Jemm in the Flint Hills

Lazy Days

2012-01-26T08:40:00.000-06:00

I am finally feeling back to "normal" following our trip to Disney. Though when I see ads for DW on the TV I am still homesick. I guess not too many of you feel the same...

Anyway, I'm not up to a whole lot at the moment. Which is a welcomed feeling. I started a beginning quilting class last week and it will meet once/month for 9 months. I'm so excited. I don't know how much actual quilting I'll ever do, but the knowledge I'll gain will help me in my sewing confidence-at least that's my goal.

I have Valentine's Day on the brain. I can enjoy the day now, rather than feeling like a bundle of knots and total scrooge. I pulled out my Valentine hankies the other day, as well as a few red and pink ones. I strung a piece of jute across my window and hung them up with mini clothes pins I found at Hobby Lobby. I'm not sure where I found this idea (probably on Pinterest) but I knew I had to try it. I have quite a collection of vintage hankies so I think I'll switch these out with other throughout the spring and summer. They are mostly bright and colorful floral versions and it pains me that they sit in the darkness of a drawer year round.

I don't go overboard on the Valentine decor, but I always have to have something festive out. I displayed my vintage Valentine postcards again this year. I just love getting them out again.

Well, I think I'm going to spend most of the day reading and maybe doing a bit of sewing for my quilting class. I began a new Bible study yesterday, so I'll spend a little quiet time curled up with a cuppa something warm and steamy with that as well. It's Beth Moore's new study on James. I've got a little housework to check of the list and since it's nice once again today, maybe I'll take a walk around outside later. I am loving these lazy winter days!

A Magical Time

2012-01-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

I know my blogging is always somewhat sporadic, however, this time it really was for a good reason. We spent 6 days at Disney World!!!! My husband's parents took us and his brother and his family. We were a party of 10! It was sometimes quite an ordeal to get all 10 to agree what we should do next, but we all get along really well and it was a trip to remember. I'm not sure if my SIL would want her kid's pics on my blog, so I took precautions :) Their oldest is in the same grade as our Thing 1 and their youngest is a year behind my Thing 2. There is always a friend for each of my girls at family gatherings. It is really wonderful to see them together and grow closer every year. They only live about an hour and 20 minutes from us so we get together regularly.

We spent time at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. We all went once before, four years ago. It was a much different experience this time with the kids being older, but it was every bit as enjoyable, if not more so. I found I didn't take as many pictures this time as the first time. I did get a new little Canon Elph point and shoot camera for the trip and I think it did pretty well.

This is the famous Epcot ball. We spent A LOT of time in Epcot.

We ate at a German restaurant in Epcot and this adorable chicken cuckoo clock was at the top of the building.

We loved the safari in Animal Kingdom too. The giraffes walked down the hill and right past our vehicle. It was a beautiful morning. My Thing 1 is a little dare devil and got me on all the "cool" rides. The Expedition Everest ride is hands down our favorite ride at Disney. She also got me on almost all of the scary rides at Disney, including the Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Mission Space level orange-by FAR the worst ride for me. I felt nauseous for the rest of the evening. Something to do with G-force I think...

We stayed at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Ahhh...I wish I lived there. It just oozes relaxation and calm.

The interior of the main building.

The pool. We stayed in the big building in the background last time overlooking the lake on the other side.

This was our building this time. It is every bit as grand...just not the best photo of the building.

This is the interior of our building. There are fresh flowers all over the Grand Floridian all the time which, of course, I couldn't help but notice.

Not a bad place for this Kansas girl to go in January!

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board and a Confession

2012-01-10T10:09:00.000-06:00

Hi! Did you think I'd disappeared? I'm still here. There are just lots of activities going on already in the New Year.

Today I'm sharing one of my ~~finally~~ completed projects. It is a fabric covered bulletin board for Thing 1's bedroom.

I started with this giant old frame I found at Good JuJu in K.C. I sprayed it hot pink. This took LOTS of coats. Plus, I'm not a very good spray painter. I'm just a novice at it.

This next part required lots of help from my hubby. I took an old sheet I found at a garage sale for a quarter and covered a 24"x36" pre-made bulletin board I found at Hobby Lobby. It just happened to fit exactly into my frame. We used a staple gun and just pulled and stapled the fabric evenly tight all the way around.

Then I cut strips of ribbon and I just eyed how many I needed. I did measure them and make sure they were evenly spaced on the board. I used the staple gun again to attach them to the back of the bulletin board.

We found some old leather upholstery tacks in a container out in the barn that someone had saved eons ago just for me :) I stuck them in a piece of cardboard and spray painted them to match the frame. I just pushed them in where the ribbons crossed.

It was ready to insert into my frame. Hubby cut some thin pieces of wood (plywood possibly?) and drilled it in place on the back of the frame.

And VOILA! A new bulletin board for her room.

This was a fairly low cost project for us.

Frame $12.00

Bulletin board $16.00

Paint $4.00

Fabric $.25

Ribbon $3.00

Upholstery tacks FREE

Total $35.25 + tax

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Well, it is the 10th of January and we've not had a single measurable snow here at our place. I'm not really too broken up about this either. I did want some snow around Christmas, but now that time is past and we're on to new things! We did get quite a bit of rain when others out in western and southwestern Kansas got all of the snow you probably heard about on the news. I believe I even heard about one college-aged girl getting stranded in it for three days and she lived on Snickers. Not a bad thing to be stranded with...which leads me to tell you about a deep dark secret I've been keeping. Well, it's really not that dark, but it makes it sound more interesting. Snickers are one thing I've NOT been eating lately. I've been eating healthier now since May. I'd just reached my limit. I couldn't stand myself the way I was anymore. It was affecting my life and my family's. It was keeping me from doing things I wanted to do. Since my Dad died in November of 2010, I've been getting closer to God. I really NEEDED Him and found myself seeking for Him. I listen to KLove radio all the time and heard about a new book that had come out. It was called "Made to Crave" by Lisa TerKeurst. I got the book that day and started reading it right away. I began to realize I wasn't alone in making the weight come off. I'd been relying on my own strength and willpower to do it and was failing every time. Now, I know God is my strength. I've never believed in "diets" and I've never been able to lose any weight any other way. I'd gained 100 pounds since high school. Since May I've lost 30 pounds. I've still got a long road ahead of me, I know. I may talk more about it sometime, but for now I just wanted to share this with you. It's one of the biggest things going on in my life right now and it felt strange not to. I hope you are all having a bright and happy new year so far!!

New Year Greetings to You!

2011-12-31T09:17:00.000-06:00

A Happy New Year to you and yours.

May you be happy and healthy in the new year.

Wii've Created a Monster

2011-12-26T18:21:00.002-06:00

Scary thought isn't it? My thing 2 promptly changed our Christmas countdown Christmas morning. It is a leap year you know. I thought it was pretty humorous.

We broke down and got the girls a Wii for Christmas. It came with Mario Cart and we got them Wii Sports. Grandma got them the U Draw tablet and a couple games. They're having a ball. I was informed that Thing 2 was THE ONLY one in the entire class that didn't have the Wii. Like 99% of them have it mom. You can't argue with statistics.

So...Wii've created a monster.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:05:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas to all of you, my faithful readers. We're having our Christmas Eve dinner of Nachos {it's what the fam requested}, then gift opening and off to Christmas Eve church services.

Tomorrow we're headed to 2 different family gatherings and it's the birth of Jesus! I hope you all have a wonderful warm holiday and stay safe if you are traveling.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Holiday Cheer

2011-12-22T10:46:00.000-06:00

Here is a bit of Holiday Cheer from the ranch, as promised! I love old green planters by McCoy and Shawnee or ones that say USA on the bottom. As you can tell I'm a real know-it-all about old pottery...NOT! If it's pretty and cheap, I buy it. This is one I found this past summer at a garage sale for a 25 cents. I filled it up with inexpensive Christmas balls and voila! instant Christmas cheer!

Please no critiquing our tree. It's a humble evergreen, decorated with love each year, adorned with ornaments the kids have made, were given at birth, or that hubby and I have collected throughout our life together. I think we're ready to up-size the tree itself, as there is nary a free branch to hang from. I do dream of having a second "pretty" tree in another room someday.

This is something I've seen on many blogs this season--candy canes galore. I love simple decorating and thought "I can do that!". So, out came my mini Haeger vases from Restoration Hardware a few years ago, and I added a few 88 cents/box candy canes and voila! instant Christmas cheer. Pine cones make anything merry and bright don't they?

And this is our Dollar Store Jesus. I like to joke about that, but really, isn't it fitting for the season? Jesus can be found anywhere, can't He?

The Big Day

2011-12-20T13:52:00.000-06:00

This is the last post about the shower, I promise! I just had to show you how it all came together. I can't believe it's come and gone already.

Unfortunately, my pictures were kind of rushed because I had guests arriving.

I borrowed the punch bowl from another of my husband's cousins. It was his grandma's and she'd use it every year for their family Christmas.

I could have fiddled and played with the display all day. It was just so fun.

The cupcakes...

They were so pretty. I was SO glad I decided to order them. It would have been too much stress doing them myself.

Everything went really well. A smile on the hostess' face at the end of a party is a good thing!

Sneak Peek

2011-12-16T09:05:00.001-06:00

I know it's Christmas, but I've got a baby shower on the brain. So, that's what you're going to get today. We've got all of our Christmas decorations up. They've been up since the weekend after Thanksgiving. I'll get to showing you that...after the shower.

My vintage chicken and egg puzzle is going to make its debut at the shower. I've had it for a while knowing it had a purpose. I saw it and had to have it even though my kiddos are much to old for it. It came naturally aged and distressed {gee am I talking about myself or an old puzzle}.

Onesie cupcakes are ready. They were fun to make. A bit tricky, but I think they're so cute.

I found this set of vintage milk glass snack trays and cups just the other day at my favorite antique shop. There are 17 trays and 18 cups in all. I wonder what happened to that 18th tray? Maybe it was broken at another baby shower in another time.

I get to pull out my wedding china and my pink depression glass bowl for the shower as well. The bowl was given to me by my husband's Aunt. My wedding china is Rosemead by Mikasa. I've only used it a few times. I was ecstatic that it fit the fun vintage feel I'm going for at the shower.

I've got a busy day or two coming up with the shower on Sunday. Today it's cleaning and making some snacks. Tomorrow starts with Thing 2's basketball game at 8:00 a.m. Then a trip to Topeka to pick up the cupcakes, flowers and few last minute things and on home to make an appetizer for the first of several family gatherings for Christmas at 3:00 p.m.

It has been so fun planning all of this. I'm really looking forward to sharing the weekend with family and friends and enjoying some good food and laughs. It's these busy times that seem to make time fly, but I'm trying to relax and enjoy the process rather just check off items from my list as I usually do. It's amazing how much more enjoyable entertaining is this way!

Baby Girl Fever

2011-12-07T13:58:00.003-06:00

I am hosting a baby shower in a little over a week. I've been having a ball planning for it. I've never thrown a shower for anyone. It's for my husband's cousin's wife. I'm making one of those cute little buntings you see everywhere these days.

I'm taking the easy route and hot gluing it. I know, I know. But it's really turning out cute. I purchased all of this fabric at Hobby Lobby. They were having some great sales this week too.

I'm going to make onesie cupcakes too. I'm not sure how to do them, but I figure I can come close. I am modeling this shower from the one on Me and My Pink Mixer. It was just the cutest shower. Such easy, practical ideas from Ms. Pink Mixer. She is a whiz in the kitchen too!

Speaking of onesies, boy are they making some cute ones right now. It almost makes me want another baby...almost.

I'm ordering cupcakes from here. They were on "Cupcake Wars" but have since changed their name. I can't wait to see the cupcakes in person, let alone try them! I ordered 4 different kinds. I was going to make them myself, but with Christmas coming I started to stress out about them. I think I've already begun a New Year's resolution list and I don't do those. 1) learn to quilt {I've already signed up for the once per month class!} and 2) Learn to do basic cake/cupcake decorating.

I purchased this cute cupcake stand at Target. It was on sale for $16.00. I just love it. The little vase were 50% off at Hobby Lobby too.

I really like planning parties. Now, if I could just start enjoying cleaning my house before/after the party. Ugh!

Thanksgiving Ephemera

2011-11-22T19:36:00.001-06:00

I thought I'd show you some of my old postcards. I started collecting them only about a year ago. These three are my favorite Thanksgiving cards. They are just so sweet and funny. I love the old messages on the backs and trying to see what year they were postmarked. They are such fun and inexpensive things to collect.

I've made the turkey brine and it's cooling now. Tomorrow morning we'll start the process of brining Mr. Tom. I'm serving 16 on Thursday and I am so excited. Everyone is bringing most of the food this year so it is going to be pretty easy. I'm just making the Turkey, potatoes and gravy and some dinner rolls from scratch. The girls and I make those together. Nothing better than the smell of bread in the oven and the taste of it hot out of the oven. I should make them more often.

I wish there was a Thanksgiving season. It just comes and goes way too quickly. It is such a relaxing, soul nuturing holiday. There is no pressure behind Thanksgiving. No gifts to buy. Just show up and eat what you like. It's like Christmas SHOULD be. As for what I think about this whole Black Friday business, it might be fun to try once, but I think it's safe to say I'll be at home with the family, snuggled in bed Friday morning.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Checking In

2011-11-19T10:02:00.001-06:00

Hi guys. Thanks for all of your great comments on my dollhouse post. We're still working on it and have the outside nearly finished. I'll post pictures soon. I'm just checking in to let you know I'm still around. I've just been very busy lately on top of having some Internet issues. I started substitute teaching about 3 or 4 weeks ago...about the time of my last post. Needless to say, I've been getting called quite a bit. I'm really enjoying it. It's getting me out of the house and around other people, somethings that I've really been craving. I've subbed for high school and elementary. So far 2nd grade is my favorite. They love to compliment me and draw me pictures. Such an innocent age, yet they do know what they are doing too.

Anyway, hubby and I had a weekend to hit some first Friday sales in K.C. and I found a couple blog-worthy things. This is an old tool chest of some sort and I loved its color and chippiness. It's such a practical little box too. It will fit right in to my craft room.

I am hosting Thanksgiving in a week and having a baby shower at my house in a month and I needed something to jazz up the buffet line.

We found this old metal plant stand that is unusually short and it folds up for easier storage. I loved the almost doily look to the tops of the stands. I think it will work great for risers for dishes of food and plates of cupcakes.

We've been working on a couple of other projects for the girls' rooms too. I need to take some photos and get them finished. I just had to check in and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and let you know I'm missing blogging and stopping by. Hopefully I'll fall into a routine and I'm sure subbing will slow down after this initial bout of colds and flu goes by. We're still healthy here, but I have my mommy radar ears on for the tell-tale "cough" in the night.

Dollhouse

2011-10-22T11:39:00.000-05:00

As per your requests, here is my dollhouse!

It was all wood when we started. No color at all.

You may notice it has no door. It was a casualty of my childhood, I'm afraid.

I think the girls are really enjoying working on it.

They are being so careful and doing such a nice job.

We are going to paint the shutters and window boxes light pink. The yellow is a bit brighter than I wanted, but it's fun. We'd like to stain the shingles too.

Not long until it's finished now!

Fall Harvest

2011-10-21T11:01:00.000-05:00

Things are slowing down around here with the end of cross country. I get my big girl home after school now. She didn't want to try basketball. Thing 2 started volleyball. She only practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays and has games on Saturdays. Last night we had fall concert for Thing 1. She plays trombone and sings in choir. It's always so nice to hear them sing and play.

Two nights ago we had our first really hard frost. Time to cut out all the mushy flowers and fill up the bird feeders. I went for a walk yesterday morning and everything was glistening in the sun from the frost. I stopped by the creek and listened to the leaves raining down from the trees. It was just a really pretty "picture". I really should have worn a hat! Wow, was it chilly.

Here is a look at the garden on Tuesday evening before any frost had hit it. It's in a sorry state now. It's bitter sweet though. Sad to see the growing season end, but kind of glad to let it rest. The roof is on chicken coop and the cedar shingles are going up on the sides. It's so pretty. So thankful to have a husband that would build me a chicken coop of my dreams. Guess I should expect that from the man of my dreams :)

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We're working on painting my childhood dollhouse. It was never finished and I've been meaning to paint it for several years now. The girls are helping too. We've each taken a side and it's a really fun project to do together. Makes me want to get another one and put it together and work on it with them again. There are just some really gorgeous ones out there. Usually they are Victorian looking but at Hobby Lobby there is a craftsman style house. It has a huge front porch and a dormer on the front. It looks just like our second house. Now I have to take care of my real house. Ugh! I hate house work.

End of Another Season

2011-10-14T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's the end of a season of a different kind around here. My Thing 1 finished her first cross country season yesterday. She ran her best time of the season and was 4th place in the Junior High League race. I am so proud of her. She medaled in 5 of 6 meets placing, 3rd twice, 9th, 2nd and now 4th. She has really seemed to blossom as the season progressed. She liked it so much she wants to run track in the spring. I am so pleased she found something she enjoys and is so good for her. I am really going to miss the meets! She is now a teenager as I told you in my last post. Today is the big day. We took her on a mini shopping spree last weekend and she got some new clothes. There is no picking anything out for her anymore. Tonight after she gets home we'll have a little family celebration, just the four of us. We have a little surprise bowling party for her tomorrow with other family. Thing 2 has her first volleyball game tomorrow as well, so we'll have a busy Saturday! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Jumble

2011-10-13T09:25:00.000-05:00

We have one apple tree that is ancient here at the ranch. I don't even know what variety it is. It gives us these greenish apples every year, even this year after such a hot, dry summer.

We made crock pot applesauce last weekend. It ~~was~~ is SO good. One batch only takes about 12 apples, so I better get busy! Maybe a pie too? Hubby would love that.

I've been having some of these guys on the butterfly weed. I wonder what they will turn into.

My mind is a jumble this morning. My oldest turns 13 tomorrow and she runs in her last cross country meet of the season this afternoon. There are a lot of emotions coursing through this brain, as well as a moderately long to-do list. Sooo, I'd better get off this dang computer and get busy!

It Just Kept Appearing

2011-10-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

This vase just called to me. Yes, it's crazed, but aren't we all?

So far it's a water tight vessel, which is always useful in a vase.

I turned it around and it had this big chip.

Then I turned it over and it had this:

It was only 75 cents and it was the real McCoy :)

This old glass measuring cup was also 75 cents. I couldn't pass up it up, they don't make them like this any more.

This wooden trunk will need a bit of TLC and maybe a date with the power washer, but it was just so cool and for $4.00 I had to have it.

Vintage linens. {Big sigh} 10 cents each. Now, they are all pretty stained and well loved. I don't care. I may be able to cut out enough good to make a pretty pillow for the porch or something. Again, they just don't make them like this anymore. Something in me needs to be around these old items. I'm not sure what it is. I'm just drawn to them. I don't get this feeling in Macy's. Yes, when I walk by the Martha section I do get excited, but when I'm browsing an antique store or find these things at garage sales, I feel...comforted. I know it's just stuff, but somehow it's a symbol of our past greatness. Not that we aren't still great, but that true greatness lasts if we take care of it. We just have to pick it up and appreciate it.

Oh Me, Oh My!

2011-10-10T14:48:00.000-05:00

OK, I'm going to try to type this without too many heart palpitations and too much perspiring. I went to ONE garage sale this weekend on Friday night {hey, it's what REALLY cool people do on Friday night}. Folks, I hit the mother load. See these cute little Pyrex refrigerator dishes? 25 cents...not each, but for ALL three plus one lid!

I nearly collapsed right then and there {gulp} and then I saw more.

A small loaf-size dish and two more small dishes WITH CHICKENS ON THEM...$2.50 for the whole set. We are talking mint condition too.

And then there was even more.

This one has a chip on it's lid, but it's no big deal...um, 10 cents people. But wait, there's more.

This is probably about a 1qt dish with a lid...50 cents. Pyrex just kept appearing and there was this shiny glow around the table as if the pieces were beaming down from heaven. Or maybe it was the lack of oxygen to the brain because at this point I think I was practically hyperventilating.

This one is a different pattern but I really don't care because it's still aqua and it's still birds and it's still cheap...75 cents.

And the last piece is sort of a rosy coral colored casserole, probably about 1-1 1/2 qt...50 cents.

I am not the only one that found this flipping amazing!! Really, this is all it takes to make me happy. A boat load of Pyrex all for under $5.00. This isn't even all I found at this sale. I'll save it for next time. I think I need a nap now.

Fall-tastic!

2011-10-07T10:10:00.003-05:00

I love fall. I love the weather (minus today's wind), the colors, the smells, the foods and the decorations. Have you seen these little twiggy pumpkins in Target's Dollar Spot?

Hubby got this little squirrel votive holder for me years ago. I think it also came from Target.

I don't do anything too spooky, although I secretly wish to.

My favorite fall decor is just natural looking twiggy things and berries. I can't wait to go hunting for bittersweet. We have quite a bit that grows around our house. I love items that will get you through Thanksgiving.

I think I'll make these today. Don't they just sound scrumptious!

{photo from Pinterst via realmomkitchen.com}

{a link to their website can be found on my sidebar}

They are Pumpkin Nutella Muffins!! They may not last until breakfast :) Have a great day!!

Fall Gardening

2011-10-04T07:10:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the unplanned blog break. I wish I could say I traveled the globe while I was away, but I did not. We've been busy with a whole lot of nothing. Sometimes I just hit a road block with blogging and BOOM--I.got.nothin'. This past weekend though we had a good friend out that we hadn't seen in about a year and a half. It was great to see him. Sunday afternoon we put in the rest of our shade garden.

We planted/transplanted 17 plants. Above is a Hellebore. We've never grown them before so we'll see how it does. We planted hostas, coral bells, ferns, an oak leaf hydrangea and transplanted another hydrangea. Sometimes we plant things and realize oops, it really doesn't go there.

This is a weeping red bud tree. It's not supposed to get a lot bigger, it just adds a bit of character.

Our fall vegetable garden is doing well. Broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. The beets are protesting though. They don't want to grow.

I think cabbage are the cutest veggies. SO Peter Rabbit-like. What are you all up to this fall? Is the weather great where you are too? Are you reading anything good? I need to catch up!

Thrifty Finds

2011-09-15T10:33:00.000-05:00

I promised to show you my great finds from Saturday's sales, so I suppose I better make good. This pillow caught my eye immediately. Now, normally I wouldn't go near a second-hand pillow, but this one is crocheted. It was a no-brainer. I snipped the stitches that were sewn with regular white sewing thread, took out the inner pillow and threw it away, then washed the crocheted cover. It washed up really well and now awaits me to re-stuff it. It cost me $1.00.

I took a bit of a chance on this small square embroidered table cloth. It has quite a few stains on it that don't show up in the photos. It did not come clean after a laundering and a line dry in the sun. Do you think taking a Q-tip with bleach or peroxide would work? It may over whiten the cloth. I figured for $1.00 I could risk it. I can always cut it up and sew pillows out of it.

I've never read the Bobbsey Twins, but I just loved the bright, fun cover of this one. 25 cents.

OK, I have to say this teacup is just about my favorite find of the weekend. It is Johnson Bros. and says so on the bottom along with England and a green stamp of some kind. It is extra large and it would probably hold 1 1/2-2 cups of liquid. I should have put something next to it for scale. I loved the birds and we have a set of Johnson Bros. Friendly Village that it very similar to this in color. If you know the pattern please tell me because we've scoured the Internet looking and can't find it anywhere. $1.50

I have a weakness for old planters. Especially old green ones that say McCoy or USA on the bottom. I believe some McCoy are not marked. This one just says USA on the bottom, but I love it either way. 25 cents.

This fun pitcher may not be the ideal color for colored glass, but something about it reminds me of my childhood and screams to be filled lemonade or kool-aid. $1.00

All in all I spent a whopping $5.00 on these items. How do you think I did?

Chicken Update

2011-09-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

The girls are settled in nicely to their new home. It was a much smoother transition than I had anticipated.

I was extremely worried about the pecking order and how it would affect some of my favorites. Yes, I have favorites.

This is Baby. She follows me around the coop and acts like she wants to be held. She is one of our new pullets (a young female)from the spring. She's a Black Australorp. They lay nice, big brown eggs and have a wonderful disposition.

The camera made them all very curious.

We put three stump perches in their yard. They love to get up on them and look around.

Penelope is our family favorite. She is an Araucana (a blue/green egg layer) and is the last surviving original chicken from the three chicks we got 3 springs ago before we moved to the ranch. She is the sweetest bird ever. She looks a bit like she was digging in the dirt or had just gotten a drink or something in this photo.

They're all happy and content (and quite spoiled I might add).

2011-09-12T07:01:00.000-05:00

One last burst of summer today. I can appreciate that. It just doesn't want to let go. It's taunting me, trying to win my favor by showing me bits of itself at its best. This morning glory decided to bloom after four months of waiting. It only has about one bloom per day. A real bust. But isn't pretty? They are large blooms too, about 3" across. Sorry summer, that's not going to win my love.

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We had another busy weekend. Saturday morning Wamego had it's citywide garage sales so I got up early and hit the trail! I spent only $10-12 but found some really cute things. I'll have to show them to you. That is just the best feeling to find fun stuff for super cheap!

Saturday afternoon we took off for KC to celebrate my hubby's birthday. We met family for a nice dinner and stayed over and went to a couple garden centers on Sunday. We've now got broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts going for fall. I had some fantastic oven roasted beets for dinner Saturday night, so I think we're going to try to find some seeds for beets too.

Today it's groceries and errands and lots of coffee this morning. I hope you had a good weekend.

Vintage Pretties

2011-09-08T09:37:00.000-05:00

I recently won a giveaway at the Garden of Daisies blog. How could I not enter this sweet giveaway? They are some of my favorite things. Embroidered pillow cases, a crocheted pot holder to add to my collection, a lavender sachet and note cards made from vintage embroideries!

Thank you Gayle for picking my number!! I may have to frame the note cards as they are just to pretty to part with. But that may be a tad selfish :)

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Tuesday my daughter ran in her 2nd cross country meet. She improved her time by 26 seconds and was 9th of 42 runners. She medaled and her team came in 5th! I am so proud. She ran against much bigger schools and it will probably be one of the hardest meets if not the hardest this year. I can't wait for the next meet!!

Yesterday fall Bible study started. I am so excited to start another semester. The study I've been doing is called "The Amazing Collection". It covers a book of the Bible per week! It takes 3 years to complete the Bible. We are on Isaiah now. It is a wonderful way to learn about the Bible in a more comprehensive way. After Bible study a friend had me over for lunch. It was so nice to catch up with her and have some adult conversation. I forget how I enjoy that! Thanks W ;)

We are still enjoying phenomenal weather here in Kansas. It is so nice to have the windows open and curtains billowing in the breezes. It makes me want to cook soup and bake something with apples, pumpkin or cinnamon!

Take care everyone and have a great day.

Boredom Cured...For Now

2011-09-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all who commented on my last post. I'm feeling much better and wish you knew what a great support system you all are. Blogging is great for lots of reasons, but I don't mention enough how important it is to me to hear from you guys. Some of you I've "known" now for almost 3 YEARS! That's how long I'll have been blogging come next month. Thank you for your friendships, new and old.

Well, since last Wednesday, I've actually been quite busy, strangely enough. Thursday and Friday our little heat wave continued, but the mornings were cool enough, so I went for a walk both mornings. It was remarkably refreshing. There was a great blue heron both mornings at the same spot in the creek. The second morning I tried to sneak up on it, but apparently, I'm much louder than I know. I want to make these morning walks a habit, but I'm so easily bored :) that I'm not sure it would take. I think a dog would make a great walking partner and change it up a bit.

Thursday my oldest daughter had her first cross country meet. She did a terrific job and won a 3rd place medal! It was 105 degrees when she ran. She has another meet today and the high is 77, so it will be much nicer for the ~~parents~~ runners today.

Friday my youngest had a friend over for a sleepover which is always entertaining. They were so quiet, however, I hardly knew they were here. So, I suppose they had a good time since I never heard "What should we doooo?".

Saturday was spent readying the house for company on Sunday. My BIL and SIL came over with my two nieces for the day. Hubby grilled burgers and I made potato salad and baked beans. The weather was so amazing that we ate on the porch. It was great to see them and we topped off the night with a fire in the fire pit and s'mores. It is my favorite fall activity! We stayed out till after dark and watched the sun set and listened to the coyotes howl and owls hoot! I just want to bottle up days like that.

After an 8:00 a.m. cross country practice on Labor Day morning (I suppose since there is a meet today), our day was very uneventful. I'm starting out slowly today. I'm enjoying this beautiful weather while it's here. It is amazing what a change in the weather can do to lift your spirits. God really does always answers our prayers, somehow, even if it's not how we thought or hoped He would. He's always there to comfort us, and sees us through those valleys in life. That is His promise, just like a good friend. Isaiah 40:28-31

Daily Grind

2011-08-31T09:42:00.000-05:00

Today is one of those days. A day that I should be thankful for, a day I should rejoice in. I am trying. I am praying for God to give me strength to do the mundane, to give me joy in my heart over all the things He's given me. I know I'm blessed. But today is just one of those days.

I'm really struggling to see the silver lining. I look around and everything is the same. I know I should feel blessed to have a yard to have a garden, but today it just feels like a big old burden because I'm tired of watering. Yes, the flowers are pretty, but Lord, I've been lookin' at these flowers all summer. I'm ready for a change.

I've got no sittin' butt, as my mom would say. I always want something new to do. I get tired of the same old thing day in and day out. I am thankful I have a house but my goodness I don't want to clean it. I don't feel like sewing or doing anything.

Dare I say the words my ears despise?

I'm bored!

Oh! Now somebody come wash my mouth out with soap.

For the Love of Vintage

2011-08-24T10:13:00.001-05:00

I've been collecting pretty vintage trays and platters for a little over a year now. I just love their colors and, of course, the flowers. I love what they represent as well--a bygone era of hospitality and domesticity.

I know it is seeing a bit of come back recently, but for the most part those days are past. Knowing I'll never use all of these trays and really not having a place to store them, I did what any self-respecting lover of all things vintage would do--display them for all the world to see.

Some are from antique stores, one is from eBay and one from a garage sale. Does anyone else find eBay very unsatisfying anymore? I used to love it and would watch things for days. Now, I'd much rather search things out at flea markets, auctions, antique stores and sales.

The lady at the antique store told me there is a story behind the two birds that are always together on a piece of blue willow, but I can't remember what it is.

Now, I'm sure I broke a ton of design rules when I hung up my trays, but I know that when I look at them up on my wall they make me smile.

Book Talk

2011-08-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't talked about books in forever and I really should more often because they are such a big part of my life. I'm in two different book clubs and I'm reading 3 books at the moment. I usually don't like to read more than one book at a time, but it just seems to work for me right now. "Unbroken" is AMAZING!!! Sadly, I am not a huge history buff, but this book is making me one. I am only about 1/4 through it and I already think it should possibly be required reading. It really sheds light on the human-ness of the soldiers and the amazing toll of lives WWII took. A phenomenal book about phenomenal people. It makes me want to search out WWII vets and personally thank them. We've really got it pretty d**n good in this country right now no matter what the media tells you. Many of our "problems" are self inflicted. If you think I'm nuts, read this book.

I'm reading another book about another war right now too. This one, so far, is depressing. It is just a difference in the style of writing. "Unbroken" is a biography, "The Things They Carried" is a work of fiction based on the Vietnam war. It is good too, just in a different way. Both are for different book clubs, they just happened to both choose war books.

I can't say much about "The Lacuna". It's for book club too. It is a huge book. It is wordy, sporadic, and uninteresting. I am on about page 85 and I couldn't care less about any of the vaguely described, selfish characters. It's written in a diary form and I find it distracting and discombobulating at best. I've heard from friends and reviews, that it does get better after 100 pages. It has 500. Should a good book take 100 pages to become "good"? I'm about to throw it across the room.

I loved this book. It is not difficult reading, just a fun book. My husband and I went to Niagara Falls for our 10th wedding anniversary in 2005. I LOVE Niagara Falls. So, naturally, when I saw this book I had to get it. It's set at the turn of the century and is a love/historical story. Unlike the other books, this one was not "homework" as my husband would say.

What are you reading that's good right now? I love to talk books so if any of you have read any of these please let me know. I'd love to chat about them.

Times They Are a Changin'

2011-08-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

I don't have "little" girls anymore. I have young ladies.

Their first day went off without a hitch for the most part.

I have one that was nearly in tears she was so nervous to start and one who could hardly sleep she was so excited. And then there was the mom who was nearly in tears AND couldn't sleep.

Oh! To be young again and excited about Salisbury Steak for school lunch and a sleepover on Friday night!

I hope these next few years don't fly by as quickly as I think they might.

Lord, bless them as you have blessed me.

Producing Produce

2011-08-16T14:16:00.000-05:00

We've really been blessed this summer with a garden that produced for us. Many people around here complained of their gardens not being so great this summer because of the heat. We kept ours watered and it did pretty well. Not a bumper crop, but enough to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

We enjoyed our cantaloupes last week. This is an heirloom variety. It was nice and sweet.

They got quite large. I think we've picked 3 and there are a couple more coming on.

Our Roma tomato plant is really going strong. We've harvested 90 Romas in the last couple of weeks. Romas are determinate tomatoes. Meaning that they put on all their fruit at once and then are finished.

I wish I felt like making sauce and canning. I'm not really equipped to do it either. I'm planning on lots of fresh salsa though. We've got jalapenos and onions from the garden to put in it as well, so it makes it relatively inexpensive. I will have to buy cilantro and limes. My cilantro WAS horrible this year. I'm not sure what happened to it. I've got lots of cherry and grape tomatoes and basil, so I've been making a baby caprese salad I found online and a marinated tomato salad.

BLT's are the dinner winner lately. The variety in the middle is called "Great White" and they are really something. They're huge. Hubby sliced one for hamburgers the other night and they were larger in diameter than the bun! I have to say though...I am gardened OUT! I am ready for fall and the cool weather, even though our weather lately is nothing to complain about. I've not had to water anything but pots for about 2 weeks now. It is such a blessing after the hot July we had. I am ready for pumpkin soup, auctions and fall leaves. Fall is my favorite season. BRING IT ON!!!! Just remind me I said that come January :)

Stuff Around Here

2011-08-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

I had to show you how our new chicken coop is progressing. I think I showed it to you back in the fall. I found this antique garden trowel at a garage sale this summer for .50 and had hubby fashion it into a door handle. I love how it looks. I just hope it doesn't weather too quickly.

My handy hubby also made the door from old lumber and hinges he found in one of our barns. I guess this would make it "reclaimed lumber"? As you can see, he's gotten the coop framed and covered with plywood. The roof is covered as well. So we're just lacking siding, a finished roof and windows. We've purchased cedar siding and once this weather cools down for good I think it will be finished in no time. The outside run is about finished and the windows need installed, but it is far enough along I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

This was the foundation that I showed you last fall. He collected every stone himself from our pastures and mortared them all in himself. I am so impressed.

We've been doing a bit of antiquing lately. There are some great places in Kansas City that have sales on the first weekend of the month and they are so fun to go to. I got the white stool above for $10 last weekend. I think it will be a side table for a chair in my daughter's room-which we've finished painting FINALLY!!!! We're still working on decorating it and finding fun things for it, so I'm not ready to show you. It takes me so long to get to show you guys anything, sorry about that.

We've had these around a while. They're also from out of the barns here. We keep chicken feed and cat food in them. This room in the last two photos with the wonderful 1970's linoleum is a mudroom off the garage connecting to the house that serves it's purpose but is OH so ugly. Some day we want to completely tear it down and start over. But it's good to have with kids and my husband being a rancher because lots of dirt gets tracked in out here and hopefully I can stop it before it gets in the house!

Right now I've got my two nieces over for a couple of days. They're about the same age as my girls and my girls are arguing and bickering so much it makes me want to retract my last post! My word they're disagreeable with their cousins around. I think we'll go swimming after lunch, them, not me! Can they find a way to argue when they're all in the water? We'll see. I'll watch from shade of the "mommy" area and read a book. Sorry I've been a bit absent lately. I hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying these last few hair pulling days of summer fun!

Stalling

2011-08-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

As the beginning of school draws near I find myself trying to stall time. It can't be time for school already, can it? We were just getting started.

Another summer finished, another school year ahead. It makes me a bit melancholy. I want to hold onto summer, but there is excitement in the air with the approaching of a new season.

New shoes are lined up next to the book bags packed with pencils, scissors, paper and more. The girls are all set and ready to go.

My heart is not ready to let go.

Proud Mama

2011-07-26T11:03:00.002-05:00

I had to share some 4H fair news. The girls have done really well for their first time at the fair.

Thing 1

Sewing--Blue ribbon

Entomology (insect collection)--Blue ribbon

3 Chickens--1 Blue and 2 Red

Thing 2

Art & Crafts--Red ribbon

Photography--3 Purple, 1 Blue ribbon

3 Chickens--3 Blue ribbons with one receiving Reserve Champion

These are the photos my Thing 2 entered. We went to a photography workshop a couple of weeks ago. We came home and looked through her photos from a couple of our vacations and I showed her how to edit them on Picnik.com.

The photo above is the one that received the blue ribbon. The rest were purple! We'll see if she gets champion on any of them. The judge raved about this one, calling it a "HIGH PURPLE". It's kind of exciting. OK, it's really exciting :)

Her photos are very similar to mine from our trips. She kind of follows me around with her camera sometimes. I guess it paid off for her :)

Well, better go for now. I"m making BCT's (bacon, cheese and tomatoes) for lunch and then probably back into the fair. We're still having 100+ temps here, so we've got to be diligent in keeping the chickens watered and have to put ice blocks in their cages at the fair. We finally get to bring them home tomorrow night.

Stressed Out

2011-07-21T13:28:00.001-05:00

I have a lot on my mind right now. I'm hoping if I share it I will be able to process it and it won't be so overwhelming. First of all, it's this heat. Watering is a big job. It takes over an hour. I've been doing it every other day in the morning and I think the raised beds need it everyday. My zinnias are dying and things just don't look...perky.

The flowers are doing just OK. Some things better than others and the kittens are still doing a number on them. There used to be lots of iris behind the Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) on the left side of the photo.

Next, we have lost one chicken and 3 cats since last July 11. The chicken was most certainly from the heat. The cats...I don't think it was heat because they just disappeared. One of them was Sammy, our black cat from the litter last year that had 3 eight week old kittens. One of them has disappeared and the other two have thankfully "latched on" to another cat mother we have. They are probably old enough to be OK, but it is still very sad. They just don't know what they are doing and need a mother. The other cat that is gone is one of the older kittens from this year. I have tried to find homes and 3 are spoken for. Miraculously, those 3 are still around. Two are supposed to go soon and one can't be picked up until August 1 by the new owners. My girls are heartbroken. You'd think with so many animals it would be easier, but we love them all so much.

Tomorrow is our 16th wedding anniversary! That is a good thing in all of this hoop-la. We're going to go out to dinner in KC and maybe stay over if we feel like it.

The 4H fair starts this Sunday. We are madly getting projects finished. I really don't know if they're all going to happen. There is only so much time in a day. It's our first year at it so I'm sure next year will go more smoothly if I can talk the girls into staying in it. They are each supposed to show 3 chickens and I'm worried about the chickens being too stressed and hot at the fair. We are pinning insects for an entomology box, gluing and painting an arts and crafts project, cropping, enlarging and mounting photos and also working on the club banner in the evenings. Check-in is Sunday afternoon with the parade in the evening. I'm sure it will all come together and be just fine and a lot of fun, but right now it's stressful and a bit too much commotion for this at-home country mom.

Sunday Flowers

2011-07-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

My favorite thing about summer are the flowers. I love flowers. Anyone who knows me, knows this.

Sunflowers are one of my faves and are so easy to grow. We started these from seed. I have two other varieties that aren't blooming yet. One is supposed to have gigantic flowers the other more orangy colors.

I hope your Sunday is going well and you are able stop and smell the flowers.

A bright spot in this hot world, as long as I remember to water :)

Sizzlin'

2011-07-15T23:52:00.001-05:00

If your forecast looks anything like ours please try to stay cool and be careful out there this weekend. I'm going to try to get up earlier and spend some time outdoors and then come inside and read and drink iced coffees. What are you doing to beat this heat wave?

Summer Business

2011-07-13T08:09:00.001-05:00

The best part about gardening is the harvest. There is nothing like the feeling of working at something, hoping in something, and having it come true.

Even if it's small potatoes.

Or rather large potatoes as the case may be ;)

We've also harvested sugar snap peas recently. Wow were they good! We only had enough for one meal though. They are still producing, so maybe they will keep it up. I've never grown them before so I'm not sure.

These hot days are getting me down though. We've been having heat indices of 110+. It just drains you. The garden starts looking wimpy, the animals suffer (we lost another chicken Monday, a Rhode Island Red); you can't enjoy being outside. Last night, however, we went to Thing 2's ball game and it was looking very stormy. Lightening all around and rain here and there. There was an hour game delay. It was so worth it though. It cooled off and was in the low 80's with a nice breeze and was so refreshing.

Her team won 7-0!! It was such a nice night. When we finally got home around 10:00 p.m. we found nearly a 1/2" of rain in the rain gauge. Woohoo! Fellow gardeners with hot summers, you know how this feels. No watering the garden the next morning! I think my relief will be short-lived, but it was nice for the moment.

We're also busy here getting ready for the 4-H fair. It's the girl's first year in it. They're showing chickens, making crafts, photography and entomology. We've got end of the year pool parties and cook outs, banner committee meetings and all kinds of project business left to finish. July is flying by. I don't even feel like I lead a terribly busy life and it is flying by. It really is a blink.

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A couple of you caught my mistake last post--guess it was time to show my face after 2 1/2 years of blogging. Oops!

Where Ya Been?

2011-07-08T19:29:00.001-05:00

We just got back from Colorado. We left last Thursday after Thing 2's ball game that was supposed to be at 7:15 p.m. That would have put us in Hays, KS by about 11:30 or 12:00. Sounds pretty late. However, they changed the game time with out letting our coach know and so the game didn't start until 8:30 p.m. and therefore we didn't arrive at our reserved hotel in Hays until 2:00 a.m. So we were an hour and fifteen minutes early to the game. Oh, ya, it was 100 degrees that day too. We left the next morning at 6:00 a.m. You do the math.

It is absolutely beautiful in Colorado right now. It is essentially springtime and was a much needed getaway from our rain forest-like weather here.

We white water rafted for the first time. It was AWESOME!! I thought our raft was going over once and kept checking to make sure the girls were still in the raft but it was a total blast! To bad you can't really photograph a raft trip.

We also rented a jeep and took "Last Dollar Road" outside of Ridgway, CO. VERY scenic and very worth the time. Gorgeous views of scenery that not everyone gets to see.

This is part of the trail that really blew me away.

We ended up in Telluride. This is a hydroelectric power plant east of Telluride. Breath-taking.

Fourth of July morning these balloons were lifting off right outside where we were staying.

Also on the fourth we drove to Arches National Park in Utah. It was about a 3-4 hour drive there, one way.

We left Ridgway about 7:30 a.m. and got back around 5:00 p.m. Quite a long day.

The power of the Lord is so evident everywhere you look and WOW is He creative!

(look closely and you'll see people at the base of the arch on the left-it's bigger than you think)

After dinner we drove to Ouray for the fireworks and finally arrived home about 11:30 after taking an hour to drive 9 miles because of the traffic. We were ready for bed! But it was not meant to be that night. Something happened with our key code and we were locked out! We called all FOUR numbers for the owners repeatedly but they wouldn't answer. We checked the lodge across the street and the were full since the fourth is just about their busiest time of year. So...we. slept. in. our. car. people! Remember we'd already driven 7-8 hours that day to Arches and then sat in traffic for an hour after the fireworks AND we had to head out on our first leg home the next day. So we were kinda going nuts by the time we arrived home. It really was a great trip all in all though and makes for great stories!

Stormy Weather

2011-06-23T13:03:00.000-05:00

We have had some severe weather around lately. It is so common place that I never really think to photograph it.

This particular evening {just this past Monday} the clouds were just so awesome that I had to try.

Our house was in a tornado watch and a severe thunderstorm warning when I took these.

The clouds were swirling overhead and we were looking for a funnel cloud to drop down at anytime.

None ever did though. We got some pea-sized hail and gusty winds, but that was it. It sure was scary looking though! They are calling for more storms tonight through Saturday. I guess it's summertime in Kansas!!

Project Before and Afters

2011-06-17T10:36:00.000-05:00

I told you I'd done a couple of little projects lately so I thought I'd show them to you today.

This is a little shelf from an auction we got quite a long time ago. My husband thought I was crazy but all I saw was potential.

I think it's quite old. I think it was $1.50 originally.

This is a little bird candle plate I got at a craft store and it was just really dark and faded in.

I love how they turned out. I love the shelf, but not what I've got on it. Not sure what to put on it now that I've painted it, ha! I think it's too busy as is.

I think my birdie looks much happier as a blue bird! Next...to tackle a table or two. I've actually got 3 that need painted. They're all different styles, but all in my living room. Remember my living room? Should I do them all the same color? I don't want it to look like too much of a hodge podge if I do them differently. Maybe the two on either side of the couch the same color. Then, across the room {from where I took the photo} I have two matching leather chairs with a table between. Think I could do it a different color or should I stick with the same to create unity?

Settling in to Summer

2011-06-09T16:45:00.001-05:00

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My life is all about gardening right now. And cats. And kids. Gardening, cats and kids. That's my summer. I go out in my garden multiple times a day. I just can't help it. It's as if it is literally calling me. "COME TO THE GARDEN".

As hot as it's been, I've been watering every day. I'm not the only one called to the garden. These little bumble bees are everywhere. I may have started talking to them. Maybe. Would that be weird? OK, I definitely have not started talking to the bees...

Tell me, do you cut off the spent blooms on your climbing roses to get a re-bloom? I did last year and it worked, however, it didn't climb much. Maybe that takes a few years? I should look that up in my 25 or so gardening books or my books from, um, college. I probably shouldn't have to look that up.

The lilies are so tall this year.

My shade garden is turning out to be not so shady. Hmm...

The morning glories are growing up their trellises, finally.

The dwarf cherry tree is ready to pick. Boy, do they make you pucker though!

They are so pretty.

The veggies are growing like mad too. We harvested our broccoli and cabbage this week, to make room for pumpkins!

The grape tomatoes are setting on which is SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! I crave homegrown tomatoes 365 days per year.

I pray for no hail and high winds...often. We're in a tornado watch as I type. We're heading out in about an hour and a half for Thing 2's softball game. Hopefully no storms. It is so fun to watch her. This year she's pitching a couple innings a game. I think after 2 games pitching she is already better than I was at her age. So proud of her. She'd shown no interest until this year and wants to practice all the time.

It's a great summer.

Talking is Easier Than Doing

2011-06-08T15:59:00.001-05:00

Your help with my decorating dilemma is greatly appreciated. I think I want to paint. Now to convince the husband. And come up with the money. Honestly, I don't want to paint it...I want SOMEONE to paint it. Heh, heh. It's a HUGE project. We can't just take the paneling down. There is crumbling plaster behind it. Yes, it's either leave it or paint it. Gutting it is not an option for a really, really long time. I liked your idea for the table of a light blue color. I think I'll look for a spray paint. I'm kind of hooked on spray paint lately. Which reminds me I need to take a couple after photos of little things I sprayed. I'm going to check in to getting some hanky print fabric. It is so pretty.

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Look at that grumpy little face. This is an ornery one. OK, I think I have another problem. I was all set to find homes and get these little guys outta here right? Like, two days ago. Well, dang it! They've gone wrapped their little paws around my heart now.

I don't know what to do now. If I don't want to let them go, how do my kids feel? I feel so selfish.

How could you NOT love these little guys?

A Thrifty Find and Decorating Help

2011-06-07T12:49:00.001-05:00

I found a cute little table at a garage sale a few weeks ago. It was only $1. Seriously? I bought it intending to paint it...but I can't decide on a color. I'm terrible at making decisions. Especially decisions that really are meaningless and having no affect on the future. It's a paint color for goodness sake.

The paneling on the walls is a real pine wood paneling. My husband's grandparents remodeled the house in the early 60's. It is a light greenish color with a woodish color showing as well. It is like nothing I've seen...anywhere. I've often thought about painting it white (or really having it painted), but it's not something you could test out and change back if you didn't like it. It covers the ceiling and walls of nearly the entire first level of the house. It's kind of overwhelming. Unfortunately, it's not a flat paneling that is so popular in all of the magazines right now. It's been sandblasted so all of the soft pine is gone and the hard wood remains. It has a raised, textured surface.

I think some colorful curtains would really help too. Maybe like these? The funny thing about this is I've been eyeing her curtains for some time on her blog, and just now when I went there to get a link to a page for them...she'd posted about them. I've been wondering how she made them too. Guess I'll have to hunt eBay for that duvet or make some with my vintage hanky collection. I used the current ones at our last house and at our house before that. So...for 10 years. Yeah, I think it's time. We just got the new blinds which are totally awesome and desperately needed especially with this heat lately. Whew, is it hot where you are too? Heat index in the 100's. Yikes.

So, a couple things.

1. What color should I paint my little side table and,

2. What would you do to these walls?

Houston, We Have a Problem.

2011-05-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

This is Jane. I just want to eat her up she's so cute! It's a cute problem to have. Annoying, but cute. We currently have 12 kittens. Yes, that's 3 litters of cute, cuddly, adorable kittens. All at various stages. These are the oldest. These photos were taken a few weeks ago and so they're 10 weeks old now. Ugh.

They have that "deer in the headlights" look because I had to use my flash out in the barn. It is pitch black out there. As you can see, they are curious and playful.

Too cute for words.

This is the second litter. The above photos and this one were taken on the same day, so you can see the difference in age, but these, too, are growing and changing and don't look quite like this any more. See how ferocious the orange one is! They are so funny when they're brand new and hiss at everything.

The third litter of 3 was born yesterday or the day before. There is one black one and 2 stripey black and gray and white. Now that the oldest ones are out and about roaming the yard and playing in the bushes I worry about them constantly. When I wake up in the morning I count them. One, two, three, four. Yep all there. If can't bear the thought of something "getting" them. Out here in the country it's going to happen. It's just when it will happen. So...I am in serious need of good homes for these babies!! ASAP!!

Garden Dreams

2011-05-17T13:24:00.000-05:00

I love finding old vintage goodies. I got the old metal yellow chair recently and I just love it's chippy old paint.

This is another one of my columbines. It's my favorite. The colors are so striking together. Hard to believe it's a natural combination.

The front flower garden is growing nicely. The iris and columbine are in full bloom. The climbing rose is loaded with buds and I can't wait for it to bloom.

The girls planted morning glories in these pots.

We've got three of these pots with cedar pole trellises across the front of our garage.

Hubby made them for me. I wanted something very rustic and I love how they turned out. I think the morning glories will look great growing up them. There is a marbled blue and white variety, and a purple star-shaped one with a white border. I'm excited to see how they turn out.

The vegetable garden is really coming along. We're up to 11 raised beds now, up from the 4 from last year. Rhubarb is growing where the 12th one should be. We're not sure what to do with it. Maybe in the fall we'll just make the bed on top of it and it'll grow up through the soil next spring? Ever deal with rhubarb?

Red onions and red potatoes are growing nicely.

This is the herb garden, with mint, basil (tiny seedlings), cilantro, chives and lavender (in order from left to right).

Basil seedlings.

Broccoli, cabbages and radishes! OH MY!

It's becoming my dream garden. I can't wait until we build the fence around it. It needs boundaries, or maybe it's us that needs boundaries. I think we'd just keep adding more beds if we had no borders. It has to end!

Peony Power

2011-05-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Is there anything prettier than a peony? I beg you to tell me if there is. They are the perfect shade of pink, fragrant and self-arranging.

I just love them. They are beautiful inside...

And out. Do you remember my post from a couple of weeks ago showing the buds? Well this is how they look now!

I know they wouldn't be as special or exciting if they bloomed all the time, but I really wish they bloomed all the time. They just make things...happier.

Spring Kittens

2011-05-09T11:39:00.001-05:00

I hope you all had a nice Mother's Day. Mine was spent with family and reminded me how blessed I am to have them all.

We've had blessings of another kind here lately too. Marsha, above, is a new Mother. She had 4 kittens recently. The silly thing decided to have them under our lilac bush. I found her shortly after she'd given birth to her first kitten, so we were able to watch the rest of her labor unfold. A couple of the following pictures are a tad gross really, so if don't want to see a cat giving birth, tune in next time.

There's Marsha under the lilac bush with her mom Nelly, nearby.

Marsha seemed relieved to have all of us there supporting her.

Nelly was right there by her daughter the whole time. She even licked the kittens and showed her how to, um...clean up the after birth.

It was really a sight to see.

When the fourth kitten emerged and was cleaned up, Marsha just collapsed and curled up for a good sleep. Later that evening, we loaded Marsha and her new litter up in a box and took her out to the barn where they would be safer. Spring is definitely here now! Or should I say summer...it's supposed to be 95 degrees today. Last week we had 3 nights with frost warnings, I kid you not. Ugh! Kansas weather.

Spring Garden Tour

2011-04-29T11:04:00.000-05:00

This is the time we wait for all year long. Flowers are beginning to bloom, plants are vigorously growing.

I asked for a garden path, and I got it. I just have to work on the garden part now. It goes through an old iris garden that is completely overgrown with iris and grass now. It's going to take some effort to revive it.

The vinca is just going crazy right now. It's loving these stone stairs.

We have a few things started in the veggie garden. Cabbage, broccoli, onions, potatoes. The herb bed is on the bottom left. I have lavender, chives, cilantro, mint and basil. We're working on expanding it and adding 4-8 more beds, including 2 for cut flowers. It's very exciting. We're going to add small sized gravel in between to cut down on weeds and make the garden accessible in the mud. It will also look much nicer.

The peonies are getting ready for their May performance. That's when you know summer is finally here.

Our dwarf cherry tree is in bloom. It looks to be a bountiful harvest.

The lilacs are nearly spent which is a bittersweet ending. I will miss their sweet scent, but with their fading comes new and equally exciting sights.

Our new bird bath sits waiting for it's next visitor. The stone base was found at an abandoned homestead and the pan at an antique store. It's nothing fancy, but it serves it's purpose.

The columbines are beginning to explode here. They are dainty and beautiful. These were started from seed last spring and are already strong, vigorous plants. They are "McKana's Giants" which I highly recommend if you are interested in columbine.

Our cold frame is bursting with little seedlings and plants. We use it to hold plants until we're ready to put them in the ground and to keep our seedlings warm enough until temperatures are more summer like.

I've got lots to plant still, but I'm looking forward to it. It's so rewarding to start something from a tiny seed and watch it grow and become something beautiful that you can look forward to and enjoy year after year. Happy Spring everyone!

Chick Update

2011-04-28T07:53:00.000-05:00

The chicks have really grown. They are 4 1/2 weeks old now. One of them was a week old when we got them so HE is 5 weeks. Yes, I said HE. The one barred rock we picked out turns out to be a HE! They were labeled pullets. Sometimes I wonder if the people working at the "farm store" know what that mean. Maybe barred rocks are hard to tell and mistakes are made often. Who knows, but I'm starting to give up on that breed. I think we may have a home for Big Boy, finally. All of my hens are missing lots of feathers from his escapades.

Some of them are really looking like little vultures now. Not the cute, sweet things they once were.

They really don't enjoy being held. Once you pick them up they'll settle down a bit.

This is pan fry special. I think it's an araucana. Which would be splendid!!! It has little tufts of feathers behind it's eyes and to my knowledge, araucanas are the only ones that have that characteristic.

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Feeling sad this morning for the people of Alabama and Mississippi and the rest of the south this a.m. Tornadoes are so horrible and scary and I just hope people's faith can sustain them and grow from this tragedy.

Life is Good

2011-04-15T09:14:00.002-05:00

It's raining today, but that's OK. I'm in the mood for April showers. My flowers needed watered. I parked my car outside because hey, free car wash. Thanks God.

No pictures today because I can't think of anything to photograph. Blogging used to be about the words anyway, didn't it. When did we all decide to think we had to have a photo in every post? Oh, yeah, Pioneer Woman. I love her blog(s), don't get me wrong, but I just couldn't do that. Who really can? She's just set the bar way too high for me. That's why I'm here, to lower the bar for you! Honestly, I just like my 8 hours of sleep a night too much.

My expectations of myself are growing lower as I age. Is this normal? I mean I'm sitting here in my pj's, I need to wash my hair, but I have no where to go today and I am just fine with it. It feels pretty good actually. My house isn't a complete wreck, almost but not quite, but you know what? I can sweep, vacuum, and do laundry with dirty hair and pj's on. It's a perk of my job. Find the perks in life. Life is good.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-04-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

It is a glorious morning after a whirlwind weekend. Time to relax on the porch and put my feet up for a bit. Oh, do I wish! Nope, the ac on the car decided to go out, so off to the car doc this morning {for the second time. The first time the car didn't want to act up in front of the mechanic. We'll see about that this time.} and to do a few birthday exchanges. Both parties went well and Thing 2 had a great birthday. I think she received everything on her list and then some. We are so blessed.

We worked in the yard yesterday and I got my front garden all weeded and this morning I fertilized it. I tried Miracle Gro's new Liqua-Feed Kit with refills and boy was it a snap! I will definitely keep this on hand all summer. I filled up my hummingbird feeder this morning as well and I am ready! I am just so encouraged by seeing my garden up and growing and looking better this second spring here at the ranch. I am so glad we planted some extra things in the fall. By the fall, you're worn out and almost tired of gardening, but if you can push yourself a bit and get in a few extra perennials, it is so worth it! How does your garden grow?

Oh Goody (Bags)

2011-04-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

I'm busily preparing for the party tomorrow night. I finished the goody bags a bit ago. They are about 5x7". I got the idea from a little cloth drawstring bag I got when I purchased a necklace at a shop in the mall. They put it in a cute little bag and it really was fun and unexpected. I thought the girls can use these to put "treasures" in or whatever.

I really made 6 instead of the 5 shown here. I only needed 5, but I kinda goofed on my measurements on the first one.

I've got some fun candies and nail polish to go in them. I spent less than $10 total on these party favors. I already had the fabric in my stash, so I don't count that. I pick up small amounts of fabric that catch my eye that most stores have in their remnant bins.

Now it's on to cupcakes for tomorrow for her class. I'm making these again, per her request. We're having family over Saturday afternoon after the sleepover. So I'll be baking and cooking and cleaning all the live long day! So please be thinking about me. I always have big plans and want the weekend to be special, but I have a tendency to freak out a bit. How clean does my house really have to be for 10 year olds?

Auction Find -- Before & After

2011-04-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

Two weekends ago, we went to an auction. I love auctions. It is so exciting to bid and and be out-bid and bid again and hopefully win it. They're eBay, only live, or maybe eBay is like an auction only not live...anyway...we saw this old bench. We instantly loved it. It was covered in this hideous green and yellowy velvety fabric from 30 years ago or more. I wasn't quick enough with the camera so I only got pictures of what was under that beauteous fabric.

It is quite old I think. It had a cane bottom that had been ripped out and the board set in. It's also got this hard old leathery back to it. It's looking pretty good now though!

We added it to our "new" table for seating. My husband made the table about 15 years ago and we've never had a house with a dining room large enough for it until we moved out to the ranch.

I have nothing else "Western" in my house so I thought I'd have a little fun with the fabric on the bench. It has all of my favorite colors in it, so I think it will fit in nicely.

It nearly doubles our seating for the dining room. Our other table was 42" square and really only sat four comfortably. Not bad for a day spent at an auction. I can't wait for the next one!

Friends Make the World Go 'Round

2011-04-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

I recently won a giveaway on one of my favorite blogs, Freckled Hen. It was a giveaway for this beautiful, handmade by the "Hen" herself, apron! I was ecstatic that I had won. Not only because I LOVE aprons, but because my friend had made it. Let me tell you, her stitching is impeccable. It is lined and is heirloom quality. I will treasure it always.

On the day my package arrived, my daughter had picked up the mail. I saw her carrying home a package and said to her as she entered the door, "OH! That must be my apron!". She quickly told me "It is too HEAVY to be an apron." Boy was she right.

Not only had I received my apron, but a plethora of other goodies were in the mix! Such as this amazing smelling Crabtree & Evelyn soap...

and these fun little books. I collect Golden Guides and did not have this "Flowers" one yet. I don't want to make you jealous by diverging everything she sent me, but she is one generous lady. I was nearly in tears at her kindness and wanted to hug her. That is one of the downsides to blogging. You are unable to give your friends real hugs, but that's what her package felt like to me, a great big hug.

Thank you friend.

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I've got a busy week in store. Thing 2's 1oth birthday is Friday. So, I've got a sleepover to prepare for and a family get-together on Saturday to get organized. Tomorrow is Bible study and my final shopping day before the BIG weekend, so I'd better scoot and get some lists made and a few things done. I'm sewing up some cloth drawstring bags to put their party favors into. Hopefully I'll remember to snap a few photos to show you. I hope your weekend was restful and fulfilling all the same.

P.S. Check out my sidebar. I've decided to open a little Etsy store! Only a few things for now, but I hope to add things in the future.

It's All About the Small Things

2011-03-31T07:53:00.001-05:00

We just can't help ourselves.

Must. Have. Chicks.

The girls love their baby chicks too. This is our third year buying chicks in the spring. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go without them. They are the most precious, soft, little bundles of joy you can imagine.

You've got a little drip of water on your beak chickie.

This little brown chick was labeled {gulp} "Pan Fry Special"! We saved it from certain death. It may be another rooster because they weren't labeled, but we're going to take a chance with it. It's feathers are unusually long and fluffy. Do any of you have an idea of its breed?

They snuggle up together already.

I got a new red metal egg basket at Tractor Supply the other day. You can tell I need these new chicks to lay so I can fill up my basket. This was a 10 egg day, with all but 2 of our hens laying and you can see the basket still looks nearly empty.

Beautiful eggs + fluffy bundles of joy = one happy lady

Don't Blink or You'll Miss It

2011-03-29T14:44:00.002-05:00

I had nothing else better to do today, so...I did laundry.

I guarantee you it will be full by tomorrow. Does laundry breed like rabbits at your house? Do you have any special laundry rules at your house such as one outfit per day, wear things more than once if they're not dirty or turn your underwear inside-out? Just kidding about that last one, but sometimes I'm tempted to make them wear the same thing for a week just so I can have break from LAUNDRY!!! I've threatened to cut their clothes down to 8 outfits, but they must know I'm not serious.

Where for Art Thou Spring?

2011-03-28T18:23:00.001-05:00

My baby is turning 10 in another week. Boo hoo hoo! She wants to have a small sleepover with just 3 friends. It is sure to be very girly with movie watching, giggling and nail polish involved.

We made the invitations last week during spring break. Spring break is over...I don't know where it went. This was our best break ever I think. It was just never boring or tiresome. I wish it were another week.

It's not feeling like SPRING though. In fact, this was the scene just yesterday...

and this...

This poor gardener is about to go out of her bleepin' mind! We ended up with 2-3". Thankfully in was 40 degrees today and it's now all melted. There are chances tomorrow night for more though. Please, say it ain't so!

Fun Find

2011-03-25T11:12:00.001-05:00

Last weekend hubby and I got to have a night out. We ate at our favorite restaurant, did a bit of shopping and found a great deal at a little antique shop.

Laying in a heap at one of the antique stores, was this cool, old scale. I really liked it but thought it would be more than I wanted to spend. So we passed it up and kept looking.

Hubby encouraged me to ask the price and boy am I glad I did. The man told me someone just brought it in needing money and he'd paid $10 for it. So, he sold it to me for $10. Now it proudly hangs in my kitchen. I just love it!

Spring Break Blabber

2011-03-24T11:52:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning to chilly temperatures, cloudy skies and a big case of the blahs. It is amazing how the weather can affect your mood so drastically. We've had some beautiful weather this spring break, albeit windy, and I'd sort of already gotten used to it. These photos were obviously taken a few days ago in the glorious sunshine. This is one of my rosemary plants I told you about getting so I'd feel Italian. Yeah, that's not really working.

The girlies want to go to the mall today so I'll oblige them. It is, after all, spring break and it's a crappy day outside. Mercifully, the sun is beginning to shine now. Claire's and Justice aren't gonna do it for me. Maybe we'll stop by Barnes and Noble and I'll grab a Starbucks and I'll feel all better. Do they serve Bailey's?

Just kidding.

You know that doily I showed you? Well, the wax isn't hardening--even in the freezer. It's all sticky and bendy. I think it's a soy based candle. I think I might put it in a bowl and pour boiling water on it, let it soak a bit, try the iron blotting with paper towels, then a good soak in OxyClean. I'm pretty sure I got the doily at an estate sale so it's not as though it's a family treasure, however, it is SOMEone's family treasure. So, I feel bad. Oh, well, that's what I get for my own clumsiness. Humph!

Hopefully I'll return soon with all arms and legs after our mall visit!

Cookie Cake

2011-03-23T07:30:00.001-05:00

I was given a giant Oreo cake pan for Christmas from my mom. I finally baked a cake in it last night. No special occasion. I just wanted to make it. I think I'm hooked. Everyone's getting an Oreo cake for their birthday now. I used a devil's food cake mix and made homemade filling for it. It is the filling I use for whoopie pies. It was a hit. I'm thinking peanut butter or chocolate frosting would be yummy too. Maybe even a strawberry cake with white or pink filling. Ooo, lemon would be good with a lemon filling of some kind. It is so easy because you don't have to frost the outside. The cake pan does all the decorating for you. It will be fun to experiment with the different combinations.

Whoopie Pie Filling

1/2 c. white shortening

1 c. marshmallow creme

1 t. vanilla

3-4 t. milk

2 c. powdered sugar

Mix first four ingredients until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar.

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I put my doily in the freezer last night. Thank you for your helpful hints. I'm nervous about getting it out and going at the wax, but the worst that can happen is that it won't work, right? Stupid candle! Anyway, thanks for your help and I'll let you know how it goes.

HELP!

2011-03-22T13:17:00.000-05:00

It's a doily disaster! Please don't ask. I will tell you I did it and it is candle wax. Is it basically trash now? Seems like I've heard tricks to getting it out of different items before that involve an iron, but I've never paid that much attention to those tips because I thought "who spills candle wax?!". Ahem...apparently I do.

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Two of our cats have had kittens. Nelly, the mother of our other kittens had another litter of four. And Marsha, one of her kittens from last year came back today slimmer than she was a couple of days ago. We haven't found hers yet. She may have lost them.

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It is SO windy here today. As in "strap down your small children" kind of windy Supposedly we may get a storm later which is kind of ex-CI-ting!! Just no tornado please.

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I think I'm getting my blogging mojo back, however random it may be.

Seeds of Hope

2011-03-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

It may be a tad late to start seeds here in Kansas, but we'll give it a try anyway. I don't think it will work out too bad. Spring is really making an appearance here now. My perennials are starting to poke out their little leaves and it is so exciting and refreshing to have something to look forward to in the garden. We've got some ambitious garden plans for this year and I'm not sure they're all going to actually happen. But that's part of what gardening is all about~dreaming big and being pleasantly surprised when things DO turn out the way you wished for. Gardening lets you believe in all kinds of possibilities. That you can be a part of a new beginning. It is the ultimate in optimism.

Gardening is hope.

Cool Giveaway

2011-03-18T20:34:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share a cute giveaway with you all at a blog I just found called "This & That". You can enter to win this adorable pattern. I just love the one Angie made. So click over to "This & That" to check it out! I hope you are having the beautiful weather we've been enjoying lately. It's been very windy, but nice and warm. I find myself looking forward to good strong spring storm. I'm still in a bit of a rut, blogging-wise, but I'm trying to push through because I really miss it!

Feeling a Bit Like a...

2011-03-10T15:11:00.000-06:00

(that there is a turkey for all you city folk)

Yep. I've been feeling a bit guilty lately for my lack of blogging. It's just been one of those winters. Lately though, you can tell the seasons are changing. We've been having warmer days, rain instead of snow and little green plant shoots nosing their way out of the ground.

These turkeys were just right in front of our house. They are so big and long legged. They're quite comical and very fun to watch.

Are you planning your gardens yet? Ordering your seeds or your chicks? We're already scouting out Orschlen for our chicks. I purchased a couple of rosemary plants that I'm keeping inside for now. One may keep it's spot on my kitchen table. I love it's scent. It makes me feel Italian. Don't Italians have fresh herbs in their kitchens? I just watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" this weekend and it has had an influence on me. I'm looking forward to the release of "Water for Elephants" the movie next month. It is one of my favorite books. I've been reading lots of books lately, as always. I finished the "Hunger Games" series, "Very Valentine" by Adriana Trigiani, "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Wall and now I'm reading "Winter Bloom" by Tara Heavy. "Half Broke Horses" was my favorite. If you read "The Glass Castle" you will also like this one. Well, I'm off to make some chocolate chip banana bread before the girls get home from school. Hopefully I'll be catching up with you all soon.

A Little Cold Weather Humor

2011-02-04T21:44:00.001-06:00

Hundreds protest global warming...

A Little Birdy Told Me...

2011-02-03T08:39:00.000-06:00

Well, hello there. I'm going a bit stir crazy. Haven't left the house since Sunday for church.

The kids have had 3 snow days in a row. 'Nuff said.

Hubby has told me he WILL take me somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I hope, I hope, I hope we can. We couldn't even get the 4WD car out of our driveway this afternoon to drive up to the mailbox. They are going to have to plow it with tractor tomorrow. Not a ton of snow, only 6-7", but the drifting isn't good.

This was the scene from our house on Tuesday.

Brrrr.

Thermometer says -4 right now. It's supposed to get down to -10 tonight setting a new record low. I am seriously craving some Vitamin D. I think I'll brave the weather tomorrow and at least take a walk around the yard if nothing else. Ugh.

Update! When I woke up this a.m. it was -14 degrees. I think we broke the record. Yikes.

Pretty Little Lady

2011-01-28T21:59:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to share one of my new favorite things with you. I went to an antique store recently and found a set of three of the sweetest little...I don't know what you call them...doilies maybe? This is the largest one and you'll have to excuse its wrinkled appearance. I was so excited to show them to you, I didn't take the time to iron them.

They are stitched on a beautiful linen that looks as if it were tea dyed.

Such intricate details. You can tell they were stitched with patience.

There are two of these little "side" pieces, I call them. There is nothing stitched under where my lamp is sitting. I imagine the set of three on an old dresser with a lamp on each of these and the larger one proudly on display in the middle. They were only $4.50 for the set. They were at the same place as my old Valentines. I love it when I find a place with cute things at super reasonable prices.

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I had a super dramatic day today. My Thing 1 won 1st place in her middle school spelling bee! It was so exciting. Then my Thing 2 sang the National Anthem with her class at the girls varsity basketball game tonight. It was good drama, mostly. I say mostly because in between there was hair drama and homework drama and I'm learning that there is ALWAYS drama with two tween girls.
No wonder grandmas are gray haired.

Spreading the Love

2011-01-24T22:09:00.001-06:00

I've really been in a Valentine mood lately. Normally I'm so busy getting ready for Valentine's Day at the flower shop that I never have been able to have a little fun with it.

I LOVE Valentine's Day.

I found some pretty Valentine's at an antique store last week and had to display them, of course.

This little kitty is my favorite.

But what does this mean???

Such sweet sentiments.

This one is from 1912.

It's been fun having the time to decorate a little bit and cozy up the house. I tucked my old red and white crocheted pot holders under everything I could. I added a couple of pink ones too.

The photo below didn't turn out like I wanted it, but you get the idea. I found this cute idea for making a paper heart doily garland from Leslie's blog. She is a craft guru!

It looks so much nicer on her windows.

Lastly, some pretty Valentine hankies. I'm not sure how to display them yet, but they are just too pretty to keep in the drawer.

Books and Chickens

2011-01-21T08:11:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of this book? I hadn't until recently. Kansas State University had an all university required reading this year and this was it. I couldn't put it down. It is so different from anything else I've ever read. It's futuristic, bizarre, scary, action packed and reels you in almost immediately. I am still talking about this book and I finished it about two weeks ago. I've ordered the other two in the trilogy from Amazon.com and am waiting impatiently for them to arrive.

I have really been hunkered down lately. We had another snow day yesterday. 5-6" of snow fell Wednesday and the kiddos got out of school at 1:00 p.m. It was so exciting for them. So, we did two puzzles, played games and worked on an egg cozy. (Never mind that I don't have any egg cups or know how to make/eat a soft boiled egg)

Thing 1 made this from a pattern in a new chicken book my husband picked up recently. One can never have too many chicken books. Ha! Speaking of chickens, my husband reads a lot about chickens on the Internet on different forums and groups, etc. Well, he saw a trick to get your hens to lay. Let me tell you it works!! He placed 4 golf balls in the nest to help our young hens to know they needed to get busy! We were only getting one egg a day from a house with 8 hens in it. Now we get 3-4. It's hilarious. They sit on the dumb golf balls and are protective of them. Poor things.

Well, I'm off to hunker back down with another cup of coffee and a book in front of the window watching the birds. Spring can wait after all.