Black Berry Vines, Pro-biotics, and Wild Flower Festival

 

 

The blackberry vines are full of blooms this year, from all the rain we’ve had. I won’t be long until we start to see fruit all around the yard! 

I’ve been experimenting with Kefir  and I can’t wait to have some of these fresh berries to go into my smoothie!  This morning  I  had frozen Raspberries-Banana and cocoa kefir smoothie.  It was tart…but delicious!

I’m reading more and more about Pro-biotics—Home made and Natural.  It’s beneficial to your health in ways I don’t completely understand. But I am seeing changes in my over-all well being. I’ve eaten this now for two weeks a little bit every day –and sometimes homemade plain yogurt with fruit and flax-seed added.   I’m not having near the stomach ailments I was having before.  I can tell it has affected my blood-sugar levels in a positive way as well!

The other thing I’ve tried in the past few months is LACTO-FERMENTED Veggies…well, in this case fruit. Papaya.  I bought a jar online a while back and have been eating a fork full a day.  THAT!  IS. AN. ACQUIRED. TASTE.  But I’m getting there.  I’ll tell you the very best thing I’ve seen come out of this--

One of our newest grand-babies has been having a time with his feedings.  He’s been to the ER twice already in his short little life—and he’s had 3 different types of formula.  Still he has what is can only be classified as Colic. (though I’m a skeptic)  Anyway—after doing some reading.  I tried putting a 1/4 tsp of lacto-fermented papaya juice into his bottle. (1/4 tsp to a 4 oz. bottle)  Whoa!  What a difference that made.   This might sound crazy to some—but I didn’t tell his momma (my daughter) until day 2 of trying this. The thing is – she told me, “Mom, last night was the best night I’ve had with my baby since he’s been born.”   I told her.  She couldn’t believe it.  Both she and her husband were amazed at the difference it made for Sebastyan.   He is happier and more comfortable. He isn’t having the gas or the bowel problems he was having before. He is able to sleep and most of all he isn’t screaming as if he is in pain!  That was the worst.  You just feel so helpless when they get that way.

** I’m not a doctor and I am NOT recommending this for you or your baby.  This is just my own testimony. Please be responsible and do your research; before trying this for you or your family. (if you do and have good results go ahead and share it with me. I’d love to hear about it!)

Tomorrow ( Saturday)  is our wedding anniversary. Our little town is having the 2nd Annual Wild-flower Festival – I think we’re going to go there in the morning after breakfast. There is also a big yard-sale- fund raiser for a Women’s Shelter.  I might visit there…see what we find!

We are supposed to have wonderful weather this weekend.  I’m looking forward to a couple of days—just the two us. ;)

Do you have any plans for the weekend?  What’s going on where you are?

‘Til next time,

Be a blessing to someone around you.

Patricia

:: No Water, No Bath for Buster-

 

Sunday we were supposed to have warm weather and sunshine. 

I was going to get Buster a bath.  It was time—and he needed needs one…but instead Saturday LATE… late afternoon, we discovered we had a leak.  I thought we did!   In fact, I knew when I opened up the water bill last month that we did.  It was just a matter of finding it.

I really thought our old float and flap—in the tank, in our only bathroom might be the culprit.  But no.  So where?   There were no standing puddles in the yard.

Honey found it Saturday.  The ground was only mushy. 

It was near the meter and the outdoor spigot—way out by the road!  Hmmmppphhh… out of sight, out of mind.  

Sunday, we got up and started digging… and had to dig not one but 2 small trenches to let water run off that was standing inside the meter box… you can’t see the other trench, but it’s under that pallet, heading off to the left! What appears to be trash, is soup cans and an old cookie sheet, necessary tools for plumbing leaks!

We were certain it was just a small little leak… REALLY, no standing water, except what was inside that meter box. It was like  A BUCKET FULL.  We haven’t had a freeze hard enough to get down in the ground, the water spigot was covered… so we couldn’t figure it out.

Honey, got a little over zealous with the digging… and the next thing you know… TINK!  The shovel stops, he almost falls over forward into the mud… and well, Our small, undetermined leak, became a larger ‘gully-warsher’ !!!

So, we had to draw up some water—and keep it off over night—and He worked on it today with our youngest Son…doing most of the grunt work.  Thank the LORD…for our boys!  Always ready to help dad out. 

I didn’t get a whole lot done today.  Certainly, not much washing.  I ran the vacuum and swept the entry and the bathroom--- but after my guys came in a couple of times from the mud, well, I gave up on that!  This evening, I got the dishes washed after the water was turned back on—thank goodness, I had them all done up before we turned the water off, so there wasn’t very many!  Got the bathroom all cleaned up… and the trash can emptied. NOT BAD FOR A MONDAY!

Now… if the warmer days hold off, so Buster can get his bath! 

It’s blurry…but he won’t sit still- he thinks he’s still a puppy and wants in my lap. This is what he does.  He BEGS!  “please let me up.”

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



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Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. ~ Psalm 37: 3-5

:: I went Back for This!

Last week when we went to the Hardware store for laundry supplies and things… we were coming home and LOOKY LOOKY!
Guess who was out near the road?

:: Tricky Mail Driver-Treating Grandsons-Trees Confused

 

Slept last night with the window open—that’s our M.O. – until last year.  We had a pretty damp winter;  it was a different sort of cold so we ended up closing the window.  Honey insists on having it open—to ward off bacteria and germs!   He said it worked when he was in the Army—it should work now.

Anyway—as I lay there with my back aching… thinking about a HOT SHOWER,  I could hear the neighbor’s (on the corner) Turkey.  As he is getting bigger—his ‘gobble’ is louder and louder.  It’s November 1st… I’m wondering if his days are numbered?  Is he a Thanksgiving Turkey or a Christmas Turkey?

I took my shower and when I came out to the kitchen—I could smell the coffee and the wood burning stove going!  Honey had a toasty fire going already.  He’s so thoughtful.

After Coffee I went outside to put the mail in the box—and when the mail lady finally came…you’ll never believe it—she stopped and then took off!  My flag was up and everything!  I’m glad I saw her. 

Honey asked me “WHAT IS SHE DOING?!”

I stepped out onto the porch and hollered as loud as I could… “HEY… YOU FORGOT MY MAIL!”   Because that’s what I do in the midst of confusion… start HOLLERIN’ -

She stopped at my daughters and was getting out of the truck…and she hollered back at me--

“I’ll be right back!” 

ME:  BLANK STARE… @@   clearly I wasn’t believing my eyes or my ears.

She took a package to my daughters door. Then by the time I got to her truck with my outgoing mail—she was telling me she had a small package and some mail for me.

WAIT! WHAT?!

THEN … she tried to hand my outgoing mail back to me.   I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt – hoping she was just having an OFF day, but seriously… I question her methods of delivering the mail.

This is not our daily driver either.  Our daily driver is my son in laws Momma—we share the grand kids next door.  I never have problems when she is driving… just her SUB. 

Since I was next door getting my mail… after, practically chasing the mail truck down—I stopped in to see how the TRICKING AND TREATING WENT LAST NIGHT.  The boys loaded me up with all their least favorite candies…

 

Wha?!  You don’t like TWIZZLERS AND PEANUT BUTTER TAFFY?   or SWEET-TARTS!!!

I have to question if these are my grand children.  They even sent a couple of FUN SIZE Butter fingers over for Honey. :)

I took this picture of the Catalpa Tree out front.  Claudia @ Mockingbird Hill Cottage says the leaves are falling off hers—but as you can plainly see, our Catalpa trees must be confused.  They have new growth!

Lastly, I took a picture of the 4 O’clocks.  Still blooming!  Even more so than a couple of weeks ago!   I was reminded elsewhere and now by this little plant…

TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK!

*** my pictures are a tad on the blurry side—do not attempt to adjust the screen it’s pure and simple—iPhone magic!

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9

:: Visiting Tree Frog--

Early in the summer or late in the spring—the fence came down out back and so did lots and lots of trees.  We’ve had so many different species of birds and other creatures in our yard—birds I’ve seen over the years; but just not so close and personal.  One day last week- we had the pleasure of seeing this little guy on our porch—

:: Other Than…::

JUST eating during an icy cold snap…I actually did do other things.

Like make sure the chickens had water to drink, instead of ICE in their bucket.
Layered more HAY in on top of the old stuff in the coop.  (click the link to read about the DEEP LITTER METHOD)

Inside the house--
I gave Buster a bath-
He got cold…

 
so I put this old sweater on him.  :)  I do not think he liked it.

I let him outside again today…and he went right outside and rolled around in something stinky!  Hmmmpph! He’s an ungrateful little pup. :/

The temps finally got up to about 47° by this afternoon…and I had 3 stir crazy Littles… we donned our jackets and caps and all went outside just to walk around the property and catch some fresh air…(no running, because of the cough two of them have).

I found what Buster had rolled around in way out back… (don’t worry I won’t show you a picture of it)
But I also found THIS!



See that dark green spot in the middle of that picture?
That is mashed down and crushed/bruised grass…



There are about 4 spots in this picture…  care to guess what that is from?
This is right outside my back door.
And it leads to this…



See these patches of obvious DISTURBED DIRT?  There be HOGS!!!
Yes! Those are Hog tracks and they are all over the back pasture. 

We've never in 18 years seen anything like this on our property.
Hogs are all over out here and it is pretty much open season on them.
T.H. wants to put one in the freezer so bad!  

I hope he gets a chance to do it. 

That would make his day…week, month YEAR!

Til next time, Be Blessed!



 
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2: 5-8

:: My Home in Summer ::

I've been going through some photos that I've taken this summer, while playing around with my camera.
If you remember, I got a NEW-ish camera in June. 

Anyway-- there is talk between us (the Honey and Myself) of moving. Yes. I hadn't wanted to share it yet. Because well, ...talk is cheap.  Moving isn't. 
But with that popping in and out of the conversation...it is making me look at my home differently.

:: Buster, Defender of Yard Birds ::

Taking a walk for the first time around the yard... free from the cage. Free to chase the Grasshopper. 

And chase they did.

:: Ethel's Chicken Saddle Update ::

It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since Ethel donned her party dress and stepped out of the coop with her protective gear...new duds!  This is her yesterday at the watering hole. 

:: Chicken Supremes::

You remember these hens... 

They started out being 1/2 dozen hens. Until we had a predator coming into the yard.

So now there are just 3 hens.

(they are not French... they are just hens) 

:: Now there are Nine ::

*edited to add link to Chicken Saddle first installment.

When we last left Ethel ... she was wearing her new Chicken Saddle I made for her.
Apparently it made her butt look too big and she didn't like that. It ended up on the floor of the coop.

"Psst.... Hey, do you think this saddle makes my fluffy butt look big? "

So I got right to work and had her fitted with something much more slimming. 

A better fit. 

She wasn't quite sure what to think. 

"I think I'll go in the coop and ponder this while I lay an egg." 

" Excuse me...can't a girl get some privacy"

Don't mind me Ethel...just checking out that WHITE EGG!!! 

It came from this gal... 

we've gotten 3 so far this week. 

White Chicken = White Egg? ...hmm...guess so. 

I'm still so new at this chicken thing. 

I am always surprised by them! 

Oh! and here is Ethel. She finally came out to show off her new saddle. 

It's still on her and it's been almost 6 hours! 

In other news. 

KEETS! 

baby guineas. 

My grasshopper eaters. :)

We bought 10...2 died.

1 showed up in our yard.

My daughters Chi-Weenie  tried to eat it.

Poor thing. It could barely hold it's head up. It was breathing hard. 

"" DID YOU SEE THAT ...THING?! IT WAS TRYING TO EAT ME!!!"" 

"Good thing you came along when you did." 

I brought it inside and gave it an inspection. 

I took these photos today ... it's all better. 

Right side under the wing... some feather's pulled out.

Initially, The skin may have been broken in a small spot. 

A little bloody.

Below is the left side under wing for comparison. 

See ...feathers! 

                               What in the world does one do with a STRAY KEET?!
                                               A stray TERRIFIED Keet?! 
                                        A stray terrified DAMAGED KEET?

This is what this amateur poultry wrangler did. 

-I wrapped it in a towel.

-Cleaned the wound with water. 

-Layered triple antibiotic ointment on the broken skin (with pain reliever in it) 

and put it in a pot on the bathroom floor; then went out behind the barn to look for anymore!! 

Because it wasn't ours... our 8 were present and accounted for! 

After about 24 hours of being quarantined, in the mini-cooper, 

it was eating, drinking and pooping alright. 

Oh...and honking! This little guy can make some noise...seems to be a bit older than ours too. 

So... I put it in the tractor with the other 8 ... 

Now there are NINE! 

See?  if you stick with me long enough. 

I eventually come back round to it; 

and make my point. 

:) 

 

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37: 4

 

:: Chicken Saddles ::

My Barred Rock "Ethel" ...has a bad back. 

She is red and inflamed ...and the feathers just aren't coming in back there, like they need to be. 

Doesn't help that George is constantly "On her Back"

 

So, I did some research and found lots of articles for Chicken Saddles.  I thought they were more like an apron. But they go on her back, not her front... So saddle, it is! 

Looked easy enough... and I got to play around with my *new 1961 model Husqvarna Viking sewing Machine... 

Don't you just love that green color?  I've done lots of little tweaks to it and have been familiarizing myself with it...I hope to do a post on it soon. 

Anyway-- So far I've had TWO runs at making a Chicken Saddle. Well, One run, and then a DO-OVER... :)  

The first time-- I had snaps on it, where the elastic meets the widest part of the saddle. 

It was off of her in about 10 minutes! 

Then I used a seam ripper and took the snaps off and sewed the elastic into the seam there, again at the widest part... 

 and I got  it BACK on her. 

She wasn't impressed with my sewing skills, my choice of cute- country- motif -cotton- fabric 

Or having to wear it! 

She let me pet her... and I re-assured her that it would help. 

• It would help keep the sun off her back. 
• It would help keep Jayne AND the others from picking at her.
• AND! It would help keep George from being so GRABBY! 

He is ALL HANDS WHEN HE GETS AROUND HER... 

Hhmmph! 

She was liking it after that... 

I went out to check on her at dusk and to lock up... it was on the floor of the chicken run.

 I don't know if she took it off or if it came off while she and George were dancing. 

Back to the sewing machine to make more modifications. 

Any pointers from you chicken wranglers that have maybe used chicken saddles?

Do they come off pretty regularly? 

Does it take some time for her to get used to it? 

I'm thinking this one may be too big for Ethel... 

She might need a SMALL. 

Sunny Simple Life

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37: 4

:: A Sleeping Porch::

source:  whimsicalraindropcottage.tumblr.com

It's July 1...
and while most of the country is having a heat wave;
we are having a COOL FRONT. 

We're expecting temps in the 90's (*edited to say in the 80's!!!- can't complain!) this week with over night lows in the Mid to upper 60's.

Today was only about 94°  with cool breezes in the shade out of the North West.  It was so nice...we ate our lunch outside and listened to the Cicadas.

This evening...(writing this Sunday night)  it's tree frogs and 71 ° ...so nice!

I was just thinking... I wish I had a sleeping porch...screened in on 3 sides.
I'd be out there...dreaming.

I hope you're staying cool where ever you are tonight.
...and if you're on the sleeping porch, with cool breezes,  tree frogs... and 'nary a mosquito-

I hope you're enjoying it!






Finally, brother, Whatsoever things are TRUE, Whatsoever things are NOBLE , Whatsoever things are RIGHT , Whatsoever things are PURE, Whatsoever things are LOVELY, Whatsoever things are ADMIRABLE; if any thing is excellent and praiseworthy, think on such things. ~ Philippians 4:8 

 

:: Cows, Chickens, Camera- Check ::

Playing with the new camera... 

Since getting it... I've been taking lots of picture, as you can imagine. 

I found the manual online ...and have read up on it whenever I get a second. 

Like a good little student. 

I have found lots and lots of willing....and some not so willing photo subjects. 

I'm enjoying it... :)   

In the old days I would have ROLLS of FILM  waiting to be taken and developed...wait, I STILL have some of those in a brown paper sack ...some.where. 

Now?  I'm using an 8G card  with the OPTION to ERASE after viewing my experimental photos... oh  yes, this camera has an delete function... but the manual calls it ERASE. I almost didn't find it.  I forgot to look for the icon of the little trash can! 

So rest assured... I'll be taking lots and lots and lots of pictures. I won't make you sit through and look at each and every one though... I know you're happy about that!  

So that you and I, both, can get on with blogging...and LIFE... I'm bringing back my NON-SEQUITUR photo feature.   (that's where I insert a random picture into a post...you know having nothin' to do with NOTHIN'...non-sequitur...MUCH LIKE MY BLOG!)

I know. 

Don't you just love it? 

I'm hoping for your sake...you're able to see a marked improvement in my photo skills, too. I don't know that my photo subjects will be much different from what you are accustomed to seeing here...but surely, the photo quality will be much better. 

Surely. 

I hope. 

We'll see. 

I think it is safe to say, that my favorite thing this week ...is this camera.
Sharing it here:


MHC A Favorite Thing  #43
(hop on over and see what else is Favorited by bloggers like you...and say Hi to Claudia too, for hosting such a sweet party!) 


Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. ~Psalm 103:1