"Those bad guys can't get me because I'm behind here [a cardboard box full of wheat bran], but I can get them because I have my WD 40!"He was explaining his war plan to me and Mama while we were cooking. He later explained that a WD 40 is similar to an AK 47.
The Heritage trebuchet is now for sale! Price may vary, depending on how eager we are to get rid of it. It can come with the trailer, or we can possibly help unload it. Flag and pumpkins not included.
Now announcing the custom, hardy, country-style, large family table! What could be better than sitting down to a hot, home-cooked meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green peas, and chocolate pie at your very own farm-house table?
Last night was out traditional tree-decorating family night. Mama spent most of the day preparing the finger foods that was to be our dinner. We had thin strips of steak, rosemary cheese croquet things served with marinara sauce, sweet and spicy nuts, pitted dates filled with feta cheese and smoked almonds, calzone pinwheels, mini spinach and feta quiches, Cabot cheese and crackers, roasted garlic, apples and dulce de leche, fudge, peanut brittle, gingerbread lattes, and mulled apple cider!!! Abundance! Elvis, Amy Grant, and Twila Paris were singing Christmas songs. There was a fire in the fire place; the stockings were hung. To top it all off, we had Luke to keep us excited (if a little frustrated occasionally)! The setting was perfect. Luke hung nearly every ornament on the tree, and, for once, we managed to have a tree that doesn't necessarily look overloaded! The size and stability of the tree itself prevented many of the ornaments from being hung up. According to another tradition, and upon Luke's insistence, we four kids slept in the living room with the newly-decorated tree.
I think we did pretty well!
We just got our copy of "Return of the Daughters" yesterday, so last night we watched it. It was very encouraging to see daughters (and fathers) with a vision! I think having a vision, and a well-defined, if still flexible, one, makes all the difference in the world. It's amazing how much I can do when I know what the goal is. That ends up being a problem sometimes because I get stuck thinking that the goal must be well defined or I'm lost! I'm working on it though.
Many churches hold a service of preparation for Christ's coming, which includes hanging greenery traditionally associated with everlasting life. Greens such as cedar for royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life, holly symbolizing Jesus' death and ivy representing the resurrection are used.
--- UMC "What is Hanging of the Greens?"
He's so funny! We had such a hard time getting him to cooperate!
Anna and Luke making breadsticks.
Two stooges.
Making salsa.
There's one of these Fallow Deer (Dama dama) near us. It looks very odd! The antlers are palmate, like a moose, and they keep their spots. They are very small, between 100 and 150 pounds in the wild (up to 200 pounds domesticated). They're only three feet or so tall! Originally from the Middle East, Fallow Deer are common in much of Europe and are slowly being introduced by deer farmers to the United States. They are raised mainly for sport (they make unusual trophies, obviously.), and velvet antler which is sold to Asian cultures who use it in medicines."If there is no rush, you can't piddle." --- Claire on piddling.
"I obey frequently." --- Luke after he said that he already knew everything we were going to teach him... except reading.
"Hmmm... What's that you say, dahling?"
"Hold on, dear, I can't hear you."
"What are those two gossiping about this time!?!"
"Hey there, gals!"
"Would you please get that thing out of my face!"
A few evenings ago we butchered a half a steer for a friend. I got the grinding job again. I've decided that they put me there on purpose; I'm not very good at wrapping the meat. :)
We went through our game/puzzle closet the other day. We have boxes and boxes of things to get rid of now!
Everything fits in there so nicely now! We don't have to close the doors quickly so nothing falls out!
Chuck.
The men and boys smoothing out last minute problems on the trebuchet.
Inserting a solid metal bar though the arm's axle (it was bending really bad without that).
One of the launches!
Raising the standard.
This is what we girls and ladies left every time the men launched the siege machine!
The gathering crowd.
The Heritage Quintet?
Traveling Germans.
You can just barely see our trolley set-up behind the tables.
The competition.
Changing frenzy. Plaid, plaid, everywhere plaid!
Kilted father and son.
Clan leader.
Everyone trying to find a spot on the trebuchet or in the truck bed for our grand entrance!
"For the Lord is our defense...."
My handsome bro. in his Scottish attire.
My other handsome brother in his Scottish garb.
Our men standing around preparing for the first launch.
Impromptu concert!
