Family Together During President's Day Week-end

The Woods' family came for a week-end visit.  What fun to have them on the farm!
The Elliott family  joined us on Saturday.  Family time together and the cousins have so much fun.

Time to visit and catch-up

Friday, Bryan, Melodi and the boys went to their farm to do some work.  The girls and I stayed at home.
The girls played with Barbies.  These dolls and their clothes were Melodi's and Amberlea's when they were young girls - just about 25 years ago.

I had 2 good helpers when it was time to get lunch ready for the farm hands.

Crafts were done in the afternoon.

Barn Time

The magic words around here are "Time to go to the barn"!

Emma dared the rooster.

Could you call this "hanging around"?

Feeding the horses

Time to ride!

Hay Time

Mathew enjoyed whitteling.

The kids piled into the back of the pick-up. 

Jacob said he was tired and didn't go to the barn.  It was 4:04 p.m. when we returned from the barn and...

here's Jacob - he was a tired young man!

Grammy's Visits

Grammy came to visit a couple of times.

The Elliots Arrive

Jett's Birthday - Hard to believe he is 7 years old!

Jett wanted a bat and glove for his birthday. 

A funny story goes with the bat.  Mel and I were shopping at Wal-Mart.  I was getting groceries so

Mel went to the sporting department to get the bat and glove.  He found what he wanted. 

When checking out, the clerk said the bat was $69!  Wow!  We figured that bat would be better when he had played more ball.  We did exchange it for a more reasonably priced bat especially for a 7 year old.

Legos are always fun for the boys!

Valentine Sacks

The kids had their own table when we ate lunch. 

The adults 

During the afternoon the kids played games and then played outside.

They came in with some sort of skeleton.  After much discussion and inspection with a magnifying glass, it was decided it must be the skeleton of a mouse.

Our Detective

Sunday morning I had great helpers with breakfast!!

Mat took charge of the bacon.

Jake did the pancakes.

Emma set the table.

McKaylea got the juice and milk from the refrigerator in the garage.

The adults waited to eat!

We look forward to the kids and grandkids being on the farm again soon!!!

Valentine's Day

Mel and I enjoyed a quiet Valentine's Day at home.  I made a red velvet cake for us and we had chicken fry steak with the works.  Home is a great place to be!
I had bought a heart shaped pan so this is what I used for our cake.

The batter in the pan

The finished cake

My sweet hubby bought me the cutest card - it played music when opened!

Cinnamon Rolls for the Senior Citizens' Center

I made the Pioneer Woman's recipe for cinnamon rolls to take to the Senior Citizens' Center.  This recipe is so easy, makes quite a few and freezes so well that I have made it numerous times. 
After the baking and cooling the rolls are bagged up for the home-bound ones and put on plates for the ones who eat at the center. 

 The morning was so foggy and the temperatures were hoovering close to freezing.  What another good day to be in the kitchen baking!!

Winter Weather of 2012

We had our first winter weather for 2012 with snow and then some sleet.  About an inch was what we received - enough to be pretty, not cause many problems and leave quickly.
A good Monday to be inside, enjoy the weather (from my point of view) and to cook.  I made the Pioneer Woman's recipe for lasagna to have this week-end when our kids from Texas come to visit.

The Winter Scene

I thoroughly enjoy being in the kitchen cooking and baking during bad weather!

The Lasagna

 The lasagna without the cheese on top -  I am freezing it for a few days and will put the cheese on right before I bake it.



Grammy's Breakfast

Grammy hosted a breakfast for her Sunday School Class in our home.  We had ham, sausage, biscuits, gravy, fresh fruit with dip, mini Swiss cheese & bacon quiches and spinach & Swiss cheese quiches.
Eleven sweet ladies were here. 
Mel was the"waiter" for juice, coffee, and water to the women.  It was so cute when they would call for Mel to refill their cups or glasses.  What a great job he did!  (possibly a new career path for him?).
Everyone enjoyed good food and a great time visiting.

The Tables



The Fantastic Waiter with Coffee and Juice

What a special time together!