Fall pictures!!

Every fall I enjoy taking pictures of my children, Wes (14) Robyn (12) Ethan (8) Nate (7).  It is a fun tradition that I have done since my oldest son was just a baby!  Here is a sneak peak......still editing some of the others.  Taking their pictures as a group is a challenge requiring some posing creativity.  Our Wesley is 6"4" and the other 3 are all between 4'6" and 4'11" making a HUGE height difference between Wes and the others.  Robyn really hates that her brother is almost 2 ft taller than her even though he is less than 2 years older (not that she wants to be 6' 4".... just is on the short side).  I tried really hard this year to "even out" their heights for the pictures.


Also, for the FIRST time ever we had our FAMILY picture taken by a professional…. kind of hard to be IN the picture if I’m always the one taking them!  LOL!  Really looking forward to getting those pictures back!  She also took some really great pictures of my husband and I…. we haven’t had our picture taken since our wedding… only 15 years ago!

You know you are a COUNTRY GIRL when......

I know I'm a country girl and I'm proud of it!  However, I sometimes realize how very different I am from some of my friends!  LOL!  That's ok differences are good.

Are you a "country girl" like me??

  A look back at my last few weeks.....

You know you are a country girl when.....

...... you open the back door and let out a good holler .... "supper is ready" to bring your kids in from the back pasture!   My sister did give me a dinner bell for Christmas last year.... maybe I should start actually using it!  LOL  Wait a minute... having a dinner bell might just make me a country girl, too!

......you help your husband hang tree stands up in the woods in preparation for deer season!

.....you ask your friend (that just put together a whole new outside playground area for her kids) where the sand box is only to be told that sand boxes are not allowed at their house because they drag in too much dirt! oohhhh  ha ha!  Now that must be why I can't keep my house clean!  Blame it on the kids and their sandbox.  :)

.....you get excited to find 100% alfalfa pellets at the local farm store.  Now I can get GREEN into my chickens diet all winter.  The green leafy foods I feed them all summer .... read weeds from the garden... really make some very yellow yokes in the eggs.  Now we won't have pale egg yokes in the winter!!  yippee!!

.....you can butcher pigs right in your own back yard and then make your own sausage.

.....you hang clothes on the clothes line and then it rains so you keep them out there for THREE days!

.....you get excited when farmers start harvesting the fields because it means you can see the school bus coming from farther down the road!

What about you???  Got any "you know you are a country girl" experiences from your own life that you can tell me about??  Do you LOVE being a country girl??  I think it is just the best!

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

I'm at 99 followers.... Who is going to be the amazing 100??

Crazy... 99!!! Wow! Who wants to be the special #100?? Click the link in the sidebar to 'follow' to be the one.

Don't forget to download your very own copy (FREE for this month) of my Simple Family Supper February Menu Plan Kit E-book. Enjoy some stress free suppertime memories with your family.


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

The WALTONS are being aired again!

Finding TV shows you can watch as a family are hard to find. One of my favorites is the Waltons. We have the DVD set, but I am excited to let you all know I just found out they are back on tv!! I have the dvr set.

Here are the details:

Beginning Monday, October 18th on INSP, viewers also can journey back with "The Waltons" at 1pm EST and 8pm EST when the series begins its exclusive Monday-Friday run on the network.

INSP is available in more than 60 million homes across the US on more than 2,800 cable systems and on DIRECTV channel 364 and DISH Network channel 259. Viewers can check their local program guides for channel line-up information or visit /the-waltons.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

1934 Hershey's Cookbook

Thrift store score!

I'm guessing we will be enjoying some CHOCOLATE in the near future!!!!! This book is a 1971 re-print of the 1934 cookbook. The pictures are still the original.... they just edited some of the recipes to 'modernize' them. I love vintage cookbooks... fun find!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!Heather

Ha ha ha ha!

Another good one from here!
Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Simple Family Supper

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Funny for Friday....

I found this political cartoon here..... Just too good not to pass along!

Happy Vintage Valentine's Day!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

What do a cowboy, pirate and twister game have in common?

Fun time!! My kids dressed up for AWANA's Fall Harvest Party/Trunk or treat!!! Our oldest, Wes, didn't go this year... Basketball practice.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

No "POO" experiement update

Here I am... Day 2 and all is well in the land of hair! I rarely wash my hair every day so this was a 'normal' non washing day. Still feels soft and is not any frizzier than usual (with my curly hair).
I just read a post from Simple Mom that shares her ditching of the shampoo. Good read. Also, 'Chocolate in my Cranium" told me about this excellent post. I HIGHLY recommend reading this post if you are at all interested in going 'no poo'!

Day 3... washed my hair with the baking soda water (2 tbl baking soda dissolved into 2 cups of water). It takes very little of this rinse.... I will be able to get many washes with this batch. I used apple cider/water rinse for conditioner. This time I used a SMALL amount of coconut oil (rubbed in to my hair after towel drying) but NO other hair products. Result: My hair was VERY soft, but frizzier than I am used to and my curls were not as tight.

Day 4.... I washed my hair again (same as day 3) only used my normal hair styling products as usual. (I would normally not wash my hair on this day, but I just HAD to use styling products to eliminate the frizz... I probably could have just wet my hair down)!! My hair was GREAT today... very soft and managable, not frizzy. I am going to try to wean my hair off as many hair products as possible. I currently use a smoothing cream, curl gel all over, a spray gell on the top and hair spray..... YIKES that is a lot of product. My smoothing cream is almost gone so I am going to replace that with the coconut oil. I will see where this leads.

Tomorrow I will not be washing it...... I have always skipped a day so this will not be unusual. I am going to try skipping 2 days of hair washing this time (in case you are wondering... I will still shower!!)

So far I haven't had any major change in oilyness or dryness.... just trying to figure out how to deal with the curly hair part... I HATE frizz!!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

This was just too funny!!

We saw this sign next to a Church we passed last Sunday when we went on a family day at the State Park beach. My husband loves to laugh and got a good chuckle out of this....... HAD to stop to take a picture!!! The Bible verse next to it makes it even funnier!!!



Just so ya know... Please don't take offense.. I have high respect for Churches... just the name is too funny!

Redneck FUN!!!

Redneck Slip'n Slide!!!! All my fellow redneck friends KNOW how much FUN you can have with a Tarp + Water + Dish Soap + Oil!!!!!! I'm telling you redneck FUN is the way to go. These pictures were taken Wednesday for Wes' 12th birthday. His friends (and siblings) had a BLAST!!

They even managed to slide PAST the edge of the tarp.... grass does leave some rug burn! LOL!!























































Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Legacy of love!

This is my Great Grandmother Ollie with my 3 year old Grandma Marjorie. This picture was taken in 1927! My grandmother is celebrating her 85th birthday this month and my sister, Melissa, and I are on photo duty. It has been a fun labor of love. I have learned so much about our family legacy. My family LOVES pictures.... even way back then! It is amazing how many OLD photos my grandma has of her family. I will admit we are a camera happy family whenever we get together.

(above) This is my grandmother holding her *new* baby! Baby Nila was her 5th and final baby... all girls! My Mom, Wanda, was their second daughter. Look at how sharp she looks... and so trim for just having a 10 lb baby!!

(above) My Grandfather, Wilbur, along with his bride of 50 years, Grandma Marge!! They celebrated their 50th the same year my husband and I got married. That is very special to me. My grandfather went to heaven just 6 months after this picture was taken. His legacy continues to live on!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

We know we are a 'red neck' when.....

The old toilet is sitting on the front porch and the first person to use the NEW potty got to eat dinner on the special plate!!!!! Ha Ha He He! There is never a dull moment around here!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

I'm excited! The UPS man just came!

My Lands End order arrived! Now I can actually look forward to trips to the pool and beach with my kids! I got this suit and LOVE it!!!!!!! I have a hard time spending money on myself like this, but after living through the past many summers with a suit I HATE I decided it was high time I did something about it. This one should last for several years.... It fits great, has wonderful support (as I get older I need this more and more!) and the shorts make me feel covered (I do not like the feeling of my b*t hanging out)!!! I also was able to use a coupon code to save 20%! Keep your eyes out, there might be another one available..

Ok, I am enjoying TODAY!!! Living in the moment, but looking forward to warm summer days at the pool!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Happy Birtthday, Chris!

Happy Birthday to my handsome husband!
He is pictured here with his prize Turkey that he got last spring. He is VERY ready for this spring's turkey season! I'm glad he has such a passion for living and that he shares this passion with us! He loves to include us in his hobbies.... wants us to spend time with him!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!!!!!!!!!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Addicted to blogging???

64%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

My friend, Jackie, just forwarded this to me in my email! What a GREAT reminder! Thank you, Jackie!

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE

WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,

BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,

AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND

WHO IS ON THE SOFA

BEING A COUCH POTATO,

BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER

WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES

BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,

NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT

I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING

AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH

WHO SINGS OFF KEY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES

AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE crazy people in my life

BECAUSE they make life interesting and fun!

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT.

I JUST DID.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

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What are you waiting for.... They don't ask for a credit card or your address, just your name and email! EASY!! Click HERE to check it out.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Tired of the mommy wars??? I found this on my friend, Cara's, blog and LOVE it! Please take the time to watch this short clip.... very funny way to embrace the many differences we have! I am a stay at home, work at home mom. However, my very best friend (my sister), is a full time work out side the home, mom. We are different, but we share a common bond: motherhood! I am very protective of my sister and get very frustrated with the mommy wars because it pits mommies like me against mommies like her. My sister and I are both great moms (if I do say so myself) and there is no "right" mom! Check this clip out and laugh with me.



Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather