Trees, Floods, Gardens, Birthdays, Deerstands and Peoria mean another week in our life!

I haven't posted in a while -- we have been super busy around here.  I can't even remember all that we have done but some highlights include LOTS of timber time, like usual.  Yesterday Paul and I got one of Skyler's big deer stands put up after clearing LOTS of brush in the days prior to that.  Late last night we went back to the timbers to scope out the neighborhood turkeys for Skyler's upcoming youth season which begins Saturday.  We have our eye on four big toms!  Here is a picture of Skyler from this past week.  She found milkweed that still had all its cottony seeds and she was blowing the little seeds from her hand.

Skyler and Fran packing trees.

Last weekend, after a great 4-H meeting on Saturday, Skyler and I met up with our friends Ali and Fran on Sunday and packed trees for the Living Lands and Waters One Million Trees campaign.  Their goal is to give away and assure one million trees are planted within ten years through their organization.  It was a great time for a great cause.  It is awesome to know that we were a part of something that will affect our earth for possibly hundreds of years.  Although hunters are not usually thought of as "environmentalists" and that word actually holds some negative connotations even for me...we love to conserve our environment in many ways including our intense home recycling, not being wasteful with our natural resources, planting of trees (we have planted hundreds in our little lives), never polluting (burning plastic,etc.) or leaving trash where we shouldn't.  And one major way to use our natural resources is using animals by huntin' 'em and eatin' 'em...so I guess you can call us some of the few Hunting Conservationists --- ewww, I still don't like that word.

Skyler loading trees up.

On Friday we kept Skyler out of school and both took a day off of work to head down to Peoria for the Deer Classic.  We always love taking little trips as a family and this one is fun because it is all centered around hunting -- the major focus of our lives.  They have just about every hunting item you can imagine with hundreds of booths.  We never spend a ton of money -- but a little leaves our hands in exchange for hunting shirts and calls that will be used 'til they fall apart -- probably sooner rather than later with our heavy use!

This weekend Skyler also helped me begin planting our garden.  It is always SOO exciting to get the garden going.  This is an extension of our hunting because we love to provide as much for ourselves as possible.  So we can't wait until we can begin harvesting to add to our family meals.

Yesterday Skyler and I volunteered along with her friend Gabbie to fill sandbags in Davenport.  Although the record-making flooding that was expected a few days ago has been downgraded...there is still a 25% chance the flooding will be the worst ever here so we decided to do our part.  We like to encourage Skyler to volunteer and this was just another way to do that with her.  We are in this photo toward the bottom left.

We had two birthday parties this weekend which were both super fun.  At both parties we got to spend time with some of our favorite people that are like second families to us.  So happy birthday Walt -- you and your family are an inspiration!!  And a happy 1st birthday to little beautiful Ella -- what a great time!  I hope you all enjoyed your week!

Little Ella opening her gifts.

Skyler's Duct Tape Creations, etc.

Skyler has been busy creating duct tape crafts.  In fact, she has started her own little business...she made a flyer which she has posted at school promoting her products (requiring prepayment before she gives them their order.)  Here she is holding some of her projects.  She makes bags, wallets, signs, bracelets, necklaces -- you name it and she will probably make it.  There is something strange about your daughter coming home from school with a pile of money ($17 the other night), but I don't want to quash her entrepreneur spirit so I'm just letting it ride.

We have had a great week.  Although Paul and I were supposed to be on a hog hunt in Michigan with friends this week -- we decided we needed to sit that hunt out.  So instead we took two days off work this week as a special treat to ourselves...so that we could work outside together.  We worked outside like crazy people for about 17 hours in just two days.  Hard work together has always been "our thing" and we still love doin' it.  Some people take days off to head to a normal vacation of sorts -- but our vacation is fulfilled just by being together.  :)  Now we can go back to our normal jobs and let our muscles heal.

Skyler and I went antler hunting after work one night this week -- and although we didn't find any antlers, we did come across a carcass of a horse.  Skyler is holding the skull in this picture.

We also took a class with some friends at the QC Animal Shelter in Coal Valley/Moline to train us to be official volunteers.  This is a picture of Skyler and her friend Fran in the "cat room."  Now we can volunteer at the shelter any time we like -- helping to take care of the cats and dogs that are there before they are adopted out.

Skyler had another 4H Animal Discovery Club meeting on Monday night and made an animal first aid kit -- now if Shadow gets hurt she will know just what to do!  While she was at her meeting I got to run with my friend Renee again for about an hour.  So glad the weather is nice again so we can hit the pavement together!

We of course spent time out in the timber as is usual for us.  We are still busy getting things ready for this fall when hunting season starts back up again.  If hard work alone meant shooting big bucks -- we would get our fill every year.  Unfortunately, luck plays a big part.  But when we do get those opportunities at nice deer, we can always rest assured that we did our best to earn them which makes every deer so much more special to us.  So here are a couple of pictures of Paul and I with Skyler out in the woods last night (I can't believe how big Skyler is getting).  Hope you all are having a great week!

A birthday weekend journal -- no cameras remembered...

We had an awesome weekend celebrating Paul's birthday ( Happy Birthday Bud)!  Since it was his birthday weekend -- we left it open to whatever Paul wanted to do.  This meant that we all had a great time as a family!  Saturday morning we were off to see Terry at "Griswolds," an awesome archery shop located on the outskirts of Galesburg where we go almost religiously for any archery supplies, etc.  Terry is incredibly helpful if you have any questions about the set up of your bow, new or old.  It is a fun shop where you feel like an old friend every time you walk in.  Paul is now the proud owner of a brand-spankin' new sight on his Mathews bow.  On our way home we made a run into Farm King (I love that place) and loaded up on feed for all our critters.  {They have their spring chicks, bunnies and ducklings for anyone interested -- did I remember my camera? nope} A quick stop in to visit with the Klauers on the way back home (always a great time) and then it was time to head to the timbers.

We hiked timbers in search of antlers the entire afternoon and were actually still hiking in the black of night to get back to our truck.  We were pretty exhausted in the end with lots of sore little toes!  We found 4 more antlers for our efforts (I am up to 7 for the year!!) and also got to see 2 more bucks that were carrying both antler on their heads -- drop those things already!

Sunday morning (THE birthday day) we were up at about 5 to start our day.  I had asked Paul if he could make a swing for my chickens (after seeing another chicken farmer who had one and swore they love it) and this was the morning to make it...(this seems all wrong, since it isn't my birthday -- but I'll take it).  Anyway, the whole family got in on the fun and now the chickens have their very own swing in their coop.  Thanks Paul!

We made another run out to a different timber to finish off the rest of our morning.  Paul climbed up and took down two deer stands that we have different plans for -- and put one of them back up in a new location.  After much sawing and dragging of brush we now have another stand ready for archery season this fall.  Skyler decided that the whole sawing down of smaller trees was way too tedious so she began trying to push/pull them down by crawling up and hanging from the tops...not real effective but gave her some fun while Paul and I were busy.

After leaving the timber we were on a real time crunch but made it to Alpha, IL, just in time for the scheduled family birthday event.  Lunch with Paul's family at the local diner and bowling at the local lanes was a great time!  There were many times throughout the weekend that I wished I had remembered my camera -- and this was one of them -- forgotten again -- I need to sew that thing to my arm.

We arrived home with just enough time for a few games of basketball with Skyler and throwin the football a few times out in the yard before we headed out to see a local native prairie burned.  (Yep, forgot my camera for this too).  Watching a prairie burn in the dark is a pretty awesome sight to behold.

So when it was all said and done -- we got to have a great time celebrating Paul's birthday weekend.  I am honored to know that although he could have chosen to spend his day with a slew of friends, without us -- he chose to include us as he always does -- a fabulous dad, husband and best friend!!

Wile E.-Coyote

This is a picture of me and my friend Megan from our coyote hunt on Saturday afternoon.  You might be thinking, "Where is your coyote?"  Well, we decided to sit in front of the coyote so that the feint of heart would not be bothered...

Yeah right!  Ok, so we didn't get a coyote -- again -- and if we did, you can bet we would NOT sit in front of it for the picture (after all, the feint of heart need not read this blog)!!  But we had a great time NOT getting one!  In fact, I would be up for it again...but maybe give me a few days.  We are persistent if nothing else -- and that should count for something, right?!?!  Our only consolation is that the guys went out hunting all morning and didn't get a coyote either, WOO HOO!! sorry guys.  But if hunting and NOT getting your prey is always this much fun -- I am IN!!  We even got to see a friendly face in the timbers, a squirrel from days past...Thanks Megan for more great hunting memories!

Recently...

Gabbie, our beautiful niece, had her 6th birthday party Saturday night.  It was fun to get together with my side of the family for a while -- Happy Birthday Gabbie!!


It is really awesome when you think about it -- how God made the timber a place of new excitements and constantly providing for our family all year long.  Right now we have been taking almost daily butt-busting hikes in the timbers with our reward being the finding of antlers that have recently be shed.  Soon it will be turkey season, mushroom season, and during mushroom season is when we usually happen upon new fawns at which time new birth is all around us with young creatures and new plant sprouts taking hold that will feed those new young creatures.  Then, when the ground dries out enough it is time for food plots, deer stand area manicuring and tree trimming as well as cutting, splitting and hauling firewood for our use in heating our home next winter.  In summer, berries begin to ripen for the picking and soon thereafter squirrel season opens once again.  In our house we go immediately from shooting squirrels one afternoon to the opening of bow season for white-tailed deer the next morning.  Then we fall into the height of deer, coon, pheasant, rabbit and coyote hunting, and through it all squirrel season continues -- you name it -- there is always something to do or look forward to -- a pretty amazing thing.

Because antler sheds are on the ground now, after about seven hours of hiking this weekend, I was able to find my shed numbers 2, 3 and 4 for the year.  Two of those are a very nice set from a deer that unfortunately didn’t make it through the long winter for one reason or another -- as his carcass was laying within feet of both antlers.  Although I love to find antlers, to find the deer dead beside them is a very sad find.  We always say that antler hunting is so much fun because you get a trophy without the need to take a life; it is a pleasure to know that such a great deer continues to thrive for another year -- so to happen upon such a fine animal in such a way is saddening and sometimes disconcerting, but life and death happens daily out in the wild, without rhyme or reason to us -- but I know there is always a plan.

Paul found another small dead buck and one other shed.  Skyler was right there with us this weekend hiking part of the time, but she still just doesn’t quite have the stamina or leg length to keep up with us (we take no leisurely walk -- this might even be considered "hell hiking" by the faint of heard) so, unfortunately, she wasn’t there to help us find the antlers we found this weekend -- otherwise they most likely would have been hers.  While antler hunting I saw a nice buck with antlers still fully attached so there are still at least a few more to be dropped -- guess we will have to re-walk all the timbers we have already covered -- that is a good thing cuz it seems there is never enough timber to walk.

Paul set up for me to get 3 more chickens Saturday morning -- a great surprise!  We now have 6 hens and may just be in the market to get a rooster.

Antler Hunting? It is ON!

Have you ever tried your hand at antler hunting?  For us it goes hand-in-hand with the enjoyment we attain from bow or rifle hunting.  Paul has been antler hunting forever and got me hooked MANY moons ago.  It used to be that pretty much no one else searched for antlers so it was another time we had the timbers to ourselves...but like everything else, times have changed.  It has now become a very popular past-time so we are encouraged to hit the timbers as early as possible to try and find antlers on properties we have permission to walk before trespassers get 'em first.

Last night after work was our first day of the year that we went hiking in the timber mainly with the purpose of antler hunting.  The snow is melted in many areas (other than timbered and north facing hillsides) and it was BEAUTIFUL outside (60 degrees).  It felt so good to walk with grass (and mud) under our feet rather than the crunchy snow we have become so accustomed to.

Skyler didn't find any antlers, but she did find an arrow which had apparently been shot by a poacher/trespasser on a property we have sole rights to hunt.  Luckily this arrow appears to have missed its target -- a deer no doubt.  An incredibly frustrating find, but it will just make us ever more vigilant in our stance against trespassers.



Antler #1 for the year!!

 On to better things...I was lucky enough to find the family's first antler this year!!  It is a pretty fresh antler, however, the tips had already been somewhat chewed by squirrels, darn it.  This kind of thing never gets old for me...I LOVE hunting for shed antlers and still run like a madwoman each and every time I spy one.

I also wanted to post a picture of this cool birdhouse Paul made when the weather was nasty and we were stuck inside.  I wish I was handy and could make whatever I set my mind to like Paul can!!  This house will hopefully hold the nest of either a Chickadee (Paul's favorite bird) or Tufted Tit-Mouse (one of my favorite birds) this spring.  Paul is so great at taking care of his songbirds all year.  We all enjoy watching the huge assortment of birds that frequent our bird feeding station and we each have our favorites.

Closing Down Squirrel Season for the Year

Last night after work and school we all went out into the timber as a family for the final day of squirrel season.  We had a great time exploring and hiking.  Skyler was able to make a great shot on both of these little guys pictured above.  We are so proud of her!  I read an article the other day in a major hunting magazine which talked about how hunting of small game like squirrels and rabbits used to be the right of passage for new hunters.  It went on to say that "in the day" you had to show your hunting abilities and respect through the ethical harvesting of many small game for years before "earning" the right to hunting the likes of a white-tailed deer.  The article summed up by saying that unfortunately, in today's society, most people don't want to take the time or make the efforts to hunt rabbits and squirrels to earn their way in, but jump right to the prize of larger game where accolades are many...

The choice is obviously the hunter's alone, but we are glad that Skyler began hunting just as Paul and I both did.  Skyler has a desire to hunt game of any kind and to enjoy it fully -- whether the world pats her on the back or not.  In that learning Skyler is respectful of each creature no matter how small or large they might be.  Congrats on a great season Skyler!

A Great Party Game Idea

First off, let me just say that I am surprised that I can even physically type this post because I am so sore from all of our family snowball fights this weekend.  I would feel like a wimp, but Paul admitted his whole body hurts too.  After the snowball fighting Skyler and I did Saturday I thought we were done with that for the weekend, but we weren't.  I don't know exactly how long Sunday's snowball fight lasted, but suffice it to say that there were several times I went Awol and tried to run to the house but was tackled to the ground by one of the troops to stop me.  Skyler went in and got safety goggles to protect her eyes and we all needed to wear body armor, but don't own any.  So bear with me if there are typos, etc...I can hardly reach the delete key from being so stiff!!

I got to attend Skyler's Valentine's Day party at school yesterday morning.  I took a few quick pictures.  In case you are in search of a fun game for kids in 5th grade or close to it, then listen up.  In this top picture they all had to tie a balloon to their ankle with enough slack that the balloon could could potentially be stomped and popped by a fellow classmate.  Everyone had to try to stomp on everyone else's balloon while trying to keep their own balloon from being popped.  The last kid standing with an unpopped balloon would be declared the winner.  Now I don't know if you have ever been in an enclosed area with 23 5th graders all intent on stomping on a classmate's balloon, but let me tell ya....all hell broke loose...and I am not exaggerating.  Finally with only four kids left the game was stopped and all four were declared winners.  Skyler was one of the lucky 4.  A proud day, I gotta say...not  :)

I thought this was a cool action shot that just happened with the delayed response of my sucky camera

Skyler's class dismissed at 11:15 so she had to go to work with me for the afternoon -- what a bummer.  But she was excellent!  Then we had 2 4-H classes last night -- so while Skyler was in her classes, I got to run for an hour with my friend Renee and got to play fun card games like Crazy 8's and Old Maid with my friend Ali and her little 4-year-old daughter for another hour.  Got home in time for Skyler to do her homework and me to get some daily chores done and finally got to spend a little time with Paul at about 10 o'clock last night.  So it was another fun and full day for us.  I am hoping Skyler's tongue goes back to its normal color...

A picture of Skyler with her friend Jenna showing off their green tongues from the Fun Dip they're eating

Coyotes and Snowballs on a Saturday and an early Valentine's Day

 

Paul and his friend Aaron went coyote hunting today after meeting up with another buddy down in Mercer County.  They were able to get two coyotes right off the bat (1 for Paul and 1 for Aaron) lucky bums and then hunted a good portion of the rest of the day without even seeing one more coyote.  Unfortunately I have definitely found that is the way coyote hunting goes -- except for me I skip the whole getting one to begin the day. Congrats guys!

While Paul was gone Skyler and I got to spend the day together.  We got a bunch done that we had been putting off (got the chicken coop cleaned out for one and completely rearranged my bedroom as well), but we also got to have a vicious snowball fight -- I think I might have lost.  Skyler was holed up in her snowball fort and I was running out in the open...not a good place to be when you are up against a girl with an arm and an aim like Skyler has.  I hadn't put in my contacts yet and one snowball hit me and lodged behind my glasses -- so I only had one visible eye -- Skyler thought this was hilariously funny...I actually would have liked to see it happen in slow motion...  Skyler also got another snowman made in the front yard -- but his head already fell off...a sign the snow was melting quickly today.

Skyler tucked down in her fort attacking me!

We were both soaked by the time we decided to go in and then we made some homemade hot cocoa.  I haven't made hot cocoa from scratch for a LONG time -- so it was fun to sip on together.

Skyler wanted to give me my Valentine's Day present early -- and since I love getting presents I quickly obliged.  Skyler came in with this beautiful pillow that she had made all by herself.  [The other night I had to go grocery shopping and she decided to stay home -- now I know why.]  She cut out the material, stuffed and sewed it on the sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch.  She also made me a sweet little card...a present I will always treasure -- one from the heart.  Thanks Sweet Pea!

Here's wishin' you all an early Happy Valentine's Day!

Skyler's Duct Tape Crafts

Skyler had her 4H Duct Tape class again last night -- so while I got to hang out with my friends while we waited for the class to finish -- she got to work on these:

Flower pens and a wallet.

Seriously - who would have thought, years ago, that kids would be using duct tape for fun crafts.  I am quite sure the manufacturers of this stuff are doin' a jig!

Although my picture-taking ability this morning is pretty rough -- I think she did a great job!  The wallet has compartments for money (of course) as well as slots for her 4H id card, library card, etc.  The front "SG" are of course her initials.  The flowers are pens -- she made the full tie-dye one for me to take to work...now no one can steal my pen without me knowing it :)