September 26, 2010

Fall is finally here!!  The boys and I went to visit Nanny and Papa in Tennessee.  Unfortunately there are no pictures from the trip as I forgot my camera.  I was so disappointed.  The camera was not the only forgotten item.... there were several!

Mom and I managed to get some tomato juice canned up during the weekend activities.  Saturday was Cemetary Day at Price Cemetary.  Members of the community belong to the association where the cemetary is and they had their annual meeting.  I was privileged to be able to attend.  The rest of my weekend amounted to lots of studying. 

There's a 30% chance of rain over night and a 40% chance tomorrow.  Where was this rain during the summer when we needed it?  Mother Nature was holding out on us.

Joe went hunting this afternoon I'm waiting anxiously to see if he was lucky enough to harvest a deer.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Hummingbird - Rubythroat I think

Male Cardinal

House Sparrow - I think

Chipping sparrow - I think

September 21, 2010

I'm home today with Ranger.  He woke up fine, then complained of a stomach ache, which resulted in a... well, let's just say he's home sick today.  Although he's feeling better now.  He said he thought he just ate his breakfast too fast.  I've emailed my classmates so I can be sure to get today's notes, so I'm in good shape.

In case you didn't know today is the Autumnal Equinox.  I've been waiting impatiently for autumn.  I love the browns, yellows, oranges and reds in the trees.  The crisp leaves crunching underfoot.  The smell of pumpkins and bonfires, the crisp morning temperature is something I've been longing for.

My mom gave me the start of a flower and after doing a little research I think it's actually called Datura.  Some call it Jimson Weed, Devil's Trumpet, Angel's Trumpet and Jamestown Weed just to name a few.  It blooms at night and it quite spectacular.  You've got to be quick with your camera if you want to catch a picture of it's blooms.  If anyone knows for sure what this beauty is, please let me know.

 I was hoping to have a bonfire this weekend but there is a county wide burn ban, so I'll just grill the hot dogs and figure out how to do the smores on the grill!

September 17, 2010

Good evening!  When I got home from school today I was able to get the yard mowed and 5 more quarts of tomato juice canned up.  I have enough tomatoes to get another 5 quarts tomorrow and some green beans to pick.  I hope there's enough to can a few quarts!

Joe is scheduled to work tomorrow.  He's had to get up at 3:30 and it takes him an hour and 45 minutes to get to work.  I'm glad he's got the work, though.  That's one of the reasons I've been canning, freezing, and dehydrating all summer!


Here's a few pictures of a special trip  the boys and I took with Nanny and Papa to Reelfoot Lake.

Bald Eagle

The resident nut!

This little fella's wing was broken

September 15, 2010

Good morning!  I wanted to let you know that I will likely be MIA over the weekend.  I have two major tests to study for (Monday tests stink!) and I need to mow and get some canning done.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

My childhood play house . . . long gone now

If it quacks like a duck . . .

Tobacco harvest in Hico, Tennessee

September 14, 2010

Wow, I can't believe how busy I've been with the boys, school, yard, garden... Today was Joe's birthday and he's gone hunting.  I haven't heard from him yet and it's dark so he must not have gotten one.  Right now is bow season so it's certainly more challenging than rifle season.  I sure was hoping he'd get one for his birthday, though.

The boys are working on math flash cards together.  My homework is done for the night.  This is the earliest I've been done since school started.  I did get enough tomatoes to can.  I think I'll make salsa this time.  That's something everyone likes.

The temperatures had certainly fallen but this week they've inched back up into the 90's just not that Kentucky humidity thank goodness.

Ranger reading and Taz snuggling

Maverick looking awfully sneaky...

This is one of my favorite fall decorations. 

September 11, 2010

In honor of those families who lost their loved ones during the tragedy of 9/11.  We will never forget.

Today I went to a tiny little town - Island, Kentucky.  They have a Wooden Bridge Festival every year.  Today it just happened to fall on the anniversary of 9/11.  I took my camera and snapped a few pictures. 

Presenting the flag

21 gun salute

Taps

Wooden Bridge in Island Kentucky.  This bridge was moved to a small park area to make way for a paved road

This gentleman was selling birdhouses made from license plates, tin men, and he even made his own camper!

Veterans being honored

Veterans being honored

Tin man

Notice the price?  Only $5!!!  Beautiful artwork on a wild turkey feather with the frame

Cruise In

Then when I got home, I canned 6 quarts of tomato juice....

and a canner full of green beans - 6 quarts worth

I hope you enjoyed touring the Wooden Bridge Festival.  I had a wonderful pork butt sandwich, listened to some local performers

I even bid on a few goodies in the silent auction.  I'm anxiously waiting for 5 pm to see if I win!

September 8, 2010

Tonight I was thinking about the amazing ice storm we had here a few years ago.  It is easy to look back on it now and think about how beautiful it was.  It's also easy to forget we were nearly two weeks without electricity. 

I remember we ate so many cold sandwiches I didn't think we'd ever want another!  Joe was trying to convince Maverick that pretzels dipped in mustard actually is a tasty treat.... by letting him sniff the squeeze bottle of mustard.  For those of you who sniff lotion and shower gels, you KNOW you have to give the bottle a little squeeze to get the full effects of the aroma.... Poor Maverick ended up with mustard in his hair and on his glasses after Joe gave a little squeeze to that mustard bottle!  Needless to say Maverick still doesn't like mustard.

Here are a few pictures from our winter storm of 2009.

Of course there was a snowball fight

The tree's head is bowed to the awe of Mother Nature

The finches loved this storm

The inevitable clean up

I think it took 5 loads to get the "big" pieces

Let's hope winter 2010 brings peace and beauty and a smattering of snow.

September 5, 2010

This is typically always what's left after Maverick eats an apple.

Walking Stick

Ranger was quite amazed by this creature.

I'm not sure what the official name for this is.  I've always called it Cardinal vine.  It's one of my favorites.  Grandmother always had this growing.

Not sure what kind this is, but I love it!

I found a great website, Chickens in the Road and found how to make cornhusk angels

and twig stars.  I've started my Christmas decorations already!

Cornhusk angel

Can you see tons of these strung together for garland?

September 4, 2010

What an absolutely gorgeous day!!  It truly felt like autumn today.  I started off canning a few jars of tomato juice.  The boys had a few dollars burning a hole in their pocket so we went to town and poor Ranger slammed his hand in the door.  Fortunately the door didn't latch and after a few tense minutes he was good as new.

Ranger is scheduled to get his new contacts on Friday.  I hope he's able to get them in and out.  I remember my first few attempts...  until then here's a picture of Ranger and Maverick sporting their new glasses.

I did find a walking stick yesterday.  I haven't seen one of these in years!

Who says tomatoes don't have a butt?

The kids thought this 'mater was hilarious!

Tomato juice

Strawberry lemon marmalade

Looks like everyone is getting something homemade this year for Christmas!

A few oldies but definitely goodies September 2, 2010

Me and the kiddos a few Christmas's agoDad

Grandmother and MomThe whole gangMe and Molly Nanny, Pop, Peggy

Ranger and MaverickRanger's first day of Head StartGrandmother and Barron Maverick

Ranger