EnjoyCountryLife

Lost a Best Friend!

2010-09-28T19:00:00.002-05:00

Today I lost one of my best friends in the whole universe! My goat, Lucy, passed away in the night after suffering with illness for the past week. The vet was going to come out to see her this morning, but it was too late. I know she was an animal. But she was truly so sweet to me. She loved me unconditionally and was admired by all who knew her. She had gone through a dog attack and never recovered, leaving her with a crippled leg, but a strong will. She wanted to stay with us as long as possible, and I believe she enjoyed her 6 years on our farm.

Lucy, I love you forever! Thank you!

2010-08-19T11:42:00.003-05:00

I really love the laundry soap!! It smells so good and works so well! News this month includes I am hiring a secretary to help me with my paperwork ... my sister did well in her medical test ... another sister had a birthday yesterday Happy Birthday ! ... my sweet Coley is sick with a sore throat today and I'll keep him tomorrow ... my son's birthday is coming up ... my nephew's birthday is today Happy Birthday ! ... my other nephew's birthday is in two days Happy Birthday ! ... my grandson Carson's birthday is in two weeks Happy Birthday ! ...

whew!!!

Love Life and Keep on Going!!!

Homemade Soap

2010-07-28T21:47:00.002-05:00

I made some homemade laundry detergent tonight. It was so simple. I made the powder type, so I will test it tomorrow and see how it does.
1 bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap (grated)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup laundry soda
mix together very well (I used a coffee grinder).
Use 2 T per load.

Also, Rosie had her spaying surgery a couple of weeks ago (my Maltese) and she is FINALLY gaining weight. Yeah!

Makayla's drawing.

2010-07-22T20:26:00.001-05:00

I worked on her drawing some more.

Art

2010-07-18T20:46:00.001-05:00

This is a pastel drawing of Makayla that I did today. Like it? She is holding up her "silly band"!

2010-07-11T22:23:00.001-05:00

My Mom, Sisters and me. My daughter, Kristi, (the professional photographer) took this! We are at Mandy's house.

July

2010-07-11T19:46:00.003-05:00

We've had so much rain lately, it's been good for my garden but bad for my goat's hooves. We had fun on the 4th of July, fishing, visiting, eating good food. We have been working very hard out back clearing around our pond. It is so hot that every time we go outside, we have to take a shower.

I found a beautiful collection of clothes hanging on lines -- over 700 photos -- on flicker. I am not alone.

All things Japanese

2010-06-19T06:13:00.002-05:00

Some new things I've been experiencing and researching:

1) Pu'er tea - from Japanese and Chinese cultures, I saw this being featured on the Veria network. Then, I ordered it. I got this treasure yesterday. It is in the form of a "brick". You chip off some of it and brew it into tea. It is said to lower cholesterol, which will be a good benefit for me. But it does taste great.

2) Yubinuki Thimbles - The pictures speak for themselves. An ancient art of Japanese women who began this making thimbles to sew with.

3) Temari balls, also an ancient art of Japenese women, these balls have a bell in the middle. They are embellished with decorative stiching. So far, I've been researching for three days and this is so complicated -- but it has my attention. I want to make a Yubinuki first.

They are wonderful!

What we've been doing.

2010-04-03T14:33:00.001-05:00

My DH and I have been working on our entrance to our property. The tulips won't last long, though, and I'll have to plant something else. Coley caught his first fish last weekend.

Majestic Cook Stove

2010-03-24T06:58:00.002-05:00

I found this picture of a Majestic Cook Stove online. Isn't it beautiful? I have recently begun to read a lot about these old beauties. In Mother Earth News there was an article about a woman who wanted one (and once she had it installed there was no turning back). This is a wood-burning stove/oven. She learned to cook on it like her grandmother did and loved it.

Ok -- I'm already milking my goats for my fresh milk every day, gathering my eggs for my fresh eggs every day ...

would this be such a stretch?

I know it's not realistic, but I can dream, can't I?

The Last Two Months

2010-03-08T07:54:00.003-06:00

... no blogs for a while, but I'll try to catch up. We had a 3rd birthday party yesterday for Jayce! She is doing so well!

Other than that: Kristi and her family moved to Tenn. I miss them so! I pray that they will come back soon. No new goat babies, expecting them in Aprill and May. Just as well because it has been so cold and wet. I'm so happy it is starting to warm up some.

I may be able to visit some goat farms on a trip to Alabama and Tenn this month. Gotta go get some work done! God bless!

God Moves Mountains

2010-01-28T12:41:00.002-06:00

Would you like to see how God moved one mountain? Go to www.four2six.wordpress.com for one couple's story of getting Hatian children that they wanted to adopt to their home during all this earthquake disaster! They go to our church.

It has been so long!

2010-01-28T11:54:00.003-06:00

Two months of flu, a couple of more months of keeping kids full time, Christmas, ... you know what I mean. But I'm back! I do enjoy posting to "all my fans". Actually it is more like a journal, but I enjoy reading about other friends' lives so much, so I thought this would be fun to have, too.

Our pond froze over and our ducks and goose learned to skate! That was wild! I'll have to post the video.

The muddy, cold winter goes on, and I try to comfort our goats as much as possible. We have had to reinforce the barns, put up warming lights, extra hay, and I even massage them down so they will get their blood moving since they haven't had much running around in the extreme cold days. On sunny days, it is so much better.

I'm so heartbroken for Haiti! As I know everyone is. Keep our prayers going to them.

Happy Birthday to my grandson, Chandler -- THE BIG ONE YEAR OLD!! Exciting! He's so cute!

More soaps

2009-10-26T11:49:00.005-05:00

some cool molds

tiny blue flower soaps that will be embedded into the other soap.

Ducky embeds

Plaid soap

Ducky soaps scented with peppermint.

2009-10-26T11:36:00.002-05:00

Cross soap, scented with "Amazing Grace" fragrance.

Angels.

Car, train, scented with peppermint.

Plane, rocket, scented with peppermint.

Leaf, pumpkin, with goat milk, scented with orange and clove.

What to do?

2009-10-24T09:19:00.003-05:00

Doctor yesterday ... still on antibiotics and cough meds. Hubby is determined to keep me in this time and I agree. He doesn't even gripe now about the goat chores. It's hard to stay in, but even harder to be sick for so long. So, I've had to really try to keep indoors interesting. Soap making, stained glass making, etc. This is a good time to work on my project for my cabinet doors, the stained glass that is supposed to go in the top cabinets. Rosie is enjoying my constant company. (She is my Maltese.) I'm making lots of friends on facebook. What else is there to do? Please let me know.

I'll behave!

2009-10-21T23:07:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I shouldn't have mowed (cough, ...cough).

I mowed!

2009-10-20T21:02:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am making soap. So far, just the melt and pour, but it's fun. Today was so pretty, and I couldn't resist -- I started mowing -- just a little -- I like to pour out the grass clippings for the goats to eat. Also, I am trying to build up my endurance. So, I knew it was just a matter of time before DH came running out to try to stop me. When he came out the door, I was on the path away from him. I kept looking over my shoulder to him motioning for me to cut it off. I just turned around and kept going. He kept coming. I mowed faster. Laughing. He came on, and when he caught up with me, he stopped me (I gave in because I knew he was right). Later I donned the face mask and then mowed a little more, much to his dismay. I'm not overdoing it, though, the sun made me do it. Ha.

Soap!

2009-10-18T16:15:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to learn how to make soap ... looking on the internet and watched a friend make it. I'm getting more and more excited. I've been buying some supplies and as soon as I get well enough I'll be ready to get my lye and fats. (Course, I've got the goat milk!) My friends soaps are WONDERFUL! She has told me how to make them bubbly, and they are all natural and great for your skin!

Check out the other blog that I've been following: soap-queen.blogspot.com
she has pictures of all her soaps and instructions.

Feeling tired, recuperating slowly but surely. Not coughing as much. Staying in bed and on couch pretty much all the time. Gary is still taking care of animals (my hero).

Home!

2009-10-17T20:57:00.002-05:00

Spent some time in the hospital, but now am home. This flu and bronchitis is rough! (Cough, cough) It's getting better, though. I am recuperating, and can not get outside. Hubby is doing the goat thing, and when it is muddy, he hates it. But when it is pretty, like today, it's not bad. I miss tending to them, but I can't right now. Hubby went to the saw mill today and sawed more lumber for our barn. I gave Rosie a much needed bath. I also got my plants in. That's about all we did today.

I'm so proud of my sister, she finished the 26 mile marathon in Clinton, MS. She'll sleep all day tomorrow and feel tired but proud. I'm proud of her. I am really wanting to get well so I can start back walking.

Prayers requested

2009-10-10T21:47:00.002-05:00

Fighting the swine flu and bronchitis. Pray for me, and I pray that you keep from getting this. The doctor didn't send in the official "test" for the diagnosis, but said based on my symptoms, he was 99% sure that was it.

Rain, rain, go away. My goats want to play.

I have been enjoying lots of flowers, though, with all this rain. I've been able to have a new flower arrangement on my counter for the past few days. That is fun. I am really enjoying that! I took my old canister set and placed the green foam stuff to hold flowers, then put in Calla Lillies, red roses and orange roses. Also some of the Lantana that is exploding in my front yard! Pretty.

A long week

2009-09-27T20:14:00.002-05:00

Yes, it's been a while. I appreciate every one of you who tell me you follow my blog. It's fun to write, but I also enjoy reading them, so please create one for yourself! Sabrina, you have a lot to write about! (My sister is training for a MARATHON!) I'm so impressed! I have actually started walking (before I got the flu) and now I will be ready for the 2020 marathon!

Flu is hard. It just stays on and on. I mean, there is an end to it, I know. But at this stage it just doesn't feel like it. It's been 8 days now. Symptoms have been dizzy, nausea, dia____, stomach pain, aches, some fever, aches, sinus problems, sore throat, aches, aches ... so much sleep seems impossible. I'm tired of TV, bed and no energy.

Okay, enough complaining. My darling Jayce is in the hospital and I can't visit her. She'll be okay, but she's had blood infection and it is taking 10 days of treatment. I love her so much.

I attended the New Life Live Conference in Dallas as a counselor last weekend. It was great, except for my illness that started then.

Hubby has been taking care of goats. I am dealing with a couple of people to lessen my Alpine herd and increase my Nubian herd. Exciting.

Fence Building!

2009-09-03T09:08:00.002-05:00

I have been building a fence (ALL BY MYSELF!). I've been using my husband's table saw and his circular saw. (hammer, nails, screws, battery-powered screwdriver, sawhorses, etc ... get the picture?) I know, just take a picture. I will. I'm proud of my hard work, and my goaties are happier in their new pen (in the new barn).

In all this, I got a sticker in my finger! I know this sounds weak, but I actually had to go to the doctor (nurse prac) to get it out because it was too deep for me to get. Now, I'm tough, but I just couldn't get this one out. Anyway, I am giving the NP a lot of laughs and keeping her life interesting. My last visit to her was the attacking rooster leg wound.

But life isn't dull, is it? Yesterday my goaties almost saw their demise. I had to counsel all day, so I was gone all day. Hubby brought home a load of wood from the sawmill down the road (thanks Jimmy!), unloaded the wood, parked the trailer in the yard -- "all the way up there by the gas well" -- and noticed that the goats were out -- before rushing off to his next task, running to the store or something. You guessed it -- they just couldn't resist. The goats saw a new toy to jump on and off the trailer goes -- right into our house. Our garage to be more exact. Some damage/huge damage/I don't really know. Hubby thinks it's pretty bad, but can be fixed. Anyway, just Wednesday's excitement. Wonder what today will bring? :)

Be nice!

I sold a goat!

2009-08-17T09:44:00.003-05:00

I'm very happy -- I sold my Nubian buck this morning! This means I am really a business, capable of making money for my feed! Maybe one day I will be able to retire on the earnings from my farm! (Just kidding - ha- get it, "kidding")!

He was sad to go, and yes, I was sad to see my bottle-fed baby, go, but that's business.

New Web Site

2009-08-13T19:49:00.001-05:00

My farm now has an official web site for the sale of the goats and the information of my farm. The link is: http://sites.google.com/site/countrylifedairyfarm/home . Check it out.

Yards and Yards of Yard Sales

2009-08-13T19:45:00.002-05:00

I finished the goats' corral. I just basically nailed up temporary walls on our unfinished "new" barn and closed in an area for them to graze. No mud -- lots of grass and grazing stuff! They have loved it. Next, I'll be enclosing an area behind the new barn for them to graze in, too.

We went to Eureka Springs, AR this past weekend, and wouldn't you know! It was their "Yards and Yards of Yard Sales"! Fun, fun, fun! I found a 1962 Barbie Dream House, the blue one, the first one ever out, and the one that we had as little girls! With ALL the cardboard furniture! Can you believe it? Pictures are to come!

We are going to Birmingham this weekend to see Gary's kids. Can't wait to see Sarah, as she is expecting next month.

2009-08-04T12:22:00.002-05:00

I'm building a new corral for my goats. The mud and muck are just too bad now. I started today, but it quickly got too hot and I had to come in. I can work on it a little at a time this week and hopefully it will be done in a few days. Gary can't do much except tell me to be careful, since he had his gall bladder surgery.

Farm Pictures

2009-07-29T09:46:00.003-05:00

The ducks loved the little pool, even though the pond was right there. Next are my Black-eyed Susans that bloomed so beautifully, the grandkids, Carson and Makayla playing with Capacapacino and Molly. Then another pictures of the baby goats. It is so wet and mucky right now that I told my DH that "I quit". But then I downloaded these pictures...

Husband's Recovery

2009-07-16T17:41:00.002-05:00

My husband had to have gall bladder surgery last week, and he is doing well now. We believe this is what has been causing him a terrible stomach ache at different times for the past four years. He is going to feel so much better now. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the doctors that they can do this now.

The heat goes on for the farm. I can hardly stand to do any chores out there for very long at a time. This morning I did some repairs on our goat pen, fixed a latch on the billy's pen, fixed a latch on the new place for the feed (it's closer now), and then got inside as soon as possible. I bought some new alfalfa hay for them because their milk is not right right now. It could possibly be because I have been bringing them cuttings to eat and I may have given them something to make their milk off. I'll wait a few days giving them the alfalfa hay with their regular feed and see if that helps. The little ones will get some extra milk. Gary thinks it could be the heat, but I don't know.

Have a good evening, all.

2009-07-07T21:31:00.003-05:00

MJ
My husband and I watched the Farewell to Michael Jackson today. It was so touching and moving and inspiring. I was so touched by Paris' words. I was so happy that Jesus' name was spread throughout the world today!! Wasn't that great?

Now I am thinking about my contribution (or lack thereof) to the world. I am finding myself with a desire to find some way to give -- some way that the Lord wants me to give. I want to do my part to make the world a better place. I want to let go of any pettiness and just focus on doing good, doing what Jesus would have me to do.

2009-07-06T20:10:00.002-05:00

Rainnnnnnn! Yeahhhhhhh!

It is so nice to see the rain! Now my garden may do some good. I picked about 10 big tomatoes this afternoon, and a bucket of purple hull peas.

Before the rain started, my husband and I started on our "small, temporary" deck. This is what he is calling it. It is about 12' by 8', and we had to have it because of the pool out the back. We do have "plans" for the future years for an indoor/inground pool and a larger deck, but this is good for now. I am very happy to be getting it. My grandkids and I will really enjoy not having to go down a ladder to get to the pool.

I love to cut down trees and brush for my goats, since we don't have them in a large grazing field yet. (That will come with the new barn.) And I can't let them out too much, or I would have no rose bushes. So, I'm left with cutting trees and bushes and wheelbarrow-ing them over to the pen. Several times I've gotten poison oak or ivy on me and am trying to get through another round of it now. The itching is so bad.

My goats look so healthy and strong. I know I should be worming them, but they really do not look like they need it. I'll test them and see what is going on, I ordered a microscope last year and learned how to see if they had worms.

We had three grandkids Friday night and part of Saturday. Took them back Sat. Did not have company on the 4th, so we just rested.

We are going to work on our deck in the morning again, if it doesnt rain us out, and I'll try to get some pictures up of it.

Summer

2009-06-29T03:11:00.004-05:00

Today we attended one of our grandson's birthday party. He's 2 yrs old! And so sweet! As sweet as chocolate!

It is so hot here, we are all just melting it seems. My garden is turning to dust, despite my attempts to water it. But I do have a lot of tomatoes, peas and bell peppers.

I want to work in my garden and make it all look wonderful, but my body gets so tired. I do feel the ages at work. But I so wonder why everyone does not have goats. When I feel tired or low during the day, all it takes is a trip to the goat place and my spirits are so lifted! They are all so loving and sweet. They all run up to me and try to shower me with kisses. They are always so nice and sweet and they have such trusting eyes and hearts.

We put an above ground swimming pool up and hopefully that will serve to provide a good source of exercise and some place to cool down during these dog days of summer. Also my grandchildren will enjoy it. Then my DH and I are going to work on building a deck around it this week.

I put a small blow-up pool up this week for my younger grandchildren. The ducks thought it was so grand! They waddle over to it and jump in and seem enjoy it, even though the pond is just a few feet away. I wonder why they love it so?

My DH is having a test done in the morning to see if he has gall stones. That will be a relief to him if this is found to be the cause of his episodes of stomach pain. Also tomorrow is the day mother will see results of tests for things going on in her eyes, and my sister will have an MRA done for symptoms in her eyes. Thank you, Lord, for being there with us all and giving us all that you do!

Kids Born!

2009-06-07T12:05:00.002-05:00

Finally -- touchdown. Our kids are successfully born. They are so cute. I think one is a girl and one is a boy. I'm thinking: Molly and Capa-capacino. They seem so identical, with all the same marks and everything. They were born in the right position, thankfully. Born at 9:18 and 9:45 am this morning (Sunday). I watched on the monitor until time, then went to the barn, helped her deliver them, then I fed them some milk, and came back in. Still watching on the monitor. I'll post pics soon.

My granddaughter, Makayla, loves to watch a soap-making show, where they name one a Cup of Capacino. But she pronounces it capa-capacino, thus this name. And, it's fun to say.

I'm still taking my antibiotics, Aunt Francis :)

2009-06-06T09:09:00.002-05:00

Addie, my friend who took me to the hospital (Jimmy's wife), made the best comment: I had my crocs on doing barn chores, and going to the hospital the board was quite attached with the nail, along with hay, mud and droppings. She said it was a croc of ______ . Literally. (Ha!)

FARM INJURIES -- BUT STILL THANKFUL!

2009-06-06T08:57:00.003-05:00

Does it just go along with having a a farm? Or am I really a clutz? Anyway...for the latest injury: checking on Lizzie yesterday (she still hasn't given birth yet) I stepped on a nail and it went all the way through my foot. It was just as gory as it sounds. I didn't have to watch Emergency Room TV ... I was experiencing it. I couldn't get it out, so I called my friends to take me to the hospital as my DH wasn't home. He did meet us there, though.

We are usually very careful about not keeping boards with nails in it around. But Lizzie had just butted one of the closures off her door. So it was there for me.

Now, I'm stuck in bed once again for a while.

Lizzie is taking her time. Once a day she'll have contractions for a period of time, and then stops. They are very visible contractions. I guess she's been waiting for the full moon.

I am really glad now that I have my barn cam and it is set up right here at my bed. I am really enjoying being able to watch Lizzie from inside.

I am very thankful that the nail missed bone. I am very thankful for good friends. I am very thankful for antibiotics. I am very thankful for a doctor who was not afraid to jerk the nail and board out very fast. I am very thankful for my sweet husband who is waiting on me. I am very thankful for my barn cam! I still love the country life!

2009-06-04T13:04:00.002-05:00

June 4th, Lizzie's birthing day, and now she is in labor. She just started. That is almost to the hour on time! I am loving being able to watch her from indoors on the barn cam.

2009-06-03T00:30:00.002-05:00

I saw my granddaughter in her dance recital last week. She is on Youtube.com, under Makayla Kalt.

I have been digging a stream under our bridge. We will have fish in it soon.

Lizzie (our Alpine) is due any day now. I got a barn cam for my birthday and got it set up today. it is really cool to watch her at night. I'm also recording on a DVD so that when she does give birth, I'll have it.

Rooster Beware!

2009-05-20T22:31:00.002-05:00

... or beware of Rooster. This morning when we were tending to the animals, I was attacked by one of my four roosters. Not fun. In fact, when he first attacked I was surprised. First, surprised because I usually have them running scared of me, not the other way around. Second, surprised by the intensity of the pain. He pecked me on my kneecap. The spur was on my leg. Both places broke the skin and drew blood. But the injury on my kneecap was hard and it hurt! It went to the bone. He only lasted another 5 minutes. (It had to be done.)

By 4:00 pm this afternoon, I couldn't walk. I went to the doctor. She gave me antibiotics and antibiotic cream, and told me to stay off it, take the antibiotics and come back Friday. She said we are having to watch for infection.

That was the first time they have had to treat a rooster attack! Well, it would be me!

2009-05-19T20:03:00.003-05:00

Have you ever visited the Build-A-Bears Workshop? Whoa! These people are serious about their store! and their outfits! I had told Makayla that I would get her "some things" from there for her graduation gift and her dance recital gift. Well, today I made my first visit and was correctly initiated into the "grandmothers horror hour". (not really) Anyway, what I thought was going to be a nice little shopping tour turned out to be such a hard decision-making time. Oh, the things are very cute -- and very expensive. (Sorry, I'm old-school, where Barbie outfits did not cost half that much, even though if only I had all my old ones, I'd be set for life and retirement!)

So, I sprung for one outfit and have plans to make others.

Concerning my incubator, I did not ever get a chicken egg to hatch, although they did "make" up to a certain point. I think it had a lot to do with the moisture. So now, I am trying to hatch some duck eggs. We only have one female to four males. Grossly outnumbered. I'm trying to hatch more females. So, my first duck egg went past his day of hatching, and I opened it. I couldn't believe it! There was a duck, black, heart beating and all. But when you crack one open they don't make it. It did peep once, and then died. It was so sad. But now, I have two left. I'll let them go a little past. Let you know.

2009-05-11T22:40:00.003-05:00

Whew! We have been battling mastitis in our doe, Lucille, a first freshener. She developed it when my knee was injured and my DH milked her for a while. She's doing good now. I am no longer blaming him, although he says he now knows the importance of massaging the udder. He didn't want to even milk before, but he is doing great now. Good thing, because today I blew my back out!

I was gathering sawdust for the pens, had such visions of a clean stall for my goats, and BAM! My lower back blew out. Ruptured. No doubt. This was far worse than any time before. I'm now in bed and have all the time to post on my blog...

I am really hating this, and don't know what to do. Guess I'll be going to the doctor in the morning.

I had such a good Mother's Day. Saw all three of my children and almost all of my grandchildren. Jayce stayed home with her sitter, but I'll see her soon, hopefully.

I have three duck eggs in the incubator and one is scheduled to hatch this week. I have been turning them regularly, and spraying them with water, so we will see. I need another female duck, because I only have one female and four males. And one goose.

We've had WAY TOO MUCH RAIN! We need some sun! The goat pen is a pond. I can't let them graze, because they'd go straight for my roses.

2009-04-25T10:14:00.003-05:00

I am REALLY enjoying my Melaleuca products. No pesticides for me, now. And very effective essential oil products. For my own "diary" of how this Florify is working, I am going to post daily on what it is doing. Two days ago I started taking it. (It's a "pro-biotic" pill for your digestive system. It's supposed to be adding good bacteria to your system, kind of like using yogurt.) The first day, I didn't notice anything. The second day I started taking it with food; and I noticed about 30 minutes after, feeling kind of "light-headed", or something. Then, all day long I noticed my digestive system was "working" better. (Don't mean to be graffic.) Today, I'll post later what it's doing today. I'm not taking my anti-acid pill now, as I have had to for a couple of months. So far, no acid reflux, which had gotten very, very painful. Hope this works.

2009-04-21T09:52:00.004-05:00

I know my posts are getting fewer and fewer. But this is planting season! I've been tilling my garden. Now, I am trying to get the rows put in. (Such hard work!) Maybe I'll lose some of the winter weight! I hope so. I am currently trying to hatch a duck egg. None of my chicken eggs hatched, but I got close. We'll see in May. My Valentino is getting big. He is probably going to need to be separated soon from the other goats.

I joined the Melaleuca family of products again. I have really been missing those products, wanting to use less poisons on my animals and family. I going to use it to spray the goat pen for flies and pests, as well as use the products in my house. I can't wait for them to arrive!

2009-03-30T08:21:00.001-05:00

Hello! I've been making cheese! It has turned out well. Also, the weather is turning so nice. I've been trying to work in my yard, but my wrists are giving me trouble with carpal tunnel problems. I'm really enjoying my goats. I've also been keeping my grandkids a lot and enjoying that. I have so many eggs, I'm planning on making pickled eggs.

2009-02-12T09:32:00.005-06:00

The days are warming up! It's been so nice. We had a new baby goat born last night. I was in West Monroe at the time. It was so aggravating to have to leave it all up to my DH to take care of the delivery. Our friend, Jimmy, came by to help, though. It was a boy. He is just beautiful! A black Nubian with two bright white triangles of white on each side! I can't believe he was the only one in her, because she was so big. Here is a pic:

I also had a new grandson born: Chandler Jase Bradshaw! Here he is:

Believe me when I tell you he is wonderful, beautiful, great, adorable, cute, ... did I say beautiful? Anyway, we all love him very much. And Jayce loves him, too. She knows her little brother and smiles and coos to him.

I'm back!

2009-01-21T21:48:00.003-06:00

Soooo, it's January. Yes, I've been away from my computer for a while. I am really enjoying having this blog, and I know I have a couple of readers, so here is an update: My youngest daughter, Mandy, has moved back here from Tenn. I found her rent house, but it was in bad shape. So, of course, mom offered to paint it. The whole week before she came, I was painting. My other daughter helped, though. Then, the day after she got here, with her baby, the baby ended up in the hopsital with pneumonia. Now he is doing well, and I've been there at the hospital with them when I'm not working. It seems strange that I am even able to type this tonight.

I was supposed to take my Maltese, Rosie, to obedience and beginning training this week, but that got cancelled. We will do that next month.

We did get a Great Pyrenese last week, but sadly he died the night my DH brought him home. I did not even get to see him because I stayed at my daughter's house that night painting. It was such a sad accident: he fell between the wall of the barn and a hay stack. He couldn't get out and died. My DH really took it hard. He was really cute. Our friend, Jimmy, got the sister to him and she is darling. I am thinking about getting a Komondore, though, instead of another Pyrenese. We know one day we will get one of them to guard our stock.

That's all for now. Happy January all!

Ahhh, It's Over!

2008-12-29T10:59:00.003-06:00

Everyone around me seems to enjoy Christmas, and are equally joyous for it to be over. I had all my family, including my Mom and Stepdad, my kids and all my grandkids (5) here. It was a dream Christmas. I even enjoyed my husband cooking the whole feast for us! I must be doing something right!

My new project. I have made a home-made egg incubator to hatch chicks! I wanted an incubator, but they were all so expensive, and then I thought of looking on the internet to see if others had made them. Sure enough, they have. I took some of the suggestion of others, and made one to suit my needs. I am so excited to see if I can hatch them.

A styrofoam ice chest. Cut out the front and made an inset for glass. Glued the glass in. Mounted a light bulb in the top. Added a dimmer switch to the side. Mounted a thermometer to the inside with the remote temperature reader standing in front. A small bowl of water on the bottom. An egg rack made out of chicken wire. Punched air holes in the side. You have to get the temperature to 100 degrees and maintain it at that. With the dimmer switch, I should be able to find just the right brightness. I dated the eggs, marked them for hatching in three weeks, and have to turn them every day until the last three or so days. We'll see!

I don't have a tree!

2008-12-12T21:42:00.003-06:00

This is mid-December and I haven't posted for a while, so here goes. I have had a lot going on. We had a lot of people at our house for Thanksgiving, about 40 or so. It was really great -- I didn't cook and everyone else brought food. It was a requirement. We had so much to eat, and so much variety. This is the way to do it! I had so much fun. Also, with all my kids and grandkids here, it was wonderful!

I don't have a tree. At first, I thought I just wouldn't put up a big one since I have a little fake, I mean artificial, tree in my foyer. And since my cat was thinking it was just for her, and the lights and ornaments are all over the house, I thought I wouldn't even try for the big one.

But all my kids and grandkids are supposed to be coming on Christmas Day, so I NEED one. I have decided I would tie on the lights and ornaments with ribbon. Tie each one on, so the cat wouldn't be able to get them off. I bought the ribbon today. We'll see.

Google the YouTube for "Baby It's Cold Outside", and you will find countless versions of the old Christmas song. It was fun. Then I saw Emile Pandolfi playing it (heard him) on the piano. He was wonderful.

My granddaughter, Makayla, was on the TV this week with her Dad on his cooking segment. She was great (he was, too). I'll get it posted.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving Coming

2008-11-21T11:49:00.002-06:00

Novemer 21, and Thanksgiving is next week. It is all coming so fast! Since we are having a BIG gathering here, I am very much looking forward to it. I am not stressing, either, because I am really asking everyone to bring food. The variations are amazing!

I pray for pretty weather!

Get ready for 2012!

2008-11-05T10:06:00.003-06:00

Okay, so our candidate didn't win. God is still in control. All I can say is he better do a good job, 'cause in 2012 we will have a WOMAN IN OFFICE! GO PA-LIN! NO MORE SIN! GO PA-LIN! (Can you come up with any other slogans?)

HAPPY VOTING!

2008-11-04T14:34:00.006-06:00

Hopefully, everyone who reads this (all three of you?) - ha - will have voted! I woke up my DH (dear husband) this morning before 6:00 am and said "let's go vote"! I guess I was kind of ready to go. It will be interesting! God has many great things for us in our future! I DO know that for sure! Do not lose faith!

Here are some pics:

Lucy is doing so well. I am thinking of breeding her soon. She is up most of the time, but just laying down here.

Here is Martha. She was born in June of this year, so she is almost five months old. She looks great! But almost too much like a deer. Since we live ON A HUNTING CAMP, I told Gary I was going to have to put a hunter's orange vest on her and paint on it: I am a goat! Anyway, I will probably breed her before the end of the year.

This is Lucille! Isn't she GORGEOUS! She really has the most desireable qualities, I believe. She has such beautiful brown "moon" spots and is very healthy. She has become so sweet and friendly. I don't know if it's because she is pregnant for the first time (I hope) or if she is just getting more used to me. (She was born here, but not bottle fed. Then she stayed at Jimmy's for a little while.) Even Gary says she is nuzzling up to him for the first time. Well, if she is pregnant, I think it happened on Daniel's (my brother-in-law's birthday), the 11th of October. This will mean a March birthing. Nice time.

I have more exciting news: I now have a farm name and a herd name:

We are COUNTRY LIFE DAIRY FARM and our herd name is COUNTRY LIFE. I am registered with the American Dairy Goat Association. This means that my name "Country Life" will appear before my animals' names that are born here. So, Lucille will be "Country Life Lucille". I am next going to have to make a goat farm blog. This will be for my dairy goat business. Will let you know about that!

Have a great day all!

State Fair

2008-10-28T04:00:00.002-05:00

Gary and I went to the State Fair last week. I wanted to observe the goats being showed, but they did not have a dairy goat section. (sad) We did see the Boer goats being showed, however, and that was fun! There were so many, about 50 in the first section. I found out my goat, Lizzie, has a daughter that placed as Reserve Grand Champion in the MS State Fair! I NEED to get her in the shows. I'm still learning all about it.

My daughter came over last night with her two beautiful ones. We made Halloween costumes for them: Pebbles and Bam Bam. They were very cute.

My goats have been getting out. There is a hole in the fencing. I'll have to get that fixed. However, I have not been able to spend as much time as I'd like (all my time) with them. I have had so much counseling paperwork to do. My schedule is picking up -- I guess a lot of people are worrying these days. Anyway, I've been in my office a lot.

Gary and our friend, Jimmy, put corn out on the other side of our pond yesterday. They are trying to make a spot so that Gary can hunt out the back door. I can see the spot from my window in my office/craft room. We actually went hunting for the first time this weekend. We took our grandson across the road on the pipeline. We didn't see a deer, but a lot of deer tracks.
I don't know what we'd do if we did kill one. We'd have to get help.

Pictures of my Clan (of Animals)

2008-10-22T22:44:00.004-05:00

Okay, so this is my grandson, not my "animal clan". Isn't this picture of him in his football uniform cute? This was his first game. He'll probably come to stay with "his DeeDee" this weekend. I think we will go to the State Fair and watch the poultry show.

Speaking of poultry: here is Sassy (I think she is a Polish pullet), Lacey (she is a Silkie -- very fluffy), and my goose.

Butterfly on zinnia ---

Duck ...

Lucy (the one that was hurt earlier). As you can see, she is now enjoying my roses again. See how pretty my rosebush was?

This is Jasmine. She is the oldest critter on the farm (not counting the human ones, of course). She is about 7 years old, I think. The roosters have the upper hand on her, but everyone else knows she is really the boss.

This is Maylee, and she is a great mouser! She has captured two so far. We got her in June.

I agree with Spinner, yes, the goats will eat all your flowers, bushes, roses, plants, trees, weeds, dead grass, live grass, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers (yuck! -- That tastes bad in goat milk), my one little bleeding heart plant, zinnias, calla lillies (which surprised me), lantanas, ...

but, hey, if they will just gain some weight and be healthy ...

I have them in a pen. But there is no vegetation in the pen. My husband and I plan on fencing in a large area full of brush for them in the future. For now, I just have to let them out and forage.

My new chickens are doing great. I have not let the roosters in with them yet. They crow constantly!

Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days

2008-10-18T20:12:00.003-05:00

Today my husband, one of our friends, and I went to Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days in Arcadia, LA. I was able to get 7 new chickens, three of which were Silkies. They are so cute! We are having fun getting settled in.

2008-10-12T07:14:00.002-05:00

Just wanted you to see what will be at the bottom of this blog a little later. My family will be able to view birthdays, events, etc. by checking here.

My Daughter, Amanda's family

2008-10-11T20:20:00.002-05:00

Amanda (our Mandy) is a brilliant finance professional! She is also beautiful, as all my other family, and she is also very independent! (She reminds me of me, but don't tell her that.) She up and moved away from all of us, to better herself, and moved to Tennessee. It is in a beautiful place, although it is so far away. I hope she will move a little closer one day. I miss them terribly. She is so funny, too. When we visited her this summer, I really thought I saw a side of her I had not ever seen before. She and I were in shops in Gatlinberg, and when we came up on a bunch of hats with hair attached, she just grabbed one and said "take my picture, quick", put it on and posed. (Where did this side of her come from?) You know, she's always been a very smart, talented, and wonderful girl. But I had not been able to just relax and participate in her funny side very much! It was great!

Her son is Coley! Coley is a precious, cute, smart, adorable, loving, (did I say cute?) baby! He is growing up so fast. He loves his piano we got him for his birthday. Maybe he'll take after his papaw Gary and play the piano when he grows up? Coley is another one who can make you laugh and get everyone around tickled. I have a family of clowns, don't I? His hugs will make your day!

My Daughter, Kristi's, Family

2008-10-11T20:11:00.002-05:00

My daughter, Kristi, is a professional photographer! She is very good at her profession! She loves taking pictures of special occasions, and makes everyone look good. You should see what she did for me and Gary. Kristi has a wonderful sense of humor! Her laugh is completely contagious! She has a lot of energy (although with two children, she sometimes thinks she doesn't). She is a great mommie and her children love her, you can see it when they look into her eyes!

Kristi married Andrew -- he is a professional chef! We are very proud of him -- he is representing Louisiana in Walt Disney World! He will be very famous very soon. And his food is scrumptious! He really knows his stuff!

Makayla is the very definition of beauty! Her eyes will blow you away! She is so fun and loving -- when she sees her DeeDee she runs as fast as she can into my arms! Oh, how fun!

Carson is -- well, you can't really describe him. He is so full of energy and fun. He cracks us up. The other night at a restaurant, he had a bowl of jello. He would plop it in his mouth, and then with a noise you can only imagine, he plopped it out! Well, Kristi and then I tried to correct him --- but when he looked at you with that twinkle in his eyes and plopped the jello right out -- I'm sorry -- but I busted out laughing. Okay, that just set things in motion. He laughed out loud, Makayla laughed out loud, and Kristi could not help herself, either. We all knew it was bad, but it was SO FUNNY! (Sorry other restaurant customers!)

Aren't they great?

My Son's Family

2008-10-11T19:59:00.003-05:00

See! I told you they were great! I really am so proud of all my children and grandchildren! Bet you wish you were me! My son, Eric, is a bricklayer! Very talented. He really knows what he is doing and all his houses look beautiful! He comes from a line of bricklayers in my family, but he actually did not even know this until long after he had learned his trade. He's got it in his blood.

Melissa is his very beautiful wife. She is also a fantastic mother! She is so wonderful to all of them, my son, and their two children, (well, two and a half -- one is on the way)! Melissa and Eric have had to draw on their very deep inner strengths to brace themselves when their angel Jayce was born. She has toxoplasmosis, and has had to show us the way in her world. She has blessed us so much with her presence, and she is so beautiful. Her pictures do not do her justice -- she is so pretty.

This brings us to Carter ("Carter-ino" as we call him in our special song). Just ask him and he will roll his eyes, but then absolutely expect us to sing it! Carter loves everyone and every thing, and is wonderful!! He plays football, he loves his sister and his mother and dad. He really loves his DeeDee (that's me!) and papaw Gary, and his other family members! He is very special!

I guess you can tell I love them all a lot. We can't wait to meet our newest member, the new baby boy, due in February. We are all trying to come up with names. Any suggestions?

My Kids (the human ones) and Grandkids

2008-10-05T05:14:00.003-05:00

I am finding out it is taking longer than I thought to edit pics. In the meantime, I got all caught up in making a movie. It is so fun to do this. I just have to figure out how to record it to a DVD. Anyway, I'm working on these things.

My niece, JADA FREELAND, won 3rd runner up in the Miss ULM contest! This was her first pagent ever, and I am SO PROUD OF HER!

A little of my life

2008-09-20T06:09:00.005-05:00

This bail-out thing is not looking good to me. I don't know about you, but for our government to -- all of a sudden -- start using taxpayer money to bail out companies that are in trouble seems wrong to me. Of course, next week there will be other news, but this does seem to be a problem. What do you think?

I want to say how blessed I feel to be able to work with people on their marriages and other problems in their life. It makes me so humble to know that they will actually travel to get counseling. I know that when someone is in turmoil, they need to get that taken care of before they can go on dealing with other aspects of their lives. We need to appreciate our own life when it is stable and balanced.

I'd like to introduce my family: my husband: (DH), Gary, draws houseplans for a living. He works very hard for he and I to have a good life. He actually built our house with his own two hands. He had some land in the country (30 acres) left to him by his father and allowed to use by his mother, and he decided to go ahead and build his dreamhouse on the pond. He started building about six years ago. Then he and I met, married, and began planning our life together. I had always wanted to live in the country, and he made it a reality for me. We moved in two and one-half years ago.

Here is our house in the country: with two cats in the yard -- life used to be so hard -- now everything is easy 'cause of you...... (remember that song?)

It's still not completely finished, but most of it is. He has a workshop behind the garage that is not finished yet. I know he will enjoy it so much when we do get it done. He had a workshop in his last house, and really used it a lot. He builds anything you can imagine from wood. He has built furniture -- reproduction furniture like beds, high boys, etc. He also plays keyboard, he is the most talented musician anywhere. You would say so, too, if you heard him. I'll show you here one day. He is a good Christian man, loves his children, and my children and my grandchildren. (That is a real plus for him, huh?) He lets me keep my goats and even enjoys them, too. I feel blessed to have found him.

I'll write about my children and grandchildren later. Are you ready to be blown away? They are really great!

My Closet is Clean

2008-09-18T22:00:00.002-05:00

So are my goats. They got their spa bath this afternoon, since it was so nice outside. I wanted to do it last week, but I thought I had a few more days of warmer weather. When it turned cooler, I knew I'd better get it done!

By the way, my Alpine has what looks like an infection under her tail. I've never noticed this on my other goats, so I'm kind of at a loss. I keep cleaning it, but it keeps coming back. I'm going to look around on the net tonight to see if I can figure this out, but if I can't, I guess I'll call my vet tomorrow.

Husband Cleaning

2008-09-18T10:04:00.001-05:00

Ladies everywhere!!! Pleeeeeeeese help -- pray for me!!! My husband is in a tyrade trying to clean -- he has decided that everything in this house needs to be organized. While this sounds good on the outside, he has decided to start in MY CLOSET! Things are being thrown every which way! Heeeeeeelp!

Louisiana is cool!

2008-09-17T09:25:00.002-05:00

Today is a cool morning, making the "chore" of milking not so difficult. Lucy got up as soon as I told her to this morning, on her own. She actually decided to walk outside the barn on her own, which was a first. I am still blown away. The hen does not leave me any eggs any more, for about a week. I know she is eating them, because I saw her do it once. I bought some oyster shell to put out. I'll be going into town today to meet with clients. I'll be taking my son some milk that we have finally collected for him.

Check out the comments below.

2008-09-16T20:00:00.002-05:00

Lucy is doing better! Click on the comments section below September 12 post to see the update!

I Can't Believe It!

2008-09-12T20:13:00.007-05:00

I really can't believe it! All of a sudden for the past three days, Lucy has been getting up. She gets up for a few minutes when we go out every 2 hours and tell her to. I think she is getting better. Also, for some other news:

This is my new Nubian, Martha. She has a sister named Mary.

This is my new 2 year old milk goat, my first Alpine! I got her Saturday from Vicksburg. She is getting used to the place. She is kind of shy, but very sweet! And gives wonderful milk!

I also got another younger Alpine, Salina, but she is at another farm at the moment. She is also beautiful!

My Zinnias!

2008-09-01T14:42:00.002-05:00

Would anyone like some Zinnia seeds? Leave a comment and I will be happy to send out samples (in cute seed packet envelopes) as long as I have them! Credit for the seed packets: www.geocities.com/siggyrose . She has an awsome website!

Lucy

2008-08-30T21:38:00.001-05:00

We got our little Lucy in January, 2006. She is a top Nubian goat. She took to me immediately and I to her. She was our first goat on the farm. I bottle fed her when she was young. Then, she had twins in March of 2007, a billy (male) and a nannie (female). She was giving a huge amount of milk, and it became obvious that we were so blessed to have her. Then that fall, a dog attacked her. She was out in her pen at night (I wasn't locking them up in the barn at that time), and we heard her crying. We got out there in time to save her life, but not before the dog had done a lot of damage to her leg. We took her to the vet in the night, and he repaired what he could, then it was up to her to heal. I have tried to care for her, but she limped all year. When it became obvious she was not going to try to walk on that leg again, I took her back to the vet this past month. He placed a cast on the hurt leg, and we began a few weeks of trying to staighten it out and getting her to walk on it again. The day before I was to take her back (last week), she fell on her good front leg, and injured it. Now, for a week, she has just laid there. I have to bring her all her food and water. We try to get her up every day, but she can only stand for a minute or two, and only with help. I fear she is not going to ever get up again, but I pray for my Lucy girl. I'll let you know how she does. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

ENJOY COUNTRY LIFE

2008-08-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

Did anyone plant sunflowers this year? It's not too late. This is one of mine that I planted earlier this year. They were from harvested seeds from a huge sunflower that I saw in someone's city garden. I asked her if she was going to keep the seeds, and she told me she was not. She gave the flower to me, and now I keep harvesting seeds from this one flower. Do you save seeds and replant them?