Mothers Who Know

Our new-ish chicken coop

I must apologize to my Handsome Hubby for taking so long to brag about the newest addition to the Colestead which he built.  Better late than never, I guess.  Here is the story:

After a lot of waiting and looking I finally found the material to build our chicken coop!  We were passing Lowes and I had made a habit of driving through the parking lot looking for such a deal as I found that day. There it was; a complete kit for a cedar shed on clearance for $200!  I had let a shed just like it slip through my fingers once before and had been looking for something like it for a long time.  There is was!  I hopped out of the car, dragging already tired children (plus 2 friends along for the day) with me and I practically RAN into the store to complete the purchase.

Once Handsome Hubby found the time the shed was up after a few days of work.   It is lovely! 


We attached the old run to it with plans to build a bigger run as time and money allow. 


We are hoping to use a large chain link dog kennel.  We need something secure as we have had 3 predator attacks this year.  Two of those were stray dogs.  People like to dump things "out in the country".  Ugh.


All this years chicks were in here when this picture was taken.  Since then the meat birds (white) were moved to a bigger pen.  The egg layers (Buff Orpingtons) and Jellybean (the black one that is the children's pet) will stay in here.  Once they are a bit bigger we will start letting them out for a few hours a day.

Building movable chicken pens is on my to do list.  You know, that list that grows when I am sleeping? Double ugh!  My plan is to build the pens so that they sit inside my garden beds.  I will move the chickens on the beds as I need them turned over and fertilized.   To make them predator proof will require they be made out of metal pipe and a mesh that it tighter (and more expensive) than chicken wire.

Pictures of the garden (such as it is) will be up soon.  Thanks for reading!

Lot's of catching up to do

Frozen Yogurt

We tried our hand for the first time in making frozen yogurt........ oh man oh man.......it is fantastic! I think I like it better than ice cream!  It's also much easier to make! My kids loved it too!    Next time we're going to make Pina Colada Frozen Yogurt!!

                      Frozen Banana Yogurt

8 cups vanilla yogurt

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups whipping cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups mashed ripe bananas

Combine yogurt, salt, sugar, whipping cream and vanilla in a mixing bowl with mixer. Cover and refrigerate for 30 min. Freeze as directed per ice cream maker model

** I have learned that for creamier ice cream/yogurt, use Morton's ice cream salt and freeze 30 min after making the mix.  If you wait too long to freeze and make into frozen ice cream or yogurt, the texture turns out dryer. **

Yields:   4 quarts

HOT, HOT, HOT

We've been in the middle of a heat wave........and I wish I could say we are loving it... but that would be a lie.     Yesterday was in the low 100's with high humidity.... heat index was at 120 or so.......today is a wee bit cooler and less humid. Kids are outside in the slip and slide and kiddie pool under the big walnut tree..... the older kids are inside staying cool. Thank goodness for A/C!!!  You would think after 3 summers here I would become accustomed to the heat....... but that sadly I still get sick, dizzy, head aches and just plain ole miserable........ I am waiting for the evening hours to get outside chores done..... I have some painting to do on the farmhouse ( touching up on some spots where paint peeled) and I have some benches to sand and paint.  We are enjoying lots of cold lemonade and ice cold popcicles!  How do all of you in the South do it?  I thought by my 3rd yr here I would be accustomend!

Stay cool ya'll,

gloria

Pay It Forward!!!!

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in…What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going.(just cut and paste this one if you like!, which I did.

Pay it Forwards are fun, go on, comment, you know you want too. :)

Father's Day = Cleaning Day! LOL

There are several rooms in the house I have been decluttering lately and our bedroom was next on the list.  Oh how I dreaded it.  Our bedroom is medium sized and has a bed, 2 dressers, 2 night stands, a computer desk, and my sewing table and crafty items in it.  It makes for a crowded bedroom for sure!! So when Matthew offered to help me declutter and reorganize, I jumped at the offer.  LOL  I hate doing big jobs like that by myself, and being able to do it with someone else to talk to makes things go faster, easier and it is more pleasant.

Our closet was crammed full and the bedroom was cluttered (I like to store items under the dressers, and the bed also, but not anymore!  There were all types of things under there I had stored and forgotten about!) so that was a huge job in itself!!  But the bedroom is mostly decluttered and after cleaning out my closet and storing some winter clothing items elsewhere, I was able to put all my crafting supplies, fabric, etc. in my closet on the shelves above the hanging clothes, and a large rubbermaid tote on the floor of the closet.  I feel like I have claimed by bedroom back from the crafty nightmare!  LOL

Matthew helped out by taking items upstairs for the sale, and donations to the Thrift shop to my car, etc.  He was in and out at times empyting the trash can for me, gathering cleaning supplies for me, as well as blowing up Noah's pool, filling it with water, and burning trash. 

I am proud to say most of it is done!!!  I had some items last night I wasn't sure what to do with, so they are on the dresser to put away today, as well as a few items such as my sewing box, and a few other miscellaneous crafty items on the sewing desk that need to be put away today.

Today's chores are to clean the living room and dining room, as well as finishing up the bedroom as I have mentioned and then dust, windex, and vacuum all three.  I also have one load of laundry to get done that I didn't have time to get caught up this weekend, and some dishes.  UGH!!!  DISHES!!!!!  Hubby is going to look at Lowe's today for a piece to fix my dishwasher.  I miss it terribly!!  I absolutely hate doing dishes by hand.  LMSO 

All in all, we had a good weekend and a wonderful Father's Day with dad at home!!!  In betweeen cleaning and decluttering, we still had time to eat pizza as a family, play outside in Noah's little pool, and have some cuddle and movie time watching Noah's favoritie movies this Sunday.  It was one of those times when you hate to see the weekend come to and end!!! 

Monday Menu Planner

Monday:  WHO KNOWS!!  LMSO

Tuesday:  Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Peas

Wednesday:  Meatball Subs, Green Beans, Fruit

Thursday:  Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Friday:  Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn

Saturday:  Hamburgers, Baked Potatoes, Glazed Carrots

Sunday: Planned Leftovers

I have no idea what is for supper tonight.  LOL  Matthew wants me to make a pot of chilli.  IT IS BLAZING HOT HERE!!  What is he thinking???? He wants to take the leftovers in his lunch this week.   So I might just make some baked potatoes tonight and everyone can top them however they way.  Which means we will have some fresh chilli to top them with if anyone wants.  YUM!

In my world

Thank You Jesus For Everything!

Hallelujah!! It is a beautiful day here in KY. I have enjoyed this year around home so much cause hubby is home now more and we are getting some much needed things done. It is awesome when we wait and trust..... things just come to us that is needed.

I have been creating cards

Our Kitty Joy enjoying his life.

 Our flower bed a few weeks back

Sending God's blessings your way for that is His will to bless ...not curse. Only In Jesus' Holy Name!!

Lovingly, rilda

The Weekend is Upon Us

Noah and I went to get our hair cuts on Friday.  We were both getting rather shaggy I must say.  LOL   My friend Angie who cuts our hair was suprised at how fast Noah's hair grows and how shaggy he was.  We haven't seen her in over a month! LOL  I feel so much better now with my hair shaped up and Noah looks so handsome with his hair short.  When we arrived home, his daddy was pleasantly suprised to see him looking like a little man with no curls at the ends again.  LOL 

Friday night, Matthew came home and took over child duties for the evening, so a friend and I could go out to eat!!  I haven't been out without one or both of the boys (hubby and Noah), for a very long time, and of course it was much appreciated.  We went to eat Chinese, then to Wal-Mart (where I had to pick up a few things like denim sewing needles and some new scissors for an upcoming sewing project), and then went to Payless as well.  We were both hoping Wal-Mart of Payless in our area would have some cute sandals, but we were very disappointed in the selection at each store!  But we enjoyed getting out of town, telling stories and giggling together.  We spoke over dinner how nice it was to hang up the wife and mother hat for a few hours and just me "me".  Of course we love the men in our lives, and our children....but sometimes you have to get away and be yourself!  It was so nice.

Today Matthew is working on an electrical job.  His client first told him he had till the end of the month to finish.  Now he changed it and told Matthew he needs it done by this Sunday.  So Matthew will be working late today and possibly into the evening working on it I am sure.  Tomorrow he is planning on going to church (separate cars) and then taking off to finish up while we come back home for Noah's afternoon nap.  I hate to see him working so hard, and yes we miss him when he is gone so much, but he is enjoying the work, bringing in some extra money and I am proud of him for building up this second job so that one day he can eventually quite his job and be self employeed.  We have been blessed this week to have him home several days during the week before supper though, and he and Noah had a blast playing together last night while I was gone.

Today while Matthew is working, I will be at home working.  Noah is really getting into a movie while I am typing this blog, and hopefully he can entertain himself for a while today either watching it, or playing, etc. because I have so much to do.  I havevn't already determinded I won't get it all done today, but I must make a huge effort to get a dint in it all.  I have laundry to get caught up this weekend, and of course.....the dreaded dishes (the dishwasher is broke...UGH!), lots of cooking to do,and I have been decluttering and boxing up items for our sale too.  That is a job all in itself honestly.  I am not looking forward to all the chores and I find myself dragging my feet a little this morning just thinking about it all.  But I am trudging forward and praying God will help me get it all done with a positive attitude and in a timely manner so I can enjoy my finally this evening.  I always have part of tomorrow to finish up.

Discouragement

" Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible.  Plow ahead like a steamship, which moves forward whether facing rough or smooth seas, and in rain or shine.  Remember, the goal is simply to carry the cargo and to make it to port. "   

Maltbie D. Babock