I picked 2 rows of peas and and got them shelled. Still have 2 rows left to pick and I think that they are almost finished.
Tabetha came over and the boys swam with Paiton and Blayne. We looked at the tomatos that have lots of yellow leaves and we are thinking it is some sort of bacteria or blight. They were looking so good until a couple of days ago. Hornworms topped about 10 plants in one night. I then weeded a half row of beans (thanks, Tabetha)and discovered that I really needed to be picking beans! Dad was over mowing hay and we found the first 2 ripe blackberries. We also noticed the chickens eating them so I worked most of the evening putting the sheer curtains (garage sale find) over the blackberries. It will keep the chickens out and maybe leave some for us to eat!
We then topped off the night with a ride on the Ferris Wheel at the Prairie Home fair! Tonight was the Tractor Pull but it was alot shorter than other years. Paiton was scared to death this year on the ferris wheel, but she made it okay. High today was 90! Think I am ready for bed.
Poof!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
One month of summer gone!
Well as everyone says "Where does the time go?". I have been asking this question all summer. Seems each day passes faster and faster. I have been attempting to keep up with the garden and as many of you know we have been dealing with a heat wave (110 heat indexes). So my gardening has been confined to early mornings before the kids get up. I have managed to pick the four rows of peas twice and have about 9 quarts of peas in the freezer. They are still setting on blooms and hopefully will have that many again. The tomatoes are growing and many have medium green tomatoes already. Dad says good gardeners have red tomatoes for the 4th and ripe watermelons for labor day. I really doubt I will have either but have done a much better job keeping up this year.
I have some new job news to report. I was offered and accepted a position to drive a bus for Prairie Home School. Praise God! We have been wanting to get the kids to this school district and this lends us the opportunity to do that. Paiton is very excited as she knows many of the kids from her summer softball team. Also most every grade K-6 has a Kendrick. So we are back a little closer to home with family. That is always a great feeling.
We attended the Fairfax 4th of July party on the 2nd and today are going to Dave and Sherryl's for a BBQ and then off to California to watch fireworks. I made homemade ice cream and plain and killer brownies to take. Keith got out the freezer and noticed several pin size holes in the sides. I guess the rock salt over the years has taken it's toll. He was able to seal them with a little JB Weld and has saved the day.
I also am enjoying the colors of the 4th, although not in the traditional way. I was walking over to the computer this morning and stubbed my toe and am pretty sure I broke it. It just gives me a good reason to keep my feet up right????
Hope everyone has a happy 4th and remember that we celebrate our freedom because so many before us have given up their lives.
Poof!
I have some new job news to report. I was offered and accepted a position to drive a bus for Prairie Home School. Praise God! We have been wanting to get the kids to this school district and this lends us the opportunity to do that. Paiton is very excited as she knows many of the kids from her summer softball team. Also most every grade K-6 has a Kendrick. So we are back a little closer to home with family. That is always a great feeling.
We attended the Fairfax 4th of July party on the 2nd and today are going to Dave and Sherryl's for a BBQ and then off to California to watch fireworks. I made homemade ice cream and plain and killer brownies to take. Keith got out the freezer and noticed several pin size holes in the sides. I guess the rock salt over the years has taken it's toll. He was able to seal them with a little JB Weld and has saved the day.
I also am enjoying the colors of the 4th, although not in the traditional way. I was walking over to the computer this morning and stubbed my toe and am pretty sure I broke it. It just gives me a good reason to keep my feet up right????
Hope everyone has a happy 4th and remember that we celebrate our freedom because so many before us have given up their lives.
Poof!
Monday, June 6, 2011
A weekend at the Cave!
Well we had a wonderful beginning of the summer vacation at Jacob's Cave Poultry and Small Animal Swap. We went with another family that we are close friends with and did some primitive camping. And I mean primitive. There are no showers, no running water and only porta potties (or petey potties as the kids called them)for the most necessary business.
I have to say we had a good time, but boy was it HOT! Heat indexes in the low 100's, which is typical of middle of the summer heat for Missouri but not for the 1st weekend in June. We would sweat, get covered in dust and then do washtub baths. It was almost unbearable on Saturday so we took the kids down to the cave for a tour and got cooled off. It was a cool 52 degrees and the kids even wore jackets for the tour.
We got home yesterday afternoon and started the unloading. The garden has completly been taken over with grass and may soon need to be mowed, LOL. Keith worked on mowing the yard and almost got it done and I did get the whole garden tilled in between the rows and the tomatos suckered. I think we got our supper ate about 10 and then right off to bed. I love to fall into a bed after a long days work and feel that sense of accomplishment.
Today, I started in the garden about 6:30a and got two rows of string run for the peas, a t-post driven for the sprinkler and 4 tomatos mulched with newspaper. I am trying this method for weed control and hope it works well.
I have also got 5 loads of laundry washed, hung out and back in. I have got all the broccoli from the garden cleaned, frozen and need to bag it this afternoon and also clean some of the onions that died and get them chopped and frozen. I also have to get the swiss steak in the crockpot for supper along with some green beans simmering. That way when the sun goes down I can work this evening in the garden and supper will already be cooked.
Paiton and Blayne will be going to Oakland Baptist Church for bible school this week, so they will have alot of fun. They are having fun right now playing with a girl I am babysitting this summer break.
Well I had better get back to cooking dinner and laundry. Poof!
I have to say we had a good time, but boy was it HOT! Heat indexes in the low 100's, which is typical of middle of the summer heat for Missouri but not for the 1st weekend in June. We would sweat, get covered in dust and then do washtub baths. It was almost unbearable on Saturday so we took the kids down to the cave for a tour and got cooled off. It was a cool 52 degrees and the kids even wore jackets for the tour.
We got home yesterday afternoon and started the unloading. The garden has completly been taken over with grass and may soon need to be mowed, LOL. Keith worked on mowing the yard and almost got it done and I did get the whole garden tilled in between the rows and the tomatos suckered. I think we got our supper ate about 10 and then right off to bed. I love to fall into a bed after a long days work and feel that sense of accomplishment.
Today, I started in the garden about 6:30a and got two rows of string run for the peas, a t-post driven for the sprinkler and 4 tomatos mulched with newspaper. I am trying this method for weed control and hope it works well.
I have also got 5 loads of laundry washed, hung out and back in. I have got all the broccoli from the garden cleaned, frozen and need to bag it this afternoon and also clean some of the onions that died and get them chopped and frozen. I also have to get the swiss steak in the crockpot for supper along with some green beans simmering. That way when the sun goes down I can work this evening in the garden and supper will already be cooked.
Paiton and Blayne will be going to Oakland Baptist Church for bible school this week, so they will have alot of fun. They are having fun right now playing with a girl I am babysitting this summer break.
Well I had better get back to cooking dinner and laundry. Poof!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Early Spring Days
Well spring is here, even though Mother Nature seems a bit confused. We had several days where the temps tops in the upper 80's and then a cold rain swept in and had 5 days with no sun, drizzle and temps in the middle 50's.
In spite of the crazy weather, I actually put some of my garden in about mid april. I planted potatos, onions, lettuce, and peas. I saved most of the rest for later when the temps warmed. I guess the peas weren't having any of the weather so they refused to sprout (very rainy weather). I really think they rotted in ground.
May 6th I got busy and planted 300 foot of new peas, 300 foot of lima beans and 300 foot of green beans. I also planted 48 tomato plants. Dad came by and helped me by finishing the tilling while I started planting beans. I never intended to plant 48 tomato plants, but Mrs. Sutton and I came across a great deal on plants at the Mennonite produce auction. We got our plants for 25 cents a 4 pack (regular 1.99 a 4 pack) but had to buy 288 plants. I think they put out about 75 and I took 48 and then she gave the rest to friends and neighbors.
I have been good so far about keeping things hilled up and today Blayne and I put in 25 tomato stakes. It was about all my back could handle after helping last night with his t-ball practice. I also got most of the weeds chopped and am hoping to put the rest of the stakes in tomorrow with Keith's help.
Today is a beautiful spring day with temps in lower 70's so I have been pushing to get laundry done. So far 3 loads washed and hung out. We try hard not to use the dryer in the summer to save on electricity.
I am also working on getting the kids clothes together because after the bus route we go full speed all evening. Blayne has his first t-ball game and Paiton has softball practice. They are both playing in Prairie Home so that is a trip in itself but Blayne's game tonight is in Jamestown, so that is added miles.
I am putting on a roast in the corckpot and peeling potatoes so that supper is almost ready when we walk in the door. I can finish it while Keith helps with the kids and their baths.
Not much to report on the quilting scene, I have had my hands full with the kids sporting events and planting and all things spring. Hopefully I will be able to get in a routine when summer break gets here. With that routine in place maybe I will be back at the sewing machine.
So I am outta here to get a few more things done before the bus route and cleaning.
Have a beautiful day!
In spite of the crazy weather, I actually put some of my garden in about mid april. I planted potatos, onions, lettuce, and peas. I saved most of the rest for later when the temps warmed. I guess the peas weren't having any of the weather so they refused to sprout (very rainy weather). I really think they rotted in ground.
May 6th I got busy and planted 300 foot of new peas, 300 foot of lima beans and 300 foot of green beans. I also planted 48 tomato plants. Dad came by and helped me by finishing the tilling while I started planting beans. I never intended to plant 48 tomato plants, but Mrs. Sutton and I came across a great deal on plants at the Mennonite produce auction. We got our plants for 25 cents a 4 pack (regular 1.99 a 4 pack) but had to buy 288 plants. I think they put out about 75 and I took 48 and then she gave the rest to friends and neighbors.
I have been good so far about keeping things hilled up and today Blayne and I put in 25 tomato stakes. It was about all my back could handle after helping last night with his t-ball practice. I also got most of the weeds chopped and am hoping to put the rest of the stakes in tomorrow with Keith's help.
Today is a beautiful spring day with temps in lower 70's so I have been pushing to get laundry done. So far 3 loads washed and hung out. We try hard not to use the dryer in the summer to save on electricity.
I am also working on getting the kids clothes together because after the bus route we go full speed all evening. Blayne has his first t-ball game and Paiton has softball practice. They are both playing in Prairie Home so that is a trip in itself but Blayne's game tonight is in Jamestown, so that is added miles.
I am putting on a roast in the corckpot and peeling potatoes so that supper is almost ready when we walk in the door. I can finish it while Keith helps with the kids and their baths.
Not much to report on the quilting scene, I have had my hands full with the kids sporting events and planting and all things spring. Hopefully I will be able to get in a routine when summer break gets here. With that routine in place maybe I will be back at the sewing machine.
So I am outta here to get a few more things done before the bus route and cleaning.
Have a beautiful day!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Stars and Stripes Raffle Quilt Finished
This past Saturday night was the Dinner/Raffle/Auction for the Latham School Fire Benefit and I made a quilt to raffle off. Our school burnt to the ground in December 2010. So we are trying to raise money for the needs of the classrooms, because although the insurance covered the building, the amount for the contents was well short of what it would take to replace the things needed.
It was estimated that we fed 600 people and that the total raised was over $25,000.00. So the past month of speed hand quilting was well worth the effort.
Here is a picture of the raffle quilt. I graphed out the pattern from a picture I saw and then used crochet cotton to do Big Stitch quilting to give it a vintage/primitive look. I tell you what the spool of thread said 5000 yards and when I finished it was showing cardboard through the sides. I was a labor of love and nice to know that one of our friends won the quilt. I hope they like it. Not sure that I would do all that quilting again for one to donate or sell but I did prove to myself that I could do it and be happy with the results.
Life catch up!
I also wanted to update you all on everything else going on in our lives.
We are still searching for a house. Well kinda! We found one we love, a little high for our price range. And now I am having second thoughts. Wondering about the economy and finances and whether or not I want to make that payment. We can afford to make it but what happens in the future if there are more strains on our finances? What if this what if that. Hate to be so indecisive. I often wonder if I should just be happy with what I have. I mean it is paid off, but we are soooooooooooooo cramped on space. Did I mention that we are cramped on space and that we want to change school districts and how we really have no space here. Did I mention that before, LOL.
Just trying to make some final pushes to get a few more things paid off and out of our hair before we make the leap.
Some good news is that I got offered both my positions back at school next year. Although I am not sure I will be taking the cleaning position. It is money needed but I am missing so much of my childrens lives. I only get to see my girl for about 30 minutes in the morning and an hour at night. I am also having issues with the school and their requirements for what they want done in the 3 hours they allot. We are praying about this and I hope that the answer comes in some sort of quilting income.
A small answer came today in the fact that a close friend on the board asked me to make a top for her and in exchange she will quilt the king for me that I am currently working on. Not really income as in dollars in hand, but definatly income in the fact that I don't have to pay for someone to quilt for me. Plus it is another chance to try a new pattern and new fabrics. A girl has to love that!
Well I had better get off here and back to sewing/housework/school cleaning/Mama/wife duties.
Sheila
We are still searching for a house. Well kinda! We found one we love, a little high for our price range. And now I am having second thoughts. Wondering about the economy and finances and whether or not I want to make that payment. We can afford to make it but what happens in the future if there are more strains on our finances? What if this what if that. Hate to be so indecisive. I often wonder if I should just be happy with what I have. I mean it is paid off, but we are soooooooooooooo cramped on space. Did I mention that we are cramped on space and that we want to change school districts and how we really have no space here. Did I mention that before, LOL.
Just trying to make some final pushes to get a few more things paid off and out of our hair before we make the leap.
Some good news is that I got offered both my positions back at school next year. Although I am not sure I will be taking the cleaning position. It is money needed but I am missing so much of my childrens lives. I only get to see my girl for about 30 minutes in the morning and an hour at night. I am also having issues with the school and their requirements for what they want done in the 3 hours they allot. We are praying about this and I hope that the answer comes in some sort of quilting income.
A small answer came today in the fact that a close friend on the board asked me to make a top for her and in exchange she will quilt the king for me that I am currently working on. Not really income as in dollars in hand, but definatly income in the fact that I don't have to pay for someone to quilt for me. Plus it is another chance to try a new pattern and new fabrics. A girl has to love that!
Well I had better get off here and back to sewing/housework/school cleaning/Mama/wife duties.
Sheila
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Past Five Months
Not sure where to begin. First to apologize for not posting more often, but here is the last five months in a nutshell.
After getting my new job as bus driver for the Latham School District, on December 15 the school burned to the ground. Now for those that are not from this area, Latham is a very small school district with only 60 students K-8th grade. The close knit community pulled together and decided to rebuild. We had been holding classes in two local church buildings until this last Monday when we were able to hold school in 6 temporary classrooms. They are anticipating having a new school built by December 2011. We are holding several fundraisers and I am currently working on a quilt to raffle at a dinner/raffle/auction on March 26th. More to come about that quilt.
On January 27th, my dad called and wasn't feeling well. This is very unusual for him and he even said he was going to the ER. Well glad that he did because when we got there he had a heart attack. He immediately had heart surgery in which they inserted 2 stints for the 2 main blockages. he was released on Saturday at noon and by 4 p.m. he was at a great nephew's basketball game. He is tougher than nails and up until now has never been on any medicine in the past 75 years.
As many of you know and experienced, Missouri was hit on Tuesday, February 1 by a snow storm for the record books. But the snow was not at the top of our list of concerns. While trying to make it to our farm with hay, my brother and nephew had a tractor accident. the tractor lost traction on a steep hill and rolled, pinning my 6 year old nephew underneath. With the strength of God and all the guts of a thousand soldiers, my brother pulled him out and packed him to the closest neighbors. I could go on and list all the miracles that happened that day, but T is the greatest miracle of all. He has a fractured rib and a perforated ear drum and as I write today, is completely back to normal. Praise God!
So to say the least we have had a frightful winter, but we rejoice int he fact that God is always with us to care for us and hold us up when we think we cannot stand!
Have a great day sewing and see you at the machine!
Poof!
After getting my new job as bus driver for the Latham School District, on December 15 the school burned to the ground. Now for those that are not from this area, Latham is a very small school district with only 60 students K-8th grade. The close knit community pulled together and decided to rebuild. We had been holding classes in two local church buildings until this last Monday when we were able to hold school in 6 temporary classrooms. They are anticipating having a new school built by December 2011. We are holding several fundraisers and I am currently working on a quilt to raffle at a dinner/raffle/auction on March 26th. More to come about that quilt.
On January 27th, my dad called and wasn't feeling well. This is very unusual for him and he even said he was going to the ER. Well glad that he did because when we got there he had a heart attack. He immediately had heart surgery in which they inserted 2 stints for the 2 main blockages. he was released on Saturday at noon and by 4 p.m. he was at a great nephew's basketball game. He is tougher than nails and up until now has never been on any medicine in the past 75 years.
As many of you know and experienced, Missouri was hit on Tuesday, February 1 by a snow storm for the record books. But the snow was not at the top of our list of concerns. While trying to make it to our farm with hay, my brother and nephew had a tractor accident. the tractor lost traction on a steep hill and rolled, pinning my 6 year old nephew underneath. With the strength of God and all the guts of a thousand soldiers, my brother pulled him out and packed him to the closest neighbors. I could go on and list all the miracles that happened that day, but T is the greatest miracle of all. He has a fractured rib and a perforated ear drum and as I write today, is completely back to normal. Praise God!
So to say the least we have had a frightful winter, but we rejoice int he fact that God is always with us to care for us and hold us up when we think we cannot stand!
Have a great day sewing and see you at the machine!
Poof!
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