Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Old Apple Tree


The OLD apple tree on our property may be falling over... 


It may not produce very good apples anymore...


But, it sure does provide some beautiful branches.


When paired with OLD mason jars, an OLD Coke crate, and an OLD rooster...


It looks like the youngest thing there!


Enjoy the little things in life,
for one day
you may look back 
and realize they were
the big things.


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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

It Was 1980 something



Imagine with me, if you will...

the year is 1980 something...


a handsome young boy in 10th grade...


built this with his hands...


for a wood shop project at school.


All these years later...


it is displayed proudly in a home...

 that he built...

OUR HOME.



Appropriately displayed with it...

a trinket from a girl...

that lived only 10 minutes away from the boy...

yet they never knew each other...

The two now happily live together...


 on a plant ledge...

in OUR HOME.


Sharing at these lovely blog hops:

Monday, April 27, 2015

More Baby Chick Photos, Some Answers, and Some News!

Thank you to everyone who has commented and e-mailed me regarding the
 Baby Chick Photo Shoot!


Today I want to show a couple more baby chick photos.
These were taken when the chicks were 5 days old.
Spring flowers were just starting to bloom.


The chic used for these was one of the Ameraucanas.
She has one of the sweetest dispositions and posed so easily.
(I have used this picture in my blog header.)
I think she knows she is special!  She will lay blue eggs!

{I also have some pictures of the baby turkeys, but I must say they didn't like to sit still.
I will share those pics soon.}



I have tried to answer most of the questions that was asked.  
Today's post will hopefully sum everything up.

What kind of camera do I use?
I have a Canon Power Shot SX150IS.  (It is at least 4 or 5 years old.)
That's it - nothing else - I don't even own a tripod!
Maybe some day...


How did you get the chicks to sit still?
In these pictures that I shared previously, the chicks were only a couple days old.
At that age they hold still (pose) quite easily, with just a little coaxing.
I had the props set up ahead of time, before I put the chicks into place.
I placed them where I wanted them, holding my left hand on them for a few seconds.
While doing that I had my camera ready in my right hand.
I was close to the chicks, so I did not use the zoom.
Once I took my hand away, I started taking pictures.  I pecked on the stand or moved the chicks as needed, for a good pose.
I took a few shots, hoping to get at least one good one.

(Because the chicks were so young, I did not have them out of the warm brooder for long periods of time.  I also tried to keep them warm cupped in my hand before and after taking the pictures.)


What did I use as a back drop?
I used an old book shelf that I dry painted a few years ago.
I used the second shelf.  This gave me the all over color that I wanted.
Using the second shelf helped to keep the chicks safe.  They could have fallen off the top shelf more easily.


What type of lighting did I use?
I did not use the flash on the camera.
I turned on my room's overhead lights and opened all the curtains for natural light.
That's it - I don't have any fancy lighting equipment.



I am excited to share...
I am working with a local printer to have some of the pictures made into cards and larger prints.
I hope to have them available for you later this week!


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Friday, April 24, 2015

Farm Photo Friday (4-24-2015)


Welcome to Farm Photo Friday.

A picture is worth a thousand words...












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Sign up to receive them by email every week.  
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Thanks for visiting.


Linking to Maple Hill Hop

Thursday, April 23, 2015

No Bake Cookies


No Bake Cookies

(and it's not the holidays, which is when I usually make lots of them)


So here are a few reasons I decided to make these cookies recently:

They add an extra hug when packed in lunches for the girls and hubby!


I should drink more milk...these help me to do so.

Sometimes...
we just...
NEED chocolate!


These are healthy cookies - they have oats in the them (smile).

They actually are healthier then store bought cookies - just read the ingredients on the package.


One of my Aunts gave me this recipe many years ago...'nough said, right?
If it's a family recipe, it HAS to be good!


It starts with sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa...



some vanilla and creamy peanut butter...



and finished off by adding the oats


No Bake Cookies
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 tbsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. peanut butter
3 cups old fashioned oats

In a pot, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa.  Bring to a boil.  Stirring constantly, boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Add vanilla and peanut butter.  Stir until all combined.
While stirring add 3 cups of oats. 
At this point you need to move quickly, before the cookies start setting up in the pot.
Drop by the heaping tablespoons onto wax paper.
Cool slightly.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.








It looks kinda messy with all those crumbs between the cookies, so go ahead and eat them up...makes a better presentation ;-)



Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Earth Day is April 22 - Spread the Word!


Earth Day was founded in 1970 by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as a way to make people aware of the importance of keeping our planet healthy.

Anything that we do to help our planet supports Earth Day (or any day of the year).  A few examples are:
  • walk instead of driving, when possible
  • clean up litter from a park or along a road
  • recycle and use recycled items
  • donate things instead of throwing them away

Do some homesteading, no matter where you live.
  • plant a tree
  • plant some herbs
  • plant and grow your own vegetable garden (containers work if you don't have ground space)
  • collect rain water to use on gardens and flowers

Part of Earth Day is also educating others about threats and dangers that are still prevalent in our society.

I was recently approached by Emily from Community Outreach for Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to help spread the word about the ongoing dangers of asbestos.  Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that can cause a cancer called Mesothelioma.

Some things to know about asbestos:
  • It can exist in buildings that were built prior to 1980, including homes, schools, and commercial buildings.
  • It is commonly found in floor and ceiling tiles, roofs, adhesives, and insulation.
  • It is still dangerous after being disposed of in landfills because it is an airborne toxin.

I DID NOT KNOW that asbestos is still being mined and used today!  For more information, read this article  found on mesothelioma.com/blog.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Do something for our earth day today.
Help spread the word about asbestos.


Sharing at Homestead Blog Hop

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pasty What ?!?!?


This week, my writing takes a totally different route from the cuteness of last week's post titled Baby Chic Photo Shoot.  Click here if you missed it.

In today's post for Community Chickens, I write about poo!  Pasty butt to be exact.

As gross as it sounds, it is actually quite serious.  If unattended, the chick can die.

If you have baby chicks or are thinking about getting baby chicks, PLEASE read this article.
It is best to know and be prepared.


Friday, April 17, 2015

Farm Photo Friday (4-17-2015)


Welcome to Farm Photo Friday.

A picture is worth a thousand words...


Spring gives new life to so many things...

apple tree



first blooming tulip



starting to get feathers



chics are one week old

Our first set of turkeys died within 24 hours of getting them.?.?.?
We got these at a feed store...hope one is a male!



We have decided to sell the alpacas.
We want to put cows in the pasture instead.



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Sign up is on the right side bar.  
Thanks for visiting.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

An Heirloom Bench


Heirlooms are lovingly tucked throughout our home.

If you take the time to listen, each one has a story to tell.

Heirlooms are a part of who we are...

Where we came from...

Where we are...

What we believe in.



This post was sparked by YOU!
I received such sweet comments and e-mails about this piece of furniture that I used as a backdrop for my recent post titled Easter Decor, Flowers and Music.
You can see the post HERE.

It sincerely warmed my heart that you were interested in it.  
This is one of the reasons that I started blogging last year...
to meet others that share the same passions and interests that I do.
So to YOU I say thank you!



This bench once belonged to my husband's Great Aunt Pearl.
It now graces our foyer.



This piece is used by family and friends when they visit...

It provides a place to sit and take off or put on shoes.

Sometimes it holds purses, bags and coats for visitors.


This heirloom is also used by us...


It usually holds a small towel to wipe off wet/muddy dog paws.



The seat lifts up, offering storage space.
It currently stores (and hides) board games and card games.

So yes, we lovingly use this heirloom, but we also showcase it's beauty.
Situated in the foyer, it is one of the first and last things you see when visiting our home.

It is a sturdy piece of furniture, that gracefully shows it's dents and dings.



Yet has elegant details on the top. 




The arms are slightly curved, providing comfort.



The sides are simple, yet beautiful.



It has bun feet.



My hope is that our children are learning to appreciate and respect heirlooms also.
Hopefully when they are grown and have homes of their own, they will have some heirlooms tucked in their hearts and throughout their homes.

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