chickens and a birthday

First the birthday, yesterday our girl Liberty Bell aka "Libby" turned 3. She is the alpha female and full of piss and vinegar. Ruger and Jack the Cat bow to her when she passes... But, she is protective and a faithful companion (as long as her bowl is full). Needless to say, life without her would be boring.  

do you know how it is when you start out to get one thing, but bring home other stuff? Well, here is our other stuff. See, I got this guy that sells barrels, and he had some nice, clean metal ones. Senior and I jumped on them. The mans son raises chickens for his 4-H Poultry Club, which I think we might join. Anyways, he was selling a pair of Barred Rock Hens. I jumped on the chance and brought the girls home. ND quickly named them "Chessie, and Checkers" because of their coloring. They are only about 6 mos. old and should start laying soon.Since they were from 4-H they had been vaccinated and accustomed to other chickens, so we went ahead and  added them in to the big coop. But, things there are a bit stressful and I am not sure if Senior should build a separate place away from all the alpha female chickens, as I am not seeing them drink much water. Every time they try, they get ran off.  My plan is to mate them with the Jersey Giant Rooster ( Black Jack) I think they would turn out a nice bird, that is not only a good egg layer, but good for meat too.The chicks should also net me a little profit at auction.

I know Senior just talked about this over at his blog last night but, remember back over the summer when I did the post about buying pullets from the feed store, only to have two of them be roosters? Well, we gave one away to our buddy Mr. Farmer, and the other one - was  a horrible nuisance crower. All the time, non stop, it could be 3 am and you would hear him. Black Jack who is housed in the large coop behind where this one was, is not at all that way. You can spend all day outside and not hear a peep. So, we had enough and butchered him.

 I got to say, Jersey Giants do make a nice meat bird. We roasted him last weekend, I do need to work on the marinating issues and seasoning, because he was a tad bit dry. I think next one we will do over the spit outside.

The leaves have been taking up our weekends, and I am happy to say that the majority is now off the trees. Christmas is literally around the corner, and  I have started my shopping and think Amazon and the free Prime trial is a wonderful thing. I just have to remember to cancel it before months end.
Take care all and have a wonderful day

-JUGM

Another Birthday and Friday Stuff....

I looked and saw it was almost a month ago since my past post.  I have no idea where the time goes, but we are all still here and doing fine. Senior and I have been busy with stuff around the estate, boys out of school, and have had other stuff to deal with and hope with all our hearts for an answer to our prayers.

ND turned 9 today. Can't believe my baby is getting so big. And since he is getting big, he wanted big boy presents...and just like his big brother he as well wanted his own Hennessy Hammock.  After the presents, Senior took both boys outside, and taught ND how to set his up. The three of them gave a new meaning to the term "Tent City" Seniors is the brown one in the middle. I guess that leaves me who needs to get one now....

And in some other news, all the corn has been cleared out of the garden, its been plowed and planted with our fall garden crops. We have one row of Mustard greens, green beans, and collards coming up. ND wanted a pumpkin patch, so he threw in some seeds down in the lower part, not sure how big they will get since we did it kind of late though.. 

In other news, My brother married that person he has been living with..uggggg, and I or anyone else in my family have not spoken to him since his hate filled emails a few weeks ago.

Watched the Fox debate last night, and the two who impressed me were Cruz and Kasich. However, I do like that Trump is not a politician but I need to research where he stands on the issues other then immigration yet and I would like to know what he thinks of  "Common Core", so my jury is still out on him...

I hope you are all doing well, I am making my way around the blogisphere to read and get updated on you all.

-JUGM

our lil man turned 10

 

 

our oldest NW turned the big 10 today....where on earth has the time gone?  If you have babies, or little toddlers, then please enjoy this time with them. My sister told me once, to wait until they start school, then the time will zoom right by you before you know it. She was right.

 

When we asked what he wanted for his birthday his answer was simple, he said he would like his own Hennessy Hammock tent, a big boy watch (" because ya know mom I am not a little kid anymore and really getting out of toys" ). he also asked for "Lego Marvels" for Xbox. 

 

Well he got all three...  here he is proudly displaying his Scout version hammock, and his new explorer edition watch, it even glows..lol 

 

 

After eating the triple chocolate cake I made for him, NW, ND and Senior had to set up the new tent so the birthday boy could try it out:

If you have kids, then we reccommend the Scout version, it is perfect for them.

corn pickin time

The corn is ready...  We are literally up to our ears in it!  the first 75-100 ears we boiled for 7-8 minutes then soaked in ice water before sealing them with the foodsaver. the bad ones we gave to the chickens.

 

Next couple of batches, I think we will can. Either way, this family is going to be eating a lot of corn throughout the winter months...  lol   

 

 

 

And in other news, the major heat wave we had over the past few weeks broke down, and the rains have returned. Yesterday was a nice cooling downpour:

our family is celebrating our little man NW turing 10 today. I remember when I had him my sister told me to enjoy those moments, because once they start school the years start flying by, and sad to say she was right. I have no idea where the time went....(sniff, sniff) 

my valentines birthday...

Started at 3:13 am Saturday morning when NW came out of their room crying and hitting the left side of his head. He woke up with major ear pain. I gave him children's Tylenol and put a warm compress on it, rubbed his little head and got him back to sleep. He woke back up around 8 still in pain.
Since it was a Saturday, the pediatricians office was closed,  I called their hot line, the nurse told me it could be an ear infection and to take him to the ER. The staff was awesome and we were thankful that no one else was waiting, we were able to walk right back in to a room. After an exam the Doctor confirmed that indeed it was an ear infection.

40.00 in prescriptions later and we were headed home. He was worried he had ruined my birthday. No he hadn't.

We got home, got things squared away and settled down. Senior was on his way home from his half day of work, and we began working on making a birthday brunch.. Scrambled eggs, toast and sausage. Once daddy was home the boys could not hold their excitement any longer they presented me with my birthday gifts: the boys made me some home made cards and Senior found the sweetest birthday/valentine card. I also got a bag of purple lilly bulbs, and money. I added it to the money my mom gave me and later in the afternoon we went to a bookstore, I had wanted to start reading the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon, so I purchased the first book. Then we went to a deli for valentines/birthday dinner. I was treated to a piece of the most delectable chocolate cake I have ever tasted..

A not so great start to what ended up being a really good day...  

Happy Birthday To Senior

Yep, it is that special day out of the year when we get to wish my Senior a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. all though this particular birthday is a bit wonky...first we have to lay sod that should have been delivered on Tuesday, then this evening we get to go to my neices wedding rehearsal dinner...but he is a good sport about it all and that is one reason why I love him so much.

He is a wonderful husband, best friend, fantastic father,  our protector, great American, Proud Retired Navy Veteran, and my personal super hero. I hope that his birthday is as awesome as he is...
So please help me in wishing him the happiest of Birthdays...either here or pop over to his place at :
Seniors Mess

We love you Senior !

JUGM
NW
and ND

Snow!

We already had it planned to go the Carolina Estate for my Birthday weekend...Mother Nature surprised us with snow.

First time for Senior and I since 96 when we were stationed in Connecticut. It is the first time ever for the boys and they loved it!

We left Home early this morning and got here before noon.Temps. were rising and it was melting fast, we played all afternoon and had a blast.

Our Little Snow People.....

Birthday Week....

It is that time of the year when we have 5 birthdays in a week..My dad, Myself, My sister, My mother and My Niece.  Today is my Ex-Sister in law # 2's birthday. But she does not count any more because after being married to my psycho brother  she "Came out of the Closet" and they divorced.

*SIGH*

It is like Christmas all over again. This is why I am thankful I  married a man born in May, and had children during the summer.

My dad turned a whopping 80 years old on Monday
My sister will be 53...
My mother will be 75

And as for my Niece and Myself, well, we will be a fantabulous 29 of course!