Post-Thanksgiving thankfulness

The whole family is now safely back on the farm after our Thanksgiving trip to Raleigh. We are also all sporting our post-family-get-together runny noses. This is Mary Claire's first cold in a while, and she is NOT happy about it. Needless to say, my plans to post a lovely "Happy Thanksgiving" message went to the wayside between work, planning, and packing, so feel free to imagine how it would have gone...

I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my farm, my job .... blah blah blah

You get the picture. Oh, and I'm thankful I made it all the way home from Raleigh without peeing myself or having to tote both my children into some nasty truck stop bathroom in the middle of the night where it would be impossible to hold/control both of them and their grabby little hands. But that's neither here or nor there. I'm thankful for any of my blog readers who haven't sworn me off because of that last statement of thankfulness.

I promise... I will actually upload my Thanksgiving pictures prior to leaving for New York... while my written word is riveting, my children are ridiculously good looking.

The Gryder Farmers, big and samll, are thankful for each of you following us on this blog... we are lucky to have friends/family like you! Happy belated Thanksgiving. Gobble gobble.

I love fall.

Seriously.

I love fall.

I can't think of anything more perfect than a warm autumn day, leaves in vibrant colors, sheets hung on the clothes line soaking in the sun, and my blond babies enjoying every moment of it. And of course, the delicious fall garden... looking at all the green Allen has growing, it's hard to believe it's November! Not a meal goes by in the Lowrance house without something freshly picked and prepared... creamed spinach, sauteed Brussel sprouts, steamed broccoli... but I digress....
Wow... Daddy's kale is almost as tall as I am!

Sheeba loves Mary Claire. Mary Claire loves Sheeba.

Yes, I'll be sleeping on those sheets tonight!

Don't worry... it will be running again in no time!

Leaves!

Is there anything more perfect that a warm fall day?

Blueberries!

Yesterday, Dad and Allen trekked up to the Triangle area in search of... blueberries! First stop... not a blueberry stop. But, an old stomping ground stop for Allen - Earl's place, complete with goats and plant nursery. After checking out OI's stock pile of plants in progress and loading some into the car (thanks TJ!!), Dad and Allen headed on to the blueberry-buying place. Finches, I believe. Lots of information, lots of things Allen now has to do to prepare to plant inside of the next MONTH! I can see Allen's mental to-do list growing longer.... (and my to-do list getting shoved further back in line).

Next stop, real life blueberry farm! After confirming that we are located in a completely different market and not at all competition, Mr. Blueberry (for lack of knowing his real name) was more than happy to fill Allen's head with more useful bits of blueberry-growing and managing knowledge. All in all, successful trip. Next time (Greenville), I am signed up to go along. If I'm going to be a blueberry farmer, I guess I need to know what I'm in for!

Side note - if you are asking yourself, "What did the other Lowrances do without Allen/Daddy at home?" the answer is simple - a McDonald's picnic on the den floor while watching the Wiggles. Organic? No. Wholesome? No. Fun? YES. Take that, fun-parent-Daddy.

Trick or Treat!

Happy belated Halloween from the Gryder Farm