FARM ENTERTAINMENT

On the resent visit from my parents, we decided to stop at the farm on their way home. Mamaw and Papaw were working in the garden so we found ourselves spending some time there. Papaw had a trick I had never seen before and by the looks of it, neither had anyone else. Papaw showing how to make a flute from the vine of a squash plant.

Levi's turnip carving. Nothing entertains a kid better than a knife and plenty things to cut.

Naomi excited about her large turnip find.....so much turnip to cut, where do I start!

Insects are always a staple at the farm. This Praying mantis gave us several minutes of not stop fun. Pop came up with it on his arm to show us, and it decided to stay despite his best removal attempts.

You can tell by Naomi's face this is pure enjoyment. Pop's, not so much.

The flutes being performed by Naomi and Levi. So, what do you think about that??? All we need is a few more people, a couple blades of grass and we could have a band.

FARM FINDINGS

The fields have been plowed at the neighbors farm. We thought we
should help them out by removing some rocks (with permission).

Joe found the most compete ones, but I did better than I thought
picking them up one at a time.

MY BABY, MY BABY......

.....is home! Safe and sound, and I'm happy. Thanks for your prayers.

MORNING FLOWERS

I love taking pictures. I love my flowers. I forget how beautiful it all is after a long cold winter. I love bring back memories and making new ones. I look at these flowers and see life, love and hard work. If anyone is interested in having copies of any of these, I'd be happy to share. I can even see a puzzle or two.

MY BABY, MY BABY

My boy is at camp this week. I miss him....It is the first time he has every been away from home for more than a night.

Detailed information was given at a meeting the other night. The head counselor was telling what protocol is for homesick kids. First they try to sooth the child on their own. If that fails, a call is made home and we have one of two choices. The first being, "My baby, my baby, I'll be there to pick you up asap". The second being, "My son, my son, stick it out and the week will end soon".

He didn't mention what we should do if missed them. Say a prayer for Levi that he is safe, having fun and making good choices, I am.

A FEW FINDS

This picture was too pretty to pass up. It is one of the plants from our garden that Joe broke off tonight. I love the vibrant color and all the cool detail! Yesterday at the farm we noticed the neighbor had plowed his field. We always get excited with the thought of finding some of our past. Joe and I love to search for buried treasure among the dirt and rocks. Yesterday we came up with a few really cool pieces.

This is a scraper used by the Indians of past. Of course when we found it it was covered with a layer of dirt. Once the dirt was removed, the crystal really showed up. Various other fossils were more obvious, making this a unique piece.

The other side of the scraper with more fossils easy to identify.

This is what Joe refers to as a blank (rough draft to an arrow head or tool). I picked it up knowing what it was, but having no idea the detail we would find. The fossils in this are really cool too! The shell in the middle right is amazing.

This is the flip side with several more shell fossils being obvious. We marvel at the amount of time it took to create such a rock. Layer upon layer of fossils fused together, amazing!

These are also pieces we found with the bottom right being the first piece of the day. What a rush to find such a clearly marked arrow head (just wish it had been whole). The others Joe found, noticing the difference in each of the stones.

Last fossil found. I love all the detail and size. It's hard to tell but this is about 1 1/2 inch at its thickest and measuring almost 3 inches in length.

One must stop and realize how life was before to bring it all into perspective.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Today is a special day. It is the day we celebrate Father's everywhere. We have been blessed to know so many special fathers. My dad is great because he is smart, fun and a good teacher. He is always up for conversation and good times. My mom really knows how to pic 'em! Thank you for being there for me and my family. Joe is very much like my dad in many ways. Joe, like his father, he is a man of knowledge and a blessing to our family. I wasn't really planning to post this picture but it is so cute, I couldn't resist. You know my house never looks as messy as in this picture, so just over look that. Where's photoshop when you need it!!!

We wanted to mail this but didn't want it to get messed up.... You'll just have to come visit to get it.

My Dad. One of the few times he wasn't giving me "the look" when I want to take his picture. For those that don't remember, "the look" can be found here
He's a great guy, everyone would be so blessed to know him.

For Papaw, we love you.

He's a silly man, full of expression. Mamaw gets a good laugh out of him! We are all blessed by his love and generosity. Thanks, Papaw.

ABOUT ME

I love being a strong woman. Thank you Mom and Dad for all that you
have given me, I love you!

NATURAL BUG SPRAY

NATURAL BUG SPRAY

10 drops of each oil mixed with 2 ounces of witch hazel

Tea Tree Oil

Patchouli Oil

Texas Cedarwood Oil

Lavender Oil

Sandalwood Oil

Grapefruit Oil

1cinnamon stick broke in two or use the oil

Shake before each use.

Tested in the great North Carolina mountains and in the lush Bluegrass.

I think I'm getting the hang of this natural stuff!!!!

THE CHURCH CAMPING TRIP

The camping trip was so much fun this year. To be honest, we commit every year and this great apprehension comes over me as the time draws near. I'm not sure why, I always have a good time. The kids always have a great time and it brings us closer to people in our parish. Maybe that's it, spending time with people we hardly know. Taking the risk (being like kids) and be carefree for just a little while.

I think this trip was so much fun because we have been several times before and knew what to expect, kinda. Rain and thunderstorms were predicted every day. That kept us all wondering when it was going to hit, but the weather held out until the very last. We ended up packing up wet tents but all in all, it was all good!The place Naomi liked to hang out, The Swimming Hole. She still got to play in the water and didn't have to carry her tube up the hill.

Her partners in crime, the rest of the gang.

The mass of tubers, all waiting on the last ones to make it. "Come on, we're freeeezing!"

It must have been Joe.......posing for a picture!

The way Naomi likes to take a hike, right on her daddy's back.

Walking on the trail, stopping to take a picture. Life is good!

"We're going down that creek????

Father John, taking it all in. Naomi at his side, filling him in on how it all works.

Admiring the waterfall, being thankful we don't have to go down that!

Naomi proving that she can walk on the hike, she just doesn't want to!

SUMMER TIME

My kids have been working hard this summer.

Working hard at playing that is!

Reality hit today with new work books for the summer. My kids know a
good thing when they see it, and there not afraid to share it!

The latest, greatest update on summer!

HUBBA BUBBA

Anyone that knows my girl, knows she has passion and determination. Blowing bubbles is the latest thing she is passionate and determined about. Thanks to some friends of mine, she is the proud owner of more that 5o pieces of real bubble gum. So, she has set her sights on being the best bubble blower in town! Working the bubble gum to get it "just right."

The first bubble! Careful, your eyes are starting to bug out and your face is turning colors!!!

The end result!

With all that sugar, tooth brushing is a must!

See, they're all clean with no holes.