~~The Best Mother's Day Ever~~

It all started Friday when a gorgeous bouquet of flowers of was delivered from our oldest daughter and her sweetie. (Thank you Kara!) Later that evening, our son, Sam and his wife Renee showed up. We spent the evening visiting with them and on Saturday morning Seth & Codi came with more flowers in hand. (Thanks kids!) By now I'm feeling like the luckiest woman alive. Little did I know I was about to become even happier!
Earlier in the week Sam had called and asked if we could eat at everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant in Iola. Keith and I agreed that we would do this rather than me fix a big meal on Sunday. When asked, the kids all agreed they wanted to eat lunch rather than supper so plans were made to be in Iola at noon.
After everyone sat down and our drinks had been ordered Sam (Who was sitting next to me) asked what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him just having my kids home was enough for me. He then said, "Well, would you rather have a boy or girl?" Since we have just gotten Latte (the puppy) my first thought was he was wanting to get us another dog and instantly I said, "I don't want another...." then it hit me! They were going to have a baby!!!! Keith and I were laughing and crying at the same time. I'm sure everyone in that restaurant thought we had lost our minds!!!! You see girls, for medical reasons we weren't sure they would ever be able to have a baby so this was not only a miracle but truly a special gift from God just as all babies are! I swear we cried for a good half an hour we were so happy!!!! Poor Jeni and Drew weren't sure what was going on (Jeni couldn't hear what Sam had asked me) but once they found out they too were excited....Jeni is already making plans to "baby-sit"! HA
Our special little one is due on Christmas Eve. Of course that means Mommy and Daddy won't be here to celebrate with us but ole Grandpa and Grandma are making plans of their own. If he/she arrives during Christmas break {Remember, we still have little ones in school!} and the weather cooperates, we'll be making a trip to Neb.. Otherwise we'll be glued to the computer (Camcorders) so we can see our baby daily! Can you tell this old grandma is one happy person??? HA
After this good news the rest of our weekend passed in a daze. We played board games, the boys helped Keith get the pool ready for summer (I don't think it's ever going to get warm enough to swim!), the kids all loaded up and took Latte walking in town, ect... It was just a laid-back, wonderful, relaxing weekend!
So, Mother's Day 2009 will be one of happy memories and now we'll be spending the next few months praying for a healthy baby and safe delivery for Mom and Dad. Blessings to Your Family From Ours, Sher

Winter in Kansas!

There is only one word for winter in Kansas this year....Weird!!!! I have honestly never seen a winter like we are having. We will go for days with freezing temperatures and then suddenly the sun will come out and things will warm up enough you don't even need a coat! Now I have to admit that we are really enjoying it. Winters are hard on Keith as he's cooped up in this house with nothing to do. So, when it warms up he's able to go out and piddle around outside. A much needed break for him! And don't tell him I said this but it's a much needed break for me too! (No matter how much you love someone, being with them 24/7 can get tiring!!!)
For the next two days we are going through one of our "warm spells". Once again I'll spend my time catching up on all this laundry. (So far this winter I have only had to use my dryer once!) It's true my old hands about freeze as I hang clothes out of a morning but by afternoon they are all nice and dry and I forget all about the pain I went through getting them to that point! HA
Since we have cold weather moving back in Friday, today will also be a time to fill our fireplace with wood and to bring more around front. Earlier this winter we ordered a load of firewood from an old grade school friend of mine and when they delivered it, they stacked it right in front of our house. While the wood is wonderful, it's not "seasoned" and therefore hard to burn in a fireplace. That means we have all this wonderful wood right in front of our house were it would be so easy to carry in and I'm having to walk around it and go to the back/side of the house and carry in the old. Oh well, I'm just thankful we have wood to burn and a fireplace to put it in so I won't complain. (And next winter will have tons of "seasoned" wood!!!)
Keith has been using these warm days to get our greenhouse ready for Spring. I tell him it's going to be months before we can actually plant some seeds but he's insisting it's time to get it ready. Unfortunately we have different ideas on how things should be set up out there so for right now I'm staying out of it.....Once it's time to plant I'll go out there and set it up the way I want! HA At least he's got it all nice and clean for me!!!
While I've talked of the warm days, I don't want to forget the cold ones too. These days give us those special times to be alone and talk about the future and what we hope it will bring for our children. They give me the time to hook, cross stitch and Needle Punch and Keith time to take long naps. They also gave us the time to watch the inauguration and President Obama being sworn in.
So, whether our days are cold or warm, winter in Kansas is to be cherished....Before long Spring will be in the air and we'll be so busy we won't have time to think. Winter Blessings, Sher

Christmas is Over

Another Christmas has came and gone. This year it was a bitter sweet Christmas. Daddy is not feeling well and we couldn't help but wonder as we took pictures of everyone if he would be with us next year. We have tried not to dwell on the sad but to look on the positive. How many woman can reach 58 years of age and still have both their parents alive? We need to be thankful for all the years we have had with them and to thank them for raising four daughters who have lead productive lives.
After a week of bitter cold, the weather has turned off gorgeous. So nice that the children have even been able to play outside in heavy sweat shirts. Alas all of that is changing tomorrow. The cold air is moving back in and there's a chance of snow Thursday night into Friday. At least we've had a small break from it and for that we are thankful.
With Christmas behind us, it's time to start settling in for the winter. My favorite time of year!!! Oh how heavenly that sounds after all the hustle and bustle we have been going through. The time of year when I can sit before the fireplace and hook, cross stitch or Needle Punch to my hearts content. If the snow if softly falling, it's just that much better.
Of course staying home is only half the fun....The Topeka Hook-in is next weekend and I'm hoping the weather will be good so I can go. Not that I need any more wool (That doesn't mean I won't buy any though! HA) but rather I need some inspiration and your sure to get that from all the talented gals that attend. I'm going to be embarrassed beyond belief for everyone to see I'm still working on a Halloween project but I refuse to start anything else until it's done. (I told you I've been busy!!!)
Along with all the fun crafting projects I have planned, I also have lots of yummy new recipes to feed my family. I'm branching out and starting to make up some recipes of my own. At first I wasn't sure I could do this but I've made up two new cookie recipes the past two days and both were big hits. Keith told me I can experiment all I want if this is any indication of what I can do! HA As I can go along I'll be sharing what I've come up with so you can try them out too.
Well, there are clothes to be brought in and dishes to be done (One of the downfalls of cooking!) so I best get in there. I hope you've survived the holidays and you too are enjoying winter. Hugs, Sher

Awaking this morning I was surprised to see snow lightly falling! While not gorgeous, big fluffy flakes it was still snow and that in itself sent excitement through out the house. You would have thought the President of the United States was arriving the way we all pressed our faces to the window. What is it about the first snowfall of the season that makes us giddy with excitement? For me it means the time has arrived that my house will be filled with the smells of candles and tart warmers and also yummy food cooking in the kitchen. It's that time of year when the fire will be crackling and I'll be surrounded by wool hooking to my hearts content. A time to cozy up with Keith and remind ourselves how lucky we are that we don't have to venture out in the cold and how Blessed we are to have the home we have. Oh, I know in a few months you'll hear me complaining but for today I'm going to sit back and enjoy the day and be thankful for it. Hugs, Sher

Our Bus Stop Decorated for Halloween

Good Morning!
I simply could not let the day pass without sharing a photo of how we have our little bus stop decorated for Halloween! Yes, even that little building gets into the spirit of the season on "Old Crow Farm"!
This year we have decorated with some Mums and pumpkins that we grew right here on the farm. Now the story behind these pumpkins is that they weren't "planted" on the farm but instead grew from last years pumpkins. Yep, we threw the old pumpkins in the compost pile last year after Halloween and this year we were rewarded with some gorgeous pumpkins. Granted they didn't grow very big but still they were FREE and it doesn't get any better than that!
Take a peek in the window. Do you see that precious Witch flying on her broom with her trusty black cat? Well, my dear friend Sher Needle Punched her for us and she's just precious. [Thank you Sher!!!!] I had planned to display her in the house but decided I would put her down by the highway where everyone could enjoy her. After draping some artificial Fall leaves around her, I think she makes the perfect focal point for the window! Apparently everyone else does too as we've had lots of compliments on her.
Well girls the day is quickly passing so it's time to get in gear. Just wanted to share another touch of Halloween around the farm. Have a great day and safe evening. Hugs, Sher

Our Living Room

Yesterday I promised to show you one little section of our living room and how I have it decorated for Fall. This area is the love seat that sets to the south-west of our fireplace. I think I wrote about this section of our living room on my other blog....Everything you see is "used". Things that have been bought from auctions, yard sales or given to us. The most expensive thing you see was the sofa and it was bought at the Salvation Army for $50! And of course as you look at the picture you'll notice more "crows" tucked here and there!
Do you see the green "Drawer Box" sitting under the old bench? This is one of my newest finds when Keith and I went out junking. It's an old Atlas Powder Co. wooden box that someone has turned into drawers. It's the neatest thing and a real make-do as they even used wooden spools for the handles! I just love things like this as they are so unique.
Also, I don't know if you can see it but inside the old wooden dough bowl on the bench is an old granitware dipper. This old dipper holds many wonderful memories. That's because it belonged to a wonderful (At that time) eighty year old woman who loved to tell the story of how she meet her second husband. She said he came to the door and said something teasingly and she had the dipper in her hand full of water and she through it through the screen door onto him. Several years later they were married and she always said they fell in love at first "throw". I couldn't believe it when she went to live with her daughter twenty-six years ago and told me she wanted me to have it. For years it's hung off a hook in my kitchen (Just as it did in Muriel's) but for Fall I've moved it to the living room where it holds a white pumpkin with crow on top. Now it's making memories for us.
Our living room is the place where our family gathers each day and this touch of Fall makes us all know winter is just around the corner and soon we'll be sitting in front of the fireplace with a roaring fire longing for warmer days. Hugs, Sher

Feeling Like Fall!

Good Morning Girls!

It's a crisp cool Fall day here on the farm! Yesterday we woke up to our first frost of the season but today it's just cold! One of those days when you wish you could just snuggle back in under the covers but you know it's not possible...Because you have little ones to get around for school! So, with them out the door, the house is mine!

Now before I go any farther I want to thank Betty over at PrimitiveBetty's for the above wonderful award. I've known she awarded it to me for over a week but there just hasn't been the time to post it. THANKS Betty!!!! I wish I could say I deserved it but the truth is, my Fall decorating has taken a backseat because of all that is going on in my life. And I'm going to award it to all girls who are decorating their homes in brilliant, Fall colors!

With Fall in the air, things are getting busier around the farm. These next few days Keith and I are going to find ourselves coming and going with all we have going on. However, as busy as we are we are going to take some time for us. Today at noon we'll be going one of our local Mexican Restaurants for lunch. We love their #1's so know just what we'll be ordering. And then once we eat we'll head to our local Dollar General to pick up some things we're needing....Things like cat food for the farm cats! It seems like this cold air is making the animals as well as the humans eat a lot more! HA

Well girls, it's time to do a little house-work so I'd best get in there. If I don't get to it this afternoon, tomorrow I'll be posting a picture of a piece of our living room decorated for Fall. I hope you'll all having a super day and getting more done than I am. Hugs, Sher