Tuesday, February 19, 2013

What A Dumb Ass I Am...

 
Yup, I certainly am!
 
I suffered another blond moment tonight, alas.
 
I successfully cracked the lid to our Pyrex casserole dish, see above photo.
 
As if this wasn't bad enough but what really bothers me the most is that this was my mothers Pyrex casserole dish.  She used it for years without any issues and here I come and in short order crack it.
 
I should have known cold water on a hot dish doesn't end well, and to be honest I did, but proceeded to do it just the same.
 
What a dumb ass...

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Here Comes The Chief!

 
Trixie dog loves to run and doesn't seem to mind the snow at all.  Of course, she's too small for the amount of snow we have now but does just fine in the paths the snow blower made.  She also doesn't mind to dress up when she goes outside, ugh.

Gangway Coming Through

 
Snow blowing a path to the bird feeders.  Of course this will allow me access to fill when needed without having to climb over snow and it also clears a spot on the ground, under the feeders, for the birds that don't like to eat from them and prefer to eat off the ground, i.e. Morning Doves.

First Half Dozen!

 
We have six Buff Orpington hens and today marks the first day of 2013 that they each laid an egg!  I would guess that they're averaging about three eggs a day so far this year, which isn't too bad seeing that it mid February and still awful cold.
 
We now have more eggs than we know what to do with but a good problem to have.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Snow Cones

 
Don't eat the yellow snow!!
 
There was Trixie dog attempt at writing Nemo...

Nemo Snow Fall


 
Here are a couple pictures of the snow that Nemo so graciously dropped at the ole homestead. 
 
The first picture shows the pool, or rather where the pool typically is, as well as yours truly snow blowing a path to and in front of the chicken coop.  It's at these times when I question why I have poultry and rabbits.
 
The second picture was taken from the end of our driveway looking back towards the house/yard.  We parked our vehicles on the lawn anticipating the mother load of Nemo snow and so that the driveway could be plowed easier.  It turned out to be a wise decision.  The amount of snow was crazy for sure.  Today, Sunday, warmed up nicely, so we spent several hours outside cleaning and clearing more snow.

Supervisor Trixie

 
Here's Trixie dog keeping an eye on things.
 
The woes of being a little dog is that she's unable to look out the window.  With this in mind we often push the hassock against the wall so she can jump up check things out.
 
Here she is making sure we're shoveling the driveway properly.

Birthday Cookie

 
Instead of a traditional birthday cake, we went with the extra large chocolate chip cookie for Emilie's birthday.

Friday, February 08, 2013

Danger Danger, Stay Out!

 
This is what takes place when turning 11!
 
Alas, she's growing too fast.  I don't know where the time has gone but one thing is clear, it's gone by too fast :-((
 
It's a good thing I can't read 11 year old writing...

Snow Covered Deer!

 
The snow's falling and has been for several hours now and it's starting to stick and accumulate.  The weather reports are all saying the worst is yet to come and it'll soon be coming down much quicker, along with the winds picking up.
 
So, due to the storm I'm working from home today and have been watching a lone deer all morning long.  She has been up and down several times, my guess is she's nervous about this storm.  At the moment she's lying down, you might be able to see her the above picture.  It's weird and would like to understand how she chose that particular spot to ride out the storm.  I'm guess they're not smart enough to hunker down under a pine tree or next to a downed long, nope, just out in the open.
 
Certainly a tough way to ride out the storm.

A BIG Happy 11th Birthday!

 
 My youngest daughter Emilie turns 11 years old today!!!
 
Don't know where the time has gone.
 
Happy Birthday EM!!
 
All my love, -Dad

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Unbelievable!

Oh My God!

I just had a large bowl of delicious Potato Bacon soup for lunch!

It was super thick and oh so tasty and it really hit the spot.

Problem is I could use a little nap right about now, however, I'm in the office so this isn't an option.  After all no one wants to walk into my cubicle to see me napping with drool running out the corner of my mouth and pants unbuttoned...

Just saying.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

What a Nice Pair...

 
The Bluebirds have been regular visitors to our feeders this winter.  Here are two that were taking a break or perhaps planning their next assault on the feeders.  I absolutely love their color combinations.  They are a beautiful bird for certain, one of my favorites.

"It's All Ball Bearings Now a Days" Fletch

 
So, we've been having an issue with our refrigerator/freezer for the past 6 - 8 months.  The ice dispenser, which is on the outside of the freezer door, does not work.  We've had issues where the bottom of the dispenser freezes into a block of ice, the dispenser door/flap doesn't open and even at one point the ice maker itself crapped out.
 
We've had Sears repair on site (8) times to date, UGH!  They're replaced part after part after part and nothing they've done has resolved the problem.  One technician even said we'd have to live with it.
 
The Sears appointment process is just that, a process.  They give you a "window" of when they'll arrive, typically mornings or afternoons, so a lot of waiting around.
 
I've also been in touch with some Sears Corporate dude but he's proving to be as useful as tits-on-a-bull if you catch my drift!  He just doesn't return my calls.
 
The last attempt at fixing the problem, which was last Friday, was to replace the entire freeze door!  Ordering a freezer door takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks for the part to arrive, so the delay continued, not to mention that this part alone cost more than what we paid for the entire unit!!
 
So, Sears arrived promptly first thing and had the new door installs in short order, yippee!  However, my excitement was short lived when the ice holder/dispenser wouldn't fit!  It was the correct replacement door based on the model number, however, Sears modified the door ever so slightly and subsequently our original ice holder/dispenser simply doesn't fit.
 
Sooooo, a second replacement door has been ordered along with a replacement ice holder/dispenser and we're looking at another 3 - 4 weeks for these parts to arrive.  I can see why Sears is struggling.  Now keep in mind that although our confidence levels are high that this will fix the issue, we're concerned that the problem we're having is an inherent defect and will only occur again down the road.  Keeping fingers crossed that if it does, we're still covered under warranty.
 
Since the unit is still under warranty the Corporate dude I've been dealing with did offer to replace the entire refrigerator/freezer, however, here's the catch - the replacement unit can only be for what we paid and not what it's valued at.  For example, in our scenario we bought this unit, a brand new but older model, at a discounted price. The unit itself is  ~$1200 but only we paid ~$850, so that's all they're allowing towards a replacement.  What a scam!  Be forewarned for if and when you consider purchasing a maintenance/warranty agreement.
 

Cabin Fever

 
They're dropping like flies...
 
Completed another 1000 piece puzzle this past weekend.
This one a Darrell Bush puzzle titled, "Cabin Fever".

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Registration Era Comes to an End


I wrapped up the loose ends to the sale of my 1999 Ford F150 pickup the other afternoon by cancelling the plate with the registry of motor vehicles and removing it from our vehicle insurance coverage.

We're looking at quite the yearly savings by no longer having this dude on the road.  For example, no more registration fee, no more yearly vehicle inspections, no more yearly excise tax, no more repair costs (which were occurring more often), plus the saving on insurance.

All that being said, and sadly, the end of an era is upon us.  The license plate pictured above has been in use and on my vehicles for well over 20+ years.

I think it was about four years ago that I was told by one service station that he was not going to pass my truck's yearly inspection due to my license plate.  By state law, Massachusetts license plates must be readable from 60 feet away. Any green or red passenger plate, which has lost its reflective coating or paint or has been damaged, must be replaced.  As you can see it's in rough condition but New England weather will do that. However, since the process leaves much up to the discretion of the person performing the inspection, I simply went to a different station and never had an issue with the plate again but I did worry about it when inspection time was drawing near.

This plate will now adorn a spot over my basement work bench.

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Trixie Dog Hunt

 
Trixie dog got her first kill, a red squirrel!
 
She's quite the hunter too.  Snuck right up to her bed of chew toys and wasted NO time in locating this red squirrel chew hidden at the bottom of the pile.  She grab a hold of it with complete confidence, ignoring all the others toys, and began shaking it from side to side to side.  Low and behold, as you can see from the picture, the squirrel submitted.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Attention Walmart Shoppers...

 
So, we were in Walmart the other afternoon picking up a few things.  As I'm sure you're all well aware of, Walmart shoppers offer some very good comic relief.  However, on the flip side it's also a place that can try your patients too.  Sadly, common courtesy, as well as common sense are all but gone in our day to day interactions with others.
 
Let me also state for the record that JoAnne really doesn't like to take me shopping with her.  Actually, and as a general rule, I don't think she likes to take me anywhere where people will be.  Hmm, not sure why either.  Another of life's mysteries, i.e. does the light in the fridge go out when the door is closed or why did the chicken cross the road, etc.
 
That being said, I went along for the ride anyway.  So, as JoAnne is targeting specific isles to pick up the items on her list, I am slowly pushing our cart around, you know "browsing", and taking in the sites.  Again, as any Walmart visitor can attest to, the isles are not very wide and product is stocked and stacked in the main isles throughout the stores.  So, by now I'm in some back corner and as I turn to come up an isle there is this rather large woman, a younger woman I 'd guess in her mid twenties, who had parked her cart smack dab in the middle of the isle and is talking away on her cell phone.  Now neither of these two items are cause for one's blood pressure to rise, however, what she did or rather didn't do, at that moment DID get under my skin (see previous statement regarding common courtesy).  She just stood there going about her business and chatting away; never made an attempt to move herself or her cart to one side.  It's like she was in her own living room and we didn't exist.
 
Just like Homey D. Clown from In Living Color always says, "Homey don't play that!".  I too "don't play that" and took the liberty of "moving" her cart out of my way.  Hmm, perhaps this is one of the reasons JoAnne doesn't like to shop with me?!  However, and as you might imagine, me moving her cart of out my way wasn't done with tact or grace or care or gentleness, nope none of the above.  Rather, I used the end of my cart to push hers out of the way.  It sounded worse than it actually was. It got her attention thou that's for certain!  She looked at me with wide eyed contempt that said what the fudge sickle and offered up a sarcastic "sorry".  To which I responded, "No need to be sorry, I moved it!" - all with a smile and same sarcastic reply and off I went.
 
Oh, the joys!
 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Glistening Weeping Cherry

 
One morning, following an overnight snow storm and as the temperature slowly rose over the freezing mark, our weeping cherry tree was glistening in the morning sun.
 
 The picture doesn't do it justice. It sure look pretty in person. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Country General Store

 
BA BA BOOM!

Completed this 550 piece puzzle while watching the Patriots play like kaaka and lose Sunday night., alas.  Well, at least the NHL and my beloved Boston Bruins are back.  Perhaps, watching them play will easy my football boo boos, sniff.

This one The Art of Michael Matherly, titled "Country General Store".
 
I've gotta tell ya, these 550 piece puzzles are just not challenging.   Back to the 1000 piecers.

Stick Em Up!

 
So, many many people in these New England parts raise their wipers in anticipation of snow these days. I don't recall seeing it nearly as much when I was growing up.   There seems to be varying opinions on this practice with some saying it looks silly and others saying it does no good.  However, I think it makes good sense and have taken up the practice.
 
For example, it prevents the wiper blades from sticking to the windshield, which in turn makes them last longer.  It also might prevent one from damaging their wiper motor - just imagine turning on your wipers when they're frozen to the windshield, oooh.  Also, makes clearing the ice and snow SO much easier with the blades up and out of the way.
 
Of course, and it obviously goes without saying (common sense right), that the blades should be lowered once the windshield has been cleared, especially before driving off.  However, and much to my surprise (although it really shouldn't surprise me these days), I watched a dip-shit pull into the parking lot the other day (Tuesday, the morning of our last snow storm) with the wipers raised - yup I did, no joke.  What makes this even more comical is that the person had the wipers turned on!!  So, here this dip-stick is driving with wipers raised and swinging from side to side and the person was 100% oblivious.  It's VERY scary that "they" walk among us!
 
Here's your sign.

Single Digit Temps!

 
The number (temperature) shown on my car's dash at 6:30 Thursday morning!
 
This past weeks temperatures have been like a Sesame Street episode, brrrr

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Recent Vintage Bottle Finds


 
Here are two vintage bottles that I've found here at the ole homestead recently.
 
The first is a brown Piel's wide mouth beer bottle with it's pull top tab from the 1970's.  The tab and bottle are in pretty good condition.
 
The second is an aqua glass pharmacy bottle with a screw top (no cap).  The name Furst-McNess Co. Freeport, Ill is written in raised letters on the side of the bottle.  I believe from the 1920 - 1940's.  It too is in pretty good condition.
 
Always fun to find these old, vintage items.

Cinderella's Grand Arrival

 
BOOM!
 
Completed another 1000 piece puzzle this morning.
 
This one a Disney Fine Art puzzle by Peter Ellenshaw titled, "Cinderella's Grand Arrival".
 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Our Ford Fleet

 
The last photo showing our fleet of Fords, alas.
 
Oh, I've heard all the funny and clever acronyms for Ford, like: Found On Road Dead, Fix Or Repair Daily and Fails On Race Day, however, we've had great success with Ford.
 
Hater gonna hate...

Snow Covered Kale

 
Here's a lone Kale plant sporting a snow covered hat surrounded by a blanket of fresh snow.  The rabbits love their kale, the crisper the better.
 
Of course there's no new growth but what's left is rationed amongst the three rabbits.  Once the leaves are picked and fed, I'll pull the stem and cut it up for the buns.  The stems lasts much longer and gives them something to gnaw on.

Basement Daisy

 
Check out the Gerber Daisy flower!
 
A couple items to note, (1) this plant, along with about ten others, are being stored in our basement for the winter.  There is limited day light down there and we're only lightly watering so not to encourage too much growth right now, and (2) this particular Gerber Daisy has got me be close to ten years old, if not older.  Outside of watering it and perhaps some Miracle Grow in the Spring and Summer, we've done very little to it.  Still in the same flower pot and with the same dirt as when it arrived, not to mention that I've caught the darn cat using it as a litter box, URGH!!
 
No matter how you slice it, this little shop of horror is one happy dude, as you can by the lovely red flower that she's produced for us to enjoy!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Bombycilla cedrorum

 
The weather warmed up quite a bit last week, almost Spring like yesterday with temperatures near or in the low 60's!  Most of the snow has melted away, except maybe the large piles that the plows created.
 
The warmer weather has the birdies in a buzz, with a flurry of activity and some new visitors.
 
Take for example the Cedar Waxwing and American Robin hanging out together in one of our Maple trees - best buddies!  I bet they've been taking turns eating the last remaining berries from our Bittersweet vines.

Most Important Meal of The Day!

 
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so I start my day with a BIG hearty bowl of Gronk Flakes!!
 
Do you Gronk!?!?

Saturday, January 12, 2013

So Long Old Friend :-((



 
Well, it's official I've sold my truck,  :-((  
 
A 1999 Ford F150 Supercab with 140k miles.
 
I cleaned her out today and she's ready to go.
 
I didn't buy her new; if I remember correctly she was approximately 9 months old and has been solid and reliable for these past twelve years.  We've been through a lot together.  There's no question that I'm gonna miss her.  I don't really need a truck but to be honest I'm not sure how I will get along without one.  It's going to be an adjustment.

Winter Wonderland/Poolside Present

Ah, the beauty of Mother Nature and her first snow, so white and pure.  The fresh blanket of the white stuff covering the ground, the snow still covering the trees and branches and not yet disturbed by foot prints.  It's truly a site to behold!
 
Of course, when the ground is covered in snow the lay of the land and it's familiar markers are also covered leading some to loose their bearing.
 
Take Trixie dog for example, she's completely clueless.  Here she is answering "the call", however, she's either oblivious, doesn't care or, perhaps, doing it intentionally.  Whichever option you choose it doesn't change the fact Trixie dog is taking a poop poolside!!
 
 

 
Anyone wanna come over for a dip?!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 
First snow of the season had Emilie testing out her new snow tube.  The first couple of runs were slow going but once the path became packed the speeds picked up.

Friday, January 11, 2013

"Homecoming Hero"


 
Completed this 1000 piece Thomas Kinkade puzzle the other day. Only one piece fell victim to Trixie dog and was salvageable in the end.
 
On to the next one, another 1000 piecer.

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Worked Like a Charm!!

 
Surprise surprise!!
 
Look what the ladies had waiting for me in the hen house this afternoon - TWO fresh laid eggs!
 
It's been 8 days since I installed a light in the coop, all in an effort to fool the ladies into thinking the days were longer, and it worked, BAZINGA!
 
Hoping the other four hens follow suit soon.  As you can imagine it's a tough pill to swallow, needing to buy eggs at the market, when we're feeding six chickens at home.

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Brrrrrrrrrrr


The number (temperature) shown on my car's dash at 6:30 this morning!

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

and we're off...

 
and our family tradition continues.
 
Just like in years past JoAnne donned her apron and hit the kitchen to bake the vasilopita cake for New Years day!  The house smelled SO good once it was in the oven and cooking.  And as always it brings back some wonderful memories of my mother and times gone by.
 
THANK YOU JoAnne for keeping this tradition and memory alive!

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

Park-A-Matic

 
1968 vintage motorized Park-A-Matic for miniature cars by Child Guidance.

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'Å“uvre that JoAnne prepared and, BURP, they were scrumptious too!!
 
You should've joined us!