HAPPY ACRES

Thump thump Thump thump

2010-01-07T08:02:00.000-05:00

“Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat.”

Heart or heartbeats have been on our minds alot recently. The man and I celebrated our second anniversary and he still makes my heartbeat faster, which is a good thing. However when the man's started beating wildly and he ended up in the hospital last month, we set to getting him set up with a regimen of doctor appointments. He is just tickled pink about this!!! Monday was his first appointment and so far he is the picture of perfect health. He has an appointment on the 14th where they will schedule him another and then if everything is okay he is free until next year.

Another thing that has us thinking of our heart is our WiiMii. #2 daughter got Wii for Christmas. She also received the Wii Fit. On Wii Fit you set up a WiiMii (animated person that you design to look like you). Now the WiiMii's all start out thin. After entering your height, age and doing a few excercises it weighs you. This will give you your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is the scary part as your WiiMii grows or shrinks with this info. Suffice it to say mine grew....sideways. Using this info and doing somemore balance testing you get your Wii Age. I was scared because I sometimes feel real real old. Oddly enough I came out 8 years younger than I really am! I made #2 daughter come witness that little tidbit as they all came out older than their actual age. Yeah Mii!

Not to be over confident (and to take my Mii down to a more svelte Mii) I started some basic strength training and yoga. At first I thought this was slightly boring so I raised the reps a little and kicked my own ass. This morning, I squated down to put wood in the stove and my legs screamed. I guess the lunges actually were working! Now to just keep it up. I may not want to go back to being 20 but I wouldn't mind feeling like I was.

#1 daughter bought #2 daughter the first of the Vampire Academy books. #2 fell in love with the characters and with another gift (Border's card) bought the rest of the books that are available. I, of course, had to read them and have to agree her, they are better than the Twilight books. Poor Rose had her heart broken. And now I have to read #2 son's books, the Shadow Children series which will probably tug at my heart more so than the vampire books.

And then hearts started being crocheted.

I saw these and saved the pattern for "later"...sometimes "later" never comes but this time it did. Being in the duldroms somewhat in the knitting department and wanting to work with something other than gray wool, I sat down with some leftover yarn and started crocheting. They are a quick, mindless crochet and just what I need right now. Once I get bored doing them I will send them to #1 as I doubt she has many Valentine's decorations.

But now I have to go warm the cockeles of my chickens hearts and bring them their morning treat....bread soaked in warm milk. They love it and I love their eggs. Win win situation.

Cold Gray January

2010-01-04T11:34:00.003-05:00

"I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood." - Bill Watterson

I am not savoring a bad mood, but the cold, gray is making me savor the heat from the woodstove. When we were designing the house I said my spot would be right by the woodstove. My chair sits in a corner with windows on both walls so I have awesome views. Sometimes it gets obnoxiously hot there and I am forced to grabbed whatever I am working on and move to a less scorching area. But when the high temps are only in the teens, there is no place like my chair.

I sat there yesterday while the menfolk (the man, sons 1 & 2, brother and nephew) were trying to act like a bunch of neanderthols and stood out on the ice in 20-30 mph winds in 16 degree temps trying to get a fish to eat a worm. Of course when I got up to finish dinner they had no problem jumping in to my chair.

Now less my sitting sounds lazy I must defend myself and say that things get accomplished while I am ensconsed in my chair. For instance, since the new year more of that beautiful gray wool was spun. When the kids left for the bus this morning, I finished carding up what I had washed so I am ready to spin some more.

I have also managed to knit a pair of socks for a friend whom, if you ask her, has waited eons for me to make her another pair. She is trying to stop smoking so I decided she deserved a treat and I knit her up a pair of socks. She likes heavy socks to walk around her house in so I made her a pair from Patons Merino with #5 needles, easy one day socks.

While I was talking to #1 daughter and telling her I was making that pair of socks, she informed me her (aka a pair she requested be made for a friend and then decided to keep for herself) socks accidently went thru the washer and dryer and now sat lower than no-see-ums. HINT, HINT, HINT. So I just finished making her a pair of socks....I used some more Patons Merinos because #1 likes to keep her house cool so will appreciate the thickness of the socks. They will be sent out today when the man gets home.

But now I think I have to grab something brighter to work on as the grayness is getting to be too much. Oh wait, #1 daughter requested a pink hat, scarf and gloves...imagine that.

Happy 2010

2010-01-01T20:25:00.003-05:00

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The past year was extremely rough losing my mom and then my uncle. The holidays loomed, our goal was to just get through them and to make them as good as holidays past. Thanksgiving went fairly well and then Christmas Eve day I was informed of the loss of my cousin and getting through just got harder. But we perservered and the holidays were professed to have been one of the best and that things just seemed "right". I think it was because we took the time to appreciate each other and we were more intuned to each other - less of the flippant remarks which can unknowingly sting even when they weren't meant too.

And now a new year has been set before us, plenty of opportunity for us to continue to grow closer and to put more meaning into everything we do.

Because we didn't make it until the ball dropped, the New Year started fairly early. I was up, had coffee, then started carding, spinning and then knitting a friend a pair of socks. After the chores were done, the man and I left the kids at home and went out to breakfast...something that is basically unheard of for us. Upon our return, #2 daughter and I spent the day dismantling and storing Christmas until the end of the year. The man worked on organizing the basement and #2 son hauled some firewood. Friends came for dinner and took #2 daughter home with them.

#1 son called to say hello and talk me into letting #2 son go on Xbox so they could play together. When they got on line, Sir T was on also and the three of them spent time playing video games.

A pretty boring beginning to the first chapter in our book but it was time spent together. I can only hope the rest of the year follows suit.

Another Year Coming To An End

2009-12-31T08:41:00.005-05:00

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” ~ Hal Borland

That quote made me laugh because a friend and I were just discussing going back to age 20. I said never and she said with everything she knows now. You don't need to be 20 to go back and turn things around you can do it whenever. Now, my wisdom/ experience tells me I am no good at keeping resolutions. The last one that I can honestly say I stuck to was when I quit smoking ten years ago. So I just hope to do things differently in the new year but without the angst and guilt of a formal declaration.

And as a smooth transition....here is something I do feel guilty about....I bought a fleece at Rhinebeck. I was walking thru a building when an open bag with a fleece in it landed on a table to my left at the Wild Apple Hill Farm Ltd (no website but they are from Hudson, NY) site. I turned and looked to see what they were putting out and the clouds parted, the sun shone down and the angels sang. (I can't understand how nobody else saw this) However, I came to a halt, which if you have been to Rhinebeck you know caused a ten person pile up behind me. But I didn't hear the cursing and swearing, although I do remember an elbow to my back, I was admiring this Shetland fleece. Now I ~~love~~ LOVE a gray, grey, light gray, medium gray, dark gray, or in Shetland terms Emsket or Shaela fleeece and there it sat. Without really looking at it other than color, I bought it. I came home and comandeered the mans attention to see what his hard earned money bought. As a fine specimen of an enabler he was dually pleased with the fleece and my reaction to it. Then I stuck it in a tote with some lavender and walked away. WALKED AWAY! WTF was I thinking.

I returned to that tote the other day, months after I should have shown it some appreciation. I pulled it out and started seperating locks so I could wash them. Look at all the loveliness.

And all I can say is I have never, never, never (x10) had a fleece so incredibly free of VM. It is almost non-existent to the point that they must have raised them on air and swinging from harneses. There were a couple of tiny pieces of secondcut which caused a nub when spinning but was easily pulled out. I washed/dried some and ran it threw the carder. Shetlands can be double coated and this one is. I had decided to keep the two coats together because I like the color/tweediness of it. The longer fibers wrapped around the softer shorter fibers, making it less elastic and not as soft. More experienced spinners would know that, I didn't think it would be as noticeable as it is.

I have seperated some and what an incredible difference between the two even before washing.

I am was thinking the kids would love nothing better than to sit and seperate but I was offered the use of combs which I am going to take advantage of and let the kids off the hook! So the rest of the fleece will be lighter but oh so much softer. Right now I am just enjoying being back behind the wheel.

And now that I have confessed and have made amends to the fleece, I have to go clean my house. My daughter just reminded me of the old superstition that "if the house isn't spotless by midnight, it'll be dirty all next year" and I don't need that.

But then again maybe I can use that....the man comes home from work and the house is a mess, I tell him I tried to clean it but it wouldn't come clean because I didn't have it clean on New Year's Eve and he will have to wait a year for it to be absolutely clean again. Now I confess I get away with alot but I don't think even he has that much patience!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~Now go clean your house!

Christmas Hangover

2009-12-28T10:27:00.005-05:00

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~From the movie Annie

After all the presents were open and food inhaled, #1 son and his gf went home late Saturday evening. #1 daughter and Sir T left for their home yesterday. Sir T, #1 son and the man have returned to work today. After such a whorlwind of activities leading up to Christmas, it is so quiet now. Part of me embraces that quiet as I get more done and I am slightly saner. The other part wants to run from it, call them all back, and languish in the noise and mass confusion that is our family. It all went too fast eventhough we made it a two day affair. It is a different feeling you get being together at Christmas that isn't there the rest of the year. Similar to the difference between being covered with an afghan vs. being engulfed in one and being so warm you are drowsy from it. Now I have to wait 363 more days.

But it was a wonderful Christmas. The kids got spoiled and were all happy with their gifts. And now I can show what I was working on that was giving me fits....

nereid fingerless mitts for #1 daughter. When I finally read (!) the instructions, things worked just like they were suppose to work and they moved merrily along. Then the week of Christmas she calls me up and tells me she doesn't wear hats and is there any way I can make her something to cover her ears with the same yarn I made her gloves from last year. I tell her to go on to Ravelry and pick something out and she picked out the braided ear warmer.

Luckily I did have more yarn, but it was thinner then recommended so the ear warmer was no where near as wide as their's but it is wide enough to cover #1's ears.

Now it is a known fact that my family spoils me and I love it! Oh come on, who wouldn't?! I got so many exellent gifts I don't know where to start so I will start with the oldest which came two weeks ago when #1 son called and said to meet him at the barn in 20 minutes. He and his gf bought me a 9 month old ram.

He heard me say I was thinking of locating a ram to do the deed with my ladies. My ladies are all Finn. #1 son has a friend that has animals and he asked him to find him a ram. The friend knew people with sheep and called son up and said he found a ram.

#1 son was told it is a Finn/Romney cross, but it cannot be because neither of those breeds have horns and Jonathon Rambo does. He maybe part Finn/Romney but there is something more mixed in there. But he is beautiful and when allowed to finally go out with the ladies went right to "work." His fiber is as soft as, if not softer than my finn, with approximately the same crimp and luster. Other things to note..he is a short tail breed. Like the Romney his hooves are black but unlike them his nose is pink. He has no hair on the poll but has some on his cheeks and forehead unlike my Finn. He has no hair on his legs like my Finn. It was said he was a bottle baby and he is very friendly and well behaved. Bozo knows he can't do the "job" so was not upset taking a back seat. #1 Son doesn't know it yet, but he will be helping to put up new fences in March/April...When is Mother's Day as that would be a great gift!? Then again, maybe the rolls of fencing did give him a clue.

But on to my other gifts....did I ever tell you how much I love Christmas! I got a Cuisanart coffee pot, pj's, lottery tickets, wireless router, 6.5 quart enamel lined dutch oven, stainless steel teapot, slippers and after years (and I do mean years and years of asking) I got pictures of my kids together. While I was gone one day, they dressed up and took pictures. Some have just the four of them, others have my four with the b/gf's, and some are the kids with the man. So so so so awesome. I cried of course and then #1 daughter gave me this to unwrap ...

#1 daughter wanted me to read it out loud but I couldn't. She has this innate ability to know just how to pull all of my springs. She knew although it would make me cry, it would also be something that I would truly love. It reads "I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too" ~~~ "I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. ~~~ "Your memory is my keepsake, for which I'll never part, God has you in his keeping, but I have you in my heart" Once the snow melts this will be going in my mom garden which my mother helped me dig filled with all the plants she shared with me. And now that I have cried again I will move on to other topics...like friends spoil me too! I got a pattern for Green Thumb Fingerless Gloves.

I pulled out some green earthy yarn and made them. The yarn while nice, does not do the mitt justice. It blurs out the beautiful leaf design on the thumb gusset. They are quick and easy and will be something that will be made again and again.

And in between all the family, gifts, and eating, I have been spinning!

I spun up both of these since Christmas Eve (posing with another present). Nothing spectacular just stuff I had laying around that I had played with but it felt good to spin....I need to do more of it as the backlog of fleece/roving is getting out of hand. I have a shetland fleece just calling to me which I might have to start working on later today. Right now I have to clean up the mess left by six kids, four of which aren't mine.

A Very Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T14:28:00.000-05:00

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” - Margaret Thatcher

The kids arrived home early from school yesterday and so started our Christmas vacation. There are still presents to wrap and baking to be done and it will all get done before the big day. For now it is the anticipation. I think the kids being home increases that anticipation.

I think our Christmas's are like a summer family get together and Thanksgiving combined. It is less formal than Thanksgiving, more fun like a summer get together, but with the food, family and friends in all their good/bad glory. And yet it still reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for.

And we will get that twofold this year. Christmas Eve is going to be a quiet time for us, the man, #2 children and myself. The kids will go to bed and then the man. I will turn off the tv and unplug the colored lights. With some carols playing softly in the background and with just the white lights on, I will sit in the rocking chair, either watching the lights or knitting, and think of whatever else needs to be done.

Christmas morning will start with #2 daughter waking us far before she should (an a plus for trying every year)! #1 son and his gf will be arriving, stockings will be opened and breakfast eaten. Then slowly, each one getting a turn, the presents will be opened. Oh the anticipation of wanting to open a certain present and having it pushed back under the tree in leiu of another your parent wants you to open! So frustrating as a child and yet so deliciously evil doing it as an adult.

Later we usually have ham and salads so we have time to just relax and be with each other. This year we will be having salads and pulled pork and then #1 daughter and her bf will arrive in the evening. Cookies and eggnog galore.

Saturday will start much like Friday did. #1 daughter wants the whole Christmas morning hoopla. Christmas is her favorite holiday and she doesn't want to miss the whole family thing but realizes her bf needs to do the same with his family. So we will wake, #1 son and his gf will arrive and breakfast will be eaten. Then slowly, each one getting a turn, the presents will be open. But after that everything changes. We will dine on ham and duck. #1 requested duck years ago and it has become a new tradition. Then we will have time to relax and spend time together or go visit friends.

Sunday is leftovers! I foresee a huge pot of corn chowder with the leftover ham. Then at some point #1 and Sir T will leave with the grandkittens in tow. The man will go to bed as he has to work on Monday, the kids will go to bed and then I will turn off the tv and unplug the colored lights. With some carols playing softly in the background and with just the white lights on, I will sit in the rocking chair, either watching the lights or knitting, and appreciate the whole time we had together.

Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. ~ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas quote

Ushering in Winter

2009-12-18T20:58:00.007-05:00

But Winter has yet brighter scenes—he boasts
Splendors beyond what gorgeous Summer knows;
Or Autumn with his many fruits, and woods
All flushed with many hues.
–William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) Winter will soon be here and Mother Nature is ushering him in with style. As it stands now we are only going to get a small amount compared to Philly, DC and NY. It definitely puts one in the Christmas spirit...or it does if you have all your shopping done and no place to go- otherwise I am sure it adds to the stress of the season.

This snow will make it even harder on the wild animals. The wild turkeys are having a hard time scratching through the ice we got previously. With high temps below freezing nothing is melting. They are frequent visitors now.

With the impending snow, #2 daughter and I left the house early to go put swags we made on the cemetery's. They are nothing fancy by a long shot, just trimmings from the tree, some greenery we picked in the woods and leftover bows and ribbons, but it is something we do each year. As they are not big on plowing the cemetery's I figured I better do it now or they wouldn't be one before Christmas.

After that we ran to the store to check if they had duck because I didn't find any while out yesterday. Luckily they did have some and I got two for Christmas dinner. On the way home we passed the local food pantry. The place was packed. I assume they were handing out Christmas dinners and presents. My brother and I, along with my older kids unanimously sponsored a local family with three kids this year. Seeing all those people standing in line made me so extremely thankful for what I have and happy that we could help in a very small way. I pray they all have a wonderful Christmas and that the new year treats them better.

In knitting news, I have finished #1's present. I took pictures and will post them after Christmas because she checks in here every once in a while. I have to say that my kids are nothing like me, I love to squeeze and shake packages. I can taunt them with one of theirs and they don't care and are willing to wait. It is frustrating!

One present I do buy each of the kids is an ornament specific to their happenings that year. (first fishing trip, football game, first job etc) #1 daughter decided to make some ornaments for everyone this year. The first was her Grandma angel ornament (so she will always be with us at Christmas) and a lollipop. My mother's answer to what do you want was always "a lollipop"! Then the other day I was organizing (I use that term loosely) yarn and came across some yellow (my mothers fav color) knit-cro-sheen that I inherited from my aunt. I have been saving a pattern to Drops Christmas heart since last year. So I crocheted up a couple of them.I tried beading some of them but they were clear beads which don't stand out enough. They may show more on the tree with lights behind them though.

I would love to go play with more yarn I "found" but I have to make cheesecake and spinach balls for a party I am going to tonight....if it doesn't snow to hard. If it does I can play then while eating the cheesecake!!!

Oh Tannenbaum

2009-12-14T06:45:00.008-05:00

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Last year when we went to hunt our tree, Mrs. H said she would not be doing it this year. Of course we had heard that before and thought nothing of it....until this year when she really didn't open her acreage. Oh horror of horrors now where do we go to get a tree?! We found another cut your own Christmas tree lot over an hour away and decided against that. We stopped at one precut lot and found the perfect tree...$100! C-ya! I would spend that on an artificial tree that I could put in a box and reuse but not something I am going to toss into my brothers chipper.

We ended up going to Home Depot where we stood up tree after tree until we found an 8 foot balsam fir for $31. As we all know trees look smaller outside, but we were technically inside an unheated section and it did not look big. It was untied when we looked at it and I knew it would relax some. We got it home and put it in the stand and watered it. We let it sit there overnight and it got huge! I started to think there must be something in the water....maybe that is what happened to my butt!? It is a good thing we never use the front door because you would not get through it!

So Sunday morning after seeing my livingroom eaten by a tree, I happily sit down with a string of lights and my new handy dandy tool that will test all the strings, bulbs, fuses etc etc etc. I take out the directions and find I need two watch batteries. Are they for real? AAA, AA I could understand and have plenty of, but watch batteries?! Tossed that tool in the box and did it the old fashioned way, bulb by bulb....of course after they were finally on the tree I found several brand new boxes of lights. I think I am related to Murphy.

With the lights on the tree, the kids went to work decorating it. Some people tried sticking their beak

in where it didn't belong as they do consider themselves part of the family so thought they had the right. She is standing on the side porch peering in the floor to ceiling window by the woodstove. She is actually there to tell us she wants some treats. They are very spoiled. If you ignore them, they tap on the windows and doors until they get what they want.

When that tree was done (already minus tinsel on the bottom from the dogs rubbing up against it), we put up another tree. This one went up so much faster than the other and with no surprises!

Then we continued to decorate a little more.

Some snowmen on the shelf

And the hot chocolate/cookie stationToday more will come out of the boxes. But before they do, #2 son has an eye doctor appointment and I need to go motivate him. I am not looking forward to the drive as the area I have to go to had a two hour school delay. I hate icy roads but this does give me some guilt free knitting time.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2009-12-10T13:32:00.004-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go ~ Meredith Willson

We woke up early yesterday morning to this...

In the end it was about six inches of snow- then sleet and rain. It was enough to keep the children home from school. Six of them congregated here. My floor was constantly wet and dripping clothes were hanging every where.

I made banana bread and zucchini bread and between the hot cocoa and oodles of noodles they were happy. Then I sent most of them home and I happily enjoyed the quiet...and when mine left for school this morning I reached the 1/2 way point of #1's present.

Which means I will have it done in thime for Christmas so I don't have to go nuts. It gives me time to watch this little fiend whom has decided he needs food more than the birds and sits in the one feeder and eats. The cat is having fits becasue she can't get to him!

First Snowfall

2009-12-07T10:41:00.004-05:00

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event”
Yes our first snow! And it truly did look magical when I left the fire department on Saturday. I did a craft fair with my cousin there. Afterwards, I came home to sit by the fire and watch it snow. I was afraid they might cancel our night plans but they didn’t.

Saturday night was the local VFW’s prize bingo. All the money goes towards the kids annual Christmas party and the Christmas dinners they deliver to the needy/homebound. If you are a diehard bingo player you do NOT go. It is slightly unorganized and rowdy. If you want to donate to a good cause, have a couple of drinks and just have a night out, it is fun.

My mother had gone to it every year, then I started to go when I moved back home. I got the man going and last year #1 son and his gf came. This year the man and I, along with all four of the kids and significant others went. I thought this would give us a better chance of winning…..three of the kids won several times. The rest of us went bingo with others and only got picture frames or a bottle of wine. #1 daughter gave me some of her winnings…a $50 gift certificate to the local phone company and a $25 gift certificate to the local grocer. (Thank You)

Sunday was a very relaxing. #1 daughter started baking while I painted some more miniature houses for her village. She made caramel nut cookies, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and chocolate chip. The baking gene passed me by and went straight to her. The guys filled up the holder with firewood and changed the oil in my car. Too soon it was time for #1 and Sir T to go back home.

I tried explaining to #1 that I didn’t make her a Christmas present this year (except the houses) but she said I had to be joking or I would break her heart. Well gee, pile the guilt on! After they left, I sat down and started knitting as any mother that did not want to break her daughter’s heart would have. I have tried this pattern before and didn’t get far but I will preserve and try it again.

Yesterday, the man returned to work. Yes, he got a clean bill of health and we are scheduled for a head to toe and everything in between physical the first week in January. Last week was so stressful and then the busy weekend so I am hoping things finally have slowed down. Of course the weatherman just said the kids will be home tomorrow as he is calling for a snow/ice storm. There is plenty of wood, the fridge/freezers/shelves are full so and I don't have to go anywhere. So....let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Medicine & Love

2009-12-02T12:17:00.004-05:00

A Short History of Medicine
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."
~Author Unknown

I hate doctors...when I am the patient. I have absolutely no qualms about taking people to them, telling people they should go see one, or holding them down while they get a shot! And so far this week I have done all of the above.

The man took #2 son hunting on Monday. He came back (sans deer) and was getting ready to go to work, when he informed me his left arm and hand hurt. He couldn't make a fist. He thought it might be from working on the Kubota. Of course he also mentioned that he wasn't really feeling "right". It was decided (aka I bitched a little and he was humoring me) that he should at least go to the ER before going to work. Low and behold they decide to keep him! The cardiologist came in the next day and checked all the information from the various tests they had run and released him with instructions for rest and a stress test. As the man is walking in the door, I am walking out it to pick up #2 daughter. She had to go get more blood work done as last time she was at her doctor's her insulin was high. I am happy to say she received a clear bill of health and only has to show up for her physical next year. One down and one to go.

The man and I left before daylight Wednesday, to get him to the hospital for the test....with plenty of guilt free knitting in the bag. While he was in jogging away I was able to get a sock knit down to turning the heel and work on a wine bag. He exited with instructions to not return to work until he gets the results which we go to hear on Friday. He just started a new year with the company so thankfully he has sick/personal/vacation days to play with.

We came home and while he rested by watching tv, I finished my socks.Tomorrow we get the results. Beyond the fact that he is my husband and I want him healthy, I also want him back at work....he is destroying my peace and quiet, he loses the remote, he drinks all the coffee, he throws my whole schedule off. I love having him home when he is able to motivate but for now, he is just always THERE, in the same spot or direction I have to go. I need him to stay out of the hospital so I stay out of the hospital or jail....and I say this with love in my heart.

Post Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

“...in a well regulated kitchen nothing is ever wasted, but with careful preparation even the 'rough ends' of a beef steak may be made into a wholesome, tender and appetizing dish; that 'stale bread' may be used in the most delicious 'desserts' and 'farcies,' and 'left-over' food from the day before need not be thrown in the trash-box, but may be made into an endless variety of wholesome and nutrious dishes.” ~The Picayune’s Creole Cook Book (1901)

The fridge is still full of leftovers even though platters of food left here Thursday. The stock pot was simmering on the stove with the turkey carcass and is now turkey and rice soup. Yet another pot vying for space.

I would love to say things went off without a hitch but they didn't and at first I was upset. But then I realized they never really had...sometimes the casseroles were cold on the inside and had to go back in oven a little longer and the rolls have been forgotten more times than I can count. So this year was following it another long tradition. But in the end the food was good and plentiful. We had one of our turkeys, the breast of a wild turkey, ham and a venison roast and all the side dishes.

#2 son had been sick with a stomach virus on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I bleached the bathroom and prayed nobody would be sick on Thanksgiving. Shortly after consuming probably the biggest meal of the year....#2 daughter got sick. I bleached the bathroom again.

Friday dawned bright and early. The man went to work, #2 daughter slept the whole day. #2 son left with his uncle to site the guns in for deer season is fast approaching. #1 daughter and I started going through the Christmas decorations. Later in the evening #1 and Sir T headed for home so they could go to Christkindlmarkt with his family the following day. I have never been but I am told I should go.

I awoke early Saturday morning....sick. I bleached the bathroom again, not that it has helped any, and crashed in bed. So far as sick goes it really isn't that bad. The bathroom part is done and over with in 30 minutes. The rest of the day you just have a stomach ache and sleep.

I woke early this morning which is no surprise when you have slept almost an entire day away. I started knitting, made a pair of fingerless mitts and started on a simple cowl. Can't say I feel like doing the jig quite yet, but I feel much better.

The man has stayed out of the house as much as possible! We still had a huge pile of dirt (and weeds) in the front yard and he has spent the past couple of days dispersing it....with a little help from his friends....I think they are trying to show him how helpful they can be as they were glad to have not been Thanksgiving dinner. I should tell them that is not why they are here but not until we get some more work out of them. Now I am off to hopefully finish the cowl....or take a nap.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2009-11-25T06:38:00.001-05:00

"For moving forward is rarely accomplished without considerable grief and sadness. And while our sorrow may be profound... ...the clouds will clear... ...and the sun will shine on us again. And in that warm, bright light... ...we will find ourselves facing a glorious future. A future of exciting challenges... ...and infinite possibility... ...in which the horizon will stretch out before us... ...rimmed in the heavenly glow... ...of the sunrise of our tomorrow. "

Today we face our first major holiday without my mother and my uncle. Yesterday as I was making some of the things that can be made in advance, I missed bantering back and forth with her. But last night my oldest daughter arrived and today we are putting together the rest of the foods that have become traditonal for us.

Tradition states we have to watch the parade while working. Then Christmas carols get played for the first time this season. I am trying to remember everything. The china has been washed and the silver polished. My mother had two dishes which traditionally only came out during Thanksgiving and I found both of them on Ebay! My Uncle was the gravy master so I bought jars of gravy just in case I screw it up. My kids know I don't make good gravy and will be upset if it comes to store bought but will then agree that one can not have turkey and mashed potatoes without gravy!

So while we no longer have mom or uncle, our memories and traditions will carry us through. And while we are not facing the future we wanted, we are facing new and exciting things. With the good food, our family and friends, we still have much to be thankful for this year.

I wish everyone something to be thankful for and a Happy Thanksgiving.

May flowers?

2009-11-23T08:24:00.002-05:00

Q: If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring?
A: Pilgrims!

Q: Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey because he's already stuffed!

Like most Americans at this time of year, I have turkey on the brain. Right before Thanksgiving and we are just as busy now as we were in July. I received a windfall of strawberries and bananas this week and made jam's or froze them for later use.

Friday, #2 daughter had her birthday party so we took 4 of her friends to dinner and to see the Twilight sequel, New Moon. Exhausting! I now know there are other kids that can talk faster, louder and more than #2 and that they all are as obsessed as she. I didn't think it was possible but it is so.

And because the man likes to wait until the last minute, this weekend he worked on the house at the same time I was trying to get it spotless for company. I got a dishwasher and he finally installed that. I made extensions for each end of my table so we will all be able to fit. It now goes from 6' to 9' 8" and I actually have a tablecloth to fit it! Also more molding is finally going up. He got a great deal on fencing which he had to go fetch. Not sure if I will use it for garden or fence in more pasture for the sheep. I do know I am not going to worry about it until after the holidays, regardless of how many seed company's can inundate me with their catalogs beforehand.

I have been making kids hat and mitten sets.
I also made the pocketbook slippers and just have to sew them together. I also sewed up the miniature Santa and Mrs. Claus clothes for the clothesline. #1 daughter saw my garland and wanted it. I told her I would make her one. I made Santa's mittens, scarf, hat, socks, gift bag, shirt and pants. Mrs. Claus got her dress, apron and mop cap. It is approximately 6 feet long but I think it needs a little something. All the ones in the magazines don't have anything else so we will let #1 be the judge when she comes home on Wednesday. Can't wait to see her.

I have everything I need for dinner and it is just timing everything right. #1 does not think that a turkey and ham is enough to leave her a sufficient amount of leftovers so I will cooking up the wild turkey breast my brother gave me also. The kids get out of school early Tuesday and Wednesday for parent teacher conferences so I will have extra hands...and they thought they were getting a break!!!!

Now I have to wash windows are they are covered in wet dog nose prints. Or maybe I should go knit and leave it for the kids to do tomorrow!!!

Turkey Talk

2009-11-16T08:11:00.008-05:00

I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ~ Christopher Reeve

If you stand and look at our house it sits at the bottom of the mountain, then there is a small hill on the right side. It is here that I have my bird feeders. Last fall and winter the wild turkeys would come down and have their fair share of these easy offerings. Like the cardinals, titmouse, chickadee etc, they thought it was there just for them.

This morning I attended the animals and as is their norm, the chickens and our domesticated turkeys walked over to the ground below the feeders to see what pickings they could find...as if their automatic feeder is empty and they are so starved! So I tossed out some strawberry tops for them and went to sit down to knit for a few minutes. My knitting was interrupted by their squawking.

It would seem the natives wanted to come dine and the domesticated turkeys would not let them. Red & Gray tried to be nice and explain that they (the natives) had the whole forest from which to obtain their food, so please don't egg in on ours. But the natives got nasty, as is their way, and would not listen but continued to head toward the feeders.Gray quickly jumped up on the nearest grape vine to demand their compliance to the new rules. But got no where. Red jumped up and yelled at them too but nobody was listening to them. They were outnumbered 9-2. The natives said they were soft from befriending man and since they had their food handed to them they had no right to begrudge them any droppings...a little reverse psycology. Red & Gray returned to the feeders to gather strength and format a new plan. It was decided that the natives could pass but still not go near the feeders. Red & Gray would stand between them and the feeders. When one of the natives decided to go rogue and sneak in on their flank, the ever vigilant chicken had Red and Grays back. Oh, they were slick and tried every trick in the book. They tried acting like they had surrendered and were going back up into the woods from which they came. But Red & Gray would have none of that! They pulled back to once again. Another brazen little native tried to act all coy by flashing feathers, but Gray said "see ya"! And once again they got between the natives and their meal ticket. Mr. Squirrel was highly amused by these proceedings and devised his own plan. While he sat up in the tree watching, he had the Mrs. down on the ground picking up what the natives missed and making runs to the feeder while Red & Gray were occupied with more important dealings. Very opportunistic of old Mr. Squirrel. Bandit, the cat, reminded me that it was I that rescued Mr. Squirrel from his clutches a short time ago....if my feeders get chewed apart, I have nobody to blame but myself. I made my point by telling Bandit if she didn't go preen herself somewhere else she would be chasing Mr. Squirrel for food instead of fun. Her response was "now look who is being catty".

But back to Red & Gray...Their new plan was a formidable united defense...no more of the divide and conquer.The natives in a desperate moment tried to act all big and bad but Red & Gray were not impressed and looked upon them with disdain. And as the first rays of sunshine fell up on our little parcel, the natives were still a distance away from the feeders. Some looked down thinking of making one last valiant attack on the line. But with a last longing look over their wing they went back into the woods. Red & Gray returned to dine victoriously. The chickens lavished praises upon them for their heroic acts. That is our story and we are sticking to it!.

Season Influences

2009-11-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Around here the food of the season is sauerkraut. When the kraut was checked on Wednesday it was decided that it was done. The man calls everyday at lunch time and when he found out it was ready he requested pork and kraut for dinner...and he got it. I canned the rest as it is easier to give the oldest two kids jars to take home. I got 39 quarts of sauerkraut.

I also canned up lard. When we picked up the pork, we got some fat back also. I canned up 6 quarts and gave the rest of the fat to a friend. I melted some fat, added the cracklings, some apples that were going bad, oatmeal, sunflower seeds and corn and poured it into pans to harden and be cut up into blocks for the birds.

I wrapped up all the presents which I have already made or purchased. I have a huge roll of brown paper so this year all presents will be wrapped in that as I try to use it up. They will look very basic but I have livened them up with homemade tags made from old Christmas cards.I was given my mother's bingo bag but the magnetic pieces are no longer used so I started making tags out of them also....I was going to say it's a cheap Christmas Charlie Brown but it is just a homemade Christmas and I am having a blast. #2 daughter was not happy when she first heard this but then agreed that it really didn't matter what it is wrapped in. She got into the act so her and I made up some borax ornaments to use as package tie on's.

Along with canning, wrapping, gift tag making, I have been knitting. I made this stocking and I am adding holly leaves to it. They are in the making now. I recycled a sweater and made this stocking and I am on my second wine bag.

So we will continue to prepare for and enjoy with all our senses the beauty of the seasons.

Counting down

2009-11-06T09:33:00.000-05:00

“Don't agonize, organize.” ~ Florynce R. Kennedy

With the turning of the calendar page, the countdowns seem to have a more hectic tone to them. I look out the window and the trees are bare, the deer are coming down earlier in the day.

The turkeys came down yesterday to check out the bird feeders for the first time this fall. Each of these are just a reminder that the year is drawing to a close and there is so much still to do.

Between trying to make sure I don't forget anything for Thanksgiving, I am also trying to remember all the ingredients for the cookies and breads that my mother and I use to make at Christmas. It was so much easier with two minds! Then there is trying to remember to get things to finish off presents and #2 (who has a b-day coming up) wants a Twilight/New Moon party.

I sat there last night trying to knit and thoughts were flying through my mind of what I still had to do and what I still had to buy along with the regular shopping items. I decided that I had to make lists and prioritize things....Christmas cookies do not come before Thanksgiving pies.

I made a list of foods being served on Thanksgiving and what I still needed to buy.

I made a list of foods being served on Christmas and what I still needed to buy.

I made a list of cookies/breads that I want to bake and what I still needed to buy.

I made a list of presents for Christmas, what I already have and what I still need to buy/make.

Thankfully not all Christmas gifts that are homemade are going to be knit this year, taking some of the pressure of my hands. However, I have been whipping out kitchen towels with crocheted tops to give with breads...They just need buttons, which are on the list!

So with lists tucked in beside the wallet, so I won't forget either of them, I now feel more prepared for...."the moon on the crest of the new fallen snow, gave a luster of Midday to objects below."

November

2009-11-02T11:49:00.008-05:00

"No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds -
November!"
- Thomas Hood

My yard has an abundance of leaves…and nuts. I should be out there raking but I am not. I am waiting for them all to land and will do it in one fell swoop. #2 daughter is home sick so she needs babying right, that’s my story and I am sticking to it.

#1 daughter came home for the weekend. We didn't do much but she did finally get her picture taken for her license. Afterward we stopped at the thrift store and I found a Singer Tiny Serger for $4.99. I just ordered the manual. Hopefully it works but if it doesn't I am not out a whole lotta money.

While we were shopping the man went and picked up the pork. Almost didn’t have enough space for it but we squeezed it in. Thawed out and fried up some bacon as we haven’t had any in a while because I am too cheap to spend money on it when I had some coming. It was delicious and well worth the wait. Now just to wait for the sauerkraut.

Then she went with me while we took care of my cousins alpaca. Her first question was "Why don't you have some of them?" When I hit the lottery maybe. I finally remembered to bring the camera on Sunday. Isn't he adorable. His name is Donner. He doesn't stand still very long when he wants food. This same cousin and a friend bought me this at Rhinebeck... It is called High Strung and is done by Sheep Incognito Conni Togel. You have to see some of the others. Isn't it adorable? It now hangs above my knitting/spinning chair.

And that chair has finally seen some action. I have been in a knitting funk so I spent alot of time cleaning. Well, I woke up at 4:55 yesterday morning because my body thought it was 5:55. Knowing there was no way I was going back to sleep, I spun a little and then started to crochet a tree skirt. Too much crochet and my wrist start’s to hurt so then with the early darkness I sat down and started knitting. I finished a Cherry Garcia cabled neck tube and then started a feather and fan cowl. Do I need to say while the Yankee's were winning? Hopefully I will finish that today as now I find I have projects in the queque. It's good to be back to knitting.

Snout to tail

2009-10-27T11:07:00.000-04:00

"snout to tail, everything but the squeal

Another week has gone by so quickly. Monday I had a funeral to attend, Tuesday I spent at the Doctors with #2 son and his yearly physical. He failed the eye test miserably and now we have an eye doctor appointment. After dropping him off at school there was shopping to do.

Wednesday, I went over my friends and they taught me how to make liverwurst. Thursdaymorning, I helped get everything cooked and ready for the next day. Thursday afternoon was spent cheering #2 son and team on.Friday I helped my friends make the headcheese. OMG I should have run when they started the headcheese but stupid me figured that if someone was willing to teach me to do something I should hang around and help them do their thing. The liverwurst was delicious but the headcheese will never cross my lips. The smell of it being poured into the pans was horrendous. I have driven by roadkill that smelled better than this food that one is to consume.

Friday evening, I blanched and froze 16 pounds of broccoli. Saturday it rained. While the man was at work, I froze 4 1/2 gallon bags of sliced apples. It was a nice mix and should make some awesome pies, cakes and crisps this winter. When the man came home we worked on organizing the basement....Is this futile? I am storing things for the older kids, keeping momento's for all the kids. Somebody brings in more and it gets piled until there is time to do it. I have piles of stuff for friends, salvation army, library etc. I foresee doing this many times in the future.

Sunday, was more of the same. Late afternoon, I lost hours looking thru some of my mother's knitting and crochet books. Some of the pamphlets are from the 50's. I found the original Hemlock Ring doily in one of them. Looking thru them is like looking at a timeline of my mother's life. She crocheted first, doing doilies and then bedspreads with cotton thread. She moved on to afghans, baby sets and sweaters. Then came knitting small things like cabbage patch kids clothes when #1 daughter was into them and clothes for us and the grandkids. In looking thru totes I found the vests she had made the kids with animal heads on the front and tails on the back. To this I added the afghans she made for each one of my kids to give to their first child. My SIL has the same for her kids. The christening set she made is also packed away for use by future generations.

Monday was spent putting everything where it should go. I put away the canning equipment as all I have left to can is sauerkraut which wont be done for a couple of weeks. I have been working with it/around it for months and although I love the product, I am getting tired of it. I do believe this is the latest in the season I have ever canned. Mom and I were usually done by September.

I also put all the seeds away that were taking up space on all available flat surfaces. Then I got into cleaning...I started putting Liquid Gold on all the woodwork and doing the windows...The holidays are getting near....30 days until Thanksgiving when I am due to get a house full and Christmas is only 58 days away.

Now it is back to work. Next time I will show you a picture of a post-Rhinebeck present I received.

Rhinebeck 2009

2009-10-19T11:40:00.006-04:00

The cider mug simmered slow,
The apples sputtered in a row,

And close at hand the basket stood,

With nuts of brown October's wood.
–John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92)

I planned a fishing trip for husband and crew on the very weekend that I wanted to go to Rhinebeck and he is my driver. I wanted to buy a pair of combs. I looked on the internet and found ones a friend of mine had so I just ordered them.

Then friends came to the rescue and offered to drive so #1 daughter and met up with M & D and went to Rhinebeck. Now D went to Endless Mt. It was her first fiber festival...she is fairly new to the spinning part. She came home and had already made up her mind to buy a 2nd wheel that Grace had for sale. Her husband is much like mine...very understanding. Which is good because she came home with a carder this time. She was eyeing the electric but ended up with a Strauch Petite with the brush. Otto didn't want to give up his demo so sent us down to another vendor that had one in stock. Funny part is D had brought her credit card but then left it in the car so she would behave. She ended up writing a check instead!!!

M was the only one not enticed by the fumes of wool and sheep. She said she has enough wool roving, wheels, carders and yarn and really didn't need anything....The girl either has willpower. She bought some Jacob roving and a rug punch.

Now #1 went with us spur of the moment. Towards the end I saw some beautiful mohair but decided not to get it as I wasn't going to buy anything but then ended up with wine, jerky, dips,a Shetland lamb fleece and rug punch. So #1 went back and asked to purchase it with her credit card but they didn't accept credit cards. #1 asked them if they knew where the closest ATM was located. They bagged up the yarn and said just give us your name and phone number and mail us a check later!

WHO DOES THAT NOW A DAYS!?!?!

I was amazed. So I am the happy owner of 1000 yards of brushed mohair in September (#1's birth month!) colorway from Kid Hollow Farm. It is gorgeous and the pictures just don't do the colors justice. I have to do a search for something suitable to make from it. #1's instructions were to make something for myself so that might have to be put on a back burner until January.

I did make these for myself out of the roving I dyed and then spun. Of course, I forgot to take them to Rhinebeck!

In other news....The guys came home empty handed. The pigs went off to the butcher. I picked up two egg crates of de-husked black walnuts for black walnut brittle. Monster child (my nephew) found a chicken nest with a dozen eggs, so now I know where to look.

Yesterday I got an email about the combs I ordered...back ordered 6-8 months! It will be Spring and I hopefully will be able to visit family and go to MD S&W!!!

We are suppose to make liverwurst today but it has been postponed until tomorrow....#2 son has a doctors appointment I forgot about. Have you noticed I have been doing that alot lately?!

Predictions

2009-10-14T07:33:00.005-04:00

"When the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large scientific method in most cases fails. One need only think of the weather, in which case the prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible." ~Albert Einstein

The weatherman foretells of cold weather and dare I say the word...*SNOW* for tomorrow. He says cold temperatures for the weekend. Now, for all intents and purposes I don't care if it does snow tomorrow so long as it doesn't snow on the weekend. The guys are going back to the Pulaski area for more salmon fishing. #1 and Sir T are driving up from Philly. I don't want them driving on slushy roads and I don't want to miss out on Rheinbeck. I have not be able to go in several years so I am looking forward to this diversion from normal duties.

We got our first freeze on Monday and are suppose to get snow on Thursday! Things are moving much to quickly for my body to adjust. I succumbed and fires are a nightly ritual now. The geese didn't even have time to adjust. It was so cold, Monday morning they decided to tuck their wings in tight to keep themselves warm and float south!

In other news, my pullets are laying. Yeah, I know about time and everyone else's already were. The pullets were in a small coop without nesting boxes. Well, the man finally finished the addition on the hens coop and all of the pullets were moved in there. Now that they have the use of the hens nesting boxes they are not hiding their nests around the yard and I am able to get the eggs.

I did a craft fair this weekend. I was worried about the weather but it was beautiful. I spun a full bobbin while there and made some money. #1 and Sir T tell me I should charge more but I don't do it to pay my bills, I wouldn't be able to. I just sell extra's. I sold enough to buy 5 of us dinner and a trip to Home Depot for some molding, stain and poly.

The man took today off so we can finish (hahaha) the fall chores before the snow flies. The pigs go to butcher Sunday night. Tuesday, the man scheduled the day off, to go get the meat from the butcher needed to make liverwurst and zwiebelwurst. A friend is going to show us how to make it....it maybe a one time experience depending on the grossness scale! In exchange for his tutelage, he gets the heads for headcheese. Now THAT I have no interest in viewing/learning.

And NOW the man is ready to motivate so motivate I must....and to think I use to miss him when he went to work!

Autumn marches on

2009-10-07T09:09:00.000-04:00

By ripping cheeks,

with cold breeze,

with twitter of sparrows,

Autumn came! ~ Mula Veereswara Rao

And she is showing her strength today-it is windy! While standing at #2 son's football game the other night, I thought winter had passed autumn by! When we arrived the sun was shining down on the lake beyond the field and it wasn't too bad. Then the sun set, the winds picked up a little and the sun's warmth disappeared...quickly. It got dark, the lights came on on the field and I froze. By the time the game was over I could not wait to get to the car and turn on the heat. It is time to bring mittens to the games.

I spun and plied the roving I dyed the other day. It is strange multi-color but I like it. I might have to make mittens out of that later on. #2 daughter put in a request for mittens in school colors..one purple on one hand and white on the other.

My hands were purple but not from mittens. A friend and I did up the red cabbage. The nine heads we bought made 60 pints and 3 quarts of sweet and sour cabbage. I feel like this bee, trying to get as much out of summer's bounty as possible.

More Vege Tales

2009-10-03T00:41:00.002-04:00

Plant a radish, get a radish, never any doubt. That's why I love vegetables, you know what they're about! ~Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

Wednesday a friend's husband came over and we took the 90 pounds of cabbage, shredded it and salted it. In a couple of weeks there will be fresh pork and sauerkraut for dinner. I can't wait.

Friday I took those same friends to the farmers market. They loved it and went home with quite the haul. I didn't do too badly either...I grabbed some eggplant for my SIL, some cauliflower for the friend that got the broccoli and some dehydrated mushrooms for the man. I also got two squash, a 8 pound Long Island Cheese and a 13 pound Fairytale Musquee de Provence. The LI Cheese I love and is usually what we use for pie.
The Fairytale is new to me, but so far I like it. The seed cavity is about equal to the LI but the flesh is a much deeper orange, a little stringier and drier. I am told they are a little sweeter. They are presently processing. We also bought some red cabbage which I am going to learn how to can as sweet and sour cabbage at her house on Tuesday.

Last night I tried canning meat for the first time. I asked on a canning forum if I could can venison that was previously frozen. They said I could, so I tried it. If the family likes it than I will can any venison we get this year as it will open up freezer space.

Remember when I canned beets the other day...well you know that I had to dye something even though I read it doesn't hold well. Here are the results....white and gray wool roving. Then because I was in dye mode I got out the acid dyes and dripped it here and there for this roving...In knitting, I finished another stocking. My original idea was to do the heel and to in green. Then I grabbed the wrong green and it was heavier than the red so I decided to not do the toe green. I should have turned the heel in green...oh well, I am only human. I am thinking of trying to add a tree on the leg. I added the little "patch" but it needs something more.

And keeping things interesting around here...Thursday night I took the man to the hospital ER. He had a little mark on his wrist Tuesday night. He said it was hurting and thought there was a splinter of wood/metal in it. I checked and some puss came out but no wood/metal. We cleaned it and put drawing salve on it.

Wednesday when he came home from work, his wrist was swollen. I said maybe it is a spider bite and suggested a doctor but manly men know so much more. By Thursday night his hand was swollen and his arm hurt almost up to his elbow. Pain does wonders, it motivated him to go see what was wrong. The ER doctor wasn't sure if it was a spider bite but told him drawing salve was "witchdoctor medicine"! The Dr. gave him Keflex and an antibiotic ointment to put on the sore. Last night his arm was throbbing and he went to bed early. He just came home from a 1/2 day of work and the sore is very infected. I think he should go back to the ER. He has to help a friend and said he would go tonight! WTF! They would totally understand.

And then, coming in from work behind the man was #1 son. He needed me to take pictures of this... his 2009 Dodge Ram that met a deer on the way to work. I had to call the nearest Dodge dealer and send him on his way to get an estimate. What makes my family...well actually the men, think I need all this excitement?

Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts

2009-09-29T10:41:00.004-04:00

The mellow Moon,

The changing leaves,

The earlier setting Sun,

Proclaim at last, my merry boys,

The harvesttime begun.

~Charles G. Eastman (1816–60)

The farmer's market was quite the success. I bought 20 pounds of broccoli for $8, 26 pounds of beets for $12 and 33 heads (90 pounds) cabbage for $20. I picked up 4 large leek for $3.

The broccoli went to one friend, the beets I split with another friend, the cabbage will become sauerkraut tonight and the leek, with our potatoes was dinner last night-potato leek soup. Yesterday was a soup day as it was windy and cool, so it was perfect.

The pears I got from my friend, became pear bread and tutti-fruity jam. As the rest of the pears ripen I will be making more of the bread and freezing it for snacks.

My share of the beets became 13 pints of canned beets, some sliced and some whole. The shelves are getting pretty full, which I love. I love it even more in winter. At some point I have to put all the info on what I canned together. It lets me know what I have to change/grow from year to year as we try new things. This year I had to buy most of my tomatoes due to blight, but the cucumbers and peppers were awesome. And speaking of peppers I was able to pawn mine off on someone else!

So it was a good day. The wind made it perfect for line drying clothes. The tricky part is getting to the line without getting hit in the head with a hicklory nut. I have a squirrel that sits in the canopy chewing off the husks and dropping them down on everyone. A cat had him in his clutches the other day and I rescued him, you would think he would be more appreciative!

And here is a picture of another nut. My son came home from football practice like this! The "friend" that did it to him was no barber and we had to shave spots here and there as he/football buddies have decided they are going to keep it for a while. Thankfully he has a decent shaped head! As long as the school doesn't have a problem with it, I don't. It is funny watching them change - in the beginning of the year he had long ringlets, he let his sister cut his hair to a presentable level for formal and now the mohawk! They keep it interesting.

Keeping Busy

2009-09-26T08:01:00.006-04:00

The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.~Oliver Wendell Holmes

There are more than a couple of gray hairs showing in Mother Nature's locks right now but it makes it even more beautiful. I love all the seasons but temperature-wise, I would have to say Spring and Autumn are the best. The 50-60's are perfect weather. The Mystery Lily's must agree because they gave a second wave of blossoms...shorter but just as beautiful.

I have been busy all summer canning but I feel busier now. I am going in a hundred directions and then crash into bed at night.

I am ripping and tearing the garden. I picked seven pounds of celery and froze it. I also picked more of these...I haven't done anything with them yet. I was thinking of passing them on or dehydrating them. I have already pawned off bags of them-they are starting to be like zucchini where people hide when they see you coming. I almost pulled the plants but decided to leave them until the frost hits.

I picked some pears at a friends house which I need to do something with. My kids like the pear honey but prefer a grape, blackberry, elderberry or raspberry jam. They don't like pears canned so I found a pear bread which says it freezes well so I am going to try it and see what we get.

I have been knitting. I made the two pair of baby socks,

the Christmas stocking, and finally did the last finishing touches of the Apple Blossom baby sweater. The i-cord isn't in because I trying to decide if I want it or not. I don't want a baby to pull the ties and choke themselves. I may end up putting a button on it.

And I went through some bags of fleece that were given to me and washed up some of that and dumped what I didn't want to be bothered with. We went to shear our sheep this Saturday and the man replaced a little part and now the new shears don't want to cut. He needs to figure out what he did because I need them sheared NOW....of course they are calling for rain pretty much all week.

The Christmas countdown on the last post really kicked me in the butt. I have been working on some Christmas presents and picked up quite a few this weekend. I have always loved Christmas but I am really having fun this year. Of course it is early still so I may burn out before the holiday gets here.

I was suppose to go to the farmer's market early Friday but ended up helping a friend who needed to go to the doctor. So today I am heading out to see what is coming out of the farmer's fields and ovens...Apple cider doughnuts are calling me, gotta go.