Week 5 - I'm trapped, and I can't get out!

Last week I told you that we had a fox problem here at Pieceful Harbor.  John and our neighbor put their heads together and decided that the only way to handle the one or more foxes was to trap them and dispatch them.  They placed a trap out near our tree line in the north field the other day and primed it with raw chicken.  They did NOT, however, actually set the trap.  The idea was to get the creature used to getting food from the inside of the trap without fear of it trapping it...once it had taken the bait a couple of times, they really set the trap.  

 And the next night, this is what they saw ...yes, folks, that's a possum.

Needless to say, they let him go...he's not the creature that is killing out chickens. so he got a hall pass! As John said, "I've go no war with you!".

Things have been pretty quiet here on the farm...the above is the most exciting thing to happen this week. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Week 4 - When One Lives in the Country...

When one lives n the country, one must remember that certain things are inevitable.  Power outages are not addressed quite as quickly as those same issues in the city.  Items one likes in the markets are not always available in the country.  Movie theaters are farther away - necessitating driving farther to get away from reality for a short while.  And wild animals are more prevalent in the country.  

That was brought into blazing clarity this past week.  You've heard me talk about John's rooster, Foghorn Leghorn and his harem of 6....about 3 weeks ago, Foghorn went missing and John found the evidence of his disastrous meeting with a fox out in the meadow.  And Thursday, 3 more of the females met their own demise.  I had spotted the fox earlier that morning - he certainly wasn't suffering from starvation....and now he's had 3 more chickens during the morning....I'm kinda hoping he had indigestion after his hunting and killing spree!

We have tons of gray foxes here in southwest Missouri..and they aren't warm and cuddly creatures, in spite of their looks.  They are grisly killers!

I mean, 3 chickens in one morning?  Killers! John is going to place a Have-a-Heart trap over in one of the fields where he thinks the fox 'travels'.  He won't actually set the trap for a few days, only put it there with some chicken meat...once the fox is used to having it there - and getting some food there - then John an arm the trap and catch the bugger...and then he can dispatch Mr. GrayFox so the remaining 3 chickens are safe from that predator.

On another note, John and I cleaned out the area of our sitting room where I'd put all the items we had been storing in mom's room - until she moved in with us, that is.  We spent over 6 hours sorting and purging and then John put all the stuff we are saving up into the attic - including 11 huge plastic tubs of quilts - yes, that is eleven!!!!  The sitting area is now clear of all items except one cabinet that will stay - it houses some quilts behind a glass door and can act as a TV stand.  John is devising a plan to do some minor repairs to a wall and then paint that room - and we can then place the book shelves and mount a huge TV and actually use it as a sitting room!  I can't wait!!!

It's cold and rainy and mostly an icky day today...not complaining - we need the rain.  But it is what it is...cold and rainy and icky.  I'm off to make a cup of tea and knit for a while.

Thanks for stopping by!

Week 3 - When Snow Turned to Ice

Our weather since the New Year has been just weird!  Christmas Day's temps were in the mid-60's, then we had some subzero days, and then back up to 50's and 60's...last week we went from 60's to under freezing and today it's back up to the 40's.  In addition to below freezing weather, we had rain, sleet, freezing rain, and ice.  The library was closed on Friday due to ice and John doesn't work on Fridays so we all stayed home safe and warm.  

Ice on the window....looks pretty.

Icicles hanging off the roof.

Cold Big Green Egg.

The trees outside the front door. Brrr.

The ice did not accumulate more than 1/4 inch which is good...at that thickness, we did not lose power..Yeah!

I recently saw some cute memes that made me think of my nephew, Scott....He is in middle school and just starting to take chop classes...he made mom a beautiful turned-wood pen...Here's to you, Scott.

I know these aren't supposed to be funny but they sure did tickle my funny bone.  And they are so true!

Got to talk to my friend, Shelly, in California via Skype this morning....I miss our visits so much and whenever we get to Skype, it's like we were never separated....She and our other friend, Meredith, are my quilting muses!  Good friends are hard to find and when one is lucky enough to find one, or two or three, it takes lots of work to keep them, If they're worth it, it doesn't even feel like hard work.  That's the way I feel about Shelly, and Fran, and Meredith.  

Oh, here's another picture of some of our property.

One of the cedar trees by the road dropped some branches...several trees on the property dropped branches but I couldn't say if they were due to icing or were just hanging out and fell with them wind and the rain and ice.  Needless to say, John has a morning of limb-gathering in front of him.  

We are expecting more rain and higher temps this next week. With luck, we won't have any more ice this winter.  Fingers crossed.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Week 2 - In Which there is Snow

This explains the past year to a T. Enjoy!

This past week saw 2 birthdays and some nasty weather.  My birthday was Monday.  Mom and John and I went to Springfield for a lovely lunch that day since we were all off work for the New Year holiday. On Thursday, my youngest brother was supposed to be flying in from Phoenix to help Mom celebrate her birthday.  Unfortunately, the weather turned nasty and the airlines cancelled the flight.  The snowstorm lasted on the one day but left a trail of slick roads and snow that lasted till today.  My work was closed for the last two days of the week...made for some great knitting time!  

John and I took mom out to dinner last night...Bambino's is one of her favorite places.  Yum!  

Mom finished this cute little shrug last week...doesn't she look great for 87?  I'm so proud of the things she has accomplished since she moved in with us last May...not just socks anymore.  But shawls, sweaters, shrugs, fingerless mittens, and now she's working on a scarf.  She likes going to the local yarn shop with me..she knits and listens to everyone talking and gossiping and giggles while I teach a class or we just sit and knit for a while. I love this time with her.

Well, the weather is supposed to change this week...sunshine and warmer temps and some rain (but only rain if the temps cooperate).  Unusual weather for winter here in the Ozarks but I sure do not hate it!

Thanks for stopping by, folks.  

Week 1 - Happy New Year 2017

Starting off 2017 the right way!  We want to wish you and yours a most Blessed New Year.  May all your days this year contain at least one blessing, if not more.

Well, last year contained blessings as well as challenges. Ups and downs, Hots and colds.  This next year has started out with good things, and ups and warmer than usual temps.  A good omen, for sure.

I am going to try to make this another year of weekly postings...it worked last year and I have no reason to think that I can't do it again this year.

I saw this the other day and had to share it.

Why, yes, yes I was...tomorrow is my birthday and I am going to amaze myself this year (said the old lady!).  It won't take much, I'm easily amused and amazed.  Check back soon to see if I can do this!

John is going to cook a chicken on his Big Green Egg today...really?  What a fantastic idea, you say.  But what's so neat about that, you say?  Well, chicken in question is a 9 pound chicken!  Biggest darned bird I've ever seen.  He spatchcocked it (also known as butterflying it) and will cook it on the BGE.) This thing is huge, it's humongous, it's gargantuan.

  That's John's hands on that huge bird...he took the backbone out and splayed it flat...cooks the meat more evenly.  

Wishing you all a most Happy New Year.  

Thanks for stopping by.