NANA NOTES

FIRST WOBBLY STEPS...

Jennifer is going to kill me but I LIVE HERE and I see them first AND I can't help myself!!  Please forgive me, sweet daughter!!  Filly #3 was born this morning.  Shelly came to pick up Sam to go to the doctor and said that the mare in the front pasture had JUST given birth.  Everybody driving by saw it but US!  One of these days. . . 

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE---ACCOMPLISHED!!

To you it may not look organized or finished--to me it's cleaned up and ready!   The Anti-Procrastination Challenge was taken and completed! This is BEFORE:

This is AFTER:

LET THE PROJECTS BEGIN!!

BRYDEN'S DEER

I am finally getting around to blogging Bryden's deer.  I didn't leave him out intentionally.  He missed one on youth weekend and has hunted some all season.  He was so proud and insisted on being "bloodied"!  Congratulations, Bryden!!   

Now Sam--next year is your turn!

SOUTHERN SNOW???

One morning this week we woke up to a huge white frost.  I couldn't resist taking pictures because it looked so much like snow on the deck and furniture.  I didn't see it on the grass but I'm SURE it was all white and beautiful!  Probably the closest we'll see to snow--fun to think of the possibility though.

INTERESTING...

I was browsing websites last night and noticed the "cloud" formation in the categories section of the blog that I was reading. I liked it.  In it she had words that I liked and wanted on my blog.  Not words like "Travel", "Business", etc.  Today while I had a few extra minutes (???) :) I played with my blog and figured out how to fix it.  I categorized my first 20 posts.  The blog automatically makes the most used word the biggest.  I did no planning; I just went down the line without thinking.  I wasn't surprised--or maybe I was and shouldn't have been--BLESSINGS, FARM, FAMILY.

The best things in my life!

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION CHALLENGE. . .

For the last several weeks I have been on a cleaning out spree.  Ed has commented a couple of times about it and I sort of dismissed it.  Any time I had spare time I would start cleaning out--one day I emptied out a four-drawer file cabinet of Flower Shop files that I've had for ten years.   Long over due!! Since Christmas I've been working on my Craft Studio--Ed gave me some new furniture for it and I'm trying to get organized--that's a new four letter word!!

I've cleaned out magazine stacks, desk drawers, and the two biggest projects are looming over me. My closet and all of the kitchen cabinets.

At night while Ed reads or watches TV I read blogs on my laptop.  I'm really a "foodie" blog reader but I stumbled on to The Sparrows Nest and it was just what I needed to read.  Ms Wilt had a challenge going on and I took it.  Get those procrastinations out of the way, NOW!

While my filing cabinet is as about as good as it will get, the craft studio will get better.  I'll post it when it's finished.  Right now you can see that it's very much in progress.

TWO DOWN. . .

Today is Saturday and for me it has been a "do-nothing" day.  I have been lazy!  Ed happened to look out and notice that BABY NO. 2 has arrived so we quickly jumped in the truck to go see it. Lady must have given birth sometime during the night because the baby is dry and already walking and taking in nourishment.  I think Ed and Shelly would have rather had a male but SHE happens to be a filly.  I'm just proud to see her up and walking. We can't tell what color she's going to be.  Lady isn't known for throwing consistent color.  The legs look grey and her body is dark.  That's part of the fun.

Sam and I checked on the baby goats yesterday. If you count close you can see all five of them.   You can see that they are growing and having a good time.  They were running and playing with each other.  I won't even begin to tell you what Ed and Shelly said about them.  Let's just say we'd better enjoy the pictures while we can.  

We've also had a new calf or two.  This is the only picture I have but isn't it sweet?  I just love new babies--baby anythings!!

Stay tuned for later developments.  There are lots more "mamas" to give birth.

FYI: Debra and Ruthie:  The "Back Barn Cats" are still here and doing great!

From Winter Blahs to Worms. . .

Today was Garden Club.  The program was on "dirt"!  Actually on worm poop! :)  And I bought some!! Or rather "worm poop tea"!!  You know gardeners will try anything.  Our meeting was short but good and we enjoyed seeing each other after the Christmas break.  BTW: You can get Wormwise Vermicompost locally at Tysons and Huffs Farm Supply.  It will be fun to see if it works.

WINTER DOLDRUMS. . .

I'm writing this in pink in hope that I will cheer myself up a bit.  I seem to be sinking into a "winter funk" and I don't want to do that.  Cold weather usually cheers us up around here for obvious reasons but January often sends me into a state of blahs.  I stood at my window upstairs for a long time this morning.  I watched the horses--most of which are heavy bred mares--and a mother with a new baby by her side.  There were ducks on the pond.  The water was sticking to the limbs of the trees almost in anticipation of knowing it was going to freeze.  Sam's sweet pitter patter of boot stomps came running up the stairs yelling, "Nana, Nana!"  Ed brought people home for lunch from out of town.  One was from Chicago and he seemed to appreciate being in the South--eating Southern food, watching peacocks strut and flare on the deck, and hearing about the grandchildren's deer hunting stories.  How blessed we are and why am I so sad?  The "Son" shines even when there is no "sun".

And I am thankful for it.

TODAY'S THE DAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!

Today's the day!  He is really four! Where did the years go?  He's so big and grown up!  He thought now that it was "next year" he would be going to school after Christmas. Does that break your heart?  Seven more months of our sweet innocent little boy. I sure hope he still runs to me for hugs and kisses when he gets to be five (and starts to kindergarten).

LESS THAN 24 HOURS. . .

I really don't see why I should be punished for Jennifer's untimely error for losing a very long post.  She told me in no uncertain terms that I COULD NOT post the "newest of news" on our farm today. I will wait until this time tomorrow for her to do so.  Then it's fair game!!  Sam and I had pictures by 10:30 this morning!!  I will tell you that both are precious!!

So in order for me to have something to say I'll ask you if you saw the new "Widget" on my post.  It's a "foodie" thing and I thought it was interesting.  Pictures of delicious looking stuff flash every few seconds while you are reading the blog.  If you see something you like, just click on it and the recipe pops up.  You can print it off and fix the recipe.  I am liking these Widgets.  I had a game on there and found Pac Man too.  It was a little big for my space so I didn't leave it.  Ever the kid!!

Jennifer---the clock is ticking!!!

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS. . .

Hayden and Sam have January birthdays and today was the "party"!  I overslept and lunch was cooked in an hour! ( Yes, we made it to church and weren't late.  Papa didn't even have to slow me down either--drove the speed limit! Good sermon too.) Thanks to Jennifer we had a cake--BRATZ! "Every guy likes a good looking girl on his cake!" (quote from Jennifer)  I started the ice cream freezing when we got home so everyone was happy.  The food wasn't the important thing to the boys anyway.  Sam said he had eaten all his stomach could hold and it was hurting.  Shelly asked him if cake and ice cream would help and he said, "yes sir!"  Uncle Josh lit the candles and they blew them out quickly.  The presents were opened before I could get the camera in my hands. I did get Hayden with his truck and boat. He had already gotten "Heelies" from his Dad and Tiffany.  Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Shelly and the boys gave him something neat that I didn't see.

We gave Sam a truck with a horse trailer and horses.  He loved it.  Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Jody gave him some sort of motorbike thing like Shelby's and he was happy with that too.  Jennifer asked him if there was anything he had asked for that he didn't get.  He thought a minute and said, "a bike."  She wheeled one out and he went running to it.  An 18" bike that you can see for days!!  SCHOOL BUS YELLOW!!  Out the door he went.  I don't think he's had cake or ice cream yet.  I guess that will wait till tomorrow. 

I can't believe our boys are growing so fast.  Hayden turned 6 on Friday and Sam will be 4 on the 15th.  Watch out Franklin Lower Elementary!

GREETINGS FROM VIENNA!

This is a long story but I'll try to make it short.  I read food blogs and there is one that I read that I truly love.  I feel like the girl that writes it is my friend.  She is funny and makes the most wonderful and beautiful food.  Recently she left to go on her dream trip to Berlin, Prague and Vienna. I hoped that she would have a safe and delightful trip.   On a whim I emailed her and asked her to send me a post card.  SHE DID!!  When it came you would have thought that it was Christmas all over again.  I was so excited.  The picture on the post card is of St. Charle's Church.  Isn't it beautiful.  She said the streets were full of music, people and the Christmas spirit-Austrian style.  What a wonderful thought!  Thank you, Ivonne--Cream Puffs in Venice!  Don't forget that you can click on the photo to make it bigger.  You can really enjoy how beautiful it is!

COMFORTING COUSINS. . .

What would I do without these people?  Seven of them are first cousins and a cousin-in-love and they mean the world to me.  I'm sure Tom and Shirlee would agree (the two in the front right hand corner).  With just a phone call they all said, "we're coming".  Their presence helped to brighten the day and ease the pain. They're all helping to carry on the Southward tradition of gathering together to share memories and love.  That's what family does.  Thank you God for my family--both near and far.

CHRISTMAS CARDS. . .

Tonight is January 2, 2007 and I am just getting to sit down and enjoy reading our Christmas cards and letters.  I always open them, read them and put them in a special "holder".  Later on after Christmas I get them all, sit down in a warm snuggly place and savor them.  I devour the words written by our friends about their families and look at how their children have grown.  It's a special part of Christmas for me.  I'm disappointed if we don't get a card or letter from a "regular".  It's the only time we keep in touch with some of the people we've known over the years.

Most of you know that December has been extremely hard for me.  We lost my Mom on December 4, 2006 and three weeks later on December 29, 2006 my brother Steve (55 years old) died of a massive heart attack.  Both deaths came as huge shocks to our family.  My Mom had her best day in months the day before.  My brother had been at our home the four days before his death.

My purpose in telling you all of this is this.  In reading the cards and letters Ed's cousin in California included this in her Christmas letter. God has shown us time and again this year of His faithfulness. "Consider if pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."  James 1: 2-4  Another one of those "God things" that happen so much!  God's timing-not mine.  I have been tested.  I will persevere.  Mature and complete--well, I'm not sure about that--God's still working on me!