The Honeydew

Many people have asked "Where did you get your kitchen lighting?"

It is a custom piece designed, for us, by Ben and Abbey over at The Honeydew.

They also designed the pendant light over my kitchen sink.

I remember, after the house fire, when we decided to create The Pallet Wood Floor.

With the open concept of the living room, kitchen and dining room, we wanted the entire space to flow together.

We started a search for lighting that would incorporate the pallet wood.

Looking back on the email communication with Ben and Abbey, they asked all the right questions to get a feel for what we wanted in the space.

They asked the size of the island, the height of the counter, as well as our height.

They needed to know what the space was going to be used for.

Whether it was going to be a setting bar/island or just standing.

They even asked questions about the size of the kitchen sink.

We won't lie and tell you we weren't fearful of having our lighting designed in another state, with us not seeing the final product until it arrived via courier.

We were elated when we opened the box!

Even more so when the electrician installed the fixtures.

The lighting couldn't have been more perfect.

It blended well with the pallet wood floor.

It lit up the kitchen to show the beauty of the carpentry and Fiestaware.

AND

What could be a more fitting, to me, than to have canning jars as lighting?

It just jells, don't you think?

More than a year had gone by without contact with Ben and Abbey,

when we received an email from them.

Abbey has started a blog!

The Honeydew

I (Rancher Girl) was so excited and quickly responded back with a request to feature them on A Building We Shall Go.

Flower Boy and I felt it was a way to give back to them for all they have done for us.

Abbey spent some time searching A Building We Shall Go, as I do the same whenever we are asked to be featured by others.

She agreed to allow me to write about her, Ben and The Honeydew.

They, like us, have instagram, facebook and twitter.

Just click on the highlighted links above and follow them.
We did!

Abbey is an agriculture teacher in Georgia, while Ben is a firefighter.

Ben builds all the pieces by hand.

Abbey assembles the wiring.

All the while, chasing after their 2 year old, Luke.

Each fixture, custom or otherwise, takes 2 to 4 days to complete.

Their workshop is in the basement of their home.

All the wiring is done to electrical code.

The wood is oiled, cleaned and sealed.

Then shipped out to the customer.

They are even considering expanding to other projects.

Check them out!

We are so glad we did!

XOXO,

Flower Boy and Rancher Girl

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Long live cowboys!

Rockin' B Ranch

How Do They Grow Up So Fast?

How do they go from this,

 to this,

in such a short period of time?

I was asked this question, upon returning from Padre,

"Do you ever feel like you have cheated The Big Boy?"

Wait?

What?

Cheated?

NO!!!!

To which the person responded,

"How does he respond when he sees you and Drewman on social media or reads blog posts?"

Well...

The Big Kids lead private lives.

I respect that and choose not to highlight them in blog posts.

As long as Drewman lives under our roof, he doesn't have much choice in the highlights he receives.

For now, it is my right as Momma!

This will soon change.

 

The Big Boy says Drewman is spoiled.

In the same sentence, he says how driven and accomplished Drewman has become.

He is a very proud and supportive brother, to Drewman.

Life was different when The Big Boy was young, in high school and college.

I experienced single motherhood, twice.

I worked two jobs.

Not to mention, I was just starting my therapy, to become the person I am today.

Let's just say...

We struggled.

By The Grace of God and a bit of help from My Daddy,

We survived!

 

With the boys being 10 years apart, I think social media has cheated The Big Boy!

He and I did plenty of Momma/Son activities.

He went on trips and experienced things just as his little brother does.

The difference being, I didn't blog then and there wasn't social media to show the world.

We spent weekends, summers, fall and spring breaks at stock shows.

He brought home trophies, ribbons and paychecks.

He worked extremely hard prepping his girls for the show ring.

We joked they spent more time in the spa/salon than I did.

He held a job, kept good grades and stayed involved in school activities.

The Big Boy played competitive baseball and was a starter on the high school football team from his freshman through senior years.

He played through injuries and two shoulder surgeries, never once missing a game or complaining of pain.

He graduated high school with honors.

He also went to college with scholarships.

All the while, working, studying, keeping his grades up and experiencing college life.

The Big Boy never once declined my request for him, to be home, to help with anything around the ranch.

There were times when we had to arrange our ranch work around his college, work or activities.

BUT

He was always home to help.

He worked diligently to build his own herd of cattle.

Thus securing he and Our Girl's future, to provide a down payment on their first home.

His faith was strong.

His commitment to our family was unfailing.

His work ethic was beyond measure.

His goals were high and standards even higher.

He had great expectations and achievements.

Still Are!

AND

Still Does!

The Big Boy has grown into an amazing man!

He speaks of priorities and discipline.

He, too, is dedicated, driven and accomplished.

I couldn't have asked for a better role model for Drewman.

Which brings me to the question,

How Do They Grow Up So Fast?

It seems like yesterday, The Big Boy was preparing for college and questioning himself.

Now, ten years later, Drewman is headed off to college and I am questioning myself...

 

Thanks Son for all you are and all you do!

I apologize if social media has cheated you.

We made amazing memories!

I am so very proud of you!

I Love You,

Mom  

Pickin

Flower Boy and I have been picking sand plums.

Sand plums grow on small shrub type bushes.

 The bushes don't grow much taller than 5 feet, in our area. 

 This year the sand plums are prevalent, on the bushes.

So much that we are fighting the cattle for them.

The cattle have gotten to several sand plum groves before we did.

 Sand plums aren't very big.

 BUT

They make some awesome jelly!

 We've got about 5 gallons in the freezer.

Anyone care to guess what that means?

XOXO,

Rancher Girl

Moo Cow Monday - Missing The Herd

With Drewman and I being gone all last week,

I had a major miss of my MCM and the cattle.

We had an amazing time at Fun In The Son - Padre 2014!

It was a week of wonder, faith and findings.

I now understand what moved in Drewman each time he went to Fun In The Son.

I don't have words to describe it.

I do have photos!

Drewman wanted to make sure we had a daily Momma/Son selfie.

 Day 1

 Day 2

 Day 3

 Day 4

 Date Night Day 4

 Day 5 Sunrise

Day 5 including Barrett

Drewman was a contestant in one of the opening sessions.

 Pick Me!!  Pick Me!!

 Call down one of your leaders.

 Russell "COME ON DOWN!"

Run to the end of the convention center!

 Get blindfolded.

 Listen to Russell's voice.

Make your way up the convention center.

 Turn left!

 Find your leader!

 Winner!!  Winner!!!

 Such a great sport!

Time on the beach was great!

Worship was even better!

By weeks end, we were all worn out

 and ready to pack the trailer

 and come home!

I was blessed to be a momma on this trip.

It feels good to be home.

BUT

I can't wait to check cattle this evening!

Missing The Herd!

XOXO,

Rancher Girl