Around the House

Today, I thought I would show you all a few pictures from around the house. These are the cosmos flowers we planted at the lower garden. I am amazed at how tall they have grown!

These are marigolds. Vicki gave me the seed. Ain’t they pretty! I love the different colors in them. I have already been collected seeds from both flowers to plant next year.

I wanted you all to see these carrots we pulled the other day from one of the raised beds. I have never had success raising carrots before but I think maybe the raised beds helped.

Here’s a picture of the lower garden. See how tall the cosmos flowers are. Underneath them are tons of marigolds. I definitely know not to plant them together next year.

This is the upper garden and the raised beds. I really didn’t know if I would like using raised beds or not, but I think they are pretty good for certain types of veggies.

Last week we re-purposed this gate. It was a gate we used at another house probably 12 years ago. We took it apart as some of the boards were no good. We built another frame and used the gate boards to make another gate for the chicken lot. Remember how we used the old crib springs for the gate.

Well, we have never really been happy with this gate. For one thing, it is not wide enough for the wheel barrow to fit through and for another thing it keeps falling out of the hook that is supposed to hold it up. So we built another one. Much better and way more convenient. The new gate is really close to the feed building. You see all the corn shucks piled up. We cut those out of the garden yesterday and plan on giving them a little at a time to the chickies for a treat.

We are canning pintos today. We canned 12 qts yesterday and will be finishing up a 10 lb bag today. I smell them cooking so I better check on them. I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless.

August 27, 2013 4

Mrs. Sally’s Decorations

We love to visit Mrs. Sally and see all her Christmas decorations. Her walls are covered with these beautiful wall hangings she has made.

She also has so many nativity scenes.

This one came from Israel. I think it is my favorite.

She has lots of snowmen.

We had a really nice visit. She cooked a beef roast with potatoes and carrots. I took fresh made rolls and an oatmeal pie.

Not much going on here. Just normal stuff. Hubby is gone to work and I am letting the girls sleep in a little bit. Clothes are in the machine washing and dishes are waiting.

I hope you all have a great day and God bless.

December 19, 2012 6

Fall Colors

Here are a few of the pictures we took Saturday at Grayson Highlands. The colors of fall are looking pretty good here.

We have had rain for several days so lots of the leaves have just fallen off.

Hopefully, not all though. I love the colors of fall.

We started school yesterday. So far, everything is good. Mostly just review right now. We had some rather chilly weather yesterday so I built our first fire. It was nice to feel the warmth and smell the wood smoke again. Today we made a huge pot of chili beans for supper. We plan on canning some of it-if there’s enough left. It sure does smell good.

Well, lunch break is almost over. Enjoy your day and God bless.

October 2, 2012 4

Homemade Deodorant

Vicki and I made this homemade deodorant. I LOVE it. I’m not sure where the recipe came from though.

Powder deodorant: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, about 10-15 drops essential oil (we used lavender)

Add 1/2 cup softened coconut oil to make solid deodorant. I prefer the powdered one.

August 26, 2012 0

Rhubarb

Our rhubarb is coming up!!! We love rhubarb. This variety comes in early in the spring. We have another variety up in the garden that comes in later in the summer. Today has been a nice day here in Floyd. Sunshine and temperatures in the mid 50’s.

Jess had to do some more work on our soap. We did some research and tried something called rebatching. We think (hope) it is going to work. I wanted to let you all know I really like the orange cleaner I made. It smells really nice and cleans good. I have another batch making now.

Well, not much going on here today. I just wanted to let you all know about our rhubarb. Enjoy your day and God bless.

March 11, 2012 5

A Beautiful Sunrise

Hubby took this picture for me this morning. I thought you all might like it. It was very beautiful. Today has been a gorgeous day here in Floyd. Temperatures have been in the low 50’s. Lots of sunshine!! Amazing. Need I say, I LOVE it.

Not a lot going on here other than just enjoying this warm weather. I have finished another apron and have started another one. I need to get a few supplies though before I do any more. I plan on going into our little town tomorrow. I want to go to Schoolhouse Fabrics. I think I have mentioned it before. It is an old 3 story school house that has been converted into a fabric store. 3 levels of material and any thing else a person might need for sewing.

Tonight’s supper is chicken alfredo with homemade garlic breadsticks. We are having homemade cinnamon rolls for dessert, thanks for the idea , Cary Ann. I hope you all have a great evening and God bless.

December 30, 2011 5

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello ladies, I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a while. For some reason, things have been busy around here and it’s been difficult for me to make a post. Grace is feeling better and I thank you all for your prayers for her. So far, we have been blessed that no one else has gotten sick.

We are on Thanksgiving break from school. The girls are very happy. Today is planned out as just a fun day. We will watch a movie, The Prince of Egypt, also play a few games, and listen to Christmas music. I will also be busy baking today. We are doing Thanksgiving at Jessica’s. Everyone is bringing something. I am to bring the rolls and the ingredients for punch. The punch we all love is called Angel Punch. Jessica’s grandmother, Marie would always make this punch at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We really like it.

My bread machine just beeped so it is time to start shaping the rolls. I better get busy. I pray you all have a safe and happy thanksgiving. God bless.

November 23, 2011 7

Snow and Deer

We had snow overnight! Amazing!!! I don’t think I ever remember having snow here this early in the year. Then we had another surprise.

Hubby got 2 deer! Last day of muzzle loader season. YEAH! We love deer. We are so happy. He got a buck and a doe. Happy, happy dance. Well, I don’t have much time to talk. We have got them skinned out and ready to start working up so I better get busy. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 11, 2011 6

A Dirt Road

I love dirt roads. Yes, for those of you who live or have lived on a dirt road, you are probably thinking that I’m a little bit crazy. Well, yes, I am that but I do think dirt roads have a yesterday feel to them. Forget about the fact that your vehicle is always dirty, either with dust or with mud. They just have a slower type atmosphere about them, which I love.

Yesterday, we went to play with the boys while Jess went to the doctor. She and Katie are both doing well. Time is ticking down for them, just a few more weeks to go. Well, I’m going to tell you all, those boys sure know how to pull on MawMaw’s heart strings. I made the comment that it was getting time to go and Sam immediately wants MawMaw, following me everywhere, wanting me to hold him. Daniel doesn’t want us to leave either. We finally get out the door and I am almost to the car when Daniel opens the back door and says “MawMaw, I wish you could just stay forever and ever.” I tell you, I sure love those boys. They will be coming up this weekend. Saturday, our pastor is having a men’s shoot at his house. David and Hubby will be going to that.

I will leave you all with a sunrise picture Grace took the other morning. She was standing on our front porch when she took it. Enjoy your day and God bless.

October 5, 2011 5

A Lovely Walk

Isn’t this a beautiful place to walk? I love walking in the leaves.

Yesterday, the girls and I went down to Jessica’s to play with the boys while she went for her doctor’s appointment. All is going well, praise God. Katie is measuring a little big though and at this time she has turned to the breech position. We are not sure what will happen with that. God is in control, this we know.

We are getting ready to go pick plums. As I mentioned earlier, a couple from church told us we could come and pick all we wanted. I will try to get some pictures to show you all. The tree is very beautiful with all the plums on it. I’m sure Grace will take lots of pictures.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

August 19, 2011 4