It's That Time Again..

Diva and the rest of the herd rolled their eyes and cringed when they saw me coming with camera and raindeer hats. With Williams help I got (barely) photos I think my daughter Maggie can magically put together for a Christmas card. And a little bonus photo for your enjoyment I give you Santa's new raindeers

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

William got tired of hearing me say I don't have time to decorate for Christmas this year. His trucker friend Jerry is visiting for a couple of days so they decorated the outside for me. Of course I had to give instructions and then run and work on soaps inbetween but we got er' done!
Will take photos later of the finished front and back. Now I just need to go through all those boxes of inside decorations and put them up. Its going to be a long night. LOL

In Memory Of My Mother

Today would have been my mother's birthday. I would have called her first thing to tell her happy birthday and the first thing she would have told me was how many cards she had received. She and one of her friends always had a thing going on who would get the most birthday and Christmas cards.

Here is a post I wrote on a past birthday and wanted to share again

http://hiddenhavenhomestead.blogspot.com/2005/11/happy-birthday-mother.html

cherish your mothers for they are a blessing and leave a big ache in our hearts when they are no longer with us.

I am still here. Just have been so busy with soap orders. Wanting to get everyone orders out in time for Christmas. I usually have my trees up and house decorated by now and I have nothing done. We had a nice Thanksgiving dinner. William made it home and we had our two new farmhands over to eat with us. It takes time and patience to teach them how to feed and milk and I have little of both at the moment. The kitchen is still a war zone and I had to do battle in it to cook Thanksgiving dinner. I almost want to take a stick of dynamite to it and just finish it off for good. The cabinets are almost done. The microwave shelf above the stove needs painting. Where you see the canisters is where I hope my shelves get built tomorrow. Also have shelves waiting to be built up another wall. Top of my counters need to be sanded and finished. Floor needs to be put down and alot of small things. I go behind Wayne putting things away where he finishes. He knows I will have a overflowing house of guest in 3 weeks and needs to work fast . I am stressing it won't get done.

Fran has fallen twice at the nursing home. They had a bed alarm that would go off if she tried to climb over the rails so she got smart and scooted to the bottom of the bed to get out. Her legs are still weak so she can't stand alone very long. She fell and hit her head so they put a body alarm on her and now when she moves in bed it goes off all the time. She is upset and so am I. I offered to bring her here and take care of her but they want to give it another week there and then take her home and have home health come help her. William and I plan on going to see her tomorrow or the next day. Her daughter that lives in New Mexico is flying in Wednesday to help take care of her so maybe she will bring Fran home. Please keep her in your prayers. I am so afraid she is going to fall and break something. I promise to post more tomorrow and hopefully a more cheerful post. Have a great week and lets not forget to count our blessings no matter how small they may seem. The handswen sampler you see above the cabinet is the one I won from Rhonda Jean. She made it herself and was so kind to offer it as a give away on her blog. It gives me strength each time I look at it. I am so thankful I was the lucky winner! sorry the photo didn't turn out good. I should have turned off my flash.

Ms. Fran Says Happy Thanksgiving

Ms. Fran got to spend the day at her daughter Vicki's. I walked over and visited with her and read her all the cards she had gotten the past few days. She said to tell everyone thank you and for all of you to have a Happy Thanksgiving. The photo is of her and her granddaughter. Her granddaughter has been right with her everyday and even spent some nights with her. Fran has to go back tonight but is excited about getting her strength back so she can walk alone and come home. Those asking about sending cards you can still mail them to her home address as her granddaughter picks up her mail everyday and takes it to her.Thank you all so much for the cards and prayers. Ms.Fran is on the road to recovery and wanting to come home so she can walk to the mailbox. What a perfect Thanksgiving, getting to spend time with one of my favorite people and see how much she has improved!

Happy Thanksgiving

May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, friends, laughter, good food, good conversation and many blessings.

I joined a apron swap and received 2 beautiful handmade aprons from Coleen in PA. Coleen your package is on its way. Thank you so much and I love the aprons! I am sorry the photo isn't very good. I will try to get a better one tomorrow.

It has been a very upsetting 2 days around here. Ms. Fran won't be coming home for a few weeks. Her daughters have decided to have her stay in a nursing home and get physical therapy twice a day. She is walking but still a little unsure on her feet. I had offered to stay with her in her home since she lives right next door and help her along with home health care and therapy but they think she will be better in the nursing home. She does get to come home for Thanksgiving but has to be back before 5pm. Hopefully she won't get depressed from not getting to come home and will do so well she gets to come home early. I just feel so sad for her. She has 13 cards that arrived the last 2 days and I am going to read them to her on Thanksgiving and put them in her card scrapbook. Thank you all so much for sending them. She is so excited to have mail waiting on her. Terri posted this yummy recipe and I made it last night. It is so good that I had to force myself not to eat more than one slice as I am saving it for Thanksgiving. Give it a try! Perri posted a muffin recipe that I have in the oven right now. I can't wait to sample these too. Thanks Perri!

I am trying to get some baking and cooking done ahead for Thanksgiving. William will be home and Larry our new farm hand will be eating with us. William also invited Jerry (driver that found the kitten) to spend the weekend as he will be on the road Thanksgiving and not close to home. I am trying to have enough to fixed ahead so I can spend the weekend in the soap shop and do some decorating for the holidays. Guess I had better get back to the kitchen and yes its still a war zone. Wayne has promised he will be done with everything but the floor by Thanksgiving. I have my doubts.

Ms. Fran

I visited Fran Saturday and we had a nice visit. Her speech has improved so much. I got there in time to help a little with her lunch. They are giving her puree foods so I handed her a bowl of applesauce and a spoon and she fed herself and ate every bite. I held her plate and she ate some mashed potatoes, green peas, and pork chop. All of it looked like baby food but she said it was good. After lunch she and I talked about the goats. She misses sitting on her porch and watching them. Talked about finding her a good looking doctor to bring home. She says there aren't any good looking ones there. Talked about her family, my family, weather, Thanksgiving which we think she will be home in time to celebrate. Then she got tired. I helped her get comfortable and right when she started to doze off she opened her eyes and told me she didn't want to die. I looked in her beautiful eyes and told her she wasn't dying. That she could go to sleep and would wake up. She slept like a baby. My heart breaks for her as her mind starts running in different directions and she gets scared or confused. As long as someone is there to talk to her she calms down and her mind clears. I wish I could spend more time with her but being a hour from here by the time I feed and milk and visit her for a while its time to come home and feed and milk again. When she gets home I have promised her I will spend lots of time with her. She is still getting cards and said to make sure I tell everyone thank you for her. She says you all are very sweet and write such very sweet things to her. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is one special lady.

A Early Holiday Wish

I know its a little early but the boys are getting excited about their first Christmas
Hidden Haven Elves (click)

Fran Sends Her Thanks

Fran had a mini stroke early this morning and on the way to the hospital she went into what the doctor called a mini coma. (everything seemed to be mini to him) By the time I got her daughters to the hospital she was waking up. When I walked in to see her she tried to smile and said the first clear words anyone could understand: I sure have missed you! Made me feel lots better that's for sure. Since she had hurt her knee she had been staying at her granddaughters home so I hadn't seen her in several days. They still aren't sure what damage the stroke has done yet though we know its affected her speech. She says some words clear then its all garbled which makes her so mad she tells herself to shut up. The doctor said getting her there early really helped her as they could give her the medication to prevent a bigger stroke. She will be in the hospital till they get her speech therapy started and any other they think she needs. She will then come home and have therapists doing home visits. I told her I had ask everyone to pray for her and she said bless your hearts and thank them for her. So thank you so much for the prayers. I know they were answered in how well she is doing. The doctor said she was lucky she got there early in having the stroke and I say God answered our prayers. Will keep you informed as I get more information but thank you again from Ms. Fran and from me.

Prayers For Ms. Fran Please

Ms. Fran had a stroke this early this morning. Her granddaughter called a ambulance to take her to the hospital but on the way there something else happened as they changed route and took her to a hospital in a different county. We don't know what happened yet but please keep Fran in your thoughts and prayers. I am on my way to take her two daughters to the hospital and will let you know when I get back how she is doing. Prayers work miracles and Fran needs our prayers. Thank you.

Dealing With Time Change

I have tried changing the feeding time a few minutes each day. I have tried talking to the animals. They still stand at the fence at the old feeding time and cry to be fed. When I told William about it on the phone he could hear them in the background crying. He laughingly told me to post a sign telling them we no longer went by daylight savings time. So I did! Now lets see what they do after reading it.

Mom what does that sign say? Mom! read the sign to me please.

Give me a minute boys. Her writing isn't the best in the world!

Boys, go get your dad and Aunt Sammi. We need to come up with a plan!

But Mom! What does it say? I can't read yet.

Ms Fran

Sunday Ms. Fran twisted her leg and somehow injured her knee. After 6 hours at the emergency room, x-rays and tests she came home in a wheelchair. Since her daughter walks with a cane after suffering a stroke and her other daughter is in a wheel chair there was no one to take care of her at home. She is staying at her granddaughters home for 4 to 5 days. Hopefully the leg brace will come off and she will be able to stand on it again. Right now she cannot stand at all. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers and if you want to send her a get well card her granddaughter picks up her mail for her each day. Things are kinda busy and crazy around here but will get back to posting later. Thanks everyone!

Veteran's Day

Saying thank you doesn't seem enough for leaving your home, family, country and safety to risk or give your life to protect me. But I am very thankful to each and every veteran. I am very proud of our veterans and I am honored to have family members that served our country.

My husband William, my daughter Megan, my son in law Brian, my son in law Joseph, my dad, my brother Don, my granddad, my uncles, my nephew Max, my cousins, my friends, my neighbors. To each of you Veteran's no matter who you are from the bottom of my heart I say thank you. To those that have died ... You are not forgotten. I do remember and thank you for giving your life for me.

Cats are back inside tonight. Opened the door to bring in some wood for the fire and the cats came in too. Momma and baby kitty are on the rug in front of the fire. Groucho is on the back of the sofa asleep. Whiskers is behind the woodstove sleeping. Wild cat didn't come in tonight though it is out on the porch eating.

William is on his way to Oregon. He left out this afternoon. We got more firewood cut and he split alot. He also helped me with some soap orders, newsletters, and tags. I got a couple of local orders to get out tomorrow and some errands so going to finish up making a batch of soap and call it a night.

Kitchen is still a war zone but at least I can use the stove and sink. Have to run from kitchen to dining room to get something stored there for now or to every other room in the house to find what I need in the kitchen but so far I am dealing with it. Please oh please let it be done before Christmas!

I am working on my swap packages and hope to get them out next week. Anyone in the stocking swap that hasn't been in touch with their swap partner please let me know and I will give you a new partner.

Now I am going to enjoy a cup of cocoa and sit by the fire till my soap is ready to pour. Have a blessed night!

Cold Weather Tonight

Its suppose to freeze tonight so William brought in my houseplants and while the door was open a few cats thought it best to spend the night inside by the fire.

This is a wild cat that no one has been able to handle. Its been coming up on the porch every day to eat and now has decided it will come inside. Its hiding on a chair under the tablecloth. Its white with orange tiger stripe tail,ears and feet.

Grocho decided to lay in the middle of the kitchen mess. He likes being away from the other cats.

And then there is baby kitty. She does not like being alone. She wants to be in your lap or have you petting her all the time. William was trying to read and she kept getting in his face and crying till he petted her. Momma Kitty hid so I couldn't take her picture. Whiskers and Dimples thought the outside was better than being in with all the other cats.

We are enjoying a nice fire in the stove and relaxing after a busy day. Hope you are having a warm blessed evening.

I am still waiting on some of you that joined the swap to give me your information!

Stocking Swap

There are several that signed up for the swap but haven't sent me email or mailing addresses to pass on to their swap partners. PLEASE send me your information or I will have to take you out of the swap and give your partners a new one. If you haven't been in contact with your swap partner please let me know. Thanks,

Today has been a busy one. William is home for a few days and we cut more firewood today and plan on cutting more tomorrow. I have several large soap orders to get made so I may not post alot but will stay in touch over the next couple of days.

The animals got a mid afternoon snack today to tide them over till feeding time. William got a laugh out of the way they were crying for their supper. Hopefully a few more days will have their clocks on the right schedule.

Kitchen is slowly coming along. I have give on some things and stood my ground on other. Hopefully I will have some photos in the next couple of days.

Our family Christmas weekend is the second weekend of December. We always do a weekend with hayrides, Christmas caroling, crafts, gifts, stockings and lots of food. We do Christmas early so everyone can be home on Christmas and also have other days free for inlaws, school and church holiday events. We do secondhand or handmade gifts so its fun to find items at thriftstores, flea markets or make something special. There are 21 of us here for a weekend and its always a blast. Can't wait!!

Well I need to wash the supper dishes and get some soap cooking. Have a blessed night!

Time Change

Everyone else is enjoying setting their clocks back an hour. Here at Hidden Haven I have some very unhappy animals. It was 4pm and the goats stand at the fence looking toward the house crying. The chickens were standing at their gate waiting for food. The geese and ducks were very loud in their demands. All the animals thought I was late with their supper. Seems they didn't get the memo about the time change. William said I should post a sign by their pens letting them know. Yeah right! LOL

All I know is they are very upset with me. I can't hardly walk to the goats feeders for them trying to eat out of the bucket in my hand. The rabbits wouldn't get out from under my feet they were so hungry. Fred the turkey let me know in turkey talk I was on his bad list. It was so sad hearing them crying for food when by new time they had another hour till feeding time. I did break down and go out a few minutes early. None of them had fainted from hunger though I don't think they even took the time to taste their food. It sure disappeared fast! Hopefully they will soon adjust to the new time and won't give me too hard of a time and Diva will stop snubbing me.

Stocking Swap Partners

I haven't received everyone's mailing information yet but am going to go ahead and give out the partners. I will email the information I have received and as I receive any. Remember to make this stocking special for your partner. You can use a handmade or purchased stocking. Don't spend over $10.00. Make sure you have your stocking in the mail in time to be received before the Christmas holidays start so it will arrive in time. When you get your stocking please let me know so I can make sure everyone that took part gets a stocking. If your partner has a blog please visit and get to know a little about her. Thanks and have fun! ( click on the name to see the blog)

Lib and Patty are partners.
Annie and Kristie
Ms. Robyn and Nicole
Joyceann and Kathleen Marie
Connie and Rachel
Lisa and Cynthia
Carla and Denise
Terri and Pea
Irene and Lee Ann
Mrs. Garcia and Patti
Midlife Mom and Sunny Chick
Carmen and Mulemom
Debbi and Peggy
Baglady and Peggy

If someone signed up and your name isn't on the list please let me know. If you haven't sent your mailing address please email it to me at happe2b50@yahoo.com Thanks!

Swap Information

For those of you that signed up for the stocking swap please email your mailing address (happe2b50@yahoo.com) and your blog site if you have one. I will post the partners as soon as I get the info. Thanks to those of you that have already sent them. Also want to thank Robyn. She gave me a sweet treat Halloween award. Robyn, Diva and I say thank you very much. Nitro and the others aren't that thrilled being dressed up. LOL.

Have a blessed weekend!

Christmas Stocking Swap

LEAVING THIS AT THE TOP SO EVERYONE CAN JOIN. newer posts will be right below this one.

1. leave a comment saying you would like to join the swap.

2.partners will be given out on Nov 3rd

3. stockings can be handmade or purchased

4. there is a $10.00 limit on items to fill the stocking though you can put in handmade items and baked goodies.

5. stocking must be mailed in time to receive before Christmas

So far I have the following joining the swap:

Lib

Pea

Mrs. Garcia

Terri

Connie

Rachel

Nicole

Annie

Kathleen Marie

Patti

Joyceann

Elizabeth

Miss R

Denise

Carla

Lisa S.

Kristie

Cynthia

Irene

Patty

sunny chick

debbi

Carmen

Le Ann

If you signed up and I missed your name please let me know. If you haven't joined yet there is still time so leave a comment letting me know to add you to the swap. Last years swap was lots of fun and I bet this years will be even better!

Things are still stressed around here. The kitchen is a war zone. The stray dog is still avoiding being captured but I put the goats in the pen at night so he can't get to them. Got the last of the soap orders out this morning so finally caught up on that. Phone is finally working right again. It would ring but would still ring when I tried to answer it. My neighbor Vicki that had a stroke fell this morning trying to walk without her cane. Her mom Fran tried to help her up but called me and we got her up. She is okay just sore. I think I am getting a cold as I have been sneezing and my nose is runny. Have to go deliver a cheese order and pick up some feed for the goats and chickens. It is cool and very windy here today. I feel a nice fire being built tonight. Today is my SIL Brannon's birthday. So happy birthday Brannon! Hope you get a Elvis gift. LOL My daughter Maggie sent me some halloween photos. The girls are growing up so fast!

As much as I would love to curl up on the sofa and take a nap or finish my book I started ages ago I can't. Was under the weather a little bit yesterday and still not feeling the best but am very behind as usual. I have 6 soap orders that must get out today and Renee' from Gillis Farms called and wants 30 soaps today so that will put a big dent in my stock. The kitchen redo is undoing me. I am already bumping heads on how I want things done but dear ole Wayne agrees with me in words then goes off and does it his way. We aren't redoing our kitchen to be a modern easy one. Its going to be more of a 40's. Crazy aren't I? LOL But the point is there is more tearing out then there is building or putting in items so can't see why it can't be done the way I ask. There is a stray dog loose in the neighborhood. Two nights ago I am sure that is what scared Sammi to make her run through the electric fence. Night before last Nitro ran through the fence and really tore it up. Nitro came from a farm where a dog would go after him and bite his legs so he is very afraid of dogs. I am almost positive the stray was running and Nitro took off too. This morning the stray was trying to get the neighbors chickens. Hopefully we can catch him and have the animal control pick him up. All in all its been a crazy few days. I will be getting the swap partners together in a couple of days so if you will email me your snail mail addy and your blog addy if you have one. Have a blessed day and as you say your prayers please say a little one for me please.