NANA NOTES

FIRST OF THE SEASON!!

Youth season opened with a bang for Ben. He got a big bodied eight point.  He was in the stand way back behind the house and called to check with Ed if he should shoot. Papa gave the ''go ahead'' and I told him to open his bathroom window that we might could hear the shot.  A few seconds later "boom"!! Then the cell phone rings!!  Deer down.  That meant that we had tenderloin on Monday night with rice and gravy and biscuits!! A great early birthday supper for Ben!  Way to go, Ben!

GUYS DON'T DO WHAT???

Ed has had company for the past couple of days and they've been trapping, hunting and talking business.  Every time they come in and it gets quiet I look up and this is what I see.  I don't think they can say that a woman is always on her Blackberry any more!!  This was funny!  So engrossed in their messages!!  A full belly, a warm fire and the Blackberry and iPhone! Who could ask for more!!

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

These boys just don't give up! We got a call tonight as I was fixing supper that Bryden had a nice deer. They all came by so I could get my pictures.  Shelly with three of his and Jody with his two came bounding in all talking at once.  Gotta love those boys!

 
I guess you know during hunting season that my blog is not for the "faint of heart"!  :)

Jody loves for the boys to have a good day but it's getting to him that he hasn't had one.  There's always next weekend Jody! :) 
 
 

RYAN AND SAM DO IT AGAIN!!!

It took Sam a while to decide he wanted to pull the trigger on a gun. But, boy when he did----the gun powder is smokin'! Today it was freezing cold and all the guys went hunting after lunch.  My brother and his family came and we ate and had Christmas with them. Then it was off to the deer stands.  After discussions of "where are you going?" they headed out while the girls bedded down by the fire to watch a movie.  We got a call to get the camera ready that Ryan had killed a deer.  Then another call--Sam had one down.  They showed up at the house for pictures and I fed them homemade soup to warm them up.  Here are the pictures:   Ryan's deer weighed 230 pounds and had a beautiful rack.   Josh guessed the weight exactly! 

Sam's deer was a nice 8 point rack and weighed 165. This was his second nice rack.  Once he decided he could do it he hasn't let up.

Their Uncle Jody is a little upset! He's the "Great White Hunter" and the boys are beating him.  Pressure is on!!  He's taught them his tricks--Outwit, Outsmart, Outplay!!  Way to go, Ryan and Sam! 
 
Christmas pictures will come later! The boys came first.

A HUNTING THEY DID GO!

I started this last night and lost it! Computers have minds of their own. Everyone went hunting yesterday afternoon.  There were boys and girls all over the farm.  I was running errands and cooking soup and brownies just in case they came in starving (what are the chances??). I kept getting calls that "so and so has a deer down", "this one has a deer down", "bring Sadie so she can track the deer" and on and on.  Finally I got the call that they were all at the barn and to bring the camera.  I wasn't prepared for what I saw or heard.  It would take the boys to tell the story but I can show you the pictures.  Gotta love deer season on a farm with grandchildren!!

Graham telling the story!  Ryan's deer literally charged Shelly, Ben, Sam and Graham. He swam a pond and ran out at them.

When Sadie can't find the deer they usually call in David Rushing with his hound dog.  His dogs are great and David is a good friend. He has gotten to be a regular around here and we enjoy having him.  He's had Christmas Day supper with us for the last several years.  It's almost a tradition!

Hayden and Shelby waiting on the others to get there. They weren't in on the kill this time.

  

Jennifer and Sam were excited for all of the guys and Emily.

 

 

Here they are:  Ryan with his 11 point;  Bryden with his 8 point; Emily with her 8 point and Ben with his 8 point that had a 17 1/2 inside spread.  (I was told that was important to say!) They were all proud of their deer.

We don't kill these deer just for fun. Just so you know, the meat from the deer was carried to families that need it. We were all taught to share what we have and not waste God's resources.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

THE TIME IT IS A FLYIN' AND I AM GETTIN' BEHIND! CATCHIN' UP!

Ed and Ben left on their hunting trip (you saw the picture of them when they left) and Libby and I decided to treat a friend to dinner out.  Deb needed some "girl time" so we went to Natchez and ate supper, looked around Walmart and came home.  So much for a night on the town!!

On Wednesday afternoon the Elementary School held a painting class to raise money for the Relay for Life.  Jennifer, Libby and I took the class.  I should have carried my camera but I didn't.  I did however take a picture of the "picture" I painted.  We had a good time and plan to do it again soon.

It wasn't the hardest thing I've ever done, but it wasn't the easiest either. But it sure was fun.  I found out that things don't have to be perfect to be pretty!

Now for the exciting stuff!  Ben and Ed had a wonderful hunting trip.  The first day Ben killed a 14 point mule deer.  The second day he killed a 9 point mule deer.  The third day he killed a havalena. To get Ben to be excited is like melting ice so I'm guessing he had a good time. He said he did!! 

 
This is the 14 point and the guy with him is the guide Randall. Randall has been Ed's guide since he first started going to Longfellow many years ago.  He knows three of our grandsons. I hope he gets to take the other three on hunts as well.

All this and getting the house ready for Christmas, doing a little shopping and starting to bake and make candy for trays to deliver, along with hours and hours of choir practice have filled the days and nights for me.  It's a blessing to be able to sit here and tell you about our little adventures and thank God for them.  Love to you all.
 
 

 
 

EMILY'S BUCK!!

 
No girl on Cotton Branch will let the boys beat them!  Emily was out for horns today and she got them.  It was serious business!  Way to go Emily--just wish I had been here to see you and hear the story. Guess I'll have to get it later.

 

ON THEIR WAY!

Ed woke me up at 3:17 this morning--thinking it was3:47!!  I got up and started the bacon and cinnamon toast with fresh pineapple.  The guys got up and dressed and were ready to eat in minutes. They ate and were out the door in no time. They let me grab a quick snap before they left.  And poor Sadie--she really wanted to go with Papa.

I hope the next picture has a huge buck in it to go with his brothers'!  Good luck Ben!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!

Wasn't it just yesterday that we celebrated Ben's 11th birthday? All the grandchildren seem to be growing up so fast! Today is Ben's 12th birthday and he got the surprise of his life. Ed has taken the boys on their 13th birthday to West Texas to mule deer hunt. He surprised Ben a year early and is taking him tomorrow!!  He's only flown once and has never seen any landscape like he will see when he gets to Texas. Both Ryan and Graham killed a mule deer (and so did I!!). He's outfitted and ready to go.  He's spending the night and I'm fixing him breakfast in the morning at 4:30 AM before they leave.  That's love,Ben! I don't get up at 4:30 AM!!  Here he is clowning tonight with his brother in his new Brees jersey.

I pray for a safe trip and a fun time with memories made with his few days with his Papa one on one.  Get a big one, Ben!  Happy Birthday! 
 

GRAHAM'S TURN!

The boys all went hunting this afternoon and I went to choir practice. On my way home I called Ed to check in. Graham had shot an 8 point on his stand and Ed took pictures with my camera. Good Papa!! These boys are keeping us fed and having fun doing it.

 

SAM GETS A BUCK!!

Ed took Sam and the other boys deer hunting this afternoon. He dropped Ben and Graham off at stands and took Sam with him. I got pictures from Ed's phone showing them clowning around in the stand.  I guess that was before the hunting got serious!!  I got a text from Ed saying that Sam had killed a six point.  Pretty soon after that I got a call from Sam asking me if he killed a deer would I cook him some tenderloin.  I teased him and said if he killed one I might. He said he sure would like to have some deer meat for me to cook.  I couldn't help myself and I laughed.  I told him that Papa had already told me he had killed a deer and that I surely would cook it for him.  Ed later said that he was grinning from ear to ear!

 
  Tomorrow night we'll be eating tenderloin. Thanks to Sam for providing supper again! And he'll have horns this time to hang on the barn wall.

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS INDEED!

The weather might not have been holiday weather but it didn't stop the Herring clan from getting together and having a wonderful day. My camera sat on the counter all day.  I got up early thanks to Ed and Sadie and put the turkey on to cook. I somehow managed to get everything else done on Wednesday so I crawled back in the bed and watched a Christmas movie and was served breakfast in bed when Ed came in from hunting. (Did I mention blessings??) Things started to pick up around 10:30 and I finished up just as everyone showed up. This Thanksgiving was as uneventful as any we've ever had.  The most unusual thing was Shirlee pulling Sam's tooth. It was hanging by a thread and she somehow got it and he didn't even know it. After it was over, he said, "I'm glad that's out. It was kind of agrivatin'." He got paid big time. 
Now all he wants for Christmas are his "two front teeth"!   Ed got up early on Wednesday and found the deer that he had killed the afternoon before. He somehow had missed it when he and the boys were looking for it.  Sadie tried to tell them but- - -  It was a nice deer and weighed over 200 pounds. Too bad he couldn't save it.  

While the guys and girls hunted this afternoon, Shirlee and I did our "Black Friday" shopping at Walmart. There was no one there.  We looked around a little bit and got a few items and came home just in time to welcome the hunters home and feed them.

Ben killed a coyote that spooked his deer and Graham killed the deer that Sam had wounded a few days ago. He let Sam claim the kill since he had already hit it. (Brothers can be nice sometimes.)

It's nice to go to bed with a comfortable, loved feeling knowing that you've had a wonderful day with family and awesome food. We are blessed beyond belief to have the things we have. When we said our blessing today we truly meant it.

Now let's get those ornaments on that tree!! 
 
 

 

WHAT?? TEN DAYS AND NO POSTS!!

I've been told that time moves faster the older you get. I believe it. The only time I sit down seems to be for choir practice or to sleep and honestly I can't remember what I'm doing the rest of the time. Got the church bazaar down and went to the scrapbook weekend. The next week was spent doing dr.visits--checked out ok for those of you out of town!!  Been doing some online Christmas shopping and have done some work at the school for the fourth grade so that they can have some raised beds to garden.  I'll spend this week getting ready for Thanksgiving--not expecting a big crowd but will enjoy those who come.  Sam's autographed picture of Drew Brees
that I scrapbooked and framed for him. Sorry it's so small; I made the picture with my phone. 

Have decided that I might want to open a booth at the local craft store, The Toad House. I've had so much fun making bazaar things that I might enjoy doing it for a while.  Ed says I should have it up and going now to get "those Christmas sales" but I don't want to be rushed.  If it's meant to be, it will happen. I love my new embroidery machine and I've developed a new relationship with my sewing machine and serger.  I see painting in my future.  I'm leaving some of the old hobbies behind and picking up new ones. Could this be an after midlife crisis??  :) 

These are the towel wraps I've been making.

I came away from Handworks with all kinds of ideas.

Deer season opened this weekend and I'll have plenty of time for crafting. Have a happy Thanksgiving and I'll post the turkey!!

 

#9 GETS #1

Saturday was opening day of youth weekend for deer hunting. I was attending a scrapbooking event and Ed called to say that Baby Sam had killed his first deer. He is the last (and youngest) of the grandchildren to kill a deer. I promised him I would cook it for him and I did that Monday night. My stuff was still packed up from the scrapping event so we used Ed's phone to take pictures. Here is our supper. 

 
Sam sat at the head of the table and after we said the blessing we all thanked Sam for providing such a wonderful dinner for us all.  He was very proud of himself and enjoyed telling us the story of his hunt.

 

ROAD TRIP!!

Libby and I left today to travel to Alabama to pick up my new toy. I'll share more about that when I get it but for now I want to share something we saw today going through North Jackson.  I grew up in North Jackson and you just didn't see things like this when I lived there.  We seemed to be more "refined". These scenes were more for country living--like Franklin County--my home now!  I was actually talking to Ed on the phone when we spotted it and he laughed at us trying to catch up with the truck to see the size.  It's a "country thing"!! 

 The funniest part was Libby trying to get the pictures as I was speeding along catching up with him.  We'd make good "paparazzi"!

Tomorrow we're going to pick up my new toy and go to the "Coon Dog Cemetary" outside of Florence, AL.  It's supposed to be a popular place for top notch deceased coon dogs.  I'll let you know. :)
 

EMILY GETS HER A DEER!

Cotton Branch is not gender biased!!  The girls here can do whatever the guys do!  Emily proved that with her seven point kill on Sunday afternoon. This is her first buck.  Way to go Emily!    
Jody took the picture with his phone because I was at choir practice and could get there with the camera.  The picture would be HUGE if I'd been there, Em!!  :)  

GRAHAM'S TURN!

Sort of a "right of passage" when the boys turn 12 Papa takes them to West Texas to Longfellow Ranch to mule deer hunt.  Ryan and I have been and they closed down last year.  Graham was much disappointed that he didn't get to go. They opened back up and this is his year!  Ever since he found out he was going he has been so excited.  Getting clothes together, planning, anticipating--that's part of the excitement and fun of the trip.  Making memories!  Today he and Papa left for New Orleans to spend the night so they wouldn't have to get up so early to catch the plane.  They felt it necessary to call and tell me that they ate supper at Middendorfs--one of my favorite places.  Graham had fried shrimp.  Sadie and I had frozen pizza and sugar free cookies!

 Jennifer saying goodbye to her #2 baby boy. He will always remember this.

 Sadie was less than excited for Papa to leave.  She's been sitting by the door listening for him to come home.  She's stuck with me however.  Maybe I can win my dog back!  I'll keep you posted on how Graham does with his hunting.  The chances of a big "kill" are good.  Ed has one of the best guides out there and the weather is supposed to be very cold!!
 

THE SEASON IS HERE!

You know how in the South people say we have four seasons--Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hunting!!  Well, the "hunting" one is here!  For the next month or so we will wade through a pile of smelly clothes and go running off to see the "kill" and take pictures.  The conversation always goes to "what did you see?" at the table after hunting.  Ben, Papa and Olivia Cox are the victors so far.  She was excited but didn't care much for the cleaning process.  She didn't like the "initiation process" either-even though David and Ed went light on her!!

 Congratulations, Olivia!  You're a real hunter now!
 
 

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

Don't get in front of a "Smitherring" with a gun!  They get what they go after--at least it seems like they do these days!  Here is Bryden with his first buck. I was at church so this photo is from Jody's Blackberry.  I wish I could have seen him. Thanks, Jody for sending me the picture. 

SCORE FOUR FOR THE "SMITHERRING'S"

I'm a little late with this post but since I may be the only one with pictures it's ok.  Tiffany "got her a nice one" on Sunday afternoon late.  Of course they called out "Dooley the wonder dog" to trail it.  Everyone is trying to make him a deer dog but ME!!  Nice job, Tiff.  It WAS a nice nine point.

 

Dooley did a great job of tracking the deer.  He found the trail and went straight to it. He barked and sat there by it until Jody got there.  Good job, Dool!!  Everyone was happy.