tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48088617611715119552024-03-19T21:35:21.544-07:00Paws2InkA little bit of this. A little bit of that. A card, a quote, a song, a note. Perhaps nothing real profound, but certainly important in my world!dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-56510379069673348252015-06-18T12:07:00.001-07:002015-06-18T14:58:28.019-07:00Hurricanes and syrup.Yesterday, Hurricane Bill was downgraded to Tropical Storm Bill as it raged straight north into Texas. We were expecting 6+ inches of rain and dreading every bit of it. We actually lucked out because the main body of the storm passed just to the west of us, and we were stuck in the armpit between it and the following tail as it lifted north. We caught the tail end of that tail around 9 PM and it just poured for awhile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LlC76ds60dzXDQy20FzSwXGxlPR69xI6xiiJNjFmsu5cBc2MHqMurxMoviQ_5z4VpMXNEHNyuxPM82Cat2_0wTWJdBnkQBRibjJHh22izmOT48n3A5fNhtkMbbTB2kiAp8cJZMpzh1cR/s1600/IMG_6449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LlC76ds60dzXDQy20FzSwXGxlPR69xI6xiiJNjFmsu5cBc2MHqMurxMoviQ_5z4VpMXNEHNyuxPM82Cat2_0wTWJdBnkQBRibjJHh22izmOT48n3A5fNhtkMbbTB2kiAp8cJZMpzh1cR/s400/IMG_6449.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8:51 AM</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening!</td></tr>
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My mint beds are totally out of control, and I don't want to lose ANY of the minty goodness I've grown, so I took a big harvest of the chocolate mint. I filled all nine trays of the Excalibur dehydrator and still had a lot left over, so I made a mint simple syrup and canned it to put it in iced or hot tea all year long. I might use it as part of a liquid substitute in some baking recipes as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2T72FFxtDU6R38sN4Jys4cDlO5ca9fh0YZ3-mz80vNy6s18VJesCP1o_RjyNeTb_74v10veycmV4KZiasdDdy1-3iFsZXewkNFV48UATgj5JwM5-XTvPnPMm7B_WunjIRElMta4QAMxy/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2T72FFxtDU6R38sN4Jys4cDlO5ca9fh0YZ3-mz80vNy6s18VJesCP1o_RjyNeTb_74v10veycmV4KZiasdDdy1-3iFsZXewkNFV48UATgj5JwM5-XTvPnPMm7B_WunjIRElMta4QAMxy/s640/IMG_6450.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">LOTS of mint. (You can see I've already started filling trays in the background.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJCHq5-Q_zDDNceYhQsMoLpNCKt-bUlJeGhxTl6DGhdx4QDiBybUOdney7H_Af95zn8ZBPW6VxUwC2-2QUj7Vtoeto6Gvbp1dk4co7lFvLQ2jJxfgLEnJKF0NENOoIKU_Px6Oc8CUAwGG/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJCHq5-Q_zDDNceYhQsMoLpNCKt-bUlJeGhxTl6DGhdx4QDiBybUOdney7H_Af95zn8ZBPW6VxUwC2-2QUj7Vtoeto6Gvbp1dk4co7lFvLQ2jJxfgLEnJKF0NENOoIKU_Px6Oc8CUAwGG/s400/IMG_6453.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">NINE trays... becomes one quart of dried mint leaves.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKh2Udctk5HaU9ZITMfaRKC8u8MLXy928j2judiBkIznq15OYO2VhmxTcs83zZ2w1_57Hb1TpIzJfsfpZsqD4l6Jb50uMhCJ3KMiZh0aLhO_sZsMZXtZLpy2Tzq5g0KFubipgGvyCF0pG/s1600/IMG_6451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKh2Udctk5HaU9ZITMfaRKC8u8MLXy928j2judiBkIznq15OYO2VhmxTcs83zZ2w1_57Hb1TpIzJfsfpZsqD4l6Jb50uMhCJ3KMiZh0aLhO_sZsMZXtZLpy2Tzq5g0KFubipgGvyCF0pG/s640/IMG_6451.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Boiling down the sugar, water and mint. I had about 4 quarts of water and added about 9 cups of sugar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uyrMipj4oFk9-SFy_2BL4uvBKz2VWs66NSOLZ53EFVPncsGvlq5gcSCFxNbQ1Dgm2sC4vDRxOZj6J_52RJ7fU9EiVwuMJzrzEHlraQZmDUmJUPmscYBDQJ0kBibg8s9TpkU6Zl9RzO9i/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uyrMipj4oFk9-SFy_2BL4uvBKz2VWs66NSOLZ53EFVPncsGvlq5gcSCFxNbQ1Dgm2sC4vDRxOZj6J_52RJ7fU9EiVwuMJzrzEHlraQZmDUmJUPmscYBDQJ0kBibg8s9TpkU6Zl9RzO9i/s640/IMG_6452.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Final result... 8 pints. My small water bath canner only holds 7 pints, so the open one went into the fridge when it had cooled a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today, I'm going to run out very soon and plant some of the stems from yesterday's harvest into the NE side of the house to get it started there. I love Chocolate mint. When I'm done with that, I'm going to go harvest an equally large amount of the peppermint!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for reading!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Dawna</span></td></tr>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-273755236231042802015-06-14T21:46:00.001-07:002015-06-14T21:46:41.898-07:00Harvests!I have been really seeing some of our gardening efforts playing out. The blackberry bushes are almost done, and I had gotten 7 pies in the freezer before we went on the cruise (gave one to the neighbor who ran the tractor mower across our yard) and they are DELICIOUS! (I baked the 8th one for us!)<br />
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Since I'm still recovering from my unfortunate run in with a new (to me) allergen, I stayed inside most of the day today, but here is some of what I accomplished!<br />
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The four ducks we have are laying regularly now, and we usually get 3 eggs, sometimes 4 a day! They are SO beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ITqKy6sCI5Hnt5JXxiiGj4KrgQWqgM4TYg68-7LSq5eLMHMvTRrxZNRRlfA-yuvhe3VIAITiJFaOi8VOoO2m2eFf-LFxnusH0hudDJPVYcYbIX-uNvHXtZu1MIt355H2uP027ggXxHZn/s1600/IMG_6440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ITqKy6sCI5Hnt5JXxiiGj4KrgQWqgM4TYg68-7LSq5eLMHMvTRrxZNRRlfA-yuvhe3VIAITiJFaOi8VOoO2m2eFf-LFxnusH0hudDJPVYcYbIX-uNvHXtZu1MIt355H2uP027ggXxHZn/s640/IMG_6440.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors of the eggs are really lovely! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivonbdw4v_hnQBL7MaeSivMjqg1DuT2Y8pxd40eJVc4Vy5WPYeGCsArtPrkEPeyMSQagX5g4Rte6JscnNkQWuvwGg2UhR2XtwRlzpFgf6c6sQSjNVNziNVLTfn4WIR8w4shF2dTwlPXo1d/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivonbdw4v_hnQBL7MaeSivMjqg1DuT2Y8pxd40eJVc4Vy5WPYeGCsArtPrkEPeyMSQagX5g4Rte6JscnNkQWuvwGg2UhR2XtwRlzpFgf6c6sQSjNVNziNVLTfn4WIR8w4shF2dTwlPXo1d/s640/IMG_6441.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A double yolker next to a normal sized duck egg. Pretty fun! Poor ducky butt!</td></tr>
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We had 3 dozen eggs on the counter, and I decided to use up a bunch of them, so I made FOUR quiches this afternoon. Some ham, some sausage, each one with a little different add-in list. We even added some of our zucchini to one of them!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafAa_-rNSirODoVlSb7n3_c_zlX9gC8dkf8KfkDjDZvrIPcxG_XPDi1DuBZVtxYhdXqrDnj2vBLvq2iXiiWlpzibVXfCmAkIAgR7UXsJzfFBMBEJsYKDpYKi7tk9Q6EWPSGF0qUl7ZAF/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafAa_-rNSirODoVlSb7n3_c_zlX9gC8dkf8KfkDjDZvrIPcxG_XPDi1DuBZVtxYhdXqrDnj2vBLvq2iXiiWlpzibVXfCmAkIAgR7UXsJzfFBMBEJsYKDpYKi7tk9Q6EWPSGF0qUl7ZAF/s640/IMG_6443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All four out of the oven!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw9BmAkfcWMJiYaEGBQSMI5Z4-l4pTUV_As3eJl4Rvs72SqMn_xJ0brpJuWM6KQOOPgEREdRCUIqvMBCyJjCrmy3IJ0vpYYOnGxYMYqyueKwSpWE2rMxTRPTym66lX64XYz4OHe8bQaHU/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw9BmAkfcWMJiYaEGBQSMI5Z4-l4pTUV_As3eJl4Rvs72SqMn_xJ0brpJuWM6KQOOPgEREdRCUIqvMBCyJjCrmy3IJ0vpYYOnGxYMYqyueKwSpWE2rMxTRPTym66lX64XYz4OHe8bQaHU/s400/IMG_6444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After letting them cool (and tasting a couple pieces from one of them,) I cut them all up and wrapped them to put in the freezer. </td></tr>
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I'll let them stay in the freezer overnight until they are firm, then I'll gather them into some larger freezer bags so we can snag out one piece at a time as we want them.</div>
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While those were cooking and cooling, I grabbed a bunch of the zucchini and ran some through the shredder in the food processor, and got 9 bags of generous 2Cup portions to put in the freezer for zucchini breads later. (I'm going to have to get my sun oven out there... it's too hot to put it into the house!) I figured I had enough shredded for now, and so sliced several more and put them into the dehydrator. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilveP9fcPPQBN5dKIpZOPUvV8kp2MF9g3_54F93LDsF2DinFTAoSgLo5vWsHRKgMvSoDrPnMxW-7AuIAkMfuSrSWWKq3NqQ8Ob4I0r8lv13kPyxd-JImvez6gNsra4dX_kVmGQfZdDdX2c/s1600/IMG_6442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilveP9fcPPQBN5dKIpZOPUvV8kp2MF9g3_54F93LDsF2DinFTAoSgLo5vWsHRKgMvSoDrPnMxW-7AuIAkMfuSrSWWKq3NqQ8Ob4I0r8lv13kPyxd-JImvez6gNsra4dX_kVmGQfZdDdX2c/s400/IMG_6442.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't usually use all 9 racks at the same time, but I am this time!</td></tr>
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I'll have them available as chips, or to toss into soups this Fall. </div>
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I took a half dozen beautiful tomatoes off my vines and took them to the elderly neighbor to the SW of us since he told me most of his tomato plants failed this year. He was really glad to get them, and they sent me home with about 25 yellow crooknecked squash!! (Insert eye roll here!!) I'll have to figure out what to do with them pretty darn quick! I cruised through Pinterest for some ideas, and maybe I'll try some of them! </div>
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I had a pretty productive day!</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-57028761266881207062015-06-13T18:23:00.001-07:002015-06-13T18:23:42.391-07:00SO much to share!!We're BAAAACK!<br />
Our cruise was full of LOTS of excitement. Not all of it good, but we are fine, and happy for the time together without any other demands for our attention. It was a good way to celebrate 30 years of marriage.<br />
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The ship was just beautiful, and the FOOD!! MY GOSH, THE FOOD!! I came back with an additional 6 pounds that I would have liked to leave onboard, but WOW! I'm thinking a month of salads will be worth it! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-l0oxxQwXGErCDnBLN1KvmAozNck93G50yohsYPX268Sye5QofrLXPel1KH4g7WxCEJNuRE8sUDf6IIukIIyrwaIkoRnZJMfG4rYleMg1zXHh6bwkcCLdeiW5VRaxgJ0hGM5rgA-_cxs/s1600/717-12242304-Gangway+Life+Ring+Sh-13493_GPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-l0oxxQwXGErCDnBLN1KvmAozNck93G50yohsYPX268Sye5QofrLXPel1KH4g7WxCEJNuRE8sUDf6IIukIIyrwaIkoRnZJMfG4rYleMg1zXHh6bwkcCLdeiW5VRaxgJ0hGM5rgA-_cxs/s640/717-12242304-Gangway+Life+Ring+Sh-13493_GPR.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the pier in Cozumel posing with our ship.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYobyi4Lr-neoGnslPmAkLo66sUoO4Bd-2k8DCH3NEap9BmK17d3q6Q6jfqssTowQPxzx2Lg3Vtk6bzD-bpZK3Y0o8MkBhlYRhCX8YV5hpN0DaJLNK7B9URYJVhzQIJmVtz1zxQLT9wMk/s1600/IMG_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYobyi4Lr-neoGnslPmAkLo66sUoO4Bd-2k8DCH3NEap9BmK17d3q6Q6jfqssTowQPxzx2Lg3Vtk6bzD-bpZK3Y0o8MkBhlYRhCX8YV5hpN0DaJLNK7B9URYJVhzQIJmVtz1zxQLT9wMk/s640/IMG_3226.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chandelier in the 3 deck Sapphire dining room where all that amazing food was served!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSStI_j-d4j9tvGx8tdonpeHQQGVw0DG-sTBoDfTDF_Rr5NBhNAwsjRqNa6u0Zp2muqtPwpCEW9BUH-C1ziXt5kIw9VSyfmlHhfZ6TBqLbXAGXl-S3LUMq4cF34nZrlCKDPPw5dQi6Bj1E/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSStI_j-d4j9tvGx8tdonpeHQQGVw0DG-sTBoDfTDF_Rr5NBhNAwsjRqNa6u0Zp2muqtPwpCEW9BUH-C1ziXt5kIw9VSyfmlHhfZ6TBqLbXAGXl-S3LUMq4cF34nZrlCKDPPw5dQi6Bj1E/s640/IMG_3059.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kern and I in front of the showpiece are in the center of the ship. It climbed from about the fourth to the 10th deck and looked like a big column of bubbles. SO pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of the bubble sculpture.</td></tr>
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Our first stop was Cozumel. We had a snorkeling tour set up, and I have to say that I love to snorkel. The fish and the coral were just stunning, and the time I spent there was just breathtaking. THAT being said, I also have to admit that small boats, bouncy waves, salt water circulating through my sinuses and my motion sickness are NOT a good combination. Sometime during the first snorkeling stop I just knew this hadn't been a good idea. When we all piled back into the little boat I lost my breakfast, and at the second stop, I couldn't even get out of the boat. I sat on the bench as still as I could and stared down the beach. That blessed, STILL, solid beach that I should stick to from now on. I would love to go snorkeling again, but FROM THE BEACH so I can get a break from all the motion. <br />
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All the pictures I had on MY phone up until that point are still somewhere in Cozumel. I had put my little phone wallet into a paper bag we had gotten from a local shop while I visited the ladies' room (So I wouldn't lose it, LOL!), and when we got back to the terminal, I reached in and it wasn't there. Kern jumped into another taxi and went back to where we had been snorkeling to see if he could find it, but no luck. While he was trying to do that, I had turned the bag around and discovered that one edge had gotten wet (presumably from resting against a wet swimsuit) and there was a gaping hole the entire length of the bag. I'm certain the phone wallet fell out of it. Along with my ship card. And my debit card. And my drivers license. (sigh) Whattaya gonna do? The local authorities let me onto the pier without identification since Kern vouched for me, but at the security point at the bottom of the ship boarding place made him go up to our cabin and get my passport before he would let me on. Word of advice... DO NOT keep your passport on you when you take a day trip off the ship. JUST. IN. CASE. Back onboard, they issued me a new ship card and let us use the phone to call VISA and cancel my card, then AT&T to kill off my phone. <br />
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The next day we stopped at Cayman Islands, but the weather was just crappy, so we didn't even get off the ship. Kern took in a movie, I think I took a nap, we walked and shopped around in the ship. We spent some time up in the skybar reading and chatting with another couple who were there also passing the time. It's a lot of fun chatting with strangers and getting their stories. <br />
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The NEXT day was our Jamaica day. It looked a little gray, but we decided to take the excursion we had already paid for. We went to The Enchanted Gardens and Aviary and 'mini' waterfalls. This place was beautiful, and a bit sad. It seems like it would have been an amazing resort in its time, but had fallen into some disrepair over the years. The aviary had lots of gorgeous, friendly, seed-seeking parrots (and a couple of peacocks, mourning doves, and fancy chickens, LOL!) We enjoyed our time in there.<br />
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The 'mini' falls were absolutely amazing. We had not come prepared to get soaking wet, but I did take my shoes off and put my feet into the water for a bit. It was cool and refreshing. The weather was sultry, so we were already pretty damp from the heat and humidity, so I guess it wouldn't have mattered if we had climbed the falls like most the others in our little party.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toward the top of the falls. The rock was worn smooth and the water just flowed so sweetly. I could spend a LOT of time here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were 14 natural waterfalls as the waters skipped across the property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't very deep anywhere, and I would have loved to sit under some of that water.</td></tr>
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The following evening (the first of 2 sailing days to get back to Galviston) was the second formal night, so we got cleaned up to go down and stopped by the photographers area on the way down. I like this pic and think I'll frame an 8x10 to put on our headboard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdWoMru4RUI4fuyj7h6e5PHNzG_xa3j4rhTRemRxfELWFGNcY1QewvsK2e3isXU5jf2Qw7QubAb12DliLG21zYGqsKsJQHcGxwX8B7laFn1o4HYdPh-pzPGc7FaSmJvhz4mWfAQWn1Iwg/s1600/717-12345517-F+LSP+White+3+MS-13526_GPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdWoMru4RUI4fuyj7h6e5PHNzG_xa3j4rhTRemRxfELWFGNcY1QewvsK2e3isXU5jf2Qw7QubAb12DliLG21zYGqsKsJQHcGxwX8B7laFn1o4HYdPh-pzPGc7FaSmJvhz4mWfAQWn1Iwg/s640/717-12345517-F+LSP+White+3+MS-13526_GPR.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this man. SO much. </td></tr>
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During our last day at sea the sun finally decided to come out and play nice! The color of that ocean!! I wish I had the right descriptive words. This is near where we spent several hours just enjoying the ocean breezes and reading and relaxing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous!</td></tr>
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After getting off the ship on Sunday morning we headed north to work our way home. The Houston traffic was horrific, and we stopped for lunch, and went to a Best Buy nearby to replace my phone. I'm the proud owner of an iPhone 6, and the loser of a bunch of $ I wasn't planning on spending. <div>
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Monday after getting back, Kae took me up to Terrell to replace my drivers license, so I'm carrying around a piece of paper with my new info and waiting for the plastic one to arrive in the mail. New VISA card has arrived and been authorized, and I'm back in business! </div>
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It didn't rain while we were gone, and a day or two after we got back, our wonderful neighbor used the tractor and mower to plough down the 4' grass in the front yard. He did what he could while avoiding the still soggy spots, and I followed him up with my ZTR mower. I woke up the next morning with my torso on fire and lots of little lumps. I was afraid it was chiggers or some little bug, and put some essential oils on them. By 10 p.m., the welts had grown in size and intensity and I was in a blazing amount of pain. I was quite sure I was having an allergic reaction, so Kern took me to the ER where we stayed for about 4 hours. They stacked a bunch of antihistamines into my system and gave me steroids to help me get through. I'll be on a bunch of both for the next 5 days. I stepped outside for about 5 minutes today in the heat, and several of the welts and itchy spots came back with a vengeance. Sigh... I'm going to have to go see if I can get to an allergist and get some meds. I can't NOT work in the yard, but I don't want to go through that again. </div>
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Ducks are happy with the mown lawn. I think it's easier to find tasty treats without having to wade through the tall grass. The Quack Pack has finally found the pond, but they don't spend much time in it. The Golden Girls go in frequently, but nobody strays too far from the shoreline.</div>
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I think that's enough babbling for today. IF you got this far, thank you for reading!</div>
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Dawna<br /><div>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-37460864622481503342015-05-30T23:10:00.001-07:002015-05-30T23:10:31.546-07:00Bon Voyage!Monday marks 30 years of marriage to my Kern. I love him more today than ever, AND... I still even LIKE the guy!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFQCfNVBeC8oor3XjIrVsHHQLe2X96m3Pfba0XK8BQbxnL0FohBXWjCg0lFcLmgxWAPfCE59L_4TWXEHh81qHrHeJVs1XR3O9FWRUm8A2ASWYdlJgUny-_doulUOgmC8wIRra730n7Yli/s1600/wedding-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFQCfNVBeC8oor3XjIrVsHHQLe2X96m3Pfba0XK8BQbxnL0FohBXWjCg0lFcLmgxWAPfCE59L_4TWXEHh81qHrHeJVs1XR3O9FWRUm8A2ASWYdlJgUny-_doulUOgmC8wIRra730n7Yli/s640/wedding-30.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is just a piece of cake with this wonderful man by my side!<br /></td></tr>
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In a few hours we are leaving for a week-long cruise to celebrate each other and get a good start on the next 30 years! I'm sure I'll have LOTS to report when we get back!<br />
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Dawnadawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-76407361563066778282015-05-21T10:34:00.000-07:002015-05-21T10:40:03.805-07:00Lots of NEW stuff!<span style="font-size: large;">We are all of a sudden seeing some return for all our hard work!! The berry patch is just getting prolific, and I picked several cups worth the other day, and a big bowlful yesterday! Look how big they are! They are the perfect sweetness to eat them just like this, but last night I cooked them down JUST enough to extract about 8 C. of juice, and am planning on making blackberry jelly in the next day or two!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GROAN.... this takes forever!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Quack Pack has finally started laying eggs! We are so excited! These are the first two we got. I was really surprised that they were BLACK!! Kinda cool! Kern and I enjoyed them as breakfast sandwiches that first morning! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6nxT-6Gk3JSHzpCDubK1GUg5C_Hf7uBME1eOnoU2tCR1vUfJRgktr0m1SXXdXmUI11qjUhbOSNup1JDyjUTl_np59CJ3M8KjYqU6bjCvxUFRP2D14SQyCMN-0aQlLigJ6c4yDq8Pgd4m/s1600/IMG_6356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6nxT-6Gk3JSHzpCDubK1GUg5C_Hf7uBME1eOnoU2tCR1vUfJRgktr0m1SXXdXmUI11qjUhbOSNup1JDyjUTl_np59CJ3M8KjYqU6bjCvxUFRP2D14SQyCMN-0aQlLigJ6c4yDq8Pgd4m/s200/IMG_6356.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XHVDEsfGNYzvCKXtXCWjqTeYQAV_-YZ2HjZYVjgaerLqWi6m1C47tSzop47a1JVJfrEZpRnt8AjLfIK1IFUnu_exeYDJBx3nLEHqmwgNRjc287GaUzyzOg5t1XHfbDrqNT_WKU96_daI/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XHVDEsfGNYzvCKXtXCWjqTeYQAV_-YZ2HjZYVjgaerLqWi6m1C47tSzop47a1JVJfrEZpRnt8AjLfIK1IFUnu_exeYDJBx3nLEHqmwgNRjc287GaUzyzOg5t1XHfbDrqNT_WKU96_daI/s320/IMG_6355.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gardens are also waking up! The tomatoes are forming up and I've already gotten a handful of zucchini squash! The eggs are getting lighter with each laying. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO2j2xgphT3APjXIaqUOhXgn6QJQUe439fxN8-YbeNYE2z3LlDo29fvMpVXdHhz4U9zjFExOvVKwfsutBNqJTG1Rm28aehs7VJ-heBlbeDtv8YHdw52WlOThZCZ-x6dTRV_NNvwf0b6-5/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO2j2xgphT3APjXIaqUOhXgn6QJQUe439fxN8-YbeNYE2z3LlDo29fvMpVXdHhz4U9zjFExOvVKwfsutBNqJTG1Rm28aehs7VJ-heBlbeDtv8YHdw52WlOThZCZ-x6dTRV_NNvwf0b6-5/s320/IMG_6364.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">First squash harvest, and the n</span>ext<br />
two days worth of eggs. <br />
The big one was a double-yolker!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJiAfpkPj090v7GiSRx999N-oUqcZ6PW_61bFZzYUrxjX_x2OZG_cAqFrFnjt2NMHTUby26dbhrMw_j96kNSMmjQ8bnv8gdUK0GAyBYoTdwaDmdHTNsK50IcNRxfOKsNXnWHp0BecTXU6/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJiAfpkPj090v7GiSRx999N-oUqcZ6PW_61bFZzYUrxjX_x2OZG_cAqFrFnjt2NMHTUby26dbhrMw_j96kNSMmjQ8bnv8gdUK0GAyBYoTdwaDmdHTNsK50IcNRxfOKsNXnWHp0BecTXU6/s320/IMG_6367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the squash beds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEP_wh4zkNZehVLYGiBv-PR_qX8WRp2k2ya7QYL_5MqZE2QjTqVmxyZtYDqDP895Ld9C9OqWjkcNIND89CA3LNHOqAb3W9uQpET1T7exLrP9tXLcqo3e2l9cElH6Huw0a2m8GdYN2noON/s1600/IMG_6368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEP_wh4zkNZehVLYGiBv-PR_qX8WRp2k2ya7QYL_5MqZE2QjTqVmxyZtYDqDP895Ld9C9OqWjkcNIND89CA3LNHOqAb3W9uQpET1T7exLrP9tXLcqo3e2l9cElH6Huw0a2m8GdYN2noON/s400/IMG_6368.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't hardly wait for a fresh tomato. I'm gonna make BLTs!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mints are doing quite well, and it's time to do another marathon harvest and drying session!</span><br />
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFTNX7VX9SMX8xavJFuXl_grLGmz-Ni4rWw6BpgAsj3OdxklWOJe4S9PKplOs2wVIqK9gBVWbuRuPIq8rECby1Wg2JXKi-Gj4jwIXn5vJWQ2JBZz2sjr3s4rkN6NvJeFOibdqndu_kZ5l/s1600/IMG_6369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFTNX7VX9SMX8xavJFuXl_grLGmz-Ni4rWw6BpgAsj3OdxklWOJe4S9PKplOs2wVIqK9gBVWbuRuPIq8rECby1Wg2JXKi-Gj4jwIXn5vJWQ2JBZz2sjr3s4rkN6NvJeFOibdqndu_kZ5l/s400/IMG_6369.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Mint (my favorite!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehA8bV7izD61Y1dDYP8SDNACUp_iXcpA98LWfLFfuhWNqVokCRa_IFAmGMZZdGXhLsnBegorUcocan7ho8B3M0eCugUmELn3DNwedzkvnA8TaSgX9Ld0jmMPs545_xxryJ-fNCIiH_c7e/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehA8bV7izD61Y1dDYP8SDNACUp_iXcpA98LWfLFfuhWNqVokCRa_IFAmGMZZdGXhLsnBegorUcocan7ho8B3M0eCugUmELn3DNwedzkvnA8TaSgX9Ld0jmMPs545_xxryJ-fNCIiH_c7e/s400/IMG_6371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Mint</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea_-zWu9HXcUZe6MkynFCg9my2sIOU6JIE6cmlqh13x3jcc7BcxL2QGMGZk28VhwuGOSxNeHRnLXxhTfSBayXy_6I0Z8z8ameAQcV8HoxWkzpCucztcJxWuJIMFyjdA4iecRBum7LAeE3/s1600/IMG_6372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea_-zWu9HXcUZe6MkynFCg9my2sIOU6JIE6cmlqh13x3jcc7BcxL2QGMGZk28VhwuGOSxNeHRnLXxhTfSBayXy_6I0Z8z8ameAQcV8HoxWkzpCucztcJxWuJIMFyjdA4iecRBum7LAeE3/s400/IMG_6372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppermint (My second favorite!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehA8bV7izD61Y1dDYP8SDNACUp_iXcpA98LWfLFfuhWNqVokCRa_IFAmGMZZdGXhLsnBegorUcocan7ho8B3M0eCugUmELn3DNwedzkvnA8TaSgX9Ld0jmMPs545_xxryJ-fNCIiH_c7e/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehA8bV7izD61Y1dDYP8SDNACUp_iXcpA98LWfLFfuhWNqVokCRa_IFAmGMZZdGXhLsnBegorUcocan7ho8B3M0eCugUmELn3DNwedzkvnA8TaSgX9Ld0jmMPs545_xxryJ-fNCIiH_c7e/s400/IMG_6371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spearmint</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The skies change constantly around here. I thought this little arrangement to be especially lovely!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgwCsmYxdweVe3BjX6KRNEmJHYPhI4ky_-83RakgI2Gl364eLG9mO9wwO6d915KB3PIk0YMkuQfwF1uyio_FNyWAL4_c0edxhbCJE21aDtL0TSmKIH776ceI1GoQ1XEi41UG6gqXKeZA-/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgwCsmYxdweVe3BjX6KRNEmJHYPhI4ky_-83RakgI2Gl364eLG9mO9wwO6d915KB3PIk0YMkuQfwF1uyio_FNyWAL4_c0edxhbCJE21aDtL0TSmKIH776ceI1GoQ1XEi41UG6gqXKeZA-/s640/IMG_6362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We continue to get rain, and the ducks are the only ones not complaining. The Golden Girls have discovered the pond. They are staying right at the edge for now, and they are having a blast! Except for Gimpy. Kern and I have had to extract her from the water at least a half a dozen times already. She spent one night in the pond when we couldn't find her after dark, and we were astonished to find her still alive the next morning. Each time we fish her out, she is completely submerged except for her head and only about 2 inches of her neck. I thought ducks were supposed to float! Not her, apparently. She is trying to stay away from the edge a little more, but the pull of that water is strong, and she wants to be with her sisters! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9qzZMINoz1VHo-gnMNsjtOvMfHaxmGuW-aw99F4fMPhqMKjaCme3EEVQcBeEClBt7_FhYCElTs2Caq9bIeJGRoiMZFFP_f4z-86lNXs8kQepLaoyGrZDEjdgV9ue_MRBIXQJkLgWx5gl/s1600/IMG_6398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9qzZMINoz1VHo-gnMNsjtOvMfHaxmGuW-aw99F4fMPhqMKjaCme3EEVQcBeEClBt7_FhYCElTs2Caq9bIeJGRoiMZFFP_f4z-86lNXs8kQepLaoyGrZDEjdgV9ue_MRBIXQJkLgWx5gl/s640/IMG_6398.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The are SO happy!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFP3TFjNLyKehyphenhyphen8c_q5oQMS5Kp8qWe7tRFl5PgyopqxIzMSf0bhbcGAcvS_0lQ_Ce0ry0iYf08gkFnMWDpa8XWwPa3mPUEmdnBSHreEDpdN8nyzjssfhLl8Hq8WpnVijVzmCe9p-4NQaB/s1600/IMG_6399.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFP3TFjNLyKehyphenhyphen8c_q5oQMS5Kp8qWe7tRFl5PgyopqxIzMSf0bhbcGAcvS_0lQ_Ce0ry0iYf08gkFnMWDpa8XWwPa3mPUEmdnBSHreEDpdN8nyzjssfhLl8Hq8WpnVijVzmCe9p-4NQaB/s400/IMG_6399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we were able to visit the Dallas Zoo with a bunch of other home schooling families (which got us a great admission price). Raine was working at his new job, so he wasn't able to join us, but Kern just carried his phone and worked on and off while we walked through. We only stayed a couple of hours since it was hot and Toby was a bit grouchy. It was long enough to make it worth the trip! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNri2C1w1w53j_vjRP32tTrR0ERG8Ky1Uxy83n_YaqufhU6C_e5s8JqP8OWwqzViv8EXFHJzt2OYSwOBYOomY5STcT27GHhv2P6LwTDOg02N_jsr9nprj-Kib2HjjEeoBU-1lA5rfIO0LE/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNri2C1w1w53j_vjRP32tTrR0ERG8Ky1Uxy83n_YaqufhU6C_e5s8JqP8OWwqzViv8EXFHJzt2OYSwOBYOomY5STcT27GHhv2P6LwTDOg02N_jsr9nprj-Kib2HjjEeoBU-1lA5rfIO0LE/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to go in... I love my girls, Kae and Anika!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZX6gTrq4IOtv5njWQOTaLJWoga0DJ0AgfFfoGTtoQjPU89DCDOg9cUw6zuYfe7JOkgEnEVQnaxF9RRwPh9pGi2UwM6rOMqaxmL7a4hhZT14ZFocKRzl4OWDaXXIRcaG3HMsEbyllLUV5/s1600/IMG_6380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZX6gTrq4IOtv5njWQOTaLJWoga0DJ0AgfFfoGTtoQjPU89DCDOg9cUw6zuYfe7JOkgEnEVQnaxF9RRwPh9pGi2UwM6rOMqaxmL7a4hhZT14ZFocKRzl4OWDaXXIRcaG3HMsEbyllLUV5/s640/IMG_6380.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The macaws greeted us first thing! Man, are they loud!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem28r-TUnkJy7dkLWOxK1xSOfObNvv2-bXIj9NLVaM-74-QmxQTHgjI21X0VKg3SSyFaGjQCJPyOWshI6vPMlt765Lz51romQjij6JcraPFhndxmPrpC34erACTjxkVlFncOSuW8q18ym/s1600/IMG_6394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem28r-TUnkJy7dkLWOxK1xSOfObNvv2-bXIj9NLVaM-74-QmxQTHgjI21X0VKg3SSyFaGjQCJPyOWshI6vPMlt765Lz51romQjij6JcraPFhndxmPrpC34erACTjxkVlFncOSuW8q18ym/s640/IMG_6394.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beauty posed for my camera. I think they are used to being adored! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long, eclectic post, I know. I've had trouble getting photos to be where I want them to be on my computer so I can get them where I want them to GO! Sigh. I'll keep working on that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessing until we 'meet' again!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dawna</span><br />
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-51566475742344602092015-05-14T20:58:00.000-07:002015-05-14T20:59:07.461-07:00Hairy, scary, berry!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hairy!</b></span></div>
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I'VE HAD IT!!! I was going to try to let my hair grow out, but decided I was over it. My husband has arranged a cruise to celebrate our upcoming 30th anniversary, SO... I went shopping for a few clothes yesterday, and today, it was time to take care of the hair. This is the first time I've ever had my hair colored in a salon, AND the first time EVER for getting highlights. I love it! It should be easy to take care of. (I hope.) Working on looking good for our cruise!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEqx2vl6gUjtZ-xZOu0DbYldetQhHQgsaJVXbdsM6RqsPGGBK-DNNamml_D12lxaYB_CWPOkFZRMiQ7hbT9DuuQtXWHpJcr0GvDT1q6Q2FqiwESQgnWk1Q0zOJnVxBK0H04IJ583b3-td/s1600/IMG_6336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEqx2vl6gUjtZ-xZOu0DbYldetQhHQgsaJVXbdsM6RqsPGGBK-DNNamml_D12lxaYB_CWPOkFZRMiQ7hbT9DuuQtXWHpJcr0GvDT1q6Q2FqiwESQgnWk1Q0zOJnVxBK0H04IJ583b3-td/s400/IMG_6336.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scary!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The storms keep coming. THIS is what it looked like on the radar:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCRpEDQJlP4IgJ4h9QZakvCFR9r0ZwFvH_XdMNrFHLz6sdy6sJNcqbX6FffodpqOJcKxRFS60yUno4Y1GH4R1yAel1aSkJY7mIdAs1R6KS2Y8d48X5zxM4JElUDzQSP5_-O6dMnsPQqZF/s1600/IMG_6348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCRpEDQJlP4IgJ4h9QZakvCFR9r0ZwFvH_XdMNrFHLz6sdy6sJNcqbX6FffodpqOJcKxRFS60yUno4Y1GH4R1yAel1aSkJY7mIdAs1R6KS2Y8d48X5zxM4JElUDzQSP5_-O6dMnsPQqZF/s640/IMG_6348.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving just to the south of us.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
THIS is what it looked like standing on the back patio!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yp2N5ovxeIialY9NRfztuWgNWKKpBpEKuLq_1c12ej4BCWLmQ8DxtX_j3iBxJm1IZousSmmUSawsKU0g3Haihs1OiYaec6YuqAobovyfq07lgEZRwvak_pXGQHue1wu0Fy8cLNiRZJqy/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yp2N5ovxeIialY9NRfztuWgNWKKpBpEKuLq_1c12ej4BCWLmQ8DxtX_j3iBxJm1IZousSmmUSawsKU0g3Haihs1OiYaec6YuqAobovyfq07lgEZRwvak_pXGQHue1wu0Fy8cLNiRZJqy/s640/IMG_6340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue to black, just like that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-iEfjs3ec5tO39xlravXBNqkLWZPI3Zb1qE6awuu6gl6cL7B2lpheT2BONXtmLEQ0dUWKLTOlv-GNV0zGUf3S09TU3t4Ro0YKhBd4PpQUh3n5qHndbfsA6381QVIc29ghj70gt6J7oFg/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-iEfjs3ec5tO39xlravXBNqkLWZPI3Zb1qE6awuu6gl6cL7B2lpheT2BONXtmLEQ0dUWKLTOlv-GNV0zGUf3S09TU3t4Ro0YKhBd4PpQUh3n5qHndbfsA6381QVIc29ghj70gt6J7oFg/s640/IMG_6346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wasn't taken as a black and white... this is what it really looked like!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvikodRFnqZpUp77oI-38ncQMSZiwyrTXz9shcsbXrw6m-tWsRoEKJj-__FtyXqrh_IcDfskHdMIwJGVC8gMj36keb1At1rZQiUVpsCS1V22L32QT7Q8xZ3an1hk3YzFh3r6HnNpU0_GB/s1600/IMG_6342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvikodRFnqZpUp77oI-38ncQMSZiwyrTXz9shcsbXrw6m-tWsRoEKJj-__FtyXqrh_IcDfskHdMIwJGVC8gMj36keb1At1rZQiUVpsCS1V22L32QT7Q8xZ3an1hk3YzFh3r6HnNpU0_GB/s640/IMG_6342.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain to the SE.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_rY4WkFQVCd9feOKqGfk6DWkGlOjw6vwpz6sbncbUFi-uMcCu10hPmgxbxfeCdPHqehYgs6Z5ahTxSJ2A_Abdd3YqlcjvG7Kjyp8RJjSfAULY-2WWpvPK-8OA__GegJH3MXwxMokyCoQ/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_rY4WkFQVCd9feOKqGfk6DWkGlOjw6vwpz6sbncbUFi-uMcCu10hPmgxbxfeCdPHqehYgs6Z5ahTxSJ2A_Abdd3YqlcjvG7Kjyp8RJjSfAULY-2WWpvPK-8OA__GegJH3MXwxMokyCoQ/s640/IMG_6343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weird clouds. Got the ducks stirred up a bit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-YQHKg_rRO7nH4BkV8zyTZDn9YwjGyOvv4eAbmd8IiEAkv0g5U9Trwlu5rIMOpB9oxn23OxBJ21b2XfIWQewX_mBC0r97R74eRyqgrPd-23R4jd_16dyqSvfuR0vIDX5mjnfd3zVajYZ/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-YQHKg_rRO7nH4BkV8zyTZDn9YwjGyOvv4eAbmd8IiEAkv0g5U9Trwlu5rIMOpB9oxn23OxBJ21b2XfIWQewX_mBC0r97R74eRyqgrPd-23R4jd_16dyqSvfuR0vIDX5mjnfd3zVajYZ/s640/IMG_6345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember the red spot on the radar? This.</td></tr>
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Once again... just a few drops, but it was close.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Berry!</b></span></div>
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After all that stuff passed, Kern and I went out to watch the ducks play for a little bit. He mentioned that he had picked a couple of the golden raspberries, so I suggested we go check out the blackberry patch! I'm really glad we did! We were able to bring a couple handfuls back to the house to share, and the only reason we didn't get more was because we didn't have a bucket, and I wasn't wearing shoes or clothes to wade into the briar patch! Tomorrow, I'm thinking I should remedy that!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnstaREfolIMgJ0L8UvXzY7McxS33VPkoYXwDwFsMxrf8rtMSOOj05TZFGgpsb39GVx7rZhYZMA5Tj06K0AXVPv68qUqDXA9RjbXfRy9LdnnTSBPiwhI7CT43Cn9reV-adtwLpLxzNYEmp/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnstaREfolIMgJ0L8UvXzY7McxS33VPkoYXwDwFsMxrf8rtMSOOj05TZFGgpsb39GVx7rZhYZMA5Tj06K0AXVPv68qUqDXA9RjbXfRy9LdnnTSBPiwhI7CT43Cn9reV-adtwLpLxzNYEmp/s640/IMG_6350.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberries! Giant blackberries! Sweet blackberries!!</td></tr>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-7670649533452700592015-05-11T19:44:00.001-07:002015-05-11T19:44:17.929-07:00Tomatoes! Yesterday we had some pretty ugly weather move through. In the pic below, the blue dot is where I live. See the giant ugly cell to the south? It was tracking to hit us, but as it got close, it would dissipate or swirl to the south. It was the weirdest thing. A blessing to be sure, but weird. We did get about 1.25 " of rain. The town of Van, about an hour SE of us got hit by 2 tornadoes, and I read they lost both the elementary, AND the high school. Not a good way to finish up the school year. Corsicana (SW of us... had terrible flooding, complete with lots of high water rescues and a couple feet of water on HWY 45! Crazy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIQigUxcGsBVxND_RHXHP4-Gq0BKYt4TTrr3gokd6HvED8h9O4Gjj0PwIdiEkF_FatS5uP7JERVKS8zgqqLppleG_PzfcJ2tC2YM2yUMzFJU24D2GBsySFIxqmCB5JgZRv4nqe6IJAsOW/s1600/IMG_6315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIQigUxcGsBVxND_RHXHP4-Gq0BKYt4TTrr3gokd6HvED8h9O4Gjj0PwIdiEkF_FatS5uP7JERVKS8zgqqLppleG_PzfcJ2tC2YM2yUMzFJU24D2GBsySFIxqmCB5JgZRv4nqe6IJAsOW/s640/IMG_6315.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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My tomatoes are doing very nicely. I took some time to thin out some leaves and tie up the main stems. I'm no expert, but I do know enough to remove any leaves that are touching the ground or are odd colors.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLv2kJbpsRnYHTI6J3wjWt7K4nMRHMbCBOiRF63S47uogrxcP-azjt3leEcJoEgo9PCcgjUuXxM8UEvqtYjN7BW3cGmC-IoCKqGyggPsk5jHUL2FXnBsQpPOAXaTN-cqx_xripWa8u8GK/s1600/IMG_6316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLv2kJbpsRnYHTI6J3wjWt7K4nMRHMbCBOiRF63S47uogrxcP-azjt3leEcJoEgo9PCcgjUuXxM8UEvqtYjN7BW3cGmC-IoCKqGyggPsk5jHUL2FXnBsQpPOAXaTN-cqx_xripWa8u8GK/s640/IMG_6316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side almost done.</td></tr>
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Starting the other side. <span style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes need to have air circulation and mine were getting really bushy. Here is a before:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu5suy9b5lVeEY2dl9G_-lcJKiogOf-IDYQZvMU4SOwJdJlXhHUOIYG4vhoG8qaXCDmWHnvujWyPhXiHDohTEVdIIbXqigAT7tsDrPW3yqVuv1-8BVjq2xNrY1f2RmWmLbzpxRtBVsV6s/s1600/IMG_6320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu5suy9b5lVeEY2dl9G_-lcJKiogOf-IDYQZvMU4SOwJdJlXhHUOIYG4vhoG8qaXCDmWHnvujWyPhXiHDohTEVdIIbXqigAT7tsDrPW3yqVuv1-8BVjq2xNrY1f2RmWmLbzpxRtBVsV6s/s640/IMG_6320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too many leaves that block air flow and some can't get any sunshine. All those have to go.</td></tr>
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And the 'after': </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1AtuWMpqi7qZoJhRu93JMXXkF2oH88dGVIB_mKUT1NFotEXaocE-xQQeXxSihir98GvAYIWX9kZSM6aYj8Oazyf6YWxTTXu78ac3XtCP27X9YHcgr3UrJEYn6K0sWyxgIHxmsZAsqE3G/s1600/IMG_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1AtuWMpqi7qZoJhRu93JMXXkF2oH88dGVIB_mKUT1NFotEXaocE-xQQeXxSihir98GvAYIWX9kZSM6aYj8Oazyf6YWxTTXu78ac3XtCP27X9YHcgr3UrJEYn6K0sWyxgIHxmsZAsqE3G/s640/IMG_6321.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They may look a bit butchered, but they will be better for it. </td></tr>
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Tomatoes put out suckers that start between the main stem and a leaf. I try to pinch these out when they are small. They will grow quite large, and they WILL produce tomatoes, but they also make it hard to manage the plant and they draw strength from the main stem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S8ZaPU0i4QG6Et1u6MDwfMgdnUG5RHm1ryJeXrJlEdJsMR64fBeVRkn9vwOdtzHoo8prNctyT-IuGEjyFELIy4IUhuxFD1XzUWX2yQZ1gzI06Xq_FK4NkdDUOCQsFyCB9hHX_y_sXbZn/s1600/IMG_6317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S8ZaPU0i4QG6Et1u6MDwfMgdnUG5RHm1ryJeXrJlEdJsMR64fBeVRkn9vwOdtzHoo8prNctyT-IuGEjyFELIy4IUhuxFD1XzUWX2yQZ1gzI06Xq_FK4NkdDUOCQsFyCB9hHX_y_sXbZn/s400/IMG_6317.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's gotta go.</td></tr>
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Here you can see a sucker that I missed when it was small. It already has some flowers on it so I just tied it up with the rest of the main stems. It will be fine. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qDBnZx03LUFxIcG3jkJw8XwXVvA0tUIUKBaxdnEr7zQFBErwDXLp452LuIfqDxumk-ja2VK51TmwmuuQDCVkNkOXc4kHcxslOGPKI8TLDzJUiroXd4AnKgMuQ_vHzBv3C2vOGV0ejfxs/s1600/IMG_6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qDBnZx03LUFxIcG3jkJw8XwXVvA0tUIUKBaxdnEr7zQFBErwDXLp452LuIfqDxumk-ja2VK51TmwmuuQDCVkNkOXc4kHcxslOGPKI8TLDzJUiroXd4AnKgMuQ_vHzBv3C2vOGV0ejfxs/s400/IMG_6319.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just means more tomatoes.</td></tr>
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I planted two pepper plants on the North side of the tomato beds. They are looking a little anemic (So I bade sure to trim the tomato leaves covering them up.) but one has already produced two pretty jalapenos. These are supposed to be really big, so I'm going to give them some time to grow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbkpnvKI6CuBe5GooTMh1LO3iFBICICSdLyhkNPc80Z3-jeViWWTA8szbhCy51Z2mdRppRLiHq_dTm9uuU7y0i2pCgATeDnZokzfu2ZXSywOnlWy5mdD1rgrftmpU5jh2q_GDMuX0kNyO/s1600/IMG_6322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbkpnvKI6CuBe5GooTMh1LO3iFBICICSdLyhkNPc80Z3-jeViWWTA8szbhCy51Z2mdRppRLiHq_dTm9uuU7y0i2pCgATeDnZokzfu2ZXSywOnlWy5mdD1rgrftmpU5jh2q_GDMuX0kNyO/s640/IMG_6322.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They need to get bigger!</td></tr>
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I added some more pepper plants that I started from seed into this and other beds. They are really tiny right now and I'm hoping they will thrive. I planted a Tam (jalapeno) and a Lemon Drop (another hot variety) at the south end of the tomato bed, three banana peppers in the squash bed, and another Tam and Lemon in the middle bed. I plan on putting more in there, but I have to deal with a fire ant nest before I play around in there anymore. (ouch). I had ONE cayenne pepper seed make a little plant and I added it to one of the decorative pots, and a Lemon Drop to another pot. <br />
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I have some artichoke starts I want to add to the pond garden but haven't gotten them out there yet. Maybe tomorrow?<br />
<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-7099316692158650742015-05-07T13:54:00.001-07:002015-05-07T13:54:46.796-07:00Way too long!WOw! Life gets intense and I ignore my blog! Shame on me.<br />
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My daughter, Kae is quite the cook and she likes all kinds of ethnic foods. I'll admit she is more adventurous than I am. She decided to make chicken tikka masala one night, so I agreed to try my hand at Naan for the first time. It turned out pretty darn good!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtR3-JGhqsXmXYkVnEHbSWxRbI1ycUEJLyhbqreodskoDFcxZO14poGmOpSVoK19-bsKeVYp6bKgF9XxR4dzTpl4WU0AWHYKiT7w94sKAOwqECae4anzOAssqZTaBQ4FgyNUZdnEsRst1/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtR3-JGhqsXmXYkVnEHbSWxRbI1ycUEJLyhbqreodskoDFcxZO14poGmOpSVoK19-bsKeVYp6bKgF9XxR4dzTpl4WU0AWHYKiT7w94sKAOwqECae4anzOAssqZTaBQ4FgyNUZdnEsRst1/s400/IMG_6249.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naan in the skillet.<br /></td></tr>
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I had a chance to go to a wonderful womens' conference called Pink Impact in Dallas last weekend. It was a wonderful way to refresh and reconnect to my God and Savior. The theme was 'Light', and it was just beautiful everywhere.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HqpW0hLHLvsHdzVqO5COki0574ABFGkYWkZ_6eYo_hPewVS9P3GOlSaUTLch-94KsqltH_WxzY6elKlQ8Z0-0DNmUht55idUJ6e6MYjx_cOvXniCrHwiLQWaV_7JQUqaz-1KvFExaSyy/s1600/IMG_6273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HqpW0hLHLvsHdzVqO5COki0574ABFGkYWkZ_6eYo_hPewVS9P3GOlSaUTLch-94KsqltH_WxzY6elKlQ8Z0-0DNmUht55idUJ6e6MYjx_cOvXniCrHwiLQWaV_7JQUqaz-1KvFExaSyy/s640/IMG_6273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light...lots of sparkle and shine!<br /></td></tr>
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I was able to go with Kae and our friend Shelly. Two of the most wonderful women ever, and I loved being with them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyqEdz0l3IIrjxjpJZ5YRTdVBnJpFzanGc5T_rpOVZSo-m9gFquJA563QrQ6j-VxUNnXk0gip5-T0c0muZMUEsy3C-7mmW1ocF6-f289mE46plHWh_BZsFsHcnwRlk90lCXLEOomW5596/s1600/IMG_6280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyqEdz0l3IIrjxjpJZ5YRTdVBnJpFzanGc5T_rpOVZSo-m9gFquJA563QrQ6j-VxUNnXk0gip5-T0c0muZMUEsy3C-7mmW1ocF6-f289mE46plHWh_BZsFsHcnwRlk90lCXLEOomW5596/s640/IMG_6280.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelly bought us the lovely boas. They got us lots of attention, AND... pink dye comes off on the neckline of cloths! (And on necks!) At least I wore various shades of pink all weekend, LOL!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplend5hv9o-rERnHqKVLA49rNwlAbXauPXoDCs78k-MnbKyhs1Z0qCXNTbfN0lInPGQXIk-rOl9oSwY50hQQAwEUXZ48o6JtPRKYML8GLtaDu8Y1MGPilQJbH7TGhAYmXvyXjLAImEKtd/s1600/IMG_6286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplend5hv9o-rERnHqKVLA49rNwlAbXauPXoDCs78k-MnbKyhs1Z0qCXNTbfN0lInPGQXIk-rOl9oSwY50hQQAwEUXZ48o6JtPRKYML8GLtaDu8Y1MGPilQJbH7TGhAYmXvyXjLAImEKtd/s400/IMG_6286.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet Kae and me!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The Golden Girls are feathering out nicely. I thought this leopard print under layer was just fabulous, dah-ling!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOe47OCljmDLFp_TR_R0P4YBLF6EysZ53qgp3z27xzeCpmGOnhtbXOUXHTMcyUNwJHL9_x3OGHZnn-LxZ8v1L2PiO0Bw1ezas1Xzi7rDfztWCsLGZU1Yw7Kcz47eVXidd8vpLBoxxjLNt/s1600/IMG_6264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOe47OCljmDLFp_TR_R0P4YBLF6EysZ53qgp3z27xzeCpmGOnhtbXOUXHTMcyUNwJHL9_x3OGHZnn-LxZ8v1L2PiO0Bw1ezas1Xzi7rDfztWCsLGZU1Yw7Kcz47eVXidd8vpLBoxxjLNt/s640/IMG_6264.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I KNEW they would be beautiful!</td></tr>
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I let them out into the water-shed area, and they LOVED it!! I've been letting them do some free ranging the last few days, and they are sticking pretty close to the playpen, even inside it sometimes, but they are getting the hang of it!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp84Z-1Uz3WEo_OEZI8r8xy0vjYqiQDsxksiKreDl_TeVL541uDTgGjsf6qGW60B74c_x6mWnSpHHxZbzDHYOwfjN7m5qLW_bsJ_EX-McjRE3b2-62fvh8F_XgY9Jp3TMn4cdyPUCOdsz/s1600/IMG_6262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp84Z-1Uz3WEo_OEZI8r8xy0vjYqiQDsxksiKreDl_TeVL541uDTgGjsf6qGW60B74c_x6mWnSpHHxZbzDHYOwfjN7m5qLW_bsJ_EX-McjRE3b2-62fvh8F_XgY9Jp3TMn4cdyPUCOdsz/s640/IMG_6262.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck, duck... DUCK! They had a blast!</td></tr>
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They are wary of the Quack Pack, and I don't blame them. The females are challenging them and making them scatter. Miss Gimpy couldn't run away as fast as her sisters, and at one point ended up in the middle of the Pack. I was watching close by in case they decided to pick on her, but they were just interested. They just took a good look at this shrieking baby, shrugged their wings and started grazing around her! She made her escape without any interference from the Pack and back to her sisters.<br />
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Today I looked out there, and the Girls had made their way over to one of the cypress trees and were laying around in the shade. The Quack Pack were sitting under the tree beside it and they weren't making muscles at the babies. I think they are accepting each other! Not fully integrated yet, but getting there. It gives me hope that when we add some more babies in August, they will also be accepted.<br />
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-84194255240315440812015-04-17T22:13:00.000-07:002015-04-17T22:13:49.278-07:00Solo weekKern and Anika have been gone all week at Nationals, so I've been holding down the fort! It has been a weird week for weather... the forecast predicted storms and rain all week, but it hasn't produced much. The lighting was really odd one evening and I got a few pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDEqengOtfVGEFIye6kQqaR6qPH5FlGZiuFCDaQAfVHlT1CcHCi1vbJkfgyhrGM7jzO2Rjpa9VkHtgcKTU-Md1i2zv-RgcHrC9zRpQBrcODkh1nOc0dws043rjzoBfZbUDqLBSiiy53Po/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDEqengOtfVGEFIye6kQqaR6qPH5FlGZiuFCDaQAfVHlT1CcHCi1vbJkfgyhrGM7jzO2Rjpa9VkHtgcKTU-Md1i2zv-RgcHrC9zRpQBrcODkh1nOc0dws043rjzoBfZbUDqLBSiiy53Po/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of evening sun after a cloudy day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW4BkTeDehyphenhyphenK5jk874lgfK65AynZTv__9pa4g7-QGKcjXnu6TN6CQVoi0UmUWlO_nwoTp9wCnSQma8mpjPBGjTWURGfV-RK2EN-W36lRCv_cjHq9x_9aUXl_K8Pj9ebV1yJ5VkU7oNfvw/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW4BkTeDehyphenhyphenK5jk874lgfK65AynZTv__9pa4g7-QGKcjXnu6TN6CQVoi0UmUWlO_nwoTp9wCnSQma8mpjPBGjTWURGfV-RK2EN-W36lRCv_cjHq9x_9aUXl_K8Pj9ebV1yJ5VkU7oNfvw/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the rays... it was like they were dark!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8y4LsXnKiLNoBQd9944_PxY3UeKXSyCCsU5pGk3NStuMNfZ7UwHN10XELeHUpzPQTN0d02vKLXHcyg6eyckRN4YWaG2TJ0gWsWVpv8vPTsLfhJw7v9NBihaijfeGmiyFOVSQVA6mu-Wn/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8y4LsXnKiLNoBQd9944_PxY3UeKXSyCCsU5pGk3NStuMNfZ7UwHN10XELeHUpzPQTN0d02vKLXHcyg6eyckRN4YWaG2TJ0gWsWVpv8vPTsLfhJw7v9NBihaijfeGmiyFOVSQVA6mu-Wn/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got some very odd clouds.</td></tr>
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I walked past a fig bush a couple of times this week, and was really surprised to see how much the leaves had grown in just a day! The peach trees are loaded down with little marble sized peaches!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscB1x1fKgnbqOxwjBL5cfjEZ2JhPJKi2PVokritDNUTX7Z61HmOguM5DCsNkA3R1PdB_ESTCv2SS7sRwm_qRgoKQ2aa2bv8o-pC7h9kLhOKRoSUMzheQxfYnMto0knMJCXZLf-wZqFY2N/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscB1x1fKgnbqOxwjBL5cfjEZ2JhPJKi2PVokritDNUTX7Z61HmOguM5DCsNkA3R1PdB_ESTCv2SS7sRwm_qRgoKQ2aa2bv8o-pC7h9kLhOKRoSUMzheQxfYnMto0knMJCXZLf-wZqFY2N/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig leaves that were half that size yesterday!!</td></tr>
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The ducks kept going over onto the neighbor's property and I was afraid they were going to make a mess of his lawn as well, so after chasing them back to their territory a few times, I decided to move the fence that they weren't using near the duck house over to the property line. The first time I didn't put in the long fence, and they simply waddled around it. I had to try again with the longer fence. So far it has kept them contained.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHo59bAZGgifNmUO5kP2EndbxIou56tJizFBTVag4b4gOeAtXCBG_0Rvdi4WjgT9d6p-txLAnoAwXObRE1k2c75g_XwKSJ3Zb47Pfx1vw6nFHyLrBTWxhVkYjZGbK8AWd1ckbvplv3s7/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHo59bAZGgifNmUO5kP2EndbxIou56tJizFBTVag4b4gOeAtXCBG_0Rvdi4WjgT9d6p-txLAnoAwXObRE1k2c75g_XwKSJ3Zb47Pfx1vw6nFHyLrBTWxhVkYjZGbK8AWd1ckbvplv3s7/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you squint you can see the fence posts to the right of the trees here. </td></tr>
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Thursday morning I made a trip to Waxahatchi to pick up my next Zaycon order. 40 pounds of hamburger and 20 pounds of smoked ham. I host a ladies' group at my home on Thursday mornings, and Kae had to get it going for me since I wasn't home yet. She did a great job setting up coffee and playing hostess for me! I got home just as the social time was finishing up. After they all went home, I got busy processing the meat. I cut both of the hams up into 3 nice sized chunks to put in the freezer. Kae intercepted one and it went to the refrigerator for lunches. Yum! I cooked up half of the beef and filled the canner with 16 pints for tacos and casseroles in the future, bagged the rest of the cooked beef, and portioned the rest of the raw stuff into 2-lb packages for the freezer. I had enough to make two LARGE hamburger patties that also went into the freezer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTH6LIGD2uAyKoHoZ940SFmxUn4DZRBzFJvDx-9CcgfIKuFNalmR0zBjZJzU3-IpcXDllxQyPUv0tNVKngXrX6Y62HOlM4LY9w9u0SN7B3AUCnEdEFl8tE390BH0YhvVuLhKt33HjaXY5/s1600/IMG_6210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTH6LIGD2uAyKoHoZ940SFmxUn4DZRBzFJvDx-9CcgfIKuFNalmR0zBjZJzU3-IpcXDllxQyPUv0tNVKngXrX6Y62HOlM4LY9w9u0SN7B3AUCnEdEFl8tE390BH0YhvVuLhKt33HjaXY5/s1600/IMG_6210.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed for the freezer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUwy6sipTDSkWyVm_Lc33erH1Q2gsRI-kDmqGz6uH697i4tyCsPz2096EudLrhxzveOY-27tXaXCBEoPgAhhKtcTqmUtWgnMMSBmehw_QEoP68UeFZlFYN53m04UE19LVUrhXLfXqnQ2B/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUwy6sipTDSkWyVm_Lc33erH1Q2gsRI-kDmqGz6uH697i4tyCsPz2096EudLrhxzveOY-27tXaXCBEoPgAhhKtcTqmUtWgnMMSBmehw_QEoP68UeFZlFYN53m04UE19LVUrhXLfXqnQ2B/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ping, ping, ping!! I love that satisfying sound of sealing jars!!</td></tr>
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A few days ago I planted some seeds that I wanted to get started, and on the third day, a bunch of them exploded out of the ground. THIS is ONE DAY worth of growth!! I had to take the cover off these cells because the little plants were pushing on the ceiling!! These are long beans and loofah gourd starts!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cabXRjnItNgYgdCCz7KSmG8b9d_VrVXu86G-fLn3vcMvXslsQebvN653QCHtupTbngTiWMHE5BwEJ43Nxxl-ZUr9rgPSqWpfNBkYRNECW4llLZcZ-ahWG9dfyMOOekT6VQV_rZcOElif/s1600/IMG_6211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cabXRjnItNgYgdCCz7KSmG8b9d_VrVXu86G-fLn3vcMvXslsQebvN653QCHtupTbngTiWMHE5BwEJ43Nxxl-ZUr9rgPSqWpfNBkYRNECW4llLZcZ-ahWG9dfyMOOekT6VQV_rZcOElif/s1600/IMG_6211.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ONE day from breaking soil to having to remove the lid!! Crazy!</td></tr>
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Funny story... This morning I opened the duck house at about 7:30, changed the babies' water, put out the food, etc. The adult ducks were all 'hiding' in the back corner of the house, and I went to the side and tapped on the wall to encourage them out. It usually works, but this morning, they weren't moving! I figured they would come out when they were ready, so I went back into the house. At 12:30, I walked back out there, wondering where they were, and the dumb ducks were still IN the duck house!! Five hours. FIVE hours they stood there. I had to go in and wave them out, which I hate to do because they totally panic and upset the little ones. I keep reminding myself their brains are about the size of almonds, but BOY are they STUPID!! <br /><br />I've been keeping the babies indoors the last few days. Even at that, I'm noticing some weakness in some of them. This morning I thought for sure one was going to die on me today, but when I went to check on them again later, she was just fine. Their feathers are starting to show me some patterns. This little beauty let me take a picture of her beautiful breast feathers! She's going to be fabulous!<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye6SRmz_pgkH5_jpe-_62NVhA_L6NLqnjr_BtIy2lnTL2s4cqEw6PYNI7MVDefEcn2ITrYI7-7BnuK7OvdFYLyU1j9uNwt6Ohlq43JfI2bcZoVn3giT2W5hVIF3BrcrHhisWhAC7F2M-3/s1600/IMG_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye6SRmz_pgkH5_jpe-_62NVhA_L6NLqnjr_BtIy2lnTL2s4cqEw6PYNI7MVDefEcn2ITrYI7-7BnuK7OvdFYLyU1j9uNwt6Ohlq43JfI2bcZoVn3giT2W5hVIF3BrcrHhisWhAC7F2M-3/s1600/IMG_6216.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOK at those gorgeous feathers on her breast!!</td></tr>
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Kae and Toby came out to take a walk around the pond this afternoon. Both dogs AND the outside kitty decided to tag along, LOL! We went to see the bluebonnets on the far side of the pond. I"m pleased to have a little patch here on my property!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucC1jVkpEW454BbbD1yjqhTTuK53rUcSBsmjeCxMCINbhRLKhRyDR1OGvuBGKi9VhgWtzKwFSNaYlYkQWAuSahr6tpPX12stqOtNTrx5XF8iTX0mk6WDrnVemDuduwjmG4SGduN77L9tb/s1600/IMG_6218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucC1jVkpEW454BbbD1yjqhTTuK53rUcSBsmjeCxMCINbhRLKhRyDR1OGvuBGKi9VhgWtzKwFSNaYlYkQWAuSahr6tpPX12stqOtNTrx5XF8iTX0mk6WDrnVemDuduwjmG4SGduN77L9tb/s1600/IMG_6218.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS way, Mom!! Shadow, Toby and Stella lead the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox_79S-mHQ7qRZY-HyStSasVJwn5bmdzIBPHLXWa9pqXA3iPOzaY1KlqI-hRKahpgmg7G3eoMpjnR4249l4P5ipa65zRnC0NlPmoBwJRhqKwFWjKBBwVCRpowFPD2SSsHFxSBYLG7PEbO/s1600/IMG_6220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox_79S-mHQ7qRZY-HyStSasVJwn5bmdzIBPHLXWa9pqXA3iPOzaY1KlqI-hRKahpgmg7G3eoMpjnR4249l4P5ipa65zRnC0NlPmoBwJRhqKwFWjKBBwVCRpowFPD2SSsHFxSBYLG7PEbO/s1600/IMG_6220.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty!<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />Before we walked around the pond, we had thrown some bread into the pond for the fish, and they were super active, so after our walk, I decided to throw a hook in. I dropped my line in about 2 feet from the dock, and within 30 seconds, it was pulling like crazy. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to land it myself but I managed to get my net into the water with one hand, held onto the pole for dear life with the other, and SOMEHOW managed to coordinate them to successfully swoop in under it and bring it up! Made me laugh. I couldn't even believe I actually got the net under it in one shot and without knocking it off the line! After that... not even a nibble. I cleaned him up and stuck two nice fillets into the freezer. (I'm collecting them until there is enough to feed the family, LOL!!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT3lHenSdZWWuCQSSEVe-XTpsA800uWLH7HmWTsBFk_XWhilT6kD02RLn5-FoiYA0CQPfLrg1K8HnrzoSxQpI0Au-XvAz4DTHdqUhkN0V5HxoB5I-pJBbEOXO9xyBZeegOKTkLYit_F-V/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT3lHenSdZWWuCQSSEVe-XTpsA800uWLH7HmWTsBFk_XWhilT6kD02RLn5-FoiYA0CQPfLrg1K8HnrzoSxQpI0Au-XvAz4DTHdqUhkN0V5HxoB5I-pJBbEOXO9xyBZeegOKTkLYit_F-V/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22 inches! I think I need to get a selfie-stick for the next time!<br /></td></tr>
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And how is YOUR week going??<br /><br /></div>
dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-21672371311528064772015-04-13T15:56:00.002-07:002015-04-13T15:56:52.949-07:00SeedsToday I started 23 cells of artichoke, 13 cells of Loofah gourds, 9 cells of Dow Guak Yard Long Beans, 9 cells of Homemade Pickles Cucumbers, and 3 each of 6 varieties of peppers!dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-78146774168491263582015-04-13T14:55:00.000-07:002015-04-13T14:55:41.674-07:00Water, water, EVERYWHERE!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The weather was amazing last week, but at the close of the week, the outlook was not so bright. At least the wonderful weather left us with a gorgeous sunset Friday night! Sigh. I wish I could capture the colors better.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjkRCno9AN19GIBYRpD4lASqDI_l967x1UVWIvEmWsdBIlTgBH8Q_88kbodHFfm343TKH-HM5OlV65pVw_x0Wx-pjoxvVKntAY_LQ3TEArihJ4kDZfHk2YfMBTkWry8kBuvzFJGyICYe/s1600/IMG_6174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjkRCno9AN19GIBYRpD4lASqDI_l967x1UVWIvEmWsdBIlTgBH8Q_88kbodHFfm343TKH-HM5OlV65pVw_x0Wx-pjoxvVKntAY_LQ3TEArihJ4kDZfHk2YfMBTkWry8kBuvzFJGyICYe/s1600/IMG_6174.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many beautiful skies here!</td></tr>
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Walking the property with Kern, we placed the tree markers I made a couple weeks ago! They look so cute! I noticed that even the apple trees are full of blossoms now! The nectarine trees are ALL looking like they didn't make it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they are just super late bloomers. What are the chances all three of them didn't make it? They don't LOOK dead, just... bare!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3omfnsoruFHVsZIibYhqV_zCNnkk8WbHQj0UuMLwOwT9o6pjveDEpA3hNBLtVC0qHadioj6b5ZWi32CQDta6fFpYNHEbIYlWp_MA5tfabvcGUAsJsErYmgfzHcPIbUaOa_Xx8bEosUr/s1600/IMG_6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3omfnsoruFHVsZIibYhqV_zCNnkk8WbHQj0UuMLwOwT9o6pjveDEpA3hNBLtVC0qHadioj6b5ZWi32CQDta6fFpYNHEbIYlWp_MA5tfabvcGUAsJsErYmgfzHcPIbUaOa_Xx8bEosUr/s1600/IMG_6170.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stayman Winesap apples-to-be.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Evenings are pretty laid back around here. Unless you are a cat. Then they are comatose.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUNVbPuixkGObNDIRAssuTY9WZJHZcJ70aEQRw5bRgF8SxUsmor244e8oE2P5YBlGEdjpRYJOshAaOZ_msliO1fQTBNM4qF9cHtRGMnXCUSWy8bTzxOXFxtZerXQk3snJGgWoX0ZrfrHn/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUNVbPuixkGObNDIRAssuTY9WZJHZcJ70aEQRw5bRgF8SxUsmor244e8oE2P5YBlGEdjpRYJOshAaOZ_msliO1fQTBNM4qF9cHtRGMnXCUSWy8bTzxOXFxtZerXQk3snJGgWoX0ZrfrHn/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajani modeling his sultry look.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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I lost another duckling on Friday. It's so frustrating! I took that one to the vet to send off for a duckie autopsy. I need to figure out what is killing them. Ms. Gimpy is still with us. I guess I should stop being surprised about that, LOL!! <br />
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The babies are no longer adorable little duckies. Now they are awkward, pimply teenagers. Their voices are starting to change to little honks and beeps and hiccups instead of the constant sweet cheeping I love so much. That's ok... I'm cherishing each and every stage! Their feathers are becoming more evident, and it makes them look scruffy and rough and wet! I've been keeping them in the duck house more since they seem to stay stronger in there. When they go out to the playpen, I'm usually carrying several in as they are weak and can't walk. Part of me wants to let them out and just say "Survival of the fittest, baby", but the other part wants to give them the best chances to get stronger, at least until the necropsy results come back and I find out if I CAN do anything to help them. They WANT to go out, and they tell me all about it when I go visit with them. I've been bringing them offerings of fresh clover and chickweed, hoping to appease them, LOL! When they stay inside, I have to change their water at least twice during the day. That gives me time to hang out with them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pBPnKrI33cGMuuPnUTzDG8JS3MCtHGKTrifkWA4_dynOrQJdAmeoy4VJDQLeu_omZ_bWIf8HTBJopsEo71xzvPY4RRGyciIhDwryh_JC0ESjHE13_ZFiSiNAjf9SQF1BSxsbwAq0_Fci/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pBPnKrI33cGMuuPnUTzDG8JS3MCtHGKTrifkWA4_dynOrQJdAmeoy4VJDQLeu_omZ_bWIf8HTBJopsEo71xzvPY4RRGyciIhDwryh_JC0ESjHE13_ZFiSiNAjf9SQF1BSxsbwAq0_Fci/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny little girl! Face-on shots of ducks always make me laugh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IVHyxtMsYijCeY3yHaX-Hhg-hkY3C1Yg45mx6RtWCyabS7jX_enkEn3YorchC7M4B2Pn6JZE6X3s3S5wRoIhqfJiSnOY3SIllrCibm2c-FkggvpS3FyW6IRRl7NjLw5xLwVhf4VU49sw/s1600/IMG_6185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IVHyxtMsYijCeY3yHaX-Hhg-hkY3C1Yg45mx6RtWCyabS7jX_enkEn3YorchC7M4B2Pn6JZE6X3s3S5wRoIhqfJiSnOY3SIllrCibm2c-FkggvpS3FyW6IRRl7NjLw5xLwVhf4VU49sw/s1600/IMG_6185.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See those little pin feathers?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMBuhI9KDSXUfNFTOT84fd1jQ9nUtq4Mu3BGyOL4A-HKVTimqEBxH0HxWt7wi6gBWQXixoaHwmR1R2c7MlgxoUqTw9RJQDcN1cNG6Jz__sBRZxWDbnGcmL_PJkYhblO1klE-vpQISHIC3/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMBuhI9KDSXUfNFTOT84fd1jQ9nUtq4Mu3BGyOL4A-HKVTimqEBxH0HxWt7wi6gBWQXixoaHwmR1R2c7MlgxoUqTw9RJQDcN1cNG6Jz__sBRZxWDbnGcmL_PJkYhblO1klE-vpQISHIC3/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminds me of an awkward teenager, LOL!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg-FN69nYFJXMKr_ApuKOBIfet6M8X5nZM5ER6tV9IFedpsVMpFxdh-SYFTz23nu5hQpbraEHm8vAxVCh2En8IO7vSD9udAP5vQUfmR1L0mA1aIHfuMNc75UdXfiboDcJFligX5S5LwsT/s1600/IMG_6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg-FN69nYFJXMKr_ApuKOBIfet6M8X5nZM5ER6tV9IFedpsVMpFxdh-SYFTz23nu5hQpbraEHm8vAxVCh2En8IO7vSD9udAP5vQUfmR1L0mA1aIHfuMNc75UdXfiboDcJFligX5S5LwsT/s1600/IMG_6189.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They almost look wet with those feathers coming in. </td></tr>
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So the weather.... The forecast calls for thunder storms for the next couple of days, one day of rain relief, then three or four more days of RAIN. Sigh.. I'm going to need to buy some snorkels to get around the property pretty soon. Good thing ducks can swim! Now I need my trees to grow gills.<br />
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-89786218027408066252015-04-07T21:22:00.000-07:002015-04-07T21:22:24.372-07:00April Showers......have made my yard wet again! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8r2f8qqFgkxpcaNjTUdP_iuPUwkkq0_kS-CO4mb4LnHEjkXShSpSgvsgPh-i_F7bxFgHmvs52SHS_flKyvT6__UtNfYYYvD1ouW0XVyheoCE7ZNf6WU-CsH3dGCncG2PMDWiJd7qKMLn/s1600/IMG_6113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8r2f8qqFgkxpcaNjTUdP_iuPUwkkq0_kS-CO4mb4LnHEjkXShSpSgvsgPh-i_F7bxFgHmvs52SHS_flKyvT6__UtNfYYYvD1ouW0XVyheoCE7ZNf6WU-CsH3dGCncG2PMDWiJd7qKMLn/s1600/IMG_6113.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I can't believe it has been a week since my last post, but here we are. <br />
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I still marvel at the sky here. The light was so beautiful one evening, with a full moon hanging high at dusk that I had to get some pics. I just wish the photos did the reality justice. <br />
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We had a couple days break in the rain, and I finally attacked the back field with the mower. First I had to spend some time cutting back mesquite, and when I had done a little over half the field, my tendonitis told me to quit, so I had Kern come out and finish the other half while I started to mow. It was dusty work, and I felt bad about mowing down these gorgeous flowers. I was able to pluck one from my seat on the mower to share with you. After taking this pic, I put it into the brim of my hat. It made me feel pretty! I left some stretches over near the pond that are full of bluebonnets. I just couldn't mow them down!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVZumpJsNQgK8LIA-X9hhU1oYLkcgVy-k88EAqnDkbJyBCdvSl71MkgTaKxEaPOMkTChbSCb12F3TdCxe9Gn8V12M888Q-7QO5yoGI_pi46Fh5j53gcWDWHvEPlzvQFXGq88y639IeTUE/s1600/IMG_6120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVZumpJsNQgK8LIA-X9hhU1oYLkcgVy-k88EAqnDkbJyBCdvSl71MkgTaKxEaPOMkTChbSCb12F3TdCxe9Gn8V12M888Q-7QO5yoGI_pi46Fh5j53gcWDWHvEPlzvQFXGq88y639IeTUE/s1600/IMG_6120.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does anybody know what this stunning flower is?</td></tr>
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After mowing for several hours, I got to spend some quiet time with the kids. The quacky ones. If I sit still long enough, they come to investigate. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43509x_FwP3qqrhNfQHvK_zKLLlYOEeX2yIiViZEX5ywGj-LwiODru7zZmo2AKDH4iPCDxISUe5EBEGZJCYgeqaxPtr0_zguiZlsb0JiwJ75_ad_MixEJLjn4sjTzeYkbpO_ybZ8ZVosx/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43509x_FwP3qqrhNfQHvK_zKLLlYOEeX2yIiViZEX5ywGj-LwiODru7zZmo2AKDH4iPCDxISUe5EBEGZJCYgeqaxPtr0_zguiZlsb0JiwJ75_ad_MixEJLjn4sjTzeYkbpO_ybZ8ZVosx/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got a pic that showed off some of the gorgeous colors on my Quack Pack.</td></tr>
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Easter was a ton of fun. Some good friends from church invited us to go to his mom's house for Easter dinner. What an amazing family! There was food (OH, there was FOOD!!) and we ate ourselves comatose, there was an egg hunt for the kids, and Toby came away with an awesome basket with awesome toys and lots of candy, and there was singing and lots of laughter. What a special day we had! The day before Easter I had fun and actually SUCCESSFULLY duplicated one of my Pins from Pinterest. After peeling the hard boiled eggs and separating out the yolks, I let the whites soak in a cup with 3/4 C water and ONE drop of food coloring. Stirred them gently every 5-10 minutes for about 50 minutes, and they come out colored! SO fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHY9d8HS6MWJh-7IR-gCuBFcqnrlwfdaHk8fN-ujttTKNQKn02qN8TAha9iH9ai2Ek6NSKkhKRk-BzwomPmj3FycywsyblSyvOsd1U04ylal6b-rQhTU0RxgjuKGgih9I4EJPbK-5wiWg/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHY9d8HS6MWJh-7IR-gCuBFcqnrlwfdaHk8fN-ujttTKNQKn02qN8TAha9iH9ai2Ek6NSKkhKRk-BzwomPmj3FycywsyblSyvOsd1U04ylal6b-rQhTU0RxgjuKGgih9I4EJPbK-5wiWg/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOST of us love deviled eggs, and we gobbled them up for snacks and breakfast for a couple of days!</td></tr>
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We were in Dallas for an appointment for Anika today, and we found a Thai restaurant nearby. The food was excellent, and they had a parrot tulip on the table. Kae painted me a parrot tulip for Mothers' Day a few years ago, and it made me smile!<br />
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Today also presented me with the first rose of the season on my bushes out back! There are lots of buds, and I bet tomorrow will be glorious!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMOf1aOoGc7YEcI4_kO_GjHshsHYLwwRe5n74wQpE-a7_TzJ4i37WXCfsqul3lgg1ywAYWls8Yx05xHGc7397YOcrdxO64zaPfaD6zdpdY86TO23nFmMCMUfon0sve7ZE2oSj_UT6uELf/s1600/IMG_6143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMOf1aOoGc7YEcI4_kO_GjHshsHYLwwRe5n74wQpE-a7_TzJ4i37WXCfsqul3lgg1ywAYWls8Yx05xHGc7397YOcrdxO64zaPfaD6zdpdY86TO23nFmMCMUfon0sve7ZE2oSj_UT6uELf/s1600/IMG_6143.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Of course, no update would be complete without a duckie report! The Quack Pack (the adults) has been roaming the back yard, and I need to start watching them a little more closely to be sure they don't wander off into the neighbor's property. <br />
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The babies are growing daily. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153753370292571&pnref=story" target="_blank">They are STILL so cute! </a> They are starting to look a little scruffy because their feathers are starting to grow in, but the down on their breasts is still so soft. Miss Gimpy is still with us, and she can actually propel herself along pretty well. Clumsy as heck, but she's determined. It seems like her left foot is still paralyzed, and she kinda crawls along on her knees. She made her way from the playpen back to the duck house all on her own yesterday. We did lose another one of her sisters. We are down to 15 now. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting big, huh?<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beauty! I can't wait to see her all feathered out.<br /></td></tr>
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The goofy little things will take a bath in their water dish from time to time, then<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153753372852571&pnref=story" target="_blank"> they have to spend some time preening, LOL!</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the incoming feathers! </td></tr>
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Sorry for the long post... I'll try to do better at keeping up. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Dawna</span></div>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-36289857661630953822015-03-31T23:02:00.000-07:002015-03-31T23:02:08.346-07:00What tree is that??Tonight I finally got around to making the markers for all the fruit trees we've planted. I wanted something that would last a long time, wouldn't fade (hopefully), was weatherproof, and creative. I searched Pinterest for ideas, and found some great ones, but not exactly what I wanted. I figured it out, though. Here is what I did. I worked from the receipt from ordering the trees so I wouldn't forget any of them. I bought a big box of white Skulpy original clay from Michael's, some thin 3' metal rods that I cut down into 12" pieces, and a cheapie set of Alphabet rubber stamps (also from Michael's). I gathered my art mat, my marble rolling pin, some tiles, acrylic paint, rags, and a cookie sheet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpe4ZHrHnZWCmh32Gc-r83u1c0zWqjgLsiThVcbPd92D-rLMN2am1X3eNbE2m5PpDhvidqJIw_F9MdLdcvFRXXYy5fpWOo6cX7dR5N9yHBUeJgvdWLMM8WpqFwYW9frxahoZ9PBGabstM/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpe4ZHrHnZWCmh32Gc-r83u1c0zWqjgLsiThVcbPd92D-rLMN2am1X3eNbE2m5PpDhvidqJIw_F9MdLdcvFRXXYy5fpWOo6cX7dR5N9yHBUeJgvdWLMM8WpqFwYW9frxahoZ9PBGabstM/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used my off set spatula to cut the blocks out after stamping the names on the clay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCogqktENx3pxjDxlsPjVeh5TE8hjZ8c5-woCYHPx46ZefsZBIXSiPduwLPmfLzGD8F9efuLE2xR7WjdQzFvsCvoYuVIp52HlDQStqUmdhqUkqLXX1eT7a0hUG0J7JO-O4TpmfLujJ7aR/s1600/IMG_6101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCogqktENx3pxjDxlsPjVeh5TE8hjZ8c5-woCYHPx46ZefsZBIXSiPduwLPmfLzGD8F9efuLE2xR7WjdQzFvsCvoYuVIp52HlDQStqUmdhqUkqLXX1eT7a0hUG0J7JO-O4TpmfLujJ7aR/s1600/IMG_6101.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After I ran out of rods, I just poked the holes and baked them.</td></tr>
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Using the tiles so I would get a uniform thickness, I rolled the kneaded Sculpy clay out between them to make 1/4" thick sheets. I squared it off, and stamped the names of each of my trees and bushes into it, cutting it into little tiles as I went. I poked the metal rod into them, but I ran out of rods at one point, so just started poking the hole in the bottom of the sign, then removing the rod, hoping to cut more rods later and put them in after they are done baking. Into the oven they go at 275 for about 15 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrRvChvEpB62fR5PEWpdDU8SO4hA0m29NqWCPdFLyhI1mWVqAQk68y1jfAHTFajJqxk3y6O4TZDTOuoeUrxbYYIcqxsJbJUl2b_izDdMUrjqypSEpbnNDyMAICOXRiJS4yue1_ukz2Doe/s1600/IMG_6103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrRvChvEpB62fR5PEWpdDU8SO4hA0m29NqWCPdFLyhI1mWVqAQk68y1jfAHTFajJqxk3y6O4TZDTOuoeUrxbYYIcqxsJbJUl2b_izDdMUrjqypSEpbnNDyMAICOXRiJS4yue1_ukz2Doe/s1600/IMG_6103.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I baked the rods right into the clay. I"ll have to add a touch of super glue to a few of them that didn't set tightly.</td></tr>
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After they came out of the oven and had time to cool, I pried them off the cookie sheets and slopped thinned black acrylic paint all over the front of each sign. I'd paint about 4 of them, then go back and use a damp washcloth to wipe the paint off the top, leaving it in the letters.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing paint into the letters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to wipe the paint off. I had to scrub at some of the outlines to soften them up, BUT....</td></tr>
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I'm really pleased with the final result. I really like how the paint that stayed on the surface of the signs make them look old and weathered. The darker ones in the picture below were the batches I baked for 20 minutes, thinking longer = better, but it just burned them a little, LOL! I'm fine with it. Adds some variety! I have 30 little signs with the rods to stick into the ground next to my trees, and 21 more that still need rods inserted! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unbelievably, I stretched that box of Sculpy to make 51 little signs! (The last one is a little thinner than the others!)</td></tr>
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Tomorrow I will take them all outside and give them a few coats of spray acrylic to seal them before distributing them out. Kern and I walked the property today to be sure we knew where each tree was located and we made a map for future reference. We will know which plum is a Santa Rosa and which is a Bruce when we eventually eat them! </div>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-72286565814709957792015-03-31T21:05:00.001-07:002015-03-31T22:08:37.405-07:00Last day of March!We've had a couple of productive days here! First of all, my lame duckling (Ms. Gimpy) has shown some improvement with the meds. I've completed the 5 day treatment for the whole flock, and am continuing to treat Ms. Gimpy for awhile longer. She can actually 'stand' on her 'knees' today. Her feet are still not working, but at least she can make some distance when she wants to. It's hard to know if she will recover enough to lead a good duckie life, or if we should take matters into our own hands and euthanize her. She doesn't seem to be in pain or overly stressed out, especially since I've been letting her stay in the duck house at night. We will continue to monitor her. Mia and I spent some time enjoying the babies' company yesterday. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nyr9b5vLsl3DZSGQXCtBti6iVDH_TbtaAPcy7a0PpZckOTGHRiEH_dBTgzLMmTkISHdB07WgCQyzA6WnSR58E3Lyl8zy0Tz2qagdfddGSMfG-L9HQrzHlrc0GFJ6usn4n5WtY3PxRNF2/s1600/IMG_6090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nyr9b5vLsl3DZSGQXCtBti6iVDH_TbtaAPcy7a0PpZckOTGHRiEH_dBTgzLMmTkISHdB07WgCQyzA6WnSR58E3Lyl8zy0Tz2qagdfddGSMfG-L9HQrzHlrc0GFJ6usn4n5WtY3PxRNF2/s1600/IMG_6090.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia was a little irked I woke her up from her nap to take a pic, LOL!</td></tr>
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While we enjoyed hanging with the babies, the big ducks decided to come hang with us for awhile. They are finally approaching us in stead of running from us. CAUTIOUSLY, but at least they will come check us out from time to time. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153732663007571&pnref=story" target="_blank">Here is a video of them.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g7ddcRsKDSSDYQzJ3KsfxBKK-SVM7Lzyz31ScT33EC7db1lwR30GYzA-kdzWTo0yW7vwPIWgI1iLC5P6sDtlUscOdMeZzoKCAQ70y11riWlNTg7kLx0ccmpCK1V-a8woMEDWkZPo6Wts/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g7ddcRsKDSSDYQzJ3KsfxBKK-SVM7Lzyz31ScT33EC7db1lwR30GYzA-kdzWTo0yW7vwPIWgI1iLC5P6sDtlUscOdMeZzoKCAQ70y11riWlNTg7kLx0ccmpCK1V-a8woMEDWkZPo6Wts/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kern was finally able to get our mailbox put up. Heads up: we will be letting you know the street address and will be phasing out the P.O. Box soon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of his handiwork!</td></tr>
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He also planted the 2 willow trees near the pond, and planted two more Wonderful Pomegranates out back. All we have left to get into the ground is two plum and two new peach trees and the Goji berry bushes. Hopefully by this next weekend we can decide where they will be growing!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xpFnd-pwoy3GGEK0jwRV_HlXq0bwmxi1VayC28uF4-MweUnVx_18NguvWLm1jSeicQx-UTRbNjYY0JiKpagxq9peFbznxU4-hZQZQTd3gWj9sAyzo03127MeWe6He0U83_EBuesZaNZ6/s1600/IMG_6086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xpFnd-pwoy3GGEK0jwRV_HlXq0bwmxi1VayC28uF4-MweUnVx_18NguvWLm1jSeicQx-UTRbNjYY0JiKpagxq9peFbznxU4-hZQZQTd3gWj9sAyzo03127MeWe6He0U83_EBuesZaNZ6/s1600/IMG_6086.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the back side of the pond.</td></tr>
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We celebrated Anika's sweet 16 on Monday! She wanted to go to IHOP for dinner, then we came back for cake and gifts. All my kids always request my chocolate mayonnaise cake with peanut butter frosting for their birthdays. It's really rich, and you need coffee to get it down, LOL! Anika got some music cds, several gift cards, the movie Eight Below (our favorite) in blue ray, and this Doctor Who backpack. Happy girl!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8n-mFQ1MTbJLD32s_AEfYrFUTuy2Olev4PCaazBUlZt4-biLB6rkv6afh7J2hnKbrBhQ-lYNXen8uctn_-SPIez8ClYv_Dtqaj7BwzFPjs0lq1f8he_SBxCVvnlxiwn954jO2xgVxPS/s1600/IMG_0388_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8n-mFQ1MTbJLD32s_AEfYrFUTuy2Olev4PCaazBUlZt4-biLB6rkv6afh7J2hnKbrBhQ-lYNXen8uctn_-SPIez8ClYv_Dtqaj7BwzFPjs0lq1f8he_SBxCVvnlxiwn954jO2xgVxPS/s1600/IMG_0388_2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, my Sweet Girl!</td></tr>
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-43279504609463768192015-03-28T15:35:00.000-07:002015-03-28T15:35:02.584-07:00So much to do!Well, I've not posted in about a week, so I want to get you all caught up. Because everything I do is SOOOO important, you know! (Sheesh!)<br />
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Our little duckling flock has taken several casualties and we were losing them fast. They would all be fine when we put them to bed, but there would be a dead one or two in the mornings when we went to take care of them. We would see one laying on its back, flopping around, losing control of their legs for a short time, then seem to recover just as fast! I finally called my vet to ask if she had any ideas or advice for us. One of my ducklings had gone completely lame in her legs, and I truly expected her to die. We had her isolated from her sisters (usually had a sister with her for company) to give her a chance to rest with water and food right beside her. The vet told me to bring her in, and any other ones that had me concerned. As I went to go get her, I startled the babies when I came in the duck house (I usually announce myself from outside, but didn't that time) and they all rushed to the back of the house, but one baby had a total seizure! Her neck doubled back onto her back, legs and wings straight out and stiffened... scared the heck out of me, so I scooped her up to go with us to the vet. Both were running fevers, and the vet said she was worried that it might be a virus going thru the flock. My lame baby was also kinda snotty, so THAT could be helped with an antibiotic. She decided to give me the antibiotic and a steroid to help with the neurological issues. I managed to talk her into giving me enough of both to treat the whole little flock! WELL, after 2 full days on the meds, when I checked on the lame baby and her sister this morning (she is staying in the sunroom at night because of her lack of mobility), she was half standing!! She has gotten some of her control back in her legs, and I'm hoping it will get better everyday. I'm astonished... I truly thought I'd lose her. She's a fighter! During the day I'm putting all the babies in the playpen on dry ground with a 'pool' for them. They are a riot to watch, and Kern and I spend time everyday watching them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQVTQF8R9KOpsJWC_hPlt-gk7RiFDZa_iCSvTxYgySr4AjWObTp7sq8OtwfZcP8SYyRU8cnVNYtQzcfZ3ViNoT5ovIpMnS7MZSw_1vhK57hMlmPpm9pRjlr-A7BfBAcX84rd6jibSNFxM/s1600/IMG_6073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQVTQF8R9KOpsJWC_hPlt-gk7RiFDZa_iCSvTxYgySr4AjWObTp7sq8OtwfZcP8SYyRU8cnVNYtQzcfZ3ViNoT5ovIpMnS7MZSw_1vhK57hMlmPpm9pRjlr-A7BfBAcX84rd6jibSNFxM/s1600/IMG_6073.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They can't resist the draw of the water!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153723925312571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater" target="_blank">Here is a video of them playing today!</a><br />
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Our land is still trying to dry out from all the winter rains. It's pretty stinky as the water retreats and leaves behind rotting grasses. The adult ducks are just delighted to muck around in the stinky stuff. Eww. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz7usfgU3O7BTPt0ja61afd-Okvyhck9DmukNmyNLWANod3Iaps5qp88QuUlNgI0ZAlOLQm6BemqF6VQ8GY9t5uCwkx0ApwDWdzaBMHUPvy1Vg8di7P8Wgh94mkW0UVYPMv7gru1mGg2L/s1600/IMG_6064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz7usfgU3O7BTPt0ja61afd-Okvyhck9DmukNmyNLWANod3Iaps5qp88QuUlNgI0ZAlOLQm6BemqF6VQ8GY9t5uCwkx0ApwDWdzaBMHUPvy1Vg8di7P8Wgh94mkW0UVYPMv7gru1mGg2L/s1600/IMG_6064.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor kitty!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Shadow got himself onto the roof of the garage and had to meow pitifully at me for awhile yesterday morning. Hey, Dude... you got yourself up there, get yourself down! (I occasionally find him on the roof of the house as well.)<br />
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It has been hot enough during the day to seek shelter. Even Mia was smart enough to find some shade today!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pear blossoms!</td></tr>
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We continue to monitor the fruit trees. It looks like about 85% of them survived the winter. I'm anxious to get some of the apples and a new pear cut down a bit. Either that or resign ourselves to ladders to harvest!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get a line...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Kae and Raine and I have spent a little time fishing in the last couple days. I love to fish.. We only have 3 little catfish worthy of the skillet so far, so we've cleaned them up and put them into the freezer until we have enough to make a meal! Still waiting to hook that monster I know is in there!<br />
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-63743237123218973852015-03-18T16:01:00.001-07:002015-03-18T16:01:24.488-07:00Movin' On UP!Well, we've had a few interesting days here! <br />
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The ducklings have been spending some time outside each day. They have had a blast rooting around in the grass and the mud. I placed them right next to the older ducks so they could see each other. Yesterday, as I was watching them play in their fancy new playpen, I saw one baby struggling to get up. She was laying on her back mostly and couldn't get herself turned over. I snatched her up and ran her into the house and put her under the heating element with fresh water and food and sat with her for awhile. She was having trouble with her legs, seemed really weak and frail. It scared me, so I had Anika sit with her while I went out and gathered the remaining babies back into the brooder and brought them in as well. After getting them inside, I noticed another duckling also experiencing the weakness and lack of control. This is what happened to the last duckling we lost as well. Kern did some searching online and found the suggestion that ducks can get botulism from the decomposing grass in standing water, and the symptoms sounded a lot like what we were seeing. I immediately started cleaning out the watering bowl every hour or so and adding fresh water. I also added a splash of unfiltered apple cider vinegar to help with a nutritional boost, and the vinegar also acts as a cleansing agent in the water. I carefully placed the affected babies near the food and water several times during the evening and went to bed, fearing I would wake up to two fewer ducklings in our flock. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLDnk1yOqATFNAqxSUM28kEZCEwczmYu-wl_-fneb0VsgR1XXCXlJsSJv3g1_Im3mNS6gQrk1MPWFMa9k15EVGliQ1uDPxnhQ2Y4qRQEwcO8J0STGkNOpLsh0StkIrHLR5l4vum5HUGIg/s1600/IMG_6030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLDnk1yOqATFNAqxSUM28kEZCEwczmYu-wl_-fneb0VsgR1XXCXlJsSJv3g1_Im3mNS6gQrk1MPWFMa9k15EVGliQ1uDPxnhQ2Y4qRQEwcO8J0STGkNOpLsh0StkIrHLR5l4vum5HUGIg/s1600/IMG_6030.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you sleep with your beak in the watering hole, you don't have to get up to get a drink!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I guess the quick action and getting them fresh water was a good thing, because this morning all 22 were happily peeping up a storm. They have discovered that a few of them were now big enough to actually take a strong jump and land on the floor beyond the brooder, LOL! Our babies are growing up. SO.... today they graduated to the duck house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7B4OR5YbsYQjbiKlgqZUoLijJ3RwhfmFIxOA99re8JfR08xKkrLtltoo_6-LMi5iqyjv6nHQsNkx4PMddObVjKgAmY-vzvZ3k141j8-nnwlcCci9TfdMwkR694flStD7Wv_r0b_-fRgQ/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7B4OR5YbsYQjbiKlgqZUoLijJ3RwhfmFIxOA99re8JfR08xKkrLtltoo_6-LMi5iqyjv6nHQsNkx4PMddObVjKgAmY-vzvZ3k141j8-nnwlcCci9TfdMwkR694flStD7Wv_r0b_-fRgQ/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOOT! Their available space just got about 6X bigger!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I'm going to keep them in here until the ground dries up considerably. No more botulism for my girlies. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc14BZOR8Q0yexz1fc33RzcgEhdPdmwg2Qip43vwgvLW8_QiEUmLvqMhPq05GQ7F7AEln74IWgVAXxDdZYLgsxiB_aGDJa6Ejy-lkGMhSL8IXfvA5OTyXZybZUKohnuLGew32Hfwh7qhnT/s1600/IMG_6038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc14BZOR8Q0yexz1fc33RzcgEhdPdmwg2Qip43vwgvLW8_QiEUmLvqMhPq05GQ7F7AEln74IWgVAXxDdZYLgsxiB_aGDJa6Ejy-lkGMhSL8IXfvA5OTyXZybZUKohnuLGew32Hfwh7qhnT/s1600/IMG_6038.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took a few minutes, but once they found the water, they were all over it!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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They were SO excited to get on the hay. They rooted around in it and nibbled it and chased each other around the space a bunch. GOSH, they are still so cute! All that excitement required a nap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2S0KOaBSyM-LGpPKsUPczxP0Jfjq1QCVBbp6p_SRkcjdLev51Q-9kj7XxpoamaHpGcIE-rPB1KABdMXRAzOEjE67uGoDnsNhdTpjHZYlZ1_xXgZDB1dzmNwCyCimv_cscGdB3GnFvUKp/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2S0KOaBSyM-LGpPKsUPczxP0Jfjq1QCVBbp6p_SRkcjdLev51Q-9kj7XxpoamaHpGcIE-rPB1KABdMXRAzOEjE67uGoDnsNhdTpjHZYlZ1_xXgZDB1dzmNwCyCimv_cscGdB3GnFvUKp/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those sweet babies at the back snuggling together!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNqdRT7BAHEj0DO7ywW9Ri6c39hfl2dTjsRmtGNizbugMCuAJTwLFr45siUZftC1HP1i80-6rGySOCWf09X-nWkQA5vdzDKSPkSbPNgEEm5S3r8U84PuuFln9YaRQDT4Lo579gylj4ZXY/s1600/IMG_6016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNqdRT7BAHEj0DO7ywW9Ri6c39hfl2dTjsRmtGNizbugMCuAJTwLFr45siUZftC1HP1i80-6rGySOCWf09X-nWkQA5vdzDKSPkSbPNgEEm5S3r8U84PuuFln9YaRQDT4Lo579gylj4ZXY/s1600/IMG_6016.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so it begins! </td></tr>
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I'm a bit anxious about tonight when I put the older ducks in there. I know they will be able to see over the divider, and I hope they are curious but not aggressive toward their new sisters. When I close them in, I'll probably sit in there with them for awhile. I have NO idea what I'll do if they all freak out and start smacking each other around.<br />
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Spring has made an amazing showing in the last couple of days. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwC7ipBi9CU2ARaSM6wy8Ei9OSDq6wz8xEQWFCx88WdHlfLTV5XL1lOFO4H9yJ1V7DEDKrEALMnaQ0xSgChrXoNLyrPWcrl8NegDtql_uMUsSjiHXLgw-26f-V9x1Dg2fNrCLIli7aUDU/s1600/IMG_6019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwC7ipBi9CU2ARaSM6wy8Ei9OSDq6wz8xEQWFCx88WdHlfLTV5XL1lOFO4H9yJ1V7DEDKrEALMnaQ0xSgChrXoNLyrPWcrl8NegDtql_uMUsSjiHXLgw-26f-V9x1Dg2fNrCLIli7aUDU/s1600/IMG_6019.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach blossom</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The pollen count has skyrocketed, and the bees are taking advantage of the early blooms. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHohmvftojisOtxCcRkiXTe-yPqdPejogOEKTSOKjsWVajvDqOWIAQEwkeD9yfNP0IT39qFxuWcY4R-VzCikESaC_Ti-XnoxqYTQ8yFUrqYeDRvKheLsqlBGqndnY-bAopw7gJBVq5i-Q/s1600/IMG_6026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHohmvftojisOtxCcRkiXTe-yPqdPejogOEKTSOKjsWVajvDqOWIAQEwkeD9yfNP0IT39qFxuWcY4R-VzCikESaC_Ti-XnoxqYTQ8yFUrqYeDRvKheLsqlBGqndnY-bAopw7gJBVq5i-Q/s1600/IMG_6026.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm hoping the plum trees will actually give us a harvest this year!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rS4D_a3Zo0yloltt5PvVbl5FYiVSg3tXbq9VQMQOhzhsE3DhTpenMmrgLyI1RjI21rVyy3E68aNzcb38cZ98bUc7BoczpyDX81sXlnuoBv5-1mzCLBqqYjmzR6kd6Fg-p8T-6Wo35jH_/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rS4D_a3Zo0yloltt5PvVbl5FYiVSg3tXbq9VQMQOhzhsE3DhTpenMmrgLyI1RjI21rVyy3E68aNzcb38cZ98bUc7BoczpyDX81sXlnuoBv5-1mzCLBqqYjmzR6kd6Fg-p8T-6Wo35jH_/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bradford Pears are lovely. Too bad they don't produce anything but shade!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-62007826635191834612015-03-13T20:19:00.001-07:002015-03-13T20:19:53.389-07:00Splish Splash!!We got some MORE rain, so while I was cleaning out the brooder today, I put the babies in with a puddle. THEY HAD A BLAST!! It was only about 2" deep, but they would flatten themselves down and dart through the water. Lots of talking and excited cheering! You can see them <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153682970402571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36P3_d2fWmdSk9F1rIacOcs4NrZuHK-KDGU_ntTF0VWVmRYv2qnzDXBIBwf8jUQTLWWr0TDrgP5qft7CaHQv8fpS-X_aYhS1QH0DznBhZcg1fpF76KBFVeR5sFstwgkmI-qMWZxYidWi5/s1600/IMG_6010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36P3_d2fWmdSk9F1rIacOcs4NrZuHK-KDGU_ntTF0VWVmRYv2qnzDXBIBwf8jUQTLWWr0TDrgP5qft7CaHQv8fpS-X_aYhS1QH0DznBhZcg1fpF76KBFVeR5sFstwgkmI-qMWZxYidWi5/s1600/IMG_6010.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back inside and drying off under the heat lamp!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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My salad garden was full to the rim with water, and I could hear the teeny, tiny radishes and lettuces bubbling under water, trying to breath. I got a couple of short tubes from the garage and used them to syphon about 4 inches of water out. At least my teeny, tiny plants are now above water. Keeping my fingers crossed for a few dry days ahead!!dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-38633254790902698462015-03-10T23:49:00.000-07:002015-03-10T23:49:10.683-07:00...The rain is gone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But seeing clearly is still a bit hard. Today brought no more rain, but
there was heavy cloud cover all day so I don't think much drying of
water happened. I'm hoping my salad garden can recover. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKNnGkf1guBkwafWKLriyDjat-PgvpDMW91et4McW4s0-LxOSKJn6s9Z12GOII6t1D1FljWitwBNaXiickgo6TVujjpJZ2svm0Lu1vT7MkMjLC7K1vMHUPOPz8OHa0_bI-8f7eeO1oEAb/s1600/IMG_5990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKNnGkf1guBkwafWKLriyDjat-PgvpDMW91et4McW4s0-LxOSKJn6s9Z12GOII6t1D1FljWitwBNaXiickgo6TVujjpJZ2svm0Lu1vT7MkMjLC7K1vMHUPOPz8OHa0_bI-8f7eeO1oEAb/s1600/IMG_5990.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need the sun to come out and dry this out a bit!</td></tr>
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During all the rain, it was also pretty cold, so I didn't take the babies outside. We've had a blast hanging out with them and bonding, LOL! They are so happy to come running <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153675324267571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater" target="_blank">to see what tasty treats we are offering</a>. We can even get a couple pets in without them freaking out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigpxi8sDftKkpkVUZE9NFvqbaOrVBZPjOEsjdWknrKbX8aq2oCDksXNkJOKlfKSlybrqpyWbLrtGl6zIE_9X2qfT0h7Yii_fQ9QgjGXqOIedKzPulF0j2MYvPguKMWG-1n_kAYhv1gNT/s1600/IMG_5959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigpxi8sDftKkpkVUZE9NFvqbaOrVBZPjOEsjdWknrKbX8aq2oCDksXNkJOKlfKSlybrqpyWbLrtGl6zIE_9X2qfT0h7Yii_fQ9QgjGXqOIedKzPulF0j2MYvPguKMWG-1n_kAYhv1gNT/s1600/IMG_5959.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this face!! Adorable!! There isn't anything cuter than a week old duckling!</td></tr>
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I called Kae and Raine in to watch them go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153675392897571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater" target="_blank">crazy over the pouring water</a> when we are filling their water bowl, and we all laughed and played with them. Ducks do this funny thing where they will poke their bills into wet ground and shake their heads back and forth really fast, and it makes a funny sound. Kae had a handful of food, and as it got down to just a few pieces between her fingers, the babies started sticking their bills down between her fingers and doing that drilling thing, LOL! Nothing warms my heart more than my 26 year old daughter giggling like a preteen over ducklings tickling her fingers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft6wEIgAYLhNAhYvKnMS62FZm4gzE4QQhetWaHYooY1wIjq_S6iXADHVrA6k6qRqlOWv4Y7pyEByRrZp_8LDvGkD2Nr4K2fKMgngoaKMoFhcpBS6f_dzpByT4kHVnrlEnIrx7eBSrGx9p/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft6wEIgAYLhNAhYvKnMS62FZm4gzE4QQhetWaHYooY1wIjq_S6iXADHVrA6k6qRqlOWv4Y7pyEByRrZp_8LDvGkD2Nr4K2fKMgngoaKMoFhcpBS6f_dzpByT4kHVnrlEnIrx7eBSrGx9p/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking pictures of a duckling is like trying to get a good shot of a toddler. Difficult because they are always moving!</td></tr>
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Today I wanted to get the ducklings out into the yard to play in a puddle. It was warm enough to let them play for awhile. I put them out onto high ground in the little enclosure I made for them, and they were delighted to go splash in the puddle. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFqHik3iW1FsZ3SR5i0WI2vn0geGK_fdWSC5eq7UFopzExUV0k8IsjQVwKjGWEGhfSIy43gID1zBiX6SvRJ53BteSnanUe3arY0zSR2CMAa-CgKxv7fnRwvse0C6wP0QB7EO681O15yJ-/s1600/IMG_5992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFqHik3iW1FsZ3SR5i0WI2vn0geGK_fdWSC5eq7UFopzExUV0k8IsjQVwKjGWEGhfSIy43gID1zBiX6SvRJ53BteSnanUe3arY0zSR2CMAa-CgKxv7fnRwvse0C6wP0QB7EO681O15yJ-/s1600/IMG_5992.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass AND a puddle!! JOY!</td></tr>
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Those babies got to drilling and muddied up that puddle pretty quick. They didn't care, they were SO happy!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzo7qN2AsQg66RUc6UIhblAtbAbEqfQMUxZ5kHzQJEXnZHfE1h00F5RlyQqiNoUKz6LP4QoD0q-7g7lNR9uYvUsN4lTrCiWIW_ddypM63KOQlIy4CvE3BQvJmvV5d0XDarDzeMpK4Aiv1/s1600/IMG_5995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzo7qN2AsQg66RUc6UIhblAtbAbEqfQMUxZ5kHzQJEXnZHfE1h00F5RlyQqiNoUKz6LP4QoD0q-7g7lNR9uYvUsN4lTrCiWIW_ddypM63KOQlIy4CvE3BQvJmvV5d0XDarDzeMpK4Aiv1/s1600/IMG_5995.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I KNOW there is something wonderful down there!! I just gotta find it!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and SUNNY!! I'll have to let them out again. I'm cleaning their brooder out everyday, and Kern bought another 2 packages of the shavings today so we can keep them in the sunroom for a couple more days. I'm thinking they will be out in the shed by the weekend. I'll miss their sleepy peeping and the excited little games of tag that makes up most of their days! Guess I'll just have to move out there with them!<br />
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Dawnadawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-78791294166691036792015-03-07T18:21:00.001-08:002015-03-07T18:21:44.995-08:00Babies get grass!Baby ducks stink. That is all there is to it. After two days in a brooder in the sun room, we either had to clean it out or move out of the house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODdbxmEmZNw-aByfNVeP1DWaIMj2SSgOIHd9XCdhgRMe54SILkazKB4hE6zyGT_RG-ORpujcRgLEghH9RI1QkLPyUKhNAdaGaG-XKxXfwolm31WYPgqSLtB5VbW5QNnycUqUlGPkdf9Dy/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODdbxmEmZNw-aByfNVeP1DWaIMj2SSgOIHd9XCdhgRMe54SILkazKB4hE6zyGT_RG-ORpujcRgLEghH9RI1QkLPyUKhNAdaGaG-XKxXfwolm31WYPgqSLtB5VbW5QNnycUqUlGPkdf9Dy/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I won't enlarge this one for you, just trust me... it's nasty!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Kern and I took the brooder outside to clean it out, and it was such a beautiful day, we put the babies on a patch of clover while we did that. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2VqH2NYLErHhWhFZa6uZyhPF08v8csPXGimaaKN0f7w_tN6ysUFZIAb1PuQkSy2D6AVTh_4X4mtgjVJeYVyiiG_IbQTHj7lm0klPfLQDiEpu-sFxNOjunrUvOLSrnFRwh9xLt-CMsHWd/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2VqH2NYLErHhWhFZa6uZyhPF08v8csPXGimaaKN0f7w_tN6ysUFZIAb1PuQkSy2D6AVTh_4X4mtgjVJeYVyiiG_IbQTHj7lm0klPfLQDiEpu-sFxNOjunrUvOLSrnFRwh9xLt-CMsHWd/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy, happy babies!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I put the water tray in with them, full of water. At first they were just a little curious, but as soon as the first couple babies hopped in, they all had to jump in. Such delight!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjI2-1GcRlAPWjPB4rJWix05JRgMYvGBlXYv5rHyhCMg8_9UdSPWtipb-TqRjDYnmxnu-kK9_UPfon6qs_txlst-_UVti631Kx7Vmtui7G9uFb59kay0YMrphFqXE0OdK6LzS4liRV86C/s1600/IMG_5952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjI2-1GcRlAPWjPB4rJWix05JRgMYvGBlXYv5rHyhCMg8_9UdSPWtipb-TqRjDYnmxnu-kK9_UPfon6qs_txlst-_UVti631Kx7Vmtui7G9uFb59kay0YMrphFqXE0OdK6LzS4liRV86C/s1600/IMG_5952.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clover...or water... tough decision!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />I found some chickweed and put it in their water. They were crazy about it! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153665996342571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater&notif_t=like" target="_blank">I even got a little video! </a>We let them play for about 15-20 minutes, then we got them back inside under the heating element. With a clean, new brooder, they happily preened for the next hour before taking a nap. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYs34LKJznNhngeWj47v_iLFz4DLpzgS_5-Ny7d15rA4TWu_HVuwTrFJBz3EqSh0utKGM_FI2pyaFCglG1_xPg6SvwBQP4Rd_WRxRvMIXZucOKxqLpHG_hj-RUIEhatblfL3Ts_V5upTT/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYs34LKJznNhngeWj47v_iLFz4DLpzgS_5-Ny7d15rA4TWu_HVuwTrFJBz3EqSh0utKGM_FI2pyaFCglG1_xPg6SvwBQP4Rd_WRxRvMIXZucOKxqLpHG_hj-RUIEhatblfL3Ts_V5upTT/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All clean!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Tomorrow should be another warm(ish) day with a pretty good chance of rain. If there is a clear patch in the afternoon, we might take them out to play in the puddles and to scratch around in the mud. I'll be sure to take pics.<br />
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-6632573983294516032015-03-06T21:56:00.000-08:002015-03-06T21:56:14.957-08:00Little bitty pretty ones!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a day of little, adorable thing today! Hubby was at a mens' retreat with the church, so I was up early to let the ducks out. Before opening their door, I walked their yard and walked through all the puddles to break up the ice so they could get to the water. They won't even use the watering dispenser because there is so much water standing in the yard. After letting them out and listening to them gossip about everything for a few minutes, I headed back into the house. <br />
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As I passed the salad garden, I noticed little, bitty, teeny, tiny SALAD growing!! WOOT!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1H21Q0diNG-yMb35hNag7ycRaWpKw1WkiufcLQwfGRFbUo54WyzW9lbv16boopR-2vRX0rCeyi3704wDHsheGlnUSkiiLUhLPsXbfiu_8Um7-N2ZgeoRoSu4IXcReuDOu7N-_RkyOaU7/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1H21Q0diNG-yMb35hNag7ycRaWpKw1WkiufcLQwfGRFbUo54WyzW9lbv16boopR-2vRX0rCeyi3704wDHsheGlnUSkiiLUhLPsXbfiu_8Um7-N2ZgeoRoSu4IXcReuDOu7N-_RkyOaU7/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuces and spinach, I think! I also saw some of the bibb lettuce sprouting in the tiers above!</td></tr>
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Coming into the house I was greeted by the Littles peeping and looking SO stinkin' cute! Fresh water made their itty, bitty hearts bubble with joy! They were so happy about the water (Even though they weren't OUT, LOL!) that they weren't even phased by the giant hand that descended into their midst, especially when there was FOOD in it!! Several of the babies helped themselves. I put a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153661955762571&set=vb.686927570&type=2&theater" target="_blank">Video on my Facebook page</a> of them eating out of my hand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFV6uLA0TxvoqcbaTRvHVfkWn-l7O27M1FUCo12OMgcaq6H8ujBVQiYpAIxEuDPkx2EsNgh4wEQkb_xf7VJYHy-RPWw7Xy720CvJkH3b-OOSVulm6w5vy3fz41_wAJu-DLLa9G_f3nXTU/s1600/IMG_5939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFV6uLA0TxvoqcbaTRvHVfkWn-l7O27M1FUCo12OMgcaq6H8ujBVQiYpAIxEuDPkx2EsNgh4wEQkb_xf7VJYHy-RPWw7Xy720CvJkH3b-OOSVulm6w5vy3fz41_wAJu-DLLa9G_f3nXTU/s1600/IMG_5939.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were also interested in pecking at my glove, LOL!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kwHNi1JjcjhcxJZuWzogAwqhCpQaXICTRqyoRQlPJFRR9DpplAkiP175seMiwZcV71lpMkIIpFbpZ_UqPCEbGPVFAHioHCY8Q6mDt7DRy6ZAnANS0NrJ22utxlXzFt-qQ-l-J-d_LKeM/s1600/IMG_5942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kwHNi1JjcjhcxJZuWzogAwqhCpQaXICTRqyoRQlPJFRR9DpplAkiP175seMiwZcV71lpMkIIpFbpZ_UqPCEbGPVFAHioHCY8Q6mDt7DRy6ZAnANS0NrJ22utxlXzFt-qQ-l-J-d_LKeM/s1600/IMG_5942.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH my gosh, look at those adorable faces!! I can't wait to see them in full adult feathers. They're gonna be gorgeous! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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While Kae and I worked together to make dinner, Little Bitty Pretty Mia decided to werap herself up in my blanket on the couch and get a quick nap in. She was so relaxed and comfortable, she wasn't even phased when I came to admire her cuteness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fmCDkLcygEenkxGVh1E9-OsoV71phYhWg43sQrgpewZbafQv-xE5n2qIZPHd1Xz4UEa8EeEe4TYuhNBm-f52u4cj7FoXfIY8-obMI39G9gDODNb0bOdMGO0XU-GU0uxqU27NLqgarjwS/s1600/IMG_5945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fmCDkLcygEenkxGVh1E9-OsoV71phYhWg43sQrgpewZbafQv-xE5n2qIZPHd1Xz4UEa8EeEe4TYuhNBm-f52u4cj7FoXfIY8-obMI39G9gDODNb0bOdMGO0XU-GU0uxqU27NLqgarjwS/s1600/IMG_5945.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy Mia!</td></tr>
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I love my Zaycon meats, and we decided to make salmon tonight. I poached it for the first time (I usually bake it) and made a fresh tsatziki sauce while she made garlic and butter baked mushrooms, wine and garlic sauteed shrimp and stir fried veggies. Talk about some good eats!<br />
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All in all, a good day!<br />
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-4124106426777588092015-03-03T20:46:00.000-08:002015-03-03T20:46:07.882-08:00Happy ducks!Today started with me making calls to try to get Anika into an orthodontist. We haven't needed one since moving here, and I wasn't even sure where to start. The dentist office in town told me to look for one in Forney, about 40 minutes away! Angie's List didn't give me much help, and I finally used Yelp, LOL! Found one in Seagoville (about 30 minutes away) and gave them a call. Hallelujah, not only could they see her today, but they were at their Terrell office! WOOP! Kern and I took Anika to lunch, then I took her to get the wire fixed, buzzed around Big Lots to pick up more (ahem) comfort food for the storm that is supposed to get here tomorrow and headed home. <br />
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When I got here, Kern was working on the water systems for the ducklings. We learned from prior experience that not only do they stink, they will spread water from one end of their enclosure to the other within moments of getting fresh water placed in front of them. I headed out to the duck shed to clean out the old straw, put down new straw, and make a place for the ducklings. I put up a barrier across about half the house to keep them separate from the big ducks for a week or so, or at least until I'm pretty sure the big ones won't bully the littles. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeS7jKBSAPCk88vhDW-PUZkh2qLMclh2VvFGpEUENkVqFF4-Nbuc8fh88lCzfeBsP2WzXhiRgy6ggErHhVoJTxqxr1ezxPVqb2gAFdBVvKi2RSvCIPoO9kn_cxqsvz2yWVRzEKGp5aZBm/s1600/IMG_5909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeS7jKBSAPCk88vhDW-PUZkh2qLMclh2VvFGpEUENkVqFF4-Nbuc8fh88lCzfeBsP2WzXhiRgy6ggErHhVoJTxqxr1ezxPVqb2gAFdBVvKi2RSvCIPoO9kn_cxqsvz2yWVRzEKGp5aZBm/s1600/IMG_5909.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fresh, clean duck house ready for the babies to arrive!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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Since we were out in the yucky weather anyway, and I had my rubber boots on, we decided to switch up the duck yard. Kern and I removed fence posts and now, instead of a circle, they have a big ellipse-shaped yard. They were quite indignant about me messing around with their fencing, but when they saw the new grass and chickweed, they were SO excited, and started to attack it with gusto! Happy, happy ducks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTJYYDUGiE8z5-IThMEAO_ybj-aG_BQypSiBzPARt6bSsh0wgCe9kpw1QTXl7rKkl1HH9KwikRJXXYRBZ4zlpx-s7GOsEaik1ZHTkkeoL4ZcgKqbsOAbfmwUpcea3KfUincze8Z7LgQBF/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTJYYDUGiE8z5-IThMEAO_ybj-aG_BQypSiBzPARt6bSsh0wgCe9kpw1QTXl7rKkl1HH9KwikRJXXYRBZ4zlpx-s7GOsEaik1ZHTkkeoL4ZcgKqbsOAbfmwUpcea3KfUincze8Z7LgQBF/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They must have found some lovely bugs in that spot because they were having a blast!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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You can see the line where we moved the fence back by the difference in the height of the grass. They are in the new area. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABYfGX3p9MEINXX01X6NaTF00x-arNdvSvtH04Ks1m3a-DQp0E7dP5jTlYKkkp5vyaB2wnlNT3ZeSPj6hQdJgo6tY1lxarPT-dK2kjMuTjM1ifWCEOEOfG2rzhrvc6UcNqIZarx6LHLG0/s1600/IMG_5912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABYfGX3p9MEINXX01X6NaTF00x-arNdvSvtH04Ks1m3a-DQp0E7dP5jTlYKkkp5vyaB2wnlNT3ZeSPj6hQdJgo6tY1lxarPT-dK2kjMuTjM1ifWCEOEOfG2rzhrvc6UcNqIZarx6LHLG0/s1600/IMG_5912.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see where I changed the angle of the fence (find the mud line, LOL!). There isn't as much yard directly in front of the shed door, but that allowed me to extend it further back. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The only thing we are missing for the babies is a 'tractor' to get them out of the shed. I won't be able to just let them out in the duck yard because they will walk right through the fence for the next week or so. I know what I need, so maybe tomorrow I can run into town and try to find it. </div>
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-66374764147785004242015-03-02T19:34:00.000-08:002015-03-02T19:34:12.746-08:00Boring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, This happened a few days ago, and outdoor activities have been pretty much reduced to putting the ducks in and out of their shed, taking the dog out to do her doo-ty (LOL! See what I did there! I'm sure I think I'm funnier than I am. ;) ) It has been pretty cold and wet and miserable since then. We got things melted down, and there is SO much water standing on the property.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFfWN-kP7P0s7BmE4blS3VEQEmx9sY2ympatJtS-VmLuNYmflS0lAfgEY2yq0dUI3t2MmmRF0MF8tbDV1cE2CVuMRgelAN83ZX_D749Yr4pOtJePiCigcyg1OQ-ElQ1RZNVvNmtVkBDj9/s1600/IMG_5879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFfWN-kP7P0s7BmE4blS3VEQEmx9sY2ympatJtS-VmLuNYmflS0lAfgEY2yq0dUI3t2MmmRF0MF8tbDV1cE2CVuMRgelAN83ZX_D749Yr4pOtJePiCigcyg1OQ-ElQ1RZNVvNmtVkBDj9/s1600/IMG_5879.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The ducks are fine with it, and it's weird how much they really don't mind the cold, nasty weather! I'd probably be huddled in my straw-filled house instead of out in the icy water, but not them!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and Daddy have some bonding time.</td></tr>
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We have been hanging out indoors, talking, playing games, eating a LOT of comfort foods (I'm feeling my jeans get tighter by the day.) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfTZZldE3MqDf8UkT2v9UYKmol8TjQ_7yncAqoODL0dU0nLZUvaGYTPADgQ8LJuXxBDao75eAdX0CjH6sAw3Bsc91_tSil4u2x0ynZSJCvb3ZUiGPFTMeKp8QJjRlH1Qrwurg2FeQrH3l/s1600/IMG_5899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfTZZldE3MqDf8UkT2v9UYKmol8TjQ_7yncAqoODL0dU0nLZUvaGYTPADgQ8LJuXxBDao75eAdX0CjH6sAw3Bsc91_tSil4u2x0ynZSJCvb3ZUiGPFTMeKp8QJjRlH1Qrwurg2FeQrH3l/s1600/IMG_5899.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The Grandboy is going stir crazy, not being able to get out to run. Thankfully, Grandpa is willing to go play with him from time to time. They like to build towers. Well, at least Grandpa builds, and Toby 'helps'. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tower taller than even Grandpa!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We are expecting the arrival of 25 ducklings in the next few days! I'll need to get out to the shed and get it set up for them tomorrow! <br />
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dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-28787176875022770492015-02-24T11:16:00.003-08:002015-02-24T11:16:34.576-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is what I was greeted with yesterday morning. That is ICE. Not snow. It was a day of jammies, hot chocolate and comfort food. <br /><br />
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Today, some of it has melted and there is a LOT of standing water on the property again. It's another day for jammies, Judge shows on tv, and more comfort food. I'm going to get some Inside-Out Cabbage Rolls into the slow cooker very soon. <br />
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There is another system on the way for late tonight which is supposed to bring more ice and snow. The weather people have actually named this Winter Storm Remus. I just call it yuck. My poor, sweet husband has had to take over duck duty because I'm NOT going out there.<br />
dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-12998260444451046602015-02-19T18:47:00.001-08:002015-02-19T18:47:33.742-08:00Salad garden!I watered my salad garden well today and finally got a pic of it. WHILE watering, LOL! The netting isn't very pretty, but it IS functional. (Remember that outdoor kitty?) I can't wait to show you baby plants poking thru in a week or two!!<br />
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My little dogette, Mia is still young enough to get into everything, so I need to keep her close. I put her on a retractable leash that I have clipped to my belt loop. Today she had to 'help' me with all my activities, indoors and out. I spent quite a bit of time sweeping inside today, and it was from room to room to room... I wore that poor little thing out. (She is used to taking several naps during the day.) I caught her at a quiet moment when I thought the light was interesting. Isn't she a cutie? A total booger, but a cute one.<br />
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Nobody thought to take anything out of the freezer for dinner, but thankfully, we have an awesome pizza joint in our tiny little town! Our usual order (for Kern and I and sometimes Kae) is sausage, onion and black olives. Seriously good pizza. A little added Parmesan and hot pepper flakes makes it AWESOME!! Especially awesome because I don't have to clean up afterwards!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOmhFPgyeHoaWzkOtnxSZ2HTerDkByXgKjt5nnCFSyDFxt9lw7jNi0cM9pKTfrm52mV4MbvP79WuQVswsS9Nu46QSTfu6MAeftCgwIvLeLw8ZGoHWPzvjnAgrQEF_lSc5O9lCs0DZYpVj/s1600/IMG_5861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOmhFPgyeHoaWzkOtnxSZ2HTerDkByXgKjt5nnCFSyDFxt9lw7jNi0cM9pKTfrm52mV4MbvP79WuQVswsS9Nu46QSTfu6MAeftCgwIvLeLw8ZGoHWPzvjnAgrQEF_lSc5O9lCs0DZYpVj/s1600/IMG_5861.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for dinner tonight, Honey! <3</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808861761171511955.post-1174901721026809842015-02-18T19:18:00.001-08:002015-02-18T19:18:25.072-08:00Sun ovens, chairs, and seeds!It was a beautiful, bright day, and I decided that I wanted to use my Sun Oven to bake some beer bread! The Sun Oven is a great way to bake goods, purify water, bake soups or casseroles IF the day is bright. I mixed up a regular beer bread recipe as well as one with Parmesan and Cracked Peppercorn. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-EizhupTvHmr-S1o61NOyWV0NVR8JFdQUhMMx3AS4AzuTuikX9fkttVvFcOkrXh3MKUyY8PsI6_d8w0oBBYzIIS9J2lmvNXCh5N6Gwy-qXmlcS53-WbNabE6po1XjljuxwfTYi_f0uYs/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-EizhupTvHmr-S1o61NOyWV0NVR8JFdQUhMMx3AS4AzuTuikX9fkttVvFcOkrXh3MKUyY8PsI6_d8w0oBBYzIIS9J2lmvNXCh5N6Gwy-qXmlcS53-WbNabE6po1XjljuxwfTYi_f0uYs/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread is cooking!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_Frl8IxjIkHw0UB5Gf5wGF4GhxYJ4P-8-ze9QcwqaAbcif4xPBJM7x0l0FWLbQCWZ5Xw18m2OMINYuDEOxIUgt6pOm2oTDwOif4unJO97gSXKRVryrz2LxQzpJ4aXFA_ip1f_1i7qqJo/s1600/IMG_5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_Frl8IxjIkHw0UB5Gf5wGF4GhxYJ4P-8-ze9QcwqaAbcif4xPBJM7x0l0FWLbQCWZ5Xw18m2OMINYuDEOxIUgt6pOm2oTDwOif4unJO97gSXKRVryrz2LxQzpJ4aXFA_ip1f_1i7qqJo/s1600/IMG_5841.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofO2fpJSWU8vQJyXtMebwaHLYGqOiq6EM4Q2kaN-Tw3vxC6Jm5hgWK81r4Utt8-2tC2bBkS5K4q6Xo00YQhn2PIZms_HB9xsgeT_V00m2MF4QO8I5D7r2fjPJHyzZGHAlT9L0ZJ28GtL_/s1600/IMG_5844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofO2fpJSWU8vQJyXtMebwaHLYGqOiq6EM4Q2kaN-Tw3vxC6Jm5hgWK81r4Utt8-2tC2bBkS5K4q6Xo00YQhn2PIZms_HB9xsgeT_V00m2MF4QO8I5D7r2fjPJHyzZGHAlT9L0ZJ28GtL_/s1600/IMG_5844.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the bread was done, I turned the oven away from the sun to cool down, then collapsed it to put it away!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2sFRehmLw4Mcqt8rYz746IgwtUmkzXa7GjuiCDVGJF1f843LimekugonZBlhtlo8Hc2O6tN-ay5f_CU_1pb1Cwj4HaYEClekIXtcNQ-MckVSLm_OaLaIeEnGOMCvlKUwU9cXjlU6-Okp/s1600/IMG_5846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2sFRehmLw4Mcqt8rYz746IgwtUmkzXa7GjuiCDVGJF1f843LimekugonZBlhtlo8Hc2O6tN-ay5f_CU_1pb1Cwj4HaYEClekIXtcNQ-MckVSLm_OaLaIeEnGOMCvlKUwU9cXjlU6-Okp/s1600/IMG_5846.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Parmesan peppercorn bread went very well with the spaghetti and meatballs we had for dinner. Kern actually liked the plain bread better. (More for me!) The meatballs were ones that I canned last Fall, and they were really yummy!</td></tr>
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While the bread was cooking, I stained my Adirondack chair so I can take it out into the yard to sit with the ducks from time to time. I think it's pretty!<br />
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I decided to get that salad garden planted, so I drew up a plan so I would know what went where, and when I wanted to harvest, I'd k know what I was getting! I'm hoping it will be pretty when it's growing! I tried to mix colors and shapes. I'm excited to see if my 'dividers' of onion, radishes, and carrots will be as pretty as I want them to be! It was already dark when I was planting, and I was cold, so I'll have to get water on it tomorrow.<br />
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I wasn't able to plant the broccoli raab. I thought it was a cold crop, but the planting instructions say to plant after the last chance for frost. I'll figure out something different to put in there tomorrow. Maybe more spinach.dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07469984757069417528noreply@blogger.com0