Mmmmm. Cookies.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Mr. Handy
Wanna see something funny?
The Scout Master isn't the handiest guy - but he tries.
One recent evening, he cleaned the connections on his car battery.
Guess what happens when battery acid splatters on you?
These jeans have apparently been 'acid washed.'
The Scout Master isn't the handiest guy - but he tries.
One recent evening, he cleaned the connections on his car battery.
Guess what happens when battery acid splatters on you?
These jeans have apparently been 'acid washed.'
Monday, May 11, 2009
I can't stop thinking about...
"I can't stop thinking about chicks..." This was is what my six year old said on his way out the door to shcool today. Let's hope I can hang on to that reference as 'chickens' for a few more years.
This is the story of chickens in my life. Then and now. Ahhh. Chickens.
Part One:
Once upon a time, I had chickens. Willamena, Henrietta, Bob, Bob, Bob and Speck, Speck and Speck. (all three Bobs were cute little yellow girls and the Specks were all black and white spotted. Since I couldn't tell them apart anyway - they all had the same names.)
My sister had one named "Bah-duck." She was really our family pet. (I'm pretty sure I've told about her before - the chicken, that is) If you say bah-duck real loud and fast, it sounds like the noise a chicken makes. Hence, the name. She was a fine chicken, very smart. She would peck on the glass doors to be let in, if a coyote happened to be in the back woods. She would sit on the mat, just inside the door, until the coast was clear. She was a friend to all. Sadly, pneumonia took her, one Northwest rainy, Sunday morning before church. (okay, my dad and brother in law 'took' her, if you know what I mean. She was suffering terribly and on a 'want to be farm' these are the things that happen.
Back to my flock...
I loved those little gals. Pecking around the yard, in and out of their make shift home – my old rabbit cages. And my two big red ladies where the best. They were plump Rhode Island Red’s, and very pleasant hens. They gave eggs a couple times a week in warmer weather, and never a set of nicer gals could be found.
Upon the demise of my small ones, I felt terribly sad. Two weeks in Hawaii meant they had to have a ‘sitter.’ Brandon didn’t mean to let a ferret get to them. These things happen though. And alas, they were a tasty, feathery snack for the little sneak. Oh, I was sad. Very sad. So sad that I didn’t want to be a ‘farmer’ anymore. I had to find a new home for Willamena and Henrietta. So, off to my good friend John’s house they went. Little did I know that once the girls stopped laying, meant ‘roast chicken for dinner’ at his house. He said they were very tasty. (*pout*)
Oh, my. Very sad.
Part Two:
But having chickens is a fond memory in my life. They are great pets, and they have a lot to offer in the area of learning about animals. (eggs and all…) So of course, I have been begging to get chickens since Peter and I married.
“Please can we get chickens. Please.”
“No,” says the Scout Master, “Where would we put them.”
Year after year, this is how the pleading pans out.
But this year. THIS YEAR…, he said yes. He finally agreed that it would be good for our kids.
What!? What !?
Hooray!
Fortunately, I know someone who is getting rid of four lovely laying ladies. Lucky me.
Don’t order yet folks…this gets better!
On Saturday, Minks called to ask what I want for mother’s day. (She’s a fine sister, I know.) Of course my reply is, “Chickens.”
“Okay, chickens it is.” She says.
I laughed.
And yesterday, just as I was husking the corn for dinner – guess what showed up in my living room?
Yep. Those are baby chicks. You’re right. They are ADORABLE. Aren’t they? A yellow one, an orange one and a speckled one. (they have official breed names, but you get the idea) She brought all the necessities to get us started and EVEN offered her husband to build me a coop out in our too-shady-to-grow-anything of a garden.
Yes. You can guess I was thrilled. And so were my own little flock of four. (my actual children, that is)
One likes to hold them,
one likes to pet them,
one likes to look and ‘babysit, but NO touching’ them,
and the last like to chase, grab and possibly sit on them.
They are a BIG hit at my house. Can you think of a better Mother’s Day gift than three baby chicks we all get to mother?
Nope.
There are now three little chicks snuggled in their big blue bin, warming light on, fresh paper, food and water. Oh, they’re sweet.
As my sister’s family drove away, Peter said to me, “Your sister sure loves you.”
And he’s right.
This is the story of chickens in my life. Then and now. Ahhh. Chickens.
Part One:
Once upon a time, I had chickens. Willamena, Henrietta, Bob, Bob, Bob and Speck, Speck and Speck. (all three Bobs were cute little yellow girls and the Specks were all black and white spotted. Since I couldn't tell them apart anyway - they all had the same names.)
My sister had one named "Bah-duck." She was really our family pet. (I'm pretty sure I've told about her before - the chicken, that is) If you say bah-duck real loud and fast, it sounds like the noise a chicken makes. Hence, the name. She was a fine chicken, very smart. She would peck on the glass doors to be let in, if a coyote happened to be in the back woods. She would sit on the mat, just inside the door, until the coast was clear. She was a friend to all. Sadly, pneumonia took her, one Northwest rainy, Sunday morning before church. (okay, my dad and brother in law 'took' her, if you know what I mean. She was suffering terribly and on a 'want to be farm' these are the things that happen.
Back to my flock...
I loved those little gals. Pecking around the yard, in and out of their make shift home – my old rabbit cages. And my two big red ladies where the best. They were plump Rhode Island Red’s, and very pleasant hens. They gave eggs a couple times a week in warmer weather, and never a set of nicer gals could be found.
Upon the demise of my small ones, I felt terribly sad. Two weeks in Hawaii meant they had to have a ‘sitter.’ Brandon didn’t mean to let a ferret get to them. These things happen though. And alas, they were a tasty, feathery snack for the little sneak. Oh, I was sad. Very sad. So sad that I didn’t want to be a ‘farmer’ anymore. I had to find a new home for Willamena and Henrietta. So, off to my good friend John’s house they went. Little did I know that once the girls stopped laying, meant ‘roast chicken for dinner’ at his house. He said they were very tasty. (*pout*)
Oh, my. Very sad.
Part Two:
But having chickens is a fond memory in my life. They are great pets, and they have a lot to offer in the area of learning about animals. (eggs and all…) So of course, I have been begging to get chickens since Peter and I married.
“Please can we get chickens. Please.”
“No,” says the Scout Master, “Where would we put them.”
Year after year, this is how the pleading pans out.
But this year. THIS YEAR…, he said yes. He finally agreed that it would be good for our kids.
What!? What !?
Hooray!
Fortunately, I know someone who is getting rid of four lovely laying ladies. Lucky me.
Don’t order yet folks…this gets better!
On Saturday, Minks called to ask what I want for mother’s day. (She’s a fine sister, I know.) Of course my reply is, “Chickens.”
“Okay, chickens it is.” She says.
I laughed.
And yesterday, just as I was husking the corn for dinner – guess what showed up in my living room?
Yep. Those are baby chicks. You’re right. They are ADORABLE. Aren’t they? A yellow one, an orange one and a speckled one. (they have official breed names, but you get the idea) She brought all the necessities to get us started and EVEN offered her husband to build me a coop out in our too-shady-to-grow-anything of a garden.
Yes. You can guess I was thrilled. And so were my own little flock of four. (my actual children, that is)
One likes to hold them,
one likes to pet them,
one likes to look and ‘babysit, but NO touching’ them,
and the last like to chase, grab and possibly sit on them.
They are a BIG hit at my house. Can you think of a better Mother’s Day gift than three baby chicks we all get to mother?
Nope.
There are now three little chicks snuggled in their big blue bin, warming light on, fresh paper, food and water. Oh, they’re sweet.
As my sister’s family drove away, Peter said to me, “Your sister sure loves you.”
And he’s right.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Freckles. I love ya...
Lil Roo got her first freckles. They're so cute, and add to her gigglie personality.When did freckles stop being cute and start making me look old?
"Freckles. I love ya. There's a rainbow on your face..."
*If you know this song, you're either related to me or you love OLD country music.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Cake and blossoms
The apple blossoms are now here. I rarely open my bedroom blinds, except for this time of year. To see the blossoms. I love them.
The birds love them too. Most have found their nests and settled in for their babies to hatch. But just a few weeks ago you could count more than 20 robins in our three-tree orchard at any given time. See. They like them too.
Spring should bring renewed hope. The days are perfectly long, and the temperature lacks of nothing. Crisp in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and asks for a sweater in the evening.
So why the long face?
Sometimes things just don't go the way you want. Do they? Some days just are flat out smelly. Well. It's been a few of those days now. And to top it off; our new Easter fish, 'Wish the Fish' died yesterday.
And I didn't even tell the kids.
Only thing to make stinky times better? That's right.
Chocolate cake.
Generally, I prefer ALL from scratch cake. But this cake does NOT disappoint. Believe you - me!
1 pkg. devild food cake mix
1 (3oz) instant choc. pudding
2 c. sour cream
1 c. melted butter
5 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
2 c. semi-sewwt choc. chips
Topping:
8 oz. semi-sweet choc. chips
3/4 c. cream
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 10in bundt pan. Mix cake mix and pudding mix well. Add everything else, except the chocolate chips. Beat on low for 4 minutes. Blend in chips. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Turn out on wire rack and cool.
Icing/Topping:
In a saucepan mix the chips and cream. Melt slowly, then driddle over cake.
Mmmmm. Now don't you feel better?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Allergies aren't just for fun anymore...
It's allergy season, again.
We have all sorts of allergies at our house.
We have the nut variety. (and not just allergic to their crazy mother)
We have the egg type; by more than one of us.
We have the animal sort; by most of us.
We have the hay fever kind. Lot's of this.
We have the, 'it makes my mouth itch' flavor. This is used when a food is not wanted.
And, my favorite, the 'I'm allergic to Tigers' allergy.
This is Ruby's allergy.
She doesn't like Tigers, therefore she must be allergic to them.
We have all sorts of allergies at our house.
We have the nut variety. (and not just allergic to their crazy mother)
We have the egg type; by more than one of us.
We have the animal sort; by most of us.
We have the hay fever kind. Lot's of this.
We have the, 'it makes my mouth itch' flavor. This is used when a food is not wanted.
And, my favorite, the 'I'm allergic to Tigers' allergy.
This is Ruby's allergy.
She doesn't like Tigers, therefore she must be allergic to them.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Womens Conference
Before you read this. Watch this. Even if you've seen it. Watch it again. We are mothers. We must be strong. We must.
I thought I’d share just a couple of my favorite points with you from BYU Women's Conference. Maybe they will help fill your bucket too. It did mine:
Sister Beck, the General Relief Society President, spoke about these things:
*Every mother should produce a Superior Daughter.
*We are living in perilous times.
*Our ships of life are in a storm and it’s ‘All Hands on Deck!’ right now.
*Nehor and Korihor taught the doctrine of “Me” and “I.” They thought they were teaching new ideas. People today are teaching the same thing, thinking they are shedding new light into peoples lives. These are teaching taught by failed leaders. Teachings that are not new at all, they have been taught by Satan since the beginning…
*Anti family will always equals anti Christ.
*We must be intentional about everything in our lives. Know the Lord’s plan and defend it! Decide what we want for our families and how we’re going to get them there. Decide the culture of your family.
Love this! I love being reminded that we have to make a pathway for our families, or they will wander in sorrow. We have a responsibility to make each day purposeful. We have to teach them to “Contribute to and build the Kingdom.” We must be “intentional about raising our families.”
*We cannot push, shove, insist, or demand our children into righteousness. But we sure can drive them to Hell. We must lead, love, and guide them to Heaven.
*Create a climate, in our homes of faith, hope, and charity.
*We need the Lord more than ever. See the spirit, recognize and follow it! We’re preparing a rising generation.
*This work we do, is a faith based work. Motherhood is not a fad. We have to have faith in who we are and where we come from.
Do you know why I love Sister Beck so much? Because she says it how it is. She ruffles people feathers, and we need it. One of my favorite things she said on Friday was, "It's okay to make your husband dinner." We live in a day where society is telling women to put themselves above all other things. No. We need to put the Lord first. And very often this means our husbands, children, siblings, parents, church callings and so many other things before us. This doesn't mean we forget who we are. It doesn't mean we don't take time for ourselves. It means we strive each day for selflessness.
I testify that if we work daily on all of the little things; the prayers, the scriptures, the talks with our kids, the conversations with our husbands - we will be blessed. If we remember why we are here and where we are going, we will pass the test. If we serve, love, and put the first things first - we will make it.
I thought I’d share just a couple of my favorite points with you from BYU Women's Conference. Maybe they will help fill your bucket too. It did mine:
Sister Beck, the General Relief Society President, spoke about these things:
*Every mother should produce a Superior Daughter.
*We are living in perilous times.
*Our ships of life are in a storm and it’s ‘All Hands on Deck!’ right now.
*Nehor and Korihor taught the doctrine of “Me” and “I.” They thought they were teaching new ideas. People today are teaching the same thing, thinking they are shedding new light into peoples lives. These are teaching taught by failed leaders. Teachings that are not new at all, they have been taught by Satan since the beginning…
*Anti family will always equals anti Christ.
*We must be intentional about everything in our lives. Know the Lord’s plan and defend it! Decide what we want for our families and how we’re going to get them there. Decide the culture of your family.
Love this! I love being reminded that we have to make a pathway for our families, or they will wander in sorrow. We have a responsibility to make each day purposeful. We have to teach them to “Contribute to and build the Kingdom.” We must be “intentional about raising our families.”
*We cannot push, shove, insist, or demand our children into righteousness. But we sure can drive them to Hell. We must lead, love, and guide them to Heaven.
*Create a climate, in our homes of faith, hope, and charity.
*We need the Lord more than ever. See the spirit, recognize and follow it! We’re preparing a rising generation.
*This work we do, is a faith based work. Motherhood is not a fad. We have to have faith in who we are and where we come from.
Do you know why I love Sister Beck so much? Because she says it how it is. She ruffles people feathers, and we need it. One of my favorite things she said on Friday was, "It's okay to make your husband dinner." We live in a day where society is telling women to put themselves above all other things. No. We need to put the Lord first. And very often this means our husbands, children, siblings, parents, church callings and so many other things before us. This doesn't mean we forget who we are. It doesn't mean we don't take time for ourselves. It means we strive each day for selflessness.
I testify that if we work daily on all of the little things; the prayers, the scriptures, the talks with our kids, the conversations with our husbands - we will be blessed. If we remember why we are here and where we are going, we will pass the test. If we serve, love, and put the first things first - we will make it.
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