GREAT WEEKEND

 

To kick off this great weekend, I caught a 22" catfish Friday afternoon, across the lake from our house. I added it to some that I had earlier caught and frozen. Put together, we were ready for a 'fish fry'. I got out my electric skillet, and Lauren and I began the dipping...first in flour, then egg, then the last and secret dip.

 


 

Then we made some fresh veggies.

Liza Jayne drove her Mommy and Daddy down to visit....  

....so we had the makings for a great family time....and a great meal.... 

Liza Jayne and her parents spent the night with us   .....so we had lots of opportunities for hugs and kisses.
 

Even Levi wasn't left out. 

Saturday morning Popie went to Seth's house to help him work on his basketball. Lauren and I went shopping. When we got back, she gave us a fashion show.
 

 

 

We had a great weekend indeed. Then Mommy Erin called and said it was time to come home. I don't think Seth was ready, do you?

 

Then when the house was quiet, Phil and I had a wonderful bowl of fresh homemade soup. 

...thanks Jess for the great new soup pot.

LET"S TRY AGAIN

Well, as luck would have it, I had stayed up late every night this past week, posting a new blog. Then....when I had it just like I wanted it....I accidently deleted it. OH YES. That can happen. Unfortunantely blogs don't keep saying 'are you sure you want to delete'. If you hit the wrong key, sometimes it's gone. I will try again.


The weather has been so beautiful on the lake this past week. Wind and the sun have made so many different flickers and pictures on the water. The water looked like millions of diamonds were floating on top one day. Levi and I ran down to waters edge to scoop some up

, but alas, it was a mirage!


This is my favorite spot. I like to sit on the old bench and watch the water and watch Levi swim.

Liza Jayne came for an overnight visit the other day. One of her favorite things to do is help Nana get dinner. Here she is at her mixing station....Under my feet in the middle of the floor!!!

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Liza realized,the next morning, that she didn't have anymore socks, so we made leggings from a pair of Nana's.

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Grandbabies, always busy, always learning!!!!What a blessing.

A dear friend of mine, gave me this pillow, which I read every morning as I dress.

THE MAKING OF A DRIVEWAY

 

This is how you build a driveway on a hillside.

A pump truck was used to pump the concrete to the bottom of the drive near the house.
 

 

In our case, that was a long way.
Here is Phil's brother, Bob, giving us help. Phil, his brother, and Billy Ray put the heat cables in the driveway so that it will melt the ice and snow so we can get out of here in the wintertime.
 

They ordered the material from the manufacturer and installed it for a fraction of the cost to hire someone. Of course, brothers are cheap, really cheap labor. Thanks Bob.

Here is a picture of the concrete company finishing the concrete.
 

 

And finally, after 2 months of parking at the top of the hill and walking down, here is my car making the maiden voyage to the bottom. And just like a subaru, my camry pulled out without even a skid mark.

FALL IN THE FOREST

 

This is the back of the house.
Fall is here folks and it has been gorgeous here in the middle of the Daniel Boone Forest.
Yesterday a friend was here and looking out the window and saw a large buck walking in the yard outside our dining room window. It walked to the edge of the yard, jumped into the lake and swan the entire width of the lake and got out on the other side. I ran for the camera, missing most of the swim, and began snapping photos, only to find the camera card was not in the camera. It was in the computer. That has happened to me so many times, one would think that I would learn. Anyway, even though this is a repeat picture, here is where the Buck walked down to the lake. It was so majestic.


We had never seen a deer that close to the house, always on the road or in the forest. Phil thinks they sense the time of year is deer season and are crossing to the other side of the lake which is less accessible to hunters.

OUR NEW HOME

WE are finally in our new home, about a month now. It has been the voyage of a lifetime for me. BUT A GREAT ONE>>>> This is Moma Bears and Poppi Bears' rocking chairs. they are used nearly every morning for coffee and nightly to relax and enjoy the view.
We are pretty well settled in, still a few boxes, but the area is so beautiful, no one seems to notice. I can work inside when it is cold outside.

I can't believe it has been almost 3 months since I last posted. Time is really marching on. Phil and I are doing everything we can to keep with the beat. Lots of hard manual labor on this new home helps a lot. As everyone knows, Phil is a fanatic about the grounds around his home. We have been burning, picking up rocks, raking, sowing grass, building walkways and yet, we want to do so much more. It is so magnificent down here, I will just post some pictures and you can see for yourself.
It's hard to believe, but Phil has beautiful grass growing that was planted in August and September.





Levi loves to romp and roll in the tall rye grass.


This is a picture of the side yard looking out our dining room window.


Yes, the Moose, Grizzly and Elk have all made it home. This is a picture of "Bullwinkle" going up on the wall. More to follow in the near future. I won't let as much time pass between posts.

ALMOST THERE

Yep, We are almost there. Probably within the next 2-3 weeks, we will be in our new home. This will be our last home, and we are good with that. I just can't seem to post pictures and make comments when so many of my loved ones are in pain. I have friends who are grieving for lost spouses and family members for painful situations. Children who need comfort and help, church family in dire need. I love you all, but it just seems right to take a break right here.... And give thanks for what God has given me, to be humble for my blessings, and to ask mercy and grace for friends, family, and me.

Thank you.

TEMPORARY HOME

We moved out of our little cabin on the first day of July. We didn't think we had much to move because we left the cabin furnished. WRONG.
 

I guess we all have so much more than we think. How do you like my organization!!
 

Today, we got our home phone moved to the apartment and Internet re-established. YEA! I sure have missed checking up on my friends and family.

It has been a chore scheduling deliveries of cabinets etc. But all is wonderful!! We are healthy and the house is moving fast. I don't really know where to start.We have rock up .Bathroom cabinets are in. Kitchen cabinets will be by next week. Basement dropped ceiling is in. Most of woodwork is stained and interior doors have been delivered.Here are a few pics.
 

Joe Hammonds, our builder nailing the wood up.


 

Steve Heinbeck is our painter and stains all the wood.

 

This is the hardwood floors being tempered before they go down.

Everything is moving smoothly and we can't wait for everyone to come visit.