He's here!

Connor came 3 weeks plus early. But he's fine!  7 pounds 2 ounces. 

We made a fast road trip going half way across Missouri and then half way into Oklahoma in record time.

Now we will spend a few days cooking and spoiling this little guy!

It's my baby's BIRTHDAY!

In 29 short years she has gone from this  . . . 

 . . . to this!

Happy BIRTHDAY Sarah, I love you to the moon and back. In just 3 1/2 weeks you will know what it's like to hold and love your own little one.

My auction treasure

Today we went to a mid-morning auction. We looked around and really saw only one thing we I wanted. Of course in was all the way in the back from where they were going to start. The auctioneer said it would be at least 2:30 when they would get to the area with our item in it.

We left. At home we did a joint effort in making breakfast and pot #2 of coffee. After we ate, the blacksmith went outside to cut up some downed trees. I cut out an apron. 

It was a way too warm day in Mid-Missouri for December. A couple of hours later and we were enjoying coffee on the deck. The blacksmith was cooling off and resting after his wood cutting. Not something you want to be doing in 70+ temperatures. 

At 1:30 we headed back to the auction. We really should have believed him and arrived closer to 2:30. 

Shortly after 2:30 the item I was interested in came up for auction. The auctioneer took the first lady's bid at $15. I am waving my hand and he doesn't see me. I almost have a heart attack before someone tells him about me. Then a bidding war took over, $10 at a time. I finally won.

This Singer model 99, manufactured in February 1931 is now mine!  Would you believe it's a hand crank model????  My friend Phil will refurbish it for me. I can hardly wait to get my granddaughter to try it out with me. 

This little princess went to town

This is a story about a little 3 year old that went to town with her Grandpa and Grandma, who both had eye doctor appointments. 

It turned into a 2 hour office visit. With both of us having our eyes dilated and checked, it took awhile. Did I mention how good this little girl was. She never asked,  "are we done yet?" or "can we go now?" She not only entertained us, but others in the office too. 

So after the appointment we told her we would treat her to brunch at Mel's. It's a local diner and the food is always good. 

Nothing doing, but she wanted to sit with her Grandpa!

Her mind was made up before we arrived. She knew she wanted bacon, eggs, a Minnie Mouse pancake, and MILK. After all, this wasn't her first trip to Mel's. She cleaned her plate and drank two glasses of milk. 

My lunch was delicious, BBQ pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. I also had a side order of baked turnips. The waitress gave me the recipe when I ordered them. She said you boil the turnips, drain them, add 2 kinds of cheese, and diced fried bacon. Bake and serve. Oh they were delicious!

Just another fun day with the little princess.

Life is good.

More auction goodies

Crawling out of bed at 7:30 for an auction didn't seem like a good thing this morning. But after we arrived there shortly before 8:30, I knew it might be worth our time. 

It's always a social thing, time to see old friends. Of course people watching can be fun too, good most of the time. 

Today I found this 8 gallon Buckeye crock. The Buckeye pottery company was in business in Ohio from 1882 until 1938.  What a steal for $37.50!  It will hold plenty of turnip kraut next time. By the way, we canned 23 pints yesterday. 

Currently E-Bay lists these Buckeye crocks; a 6 gallon for $99, an 8 gallon for $499 (slightly different from ours) and a 10 gallon for $242.  I'm pretty proud of mine!

I also grabbed this 1953 Landwehr Dairy calendar. I have several things from this local dairy. My mother worked there in the late 50's. It's a shame this wasn't a year older, then it would have been the same age as me!

This vintage aluminum dish pan with handles was only one dollar. It will be great to take to the garden to put vegetables in. 

I did give up on a Singer Featherweight machine after $225, of course another $10 and the other bidder bought it. 

Another great day in the country.

Life is good!

A day of giving thanks

We missed these 2 and 8/9's guys not being with us today. We did a little face-timing with them, and a few phone calls. They both had the traditional thanksgiving food at their TV stations. It would have been nice if we all could have been together.

Our first chore of the day was to get some blackberry jelly made. I also made 48 pecan and pumpkin pies for dessert.

I once again used my Beistle vintage honeycomb decorations. 

Someone sure enjoyed the pumpkin pies. Grandpa helped her out with a little extra whipped cream!

Hope you all had a blessed day.

The end of deer camp . . .with success!

The end of deer camp is always bittersweet. It's good family time, good food, and always nice when the guys score on the hunt. 

Friday night in camp, Alex got cozy in Grandpa's cot for just a little while. 

Brady and his great aunt Larraine compare iPhone/iPod notes. 

This is the stove that keeps the cabin toasty warm, some times too warm!

Friday night the chief cook Pat, made chicken and dumplings.

Lizzie wanted to be the chief bottle washer!

Saturday night we were all tired. One little boy was sick. It was a fine meal of BBQ pork steaks, turnip greens, french fries and a short game of cards. The guys all went home to sleep. 

Sunday came . . . the day crawled by . . . not much activity, until about 4:15

Alex, the eight year old, scored his first deer! That face tells it all. 

Success, it's a good thing!