Marmaduke, A Cow Leg, and Buzzards

                                           Little Ricky and Marmaduke checking out the cow leg.

Yesterday a friendly neighboring rancher brought a gift for Marmaduke.  One of the rancher's cows had gotten stuck in a feeding pen and by the time the vet got out and treated it and gave it meds it was to late.  It died.  But the vet said that the meat would not be good for human consumption due to the meds not making it through the body before death but it was okay to feed to the ranchers' dogs.   The rancher brought over a whole skinned cow leg as a treat for Marmaduke.  Oh, man! - I mean, oh, dog! was Marmaduke happy!  Well, as the cow leg lay in the field in front of our house we noticed buzzards began to gather in the sky.  Remember the old westerns when they showed the buzzards flying above an unknown something which would lead the riders to whatever it was they were looking for - well that was happening in front of our house.  Kind of spooky.  Every now and then one would land while Marmaduke wasn't guarding her cow leg and she would charge out and run the buzzard off.  This morning we noticed a small bloody skin scrape on Marmaduke's nose - maybe she got too close to a buzzard, or maybe something else came calling for the cow leg and she battled it off.  It will probably take her a week to finish off the cow leg.  Our country adventures continue.

The Tiller, Marmaduke, and A Good Neighbor

                                              Marmaduke wanting to play.

                                                       Marmaduke impeding progress.

                                                                  Progress.

Christmas Eve day Ricky decided it was time to begin tilling a garden spot for winter planting.  He had purchased a nice new big tiller and staked out a large plot.  Now we have always known that Marmaduke either loves or hates wheels.  When I roll my wagon she runs around the wheels like crazy, barking and growling.  When we roll the trash can to the end of the road she has a grand ole time.  So it should have been expected that she would go crazy over the motorized tiller.  She was so crazy that Ricky couldn't get his tilling done!  Finally Marmaduke had to go on the leash.  During Ricky's tilling one of our neighbors came over on his small tractor to spread our gravel, which had been pre-arranged.  He noticed Ricky out in the pasture tilling and said he could do that for him in less time with his "other" tractor and disc.  So when he was finished spreading gravel, he left and came back with his other equipment and made a few runs through the pasture and waa lah! we have a HUGE plot (about 3000 sq. ft) ready to prepare for gardening!  And to top it all off he wouldn't let us pay him anything - said we were his neighbors!

Christmas In The Camp

Sunday evening we had the wonderful pleasure of going through Christmas In The Camp.  It is a live nativity out in the woods in which we rode in a horse drawn benched trailer snuggled up to our loved ones with blankets in the dark night air.  It was a quiet evening with sounds of horses' clippity clopping and snorting, campfires crackling, Christmas songs and the Christmas story being sang and read as we follow a cowboy seeking the newborn Savior.  What a glorious and moving way to celebrate Christmas.  Back at our "camp", although all of our family Christmas decorations and some of the traditions will remain stored away as we continue to renovate, the Spirit of Christmas will be with us.  We celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.  Merry Christmas!

Gettin' Me Some Guinea

We took a trip out to a couple's, who have quickly become friends, home to see their goats and chickens.  We have entertained the idea of raising a few goats.  Goats seem to be very controversial farm animals.  I get such a varied reaction when I mention this idea.  "Meat goats are the only way to go."  "Milk goats are the easiest to raise."  "Oh, honey, you don't want to raise goats, get a cow."  "They are generally susceptible to infections."  "They take a lot of maintenance".  "They make wonderful farm pets".  Our new friends have raised up to 175 meat goats but now only keep 10 for freely roaming outdoor pets.  We're definitely planning to raise chickens and when I broach this subject with people it's usually a positive reaction such as "I raise chickens!"  Our new friends raise their beautiful chickens for the white, brown, green, blue, and pink eggs.  They sell them every Sunday to ladies at their church.  I imagine they're a hit around Easter.  The chickens also roam freely during the day with the goats.  They all go into their respective shed/house at night for protection - although he did say he shot a bobcat once coming down during the day for the chickens.  Anyway, also running free on the land were two lovely speckled guinea.  Not guinea pigs - guinea fowl.  We learned the guinea were fun and easy to raise, control fire ants and ticks on the property, and are good "watch dogs" alerting you to potential danger!  Since I've lived in Texas in the hot summer and experienced fire ant bites and their huge mounds in my yard - I'm gettin' me some guinea.  Since I've actually had a bloodsucking tick attached to my body - I'm gettin' me some guinea.  And, hey, since Marmaduke only barks at cats and coyote - guess I'm gettin' me some guinea. 

My Achy Breaky Heart

After twelve years I would think it would get easier.  But usually the week of, the day before, the day of, the loss of my baby girl I begin to crumble.  It has begun.  A terrible sadness, a flood of tears, a feeling of emptiness pervading my soul.   It's almost like my body even begins to remember the day.  It becomes physical.  An ache deep inside.  It is a hurt I cannot deny.  Mentally and psychologically I cannot talk myself into happiness these particular days.  Even as I count my blessings one by one the sadness doesn't go away.  So I, for a few days a year, will allow myself to give in to the sorrow.  Deep, deep sorrow.  And I will grieve once more.  For I know the grief process is a healing process.  December 14.  A day forever inscribed on my heart.

I Love Ricky, by Lucy

I love Ricky.  I love the man he is.  I love the man he has been in my life and the man he will become.  He has only exhibited selflessness and service, solidity and strength.  He faces each day with a grateful and giving heart.  He walks in integrity and truth.  He seeks God's will and His way.  He is sometimes (okay a lot of the time) silly and surprising.  And weird.  He makes me laugh.  And he is kind.  I love Ricky and he loves me, I know.


  

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.  Ephesians 3:20

Happy Feet

We have found that we need to outfit ourselves properly for our new Texas country environment.  The outer, under, and foot wear we have were perfect for the Colorado city summers and winters with snow, but not so much here.  Let's consider the foot wear - I have definitely found mine inappropriate.  Who knew my birkies wouldn't serve me well here?  They are my favorite shoe.  So supportive and comfortable.  We've been besties for a long time now.  My closet - or currently, unpacked, stored boxes - contains many versions of birkies.  In the Summer here they were fine -  except when working on the farm.  And now that cold, wet weather has arrived they are useless.  And the same goes for Crocs.  Yes, Crocs.  Catkid loves his Crocs.  He refuses to give them up.  And they are okay for the wet, but not the wet cold.  Anyway, I've begun my search for proper "on the farm" footwear for the family.  Recently I was introduced to muck boots.  They are for working in the muck.  And since much of our place has turned into muck with all of the recent rain, I'm very interested.  Apparently there are also the locally popular snake boots.  Maybe we should wear those out in the pasture?  Then there are riding and roping boots.  I'm not planning on doing any of that.  Work boots.  Yes, I'll work out here.  Steel toed boots - probably not.  Western boots I won't need.  Oh, my.  You know the saying - if Mom's not happy, nobody's happy.  Well, Mom's not happy unless her, and her family's feet are happy.  I'm on a quest for happy feet all around.

Fresh Poolfood

It has been raining a lot and we have pools, or gigantically humongous puddles, of water all around our house. We're in talks with a man to bring in a load of rock for placement in our low areas around the house as early as this week, but for now we have standing pools.  If you search awhile you'll find little frogs in the pools and mudbugs or crawfish crawling out of the mud.  We also have a pool in our back pasture.  Much bigger than the aforementioned puddles, but as pools around here go, not so big.  Not a swimming pool, but a pool for fishing, froggigging, and watering livestock/farm animals - when we acquire some.  The pool was almost dry when we arrived.  We had it dug out to increase its size and depth.  After several inches of rain recently it is filling up.   In West Texas, pools are known as tanks.  I believe up North they are referred to as ponds.  Apparently there is a whole science to maintaining a pool.  So far all we've learned is that we need to go out and shoot the turtles and snakes, which will also act as target practice.  They kill the fish.  We also know that a pool must have a gradual hill on one side, if you have livestock, so they can walk in and out of the pool.  This also prevents them from just "dropping" off the side of the pool into the water. Our pool has this.  I will be learning more about pools.

More pool-talk -  I'm hoping to find a frog gig.  Don't know if they make them anymore.  When I was young we would go froggigging around pools.   In the pitch dark, with flashlights, wearing wading boots that protected you from the water and snakes.  Of course when we'd spot a snake head we'd shoot it.  We'd bring the frogs back to the house in a tow sack, cut off the heads, skin and clean them, salt and batter them, and drop them into a hot frying pan of oil.  They'd jump just a little while cooking, but they were wonderful.  Talk about fresh poolfood.



(The top photo is before the rains.  The bottom, after. )

Piles and Eyesores

All weather conditions were good last evening to burn the burn pile.  If you're not from the country you may not know what a burn pile is so let me tell you.  It is a pile of stuff that needs burnin'.  We started one in the pasture in August because we begin generating a lot of non-household trash as the farmhouse renovation commenced.  Everyone out here in the country has piles.  Guess that didn't look quite right.  Everyone out here in the country creates burn piles.  Due to the drought last Summer there were statewide county burn bans.  We've recently had enough rain for the ban to be lifted and it was cloudy, humid, and still last night so we lit it.  The pile had grown to about eight feet tall and twelve feet around.  It was a biggy.  What happened was an old horse rancher came by yesterday to see if he might want to keep horses in our pasture.  I've decided I don't want to keep his horses.  Anyway, he saw our pile and said that it would be an excellent day to burn.  So we did.  It burned throughout the night and was smoldering this morning.  A couple of weekends ago a neighbor down the road lit about six or seven burn piles.  The only problem was the wind was kickin' and blowin', yea, straight toward our place.  I was grateful my metal box is basically air tight.  I just wouldn't let anyone come and go, opening the door and filling it with smoke.  That was NOT a good day to burn. Glad to see ours basically gone this morning.  It was getting to be an eyesore.  

Listen To The Falling Of The Gentle Rain and Here Comes The Sun

The scene out my window this morning is dark, gray, and cloudy.  There is a "wet" in the air.  There is a gentle, almost invisible, but I can hear it falling on my metal roof and it creates a calming rhythm for my day, rain.  Actually I think it was just the dripping trees.  Of course, there is also my daily ever changing backyard scape, for instance, the ladders, saw tables, sheets of galvanized corrugated tin, outdoor furniture, leaves, rope lights, five scampering kittens, and the Overgrown Puppy, we've decided to call Marmaduke*on the blog, frolicking with the scampering kittens, all of which are all wet.  The trees are changing their colors and beyond the fence into the pasture across the way I see the neighbor's two mules, a grey and a white, which he has offered to give us and we declined the offer.  But I digress.  The thoughts going through my head are "the four day rain outlook wasn't forecast to begin this a.m., but for this p.m.",  "now we can't work on the rabbit hutch project phase I"  and "it sure will be messy and icky when the man delivers the chicken coop" and "they won't be able to finish the roof phase I as planned".  Then as I write I see the sun beginning to shine through the clouds.  And suddenly I began to feel my emotional and mental "mode and mood" begin to change.  With the peaking sun and the promising light my vision and plan for the day takes a new shape.  The light brings me hope for better, brighter today.




 
*  Marmaduke isn't a great dane, she is a German Shepherd Malwa, who looks a lot like Marmaduke.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Best Laid Plans - Fifteen Weeks

Okay, so we had our "plan".  Our plan was that Hubby would work from home doing his design and engineering and we would renovate the farm house and upstart a small farm at the same time.  But today Hubby started a job in town.  When he wasn't even looking he was offered a job!  And it is one he will enjoy with like-minded folks!  Who knew?  Now I am certainly grateful for his job, which is a miracle in itself in this economy- but I find myself wondering how I am going to get into a livable house anytime soon.  It has now been fifteen weeks in the camphouse and counting.  When will I be in my own bed?  Have a working kitchen?  Build the rabbit hutch, the chicken coop?  Prep the soil for planting?  And SO much more.  I must say I am feeling incapable, discouraged, and concerned regarding these many things.  Then I remember His Word and His promises. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  "I lift up my eyes to the mountain - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD,  the Maker of heaven and earth."  And once again, I rest in Him.

Oh, Deer.

Warning.  This may be offensive to some.  I was party to the killing of a deer.  I did not shoot it.  But, I did encourage the hunt and when some of us women folk saw the men walking back to the house with the deer slung over a set of shoulders, like a woman would wear a mink stole, I cheered and ran out to greet them.  Yes.  I did.  And as they were dressing the deer outside that cold wet foggy late afternoon into cold bonechilling dark evening I took Catkid out for a "science" class. (We find many everyday opportunities to learn here.)  Later we were blessed with some of the venison and we are planning to make deer jerky with our dehydrator.  We've made beef jerky from a most excellent beef * before which turn out five star, so we'll see.

The country life is different indeed.  And we are really lovin' it!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  I Thessalonians 5:18

* http://www.docscows.com/

Going Gray or Grey

Yes, it is time for me to  be "a la natural" with my hair.  It just makes sense NoT to color it anymore.  I think I am ALL grey without the color, but I've never gone there so I don't know.  My lifestyle has changed drastically.  It will save money and time.  And the fewer chemicals in my life, the better.  It not only makes sense but it will be an adventure and exciting as the silvery grey, the natural color for such a time as this in my life, continues to emerge.  I've been debating this in my mind for quite awhile.  Then yesterday Catkid and I were standing in the sun and he pointed out that my grey hair was sparkling in the sunshine.  I decided on that day to "go all the way" gray/grey. 

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me

Okay, now I'm a fairly clean person, I think.  I mean, I'm not anal or anything, but I like clean and decluttered spaces.  Well, we'll talk clutter later.  I'm beginning to feel icky.  Flies everywhere in the camphouse.  Just swatted and killed, yes I kill flies, six in about thirty seconds.  I actually noticed a graveyard beginning to form  on the floor.  And they BuG me so. And they occasionally BiTE.  I just don't want to take it anymore.  It is an exceptionally still, warm, humid, rainy, and nature-ally quiet day and the flies seem to multiply in this climate.  But we've had trouble from them for a while.  We got our first ever flypaper earlier.  They seem to avoid it.  They are everywhere but on the flypaper.  MaDdEninG!   Heard that if you eat more garlic they stay away.  We already eat LOTS of garlic.  I've read that mint or peppermint oil will repel them.  Will give that a try next.  Also read something about keeping a duck on the farm.  Hubby said he saw about half a dozen ducks down on the pond after the rain.  But I assume we need a farm duck for around the house to control flies in the yard.  I have much to learn about living in the country.  Will talk to some people.  For now, I'm a'shooin' and a'swattin' and a'sweepin'.

The Skinny

Okay so I've discovered a sure-fire way to shed some pounds without depriving yourself of good food!  Move to the country, prep the land for farming, and renovate an old dilapidated farmhouse!  That's right.  Got proof.  We found our weight scales in a storage room and since Hubby and I have noticed that our clothes are beginning to hang and sag on us we decided to check it out.  Hubby has lost 35 pounds since the first of September!  And I have lost 15 pounds since August!  The only problem with this new found weight loss program is we have to buy new clothes.  But since our work here has only begun and we have a lot more work ahead to have a livable house and productive farm we hesitate to replace our clothes.  Who knows how skinny we may get?  Stay tuned.

Horse Apples and Longhorns

I have adorned our camphouse stoop with a galvanized bucket of bright green and bumpy horse apples and a Texas Longhorn cow skull and horns.   Horse apples aren't for eatin'.  For horses only.  They are the fruit of the bois d'arc tree which we have several of in the pasture and therefore apples aplenty.  I heard that if you cut them and place them in your home they act as an insect deterrent.  I tried it.  The ANtS came. Read they can be dried and used as ornaments.  Maybe next year.  But,they are beautiful to behold.  http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Bois-d-arc-fruit-Horse-Apples_vq364.htm

Jaws Attack

So from the camphouse to the main house is thirty-seven steps for me.  In the main we now have a utility sink with hot water in which we can wash our dishes, instead of outside with the water hose for the first several weeks on the ground, and do laundry the more convenient way, instead of under the carport hooked up to water hose and drying on the line - while I quite enjoyed the hanging-clothes-on-the-line part.  The refrigerator and food storage is also in the main carport.  Since we mostly "cook" and live in the camphouse I make MANY round trips daily toting stuff back and forth.  Have I mentioned our overgrown puppy, Lulu?  Frequently, and out of the blue I feel a tug on an item and there's Lulu in a galloping attack!  Reminds of "Jaws".  And many times she'll run up from behind, get in between by legs and feet and trip me up.  I must be aware as I walk along my path.  Are you aware?  Our enemy in this world comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Is he coming at you trying to steal something of yours?  Your peace?  Your joy?  A relationship?  Is he trying to trip you up?  God says we can resist our enemy and he will flee.  Do you have God's Power in your life to resist?

                                        Lulu attacking a tumbleweed.

Souse (Head Cheese)

They sell Souse locally.  I've never tried it.  Then I did.  Last night.  Hubby liked it.  I didn't.  That part of the "local flavor" I will leave alone.  And in case you're wondering.... it is hog head and ears with spices. 

Garlic and Pork Neckbones

Today Youngest who wants to be called "Catboy" and I were able to plant five varieties of garlic.  Since we haven't had to time to prepare a garden plot I used large containers which I've been told work just fine.  They are all out in a sunny spot. Now we get to have a garlic tasting to enjoy the garlic left from the bulbs.  Four of the five varieties were from a creole/cajun mix.  Which will work just fine with the pork neckbones I purchased at the local grocery for .79 cents a pound.  The locals with which I discussed the neckbones with all agree that if you simmer for a couple hours in a dutch oven with spices of your liking they are delish!  And for a bonus our oversize puppy will enjoy the bones!  What a deal!

Acorn Showers

So in one of our beautiful old oaks was a flock of birds creating an acorn shower.  Purposefully.  Delightfully entertaining while causing us to proceed with caution.  There is never a dull day in the country.

The End of the Road

I love love love the walk to the end of the road from our house to the mailbox.  The birds singing and chirping, the sound of hopping & crawling critters in the grass, the rustle of the soft wind in the trees, the sound of the dog whirling around me in play, the coolness and crispness of the air on my cheeks.  Thankfulness wells up inside of me for the beauty surrounding  my daily life.  Once, when I was at the end of my road, my Savior, Jesus Christ, met me there, and I accepted His gift of Grace.  He came to give me life and life more abundantly.  He remains.

Slap Your Face

At night it gets so dark out here in the country that you can slap yourself in the face and not see it coming.  And it was especially spooky when the boys and I were out here without Hubby during the beginning of our move process.  So of course we hung white rope lights from one of the big old oaks in between the camphouse and the main house.   Therefore our path is lit to and from the main house.  Been told the lights can be seen from the Farm To Market road which leads to the county road that runs in front of our place.  Reminds me that God's Word is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet and we are to not hide our Light but put it out for all to see.  Are you living in the Light?

Fresh Hen Eggs

No, we haven't had the time to focus on setting up our own chicken coop and procuring chickens yet, but Hubby found fresh hen eggs for $1.25 a dozen locally.  What a deal!  He picked up 4 dozen - some brown, some white, some speckled.  He thought it was a little odd that the lady had to have a calculator to figure that 4  dozen would total $5.  Anyway, I'm anxious to get our chickens and egg factory up and running.  I'm reminded of the I Love Lucy episode when they were living in the country and she wanted to raise chickens for eggs....and the dance.

A Tear Jerker

Finally got around to chopping about 30 onions and putting in freezer for winter cooking.  Started the job in the camphouse but had to move outside - it was a crying shame.  Grapes are still drying into raisins.  Apples, bananas and mangoes have been put up.  A lot were eaten, too.  We re-organized one of the storage rooms (it was like moving AGAIN and found some items for outfitting our newly ready bathroom in the house.  Hubby is getting ready to wire the electric for the kitchen.  My eldest son is drawing and painting a Star Wars Yoda on youngest son's bedroom wall.  Next we sand the wood floors.  It would be wonderful to have another room FINISHED.  The cricket catching experiment yielded no crickets in the jar, yet they are still running rampant in the house.  We'll try a new approach.  Need to go into our second storage room and look for mirrors for the bathroom.  Making headway.

Fried Crickets and Fried Bologna (Baloney)

So I'm really getting into this blogging thing.  Today I thought we would do a homeschool science project.  Capture live crickets for frying or roasting.  I understand we must keep them alive (for up to a week in the fridge) and cook them alive.  Just like a lobster must be cooked alive.  And they sure turn out yummy.  What prompted this particular project is that our house and yard are full of crickets.  The farm cats and dog keep the yard controlled by snacking all day, but our indoor domestic cats, not so much.  So we'll begin our cricket project in the house.  Crickets are a great source of protein and is a common snack in many countries.  This will be living off the land!

As I began this my hubby came in and asked if I would like some fried baloney and eggs.  I said yes.  And it has arrived with a "dollup" of mayo.  What is a "dollup" you ask?  Just the right amount. 

Simplifying Is Not Simple

Simply put.

Boudain And The Matchmaker

Hubby and I just stopped working for a Zummo's boudain snack.  Very filling.  Just enough for a quick lunch.  Discussed making boudain ourselves.  We'll see.  Gotta go throw some apple slices in the dehydrator.  I love my husband.  Let God be your Matchmaker.  After all He knew you before He formed you in your Mother's womb.  Who best to choose?  You're probably still getting to know yourself.

If God Calls You To It

If God calls you to it He'll provide what you need to do it.  Are you listening?  Do you hear?  His is a still, quiet voice, but His Word will not return void of its purpose.  Now back to laundry.  Wind is picking up.  Supposed to rain this afternoon so must bring clothes off the line.  Chicken is still cooking.  Fruit and veggies drying.  Hubby asked if I might touch up paint the house bathroom.    Excited about the bathroom, not so much the painting.  I've painted outdoors since we "landed", but not inside due to "vocal cord dysfunction" which causes my vocal cords/throat to spasm when triggered by chemicals, fragrance, smoke, wind, etc.  But I'm willing to give it a try - ready for that bathroom to be finished!

How Do You Cook 33 Pounds of Chicken With No Kitchen

We were blessed with 33 lbs of chicken but we have to cook it like now.  And no kitchen.  So we've grill-baked some, cooked some in the electric frying pan, simmered a couple of pieces in the crockpot, and baked a little in the toaster oven.  Ate some - de-boned and froze the rest.  That was yesterday.  Will repeat today.  We'll soon be "chickened out".

Drying A Myriad of Fruits & Veggies

We were blessed with a fruit and vegetable bounty yesterday and we are so grateful.  We want to be wise and think forward so this morning I have just prepped and place in the dehydrator banana chips, grapes for raisins, and  mango and papaya slices.  Tomorrow I will try to do carrots and onions and cabbage.  This is great for later in the winter for creating dishes/soups or for snacking!

Ten Weeks And Counting

Now I never was a fan of camping.....always said my closest thing to camping is staying in a hotel.  My family of four has now been staying in a 10'x20' camphouse on our new country location for 10 weeks.  That's 10 weeks of not being in my own bed.  No kitchen.  For awhile we were washing dishes with the water hose and had our washing machine hooked up outside to a water hose and hanging laundry on the line.  Our living space is outdoors except where we sleep and use toilet facilities.  But you know, surprising as it is, we are really enjoying the experience.  Along with the hard work of readying our property and renovating the house and all of the inconveniences we are growing closer to each other, closer to God, and certainly are getting in better physical shape.  Look for the hidden jewels of life.  As we begin our 11th week we will continue to forge on with the renovation hoping to get in the house before bad weather. And we will continue searching for a church home to worship, grow, and serve, and continue seeking other homeschool families in the area.  Oh and I really found great pleasure in hanging my laundry on the line!  Reminiscent of my childhood and grandmothers.  There is always joy to be found in the journey.

Nothing Stays The Same

In our case that pretty much sums up the last few months.  We have moved from a Colorado city to a small 1942 farm house on a few acres in the Texas country with a shed, a barn, and a dry pool/pond.  And nothing has stayed the same - even our relationships have grown stronger.