An incredible day off

Today was a spontaneous free day, and can't tell you how badly I needed it. For the last few weeks I've praying for a day off. Not just off from work, but from everything. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, family, everything. And somehow God managed to make that happen today and I am so grateful. Annie spent the night at my moms and I woke up and went outside. I didn't go back in except for water and food all day long. It was amazing. I got a lot of the much needed work done in the yard, and even finished a small area completely.

This is the area I completed.

The hydrangeas are really small. I found then in the yard last year and they looked pretty bad, they seem to be coming up stronger this year. Hopefully they will thrive in their new home.

My helper hard at work.

I got a lot more done than this but I don't have photos yet, it was getting late and I was tired.

Pressure cooking is HOT!

So I got to use my pressure cooker for the first time. It's all I'd hoped it would be and more. Some women get excited about new shoes or purses (and I do too), but it's nothing compared to your first time home canning. It was ridiculously satisfying to pull out my 7 jars of beef stock. No freezing or refrigeration needed! and I did it myself. I'm sure you all think I'm totally nuts, but for me this is really exciting. I can't wait for summer vegetables to ripen.

overheard conversations

Annie and her cousin Ruby have some of the most interesting conversations. I have been writing them down for a few weeks now. Here are some of my favorites.

Annie, "God put a curse in me and make no one prettier than me."
Ruby,"that sounds serious."
Annie, "It is."

Annie, "pretend I was a wedding girl."
Ruby, "and I will be your mommy."
Annie, "no you will be my husband."
Ruby instantly falls to tears.
Annie, "I sorry you can be my mommy, but I not have time out."

Ruby, "my name is Sophie Della."
Annie, "my name is Sunblizen."

Annie, "A microwave is for catching people."
Ruby, "no it's not, it's for cooking."
Annie, "you are so silly Ruby." (she really doesn't know what a microwave is).

A week later I overheard this conversation:
Annie, "If you eat from a microwave you won't grow."
Ruby, "that not true, I'm bigger than you."

Ruby, "you have silly chickens."
Annie, "Do you want to hold one?"
Ruby screams, "NO" and runs away from the chicken house.

wish list

Still not sleeping, so I figured I'd post a blog. I'm sure you're all tired of looking at piles of dirt, even if my adorable daughter is standing on them. So I'm posting pictures of my wish list. This might seem strange, but every year when I'm getting my taxes together, I make a wish list of what I would do with part of the return money. This year sadly it's all going to fix my car, which super sucks (I'm grateful to have a car, I just wish it would stop breaking). Last year I paid off debt (a.k.a. school loans, only $5,000 to go!) and bought this lovely computer that I'm typing this blog with. This year I was going to pay off more of that icky debt and buy one present. It was a toss between practical and frivolous. I have loved this pair of earrings since I first saw them, and if you know anything about me, you know I don't buy jewelry EVER. It is a luxury, and my life can't really afford that right now. That's why God gave me a sister, who loves jewelry and loves me enough to know I need it. Every piece of jewelry I own is from her. Yes, my sister rocks and I love her (and her blog is awesome).

So this is my dream pair of earrings (Sundance of course). Perhaps they will go one sale. It would have to be a 90% off sale, but it could happen.


Next items on the list are of course kitchen items.

The lodge Griddle. I cook most of our food on cast iron. I love it. Nonstick without the Teflon. This would be an awesome addition to our kitchen, and far more practical than earrings.

Kitchen-aid PTO grain mill. This would be so cool to have, and it could save us money in the long run. Yes, it costs less than the earrings too. Why is jewelry so expensive?


The last item on my list is Asparagus crowns, but I couldn't find a good picture. And I think I will save this purchase for when I'm not renting (if that day ever comes).

Ever see chickens afraid of water?

Now you have.

Allergies SUCK!

Missing!!!

Have you seen this doll? Annie's Elsie doll is missing. I think we lost her a long time ago, but I kept thinking she would show up. Well, she hasn't and Annie has been crying every night lately because she misses her. She is ratty (or one could say filthy), old and wearing a dress I'm embarrassed to say I made.