Two new roosters have come to the farm..................

one actually to the farm kitchen............I started working on this cross stitch rooster years ago, always putting it away and then going back to stitch now and then..........off and on. But these past 8 weeks or so, I have stitched continuously on this project and now it is finished! I plan to frame it and hang it in my kitchen around my other "rooster collection".  I am also toying with the idea of offering my embroidery services to others..........for those who have cross stitched projects started, but not completed,........ but would like for me to complete them. But that is a plan still in the thought process.

Meet Lil' Tex. Out of the 18 "hen chicks" I purchased this spring, was this little rooster. I almost gave him away to a friend, however, changed my mind because of his small size and of the small size of 5 hens that are of his breed. This set will make a great addition to my " chicken raising plan".

This poor dry creature says it all about how the conditions  still are here in Texas. This is a Vinegar Roan. Evil looking, but completely harmless, except for the vinegar smelling spray they give off when something bothers them. I have seen the cats and dog get sprayed by them, and it seems to sting a little, making them to remember to not mess with this creature. It usually looks a shiny black, but with the drought, it is as dry as the hard ground it comes from. It boldly approached me as I was watering............desperate for a drink.... and I cannot refuse any creature when it is thirsty.

Yet, in all of this............hope has it's many different forms. This young one was in the middle of flying lessons when I interfered.............with both parents scolding me.  It wasn't long before it and it's parents were flying off into the woods.  Sophie and I usually take a little midnight stroll out to the yard before retiring for the night. Last night  we surprised a badger, who had come up for a drink of water out of the bird's bath. Thankfully, he was as scared of us as we were of him, and quickly darted off into the blackness of the woods. 

What kind of creatures are you encountering?

I would love to hear!

Farewell Max

It's been almost 17 years since this striped, soft ball of fur with 7 claws on each foot, entered our lives. When we lived in the city, he was the neighborhood prowler and warrior. There was no cat too big or too mean to win over Max. He was king of his territory. When we moved out here to the farm, Max was upset and ran away to find his old home in the city............and he let us know that he was a city kitty, not a country prowler. Four days later, he returned, worn out and starving, but glad to be back with us............and soon accepted his more quiet and peaceful life. Over the years, he changed from the king rodent hunter to passively lying on the coolness of the front porch..............sleeping, while his tail flicked and his mouth quivered in some dream of catching his latest bounty..................a surrendered country gentleman.

 I 've been preparing myself for this day..................all of the signs have been here in front of me for the past week.  Yesterday, I found him, curled up in his favorite spot, where he had gone to sleep, and dreamt a dream of thick green woods, full of mice and other small creatures to chase..............this time, he kept on chasing them to where ever these sweet creatures go for eternity. No matter how much I was ready, I was not ready to let him go..........although I know it was the best and sweetest way for him to do so.

  As the years go by and we get whacked by life's stick of disappointments, I have always thought that our hearts are supposed to grow tougher............isn't that the way it works?? 

Well.............it has not happened for me yet.................or my heart just hasn't gotten that message.

For awhile, I will still fix an extra plate of food, go out and call Max's name and wait for him to bring me a small captured prize from his prowling, and shed a tear. For a little while ......................

farewell Max.

  

No rain in sight...........

and it has been this way in our part of Texas for the past few months. The dirt from the cotton fields have blown into our back property, leaving us with sand dunes,as if there is a beach with water on the other side................but no.

No green grass is growing and water is so sacred that we don't dare water the yard.

I am watering my zinnia and pumpkin gardens, but doing so late in the evening and being careful not to over water and waste.   

All around the grounds, it looks like winter instead of a green summer.

We all pray and question God.  

And He lets us know that He is still here.............

watching over us....and giving us hope............for a day when maybe........

it might rain.

When I saw these prairie flowers the other day, my mind instantly went to the Bible verse

" I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am......."

Philippians 4:11

The flowers grow and bloom , no matter how harsh the conditions are.............and they seem content and do what they need to do.  Giving me a good lesson to live by ................and I will try to follow their example.

If you could come and spend the day

here at the farm with me,

we will sit at the kitchen table

and visit over a cup of tea.

We will talk about the weather

and the happenings of the year,

We will talk about our children, our family,

our life...............what we hold dear.

We will walk through the woods and prairie,

you'll meet the critters

that live here too.

We will walk out to the gardens

where I will pick fresh flowers for you!

A bubbling soup and homemade bread

will be ready for us to eat.

Along with blueberry muffins from the oven

for an after dinner treat!

We will linger in the shade of the front porch

and watch the day come to an end.

I'll feel blessed that you came to visit

and that I can call you  "friend".

But blogging friend, the miles are between us,

there's no way to visit, it's true........

So here's the recipe for those

blueberry muffins

that I can share with you!!



 BLUEBERRY CRUMB MUFFINS

2 cups flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups fresh blueberries

( crumb topping recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 400.F. Line muffin tin with cupcake papers

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, stir together milk, eggs, butter and vanilla. Then add to flour mixture. Blend well, then gently fold in blueberries.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.

Sprinkle about 1 tbs. crumb topping onto the top of each muffin.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from tins.

Enjoy!

Crumb topping:

6 tbs. butter

1/3 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

Mix butter, flour and sugar with pastry blender until crumbly. Sprinkle onto top of muffins.

How hot is it here in Texas??

Yep, it's that hot!

I have been fighting the battle

of extreme drought, choking dirt, and blasting winds,................and to my delight........

the soil is breaking,

from the zinnia seeds I have planted in my zinnia gardens. I have planned slightly larger gardens this year, and I am anxious to see how they turn out !

I am also trying to raise tomatoes in container crates on the patio, instead of out in the open wide spaces. The patio is more protected, and I am looking forward to many dishes of fried green tomatoes and tomato pie.

Even the pincushion cactus that is accustomed to the harsh conditions on the prairie, seems to be enjoying itself in it's new container home.

I absolutely love rose moss, and planted a large crate full of this a few weeks ago. It has turned out so lovely! As for my pumpkin growing,............it has been a tough season, however, I have planted them in different locations to see how they do. Hopefully, I will have pics to show later. How about you?

Do you prefer container planting or open space growing?

I would love to hear!

On the front steps of the porch

on any given day, a visitor is greeted by a roll of old water kettles....................do any of you remember your granny using these?

I have had them for many years.............given to me by family.........who have told me that they belonged to my grandmother. They all have wooden handles with either heavy wire or metal............

they all have many dings, dents, and probably a few leaks. I never saw my grandmother actually use these, but I am sure they probably came in handy in a time of need. I cant explain why I love them so..........I just do...........do you ever feel that way about certain things?

This water kettle was found right here on the grounds, during the first month that we came to live here. My husband found it half buried underneath an old mesquite tree, and brought it home to me...........I cherish it for this memory.  I wonder who used it...........what the house looked like that use to be here before our home was moved out to this land. When I see them, as I approach the porch after a late afternoon walk, they make me smile..............it feels like home to me.

How about you?

What feels like home to you?

I would love to hear!