OH WHAT A NIGHT....

All day yesterday, the weatherman was saying our neck of the woods could be in for a rough night. There was storms all over to the west of us coming across the Mississippi River and these storms could and would produce tornados. At 2 yesterday afternoon, we was put under a tornado watch. Now remember, back in 2001 we had a F5 come through Pontotoc and there was 6 people that lost their lives and the tornado hit my Mom's house, my sister's house and our house took a direct hit. There was 5 people on the next street that lost their lives. So, I have already rode one tornado and personally don't care to ride another one. I was nervous as a long sore tail cat in a room with rockers. I stayed glued to the tv watching and waiting. Even the animals knew something was in the air. Then it started. It showed New Albany was being hit. My middle sister lives there. I started calling and Jennifer then told me that she was headed to our Mom's house and that her husband was staying home. Later she called and said that Barry watched the tornado come thru. They didn't have damage other than trees down but not to far from them there was major damage. Wasn't too long after that, BAM, here comes another one. And this second one traveled the same path nearly as the first one. I don't know right now of any injuries. About 2 this morning we got hit. I was scared, I'm not going to lie about it. We lost power for there was trees down on our street and it took out powerlines but thank God that was it. I finally laid down at 4 this morning and was back up at 6. Northeast Mississippi took a pounding last night and I know that it could have been worse. As always after a storm there is a rainbow. This morning is beautiful, sun shinning, birds are singing, and we all are feeling very blessed to wake up this morning and continue on with our daily lives.

Yesterday was another beautiful day but today they are saying we have a 90% chance of rain and we could have some bad storms move in late this afternoon and tonight. Yesterday found us trying to catch my ponies. One of the ponies, Jerry, thinks getting caught is a game. He loves to run and wants you to chase him. He will run away from you then turn and look at you to see if you are chasing him. We started at 2:30 and by 4 we was tired but not Jerry, he was just getting his second wind. So, me, JB, Kyle, David, Jon Micheal, and Josh saddle up the horses and thought no problem we could just rope the little snot. We also had my Dad, Tessa, and my nephew Toby on foot to help us. One would think that many people would be able to catch a little 34in pony. Nope, when there is 40 acres of wide open spaces, it just makes it more harder. Let me tell ya, that little snot can run and he is quick too. One would have though there was a steer wrestling going on for Kyle and Jon Micheal was running up on each side of him trying to rope him and Jerry looked over and seen the big horses catching up on him and off he went. We tried everything possibe by trying to coax him into the round pen with feed and even in the stall with his partner Ben with feed but no he didn't want that. At 6:15 we finally penned him up close to the barn and got him into the stall. Now I won't go into details on how that was done for I might offend someone , and gosh forbids if I offend someone of my blog, just use your imagination. For those old-timers that have dealt with animals you might have an idea what I'm talking about. Can we say, ROCK SALT? I am willing to beat that now when one calls him and shakes a feed bucket, his little tail is going to be scooting for the barn. Yup, just another exciting and funfilled day down on the farm.

SHE SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday night I get this text from Jon Brandon. It was a picture of an egagement ring on a finger and underneath it read,"SHE SAID YES". I then called him and when he answered, I don't know which one of us was crying the most, me or him. I'm so happy not only for him but for Abbie too. They have been together for over a year now and really, she is already a part of the family. I'm so thankful that JB has found someone like Abbie. And I'm also thankful that Abbie has found someone like JB. They haven't really set a date yet for right now they said it would be before he leaves out for Irag which is like this summer or the first of fall. YIKES, do these kids not know that I need a date, I need to start getting things together, find a dress(OMG me in a dress, now that's funny, can I wear my boots and apron, PLEASE) , lose some weight, start working of a wedding quilt, please just give me a date. I have often wondered what kind of man he would turn out to be. God answered my prayers and took my sweet loving little rugrat and in return gave me this handsome gentle caring responsible loving man.

I have had request for the instructions on how to do the rugs. This is how I do mine, I take old sheets and tear them into strips about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. I join all my strips by tying a knot in them. Then roll them up into a ball. I use either a J or M crochet hook. I just do a chain the length that I want. Then turn and just single crochet to the other end. I add a stitch at each end of the round when I turn. I just keep doing that until I get the width that I like. I have cut strips and then put them into the sides to make them look like fringe. The sheets are very forgiving. I have tried to make round rugs but I prefer the square rugs for to me they are the easiest to do. I hope this will help you in making your rug. You can also check out Mary Jane's website for more advice or even great ideas on rugs www.maryjanesfarm.org

GETTING CRAFTY..........

This week blog-a thon theme is getting crafty. I enjoy taking old sheets and tearing them up into stips and then crocheting them into rugs. I found out how to do this from reading Mary Jane Butters' book. I made alot of rugs for gifts and have also sold them. This is such an easy craft to do. I just crochet a straight line until I get the length that I like then turn and just single crochet back across until I get the width that I like. If you are interested in connecting with other farmgirls check out Mary Jane's website. You will find some very interesting ladies there. Just give it a try, you won't be sorry. www.maryjanesfarm.org

I wasn't finish with my other post but I hit something and BAM it was posted. Okay, back to my story. I promised I would share the recipe so there it is. Here is the picture from the rodeo the other weekend in Walnut. I'm telling ya, when she comes off the barrels, she blows hard.

Now, if there is an inner farmgirl inside of you calling out and you wanna connect with others like you, or if you need some info on farming, homemaking, cooking , animals, family, gardening, just check out www.maryjanesfarm.org.