Another First!!!

Well, Ron finally got his first buck today. I was playing, I mean exercising with the Wii when I got a call from his cell phone. After tracking deer for 3 weeks, he had staked out a spot where it looked like they were hanging out and got a nice size buck with his cross bow. Boy was he excited. He did have to drag it up the ravine for about 30 minutes to the truck. In the snow. I helped him drag it into the back off the pickup (gross, gross, gross) and off we went to the check point and then the processing shop. Did I mention it was a little gross, but soon we will have a nice supply of trail bologna (it's an Ohio thing....) and some other cuts that I will have to learn to cook. Notice I did not post any pictures. Oh, we have them, but the icky factor was way too..... well.... icky.

Images of Christmas

Christmas this year was spent in Georgia at our oldest daughter's home. Cindy and her family went to so much effort to make this Christmas as jolly as possible. Cookies and candy treats to eat, crafts to make and outings to exciting activities.....not a moment was wasted!

When our children were young, each year they and their cousins performed the Christmas Story, complete with costumes and much drama. How wonderful to see their children continue the tradition.

Christmas morning brought stockings full of treats and presents from Santa and family.

Another wonderful year with those we hold dearest. Merry Christmas everyone!

Windy Meadows Farm Blog

My friend Mary has just entered the blogging world in a big way. You can check out her amazing writing and photography at http://www.windymeadowsfarm.blogspot.com/ She has a knack for reminding us of simple country pleasures and joyful moments in our everyday lives.

The Stanley's Trip to Roscoe Village

One of our favorite flights is to Ohio's Roscoe Village. It is a quaint little canal town that has been historically restored and has some wonderful shops and restaurants. Here is one of the Stanleys looking out the plane window before we all boarded! This Stanley is secured in his seat for the short preflight.

After we take off, he is allowed to come up front and check out the controls.

We flew over Deer Gulch Cabin to check out the setting.

Here he is with some other paper people (dressed in costume for the era of course!) planning our day.

The leather shop to get a belt of horse sleigh bells. They sound so festive! Before we left, the Stanleys insisted on getting a pic of themselves on the handmade saddle.

A few more pics.

Canal boat.

Stanleys on the canal boat.

Our favorite shop is the old time general store and candy shop. Real good salty licorice scotties!!! The nice shop ladies said the boys could go behind the counter, for a few moments, if they didn't touch anything! Afterwards we went to lunch at the Warehouse for Fish and Chips! It was a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Our Cabin At The Creek

The foundation goes in on the first day. In addition to the gravel, there are huge cement post that go down below the frost line.

A few days later the cabin comes, in pieces, through the gate.

Lining it up to the foundation.

And drop it into place.

This was the fastest part.

It was a great show for my family. We brought snacks too. Lots of fun.

The roof is starting to take shape.

They finished at about 6:00 pm. Cleaned up and headed home.

A view of the construction from down the road a bit.
A few days later we headed back out there and this is what we saw in what was once an empty field!!! Spent the day working on getting power to the cabin and mowing the field. Spent our first night there too. Next day we continued our work and had power and some of the indoor wiring done.

The creek is now running again too!

A view of the front porch. What did we name the cabin?

The sign says Deer Gulch Cabin. And it became very appropriate when we saw two deer the next morning, one just beside the porch and the other a few dozen feet away from us in the back field.

Y'all come and see us some time!!!

We had our first guest.... yes, it is.......

Flat Stanley.

You can see that we have a bit of work to do inside. That is sarcasm dripping from my voice. But you can see the sleeping loft from this shot. Below that will be the bathroom and kitchen areas.

Another project..........

Happy Birthday Ron!!!

It is turkey hunting season, so this seemed like an appropriate theme for Ron, since he spends a lot of mornings out looking for the elusive bird!

Flat Stanley and Halloween

Phoebe and Chloe gave us two Flat Stanleys to carry around with us. Here is one on the Ward's Halloween Party's Cake Walk! Next to the cupcakes I made.

At our truck's Trunk or Treat display. The kids had to throw rubber chickens into the bucket to get their candy.

Next, we went to the Smith's on Saturday. Ron got the kids some chocolate deviled eggs, but we told them they were regular eggs that were just a little hard from setting out. Abby isn't sure she should eat one.... smart girl. Still checking them out......very closely.

Grandpa, these are really hard, and taste funny.

Yucky. They taste odd.... Oh my goodness, they taste like chocolate! Real funny Grandpa!

Eli, on the other hand, just popped it in his mouth. I guess he isn't that picky.

Next we went to ....

Here are the Stanleys getting a ride in the wheel barrel.

Abby and Eli going down the slide.

Grandpa too.

The goats looooved the Stanleys.

Abby, Stanley, Eli and the other Stanley.

A camel, in Ohio????

Eli in the Tunnel of Terror!!!!!

Making corn angels.

Corn Maze rules are so important to obey.

We are lost......

still lost.

Stanley in the tree house.

Abby and Eli. Oh, and Stanley.

Nothing better than jumping into a pile of leaves!

The sun is setting and our heroes ride off