Opening the Windows ~ Gratitude

The first thing I did yesterday, was open a few windows.  It was so nice to get some fresh air in the house and clear out the germs.  It was nice to hear nature as well, and kind of relaxing - birds, the pitter patter of rain, Sparta crowing.

Gratitude

I woke up to an orange furry feline, sitting on my stomach, nose to nose with me, and every so gently pressing one paw up on me over and over again.

"Wake up sleepy head," he was silently saying.
 
His eyes were begging me to get up and feed him, as his master is away at a (gulp) sleepover.  No one is on agreement with me regarding sleepovers this winter, so if this one comes home sick, then my opinion is getting enforced.
 
Well, it's been a long time since I did a gratitude posting.  Oddly, I am thankful for being in bed for two days, because I finished one book before the month was even over. 

I have one book left in my personal stash.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Barbecued green beans are are already in the crock pot.  I decided on that, and a yellow squash and corn casserole today.  The green beans are made with my homemade ketchup, and the casserole with the corn we put up (and homemade baking mix).  Simple. I'm lucky to have found organic yellow squash at the grocery store.

 (sorry for the links to the recipes, I got kind of lazy today)

Today is a good day to post a gratitude list.

Muti-tasking Day and Gratitude

I didn't think it was possible, but I decluttered while walking my daily miles on the treadmill.  There is a nearby bookshelf (we have to move things around when we start burning wood for heat) and I simply pulled books off that I no longer need.

I offered these to Youngest who loves to write like her Mom, and a few went into the "thrift" box I am slowly filling up.

Red Moon ~ Lunar Eclipse

Thanks to my older brother, I was able to get photos of the moon this morning.  Did you know today (Oct. 8, 2014) it would be red and there would be a total lunar eclipse?

Homemade Applesauce

I was starving for a good breakfast, so I tossed onions, potatoes, green pepper and zucchini in a pan to cook for

Weekend Update

Saturday we got a good amount of work done - one trip to recycling (huge load because for some reason we had a ton of cardboard), one trip to Goodwill, several bags to the garbage, swept up the back area by garage, washed curtains and windows. 

I found a cute tin for my tea, and for only $.50.  I just need to wash it up.


We finished up more work on Sunday. 

Hay Day and Other Tidbits

Hubby spent most of the day wrestling with the mower.  He did have to order a part, which should arrive in a week or so.  I continue to wrestle the weeds in the garden.

Library Run

I borrowed a copy of Fresh Eggs Daily, by Lisa Steele. Whether you are new at raising layers or not, I found this book to contain useful information.

Handiwork Update ~ Southwestern Egg Burritos

My youngest daughter emailed me this photo.  I thought it was so funny I just had to share.  This morning I certainly feel like that dog in the photo - still in my jammies, holding coffee, but with an ice pack instead of a towel.

Pets, Goats and Vets

A trip to the "island" is so overdue for Hubby and I.   In fact, I think we are planning one soon.  

Last night he worked until 11:30pm, and didn't get home until 12:30am.   The only time I got to see him, was when Alias (pitbull mix) got super scared of the surprise thunderstorm we got, and practically smothered us during the night.

Neither of us got much sleep.  I plan on buying that poor guy a thunder jacket.  I'm guessing his previous owner left him outside during storms.

From a Journal Junkie . . .

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . ordered organic seeds - Valerian, Chickweed, and Holy Basil (medicinal herb garden newbies).

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!). 

Discombobulated

Have you ever felt discombobulated when your routine is abruptly changed?  I do.  It throws off my thinking, activities or chores, for the entire day.  It forces me to be a different "me" for the day.  It forces me to be more creative.

Good Literature

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!  I'm not laughing at John Steinbeck, but at the oh, so appropriate title to describe this winter here.

I made a trip to the library yesterday, and stocked up on some good literature to read.  I decided to delve into some great authors, and hope to improve my writing.  Not to mention I may have lots of time if we do get snowed in this weekend.

Homemade Lemon Extract ~ Gratitude

We love lemon here.  We can't grow them, but we can buy them organic, and thus we made lemon extract. This will be ready to use about March 28th (I'm waiting at least 8 weeks to try this first batch). 

Day 2 - No Hot Showers

I let Jesse out to do his "business" early this morning, and there was one single star visible in the sky.  Kind of a cool sight, so I took a picture.  A benefit if living in the country - I can stand outside in my pajamas, robe and slippers, and my neighbors cannot look out their window and gawk at me in shock and horror.  They'd most likely think I was a creeper with my camera at that hour too, ha ha!

The Pro's . . .

The pro's of not having a working clothes dryer?  Getting to watch the sunrise every time I do laundry. The con's?

It's Moving Day

The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous this morning.  The fog was layered out of the east and northeast.

As the hour passed, the fog moved inward, dispersing thicker before starting to disappear.  The chill in the air is, what I call, "camping weather."  It's just cold enough to want to curl up in a hoodie or jacket, and sit around a warm campfire enjoying nature.  I love it!

Homesteading and Healthy Habits/Hobbies

Awhile ago, I talked to a man who I traded my chicken's paws (he wanted to make broth with the feet) with, for a delicious jar of fermented cabbage.  He was impressed with our lifestyle and said, "It sounds like you have some healthy habits/hobbies."  Honestly, I can't remember if he said habits or hobbies, it's the word "healthy" that made a bell go off in my head.