Jenny wren's nest

Apples

2010-10-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy harvest this year, the dry weather has made the corn dry out fast and we are working hard to get the corn in before the wind knocks it down, the corn stalks are very dry and brittle.
An added bonus to the dry weather is the corn moisture count is down so much that we don't have to use the grain dryer. The grain dryer is usually a source of frustration that farmers have to put up with, and uses a lot of gas, and has so many safety valves that if you don't have everything perfect it will shut itself down, and then figuring out why is time consuming. The noise factor is another issue, the guys have to wear ear protection.

Its hard to believe we almost have the corn harvested already. We have a setback currently, a flat tire on the combine. It was perfect timing though because it's been raining ever since the tire went flat, so we couldn't work any way. Time to make apple sauce.

Fred, our goat, is drooling over the apples.

I have been busy with all the apples we were blessed with, a bumper crop, I have been making apple sauce by the gallon, apple pie, apple dumplings, and apple cake, then putting it in my freezer.

The goat and ram have been overwhelmed with how many apples we have been tossing over the fence to them. I think if they could talk they would be asking if we could please toss a little field corn there way.

This fall when the Field was harvested across the road and all that was left were hunting birds like hawks and scared Field mice,and snakes running for there lives, our new dog pepper thought would be fun to go check out the excitement and was hit by a car, we are down to one very happy dog now. Life for buster is back to quiet peaceful and normal, I wonder if Buster told pepper to go play in the street?, Shirley not. Jenny wren

August has been a hot house

2010-08-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

The heat indexfor today is 99 and the humidity is 88%. My brother who lives in Texas can't believe the difference humidity makes, when you walk outside from an air conditioned house and into the humid day our glasses fog over. Its to hot to garden, to hot to bake, so I might as well blog.
It looks like fog but it's like a sauna

This is one of my new plants I grew this year. It's called Amaranth Hopi red dye herb. I am so excited that it grew.

The bad news is the basket class I go to has been canceled for a while, and I was hoping to get some interest from basket class ladies to dye their reed along with me. I hate to do all that work for no more than I need. In my research I found out that it is a grain that is really good for you. I have always wanted to buy a grain mill, but I will probably borrow an old friends till I know we like this kind of grain. I put a link below to some of the info if you are interested.

Garden & Yard

Meet Pepper

2010-08-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is Pepper, we rescued her from a pound that seemed more like alcatraz. She was traumatized and very unsure. Luckily we had the foresight to put a dog crate in the van before we went to see what kind of dogs were available, because she was a mess by the time we got her home. She still gets car sick every time we take her anywhere. Buster is so miserable, poor boy! I feel really bad for him. He sits on the top step of the garage all bug eyed and nervous, because Pepper is very happy and wants to play rough.

The kids are so excited to have a dog that will play. This dog can run fast! Katie takes her for a run to the woods most evenings, its a farm lane that ends in a meadow and a large woods that we own, so I feel it's pretty safe.

I was going to blog about all the unusual herbs I grew this year but my computer need to be looked at, it's doing things that make me think it's got it in for me. I will be lucky if I get this published before it shuts me down.
Jenny wren

Someone at Jenny Wren's nest went Broody

2010-05-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

This Spring I decided to get 4 new chicks. I was hoping for Americana chicks, but they were sold out, so the kids and I choose from what they had at the store. The kids fell in love with the silky bantams, so I let them get black and white silky. Then I decided I wanted to get barred rock and Rhode Island red. Of course I thought I had to have two of each. That was back in April.

Then I found out I could order the Americana chicks that I wanted, so I did. I kept it to myself because I knew better, and my husband told me not to get to many chickens, but the are so cute!
Any how, I ended up with twelve chicks because the kids thought they had to have more bantams, and I thought I could keep their interest in the chickens if they each had a couple of chickens to call their own. I'm not sure what Pip, the red faced chicken in the front, thinks about all the new babies, but we are going to find out soon, because the older batch of chicks need moved out of the green movable chicken house they are in. They have outgrown it, and the babies need to be move out of the brooder box.
we have been so busy, I can't believe how long its been since I have blogged.

2nd cup of coffee

2010-04-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Here's the new chicks on the farm,We have been very busy with the

start of planting season, and don't get to spend very much time with them. The first picture was not the one I wanted, but I could not figure out how to take it off. such is life in the bloggy world.

2nd cup of coffee: "Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Link Up Here for the Random Doz

1. How do you feel about 'Gladiator' sandals, also called 'Roman' or 'Jesus' sandals? A fashion yea or nay?
If it doesn't have arch support than I wont wear it.

2. What is your favorite pizza?

I found a recipe at All recipes.com for Valentino's pizza crust, it is so good I think my family would be happy to eat it more than once a week.

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's 'I Love my Shih tzu' shirt from LOST, the plantation home 'Tara' from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

I don't care for material items, it shows in my house, I recently had my brothers and their family's over for Easter and it made me look at my house from another perspective, all my furniture is second hand, and or sounder end tables that look like they were dropped down the stares. it made wonder what they thought of me?. but I guess I don't care that much.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

Pizza king, they have the best Pizza.

5. What is your current favorite snack?

Hershey bar, and pecans eaten together.

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose 'none.')

A. Dancing with the Stars (I have two left feet)
B. Biggest Loser(I would wimp out)
C. Survivor(I would die)

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

Yuck ( its farming season, and I am top gofer, and run after two teenagers, that make me on call all day, driving dirty men and stinky kids when ever and wherever they need to go.

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

My hands get warmed up and I get to plan seeds in the earth, our last frost date is may the 10, and it feels like an eternity away.

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

My kids

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

loosing my winter blubber.

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week. cant come up with any right now.

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute 'friend' or nomenclature that works for you."

Getting ice cream, Eric is lactose intolerant so we try not to eat dairy and say yummm in front of him, so when we get out with out Eric we get ice cream.

Rileys post

2010-03-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

Greetings! A blog post from the other fledgelings from the nest (Riley). I am taking this chance to brag about my hobby of keeping pets. But first I must apologise for the mess I have made of this blog. I absolutely HATE the setup of these blogs. I had a terrible time trying to get my pictures on and kept accidentally deleting them. Finally I gave up on organization and put my pictures on indiscriminately.

The corn snakes you see are two of my favourite pets. their is a male and a female. The males name is Julius Squeezer and the females is Scarlet. I got them as hatching's on August 30, 2009. That makes them about 5 months old.

In the plastic container pictures are before and after pictures. The one below the other is when I first got them and the one above is from a few days ago. They have both grown about 4 inches and will eventually get about 3-5 feet in length. Not your largest snake but impressive enough.

In two of the pictures you see Julius climbing on the handle of a door and then their is another picture of him climbing up in between the door without any support. This is a small example of their athleticism. I had to put clamps on their cage lid because they kept inch worming their way up the corner of the cage, pushing up the lid and escaping. They are constrictors and are quite Strong. Their is also a picture of Scarlet trying to be a hat on my head.

Their is also several pictures of my fire bellied toads. I got them for Christmas last year. They are very pretty and entertaining. You can tell I had fun designing their cage.

The picture of the Betta is a fellow I just got a few days ago. The plant in his boll is a live plant called a Java fern. He has been very entertaining to watch. Especially when you put a mirror up to him.

And lastly my least favorite pet. the garter snake at the top used to be my favorite but now he is about a year and a half older and a lot bigger and nastier. The cute thing in the picture is now about two feet long and has a grumpy disposition. He or she (I don't know which because it's wild caught) is relatively docile if you have been holding it for a wile but if you wake him\her up you might get bitten. Just yesterday I caught a night crawler for it and brought it up and the little devil bit me, then musked ( a nasty thing, garter snakes are somewhat like skunks in that respect, secreting a nasty smelling liquid when first caught, startled, or in this case just plane mean) then ate the worm. How is that for thanks? I am going to let it go this spring when it warm up more.

Random Dozen

2010-02-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Random Dozen

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
I grew up with three brothers, they didn't share there weapons very well but I did get to use their B. B. guns after they moved out and left them behind. our family had a perfect place to have a shooting gallery in the back yard.

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
Yes, some.
3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
My husband broke me of the habit of being late, he is always punctual.
4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
Neither, I am 100% country girl, but don't care for country music.
5. Do you have a special ring tone?
no
6. What is your favorite type of chip?
I love homemade chex mix, I like to put candy corn in it. (sweet&salty)
7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
Abbot and Costello, Who's on first.
8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, 'How'd that work for ya?'
Just bangs, I always get them crooked.
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
My house! it was built in 1899 and hasn't had a face lift since the 1970's and it needs to be updated. I have gotten rid of the sea foam green and blue shag carpet, and orange paneling, but I have other plans I would love to fulfill.
10. Are you allergic to anything?
EVERYTHING !!
11. Why is it so hard to change?
It's not, I change my mind all the time.
12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, 'To love is to be vulnerable.' Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic."
Don't get it.

Ice is the frosting

2010-02-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

This is the whole flock of chickens. Whenever we let them outside, some of them won't go because they are afraid of the snow. It's funny to see their reactions.

These are some pictures of the beautiful weather outside. We have a family of eight to twelve blue jays that visit everyday to eat some bird seed.
Katie G. wrote this because she would do anything but the dishes.

new camrea

2010-02-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

Random Dozen

2010-02-10T10:32:00.001-08:00

Bugs in my soup!!!

yuck!

The organic long grain rice I bought from Meijer had bugs in it. They didn't show until after we already ate some of our soup. Otherwise it was so delicious.

Would you eat the soup if you found bugs in it? My son did.

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
I turn in to a whinny baby who just wants to sleep all the time.
2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?

I always tease the kids like its torture,but I don't mind, I remember how fun it was to get out of school for snow days.
3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?

decorating and arranging my furniture
4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?

I have a box of decorations in the attic, but I just can't get inspired to get them out.
5. What song is on your mind today?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?

Hallmark Movies are my favorite.
7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)

Eric has the most beautiful smile, and his quiet character.
9. When was the last time your heart raced?

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?

When I was a kid they always had a valentine with a skunk on it, and you didn't give that one to anyone you liked
11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?

Dove milk chocolate, please
12. Red or pink?

I can't stand pink any more, my daughters room was pink for ten years, and I guess it made me sick of it.

Another day in paradise.

2010-01-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

St. Maarten was so beautiful. We took a tour of the island and spent some time at the beach. It was three days at sea before I could even interact with the sea.

I didn't catch the name of the artist who painted these murials, but they were fabulous. They were painted on a retaining wall on the side of a hill, it looked like a dangerous place to be, to stand and paint.

This was one of the best pictures of our cruise ship because it was so big it was hard to get the whole ship in one frame.

Random Dozen,cruse pictures

2010-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

San Juan,Puerto Rico was our first port of call, how wonderful is was to get off the boat and see new sights.

shop,and see It was fun to The streets were very narrow and the reminded
us of Italy.
what they had to offer,

I wish I would have bought this hat,

I think Eric could use another hat besides farm seed company hats.
Nice change Eric.

The kids had four snow days while we were gone, and the grandparents kept there since of humor the whole time. P.T.L.

Well back to reality, I m hoping to cover The itinerary as we did on the cruise, the next island was so beautiful, St Maarten, we took a tour and went to the beach, see ya next time.

Now for the random doz. Thank you Linda for giving me a reason to blog when I have noting else to report.

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?

I have improved so much since I have been married and had children. I was so spoild by my Mom & Dad when I was living at home, I will always cherish the extra time I had with them.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?

Chocolate, is the ultimate food. On the cruise I had a small bowl of M& M every day because believe it or not the desserts they served usually were not as satisfying as my old standby.

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?

It depends on how much sleep I had the night before,

plus the amount of caffeine,

plus the reason for the wait. So

S+C+W= 8 if all the desirable equations work out.

Otherwise minus one or more desirable equations I would be about a 5

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?

Senior prom, I had a date set up by a mom in our church, He was so handsome and I always was to shy to talk to him, but he was a trouble maker, He was in prison on the day of the prom, I'm glade I didn't get to know him after all.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?

Oh yes, if I can do it my way its usually the way I can do it most efficiently in my mind.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?

Check out at Christmas.

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?

MY first we found out , but my second they wouldn't tell us,[ Grumpy tec.]

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?

Love them both but when kids are old enough to be bad mouthed disrespectful self centred human beans I loose my patients.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?

When I was a kid, My mom always had the same spot in her closet to keep all the goodies, I took a regular tour through her self just see what was new.

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?

Heaven !

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?

Husband wins hands down.

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

My editor way too tired and busy with homework to make my post look smart, She is a great person. and wanted to have her own blog, what do you think? is it safe to let a almost thirteen year old going on thirty have her own blog? it doesn't seem to be any worse than face book.

Ode to Food

2010-01-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

I love food, it is the center of my life, the best way I know to say I love you, or My Language of Love, some days I feel like I write poetry with sugar and spice.

Every meal starts with a drama. Onions& garlic in butter. and some poor dead critter. And I didn't have to take its life (and I don't mean roadkill).

My favorite easy way to start a meal it to buy a rotisserie chicken,( I didnt have to kill it,puck it, or gut it. Heck I didnt even have to cook it!) I prefere barbecue, or lemon.

I aways boil the bones and skin don't forget the jelled stuff in the bottom of the pan it comes in. Chicken stock is so easy.

If I don't need it right away I put it in a clean cottage cheese carton, they hold 2 cups of broth, and they freeze well, and they're easy to thaw out in the microwave.

I hope its OK to use cottage cheese cartons that way, because my family is doomed if it causes cancer or something.

I'll give you guys the recipe soon!

:) Smile from the Editor! (She's getting better!)

Random Dozen

2010-01-12T17:43:00.000-08:00

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave?
Chocolate, Today ,yesterday, and tomorrow.

2. M & M's or Skittles?
M&M's

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?
I wish I can say yes to this one, I have tried,but cant seam to stick with it.

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?
I have all day to do what I need to do. So I spend an hour every morning just chilling out.

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?
I am so excited, My husband and I get to go on a cruise this winter, its all coming together, I don't have anything really nice to wear, But I don't really want to spend any money on clothes but I don't want to where what I have.

6. Who is your favorite actress?
Sandra Bullock

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.
How the fashion industry stays in business when they only target on one generation like stick figure teens, I cant stand to see obese girls in tight shirts with there belly fat hanging out.(yuck)

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?
I got a mp3 player for Christmas, and cannot figure it out. I just barely get my computer to work properly. Life would be easier if my kids would be techno geeks.

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?
I have 5 birthday cards to get for January, my husband made me put back all the funny cards that make you want to pee your pants. He is no fun to shop with.

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?
I always pick out a little different style, but I keep getting it cut shorter and shorter. Last month.

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?
I guess I don't like to shop. I can't think of anything. Well, OK, I love to buy plants.

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house?
What have I forgot? I have a list. Keys, check; purse, check; phone, check; money, check; head, check.

I want to thank my personal editor, she makes me look like I know what I'm talking about.
I love you Katie you are best kid a Mom could ever want.

Random Dozen

2010-01-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

2nd Cup of Crank!

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a cranky-baby-hissy-fitter, how much of a complainer are you?

I am a whiner , it just slips out of my lips, I need to get out my purple bracelet again and keep on switching till God can get it thru my head that it doesn't help to whine.

2. When someone else is talking, do you listen, or are you thinking about what you're going to say in response?

I try to listen I think my hearing is not as good as it was, or my kids are not speaking as loud and clear as they used to.

3. I just deleted 1062 messages from my email account. Do you have any plans for a clean sweep this month--of anything? I have been cleaning out cabnets in my kitchen and throwing away old out of date vitamins and other products that go out or date quickly.

And now, here are some brilliant questions from a gal named Angie at Angie's Ad Lib who graciously offered to let me borrow her brain. Please go over and see Angie because it was so nice of her to help me out. Thank you so much, Angie!

4. Tell us about your perfume. Was it a gift? What does it remind you of? Do you have a signature scent?

I am so allergic to strong perfume, it feels like some is stabbing my sinuses with a knife. I feel some perfume should be illegal, after saying that, I like to use lotion with scent brown sugar vanilla is my favorite, my kids say it smells like mom.

5. What is your best organizing tip for the new year?

Just do it.

6. What is your favorite comic strip?

Garfield, I think cats are so funny, and the comic strip adds just what I think my cat would say.

7. Do you sleep with a fluffy or flat pillow?

fluffy

8. What color is your kitchen? Why did you choose that color?

yellow, it was wallpapered in yellow plaid when I moved in and I am not very good at home decor, so I left it, but took down the sunflowers for a change. and left a plackared up that says
(NOTICE THIS KITCHEN IS CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS)
I'm sick of cooking.

9. What’s the most interesting bumper sticker you’ve seen?
Cant think of any off hand.
10. Do you prefer an expensive writing tool or whatever is lying around? (Are you a Montblanc or a Papermate?)

Any thing that's lying around.

1. What chore doesn't feel like a chore – you just enjoy it (at least most of the time)?

I love to make home cooked meals, and bread. It is so satisfying to have my family sit down together to a hearty meal, and tell me about there day. It just feels right.

12. If your parents often repeated themselves, what is something one of them said more than once?

Thankful Thursday

2010-01-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

This is my first thankful Thursday. I wanted to start the new year by being more positive, and Thought this would be a good start.

1. First I am thankful for my life, and the people who God has put in my life. I grew up in a charismatic church surrounded by people who loved me and now I want that for my kids. We currently go to a mega church and kind of slip in and out without much notice.

2.I am also thankful for having all my needs met, warm house, good food, clean water, etc.

3. the birds outside are so entertaining I am so blessed to live in the country where the wild life can flourish.

4. My family is one of the biggest blessings, I am in awe that God has ordered my steps and guide me through my life, and I feel the results are in the Joy I feel when we are together and loving each other.

5. This winter my husband and I get to go on a cruse to the Caribbean, I cant wait but I wish I could take my kids. It is so expensive, between getting passports, airline tickets, and the money you spend on tips, and the extra side trips to go snorkeling, in which I want to do, or just floating on a mat in the ocean that costs 25. dollars.

we are going to miss the snow and the FREEZING cold weather. (joking).

Our ports are Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Tortola, B.V.I., and Haiti.

There are package deals to buy at each port, They are very pricey.
Have you been on any of these islands?, and do you have any story's about what you did?, or any advice about if it is safe to go on your own without a guide?
.
Hubby and I went on our honeymoon, it was so fun, but we found out some of the things we did wasn't as fun because of over crowing, like walking to the rain forest to see a waterfall, when we got their their were hundreds of other people their milling around and only one outhouse for us all. Yuck.

We actually saw a octopus baby on one of the beaches.

Random Dozen

2009-12-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?auto
I don't seem to mind drinking after my husband, but I cringe at sharing a drink with my kids. They aren't as germ conscious as they should be.
2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.) blogging has its ups and downs, just keep going.

and I was looking over my past blogs and found that when I whine I get more comments, Please don't encourage me, I get the whining from being the youngest child of four and the only girl.
3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?
Our traditions are to put up the tree and decorations on thanksgiving, but I usually just take them down whenever, then I like to decorate the house in snowflakes and snowmen.
4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:
Figuring out how to survive air travel, this will be my third time to fly and the second time to leave the country.
5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?
I think if the sun were out longer in the winter I could handle the cold better, otherwise it depresses me and makes me want to hibernate like the bear I can be.
6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?
no
7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
Just Family
8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?
My sons birthday, and a cruise to the Caribbean, cant wait
9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.) A craft show.
10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.
Less than an hour
11. Who runs your household?
My wonderful husband, I cant seem to keep a checkbook balanced.
12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.
That the war would end in Iraq, and that gods will for my life will be done.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

We are having a fun Christmas, the kids are out of school and are bored already. We are ready for Christmas, and we are hoping to get to go skiing in Michigan over their vacation.

These are a few Christmas ornament I painted in 2007. I had so much fun. My father-in-law cut them out of scrap wood, and I sanded an painted them. I did four sets of each ornament, but was disappointed to find there was no market for them at our local craft fair, I ended up giving most away to friends and relatives.

This year I made this jacket, I invited a friend over and we had

so much fun doing it together. We used a pattern that I use a lot, it has three layers of fabric and the seams turn out to look like chenille, I had loads of scraps of fabrics and love finding good use for them.

stuck, STUCK, STUCK#%**

2009-12-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am so dreadfully stuck in my blogging, and am so stuck that I don't know how to move on, I am so computer illiterate that it make my spelling look good.

I wanted to put a picture of the boy from the Christmas story with his tongue stuck to the flagpole but I couldn't get it to upload. I think it was a copyrighted, can you go and pay for a picture that you want? and how do you get the permission?

I was so aggravated with not being able to change my wallpaper that I slammed the lid on my laptop down, the computer got me back because I was sitting in my recliner at the time and when it shut one of my breast was in the way ouch! Mammogram any one?

fall into flavor

2009-11-09T06:51:00.000-08:00

My son loves this stew so much he gets all excited like the cartoon character dog snuggles, if he could jump to the ceiling and float to the earth to show his great pleasure he would.

He is such a character, don't worry about his gun I cant get him to kill one of our roosters, they started to fight to the bloody end and we had to separate them, the only way to get peace back to the coop is to keep only one rooster, and no one wants to be the one to kill the extra rooster. For now they are in separate cadges.

I call this salsa stew because I have other recipes that have the name southwestern in them. It takes time but its well worth it, I use mild salsa and fresh herbs when I can.

Southwestern stew

Ingredients:
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups water
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup salsa
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups frozen cut green beans
1-1/2 cups frozen corn
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
Hot pepper sauce, optional
Hot cooked rice, optional
Directions
In a 4-qt. Dutch oven, brown meat in oil over medium heat; drain. Add the next eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add carrots; return to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, corn and chilies; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until beef and vegetables are tender. Season with hot pepper sauce if desired. Serve over rice if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: One serving (prepared with lean meat and low-sodium tomatoes and without salt and hot pepper sauce) equals 293 calories, 11 g fat (0 saturated fat), 82 mg cholesterol, 525 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 31 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
Southwestern Stew published in Taste of Home August/September 1996, p29

COCK FIGHT, EWE

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

I Have kept chickens for 13 years and have never had a cock fight before,

at least not a bloody gruesome bunch like these two, I have herd that

once chickens get the taste of blood they will kill again, is that true?

I wish my kids were here to help me catch them I will put them in a cadge

until I can decide who gets to live. I love them both, WHaaaaa!

Any advice?

Random Dozen

2009-11-03T15:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of Tori our cat helping me with my last sewing project, She got to take a nap before I could get back to it, I will get a pic of it late this week for my blog, it is beautiful made with festive Holiday fabrics I had in my scrap pile.

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?I wait, My dad was arrested in that very same scenario. OUCH!
2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything? I Had the best day, My kids are well and going to school, I got to go to bible study, I went shopping, and now I am blogging, Life is good.
3. When you reply to some one's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)I go to their blog, because who would think to go back to your blog for an answer.
4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
5. Do you recycle?yes
6. Games of strategy or games of chance?strategy
7. Do you have any recurring dreams?no
8. What did you learn from your first real job?I worked the night shift at Dunkin Donuts, I think I learned what true fear was.
9. Do you buy or borrow most books?My kids and I are Library Junkies, we have memberships to three libraries.
10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?
11. When do you start Christmas shopping?Today I bought my first Christmas present. Hope I don't have to take it back.
12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion? Marriage proposal, finding out I was having a baby.

2009-11-02T07:26:00.000-08:00

I used to make biscuit's that were so good, but used a whole stick of butter but gave me heartburn this recipe is just as good, I always put in a 1/2 C flax seed for more fiber. I could not get the picture to come in, this recipe comes from All RECIPES.COM, it is so good.

Honey Wheat Sandwich Rolls

"Hearty and tasty country style sandwich rolls. Honey, whole wheat and just a little bit of butter. They freeze well

Honey Wheat Sandwich Rolls
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups warm milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press start.
When dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out 3/4 inch thick. Cut out rolls with a 3 to 4 inch diameter biscuit cutter. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets; cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. When rolls are finished baking, brush with melted butter.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 191 Total Fat: 4.7g Cholesterol: 26mg

Random Dozen ,Chickens

2009-10-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Good country fun, I always tell them no to chase my egg layers.

I was proud of Katie she caught the red rooster he doesn't have spurs yet, look out once he gets them and figures out how to use them. Riley has the colored egg layer.

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

Mrs Cline at Eaton Elementary, she worked so hard to try to get me to spell, Bless her heart.
2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.
3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

Burnt umber, it makes great shadows on paintings. I will show you a picture of the Christmas jacket I made this week with a good friend Peggy.
4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?

grey hair
5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?

no
6. What's your favorite musical?

Sound of Music

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

country mouse
8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
Take me to the movies, My son would rather have the money to squirrel it away.
This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.
9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.
Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right?
I have never texed before, I hate spelling and would rather say what need communicated.
10. "It's not a party unless _______."
11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available. I was just at the doctors office Monday, My Katie was diagnosed with h1n1, but she is getting over it very slowly but surly.
12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?

No way, there wouldn't be anyone to make decisions, plus all we would get done is crafting, or blogging
Thanks for visiting. Jenny

Fall into flavor

2009-10-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe over at Zizzie Happenings this week, it tasted so good I almost ate the whole thing myself.
I would post a link but I haven't practiced enough, and I'm afraid of where I might end up sending you. Cyber space is a very scary place to get lost, so don't take directions from a novice like me.

Caramel Apple Breakfast Casserole
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 apples, peeled and diced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
6 slices of bread, torn

Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar and diced apples. Grease an 8X8 inch glass baking dish, tear 3 slices of bread and add to the bottom. Layer apple mixture and tear remaining 3 slices of bread on top. Pour egg mixture over all the bread. Cover with foil and put in fridge overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until eggs have cooked through.

If you'd like you can serve with syrup but it's sweet enough to enjoy alone. However I would totally recommend serving it with bacon or sausage. It will make a perfect sweet and salty combination!

Tromp in the woods,Sick kids

2009-10-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

squirrels and birds beware, Riley is in the woods!! We are so blessed to have a woods behind our house. I think Riley looks like Calvin, from the cartoon Calvin&Hobbs, sometimes it feels like it.

Both the kids were home from school this week, we are going stir crazy, I think Riley is well enough to go back on Monday, but Katie gets to see the Doctor because she sounds like she is trying to cough up a lung. OUCH :(

Please pray for us, it's hard living with a comic character like Calvin, just kidding. We need to get healthy, and our grain dryer is down, so we can't get any corn picked until it is fixed.

Random Dozen

2009-10-21T04:32:00.000-07:00

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts?

I love candy corn in chex mix.

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you're not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.)

I was a greeter at our Churches singles group and we just got to talking. we were both shy, if I had not been talked into greeting that day it would have taken us a lot longer to get to know each other.

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian?

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume?

I made Eric's dog a coat out of flannel that was easier to put on her, though it made her want to walk sideways.

5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year).

No responsibilities, and my mothers soft lap.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for?

I was on a baseball team that won, I was not very good at baseball, we had some great team members who could knock the ball out of the park.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year?

October is when I always want to get out my Christmas music, or when there is a fall chill in the air.

8. What's your favorite board game?

Rummikub

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)?

Give or take its all good fun.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?"

Saying I'm sorry is my first reaction, even if it is not my place to do so.

11. What is your favorite candle scent?

It depends on the season. I like spiced for fall; vanilla or sugar cookie for winter; and summer I am always outside.

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?

I have enough handmade woven baskets, paintings, and clay sculptures to start my own museum, and I would serve chex mix ,and spiced cookies with sweet tea.

My new chickens have yet to lay any eggs, I can't wait to see what color the Easter egg laying chicken's egg will be, but the roosters have figured out their job, and the old hens don't appreciate their enthusiasm.

A recipe for comfort food

2009-10-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Linda at 2nd cup of coffee has a new (to me) meme favorite fall dishes. I thought this looked like fun, and I am always open to new recipes.

I don't have very much time because harvest is finely here and we are very busy, so I will have to give you my best,short, and easiest recipe I have on file. here it goes.

Ingredients: Money, keys ,car,drivers licence.

First make sure you have your purse, and money, and keys, go to your car start it drive to your favorite fast food restaurant order your food, follow the instructions (first window to pay) and so on, take your order, and either eat it on the way home or wait till it gets cold on the way home and eat it in front of the T.V. ENJOY!

tootles, Jenny

Random Dozen

2009-10-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)
I like cursive, it seems to flow a lot easier, plus having dyslexia it helps make the letters behave.
2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?

Dreamer I believe it helps me be a better artist.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?
Elton John, When I was a kid Mom made my brothers give me an album because I only had baby music, and good old Elton John was all they were willing to give up, I had more fun with my one album than they did with all theirs, you could tell by all the scratches.
4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.
Jurassic park, hands down, because I was 8 months pregnant and expected to see a documentary and not any Violante's. now that I watch it it isn't as frighting because I'm not sicked up on mommy hormones and I expected what is going to happen.
5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?
a accident when my oldest was 9 months old we were coming home from camping, and a small car hit a blown out tire[alligator] the truckers called it, and wiped out in front of us, it messed up our camper. the baby sleped through the whole thing.
6. What word do you misspell without fail?
It would be easier for me to tell you what I can spell, I think I can smell the spell check smoking from over use. I can't spell to save my soul.
7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.
Gardening, I am never quite satisfied with my results.
8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?
Time alone, that's when I can go into my zone where I can paint {acrylic paintings of wildlife}
9. Have you ever been on TV?
Only on home videos
10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)
Pumpkin Pie Yum
11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?
Reiman publications has most of my magazine subscriptions,Country, Birds and blooms, Quick cooking , because of all the beautiful pictures, they inspire me to paint.
12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?
When to keep my mouth shut, and not to blog about my family without their permission.

Thanks for stopping in, Random dozen is quite a challenge, jump in and try it sometime. I would link you to the post but I can't figure it out how exactly to do that, maybe next time.

Whats up on the farm

2009-10-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

It's raining today, and all hopes of harvesting are put on hold till further notice, but spirits are still high, there is always next week, or next month, or next year, Just kidding, as fare as I have heard the latest the end of harvest is thanksgiving, and they had to pick in the snow, I wonder how snow acts when it's sent through a combine?, anyway that's what is happening on the farm.

Yesterday I heard one of my roosters crow, he is very shy about it because he wont do it in front of anyone, it seems like we just bought them such a short time ago, This picture cracks me up, it shows what a character Riley is.

When the kids get home from school our house is like a different world, there is chaos and bickering, and song and story's of all that happened during the day, I will miss them when they move out of my nest, just like I miss them when they were toddlers.

Random Dozen

2009-10-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?
Usually I am very money conscious, but when I get money for something like birthday or a Christmas gift I always want more than the money I receive so I always pay the extra to get what I want.
2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.
I don't do very many crafts or paint until the snow flies or the frost kills all the fun outdoors for the season. But did have a basket class last month I can try to get a picture in but I have no luck getting pictures to cooperate.
3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?
to big and drafty, and too expensive to fix, Goldie Locks, says to go for a new smaller house.
4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?
I LOVE to plant flowers and veggies in the spring, till the garden,hoe weeds.
5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?
I would smoke a pipe with the best smelling tobacco like my grandfather used to, it smelled so good and I liked the way you had to fill it, cigarettes stink.
6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?
I hate, hate, hate, driving.
7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?
Arguing with my daughter.! Duuuuuu!!!

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?
My family can't remember the last time I watched a movie to the end, they get so annoyed at me and I don't understand what difference it makes to them. I did watch the movie Julie&Julia at the theater to the end. It was the best movie I have seen in a long time.
9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?
10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?
I would give myself 9 3/4 because that is my life, when you live on a farm you are a victim of weather and broken down equipment. It is so much a part of our lives we don't even plan to do anything until we are sure we have everything covered.
11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?
Sweet tea, got to have it, and know where not to go for it.
12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life?
I would like to say my teenage kids but we all know the truth.

sky watch friday

2009-10-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

I hope the moon in the picture shows on the blog like it does on my computer.

I used my cuss word today

2009-10-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite book worm, she live and breaths to read.

She has begged me to take her to the Bluffton library for weeks, so I finally relented today, when we got there, there was a blind guy trying to get in, so we offered to assist him in, then the worst thing that could happen, happened. their was a paper sign in the door saying the library was closed today because of a power outage. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth, and it wasn't the blind guy.

I made a rule at our house that we all were only aloud to use one cuss word every six weeks, So we flew of the handle and let it fly, only after we got in the car and out of earshot of the blind dude.

My day started innocent enough I have been wanting to make a pot of chili for days but have been so busy blogging,drying herbs, and running errands to even get it accomplished, I finely had it almost done when I poured the ratatouille noodles in and low and behold their where bugs in my noodles," RATS". The chickens loved my first batch of chili, I Had to go to the grocery store because I used all my ingredients, the thing that got me the most is I used my home grown tomatoes.

On the other hand she is a real camera jerk it took me three pictures to get her to cooperate, the cat jumped in the picture after I got her to behave.

this is the best picture of her we have taken all year.

PS This is Katie and in this picture I am trying to snarl, but my mom was making me laugh.

Camera Jerk and proud of it!

Random Dozen

2009-09-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

2nd cup of coffee: Link Up for the Random Dozen: ".
1.Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie.
In my favorite recliner under a warm blanket, preferably with homemade cookies and tea.
2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be?
I certainly hope everyone else in my life has their's planed because it seems like a daunting task,especially if I was in grief
3. Are you more of a giver or a taker?
this is hard to admit, but I am a taker
4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear?
One year we had the camper packed and where sitting at the end of our driveway, asking if we should go to Michigan where they were supposed to have a rainy week or go the smokey mountains to get away from the rain.
5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly?
The back of the piano it is just far enough away from the wall to see the dust , but not enough room to get in there to clean.
6. Name a cause that means a lot to you.
Jesus, and home cooking.
7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly?
We have pie makers that you use over the campfire, and I like to make peanut butter and jelly with marshmallow, it is so gooey and sweet, I call it sinful.
8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous?
skip
9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of tooth brushing and jammies?
skip
10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog?
My family made me feel so bad I almost stopped blogging, They had a change of heart and I get their O.K. before I post, sometimes!
11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree?

I wish I had a copier, when I was a teen my cousin thought I looked like princess leah.

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated?"

2009-09-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

I love the days I can let my chickens roam,

I have learned not to give them too much freedom because they will head for the road when they're done with my compost.

I am going to miss these

golden fall days.

When it snows nether the chickens or I want to get out.

Rileys band

2009-09-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of Riley, and he is so happy. The band kids seem to be a good group,

Random Dozen

2009-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.

one of my favorite memorys is having a dance competition in gym my friends and I had so much fun making up a dance, we came in 2ND place though, thanks to me, they made a last minute change and I forgot about it, It was still fun. I'm Number 2.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song?

Hard days night, My kids and I watched the Beatles cartoon on YouTube the other night, I would put in a link but am not sure I know how.

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be?

St johns bay jeans and a T shirt.

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?

defiantly a guest, I wouldn't mind hosting, but I haven't had that much experience.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?

I love audio books, I can listen to a book and pick green beans, or weed the garden, or paint, to my hearts content.

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing?

Listening and experiencing.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet?
Chex mix with candy corn in it,It covers both, Its my family's favorite.
but if I really had to choose one it would be sweet.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?
a pile of dead crickets with no arms or legs. [I have a cat]
10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?

Mission Imposable

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?

Give it to good will.

Three cheers for Linda, for helping me figure out how to do memes.

fall pictures

2009-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Fall is such a beautiful time of year, everything is in bloom and the Cinderella pumpkins are ready to be picked.

Riley took this picture with one of his feeder mice, it makes a great Autumn decoration.

but we wont be eating my pumpkins this year the little black bug have been eating holes in them we better enjoy them while they last.

Eric and I had our 18th anniversary over the labor day week end and we jokingly say he got me a cat for our anniversary present, Maybe someday I will get to drive it.

Birthday Potty for Jerry

2009-09-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

My big brother, Jerry, is 50 years old. I can't believe he made it to this age because I thought mom was going to have him killed for being so ornery.

Being his only sister I thought it was my sisterly duty to give him a toilet seat for his birthday.

This lovely seat comes complete with a silver finish, and trimmed in blue and gold edging that I learned how to do by watching the P.B.S painter

Donna Dewberry I knew I would find a way to use those lessons. and to top it off fifty candles.

and let me tell you folks that was not easy getting them all to stick. Oh yeah on the inside I glued turds that says getting old stinks.

I have three older brothers, Jerry is second child in my family, and the only one who is skinny, and not because he eats healthy. My brother loves to tell of his donuts for breakfast and hot dogs for lunch, yuck!!!

I had the trogan horse breathing down my neck

2009-09-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hello I'm back, I thought I caught a virus on Sunday, and was afraid to turn on my computer until I could get it checked out by a specialist.

I decided to google my blog name just to see what would come up, and out of the blue a warning popped up and said I had the Trojan horse virus, I froze like a deer in the headlights and slowly put the laptop down so I could consult my husband on what to do.

but he was busy and I forgot until hours later, hubby said to write down just exactly what the warning said, but when I tried the warning went away.

I found out that the hackers get people to freak out and click on there warning and they get infected, so its a good thing that I didnt do anything right away. Whew!!!!
Jenny

Can't seem to give it away

2009-09-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

I have been cleaning out my house lately and have a lot of kid games and toys that my kids and I thought we had to have but rarely used.

I had to find a place to unload all these treasures because having a rummage sale is not quite worth it when you live in the boonies among the impoverished country people.

I hardly have anyone to stop let alone buy anything.

When I lived in Muncie Indiana I would get so many customers I would usually sell out. of course I had baby stuff back then.

Well I had the idea to give all the games and toys to our local elementary school so the teachers would have something for the kids to do on rainy days, you think they would jump at the chance for free toys.

I guess my mistake was to offer to deliver the toys because I ended up with the toy banging around in the back of my van for a week, because they wouldn't tell me where and when to bring them.

every time I would make a quick stop or turn a corner this little guitar would bang around It sounded like I was driving Quick Draw McGraw around for a week. I had to ask my brother what his name was, It sure brought back happy memory's of the good old days when cartoons were of mindless entertainment, and no one gets hurt, except that is if you were the youngest of four impressible kids, and the only girl.

this week I made 19 pints of grape jam on Tuesday and last Saturday the kids and I made 8 pounds of noodles. I feel like I earned my keep this week.

Snakes

2009-08-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

These are the newest editions to the family.

We went to Indianapolis to the reptile show at the state fair grounds.

It was another world, along with seeing a lot of slithering and scampering things we got our fill of tattooed bodies, and Pierced tongs, yuck! It felt like we went into one of those side shows you pay to get into, and we did five bucks a Piece, it was an experience we will never forget.

Oh yeah remember me asking what could go wrong with buying a snake?, well we found out on the first night. One got out. But no worries we found him.

Riley says;

I love my new snakes. They are so beautiful. I could sit and look at them all day. I have already named the male Julius Squeezer because they are constrictors, but I haven't come up with a good snake name for the female.

I would like the name to have a historic link and it to be funny. I would love suggestions please.

At the snake show I was in haven. Their was so many snakes and frogs and insects there. Some frogs a big as a small plate, some tiny poison dart frogs, tarantulas, and bearded dragons galore . I had a blast.

Gnat trap

2009-08-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

I am so relieved to find a way to kill gnats that doesn't result in breeding them.

all you do is make a funnel out of a paper plate that only has a hole big enough for the little tyrants to squeeze through and tape it.

I use a clothes pin to secure it so there are no gaps around the top edges and so it doesn't get knocked off.

Now if only I can find a way to keep bananas from getting brown before my family gets a chance to eat them.

The pet dilemma

2009-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

My son loves animals, he would live at the pet store if we left him there, I'm sure the owners wouldn't mind, He would gladly handle each one of the animals to tame them and even clean their cages.

but I think they wouldn't want to feed him. Riley likes to eat large quantities of healthy food, No pop tarts for him!

Last spring our neighbor told us about a man who kept pigeons and would give him some of his pigeons who didn't do this trick, (they do flips) very well. They are very amusing to watch.

Well, this Sunday Riley left the cage open and the pigeons wouldn't cooperate and go back in so we had to leave them out, and of course they got ate, and now we have the babies to take care of.

I hate feeding baby birds, they don't do well in my care, and Riley isn't any better at it,

So here is my dilemma do I take them to the local bird lady Diana Freedman, who always ends up with any baby bird I find, Last year it was cardinals, I just couldn't let them die. or take my chances, Riley has decided he doesn't care for birds very much.

the funny part is he wants a corn snake now so bad he can't see straight. What could go wrong with a corn snake?

MY blog about nothing

2009-08-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

The three main things you need to be a good blogger is: a good picture, a reporters mind, and some willing victims who don't mind being written about.

I have a camera, and always wish I had it with me, or I run out of batteries, or my subject runs away like ; kids, wildlife, pets,.

I do have some really funny ideas on how to post, but nobody really wants the world to know them as the butt of my jokes, plus my English teacher may not be very happy at grammar and punctuation if she saw this blog.

so there you have it why I haven't been doing much blogging.
I still enjoy reading and commenting on what others blog about.

Jenny

an Owl ate my baby

2009-08-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

This morning a Owl eat my favorit chicken, she was one of the chics from this year and was suppost to lay colored eggs, What a bummer.

the chicks are already teens, the older chickens often put them in there place.

Shuch is life on the farm.

Quabache State Park

2009-08-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's pronounced Wabash, and we had a great time camping there, Its not very far from our home and has a lot of fun things we enjoy doing.

They have a great bike trail that is off the road, goes through the woods, and works it's way to the downtown of Bluffton Indiana where we found the best treasure of all: the Bluffton Library. Its not very convenient for us at all but they have computer classes. I cant seem to find any classes available around my home.

there is a pond with canoe and paddle boats, at the park, Riley had fun sneaking up on the turtles and trying to capture them, no luck thank goodness, I was afraid I might have had to frisk him for aquatic life before we left the pond, because I am sure he would try to keep something it's just the animal lover he is.

we all read John Grisham's THE TESTAMENT it was a great book, and I listened to it on audio with the kids, I like how the lady missionary affected the lawyers outlook on life and that the inheritance had no affect on her.

The kids and I are glad school will start soon, its always great to have something to do.

I will go back to the Bible study at our church, its a long drive and I don't like to drive, There is a section of the highway I drive where accidents occur often, I just missed one last year where a truck slammed into a line of traffic that was stopped for road construction, it killed one woman and injured the maintenance man from my church. I always pray when I go through there.

Fairie houses

2009-07-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some fairies houses I have made in pottery class this year, I have been so blessed to have the opportunity be invited to be a part of this class.

I made this house at Caroleens Herb Farm .

Camping in New Harmoney Indiana

2009-07-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

It was so good to get away, we went for seven days, and it rained almost every day, so we had lots of fire wood to burn at the end of our trip.

We had a lot of time to read and play games in the camper, it was very relaxing.

by the way, on my last post I said that I took pictures while I picked raspberries

OOPS, The picture I posted was of Very healthy Milkweed it grows in our meadow by the woods.

sky watch friday

2009-06-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

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I went raspberry picking yesterday and took a few pictures. this was my favorite.

wood pecker painting

2009-06-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

I Painted most of these bird paintings in 2006. I just haven't been able to get in the zone since, I hope I don't have to be in major pain in order to get back to the painting zone.

Painting is my favorite winter sport cause that about all the exercise I get.

Lately I have been busy gardening and going to rummage sales, and trying to get rid of all the extra stuff we don't need any more,

I haven't had a successful rummage sale since I moved from Muncie I live in a neighborhood that was a hot bed for rummages, one time I sold everything but one box full of stuff, it was amazing.

Now I live in the boonies and no one will come this far for a sale, pulse I don't have toys or cute baby cloths to sale.

I am have a bear of a time getting good pictures of my paintings, they all look blurry, I have other paintings I would blog but the pic quality is as embarrassing as my punctuation and spelling ability. praise God for the person who invented spell check.
Jenny

Jack-O-lantern and carolina wren

2009-06-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

Today it rained, so I'm stuck inside, so I took time to try to figure out the camera and finally got some good shots of some of my paintings,.
This painting Jack-O-Lantern and Carolina wren was finished in fall of 2006 I was in a lot of pain with a really bad root canal, every time the tooth was capped I would be in pain, so I kept having to go back to have it worked on. It was bad. I was so glade to have something positive to focus on.
It has been so long since I have blogged, I been trying to use another format to blog with but can not seam to get the code in just right.

I have a question, I made myself a follower of Jenny wren's nest and found someone else is using the same blog name, or its an old one. What will happen if she would start to blog again ?
Jenny

more chicks

2009-06-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Teenage boys are always hungry, and extremely impatient, I think this chick has a long time before it would be worth stewing.

Sprouties,Chicks

2009-06-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of pictures I could show, but being a rookie at this I think I better keep it as simple as I can for now.

I can't figure out how to get the pictures to go and stay where I put them, when I publish my post they aren't in the same spot they were when I previewed it.

The corn is up and looking good, My editor used to call them sprouties, I think that's cute. she gets mad this year when we call them that, I don't know why I think it is a clever use of words.

Isn't our new baby chick cute, I love getting chicks in the spring , they are as funny as toddlers, you can give them a leaf of salad lettuce and they will run around with it like playing keep away. They can't help giving it away that they have the prize and no one else can have it.

Baby chicks are a lot of work, you have to keep them warm and they poop a lot, and keeping them safe from dogs and cats and other chickens , we always loose at least one every time.

Happy Spring Jenny

2009-05-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Brown Eggs For Sale!
The chickens are laying about six eggs a day,
too many for my family to eat, but barely enough
to sale, I let them accumulate to about five dozen
then ask the people around our town if they
need any. It barely pays for the chicken feed.

these are my girls, they are rascals, they love strawberries and thoroughly enjoy freshly planted and tilled dirt, that way they can eat their bugs and get some grain while they are at it. I have only been letting them out of their pen in the evening, so I can keep an eye on them , they go back in their pen automatically when it gets dark because chickens are night blind . and naturally go to their safe place before it gets dark.
Eric is over half done with the planting season, Its been one of the more trying planting seasons that I have experienced so far, we moved up to the farm and started farming in 1999.

Ta-da it's Jenny's daughter\unpublicized editor

2009-05-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hi it's Jenny's daughter! I wanted to do my own blog but the stupid google wouldn't let me. I am the daughter she rarely mentions. Yeah, the boring one. See this picture to the left. Yeah not really looking like me. That picture is from second grade. I am in sixth grade. you might have noticed my sarcasm. It comes from dad. I'll tell you what happens in my day. i go to school in the morning and go to my happy place. Then when i get home i usually spend all my time in my room doing homework and reading. I am not lying. I read Shakespeare. Amazing huh? i don't really watch TV at all. I don't have my own phone and my MP3 player got crushed a long time ago. I like to write stories on my 1995 windows computer. If you ask at school you would probably hear that i don't talk a lot and i read. Of course when i am at home i just read. now you know why i am never mentioned much in moms blog. I am always in my room. as you might have noticed from the color i am using that i love green. Yeah i am going a little random here but oh well. I am my moms editor [who never gets credit] and i really do love school. When i grow up i hope to be a police man [why do they always say police man] I also wish to be a writer. When i get to write on my moms blog then i will probably just write about books. Like Shakespeare. I love Hamlet it is one of my favorite books. We have a book called the bathroom reader and in it there is a part that talks about Shakespeare and the insults in his books. My favorite one is: 'I durst not laugh for fear of openings my lips and receiving your bad air.' Well i think it is funny. My favorite book series so far is called Pendragon. It is not about Pens or dragons for that matter, it is just the name of the boy in it. It is totally science fiction. I really recommend this book series. My next favorite book series [or should i say author] is Artemis fowle. This story is about a millionaire criminal mastermind that is only 12 years old when he suddenly get in contact with the fairy world and his adventures thereafter. Wow i started sounding like the back of a book for a while there.

See you next time,

Katie

Baskets and flowers

2009-05-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

I love spring,and going to pick out a new fresh look for my yard, this year is blue and yellow,

This is a basket I made with my friends in Hartford City In., we have a class every other month to learn to weave a different basket, Its allot of fun, The group of Lady's I weave baskets with are allot of fun.

I go to a pottery class also but have not been for a while now, the kelm is not working and my things still need to be fired, I have allot to learn about pottery. I think painting is my real calling I just wish I could find a teacher who could mentor me, I would eat up all they would have to show me.

2009-05-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

This is a farmers prayers answered, it is finally dry enough to do any planting. The earth is coming up in clumps , but at this point you take what you get. we might just get all the corn planted. Praise God!!

This is Riley my 14 year old son getting ready to do his favorite thing burning the Field trash. When it rains a lot it makes the corn stalks pile up so high that the crops cant grow, and get smothered out. Its really a hot and stinky job. but someone has to do it.

Love and Peace Jenny

2009-05-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

Today I only have a tip for gardening I think is quite clever,
I'm not sure how I came up with it,

This tip is for getting those pesty dandelions with roundup and not getting anything else.

First I use a container like the one you get from the instant frosting,

then I have a dropper from my sons science kit,

I poked a hole in the lid just big enough to slip the dropper inside,
fill the container with roundup,

don't forget to mark it poison.

I like to put bright color of food coloring in it Like Red, or orange so I can tell what I have already done.

Now comes the fun part, place a drop of your roundup on the leafs of the dandelions and watch it slide down to the center, it usually delivers the poison directly to the center of the weed and misses the grass or plant .
HAPPY GARDENING JENNY

2009-05-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

Torri our cat reminds me of an owl, she has a beige nose, big yellow eyes, and loves to prow at night.

This year spring has been very slow in coming, this is the first week that the weather has given a break,

we are hoping to get to plant the crops

this week, My father-in-law said that it wouldn't be wise to plant corn past the first of June so we have two weeks to get the corn planted. YIKES!

soybeans don't need as long of a time to grow. Corn will bring a better price this year because there are a lot of farmers who are in the same bind and corn is going to be in short supply.

My garden is not doing the best, I chose to plant my potted plants in the garden without tilling first, it is not as pretty or as satisfying,.

I plan to mulch with newspaper and grass clippings it will look the same in the end.

I just love the feel and smell of the fresh tilled dirt,

when I was a kid I would always take my shoes off and run my toes through the earth , and would always be scolded for it. It is best not to plant in compacted ground.

110 years old and feeling it

2009-05-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

In 1899 Eric's Great Great Grandfather built our wonderful house.

Now we have a big decision, to do home improvement or demolition. Its really a hard thing to decide because of sentimental value, and the time and cost.

Eric and I are not the kind of people who like to spend money, I am a tight wade like my Dad, Eric is just practical. the list of things that need attention is daunting, Basement to new roof.

My In laws remodeled in the early seventies and I love ,Love ,LOVE My kitchen.

but the big problem is Mice, yuck, the foundation is cracked and the mice know it. Our running joke is, Whose turn is it to run the trap line?

sky

2009-05-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

I love this picture

Spring is finally here

2009-05-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today we have really enjoyed the weather, the kids walked back to the woods and stayed for a long time. Riley said he saw some raccoons climb a tree ,and Katie said she had an encounter with a deer how exciting.

Riley had a very nice man call today and invite him to his farm to get some pigeons he wanted to get rid of, He breads the pigeons to do a flip when they fly, Kim,our neighbor ; told Mr Buckner about Riley and how his last pigeons were lost this winter. Its great to know there are still good people in this world. Mr buckner wanted to keep other people interested in the sport and even offered to let us know when the pigoens race will be this year.

We have had so much rain this year Eric hasn't had any chances to put any crops out yet, or use his new planter this year. We have only seen a few Fields planted, and the rain and cold might be hard on them, Please pray for ALL farmers, its been a cold and rainey year.

Cracked pot gardening

2009-04-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

This picture is from last year I shared my parsley with some cool worms. This year I am starting my Herbs from seed, and marked each new herb with a shared of broken pottery and a marker I hope it will work better than what I have tried in the past.

Home from Washington

2009-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well, he is back, He fell into bed the first thing,and slept for seven hours, the bus traveled all night and they were supposed to sleep on the bus. Riley came home with 418 pictures on the digital camera, I asked him to pick out a few of his favorites. here they are. the Arlington cemetery,
the Whitehouse,

Riley Goes to Washington

2009-04-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

My sons school takes the eight graders on trip to washington every year for five Days, he is coming home tomorrow, I cant wait I miss all the noise and confusion, I haven't had to yell at anyone about homework, etc.

Tomorrow I get to go to a class on growing grocery's, that our local extension office are offering., I am always looking for something to keep my life more interesting, I think I need a class on English, I am so rusty with punctuation & spelling, when I use spell check the text lights up in green, I wish I could figure out how to get spell check on the commit part on other blogs.

MY FIRST POST

2009-04-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, My name is Jenny, this is my first blog, I received a laptop computer for Christmas and have been browsing others blogs since. Today is Sunday and very very rainy I cant Garden, Don't want to bake on my day off, I have three paintings that need that,special touch,{ somethings missing} I hate being in that place. At least there are two good movies on tonight. I am going to try putting in a picture of one of my paintings on a rock I picked up on a trip my family and I took canoeing.