The ol' homestead

 I love the part in the movie "Dances With Wolves", where the indian is trading with Kevin Costner and he finally gets the idea of a "goot trade." I had a good trade myself this last week-end. I traded 5 loaves of my fresh bread for 5 baby turkeys that are about 4-6 weeks old. I was happy about the trade and am hoping that I have a pair (tom and hen) and if the rest are toms we will dress them out around Thanksgiving. Yep, I think it was a "goot trade."

As I mentioned before, Pianomanjess is really sick. They found out that the cause was mononucleosis. He sounds a bit better these last few days and I hope he will be able to return to work without being overly tired. Grand-Doll Mom is getting quite close to due date and I am sure she is very tired herself. We continue to pray and lift them up to God and they will be all well soon.

We heard of devastating news this week. A family in our homeschool group is going through a very tough situation right now. It has just been confirmed that the father (age 34) has colon cancer and it has also spread to the liver. They will be doing surgery on Monday. The family has only lived here a short while and some of their relatives have come to take care of their 3 little boys. How do you deal with such a thing??? Our hearts go out to them and if you can, please say a prayer for the Miller family.

 I really want to learn how to french braid. I want to be able to do my own hair. I want to be able to wear that pretty hand beaded hair piece that I bought at Red Earth. I searched and found instructions online and it seemed feasable -until I actually tried to do it. Man, this isn't so easy. Maybe I need instruction in live time instead of on paper. I did figure out all you need is 12 fingers and 3 hands....

Well here is the pool in full use. The olders (Police Son, Big Miss and Cuda Man) decided to "swim" with Little Miss and when I happened out this is what I saw:

Chicken fighting ???

And the victors were serious too!

This past week-end we also planted 10 asparagus plants. I know right now is not the ideal time to plant but mom ordered them for a surprise for me and they just arrived ( I think she probably got tired of me saying for the last 2 years that I want to get some asparagus planted.) Now it takes a couple years to be able to harvest them -depending on the variety but if I had got some and planted when I first started whining about them, then I would be eating some fresh asparagus right now! Thank goodness for moms!

Well I had my first ride on my Frontier Man's new motorcycle this week-end. We went up to town to get gas and it was a really nice ride. The wind blowing in my hair, the sun beating on my skin, and people stopping what they are doing to look at. the. unique. sound of a Harley. It's like those drag pipes are screaming "Hey, look over here at me, will ya." Well, anyway, it was kinda sensual wrapping my arms about the Frontier Man and he being defenseless and all... Uh hum...well enough of that... this being a family friendly site and all.

This last week we have done a lot of mowing, trimming trees and weed-eating -about 3 days worth so far. Man, we are about tuckered and I told Frontier Man I bet he was glad to go back to work so he wouldn't have to work so hard, but we both know that is just a joke. His job is demanding and very physical and I know he is tired most days but he gives to the ol' homestead without fail.

The kids are back from San Diego.They had so much fun.... they went to the San Diego Zoo, a ship museum, the mall, Sea World and more shopping and more restaurants and on the way back stopped at The Grand Canyon. Those teens... the ones I missed so much, happened to drive through the night to arrive at about 5:30 on SATURDAY morning and thought it would be fun to burst into our room whoopin' and hollerin'! Both Frontier Man and I sat straight up in bed out of a deep sleep thinkin a world war ll tank had lost it's way through our bedroom. Two silly grinning teens imploring "but we brought presents -it's like Christmas.... (as if that would make up for it !) Man I missed those kids.... I had to remind myself this about 2 hours after they were home and they were sleeping peacefully from driving all night and we were sitting wide awake tired on our Saturday morn!

I made some really yummy (not to mention fattening) amazing butterscotch maple cookies this week. I know they were not on the menu, but sometimes I throw something in the mix just because.... well, just because, and this was this weeks "just because." Several ladies fell in love with them and I do believe the maple flavoring is what really made them tasteful. Also keep in mind these are very crispy and resemble a shortbread. Go and bake some!

Look what we have this morning.

15 baby guineas so far. Mama hen is just talkin' away to them and they are just too cute!

With the promise of more to come.....

I leave you with a picture of Little Miss working on my hair at her "salon." Have a great week-end.