I have a very thoughtful son!

Jason told me last week that he wanted to take the Mothers in his life out to eat on Tuesday for Mother's Day.  He took all of us to Les Bourgeoise Winery Bistro.  That is my absolute favorite place to dine.  The view is spectacular.  I was a little nervous about taking all 5 of the grandkids, but they were really good.  Jason had salmon, Rachel had trout, and Mamie, Shea, and I had grilled porkchops with Asiago and chive mashed potatoes.  Laine had pizza and the other kiddos had chicken and mashed potatoes.  It was all delicious.

Jason gave his lemon slice to Jilli............................she ate it!

Shea loves her Daddy!

Jilli, Rachel and Garrett were having a good time.

Laine loved his soda, but hated the camera.....................

Dallas with his favorite girl.

When they brought the hot bread, Garrett loved it.......................especially the butter.

We had such a wonderful evening.  Believe it, or not, no one spilled their drink.  Some people had to have their silverware confiscated because they were making too much noise.  When they got really antsy, we looked around upstairs and also walked down the hill to see the river.  It was such a nice Mother's Day present.  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Jason.

Jason's Birthday

Today is Jason's birthday.  He really doesn't want to be reminded, but I fixed dinner for him and his family, Andrew and Stuart, and my dear friend and neighbor, Marilyn.  Today is Marilyn's birthday as well as Mamie's Dad's birthday............................lots of great people born on April 18.  It is hard to  believe that I have adult children.  It was such a wonderful time, having our first baby.   He was so exceptionally cute and still is.  He has become a wonderful son, husband and father and I am so proud of him.

I took some photos of my lilacs................they are the old fashion lilacs and they smell heavenly.  The bush is about 6 feet tall and has really spread out.  Mamie expressed a desire to move some of it to her house.  The old fashioned lilacs are so wonderful because of their fragrance and I would rather have them then the new hybrids that don't have that wonderful frangrance.

Same old story...............................

busy, busy, busy.  Mom came Sunday evening and I helped her put borders on the Log Cabin Star quilt we made last year together.  We also put borders on the backings of the star quilts we made this year.  Yesterday we went to town, had lunch, and then I dropped Mom off at JoAnn's so she could look for backing fabric for her Log Cabin Star quilt while I went to my guild board meeting.  Afterwards we went to the show.  I wanted to see "The Grace", but times were not convenient, so we went to see Rango..............it was funny and it was good to sit and laugh at a very funny movie.  We grabbed some groceries and then came home to work on our backings.  Mom finished her's last night and I got up early this morning and had it done by 8:30.  We took three quilts to Jan for her to longarm quilt and when we got back, Mom went home.  Now you know why I haven't blogged!

Mom's Log Cabin Star

Jason saddled up Trigger this morning to get in a cow that was having trouble having a calf.  They pulled the calf and the momma and baby are doing fine.  When you raise cattle you have to be an obstetrician at times.

It's raining today.............................

but that didn't stop Jason from checking the cows.  Trigger doesn't look too happy and will be glad to get back to the paddock.

I think I was getting cabin fever,

so I bundled up and went outside.  I was able to walk through my yard in the tire trucks Jason left from the road to my door yesterday.  That made traversing the ice and drifts much easier.  I delivered 2 trash bags to the dumpster and talked with Jason and Laine a little.  Jason wanted to get his 18 wheeler out so he could take a load of corn to St. Louis, so he made a single lane down our county road all the way to the blacktop. ................ Snow plowing courtesy of Smith AgriServices.  Jason said I could drive my SUV to my mailbox, so I thought I would give it a try.  When I got to the end of our lane, there was Andrew in the loader tractor.

He told me to follow him and he would dig out my mail box for me.  I didn't think the mailman would deliver my mail if he couldn't pull up to my box, but when I opened my mailbox, it was full of mail.  He must have delivered it at least twice this week.  I had a nice surprise---my new American Quilter Magazine had arrived!

This is our county road now, courtesy of Jason.  Thank you Jason!

Along our county road, the drifts have all but covered up the fences.

Jason was on the way to St. Louis with a load of corn.  Laine was going with him.

I hope they get through our county road. I drove out to the blacktop and it is fairly clear, so they should make it if they get to the blacktop.  I am so glad I got out.  Even though the temperature is cold, it seemed warm outside with the sun shining and no wind blowing.  The snow is such a sensual experience.  The air is cold and pure and the snow has made everything clean.  If you get a chance, get out in it for a little while.  It breathes new life into the soul.  Petting Ghost also makes me happy.................as well as Ghost.

This morning Jason called me while he was feeding silage.  There were two huge Bald Eagles perched side by side in the top of a tree overlooking our irrigation lake.  They were watching the geese that were on the lake.  I got my binoculars and had a good look at them.  Soon they took flight and soared south.  We have been seeing Bald Eagles for perhaps 5 years now.  They are magnificent!

Jason came by and wanted me "experience" the snow.

So I got on my snowwear and headed out the door.  It is still treacherous outside with patches of ice alternating with deep drift.  We made our way across the yard to our lane that had been plowed.  They worked all morning long on the lane, around the buildings, silo, and grain bins as well as paths to the silage feeders and hay racks.  Jason said that all the roads are drifted shut.  He said that a truck with a blade would not be able to clear our road.................we will have to wait for the roadgrader.  When they worked to clear our lane, they couldn't  make one swipe and have it clear.  They had to go down it numerous times to get it as clear as they did.  Jason bladed across our 270Acre field to State Road DD.  He is going down DD, E, and M.  He says that local farmers have bladed a one lane road to make it passable with a 4WD pickup. 

This is some drifts in my yard around my propane tank.

Jason stands in front of a pile of snow they took off in front of the machine shed.  He's over 6 feet so that is a huge mound of snow.

This is our lane that they plowed.

This is our county road.

and this is Ghost! Doesn't he look like a polar bear?

What a day.

The wind has been howling all morning, whipping the snow into troughs and drifts that undulate over the land.  Jason came in.  He had driven the loader tractor home after he fed the cattle this morning because he didn't know if he would be able to get back over here in his 4WD pickup.  He lives about 5 miles due east of here and the roads are drifting with snow.  The cattle are standing near the hay racks, their backs to the wind.  It is really bad for them when it gets like this.  They always survive, but I feel badly for them.  They have to be fed silage in the morning and then Jason puts out lots of hay for them to get them through until tomorrow morning.  As long as they have enough to eat they stay warm.

When he came into my hallway, he just insisted that I put my clothes on and come out with him.  It was horrible walking across the yard.  There is either slick ice, or deep snow to traverse................and all the while the wind is whipping snow in your face.  I thought I would never get to the machine shed.  Once in the shelter from the wind, it wasn't too bad.  This is what Jason wanted to show me:

This dog has been hanging around the past few days and Jason has been feeding it.  He is huge, but seems to like women.  He came to me, but was wary of Jason.  He looks like a ghost dog, especially when he is in the snow.  To make a long story short, he is in my mudroom.  He smells a little skunky so he is not coming into the house.  But I think he appreciates the shelter from this storm.  I had a few little sausages in my refrigerator that I gave him.  He is beginning to dry out some.  I don't know how long he will stay in my mudroom.  I just realized that I have a whole ham hanging out there.  I wonder how long it will be before he discovers it.  Perhaps I had better move it.

See how the snow is drifted in some spots and the ground is ice covered in others.

Notice that there is very low visibility.  This is definitely a blizzard.  Please stay in if you possibly can.  I worry about Jason having to come over to feed the cows.

Jason was without power this morning for about 2 hours, but I have been fine so far.  I washed all of my dishes, made a cake for the kids, and did some things on the computer.  I have all the information off the computer so I can do my W-2's and W-3's.  That was on my to do list today.  I hope my electricity stays on. 

Yesterday afternoon I went to Jason and Mamie's.................

and saw Jason and Shea riding horses.  It was  a little slick, so they came home.

Shea was riding Biscuit and Jason was riding his horse, Doc.  Don't they both look happy? Jason is so happy that his knee is fixed and he can ride horses again.

Shea is such a big girl.  She can saddle and unsaddle her horse......................

but carrying that heavy saddle is another thing.

Shea had ridden Biscuit and left her horse in the barn.  He was throwing a fit because he wanted to be with the other horses.  This is Shea's horse, Trigger, a Palomino.

Dixie was tired because she had gone with them.  The best place to rest in the barn is a pile of hay.

Shea walks Trigger back to the paddock.

They feed some hay to the horses.  Jason is giving a nibble to Trigger.

Whose big footprints are these?

Dixie's, of course.  Copper passed away about a month ago and we all really miss him.

In 1980......................

we built a new shop on this farm.  It was a wonderful shop, but our equipment outgrew it eventually and everything was too big or too tall to drive in it.  Last winter we tore down the old shop and put up a new one on the existing concrete.  It is really nice--we can even pull in the sprayer and open up the spraying arms.  One of the things Jason wanted was an "office" in the shop, which made a lot of sense, but the new office has evolved into a "man cave".   It has a bathroom with a shower, a refrigerator, microwave, cabinets with counter for the coffeepot, a desk and some office chairs.  I think it will eventually have more seating.

This is Jason,  Laine,  and Andrew near the "kitchen".

Here they are near the "office".

This is Jason's new office chair.

This is Andrew's office chair.  I don't even get one.  Probably don't want one if this is what the #2 man gets...........you know I am #3............or maybe #4 since Stuart is working here now.

This is Laine in front of two of our clean tractors, thanks to Stuart.  It is a wonderful shop!  Jason gave me a new Weber propane grill for Christmas.  His parting words to me.................."We might bring your grill over to the shop."  I noticed there was meat in the freezer of the refrigerator.  I can see where this is all going and I don't know how productive the guys are going to be.  I may have to turn the "office" into my new quilting studio................... 

This morning.........

the men lured this group of cattle into the lot with a wagon full of silage.  They were looking for 2 calves.  One was named Teddy and was Laine's bottle calf last summer.  The other was a steer that Shea picked out to show at the fair next summer.  They put the group in the lot and then began to let them out in hopes that they would end up with just those two calves left in the lot.  They will be taking them to Jason's farm so they can feed them and tame them down so they can be shown.  I'm a little nervous about the whole thing.  Jason was working with Shea's show calf last spring and he knocked Jason down and TORE HIS ACL AND UCL AND THAT IS WHY HE HAD AN ACL RECONSTRUCTION THIS WINTER.  Here they are starting to sort the cattle by letting them slowly out the gate.

Andrew is standing there with his big stick---not to beat the cattle with, but as an extension of his arm if he has to hold back one of the calves.

this little calf looks confused .  "I thought we were going to eat breakfast."

the cattle are slowly moving toward the gate so Andrew and Jason are looking for the 2 calves they want to keep.

Ah, the sweet smell of success.  Both calves are in the trailer ready for their ride to their new home.  I had a talk with this calf and let him know that he would be on my grill if he hurts Jason or Shea.

Today we went to Chevy's...................

and it just happened to be Dallas's birthday this week, so the wait staff sang to him and gave him a sombrero.  He was shy.

He felt better having Mamie wear the hat.

He liked it even better when Shea wore the sombrero.

Jason didn't need a hat.............he sat in front of the fireplace.

Laine didn't feel good.  He thought a toy would make him feel better.   

Wow! have I been busy!

It just  seems that I get busier and busier........................therefore, not much blogging.  Monday I went to my scalloped edge workshop and my guild meeting.  I didn't leave the meeting until about 3:30.  I didn't realize it was that late, because the presentation on Amish quilts was so interesting. 

Tuesday I cooked all day.  I decided that I wanted to help Mamie and Rachel more.  Mamie is home schooling their kids and  Rachel is teaching at a preschool five days a week..  I made 2 TexMex Chicken and Rice Cassaroles, 2 Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells dishes with my homemade Marinara Sauce, a large pot of vegetable beef soup, and cut up and buttered 2 loaves of French Bread for them to put in their freezers.  I kept a small dish of each to put in my freezer for me..................cooking for yourself is no fun.

 On Wednesday I went to Rachel's to give Jilli a day at home.  We had a great time.  She wanted to swing, so we went to the park and she played on all the great fun equipment.  I also washed all of Rachel's dishes, we   met Mom at Subway for dinner, made a batch of rolls and some Pigs In the Blanket.  I also made mashed potatoes and green beans to go with Pigs for supper.  I froze 2 pans of rolls for Rachel and cut up and fried a huge round steak so she could use it for fajitas.  Garrett helped me with the rolls when he got home.  He had a great time with his rolls. He told me  to take them home and leave them outside for the coyotes to eat.  Funny

 Today I sat down and registered for the AQS Show at Paducah.  Mom and I will be going to a trunk show on 30's quilts, a lecture on an easy method for making NY Beauty blocks, and will be learning to make mitered squares and corners.   I am taking a workshop on drawing feathers.  We will be going to the Awards Ceremony, the National Quilt Museum..........................and of course, the quilt show.  I can hardly wait.  It is always so much fun.   Yes, we will also make ourselves go to Hancocks to shop for fabric.  If you haven't registered for the show and all the the wonderful happenings of quilt week......................do so, and soon, before classes fill up.

Jason also came in and we figured out how much fertilizer we are going to need this spring.  At noon I went to our community club dinner.  It is always great to share a meal with my neighbors.  Mamie was hostess and she made her wonderful Lasagna..............it is to die for!  I had to get some prescriptions filled, so I ran to Columbia, went to the books store for some R and R and then to Aldis for a few groceries.  I am finally home.   Hopefully tomorrow will be a day at home.    Maybe I can do some serious blogging tomorrow.

IQA Auction Quilt

I recieved a letter from the International Quilt Association informing me that Maureen Hendricks had purchased my quilt for a nice donation for the IQA.  I was flattered at how much it brought.  Thanks, Maureen for buying my quilt and I hope you enjoy it for many years.

This has been a wild week. I have been helping my son's family because he  had an ACL Reconstrucion and had to go to physical therapy and on Thursday evening, my Mom came in to the hospital for tests because her BP was high and she was having some disturbing symptoms.  Today is better---I took Mom home with changes in her medications and Jason is working hard on his exercises and is WALKING WITHOUT HIS CRUTCHES.  I am so excited that he is doing so well.

Anyway, I apologize for the sparse blogging this week.  Hopefully next week will be better.

Smith Thanksgiving

Yesterday Rachel and I had the Smith Thanksgiving meal at Rachel's house.  There were 32 in attendance and we had such a good time----lots of kids and lots of food. 

This is our beloved Mamaw and Papa who are the matriarch and patriarch.  Mamaw and Papa have 

 made us many wonderful meals over the years and it is a delight to host them. 

Rachel set up 2 adult tables downstairs as well as a childrens' table.  The kids were so cute.  I think we used 4 towels at various times to clean up the spills.  Jilli had the worst time---somehow she ended up with mashed potatoes on her chair, which fell to the floor, which she walked in with her shoes, which left potato tracks across the floor............well, you get it, right?  Mamie made her wonderful hot rolls and she had to make a trip upstairs to bring a plate of hot buttered rolls to the kiddos because that was the first thing they ate and were ready for more. From left to right:  Laine , Garrett, Jillian and Dallas.

Laine, Garrett and Jillian.  You notice  they are waiting for more Mamie rolls.

Allyssa and Collin

Jilli and Dallas

Zoe, Allysa, Collin, Laine

Then there was the "big" girls who sat with the adults:  Shea, Emily, and Miranda

Mamie with another plate of buttered rolls for the kiddos.

Chris, Hollie and Jason upstairs with the adults.

Carolyn and her son in law Jim, Papa, and Mamaw.

Joel, Jill and Bob.

Matt getting mashed potatoes while Jilli looks on.  Think of what this group of people looks like from her vantage point.  She was the baby yesterday.  I didn't get photos of everyone, but Rachel, the hostess was there, as well as Tracey and  Max, Justin, Lisa, Mason and Jackson, Robby, Joel's fiance, Debbie, and my Mom, who came over in the afternoon for pie and coffee.  It was a wonderful gathering.  Thank you Rach---we make a great team.  I love you!