Creative Venues ~ Another Birth

If you are wondering about the cut back on usage of electronic and social networks, I have a quick update.

Day one:  one child just about had a meltdown, but later used her time to read a library book she has had for a few weeks.  Another got out the water color paints and painted these:

It's Back (in my best sing-song voice)

We went from this on Tuesday.....

 . . . to this on Wednesday.  This is a photo from this morning.   The wind blew the entire day and even blew drifts inside the animal barn.  This part of the horseshoe drive, had 5 foot drifts across by 5:00pm.  Not only did we go from melted snow to piles of snow, we went from 50°F on Tuesday to -10°F wind chill today.   And yes, some water pipes are frozen, but thankfully not my shower (woo hooooo to that!). 

Snowed In (again)

As you can see, the weather forecast was correct.  This is the "U" in our horseshoe drive.  The rest is drifted over too - some 3 feet high.

I was greeted with a 1 foot drift smack dab in front of one door too.  You can see where the dogs went out.  Jesse wasn't too happy about that.

Simple Solar Oven ~ It's a Heat Wave! ~ Sunflower Hot Pads

(the building of her oven)

Our 12 year-old is participating in a second science fair (in two years).  

This time, she chose to make a model (they have to pick specific categories, and they cannot repeat the same category from the previous science fair).  Her model?  A solar cooker.  Okay, I admit, her choice made me smile.  I can dig a solar oven. 

Teabag Tidbits ~ Temps and Snow ~ No "Pretend" Food

Is your tea talking to you today?

Looks can be deceiving.   This morning we have a wind chill of -27°F and an actual temperature of -8°F.  One barn cat is still out there in the elements, and had not made an appearance.  We are hoping he's okay.  Just looking out the window this morning, it looks nice can cozy. Don't forget to click one "read more". . . .

Winter Activities

I better start this post with a little gratitude.

Homestead and Family Tidbits

The kids took advantage of the snowfall, and did some indoor creative artwork.  And, as you can see, I shoveled out my clothesline.  It was actually nice in the sun that particular day.  We've had 2 days of school delays, but no closings.  Last night my son's car went off the road on his way to work (3rd shift), but thanks to extended family, we got him safely back on the road (without injuries).

Thanksgiving Break

"Honey?  Remember I told you I felt the driver's side was lower than the passenger's?"

When one car gets fixed, another breaks down.  Hubby is lucky to get his truck back home.  I can't remember the part he had to replace, but he (and my son) got it completely fixed by nightfall. Yay!

Frog Legs and Port ~ Homestead Updates ~ Out of Hay

I forgot to mention that I got the chance to taste frog legs.

In case you haven't noticed, I do post a column on the left side of my blog, recording new foods we try each year.

We also got the opportunity to do a wine tasting, and we tried Tawny Port for the first time.  This we loved, but the price on the bottle is a bit over $38.00.  

About the frog legs....

They don't taste like chicken either (at least to me).  They have a fishy taste and the meat is somewhat rubbery.  

Homestead Updates:

My doctor's office agreed to call in a prescription.  Thankfully, I didn't need to drive up and spend about $90.00 just to see her.  Hubby agreed to pick it up for me.  As you can see Dr. Tiggles has not abandoned me.  In fact, when I spiked my fever, it was Nurse Jesse and Dr. Tiggles that were laying right on top of me.  

I have a book that I'll be updating you on soon.  So far, I am enjoying it when I am up to reading.  And an update on Folk Magazine.
 

My youngest daughter crocheted me a bookmark.

The farm animals are most likely miserable being locked in these last few days - loads of rain, with snow off and on.  Not the best weather days here.

My son is still not feeling so well.  However, the worst has passed. 

We are completely out of hay.  I'm not sure the girls are ready to have farm animals, as they make no effort to help get the hay.  The work is completely put on my husband, so this upsets me today.  It will cost is $9.00/bale, since we now have the horse, it is used much faster. 

I have realized why people have succumbed to giving their horse away for free - very expensive to feed.  Especially when the owner of the horse does not have a job.
  

 

Creative Ornament Challenge

I've been busy updating my S.C.R.A.P. blog, and adding more handmade ornaments.  Over the summer, I collected all of the clothespins that broke, saving the pieces for a special project.

I put together a snowman from some of the parts, and have now challenged the kids to create one by themselves.

The first one to make one, was my soon-to-be 11 year-old daughter.  

She made her ornament into an angel, using feathers, scrap fabric, glitter and a bead.  

I'm still waiting on the other kids to finish theirs.  I think they need a little Christmas mojo, to get them going.   

Take a look at S.C.R.A.P. to see them.