Hornucopia 2011: It Begins...

... with dinner from Dickey's Barbecue!

Mark and Jessica arrived Tuesday evening, and Jeff, Jenny, Naomi and Danielle brought dinner over on Wednesday. Thanks Jenny & Jeff!!

Naomi loves to play "Angry Birds" on the iPad.

She gets really involved.

"Double your Pleasure, Double your Fun...!"

I Do It!

Danielle and Naomi Spend the Night

Danielle, do you have peanut butter in your mouth??

Naomi is getting very good at writing.

So is Danielle - but it requires intense concentration.

We enjoy doing the sillouette window stick-ons.
Danielle discovered an additional venue.

Wagon rides are always fun, but especially when Mimi drives.

Mini Tripod

Not nearly as nice as a GorillaPod, but only 4 bucks.

New Roof

Mike and Dolores stopped by on their way to Kerrville. It was really great to see them and visit. Jenny and Danielle came over to see them. Dolores brought her family calendar that Michelle made (like the ones Jenny does!) and updated us on all their family.

Danielle showed Mike how to use the magic fairy wand.

Next morning, M&D went by for a visit with Great Grandad (who is Uncle Martin to Dolores).

Green Acres

The Farm - House

We finally made it up to Pennsylvania to visit Marty and Jennie at their 'new' family farm.
This is the front of the house; it faces west (I think).

This is the north side.

This is the rear entrance, which is usually the main entrance because it is closest to the driveway.

This is the front entry room. Back in the 50's it was used an office for a veterinarian, as this was a dairy farm.

Downstairs bathroom.

Living room.

The kitchen. As you can see, work is in progress (fines are doubled in work zones...)

This shows the kitchen backsplash, which is what was being installed. Beautiful!

Mimi and Scooter made good use of the sunroom, which is on the back of the house. It was installed recently.

Now we go upstairs.

This is the small bedroom. Note the beds. (A short while later, they moved into the 'Boys' room.)

This is the 'Boys' room.

Upstairs bathroom.

Master bedroom.

Master bedroom closet. Every farm must have a shotgun - preferably double barreled.

Master bathroom. (The photo does not do it justice; it is spectacular.)

Back downstairs, Scooter is handed off so the tour can continue (basement stairs are too steep.)

Basement stairs.

Here's the very modern oil furnace and water pressure tank in the very old basement.

This is one of the foundation walls of the original structure - built around 1780!

This is the water well. Originally hand dug, it now has been drilled deeper.

The Farm - Barns

THE BIG BARN...
This is the Cow side. Cows go in here.

This is the Hay side. Hay goes in here.

This is the Milk side. Milk comes out here (from the little white building on the left.)
That's Marty's favorite tool in the foreground.

This is where the cows go in. The top door opens, too, so they don't have to duck.

The cows hang out in here.

This is their dining table.

This is where the hay stays.

There is LOTS of room inside.

The hay goes down this hole in the floor, to the cows dining tables below.

A 1920's era threshing machine (I think.) It's the one on the left!

The barn was originally built with hand-hewn beams. You can see the adze marks.

The Roman numeral markings at the wooden-pegged joints give evidence it was constructed by Amish builders.

THE small BARN...
It needs a little roof work.

But inside is Jennie's favorite tool!