Peep, peep, peep.

The three babies have hatched!

Bandit is such a good mama.

So tiny and sweet.

I made up a safe private place for the little family on the floor, moved Bandit, then one by one her little brood. Hearing her mama clucking sound and then them responding with their little peep just warmed my heart. Way better than a heat lamp ever did.

In other news..

On our bike ride yesterday we stopped at a garage sale, we had to go home and get $ and the car because I found this cool sculpturey lamp. I do realize this photo makes the lampshade look like one of those pig ears that the dogs chew on, but in person it is so cool, not brown but an earthy green.

Just the right lighting my den was searching for, and for a whopping 75 cents!

Also back on June 28th, 1985, is when my best guy friend and I decided to start dating.

I was going to go and find an old photo album with a picture of us, scan it, load it on my blog, and then write up some hearts and flowery mushy mush.

But now my old busy self decided that was too much work.

So I'll just say it has been a Twenty three year roller coaster ride, highs and lows with a bit of nausea thrown in now and then, but it was the best decision my teenage self ever made.

What's new?

I got a chance at the computer while the kids are still sleeping, so I thought I'd let you know all the new things happening around Sugar Creek.

The kids built this fort in the basement, this is where they have been sleeping since school has been out. Pretty cool.

We have another broody hen.

This is Bratty, she got her name because she is the only hen that pecks us, she also even as a chick stood up to T-Bone and intimidates the hell out of him.

Here she is all puffed up after getting kicked off her nest by one of the higher ranking hens.

She was mad! She looks like a turkey.

I put 4 fertile Jersey Giant eggs under her, she didn't peck, and I'm hoping the timing for the hatch is the day between our long weekend trip and my huge show.

Speaking of chickens, why are they all on the porch?

Maybe to avoid the major hail storm we got on Saturday, right after our bike ride.

Luckily no major damage to the garden.

See that white car in the photo...

...it's my new gas saving car. A 1995 neon.

I still need the monster truck for my shows and to tow the camper, but for all other day trips this will be what I drive. It was only $500 smackers. Not bad right?

I haven't been able to figure out what these things are. There is one on every door.

Hmmmm.

So a new car means a trip to the DMV which usually I dread, but one just happens to be located right next to Value World.

The kids and I made a road trip, went crazy and I spent $50.57.

Here is what we got..

for the girl

a cute pink top

a visor

a belt

and 2 pair of pj pants

for the boy

a pair of athletic pants

soccer shorts

3 mens swim trunks, he out grew all his old ones

for hubbie

a pair of jeans shorts

a pair of docker shorts

for me

a tank top with built in bra (my new fav)

a cub scout shirt to make into a bag

a Samsonite travel case

a floral pillowcase that is just like the set I had as a kid

to be a future skirt or bag

and ...

this twin sheet set with pillowcase.

I'm not sure what to do with them. Usually the bottom sheet is worn so I don't feel bad cutting it up, but these are in great shape. It may take me awhile to figure out if i want to chop them or not. They would make great wrap around skirts, I just couldn't resist getting them.

Another new purchase

My blog friend, Farmer Julie, makes these incredible pots. I had been eyeing them for quite some time, waiting for just the right one to speak to me. Then I saw this green beauty and pounced. It is so heavy, artsy and beautiful.

And look at this adorable bud vase. I am not as good with flower displays as Julie but I was hoping to do it justice. I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you want to check out her blog it's at

http://farmerjulie.blogspot.com/

Her work is beautiful, her prices are affordable and the quality is amazing.

Shoebird was out of her nest the other day so I peeked in and there is 6 little eggs in there. Busy little bird. She has been sitting on it constantly and tucks her head down when we walk by. So cute.

The boy who complained the most about helping with the Strawberries, discovered the jam and now thinks all that work was worth it.

Well that's about it, I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff but the girl is awake so I'd better go start my day.

Update!!

My sister came over to drop off her three kids, Shoebird was out of the shoe so we peeked in and lookie what we found!

Ugly and sweet all wrapped in a shoe.

Looks like one still needs to come out.

Congratulations Shoebird.

I want to ride my bicycle.....

Bicycle! Bicycle!

I thought you'd like to come along on one of our rides.

Right out of our driveway is our first major hill.

At the top of the hill we encounter some dogs.

We are lucky with our tree lined ride.

When we hit blackberry lane we start the coasting race.

You have to pick up speed and can't pedal past this sign.

We see who coasts the farthest.

The girl always wins. I have come in a very close second, or a very far third.

We pass the old farmhouse I lived in until I was seven.

About a mile later, we stop in and visit my dad and step mom.

This is where the Jersey Giants live.

The girl grabbed the rooster...

...and plays with his waddles.

Then back on the road....

...and pass my brothers house..

...then stop at my sisters.

Can you guess what this is????

It's my freakishly bendy nephews chicken wings.

The boy's got talent!

Then I check out my sisters cute garden.

Back on the road, we pass another veggie garden...

...and a neat old farmhouse...

...and their chicken mailbox.

Two summers ago they took apart our quaint wooden 100 year old bridge and replaced it with this monstrosity. For our safety, right. We protested and held them off a few years but in the end, they won.

One consolation is they rebuilt the bridge and put it in a local park.

We ride over the monstrosity and see the train tracks below.

The final stretch is the down hill ride (remember our first hill). A nice way to end the ride.

Into our driveway...

...to our waiting pup.

"Hey T-Bone, are you sticking your tongue out at us?"

Maybe he wanted to go too.


Thanks for riding along.

Its a berry good week

Monday we started with a road trip.

Bridge in Ohio.

To Cedar Point.

An Amusement Park.

Not a frugal trip ("let it go, let it go") but we had a blast.

We met my sister and her family there. I rode two roller coasters, I get extreme motion sickness but didn't want to be the mom that sits out every ride. The kids had a great time. It was a fun experience to go somewhere with their cousins.

Tuesday morning the four of us plus grandma went strawberry picking.

My Step mom has a friend and this is her strawberry patch!

I have never seen such a huge patch in someones yard.

This is our haul. FREE BERRIES!

I did bring a dozen eggs as a thank you.

I traded labor with hubbie, he helped pick berries then I painted the rental for 5 hours. Not quite an even trade but he works hard for me every day, it would be pretty crappy not to help when he asks. The good news is we found some tenants who seem nice and I only have the upper floor left to paint.

We then got Chinese takeout on the way home. When we split 2 meals (tons of food) between the four of us, it is less than $14 which is cheaper than fast food, and tastes better.

My fortune said "You will be successful in business". I'm not so sure since I haven't made any bags so far this week. Then my daughter got the same fortune, she did do well on her first pet sitting job. $20 and a fancy pen! Her next job starts this Saturday. She can't stop smiling.

I am starting to freeze pea pods. Last summer I froze half then blanched half to see the taste difference. The unblanched were bitter and the blanched were tasty, so blanched it is!

So Tuesday evening I candled Bandits eggs. I used a high powered flashlight. Three of the six were a no go, but on the other three there was something growing and we saw movement. The kids were in awe. Pretty cool.

So Wednesday, I used major child labor, they had more fun working as a team, humming songs in 2 part harmony, they cut off the stems and cut out any squishy parts. The chicks loved the scraps.

Then I made 4 bags of Strawberry pie filling.

Three frozen in 2 cup portions of puree for a tasty lemonade add in this summer.

I froze seven 2 cup servings of Strawberries in a sugar syrup for smoothies, crisps, shortcake, or anything else i can think of.

Then I canned 4 pints of strawberry syrup for winter pancakes. Delish. Also 10 pints of jam.

We had shortcake for desert and have enough berries in the fridge for at least 3 more evenings of shortcake.

The only cost was 2 1/2 bags of sugar, 3 boxes of pectin and 1 1/3 cups flour for the pie filling.

Now I have about 2 weeks rest and sugar re stocking till the wild raspberries are in.

A berry good week indeed.