2013

Last half of 2013

It has been a hard last half of 2013

We have lost 3 of our parents since August.

Kirks Dad and Mom, then my Mom

(dad passed 6 years ago)

After the two trips to Ca and one to Nv 

we are ready to just stay home.

To help bring a smile back to my face, 

Kirk did something he dislikes doing

He put up Christmas lights.

 Kirk made this cactus when we lived in Ca.  we gave 

it to his parents when we moved.  I was one of the things we

brought home with us after their passing.

 His Mom had it decked in lights, so we did the same.

Love it

 With the new carport, I wanted to put the lights on it

this was not an easy task.

 Then he put red lights on the caboose....cute!

 

The lights make us BOTH smile. 

Things are calming down

Other then a week of very, very cold weather

we are getting back to normal.  

Have a blessed rest of 2013

Around the Homestead

Around the homestead

Missy Moew taking a nap....on an antler shed.....silly kitty.

 Flowers decorating the porch

 Beautiful sunset, last night.

Hard to believe July is half over, seems like summer just began.

What is it?

What in the world is he doing?

I know you have been wondering what in the world that

big white box is.  Well, you see it is a box from

a semi truck, you know that ones you see all the time 

going cross country.  We used that to haul our 

treasures here from California.

It has been sitting there for 7 years now and serves as

a storage shed.  We have not been able to figure out

how to make it fit into the place.

I thought we should just paint it the color of the dirt

so it would just blend in.

Then one day Kirk came up with this idea....

 I love it when he gets creative like this.

 I never would have thought of it, mainly because I could

not carry it out.  He can though.  He has the talent.

 Yes a caboose!

He built the top and the porch

more details are coming and I will share them.

 We got it painted this last weekend.

So here is the new car port (er....truck port)

and caboose.  LOL.  

We do not live in a normal house,  

and I am thankful for that, because this is alot more fun

and 

all us.

No one will have trouble finding our house.    LOL!

Carport Work

Carport Work Continues

I am happy to say the carport is built.

It was rather frustrating, as the week we 

had planned to work on this project with the

help of some folks from Tennessee, it just kept raining.

Sigh

Finally on Saturday, June 1 the sun came out.

In the morning the team from Tennessee came over

and helped Kirk get the rafters up.

Just look at that sky, so beautiful, so beautiful.

The work went fast with all the help.

This group came to Hyattville on a mission trip, to help 

others wherever needed, and we are so thankful for 

the time they put in to help get this part of the roof done.

Here (below) you can see the new structure as it relates to the house.

After a break to attend a wedding, 

and what a beautiful day for a wedding,

two friends came and 

helped get the sheeting put up.

The help Andy and Tomy gave is so appreciated.

From the underside, sure looks different.

Sheeting going up on the other side.

All the sheeting on and the widows peak formed

Project signed and dated.

So the roof is installed, but we are not done yet, some decorating to do.

Lights should be here today, will  share the final  touches

soon. 

So thankful for all the help we have gotten on this project.

We could not have done this alone......

er......Kirk could not have done it alone.  Grin.

Courage

I originally posted this in Feb of 2009
but after a recent comment came in, I read it again
and decided to post this again, along with the comments
of encouragement from my friends.  

My hope is that it will encourage someone else as it has me, again.

Struggling with Courage.

I am awake at 1am because I am wrestling with courage. Why am I wrestling with courage?

I have this idea, and it will take work and discouragement is setting in. It doesn't take alot for discouragement to get a foot hold and tear apart something.

I think of what God says about thinking on whatever is good. Courage is good, right?
Discouragement is the opposite of good, therefor evil, of Satan. Discouragement is like a cancer, it starts as a nagging little thing and grows into the death of an idea. I know that Satan does not want us to succeed, (well unless we are working for him) he likes to destroy us, he'd like us to just lay down and do nothing, to be a bump on a log, making no difference in this world, especially not a difference for God, let along doing something good for our fellow humans.

I struggle alot with discouragement, I want to lose weight and have the goal in mind when discouragement comes along and says.......why should you give up this or that, here have some M&Ms. Or I want to begin exercising and discouragement says....oh it is to muddy out to go for a walk, exercise is boring, why don't you sit down here at the computer (oh Adah) or read a book.

I know there are alot of things we have accomplished here that have taken pure courage, but it has not been my courage. I am a wimp when it comes to courage, I am easily swayed from things by the simplest remarks or thoughts. I would not, nor could I have done the things we have done here alone, I gain courage from my husband, but on the same note he can discourage me with a simple negative remark.

I need to gain courage to act on my ideas, despite what others may think, but how? I suppose courage needs exercise. I know I have courage, just like the cowardly lion had courage all along in the Wizard of OZ. It comes by baby steps, I guess.

How do I get discouragement to leave me alone, how do I overcome it? It comes in so many forms, such as the feeling of being overwhelmed, I get that one alot. Depression, too. It is like discouragement likes to stick out his foot and trip you up at every turn and then runs away laughing, as you fall on you face. It is usually a lie.....you can't do that, your not good enough, your not smart enough, your not good looking enough, your just going to fail and on and on it goes.

I remember how long it took me to get up the courage to make my first batch of soap, boy was I scared I would fail, it must have taken 6 months. I didn't fail and then I was off an running, but somehow courage requires new lessons with each new venture. Hummmmm.

That is it, isn't it?
Discouragements goal is to get you to fail before you even try. WOW.
What is the worst that can happen if one fails, of course depending on what it is.........at least in this case I won't die, I may have to pick myself up and dust myself off..............

Do you struggle with this?
Maybe I can sleep now, since I have talked about it with you all, thanks for listening.
Night.

Constructing the Carport

 Carport Construction Begins

We have been wanting a carport for sometime now.

With no garage to park the cars in

we need a carport/er....truckport.  

We have enjoyed a concrete pad out in front of the shop area.

So nice, instead of mud.

Now it is time to add some protection for the

trucks, to protect them from sun, and help

keep some of the snow off of them. 

So here is the before.....

Trusses built and ready to go up.

After I helped Kirk get the first logs into position, Justin and Mike came

by and helped put up the first truss.

Thank goodness, cause that was more then

I can handle.

And Justin (closest to us) is very comfortable up high like that.

I know some are asking...What is that building that is in the way?

It is a shed....er....trailer box, it will be remaining in place.

I know it is not normal.....remember "Red Neck".

What about permits, not something our county does.

Getting ready to put up the stringer, to attach the truss to the shop.

Stringers installed first truss is up.

Andy came over to help Kirk, with the remaining

stringers on the first truss and install the second truss.

Thank goodness for equipment like the skidsteer, to help do the heavy, 

high lifting.  How did they do this stuff in the old days.

More stringers and overhang.

Here is where we ended up by the end of the weekend.  

So thankful for all the help.

Is it Spring yet?

Is it really Spring?  

I sure hope so, I am pretending it is.

(last years pictures)

Just a couple of days ago we had 8 inches of snow, then two days of mud.

Yesterday I was able to get out and do a little bit of work, 

such as plant some grass seed and work the soil in

my wine barrels.  

Also did a bit of clean up in the pasture area for the chickens.

Today, it is even better outside so, I got potatoes in the ground

and 160 pea seeds put in. 

Dang, I am not used to this type of work, 

that is what 5 months of winter get ya.  Sigh.

Worked in the greenhouse today also, made cuttings of my 

geraniums and other misc stuff.  

I am so glad it is warming up again, it is nice to have the windows open.

Alot of work to be done in the yard.

Did I tell you about the tire wall?  Need to get that planted.

Did I tell you about the red neck kitchen?  

Plans for this summer, a car port, porch and grass.

Ok time to go collect eggs

Until later.  

God Bless !

Surprise....A Post!

Hi Everyone
Today I got a nice email from Doreena, she had been cruising around my blog and noticed I had not posted in a very, very long time.  So she wrote me a nice email.  Your so right Doreena, it has been forever (nearly a year) since I have posted.   I could come up with alot of excuses but the fact of the matter is I have just been lax at sharing what is happening around the homestead. 

The picture I have added today is what I am seeing outside my window this mid April day 2013.  We woke up to 6 to 8 inches (depending on where you put the tape) of snow, I did not expect it.  Just yesterday I was working in the flower garden, and the veggie garden the day before.  Like everyone else I am ready to plant.  I am afraid though that the fruit tree may be in trouble as it is suppose to be only 10 degrees tonight......:(   It is its second year so I guess I would not have gotten much fruit, but it would have been fun to have my own plum or two.  The apricot is still waking up so maybe we will see some blooms on it. 

Some of the things I need to share with you, building a retaining wall (out of tires), learning to can, a potato experiment,  my hugelkultur attempt, and other gardening things, building a red neck kitchen (outdoor kitchen).  This year we plan to add a carport and a porch, so will need to tell you about those. 

Thank you for supporting my efforts to share and Doreena, I will work on sharing what is happening around here. 

Hugs to all,
Gail

A New Adventure

A new adventure begins here on our homestead in Wyoming

We have cows!

It is a huge learning curve but we are excited

to be raising our own beef.

Here you see our first group, 7 in all.

We also have acquired 3 pair, 

which a pair is a mama and baby.

In the first group (pictured) we got 2 heifers, a bull, and 

4 steer.  The oldest being about a year old.

We have some really good pasture, these are

to be grass fed and we hope to custom raise beef

for folks.  Gentleness and calm are our mantra.

I know it has been a long time since I have posted, just 

busy and not much exciting to tell.

We also have had some chicks hatched but a 

very attentive mama, they are in their new home now

and mama is back to regular chicken business.

Another girl is setting so we will see if she

brings us any chicks

 

Cheesy Egg Pie w/ Marinara Sauce

Eggs

What to do with all of these eggs

I tell you the girls are busy.

This is what they are giving us on an average day.

Well average so far.

I thought I'd share the recipe I made last night.

Now I know I should have taken this picture before

we took some.........

Cheesy Egg Pie with Marinara Sauce

The basic recipe comes from 

Better Homes and Gardens

Complete

Quick and Easy Cookbook

(which I have had for years and years)

3 eggs.....I used 4 eggs because mine were small

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese or

mozzarella cheese (8 ozs) or any cheese you like

3/4 cup cream-style cottage cheese 

1/2 of a 3 oz package cream cheese, cut up

 Note: I added, pepperoni, salami, and broccoli to mine. 

other ideas, ham, onions, green peppers, tomatoes

mushrooms, chicken, ground beef, bacon.

Marinara  (recipe below) or Spaghetti sauce, heated, for serving.

1.  In a small mixer bowl combine eggs, milk,

flour, baking powder, and seasoned salt.  

Beat at low speed until blended.

Add the cheeses and any additional items, 

such as meat and veggies,

 beat until combined

2.  Pour into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate.  

Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven about 35 minutes 

or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

3.  Decorate top with tomato wedges if desired.

Cut into wedges and serve with sauce.

Gail's Marinara Sauce

2 cans tomato sauce or 1 large can

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes

2 bay leaves

1 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

1 Tablespoon granulated garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon sugar

1 Tablespoon butter

Combine all in a small sauce pan, and over 

a simmer heat the sauce (lid suggested and left ajar)

turn off heat and let set so flavors can marry.

Warm to serve.

Is even better the next day!

Kirk says I hit this sauce on the head.  So it is a keeper

and why I am sharing it with you.

Here we have a slice that I am having for lunch,

nearly took a bit, then remembered 

the picture. 

I hope you will give this a try, 

let me know how you like it.

Any egg recipes to share? 

 I would love to try them out.

Have a blessed day and

thank you for coming over for a visit.