Weekend Recap and Dad's 93rd Birthday:

Friday:
I decided to get out of the house and go visiting.  I had to go to Vienna anyway.  I first checked my lottery ticket-surprise, no winners!  I first went to see an old High School friend, Sharon Hutchison.  We had a good visit and she hasn't changed much since High School.  I then stopped at John and Sheila Allen's.  I used to work for them at Black Gold Pet Food.  I loved that job!!  Unfortunately, they sold the business.  Today is Sheila's and her granddaughter, Bailey's birthday.  Sheila got a big surprise at Bailey's birthday party as she is going to get another grandchild in May, 2018.  Great news for them.
Saturday:
I worked a couple hours at the flower shop and then Dwayne and I went off on a goose hunt.  We wanted to buy Cash a toy blue Ford tractor like Grandpa Dwayne has.  I looked up dealers on line and there was one in Rosebud.  Apparently, they don't sell many Ford's but mainly Internationals.  We did not find a toy tractor like we wanted.  I tried buying one online but it came as a miniature replica.  Right tractor, wrong size.
We then drove on to Herman for Octoberfest.   We're pretty lazy at these events.  We just drove around and looked at the wineries but didn't go in to any of them.  Out of our comfort zone, I guess.  We did have lunch at a German Restaurant and it was very good. 
I took a nap when we got home.  Chef salad for supper, tv and an early night.
Sunday:
I got up and started making my dishes to take to Dad's for his 93rd birthday dinner.  Dwayne made his famous sweet potatoes.   Mom taught him how years ago and he's made them ever since.  I'm not fond of sweet potatoes but everyone loves when he makes them.
April and Mike dropped the kids off while they ran into Rolla to Lowe's and to pick up the chicken at Lee's.
We had a tea party with they kids.

We had a great turn out for Dad's party.  Chad couldn't be there as he had to work at S & T.  He was setting up the platform for William Shatner to be the guest speaker.  When the kids were little, we watched a lot of 911 and William Shatner was the narrator.  April was almost four and was a contestant in the Little Miss Extravaganza at the Vichy Airport.  When asked who her favorite movie star was, she answered, "William Shatner".  We all thought it was cute.  The judges didn't get it.  So it was a joke in the family for years that April's favorite movie star was William Shatner.  Wish we would have known about it earlier and got tickets to go.

Dad had fun celebrating his birthday and even danced a jig-which he is famous for.  It was an overall good day of fun and visiting with family.

 

I am extremely glad to still have my Dad with us.

 

On a sadder note, Saturday the 28th was the two year anniversary of Mom's death.  Still miss her as much as when it happened.

 

Weekend Recap:

Friday:
I worked at the flower shop to help Wanda out as Brenda was off for the day. I like working at the flower shop as there is something different to do all the time.  My last delivery for the day was delivering a beautiful flower to a lady in Bland.  On Google Map, it looked easy to find. I stopped at almost every house on Cleavesville Road but no one knew the lady.  I had been trying to call her but didn't have service.  I pulled over as I was leaving Cleavesville Road and got an answer but then lost service.  I was getting pretty aggravated by then.  I drove into Bland and tried again.  This time I got through and the man said to just stay where I was, he would come in.  Didn't even take but a couple minutes til he was there.  His wife had had a heart attack that day.  I was certainly glad we connected so she could get her flower.  I then tried to call home but had no service.  I'm thinking, was it divine intervention we got the connection to set up a meeting place.
 April was bringing the kids over for the weekend after work.  I knew Dwayne would be home before long but it was now 5:30.  I kept trying to call but had not reception.  Finally got through when I was almost to Vichy.  Dwayne had the kids; I met April on the road.
Saturday:

The kids start their day cuddling.

After the kids had breakfast, Cash and Dwayne went to get Dwayne a haircut and run errands.   Iva and I played and then she took a nap.  After Dwayne and Cash got home, we all went to feed the cows.  Cash gets such a kick out of driving the truck in the field.  Iva enjoyed the moo cows.  We had a new baby calf Cash was excited to see.

We then went to Pa Great's to work on getting the molasses press and mill taken apart to move to Chad's.  We are now going to be making Feeler/Elrod Molasses at Chad's every year.

Dwayne had to go home to pick up some tools so Iva and I stayed home.  Chad came by.  Iva went right to him.  Pa Great was there and she waved by to him as if she was leaving with Chad.  After they left, she went down for another nap.  Cash was one tired, dirty little boy when he got home.  He was pretty excited about all the work he had done.  After supper, Cash "cooked" us a meal and laid out real plates and silverware for us to eat.  I was his first guest.  I automatically started to eat my pretend food.  Cash said, "Grandma".  I looked over and he had his little hand out for us to join hands and pray.  I was so proud of him.  We always do this before a meal. He had quite the fun having me and then Pa eat with him.  Iva is content just to play quietly or color.

Sunday:

April came over mid morning.  She had a good time the day before.  Her and a few of her friends took the train from Jefferson City to Herman for the day for October Fest.  They then ate at Madison's in Jeff City.  April had calamari, which is squid.  She said it wasn't bad.  We ate deli lunch meat for dinner and then April headed home.  Poor thing, both kids got super car sick on the ride home.  They are both prone to car sickness. 

I took a nap and Dwayne watched TV.  That evening, we went to see our friends, Phil and Carol Bailey.  Phil had surgery earlier in the summer for throat cancer and has been in and out of the hospital ever since.  He is not doing very good.  Carol had carotid artery surgery Thursday for a 90% blocked artery.  She's not bouncing back as fast as she thought she would.  She had a full time job plus taking care of Phil.  We had a good visit.

We have another friend, Kenny Allen, Sr. who has cancer.  We stopped to see him and Pat on the way home.  Kenny was in good spirits but things don't look too good for him.  I always enjoy visiting with Pat.

Came home and watched TV

Monday:

Did my morning chores and then made a custard pie to take over to Tony and Bobbi's.  Bobbi is recovering from a double mastectomy.  We had a good visit and Bobbi is doing so much better.

 

I'm so grateful for our family's health.  Please pray for my friends as they are enduring much with their cancer.

Day With Dad:

Dad thought he needed to go to the store, but after checking the fridge found he didn't need anything.  I suggested we go for a drive.  We wound up at my Aunt Alice and Uncle Robert Feeler's house.  We had a nice visit.  Although, I was saddened at the condition Aunt Alice was in.  She's very weak and her mind is just not the same.  Aunt Alice has always been a whirlwind, never winding down.  I have always looked up to Aunt Alice.  It was hard to see her that way.  Uncle Robert is doing pretty good but he doesn't get out much.  When we left, I was even more grateful for how active Dad is and able to take care of himself.
Dad must be pretty lonely this week.  He called me ten times yesterday, plus I went up to visit with him for awhile.  I don't mind the calls, they are a way to connect with Dad throughout the day.
Dad has come to depend on me being here for him since I'm not working right now.  It's a good time.
We went to the Vichy Wye to eat lunch.   I'm so full; I'm not sure if I can eat supper.  I feel like I could take a nap.  But then I wouldn't get the yard (leaves!) mowed.  I keep putting it off.

                                                                Had a great day and feeling grateful for time spent with Dad.

Sam Elliott:

I had a dream about Sam Elliott last night.  I'm not one to croon over movie stars or singers, but I LOVE Sam Elliott's voice.  I also love his acting and charming good looks.
In the dream, Sam had built a small restaurant in the middle of his farm in Missouri.  (Don't think Sam owns any property in MO)  The odd thing was, you had to know it was there to ever find it.  Sam hired me to be a waitress.  Can't remember much more than that.  Where do dreams come from?  I hadn't watched any recent Sam Elliott movies or thought about him.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to meet a star of your dreams?  That would be Sam Elliott for me!

                                                            I'm grateful for this beautiful day the Lord has made.

Cash's Birthday Cake:

Molasses Weekend:

Friday: 
Trip to Sput's for supper before starting our busy weekend.  I was disappointed as I had read a post that Sput was having pork chops as a special.  To my dismay, that must have been for a different day.
Saturday:
Molasses Day starts out early.  There's all the prep work, grinding of the juice, mudding the fire brick that holds the big pan we cook molasses in.  My Dad started this tradition in 1978 and we've continued since that time.  I can't remember how many years ago it was, but Dad turned the operation over to Dwayne and the boys.  I can't even begin to express our gratitude for our Elrod nephews for helping us and feeling the same since of tradition.  Not many in my family has felt the calling for the tradition.  They are there and help wherever needed, but their heart is not truly in it.  It's a big job and takes several to get it done.  My phone messed up and I didn't get any pictures this year.  I like to get some of them grinding the juice and the cooking process.  I did borrow some of Shelley Allen's pictures.

Our "little" Blake pouring cane juice.  He's grown up so much.

Nathan and cash trying to grind juice by hand pushing.  (Hard work, as we use a horse for the press)

The molasses were true to their name, slow!  We had a lot of juice and used the big pan to cook in rather than the evaporator this year.  Took until almost eleven at night to get the batch cooked.  Our friend, Kenny Allen helped all day.  Kudos to Kenny.  We appreciate all our friends and family for their work.

Around seven, we went on our annual hay ride and wiener roast.  We had more than usual for the ride this year.  Cash stayed in the truck and helped Grandpa drive.  He did ride on the back with Grandma for a short distance but preferred driving with Grandpa.  Cash was getting tired and wanted to go home.  I did too.  We were burning a brush pile on our other land for the wiener roast and I could look across the fence and almost see our house.  I thought about walking, but considered otherwise with tall the thorn bushes and climbing the fence with Cash.  Luckily, Dustin was there with his truck and drove us home.  We were both asleep in the living room when Dwayne got home.

Sunday:

Today was the day Cash had been waiting for, his birthday party.  My friend from High School, Kathy Schulte Kleffner makes cakes and she made one for Cash's birthday.  We went to St. James to pick it up and then on over to April and Mike's for the party.  Unfortunately, Cash got car sick on the way.  Poor little guy, him and Iva both get car sick easily.

The party (and food!) turned out really good.

                                                                     Cousin Love

Elaina, Josey, Iva and Cash

Two weeks apart in age.

I have some really good pictures of Cash and his cake but my computer is not cooperating with me today to upload them.

 

After we got home, it was time for cleanup from the day before.  (I got out of it!  lol)

Todd and Michelle came down afterward and we had a good visit.

This was a great weekend, but I sure did miss my Mom.  She loved this time of year.

 

I am grateful for our family to carry on this tradition of making molasses and for all the help from family and friends.  It's just a time of good old fashioned fun and you can't forget all the good food.   I'm also grateful for this sweet little grandson, Cash and his big four year old birthday.

Weekend Update:

Friday:
Just spent the evening watching TV.   Dwayne's work week caught up with him and he was very tired.
Saturday:
We got up early as we had business at the bank.  Came home and Dwayne went to the field to strip cane for our upcoming weekend of making molasses.  I did laundry and just lazed around the house.  That evening, I went to Judy's for Ashlyne's 21st birthday.  So hard to believe our little baby turned 21.  Ashlyne was the first baby in quite some time so we all claimed her.  A little spoiled, but we loved her (and we did the spoiling ourselves, so couldn't complain).  Had a good time.  Hadn't seen Zach in quite some time so it was good to see him.
Sunday:
Dwayne was back to the cane field.  I went to church.  Todd called (while I was in church, embaressing!)  He needed some items from the grocery as they were making deer stew for the work crew.  I desperately needed coffee!  Took the groceries to Todd and Michelle and visited awhile.  Went home to take a nap as I was very tired.  Didn't happen, never could go to sleep.   Mid-afternoon, Dwayne called for me to come up to Dad's as they were cleaning up the pan site and the press to get ready for Saturday.  We then went to Todd and Michelle's for supper.  It was very good and it was nice to get treated for a meal.  Spent the evening relaxing.
Monday:
Cash had a checkup this morning and had to get a flu shot.  April said he giggled because the bandaid matched his underwear.  Afterward, they went out to eat and Cash looked so happy, you couldn't tell he had had a shot.

 

Although it's a busy time, I'm grateful our family can still follow Dad's tradition of making molasses each year.

Freaky Friday:

Long Weekend:

Friday:  Started out the evening by trying to move cattle.  The calves wouldn't come in so we had to forget that for the day.  Todd and Michelle were helping us.  They were going to Sput's and asked us if we wanted to come along.  Had a nice meal and visit.
Saturday:  Dwayne was in the hay field.  I was going to clean house but couldn't get in the mood.  Good thing, as Katie called and asked me to go to a craft fair with her and Kensie.  We saw a lot of nice things but nothing I really needed.  Kate got a really nice old basket for $5.00.  Stopped at a couple yard sales and then went to Mary Ann's, an antique shop in Rolla.  Lots to look at.  Some very
nice furniture pieces.  Katie is looking for a new living room sofa so we went to a couple of furniture stores.  Styles have certainly changed.  Came home and then I went to Todd and Michelle's.  Dad was there and Dwayne was taking a break from baling hay.  Visited with them awhile and then went home.  We had supper early and just spent the evening watching TV.
Sunday:   It was Sunday supper day.  I put a roast on to cook and cleaned up the house.  April and the kids came early.  Dwayne came by to get gas cans to go get gas.  Naturally, Cash wanted to go.  Mid-afternoon, we went to Todd and Michelle's to pick up Cash.  He was so excited he got to ride the tractor.                               

                                                       Cash loves cinnamon toast.
Dad, Todd and Michelle came for supper.  Chad was busy working on his tractor.  We had a good time watching the kids play and visiting.  April's babysitter, Susie's aunt passed away and she was going to the funeral Monday.  I am watching the kids overnight rather than transferring them so early in the morning.
Monday:  We spent the day playing, coloring and acting goofy.  The kids had a lot of fun tickling each other.

 

I met April in Vienna.

Pumpkin Patch

I am grateful for our family and the times we get together.