Predator #1

Tim looked out the window this morning and could see our dog Emma, circling around and around the live trap he’d set  last night.  I grabbed my camera and boots and headed out back in my bathrobe.

This is what we found locked in our trap….

Not what we were hoping for.  And man was he unhappy! 

But, you’ve got to admit, this little guy has the right markings.  He’s just the wrong species! Ha!

 

We’ll try again tonight :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Red

Harriet

 

3/10/11 – 12/13/12

Rest in peace pretty girl, I miss you.

Harriet was my first chicken and my favorite.  She made me laugh on a daily basis.  She was the leader of the pack and always the one to blaze a new trail. She was fast, she was fluffy, she was incredibly friendly.  I know she was just a chicken, but I was pretty darned fond of her.

A predator took her life. Now we’re going after the predator with a live trap.  Harriet was the second hen we’ve lost to this predator. I think it’s a raccoon, but we’ll see.  The loss of the first hen made me feel bad, but the loss of Harriet was different. For two days after she died, the other hens would not venture away from their pen unless we were with them.

Dang.  I miss that chicken.  Sounds kind of crazy, doesn’t it?

Blessings,

Red

A Bunch of Stuff

Things have been super busy around here.  It seems like everything in the garden ripened at the same time and needed to be canned.  I have been wanting to learn how to string onions since last year and this year I planted onions with that in mind.  This is my first attempt at stringing.  Not too bad! Once I got the hang of it  (no pun intended) it was really fun.  Next year I'd like to try braiding garlic.

These are some of the ones that were too small for stringing.

Still quite tasty though!

As you may remember, this is my first official year of canning.

I was very intimidated by the tomatoes.  But in the end I did it!

Ta Da! Canned tomatoes.

Harriet the Hen helping herself to a drink of water from the dogs bowl.

A head of cauliflower is enough to bring  them all together.

Yikes!  Wipe your feet!

 

I have really loved using my new/old stove.  It's awesome.

I have decided if we move it is going with me.

Last year I wanted to can Apple Pie filling but was too worried about the Clear Jel vs. Corn Starch dilema.  I finally found Clear Jel for sale at a Cash & Carry store not too far away.  When I got there I found out they only carry it in 25 pound bags for $47.00.  I passed.  Actually I almost passed out!  If the USDA says that Clear Jel is the only safe way to can pie filling  then it should be for sale at Wal Mart and everywhere else that sells canning supplies.  I am opposed to being forced to order the stuff online in a baggie.  So, I did what any red blooded woman would do - I used the corn starch and canned my pie filling.  Guess what?  It turned out awesome.  AND, we tested one jar and it cooked up wonderful.  So what is all the fuss about?

Pears and applesauce. Yum.

Green beans. More important than air.

Just a nice shot of the back yard looking toward the garden, orchard, and hen house.

That crazy Border Collie face.

Last weekend Tim went deer hunting with the neighbors. In two different locations they were bombarded with these giant HEAVY pinecones.  The squirrels were actually dropping  them on the hunters.  Two of the guys were so freaked out they got back to the truck in a hurry!  LOL.  Evidently they make a huge bang when they hit the ground.

And finally, the painted bathroom.  Yes the sinks are 1950's Aqua.  So is the tub which is around the corner on the right. The toilet is white, so it has been replaced.  Someday they will all match.  Maybe even in my lifetime. :)  Let's hope. . .

My Computer is Back!

I have had some rather miserable computer problems for awhile now and finally it's fixed! 
We took our annual camping trip with our ten year old granddaughter, which was very pleasant. The weather was great and we had a fun time with her as always. We have a 5th wheel RV and take all of the dogs too.  It's a wonderful get-away.  Next year we will start the tradition with our grandson who will be six by then. 

We are getting about 6 eggs a day now from "the Girls".  I have enjoyed these little gals so much.  They are quite friendly and they seem to enjoy my company too.  When I get home from work they all rush to the fence to say hello.  Actually I think they are saying "Let us out!"  We only let them out on the weekends.  The rest of the time they have to stay in their yard.

We have been concentrating on our food storage the past couple of weeks.  The "pantry" is in need of more shelving so that is next on the list of things to do.  We have the shelving unit, we just don't have the time to get it set up.  Elk season is just around the corner and I'm hoping Tim gets one this year.  It would be very comforting to fill the freezer up with meat.

I found a vintage stove on Craig's List that I would love to have for canning.  We are going to look at it on Saturday.  Do any of you have experience with vintage stoves?  This one is a 1954 RCA Estate electric range and oven.  Actually it has three ovens.  The range top has two large burners and two small ones, and in the center it has a griddle with a super large burner beneath it.  It's 40" wide so there is much more room for canners and pots.  And I have plenty of room for it in my canning kitchen.  I'll let you know if we buy it.
Regardless, I will be canning plums on Saturday.  One of our neighbors has two golden plum trees that are loaded with fruit and she said "come and get 'em"!  Wow.  You don't have to tell me twice, I'm on it!
After that I'll be harvesting apples in our little orchard and putting up some pie filling and applesauce.  (Man I could sure use that stove!)

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll get around to visit as soon as I can.

Blessings,

Red

I Have Much To Be Thankful For

Though I am constantly occasionally whining dreaming about "my" farm in Northern Idaho, ( you know, the one I don't have but still wish I did), I do realize that my home here in Oregon is a gift.  The house will probably always need something else repaired, maintained, or replaced but what house doesn't?

There are blessings all around me when I just take the time to look.  This picture is of the back of our property.  The trees are enormous and it's a very peaceful place to wander.

And when my wandering spirit gets it's fill, I can come back and visit with "The Girls".  My how they've grown!

Then a sweet snuggle with this old guy -

Or a game of catch with this little one.

I can do a little bird watching -




Or forge a new trail through the Ivy.

This year we found something amazing in the Ivy.  A small bird had built her nest in the Ivy on the ground! Have you ever heard of a bird nest on the ground?  We never have.  It certainly left us scratching  our heads.  Tim put a fence around it so the dogs couldn't get to it and we would not accidentally step on it.  If you click on the picture below (twice) you will see the eggs in the nest.  It is almost dead center in the picture.

With the spring comes the Peonies.  They are gorgeous and I don't have to touch them.  God takes care of them.  I told you I was blessed :)

I love color.  Lot's of color.  I think it's because we live under grey skies for so much of the year.  This is the beautiful hanging basket my son brought over for Mother's Day (even though I was in California).
 

What a sweetheart.

Thanks for stopping by!