Thankful....

My oldest brother and his wife gifted me with this box of books.  Every night

Spring Weeds Anyone?

I'm starting to feel my muscles burn, after two days of kneeling to pull grass from the herb garden and rose bed.   That pile of grass all came form the oregano area of the herb garden.  For the last seven years, I never had this many weeds in it. Yesterday it was a bit too chilly to have porch time, so I worked inside later.  The ground is still too wet to walk in any garden, and we are to get more rain this week (and next week).  I'll have to shuffle the "to-do" list again.

Dandelion Vinegar and other tidbits

The weather warmed up nicely, and after getting our last kid (doeling) disbudded, I headed to the flower beds.  It was a perfect time to pull all the grass weeds I left there last fall (gulp).

Beautification. . .

Hubby made breakfast for the two of us yesterday, and we took it to the front porch.  It was therapeutic to sip hot coffee, and eat breakfast outside early in the morning.

We did barn chores together, including rounding up two goats on the loose.  Hubby had to stop and fix the gate, so they can't escape again.

Wild Bird and Tidbits

Our excitement yesterday, was a bird that fell down the chimney.  We got it out, but not without some screaming and a broom (that would be me).  It ended with our 18-year old taking it out with gloves on.  

It flew to the front yard, and immediately went searching for food.   It was some sort of black bird this time.  The last time it was a baby robin.

Tea Infusion Update

It's been over eight weeks now, since I have been drinking the "high calcium" tea mixture.   First, let me begin by telling you all why I tried the tea.

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.

Still sick, but plowing through....

Hubby bought this new sign for me.  It's totally me.  It's totally him too.  To start my day requires a heavy dose of organic coffee.  

The ironic part, is that we ran out of coffee yesterday.  The last thing I wanted to do was run out to the store.  I truly missed Hubby's help yesterday.

Herb Garden Happenings ~ Tidbits

The rain came and went on Monday, so we worked accordingly.  I did not, and do not, feel good anyway.

Rain flowed in again Tuesday, but I was able to check in on the herb garden(s).  Today, we were to get bad storms early this morning, but we got fog (and a school delay) instead.  I was happy with it, as I go to sleep in.   Here is what is currently happening (including medicinal herbs) in the herb garden:

Fun Day ~ Tidbits

The younger two were begging to do another "fun" thing while they were on spring break, so Hubby agreed to take them to the zoo.  The aquarium was shut down for a large remodel job, and it just re-opened last week.  

A Year of Hemingway ~ Tidbits

I finally finished The Sun Also Rises, and now I'm onto the next one.   I think the most enjoyable part of this one, was reading his descriptions of the bullfighting.  I, as a youngin' got to see a real life bullfight in Madrid.   I have a photo album with photos somewhere around this place.

Spring Break

Hubby and I typically take the kids to a hotel for a good night of swimming during winter.  We however, we had other things happen to delay that.  

Crocheted Placemats and Chair Cushions ~ Vultures and Tidbits

I think these placemats will look nice when I finish them all.  It will work until I have a day to antique shop for some long tablecloths (in spring colors).  I made them as large as our largest dinner plates.  The width is good, but I could crochet less rows and still make them fit nicely.

Prosperous Day

I started washing all the afghans, and bed covers.   A few tablecloths too.

The weather was good enough to get the two wooden chairs, and the backside of the cupboard piece, primed yesterday.  My plan is to put one coat of paint on everything.  I have the table post and legs to prime later too.

April Already?!

Heavy winter coats are finally going into storage.

 

Yesterday was absolutely wonderful outside. I filled my clothesline. 

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:

Herbal Journey ~ Herbal Bath Tea

It's time to expand my knowledge and use of herbs once again.  This time, taking herbs to the bathtub.  And one kiddo got to try out our first herbal bath tea.

Sunday Coffee Hour: Porch Prep, Crocheted Seat Cushions, Spring Flowers, Tidbits

As I sit here with a late start today, two baby goats are romping around the kitchen, trying to jump into my lap, and sucking on my bathrobe.  Nothing like starting your day with hot coffee and baby goat slobber.

We had a load of wood to pick up, with more to pick up later.  We have not slowed down too much this spring.

Island Time Yet?

I've got zero, nada, zippo going on today.   Hubby had to visit work very early today, so I hope the news he brings home is better than before.

If the weather warms up a bit, we might get cracking on wood splitting.  Our supply for this coming winter will need to be doubled of what we put up last year.  And there are plenty of other jobs needing done. 

March Weather ~ Random Tidbits

The snow we got on Monday melted, and was replaced with rain two days later.  The temperature went up one day, then back down the next.  It's raining as I type this, and they say we may get snow again today.

Only in our state, the kids say. 

March is finicky at it's best.  Walking dogs in mud is not so fun.

Romper Room ~ Surprise Mail and Tidbits

I have been trying to get clips of the kids (baby goats) romping around the kitchen, but I end up laughing so hard, the videos end up with headless goats or just feet.  Or, as you'll see in the video, the dogs get excited when they hear the pitter patter on the floor.

Hay Day and a "to-do" List ~ Porch Prep

We restocked the hay yesterday.  It makes a person wonder where they got the saying "having a hay day" from.  Hauling hay is not loose fun.  

The truck is back from repairs and in tip top shape now.  That's good, because we may need to pick up wood soon.  Another tree was offered to us.

What else was on the "to-do" list?

Goats in the Kitchen ~ Thinking Ahead and Other Tidbits

Everything is normal here today.  

The sunrise is a beautiful pink.

It's Twin Boys!

Mama Peanut gave birth to twin boys.  One black and one brown, with markings like their dad.

Handiwork Developments ~ New Fruit Plants on the Homestead

The weather is a bit cooler, so I'm tackling the last of the handiwork "to-do" list.  Remember my netting?  It's next, and last on my old list.  There is a new list (new projects) emerging.  Isn't there always a new one?

I finished crocheting the 192 yellow and pink flowers for the baby blanket, and have already started to work on the actual granny squares.   That means 192 granny squares when I am finished.

The new list (while the baby blanket progresses)? 

Repairs ~ Travel Journals

The ladder project(s) are put off for a few days.  It's too cold anyway, but Hubby had to take the truck in for a look-see.  Let's just say he was sweating it out while waiting for the phone call. 

The damage?

Tidbits ~ Curried Cashews ~ Homemade Noodles

Hubby was up very early yesterday.  He was already busy working on projects that have loomed over us.  One is the trash can.  When we moved in here, years ago, it came with a trash compactor.  It broke down several years ago, and we did not want to replace it. 

The front of the compactor had a cupboard piece to match the kitchen, in which Hubby removed it.  He's now putting in a slide rail for the trash can, to fill that space under the cupboard, adding hinges to the cupboard piece, and making it new again.    I'll be painting it soon to match the cabinets.  For years, the trash can was hand pushed in and out, and often left out.  It's a relief to see it get worked on now.

Getting Outdoors ~ Crocheted Hand Towel ~ Granola Bars

Hubby and I got to work early yesterday.  He picked up a few truck loads of stone, and filled in holes in the driveway. 

Unfortunately, I found my one hen, had passed away yesterday night.  We didn't do a chicken autopsy, so I don't know what did her in, but she was walking around outside yesterday.  We opted to skip buying new layer chicks this year, but we may next year.

Wonderful Weekend

The weekend was very peaceful, the sun appeared, and the temperature was wonderfully warmer.

Hubby needed a long nap when he arrived home Saturday, so I took that time to work on my hand towel.  We put off noisy house cleaning (banging dishes, vacuuming, etc.) until  next week.  We just wanted a slower weekend for once.

Four Spiders and a Flyswatter ~ Punch Bowl Friday

SPLAT!

I broke my flyswatter smacking spiders.  Eww, right?

My shopping list now has "flyswatters" on it.  I don't like seeing those mutant orange so-called lady bugs around either.  My chickens won't even eat them.  

Vet Visit and Other Tidbits

Jesse had his assessment with the vet.  It appears that we do not need to remove the fatty tumor (just yet).  It's in his groin area, so there is concern that it makes him feel like he has to go, but doesn't. 

Just to be sure he doesn't have a urinary infection, we do need to get it tested to rule that out.  The last time we took him to get his rabies shot, he swelled up like a balloon.  This time (thankfully), he did not.  

It Begins ~ Rhubarb ~ Recycled Vintage Coffee Filter

Canning season started early for me this year (giddy excitement).  I canned jelly yesterday.  

This was the first time canning with my new stove.  It heats up much faster.  I wanted to get a feel for it, before I start canning fruit jams, which tend to be the beginning of my yearly canning.

No Spend results ~ Dehydrated Celery

Meals were from the freezer and pantry.  Remember all that onion soup I froze?  Well, I pulled some, along with frozen corn we put up, a jar of home canned potatoes, and with pantry goods, created a potato/corn chowder.   Honestly, this was so good.

I have homemade baking mix on hand, so I pulled shredded zucchini for some muffins for school lunches.  Evening snack was popcorn, which we still have plenty of.

PB and J and a Porch

I wasn't kidding when I said the porch was calling.  It just wasn't the front porch this time.  I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and had lunch on the back porch - best 15 minutes of my day!  I had one small patch of patio that was not snow covered.  Even so, I would have put that chair and table right on the snow, if I had to.  It was 40°F and the sun felt so good.  It was peacefully quiet, and the birds were singing.

Warning:  It's a grab-a-cup-of-coffee kind of post. 

Random Tidbits ~ Cooking from Storage (Dehydrated Potatoes)

I'm late in posting today, but for a good reason.

I got no sleep last night.  No big news, right?

I tried to sleep in, but that did not happen.  Youngest missed the bus and next oldest is sick.  

Anyway....

I was on the phone with Oldest Daughter.

The good news?  She did not have the flu last week. 

The bad news?

Declaring it Porch Time

That's it.  I'm declaring it is spring now, which means "porch time" and my furniture is coming out of storage.  Even if I have to drag it out on the sled.

The wood pile tells me so.  I should I say lack of a wood pile.  I did not even shovel the snow yesterday.  It is going to melt very soon anyway, and the scent on those sheets is so wonderful - natural "medication" for a good night's sleep.

Surprise Delivery ~ Just for Me

The birds are singing this morning.  What a nice thing to wake up too.  It sounds so peaceful out there.  It's a good day to let the ladies out and clean the coop too.  They will be so happy to be out and about today.  My 15 year-old opened the door and smiled, "it sounds like spring out there."  

Yesterday, I was just finishing up my lunch, when a van pulled in.  My Hubby surprised me with red roses.  

Slip Sliding Sled

Where there is a will, there is a way,

my Mom always said.

I hauled my wood and chicken feed,

today in a sled. 

The funny part is,

that I almost fell.

But I saved myself quick

and all is well.

Cooking from Storage ~ Pasta e Fagioli

Oldest Daughter was pretty sick, and is still sick.  I whipped up a batch of homemade ginger ale for her, and that is the only thing she could keep down. Thankfully, I had all the ingredients, aside from lime juice, to make it.

I offered her elixir, but she said no.  Her fever continued all day.  She was the only one who had a flu shot too.  She's miserable.  

I'm sanitizing just in case.  Not that I don't, but just being extra careful.

Using it Up ~ Goat Coats

With all the kiddos home yesterday, and the outside temperatures chilly, I used up four apples that where getting too soft to enjoy.  

An apple in my pocket ~ The iPod eating box ~ Floor Rug

School closed today, so watch out.  This post will be a doozy.  I've got a pot of coffee all to myself, and all the kids are still in bed.

I guess, although we are to warm up to the 38°F, they are predicting ice covered roads until noon today.
 
Aside from animal feed, which I may run out before the end of the week, I'm declaring this week a no-spend week.  Toilet paper is stocked up so we are good in that department.

Journal Junkie ~ Nature Journal

I recently mentioned our Queen Anne's Lace Jelly, and thought I'd share my Nature Journal.  

Sunday Coffee Hour

The snow is arriving slowly.  I am so glad there is no wind as well.  It will be interesting, at nightfall, to see how much we actually get.  You know how word spreads, right?  The news said 2-5 inches.  I heard up to 8 inches via word of mouth.

Guess who visited us last night?

Visioning Porch Time ~ Dandelions

I've been watching the location of the sunrise each morning, and it's getting closer and closer to "porch time" once again.

Until then, I continue to clean and organize.  I'd like to do some stencil painting in one room, but I'll have to wait for open-window weather.

An egg in my pocket. . .

I had eggs and home canned applesauce for breakfast.  I thought you'd like to know that, because it was the highlight of my day yesterday.  Actually it was, because we are clean out of fresh fruit, and remembering that applesauce sure cheered me up.

The other highlight is not breaking the egg I put in my coat pocket.  I bent over to get some hay and almost forgot it was in  my pocket.  That would have been disastrous. 

Hubby and I came to a decision on the meat birds.

Pondering

I was sending off a long email to a few folks this morning, and my phone rang.   

It's time to order chicks.

The Freeze ~ Homemade Shaving Cream

Temperatures plummeted (again).  Apparently, we are breaking all sorts of records for February.  Good thing I cleaned the coop when it was up in the 20's.  Even so, they didn't want to leave the barn.  Every bit of grass is covered by ice, snow, iced and snow again.

Crocheted Scrap Yarn Rug

When I said I would make the next yarn rug with all my leftover scraps, I really meant it.  I dug through all my totes and used up what I had.  If it didn't have enough yarn on the ball to go across one time, it was rolled up and put into a bag with even smaller scraps of yarn (to use for other projects).

Updates

I am really enjoying the new way I have organized my sunglasses (and a pair of safety glasses, which was not on this when I photographed it):

Typewriter Tidbits

While the snow came down yesterday, I put my crocheting down to log in some writing hours.

I managed to send off my contest entry, revise one short article, and brain storm for three or four more new ones.