Uncategorized – Page 130 – This Old House 2

Miracle Grow

I am amazed at the amount of growth I’m witnessing

among the chicks-to-chickens and baby birds-to-Robins.

Chicks four weeks ago…

And just four weeks later – feathers, chicken shaped body… quatrupled in size.

By the way, chickens are very hard to get a decent picture of.

They are constantly worried or curious about you and move perpetually.

Hence – crappy pictures.

Baby robins just six days ago…

Now that’s pretty amazing.
It actually looks impossible! But this is truly six days growth.
From that tiny translucent skinned creature that emerges from the egg,
it takes just 14 days for a baby Robin to grow a full body
of feathers and be able to hop around and flutter it’s wings.

Coady & Lacey

Besides my quarter horse, Opie, who long-time readers have met, I also have two miniature horses. When we decided to buy This Old House and renovate and the old farm went up for sale, it was clear I’d have to find them another living arrangement until I had a place here for them again. Opie went to a boarding barn nearby..and the minis have been living on a sheep farm.

Long story short, they are now back in my possession and I just didn’t realize how much I missed these two little horses. They are living in their old quarters on the old farm (still not sold) until we can get something up for them here. And while I’ve tossed and turned about the decision to build another barn, we’ve decided to bring Opie and a boarder home too. After twenty five years of having my horses right outside the door, (and all the work that entails) and then having a respite… I’m taking the plunge and bringing them home again. This time the barn will be smaller and easier for me to care for…. (oh, my aching back!) and I’ll have a boarder who will share in the work.. that’s a huge relief.

Here we are … IN THE RAIN!…because it is …still… raining….

They are smaller than Ben. (my Dane)

You’re laughing at my red sloggers, aren’t ya.

Coady has an unfortunate haircut right now… don’t ask.

Lacey was named for the white markings across her back.

Years ago I took them to visit nursing homes… it was a rewarding experience

but took alot to coordinate and other life responsibilities got in the way…

Lacey and I about six years ago at a Carriage Day event

I never ever wear hats, they look ridiculous on me… I think this is the only time. Ever.

Coady with his mane the way it’s supposed to be.

And my weight where it’s supposed to be.

Enough said.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with dried cranberries & toasted pecans

It’s raining again today.

I’m building an Ark, people.

Awesome recipe below… I could inhale this stuff.

I pretty much do.

Sweet Potato Salad with Toasted Pecans and Dried Cranberries

makes 6 servings
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp finely diced sweet red onion
2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans
2 tbsp dried cranberries
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
1/4 chives chopped small

Dressing

2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place diced sweet potatoes on a baking tray and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes or just until fork tender. (Don’t overcook or the salad will be mushy.) Allow to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing. Place potatoes in a medium bowl and stir in the onions, pecans, cranberries and parsley. Drizzle with the dressing and gently stir until coated. Serve warm, room temperature or cold.

Good Mother

Momma Robin has been sitting on her nest…

Such a good mom

with wings extended to protect her babies from the rain.

Which continues.

For the fifth day.

Dear Mother Nature:

Really? after THAT winter??

Just sayin.

Sincerely,

Hmmm….

…do ya think he was in a hurry?

Of Beauty and Bouncy Balls

I’ve known this young woman and her family for quite a few years now.. her Dad was my sons soccer coach, her brother is one of my sons BF’s … her parents are just awesome, dedicated folks and we’ve been glad to know them. SHE is a sweetheart – beautiful inside and out, although she would shy away from any of this praise.

Once upon a time, when the kids were younger and dating meant you were “going out” but you didn’t really talk to each other much, if at all, although notes were passed back and forth and flowers were bought on Valentines Day…. my son and this beauty were a couple. What does that mean when you’re 12 or 13? Not much in the grand scheme of things. But I have a picture that represents the joy and innocence of that age. She and he are in it….. I love this photo.. it captures what I wish we could all conjure up now and then… pure, uncluttered joy.

I was asked to take pictures of her and her new beau (not so new really – I believe a year or so together) for prom this past weekend, and she just took my breath away. What a beauty, as if she even knows it. Her guy is handsome, to say the very least.

Even though they are still very young… there is an ease between them that shows even on film. Ofcourse there is much ahead of them… the remainder of HS, college and plans for the future. They always say the odds of HS sweethearts lasting are slim, but I’ve known a few. I am thrilled to have captured these moments for them….and strangely enough, for me.

So what do bouncy balls have to do with it?

Her mom over the years and between three kids

has been collecting all those little colorful rubber balls

the kids get out of the quarter machines at grocery stores,

goody bags at birthday parties,

consolation prizes at the dentist…

you know the kind

..and she put them in a big glass vase

that sits on the living room coffee table.

How cool is that.

Farm Updates

This Old House is now officially a member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau. We received our metal sign the other day…

See the four Robin eggs up in the header?

They hatched overnight…this is what BEN found this morning.

They just look so naked and exposed.

My Rock garden at the side door has filled in some

with a little help from perennials I bought at the garden center (too expensive)

Opie’s shoes at the gate.

Front door urns filled…

and garden cart made from recycled house parts…

This is the color combo I used around the house this year…

100 year old cast iron plants are back out on the porch…

I pimped the chicken coop just a little…

And they moved out of the house

and into their new pad.

He’s exhausted from planting this ginormous garden…

(what. was . he . thinking)

but it is an awesome garden and we will reap many rewards…

and a sore back.

My blueberry, raspberry and blackberry bushes…

The chicken sh*t did the job it was supposed to do…

the hay this year will be fantastic

The little backyard garden is very happy…

ancient lilacs in full bloom..

Kate of Chronicles of a Country Girl gave me a tip on cut lilacs

They don’t last long.. but if you smash the woody stem a little,

they last longer in a vase of water.

I’ve filled my assorted pots…

The dogwoods on the edges of the fields are just beautiful right now…

..and the rain keeps coming…

but that’s OK… because we’re GREEN again.

Amen.

Loving these other selves….

..have you read some of the entries in My Other Self Challenge? I am LOVING what you guys have come up with!! Great pictures, awesome lives, oh to dream the dreams… I notice we all love the water and the possibility of living on or near it….

For those of you who haven’t joined us with your other self yet, what are ya waiting for?

Dream that dream.

It seemed like a good idea at the time

Last night Junior decided to have a bonfire in the firepit and invited a few friends over. Then it was a sleepover. So at 9:30 the husband went to Stop & Shop and got burgers, hotdogs, marshmallows for the smores deal, and there was a late night grilling session. Then someone thought it would be really cool to set up the tent and sleep outside.

I took these photos from my spy area, the porch behind a shrowd of darkness because moms aren’t supposed to be anywhere near the camp vicinity, you know.