just have to share these....

I was thinking that many of you saw some pictures of our 2nd Annual Peters Family Campout at Tri-Ponds...... but lots of you might not have......so here goes........  

We pulled our camper out for the Family Campout ------ and stayed our first night at the Ilini State Park.   Very nice park......where we got to watch the tug boats push the huge barges down river to who knows where.  Fascinating!!

We camped in the same place as we did last year......next year Gary and I will be staying in a little cabin just to the left of the picture....right close by -- so it should work just fine.  Colton, Brennan and Halle came along and stayed in their family tent.  Mom and dad were just too busy getting ready for the Colorado Challenge that Julie, Trenton, Austin and Sidney would be going on the following week.

The "Pond" was the best part of the whole week.   We never even went over to the pool....this was just way too much fun.  I even got in on the fun!

So did Axl --- Holly's family dog.  Dogs weren't really supposed to be in the water.....but good grief -- it was 96 degrees and Axl is black....he was one hot puppy!!!!    So we snuck him in.

You can't be near the water ---- near a bunch of kids ...that have access to water balloons........ and not have a water fight.  Neighbor kids got in on the fun too and war was declared.   Notice that this balloon was filled too much...it burst right above Clayton's head.

There was a game of bean bag toss.....  guess who was the winning team!!

Brennan had good luck catching some nice bass and came in 1st in the fishing derby ----- got himself a nice ice cream treat.

The highlight of the week was the Cherry Pit Spitting Contest.   This contest first took place when we camped at Glen Lake in Michigan with our family.  Traverse City is known for it's cherry orchards and we had enjoyed some cherries........"why not see how far we can spit these pits."  Wish I could dig up the pictures of that 1st contest. Everyone "pushed off" from a post that was on our site.........  Not sure now who was the actual winner of the first one - but I do know that it was either Mike or Gary.    And once again --- Mike and Gary were tops.  
Gary was first by a long shot until Mike came ---- then it all fell apart and Mike was declared the winner.   There is a technique to this madness and until you figure it out --- you're just spitting in the wind.

We had a great time but the roads are so nasty that we have decided that we won't pull our camper again....... at one point we must have hit such a bump that my refrigerator door flew open and I had oranges and milk all over the floor.  Wasn't a really bad mess -- but enough for us to say "hey"...not going to do that again.  Good grief Illinois, Indiana, Michigan --- well - Iowa too.... FIX YOUR ROADS!!!  

Now you have a little more of an insight into the crazies of the Peters family.    Good stuff!
Gary and Barb

REVIVED..........

We came home - from Michigan ----- on Tuesday dog tired.    We had received a phone call on Thursday June 15 ---- we were about 6 hours from home after spending about 10 days with our family.        A young man --- Joe Nicholson ---- had been diagnosed with Leukemia on June 6.  His body reacted to the first treatment and in just a few days he was put on a respirator....... On June 15 --- he passed away.    Gary had Joe in Boy Scouts --- he received his Eagle Badge while Gary was Scout Master.  He had a wonderful family and his dad was also a Scout leader.  Gary had known Joe from age 11 or 12 until he turned 18.  Joe served in the National Guard and was also stationed in Afghanistan for a tour of duty.  Joe served his Lord, Jesus, in all of his life!  Joe was just a fine young man in all respects.   We had to go to be with his family.   And so we got home .....washed the laundry.....spent one night in our own bed.....packed up ....and headed back.

It was a big Boy Scout Reunion.  All the old leaders and many of the young men who had known Joe were there.........and so there were lots of stories and lots of laughter ------ all mingled in with lots of tears.     We were so glad we had made the trip.  The funeral was on Monday and afterwards we headed right back for South Dakota.

We figure we had put on more than 2700 miles in 5 days.   As I said.....we were dog tired!!!!     But tonight was JDC night.   Gary told the Bible story about the Healing of the Paralytic.  We first had 4 girls  and then we did the same lesson for 5 boys.   Oh Man!   Did those boys have questions....... GOOD questions.  We got to share much more than just the one story.  And then we sang........  :)  :)  Really boosts your heart when a young man tells you "you have a nice voice".  :)  :).       But that doesn't mean a thing compared to being able to tell these young men about their need to have their sins forgiven.....which we ALL need.  And then all those questions..... YES we were revived.   I don't feel nearly as tired coming from JDC as I did going to JDC!!!

God is good and we thank Him for allowing us to minister to these young people. Thank you for your prayers and support!!!

Gary and Barb

YIKES!!! That was a close call!!!!

This morning we helped Dwight, Lee and Rob move some cow/calf pairs "across the oil"..... which was west from their place a couple of miles. ...."the oil" is the Kilgore road.   It all went pretty good --- no troubles with the calves wanting to go back to find their mama.    Then on the way home we stopped to talk with Dan and Sheri ----- "did Dan want to go look at the well timer  ....out by Rosebud.... that was giving him trouble?"    "Yes".    He had to go get a load of bulls from the Hard Grass Ranch and then he would give Gary a call.

About 2:00 Dan came and picked Gary up with 2 bulls in the trailer that he would put with the cows that were already out there.  According to Sheri ---- those bulls gave her a bit of grief.   "Dan says, 'just stand there'......I don't want to stand there"......  and I added 'and get run over'.   Anyway ----- on with the story......

Next to the cow tank (water tank) is a fenced in little 4 foot X 4 foot area where the electric box and well is located.  Gary had just climbed over the fence and into this little area when he heard a "buzz".....he looked and.... yup!!! --- rattlesnake.  Needless to say he climbed back up on the fence and yelled for Dan (who at the time was unloading the bulls)...... bring a shovel!!!!!

The rattlesnake measured 44 inches.......  cousin Lee had just killed a 50 incher out by Dwight's place.  We heard the record length of a rattlesnake (perhaps from this area) is 57 inches.   So these two were right up there in size!!

We really don't need to encounter anymore of these creatures ----- thank you.   Thank goodness there weren't any strikes!!!

And that was our excitement for the day......oh yeah ---- Gary took me out for supper at the Peppermill.......a nice end to a good day.

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

More of God's Creation

First, I have to say that I was totally wrong on the "Pine Warbler"...that was a female Goldfinch -- or else a young Male Goldfinch that hasn't gotten his beautiful yellow feathers yet.   Anyway just wanted to put in that correction.

TODAY ---- we were blessed with this beauty.... My photo skills weren't very good --- got too excited and too close (with the zoom)--- but at least it's proof that we had this beauty on our deck.

This is an Indigo Bunting....  According to Audubon -- they eat the same thing as the Goldfinch and we have LOTS of them..... I haven't seen him again today --- but then we don't sit in front of the window all day either.

I told you we had a Black Headed Grosbeak.....here he is...

And then I just have to share one more photo.... These little guys are so pretty...

Today it's quite windy and it's fun to watch a bird sitting in the tree and having the ride of his life as he clings to a tree limb that's just swaying in the wind.

We also have Robins that come to our bird water-er.   The Robins are here all winter and from their droppings it looks like they eat the Cedar Tree "berries" --- can't be very tasty - but must have enough of something for them to live on.

I suppose we're not very loving to all of God's creatures.......the Blackbirds and Grackles.... we chase them away.  They are a nasty bird that scares all the other birds away.     So --- SHOO!!!!!

Gary was gone to Michigan last week....helping Mike get the corn planted.   It's good to have him back home again.  He did the trip out to Michigan in one day....... body was just buzzing from sitting so long - driving so long.   So he decided not to do that on the way home.......  Stayed overnight in Norfolk, NE and made it home just in time for the Potluck at church.

We had over 3 inches of rain last week.....more last night again.   So things are nice and green but now we need some warm sun to make things grow.  We had frost -- but I got everything covered in the garden in time and save most everything.

Gary is working on our lawn mower......can't get that thing figured out --- but it won't start.    FRUSTRATING!!!!  Thankgoodness for good neighbors that let us borrow their spare.

God Bless
Gary and Barb

Some of God's Special Creatures

We've been enjoying the birds this spring.   I've captured a few on film.... so will share them with you.  

 This little wren has been working so hard on making her nest in the top of that skull --- which is right outside my window as I type on the computer.  She struggles with pieces of grass that are too long or ?? stiff.   But somehow she gets them down there.   I had cleaned out the skull earlier hoping she would be back.   Anyway, we had one just like her doing the same thing last year.    These little guys will sit and sing and sing and sing.   FUN!!!

 This one is an Orchard Oriole.  They will come to our feeder and eat the grape jelly that I have out.    We've had Baltimore Orioles here and I was hoping for one of them --- but will gladly feed these!!  They are a small bird with quite a dark breast.

 I think this one is a Pine Warbler --- definitely different from the Gold Finch!!!  My bird book tells me they are probably just passing through on their migration.

We have also seen a Black Headed Grosbeak.....you kind of think your looking at an Oriole -- but the beak is much heavier.   Haven't been able to get a picture of it yet.

And then I have to say that this lovely plant - Kalanchoe - is from two wonderful friends who remembered me on Mother's Day.   Thank you Jean and Janel --- you are SPECIAL!!!!   I hope I can keep it alive and get it to bloom again.

Gary is almost to Michigan as I am typing .... He is going to help our son, Mike, with spring planting. I opted to stay home and get the garden planted and take care of our dog and cats and chickens.     I'm a little bit afraid that once I'm done with a few things here ----- time will drag.   But maybe - just maybe I'll get some "cow fix" in.....help a few neighbors move cows/calf pairs out to pasture.     We shall see........

We  had a couple of nice rains just lately ......almost an inch total.   So that will help the grass and crops grow!!  Our lawn is nice and green even if it is mostly weeds.....or should I say dandelions!!!

Release Time is finished once again......but JDC and Alcohol Recovey will continue.

Take care and enjoy the nice weather!!!
Barb (and Gary)

Chickens and the Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker

Today was D-day for the chickens.....or maybe that's B-day ------ any way it was the day to butcher our meat chickens.  We called Jimmie and Heidi (Walkling) Doyle and asked if we could use their "chicken plucker".... you bet!!!!     So last night we drove over to pick it up.  We got to see their "hobby farm"...... The 4 Winds Ranch.    Sweet!!!  About 10 sheep with their lambs, 4 dogs, one Long Horn ("mean Long Horn") Cow and her calf, one goat, and one llama.  What fun for their 2 kids, River and Bridger, to grow up with such a lot of fun activity going on all the time.  Anyway --- we got the instructions on the chicken plucker --- The Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker----and headed home.

Of course, it rained and SNOWED!!! this morning.  But this was the day and we made it work.  What a process ...... Hot water to scald the birds in and it has to be at the exact right temperature......  Then we needed the garden hoses way out to the barn.  Thank goodness we have lots of hoses....and of course, the spray nozzle.  Then the machete was NOT where it was supposed to be --- so finally I found that back -- Yes, I was to blame....(Barb) ....used it in the garden and left it lay.  Oh man -- what else.....pots and pans and sharp knives...and plenty of ice to cool them....    Guess we're ready.    Well, we were ready but the spray nozzle bombed out on us.....must have been something in the hose that plugged it.... still got a little water to spray on the birds --- but needed to improve on that!!!

I wanted to be sure to take a video so we could share the fun with you ....but in all the stress/excitement it didn't happen.   So you can go to Youtube and put in Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker.......  and see how it goes.

It mostly worked just like that for us.   The first 5 went a little better than the last 4.....  I had the water the same temp....but our big pail was cold the last time so the water cooled down too fast.  But all in all it was a successful event.

We now have chicken in the freezer once again.   Leaving the skin on and plucking them -- in my estimation -- makes for better tasting chicken --- and especially if put on the grill.  Clean up is all done and we are taking it easy --- happy and satisfied with a successful day.

Gary and Barb

Spring "busyness".....

I suppose I should apologize again.......it has been over a month since last update.   I guess my excuse could be that spring is upon us and we've been busy.

We do have our greenhouse planted.  Plus we did some remodeling on it.   We added an inner layer of plastic.   This layer is just 3 to 4 inches from the outside layer.  We did it to insulate the greenhouse.  And we have found that we can get it to cool off faster in there when it gets so hot.  Our fear is that maybe we have the wrong kind of plastic on the inside and the UV rays of the sun won't get to the plants like it should......but so far so good.   The beans are up and looking good....carrots...beets and onions.     We sure hope it works!!!!

Our strawberry plants are also looking good...(no they aren't in the greenhouse).   We should get a good crop this year.   Sure hope we are home for the harvest!!!  Else I guess someone will be glad we took off and they get to enjoy them.

Gary has been kind of short on projects but manages to stay out of trouble -- except when he comes in the house   :)  :)  Right now he has Jon Logterman's truck here to wire up.  Jon will be graduating from Veterinarian School in a couple of weeks and this will be his work truck --- it's been quite interesting so far.

I think Don and Jeannie are going to be putting a new deck on the south side of their home and Gary will be in on that........    So he doesn't have cabin fever too often.

We would sure like to go camping ---- thought about leaving tomorrow .......however, it has been raining ---- thus -- we have MUD.   We just hate pulling the camper out in that....so we will wait.  It's early yet --- but the fish are biting!!!!!   Gotta get out there!!!!

 As soon as the rain is over we will have to mow the lawn........

Tonight we had JDC....... our neighbor Laura did the lesson.  I will try to get you an idea of how it went.      Where's heaven?   Up there (one of the boys pointed)   Oh! So if it's up there can you get there in a plane?  (And meanwhile she is making a paper airplane)  "No" (they all say)     (Laura continues to make her paper airplane).... so how about a rocket ship --- they go higher?    They all say no --- but one boy quietly says   "It just doesn't work that way"          Laura has asked a few more questions and continues talking about how ??can we get to heaven.   Then she starts to rip part of the paper away and says something like so if we can't get to heaven on an airplane or a rocket ship --- then let me show you something....    And she pushes up on her rocket ship (from the back side) and up pops a cross.        The faces that lit up were so precious ----- Bright eyes -- smiles--- laughter----Oh!!!....      Then we searched through the Bible and discussed lots of verses.  Then we sang.   Most of these boys are new ---- a few have been there a couple of weeks.   But we hadn't see them do any singing yet.   Tonight was so different. Everyone sang!!!  It was five boys all singing and a good lesson..... it was great.  Makes it all worth it.  It was a good night.

   We can tell that one of the young men knows quite a bit about Jesus....    Last week we sang "Broken Pieces"  --- there is a line in the song that says....."He made a body out of clay"....   So I asked ?? when did He make a body out of clay?   Holden quietly said "on the sixth day".  Again ---- makes it all worth our time!!!

Update on Release Time.......  We had to take 3 kids back to school a couple of weeks ago.....just wasn't going to put up with their messing around and goofing off anymore.  You could tell that the two boys were upset about it all.... but the girl......not at all.    They would not be able to come the following week.   So last week all three were back -- things went good.  The three didn't sit together (like they usually do) and they were very respectful.  The girl it seems would have liked to get to us.....but it went good anyway.

We thought that the 5th graders had heard the Easter Story often enough so we decided to just ask questions......  But finally I could see that it just wasn't going like I thought it should..    So I asked if they wanted to do the review type questions - or - hear the story?   "Hear the story"!!   Wow that was neat.....to know that they enjoy hearing the stories!!  Gary enjoys telling them too......

So there you are.  We are doing well.   Spring is a grand time of year.... The birds sing so loud sometimes it's almost noisy.   The baby calves are ----so many --- and so cute romping out in the fields.  Branding is starting......Crops are getting planted......   It's a busy time of the year.

We thank you all for your prayers and your encouraging words......And we thank God for continuing to allow us to serve Him out here on the beautiful prairies.
Gary and Barb