Friday, September 7, 2012

Never too old to learn

"Hop, Hop, Hop like I bunny. Bunnies love carrots and I do too!"
 -Johnny E Barker age 3 

This year was our second year attempting a home garden. The first year we used some seed, mostly starter plants. This year we planted strictly seeds. We have learned several things from our experience. Here is my top ten things we have discovered about our home garden experience.

1.) You MUST trim the branches back to get enough sun. Sounds silly I know, however I thought we had enough sun last year.

2.) Mosquitoes LOVE my garden! I can not even stand to pull the weeds. There are thousands of the little pests hovering just above (maybe in?) in soil.

3.) Carrots.... they are easy to grow. They need to be planted much deeper next year. Also following the advice on the seed pack of how far to space them IS important!

4.) Garden Beans need something to climb. They also will be burned up by the sun in a matter of one weekend away.

5.) Cucumbers take over your garden. They have attached themselves to everything!

6.) Pumpkins, Watermelon and Cantaloupe.... I thought for a bit we would produce some. Not a single one survived. Research must be done on how to grow them.

7.) Squirrels will dig up all sunflower seeds.

8.) Green and Red Pepper plants keep flowering, and then nothing. Interesting.....

9.) Deer will jump a fence to nibble in your garden.

10.) Most important lesson of all...... A three year old is amazed at how a seed turns into a plant and food!

We enjoyed working with our hands. Who does not like playing in the dirt? The reward of saying that was grown in our garden is priceless. The memory I hope my children will take with them is the time we spent together planting, weeding and discussing how plants grow. We praise the Lord for moments like that.

 "Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God."
- Thomas Jefferson

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

DEADWOOD, NC
Who would have known that Deadwood could be found in North Carolina?

My hubby is a HUGE old west fan. One day I was looking for things to do with the family that are fun and educational in Eastern North Carolina. I came across Deadwood. This place is little gem tucked away in the middle of nowhere near Williamston, NC.
At Deadwood there is something for everyone. We chose to go on a Saturday evening to enjoy their dinner show. At first I thought the price of $30 / person was a bit much. Children under twelve are $15 and receive a child's meal, my 3 year old was free. Upon arrival we found a wonderful playground for the children. The little ones had fun there while we reserved our spot for the dinner show. Then we watched the children roller coaster for a bit, must be 42 inches to ride alone and 36 inches to ride with a parent. We had a while until dinner so we ate some amazing ice cream being offered for about $2 a cone.

 After ice cream we decided to try out the mini golf course. At $2 / person it was great!

Deadwood, NC offered many sites to see and many interesting characters to meet.



The dinner show started out with people being "served" to appear for jury duty. Then we went outside and as history of Deadwood, SD was explored a gun fight broke out. The criminals got away and we took a train ride.






Dinner was delicious! We were served ribs, chicken, baked potato, green beans and hush puppies. The child meal was chicken strips and french fries. Dessert was strawberry ice cream drizzled with honey and a dusting of cinnamon. All very appealing!


I laughed so hard during the dinner show. It was rich in history, creative, and comical. The audience interaction was great, the actors were thrown a curve ball this night and just went with the flow. I highly recommend a visit to Deadwood, NC. You can come visit for the day and enjoy a casual dinner for around $10 / person or come to the dinner show for an adventure to remember.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Catch Up






Such exciting news all around.



My wonderful husband is, as always, the most loving father there is. We appreciate who he is and what he does daily.

My hubby was pinned as Gunnery Sergent on July first! I am so proud of him for his hard work and dedication to the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!





I have been working hard on learning more about photography through some online classes. I am really starting to see things in a whole new way, and loving it!I also am going to so many doctor appointments it makes my head spin at times. One of these days we will get these kidneys working right! For now, I am hanging in there. I know I have the strength to make it through anything when leaning on my Lord and Savior.



Let's start the younger generation off with Frederyc... My eldest son Frederyc and his wife, Elizabeth, have had a wonderful boy on June 10th. I have not been able to go up north to see him and am looking forward to it.



Hadyn Jett Patterson





Next, my daughter Alexis....

Alexis and her husband, JT Mills, now have a beautiful baby boy as well. Noah Norman Mills was born on May 13th. Happy to report that both granbabies are doing great.



Then, Jacob.......

It has been a rough path for Jacob. This spring he has faced many challenges. This summer he has been enjoying his last summer as a "kid". I continue to pray daily for the Lord to lead my son. Jacob passed all his required course to graduate early and is exploring the possibility of Joining the USMC in the fall.





My lovely Tyra Jade......


Tyra is turning into a .... PRETEEN! OH NO!


Tyra is advancing nicely with her studies and is trying to find her place in our ever changing family. Tyra is now advancing to what would be 6th grade. She is the light of so many peoples lives! I can see God working through her.




And lastly, but never least, Johnny E.......


It amazing to watch Johnny growing and learning every day. He has really reminded me how much we can learn from the smallest of things. I found him watching the ants, how much we can learn from this. When I find myself frustrated I step back and remember that THIS will NOT last for long.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Been So Busy!


Where has the time gone?


We have been so busy the last few months! Hard to keep up. With mom having surgery and be stuck in bed schooling got interesting. Dad took the week off of work to keep everything afloat. My oldest son and his wife also came to visit. It was so nice to see them, and soothed my soul so much to see them before surgery. Jacob started his dual enrollment this month. He is taking 3 classes at the local community college. So proud of him! We are very thankful for all of our friends that helped us get through this time.

We made it through last week on our own, it was a struggle to get back on track. I am grateful for Enchanted Learning and their monthly calendar. As I am still not up to par it made planning and finding material a snap!

It snowed again here in North Carolina over the weekend. We sure have been having a lot of snow for the south!

This week, in addition to our regular schedule, we will also be learning about the development of a fetus. On Jan 22nd it was the anniversary of the ruling on Rowe vs Wade. I am going to take this week to discuss the ruling, what the Bible has to tell us, and the unborn child. In addition we will be starting some sex education with Tyra. If anyone has any good resources please share!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I remember reading this book way back in the early 80's. I believe it was 4th grade we watched the movie. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie and resources are on the schedule this week. This book stuck with me through the years so I am now sharing it with my children. I have found several sites with lots of resources. (See below).


There are several of sites and resources, I try to find the "free" resources. If you come across any more "free" lessons for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever please pass them along!

A BIG Thank You to the ones who have provided their lesson plans and worksheets for us.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Craft Activities

Sites-Michaels-Site



Events at Michaels

Thursday, September 23, 2010

WWII Vets

Friday, July 9, 2010

My Son and His New Wife


Introducing Mr and Mrs Frederyc Patterson........




On June 12th, 2010 I gained a daughter-in-law. Frederyc and Elizabeth have been dating for many years now. our family traveled to Indiana to attend their wedding and welcome her into the family.












My daughter, Lexi, and my son, Jacob.



The youngest, Johnny Ellwood.


Beautiful Tyra Jade.


All of our amazing children!








This is the message Tyra gave them!

Welcome to the family Liz, we love you!

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