haha for monday

This makes me laugh every time I have to stop at it!!!

This is on one of the many roads to my house in the country. Not something you see everyday way out in the sticks. It's up because they are fixing a bridge abutment just around the corner. I just think it's funny and looks out of place.
Happy Monday all!

Christmas in august

Oh boy do I have some stuff coming your way.
 I have been up to my eyeballs canning...lots of canning past weekend...
 But while I was chained to my kitchen I heard some noises outside and some hysterical laughing too. So I grabbed my camera and went to investigate the noise. I mean I always try to grab my camera when I hear laughter like that. You never know what you may find...and this is what I saw to my delight and surprise...

no snow, no water? No problem. This is how we do it in the country!
Have a great Monday all!

fun at the ocean

We went to the beach. No let me re-state that. We went to the ocean! Ahhhhhhhhh I just love the ocean! The smell, the sounds, even the gulls flying over head. First time this summer. It was nice for us to get away from the farm for a day...or so
 Now let me fill you in on our adventure! (Long post and some pics are headed your way! Go get some coffee, and a cookie, I'll wait.)
My husband had to work and couldn't come. My mom came and picked up the kiddos and I. One of my sisters takes a vacation down to the ocean every year for a week. So she invited us down for the day. The motel she stays at has a pool, hot tub, sauna, and like 5 grills, a patio, play area, and best of all is about 500 feet from the ocean! The kiddos were up at 6am, I think they were a little excited, 9am didn't come fast enough for them. I brought my knitting and worked on that on the drive. It was a beautiful day, full sun with just a light breeze. We get to the beach and the kiddos took off for the water. Once they hit the water they let out a little yelp. The Atlantic Ocean is never warm. It was cold! It was low tide when we got there and could go way out.  They had boogie boards to ride the waves and all! Ahhh just a day of fun, and laying in the sun! Just what we needed. Time just is not an issue on your day off, and you get home whenever you get there! The kiddos thoroughly enjoyed playing, as did I!
Here is what we listened to...

Us in the ocean!!
We had a picnic on the hotel patio late in the day. While I was grilling the kiddos played in the pool, heated you know. It was nice for them to go in because they were chilly after the ocean. They liked the hot tub too! I got hot in the sun grilling so I ran and jumped in the pool. I did a cannon ball in the water and came up on the kiddos. They thought that was funny. I felt better and went and finished grilling. More fun on the beach after lunch.

 My view most of the day. Unless I was in the water playing with the kiddos. Not a lot of people there either!

The waves! Ahhhhhhhhh so beautiful!

Well later that evening when we were getting ready to leave, someone in the hotel asked us when we came up from the beach if had the silver van. Yes, was our response. We were told we had a flat tire. Very flat. (No pics, had put the camera in the motel room, or I'd have 100000000 pictures.  I have lots more, but won't put them on.) No problem. Just dig out the spare and head on out. The kiddos went up to the motel and went in the pool. They didn't care, it just meant more time in water with their cousins! Well it took us a few minutes to find the spare. Some "genius" that designed this newer van decided the back is not a good place for a spare. No they put in in the front between the driver and passenger seat underneath. Because that's SUPER convenient to get out let me tell you. NOT. Well we get that out and low and behold again some genius had a donut for the spare!! (For those of you who don't know, a donut is a much smaller tire, and not ideal for long travels to drive on, and you can only go 50mph on them). My parents had recently bought this van too, so they had no idea this was the case. OK, not so cool for a long drive on the highway ... now what. Well we took the flat tire off and found not 1 but 2 screws in it! OMW! We were so thankful that this happened in the safety of the parking lot and not on the highway! We put the donut on and thought what would be our best move. You know there are some folks who always have an opinion and are rather loud and free with their advice, well we had one of those, but choose not to go with it. We did have some help from the motel manager, he was helpful. Well, we sent my sister to the store to get a new tire mounted and balanced. That sounded like a good idea. She called a while later. My mom, other sister and the kiddos were fixing up a late supper for the sleepy, hungry kiddos when she called. Walmart told her they would only sell her 4 new tires, but they closed in 10 minutes. We were about 20 or so minutes away. Not gonna work, and we only needed 1 tire, not 4! Then she went to VIP. They said sure, we can do that, tomorrow at 1:30. SOoooooooooooo Mom and I decided at that point (it was late and no one else was open) we would just stay the night and go to VIP the next day. We called our husbands and told them. Then got our room. My sister had to leave and do chores at her farm and couldn't stay and play. My other sister was staying until the next day anyways so we were gonna party! We got showers and settled in and got an extra cot for the room. Snacks and some TV on the beds, and a very late night for all of us. All and all it was fine!
The next morning we walked down to the pier and got some DD coffee near the ocean. Mmmmmmmmmm iced coffee after a long late night was a must have.

 My babies foot print in the sand.

My kiddos walking down to the pier with the ocean lapping their feet. When we got back we had to check out of the motel, and sat on the beach for an hour or so. We still needed to kill time and the kiddos didn't like just looking at the ocean. We had no place for a bathroom, changing or block from the sun. Everything was packed. So we went shopping for a while, had a "tailgate" party in the parking lot for lunch, then packed up and headed to VIP to get the new tire. We get there and they said it would be a hour, but maybe two hours before they could get it done. This was now 1:30 when they said it could be done. Now what?! We parked in the shade, got some chairs and blankets out. Then walked down to the DD that was right down the road and my mom treated the kiddos to a coolatta, my sister and I got iced coffee, and mom got tea, unsweetened. Then walked back to VIP and hung out there for over two hours. We had an adventure, and the kiddos were great! We had food, water and shade, and some grass for them to play in. We all wished we could have gone back to the beach, but didn't have enough room in my sisters little car. I was very glad I brought my knitting. I'm working on a new baby blanket for a friend. Nope not to get paid for it, but a gift! I'll show you that soon too. When the van was fixed we left for home. It was 4pm when we left. The ride home was uneventful, thankfully! All and all the whole thing was great fun! An adventure I think the kiddos will remember for a very long time!
We got home for chores, late chores. The cows were waiting for us, my husband wasn't home, and the kiddos needed to eat...I did also notice that my husband had put down some hay. That's what we will be doing this weekend...my day of relaxing at the beach seems like it was a long time ago!
Have a great weekend all. I'll have some pics of haying to share soon I'm sure!

time change

Good grief this time change has done something to my brain. I mean really it's kicked my butt. Normally it does anyways. I love the spring ahead time change. I love that it's now not dark until around 7! Ahhhh, that is so nice!! I don't even mind loosing that hour of sleep. I usually take a nap on that Sunday after noon after church to make up for it!! ;-0!! This week has been crazy. I didn't get that nap on Sunday. Something happened on Monday, but I don't remember what. Tuesday DaLaney had a sewing lesson in the afternoon. My SIL, a friend, and I  had a class Tuesday night. We had school this week I'm sure! Wednesday came. It was cold and ended up snowing. I collected sap while Matthew was boiling it down. It didn't run and we didn't get much. I hope it ran today. We haven't been eating supper until 6-6:30. Last night we didn't even sit down until 6:45. Matthew and I looked at each other in disbelief. Where did the day go? The days have been flying by in a blurrrrrr. On Sunday morning when Matthew went out to milk he woke up Maggie. She was still sleeping! She was probably wondering why he was out so early! Kinda funny. We had Maggie AI'd the other day, but she bled out this afternoon. That stinks. No calf for the year 2012. This morning I went to town. Delivered some eggs to the store, did some grocery shopping, then had a few things I needed to get for myself. Boy what a treat I got out of the house with no kiddos! Let me tell you about that trip to town. I had to get gas. Well I had cash so I had to prepay. No biggie. I go pay, then once back out by the car I get in and put my seat belt on and start  the car, pop it in drive. Oops. I forgot to put the gas IN the car. So I get out and pump it. I drive to the store. I get my cell, purse and get out. I hit the lock button on the door and slam it. Darn it all! I locked the keys IN the car! I fumbled through my purse to find the spare key. Not there. Great. I laughed at myself at this point. I found a key and managed to get the door unlocked. Although it didn't want to. I grab the keys, re-lock the door and go shopping. Talk about your "blonde" moments! haha   Managed to drop a few things while I was shopping too. Thankfully nothing broke. I've dropped and broken bottles of juice, hate when I do that. I always feel bad watching the person cleaning up my mess. I feel like I should be doing it. Back in the car I gulped down a muffin and a flavored water. Had them both gone before I left the parking lot. I was hungry. I didn't eat before I left home. I like the blueberry muffins at the store. They have baked on sugar crystals on top! Yummy! Probably filled with bad for you stuff, but once in a while it's OK. Once all the shopping was done I get home. Breath. All the stuff unloaded, and I have yet to finish taking care of it. Not that I got tons of food, I've been busy. Done some laundry, and made 3 pounds of mozzarella cheese to sell. Then I remember my boy has Cub Scouts. Get him all ready and Matthew gets him and takes him there. He calls me and says "it's Thursday." "OHHHHHH! Whoops, guess he missed it by a day." Scouts is on Wednesday. Now he's at the mill helping daddy work for the rest of the day!
Oh well. This week is almost over! Thankfully! Maybe next week will be better. Who knows what's in store for me tomorrow!~
Have a great afternoon all! I gotta finish taking care of my groceries, and make supper!

a good day includes ice cream...

...just ask my family! They'll tell you!!
I had a great day on Sunday. After church we came home and had lunch and one of my sisters and her son came over for a visit. We just sat on the couch and talked and giggled, while the kiddos played outside and enjoyed the sunshine. We also enjoyed some yummy treats that she brought and some iced coffee!! I had and still do have a million things to do, but I like to just rest and relax on Sunday, whenever possible. Living on a farm in the summer, or any other time of year, you don't always get that day off. Much as it would be nice. Animals and chores still need to be done two times a day. Anyways...
We decided that since it was the last day that an ice cream shop was going to be open we'd surprise the kiddos and take them down to have ice cream for supper that night. It's down on a lake and it was so nice to sit and eat and watch the kiddos run around the edge of the water. Even if the wind was really blowing and I ate some of my hair with my fries because it was blowing around so much it got in my mouth. I know it was my hair. It was a huge hit, the ice cream not the hair in my mouth!!. I had french fries and my sister had onion rings, but we shared them. I thought it was a bit too windy and cold to eat ice cream, but Matthew and the kiddos didn't. Then we went for a walk in the woods. My sister is not a farmer or much for wanting to walk in the woods, especially in her flip flops. She is the one sister that is a town/city gal. She loves to come to the farm and see the animals and us and is willing to help, but she doesn't want to live on a farm, it's not for everyone. I still love to tease her about being a city girl!! haha sorry sis, but it's true!!  She's a good sport, and had fun getting mud on her feet and squished between her toes!! She said she'd have to bring multiple pairs of shoes when she comes from now on! The boys were running way ahead of us on the trail and Little Matt knew his way around and was able to go through the woods and come back to us. I was so proud of him. Me? I would get lost a hurry. All the trees look the same to me, and the paths do too. Guess maybe if I went down there more I could tell my way around. Yeah that's it!!  The woods we went to are ours. We have a wood lot and get our fire wood there! It's great having a wood lot!
We made it back safe and sound and my sister only had a little bit of mud on her feet and flip flops! We all had a nice walk, and it wasn't nearly as windy in the woods as down on the lake. The kiddos were thrilled they got to have ice cream for supper at the ice cream shop, and a walk in the woods!
Here are some pictures of our fun! Enjoy! I know we did!!

Ice cream always tastes better on the water!

my girl caught a frog. she was very pleased too!

No I really don't have a fedish with mushrooms. I just thought they were pretty!

my sister. kiddos moving branches out of the path!

this little critter wanted a free ride on my leg. i flung him off and left him in the woods!

a beautiful sunset. this picture doesn't do it justice to how beautiful and brightly colored it was.

 Have a great day all!!

skunks...

Sure why not!?!?! It is spring and I do live in the country!
Sure on Bambi they portray the skunk as a cute little thing, and "Flower" was cute. I mean they are kinda cute. They eat bugs and mice so they aren't all bad! I know a kid who had one as a pet when he was a pet. I believe that it had the stink taken out though. Somehow. Was a long time ago. Anyways, when your dog gets sprayed or one gets hit and you drive by it. Yuck. Last year when Matthew was haying the field he cut one with the mower. He felt real bad, and had to take care of it. Boy did that stink. Yes I'm getting there just taking a bunny trail!!
Had a great day yesterday too. Was hot, but I loved it! Went on a delivery with my man while the kiddos played at their grandmothers in the afternoon. Then last night we had my brother and sister in law and all their kiddos over for supper. We had a BBQ. It was really good too! The kiddos were all outside playing having a grand time of it. Every once in a while they would come in with a bunch of flowers for us. We could hear them laughing and screaming. Mind you it was a happy scream, there is a difference. Well all of a sudden we hear this shriek and hollering and mass entrance of kiddos, there were 7 of them, (one was in the house he just turned one), running through the front door all of them wild eyed and loudly proclaiming they found a skunk in the field!! I'm not sure who found who first! The smell of skunk suddenly filled the house and we shooed them back outside. The fathers were the lucky ones who got to do the sniff check while my SIL and I laughed!! Thankfully as the kiddos were running away and the skunk was running away they didn't get a direct hit of spray! Two needed a shower and their clothes hosed off and washed separately, but all in all it wasn't too bad. Guess I must really be country if I think getting a little dose of skunk on my kiddos is not so bad! I do have plenty of tomatoes and vinegar... At least we could laugh at the whole thing!
 So chalk one up to a skunk and 7 kiddos playing in the field at dusk!! Wonder how long it will take before they go play in the field at dusk again!! hahahaha
I think this memory of skunks will last a long time with all of them. At least I hope it does! I know it will for me!
Ah gotta love country life!

flip flops...

OK. So now that I have your attention!! Hhaha. No this post isn't about flip flops, but I did just get some today at Payless. A bogo sale, so I had to get two!! I thought I'd share them with you. I think they are cute! Yup I am a girl that likes shoes! Yes, I wore them today and you can see my feet marks.Wore 'em right out of the store! At least I spared you my feet in them!  What did you expect the royal wedding? Nope didn't watch it. Maybe I'll catch a clip on You Tube.
Actually I've been busy, if you can believe that! I've got a few things going on that I need to hurry up and finish, and then I've got things I need to hurry up and get started. Makes my head spin.
Yesterday was kinda busy with school, house work, farm chores, and laundry see a pattern here? I also had to make a menu and grocery list. That takes a good chunk of time, well at least for me it does. It was a little humid out, and the kiddos were tired, so we all sat down late in the afternoon and watched a movie together, while I was working on something. As the movie was coming to an end Rachel looked out the window and exclaimed "Maggie's out!" "What?" was my rather surprised response. Again, Rachel pointing out the window with her chubby little finger exclaimed "Maggie's Out!" I jumped up and saw her trotting down the road. I grabbed a light jacket on the back of the chair in the kitchen, told Little Matt  "call Daddy now", and ran out the door to the barn. Not even really thinking I got some grain and took off after our cow. The wind was really starting to blow too, and it was even more humid. I called Maggie and shook her grain can, it was around 4:15. At one point she turned and looked at me, and I thought "yes she'll come right home". Wrong. One of my neighbors was in his door way with his phone to call me, the other was out working on his truck. Guess seeing a loose cow running down the road was nothing to get excited about and he just went back to his work and didn't look again. Maggie decided that my other neighbors cows looked like more fun and their grass looked batter then her hay. He has beef cattle, and a bull. Thankfully she's with calf (Haha) and not interested in him and he didn't seem to care much about her. But they all were interested in looking at each other, but none of them tried the fence. It was snapping and it's super hot! Thankfully! I talked to Maggie and she was looking and listening to me. I even got close to her with the grain and let her have a bite. Then thought "drat, I don't have a rope." So I dumped the grain on the ground and let her eat it. I took of running as fast as my legs could carry me (did I ever mention I used to run track?) comes in handy when your a cattle wrangler... I tell myself as I'm sprinting down the road to get the rope I forgot, I really needed a cow horse and learn how to rope. Again would come in as a handy skill... Little Matt was outside when he saw me and I told him to open the gate and Maggie's barn door. He said Daddy (my man) was on his way home. Oh good I thought. I might just need all the help I can get...I got some more grain, her halter and a rope this time. My lungs were burning and my whole body was shaking. (I don't run on a regular basis, but I'm glad I'm in shape to go catch my cow, and all my years in track taught me how to run) The air was so heavy and the extra weight of the jacket was killing me. I kept it on, not even realizing it was still on me, and wondering why I was so hot. Beside all the running. I told the kids to go back in the house and they could see me down the road out the window. I took off running again, and as I reached the driveway to my neighbors cattle barn I looked over my shoulder and saw My Man driving down the road to help!! He had the window down and called to me with a big smile "hey there farm girl, need some help?" I stopped and returned the smile and waited for him to get out of the car. Maggie was a little closer to the road by now. I shook the grain and she decided to run in the other direction. My FIL showed up and went down the road a bit and stopped. Matthew and I walked slowly, me catching my breath and trying to talk. I knew that Maggie would come to me better, so Matthew hung back and I went slowly to Maggie and again she came to me a bit and I dumped the grain on the ground, and as soon as she put her head down to eat I grabbed her collar tightly and didn't let go. She wanted to run and started to turn away from me, but I only hung on tighter and dug my heels in and pulled on her collar, she stopped and Matthew was there in an instant and got the other side. We slipped her rope halter on and took her home. I had to smack her on the rump a few times because she didn't want to move. But we got her home, and all was well again. The kiddos were on the back deck and came running out into the field and were very happy Maggie was now back home. Phew. The horses were running around and neighing. Guess they wanted to have some fun too! Thankfully I didn't have flip flops yesterday. Ever try to run in those? I don't recommend it. Bad, just bad.
Supper was late last night, partly because of all the cow chasing, and Matthew had to get some more logs sawed out at the mill. I did chores so he could stay later, and finish things up. We had Chicken Fried Stake, smashed potato with gravy (for those who like it) and green beans. I took a couple pictures but they didn't look nice at all, and made the food look rather unpleasant to look at and make you not want to eat it, so I figured I'd just tell you it was good! It really was too. I didn't have much for leftovers. I was told I could make that again sometime! :-) I slept really well last night too.
Today was another busy day, but a good day. We were gone all day. I helped Matthew over at the mill for a while, this morning, then made a delivery for him, then I went shopping. Of course the delivery and my shopping and banking were in two different directions. I took DaLaney with me. She loves to go shopping with me, and I enjoy her company. I like to take one of the kiddos with me. A chance to talk and giggle or just be together with none of the others around. It's nice to have that bond with them. I also like that they like to come with me. DaLaney helped pick out my flip flops. She liked that job. She also likes to push the cart and fetch things off the shelf. Although she decided that cart was a little too awkward for her to push after a while. She also got to pick out some real baby clothes for her baby doll. She just loves her babies and was thrilled to get some real baby clothes! She likes the color pink and picked out some real cute pink clothes for her baby named Eliza. (Well, thats her name for now. It changes once in a while).
Again we were late getting home and supper was late. I made Gorditia's, from a kit. I took the easy way out, and I'm OK with that. Little Matt ate 3 of them, and would have eaten more, but they were gone, with some chips, a little bit of left over Easter candy, a piece of cake, and a tall glass of milk. Some days I'm amazed what he eats. There are days he eats more then Matthew...oh and the teen years care fast approaching too.. too fast. But I still have some time left before they hit... my kitchen!
Well I'm done rambling for now. That's two days in the life of us as we know it!
Have a great weekend all!!

cabin fever...

What have I been up to you wonder? Well I'll tell you.
I've been sitting on my couch, by the fire, eating chocolates, sipping double espresso lattes with ... NOT. I don't drink lattes. HAhahaha... Sorry, bad I know. No I really haven't been up to a whole lot. Just the regular everyday things, cooking, cleaning, home school, barn chores. It's been so cold out that you walk out the door and your nostrils almost freeze shut, the air bites your face, and you want to run and dive back under the covers of your nice warm bed that you drag yourself out of in the morning. It was 6 degrees one morning, and 4 another. Burrrrr.. I decided I didn't want to know the temperature anymore, so I stopped looking at the thermometer. So yes I have a touch cabin fever. I think it came early this year, for me.  All I really want to do is sleep for about the rest of the winter. Matthew and I were going to go out on a date, but it just didn't work out... maybe another night. The kids watched National Velvet the other day, because it was too cold to play outside, and the next thing I know they are setting up jumps all though the house and running and jumping over them!! I decided to join in the fun and we were all running, jumping and hollering wildly "Come on Pie! Yyyaaaa!" It was fun! Reminded me of my childhood and all the crazy horse things my best friend and I used to do!! I won't share that stuff though. I'll let your imaginations run wild with all the silly things two young horse crazy girls can do:-) FYI, my best childhood friend and I are still best friends to this day! I'm thankful for her friendship too. And yes we both are still horse crazy!

I think I'll share a photo now...

Ready?

Me and the kiddos. It was taken a year ago, but I just love this picture. We were playing king of the hill, but stopped long enough to get our picture taken! That snow bank was huge! 

You didn't ACTUALLY think I'd put up a picture of me when I was little did you?? Nosireee... Not today anyways...

I need to get going on some of my winter projects. Maybe that will help,my cabin fever that is. I volunteered myself  to make five people something homemade this year, kind of a pay it forward thing. The people wanted it, I didn't force them to sign up for it.  I'd like to get creative in what I make for them too. We shall see. I have a whole year to make them!! I hope it doesn't take me a whole year...

hahahahahahahaha.....

Beware of the sheep! If you look close you can see the black sheep, Daisy, inside the shed! Not to mention the kids bikes in front of the doorway and a displaced dog peaking around the truck!

What's wrong with this picture???

OK, so I couldn't resist the urge to put up a couple funny pictures! The guard sheep in the shed, and our Christmas tree with half the lights out! I noticed that this afternoon when I turned the lights on and the tree didn't look as bright! Will be fun taking them off and putting up new ones, lets see how many decorations I can knock off in the meantime!