Opening Day

There is just something thrilling about opening day pheasant season. Before noon the town is filled with pickups and men in orange vests and hats. The gas station is filled with those picking up water, pop and beer (for relaxation after the hunt I'm sure) dogs in the back eager to go.

I went out with my guys today, donned a bright orange hat and vest. We walked thru tall grasses that swayed in the wind. The breaking of twigs beneath our feet. The ground muted greens and tans. A bird would take flight, so beautiful to watch as it's wings are parallel to the ground searching for a safe place to land. Holding my breath waiting for the popping sound with hopes the bird will fall, knowing the thrill it would bring to my son.

Riding in the pickup I am a spotter, watching where they fly up and where they land. Three fly from the ditch we stop so Cole can walk in the weeds. One flies up and though Cole shot it is a miss. As we drive further on another is spotted. Lyle shoots this one and Carter runs to retrieve. The pheasant is twisting and turning doing a wild sort of dance. Carter waits to grab it and soon it is still. The colors on the bird are magnificent, the browns, golds, greens and blues. The guys went out again this time without mom...Cole got his bird and is estatic...another great fall day in SD

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/

I love all my scrapbooking sites. Here is a fun one I have found. Who doesn't like a chance at free goodies

My oldest son, Taylor, is spending his summer in Uganda--Africa. He is taking a self study class towards his degree. It amazes me what kind of man he has become. I am so proud of him and all he accomplishes. He doesn't wait for opportunities--he creates them. He has sent pictures today that have touched my heart.

This is a source of water for the villagers

These are some of the children watching a memorial dance. Look at the condition of their clothing--they are no more than rags.

The villagers pulled Taylor into the dance. The look of pure happiness makes my heart grin. I know he is going to come back a changed man.

Here is a hut that they actually live in. Taylor says the children treat him like a celebrity

Breath taking beauty and such poverty at the same time.

I put this picture on my computer as the wallpaper to remind me how many things we take for granted, how many things we feel entitled to, and how truly blessed we are.

Spring Blossoms

The apple tree is in full bloom. You can hear the buzzing of bees happily enjoying the sweet nectar. I like the tree this time of year and in the fall when it smells a bit like wine as the apples ferment on the ground. These are the little apples...Lyle tried to make jelly out of them one year...it was a lot of work and not much flavor.

Every once and awhile the Hutterites will come and ask to pick them. If you have never seen this it is fun to watch. They spread a large plastic sheet covering the ground around the tree. Then one of the boys (theirs not mine) climb up the tree and shake the branches. Thus causing the apples to fall onto the plastic where the women will sort them out, take the leaves off the ones they want and place them into a bucket. When they are done the completely rake the ground and put all the other fallen apples into one of our garbage cans. Then they give us corn, tomatoes, potatoes for letting us pick the tree. What is there not to like...they take away the apples that haven't fallen, clean up the ones that have and reward us with fresh vegetables.

So today it was a nice sunny day and I wanted some pictures by the apple tree. We have never had them taken while in full bloom. I wanted the boys, the boys and I, the boys and Lyle and Lyle and I. Seems easy right? First we have a new digital camera which neither Lyle or I are very comfortable using yet. For work I have to change cell phones every two weeks so I sorta knew how to operate that one. The biggest challenge is that Cole wouldn't smile. Do you remember that age? Those teenage years....when they were younger I could say "dad has stinky feet" and they would smile, big natural smiles. Now Cole does this mouth closed semi-smirk and won't cooperate for anything. Then Lyle got tired of messing around and said enough and went inside. No pictures of the boys and Lyle or of Lyle and myself. I had some funny ones in mind too. And that is just where they remain. Here are the few I managed to get.

If they won't smile by themselves I'll manipulate the picture and do it myself. Cole is a cross between the Hunchback of Notre Dam and porky pig

Carter was the only one who would willingly cooperate

FishersGrove

Fishers Grove is a State park about 7 miles outside of Redfield. Our family typically camps there on Memorial Day, Labor Day and I have been going there in Sept for my birthday every year. Here are some pidctures of last year's birthday stay.

These are views from each side of the bridge.

The boys and I drove out there on Saturday May 10th & these are the pictures we took

This first one shows the end of the road...note the current. The second one shows the golf course bridge. It is hard to see but there is a boat parked beside it and the railings of the bridge go right into the water. People are still golfing they just skip that first hole and are parking up by the highway.

This is the bridge to get to the campground. Lots of debris backed up.

Home made spring bouquets

Ok so spring isn't here yet so I decided I needed to make my own spring bouquets. I think I will make an additional six tonight, as there was frost on my windshield and snow on the ground this morning.

Step 1: Take off white paper and cut out a basic flower shape. This will be the bottom layer.

I used a 3 inch flower with my cricut machine

Step 2: After cutting out the bottom layer the top layer will be a spring colored paper either a solid or print will work. I also cut out and chalked some leaves.

Step 3: Chalk the edges of the bottom layer. You could use a solid color for the bottom layer and skip this step but I liked the softer edges.

Disclaimer this can be a messy step...I highly recommend putting scratch paper or newspapers underneath.

Step 4: Tape a floral wire between the two layers...double stick tape was not strong enough.

I used a scrapbook adhesive.

Step 5: Put and Easter colored kiss, using a pop dot, as the center and add some of the leaves.

Step 6: Fill vases (I got mine at the dollar store) with spring colored M&Ms and insert flowers

Optional step: I made matchbook cards and clipped them to the vase.

This was the inspiration for my project.

I gave these two my friends who were in the community play this year. It always amazes me how many flowers and gifts are given at the play.

Here you can see two tables filled. There were eight tables in all.

Color Continued

Unfortunately the color for tonight will be white. This winter never seems to end. The last snow has melted, the 12 inches in the street is gone. The warmth of yesterday left puddles which are now frozen ice ponds. This isn't a fun fluffy snowfall that will lead to snowmen and snowballs.

White can also lead to thoughts of purity the christening dress, promising to raise a child with the knowledge of Christ. The confirmation dress when youth are ready to make the commitment for themselves and the wedding dress when two are joined together as one under Christ. So many beginnings with hope and dreams of the future.

The symbolism of Easter. It is a powerful message that people would like to condense into a short Easter lesson. Isaiah 1:18"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Scarlet, crimson, burgundy, ruby, rose, rouge, brick, blood red, blush, fire engine red, flame. Red is hot. It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is Cupid and the Devil.

Red is sweetness like a candied apple or a big fat red juicy strawberry.

The fullness of another's lips pressing against yours.

Red is good.

Colors

Tonight I've been thinking of colors, mostly because I'm blue.

It made me think of a song sung by Lorrie Morgan "Something in Red" It travels thru her relationship with her husband. I'm looking for something in red. Something that's shocking to turn someone's head. Next comes the color of green. Jealousy comes in the color of jade. Before she walks down the aisle she is looking for something in white. As the relationship progresses she needs something blue. Something real tiny, the baby's brand new. And the circle comes full circle when she is again looking for something in red. I do appreciate that it is just a size larger that I wore last year.

Colors take on so many meanings depending on mood, symbolism, individuality...

Take green for example: this time of year I'm thinking of the greeness of spring.

With the economy the way it is right now many are thinking of the lack of green in their wallets or savings.

And there is always the fun factor in green M&Ms

Then there is blue, the color that started this particular blog. As I looked for a photo to express how I feel I started looking for something cute, like with big puppy eyes. But that isn't how I feel. My current sadness isn't cute.

With two boys in my household I often see the black and blue of bruises and bumps that come with roughousing.

God in all His majesty has outdone Himself with blue.

Latest Snowfall

Gotta love South Dakota winters.

I'm so tired of the snow.

These were taken Friday Feb 27, 2009

Lyle usually uses the bobcat and takes care of our driveway, sidewalks, etc. He is in Sioux Falls for State Dart Tournament so it was up the boys and I. Cole and I dug the driveway so I could get the car out for work. I backed it up into the street and got stuck. We got it back into the garage. I found a ruler and measured the undisturbed snow in the street, it was EXACTLY one foot. Two hours later the snow plow came by. In attempt to get to work we shoveled out again. I drove to the Redfield Office only to find out that the driveways both front and back were plowed in. Being that the office is a mile or so outside of town I simply turned around and went home. My fear was that I would get in and not be able to get out.