second road trip

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed at the weight of the last tiny egg. I mean it was so small, but at .7 oz it was a giant compared to smaller eggs out there. Imagine my delight when last eve, while gathering eggs, I came across another tiny egg. Even smaller than the now huge .7 oz.

See the difference?

How's about now?

So this morning, I packed up my tiny little jewel,

put it in the car,

my farm helper was thrilled to go,

since it's family, there is no need to dress up,

I held my breath,

Wow, only .4 oz.

Makes me appreciate how tiny a .2 oz would be.

OK chickens, keep up the good work and give me more tiny eggs, this is fun!

muskrat love

Sunday morning I let out the chickens and T-Bone and I went for a walk about. We noticed a muskrat on the opposite end of the pond. Not good news.

Muskrats dig burrows into the edges of the pond and as you are walking around the pond your foot and leg will suddenly disappear into the earth, deep deep down into a mucky hole past your kneecap. (Don't ask me how I know this)

T-Bone was after that muskrat like a shot but the little destructive beast had just a short distance to the water.

T-Bone let me know about 2 holes the muskrat already dug and I blocked them.

We had our boat on one edge for less than a week and it had already had an impressive hole started underneath.

Every time the muskrat popped up, the hard working farm dog chased him back in.

This lasted the whole day.

The chickens came to check out what was happening.

Some got drinks.

Refreshing.

Even the dog worked up a thirst.

The dedicated farm dog never did get that muskrat but we believe he packed his bags that night and moved on to another pond.

I love having such a handy helper keeping my legs safe from harm.

T-Bone is now out in the rain trying to rid us of a family of chipmunks wreaking havoc behind the chicken coop.

Thank you pup!

We're havin a heat wave!

We are supposed to be getting temps in the 30's today and part of tomorrow!

Our winter has been extra cold (this is where I would normally add some crack about global warming, my @$$, but some are sensitive to that kind of humor so I won't).

Which means our fall woodpile...

...that was 2 rows deep...

...is now this. So sad.

Luckily we have some standing dead trees that we should be able to cut over the weekend, of course the temps are dropping back down by then.

I'm trying not to start belly aching about the winter since we have at least 2 or 3 months left, but I'm fighting a cold so my usual sunny disposition is hiding under a large pile of mucus.

I'm expecting guests Monday, so I have a lot to get ready. They will be staying a MONTH! More about that another day.

No resolutions for me!

I try to never make New Year resolutions because I can never keep them. Because of my previous post perhaps? Maybe. I figure why give myself more to feel guilty about. But this time of year I always try to organize (at least some), my craft shows are months away, holiday decor is put away and I have a bit more time on my hands.

My entry way is were my pup's food, one bed and his toys are. He tends to get dirty at times and is a place we can block him off until he's dry.

Before shot, notice the small basket with too may toys to hold.

I had purchased this fun dog fabric quite some time ago and made a new "basket" to hold everything.

Much better.

I made two and loaded it's twin on my etsy shop.

Now back to organizing even though it's NOT a resolution!

Hang in there Baby...

...it's Friday.




I have had the traps set for months, camping half the summer in our yard has kept the critters at bay... until this week.









I put the cage next to a tree and it found its way out. T-Bone and the chickens were curious.







Show off Friday #3



I made 5 new bags and 6 more tissue packs.





On two of the bags I used some cute cat fabrics from a panel I bought awhile ago.


I still need to tag new bags, pack and load the Monster Truck. My set up time is 6pm this evening. I'll have the kids and hubby to help me get my tent set up for the show.

So if you happen to be in Saline tomorrow (Saturday) I'll be there from 9 to 5, stop and say hi. Let me know you read my blog and I'll give you a free tissue pack!

http://www.salinehoa.net/
There will be tons of artists and much more going on in the community.





Wish me luck!

Working Pup

Just a little something for all you T-Bone fans out there. ;-)

Thrifty Thursday and more

I haven't hit many Garage sales this season, trying to keep more of my $ and less stuff from coming in the house. My sister and I got a hot tip about a sale not far from me that had great prices on clothes. We loaded up in her car and took off.

Yep, It was true.

We got 4 shirts, a pair of jeans and black orchestra shoes for the girl, a t-shirt for the boy, 2 wide mouth pint canning jars, a lambswool sweater that i may felt and use for projects, a fleece vest for my chilly morning bike rides,

2 shirts for me,

a brand spanking new pair of shoes.

This is them on the way to the mailbox.

And last but not least, another set of tacky lights for the Christmas Tree.

All for the grand total of $8.75. Woo hoo!

Speaking of thrifty, we have been eating leftovers from our staycation but last night we were down to one chicken thigh and one sausage. How do I make it stretch for a family of four?

Pizza of course. Tomato & Sausage and Chicken BBQ.

In other news...

I caught something new in the trap.

I forgot to release the trap from last night, I had to get my boy up and out early for High School Orientation. Yes I said High School, how did that happen? Any way...

He was actually quite calm about the whole thing.

When I went to the store last Friday they were all out of bottled lemon juice, today no lemon juice. Now I don't want to start a panic but the helpful man at the store said there was a bad lemon crop and they hadn't received lemon juice in over a month.

Ok, I need lemon juice for some jams, pies, that delish glaze on my blueberry coffee cake, tomato sauce for canning, not to mention lemon bars. What's a gal to do? I went to the frozen juice section, scrounged the bottom shelf, way in the back and found these overpriced boxed mini bottles. Did I want to spend $14 on 7 bottles of lemon juice today, no, but I don't know how long the shortage will be so i stocked up.

I'd like to introduce you to Whiffy the Skunk Dog.

Our pup has been camping all week in the tent with the kids. Last night he let himself out of the tent for a romp with a Skunk.

I have the anti skunk smelling gene (one of the few things I remember from Human Biology) and I passed it on to the kids, but we can smell him well enough and plan on bathing him later.

He is a very smart pup but I believe he does things like this to keep me humble.

farm news

I have a lot to share about my show but it will have to wait. I have so much happening around home to share so I prioritized and this is first.

(My photos usually are crap but you have to enlarge this one, I am proud and surprised at how great it looks)



I got home from my show last evening and discovered my first red tomato. Oh thank you wise tomato gods for waiting until now. I couldn't imagine blueberries, green beans, cukes, getting ready for a show, not to mention regular life stuff AND ripe tomatoes waiting for me. I am seeing fresh salsa, sauce and tons of canning in my near future.

Also in my future, I got the summons for jury duty. Third time in 3 1/2 years. Lucky me.

T-Bone says hi.

The chickens have been laying in the dog house more since the raccoon attack. They don't feel as safe in the coop.
(Chip and Freckles)

Speaking of raccoons, trapped #4 last night and discovered this nighttime damage to the coop. I am so thankful you ladies understand my dilemma with the masked wearing devils.

Does every farm, mini or big need this symbol somewhere? I think so.

Hubbie picked up this beauty at a garage sale for $15 bucks.

Small enough to hook to the 3 wheeler for mini jobs around here. Cleaning the coop is going to be so much easier. Not to mention wood hauling and garden work. Yay!




Yes that is duct tape covering the seat of the 3 wheeler, cheaper than a new seat right?

A future blog teaser...

...I tied for first place this weekend.

Next post will be about Summerfest!

I'm back! Sort of.

Every summer my dad and stepmom, our family, my sisters' family, my brothers' family, an aunt and uncle and their granddaughter, all converge on my dads cabin in the woods. Its located in northern Michigan, with pit stops it's about a 4 hour drive.

The kids rode up with grandma and grandpa on Wednesday to get an early start. I spent Wednesday getting my mini farm set for the long weekend. I fill huge water buckets, put out tons of grain and feed, then mow the yard and cram the grass into the outdoor runs. The runs are old swing set frames covered with chain link fencing, ugly but secure.

Thursday morning, we loaded the car. I picked everything in the garden, peas mostly, gathered every last egg and off we went.

Hubbie, the pup and I set off to the great north.

Passing lake Cadillac.

And a ski resort.

Somebody napped on the way up.

We finally made it.

Being up north is fun, we cook out on the campfire.

Go on nature walks.

There is a neat old tree with names carved in it.

Deer tracks every where.

Wildflowers galore. I have no idea what this is.

My siblings bring their campers but we usually bunk in the cabin with the Grandparents.

Luckily in the summer we don't need heat.

My brother builds a tepee and the kids take turns sleeping there.

Did the Indians use blue tarps?

On Friday we rafted the Pine river. Saturday we played at the lake.

Sorry no pics, I didn't want to risk the camera.

The morning view, one morning was deer and another a wild turkey.

Frog catching, horseshoes and laughter are the main activities.

Saturday the kids put on skits up on the porch and my brother makes a crawdad boil. Spicy hot onions, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob and crayfish caught from the pond.

My dad who eats pickled pigs feet wont eat a crayfish. Go figure.

Sunday means time to go.

It was a tighter squeeze on the way home but the pup loved being squished between his kids.

I always get nervous on the way home, wondering if my chickens are well.

Everyone was fine.

I had tons of peas to pick and 19 eggs! Those girls were busy.

Bandit and her two week old brood were happy to be let out.

"Any news Bratty?"

Yep, she is a mom of three!

I love vacations but i also love coming home.

Today I have to pack for the show and get everything ready for my family to survive without me. Tomorrow I set up and the show starts Wednesday.

10 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Friday, 10 to 6 on Saturday. They get 500,000 people through in four days, that's half a million! Help!!

If you happen to be in Ann Arbor for the art fair, stop by and say hi. I'll be at the Kings Courtyard off of Liberty street. I'll be the crazy woman selling bags with my best friend selling watercolor paintings, having a blast! Positive thinking.

Do me a favor and don't blog about anything interesting while I'm away.

I'll let you know all about it when I get back. Squeezes!