wear it a hundred percent of the time during the summer months!
Something changed in Smoke and I's relationship and for the better. We understand each other better and she is more willing to work with me. I like the change. It's really special to be able to ride a horse that you understand, and that understands you.
When I first started riding her this spring, I wondered if I would ever feel confident enough to compete with her sorting cattle. You have to trust your horse a lot and be very comfortable in the saddle, and I wasn't sure I would ever get enough of my confidence back to do it. But I think I have. I feel really good on her. She's thrown a few little tricks at me these last few rides, but I found that I could handle every one. She's much easier to handle than she was before, much more responsive to my hands and legs. She still gets mad at me, but not for long! She likes me too much. I don't think I've ever been mad at her. Scared yes, frustrated yes, but not mad.
If I had had to gain back my confidence on Bannie, it wouldn't have come so quickly or easily. Bannie undoubtedly loves me, but he still has the strong drive of a band stallion to conquer and rule everyone. After six months off, he would have needed many lessons, lessons that I wasn't prepared to give.
Smoke needed lessons too, but she knew what the limit was and threw in just enough mischief to make me figure out how to handle her, which was exactly what I needed.
A month ago, I did not feel ready to tackle re-training Bannie, but I feel ready now. He has the exact opposite problem as Smoke....she loves to work, he does not. With her, its a matter of figuring out how to slow her down with out causing an explosion, with him, you have to figure out how to get him moving without causing a major showdown. I had him figured out once and I don't think he's changed much beyond getting a little more lazy from time off, but the same old methods should work and I hope to soon be riding him with as much confidence as I am Smoke.

Today I got my first book order. The ones I had before were the complimentary copies my publisher sent me. I had several people I wanted to give one too and the rest sold in four days.
We put in an order and it arrived today...I can already see that they will be gone fast!
Tomorrow we will be delivering copies to the local bank where they will be displayed this summer, as well as to a local Mennonite bulk food store.
A lady we  have known for several years from the auction, has offered to let me do a book signing in her restaurant and the library in the same town may be interested in that also.
A local museum wants to sell my books and possibly schedule a book signing during one of their events.
There are approx. 11 different online stores carrying my book and one of them is from Australia!
The first tradeshow my book will be in is coming up toward the end of June.
Right now I am trying to squeeze in some editing on the second book. I am hoping to have it published by the end of the year...we'll see if I can make my deadline or not!
I have been so busy with the first book and life in general I haven't been doing much with the third book. Writers block has not been helping any!
The next two months before we leave for Alaska are promising to be very busy, so I don't have much hope of getting a lot of work done on books 2 and 3, but hopefully I will be able to buckle down this fall and get a lot accomplished.
I have not been doing much with my new series yet, but have been gathering some ideas for the characters and the plot. Where my first series is from a girl's perspective, this one will be from a guy's perspective. Bannie is the mascot for the first series and Smoke will be the mascot for the second one.
The funny thing is, a girl is the main character in the first series...with a boy horse and it is exactly the opposite in the second series!
I have been giving my camera a workout the last few days...Thursday I will be posting about all the farm animals with lots of pictures!

More toys for the big boys have shown up the last few weeks!
Dad surprised us all one evening with this 1902 Reproduction Curve Dash Oldsmobile. The man who made it got the blueprints from Henry Ford and when to the Henry Ford Museum to get measurements off one of their real vintage cars. We have nicknamed the Oldsmobile...the doodle bug! Dad and the boys enjoy driving it around the farm and might do a few parades with it.

Grandpa has been collecting old tractors and equipment for a long time. His place could easily be a museum! The inside of his house is just as full as the outside, with shelves every where.
He bought an old thresher a year or two ago and just a few weeks ago, he came home with another one!
Sometimes I will have to post a photo tour of his place across the road from us.