Let it Snow

What an image for mid February in Texas. Snow on freshly budding out Red Maple trees. Yesterday we awoke to about 3" of snow on the ground. My daughter said "It looked like a blanket of Heaven over our yard". It was a beautiful site to see although very unusual for this part of Texas. As beautiful as it is, I am so looking forward to the Springtime. Until then, I will just enjoy the view from inside the windowpanes.

Meet Wilson! This is the snowman that the kids built. He is just too cute!

Happy New Year & Reflections on the past year

Happy New Year--2010

As the year has come to a close, I thought it would be nice to reflect on some of 2009 high-lights.
Some of the majors things that happened in the past year were:

My oldest graduating from home school high school.
My three youngest children, ages 10,12,14, making State Competition in Forestry in 4-H.
Two of my children making State Competition in Wildlife, the 12 & 14 yr. old. Traveling to Sinton, Tx.
My 12 year old daughter making Quad-State Competition in Forestry. Traveling to Beavers Bend State Park, OK. for competition.
My 17 yr. old acquiring 22 college credits while still in high school.
My oldest joining the service, she left on December 29th to travel out of state for basic training.

We have had a wonderful year and were blessed many times over. I look forward to what 2010 has in store for us. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!

Jake's new hair cut

It was past time for Jake to get a new look. He had been thinking about getting a crew cut for the last month and finally took the plunge yesterday. He really likes his new "do" and so do I. I think it makes him look much older, what do you think?

BEFORE


AFTER

09~09~09

9-09-09 ~This date will only come along once in my life. In fact it won't happen again until 3009. Quite a long time from now, the next millennium.

Have you noticed that there are 9 letters in the word September?

Also 9 letters in the word Wednesday (which is today's date).

Also today's date represents the 252nd day of the year. 2+5+2=9.

I wanted to capture a picture of my kiddos on this date, so I called them all from whatever they were busy doing at the time to gather around and savor the moment of this special date.

A New Year Begins

2009 is here-a new year-a fresh new start to things and boy do I feel the need for. I have big plans for this year (this is nothing new, I have big plans every year). Although, it is my hope to follow through on more of my plans this time around.
I want to be more organized, don't we all? So the plan is to take baby steps to getting our home, our schooling, my thoughts more organized.


We shall begin our schooling on this up coming Monday and boy do I have some new things that I will be implementing this year. I will write about them more as the year continues.

Until then--Happy New Year everyone!! May it be a wonderful year for us all! :0)

Where have the last 5 months gone

It's hard to believe that I haven't posted an entry in such a long time. Things have been so very busy!! We, as a family, have started gardening. It has been a fun and rewarding experience. Lots of work, but oh the feeling of walking out and picking your own vegetables. It's a GREAT thing and yummy too!!! I took tons of photos that I might post at a later time.

Some of the veggies that we planted and harvested were: Tomatoes, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, hot peppers, banana peppers, peas, corn, okra, cucumbers, muskmelons and watermelons. It has been a learned experience for us all. One thing that we learned is that we don't need 200 watermelon plants. Although with having so many delicious watermelons that my two older sons planted and cared for we found ourselves with too many melons to eat. So my girls and I ventured out and made watermelon jelly this year. I have heard about it in the past but had never eaten any. It was fun to make and yummy to eat. Though next spring, I think we will plant fewer plants. :0)

Busy as a Bee--It's the little things

Today was a beautiful day for being outside especially after the cold snap that we had for the last couple of days. While being busy as a bee myself working away I looked up and these little beauties are what was next to me just being busy as a bee themselves.

It really does feel like Spring is in the air. I just love this time of year when everything is fresh and green, new life in springing up all around us, the bees are at work doing their thing and all the folks that love to garden are out doing their thing too.

Just for a few minutes... I stopped to really enjoy the little things today-these little bees made me happy, I stopped and watched my youngest child play in the dirt, that made me happy, I enjoyed my girls helping me to replant tomato plants today, that made me happy also. It's the little things that I often miss because I always seem to be in a hurry, however I was reminded this week by something someone said about taking time to enjoy the little things in life. Life is short--enjoy it!! What simple but at the same time magical moment made you happy today??

Get Those Hands Dirty

Turnips
Who doesn't just love them?!

This weekend we harvested at least 100 lbs of turnips. It is one of the easiest vegetables on earth I think there is to grow. And pulling those little jewels up from the earth is just too much fun.
I'm not one to like turnips greens, which is a shame, as I threw all of them into the compost pile but the turnips themselves have such a great flavor to them. A little bitterness and a little sweetness at the same time. They just melt in your mouth. There are so many ways to prepare them--Turnip fries, cubes with butter salt & pepper, or boiled and mashed like mashed potatoes. They are all yummy! My kids love to just grab the turnip, put a little salt on that baby and eat it as is.
If you've never ate a turnip, you should...you might be pleasantly surprised. :0)

New Puppy--Rose

Look what my sweet hubby surprised us with the other day! A tiny little Basset Hound!! Isn't she just the cutest?? She is 5 weeks 1 day in the photo. Don't you just love those loooonnnng ears?
Meet Rose---The newest member of our home.

Time Passes

Well, so much time has passed since I last updated anything into this blog. It doesn't mean that there has been nothing going on, on the contrary--Life has been very busy. With 5 kids how could it not be. The holiday season has passed and life goes on. I will be updating more of what is going on with us soon.
Take care all!

The Great Money Tree

Have you ever owned a money tree? Well, we have or should I just say that (J), my son has. It was about a year or so ago that my hubby brought home a money tree, so green and beautiful. Well, my youngest son, who was 6 at the time, seen it and thought it was so cool to own a money tree so he inherited it although I kept it in my bedroom so that it would get plenty of light and just the correct amount of watering so it would flourish.. What was I thinking

First thing every single morning, (J) would come to my room to check on his money tree and collect whatever it had grown during the night. He would excitedly take all his loot to his room for safe keeping. This went on for months & months!! First the tree grew $5.00 bills, then $2.00 bills, then slowly it would only put on 1 or 2 $1.00 bills during the night with some change added in here and there. (J) loved it! Who wouldn't???

As time went on, the same thing happened every morning. (J) came in my room, collected his loot & left to go stash it. Well, my hubby and I found out that (J) loved the quarters that the wondrous tree would some how create during the night. He acted as if he had found gold. (See, His older brothers have a collection of all the State quarters and (J) liked knowing that he had some of them too). Well, what exciting news for us, the parents, the guardians and care takers of said tree. :0)

So, the little Money Tree kept churning out lots of quarters and dimes for a period of time. Then the tree started looking a little frazzled, finally (J) decided that he would really like it if the tree were kept in his room. Whoo-hoo, mom thinks to self! After a little more time the poor tree just dried up and whithered away although not after lots of $$$$.

Now every time (J) and I are in town shopping and I happen to see one of these glorious trees out of the corner of my eye, I grab (J) by the hand and find something, anything to distract his attention away from the Great Money Tree. I don't think I can afford another one. :0)