Done for now...

My eyes are sore and my bum is numb, but I like the new look of things.  I can't remember the last time I spent the day at the computer.... ah, a sense of accomplishment:-)

I think I'll go make some veggie soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

See you tomorrow~ Rhonda

Under Construction

I am doing a little updating here at my site.  Pardon the dust. 
Hopefully I won't accidentally delete the whole thing:(

Be back shortly~ Rhonda

Question: Does anyone know how to I can make my header narrower and longer?

Thanks a million Dear Vee!  You put me on the right track and with a little tinkering, I was able to make it exactly the way I wanted.  I owe you one my friend:-) ~Rhonda

Movin and shakin

If you should feel the ground moving beneath your feet this week, don't be alarmed.... it's just me, moving heaven and earth, trying to accomplish all of my set in stone goals before Saturday:-)

My yard will play host to a large yard sale this weekend which will include goodies from, me, my Mom and my two twin Aunts. For the first time in over a year, I hope it doesn't rain.

There is still A LOT of planting to be done in the garden and for this part of the country, time is getting late.

And last, but not least, I have a pile of brush a mile high that needs to be burned before the May 1st burn ban goes into effect...

Time to roll up my sleeves and get to it.

So as this 42 year old body tries to summon the energy of someone half her age, there is bound to be some ground rattling going on. ~Rhonda

Mission Completion ~ Mostly

Ta-Da! We have had a very busy and very productive week here at the FarmHouse. We have tackled bunches of projects on the ever expanding ToDo list. Since we were blessed all week with almost summer like weather, we were outside working until dark.

The biggest and most time consuming project was fixing the Chick Condo. My little biddies that I got from Pam a few weeks ago were rapidly outgrowing their small brooder box and needed to be moved to larger accommodations.

You might remember when the Chick Condo, courtesy of the 30 foot white pine, looked like this~

Well here it is, fully restored and open for business!

I have put this project off as long as I possibly could because I despise any type of job that has to do with manipulating Chicken Wire . That stuff is of the devil, I tell you. Just when you think you have it under control, it rolls up on you and attacks you with its prickly, scratchy cut ends...UGH!! My arms look like I have been in a cat fight. So I am ever so grateful to have that finished.


The Biddies like their new home. There is lots more room to move around.

They even get to go outside during the warm part of the day.

These guys are checking out the temperature for me. "Make sure it is nice and cozy Mom. OK?"

There was also a considerable about of activity in the garden. The lettuce was planted....

Last year I started with some plants I got and the Feed and Seed,

then I planted my spinach and lettuce seed all around them. That arrangement worked out well for me so that is what I did again this year.

The next raised bed I planted one side with onions, red and yellow....

and the other side with Carrots. The Dragon carrot is a purple carrot and is supposed to be super sweet:-)

I had also intended to replant my peas because I had not seen hide nor hair of them since I planted them in early February. But just as I was about to re-rake the plot, low and behold.....

tiny little pea shoots were popping out of the ground. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the tops of the shoots were suspiciously snipped off. Possibly the work of hungry marauding chickens. This prompted me to fix the gap in the garden fence. Rest well my little peas, you should be safe now.

The green house is still a work in progress. At least the frame did get moved to it's new location, and I have my best construction guy on the case. Look at him, commuting to work on his bicycle....

just like his Dad:-)

After all of this, I am ready for the rainy weekend that is being predicted. I might get to sit down a few minutes and work on those knitting squares I am intending to make.~Rhonda

Bailout Complete

It's 4 something in the morning and the rains have finally stopped. I can turn off the shop vac and close my eyes for an hour or so before it is time to get up and get going again.

But, boy, oh boy when I get back from taking my son to school, I am going to find this little kitty and snuggle up for a long winter's nap.

Quiche recipe tomorrow .... yawn ....for sure.... YAWWWNNN .... I promise.


Wishing you all pleasant dreams and dry feet~Rhonda

Bailout '09

So, there I was, blissfully going about my morning routine. I had just removed a beautiful Quiche Lorraine from the oven when...

I decided to take a little peek at the basement. We had very heavy rains all night long and our basement is not known for its water tightness....

OH, DEAR!

I jolt Sweet Hubby from a dead sleep~

"She's taking on water Captain! Man the shop vac, throw down the old towels and newspapers. ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!"...

"What's that? What do you mean you have to go to work?"...

" Well, yes, I realize that one of us has to be the bread winner. And of course I am deeply grateful to be kept in Internet service and quiche fixings."...

"Oh, I am very certain that this is why people buy new houses and not leaky old dilapidated shacks." "But, remember why we bought this place?"...

"That's right, the cute little blonde in the living room waiting for me to give him a ride to school."

"I think we might be a bit late this morning."

"OK, are you leaving right now?"...

"Thanks for packing his bags and brushing over his hair. Will you make sure he is eating his quiche?"...

"Thanks, I love you, have a great day."...

"I know, don't worry, I'll be alright."

So far I have slurped up about 18 gallons of water.

With another one and a quarter inches of rain expected to fall before morning, could someone kindly toss me a life preserver and put on a pot of strong coffee? It looks like it's gonna be a long night. Oh, and that back ache medicine, what's it called? Yes, that's the one. I could really use some of that. Oh, you are such a doll! Thanks.

I'll post the recipe for the Quiche Lorraine tomorrow.

Lord willing and the creek don't rise... any higher. ~Rhonda

One Down...

Yesterday, Hubby's friend came over and cut the tree out of the chicken run.

Thanks, Mr. Jason!!!

Gratefully, both coops were spared:-))))

All that is left to do now is rebuild the run area.... Sounds simple enough, huh?

Take a deep breath, count my blessings ~including a big "Praise the Lord" for a generous prescription of Naproxen~ and start again.

Hope your next few days are not nearly as physically demanding as mine are going to be;-) Rhonda

"Well, Hell!"

Just what we needed..... another project~

Thankfully, no one was hurt. Just terribly confused! There was loads of excited chatter in the neighborhood....

Newest Hen~ "Goodness gracious me! When that tree came crashing through our roof, I thought the world was coming to an end! Do things like this happen often around here?"

Older/Wiser Hen~ "Well for heaven sakes, no honey! This is the most excitement that has come along since the neighbor's dog came over and tried to convince us to play tag. He chased us all around this coop, why you should have seen us, running around like a bunch of chickens with our heads.....uh, well... you know."

While the two roosters discussed the more practical side of the event....

Henry/Eldest Rooster~ "Sure is a shame about your place. Still, I guess it could have been a lot worse. At least you and the girls are safe. If you need a place to stay during the repairs, our door is always open."

Newest Rooster~ "Well, I certainly do appreciate that. Yeah, we were very lucky. Although, the girls were pretty upset, I did my best to reassure them. Hey, by the way, do you think my home owner's covers this?"

Weekend ToDo List

1) Rake and Remove weeds from back garden area~Check

He is such a good little helper:)

2) Construct 3 raised vegetable beds~ Check

Don't laugh, a carpenter I am not!

3) Layer compost and top soil...mix well~ Check

4) Consult Gardening Bible and proceed to plant~ Check

5)Envelop potatoes, onions, lettuce, peas, spinach and swiss card in a blanket of earth~ Check

6) Transfer 50 gallons of rain water from the collection barrel to the storage barrel~ Check

So, what did you guys do this weekend? heeheehee:)

Same Song, Second Verse

Welcome to the second stanza of Operation de'Clutter. The piles are steadily growing despite my son's tendency to come in behind me and remove items from the give-away and discard stacks. Honestly, it reminds me of a dog chasing it's tail; I collect and sort, he removes and disperses.

Instead of simply removing things that are mussing up the house I have dug down to the root of the problem. I have decided to strike at the very heart of the matter, I confess, "I am a card carrying member of the Pack-Rat Society." I know there are far more flattering terms to refer to this syndrome, but it is time to call a spade a spade and deal with it. So I am having "Spring Cleaning" in September. Nothing is escaping scrutiny! Even though the thought did cross my mind, I have ruled out the idea of replacing my son with a tidier version.

For those of you who are interested, Google list 34,100,000 sites for "clutter" most of which are people who are willing to come in and sort out for you. Hhmmm....I wonder if there is enough money in the budget... I could sit and blog and someone else could do the dirty work...Hhmmm. It would be my luck to wind up show-cased on Mission Organization . Yikes!!! Better stick to doing it myself.

Well I am off, maybe I can make some good head way while my little on is still asleep. :0)

"Out, Out, Darned Clutter!"

I shouldn't use the excuse of living in a small house to allow the piles of clutter to pop up like mushrooms, here, there, everywhere... But I have. As I have made my way from one blog to another, I have been so inspired by the lovely homes that I have visited.

So I ask myself, "What's an inspired, slightly jealous, girl to do???" That's right! Get to work!

Taking my cue from the organization show on HGTV I am constructing piles; Use, Store, Give Away, Sell & TRASH. My neighbors will probably come over thinking I am having a hang tag sale. If they do, I'm going to load them up before they leave LOL!

No, noway am I going to post Before pictures. If I get brave enough, I may post photos of the piles later. If no one hears from me again, please send the rescue squad. Tell them they will need shovels! :-)