Bless yo' beautiful hide!

I'm tired. Why? I got home after midnight - after truly dancing the night away at the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ball. All I did we add a ruffle to a denim skirt that I already had. :) And I 'borrowed' a friend's cowboy hat during one of the dances. ;D

And she made her dress just for this ball! I love how it turned out! ^_^

A family portrait that I took. You'll see the spoof a little later.

The barn for the barn dance is filled with dancers!

Haha!!! xD I think this captures their personalities better. ;D

:twirl!:

Cuteness!

Going dancin, going dancin!

The empty dance floor, just before the party began. :D

The inside of the dome was painted by some vagabonds that were allowed to sleep here back in the 30's.

We jumped back to the 1800's really quick for a photo op.

I'd like to see you try to get your hat back. :P

Manly men

Okay, I can explain this... I like to get pictures of things looking straight up. But I like to get them via not so orthodox methods. This is the shot that I got:

Now "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" is stuck in my head. ;D

Redneck farm kids

REDNECK FARM KID

in the Marine Corps

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are.. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m.. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay.

Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This nextonewillkill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why.. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. Al l you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake .. I only beat him once... He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter, Alice

Too many comics?

How do you tell if you read the comics too much? You build a snowman to replicate them.

Here we have the pointy-haired boss from the comic strip, "Dilbert."

Obviously we read the comics too much. ;) Gotta love home schooler snow days.

When Oma visited "Mother"

Side Note: This happened last Memorial Day, but it's almost too entertaining to not share!

My sisters are part of a girls' scouting group called American Heritage Girls - it's a rebuffle to what Girl Scouts has become. I'll rant on that another time. One Memorial Day weekend, my sisters' troop went to honor veterans' graves by putting small flags on them. The cemetary we visited also happened to be a pioneer cemetary started way back when probably some of the first settlers came to our state. Walking through and reading the graves was how Oma and I entertained ourselves while the girls were all looking for the specific graves. So as we're leisurely walking along, Oma suddenly isn't walking beside me anymore. She had vanished from my side. OH, NO!!! I thought that she would break her hip or head or something traumatic-like. I look down, and Oma fell into a grave... o_O 'Mother's' grave to be precise. There was quite a hole beneath the coffin, and it gave way when Oma walked over it. Just to creep you out: you could see the foot of the coffin much farther in the hole.

So that is the story of when Oma went to visit 'Mother'
The End

To protect a chicken.

I haven't gotten much done this afternoon. Why? I've been chasing a hawk.



About a week ago, I go out to do the morning chores and first noticed that I hadn't closed the coop door. :roll: Then I noticed a big bird (well, bigger than a chicken) sitting in the maple overhanging the chicken yard. AAAHHHH!!! Lo and behold, there was a dead chicken just on the other side of the fence. Well, enjoy your breakfast for now; try again, I might have to bring out the big guns. A stuffed bird right above the door would be quite a conversation starter! :evil laugh:



Ahem, back to the story.



Since then, we seem to have a new unwanted neighborhood pet that likes to hang around, granted, he is beautiful. I will give him that much. When he's around, the barn yard becomes dead silent. Not a chicken in sight. Even the geese decide to hang out in the garage.



Then the dog starts barking. Cue the rushing outside in your Crocs and trying to save the chickens. This sounds awefully familiar (think coyote). First time I rush out, there he is - sitting in the apple tree next to the chicken yard. I give him the crazed Viking maiden yell, and he decides that it might be a good time to leave. I head back in and not even 15 minutes later, the dog starts barking - even more aggressively. Goody. I let the dog out this time, maybe she'll scare the bird away. But the dog ran South. As I came up to the barn, I heard the rustling sound from the blackberries by the property line fence and the chicken yard. I ran. It's rather hard to run in Crocs - you should try it sometime. ;) The hawk had just landed himself a snack for tea time, but the hen was still alive. Once again, he decided to leave as I came running up, but he got caught in the blackberry bramble and the fence. Poor guy was trying to fit through the holes in the fence. Uh, sorry buddy. it's designed to keep things on their side of the fence... It's always better on the other side, isn't it?



So, I mentioned that the dog ran the wrong way; she now decided it be fun to join the party. As I was trying to fight my way through the brambles, she got excited and wanted to play with the big bird. Which bird to I save?! The frenzied hawk that just got a serious dose of adrenaline or the pitiful domesticated chicken that has resigned itself to death? I decided to save the chicken - she gives me scrambled eggs, eggnog, and pudding. As I was attempting to untangle the chicken, the hawk eventually got itself out of the mess it was in, and the chicken will be okay with only a minor punture wound from the hawk's talons which was easy to dress compared to other things we've done for our chickens.

And they all lived happily ever after. Except for the hawk because he didn't get his snack.

The End

The 12th Night Ball - 2011

I say this is the best way to bring in the new year - with a ball! :D

Can't you tell that they're identical twins? :)

They didn't all plan on wearing red, but they did!

I rarely post pictures of myself, so here's one!

See? Home schoolers do socialize! :P

It's always so sweet when big brother's dance with their little sisters. :)

And that is all that I will leave you with. My day was fairly uneventful (unlike the last ball), although I did get all ready in less than 45 min! I think I set a record...

~*SG*~

Christmas this Year - 2010

December is a crazy month for my family and me - living on a Christmas tree farm will do that. On top of the merry bustling around, we bring an integral part to many people's Christmas celebrations and traditions.

But for my family, we've been learning that everything is not about tradition - in fact, when we try to keep some of the more "traditional" traditions, God shows us that there is more to it than that. For Thanksgiving, all attempts to get a family get-together were thwarted, even simpler Plan B got sick.

For Christmas this year, we didn't have a tree. Yes, the shoe-maker's children were barefoot. Almost as soon as we brought in the fresh, fragrant garland and greenery into the house, my youngest sister and brother started showing signs of allergies.

So we were without a Christmas tree. But it doesn't stop there. ;)

My cousin also developed horrible allergies to the fir. So, on Christmas Eve, his older sister laid out a blanket and left a note:

Dear Santa,

We can't have a Christmas tree because of allergies.

Please leave the presents on the blanket.

Despite the sad lack of a tree in the house, Christmas was simply joyous. On Christmas Eve, my siblings and I exchanged the gifts for the person we drew ealier in December. I must admit, it was entertaining watching my sisters shopping for each other in the same stores at the same time. I figured out that Jake had drawn me; I predicted that I would get a Joann's gift card. Guess what I got? I was right. :) Little Eli shopped for himself while selecting his big brother's gift. The final choice? A nurf gun set with two guns - one for each of them. I think Eli was more excited than Jake when we exchanged gifts.

Christmas morning was simply wonderful. I think getting to sleep in 'til 8:30 helped. As I was waking up, the beautiful melody of 'O Holy Night' drifted through the house as my sister graced us with her piano playing. Doing animal chores seemed less tedious than usual - I also had to gather fresh eggs for the eggnong. Once I finished making the eggnog, everyone was up. Commence the breakfast making! Scrumptious bacon, broccoli, and mushrooms all went into the scrambled eggs. We also had fresh squeezed orange juice along with banana bread our neighbor had made for us.

We didn't get to the presents until almost noon, and that didn't bother us one bit. Ever since we were little, our parents instilled in us that Christmas was not about presents, but of the birth of our Savior. For as long as I can remember, before even touching the gifts, we have always read the New Testament account abotu the greatest gift given to man. It really doesn't matter what everyone received as under the 'Christmas tree', but we were together. It was also the first Christmas with Oma living on this side of the country. We played games, ate cookies, drank eggnog, enjoyed each other's company, and rested from a crazy December.

I hope that all Christmases will be this wonderful for years to come. Merry Christmas to everyone!

~*S*~

Here's a toast!

...Without the alcohol. I had a sudden hankering for home-made eggnog, but lo-and-behold I lost my recipe. I searched everywhere, and every recipe I found, had a lot of bourbon, brandy, congac, liquer... I mentioned my predicament to a friend, and she graciously shared the recipe that she successfully uses (much to her sibling's delight). Being myself, I couldn't leave the recipe as it was. First time through and already changed things. ;) So without any further ado, here's what I've come up with for a family friendly eggnog!

7 farm fresh eggs - seperated (you need both the white and yolk)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
big pinch of allspice
1 quart fresh milk

Take the egg yolk and sugar. Beat them up. Add the spices and stir to combine. I love the KitchenAid. Pour the milk in as you're beating the egg mixture. Put the mixture into a seperate bowl. Wash the mixing bowl and whip the egg whites to a peak somewhere between soft and stiff. Slowly pour the yolk mixture into the whites and thoroughly mix. Pour a big glass and drink it straight or fill a coffee cup half full of the black ju-ju and fill the rest with the eggnog. You'll beat Starbucks any day. ;) Enjoy!

I have a confession to make...

I have an addiction. To sewing! :D Especially historical costumes! (I'll post about my next grand costume in a later post. I still need to get pictures) So without further ado...

Sense and Sensibility patterns is having a give-away! To enter I have to decide on a favorite pattern. Oh dear. Which one? How on earth am I to decide?! Fine. I'll be decisive. My favorite pattern is the 18" dolls regency dress pattern. Now that I think of it, that really was a no brainer. I've made so many regency dresses for dolls now, that I have the pattern memorized (I can probably do it in my sleep...) And have figured out some super cute alterations to it as well!

http://sensibility.com/patterns/dolls-regency-dress-epattern/

A Literary Ball

I had a sudden urge to write something and a 3rd person journal entry about the literary ball is what I came up with. :)

Not too long ago in a land not so far away, a special invitation was received for an upcoming ball. The theme was literary, so come as a favorite author or character of a book. But there are so many books out there, how was she to decide? Of course it was going to be a fancy event, so plans were underway about what to wear and how the ride to the ball was to be procured.

It was the day of the ball, and everyone had a great sense of anticipation. How shall I do my hair? Do I really want to wear that? She pondered the entire morning along with many other questions buzzing around in her brain. But these thoughts had to be quiet for a while so she could finish her chores in time. As she was cleaning in the barn, someone (who shall remain nameless for their sake) accidentally stepped on the shut-off valve to the enormous water tank, allowing the 2500 gallons to gush forth. Adrenalin rushed and emergency mode kicking in almost instantaneously, everyone jumped in to save the barn from Noah’s second flood. Hours later, sore and tired, she was ready for the day to end, but it couldn’t – the ball was that night.

After finally deciding what to wear (a green and gold renaissance gown), hair done up with a pretty ribbon and curls, fixed the immodest neckline, and the epiphany that she was Queen Susan from Narnia, she was ready to go – with an hour to go until her ride pulled up. What to do? Cinderella syndrome kicked in as Mom assigned some chores. Up the drive way came the carpool (after the chores were finished) and the group set off in the pouring rain to the ball.

The ballroom was the perfect environment for the event: elegant chandeliers hanging from a high ceiling, antique hard-wood flooring, lights and tulle draping from the chandeliers and wrapping around the wooden columns, and an abundance of sweet treats (which was very important to her brother). For hours and hours everyone danced the olden dances from times long past and the evening swept by in an instant as she blinked. Did it have to over so soon? No.

People still lingered, long after the main part of the event was over and it was nearing 11, and brisk swings and elegant waltzes were danced. Sadly, there were never enough young men who were interested in waltzing, so she contented herself with attempting to dance the man’s part of the waltz. It truly was attempting. The two young ladies could not figure out what the other was doing, so they both stepped back to see what the other was doing. Her friend showed her what she was doing, and she started to show her friend what she was doing. Just as she was getting into step, a young man, whom she had never met, suddenly swept her into the dance floor in a waltz. Bewildered and trying to utilize what little she knew of a waltz, they danced the rest of the song together, and it was over almost as soon as it had started. Perhaps I’m dreaming. This only happens in fairy tales, right? was all she kept thinking.

All this, and the night was far from over! With all the sound equipment picked up and the ballroom cleaned up, some of the die-hard party goers made their way to a local restaurant. It was midnight, and it wasn’t the car that turned into a pumpkin. She certainly didn’t need any help from a sugary milkshake to show signs of extreme drowsiness. An hour past midnight and the carpool decided that they should head home.

As they came up the drive way, it was immediately apparent that the electricity was out due to the violent storm, and at the front door, they were greeted by a sleepy mother holding a flashlight. After changing into her nightclothes, she quietly slipped into bed and blew out the votive in the lantern. It was the perfect end to a literary ball.