Our Buff Orpington Family!

We’re doing very well!  And it’s amazing - to us.

Our Buff Orpingtons began laying almost three months ago.  I found the very first egg on November 4th - and they were - barely - 4 months old!

The progress with shapes and sizes of the eggs we’ve received brings the movie - “ Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang “ - to mind.

“ Chugga-lugga-Chugga-lugga-Pooof-Clang-Chugga-Chugga! ”

But I’m happy to report this past week brought us a smile.  We enjoyed staring at the first filled carton of equally and nice large-size brown eggs that came in grand order!

And - as usual - I forgot to grab the camera before loading them into the egg bin for the fridge.

Our birds are spoiled - according to some of the Internet Surfing I’ve covered.

We’re not able to free-range our birds.  Unfortunately - we have neighbors that insist on letting their dogs roam all over the area - and they cross through our property all the time.

Dwayne built their coop with quality almost fit for human occupancy.  He built a covered yard connected to the coop.  And he built a portable tractor for them to graze on grass all around the property.

He’s now talking about building a very large fenced area surrounding their coop for dividing and maintaining grassy areas to move them about.

During this winter - we let them out into the fenced garden area - when we get calm days with temps above 45*.

Expecting to be able to do that tomorrow - and I must remember to get video of that.  It’s hilarious!

But when they’re kept in the coop during really cold weather - we keep a radiant heater set at 65* - during the night at all times - during the day if temps drop below 45*.

I always add 1 Tbl. Apple-cider vinegar to 1 gal. water every time I refill their water bowls.  And those are kept clean and full at all times.

If I don’t get out there soon enough after the timer runs out and shuts off the heater - they get really warm water in the mornings - and again for their late afternoon re-fill.

It’s like - having hot tea with the Queen in the afternoon.

Not only do they enjoy it - they’ve come to expect it - with that look in their eyes.

“ I KNOW you didn’t forget to bring the nice water, Wench. “

It’s nice water - not just warm water.

They receive cabbage - yogurt with additional crushed Acidophilus - hot oatmeal with wheat berry - and various other treats.

It keeps them from frothing and attacking like they’re auditioning for some Alfred Hitchcock remake.

No.  I’m lying!  Actually - they do get pissy if they don’t get something.  But when they get a treat - I get eggs!

Everybody seems to be coming along and catching up with each other - now that there’s only 1 Man of the House.

And speaking of -

Finally - I remembered to take the camera out there and shoot some video of him flirting.

Of course - he’s a tad pissy today and not flirting much.  He doesn’t understand the word “ tomorrow “ - and he really doesn’t care.

He just wanted to go outside - right now.

He only understands - “ right now “ - in his language.

That’s the funny part.

I don’t understand his language.

That’s something else he doesn’t understand.

So - here he is!  Meet …. Tom Jones!

We Get All The Way to The Gate at Cades Cove and...

We attempted going to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains, yesterday.

 We - also - attempted taking two four-legged family members with us.

( They can't leave the area of parked vehicles - but we figured they'd appreciate the ride! )

We should have waited until Dwayne's next round of days off.

We - also - should have hired a babysitter - for the kids.

It was a mess up there.  I would be talking about all the vehicles having NO 4x4 to get through such terrain.

The green leaves?  They would be Rhododendrons - an average of - at least - 12 feet high - and more.

They are huge - and so beautiful when they bloom in the summer.

This photo was shot at the Rest Area just outside the entrance to the 11-mile Loop called Cades Cove.

We took a break - to give the dogs a break - before turning around to head back.

We never made it through the Loop - again.

In fact - we never made it through the gate entrance.  The Rangers had closed Cades Cove down.

( That snow piled on those fat branches - about 1-foot deep ! )

One can only imagine - but - there must have been one really terrible situation happen in the Cove.  We've been through the Loop in even worse conditions - having to ask our 4x4 to give all she had by the time we got to the backside of the Loop.

This would be - another patch of those beautiful humongous Rhododendrons!

It amazes me - how many people - actually - stand underneath those gigantic - ice spears - to have their pictures taken!

I - for one - prefer not playing Roulette with possible Impalement.  Some of those puppies are taller than Moi'!

That would be solid ice - a frozen waterfall.

This is what most of us call - " The Wye " - where you reach the far side of Townsend and must choose - right to go to Cades Cove - or - left to go a very scenic route to Pigeon Forge - Gatlinburg and Sevierville.

By the time we made it to this point on our way back out - Park Rangers had closed the Entrance gate.  That was approximately 4pm.

That would not be pollen you see there in the water.

That would be ice.  And we found sheets of ice all along both sides on the banks of the Little River.

It was a really nice drive from  Loudon.  Enjoyed what we did manage to see.  And I think all FOUR of us appreciated getting out of the house - and away from the rut - for a change!

Here's some video I shot with my digital camera.




I would have processed the portion shot at the gate - showing all the mass confusion from everyone turning around - but...

Dwayne became - well - upset - and - had no idea that I was recording - with sound turned on.

" That's okay, Honey!  I'm sure you weren't alone. "

" No - really.  I'm absolutely positive! "

" Love You, Dwayne! "

Treats - Treats - and - MORE Snow!

 

We woke up to a - gorgeous - White Christmas this year.

 The snow was falling so fast.

A wetter snow than we'd had the previous week.

The heater in the pickup's engine couldn't even keep up.

 Jen and Carlie could not resist getting out there and having fun!

Jen being Jen...

just had to put on her new fleece pajama bottoms she received from us -

before heading back outside to play in the snow with Carlie!

She cannot deal with snow - and - no snoman.

Never has been able to handle such a thing.

( Kinda looks like an Oreo Snowman coming, huh... )

And - of course!

She had to ambush me as I came out from my check-up on the Chickens.

 

I did not slave in the kitchen during Christmas Day - this year.

Instead - I went for a couple of - " Firsts ".

My goal - Gifts for next year - if they turn out right.

We became Guinea Pigs - for Christmas - at our house.

We had snacks and finger foods.

 I made Cashew Crunch.

A lot like Peanut Brittle - but - easier on the teeth!

Normally - I buy packages of the Amish Cashew Crunch from Loudon Mercantile.  But the owner sold out faster than she even imagined she would.  And she had no time to replenish her inventory.

She never has it shipped because she doesn't want it crumbling to bits by the time it arrives.  She drives - herself - to an Amish community here in East Tennessee to carry it back to the shop.

Made with unsalted butter - not margarine - it came out so wonderful!

And you can find the recipe right HERE !

I made Jalapeno Kolaches!

Don't know if it still exists - but - there once was a Doughnut Shop run by a family in Texas City, Texas - located on Texas Avenue - in the building that once was a bar - called " The Devil's Doorway " - ( and it was. ) - thankfully now only a memory - for some.

Anyway - they made these savory treats!  They have little smoky sausages - cheese - and sliced jalapenos.  And people all around town would come wait in line before work in the morning - just to take box-fulls to share with co-workers.

They are - addictive!

And you can get the recipe right HERE !

I won't bother showing my attempts with making Lemon Basil Scones.

I was not happy.

I picked a very bad day to try.

The Full Moon was - still - having fun with me.

Our Chest freezer died.

I had to move half-thawed food to the upright freezer.

It was this year's entire growing season's remaining veggies.

I'm not happy about this.

One more thing I'm not happy about -

As I was processing my photos to put this blog together - I realized something that made me very sad.

I did not take any photos of all four of us.  I didn't get a photo of Josh and Jen together - a group shot - a shot of Dwayne and I - not even a shot of Dwayne and I with the pups and Spinner - our cat.

I'm feeling pretty sure it has to do with not being so happy about my health - and how it's impacted the way I look these days.

I just wish I wasn't the only one in my family that seems to like taking pictures.  But then - it does make it easier for me to avoid having to dodge the lens all the time.

Oh, well - considering the plans I have for this coming new year - I guess we'll see if there's any change in that little disappointment - next year!

For now - daylight just broke for us on this day after Christmas - and - just take a look!

Jen got a little help with her " Oreo Snowman " !

Here's Carlie - having fun in the snow!!

Test Results

This is what I found when I came home from my appointment with my Pulmonary Specialist yesterday.

Needless to say - Miss Carlie did not get - her cookie.  Only good puppies get cookies after Mama gets back home.

I came home with a mixed mess from the results.  I’ve been diagnosed with Asthma.

He found some lining on my lungs showing to be thinning - giving cause for some test to see if I’m a carrier of some gene that they’ve found to activate Emphysema.  Either way does not mean I will end up with the disease.  Catching it early enough will allow him to fight it off.

According to his words - I am - “ Badly Positive “ with the Allergy back scratch test.  Not a good thing.  He ran off a list that put me in a fog.  I’ll be getting a copy of that - later.

But - I am not giving up my animals - or - my gardening - over this.

I go back on January 22nd to pick up equipment for doing an Oxyscan during my sleep at home.  It will monitor and record my oxygen levels.

I go back on February 2nd  to turn in the equipment and do the test to see if I’m a carrier of that gene.  Also - we’ll be discussing Allergy shots.

I’m hoping he’ll compromise with allowing me to get back on Bee Pollen  and try that - first.

In the meantime - I managed to get out of there with only 1 more prescription!  I’m now on the inhaler and doing the Omnaris nose drops before bedtime.

I actually slept last night!  Dwayne said I moved only once during the night - and I even slept on my back without snoring!

I have a grocery list to knock out today - full of ingredients that would have my doctors wanting to knock me out.

But - hey!  It’s Christmas!  I deserve the fun of spoiling my family enough to get us all feeling that spirit of the season in our hearts!

For now - I hope and pray God will bless you and yours with hearts full of pure joy and love as we all celebrate the birth of Our Savior - Jesus Christ!

Give yourself a challenge over the next 24 hours.  Look 3 strangers in the eye and say - “ Jesus was born on Christmas Day!  We still have HOPE! ”

Merry Christmas, Everyone! 

Egg Attack - Zhu Zhu Saviors - and - Big Girl Panties!

I only have one thing to say about this.  Thank God - they were boiled!

They fell out of the refrigerator - yesterday.  And I don’t even know why - or - how.  There was absolutely - nothing - near them.

Seems like it was only yesterday - I was having so much fun standing in front of a kiosk at Foothills Mall in Maryville - waiting to see this little treasure finished!

I’ll always remember how excited I was - couldn’t wait to get home and get ours hanging on the tree.  I’d had two made - the second for Brit and Kevin to hang on their tree.

Sadly - the artist is no longer selling the handmade ornaments.

 

That precious Grandgirl has turned 3 years old this year - just last month!

Mommy’s been having issues with trying to get her potty-trained.  We’re thinking it may be tied to other issues - like - maybe - second thoughts about being okay with that baby brother coming in February.

So - MeeMaw Treesie came up with a plan that mixes in with Grandgirl’s Christmas gift from us!  Have you seen all the craze exploding over Zhu-Zhu Pets this year?

I can remember when you could not find one of those little critters - anywhere!  Well - except on eBay - where “ Idjits “ selling them with the starting bids set at insane prices - more like holding them for ransom.

And “ Morons “ were caving to the greed!

Now they come with a major compound of inter-connecting facilities you can collect.  They come with little outfits and accessories - like Barbie.

And don’t get me started on where they went with the collection of their babies you can go nuts over - as well!

We decided to help Brit con the kid into - “ Big Girl Panties “  - by getting her started on her very own Zhu Zhu collection!

We bought one each of two facilities - the Funhouse and the Treehouse.  And we sent two Zhu Zhu Pets to get her started.

Where does it go from there?

A new Zhu Zhu Pet will be added to the collection.  BUT - it will sit on top of the refrigerator - and wait for Grandgirl to go 3 days in “ Big Girl Panties “ without any accidents!

Once she tackles that one - another Zhu Zhu Pet will arrive and sit on top of the refrigerator - and wait for Grandgirl to go a whole week in “ Big Girl Panties “ without any accidents!

And if Grandgirl manages to succeed without creating much grief around the house - ( we are praying this is avoided before baby brother shows up ) - she will be receiving a new facility for Valentine’s Day - etc. !


For now - I'm grateful to have Notepad on my computer.  Gonna be a LOT to keep track of when it comes to remembering which Zhu Zhu Pets and facilities I send.

MeeMaw Treesie's just not all that great on the memory retention these days.  Been a long time since she was 3 years old!

Keep Your Stupid Away From Her!

Lemon Bars - baked by - none other than - my husband.

And they are delicious!  It’s the first time - in all these years - that I’ve witnessed this talent my hubby’s been keeping secret.  And I’m so proud of him!  Maybe I’ll feel better about baking for the holidays next year.  And he won’t be able to just - sit in his recliner waiting for the timer to go off!

I have not done any holiday baking this year.  I dunno.  I wake up each day right now and follow through with tasks no differently than - going grocery shopping.

I can’t get excited.  I do good to just - take care of things.  It’s like being a robot.

It’s like being on anti-depressants - without taking that pill.  But - there’s one difference.  I have no qualms about opening my mouth to cut throats of morons with my tongue.

I'm going through a period in my life where too many people - and doctors - have become too lazy - too quick to consider my situation as being depression.

That jagged little pill has become too much of a crutch for this world - enabling the world to ignore and move on with its own self-absorbed amenities.

What those pills do is - cruel.  They are a silent message.  “ Take the pill - go sit in the corner and shut up.”

They leave one with all the problems - stuffed inside.  Too rummy in the mind.  They just float through tasks - almost mindless - like a robot.

Nothing gets fixed - other than the world being able to avoid becoming uncomfortable by having to face their part in the demise.

I am - so over with existing around - stupid - lazy - selfish - mean - mentality and behaviors running all over this world like children gone wild. 

However - rather than allow this world to merely shove a pill at me and have me go sit in a corner and shut up - I’ve been very busy.

Sorting thoughts while taking steps to find my own plateau of deserved comfort and happiness - quite a perplexing list of details in the efforts.  Of course - half that work comes at the assistance of a much-appreciated therapist.

My goal - clean house to make room for allowing myself to feel my once-happy spirit return.

In the meantime - I’m removing myself from areas where I’m prone to destruction - isolating myself - while God and I - fix me.

Afterall - nobody else is gonna do it.

Still - there are times that require mingling in the presence of morons that were never raised with being taught how to behave properly in public - never taught how to co-exist with others on common ground loaded with consideration and conscience.

And I'm at a place where I - simply - have no problem " telling 'em how the cow ate the cabbage " when they choose to behave like a jerk around me - or - toward me.

It's a new place for me.

I've spent 51 years submitting to any - and all - abuse that has ever been bestowed upon me - by those closest to me - and others of this world.  And for the first time in my life - I've decided.

I don't have to feel like I deserve the cruelty.  I don't have to suck it up and take the beatings without a peep.  I don't have to hold all the pain inside.  I don't have to feel guilty about refusing to accept it.

And God have mercy on anyone daring to force me.  I have nothing nice in return.  You will face the wrath of your own attack.  And I don't have to feel guilty about fighting back.

I will put you back in your place.  And it wouldn't even matter if you were the Pope, himself.

The good in that is - I can say that I'm willing to put myself to the task.

There are those who could do the same - should do the same - but don’t - and - won’t.

I learned two things this week during all my work.

I really do deserve respect.

And -

I'm not alone - despite being considered an outcast by those from my childhood.

I really do have family - right here at the house - some with feathers or four legs.

One Day to The Next

Once again - I haven’t posted on my blog for quite some time.  And I do apologize to those of you that continue coming to see if I’m still breathing.  I appreciate the thoughtful notes left by a few of you - letting me know you’re thinking of me.  It helps - more than words can describe.

My follow-up appointment with the Pulmonary Specialist got bumped to December 23rd by their office - for whatever reason.  I won’t be finding out results of all the tests until then.

In the meantime - I’ve been neck-high in taking care of things around here.

Miss Carlie had her 1st Birthday on November 24th.

We’ve managed to get the tree up this year.

But - every day passing seems to feel like it’s just any ordinary day.

I’m poopy.  I’m lousy company.  I’m tired of caring.  I’m tired of people in this country not caring enough to get up and fight back.

These so-called doctors in my life are destroying my faith and trust in them.  They’ve all managed to pull a LOT of money out of me with all these tests.  Yet - nobody seems to have answers.

The so-called government leadership we have in this country has lost all my faith - AND - respect.  I feel like this country might stand half a chance if every good person actually got angry enough to revolt.

But I’ve even lost faith in that happening.

People are just too much like worker ants - too busy to pay attention - too busy to care - too busy to take back control of their own lives.

We’re now down to 1 Rooster and 9 Hens - here at the house.  Boss Hoss became greedy and the scenario around here was beginning to turn ugly.  After isolating him from the flock - I tested both Roos with the hens to examine their demeanor.  Long story short - the girls made it clear - perfectly clear - that they no longer had anything nice for Boss Hoss.

So - the girls are now protected by - none other than - Tom Jones.  I know.  I couldn’t resist.  He’s a charmer.  He’s a protector.  He has really great manners - lets the girls eat, first.

And I now have 7 of all 9 hens laying eggs.  Amazing how much things can improve when the - ‘ problems ‘ - are removed.

I wish Jesus would hurry up and get here.