Bragging just a Bit!

Okay, I am going to brag a tiny bit!! Just kidding!!

Recently Franklin Springs Media did a give away for the new DVD by the West Ladies: The Art of Sewing.

(BTW if you have not seen it or the others in the series you should)

Anyway, the contest was you had to write about how the West ladies have impacted your life. I (Jessica) entered and won!!! To read it visit HERE

We are now eagerly awaiting for the new DVD!! Thank you Franklin Springs!!

Warm Milk Down My Sleeve

Last week we went to a friend's house for dinner.

While we were there their oldest daughter invited myself and Rachel to go milk with her. We jumped at the chance. I have only gotten to milk once before and I loved it!!

We went out talking merrily and thinking all was right with the world!

Well, the cow did not want to be milked.

(Whatever happened to a swollen milk bag and her desperately wanting to be milked?)

She briskly stepped over the fence and "headed west"! After some pleading, hitting, and laughing the three of us got her into the pen. She walked back out.

More pleading, hitting, and laughing.

This time we took her down to the fort and tied her. We then proceeded to milk her. I got to milk a lot and while we milked we talked.

While we talked we strengthened a friendship that is to precious to lose.

I am not a pro at this and so I squirted milk down my sleeve.

Warm milk. Creamy Milk. Milk with no added hormones. Milk from a grass fed Momma cow. Milk that is sweet and fat. Milk that people used to live off of.

Now, a lot of you city slickers probably think milk is not something you want down your sleeve and it's not. If you are talking of the cold white 2% stuff we call milk.

I am not. I am speaking of the warm rich fatty milk. Milk that smells good and is warm on your skin when it goes down your sleeve. That stuff is GOOD!!

After the milking the cow wouldn't go into the pen, she stood on my foot, her baby attacked me, they got in a tussle (baby and momma) and I was attached to the lead rope, and the dog escaped. (What ever happened to the "romance of farm life)?

All in all, I came back to their warm house cold, smelling like a cow and an Anatolian Shepard, sticky with milk, and with a sore foot. But I had LOVED it!!!

I love animals and I love that kind of stuff!! I love being stood on by a cow!! (to a point) It was fun.

If you ever have the chance to walk a cow down a hill. Or to feed her clover from your hand. Or to really milk. Or to pet a baby calf. Or to play with a dog that is almost as tall as you. Jump at the chance!! Grab it and take it because it is a wonderful experience!

Jessica

Jamie's Birthday!!!

Yesterday Jamie turned 8.
So today we have posted 8 lovely photos of Jamie through the years.
The most recent being at the top.

The Chance of a Lifetime

Here in the South we just don't get snow. Maybe once a year, but rarely. Friday we had one of the biggest snows I remember (16yrs!!) and last night we had another smaller snow.

Well as we are in the middle of producing a film, (more on that HERE) we can never miss the opportunity to film! So, last night at 8:30 we are outside in the wind, snow, and freezing temperatures FILMING!!

I was in a 19th century dress, coat, and shawl. Ryan is dressed in a costume. Rachel is filming. And Daddy and Emily are holding a sheet over a lamp. And did I mention that I was holding a Y2K lamp, our hands are freezing, we had NOT practiced this scene, and Daddy had spilled lamp fuel on his shoe. Not to mention Erin is banging out piano scales for all she is worth and Mommy is canning chili sauce.

All that to say, we filmed a great scene last night...

If you want to see photos I suggest you visit HERE


Have a great day,

Jess

Hymns

All Creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Christ has triumphed. Jesus reigneth
Christ by a road before untrod
ascends unto the throne of God
Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia ALLELUIA



Crown him the Lord of Love
Behold his hands and sides
Rich wounds yet visible above
In beauty glorified
No angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight
But downwards bends his burning
on mysteries so bright

Crown him the Lord of Peace
whose power a scepter sways
from pole to pole that wars may cease
absorbed in prayer and praise
his Reign shall know no end
and round His pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance
ever sweet


When I survey the wondrous cross
on which my Prince of Glory died
my richest gain I count but loss
and pour contempt on all my pride

Were that whole realm of Nature mine
it would a gift be FAR to small
Love so Amazing
Love so Divine
demands my Soul
My Life
My All



Though I may speak with bravest fire
and have the gift to all inspire
bu have not love my words are vain as sounding brass
and hopeless gain

Though I may give all I posses
and striving so
my love profess
but be not given by Love within
the profit soon turns strangely thin.

I have committed most of these hymns to memory...

who can name them?
Jessica

The Film Festival of 2010

You and your family are invited to join us in the

The
Plants and Pillars Film Festival
of 2010!




What?
A Film Festival is basically a film contest. You make a film and the judges decide who qualifies for which prizes.

Why?
First, because it is so much fun to make a film of any kind. Second, because you should never miss the opportunity to enter a contest!

When?
The Contest starts now and the Plants and Pillars Film Festival (that is the Award Ceremony) will be held later in the year.

Who?
Anybody! Be creative with what you make!! (We are even excepting slideshows) And have fun!

How?
To join and read more visit our website... www.plantsandpillarsproductions.com

Hope to see you there,

Jessica and film crew!


Additions: When you enter you receive free tickets for you and your whole family.

Awards!

I got this award from Jenna over a Feminine Farmgirl. Her rules were as follows...

1) Jesus Christ is your personal Savior and Lord
2) You are committed to staying pure for your future spouse
3) you LOVE babies and believe that they are a gift from the Lord, then please accept this award from me to you:)


As that fit me like a glove I picked it up. I pass it on to anyone who wants it. Please follow the three guidelines. I would however like to award it to three blogs I love...

1) Ebenezer Forrest Farm
2) Safely to Arrive at Home
3) Just a Family

The three blogs are run by families that mean a lot to me.

Have fun!

Jessica

Respect and Thought

These two characteristics are lacking on today's culture. Especially where the elderly are concerned.

Yesterday we all went to my great-grandmother's and spent about a hour cleaning her yard up... we raked, picked up sticks and trimmed. That was it, but it meant so much to her.

From a young age we have been instilled with the desire to respect the elderly around us. They are still humans and without them we wouldn't have the heritage we have.

Robert E. Lee Quotes

1. Fame which does not result from good actions and achievements, for the good of the whole people, is not to be desired. Nero had fame, who envies him?
2. Hold to your purity and virtue. They will sustain you in every calamity.
3. A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me.
4. (Of the Capitol Building) That beautiful feature of our landscape has ceased to charm me as much as formerly. I now fear the mischief that is brewing there.
5. It is well that war is terrible-or we should grow too fond of it.
6. We may be annihilated, but we can not be conquered.
7. We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.
8. No man can be so important in the world that he does not need the goodwill and approval of others.
9. There is always a hazard in military movements, nut we must decide between the positions of inaction and the risk of action.
10. Do your duty in all things... you can not do more and you should not desire to do less.
11. Gods will aught to be our aim, and I ma quite content that his design be accomplished and not mine.
12. My experience with men has neither disposed me to think worse of them nor indisposed to serve them.
13. Those who oppose our services are not always to be regarded as our enemies.
14. I am of the opinion that all who can should vote for the most intelligent, honest, and conscientious men eligible for office.
15. I feat the liberties of our country will be buried in the tomb of a great nation.
16. The dominant party can not reign forever, and truth and justice will prevail at last.

Jess

Lessons and Carols

An odd assortment of photos I know, but a man at church had taken these photos of our lessons and carols service. We loved it so much (even though we did have to sing twice!! :) We also had many additions to our orchestra (including Mr. and Mrs. Flanniken and their children)

Thank you everyone! The music that night was something I still smile to think of!

Jess

Small Town Southern Man

"And he bowed his head to Jesus,
And he stood for Uncle Sam,
And he only loved one woman,
was always proud of what he had.

"He said his greatest contribution is the ones he'll leave behind him,
raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a
SMALL TOWN SOUTHERN MAN."

I love that song!

Commenting

This is specifically to (ColtonSteigerwald0314) please leave sensible comments.

Robert E. Lee

This year we celebrate the 113th anniversary of the birth of a wonderful man. I am really busy right now, but when I get a chance I am recommending a book and filling this page with quotes!!!

So watch out!!

Oldest Sister


Note: I am NOT trying to start something so don't even think of leaving a negative comment!

His Hands...

We went to violin lessons today. As I walked out to the car I had my violin across my back (my favorite place for it), my backpack in my arms, and Baby Brother's tiny hand tucked into my hand. He is so sweet and small. He smiles at me and I want to hug him. He walks with me and I smile at him.

Before to long, he will be grown. He will be 18 and I will me 32. Impossible. So I let him hold my hand a little longer. It will be to soon that he let's go.

Oldest Sister

Making Brothers and Sisters friends!

Jenna and Josh are giving away this book. To enter the giveaway go HERE and say Farm Kids in Crocs sent you!!! PLEASE!!!!

The Cello Lesson

Third Sister and Baby Brother decided to play cello. Actually Third Sister and I were playing and Baby Brother pulled out Second Sister's Violin. So Third Sister stopped and taught him.

First they pulled it out.

Then they tightened it a "tiny bit".

He tested the rosin.

He didn't know what she was talking about.
"The G Scale???"

He Tuned.

And he played!!!

Baby Brother Loves Cello.


Oldest Sister

Our Muesum Trip

As we traveled to Birmingham, AL we pondered what we were about to see. Birmingham, AL had one of the view muesums to receive this exhibit. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. As we journeyed through this amazing exhibit, we learned tons. I am posting the stories later... I need to find some images on the web.

Sarah's Birthday!!!

Today is Sarah's Birthday and she is 6!!!
Here are 6 things about Sarah that you might not know:
#1 Her favorite color is teal.
#2 Her favorite food is peanut butter&jelly sandwiches ~GRAPE-jelly~
#3 She has a teddy bear named Teddy ~of course~ who is always hiding and can never seem to stay clean.
#4 She LOVES horses. She has books and calendars in her room and wanted one for her birthday. Lets see what happens...
#5 She actually looked at her presents and told me she had so many she wouldn't know what to do if she got any more!!! How many kids have ever said that to you???
#6 She is always making us laugh with the crazy things she does.

So lets all comment and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

~P.S. The top picture is when she was 2 maybe the 2nd is when she was 5 and the 3rd was this morning when she open a gift from all of us.

What a fun brother!!

I know I have been doing Michael a lot, but he is SO cute!! Today he was "in the jungle" shooting tigers!! Hence the potted fern!!

Kitty Love or Reflections

Which Title Is Better?

Jess