What a beautiful Day!

Scott and I had a beautiful drive today. It was a little sad. Some of the places he can remember going with his brother has now been logged which tears up the forest. We were driving on a 4 wheeler road and it was so funny that TomTom knew where we were. I was completely lost hoping we didn't slide off the side of a hill. Scott also found a dollar bill in the middle of same ruff dirt road. We didn't find Bigfoot, but we did see some lovely scenes. I took tons of pictures. It was hard to choose what to share.

The best part of all. . . .We saw somewhere around 50 elk at Boxley. They were on two bottom fields and also on the other side of the road in some brush. I have never seen this many before.

If you click on this picture and enlarge it, you should be able to see the large rack on the big bull.

And of course a self portrait. My arm needs to be longer.

SQUATCHING

I came across this photo that Scott took on one of his Bigfoot expeditions. This is a homemade sign in Oklahoma. Tomorrow we are planning on going to Johnson County to look for Bigfoot. Scott says he is going to use me as bait so if you don't hear from me in the next few days, please come looking for me. I MUST HAVE LOST MY MIND!

Sad, Sad DAY

It's a sad, lonely day in the Smith house. The kids went back to their mom's for nine weeks today. They have only been gone for a hour and our house already seams way to quiet.

Merry Christmas ! !

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Remember this is a time for family and friends. It's the thought that counts!

Happy Holidays!

Angie

We're WRAPPED!

4 or 5 hours and 1 box cut later (yes box cut not a paper cut), we finally have all the presents we have wrapped. I don't ever remember wrapping that many at once or it taking that long. Oh Well, it is now finished. Well, that is all but the couple of gifts that were ordered that we haven't received yet. Hopefully they will be here Monday. Tomorrow I start making Christmas candy and cookies. Even though this is a crazy time of year I really enjoy it.

A Dog Named Christmas

I finished the book I decided to read for Christmas over a week ago. It was a short fast read that I really enjoyed. It made you appreciate the special people and animals that come into our lives. It shows that everyone no matter what their ability have a place in this crazy world. Editorial Reviews
Product Description
In this heartwarming novel, author Greg Kincaid tells the tender story of how one very special dog changed the lives of his adoptive family—and an entire town—forever.“Todd, they always want you to adopt a dog. That’s what they do. Besides, we don’t need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog.”When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men—and animals.

Bad Mood Breakers

After the day I have had and our trip to Wal-Mart this evening, I thought I would pass on these Bad Mood Breakers that I got over my email. . . .


You can't read this and stay in a bad mood !

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.

2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way.

3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psycho Path

4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It.

5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
Dam!

6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroid's

7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick

8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese

9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.

10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quattro Sinko....

11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.

12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.

13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.

14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef.

15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.

16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers

17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
Because It Scares The Dog.

18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.

19. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover ?
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.

20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.

21. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver?
A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Dang!A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack

22. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same?
Somebody' s Gonna Lose A Trailer


Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile huh? Hope everyone is ready for Christmas. I should be after tomorrow. I have alot of wrapping to do.

The Johnson's

Recently, I took some photo's of a co-worker and her family. I had so much fun and it was really good practice. Here are a few of my favorites.

Cassie's home is full of beautiful windows. I don't think I used the lighting as well as I could have. I'm still learning so I guess that is part of it. Hope you all have a great Christmas and enjoy the Christmas cards you made out of the photos.

I DECORATED!

Well, I had everything planned out for a family Sunday evening of tree decorating and home made pizza. Scott had to help me get the lights on the tree working and we had everything almost ready to decorate when the kids got home from their moms. However, no one wanted to decorate the tree with me so I sadly did it all by myself. Scott did stay in the living room and read the paper while I decorated it. Then, I made homemade pizza by myself. Since I did the tree myself, I made sure to add some of my favorite ornaments that didn't make it on the tree last year. When we were going through stuff at my grandparent's house a couple of years ago, I found this and decided to bring it home. My grandma Ruby was always doing stuff with her hands and this reminds me of all the special things she taught me to do or tried really hard to teach us. (I never learned to knit but she tried hard to teach us.)

I bought this Santa at War Eagle many years ago. I don't know is you can tell by the photo but it is a Okra. The top is the hat and then there are eyes and a really long beard.

This Angel my Grandma Martin made. When Ben Franklin's (a very long time ago) went out of business I bought her alot of ribbons and lace. That year she made everyone angels. If you look at most of my family's Christmas Trees I bet you will find one of these.

The final project! This year we decided not to put out all of our Christmas decorations. This is the first year since I have lived here that we didn't put out the village. Last year we went all out. Breanna and I even put lights outside. This year will be simple. Only a tree full of crazy things I like.

We are having our first ever Christmas Eve dinner at our house. I am really excited even if no one comes but my parent and Scott's mom. I think I am going to try and cook my first ever turkey. Well, I'm thinking of only getting a turkey breast and cooking it in my roaster while I am I work. Anyone got any pointers?

Winter is HERE!

I can't believe it! It has been snowing almost all day. It's still too warm for it to stick to the ground but still is a beautiful site when I look out the window. This has been a very quite winter day. Laundry is almost done, the chicken vegetable soup is on the stove simmering. Breanna is in her room reading. I think I am going to start on the 500+ emails I haven't looked at. I seriously don't know how I get so many. Then I hope to start on a new book. Still haven't heard from the guys. Hope they got a deer.

Angie's Lazy Day Chicken Vegetable Soup
2 cans Chicken Broth
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
1 can creamy tomato soup
1 bag frozen vegetables
6-8 potatoes, diced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
Cavenders
garlic powder

Place onions and potatoes in chicken broth and boil. Add Chicken. Boil for a few minutes until potatoes are tender. They don't have to be all the way soft as you can simmer the soup as long as you would like. Add Tomato Soup, vegetables and seasonings. Simmer until ready to serve.

Poor Scott, he thinks I am a good cook. Little does he know I just toss some things in a pot.

Girls Weekend

The guys are out hunting so Breanna and I have had the weekend to our self. I will admit I was a little sad that we didn't have any money to run around and do girl things. Then my husband handed me this envelope Thursday evening. I don't know where the money came from but he gave us some running around money.

We left the house Friday morning around 8:30ish. I was surprised that the things that I wanted to buy for gifts were already sold out so we ended up with very little. We spent the rest of the day being lazy watching chick flicks. I dug out my small George Foreman grill (hasn't been used in like 4 years) and we grilled us up some chicken and had mashed potatoes and cabbage. I can't believe we went all out and cooked a big meal for just the two of us.

We decided to go to Branson today. We only hit up a few stores and found some really good deals. We were bad and spent the money on us instead of buying Christmas gifts. Here are our best deals. We found these shoes that were originally $40 and $45 each and we paid $5 each. Breanna loves shoes and said these heels were really comfortable. The sandals I got will look great with my capris in the spring.

We went to Target where I got a swing sweater for $5 and some change. I think I have turned Breanna into a Target fan also. We could have spent tons of money. We had a late lunch. Bre got an education on football as we sat in the bar area so we didn't have to wait. Yes, I am a terrible step-mother we ate in the bar area. . . .

We decided we would stop at Books-A-Million and head home. Well, Petco is right beside it and we just had to stop in. They had dogs in there that they were trying to adopt out. We wanted to bring all of them home but sadly resisted. They all had their personal story on the crate and it was so sad. One dog was dumped on a road by its owner and waited for 3 months for its master to come back. Finally, someone put a leash on it and made it leave. I don't think people realize the trauma they put on animals when they do such horrible things. I am blessed to have a family that loves animals the way I do. Breanna wants to take her Dad back so he will want to bring them home. If you are thinking of a new pet to add to your family please look to the shelters or other animals that need help.

Tomorrow the guys will be back so I plan on doing laundry and cleaning. YUCK! I think since we don't know exactly what time they are going to be home and since the weather is suppose to be cold we will make a pot of soup.

This has been a great bonding weekend. Everyone should get to do this from time to time.

Thanksgiving Day

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my mom's house. We had great food and hung out for a while. It has always been a tradition that all of my family get together on this day. However, this year alot of people were missing. It was a little sad. Those of us that were there had a great time. We didn't have a photo of our clan together. So JT took a picture of us. Doesn't everyone look thrilled.

I can't believe all the kids are getting so tall!!

Our Second Thanksgiving

Last weekend we spent the weekend in Hasty. There was a little bit of a problem with the gas so we didn't have heat or a cook stove. However, there was great family time snuggled around electric heaters. The old wood cook stove was put to use and Scott's Aunt Shirley opened up her home to let us all use her oven. We all enjoyed Mexican food. It's so neat how several of us had the same recipe all cooked a little different.

Board games and cards are always a big hit. This year there was a Wii and guitar hero. It was a blast for young and old alike.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Our Thanksgivings started with. . .

Our first Thanksgiving get together was at Scott's mom's house a couple of weekends ago. We had yummy snacks and our main course was soup and beans. We enjoyed the day and evening hanging out and playing board games. Family time together makes this my favorite holiday. Emma was go good at posing for the camera.

This kids had a blast hanging out together.

The adults and Breanna enjoyed a game of Pictionary.

The game was ended suddenly by a large stink by Scott. His mom had to pull out the Scott Guard. Yes, Kim is trying not to breath and her eyes are almost watering. Everyone had to leave the room as the smell seamed to be burnt into the cushion he was sitting on. (ha ha)

*****Correction***** Kim says her eyes were watering!! She didn't know what she was in for when she chose a seat next to him . . . . . . . . .

Photography on Scott's Grandpa's Farm

There is something about barn wood that I love. . .

I have to admit that many times with my camera, I get in a hurry and let it do all the work for me. I was very fortunate that while Scott was out hunting to have a little time to myself to get out and practice taking some pictures. His Grandpa's farm has some of the neatest old stuff on it and the fact that the items stay still while I am trying to photograph them was a huge help. I will admit, I did have some pictures that turned out almost all black and some that looked really yellow. I have got to practice alot more. But so far more than 95% of my Thanksgiving pictures have been manual not automatic. Here are a few photos that I took that I think turned out good.

I can't figure out why only the barbs are rusted and not the wire.

Wish I would have walked beyond the house. I know I could have found many more items to photograph.

The Lucky One

So I'm really behind on my posting but thought I would start with a great book that I just finished. Nicholas Sparks is, of course, one of my favorites. He seams to write wonderful, great stories that are fantastic and hard to put down. This one is a must read. Some of his books seam predictable as to how they will end but to me this one was not. I would give this book five stars and would highly recommend it ! Let me know if you want to borrow this book.

Now, on to my next book. I started my own tradition a few years back. One just for me. Several years back when my life was not so great, I decided to read a Christmas book. Hoping to boost my spirits. It did just what I was hoping and I had a very good Christmas. I think that year I learned to be grateful of the small things which I think I would have forgotten that year had I not read the book. The sad part is I don't even remember what the book was and I sold almost all of my paperback books at a garage sale because I don't have room for tons of books. Anyway, since that year, I have tried to read a Christmas book each holiday season. As crazy as the holidays can get, it's relaxing to come home and have a few quiet minutes reading a book that makes you appreciate the season. I placed my order for my book last week. I don't remember what it is called but I know that one of the main characters is a dog and everyone knows I am a animal lover. Does anyone know of any great Christmas stories I should read?

Pat's Family

A few Saturdays ago, I spent the afternoon with Pat and her family at her parents farm. It turned out to be a really nice day and we had alot of fun. I had a hard time deciding which photos to share so here is a few of the several hundred shots I took. Blake The Gang!

Pat with her children Ashley and Justin.

Grandma and Grandpa with the tractor they have used forever.

Justin decided to start the day off with some fun and picked grandpa up.

Ashley and Adam with their children Abby and Macy.

Adam and Ashley