Last few days...

The last few days have been wonderful. I had a nice visit with my Dad and Grandpa Suppes, Mr Collins is healing nicely, and more and more salsa!!

While Dad and Grandpa were here, we went and did a little Civil War site seeing. We toured the Belmont home, went and saw the Battle of Franklin site, and then we went to the largest Confederate Cemetery in the country. It was a wonderful!!
Oh, and don't forget the porch sitting. We always seem to do a lot of that when my family comes..
Here is what Mr Collins looks like these days. He is looking very good, and smelling a lot less like death. His scabs are healing, his hair is coming back, and his cute little personality sure is coming out.

He loves to run the chicken coop and make the hens fly all around...
He also likes to have a stare off with the cows. Keep trying Mr Collins, maybe someday the 800 pound cows will tremble at your bark..
All is well at the Cottle Farm. I hate when family leaves, the house always seems so quiet... We miss you Dad and Grandpa.
Here is a picture I snapped today. Countess Yummy Tummy is laying on Betsy Joe's back. Isnt that sweet?

Introducing Mr Collins...

Poor Mr Collins. He is new to our home, in fact he kinda welcomed himself into our home. With the weather being as nice as it has been, I have had all the windows and doors open enjoying the delicious fresh air. However, Wednesday I was scrubbing tubs and toilets when I heard this strange growl in my hallway.

I walked out and saw something black underneath the bench in our hallway. I thought it was the skunk from the night before (oh, I didn't mention that story? Another tale for another time.), but alas it was just sweet Mr Collins. Wednesday he looked more like this...
He was sad and scared. I couldn't turn him out to the streets so I fed him, gave him a place to sleep, and left him be for the day. That afternoon he allowed me to inspect him more closely and that is when I saw it. The poor thing had little to no hair. His entire body was covered in scabs. He was itching like crazy. You couldn't help but want to give him so love. So, I bathed him and waited for Todd to come home. The minute Todd saw him he was off to the vet. And that is when Collins came home 2 days later looking like this...
The poor guy had mange so bad it had eaten away his fur and scabbed over his entire skin...
He had fleas the size of ticks on him....
He was neutered, shaved, bathed, dipped, put on 4 different antibiotics, and given a new life.
We know he is 18-20 months old, a Schnauzer/ Lhasa Apso mix, and a friendly little fellow. Alas, Mr Collins is now a Cottle. Welcome to family. We sure are glad you came our way!!

What have I been up to...

So so much...
100 tomatoes turned into spaghetti sauce and salsa! YUM
Tons of peaches turned into bottled peaches. This is only 1/2 of the peaches we had.
2 bushels of apples made into yummy and delicious applesauce!!
Oh yes, and this cute little fellow. More to come on him soon....

Random pictures of the Farm

This past weekend my family came for a visit, minus Dad and Maegan. Do I have pictures of the fun times we had...no sadly I dont. However, Jeff took my camera for a walk while he was here, so I have some of his artistic interpretation of the farm. Take a look, thanks Jeff.

Today marks an end...

Last night was the last night I will see this..
That is Todd's lonely pillow laying next to me each and every night. Monday he starts a new job here locally, and he will be home 85% of the time. Yay!! I cant tell you what a blessing this is to our family. We have been praying and praying for something to change, or something to be made available for a long time now, and it looks like it is finally happening. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing us, we truly see your hand in all of this.

Guess Whos Home?!?

Jeff is back!!
We got to welcome Elder Suppes home after two (long) years serving in Romania. He had a wonderful time, and it was such a joy to see him grow while he has been gone. Being a missionary really worked for him. He has always had a sweet spirit, but I think we all can agree, that it his spirit has quadrupled while he has been serving God. I cant wait to spend more time with him and as a family. Love you Jeff!!

Refinished

This was my adorable bookshelf from my room while I was growing up. My parents were kind enough to give it to me, and I thought with a little paint it would fit perfectly. So here are the before and afters....
Before it was a cute green, but a little beat up around the edges..
During....
After, finished, and placed in the house. It now holds all my crafting supplies. Perfect, thanks Mom and Dad!! Also, thanks to the lovely Brittany Nabrotzky, who gave me courage to tackle this project!! Next up on my refinishing list, a kitchen table....pictures to come!