DAY DREAMING

One of theses days I will be sitting in my very own hammock. I dream of a perfect day to be here. Since I have been retired I have wanted one of these. I keep busy during the day and I am never bored, a lot of crafting and day dreaming really of summer coming. When spring comes and the garden calls me to prepare the ground and plant my seeds, I will be wanting to sit at the end of the day and relax.. Retirement allows so much time to do just this, No clocks to wind for early wakes ups. I kind a like that..( I still wake early ) The mornings are so pretty and fresh. I have added the camper to my "bucket list "and as I slowly cross off the accomplishments I started a few years ago I am determined this year, yes It is on the top of my list. I would also have to win the lottery to afford Everything I have on my list, but for now a few luxuries I can enjoy and a hammock I think will be the perfect purchase. I can take it along with me when we go camping don't you think?

The Day is good

The girls are happy, I let them come out of their cage..They all came running to the gate. "Freedom I think they were clucking.. Yipeee
They love to run and forage for themselves. I hate to keep them "cooped"up in their henhouse & cage. I secretly think they do not mind when the temps are really cold and its raining or snowing.
The sun is suppposed to be shining the next few days so they can stretch their legs and fluff their feathers, take a "dust" bath in the sand ( its kinda dry) they dont seem to mind.. I can watch them from my window as they do that chicken run thing....their wings spread like saddle bags at their sides.. you know what I mean..running to see what another might just have found to eat..but they sure dont like to share...they are so funny.
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A sight for sore eyes

Tonight the view from my window. Makes me love days like this. Finally Sunny and warming up. When I was a kid we called these skies "Bubble gum Skies. Looks like a summer day.
Our rain has stopped, the snow is all melted and I am reay for Spring.. knowing full well it is really not just around the corner, but coming. I am a person who really needs sunshine and truthfully it shines here over 350 days. So I must stop complaining and be happy with days like this don't you agree?

Soggy ground

This is the way our side yard looked this morning. It has warmed up a bit, melted the snow and rained all morning.
We have several of these mini ponds around the property. The garage floor was a bit flooded as well due to the ground being saturated and the gutters were overflowing onto soggy ground.. Later today it stopped rainning but more expected to tonight with maybe snow. We are counting our blessings no worse damage done and grateful we live where we do and not like some other parts of the world where floods happen and loss is horrible. I think of the spring when all the water from the hills around us have dried and we are complaining of no water. It was pretty today with that gorgeous ball of fire shining onto the melt off... the chickens were happy to get out of their pen and returned to a dry coop tonight.

Needle felting fun!

What is Needle Felting? Simply put, it is felting without water.  Instead, you use special, barbed felting needles (the same used in industry today) to push the top layer of wool into deeper layers. The unique property of wool fiber that allows it to "stick" to itself causes the wool to felt, without the need for soap and water. 
My farm girl friends met yesterday and we learned how to needle felt. What fun. We were lucky to have our instructor as a member and she raises llamas and goats & sheep for the wool fibre. This project will be completed when I replace the needle I broke. If you are interested in learning how to needle felt there are great instructions  by Googling  Needle Felting. There are free patterns and video instructions very easy to follow..Just be very careful the needles are really sharp! I am making this picture and  really do not know what this will turn out like until the project is finished but it will be a fun craft to learn. I will post it when I finish.. Have fun!

Wahoo a Farm Girl Truck!

So tell me, Does this finally make me a Farm girl? It's a used truck but a BIG truck and I am ready to put it to use! Isn't she a Beauty?

This is how it all happened...Yesterday, My DH & I went to town to buy more straw for the chicken coop. We have been hauling it bale at a time along with 50 lbs of chicken scratch in our 4x4 Ford Explorer when we need it. Every time we go we line the back with a tarp to keep straw from getting all over the back end. My DH complains each time..but we have done it so many times I quit listening and I think to myself  "I wish we had a truck"and DH reminds me" we have a convertible (which  he hates and has since I purchased it when we lived in Arizona.) in the garage at home..& Someday we can trade it in". Well, Yesterday was that Someday! 

I am so happy! Now we can haul everything we want. Our next big project on Blue Sky Farm will be a Garden/Barn, we can haul the lumber for that and  the Camper!  Wait.. we don't have one of those  yet..but  maybe next time we go to town for  bird seed or feed or lumber in our Truck,  we will spot Our dream Camper.. I will for sure let you know.. * and ya know what else?, I don't think I will miss my convertible . In the mean time this mama is one happy Farm girl!

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Fun in the snow

My son Dennis took this picture of his son Charlie (now  2 years old)  the other day while he and his daughter who is (22 years   Yes, thats right  22 &, how I remember her at that age)  anyways They were out enjoying the first big snow time in Denver while "big sister" was visiting from Washington where she attends WSU. He said couldn't resist the temptation to give him a snowball to taste but he assured me he dug deep to get the  clean ( no yellow) snow. What kid doesn't like to eat snow? My son & his wife send these great pictures to me and I  really appreciate them..never knowing what I will see when I get the message on my cell phone with a text picture. It keeps me up to date with  snaps of him growing up.  Don't you just want to grab this child and hug him to pieces? Surprise! I  just found out that he is coming to Oregon for a  visit in May. His "papa Clay" has not seen him (except in pictures) so we will  Love his visit. His parents will be welcomed of course.. and we are so ready now.. but of course have to wait. For those of you who do not know Charlie is the last grandchild born in our family.... and he just happened to be born on my birthday! He is more than likely the last addition to our family tree.. and what a precious one at that.  

Visit from Jack Frost

 Jack Frost is here visiting today and will probably stay for the rest of the week. We didn't expect him to be here all day. His visit is a bit unexpected. The thermometer didn't register over 24 today at home and it was foggy all day. I couldn't help but pull out the camera and take pictures of  Mother Natures gift.  We  bundled up, wool socks, boots, gloves and  my new "cuddle dud"(  I love them so much) a warm coat and out to greet Jack.

This  last picture  is looking up the driveway at 4:30 today. The chickens are fed  ( nice warm noodles) and  cracked corn. They are warm inside their coop for the night while I am cozy and warm with hot Earl Grey while the outside thermometer now reads 10.

It's a dogs life...

 My favorite place to sit watching the covey of quail and other birds when they are  hanging out around the bird feeder by the window, rabbits and squirrels running across the field, and the deer nibbling on the bushes. I am a spoiled puppy. I might chase them if they are not looking but I can't chase my moms chickens...I know thats a" bad dog." thing...

I sleep wherever I find a soft cozy spot, sometimes on the couch,  sometimes on my mom & dads bed sometimes in my own bed but mostly right here on my dads lap. My  mom gets her feelings hurt sometimes when I choose my dad over her when it comes to scratches. (It's a guy thing ) but I do sit on her lap when he's not around or if she is sitting  in my chair. Yes, I know she feeds me most of the time and plays tug a war with me. She rewards me with treats of yogurt drops and yummy doggy treats when I perform the tricks she taught me...but She is such a push over.. when it comes to tidbits of goodies in my food bowl along with the boring kibble. My life is good here. I hope my dad will want to go for a ride in the car today, It is fun when  he lets me out of the car at the mailbox and I get to run, check out my favorite spots crawling over the rocks & bushes to sniff out a mole, or mouse or even the neighbors cat. but if its raining outside forget it...I will just hurry out do "my duty" and come right back to this spot. I think it might be one of those things other puppies just do too. I have it pretty good here... Spoiled and Loved a lot.

Did we say SNOW?

Happy New Year! We woke to 3 more inches this morning...I took these photos just a couple days ago. It is an example of what it looks like here in the mountains. Isn't it gorgeous? I am excited about the coming year and look forward to a new journey, meeting new friends, many possibilites await us. We will be looking for a camper and pick up to carry it.. We hope to build a small barn and getting baby chicks in the Spring. I plan to do some sewing ( in need of window coverings fore the family room). Starting some new crafts and planning my garden. The Klamath Falls Charming Chicks have lots of ideas and plans to share too. We are in for more snow and thats fine with me. I love watching the flakes fall and will be taking more photos as the opportunities open to me..I will read more, and blog more, eat healthier and open my life to stress less. I welcome you all to come along for the journey into 2011.

Out with the Old ..In with the New

Good Bye 2010 

Hello 2011

It has been awonderful year here at "Blue Sky Farm". I have made such good friends, those who live here in Klamath Falls  as well as reconnecting with friends of the past and I  have met new blogger friends along the way.

Our Family has been blessed.   Life is Good..

Thank you to my blogger friends who visited and follow  this blog site and "This Hens a cookin". 

Many of you 

 left such warm and interesting comments. I welcome you to continue following me on them. ( by the way,  I have updated  cookin' blog today too so check it out too)

 I want to wish you all a great prosperous  New Year.

I try not to make resolutions ( I seem to always fall short of these expectations) so this year I will take it one day at a time, enjoying life as it comes my way. Be Thankful for each path and door that opens to me and wish you all the same. 

Be safe tonight wherever and whatever your evening brings. I will be enjoying a quiet evening with my dear husband and Buster reflecting on the past achievements and setting goals for the coming year...

Cheers!

Happy Holidays 2010

To all my faithful followers and blogger friends . I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Winter Solstice or whatever you are Celebrating with your families and friends. I will be taking a short break from blogging... to go out of the state to  visit my family and friends for the remainder of the year.. If you are on the highways byways, railways,bus lines and or in the air.. May you have a safe journey and Celebrate the Love of the Season with joy. May you greet 2011 with inspiration and understanding of how our planet can be a better place to call home.. peace and good will to all....Cheers!

Oh Christmas tree....Oh Christmas tree

 How lovely are your  Branches!   Children... Here is our  Sweet Charlie, the  youngest addition to our family...He is 26 month old already. Where has the time gone? I really do wish we could be with him for Christmas this year.. to see the Holiday through his precious eyes.  This is the first Christmas tree  he is decorating .. Can you wonder what he is thinking about a tree in the house with  all those bright lights, bobbles and balls..he lives in Denver.  (a long way from Oregon) . I am hoping the plans for a Spring visit from them is still on the table for discussion......however  I am grateful for the many pictures his parents send. My wish for next year will be that we do share Christmas with him and his Dad, Mom  and his older Sister, ( she is visiting them from Washington State University)

This year we will be with our daughters and their husbands  and the other 3 grandsons in Washington. This  will make my Christmas complete. Many memories to Cherish, Photos to be taken, meals to share and homes full of love and stories later to tell.

Family is so important to me.. the old traditions change as our lives change and as our children move on with their own lives they do make traditions of their own. We send them into the world as it is and hopefully they can make it a better place..Christmas is one of the  times I remember those past Christmas' when our own children were small and how much joy they brought to us. If you are fortunate to be with your grandchildren this year kiss & hug them and enjoy the  laughter and excitement as they see it... They are this age only once....and ever so precious.

Merry Christmas Charming Chick Style

What a fun afternoon.. Here are some of the members of our Mary Janes Farm Girls Chapter in Klamath Falls, Oregon  
With 14 (of the17 members) all laughing women in a house can you imagine the noise level?   A true hen house! We meet monthly and sometimes more often just to checkout the antique shops and thrift stores, yard sales or just for lunch. We share with each other our "special talents" of sewing,  cooking, crafting, fiber spining, knitting, crocheting, raising pets, including chickens, dogs, cats, goats, llamas, horses, rabbits and sheep. (there is a farm girl in all of us) Some live on big farms, some on small and some don't live on a farm at all.   
We are involved in our community making donations to the Salvation Army, The food bank, and anywhere we can lend a farm girl hand. Some of our members have no family close to share times of tears and joys so we lean on each other. We have formed a loving friendship  a sisterhood as many of our children are raised and families live in other states. Some of us are retired but we all work hard to do our best to reduce, recycle and reuse. Making efforts where we can to make our planet a better place, while filling our lives with laughter and fun. Being a Farm girl is a "condition of the heart." If you would like to join a chapter or perhaps like me start your own. Check out MaryJanes Farm at www.maryjanesfarm.org/farmgirl-connection. There are chapters world wide waiting for you. 

It's Party time!

It's Party day!
I have almost everything wrapped. Annie and her friends are waiting patiently for Santa.
The gifts were wrapped with a roll of wallpaper I found in the thriftstore.. Added a paper doily & red ribbon. I wonder who those pretty gifts are for? Now I must get busy for the Charming Chicks Christmas get together today at noon.. I have Chocolate w/Peppermint Schnapps, Eggnog and Hot Buttered rum ready to serve. I think everyone will be "Happy".

Making Christmas card lists, candy & cookies

Are you feeling the stress yet?   Buying  or making gifts, wrapping the gifts, decorating the house, slipping  in a party or two. oh yes, the Christmas cards need to be written & mailed too...along with the packages  headed out of town.    Those who know me are aware that Christmas and everything to do with it makes me Happy.... I love to decorate,  entertain friends & family, and sometimes find it a bit overwhelming as I believe many of you do too. This year I promised myself to "Chill a bit" and do things  slowly. Plan ahead and start each day with a small project.  I can bake a bit, wrap a bit, write cards and decorate a bit....There is plenty of time before that big day.  I baked today for an exchange I forgot about... * I guess I was so relaxed I forgot to put that one on my calendar... Cookies made easy.. Details for Betty Crocker to the rescue posted on "this hens a cookin".  One of my Christmas gift purchases arrived UPS today and that relieved another stress, I have learned that online shopping sometimes really saves time & with coupons & discounts I am within my Christmas budget.. So I can relax  and enjoy the next  few days... did I mention  My husband has a Birthday next week ? Just one more thing on the list and we are going to go out for a quiet dinner..  leaving me more time to bake for the holidays. did I forget anything... Probably but I still have 15 days...and a list that is getting shorter... I think..

It's a Wrap!

I love to wrap Pressies! Have you wrapped your gifts yet, or are you like me just getting started?
I have a few to be mailed and those are ready to take to the post office.
Some we will deliver in person. That's always fun..
and when the postage gets a bit pricey,  I have those shipped by the services offered when I buy online.
I have been making my Christmas card list, and gift lists for family & friends & I am happy to report I am ahead of the game for a change. Yeah!
I do have some shopping to complete but I know what I am getting so that makes it easy.
I plan to spend a few days in the kitchen preparing some gifts.. Don't you just love homemade
gifts?. I think there will be a lot of "Love "flowing from my kitchen in the next couple weeks..
I also will be busy getting ready for the" Charming Chicks Farm girls"  Get together is next Saturday..
The decorating is almost done..(I Still have to get fresh  fir boughs for the porch railing) and want the inside to smell of Christmas too, so I will be buying more candles Spicy Cranberry, Pine & Vanilla are my favorites... Oh what fun!
Now, I need to go find Santa and give him my list... and Yes, I have been pretty good... Most of the year!

Yes, we still have snow

Oh, what a pretty afternoon with Blue Sky over our  Blue Sky Farm. It is melting slowly but it is still pretty cold outside. This first picture is taken from the house facing west  and across the road looking at the hillside covered in untouched snow.  Second picture, as you come down our driveway from the road our tracks are visible as the snow begins to melt.  The third photo coming south along the house our shrubs are blanketed in a nice 4-5 inches of frozen snow. There are a few sunken tracks of Buster's and perhaps a deer. Now to the back of the house  here is the path to the "Girls' Coop. we found it still mighty slippery and covered in a nice layer of ice & snow.. That is one of our apple trees, I do hope the winter won't be too harsh on it and  that next Spring it and the other two trees will be full of blossoms for our bees to pollinate. We spent some time this morning before the sun was shining as bright as it is now cleaning out the coop and repairing the cage.

some how other birds are coming to the girl's "dinner table" uninvited and staying because they don't know how to find the exit. We were able  to patch a space or two in the cage area, but it is amazing how they can get through such small holes. I guess they prefer the chicken food over the bits we put in their feeders.(Or they are just picky eaters.) which ever it is every birds is taken care of ... they see to that.