Corn Picking

The sweet corn has been on for about three weeks now. We fixed up an old wagon that doubles as a playpen for the girls while I'm picking.I'm the official picker, with some helpers every now and again. Hudson prefers to oversee the project and help load the corn into the wagon. At first the kids and I would pick what was ready and set up a little stand in town to pedal our corn. They seemed to enjoy it more than I did.By this past week, I was tired spending my afternoons selling corn and there was just so much. Luckily we found a buyer who took the three pickup loads we picked and people to help pick. One more thorough picking and the season should about be over.

Fair Time

Best Dressed Couple

Dalanie told everyone we were headed to the fair after church, and she was right. Everyone probably assumed the EISF, but we had better plans than that.

The Wilkins clan convened at the fairgrounds in Burley for a state fair of their very own. You didn't need a loaded wallet, instead your participation paid cash. If you brought humanitarian dolls, you earned money. Just there a lot of money was paid out since over 550 dolls were collected!We had a dutch oven dinner, country dancing, carriage rides, and maple bars that evening.
Monday morning we collected our premium money for our handmade or homegrown entries. There was a little of everything there; artwork, produce, quilts.

Then on to the fun and games. There was a cow pie toss, sack races, graces tournament, ring and stick race, and a half pipe competition.You had to "buy" your lunch, but the twisted taters and burgers were worth every penny.
After lunch we went to the carnival. Grandpa was giving rides on his swing. You could prove your love and win a stuffed animal for your significant other and enjoy cotton candy, kettle corn, and sno cones.I'm afraid we won't ever take Dalanie to a real fair, she'd cost us a fortune. Anytime you turned around she was asking for more money.

Skunk Farmers

We've been raising another big patch of sweet corn for the kids to sale. We've learned that you can't have corn without critters. So with our bumper crop of corn, we have also had a bumper crop of skunks. After taking seven, we hope there is not much more increase of yield in that department.

We had a close call the other day. The kids and I were loaded on the 4-wheeler, headed to pick corn. We drove down one of the rows, only to find a skunk feet away with it's tail in the air. I let out a crippled scream and gunned the 4 wheeler out of there. I'm glad to report it was WHEW, instead of PHEW That would have been bad, very bad. Apparently there was a trap there (good to know.) What a heart pounder. I still shake thinking about it.

New Look

I took my two straggly girls to the beauty shop.
This is what we came home with.Still not completely out of their eyes or tangle-free, but it helps.

First Day of School: Take II

I struck out on most accounts for Hudson's first day of school. Hopefully his educational career is not forever marred by my failings.

After a Cool Whip and sprinkle covered waffle for breakfast, he headed out to wait for the school bus. The sun was brightly shining so I wasn't able to capture any great pictures with the bus in the background. Strike one.

The girls and I pittled around, biding time until it was time to pick him up from school. When we got to the school, there was no Hudson to be found. Apparently I was 30 minutes late. Strike two.

The kind friend that took him home recounted how Hudson had said, "My Mom said she would never forget me." And I didn't, I was just late. Late for no reason, other than I had in my head a different time. Strike three.

When the drama was over, I asked about his first day of school. "It was fine, but I still don't know how to read."

The second day was much better. I was on time and he came home singing "One eyed, one horn, flying purple people eater."

Photo Shoot

They're the quintessential, end of summer pictures taken with my little point and shoot. Nothing fancy, but we had fun.

Blast From the Past

Nothing compares to sharing some of your favorite activities as a kid with your own kids. There was water skiing at the upscale Kimmy's Resort. Mom and Dad tore it up behind the Blue Ghetto, putting the wake back in the Snake. We also held a photo shoot for next year's calendar. I'll be kind. . . let's just say Ty working the Mermaid pose.

We hit the rodeo and enjoyed laughing at the rodeo clown, Randy Munns.
Dalanie cleaned house at the horse races. She wagered all her pennies on the pink horse and won nearly every race. And Hudson got to finish off another plate of twisted taters, so we averted another break down. He insisted on wearing long pants and his cowboy hat. Even when he was dripping sweat, the hat never came off.

Summer Party Season Over

We enjoy having people over and hosting events. Over the years I've learned not to stress about the small stuff. If it's too much work, it's not fun. And when it's not fun, it's not worth doing. People rarely notice the weeds in your tree rings or cobwebs in your door frames.


Big Screen in our Backyard

With the summer coming to a close (more like a screeching halt), we decided we'd better squeeze in a movie night if we were going to make it an annual event. We had camping chairs and blankets covering the backyard. While the sun was setting we started cooking up kettle corn. Kids kept coming back for more until the movie started at dark. It was a breezy evening, but I'm sure glad we did it again.
Block Party

We also hosted a block party earlier this summer. There was a 'best block on the block' contest, good food, and lots of visiting.