"I'm pressin' on..."

VBS just ended tonight. The last night always means 'family night' at our church. It is nice to meet the families of the kids. Lots of cookies and lemonade, too. I did the registering this year as well as the newsletter each night. {I was known in the newsletter as Brenda Badger}. The theme this year was The Race is On! Our verse was John 14:6, "And Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." It was great to hear so many of the kids recite it!

Shannon took pictures all week and made a slide show to let everyone see tonight. Since I didn't see the classes 'in action' it was fun to see the pictures. I hope some of the kids will come back! The love the music, games, and crafts. Yay for vacation Bible school!

There was one song that said "I'm pressing onward to the goal Christ has for me..." And, the song leader came up with actions for the songs. Anyway, I couldn't remember hjow it went. All I could think of was "Pushin, pushin', pushin.'" At least it matched the song movements. HA! Silly. I know.

Step by Step

Yesterday was date day. I drove down to Camargo after work. Will and I had quite a productive day- there have been so many things to plan and lists to make. We began by going over a few things with his mom, Sarah- she had some questions for me regarding registering, rehearsal dinner, etc. Next, Will and I went to visit his friend, Geneva, in the nursing home. She is 98 years old and very alert. She cannot see or hear very well, but knows dates, names, and news going on around her. She hasn't been outside in years I think, but is very content where she is. Her son, Carl, goes to see her a couple times a week. I met him at church with Will and he is very sweet. Will goes to see her once a week, unless he is in the field.

In the evening, we went to look at our future home. I was going to measure windows for curtains, but forgot the tape measure. So, I took pictures of every room to show to my family and to get ideas for decorating. We talked about things we'd like to register for, too. It's fun thinking about the future.

We went to Dairy Queen and had ice cream for supper. There was a storm that cooled everything down. The sky was dark in places and we saw a full rainbow. Will had me drive part of the way home in his 5 speed. I'm learning how to drive a manual for the first time. Guess a tractor is next...

Sweet Corn

Summer in Illinois equals sweet corn. It's like candy on a spoon. If you've never had it, you are missing out. Driving down the highway today toward Rossville I passed a homemade sign that read "Matt & Chett's Sweet Corn $3.00" in green paint. Two boys were stacking corn on an old table in their front yard. I decided I would definately need some sweet corn on my way back out of town.

After picking up my favorite boots from the cobbler's, I drove north watching intently for the sign. When I finally saw it, I pulled into their driveway and turned off my car. The older boy was instructing the younger to go to the field behind their house for more corn. So, the younger, Chett, I found out, got on his ATV with trailor behind it and drove toward the corn field. Matt, the older, filled my order for 3 dozen ears of sweet corn. I left a small tip. I think the boys probably grew and tended the corn all themselves and then were able to sell it. What a great way to teach kids a good work ethic, farming, and money managing all at the same time.

I can't wait to cook and freeze the corn so we can enjoy it later this winter.

Lovelily Busy Bee

How enjoyable to plan a meal for the ones you love. My family headed home from their week long missions trip in Cherokee, North Carolina. They were scheduled to arrive at 4 p.m., but got home even earlier. I was able to get a few things checked off of my list before they got here.

While listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on audio book, I folded 4 loads of laundry. Vacuuming the floor was next on the list. Indy jumped around the room with a bracelet he was apparently trying to save from the vacuum cleaner. Eight apples had to be peeled while Jim Dale read on.

The apple crisp turned out good, Mom said. I had to make one with regular white sugar instead of brown b/c I ran out. But, it tasted ok. Supper was very nice: fresh green beans, new potatoes, white cheddar noodles, Italian dressing marinated chicken, and boiled eggs.

Tomorrow I am driving down to the farm to go to church with Will. He said quite a few people wanted to meet me. After Sunday school is the church picnic. Everyone is to bring a covered dish to share and meat and drinks are provided. I decided to make potato salad and apple crisp. I still have the potato salad to make tonight. Right now the potatoes are cooling. This past Spring, I found out how much I liked it! I am sure it will be a fun day.

Queen Anne's Lace and Clover

I took the dog for his morning walk this morning and passed a patch of Queen Anne's Lace and clover for the hundreth time. But, it struck me this morning and I smiled. How simplistic it looks, but how intricate it is. Isn't it lovely to find joy in simple things while doing something as routine as walking your dog?

Simple Things

It is lovely how much pleasure one can get from the simple things. Today I sanded on my old metal bed. I am hoping to paint it a nice, pale green once it is finished. I found two tomatoes, a couple handfuls of green beans, and a few sugar snap peas. I added our beans to the ones I had snapped earlier in the afternoon that I had gotten from the farmer's market.

After walking the dog again, I got to work cooking. I made some chicken and put in the fridge for a couple chicken dishes later in the week. I also made Puppy Chow and Cornflake Cookies. I am sending some to John for his birthday and giving the rest to Will. After eating the rest of my left of Monical's meal, I made a small pillow and finshed the apron I had been sewing. With my new apron on, I grabbed the bowl of peaches I bought for cobbler and peeled them before putting them in the fridge.

I love productive days.

Farmer's Market

This morning, the family left for the mission's trip. I got up @ 4:15 to visit with them before their departure at 4:45. Once they had gone, I did most of my Sunday school lesson, got ready, and walked Indiana around town a bit. At 6:15 I left Paxton and headed to Urbana to the farmer's market. We had gone while in TN and I remembered how much I love them! It was very nice! Lots of venders, artisans, crafters, farmers. The first stop I made was an Amish tent that was selling homemade jams and butters. I bought Apple Butter, Rhubarb Jam, and Peach Jam. The last thing I bought was a loaf of homemade Oatmeal bread...I stopped by the tent earlier, but had to make my way back to it before leaving. Those two purchases will go perfect together. I ended up with 3 ears of sweet corn, a pound of new potatoes, a pound of fresh green beans, 3/4 lb of sugar snap peas, and a pint of tame blackberries (huge!). All together, I'd say it was a rather productive morning. Now I can cook something good for a handsome farmer I know.

Tennessee Fun.

Granny and Grandpa

Granny was hiding behind me in the living room. Most folks say I look a lot like her. She gave me a ring while we were down there- Grandpa had given it to her on their 12th anniversary. It's a gold band.

Grandpa is the strong, silent type. When he laughs, there's no noise, just a red face. His love for history and antiques has definately passed on to me. He took me to the cabin and showed me a few things, telling me the stories of the cupboard he made form scraps and pieces of ceiling and floor out of their old house. As well as a Chimney Cabinet, he calls it, made from scraps of an old neighbors house. Both were beautifully made and in excelent condition. Two of my favorite pieces in the cabin.

Our Journey South

We took our annual Tennessee trip over the Independence Day weekend. Kami, her boyfriend, Belmont, Jacob, Indy, and I left on Thursday morning and rode down in Belmont's car. We got to Fairview at around 3:30 and Granny and Grandpa were waiting for us with Annie Blue. Supper was delicious- way too much food (all week, as a matter of fact).

On Friday, I went out with my girlfriend, Tarah. We have been friends since 1st grade when we began girl scouts together. Her Mama, Mrs. Stella, was one of our troup leaders. tarah and I had lunch at a sandwich shop in Dickson and stopped by a little store that sold her jewerly. (It is amazing, by the way- check it out on her website). We came back to Fairview and visited with Mrs. Stella and Charlie Joe, Tarah's 3 year old. I got to tour the garden and wild flower beds and was thoroughly entertained by Charlie, who loves moster trucks, running, and surprises. Tarah and Mrs. Stella both gave me the sweetest gifts.

On Friday evening, the extended family came down to Granny's for supper. It was fun to see everybody. We sat out on the patio talking while the Grand Ole Opry played bluegrass on the radio.

Most of us went to Franklin to see the McClungs on Saturday. Kevin and Holly have 3 kids now; Claire, 7, Annabelle, 4, and Asher, almost 2. What precious little ones. We made our way to the farmer's market at the Factory in Fraklin. I remembered how much I love farmer's markets! And, we had Tennessee bar-be-que for lunch- devine.

Sunday: went to church at Christ Pres in Nashville. After church, due to something mentioned in the sermon, we headed out seeking Krispy Kreme doughnuts....perfect. That evening was the 4th of July celebration at my uncle and aunt's in Franklin. Food, games, family. It was so much fun. The fireworks were not as good this year due to the fact that they had been moved and we couldn't see them as well. But, when we got back to Granny's, the kids shot some off.

Highlights: doughnuts, family stories, seeing places I love, bar-be-que, friends
Lowlights: spider bite