Peeps to Teenage Chicks

After only two short weeks of living in our garage, these girls were just about ready to move out.  They like it to be about 90 degrees the first week and then just a little cooler each week.  Since it was July, we barely even needed the heat lamps, except for at night, so they could move into the coop and still be warm enough.

Life in here is getting a little crowded!

A New Perspective

Just sitting here at my mac enjoying the windchimes outside.  I think winter might finally be on its way.  Hmmm.  I can deal with that.  As long as Christmas comes with it.
It IS the most wonderful time of the year, you know.  :)

Most years, at about this time, I start making lists like a crazy person.  What to bake, Where to shop, What to buy, etc... I scour sale ads and traverse from town to town searching out the deals.  It's all pretty stressful, and not very wonderful.

Not this year, though.

Raising Peeps

In honor of the momentous occasion that our chickens actually started laying eggs, I'd like to share the story with you.  We are new to this whole chicken-raising thing, so it's been a real learning experience and a fun adventure.

Our First Egg!

Today our hens laid their first eggs!  Can you tell I'm eggcited???  Sorry, couldn't resist...

Training Horses and Kids

 

People who train horses really amaze me.  A well-trained horse is such a joy to own, but I don't know a thing about how to train them.  I just know from experience that a horse that has been properly trained can be ridden just about anywhere with very little stress.  A well-trained horse trusts its owner and almost always willingly follows commands. You don't need to be afraid of being bucked or kicked or bitten when you are around a well-trained horse.  You can bathe, brush, feed and lead a well-trained horse with very little trouble.  It's actually enjoyable.

Thanks for the Memories

Isn't it weird how the holidays bring up so many random memories?  I'm busy stirring the gravy, telling my kids about how Grandma makes hers.  Then the coleslaw reminds me of Nanny, who I greatly miss, and who had the corner on the coleslaw market.  The tradition that comes from my husband's side is the Stove Top stuffing... but I still make my mom's recipe, too.

Thankful

Hold on Christmas!  I mean, I love ya and everything, but let's not skip Thanksgiving.

I absolutely love Thanksgiving.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  There are no presents to search for.  There's lots of food.  And the theme is being thankful.  How perfect!

The Buck Stops Here

This was the most excited I've been in a long time.  Weird, right?  I jogged all the way to the back of our property when I got the news.  And I'm not a jogger.

This is Noah's first deer.  An eight point buck and I'm just as proud as punch.

I Love My Nutrimill

OK, today I've got to share something amazing with you.  Seriously,  you should want one of these!

I LOOOOVE my Nutrimill grain mill.  I saved up for two years of Christmas to buy mine and I am so glad I did.   It is so easy to use, even my 12 year old daughter grinds fresh wheat for pancakes on Saturday morning.  If you know that whole wheat is better for your family but don't really like the taste, you've got to try FRESH ground whole wheat.  It is a totally different thing than the flour that you buy at the store or even whole wheat bread that you buy.  With my Nutrimill I can bake 100% whole wheat foods that my entire family loves, cheaper and easier than buying flour.

Let's Talk Gossip

Oh the D-R-A-M-A!  Where does it even come from??? Why is it so common among Christian people? What is wrong with this picture?

This article is in response to a letter from a young mom friend of mine.  She was asking my advice on how to handle a frustrating situation where lots of confusing, negative information was having a snow ball effect and causing division in a group of friends. 

For what it's worth, here's my advice.