Finally A Vacation

Elmer and I have never gone on an actual vacation! Oh, we have taken a weekend road trip or the many camping trips but to actually go somewhere for more than a few days, nope just didn't happen. Finally, last year, we decided to go for our 40th anniversary. We made reservations to stay at a Treehouse Inn, something I had been wanting to do forever. We made plans, bought new luggage, a few new clothes; then disaster. Elmer had, had a hip replacement and now he had an infection. The day we were supposed  to be leaving he was in surgery. I called the Treehouse and told them the story. Despite the policy of no late rescheduling they agreed to let us do it. So today we finally left. We saw lots of beautiful trees And rocks on the way.

Our reservations aren't actually until tomorrow so we took the long way and headed to Sikeston MO first. We ate at Lamberts the home of the thrown roll.  The food was delicious, very much comfort food. The cucumbers and onions were so good along with the fried okra which was served on the napkin.

The tableware was definitely unique!

We decided to get a room here in Sikeston, then head out tomorrow and slowly wend our way to the Treehouse. These Roses were at the hotel and smelled so good!

Some anecdotes and thoughts from today:We overheard a young boy loudly complaining to his dad about an argument and name calling that had happened. The dad asked, "What was the benefit of arguing? Was there a benefit from arguing?"
The boy replied, "The benefit was in being right!"
We didn't hear the rest because we both started laughing and they moved away.

Summer is the season of revealing skin that shouldn't necessarily be revealed.

Just because a dress is stretchy doesn't mean that you should wear one that is 4 sizes too small

Fun with the Grandkids

This past Saturday was so much fun. The day started off with breakfast at the Arthur Fire Department. They do pancakes and sausage fundraisers and we usually go. This time Shannon and Shae went with us. Keith met us there as well.
We were ready to leave by 7:50 and I didn't need to be at Duane & Sheryl's till 9:00 so Shae told me that I can go sit on their front porch swing till it's time to go. I love their porch swing . It is so peaceful to sit there and just enjoy the quiet.
Later, I went to watch the kids I played lego's with Camden and had so much fun playing  with Kennedy. It was the first time I ever had her by myself.
As soon as I was done there, I went to Keith and Jocie's to pick up the boys to bring them to our house. The first thing they wanted to do was ride the Ranger in the woods. We talked Elmer into going with us. We drove through as many trails as we could find. We stopped many times to pick up treasures and looked at all the baby calves

. At one place we found a lot of clam trails. One of them was still hooked together and looked like a butterfly. We can't across a stream and I was telling the boys that I always see frogs there and I was so disappointed that I didn't see any. Gordy said but Grandma there is one

After we came home we grilled burgers, started a fire in the fire pit and then had dinner out on the deck. We finished dinner off with s'mores. and then lots of fun in the yard

Spring Fever

Today I am at work as I was for the past two days. It is not busy, so I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest. The weather is so beautiful, so all I can do is look at gardening sites, fairy gardens and flowers. I really have a bad case of Spring fever.
There are a couple of projects I really want to try. I absolutely love making fairy gardens so of course the projects I have in mind have to do with those. Here is the one I want to do. Hobbit type things really set my imagination in gear!

I also have been looking at bonsai trees. I would love to learn to do that. I need to look into classes for that.
This morning I really didn't want to go to work this morning! I just wanted to go looking for photo ops. I did take off a little early to take a few pictures of old barns before I went to work.

My brother in law was here this morning and said that his wife had already planted lettuce. It really gives me the itch to start mine. I could plant lettuce and possibly some radishes or kohlrabi.
I am thinking about making my own seed tapes for kohlrabi. It would sure save time pulling out plants when they come up too thickly. I'm going to look up an article to make sure I know how to do it.
I spend a lot of time going through all the photos on my computer and today I found one I absolutely love. I'll share that one and log off

A New Experience

Paisley and I are going to have a new experience today. Sheryl works at an assisted living facility and we were talking about it this past evening. I asked her if they allow dogs there. When she said that they did, it was decided that I would bring Paisley to visit on a day that she was working. I'm a little nervous but still anticipating a good time.
Along the way I have a few errands to take care of; the bank, library, the market, etc etc. I have laundry that needs to be done, a floor that needs mopped and a few tasks like that. This evenings plans are to do a luminary walk with Beth. I am very excited about that!
My little Japanese Maple was covered with Sparrows this morning. I thought it looked cute so I took a picture to share

A New Year

Today, being January 1st I took special note of everything that was happening. When we were on our way to church everything seemed so new and fresh! The sparkly white frost made everything so beautiful. I drove because of Elmer's pain in his hip so of course my eyes were everywhere taking in everything. I couldn't stop looking at all the beauty! The houses looked so homey, especially the one with smoke coming out of the chimney.
I love going to church anyhow, but at least part of the joy for me is the ride to Champaign. I love that it takes almost an hour to get there. Driving is so soothing and peaceful. It allows time to dream and look at everything along the way. I always scan all the trees for hawks. I love seeing them and if it weren't so dangerous, I would certainly stop for photos! Along with 6 hawks today, we saw flocks of Canada Geese, crows scrounging for road kill, and an especially interesting old tree.
Church was inspiring as always, with words for the New Year and some beloved songs that we haven't sang in awhile. Afterwards we went out to Olive Garden for lunch with Dale and Louise and Emily.
This afternoon is shaping up to be very quiet and lazy. I would like to go for a drive but I guess I'll give Elmer a break and let him watch the game.
I do have a photo from yesterday when we drove through Walnut Point State Park

Musings From the Mower

As usual when I was mowing yesterday my mind and my eyes wandered everywhere and anywhere and I had the usual random thoughts. I was mowing along when a lady bug landed on my nose. I instinctively blew up to dislodge it. I had to wonder how that affected the bug and whether it could find its way to where it was going after that upset. I imagined it flying off and meeting one of its friends. It might say,"The weather is very changeable today. It is so calm now but just a few minutes ago there was a gust of wind so strong that it blew me completely off course!"
The friend replied, "What are you talking about? The weather in the east yard has been delightful! Just perfectly calm and sunny. No wind at all."
Another one coming along remarked,"There haven't been an wind gusts in the north 200 but there has been an annoying roaring noise for the past 20 minutes! What is going on? Actually it seems to be coming around the back 30, now. I tell I'm tempted to pack up my family and move somewhat peaceful! If it weren't for all the pleasant smelling hidey holes in this yard I would do it!"
This is the kind of thing that goes through my mind as I go back and forth in our big yard. I love to check on nests that have been busy most of the summer. The busiest is now empty and I suspect willl stay that way until next spring but I took many pictures over the summer of the dedicated dove, and her (if I counted right) 5 different sets of families.

Mowing gives me space and time to think of many things. Often, I spend time praying about different situations. I usually take pictures of things that interest me as I go along. It always takes me longer to finish then it does my husband, but he doesn't mind. He knows how crazy I am about nature.
The first sentence says I was mowing yesterday, but I actually started this entry several months ago and just never finished it. I saw the draft and decided it needed to go.

Search for Autumn

Yesterday was one of those days that I thoroughly enjoy. I woke up with enough energy to actually get things done! Yay! I was still enjoying a cup of coffee when my sister in law called. Now you might think that delayed my schedule, but in reality it sped things up. I am usually wearing wireless earbuds because I love listening to audio books while I work, but I can also use them to talk on the phone so I have my hands free. Anyhow back to the phone call. I love when people call to chat while I am working! I get so much done when I am chatting. Later on my daughter also called and we chatted for a while. Again it just sped my work up.
I got a good start to my laundry and cruised around the house picking things up that I had missed since the weekend when some of the grandkids spent several days at the house. They love to play with legos and usually the rule is that they have stay in the play area in the living room. They aren't allowed to leave the room with them and especially not outside. However, with 5 kids it's really hard to keep my eye on them all the time. I've been finding legos everywhere, so yesterday when I moved furniture and was cleaning around and under things I kept finding them. I thought surely I've found them all, then I'd find some more. I even found some on the shelving unit in the garage!
I was doing really good at giving my kitchen floor a good cleaning when my husband came home from work to grab a bite to eat before he goes down to the farm to help with filling the silo. That brought a halt to the cleaning and laundry for a bit. Before I knew it, it was time to grab a shower and leave for my hair appointment.
On the way, to Mattoon for my appointment I used the time to search for signs of fall. I stopped and took pictures of corn fields that seemed to stretch for miles, soy bean fields that are rapidly changing color and fields with lots of goldenrod on the border. I know that farmers don't enjoy the goldenrod but I love the vibrant color. There was a pile of spilled corn on the road too, a sure sign of harvest.

There are lots and lots of mums and pumpkins for sale everywhere. I do enjoy fall but it always makes me so sad to see summer go. I love to be outside and be warm. I really don't like to be chilly. I enjoy sweaters and pants but I love, love shorts and tank tops. Oh well, I need to accept that fall is here, the signs are everywhere