Christmas at the Ranch!

In the Christmas Spirit!

ever seen a sittin' lumberjack? That gift next, please! enjoyin' Christmas day!

Well, seems I can't get to postin' regular-like here, but seems as if I do git 'round to postin' every season or so! What a good time we had celebratin' our Savior's Birth here at the Ranch. Lotsa kiddos, some four-wheelin' fun and some four-legged ridin' made for an excitin' time. Of course we adults busied ourselves with fixin' and preparin' stuff all around the Ranch (but mostly in the "kitchen!") We ate and cleaned, tidy-d up a bit, made fires, burned brush (mostly pine!) washed some very muddy clothes, ate and cleaned, tidy-d up some more, fixed machines, hung clothesline, built more tree-house, broke machines (that was me!) ate and cleaned, Worshiped our Savior, ate and cleaned, opened gifts, enjoyed gifts, ate and slept! Boy, it's got me kinda tuckered out just a thinkin' about it!

The cool and rainy weather didn't dampen our enjoyment of each other (though we did huddle closer!) and we are hopin' for a respite from all the rain for a while. The sunshine just makes it so much nicer to enjoy all the outdoor fun to be had. Of course, Norman is busy building and making nicer accommodations for his two newest additions at the Ranch, Maggie May and Elvis. They are both very nice horses and the boys really enjoy them. It is a surprise to catch a glimpse of them through the pines and we all look forward to the arena being finished so that Maggie May can be trained for riding. 9Anthony has high hopes he will get to participate in that!)

Lori and gang are moved in and trying to settle into a routine that includes their academics in the morning and schooling "Grandpa-style" in the afternoons. We are looking forward to interrupting their routine as often as we can! The boys and girls enjoy their cousins so much! They have lots of space that is ideal for kids imagination, tree forts, babbling springs that feed a small creek, lots of pines, a shooting range and stretches of road to ride their machines! It is truly a great time to be a kid in our family....especially if you can make a trip to the Ranch aka: kid-paradise!

Weekend at the Ranch!!!

A bunch of Alabama re-necks visitin' on the bumpers
...... notice the trash hauler in the foreground!

Gerry's new bedroom......where's the AC?

Before- big overgrown pile .... After-nice swath of dirt, ready for grass!

The garden.

Finally!!! Well it has been several months since I have been out to the Ranch! I have been going through "Harmony" withdrawl! It was great to see Norman and Gerry after being away so long. They are doing well and making progress. Norman's grass is growing very well, it is green, lush and park-like. Just the way he envisioned it! Unfortunately, where he hasn't planted grass is green and lush too....very tall and healthy weeds! Thankfully, Gerry's garden is also benefiting from the great growing. Her beans, tomatoes, cabbages and peppers all look productive, and her spent cucumber patch is awaiting her fall transplants. It is looking almost Eden-like with all that is growing! (Of course.....with all the building stuff, it is definitely Eden post-fall of man!)

They are slowly moving their HQ's up to the "lodge," setting up a small bedroom, kitchen and bath in the to-be ladies room. It is roomier than the RV and I am confident they will be more comfortable with those arrangements, especially if we have another colder than average winter. The library is set up with computers and TV, command central if you like. They have also moved the trundle bed there for the comfort of visitors like me and my boys. There is enough room for the two twin beds and a queen air mattress and we still can get up and go pee in the middle of the night without stepping on anyone!

We enjoyed our visit, got some mowing, trimming and party-ing done. Went to mass on Saturday and stayed for Father Ernie's birthday party. We celebrated Lydia and my birthday's on Sunday with a party of our own. Jake and Janelle, and Father Earnie came for grilled chicken dinner and dessert -a yummy dump cake Gerry made. The kids got to go play in the creek and Jake brought his heavy duty trimmer that he used to cut through some really tough overgrowth! (I'm bringin' round-up with me next trip!) We had loads of fun and got some work done to boot!!

Lydia assisting nurse Janelle ..... Emily got hurt too!

While there is an endless stream of work to do, there is also no end to the love and peace to be gained from a visit to Harmony Ranch. It truly is a blessing to have a quiet place to go and enjoy away from the business that occupies much of our lives. I hope for all to find that when they visit.

Spring Blossoms!

Mountain Laurel, the stamens stay tucked into those dark indents until a pollinator triggers their spring-loaded pollen packed ends. Wow, too cool!


Purple Anise Tree, Florida Anise

These are two of the flowering trees we found on our spring walks through the woods at Harmony Ranch. Of course, there were even more flowers that we saw. but these were some that we had not identified before. Even though they are rare and unusual looking, they are quite common in the Southeast. Now we know!

Easter at the Ranch!

What a fun Easter celebration we had!

Our hearts were full of joy being with family.

The kids especially were happy just being together and playing like they hadn't been apart at all. We had a full visit, even though it was just Friday afternoon and Saturday. We did a little work, Ben drove the tractor, ran the stump grinder and he and Bart got the go-kart running. He also made a huge pot of Carnitas in Salsa Verde and though they were delicious and a huge hit, we just couldn't eat all 15 pounds of meat. That was fine by me as we brought a baggie full home! Anthony fixed a peanut butter no-bake dessert on Friday that was gone before bedtime and Granny made a yummy cheese cake for Saturday that was nearly gone even though we shared some of the kids candy from their egg hunt!

I wish I had brought my camera on our nature hike, so many trees are blooming and they are so beautiful and unusual that I can't explain them adequately with words. I will try to find out exactly what they are so that I can share the beauty with you all too. Norman has installed a drain for a pond down by the spring-fed creek and it promises to be a cool respite from the summer heat that is sure to arrive any day. The kids splashed a little and found a salamander that might have been a baby hellbender, though we can't be certain. We will look for him again and if he grows significantly we will know that it is. After climbing up the far bank, we visited the climbing magnolia tree and all the kids ventured up into the branches, with Anthony climbing way too high for my comfort! We plan on bringing our pruners and machete's the next time we go so that the path is easier to manuever, it is still pretty wild back there.

New pants! Easter dress, goin' to mass.

We shared the ranch with a church group who spent the day on Saturday and the kids got to play and share in some of the fun. We adults visited the worship portion of their visit. It was good to share and know that Norman and Gerry are tickled to have visitors of all kinds. I think we will be returning later this week to visit again when Bret, Dorothy, Garrett, Olivia, Tyler and Kaylie are there. I will try to remember my camera!

Here and gone!!!

Another quick visit with Pauli and

Sweet....



Manny growing so big and having so much fun!



We are looking forward to spending Easter with family. I know both the boys can't wait to get a piece of their cousins. I can't wait to get some photos and tell you all about it! Until then........

BRRR

It seems as if winter has lasted much longer this year than any previous year I have spent in the south. I know it has been felt at the Ranch. It seems that it has been rainy and cold for many of our visits. This last trip was no exception. Thankfully, when we went down and got to visit with Butch and Keri before they headed home, we learned that they had experienced beautiful weather up until we got there!!! It was good to see them but the visit was too brief.

Norman has been working on moving dirt, trying to get the drainage around the "Lodge" such that you don't have to walk through mud to get there. As soon as he can get some grass planted on that dirt it should actually work and be a huge improvement. I will try to get some good photos to post next time we visit. We are anticipating a visit from Ben and Jonci this Easter, and I can tell you that my boys are so excited to see their cousins. It has been almost three months now since we have been back and we are all feeling a deep void in our hearts. We trust God has us where He wants us, but it is still painful somedays to be so far away.

Back in the saddle again

Progress! stairs to the 2nd floor!

Lydia gives the boys reindeer for Christmas! I think there was a card attached!!!

CJ- Enjoyed a very quiet Thanksgiving with nary a retail outlet for miles and miles!!!

Bart crooning! (He is actually getting pretty good!)

Steve, Ian and Susie yukking it up over some RUM!

Wow, I can hardly believe it has been 4 months since I've posted to the Harmony Ranch blog!!!! Well, here is the condensed update! The holidays were a hoot, the Ranch has hosted some "angels," it has been sooooo cold and Gerry is back on her feet and doing well after surgery. I anticipate there will be more information in the coming weeks as we travel there and get to see some visiting family while we are there. Brad and Keri are coming this week, and Bret and Dorothy are planning to stop in on their way to see a builder in MS next week. We plan on being there for Valentines weekend and should get to see everyone then. I hope to post some good photos and have some great tales to tell then too!!

Until then!