Road Trip: Belleville and Big Valley, PA

Early on Wednesday, July 2, a carload of us left Guitner Road for Belleville. Mom, Dad, Joel, Susie, Lane and I were off for a wonderful day together. We went up Route 75 and crossed over to Route 522 at Cowan's Gap. We stopped to look at the Saint Mary's Covered Bridge.

It's been a few years, maybe five, since I've been to Belleville, but little had changed. Once again, I searched for a sign indicating whether the town's name came from the Belle family or because it's a fine little town but we didn't find that info. The market had more produce than I expected. Lots of cherries and berries and some veggies. There were the usual crafts and flea market finds. There were plenty of baked goods but since we had filled our bellies a short time earlier, I was able to leave them alone. We checked out the horses and buggies. Mom asked about the different colors of buggies (we saw white, black and yellow) and was told the white were owned by the most conservative of the Amish. The white buggy group use lanterns, not battery power, to light their buggies at night. Lane was impressed by the size of the horses' hooves. I was impressed by how many horses were there.

We left Belleville and drove north to Reedsville. We stopped at the flea market and browsed till lunchtime. There were some neat finds at both places but since my house is full, I spent only $1. (Yes, I'm a tightwad.) A book of 5500 quilt patches caught my eye and came along home with me. By lunchtime we were all wearing down. Flea marketing is HARD WORK :) We detoured off Route 655 as we headed south and saw lovely parts of Big Valley. There were a lot of horses working the fields, cutting and raking hay. Sorry I didn't get a better shot but this shows you the fields are big.
There were long clothes lines filled with clean laundry. We stopped for lunch and refilled our bellies. I was ready to nap after that and glad I wasn't driving. It was a special day telling stories and being together. What a lucky person I am, to have such a great family.

The Last Weekend of June

Nathan and Monica brought a surprise to our house Saturday. CHLOE - our new grand-daughter. She's a beautiful little Scottie. They had seen her the weekend before and told us about her but didn't tell us they went back to get her. She's so cute! She weighs 3 and 1/2 pounds. She didn't care much for Merlin. (He weighs 106 pounds.) She found him to be quite intimidating. Many who are larger than Chloe feel the same way about our punky dog. I hope she won't stay away because of him. A long and happy life to you, little girl!




We went to Rick's last Annual Pig Roast Saturday evening. We've been going for quite a few years and always have a good time. A thunderstorm blew up but soon passed so it didn't spoil the fireworks. Thank you, Rick, for inviting Brad and me. It's always been fun. You can watch a short video of the fireworks below.



Sunday, I cleaned house and knitted. My big bag knit from my sheep is nearly complete. The lining is now sewn in place and all it needs is the straps.

A Day Off Work - that means I'll be working tomorrow

The Sparrow Nest

For Mother's Day I received a New Guinea Impatien hanging basket from my son and daughter-in-law. I hung it under our deck and a sparrow promptly added a chickweed and sheep's hair nest. I removed the nest and she put it back. I left it there and she and a cowbird both put their eggs in it. I removed the 2 cowbird eggs. When one of her 5 eggs had hatched, I couldn't wait to photograph it. Unfortunately, the first baby somehow got out of the nest and died. Mama kept sitting on the 4 remaining eggs. The first 2 of those eggs have hatched. Two more to go. They are such tiny mites. Fuzzy little critters with transparent skin, so fragile looking. I'll keep you posted.










Hay Mowing
Merlin and I went out to check the freshly mown pasture and hayfields this morning. He loves to run ahead looking for something to chase. I let him go, in hope that any snakes will clear out before I pass through behind him.

The sheep were in the pasture that Dad will mow today. The grass was taller than they. The lambs have really grown. It's time to take some of them away from their Moms. Not my favorite thing to do, just a necessary part of life. This is Toffee in the tall grass. She's delivered triplets all three years she's had babies. Her 2008 ewe lamb, Tresor, is a treasure. I plan to keep her as a part of my flock. Dad saw the sheep in the freshly mown grass this morning. He said they were romping around, enjoying that it was cut.

Summer's Here

We've been waiting for warmer weather. Now it's here and I'm hiding in the air conditioning. PA is having quite a heat wave after the cool, wet spring we've experienced. I wish the hay was mowed and I will fret about it until it is in the barn.

Last Friday, my niece's daughter had her first dance recital. She is a beautiful child, so animated.

On Saturday, my cousin and his wife celebrated their 25th anniversary. Congratulations, Bret and Lorie!

Dad returned from his fishing trip to Maine yesterday. He missed the recital and the anniversary party but he had a great time with his fishing friends. I think Mom was glad to have him home.

Last evening all the lambs got their second tetanus shots. We were stinky and sweaty till that job was done. Today the sheep are all hanging out in the barn with the fans running.

My hobbledehoy yarns (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23459 ) arrived in today's mail. They are just as wonderful as the posted photos that made me want them. I'm not sure what I'll make with them but something good. Their names are Lemon Drop and Pine Trail. Their creator, Liz, dropped me a note to say I could come spin with her a day. I think I'll take her up on that. There's much she could teach me. I was looking at a spinning class next March at The Mannings. It looks like it's only offered annually.

I'm working on a lap quilt to give to my great aunt at a family reunion in a couple weeks. I need to get busy with that. It's a good reason to stay in the house and be cool. I'm so glad we have air conditioning. It's hard to imagine that it wasn't long ago we didn't have it.