Tomatoes??

I took a cutting off of a cherry tomato plant several weeks ago; rooted it in water, and planted it outside in a raised bed for a while.



A couple weeks ago I brought it indoors with the intention of trying to save it and see if those tiny 'maters on it would ripen.

There are even more blossoms on it now. I am going to try to pollinate them with a tiny brush. I thought it a pretty plant none the less, even in Christmas-y colors!

(I know it looks nice outside through the window, but its been 25* at night and only 36* right now!)

Fall Firewood - a Good Time of Year

One of my favorite activities on our homestead/farm is bringing in firewood. Hubby and I get to do this together, at least part of the time.

This day about 3 wks ago was a beautiful day, 50-some degrees, just right for the task.

The sun was shining through the leaves, making the colors glow!

Reds, yellows, greens!

And there's my sweet hard-workin' Hubby,

He cuts and splits the wood...

My job is loading it on the truck (of course, he helps me with that, too :) ) and stacking the wood in the carport. I love stacking wood! (I think I told you that last year...) Did I mention that I love stacking wood????

And did I mention the fact that we heat almost exclusively with our wood cook-stove??, saving many $$'s. There is a picture on my side-bar of my stove. When I have time I comment there what I am cooking that day. Today happens to be lentil soup and whole-wheat rolls w/homemade strawberry jam. We will have pumpkin pudding for dessert.

Project completed

This was my knitting project for my new Grand-baby, Maddie. Its cold where they live in Pennsylvania!

Got to keep that little girl warm.

Quilt painting finished

You can see it here if you like.....
I am chasing my tail today...
Ya'll have fun!

Making Bread

... yesterday. I am so used to just throwing my ingredients in, varied a little if I want, and whipping up a big batch of bread!

However, kneading bread has been wrecking havoc on my wrists the last few months. I need my wrists for important things like .... well... quilting... painting.... knitting, you know , the really important things. So talking to DD on the phone (after the fact) she suggested I get a bread making machine from Wal*Mart. I didn't think ours carried them but I called anyway.... then ran (in the car) to grab this on clearance, reduced bargain of the week! a whole $25! Made by Oster, it has so many features it will take me a month to learn!

I know.... you've seen bread machines before (sheepish grin)

but, oh it will save my wrists..... and

hubby can have his different kinds of bread without having to eat 6 loaves of one kind at once ....... and

no more freezer bread! At least not as much... but it is good to know, that I can still whip up a batch to feed an army :)

I "AM" quilting ......

One of the reasons I am a Slow-P0ke-Quilter is because I also paint them :)
In fact, I paint much more than I quilt, but I just hafta quilt too... it's in my blood!



Momma Made This called for SPQ's to unite! I thought I'd do my best to do my part...



I will let you all see this when it is done. Ok, lunch-time is over.... back to painting!

New Residents

Hubby went to the Fairview bi-annual auction a couple weeks ago. He knew I wanted some more chickens..... and wanted to surprise me ..... he did...... 36 more surprises!!!


Some of the pretty new banties...
"Is it safe to come down??"



"Who's down there??" ( love this little buff brahma hen!)



Just too many roosters ....


There are 3 Araucana hens, all different colors. Isn't she pretty??


"Does this say 'Cafeteria' ???"


all sizes....


all colors....


Now have lots of black hens, and 2 nice big white ones...
None seem to have alot of age on them.


" 'I' am still master here!!" says my little Japanese rooster :)

There is also several Rhode Island Red hens (my least favorite of the chicken world) a couple Barred Rock hens, and a pair of Partridge Cochin bantams. Quite a menagerie, but isn't variety the spice of life??