Tobacco Season is Officially Here!

Although the greenhouse has been planted for roughly eight weeks, the season officially starts tomorrow because the plants are leaving the greenhouse and going into the fields! This year Daddy and Sam have 220 acres, which will keep them more than busy. I LOVE the farm, everything about it. Hopefully Mama will send pictures regularly so I can see the changes and growth this season. The first few pictures were taken while I was on Spring Break and the plants were only two weeks old. The final two pictures are from Mama ... they were taken on Saturday.

Cheers to you, Daddy and Sam, I'm praying for a heck of a season!

One half of the greenhouse; each half has three bays. You can see a bit of green peaking out!

My Daddy. In one of his favorite places. He is calculating several figures for us. There are six bays (see one above), and each bay contains 616 trays which equals 3,696 trays. One tray holds 288 plants ... that equals 1,064,448 plants which seems like a lot, but really that is only 177 acres if every plant comes up.

Two week old plants ... they look like tiny, unsymmetrical four leaf clovers.

Popping up.

Eight week old plants.

Closer up.

It's Snowing.

It is April 14, and it is snowing. Yesterday you could see my front yard, today you can't. My deck was completely cleared and now there are three inches of snow on top of my table out there, and it continues to come down. It is April 14th ... ugh.

More Spring Break

You saw that I spent two days in Winston-Salem with family and friends ... too fun ... but I spent the majority of my time at home in Oxford!! :) I had the most fun hanging out and just relaxing around my old stompin' ground. Fortunately, it was a bit warmer at home than it was in Alaska, and they had just started turning over the land at the farm so I got to smell spring, too. I know that "smelling" spring might sound silly to many of you, but take my word that the smell of fresh plowed dirt is absolutely wonderful; a sure sign of spring!

Mama and me.

Daddy and me before one of his meetings.
My Aunt Pat and me.
Katie, William and I on a Sunday afternoon.
My Mimi, Papa and me after a Sunday lunch at Mimi's ... it was fabulous!

A Daily Dose of the Last Month!

I am slightly overwhelmed with trying to tell you everything about the last month. I sincerely apologize that I have not been good at blogging lately, but we've been a bit busy. I spent 10 days in North Carolina, returned to Alaska and picked up my husband from the airport two days later (!!!) from his trip to the Philippines, I have finished three projects for my Masters, taught school daily, finished a little laundry, hung out with friends (lots!) and cooked very few meals. We have thoroughly enjoyed our last few weeks, but we are a bit tired and we both have colds or allergies that are kind of bogging us down.

Below are a few pictures from Spring Break. I will have more tomorrow followed by pictures from our Alaskan adventures. Thank you for your patience with me ... I sincerely appreciate it.

Leah, Peter and Sam. These are our sweet niece and nephews that I got to see while I was in North Carolina. They are Tyler's older sister's children. It was so fun to see them! All three remembered me and were so excited to see me. Honestly, I was a bit nervous about the children remembering us, particularly Sam remembering, but I can say now that I know they know who we are and love us as if we still live in NC.

Mimi and Pop Pop Van Zandt! Dede and I spent a morning with them catching up and telling stories about life as we all know it.

Libby, Joanna and me. I got to see the four girls I babysat for and spend time with their wonderful Mommies. I went to lunch with Shelley, Missy, Libby and Patterson and then got to visit each of their homes to spend time with them.

I got to spend lots of time with my dear friend Kate and her son, Cullen. Kate and Kevin, her husband, were our very first Army friends and we just love hanging out with them. We cannot wait to live closer to these sweet friends! I foresee many beach trips in our future!

Katie and I at Putters (have I ever mentioned that God has blessed me with many, many friends name Kate?!). We LOVE Putters and so it was fun to catch up there. I also got to go see her loft that was too cute!

Annie and Sophie before school ... I look rough, sorry! They have grown up and it was too fun to see them, too. Hannah .. we missed you!