Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

The Quilts

2012-01-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Claudia's wiener dog quilt

Christmas is over. Technically. But I still have my tree up. It just cheers me up to see the twinkling lights. Now I can post pictures of the quilts I made for the girls.

Maddie's skull quilt

Today is Claudia's 11th birthday! She lucked out and got a "snow day". We need to venture out at some point, though. But it would be nice to build a fire and vegitate all day!!

Christmas Clues

2011-12-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

What I've been working on for Christmas

cutting board

Our new addition, Pukey the cat

I've been working on Christmas, but I can't show yet!!

My #1

2011-11-17T20:34:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it has been 14 years since Maddie came into my life. She changed me in ways I cannot explain. There is no doubt, I had to become a grown up really fast.

Born 6 weeks early, she thrived beyond our dreams. We brought her home on Thanksgiving...we were terrified. My mother stayed with us for months, putting her life on hold to be there for me. There is no way JP and I could have done it alone.

As you can tell, I'm feeling sentimental, sad, excited, and....unexplainable emotions. As she is starting to pull away, I want to pull her closer.

Happy Birthday Maddie!

10 Years in the Making...

2011-11-10T11:53:00.001-08:00

I bought this ottoman about 11 years ago at an antique store in Huntington, WV. It was truly gross...old, ratty upholstery, horsehair stuffing. So I took it all apart and my sister Leslie came for a visit so that we could totally re-haul it. We did the whole shebang - sewed in springs, and everything. We covered it in a white muslin, and I looked for fabric that I loved to make a slip-cover. FINALLY, 10 years later I have finished the slipcover, and I have a completed ottoman!! Leslie will be so proud of me...

Feels Like Fall

2011-10-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

We had a nice weekend, full of applebutter, blustery fall weather, and friends.

October 13, 2011

2011-10-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

After a year, I have decided to ignore the random Chinese comments and power through with my blog. Yes, it's taken quite a bit of consideration, and I hope I made the right choice.

Chinese?

2010-03-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

I'm so baffled. I keep getting comments written in Chinese. What's up, Doc?

No-Knead Bread

2010-02-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

This is my new favorite thing - No-Knead Bread. It is so miraculous. All you have to do is put ingredients into a bowl, and wait for about 12 - 18 hours. Then you punch it down, and turn into the bread pan or dutch oven, and let rise again for another couple hours. Then bake. So easy. The only problem I foresee is being able to plan ahead for when I want warm bread, fresh out of the oven.

I've been trying to take a hike with the dog everyday. It is good for both of us to get out of the house. I took some pictures today. I just haven't been wanting to take "snow pictures", I mean, who wants to look at more snow? But I took some, nonetheless. I suppose I have a bit of spring fever. Today Libby was tracking all the deer prints we came across. She would just veer off our path and into the woods, with her nose to the snow.

Swedish Pancakes

2010-02-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

So, way before I was born, or even conceived, my parents hosted an exchange student from Sweden. I guess maybe he was homesick or something, and mentioned that he loved Swedish pancakes. My mother's ear's of course perked up, "what is a Swedish pancake?". And so the legend begins. These were not everyday fare. We would have them for desert, maybe once a year. To start with, you need a "plet" pan, or a mini-pancake maker pan. My loving sister Rachel bought one for me years ago. (Thank you sister) The batter is basically crepe batter, very egg-y and delicious. Then you need sour cream (I often use plain yogurt because I never have sour cream), and lingonberry sauce. I NEVER have lingonberries (unless I go to IKEA), so we substitute cranberries. Once you have assembled all these ingredients, you get to stacking it up. Pancake, sour cream, berries, pancake, sour cream, berries, etc. I like to stack about 5 or 6. Then once you put your fork into it, it all falls to pieces into a gooey, delicious mess. I love it so much.

Swedish Pancakes

3 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
3/4 cup flour
3 TBSP sugar
3 TBSP oil (I use canola)

Beat eggs well and add sugar, salt and flour and milk. Add oil and blend all together (I use a food processor or hand-held mixer). Get out your "Plett" pan. I use 1 TBSP batter for each cake. Make pancake ahead of time and store in fridge. Serve with cooked cranberries and unsweetened yogurt.

Almost A New Year

2009-12-29T05:33:00.000-08:00

This is what we have been doing in the LaFollette household. Her name is Libby Duppydog LaFollette. Our Clara never showed up, so the best we can hope for is that she has a new home, with a nice warm doggy bed. The saddest news is that Capone passed away. He was such a good, loyal dog.

The holidays are almost past, and I feel like I haven't taken the time to enjoy them. We are going to Mom's tomorrow, and I plan to take the time to enjoy my family and my many blessings. It is so easy to forget how blessed I am, and easy to focus on the many irritations and annoyances that plague me every day. Maybe this should be my new resolution for the New Year. At any rate, I'll try and we'll see.

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone???

2009-11-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Clara has disappeared. It has been 2 whole days now. I have called places, looked places. So now I am feeling sad. But this is her picture, and if you see her, please let me know!

Monkey Bars

2009-11-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

These are pictures I took of Claudia and her friend Megan last weekend.

Happy Autumn

2009-10-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Finally!! I finished my big rug-hooking project. It took me 2 years from start to finish. It is also my first real rug-hooking project. I should learn to start small. I dyed some of the wool, and all of it is recycled. I have a couple projects in the works of my mind, but haven't executed anything yet. I did clean out my craft/sewing room, and when everything is in its place, I will take a picture. I am grateful for having such a space, but I do wish it had more storage space.

Claudia is home again today. All of her playmates have tested positive for H1N1, so I am assuming she has it, also. She is feeling much better, but gets tired easily, so I kept her home. It has been a good incentive for me NOT to home school. I don't know how others do it. My patience is wearing thin, and we haven't even had big problems with the homework. There is just so much of it. She needs constant motivation to keep at it. I am easily distracted by all the other "stuff" that needs doing. She really just wants to watch Pinocchio, and we will, she just has to get her work done. Then we will lay down for a rest.

Fungus

2009-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Fungus. The interesting looking kind. I'm a little obsessed. I just want to take photos of them all. In fact, this week I may go on a fungus forage through the woods.

Sometimes I feel my life is not meant for blogging. I mean, there's just not much going on. Today I took Claudia to the doctor, which didn't make her better, she's only worse. So, I could blog about taking care of a sick child. But, that isn't very intriguing.

So instead, look at pretty fungus.

Plus, I threw in a seed-head for viewing pleasure.

Pumpkin Cookies

2009-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

I know my heart has turned to fall when I get the urge to make pumpkin cookies. They are so good. So good, in fact, that it is hard to type as I eat them. I tried a new recipe this time, and I think I like it better. It has more spices, and more depth. I added dark brown sugar instead of light. The recipe I used is from George Duran on the Food Network. I must stop eating these. Save some for the girls.

This is not road-kill. It is our 15 year old cat, Iggy who loves to sun herself, exposing her tummy. I wish I could do that.

I am getting obsessed with Christmas, also. As in, what to make for people this year. I have some ideas, but I won't share, I wouldn't want to spoil the fun!

Tomato Time

2009-09-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

You wait patiently, and then impatiently for your tomatoes to grow and ripen. Magically overnight they are red and ripe. Cancel, all appointments and plans. You must now can these hard-won fruits. Such was my day. Once I get into the mind-set I actually enjoy canning. I turned on my WVPR and grooved to some classical music. I wore a groovy scarf on my head. When did I become a scarf-wearing person? I remember Mom wearing one when she made bread. We had to go over her person to make sure there were no stray hairs anywhere. (Who wants hair in bread? yuck.) My sisters (in the 70's) wore scarves. And now I carry on the tradition.

Tomorrow I hope to borrow Heather's pressure canner and "put up" some beans and beets.
I love beets! I make a delicious Russian Borscht. I'll post the recipe someday when I make it.

Pop! Pop! My jars are sealed!

Summer is Over

2009-08-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over, and I haven't written anything at all!! That is because we have been busy with the business of daily life. Plus, I got a job at a local fabric shop. I can't even think on one outstanding thing to say about my summer. Other than my childhood friend was able to visit with her family, and I survived VBS, and we didn't go on a vacation. But, I went to Romney last week and Eric's girls Katie and Alexa were visiting. They are actually on their way to my house as I write. Things went pretty well in Romney. It was nice for the cousins to spend time together, getting to know each other.

I finally finished my shawl that I started last fall. Maddie and Katie went to town on knitting, also. Subsequently, I am now obsessed with knitting. I think I have craft A.D.D. I just have to try everything, and I will go through phases of sewing, rug-hooking, knitting, whatever. It must be summer coming to an end that makes me itchy to be arsty. Summer is so busy with swimming and gardening and grass cutting. But fall is for cozy craftiness beside the fire. I can't wait. Of course, it is about 90 degrees here right now. Makes me dream of snowy days, and icy creeks and warm quilts.

I wanted to get some photos of Mom knitting. So here they are. Did I mention how much I love my mother?? She has such patience with me, with us. Any knitting snafu she can fix, without cursing. I wish I had inherited that trait.

More Surprises

2009-06-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

You just never know what you will find around here. This morning when I let the sheep out of the barn I found one of our long-lost bantam hens sitting in the middle of everything. Claudia and I both assumed she'd "disappeared" or "relocated" a couple weeks ago. BUT NO. She hops up and there is a chick. Just one. So tiny, maybe 2 days old. I tried to get some pictures. They didn't turn out well. I hate using the flash, but it is so dark in that barn. I told myself I wouldn't interfere with what had happened naturally. But I just couldn't stand it. The sheep and lambs were tromping all over the place and that poor chick was running around like mad and mama chicken was having a fit. Soooo, I moved them into the other side of the barn, where apparently I have another broody bantam hen. It just makes me smile. Under my best efforts of hatching out eggs, mama just goes into a dirty old barn and takes care of business.

Lambs are well. They don't like to be held anymore, and they can run really fast. Ohhhh...THAT'S what shepherd crooks are for!!!!

Today is the last day of school. As in years past I have sworn we WILL have a schedule, we WILL do crafts AT LEAST once a week, and we WILL all work outside as a happy family. This is assuming I can get them out of bed and deal with all the whining about " this is my vacation! I don't want to work!". I'm not good with the whining.

Sorry about the bad pictures. At least you get a ballpark idea. That little thing beside the chicken is a peep.

2009-05-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

This is the one who had a change of heart. Amazing!

I have a few updates. The ewe that was going to explode, she only had twins. For real! I was shocked there weren't five lambs in there. She started laboring early Friday morning. I was able to take pictures, until we had to ASSIST! I knew this was going to happen! My pics are pretty graphic, more for my observations than for public consumption, so I will spare you those. JP came home from work, and after watching this poor sheep struggle for TOO LONG we had to pull the lamb out. Very quickly after that another slipped out. Unfortunately, mama sheep was not interested in her babies at all. She wouldn't clean them off, or even look at them. This started our stressful weekend. We were not going to let her get away with this, if only for the fact that I did not want to be bottle-feeding two babies around the clock for weeks. What we did was this: One of us would hold onto mama around the neck, and the other would gather babies and help them nurse. The first day mama wanted to struggle and we would have to chase her around the barn to catch her, but she finally knew that when we came in, DARN IT, she was going to have to let these annoying babies nurse. On Sunday JP went out to check on them and couldn't believe it - she was standing there letting them nurse BY HERSELF. Shocking, really. So there you have it. Now they are all out in the pasture, and it is a distant (for mama, at least) memory.

I took some self-portraits of myself with a lamb. Sans makeup, grey hair and all. That is how much I love everyone and want them to see lamby up-close. It has rained on and off since last night, and thankfully cooled off. So I took some pics of the farm today. I love days like this. I have nothing against the sun. I usually feel more cheerful when it is sunny. But I loooove a rainy, cool, grey day.

Newest Babies

2009-05-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the newest members of our farm. #1 and #2. I was quite surprised, as I didn't expect them until next week. I come to find out that JP had calculated it wrong, and they are indeed due this week. I'm keeping close watch on my other two ewes, especially the one who looks like she is going to explode. I wish I could get better pictures, but I worry about invading "Mama's" space. She doesn't seem to mind that I am in the barn, and I have held the lambs a couple times. Their skin has tight little woolly curls and their heads are very soft. But the worries! I remember worrying like this when I had my babies. Are they getting enough milk?? Are they sleeping too much? Am I cut out for this? I didn't have to assist at all in this birth. They just magically appeared, all dry and cute. I'm not so sure about the other two. If I have to pull out a lamb I'm afraid I'll pass out. Stay tuned!

My Mother

2009-05-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

This was taken on Mother's Day 2009. Isn't she beautiful? I always thought I had the prettiest Mommy, and I still do. We had the best weekend. Mom, Paula and myself. And then JP brought the girls over for lunch, and then I was able to spend ANOTHER night! Bliss!

A Few Pics

2009-04-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

We've been so busy lately, so yesterday we had some down-time. It was lovely to sleep in, I almost didn't even feel guilty about missing church. A lot has happened. I had 5 chicks hatch out of 15, which was very disappointing, but was a lesson. Sometimes you just can't fool Mother Nature. I have lots of pictures of them for later. JP's truck club came Saturday for a picnic/meeting, so we had lots of preparations for that. It was a lot of fun, and people always seem to feel that we live so "far out". It's funny to me, because it doesn't feel like that to me. Unless I have to go back and forth to town, that is. I took some pictures a few mornings ago and am posting them. The sun was shining through the fog, and I tried to capture it. Still on the hunt for the "Perfect" camera.

Egg Hunts

2009-04-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

We had a hunt early in the morning, as is tradition. Then after a wonderful lunch at Nana and Bob's, we had another hunt.

Did I mention it was J.P.'s birthday, also. And he is now 40??? His sister Aimee made the cake(s).

What I Want, What I Need

2009-04-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

I would love to have a new camera. The one I use is really hard to focus. You can't even tell if it is in focus. I'm just putting that out there.

I took some photos this morning. It's really cold outside, even though it will warm up later. My favorite hellebores and daffodils.

Homer in the Yarn

2009-03-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is what my sewing room looked like a couple weeks ago. I still have some yarn on the floor, mostly purples, but I have run out of hangers! I'm sure I can round some up somewhere. Did I ever tell you the story of Homer the Dog? When I was ready for another dog (Claudia had entered school) I looked online at puppies at the local shelter. I picked one out and she was really cute. I wanted a female. So I go to the shelter to play with the dog and she wanted nothing to do with me. I couldn't even entice her with a chewy bone. I asked if they had anymore young dogs, and they bring out "Dusty" who immediately comes to me and puts HIS head on my shoulder like a baby. That was it. So "Dusty" became "Homer". And now he is totally co-dependent and with me ALL THE TIME. Even to the bathroom. He scratches until I let him in. I love him, even though it sort of gets on my nerves sometimes.

New Things

2009-03-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

I ordered some hatching eggs from a seller on Ebay. I put them in the incubator today, so they should hatch around April 16th. I originally only bid on 10, but the seller was very generous and sent 16! Plus one of them is a different variety, so who knows??? I also received my apple trees that I ordered from www.treesofantiquity.com and they need to be put in the ground. So there is much to do around here!

I can smell the chocolate cake I just took out of the oven. Chocolatey goodness. I think I will put the frosting recipe on it that my neighbor gave me. You boil it, and it is essentially a caramel-like flavor. I also promised my girls strawberry shortcakes tonight, so I have yet to do that. Plus, I am making home-made mac-n-cheese. I love this recipe from Martha Stewart. Let me know if you want it!

?

2009-03-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

OOOhhhhhhh. So you have to turn it on. I get it....

Helllooo again

2009-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been quite awhile. I think I have been avoiding this, I sort of feel like I have nothing to say right now. Life just sort of drags me along sometimes, and I don't feel like I have much control. (vow to try to change that)

Here's an idea - maybe if I wrote more often, thereby giving me time with myself to be introspective, I would feel more inspired??? Nahh. Who knows?

It looks like spring, yet feels really cold. I'm confused. Today is the first day of SPRING and I like it. On a sad note, my beautifulish solar lanterns I got at Big Lots aren't working. HMMMM. Must fix that. I envision an amber glow in the starry night, with fireflies blinking here and there. I got nothing.

The Winter Wall of Pain

2009-01-09T05:35:00.000-08:00

I have hit, and keep hitting, that Winter Wall. Let me explain. It is like the winter blues, but has a lot of guilt thrown in and peppered with regret. Still don't understand? Okay, there is WAY too much time to think and be introspective, way too much time by myself (not really a BAD thing, but adult conversation is nice), look outside and be wistful. I'm ready to get going in the dirt, but winter is really just here, so it will be a while. So then I start thinking what needs done that CAN be done now, such as repair leaking roof in my shed, and it just doesn't sound like much fun to do, therefore I don't do it and then I feel guilty for not exercising everyday like I should. It taunts me...really. Okay, I promise I will use the elliptical today. But it is so hard when you don't have a mindless tv show to focus on while you sweat. I'm trying to use it as my meditation time. My mantra "this sucks, this sucks,(repeat)" or "it's hot in here, (repeat)" or "time up yet? (repeat)". Do you detect a lack of focus? I think I need a project.

Plus, my good vacuum cleaner broke, I ordered a new part, will be here on Tuesday, but my floor is dirty NOW.

I have to make cupcakes for Claudia's birthday party on Sunday. We are going bowling and having pizza. But before that, she is invited to a party tonight, tomorrow is Megan's birthday party at Valley Worlds of Fun. So many parties!! Party on.

Did I mention my birthday is February 28? I'm trying to think of what to do that would be fun and meaningful. So far I have nothing.

Okay, even I am getting bored reading this, so I'll leave now. Bye!

Dolls

2009-01-06T05:01:00.001-08:00

These are the dolls I made for Christmas. They were a lot of fun to do. I had plans to make some animals, also, but ran out of time.

A New Year, Already???

2009-01-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

I just can't believe Christmas is over. I took the kids to the bus stop today, so it is back to a "normal" life. I kind of got used to them being home, and hate to see them go. Mom came for a short visit over New Years, which was nice. I really thought we would not see her until spring.

So this New Year thing has me thinking...I can't believe how quickly the time truly passes. I will be 40 this year - I cannot believe it. I'm not sure if I will have a "special" birthday. Part of me thinks that it is just best not to make a big deal out of it. I really don't like parties and would prefer to just have a quiet day to myself. Speaking of parties, Claudia will be 8 on the 13th. Once again, I can't believe it. She is my baby, and it is hard to see her grow up. Maddie just races toward adulthood. She always has wanted to be independent. But Claudia always says she wants to stay little. I guess I am going to miss having them small enough to hold close.

Mmmmmm...marmalade

2008-12-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

The last time I was at Goodwill, I found an old book on preserving. I really love it, if just for the coolness of the typeset and illustrations. But I actually made a recipe from it. The grapefruit marmalade. Oh, my, it is really yummy. I do understand that it doesn't take a genius to make a jelly. You just add sugar and boil. But you feel like you are doing something special because you have to wait 3 days for it to be done. Okay, I cheated and did it in two days. Anyway, I am ready to make somemore. I have jarred up some to take to Christmas Eve at the in-laws. I have also been busy making the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Role recipe. The dough tastes delightful! I will bake those tonight or tomorrow morning.

The presents are wrapped, save for some I need to get boxes for. So I guess I am ready, if I could get over this cold. I'm fine as long as I don't talk at all. My voice left me last night. On a date with JP. How convenient for him!! Okay, I must finish up last minute stuff and get a shower before the girls get home.

Merry Christmas!!

Getting Ready

2008-12-19T14:03:00.000-08:00

This is the ornament I made designed by Alicia Paulson. I have two others, also. Yes, tree is finally up. I've been making goodies for tomorrow. We are having friends over. Unfortunately, Maddie and I have developed a cold, and I just want to crawl in bed. Too much to do. Today Maddie had a performance at school with her show choir group. It was really good. Then I came back home to get some work done, and then went back to the school for the afternoon Christmas parties. Tomorrow morn. we have to be at church for a practice, and then on to the store party. Then back here for more party. Then Sunday is the pageant and I think i am about done.

I've been working on some dolls for the girls for Christmas, and I would post a pic, but I'm afraid they would see it. Everytime Maddie plugs in her MP3 player to the computer it loads all my pics on it! I'm sure there is a way around this, but I have no idea.

The Miracle....maybe

2008-12-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

I just can't seem to get into the Christmas/holiday mood. I thought I was, but then it left. I have Christmas music on, working on Christmas projects, I even made fudge. Maybe I am at an age (on the eve of 40!@!) where it ceases to be fun. I don't know. Maybe when we get a tree it will kick-start me. But even that might be boogered up. JP wants to go to Mt. Zion tree farm this year. YES, it is very convenient, only about 3 miles from our house, but they don't have the kind of tree I like. WAAAAA. I know. It is sad. No one else cares. I just don't want a prickly, unkind tree. But I have to be flexible, right?

I wanted to sing in the cantata at church, I have only gone to one practice. I give up on that. This week is busy with the kids programs at school, and their practices. It just really complicates things when MOM wants to do something. SOO, maybe I'll put on the Messiah, get out my book and serenade everyone. As their punishment. haha.

I have bread in the oven. For the simple reason that we didn't have any bread! So now we don't have any flour. Tomorrow, guys, I promise I will buy food. It's just that sometimes you have to make the choice, buy presents....or buy food....lately I've been doing the present thing. Hopefully I am done. I always feel like I'm sure I've done someone wrong, or something is not fair.

So I am praying for the miracle of Christmas spirit today.

I Am Lazy

2008-11-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

That's all. Just wanted to share. I have been sitting by the fireplace for about 8 hours straight. I did take a break to sleep during the night. I should help in the kitchen, but, well, I'd probably just be in the way. So, I will continue to be lazy and work on a puzzle. This is the life.....

Over the River and Through the Woods...

2008-11-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

Things to take to Paula's:

snow boots
coats
mittens/hats
long johns
slippers
sweatpants
socks
undies
sweaters (2)
t-shirts

crafty stuff i.e. knitting, ornament kits

food i.e. fresh eggs, bread dough, recipe book for rolls, Brussels sprouts,

candle for Paula
music cd's
camera
video camera

Oh, the fun we will have! I have it all planned. Crafts beside the fire. Walks through the woods. Sledding on the snowy hills (please snow!), eating toasted homemade bread with melty butter, and many other sedentary activities that involve me sitting beside the fire. Oh yes, and eating turkey!! I do love turkey. Some people just eat it because you are supposed to, but I really do love it. Especially with gravy....mmmmmmmm.

Then on Friday, perhaps a jaunt into the little town of Purcellville to do some "black Friday" shopping at this awesome gift/drug store. They always have the best ornaments and decorations. Then my sister got some tickets for us to see some live music, bluegrass, I think.

Did I mention the roaring fire? My b-i-l is a superb fire-maker and fire-keeper-upper. When I am here at home I always have to get logs and keep things going. This will truly be a vacation. Plus I get to be with my favorite people. Except I will miss Rachel, who needs to be in Boston.

Bon Voyage!

First Snow Day!!!

2008-11-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

Yippee!! The first snow day. And it is November! I used to love snow days. Now, not so much. I am challenging myself to not be a grump today and try to go with the flow. They had their snow clothes on at 7am. (deep breathe) And now they are raiding the kitchen and wanting hot cocoa and wanting a fire and wanting breakfast, and "hey mom, look at this!" and messing up my kitchen!! But it is fine...I am cool and calm. Despite the fact that I have to clean house and get ready for Maddie's birthday on Wednesday. And I realized that I am out of sugar! I can't believe it. That has never happened. How am I supposed to bake a cake with no sugar? Plus, I don't have cream cheese for the icing. I guess I will wait until this evening when JP can bring me my supplies. In the meantime, there is plenty to do.

We had a nice time when Mom visited. Unfortunately, she left early on account of the snow coming. It is a good thing she did!! Maddie had a class assignment to interview an "older" person. So we (me) decided to video-tape it. I'm so glad we did. I plan to take the camera to Thanksgiving, also. It has been ages since we used the camera. I don't really know why. Life gets hectic, I guess. But we had so much fun looking at old movies, so I'm going to try harder.

It is so pretty outside. Dear God, give me patience to be a good parent today.

Puttering

2008-11-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here at the computer with my daughter's "blankie" wrapped around me because the house is cold. It is 70 outside, so I can't turn on the heat, but I could get a sweatshirt, I guess. I'm taking a break from housework and a semi-failed sewing project. Project was supposed to solve all my gift-giving dilemmas, and not bankrupt me for Christmas. Maybe I can get it to work. I love the IDEA of giving handmade gifts, but it takes so much time!!@ I guess that is the point...

I have started getting gorgeous green eggs. I've gotten 3 so far. I haven't eaten one yet, they are kind of small, so I am saving them up for the weekend. It is so satisfying to get an egg out of a nest. I am a city girl, never done that before! It is so thrilling. The girls have taken to arguing about who gets to actually pull the egg out. They can find ANYTHING to fight about.

The election is over, thank goodness. I am pleased with the results, and feel excited about the potential of our new president. I know not everyone agrees, but hopefully everyone can understand what a HUGE deal for our country this is. Okay, I'll shut up...

Now if only I could figure out what's for dinner. It seems that if I do a few big jobs in a day, I have no energy to cook in the evening. I'd better pull something out of the freezer, though. The kids will be home soon, and then it is hard to concentrate on anything besides homework.

Does anyone need a dog?

Courtney

EGG!!!!!

2008-10-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

It finally happened! An egg appeared! Like magic!! Okay, I realize it is very small, so it came from one of the bantam girls. I am so proud of her.

Plus, we carved pumkins. Can you figure out which one carved which?

It's been in the 40's for the past couple days, but is supposed to be in the 60's by the weekend. How is a person supposed to plan her wardrobe? Oh right, I only wear jeans and tee-shirts.

So what do you think I should do with this little, perfect egg? Perhaps an appetizer omelet for four.

Last Rose of Summer

2008-10-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

This rose isn't even one of my favorites. It is a generic rose, but it always puts out one last bloom in a shocking pink color. I really prefer the softer blushes and creams, but it always makes me happy to see this one flower every fall. The deer have discovered my perennial border, so all my other flowers did not do well. I was so excited about my anemones, they only start blooming in September, but the deer ate all but maybe two of those. Plus, the deer ate all the leaves off my sedum. Left the flowers, but ate the succulent leaves. So the plants look really strange.

Tomorrow is Children's Sabbath at church. Maddie is singing a solo "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", otherwise known as the "Coke song". She picked it out from a very groovy songbook from the seventies called Getting It Together. My mom plays this song on the autoharp, which is why I think she picked it. I tried to get Mom to come and accompany her, but no dice. Anyway, I am going to church tonight to inflate tons of balloons with helium to fill the sanctuary. It should actually be fun.

I spent a day this week working on the mosaic around our fireplace. It has only been bare for about 9 years. THIS IS THE YEAR....I WILL complete some projects!!!! I'm also TRYING to finish my rug-hooking, so I can post a picture here and then start my Christmas sewing. In my mind, this will be the ULTIMATE hand-made thrifty Christmas, with meaningful gifts, aside from the Nintendo DS that my daughter wants. I am normally anti-technology, but she has wanted this for Christmas for 6 months or more. Plus she wants the "Cookin' Mama" game. All she wants...Now for Maddie, I have no ideas. She is a reader, so probably lots of books. And probably art supplies. She did mention she wanted "real" drawing pencils. I am getting in a Christmas mood. Don't tell my husband, but on my weekend at Paula's we...listened...to...CHRISTMAS MUSIC. I highly recommend Patty Loveless' album, can't remember the title. She has such a pure, sincere voice. Now I have the idea to make a list of Christmas music recommendations. I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the field, have been collecting Xmas music since junior high. Actually, sister Rachel is probably the high-priestess of Xmas music. By the way, my pastor told me that using "Xmas" is not neccessarily a bad thing. In Greek, the "X" stands for Christ. So I refuse to feel guilty for abbreviating it any longer. gulp. right?

The reason for such a long entry is because my kids are not here!! They spent the night with a friend so JP and I could go on a double date with some friends. What a quiet, peaceful Saturday morning. Except for the mess they made yesterday when we had friends over. don't even get me started...Why is there SUGAR all over the counters? Why is there popcorn all over the floor? Paper everywhere? Crayons in the couch? Glitter on the dining table?

Time to go hooking...a rug, that is.

Are We Going Downtown?????

2008-09-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I've done it now. We had a small car accident last night. I rear-ended a pick-up truck (with a tow hitch) and busted my fender and headlight. I have noone to blame but myself. I feel like a turd. I had the girls with me, and they were pretty freaked out. Especially when the police came. And then a K-9 unit stopped as well. ?????? I don't know. But the dog was barking his head off. Maddie was panicked, and at one point she said, "are they taking us downtown?"!! We watch too much 70's tv. So I am upset with myself, kicking myself, thrashing myself. It's not like we don't have enough bills right now. JP is out of town, so I had to call him and tell him. He took it pretty well. I wish I could take it as well.....

2008-09-24T06:03:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of the garden taken last week. Also, one of Sugar Daddy looking over my shoulder.

Soooo....money is REALLY tight for all of us. I'm trying to be as frugal as possible. I got on this website that gives you tips and advice, but I was already doing most of that stuff anyway!! How much more frugal can I be? I do not buy magazines anymore, or makeup, or clothes, or anything fun. I don't even go to Goodwill to buy - they are too expensive!! Even the Penny Pincher thrift store in town has raised their prices.

I'm starting to panic for Christmas.

I'm tired of this...so I will now switch to positive mode.

Yesterday I canned 6 jars of tomatillo salsa. It is really tasty on top of chicken and cheese enchiladas. I also made some borscht. I had roasted some beets last summer and then froze them to see how they would do. They did great! Retained their shape and flavor. I love this borscht soup that I make out of my Soup Cookbook. It has beets, carrots, cabbage, onion, garlic, and tomato. All in a chicken broth. I make some latkes to go with. My kids eat it up, I think because the beets turn everything a pretty pinkish-red, and they can't tell what all is in it. They super-love the latkes, which are just grated potato, a little flour, salt and pepper fried in a little oil, then kept warm in the oven. YUMMY. I pretty much cooked all day. But I did go to the garden and plant some lettuce and broccoli raab, just to see it it would do anything. I also planted some in my boxes, so if it gets too cold I can bring them inside.

Today is my one day out of the week. I need to grocery shop, take in recycling, drop off stuff for Goodwill. So, I better get started.....

Fashionistas

2008-09-17T05:30:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when you let your kids use your camera. Yeah, and they use up about 50 pictures!!

Who's Your Daddy??

2008-09-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Sugar Daddy, that's who! Don't know if I told you, but our chicken Sugar Baby turned out to be a Sugar Daddy. This is him with another boy (no name yet)basking in the sun. There can be tons of trouble if you have more than one roo, so Sugar is probably going to stay, iffuns he don't get sassy!! Don't ask me what I'll do with all the bantam roos, they are so cute.

Coop Progress

2008-09-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

The weekend was a relative success. We all managed to go to church and get some work done around the house. The chicken house, that is. I am posting some "in progress" pics. I am going to stain or paint the outside of it for now. I would like to put cedar shakes on it, but can't afford that now. So, I get to pick out a color for paint. I LOVE THAT!! I was thinking....green? What a shocker, yes my house is green and anything I can get my hands on turns green, including my piano. But I just love it, so green it will be. I want to go to Ace hardware and check out the B.M. historic colors. They have great colors. I love colors. Rainbows and ponies.....hmmmmm.

So, I also like chocolate. The dark chocolate box mix brownies by Giant Eagle. Yes, yes, I know it is loaded with chemicals. But I love it. Oh yes, and I love no-bake cookies, the kind with oats and peanut butter and CHOCOLATE. Plus, I love pumpkin cookies and banana bread with chocolate chips. I made a terrific recipe I got from Alicia Paulson's blog of her version of Nigella's b. bread. Oh my, we ate a loaf and a half in one evening. For real.

So I have decided no more paper napkins. So I sewed up some really easy fabric squares out of fabric I already had - just zig-zagged the edges. I have told everyone they get one per day. Does that sound gross? Well, if we have company I promise I will have clean napkins. My next quest is the paper towels. Of course, I already try not to use them. I have quite a rag-bag collected, but sometimes you just want to wipe up something gross (dog puke) and throw it away and never think of it again. I just can't stand myself being so green...geez I am really terrific. haaa. Seriously, I don't feel like I've had to change all that much. My mother was the original green earth mama. She always composted (neighbors thought she was a weirdo) and saved everything for multiple uses. She still has glass mayo jars from 1976 that stores leftovers. Just kind of kidding on that one. She is my model for living simply, and that kinda annoyed me when I was growing up. But now I appreciate it, in fact try to emulate her. She is my hero!!

What's Up, Doc?

2008-09-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. You thought I was dead..but I'm not. I have just been so uninspired to write about my life. How many times can I say "I hate summer vacation" or "I can't wait for school to start"? Well, summer vacation is over and life can resume as normal, or not. It makes be feel bad that I like being by myself so much. I think I must be very selfish or something. I just love it when everyone is gone for the day and I can get my stuff done. It is the only time I can think! But to update on what is happening: Maddie started 5th grade and is completely stressed by the new responsibilities being required of her. Claudia is in 2nd grade and loving it. I have been cutting and laying tile in our screened-in porch. I need to grout (maybe today?). JP had his big truck show and it was a success. I have a strange rash that I thought was poison ivy, but I'm not so sure now. I have been rug-hooking in an attempt to finish that project, plus I am knitting on a wrap that Mom got me started on. You know, a row here and there. The musical "One Bad Apple" was fun and a great diversion from my summer activities. The chickens are now almost 12 weeks old, and I have a lot of roosters!! They love to start crowing at 5am. We lost crooked beak chicken. Okay, I might have had something to do with that. And Genevieve, the chicken Megan named, mysteriously disappeared. Truly. No sign of her since. I have some pictures to post, but honestly, it takes forever to upload them. I am considering doing away with the land line and using cell phones only. Then getting satellite for the computer. The money would probably equal out in the end. So, stay posted for more pics and what-have-you!!! (honestly!!)

Dial-up is stupid

2008-07-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much trouble getting and staying online because of crappy dial-up. I know, I should pay the million dollars and get satellite or some new-fangled technology. It just hurts me to think about it. So, I have to gripe occasionally about my misfortune and then move on. Moving on..

Maddie is going on a NEW YORK ADVENTURE with my sister, Paula. They leave tomorrow on the train and will come back Sunday. Paula has is all planned out. They are going to Statue of Liberty, China Town, The LION KING (I am sooooo jealous), Empire State Building, Tavern on the Green, American Girl store, Toys R Us, and many other places. This is such a big deal for Maddie!! Although Paula seems pretty excited, too.

And am I nervous or worried??!!?? Sort of!!!!!!!

Chickens love Japanese Beetles!

2008-07-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true! I have the chickens outside in a modified, screened cagey thing. When they find a beetle, they go berserk, holding it in their mouths and running willy-nilly all over, all the while peeping crazily!! Of course, all the chickens follow and try to steal the beetle. In my opinion, if the dumb chicken would just act nonchalant, then NOBODY would even know she had something. HA HA. At any rate, they are getting big, so here are some pictures!

CRAZY

2008-06-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

We have had Bible School this week, and I can't believe how stressed I get about it. I am the craft lady, so this means I have to prepare crafts for about 50 kids. Help me!! Tonight is the last night, thank goodness.....I haven't seen my husband for 2 weeks. It is pathetic. Tomorrow Rachel is coming for a visit. Hopefully we'll find time to talk and bond. Chicks are 2 weeks now and moved into a bigger brooder on the front porch. We lost the tiniest one. It just wasn't growing and thriving. Now we have a little cockerel with a crooked beak. ?????? This is actually kind of common. The poor guy may not make it. It makes it difficult for them to eat. I'll get some pics if I can. Chicks like it when I pick grass and put it in for them to peck at. I'm sorta worried about leaving them for our "vacation" over July 4. We have a neighbor who will hopefully keep an eye on them. We are going to Paula's for the weekend, and then will stay for the week and do day trips (zoo?) and maybe to the beach for a couple days. Oh, and the duck is still around and peeping outside the window when he/she is hungry. Oh, and someone dumped a load of kitties off on our road. So now we feed: 3 dogs, 6 cats, 26 chickens, 1 duck, 3 sheep. AND Maddie wants a lizard. Seriously, how did this happen??????

Pics of Chicks????

2008-06-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

Chicks Have Arrived

2008-06-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

We got a call at 8am on Sunday morning from the post office - The Chicks have Arrived!! Of course, I was not prepared, so I rushed getting things ready. I made a brooder from a Rubbermaid box. The instructions were in a chicken book I have. So, they made the trip and all 25 are well. I'm not sure how long they will stay in this box though. They grow pretty fast. I'm including some pictures, but they aren't very good. One of the chicks has a "puff-ball" on his head. His name is Gonzo. The bantam chicks are half the size of the others. So cute!!

We've been very busy with Maddie's play. She has a couple days off, and then more performances this weekend. Mom is coming on Thursday, so I'm getting the guest room ready and TRYING to keep the house clean. With the kids here is is a losing battle.

Oh, and we lost a duck, Theodore. He disappeared a couple weeks ago. But Google will stand below the porch and quack when he wants food. Then he goes to the creek to hang out. So, I feel kind of bad for poor Google. Should I get a ducky buddy for him?

Sick Claudia

2008-06-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am home today with a sick child. Claudia has a sore throat, and has thrown-up once. The girls didn't have school today anyway, due to high water, so at least she is not absent from school. But...the boredom!! She hasn't left the couch, except when we had to take Maddie to meet JP. They have had a GREAT day! THEY went antiquing and out to lunch. BLAH... We, on the other hand, have watched 3 movies. It has been pouring, so I can't go outside for anything.

I'm planning to go to Mom's on Friday, providing we are well. My nieces from Utah are visiting, and I haven't seen them for like 2 or 3 years. So Claudia has to get better soon.

Ducks are out by the creek. I hope they don't float away. It is quite high and raging.

The Sun is Out

2008-05-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile. Really, I should have blogged more. It has been rainy and cool for about a week, but now the sun is shining. I have been working on my rug-hooking, and I had some adventures in dyeing wool. It was lots of fun! It took a few tries to get the color I was looking for, but there are no mistakes. You just save the "wrong" color for another project, or "over-dye" it into another color, which is what I did with the day-glo orange color I created. I wanted a more antique color, so I over-dyed with a bronze, which gave it a greenish tint, therefore, deepening the orange color. Then I started hooking the pumpkin part of the rug. I really should take some pics of said rug. It's my first big project with hooking, and maybe I bit off more than I should have!

Yesterday was finally dry enough to garden. I planted out my leek transplants - hundreds!! I am still not done. I am out of space in the bed, so I will scatter some leeks around some rose bushes, I think. I put out tomatoes, but they look quite sickly - they need some sun and heat. Today I plan to put out peppers (sweet banana), do another planting of lettuce, seed some annual flowers throughout. I had to dig up some sedum from the per. border, and then planted in pots (thanks for the inspiration, Paula!). I also need to mow and rake, start cleaning out the future chicken pen and mulch, mulch, mulch.

Maddie has had play practice every night this week. I have enjoyed watching the practices. Pretty soon they will start rehearsals at the Fort. The kids are doing an amazing job. The whole play is choreographed and danced, so Maddie is on stage at all times, as are all the other members. It is a lot of work for them. JP and Claudia have had quality bonding time in the evenings. Last night they went to the parade for the "Three Rivers Festival", and then ate hotdogs.

Get this - tonight JP and I are going on a date!! We celebrated our 14th anniversary on Wednesday. He gave me beautiful earrings. Wow! I was not expecting that. But of course I had to go to the college for practice. Heather L. is having the girls spend the night tonight - it is not very often JP and I go out together. Its really difficult when my mom lives so far away. But I so appreciate it, Heather! We may even see a movie tonight! All this means that I have to get all my "dirty" work done and then cleaned up for the evening.

Okay, I have some pictures. For my sister Rachel, here is a photo of Grandma Sexton's ferns:

I honestly don't know why the photos don't go where I want them to. @@#$&%^$!!!

2008-05-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

Sheep and wool festival was great fun. I have some pictures!! The weather was perfect for us - not too hot and very breezy. I purchased some dyes for my rug I am working on. I need an orange-y kind of rust color for my pumpkin. I am hoping to get it done so I can submit it at Jackson's Mill on Labor Day weekend. Anyway, we had good times at Paula and Joe's, and made it back safely.

Today is Saturday, and it is rainy and cool. I don't mind at all. I love the rain, and it is good for my seeds outside. I planted carrots, more lettuce and kale. The peas are getting about 8 inches tall. Strawberries have tiny green berries on them - need to get netting to protect them, and of course, STRAW!!!!! That really is all I want for Mother's Day. 3 bales of straw!!!

Ducks are growing like mad. I took them outside with me yesterday while I raked the HOLLY LEAVES (see previous posts). I did have to lock the dogs up. They are a little too interested in ducks. Misty duck-sat for me over last weekend, Thank you!! I've decided I will be upset if something eats my ducks. Even though they poop all the time, I do really like them.

JP had his lasik surgery, and all went well!! He can see! Aside from some minor irritation from the procedure, he is doing great.

Okay, I need to get some work done around here, but I am posting some various pics from last weekend and ducks and others.

Good News and Bad News

2008-04-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

The good news is that I did get my chicken coop weeded and the roses planted. The bad news is that it is supposed to freeze tonight! Oh my goodness!! On the way to school this morning it was raining with snow mixed in. I told the kids to enjoy the flowers now, they might not be there in the morning. I guess I will have to protect my roses, but the peas should be okay, as well as the spinach and onions. I'm not sure about my strawberry plants. More good news, the grass is sure growing because of all the rain the past couple of days. Sheep are happy!

Bad news, Claudia has an ear infection, and a bad cough. Plus some itchy bumps all over in random places. I know the kids like to roll down the hill in the grass, so maybe that is the culprit. Anyway, I did send her to school today with some hard candy to soothe her cough,plus some cough meds and her antibiotic.

This weekend is the Sheep and Wool Festival in Maryland. I love this festival. So many things to see and eat. The sheep dog demos are really interesting, and the sheep are so cute. Even if it rains I suppose it will still be fun, at least it won't be so hot like it has in the past. I really must get my camera batteries for sure.

If my brother reads this, I need advice on a digital camera. I need one that has a considerable zoom, and good print qualities. I would love an SLR, but I think it is out of my price range. It is not urgent, of course, but I love experimenting with photos, and my current camera is pretty limited. I bought a tripod at a second-hand store, and it helps.

Temp. is 42 and rainy. Good duck weather. Too bad they are still in my bathtub.

Cheap Roses

2008-04-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

My camera's batteries died, so I can't take pictures. I really meant to get those yesterday when I was at (bleh) Walmart. Forgot...but I did get some climbing roses for really cheap on clearance, so my dream of having a romantic chicken coop is becoming a reality. I just have to weed the area - ha!- and plant them. I also want to plant out carrots and leeks and maybe more lettuce today. But I feel so sleepy, or emotionally drained. But I need to re-charge because it is officially the weekend and let the fun begin.

My dilemma: I need to get 3 dogs and 3 cats to the rabies clinic all at the same time, and my girls, also. Last year I took just the dogs, and that was bad enough!! Capone almost bit the technician when she tried to lift his @#@** butt onto the table. He is getting so old. I noticed he limps for awhile after he gets up after a nap. That's a new thing. Clara, the youngest dog, insists on digging a
2 ft. hole to nap in. Any suggestions? And Homer, the co-dependent one just looks at me longingly all day. Ducks are good: eat,poop,eat,poop, etc.

Another beautiful day 80 and sunny. Put on your sunscreen and wear a hat!!

Quack

2008-04-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

The ducks hatched!! They are so adorable (so far), and small and fuzzy. Maddie and Claudia just love to hold them and play with them. The dogs are VERY interested, maybe TOO interested! I have them in a plastic tub in the bathroom with a light on them, container of water and food. I lined the bottom with old towels and rags, to prevent slippage. It's very cozy.

I've been working outside this morning. Working some raised beds to plant beets and kale. The sheep are out grazing, and all I have going through my head is "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach?? Anyway, I'm trying to train Claradog not to chase them. She's been pretty good at listening to my voice, by she wants to run after them so badly, you can tell. I also weeded some in the border around the future chicken coop. Martha Stewart had/has roses growing around her chickens, and it looks so pretty. I want to copy that look, but in order to do that I must dig out all the weeds. I'm not sure what kind of weed it is, but it is like a rope with all these little plants on it, and the roots go on forever.

On a sad note, Maddie is getting a cavity filled today. We tried to get it done at the regular dentist, but she had a total panic attack. So we are trying it with happy drugs this time. I told her I will sit on her if I have to. She is a bear at the dentist, doctor, or anywhere where she in not in total control. Say a prayer for us both!!

It is heavenly outside: 65 and p/cloudy or p/sunny, depending on your mood!!

Here a Chick, There a Chick, Everywhere a Chick Chick

2008-04-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

Well, we have finally lost it. For JP's birthday he wanted chickens. So I have just ordered 25 baby chicks. I have to say, I am very excited. I ordered all different varieties, Bantams and Large sizes. Now I just have to figure out what to do with them!! They will be delivered on June 16, so that gives me a little time to read up on how to not kill them. So - Happy Birthday to my husband of almost 14 years!!

2008-04-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here are the pics of the baby goats. They really are cute. My friend Misty just got 2 baby goats, also, so I can't wait to see hers. I can't think of the name of the genetically small goats, dwarf? midget? little people goats? for goodness sake...anyway, that's the kind she got. I MIGHT consider a small breed. Maybe they'd be less likely to jump fences. Reminds me of another thing I MUST do. I have to call the lady to shear our sheep. They look so hot. It is 75 outside, and only April 9. I wouldn't want to wear a wool coat today, would you? I don't think I have mentioned the baby rabbits...long story, try to make it short. We had 3 bunnies originally. They grew up, and one died and two escaped. We were under the (mistaken) impression that they were males, but now we have babies in the barn. They are so cute, but I can't catch them. The girls are just out of their minds, they want to hold them so bad. If I could catch them we would put them in the cages again for another go. Then there are also the duck eggs, which are doing fine. They feel heavy, which I think is a good sign. I read that a couple days before they are scheduled to hatch you stop turning them. Maybe this really ticks them off and pushes them to peck out of the egg. Anyway, the due date is April 18, so I will definitely be very busy that day. Just standing. Looking. Waiting.....

I'm trying to finish laying the stone pathway. I'm running out of flat rocks. Need a round rock? We got 'em!! I've been scouring the creek bed and woods for suitable shapes. It doesn't even have to be really "flat". I noticed when I was outside that lots of flying things have hatched and are everywhere. My daughter Maddie will LOVE this. She is petrified of any buzzing sound. I'm always saying "It's only a fly". Well, the carpenter bees are out, and they are BIG. But the good news is that we love to hit them with badminton rackets.

I don't think I completely understand how to import photos to my blog. I'm sure Heather will help me with that....!!

This weekend is JP's birthday, you know what that means!! CLEAN HOUSE!! Yes, the in-laws are coming. I'll just leave it at that.

Mom, Watch Me Jump Rope

2008-04-09T06:11:00.003-07:00

This is Claudia's new skill. We practice A LOT.

It is supposed to rain today, so perhaps I will do inside things. Like nap...

Happy Manure Dance

2008-04-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

The duck eggs seem to be doing fine. You can see little dark dots moving around when you "candle" them, so I assume that they will hatch. Misty said that they will always have a home at her place, so this is good!
It is a Saturday...I don't like them. My kids seem to think that they should be doing really exciting, fun things with all their friends. I think that they should clean their room. In any case, we both want to go to Charlie's and see the baby goats, or kids, I should say. We used to have the females, but Charlie took them and bred them. Maddie's goat, Carol, had some kind of sickness while pregnant, and consequently her babies didn't make it. But the other goat, Ketchup, had 2 (3?) that are doing great. PLUS Charlie has horses, which means MANURE!!!! Yay, do the happy manure dance.

On the garden front, I erected 4 teepees made of the prunings from some over-grown shrubs. I have planted shelling peas around 2, and am going to plant snow peas around the other two. I also planted somemore spinach (the first batch didn't do anything), and planted onion sets. I amended the soil somewhat by adding sand from the creek banks. In my mind there should be lots of good organic matter in the sand,right?

I am going to take pics of the goats, so keep posted. I may even take some manure pictures!!

Last night was family game night in the household. Unfortunately, we played Monopoly. JP always wins. I guess I just don't understand this game. I always feel like a complete idiot by the end of it. I just went to bed, after he took all my money, but Maddie stayed up until 11 playing. We need some new games....We also played "Guess Who?" and that was fun. Before games we took a hike to the BIG ROCK and the kids found some grapevine to climb and swing from. I sometimes forget that there is more to explore and do...I seem to hole-up in the house and surrounding garden so much. But it is really cool out there. EXCEPT for the LITTER. I just don't understand why fisherpeople would throw junk and garbage out in nature. Aren't they trying to enjoy the beauty of the earth? For the beauty of the earth....lalalala. We found cigarette butts and nightcrawler containers, and some daffodils that they picked and just threw on the ground. WHY? It gets me so wound up. I want to print out flyers and put them all around, but I wonder if that would make it worse.

Anyway, I am taking a deep breath and doing my Happy Manure Dance once again.

Quack quack

2008-03-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

My newest venture is hatching two duck eggs that were found at my friend Misty's house. They are in a styrofoam incubator that regulates the temperature, although I don't think it does a good job. I tried candling them last night to see if anything was happening, but I couldn't tell much. If this works it will be a miracle! And then of course I will have 2 ducks to deal with. I haven't thought that far ahead, but Misty LOVES ducks....

My dear friend Heather let me dig up tons of strawberries at her house, so I transplanted them 2 days ago. I have read that the first year you should pinch off all the flowers so that the root systems can really get going. I don't know if I can do this. I have enough trouble thinning out seedlings. I feel like a murderer. And the thought of juicy strawberries ... yummmmmmm.

I have added some photos, just to see if it works. In one of them, it is my shed that I want to put a greenhouse coming off the front. It will be fabulous!

Today it will be sunny but on the cool side, 40's and 50's, so I think I will plant out my onion sets ( I know - I am late doing this!!) I also want to seed more spinach. My last attempt did nothing. The "soil" in my raised beds is really poor. It was free stuff from my husband's store when they were excavating. Very clay and poorly drained. So I hauled some sand from the creek edge and mixed it in one area, just to see what would happen. It at least LOOKS better. But I have lots of soil improvements ahead of me.

My kids are bugging me for french toast, so I must go be a slave to the masses. That's okay, I like it too!!

Blew a Fuse, or something.....

2008-03-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

It is late, for me at least. That would be 10:51 pm. I am such a baby. Geez..but I was trying to watch this movie I got from Netflix called "La Vie en Rose", but it just skipped like crazy. So I came here to complain to Netflix so they can send me a new one. I was really getting into it, too...
Well, I was trying to plug in another grow-light and I blew the whole operation. Must be too much wattage, or a bad light, according to JP. I am really bummed. I may have to move everything to a new locale where it won't blow a breaker, which entails me moving 10 thousand other things..Deep breathe in, blow it out...

Plants are coming along nicely, though. I seeded some lettuce and I'm going to plant it in the garden in really obsessive-compulsive ways. Very neat, orderly rows.

Spring break is almost over - I thought it would never end!! I love my girls like crazy, but keeping them entertained has worn me out. On the plus side, we have a 3 foot volcano that looks like a pile of "poo" (Maddie said that). But I think it will be really cool when it is painted more colors than just brown. PLUS we are putting actual "ash" on it. PLUS some moss. I should take a picture of this artwork.

Proof of my Ineptness???

2008-03-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

I'm having one of those days. Everything gets on my nerves, and I can't stand to be with myself. Sometimes I just need total silence, and even that does not please me.

I've been reading Ekhart Tollie's book recently about finding your purpose in life. So far we have discussed the ego endlessly, and I still have trouble comprehending it completely. Sometimes I have a glimmer of understanding, and then it goes away. But I am trying to be conscious of what life is trying to tell me. I am constantly trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing, and if I am already doing it. Or am I missing some divine sign about life's meaning, and I'm just too dense to get it? I feel tons of guilt about staying home, and why do I get to do this and other people have to work 10 hours a day and have long commutes and complicated lives. My life is really simple compared to all that. These are the things on my mind now-a-days. I will be 40 next year and I feel like I have not much to show for it. MIDLIFE CRISIS.

So, on the seed front, my basil peeped through, as did one little parsley. I sowed some Johnny-jump-ups and some coleus. It is pretty obsessive. Everytime I go to the loo I have to check the progress of my seeds, and I go to the loo a lot. I drink a glass of water every 1/2 hour!! We had a few days of warm nice springy weather, but now it is cold and rainy. I try not to get to excited, it is the middle of March for peep's sake!! I predict a snow storm for Easter. I won't be dissappointed if it does. I say that now......

I am going to up load some photos now. also, I might change over my blog to wordpress, because you can get your stuff bound into a book. I know this because I read Rebecca's blog about it. It sounds really cool.

On a funny note, while I was trying to organize some photos on the computer, I was finding all these photos that my daughter took of her Calico Critters in different scenarios. It was really cute.

Okay, I really tried to upload my photos, but they did not want to right now. Maybe tomorrow. Later!!!!

Birdy, birdy in the sky, Why'd you do that on my.....

2008-03-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

The leeks are up!! At least some of them are. I can't figure it out. I believe I planted them all the same, but some haven't sprouted. Hmmm. I also started basil (sweet and spicy globe), cilantro and flat parsley. I want to start some curly parsley also, I think it looks so pretty in flower boxes mixed with other things. I also am trying to root a rose bush. Should be a learning experience. "Fair Bianca" is the name of the rose, and I am not sure if it is grafted onto another species or not. Who knows what I could be growing.

The grow area I have set up is 36" wide by 24" deep and I am not sure how tall. taller than me, at least. I positioned it in front of the bathroom window, so there is a blue-ish glow coming from the room. JP is concerned that people will think we are propagating illegal substances. I am not worried. If they come knocking, I will show my goods.

We had a busy weekend. Maddie is involved in a group called "Destination Imagination", and she had a competition on Saturday. Sunday we skipped church - my bad - and slept in. My sister Paula was visiting, so maybe that is a good-enough excuse. We joined up with the Gibson's and went to the MHS production of "High School Musical". I was impressed! It was enjoyable and the kids liked it. We then invaded the Gibson's to watch "Extreme Home Makeover". It is so strange to see local stuff on a national tv show. Then home and to bed. Today is a quiet day for me, so far, as everyone is back to school and work. I did work out, which felt good, but now I have "rubber leg syndrome". And then I ate cookies. Hey - the sooner they are gone, the sooner I can proceed to my healthy eating plan!!

There is a bird that flogs itself ALL DAY LONG against my mud room window. Maybe it is mating season? Maybe it is fighting with itself? Maybe it just wants to poop all over the windows, I do not know. But it does bring back memories of a certain song and all the creative verses that can be made...(Birdy, birdy in the tree, Why'd you do that on my Knee? On the line, in my wine? In the bush, on my tush? Do you remember that HILARIOUS song???!!!)

Another thing I've been looking at online is bathing suit patterns. I can never find a suit that I feel totally comfortable in. What I want is a 50's style 2-piece, boy-short bottoms with a halter top that extends down over the torso. It would be so cute in a gingham pattern. I am not that good a seamstress, though, and can see myself struggling with the fitting part. I will have to get my loverly sister Rachel to help me!! Hint hint, come visit soon.

I need to download some more pics of the garden. Maybe tomorrow.....

Poetic musings on a holly tree

2008-03-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

I have officially begun my seed starting madness. I only have one flat of leeks so far, but have oh-so-many plans. The weekend and Monday was really beautiful, so I took advantage and pruned everything in my path. Hopefully the hydrangeas will still flower!! I just couldn't stop myself, all the while thinking, "is this the kind you prune in spring or fall?". I have many battle scars to prove the roses are done. All the brush is in a pile waiting to be burned. I saved a bit of a rose to try and propagate. I have never done roses, and the name of this one is alluding me right now. It was lovely to be outside, though. But while I'm working I am making a long mental list of things to do. Move this plant there, build a greenhouse there, expand the veg garden this way, dig holes for apple trees, get straw, plant grass, rake debris, edge beds, divide plants, on and on. And then I think "Why do I do this to myself? Why does ANYONE do this? It is tortureous, yet I cannot stop!!". Isn't that the way addictions work?

So this is a photo of the garden in the winter. I'm not sure the exact date, but it was in January. I took some photos last week that I will post later. The fenced in area in the background is the veg garden that I want to expand. I would LOVE to have a fruit patch. Now I have a corner inside the fence with raspberries (which I also pruned yesterday - ouch!), but they tend to grow into everything else.

I am keeping watch on the Lenten Roses, they have huge buds. I have lots of self-seeded tiny babies that I will pot up and perhaps plant under the dreaded holly tree. UGGGHH-- now that I mentioned it :

MY HATRED OF THE HOLLY TREE - Oh, how I hate you, horrendous holly tree. You are a confused freak of nature, the rock in my shoe. Your twisted, knarled branches drop spikey, sharp leaves that litter my lawn like so many yellow-colored spinefish. Poison spews forth from the suckers sent up that try to live!! HA! HA! I cut them down to the ground and spit on the remains.

So poetic, don't you think? Obviously, I have a problem with this tree. Just when I am ready to work in the perennial bed and do fun relaxing spring things, it drops its leaves everywhere,over weeks and weeks. And who rakes all these leaves so that we can have a nice green lawn?? ME of course, me. Husband likes this stupid tree because it is BIG. Big deal, I say. Then you rake. He won't, of course. enough for now. I will keep you posted on the comings and goings of this wart of a tree.

Weather: rainy, cloudy

Temp: 52 F

To Do...

2008-02-19T05:19:00.001-08:00

We are home after a little R & R at my sisters. Back to reality....

I need to pick up the house and do laundry (the usual) but I also want to set up my seed-starting station today. I am going to put it in the bathroom this time. I thought the warm moist environment would be good.

First to start would be:

leeks, onions, basil and parsley, some annual flowers.

I think I will wait longer to start my tomatoes and peppers this time. It would help if I actually used a calendar and counted back from the frost date to determine this information. In fact, maybe I'll pick up a calendar today when I go into town.

I have so many half-done projects and projects in the wings right now. The promise of spring is giving me some motivation. Yesterday at my sister's in Virginia it was 72 and when we got back to Fairmont it was 32. A 40 degree drop!! Geez -

Am making mental list of things to do and things to buy.

Wake up ding dong!!

2008-02-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

I am starting to get the "itch". The bug..the fever....of the gardening season. I have been thinking of putting up my starting lights and washing all of my equipment. It is the beginning of a new chapter in the year. I've been hybernating for months, and it is time to wake up.

I want to make a list of seeds to get.

pumpkins - white and orange

greens - kale and collards

spinach

lettuce

flowers ?? Not sure what kinds yet. Probably zinnias, sunflowers, annuals

tomatoes - it is so hard to choose. Hmmm.....I like brandywine and plums, and the strange yellow and green ones

peppers - I loved the bananas and poblanos

I am also so excited about my garlic I planted in the fall. I am usually DONE when fall comes. I'm ready to build a fire and nap, and even though I know I SHOULD be planting daffodils and other bulbs, I just poop out. BUT NO!!! I did plant garlic, and I can't wait to see what happens. Of course, I am now regretting not planting the beautiful daffodils. But I can enjoy other people's flowers. boo hoo.

So I want to take pics and post them as the season progresses. If I can figure out how to do this. I am so challenged. I am only almost 39, but I swear, if you do not use it you lose it. I used to be able to do all kinds of fancy stuff. On the computer that is.

Also - I wanted to document my favorite Avery's latest antics: She had her Wed. night church group pray for me, more specifically, "for my snotty nose and diarheas". Well then...I have not had any diarhea for 2 days now!! Now if only I could spell diarhea. So sad.

A long time

2008-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I wrote anything. I am trying to find time to sit and do some sketching for some designs for punch-needle. I am thinking a little bag of some sort with a floral motif.

2007-07-31T14:50:00.001-07:00

I am so new at this

2007-07-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a new experience for me. I'm hoping it will expand my horizons... I want to learn to put photos on here so I can document my garden, oh yeah, and my KIDS. But before I do all that, I have to shower (with the stinky dog) and get dinner ready before my family comes home. This day has been relatively lazy for me (don't worry - the guilt has already settled in) so I need to do something besides watch a movie - - right?