Ryan's Birthday

The makings for some delicious homemade angel food cake!

The table is set and the rabbit fried along with a big bowl of gravy!  Just what Ryan requested!

Yep- we're both a year wiser!

Ryan and his requested cake.

Blow out the candles!

Favorite gifts!

The evening wouldn't be complete without the traditional game of "balloon-y ball" and a dash through the "net" afterward!

Happy birthday Ryan!

Our Gallant Sir on His Distinguished Day!

 "Ooooh!  Just what I asked for, Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake!"

 "Could it really be?  The cake with the frosting that always fails didn't this time?"

 The candles waiting to be lit . . .

 Amanda joined in on the fun via phone conversation. 

 What a beautiful cake it turned out to be.

Make a wish and blow, blow, blow!

 Mmmmm!  Dad's favorite cake on his favorite day!

It's Out!





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The Perfect 10!

What Were You Doing On 10-10-10 at 10:10 pm?

We were watching none other than Rin Tin Tin-

The Adventures of Rex and Rinty!!!

A picture is worth 10x10x10 (a thousand) words so the saying goes. 

As you can see in the background, America's favorite canine hero was coming to the rescue in this vintage black and white cinema classic from the 1930's.  The legend of Rin Tin Tin (or was that ten-ten-ten?) was quite the appropriate diversion in which to engage on this date and time sequence that only happens once every 100 years!

Only 8 Days Until Prairie-fest!!

Don't miss out!

Providence Prairie

DCC Fall Family Camp 2010

It was Family Camp time again this year. . . .

 and the "family" wanted to meet at Dolan Lake this time rather than at the DCC facility.


The weekend of September 24, 25, and 26th, we enjoyed the usual. . . . apple bobbing,

 with fierce competition by all. . .

 And the winner, retaining his title- none other than Steven Brown!!! (hooray! yay!  hoorah!)

Next came the great marshmallow stuff. . . to see who had the biggest mouth!

Nope, no winners yet. . .

 Could it be?

Yesiree!! Jerry went on to beat Gary this year and reclaim his title!  Way to go Jerry!  (crowd roars!)

Of course, the fellowship during the weekend would not be complete without really good food and a little campfire music.

Some in the group enjoyed an early Lord's Day prayer walk.  We gathered in the out of doors to worship together, meeting around His table and singing songs of praise to our Creator God!

It was a good weekend with wonderful weather to boot!

Hidden Blessings

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, 

   children a reward from him." 

~Psalm 127:3

While we were in Nevada, our rewards- all seven of them- decided to do something special to bless us.  It was our anniversary time and they thought and thought about what would be the perfect idea.

As they remembered, out in the forest of Providence Prairie, there was one special tree in which Dad had carved his and Mom's names when we first moved to Illinois over thirteen years ago.  This surprise would center around that one tree.  The project would be dubbed "Lover's Lane," in celebration of God's gift of marriage to mankind.

 All along the wooded trail leading to the special place, there were chrysanthemums planted by lovely ladies.

 And a unique log bridge constructed with materials found on Providence Prairie.

A bench crafted by brothers strong and noble.

And what a surprise Mom and Dad found when it was shown to them!  How humbled and very special they felt, being honored in such a way.

 Now, where was that heart with the initials carved in it?

 Could this be it hiding in the years of additional bark?

 It just might be. . .

Sure enough. . . faintly it can be seen. 

"If ever two were one, then surely we.  If ever man were loved by wife, then thee."  ~ Anne Bradstreet





Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious meal prepared entirely by our ladies. 

And so the moon rose as the sun set on another day at Providence Prairie.

Ingathering for the Pantry!

If you have been wondering, this project that we started a while back- the pantry, is practically finished!  Hooray!

Dad and Trey worked diligently to complete the project before harvest time came.

And our blessings have started to fill the shelves!

 Complete with a large chest freezer to hold our farmstead harvest!

As well as a little nostalgia.