I've been so bad about blogging lately. I am also bad about keeping my status updated on Facebook. Most of the time, I don't think I have anything blog-worthy or status-worthy to say.
For those few who really care what I've been doing or thinking, here is a list:
- Baby is in my lap right now while I try to type, and she's been there for about an hour.
- I got to tour my old house yesterday and see what the new owners have done to it - it looks awesome! Most of the changes are exactly what Paul and I would have done if we had had the guts to renovate.
- The new owners also tore out all of the flowerbeds - every last bush, tree, and plant is GONE! Even the weeping cherry!!! Even the hens and chickens!!!! I've been pretty sad about that.
-I've been sorting through my scrapbook stuff. Since we moved, it has been boxed up until now.
-Just ordered a bunch of pictures to be printed to get ready to scrapbook. Anxious to see how the pictures develop from the new camera I have.
-People with tongue rings and who play with the tongue ring (as in stick it in and out) really gross me out.
-I get a sick satisfaction from shopping for school supplies. Well, I don't really think it's sick, but I wonder if it's abnormal. Shopping for school clothes gives me a real boost too even though the clothes are not for me.
-My all time favorite pencil (I've probably used these since 1st grade) is no longer made in the USA. For some reason that is a big deal to me. I have since ordered all the original pencils I can find online, and I ordered some of the new ones too b/c I still refuse to write with any other pencil.
-I'm making beef brisket for supper. Never made it before.
-Ran errands all day and that wears me out. I'd like to go back to bed.
-Luckily, one day after we moved, I was back at the old house for some reason, and I swiped a "hen or chicken." It is growing right now in my new flower bed and it has made "babies." So all is not lost.
- Baby is still on my lap - nestled right up on my chest, all 20 pounds of her. We're getting along like peanut butter and jelly.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
My Mother's Garden
I went to my mom's this past week. All of her irises and peonies are blooming. We went out to see them and walk among them - it's a tradition.
She likes to point out different ones, tell me their names, point out the ones with ruffles or unique beards, remind which ones are mine (well, they are hers, but I ordered them special for her), etc. We walk and touch them and oooh and aahh over them. Every time I decide I've found my favorite, I find a new one that I like even better.
Same story for the peonies. There is such a nice variety. Different colors and types. Amazing!
Then we went back to the house. She sits in a chair that faces the backyard, her garden, and a road that runs behind her house. She said, "Look, Lorrie, there's a car slowing down to look at my flowers." She said this happens just about every day. And she was right. Not only did the car slow down, they stopped and backed up. I decided to go out and talk to them. They actually stopped in the middle of the road and got out and walked thru the garden with me. This lady was mainly interested in the peonies and wanted to get some pieces of specific ones in the fall. Turns out that my mom recognized this lady and knew her name. She's going to call her in September.
Then the guy in the car got out and asked her about her beautiful, straight, healthy row of tomatoes. My mom plants her tomatoes against a fence (so they're supported) and inside a large can with the top and bottom removed. Can you picture it? Imagine the largest can of pork and beans that you can buy. My mom cuts the top and bottom off and puts that can around her tomato shoots. She says it protects her plants from the cold and the black birds. She also says it's easier to water them if the weather is too dry.
My mom's yard is full of flowers, birds and bird houses, flower beds, lawn art, etc. There's no rhyme or reason to where to puts her flower beds. The beds are not symmetrical or in convenient locations. You have to mow in weird patterns to get around all of them. My step dad has to weed-eat around them too. Some people might even say her yard is just a big mess. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like my garden to look just like hers.
I love you, mom. Happy Mother's Day!
She likes to point out different ones, tell me their names, point out the ones with ruffles or unique beards, remind which ones are mine (well, they are hers, but I ordered them special for her), etc. We walk and touch them and oooh and aahh over them. Every time I decide I've found my favorite, I find a new one that I like even better.
Same story for the peonies. There is such a nice variety. Different colors and types. Amazing!
Then we went back to the house. She sits in a chair that faces the backyard, her garden, and a road that runs behind her house. She said, "Look, Lorrie, there's a car slowing down to look at my flowers." She said this happens just about every day. And she was right. Not only did the car slow down, they stopped and backed up. I decided to go out and talk to them. They actually stopped in the middle of the road and got out and walked thru the garden with me. This lady was mainly interested in the peonies and wanted to get some pieces of specific ones in the fall. Turns out that my mom recognized this lady and knew her name. She's going to call her in September.
Then the guy in the car got out and asked her about her beautiful, straight, healthy row of tomatoes. My mom plants her tomatoes against a fence (so they're supported) and inside a large can with the top and bottom removed. Can you picture it? Imagine the largest can of pork and beans that you can buy. My mom cuts the top and bottom off and puts that can around her tomato shoots. She says it protects her plants from the cold and the black birds. She also says it's easier to water them if the weather is too dry.
My mom's yard is full of flowers, birds and bird houses, flower beds, lawn art, etc. There's no rhyme or reason to where to puts her flower beds. The beds are not symmetrical or in convenient locations. You have to mow in weird patterns to get around all of them. My step dad has to weed-eat around them too. Some people might even say her yard is just a big mess. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like my garden to look just like hers.
I love you, mom. Happy Mother's Day!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
1% Chance of NO
Nanner, nanner on me! I don't get to bottle feed the baby goat.
Our friends (owners of goats) took the baby to their house and hand-fed it overnight. Today, when they took the baby to the barn, she went right to her mom and nursed and then went to sleep with her brothers. That is really good news b/c the baby needs to be with its mom - not me. Right? Right?
But these friends are now officially out of town, and I get to go check on the babies to make sure they are all doing well. One mama goat has one baby that is several days old. The other mama had THREE babies (and one of these is the runt that they thought I would have to take care of).
Tonight, while we were at kickball, my friend called and said another female was giving birth as they were leaving and would I please go by and check on it and move it to a new pen.
At about 8:45 pm, we got there and found that the newest mama goat had given birth outside. She had only one baby (didn't find any stillborns, thank goodness). The tricky part was that there was only one way into the barn - a small, square cutout in the side of the barn. I had to carry the baby inside, and it was crying loudly the whole time. Luckily, all that noise made the mama follow us inside. Then Paul grabbed her collar and made sure she followed us into a new pen. We got them some food and water set up, and Paul spread two bags of shavings on the floor. It was all a really fun adventure.
Then we headed to the other pen with the two females and their babies (the ones mentioned above - 2 moms and 4 babies in all). Abbie and Paul got to see the tiny runt who is soooo cute. I held her mom's collar while she nursed. She needs all the help she can get to make sure she gets her fair share. We plan to go back everyday just to be sure the runt is doing okay. And there is another mom that will give birth soon (she's about as wide as she is tall - she's probably got 2-3 babies in there).
Hopefully, I'll remember to take a camera tomorrow.
Our friends (owners of goats) took the baby to their house and hand-fed it overnight. Today, when they took the baby to the barn, she went right to her mom and nursed and then went to sleep with her brothers. That is really good news b/c the baby needs to be with its mom - not me. Right? Right?
But these friends are now officially out of town, and I get to go check on the babies to make sure they are all doing well. One mama goat has one baby that is several days old. The other mama had THREE babies (and one of these is the runt that they thought I would have to take care of).
Tonight, while we were at kickball, my friend called and said another female was giving birth as they were leaving and would I please go by and check on it and move it to a new pen.
At about 8:45 pm, we got there and found that the newest mama goat had given birth outside. She had only one baby (didn't find any stillborns, thank goodness). The tricky part was that there was only one way into the barn - a small, square cutout in the side of the barn. I had to carry the baby inside, and it was crying loudly the whole time. Luckily, all that noise made the mama follow us inside. Then Paul grabbed her collar and made sure she followed us into a new pen. We got them some food and water set up, and Paul spread two bags of shavings on the floor. It was all a really fun adventure.
Then we headed to the other pen with the two females and their babies (the ones mentioned above - 2 moms and 4 babies in all). Abbie and Paul got to see the tiny runt who is soooo cute. I held her mom's collar while she nursed. She needs all the help she can get to make sure she gets her fair share. We plan to go back everyday just to be sure the runt is doing okay. And there is another mom that will give birth soon (she's about as wide as she is tall - she's probably got 2-3 babies in there).
Hopefully, I'll remember to take a camera tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Nanner - Nanner - Nanner
Not bananas! "Nanner, nanner, nanner" is me saying "too bad, so sad, don't you wish you could be me."
Why?
Cause I'm 99% sure that I will be bottle feeding a newborn nigerian pygmy goat over the weekend. She is new and tiny and needs ME! Even though I'll have to feed her every two hours, I will love every minute.
Try not to be too jealous! :)
Why?
Cause I'm 99% sure that I will be bottle feeding a newborn nigerian pygmy goat over the weekend. She is new and tiny and needs ME! Even though I'll have to feed her every two hours, I will love every minute.
Try not to be too jealous! :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Comfort Foods
I've been a little sick this week. Just a little head cold. No fever, no aches. Just stuffy nose and head ache and lack of energy. But I know just how to treat it: mucinex (big ole horse pills that work really well on breaking up congestion in your head or chest), tylenol, and sleep. Rest and sleep work wonders for your body when you're sick.
And cats - that's the wonder drug of choice in my house. The last two days, after I've taken Abbie to school, I come home and go back to bed. The kitties get in bed with me and snuggle close. Going to sleep hearing their purrs is so sweet. When I wake up, I usually have all the cats in bed with me. Angel is usually on top of me, Friday is on one side of me and Little Man is on the other side. Or one cat is at my feet.
In the past, Baby is also one of the caregiver-kitties, but right now, she is addicted to sleeping on Abbie's bed.
Comfort food is also essential to feeling better. Today, I felt well enough to go to the grocery store. I made taco soup (not a comfort food (for me) but it is easy to make when you don't feel like cooking) and baked mac & cheese.
I have tried many mac & cheese recipes - trying to find the best one. I keep coming back to my friend Leslie's recipe, but I have modified it a bit.
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
8 oz elbow macaroni, prepared according to box directions
2-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese; depends on how cheesy you want it
1 cup milk
1 egg
salt and pepper
This recipe makes enough for a regular size casserole dish (2 quart size???).
In a sauce pan, I mix the milk and egg together and add 1-2 cups of the shredded cheese - cook over low heat, stirring often until the cheese melts.
Pour half the cooked macaroni in the dish and salt and pepper it. Pour half the melted cheese on top. Sprinkle with some shredded cheddar cheese. Add the rest of the cooked macaroni - salt and pepper it again. Pour rest of melted cheese on top. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
And cats - that's the wonder drug of choice in my house. The last two days, after I've taken Abbie to school, I come home and go back to bed. The kitties get in bed with me and snuggle close. Going to sleep hearing their purrs is so sweet. When I wake up, I usually have all the cats in bed with me. Angel is usually on top of me, Friday is on one side of me and Little Man is on the other side. Or one cat is at my feet.
In the past, Baby is also one of the caregiver-kitties, but right now, she is addicted to sleeping on Abbie's bed.
Comfort food is also essential to feeling better. Today, I felt well enough to go to the grocery store. I made taco soup (not a comfort food (for me) but it is easy to make when you don't feel like cooking) and baked mac & cheese.
I have tried many mac & cheese recipes - trying to find the best one. I keep coming back to my friend Leslie's recipe, but I have modified it a bit.
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
8 oz elbow macaroni, prepared according to box directions
2-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese; depends on how cheesy you want it
1 cup milk
1 egg
salt and pepper
This recipe makes enough for a regular size casserole dish (2 quart size???).
In a sauce pan, I mix the milk and egg together and add 1-2 cups of the shredded cheese - cook over low heat, stirring often until the cheese melts.
Pour half the cooked macaroni in the dish and salt and pepper it. Pour half the melted cheese on top. Sprinkle with some shredded cheddar cheese. Add the rest of the cooked macaroni - salt and pepper it again. Pour rest of melted cheese on top. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
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