Life in the Dweeb Lane

Gas prices .. New way to go.

2011-01-23T12:11:00.005-06:00

I could not resist taking this picture at the gas station. (I did ask the Amish man before I took his picture) The horse was proud and posed for me. I think this is a new way to go.. The OATS MOBLE .. .. runs on oats .. then when that is gone the gas takes over..

Merry Christmas

2010-12-21T19:19:00.010-06:00

Have a very Merry Christmas from my house to yours.

This is my living room where I set and watch tv. My kitchen over looks this room. I am wishing you all the happiest of time with your families.

2010-12-21T18:36:00.012-06:00

Fall Girls Ride at My House

We Need a little Help to get started.

The river ride Is so fun for the riders and the Horses. Some times the horses even play and splash us. This year it was too cold for a swim.

Kathy brought Penny over and gave us a long ride. Much easer for some of us who don't ride any more. Nice warm blankets and drinks to warm us up.

We had a blast playing with the photo booth. We look like movie stars.

This year we camped in the house. We watched movies and chilled out. I should say thawed out. It was a cold and windy day.

Sylvan Springs Tour .. Healing Spa .. RomeCity, Indiana

2010-04-18T18:02:00.033-05:00

This is the tunnel that goes under the parking lot. Leading to an under ground spring..whooooo. It is called the sour kraut tunnel because the nuns found it perfect to store the barrels.

Who knew this treasure was so close to home.

We have all heard stories about what has gone on here throughout the years. The healing springs of fresh water has been a refuge for the ailing since the early 1800. Train stations stops were add to deal with those who came here to stay for extended stays. Nuns ran the operation. They worked the fields. Grew beautiful gardens, orchards and raised their own chickens, cattle and pigs. It contains a floral room, sewing room, up to date kitchen with huge equipment, laundry, ball room, dinning rooms and more. They were able to feed 700 people at one setting for meals. All the rooms have queen size beds and a private bath room. 50 rooms are decorated in different themes. Bunk rooms with shower rooms.

The doctor also had his own house on the grounds.

The Chapel is beautiful and massive.

Then it was sold to the WAY people. I am not even going to try to explain the WAY. It was like a commune. (sp?) The families that live here took good care of the grounds. They were required to spend 2 hours a day caring for the grounds and buildings.

It was College.

On the grounds are 2 or 3 soccer fields. It was used as a camp for sporting events.

Now someone from Ohio owns it. They have put 3 million dollars of their own money into it and can no longer keep it up. So,,,,, it is for Sale... any one interested.. If so please buy it. The history and beauty will go to waste. Also if you want a tour think fast because if is has to be broken up in sections it will never be the same. I think Martha Stewart would love this place. If you know Martha would you please pass this on to her....

If you are in the area stop and try the healing water.

Copy and past the following you tube address to get more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLUX6hHer3Q&feature=channel

Girls Pajama Party 2010

2010-02-17T19:03:00.038-06:00

Sorry Drost.. We thought your deer need a bra.. or two.

This was our 5 th year!!!

WOW that is so great to think that we have all gotten together for 5 years in a row! We laugh, carry on like teen agers and except each other for who we are. Most of us stay up all night. It is dangerous to be the first to fall asleep or leave you phone unattended . This year Paula was the only one who went to bed. Someone drew her eye brows with a permanent magic marker. She was a trooper and shopped with big dark eye brows. We always have fun. We go over the calendar and plan the year of when, what and where. Play games, eat and yes have drinks. All of us have pj. alike. . This pj party is at Rhonda's house. She lives near Shipshewana, Indiana.

Shipshewana has a pj shopping week end. http://www.shipshewana.com/index.php Everyone who wants a discount shops in there pj.s. The town is filled with shoppers dressed in all sorts of pj.s Shopping starts at 6 am or EARLIER.

Everyone brings snacks and drinks to share. We start arriving at Rhonda's around 7pm. . I was ready at 5. I had my margarita machine packed and ready to go. I like to try new recipes. I found this recipe from one of my favorite blogs. Our Best Bites.http://www.ourbestbites.com/

Hope you will try it and let me know what you think.

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Dip

In the pictures you will see all the ingredients. I used a large glass pie dish. You use chips or crackers to dip into it or spread it on toasted bread.. We really just want to eat if off our spoons. I found this on one of my favorite blogs. Our Best Bites. .http://www.ourbestbites.com/

7 oz jar roasted red peppers ( i drained them. Then let them set on a paper towel to dry them. Then diced them

8 oz soften cream cheese

4 cups cheese. I used a Mexican 4 cheese style

3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons minced onion

4 cloves minced garlic

1 Tablespoon of spicy mustard

Heat oven at 350 ..

In a bowl stir together cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion, garlic and mustard. Then add shredded cheese and roasted red peppers. Stir.

Store in frig until ready to bake. This can be made ahead of time and stored in frig.

Bake in oven for 30-45 min. I baked mine until it was brown on top and slightly brown and pulling way from the side of the dish. I would say I baked it for 45 min.

Serve warm. Enjoy.... we did ..

We look pretty good for staying up all night. Breakfast at the Blue Gate. It was very COLD and windy that morning.

Happy Valentines Day My Sweetie Pies

2010-02-13T23:06:00.004-06:00

The farm... or zoo????

2010-01-14T12:12:00.000-06:00

They visit me daily. They waddle in a row to set under the tree just out side the window where our computer sets.

Buckston

Flower Deer

Cute little pig butts...

Betsie the Bunny

Will .. he was our guest for Thanksgiving..

Struck Gold from Alaska for Christmas

2009-12-21T21:21:00.025-06:00

LITTLE STELLA ELF

HAD A WONDROUS SECRET....

SANTA HAD GIVEN HER THE JOB OF KEEPING THE

KEYS TO THE WORKSHOP!!!!
Can you find Little Stella's Key?? Look at it all.. stickers, cards, papers, ribbons and flattened souvenir pennys from Alaska

I received the cutes gifts from my swap partner.. The back was even a cabinet card.. The little girl has a story. My swap partner was Deb from Alaska. She lives on an island. Love her blog check her out.. http://dyingtobeyours.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-sweetie.html She put sooooo much thought and creativeness into my gifts.. I love it all.. I participated in a swap.. http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com/ It was fun.. but a little frustrating.. I found it hard to take an old picture that I wanted to color and paste on, for ever to be lost. I ask for help from my friend who deals in antiques.. Jill... she is also an artist.. Among her specialties are antique frames and cabinet cards. Thank you Jill for your help.. You can check out Jill at etsy store as outsiderartsupply or ebay store jabberjill.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Surprise party for Mom

2009-11-09T20:58:00.028-06:00

Mom and I visited Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Vicky. They live in Ohio. It was fun going on a trip with mom we stayed for a long week end. They pulled off a great surprise for her.. It was moms 81 st birthday.. They had a cake with candles and we sang happy birthday to her. Johnie took us both on a ride in his Vet that he redone himself. I even got to drive it. We visited his 2 sons homes. After supper we played cards. I laughed till my sides hurt. Uncle Johnie had a toy farting machine under the table. Not everyone playing cards knew it was a noise maker. Those of us who knew got in on the act of Uncle Johnnies practical joke. Some times we would even pull his finger to make him fart. Every time he farted he would apologise and make a face. It went on for hours... The cards and farting.. We visited Jungle Jim's International Market.. wow .. what a place. it really was like a two hour vacation. If Jungle Jim's does not have it.. no one will. junglejims.com There are 22 shops in the store. Cooking classes, post office, florist shop, bakery, wine, they make there own Candy, bread, hardware, fish market, rides, garden items pharmacy, eye doctor, and food from all over the world.

It took a long time for my mom to give in and go on this little trip with me. I hope you will try to get away with your mom. I know how lucky I am to have the memories. August 2009

Air Plane Barn

2009-10-24T12:13:00.003-05:00

This is the farm at the home place. My father-in-law flies a plane. He and my mother-in-law have been long time members of the 'Flying Farmers' of Indiana. IFF.. International Flying Farmers

Jenny comes home from Germany

2009-08-04T21:21:00.077-05:00

Jenny and her sis Astrid came for a very short visit back in June .. It was so nice to have Jenny home again. Jenny came to live with us as an exchange student for the school year 4 years ago. They are beautiful. 2 years ago Jenny and Andy came to stay with us for 4 weeks. This time she brought her sis.. (Jenny is setting on swing - Astrid is standing.... the swing is in our yard. )

All of Jenny's family are in the fashion industry. Jenny travels all over to purchase items. For instance she goes to Italy to buy shoes and purses. The family use to own this business but recently sold it. http://www.cinquestore.de/ Check it out. He grandfather and father have passed down the talent to Jenny and Astrid. While they were in the states they visited New York and Chicago. Jenny always had the greatest clothes. If you have ever considered having an exchange student Please look into it. I have loved all my kids. We have learned just as much from them as they have from us. Kids from all over the world are waiting to experience your way of life.

Jenny and I in our house.

Jenny and I at the air port.
While we were setting out in the yard the Amish Church wagon was on the road. The Amish have church at each other houses. Every 2 weeks the wagons are pulled to the next house for Sunday Church. They have lots church benches and other supplies in them. It was a beautiful windy day and and the sound of the horses clippy-clopping added to it. My Jenny was home ......

Ducks Salute the flag!!

2009-06-11T20:15:00.013-05:00

Every evening the ducks and geese come through the yard to salute the flag.. Funny the one looks like he is leading the others.

This is the bunch of fowl we received in the mail a few months back.. You can check this blog to see them in the box.. They were small then and not a noisy. http://debbiedohair.blogspot.com/2009/04/fowl-chickens-ducks-and-turkeys.html

You Can Call ME GRANDMA

2009-05-25T12:01:00.026-05:00

We are finally GRAND PARENTS!!! yeah... My Beautiful Grand Daughter.. what a sweet heart..

Her name is Macie May.. what a fun name..

Now for the funny story... The day Macie May came into our lives..

Macie May was over due. Poor mom.. it is miserable to be over due.. I have the best daughter in law.. she held up like a trooper.. she felt good looked good and had a wonderful attitude. She went into the hospital to be induced on Thursday.. That same day I went in to have knee surgery.. in a different hospital.. Thursday night no baby.. Labor went on and on.. no baby Friday..

.. Friday night ..My girl friend came over to set with me and take care of me.. she is a wonderful friend and we have loads of laughs together. Our husbands are busy working in the fields. Planting and harvesting times Cindy and I go to the movies a lot. Not this time we stayed home and watched videos. ('The Curious Case of Benjamin Button') That day Cindy had 2 ingrown toe nails cut out on her left foot.. As she was leaving work to go get that done she fell and broke her little toe on her right foot.. poor thing.. so we stayed home.. her with her toes.. me with my knee.. I was in a lot of pain.. worrying about how things were going with the baby.. finally at 11:15 pm.. I said "Cindy I am worried." Then I got the call that Tanner thinks I should come to the hospital.. an emergency c-section is needed. Cindy and I both had emergency c-sections. We were glad that they were not going to make her go through labor any longer. We figured she was very tired. Kenny and Cindy load me up in the car.. Cindy drove very carefully.. I hurt at every bump in the road.. but Cindy and I laughed any way.. her toes my knee..

Cindy stole a wheel chair from the emergency room.. when she went to park the car I wheeled my self into the hospital. She couldn't find me.. I was so excited I forgot she wasn't behind me.. When she found me she said she was going to push me to the mental ward.. We were laughing so hard .. as we got on the elevator everyone was laughing with us. She did take me to the maternity ward any way..

They had just taken her into surgery as we got there. After surgery the nurse came out and told us every thing went fabulously .. the mom and baby were doing great. Hospital policy says we have to wait for 1 hour after they return to the room to see them. I decided I would come back with Kenny the next day to meet our granddaughter together.. It was late .. they needed the rest .. Cindy still had to drive home after taking me back home.. I was in pain.. so we left . .. we rode down the elevator with the pediatrician who delivered Macie May. She told us she was very spunky healthy baby and every thing was great. .

It was around 1:30 when we got home. Kenny was asleep when we got home. I managed to get back into the house pretty good. Cindy was making up my bed on the couch.. I don't know what I did but... i was walking to the couch with the walker.. I lost my balance .. I began to topple over. I felt like it all happened in slow motion. I fell over back wards still holding onto the walker... holding my foot up in the air .. protecting my foot from hitting the floor. I landed hard on my butt.. holding my foot in the air and the walker strait above my chest.. I think I cracked a rib or my butt.. not sure what.. I wanted to cry but laughed .. I will never forget the look on Cindy's face. She had both hands on her face and said.."I am a terrible nurse. I can not believe I let this happen to you. How are we going to get you UP!!" Kenny heard the crash and came running in.. just out of a deep sleep.. He grabbed me right up off the floor. Poor Cindy she felt so bad.. But .. we gotta laugh.. It was like a Lucy and Ethel moment..

Camping 2009 The fun and the pain

2009-05-16T16:38:00.011-05:00

First camping trip of 2009.. It was a beautiful week end... will until it rained. Short sleeves on Saturday. We even got a little tan. The food was good.. We decided to go at the last minute. My camper was empty. I made what I could with what I had. I made spaghetti. Our friends made fun of me. "You don't make the usual camping food." When I was a girl scout we always made some kind of pasta... The spot where we went camping is in Michigan,' The Bluffs'. It is for horse camping the trails are nice. It is owned by a elderly couple. They love every tree on the six hundred acre woods. We are not sure what will happen when they are gone. They have an old telephone booth, stop signs, cute signs, fishing holes and cabins along the trails. The water tank for the horses is a blue bath tub.

Of course we took our dogs. They love to camp. On camping trips they get to eat what we eat. MMMM they say camp food. This is Scooter hunting for something in the wood pile.

This is Rhonda and Brian's German Shepard. The dogs love to run after each other. I didn't get a picture of Kip.

Kenny setting up the generator. Buckston and Chase having lunch.

It was the first time I had rode for months. Saturday was so much fun because it was warm. The ride was good. We could see along ways in the woods because the trees are not filled out yet. We scared up a few dear. The water in the stream was running fast and high.

Saturday was fun .. Sunday was disappointing.. It was cold .. I hate cold. We packed up every thing after a wonderful breakfast. Kenny was kind enough to saddle Chase for me every day. Sunday my knee hurt from riding the day before. Soooo.. when I went to mount up that morning.... i had my left foot in the stirrup. swung my right leg up over the saddle... . didn't make it .. weak knees... fat butt... I went to bounce back down on the ground with my right leg..( I don't bounce like I use to) my knee went pop.. IT WAS LOUD.. I said Kenny did you hear that .. that was my leg. With Kenny and Jed's help I finally got on. We rode for a while I was ready to go back before we even started.. I really did not want to tell Kenny that after going to all the trouble to get me going.. It stated to rain after we got on the trail.. I final

said I wanted to go back.. Luckily Kenny was ready tooo... By the next day I could hardly walk. I went to the doctor.. Had e-rays and mri... Surgery on Thursday..... I torn my meniscus on both sides, torn acl, cyst on the back of my knee, and pieces floating around. He also smoothed out the underside of my knee cap.. .. So I have not felt like doing any walking or even setting up for too long.. I hope to catch up with all my blog friend next week..

Africa. Places we stayed.

2009-05-04T13:05:00.006-05:00

We look really tired and FAT!!! It took us 20 hours to get here. Sleeping on the plane was not easy and the anticipation was over whelming.

Ranger Safari was the safari company that we used.

Our most excellent Guide Was Leo. He was very professional. His knowledge was amazing!!

John Maisano from "Safari and Beyond" was our travel agent who did a wonderful job. He was very informative and helpful. John was very patient with all the dumb questions i asked.

Arumeru River Lodge

Perfect way to start an African adventure.
http://www.arumerulodge.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=14

Serengeti Serena Lodge

This was a quaint little cottage. It made me think of something out of a fairy tale. Pictures do not do it justice. It was just down right cute!!! All our rooms had mosquito nets around the beds. I think that was more for romance then necessity. I don't think we seen a mosquito any where.
http://www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/serengeti/home.asp

Ndutu Lodge

One of the best things at this lodge was waiting for us when we returned from safari there was a camp fire waiting on us. Neat chairs and someone bring us wine. We sat around the camp fire enjoying the sunset and shared our day with other guest.

http://www.ndutu.com/

Ngorongoro Serena Safari

The staff here were very friendly. They learned our names and joked with us. Happy people. The view from our veranda and dinning room was breath taking. We could see 120 miles across the crater. Elephants were right out side the hotel.

http://www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/ngorongoro/home.asp

SERENA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE LODGE

It was a mix of English and Africa. Beautiful gardens.

http://www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/mountainvillage/home.asp

Please check out the sights to get more pictures and information. I will post more pictures please check back. If you are interested I also have posted about Africa here. http://debbiedohair.blogspot.com/2009/04/africa-amazing.html

2009-05-02T10:59:00.004-05:00

Virgin Mint Julep

1 ounce lime juice (or juice of 1/2 lime)

1 ounce orange juice

1 ounce pineapple juice

1/2 ounce raspberry flavored syrup

club soda, to fill glass

4 crushed mint leaves

Combine all ingredients except club soda in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into collins glass. Add club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Add funny hats and kids to watch the race and enjoy the day..

Happy May Day

2009-05-01T11:46:00.007-05:00

HAPPY MAY DAY

HERE IS A BASKET FOR YOU..

One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. The trick is you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.

May baskets can be recycled from tin and glass household containers:
- Hammer holes in the sides of a tin can or antique cocoa tin. Run twine or ribbon through each hole, and knot inside.
- Wrap dark annealed iron wire below the lip of a jelly jar. Loop and twist a second wire around the first for a handle.

May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to the Haymarket affair or any of several public holidays.[1] In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement. As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times.

2009-04-25T20:58:00.006-05:00

Cally and Scooter say "I think it is FINALLY warm enough to put things dumb plaid shirts away...'

Fowl... Chickens, Ducks and Turkeys..

2009-04-13T09:27:00.017-05:00

My daughter and her boy friend have a new project. Its a FOWL job but someone has to do it.. They ordered birds and they have arrived finally. Believe it or not there are 55 some chicks in that box. They arrived in the mail. They have been eagerly waiting for weeks on there new little bunch chicks. The warming lamps are keeping them warm in the new chick coop they made in the barn.. The nesting has begun. Just out side the window where I am setting here at the computer is a pair of doves making a nest in the tree. I know they mate for life. I think the male and female are constructing the nest together. Back and forth they fly with little pieces of grass and twigs. The light is not right for me to take a good pictures. Doves set outside our house every summer. I think they enjoy watching us as much as I enjoy watching them. The pair set on the wires and watch us in the house. I hope the nest survives and they have little ones. Starlings are setting on the same tree watching. Hope they don't over take the nest. I believe they are morning doves.

Africa Amazing.....

2009-04-10T20:35:00.026-05:00

Africa was AMAZING. I can not believe that I can say I have been to AFRICA.. We went on a 7 day safari. I lived the lion king movie.. I seen things I thought I would never see. Every day was exciting. When I shut my eyes to go to sleep I seen the animals going by just like I was still on safari hunting for my next animal to shot ...with my camera. . I could have stayed up 24 hours of each day so that I would not miss a thing. The warm days and cool nights. The noises of the darkness. The lightning in the sky at night. Wondering what was being hunted in the darkness for a midnight meal. One morning Kenny and I got up got dressed. Had our cameras ready and our day pack ready to go. We sat on the bed and wondered is anyone else was ready for breakfast.. just to find our it was 3:30 am...

I am working on getting my pictures all in order. I have 1,000. Plus videos.

Just a couple of things were hard to take.. ... the public bathrooms... or toilets as they call them or the LONG DROP.. (funny but true .. great name)॥ ॥ ya that's right just a hole in the ground... squat and pee... no seat.. but it did flush.... no paper most of the time.. .. I usually splashed on my shoes when I went। The last leg of the flight home was miserable। It was a 20 hour trip. The last 8 hours on the plane were difficult to set still. I got car sick a couple of times. But.....the trip was Amazing. If you would like to see more about Africa's toilets visithttp://foodfunfarm.blogspot.com/2009/04/tanzanian-toilets.html#comment-form

Africa Amazing.. I have lots more to show and tell.. hope you will check back..

Swap for all seasons... from Linda

2009-04-07T18:40:00.011-05:00

http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com/

Swap for all seasons.!!! Wow I got the cutest items from Linda... http://www.wiredlinda.com/I can not believe it..I came home from vacation to this thoughtful, creative swap gift. This lovely little dress which is tea stained and has patch on it that says 'live, love, laugh'. It matches every thing in my house. The hand made wooden hanger is fun too. A cross to hang on my wall. A bag of Easter Candie. Wow .. I feel bad that I was not as creative as my swap partner. My mom has been sick in the hospital and we left on vacation the day the swap was to be mailed.. It was hard to shop for someone without knowing them. I mailed her a cute doll Patten and a home made flower. I haven't heard from her.. I hope she got it.. The idea of a swap is fun..The rules were simple... Not sure I will do one again because it was HARD to pick something out with out know the partner. . I am so picky about gifts that I give.. I usually shop and shop until the right thing hits me in the face. Thank you Linda!!!!! I love it all..

The Little Pigs are here... Pig Parade

2009-03-08T16:10:00.018-05:00

Our farm has been working on a new adventure.... BIG time hog operation. It has been about 5 months in the working. We have helped our son and his wife start a new business.. HOG HEAVEN... I will post pictures of the building process later. The hill where all our kids rode there horse and us girls had our horse camping is now a 81 x 413 building.. It will hold 4,400 pigs. They will come in just after they are weaned until they are ready to go to market, about 5 months old. The first picture is of them coming off the truck and making there way down the shoot then into the nursery rooms. For now I just want to post a few pictures of the cute little pigs.. Our first bunch was 700 little baby's.. They are so cute and very pink. I took this last picture through the nursery window. They soon settle down into their nursery. It is very clean and warm. We have to follow strict sanitary rules to keep them healthy and free of diseases and germs just like any other babies.

Winter Drive to Town...

2009-03-04T12:27:00.015-06:00

Here are some pictures I took when I went to town on a cold winter drive. The frost was sticking to every thing. It was beautiful.. The picture just can not capture how enchanting it was..

We finally replaced Kenny's old chair. The snow came before we got it disposed of. Funny thing it matches our blue house.. hehe.. i love the way my camera caught the snow falling.

I think its cool to see the color in this picture. The Amish don't believe in wearing colorful cloths. I think it is ironic that they put bright blankets on there horses. This is the buggy parking lot behind the hardware store. With all the white snow and black buggies the pink and blue horse blankets brighten up the view.

This is of our drive way with the yellow school bus. The frosty snow almost looks like fur.

Day off of school because of the cold doesn't go waisted. The Amish kids found a great place to ice skate.

Fry Pies, Corn Chip Salad and Family Games

2009-02-13T21:11:00.008-06:00

My family and our neighbors had our annual evening of fun. Loreen has been my friend since she use to baby set for my daughter who is 20 now. Loreen and her husband have 4 growing boys. They are a hard working Amish family.

Us girls go down to her house in the afternoon and cook something new together. Then the guys come for supper. Last year she taught us how to make home made pretzels. This year we made 'FRY PIES'. At first we were very intimidated by the pies. Loreen had made them but not with out her mom or sisters.. I think she was nervous about being unsure of the method. We soon got a system going. It was easy. She had made raspberry filling ahead of time from raspberries the boys had picked last season. Brittney had a hard time not eating it by the spoons full. It was sooo tasty. We set up 3 stations. Loreen mixed the dough. I rolled and shaped it. Brittney filled and pressed them shut. Then Loreen fried them in the deep fryer. They had to hook up the generator to the deep fryer because Amish do not have electricity. The cord is plugged into an extension cord that goes out side to the generator setting on the porch. We could tell when the deep fryer oil was at the right temperature because the generator would shut down.. Then we took turns glazing them. Loreen had the boys turn the stove down because it got hot as us busy bees were working away. We made 35 pies. They were beautiful!!! and Delicious. We divided the left over between us to freeze. They freeze very well.

I got a lot of flour on my clothes and the broken one is the one I dropped.. (5 second rule... I ate that one right after I put a lot of glaze on it.. )

Fry Pies

yield 25 pies approximately

Dough
9 cups cake flour (velvet)
1 Tbls. . salt
1 pt. cold water
3 cups pre-creamed shortening

2 quarts pie filling ( I think that sound like a lot.. ?##!?)

Glaze (This will make enough for 2 batches..)
4 lbs. powdered sugar
1/3 cup corn starch
1/4 cup milk
1 t. vanilla
1 1/3 cups water or as needed for consistency

mix dough then roll out dough in circles... put filling in the center ... fold over and seal edges...OR use a pie or tart press... (that is what we used)
we found they fry better if we refrigerate them while waiting to put them in the fryer. Oil should be 375 degrees. We cooked them at 400 degrees. You will have to experiment because deep fryers can run different. Put them on a cooling rack to cool. Drizzle them with the glaze on both sides. more glaze the better I say..

I made lasagna and garlic bread. Loreen made a corn chip salad. We had ice cream and fry pies for desert. As it got dark they lit the lanterns. It's funny but they seem just like regular lights. After dinner we played a card game.

CORN CHIP SALAD

1 of lettuce

1 bag of corn chips (or to taste)

3 - 5 boiled and diced eggs

1 cut shredded yellow cheese

optional chopped or cubed ham, and or bacon

Dressing

1 cup salad dressing (miracle whip)

little bit of vinegar

1 Tbls. mustard

1/3 cup sugar

mix dressing ingredients together

layer in a bowl... lettuce... eggs .... cheese... (optional ham and or bacon) ..then crumbled chips.... cover with dressing. Just before serving toss..

You might have to tweak this recipe.. It is all done in guesstimates.. Let me know if you change it up..

I love Jesus but i drink a little bit....

2009-02-11T22:18:00.008-06:00

What a hoot.. Check out the video on Sue's Blog. I can not wait until I get to the age that I can say any thing I want to. How old do you think that would be??

http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-love-jesus-but-i-drink-little.html

Grandparents

2009-02-03T11:04:00.003-06:00

Big News... We are going to Grandparents.. Tanner and Catrina... Due in April!!! Our first.

IT'S A GIRL...

We finally got to tell Phil. I have waited to post this until Tanner told Phil that he is going to be a dad. Phil lives in Germany. It has been hard to coordinate the call to him.. Now he knows. I didn't want him to find out from my blog.

This is a picture of my Grandparents.. The Gumms.. To all my family that reads this I can e-mail the picture if you want it...

5 Little Funerals and one 3% Chance at Life

2009-01-27T21:34:00.025-06:00

I have been stumped on what to post lately. I could tell you what a wonderful Christmas I had even though I had a really bad cold and Christmas. Plans got switched at the last minuet from my house to my moms. It was great to go to moms house again with my brother and his family. The delicious food with our horse riding friends at Kathy and Jed's bed and breakfast .http://www.mirrorlakebb.blogspot.com/ .New years eve was a hoot at our friends eating fresh fish cooked out in the implement building. All the great carried in foods and playing games.

I think this will be the best year of my life. 2009 I have a lot to look forward to..buttttt

I have never in MY life, known so many young lives tragic endings. Living in a small community where we all know each other or know of each other, good or bad, we are connected in big or small ways.

Thanksgiving day Danni lost her fight to brain cancer. She was 19 years old. I remember cutting her hair. She had a beautiful thick head of hair. Danni had just started spreading her wings. Off to college. Living on her own when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. God taking her to heaven on Thanksgiving Day was auspicious.

Dakota, a cute, busy 9 year old died in a tragic sledding accident. He was sledding down a hill in town. Lots of grown ups remember sledding on that very same hill when they were kids. It was icier then usual on that day and he slid too far into the road. He was hit by a car. The lady driving the car lives just down the road and has kids that go to the same school. It is the perfect example of a tragic accident we all wish we could have prevented. Two Amish boys that live just down the road died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Two brothers, 12 and 14, were found in the pump house of their home, where a gasoline-powered pump to fill a water tank for their horses was at. The two died when carbon monoxide fumes overcame them. We believe one of the boys might have been overcome by the fumes and we believe the twelve year old went down stairs and attempted to rescue the 14 year old brother and at that point he was overcome also.”Police believe a faulty exhaust vent allowed carbon monoxide fumes to leak into the basement. http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/37494269.html
It was the first Amish viewing I have attended. The picture is of their house. The tent on the left is were we first entered. This is where the attendees could leave there hats and coats and gather before entering the building where the boys bodies and family were setting. As we entered the building there was a guest register. Then to the right were the coffins. Plain wooden boxes. With a beautiful finished stain that sat on simple wheeled carts that coffins are transported around on. No lining in the coffins. I don't remember that there was a pillow either. The boys were in their Sunday best with fresh Amish hair cuts. Black coats and pants with crisp white shirts. They looked like they were peaceful. As I walked by and looked back I could see their little feet with just dark socks on. It was very cold that day..A tarp was hanging from the ceiling separating them from the rest of the large open building. As we walked between the tarp and the coffins it seemed surreal. As we walked the length of the tarp to the opening at the end of the building we were immediately looking at the boys father and mother setting on a bench along the wall flanked by family beside them and on benches setting in front of them. The line weaved between all the family on both sides all setting in a maze like. My friend is a sister in law to the little boys. It was hard to see them all hurting so.
The basement door to the house was where the food was served for the family and friends. The neighbor families cooked all their meals for them the whole week. Breakfast, lunch and supper. At tables all set and ready for them to set down and be served.
The day of the burial it was the coldest day!! My Amish friend ask if Kenny could get school buses for them to be driven from the house to the cemetery and back again to the house..It was just too cold to even have the horses out in that cold. It took 3 school buses. The buses followed the horse drawn buggies caring the caskets to the Amish cemetery. . Each boy had 6 young people close to their ages to shovel their graves and cover them back up.

A friends granddaughter died. She was just 10 months old. She had heart problems when she was born but seemed to be doing well.
Baby's are so precious...
Then there is Garrett..!!!! What a baby he is.. Garrett is my son and daughter-in-laws nephew. He is 14 months old and just a peach.. Last year at this time he was a very sick little boy. He had heart surgery, kidney surgery, was on a respirator, a feeding tube and one thing lead him to another. We did not know what else could go wrong with him. He had a blood clot in his leg that caused the doctors to have to amputate his foot. All this when he was just months old. He is a miracle baby. Garrett is the happiest baby. He smiles with his whole mouth open and has the most expressive eyes. This baby was given only a 3% chance of living..!!! and he gets healthier by the day...
I pray that you hug your children. You just never know. I hope this will be the last sad post I do. I am praying that I will get more good life stories like Garrett's.. So check back to hear my 2009 good life stories.

Photo Tag...wave rave petunias

2009-01-16T08:39:00.020-06:00

Photo Tag
I've been tagged by http://growingupwithkaylee.blogspot.com/ in a post called "Photo Tag".Here are the rules:Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.Pick the 4th picture in that folder.Explain the picture.Tag 4 people to do the same.
Will isn't this funny that this is the picture. It is freezing out side and my 4th picture of my 4th file is of a flower from last summer.. ( I am not a great photographer. I should take a class.) This planter is actually a large whiskey barrel with a buggy wheel rim setting in front of it. It is loaded and over flowing with wave petunias. http://www.wave-rave.com/ I have been getting seed catalogs in the mail lately. Time to order seeds. I wish I could be a better gardener. I can not tell the weeds from the flowers. I think as long as its growing I should leave it grow. But, if it is in a planter I do great. I do appreciate those who are!!! I get the catalogs because my mother in law who is the master gardener goes to Florida for the winter and we get her mail. I buy flowers from my Amish neighbor's green house or go to the auction. http://debbiedohair.blogspot.com/2008/10/clear-springs-auction.html#comments

My tags are going to:http://lonadawn.blogspot.com/ http://mirrorlakebb.blogspot.com/ http://rusticgoods.blogspot.com/ http://kellismommy.blogspot.com/

Stand by me Sing Along

2009-01-04T19:40:00.006-06:00

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG.. IF YOU LIKE IT LET ME KNOW.. IF YOU SANG ALONG TELL ME SO. MY INKEN BABY FROM GERMANY WILL LOVE THIS.. SHE LOVES TO SING.. YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE OR WHO IN THE WORLD HAS THE TALENT..

BRITTNEY SAYS MUSIC SUCH AS THIS COULD BRING THE WORLD TOGETHER.. ENJOY.. WISH I COULD SING.. MY TALENT IS NOT SINGING .. BUT I CAN DANCE....

Playing For Change: Song Around the World Stand By Me from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

2009 the year to be Fine and Kind !! Just call me Nosey

2009-01-01T22:50:00.017-06:00

Just being 'NOSEY' what you doing in 2009!!? The year of being Fine and Kind 2009!! orrrr what are you really glad or sad to kiss good by to about 2008?

2008-12-24T21:49:00.005-06:00

Trip on Train to Chicago with Kyoung Ji from South Korea

2008-12-18T20:26:00.045-06:00

Kyoung Ji is here for the school year to attend school and learn about American life. She is a very pretty young lady. We were very excited to take her on a day trip. She spent the whole week end with us. It is so interesting to hear her tell about her home in South Korea. In South Korea she lives in an apartment on the 5 th floor. I don't think any of our buildings here go as high as 5 floors. Her city has a large population. The boys and girls are in separate class in South Korea. They stay in there classes at the same desk all day. The Teachers are the ones that move from room to room. Her school days last from 7:40 a.m. in the morning to 10 p.m. in the evening (9 period)(except Sunday!

Kyoung Ji, Brittney and Klint and I took the train to Chicago for the day.... We picked a very cold. snowy, windy day. We love to ride the train. Its always interesting to people watch. We are really out of our box though. From our neck of the woods where our roads are 2 lanes or sometimes dirt and our neighbor live 1/2 mile or drive horse and buggies its fun to go to the big city.. We had never went to Chicago to see the Christmas decorations. They were beautiful. It was also Klint's first time on the train. It is only $9.00 (each way). With the weather the way it was I am glad I did not drive. It was worth the price. We visited Sears Tower to see an over view of the city. Then took a taxi to The Cheese Cake Factory. I love the unusual decor. It reminds me of a mushroom. I think it is suppose to look like the inside of cheese. We went shopping in the shops. Our favorite store is the huge book store. The only thing we bought was a pair of new gloves for Brittney and a few souvenirs. Brittney treated us to a carriage ride that took us on a scenic view of the lake. Then back on the train. All in one day..

The GOOD news of the day!1981 Murder of Son of America's Most Wanted Anchor John Walsh Is Solved

2008-12-16T20:00:00.006-06:00

This head line has made me very happy for the Walsh family.. He is a hero in my eyes. He took a terrible tragedy and made it a mission of his life to save others and send criminals to jail. He wrote a book about his life before and after his son Adam life was taken from them. He is inspiring. With all the bad news lately it was refreshing to hear the case is closed.
Tears of Rage - From Grieving Father to Crusader for Justice: The Untold Story of the Adam Walsh Case A story about how a tragedy turn a man into a hero for others.

This is taken from a news today.. I cried with him when he said. Not knowing was torture!!

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The investigation into the 1981 murder of Adam Walsh, the 6-year-old son of "America's Most Wanted" anchor John Walsh, is finally closed.
Hollywood, Fla., Police Chief Chad Wagner announced Tuesday that the department had concluded that Ottis Toole, a serial killer who died in jail in 1996, was the man who kidnapped The announcement brought to a close a case that had angered the Walsh family for more than two decades, inspired the television show about the nation's most notorious criminals and triggered changes in how authorities search for missing children.
"Who could take a 6-year-old and murder and decapitate him? Who?" an emotional John Walsh said at Tuesday's news conference. "We needed to know. We needed to know. And today we know."

Bell... Lucky Bell ... The Pot bellied pig (Vietnamese pot bellied pig)

2008-11-22T18:56:00.041-06:00

We live just far enough from town that we get stray animals dropped off. We've had puppies, dogs, cats and even a goat one time. We found homes for all of them or kept them. Some of them look like they have been wondering around for days. Starved and scroungy looking. A white boxer dog that showed up was beautiful. He loved to set on the golf cart. I wish we could have kept him. Jenny, our exchange student from Germany wanted to take it back to Germany with her. He was just to big for us. One dog dropped of was so afraid of people he hid under everything. My friend Lori took him. He never did get over that. I think that little guy was abused. Last dog dropped of was a small pitiful looking short haired CHIHUAHUA. At least when they dropped it off they left a loaf of bread for him to eat. It was too little for us. Besides we do not need another dog and I aint' no Paris. We think dumping is a very cruel way to get rid of an animal.

A couple of years ago.... Bell .. Lucky Bell as I call her appeared at our house. This is the story..

I got up late that morning to start work.. I have a hair salon in my house so I don't have far to go. Well .. I over slept this morning.. wow did i over sleep.. My customers were down stairs waiting on me.. The little boys were down there calling my name... Deb, Deb we are here... They are the cuties little 4 year old twins. I was running through the house.. I really needed to let our dogs out before I started work or they would have left me a mess.. So .. I quickly let them out the back door got dressed, brushed my teeth, put my make up on and grabbed my clogs because I didn't want to take the time to put socks on. I opened the door to let the dogs back in..( mean while the twins were still calling me .." Deb we wready to get our hair cut") Scooter (the smaller but older dog) was under the deck.. I thought what the heck are you doing under there.. His feet were dirty now...huuuuhhh.. Cally was just a puppy then and she followed and copied every thing Scooter did... huhhhh... so they both were under the deck... why this morning.. huuhhh.. I don't remember them ever going under there until this morning ..

I worked for several hours. I had a busy schedule but needed to get to the bank between customers . Quickly I drove to town to make a deposit. You know pay check to pay check.. Any who... When I came back home I let the dogs out again. All the sudden Scooter and Cally were raising cane something terrible. Barking like mad hiennas. I looked out and seen they had something cornered in front of the garage. It looked like a raccoon. I just could not see it well. I just wasn't sure. I know they could have been hurt by the animal or they could hurt it. I went running out side. Running in clogs is not easily.. As i got closer i seen that it was a small baby PIG!!!. Were in the world did this baby pig come from. We haven't raised pigs for years. Our neighbors all live at least 1/2 mile from us. That must have been what the dogs were after under the deck. As I ran out side to the rescue.. Not sure who I should rescue first. My daughters boy friend was driving by. I waved him to come help me.. Him and I tried to stop the dogs.. the more we tried the more they barked and carried on. The pig ran out into the freshly pick corn field of short corn stocks. The dogs were barking, the pig was squealing, Matt and I were laughing our heads off. I was stepping high with my clogs over the corn stocks trying my best to keep them on and run as fast as I can. We were zigg'n and zagging all over the corn field. I am not sure how much of the corn field we covered. Finally Matt caught it. The dogs were jumping up at it. He quickly handing it to me and said "I am late for work". We huffed and puffed back to the house and just kept say its a pig... where in the world did it come from..

Once again I had customers waiting on me. With this pig in my arms running to the house I remembered the pet carrier in the garage. I quickly threw the pig in the cage and went back to work.. Oh i did wash my hands first.. I could hardly cut hair telling my customer of the funny story.

I called my husband to tell him I had a surprise when I got done working . He was at the other farm. I put the pig and the dogs in the car. Scooter was still barking and barking... the pig was still oinking and oinking. Cally being the baby she was just looked at us all like she did not know what to do. When i got over there he and his dad were waiting. I opened the hatch back and said look at this. We all stood there laughing and looking in the cage. Kenny reached into the cage to retrieve the little guy... It charged at him and chomped down on his hand. Good thing he had gloves on because I think it would have cut threw his hand. He tossed it back in the cage.. "that's not a pig" A baby pig would not have attracted like that. We looked at each other ... then at the same time the 3 of us leaned over and looked in the cage into the cage at this seemingly small but mighty little pig. "that is a POT BELLIED PIG... where in the ---- did it come from" oh my word ..!!!!! I still can not believe my day.. I really do not now what to do with this.

My son was out in the barn. I drove out to show and tell him about this mystery creature. My sides hurt from laughing at the events. The first thing he said to my surprise was ' I have always wanted a pot bellied pig. I'd like to see how fat I can get it. " I immediately said ... it's yours... happy birthday ,, Merry Christmas... you can have it.. What a relieve that he wanted it..I could not get the cage out of the car fast enough. We went to the barn and proceeded to fix up a pen for it. He got a chicken cage that had sides about 4 feet high made out of chicken wire with a small edge of chicken wire around the top opening. Afraid it would bite again he dumped the little guy into the cage. It ran so fast and hard that i climbed up the sides of the cage. If not for the small edge on the top I think it would have climbed right out the top. My son (Tanner) was so excited about his new pet. I was so thankful I did not have to find this thing a home. He put bedding in, got it water and food. I said "Tanner what is your wife going to say.." Just then his wife came out to see what was going on. She walked in looked in the cage and immediately said.... to my surprise... "awwww look it's it a pig... how cute... " ..... ya i was thinking cute my ass... it almost tore Kenny's hand off, runs and climbs like a badger.... Behind her came Buddy (black Labrador dog). Calmly he strutted over and stuck his nose in the cage... I swear that pig thought buddy was his daddy... She followed Buddy every were and Buddy didn't mind.. The little pig never acted aggressively again. It had transformed into a little princess. They named her BELL.

Bell now lives the life of a queen.. I call her LUCKY BELL. Because she is very very lucky to have a home there. (and not with me..) Bell is not caged. She has free run of where ever she wants to go.. She really doesn't want to go far or move very fast. Her favorite things are sleeping, heading over to the apple tree to eat apples, laying in the barn under her heat lamp and scratching her back on the trees or her butt on truck tires.. She also like to lay out in the sun with the cats.

So .. Dogs... Cats.... Goats..... Now a POT BELLIED PIG... What next... oh I forgot a Homing pigeon once too. Just another funny story..

2008-11-09T21:16:00.002-06:00

Draft Horse Fall Sale Day

2008-11-08T19:44:00.020-06:00

I like to go to the Draft horse and tack sale. The draft horses are spectacular. Usually we go to the sale to eat supper and watch for a while. The food is typical sale food hot dogs, sloppy joes and chicken. The line was so long this time I didn't bother. Seeing draft horses in the fields or going down the road as a team is an awesome sight. Standing next to them is another thing. They are massive in size. Before my daughter got us into horses I would have just watched from the side lines at the sale barn. She has taught me so much about horses.The Belgian Draft horses are such gentle souls. I think the know they there size. I now can walk through the barn and right beside them. They have the biggest feet. Some of the horses are groomed with pretty ribbons and harnesses. They bring them to the sale looking like show horses. The teams are exciting to watch. They are brought into the sale ring and marched up and down.

The show ring looks so small when they are run through. Both sides of the show area are filled with people. There is hardly a seat to be found. Stuffed together like sardines. Mostly Amish men. The factories call sale day a holiday. Most of the Amish are going to go to the sale so they just let them off and call it a holiday. The Amish use the draft horse to do there field work. The horses are well trained to work as teams. The other day I seen a team of 6 working in the field. The children learn from a young age to drive teams. A Young Amish boy, looked to be 10 years old was driving a team of 4 pulling a double wagon loaded with large round bales today. He was standing up with the reins and look like a pro. We are told people come from all over the world to this sale. Disney has bought horses here. I over heard someone say they were buying more horses for Disney. Budweiser also has bought here for their team. I didn't get good pictures. I feel bad taking pictures there because I know the Amish do not like their pictures taken. They didn't mind me taking pictures of their horses

I got a lot of draft horse butt pictures. I went on a day when young horses were being sold.
I am not the greatest photographer. I took this as I was driving by the sale barn. I think the picture in the review mirror is nice.
The parking lot. Lines and lines of buggies.

This guy kept flirting with me. He has such a handsome face and his eye was sparkling at me. Will maybe it was the sun light.

A lot of fathers bring there little boys too. This little girl was peeking around the corner at me..

Tack. Just one of the vender's items. It was a beautiful day.

Neighbors go Winning

2008-10-27T14:54:00.029-05:00

Lorri, Mary and I went to Michigan for a Wine day. The drive to Berrian Springs Michigan was beautiful. The trees were changing into the most magnificent colors of fall. The reds looked like fire the oranges looked like pumpkins and the sky was beautiful blue and white clouds. In no time we felt like we had been transported to somewhere like California's Napa valley..The Land of Wine and Food. Only on a small scale. . We visited 5 wineries. The tasting was fun. We are not big wine drinkers.. .. But... we have found that we have been drinking the wrong wines for our taste. It is fun to get the education about how wine is made, when the grapes are picked and that it can be sweet and spicy. It is hard to believe that Michigan has so many wineries. It is very pretty to see the rows and rows of grape vines. I want to go see it in the spring. I found my favorite at the first stop. (Lemon Creek) This picture was take there. The bottle is the one I have griped in my hand. The young lady serving us was so fun. Right away Lorri said she never new wine could taste sweet. We decide we like sweet wines the best. Our next stop was Tabor Hill. This is where we came back to eat lunch. The menu is full of interesting dishes that we don't find at home. The Round Barn has a nice set up. They also make Vodka.. (my drink of choice) Wow it was expensive. The beer was good too. I really don't like beer. It did taste ok. I just didn't want to mix all that up in my stomach. I held my self back from buying the vodka. All three of us bought more then one bottle of wine at the Round Barn.. We really liked the Cranberry. I think we will be having that for Thanksgiving.. (I already drank one bottle with my friend Grace) woops had to share with her.. Free Run and , Domaine Berrien were nice too. You can see the storage vats at Domaine Berrien.

2008-10-21T22:31:00.017-05:00

FABULOUS FALL DECOR AWARD

Given to me by Sue at Oodlekadoodle Primitives I'm so excited! Thank you so much Sue! You've made my day...Isn't it awesome? I'm suppose to pass this along to 6 people......So here are my picks....Drum Roll Please!!!

http://barnhousebh.blogspot.com/2008/10/barn-house-season-finale-part-1.html

http://bittersweetpunkin.blogspot.com/

http://lavenderhillstudio.blogspot.com/

http://lonadawn.blogspot.com/

http://rabbitruncottage.blogspot.com/

http://mirrorlakebb.blogspot.com/

The rules are to grab this award pic and post it on your blog, and nominate 6 of your choice for the same award! Of course, you have to tell the winners that they have been chosen.....

Just and Jots of October

2008-10-20T22:30:00.019-05:00

One last trip to the Clear Springs Auction.
This is a beautiful box of Cock Comb. The colors are vibrant.

Indian Corn

Warted Pumpkins.. kind a pretty in an ugly way.. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.
This cute cart of Flower (Mums) sold for $ 3. each. You had to buy the cart load. Brittney and I bought a car load at $2. each.

It is so easy to get carried away when the auctioneer is talking so fast and the excitement of winning the bid is so close.

Above is a bunch of flowers that look like cabbage. Ornamental cabbage . Brittney bought three swan gourds. She hung them in the garage to dry out. I think she has some creative idea to make something out of them when they are dry.

Harvest Day, Dirt Roads and Busy Dogs

2008-10-09T15:48:00.061-05:00

Dogs are very important on our farm.Work Dogs and Watch Dogs.

This is Scooter. He is Kenny's right hand man. Scooter goes every where Kenny goes. He is wonderful company and entertainment. Every day he goes to work.

This is Cally. She is a blue healer. Cally takes hand directions very well. She can herd up any animal just by her instincts. She is actually my daughters dog.. But she also goes to work with Kenny every day also. They are very funny to watch. She is only 2 years old but looks like a more mature dog. I am taking them to the other farm where they will be running beans and trucking the beans back home to put in the bins.

Kenny, Scooter and Cally looking over at the field to see how things are going. Cute how Cally has her head turned just like Kenny.

Harvesting Beans on a Sunday.. That really is taboo. This is something that we have found very hard to deal with. My husband was brought up not to work on Sunday.. To keep the day as the day of rest. As the bible says. This comes from his wise and cautious fathers and family tradition. When I came to the family I had a hard time with this. His parents would take naps on Sunday.. They milked cows on Sunday. Like every other day. Twice a day.. That was still working.. Only work that was necessary. I never new that adults took Naps. My parents worked hard all week at there jobs. Sunday was the day that they did chores at home.. Let me tell you this is one thing that I really enjoyed about learning about my in laws. I like taking naps. Yea.. But.. I hate to say that we have had to work some Sundays. My husband, son and daughter-in-law all feel guilty..... but.. now a days we can not farm without having jobs other then farming.. When the crops need to harvest or planted we have to work it in around our other jobs. My husband drives school bus. We need that job so we can get insurance through the school. He has many other jobs also. He cooks whole hogs for wedding and graduations, has and ice cream machine that he rents out, we rent out deep freezers to Amish and does custom work. I do hair and sell grave plots at the cemetery. I am a coordinator for CETUSA exchange student program. Tanner is care taker of the cemetery and sexton. My son the grave digger.. My daughter-in-law works away from home and cooks a lot of the meals for the guys when they are in the fields. She also helps out a lot..!! Kenny loves her cooking.

We have to drive dirt roads to this farm. Right next to the field is a beautiful Amish house. It is a log home with a fabulous grand front porch. While I was waiting for Kenny I watched the children play on the steps of this house. They love to watch the big tractors and combines. While I watched them they watched us. All on a Sunday after noon. The small children were dressed in coats for the cool but sun shinny day.The smallest boy must have be 4 and the youngest girl 5. He had a little dark hat that fit tight to his head and tied around his chin. The little girl had on a white head scarf. Up and down the stairs the went. The little boy could not walk down the stairs he just scooted step by step on his butt.

Soon the rest of the family came out and they loaded up in a little open wagon pulled by a cute pony. Later as I was going back home I seen passed them all walking down the road. Everyone waved at me. and waved and waved and waved.

In front of a friend house is this fun fall decorations.

Harvest Days, Dirt Roads and Busy Dogs. Next Sunday maybe we will take naps.

Clear Springs Auction

2008-10-05T19:28:00.092-05:00

I went to the Auction today. This auction is held 2 to 3 times a week. It is out in the middle of the country. Anyone can bring there produce here to sell and any one can get a number from the desk and bid to buy. I wanted to buy some flowers and pumpkins. It was such a beautiful day. The items that were being brought in were just fabulous. The sight had to be shared. I ended up spending all my time taking pictures and enjoying the people, sights and amazing colors of the fall. My friend Kathy was leaving just as I arrived. She had brought in 6 bags of a beautiful smelling plant.Sweet Annie. .It made the market smell wonderful.

The horse drawn wagons were lined up around the building. Two hitch wagons with Amish men driving them. On the wagons were pumpkins, melons, tomatoes and usually on the back a group of mums.

This is a beautiful box of Cock's Comb flowers. They get that name because they look like the comb of roosters. The colors of the produce were glimmering in the light.. I wish you could see them. I think of all the hard work it takes to plant, weed, water and harvest all this. I am not the greatest gardener. I know this had to be hard work. Most of the items in the sell were grown by Amish families.

The horse drawn wagons were lined up around the building. Two hitch wagons with Amish men driving them. On the wagons were pumpkins, melons, tomatoes and usually on the back a group of mums. I wanted to take a picture of a little boy about 5 years old. He was Amish so I ask his dad if I could take his picture. (because Amish adults do not want there pictures taken) The little boy was around 5 years old. He did not talk English yet. His dad ask him if it would be OK for me to take his picture.. The boy said no.. I don't think he understood what was going on. He looked so cute from a distance. When I got closer to him to talk, he smiled, all of his front teeth were rotten.. It was a sad thing to look at.

On the way home I took some pictures. This is a small market. I like to buy from this little market. They have a good variety and the price is usually right.

This is an Amish grave yard. The stones are simple. As there life is simple. In the back is a little building. That is the out house. It actually has one side for women and one side for men. There is a fence going all around it. I have a girl friend who belongs to a ghost hunting club. I will be posting pictures of grave yards for her.

4th Annual Camping and Horse Riding Weekend

2008-10-03T18:57:00.025-05:00

Each year it gets easier and easier.. But... I am getting older and older..
We usually have 10 girls riding. This year we had 8. Even though I love to ride I am not always so sure I am doing every thing right. Dawn and I got help from Brittney.. Thanks Brittney.. (we did pay her well) What a hoot we had.

The girls all divide the meals up. By pairs we plan and provide for all. Dawn and I had breakfast. Biscuits and gravy. My favorite camping breakfast .

One of the high lights on our trail riding is in the river. We had a river race. Rhonda won.. My camera got splashed by Ronda's horse because it likes to splash everyone just like a kid playing in the water. This picture is kind of blurry. We left some great memories there!.

I am not sure who had more laughs, us laughing at each other or the horses seeing more then they had before. We were very very silly..

Dawn and are ready to go. My horses name is Chase. Dawn is riding her horse Star. The weather was just beautiful. This is on the hill behind our house. Our camp consisted of 4 horse trailers rounded up in a circle with our camp fire in the middle. Rhonda made p.j. pants for us. They are great to hang out in after a long
day of riding. (Thanks Rhonda..)

Not sure what meal this was..

This is Kathy.. She has a Great Bed and Breakfast at her house.. Themed around a cute Bunk house. Check her blog out. She has more pictures and stories about our ride. http://www.mirrorlakebb.blogspot.com/

We did good girls! We came out OK.. Just a lot of sore butts and knees.. Remember .. jump in the lake ..or river.... do something you have never done before.. live life .. have an adventure... feel the breeze .. make memories that will set you free...

Thanks to my friends for a great Camping and Riding week end.. can't wait to till next year..

Load um - up, haul - um out....

2008-10-03T10:01:00.007-05:00

Brittney has finished her comforter made out of t-shirts, show shirts and patches she has been saving. She worked constantly until it was done. The rows between the blocks is camouflage.

Some of the block are her shirts that she wore while showing horses in 4-h. She cut out the front with the buttons and pockets.

Here is one block that she appliqued pieces that she cut out of t-shirts.

I really liked this shirt. The cow and kitty are just cute.

Most of the blocks are her t-shirts from years of special events. The back of it is burgundy the knots are black. It is king size. We will us the scraps to stuff beds for the dogs. I will post pictures of the doggy beds later.

2008-09-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

Glad to hear from some of you... Hope you enjoy my pictures.. Today Brittney and I laughed at the Guinea . He was in the fountain then on the roof.. I will post a picture of him later..

Rain... ya... it has cooled off ..

2008-09-04T19:15:00.000-05:00