Happy Birthday Maggie!

35 years ago on June 30th at 5:25 pm I was blessed with a 9lb 8oz baby girl. I am so proud of my beautiful daughter. She has grown up to become a wonderful wife and mother. She volunteers at The Boys and Girls Club helping teach children photography and computer. She takes care of baby wild animals for wild animal rescue until they are able to be released back into the wild. She is a loving big sister to Melody and Megan. She is always there to listen and give strength when I need it. She and her husband are in the process of adopting a child from China. She always has enough love to go around for everyone. She took her talent of art and furthered her education to become a graphic artist and designer. I am so blessed God gave her as my first born. She and I grew together and I learned how special being a mom is through her. Her love of God and family can be felt just by being around her for a few minutes. The doctor told us we were having a boy and we painted the nursery blue and had all boy clothes but I said a silent prayer to God. I ask him for a daughter as I didn't know anything about taking care of little boys. I had babysat my nieces alot so knew a little about little girls. God answered my prayer and gave me a very precious, loving, caring, smart , talented daughter. So Happy Birthday My Number One Daughter. May your birthday be as special as you. I am sure your daddy is looking down with a big smile on his face and pride in his heart for his first baby girl. And as we use to say to each other over 30 years ago..... I love you most and morest and oodles and unches!

First photo is Maggie 5 days old, second one is Maggie 3 months old my mother and me. Third photo is a elementary school photo of maggie. 4th photo is Maggie and her Nannie (my mother)

Norm the Gnome

Norm is downunder visiting Nicole. He is already getting to eat homemade chocolate chip cookies and jump on the trampoline...... I knew I should have left him at home and went myself!!! Stop by and say hi to Norm and Nicole. http://www.littlemisshomepage.blogspot.com/

Monday Monday

Wow, where did the weekend go? Raigun and I worked in the yard Saturday and it was soooo hot that as soon as we finished we put on our swimsuits and jumped in the neighbors pool. We had it all to ourselves for an hour so we had races, played tag and jumped off the diving board. Vicki and Chuck (owners of the pool) joined us and we had a nice time chatting and swimming before having to come home to milk and feed the animals. Yesterday we had to run to Lowe's to exchange something for William and I broke down and purchased a air conditioner for the kitchen. It has been so hot I haven't wanted to cook. I am going to put it in today (just a window unit) and with it and the one in Raigun's room the house should stay cooler. I have Raigun's set on 78 so she can sleep at night and will set the kitchen one on 78 too. We had rain all day yesterday but I went out in the rain and weeded my biggest flower bed while Raigun played in the camper trailer. Almost have the whole thing weeded but it started to storm so we came in and cleaned up. I went out in my pj's later to feed and milk. I am going to finish cleaning up the mess from the roofer today. Glad the roof is finished and with all the storms we have had lately it was a good job as we have not had a single leak. Got to haul off our trash today too and Fran wants to ride along. Looks like we are in for another rainy day but don't mind since it cools things down. Something woke me out of a sound sleep at 3:30 this morning and I couldn't go back to sleep so I read my devotion and read some in a book from a friend. I finally turned out the light and started saying prayers for my family and friends. A friend from a forum I am a member of died the 23rd. He was a kind, caring homesteader. He and his wife hadn't been married very long so I know this is a very hard time for her. My thoughts and prayers are with her alot right now. Always let your friends and family know how special they are to you as you never know what your last words to them will be. JD and I discussed a book and things we had found useful out of it. I wish I had let him know how much all of us on the forum got from his posts. He gave the rest of us the courage to take a bigger step in homesteading. He and his wife were true homesteaders in every way. Will miss seeing JD's avatar and posts on the forum. Hope everyone has a good start on a new week! Don't forget to count your blessings.

Special Friends

I had such a wonderful package in my mailbox today! Nicole and her mom made very special gifts for me that I absolutely love. Gail made me 2 beautiful bird tiles. I am so into birds. I start my day on the deck reading my devotion, watching and listening to the birds at the feeders and birdbaths. William was very impressed with the professional way they were made. Nicole made a adorable apron and took the extra time to add nice big pockets and a picture of Miss Diva! Now I have a Diva apron for soap making!! They included a sweet card and a lovely friend poem along with out of this world apple scented sachet. Blogger doesn't like me right now so photos will be posted tomorrow morning (I hope) Thank you Nicole and Gail! God has blessed me so much with such wonderful friends. Miss Diva sends kisses your way along with some of her special soaps.

What To Do When Heat Index Is Over 100

Canoe trip up Lumbee River (so we could float back)

Raigun on her first canoe ride and fishing trip

PopPop and Raigun with the pike Raigun caught all by herself. Raigun named him John and said he was her friend and we couldn't eat him. So after pictures PopPop let John go so he could be with his family.Will is William's grandson and has been fishing with PopPop alot so wasn't disappointed when he didn't catch a fish this time. It was a very very hot and humid day but was nice floating along the river under the trees. The pool from last post is my neighbors but she is very kind to let us use it whenever we wish. Raigun says the pool was the second best day of her life. Today was the best day of her life according to her!

Wet Tuesday

It might have been the hottest day of the year so far but Raigun found a way to stay cool!

Miss Diva Goat Milk Soap Is Finally Ready!

After weeks of experimenting we finally have a wonderful scent for a soap named after Miss Diva! Before you ask.... no it doesn't smell like a goat. We took 2 essence oils (sassafras and honeysuckle) blended it with lemon. It is so fresh and lightly flowery smelling. I am so happy with it and I think Miss Diva likes it too as she got the first bath with the first bar and didn't seem to mind it at all! After such a crazy day its nice to have something come together perfectly!

Monday's Aren't What They Should Be!

You would think being the first day of the work week and starting out fresh it would be a great day. Every Monday seems to go wrong for me. Today wasn't any different! The chicken that needs therapy for sitting on wooden eggs is now sitting on a empty nest and won't get off. She is going to hatch straw babies I guess as there is nothing under her. Raigun helped me clean out the chicken and goat pen. We tied up the tomatoes and mulched some more. I started a batch of soap and then got to helping Raigun download a computer game and burnt that batch. So had to toss it and start all over. Had to run get roofing nails for the roofer.... burnt another batch and had to toss that! My house is a mess because I have toys , games, wet swimsuits everywhere. Had to stop and have a talk with darling granddaughter. Grandma isn't a maid! You make your own bed, clean your own room, pick up your toys, games and clothes. You hang your swimsuit outside to dry along with your swimming towel and you put your dirty dishes in the sink. She looked at me and said "Oh alright grandma, I didn't know cause I don't do that at home". Well had a talk with daughter and guess what...... Raigun is going to be doing that at home from now on! Had a disappointing email from a soap customer and that made my day seem to go downhill. I have mailed off 5 different orders of soap today only to realize that one of them didn't have all the soaps in it. I found them laying on the counter so I had to rush and get them packaged and run back to post office. Donald and Daisy are upset with me because I cleaned out their "pond" and now they won't get in it. They walk up to it and stand there fussing at me in duck talk. Miss Diva loves Raigun. She stands still while Raigun pets her so I get the milking done without Miss Diva moving and trying to tell me she has had enough. Fran is jealous that Raigun is here and told me on the phone that I would even have less time for her now. I promised to take her to the grocery store tomorrow. Promised Raigun she could go swimming and William will be home sometime tomorrow so I have to get things finished and cleaned up for him. Don't want him coming home to a dirty house and unfinished projects. I just seem to get more behind no matter how much I try to do. Time to get a glass of tea step around the mess and the vacuum and go sit outside and watch the birds and count my blessings! Raigun was going to take a bath and get ready for bed but while I was on the phone with her mom she fell asleep on the sofa. Tomorrow will soon be here and as the song says.... the sun will come out tomorrow and its only a day a way! Counting my blessings and one of them is this day is over!

Happy Father's Day

I was so blessed with the dad God picked for me. From the time I was born there was a special connection between he and I. He was always there for me no matter what. He might be mad or hurt at something I did or said growing up but he was never mad or hurt at me. He would always tell me he loved me and give me hugs. Right up to the day he passed away I got hugs and I love you's. He promised to watch over me and guide me and I know he does. I have felt his help and love many times since his death. Dad was a barber for over 40 years. He learned how in the navy while out at sea on a warship. He came home went to barber school and worked in his barber shop till 2 weeks before he died. He never complained. He would do without to help a family member or friend. Give his last dollar to help a stranger. Never had to spank me or raise his voice at me. Just look at me and say my name and I knew I had better shape up. He taught me how to change a tire, change the oil in the car and drive. He taught me how to hunt and fish. He taught me that the way I treated others even my enemies would come back to me down the road. He taught me the love of good books, the love of gardening, the love of animals. He use to sing a song to me when I was small. Part of it was: Who's your little whosie. I use to remember it all but now I can't. He would always hug me bye when I went to visit ask me to call him when I got home . He would always check my tires and oil before I left. My husband at the time had passed away so dad would make sure everything was OK for the girls and I. His one and only vacation after all us kids had left home was to visit me for 2 weeks in Florida. We had a ball! He bought me a gardenia bush to set out while there and it grew to be huge. He told me stories about growing up and told me stories about when I was growing up that I didn't know. No matter how much I messed up or how down I got dad could always hug me and say the right thing to help get back on the right track. Dad wasn't perfect by any means but he was the perfect dad for me. When the rest of the world seemed overwhelming and I just couldn't carry on alone with 3 young girls dad would give me one of his hugs and a I love yous. He would tell me I was made of strong blood and to take that step out with faith and my head held high because I would always land on my feet. He was right....... I miss you and think of you every day daddy. Each time a white butterfly comes by I know you are letting me know you are watching over me. I feel you speaking to me and feel your strength . Thank you for making me the person I am today and ... I love you daddy. (Tried to add photos but blogger wouldn't let me)

Is This Day Over Yet???

Met Maggie and Brannon to pick up Raigun and they took me to lunch at Cracker Barrel and it was very good. Day seemed to be going great. Maggie had made me some really neat looking tags for my soaps and gave me a photo of the girls ( will scan it later). Raigun and I stopped on the way home to pick up a few toys and a game..... you can never have too many toys or games at grandmas house. We got home and unloaded the van, put things away in the house and went out to feed the animals. All but 8 of my chickens were out of the lot. They didn't go far. They were on the outside looking in but it seems according to the guy working on our roof that Miss Diva was being mean. She cried the whole time I was gone and tried to get out of the lot. She made a small hole and the chickens got out there to get away from her. The guy working on the roof said he watched to make sure they didn't get in the dog lot. Raigun and I had to round up 40 chickens and it wasn't easy. They decided to run onto the property behind me that has keep out signs which I ignored at the time. There is also a swamp back there so I just knew I would see a snake. Took us 45 minutes in the heat of the day to get them rounded up but we did... just Raigun and I. Then we had to feed and water all the animals, milk Miss Diva who after she saw I was home went and laid down in her stall like nothing was wrong!!!! I have decided if I am going to be away more than an hour she will have to hop in the back of the van and ride with me. The neighbors had to listen to her cry all day and the chickens escaped from her "crazy" attitude. I also went to gather the eggs from the 5 hens Jane had given me. I made nests and put in wooden eggs and they had been working good.... too good. I found one of the hens sitting on the wooden eggs trying to hatch them. She was sitting on them yesterday morning and I left her thinking she was trying to lay an egg. She was there yesterday evening and I reached under her to get any eggs but there was only wooden ones. She was there this morning and she was still there this evening. So I have a hen trying to hatch wooden eggs, I have chickens escaping my goat, I have a goat that doesn't want me to leave home and I have a granddaughter that thinks grandma's animals need therapy..... her words not mine. I beginning to think I am going to need therapy if I have another day like today. Going to go count my blessings... I know I have them I just need to count them to remind myself how blessed I am!

Visitor For Hidden Haven

Tomorrow I am meeting my daughter Maggie and picking up my granddaughter Raigun. Raigun will be visiting for 2 weeks and helping out around the homestead. Her big sister Kristine has plans for 2 weeks so Raigun felt she should have plans too. She and I always end up in adventures and even trouble with her mom sometimes. Raigun has a habit of telling her parents when she gets in trouble she will just pack her bag and go live with grandma. I had to promise this time to make her behave and punish her if she isn't. I didn't say what I thought was bad behavior though! She doesn't misbehave often when she is here. She is too busy. We have plans to go bike riding, on walks, go swimming, go to park on a picnic and of course she is going to help take care of Miss Diva and the other animals. She is very much a tomboy and loves being outside. She loves all animals so have to make sure she doesn't pick up spiders or wild animals! Raigun is 5 and old enough to be a big help to grandma. PopPop will be home for a few days next week and hopes to take Raigun out in the canoe fishing. I think we will help her with her "plans" while big sister is busy with hers. Maggie, Brannon and Kristine will come down in 2 weeks for a couple of days to celebrate the 4th of July and we hope to go to the beach one day. Summer is here and I will be seeing alot of the grandkids this summer! I will enjoy everyone of them when they visit.

Vintage Tea Swap

I had been outside working all day and was hot and filthy when the mail lady brings me a package. I come inside and wash my hands then open to find a darling teacup, teabags, chocolate, a vintage napkin and spoon and a wonderful story about driving Miss Daisy. (not the movie story this was a lady and her horses). I was so excited that I had to make a cup of tea right then and relax and read the story. Thank you so much Toni! I love everything especially the teacup. I can drink tea and think of you drinking tea out of its mate. You picked and wrapped everything so special. I am blessed to have such a sweet and caring swop partner!

Sunshine!

I actually see beautiful sunshine ! It has been so many days with rain and clouds that I don't care about the heat and humidity that is coming with the sun. Everything is still muddy and wet but I am going to spend the day outside getting caught up on those chores. The chickens are letting me know its time for me to do a little cleaning in their house and Miss Diva is looking down her nose at me for the mess I have let her place get into. Donald and Daisy are fussing at me to clean their "pond" and give them fresh bedding. Lady, Tramp and Sheba can't believe I haven't raked and cleaned their "bathroom area". So before the animals all go on strike I guess I had better get myself outside and get busy. If you hear your dogs howling or cats screaming its only because they hear me singing off key while cleaning the tool shed! Enjoy the day the Lord has given you!

Tag I'm It

Amy has tagged me for a me me and here are my answers:

7 things to do before I die
Help build a hospice care center
Get the homestead off grid and every project finished
Visit some of my blog friends around the world
Go on a mission trip
Learn to speak Spanish
Find a good church to attend thats as good or better than my home church in the mountains
Spend a week with all the children, in-laws and grandchildren just enjoying each other and not at a beach or amusement park.

Seven things I cannot do
Be patient
Sing on key
jump out of a airplane
sleep more than 5 hours
crank a chainsaw ( I use a electric one)
put a good book down till I finish it
sit around the house and do nothing


Seven things that attract me to my husband
His eyes
His willingness to give everyone a chance and helping hand at least once
Doing without to help others
being able to repair or build anything
Not being shy about his faith or praying out loud
His trust in others
his knowledge


Seven favorite books
Bible (though I don't always understand it)
Mountain Moving Faith by Kenneth Hagin
Any book by June Masters Bacher
Any Sue Grafton book
Any Patricia Cornwell book
Any Lillian Jackson Braun book
Created To Be His Helpmeet


Seven movies I’d watch again
Beaches
Fried Green Tomatoes
The Chorus (French film)
The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
Paradise Road
West Side Waltz
Wilderness Family


Seven people Id like to tag.....
Mary
Bossy
momx2
Wendy
Jeanne
Heather Smith
Oreo

the rain has finally ended but we have flood warnings out. We got 6 inches of rain in a little over an hour not counting all the rest of the day. The run off from the rain will go into the lakes, creeks, ponds and rivers within the next 24 hours so we will have floods. There are already closed roads because of the flooding. I got lots of soap made today and took Vicki (a neighbor) a couple of potted plants for her birthday. Tried to clean the kitchen but I have soap everywhere so its impossible. Milked and fed in the downpour this morning but was able to milk and feed in between showers this evening. The ducks are happy with the weather but the chickens are tired of it. I was going to catch up on some reading but made banana bread instead. Also made a macaroni salad and fresh ice tea. Picked some squash while out in the rain this morning and will be cooking it tomorrow. Need to make cheese tomorrow and finish cleaning the tool shed. Its suppose to be hot and sunny so I will be outside all day. Life on the homestead never stops even for Tropical Depression Alberto! Now go count your blessings!

I have the animals, might as well start building the ark. We have had bad storms for several days. Today no storms just rain steady rain all day. I wasn't here but my neighbor said it rained all day and my yard that is now a lake is telling me the same thing. Tomorrow is calling for rain but then back to hot humid weather... hurry up winter I am waiting for you with opened arms!!! My neighbor Jane rode with me to Lexington (NC) to do some errands I had to do there. We also hit the thrift stores and my favorite antique shops. We had a nice trip and I brought some things back from storage and items I bought while shopping. When we got home it was time for Jane to go to a women's circle meeting and she ask me to go. I had time to change my clothes and take care of the animals before the 7pm meeting. Met several nice ladies and had a good time and good food but didn't get home till after 10pm. My van still has everything as I didn't have time to unload it and its raining anyways. I have had my shower, gotten 2 soap orders ready to go out tomorrow and now I am ready to read a few minutes and go to bed. I have 2 very special people in my life that really need prayers. My daughter Megan's husband Brian is having post traumatic stress. He is out of the army after doing 2 tours in Iraq and has a very good job and thought he was doing great. He was at work and just fell apart. He scared himself the way he was crying and just a nervous wreck. Brian never cries! His boss called Megan at work and she took him to the VA hospital. He is on medication and seeing a therapist but they won't let him go back to work for a month. Megan is working 76 hours a week to make up for Brian's loss of paycheck but isn't complaining. Brian is having a hard time going out among people right now and I ask you say a prayer for him that he can get through this and get his life back. The second person I ask you to say a prayer for is my brother Don. He had surgery for a malignant tumor in his bladder. He doesn't know what is in store for him as far as treatments yet. He is handling it very well for someone who has lost a sister, dad and mother to cancer. You have all be so good about praying and sending good thoughts in the past and I know that your prayers and thoughts will give them strength to handle whatever is before them. Time to go count my blessings and give God the glory..... Night everyone

Miss Diva looking up from eating her alfalfa long enough to fuss at me from calling to her while she was eating. It has been a stormy weekend here at the homestead. Lots of very loud storms and lots of hot muggy weather. Managed to get a few things done outside in between the storms but mostly worked inside. Took Ms. Fran to the flea market but didn't find much there that I couldn't live without. Caught up on paperwork for the soap business and made a batch of soap. Have load of whites soaking to wash in the morning and several loads of colors waiting their turn. Have to feed my sourdough starter tomorrow so will be baking bread. Have to take some packages to post office to get them on their way. Will have squash big enough to pick tomorrow. Lots to do on a Monday morning so hope the weather cooperates. Will try to post tomorrow evening. Hope your weekend was as blessed as mine and may you week be filled with lots of love, peace and blessings!

Kitchen Project

Several years ago William found this old old kitchen cabinet. The doors were missing and the bottom shelf was in bad shape. He replaced the bottom shelf and then sat it aside in the storage building. It sat there till a couple of weeks ago when I had him bring it here where it sat on the back porch until yesterday. I brought it in and cleaned it up, painted the outside, all the inside except the back as its made from bead board. I wanted to leave the bead board old looking with the paint faded and peeling though it got a good scrubbing. I then removed all the little shelves and clutter I had hanging on the wall at the end of the bar dividing the kitchen from the dining room. I sat the cabinet on the bar up against the wall for now. William will hang the cabinet on that wall when he gets home but until then I will go ahead and use it. I can reach the cabinet from the kitchen side or dining room side so put out everyday dishes and glasses on the shelves. Very easy to get to or put away! I had room to put some of our grinders on the very top so they are now on display but up out of the way. I freed up a whole cabinet in the kitchen so I now have more room for my canning and jam projects. I used leftover paint I already had so the cost of this project???? ZERO! Don't you just love doing a project and not spending any money! Going to go count my blessings!

Mighty Chicken

This morning I am out feeding the chickens and getting Miss Diva ready for milking when Mighty Chicken decides to show his stupidity! This rooster who has many hens to satisfy his every need decides he wants to mate with Daisy. Daisy is a young duckling and doesn't know what on earth this rooster is trying to do. Donald is no help either because he is still too young to know about the birds and the bees so he just stands still screaming. I try to shoo Mighty Chicken from Daisy but he won't budge. I try to smack him with a stick. He won't budge. I finally kick him (not real hard) but enough that he lets go and Daisy runs. Mighty Chicken starts running after her. I had to stop what I was doing and put up a temporary pen for Daisy and Donald so Mighty Chicken would leave her alone. The photo is him standing outside their pen waiting. He has stood right outside their pen all day. Whatever side Daisy goes to Mighty Chicken goes to the same side and looks in. I tried to explain the difference of ducks and chickens to Mighty Chicken but he wouldn't listen. My neighbor Jane is coming to take some of my roosters and I think Mighty Chicken will be the first to go live with her. I am going to keep Chicken Little. He is a bantam rooster and from the time I got him he never shut up. Now that he is older I have taught him to crow on command. When he was first learning to crow (he was the first rooster to try ) he sounded like he was dying. I would brush the side of my legs to sound like I was ruffling my feathers and then I would make a crowing sound. He would stand there and look at me then try to make the same sound as me. I would crow and he would crow, back and forth everyday it was our game. Now he can crow like a big rooster but I can walk in the pen and crow and he will stop eating or whatever he is doing and crow back. No matter how many times I crow he will answer me. So Chicken Little gets to stay on the homestead and keep the little hens happy. I am keeping one big rooster but the rest are going to Jane's (all 7 of them). Hopefully then Daisy and Donald can come back out in the big pen and be happy. Miss Diva is back to eating and being her Miss Diva self. I gave her a kiss from all who ask and she shook her head like she was trying to shake it off. While I was milking her she turned around and tried to bite my shoulder because she was through eating and was done with me. Thats her normal attitude so all is fine in her world. Someone wanted to know how the chickens get up on their roosts. Well some of them will fly up but most of them walk up their ladder and then hop to the perch they like best. In between all the chicken - duck adventure I have been working on a kitchen project. I will post a photo when its finished. Also had Wayne working on our roof all day. We are finally getting the rest of the house re shingled thank goodness. Its hurricane season and I don't want to go chasing tarps in the wind to keep the roof from leaking. I received a great book in the mail from Northern Farmer. The book is " Mountain Moving Faith" by Kenneth E. Hagin if you ever get a chance to read it don't pass it up. This one is a keeper to reread over and over. Thanks Tom! We are receiving so many blessings here at the homestead. I try to count each one but lately there seems to be too many to count. Hope your blessings are overflowing and you have a wonderful weekend.

New Members of the Homestead!!

Today has been a wonderful day! First of all Daisy and Donald Duck now live at Hidden Haven. They are blue swiss ducklings and are doing well with the chickens. They haven't dipped their "toes" in the pond (child's wading pool but don't tell them) yet but am sure they will get around to it tomorrow. Will take a close up photo when they are all settled in.

Now the BIGGEST news of all..... Miss Diva is getting a boyfriend! He is much younger but I am sure she will like him and hopefully fall in love with him as he gets older. Matthew will be coming to the homestead in July. He is part Nubian and part Boer and is a very sweet young gentleman. Miss Diva doesn't know yet and we are going to surprise her but I am sure she will be happy.

I was reading an article about Dori on the Homestead. Org site and clicked on her webpage and fell in love with her goats. She is very much more into raising and caring for animals than I am along with all her other chores and hobbies. So I want to say thank you Dori for letting Matthew come live with Miss Diva and we promise lots of photos and lots of stories about his adventures here at Hidden Haven!

Miss Diva

Miss Diva is doing a little better this morning. She didn't eat her grain but she did eat a few bites of her alfalfa and is drinking water.The photo is of her standing in the sunshine. We have had rain and cool weather for a few days but today is suppose to be hot and sunny. She walked around the gardens with me this morning after milking and didn't eat any of the flowers or veggies though she did eat a few leaves off the small trees. I wanted to keep her out while the chickens ate their scratch as it has corn in it and with Miss Diva's tummy upset corn is the last thing she needs right now. She and I both thank each of your for your thoughts and prayers. I believe God watches over everything he created even Miss Diva! Thank you Ms. Robyn for the lovely ecard you sent Miss Diva. She isn't completely well but at least she is improving. My neighbor thinks I am ready for a padded room as she walked up while I was telling Miss Diva I was going to say a prayer for her and she would be feeling better soon. If I am crazy then I am glad I have my animals to keep me company till my padded room is ready! :) Anyway, I am going to make her the homemade remedy she drank yesterday and keep adding the antibiotic to her water along with prayers. Will keep you posted as how she is doing.... Thanks again to all of you! Miss Diva is lucky to have so many friends caring about her and so am I.

Miss Diva

Miss Diva is a little under the weather today. I went to the feed store thats been around forever and has everything you could ever need for a animal or garden and Jeff (3rd generation owner) called his aunt who is a vet to find out what we could do for the poor thing. She isn't eating and has diarrhea but is still drinking thank goodness. She is on antibiotics and electrolytes for now and we will see how she is in the morning. I also got out my trusty caring for goats book to see what else I could do. Well there was a home remedy recipe given by a Vet that I decided to try: 1 cup of buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 raw egg. Mix well and give to goat. It also said I may have to pour it in her. I mixed it up and put it in a coke bottle and went prepared to pour this stuff down her throat. I started pouring and she decided she liked it and started drinking it. She seems to be feeling a little better now and is walking around but if you don't mind saying a prayer for a goat Miss Diva and I would really appreciate it. I hate for any animal to be sick but Miss Diva is so special and looks so pitiful my heart breaks for her.
When I wasn't sitting with Miss Diva I was in the house with blueberries. Decided to make blueberry jam today and tomorrow will be blueberry muffins. Hopefully all the storms we have had today will be gone tomorrow and I can get back to things outdoors and laundry. Rain has me a little behind but tomorrow is a new day! Going to count my blessings and get some sleep.

Good Day Mate!

Norm finally got cleared through customs and is resting up his first day in Australia. He gets to visit several homes while there so will get to enjoy their lovely country for a few weeks. Norm have a good rest and don't land up in a kangaroo pouch! Flossy thanks for getting Norm settled in and looking forward to reading about his stay with you.

Blogger finally let me download my photos! The first one is the coffee table with the postcards from the swap. The second one is a photo of the butter I made from Miss Diva's milk.
I am also looking for Norm. Has anyone seen him lately? He should be in Australia. I sure hope he didn't get held up in customs because he didn't have a passport. If anyone has seen Norm please let me know.

Hectic At The Homestead

You could sure tell it is Monday here! First thing this morning I go to feed the chickens and get Miss Diva to milk. Well Miss Diva always runs over to eat all the chicken feed she can get before I put her leash on her to take her to milk. This morning I am banging the lids on the feed storage bins and she's not running up. I get her feed ready to take to the milking site, get the chickens feed ready and still no Miss Diva. I go in the lot and start feeding the chickens still no Miss Diva. I am worried so walk around and see her laying in her stall with her head close to her side. I am thinking she is either really sick or dead since she hasn't run to eat with the chickens. I call her name and she jumps like she has been shot! She was just taking advantage of the cooler weather we are having and sleeping in. When she realized I had fed the chickens she ran over to see if she could eat a few bites before I took her her to milk.
But the day goes downhill from there........ I was milking Miss Diva and I see Whiskers chasing a squirrel in the yard. I am so glad that the back door is closed so he can't take it inside! He comes running toward me to show his present but the squirrel is still putting up a fight and scares Miss Diva who proceeds to kick over the milk bucket to which the kittens are so happy with all the milk on the ground! Miss Diva is unhappy with the kittens, with Whiskers and with the squirrel that she has had enough in all the excitement that she tries to kick me each time I try to finish milking her. I finally just tell her she can get a longer milking tonight and take her back to the lot so she can eat her alfalfa and any chicken feed left behind. The squirrel didn't win out with whiskers but Whiskers is finished with him. The hunter instinct kicks in but he doesn't like eating his prey. William says I feed him too much cat food.
All of that mess gets cleaned up and all the rest of the animals fed, I head to the post office to mail out a few packages. I get all the way there and realize my purse is all the way here. Tell the mail ladies I will be back and run home get my purse and rush back to pay. They had already gotten my packages stamped and had my receipt waiting on me. Guess you can tell I go to the post office alot or it could be because I keep them in soap!
I come back home and work on a sign for a neighbor and myself only to see my stencils are too small so freehand it. It'll do for now. Miss Dilly decided to hop up on the deck table and leave painted paw prints everywhere after stepping in wet paint.... got that cleaned up and tried to read some blogs and leave comments only to find blogger was having a bad day too and wouldn't let me. Started a run of blueberry jelly, try to make butter with the cream off the milk I have been collecting for 9 days! It takes alot of milk to get alittle bit of cream as goatmilk is not fat. Came back to find Blogger is feeling better so am rushing to get this posted before it goes on the brink again!
I always try to do something special with my swap items I receive. When we did the vintage hankies I matted, framed and hung mine around my antique dressing table in the bedroom. When we did the collage swap I matted, framed and hung mine on a wall in the guest room. Well I have been waiting till I had free time to do something with the postcards from that swap. I wanted to use them on my coffee table. Its a wooden shipping crate that I stained. I took some of the postcards and glued them on the table. After they dried I decoupaged the coffee table. Now I can sit and look at the table and remember all my wonderful swap friends and think about where they live and what they are doing! Guess I had better get to cutting grass before it rains again. Hopefully my bad luck is gone for the day! Everyone have a wonderful day and count those many blessings that have been given us today! Seems blogger is having another bad moment and won't let me download the photo of the coffee table. Will be back later to edited it in.

Vintage Tea Swap

Ms. Robyn assigned Homemakerang as my swap partner and I am thrilled! I enjoy reading Ang's blog each day and seeing the photos of her and her family's life in the country. If you haven't visited her blog then I suggest you drop in and visit with her. I guarantee you will become a regular visitor! Here is a peek at the package that will be on its way to Ang first thing tomorrow. I am so excited about this package! Ang had a tea party not long ago and dressed in vintage clothes complete with a vintage hat. When I saw her photos it seemed to me she belonged in a rose garden sipping tea so my theme for her tea swap is rose garden. I hope you enjoy it Ang! Thanks again Robyn for all the work you put into these swaps.

Thrift storing Day

I lucked up today. The first place Jane and I walked into this rapid washer was the first thing I saw. I wanted to get one so I wouldn't have to use the scrub board but to order a new one was too expensive. You use it like a plunger but it has a piece in the middle that water is pushed up and out the little rivets at the top of the metal. It works like the agitator on a washing machine. I also found some shirts I can wear to work in outdoors that will be cooler than what I have been wearing. Found a few books and a purse. All in all I didn't spend but a few dollars till we stopped at the produce stand. There I bought 2 cantaloupes, blueberries, bananas, pears, apples, squash, green beans, new potatoes and corn. These will keep me going till my gardens start producing. All I am getting is lettuce, onions and tomatoes right now .... but soon I will be covered up with my own produce. Hope each of you have had a blessed day. We had a nice steady rain all night and part of the day so everything is looking so fresh and pretty. Time to set down with a glass of tea and count my blessings while I watch the birds.

The Winners Are......

Since I only had 3 enter my blogday contest I have 3 winners!
Kristy if you will email me your address I will send the cake carrier on its way to you!
Tee, kindly send me your address so I can send the canister set to you!
Amy, I have a very special retro surprise for you so email your address to me so I can send it on its way to you! Thanks to all who left comments for my blogday and if you will email your address I will send you a bar of Miss Diva's goat milk soap! It's my blogday and I can do what I want!

Today has been so HOT! I was determined to stay outside and get things done and I did. I only came in to get something ice cold to drink and to wash my face to cool off. I spent 6 hours weeding (not many weeds thank goodness) and mulching the front veggie and flower beds. I washed all the bird feeders and refilled them. Washed the hummingbird feeders and filled them. Washed out the birdbaths and filled them. The birds must have been hot too cause they by passed the feeders and went straight to splashing in the birdbaths. My mulch pile is getting a little lower but I still have more than enough to mulch all the other beds and shrubs. I bought some plants off the 50% off rack at walmart and spent the afternoon setting them out. Still haven't gotten the tool shed all cleaned out but I might be halfway on that and plan on working on it tomorrow. I made a new soap scent! Wanted to make one just sold by us and after a few trial and errors I got it. Of course I named it Hidden Haven Goat milk Soap but it has a delightful scent. Its a little of the outdoors (raspberry and honey) and a little of the indoors ( vanilla and brown sugar) with a secret ingredient added. Had a lady make a one of a kind soap mold for me so the soap would have a homestead scene on it. I am so excited with how everything turned out! I am now working on a scent for a Miss Diva Soap. And no it won't smell like a goat!! I will let you know if I ever get it worked out. The same lady is making a goat mold for me for that soap. I have fresh tomatoes from the garden tonight with fresh lettuce and onions. Going to make me a wonderful salad for dinner along with a tall ice cold glass of applemint tea. First time I have ever grown applemint and its yummy! Since I finally finished my book review I can watch some DVDs tonight that I have been wanting to watch for weeks. At least I will try to watch them while I pay bills but I have a feeling the TV will be watching me sleep as I am tired. Not from the work but the heat. I am determined to adjust to it as it will only be getting hotter as the weeks go by and I do not want to turn on A/C. My ancestors made it without and I know I can. Well my salad is calling so have a wonderful evening and a great weekend. Don't forget all the many blessings that have came your way today.

He Talk Like a White Boy by Joseph C. Phillips

This book was given to me free of charge by Active Christian Media.

This review has taken me the longest to complete. It wasn't because the book wasn't good.... it is really good. I just found that each time I read a chapter I had to stop because I would be thinking what Mr. Phillips had written and deciding what my thoughts were on that topic. This book really gives you food for thought and is not a book you would speed read through. Most of the book is essays from his weekly column with various topics like: Family, Faith, Idealism and Identity. He writes about the African-Americans believing he is not one of them that he is trying to be white. Mr. Phillips gives a very honest view of how he is as black as they are and wants this attitude to end. This isn't a book just for a certain race. This is a book for any and everyone. A book to make you stop and think about your views on different things. I found that even though I am a white older female I agreed more than not with Mr. Phillips. The only thing negative that I can think of about this book is there wasn't much written in the faith section. Being promoted as a Christian book I would have like to have read more of his views on the subject. Its a good read and I recommend it highly.

Quiz

How much do you remember about the homestead and me? Take the quiz and see if you score the highest.

Take my Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com!

Happy Blogday To Me!!

In June 2004 I started blogging with blogspot. I blogged for almost a year then moved to Typepad and stayed there awhile before coming back to Blogspot last June. It has been so much more rewarding than I ever thought. I have made lots of new friends, some very dear friends and even a couple of best friends from this adventure. Thank you so much for continuing to come back and read my posts and for all the comments. Sometimes my posts have been ranting, sometimes sad, and lots of times boring but you have stuck with me and I am very blessed to have you in my life even through the internet. So to celebrate my blogday I am going to have a contest! I have 2 items I have taken from my kitchen here on the homestead and posted pictures of here. All you have to do is pick which one you like and leave a comment why you think that item should be in your kitchen. Or you can send me a photo showing me where you think the perfect spot is in your kitchen for this item. I will pick the best comment or photo for each item and send them on their way to the winners! Now remember these are used/vintage items from the 50's that I have found and collected. They aren't new but they are still in good shape and can be used. So take a look at the photos decide which you like and leave a comment cause its my blogday and I said so!
This is a cake carrier from early 1950's
I found it at a yard sale 3 years ago and used it until I found an older one last year. The top snaps on to the bottom for easy carrying. Its made of metal and has a few scratches.

1950's retro cannister set

I found these 5 years ago at a thrift shop here in Fayetteville. They are off white with gold colored letters. Heavy plastic and in great shape.

Any questions about the items let me know I and will try to answer them.