tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53826381425332709942023-11-16T11:43:47.328-07:00Sagewood FarmMemories of a time and time to be freeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-76083342216583090932021-01-18T19:14:00.005-07:002021-01-18T19:36:43.380-07:00Sew..here's some of what I've been up to<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd66uBBP5gPyBFTTqiwEDAsz0cg1PzCFMHw1km0qGJUNdyVhX1633YUvWAFfQocvCWJ6ELAMT4C-ALzbjJAxlNleRKfI2ojok_I8DzAkC-L0vcrU_pIFbEGKM4PuQuHfsA3UUgqzMBFk/s2048/img+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd66uBBP5gPyBFTTqiwEDAsz0cg1PzCFMHw1km0qGJUNdyVhX1633YUvWAFfQocvCWJ6ELAMT4C-ALzbjJAxlNleRKfI2ojok_I8DzAkC-L0vcrU_pIFbEGKM4PuQuHfsA3UUgqzMBFk/w216-h292/img+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="216" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bmans Newest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just a little update on the past several years of crafting! I've done other things, but for now, it's all about the quilts! ENJOY</p><p><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_YksvgE977eXT87C3j9RsMIbXDl_-IBIvOCTBtxsomnm25_s4OjUZ4UooD-bqCZqZMjY7xZjVdZqB098REgo0uqtrxwV3rx31kH7KryuLy3_WbiXVSh6zc3n03Yg5VKWPwgkHvkQv0g/s2048/19143255_1772919639399885_2696829558868451032_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_YksvgE977eXT87C3j9RsMIbXDl_-IBIvOCTBtxsomnm25_s4OjUZ4UooD-bqCZqZMjY7xZjVdZqB098REgo0uqtrxwV3rx31kH7KryuLy3_WbiXVSh6zc3n03Yg5VKWPwgkHvkQv0g/w300-h225/19143255_1772919639399885_2696829558868451032_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A King for me, now owned by my daughter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVjelHhvacqY85MTbveT34D4S1Go-qCpYWm-fXNnKlfxAVEANtKFPaMb_IB1TJog_CyCXjkzRchlr0zfAat3omrI6Vj13HkvQM1tYvM3Ej0458tPa64Vegvj6js9uvvo5xlW8j1ztE3k/s2048/25488350_2041078012584045_661393761150109769_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVjelHhvacqY85MTbveT34D4S1Go-qCpYWm-fXNnKlfxAVEANtKFPaMb_IB1TJog_CyCXjkzRchlr0zfAat3omrI6Vj13HkvQM1tYvM3Ej0458tPa64Vegvj6js9uvvo5xlW8j1ztE3k/w283-h228/25488350_2041078012584045_661393761150109769_o.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something lovely for someone just as lovely</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUFFmpW5Su9m_zXWgUh4uZTcvW7WJTSW-8FxfgBH-KhBI4O_elE0dmCe6xLmlGopY99xrlDWmNbIeGqZNRvpb8Dh-AZy37vYpnrvED0X1-1hEBEh1M674BujhB5PUq0eRoLOoC1qmHnc/s960/27971602_2120935994598246_4622821499989781399_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="576" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUFFmpW5Su9m_zXWgUh4uZTcvW7WJTSW-8FxfgBH-KhBI4O_elE0dmCe6xLmlGopY99xrlDWmNbIeGqZNRvpb8Dh-AZy37vYpnrvED0X1-1hEBEh1M674BujhB5PUq0eRoLOoC1qmHnc/w188-h274/27971602_2120935994598246_4622821499989781399_n.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciannons newest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEdn9a3Dj1T6AHmHPVnO2ydGZXRIvdrhJfjJpRWLOW5LXZyDcQpQAwFBjfF7Yh1vF8DVdDxfBqVIDlK-YvSjZ9073h7eAqT9ushMzdcALdcT9Wq_BdKOHSbBv7rvOh6k1-oQ7ql1fV7E/s2048/19222810_1772920766066439_5120717888443875287_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEdn9a3Dj1T6AHmHPVnO2ydGZXRIvdrhJfjJpRWLOW5LXZyDcQpQAwFBjfF7Yh1vF8DVdDxfBqVIDlK-YvSjZ9073h7eAqT9ushMzdcALdcT9Wq_BdKOHSbBv7rvOh6k1-oQ7ql1fV7E/w207-h275/19222810_1772920766066439_5120717888443875287_o.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For our newest Jack, who is now 6!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzexQeOuzVLvxt9XA09Y2IOquCXII_TZbTke4vq-5lIl-P0weYWnBoYCkDwqq9GqZki7V6ZEIlKPFdz6OCqehLcc3CxjTno7bN4PlbQB8l2eLk8jMgn765T30LZ279rifV0XHcHE-JfTw/s1600/img+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzexQeOuzVLvxt9XA09Y2IOquCXII_TZbTke4vq-5lIl-P0weYWnBoYCkDwqq9GqZki7V6ZEIlKPFdz6OCqehLcc3CxjTno7bN4PlbQB8l2eLk8jMgn765T30LZ279rifV0XHcHE-JfTw/s320/img+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one I finished Jan 15, 2021 </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12Sg7Y_lgEhkYqUQV6w7PY-CDXWIb1X6j5pJ4AILXyrXmoSZRZkKSxmOG4hu7iwln3ZC2sCCTGpf5jmeWXLy6z9y6BXrPlWYSdSmqoCIKkRSX4iUSRCuTNHECy3ia_N__-SFIvAGKNmg/s2048/131898421_734048587525959_5504167195927200710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12Sg7Y_lgEhkYqUQV6w7PY-CDXWIb1X6j5pJ4AILXyrXmoSZRZkKSxmOG4hu7iwln3ZC2sCCTGpf5jmeWXLy6z9y6BXrPlWYSdSmqoCIKkRSX4iUSRCuTNHECy3ia_N__-SFIvAGKNmg/w214-h285/131898421_734048587525959_5504167195927200710_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winter storm Izzy and I got to enjoy! Pennsylvania, Dec 2020,<br /> just before Yule, 31 inches!<br /><br /><br />Im now in the process of creating one for my brother, and then Next up, is a new one for Lilly. :) She has no clue<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-4373932625343127412021-01-13T08:49:00.003-07:002021-01-13T08:49:28.427-07:00The Time has come<p> Sometimes, life moves faster than you can run to keep up with it and that's what happened down on the farm. </p><p>Life ran so fast, it ran away. </p><p>The farm exists still, the same place it always did, but now, someone else is living it. Due to circumstances that I totally controlled, the farm has been sold, the previous occupants..meaning me and the x are just that, me and the x. </p><p>The x still lives in the area but me, I took off for views much further afield. </p><p>I'm now in the big sky state of Montana and Pennsylvania and Virginia and North Carolina. Yep, you read that right. I camp cross country when I can splitting my time up within the year between all those places. Visiting family because after all, family is the most important thing. :) </p><p>So, here we are in 2021 and I'm determined to decide what to do here with this blog. I no longer have a completely permanent residence nor a farm to show pictures of (instead I have at least 3!) There's a lot of information here that I don't want to lose..matter of fact, there's a lot of life here I don't want to lose. </p><p>So over the next few months, we'll see what life brings for a possible resurrection in a different path, but at least leaving these previous paths and shadows in tact so they can be revisited every once in a while. For now, just know, life moves on and so have I. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-63689696194839811122013-01-14T06:10:00.003-07:002013-01-14T06:12:41.918-07:00The Chaos continues!Boy do I have some pictures for you! Not today..ohh no. I'm going to make you wait.<br />
<br />
As per my goal..I've accomplished another room. The master bath.<br />
<br />
As you well know the Master area of the house was the first zone of my 'Do more with the space you have' affirmation. The master closet was the first down, then moving on to the master bath. With the last additions I have to make this morning, the master bath will be complete.<br />
Now, I want to give you a heads up here. With the complete revamp of the closet and the bath, the master bedroom suffered greatly..and I took pics. Oh yes I did.<br />
And yes, I'll post them ..as part of the 'keep it real' that was started last year.<br />
<br />
You can't possibly do what I have done and keep every room neat and clean as you go. You have to have a deposit room somewhere for the stuff you are moving, getting rid of, finding new homes for, etc. It was not pretty...(shaking head in shame)<br />
<br />
The next room on the chopping block is the Master Bedroom of course. That will make that whole area of the house complete. I'll be pleased. One bad thing about that room though..hubs's dresser and night stand area. I won't be able to touch that. I don't touch that. I don't want to touch that. I can only hope he'll see the 'change' and take it upon himself to clean the top of his dresser off. Please please please.<br />
<br />
That said..I'm off to start the day...<br />
<br />
Stay tuned..............Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-57316478882920914382013-01-10T22:44:00.001-07:002013-01-10T23:11:15.278-07:00New Year...new attitudeLet me start out by saying 'HAPPY NEW YEAR!' and here's to wishing all of you the best in your upcoming endeavors whatever they may be. <br />
<br />
We've all heard it asked many times 'what are your resolutions for the New Year?'..I know I've been asked tons of times! <br />
For many many years I refused to make 'resolutions'..and opted for affirmations instead, to me it was a better choice. I always made affirmations at the beginning of each year as to what I already knew and what I wanted to change...but 'resolutions'?? ...eh..sounds so permanent ((shudder the thought!))<br />
I like change sometimes. Change is good..when it's needed.<br />
<br />
So again, this year, I affirmed a few things. Here is what I already KNEW:<br />
I knew:<br />
I was squished and confused in my own home. WHY? Things in my home did not have the potential they could have. Made me feel like I didn't have that potential either. <br />
(stick with me, it'll all be clear in a minute)<br />
With a new job at hand, and my house seemingly at odds, I knew my year might not hold as much potential as it COULD. <br />
I asked myself why? And I kept telling myself ..'my house just wasn't big enough, it didn't have proper storage..things were in chaos". Now, mind you, I don't mean dirty, but out of sorts, misplaced, homeless for some things.<br />
Finally, when the New Year was upon me, I had to take a hard hard look and realized the REASON for the 'squished', lack of potential feeling was NOT due to lack of space or the need for a bigger house, it was because of two things and two things alone:<br />
<br />
1. I had too much stuff (mind you, not tons, but too much for the current storage potential)<br />
and<br />
2. The space in which I lived was not living up to it's potential.<br />
<br />
It wasn't a matter of needing more space, it was a matter of <strong>doing more within the space I had. </strong><br />
<br />
LIGHT BULB!<br />
<br />
So I sat myself down a week or two before the new year and started making lists. Tons of lists. (lists help me think!)<br />
Then I got up, took my lists and walked around my house. Adding to my list, subtracting from my lists and making doodles of possibilities on my list. <br />
Always keeping in mind, 'doing more with the space you have'. <br />
And with the lists in hand, ideas in my head I made this solemn vow. <br />
<br />
2013 would be the year of doing more within the space I had. <br />
<br />
I sat aside one month for each major project, goal or 'revamp' if you will. The first on my list??<br />
<br />
The master bedroom area, closet first. <br />
I'm not sure who designed it, but it sucked.<br />
I'm not sure who put it together, but it sucked. <br />
It was my turn at bat. This Mighty Casey would not strike out.<br />
<br />
SO here we are..before and after. I'm doing more with the space I have: <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHcE_qcNnWUpHa1YIXOjcG-V2cWXQdRWqZuU06IOwbra86OFYV64fP4vasuc2XdLYF0XhfsdLZ7bqXQDudEe1O7OYXph2YW9Uf-07j3vLyTv00E0YzUvhhyphenhyphenmaTk8YRzbXHHSV0QKAKFU/s1600/closet+redo_24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHcE_qcNnWUpHa1YIXOjcG-V2cWXQdRWqZuU06IOwbra86OFYV64fP4vasuc2XdLYF0XhfsdLZ7bqXQDudEe1O7OYXph2YW9Uf-07j3vLyTv00E0YzUvhhyphenhyphenmaTk8YRzbXHHSV0QKAKFU/s320/closet+redo_24.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this a hot mess or what??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Hp3sAQTf5aRYljbMcObTOkbRwqKdHuaOtiiqVq82dZuGvcppBamWcogWaL1Em4RBnJJXcIbDJvN5Qq79VHgNa4gHg42c_xvF6pw0yKlQ2tmZFaIeLyuKqAMqo7aFfFFe0PvRQGzAXU/s1600/closet+redo_27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Hp3sAQTf5aRYljbMcObTOkbRwqKdHuaOtiiqVq82dZuGvcppBamWcogWaL1Em4RBnJJXcIbDJvN5Qq79VHgNa4gHg42c_xvF6pw0yKlQ2tmZFaIeLyuKqAMqo7aFfFFe0PvRQGzAXU/s320/closet+redo_27.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is mostly floor space..sad huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The closet was designed with one rod, at eye level with floor space to fill with 'junk' or at least fill with things that didnt' have a proper place. Wanna see more??<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUiK1aOZCKzsJb57Cfk5G-v2PsSkciRodESr5ckFcPoHbe4pKCQeDHNvOB9bAMDevymu-91oBK0OlUPjUVzjlrvzqZ9Wm6MOOIFtDSO6gs4QMuBSIeLD1GQVcComr87a3vlm2_eC9e6Y/s1600/closet+redo_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUiK1aOZCKzsJb57Cfk5G-v2PsSkciRodESr5ckFcPoHbe4pKCQeDHNvOB9bAMDevymu-91oBK0OlUPjUVzjlrvzqZ9Wm6MOOIFtDSO6gs4QMuBSIeLD1GQVcComr87a3vlm2_eC9e6Y/s320/closet+redo_22.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shelf above was pure chaos..who designed this mess? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTF_AvAE_R4KidC0QmCepbSSEhg0MmjWdO2J1XVDv8TLxodtHQRkgKlHYz6nfU2Cu7OqO589QDT5kHbRNRfpCqnEuPgvx7lesHU_kJF9xFHy_GID3KEwbHbLnYOFc3nS7jcRr-ILPSU8/s1600/closet+redo_23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTF_AvAE_R4KidC0QmCepbSSEhg0MmjWdO2J1XVDv8TLxodtHQRkgKlHYz6nfU2Cu7OqO589QDT5kHbRNRfpCqnEuPgvx7lesHU_kJF9xFHy_GID3KEwbHbLnYOFc3nS7jcRr-ILPSU8/s320/closet+redo_23.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and as you can see, the clothes were cramped in....no room to move!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First things first..empty it. Then..clean it. This closet is not easy to photgraph, but at least you'll see, it's empty and clean. Needless to say it's not a very big closet, but sufficient with the right 'additions'. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU_fZIOMr8FaiSztF78jIBA8pdmScXPNpWzZqPBls5eECu-v7hhsaw4LzbY7y3SsdoU1YAYRR39pAMaKAlua-kvLED2G1pZ9Gj3Z8IhB7TvOdej65UARuzBgwMPJYByTag8x2SBuB8CA/s1600/closet+redo_29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU_fZIOMr8FaiSztF78jIBA8pdmScXPNpWzZqPBls5eECu-v7hhsaw4LzbY7y3SsdoU1YAYRR39pAMaKAlua-kvLED2G1pZ9Gj3Z8IhB7TvOdej65UARuzBgwMPJYByTag8x2SBuB8CA/s320/closet+redo_29.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty....this is one side..trust me, it looks the same on the other. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now..for the additions:<br />
First, this had to be done as cost affective as possible..so I had to use what I already had on hand. I just so happened to have ..two white closet maid type dressers..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeNOff_qfaNF3pxowG1ww-kj76jrpL2f3lfaNJr-E2A-on8b8HgrAGIVL5sCvuTytdvqcHH013uyZf0r0Yq3tFghpb1hqChZyitADYyfheKfGiO5VqwIuDcrYggKxU5aLX-qpz4R3HbA/s1600/closet+redo_36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeNOff_qfaNF3pxowG1ww-kj76jrpL2f3lfaNJr-E2A-on8b8HgrAGIVL5sCvuTytdvqcHH013uyZf0r0Yq3tFghpb1hqChZyitADYyfheKfGiO5VqwIuDcrYggKxU5aLX-qpz4R3HbA/s320/closet+redo_36.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for each side of the closet..there is a mirror image on the other side, exactly opposite. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I purchased the 6 cube cubicals on top of the dresser. Stacked they went. <br />
Now to get rid of that 'single' hanging rack idea..how ridiculous. There was a lot of real estate above and below the original hanging rack. I took advantage of it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuSpgkFQBi8eK0b_9-PEVBCQSSRwdqq_pnflKibhKePATO7DyYQVRTOm8gINSeQMZUJ8WudxxQwjO99IBHo409uTvFlqN0WyD0vtKxb9pR1Dwcby2532Cyi7pHlfLhav0qonZJjZiHp0/s1600/closet+redo_43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuSpgkFQBi8eK0b_9-PEVBCQSSRwdqq_pnflKibhKePATO7DyYQVRTOm8gINSeQMZUJ8WudxxQwjO99IBHo409uTvFlqN0WyD0vtKxb9pR1Dwcby2532Cyi7pHlfLhav0qonZJjZiHp0/s320/closet+redo_43.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New rod....center of the closet. 38'' above the floor, and 36'' below the upper shelf/hanging rod </td></tr>
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And I know you can't see the shelving above, but I moved it up so that it is 14'' below the ceiling. (instead of the near 30'' THEY had it!)<br />
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Once the shelf was moved, the new rod put in, the dressers and cubicals on both sides..we began filling it back up. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlRkPVO5-iNLMmEsyjucKqlh0_g_kSL9FhE_c9nTTeQs0Ap6h7SXlAi9RebdZqlP4Hlc9sZA1xIto1VJNyH3EjWnqJOqsBECp7uLfBP8vawT83TxxjTk-wmOv5Bqm7bxnDhnhAHS4xcA/s1600/20130111_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlRkPVO5-iNLMmEsyjucKqlh0_g_kSL9FhE_c9nTTeQs0Ap6h7SXlAi9RebdZqlP4Hlc9sZA1xIto1VJNyH3EjWnqJOqsBECp7uLfBP8vawT83TxxjTk-wmOv5Bqm7bxnDhnhAHS4xcA/s320/20130111_1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs side (he's more of the clothes horse than I'll EVER be!) Either way, he has more room!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf4K79_Jcite-tOPH4Tmk9ntvLKYfx_Z8bkkFiWjpdNt6NEG-gIWxrn3er92D0J6ZxFf1YZJxWruIRhHfT2OLwcVIh3Z0QAvvK-8uS7DIJkwX60PMPO_AQt9i9FjzxTXtlJWSpHNONr4/s1600/20130111_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf4K79_Jcite-tOPH4Tmk9ntvLKYfx_Z8bkkFiWjpdNt6NEG-gIWxrn3er92D0J6ZxFf1YZJxWruIRhHfT2OLwcVIh3Z0QAvvK-8uS7DIJkwX60PMPO_AQt9i9FjzxTXtlJWSpHNONr4/s320/20130111_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My side..Ohhhhh the glory of it all!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMv8JDLTUM_rJpwANii22o7ZXUJ9hnI_TBJE0411kKjY19AF0jqkrDlHsw_KwejRe1R0O_kbBMm9FIOoAuYTL5otARTXWy12p0JjhRl7OOLOMuTWCCduyb2LeUYjO_xOVxmmGhyhnLqI/s1600/closet+redo_49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMv8JDLTUM_rJpwANii22o7ZXUJ9hnI_TBJE0411kKjY19AF0jqkrDlHsw_KwejRe1R0O_kbBMm9FIOoAuYTL5otARTXWy12p0JjhRl7OOLOMuTWCCduyb2LeUYjO_xOVxmmGhyhnLqI/s320/closet+redo_49.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cubical on my side..nicely appropiated...oh yes!</td></tr>
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Is it finished? Yeah, pretty much. There are a few more things that will go in there, but now at least, they have a home..a space in which they will fit nicely. The entire upper shelf above the hanging rods is empty, the floor is empty...I have space, can see it all, and still have room. <br />
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One goal down! <br />
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See you next time...down on the farm!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-82153099439695370262012-12-02T05:02:00.000-07:002012-12-02T05:02:36.583-07:00Here it is...December 2012And all is well. <br />
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Our Thanksgiving was wonderful, table over flowing with food, laughter and people. We had a great time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0q4tXnVBjLX13D_GDbyxlfhilodJKA6A1tWv5NFDDsohjt1wSdT8xmjYJV952Y7r_P07zxWlgGgSdykeBUSKgRei6W_aUya90lNmJd0I83tTIfdh1oz2mCukprz3WSPkFD8cDNd2tjI/s1600/20121124_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0q4tXnVBjLX13D_GDbyxlfhilodJKA6A1tWv5NFDDsohjt1wSdT8xmjYJV952Y7r_P07zxWlgGgSdykeBUSKgRei6W_aUya90lNmJd0I83tTIfdh1oz2mCukprz3WSPkFD8cDNd2tjI/s320/20121124_4.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before carnage of course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did get nervous this year. I was trying out a 'new' way to cook a turkey and I will say this..it turned out FABULOUS! I say thank you to my friend Johnnie for telling me about it. <br />Wanna know the secret? Ok..here it is. Don't be shocked and don't be shy to try it (with more then just a turkey)<br />
Then next time you go to the grocery store, tell them you want 'paper' and get yourself a large brown paper sack. Yep..you heard me..a large brown paper sack. Take your turkey (or chicken or roast) and do whatever it is you like to do to your turkey (I injected mine a bit and rubbed butter all over it) and then..slip it nice and comfy down in that brown paper bag. Fold up the opening and staple it closed. Slip it into your roasting pan. Slide it in your preheated oven (not too hight 325 is good) and leave it alone for the required cooking time. (Mine was 4 hours) <br />
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You can't peek, so have faith. I fretted all day because the bag keeps EVERYTHING inside. You won't even be able to smell this badboy cooking. NOPE!<br />
TRUST ME..when the time is up and you remove that bird..and open that bag..magic happens! It comes out just as brown and juicy....as you'd always dreamed and hoped your bird would. Try it..you'll like it!<br />
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Christmas/Yule is just around the corner! Are you ready? I have two more things to pick up and I'm done! I started wrapping a few days ago and hope to finish up today. <br />
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As you can see, I decorated the blog for the winter season..I guess the house is next! <br />
<br />Time to drag out the tree!<br />
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Till next time...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-74044055685832221112012-11-14T10:01:00.002-07:002012-11-14T10:03:19.063-07:00TURNIPS! (free no less!)It's a beautiful day here on our little acre (or so) of comfort. The temps are low, the humidity is still hanging on, and the sun is hiding behind a river of overcast. It's all good though because today..it's TURNIP DAY! <br />
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Unfortunately the hubs and I did not plant a fall garden this year, but a friend of mine at work had a family member that seemed to be overun in turnips. Did I turn them down..OH NO NO NO! I met her today and she handed me over a mighty fine picking of turnips..tops and bottoms! (some were already cleaned and ready for the pot even! How cool is that!?) <br />
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I culled through the free bounty of greens, putting aside some for us and some for the furbabies (aka: bunnies) See..bunnies love turnip greens. You just can't feed them solely on them, but as an addition to their regular fare..they love them. <br />
Here's proof! <br />
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The tops that I sat aside for the bunnies were bundled up, ready to dry for winter use (of course, I gave them some fresh) and the ones for us were washed, added to the prewashed ones and into the pot they went. Some Boston butt end portions rounding out the pot. :)<br />
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Can anyone guess what's for dinner??<br />
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I saved aside some turnip cuttings and a few of the stem cuttings for the bunnies for later this week as well. I'll wash these and put them in the fridge to keep them fresh. My bunnies are spoiled. <br />
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Till next time....<br />
Down on the FarmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-62505850525887637862012-11-10T06:50:00.002-07:002012-11-10T06:50:20.043-07:00Full to bursting!We've added to our flock again..this time, with rabbits.<br />
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We are the proud owners of 5, 8 week old baby rabbits. All are New Zealand whites crossed with Californian. Both.. a large meat rabbit breed. They are adorable and I know the kiddos are just going to love them!!<br />
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I will post some pics as soon as I can get some!<br />
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And as the title of this post suggest..the house IS full to bursting. Full of preserved food, stocked food and supplies to last us the long winters night through.<br />
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The bursting part is the sad part though. Yesterday, I decided it was time to practice with my new 'critter chasing gun'...a small 410 shotgun that I bought for myself to help protect the farm critters from the natural hunters of the wild (ie: bobcats, coyotes..etc)<br />
Now, one must remember that our 'adopted' and rescued Great Pyrenees, Baxter is petrified of gunfire. He runs, bolts the fence, climbs mountains in great leaps and bounds and does whatever he can do to run as far as he can from the sound. (we are supposing that he was shot at many times in his wild and free youth!)<br />
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Anyway, we secured Baxter in the house and took the gun to the back of the lot and commenced to 'learning' the ins and outs of this particular model. Midway through the training and practice, hubs stops and says "I just heard a "POP" in the house"...*uhooh!..<br />
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We finished up quickly and came inside. Baxter was needless to say, trying his best to escape out the front window of the house, but found himself in a sorrowful predicament. He was stuck. Half on the couch, half off the couch, wedged behind the end table. This is what we saw when we entered the house. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiESxuvsQtL4K4ObMm2KkKsbHVfP6hGjFOQH_odV9bqeCvKL_zmrjA5T46VoDoMVzB7mmW2rmVTS8zTbf5qv4S1-le53odcpcOw-rEUuhsdZt_ttfl7x8Ob7j03QY8ndcLKup4bawSx-o/s1600/20121110_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiESxuvsQtL4K4ObMm2KkKsbHVfP6hGjFOQH_odV9bqeCvKL_zmrjA5T46VoDoMVzB7mmW2rmVTS8zTbf5qv4S1-le53odcpcOw-rEUuhsdZt_ttfl7x8Ob7j03QY8ndcLKup4bawSx-o/s320/20121110_6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just open the window george..I'll get outta here!</td></tr>
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He looked so pitiful..but all we could do was laugh. We rescued the rescued dog. He continued to tremble and 'hide' for the next 1/2 hour though. He's a mess. <br />
Problem was...:We were so entertained by the stuck dog that we failed to find what may have caused the "POP' that the hubs heard.<br />
Now...come to this morning. It's early early early and Pixie our temporary house guest (read: Son and DIL's cat) was insistent that I check our her food bowl. Alas, I walked into the craft room where I am keeping her dish (away from the other animals so they don't eat it..it isn't working)..and what to my wonderous eyes should appear but a mess that I could not wrap my brain around. <br />
Chaos unbelievable.<br />
It looks almost like a war had gone on in this room, there was even BLOOD on the floor...................wait. That's not blood..that's tomatoes. Wait....................WTH? (blink blink)<br />
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This was how my mind reacted to the chaos.<br />
(sadly..I did not think of taking a pic)<br />
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What I had truly found was the "POP" that was heard yesterday. 9 quarts of canned tomatoes were smashed, broken and spilled all over the floor, along with 5 pints of fruit and nut conserve. (all canned by me just two days prior) Skeins and balls of yarn were tossed about harry-carry, paintings and canvases littered the floor. WTH had transpired in here? This was the work of a scare-dy cat dog, named Baxter, who was trying to escape out the window, or into the pantry..anywhere he could to get away from the gunfire.<br />
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Egads what a mess. After the clean up, we discovered there were 5 quarts of the tomatoes and 4 pints of conserve still intact. This was lucky. Still, it is sad to loose any canned supplies ..all the work...I nearly cried. But..now you know the 'bursting' part. <sigh> </sigh><br />
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Ohh the tragedy! But alas..Baxter is still safe (and still a scare-dy cat), 5 jars and 4 pints were still saved, the mess cleaned up and here we are...early morning of another day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtxQ9wct9bLZ8iERRAka0QLPiut8iaAHwdm685PsTe_kNzdl1R_DvOHVH7YRDUcdDGtG3JL4QZNGqY1zpRtmEIFy-eJY3tLaNgAFe9H1Rm1dLMrmImfvJW9FUI0FwOsFyODGMxT3SZys/s1600/20121110_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtxQ9wct9bLZ8iERRAka0QLPiut8iaAHwdm685PsTe_kNzdl1R_DvOHVH7YRDUcdDGtG3JL4QZNGqY1zpRtmEIFy-eJY3tLaNgAFe9H1Rm1dLMrmImfvJW9FUI0FwOsFyODGMxT3SZys/s320/20121110_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Baxter the Wuss of Sagewood Farm</td></tr>
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Welcome to our chaotic farm life! Critters..gotta love em.<br />
See ya next time..down on the farm!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-11607934926562522092012-10-17T17:26:00.002-06:002012-10-17T17:26:54.436-06:00Fall has arrived!!Well, here we are into October, Halloween just around the corner. Our weather has taken a change for the better..we still have a few 80 degree days, but all in all, it's pleasant enough that our air has been turned off! WOOHOOO! This is a good thing.<br />
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Over the past week we've canned up 12 quarts of potatoes, 16 pints of pears and 12-1/2 pints of onions. We've filled the freezer with venison and various other meats and stocked the pantry with good sale items! Bring on the winter storms..we are ready!<br />
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(sad thing..the south doesn't get much in winter storms, but I can pretend and prepare anyway!)<br />
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We've been working on the rabbit hutch, making repairs and changing a few things about in it. Not only have we added to our poultry flock, but Rabbits are on the list to gain soon. I suppose in a few weeks we'll be on the search for the bunnies..for now, preps for their home must be finished.<br />
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Seems like I can't catch up on the housework as of late..what with working, the final crop harvesting, canning and preserving along with the holidays looming ahead, the house work seems to be the last on the list. Unfortunately, my energy runs out long before I get to the bottom of the list!! LOL<br />
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<br />I've got a few more seeds to order for next year, but alas, my biggest seed purchase for some herbs and the like is complete and in place in my seed box. As far as herbs go..and most veggies, I'm ready for next year! How about you?<br />
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Life on the farm, even a small one, is busy from spring till fall. Winter it seems is our 'down' time..a time to relax. Even then if one thinks about it, Winter is a busy season too with handiwork. Way back when, clothes were made, blankets knitted or crocheted, quilts finished up, along with various outside work that could be done. Life in general is busy. Busy is good.<br />
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Till next time..down on the farm,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-91210044164179132732012-10-06T11:05:00.003-06:002012-10-06T11:05:59.725-06:00Adding to the flock!Well..today we added a few more chooks to the mix of chooks we have. We purchased 10 Golden sex links..all hens (a breed I have never had before) and I'm still on the lookout for a 'sitter'. Rhodies nor Sex-links are prone to 'sitting' a nest. I'm hoping to find someone who may have a Orpington, Barred Rock or Dominque they are no longer wish to keep because she has gone broody..I hear tell they are good broody hens and mothers...I can always hope! We would like our 'flock' to self perpetuating. I know many don't want that..but we do. :) I'll take natures incubator over an electric one any day. :)<br />
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We'll be starting to revamp the small garden with this coming fall. It has to be totally redone. New fencing, new posts....boxes removed..tilled several times...and on and on. We are planning on only tending the smaller garden next year, instead of the bigger one or both.<br />
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Currently we are on the lookout for a few rabbits to add to the chaos here. Searching for the big white meat rabbits..New Zealand whites..need just two..one male, one female. <br />I guess we are creating an 'eden' here! LOL<br />
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But..that's all the news for now..see you soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-72852175599053462702012-09-17T17:06:00.003-06:002012-09-17T17:11:59.509-06:00Hiatus overWell, after my hiatus, and job secured (sort of) I'm back. <br />
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Life always gives each of us different loads to carry, and with the coming of this year, my load was a heavy one. Personal loads for the most part. Having taken time and working through some things, life seems to be getting more on a track to normalcy again.<br />
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I spent a week over the summer on Emerald Isle in NC had a blast...wine was flowing. I've worked in the garden now and again and put up plenty of pickles and relish for the year and now it seems pear season has waltzed in while I wasn't looking. Pears will be heavy on the bedroom floor this weekend. (pears do not ripen on the trees, you have to pick them and then lay them out for about 2 weeks)<br />
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The one job I was hoping would come through did. (months after I expected it) but nonetheless, I am now working there as a temp. I'm loving it so far, and I hope I can get on permanently. The hours can seem daunting, but they are not so bad once you start doing them. 3 days at 14 hour shifts (with one hour for lunch) Of course, it helps that the workplace is very relaxed and homelike. We even have a full kitchen in which we can all go and cook if we so choose. <br />
I've been doing a bit of crafting (not as much as I would like), making a few pieces of clothes for the grands here and there and just small stuff generally. I'm hoping that the job will allow me to do even more since we are allowed to take in hand work. <br />
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The holidays are nearly here much to our dismay. I've done some Yule shopping already. Every time I went into the store, I'd go through the 'reduced' area (mostly summer toys) and pick up one for each of the grands. I've got a good little load and if you add that to the few clothes I am making, they should have a nice Yule morning.<br />
<br />
Summer was hot here..but we seemed to have had more rain the we did last year. Our garden did not do as well as I would have liked, our tomatoes flopped and I don't think anyone has had any decent bell peppers in years. Sad thing too. Next year, if I do a garden, I'm hoping to do a few things differently (like keep the hubs out!) LOL just kidding. I do believe next year, I will only work the small box garden. Give the big garden a years rest. I keep telling the hubs we need to amend the soil over there, but he just doesn't seem to believe me or doesn't want to spend the money or time to do it. Probably a bit of both, but if we want a successfull garden we are going to have to. Otherwise, we are doing what my mama always said 'throwing good money after bad'.....<br />
<br />
The Grands are growing and getting older as we all do. Brayden is now 4 with Ciannon running right behind him (turning 4 in Nov) and of course Lillian to be 3 in Dec. All so close in age. Ciannon and Brayden will be heading off to school next year I believe. Oh how the time does fly.<br />
<br />
We had a small family gathering (reunion) over the summer. It was good to see so many together again, some I had not seen in years and years. It was good. We drove up on a Friday and came back on a Sunday so it was a quick trip for sure, but a good one nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Well, I guess that's about it for an 8 month update! I'm hoping to post more often with goings on around the farm. We shall see. Life still has a way of staying busy and well, busy is better then boring. :)<br />
<br />
See you next time....down on the farm.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-41452081350292168782012-01-09T06:31:00.002-07:002012-01-09T06:31:50.349-07:00Happy New YearIt has been a while since I've posted here..I know it..so shoot me. I hope everyone had a grand Thanksgiving, Yule and New Year! Ours has been pretty good so far. Pretty normal actually..not too many changes in life, and sometimes that's a good thing I guess. I mean..who want's tons of changes coming at ya at once anyway?<br />
<br />
Just like everyone else in the world, I'm currently looking for a job. I've applied at a few places and hope to hear something this month from at least one. I don't want to go back to work, but right now, I find it's an important thing to do, at least till the end of the year.<br />
<br />
It is unfortunate though that when I go to work, gardens are usually out the window. Neither of us (hubs) or myself will have time for them. I may try to just do the small box garden this year and nothing more. Sad really. I guess this is the same dilemma that many in two income household face. Lack of time.<br />
<br />
I plan on doing some 'stocking up' this year. Dry products and things that have no real expiration date so to speak. Flour, sugar, rice, oatmeal, honey. Basics. The money from me working will help out in this way a lot. So there is a plus to everything I guess.<br />
<br />
I've been doing some cleaning and clearing out in all those places we sometimes forget about or ignore for the longest time. Like, drawers, and cabinets and under sinks. This week, I get to tackle the kitchen drawers. Empty them, clean them, root through the stuff, toss what's not needed and re-organize the drawers. This is a good thing, really. I did under the kitchen sink last week. It looks fab under there now. Clean and organized.<br />
<br />
It's funny how sometimes the smallest of accomplishments will give you the greatest amounts of pleasure and satisfaction. I like it. :)<br />
<br />
Well, there it is, my first post to Sagewood for the new year of 2012. Just a small update to tell you where I am in life. Same spot really. Just plugging along, as most are doing. :) <br />
<br />
Have a great week!!<br />
<br />
Till next timeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-91755798052493512162011-11-24T06:44:00.001-07:002011-11-24T06:45:33.222-07:00HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC0bNf_pu5x6oPFdoZbzbw2qECLn4QbNc2iey-bNomzTKG5GP7ky7GJ9AWONIWD4sTmXUJJnoj0O_CchH3mBLO3EjSopG84yUm76Fuv7PlFVsEZDdKgab0ht2ej1L3J8y79sKrrxZTss/s1600/HTPKG200278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC0bNf_pu5x6oPFdoZbzbw2qECLn4QbNc2iey-bNomzTKG5GP7ky7GJ9AWONIWD4sTmXUJJnoj0O_CchH3mBLO3EjSopG84yUm76Fuv7PlFVsEZDdKgab0ht2ej1L3J8y79sKrrxZTss/s400/HTPKG200278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-7968843842952041772011-11-03T06:01:00.003-06:002011-11-03T06:04:19.401-06:00They say things come in three'sAnd now, I'm waiting for the 'other shoe to drop'.<br />
<br />
There are times in life that a little sweet tooth is a good thing!<br />
Yesterday for example.<br />
As chilly as it is, I was in the mood for some icecream that I knew was in the deep freeze..just a regular vanilla icecream with the hard chocolate coating, comes on a stick..I know you know the type right?<br />
<br />
So..off I go to the deep freeze and pull out said icecream. I open it from the bottom so I can grab the stick..and when I pulled out the stick there was no icecream on it.<br />
The icecream was still in the package. HUH?<br />
So I stuck the stick back in and ...uhhoohh.<br />
I wiggled the stick...uhoooh..<br />
I gave the icecream a little squeeze and I got a 'squish'........ohhh noooo!<br />
Quickly I run back to the freezer and sure enough, some of the 'boxed' and bagged items on the top were on the 'soft' side. Bread, icecream, pizza, that type of stuff. Just the stuff directly on top. <br />
I knelt down beside the freezer and checked the settings. Still the same.<br />
I turned it up and I heard it..the whine of a compressor trying to kick in but failing miserably to do so. <br />
<br />
OH DAMN! no no no..tell me it's not so. I shut the freezer down..waiting about 10 minutes and tried again. This time, there wasn't even a whine.<br />
<br />
With heavy head I rose from the floor and dialed the hubs at work. It was just at his lunch break. I told him the bad news. We had no choice but to buy another freezer. There was nearly a years worth of food in this freezer. I couldn't even 'can' it all in time to save it all.<br />
The real kicker...we had just paid the credit card off and now......egads, we were gonna have to use it.<br />
<br />
Onto the 'net' I went to seek out the best deal I could find. Hubs would pick one up on his way to work (if I found one in that area). Looking through all the 'big guys appliances' I found Sears carried the best deal unless I ordered it online through Home Depot. Then it wouldn't arrive for a week.<br />
Uhmm no.<br />
Just so happens our local Sears outlet (small store) had the one we wanted on the floor. Hubs got home and out we went. Purchased said freezer, got it home and inside to plug up.<br />
You have to plug them up and let them get cold for about 12 hours before you can load them up ya know.<br />
<br />
Luckily, I am fully aware of the kind of power outages we have here, so the bottom of my freezer is loaded with a layer of frozen milk jugs filled with water. As long as I don't open it much, the things in the freezer will stay frozen and cold. This is a good thing.<br />
<br />
See many many moons ago..We collected milk jug after milk jug, cleaned them and filled them all with water. We emptied the freezer to give it a cleaning and when we went to refill it, the jugs went in first. Then I put a sheet of plexiglass on top of them to act as a 'bottom' shelf, then refilled our freezer.<br />
This does two things. A full freezer takes less energy then a 1/2 full one, and the frozen jugs in the bottom would keep things frozen for a much longer period of time, should there be an extended electrical outage. Besides all that, once the water started to thaw, you can use it for drinking and cooking.<br />
<br />
Today..I am thankful I did that.<br />
<br />
As we are loading up the freezer hubs says to me "So tell me, is this number one or number two..please tell me it's number two." <br />
I asked him what he was talking about..cuz he was making no sense!<br />
He replied, "You know as well as I do, things come in three's ..so tell me this is number two."<br />
<br />
I giggled..but had to inform him.."Nope..this is number one"..<br />
<br />
He hung his head, mumbled something incoherent under his breath and walked away.<br />
<br />
I have my fingers crossed. Although, I'll have to uncross them today as I transfer all the food over from one freezer to the next. It's cold finger day...no crossing possible. <br />
<br />
See ya next time..down on the farm!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-73584822787333294072011-10-25T16:06:00.000-06:002011-10-25T16:06:34.148-06:00100 acres of people? Oh no!Fifteen years ago I moved here to the country. We've lived surrounded by acres and acres of farm land (not my own mind you) surrounding our house and across the road. There were (are) no other houses near mine. None. Matter of fact, by distance measurement alone, my closest neighbor is home to many.. it's a graveyard. <br />
<br />
About a year ago my country solitude received a shock with the simple placement of a 'for sale' sign on the land across the street. ACK!!! I watched the sign daily at first. Then weekly as it didn't move nor did it ever get the 'sold' placard stamped across it's face. I started to relax. Maybe nobody wanted it. He did have a high price on it and it was 100 acres to be sold in one unit, he would not break it up. If I remember correctly, he wanted 30,000 an acre for it. 100 x's 30,000 is like 300,000.00 That's a lot for land around here. It would never sell. (of course, there are idiots everywhere ya know)<br />
<br />
Apparently the owner found one. The sign was removed at the beginning of this week and today heavy equipment started moving in to clear it out. My heart is broken as I fear my idyllic solitary country life will no longer be solitary.<br />
For some reason, I don't believe a 'single' house is going to go in. For some reason my gut is telling me that 100 acres will make a prime location for a neighborhood. 100 acres, that's lots of subdivision space ya know. At an acre per house, that's 100 houses. (OHMYGAWD!) At 2 acres per house, that's 50 houses. (GULP!)<br />
<br />
Shudder the thought that they make them 1/4 acre lots! <br />
<br />
One, I might could deal with...but 100??? (or more)<br />
(breathe..breathe)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-5255270601134308972011-10-14T07:08:00.000-06:002011-10-14T07:09:00.264-06:00It's officialAfter today, I will no longer fall prey to the viscous cycle of cell phone contracts & payments. Oh no. The hubs and I have decided to rid ourselves of what we truly find as a 'want' and not a need.<br />
Now, you must know, hubs is going to keep a cell phone, but not one under contract.<br />
He had to keep a phone for two reasons. One: for work purposes and Two; He drives in large amounts
of traffic, two hours daily ; Ok, so we'll have ONE phone and go the cheapest route we can.<br />
He has purchased a "Straight Talk' phone, and gotten the cheaper 'card plan' to go with it. <br />
One phone.<br />
I am home 90% of the time, so tell me why in the world would *I* <b>need </b>a cell phone?<br />
I have a home phone.<br />
<br />
We saw no reason to pay for things on a phone that we do not use. Yes, we are of the old mind set, that a phone is a phone. Not a net surfing object or something to type on. It's a phone. You talk on the damned thing.<br />
<br />Our previous cell phone bills ran about 100$ or more a month. We've knocked that down now to $30. <br />
I am pleased with this decision. Everyone complains about the 'cost of things' but very rarely will 'do what it takes to lower those costs'. We are now doing.<br />
We find it odd however, with all the technology that we have reached that the companies want to take such advantage of it and charge so much for it. Cell phones are an everyday thing now. WHY are they costing people so much?<br />
It's much like 'HD' on your tv. The signal comes in 'HD' period..so why are they charging you to 'have HD signal"? HUH? Makes no sense to me. So..I don't pay for it. They give it to me free, or not at all. But that's another post all together.<br />
<br />
Anyway..I am now cell free. If you call my home and I'm not there, leave a damned message. You don't have to track me down. <br />
<br />
Woohooo..one less thing to worry about 'forgetting' as I walk out the door too!<br />
It is a revelation!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-80396127590293835342011-10-12T05:48:00.000-06:002011-10-12T05:48:34.152-06:00Traveling back in timeI have returned from my jaunt to the past. After boarding our time machine and zipping through the wormhole we emerged in the Middle Ages to partake of a fun filled weekend of Royal Court, Jousting, War and Feasts galore.<br />
Our chariot was jam packed with all the goodies we would need for the trip through time. (and I do mean jam packed!)<br />
We camped, we cooked, we ate, we attended Royal Court, jousting matches and drum circles. We gathered round fires to drink mead and share in the joy of conversation and laughs without the aid of modern conveniences. It was sad to have to see it end, but our time in the past was near over and again we loaded up our chariot and transported back through the wormhole into the current ages. I think I prefer the Middle Ages.<br />
Here are some pics for you to enjoy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEYTZ0x1LLZLNr1t_oVfEjbPBmcx0ydyjyThdj6OpGmB3WY-9lBToJvoL1Feq3w7W7lCxk9-KexDByzVU1o_81G-wtruLXYI-zkwZUphSh9kAbm9fiZeO1tK9n5J6lE_6ocRmqNEK8Y/s1600/20111009_166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEYTZ0x1LLZLNr1t_oVfEjbPBmcx0ydyjyThdj6OpGmB3WY-9lBToJvoL1Feq3w7W7lCxk9-KexDByzVU1o_81G-wtruLXYI-zkwZUphSh9kAbm9fiZeO1tK9n5J6lE_6ocRmqNEK8Y/s320/20111009_166.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Royal Court</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMUs6jy0lhDygCHQYzsQetHjGVQfrP5LnqowRhTsfcPg46z0SwDVK7CxtUhTaJ42hwP4GEH2PJl4IzO6BBJwYdO_RX-fYWBk4d8FPIjyNnTI4TgH6uvAzPpcuum7Ru3MfohAoRGR6g7U/s1600/20111009_8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMUs6jy0lhDygCHQYzsQetHjGVQfrP5LnqowRhTsfcPg46z0SwDVK7CxtUhTaJ42hwP4GEH2PJl4IzO6BBJwYdO_RX-fYWBk4d8FPIjyNnTI4TgH6uvAzPpcuum7Ru3MfohAoRGR6g7U/s320/20111009_8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elchenburg Castle </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTE2yr1b1-8V2TOqAnXHR6_m8xqZbdxmJpCdKRWS1VMP1IobRRTeYvkDvBaCrHtKs6HSCOpbESuY8nzQdAvQPnXwGkJaiKZDjuHJ4G1H-jRzcdHpfOEgLzHc8bBZTh1ivXYTNcZ8NwCI/s1600/20111009_76.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTE2yr1b1-8V2TOqAnXHR6_m8xqZbdxmJpCdKRWS1VMP1IobRRTeYvkDvBaCrHtKs6HSCOpbESuY8nzQdAvQPnXwGkJaiKZDjuHJ4G1H-jRzcdHpfOEgLzHc8bBZTh1ivXYTNcZ8NwCI/s320/20111009_76.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Jousting Field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpk7cayAzET5J30WQUMHnpzcnat-lVljBGQ9sBg0v719bkgfa8eKzmRqfxp3CBllq7DQelphfwEo4NFPwzUJ51oeNC4jTSmy0NAkhmx4UdoiNyx1kD93pxaVld5d72VebBPvV_lMuCEU/s1600/20111009_84.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpk7cayAzET5J30WQUMHnpzcnat-lVljBGQ9sBg0v719bkgfa8eKzmRqfxp3CBllq7DQelphfwEo4NFPwzUJ51oeNC4jTSmy0NAkhmx4UdoiNyx1kD93pxaVld5d72VebBPvV_lMuCEU/s320/20111009_84.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Jouster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you would like to see more photos you can go "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.286500191375178.77862.100000455984041&type=3">HERE</a>" to see my facebook album (because it takes forever to upload them onto blogger)<br />
<br />
This event was an "<a href="http://www.sca.org/">SCA</a>" event. So if it intrigues you or interests you, I urge you to check out the <a href="http://www.sca.org/">SCA </a>page, maybe you'll join us next time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-67103373160197646292011-09-18T07:55:00.000-06:002011-09-18T07:55:53.312-06:00Schools IN!!!SCHOOLS IN!! Time get looped up??
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<br />
<a href="http://failblog.org/2009/09/06/school-supplies-fail/"><img alt="fail owned pwned pictures" class="mine_5105165" height="375" src="http://failblog.wordpress.com/files/2009/08/fail-owned-school-supplies-fail.jpg" title="fail-owned-school-supplies-fail" width="500" /></a><br />
see more <a href="http://failblog.org/">Epic Fails</a>
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See ya next time......down on the farm!
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<br />
SageUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-5776431277038942672011-08-31T05:00:00.000-06:002011-08-31T05:00:05.377-06:00Ahh the pumpkin!While chatting with a friend the other day, she reminded me I had never put up the pictures of the 'canned' pumpkin! Soooo without futher ado..here it is<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAGPanRs3-tSEvsc-A8xWXs3qLmL7obfCngtkKmnCxr7fibXZjOfismskHDiYXj0to4OA21g-ZZSkVT1fizyjcKx_LXRGX588RrsBfl6NZdFFi-IL-0nSWmud6CfUmJo3cQ5PDsf80TI/s1600/20110819_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAGPanRs3-tSEvsc-A8xWXs3qLmL7obfCngtkKmnCxr7fibXZjOfismskHDiYXj0to4OA21g-ZZSkVT1fizyjcKx_LXRGX588RrsBfl6NZdFFi-IL-0nSWmud6CfUmJo3cQ5PDsf80TI/s320/20110819_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I ended up with 6 jars I believe..all about 3/4ths full. :) It's slightly sweetened..and ready to use! YUM!<br />
<br />
Here's the larder for this year..(and a few from last years still)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QFhAEa_rBsugiegZ9NPAX7r6bP0jGuXSrMyI-vOASWn4bFOwfFF-fQ0zwGLAHCaYNq0l9mqbQr8GgOESOpDjcfu-AYO1PFssHedwXfpgqEI-BVhnaA_F5UyytYG4iH_687b7SBlYOwg/s1600/20110819_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QFhAEa_rBsugiegZ9NPAX7r6bP0jGuXSrMyI-vOASWn4bFOwfFF-fQ0zwGLAHCaYNq0l9mqbQr8GgOESOpDjcfu-AYO1PFssHedwXfpgqEI-BVhnaA_F5UyytYG4iH_687b7SBlYOwg/s320/20110819_7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Jellies, figs, tomatoes, chicken, sauerkraut and a few other odds and ends I'm sure! (that empty space at the very top, is where the canner usually sits..handy spot!<br />
Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-6474223709556482722011-08-29T05:36:00.000-06:002011-08-29T05:36:40.974-06:00ExampleThe previous post was written in earnest! For the upper U.S. states, where rain just kept coming, Irene was a disaster.<br />
As I posted before "Think" and ask your self how will you get by without water, electric or <b>no way out,</b> I point you in this direction..<br />
<br />
<i>["in Plattsville, New York, seven families who thought they had escaped the wrath of Irene in Brooklyn were stranded in the Catskill Mountains Monday after bridges crumbled all around them.</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><i>"We're sitting in one room, and it's a horrible situation and there is no way out," said Irina Noveck, who was stuck along with 22 other adults and children. "Kids are getting scared, food is getting spoiled."]</i><br />
<br />
And this<br />
<br />
["<i>Vermont State Police Capt. Ray Keefe said Wilmington is "cut off," hundreds of roads had been closed, and some homes were washed into lakes."]</i><br />
<br />
You can find the above quotes in this article <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/29/irene.aftermath/index.html">here</a>.<i> </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
It cannot be stressed enough..be prepared, have 1st and 2nd alternatives! <br />
<br />
Soon..we'll discuss 'generators'. Good? bad? or useless?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-86317335382728314012011-08-28T10:25:00.008-06:002011-08-28T11:42:53.781-06:00Irene was a test runI have to say this, only because ..well just because.<br />
(Long ranting type post, be prepared!)<br />
Living between South Carolina, Florida and Texas for the past 30 years, lends that I am in hurricane territory. I do write this from some experience.<br />
I have watched the news reports and reporters on Hurricane Irene for the past week and I can honestly say these things. Some of you may not like what I'm about to say. Period. Be prepared for that. <br />
<ul><li>No, where I live did not get 'a direct hit ' from Irene (just some outer bands) I've been hit before.</li>
</ul><ul><li>I am not downplaying the damage that was done, a good portion of the east coast did suffer some damage from Irene. I hope for everyone who did have to deal with her, the damage was minimal. </li>
</ul><ul><li>The newscasters <b>must </b>be paid to make it out to be much worse then it is because they made it seem like she was going to rip the US east coast apart. </li>
</ul><ul><li>People are spoiled to their conveniences, like electricity and cars. </li>
</ul>I saw and heard so much with this past 'storm' that it was enough to make me think about how 'unprepared' people really are. How much they rely on the conveniences of modern day to get them through. What happens when those modern conveniences may <b>NOT </b>be available to them..what will they do? What will <b>YOU </b>do?<br />
<br />
I personally think Irene was way over played, but at the same time, I think many people took the <b>possibilities </b>that <b>any </b>storm can create, and made light of it.<br />
How many people expected things to 'still be available' to them today? Like cars, and open stores and places to 'run get something'!!?!<br />
If <b>you </b>didn't have electricity this morning..why would you expect someone else to have electricity? Why would you expect someone else to get up and go to work (in an emergency situation) so they could provide a convenience for everyone else? How arrogant is that?<br />
That store owner or worker may have suffered damages from the storm in ways that you have not thought of, not to mention no electricity at the work place or at their home. Relying on 'others' for personal comforts is NOT the way to get through an emergency. <br />
<br />
Having said all that (and deleting some things because..well just because) let's talk about preparedness. I actually don't like that word. It makes it sound like something 'extra' you have to do, and being ready should any emergency arise should <b>not </b>be an '<b>extra</b>' thing, it should be second nature (nothing in life is certain!).<br />
<br />
Have we forgotten we CAN survive without electric or do we always expect there to be the ability to 'have what we want' in times of trouble? Grow up people. Electricity really isn't a necessity to survival..it's only a necessity to convenience. Learn to plan ahead before the emergency approaches. Get it?<br />
.<br />
Being ready for any emergency is a must. It doesn't take a ton of money either, it just takes some planning and forethought.<br />
I could put all the things on a convenient list to check off, but that's not what I'm trying to get across. We need to learn to THINK !!<br />
Sit down and think about your normal day, what you do, every day and what it takes to get things accomplished. Just the daily stuff, food, bathing, bathroom, etc. (write it down if you have to)<br />
<br />
Now picture doing them without electricity. What would you need to get it done without electricity. Got that in your head?<br />
Good, now think about doing all those things without 'running' water. No electric...no water. How would you do it? What could you do or not do without those two seemingly vital things? Got that in your head. Good, now one more time I'm going to ask you to THINK.<br />
You have no electric, no water and now you have no transportation. Not necessarily because you don't have a vehicle sitting outside full of gas (cuz you thought this would be enough) but that all the roads are washed away, blocked by down trees, or for petes sake, blocked by the powers that be due to a state of emergency or martial law. <br />
Now..what is it going to take for you to 'survive', even comfortably so, where you are, providing daily requirements for you and your family?<br />
Now, think about doing it for more then a day, 2 days or even 3. Think about it for 2 weeks, 4 weeks..2 months. <br />
Be honest with yourself now..are you REALLY PREPARED for an emergency?<br />
If you're honest, the answer is 'no', probably not. <br />
<br />
Our ancestors would never have thought about being 'prepared' for an emergency. Their entire life by OUR standards was an emergency. They were always prepared. No electric, no running water and most times no transportation anywhere. They survived it, the thrived..you're here aren't you?<br />
So for one day of your life, be a founding family and survive just a day without the spoiled conveniences. See how far you get. <br />
Then rethink your life in an emergency situation. Picture yourself in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Joplin_tornado">Joplin </a>MS. when they suffered that horrible tornado..they still have not rebuilt that town and it's been months. Where is everyone?<br />
Consider these other hurricanes, works of nature that put areas in to 'states of emergency'..for days, weeks and months! (click on each one to read about them)<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina#Gulf_Coast">Katrina</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Hugo">Hugo</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Charley">Charley</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Andrew">Andrew</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ivan">Ivan</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Rita">Rita</a><br />
<br />
Now go and 'think' for a while on preparedness. It's not just 'stocks' of supplies, it's being able to use your brain to create what you need..that is biggest key to preparedness, the brain...thinking ahead and know how. <br />
<br />
I may do more posts on this very subject soon.<br />
<br />
Now on to another similar topic at hand. <br />
Knowing this, here is a prediction for you. Irene was a dry run. (Unfortunately..many people failed).<br />
She was a forerunner to something bigger. There have not been any major storms to hit the east coast since about 2004 (going on memory, 2004 was when Florida took great hits from Gustav and Ivan to name a few)<br />
That's somewhere between 5 and 8 years since a major hurricane. I say Irene is a forerunner, a warning to get prepared, to use your head and to think things through. <br />
Simple prediction..the next big one, will hit, the east coast somewhere and will hit sometime.. (Of course, we always hope not.......and I always hope I'm wrong..but what if I'm not?)<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-9210337046733973862011-08-10T16:49:00.001-06:002011-08-10T16:51:19.047-06:00Canner timeOk...so here's the 'scoop'! Scoop..pumpkin..get it? LOL<br />
The pumpkin was baked. I scooped the soft pumpkin into the jars filling them about 1/2 or a little better with pumpkin.(<i>trust me..it was a soft squishy dense product..there was no ability to cut in chunks..period!)</i><br />
I boiled up a medium syrup..for every 3 cups of water, I used 1 & 3/4 C sugar. <br />
<br />
Lids were prepared, rims were wiped and jars sealed. Into the canner they went. I also opted to put one quart in the freezer and I still have some in the fridge which I intend to make pumpkin butter with. I don't know that I'll can that or freezer (I KNOW you're not supposed to can it, but...)<br />
The rocker on my canner is singing sweetly to me, rocking back and forth as I type. YUM..canned pre-sweetened (slightly) pumpkin! Easy enough to use for pumpkin pies, bread, muffins or quick pumpkin butter to stick in the fridge for the week. <br />
<br />
If you've never had pumpkin butter then let me tell you, it's like eating pumpkin pie! (on toast!)<br />
So below you will find a pumpkin butter recipe. Tomorrow, I'll try to post pics of the canned pumpkin. :) ENJOY!<br />
<br />
PUMPKIN BUTTER<br />
<br />
3 1/2 to 4 Cups of pumpkin puree (your own or you can use store bought canned pumpkin*) <br />
2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
3/4 C. apple cider<br />
1 C. brown sugar OR 1 1/2 C. white sugar<br />
2 tsp. ground cinnamon<br />
2 tsp. ground ginger<br />
1 tsp. ground nutmeg<br />
<br />
(Hint: You can also add cloves to this mix, but cloves are extremely strong, be mindful of how much you add. Start small, taste and add to your liking. I usually add about 1/2 tsp to this mix)<br />
<br />
Combine all ingredients into a large pot, mix well and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 mins. Put into sterilized jars, cap and let cool. Refrigerate and use. :)<br />
*NOT PUMPKIN PIE MIX!You'll never be sorry..trust me. <br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-16037616009439443642011-08-10T08:02:00.001-06:002011-08-10T16:24:07.583-06:00It's PUMPKIN time!No, it's not Halloween..but it is pumpkin time around here!<br />
I planted lots of sugar pumpkins this year. They are of course ready and have been sitting on my kitchen table for a week.<br />
The time has come to 'can' them up! <br />
I read up on some of the easiest ways to can them, more so on how to peel them and cut them up. Suffice it to say, cutting them into junks while raw is not too much of an option unless you want to stand there and peel and wear your hands out all day.<br />
NOT ME!<br />
<br />
The better choice (for me at least) was to cut them in half, gut them (sounds gross don't it?), cut them into large chunks and bake them till they were semi soft. Then you scoop the pumpkin out and jar it, then pressure can for 90 mins on 10lbs psi for a quart<br />
(The USDA does not recommend making pumpkin butter or pumpkin puree due to it's density)<br />
<br />
I plan to scoop and fill the jar to 1/2, add medium syrup then pressure can. I hope this will negate some of that density. Either way..I'm canning it up! .<br />
(I'll also have less pumpkin per jar, so I'll be doing quart jars instead of the pints)<br />
<br />
Let me tell you, cutting pumpkins is hard!<br />
But, all my pumpkins are cut, gutted and chunked into sections and are now in the oven. They do have to bake a long time so I've got several hours before the canning process starts. It's just good to know the hard part is over! WHEW!<br />
There is a faster way to 'precook' them, and that is with a microwave. Since I detest using a microwave ..this was not an option for me.<br />
Besides all that, the microwave that I DO have is extremely small so I could only do 1 pumpkin at a time! It would probably take me the same amount of time as baking the whole lot at once!<br />
Now it's off to find something else to do with my time while the pumpkins bake. <br />
TA TA for now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-53268496771658572912011-08-08T20:52:00.000-06:002011-08-08T20:52:54.101-06:00Can someone tell me....Why it's nearly 11pm and it's still 82 degrees outside????<br />
<br />
It's so muggy and hot here, that my windows are starting to sweat on the inside? WTH?<br />
<br />
For about two weeks now we've avoided going outside at all costs.<br />
(It's a good thing I put extra hay in the chicken coop, cuz I haven't cleaned it in two weeks either!) <br />
I do check it every day and so far it's not suffering too badly.<br />
You know why the coop hasn't suffered? I'm letting the chickens out very early instead of at noon..because at noon, I don't want to walk outside! It's too hot!<br />
<br />
We have had a few days of afternoon showers. I'm not sure this has helped with the heat, but the grass appreciated it.<br />
What little is left in the garden appreciated it to. The garden is pretty much done for the year of course. I've got a table full of sugar pumpkins that I will need to do something with soon.<br />
The 'hot' peppers (various type) are still going strong and doing well. I think they like the heat.<br />
(Seems the peppers are hotter this year too!)<br />
I'm still fighting ants occasionally. (I can smell snow for our winter!)<br />
<br />
The only thing I've semi regretted on a near daily basis is I have to pass an embroidery sign in my kitchen that says "Make hay while the sun shines" and I just don't have the heart to go out in this heat to make ANYTHING!<br />
<br />
Sad isn't it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-42049984322608516732011-08-06T03:01:00.002-06:002011-08-07T04:01:44.695-06:00In loving MemoryI woke this morning....once at 3 am...and again at 4. Not that this is necessarily unusual, but it was significant for me. Today is August 6. Three years ago, on this date...just at 4am, my phone rang. I didn't get to it before the answering machine cut on..time '4:03'..Tony said my name..and hung up. I STILL have that message on my machine. He waited a minute and called back. I got that call. Click <a href="http://sagewoodfarm.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html">here </a>to read:<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233833300845082322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAsg8IStDBmTOlFfqblyxaa4u89M98aysE3QsyxcS_4Cgdc_6zKPwaw7IIB3YL4erSYwKQ9ue0HPTHxqRS_ONWaAY3COxzhp2C5amgryoCRdpoJjRfZGbDeASuVo3HLNq_3dy7y_2Ogk/s320/newspic.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<div align="center">In memory of</div><div align="center">Deputy Dennis Carl Compton</div><div align="center">Badge #535</div><div align="center">Colleton County Sheriffs Department</div><br />
<div align="center">End of watch: 08-06-08</div><br />
<div align="center">"Mama take this badge off of me...I can't use it anymore"</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382638142533270994.post-70947539486418603752011-08-02T19:30:00.000-06:002011-08-02T19:30:07.053-06:00ANTS!!!!!They come in the house..you don't know they are there, they are quiet & sneaky. Unlike a mouse, they leave no 'indication' they have been there. <br />
<br />
What happens is, you go to get something out of your cabinet, totally unawares of the little crawlers and suddenly, you have 5 of them on your hand, you look down and see several on the counter. As your eyes move up and scan the item you just pulled out of your cabinet, you see several crawling on it and then you make the mistake of looking inside!!<br />
<i>(ACK!) </i><br />
It's loaded with ants! This could be anything from crackers to marshmallows. Trust me the bag of marshmallows I pulled out yesterday looked like hunks of swiss cheese ! <br />
<br />
I began pulling other things out of the cabinet that ended up in the trash or fed to the chickens. Crackers, raisins, said bag of marshmallows and several other items that I can't even remember right now. <br />
<br />
Strangely enough, here is what they did NOT eat or get into, pasta (go figure) and chocolate chips ..Now, I have to ask..WHY? Do ants 'know' what's bad or something?<br />
<br />
Either way, I fought ants, wiping and spraying, checking food and moving items (thank goodness for tin cans) for most of the day.<br />
Then a whole day goes by and I keep checking for ants, no sign. Good, maybe I've taken care of it again (this has already happened 2x's this year). So tonight I'm in the kitchen putting away dinner. I pull out a plastic storage container ..it was moving!<br />
THEY'RE HERE!<br />
Again.<br />
What in the world could they possibly be after in THIS cabinet. There is nothing there but plastic containers and lids. AND OH MY GAWD..the lids! They were coated in the little buggers!<br />
<br />
Needless to say, everything was dumped into the dishwasher, the cabinet emptied and sprayed and again tonight I'm fighting ants.<br />
Someone give me a clue! I've tried everything!<br />
WHY do ants come in?<br />
(just a hint here so that you'll know in advance. I've lived here at this same spot for 15 years..and this is only the 2nd time this has happened. First, the summer of 2009 and now the summer of 2011) What has happened here! And we just got rain, so they're not looking for water..<br />
<br />
You know..the summer of 2009 we had an ant invasion from hell. That winter, we got like almost 8 inches of snow...had a white out here for several hours, lots of ice, trees down, etc. (UNHEARD of for Southern South Carolina puhlease!) Then, last summer, no ants. I was relieved. Last winter, no snow, not that cold even.<br />
Could this be a sign of things to come? Is it going to snow on us again this year? hmmm..makes me wonder!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0