This little piggy goes to the market and a crafty morning.

Our neighbor's pigs were ready for the butcher to cure for a Christmas dinner.  We lent them our trailer and Dude was itching to get out of the house so off he went to help.  He said it was quite a time getting these guys into the trailer but they did it. .

Tuesdays is letter writing day for me. So, I stayed home and got three written and off in the mail. 

Our friends returned the trailer and came in for some fun and crafts. Of course, there was a rousing time with the marshmallow guns. 

Even their Dad gave them a try. 

I did manage to find a few crafts to work on. I found some ceramic houses to paint and decorate. The kids really got into it. (These were leftover from last year.  A craft I never got to.)

I stuffed my little cowboy while they painted. 

The houses turned out cute. Some were summer homes with grass. 

Others made winter homes with snow. 

They all turned out wonderful. 

Hope your evening or day is grand. 

peace

Some days on the homestead don't always go as planned.

It  was another gorgeous day in the 70's*.  Chores were done this morning.  Chicken coop cleaned, with fresh new bedding laid down and topped with dried mint and oregano to keep the pest and mites down... plus it smells wonderful. 

It is one of our grandson's first birthday. I think their parents are smart to keep the first one low keyed since he won't really get what is going on anyway. 

I was off today and will be tomorrow. Then it is back to work and homesteading. I am really enjoying my time with Dude. We continued our walking again today and went two miles. Not much but it is building up stamina and helping Dude recover from back surgery.  It is suppose to rain/snow tomorrow so we are heading to the recreational center to swim.  We love going to the pool and hot tub on cold days. We have learned not to dread winter but embrace it where we can. 

But for today, Dude washed the car and truck. The plants loved the run -off water.

I made cupcakes for the birthday boy. 

Then set out to make a fabric cowboy... It has a blanket, pillow, cowboy, bandana, and horse. It's called Howdy and made for Moda.  Adorable.

The blanket and pillow were a breeze. 

We had lunch and started cleaning up the dining room and living room. Before we knew it it was late and time to go see the birthday boy.  I wanted to finish my project but I could hear Dude yelling in the yard.  Angelo, our goat, had gotten out... first time ever. Apparently, he just pushed opened the gate.  Dude was having a fit, chasing him all around. Angelo is my big fat baby, a 3 year old Boer goat. I told Dude to quit yelling and just ask him for a hug and kiss. Dude thought I was crazy. But I just called for him and put my hands out. He came running to me for a goat massage. See...

Everything calmed down, the animals were put "away" and we head off to see my grandson. With all the commotion I forgot the cupcakes and didn't finish the gift. Ugh. 

So here is where I am now.  It will be for Christmas... if I ever get the little cowboy turned inside right.  heehee. 

Some days are like that. 

Happy Birthday to our seventh grandson Master Spencer. 

Time to bring in some firewood for the morning. 

peace

Sunday's goings on on the homestead and faith

We went shopping yesterday at one of those new mega-stores - you know, the kind that has a ferris-freakin'-wheel in it . Not something we usually do.  It was a bit overload to our senses and everything was super expensive.  I took pictures of everything I liked and wanted to make.

Crocheted/ knitted cowls were  $60
Scarves $60
Loose woven blankets  $130 - 169
Crocheted turtle neck ponchos $160
Wool punch pillows $70
Western type vests $160

It is definitely a handmade Christmas this year.

Today was busy.  I was off work for Thanksgiving and got these ready as a Thank You gift to my team.  I saw the idea at Organize Christmas where they have these print-outs.  I think you could do the same idea for Christmas with Christmas papers. I wonder how many of my young team have ever seen Jiffy Pop popcorn ...

Dinner was put in the crockpot first thing this morning. Pork roast with potatoes and onion soup mix with a bit of water. 

Next up Peanut Butter Kisses.  It is always good to start Holiday baking early on! These cookies are easy and quick  - 1 egg, 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar - mix. Bake 350* 10minutes. Pop a kiss on time while warm. 

I got the latest issue of Spin Off - a magazine about spinning yarn. 

I opened up to the first story and it was about the family that sheared my ram! Wow! How cool for them. 

Here he is last spring shearing Wilbur. 

Here he is with his buddies who helped with the equipment.  They did a fantastic job and we will have them back in the spring. 

We started the day with a walk. We have been walking now for a week. I have to tell you when I began my hips were tight and didn't think I could make it. I didn't want Dude to know so I kept on going. Now, today, it was a breeze. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for a walk. 

Geese were everywhere!

I did pick some dried Russian Olive branches to work into a Christmas ...as something. Not sure yet what it will be. 

I think they are so pretty. 

I did make Christmas cards. I'm not finished but did get 11 made. I found these antique printables at Shabbyartboutique.com. Then I looked for any embellishments I could find to create the cards. The Blessing card was a postcard that was in a package I recently got so I used it as a card. 

I went outside to see what was happening on the homestead on this absolutely gorgeous day!

Dude was having a wonderful time working with Summer.

I stopped to stay hello to Angelo who was trying to get my attention by eating my shirt. He is adorable and I just can't get mad at him. 

Wilbur asked for a lamb ram massage.  He turned and gave a nod of gratitude. 

A stop in the greenhouse for a dinner salad.

I came in and finished the "cards/coasters" for my team. 

Time for dinner.

Here's that garden salad... our greens, various lettuces, our radishes, a sliced apple, a wee bit of cheese, pecans and dried cranberries.  Oh yum. 

And for Dude... pork roast, potatoes, and, of course, salad. 

I took mom to mass last night. The church was packed and people standing in the back. Always a good thing. The  readings are ones that I understand but still grimace..." Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left." 

I raise sheep and goats.  Goats are smart and can be, at times, stubborn. Sheep, well, I hate to say it they are kinda dumb. But I think God is telling us not to be stubborn like the goats. He calls us to love him. Sounds simple but changing one's heart can be difficult. God is love and it is hard to envision the love God has for us. To have the faith of a mustard seed is all that is necessary but like sheep, who wander, there are times in our lives we feel lost. But Jesus is always there to show you the way, a new way , a way you can impact not only yourself but others too.  Are you living the King's Way boldly? Don't be stubborn of what you can do in the world, even if your world is small your impact can be huge. Don't be afraid when he shows you the Way or send others into your life that show you. Then it will be your turn to show others and impact the world.

peace

The day after Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family.  Dude cooked an awesome meal.  Our kids know how great he cooks that they brought their own containers to bring home leftovers. Well, we were ahead of them and had aluminum pans ready to be filled after dinner.  We piled them high with turkey, stuffing, yams, potatoes, cherry fluff, green beans and heads of lettuce, carrots and radishes from the garden.

Food coma was yesterday... today we work it off.
We fed the animals and gave them all a good morning hello.

Then it was off to walk off all the food we ate yesterday. The state parks in Colorado are free the day after Thanksgiving. So we grabbed some hard boil eggs, water, an apple or two and the dog and headed to the nearest park. The weather was in the 60's and gorgeous.  I could have stayed all day in the duck blind listening to the water hitting the side of the walls... nothing else. Our four miles walked went by quickly.

 The weather was changing fast by the time we got home.  A few showers passed over the homestead today and the geese were flying low.

Dinner was cabbage soup.  It's made with a lot of the vegetables that we have been drying... cabbage, peppers, onions, garlic and a can of tomatoes. Add leftover celery from yesterday, a bit of honey and apple cider vinegar, salt , pepper oregano and basil.

 Served with turkey sandwiches...perfect dinner. 

The rest of the night we will be just chilling.  We will sit in front of the fire, I will crochet (I am learning the puff stitch) and sew (finish some embroidery) and Dude will watch some television. 

Advent begins on Sunday. Candles will need to be found and daily gift making. Hopefully we can get it all done.

peace