Summer 2011

I have been teaching myself how to can . . . I may be addicted. Its funner and a little more satisfying than blanching and freezing.  I think the jars are so pretty. I am getting a pretty steady amount of veggies from the garden so it looks like I can get the canning do a steady every other other day. Maybe 2-3 jars, maybe more.

Our local Berry farm has also gotten to me, I am there once a week and practically live off of Blackberries. I eat the fresh, have them in the freezer, made jelly, and now I am toying with the idea of making homemade infused liquer(s).  http://www.dryoungspondberryfarm.com/index.shtml

I have also found that this time of year has been the best to start my weight loss battle with a quick jump start. All the fresh fruit and veggies have made my eating choices not only simple, but delicious. With the help of Adipex from the Dr and the fruits/veggies I have dropped 19 pounds on the past 9 weeks. I can tell the loss in my clothes and in my hands, my wedding rings are very loose. I drink water water water water all day long and the garden and dogs and chickens give me a good workout.  My goal is 50 pounds off so I have 31 more to go . . .

2011 Garden Update

The garden is finally looking like a garden! Rows of green plants are pushing through the mulch. I can't wait for the veggies to start coming in.

Garden 2011

Garden (Chicken Coop in the background)

Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar Snap Peas are getting big enough to reach for their climber

Jalapenos

4 Rows of Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn is about 6" high

Cucumbers

Row of Cukes starting to spread

3 Rows of Squash - Zuchinni, Yellow, PattyPan

Watermelon pushing through the mulch

Green Beans

Chia - Its not just a PET

My great friend Anne recently turned me on to a Smoothie Add-In that is recommended by Dr. Oz.  Here is the recipe just so you will know what I am blogging about:

Dr. OZ Belly Fat Blasting Smoothie
1 cup of juice (any variety)
1/2 banana or 3/4 berries (I added both)

2 tbs whey powder 

2 tbs ground flaxseed
1 tbs ground psyllium husk   DRY INGREDIENTS
1 tbs chia seeds

1 tbs wheat germ

600 mg fish oil (from supplement capsules, break open and add oil only)
3 ice cubes

(Anne mixes all the dry ingredients in a canister and scoops it in per smoothie. It makes the morning process a little easier). I found all the ingredients on AMAZON.com for about 50 bucks. This would make enough for a couple of months.

Now for the CHIA seed . . . It is the seed we used as kids to smear on the pottery figurines. The labeling talked about letting the seed "Bloom" so we had to figure that out. We put some seeds in a little water and sure enough it sucks the water up and makes a sort of gel around each seed. The taste/texture when eating bloomed Chia seed is sort of like cream of wheat or Malto Meal.  Not bad. I am just in awe of the Chia seed and can not get over that I am eating the Puppy or the Bald Guys hair. LOL.

From the label "Chia (pronounced chee'ah) is the richest and only unprocessed, whole food source of pure Omega 3. A member of the mint family, Chia is native to Central America and has been used traditionally for over 3000 years. Ancient Aztec warriors prized Chia as an endurance promoting Superfood, eating it in bread just before battle, and drinking it in water before running long distances. Due to its high fiber content, Chia seed absorbs more than ten times its weight in water, making it an excellent source of hydration. Omega 3 Chia's soluble fiber forms a gel that slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, binds it to toxins in the digestive system, and helps eliminate waste.*


I have to say, this addition to a smoothie is very filling and I find that I am not hungry until well after my usual lunch time AND I can eat a small lunch and be fine. So I am going to keep with it as soon as I order all these ingredients!!!

PS. I think a scoop or two of this mixture in Soup or in a Carnation Instant Breakfast might work too!

Finally HOME - Benson, NC

We love our home in Johnston County. . . The house is perfect for Marty and I to grow old together in (MBR downstairs) and we have enough land to enjoy about anything we choose. I love being here during the day with my Girls when its all quiet, BUT I love it best when my husband, kids, grandkids, family are here and it sounds like madhouse! ! We have a big yard with lots of space for the kids and dogs to run.The previous owner was very much a Perennial Gardener so my yard is basically set up and I just have to water it and watch it bloom. When things get too big i just split them in them fall for replanting. Its so SWEET.

I've never been a fan of Azaleas but when the white ones were in full bloom they were beautiful. . .

My lazy Tulips, there are some on both sides of the front porch. . . .

More Azalea, in a deep red color, very pretty too. . . .

I found these ladder back chairs, ripped the seats out, painted them and turned them into planters. . . .

 Here is a front yard view of our Sweet Life in Benson, North Carolina

Growing up we moved ALOT. Anytime my mother took a notion to change she packed us up and hauled us somewhere to "start over". Our typical starting over consisted of one box of our most treasured belongings, usually books for me and her beloved Poppa Dog for my sister. Today my love of books has not faltered a bit and comfort/relaxing is usually in the form of a book and my little sister still has her Poppa Dog (missing an eye and most of his fur). Having a house has always been my biggest dream. The stability and feeling of belonging and security makes me breathe easier. I still stare a few seconds when I pull into the driveway because it makes me so happy. I can sit for hours on the porch and deck and never get tired of the view.  I am enjoying this part of my life very much. Even better is that I get to stay home and enjoy it all thanks to my hard working husband.
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Release of the Bunnies

The 6 bunnies lost their itty bitty status when they started hopping as high as the side of the bin and managed to chew the nipple off of the bottle . . . They were eating like crazy, lots of salad and raw veggies.

All six of them were plump and active so we decided it was time for them to become the "Warrior Bunny Clan of the Big Woods". We fixed them a big plate of chopped veggies and dry cereal to keep them going for a day or so . . . I'm pretty sure they will manage with all the green stuff in the woods. The picture below is Cilla (almost Daughter-In-Law), CJ (my granddaughter) and LG (my grandson)

 We thought they would stay near the food but once they were release they all bolted in different directions and we only got a quick picture of one. . .  Hop away Bunny Bunny Hop away ! !

The Ladies . . . and two Ducks

The hens, we affectionately call The Ladies, are doing great. 5 out of 7 days I get 3 eggs, The other two days,  one of those wenches is cutting me short. I fuss at them and tell them my egg  better get squeezed out but they just squawk and peck at the ground.
So far the ducks do nothing but eat, poop, and act scared of their wading pool. I think they are confused because we raised the ducks with two chicks and they think they are chickens.
I open the pen in the morning and let them run around, they stay close by. Its fun to watch them strut around.  I think I need a Rooster.

How does her garden grow?

Its all poking through the dirt and I feel like a momma when I find a new seed making its way through !!   I know thats silly . . . but this is my new hobby and it makes me happy.
Yesterday I kept singing that Tim McGraw song. . . "Watch our corn pop up in rows. . ."  because mine IS . . . all four rows of corn have popped up and are about 2-3" high. Snap peas and green beans are up, squash and watermelon were poking through yesterday. Even my Sunflowers are popping up. . .Every day I get to piddle around in the garden and enjoy the sun and quiet of our neighborhood . . .Life is so Sweet.

Itty Bitty Baby Bunny Update #2

I guess I can drop the Itty Bitty from their description, they are getting bigger. They are eating greens and drinking milk very well, so well in fact, they chewed the nipple off the bottle yesterday.  I'm going to find a spot far away from my garden and release them this week.
Since they are going to be released we have handled them very little (except for feeding). They still look adorable and have learned to hop, almost to the top of the crate.  I will post pictures on the Bunny's last update page.

That silly cancer nonsense

Just this one blog to get it out of the way.
I found the lump in my right breast the night we moved into our new house. July 5, 2010. I ignored it for a couple of months but in September I realized it had gotten larger and I could actually see the swell of it when I looked down., I think I am lucky for that on two counts. #1 the lump was close to the surface and could easily be felt instead of deep where it could not be felt and #2 the lumpectomy was not as invasive or as large as it could have been. Mt surgeon did a remarkable job and the lumpectomy scar is practically invisible.
My cancer was not aggressive and was easily treated with the lumpectomy and radiation . . . no chemo. I do have to take Tamoxifen for the next 5 years. This is to keep my estrogen at bay since my cancer was estrogen positive. I am feeling almost normal (except for the hot flashes) and count my blessings that was able to have it so easy. I made the friendship of two women that are still in their battle and their courage amazes me.
I know that in life everything happens for a reason so I try to see the reason(s) in a positive light. My family and friends and wonderful new neighbors always kept me moving forward and today keep me going in that same direction. I see my cancer as a life lesson and appreciate things in a new light.

Itty Bitty Baby Bunny Update #1

The Bun-Buns are doing good. I think they are closer to the 2-3 week age. They hop a little, use one corner of the bin for their potty (I did not have to teach them to potty so that's a plus).  I gave them some Kitten Milk today, maybe 4-5 drops each and after I tickle their chin they smack their little bunny lips and I think its all gone down.  Poor babies do have FLEAS . . . icky. Its a wild animal thing and I can't put anything on them if I plan to release them so I feel itchy after I care for them.  I put some strawberry tops and few pieces of salad to see if they can eat that yet.  If they can eat the greens then they get to go live in the woods in a week or so . . . far far far far away from my garden. . . I picture Peter Cottontail . . .and that ain't a gonna happen here!

They really are so sweet to look at and I just want to cuddle them all at once, but I am doing the right thing by leaving them alone. They are upstairs in a plastic bin and I only handle them to feed them . . . then its right back to the huddle with the other Bunny Brothers and Bunny Sisters . . .

New Additions

Our newest additions (I promised my husband they were temporary) . . . 6 wild baby bunnies! ! !

They look to be maybe a couple weeks old. Three of them are pretty weak. I gave them some sugar water to get through the night and will start them on some milk today.  I checked them at 3:15AM and all 6 were still alive (whew).
I was helping one neighbor clean up her poor Hens remains (frickin' stray dogs) and ended up meeting a new neighbor who told us the sad tale of these poor babies. They found the nest over the weekend while doing yard work and the Momma Bunny took off leaving the poor babies in the burrow and has not been back since. Before you could say Jack Rabbit I had the babies under my wing (actually in a plastic bin) and I will try and nurse them back to health and release them (no where near my garden).
When I was much younger, maybe 10 or 11, we lived in California and part of our animal collection consisted of some 300 Rabbits. Mama Rabbits are notorious for getting bored with their babies so we took care of lots of Itty-Bitty babby Bunnies. I hope I have not forgotten how. These little ones are so darn cute.

CooterBrown & Raven

We moved into our house on July 5, 2010. Since then we have had some difficult things to get through. Losing two of our beloved pets may have been the hardest.
On 12/20/10 our little girl raven passed away. Raven was a Min-Pin that I adopted back in 2001, along with her sister Lexi.  Raven was 13 when she died. She was a fat little stocky girl who snored like a grown man, loved her family and was generally in a good mood. Raven and Lexie were sisters from the same mother but different litters. They grew up together and did everything together. Lexie was lost for a few days but she is doing well today. Raven (and Lexi) went to New York with me and Tyler and she loved the snow, she was like a little gopher and would tunnel a few feet and then pop her head up through the snow, she loved it. A small rubber ball would drive her crazy, we had to hide them when she was not looking. I miss her snorty breathing and the way her itty bitty tail would make her whole butt revolve when she was happy.

Raven napping with her sister Lexi

This past April 1st we made the decision to put our loving CooterBrown down. This was one of the most emotionally devastating thing I have ever been through. The decision to put a pet down is usually because they are sick and to stop their suffering.  CB was different. She was an amazing dog, loved her family, loved her pups (my grandchildren, especially Lane). She was extreme high energy,  protective to a fault and territorial to the extreme. When she attacked a neighbor who was walking down the street we knew her fate (and ours was sealed).  We chose to put her to sleep on our terms. In our backyard, laying in our lap with us holding her. The thought of Animal Control taking her and putting her in a place all alone just broke our heart. We did not feel like it was fair to re-home her with her aggression issues, or would be like asking someone else to take our responsibility. Some may think that we took the easy way out with a problem pet but there was nothing easy about it and we grieve for this beautiful animal every day. Not a day goes by that we don't shed a tear.  The rest of the Pack changed dramatically after we let Cooter go, the calm is amazing. We know we did the right thing. CooterBrown is now able to relax . . . and play . . . something she never did before because she was constantly on Guard. We miss her. We miss her. We miss her.

Marty and CooterBrown - Daddy's Girl

Cooty squeezes in to her puppy bed

Top Ten List

My top Ten List of Great Things about Living in Benson

1. Our Subdivision has only 8 houses and each lot is 3 or more acres - PRIVACY ! ! 
2. I hear NO TRAFFIC, unless one of my neighbors is leaving for work or coming home. And the occasional UPS truck.
3. I hear birds and squirrels all day long and frogs and crickets every evening
4. I can check on the Hens and the Garden in my pajamas
5. The previous owner planted loads of perennials and every day I find something new (without the work)
6. My Girls have a huge backyard to run in
7. Our Garden is HUGE and I am so excited to see it fill in
8. I have amazing neighbors that quickly became friends
9. I don't have to stop at a few Hens . . . maybe some goats could be in the future
10. My wonderful husband lets me stay home so I can enjoy all this ! ! !

GARDEN IS IN ! !

YEA!  The garden is in . . . it was a pretty big task considering our usual garden was about a 10' x 15' patch in the backyard consisting of maybe 4 rows.  This year at the house we have a huge garden, Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas, Corn, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Yellow Squash, Zuchini, and Watermelon are all in the ground. I am picking up my cantelope today. Marty worked so hard, I am still sort of puny so he did not get as much work from as I thought I could do.  But the end result is awesome.

 I have decided that this will be our "Spring & Summer of Simple". I am going to the internet and finding out how to freeze and/or can (probably freeze). So if anyone has website they can refer me to I would appreciate it. 

Eggs . . . Eggs . . . Eggs

Its almost Easter and I have more eggs than that Bunny can carry. Weird, now I have no little kids at home to dye eggs for.

 My hens - Chikin NUGGET, IMA Hen, DotDot Chickin, all leave me one egg a day. 3 a day does not seem like alot until you figure it out as 21 eggs a week. Luckily I have neighbors and when they leave me an empty carton in my mailbox I return it to them with a full dozen.

Two additional chickens - Chickin GRAVY and Chikin BISKIT should be laying by mid Summer. And we have one "Mystery" Chick that now resembles a chicken in shape and form but looks like a Hawk in color. We call him Chikin POO. IF all of the above are HENS then I will be up to my you know what in eggs this summer.

As if the chickens were not enough we also have two DUCKS, Finley & Capt. Awesome. Dumber than dirt but cute to look at.

All these crazy birds give me something to do. And it is FUN. The hens love to cluck and complain until I drop them some treats on the ground. I carry on conversations and chat with them every day. Wonder if the neighbors think its weird.