Yesterday I prepared the camper for our leaving.
Arriving is more exciting and leaving is kind of melancholy....but we will be back in just over 2 weeks. I must have always been a country girl at heart and I have been in love with the ranch since the first time Dean invited us for a Karate event he hosted.
I'll have to look back over my photos, journals and diary and better chart my love affair with this place!
I never in my wildest dreams thought I would actually be LIVING in the country part time!
It is a Dream come TRUE!
As I prepare to leave, I make sure everything is clean and the beds are made fresh.
This time I put flannel sheets on both the 'big' bedroom bed as well as the girl bunk.
I continue to use the denim quilt I made for my 65th birthday.
Perhaps next year I will make one for my 70th!
As I told a friend on the phone the other day - I'm too old now to die young!
While I cleaned and feathered my nest,
Louis Dean watched his son work on the bathroom plumbing.
***Note that Louis Dean is watching from the 'throne?'***
I thought that was funny when a friend I had sent the photo to in a message pointed it out to me!
This was a job that proved WAY beyond what LD could do!
Son Dean came to the rescue of Daddy Dean!
He got under there in that teeny tiny space and was in such contortions I was worried how he would get up. IF Louis Dean could have got down there, there is NO way he would have been able to get out!!
But it was no problem for Dean! And I have to give him so much praise for all he did that day.
He had to quit in time to go to a Chiropractor appointment (???) and returned to working on the project as soon as he got back! Amazing! In thinking about it, we probably should have paid for that appointment!! Since we may have CAUSED it!!
When Dean came down that morning, he told me Sherry was a new mom!
TWO eggs had hatched that morning and two more had cracked open their shells and would be coming out anytime now.
***Banty eggs are in the back rows.....regular chicks in the front.***
The most exciting time was when their peafowl hatched!!!
Hopefully, there will be many more in time to come.
Remember, they are building a huge Peacock Pen!
I went down to admire the new chicks and Sherry let me hold them!
It was like holding two cotton balls!
They were just a few hours old!
The highlight of my day!
Louis Dean cried uncle!
We said our goodbyes and left - leaving Dean still working on the bathroom!
Just between you and me, age does catch up with you and it's a wise man - or lady - who can acknowledge that and let the younger generation step in and help - while still doing as much as you can.
Thank you, Dean and Sherry!
We do so appreciate you both!
Time to leave.
Louis Dean handled the gate as the wind was blowing hard.
This was a shorter stay at the ranch than usual but, then again, we will be back in a shorter amount of time. I will return with a Christmas Tree, lights, ornaments and wreathes!
Before we left I packed up all the fall things in the new room and most of the ones in the camper.
Not all. Some I want to hold on to and enjoy year round.
As is our custom, we divide the drive into two sections.
We drove the back roads to Hillsboro.....FM 939 to 31 to 171....I think.
It is a peaceful and scenic country drive.
Not much fall color - but then we don't always HAVE fall color every year.
From Hillsboro, it is I35 all the way to Dallas.
After being in the country, it felt like we were in Las Vegas with all the bright lights and traffic!!!
It was quite an adjustment to the country roads we love so well.
Home sweet home!
The first thing I did was turn on the 'pretty' lights on the porch!
We unloaded and I unpacked and then flopped into the comfy chair in the living room and admired how pretty it looked. I always feel surprised that I live in such a pretty house.
Louis Dean took a long, long hot soaking bath!
I took a wonderful hot shower!
Then we watched back to back episodes of Bull before going to bed.
Yesterday was Summer's birthday!!
She sent me this pic as we were coming home.
I am ever so thankful she is feeling better and improving!
It is slow and she continues to struggle - but it is not all consuming pain anymore - and for that I am so grateful!
It got COLD last night!!!
We were in bed before midnight with the back door open.
I got up and shut it in the middle of the night.
Louis Dean also got up in the middle of the night - to eat!
I noticed he had fried up a couple of eggs and made some toast!
I try to make sure he is full before he goes to bed but sometimes I think he is simply a night eater.
Finally our first fire of the season in the den!!!
It was lovely and I always record the date in my Country Diary.
This day called for a batch of Spiced Pumpkin Muffins!!!
Some for us to nibble with our coffee in front of the fireplace while we did our morning reading.
Some for my dear friends, Kimmy and June, who watched over our city home while we were enjoying our country home......and I took a tin full to Amber, Mike and the Quads this afternoon!!!
I met them in Dallas at the movie theater to see ....
It was so good to see them!
The last time we were together was October 9th for Quad Monday.
Five years ago.....how fast those years flew by.....
even though we didn't realize it at the time!
18 comments:
I’m so glad to know there’s another night eater in the world. Food just tastes better in the middle of the night. So fun to see the tiny quads. Even then they’re easy to identify. Glad Summer is seeing some progress. Your house looks very pretty. Isn’t fall wonderful?
I am making some Christmas plans for Grimmwood as well, Linda. I have my eye on a tree at Hobby Lobby. It is rather rustic looking!! I only put out a few fall things...so not much to put away! We are blessed to have part time homes in the country aren't we? So glad Summer is feeling better.
The pumpkin Quads are just adorable!! Now you have the wonderful blessing of having two homes! A county one and a city one! Makes me think of that book "The Country Mouse and The City Mouse". Except you love them both! I am glad Louis Dean is being so wise about what he will do and what he will not. Because we do not want to see him go to the chiropractor with his son! Both of your homes are beautiful, full of light and cheerful! Adorable chicks!!
Ah those quads! Darling then and now!
I'm so happy for you and your country home away from home! Such a blessing to have places near family, too!
Summer and I are now the same age, I think! So glad to hear that she has some reprieve from her pain!
Never a dull moment! I am adamant about leaving my homes spotless as I go from one to another. Others may think we are crazy but that's us, right?
Those chicks! :)
The Quads were and are precious!
Happy trails...
Jane x
I understand how you feel traveling between country and city. I feel the same way when I visit the country in Lancaster County and then come home to the city. It's surreal. How cool you were able to hold those newly hatched chicks. Glad LD knew when to stop and get help.
So glad y'all made it home safely! And those little baby chicks were so cute! Happy birthday to Summer and I love that picture of Louis Dean with the gate for some reason! It's kinda of a "good-bye for now and we'll be back" picture isn't it?
Linda, I wish the plumbing had been done before the floors. My Ted is a pipefitter and I know he would hate that tight squeeze. LOL. LD raised a good son. I bet soaking in the tub later helped his muscles.
We have a fire going this morning, I clean the fireplace and got it going. Ted built the first fire yesterday. We have had some super cold nights and mornings. Glad you could relax in front of your first fire.
Wow, the babies...yes they grew so quickly right before our eyes. I think of them often and miss them.
Happy birthday to your sweet Summer girl. I am so happy her pain is easing. She's been a trooper. Blessings to all of you, love you, xoxo, Susie
How great to see the new chicks. What a miracle new life is. You left a clean house and came home to a clean house, that is a welcoming gift to your self indeed. That picture of your quad grand babies is a adorable. So true what that quote says about pictures being a return ticket to days otherwise gone !
Love the new chicks and that you got to hold them:) It is a good thing that you are so organized because keeping two places decorated would do me in for sure.
Hugs and Love Linda. What a wonderful time of work and relaxing and COUNTRY you had.
Joy
I love the amenities of the big cities...but, the country life is so peaceful, quiet, and healthy!! Two weeks will zip by and then you're 'home' again in the tranquil setting.
Love L.D.'s throne. LOL
PS...forgot the birthday gal...hope she had a fun time.
I appreciate your absolute enthusiasm for life! You are amazing. Can't wait to read your book.
Linda, Your home looks warm and cozy. No wonder you love both your city and country homes! I am happy for you.
God bless you and your family! Beth
Where have the years gone, indeed? Your quads have grown up before 'our eyes'. I saved that quote at the end of your post. Love it.
How fun to have your feet in two worlds...living in both the country and the city. :) I can see that you enjoy them both.
You’re living the life between cabin and castle. So glad that Dean has been able to help. Praise God that Summer is feeling better. Do I have the quads figured out correctly? L to R
Trystan, Kailey, Harrison, Logan?
Glad Summer is improving, and that Louis listened to his body. Some of us don't, and pay. Dean and Sherry are the greatest! Please do look back and do a timeline on your country visiting until now---WHEN and if you have time. Time is a precious commodity and realize it more as we age.
The quads! How we miss them!! But also understand.
Will you and Ruth Ann shop, lunch and paint on Tuesday? ❤
I love the idea of fried eggs and toast in the middle of the night. It sounds pretty yummy! The quad pumpkins are super cute. I miss hearing all about them! Summer looks fantastic celebrating her birthday! Praise!
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