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Black Cats...Take Your Pick!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013
I enjoyed finding these on Pinterest...and I hope that you also enjoy the cats!
















Halloween Jewelry

Monday, October 28, 2013




How about a witch flying on her broom?




Another Witch?




I think that this pendant is really cute!




This pendant is my very favorite!!














Thanks to Pinterest for these images.

Four Days til Halloween

Sunday, October 27, 2013



Hi, I thought that would be fun to share vintage Halloween Postcards for the week of Halloween. More to come the next 4 days!! I really like the bottom image of the child and black cat.  Enjoy!






Blacktail Doe Hunting

Saturday, October 26, 2013

I know that I complain about the dozens of Elk that trample across our farm. The deer are a different story...there are very few... This summer I have consistently seen just 2 does and 2 fawns. That is all!  Now, a neighbor next door has gotten doe tags, and has killed 2 deer in the last few days. Now....I am concerned that they have killed 3 deer this fall. Exactly where do they think future deer come from? I think that the deer population is doomed. Well, maybe my deck plants will do better next summer.

I am not anti-hunting, in fact hubby just shot one wild turkey out of a large flock of 20+, but sometimes I just wonder about my neighbors.

BTW, my daughter is improving fairly quickly and should be out of the hospital soon.

Playing with Photos for Halloween

Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Ghostly!

www.picmonkey.com is a great free website that I love to use. It is possible to take photos with a cell phone and edit them to look much better. Currently, there are featured Halloween edits...to get your creepy looks from ordinary pics. Here are 4 I just did...........enjoy.

Freaky!!!!

Witch!!!!

Vampire!!!

The Elk Herd

Tuesday, October 22, 2013


I know that this photo is a little difficult to see well. I am sorry, I was a little far for a good photo with my cell phone camera. There are about 100 +or- elk. I could see 3 large males, that survived the rifle season last week. This is right across the county road from our farm.

This herd was right beside the house last night, and let me tell you they can make a lot of noise. They talk to each other...especially the mothers and calves. A large male was bugling. A bugle is a strange very loud squawking,
whistle, screech, noise...it is hard to describe...The first time I heard it, about 35 years ago...I thought that it has a human scream...but not like a cougar scream.

I have to tell you that there are many more in the area around our farm....and they are destructive, and can eat all the grass in an entire pasture in one night....and destroy the fence to boot.

Oh, and we are having the best weather ever this month, 65 to 75 every day! It hasn't rained in 3 weeks!!!!!

Vintage Stetson! For Me!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Well, what's a road trip without a little shopping and junking? Not much as far as I'm concerned. A passion for finding stuff.....an addiction? Probably....what can I say....guilty as charged. That is an admission of fact, and Sis likes it as well.

Here is my best find by far...out in cowboy ranch country.... the Bend Goodwill is a great store to visit. While I was strolling along the Halloween Costume Aisle, what to my surprise!!! A vintage Stetson 4X Beaver Hat, hum. Well, it was the right size, clean, very lightly used..and needs a good shaping. The price was under $5, compare that to Ebay at $100 to $250 for the same hat. Of course I had to get it, a girl needs her hats...and at that price...it was totally affordable!!! I can wear it, and have fun with it! Watch out fellow Sisters on the Fly!

The main problem is getting it shaped, there just isn't much around this area. Maybe, Portland, or somewhere on my way to Boise. I will be driving thru some true cowboy towns along the way....hum...I've gotta make some calls to Burns Oregon, and Caldwell Idaho.

The John Day River, in Oregon

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sis and I spent a three day weekend exploring the John Day River, located in Northern Central Oregon. There are several Scenic Byways in the area, and we took one that was new to us and thoroughly enjoyable. The entire drive took about 7 hours round-trip from Bend, Oregon. Lovely, out of the way, side roads, old ghost towns and wonderful scenery. There were a few other souls enjoying the beautiful Indian Summer in that area. The temps were about 65 degrees, and sunny. Wow...is all I can say.



There were cattle ranches, and a couple of tiny towns along the way. We brought everything we might need along with us. We filled up the gas tank in Prineville and were on our way. The first part of the drive takes a highway over the Ochoco (Mountain) Divide (Pass). A forest of old growth Pondersoa Pine, and open meadows to the summit. There was quite a bit of traffic from firewood cutters, and elk hunters heading east into the mountains. When we left that highway there wasn't any traffic. Our first main stop was in a tiny town of Mitchell, Oregon. We talked with a local gal about our plans, and showed her the map to see if she had local knowledge and suggestions.
She really liked the route we planned, but was very assertive that we stop at a ghost town along the route. Well...this town is on the map...Richmond...and there are a few people still there. There were neat old buildings to look at.


One of those old houses that was still occupied had 2 vintage trailers sitting in the side area. Wow, I has gawking at them. You know what I was thinking...I bet that you could purchase them for very little. However, I doubt that they were road capable, tires flat and probably completely rotten. You know that way out there, anything that is not used or broken just get taken off to the side and stays there forever.




This photo was taken in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. We stopped to take a pic and look who was watching us.



These blue mountains really are pretty...the landscape is extraordinary. The area is so different from my home...where there are mountains covered in Douglas Fir trees. The deer are still watching......... All in all a great weekend that we are going to remember. I almost have her hooked on getting a little trailer....so we can spending a night or two camping, when we go on our adventures. A little progress, is good! 

Pie Making

Saturday, October 19, 2013


It is that time of year when pie making happens pretty often around this house. The apples have just been picked and are awaiting making them into pie filling. I think that I have been able to finally...after years of learning and making pie...to accomplish a good pie.

If you are a canning things for later, a good use of fruit from your own trees, or berries, follow the USDA published recipe. I have used it for several years, and found that having my own pie filing in quart jars is wonderful. Be sure to use Sure-jell for thickening, it works great.

The pastry is another learning project for me. I admit that for years I could not roll out pie dough. In Fact, it was so bad that I just pressed it into my pie pans and made a crumb topping.  Then, I found the Martha Stewart method, getting everything cold, cold, cold. That is the trick that works for me. Yes, I do use Crisco. It makes a flaky, tender and tasty crust. A member of my family, who thinks that they are the best pie maker.....makes the pretty but very tough, yucky crust. My good crust is a secret from them.

OK, another truth....sometimes I don't feel like making crust. Then I get out the custard cups and make pumpkin pie filling for the cups. Everyone loves them with real whipped cream. 

Cute Halloween Sign

Friday, October 18, 2013
I found this on Pinterest, and I think that I will get a sheet of orange card stock, and print this on it. Then I will Mod Podge it to a piece of foamboard or something. I will hang it beside the front door with an old broom. Enjoy? By the way, there are all kinds of decorating ideas for Halloween on pinterest.



Dutch Oven Scones

Tuesday, October 15, 2013
A Blogger that I follow posted a new recipe today. Wow, I am making these tomorrow...the scones will become a hit at our monthly club potluck. Here is Everyday Dutch Oven. The ideas in his posts are really good! Attention Dutch Oven cooks, you will like his blog!


The original recipe is in the King Arthur Flour Blog.   King Arthur Flour. I am going to print it out and save it for reference. Hubby likes to show off his Sourdough Biscuits...now he will have an alternative............. When you read to the bottom of the recipe, it gives a tip to freeze the unbaked scones, and have them ready to use as needed. A good thing when I only want 2 or 3 at a time.

When Camping....

Monday, October 14, 2013

I think that this old photo shows how simple a gal can be when she goes camping. A blog that I follow has a great post about the current trend of women's camping groups. I will tell you from experience that many (50%) of the women that camp with Camptown Girls stay inside their vehicles or in small backpacking tents. A woman doesn't need to get a trailer or go beyond her means to participate. Here is the blog for you to read, Girl Camping

Giant Pumpkin Carving

Sunday, October 13, 2013

I took this pic at the Home and Garden Show today. This is one of the giant pumpkins...about 4 ft square. It is hollowed out and carved on each side. I wonder how many hours of work went into the pumpkin. The inside lights don't show in the photo...but at night, it would be pretty fun.

Fall Harvest of Spahgetti Squash

Saturday, October 12, 2013

This is a huge harvest of Spaghetti Squash. I put 45 squash into the garden cart and took it into the barn. They are not quite ripe, but the vines are dead and the weather has been cold and wet. I am going to ripen as many as possible. Today,I put 20 inside the house, in a warm window. The rest are going outdoor in the sun...via the cart. Seriously...what to do with all the extras! I will be giving them away...beware of friends bearing a gift of squash. I am not terribly fond of these....but hubby likes them. Of course, they are better for you than pasta.

One Woman Farm by Jenna Woginrich

Friday, October 11, 2013

I have been following Jenna for about eight years now. She is a writer, who is pursuing her dream of a farm....and writing books about it. I follow her blog Cold Antler Farm, as she takes me through her life. I follow the ups and downs of having livestock and keeping up with the farm work. Sometimes she mentions about the financial issues of the farm, and I donate to her. I see it as payment for the enjoyment of her blog. I want her to be successful. I just received my signed copy of this book, One Woman Farm, and am looking forward to reading it. There are many great illustrations throughout. It is available in book or ebook form.


This illustration is just inside the cover, showing Jenna's farm.

Meet Jenna Woginrich.


Hard Cider - thumbs up!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

I rarely have anything to drink with alcohol in it...just not my thing. I just don't like beer, and only some wines. That said, I just tried this hard cider today...and will recommend it to my readers. The taste is very good and I will enjoy it again. I have read and researched how to make my own, from my apples. The process requires a bunch of stuff, and frankly I don't want to get yet another hobby. I used to make a Raspberry Cordial...and I have at least a dozen bottles in the basement. I won't be making it again for awhile.

2013 - The First Honey Harvest Year

Wednesday, October 9, 2013


This is a frame from my honey bee hive that is filled with honey. These are about 18 inches by 7 inches, with honey on both sides. We took two from our hive, and left 8 for the bees to consume over the next several months of fall and winter. This is standard care for a new colony, going into their first winter. We removed the honey and have about 10-11 lbs of honey to package. This is not a big amount, about 10 small containers. One half of it is raw honey, and the other half is pasteurized. Pasteurization allows for longer term storage without the crystallization problem.



A Morning Surprise

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

A big surprise, a new born Dexter calf. When the mama didn't have a calf on time this spring, I thought that her age had given her fertility issues. Maybe she could not conceive any longer. Well...fortunately she did...about the first of the year or Christmas. The bull is usually kept alone from the others all winter. So..............hum.............maybe it happened during one of the occasions when hubby forgot to close a gate. A happy result! I am so happy that she now has a calf to mother, and is still a important member of our herd. Unfortunately, the stalls are filled with hay....so they have to stay in a covered shelter area. The next 5 days or so the weather is forecast to be nice. I am happy that it is not really cold and wet here.

Growing Great Garlic with Mary Jane Butters

Monday, October 7, 2013


I spent all day yesterday working in my garden. I did a lot of clean-up and did get my garlic planted.  Then today....Mary Jane shares a post about growing your own garlic. I think that garlic is the easiest thing to grown! I grow it in a 4' x 4' square raised bed. I like to use my small mini-tiller to till the amended soil in my raised beds. It works like a dream, and is small, light, and easy to use. I will tell you sometime how I got hubby on board with that purchase...well... how about now. He has a distinct favorite in his manly equipment, so I just took him to said dealer...and got just what I wanted!


If you are interested in growing your own garlic...here is a link to Mary Jane's post. Mary Jane's Farm

Dreams............

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Sometimes I need to be reminded that anything is possible.