Monday, October 13, 2008

How We Spent Our Monday

Cecil and Sue picked me and Lamar up this morning and we headed to Jonesboro. First on the agenda was where we were going for lunch. Cecil and Sue wanted to go to Cracker*Barrel so that's where we went. Cecil is a Coca*Cola cake junkie, but don't tell anybody. ;-)

Jessica and Emmy met us there, but Jason was sleeping because he's working nights now.

I took several photos at the restaurant of the rest of the bunch, and Cecil took a couple of me and Sue so I'd be in a few of them. That's one of the disadvantages of being the photographer of the group: since I'm usually the one taking the pictures I'm not in many of the photos.

I didn't take time to edit out the red eye on these,
so if you click to enlarge you're going to see that.
What you see is what you get on these pics.

I took this one of Jessica and Emmy
while we were waiting on our food.
Here's a good one of Jessica & Cecil.Me and Sue.
Emmy & Papaw Lamar
From the restaurant we ended up at the
mall and spent some time there, then
we all went to the local university farm to
visit some of the animals.

Jonesboro, Arkansas is home to
Arkansas State University, which is
where we visited Monday.

Even though it's now Fall there were several
baby animals as well as adults, and even
several expectant mothers.

As you'll see from the pics I'm about to
show you, we got to see both adult and
baby goats, some miniature donkeys,
(sorry, for some reason I didn't get any
good pics of the donkeys) chickens,
a turkey (why one turkey, one wonders???)
a couple of ducks, some sheep and lambs,
one bull, (or steer...I didn't examine his
underpinnings!) and a couple of orphaned
calves that Cecil and Jessica got to bottle feed.

Oh, and a half grown kitten that followed us
around and let us pet him when he wasn't
skittering around playing in the hay.

He even let Emmy pet him and love on him
several times. He was very gentle and patient
with her, and she was pretty gentle with her lovin'.
When he got enough of her attentions, he'd just
move away from her and play in the hay
just out of Emmy's reach, much to her chagrin.

Emmy was wide-eyed with wonder when
she saw these two nanny goats.
Both of them are expectant mamas and
were very gentle and patient.
They actually loved the attention and the
petting we gave them.
When we walked away to pet some other
animals, they bleated for us to come
back and pet them some more.
Some of the grounds are landscaped by
the students in the Master Gardener program.
I took a couple of pictures but we didn't
go across the road to investigate any further.
It was gloomy today and looked like it might
rain anytime, and we actually did get a shower
while we were there, but we were dry inside
the barn with the animals.

By the way, it smelled just like a barn for
some odd reason.
This one of the sweet-faced calves that
followed us around inside the barn.
The next couple are of me & Miss Emmy.
Can you tell that she didn't want her picture
taken? She just wanted down so she could
run around and explore.I barely got this pic of Emmy running
through the barn with Jessica hot on
her heels.And this last pic is of Jessica and Cecil bottle
feeding the calves while Emmy watches in
fascination.I think I can safely say that Emmy had a
great time today, and so did all the adults.I hope y'all enjoyed your visit to Cracker*Barrel
and the university farm with us today.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

38 comments:

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

what a good day you all had
and what a wonderful experience for Emmy

Jen

Anonymous said...

What fun and wonderful pictures!
By the way, we ate at Cracker Barrel here in Russellville this evening too. That's a treat for us since we don't have one at home...lol

MightyMom said...

what fun! I should take my kids!!

Linds said...

What a lovely day you all had! It looks like so much fun - and don't things change when you see them through the eyes of a child?? I can't wait for my grandchild to arrive!

Hootin Anni said...

I bet Emmy just had the bestest time ever! I love Cracker Barrel...the food and the 'old fashioned' mercantile type store for shopping too. LOL...Give me their mashed potatoes and cream gravy and you're my best friend for life!!!

Love the photos. I think my favorite just hasta be the one with Emmy and the Goats...she's so enthralled with it all.

Love your smile too Diane!!!

Lib said...

Hi Diane,
What a fun trip, thanks for letting me tag along:o)
Looks like a fun day!:o)
We use to take the kids to the airport they loved it but after 9-11 can't do that anymore. When we take the little ones on an outing when we get back home I let them write a little book &draw pictures of the outing ,they love it.
Hope ya'll are having a great wk.
THanks for your encouraging words and prayers!
L,H,B,Lib

Donna. W said...

I do believe there's a resemblance between Emmy and Grandma!

mombo said...

Heading to Eureka Springs this weekend for our 25th anniversary. I just wish it was closer to you so we could meet! I don't have a spare minute or brain cell these days to actually compose a blog, but I do dart in to lurk. Full-time job, part-time job, and working on a Master's degree leaves very little to compose with. I keep telling myself it's only for a season. I'll wave toward the East when I get to Arkansas!

Jenn said...

Mmmm... I love Cracker Barrel! We go down to Memphis fairly often, and stop and eat there when we have the time.

It looks like a great day for all of you! I might have to bring my kids down to the campus for a daytrip!

Barb said...

What you see is ALWAYS what you get when I whip out my camera, Diane. I'm the worst photographer in the world - never seem to get the lighting right now matter what I do.

What a fun day and what great photos. You're looking good, my friend.

OK, now don't laugh. But in that photo of her bottle feeding that calf? I'm assuming the one she's feeding is behind the other one because at first glance, it looks like she's sticking that bottle up its.....oh nevermind. LOL

Sam said...

Looks like such a fun day! I love all the animals!

It's funny, but I got to go to Cracker Barrel over the weekend too. Around here it's a treat since we don't live near one, but since Nghia and I were driving down to Gettysburg for a wedding we were able to go. Twice in two days! That'll tide me over for a while.

Great photos, Diane! I hope you're feeling good.

Love,
Sammy

Susie said...

Hi Diane,
Looks like such a fun family day :)
I can tell Emmy had such fun with those animals, you can just see the joy on her sweet face!
Great photos :)
xo

Rachel said...

I love doing things like that! Sounds like a wonderful fun filled day for all!!

Anonymous said...

That sure did look like a fun day, gosh that little one is cute!
Diane

kkryno said...

I'm going home in December. My parents live on a farm, but now only have chickens. They're scaling down as they have retired, although I think the chickens are staying(fresh eggs!) Anyway, I think I'll check and see if any of my friends' parents still have animals. Your day with the family, and mostly with Emmy must have been fun! My grand-daughter should be the right age when I get there. What a wonderful idea; and thanks for sharing your wonderful family with all of us. You all look so happy in these photos. :) Have a great day. I'm off to get glasses. The eyes are the first to go; you know!
Love, Vikki.

violetlady said...

There is nothing like kids and animals. Emmy is getting so big!

Linda said...

Oh what a fun day Diane! Emmy just makes everything a delight - doesn't she? I love seeing things through the eyes of my grandchildren. It makes it all new.
You're looking very well. I hope you're feeling lots better.
We have rain in the forecast for tomorrow. We surely do need it!
Hugs sweet friend.

Jess said...

Had such a good time!

Love you, Jess

Dick said...

That looks like fun! We don't have Cracker Barrel restaurants here in the northwest and I do miss them. The University of Idaho has cows with windows in their sides so you can watch their digestion process proceed. I've never seen that any other place.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Love to see the little ones see farm animals and pet them. Very sweet pics.

Diane Viere said...

What a fun day! The photos of Emmy with the baby animals.....are precious!

She is darling...love the curls!

Diane

Anonymous said...

You look awesome Diane , I really love looking at your pics , it makes me miss you more , hope to catch up soon dear sister friend ,I hope your feeling better and things are getting easier , Love and Hugs and Tractor loads of sugar for Princess Emmy :-)

HUGS
P

Alex said...

what a little cutie pie!

Reva said...

I would love to take my grandchildren to a farm or at least to the state fair so they could see some farm animals up close. Maybe next year!

Aunt Jenny said...

What a fun day!!!
I just love Cracker Barrel. I went to one for the first time when I went to Kentucky when my own little granddaughter was born a little over 6 years ago, and then found when we moved HERE just a week later (we lived in Calif then) that there is one an hour and 1/2 north of us. So..I try to stop there when I can...it has been too long now. Next time I go north I will have to make that stop. I love it.
The farm looked really fun too..and Emmy...as always..is adorable!!

Cheryl said...

Fun day! Great pics!

Lucy Stern said...

Looks like Miss Emily is having a great time at the farm....I haven't been to a Cracker Barrell in a long time and we have one really close. I guess I will have to go again and give it a try. Have a great week Diane.

Mountain Mama said...

What a fun day!! Emmy looks like she's having a wonderful time too. I remember feeding our own calves but we had nipple buckets. Poor little things really needed their mommy.
You look like you are feeling pretty good. I hope the meds are working good for you by now and you can really enjoy life.
GOd bless

Judith said...

Diane, Both your girls, little one and her Mama, are adorable. I love seeing family happy and smiling, and they do enough for all of us.

Unknown said...

Diane: You are creating so many beautiful and fun memories as Emmy gets older. She will appreciate them and love you even more for taking the time to capture her at this wonderful time of life! ENJOY!!!

lol!!!:D)

Nashe^ said...

It so reminds me of the farm I stayed at in Australia. The one and only farm I've ever been to. It had more horses, though.

And btw, that big girl can so NOT be Emmy. Time is flying sooooo fast!!

Mary said...

Diane,

I love Cracker*Barrel. You're making me drool. LOL That is one of our favorite places to eat when we are in the US. Too bad they wouldn't expand into Ontario.

Your photos of the University tour are awesome. It looks like everyone had a fabulous time. I love that white-faced calf. Reminds me of one that Grandpa let me call my own when I was a child. I fed him and took care of him, but then he turned into a bull and was sold to a neighbor. I used to visit him over the fence.

Thanks for the fun tour and the pleasant memories. I'm glad that you were able to get in the photos. I have the same problem. I'm the photographer, but don't really like my picture taken anyway.

Have a great day.

Blessings,
Mary

Cecil said...

I had a good time Monday, too. Yes, I do love me some Coca-Cola cake! I think everybody had fun watching Munchkin!! The animals were wonderful... Love y'all.. Cecil P.S. Thank you for working on my blog!! I really appreciate it so much!!!

kansasrose said...

Hi sweet Diane! What a fun outing you had with your loved ones. Enjoyed the pics of you all. Bet little Emmy had a ball. I smiled at the one of you holding your little Emmy up above your head. What good memories you all are giving that precious little child. Priceless hon...nothin' on earth can take away those beautiful memories of family and love. I love Cracker Barrel's meatloaf, gravy and mashed potato dinner. YUM! Fun place to dine. Have a blessed weekend hon! Love, Jen

ps I think you have a birthday arriving next week if I can reckon correctly? It's also been 2 years next week I 'met' ya in bloggerville. Time sure has flown.

Dawn said...

It looks like you all had a wonderful time - I'm glad to see that I didn't miss Sunday Dinner! Let's see, we were eating at Sonic after church in Athens, GA on our way to S. Carolina!

Anonymous said...

Lots of sweet faces! Love 'em!

Love me some Cracker Barrel too! MMM

Toia said...

Love the pics especially with you holding your grandbaby up in the air. I can tell y'all had lots of fun.

PS - I love to eat @ cracker barrel, too!! Yummmy!!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

What a fun day. I love Cracker Barrel, and the Ag barn at ASU! My mom is a Master Gardener. When we were there this summer, she was telling me about all the places where they keep the grounds. I'd say that's a win-win for everyone!