By Susan Shanklin You complain about winter and, bam, summer comes, and you start looking forward to fall and harvest. I tell you, we humans are never satisfied with whatever state (or season) we are in! It’s strawberry season here at the Shanklin Ponderosa (aka 3.3) and, rain or shine, someone has to go out there and pick. Mmmm, I … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Have you ever felt like you were caught up in a whirlwind and your feet landed somewhere else? Well, that’s how the trip to the United Kingdom was! I went from catching my breath after returning from Benin, West Africa in mid-January to being whisked to the land of sheep-roaming green pastures, high hedges, and ancient stone … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Where do I start? What do you want to know? Do I start with the miracle at the Minneapolis airport where they found me at the LAST gate of the airport 10 minutes before we were to board on our first leg of our trip to Benin to return my visa to me to enter Benin, Africa?????? … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Do you ever have one of those jump-up-and-down moments? Like when you lift up the name of Jesus higher than situations? Like when you get to utter the promises of God over the works of the devil? Like lift-off-over-the-moon excitement?? If not, you sure are missing out on the best part of life! Yesterday, a friend from … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Do people ever ask you what you did today? Like you wonder if they are really interested or just checking out how useful you are to mankind? Oh, I can be a doubter of some people intentions, but I kind of get defensive, and I quickly try to think of all the important things I did. Well, … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Tom just texted me at 6:45 a.m. from London that he was boarding and would be home soon. Well, I’ll see him about 5:30 or 6 p.m., that is. It’s always good to have my man back home after his in-country or out-of-country missions trips! Not only do I miss his charming and winning personality, but all … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I want to tell you a story of what happened when I was, oh, about 12 or 13 years old. I was riding in our brown and tan compact station wagon, with my mother, Blanche, descending down a long hill into my home town of Andover, Massachusetts. I guess she was going too fast, because she was … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin For all of you that have scanned the front and inside then flipped to the back here, my stuff isn’t as interesting or note worthy as Tom’s, but rather mine is the life and notes of the keeper of the stuff. “No one can agree with what you say! All must share alike: whoever stays behind with … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I just know you are waiting for a Thanksgiving report. Ha ha. Folks, this is what I think about for the whole year! Thanksgiving! It’s special, special to me and our children, their spouses, our grandchildren, and guests. It’s about the only time I can get the whole family together under one roof for food, laughter, and … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Fresh Kosher Style Dill pickles are associated with fond memories of Gail Bohan, Thanksgiving, Dugan Oaks, and of course Tom. I’m probably not the best blue ribbon pickle maker in the county, but people seem to enjoy them. I’m not a huge kosher dill pickle fan. I like sweet pickles myself. Tom does not like sweet pickles, … Read more>>>
I’m imperfect! I know that’s hard to comprehend, ha, but it’s true. I can get up-tight and emotional about customer service. I try to live right, but sometimes if my car doesn’t get fixed right, they send the strawberry plants at the wrong time, or do a half-effort job repairing the barn, then Susan is off in the sky blue … Read more>>>
Susan Shanklin, author of “Help! I Want to Lose Weight” speaking at a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Spring Regional Meeting in Cold Springs, Minnesota. Great weight loss motivation! Get a vision of who you really are. You are a valuable person. Check out Susan’s book here≥≥≥ Have Susan Speak to Your Group April, 2017 I have been fortunate to … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Today, the 27th day of April, we woke up to snow on the ground. Mind you it wasn’t much, but my apple and lilac blossoms were covered and day lily leaves were bent and white. I restarted a fire in the wood stove a few days ago after shutting it down, polishing it, and cleaning the window. … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin We took off from Minneapolis at 7:30 at night cutting through the dark clouds ready to explore a new frontier. Tom and I wanted our hearts to beat with a fresh compassion and zeal for all cultures and classes. It was our strong desire to let the very breath of England to fill our lungs and hearts. … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I have had wonderful comments from my Shoofly pie story in December about hurtful words and, in my opinion, yummy pie. Shoofly pie was a childhood favorite, a young mother’s treat for your children dashed by another’s hurtful words and by all means forgiven. Pie unbaked for years, but risen again to conquer ill-thought-out words to grace … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin Thanksgiving was the best ever! Lots of love. Lots of grandchildren and lots of food. Truly Thanksgiving Day is my favorite holiday of the whole year! It’s the one time my WHOLE family is at our house. I must say I dream about it the whole year. I plan. I clean. I cook. Pretty much in that … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin We had a good hard frost last night. Yellow and red leaves are dangling off branches by a thread and praise the Lord the mosquitoes are DEAD! There is a toasty fire flickering in the living room wood stove…not blasting, but a comfy cozy flame to keep the furnace from kicking on. We start out with what … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I just finished cleaning my house! I do not like to clean my house! I do like to live in a clean house, though. Ha ha. Almost sounds like the beginning of a Dr. Seuss book which really aren’t my favorite books to read to my grandchildren. Too much nonsense and too many tongue twisters. Anyway, cleaning … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I just dropped off Ella, the dog, at the groomers for a bath. Some of you remember Ella from past stories. But for some of you she is a new addition to the farm news here at the Shanklins. Ella is a big, yellow Lab…about 7 years old now. We got her a few years ago from … Read more>>>
By Susan Shanklin I just was picking some asparagus. Hunting for the thicker stems, seeing it’s getting later in the season and I have to leave some to make healthy ferns to feed the deep roots for NEXT year. I had an okay asparagus year. Plenty for everyday eating, a spit to give to our daughter in the Cities and … Read more>>>
