What February Means Around Here

made some pine cone fire starters

heart pancakes for my sweethearts on V day

February Is:

A Big Birthday month for me: Dad, Mom, 

Littlest Brother, Biggest Son + more

Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, and in the case of this year

THE BIG THAW!!

Thank Heavens, I do not know how much longer I personally

could have continued inside this house!

I am an outdoorsy kinda gal, and the ice was not enough

of a draw to get me and keep me out there! 

chicken feets in the mud

the sun returned

This weekend dug out the "pond" aka black plastic oval shaped leaf catcher/frog headquarters/decorative thingy 

(left my previous homeowners)

My ohh my is back a aching.  

Lifted and moved 30+ stones, shoveled over a

wheelbarrow of decorative rocks. 

But it is looking good!!

my car mechanic bro adds welder to his talents

Him and his friend spent the majority of the day welding the boys go-cart back together.
Woo-Hoo will they be happy when they get home!

• Ordered new bee hives ~ arriving soon!
• Pre-ordered the taters for spring planting
• Reserved pavilion for Alyssa's Wedding in late August
• Planning the veggie garden and landscaping
• Started aerobic workout "stomp down the mole hills"

Hope you are having an exciting February too!!

~ assortment of our 13 new chicks ~

Ranch Living

Christmas Time

Christmas with Our Guys

Christmas Time

Christmas with the Girls and their families

Another Season

josh bundled right up and headed out into the blustery morn

  We are experiencing yet another season here in the country.  We have been here since June, and it still doesn't completely feel real to us.  
  I heard that you must experience each season first hand to really "feel" like you belong.  To know what it looks like covered in snow, or in the first fresh flush of green in the spring, and to see those deep colors of fall.  
  We know one thing.  We like it white.  And we love it here.  Can't wait to see all the seasons and see if feels completely like home then.

it's been 10 minutes in the crazy wind and i am cold, can i come in?

We (I) had a nice visit from my sister-in-law Denise.

She came over Saturday morning and we sewed and crafted Christmas gifts while the guys were gone.    Then we went to town for lunch and a quick peek in "my" local quilt fabric shop.  And back to the house for more sewing and a nice margarita.

She stayed the night, and the snow and cold blew in.

I was so busy playing that I forgot to take any pics of her (and her freshly knitted hat).

krackerz wanted out, and then didn't know what to think ~ his 1st snow
i think he was outside for all of 4 minutes

 Winter Wonderland

a few snowflakes blew into the coop
and landed on our lonely egg

whiskers checking out the snow from the safety
and warmth of momma's room

What to do on a blustery winter day?

Go bowling, of course.

When I told Blake we were going to town and going bowling, he said

"In this weather, that is what you guys thought we should do? Really?"

And of course that is just what we did.

blake the nervous he isn't perfect at this game
competitive in everything bowler

jeff the pro-bowler
gets frustrated when he get a spare
(and then takes the last pin down ~ every time!)

momma the happy to be with the family
what a fun, relaxing, enjoyable day, horrible at bowling,
who doesn't want any pro-bowler advice from the hubby,
just let her throw the ball and she is happy bowler

josh the animated, hop around, can't sit down, is it my turn yet bowler

It was a wonderful weekend here.

Enjoyed some crafting and catching up with family,

 warmth from the wood stove, 

good food & drink, 

and good memories created with my family. 

All set in our beautiful surroundings.

Life is good here, hope it is wherever you are!

Autumn turning into Winter

~ Love Birds ~ 38 years
 Their relationship has been a guide to me.
Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Dale
here's to 38 more!

the decked out coop

Jeff & Tyler

Thanksgiving 2010

Pat  & Jo Anne

fixin's

Jo Anne's fall decor

honey surprised me with flowers, cake and an operating garage door
it is wonderful ~ no frost to scrape, no wind, rain or snow to tackle
my life is good

Just Some Happenings Going On Round Here

Fall has had us hopping. Some fun, some not so much.  

 Josh had 4 teeth pulled, making room for those braces this month.

School activities, 4H getting started, tearing out to start remodeling the basement

and some more goodies.  Check out the pictures, they tell a better story.

My Birthday Man ~ 11/11/62
Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

beautiful foggy fall morning

Meet ~ The Crowder's ~ Mom & Tom ~ Bailey & Missy
in front of their antique & gift shop before the big fall sale
sadly this picture was taken about 15 min before a truck ran over and killed Missy
they rescued her around 12 years ago ~ a tragic accident that has more hearts hurting from the loss of a beloved pet

My Great White Hunters
Deer Season 2010
they had fun ~ I missed them

My honey and his first deer ~
3 days after his 48th birthday

Fall Mornin'

this is only a snippet of the birds we have had flying over and hangin in the fields

gorgeous fall sunsets

My little/big bro Tyler loves to be a shooting
one gorgeous Saturday he came over and the guys played

shooting clay pigeons in the backyard

  Lau Nae Winery ~ Red Bud, IL
we almost got locked in here
they forgot to check, found us 10 minutes after closing
we went to two local wineries with Jeff's nephew and girlfriend
it was a nice relaxing afternoon

this winery has great martinis!
 . . . CHOCOLATE MARTINI . . . yummmy!

finished my quilt class, my quilt top is done,
now to find the time to hand quilt it

been sew ~ sew busy sewing
these bags to put in Maw's shop

Miss Alyssa expecting Miss Aubrey in January
she had a great baby shower this weekend ~
lots of goodies for her first little one and our 4th grandchild

the morning the guys left to go hunting, it was foggy on both sides of us ~ we are on just enough of a ridge that we were clear, it was very mystical

beautiful fall sunrises

Cap't Smith from the Titanic ~ aka Blake in his play at school
6th grade ~ Great Job!

Josh is his fall choir concert ~ 6th grade
Great Job!