New Beaks

Introductions are in order, two new little chicks were hatched out by this proud mom about 2 weeks ago. One of them stretched out and posed for the camera, showing off the attractive stripes on the wings, how cute.

Here is another new addition...to the chicken run. The land owners were kind enough to let us fence in this field for a massive free range area where they will never run out of bugs, worms or any of the wonderful things that make chickens happy and healthy.

I am so thrilled with our garden this year! We have tried and failed for several years, the soil was just too horrid, so we let it be for a year with straw and chickens roaming and scratching. As you can see, no need to go to the Farmers Market for beets or......

Dinosaur kale, which we started from seed on a table in the living room.

Green beans have always been a favorite of mine to grow and this is a milestone for this garden as every time they started climbing, they would shrivel and die..not this year!

Just look at them climbing for the heavens...."It makes my heart soar like a hawk". Does anyone remember what movie that quote was from, I think it was in the 70's ?

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We will be working on the shed this weekend that will be the home of my Etsy Stockshop. I will be sharing some of the progress on this as we move toward the reveal of the newly remodeled and restocked shop this fall, stay tuned.

Do you have a project you will be working on or some well deserved fun planned for the weekend?

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Have a good one! xo

You're The Best!

First I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers regarding our little guy. Kami is still holding him in and minding her P's and Q's (I wonder what that really means?) so all is well. As I type she is on the way to another ultrasound to check on baby and progression, I will let you all know how that goes.

I am on my way back to the Little House for a week and then back down here.

As you can see, I have some 'straightening up' to do in the yard and all around the house! Hahaha!

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Have a lovely Tuesday! xxoo

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

Want an eye opener? Check out this link!

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

Foodie Magazine Subs..$4.99 Yr.

Two more great deals again from slickdeals.net, $4.99 a year! If you already have these subscriptions, I think you can renew at this price. I am going to try it with the Bon Appetit...Anyway, here is the link of B A and the code is 2978, you put it in the code box and at the end of checkout you should see the full savings. It looks like both magazines come up on the link. If you have problems with this, just go to slickdeals.net and look all of the way over on the right and you will see the two magazines offered.

Here is the link for the Everyday RR and the code is 3681. Remember that time is limited on these magazine deals.
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Happy Monday! xo

Sunday Reflections

Thank you Lord, for keeping our grandson growing safely inside of mommy for one more week.
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Thank you Lord, for all of my special blog friends who are keeping all of us close to their hearts, they are true treasures.

Prayers Needed

We are expecting an addition to this group of busy grandchildren on September 5Th, but he is trying to come right now, needless to say it is way too soon. Daughter, Kami, spent time this weekend in the hospital and was sent home with medication and ordered bed rest. Thankfully, our son in law, is a Portland firefighter and has the '24 on and 48 off' work schedule. He does have some obligations to cover for vacations and needs to fulfill those promises.... in come the grandmothers....so I am going down today and take some shifts while he is gone. I will be down there for at least a week but will be able to sleep at our Vancouver house and get some things done there too (will someone please clone me).
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Please remember our little one in your prayers, we are taking it one day at a time as everyday he will be stronger. Kami has had the steroid shots to help his lungs develop in case he can't wait.

Thank you and I will still try to visit your blogs and give you updates on mine.

xo

Sunday Reflections

On this beautiful morning, I thank you Lord, for providing a place for us to grow a portion of our own food and the ability to tend it.

Our Sewing Machines

Isn't there just something so special about a woman and her sewing machine? Through the years the homemaker showed her love and tended to the needs of her family with this faithful friend.

I did a search for some different ones and thought I would share a few. If I had the one above, it would be kept out all of the time...how pretty is that?

Where would you even start with this one?

This was listed with the sewing machines and I love the way it looks and the color, but I think someone is pulling our leg....is that liquid thread..? hummm. Anyone know what this sews?

How about this little jewel, I think it is a Featherweight and I want it. Do any of you have one of these?

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Do you know what I would like to do? How about in the near future, we all share our machines or maybe even a memory of mom or grandma's one that they sewed on for the family. We might do our own post and then visit each others. Would anyone be interested in this?

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I have to travel tomorrow so I had better get some things ready. Hope you all have something fun planned for the weekend. xo
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Here is the link to the sewing machines.

Uncheck It

I feel bad that there are some who still are having problems with leaving comments. The last few days I have seen quite a few mention this. This is a quick post to let those of you who are still struggling see how easy it is to fix...at least everyone I hear about doing it, says it worked. First sign out, then go back to your blog to sign in and make sure that box (above) is unchecked. You will need to go through the sign in process every time but it is worth it to be able to leave those much loved comments.
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If you feel the nudge and have a chance to mention this on a post, you are welcome to link to this post.
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Have a great day! xo

Packing Treasures

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I noticed many in blogland went to local farmers markets or went berry picking and made some yummy things with the produce. I love the first fruits of summer!

I am packing up some found, thrifty treasures to take to the Vancouver house this morning. The chenille bedspread will go great on the white iron bed in the guest room and I was thrilled to find the set of Pyrex bowls a few weeks ago to brighten the food prep in the kitchen. I love the child's plate I found for the new grandson that we will meet in September. Also, a special treat just for me, a new candle to help freshen up a house that has been closed up for weeks, will be much appreciated this evening as I unpack and then relax a bit after the drive.

Off to water the garden and finish packing. I will check in on you all this evening, have a lovely day. xo

Help - Garden Question and A Winner

The garden is doing very well so far and the beets are growing like weeds, well the weeds might be catching up soon!

Here are the very special onions, they are from Miss E. and special because they are the same ones her late husband planted years ago and she saves from her garden every year. I was honored when she parted with some this year to share with us, I will carry on his onion legacy across the road.

Here is where I need help. These started coming up all over the garden as soon as hubby tilled. It was as if I had spread seeds all over and they continue to come up as you can see.

Here they are as they get bigger, in the center you can see the flowerettes forming.

Here they are with the flowers. I went on the internet to see if it might be broccoli rabe, it looks like it might be but I would rather not guess about it and so I ask you what you think?

When I started pulling it and put it in the compost, the chickens went nuts over it and next thing I knew, it was all gone. Every evening I go and pull out more and they wait for me to throw it over the fence...it grows very fast. I might add that we have never planted anything like that in the garden so it is a mystery. All ideas welcome.

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We have a winner of the Thrifty Hints contest. All of the hints were very good and each a winner in itself so I thank everyone who contributed. To be fare I stepped aside and asked daughter, Kami and her friend Joy, to be the judges. They are both good homemakers and moms to little ones and are on strict budgets, so I felt were well qualified.

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Here are their emails:

Kami: I have chosen Lola Nova for the thrifty contest because she not only had one great idea, but 11! I bet she saves loads of money on a regular basis!

Joy: I love that you did a thrifty contest! I like all the ideas Lola Nova had. It makes think I need to adventure beyond only canning jams. :)

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Thank you ladies for being the judges.

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Congratulations to Lola Nova for putting on that thinking cap and helping us all out and I will get the Book sent out right away.

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I hope you all gleaned helpful hints from all of our friends who sent them in, thanks again to you all!

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Have a wonderful weekend! xo

This and That

So many times I will think of things I would like to share with you, not huge things but little bits here and there. Maybe tips or just something fun that you might get a kick out of, like the above fridge magnet that we found at a thrift shop and couldn't pass up. So it is, that when I have few of these things, they will go in a quick post and will be called.. "This and That".

This may not be news to many of you but it is worth passing on for those that don't know. When a small bit of shell gets in with your egg, take the big shell and scoop it right out, works much better than chasing it with a spoon..ugh.

How many of you are tired of the T-shirts that you are buying your man being cheap and thin? The price would go up and the quality down. This T above is the best, very heavy duty and doesn't stretch out at the neck. It comes with a steep price but also with very good reviews and I believe will last a lot longer than the other 'name' brands. I mde my purchase at JC Penney, on sale. There are different Stafford T's to choose from but I made sure to get the - Performance one.

Mascara, well I am picky and have tried many in hopes of the one that didn't give me spider legs, clump....you know what I mean, and it needs to be waterproof because I cry...I cry at commericals, in church, reading certain blogs and on and on it goes. So when I went to get the Clinique that I am most happy with and was told "not making waterproof anymore" I was a very unhappy girl, until the nice sales lady told me about this....

I am a happy woman once again. Dior, no clumping, huge brush that doesn't need excess mascara to be wiped off before use and most important, waterproof. No more wasting money on the hunt.

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Hope this may have been a help to someone.

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Reminder, this is the last day to enter thrifty hints. Tomorrow the two judges will let me know who they have chosen and I will be posting the winner. Info is on my sidebar. Good luck to you all.

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Have a great day. xo

Happy Independence Day!

Hope you are all having a wonderful 4th!  We just returned from the Anacortes Parade.  Just as you would imagine a small town parade would be.  Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

xo