Happy Saturday

The torrential downpour of rain that we were blessed with a few days ago was shortlived.  It would be so nice to experience a day or two of nice, gentle, cooling, rain.  Our farmers are devastated.  Of course we can't fully understand how far reaching this drought really is. 

Our normally green hillside.  The pond to the left was bank full at the end of May.

Trees look to be dying all around us.  Are the leaves just turning brown early or are the trees really dead?  Time will tell, I guess.  Food prices are going to sky rocket.  Something I've never understood, though, is why the prices don't come back down when the crisis is over.  Farmers are having to sell livestock because they won't have any hay to feed them this winter.  They could have (and some have been able to) made silage out of the ruined corn crops, but if insurance covered the crops, then the corn could not be used for anything else.  That would have been double dipping.  Could they have given it away?  So many things in our world just doesn't make sense to me. 

On a bright note, our temperatures are downright wonderful right now.  We enjoyed temepratures in the 60's as we sat on our porch, drinking our morning coffee, the past couple of days.  The highs are reaching only in the 80's.  What a relief.

I'm pretty sure I have overdone it on the bird feeding front.  A few days ago the feeders were empty.   While sitting on the feeder a little guy looked my way and gave a chirp.  I thought it was cute, but definitely a coincidence that it looked at me just as it chirped.  But then last night while sitting on the porch (we seem to do that a lot these days), a Titmouse sat on the porch railing and fluttered its wings at us.  When we paid it no mind, it came further in.  Then it came back again and looked straight at me and chirped.  Yes, I fed them this morning.  It's no fun to be fussed at!

Time to get busy with fun stuff like cleaning the house.  Hope you have a great weekend!

Desperate

Last night we spent a little time trying to save what few plants we have left.  While Jim watered the flowers and ground cover around the house, I took to the orchard to tend to the blackberry bushes, grape plants, and fruit trees.  I moved from plant to plant with the hose set to a shower spray, pretty much lost in thought as I completed this mindless task.  All of a sudden I realized a hummingbird was hovering at the spraying water, catching the mist.  What a thrill.  As I sprayed, it hovered.  Absolutely amazing!

Animals are desperate for moisture and food.  I don't even begrudge my greedy little squirrels the feed they scarf down.  The bird feed, meant for BIRDS. 

The Finch's are giving this feeder a workout.  Last year they didn't give it the time of day.

This empty suet cage, and another one just like it, was loaded with a new suet cake a day and 1/2 ago. 

Loaded and ready to go again.  We are buying these things by the case!

We've seen some relief in the temperatures, but it is still desperately dry here in Missouri.  I am amazed at how quickly the water evaporates from the bird bath.  All of the birds are giving it a workout.  I wish I could get a few pictures of the beautiful red birds dipping their pretty heads into the water.  The bath is positioned in a spot where I can't get a good shot without them getting photo shy on me.

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Are you feeding any wildlife?

Rust be gone

When we bought our antique bird feeder at my Uncle Ivo’s auction, one of the things that attracted me to it was the vintage look. It was weather worn and had a little rust around the edges. We began to notice that rust was growing and had to accept that without a little intervention, our treasured bird feeder would be, well… a pile of rust.

So we did what any Grandparent would do, and called for help. Help! After a few late night discussions, we decided Dakota was the perfect candidate for this job. We called him to offer the challenge and he accepted. What a kid!

First step was to go to the hardware store and get a wire brush that “fit his hand perfectly” (so Grandpa said) and was small enough to get into all of the small crevices.

Good thing that rock was there…

A larger brush for the top. Did you get that spot on the side there Dakota?

Pride in a job well done. Thanks Dakota for my new bird feeder!

We ran out of paint, so the second coat was done later. Bird feed was added and now the squirrels birds have their rust free house back.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Or maybe this post should be entitled "Look Out Below!"

Or "Duck!"

Or "Fore!

Or "Hard Hat Area"

Or.... "Living Amongst Large Oak Trees Can Be Dangerous"

 

The forest is raining acorns.  They sound like gun shots as they ricochet off the rooftops.

 Possibly I  should post a "Danger" sign

The deer, squirrels, coons, possums and all the other critters should be quite content with their supply of food.



You really don't want to step off that porch Bailey, it's a war zone out there.

This is our Church Fall Festival weekend.

Over the past few weeks I've made three aprons and eight burpies to donate to our country store.

Friday afternoon I stood with 14 others, carving turkeys.  We then pulled up a chair and chopped celery for stuffing

Saturday I baked 4 loaves of bread, 2 pecan pies, 2 apple pies, 2 pineapple upside down cakes  

Then we headed out of town to Arrow Rock.

We paid $3.09 for gas.  $3.09!  It has been over a year since I've seen gas priced that low.



Greg (son) and his family were camping in Arrow Rock and invited us to join them for the evening.

Greg BBQ'd pork steaks to perfection.  Alicia served scalloped potatoes, corn, and a chocolate cake that screamed calories.  It was delicious.  Her mom brought a great lettuce salad.  And we brought wine.

Sitting around the campfire, watching the flames dance while the kids roasted marshmallows, was the perfect ending to a very hectic week.

Now to survive the Fall Festival today!

Keepers of Memories

Aunt Jane and Uncle Ivo did not have children of their own. 

I never knew why for sure.  This was not a topic discussed by that generation, other than in whispers.  I remember asking my mom "why" once, but don't remember the answer.  I was pretty young at the time.  I really need to remember to ask Aunt Yvonne, mom's youngest sister.

Jane and Ivo - 1946

You would think that since there were no kids to fight over the estate, that for once there would be no family squabbles.  Unfortunately, that isn't the case.  One family was closer to Jane and Ivo than anyone else, so I always assumed they would be the beneficiaries of their estate.  That is what happened  - and rightfully so.  One person has quit speaking to everyone else in the family because of this.  I want to shake her 70+ year old body and say "grow up".  It was theirs to do with as they wished.  Period.

Jim and I find ourselves often taking on the roll of caretaker of memories.  We like to preserve the past.  Our kids will be left with the task of deciding what to do with our addiction when we're gone. 

Sorry guys!

Iron Bird Feeder

This iron bird feeder was hidden away underneath one of the sale tables.  Jim spotted it first.  It was love at first site.  We have no idea how old the feeder is or where they had it.  They had a farm in Lohman, so I'm thinking it might have been there.  Or maybe their back yard.  I just don't know.  There is an iron spike that sticks into the ground to stabilize the feeder.  One.  There used to be four.  The remaining one will probably break off soon, but the feeder is heavy enough that it isn't going anywhere as long as  it is sitting solidly on the ground.  We need to put on our thinking caps and figure out a way to repair it, but for now, I'm enjoying just seeing the birds flock to their new/old restaurant.



This carpenter's box had to come home with us.  It is rustically primitive.  Since I don't know its story, I've had to come up with my own.  I'd like to think this box belonged to Ivo's dad.  I can just see him loading it onto the back of his buggy or model-T at the turn of the century as he headed out for a long day of work.




Carpenter's Box turned Game Chest

  We were outside loading up some of our purchases, when I happened to walk back into the auction hall and the auctioneer was holding this skillet in the air.  I raised my hand to bid and he said SOLD!  I got it!  I've been wanting a good old, already seasoned, cast iron skillet this size.  My friend Patti at Osage Bluff Quilter says she has been watching for a Wagner #11.  This one is a Wagner #12.  Close enough?  Although I've yet to fry chicken in it, I've used it several times.  Love, love, love it!


Iron Skillet

These pillow cases were my steal of the day.  They were preserved in a plastic bag.  The auctioneers had thrown them on the table with old linens, bath towels, and such.  It was towards the end of the sale and they were the last thing I planned to bid on.  By this time the auctioneers were lumping things into piles and these were added to a pile of towels and pretty much worthless kitchen stuff.

Since I was the only bidder, I'm pretty sure I was the only one who knew what treasures that pile of stuff held. stuff.  The auctioneer said, "who bids $2".  I raised my hand.  "Do I hear $3.00".  I kept my hand in the air.  "$2.50"  I kept my hand in the air.  He finally looked at me and said "I already have you at $2".  I didn't care.  I was taking no chances.  Finally, I heard "SOLD for $2 to # 159"

Lace edged pillow cases

 I like to think Jane & Ivo's neighbor lady, Mrs. Gadd, crocheted and embroidered these beautiful pillow cases.  They are too pretty to use.  I will probably display them on a quilt rack. 

Shame on the auctioneers for not valuing what they were selling more.

Embroidered Pillow Cases

My new favorite yellow coffee cup was also included in that $2 pile of handiwork. 

As I sit here blogging and sipping coffee, I think of the need to start documenting the stories of the many antiques and family items we have chosen to preserve.  Hopefully my children and grandchildren will want to carry on the tradition of keepers of memories.

Yes I did



I took time time to sit on the screened- in back porch to enjoy the peaceful rain we are blessed with today.
Soup,  rain and a good book on my Nook (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson).  What a lovely combination.



Rain soaked Oak trees.  Are they really calling for temperatures to drop into the 30's tonight?

From the inside looking out.  My plants are soon going to have to find a home inside.  I could sit here all day.  What did I do with that sweater of mine?  I need it!

A few days in my world

On this once again rainy morning, I thought I'd share some images from the past week.

Clematis blooming.  A present from  my mom and dad many years ago.

Awesomely tart pie cherries.  Only enough for two pies - but  I'll take what I can get!  Strawberries are coming on strong.  Yum.

Rubberbands hooked to plastic whirly-wheels is a lot of fun to shoot into the air and then catch.  Unless the rubberband snaps your fingers (see Anna on the left)

It is easy to get away from the troubles of life when fishing in the cold waters at Stieferman's Bluff

A little front porch sitting would be so nice.  (Notice the layering of cusions on the rockers?  The first set belongs to Bailey.  She kindly allows us to remove them when we sit down.  That cat does know how to shed!)

God Bless Them All

This day was set aside during the Civil War as a day to remember Union soldiers who fought and lost their lives during war.  It was called Decoration Day.  We've been watching the Civil War miniseries that we recorded from the History Channel sometime ago.  It is a powerful message of the futility and destruction of lives wrought by war.  Today I also remember the Confederate Soldiers who were apparently left out of the original declaration. 

Today we know this day as Memorial Day.  We have a great deal to be thankful for, and those who fought and died to protect us, deserve to be remembered.  As I sit here typing, through the corner of my eye I catch sight of our American Flag dancing in the wind.  Without the death of so many brave souls, that flag would be no more.  The thought is a bit overpowering.

I also remember those who fought in other wars - wars that could even have been avoided or were ours not to fight - and lived to come home with memories and heartaches too powerful to talk about.  Experiences that haunted or will haunt them the rest of their lives.  They have paid a very high price for their patrioism.  You, too, are in my heart and prayers.

Today I also keep my nephew, Jesse, in my thoughts and prayers as he continues to serve his country and lives in the dangers of war.

God Bless You every single one - and God Bless America.

The sun is shining here, the heat is upon us, and the cicadas are singing louder every day.  We were able to hear them inside our closed up house this morning.  It is an amazingly powerfully irritating song.  The shells they are leaving everywhere are pretty irritating too. 

I am out of my funk now.  Sometimes life just gets a bit overwhelming.  In answer to some of your comments on my previous post, our "situation house guest" will have been here a year on August 29.  We have told him that it is our goal - and must be his goal - to be in a place of his own by August 29 of this year.  He now has a steady, although low paying and no benefits, job.  Once he is again standing on his own two feet, it is my belief  that his self esteem will return.  With that, hopefully, will come better opportunities.  I can only pray.

Love and good wishes to all.

Funk

Hi everyone.  I'm sorry I haven't been around commenting on your blogs.  Blogger has wasted so much of my time not posting comments after I took the time to comment, that I finally gave up.  I think it might be working better now, since I was able to comment on a few yesterday, but I am terribly frustrated.  That plus I am in a bit of a funk. 

I am tired of having the perpetual house guest still living in my downstairs.  I am tired of the phone ringing over and over again because his daughter is trying to get a hold of him and can't find him.  I am tired of not having a place, other than the floor, for my grandkids to sleep because of said perpetual house guest.  I am tired of worrying he may have reverted back to his old ways when he doesn't come home until hours after he gets off work.  I am tired of feeling guilty that I don't invite him to eat meals with us, even though I know that would just perpetuate his dependence on us.  I am sick when I look at his idea of cleanliness and know that when he does move out that, at the very least, I am going to want to gut my bathroom and start over.  And I am totally pissed that I can't even offer my only sister a place to stay when she comes to visit for two weeks.  So, I am in a bit of a funk.

I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day.  I may just run away from home.  A nice hotel room is sounding real good to me right now.

Yesterday was a great day. 

"They" were calling for rain to roll in yesterday.  "They" were once again wrong.  After a morning of going to the gym, running errands, and cleaning up around here, we cleaned up (yes, it was necessary) and joined the kids at Greg and Alicia's for my birthday party.  Everything was so relaxing.  Alicia fixed Mint Juleps.  I'd never had them before!  They were scary good. - you know, the type of good that would sneak up on a person if they are not careful.  I was careful and only had two.  We then all stuffed  ourselves on grilled pork steaks, potato casserole, broccoli/cauliflower salad, baked beans and maybe I'm forgetting something else.  It was all delicious.  Then we had cheesecake for dessert. Since they were worried about smoke soot damage to their ceilings, we decided to forgo the candles. 

Jim is working this afternoon.  I am smoking a pork loin and checking out blogs.  As soon as I get done here, I do believe I need to "pick up" the house.  I'm terrible about not always putting things away.

Oh, and I picked strawberries this morning.  And the cherries are almost ready.  So far the birds are leaving them alone.  So maybe I'll get some.  Apparently this is the year the cicadas are supposed to get really bad.  While walking around outside this morning, we saw two of them hanging around.  I hate the damage they do to trees, especially the tender barks of new fruit trees.  I hope the pear trees we planted last year survive.  I'm not looking forward to the deafening noise they create when they are in great numbers.  Sitting smack dab in the middle of the woods equals full surround stereo.  Sometimes that is not a good thing!

I hope every one has  had a great weekend.

6:15 am - Woke up, big stretch, got up to pee and brush teeth
6:17 am - Curled  back up in bed
6:47 am - Crawled Jumped back out of bed to face the day
6:48 am - Grabbed a cup of coffee and turned on morning news
6:55 am - Kissed hubby goodby as he headed to work
7:15 am - Turned off news (ugh) - do I really care about Arnold, Newt, and that dude from France?, grabbed anothed cuppa coffee and bowl of cereal and check email.
7:22 - Done with emails (where did all my friends go?!?)  Started writing this blog
7:26 - Blog time!
8:15 - Grabbed another cuppa and started chores... made bed, put out a load of laundry (how can two people dirty so many clothes...), unloaded dishwasher (how again...), fed cat, looked at dog who Jim already fed, filled the bird feeders, put first load of laundry into drier and put another load (again, how...)
9:00 - Grabbed another cuppa in a clean cup because the previous one is sitting cold somewhere in the house and continued with blogs.  If anyone tries to tell you that blogs are not time consuming, they are kidding themselves!  But I love them.
9:30 - Phone call with Julie
9:45 - Fold clothes, put out another load (again, how...)
10:00 - Heading out to mow grass.  This is a biggie for me because Jim is at work.  He usually gets the mower going for me.  Cross your fingers!
11:30 - Time for a water and left over fried chicken (compliments of WalMart) break.  Turned drier back on to fluff clothes because I was outside too long (come on, admit it - you do that too!  Don't you?)  Mower started right off!  Five sections done.  I think everyone has a different method of mowing.  Since we have so many trees and "areas", I tend to section my mowing off by trees or terrain.
12:00 - Got sidetracked by my Nook - reading John Grisham's "The Confession"
12:20 - Sister called
12:30 - Returned to mowing
1:15 - Another break.  Took bird pictures and posted them on my blog.
1:45 - Returned to mowing
4:15 - After numerous breaks, I'm DONE!  Jim came home around 3:00 and helped finish
4:30 - Jim discovers our 21 year old cat, Shelby, curled up in a pile of leaves, close to death.  We've made her comfortable and hope she is not in pain.  She's lived a good life.  It is going to be hard to let her go - and that is all I plan to say on the subject.  Can't dwell on it.
4:45 - Heading for a much needed shower!
5:15 - Margarita time
5:45 - News
6:15 - Supper of chicken and rice casserole
7:00 - Television and then bed
I am soooo damn tired!

I think I missed a load of laundry somewhere... Pretty sure I missed a few potty breaks too.

Hope everyone had a great.  They are calling for rain for the next countless days.  Am glad the grass is mowed!

Confused

We have four feeders filled with seed and two wired baskets filled with suet hanging from our trees.  Yet this greedy guy decided he wanted the humming bird’s sugar water.

My little humming bird putting on the brakes when he sees he has a freeloader at his feeder

What’s with that “Don’t mess with me look?”  Now that is just mean.  He isn’t even going to share.

 

All is right in the world again (for now).

Roses and more

We decided to turn one of our flower gardens into a rose garden this year.  So we found the sunniest spot in these woods of ours – quite a challenge, I’ll tell you – and planned a rose garden.

We laid things out and figured on the number of bushes needed. 
I went to work and Jim headed to pick up the plants. 
The plan was for one knockout type bush in each corner and the rest tea roses. 
When I got home after dark last night, I couldn’t resist looking at the rose garden. 



Rose bushes

   
Can you see all of the rose bushes?  Obviously it is not done, but Jim wanted to get the plants in before last night’s rain.  I’m wondering if it is not a bit of overkill.  But I do love roses!  He went to Aldi’s after receiving a tip form Osage Bluff Quilter that they had knockouts and tea roses fairly inexpensive.  Bloom roses bloom!

Bluebells

We had a wonderful visit with Patti and The Blacksmith.   The Blacksmith dug Bluebells for us to add to our collection of flowers.  I believe they are going to be a great addition to our Hosta garden where Jim planted them.  My only hope is that they turn out as pretty as the ones pictured in Patti's post. 

Angel Hair or Maiden Hair - not sure which it is called

         They also gave us some grass that grows tall and beautiful.  I thought Patti called it Angel Hair, but Jim is sure The Blacksmith called it Maiden Hair.  So we call it Maingel Hair.  Not really.  I’m sure Patti will clear it up in her comments… please….

Beautiful white Dogwood Tree blooms

Our woods are alive with the beauty of Dogwood blooms. 




More Dogwood trees!


It doesn’t get any prettier than this – even if the skies are threatening rain as I scoot back into the house.

Donna Sharp Quilt

This is my new double wedding ring quilt, purchased at The Quilt Shop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  Looking at this picture, I’m thinking I need new carpet and a different color paint on the walls.  Shhhh let it be our secret that I am thinking along these lines.  Don’t tell Jim!
      

A Kentucky native and 5th generation quilter, Donna Sharp selects her own fabrics and applies her unique gift for color and design to this traditional American art form making each quilt, handbag and accessory a stunning success.

Our quilts feature twice the normal stitch rate of hand-quilted pieces, adding strength, beauty and value to each item. Superior quality fabrics showcase unique colors and textures blending traditional favorites with innovative styles.

From small piecing to intricately detailed borders and reversible backing, Donna’s gift for design is evident every step of the way. Donna Sharp quilts and quilted items are true heirloom quality from start to finish.    (This information came from Donna Sharp's website)

Amish Fascination

I have always been fascinated by the Amish and their simple way of life.  This is probably because there are quite a number of Amish communities in our area.  When we visit our son, Greg, or daughter, Tessa, we invariable get behind a buggy of a family maybe heading home from Sunday services and visiting.  Sometimes we are in a hurry and get a little irritated at the pace, but usually I reflect on what I am seeing.  I first see danger.  There are children in an open buggy on a busy highway!  There is nothing to protect them if a car would come upon their buggy and not see them quickly enough.  Then when my mind gets past that, I envy them.  I envy their slow pace and closeness.  I envy their exclusion of outside influences.  Sometimes the often relentless wind is blowing and the temperatures are frigid.  At times like that, I watch in wonder at how they live the life they do.  Fascination.

Amish craftsmen built our barn quite a number of years ago.  It took them two to three days.  When they finished, there was no indication they had ever been there.  The site was clean with no debris anywhere.  Their workmanship was beyond compare.

There is a carpenter, Mose, who lives "right down the road" from Greg who made all of the cabinetry in his home.  He also made much of the cabinetry in our daughter, Tessa's home.  All high quality.  Sometimes he got things wrong (he seems to have trouble following directions) but he always made good by it.   

Mose and his young son, Jacob, also custom made a china cabinet for us.  The workmanship is wonderful.  We have spent time visiting with Mose and Jacob.  Their pace is slow.  We learned early on that when we visited Mose to check on the progress of our cabinet, we'd better plan on an hour or so to account for visiting time.  It was always an interesting visit.  I enjoyed watching his children working barefoot in their garden, or in other activities.

For a long time I've been following the blog, A Joyful Chaos, A Joyful Chaos  .   Mary Ann writes about growing up Amish and her life after leaving the Amish community.   If you aren't already reading her blog, give it a go.  Hers is a very simple, easy to read, writing.  A Joyful Chaos is hosting a giveaway of another blogger, Saloma, who left the Amish Community.

It appears the Amish life that Saloma escaped from was anything but ideal.  You can read about her experiences and register for a giveaway of her new book, Why I Left the Amish, About Amish.  I'm looking forward to reading Saloma's blog and her book.

So, if you are interested in the Amish way of life, or just want a good read, check out these two blogs.  You will be glad you did.