St. David's Day

Today is St. David's Day....what is that you might ask?  It is a celebration that folks of Welsh heritage observe.  I am very proud of the Welsh blood in my veins!  I am lucky enough to live in a community where the original settlement was primary Welsh.  Because of this there is a celebration every year in our little town on March 1. We celebrate with hot tea, (hot cider for those who might not like tea) and stone cakes.  Stone cakes are a traditional treat that originally were baked on hot stones, now it is done on electric griddles.  They look like a little pancake and are yummy!

 Daffodils are the symbol of Wales, so the room is beautifully decorated with daffodils and in yellow...very bright and springy!

The Welsh flag is displayed in the background.

Traditional hot tea is served from this beautiful tea pot!

Notice the banners on display that explain the Welsh heritage.

Many people come even if they are not Welsh, just to be a part of the community activity.  I am almost 100% Welsh.....so enjoy every moment!  My Dad told about everyone in the area going to the St. David's Day program when he was young, the children all had a part and it was a highlight of the year.

Country Blessings........

Special Birthday Day

January 24 is a special day in our family....Today would have been my Dad's 85th birthday.  He was born right here in the house he grew up in, I grew up in and we currently live in!  Very special memories. It is hard for me to imagine my Grandma having a baby right here...not something you think about usually I guess.  My Daddy was a very special guy, I suppose everyone thinks that of their own Dad, but mine really was a wonderful man!  He taught me to love the outdoors, the land and animals... especially horses!

On January 23.....33 years ago, I went into labor with my second son. It was a very icy, winter night!  After making it safely to the hospital,  a beautiful baby boy came into the world.  Rlyn was born at 12:25 just barely making it into January 24 so that he shared his birthday with his Grandpa! 

Over the years they shared many birthday parties and memories.

10 years ago today was the last one.  Daddy passed away a few months after his 75th birthday.  He was in the nursing home at the time, but we had a little party with him.

A few tears tonight as I remember the special day......

Country Blessings......

Basketball fun

Last week on New Years Eve day we attended a Kansas State basketball game.  Our kids gave us tickets for Christmas.  A day away from the farm.....an out of the ordinary gift for us, a special time spent with family that day. They surprised their kids, and most of both sides of their family with tickets......all except the really fanatic K-U fan brother!!  We missed you R!

We were to meet and ride together, ok, good plan.  Except on our way to meet, we figured out that neither of us had the tickets...problem!  Rush home, find tickets, and head to Manhattan on our own.  That was ok, we made it a few minutes after they did anyway, met for lunch at Grandson's favorite Freddy's, then went over to the game.  Very thankful that the "ticket in hand " problem was discovered a few miles from home instead of after we got to the door!!!

I may have forgotten the tickets, but I did remember the camera, so here are some memories to share.

The grandkids each brought a friend with them.

                                           



Our little cheerleader!



And here is Willy Wildcat!

                                                   
Thanks for a fun day kids!  Go K-State!

Country Blessings........

Starting the new year out right

New Years Day is traditionally a family celebration for my Mother's side of our family.  It is always a lot of fun.....soup and a smorgasbord of snacks and whatever goodies everyone brings to go along with it!  My family on both sides is of Welsh heritage....so our traditional dessert is Plum Pudding....yummy!!!  I have never made it, really need to try my hand at that one of these days, but Mom has always fixed it and my Grandmothers before her.   After eating way too much....we  all enjoy a "white elephant" gift exchange.  You know the kind where you can steal some one's gift....makes for some excitement!  There are some gifts that seem to show up every year......such as a Bugs Bunny hat....this year our 11 year old grandson opened it and everyone cheered!  Fun times......

Every year this soup is the one requested:

Cheese-Broccoli Soup

Bring to a boil:
      5 cups water
      4 chicken bouillon cubes
      1/2 teaspoon salt
Add:
      1 Tablespoon  minced onion
      10 oz. frozen chopped broccoli
Cook for 3 minutes
Add:
      4 oz. fine noodles
Cook for 10 minutes
Add:
      1 1/3 cups milk
      8 oz. Velveeta cheese
Serve immediately


Country Blessings........

Good bye 2010 you have been good to us

Happy New Year...

Saying goodbye to the year 2010.....
   We have been blessed over and over again this past year.  So very thankful that God has been so good to us.  You know, God is Good All the Time!!
    Some highlights of the year:

• 2 new Great Grandbabies -- A little boy in March and a little girl in December
• Jim's health improving  --  He is in the second year following open heart surgery
• Best Farmers Market season yet
• Had a wonderful time celebrating our farm being in our family for 85 years --  BBQ with family and friends in October
• Hosted the 8th Annual Living Nativity here at our farm
• Blessed with a healthy and happy family
• Blessed with generous and loving friends

There have been some not so great things along the way, but I choose to be Thankful and Praise God in All Things!

Country Blessings........

What a Week....

This last week of 2010 has been eventful. 

Monday-- blog friends from Minnesota came for a visit.  What a fun afternoon we had!  They had been to Arkansas with family over Christmas.  They stopped here on their way home, had lunch and a nice visit.  Carol and I had become friends on Homestead blogger a few years ago.  Last Thanksgiving they stopped by on their way home from Arkansas, we met in person for the first time and had such a great time, we were all looking forward to another chance to chat.  We have lots in common, so talk is easy! Thanks guys for making a stop on your long drive home!

Our friends, Carol, Madison and Rich ready to hit the road again

Then....Monday evening we awaited the news of the birth of our 5th Great Grand baby!!  A C-section had to be performed and complications developed for mother....but God is Good....and finally the report that baby and mama were well came!  Beautiful little Addison is here and she seems to be getting spoiled already! Congrats to Ben and Whitney.  Hope to meet the little lady soon.

A very proud new Grandma.....

Country Blessings......

Living Nativity

Christmas 2010 is now history......
After church we went to the local Wally World and got a few 1/2 price Christmas decorations, 1/2 price is always good! 

 A week ago this evening we hosted our Living Nativity.  This is something we have done for our community for the past 8 years.  There have been a couple of years it has been cancelled because of bad weather.  This year we were blessed with beautiful weather.  We have a perfect set up and lots of animals so it all works out well.  We have a shed that is open to the south that serves as the stable.  The barn feed room is nearby with electricity for a PA system and the music headquarters. A fire ring in between to serve as a warm up spot, and the garage is used to serve hot chocolate and cookies!  We accept donations for Heifer International, which is a great organization!
It takes lots of people to help in many ways to make this happen, and our community is always willing to help out.   It is also a lot of work for us to get ready....but a good way to get the garage cleaned once a year, and the barnyard spiffed up a bit!!  We feel blessed to be able to share our farm in this special way.

Country Blessings......