Golly, have I been busy!

A busy Fall....Amanda and Leia here for a few days, Terri and I put on a Quilt Show for the Historical Society last Sunday, had the family all in for a wonderful Thanksgiving......and between all the activity, moved out of the Edinburg Antique Mall, and into the Antique Mall here at home.

My Santas and Snowmen have become quite collectable - in fact people were calling wanting to know when they were going to be ready. So-------on goes the story. I had some inventory, and some chalkware made, but not painted, so I have been burning the mid-night oil trying to catch up. Guess I am going to have to start earlier next year? It is all fun, and I'm enjoying it all!

By the way, what do you think of my fireplace mantle? I went up to the barn, found some old beat up boards and nailed one together. One lady even wanted to buy it. Can you imagine?

Santas and Snowmen on an old green kitchen cabinet. The snowmen have since sold - the Santa on the elephant is gone, and about half of these Santas have already been sold. They are going out faster than I can replace them. Hope I have enough left to last till Christmas!

More Santas on an old sled.......

OCTOBER

Fall at THE FARM......The corn has been picked, Andy has the valley beautifully mowed, cleaning up the last of the leaves around the house, guess we are ready for November. I look forward to Fall and Winter - special time for me, as I have all this time to devote to sculpting and making a mold for a new Santa for the year, and maybe getting in some quilting - always have something waiting for me!

The Barn Cats - roam the area around the old house and barns, but come bouncing to the big barn for their evening cat food. They are all furred out for the coming winter.

An early frost did a number on the persimmons - weren't any this year - also, there are no hickory nuts. However, we had a bumper crop of chestnuts and walnuts. The deer "camp out" under or close to the chestnut trees, and eat them as fast as they drop. However, the grounds are covered with walnuts, so guess the squirrels will have plenty of them for the winter. Mother Nature kinda takes care of her own.....

Sunday at the farm. The family usually gathers for lunch, but this day was special. Kelly had taken the week end off from work, and along with her family, Steve and Linda, and Terri all were here for lunch. Steve had made PULLED PORK and bbq'd CHICKEN - quite a feast. Andy found out Steve had cooked, so popped in for some of the bbq., even tho he had already eaten......Kevin is beginning to eat with the family - we had mashed potatoes for him!

Sunday evening, we went out to the Zenas Area to see the Boyd's Annual Halloween Carved Pumpkins. Before touring the yard, we stuck our heads in THE BARN, and found Becky along with several other neighbors still carving. Since the show goes on for several nights, some of the pumpkins need to be replaced, especially if the weather is warm. Becky is training their boys - Mark showed us some of his carvings - out on the wagons - and said he is quite good at scraping out the "insides". Pictured here is David, the youngest in training......Quite a show!

Wagons and wagons loads of carved pumpkins - all lined up on the wagons and each lighted - glowing eerily in the night. As the evening darkened, the crowds increased. One young couple behind us remarked that they had come from Hanover - they had heard about it and had brought their children to see all the pumpkins. Gets better every year......

Wonderful intricate carving. Jennings County has so much "hidden" talent.

Becky's mother, Sheryl carved this one. Most of hers were very elaborate - can't believe her talent......

One of Becky's creations. Such talent!

A Weekend on the Farm

Summer is leaving us in a blast of color. So pretty on the farm now - the Dogwoods are a brilliant red and the distant woods look as if someone had just dobbed the trees with a big paint brush - all colors. We're trying to soak it all up, as the frost will be here soon and it all changes - sometimes overnight!

A basket of berries......Found them on a bush over on the branch - They kinda look like bittersweet, but aren't. Guess Mother Nature grew them for winter food for the birds, but I snitched a few for my front porch. The birds will find them there.

The Senior Benningtons - here helping Laura and Jeremy with the children while Laura recupes from her foot surgery. We always welcome them here at the farm - wonderful of them to take time from their lives to fill in for Laura. They are certainly appreciated!

The youngest of the bunch - Kevin was at the heighth of his glory when he was in the middle of them.

"The Little Cousins"......It is interesting to watch them grow up together - also quite a problem getting them bunched up for a photo. Gets pretty wild when they all get together. They played all afternoon - mostly in the back yard.......wound up piling up leaves and bouncing around in them. In fact, Jeremy and Laura decided their two needed a bath and p.j.s before they started home. When David (Andy's and Becky's youngest) saw they were taking off their clothes, he decided to join them, so lo and behold he stripped off his clothes, ran around the house naked as a jay bird, ran and got in the tub with them.

My goodness - haven't posted for a long, long time. It has been a good summer in spite of the continuing 100 degree heat.

Not much change on the farm. I got Rodney out with a chain saw and we cut out all the shrubbery around the back deck. Replaced with roses and filled in with herbs and annuals....really made a difference!

My roses have tried themselves this summer - in spite of the hot temps - but I'm sure they are about done, as we are nearing frost time.

We watched Kevin grow this summer.....He is changing every time we see him! He is so interested in everything, and doesn't miss much. This picture, he is on one side of the screen door and Bear on the other. I'm sure he would be pulling Bear's ears if he could get to them.

Had to get this picture in - Sarge was Grand Marshall at the Football Homecoming, and I snapped a quick picture. Terri in front - Judge Jon Webster driving.......

Here it is - October, a chill in the air and summer is really gone! Our farmers were here this week and picked the corn. Yield was way, way down because of the drought this summer, but they had a record crop last year, so guess it all averages out.

There is water flowing again in Woods Branch - no water at all for about two months. I have watched the deer and other animals coming to the mouth of the river for water for several weeks. Since we are on the City Water Reservoir, noticed water being let down several times this summer from the Lake at Butlerville.

But now we have received some rain, and the grass has greened up again.... and in fact we just finished mowing the farm again this past week........should do it!

Summer at Woods Branch

A week-end jaunt away from the farm to a beautiful Antique Show.......and found another old, old "Log Cabin" Quilt - I would date to the mid 1800's. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, as I am drawn to the beautiful work our grandmothers left us. Anyway, I have sewn a sleeve to the back of the quilt and have given it a prominent place on my dining room wall. The fabrics are old wools, with the traditional red "chimney" in the center of each block, and the surrounding "logs" sewn around the chimney. Usually a pattern is acquired as the blocks are sewn together, but for the life of me, I can't see a pattern to this quilt........so I am calling it a "Lightning Streak" pattern, as the lighter materials zig-zag across the quilt. Geometrically incorrect, but that's o.k. - considering what our grandmothers had to work with, and the light they had to work with at nights.

Kinda been busy with summer - staying ahead of the grass, flowers, and the unbelievable heat.....As posted previously, the Mama Robin was sitting on a nest outside my desk window - come to find out on two eggs, as she hatched two big old ugly younguns - and I watched as she and Papa Robin flew back and forth with worms and bugs to feed the ravenous babies. Looked out one morning, and they were gone - just like that.....

And now, I am watching a Mama Bunny here in the yard - she keeps coming out of a clump of flowers at the back fence......also am seeing a half-grown Bunny - don't know how many babies, but I am sure she knows. Bear watches them from the porch, but she is disinterested - has chased too many squirrels to no avail.....

Monday, we burried a true family friend. Glen and I had been friends since we were girls dating - we use to go on "double dates" - she with her future husband Charles, and I with Bob. We went to movies, car races - as a matter of fact, Charlie being one of the top mechanics at Webster's - helped Bob build his first race car - #42 - that they hauled all around the country racing........and eventually Pat O'Connor drove.

Glen was a family friend over the years - she lost Charles early with diabetes and later married Dugan with a ready-made family, all of whom she dearly loved! They lived just around the corner from us - on the same street, and our children grew up together......in fact seemed to be part of our family.

We had all gone our separate ways - trying to keep up with the times - but never losing our heart-felt appreciation and love for Glen and her family.

A Mother does what a Mother has to do

......Watching an old mother robin watching me. She has her nest just outside the window here at my desk in the branches of a dogwood tree. Thank goodness there are a lot of leaves above her, as it has been raining all day. She is all fluffed out protecting her nest - don't know how many eggs she has, guess we will know when they hatch?

The picture is a little blurry, but believe me, she is there.......

Mother's Day Weekend

A busy, busy week-end......A Garden Plant Exchange and Luncheon hosted by friends Judy and her daughter on Saturday. We all took starts of plants from our gardens and exchanged with each other. For someone who said I wasn't going to bring anything more home to have to plant, I sure goofed - have a bunch that I have to get planted this morning.......Terri brought a box full home, too. We thought we would be there maybe an hour, but by the time we had lunch, made a couple more stops - had shot a day!

Steve and Linda stopped at the farm on the way home from a BBQ Competition at Louisville.....Terri had stopped out, and we had a "Mother's Day Brunch".

Steve and Linda had won top prizes at the Comp - trophies and cash.....but he won't be satisfied until he wins the over-all Grand Prize. Something about "reaching for the top". Fun......

Bob and Andy share a birthday (and party)......but each has his own cake. Bob is all excited waiting on his candles......and in the background are presents to be opened!

Andy's cake, but Bob has his eyes on the candles, and you guessed it - he blew them out.

Tessa "at the wheel" taking Charley - and David in the back - for a spin...At this point the kids were all clean and shining, but by the time we left, they were all in the sand pile, and well, that is a different story!

Storms Over?

Caught a "Moment in Time" yesterday evening during an April Shower.....Has been a monumental week, starting with a memorable Easter, tragic storms, a beautiful Brit Royal Wedding .......... an April we will remember!

Easter Week at Woods Branch

Easter Sunrise..... Just a glimpse, but yes the sun is still up there in spite of all the storms and rain.

Andy and the boys fishing in Woods Branch.......The water was coming up and the fish should have been biting like crazy, but they weren't having any luck. Guess with all the rains we have been having, the fish have been getting all the bugs and worms they can handle. Anyway, glad to see Andy teaching his boys the fun of fishing. They were each taking care of their own line.....

Had to show this picture. Bob had brought this can of worms to the kitchen to show me. I was busy and wasn't paying attention, but when I turned around, he had them on the kitchen table and proceeded to pull them out - dirt, worms and all - to especially show me the big night-crawler they had found - and he held it up, all stretched out - about 8" long, in fact. So excited! Needless to say, I told him to get them back in the can and get on the back porch with them. He carried them around like prized possessions.......

Record Rains for April. After the drought last summer, guess Mother Nature is catching up, but has us guessing. We are trying to get yard work done between showers and storms. And while we have been watching the sky (and river) the trees have leafed out. Is a beautiful Spring, in spite of all the storms!

Ready for the Easter Egg Hunt......All lined up ready to go......Captured a "Time " - Come to think of it, I think this was the only time all day they were all in one place, sitting still for half a minute.....the anticipation held them just about that long, and they were off, the brightly colored eggs were shining all over the yard.

An Easter Egg Hunt......the farm has experienced many - I think this is the 46th for us......Each year the family grows. One year the grandchildren decided they were "too big" to hunt eggs, but they didn't want to give up the tradition, so they hid the eggs and moms and dads hunted them. Might add they were hid in some very hard to find places. I found them all summer in clothes-line posts, tree branches, bird houses...you can't imagine!

Terri brought "bubbles", and for some reason, the kids - both big and small - piled on the boat and blew bubbles to the wind.....

Congratulations, Dr. Terry R. Sargent

The High School hosted a welcoming evening for Sarge (and Terri) as Sarge will take over the reigns of Jennings County Superintendent of Schools next May..... and before the evening was over, the dining room was filled with teachers, and persons of the community to welcome him to his new post. He has come full circle - started his teaching career here in Jennings, and now has come back home. We wish him well, he has worked hard!

A Gathering of Cousins

Kind of a special occasion......Amanda, Chris and Leia here from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (Chris just back from a tour of duty in South Korea), then of course Kelly, Bill and Ashley are welcoming their new arrival, Kevin Alexander to the family - so a celebration was in order. All the family gathered for a fun afternoon.

We started out with a huge dinner, including Steve's and Linda's bbq'd ribs and chicken, and ended later in the afternoon with a birthday cake and ice cream for Chris......

The old farm is home to them all!

A group picture of the "Little Cousins" - Quite a feat getting them all seated together - and still - at the same time.....interesting to compare these "gatherings" to old ones ----how they have grown, missing and new teeth, some in glasses, hair cuts, different type shirts and jeans, and yes, even NEW cousins.

Papaw Steve and his new grandson, Kevin Alexander Heindel, not quite one week old......

Left-overs from a huge birthdaycake.....when you live in the midst of animals, nothing goes to waste! I'm sure the little fellow had a "sugar high", as there was quite a bit of sugary icing left......

In the midst of Winter....

So many things happening...... (1) Sarge was hired onto a new job, here in Jennings - as the Superintendent of Schools last Monday...... (2) Kelly and Bill (and Ashley) will have a new little one probably yet this week.....(3) Chris is flying home from Korea Thursday, and he, Amanda and Leia will be here to visit later in the month.......and oh yes, Linda has a new little puppy. A busy family!

Still wintertime In Indiana - we are all so tired of snow, especially the ice! But so far are lucky in that only Andy slid off the road (did a number on his truck, tho) We are having snow again this morning - but that's o.k. - spring has to be just around the corner!

At least I got something accomplished in January - finished quilting a quilt top that I had found sometime ago. I look at auctions, e-bay, yard sales, and antique stores for old tops that I find worthy of my time. The graphics of this caught my eye - spoke to me.......It is hanging in my dining room for the present time.

And another quilt in the frame - to add to my "Christmas Quilts Collection".........at the rate I'm going, will be lucky to have it done by Christmas.....

One more "Nature" Story....

Last evening, after dark, maybe 8'ish or so, I heard the Coyotes.....The Gosh-awfulist yip,yip,yiping you can imagine. I know they were up the river some, but their voices carry - sounded like they were right here! Don't know what the occasion was - I only hear them from time to time - not very often. Anyway, I went out on the deck to listen (Bear was about to tear the door down, wanting out - but I made her stay in) I don't know what they were saying in their language - but evidently dogs understand and communicate, as I could hear many, many dogs barking and howling from so far away that you could barely hear them. The whole valley came alive with the coyotes yipping and dogs howling.

Old spoil-sport me - I turned a bright light up the river way, hoping to see them, but the yipping stopped. Must have been some party!

When you build your house in the woods, on the river..

........You live with nature - whether you want to or not.

Here we are in the middle of January, the valley is covered with snow - including the river which has been frozen over for weeks now.

I watch out the windows for my companions - I have seen squirrels, all furred out, scamper down a tree, run over an expanse of frozen snow and start digging. He will come up with a nut, literally leap over the snow back to his tree, run up to a limb and proceed to eat the nut. The old addage that animals don't think is malarky - they not only can think - they can remember! How else would he have known where he had burried the nut?

The deer haven't seen a blade of grass for sometime now, but out the north window, I can see over into the hillsides of the woods, and have seen them paw the snow away to the nice green underbrush under the trees. Also, they love the new twigs on the trees, and "prune" the trees as high as they can reach - have seen them stand on their hind legs - like a rabbit - so they can reach higher. Amazing....

When I go to the barn to feed the cats, I see birds lined up on the transmission power lines - all snuggled up close together. Guess these lines are warm to their feet?

I have an old 'possum that comes on the back porch at night - I put out some dog food for him.

And I might add that I throw all my vegetable scraps off the woods side of the deck - they will be gone in the morning. Have seen a fox here.

I moved the bird feeder - had too many hitting the front windows, but it's funny - they go to the feeder, get a seed, and still come to the little dogwood tree that they were used to, to eat. Guess we all are creatures of habit?

If I watch - can see the flock of turkeys fly down out of the trees above the house - cross the branch and go to the corn field. They have these long toes, and can scratch down to the loose corn that is left in the field. And just at dusk, they wander back up the hill to roost. Might add that they roost in the trees.

I have a little owl - haven't seen him, but can hear him "hooting" during the night - here above my bedroom window.

So it goes at Woods Branch Farm. Very alive!