Spring is one of my favorite times of the year and blackberries are the reason.  I love blackberries.  I love the way they look, the way they smell, the way they feel when I pick them off the vine and the warm berries burst in my mouth with just the right mix of spring sweetness and tangy tartness. 

Some nights I settle down for a good night’s sleep and good sleep just isn’t what comes.  I know that some fire wives have trouble sleeping when their firefighters are on a call or even on their regular shift, asleep at the station.  I’ve never had that problem though.  I actually like having the big bed to myself when he’s on shift.  I can sleep like a starfish if I want to and there’s no one to battle for the sheets when I get cold.  The physical act of sleeping comes easily whether my firefighter is here or not.  I fall asleep well.  I might wake up a time or two due to my wee t

This is our broody chicken, sitting on a clutch of duck eggs since our ducks aren't nearly as good at sitting on their nests as she is.  Hopefully we'll have some little ducklings following this confused little Mama around by the end of April!

Our wild blackberries in full bloom.

The first apple blossoms on our combination apple tree.  Their sweet smell is heavenly.

In a week full of national tragedies such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion, I am still choosing to enjoy the beauty of spring in my own back yard.  I'm starting with this strawberry bloom, laced with dew at sunrise.  Perfectly lovely...

(The photo above is one of my firefighter and our 12-year-old daughter because I feel that the most important place to start building the proper image of opposite-gender friendships is to build them first within a family.  Since our daughters get to see and live this beautiful example of treasured friendship first with their Daddy, it is our hope that they will have a stronger ability to wisely choose friends and spouses in their futures.  The story is below...)

Two of my amazing friends over at Firefighter Wife, Lori Mercer - owner and fellow fire wife Trina, were guests on Fire Engineering's podcast last night!  I'm so proud of and excited for them!  Take a few minutes today and listen to what these women had to say in support of their firemen, their fire families, their lives, and other intimate details. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2013/01/31/episode...

What is it that makes so many firemen kings of unfinished projects?  I’m curious.  I used to think it was just us.  I thought our family, our marriage, our house was one of the few that had stacks and even rooms filled with unfinished projects.  I’ve come to understand that this isn’t the case at all.  I have noticed a pattern though.  The more children we have, the fewer projects we finish.  Actually no; that’s not completely accurate.  The more children we have, the more projects we take on, therefore the more projects are left unfinished.  I’m going to move forward under the assumption (

There are few things on a frigid winter's day, that can warm my heart and soul as well as having highs in the mid-70's and teaching homeschool in the garden, while the girls kick back with bare feet and shorts, soaking up the Vitamin D.