Wishing all a Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2013!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
First Snowfall of the Season!
Ain't it perdy?!?!
We're all shoveled out - the driveway, walkway, the deck and pathway to the chicken coop.
The sun is now out but cold and windy.
Emilie is getting ready, soon to be picked up, and heading off to do some sledding/tubing with her friends.
We're relaxing inside and looking forward to the New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins kickoff come 4PM.
Who's Watching Who?
Emilie was very excited to see her feline friend roaming in the neighbors back yard yesterday morning. So much so that she bolted outside and called her over. This cat is fond of Emilie and trotted right over. Of course the treat that Emilie offers her certainly do help.
Wary and watching the entire process was a doe deer, circled in red. There were actually two deer and up until the cat happened by, both were contently lying down. However, the cat stirred them up and shortly thereafter they moved on their way.
So, I'm not sure who was watching who? Me watching the deer. The deer watching the cat. Emilie watching the cat. Me watching Emilie calling the cat while also watching the deer watch the cat and Emilie, phew...
The Baby Daddy!
Care to take a guess at what's uncharacteristic about this Polled Hereford Bull?
Hmm?
Burn Barrel or Incinerator or Both?
I always look forward to my visiting my farmer friend especially when the weather turns colder and the burn barrel is a glow!
Always nice to hangout and talk, drink coffee and snack on bread while keeping warm by the roaring fire. Wish we lived closer!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Dig In!
We had some friends over the house last weekend to celebrate Christmas, hangout and watch the struggling New England Patriots just squeak by the lowly Jaguars.
Here are the hors d'œuvre that JoAnne prepared and, BURP, they were scrumptious too!!
You should've joined us!
Before and After...
Before -
After -
A spark of inspiration and motivation hit me the other day, so I took advantage of those urges and organized my basement work area and bench.
It was long overdue for sure and looks SO much better too! Plus items are organized and much easier to locate. There's still much to do in the basement but this is a start.
Lights Camera Action!
Ever since the days got shorter and the cold weather moved in our Buff Orpington hens have stopped laying eggs, alas. As a part of this weather/season change they also went into a molt, which I believe they've completed or at least in the latter stages.
This year, and for the very first time, I bought the fix'ns and have installed a "night" light in the coop. I'm using a timer to turn the light and extend their day light, which in turn should induce them to start laying again.
Last night was night number 1.
One of the items I purchased for this experiment was a timer, which I've set to turn on at 4:00PM and then off at 10:00PM. Hopefully, another ~6 hours of day light will stimulate them to begin laying again. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
"Grampy" Picture Wall
Well, I finally got around to hanging my grandfather's paintings and drawings.
I dedicated a wall just for his work.
Most of these pictures had been hanging throughout my folks house, however, since the house has been cleaned, emptied and rented they've made their way to our homestead. I believe there may be a few more stored in the garage but they're not accessible at the moment and won't be till Spring, so for now this is the "Grampy" picture wall look.
Also, notice the family heirloom Victrola in the foreground.
Interesting Egg Facts
ž The freshness of an egg can be determined by a simple test. A very fresh egg will sink in water. An older egg will stand on end at the bottom of the water, and an old egg will float at the surface. As an egg ages the quantity of air in the shell increases and the inner membrane pulls away from the shell. Due to these characteristics, a very fresh egg that is hard-boiled will be difficult to peel. Use older eggs for hard boiling.
ž Fresh eggs have yolks that will remain firm after cracking; older egg yolks “flatten out” after cracking.
ž Generally speaking, breeds of chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs, while those with red earlobes lay brown eggs.
ž Due to the hen's increased hormone levels, sometimes she may produce a two-yolk or, more rarely, a three-yolk egg. It’s a condition seen more often in young hens, and in meat-type strains of hens.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Decorating Idea
I put the wreath on the inside of our door, so we're the one's that gets to see and enjoy it.
Our 2012 Christmas Tree
Here is our 2012 Christmas tree!
Full decorated with presents underneath!
Ho Ho Ho...
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Two Moo Arrivals!
Here is a picture of baby calf number 1,a girl, with her mother behind her.
And here is a picture of baby calf number 2, also a girl.
They're about 3-weeks old in these pictures and only a couple of days a part in age.
Number 2 is shy, much more than number 1 but both adorable. I could sit an watch them for hours. The calf's are full of energy and constantly running and jumping and on the go.
There is one more expected anytime now. Just hope that the weather cooperates, as it did for the arrival of these two above, and stays on the milder side.
"Over Here Moe"
Pay no attention to the man, er the sow, behind the mask I mean ears!
This breed of pig is known as an American Landrace.
They're known for their super large ears, which ultimately drop to cover their face. This "little" piggie will be going to market soon!
I Flipped (over the traffic)!
I got stuck in horrendous traffic on Rt. 128 coming home from visiting my farmer friend last weekend. It was backed up and slow going for miles. What typically takes about 1 hour took close to 2 to get home.
Of course I have no idea what happened but my guess, which in part is based on what I see during my commutes to and from work ALL the time, is this dip-wad was driving too fast, or texting or talking on the phone - you know being an inconsiderate prick. I certainly hope that the(they) didn't get hurt but gotta tell yeah happy just the same.
Karma my friends, karma!
The Real Special Delivery!
We received this lovely Christmas themed arrangement for our 2nd anniversary.
It fits in perfectly with all the decorations we throughout the house. It lights up too!
THANK YOU Steve!
Special Delivery!
FexEX was by the other afternoon to drop off a package. They also left behind quite the chemical spill in our driveway! Well, no a spill but certainly a mess. Emilie noticed this getting off the bus, thought it was interesting and took some pictures. I would have preferred red and green Christmas colors myself...
Friday, December 21, 2012
"BIG CHIEF"
I'm sure this is considered inappropriate now-a-days. However, not back when I was growing up.
I found this while going through some of my "stuff" (crap) that I had when I was a youte. There's just so much that it's overwhelming but I'm making a dent, slowly. Of course if you saw what my basement looked like you'd think otherwise.
Baby steps...
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Thursday, December 06, 2012
"Watch some TV & have some snacks"
So, I was reading the online Foxnews story about (a murder-suicide) the man, a college instructor, who fought his son to give his students time to flee before being shot in the head with an arrow and killed - it's tragic for sure and goes without saying.
However, there are a couple paragraphs in this story (see below), that I find SO very troubling and hard to understand. I mean sure you want to mind your own business, that's fine and I can appreciate. Let's say that when this woman and her daughter arrived home Arnold was in the street arguing with someone. This would be a good example of hustling into the house to mind your own business and not to get involved. Put on the boob-tube, maybe Ellen or Dr. Phil, and make yourself a snack. However, and correct if I'm wrong but once you come upon a body (Arnold) lying in the street doesn't the whole "mind your own business" concept become null and void?! How at that point can anyone "watch some TV and have some snacks"?! What if Arnold, the body, was still alive? Perhaps a 911 call could have saved his life?
Sadly, I feel this is an example of what our society has come to.
Heather Meier, who lives across the street, said she came home from work Friday afternoon after picking up her 7-year-old daughter from school, and the two saw Arnold's body still lying in the street.
"As soon as we got home, we just shut the curtains," she said. "You know, tried to just watch some TV, have some snacks, mind our own business."
To read more, click here, Foxnews story.
However, there are a couple paragraphs in this story (see below), that I find SO very troubling and hard to understand. I mean sure you want to mind your own business, that's fine and I can appreciate. Let's say that when this woman and her daughter arrived home Arnold was in the street arguing with someone. This would be a good example of hustling into the house to mind your own business and not to get involved. Put on the boob-tube, maybe Ellen or Dr. Phil, and make yourself a snack. However, and correct if I'm wrong but once you come upon a body (Arnold) lying in the street doesn't the whole "mind your own business" concept become null and void?! How at that point can anyone "watch some TV and have some snacks"?! What if Arnold, the body, was still alive? Perhaps a 911 call could have saved his life?
Sadly, I feel this is an example of what our society has come to.
Heather Meier, who lives across the street, said she came home from work Friday afternoon after picking up her 7-year-old daughter from school, and the two saw Arnold's body still lying in the street.
"As soon as we got home, we just shut the curtains," she said. "You know, tried to just watch some TV, have some snacks, mind our own business."
To read more, click here, Foxnews story.
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