Saturday, December 3, 2011

A lovely Fall wedding

A few months back I was at work and my dear friend was discussing her daughter's forthcoming wedding.   As she explained that she and her daughter did not know where to start or what to do, let alone agree on anything.  I half heartedly said "You need me to plan it for you."  Well, guess what.....I became the wedding planner. 
There was much to do, so we all went right to work, deciding and planning.   We first had to decide where this precious couple would get married.  We looked around and debated a bit then the decision was made.  On to the date and the time and the attire and the food and the music and the photos and the guest list and the decorations.  One by one all things came together.......
On November 4th we went to work readying the church and the fellowship hall for the blessed event.  Friday night there was a quick rehearsal so everyone knew what was expected. 

the farmer takes a wife......
Finally, the big day was here.  Saturday morning ready to go except Shelby wants a new denim skirt.  So after I convert a pair of jeans she no longer wears into a denim skirt with some pizazz, we take off to the church for the finishing touches on the decor.  There is a special surprise in the parking lot waiting to be erected to greet the guest, then off for pictures of the happy couple. 

We spent the afternoon taking fun family photos that will allow the couple to remeber this day always.  We played, we laughed....some cried and we took some awesome photos.  The tractor and the field and the leaves and the beautiful sunshine graced us everyone.  When there was no one else to be photographed we loaded the beautiful bride and all her entourage up and went back to the church.  Soon the guest began to arrive and fill the pews of the little church. 
Well the wedding hour is at hand, this is what we have been planning and waiting for........"Let's do this."  Everyone was lined up and the music was cued.  Chalee's request simple, elegant and country and I think that is exactly what she got.  The ceremony was so sweet,  Chaplain Billy is so eloquent when he speaks. I could listen to him speak God's word for days!  Everything was just perfect.  After the vows and few inside the church photos there was a reception for all the guest.  The food was very good the fellowship was even better and the Bride and Groom were all smiles!
I feel so blessed to have been a part of this event.  I had fun guiding the planning and getting to know this family.  I know that God has a special plan for this couple.  Best Wishes Dale and Chalee Williams!



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Camping Trip

I am excessively late in posting about our camping trip.  In mid October we ventured off to Desoto Falls State Park for a fun filled weekend of camping.  The kids were so excited for the big adventure and the weather was absolutely perfect, crisp and cool at night and sunny and warm by day!  We packed all that 4 people could possibly need for a two day outdoor weekend on the back of Daddy's truck and off we went to "Almabama" as soon we could on that Friday afternoon.  We located the campground, then the perfect campsite  (number 13) and began making it ours.  Tents in place and Tanner was tasked with gathering the firestarter wood and Shelby having camp experience coached her Dad in fire building 101.   With the fire going we got dinner started and began to enjoy the fall evening in the mountains.  Dinner is soon followed by s'mores or 2 kids eating alot of marshmellows from the bag while mom is trying to make s'mores.  Honestly the s'mores are for me, the kids are happy with just marshmellows.  Our first night in the tents is for the most part uneventful, everyone is tired and ready for bed and excited about the Color Fest events tomorrow.  Saturday morning I awaken to the cracking of the fire.  Time for campfire breakfast, is there anything better?  We used our cardboard box oven for biscuits, bacon and eggs in the cool mountain air, oh and percolated coffee to wake you up!  Delicious! Well, except the biscuits were well done, peel the black off and then they were perfect!  Dressed and ready for a fun day in Mentone at the Color Fest, the landscape was absolutely beautiful that weekend, color just beginning and the sun enhancing every bit of it.  The festival was filled with so may lovely and creative things.  We walked and looked and ohhhed and ahhed over all these things, took a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view at Brow Park. 
Shelby and Leah Seawright
Back to camp for a bite of lunch, a rest period and a short hike through the woods.  We got some dutch oven beef stew started for dinner after the concert later.  Now off to see Ms Leah Seawright in concert.  The day was just too much for Tanner, he could not stay awake.  Shelby snuggled under a blanket and had herself a rocking good time under the stars.  She even stood in line and got herself and her sleeping brother an autographed picture. 

playing in the campground
After the show we warmed by the fire and enjoyed a yummy bowl of beef stew from the dutch oven.  Well, three of us Tanner was down for the night,  he did ask what we were having but could not stay awake to have any.  It was not long before Johnny and Shelby had the Jiffy Pop over the fire, who remembers Jiffy Pop.  Shelby says that is the best pop corn she has ever had!  Good night!
Ah, Sunday morning on the mountain and Happy Birthday Johnny!  Another campfire breakfast, this time the biscuits are perfect!  Now pack it all up and home for birthday lunch with Grammy and Poppa.

I realized on this trip some of the sweetest things 1.if you sit quietly outside the tent you will hear a lot of giggling.  2.  If you lay quietly in the tent after everyone gets up you can hear amazing conversations between a Daddy and his daughter or a Daddy and his son.   



This was actually taken the week before but the only picture of us together I had to post,
taken at Desoto Falls

This was such a fun family outing and one I hope we remember to take time to do again and again.  Amazing memories happening now!  

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wow, who can believe it is October......  The summer garden is for the most part done with only a sparse tomato vine and a couple of persistent pepper plants.  The fall/ winter garden is healthy with cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.  The pantry is loaded with (Forest Gump voice) Tomato Sauce, tomato salsa, tomato relish, canned whole tomatoes, tomatoes and okra, tomato and peach salsa, blackberry jelly, fig/strawberry preserves, pear preserves, apple sauce, apple jelly, pickled okra, pickled peppers, green pepper jelly, red pepper jelly, bread and butter pickles, canned pears..........my goodness.  The point is this will greatly reduce the number of trips to the grocery store!   
The chickens are enjoying the cooler weather...less panting and hovering near the shade of the building.....more roaming around purring and clucking.  Shelby now has official business cards and many egg customers.   It is nealy time for the lights to be turned on as the daylight hours grow shorter. 
School is in full swing and all is well on that front both Nutter children are exceeding academically which makes Moma and Daddy PROUD!  Shelby just amazes me with her reading ability.  Tanner is mastering his letters and getting started well with his sight words, and just as I knew he would he has charmed his teacher........so far he has managed to not have a single enounter with the removing of the crayon discipline tool.    Outside of school there is Team Kid on Wednesday evening, new for us but both seem to enjoy their new friends and learning about Jesus.  Dance on Thursday and a varied baseball schedule with 2 games per week.
This past Saturday was Kid's outdoor day at the Floyd County Wildlife club.........fun for everyone.........I just does my heart good to see kid's running outside taking in the fresh air and enjoying good ole fasion fun.  They were fishing and climbing and shooting bb guns and archery and giggling and squealing. SMILE!  This was my third time to coordinate this event and I learn something everytime.  What a blessing it is to serve God by serving others.
First day of school!  Bring on the fun!



see the mischief?  what a charmer......
  

 

baseball ready!


such a sweet girl, graceful and kind
Amazing how God has our path mapped out and sometimes we do not take note of it......recently I had felt God call me to a new congregation for worship and service.....upon acting on that I realized that there were people that I missed from the previous congregation.  I acted on faith and said " I do miss them but I will be obedient".... now to my surprise I register Shelby for dance, have some stuggle with what afternoon we will dance, change classes at least once , get on a waiting list so as to not dance on Wednesday......then when I get her to dance what do you know the one person I "miss the most"  walks in and sends her daughter into the same studio I just sent Shelby into!  See God knew we were going to need our periodic chats!  He always knows what we need and when we need it.  Learning more everyday to faithfully give it all to him!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Where will this journey take us?  For many months now I have had the idea to do a blog.  I do not really know why, I do lots of things and on any given day someone says "You should write that down."   Well, here I go......a place to write it all down.  I often say I am the Jane of all trades but master of none.  I love all old fashion things, gardening, canning, cooking, sewing, crafting, hunting and in addition to that I love to save money so couponing is my thing.  So anything from the Nutter house is fair game here could be recipe, could be good deal on grocery item, could be pictures from the deer stand.  The Lord has richly blessed me with two wonderful children and the opportunity to raise them on good old country living and we try to take advantage of as much of that as we can.   I guarantee it will be fun.