No this one is not a baby! It's my new buck. I just got him today. He is 2 if memory serves me right (which is hardly ever the case). He is LaMancha and Alpine. Pretty boy! 
 Watch out ladies....Here he comes....It's Bullseye!

Well, the computer is back to normal...yea! It's the only normal thing here, but that's okay. We like it anyway. Here's a little bit of what we've been up to....... We baked a little....

                        

This has been a most satisfactory day for me-even though the sunshine gave way to gray clouds with a soft cold rain from about 1 pm on.  That is why I chose such a bright sunlit garden picture for today's entry.  Just a little taste of warmer weather in an art form.

I was up later than normal this morning--this made me somewhat lazy during the morning hours.  I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend, so getting back into the "work week" was a little hard, but with a little prayer and effort...I managed.

I have been reading to Seth some different books...Red Badge of Courage and Sherlock Holmes to name a couple...He is reading now...finally, but I want to really wet his appetite for good books, so reading to him and having him narrate back to me is a gentle way to get him interested in reading on his own.  This method also seems to be helping with his vocabulary and recall pathways. 

Anyway, Angie (CHG) lent me "The Swiss Family Robinson" and we started that this morning.  (These are the illustrated editions for younger children)  Seth was capitivated!  Bingo!   Thanks Angie!!  He begged me to continue....which is new to me.  He is usually begging me to stop, but I had to stop this morning to get our other work done.  Remember.....I got a late start.  I think he will enjoy our reading tomorrow morning just as well as he this morning.  Sigh....

I am noticing him slowing down in his math.  This frustrates me somewhat because I know how far behind he is....but....I want him to know his math...so I am slowing down for him.  I am going to work on some math games for this week.  He definitely learns better when he is having fun.

After schooling lessons were over we did some chores.  When I sat down to rest for "just a minute" I promptly fell asleep....ugh!  Thank heavens I didn't sleep long, but I must say I did feel much better afterwards.  I felt so good that within a short time the entire house was straightened up, laundry was continued and supper was started.

I made a lovely Seven Layer casserole for supper tonight.  Nice and easy.  Starting with layer one...browned hamburger with onions followed by sliced potatoes, carrots and celery, kidney beans then greenbeans.  This is supposed to be covered by cream of mushroom soup.  I don't buy these soups anymore, so I substituted with my homemade version.   I, being southern, added a little cheese on the top.  Baked for about and hour at 350 and an entire supper was done.  I liked it, but my guys really didn't.  I was raised on casseroles, Donnie was not; Seth doesn't like much with green in it...so this meal will not be repeated very soon.  Oh well....

With all this said....I did have a nice day.  Sometimes, being a homemaker is so rewarding.  Here lately, I have been in a not so rewarding phase.  Nothing I do seems to bring any form of satisfaction.  Then I kind of had a revelation from God....I don't need to be like others.  More dirt rubs on that clean rubs off.  I think this is about the one hundredth time God has revealed this to me....I am such a slow learner.  Sigh...  Anywho, I was just myself today....doing what I like to do without having anger or guilt was kind of nice. 

Now, I need to go and do the dishes.  Have a nice day and God Bless.

 

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Lent and our parish priest was telling a story about one of the 2nd graders from the school.

Apparently, the priest went to from room to room last week explaining why we give things up during lent. For the 2nd graders his explanation was that its important to give things up we like so we learn to appreciate them and be thankful that God has provided these things.

Well a few days later the 2nd grade teacher tells him a story about one of her students. Apparently, the boy went home and told his mother about what he learned about lent. Then he went on to tell her that he was giving her up for lent. His mother questioned him about how and why. His thought was that he loved his mom very much but he wasn't always thankful for her and if he gave her up for lent he would appreciate her more.

His mother than asked him how he planned to do this -- his answer. He was not going to talk to his mother for the next 40 days. Now how cute is that? Think about your own children, could they go even 40 minutes without talking to you let alone 40 days. But this child was willing to do to show God he appreciated his mommy.

Very sweet story don't you think.

Sandy

I wanted to start posting my crop of the week again. This week is peas.

We just started really picking peas this past week. Here is a picture of our harvest from last week. I picked about three times this much on Saturday.






















Our Family are not big eaters of peas in the sense that we like a pile of peas on our plates. Instead we prefer to throw them into things like rice and pasta. So What I usually do with peas, if we don't use them too fast, is blanch them and freeze them. This way I can take a few out of my freeze and throw them into something.

Enjoy

Sandy

This past Monday being Presidents day my nephew spent the day off from school with us. He loves spending time with his uncle.

We had beautiful weather that day and in the afternoon they were playing soccer out in the front yard. I took advantage of the day and sat beneath the apple tree and crocheted while they played.

And here are a few pictures of what I saw. First my hubby kicking the ball.























And my nephew taking a break under the tree. I know he doesn't look happy but he was having fun :0)

















Truly, isn't this what life should be about. Enjoying moments like sitting underneath the tree and watching my two favorite boys play soccer.

May God Bless you with similar moments this weekend.

Sandy

Blessings to ALL,

As many of you now know, my familiy unit has collapsed. I still believe in GOD being the center of our home, our family. I still believe that we, as Christians, should fight to restore and keep Christian values in our homes, our government, our nation.

Our country has been in a declining state. We have allowed unGODly changes to take  place over time. We have become complacent in the fight for Christian values. We have allowed prayer to be taken out of schools. We have allowed same sex marriages. We have allowed babies to be slaughtered in the womb. We have allowed the media to portray immorality and violence as the norm.

It is time NOW for the Body of Christ to stand in unity and reverse the curse that is on our land. We need to join together, repent, and cry out to God for deliverance.

I am a part of a movement to restore this nation back to her GODLY heritage. You can join forces with us.  I urge you to get involved and make a difference. The majority in the country is Christian, but we have become the minority. We have lost our voice. Speak up now, stand up with me and many others at: http://1nationundergodforever.com This is a non-profit organization whose purpose is:

 “One Nation Under GOD Forever is a KINGdom Minstry which is commissioned by GOD HIMSELF as a catalyst for the marshalling and mobilizing of the Body of CHRIST, a.k.a. “The CHRISTian Alliance”. For the goal of organizing and effectively employing  the multiplied millions of CHRISTians who live in every state in America, to mount a triumphant offensive, by utilizing methods which are civil, educational, vocal, political and economical; to restore GODly Order, to rectify spurious legislation, and to propel the Body of CHRIST back to Her rightful position of influence in society.”    BEHOLD !  The Kingdom of GOD is assembling as a Body all over our country. Join us today and be a part of this Awesome move of GOD. The time is now!!! for all the Children of GOD (in America) to stand up, speak up, and follow up. Join us and become part of the solution, rather than just observers of the problem. Get involved in the 1 Nation movement today.  Please understand that the purpose for membership, is to perpetrate a Divine Mission. Children of GOD,  this is a call to action. THIS….IS GROUND ZERO – One Nation Under GOD FOREVER !!!   (taken from 1 Nation web site - A.Julius Culbreath)

Therefore, my beloved brethern, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding  in the work of the LORD, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the LORD. 1 Cor. 15:58

Love you ALL, Chicken Girl

Hello friends,

It has been such a long time since I have posted. The last few months have been a trying time for me. Things have changed in my household.

My husband and I have split. It is just Litte Guy and me now. We have moved to an apartment. We do not live at the house anymore.

It has been a big adjustment for us. I know that my God is in charge and that we will be fine. I still believe in the sanctity of marriage. It is just not happening for me right now.

The Lord is my strength, my rock, my salvation. Psalm 61

God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1-2

The Lord has stood with me and strengthened me. Praise God!

Love in Christ, Chicken Girl

 

Growing up with a Pennsylvania Dutch mom meant that today was Fastnacht Day. Don't know what Faschnaut Day is, here is a  link that will explain it. 

Now I would have liked to have made the traditional fastnacht of my ancestors but when I got the recipe out I found out the dough is made the day before.

So, as a back up plan I made buttermilk doughnut holes from my Home-Cooking Sampler Cookbook.

Here is the recipe.

Buttermilk Doughnut Holes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon  salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2/3 cups granulated sugar (separated into 2 1/3 cup portions).
1 egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

canola or safflower oil for frying

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Whisk the egg in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk, 1/3 cup of sugar, and melted butter, and whisk until smooth. Add the flour mixture in two stages, folding together gently with a rubber spatula until thoroughly mixed.
Pour the oil into a 3- or 4-quart heavy-duty saucepan. Insert a candy or instant-read thermometer into the oil and heat the oil over medium heat until it registers 375°F.

Using two teaspoons scoop up batter with one and slide it off into the hot oil with the other. Let the doughnuts fry until nicely browned, about 2 minutes turning halfway through cooking. They will flip themselves over if they are rounded enough. With a slotted spoon, transfer them to a brown bag or paper towels to drain.

Put the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a bowl or small brown bag. While the doughnuts are still hot, shake them in the sugar to coat. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy immediately.

Note:  I also sprinkled a little cinnamon in the bag with the sugar and are they ever yummy.

Happy Fastnacht Day :0)

Sandy