A Visit to the Farm

Rob and I decided to try a new outing to a place we've been wanting to try for a year now. It's called Hundsader Farm and it's about 45 minutes south of us in Bradenton, Florida. We had a blast yesterday petting animals, playing games, Avonlea rode a pony for the first time, eating barbecue, listening to TRUE country music (I've never heard a man sing so "twangy" in my life!) and just having a good time. The first thing we did when we got there was go into a butterfly house/garden. It was enclosed and had so many butterflies. That was definately Avy's favorite event. Rob and I were thinking about maybe making one (you know us and how much we love projects, especially landscaping things!) for our backyard. I've been researching greenhouses (and just using it for a butterfly house) and butterfly gardens, the plants/flowers that make it inviting and help reproduction, etc. It's really quite interesting and we definately have a big enough backyard to do it now. (I've also been plotting out where to begin a fall vegetable garden...when I get some free time.) For my birthday, my dad (we share a common interest in gardening, landscaping, etc.) bought me The Southern Living Garden Book for 2007. It's AMAZING! Sure enough, there's a section on plants/flowers for a butterfly garden. This would be a major project and we first need to build a dog run for Riley. That's the most important before anything gets planted or built in the backyard (or she'd destroy it). There used to be a dog run in the yard, but Riley is a big dog and we have to make a bigger one so we're now deciding whether it's cheaper to make a fence or buy the fencing pre-made. Again, another Bates family task in the works. (Stay tuned for pics of this.)

BAck to the farm...I was taking pictures all day and then realized I had my video camera on the wrong setting so it didn't save any pics accept these three. (My regular digital camera lost battery power and I realized it as we were on our way there.) So, we had fun and we'll definately be back. If anyone locally wants to visit, next weekend is the last weekend for the annual Pumpkin Festival.

Rob and I also enjoyed getting out this past Friday night to see The Last Comic Standing Live. We've really enjoyed the show and now to see the last five finalists live, well, it was HALARIOUS. We really had fun and even though I tried to make it a surprise for Rob, he found out about it and we still had a fun time. I took some pictures and even though we had great seats, the pics still came out as though we were far away. You'll just have to squint to see the comics.



I hope everyone got some time to enjoy the Lord's day of rest today. I know I enjoyed the 3 hours of sleeping silence amongst our house. :) I especially enjoyed it today because I spent the night at a friend's house last night helping her our with her newborn little boy. He's not sleeping through the night and for any new parent, someone to watch your crying baby through the night is the BEST gift ever. I was happy to do it and glad she got a little shut eye (her hubby is also away doing rotations for medical school so she's on her own, poor thing. Love you Corlee!).

"I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one." Isaiah 43:7

*Doesn't this verse make you feel loved and wanted by God? I feel so special after reading it. Remember that the Lord made YOU, wants YOU and loves YOU today!

Signing off...Mommy Bates