Busy Weekend

I had an interesting experience this morning! I grew up on a farm, and was around cows most of the time. I do have to say, however, today was the first time I was ever kicked by one. Knocked me flat on my butt! That'll teach me to get too close behind her. :P

Aside from that, it has been a good week. I am almost ready for the 4H Public Speaking Event on Sunday, which is a good thing. Did the shopping for it yesterday, and forgot the two most important things for coffee - cream and sugar. Oops! At least we realized it today and not Sunday while we were making coffee and putting everything out.

Tomorrow afternoon will be spent visiting with family when they come over for cake and ice-cream for my son's birthday (which was Tuesday). Then, it will be time to make squares for Sunday's event. A very busy weekend indeed.

I did make arrangements today to sell my crafts at a general store in a neighbouring village. That is very exciting for me, because I will be able to have them displayed all the time, yet not have to be there. I will pay the store owner a portion of my sales for her space, so its a win-win situation.

Time for me to put this sore body to bed...and see if I can get up in the morning. I'm sure I'll really feel the effects of the kick and the ground when I wake up. Goodnight all!

Public Speaking

My daughter is a member of our local 4H Beef Club, and Sunday is their Public Speaking Event. I am in charge of making the brochures and helping organize the event. This is a first for me. I must say Print Shop is coming in handy. I am quite happy I can do the layout and get all of the details right before I do the final print. I would recommend a program such as this one to anyone who does any invitations, cards, business stationery, etc. I like the fact I can do any modifications before I waste a ton of paper printing something that isn't accurate.
I do have to say, I am glad it will not be me on stage giving a speech. I am quite content helping get things in order. Which reminds me, I still have to make a phone call regarding the key for the hall we rented. I also still have to do the shopping for the Club for the coffee, plates, etc. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute.

It will be a good day I'm sure. Now if only my daughter would get her speech written so we can adjust the time if necessary. I had no idea there were so many stipulations for the speech. This is, however, a good thing, as some kids could take up half the afternoon talking. This way, everyone in the same category gets the same alloted time.
She is planning on doing a speech on alpacas, which she really wants to own. I am with her on that one, as they are easier for me to handle than cows. Plus, they do not eat as much and more can be kept per acre. There are many benefits to alpacas.

I had best get back to making the brochure. Still a phone call or two to make to get judges names and speech titles. Have a great day!

Royal Birthday

Today is my son's sixteenth birthday! His Royal Birthday at that! It's hard to believe he's that old already! And to think he came into this world ten weeks early and three and a half pounds. To look at him, you would never guess he was so little at birth. My Dad once said I could tell anyone he was eight and a half pounds and they'd believe me. I told him people have a hard time believing me when I tell them he was three and a half pounds. Once he started growing, he didn't stop. Even chemotherapy didn't stunt his growth any. He now stands 5'11", and weighs just under 200 pounds.

There was a time not that long ago when we weren't sure he'd see his sixteenth birthday. There is nothing scarier than being told your child has cancer. But, he was born a fighter - and is still fighting! Each day is a blessing, and he now lives for today. He has been cancer free for almost two years now, but still has long term effects from the surgery and the experience.
I am very thankful to still have him in our lives. I can't imagine life without him or his sister. My children are my world, and they are the reason I strive to make their world a better place.

Clutter

We all have it to some degree. Clutter! As I started cleaning my porch today so I could put up more coat hooks, I realized just how much useless stuff we hang on to. Today is the first of many days I will spend going through our house, and getting rid of useless stuff.
There are those pressure switches from the water system, pieces of broken solar lights (okay, more like chewed solar lights), containers that "might" come in handy one day - and the list goes on. Out house is small, and the shelving and proper storage is minimal. We have no garage for the tools, so they are all in the porch and the kitchen on free standing shelves. The pup's kennel takes up a good portion of floor space, and it has to be in the porch. He still cannot be trusted to leave shoes alone, as we found out a couple weeks ago.
The next thing to go through is the bookshelves and get rid of magazines that have no purpose. I have tons of quilting and gardening magazines, but the expired Sears catalogs and old seed catalogs can go. Plus, there is one bookshelf full of kids books, which I will hang on to. I have nephews who are just getting old enough not to destroy the books, so its nice to have them available when they come to visit.
The inside will get done over the next couple of weeks as I have time. It will be nice to have some order to our home again. Its amazing how much we hang on to! My son and I went through his dresser last night, and have at least half a trash bag full of clothes that don't fit. The better ones will go to Goodwill, the others in the trash. Or, there is always the option of a yard sale this Spring - to get rid of things we don't need, but don't really want to give away either.
I have seen some wonderful bookshelves at Ikea, and would love to get rid of the ones we have now so I can get the better ones. Or maybe, I'll just have to use those tools I have and build some of my own. Either way, the rest of the winter will be busy eliminating the clutter around our house.
Have a great day everyone!

Gardening Bug

Good morning to all!

As I was reading a particular Hub on HubPages this morning, I couldn't help but wish the sun would come out and warm our temperature to about 15C. Then I could go out and get busy on my yard and garden plans.

For any of you who have been following me, you know of the plans I have. For those of you who are new, my work in progress can be found on HubPages.

I have been bitten by the gardening bug, and am getting very impatient waiting for Spring to arrive. My maternal grandparent's could both make things grow and flourish. Their house was full of houseplants, and the garden was very fruitful through the summer. I can recall shelling buckets and buckets of peas (and yes, eating several as well), and digging some very odd looking carrots and potatoes. Their garden was where a barn had once stood, and the first few years we would find carrots growing through washers, nuts and around nails. These were the tastiest carrots I had ever had, and some of the biggest I had ever seen. The potatoes were larger than softballs, and I remember taking one to school for Show & Tell that was shaped like a duck.

It is a wonderful thing, to watch the seeds pop out of the ground and grow into very tasty produce. There is nothing quite like fresh picked peas or baby carrots right out of the ground. They do not have the taste of pesticides nor have they lost their nutritional value through processing. I would encourage anyone to grow some fresh veggies if at all possible, even in a container on your balcony. You never know, you may be bitten by the gardening bug as well!

Have a great day everyone!

Facebook

I have to admit, I am a Facebook junkie. I play games, chat with friends, and let others know what's going on in my world. I am, however, not a very happy Facebook fan at this moment. They have changed their home page, which usually doesn't bother me. My problem is this...I am unable to talk to anyone, click on links, or even post a new status. I don't know if its an issue only I am having or if it is widespread. I see other people posting, but I don't understand why I can't. I can't even open a chat window with anyone to find out what I'm doing wrong...it shouldn't be that difficult should it?

Now that I have ranted and raved, I am also going to fill you in on a challenge I will be taking on. As many of you know, I have published a few articles on HubPages. I will be joining the challenge of writing 30 hubs in 30 days...let's see how close I come. I have written 11 since I started a few weeks ago, but my challenge will start today. I will be adding my new page links here as well, so everyone can read them. Plus, it may inspire others to do the challenge as well.

Friday Post

Today is a new day! I have been very busy...working with our cows, getting paperwork in order for the accountant and writing a Hub on my favorite cookies. I must say, Chocolate Chip cookies are my favorite. There are a couple of close seconds, but nothing beats a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven. I usually end up doubling the recipe, as the cookies never last very long around here. I have managed to smuggle a few dozen into the freezer a time or two, but it didn't take long for them to be found. I do have to admit, I am just as bad...if not worse, than the kids when it comes to good cookies.

I have found baking cookies is much nicer on a stoneware baking pan. The temperature is evenly distributed, and cleanup is a breeze.

The weather has been nice these last couple of days...not too warm, but not -40 either. I fired up the barbeque last night, and made burgers. It was so good! Tonight will be steak and potatoes! I just hope the propane lasts. Nothing worse than running out of propane halfway through cooking.

I am guessing with the sunshine we've had today, my solar lights will be a little brighter tonight. I can hardly wait until spring so I can put more out. I have a fence along the north side of our driveway that would look very nice all lit up. One more thing to add to my list of yardwork this summer.

While I was out and about today, I was very tempted to buy a new quilt magazine. As I held one in my hand and looked at it, I realized it probably only contained patterns I already have, just in a different colorway. I have countless books an magazines full of beautiful quilts...if only I had the time to make them all. I think before I start another quilt, I had best finish up at least one or two of the ones I have started.

Along with my stacks of quilt magazines, I have a stack of equal or greater size of gardening books and magazines. I have so many ideas...now to incorporate them into a beautiful yard. It will take time and effort, as well as money, to make this yard look the way it should. I am very anxious to get started this Spring...the first project being my greenhouse. For anyone who has been keeping up with my posts, I'm sure they got a chuckle when they read what happened to the one I built last year. I also have plans of an arbor this year, which I have the perfect spot for.

Now, off to do my evening chores...which involves fighting with my cows again. Maybe I can keep my fingers from between the steer's head and the fence this time. Have a good weekend all, and I will return early in the week. If I can squeeze in a post over the weekend, I will definitely do so.

This n' That

We are getting more snow today! For me it is bittersweet, because I know we need it, but I don't like to drive in it. The upside is it isn't -40.

It has been an interesting week for me, mainly because I have to come up with new and creative ways to apply medication to my cows. One isn't too bad, because I just tie him to the post (although he's not impressed about that at all). The heifer, on the other hand, is a bit more of a challenge. She isn't halter broke, but she is pretty tame. The problem is she doesn't stay still long enough. I have, however, not been kicked yet so I must be doing something right.

I have been giving a lot of thought to my book on our experience with cancer and its effects. As the days go by, I am more determined to write about it. What started as an article on HubPages, has now turned into an idea for a book...a book I hope will help other families who are going through what we did. As I've said in a previous post, it will be an emotional book to write...but worth it in the end.

Now, on a lighter note, I have been working on a fabric rug and am nearing completion. It takes awhile to make them, especially when one doesn't work on it every day. The most time consuming part of these is cutting the fabric into strips. I found with using the longer strips, I can join the next one just like in traditional crocheting, without the need for knots. It works quite well, and there are no bulky sections to step on when its on the floor.

I have also been increasing my stash of yo-yo's. They are great for embellishing wall hangings or quilts. Plus, they can be joined together for a table runner, cushion cover or even a quilt. They are very simple to make, and go together quickly. I have used many an "ugly" fabric for them, and had them turn out very nice. If making a quilt with them, I suggest using a bigger yo-yo than one and a quarter inches, as it will take over 2500 of them to make a 60" X 80" quilt.

The afternoon has begun, and I must get some bookwork done. I would rather be sewing, gardening or writing, but the bookwork is what pays the bills right now. Have a great day!

Snow and Spring

It is starting to look like winter outside! We got some snow overnight, and it looks more festive now than it did at Christmas. I have only had to shovel off my deck once so far this winter, and it wasn't very much. Today there was a little more...and I will be doing it again before the end of the day as it is still snowing.

Last winter we had a lot more snow...my Bistro Set was almost completely covered in snow. This year, the snow isn't even halfway up the legs yet. That could change by the end of the week if the snow keeps up.

I am not opposed to the snow...don't get me wrong. I just don't care to drive in it. I would much prefer to stay home when the weather is bad. Once the roads are clear, I don't mind so much. I do have to venture out later today, but by then the plows will be out and the roads should be fine. Getting some snow is actually a very good thing...as we need the moisture. The snow today is fluffy, but the temperature is -15C. The snow will have more moisture content as the weather warms, and we may actually have some green grass this year. We can be hopeful anyhow.

I am still anxious for Spring to come, as I want to get a few more solar lights for our yard. I had about twelve set up around my Bistro Setlast year, and they looked very nice. It's amazing how bright they are.

I am looking forward to building my raised garden beds this Spring. Gardeners Supply has a chart for designing and planting your raised beds using the Square Foot Gardening method. I have done it in the past, and was very impressed with how my garden turned out. There were a lot less weeds, and the soil was not compacted as I wasn't walking on it. I would recommend this type of gardening to anyone.

My coffeeis finished, and my cows are thirsty. Time to get my nephew dressed up to go water them with me. I am babysitting him today...I have forgotten how busy three year olds are; it has been awhile since mine were that age. I can't wait until nephew number three arrives later this month!