Fabulous Facts from the Flemings

Buck's Pocket State Park

2010-12-04T19:47:00.005-06:00

In October we went camping in north eastern Alabama at Buck's Bocket State Park. It is a beautiful place off the beaten path. We met up with Ben's family and stayed the weekend.

Fun around the campfire
'ungle Ben' and Patrick

Like I said Lots of fun!!!

One cute big boy

This was so cute. The boys were afraid Midnight would get cold and were covering her up and telling her night night...She just sat there and watched!!!

King of the Mountain

Some beautiful fall colors

On top of the mountain overlooking the pocket where the campground is.

picture perfect!!!

another cute big boy

family walk

My life in pictures...October

2010-12-04T19:16:00.005-06:00

Had a great Ladies retreat this year. A year ago I had knee surgery and wasn't able to go
Here is a pic of our church ladies that attended. A great group I tell you!

I made this pillow for my sister Aimee for her birthday.
She is doing her room in black and white and it fit perfectlyOur first introduction to the game of Catan
We have been hooked ever since
Got it for Ben for an early Christmas present

October was pastor appreciation month
We have a great Pastor and wife (and Kayla)
Our whole church went out to O'Charlies for pastor appreciation dinner

The cakeMy beautiful Zinnas lasted till November
Here some beautiful moths came to my flowers

An experiment turned beautiful
I planted some moonflowers. They took off and looke beautiful!

Susan G Komen Race

2010-11-27T21:53:00.004-06:00

In October we participated in the 5k Race for the Cure in Birmingham. It was a neat experience. So many people just walked so you didn't feel bad for being in the shape you were but I tried to walk/jog/run all through the race. I didn't think I did too bad. It was fun except that Ben beat me by 3 minutes:( and I didn't even see him pass me!

My class- 1st and 2nd grade activities

2010-11-26T16:01:00.006-06:00

I have a great class this year. I only have a little class but I love them.

An aunt volunteered to do a fall art class.
They painted leaves on t-shirts. They loved it.

Having fun blowing bubbles, Wilson-1st grade, Joel, Randi, Devin, and Olivia- 2nd grade!

Grandparent's Day, doing crossword puzzles together

This is everything they told me about their grandparents! click on it to see closer! Pretty cute!

Deputy Smith came for Grandparent's Day.
Here he is testing out the handcuffs!

Prayer at the Pole!

We went to Stevi B's Pizza for our field trip. We joined 3rd and 4th grade.
It was a real neat experience. We got to walk in the back where they make dough, let it rise in the cooler and then watch them roll it in a special machine. They then went and finished their own pizza with toppings of their choice. They thought it was such a blast and I did too!

My kids -in yellow- with the pizzas they made!

A dental hygienist came and talked to us about taking care of your teeth. She even brought her friend, the snake and showed us he brushes!

Battle at Tunnel Hill, GA

2010-11-21T15:37:00.004-06:00

In Septemeber we went to Tunnel Hill, GA. We love this reenactment. It was the first one that we ever participated in. We enjoyed it as well as the boys that went along with us.

Two cute guys!!!

Our company!The younger boys went out to the house for the battle.
They were able to watch it up close and personal.

After the battle. This was Jorden Messner's first reenactment that he was a soldier in.
He enjoyed it!

The boys 'camping out' under the fly.
Note they started the night up by the chair and slowly slid down the hill!

We visited the old train tunnel at night!!!

My life in pictures...August/September

2010-11-21T13:46:00.007-06:00

Our YAC game Night!
We had a great time with our young adult's class at our pastor's house
Here Ben and Joe are in a hot game of Rook against Leonard and Christy.

And when you run out of tables you use whatever else works....ironing board Rook anyone?

We down to Montgomery to our friends, Richard and Anna's house.
We had fun eating steaks and watching football!
Here is proof that Auburn and Alabama people can be friends...well it was only September, not Iron Bowl time yet!!! LOL

While in Montgomery, I drove my Old Alabama Town. It was really neat.
Here are a two pictures of some of the old, beautiful houses!

I want this one in the middle of about 100 acres!!

Who says they just grow stuff bigger in Texas?
Now that's a steak!!

The electric went in the whole city of Tarrant, so we had service by generator, running a few lamps and a few window units for air conditioning! Making memories, having church in our basement.

We also had the dedication service for little Madelyn Rose
It was a very precious service

Here is part of the decorations in the church for the dedication
I like how they used my quilt, very pretty

Celebrating Leonard's birthday was a 'smashing' success!!
My little bandito!!

A precious little girl!!!

Peaches, peaches, and more peaches! Also yogurt and cheese!

2010-08-22T16:54:00.005-05:00

Ben's uncle (or great uncle, somehow related!) has a farm. Well every year we usually get some produce from them. Ben's parents went and brought back some peaches for us. So we decided to try out our new dehydrator.
Let me tell you about the deal we got! When I was in SC they had a dehydrator in the marked-down rack at the grocery store. It was on sale for $30 with 14 $1 off coupons. So I thought why not? Even if it is a cheap one, for $16 we can experiment with it. We had been wanting one for a while. Well when I got to the counter it was actually $20, so with the coupons I got it for $6!!
So our first venture with it was the peaches. They turned out real good! I love them. I have taken them to school and left on my desk for when I get the munchies.
All said and done with all the peaches plus some more we got at market, we dehydrated a couple batches, and put up almost 30 jars of organic sugar freezer jam!! Yum yum!!
Well the little cooker I am, I have also been experimenting with making yogurt. It has turned out pretty good and pretty cheap, which is good since we practically drink it! I am still perfecting it. One night I forgot to turn the heat in the crock pot off and the milk sat in the jar in the heat all night. Well needless to say, I killed any cultures so I did not have yogurt. However I did have some curds and whey separation going on. So I thought, hmmm I will try to make cream cheese. So I hung the curds up in a very thin towel to get all the whey out, and after a while and few squeezes, I had my cream cheese! It tastes delicious on my zucchini bread or toast with the peach jam on top!! Peach cheese cake!!

South Carolina

2010-08-22T16:16:00.004-05:00

Tim and Matt have been staying at our house all summer. Well it was about time for Matt to return home to finish his last year of high school. So Tim took him home and I went along for the ride to see my family for the weekend. We had a great time and it was nice to see them again.
Friday we left so early in the morning (to miss Atlanta traffic) that we came home and slept for a bit. We went and did a little shopping, or browsing for me at the mall.
Saturday, Pop, Tim, Matt and I went to Table Rock State Park and went canoeing. I wanted to take pics but didn't bring my waterproof sack for my camera in case of an accident. Well no accident but it sure did rain, so we didn't get to canoe as long as we wanted but that's ok, it was still fun. It continued to drizzle so we just took a little walk in the rain and waded in the stream.
That evening we all went mini-golfing in down town Greenville. That was a blast! We took a walk through the park on the way back! A beautiful evening!
Well we were going to leave and come back to AL after church Sunday afternoon. Well Saturday evening as Tim and Matt took their 'last' joy ride in Tim's car, it died on him, in the middle of downtown! Well I think Tim's pride might have been taken down a notch. Here is Tim and Matt pushing the car into a parking spot, that happened to be open, in the middle of busy downtown, where all kinds of people are watching and talking and trying to help, some drunk! He can't start it. So he calls Pop. Oh did I tell you that it was almost midnight and he was only supposed to be getting gas down the street, not joy driving downtown! LOL Well anyways we stayed an extra day till Tim could get the belt replaced! LOL

We had a great trip, just a day later that I planned on finishing up my classroom! Oh well, it got done. Part of the golf course was in a black light room! It was pretty cool!

Umm Tim and Matt.....need I say more!

Hit it Pop!!!

The beautiful bridge at the park

Home Again Home Again, Jiggity Jig

2010-08-22T15:43:00.004-05:00

Well I keep saying I am going to update the blog with good intentions and never get to it, but here I am, finally! We do not have internet at our house, so I have to beg borrow or steal internet. Since we have arrived home, we hit the ground running it seems.
A couple days after we arrived home, God opened up doors for me to go back to teaching after a two year break. I am teaching at Bible Methodist Christian School, 1st and 2nd grade, the same place, and grade I taught before. Well needless to say I was excited but also a little nervous! I had about 2 weeks till school started, to get my room set up, lessons together etc.
Ben also felt a pull back into education. He received a part-time position teaching a couple classes in High School.
So the next couple weeks were busy but God helped me to relax and not stress and it all came together! Here are a few pics of my classroom. The color scheme was already in place, but seemed to fit with my frog theme.

The rocker I covered to match the curtians

All the staff eating out during in-service at Jim N Nick's
(thanks to our church!)

Hope Grows Farm, Dover GA

2010-07-27T20:07:00.012-05:00

Our next venture, I guess you could say Plan C, was Hope Grows Farm in Dover, GA. It is around an hour norwest of Savannah. They are a small farm doing what we want to do so we thought we could learn a lot from them, and we did!! They have a website and blog link from there that you can see more about them. http://www.hopegrowsfarm.com/

They have laying hens, broilers, turkeys and Berkshire pigs, as well as a nice garden. We stayed there for two weeks and were able to see their procedures as well as go to market with them. Thanks for the fun time, even though it was pretty hot. However fans do help a lot in a house with out air conditioning.The garden

The mobile chicken coop. The laying hens are moved to fresh green grass every week

The laying hens

next batch of broiler chicks put out to 'pasture. These guys are moved every day to fresh green grass and sunshine, following the Polyface farm style. Great tasting chicken by the way!!

Oh here is how we know! They took a batch of broilers to process while we were there and one escaped, but not for long. He made a great chicken salad and chicken stock from chicken feet, among other things! Here we are butchering!

At the market in Savannah

Savannah is an awesome city! I want to go back when we have more time to explore it.

River street!

Cobblestone streets laid by slaves

Just romantic!A cool coffee shop/restaurant we ate at while there, note the sign
Another one in there is one that reads, "Food just like your mama should've made! LOL

The farmers, Elliot and Arianne, 'kicking us out"

Ben also got a hair cut while there!

LOL finally got too hot for him!

My First completed quilt

2010-07-27T19:13:00.003-05:00

I decided to try to complete a whole quilt on the machine for the first time. What a better reason to begin a quilt then a new niece arriving. And what better size to try it on than a baby quilt size. I found some awesome fabric and found coordinating colors and went to town. I wanted to finish it before the baby was born but finished a few days after. It turned out pretty good, a few bumps but I was pretty pleased and Madelyn Rose Collins sure looked cute and snuggly in it!

Camp meeting, family and new family!

2010-07-27T19:00:00.003-05:00

After Michigan we came home for our church camp meeting. It was a great time and was priviledged to have see my family for a lot of the week and the whole family was there on Sunday! It was a great time of spiritual refreshment with some awesome services! We were home for the next week as well and I was able to pick up a few days at Cracker Barrel. We also were able to see our new niece Madelyn Rose Collins. I have a pic but it is not letting me download it from my phone! Anyways I have it on Facebook and she is a cutie pie!

My sister will kill me! LOL after staying up most all night she is sleeping as Mom is trying to leave camp! LOL

Men's quartet singing at camp, Ben on far right singing bass

Everyone came over for Sunday lunch at our house! It was a fun time but to short before afternoon service!

Michigan and Oxen

2010-07-14T14:27:00.011-05:00

the young 3-4 month old team they began training for the first time that week!

We went up to Tillers International to take an oxen basics class. (they give a variety of classes all year on all kinds of neat things. For those once again out of the loop, :) read more about them and what they are here http://www.tillersinternational.org) Ben has wanted to take the class for a long time now. So I thought, while we are free this summer, why not broaden our knowledge more! So that is what we did. It was a week long class. The website explains it well,

"This comprehensive class creates skills in driving, training, and yoking in a sequence of hands-on experiences. Enjoy well-trained oxen responding to your voice commands. Learn to select, team, and care for oxen. Use low-stress training to teach calves. Drive teams hitched to various loads, practice field tasks, and try your hand at early shop skills to shape your own small yoke."The class with their yokes

I did not take the class, but was able to tag along, and take lots of pictures. I was able to learn a lot myself. It was all hands-on, and by the end of the week, everyone felt, "You know we can do this, we are doing it already with these calves, it is not too hard."

Ben getting ready to plow

Planning the yokes

drilling the holes in his yoke for the bows

carving out his yoke

The calves, Thomas and Jefferson, so named by the class, had only been taught to walk on a rope and had been with people alot. It was amazing that in one week they could walk through an obsticle course, side by side in their yokes! The first couple times they were taught by themselves then eventually put together

Ben found his twin!!! Jared and Ben were so much alike, in looks and likes and personalities! It was kinda scary!!!

The sheep and donkey, Groovey :) graze the grass. No fences for these guys, except around the gardens

Ben drives Blue and CaesarPlowed this whole field with the oxen the day before and are now disc harrowing it

Saturday they had Moda, Midwest Ox Droves Association festival
Pretty much everyone brought their oxen, showed them off, talked, had competitions etc.
It was pretty neat

Here Paul and Silas give a free ride! It reminded me off Patrick! He would have loved that!

Ben shows off his first pair of oxen. I think we need to make a smaller yoke however.

We also got a one-on-one demonstration of their bees! It was pretty cool

Tales of the Traveler

2010-07-14T14:05:00.006-05:00

We arrived home safe and sound June 11. Tim and Matt, who are staying this summer at our house for a summer job, knew we were coming. We first thought it would be Saturday but we ended up coming in Friday and suprising them! Midnight loved being home, as soon as she got out of the truck, she new and when she got to the house, she ran circles around it. Well Tim and Matt where watching a movie, about 10 at night and have no idea that we are spying on them! We decide to quietly open the back door and let Midnight in. It was fun.
The best was the next day. Ben's family had NO idea we were anywhere close to them let alone home, except Holly. She arranged for everyone to go out and eat at Guadalaharra, (not sure on spelling) our infamous place to eat Mexican. Well everyone is eating away and we walk in. You should have seen Mom Fleming's mouth drop open. It was so fun! everyone was so suprised which made it even more special. It was good to see everyone again!
The next week, we headed north once again, making our way to Tillers International in MI. (next post) We stopped in Cincinnati for a couple of days and spent some time with our good friends Jon and Mary as well as baby Liam, who is not so baby any more! We had a great time together and catching up.

Liam loved to play crawling chase around and around, kitchen, dining room, living room, back again! He is a real cutie!

Mary, I really liked this one!

We went to the Red's game together! It was like old times but pretty hot!

eating our picnic pizza dinner

Jon's brother-in-law's snake

We went midnight bowling, It was a blast but the pic of all four of us didn't turn out

We left Cincy Sunday afternoon and drove the 5 hours to Scotts, MI, near Kalamazoo, to begin our next adventure.

Poly Face Farm

2010-07-14T13:20:00.005-05:00

On our stop in VA we visted Poly Face Farm! It was a really cool experience. We also happened to run into Joel Salatin while we were browsing their little store! Ben was so happy, we forgot to get a picture with him until it was too late! Oh well. (For those of you who have no idea who I am talking about, well, you are out of the loop! LOL check out their website http://www.polyfacefarms.com and check out his books also ) No, he has written many books and has pretty much been the founding of the grass-fed, healthy eating, buying local movement. He has had to fight many battles with the government to get where he is today. He is big on producer to consumer, you come out and see how I raise my animals and decide for yourself if you want it to eat. We should have the choice to eat what food you want, not just what the government thinks is right. He has a large farm in the shenendoah valley in VA. He raises and sells pasture raised, eggs, chickens, turkeys, pork, beef and rabbits. They are raised in the sunshine and see fresh green grass every day, not injected with any hormones or GMO food, raised the way God made them to be. You know what is in these guys. Bet you can't say that about the food you eat?
We liked getting ideas and seeing it in person what we had read and watched. It was really down to earth, nothing too fancy and we walked away going, "We can do this" For all my friends out there who are jealous, I have posted the pics just for you! I hope you enjoy!

The baby chicks in the warmer house
under gas heaters

The row of chickens. The broilers are set diagonal all across the field, corner to corner, so none are right next to each other, and moved up one spot each day to new ground.

These guys, or rather I should say girls are moved every couple days and free range in the field with the broilers. They follow the cows, who are moved every other day (I believe) to the next strip of grass across the field. The chickens clean up behind the cows, eating any bugs, and leaving no cow patties unturned. It is a very neat system. With rotational grazing, your cows eat down your pasture with out wasting part of it as well

The turkeys, set up the same way as the chickens

Cute little bunnies

Their hoop-houses they use to keep the birds over winter, with rabbits above, and use them as their green house with rich manure come spring!

Their chicken plucker, a pretty cool invention. They process their own chickens on site. By VA law they are allowed to process and sell no more than 20,000 birds a year per farm. So some poly face interns who have their own farms and follow the same principles also bring their 20,000 chickens and sell under poly-face. There is ways to get around the government!

The other way of doing chickens when they are closer to buildings, roads etc, electric net fencing, still in a movable building, moved every couple days along with the fence.

We enjoyed our visit and came away with many ideas.

Our Journey Home

2010-06-24T16:55:00.007-05:00

We decided to take it nice and easy going back home. No more 18 hour trips for us. We wanted a little time to relax and enjoy God's creation around us. We had been so busy working it was nice to relax a bit.
We camped out in the Adriondicks for two nights, at Meachem State Park, right on the lake. We made a lot of funny memories there. We didn't have good luck in getting dry firewood. Most of what we had/found was green and wet! So we had what some may call a fire! LOL
We rented a canoe for a day and just pulled it up to the campsite. The first time we went out in the canoe it was quite windy and cold. By the time we got to the middle of the lake the wind picked up even more, as well as the waves and it was hard to row. I was a little scared but we were ok. The next morning it was as calm as could be!
We drove around enjoying the mountains and went into Lake Placid, a very cute town. We saw some beautiful, rugged country up there.
Wednesday we drove south, through the Adriondicks, making our way home to the next campsite. Then we hit rain, and lots of it. We suddenly thought that a motel sounded like a better option. Using a coupon we had we got a good deal in mid- PA.
Thursday we bedded down in beautiful VA. We were at a funny campground. It had a small store and recreation room that they also sold hot burgers and fries ect. Well Thursday evening is Bluegrass night. So there we sat with our computers (free wi-fi ) listening to some good bluegrass music.(but NOT good singing!!! A lady with a smokers voice should not sing Ring of Fire!!!)
Friday we went to Poly-Face Farm(next post) and then decided to head on in home. As soon as we stopped at the Alabama rest area I new where we were for all the heat and humidity!! ARRG! Oh well. We were off to surprise everyone the next day!

Meachem Lake campground
Blowing up the air mattress

Trying to dry the wood! LOL

A waterfall we found driving around, we hiked down to

The other side of the falls, a deep gully

On the bridge looking down to the chasm below gushing with water, kinda scary!

White-Face Mountain, near Lake Placid, NY

Ben decided to paddle the canoe to our campsite

The rough waves

All bundled up

A pretty sunset

We went back out on the lake as the sun set and it was a lot calmer

I love this picture. We went out early the next morning as the sun was coming up. We took Midnight with us this time. She wanted to come but was a little nervous.

"Hello? Yes, can you help me? They have me couped up in the floorboards of this truck driving all over the place for days on end!!"

Our campsite in VA

Wilder Home

2010-06-23T18:29:00.006-05:00

Later the same day we also visited Almanzo Wilder's home as a boy! It was really neat. The origianal house is still there, along with the same 84 acres. The barns burnt down but they rebuilt them on the same location. They dug and found the original foundations and rebuilt. No pictures were allowed inside :(. They had a lot of items from that time period in the house, the only thing we know for sure belonged to them was a quilt. They were more of a well-off family. I liked seeing the horsehair furniture in the parlor!

This sugar-maple was there when Almanzo lived there. It is around 180 years old.

They had these pictures from the book all over reminding you of things Laura talked of.

I even got the old pump working

The barn

Down by the stream they walked to

St Lawarence Seaway Locks

2010-06-17T22:54:00.006-05:00

We left on a Monday and took the day to take in some of the area, later camping in the nearby Adirondacks
The Ocean Liner coming into the Locks

It's hard to really see how big the ship was with the pictures.
It was over 700 ft longIt drops it in about 7 min.

And off it goes to Quebec

Ben on the observation deck below me!

I thought this sign was really neat.
It was just north of the locks. I guess I was closer than ever to Santa!

Our last days on the farm

2010-06-17T22:18:00.008-05:00

June 7 found us packed up and leaving Gorden Family Farm. Ben and I realized we had learned a lot but felt our wheels spinning in learning more. We both love farming and do think we will do that eventually but along a little different lines than where we were and felt God leading us on. We have learned a lot, made many memories and made a lot of friends. Thanks Gordens for letting us come and learn.
We were going to rent a little U-Haul trailer to go back like we did going up. However many people are moving out of NY and the rental prices were outrageous! It was almost 3 times what we payed before. So for less than the rental price we bought a little trailer and compacted what we had and packed tight! It worked out great and allowed us a little time to get back home. (next post)

Ben spent the last week doing a lot of weed-wacking fence lines! Tiring work

"Just call me Ben Two-Feather!"

Some flowers in the hay field

A heavy fog settled over the farm one morning and it was so pretty

The apples coming along

We looked kinda red-neck packing up!
The trailer loaded up!

You couldn't fit much more in the back of this truck!

Haying and Horsepulling and other Happenings

2010-06-01T12:38:00.012-05:00

Oh look a place for us! LOL

This is in Wal*Mart parking lot. That field you see behind the signs had corn growing last year and you can smell the cow farm walking across the lot

Who in the world is this couple?? Looks like trouble!

Do you like butter? Let's check with the buttercups!

Ben tedding some hay

One evening went to town about 15 min away, St. Regis Falls, hence the falls!

It was very beautiful and relaxing!

Some turkey hunters were out back hunting all morning and this is what we saw out the window as we sat down to eat breakfast LOL

The beautiful garden

Some more attempts at photography

My favorite!

Yeah Haying!

Saturday Jim hosted a horse-pull here at the farm. First they had the miniature horses pull! Those things were so small but could pull alot!

A baby miniature horse! Very small!

The horse-pull.
It was amazing. They got up to almost 4 tons! I will think of horsepower in a different light from now on!

All ready for the horse-pull!

Gimme that money!!! They sold hot dogs, hamburgers and goodies at the pull.

Week Four

2010-05-24T18:38:00.005-05:00

Sunday it was a month ago that we drove up here. We have done a lot since then and it seems longer than that but the days seem to go by faster and faster. We have learned a lot since then also. One, that we still love the country farm life and even if its a small hobby farm, we want to do it. Two, it has given Ben the self confidence that he can do it. He has learned much and really enjoys using animal power. You can read all the books you want, but doing it hands on helps you really learn. We know God lead us up here and in the process He has taught us so much, many things I would have never dreamed he would have, but he knew. We have also learned to grow closer Him. We are still seeking God's guidance and taking one day at a time.
I was able to hit up a few garage sales this week. Didn't find too much but it was fun to shop around. I did find a few more old books to add to my collection, a couple over a hundred years old. We also had some free time on Saturday so we did a little shopping and went out to eat and drove a little ways into the Adirondack Park. It was very pretty. We forgot the camera however but hope to go back.

Ben harrowing the upper field. This was woods like the trees behind him 3-4 years ago. It is pretty rocky in places but it still works. We all had the horses pulling the stone boat last week and took out a bunch of stones.

Ben and his faithful side-kick... well...until she saw me...They were so so cute!
looking at the farm from the upper field

They cut some hay today, thick clover

I made the mistake and forgot I turned the horses water on. Well a couple hours later Ben and I come out to the barn and here water running. I should have taken a pic. It wasn't real funny then, I felt so bad but it's funny now. The water was over your ankles in parts of the horse barn. At least the horses stalls are built up so they were not standing in water. We worked on it today and unplugged a drain and let it drain into the yard. It was a yucky mess but it getting dry now.
Today I worked with Ben all morning, doing spring cleaning, spring barn cleaning. We moved weaned calves, cleaned stalls, moved heifers out to pasture to see them in the yard about a half hour later and have to round them up and put them up all over again! LOL

We are looking forward to this Saturday. They are having a horse pull here. That should be fun to see.

Week Three

2010-05-14T09:28:00.013-05:00

The beautiful lilac bush

Looking at the house from the behind

Well I started this post on Friday but am finally finishing it today, Monday. I have been sick for part of the weekend but am feeling a lot better today but still pretty weak and easily winded!

Ben has been able to work and drive the horses more and more this past week. He did a lot of harrowing on a couple fields down the road. He really enjoys that.

This is one of my favorite pictures

All the cows were let out to pasture last weekend. All the dry cows were let out to stay along with the Percheron colts. The milkers go out in the morning after milking and come in, in the evening. Soon they will be out at night as well, just coming in for milkings, and extra feed.
We have had a couple evenings we have just gone for a drive. The countryside is so beautiful.

I realized that I have no pics of me, so took one. I will have to get Ben to get a few of me.

This is the oats coming up that Ben helped plant the first day we were here

This is what happens when the cows get out, fresh fertilizer delivered straight to your lawn!

Good friends!

Happy Mom's Day

2010-05-09T14:53:00.003-05:00

I want to send out a wish to my mom for a happy Mother's day! Thanks for all you have done for me and our family! You are great!
Happy Mother's day also to my great mother-in-law, or mother-in-love as she likes to say. Hope your day is great!
We love you both!!!! Wish we could be with you both in person today but this will have to do until we can! XOXO

Week Two!!

2010-05-07T20:56:00.008-05:00

Here we are, another week has come and gone. In thinking that it was only two weeks ago we were traveling up here, it seems like a long time ago. Then on the other hand the days seem to have gone by fast.

Our day starts at about 6 am, in the barn doing morning chores. Ben helps everyday and I do it every other morning, switching off with Brenda, with both Ben and I having Sunday morning off. Ben does most of the chores with the horses. I feed the heifers,(feed them first to shut them up!) calves, pigs and chickens. I also feed the milkers their grain and the dry cows, hay, if Ben doesn't do it first. Chores also include scraping down the stalls :) and throwing down some sawdust under them as well as throwing down some fresh hay under the calves. After milking is over I take apart the milking machines and wash them.My namesake cow, Bethany. Notice she has brown spots, not black

Evening chores include everything above with a few variations. All the cows get silage in the evening. Ben usually shovels it out of the silo and then to the cows. The milk truck comes every other day, so I usually wash the tank out after he comes.
This week we did not have any snow but it has been quite rainy on and off, which has hindered some work in fields being they are too wet.

I started some seeds this week in preparation for my garden. I also went to a greenhouse and drooled over all the plants and possibilities. Greenhouses just make you relax and come away refreshed, good therapy for the soul!Spring has sprung and come out if full force! Above is the apple tree in their back yard.

The lilacs are coming out if full force and smell wonderful.

I know some consider them a weed but dandelions are very pretty and the yard and pasture is just full of them, well was full before the grass was cut!

As you can see the leaves are pretty much out now as well. Here is a view of their house in full spring green!

Ben has been able to work more and more with the horses as well as becoming more used to them. He was able to drive them a little furrowing the garden plot. He was so excited!
Do pray for Ben's hands. We have been a little worried about them. He has been having pain, tingling and burning as well as being puffy on and off the last couple weeks. Not sure what it is.
Besides that life is going pretty good and keeping busy. There is Amish around and we have had some contact with them. Ben has gone to the harness shop a couple times to get some things repaired. Eli the blacksmith came Thursday to trim the colts hooves before they let them out to pasture for the summer. We watched and talked some with him. Unfortunatly I do not have any pictures to share with you being they do not get their picture taken. I have never seen an Amish without his hat on and realized they have really long hair! LOL
Hope you enjoy my ramblings and pictures! Hopefully it will give you a little taste of our lives at the moment.

One of the storms that blew up this week! This is looking across the fields in front of their house.

Ben was able to use his cowboy coat Jonathan! He said it works well!

Here is a jug a milk, can you see the cream separated on top? Yummy, ready to be skimmed off and great for coffee or whatever you choose.

Simple Granola

2010-05-05T07:49:00.004-05:00

Thought I would pass along this great granola recipe. When you smell like cows half the day it is good to come in and smell something good cooking! This is a recipe Brenda uses all the time from a family cookbook, Stoltzfus Family Cookery.

Simple Granola

2c whole wheat flour
6 C rolled oats
1 C coconut
1C wheat germ
1/2 C water
1C. oil
1 C honey or corn syrup, or Maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1 T salt

Combine first 4 dry ingredients. Blend remaining 5 ingredients separately, then mix with dry ingredients. Spread on 2-3 greased cookie sheets. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, or until dry and golden. (I stirred and turned pans half way through) Store in covered containers. Tastes great in yogurt, or milk or just plain!
*Optional-add various nuts before baking (I added sunflower seeds and walnuts)
* also when eating stir in some raisins or craisins .
To all my fellow campers and reenactors... in the side note of the recipe, it says they made this in Hatti in cast iron kettles over charcoal fire until it was dry.

Our First Week

2010-04-30T20:33:00.008-05:00

Here it is Friday night. We arrived in NY one week ago... almost. Well we actually arrived at 2:30 in the morning early early Saturday, after being on the road for about 18 hours!!!. We actually had a very good, safe trip, just long. We were able to see some very pretty country along the way! We actually saw I guess you would say the digression of spring?! Going from full fledged almost summer to eventually buds and a few blooms and fuzzy trees almost ready to come out! I love traveling through VA and PA, some very beautiful country!

Saturday we slept in...some and then started in at work.
This is the cake that the Gorden's daughters made for us. Very cute!

Jim planted this field on Saturday with clover and Timothy Grass. Ben helped and learned.

Learning how to drive!

He dumped a few loads of manure onto my garden plot as well, where I spread it around. Hope to have it plowed up in a few days.

We both have been busy learning the routine of chores around the farm. My favorite is the calves! I like to pet them and feed them their milk. We weaned one this week. My favorite is my namesake, Bethany.
Ben has been learning many of the chores as well, a lot with the horses. He is learning much about them and getting more comfortable with them.
Tuesday we had a surprise, SNOW!!! It spit snow most of the day and became more steady as the day progressed. It continued to snow all night and into Wednesday morning, where we woke up to no electricity. It finally came on in the afternoon. We probably had around 6-8 inches but in Malone, about 20 min away they had 14 inches. Most of it melted by the next morning and has been pretty warm since.

Here is the snowman we made for you Jerrel

We thought about you and how you would like to see it!

Friday we got to see him work on one of the horses foot.

He had lost one of his back shoes so he took the other one off. Being he will be doing farm work and not much blacktop, he is ok to go without back shoes for a while.

They have also been working on getting our apartment ready for us. It is coming along

All is going pretty good. Going to bed early and pretty tired and waking up early and still tired! LOL We both smell like the barn most of the time but we try to clean up every so often! :)
The air is much dryer up here so it seems to dry you out fast. Ben is loving the weather, especially the snow! I can't wait to get things growing! More next week!

South Carolina

2010-04-30T20:06:00.005-05:00

We spent Wednesday and Thursday in South Carolina with my parents and Aimee and Matt.
We had a lot of fun and stayed up way to late but it was worth it!
Being my mom's birthday was the following Monday we took her out to eat at the all famous Cracker Barrel.

Ben and Mom having an intense game of checkers

On Thursday both Mom and Pop took off of work and we had a fun day out! We went and saw a neat covered bridge and ate a picnic lunch.

We also celebrated Matt's birthday that evening.

The next morning, Friday, we left for NY!

The last few days in Alabama

2010-04-30T19:39:00.005-05:00

In between packing and cleaning we were busy going to friends houses and some going away parties! Saturday evening the church gave us a party. The boys all played a couple games of two-hand-touch football. We had a great time of fellowship. It was such a nice time. We love and miss all of our church family!

The cute gift tree

The cowboy coat gift

Sunday Ben set up the hammock in the front yard and had fun with the nephews

Cheese

making the last rounds through the house

Most of the day Monday was spent packing and cleaning. We picked up the u-haul and went to town.
Tuesday we finished all the loose ends and took off for South Carolina.

The Month Before Moving

2010-04-17T15:14:00.001-05:00

The house we toured

We have been busy since our trip up north last month. We have had lots of work to do but lots of fun as well.
A few weeks ago we had a girls night out with some good friends. We all went to the beautiful, historic town of Madison GA. We stayed in a pretty old Bed-N-Breakfast and visited some cute shops. We really had a good time together.

Here is the house we stayed at

One of the pretty bathrooms with the mural

Old Bed we stayed in

The Flowers Ben sent and surprised me with

Out to eat

Two cute little boys playing in the new sandbox Aunt Holly bought for them

Easter Day- The Deviled eggs I made!! ( Little chicks)

Easter Sunday

My Last day teaching Art Class
All my peeps at the Barrel!!
They had a goodbye party for me on Thursday, my last day of work.
We had a good time together! Thanks guys for the gift!

Today we celebrated Ben's Grandma's 80th birthday (Nana). We had a beautiful cake made by family, Karen. She did a beautiful job.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA! We love you!
Three more days in Alabama. The house is starting to come together and organized. Most of the stuff I am taking is packed. Now I still just have the odds'n ends to do.

New York State

2010-03-31T15:57:00.006-05:00

Ok I am back into blogging I believe and have tried to fill in a few details of the past few months. The most recent adventure in our lives was our trip two weeks ago to New York State with a few days in Ohio.
We were gone for about 10 days, Friday-following Sunday. We covered some 2,700 miles in that time period! God was good and the trip went well and we were kept safe.
We spent a few days in the Buffalo area where my family is. We were able to see almost all the family except a few cousins. It was good to see everyone, especially my grandparents.

Grandpa and Grandma O and Aunt Phyllis.
Don't they look great for almost 90!

Grandma and Grandpa Harms

All the Harms side went out to eat at Red Robin! It was fun.
Here is my Uncle Ronny, Eric and Aunt Diane and Grandma (looks like my dad's brother huh?)

Dave and Aunt Sandy and Ashleigh

Aunt Janet, Jason, Jessica, and Uncle Jeff

To break up the trip a little ( NY state is kinda far from AL if you don't know your geography) We stopped in Cincinnati. We spent a few days there on the way back with my brother Steve and his wife Korin, my other brother Tim in college, as well as one our best friends Mary and Jon. (oh don't forget baby Liam!)

Cool Dude

We had a lot of fun on the Wii. Ask Steve about tall people, ceilings and playing bowling on the Wii!!!!!!! LOL

Always a lot of fun playing frisbee golf!

One of the main reasons we went was to visit a farm in Northern NY that we were prayerfully considering doing an apprenticeship at. We stayed for almost 4 days with the Gordon family and loved it. We have felt God leading us to a change for a while now but we weren't sure where. Doors opened up and God answered a lot of prayers for this to work out. Now it is happening!! We will be moving temporarily to a little town in upstate New York near the town of Malone, near the home of Almanzo Wilder in about 3 weeks!! The farm does most of their work with horses, which Ben wants to learn, as well as logging with them. They also have a small dairy herd and sawmill. It will be a change, an adventure and a new path down the road called life. Sometimes you never know what God will put around the bend.The pictures will tell you more

Where their milk goes to

Trying my photo taking skills! LOL

Feeding a calf

Ben feeding the cows

The beautiful horses. Ben got to drive them for a bit.

My birthday

2010-03-31T15:52:00.002-05:00

Ben was very sweet and with some help, arranged a surprise birthday party for me after church. He was able to pull it off without me even realizing it which is hard to do. I usually always figure stuff out with-out meaning to. We had a cook-out and a very yummy cake. I didn't have my camera so no pics, sorry.

Snowy winter

2010-03-31T15:33:00.003-05:00

I have prayed for snow every winter I have been down here and have even asked the kids when I taught to pray for it...you know snow days!!!! It never came..well...last march it snowed once.
I guess the prayers were all answered in one year because we had quite a bit of snow days, or at least snow flakes in the air this winter. It was pretty cold too. I guess the global warming moved off.

Florida

2010-03-31T15:21:00.004-05:00

Early February found us traveling with 10 people to Florida! We went to Hobe Sound Bible College for their 50th anniversary. (the college Ben attended)

We were also able to to see the ocean, despite the man-of-wars the first day! Even though it was Florida, it was chilly part of the time. Ben was able to reconnect with old friends .

We both had a great time, even if the air mattress goes flat at 2am.
Making Memories!

A little fun on the way down at a chick-fila

The alumni mass choir

Ben and Patrick enjoying the waves

Milestones

2010-03-31T15:08:00.004-05:00

Ben reached the first of many big mile stones in December. Late in January we threw him a party. It was a great time with friends and family

Ben modeling one of his gifts, a portable potty! LOL

One cute helper

A big man pizza!! 52 slices

The Farm cake I made him! It turned out very well!

fleming Christmas 09

2010-02-17T15:09:00.003-06:00

Christmas Eve we had a progressive dinner! It started at my house with snacks and coffee. Then we went to Krista's for salad and Mom's for the main course and then Holly's for dessert. We then went back to Mom's and spent the night as well as helped Santa get the gifts all ready!
Christmas morning was so fun seeing the boys so excited about their gifts. We had a great fun relaxing Christmas day!

Everyone at my house Christmas Eve
Christmas morning Krista's boys, our nephews we so happy to see what
Santa brought them!

Christmas day Fun!

Ben's Grandparent's

Jerrel with the Bible cover and Dinosaur soap we gave him

Nana holding one of Ben's creations, a fire poker he made in his blacksmith shop.
She loved it!

Reading a book we gave Patrick

Harms Christmas 09

2010-02-17T12:26:00.006-06:00

We spent Christmas day with Flemings. We went to SC and surprised my mom over New Years! (I let my dad in on the secret. )I called and told her a package was supposed to have been delivered that day and did she get it. When she said no, I told her the tracking said it had recently been delivered and to check and make sure on her porch. So when she opened the door to look we were standing there, and shouted surprise! She was too! Steve and Korin were home as well so we were all home for Christmas, over new years. We were able to see their new house and have a lot of fun together. Since they had just moved not a lot was set up yet including a tree but we made our own! LOL

Pyro-man Steve! Getting ready for the new year!

The tree! LOL It was my dad's palm tree we decorated!

Welcoming in the New Year

My Sister Aimee and I

Some more overnight back-packing gear! Yeah

Like Father like son! In more ways than one!

Aimee with the wallet I gave her

Mom and Pop

Steve and Korin with the quilt I made for them.
A late wedding/Christmas gift

While there we visited Falls Park in Greenville

We also hiked Table rock. It a long hard climb but well worth it at the top!
About 8 mile round trip I believe.
My Brothers, Matt and Tim and my dad
The view was beautiful

Mom and Pop and their new house!

The Whole Family

Oh Yeah! 30 years later and they are still together! I am blessed!

Very Nice Steve and Korin!

Fall 09 in review!

2010-02-17T11:00:00.007-06:00

Here is our fall in pictures!

Ben working on a plant holder in his blacksmith shop.
He finally got some metal and was able to work and make some gifts!

The completed project along with Midnight and Smokey!

Ben's Romatic side comes out with a note and rose!! I loved it!

The Church Men's camp-out that Ben helped to plan and organize! All had fun besides getting into the fast current of the Coosa River.

Zach cutting up Credit Cards at our Dave Ramsey Class we finished this fall

We sold our goats this fall. We would like to get more in the future

Thanks strutting his stuff around the yard! He sure tasted good Thanksgiving! All 42 pounds of him!!!!!!

One of God's wonders

A fun weekend away at Richard and Anna's

October I had my knee surgery! Thankfully it healed well and is so much better now! I am starting to jog and run again!!
To the faint of heart I refrained from posting the pictures before this one! The guys of the family came over to help Ben with the process. While they were at it they did some chickens as well. This is Thanks ready to be smoked...this is in our largest sauce pan and he still didn't fit...His dressed weight was 42 lbs. Lots of dinner to feed all at Thanksgiving!

The fruits of our labour!! Lots of fresh, all natural chicken in the freezer!
These are the the extra roosters that we didn't need that I hatched earlier in the year!

I am still alive

2009-09-15T15:51:00.007-05:00

Jerrel and Tim
Jerrel got to sleep over at Aunt Beff's and Uncle Ben's house

Yes, I am still alive and well. Just been very busy and haven't had the time to just sit down and update this. I have decided that I blog for fun so I was not going to get out of shape if I haven't updated...so I didn't.

We have had a pretty busy June and July. First off my brother Tim stayed with us for the summer. He worked for a guy in our church which worked out great for him. I didn't get to spend alot of time with him because he was working so much but we did have fun. We had a little party for him before he left. Matt came down to pick him up and got to come as well as sight see Birmingham and Vulcun! He is now attending GBS.Auburn and Alabama battle it out at Checkers! LOL

I also started teaching the Junior Sunday School class at church which I enjoy. We are doing a cute train theme.Ben also moved to a different position at his work. He is now the E-business guy. He puts all the cars on-line for the internet sales ect. It has been a difficult switch for him, having to learn a new job all over again but he is doing much better now.

June we went to family reunion in TN and then a week later to PA for Steve's wedding. Family reunion was fun as usually. We went on an overnight hike into the Smokies. It was a great experience! July was camp meeting which was very nice and then a tag-a long trip to Cincinnati with Ben's parents later in July. I was able to see Steve and Korin as well as visit my good friend Mary and Jon and their NEW baby born that day!I love this picture of Findley Market in Cincinnati. Makes me feel like overseas!

I then had surgery on my thumb that has been bothering me for a long time. They had to remove tissue in the tendon sheath that was not allowing it to move. So I was out of commision for a few days. It is doing better but is not back to 100 % but alot better then before! Now my old injury I did to my knee skiing almost 4 years ago is really bothering me. I go for an MRI on that soon. I am not even old yet and I am already falling apart! LOL
I now teach art class once a week at the Bible Methodist Christian School. That is fun and it gets me back teaching a little again, which I missed. I still work at Cracker Barrel as well and substitute when I can.I hatched some more chicks out this summer and they are now about 2 months old. We also got another billy goat to replace the one that died last year.Our pigs are history and boy do they fill up the freezer and taste wonderful. Most people ask how could you do that? Well I never let myself get attached to them cuz I knew where they were going. Plus they were really greedy at the end, so big and such pigs!! LOL I had to beat them away so I could pour the feed in their buckets.
We now have two little kittens, well they are not so little now but were at the beginning of the summer. Ben found them at work in a shed so he rescued them and we needed some mousers anyways. Tiger and Smokey. Tiger is already learning the art of mousing, good girl! (or maybe ratting, anyway really gross and some pretty big. They are starting to get into our animal feed.)
They are both really cute and great with all the animals.
Ben has the roof on his shop done and has set up his blacksmith shop. He hasn't gotten any metal yet so he hasn't worked in it much, but it is really cool. He hopes to soon.A couple weeks ago we had the whole church over for BBQ. It was a great time. We all brought lawn chairs and gathered around the bonfire while the kids all get their energy out on the trampoline!We did one reenactment over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, probably one of the only ones this fall. It was the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta. It was a good battle and fun to go to despite the heat and being so tired!!
Well that about sums it all up. We have been busy working and getting ahead.

NY Trip

2009-06-05T21:40:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday I headed north to NY for a long weekend. My mom was giving Korin, a bridal shower and it was also a great time to see some family. My grandparents are getting up in age and I am not sure how much longer I will have them. We had a great time, despite missing my transfer in Atlanta and getting in at 2:30 in the morning to my aunts. Oh well I was just tired the whole time.
Friday my mom and I went shopping for the shower. I then went to the airport to get my luggage and then went to Grandma and Grandpa Overturf's. Along with my Aunt Phyllis, we took Grandma to the doctor. She is doing pretty good considering. (She broke a vertebrae back a few months ago.) It is still kinda sad to see everyone get older and all that comes with it. Korin joined us that evening at G and G O's where we stayed the evening. We then went to my cousin Ronny's house where Korin and I stayed.
Saturday was the shower. It was a great time and alot of fun. Korin recieved some nice gifts and we had fun giving it. Afterwards we went out to see where we used to live, the old church, the lake ect. We then went to Platter's where we had some delicous orange chocolate custard icecream. I love them.
Sunday we went to church with my Aunt and Uncle, Ron and Diane and then went to see G & G O again and then went to see G & G Harms. Grandpa was just there so we visted with him for while, and just as ornary as ever! LOL That evening we saw Francis and Marilyn, a dear couple from our church up there. We had a nice visit with them.
Monday morning I flew home with no delays and went to bed and slept like 7 hours and still slept that night!! It was a great weekend but just went by to fast.

The Bride-to-be

The Yummy Food

Grandpa Harms
See that mischievous grin.. that is where I get it from!!!

Like the gown we made her!!!

left to right, Aunt Diane, Korin, Aunt Sandy, Mom, Grandma Harms, Aunt Phyllis

The pretty little table

Grandpa Overturf and Aunt Phyllis with us

Dear Grandma Overturf
This is the picture I gave her as a gift in a neat frame I got
It said Three Generations at the top and then a cool saying at the bottom. She loved it.

"Come here and say cheese" -Grandma. She was so cute!

Grandpa Harms
See that mischievous grin.. that is where I get it from!!!

Tim's party

2009-05-26T18:04:00.003-05:00

A week ago we went to South Carolina for Tim's graduation party. It was nice to go home for a few days and see my family. (Steve wasn't able to come!! Booo hooo!) We left Friday as soon as Ben got off of work and came back Sunday afternoon. The 4 1/2 hour trips are sure alot better than NY!!
Tim's party was nice. After wards we decided to go up to table rock park since we were not that far. It was too late in the day to hike to the top but I want to one of these times. Instead we went boating in the lake and hiked a little trail to a waterfalls. It was very pretty and relaxing.

The delicious food

All of us... well except Steve!

The gift we gave him!!

Ouch!!

2009-05-11T19:03:00.003-05:00

Ben thought this was so cool so he took a pic. It is kinda amazing how big the egg was. (As most of you know we have chickens) My thoughts were just, POOR CHICKEN!!

Strawberries!

2009-05-11T18:40:00.004-05:00

Here is the trunk of our car!! A sure sign of spring. Ben's uncle has a farm and due to unfortunate circumstances for him (too much rain), we were able to get all the strawberries we wanted. (Well almost)
Now my freezer is full of strawberries. I also attempted to make jam. I haven't made jam since I was little with my mom and was a little nervous. However I just followed the recipes in the pectin and ta-da, delicious jam. I made freezer jam, some sugar-free to give as gifts. I also made some regular jam and canned it. It all turned out well and tastes delicious. And now my shelf looks so pretty with all the jam jars on it!!

Tornado

2009-05-06T14:36:00.006-05:00

Give you an idea how the leaves just fell like rain. The roads were green!!!

On Sunday a tornado came through, right down the road we live off of. We had bad thunderstorms and wind and a lot of hail. Our road goes east and west, the way most storms go. The tornado touched down about a mile and a half west of us and then about the same east of us. I know from all the limbs and leaves and wind that it was close. Power was out for about 5 hours for us. Thankfully no one around was hurt at all and our place was fine. The gate for the chicken yard came open and the chickens got out. We did lose one chicken that we found on the far side of the fence. I think the wind knocked her around a little and beat her up. Poor thing, she was a good layer!
God protected our place. Here are some pics I took from our place and some neighbors down the road. I want to get some more of the ones down the other way on our road. I drove by today and it is amazing. All these trees around a farmers field are just torn and snapped off and the barn about a quarter mile off the road is missing half its roof, with a big piece of it by the road.

Sorry it is fuzzy. The tree laying over is on top of the house, crushing the two vehicles underneath.

Here is the telephone pole just snapped off. Right in here you can really see that it came down.

This is the house near the telephone pole. Notice the tree... it is just suspended in the air, hung on the other trees!! Weird!!
Now how hard does wind blow to planster the side of your house with leaves, on pretty much every side?

My poor plant. This is what large hail does to them, just shreds them!

Selma

2009-05-06T09:52:00.003-05:00

I was able to go to my first reenactment of the year at Selma, AL. This is my favorite one, for many reasons, but especially for the ball. It is held in an old civil war era house with gardens and a huge lawn where they hold the ball! Absolutely gorgeous!

I was able to be one of the women in the battle scenario. They build a little shack out in the field and as the Yankees approached and fired on some nearby confederate soldiers, the women ran from their home. Ben said I was the only one he could really hear screaming from across the field. So my big mouth came in handy! LOL

The city of Selma is such a neat place with so many old houses. I also love all the spanish moss hanging from the trees. Here is some pics of the graveyard near the battlefield! It was so neat but almost eerie.

Jerrel always seems to have fun at the reenactments.
This time he went and found some boys who camped near by to play with. He is really starting to grow up and will soon be out there with his dad!

Here is our good friends Richard and Anna. Richard is also our captain!

Back again!

2009-05-06T08:28:00.004-05:00

Yes, I am finally updating my blog. I kinda gave up computer or put it on the back burner for a while since it was taking alot of my time. I will try to update a little of what has happened.
I am now a year older at 28. Ben took me out to a park and played some frisbee and surprised me with horse back riding they have there. It was a lot of fun!!
The last post was about snow and the next Saturday was my birthday and it was 70 degrees!
So spring has come and now it is almost summer except the nights are still cool! Here is a few pretty pics of spring I took!

SNOW!!

2009-03-03T07:54:00.004-06:00

Well down here we always want snow and don't get it. A lot of times it has snowed but the ground is usually to warm to let it stick. Wishes came true Sunday when it snowed. I got up and was very excited to see the huge flakes falling. At first it wasn't sticking very well, but as it continued fall, it began to stick.

Shortly after, we got a call that church was canceled to stay on the safe side. A lot of the roads were slushy and slick for a while. Ben and I went out to enjoy it. We walked all around our property and wondered when the next time we would see it looking so beautiful!

Before lunch we went to the Fleming's home. Here is the forsythia bush in bloom! Everyone took a walk along the path in their pasture. It was so pretty. They actually had a little more snow then we had at our house, probably close to 2-3 inches that stuck. We played a game of ducks and geese.

Jerrel loved it!

Then the sun began to show and the snow became just right for snowmen. So we made a huge Frosty. The problem was the middle section was too heavy to put on the bottom!! Five people couldn't get it off the ground! It was so funny everyone grunting and groaning. Finally they knocked some of it off and were able to get it up there. The finished product was around 7 feet tall!Here is Frosty!

It turned out to be a great relaxing day.We sat around the fireplace, played games or napped and ate! It was a fun time spent with family and God's creation. The snow was almost all gone by night, but it was a reminder of God's beautiful world!

Out of the Mouth of Babes

2009-03-01T01:29:00.002-06:00

A little boy was shopping with his mom at cracker barrel. I guess he saw this kid sewing machine and wanted it. His mom thought it was too expensive and wanted him to pick a little toy. So in talking to him she told him ' It is too much money and that it was for kids 8 and up anyways and you are not eight yet." The little boy replied very innocently" Well it (the sewing machine) doesn't know that." Kids are so funny!
Jerrel, my nephew, while eating dinner, informed Ben, with a disgusted look on his face that it was not polite to talk with your mouth full! Oopss! and an inside laugh is all Ben could do!! LOL

Church Valentine's Dinner

2009-02-24T19:05:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday we had our church's Valentine's dinner at the fellowship hall. It was fun time with a pretty good turnout. I think every couple was there!

First we had our dinner of BBQ. Then delicious cake. While we were finishing up the cake Krista and Leonard started the games. (Good job to both of you and Julie and Andy)

The first was finding the most romantic man! Each guy was to read the poem they had to their lady. It was cute and funny! At times we were just dying with laughter!

I love this one of Tommy and Honey!It was also neat to see everyone's personality come out.
Here is pastor and his wife.

After playing a couple other games, we watched Fireproof. It was an awesome movie with a great message. It was very challenging to me and I highly recommend it to everyone!
By the time we left it was getting late but thoroughly enjoyed our evening!

Bye Bye Purple People Eater, also known as Barney

2009-02-24T17:58:00.003-06:00

We finally sold my old car. It was giving us problems last year and we got our Mitsubishi in place of it. I was glad to sell it and get the money but still a little sad because of the memories it held. ( I know, I am very sentimental about things.) It was the car we drove away in at our wedding. It served its time and now has moved on! LOL

Happy Birthday Steve!!

2009-02-24T17:53:00.004-06:00

To my big-little brother: I want to wish you a great 23rd year!! Thanks for always being there whenever I need someone to talk to or whatever. You are a great brother!! I love you lots and wish you a very good year!! ( I know it will be, especially June 20 and beyond!) Love ya Bubba!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad F!!

2009-02-20T17:28:00.005-06:00

I just wanted to wish a Happy Anniversary to my second parents. :) Sorry it is not on the actual day but the wishes come just the same!
I hope you have many more!! We love you!! Happy 35th!!!

Happy Birthday..(late) to Krista!!

2009-02-20T17:18:00.002-06:00

I knew there was a couple other posts I still needed to do and here is one of them!
Happy Birthday Krista! I hope you had a wonderful day! Thanks for being a great sis-in-law! You are such a great person and I really appreciate you. Hope you have a wonderful year! Luv ya!!

Goat in distress

2009-02-18T10:33:00.005-06:00

The other day I was looking out my window and saw the pigs running after the goat. Mopsy had a bucket around her neck and the pigs thought that perhaps she was hiding food from them. So every once in a while the pigs would come up and try to get their nose in the bucket. It was hilarious. I grabbed my camera and ran out the door.
Now came the hard part. Getting that goat to get close enough so I can grab her and then grab the bucket off. I was already down there when I realized I should have brought some food. I finally cornered her in the stall and grabbed her. You would have thought she was dying. I released it of the bucket and it went off on it's merry way, the pigs wandering over still wondering if there is food in there! LOL
BTW the bucket was not hurting her, just uncomfortable, especially when running from me!

Valentine's

2009-02-18T10:03:00.002-06:00

Both Ben and I were sick. I slept half the day and was still kinda grumpy. (sorry Ben) He cooked me a pancake breakfast. Yummy! We both thought we would feel better if we got out. So I drugged up :) and off we went. We went to the Co-op and saw the baby chicks they had. Then we went to the mall. I haven't been there in forever. It was fun but we both got tired and tired of all the people. Then we went and watched a movie and ate Chinese! When I got home I remembered I had to make the cake for Sunday dinner. I start and Ben yells from the other room. Does it smell funny out there? I was like I don't know? Like gas? Well over by the computer? I go over there and on the table sits a dozen roses, chocolates and a note. They were supposed to have arrived earlier when we were still home. It's ok. I love them Ben and I Love you! Thank you for making it a happy Valentine's Day!

Winter Jam

2009-02-18T09:18:00.004-06:00

About a week and a half ago found us at Winter-Jam. A bunch of Christian artists and up-and-coming ones get together and travel for a couple weeks doing concerts, more as ministry, so youth groups ect. can all come. At only $10 I love it! They also have some speakers who preach a salvation message as well. It is a full night.
Ben was chickening out on me but finally decided to accompany me. He got burned last time we went, two years ago. We sat like right in front of a speaker so he had a bad headache and didn't feel good. Well this time he brought his ear-plugs just in case. We actually had a pretty good seat on the side but could see alot and not too loud...at least not like last time!
It was a sold-out crowd. (See they can fill up the BJCC Dad F.!)
The best was Toby Mac!! Also in concert were Newsong, Bradon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, and some others as well as speaker Tony Nolan.

PIPES!!!! AWWWW!!!

2009-02-18T08:50:00.004-06:00

We get back from our trip, having friends coming for the weekend and I notice that it is all wet around the front of the trailer...uhoh! Yeah Pipes were leaking..not one, but a couple. Well we left it alone for the night as company came. ($$$)
There was not a good time to fix until Monday night. We had turned off the hot water, but at least had cold. Oh and did I mention that it was still pretty cold outside. Well even with heaters down there, pipe glue has trouble sticking at 20 degrees and dropping. Leonard, bless his heart, came over to help. Now see he is NEVER cold!!! Well you missed your once in a life-time opportunity to see him just shiver. After both guys getting just soaked,and running into more leaks, the glue wouldn't hold. I felt so bad for them. (Thank you guys for trying!!!)
They waited for a couple days when it was warmer and it was fixed for about 2 hours and it leaked again!!! So here we are 5 days with no hot water. (We went to a friends to shower! :)
Friday morning, I am already at work, Ben gets up and finds he has another flat tire!! (This time it was fixable, just a nail I think) He finally gets some friends to get him to work. One of the friends, Don Shirk, took the tire and fixed it for him. He came over to put it on and had heard about our pipes. He found another kind of fitting and put it on for us as well. This time it actually worked!!! So we have been enjoying our hot water ever since. I believe God was teaching us patience and F.R.O.G.!(fully rely on God!)

Trip to SC

2009-02-18T08:31:00.005-06:00

Ok I think I will finally catch everyone up today...maybe! LOL I have been fighting this cold thing, and I feel better and then it drags me down again. And now my tummy is upset. ARGG! Oh well.

Due to unfortunate events, a funeral, Ben and I took a quick trip to SC in the middle of January. It was nice to see my family again, as well as sad for the family that is now in heaven. Ben did get to catch up with old friends as well.

I was able to see my brothers play basket ball, which I have been wanting to do. That was neat.
(#12 is Tim- "Timinater"!!!) Matt played also! Too bad you lost that one!

After the game we headed out, kinda late. But God had other plans. Thirty minutes down the road we had a totally flat tire. The alignment was off so it had just ruined the tire. It was crazy and kinda funny now! We were missing tools so had to call my dad to help us get the spare on. I'm tired and half asleep and so cold. Two hours later we arrive back at my parents and hit the sack. I was just thankful it happened where it did, instead of the middle of nowhere!
Since my car is foreign they don't always carry the tires at the store. So we had to wait till after lunch to have it put on. We finally head home and of course hit Atlanta rush hour. God kept us safe and we finally made it home that evening about 7:00PM.
Considering all, it really wasn't bad! I really have it good!

Fleming Christmas

2009-02-10T14:36:00.004-06:00

New Years Day was the Fleming Christmas. We all hurried over bright and early before the boys woke up. They were both sleepy but came out to see what Santa brought them.

Jerrel got "just what I always wanted"..the JayJay airport set. He would have been happy to sit there and play with it the rest of the day, forget the other gifts. LOL

Patrick on his bike

All the gifts

Krista opening the cloak I made for her!

This was a precious moment where Mimi was reading the book Holly made for Jerrel

Patrick's famous words...oooo, wook, wook (look) and "WOW"

Nana and Papaw

Leonard doing what he does best..laugh ..and who else to learn from...Rick and Bubba!

A typical Dad look!

We had a great time together. We opened some and ate and then opened some more, taking most of the day. We both received alot of nice things. We are so blessed.

We found out that Granny likes Mexican music!!! Gotta love it!!

Between Harms Christmas and Fleming Christmas

2009-02-06T07:55:00.003-06:00

We were only at my parents for a few day because we both had to work the day after Christmas. :( But then my friend from college, Liz Reimann came and stayed for a few days. That was a lot of fun. We went and hiked at Cheaha State Park. It was a beautiful December day. We went out onto Bald Rock...a very beautiful view and then hiked a trail to a water fall. The picture at the top is taken there as well.

We also went to hear the Alabama Symphony play thier New Years Eve concert. It was fun!! We went with Ben's family. We had a blast!

Here is Ben's mom, sisters and I sporting our masks.

Liz and I...do we look evil! LOL

I think that they look so cute!!

Afterwards we hung out at the Fleming's house. Liz was able to hang out with all her guy friends....lol. She is actually surrounded by Ben's collection of nutcrackers. She is standing with the tallest one. 6' Liz left New Years day. We had a great time together and I hope we can do it again sometime.

My Family pictures

2009-02-05T22:31:00.006-06:00

Here are the long promised family photos..the best of. I posted more on facebook. I was happy with how they turned out!
PS...I am starting to post. I will do it even if i do it one at a time! LOL

the lovely couple

Another lovely couple!! AWWW
(My poor pop was not feeling good that day!)

Family portrait

I thought this was a cool one

All the siblings, me, Steve, Tim, Matt, and Aimee

I Thought I would try and take some he might use for Senior pics...I really like this one...isn't he handsome. (now I am giving him a bigger head!)

Another Handsome Brother

Steve and Korin

This is where Ben busted his knee. Ben tripped over Tim's foot and appeared to slid across the pavement. However the knee seemed to take the brunt of the fall along with the hands. He is still having trouble with it.

Now this is just cute!!! LOL

Yes I am still here!

2009-02-03T10:06:00.003-06:00

We have had some crazy weeks lately and I have had the best of intensions to blog and want to but kept running out of time or my perfectionest side wouldn't let me because I wouldnt have time to do it all! LOL Then i misplaced my camera a couple times..and now it is in the car Ben is driving to work. I have plans to start tonight. We are both still alive and well, just a couple flat tires, water pipes busted, a funeral and a car that acts up when it rains and dogs that bring home dead animals...we are doing fairly well. We are alive and healthy and both still have our jobs! God is still good! I will detail more later.

Christmas

2008-12-27T00:14:00.005-06:00

We have been busy with all Christmas holds. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas.
Ben and I did our own Christmas this past Monday and exchanged our gifts to each other. Here is just a few.

Ben opening his set of Foxfire books he had wanted

Me buried in my new sleeping bag! Now I can never complain that I am cold when we go camping. It is a very nice one! Thanks Ben!

On Tuesday we went up to South Carolina for just a couple days to spend Christmas with my family. We had a good time and great weather on Christmas. ( It was at least 70) All of us were there, including Korin. We did a little shopping on Wednesday and of course opened one gift. We then stayed up late playing Dominoes, so we got a late start to Christmas morning. We do the German tradition of hiding the pickle ornament and the first to find it gets to open a gift. We did that this year but had a small tree, so guess where we found it after a few minutes of everyone looking and Pop giving us hints?

Looking for the pickleAhhhh..... and there it is!! I ended up finding it! Go me! Not sure if I ever have!
My crazy brothers holding up their basketball ornaments we gave them.

We have always tried to disguise gifts to keep from guessing! It is so funny because you never know what you will find in your gift. This was one of the top ones. Korin had a huge, heavy box. In it was the huge battery pack from thier scooter, the gift was a sweater! Never would have guessed that one!!!!

This is our gift from Aunt Phyllis, a piece of hand-made Polish pottery to add to my collection.
( I added this picture for Lisa to see as well :)

Ben trying out Tim's hat

After opening gifts we took a walk to a park close by and took some family shots! They turned out pretty good! ( I will do a separte one of family shots)

Both Ben and I had to work today so we left last night. It was a short time but was full! Next week we have Christmas with Ben's family on New Years. So we are looking forward to that.

Our House at Christmas

2008-12-26T23:47:00.002-06:00

Here is a few pics of our house at Christmas!

This is my candy tree in my kitchen

Here is my early Christmas present that I love!

A few of Ben's nut cracker collection

Our Tree

Happy Birthday Ben!!! I love you!!

2008-12-19T22:06:00.004-06:00

Mmmmm Delicious!

Jerrel had a gift for Ben he was so anxious to give him

Ok what caption do you put on this one! LOL

Well today is Ben's day, celebrating his 29th year! I just want to wish him a happy, happy birthday! I'm sorry you had to work tonight. Thank you for working so hard for us and being a good husband. I love your sense of humor and making me laugh. I also love you thoughtfulness in helping others and truly caring. I love you lots! I hope the next year is a great one for you! (enjoy your last year of being a young person :)

Since we both had to work tonight, we celebrated his birthday yesterday. I picked him up from work and we relaxed at Bass Pro Shop for a while, Ben of course loving every minute of it. We then headed over to Red Lobster and had a delicious meal. After wards we went to my in-laws house and had desert and gifts with his family. We had some delicious cheese cake and then opened gifts. I gave him a predator hunt video that he just loved. We actually went and watched it that night! He said he had a great relaxing night.
Happy Birthday Ben!!

Steve's Picture?????

2008-12-19T10:46:00.001-06:00

I love this. We took this over thanksgiving!

Reenactment party

2008-12-19T10:09:00.005-06:00

Praying before we ate

Patrick found a place to play???

Our captian, Larry Owens and his wife-on the left, Donny and his wife Tina on the right

Jerrel helping clean up

We went to Prattville on Saturday for our reenactment party. We had a lot of food and played dirty Santa. It was a fun time!

Our Church's Christmas Party

2008-12-19T09:48:00.004-06:00

Caught the pastor getting desert

hmmm what title would you give this table

the experienced table

Jonathan teaching the kids how to always beat someone at tic-tac-toe

On Wednesday evening we had our church's Christmas party. We always have more than enough of food and of course lots of fun. We always sing christmas songs and of course we have to sing the twelve days of Christmas, that is Jeff's favorite! (sorry Jeff, this is too funny not to post)
You can go to you tube and watch it there in high quality. 12 day of Christmas link
gotta love it

we wish you a Merry Christmas link

Ben and Leonard's Hunting Trip

2008-12-19T08:48:00.005-06:00

The hunting club

Lee Brown, Taylor and Ben

The HUNTER!

Cute

The big Kill

The guys are blessed down here with a long hunting season. Ben had a few days of vacation left he needed to use up before the end of the year. So taking Leonard, his brother-in-law, they went for a few days to the hunting club a couple weeks ago.
Ben had a good break from work and a great time, even though he didn't get anything. Another of his good friends, Lee Brown and his son, came down and joined them. Leonard did get a buck. They also made some funny videos while hunting. I will try to get them on here as well.
Well they have until the end of January to maybe get that big buck. We have a long season!
Here is links to some of the funny hunting videos they took. remember to click watch in high quality below it for best viewing!
Leonard and his deer
Ben on fourwheeler

Happy (late) Birthday Mom Fleming

2008-12-08T23:03:00.003-06:00

I just want to wish my other mom a belated birthday! She truly is just like another mom. Thanks for taking me under your wing! I love you!
(hopefully the sweet words will sooth over the fact that I put her picture on here LOL)

Thanksgiving

2008-12-08T22:45:00.003-06:00

All crozy around the fire..actually it was a pretty warm day...actually the door was open! LOL

Patrick found his own play place

My Mom and Dad finding all the good stuff

Our Bountiful Spread

The Host and one of the wonderful cooks, Mom F

Nana (Ben's Grandma) Mom and Aimee

My whole family was able to come to my house for Thanksgiving, including Steve in Cincinnati! We had a great time! Steve arrived on Wednesday evening and of course we stayed up way to late talking and being silly. I had to work Thursday morning (which I would rather work that later) and when I arrived home around 11:30 the rest of the family had just pulled in. After bouncing on our trampoline (well the boys did that lol) and showing them around outside and showing them all the animals I took them inside and showed them the inside. We then hurried and got ready to go to my mother-in-laws for dinner.
She had around 30 or so for thanksgiving and it was a blast! We had the fire going, plenty and plenty of food, plenty of fun and games ( well it wasn't fun being the loser of the loser in Rook but oh well!) and fun just enjoying all the company. We are so blessed.
The best part was when we read what we were thankful for. We had a basket with cards that we wrote what we were thankful for on earlier in the day. Later they were passed out so you were reading someone else's. It was so neat hearing what everyone wrote. Then we sang some beautiful hymns and praise songs. It really made you think about thanks-giving.
We arrived home and went to bed way to late....again. Steve and I got up at 4 am the next morning to do the annual shop! It was great! I love watching the people about as much as I love the shopping. We got a few deals and then came back home and everyone was still asleep so we went back as well.
Later on we went to the new Bass Pro shop that just opened. It was busy but very interesting to look around in!
Saturday the family headed back to SC but Steve was still there so it wasn't as sad. We then watched Auburn get whooped ( a sad day but at least the Gators beat Alabama LOL). To help us feel better we indulged in some Sonic ice cream and went and saw a movie. lol. We had a great night.
Steve left Sunday afternoon. I was so glad to have such a good time with my family. I was really glad they all got to come. It makes it so much nicer that they are so much closer now. Now Steve you just have to move closer! I really miss you a lot!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving as well.

I'm still here

2008-11-25T17:02:00.003-06:00

Isn't this beautiful. It is a frost on the flowers.
I didn't know if I could get it but it turned out beautiful

This was taken of our front drive a week or two ago!

I know it has been a while and I was being pretty faithful with my blog but then life gets in the way. Oh well. We did some more work around our property on Saturday and Ben got some more trees cut out front. It is going to look real nice once it is all finished. Oh and I didn't have to work Saturday! I was so glad, but it was pretty full.
Ben is off hunting and will be returning this evening. I hope he had a good time. He was off hunting yesterday and today. He needed the break from work.
I am trying to get the house finished. My family is all coming tomorrow! I am so excited. Steve is coming from Cincinnati as well. Except for my mom and Aimee, they haven't seen our house after we fixed it all up and were settled in. I have even done some more organizing and decorating since even my mom saw it. It seems to take a while to really settle into a place, or maybe at least for me. I finally got my den cleaned out, still some stuff in the closet but it looks like a room now!! (now to just organize the shed LOL) Anyways I still have a few odds n ends to finish as well as some baking before tomorrow evening so I must depart here. I hope everyone has a blessed thanksgiving!

Respect

2008-11-12T11:12:00.004-06:00

Check out my friend Tricia's blog and the video from Mike Huckabee. Very Good. I had thoughts of the like to post on my blog but why say it when someone else already has.
Our God is in control. The king's heart is in His hands and he can turn it whichever way he wants to. He has put who he wants in charge of our country and I will trust in him, just like we should be always.
Click here.

My Weekend

2008-11-11T08:55:00.005-06:00

This past weekend I went to Cincinnati to see my brother, Steve. It worked out that some other people I knew were going up so I hitched a ride. We had a great time. Steve is on the computer staff at GBS. I love his 22" screen.
Friday I arrived and he showed me where he works, went out for Chinese and talked till 2 in the morning. :)
On Saturday we went up in Carew tower, downtown Cincinnati, 49 stories up. It was neat looking out over the city. Even though I had lived there close to 5 years, I had never went up there. I was also able to spend a little time with one of my friends Liz as well as my brother's fiancee Korin.

Korin Steve and I.

Liz and I

One of the views

Later on we out to my favorite place, Chipotle, a mexican place and had my steak burrito. Then we went to a book store and relaxed.

Well and had some fun too!!

I gave them an engagement ornament. Very Cute Pic guys!

When I arrived home late Sunday night( monday morning), I found this note and box awaiting me. Santa had heard me and came early. LOL I have been wanting a new camera beacuse the one I have has not been working right. (see post car that doesn't like me) Ben was so sweet and found one and left it out for me to find when I arrived home! Thank you!
I love it and it takes awesome pictures. I will post some I took of fall later.

VOTE

2008-11-04T09:54:00.004-06:00

I hope everyone exercised their right and duty to vote today! In AL the polls are open 7-7 so Ben had to go before work and was still running a little behind. He usually works late on Tuesdays so he knew he couldn't go afterward. (As a side note I really wish all states would have same voting times so it would be more feasible to vote as well as more fair. See in NY state you can vote from 6-9 so people there have more of a opportunity to vote than here. Anyways)
We arrived at the voting place...fire house... about 10 min before they opened. (Remember this is a little country voting precinct) We were 37 and 38 in line. By the time the doors opened there was more than 50. The line was about the same length when we walked out about 7:20.
We will see the outcome tonight. I am anxious and prayerful. God is still in control and always will be! He knows.

Sunday- Western Program and Cook-out

2008-11-04T09:27:00.010-06:00

Saturday evening we had our Kids for Christ program. We have had a western theme so everything was western. Afterwards we had bonfire and had dinner. It was a fun time. We didn't have many parents show up, which was disappointing but God is still working and planting seeds.

The kids had fun being pulled around on the wagon ! What a huge wagon!!!! For some kids it might have been the first time they had had a wiener roast on a fire! They sure loved it as well as the marshmallows to follow.

All of the kids singing during the program. We had a pretty good crowd.

Poor Anita, She was freezing but thanks to Ben's sleeping bag, she warmed right up!
Doesn't she look cute! LOL

Tallassee, AL

2008-11-04T08:57:00.014-06:00

We drove down near Montgomery to stay at a friends house on Friday, so we would be close for the reenactment on Saturday. Ben and I went out to eat at a cool little place and then went to the Bass Pro shop there. Ben was in his glory!!! Now he really can't wait for the one to open here. Saturday we went to Tallassee, Al for the reenactment of the battle for the Armory. It is fought on an old Plantation, one of the houses there, they are restoring. There is so much history...I love it. We had a great time.

The Old House..kinda sad..if only houses could talk!

My Soldier Boy!

Patrick loves Uncle Ben...and of course Uncle Ben adores him as well!

Ben and his company in line

Picture during battle of unknown soldiers. :)

Ladies in our Reenactment group

Pastor Appreciation

2008-10-31T13:03:00.004-05:00

Being this is October and pastor appreciation month,(and the last day of October) I wanted to say that I appreciate my pastor, as well as all the pastors out there laboring for God. I know it isn't always easy but your rewards will be a many in heaven. Keep up the good work.
I really appreciate our pastor, Pastor John and his wife Anita. I know God has placed them here at our church for his purpose. Our Pastor tries to get us think for ourselves. (sometimes that is hard) He has stressed the importance of love and acceptance of people, not judging others, but loving them to Christ. What is in our heart is what is most important, it will spill over and take care of the rest. I really enjoy our once-a-month marriage enrichment. They are a great example for us younger couples to follow.
Behind every good man is a great woman and that is Anita. She is such a loving, sweet woman. She has many physical problems but you never hear about them. (puts me to shame) She puts others first and gives God her best. She is also a counselor at a pregnancy center.
Thank you both for your hard work and dedication to our Church! We Love you!

Who is at my door????

2008-10-31T12:23:00.010-05:00

Last night I heard some banging at our door. I opened it find this, two cute little animals.

Jerrel was Tigger and Patrick was a puppy.

Two little puppies!!!!
Drago says please play with me!!!

Well what is that on your head Patrick? Are you really a puppy too?

Drago is so good with them...the boys were all around and stepping on his legs as he laid down and he didn't do a thing. He just does alot of sniffing.

Uncle Ben gets bounced on from behind by Tigger!!

We enjoyed having them come out to our house for some treats. We were the last stop so everyone was a little tired, including Ben. Jerrel bundled up and went out to look at the pigs and goats before he left. I guess one of them was checking out his jacket and he thought it was so funny. Then he went around, pretending he was a goat, nibbling on our clothes! LOL

Pictures of trying to get family pictures! LOL

2008-10-31T12:03:00.009-05:00

Our famous PhotographerYeah for Papa!!! Nice pictures!!!

Mom trying to get us all to hurry and come on....so then we can eat!!

Ok, now where do we stand??? as Leonard carries on his own conversation! LOL

Cute as a button but did get tired of waiting!!!

I love getting my picture taken!!!

What is a blog???

2008-10-28T21:31:00.002-05:00

I was meaning to post this a while ago. I want your help. My aunt was telling my Grandma about my blog and my Grandma wanted to know what a blog was. I thought it was cute but how do you explain to someone who was born before the depression, before computers, what a blog is. I'm interested in hearing your answeres.

Birthright.???...Birthmark???

2008-10-27T21:10:00.003-05:00

Last Wednesday I got to substitute 1st and 2nd grade. It was great and also great to walk out at the end of the day and leave it! The Bible lesson was on Jacob and Essau and how Essau sold his birthright. Well after we talked about the story and the lessons we can learn from it, a girl with a puzzled look raised her hand. "How do you give up your birthright... isn't is like in your skin?" as she graps her own skin. Your thinking of a birthmark and then went on to explain the best I could what a birthright was, again!

TIRED

2008-10-27T20:52:00.004-05:00

Today started out fine. This morning I thought I was running ahead of schedule and would be at work in plenty of time to clock in at 5:45. Suddenly I remember, oh I gotta take Ben to pick up the truck so he has a way to get to work. He had car-pooled with a friend on Saturday and had forgotten the keys to get it Sunday. So I rush in and awaken prince charming all the while muttering oh I gotta hurry. About 5 minutes later we are driving down our drive. Thankfully the truck was kinda on the way to work but enough out of the way to make me a slight bit late. Then the lady who works the shift after me was sick so I worked for her. By the time they finally got the night cashier up and me counted down it was around 4:30.
I ran to get some hay for the animals so they would stay warm tonight, ran to Wal*Greens and then home. The I helped Ben spread the hay while the goats jumped on the other bale. They were so cute, just like kids playing king of the mountain. I then threw some dinner together, with Ben's help, ate some delicious Tilapia, salad and chowder, cleaned up and now am on my lap top for a little time to enjoy before I fall over asleep. Anyways that is my crazy day and tomorrow looks like that, clean a ladies house in the morning and then work for the sick lady again in the afternoon. Now maybe with the extra hours I can get......buy...... or fix the car??? LOL

Last week

2008-10-27T20:33:00.004-05:00

Last week was full but exciting.
Monday I went to my quilt teacher's house and we worked on my quilt for the evening and now it is getting close. I am exctited. I believe every block is at least started, if not finished and just needing pieced together.
Tuesday the we had WMS at my house, women's missionary meeting. Once a month all the ladies get together at someone's house and this month it was me. It was a fun time and and quite a few ladies showed up. I made a yummy cake, a new recipe that I found. It turned out pretty good. I just wish I would have taken a picture of it. It was a chocolate pumpkin cake with a cream and cream cheese frosting with a chocolate glaze over it. :)
Thursday I went shopping at Aldi's. Ben tried to fix our old car's belt so we can try to sell it and wasn't able to. Frustrating for him. And now the thing won't crank. (after we went and got a new ignition because the old one locked) Oh well.... so is life!! So it is still sitting...scrap metal here we come. After that we had good time fellowshipping with some friends.
Friday was the school's fall festival. It was weird for both Ben and I going and not having any responsibility for any booths. We enjoyed it, especially the homemade doughnuts! YUM!
Saturday we went to Old Baker Farm for thier fall fun days which included a reenactment in the afternoon. I had to work but was able to get there for the battle. I had fun browsing the craft booths as well as the hayride and getting a pumpkin. Patrick just loved his pumpkin...loved it so much he chewed the stem off. It was funny.
Sunday attempted to snap some family portraits in the yard with the Fleming clan. It always takes longer than you think and its funny how everyone has thier own comment on it. (flemings have opinions? LOL) It went fine and I believe that some turned out great. We even took some fun shots! Hopefully I will post some later.
That is a little of what has been happening, everyday stuff!

Happy Anniversary

2008-10-21T13:13:00.009-05:00

Happy Anniversary Mom and Pop. Twenty-nine Years for you guys! That is awesome! Most don't make it that long these days. Thank you for the good example you have set for us. I hope the Lord blesses you both with many more together! We love you!
-Ben and Beth

Christmas

2008-10-17T11:03:00.005-05:00

For all that have been asking me for ideas... I have typed a Christmas wish list for both Ben and I. Click on the link to be connected to the Christmas lists.
http://benandbethschristmaslists.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Aimee Joy

2008-10-16T23:23:00.004-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR AIMEE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
I just want to wish my lil sis a happy happy birthday..belated, a day late....but still many happy birthdays!
I remember 14 years ago Pop calling and saying "Guess what?" "It's a boy right?" I replied. "No, it's a girl" to which I didn't believe at first and then was so excited. (not sure what I would have done if he had said yea, it's a boy LOL) I finally had my sister, twins just I am older.
I can't believe you are already 14. I was thinking of all the memories and girl times! I just want you to know that I still love you. I'm sorry that I don't live close to take you places and all that good stuff but I think about you alot and love you so much!
I hope your day was a special one! You are loved and missed!
-your big sis

Ladies Retreat

2008-10-13T20:38:00.007-05:00

This past Thursday - Saturday was our conference's Ladies Retreat. This was my third time going and as always it is always a great time of fun and encouragement as well as uplifting. My Mom was able to make come with a group from her church from Easley. That was great for me and her. It was so nice to see her. She enjoyed getting to see our place as well as feeding our goats and chickens. She hadn't seen it since we fixed it up.
Our retreat's theme was enjoying the journey, with Christina Black as our speaker. She challenged us and left us thoughts to mull over. A few times, as always seems to happen, God came in our presence and just touched all of us.
Friday they usually have a theme dinner for us to dress for. This year they wanted us to dress old-fashioned. Some ladies said "We are old and already dress old-fashion." LOL
I, along with my two sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law, dressed in our reenactment dresses. Everyone loved them and asked us all the famous questions about them. Most ladies dressed old fashioned and looked so cute. I have a picture of my mom and I.
We did some shopping Friday afternoon and got some good deals. It all wrapped up Saturday after the morning session. It was great time and I came away feeling refreshed.

Here is all the ladies from my church.

Here is my mother-in-law, Sue, and my sister-in-laws, Krista and Holly.

My project

2008-10-13T15:28:00.004-05:00

Patrick's (my nephew) 1st birthday was Friday. It is hard to get stuff for one year olds when they don't understand and they have a lot of toys already. I got to thinking and decided to try and make him a gift with my new knowledge from quilting class. I first thought of a pillow, then thought of a block pillow since his birthday theme was blocks. It turned out cuter than I thought it would and was quite proud of myself. (any orders)

2008-10-13T11:15:00.004-05:00

I thought this was so funny! Dogs and chickens can get along. Both were sleeping until I opened the door to snap the picture and Mocha woke up. They both just laid there watching the chicks or sleeping!

Open House

2008-10-07T21:06:00.016-05:00

October 4 was our open house! It was a great time and quite a few people came to the Fleming Homestead.

It was fun to show everyone what our place looks like as well as the animals. All the kids had fun feeding them as well as jumping on the trampoline. We received so many nice gifts. Everyone had a great time. I just wish that my family could have been there, immediate and in-laws.

Ben worn out afterwards and so are the dogs!