When we bought this house 30 years ago it was in rack and ruin. It was originally a four room farm house that one of our neighbors grew up in. We know it is at least 70 years old. It has been added on to seven times and we have done most of those. Dannie loves the gardening, being able to have some chickens and feeling like we are in the country. We are still on a dirt road and like it that way. It's three miles to the nearest grocery store but that isn't a big deal. We do like the feeling of the open space and all of our neighbors appreciate the same thing.
In the fall and spring of 2000 Dannie and a friend poured the driveway, the porch and ramp up to the entrance into my work area. WOW is that ramp wonderful for loading the cakes. The door on the west end of the house is the entrance into the Brides Room where I meet with the bride and her family. The building on the left is my storage area - you know one of those places you put everything that can't go in the house.
Our 2004 summer project in the back yard. In 2003 our septic system had to be replaced and that totally tore up the yard in back of the house. So while it was such a mess Dannie put in a sprinkler system for the yard and then we had the fence put up. We now have about 1/2 an acre in the back yard. In 2004 my goal was to get some landscaping in the back yard. Plant a few bushes and flowers and then we were introduced to the possibilities of a pond. WOW was this a lot of work, but we are totally enjoying the waterfall and the fish. Dannie has now finished the pond house (on the left of the photo) to give us even more enjoyment of this corner of the yard. The new project in the back yard for 2005-2006 is to put a pergula on the East side of the yard to give a little balance to the whole yard. We have an old cellar with a 12 X 28 concrete top on it that has been out there since we bought the place 30 years ago and we just didn't know what to do with it. With a pergula over it we will now have room to put tables and chairs and some movable flower containers to make that a versatile use area.
We live on the Southeastern city limits of Lubbock, TX. The only house on a 10 acre block and we love it out here. Plenty of room to garden, have fruit trees, and scream if we feel the need.
With my families support over the last 40 years I have been able to take classes, do the cakes, demo and teach in this sugar art field.
Dannie also has a small business. He has Dannie Moore Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. But, at heart he really loves that garden in the summer time. He also has a small green house where he starts most of his summer garden plants.
Dannie and I are very proud of the adults our children (D'Lene, Karla and Dan) have become and the wonderful job they are doing in raising their children. Karla and Dan's families and their five "perfect" children are on the next two pages. D'Lene lives here with us and is our number one helper and housekeeper. She is a joy to have with us.
All five of the grand children 3/2003
The real thing. :<) Otherwise the way we look most of the time.
D'Lene and Mackenzie
May 2003 - Dannies family
Jere Cypert, Mitzi Smith, Jeff Moore and Dannie
Lorena Moore
D'Lene (who is Down Syndrome) is our #1 helper, housekeeper and general cleaner upper. She is the oldest of our children and I simply could not do without her help in the house and the work kitchen. She and I have an agreement. It is my job to make the mess and hers to clean it up. That way we both stay very busy. It really does help to have her as a helper in our lives.
One thing that makes D'Lene such a joy to have around is her wonderful attitude. She is nearly always happy and agreeable. Always ready with a smile and a giggle.
My mom taught D'Lene how to crochet several years ago and she has made many afghans for family members and friends.
D'Lene loves TV, the Dallas Cowboys, Star Trek movies, pretty clothes (especially anything that glitters) and her cat "Miss Blue". This cat was born in our house and has lived here all her 24 years. She is now adjusting to living with Teddy. Being a rambunkious dog he really tries her patience.
D'Lene created this cake for our Regional South Plains Fair in September 2001. She took a first place ribbon and Best of Show in her division
She used many of Rosemary's Sugar Bouquet molds to create this cake.
Teddy is now almost 2 years old. He loves playing chase with the cat. Round and round the chair they go until she has enough from this young whipper snapper. After all she is 24 years old and he is just a pup. His latest thing is to chase one of the chickens. He runs at one of our chickens, bumps it's rear end until the chicken will chase him and around and around they go. It is pretty funny. The other day he picked on the wrong one. That rooster took some hair out of his side. That rooster did NOT understand that he just wanted to play.
His favorite toy is a toy duck and halloween talking toy. He throws the talking halloween toy up and when it hits the floor and talks then he throws it again. The duck is the indication to us he is tired. He puts that in his mouth lays down and goes to sleep.
Dannie now has Teddy trained to bring him his leash and his cap - he has more toys than our children had and manages to keep them scattered in the floor. We pick them up and he pulls them back out one at a time.
If he gets a tasty "big" treat (pork chop bone) we tell him outside and out the doggy door he goes with that big treat. Such fun to have him around here.
Our two special mom's.
To the right is Dannie's mom Lorena Moore. We lost Dannie's mom the 20th of January, 2004. Heavens gain is our loss. Such a sweet lady and she will be missed greatly.
To the left is my mom Velma Mitchell. Mom moved to Lubbock in May of 99 to be nearer family members. She stays active and enjoys walking, crocheting, traveling, visiting with family and her church. She has been a big help with the extra garden produce in the summer. Dannie picks it and takes it by her house and she processes (cans) it or puts it in the freezer. With four married grandchildren and two children in town we manage to keep her fairly busy.
on to Karla's Family on to Dan's Family © 2000 copyrighted by Earlene's Cakes
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