I learned a very important Thanksgiving lesson this year. A wonderful meal and a memorable day have absolutely nothing to do with table decorations or a fully equipped kitchen. It's not as much about total organization as it is about total devotion. I had the rare opportunity to watch a perfect meal unfold in a setting that would have sent a seasoned, more mature couple into therapy. A perfectly choreographed dance couldn't have been more beautiful to watch. A meal to remember. An unforgettable day. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Davis for inviting us to share in your first Thanksgiving dinner in your first home. Love you both!

Indian summer has come to the creek. A beautiful day to throw open the windows and soak in the sunshine. A day not so conducive to deer hunting, I'm told. The deer prefer the cooler weather and evidently the hunters prefer sitting in their stands shivering in layers of cammo waiting for that elusive trophy buck to show himself. I have a theory that as hunting has evolved and the need to hunt for food has made way for the need to hunt for sport, that the deer have done their own study of the hunter. In this age of technology, with automatic feeders and motion activated cameras to track the movement of the prey, the deer are becoming more intelligent. My reasoning behind this theory? I'm 99% sure that I saw the beautiful 12 point buck in the photograph winking and sticking his tongue out at the camera. While the hunters are sitting in their tree stands waiting for him to show up, I really think he's sitting behind them, just out of their line of sight, snickering a little bit. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see another picture of him at 2AM, looking at the camera winking and sticking his tongue out. "C'mon Mr. Hunter, roll on out of bed at 5AM, climb up into that contraption you have hanging in the tree. I'll be watching, waiting and occasionally napping until you're gone!" But, just in case that elusive buck slips up and walks into the path of my hunters, I've cleared out a spot in the freezer!

My man and my man child are sharing in this experience. I'm enjoying seeing them bond. I'm enjoying spending time with my soldier. I'm savoring this time, hoping to tuck enough memories away to keep me going while he's gone.

Blessings from the creek, y'all!

Wow! It's fall! I've been a naughty blogger. I've neglected my blog. I've not neglected my blogger buddies, though. I've been sneaking in to check on you when time permits.

It was a busy summer here at the creek. Work, animals, renovations on the house, spending time with my soldier boy . . . . my plate has been full. There are just not enough hours in the day any more and I spend less and less time on the computer.

It's hard to believe we've been here at the creek for over a year now. Time has flown by so fast. So many changes. So many lessons learned. So many firsts. All the trials and joys that come with farm life. We've been tested. We've been blessed.

My son finished his basic training and AIT and just as he was getting ready to settle in to going to school and finding a job he found out that his Guard unit was being deployed in January. He'll be heading off for the mid East as a medic. I'm terrified. I'm anxious. I'm proud. I'm a mom. He'll always be my little boy.

There are so many things I could say. So many stories I could tell, but for now I'll leave you with this thought. . . . Two years ago when we began this journey, we were bound FOR Kentucky. Now, as a wise friend pointed out to me, we are bound TO Kentucky.

Blessings and hugs from the creek y'all!

Liz

P.S. Sorry for the lack of pictures, I tried, I failed. I'm technologically challenged!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Chasin' away the blue . . . . . . .

I've got the blues! The ugly, dirty, full of nail holes, far from soothing color of blue paint on the wall blues!

My son will be coming home next weekend after being gone far too long. He graduates AIT in San Antonio next Friday then he'll be jetting in to Knoxville Airport Friday night to stay at the farm with us for a few days before heading back to Florida to set up his new apartment in the Tampa area with a buddy of his. Being a mom, I want things to be perfect for him when he gets here so I decided to fix up our small bedroom especially for him ~ a place he can call his own when he's here. Problem is . . . it's got the blues! The ugly, dirty, full of nail holes, far from soothing color of blue paint on the walls blues! My mission today is to fill in all the nail holes (evidently the former owners never heard of a stud finder or spackle because there are dozens and dozens and dozens . . . . ) and at least get a coat of primer on the walls.

Wish me luck because now I'm finding that not only do I have the ugly, dirty, full of nail holes, far from soothing color of blue paint on the walls blues, but I also have the middle of renovation, nothing is were it belongs, can't find what I need B~L~U~E~S!!!!!!

Blessings from the creek!

WHY????!!!!!!

Is there anyone out there who can explain WHY a seemingly sane person who is in the midst of trying to simplify her life by taking bags full of clothing to share with friends or boxes of nick-knacks to sell at the flea market will trudge through the pasture and up the hill to drag an old rusty bed spring down to the yard to use as a trellis against an ugly old shed? Is there an explanation? Is it an illness? Is it a sign of being a true "junque-a-holic"?