WOW!

A year and a half of news - how could I go so long without sharing my thoughts.  Says a lot about my state of mind.  Much loss, too much heart break, in my life in that year and a half.  How do people worm their way into your life and then just pull out - no goodbyes, no hugs, nothing - just gone.  

In August of last year my brother-in-law did just that!  He was my friend and he died without even a good bye. In October a dear friend of many years lay dead at her computer while we waited on her at the Tea House.  Just gone - no goodbyes, no "Love you", nothing.  November brought the deadly stroke that started the illnesses that took my Father in January.  Then another friend in June.  In July Mother had two major blockages repaired and I am convinced they were from a broken heart.  It is so hard when nothing brings joy to the broken hearted - the ones you love.

Some days my heart hurts with the missing of these family and friends and some days I laugh with joy at my memories.  That is the way I want to be remembered - with joy and laughter!

Then a miracle was born in June and my heart starting melting and came out of shock.  God knows our needs better than we do and he knows what we are going through every day.  My fourth granddaughter was born bringing much joy and happiness.  The birth of this child reminded me that life will go on - we have no control over God's plans for each and every one of us.  

Now on to the present and the future with joy in our hearts!

About my little farm - out of 34 yard birds, I have 10 left (9 hens and 1 rooster).  I am on the verge of transferring them to my daughter's farm as they have become very demanding and hard to handle.  The coyotes and hawks have killed off most of my feathered friends and the snakes (removed two in one day from the laying box) and opossums (we trapped 6 in one week) are getting more eggs than I am getting.  I think next Spring I will start over with a new batch and see how I manage.  With no food here, maybe the varmints will move on to greener pastures.  I have acquired a beautiful Land Shun that will be hard to part with. 

It has been a hot summer here in central Georgia.  One of the wettest springs that I can remember, but when the rain left it left for weeks.  Even my rosemary dried on its own. The hibiscus is droopy and woody and the blooms have fallen off without opening.  What the weather hasn't killed, the chickens have and they have enjoyed a wonderful crop of tomatoes while I had none!  

Thanks for visiting and remember to Keep Smiling!

Belle

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