On the road again

We are on our annual trek to the Smokey mountains. We left Christmas day and headed to our cabin in Nc.  Spent Thursday driving to new areas. Friday we went to Gatlinburg, Tn, did some shopping, people watching, and ate at one of our fav places....Dicks last resort. You have to be a special kind of person to enjoy that place....it's right up our alley!  More adventures to follow!

Getting Scrappy

I am in heaven over here, loving project life!  I've got my album for my weekly 2014 memories.  Since I've been chomping at the bit to get started, I've appeased myself by making a holiday album! I love how easy it is, it's a no brainer for me.  But then I can get really creative and do some cool stuff too.  I haven't completed the album yet, obviously since we have the macdaddy of holidays barreling down on us.  I love that I can get it organized how I want then go back and embellish it with cool stuff. Tomorrow I'm reorganizing my craft room. While in there I'm gonna dig out my old scrapbooking stuff and see what all can work with this.  Can't wait to go back and do the kids baby books etc!!  Here are a couple pages from thanksgiving.  I've also started on my first page for next year!!

I'm also thankful for

The Pioneer Woman, aka Ree Drummond. Can I tell ya I just love her!! I watch her show faithfully, and always DVR it, even when I am home to see it in person. Not only does she live my dream of ranch life, she has great cookbooks, and she is just a cool chick!
Speaking of her cookbooks, I just purchased her latest, A Year Of Holidays. Oh my jeeze, I am in heaven. These recipes rock! I'm using two of them with our Thanksgiving meal. Maybe if I remember I will post some pics!
I hope I haven't broken any rules by having her name and pics in this post. I'm not using them for anything else except to say she is awesome, all the credit is hers!! I don't know how to link back to others blogs, but you can find her at ThePioneerWoman.com. If you get a chance go see her there! Below is a photo of her latest jewel, ya gotta get it!! No I'm not getting anything for saying any of this...she doesn't even know I exist, and I'm not stalking her either...promise!

Paradise Found, Project Life Style

Holy moly, I've died and gone to heaven!  I have discovered Project Life by Becky Higgins. I am chomping at the bit to get started, but I want to do a complete year...c'mon Jan 1, 2014!!! I want to do this so badly that I'm going to do a mini album for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I'm either so excited to do this, or so boring/pitiful, that on a Saturday night I'm at home creating files for each week of next year.  I've got them all ready and labeled by the week, just waiting for me to add pics and memories as they happen!
I've scrapbooked rather inconsistently over the years and have boxes and discs full of pics of my children and events over the years.  How I wish I had known about Project Life before now, I feel like I have been deprived. Lol. I'd better get going I have a lot to catch up on!

The Thankful project

So my fb is on Thankful overload with everyone posting the 30 days of Thankfulness. I am trying everyday to be thankful for something, however I have chosen to not post as a status.  Too much pressure, what if I skip a day or a weekend, then ya'll will think I'm not thankful....(that's a lot of thanks and thinks..LOL)  This is hard sometimes for me to remember to post, not to remember to be that t-word! So I'm trying to jot it down everyday in my planner. That way I kill 2 birds with 1 stone, I write my thanks, and check my planner...plus my colored ink pens are really pretty!!
Today I am Thankful for the internet, it sure makes things easier!

Fox in the henhouse

Well not yet, but close enough.  A fox has been picking my chics off one by one.  Even my two roosters!  My chix get to free range during the day, all day. Then at night they go back into their coop.  They are some of the happiest chickens I know!  Until recently when I started keeping them cooped up for their own safety.  A sly ole fox has been dining on my egg makers. Everyday I would come home and another would be gone.  I actually caught it in the act of running off with one, so there I went chasing a fox down the road with my pistol.  No luck it dove off into the brush before I could get to it. 
My next step is a trap, although I have heard many haven't had much luck with this method either.  Will the fox move on if the drive-thru is closed for awhile?  I hate having to keep the girls locked up for the rest of their lives.

Homemade or Hassle-free

I try to make a lot of my own cleaning supplies.  You know, laundry detergent, orange multipurpose cleaner, regular multipurpose, window cleaner, soaps, and scrubs.  I like doing this, and am always looking for more ideas, or new and improved recipes.
What about you? Do y'all make anything? What is your favorite?
I know many people think its silly to make things when you can go to the store and just pick it up.  For me personally, I like the feeling of being able to make things I need.  I also like being able to go to my garden and get things from it...grow garden grow!!

Boys will be boys

But why do they have to be so aggravating??? My middle child who just so happens to be a boy has made it his job to drive me crazy!!! He is an amazing athlete, but not the scholar he should be. And his not so stellar performance in school is all his own doings. He has decided that being the class clown is a better way to spend his Mondays-Fridays. This boy is gonna make me lose my mind. But, being the quick thinker I am I outsmarted his little butt. Tomorrow I will be enrolling him in a small private school!  I got this!  And yes he can still play sports for the high school. Hopefully this will be the best of both worlds for him. More traveling and scheduling for me since his sis, my youngest, will be staying at the high school. She loves it and is doing awesome! 

Lil bump

In the road again.  I had surgery on Friday.  Trying to take it easy and relax.  The kids are back in school so it's quiet and restful during the day.  Gotta get well quickly, I've got cleaning products to try out, the Orange one I made.  I've got dish soap cubes to make, and a garden that is screaming for attention. 
I apologize for any typos. Meds and blogging might not always be a good combo, plus posting from my phone who has an auto correct with its own mind!!

They say

Time flies, I never believed it, but yet again they were right...whoever 'they' are!
The kids started back to school today, off they went a 7th and 8th grader, both a lil nervous.  You see, they both had to start a new school today.  The middle school they were supposed to go to closed down, and the high school has become a jr/sr high school.  Interesting to say the least.  I cannot wait to hear how their first day was.  Annndddd, believe it or not, I really do miss them.   I spent a lot of time with them this summer doing the family thing when we could, and at work, yes I was lucky enough to be able to bring them with me.  Some days I was lucky enough to leave them elsewhere!  Funny how that works.  But I do miss them, they make me laugh, and smile, and grit my teeth while threatening them!
But, time flies, and I will be home soon ready to greet them and hear all about their day!

Health kick

So with my recent health issues, I am in the middle of a lifestyle change.  Healthier eating/cooking for my kids and me.
I've seen tons of pins on pinterest and recipes in mags for Kale chips.  After some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic and a warm toasty oven along with a 25 minute wait.....they were pretty good.  Next time I might pull them out after 20 sweeps of the minute hand.  My son who typically runs from green things actually liked them!  I about fainted!!
Can't wait to see what other goodies we can try.

Going green

Errr, orange is what I meant.  I've been making my own cleaners, laundry detergent, dish soap etc.
I've decided to kick up my cleaner a notch and make the orange peel cleaner that I've been reading about on Facebook and pintrest.  I've got it made and now it's curing/steeping in the pantry.  I will keep you updated .

blah, blah, blah

That is how I have been feeling lately...just can't seem to get to feeing better.  This anemia is kicking my arse!!  Any suggestions besides iron??  I'm taking that...

Happy 4th

Thank you to all who have served, are serving, and will serve our beautiful country. I'm proud to be an American and love our freedom and independence!!
Can't wait to see all the fireworks and set off our own as well!!

Good ol summertime

In Florida, and it's hot already. Stifling, muggy, and tons of humidity! We are trying to get the pool up, if you remember or look back on last summer posts, you can see the dreaded pool. My dad took it down for more last year since it wasn't level when set up ( we won't discuss that), and he and my oldest son are prepping and leveling the new spot where I originally wanted it. We live out in the sticks so we have well water. We will not be filling the pool with that crap again. So we are going to haul the water in! Thankfully I have an awesome kid with a hauling business. He has a huge water tank and big trailer to get the job done! Hopefully this weekend we will be in the water! Stay tuned
Here are a couple of pics of my daughter getting the tank clean and ready!!

Ladybug, ladybug

Fly away home? Remember that poem? If I remember it correctly it was kindof morbid. Anyways, we aren't going to dwell on that, we are moving on to the buggy benefits.
I am going completely organic with my garden, so instead of bug sprays even those that are supposed to be organic, I've chosen to fight the bugs, aphids, etc with the pretty little lady bugs. I'm waiting for the sun to go down, then water my veggies, and turn the girls loose!! ( I guess they are girls!?!?) Hope they are hungry!!

What I've missed

I was in the hospital a week ( I'm on the mend), doesn't seem like a long time, but many things were going on at home. My garden seemed to take off, or up depending on what veggie or fruit we are looking at. My chicks have grown so much, my ducklings are huge, and my mom brought us a beautiful new Cochin bantam rooster aka 'Cowboy'. I've got to fence off an area for the chicks and ducks to keep them away from the big girls and guys, but still allow them outside to forage around. Guess we all know what I will be trying to do this week! Hope my kids volunteer to help!!
Also big important day for my baby, she is 12 today. Holy cow, time has gone by so fast! I love my kiddos so much it hurts and only want the best for them! Happy Birthday Brooke!!

Bump in the road

Well, last Sunday May 26th, I decided to take the kids and a friend to Sea World. That didn't last long, barely in the gate I end up in the hospital in Orlando. Today is one week later, I'm still here...hoping to go home today. They keep telling me tomorrow, tomorrow. Keeping fingers crossed that today is the tomorrow!!

I call Fowl!

I cannot believe this, Wednesday afternoon 2 ducklings come up missing. I searched high and low, around their pen which I thought was predator safe. No signs of them, no little feathers, no stretched fencing, no holes....hmmmmm? So thinking I was just dealing with nature, I put up the game cam, in full sight, not hidden....remember I'm thinking I have a critter after my babies. Thursday am, all is well on the home front, everyone accounted for, fed, watered, and happy in their pen. Welllllll, I get home from work and errands about 6ish and guess what? The game cam is wide open and the SD card is missing! So yes I'm dealing with a predator of sorts, the asshole sort! Who steals animals from someone's yard in the middle of the day??

To eat or not?

After some research on my limping chickens, I've discovered they are Cornish Rocks, mainly a meat bird. They grow really fast and get pretty heavy, they are also very greedy with their food!
Now I know why they are limping, arthritis is very common, due to fast growth and big bodies!
Normally these birds have met their demise by 8-10 weeks. Mine however are still cruising around free ranging and enjoying life. With that being said, they still don't have long life expectancy, maybe a year if I'm lucky. So the big question, do I let them just keep doing their thing, or do I take them to a processor and put them on the dinner table. My heart says let them go naturally since I don't know how long or short it will be. But the brain says, that meat will be really good, hormone free, and there will be a lot of it.
So my question to you is, do you eat the birds you've raised or just use them for eggs?

What the Duck??

The new babies have moved into the nursery. The chicks were less than enthused with their new housemates, but they were all getting along by the days end. These lil critters are living quite the life, nice big roomy house under a big oak tree, waterfront property thanks to the new pool right outside their doorstep. They have their humans cleaning their house, bringing them food, and providing security. I say they have it made in the shade!

Happy Mamma's Day

Ahhhh, it's finally here...my day of pampering and being a princess!!!
Wait, what's that? Oh the alarm clock, and like that my dream is over! Happy Mother's Day!! Just a regular ole day around here, animals and kids to feed, grass to be mowed, and a garden to play with! Might even rearrange some furnishings around here too!!
I did however catch breakfast with my mom, dad, and two of my kiddos. So that was a nice start to my day. Lots to do, so I better get to it, and tonight is Survivor finale!! Perfect way to end the day with my favorite show, maybe I should try out before I get too old!
PS. I got some new additions, pics coming soon, stay tuned!!

Sundays are for relaxing

At least today is for me! It's Cinco De Mayo, but I'm not out partaking in the festivities...I have to work tomorrow!!! Plus I've been a bit under the weather, I did finally go to the Dr., and that's huge for me. Kids are at their friends, I'm on the way to get them as soon as I finish this post. I cannot believe school is almost out. I think 15 days left, this year is flying by. My daughter who will be entering 7th grade has been going to the cheer leading clinics and has try outs Tuesday. This new school year is going to be a huge change for both of the younger kiddos. Their middle school will be closing, and the are going straight to the high school which is becoming a jr/sr high. Therefore they have the opportunity to play highschool sports! Great opportunity, but hard for this mamma to swallow, her babies are going to highschool!?!?!?
So what does a country girl do? She gets more critters, that will for sure keep her busy! And that's what I did, got 6 new chicks to add to my flock! The are americanas, hopefully we will get some colored eggs, they are supposed to lay pastel colored eggs! Stay tuned for that, should have the first egg in about 5 months.
Here's a picture of some of them.

All is quiet

On the home front. Not much has been going on, but yet I've been so busy! I am short handed at work, so that means more hours for me, including Saturdays. Yes, I said Saturdays...those who know me well know that usually on any given Saturday you will find my behind in a lawn chair, lap full of a scorebook, at the baseball field. However as of late, we are taking a little break. Andddd, I must say it is quite nice!!
With the weekend bearing down on us and no plans besides work, I hope to mow this place and play in my garden!!

April showers

April showers hopefully bring lots of veggies and berries to our table!
I finally got my crates for the raised beds for my garden. I went yesterday and purchased some goodies. I got some corn, peppers, beans, squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe and strawberries. I bought a load of potting soil, but it wasn't enough for all of my crates. However, I did get 2 of them filled and planted. Have to run into town and buy some bags of soil for the last remaining one. I will wait til later because a nice little rainstorm is coming thru right now. Hopefully my tender little plants will survive!

We survived Spring Break

So right before Spring break my middle kiddo comes home with a new dog. Just what I needed, he's a sweet dog, just high energy. And of course the one who brought him home, promising to the moon and back that he will take care of him, walk him, feed him, and so on, is....mega low energy!! So between the new critter, beach days, kids spending the night at their friends, friends spending the night at our house, fishing, and a baseball tournament, we survived!!
I'm glad to be back to work sans children! I have no idea what I'm going to pull off for them over the summer. I better get my thinkin' cap on!
I will leave you with a snapshot of a peaceful moment from last week.

Finally Friday!

Yay, finally Friday, not that it really means much to me, I'm still busy on the weekend, but it does make me happy!
We've got a lot going on, baseball tournament in Apopka...love baseball but this means early, early mornings on the road.  Plus I am trying to get my raised beds up and going, house chores/maintenance that needs to be done!!
And....it's the start of Spring Break  'round here, so I'm scrambling to find something for the kiddos to do.  I'm hoping to find a surf camp for them, they've been asking for the past couple of summers, so I'm thinking a full day/week at the beach should suffice in wearing them out!!
I want a Spring Break from work!! C'mon vacation.

Playing in the dirt

Last year I started a small, okay, tiny garden of the raised bed type. Planted some tomatoes, strawberries (the squirrels loved these), and some broccoli. The tomatoes were the most productive! So since I was semi-successful with it, I think I'm going to aim for a few beds this year. I even bought a book for how to's and inspiration. Yes I'm a nerd I guess, I love to read, and I'm a visual learner, you can tell me all day long...I have to see it to get it!! I've got my list of things I need and of what I want to grow. Hopefully I can find everything so I can just plant it rather than start with seeds since I'm a few weeks late already!
So now you know what I will be into this week!

Crossdressing chicks?

So yesterday from my room I hear this strange gargling noise outside my window. I wander out there and the only thing I see are the chickens pecking around the camper carport...nothing unusual.
Today the kids and I are outside each of us doing our own thing, and I hear it again, only this time it's a bit more of a distinct sound. I look around, squinting of course because that always helps me hear better! And guess what, I hear it again, and yes it's coming from my property, not the neighbors across the canal as I had hoped.
It's official my friends we have at least one rooster in our flock. All along I just thought she was a big boned girl, boy was I wrong! Now I have to decide if we are going to keep him, or if I can sneak him over to my friend Brenda's farm and leave him there as a little gift!!
Hey, that's what friends are for!

Rain finally!

I was so excited yesterday afternoon to see they ( the always correct weather forecasters) were calling for rain! So excited that I hustled up to the local garden department and bought some grass seed. Of course I didn't buy enough, but at least we got it spread. And sure enough it rained last night and up until early afternoon today!! Now I can sit here and wait for it to grow, then I can cuss it when it does, because then I have to mow!!
I also found an organic weed killer recipe I can't wait to try. I have some tough weeds I'm tired of dealing with, but cannot use chemicals because my chicks have free run of the yard! However, that will have to wait until I'm feeling better, trying to fight off this crud that has snuck up on me.

Okay, okay...

I get it, I didn't complete the monthly pic thingy...just not my thing I guess. I like to take pics of things I want to, not what someone else wants me to, but hey...I tried!
We've been cruising right along, loving our little country lifestyle!  The hens are very happy, we have 9 now, only 1 laying but the others should start earning their keep in a week or so! 
Some weird changes are going on with our local school system, they are axing our middle school, and turning the high school into 7-12th grades..yikes!  To say the least I was a lil worried about my 6th grader heading straight to highschool, but they did calm my fears at the meeting when they said they would be separated, and the 7th and 8th graders would have their own buildings!  My soon to be 8th grader is super duper excited, he can't wait to try out for the football and baseball team! My 7th grader is trying out for cheerleading, volleyball and softball!  Sounds like a busy year for me!!
Love those kids, and love that they keep me so busy...what else would I be doing anyways??


Here is a pic of the girls!

Didn't forget

I didn't forget my pic challenge post today, just may have to double up tomorrow. I've been trying to find my outside kitty for today's pic. Haven't been successful, usually she comes to the front porch for dinner in the evening. Not going to get too worried yet, she has lots of land to roam.
See ya in the morning!

What's that smell?

Ahhhh, it's my morning coffee! Love the smell of coffee whether its fresh brewed, cold in a bottle (as pictured below), or all decorated up from one of the establishments on every corner! Never thought I would be one of "those" people who looked forward to the morning caffeine shot coursing through my veins!! I think I'm officially addicted....
Day 5 ~ something you smelled!

Hope ~ day 4

Happy Monday! As far as Mondays go, this has been a pretty good one. Nothing exciting, nothing bad, it's just been a day. I did remember for the 4th day in a row to stop in and post, I think this is a record.
So I will leave you with this...

Day 3...E

Day 3 of the photo challenge is here. So here is a quick photo op as I sat on my front porch swing!! I just love the country life!
Here is my E...egglayers!!

Day 2 pic challenge

Day 2 of the photo challenge, and I've actually remembered to stop in and post it!
Today's item is a Pattern, perfect, I snapped a pic of one of my favorite warm me up blankets! I wish I could say I made it, that's not the case, crocheting is not my craft at all, I cannot get my hands to cooperate....however it appears that run on sentences are my specialty today!!!
So here it is.
See ya tomorrow


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:A dirt rd in Cocoa, Fl

Feb photo challenge

So in hopes of popping in here more often, I decided to partake in the ever popular photo challenges that are all over facebook and instagram.  Here's hoping it works for me! 


Day 1~Fork

I know, boooring, but hey it's a start!

Let's see what tomorow brings,
till then...ta ta

The New Year

Of course it's been awhile since I've posted.  December was crazy busy, exciting, scary...and finally over.  Those who know me, know what was going on to cause all the hullabaloo.  I was very happy to see December come and go and January get here, especially Jan 4th, 2013.  That is the day I officially celebrated the New Year.  That is the day my little family and my heart became whole again.  That is also the day that I am hoping marks mine and my families return to a normal life again, or somewhat normal!!  I'm not going to go into details, like I said earlier, if you are close to my heart, you know the details, otherwise they will remain unsaid. 
We had a nice little party, 60-75 people, mostly older folks, some great food, a dj (that was an awesome surprise) playin' some great country tunes, fantastic friends and family.  It was a great time, one that will be cherished and remembered for hopefully the rest of my life!!
As of today, the kids have returned to school, I have returned to work, and life as we once knew it has hopefully returned...it sure seems so, starting tomorrow we will be back on the road a couple times a week to Kissimmee for travel baseball ( I hate to say it, but I've enjoyed this nice little break)!!
Over the Holidays we did manage to get in our annual trek to North Carolina, and Tennessee.  In the hunt for snow, we hit Maggie Valley, Cherokee, and Gatlinburg.  Awesome memories!!
Oh yeah, resolutions....I've made plenty in my head, and to myself, I would love to say I'm gonna keep them all, but the main one is to try to post here weekly at least, hopefully more..Im really trying to have an exciting life that ya'll want to read about!