After an enjoyable afternoon of putting around town, I met hubby and a good friend at a relatively new restaurant/pub in Griffin, GA - The Eagle and the Lion. The atmosphere was a little different for our neck of the woods, but the menu was varied with choices from heavy to light and something off our usual fare. I was looking forward to a taste of something new. With their on site brewery the bar was well attended and the offerings of brew was much greater and varied than their food choices.
Hubby chose the Fish and Chips while my friend and I chose the Bangers and Mash. The three of us have dinner once a week and enjoy visiting and catching up. After 45 minutes we were starting to wonder about our food and questioned our server as to our order. She advised us the order had gone in and ours (?) was fine and should be out any minute. Another 30 minutes passed before we were advised that our order had never been submitted to the kitchen and much to management's sorrow they were out of "Mash".
Another server and management were very consoling and advised us that our order would be out shortly. There was never an apology from our server and she went about her business without a care in the world. We learned only a short time later she had forgotten to place an order of a lady with a large group of which the owner's mother was a party. I hope the owner realizes that serving and wait staff can end his business quickly. I hate to see anyone lose a job when there are so few available, but nonchalance in the restaurant business is a big no-no.
The Bangers were nothing to write home about, but that could have been due to the disappointment in having to wait over an hour for the food. Hubby's fish and chips were delicious. I will go back to test the waters and give this young man another chance. If the cute little red head tries to wait our table, I am afraid I will have to leave.
Try this new little pub and tell me what you think. The Eagle and The Lion next to the old Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Griffin, Georgia.
Happy Reading!
Belle
Belle's Tales
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
First Cousins
Once a quarter the first cousins of my Mother's brothers and sister get together for a meal and fellowship. When the first of us passed away a few years ago, her spouse came up with this idea and I must say it was a terrific idea!
My Mother is the last of her siblings and she gets lonesome for her family and their shared memories. It is a true boost to her morale when these dinners occur.
Time doesn't stop for any one and even though we think we will be here forever we all know that our days are numbered and time gets shorter with each passing day.
It was our honor to host a barbecue for these cousins last month and we had such a good time and great conversation. The ability to linger throughout the day and truly sit down and talk to each and everyone was a treat. I connected more with some of my cousins on this occasion than I have at any of the other dinners.
On Friday night we had the traditional barbecue fire and some of the guys cooked all night. There is nothing better for relaxation and visiting than a cook fire. Those that made it out on Friday night we thank you - we appreciated the help and enjoyed the company.
For those that couldn't make it, we missed you! Attached are a few shots of a wonderful weekend.
My Mother is the last of her siblings and she gets lonesome for her family and their shared memories. It is a true boost to her morale when these dinners occur.
Time doesn't stop for any one and even though we think we will be here forever we all know that our days are numbered and time gets shorter with each passing day.
It was our honor to host a barbecue for these cousins last month and we had such a good time and great conversation. The ability to linger throughout the day and truly sit down and talk to each and everyone was a treat. I connected more with some of my cousins on this occasion than I have at any of the other dinners.
On Friday night we had the traditional barbecue fire and some of the guys cooked all night. There is nothing better for relaxation and visiting than a cook fire. Those that made it out on Friday night we thank you - we appreciated the help and enjoyed the company.
For those that couldn't make it, we missed you! Attached are a few shots of a wonderful weekend.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A Bit of My Spring
Blondie with her babies!
Promise
Patience
Photography by my grandson, Joseph Head!
Good job Joseph!
Rabbit Fever
. . . a disease, not in this case, just the joy of raising little bundles of smiles!
The dad of the bunch, Jedi, is a brown American. One mother, Star, has white fur tipped in light gray and is a young rabbit. Cleo is the other mother and is solid black with a long muscular body and longer ears. I am guessing on some of this information as these rabbits were purchased at a local auction house and no information provided other than the sex of the rabbit.
Star had her first litter (4 kits) with me a few weeks ago and has been resting after weaning for about 3 weeks. Cleo now has 5 kits that are about 2 weeks old and have just been moved to a growing pen.
I have a birthing pen with a deep bottom and little moving room that becomes home for about three weeks. Moms get moved to the birthing pen about a week before they are due to kindle and remain there until the kits eyes are open and they become active about 2 - 2-1/2 weeks. Then they are moved to the growing pen which is a larger and allows Mom more freedom of movement. They remain with Mom in the growing pen for two weeks before going to the "teen age" pen. The "teen age" pen is a large pen with lots of toys and gives plenty of play room. Mom then goes back into the base pen with the other adults.
These little beauties will fill your day with their antics. Yesterday was spent finding Tiki after he climbed the pen side and found an escape route. He always came back to the pen, but would scamper away to prevent capture. Hubby finally caught up with the little renegade and back in the now reinforced pen he went. He is going to make a little girl very happy this weekend for her birthday!
Smokey is everyone's favorite. She loves to be held and will climb out of the pen when the door is opened for feeding and climbs right into your hand. She has some lionhead in her and her beautiful deep gray tipped fur is gorgeous. She is a keeper! The grandchildren have banned her from being sold!
Tiki and Tavi are twins with Tiki being the daredevil and Tavi being the little shy one. Thumper just ambles along without a care in the world. Thumper does not have the sense of adventure of Tiki or Smokey.
These little angels get fresh fruit and veggies this time of day so I will close for now and tend the rabbits. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
The dad of the bunch, Jedi, is a brown American. One mother, Star, has white fur tipped in light gray and is a young rabbit. Cleo is the other mother and is solid black with a long muscular body and longer ears. I am guessing on some of this information as these rabbits were purchased at a local auction house and no information provided other than the sex of the rabbit.
Star had her first litter (4 kits) with me a few weeks ago and has been resting after weaning for about 3 weeks. Cleo now has 5 kits that are about 2 weeks old and have just been moved to a growing pen.
I have a birthing pen with a deep bottom and little moving room that becomes home for about three weeks. Moms get moved to the birthing pen about a week before they are due to kindle and remain there until the kits eyes are open and they become active about 2 - 2-1/2 weeks. Then they are moved to the growing pen which is a larger and allows Mom more freedom of movement. They remain with Mom in the growing pen for two weeks before going to the "teen age" pen. The "teen age" pen is a large pen with lots of toys and gives plenty of play room. Mom then goes back into the base pen with the other adults.
These little beauties will fill your day with their antics. Yesterday was spent finding Tiki after he climbed the pen side and found an escape route. He always came back to the pen, but would scamper away to prevent capture. Hubby finally caught up with the little renegade and back in the now reinforced pen he went. He is going to make a little girl very happy this weekend for her birthday!
Smokey is everyone's favorite. She loves to be held and will climb out of the pen when the door is opened for feeding and climbs right into your hand. She has some lionhead in her and her beautiful deep gray tipped fur is gorgeous. She is a keeper! The grandchildren have banned her from being sold!
Tiki and Tavi are twins with Tiki being the daredevil and Tavi being the little shy one. Thumper just ambles along without a care in the world. Thumper does not have the sense of adventure of Tiki or Smokey.
These little angels get fresh fruit and veggies this time of day so I will close for now and tend the rabbits. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Just a Little Catch Up!
Things have really started jumping around this little farm and I am trying to hop a long and keep up! February was dragging along and I was dragging with it until the 24th - yes the day of the last big storm. Star, my beautiful white and gray rabbit, decided to kindle on this day. For those of you that do not speak rabbitese - kindle is giving birth. Babies were dropping here there and yonder and unprepared me was running around in lightening and pouring rain trying to get her pen out of the rain and well stocked with all the needs of a new mother rabbit. She had four kits (babies) and is a wonderful mother. I checked on the other doe and Mr. Jedi and they were fine, so Star and I settled in for a quiet afternoon. After the storms had passed, I fed the chickens and gathered the eggs and low and behold here comes Blondie followed by 12 little ones. She led them straight to the barn to eat and eat they did! I returned to check on Cleo and Jedi. The pen was filled with babies. Cleo must have danced in the rain and quickly deposited 9 little ones in an unprepared pen. I lost about 5 to drowning and quickly moved Mother and kits into the second birthing pen. She was not a good mother! I ended up with one survivor and moved it into the pen with Star. She immediately cleaned and fed the little one and now is the happy mother of 5.
I never realized that rabbits grew so quickly. These little ones are a joy to watch. Star has been weaning them this week and I think she is about ready to go back to the big pen and let the little ones grow on up.
In the two weeks in between this tumultuous Thursday, something killed 6 of Blondie biddies and my big rooster along with one laying hen. I am hoping the hen is sitting on a nest somewhere, but I did find two patches of feathers behind the barn. It had to big a big rascal to get my Barred Rock Rooster - he was huge!
I have managed to get in some sewing and therefore knocked back my stack a bit but not near enough. That will have to wait though as I have two chairs to cane and those take priority.
Have to run. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I never realized that rabbits grew so quickly. These little ones are a joy to watch. Star has been weaning them this week and I think she is about ready to go back to the big pen and let the little ones grow on up.
In the two weeks in between this tumultuous Thursday, something killed 6 of Blondie biddies and my big rooster along with one laying hen. I am hoping the hen is sitting on a nest somewhere, but I did find two patches of feathers behind the barn. It had to big a big rascal to get my Barred Rock Rooster - he was huge!
I have managed to get in some sewing and therefore knocked back my stack a bit but not near enough. That will have to wait though as I have two chairs to cane and those take priority.
Have to run. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The warm Spring like temperatures in Middle Georgia have inhibited my creativity as far as inside projects are concerned. Usually my writing and sewing are done on those cold wet days of winter we haven't experienced this year. I keep telling myself the cold is coming but the days are flying by and except for a night or two my toes are still warm!
So the sewing is still packed away in containers and Zeb (I do believe he is swimming around in the pool right now) and Lizzy (sunning on the back deck) are patiently waiting on the sidelines waiting for my next adventure. I thought to go back to the original stories and edit them into something resembling grammatically correct writing, but I decided to leave them be and let these be a teaching tool for young writers. I am sure they will get a lot practice correcting my punctuation and sentence structure.
I am getting a little antsy though, so regardless of the temperatures and sunshine, I may have to stay in and do some sewing.
I read Christopher Paolini's last book, Inheritance, over the last week. I know this is suppose to be the end of the series, but as with a good many books I have read, I hope there will be a sequel. Fantasy is fantasy and I can make up any ending I want to the story!
Over the past year I have continued to connect with those I not only graduated with, but also those shared the start of my educational journey. I have found it takes only a spark to bring forth the memories of those days so long ago. I know it is good for the heart and maybe it will keep my brain alert a little longer!
My writing time is up! Just an update - my parents are hanging in there and still getting around, albeit slowly. Mom gave us all a laugh at dinner on Sunday when she lost a cap on her front tooth and was afraid she had swallowed it. All our little ones were aghast when she smiled and had no tooth! The cap was found on her plate and she is in the process of restoring her beautiful smile. Dad really got a chuckle out of this one!
Time seems to fly at the times we wish it would stand still.
Happy reading!
Belle
So the sewing is still packed away in containers and Zeb (I do believe he is swimming around in the pool right now) and Lizzy (sunning on the back deck) are patiently waiting on the sidelines waiting for my next adventure. I thought to go back to the original stories and edit them into something resembling grammatically correct writing, but I decided to leave them be and let these be a teaching tool for young writers. I am sure they will get a lot practice correcting my punctuation and sentence structure.
I am getting a little antsy though, so regardless of the temperatures and sunshine, I may have to stay in and do some sewing.
I read Christopher Paolini's last book, Inheritance, over the last week. I know this is suppose to be the end of the series, but as with a good many books I have read, I hope there will be a sequel. Fantasy is fantasy and I can make up any ending I want to the story!
Over the past year I have continued to connect with those I not only graduated with, but also those shared the start of my educational journey. I have found it takes only a spark to bring forth the memories of those days so long ago. I know it is good for the heart and maybe it will keep my brain alert a little longer!
My writing time is up! Just an update - my parents are hanging in there and still getting around, albeit slowly. Mom gave us all a laugh at dinner on Sunday when she lost a cap on her front tooth and was afraid she had swallowed it. All our little ones were aghast when she smiled and had no tooth! The cap was found on her plate and she is in the process of restoring her beautiful smile. Dad really got a chuckle out of this one!
Time seems to fly at the times we wish it would stand still.
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
2011 Year End
Over this past year I have blogged about the things going on in my life - my chickens, rabbits, garden, pets, cooking, sewing - just a little of everything. So doing a recap isn't really necessary.
It has been a good year with all its ups and downs. Hubby and I are healthy and able to function and as we get older that pretty much says it all. Hubby has now lost about 80 pounds which is a big plus and I have gained about 8 (all while what I consider dieting). "Mama always said" it would all catch up with me - for so many years I weighed 112 pounds and at 5'8" I was really thin! It didn't happen at 40 like "Mama always said," but it did happen! I feel the aches and pains of the good times of my life and the bad times of my life. I make no excuses - I am what I am and God loves me even though I am not perfect.
I started the year trying to increase my chicken flock. I hatched and babied those little balls of fluff for weeks. I had 32 biddies for a while, then the dogs came and demolished about half. then the snakes came and demolished the other half. Sick at heart I replaced the little ones with lovely Barred Rocks. These ladies are so gentle and loving and fit right in to our little flock. Matilda, my old Rhode Island Red hen, accepted them aboard while maintaining her position as the head of the pecking order.
I have a special pair of Grays that are so beautiful. I hatched them and raised them separately from the rest of the flock. I will lose the beautiful rooster this week when he goes to the sale barn. The rooster's name is Ming Ming and the hen is Tuck. The oldest granddaughter named them as soon as they hatched and even though the sexes don't reflect the names - it is what it is. Ming Ming tried to flog the older of the youngest granddaughter last week and then yesterday tried to flog the youngest granddaughter. Ming Ming is too young as yet to have dangerous spurs, but his spurs are rapidly growing and with his temperment, he has to go. The grandchildren love to play outside and I won't tolerate an agressive animal.
In the Spring, the oldest granddaughter decided she wanted a rabbit, so hubby added not one but three to the menagerie. Lost one of those within two weeks but replace her with a fostor from Atlanta that was someone's pet. Now down to two and they run loose in the barn and are very content until the neighbors dogs come snooping. I really wish people would raise their pets not to get into other peoples business.
I had a fruitful early garden and filled the freezer up while enjoying all the fresh vegetables throughout the summer. I don't can much anymore, but may have to reconsider with the coming season. Hubby has already turned loads of leaves and mulch back into the soil in anticipation of the upcoming planting season.
The youngest granddaughters and I planted trash can potatoes, but we waited a little too long to plant and only harvested a couple of handfuls of small spuds. They will be great with a pot of green beans though, so all is not lost and the experiment was good for us all. Plan to try the trash can pototoes again in early March.
This fall has brought my deer back. They enjoy the huge acorn crop we have behind the house and will graze on the nuts for at least an hour a day and sometime longer. I manged to get some good pictures of them last week and where there were only three, a new beauty joined them. One day and young buck stepped in to enjoy the fare. I cringe every time I hear a shot behind the house, as I fear a hunter as downed one of my babies.
I retired this year and was happy to do so. I really enjoy staying at home and diddling with my cooking, sewing, animals, and garden. I could keep working and Hubby and I could stash the dollars toward future travel, but I watch so many that save and save and then are unable to do the things they saved to do. I wrote about my cataract sugery in an earlier blog, but I am still pleased with my much improved sight.
I spend loads of time with my youngest granddaughters and enjoy every minute. I am bowled over by my oldest grand children every time they visit. Living north of Atlanta, I only see them every six weeks or so and they change so fast. Phone calls are just not the same. They are both so bright and talented!
My parents are aging fast and it hurts my heart to see them struggle to perform even the most routine tasks. They were both so active and energetic during their younger years.
I experienced losses and gaines during the year which is part of living. I have seen new little ones come into the world, couples pledging solemn vows to each other before God, and have seen close friends and family lose the ones they love. I have contemplated the whys of life and am still uncertain that I have accomplished what I am suppose to accomplish.
Cleaning is calling, so until next time . . .
Happy New Year and
Happy reading!
Belle
It has been a good year with all its ups and downs. Hubby and I are healthy and able to function and as we get older that pretty much says it all. Hubby has now lost about 80 pounds which is a big plus and I have gained about 8 (all while what I consider dieting). "Mama always said" it would all catch up with me - for so many years I weighed 112 pounds and at 5'8" I was really thin! It didn't happen at 40 like "Mama always said," but it did happen! I feel the aches and pains of the good times of my life and the bad times of my life. I make no excuses - I am what I am and God loves me even though I am not perfect.
I started the year trying to increase my chicken flock. I hatched and babied those little balls of fluff for weeks. I had 32 biddies for a while, then the dogs came and demolished about half. then the snakes came and demolished the other half. Sick at heart I replaced the little ones with lovely Barred Rocks. These ladies are so gentle and loving and fit right in to our little flock. Matilda, my old Rhode Island Red hen, accepted them aboard while maintaining her position as the head of the pecking order.
I have a special pair of Grays that are so beautiful. I hatched them and raised them separately from the rest of the flock. I will lose the beautiful rooster this week when he goes to the sale barn. The rooster's name is Ming Ming and the hen is Tuck. The oldest granddaughter named them as soon as they hatched and even though the sexes don't reflect the names - it is what it is. Ming Ming tried to flog the older of the youngest granddaughter last week and then yesterday tried to flog the youngest granddaughter. Ming Ming is too young as yet to have dangerous spurs, but his spurs are rapidly growing and with his temperment, he has to go. The grandchildren love to play outside and I won't tolerate an agressive animal.
In the Spring, the oldest granddaughter decided she wanted a rabbit, so hubby added not one but three to the menagerie. Lost one of those within two weeks but replace her with a fostor from Atlanta that was someone's pet. Now down to two and they run loose in the barn and are very content until the neighbors dogs come snooping. I really wish people would raise their pets not to get into other peoples business.
I had a fruitful early garden and filled the freezer up while enjoying all the fresh vegetables throughout the summer. I don't can much anymore, but may have to reconsider with the coming season. Hubby has already turned loads of leaves and mulch back into the soil in anticipation of the upcoming planting season.
The youngest granddaughters and I planted trash can potatoes, but we waited a little too long to plant and only harvested a couple of handfuls of small spuds. They will be great with a pot of green beans though, so all is not lost and the experiment was good for us all. Plan to try the trash can pototoes again in early March.
This fall has brought my deer back. They enjoy the huge acorn crop we have behind the house and will graze on the nuts for at least an hour a day and sometime longer. I manged to get some good pictures of them last week and where there were only three, a new beauty joined them. One day and young buck stepped in to enjoy the fare. I cringe every time I hear a shot behind the house, as I fear a hunter as downed one of my babies.
I retired this year and was happy to do so. I really enjoy staying at home and diddling with my cooking, sewing, animals, and garden. I could keep working and Hubby and I could stash the dollars toward future travel, but I watch so many that save and save and then are unable to do the things they saved to do. I wrote about my cataract sugery in an earlier blog, but I am still pleased with my much improved sight.
I spend loads of time with my youngest granddaughters and enjoy every minute. I am bowled over by my oldest grand children every time they visit. Living north of Atlanta, I only see them every six weeks or so and they change so fast. Phone calls are just not the same. They are both so bright and talented!
My parents are aging fast and it hurts my heart to see them struggle to perform even the most routine tasks. They were both so active and energetic during their younger years.
I experienced losses and gaines during the year which is part of living. I have seen new little ones come into the world, couples pledging solemn vows to each other before God, and have seen close friends and family lose the ones they love. I have contemplated the whys of life and am still uncertain that I have accomplished what I am suppose to accomplish.
Cleaning is calling, so until next time . . .
Happy New Year and
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November Catchup
I am backing up a bit since my writing time has been limited this month so please be patient. The first weekend of the month was my baby sister's birthday. I know that some of you will find a great deal of humor in that sentence as a normal 60 year old woman doesn't usually refer to her younger sister as her "baby sister", but I do, I did, and I will. I am not normal. Sis and I were escorted to the "Fox" by her oldest son and a friend after a delightful dinner at Brio's where we were treated to an outstanding meal, great service, lots of fun and laughter.
The "Fox' is unique, beautiful, awe inspiring and down right fun! It takes to back to an era of glamour and richness no longer found among the great building of Atlanta. The Fox just IS! We were treated to a wonderful romantic comedy "Mama Mia!" which we thoroughly enjoyed. The cast gave a great performance and the music was outstanding.
The middle of the month was the quarterly Harmon family get together. We met at Southern Pit Barbecue and since our group was so large they had to split us up - they don't do reservations - so all of us didn't get to visit but I so enjoyed the time spent with those of us that were able to sit together. Next time we will make sure we get a space that can handle all us youngun's. I met cousins I had not as yet met and enjoyed the visit with cousins I hadn't seen in a while. Can't wait until February when hopefully more will join the group. Would love to see the Louisiana cousin and the Minnesota cousin.
Hubby and I are lucky enough to host Thanksgiving for the families. It is such a treat for us to have everyone together at our home and enjoy all the great food they bring to share. Dad even had a good visit with everyone for a while before getting tired and heading home. Didn't get all of us in one picture this year, but we did manage to get a pic of everyone during the day. Lot's of good food and many laughs throughout the day!
The Dahlonega kids come in for Thanksgiving usually spend a few extra days with me. It is a pleasant week for everyone. My oldest grandchildren are growing so fast that I am afraid they will soon not fit on my lap.
During the afternoon and early evening everyone got their game plans finalized and were soon off to early Black Friday shopping at 9:00 pm. The deals were astounding and they all were ready to spend to save. The different groups kept us apprised of their progress and I think everyone got pretty much everything they aimed for, mainly electronics and bicycles. Then spent hours standing in line before getting home in the early dawn hours.
I have spent the last few days recovering from a wonderfully full week and weekend and getting ready to head into the Christmas season. This week I felt the first twinges that I always feel when Christmas nears. Time to get the decorations out and get started.
I hope all my reader friends enjoyed the day of Thanksgiving as much as I did. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
The "Fox' is unique, beautiful, awe inspiring and down right fun! It takes to back to an era of glamour and richness no longer found among the great building of Atlanta. The Fox just IS! We were treated to a wonderful romantic comedy "Mama Mia!" which we thoroughly enjoyed. The cast gave a great performance and the music was outstanding.
The middle of the month was the quarterly Harmon family get together. We met at Southern Pit Barbecue and since our group was so large they had to split us up - they don't do reservations - so all of us didn't get to visit but I so enjoyed the time spent with those of us that were able to sit together. Next time we will make sure we get a space that can handle all us youngun's. I met cousins I had not as yet met and enjoyed the visit with cousins I hadn't seen in a while. Can't wait until February when hopefully more will join the group. Would love to see the Louisiana cousin and the Minnesota cousin.
Hubby and I are lucky enough to host Thanksgiving for the families. It is such a treat for us to have everyone together at our home and enjoy all the great food they bring to share. Dad even had a good visit with everyone for a while before getting tired and heading home. Didn't get all of us in one picture this year, but we did manage to get a pic of everyone during the day. Lot's of good food and many laughs throughout the day!
The Dahlonega kids come in for Thanksgiving usually spend a few extra days with me. It is a pleasant week for everyone. My oldest grandchildren are growing so fast that I am afraid they will soon not fit on my lap.
During the afternoon and early evening everyone got their game plans finalized and were soon off to early Black Friday shopping at 9:00 pm. The deals were astounding and they all were ready to spend to save. The different groups kept us apprised of their progress and I think everyone got pretty much everything they aimed for, mainly electronics and bicycles. Then spent hours standing in line before getting home in the early dawn hours.
I have spent the last few days recovering from a wonderfully full week and weekend and getting ready to head into the Christmas season. This week I felt the first twinges that I always feel when Christmas nears. Time to get the decorations out and get started.
I hope all my reader friends enjoyed the day of Thanksgiving as much as I did. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Friday, November 18, 2011
Strange visitors
Deep into the reading of Inadmissible Evidence by Philip Friedman, a most unpleasant odor hit my nostrils and for a minute all thought and comprehension was focused on that horrible smell. It took less than a minute for my brain to comprehend the source of this odor and I immediately threw the book and ran to shut the windows. A beautiful but deadly (to the senses) skunk had sprayed its wares somewhere around my porch. Hubby, with a huge smile on his face, slowly rose from his chair and found his flashlight as he headed for the door. The puppies had not as yet been hit by the smell, as always, if Daddy was going out, that is where they were needed.
The puppies came alive and I allowed them to join the outside activity, hoping against all odds that they would not locate said beauty and come in needing many baths which I knew would do no good. After a quick turn around the yard and house hubby returned having not located anything. We both settled back to our reading when something caught my eye at the door. I quickly glanced about for the puppies and found them settled before the fire snoozing. Again dumping my book I checked the porch and there drinking out of the puppies water bowl was a semi grown opossum. He didn't seem to be in a hurry and drank his fill before turning to look up at me as Hubby opened the door. He started to come in for a visit, but Hubby stomped his foot and the little rascal trotted off, straight under the hot tub.
With flashlight and net, Hubby attempted to relocate our visitor to no avail. He balled up tightly and was not about to leave his sanctuary. Unreachable and not causing any harm we left him for the night determined to move him in the morning light. Earlier in the day I had spent a good bit of time watching several deer play and graze in back of the house. It was a day filled with wildlife!
The next afternoon I cringed as the shots rang out behind the house, hoping that the hunter was a bad shot and had missed my friends. Yesterday, there was a beautiful, if malodorous, dead skunk on the side of the road. So is life -- here today and gone tomorrow.
Enjoy life while it is available. Whether wildlife or human, we are here for only a short time as was those that went before us and none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow here on earth.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
The puppies came alive and I allowed them to join the outside activity, hoping against all odds that they would not locate said beauty and come in needing many baths which I knew would do no good. After a quick turn around the yard and house hubby returned having not located anything. We both settled back to our reading when something caught my eye at the door. I quickly glanced about for the puppies and found them settled before the fire snoozing. Again dumping my book I checked the porch and there drinking out of the puppies water bowl was a semi grown opossum. He didn't seem to be in a hurry and drank his fill before turning to look up at me as Hubby opened the door. He started to come in for a visit, but Hubby stomped his foot and the little rascal trotted off, straight under the hot tub.
With flashlight and net, Hubby attempted to relocate our visitor to no avail. He balled up tightly and was not about to leave his sanctuary. Unreachable and not causing any harm we left him for the night determined to move him in the morning light. Earlier in the day I had spent a good bit of time watching several deer play and graze in back of the house. It was a day filled with wildlife!
The next afternoon I cringed as the shots rang out behind the house, hoping that the hunter was a bad shot and had missed my friends. Yesterday, there was a beautiful, if malodorous, dead skunk on the side of the road. So is life -- here today and gone tomorrow.
Enjoy life while it is available. Whether wildlife or human, we are here for only a short time as was those that went before us and none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow here on earth.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Fall 2011
A most beautiful fall with warm breezy days and cool nights. Tonight we will have our first freeze of this winter season. This week has been full of wonder - my wonder roses are blooming and my beautiful long stems have the best buds and blooms of the year. I know they will be gone on the morrow if I don't get out and cut them this afternoon, but I do hate to cut my flowers.
The turning leaves are at their peak and the woods are a palette of earthy tones. Beautiful! The deer are enjoying a bountiful harvest of acorns in the back and I have certainly enjoyed watching them munch the little nuts.
The winter will be cold and drab, but the spring will come again in all its spendor and warmth. Time for soup, a warm fire and my lap blanket.
Have a blessed week and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
The turning leaves are at their peak and the woods are a palette of earthy tones. Beautiful! The deer are enjoying a bountiful harvest of acorns in the back and I have certainly enjoyed watching them munch the little nuts.
The winter will be cold and drab, but the spring will come again in all its spendor and warmth. Time for soup, a warm fire and my lap blanket.
Have a blessed week and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Monday, October 24, 2011
Trash Can Potatoes
The youngest two granddaughters and I have a fall project going that has turned into a Nanna project - they check on the plants and I do the work. We found an unused plastic/rubber 40 gallon trashcan; drilled some holes in the bottom; put in 6 inches of garden soil; and added a dozen potatoe eyes and covered with another couple of inches of soil.
The girls took off to Florida and Nanna has steadily added a little soil every 3 or 4 days. The plants are now close to the top of the garbage can and very healthy looking. The dirt is about half way up the inside of the can and more will be added today. Around the middle of December, the trash can will be turned upside down and should be full of potatoes. You will definitely get an update on this one.
The girls are very excited and have enjoyed seeing the rapid growth of the plants.
Hopefully we will all enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Happy Reading!
Belle
The girls took off to Florida and Nanna has steadily added a little soil every 3 or 4 days. The plants are now close to the top of the garbage can and very healthy looking. The dirt is about half way up the inside of the can and more will be added today. Around the middle of December, the trash can will be turned upside down and should be full of potatoes. You will definitely get an update on this one.
The girls are very excited and have enjoyed seeing the rapid growth of the plants.
Hopefully we will all enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Happy Reading!
Belle
Disappointment
Wrote a couple of weeks ago that hubby had purchased a Toshiba laptop and I was enjoying it immensely, then on Friday in the middle of a huge project it crashed. I had worked on a training manual all week and finally got the finishing touches on it and thank goodness saved the thing on my thumb drive. Traversed to the kitchen to get dinner started and 30 minutes later returned to the message - crash dump file created! - call system administrator or technical support. I did - call technical support, that is - and followed the technician's directions. I was ready to box and ship this sucker right back, however he got me up and running in a matter of 90 minutes. Is the machine damaged - I don't know. Will it happen again - I don't know this either. So far all is well and I am still saving to the thumb drive. I think after the power source going out in my desktop I will always save to the thumb drive. I will always have access to my files.
Hubby took the desktop in and they replaced the power source so I am not with a computer if something goes wrong.
I am watching carefully for any sign of trouble on the laptop so hopefully I will be able to react quickly if a problem is present.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Hubby took the desktop in and they replaced the power source so I am not with a computer if something goes wrong.
I am watching carefully for any sign of trouble on the laptop so hopefully I will be able to react quickly if a problem is present.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Free Patterns for your Sewing and Crafts
Sometimes I get tunnel vision and return over and over to the same websites and never venture out into the great web space in the sky, but on occasion someone will recommend a site and I will travel over and have a look. What a delightful surprise when I visited All Free Sewing! So many ideas, patterns and directions for construction. Not just one line of patterns, but a whole array of ideas and projects with simple to follow instructions. In the process of subscribing to their weekly emails, I encountered a whole line of free recipes, crafts, sewing and much more.
If you have a minute give them a look at www.allfreesewing.com.
If you have a minute give them a look at www.allfreesewing.com.
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