Some good news about the chickens!

 First all, thank you to those who expressed their condolences about the predator attack last night. They may be "just chickens" to some, but they are my ladies. 

This morning, my hubby and I were still feeling down about what happened.  Then we got to talking about something and I opened the front door, to take a peek outside, and someone heard his voice and a moment later we heard a hen calling her "Where are you?" call.  My hubby and I were SO excited!  

It was one of the barred rocks.  

She must have ran to the front of the house and hid behind one of my flower pots when the predator attacked.

My hubby went out and guided her back to the coop and got her safely in. 

Woo hoo! 

Then, a short time later, when he was outside, my husband watched another barred rock come walk out of the patch of trees that is behind the coop. 

TWO of our barred rocks are still with us!  

That one was also guided in to the coop run and our barred rock roo managed to slither out.  That brat ended up spending the whole day outside, crowing up a storm. 

We have one barred rock still missing.  She could still reappear if she's alive, but in shock right now. 

So, one loss, for sure. This is SO much better than what we had last night. 

And *that* made it a beautiful day. 

We stuck close to home today.  Sometime in the mid-morning we decided to go talk a walk out on the public land near us.  The land has been harvested in the last several years, so not very pretty and there's debris every where.  

It was nice to be out in the sun, though. 

I got to take my new mittens and handwarmers out for their maiden voyage. They are a winning combo! 

On the walk I saw a couple things I thought might make for neat pictures.  

Frost on a fallen tree that no longer had bark. 

The different textures of the oak leaves, the patch of snow and the oak log that has been in the elements long enough to be weather and grey. 

The sky behind those trees.  It was so beautiful and blue. 

This afternoon I went out hunting for a few hours. I only saw a fat boi squirrel. 

Oh my gosh, he was such a chunker. 

He, or she, appears to be a very smart squirrel.  I don't think I've seen a fatter one. 

The squirrel was the only animal I saw while I was out there. 

After supper I decided to finally start some cross stitch ornaments I've been wanting to start for weeks. 

I bought this PDF from Fat Quarter Shop last year. 

I thought I had kitted it up.  Nope.  I'll need to remedy that very soon. 

In the meantime, I did have the floss all ready to go for another set of Christmas ornaments I purchased last year. 

White Christmas 2022 ornaments

Started: Dec. 2, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Primrose Cottage stitches

Fabric: 14 count aida opalescent

DMC floss in called for colors

B5200, 310, 321, 435, 562, 722, 728, 761, 818, 898, 954, 3841

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself. 

My progress so far. 

My thoughts, yesterday, about blogmas inspired my friend, Becky, to give blogmas a go on her blog. She writes more frequently than I do.  We've both had our blogs for around the same amount of time, and we both have the same belief that blogs should make a comeback.  If you don't already follow her, go check her out! 

Three on Thursday

 Now that I'm gradually tip-toeing back into the blogging world, I've been gradually expanding my blog roll.  (See list on the right). Some are newsletter type blogs, for quilting and cross stitching.  Basically, I'm trying to reduce the number of emails I receive each day. 

Once upon a time a friend told me that she kept up on her favorite blogs by keeping a blog roll on her blog site, and she checked it at least once a day.  I've always thought that was a great idea, and I adopted it for my own.  I've also used it to keep track of some blogs and sites I didn't want to lose. 

This evening I was looking at my friend's blog. I think she's been blogging longer than me.  I'm guessing she's been way more consistent in the daily blogging than I have these last couple of years.  Her and I met through a knitting community website and I'm in awe that we've managed to stay in some sort of contact all these years. She's got some work stories that will have you raising your eyebrows! 

Anywho, this evening I was reading her blog, and I was looking at her blog roll. I clicked on one blog, then clicked on another, and another.  

I saw something called "Three on Thursday." I was trying to discern if the three had to be related or just any old three. 

I decided to make it a random three.  I'm currently working on a blog post about the garden. While that one is percolating I thought I'd do this theme for the day. 

1. I LOVE a good meme.  I'm a member of a few Faceb**k groups that share this type of meme.  This is one of the tamer ones. 

2. A short bit ago I went to the local Fl**t Farm to stock up on canning jars. I spotted this sale sign and had to take a photo. I have two presto canners that I purchased more than 10 years ago.  I paid nothing close to this amount. Canning and preserving supply costs are getting obscene. 

3. Rainbows ... 

This photo is from October 2021. Early morning. It was a really beautiful sky that day. 

Weather-wise, today was a pretty nice day.  I ended up running to the office this afternoon.  I decided to go to a couple stores, picking up groceries and a couple other things.  One of my coworker's came up for a meeting and it's been ages since we've seen each other. We didn't get to chat for long, though.  I was eager to get the drive home over with and get supper going. Along with a few other things that needed tending, like chicken chores. 

The evening has been pretty quiet.  I'm tired and it's been a bit of a long week. I'm looking forward to the weekend. I've got "Murder, She wrote" on the tv. I've been on a bit of a movie cozy mystery kick lately and I've watched all the Aurora Teagarden movies, and all the episodes of "Dark Winds." Which, by the way, I highly recommend  "Dark Winds." Fabulous series. 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 81

I do believe I missed a few of these. Time to get back at em, since I enjoy this one so much.

To quote Patrice: Grab a seat and a cuppa something warm. It's time to chat. :-)  I've got my tea.

Questions
    1.    What's your favorite fruit?
    2.    Wendell would like to know if you've ever been horseback riding.
    3.    Do you carry a small purse, a big one, or just a wallet?
    4.    If you could travel to one state for a day (all expense paid), where would you go? If you're not in the US, where would you like to travel within your country?
    5.    What was your first car?

My answers:
    1.    It honestly depends on the time of year. Right now, my favorite is oranges. BUT they have to be sweet.
    2.    I was one a horse once.  My SIL and BIL bought a house in the country and SIL got a pair of horses.  I sat on one of them for like 5 minutes about a decade ago (or it at least feels like a decade ago)
    3.    I have a purse that usually gets tucked into a knitting bag.  The DH laughs at the fact that I open up a big bag that looks like a purse to get my much smaller purse.
    4.    I would love to get back to North Dakota, but if it was all expenses paid, I think I'd go to  Florida, to see the ocean.
    5.    A Ford EXP.  It was a two-seater.  Burnt orange.  Probably red at one time, but it was so old, the poor thing. 

Daybook, 2/11/13

Outside my window... The sun is just starting to rise.  The sky is slowly turning from pitch black to that lovely midnight blue color.

I am thinking... about the announcement this morning that the pope is resigning at the end of this month.

I am thankful... for having some quiet time this a.m.  It doesn't happen too often.

In the kitchen... At some point today I will be making a yummy carrot cake for work.  We were supposed to have a potluck today for Fat Tuesday.  We got a snowstorm and now the office building is closed. 

I am wearing... Warm clothes, long johns and hand knit socks.

I am creating... Alas, I'm not feeling very creative right now.

I am going... Nowhere today. Roads are bad and travel is advised against. 

I am wondering... Why people have to be such buttheads on the internet.  One of the video podcasts I watch is going on hiatus because of cyberbullying.

I am reading... Nothing at this time.  I haven't been in the mood to read this week.

I am hoping... That the next snowstorm we have is NOT on a publishing day.

I am looking forward to... Spring!!!

I am learning ... How to drive on these snowy winter roads, particularly at night.

Around the house... Nothing too terrible exciting around the house.  I'm learning that I really like puttering in the kitchen and making glorious creations and disasters.

I am pondering... Lent and the upcoming conclave.

A favorite quote for today... One of the greatest freedoms is truly not caring what everyone else thinks of you.

One of my favorite things... My son's excitement when he woke up this a.m. and found out there was no school.

On and off the needles … Still those squares for the swap.  At least one square needs to be redone because it's too big.

I’m currently spinning …:-( Nothing.

Things that bring me joy this week. One thing that brought me joy this week was watching my son make Valentines.  Another thing happened last night.  I made a new to me bread recipe and my dh said that it made for the best pork sandwich he ever ate.  That is was a real treat.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Nothing too exciting.  Going to keep working on the squares for the swap. Lent starts this week. Oh and I'm sure I will be puttering in the kitchen some more. 

A peek into my day...

This was from last night.  I tried making a copycat version of the subway bread.  It was quite tasty.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Go join the fun at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Daybook 2/3/13

For today ...

Outside my window... The sun is shining, the sky is a very pretty blue.  There are some clouds but not enough to hid the sun.  The temp. is 7 degrees F out but it feels like -7 degrees F. I can see the wind is blowing because the branches on the trees are moving.

I am thinking... I am thinking about what work I need to do for the upcoming week.  I have lots to do at work and not much space to put it all.

I am thankful... That I don't have to go anywhere today.  It's nice to have a quiet day at home. Yesterday we did what errand running we needed to do.  We got our shopping done before our son had to go to bowling. We were home by 1:30 p.m

In the kitchen... This morning I made a loaf of bread and a second batch of buttercream frosting.   The bread is probably not my best loaf.  The buttercream is divine, naturally.  But I'm not too keen on the cake mix I used.  Duncan Hines.  The cake "peeled" when I put the buttercream on.  Not good.  I'm glad I didn't have to bring that cake anywhere.  Usually I use Betty Crocker or Pillsbury cake mixes.

I am wearing... A t-shirt and pajama bottoms.  No handmade socks this time.

I am creating... Peace of mind. After an episode at work this week, I realized that I'm probably doing better in this area that previously thought.  I've also learned I can handle conflict better than I used to.

I am going... to enjoy this day.  A slow day once in a while is good for the soul.

I am wondering... Am I getting sick?  I had a sore throat but now a cough is developing.

I am reading... Currently I'm in between books.  The last book on my shelf is Article 5. Looks like this is the start of another trilogy.  Wish I could remember how I found out about this book.

I am hoping... that the weather man was correct when he forecasted that the next week will be slightly warmer. 

I am looking forward to... seeing each day get just a little big longer. Since I have the longer drive to and from work I realize how spoiled I was by the short drive I used to have and always being able to be home when the sun was still out.

I am learning... to enjoy the small things.

Around the house... around the house is now, but not enough to snow blow. Yes, that was my sad attempt at being cheeky.

I am pondering... about letters.  Last night I finished "The Light Keeper's Legacy" and in the book you are reminded about how important letters are.  Letters people write to each other and the journals they kept. Not only are they important to yourself and your family's legacy, but they are so important if you had an unusual job, such as being a light house keeper. It's that day to day, so-called mundane stuff that people will want to know about down the road.  Will that all be lost thanks to email?

A favorite quote for today...

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.

Recognize that?  It's from "The Middle" by Jimmy Eats World. 

Remember, it's okay to not follow the crowd. 

One of my favorite things... Naps. They can help a person feel so much better

On and off the needles … I'm working on square #14 for the swap I'm in.

I’m currently spinning …:-(  Still nothing.

Things that bring me joy this week ... It was my son's birthday this week and Friday afternoon during dinner he stood up on his chair and said he had an important announcement to make: "That I have the best family ever"  Made my heart melt, just a little bit.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Nothing exciting at all.

A peek into my day... A couple nights ago my husband and I were out in the back yard and we found these hoof prints.  HUGE I tell ya.  At least six inches across. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #77

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1. Do you eat eggs? What is your favorite way to serve them?

 I do eat eggs.  My favorite is fried.  Either in butter or bacon grease.

2. Do you have a favorite item that you really like having around? (a pillow, a chair, a sweater, a teddy bear, etc.)

 This time of year it is definitely blankets.  All year around I like to have zip up hoodies. 

3. Is most of the furniture in your home dark wood, light wood, painted, lacquered, or distressed?

Most of my furniture is dark wood.   I prefer mission style.

4. Please fill in the rest of this sentence. "I could write a book about ____________."

 I could write a book about ... I don't know. I'm a jack of all trades, master of none kind of gal. Maybe I could do a pretty coffee table book full of pictures from around me area.  That sounds more my speed.

 

5. If money and calendar/family obligations weren't an issue, would you prefer to spend next weekend at a Bed and Breakfast, a posh hotel, a cabin in the woods, or on a sailboat on a calm body of water? I guess the last thing, the sailboat, would have to be someplace warm. :) (It's 30+ degrees here.)

A cabin in the woods. ... though I do like the idea of being pampered at a posh hotel.  But most certainly a cabin in the woods -- with a fireplace that has a stone chimney.  I would be curled up on a big comfy couch next to my hubby or curled up in a chair either reading or knitting. 

Thanks for stopping by! Many thanks to Patrice for hosting the chat. 

Daybook 1/20/13

Outside my window... It's COLD!! Don't let the sun fool you.  As of the time I pulled this photo off my camera it was 4 degrees and a -13 windchill out.

I am thinking... how wonderful it is to have heat.  We will be really lucky to get temps in the teens this week.  Next week the temps are predicted to be in the 20s for highs. Woo hoo! A heat wave.

 

I am thankful... For my husband.  He completes me.

 

In the kitchen... My husband is making chili for supper today.  He makes a fabulous pot of chili so I was pretty excited when he told me he was making it.

 

I am wearing... Warm clothes which include hand knit socks. 

 

I am creating... A different attitude.  Ever since the holidays, when I had a chance to slow down, I feel different and renewed.

 

I am going... Today we braved the cold temps and went to Ashland to check it out. But because it was so cold it wasn't as good as it could have been.  Our son was impressed to see all the automobiles and ice fishing huts out on the bay.

 

I am wondering... what it was that came and eat off the suet feeder I have in the backyard.  I can tell something has nibbled on it.  Probably a squirrel.

 

I am reading... "Crops and Robbers" by Paige Skelton.  I haven't gotten very far into it.  I'm reading snippets here and there so it's taking me a while to get into. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series.

 

I am hoping... That the snow blanket stays on my house.  It does so much to keep the house cozy, inside and out.  I love how the new homestead looks with a blanket of snow on the roof. 

 

I am looking forward to... the chili for supper. :-D.

 

I am learning ... how it is to live in the country.

 

Around the house... We are watching a SpongeBob movie we got from the movie store.  "Truth or Square"

 

I am pondering... The beatitudes.  Last week I learned about what they mean and it was an "aha" moment.  I've been thinking about them ever since.

 

A favorite quote for today...  “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”
―   Mark Twain. Would you believe I haven't read much of his works? I should add some of his books to my GoodReads list.

 

One of my favorite things... Warm cozy blankets.  I've been sleeping with one of my handknit blankets.  So warm.

 

On and off the needles … I ended up having to rip the 7 or so knit squares for my swap.  Realizing that my squares weren't going to work was really hard to accept.  But the fabric was too thin and I would have been embarrassed to send them off.  I charted out a new square and went down a needle size or 2.  The new pattern and needle size is going to work just fine. Last night I frogged the squares and rolled them up into balls. 

 

 

Things that bring me joy this week ... Sitting in the living room next to the window and being in the sun.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Same old, same old.  It's a publishing week so I'm going to be gearing up for that.

 

A peek into my day... Today when we went to Ashland hubby took a few photos of this road we sometimes go onto.  It's windy, rolling hills and really pretty.  It's going to be gorgeous spring and summer when everything is green.

One of our first times going on the road we had to stop because a flock of wild turkeys crossing the road. 

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my day!

Join the fun at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #76

I came across "Chats on the Farmhouse Porch" on one of the blogs I recently started following.  This looks like fun and I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon.




  QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite game as a child?

When I was a child I played a lot of board games and card games.  I think my favorite board game was one that my mom had picked up at the local Goodwill.  I don't remember for sure what it was named. "Bankroll" comes to mind ... It was a cross between life and monopoly.  There there three "levels" and once you saved up enough money in your savings account you could advance to the next level on the board.  Things got more expensive the higher the level.  You could "retire" and win the game once you had X amount of money in the bank and a certain amount of real estate.

edit 1/23/13 I found the game.  It was called Bankroll. 

2. Have you ever had your own business? (home business, a shop, Etsy, lemon-aid stand, etc)

I have never owned a business.

3. How's your spelling?

Considering where I work, it should be better, but I'm a bit stubborn.  I call it "good enough." Though if I see bad style and formatting and errors in other people's work, it sometimes makes my eye twitch. 

4. How are you about going to the dentist?

I'm not a fan of the dentist.  But I did sit through a quad cleaning after not going to the Dentist for 10+ years.  Thank goodness for novacaine. I have remarkable healthy teeth. 

5. Do you enjoy board games?

I enjoy board games but I don't always have someone to play them with.  For a while my son was pretty hardcore on "Sorry".  The first time he played "Monopoly" against his dad and I he won.  Not too bed for a 6 year old (or was he 5?)

 

Daybook 1/13/13

FOR TODAY

 

Outside my window...  The sun is shining and disguises the fact that it's less than 10 degrees F outside.

 

 

I am thinking... about what project I should tackle today.  I really need to get into my son's room and get that taking care of.  It really hasn't been touched since we moved in.  Or do I wrap up the craft room?

 

I am thankful... For my family and friends. It's a nice feeling to know that I have so many people that care about me.

 

In the kitchen... I'm going to be making a ham for dinner.  Third time is a charm, right?  My first ham in the new house didn't turn out well.  Which was mildly embarrassing because I had company and I *still* hadn't figured out the new stove.  The second one I "cooked' in the crockpot. Yeah, we won't talk about that one. **shudder**. 

 

I am wearing...  Pajama bottoms and a nice warm purple sweater.  I'm feeling lazy this a.m.

 

I am creating... This month I'm working on knit squares for a swap that I'm doing with my online knitting group.  In March our mainsite will be closing down since we have so many other ways to stay in contact. We also have a new virtual home on Nimblestix. This is our last hurrah before we move.

 

I am going... Nowhere today.  Well, at least that is the plan. While the roads aren't slippery I don't think any of us wants to go out into the cold weather.

 

I am wondering... If the propane man will come tomorrow. When our tank reached 20 percent I put the order in, then called the company office and the gal said that someone would be here by Friday.  We had some weather issues on Friday that resulted in school closings and my working from home. I will be giving the office a call on Monday -- again.

 

I am reading... I just wrapped up "Reach." Not really sure how I feel about it.  Haven't decided on the next book yet.  I have a small pile of books from the library that came in all at once.  I may hit the kindle book next.  I don't remember what it is though.

 

I am hoping... The birds discover the bird feeder that I put up last weekend.  I put up only one tube feeder instead of going nuts and buying a bunch of feeders and having a big critter taking them down.

 

I am looking forward to... Seeing the new homestead in spring. It is going to be beautiful.

 

I am learning ... How to cook in a slow cooker.  Who knew it wouldn't be so simple.  Perhaps I'm trying to cook the wrong things in it.

 

Around the house... My son is making "stickers".  He's got the new Mario stickers game and he's been making all the stickers that go with the game.  So far he has 72 -- 73 stickers.

 

I am pondering... Not much right now.  I'm feeling pretty good about things.

 

A favorite quote for today... "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. " Winston Churchill.  I came across this one again on FB recently.  It's one of my favorite quotes. 

 

One of my favorite things... Seeing my son doing something other than playing games and watching tv.

 

On and off the needles … There is currently nothing on the needles since I haven't started a new square yet.

 

I’m currently spinning … I haven't touched my spinning wheel for at least three months.  Need to remedy that soon.

 

Things that bring me joy this week ... Hearing praise from my publisher, watching the beautiful sun rise earlier this week and picking my son up on Wednesday and the sun was still out.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Right now there is nothing planned.  Though in the midst of writing this entry my DH asked if I wanted to check out a store that is in a town about 40 minutes away.  Maybe :-).

 

A peek into my day... This is a photo of a picture my son made at school for me.  He said I could bring it to my office.  How sweet is this?

 

Join the fun at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

 I've known about The Simple Woman's Daybook for quite sometime.  This year I decided to take advantage and join in the fun and use it to help me keep track of what happens during the year 2013 (and maybe beyond).  I've added a few prompts of my own. When you join in the fun, please get the prompts from the website. Have a great day!