memories.....

Yes, this is a plate of biscuits and gravy......brings back memories of eating at my paternal grandparents, or for that matter my maternal grandparents as well...Eating at my grandparents was always a fun filled time...during holidays or when we was having a family get together....which sad to say don`t happen anymore....Both sets of my grandparents have passed on....I miss those dinners and breakfasts...... the food , the joking around the way families used to do, at least my family did.

I remember my grandmothers baking homemade biscuits without a recipe of any kind....I once asked for the recipe and she said she really don't have one.....since she has been gone I have come across a recipe that almost tastes as good  as hers was. Everyone usually helped out in the kitchen, at least the women and grandma would be in there as well.....no body made biscuits like her.....Before she went in the nursing home and she still knew who I was ( my paternal grandmother had Alzheimer's), I asked for one of her baking pans...I am glad I asked when I did...or I wouldn`t have gotten one( paternal Grandma)....I made the biscuits in the photo above from the recipe I found similar to hers and in her pan . When the dinner was ready everyone gathered around the table and someone said grace over the meal and prayed for those that were in attendance and those that wasn`t able to make it.....then everyone grab a plate and made their way around the table of food...needless to say you got what you wanted the first time around or the wasn`t any left.....They was usually out the biscuits and the gravy as well as the potatoes ,whether it be mashed or fried.
It was the same way around the maternal grandmother`s house......I have some of her knick knacks, I had to get them at auction....bidding on them against other family and antique dealers.....But I do have a few to pass on to my girls....I lost her to due Diabetes and heart problems...
I so miss my grandparents....

Photo Saturday...

Winter has hit here in the ozarks, brrr is all I can say.
The above picture of Bandit swimming was not taken today, but last week, during one of our walks...no have not taken a walk today. He so loves to swim.


This is a house that my hubby and me found during one of our walks, sometimes on his days off, we do go for walks together.
The house below is further down our road, along with the flowers that is the next picture. I wonder what these two houses would say if they could talk. I wonder if the houses would tell of the good times, and what bad times the would tell.
That is all I have to say for today, everyone have a blessed day!

Spring....

I know we haven`t had that much of a winter as of yet here in the ozarks. I am so thinking of spring, and so is a few of my plants outside, I mean I have Easter Lillies coming up, one is thinking about blooming, the tulips are coming up, my lilac bush is budding, my muscovey hens are looking for a place to nest at. A few of them checked out Bandit dog house the other day, and he did catch them, doing it, he looked at them ,like what are you doing in my dog house, lol, needless to say they left his dog house after he discovered one of them looking around inside the doorway, and Sparkles and Mascara coming out of it.I haven`t really seen Boss doing his thing, but then again they have been staying by the creek in the next field next to my garden spot, not a very safe place, but so far so good on that aspect, no coyotes coming as of yet, not to say I don`t hear them at night. The muscovies are usually in the yard under the pole light at night, to get the few bugs that are flying around, they soo love those bugs.
A couple of the cochin hens have started giveing me a present every couple of days, of course no rooster in the pen they are in. I so need to find me another Cochin Rooster, I would like to have a blue. I need to get me a few younger chickens this spring as well, alot of mine are a few years old, including my cochins. Well enough rambling for one day.

nothing to report here .....

Nothings really going on around here on the farm. I have made some jelly for the local fair, Blackberry, Red Raspberry and Black Raspberry, Grape, Apple and Gooseberry. First time I made Gooseberry. My Aunt gave me some gooseberries...so Gooseberry jelly...I really didn`t want a gooseberry pie or cobbler. I have been picking blackberries or rather dewberries, or both Some dewberries and a few blackberries anyway. Dewberries are just like blackberries, but the vine grows along the ground instead of up. I have picked about a quart so far, the blackberries are just now beginning to turn black a few at a time, wish they would hurry up and turn black, so I could get my bucket full, but all in due time I guess. Bandit ( crazy heeler ) goes along and takes a swim in the ponds along the way, even though they are algae covered ponds.....yuck to me. I did walk around one of the ponds ,while I was in the field checking on the blackberry patch and Bandit did protect me from a few bullfrogs...lol.
The garden so needs to be weeded . I do have Zucchini on one of the plants as well as few green tomatoes, I did see one cherry tomato thinking about turning yesterday. We have gotten some rain, but I still have to water the garden everyday , it seems like and I have gotten into some poison ivy along the way of picking.And pretty soon will be having some green beans as well.

Lavender`s 13 babies are doing fairly well, with a variety of color in that bunch ( chocolate and white, Black and white and grey and white) I think I might keep a grey and white , just to see what color in tunrs out to be. Mascara is setting now and I think there might be a chicken egg or two under her, I really can`t tell as she is setting under some boards and as with the snakes being out I ain`t to crazy about moving things around to see.

Well, that is about it for the day!!!!Everyone out there have a blessed day in which God has made!!!!!!!!

No title really.....

Well the I really didn`t know what to title this , so many things are happening and then again not. Our trip to St Louis was uneventful, except for long........... Our first appointment was at 11:30 , but we were by 10:00 and got in early, the next appointment wasn`t until 1:30 ,so goofed off at the hospital...went to the beautiful garden that the hospital has on the Eighth floor, went to look out the window on the 12th floor, then went on to the next appoitment, they told us to come back at 1 pm, we came back at 12:45 and almost didn`t have a place to sit.....seen the people who were to see.......then on to labs, which to just as long.....we didn`t leave the hospital until 4 pm....long day.

Heard of a new ice cream flavor , I don`t want to try...Locust, uhhhh Yuck, but I wonder if they make the noise when you bite into the ice cream...It is made with real locust, lol.


Today is water day at the youngest summer school, I wasn`t gonna send this year , but the oldest can get a high school credit out of the way, so I did send both......that seems so weird saying the oldest is in high school ...where has the time gone, it seems like yesterday she was beginning to walk. she had the choice to take English or Science...she chose Science , thinking experiments and it might be fun...she is enjoying it and has heard that the English has homework, so far the science has no homework.

On the garden , the tomatoes in the bed frame are doing great, I even have a little cherry tomato , green, but there is one on there. I have beans planted there as well and they are doing great. One head of cabbage is doing great the other three not so well, One head is in one bed and the other three are in another bed...I sure can tell the difference ....The dirt in the one head cabbage is miracle grow dirt that I put in there a few years ago...the other bed was just regular dirt., that we bought from a friend who was selling some. The squash is coming up nicely, not blooming yet, that`s all I got to get in so far, the rain put an damper on things,...now every thing is drying up and we do need rain, and I have started watering at night everything in the garden. The tame blackberries are blooming and have a few blackberries on them , that are green of course, the wild ones down the road has quite a few green ones. I guess that is enough of rambling for now.

Still here.....

I am still here, I didn`t float awy down the stream or rather creek. I did think about building an ark though with all the rain we recieved. And it is raining again..ugh. Well , to catch up in all the details of the past week...Let`s see.....the modem was hit by lightning , just got that fixed today or rather yesterday and just got the tower back today before the rain started again. Trip to St Louis is done until a couple months, all is well with the youngest, she had a test to see how best she learns as we are having some problems related to memory and a hearing test...The hearing test came back A-ok , in which I knew it would, don`t know what the other test results until a couple of weeks.

I soo enjoyed myself or rather my clown side enjoyed as well as the kindergardeners in the area school. I handed out rainbow seeds and donut seeds as well as bown-E`s and Black and Pink -I`s and of course a couple of black-I -P`s and a couple of blue -J`s, the blue -J`s flew away and the kindergardeners caught them,besides making a few balloon animals, mostly dogs. The children figured out who I was a couple of days later,...they went around saying you were the clown, you were the clown and you handed out skittles for rainbow seeds and cereal for donut seeds. I sooo enjoyed myself. I also visited some of the other classes in clown. I told the kindergarden teachers any time they needed a clown , just let me know.

Our Princess, Chihuahua has been missing since we got back from St Louis, We think one of several things happened..someone picked up up, coyotes got her, or someone hit her with a car, or she had a seizure and is gone. We have looked everywhere and calling in on the local radio station`s trading post and still no luck in anyone seeing her.

Next week will be busy week, the oldest has a field trip about every day except maybe Monday.

Rainy day projects.....other ramblings

It is pouring down rain today here in the ozarks and possible storms are expect here tonight. With it raining outside it is a good time to work on some projects in which I have started, my baltimore afghan, and yes , it is still going and getting heavy with each row. I have been working on it at night, I am over half-way done with just the afghan part, when I get back to making each block design I will start posting pictures of each block again.
The quilt projects are quite a few, let`s see, their is the buck-a-block which I am doing in both colors ( mauve and white, purple and white); then the barn quilt from last years quilt shop hop ( I am embroidering it the blocks) this quilt has also fall leaf block as well, another barn quilt , in which ewach block has ribbon embroidery and applicate things on it, their is a block for each month and I am making two of them and am only on block March; a rabbit quilt that is embrodiered. I know alot of projects, I will get them done one of these days. The buck-a-block is a month by month project that my mom and I signed up for from the ozark quilt shop , sew simple. these buck-a-blocks are so simple to do and easy as well, they use thangles, in which is but half-triangles patterns. Using thangles are a easy way to half-triangles.
The shop hop barn quilt is very time-consuming as the I have to trace the barn pattern onto the fabric and then embrodery it in the colors of my choosing, I will be working on this when the youngest has the next doctor`s appointment in April, in which it will be all day appointment, she will be having a neuropysh test, she has been having trouble with comprehending after she reads a chapter book ( a book with chapters in it). This is a late effect from the chemo that she took.
Anyway I will probably be working on the other barn quilt as well, as February and March are ready for the embroidery part of the block. So I think I will get off of here and get busy with my rainy day projects

Family.....other ramblings

I thought I would blog about families. This past week , I lost one of my Uncle Wayne, who didn`t live a very chrisitan life. In which I am not gonna get in to, as it would be long and drawn out. I remember from my childhood how both sides of my families were close, they would have dinner about every weekend. I do admit that most of the time we did spend time with my paternal grandparents, but we also spent time with the maternal as well. Both sides used to get together regularity. Now, they don`t for whatever reason, somebody said someone`s wife went out with whoever or something was said. I have cousins on both sides, that I remember from when they were little and now they are grown and have childrens of their own. It just seems that families are as close to one another and it is a shame that we can only get together and remember the past during a funeral or something tragic like that. I know families are widespread across the country , as I have relatives in Arkansas and as well as Kansas and Tennessee among other places.
It just saddens me that families have to get together on these occasions and that we don`t stay in touch with one another. I know a few are on Facebook , and I do keep in contact with them that way, but it is not the same as seeing them face to face. I know we have our own lifes , but we should connect with the past and the families that are a part of that or show pictures of other people that were once family and no longer are , such as divorces that took place, as those people were part of the family once and for whatever reason they are no longer part, but still are thought of, if everybody knows what I am talking about , I am sure that every family has those members in the family that go from one person to another. but then again that would be arkward for some of those involved .

I have so enjoyed the weather that last few days....70s even though the wind has been blowing like crazy. Oh the March winds, ok I know it is February, but I wonder if we are getting March winds in February will be getting April showers in March, I wonder.

no title really.....

Sunday, my hubby and I went to the big city of Springfield , You can say somewhat of a date and I realized, I am so glad we live where we do. I mean the city is a nice place to visit with the various places to shop and the wide variety of places to eat, and different things to do. But I wouldn`t trade our small town living for anything. In the city , things move at a faster pace then the small towns, yes we still have a micky D`s and even a Wally world. I know I did grow up in the city, big Kansas City and love it to an extent, but I so love the country and the slower pace that it is. We do not compete with others in the community, we embrace our neighbors and we all lend a helping hand when it is needed, if we know the need is there...for example when our youngest was diagnosed with Leukemia,neighbors came out of the woodwork to lend a hand...even the local Pizza Hut gave my hubby and oldest daughter a free pizza while I was with my youngest in St louis getting her starting on the treatments that were important. The community came together and had a benefit in her honor and I seen how much this community cares. I do not think if we live in a big city they would have done that. It dawn on me how lucky we are to be living in the small community we do live in and that everyone should know this type of comminuty where we help one another out when need be...like it used to be when our great country was founded.

I have been enjoying the sunny weather, I have tooken a walk the last few days and basked in the sunshine, it is so nice to get out of the house and enjoy the nice weather . My hubby is just waiting to hear the peeper frogs at night. I have not had a siting of a robin as of yet , but I am looking for them. Everybody have a glorouis day that the GOD has made...mud and all

Ramblings.... I am alittle delirious from the snow....

I think the white stuff was pretty this morning and it is finally doing some melting...yayayayay. It looked like sparkling diamonds....Ok maybe not that pretty....I am so glad it is finally melting some , due to the big bright thing in the sky today.....oooh sun how have I missed you...with your warmth and melting of this white stuff. I know I am delirious...ohh how pretty is the snow melting...just beautiful, beautiful. I hope and pray this is the last of the snow at least. The girls say no......way mom...we need to pray for more snow.....I say nooooooo. The youngest is not looking forward on going back to school, which will be next week hopefully, I do love them but keeping them busy and is another thing and not fussing with one another is another. They can and have had some fights.....the younger one sitting on the oldest and pulling hair. It is soo nice to be a referee sometimes. any who!

Funny site , I just have to tell...The muscovey hens have been flying around the yard and when they landed they would slide alitttle before this last bout of white stuff came....so funny. They hang around under the bird feeder and pick up what the bird knock out...Their is one bird that knocks out alot of feed, kicks out what he don`t like you know.....A couple of the hens did think about hitting the suet feeders , but never could figure out how to get to them,lolol

The Chickens don`t like this white stuff either, some of refuse to come out. Some of them I notice the combs are getting red....which means eggs soon.....

I hope everyone has a good day and to those that have snow, I hope alot of melting goes on...

gearing up for spring.. ..other ramblings

Yes , I finally bit the bullet and couldn`t stand it anymore looking at all the seed packets. I got some , just a few. I am also trying to think what I want to grow in the garden this year as well. of course, they will be green onions...( Oh , how I love green onions), tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini ( they did good last year, alot). I am planning on trying to grow two different types of pumpkins , of course jalepenos and radishes ( didn`t do great last year), and turnips and corn ( didn`t do well either). I have planned on putting the corn and radishes in a different spot, hopefully I will have better luck this year.
The seeds I have so far are as follow: Radish-Early Scarlet Globe,French Breakfast,Sparkler White top , I am gonna look for some white ones too.: Turnip - Purple top white globe; Garden beans ( green beans) Contender( bush); Jalapeno M; dark grren zucchini; early Prolific Straightneck squash ; Cantalope ( daughter choice); Jack O`lantern pumpkin and Small sugar Pumpkin. It looks like I am gonna be busy planting
I tried working in the beds today, but it is just too muddy still yet. I did clean out another two chicken pens today and put the manure in the one of the beds. I think I am gonna try and get another two beds up and running for spring somehow. I might have to use rocks to go around the beds for now, in which their is plenty of here on the farm.

I have started to research goats and their care and am thinking about getting a couple, don`t know how that will work out this year though. Our fence is just barbed wire for the most part . I think baby goats are so cute and enjoy looking at the picture over at granny best and at tonia`s and others.
I am still working on my afghan , I think it will be queen size and have not done any other blocks as of yet, but have done other rows on it and let me tell you it is getting heavy just turning for the next row. I have also made a couple of grape doilies that I plan on trying to sell this spring when all the swap meets start happening in this area, and farmers market which is in March. I am so looking forward to them and hatching baby chicks and baby ducks.

I have been toying with the idea of getting rid of my cayuga`s, but have not let go as of yet. I would like to keep the hen that lays the black egg, yes a black egg it is what the cayuga`s breed is known for besides ,the beautiful color of black and when the sun hits it shades of green and purple surface, but still not for sure on the idea. i know I do have extra drake, in which he is not pure cayuga, I think maybe alittle kaki cambell or mallard not for sure. The main drake is not pure as well, he has a look of being mixed with kaki campbell or mallard as well. I am not planning on getting rid of my muscovey , I so love watching them talk and fly, even though when they start laying it is like Easter egg hunting, lololol.
I guess that is enough rambling on , I will go for now.

update... ramblings..

Both of my girls are officially out school. They will be going to summer school ,as this does help my oldest daughter with her school work.I can not beleive she will be in the
8th grade next year, my she is growing up.They will probably not be summer school next year because of the states funding. I think this is wrong, summer school helps out some of the children in their studies..and they have fun while learning.The children get to visit places they wouldn`t be able to go to otherwise or that the parents don`t know about, anyway enough on that subject.
The annual balloon lift was stunning as usual, green and white balloons floating into the sky. The school has this once a year .The balloons are attached with the child`s name and the school address, so whoever finds it can send a letter back and state where they find at.
It has been raining about every day here. We are getting the rain now ,but in July and August when we need it , we probably won`t get it.I will watering my garden then every day.
I lost my job, so I am in the process of looking for another, not neccessarily in the healthcare field.I need to support my habit of raising chickens and ducks.I think my husband needs to start working again and let me find something parttime and spend time with my girls. I know it is gonna be hard to find a job in this ecomony, but With these headaches every once in a while,(in which I had another bad one the other day just walking down the road).

st louis trip 3/10

Well , we got a good report from the youngest doctor in st louis. The next time we go up we will be starting the late effects clinic and be in the afternoon.Another path we must journey down. Each clinic visit is customize for that child. So we won`t be able to listen to our favorite radio personality of st louis ,Cornbread, from WIL radio station.
Found out her being tired at times is related to the chemo that she has had. The doctor said that is the biggest complaint is children being overly tired, He didn`t think the legs giving out had anything to with the chemo, but as a mother who seen her daughter`s legs give out during one section of the treatment because of one of the meds ,I know it probably is because of that med.Shoot they (doctor) lowered the dose of that med when she was on it because of the legs giving out.
3 rooms down from our room where we stay at when we are in st louis got robbed, or rather their truck got broken into, while we were there.I am glad that they didn`t break into out car.

I got a cochin hen wanting to set, so I put eggs under her tonight

thinking spring

Found what kind of varmit got my little red cochin roo, possom needles to say it is dead ,hoping it was a female to get more then just one possom but it was a male, looked like a young one at that. I planted my 2 blackberry and 2 blueberry plants and filled one of my raised beds and finished planting my tulip bulbs that I had bought in the fall, pink and purple in color, that ones I planted in the barbeque grill are coming up.The grill was rusted in the bottom so add dirt ,instant planter, the red neck way lol. Picked up some rocks and added to my collectio that I am trying to make a wall of them, we will see how that goes.
We went to lowes to order some windows for the house, I so love that place.
I am so hoping we get some rain for the plants I planted today.I also started some garden vegetables inside from seed, some tomatoes, squash and zucchuni, peppers. The tomato seeds are from 2008 ,so hopefully they will grow.I am so anxious to get the garden out, fresh green onions, lettuce, green beans, tomatoes yum the ones from the garden just taste better ,then what you find in store.
The egss in the incubator seem like they are developing nicely.