First Family Film Night

Well, our pastor held our church's (and friends') first Family Film Night last night. We didn't think we'd be able to be there, but managed (found a fairly legitimate excuse) to, anyway.

We had pizza (eventually; the oven had a bit of a problem, but thankfully, there was a back-up) and popcorn and viewed Franklin Springs Family Media's two newest--and wonderful--offerings: "Inherit the Land" and "Still Standing: the Stonewall Jackson Story." I wish I could post the trailers here, but I've never tried that, and I don't want to get into something that's going to keep me up too late while trying to figure it out!

Anyway, we not only viewed the films, but we also had some of the Franklin Springs Family Media folks with us, including a producer (and owner) and an editor. Also, one of the families featured and interviewed in "Inherit the Land" was there. As were a few others who had made some contributions to one or both of the films, as well as some of the other FSFM films. (Doesn't that make us sound important!!!! Actually, they're all friends from nearby.) These are great folks we've enjoyed getting to know over the last year, and we look forward to more fellowship with them and their families, as well as the other families that were present. I'm not sure we got a head count, but I can think of at least eleven families (approximately 70 people) that were there, but I feel very much like I'm forgetting someone.

I highly recommend both films; go to the links and check out the trailers, and if you're so inclined, I encourage you to get the videos, and thus support the FSFM folks in their efforts to provide quality family films. (Everything I've seen from FSFM is very well done; they're professionals who know what they're doing, and are putting out top-quality material.)

Also, if you get to see "Inherit the Land," be sure to watch the bonus-feature music video "Green Beans in the Garden," by the Wests, which, my daughters pointed out (for the young, first-time producer's benefit), is bluegrass!

Mary Susan

Recently Around the Farm

Well, I guess a lot has been going on, but I'll have to think back, since it's been so long since we've posted.

We had our first hog-killing last month. We were a bit pressed for time, and were (and still are) very pressed for freezer space, so we have killed only one so far. And we are enjoying him a great deal, and are learning a good bit, too. Keith and the boys spent part of this past Saturday smoking kielbasa, jowls, and bacon.

We helped a couple of families process chickens--around 70 or so one weekend, and then 260 or so the next. (Sorry if I get numbers wrong; it's been awhile!)

A steer was slaughtered close to two weeks ago, and is quartered and hanging in the walk-in now. This steer doesn't have our name on it, however, which is good, considering our shortage on freezer space.

We've had a number of guests, mainly from church (a perk of living 2.5 hours away; we get overnighters occasionally). We enjoyed wonderful fellowship, and a lot of work was accomplished, too. We also met a family who moved a few miles from here about five months ago, and with whom we seem to have some things in common. We very much enjoyed meeting them and having them to dinner.

And we've been guests at church-members', but that's not at all unusual; I tend to think of us as sort of guest-hosts; hopefully the families that we impose upon feel the same way!

Oh, yes, we also have one gallon of fresh apple cider. 17yo daughter--who is in charge of suppers here--is having a cider pork roast tonight! This is not from apples we grew; our trees are not big enough for that; and one gallon is all because apples around here are so dear this year, because of the late freeze in April. We bought these apples in Georgia the weekend we visited friends to process their chickens. Honey Crisp apples--most excellent! I'm not sure they were actually from Georgia; I understand even Georgia was hit by the late freeze, and has had to import apples from other states!

Guess that's about it.

Mary Susan

I was going to post a few pics, but Blogger doesn't seem too keen on the idea, so no pics!