A Little Bit of Normal

One warm day a week or two ago, despite all the holiday hustle and bustle, we had a relaxing Sunday afternoon with the "Little Cowboy", Big A, and Little A  (which is a friend of Big A's with the same name and dubbed Little A because he is about a foot shorter than Big A).  Big A took Little A on a tour of the farm and all the best hunting hang outs.  Then Big A decided he wanted Little A to see the old house at the Longhollow Pasture.  Being that they would have to cross a paved road, and being that the "Little Caboose" ( a new nickname for the "Little Cowboy") wanted to go, we all decided to tag along.  Fortunately, the Mule can hold four "adults" and one pint sized person easily.

First, but most important, we had to stock up on drinks, snacks, wipes, diapers and a few ears of corn for Gizmo.  Then we climbed aboard and were ready to go.

Naturally all the "young folks" sat in the back as we headed to the Longhollow pasture.

Gizmo, the donkey, trotted right on over.  The "Little Caboose" grabbed an ear of corn and prepared to throw it to Gizmo.

"There you go, Gizmo!  Eat Up!"

Soon we arrived at the "old homestead", which was once a two story home before the ravages of time took its toll.  JR actually knows a few of the kids, now grown, who grew up in this old cabin.  

Getting ready to explore.  

The "Little Caboose" grabbed JR's "piker-upper" stick and got to work.

There were lots of old bottles and cans just waiting to be found.

JR dug deep and found an old green glass Coca-Cola bottle.  

This is the remains of an old storm cellar that was dug into the side of a hill. To the far left of the picture is where the family gained entrance to the pit during times of severe weather.  Looks a bit to "snaky" for my taste.    

Big A and Little A wandered off for awhile and returned with an old pan full of "treasures".

Having satisfied their curiosity for an hour or more, the guys were ready to head back to the farm and examine in detail all the old bottles, cans, pieces of metal, etc. that they found. The "Little Caboose" was still going strong grabbing everything in sight with his "picker-upper" stick.  

When we arrived back at the farm, Big A showed Little A the new "Man Cave".  This little space brings new meaning to the world of "man caves".  JR says it has all the necessities - a TV, heater, table, and chair.  Really?  All the necessities?  Enough said about that!  

However, I do like the fact that there is a broom standing in the corner of the "man cave".  I am sure it will be swept out on a regular basis - Genies are good about things like that!

I think this little guy prefers the "farm office"  that houses toys and ice cream.  

ME TOO!!

Dee, Dee

Where Did The Turkey Go?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and so has all the leftover turkey and ham!  But it sure was yummy!  Papa G's daughter and her daughter (that would be my step granddaughter and step great granddaughter) joined us which made Thanksgiving extra special this year. I really love when I get in the cooking mood that people come to eat. The next best thing to eating with family is "pigging" out on all the left overs. Here are a few pics from "gain a pound" day.  Actually, it was more like "gain 5 pounds" day!  

 A few of the family sitting around waiting for the turkey and ham to finish baking.  That's the "little cowboy's" security blanket slung over the back of the couch.  Awwww.  One day he will grow up and no longer care about his soft, cuddly blanket (sniff).   

 Those three bandits on the left would NOT stay out of my kitchen!  They kept coming back looking for a handout.  "Shoo!"

 So sweet...brothers and sisters sitting by the fire enjoying a chat......

 ......checking out the latest gossip on the i-phone......

 .....reminiscing about their childhood....(Their childhood?  Aren't they still 1, 7, and 9?  Where has the time gone??)

 .......and fussing at me for taking so many pictures!! "STOP ALREADY!"

Love this picture of Tosh and Pooh!

 Meanwhile, back on the floor......a pre-dinner mess was in the making.....

 "Mess?....What mess?"

 The "young-uns" ate picnic style.  

The men retired to the living room to watch TV.  And the woman folks just kept on eating - seconds, thirds, fourths..!!

Wow...look at all the leftovers!  After sending plates home piled high with dressing, turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pecan pie, banana pudding, etc. there was still plenty left to feed JR and me for several days.  And the best part?  Not having to think about "What's for supper?" 

Love, Dee Dee

  

A Little Bit of Everything.....

Gosh, as I write this I realize it's nearly December. Correction, it IS December.  Here's a little bit of what's been happening on our farm.  It's not in any particular order because November did not present itself in order.  As a matter of fact, November was just one crazy month filled with new calves, doctor visits, basketball start-up, hunting season opening, and Christmas wishes.  Take it from me, be very careful what you wish for .....a "cabin" to me is a get-a-way filled with rustic furniture, downy soft beds, and a refrigerator stocked with pre-made meals.  However, I have learned that a "cabin" can have a whole different meaning when men rule........

I really love to hop on the Mule and ride with JR across the pastures looking for newborn calves.

Here comes a newborn with his mama.  So sweet!

Remember the cabin I was wishing for?  Well......here is a hunter's version of the perfect get-a-way.

There goes Big A up the steps to the "cabin" to wile away the hours looking for deer.  As for me - I am still waiting for a cabin worthy of being in "Southern Living"!  But, to give the "cabin" credit, the view from the top is terrific.  Not that I have made the trek up those creaky steps yet, but somehow I just know the view is terrific!  And one brave morning I will see for myself!! 

Some November days were warm and sunny.  Time for the "little cowboy" to head to the sand pile, kick off his shoes and socks, and dig in the dirt!

Building "sand castles" reminds me of summer.  I really, really wish it was summer time!!

The end of October brought lots of HALLOWEEN FUN ...... painting pumpkins...

......scooping out the seeds.....

.......and bowling at a school carnival!

Big A, on the left, coached a Kindergarten basketball team during a fund raiser to kick off the basketball season...

There they go...ready to do battle with the opposing team...

"Wait!  Turn around! Dribble the ball that-a-way guys!"

So much fun for the little kids!!

Then the real competition started.  That's Big A getting ready to make a free shot.

Up Up and Away!...and it's in!....

Of course, the little cowboy had to have a shot at the goal too!

More fall carnival fun at Meme T's school.......the "little cowboy" painting a "lamb" with shaving cream...

....then visited the baby animals with Pooh.

Back at my elementary school, we had a contest to see which class could bring in the most BoxTop coupons.

The class bringing in the most BoxTops got to throw water balloons at two brave teachers.  These two teachers are just awesome and such good sports!!

Of course, there was still work to do around the farm.  Here you see JR and Big A repairing a fence and running cable wire to the "MAN CAVE".  (More on that another day.)

On another sunny, warm day, I took the "little cowboy" to the playground.

It wasn't long before he made friends with a cute three-year-old girl.  Look at the difference in their height!  And the "little cowboy" is only two-years-old. I have a feeling he will be six feet tall in no time!   Just like his Uncle A.

The kids had fun going up and down the slides.......

........and crawling through the tunnel!

In keeping with the Leader-in-Me theme at school, I decorated my door in, none other, than Thomas the Tank Engine.....The Helpful Engine!!  So what if it took me since September to complete it? Actually, it's not completed as I am planning on adding smoke coming from the smoke stack, a sun, and maybe some seasonal odds and ends.  I also plan on adding train signals and various signs.  And if I am lucky I will complete it all by Easter!!  I seem to have a short supply of "time"!!

Well, that was October and November in a "nutshell".  Thanksgiving has come and gone (hopefully I will post those pics soon), and we are all gearing up for Christmas!  Love, love, love to celebrate the Birth of Christ!  Let's all slow down and enjoy the meaning of the season!

Dee Dee