Recently in Holidays Category

He was dressed as a little chick. Did you really think I would vary from my theme?

Here is the crew just before they went out.

What would trick-or-treating be without a Scarlett O'Hara?

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Once again I am setting myself up for failure for the month of November.

Please, stay tuned.

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For those who were concerned. Chicken people are honorable and most are reputable. The eggs are no big deal. They will be replaced at no charge and I'll try again sometime this month. I am one of those crazy chicken people and I plan to some day have me a flock of blue, black and jubilee orpingtons. I will!

The drought hit us pretty hard in this part of Virginia. Pumpkins aren't as plentiful and in most places they are priced at a premium. One place was selling them for $2.77 per pound. Last year they were .39 cents per pound. I can't see paying that for a pumpkin and only using it for a day or two and pitching it out. That is a waste of food, if not for people then for animals. The frugal part of me just comes up short and I told the kids no pumpkins for the front porch this year.

Instead we took that same money and bought fun-kins. The faux look-alike pumpkins that won't rot, we can use every year and I don't have to feel bad about wasting food.

 

We waited until the craft stores where putting them on sale to move 'em out and we picked up several Sunday evening. I spent a little time yesterday carving them. If you haven't yet carved one of these don't be fooled. They are nearly as hard to carve as a real pumpkin. I used the same technique for transfering the pumpkin face then used an exacto knife to carve the lines. My hands were tired by the time I finished all of them. It ws work people! I used photoshop to make some face patterns. I printed them out to use as my guide for cutting. Using a stick pen I made little dots through the paper template then cut out the pieces following the dots.

You can see that Fingers McGillicutty had a great time being in the middle of it all. I did the carving and he carried them out to the porch for me. He gets very excited over everything. He wants to be in the middle of it all. He was climbing up and down on the table and chairs. He took the little pieces that came off as I carved and carried them around like priceless treasures. He is so funny. It is really hard for me to believe that in about a week he will be 21 months old. Already. He has left his baby stages very quickly. He is talkative but it is the baby talk that only the trained ear of a mother is able to interpret. Don't even ask Steve what he just said. He just stares at you with that look of a deer caught in the headlights.

I had been wanting to do the 'boo' set of pumpkins every year and finally this year I made them. With these foam pumpkins you can't use candles or the oil lights for lighting. I refused to buy those battery operated things that flash so annoyingly. Besides Halloween night is not a good time to have flashing lights in the dark that might set off some schitzo feind on a Jason or Michael Meyers trip and ruin a perfectly good evening. Also what a huge waste of batteries that I could better use in my camera making photos of my kids and the cute trick or treaters that come to my porch.

For this very out of the way place we get a lot of trick-or-treaters. alot who are too old to be out trying to get some candy. I am going to be mean this year. Anyone who looks like they are 14 or older I am turning them away with treats. Last year far too many teenage boys came to our house not once but TWICE trying to get candy. What is up with their parents letting them go out alone knowing they are scrounging for candy and in some cases pushing little kids down to get to a door first. I am not putting up with it this year. I am going to say, "NO," and send them on their unmerry way. We get about 200+ kids and that is ALOT of candy. And great day in the morning have you seen the price of candy this year? Are they lining the little foil packages with precious metals now days? I think I should dress up as the Grinch and be done with it. LOL

Ok. So. Moving on.

In keeping with the chicken theme I have had going lately I would be remiss to let you all down without at least one more post featuring poultry of some sort.  Here it is. This is my rooster jack o'lantern. I wish I had gotten a couple more of the really big pumpkins and done a hen on her nest to go with the rooster. We did go back to buy another big pumpkin but the craft store was all sold out. Imagine that. Two days before Halloween and the stores are selling out of decorations. What ever will we do when there is nothing left to buy at the after halloween sales? That is usually when I buy a few things to have for the following year without having to pay full price.

These pumpkins are lit with the replacement lights that are sold in the Christmas section. You know, the ones that you insert into a little hole in the back of a little village house or store. Now I shouldn't have to invest in pumpkin decor for a very long time. or perhaps we could add just one to the collect each year. That would be fun.

Before I go and start sorting out my candy to give out tomorrow night I have to tell you something about my goats. Cindy, the not so nice doe, is sick. She has little sores on her udder bag. I called the only goat vet in our area for hundreds of miles and she will be coming by sometime this morning to check her out. Also, we have been making some super nice homemade soaps to add to my baskets for Christmas gifts. Goat milk soap is some of the best for your skin. I have goat milk. PLENTY of goat milk. I'll make some photos to show you all of the process of transforming oils and fats and lye into some of the most luxurious soaps you can buy. Yes, I said lye. You cannot make soap without lye. Once the chemical process has taken place there is no lye left in the mix. It is the process of saponification. If someone tells you lye soap is harsh to your skin tell them they know nothing about soap. And tell them that bar soap mess they buy and shell out big bucks for is chemicals and actually a detergent they are washing their face with. Not soap at all. Wait till you see my goatmilk and cornmeal exfolliating bar! Or my goatmilk and lemon kitchen soap. Or my goatmilk and grits gardeners hand soap. Good stuff!

Go get ready for Halloween. See you tomorrow.

It is that time of year again when I begin to put together my Christmas baskets.

This is what I have so far -

Pepper Jelly

Crabapple Jelly

Dried Rosemary

Dried Thyme

Dried Mint

Dried Parsley

Crushed dried red chili peppers

Black walnuts (from our trees)

A homemade ornament - as of yet unknown

Maybe some homemade beer

If the chickens are laying there will be a gift box of fresh organic eggs

The goats should still be making milk and there might also be quarts of homemade yogurt

Also homemade cheese

I am also thinking about a loaf of fresh crusty bread

I have no idea what else

Any ideas?

Would you like to have some if not all of the above in a nice pretty basket during the holidays?

I am all about the homemade gifts. I know some people will call us cheap and feel slighted but those are the people who have no idea the efforts it takes to make things from scratch with them in mind.

Now, fill up my comments with ideas and suggestions.

Please.

And thank you.

What I planned to do: Prime and paint large window frame in kitchen. Prime and paint small window frame in kitchen. Prime and paint corner of baseboards behind woodstove. Scrub kitchen floor with ammonia then wax to a gleaming shine. Begin painting the dining room to coordinate with the lovely finished kitchen. Make curtains for kitchen from fabric purchased nearly two years ago that is now discontinued and can't be found anywhere at allwhatsoever. Work in backyard, spray clover and weeds, trim up and clean up noticable public areas that are showing signs of neglect from the last snow storm. Pot up plants for hanging baskets for front porch. Scrub planters for front porch and place lovely ferns on either side of the front door. Fill planters with lovely flowers for the front porch steps. Work on blog template requests. Finish quilt. What I accomplished in 1 week: Prime and paint large window frame in kitchen. Prime and paint small window frame in kitchen. Prime and paint corner of baseboards behind woodstove. Make two of eight curtain panels. For three days get Colby to work. Pick Colby up from work. Try to find rims for her Explorer that do not cost $400+ each. Cook three meals a day, every day for children home on Spring Break. Bring in firewood and keep fire going in woodstove due to temperatures barely cliimbing into the 50's all week. Wash dishes. Wash clothes. Wash dishes. Wash clothes. Wash dishes. Wash clothes. Rinse and Repeat. Wash dishes. Wash clothes. I am really struggling to get things done today. Colby doesn't have to go to work so she is going to help me with Steven today. Maybe I'll get to the point I can show you a few photos tomorrow. Then I dropped a piece of firewood. It nearly broke two of my toes. One toe is cut and bruised. There is no way I can wear a closed toe shoe but the foot is so ugly in its current state that my cute sandles and slides don't look so cute with black and blue and bloody toes poking out the tip.

Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Matthew 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Matthew 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men]. Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Mark 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Luke 24:1 Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them. Luke 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. Luke 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: Luke 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Luke 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. John 20:1 The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. John 20:5 And he stooping down, [and looking in], saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. Jhn 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. John 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, [and looked] into the sepulchre, John 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. John 20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.

We got snow for Easter. 3 am Saturday morning It certainly is lovely in the beginning. It is also a bit exciting to think of it snowing in spring. This is a very odd thing for a girl from middle Georgia. Down the driveway. Gracie is very upset because she is very sure it will be too cold for her lovely open toed new shoes and spring dress for Easter Sunday. I certainly am in awe of this oddity. I, too, have open toed shoes for my Easter dress. Across the back yard. I am still a bit stunned at having snow this far along in Spring. Can you tell this has sort of blown a fuse in my head? Apple blossoms. I guess it goes to show you that you can take the girl out of Georgia and bring her to Virginia Forsythia. but you can't take Georgia out of the girl and snow the day before Easter just isn't right. Happy Easter to you all.

With the ice storm and being frozen in solid Gracie only went to school one day last week. Valentines Day came and went and there were not valentines from school mates to be looked over. Friday came and the little school dance was not to be as the school was closed. Finally, Monday came. Monday was to be a holiday but instead was reclaimed as a makeup day for the ice and snow. Gracie came home with her Valentine's mailbox where all the children had deposited cards for her. As she did similarly with their own. One card in the box stood out from all the others. It is a homemade card. Constructed of a folded over index card. Not decorated with a commercial cartoon or other childish interest as found on store bought cards for children to exchange. This one was written with red marker. Addressed clearly to Gracie. Decoratively ornate, yet very simple with a sticker on the front as if they were sweetheart candies. I present to you possibly one of the best Valentine's day cards ever gotten by a girl in third grade (and for some maybe in their lifetime - even if he can't spell - yet). Grace your ... beaiteful funny smart He did not sign it. She thinks she knows who gave it to her. No one has confessed. She feels special, beautiful, funny and smart. That is indeed a wonderful gift to recieve at anytime in your life. I think she is speshul, beaiteful, funnee and smart, too.

Morning News Q: What do women want most for Valentine's Day? A: Thought and meaning behind a gift. Q: What do men want most for Valentine's Day? A: Sex. And then more sex. I gave my husband the first season of the Star Trek tv series. We both are fans of Star Trek -not Star Wars. He gave me a micro sd card for my new cell phone and the data cable to connect to my laptop. We have the same phone. He can use it, too. This is the first time I will not get flowers for Valentine's Day. That would because of the freaking 3 inches of ice we are sitting under. He won't be going to the office today. Therefore he won't be bringing home a bouquet of pink roses or tulips. F**k you, Jack Frost. On a more romantic note - I also got McLintock and Sense and Sensibility. I bought them for myself. Two very different movies yet both very romantic. I love them both. Even more so because I found McLintock at Target for $5 and Sense and Sensibility at Best Buy for $5. I also love a good deal. I will search a $5 and under movie rack until I have looked at every case hoping for a treasure of a movie hidden within. Yesterday I was a winner on two counts. Yeah, bargain movie racks rock! Steve gave Steven a copy of Guess How Much I Love You. The best father-son book ever written. The girls each got Valentine decorated things: a pair of socks, a pair of panties, a small box of chocolates, a card and a heart/cupis hole punch. Along with a movie. Colby's choice was Marie Antoinette. Gracie chose Tuck Everlasting. My girls have lovely tastes in movies, too. Do you give your children Valentine's or is the day strictly for yourself and your sweetheart?

Steven has now been napping for two hours! Incredible! I have managed to use that time to address all of my Thanksgiving (15) and Christmas (100) cards and to write this post. I did not use this time to write more for NaNoWriMo. I do plan to to do that later today or tonight. For those who asked about saving shopping carts: If you have a log in account with different online stores such as Amazon, Walmart, J.C. Penney and many other department stores you can save your shopping cart for later.

1. Home alone from 7:30 am until 9 or 10 pm for the past 2 days. No help whatsoever with a baby who doesn't want to take a nap, refuses to take a nap and as soon as I do get him to take a nap someone who lives in this house calls and wakes him up at the very beginning of the nap!! Arrghhh! Note: I am NOT complaining about the baby I am pissed off about the damn phone callers who KNOW not to call in the middle of the afternoon unless it is a life threatening emergency situation. 2. NaNoWriMO? Hahahahaha! See #1. I am going to try and crank out some more words today. I'll try (I said TRY) to post what I have for the last four days sometime this afternoon. 3. Trying to get ahead with my Christmas organization. Ordered my cards and they have been delivered. When will I get them addressed? Hahahahaha! See #1 and #2. 4. I have chosen and ordered the kids Christmas pajamas. For those who are new here every Christmas the kids get new pajamas just for Christmas morning. This year we are doing plaid. When Colby and Grace were little I made all the pajamas and pj's for my neices and nephews as well. Now it is easier to buy them because the flanel material I have seen and used in the past few years has been poor quality that for unexplained reasons blew a hole after a couple washings. What is up with that? 5. I have items in the shopping carts of a couple websites for all my Christmas gifts from Santa. I just need to review, type in the credit card information and be done with my Christmas shopping for the season. Free shipping! Saves me a huge amount of trouble! 6. Thanksgiving will be with my in-laws. We are bringing the dessert. I plan to go get me some more of those stayman apples. I am in love with this apple. Steve has asked about planting a tree or two as I am smitten with them. I will be taking apple pies and pumpkin bread as my offering. 7. Which do you think Steve would like more - a plow or a disk harrow from Santa? Isn't that a damn fine and romantic Christmas present? 8. While I do spend a huge amount of time planning and preparing for Christmas I anticipate Thanksgiving just as much. It is the gateway to the most wonderful time of the year. I get so excited watching old Thanksgiving and Christmas TV specials. 9. I need to cut the grass one last time before everything is put away for the season. Good thing it is raining because I am not in the mood for grass cutting today. Maybe I will get a chance to come around and visit your journals today. 10. Do you plan ahead or wait till the last minute for your holiday preparations? I will post the prime rib/standing rib roast recipe on the recipe journal. Updated: Standing Rib Roast Recipe