December 6th - Making their lists....

I went to Stuart today to help my SIL Jenyse with her open house. I actually forgot to get my camera out and take photos of her home....it was beautifully decorated!!! She has quite a knack!! I particularly loved the simple elegance...she used just the right amount of color, just the right amount of flair....it was perfect!!!

Did I mention I forgot to take my camera? DUH!!!

I ended up leaving the kids with my dad (who by the way is like a new man after having both of his knees replaced this fall!!!) He had Drew, too. I think they all had a good time!

Once in a while, I will reward *read: bribe* the kids to have good behavior by promising them to go to Dollar General while we are in Stuart.

They think is a real big treat.

I don't think they have figured out the Indianola has a DG too!! LOL!!!

Aiden decided on mechanical pencils -$1

Meghan and Calyn chose lip gloss - $1 each

Mommy - a loaf of bread.....ummm.....$2.70

Needless to say, they all found many other things they would like to have, but I explained that they may just have to ask for that for Christmas.

So they promptly wrote out their Christmas list when they got home....Aiden's items are not exactly DG material, but the girls had their eyes on the Snow White lip gloss and the princess press on nails. Can't you just see it now?

These are their lists on the hearth ....

December 5th - Hodge Podge!!!

Just a whole lotta nothin' much today....about Christmas anyway!!!

I got a few more things out today...emphasis on FEW!!

-see below -

A couple of weeks ago, I was on a hunt for a vintage sled for my sis-in-law. During my travels, I ran across this wonderfully funky cow picture at Vintage Home and Garden in New Virginia.

Isn't it cool....I know, I know you all are wanting a cow picture in your laundry room, too.

It makes me smile.

And smiling while doing laundry is like a"whatever it takes" sort of deal.

So there!!!

Definitely the highlight of the day was photographing this little missie...

isn't she darling!!!!!!!!

Miss H was born about 3 weeks ago and is sweet as can be!!!

December 4th - Slowly but surely..

I am a bit behind with Christmas decorating and baking this year....not enough hours in the day!!

Last year the house was decorated, I had more shopping done and definitely had more baking done. I love this time of year, but for some reason, this year is stressing me out.

{Big Deep Breath}

I suddenly feel the need to make a list. Another list. Can anyone relate?

This was just what I cleaned out of my purse the other day.

Something is wrong with me...lol!!!

So this....

...reminds me of His peace that surpasses {all} understanding. So I will hold onto that and not get too worried about the small stuff.

I still wish my house was clean and festively decorated!!!

Maybe by the end of the weekend.

December 3rd - One Hundred Ninety Six

I'm sure this is super exciting news.

There is less than 200 acres of corn pick as of this very moment!!!!!!!!

That means that harvest will officially be done in just a couple more days!!!

You might think this picture was taken earlier this summer when most farmers are baling hay, but if you look closely....this isn't hay....it is corn stalks.

This is a tell tale sign of a frugal farmer...baling stalks after the corn is harvested. Almost all of our hay winter killed last year, so there was very little to bale this summer. Not near enough to feed 200 head of cattle all winter long.

Do ya' know what the going rate for a bale of hay is....lets just say there aren't any coupons in the Sunday paper for those!!!

So, I'm pleased to report (and the cows are relieved) that we baled 196 big round bales of corn stalks off of one of our farms. That's a whole lotta fiber!!!

Now the question is how many trips 7 miles south will it take to get them home???

December 2nd - JD {green}

Traditions.....I can remember certain traditions associated with the holidays from when I was growing up. I always thought that I would try to continue them with my own family, but it's funny how, without much thinking, you kind of develop your own....with your own family. There are some things that we do similarly to when Jory and I were kids, but we have some new things special for our own little family. One of those is having their own trees in their rooms. You saw the girls' yesterday....this is Aiden's tree. The kids get so excited about putting up their own trees....it's usually the first thing we do when decorating for Christmas!!!

December 1st - Finishing strong.....

In case you haven't noticed, I have totally been slacking on the blog posts for....oh...say...about 5 months....HA!!! I had the best of intentions to post daily photos, but I completely lost my edge long about May. In self defense....this was the beginning of baseball season and our crazy life got crazier. Anyway, I have done pretty well at taking at least one photo per day, if not 100, so I shouldn't have any trouble putting together my Project 365 album. I do want to be more realistic next year and post regularly, but maybe only weekly.

In my feeble attempt to end this thing strong, I am going to post daily....I repeat....I am going to post daily for the month of December. An advent "blog" of sorts...

So, here we go. December 1st.............drum roll...............THE PINK FEATHER TREE!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, this hangs out in the girls' room for the month. We have a few more ornaments to put on it, but they are stowed away quite efficiently in the {big} box of Christmas decor. You know the box that is far to heavy for me to lift off the top shelf in the storage room. Yes, Jory could help, but he is still in the field trying to get this crop out....I know...it is December 1st. It is just one of those years!!!

Wait until you see Aiden's tree tomorrow....one hint.....green!!!!!!!!!!!

November 26th - Belden Thanksgiving and Happy B-day Papa Jim

These girls were having quite a conversation....wish I knew what was so funny!!!

What a beautiful and happy baby....Ella is a delight!!!!!!

We had a wonderful feast at mom and dad's house today....just thought I would share a few pictures from the day. The kids had a great time playing with each other and we all were positively stuffed!!!!! Yes, that is Johnny on the Spot's (aka nana) Christmas Tree in the living room. I tell ya'....