Praying for Bears

We are back from the trip to Tennessee. As you can imagine, I will be posting some great photos. The children had a great time and their Aunt Donna and U. Miah packed the week so full that we ran out of time for everything. We celebrated Rebeckahs Birthday at the Rainforest cafe in Nashville. I will post the pic of her, when they came out with her surprise birthday cake. We also did hiking in the smokey mountains, Dean was happy with how well everyone could keep up on their "Chimney tops" climb. It didn't work out for Micah to make the whole climb, although I think she could have, so Rebeckah and Donna sat with her near the river and I bouldered around until the hikers came back. The children had been wishing to see a bear the whole time, and had even been praying for it to happen. Once we came up on a sighting, but when we asked people said it was already gone. Everyone was pretty dissappointed, but even when we thought our trip was over, driving out of the mountains to go back to our hotel, and leave for home the next day...don't you know a cute little bear jumped right in front of our truck and went lopping off the other side. Everyone got to see him, and of course we jumped out and watched until he was out of sight. It was better than just a bear sighting, it was a close encounter!!!

This is us!

Here we are at Easter, the children are all happy, because they don't get candy otherwise! I just wanted you all to see the whole family updated!

Here he is, our beautiful purple martin. He is in the bird house my family gave me on Mother's day. The picture is next to our garden, and I will post pics of that next time. Also of our new baby, a jack russel named Spiney. We took the children to PA this last weekend, it's always the biggest challenge, when you farm, to get away. By the time you have your farm help lined up, and everything done enough to leave, plus packing up 8 children, it's better to just stay home!! And yet, I think I have some gypsy blood in me, because I keep doing that to myself over and over. Dean never ever plans a trip, he would just stay here, year after year, with the grass growing under his feet. He is nice to me though, and every once in a while, he helps me take off on some mad adventure that I have cooked up! Pretty soon, we are going to visit Tennessee. I dream of France and Scotland, but I think that the Smokey Mnts. are more realistic!!!!!

Our 14th Anniversary

I haven't been on in a while, but I wanted to post about the awsome date I had with my husband for our 14th anniversary. We went up along Cayouga Lake, and stopped at a couple of the wineries. We ate at one of the bistros and then sat and soaked in the beauty of the falls at Taughannok . It's so much more impressive than the pictures!!! If you are married and you are reading this, turn of your computer and go snuggle with your honey. Cultivate your dreams, plan on times together, grow the two of you. Don't let anything else come first! Your children feel more secure, your home will be more peaceful and happy.

Journals for sale

Did I ever mention that I am an artist? I think there are few people that aren't. All it takes is a passion for something. Whether it is painting, or cleaning your house. To me, my MIL's house looks as nice as a painting. For me it is the feeling of getting it, "just right". Whether it is my spinning, a sweet doll I made, or an apron.

Well, in this case it is journals. To be specific, they are composition notebook journals, with vintage artwork, and collage. Sound interesting? I would love to send one your way. Here is a picture. Email for an order.

book weekend

I just spent a rare weekend searching books out for our homeschool. Can you imagine a better job? I wish I could do this for my living! So many books, so little time. We were at a homeschool convention, can you imagine seeing hundreds and hundreds of unsocialized people? It was incredible how well we all got along, considering. Oh, okay, I won't go there. I found small treasures, like a book called Secret Keeper, the delicate power of modesty. And huge volumes that inspire generations, one called Ishmael. Written by intriguing names like, Fenlon. I need to go read, see you later. I hope tomorrow I can post a picture of our Purple Martins. We have a nesting pair.