tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40309443581066948842024-03-05T21:06:31.522-05:00Not Quite VanillasMy little space in Cyberland where I blog about Myself,Himself,The Offsprings and our weirdly beautiful life.sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-78329173496708267272019-04-07T13:57:00.000-04:002019-04-07T13:57:16.044-04:00I'm Baaaack!Look who is back! I had completely forgotten about this little blog, now that I've rediscovered it,let's see what we have!
Looking forward to restarting the blog and discovering where it leads us!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbczXvefSwqaz3b_G0u2efXxBEhHlfUf1me1Zs7ihllkBnIrANpns7AAoGBTR8pb4pp_TTvq94sfEgkSzDE_S5zzA71r3skU4vxQHmdMC4z6qgPFsewa95NeTz2KfHHHUFiksRpaGTH4s/s1600/FB_IMG_1524229989310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbczXvefSwqaz3b_G0u2efXxBEhHlfUf1me1Zs7ihllkBnIrANpns7AAoGBTR8pb4pp_TTvq94sfEgkSzDE_S5zzA71r3skU4vxQHmdMC4z6qgPFsewa95NeTz2KfHHHUFiksRpaGTH4s/s320/FB_IMG_1524229989310.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="371" data-original-height="556" /></a></div>sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-78515698403541154262012-07-28T19:41:00.001-04:002012-07-28T19:41:36.252-04:00July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6y4g7A26_E/UBR1YqK3heI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sILLTA0LCHA/s1600/cannin-cupboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6y4g7A26_E/UBR1YqK3heI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sILLTA0LCHA/s1600/cannin-cupboard.jpg" /></a></div>
Whew! The summer has flown by around here!<br />
I can't believe in a few weeks the kid will be started up school again and we will be into our fall schedule! I thought summer just started!<br />
I have been fortunate to receive friends' overflowing bounty of cucumber and tomatoes, so guess what I've been up to? In case the picture doesn't totally give it away, I've spent several days over the last couple of weeks canning pickles, tomatoes, making pickles, drying tomatoes, making tomato sauce, salsa, jams and jellies. I now have quite a full canning larder-well when it comes to tomatoes, anyways, and dried so many herbs my hands smell like pizza even after repeated washing! Oh, well, at least I smell delicious.<br />
This picture is not of pantry, by the way. My canning pantry is the inside of an old mini fridge-red neck recycling at it's best, my friends!<br />
I am trying to get Husband to make me one like the one above, but so far I have been met with....resistance. Something to do with the 2,583 other things on his to-do list. Whatever!<br />
We, and by we, I mean I, am looking to expand the garden even further next year and hopefully add a fruit tree or two and maybe put in a herb garden bed so I can move some of my larger planters off the back porch. It looks like a tiny little jungle out on the porch!<br />
<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-3218273169385741472012-06-04T09:12:00.000-04:002012-06-04T09:12:06.057-04:00Monday Misc.Today I woke up to a rather intense thunderstorm, which I normally enjoy, but as it happened to be 3:00 a. m., I was somewhat less than excited about this particular one. But the garden is loving the rain!<br />
I already have harvested some herbs, and my tomatoes are reaching small tree status-now if they would just hurry up and give me some tomatoes! Another couple of weeks and I'll have enough mint to make extract. I'll post the super easy recipe when I do.<br />
Since it is rainy today, the kids and I will be doing a pantry inventory. Not a favorite chore, but if you buy in bulk, you better have an inventory to keep track of what you have, or you'll end up with canned veggies that expired in 2007. Not that it has ever happened to me. * Whistles innocently*<br />
I need to place an order for a few baking/cooking supplies and the company I use has a vast variety of goods, including canned bacon, something I find repulsive, but the kids find fascinating. Maybe I'll order a can just to see what it's like. But it's bacon...in a can....gross! <br />
The kids are born preppers and will often search through the catalog for new/interesting/prohibitively expensive items and beg me for them. It's like their toy catalog, the bizarre little creatures that they are. There are worse vices to be had ,plus I do love them myself! Some people have sports cars, some the latest tech gadget, myself and the kids,we drool over the Big Berkey water system or the years' worth of freeze dried fruit. Poor husband thinks we've all gone mad, but even he admits the practicality of most things.<br />
Our school is almost finished for the year, and frankly, neither the kids not I can wait. We are all so ready for summer break this year! Next year should be interesting with a middle schooler and a high schooler!<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-46793071753905548002012-04-19T13:49:00.000-04:002012-04-19T13:49:21.688-04:00Hello!I know I've been scarce lately! I've been a tiny bit busy with school,Scouts,activities, driving Eldest to and from his job everyday,spring and the 1,439 things we all have to do!<br />
Let's see how about a quick update from absent me?<br />
We put in a raised bed in the "front" yard. It's about a 20 by 20 foot bit of lawn in front of our driveway,surrounded by pine trees to the back, our wood stack to the left and the back porch to the right.We had to put in a raised bed, because our ground is mostly pine roots mixed with packed clay and rocks,sprinkled with poison ivy, the only thing our ground will readily grow!<br />
I simply bought a raised bed kit and put it up. Then Hubby complained it was crooked and said he would straighten it out for me. Then I waited 2 weeks, got tired of waiting and dumped 12 yards of topsoil/compost in it. Hubby now looks at the raised bed every day and mentions how crooked it is. I pretend I can't hear him., but I laugh a tiny bit inside because I know it is slowly driving him mad. I'm that kind of thoughtful wife, you see.<br />
Three days ago I planted half a dozen cucumbers and 3 mixed hot peppers. Mixed meaning they will be some sort of hot pepper, but I won't know what exactly until they begin to produce in a couple of months. Note to self: label seeds next time.<br />
Then we had quarter sized hail, but miraculously, I believe everything will survive!<br />
I have tomato starts waiting to be planted this weekend-10-15 of Roma, Brandywine,Supersweet, Cherokee Purple and a couple Black Krim, along with about a dozen more hot pepper mixes, Bell peppers, basil, dill, broccoli, and various herbs.<br />
Beans will go in this weekend as well-about 20 bush beans and Kentucky Wonder, some Boston pickling cukes and more Straight Eight cukes.<br />
I also have 3 blueberry bushes I hope survive the summer so I can replant them next spring-until then, they are hanging out on the back porch, attracting all sorts of flying creatures.<br />
Raspberries, strawberries, and potatoes are coming in, along with 3 volunteer pumpkin plants growing in the compost pile.<br />
If everything survives, I should have lots of delicious veggies this summer and hopefully enough to can, dry and make into jams, pickles and salsas! Yummy!<br />
Youngest Boy is loving Scouts, and has been going to weekend camping trips once a month. I've been going along, both for his comfort and to help with driving the other Scouts, and because, well, I don't mind camping to much. Bugs, dirt, camp cooking, hiking and tent sleeping all seem to agree with me,plus the hikes are great, even if I feel every bit my age my the time we get home Sunday!<br />
Eldest has gotten a part time job flipping burgers, so I get to haul him 40 minutes round trip twice a day until he gets his own car, which at this rate should be by the time he is 37.He is working towards his GED and Hubby is working with him on a budget. Hubby is a saint!<br />
We are getting close to winding up our school year in a couple of months, and with the weather finally getting warmer, we will be getting out and doing some day hiking soon-Girl is looking forward to that! She really enjoys hiking and outdoors stuff, as long as she doesn't have to use a Port-A-Potty! That girl can hike for hours!<br />
I will be back as soon as I can-I promise!!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-74713091597906776222012-04-07T13:48:00.000-04:002012-04-07T13:48:03.626-04:00Ten Things I Want To Tell Teenage GirlsStolen Fronm Another blog, but So worth the reposting:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. If you choose to wear shirts that
show off your boobs, you will attract boys. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
be more specific, you will attract the kind of boys that like to look down
girls’ shirts. If you want to date a guy who likes to look at other girls’
boobs and chase skirts, then great job; keep it up. <i>If you don’t</i> want to
date a guy who ogles at the breasts of other women, then maybe you should stop
offering your own breasts up for the ogling. All attention is not equal. You
think you want attention, but you don’t. You want respect. All attention is not
equal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Don’t go to the tanning bed.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You’ll thank me when you go to your high school reunion and
you look like you’ve been airbrushed and then photoshopped compared to the
tanning bed train wrecks formerly known as classmates – well, at least next to
the ones that haven’t died from skin cancer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. When you talk about your friends
“anonymously” on Facebook, we know exactly who you’re talking about.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> People are smarter than you think they are. Stop posting
passive-aggressive statuses about the myriad of ways your friends disappoint
you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Newsflash: the number of times
you say “I hate drama”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is a
pretty good indicator of how much you love drama. Non-dramatic people don’t
feel the need to discuss all the drama they didn’t start and aren’t involved
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. “Follow your heart” is probably
the worst advice ever. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Never let a man make you feel
weak or inferior because you are an emotional being.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Emotion is good; it is nothing to be ashamed of. Emotion
makes us better – so long as it remains in it’s proper place: subject to truth
and reason.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. Smoking is not cool.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. Stop saying things like, “I don’t
care what anyone thinks about me.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
First of all, that’s not true. And second of all, if it is true, you need a
perspective shift. Your reputation matters – greatly. You should care what
people think of you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. Don’t play coy or stupid or
helpless to get attention.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Don’t
pretend something is too heavy so that a boy will carry it for you. Don’t play
dumb to stroke someone’s ego. Don’t bat your eyelashes in exchange for
attention and expect to be taken seriously, ever. You can’t have it both ways.
Either you show the world that you have a brain and passions and skills, or you
don’t. There are no damsels in distress managing corporations, running
countries, or managing households. The minute you start batting eyelashes, eyelashes
is all you’ve got.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. You are beautiful. You are
enough.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The world we live in is twisted and
broken and for your entire life you will be subjected to all kinds of lies that
tell you that you are not enough. You are not thin enough. You are not tan enough.
You are not smooth, soft, shiny, firm, tight, fit, silky, blonde, hairless
enough. Your teeth are not white enough. Your legs are not long enough. Your
clothes are not stylish enough. You are not educated enough. You don’t have
enough experience. You are not creative enough.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a beauty industry, a
fashion industry, a television industry, (and most unfortunately) a pornography
industry: and all of these have unique ways of communicating to bright young
women: you are not beautiful, sexy, smart or valuable enough.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You must have the clarity and common
sense to know that none of that is true. <b>None of it.</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You were created for a purpose,
exactly so. You have innate value. You are loved more than you could ever
comprehend; it is mind-boggling how much you are adored. There has never been,
and there will never be another you. Therefore, you have unique thoughts to
offer the world. They are only yours, and we all lose out if you are too
fearful to share them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You are beautiful. You are valuable.
You are enough.</span><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hide: all;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-60113170405512945052012-04-02T22:26:00.001-04:002012-04-02T22:26:37.213-04:00Homemade Chocolate Syrup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9PME07yY3k/T3pc1n_2JsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/AVT_YzcrQmU/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9PME07yY3k/T3pc1n_2JsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/AVT_YzcrQmU/s320/IMG_3576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This. You must try this. It is THE best syrup, according to the kids, who attempted to prove this point by drinking it directly from the bottle. They finally settled on chocolate milk, heavy on the chocolate, light on the milk. Then they flipped out for 1/2 an hour before the sugar coma hit.<br />
None the less, I had a craving for something chocolaty tonight and this fit the bill perfectly. I didn't even wait for the syrup to cool, but poured it over ice cream like a hot fudge. It's not as sticky sweet as the commercial variety of chocolate syrup, which makes it perfect for ice cream topping, chocolate milk, or even added to your coffee. Plus it's only got 4 ingredients, all of which I can actually pronounce.<br />
You could make it with raw sugar or suconot, but I just used plain old white sugar this time around and it was heavenly!<br />
Here is the recipe-give it a try and you'll thank me!<br />
<br />
Homemade Chocolate syrup<br />
1 cup white sugar<br />
1 cup water<br />
1/2 cup cocoa powder<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
<br />
Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and heat to a full, rolling boil. <br />
Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the cocoa, a bit at a time, whisking well. <br />
Pour syrup through a fine sieve, to get the remaining coca lumps out. <br />
I pressed mine through with a spoon. <br />
Add vanilla, whisk and let sit a few minutes to cool.<br />
A film might form over the syrup as it cools-if it does, remove the film if you wish.<br />
I just stirred it all up and it was fine.<br />
I poured mine into a large honey "bear" shaped bottle, or you could simply use a mason jar with lid.<br />
Chill and use just like commercial syrup.<br />
Delicious!!<br />
<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-78996217370708078902012-03-24T17:08:00.002-04:002012-03-24T17:08:17.910-04:00The Prodigal ReturnsOur eldest son has made an unexpected, if not completely unappreciated return to our lives and household as of last week, after living on his own for 3 years.<br />
3 years in which he did not always make the wisest, nor the healthiest choices, nor the most legal, but that's another story for another time.<br />
So, after almost peeing myself, having a fit and falling in it, and very nearly hyperventilating, we collectively took a deep breath and set about welcoming him back into the house.<br />
There are strict rules as to what is allowed and not allowed, what is negotiable, and what will result in immediate and permanent banning from the house, most notably being anytime an illegal act is committed or the monthly pee test does not come out cleaner than...well, I was going to say my kitchen floor, but we want it a whole lot cleaner than that! Geesh! Yep, that's right.We make our kid go do a monthly pee test for us,because,although we are loving parents, we are not stupid, nor are we naive.The kid did spend 3 years on his own, some of which was spent in less than ideal situations, after all.<br />
So, how is it going so far? <br />
Well, it's only been a week, but so far it has been going pretty darn good. There have been, and continue to be adjustments, but for the most part it has gone well. Hopefully this is an indication that Eldest has become the process of bettering himself, otherwise known to us as pulling your head out of you bum.<br />
The volume in the house has definitely increased, and the food seems to be disappearing at an alarming rate, but there is another adult male in the house, and we all know they can eat!! Eat,fart and belch. Copiously.<br />
He has begun looking for a job, and in the mean time will start working towards his GED next month and shadowing me at the horse rescue every week. Got to keep him busy!<br />
So, we are settling into a new normal in the house and hopefully this will be the start of a bright new chapter for us all! Fingers crossed(and toes and what ever else you can think of...)<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-4715297116847630782012-03-19T12:52:00.000-04:002012-03-19T12:52:18.883-04:00The Pollen Among Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qecnx7o646I/T2dj_oCQDiI/AAAAAAAAAGI/aq2l57f01q4/s320/11+07+06+027+edit.jpg" width="297" />Although I love the warm weather and the beautiful sun we have been enjoying, not to mention the gorgeous flowers starting to bloom (our cherry trees are almost ready to bloom!), there is one thing about spring I do not enjoy: allergy season.</div>
And,Oh, my allergy season is here and it has hit with a vengeance!<br />
Both guys have severe tree pollen allergies, and now that the maple and pines have begun to unleash their yellow coated fury, allergies have kicked into high gear, along with the accompanying sniffing, sneezing, itching, sore throats and discomfort that makes sleeping difficult and outdoor activities fairly misserable. Even Girl and I have not been immune to the scratchy eyes and sneezing, abeit on a much lesser scale than Sniff and Snot over there. A few extra Kleenex and a couple spoonfuls of local raw honey and we're good.<br />
The boys haven't fared so well. Boy is actualy doing pretty good, since these allergies don't send his excema into over drive like some others do. A new allergy medicine added to his regime, the spoonfuls of raw honey 2-3 times a day and a change of clothes every time he comes in from outside, plus limiting his outdoors until the worst has past and he seems remarkably unaffected.<br />
Husband, on the other hand has steadfastly refused my repeated attempts to get him to let our allergist put him on some allergy medication, nor will he take any home remedy, preferring instead to cough,sneeze,itch and moan his way throught the day and night, waking me up periodically to tell me just how badly he is feeling. I don't think my three a.m. response was very comforting, although I do believe it was a quote from a book-in this case Go The **** To Sleep.<br />
But after several near sleepless nights and my paitence wearing dangerously thin, I did finally convince him to take an over the counter allergy med, pop a couple herbal throat drops and take some honey. I think the last bit was only to cover the taste of the herbal drops, which, admittedly taste like gym socks dipped in ass. Not that I know what either tastes like, mind. But I've heard stories...<br />
The effect? He was down for a rest and a couple of hours later, he is up and if not fully 100%, at least he is able to function for the most part. Yeah! Maybe we can both get some sleep tonight!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-51708479372510660602012-03-18T11:26:00.001-04:002012-03-18T11:26:38.208-04:00Food Rules-The Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hy_CudZQU/T2X6BTVyxXI/AAAAAAAAAGA/fTF-OTulYsA/s1600/Food_Rules_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hy_CudZQU/T2X6BTVyxXI/AAAAAAAAAGA/fTF-OTulYsA/s1600/Food_Rules_sm.jpg" /></a>So I bought this little book by Michael Pollen-you know, the same guy who wrote The Onmivore's Dilema and In Defense of Food. It's basically a complilation of bits of common sense, housewife wisdom and healthy eating tidbits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is a nice, easy book and not a bad way to spend a nice afternoon,which is all it took me to read through. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since we are trying to do much more whole foods type eating, I thought this would be an easy introduction for us all-and I love the way he is very laid back about most things-not in your face-you-must-eat this-or-die type sermons!</div>sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-15753921977896032472012-03-12T12:25:00.001-04:002012-03-12T12:25:34.126-04:00No School Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7C8CurlEeCQ/T14h0nJ1XtI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RkxPrC2kwJo/s1600/6a8c903c-a8cf-4f1c-a8af-8ea65a4aaaf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7C8CurlEeCQ/T14h0nJ1XtI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RkxPrC2kwJo/s320/6a8c903c-a8cf-4f1c-a8af-8ea65a4aaaf1.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
Every once in a while, we take a day off from school, not because it's a holiday or vacation day, but for the simple reason that we can. Today was one of those "school free" days.<br />
Everyone is having a hard time adjusting to daylight savings time, so I used that as an excuse to play hookie today! We normally school 10 months out of the year and generally don't do spring break at all, so I don't feel to badly taking a random day off once in a while-not that I would feel bad anyways, mind. I figure as long as we keep up what is legally required for school and I remember to occasionally feed my kids and they remember to occasionally bathe, we're doing just fine.<br />
So what did we do today? Almost nothing! And you know what? It feels really good!<br />
We planted a few plants, spread some straw, and walked the property. Did a quick inventory in the storage room. The kids pulled out some MadLibs and took turns writing marginally acceptable things while I caught up on domestics. Took a walk down to the lake.<br />
Over all I would say this has turned out to be a great day to play hookie-so nice, I'm tempted to do it again tomorrow!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-8119568882209953752012-03-04T12:54:00.000-05:002012-03-04T12:54:24.968-05:00Growing ThingsI've been restlessly waiting for the weather to get warm enough to begin my seeds, but in the mean time what's an anxious garden-a-holic to do? <br />
Why, grow celery of course! I recently came across a great little article explaining how to grow your own celery from store bought celery, and just couldn't resist giving it a try myself.<br />
Especially since it takes 2 minutes and zero effort on my part-my kind of project!<br />
Basically this is what you do:<br />
Buy your celery,bring it home and cut off the bottom end, about 2 inches from the bottom. You could skip the second step and do this in the store or your car, but people might be alarmed seeing a chubby middle age woman wielding a knife to poor defenseless vegetables. Then again, in my area, they most likely wouldn't even notice anything out of the ordinary.<br />
Anyway, once you have removed the bottom off your celery, simply place in a container of your choice with a couple of inches of water and wait 3-4 days.<br />
I chose used cottage cheese containers, because I like to keep it classy.<br />
After a couple of days, you should see fresh little leaves beginning to grow from the center of the celery, and tiny new roots sprouting off the other end. Once your celery is growing, plant it with just the new leaves peeking out, fertilize well, and mulch with 3-4 four inches of well, mulch. I just used leaves from the compost pile. Again, I like zero effort. Don't forget celery likes to be kept pretty moist all the time!<br />
You can plant yours outside in the ground-I chose to put my celery in a medium pot, because if left to it's own ways, celery will span out like the petals of a flower and take up a lot of space. I am going to solve this problem by setting a 2-liter bottle with top and bottom cut off over the plant, thus confining it to it own space. Plus I'm hoping to move it indoors when it gets cold and keep harvesting!<br />
Celery can be continuously harvested I have been told-I have never done this, so I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully we will be getting celery until it freezes in the fall!<br />
One added thing-I happened to have 2 celery bunches, one organic and one not, so I did this to both of them. The organic celery grow at almost twice the rate of the regular one,providing an interesting comparasin, even Hubby could appreciate. We wonder if the regular bunch had been treated somehow to prevent sprouting somehow. Hmm... Even Hubby mentioned the organic celery looked healthier than the regular one,so it must be true!<br />
We'll see which one does better when I plant them both. Unless the squirrels eat them that is. Do squirrels even like celery?sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-63485592988357145382012-02-25T10:14:00.000-05:002012-02-25T10:14:44.834-05:00Back to the Start<iframe height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aMfSGt6rHos?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>This ad first aired during the Super Bowl, but I only recently got around to watching it. I think it speaks volumes as to where we came from, where we are going, and where we should be heading. Plus, you get some Willie Nelson as well!<br />Perhaps this ad will give us something to think about, perhaps it will spark some good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dialogue</span>,who knows?<br />It's a much gentler way of getting the message accross then some other ways, and to me, is much more likely to make people stop and think, not just stop and cringe as some more in your face ads can do.<br />Take a look and tell me what you think of it!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-65381263498793940332012-02-18T11:07:00.002-05:002012-02-18T11:07:40.937-05:00Just a Thought<br />“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” <br />― Johann Wolfgang von Goethesheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-65102534080536783922012-02-07T12:40:00.000-05:002012-02-07T12:40:10.955-05:00It's Tuesday!We attended an open house at a local prep school this morning, which was both interesting and, as always, a bit eye opening to me. You see, we live in a fairly affluent part of the county, and this particular school touts itself as both a private prep school and as a supplemental program to augment homeschooling. The open house itself was very nice-the school is a private, Christian centered prep school, and I must say I was impressed with the variety offered and the rigorous classes. The school was warm, welcoming, and unfortunately prohibitively expensive. Like $1200 a month expensive, which is about $1198 above our budget.<br />
But what struck me, as it always does when faced with situations like this, is the behavior and attitude of the parents. I was asked what my husband does for a living, what kind of car I drive, weather I have a degree, and what "spa" I go to to get my hair done. I can only imagine how disappointed the women were to learn that I not only color, but <em>cut my own hair</em>,that my car is a 1997 Jeep with windows you roll down yourself, and that I the only degree I have is a Master's in BS. <br />
Although a very nice school, I was struck by the curious fact that none of the women attending asked me about my kids-the whole reason we were there in the first place. <br />
It seemed much more a social evaluation than an opportunity for my kids. And we all know this chicky doesn't do the social climb. Complete lack of social skills and a shocking tendency to swear during casual conversation aside. <br />
Quite simply, I decided a long time ago that if I had to choose between liking myself and being liked by others, I would take the former in a heartbeat, that I would conscientiously choose a full heart over a fat bank account(although that would be nice,too) and that if the only thing my kids came away with as adults is to be true to yourself, then I would be pretty darned lucky.<br />
Plus, I have a sneaking pride in my quirky, redneck tendencies. Give me a couple of cinder blocks, some plywood and a roll of duct tape and I can do anything! I make my own cleaning products! I have kids who can name every villain in every Nintendo game ever made-EVER! We think shows like Mythbusters and Sons of Guns are cinematic gold! <br />
So, I guess even though the school itself wasn't a good fit for us, it did leave me feeling pretty satisfied with what I do have and what I choose to do without, and that maybe, just maybe my kids will grow up to be just fine.sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-43926026354592473612012-01-30T15:13:00.001-05:002012-01-30T15:13:18.927-05:0010 ListWe've been spending a fair amount of time at home lately between sicknesses and minor injuries, which is both a blessing and...not so much. I do like being home for the most part, but I also enjoy getting out a few times a week, even if it's just to the park or grocery store!<br />
I few things have come to mind recently that really can make my day a bit brighter. These are usually very small things, easily overlooked in our daily lives, but these tiny insignificant things make me smile for a moment:<br />
<br />
1. Watching the cat sleep.She is a mini contortionist-it's like watching yoga in freeze-frame!<br />
2.The view from my kitchen window at sunset, all purply,pink and musky. In my mind, it's <em>gloaming, </em>not sunset,though.<br />
3. The soft <em>swoosh</em> of a gas stove igniting. For some reason this never fails to conjure a sense of warmth and peaceful domesticality.<br />
4.Wood stacked by the fireplace, waiting for a fire. Or an actual fire in the fireplace for that matter. The smell of woodsmoke is always a welcome scent to me.<br />
5. The sight of new things growing. Whether it's a baby, a kitten or a tiny plant just poking above the ground, the promise is there, making me feel a bit of hope every time.<br />
6. The kids wrestling with Dad. They may be loud,violent and more often than not it ends with someone bleeding, the pure savage enthusiasm of all parties involved is a sort of joy to watch. As long as no one bleeds on the couch.<br />
7.Seed catalogs. This one is self explanatory. I look through the latest editions like a junkie eying his next fix and pretend I'm living on a farm with time, land and energy enough to plant everything I see.<br />
8.Cooking. There is something usually relaxing about creating food,plus the smells of baking are little memory capsules to me,reminding me of other times,other places, other lives.<br />
9.Sweat. Yes, you read that right. Sweat. Sweat gives me a feeling of accomplishment, tells me I've worked hard at something I usually enjoy, be it working outside, barn work, hiking, or something a bit more,primal shall we say? As long as it's clean sweat,it's good to me! Of course, my opinion changes come July when breathing breaks a sweat,mind.<br />
10.An approaching storm. The feel of anticipation heavy in the air, the chaotic clouds, the sounds of thunder, and the cleansing feeling after one are like a spiritual shower, leaving me feeling clean and refreshed.<br />
<br />
So, what are you're little joys you find in daily life?sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-35933369118625612932012-01-29T14:05:00.000-05:002012-01-29T14:05:03.209-05:00Weekend RambleWith the weather reaching near spring time temperatures this weekend, I spent a portion yesterday transferring my ready(and some not quite ready) compost to our raised beds,mulching,raking and generally getting ready to get ready for spring! <br />
I am sooo ready for the higher temps of spring,to open windows and air out my home, to enjoy the birds,flowers and all the new growth of spring! Now, if we could just have all that good stuff without the reemerging bugs and skyrocketing pollen counts. Well, one must take the good with the not so good I suppose.<br />
I did plant some of the really early stuff-peas,lettuces,green onions,and parsley. Next week-plant the potatoes in the potato box,and maybe even the second raised bed as well. That's a lot of potatoes if I do! Not that we won't eat every one,mind. In my mind, there is no such thing as a bad potato recipe.<br />
Speaking of food, our Real Food Challenge,here, <a href="http://www.realfoodchallenge.com/" target="_blank">www.realfoodchallenge.com</a> is going surprisingly well. I actually think I am having the hardest time adjusting to less processed foods, if my ransacking the kitchen in hopes of chips last night was any indication. I have learned a couple things in the last few weeks,though. Such as:<br />
<br />
1. Processed is REALLY convenient. Rice-A-Roni, for example is as simple as your can get and takes almost no time. Making it from scratch takes only 15-20 minutes longer, but if you're like me and it suddenly occurs to you at 5:34 p.m. that you need to get dinner, timing can be an issue,not to mention actually having the ingredients to make from scratch. I'm learning to take a minute or two during breakfast to think about what to have for dinner. Imagine that-me, thinking ahead! Wonders of wonders!LOL<br />
<br />
2. It amazes me how much longer the kids(and adults) stay full when we eat things made with whole wheat,etc. The kids normally eat 2 full bowls of cereal for breakfast and are hungry in about 3 hours. This week we had whole wheat blueberry buckle, and both kids had two pieces and were full until lunch, 4 hours later. Of course, I had 4 pieces and couldn't move for the next hour.<br />
<br />
3. If deprived of chips and snack foods, my kids will eat fruits and veggies as snacks-<em>voluntarily!</em> They keep doing this and it's freaking me out just a little bit. Salsa is this weeks dip of choice. Equally good with tortillas and apples, I've been told.<br />
<br />
4. This last one has surprised me. I find the kids have not asked for chips,candy,cookies,etc. I thought they would be begging me for snack foods, but much to my surprise, they have not asked for anything. They have been asking for me to make various homemade goodies, which I gladly do most of the time. Both the kids and Husband have stated they prefer homemade to commercial made almost every time. I do take this as a great compliment, but I also keep in mind they will pretty much eat anything that can't run fast enough. Remember these are the kids that have eaten earthworms,pill bugs, and an occasional spider in their toddler years. So there is that.<br />
<br />
5. We have started getting deliveries from Nature's Garden Delivered, a company that will deliver fresh organic, and when possible local foods right to your doorstep. It's amazing how much more interested the kids are when they can pick the fruits and veggies we get! Now if I can only get them enthused about hauling compost for me....<br />
<br />
<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-71469158760807272042012-01-19T20:11:00.001-05:002012-01-19T20:11:29.068-05:00Snif,Moan,WhineWe are sick. Hence the sniffing,moaning and generalized whining you see. What I thought was a cold has become instead a full blown flu like..um...thing. And, generous person that I am, I shared with Husband. Who, by the way, in typical male fashion, has become completely unable to care for himself beyond shuffling into the kitchen to inquire about soup. <br />
On the up side, it appears the kids have been spared so far,thanks to semi-fanatical hand washing and some vitamin C doping. Plus, they act like we have the plague and refuse to come close to our sniffy, feverish, nasty selves. Wise choice, my children,wise choice.<br />
Of course, with mom down, it means our school has become a little less structured the last few days, with quite a bit of video watching for history and reading for science, and maybe we even neglected to do math a day or two. OK, and maybe, just maybe my kids spent an entire afternoon watching Amine. Hey-world culture, right?<br />
I've been doing my fair share of TV watching these last couple of days as well. One can only watch so much Fruits Basket, you know!<br />
One of the movies on my to watch list was Forks Over Knives, which basically is a run down of why a Vegan, or plants based diet is best. While, I don't necessarily agree with a completely vegan diet, it was an interesting movie, and did get the old brain turning in some new directions. Plus, it sparked some pretty cool discussions with the kids on a wide variety of food and diet choices,and why we eat the way what we do, as well as what we're doing to change things for the better.<br />
So I guess this whole sick thing isn't ALL bad-but it ain't all good either!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-53230063024711050782012-01-11T07:30:00.001-05:002012-01-11T07:30:28.759-05:00Wed.!I woke up this morning to thunder. Big, rumbling, rolling thunder, with lightening lighting up the bedroom and the sound of rain sliding down the windows. <br />
I've mentioned it before, but I do love thunder and storms-provided I'm safe and dry inside and not trying to say, navigate rush hour traffic or finish the grocery shopping!<br />
A storm this early in the year, while not rare, isn't exactly common either, so I spent a few minutes just enjoying first storm of the year before getting up for the day.<br />
It's been unusually warm this year-we've only had a couple of days below freezing in fact. Enough to kill my peace lily I imprudently left on the back porch over night, and to finish off the pepper plants,but not much else. I don't think the squirrels even slowed down this winter. The weird squirrel who sit on the front porch and looks in our window is still here, creeping the cat out on a daily basis. <br />
Unfortunately one of the kids woke up this morning with a sore throat,congestion and an upset stomach. Since my kids think taking medicine may, in fact, kill them, we have been exploring other ways to help when someone is not 100%. I've actually found a few simple home remedies that work as well-and in some cases-better than the over the counter meds we normally buy. One of the best and easiest things I've found for mild sore throats is a simple spoonful of raw honey. The kids take a spoonful every morning to help with allergies, and since it is honey, and very sweet, getting them to take an additional spoonful every few hours is pretty easy. So easy, that I'm beginning to suspect sometimes they don't have a sore throat at all, they just want honey!<br />
A spoonful of honey and a cup of warm water with a few drop of peppermint in it does wonders to ease mild sore throats and mild upset stomachs. The water and peppermint was something I remember my Grandmother giving me as a child many times! I think you could use any temperature water,we just use warm water because I like warm water to drink when I'm not feeling completely 100%<br />
So, after a dose of peppermint and a sip of honey, the previously wimpy child is feeling much, much better!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-28986155831066187332012-01-03T15:36:00.000-05:002012-01-03T15:36:25.050-05:00January Pantry Challenge!Just thought I would let everyone know what we'll be doing this month!<br />
We are participating in the January Pantry challenge! What's a pantry challenge, you ask? Well it's simple-a pantry challenge is just a time to take a good look at what you have in your fridge,freezer and pantry and try to use what you have as much as you can for a month.<br />
January is a great time to do this,since the new year usually brings with it thoughts of decluttering, organizing and reducing-especially spending once we get that credit card statement from December!<br />
Plus the cold weather is perfect soup,stew and chili time-a great way to use up those odd bits and pieces that end stuffed in the back of pantry or freezer.<br />
Now, this doesn't we won't be grocery shopping this month! I'll be buying fruits,veggies and dairy like we always do,but what I will try to do is instead of automatically filling my shopping cart every time I go grocery shopping, I'm going to try to limit my purchases to fresh produce and dairy and for the rest, try to use what we already have. Which turns out to be quite a lot.<br />
Those bags of zucchini from this past summer? Zucchini bread! That left over Turkey in the freezer from Thanksgiving-turkey noodle soup!<br />
That mystery meat hiding in the back of the fridge since 2010? OK, that gets tossed. The idea is to use what you have, not poison yourself and you family! ;)<br />
We'll see how I did at the end of the month. It should be interesting to see how much food we already have in the pantry and freezer, and how creative I can be using it!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-54104061332358270922012-01-03T15:18:00.001-05:002012-01-03T15:18:09.457-05:00Taco ChickenOK, this is the easiest recipe-and it makes the most tender,moist chicken! Perfect for cold winter nights, rushed days, heck it's pretty much perfect anytime! It goes like this:<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
A crock pot<br />
chicken<br />
chicken broth<br />
taco seasoning<br />
<br />
Get out your handy-dandy crock pot and put chicken in it. <br />
I use whole chicken,chicken breasts, or even thighs work well. You can put the breasts and thighs in still partially frozen, if you're like me and forget to thaw them out ahead of time.<br />
Sprinkle a package of taco seasoning over the top of the chicken. If you buy taco seasoning in bulk, it would be about 2-4 tablespoons seasoning.<br />
Then add a couple cups chicken stock, or a can of chicken broth.<br />
Put the lid on, set it on low and cook 8-10 hours.<br />
That's all you do!<br />
When done,shred the chicken for tacos,or serve as a main meat dish. <br />
We like it with Mexican rice, or red beans and rice.<br />
How easy is that?<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-60496881325464236972011-12-31T11:34:00.000-05:002011-12-31T11:34:29.010-05:00Non-resolutionAs the end of 2011 fast approaches, it seems everywhere I look I see articles about resolutions for 2012, how to resolve to change this-or-that, top 20 resolutions, resolve to get fit,thinner, healthier, etc. You name it, someone is probably making a resolution regarding it.<br />
I will not be making any resolutions for next year,simply because I don't think they work.<br />
What I will be doing is setting <em>goals</em> for next year, for both myself and my household.<br />
What's the difference between a resolution and a goal, you ask? <br />
Well, to me, a resolution is something we desire to change in our life, usually something large like better health, weight loss, fitness, a more secure financial future, etc. All good things,right? But what a resolution lacks for the most part is the <em>details</em> on how you're going to accomplish said large change. Sure you resolve to lose 40 pounds next year,but if you don't change your diet, never exercise and continue on as you did before, you're not going to accomplish your resolution. You'll just be disappointed.<br />
A <em>goal</em>, on the other hand, is to me, a detailed list of what not just what I want to change, but a road map of how I intend to get there as well. Not to detailed, of course! More than 3 steps and I lose interest.<br />
For example, we want to eat better this year and increase our physical fitness. A great idea,but if I just tell myself I resolve to eat better and get physically fit, the likelihood is my success will be mixed at best. What does increased fitness look like? If I walk down to check the mail everyday instead of driving, does that count? What if I only eat <em>half</em> a bag of Cheetos instead of the entire thing? Not that that has ever happened.We're talking hypothetical here. *cough,cough.*<br />
What I need is a set, concrete thing to aim for, something small but doable. Something I can easily accomplish, won't cost me a fortune, and won't make myself or my house think I'm either depriving them or trying to kill them.<br />
What I need is a <em>goal.</em><br />
So with that in mind, we are setting ourselves 3 main goals this year: one for school, one for health, and one for fitness. I can do 3!<br />
Here are our 3 goals for 2012:<br />
<br />
1. School-The kids will complete a foreign language class this year. We will be working on Spanish this year, with the promise that if they complete it, next year they can choose another language if they want. Both kids want to learn Japanese.<br />
<br />
2.Health-We are continuing to slowly work towards a better, healthier lifestyle, with less processed foods and more made-from-scratch foods. Our goal for this will be to eat 2 fruits or veggies everyday.<br />
I cheated and added a second goal to reduce my use of prepackaged dessert items. If you have to make it from scratch, you tend to only make it if you really want it-and even if you do eat oh, say, eat 16 cookies,it's probably better to eat 16 home made ones than 16 premade over processed ones.Probably.<br />
<br />
3.Our fitness goal is one Girl came up with-30 minutes of exercise everyday. It doesn't matter if it's yoga, a hike, bike riding-heck, even Wii Sports can count! So long as it's 30 minutes of some kind of physical motion, it counts. This one might be a bit of a challenge in this winter,but come spring, we do a lot of walking,biking and hiking. I'm looking at a few short yoga classes I found free online.<br />
<br />
A fourth goal for this year is to increase our little garden for the coming year. I really enjoy getting down and dirty,so this one will be no problem. It feels more like a reward than a goal to work towards for me, in fact! I can't wait for the warm weather!<br />
<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-51207758645558175482011-12-28T00:11:00.000-05:002011-12-28T00:11:04.736-05:00Shelter Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtTQ_HA2UKs/Tvqdt51eTtI/AAAAAAAAAFA/viwYp1PegHA/s1600/alivie2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtTQ_HA2UKs/Tvqdt51eTtI/AAAAAAAAAFA/viwYp1PegHA/s320/alivie2_1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
This is a new arrival we have at the horse shelter. Isn't she a beauty? Just take a look at that gorgeous face!<br />
Her name is Alivie(ah-lee-vee). She is 3 years old,a Thoroughbred, who had spent every day being brushed,groomed, bathed and worked by professionals, fed the highest quality food 3 times daily, and kept in a heated/air-conditioned facility with her own personal vet and groom. <br />
That is, until she broke her knee during a race 3 months ago. After that, it was determined she could no longer run,nor win any longer, she was no longer wanted by the facility. She couldn't run, and could no longer pay for her keep by winning, so she was no longer valuable,a sad fact of the racing industry.<br />
If she had not come to the shelter, she most likely would have gone to an auction house, and still lame from her injuries, almost certainly would have been bought by a kill buyer and sent to a slaughterhouse. A tragic end for a young athlete.<br />
After 3 months of rest and relaxation, she is doing fantastic, her injuries healing quickly and her gentle nature winning everyone over.<br />
She is even learning what treats are! The first time someone gave her an apple, Alivie bumped it around her stall for several minutes like a ball-she didn't know how to bite it-we had to smash the apple into bits so she could taste it and realize it was good! She still won't eat anything unless you break it into tiny bits and show it to her first. Girl has true Southern manners. <br />
She is slowly learning basic ground skills, like lunging and other ground work. Being a race horse, she has spent very little time in an arena and still has to learn there are other speeds besides walk and race!<br />
We are also introducing her to other horses, socializing her, as most former race horses don't have much experience with other horses, other than on the track, of course. She is a natural social diva, making herself friends with any horse that she meets, or people for that matter. She has taken to nickering when you enter the barn, and if you don't greet her, she will hold up her injured leg as if she's lame. <br />
This little diva has won over everyone at the shelter-and soon she will be available to someone willing to giver her a second chance. <br />
No that's a pretty good happy ending if you ask me!sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-77068789776285883072011-12-22T10:13:00.002-05:002011-12-22T10:13:43.825-05:00First Day of Winter!...And it's 70 degrees outside today! That's ain't right, I tell you.<br />
I woke up to a nice heavy fog,the winter trees all shrouded and cold looking, the ground partially hidden under a thick blanket of white.It looked a proper cold wintry day outside<br />
But as soon as I opened the back door, I was hit with not a chilly winter breeze, but a rather <em>warm</em> and very muggy breath of air that felt more like mid May then mid December. Even after being here in the Deep South for 3 years, it still shocks me to go outside in the middle of December and think <em>man, it's warm out here.</em> My strawberries are confused and have started blooming again-we even got two tiny berries off the everlasting ones yesterday. Weird. <br />
Today everyone is going barefoot,too. Like I said, weird.<br />
I had planned to do some much needed inventory of our freezer,but despite the still foggy weather, it's just to warm for that, so outside I will go instead to do prep for this coming springs garden.<br />
We want to add two more raised beds and try lasagna gardening in another bed,plus add to the herbs. Meaning, of course, I want Hubby to dig the beds, build the frames, sink the supports and haul the dirt,compost,manure and wood chips for me. I'll watch and tell him when he messes up. I'm nice like that.<br />
But I'm afraid those plans might have gotten derailed, for you see I've just received my first seed catalog, this one from Seed Savers Exchange, and I love almost nothing better than curling up with a nice catalog(or magazine, or book) and dreaming of all the wonderful things I will create and grow next year!<br />
That I can do this while barefoot on the back porch is a nice bonus,too!<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-34561708504483192662011-12-18T20:48:00.004-05:002011-12-18T20:48:58.054-05:00Christmas Chuckle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzcSR3G-gZc/Tu6XpheoUEI/AAAAAAAAADg/fyE2zb51JR0/s1600/377121_278272245557982_100001256255575_857408_506558610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzcSR3G-gZc/Tu6XpheoUEI/AAAAAAAAADg/fyE2zb51JR0/s320/377121_278272245557982_100001256255575_857408_506558610_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I saw this the other day and just couldn't resist! <br />
I can only hope to get this much action for Christmas. ;)sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030944358106694884.post-51780330216523089162011-12-12T17:12:00.000-05:002011-12-12T17:12:05.992-05:00Who Wants Fudge?Notice I did not say who <em>needs</em> fudge-although chocolate is now doubt what I would call a necessary luxury, technically it can't be called a <em>need.</em> But it's pretty darn close.<br />
And this is pretty darn close to one of the easiest,yummiest chocolate treats you can give yourself-but what is chocolate without peanut butter to back it up? It's like cake without the frosting,jingle without the bells, whiskey without the drunken inappropriateness. I mean ice.<br />
So here is my lazy fudge recipe:<br />
Note-I stole this from the Internet last year,so I have no idea who to thank for this delicious recipe. Al Gore maybe?<br />
<br />
Fudge Recipe<br />
1 can(14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk<br />
1 bag peanut butter chips<br />
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips(I used Nestle chocolate chips)<br />
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
8 inch pan<br />
microwave safe bowl<br />
wax paper.<br />
<br />
1. Line pan with wax paper and set aside<br />
2. In the microwave safe bowl,mix peanut butter chips, 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds or so.<br />
3. Stir mixture until smooth and spread over wax paper in pan. Refrigerate to set.<br />
4. While this is setting,pour chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds or so.<br />
5. Stir until smooth and spread over peanut butter layer.<br />
6. Chill to set, at least 30 minutes. Top will be really firm.<br />
7. Cut into squares or chunks and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
I want to start posting recipes every week or so,hopefully on Mondays,so if you want to see something special, just let me know. Most of what I put out will be basic, traditional foods, as that's what we eat. We believe food should taste good, so I will be using full fat,milk, cream and butter and sweeteners .Lots of butter!<br />
But we also try to eat fresh foods and less processed foods, so as we start eating more(and hopefully better), I'll try and put those recipes that pass muster out here as well. <br />
I already use quite a lot of whole wheat and recently I bought Sucanat. It's basically less refined cane sugar, sometimes with the molasses kept in, and it tastes delicious to me. Apparently the kids like it too, since I caught Youngest Boy eating it out of the 3 gallon bucket with a serving spoon. Organic or not, I'm pretty sure 8 tablespoons of unrefined sugar will still make a 10 year old boy go off like a bottle rocket!<br />
Also if anyone happens to take an interest in disaster preparedness, I have quite a bit of good, basic information on that. here in Tornado land, it's always good to be prepared. not to mention in the past 3 year our house has been struck, or almost struck by lightening 3 times and had it's roof destroyed by softball sized hail-thankfully before we moved in.<br />
And someday soon, I'm going to take some pictures of the sweet horses at the shelter,especially the two Mustangs who have a special place in my heart, as well as three 3 miniature dwarf ponies my kids love so much!<br />sheolbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336732416582520301noreply@blogger.com0