tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34370601090794431122024-03-07T02:59:53.630-06:00LIFE IN A CORDWOOD CABINMary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.comBlogger465125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-61337817814817978572017-10-17T16:00:00.002-05:002017-10-17T16:02:04.093-05:00Frosty Fall Treat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_BpC6EKHPhuyQkP5dTH3JlZ2KHzMW09BAArAKI6L5Km1ogVj6iblvwWOr8oU6b6unj4VCXHQJdceu4qZ9e17NweAVOGWC0BuORrlb8Sr0ZgeKh9nNW7fDMZPSnfVpWFDmo3971PU1q8/s1600/article-page-main_ehow-uk_images_a05_7v_ad_make-easy-primitive-halloween-pumpkins-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="225" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_BpC6EKHPhuyQkP5dTH3JlZ2KHzMW09BAArAKI6L5Km1ogVj6iblvwWOr8oU6b6unj4VCXHQJdceu4qZ9e17NweAVOGWC0BuORrlb8Sr0ZgeKh9nNW7fDMZPSnfVpWFDmo3971PU1q8/s200/article-page-main_ehow-uk_images_a05_7v_ad_make-easy-primitive-halloween-pumpkins-800x800.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If you live in the South, you know that when fall arrives, fall-like temperatures don't always come immediately. It is cool here at our house today, but will be back in the 80s by the end of the week. Summer just doesn't want to let go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still, we try for a fall-like mood. I haven't baked any pumpkin bread, yet, but will be making some soon. In the meantime, to cool down a bit, we enjoy this frosty pumpkin treat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup of sugar (or sweetener of your choice)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 banana</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 cup pumpkin puree</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 cup vanilla yogurt (or plain--I always use vanilla)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup of milk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a few shakes of pumpkin pie spice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4-6 ice cubes</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Put all in blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy! This makes two fairly tall glasses of frosty pumpkin drink.</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-42571379975618842592017-10-10T18:57:00.000-05:002017-10-10T18:57:05.715-05:00Happy Fall, Y'all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoelu9cnVl8i73WnFeY-b8H45tCEAfMjhzoR2m6YugTZc5wIEc39IIcEdOdH7zTppiD7bWQJBvYNfi0CsYCkgMZ9YzT6P1d3gsKmP6KeDOzKsDOtKlvxuyQYQombnNE6TWiLrXIEhHvk/s1600/100_4173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoelu9cnVl8i73WnFeY-b8H45tCEAfMjhzoR2m6YugTZc5wIEc39IIcEdOdH7zTppiD7bWQJBvYNfi0CsYCkgMZ9YzT6P1d3gsKmP6KeDOzKsDOtKlvxuyQYQombnNE6TWiLrXIEhHvk/s320/100_4173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I've been meaning to post for a few weeks and life has just kept me busy. I hope all of you are enjoying your fall. It has seemed like summer for the most part here in western Arkansas, but today it is practically cold out there! It will only last for a few days before it warms back up, but I'm loving the 'chill' in the air!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have all of you put out some fall decorations? I have put out a few around the cabin, but not as many as usual. My favorite part of fall decorating is my porch. I always put out a little scarecrow and some other decorations. But not this year. My porch is gone! Why? Because the cabin is going to 'grow'. Yep, we pulled off the porch and we are adding on a new kitchen and a little bonus room that is going to be our 'hobby room'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm pretty excited about the addition, but we are kinda slow at all of this, as we are doing it ourselves, so it is going to be a while before we are finished. I will try to update you with some pictures along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our garden was pretty much a bust this year, but I did manage to grow one white pumpkin. And it was a little 'volunteer' plant, so that was the extent of our pumpkin growing this year. I hope all of you had better luck with your gardens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big waves to all of you!</span><br />
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<br />Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-23999504996724079452017-08-09T10:49:00.001-05:002017-08-09T10:56:38.419-05:00Wednesday Wives Tales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3uE53GN0gFzWCeHrcs6d2e_D4Cbhq56R2lfblESmquZZFeTXDeYfj-RJ2y6lIgen3ZqMgvznpli4Uq4U0Cp4IUAWfLVRngrU2CW2IDS_sVlWqXLzUnTB5LNdPAeYlXuGyzA1brMbYxY/s1600/100_3841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="432" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3uE53GN0gFzWCeHrcs6d2e_D4Cbhq56R2lfblESmquZZFeTXDeYfj-RJ2y6lIgen3ZqMgvznpli4Uq4U0Cp4IUAWfLVRngrU2CW2IDS_sVlWqXLzUnTB5LNdPAeYlXuGyzA1brMbYxY/s200/100_3841.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to do a lot of Wednesday posts about folklore because I enjoy the history of the mountain regions. I haven't done one in a while and thought I might today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I woke this morning, there was fog. The first I have seen in August. Old timers say that you can know the number of snows in the winter to come by the number of fogs in August. I kept up with this a few years back and it held true. I thought I might do it again this year, so I marked it on my calendar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also read that the number of days the first snowfall of the season stays on the ground is an indicator of how many snows to expect during the season. Another indicator of the winter to come can be figured by this method. Count the number of sunny days from July 1 to September 1 and multiply x 2. That will give you the number of freezing cold days to expect the next winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope y'all enjoyed this bit of folklore. We are having a cooler than usual and wet August here in western Arkansas this year. I hope you are enjoying your summer, wherever you are!</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-81944195405046420582017-07-27T11:42:00.001-05:002017-07-27T22:31:33.043-05:00Summertime Songs in the Yard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzBFUH0SNTQ2hlfsGkhWX-3XkkPcjYg6adJEe4pF_-uDxxREhwrbEFZbUM9sdhLE5uZbCeFzgFP89pFK9PTaCzuK4us9mSU6y4bZ52dMHnknHO4g7yTeP1_J8GEcKIBobwa2E7DpEh4s/s1600/100_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="540" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzBFUH0SNTQ2hlfsGkhWX-3XkkPcjYg6adJEe4pF_-uDxxREhwrbEFZbUM9sdhLE5uZbCeFzgFP89pFK9PTaCzuK4us9mSU6y4bZ52dMHnknHO4g7yTeP1_J8GEcKIBobwa2E7DpEh4s/s320/100_1360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned a couple of posts ago that our garden isn't so productive this year. But there are no complaints about how productive our chickies are! They are keeping us well supplied in eggs. We have twenty layers, as well as a few older birds that spend most of their time ridding the yard of ticks and other bugs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know. . .a true farmer would have 'harvested' those old girls and had some yummy chicken and dumplings. But by the time they are that old, we are 'old' friends and we are content to let them live out their days here on the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our girls supply us with enough eggs for ourselves, as well as family and a few friends. I love those sweet chickens and look forward to seeing them throughout the day, as they make their way around the place. They are one of the reasons I love living in the country. Their sweet voices <i>singing </i>whenever they lay an egg, as well as all the 'talking' they do when they find a juicy worm or extra special bug. Do you have chickens?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Chickie Thursday to all of you!</span><br />
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-11619549092710520122017-07-23T07:48:00.001-05:002017-07-23T07:48:45.363-05:00Have a Blessed Sunday!<span style="font-size: large;"><i>For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.</i> I Corinthians 1:18 KJV</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful day and remember how much God loves you! </span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-42758159720781448882017-07-22T09:28:00.000-05:002017-07-22T13:43:33.415-05:00Happy Saturday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35GWw5IuaHHuLeRrdRFheCV00-U6vEuF1jXnY3bqGXiIkNiyUBQCZxILscBG7i8Yf71RFXodz1iRq_KTtwtD_RPUcesL-UFxetOymRfEI288QJNgAjG24qGcSd1RqRy988jiE7_5jPfs/s1600/100_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="490" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35GWw5IuaHHuLeRrdRFheCV00-U6vEuF1jXnY3bqGXiIkNiyUBQCZxILscBG7i8Yf71RFXodz1iRq_KTtwtD_RPUcesL-UFxetOymRfEI288QJNgAjG24qGcSd1RqRy988jiE7_5jPfs/s200/100_0097.JPG" width="165" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good morning, friends! It has been a good while since I came by here, and I'm starting to miss it. I hope all of you have been doing well and are enjoying your summer. It is hot and humid here, and we are mostly trying our best to stay cool. We are supposed to get some rain on Monday (Yipee!) and we are looking forward to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to do something called Saturday Smile on my blog, and I was thinking about it this morning. I shared a sweet picture and told what it meant to me. The little canister in the picture above belonged to my grandmother. She kept it on the counter in her kitchen and kept bags of tea inside of it. I always think of her when I see it--and it brings a big smile to my face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have so many things to smile about! Sure, things don't always go smoothly and there are little (and sometimes big) 'bumps' along the way, but God is ALWAYS good and I thank Him for all my blessings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My garden is not doing so well this year, but a lot of people have been giving us tomatoes and cucumbers, so we are able to have good, homegrown salads with our meals. I have a few extra tomatoes today, and I'm planning on freezing them to add to soups this winter. I always love a little 'taste' of summer in the wintertime! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please do your best to stay cool and drop by and say 'howdy' when you can.</span><br />
<br />Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-6121890658836817942016-10-05T13:38:00.000-05:002016-10-07T10:41:52.691-05:00Making Muscadine Jam<span style="font-size: large;">Happy fall, everyone! I know, it has been here a few weeks, but I haven't posted since then! I hope all of you are having a good start to this beautiful season. It is still hot here, in the hills of Arkansas, but I'm hoping it will be cooling down some by next week. We are starting to have a little bit of color in the trees, but are still several weeks away from anything really pretty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmosn2KvjLUcLeTwawb6f_BB-tkr-PyVzsINgCJ8iBNRZ4eq4cZ43gcfVs76zUNwLl_Ke6vtzy5_fTTrxokyXAl9PO97xohfCeSVAT09KC12raxHnmHyBds5hSY65xrG0Gx05EqUwjUk/s1600/jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmosn2KvjLUcLeTwawb6f_BB-tkr-PyVzsINgCJ8iBNRZ4eq4cZ43gcfVs76zUNwLl_Ke6vtzy5_fTTrxokyXAl9PO97xohfCeSVAT09KC12raxHnmHyBds5hSY65xrG0Gx05EqUwjUk/s200/jam.jpg" width="171" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I have been making jam the past couple of weeks. I made two batches of muscadine, and one of plum. I had some of the plums leftover, so I'm planning on buying a few more pounds and making another recipe of them. The recipe I use, makes up 10-12 cups every time I make it. It is a real toss-up around our house as to which we like best--muscadine, or plum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not much else is going on around the cabin, right now. We have been getting in some firewood, which is a lot of work, but well worth it, come cold weather. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The garden is about gone, except for one tomato plant. We have a few 'volunteer' pumpkins that are just about orange. They were a nice surprise, as we had no pumpkins from the plants we actually planted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a nice day!</span><br />
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<br />Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-79407504277532417962016-08-19T14:04:00.004-05:002016-08-19T14:09:04.107-05:00Happy Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmwFtAceMnjaz8DEY6bB8zsSL-e32nNbbs6XlYi0weC-chPdiGAerQTPeLNM8Liglt28BwVrkfWRHC8Ahk9FKpGktkIITQYLsrEP9NwIDXn34CdDgTTNcVQJxXSIYhx4B4LRopjs1dgI/s1600/100_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmwFtAceMnjaz8DEY6bB8zsSL-e32nNbbs6XlYi0weC-chPdiGAerQTPeLNM8Liglt28BwVrkfWRHC8Ahk9FKpGktkIITQYLsrEP9NwIDXn34CdDgTTNcVQJxXSIYhx4B4LRopjs1dgI/s320/100_0302.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday to all of you! Not much has gone on around the cabin this week. We have had mostly rainy weather. The cooler temperatures have been a nice break for us in this hot month of August.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to be disappointed when we had these long stretches of rain, but I'm liking them more and more. It is good for the plants and, I think, good for us to have a break in our usual routine. Of course, I'm not talking about the kind of rain they're having down in Louisiana. I've sure been keeping those folks in my prayers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would like to say that my garden is loving all of this rain, but I'm afraid that the hot temperatures in July pretty much burned up most of my garden. I do still have a few squash and a pumpkin or two coming on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about your garden? Did it do well this year? Did you have enough produce to can? I haven't canned tomatoes in two years, now. I'm really hoping for a better gardening year next year!</span><br />
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-3198940522690743742016-08-10T09:26:00.003-05:002016-08-10T13:48:08.970-05:00Snow in the Forecast!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaNUKeWKZMNJI0ueCt8lt3rSQOwgZas5H5Wg8dtukhcE6O3ocDOc6ePXRsvjPxn1apDDPKh2oCFak8U-9RfP5wgoUmD4zBb0BIGURY8CeCPm6sus3BpHxIt2fSBkMkhHhlqFV62kpNn8/s1600/100_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaNUKeWKZMNJI0ueCt8lt3rSQOwgZas5H5Wg8dtukhcE6O3ocDOc6ePXRsvjPxn1apDDPKh2oCFak8U-9RfP5wgoUmD4zBb0BIGURY8CeCPm6sus3BpHxIt2fSBkMkhHhlqFV62kpNn8/s200/100_0134.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">OK, no snow for us. At least, not yet. But, when I opened our kitchen curtains this morning, I could see that we had our first heavy fog in the month of August. The old-timers all say that for every fog in August, there will be a heavy snowfall in the winter to come. Well, I have to say that with all the heat and humidity we've had this summer, a heavy snowfall sounds good to me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are a few other old sayings about fog, as well. For instance, if a fog seems to disappear, by descending into the ground, you can expect several days of warm, sunny days. And if a fog comes up fast, it is a sure sign of rain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I usually mark each day of August fog on my calendar and then go back and check it during the winter. I've found it's a pretty accurate way to forecast snow. They aren't always 'heavy' but it is usually accurate to how many snowfalls we have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep counting those foggy mornings!</span><br />
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-12726202465098619602013-03-13T08:08:00.000-05:002016-07-05T14:42:31.869-05:00Fun Times Three!<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry folks, I've been a little bit busy lately. Savannah had triplets two weeks ago today--two bucks and one doe. They are just the cutest things. But, she also developed mastitis in one of her udders. She had it last year and the vet was sure it would be 'cured' once she dried up. Well, two days after kidding, her udder was hard, red, and swollen. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H2pzih_5APqYDx9azQs6BI0Q7NDxcgFRQBGPw-43iDYOm5tgkiX2iz_YcxURWDowxE7W4PeY9RJImyxVTmdWuYcvzeJ7zxXHpUr3GW8V-JmsP-v61ptn_M8up5B2iZrFqVq5PVQbnk4/s1600/goats4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H2pzih_5APqYDx9azQs6BI0Q7NDxcgFRQBGPw-43iDYOm5tgkiX2iz_YcxURWDowxE7W4PeY9RJImyxVTmdWuYcvzeJ7zxXHpUr3GW8V-JmsP-v61ptn_M8up5B2iZrFqVq5PVQbnk4/s320/goats4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't bring myself to put her back on antibiotics. She had so much of it last year and it did her no good whatsoever. So. . .I put her on apple cider vinegar (with the mother). Two teaspoons on her grain at each feeding and loaded her water with it. I'm also adding a little bit of vitamin C and dolomite to her feed. She is doing great! The udder (which is ruined from last year) has no milk. But it has shrunk way down, not hot, and it getting softer and softer every day! I am so pleased that this 'cure' truly works. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She is a very heavy milker, even with only one udder, and so far I only give two bottles a day to one of the kids. I'm sure as they keep growing I will have to give them more in the next few weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so glad winter is on it's last leg. I didn't put out any peas, but I'm getting ready to put some onions out in some of my raised beds. And potatoes will go in soon. Are any of you gardening yet?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sFLXyYvwfL_OoS8I1p7q7VLphLw2DsqsNgCw2oUnZyEahrsLMbq1O4lVZUwAnI1uKLBuMdtaJkhJcys8uW0Uvj3xrL7Uv1prSRfVDOJ2M7mAFCj5PehgFaj6dK1ZTew04HkjTA9a0OE/s1600/goats5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sFLXyYvwfL_OoS8I1p7q7VLphLw2DsqsNgCw2oUnZyEahrsLMbq1O4lVZUwAnI1uKLBuMdtaJkhJcys8uW0Uvj3xrL7Uv1prSRfVDOJ2M7mAFCj5PehgFaj6dK1ZTew04HkjTA9a0OE/s320/goats5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-41062518667895380192013-02-27T09:01:00.001-06:002013-02-27T09:01:11.865-06:00Happy Holiday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yep, today is a holiday~National Chocolate Cake Day!! Any day to celebrate chocolate is my kind of holiday, LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click</span><a href="http://www.southernplate.com/2009/06/chocolate-sundae-cakesinfully-good-sinfully-easy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> for an easy Chocolate Sundae Cake from Christy Jordon's Southern Plate site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She uses a cake mix, but this cake could easily be made from scratch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy your chocolate!</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-55336769601251526522013-01-24T08:54:00.000-06:002013-01-24T08:54:40.517-06:00Winter Fun<span style="font-size: large;">What are you doing to keep yourself entertained while stuck indoors? We've had a lot of really cold days, but also some nice, mild days with lots of sunshine. We've a possibility of freezing rain tonight, but then in the 50s tomorrow</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of my entertainment on snowy days is watching our animals. Domino, above, does not really care for the snow. He, along with the other goats, is definitely looking forward to warmer weather! I have several bird feeders on my porch, so sitting at the dining room table with a nice cup of tea is an enjoyable way to watch the activity outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also learning to crochet. I'm only a beginner, so I have a long way to go. I've been practicing different stitches and am about ready to start on my first project--when I decide what it will be:).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone stay warm and have a wonderful day!</span><br />
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-13577297779533362512013-01-18T08:45:00.000-06:002013-01-18T08:45:17.499-06:00Happy Friday!<span style="font-size: large;">I've been going through some of my kitchen drawers, sorting out things I do and don't use very often. I, unfortunately, have one drawer for most hand implements, so it's become a little crowded. I've taken some out and stored them away in a place I can get to easily. Knowing me, I'll have them all back out in another month, LOL!</span><br />
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<a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4712683745968260&pid=1.7&w=218&h=146&c=7&rs=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4712683745968260&pid=1.7&w=218&h=146&c=7&rs=1" style="height: 146px;" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Some things I do use quite often, are these two items. I use my old potato masher whenever we have mashed potatoes. I don't have to put together my hand mixer and I find this little thing easier to clean than the beaters.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4862496520866148&pid=1.7&w=109&h=150&c=7&rs=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4862496520866148&pid=1.7&w=109&h=150&c=7&rs=1" style="height: 150px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">This other little implement is new to my kitchen. It is a Danish dough whisk. A lady on a forum I go to recommended it for folks who don't have a large stand mixer (that would be me), and for anyone who has trouble with arthritis in their hands, also me. It does such a great job of stirring through any kind of thick dough, such as bread dough or cookie dough. And even better, it was a very good price on Amazon! It comes in two different sizes and I bought both. I use the biggest one for my bread making and the smaller for cookie doughs and anything else that's not quite as heavy as bread dough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are some of your favorite kitchen gadgets?</span></div>
Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-60932422343691961942013-01-13T21:48:00.002-06:002013-01-13T21:48:52.793-06:00Sunday<span style="font-size: large;">I hope all of you have had a good weekend. We had a warm, rainy Saturday. Today started off COLD. So cold we got. . .<em>graupel.</em> I guess it may be common where some of you live. It looks just like little beads of styrofoam--or those little beads of ice cream they sell at fairs and specialty shops. Very interesting to see (I borrowed a picture from another site). It didn't make anything slick and melted off after a few hours. I love any kind of snow as long as it doesn't make the roads slick!</span><br />
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<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Graupel,_Westwood,_MA_2010-02-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg/180px-Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg/270px-Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg/360px-Graupel%2C_Westwood%2C_MA_2010-02-02.jpg 2x" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also wanted to say a special thanks to my Aunt DJ for making my new banner! The blog was really needing a facelift and she did a great job incorporating some pictures taken through the years of our home. It is an ever-changing decor around here and it is fun to see these pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you all have a great start to the new week:).</span></div>
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-84281921569051280722013-01-08T10:28:00.000-06:002013-01-08T17:52:22.253-06:00Big Waves<span style="font-size: large;">Hello friends! I know I have been AWOL for a while. A lot has been going on. I have been reading your blogs and trying to keep up with all of you. I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year. We had a white Christmas here in the Ouachitas. It started snowing Christmas day and continued into the night. We ended up with close to seven inches. There is still some out there in places. We are supposed to get rain tonight or tomorrow, so I figure that will wash away all that is left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the weather keeping the ground wet (which we need!), we don't have as many pecan trees in the ground as we would like. We are still working on having the land cleared and, hopefully, some ponds will be put in soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been trying to find some lighting ideas for my kitchen and found this idea on facebook. I'm not sure it will work for me, but I like it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great day!</span></div>
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Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-89574418742911271382012-07-11T16:37:00.000-05:002012-07-11T16:37:44.791-05:00Rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEefwjKa6L2rposJ8YbxUSqNcjq4KuOUEMqo5gDVJSraQG_jxHr53L6SQltlEY5LRBofVLMENg67JJXVw5ZovuST-61BNlsfIVTxfsaYQFnqP7_tL-dvhaW5-7fZiCz7HwC5EoSCBkQeo/s1600/rain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEefwjKa6L2rposJ8YbxUSqNcjq4KuOUEMqo5gDVJSraQG_jxHr53L6SQltlEY5LRBofVLMENg67JJXVw5ZovuST-61BNlsfIVTxfsaYQFnqP7_tL-dvhaW5-7fZiCz7HwC5EoSCBkQeo/s320/rain2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We had beautiful, beautiful rain yesterday. Added to what we got on Monday, it has taken us out of the <em>extreme</em> drought and put us in the <em>severe</em> drought category. Hey, you take what you can get, LOL! Anyway, we are very thankful. And so are my tomatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've been drying my cherry and Juliette tomatoes and will do another batch tomorrow. The hotter it is, the faster those little things seem to come on and ripen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hope all of you are having a wonderful week:)</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-47645876447994038132012-07-07T10:18:00.000-05:002012-07-07T13:37:09.518-05:00Going Bananas<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We like bananas around our house. But sometimes we don't eat them like we should, and before you know it, there's a bunch of browning, extra ripe bananas. Muffins, breads, cakes, and pudding are all an option. This week, with the extreme heat out there, I opted for the pudding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Going through my stash of pudding mixes, I found only one small box of vanilla. There was also a small box of lemon pudding. I sometimes put lemon glaze on my banana muffins, so why not have lemon in the pudding? I'm so glad I tried it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My recipe:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 small box instant vanilla pudding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 small box instant lemon pudding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">3 cups milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 cup of Cool Whip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">bananas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Mix puddings and milk, then add cool whip until combined. While it thickens, break up graham crackers in a bowl or container for the pudding. Cut up bananas over the crackers, add a layer of pudding. Top that with more crackers, bananas and pudding. Then, spread a thin layer of Cool Whip over the whole thing and chill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hope all of you are having a great summer and staying COOL!</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-32305421442072839462012-06-02T14:13:00.000-05:002012-06-02T21:30:43.753-05:00Happy Saturday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb3Dc8kJRlFClKXRvEht7b4GIC9ji8NRwhwFfOXH4SCjO1JqSD_l5-k1trPeRbTYR83huPE65FAfMyzCv-MHGWaOoCrObwk5JvSrLBk8QiMbyBkX77E132xVvs_vDfLsMG9Jde3SAdH8/s1600/goats+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb3Dc8kJRlFClKXRvEht7b4GIC9ji8NRwhwFfOXH4SCjO1JqSD_l5-k1trPeRbTYR83huPE65FAfMyzCv-MHGWaOoCrObwk5JvSrLBk8QiMbyBkX77E132xVvs_vDfLsMG9Jde3SAdH8/s320/goats+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to share a couple of pictures of our new babies! Ike and Abby are almost four months old. They are half Alpine and half LaMancha. As you can see, they got their little ears from their dad, Domino, a pure-bred LaMancha. He will be coming to live with us in another month or so, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm dealing with a lot of problems in my garden. My cucumbers are wilting and no sign of bugs, so I'm wondering if it is a bacterial wilt. Anyone else having that problem? I think most of the yellow leaves at the bottom of my beans and tomatoes are from a nitrogen deficiency, so I'm working on that</span>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYlXvSOGFo5n9Xl7GfC1NM_lMGo1uOi0gBQnMMPD53U4UFGmBGb1YzPoi1Xu3626utDEYsHMBiLuGtpBTMDZVH-5nmkspOHXMZ-OHUkRfTVeGUKRz1tzTpWFs_4OF4kWvNGXMctze8ts/s1600/goats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYlXvSOGFo5n9Xl7GfC1NM_lMGo1uOi0gBQnMMPD53U4UFGmBGb1YzPoi1Xu3626utDEYsHMBiLuGtpBTMDZVH-5nmkspOHXMZ-OHUkRfTVeGUKRz1tzTpWFs_4OF4kWvNGXMctze8ts/s320/goats2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to hear how your garden is growing:).</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-47594438161946195062012-05-13T14:15:00.002-05:002012-05-13T14:16:35.389-05:00Happy Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXWM-lr_VYpDJx8mcZ5Qxc36Rm_aMSRhogP0wMG9AnACkupEzLKWiPfrAU7XG84-aKR_rxE2_1smxQ8aWYFAonnxQZC1bmnDuL3r-5F9eWH54TrG0yapsmVn-ZbekcmBkYlqTeYNwmk0/s1600/watering_can.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXWM-lr_VYpDJx8mcZ5Qxc36Rm_aMSRhogP0wMG9AnACkupEzLKWiPfrAU7XG84-aKR_rxE2_1smxQ8aWYFAonnxQZC1bmnDuL3r-5F9eWH54TrG0yapsmVn-ZbekcmBkYlqTeYNwmk0/s1600/watering_can.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing all of you a very happy and blessed Mother's Day! Have a wonderful day with your family!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 KJV </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-33011564494596345722012-03-09T09:25:00.008-06:002012-03-09T14:16:20.328-06:00Playing in the Dirt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7LqeWeAyWihv2EIFurWa48JcMWLm-Za7wKg-NGcFb4QInh959okos00FNBAOQ4jnFS3odGFltyFtQ4xWUQwhyphenhyphen-c6Ywi4i3wEMVIJrz4pVDmgQxd4tp6PER9-0p5WNhjukza1LHTmlmo/s1600/dirt+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717925361797883666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7LqeWeAyWihv2EIFurWa48JcMWLm-Za7wKg-NGcFb4QInh959okos00FNBAOQ4jnFS3odGFltyFtQ4xWUQwhyphenhyphen-c6Ywi4i3wEMVIJrz4pVDmgQxd4tp6PER9-0p5WNhjukza1LHTmlmo/s320/dirt+1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">That's what we've been doing for the past week. We will start planting some of the pecans tomorrow. If the weather forecast holds, we will finish planting over 6,000 nuts in the pots by the middle of next week. And then we will sleep for a week. Just kidding:).</span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717924658009568962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvL6euQrBGpGAngbcOwzk4SVAd1_MMA2vYZAmRf-86MLA5nAfRhrmyqCrDiu7OaOZ0w-W2zXoQaGBg1jfzAlCXGwdDxeVMXBM_f31np6ggMG694XlfvS-WX5MSL4IcV-OhIo0Dyfn5-k/s320/dirt2.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">This is one pile of dirt (hubby hauled in fourteen). Unfortunately, they are full of roots, so we have to sift the dirt first. Hubby dumps a tractor bucket full of the stuff through these old baker's racks and they do the job after we clear the roots off the top of the racks.</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717924345043655042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXanpB8EFv2Jf3eK4sBEKGA1Y6rIWlJfQqlXW8zO3M7IVn8L-HCZfSvhRidqXs4Kz8J4F7j7KqymwQUKmRAhjXYf6DXaLm4gi5VOpQDnvfCvCcj1Nq_c-ufgfEIsOjbA_eyKwPER1rG8/s320/sift+dirt.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then we take it into the designated area in the tractor bucket and begin filling pots. With the bucket, the dirt is at a good height to fill without hurting our backs--which is great since this is such a long project!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Two people fill and two people put them in their holders we made with the fencing. Tomorrow, we will start putting nuts in as we fill. The pots that have already been packed with dirt will have to be planted, which I think will be a slower job. So far, we have about 2500 pots filled. This is definitely a learning project and we hope to get more efficient as we go.</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Everyone have a great weekend!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-20991734662746178512012-03-01T19:06:00.006-06:002012-03-01T21:56:36.510-06:00First Tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgjWJGgQtYuDCmWDI1e2_2JrvYMrZuxcC8DtM3BiL_mDX9l3XjV9JTRplla0hydQTFjXF87VkbZeUw5Q49fotOnl-VRwWNrKhoLnbDcxaYGxIPInqwWEM6r3h2iq_m-B08QCSz05xAu8/s1600/Jones%252520Creek%252520Farms%252520First%252520Pecan%252520Tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715103059299911666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgjWJGgQtYuDCmWDI1e2_2JrvYMrZuxcC8DtM3BiL_mDX9l3XjV9JTRplla0hydQTFjXF87VkbZeUw5Q49fotOnl-VRwWNrKhoLnbDcxaYGxIPInqwWEM6r3h2iq_m-B08QCSz05xAu8/s320/Jones%252520Creek%252520Farms%252520First%252520Pecan%252520Tree.jpg" /></a> Above is a picture of our first pecan tree! OK, it doesn't look like much, I agree, but at least we know that the ones my brother planted in the ground are sprouting.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>My husband has hauled in 20 yards of dirt, so far, this week. We will be putting the rest of the pecans in pots sometime in the next 2-3 weeks and then. . .wait and see if they come up.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XgjtIQXmYqY2QGoiZcLnh-eQkei-dGFUZrZeEwMsETnF17CBQXbfDvPndzcSMAdCyUQrkn503fMUgAzrEBh6wWXMDaMEuZgVp1iN8RAqUmP0RRDPZoU55IFIdyjHY1RA8_vjZjMz78M/s1600/strawberry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715102811246898882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XgjtIQXmYqY2QGoiZcLnh-eQkei-dGFUZrZeEwMsETnF17CBQXbfDvPndzcSMAdCyUQrkn503fMUgAzrEBh6wWXMDaMEuZgVp1iN8RAqUmP0RRDPZoU55IFIdyjHY1RA8_vjZjMz78M/s200/strawberry.jpg" /></a>The weather today was beautiful and I spent most of my time transferring my strawberries to a new raised bed. They flooded last year and I lost over half of them, but they've been busy making babies, so I'm hoping for a fair crop this season and making preserves and jam with my own berries.<br /><br />Have any of you made strawberry preserves with honey? A friend told me her aunt used to make it that way.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-78375952171363685322012-02-24T16:29:00.002-06:002012-02-24T16:33:04.624-06:00Country Sampler<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">For anyone interested, Country Sampler has started a new forum. I loved their old one, but could rarely get logged on to it. I love all the ideas the members share--and LOTS of great pictures. If you're a fan of the magazine, click </span><a href="http://forums.countrysampler.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#660000;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"> and you can go to the forum.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Have a great weekend!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-19816643960104300712012-02-21T22:17:00.013-06:002012-02-22T18:54:10.596-06:00My Crocus Is Blooming<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711966512878958978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3o7S82D2HamYnkI3N1jD34cb6ypBj9v8wGSvThmfPdAn2XM54Ijeh-YmVf1Gp0nS3r8T1b2WWtGGpANGjnKJXd7URsnss5bGwMSb-TVq1BBzAv7_jyxgKubDJug4b4elmbdWKnFkRRI/s200/100_1524.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">Someone asked when I was going to start blogging again, and I jokingly answered, "When my crocus bloom." Well, they are blooming and here I am! I've enjoyed clicking around and reading your blogs during my time off. </span><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My dad was in the hospital again after Christmas. The medicine they had him on caused him to have internal bleeding and he had to have several units of blood. He is just now starting to feel some better. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We have been busy with a lot of projects. We are building a new well house and need to do some repairs/modifications on the chicken house, as well as build a shelter for the goats we plan to get in the near future.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711966773088657042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgoZDI2sTIuLwvLFq-fRE89fM1jcWuqoebE-qTiTSiCZu5jE8LBGmGH50AqYsR04bC881Da7rnjXXj7n4Z9Uml9NyIeXGO8dXvOdUr2FfbF62I0dFkYHX3E6Nq2AMgIFGitVZzKCcIHs/s320/100_1492.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">The biggest project we are working on is pictured above. Pig races, you're thinking? Well, no, but that was my first thought when I saw the posts and fencing, LOL! There will be pots of dirt in each section of the fencing. We are having to wait for the ground to dry before we can get enough dirt.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This is a joint effort with my brother to join our two farms together. He has been taking classes on pecan growing and we are partnering with him.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We are going to plant the pecans (which have been stratifying for a few months) in a couple of weeks and (if they come up) they will be planted in the 'orchards' next fall. Then, they will have to be grafted in another year. After that we have to keep them alive until they are firmly established. A lot of sweat and labor, but if it works out for us, our first harvest will be in about ten years. If nothing else, it is a new adventure for all of us! I'll be sharing more about this venture as we progress.</span></div></div>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-3334699216436374342011-12-20T12:10:00.002-06:002011-12-20T12:13:56.766-06:00The Winner. . .<span style="font-size:130%;">Is </span><a href="http://littlepenpen.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Pen Pen</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">! Congratulations, Penny. I 'think' I have your correct email address, but please send it to me again, just to be sure. I'll send the eBook to you right away.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks everyone that signed up for the giveway!!</span>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437060109079443112.post-83683465070127580502011-12-19T14:34:00.003-06:002011-12-19T14:36:26.115-06:00Still Time. . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIccMiSmoDf9tYkSzA_kU-2kBvE1ex8xFVTIwaVMYRj-HQ4kd7BfB0yr4gkZR_Us4cQZySHDGzqcuGQLVtXo_QwfttYsJrKnFppPtKtFIbvrmusTBvqK2eihLrzr7lIe7N33eIUSRZzZE/s1600/ChristmasInCoyoteCounty_Cover_L.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 122px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687940952688783186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIccMiSmoDf9tYkSzA_kU-2kBvE1ex8xFVTIwaVMYRj-HQ4kd7BfB0yr4gkZR_Us4cQZySHDGzqcuGQLVtXo_QwfttYsJrKnFppPtKtFIbvrmusTBvqK2eihLrzr7lIe7N33eIUSRZzZE/s200/ChristmasInCoyoteCounty_Cover_L.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">To sign up for my eBook giveaway!! Scroll down to the post below and sign up to win a PDF copy of <em>Christmas in Coyote County</em>!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I'll announce the winner tomorrow afternoon:)</span></div>Mary L. Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295245391337869803noreply@blogger.com0