Okay Enough! This was the weather report this morning when I woke...
*A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW, that  MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOWCOVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES.
I awoke to Ugly at 4:30 this morning..  crawled back to bed,  pulled the covers over my head and thought  for crying  out loud..I know how badly I felt yesterday... and hoped for a change... This was Not what I had hoped for....Enough Enough Enough...Fortunately it is supposed to decrease to rain and wind gusts will drop to 15-25 instead of 40 mph . According to our faithful weather report. Canceled the trip to Medford for Dr appointment as its 70 miles there and over a snowy pass. Thank you for all  my readers nice supporting comments left on yesterday blog entry...I do have a bit clearer outlook today even if I am snowbound again so today with a vision of me baking those chocolate chip cookies,  I will sip yet another cup of coffee and plan my day accordingly... maybe just read some of my friends blogs and work on my gratefulness journal...
Cheryl

Today,I have come to a full STOP

Is it me or does it just seem like winter is taking a long time to leave? One day last week I felt like it was really Spring..I spent a day at the Lake, grabbed another photo op of the area in which I live and felt very positive.. warm and comfortable with  a smile and a spring in  my step. I updated my calendar with fun activities coming up, a trip to the beach, a theater night, yesterday I shopped for fabric to replace a patio cushion. Browsed the craft store & had a lovely Sunday with my "farmgirl" friends including a great lunch. 

Something is not right... I am never like this.. Never bored, or un inspired...but Now  I am looking outside at rain, a dark cloudy sky with cooler temperature than yesterday...

Thinking of the things that I could be doing, but have no energy to get out of the chair to do.. like embroider the piece I started last week, straighten my craft room, or even bake some chocolate chip cookies, but no  here I sit even making  tonights dinner overwhelms my ambition.

I think it would rather  curl up in a quilt and read for the rest of the afternoon or perhaps take a short nap.... I am sure you have had days like this too... haven't you? How does going out for a burger sound? That may be just what I do....Wake me when its Sping please...

A spectatular day on Klamath Lake

It was a very nice day yesterday,  so we decided to take  the boat out for the first time this year. This is Pelican Marina. (appropriatley named, as the Pelican migration begins here in April)

 As you can see  this up close & personal photo of the pelican, it is sitting sitting  on the rock as if he is King.

I was able to catch him as he was taking flight, and again in air.. They are huge beautiful birds. 

The snow covered  mountain in the photo is  seen as we head north on the Lake.

Further along the ride I spotted this Blad Eagle in a tree.. He was watching for a catch and as he spotted his prey off he went. I think I  was lucky to get this shot.

We really did have a Spectacular afternoon don't you think?

She's a "Beauty"

Oh, yes!  She gets  plenty of Looks and Smiles...  I love my car.... She is a 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertable...I had never made such a big purchase alone before & at the time, being divorced I was a bit nervous,  (Meaning there was no man to give me pointers or "Man car" suggestions. ) In 2005, I begged my sister to come look with me...So we drove  into Las Vegas Nevada... 90 miles from home at the time...  and after serious  price comparing in local lots in Arizona & on the internet... I really had a long time desire for a convertable and when I heard her calling my name I pushed all caution to the wind and traded in my 1998 Saturn ( I also Loved that car, she was paid for but she was falling apart...little things going wrong.. she was a tired girl with over 100,000 miles on her.) I drive with the top down on sunny warm days, letting the  wind blow through my hair.  She has had her share of minor expenses in maintenance, and I have driven a lot of miles ( now at 87,000) but who wouldn't like to drive her around in the sunshine? I just spent a couple hours giving her a fresh interior wash and she sure smells  nice of Sweet fresh vanilla beans..I  made myself a promise not to let her get so dirty again... My husband sometimes washes her exterior for me..(Secretly I  think he likes her too....) I hope it's going to be nice tomorrow  because I'd like to take a long drive maybe even with the top down...I can always turn on the heater..right?

Take Away Treat

 I love to cook and Dining  in but sometimes its nice to have  Chinese take away. Clay & I found this new restaraunt The "China Wok "just a few miles from our house. The food is superb. Fresh and very tasty,  They use only the freshest & highest quality ingredients & tonight we enjoyed Fried Pot Stickers and Pork Almond, sweet & sour Chicken and fried rice, Nothing fancy just really good. The pork dish has  diced barbecued pork w/ mushrooms water chestnuts bamboo shoots and vegetables.. the chicken dish was yummy as well  made with Lightly breaded boneless chicken in a sweet pungent sauce with pineapple & mixed vegetables.  The fried rice was fluffy and amazingly light as well. The best part  I have plenty leftover for lunch tomorrow.. How could that be a bad deal? It is  nice to have Take away food that is hot and freshly prepared using contemporary recipes of Asian regional favorites and the friendly service was always appreciated.

Birthday Lunch with the Klamath Falls Charming Chicks

Well here we are again..Seems like we eat lunch together a lot..We were celebrating April's birthday.. Joann also has a birthday this month but she was unable to attend.. We are a group now of 10 and 8 of us were all gathered around the table laughing and enjoying good food and company..Our chapter meets monthly. I began the chapter through the Mary Jane Farmgirls website. A fun group of ladies who share the farmgirl spirit  It is always a good day when we meet among "like-minded" friends. Happy Birthday Joann and April your friendship is appreciated by all..See you at the next monthly meeting at Susan's home.  Bring cameras as the baby llamas will be waiting...
seated around the table next to me.. Faith, Susan, April,MaryGail, Robin & julie..Gail took the picture.. I will get her in the picture next time! Sadly, Andrea' was also not in attendance. You can check out the Charming chicks site by clicking on the link on the right sidebar under the Mary Jane Farmgirl Magazine.

Batter Up!

Baseball season has begun around the entire country...Professional and Little league too.  "Here two of my younger slugger wanna be"  grandsons. They are both playing this year on separate teams..... I was surprised at the cost these days for just for them them to be dressed to play.  Pants, belts, shirts, caps,cleats and don't forget the batting gloves... Mits & bats & balls... over $150 for the two....Here Peyton  (9) and Mason (7) are dressed to play. Clay & I bought them Bats & balls for Easter instead of the traditional candy this year (because thats what this practical Grandma decided to do & because I thought for sure they got way too much sugary candy.) Now we hope they will  have fun playing  this  season.  
We hope to drive  back to Yakima at least once  to watch them play on their teams...I think they look cute all decked out in their gear don't you even if they don't keep score on their coach-pitch teams..It's good outside fun...

Pretty...but March is going out like Lion

Going out like a Lion...March is almost over.... and this is what I awakened to this morning.. It soooooo Pretty when the sun is shining on the property but I am still looking for spring flowers and warmer days... rain & more snow predicted for tonight & maybe tomorrow & then  the 4th month of April will show her face in a couple days along with possible rain and those pretty May flowers , or so the poem reads... What's it like in your corner of the world today?

What a lazy cold wintery day

Buster here telling you My mom thinks Spring is coming... Boy, does she have it wrong! It's 39 degrees outside and believe me I say that's Cold....I went outside when Dad filled the birdfeeders, & moved the big bags of birdseed & chicken feed to the coop...I hurried back here as fast as I could...& now I will sit here on the arm of dad's chair and sleep in the partial sun....I have been looking for signs of that"spring" mom keeps talking about and I cannot see it... The ducks are on  the pond but they have no babies, no new holes  of the rabbits to explore,  the chickens are scratching for something in the fields but  I don't see them eating anything I'd like. (Unless my mom tosses out the compost pot,  of leftovers & cooking goodies, but she shoos me away so her  "Golden girls" & "Black beauties" get it first....)  So I will just sit here and soak up any warmth the sun shines my way for today.....what did somebody say it was lunchtime or was I dreaming?

Too Nice to stay home

Today was just too nice to stay home when an adventure beckons from the south. Warm near 80 degrees in Redding California called us out today to explore and only 120 miles from home we were glad to take the journey. We have talked about checking out the boat launches and campgrounds in the area and today we were not dissappointed. We parked our car and walked along this trail about 1/4 mile to reach the viewpoint. What a view!  Below is the view of the Castle Crags. and a peak of Mt Shasta, when we got to the top in full view was her magical beauty.

We took the opportunity to snap a shot of the Sanfrancisco Arm of Lake Shasta as well. A promising camping outting I can see coming later this summer... 

The lake is goregous and huge and has 4 main arms of water flowing from the main lake. Summer time will allow us to explore the other 3 arms for sure.

Monday's list for Tuesday. Vacation over...Spring is coming

Home sweet Home .  Monday's list is now Tuesdays...
Ever notice how being away a few days can spur an awakening of energy to get 'r done on the home front? After seeing a glimps of spring, flowering trees leafing & blooming, bright yellow  daffodales  baby lambs and calves in pastures as we made our way home, I mentally made a list of things to do this week. I know from experience I can get ahead of  things unless I write down the most important to do's and tackle them one at a time... Clay checked the bee hives yesterday and we have several frames of honey to extract this week..yummy.... our weather forcast looks promising of low to mid 60's so thats the plan... We will have to order more bees however as the winter did a number on them... only a few remain in the hive so that will be a project to keep Clay busy getting the hive ready for new bees..... but first I think a second cup of coffee is needed before I begin my day.....

Taking My Mom home....

Today we will be back on the road.. Taking my mom to Woodburn, Oregon where my sister Karen will pick her up for the continued return to Kent Washington... I  have really enjoyed her visit and will miss her. I will return to Blogging Tuesday next week... Have a great Weekend my friends.
My sisters & I are planning  a Mothers Day Weekend at the Beach however and  Mom will join us. The Beach is one of her favorite places to visit. I am sure there willbe lots of fun in store for us there and of course I will be sharing thew events here. 
Cheryl

Life is like a puzzle or two and more...

Do you like to spend time doing Jigsaw Puzzles?   Well My mom sure does and now she has perhaps started me on a new time passer... She has a puzzle going all the time at home...Her neighbors drop in for tea & every member of our family has dropped into a chair for their share of "helping" complete and start new ones.  I can see how each day a new piece is added to make a complete picture of the days of our lives....We are working today on #4 of 5 that we have picked out too complete before she returns to her own home next Saturday.  She will not be going by train however as my husband & I will drive her to Portland where my sister & her husband will pick her up for the rest of the journey to Seattle. It has been fun drinking tea & sharing stories about what we do here at Blue Sky Farm and comparing the work and pleasures of what she & did as a child growing up in her family of 10 children..Oh MY!Gramma really had her hands full... It is interesting to hear her tell stories of gardening, canning, cooking, housekeeping and playing with how things were "back in the depression days" were for her. I suppose its because I choose to save, recycle and refurbish as she and my ancestors did. I know now why I like doing things & living my life.. Roots go deep and this country  apple didn't fall far from the tree......I think I will go make a cuppa tea for her, I am so Blessed to have these days with her..

A visit with my mom

 I made it back..finally,  but to tell you the truth, I am amazed at how tired I am. I guess this ol' gramma is not as spry as she used to be...but  traveling, visiting and shopping  really was fun. I brought my mom back with me to give her a change of scenery.  We are going to relax a couple more days, do some jig saw puzzles and enjoy our time together before we go to Medford for a bit of shopping. My mom will be  81  the 31st of this month and really enjoyed the train trip even though it was a 12 hour ride. She has a lot of stories about her childhood I enjoy hearing. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can take her site seeing around the Lake and country side.
She will be here with us for a couple weeks before we take her home. I hope I am able to travel when I am 80.

On Vacation for a couple weeks

Hello everyone,
I will be back to blogging March 1st. Headed to visit my family and friends in Washington.
Keep warm, safe and busy....
Cheryl

More Farmgirl fun....Today

Today is our Mary Jane Farmgirls Monthly Meeting. We have all made cookies or cupcakes to give to our Local Women & childrens shelter. We meet once a month as I have said before on  this blog. We laugh & share what we are interesed in and talents we have to share.We are quickly approaching  a new membership number of 12 chicks.  Thats a lot of Clucking  going on...and You know that Being a  Farmgirl is a "condition of the heart". We don't all have farms, or ranches or animals, chickens, or gardens but we do love living the country life and doing what we can to live that life as organic and sustainable as possible.  We share interests of shoppng for antiques, thrifting, recycle and sew, cooking,  scrapbooks, quilts and gardens, raising  chickens, & farm animals, fish & even camp. Our hens ages range from 30 something to 74! I have a link on the side bar to our chapter. Klamath Falls Charming Chicks. Basically we like to get together to have "girl fun" and are growing close as you know how we farmgirls friendships can evolve. Since I am the "Mother Hen" of the group after starting it early last Spring, Today I am going to give each of my "Chickie Friends" a special Valentine treat of cookies & choclates. ( who can't resist that?".) all wrapped up in these cute bags. We have also drawn "secret sister names" so today there could be some more Valentine Surprises unfolded. I love my farmgirl friends. If you think you are a "farmgirl at heart". Go to Mary Janes site ( also linked in my side bar) and check out a chapter near you. We do have One Heck of a lot of fun and chapters are open in every state.
Oh my! it's getting late & I have to get the vacuum put away, clean the bathroom..& put the coffee pot on before the chickies start to arrive... Happy Valentines to all of You!  &  Happy Trails!

Cheryl

The lost art of Line Drying

Here my clothes line is waiting....Oh how I wish it was warmer, I love to hang my laundry outside to dry. I asked Clay to make me a clothes line shortly after we moved in two years ago. I can hardly wait to start using it again. My laundry smells so fresh and sparkling clean when hung to dry.
I can remember as a child when my mother hung our clothes to dry, my sisters & I would run under and through the sheets as they blew in the wind. Ahhhh those great memories! Did you ever do that?

Did you realize that, hanging your clothes, by line drying is a huge savings, and your clothes will last longer. Clothes hung outdoors do not get static cling. another benefit is it's good for your body, The bending, stretching and lifting it takes to get the laundry on the line is a good way to get in some exercise, without realizing it.   I like that and who couldn't save some on the electric bill?
Here are a few tips on hanging your laundry outdoor:

First if you have clothes lines already, you may want to wash your lines with warm water if they have not been used in awhile because dirty clotheslines will get your clothes dirty as well. Make sure your lines are strong and taut. Laundry will not dry evenly on sagging lines.

Choose a day that is sunny and windy or at least breezy. The motion of the breeze prevents clothes from stiffening.  You can just add vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine load to help soften the clothes you hang ( they will not smell like vinegar when they are dry.) or make your own fragrant fabric softener. You can save even more money by making your own laundry soap. I will post the recipe another time. It is so easy to do  and only costing about 4 cents a load!

Hanging sheets & whites in the sunlight early in the morning you will get full bleaching effect of the sun rays. Have you ever slept on sheets dried in the sun? Pure Heaven!

Hang colors & brights in partial shade or in the afternoon to prevent fading. You can also turn them inside out before hanging.

Hang shirts & blouses on hangers to prevent clothes pin marks on th eshoulders. Hook and pin the hanger to the line.
Just try hanging your laundry  and  I bet you will love it as much as I do.

I've started a new cooking blog!

 I have decided to put my food stuff, recipes, tips & wine paring  along with  photos of what's cookin in my kitchen on a seperate blog. Please come pull up a stool and join me .  I have added a place setting for you..and will share a glass of wine or cuppa tea  along with a few bites with you.

Bon Appetite!

I think I'm becoming a Shutterbug..

A country drive  this morning was a photo opportunity for me. Since my  wonderful husband bought me a new camera  for Christmas, I have become a shutterbug, snapping pictures of anything & everything. You know, old Barns and old homesteads have always been a favorite of mine. It was cloudy and not a spectular day like a sunshine day would be but we did enjoy our outting. As we drove  up to the hill above our farm in the tree line, we had only gone   1000 ft higher than  we live, and we were in deep snow. So pretty and peaceful, not particulary cold but fresh. I took a few shots of the pine trees covered with snow. We then traveled down to the Wood River  a bird watching area where I got a few more shots ( no birds could be seen but we could hear themin the marsh. )  On the way home we were above Upper Klamath Lake around Fort Klamath, where we came upon the perfect homestead setting & barns. I was on cloud #9 ...and then  I took a couple close up shots, I couldnt resist temptation... I think I am getting pretty good at this...check out the raindrops... Cool

Two Nice Suprises...

#1 Suprise! I am here blogging so soon after I thought I was doomed..I will be using my cell phone (smart phone) to connect to the internet for afew days. The problem will be solved when I return from Washington. I wont leave until Feb 13th and will return March 1st. I am going to visit my sister, mom and daughter. Really looking forward to  a two week mini vacation. I am taking the train which is always relaxing , even though a 12 hour trip! I willstock up on hand sewing, reading to occupy myself. By chance my good friend Gail is going to be traveling the same way that day so we will keep company for the first 5 hours of the trip. We will be chatting away the time will fly....

#2 Surprise, today when I went to the mailbox I found a very nice surprise from another Blogger friend and Mary Jane farmgirl. We have  not met in person but share many interests. I read her posts everyday and I know she follows mine. She lives in New York and the chances of us ever meeting are.... well who knows? She sent me a darling bookmark she made  of Raggedy Ann  for my old 1918 printing. She recently got herself a copy at  athrift store. Thank you so much Nancy Jo.  Look how she matches the page in the book.. You can read her blog at
http://nancy-jo.blogspot.com/
I will be posting until the 13th as my daily adventures unfold thanks for folowing.
Have a great weekend..
Cheryl