Sharing another gift....and a Sunday Ramble

I can finally share two starfish dishcloths I gifted to my mother.  She received these yesterday.  They are thick enough to be table top/counter hot pads as well.  The pattern is free on-line.  I'll post the link as soon as I locate it again.

A Cross for Gus ~ Another Tribulation ~ A Start on Gifts

We dedicated a special cross, on our wall of crosses, in memory of Gus.  My son put it on the wall.


Another tribulation....

Tiger gave us a scare.  

We were in and out yesterday with the burial of Gus, and didn't see that our 10 year-old's cat got out somehow.  

This morning, I noticed he wasn't crying for his breakfast like usual.  When I asked if anyone had seen him, they all said no.

Tiger is a creature of habit.  He typically sleeps in different places, but as soon as he see's our 10 year-old, he's running off behind her and into the bathroom.  Every morning he does this.  Today, Tiger was missing.

After searching the house twice, we realized he was outside somewhere.  He had been out there since yesterday early evening, as that was the last time we remember seeing him.

My son (who just lost his dog), my 18 year-old daughter and I took turns searching our 6 acres, barns and brush.  There is a small hole that he can get under the old part of the house, so we all went to it, called him, shook his favorite treat bag, and he didn't answer.  We searched almost all morning.

Keep in mind, that I'm was in tears, in panic, worrying another child lost another pet.  I was not trying to borrow worry, but under the circumstances you would understand.

After calling him from that very spot, and going inside, my son went out to call in the same hole.  I went inside to start making homemade Christmas gifts, and then I heard my daughter yell, "He found him!"

Praising God, we ran out and saw that naughty cat.  Part of me wanted to kiss him all over, and part of me wanted to give him a spankin'.  

I put him down to his food bowl first thing, as he had not had food since yesterday morning (bad photo, but I was just excited to finally find him).

However, Tiger is hurt.  His back right leg is sore, and he cannot walk on it. There are no bite marks or blood, but he's having a terrible time walking.  We may have to take him to the vet next Monday if he's not better by then, and I'm not even sure they will be open either. 

Today, I finally got started on putting together my homemade gifts for some of my extended family - recycled wooden clementine boxes, a box of handmade Christmas tree ornaments, homemade jelly, homemade granola and my 16 year-old is helping me mix up another edible gift to add to these.  

The tags are also recycled items and scraps.  Do you remember me blogging about them early in the year?  At least I had something done early this year.  Phew!

I also finished two scarves for a few young boys too.  Thankfully, I had the yarn for these already.

I think I deserve a break now. . . hot tea and sittin' around in my jammies.

 

   

The Loss of Gus

(photo taken by my 16 year-old daughter in September of 2012)

Last night Gus lost his life to a driver.  My son was out walking them as he always does, but but Gus chased after something.

The driver never stopped, and my son was outside when it happened.  The driver left behind their front license plate attached to a portion of their car, and our dog. 

We'll never know if it was truly an "accident" since the driver kept driving.

We've had very little traffic due to road construction, but all it took was one driver.

Please pray for our family, as we grieve over the loss of our dear family member Gus.  He will be forever remembered.

This is a very difficult day for our family.  My thoughts and stomach are not in agreement to write much more today, and several of the kids have final exams at school today.  I am not sure that any of us slept last night.  

   

Many exciting days ~ Dark Days Challenge

I'm sharing a photo that I took yesterday.  I was out putting clothes on the line, and heard this little guy pecking away at this dead part of the tree.  Sure enough, when I went and go my camera, he already went inside his new home.  I have such a difficult time taking good photos of birds, but keep trying.


It's busy week, starting this weekend.

In-school Christmas Choir Concert on the 21st.

A holiday gathering on the 22nd.

Our youngest celebrates her birthday on the 23rd.

We have another family gathering on the 24th.

Christmas at home on the 25th.

My wedding anniversary on the 26th.  Hubby has to work, so I have to figure out a plan for a romantic evening, and a 2 night getaway in the near future.   

I made a sausage/pototo soup for Dark Days Challenge.  I used corn that I bought locally, and had blanched for freezing.  I would have added garden carrots, but we are already out of them.  It tasted pretty good too.

My 18 year-old's friend was over yesterday, and I found out she works at a local meat store.  I found out they have hormone free/antibiotic free (and local) meats.  Next time I have extra cash, I'll be venturing over to see what I can buy for meals.

 
 

Pen in Hand . . .

 . . . got paid about $30.00 from one writing job.  I won't see it for a few days, but it will help this season.

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

Yesterday I posted that we broke into these bad boys, and boy did we.  He he he!  Snort!  I even got caught making the chocolate almond coffee and not saving any for my 16 year-old.

...."Mom?!  What's this?" she said waving the empty coffee wrapper. (he he he)

 . . . we finally got the goat stalls started in the other barn.

 . . . this is where they will be going.  I must move my windows that will eventually be my greenhouse, and that fencing will be the new grazing area for the goats.

  . . . this door will come in handy, as the fencing will be behind this side of the door.

. . . we have some work to do yet.  this door has missing boards, so we will need to do more repairing as we build the stalls.

 . . . here is one recycled gate that came out of the barn we will be tearing down.

 . . . the weather has been a bit wet, but you can see we do not have snow yet.  Thankfully.  

 . . . this week I am still working on homemade Christmas gifts.
 
 
 


 



 

Saturday was a doozie

Our day was everything but "farm" related I think.

First, we started out the day with a good work out at the gym.

Second, my oldest brother and his wife came over to help move my 18 year-old's belongings to the house (she's on break from college) and then took 2 of our 5 kids, that were home, out to dinner.
   

Thankfully, through a series of e-mails, we found a home for this precious pup, named Molly.  She turns 2 years old next March.

Times are tough, financially, for many people right now, and my ex-husband had to move and could not keep Molly.  She is a purebred chocolate lab and we had the blessing of having her for a day and night.  I'm so glad we did find a good home, or I would have kept this girl.  She is sooooo sweet.  It was sad and happy when we met up and delivered her to her new home.  The new owners were super excited to get her, and have had labs in the past. It couldn't have worked out better.  I have to admit, I already miss her.  She'll get lots of love.  I can't wait to get pictures when she has her puppies in the future. We even tied a bow onto her collar.

This morning I am breaking out these bad boys.  I already downed 2 cups of Creme Brulee (my brother and his wife gifted me these yesterday).

Last night ended with a bang.  A real bang.  You know when mother's get those calls and something just doesn't feel right?

I got several calls, but when I went to answer or text back....nothing.

Then I get a call on my 18 year-old daughter's cell, but it's not her.  It's her boyfriend's mother.  My daughter was in the hospital, and getting released already.  I was frustrated with not having had communication via cell phone, but hospitals kind of make it that way.  Plus, her phone had been left in the car, and only my daughter was taken to the hospital in the ambulance, while her boyfriend stayed back to talk to the police.

Her boyfriend picked her up to go to the movies.  They never made it there.  They were in a one-car, car accident, but thankfully they are both okay.  They will be very sore, as the seat belts and air bags both worked.  The car is a loss, so they are lucky to walk away from this.

Moms and Dads, go hug your kids.