Monday, June 18, 2012
Crop Dusting
I was cleaning house yesterday with the doors opened and I heard a loud sound outside. The dogs ran out on to the porch with me to see what was going on and a plane flew right over the house. He was cropdusting in a field nearby. I loved it! Here are some pictures I snapped when he flew by.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Meet Daisy
If you were to drive by our place, you'd see a horse that you might think was neglected, even abused but looks can be deceiving. Her name is Daisy and she was my first horse. Let me share her story with you.
When I was working at a law firm, a woman there told me about a horse she was trying to get rid of. She had gotten this horse online for her young daughter but when the horse arrived, it was lame. The guy that brought the horse to her had left her in the horse trailer for 3 solid days. He didn't let her out to go to the bathroom, stretch her legs or anything so when she arrived, she could barely walk. Her young daughter wanted a horse that she could gallop and jump with so this was not the horse she dreamed of. Her mother just wanted to recoup her money and buy another horse. My heart went out to this horse that had come so far and nobody wanted. After telling Fred her story, we decided to buy her. Whether she was ever able to be ridden or not, she deserved a place in the sun where she could live out her life being loved and cared for.
We were still living in the city at the time but my brother-in-law and his wife had a farm out here and we asked them if she could live on their farm until we found a place. At the time Fred and I were going out to their farm and riding horses once or twice a week. I did not grow up riding horses like my husband did, so I needed a horse that was easy to ride, slow and steady and really didn't care if we galloped or not. Once we got her strong enough to ride, she was perfect for me. She is a sweet, gentle horse that anyone could ride. We tracked down some history on her and found out that when she was younger, she was a trail horse that would go anywhere. She was ridden by a man that did long, long rides and even hunted off of her so she had already had an amazing life. Now, in her senior years, she and I would enjoy a slower pace. I was able to ride her for a few years and enjoyed every minute of it.
Daisy, however, is what you might call a "hard keep". Her teeth don't line up anymore and she has a hard time keeping weight on. She actually eats twice as much as any of the other horses, along with supplements and extra treats, but she looks like she's starving to death. We have the vet and farrier out regularly and she gets all the care she needs. We actually would be worried about Animal Control seeing her and thinking she was abused, but our other horses and donkeys are obviously well cared for and fed. I don't ride her anymore because I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her. We occassionally put a child on her and walk them around but she is spoiled and that's the way she will be until the end.
Meet Daisy ~
When I was working at a law firm, a woman there told me about a horse she was trying to get rid of. She had gotten this horse online for her young daughter but when the horse arrived, it was lame. The guy that brought the horse to her had left her in the horse trailer for 3 solid days. He didn't let her out to go to the bathroom, stretch her legs or anything so when she arrived, she could barely walk. Her young daughter wanted a horse that she could gallop and jump with so this was not the horse she dreamed of. Her mother just wanted to recoup her money and buy another horse. My heart went out to this horse that had come so far and nobody wanted. After telling Fred her story, we decided to buy her. Whether she was ever able to be ridden or not, she deserved a place in the sun where she could live out her life being loved and cared for.
We were still living in the city at the time but my brother-in-law and his wife had a farm out here and we asked them if she could live on their farm until we found a place. At the time Fred and I were going out to their farm and riding horses once or twice a week. I did not grow up riding horses like my husband did, so I needed a horse that was easy to ride, slow and steady and really didn't care if we galloped or not. Once we got her strong enough to ride, she was perfect for me. She is a sweet, gentle horse that anyone could ride. We tracked down some history on her and found out that when she was younger, she was a trail horse that would go anywhere. She was ridden by a man that did long, long rides and even hunted off of her so she had already had an amazing life. Now, in her senior years, she and I would enjoy a slower pace. I was able to ride her for a few years and enjoyed every minute of it.
Daisy, however, is what you might call a "hard keep". Her teeth don't line up anymore and she has a hard time keeping weight on. She actually eats twice as much as any of the other horses, along with supplements and extra treats, but she looks like she's starving to death. We have the vet and farrier out regularly and she gets all the care she needs. We actually would be worried about Animal Control seeing her and thinking she was abused, but our other horses and donkeys are obviously well cared for and fed. I don't ride her anymore because I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her. We occassionally put a child on her and walk them around but she is spoiled and that's the way she will be until the end.
Meet Daisy ~
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
My Biggest Fear
I know people are afraid of different things. Some people are afraid of spiders. I knew a woman one time that was afraid of frogs, another woman lizards. I thought that was pretty funny because I don't have a problem catching and releasing either one of those things. I don't like snakes or mice, but after being startled by them, I get over it. But there is one thing that just completely unglues me and I saw one this weekend.
I was cleaning out the shed where Fred has his tools, horse feed, chicken feed, saddles, etc. I wanted to reorganize it for him while he was away so I worked on it for two days. There were dirt dobbers flying in and out but no snakes or mice. Since there is an opening for a window but no glass, I realize anything can get in there so I was careful to keep my eye out. I shifted something on a shelf, and there it was. Now, people in the South like to refer to them as palmetto bugs, it just sounds nicer, but frankly it's still a roach. The big, flying kind. That, my friends, is my biggest fear. I can rationalize pretty much anything else, but all common sense goes straight out the window when I see one. I screamed and almost fell over backwards trying to get away from it. Yes, I know how crazy this sounds to most people but I can't help it. Anyway, when I screamed Diesel came charging through the door to save me. I know he probably thought I had been bit by a snake, rabid raccoon or something, but he saw the roach come out from behind the shelves and jumped on it. That's another thing about roaches. They never just die, they squirm and try to run off again, but luckily Diesel stayed on him and finally killed him. I swept the mangled roach out the door, and kissed Diesel on the head. He was my hero for the day. After that, every time I made any sound at all he came in to check on me. He probably thinks I'm nuts, but I don't care as long as he's there when I need him.
I know living in the South with woods all around me, I'm going to see them and no matter how many times I do come across one, I'm still going to have a melt down. At least I know if Diesel is around, he'll take care of it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go spray my flowerbeds for bugs!
I was cleaning out the shed where Fred has his tools, horse feed, chicken feed, saddles, etc. I wanted to reorganize it for him while he was away so I worked on it for two days. There were dirt dobbers flying in and out but no snakes or mice. Since there is an opening for a window but no glass, I realize anything can get in there so I was careful to keep my eye out. I shifted something on a shelf, and there it was. Now, people in the South like to refer to them as palmetto bugs, it just sounds nicer, but frankly it's still a roach. The big, flying kind. That, my friends, is my biggest fear. I can rationalize pretty much anything else, but all common sense goes straight out the window when I see one. I screamed and almost fell over backwards trying to get away from it. Yes, I know how crazy this sounds to most people but I can't help it. Anyway, when I screamed Diesel came charging through the door to save me. I know he probably thought I had been bit by a snake, rabid raccoon or something, but he saw the roach come out from behind the shelves and jumped on it. That's another thing about roaches. They never just die, they squirm and try to run off again, but luckily Diesel stayed on him and finally killed him. I swept the mangled roach out the door, and kissed Diesel on the head. He was my hero for the day. After that, every time I made any sound at all he came in to check on me. He probably thinks I'm nuts, but I don't care as long as he's there when I need him.
I know living in the South with woods all around me, I'm going to see them and no matter how many times I do come across one, I'm still going to have a melt down. At least I know if Diesel is around, he'll take care of it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go spray my flowerbeds for bugs!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Abandoned Four Wheeler
Why do these things always happen when Fred is out of town?
I have a list of things I want to accomplish while Fred is away and I worked on one project all day yesterday. I was feeling pretty good about my progress in the late afternoon and since the dogs had patiently hung out while I worked all day, I decided to run the four wheeler around the property and let them get some exercise before dark. Diesel jumped on board (so much for his exercise) and away we went. The water left standing from the past week of rain was pretty deep but I knew the four wheeler would make it. We ran through the water with no problem, down the path past the old homestead and deer stands, and got almost to the end when the four wheeler died. I sat there for a minute trying to get it to crank but was also thinking if I waited any longer it would be dark. I felt stupid for being out there so unprepared. I had on shorts and a tank top, no bug spray or cell phone. Luckily I did have on my boots. Thank God for those boots! I weighed my options - through the thick woods or back down the path through the knee deep water. I abandoned the four wheeler and started walking back through the water. I picked up a long stick and poked in front of me through the water so I didn't step into a hole and fall in, and made it safely back to civilization. Okay, it's not that far but being a little afraid of the dark and my hero being out of town, it seemed like a big deal to me at the time.
A few misquito bites and some wet socks later, I was home. Of course, when I got back to the house, Lilly was out. A limb had fallen on the electric fence so she had an escape route. She saw the dogs and started charging each of them, trying to get them to play. She looked like a donkey on crack, jumping, kicking and running around everywhere. I got a feed bucket and she followed me back into the pen. While I was feeding everyone, Blaze, my horse, went to kick at the donkeys and accidentally kicked me - in the butt. Nothing broken, but a big bruise I'm sure.
Another day, another adventure.
I have a list of things I want to accomplish while Fred is away and I worked on one project all day yesterday. I was feeling pretty good about my progress in the late afternoon and since the dogs had patiently hung out while I worked all day, I decided to run the four wheeler around the property and let them get some exercise before dark. Diesel jumped on board (so much for his exercise) and away we went. The water left standing from the past week of rain was pretty deep but I knew the four wheeler would make it. We ran through the water with no problem, down the path past the old homestead and deer stands, and got almost to the end when the four wheeler died. I sat there for a minute trying to get it to crank but was also thinking if I waited any longer it would be dark. I felt stupid for being out there so unprepared. I had on shorts and a tank top, no bug spray or cell phone. Luckily I did have on my boots. Thank God for those boots! I weighed my options - through the thick woods or back down the path through the knee deep water. I abandoned the four wheeler and started walking back through the water. I picked up a long stick and poked in front of me through the water so I didn't step into a hole and fall in, and made it safely back to civilization. Okay, it's not that far but being a little afraid of the dark and my hero being out of town, it seemed like a big deal to me at the time.
A few misquito bites and some wet socks later, I was home. Of course, when I got back to the house, Lilly was out. A limb had fallen on the electric fence so she had an escape route. She saw the dogs and started charging each of them, trying to get them to play. She looked like a donkey on crack, jumping, kicking and running around everywhere. I got a feed bucket and she followed me back into the pen. While I was feeding everyone, Blaze, my horse, went to kick at the donkeys and accidentally kicked me - in the butt. Nothing broken, but a big bruise I'm sure.
Another day, another adventure.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Corn and Tomatoes
I went out to the garden when I got back from my trip to see how things were growing.
The grass is taking over most of the garden and I really need to get out there and spend some quality time pulling it up, but the tomatoes are going crazy. I counted 46 tomatoes on my two plants!
The grass is taking over most of the garden and I really need to get out there and spend some quality time pulling it up, but the tomatoes are going crazy. I counted 46 tomatoes on my two plants!
The corn has tassles on it, but it's only about 1 1/2' tall so I can bet that we won't be eating corn out of my garden this year. When the flowers are taller than your corn stalks, something is seriously
wrong. I've never seen corn stalks that short before. When corn is plentiful around here and you can buy it 6 for $1, I'll buy a bunch and put them in the freezer. No guilt, just another lesson learned.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Treasures
I wanted to share my treasures with you from Alabama and a couple of things from a junk/antique store in Georgia. Here is a picture of the items I collected and brought back home.
The quilts are from my grandmother's house. The top one is the quilt her family made for her when she was getting married. I am honored to have them.
The minnow bucket and old sign were found in a junky store in a small town in Georgia. It was one of those stores that things are stacked and hanging everywhere. You could walk through ten times and see something you missed each time. Love those kind of stores!
The cow mailbox is something Fred made for my grandmother a long time ago, but she was afraid it would be damaged if she put it out near the road, so it has sat on the floor of her living room all those years. Maybe I'll put it in front of the cottage or the cookhouse.
The old plow, two-man saw, tractor implements and old tool are from my parents' barn. I brought them back for Fred. Speaking of Fred, he's in Louisiana for a couple of days but will stop by my mom's house in Alabama on the way back and pick up my other treasures. They were too big for me to get in the car. I'll show you when they arrive!
The quilts are from my grandmother's house. The top one is the quilt her family made for her when she was getting married. I am honored to have them.
The minnow bucket and old sign were found in a junky store in a small town in Georgia. It was one of those stores that things are stacked and hanging everywhere. You could walk through ten times and see something you missed each time. Love those kind of stores!
The cow mailbox is something Fred made for my grandmother a long time ago, but she was afraid it would be damaged if she put it out near the road, so it has sat on the floor of her living room all those years. Maybe I'll put it in front of the cottage or the cookhouse.
The old plow, two-man saw, tractor implements and old tool are from my parents' barn. I brought them back for Fred. Speaking of Fred, he's in Louisiana for a couple of days but will stop by my mom's house in Alabama on the way back and pick up my other treasures. They were too big for me to get in the car. I'll show you when they arrive!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Grandma's Moving Day
I just got back from Monroeville, Alabama where I visited my mom and a bunch of relatives. I love Alabama and always enjoy the trip. I went specifically because they were preparing to move my 95 year old grandmother in with my Aunt Donna and her husband, Mike, who live about an hour or so away, and wanted to help with packing up Grandma's house. I knew it would be emotional and a little sad for my mom and I wanted to be there for her more than anything else. Turns out, it went pretty smooth. Grandma is quite the trooper, just keeps a smile on her face and doesn't complain. Donna and Mike made every effort to make the transition a positive experience for her. My uncles came and moved her furniture to her new home and since it was Donna's birthday, we had a surprise birthday party for her. Let me tell you, when that whole family gets together, four brothers and three sisters, they are one crazy bunch.
Grandma heading to her new home.
After eating and getting Grandma settled in for a nap, we were sitting on the front porch talking and the Hatfield and McCoy mini series came up. We were joking about looking like the Hatfields or McCoys so Donna got some props, hats and guns, and we posed as the Hatfields (actually we looked more like the Beverly Hillbillies). The only problem we had was getting everyone to stop laughing long enough to take a picture. One of my uncles escaped, I mean left, before pictures were taken.
Yep, that's my family sitting there. . .
Grandma heading to her new home.
After eating and getting Grandma settled in for a nap, we were sitting on the front porch talking and the Hatfield and McCoy mini series came up. We were joking about looking like the Hatfields or McCoys so Donna got some props, hats and guns, and we posed as the Hatfields (actually we looked more like the Beverly Hillbillies). The only problem we had was getting everyone to stop laughing long enough to take a picture. One of my uncles escaped, I mean left, before pictures were taken.
Yep, that's my family sitting there. . .
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Just Another Picture Day
Don't you just love this sign?
These long sprinkler systems in the fields just fascinate me.
I have corn envy! A field on the other side of Holly Hill.
I need a bigger chair.
Our donkey Sunny still checking out the toes!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Random Thoughts
As I was out feeding "the girls" (i.e., the chickens) this morning, I started thinking about all kinds of random things. I guess my mind was wandering and I never know where it will take me.
Anyway, here are some of my random thoughts ~
Milk - Why can't you buy the little cartons of milk like you used to get in grade school for personal use? I don't use milk very often and it's just the two of us, so I end up throwing out old milk and wasting money all the time. I would like to buy one small kid-sized milk when I go to the grocery store. What's wrong with that?
Eggs - We have an basket of eggs that I need to get rid of. Again, only two people eating an egg each day for breakfast is a losing battle when you're collecting 4-5 a day, so I have been trying to think of ways to use them up. I have a pound cake recipe that uses 6 eggs so if I make about 5 cakes, I can put a dent in the egg basket. Now I just need to figure out who I can give a pound cake to . . .
Flying Chicken - I have one hen that can fly up to the top of the fence around the chicken yard and does so every day. What I can't understand is why she feels it necessary to announce it every time. She makes a huge fuss while sitting up there. Is she bragging in front of the other chickens or is she mocking me and my 6' fence?
Dogs - Why is it that a dog who will remain anonymous can play outside all morning, then come into the house and pee on a rug? Or sit on the same couch for years, then one day chew up a pillow on the couch? Why? I don't understand that.
Spiders - Why do spiders shoot their webs from tree to tree across a dirt road or path? Do they really expect to catch a person in their tiny little web? Or maybe they're hoping to catch a deer, who knows? Not me.
Nesting Chicken - I have a chicken that has been nesting and won't leave her eggs. I have tried to explain to her that since she doesn't have a boyfriend, there is no chance that her eggs are fertile and she can sit on them until the cows come home (if we had cows, I mean) but they won't hatch. She's not buying it.
White T-shirts - I don't understand why I can't wear a new white t-shirt for 5 minutes without getting it dirty. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, it's going to be stained. OR I'll actually think I made it through the day without any stains, then wash it and pull it out of the dryer and there will be a stain. Where did it come from? How does that happen?
Alright, one more random thought for today -
Skinny Jeans - I don't understand why the commercials for jeans that are supposed to make you look skinny show super thin models dancing around in them. Do they really think we believe that we'll look that skinny if we buy their jeans? Put a real size person in them and let us decide!
Okay, I am not sure where all of that came from, but I feel better getting it all out. If you have any answers to my questions, please comment. I need all the help I can get!
Anyway, here are some of my random thoughts ~
Milk - Why can't you buy the little cartons of milk like you used to get in grade school for personal use? I don't use milk very often and it's just the two of us, so I end up throwing out old milk and wasting money all the time. I would like to buy one small kid-sized milk when I go to the grocery store. What's wrong with that?
Eggs - We have an basket of eggs that I need to get rid of. Again, only two people eating an egg each day for breakfast is a losing battle when you're collecting 4-5 a day, so I have been trying to think of ways to use them up. I have a pound cake recipe that uses 6 eggs so if I make about 5 cakes, I can put a dent in the egg basket. Now I just need to figure out who I can give a pound cake to . . .
Flying Chicken - I have one hen that can fly up to the top of the fence around the chicken yard and does so every day. What I can't understand is why she feels it necessary to announce it every time. She makes a huge fuss while sitting up there. Is she bragging in front of the other chickens or is she mocking me and my 6' fence?
Dogs - Why is it that a dog who will remain anonymous can play outside all morning, then come into the house and pee on a rug? Or sit on the same couch for years, then one day chew up a pillow on the couch? Why? I don't understand that.
Spiders - Why do spiders shoot their webs from tree to tree across a dirt road or path? Do they really expect to catch a person in their tiny little web? Or maybe they're hoping to catch a deer, who knows? Not me.
Nesting Chicken - I have a chicken that has been nesting and won't leave her eggs. I have tried to explain to her that since she doesn't have a boyfriend, there is no chance that her eggs are fertile and she can sit on them until the cows come home (if we had cows, I mean) but they won't hatch. She's not buying it.
White T-shirts - I don't understand why I can't wear a new white t-shirt for 5 minutes without getting it dirty. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, it's going to be stained. OR I'll actually think I made it through the day without any stains, then wash it and pull it out of the dryer and there will be a stain. Where did it come from? How does that happen?
Alright, one more random thought for today -
Skinny Jeans - I don't understand why the commercials for jeans that are supposed to make you look skinny show super thin models dancing around in them. Do they really think we believe that we'll look that skinny if we buy their jeans? Put a real size person in them and let us decide!
Okay, I am not sure where all of that came from, but I feel better getting it all out. If you have any answers to my questions, please comment. I need all the help I can get!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Maybe I Should Stick to Flowers
I am not excited about my garden. Nothing seems to be doing that well except tomatoes, zucchini and squash. The eggplant and other things are skinny and the lower leaves are yellowing. I don't know if that means I have watered too much, not enough, or whether the ground was so packed down, that they just aren't getting the nutrients and growing room they need.
The saddest eggplant I've ever seen.
I am embarrassed . . .
On the bright side - tomatoes are not letting me down. Tonight on the menu - fried green tomatoes!
Maybe I should stick to flowers. Here are some of the blooms in and around the garden.
These flowers are about 3 1/2' tall.
I cut some flowers for the house so I can enjoy them all day!
The saddest eggplant I've ever seen.
I am embarrassed . . .
On the bright side - tomatoes are not letting me down. Tonight on the menu - fried green tomatoes!
Maybe I should stick to flowers. Here are some of the blooms in and around the garden.
These flowers are about 3 1/2' tall.
See the corn? I drive by fields of it and their corn pops up about a foot a day. Mine, not so much.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Those Aren't Carrots, They're Toes!
Let me first say, I am not good at taking care of myself. I don't like to shop so my husband is always encouraging me to "go buy yourself something". Yes, he's pretty special. Anyway, my daughter is always trying to encourage me to get my nails done too and I have to agree, once I've had them done, I feel special but I just never think about it when she's not around.
My daughter was wearing a really cute pair of peach or tangerine colored sandals one day while we were together and I mentioned I liked them so while we were out shopping I was able to get a pair just like them. A nail salon was next door so, as a thank you for helping her the last couple of weeks, she wanted to pay for us both to get a pedicure and manicure. We got them done in a nail color really close to the color of our sandals.
When we got back to the house later in the day, I went out to the horses and donkeys to feel them and I noticed the donkeys, Sunny and Lilly, kept looking at my feet. I usually have on boots so I'm not sure what they were thinking but they started trying to nibble on my toes! I started walking away from them, but they started following me and trying to block me from leaving the pen. Every time I stopped walking, they started trying to nibble on me feet again. Heather came outside and I told her what they were doing and she said "maybe they think your toes are carrots!" I think she may be right.
I took a picture of my feet to show you the nail color, but as I looked at the pictures I realized that my feet are so much cuter in person. I decided not to subject to a picture of my feet. It's an image you really don't want to carry around in your head all day.
My daughter was wearing a really cute pair of peach or tangerine colored sandals one day while we were together and I mentioned I liked them so while we were out shopping I was able to get a pair just like them. A nail salon was next door so, as a thank you for helping her the last couple of weeks, she wanted to pay for us both to get a pedicure and manicure. We got them done in a nail color really close to the color of our sandals.
When we got back to the house later in the day, I went out to the horses and donkeys to feel them and I noticed the donkeys, Sunny and Lilly, kept looking at my feet. I usually have on boots so I'm not sure what they were thinking but they started trying to nibble on my toes! I started walking away from them, but they started following me and trying to block me from leaving the pen. Every time I stopped walking, they started trying to nibble on me feet again. Heather came outside and I told her what they were doing and she said "maybe they think your toes are carrots!" I think she may be right.
I took a picture of my feet to show you the nail color, but as I looked at the pictures I realized that my feet are so much cuter in person. I decided not to subject to a picture of my feet. It's an image you really don't want to carry around in your head all day.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Out of the Back of a Truck
I just got back a few days ago from Illinois. I had never been there before, but my daughter was heading there for a few days and I went with her for a girls trip. We love hanging out together and had a great time with her in-laws when we got there.
On Saturday we drove into town to buy a few things, and as we were heading into TJ Max, we saw a pickup truck drive into the parking with a bench in the back. I have been looking for a bench to go in my kitchen for months but everything I had found was either too short or too long. The bench we saw in the back of the truck was exactly what I had been looking for. I told Heather I was going to ask them where they bought it and maybe I could get one. I walked up to the guy getting out of the truck and asked him about the bench. He deferred the question to his wife that was getting out on the other side. Turns out they had bought it that morning from an individual so I figured they would not be interested in selling it, but she told me they were going to sell it at their flea market. I asked how much she wanted for it and she said $250. I told her I would think about it and she headed on into TJ Max. I went inside and got Heather to come look at it up close. We agreed it was just what I needed, so Heather suggested I offer her $210 in cash to take it. Back into TJ Max I went, stalking the lady with the bench. I found her and she agreed to take $210. Her husband and I met up at the truck and transferred it to our vehicle. It was mine!
I have friends tell me that they would never go up and just ask someone if they'd sell something but I do it all the time. If I see something on someone's property that I would like to have, an old shed, a glider on the porch, whatever it is, I have no problem knocking on someone's door and introducing myself. It never hurts to ask and you never know what treasures you may take home!
I made these two pillows last night out of material I bought in Paris. The wire basket underneath is from my trip to Germany too.
On Saturday we drove into town to buy a few things, and as we were heading into TJ Max, we saw a pickup truck drive into the parking with a bench in the back. I have been looking for a bench to go in my kitchen for months but everything I had found was either too short or too long. The bench we saw in the back of the truck was exactly what I had been looking for. I told Heather I was going to ask them where they bought it and maybe I could get one. I walked up to the guy getting out of the truck and asked him about the bench. He deferred the question to his wife that was getting out on the other side. Turns out they had bought it that morning from an individual so I figured they would not be interested in selling it, but she told me they were going to sell it at their flea market. I asked how much she wanted for it and she said $250. I told her I would think about it and she headed on into TJ Max. I went inside and got Heather to come look at it up close. We agreed it was just what I needed, so Heather suggested I offer her $210 in cash to take it. Back into TJ Max I went, stalking the lady with the bench. I found her and she agreed to take $210. Her husband and I met up at the truck and transferred it to our vehicle. It was mine!
I have friends tell me that they would never go up and just ask someone if they'd sell something but I do it all the time. If I see something on someone's property that I would like to have, an old shed, a glider on the porch, whatever it is, I have no problem knocking on someone's door and introducing myself. It never hurts to ask and you never know what treasures you may take home!
I made these two pillows last night out of material I bought in Paris. The wire basket underneath is from my trip to Germany too.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Me and My Tractor
Okay, technically it's Freds tractor but he showed me how to drive it! I have always been a little intimidated with big machines but it was pretty darn easy. After he gave me the basic instructions, he told me to bring the tractor over to the electric fence where the horses were so he could mow in the field, then dump the grass clippings in the bucket of the tractor. Just as I was easing it up to the fence, I accidentally ran the tractor into the fence. I was hitting the brake, but apparently not hard enough. Nothing got broken, and he actually let me continue to use the tractor the rest of the weekend. Now I'm feeling like a country girl!
Once I mastered the basics, Fred had me lift him up in the bucket of the tractor into a pecan tree to tie a couple of limbs up that were hanging too low. This is one brave man!
Or crazy, or a little a both. The jury is still out, but we love him!
Once I mastered the basics, Fred had me lift him up in the bucket of the tractor into a pecan tree to tie a couple of limbs up that were hanging too low. This is one brave man!
Or crazy, or a little a both. The jury is still out, but we love him!
Monday, May 14, 2012
4-Wheelin'
When I am not feeling up to a walk with the dogs in the morning I jump on my 4-wheeler and let them run while I ride. Hannah loves to see me with 4-wheeler keys because she can run as fast as she wants to and doesn't have to wait for me to catch up with her when I'm walking. Today was one of those days. I didn't sleep well and it's supposed to rain this morning so I thought I'd take a quick ride and let the dogs get a run in, but my 4-wheeler battery was dead. I have a small 4-wheeler and I really like riding it but I didn't want to fool with the battery charger so I went back inside and got Fred's 4-wheeler keys. Now, Fred's 4-wheeler looks like a 4-wheeler on steroids so it's a rough ride but it can go over or through pretty much anything.
Time to get cleaned up and get my computer desk cleaned off. It's been a mess but I've been waiting for a good rain day.
Diesel loves to ride on the 4-wheeler so he jumped on the back behind me and we took off. It rained yesterday so it was fun to ride through the muddy water but what I didn't realize was that the mud would fly up in clumps all over the place. The first wack on the back of the head was not expected so I thought maybe Diesel had hit me, but then the clumps of mud started flying from the front tires all around me too. I was getting hit in the face, on the back of my head and all over my clothes. It wasn't the soupy kind of mud, but hard clumps. Good thing I hadn't taken my shower for the day because I really needed one when I got back.
I did ride by the old homestead (sounds better than creepy house) but didn't see "Buzz", the local resident today. The dogs didn't even bother to go inside and see him.
Time to get cleaned up and get my computer desk cleaned off. It's been a mess but I've been waiting for a good rain day.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Is That Stealing?
I need your advice. I am going to tell you my dilemma and you tell me what you would do.
I have been over at my daughter's condominiums the last few days helping her and we are actually helping her to move out tomorrow. While I was there I noticed a huge hydrangea (like 7' tall) behind her condo building with a few small "baby" plants coming up underneath it. Now I am 99% sure that if the lawn guys see these small offspring, they will pull them up and throw them away like weeds or just run over them with a lawnmower. I would really love to pull them up, take them home and plant them in my flowerbeds, but is that stealing? I thought about finding one of their groundskeepers and asking him if I can have them, but what if he says no, then I'm stuck thinking that they will still rip them up and throw them away and I won't be able to save them because I had already asked about them. Maybe not asking and just plucking them when no one is looking is the answer, but then will I feel guilty because I didn't ask.
I guess we could look at it as stealing or we could look at it as saving a life. (okay, I know that's a stretch. My moral compass is spinning.)
Note: Fred just gave me his opinion. He said it is stealing if I don't ask and I know he's right. Darn it. (He said that doesn't mean he wouldn't take it anyway.)
Okay, I need your input. Please hit comment at the bottom of this post and let me know what you would do.
I have been over at my daughter's condominiums the last few days helping her and we are actually helping her to move out tomorrow. While I was there I noticed a huge hydrangea (like 7' tall) behind her condo building with a few small "baby" plants coming up underneath it. Now I am 99% sure that if the lawn guys see these small offspring, they will pull them up and throw them away like weeds or just run over them with a lawnmower. I would really love to pull them up, take them home and plant them in my flowerbeds, but is that stealing? I thought about finding one of their groundskeepers and asking him if I can have them, but what if he says no, then I'm stuck thinking that they will still rip them up and throw them away and I won't be able to save them because I had already asked about them. Maybe not asking and just plucking them when no one is looking is the answer, but then will I feel guilty because I didn't ask.
I guess we could look at it as stealing or we could look at it as saving a life. (okay, I know that's a stretch. My moral compass is spinning.)
Note: Fred just gave me his opinion. He said it is stealing if I don't ask and I know he's right. Darn it. (He said that doesn't mean he wouldn't take it anyway.)
Okay, I need your input. Please hit comment at the bottom of this post and let me know what you would do.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Can I Have That Fried, Please?
I have never liked cooked vegetables. I know it's not healthy, but I've avoided them all my life. My earliest memory of green peas is when I was a child and my mother said I could leave the table if I just ate one spoonful of peas. The only way I could get them down was to take a big drink of sweet tea and swallow them whole. I hated the smell and taste of peas, still do. The joke around my house when my kids were growing up was "if it's green, mom won't eat it." Sad but true. Luckily my kids grew up enjoying all kinds of vegetables despite my poor example.
I realized a few years ago that my distaste for vegetables is due to texture. I don't like anything slimy or squishy. I also realized, however, that I can enjoy some vegetables if they are fried. I have eaten okra, zucchini, squash and eggplant fried and really liked it. The crisper, the better.
I probably don't get as much nutritional value in fried veggies, but at least I'm not still swallowing them whole any more!
Speaking of fried -
I tried the first recipe in the cookbook I mentioned previously and it was Buttermilk Fried Flounder! Super easy and tasted really yummy. Basically it's the same as frying fish with oil, flour and salt and pepper, but you simply dredge the fish in buttermilk, leave it for a couple of minutes, then dust with flour, salt and pepper and deep fry it. Maybe I should have picked a more complex cookbook, but this is right up my alley. Keep it simple, that's my motto. Okay, it's not really my motto but I that's how I like things - simple.
I realized a few years ago that my distaste for vegetables is due to texture. I don't like anything slimy or squishy. I also realized, however, that I can enjoy some vegetables if they are fried. I have eaten okra, zucchini, squash and eggplant fried and really liked it. The crisper, the better.
I probably don't get as much nutritional value in fried veggies, but at least I'm not still swallowing them whole any more!
Speaking of fried -
I tried the first recipe in the cookbook I mentioned previously and it was Buttermilk Fried Flounder! Super easy and tasted really yummy. Basically it's the same as frying fish with oil, flour and salt and pepper, but you simply dredge the fish in buttermilk, leave it for a couple of minutes, then dust with flour, salt and pepper and deep fry it. Maybe I should have picked a more complex cookbook, but this is right up my alley. Keep it simple, that's my motto. Okay, it's not really my motto but I that's how I like things - simple.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
They Just Want to Help
I was out in the garden the other day working and Diesel wanted to come in. Of course, I didn't let him because as we all know he likes laying on the plants.
Since I wouldn't let him in, he started digging outside the fence.
Wanting to do everything Diesel does, Hannah started "helping."
But I think she got carried away . . .
Since they dug along the fence line, I got morning glory and moonflower seeds and planted them in the dug out trench so they can grow up onto the fence. How about that for taking a negative and making it a positive!
Since I wouldn't let him in, he started digging outside the fence.
Wanting to do everything Diesel does, Hannah started "helping."
But I think she got carried away . . .
Since they dug along the fence line, I got morning glory and moonflower seeds and planted them in the dug out trench so they can grow up onto the fence. How about that for taking a negative and making it a positive!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Is That Your Snake?
I was driving down a long country backroad on the way to my brother-in-law's farm one day and I saw a snake (yes, another snake story - sorry!) in the road so I stopped right beside it to look at it up close. No one else was around and I was in no hurry to get anywhere so I was just enjoying looking at it from the safety of my car window when all of a sudden an SUV drove past me and ran over the snake. I was shocked and disappointed but instead of driving away, the SUV stopped a little farther down, backed up and stopped right beside me. A woman rolled her window down and said, "Oh I'm so sorry. Is that your snake?" I told her no, I was just looking at it and she drove off.
I sat there for a minute thinking about what she had said. My snake? Did she think I was taking my pet snake out for a drive in the country with it's head out the window and it fell out?
Every time I see a snake in the road I think about that day and smile.
Ah, country life!
I sat there for a minute thinking about what she had said. My snake? Did she think I was taking my pet snake out for a drive in the country with it's head out the window and it fell out?
Every time I see a snake in the road I think about that day and smile.
Ah, country life!
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Secret to a Great Garden
Since I have been working in the garden this year, I have come to a realization. I am an impatient gardener. I want to just buy plants, stick them in the ground and have a wonderful bounty of food but it just doesn't work that way. It's hard work, plain and simple. I guess the old saying "you only get out of it what you put into it, is true about a garden. I thought the "no till" garden sounded simple and it probably is, if done right, but whether you till your garden or not, there is still a lot of preparation before you can actually grow food. There are no shortcuts. Planning and preparation, which I am not good at, is key to a good garden. I may, after ten years or so, have the kind of garden that you see in magazines but I guess I just need to enjoy each garden, good or bad, beautiful or kind of ugly, and learn a little more each year. Whether I'm doing it right or wrong, I can still enjoy the feel of dirt on my hands and the sun on my face and what could be better than that!
This is what the beds are supposed to look like. Do this -
Not this -
I got up early this morning and dug up the plants in three beds so I can kill the grass, till the dirt and replant. I am an expert at growing grass by the way, maybe I should start a sod company!
The secret to a great garden? Planning, preparation and patience. I'll work on that.
This is what the beds are supposed to look like. Do this -
Not this -
I got up early this morning and dug up the plants in three beds so I can kill the grass, till the dirt and replant. I am an expert at growing grass by the way, maybe I should start a sod company!
The secret to a great garden? Planning, preparation and patience. I'll work on that.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wild Night?
I went out this morning to feed the horses and donkeys and Blue came up to the fence looking a little crazy. I can't help but wonder what he was up to last night. Must have been a wild party!
His halter is completely upside down!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Hey Mother Nature, We Need to Talk!
Okay, I understand that we live out in the country and near the woods, but really - three snakes in three days!? And not all the same but three different kinds. First, the copperhead, then the king snake and now this morning I was out cutting grass and the third snake was laying out in the yard. I had no idea what kind it was but it was about 3' - 4' long.
I called Fred at work to ask him what kind of snake is gray on the top and bright orange on the bottom. He told me that it's not a poisonous snake, according to the head size, so I can just put him back out in the woods so he won't get the baby chicks. Right! I told him that snake could lay right where he was until he got home from work.
Mother Nature, let's make a deal. I'll take care of the domestic animals if you'll take care of the wild ones. Keep your snakes out in the woods - WAY out in the woods!
I called Fred at work to ask him what kind of snake is gray on the top and bright orange on the bottom. He told me that it's not a poisonous snake, according to the head size, so I can just put him back out in the woods so he won't get the baby chicks. Right! I told him that snake could lay right where he was until he got home from work.
Mother Nature, let's make a deal. I'll take care of the domestic animals if you'll take care of the wild ones. Keep your snakes out in the woods - WAY out in the woods!
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