I was in from the barn early this morning to take Luke to the doctor for a sports physical. I should’ve gotton this done last summer, but I forgot and just didn’t get to it. So last Friday I was scrambling around to find a doctor who would give him a physical before tomorrow because tomorrow is the start of basketball season for him. So…I got it done and we’re good for another year.

Sarah is still at a friends, she spent the night with Sidney and Brad spent the night here. Right now they are chowing down on my favorite food….donuts! Yes, I was hungry when I stopped at the store after the appointment.

Well, I’d better get on the day…we’ve got conferences today…thus the kids have the day off from school…which also means they get to go clean their own heifer pens this morning instead of me! I’ve got to go hunt down the fence stretcher…they couldn’t find it on Saturday when they were working on fence and it seems I’m still the only one who can find elusive objects. Actually, I have God on my side…I just ask Him where something is and He leads me right to it…so we’ll see where He leads this morning!

The fall colors that I wrote about last week being so slow in coming are finally here! If you look across our backyard you can see the most beautiful fall colors in the woods that borders the corn field. They are not quite at their peak…but they sure are pretty.

Although the colors are nice…the weather is still unseasonably warm. It was 70 yesterday and will be in the mid 70s today…what’s up with that? No, I’m not complaining….I love doing fall work in short sleeves!

The galloping gourmet was at work on Friday…this was so funny! I had to use up the roast beef that was left over from Monday so I made some beef stew on Thursday, it was wonderful stew, but not very thick. Everyone knows stew is always thicker and better the next day. So on Friday morning when I was getting ready to head to the draft horse show for the day, Bobby, the gourmet chef that he is, commented “If you put that stew back in the crock pot and add a little brown rice it would probaby thicken up nice and be great for dinner today.”

“Great idea honey!” Taking his suggestion, I put about 3/4 cup of brown rice in with the stew and knowing how the rice would soak up all the liquid in the stew, I added a little more water and some beef stock. Happy that I had dinner all prepared, I headed off for a special day with my daughter and mom.

When we got home, Jake had set the table and warmed up the sweet potato casserole, so all I had to do was make the coffee and put dinner on the table. I opened the crockpot and much to my surprise the rice had multiplied and soaked up every drop of liquid in the pot. It was stiff and difficult to stir. With Bobby sitting right there not saying a word, I commented, “Boy, I guess that rice really soaked up the stock…I guess I added more rice that I thought I did.”

A bashful grin came over his face and he said in his southern drawl, “Well, at noon when I came in, it didn’t look like it was thick enough so I just honked the rice to it to make sure it’d be thicker, guess I added too much, huh?”

I looked at him and in my fit of laughter, I just said, “Yeah, I guess you did!” We put it on the table and as we thanked God for the food on the table, I silently thanked Him for that BBQ turkey sandwich I enjoyed at the horse show!

The fall colors that I wrote about last week being so slow in coming are finally here! If you look across our backyard you can see the most beautiful fall colors in the woods that borders the corn field. They are not quite at their peak…but they sure are pretty.

Although the colors are nice…the weather is still unseasonably warm. It was 70 yesterday and will be in the mid 70s today…what’s up with that? No, I’m not complaining….I love doing fall work in short sleeves!

The galloping gourmet was at work on Friday…this was so funny! I had to use up the roast beef that was left over from Monday so I made some beef stew on Thursday, it was wonderful stew, but not very thick. Everyone knows stew is always thicker and better the next day. So on Friday morning when I was getting ready to head to the draft horse show for the day, Bobby, the gourmet chef that he is, commented “If you put that stew back in the crock pot and add a little brown rice it would probaby thicken up nice and be great for dinner today.”

“Great idea honey!” Taking his suggestion, I put about 3/4 cup of brown rice in with the stew and knowing how the rice would soak up all the liquid in the stew, I added a little more water and some beef stock. Happy that I had dinner all prepared, I headed off for a special day with my daughter and mom.

When we got home, Jake had set the table and warmed up the sweet potato casserole, so all I had to do was make the coffee and put dinner on the table. I opened the crockpot and much to my surprise the rice had multiplied and soaked up every drop of liquid in the pot. It was stiff and difficult to stir. With Bobby sitting right there not saying a word, I commented, “Boy, I guess that rice really soaked up the stock…I guess I added more rice that I thought I did.”

A bashful grin came over his face and he said in his southern drawl, “Well, at noon when I came in, it didn’t look like it was thick enough so I just honked the rice to it to make sure it’d be thicker, guess I added too much, huh?”

I looked at him and in my fit of laughter, I just said, “Yeah, I guess you did!” We put it on the table and as we thanked God for the food on the table, I silently thanked Him for that BBQ turkey sandwich I enjoyed at the horse show!

Well, I it’s a beautiful afternoon here on the Knolltop. A warm, sunny, breezy fall day. The only bad thing is that at this moment, MSU is losing to OSU, but we won’t dwell on that.

I had a great time today ministering to women at the SPA event here at a local church. We had a great time worshipping, laughing, crying and eating…don’t forget the eating! Tim Hampton, my cohort in crime…aka my accompanist, was wonderful as always….we did a duet together that was recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band and we had the best time. The ladies were clapping and some were even dancing in the back row…where no one could see them. We just had a great time and Tim was awesome! He was also good at being on the losing end of my jokes…he was a good sport about it.

Now, it’s back to reality as I take Sarah to a party and then out to the barn to milk the cows. Everyone survived here at home while I was gone…they usually do better when I’m gone because Big Daddy keeps them hopping!

Better get back on the road!

Well, I it’s a beautiful afternoon here on the Knolltop. A warm, sunny, breezy fall day. The only bad thing is that at this moment, MSU is losing to OSU, but we won’t dwell on that.

I had a great time today ministering to women at the SPA event here at a local church. We had a great time worshipping, laughing, crying and eating…don’t forget the eating! Tim Hampton, my cohort in crime…aka my accompanist, was wonderful as always….we did a duet together that was recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band and we had the best time. The ladies were clapping and some were even dancing in the back row…where no one could see them. We just had a great time and Tim was awesome! He was also good at being on the losing end of my jokes…he was a good sport about it.

Now, it’s back to reality as I take Sarah to a party and then out to the barn to milk the cows. Everyone survived here at home while I was gone…they usually do better when I’m gone because Big Daddy keeps them hopping!

Better get back on the road!

This morning when we stepped out to head across the road to the barn we heard a strange noise. We both stopped dead in our tracts to listen for it again. Even Sadie stood frozen. We listened carefully and heard it again….it was the coyotes playing out in the woods. Boy is that an erie sound first thing in the morning with the wind howling around us.

Last night was a wild night in the midwest as tornadoes touched down in several places. Last evening I called my mom to ask if she wanted to go to the draft horse show today at the pavilion and the first thing out of her mouth was…”Are you okay?” I didn’t bother to tell her JW was 30 miles south of us in the path of some bad weather and possible twisters at a volleyball game with his buddies. She would’ve worried all the more. I just have to say thank God for cell phones.

I called JW and all I could hear was screaming in the background with him saying, “I can’t talk right now…I can’t hear you, call me later.” Meanwhile I’m sitting there looking at the weather warnings on tv seeing he’s right in the thick of bad weather and doesn’t have a clue. I guess him not knowing kept him from worrying too.

At 10 pm, he walked in the door and all was right in the world. I don’t like this growing up stuff…I think I want to go back to changing diapers and stumbling over building blocks…it was so much easier then.

Sarah and I are headed to the Great Lakes Draft Horse Show this morning, she loves draft horses and so I thought it would be fun to spend the day at the show. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving the laundry undone…I got that done yesterday! But as I walked into the laundry room, I see I’ve got enough for another load….it’s endless.

This morning when we stepped out to head across the road to the barn we heard a strange noise. We both stopped dead in our tracts to listen for it again. Even Sadie stood frozen. We listened carefully and heard it again….it was the coyotes playing out in the woods. Boy is that an erie sound first thing in the morning with the wind howling around us.

Last night was a wild night in the midwest as tornadoes touched down in several places. Last evening I called my mom to ask if she wanted to go to the draft horse show today at the pavilion and the first thing out of her mouth was…”Are you okay?” I didn’t bother to tell her JW was 30 miles south of us in the path of some bad weather and possible twisters at a volleyball game with his buddies. She would’ve worried all the more. I just have to say thank God for cell phones.

I called JW and all I could hear was screaming in the background with him saying, “I can’t talk right now…I can’t hear you, call me later.” Meanwhile I’m sitting there looking at the weather warnings on tv seeing he’s right in the thick of bad weather and doesn’t have a clue. I guess him not knowing kept him from worrying too.

At 10 pm, he walked in the door and all was right in the world. I don’t like this growing up stuff…I think I want to go back to changing diapers and stumbling over building blocks…it was so much easier then.

Sarah and I are headed to the Great Lakes Draft Horse Show this morning, she loves draft horses and so I thought it would be fun to spend the day at the show. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving the laundry undone…I got that done yesterday! But as I walked into the laundry room, I see I’ve got enough for another load….it’s endless.

Well, it’s raining and blowing this morning and we’re supposed to be in for some stormy weather today. You know what that means….more attention to indoor projects like laundry. That seems to be the only thing I do. If I didn’t have laundry to do in a day I think I would be absolutely lost! Like not heading out to the barn to milk cows morning and night. Although I could get used to sleeping in…very quickly…not going over to the barn every evening would be very disorienting for me.

So, what makes your day normal? What do you do everyday that gives you routine in your life?

Yesterday was a busy day, Bobby and I ventured into town in JW’s new truck. Yes, he finally earned enough money to pay for his truck and it’s sitting in the driveway right now. I’ll get a picture later…I know you just can’t wait to see that gem!

As I said, we headed to town for a round of errands. While he didn’t intend on doing as many as I had in mind, he didn’t complain too much about sitting in the grocery store parking lot while I headed in “just for some coffee”….six bags later….I came out with just the necessities of life…you know, coffee, shampoo, ginger snaps, cereal, cheesecake, butter, flour, sugar, apple turnovers….I was hungry.

After stopping at the feed store, TSC and the orchard, we were home again. Then the vet came by to vaccinate some calves and pregnancy check some cows. The curious thing about this particular vet is that she is 8 months pregnant and is still standing behind a cow with her hand shoved up her……Wow and that belly doesn’t even get in the way! It was when she came into the barn with the ultrasound machine strapped to her person. Oh my, was that a sight. I almost ran in and got my camera, but I didn’t want to embarrass her. After all she took my laughter so well. Ol‘ Doc is a great sport and is a cute mother-to-be in her blue overalls, that big belly and her rubber boots.

In the end, we have lots of cows who are pregnant to good bulls and will freshen at the right time for show calves.

Breakfast awaits!

Well, it’s raining and blowing this morning and we’re supposed to be in for some stormy weather today. You know what that means….more attention to indoor projects like laundry. That seems to be the only thing I do. If I didn’t have laundry to do in a day I think I would be absolutely lost! Like not heading out to the barn to milk cows morning and night. Although I could get used to sleeping in…very quickly…not going over to the barn every evening would be very disorienting for me.

So, what makes your day normal? What do you do everyday that gives you routine in your life?

Yesterday was a busy day, Bobby and I ventured into town in JW’s new truck. Yes, he finally earned enough money to pay for his truck and it’s sitting in the driveway right now. I’ll get a picture later…I know you just can’t wait to see that gem!

As I said, we headed to town for a round of errands. While he didn’t intend on doing as many as I had in mind, he didn’t complain too much about sitting in the grocery store parking lot while I headed in “just for some coffee”….six bags later….I came out with just the necessities of life…you know, coffee, shampoo, ginger snaps, cereal, cheesecake, butter, flour, sugar, apple turnovers….I was hungry.

After stopping at the feed store, TSC and the orchard, we were home again. Then the vet came by to vaccinate some calves and pregnancy check some cows. The curious thing about this particular vet is that she is 8 months pregnant and is still standing behind a cow with her hand shoved up her……Wow and that belly doesn’t even get in the way! It was when she came into the barn with the ultrasound machine strapped to her person. Oh my, was that a sight. I almost ran in and got my camera, but I didn’t want to embarrass her. After all she took my laughter so well. Ol‘ Doc is a great sport and is a cute mother-to-be in her blue overalls, that big belly and her rubber boots.

In the end, we have lots of cows who are pregnant to good bulls and will freshen at the right time for show calves.

Breakfast awaits!

Good Morning from the Knolltop! It’s foggy and a little warmer yet, I think the aged thermometer reads 60 already. I say the thermometer is aged because it is. It’s one from the local hardware store in Hillsdale and the phone number on it is only two digits. How many years ago did we have two digit phone numbers? I can remember party lines and not having to dial the area code if you were calling a number that was in the same area code…but two digit numbers? Can anyone tell me how long ago that was?

Okay…now I have to let you know you are reading the blog of a “cool mom.” That’s according to the girls over at the school. A couple of weeks ago, JW came home telling me that the girls in his class think I am really cool. They also said, I was so beautiful and they hope they can have that kind of natural beauty when they get to be my age….oh those little girls are so precious, I just love them!

But seriously, what they don’t realize is they are all so very beautiful themselves. Each one of them could be on the cover of a magazine with their flawless faces! But they didn’t stop there, which they could’ve…then they went on to say that Bobby doesn’t look his age and if JW was going to look that good at that age they wanted to marry him. JW just grinned and walked away.

Then to take the cake, last night while we were milking Luke said that his girlfriend, yes, he has a new one and I’m not all that joyous over him having any kind of girlfriend….but…..she made some brownie points when she told Luke that I was cool. She thought I was so funny and so nice. Luke promptly pointed out that she didn’t know me and that if she spent time in the barn while we were milking she would have a different opinion.

Now, I don’t know why he said that, I’m no different in the barn than any other time. I milk and then I try to teach him how to dance properly or I try to hug him if he’s got his back turned. If he’s bouncing a basketball, I school him a little. But I’m not all that strange in the barn…honestly, I don’t know what he is talking about.

In the meantime…I’m going to enjoy my cool status…it may not last long when those cute gals over there at the school learn that I’m not in favor of any girl touching my sons in any way shape or form and they can’t date until their 40….well let’s reconsider that age…I do want grandchildren before I’m 70.