Prairie Scraps

I've been crafting this week, but don't have things ready to share with you just yet.  We've had some excitement this week on the Prairie - Turkeys!  We've had about 17 turkeys coming daily to our yard and eating from the cherry tree out front.  Two to three of them go up into the cherry tree and shake it down, while the rest scramble for what falls (hopefully next year, we will get those cherries before they spoil, and the turkeys will be out of business.) After they check out the cherry tree, then they line up and make a trip around our house and eat under one of the trees in the back yard.  They are usually here for about an hour each day, but the give the entire family a lot of excitement for the day! They've gotten brave enough, they go just outside the patio door in the back of the house.  That is, they go there until our very dumb dog discovers them and barks.  Then, they are headed for the hills, literally.  My oldest is plotting and plann...

Three Weeks Ago Labor Day Weekend We have been enjoying the beaches in our area.  Our first experience in the beach was with our 4-H club for an end of the year party.  It really is an experience that is different that any beach in the Midwest. The water is ice cold!  Take your breath away Ice Cold! Also, it is often rushing.  We just go to the beach and sort of take it in and can't believe this is where we live. Of course, the other thing that we can't get used to is the smoke.  I don't know, most here don't really complain about it or even say it worries them.  I don't know if that's because they are used to to the smoke, or if really there is nothing to be done about it, so life goes on.  Maybe, it's because by saying something about it, it makes it come true closer. For those of us from the Midwest, I'm not even sure what to say, other than life does go on, and we continue to enjoy our new surroundings.  Of course, the same...

Around the time that I had my fourth child, I decided that I was not happy with the way that professional photographers took family pictures.  Now, I know there are some very talented photographers out there, but I got sick of them trying to fit all of our family into the picture (Mr. Right is very tall, I am short, and the kids are everywhere in between) and get the kids to smile.  We'd always end up with unhappy looks on some one's faces or we would have an odd set up.  I'm sorry, I am a whole foot shorter than Mr. Right, so it doesn't look right to have me at the same level as him! So, I started taking pictures of my kids myself.  Of course, I've had my fair share of disasters, but not anymore than the professional have.  Plus, I can wait until they are all in a good mood! Of course, after my newest niece was born, I couldn't resist trying to get some good portraits of her, so I shot away.  This is my favorite: What do you think?  It th...