HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

I can't believe today starts a new decade...I'm into my 6th one and though that doesn't sound bad, it really hits you when you do the multiplication!!  It's been several weeks since I've posted and I have been instructed to do better!!  Of course, we're all through with the Christmas season...decorating, cooking, company, wrapping, taping, eating, shopping, visiting, taking down decorations, cleaning up the wrapping and taping, tired of the cooking, regretting the eating, paying for the shopping and left with wonderful memories of the company and visiting!  We were blessed with a healthy, safe Christmas, so we enjoyed the busy times!  I hope each one of you were blessed, also!
During the days leading up to Christmas, I was in a frenzy painting ornaments!  Each one was different, but most depicted a woodland critter...lots of raccoons, skunks, squirrels, deer, a fox and a 'possum or two.  Of course I auctioned them on Ebay and I've met some wonderful, new customers/friends, through their sales!  I've posted pictures of a couple of my favorites...

All of our animal crew here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, are fat and sassy!  The mules and horses have their winter coats on and all are healthy and wooly!  ChaCha, the baby of the bunch, had her 3rd hoof trimming this last week and of course, again was the perfect little lady!  My farrier is amazed at her patience and sweet nature...let's all hope for that to continue into the spring, when she's introduced to other things, like the saddle, bridle, lounging...I'm really looking forward to working with her!
The cat population remains at 8...all healthy and doing their own thing...some are mousers, some are by-standers and some are trouble makers...but all are loved!!  The dogs keep us on our toes, alerting us to anything that might be going on, that we need to know about!  We have occasional night hunters during deer season and that's NOT something you want at any time, but especially when you have livestock, so even though it's hard to drag out of a warm bed, when it might be raining or in the single digits outside, it's worth it to check out why the dogs are barking!!  Our chickens and peafowl are all great...I'm sure they're looking forward to spring, when the weather warms, birds sing and everything's in bloom!  Our guinea flock is still on patrol around the property, so between them and the dogs, we're set for security!!  Well, I think I've caught up with any news, gossip and chit-chat, so I'll close for now!  I've got to go put on our collard greens, black eyed peas and cornbread for dinner!  I hope everyone is blessed with not just a wonderful year in 2010, but many more ahead!

HAPPY 3RD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR!!

Well, if you're like me, you're trying to catch up on some rest after the hectic holidays...we've celebrated with family and friends, but now, we're back to the everyday stuff! BIG NEWS for 2009 here at AWESOME ASS ACRES...we've finished my added on studio and extra bedroom!!! YEAAAAA!!! My sweet brother-in-law drove up from GA on New Year's Day and stayed until today. He, along with my husband and 2 of our boys, finished ALL of the construction, electrical, heating/air...We're putting down our flooring and we're THROUGH!! When I get my never ending inventory of painting supplies + computer and all components moved in and situated, I'll post pictures...hopefully, that'll be within the next couple weeks. I plan to start teaching some classes in the spring, so I've got to get going with it all!! I've been painting some things during the holidays...a few pendants and a wall sconce that's cute for the cat lover. I've posted some pictures and will be listing them on Ebay tonight.

It won't be long 'till we're packing up again for Mule Day in Columbia, TN and I hope to get some mule things painted for that...I always sell a bunch during the week there! Keep checking back with me for the never ending saga of farm life here...animal drama, fence building, garden planting, mule riding and oh yeah, some painting here and there!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**PS... Don't forget to leave a comment, idea or suggestion...I'd love to hear from you!

Merry Christmas!

How I miss those little running steps and whispers coming from bedrooms down the hall to the tree! Memories bring back the times of checking the chocolate chip cookies and milk to see how much was gone, reading the note from Santa himself, to thank the little ones for the snack and being sooooo good through the year! The whole process is sweet, sad and precious all at the same time! Our "little" ones are now 22 and 24, but we still have Santa stop by! This year I woke up about 5:30, turned the oven on, and fixed made from scratch biscuits, scrambled eggs, pork chops and red-eye gravy! I then walked through the house with a jingle bell, waking everyone up to eat and open presents! We had friends spend the night, so they joined the AWESOME ASS ACRES festivities. Today, we plan to just sit and visit, laugh, talk, eat and laugh some more! I cooked a BIG pot of Brunswick stew to enjoy throughout the day, so we're good on eating!
I hope all were tickled with their treasures this morning, and I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed, healthy New Year!