My First Cheese!

I took a cheese making class on Saturday with Teresa Wilcox. We had a total blast, it was so much fun. So Sunday after church I tried my first cheese. I had no official cheese mold so it is not pretty but it was yummy. It is called Panir cheese, like farmer's cheese and it was seasoned with garlic and herbs! It didn't last until the end of the Steeler game. Mozzarella is next once my rennet order comes in. The end is cut off because I took some to my girlfriend to sample before I took the picture. I am so proud because they are fighting over the last of the yogurt I made while I type this!

Yeah Christmas is Coming!

I have wanted this picture! Around the edge of the barn with my wreath and the horses. It was even better with the snow falling. I wish it had been lighter though.

Being in Show Business Really Wears You Out

After the Spot Coffee House....

Music at the Coffee House

Our church has a coffee house on Friday nights at a place called the Spot where the kids have youth group. The kids were responsible for the music this past Friday night. Garrett, Hunter and Ethan signed and sang songs. Garrett played Rocky Top and This little Light of Mine along with some picking on his banjo. There was a bell choir and piano playing and singing. It was a lot of fun and the raspberry latte and sundaes rocked, as the saying goes.

Snowboarding!

This is the kids making a snowboard park out of barrels from the barn. The dogs went out to help them. They never did get on their snowboards but they had a lot of fun!

Disclaimer

Ok maybe I am getting post happy, putting up a full minute video of a guinea pig eating spinach. But hey, winter can be boring!

Chewy, Live Action Video!!!!!

Chief's Game

We took Hunter and Garrett to a Johnstown Chief's game Friday after Thanksgiving. The Cousins and Karen and Jason went too. It was all you could ask for! The Chiefs had the first score, had to come from behind, tied the game, went into overtime, and won in a shootout. It was the best game ever!!! At first Hunter was disappointed because we didn't tell him where we were going and he thought we were going to play lazer tag. By the first period he forgot anyone ever invented a game called lazer tag.

Boys at Chief's Game

Just Because I LOVE This Farm

Dozer Disaster!

We adopted a sweet little boy basset named Dozer on Monday to be a father for Maggie's little ones and perhaps a hunting dog for Larry ( yeah right, till I get a hold of him!). Well, he is an awesome little dog. very sweet. He ran into the horse pasture and got kicked in the head about 2 hours into his life here. He went to the Emergency Doggie Room and had to stay over night to prevent brain swelling and to try to preserve his eye. He is doing very well and is getting better. He is going to keep his eye but we can't tell yet how much vision he has. He is a tough little guy! And he is well behaved and a lovie despite his injury. He is a happy part of the wolf pack!

Halloween Trick or Treats

We went to Pap's for Trick or Treat. As usual we got too much candy! It was a lot of fun. Summer was a Fighter with a black eye and taped up hands, Garrett was a goalie, and Hunter a soldier. Summer's make up job was so good that I hated to look at her. It looked so real.

Introducing Janetta

This isn't a great picture but I wanted to introduce Janetta the Red Eared Slider. Floyd died suddenly after getting sick and Garrett was
devastated. Well, we got a new turtle, a red eared slider and she is doing very well. Hunter also had some trauma. He got a lovely little hamster named Binky but he died in a few days and Hunter was upset. He has been replaced with a guinea pig named Chewy who is doing quite well but we do not have any pictures of him yet.

Welcome to Covenant Acres Farm

This is a view of the farm from the top of the back 40. I just wanted to introduce you all to Covenant Acres Farm. If I could even begin to
relate here the crazy miracles involved in getting this place you would agree with us that this is a gift of God's to us and that we have a direct purpose for being here. We were going to call it Counting Blessings Farm but we liked Covenant Acres to remind us to use it well. That we have a purpose to fulfill here. It is a sign of a promise and a purpose.

Freaky!!!!

Ok, so Pap gave me this tablecloth a few months ago. I loved it but didn't want to put it on our table at the other house because I was afraid it would get ruined. So I left it folded up and in a safe spot. Well, when they brought my dining room table into the dining room at the new farm, I ran to get the table cloth. Low and behold when I opened it for the first time I realized that the date on the Country Fair sign was our closing date on the house. Not only that but the year of the fair is the same as the years we have been married, fifteen. Go ahead and explain that to me! Awesome isn't it!

More Party Pictures

We had a lot of awesome chilis and they were all different, from super hot and spicy to white chili. Summer made these chickie and piggie cupcakes for her dad. She stayed up til 2 am baking cause Larry and Sean wouldn't go to bed! They were adorable and went so quickly some people almost lost fingers while reaching for them! We set up the food in the barn and started the bonfire outside the big door. It was a real blast and thanks to everyone who helped us to celebrate and move!

Chili Cook Off and Surprise Birthday Party

We had a party Saturday night after we finished moving the furniture. Larry didn't know it but it was a surprise birthday party and chili cook off. So many people were in from out of town that I wanted to celebrate his birthday early. We ended up telling him as people started to show up.

Last Morning

It was so fitting that the last morning we woke up in our house on Irish Farm Rd was the first measurable snow since the first morning we woke up there was the first snow of 2000. We didn't actually have plans to sleep at our new house but we ended up there. It was actually a wonderful thing cause we didn't have any last night sadness. This house has been the spot of many good memories and will always be so special to us!

Blog Updates Start Now!!

I realize it has been a month and a half but I just haven't found my way to the computer, So I am going to start here with the last day at the new house and go forward!!! Enjoy our wild ride the past 6 weeks!

Our Own Apple Pies

Not our own yet I guess! We picked apples at the farm and had to make a few pies with them. They were perfect if I do say so myself. I do not know the kind of apple but wow! They cook up beautifully. They didn't last very long but they were never intended too, so it was perfect!

WoooHooo!

What Else Can I Say?? We close OCt 22, 2008. Amazing! Thank God!

Pond Visitor

We were farm stalking again and we spotted this beaver visiting at the farm. He was huge!

Fall Signs in Potter County

We took a walk in the woods and tested out Larry's tree stand for archery season. The woods are all colored with yellows, reds, and oranges. It was truly beautiful. Larry's trail camera had had a run in with a bear and the picture above were the last two before the camera came down! Yes that one is a close up of bear fur!

Hunter's Birthday and Cousin's Visit

Karen and Jason came up for a weekend to go to a firehall benefit called the 300 club. It was also Hunter's birthday weekend so we had cake and ice cream with the cousins on Sunday. The boys both got Nintendo DS systems and all regular conversation stopped for the weekend between the boys. The system 's can talk to each other and send messages like text messages on a phone. So these two were talking to each other on the DS systems while standing right next to each other. Tooo Funny!

Storm Damage

We had those massive wind storms come through after Hurricane Ike. This is two separate trees. One was collapsed by the other as it came through. The only damage a was a small scratch on the van. Amazing!

Co-op Starts

The co-op year has started and it looks like it will be a great one. The upper class which I teach is doing a forensic science class every week. This is the class where we got to use the program to draw faces that the police and FBI actually use. We are teamed up withe great science program giving us access to spectacular equipment that the schools rarely have access to use.

Duck Egg Update

Well, our female duck, Quackers, decided that sitting on eggs was boring and not for her. We destroyed those eggs but saved the new ones for eating after that. She caught on and is hiding them somewhere. So we are hoping to establish some new patterns at the farm when we get there. So far it is Ducks 1-Humans 0.

Hunter's Birthday

Hunter, Today is your 9th birthday. Our last birthday in the single digits. I am so glad to have been chosen to be your mom. Your smile is contagious and joyful and your sweet self endears you to everyone around you. Have a wonderful day and I hope you always approach life with the same positive excited outlook. We love you so much. and I hope you have your goats soon!

We are Moving!

We are moving to our farm and our tentative date right now is Oct 22nd, 2008. I can't believe it and it has been a miracle from day one. There are still a few miracles to go before it's all said and done, but how can I doubt it anymore! The kids are ecstatic and can't stop jumping around. We can't believe that it is going to happen. We have had a great time the past few weeks. Summer's Flag Team has been doing great. They placed 10th at one competition and got a trophy. Garrett has been playing center and loving it. Hunter has had a spectacular soccer season so far. His team is 3 -1. So it has been great! I will keep everyone updated on our farm doings!

Football Action Shots

A little blurry but great action shots.

Football Guys

This is Garrett, Hunter, and Daddy playing football. Sorry it is so far away but I didn't want to disturb the play and the camera won't zoom in video. Enjoy anyway. They were having a blast!

Duck Eggs

We woke up this morning and noticed our female duck was missing. I was afraid the bear finally got one but no! She was sitting in the corner of the duck house on her FOUR new duck eggs! We don't know if they will hatch but she seems to be a good setter. It says 28 days til they hatch! Let's see what happens!

Flag Performance

Summer is the second flag twirler from the right.

First Performance and Signs of Fall

Well, Coudersport HS Football Team had their first game in the new stadium Friday and The band and Flag Team had a marvelous performance. We are going to be following much more closely now with Summer in Color Guard. It felt like a football night. I even wore a wool sweater. Please see Summer's video in the next post.

Chicks Dig Him

What else can I say???

Rabies Clinic

We had the cousins up and had a great weekend with them. We worked the Galeton Rabies Clinic for 4 -H and the boys loved filling syringes!

Garrett's New Blog

Garrett has started a turtle blog to document Floyd's growth and development. Check out his blog at www.theturtlenews.blogspot.com. I added a link in the sidebar.

Boys Archery Shoot

We took the kids over for their annual Sunday shoot at the archery fest. They had a blast and are all getting to be wonderful shots. Soon we will have a hunting crew you won't believe. No deer will be safe. Don't you love this shot of them at the moving target, all lined up!