Sometimes Nothing is the Right thing To Do

THANKS for all your comments on my last post! I really enjoyed reading them. Although there was lots of great rename suggestions I've decided to just leave things be. Especially where some of my long time followers where the biggest opponents.


On to business......THE WINNER OF THE DRAWING is Joanna @ BooneDocksWilcox
So Joanna send me your e-mail address and I will get your address and send you some Maine goodies! Any special requests?


Up next: tapping the trees, a tasty recipe, and "the cow" he will be here in the morning! Woooo hoooooo!

3rd Year Blogging Anniversary

On Monday I will be closing in on my 3rd year of blogging. When I first started I really wasn't sure how far this may go or what it may turn into. To date this blog has had a total of 28,718 visits averaging between 100-200/day closer to 200/day lately and I currently have 141 followers. Not sure exactly why.....I'm truly not a writer. My high school grammar teacher would probably cringe at the sight of my punctuation and grammar. Maybe it is the critters or Maine Man?

Any Hoo, I have had a lot of fun documenting our nutty lives here in cyberland and I think the responses I get here in my comments and in the community keep me motivated. So I guess what I am getting at is THANK YOU to all who read and enjoy. THANK YOU for ALL for the positive feedback. THANKS to my brother who points things out like mispelling or misuse of words. Ha, he is my biggest critic here.

So in celebrating this anniversary I have TWO requests.

#1 I really want a rename. Remember way back when I requested help in naming John. Angie came up with Maine Man. It stuck and I love it.....not sure if he does or just tolerates like many of the other things I do ;)
So I want a rename. I initially went with Country Girl because it just popped into my head. But there is several of us out there and I just want something different, unique, something that fits. So suggestions, anyone, everyone :) Let's hear it! HELP

#2 Leave a comment. I would LOVE to hear just ONCE from all you silent readers. And for all you non-bloggers it is EASY. Just go under anonymous and comment that way.

For EVERYONE that leaves a comment, something, anything I will put your name in a drawing for a little something from Maine. Not sure what, if you have a request (maple syrup...whatever within reason) write that in too. If your a local it can be more specific like a baked good, couple dozen farm fresh eggs and I'll even deliver.

On a final Note, Thanks Kimberly for being one of my most faithful followers. Don't forget to tell Booker you too are now famous. Love You All!

Homemade Christmas Presents

After flipping through the pictures of my camera and coming across this one I was thinking someone must want a duck for Christmas.....dead or alive. Joking, love these Muscovies despite their occasional naughtiness. Had to chase a bunch of them of the neighbors driveway the other day. We caused quite a scene stopping traffic and all.



So I was calculating the other day, 5 more paychecks until Christmas...YIKES!!!

Gotta get a move on! Last year I made lots of goodies and I have dug through my archives and posted links below in case anyone is interested...fun to get ideas from others. Hopefully starting next weekend, myself and 3 others will be getting together every 2 weeks for Christmas crafting, cocktails, and snacks. I am psyched to see what we come up with!! I will have posts to follow up our meeting for others who are interested in making goodies for the holiday. There is NOTHING like a homemade present!


HERE ARE SOME CRAFTING LINKS FROM POSTS I DID LAST HOLIDAY SEASON:

~ Wreath Making & Making Vanilla Extract

~Soap Making

~ No sew fleece blankets

~ Earring Making

~ Body/Linen spray & Bath Salts

WHAT ARE YOU ALL MAKING FOR CHRISTMAS? IF YOU HAVE SOME LINKS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS I'D LOVE TO HAVE SOME NEW IDEAS.

I am Thankful For...

I am thankful for... Angie at Children in the Corn and Linda at A Truckers Wife.

They both presented me with the butterfly award. I am also thankful for the Hot Blog award handed over from my other blogging friend, Grey Wolf at Two Old Cripples.

THANKS AGAIN!

If I wasn't so stinking pooped and stuffed from today's events I'd pass these along BUT since I like to break rules I will just end it in saying YOU ALL have wonderful blogs!

There are many blogs I read although I do not have time to visit them daily. I do catch up and read back whenever I get a chance. I read an array of blogs from homesteading, hunting, self-sufficiency, animal loving, parenting, and even some that are somewhat religious (although I am not the least bit religious per se. I do believe in prayer and God) I just don't get into following what one group feels is the "right way". I have my own beliefs and my own way of doing things. I do not need to go to church and kneel on the benches when I can go in my back garden and kneel on soft dirt while reflecting on my life. To me the outdoors is my chapel. Don't mean to rant, just my opinion! (Too many years in catholic school) What I am getting at is that we all are so different but we all bring something to the table and there is so much to learn from one another. That is what I love most about blogging!

Since I started blogging in March I have done and tried so many new things. I contribute it to the new path I've taken in my my life along with all the new things I've learned from my blogging friends . I just want to say... Thanks for being REAL. Thanks for the SUPPORT you all offer in hardships. Thanks for the ADVICE you give and Thanks for sharing all of your great IDEAS.

There are many more things I am thankfull for, my family, my friends, this farm, my health, but I share that with you throughout the year and today I thought would be a good time to show my gratitute to my fellow bloggers.

On a final note, THE WINNERS of my giveaway are.......SARAH so girl you best be going to get your ears re-pierced because those fish earrings will be headed your way via snail mail and MANDIE those colorful earring are all yours but there will be a slight delay as I am waiting for my headpins to arrive. If you both leave me a comment with your e-mail addresses I will contact you asap.

Potpourri

“This is the true joy in life, to be used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, to be thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap. To be a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am a member of a community and as a member it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can before I die. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
George Bernard Shaw

I came across this over at Super Hero Journal and had to post...hope she don't mind!




I was tagged back in September by Coast Rat and I am just getting to it and I am going to break the rules....yes I am a rule breaker all the way! What fun would life be if you followed all the rules? I am suppose to tag 6 others but if you want to play along, it is up to you. The deal was that I share 6 random things about myself.

1. I have never flown in a plane!

2. I had to kill an animal today for the first time.

3. I worked as a waitress in high school and nursing school.

4. I work out primarily for my mental health.

5. I am not scared to say I am sorry when I am wrong and I stress that to the kids. It is ok to make mistakes just recognize and live up to it.

6.I love being a Mom!



Lastly a tag Callie got from YD's

Again please join along if you want!

Please answer the following questions:

1) What breed are you?
German Short Haired Pointer

2) How old are you?
I think I am around 4 or 5, who keeps track when they are having this much fun?

3) What is your full name?
Callie

4) Do you have any nicknames?
Naughty

5) Where do you usually sleep?
Right where my human mother's legs are suppose to go in her bed. She has to sleep sideways in order to accommodate my position of comfort, isn't that sweet of her?

6) What is your favorite thing to do?
RUN and bird hunt with my human dad aka Maine Man

7) What is something unusual/interesing about you?
I like to go to bed early and sleep in but when I am up I spend most of my day outside, weather permitting. I put some mileage on during the day. I usually will not even stop to be patted if I'm outside. Oh yeah, one more thing.... I am a female and I hump, some say that is "unusual".

8) Who is your best friend?
Maine Man

9) Did you go to obedience school? If so were you "TOP DOG" or did you flunk out?
I can't remember if my previous owner brought me, I think not! I was a handful when the fine folks from the Achorn Farm took me in. I would take off for HOURS and HOURS and Maine Man nearly stroked out screaming like a crazed man. Our new neighbors thought he was psycho and so did I for that matter. I was just excited that I could finally run for miles and miles and all the new scents around here, I just couldn't help myself. Then Maine Man came home with a collar with some prongs sticking out and lets just say I never ran off again. He doesn't even have to use it any more, I hear the beep and I come running!

10) Can you do any tricks?
Not really unless stealing butter off the counter counts. And, I am one hell of a good bird dog...that should count for something!

Just for Fun!

This is Polly, we dog sat last week while my brother in-law and family were away camping. They have been dog-sitting her all summer. I wouldn't give her back and didn't want to after having her for a few days. She made herself right at home down on the farm.



I found this over at I Love Nubians make Mine Mini as I was reading her responses I was thinking how I'd respond. So here it is just for fun, please join along if you wish.

The object is to answer the questions with only one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? charging
2. Where is your significant other? sleeping
3. hair color? brown
4. Your mother? unique
5. Your father? supportive
6. Your favorite thing? camera
7. Your dream last night? disturbing
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. The room you're in? computer
10. Your hobby? farming
11. Your fear? drowning
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? boring
15. One of your wish-list items? longevity
16. Where you grew up? Maine
17. The last thing you did? dishes
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your TV? never
20.Your pet? many
21. Your Computer? lifeline
22. Your mood? chipper
23. Missing Someone? Pepere
24. Your car? paid
25. Something you're not wearing? underwear
26. Favorite Store? farm
27. Your summer? short
28. Love someone? many
29. Your favorite color? none
30. When is the last time you laughed? always
31. Last time you cried? unsure


I apologize for my grammar errors on my last post. My mom just pointed them out. I had to chuckle, I made a word up "we'd" and I repeated a couple words oops. I proofread my blog at 2 am after taking 2 benadryl for insomnia.

Sprouts & Taters

I finally scooted over to Johnny's to buy a bioset as seen on Angie's blog Children in the Corn. It works great for sprouts, edibles in 3 days. I tried the canning jar method in the past and the results were some stinky rotted seeds, not pretty!
This was about $15, I received a slight discount because it did not have a box. I sprouted alfalfa, broccoli (esp for spouting), and mung beans. I like the alfalfa the best and ate them mostly on salads but the mung beans ended up in the compost pile. Not quite sure how to prepare/eat them, I have heard in rice? Any suggestions sprout eaters?
John harvested our potatoes, this was the best batch yet. We have approx 3 picking baskets full. Is one basket considered a bushel?
So I need a screen name for this hard working farm man. Although John is a good name I need something a little spicier, don't you think? Ree at The Pioneer Woman
refers to her hard working husband as Marlboro Man, check out her blog if you have not yet. It is a hoot. They live on a working cattle ranch, she home schools, she is a great photographer, and she is entertaining!

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Has anyone read this book? I have just started and so far it is amazing, here is a book review! If it is what I think it is I would love to pass it on with some type of drawing in hopes to get it back in the end. Not sure how to do it but this is what I'm thinking..... Make a post to see who is interested (not this one) in reading and have it passed along from person to person in order of comments received until the final person returns it back to me. Each person has one month in hopes that is enough time. What do you think? Suggestions Welcome!

I've been tagged

I have been tagged for a first by YD @ YD's A Little Bit of Everything Place to share six random things about myself and then tag six people.

In order to do this, I will have to follow some Tag Rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on the blog.
3) Write six random things about yourself.
4) Tag six people at the end of your post.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Here goes:

1. I went to a catholic school from K - 7, I took French classes 6 of the 7 years. I barely can speak or understand French and I do not practice religion all though I do believe there is a God.
I could go on and on about this topic but I will spare you.

2. I only have one sibling, a brother who is 5 years older. We lived together until I was 6 and then we grew up in separate households he lived with my dad and I lived with my mother. My brother holds a special place in my heart and has always been by my side in good and bad times. I love ya Steve!

3. I was a WILD child from age 13 until about 23. I started slowing down when I was in nursing school and the kids surely put a halt on my wild side. I had lots of fun but I do not miss that lifestyle. Now I' m a party pooper and I get a headache after 2 drinks.

4. My home is rather simple. I do not spend much on home decor, kitchen goods, bedding etc. It does not take much to make me happy. I rather have hand picked wildflowers than a bouquet of flowers from the florist.

6. John and I are high school sweethearts.

Ok, so here goes tag you it:

Angie at Children In The Corn

Pie at Wicked Awesome Parenting

Farm Chick Paula at Fraker Farm

Nita at Throwback from Trapper Creek

Don at A View from the Green Barn

Amy at Twelve Acres