Unwanted Visitors ...

This week has been a busy one ~ spent lots of time running off unwanted guests from the chicken coop.  We found two hens that had expired at the hands ... or paws of another animal.  This sparked hubs to get out the game cameras and set the heart-smart traps.  We even spent several mornings, before the sun came up, stalking the potential suspect.  You have to understand ~ we don't have just any chicken coop.  These girls are soooo spoiled.  They have a barn paddock all to themselves, they have an electronic door that goes up in the morning and down in the evening just before dark.  They are protected from predators.

Well here is what we found ~

We think Mr. Fox is the primary suspect.  He figured out where the hens live and when their door opens ~ and he was waiting, yes, seriously he was waiting for them to come down their ramp.  He was a beautiful animal ~ he seemed to look me right in the eye and was very graceful when we released him.

Rocky Raccoon ~ how can you not love this guy?  Look at that face!  He was probably just at the wrong place at the wrong time.  We have lots of raccoons that we trap and relocate all summer long and they have never bothered the chickens.  So he is off the hook for now.

Flower the Skunk was probably at the wrong place also.  We worry more about him with our dogs than with the chickens.  He will surely do a number on them (the dogs) if he gets close enough and they make him mad.  We've had many early mornings mixing up the recipe and scrubbing the girls, washing their faces as their eyes get so irritated.  Even after bathing them over and over again with the "special" wash they still are stinky girls.  They know it too ~ looking at us with those sad faces.

For now the hens are safe!  Back to free range during the day ~ and egg production has picked up again.

Have a blessed day!

Rain Rain Rain!!

We had several days of rain showers and what a blessing for the land and the animals.  Coming back home from the Phoenix area we stopped at the Salt River Canyon to enjoy the rushing water.  This is one of our favorite potty stops ... now that the rest area is open again!

This is a favorite stop for the grandkids also ~ rock tossing contests into the river below is quite fun.  The red bridge is the "new road", we stay off of this one.  We have our fun on the "old road".  

Oh no ...

We enjoy our birds every single day ~ rain or shine, warm or cold weather.  I always get nervous when I see these beautiful hawks hanging out in the trees.  I know what they're hunting for and it's not .. the suet or sunflower seeds.  Hubs took a picture real quick before we had to run him off.  Last year we had a Cooper's Hawk, the biggest hawk we have ever seen with a 3' wing span ~ He got ahold of one of our full grown chickens and while the hawk was hanging on to her she scrambled under the outbuilding.  She was fighting for survival and he wouldn't let go.  We heard the commotion and ran outside thankfully we were able to rescue her.  She was not injured except missing feathers .. but the girls were all "chicken" for several days after that.  I don't blame them ~ I was too.

Cauliflower Soup

This was my first attempt at Cauliflower Soup and it's delicious!  You won't be sorry!

1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets (about 5-6 cups)
1 medium carrot, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 1/2 cups water
2 tsps chicken bouillon
3 Tbls butter
3 Tbls all purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups 2% milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 to 1 tsp hot pepper sauce, optional (a must for my family)

1.  In a large pot, combine cauliflower, carrot, celery, onion, water and bouillon.  Bring mixture to boil then reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until veggies are tender.  Do not drain.  The liquid will barely cover the veggies.

2.  In another large saucepan, melt the butter for the roux.  Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth.  Whisk the milk in slowly.  Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir the mixture for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Reduce heat.  Stir in cheese until melted.  Add hot pepper sauce.  Stir into the cauliflower mixture until combined.

3.  Puree about 2 1/2 cups of the soup in the blender and pour back into the soup.  This makes the soup extra creamy.

Source:  Slightly adapted from Taste of Home.

Happy Tuesday ~ make it an awesome day!

A Few of Life's Finest Things ..

A Little Pampering ~
After looking at plain ol' toes and fingernails for several months now, I decided to do a home manicure and pedicure.  Feels great!  Thought it might hurry winter along ~ I love the seasons but sometimes I find myself yearning for warm sunny days and pretty nails!

Birds of a Feather ~
During breakfast yesterday we were invaded by 7 Acorn Woodpeckers!  They travel together showing up and leaving at the same time.  These guys and gals depend on acorns (imagine that!) and other nuts for survival.  They live and nest in small colonies, consisting of up to five males, one or two females and up to a dozen juveniles from previous years, with all members helping to raise the new young.  They are very vocal with a loud nasal "wheka-wheka-wheka" call.

Needle Pulling Thread ~
I am working on a wool and flannel quilt.  It's called Bertie's Year ~ cute bird themed blocks!  Also, embroidering "Winter Wonderland", a redwork quilt.  This is my first redwork project and I am loving it.   So pretty ~ pictures next time.

Hope this is a great week for you.  It can be challenging in our world of conflict ~ find a moment of peace every day.  This is my reminder ...

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that they are something special.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

~ Christian D. Larson

It's Nice to be Back ..

Happy Winter Friends ~

Time has flown by and here it is January already.  I'm not a big New Years Resolution person, but having said that, I decided to make one resolution this year ~ it's very simple but has lots of importance for me.  To Live More Deliberately and to care for those less fortunate!  It's easy to get so wrapped up in daily doings that nothing really gets accomplished.  Sooo .. this year will be different!!  I am working on projects that have long needed my attention ~ I have also started a new adventure with Young Living essential oils ~ and I have a renewed interest in blogging.  

Hope your 2015 is off to a great start.

This little friend, an Abert's Squirrel, is enjoying an acorn nut that fell from our oak tree.  We enjoy watching the squirrels, the woodpeckers, the nuthatches and other various birds during the winter .. 

I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind: 

some come from ahead and some come from behind.

But I've brought a big bat.

I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

~ Dr. Seuss

Fall is in the Air ~

We love the seasons.  There is nothing as sweet as moving from winter to spring and summer to fall.  The air turns brisk, the colors seem more vivid and something about the smell .. seems so fresh.  We are all feeling frisky, even the animals.  We wake up to the chickens "caw-caw-cawing" and the sheep "baa-baa-baaing" and the doggies wrestling.  Soon the trees will be bare and the grass will no longer need mowing .... Yes!!

I'm in the mood to make things .. bread .. crochet dishcloths .. wool pin cushions .. and it's time to start thinking about Christmas presents and stocking stuffers.  I've thought from time to time of having a "Homemade Holiday" ~ nothing but homemade presents.  I think that would be sooo fun.

These pin cushions could be small accent pillows also .. hmm!

Go Arizona State Sun Devils

Hubs and I have season tickets.  Saturday night we play Wisconsin Badgers.  Our sons girlfriend (Shana) lives in Wisconsin and is a die-hard football fan . . . so the heat is on!  The spread is ASU by 5 .... woooooo!  Go Team Go ....

We Love Our Devils

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.

Bye for now ~ enjoy life's little blessings.

Fishing ... Again :)

Hello Friends!  You probably think all we do is fish . . . actually we do other fun things too.  It just so happens that we get cute pictures when we are fishing.  This mama cow decided she was thirsty ~ I am happy she didn't let us get in her way.  Another mama cow thought my bag looked interesting and she was nuzzling around in there until I stood up to ask if there was something I could help her with . . . she got the hint after that.

This little guy wanted to help us fish ~ he (or she) is a Dragonfly and a beautiful one at that!  I learned a few things about dragonflies that I didn't know.  They are great hunters . . snatching their prey in midair 95 percent of the time.  They usually sneak up behind or below their target ~ catching it by surprise.  Dragonflies are magnificent aerialists, able to hover, dive, fly backward and upside down.  They pivot 360 degrees with three tiny wing beats, and reach speeds of 30 miles per hour.  Their eyes are the largest and the keenest in the insect world, a pair of giant spheres each built of about 30,000 pixel-like facets.  They can see when flying toward you and still see when they're flying away.

Kinda like those of us that are Mothers ~ we have eyes in the back of our heads too!

We are back to an empty nest for awhile.  We have had our two marines home for about a week ~ it's been a fun and crazy time.  Need to keep them in our prayers as one heads back to Afghanistan for his 2nd time and the other heads back to her base in Okinawa.  Here they are ... getting their poles ready.

Ashley, Shana (Mike's GF), Mike

Sorry for the blurred photo ... but this bald eagle was spotted nearby looking very regal.  There is so much to see at the lakes up here in God's country.  The wildlife is spectacular ~ always making for an adventure.

Have a great weekend and encourage one another ~

Bye for now.

Busy Livin' .....

I'm feeling guilty . . . . sometimes I get busy with livin' and don't make time for bloggin'.  Our son has moved to AZ from MN to attend school so we have been busy getting him settled into his apartment and ready for school.  We also had our sweet #4 granddaughter up for a week and that is always a busy and very fun time.  And now here I am with some free time . . . do I want to work in the yard ~ or clean the chicken coop ~ or work on some frame decorating ~ or maybe just sit and read outside on the porch.  It's feeling like Fall is in the air and it's so pretty and cool outside.  Maybe the porch is best for now ....  Oh wait ~ first a few pictures of granddaughter's visit:

Minnie Mouse helped Papa drive from Mesa to our home . . . she did a fine job!

Such a cute picture . . . taken on the way to the park.  Every morning we packed up after breakfast and headed to the lake for a walk around and then some play time at the park.  She's all ready to go in this picture ...  looking a little sleepy but that didn't last long.  After the park we ran a few errands or stopped at Starbucks for a treat.  Then home just in time for lunch and her afternoon nap . . . 

Not sure how it happened ~ but I have started with a newfound interest in Astronomy.  When our daughter was living at home her and I loved getting up in the middle of the night, setting up our lawn chairs, wrapping up in a warm blankie to watch various meteor showers.  We had so much fun (one night we were even joined by a skunk).  Well anyway ... after the most recent Perseid meteor shower that passed us by on August 12, 2013,  I decided to buy the book "Astronomy 101".  

This astronomy stuff will rock your world ... literally!  The solar system is our local place in space.  It contains the Sun, eight planets, several dwarf planets, comets, moons and asteroids.  Pluto, which is the most outlying planet and the smallest planet in our solar system is 3.5 billion miles from the sun ... a distance I can't begin to comprehend ... especially when I read that there are many many solar systems out there.  Where does it stop .... some scientists say "infiniti".  Scary, huh?

These pictures were taken by hubby ~ looks neato with the clouds in the background!

Roses with the morning dew . . . so beautiful!

Life is Good ~ celebrate every day!