Taking a ride on Cotton Branch is a normal activity. Seeing two Cowart boys on tractors is not. Today we saw Ryan and Ben fluffing and baling hay. That was a good sight. Both boys worked hard today. The fields with hay bales always look good to me.
This is Ryan on the baler. He knows just how to do it right. Ben on the fluffer. He can really drive that tractor and keep those rows straight! The two of them working together warms my heart!!
Gotta love those hard working guys!!
What better way to start the Christmas weekend than a beautiful communion service!! Josh, Ed and I attended along with our MUMC family (and some extended Herring family that came from out of town). I love that service. Then it was home to a wonderful gumbo supper prepared for us by a friend who has done that for several years. (Thanks, George!! It was wonderful!!) Josh wasn't going to be with us today so he opened his gifts.
I found what I think will be his favorite gift under the tree when all the gifts had been opened!! Sure hope he comes by here soon.
Church today was very good. We had Jody, Tiffany, and all the Cowarts. What better place to be on Christmas Day!! Then off to the homestead to finish up lunch for 2:00 pm. It was delicious even if I did cook it!!
We have a tradition that the kids move the table back when they finish eating and arrange the chairs in a semi-circle. I was finishing my dessert and Tiffany told me that they had moved the table and gotten ready. She said I'd better hurry up or they were starting without me! You can't start without Nana--she's Mrs. Santa!!! :) We sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and began opening the gifts. They are older now and actually held off wanting to rip everything apart!! We did it one person at a time.
Sam got the hoodie he wanted!!
Everybody got a set of 1500 threadcount sheets. I don't know who was the most excited!!
Boots and More gift certificates.
Jody and Tiffany are going to have to take a trip to Jackson!! The girls got "Mall" cards!!
Graham and Ryan picked out hunting clothes and Haleigh picked out dishes. All were happy!!
Ben had chosen boots and I actually could find his size. He loved them. I told him if I ever saw them in his yard, Papa and I would buy no more!!
Tiffany asked for Tervis Tumblers and threatened anyone who removed them from the house!! As in, she better not find them at the office!! :)
Shelby wouldn't ever tell me what she wanted. Tiffany knew she wanted some Oakleys and she knew there was a website where you could design your own. We designed her glasses and she was sooooo surprised. They even have her name etched in the lens. No one will get these!!
This was my favorite gift!! Sam didn't know he was getting these. He asked for a specific hoodie and pants. I saw these when I was ordering something for Ed and we both said "yes" the minute we saw them!! Sam said, "I look like an old man." But he loved them. They are insulated so he can hunt in them too. Just so darn cute!!
We gave Abby (our niece) luggage. She liked it!!
We gave Tom and Shirlee a Keurig Coffee Pot. I don't even drink coffee and I love that thing!!
Jody got a custom made Dopp Kit with his initials debossed on it. He said he needed it. Hope he likes it.
I guess Shelly can go to Boots and More with the Herrings.
The Cowarts knew just what I wanted--a Shark Steam Mop!! Now I can clean up after the dogs!! Somehow we missed Jennifer opening her SECOND Kindle Fire!!
Papa got a wonderful Pen and Pencil set.
With his crayon maker. I think I want to do this with him.
Everyone was much too good to me. Papa was so sweet and gave me beautiful things. The children gave me loving gifts; some of them were handmade which I love. We enjoyed the day with family. It's sad not to have little ones but it's fun with older kids too! Merry Christmas Cotton Branch Gang!!
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!
I got to do something fun today. Sam had his Reading Fair Project and I was part of it. His book was Red Riding Hood and I was the grandmother. Imagine that!!! He worked hard on his project board and it looked great. I sat there while he told the judges about the book and answered what they asked him. He used his "big bad wolf" mask he made while he talked.
He did a great job and called me this afternoon to tell me that he won 1st place in the third grade in the family category (where a family member comes to participate in the project). He thanked me for coming to the school. So sweet!! Congratulations Sam!!
A friend of mine told me a long time ago that she no longer has birthdays--she has a "gift month". I've decided now that I've hit the last number before I can "get a check" that I will do the same. The only thing is that I probably won't "get a check"!! :) Usually we have a birthday Sunday lunch but since I'm the one who plans them I didn't do that for me. We had a normal lunch on the 22nd and the usual crew was here. Papa showed up with flowers and a gorilla that sings--he knows I love those animals in the stores that you punch their hands or feet and they do something!! I got cards in the mail and phone calls. My Facebook was overrun with birthday wishes and I was awed by that. Jennifer came by with a wonderful rustic frame (to hold a wedding picture!) and windchime from all the Cowarts. Josh brought chocolates from Laura's in New Orleans. The Smitherrings sent an Amazon gift card which I used right away. Loved it!! A lemon ice box cake also showed up with Jennifer so we had birthday cake! An ordinary day turned into a wonderful one and now I will have great memories of the last birthday. Remember, from now on it's "gift month"!!
Two weeks from yesterday we are getting a granddaughter-in-law. It's not like something new is about to happen, Haleigh has been around for three or four years and is already a part of our family. The day Ryan told us they were engaged, I was totally shocked. No one knew it was happening except for her Dad. I don't know why we were all so surprised. That was over a year ago and the time has flown by. I've enjoyed helping Haleigh with the planning of the wedding. I've had time to work on things while she went to school and worked. We've spent many hours upstairs on Thursday afternoons. I know Ryan is my grandson and not my son. But---we kept him for four years before he started kindergarden and have seen him practically every day of his life. I haven't missed a day (almost) of talking to him. Our bond is strong. I know the old saying, " a daughter is a daughter all of her life, but a son is a son until he takes a wife". Maybe a grandson is your grandson forever!! I'm looking forward to June 11, 2011 because I get my fourth granddaughter and a whole new chapter starts at Cotton Branch!!
Ryan called last night to tell me to get my camera. If you are "faint of heart" now is the time to "turn her off" and go read somebody elses blog. Since hardly anybody else blogs you might as well just keep on reading and then say, "gross" and move on!! :) If it can be caught, trapped or killed, Ryan does it. It's a farm thing and a wildlife management thing. He doesn't kill for fun. The animals he kills usually kill our turkeys, quail or baby deer or damage the fields. He is very agriculturally trained. He respects the land. This is what he brought to show us that he'd caught on Haileigh's grandfather's land--
This 130 pound female hog got caught in a snare around her nose. The snare was caught between her two huge teeth. You can see the ring around her nose in the left picture. Those are the teeth in the right picture. These animals have no natural predators and will ruin your fields and can hurt you badly. Some folks down the road will have some "good eatin' " and we won't have to worry about her making it to Cotton Branch!! Good job, Ryan!!
One afternoon recently I was gone somewhere and when I returned Ed said he had something to show me. He handed me his phone. This is what I saw.
He and Sam had built another bluebird house and it looked so good.
Sam even used the cordless drill to hang it on the fence post. He loves the bluebirds just like we do and loves the power tools just as much. Thanks guys, for building another house for our birds!
This has been an interesting week. The boys have been power washing and painting the fence around the pasture and house. They've worked very hard and the fence is looking great. I didn't get pictures but take my word for it. They've done a wonderful job. I got to go with Haleigh to get her dress fitted. I did take pictures but I can't show you. I want to live to go to the wedding!! :) I went trapping with Ed on Thursday morning and we got three coons. He says I'm his good luck charm. Nothing would do but Linda take our picture. We have had company (very long time friends!) from TN here since Thursday. They've been turkey hunting and we've been visiting every spare minute. We've shared some good meals and had a wonderful time.
Sam and Vivian have three grown boys so they were comfortable with our boys hanging out all week. Having a table full of boys all week long at lunch was fun! The conversation was always lively.
Graham and Sam showed up Saturday afternoon wanting to show me something "big"! I had a feeling that it was a camera moment. I took the camera out and this is what we saw.
Graham will be taking drivers ed this summer and here's his ride! I hear that Sam was driving it around the farm this afternoon with Shelly!! Haven't heard what Jennifer thinks about it yet!! I just started a new prayer chain!!
Finished off the day with a nice dinner in Brookhaven and am looking forward to a good breakfast and church tomorrow. We're blessed beyond measure--and have you seen that moon??
Thanks to a friend of ours who loves to hunt and fish with the boys Ben got to go hunting for the Youth Turkey Hunt weekend. It was raining like crazy but they went anyway. I got a call early (for me on a Saturday) and he told me he'd killed a turkey. Naturally I had to take pictures. After all, that's a proud moment in a kids life!!
The gobbler had about a nine inch beard and some pretty good looking spurs. Casey was going to do a tail mount for him. Looks like we have another "hunting addict" in the family!! Awesome Ben!
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! :)
Today is one of my favorite days and I think it's because of the food! I love the traditional black eyed peas, cabbage, cornbread meal with all the extras. Today I fixed roast and chicken with rice and gravy, frozen salads, stuffed eggs and dessert to go with the peas. Jennifer brought her wonderful guacamole and chips and cauliflower with cheese. We have many funny stories that always surface on New Years Day that will never fade away. It's tradition!! Some people wish they would just go away! Here are some pics of the day.
Peas cooked with Maw's silver dollar.
Jennifer's favorite frozen salads. We finally remembered to get them out of the freezer.
Lemon Blueberry Bars--these were pretty good, but the Carrot Cupcakes were awful! Something I bought at Handworks that I won't be buying again!!
Josh and Victoria
Ryan and Haleigh--they'd already eaten one NY'sD lunch at MiMi's.
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Bryden is as tall as I am and can just about take me down with a hug. He's the lovable one--you have to grab Hayden to get a hug!
The gang getting ready to fix their plates.
Jody and Ed
We wish everyone a wonderful, prosperous and healthy new year! Our year is going to be an exciting one with the addition of a new granddaughter-in-law and things we don't even know yet. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
Nana and Papa--either before or after a wonderful lunch! Tiffany and the girls were MIA and Jennifer never slowed up enough for me to catch her. She took pictures so I hope she posts them.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.
Several of us from Meadville went over to Brookhaven to the "Paintin' Sisters" and had a wonderful time last night. Jennifer carried Sam with her. Sharon and Libby rode with me. Libby and I had done one of the paintings at the Elementary School and enjoyed it. I hope to go back next week for another class. Here are some pictures of our efforts--and a couple of some sweet people.
On arrival we paid our money and got our supplies. Jennifer wanted Sam to paint and he was ready!
Libby, Leigha, Allan and Chonda were hard at work painting their backgrounds.
Sam had no problem painting his background. He's ready to move on.
Sam was so excited about getting to paint that he gave his Mom a big hug. He loves to do crafts and has his own "drawer" of craft things at my house.
One of the assistants helped Sam with his outlining but other than that he did it all by himself.
We all enjoyed the class and it was fun to see what the different designs we used with the same pattern. The colors were creative and we have this cute little painting to remind us so such a fun night!
Libby, Leigha, Sharon and Me!
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.
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.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.
How many guys do you know that would come in and help you bake Christmas cookies? Sunday afternoon after the Bude Christmas program I was baking cookies. Ryan and Haleigh came over and helped me. Haleigh picked up my camera and took a few shots. Gotta love those two. They are so precious and will do most anything for me. Haleigh decorated some too. Memories, yes and I love it!
He's doing pretty good with his sprinkles!
Now if we can just hide them until we get our trays made for our friends!
Merry Christmas!!
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.
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