I'm Still Alive Here at Sand Flat Farm!

Ummmm, okay ..... let's see, where were we?  .......

Oh yes, before I get any further, let me share this lovely giveaway with you from Christy at Artisan Farmstead Living!  She's having a giveaway of a lb. of her luscious laundry soap that she makes herself with goat milk soap and I'm REALLLLLY hoping to win!  If not, guess I'll have to buy some...  Pop over there and see her neat blog where she makes all things homestead-style!  Tell her I sent you!  I just found her today doing some blog-hopping!

Thanksgiving?  Check!  Had a great time with all the family? Check!  Ate WAY too much?  Check!  Talked to our Kiwi Kids?  Check!  Did some skyping, too!  Made plans for Christmas holidays?  Check!  Family agreed to draw names for gifts?  Check!  Been trying to get everybody to agree on that for years!  Did some target practice with the kids?  Check!  Even my mama got in on that!  Pictures to follow...

And my mama is serious - don't mess with mama! My brother is lookin' on and Daddy is coverin' up his ears...

My brother discussing the merits of his arsenal...

Anybody around my area need a purty calico kitty?  Lucy is staying with us until I find her another home.  She belonged to Josh and Lindsey, and since they couldn't take her to NZ, I'm looking for a new home.  I already have a sinus infection and severe allergies due to her being at my house.  She's always been an inside cat, so I hate to just put her outside.  She'd freak.  It's taken her two weeks to settle down and feel comfortable here.  She's already spayed and had shots.  Got any takers?  She's free to a good home!  WITH all her stuff!  I'll even bring her to you if don't live too far away! 

Thought I'd show you a fine specimen of canine-ity - our farmdog, Gypsy, is surveying the grounds (actually she is sitting on top of the berm that the boys shoved up with the tractor to use as a backdrop to shoot against).  Little did Gypsy know that soon,  gunfire would commence and she'd be hightailin' it back to the barn...  But I'll swan! - lawsy-mercy... she  did look mighty fine settin' up there for a few short minutes...

She's turning out to be a great dog so far - she's been here about a month now.  She's very smart - I can show her how to do something once or twice and she's got it!  We're thinking mostly Aussie with some border collie in her, too, for good measure.  She loves to play with the young tan outside cat - he who hath no name yet.  Young Tan Outside Cat, herein after referred to as YTOC either is stupid and has no escape skills, or he truly likes being played with by Gyp.  I've seen several times Gyp carrying him around the yard like a ragdoll and she traps him with her front paws.  I thought that she might bite him too hard, but I guess she's being very careful and hopefully has a very soft mouth.  He seems healthy and active and playful, and I let him in ONLY to eat so Gyp won't bug him. He comes in, eats, and then warts the tar out of Lucy. They fight and squall and chase each other all over the house.   I sure hope he makes it.  YTOC's been here two months and is getting big.  I don't know why he doesn't just take a whack at Gypsy's nose with his paw and set her straight...  I told him to many times, but as of yet, he hasn't done anything about it.

And Gypsy loves me.  I'm her person.  Makes me feel good.  She whines for me to hold her and pet her and scratch her.  She just wants me to love on her.  And I do.  What is it about dogs that we love them and they love us so unconditionally?  Why does their love make us feel so good?  Where is this post going?

Hope to get my Christmas tree up this week.  I have no earthly idea as to the whereabouts of my Christmas decorations.  I sold a bunch of them that were getting dog-eared when we moved, threw another bunch away and packed up the rest, and I don't know where it is.  Good excuse to get a few new things, eh? Only thing is, with one cat and sometimes two in the house, how in tarnation am I going to keep my Christmas tree and decorations intact?  Can you tell me that?  I think this year I'm going to go down to the woods and cut some evergreen limbs and such and do some natural decorating. I'm still thinking on that wreath that Vee did that I love SO much - the square one. So simple, yet so natural and I just LOVE natural!

Anyway, I'm really tightening my purse strings this year and am looking to find ways to decorate on the cheap, and natural elements are to be had everywhere.

We've covered lotsa territory this evenin', so I guess I'm outa here til next time.  Will try to post more often - Holidays are so busy!

Keep yore dress down!

Goin's On

Life's been fun around here on Sand Flat Farm.  My Nashville son left to go back this morning. Always sad to see them go, but I can't keep him here.  We had a great 10 days while he was home.  Of course, the house is a disaster - not because of him, but I tend to let everything just go by the wayside so I can spend time with the family. Plus I was injured - more to follow.  Josh and his lovely wife came over and spent lots of time, too.  And my folks.  We just partied all week long!  It was great!

My guys, all of them including the girl kid when she's here, have to go shooting while they're here. Even me!  It's fun, and we compete to see who's the best.  Stupid me didn't move her thumb out of the way when I pulled the trigger and the hammer got me - took a hunk 'o hide off my thumb.  I took a picture of my bloody stump and told everyone I shot my thumb by accident.  They half-way believed me. I was so brave - I didn't even cry.  It was pretty gross, but no worries. I only had to get 2 pints of blood. (JK) The thumb was saved to pull that hammer back another day...

I'm so glad I'm not a chimpanzee - it's been really hard not having an opposable thumb to work with, do dishes, fold laundry, cook, pull up my jeans, wash my hair this week, etc. ...  ;)

Protective ear-gear is a must. I think it's a new fashion statement.  Here they are "plinkin'" with .22's.

Adam is a bachelor still  >:-/   and so he doesn't get to eat home-cooked food much.  He eats out alot on the road traveling, so when he comes to Texas, his big request is momma's chicken fried steak, real mashed taters, green beans, and lots of thick cream gravy.  He looks extrememly happy doesn't he?  He filled his plate 2-3 times at least.  Makes a momma feel good to make her kid happy!

We've got hawg problems here in Texas, heck, they're overtaking just about everywhere I guess.  Dad's got a few hawg traps set up with feeders here.  They tear up everything and breed like rabbits.  They can ruin a good pasture of crops or hay in a few short hours.

These are baited with corn here... Dad checks 'em every day or two and he's got game cameras set up around them, too, so we can see what kind of activity is going on.  There're always 'coons and possums and other varmints, and of course deer.  But with a game camera one can see what you're up against when trapping hawgs and what times they come and how many, etc.  Helps when planning their demise.

And, with the scattered rains we've been so blessed with the last couple of weeks, the gopher situation has been on high alert.  We've gotten 9 NINE, people, during the month of October, and probably could've gotten a few more with a little more diligence.  We were busy with family stuff.  Gopher huntin' took a backseat while we were kickin' up our heels.  However, for your enjoyment, I have saved a picture of my last hunt.  Three in one morning. I think that's my new best record.  Don't worry - there's no blood.  Laid 'em out here so you can get a reallllll good look.

They thought this photo below showed their best sides...  Look at those claws.  They can really do some excavating, let me tell you!  I guess this is not very dignified to make fun of them in their present state, but oh well... I promise you they had no idea they were being set up for ridicule.  At this point, they didn't care if syrup went to a dollar a sop.

Early in the wee hours of last Wednesday morning, the motion detector light went on out in the front of the house.  It doesn't come on very often, but I saw it and got up and looked out the front window. I didn't see anything, and I'm not sure, but I think I heard a car.  Guess what I found when I opened the front door later that morning?????

THIS!

He's probably 3-4 months old.  Not very big yet.  He's not yellow - he's tan colored with big orange eyes.  Tony says his eyes look evil cuz they have a red cast to them.  I wonder if they'll eventually turn yellow?  He was a drop-off by some kind sweet soul, I'm sure. I think that's how we got our other cats, too. I guess that's what the motion detector light came on for.  Either that person dropping him off or the kitty himself.  Usually something that small doesn't trigger it, but ... whatever...

This is the 4th FOURTH cat that has been dropped here.  He's very sweet, but I'm not spending another arm and leg on a cat.  He is welcome to stay around, but with the coyotes, I don't know how long he'll last.  It's sad, really, and I don't wanna get attached to him.  I haven't even named him yet.  Josh told me to name him "Gepetto" but I think that's too long. We'll see how long he lasts and if he's coyote-savvy, then I'll contemplate neutering/shots, etc.  I love cats, but I'm allergic so he can't come in the house.

Well, I'm outa here, people.  Y'all try to have a wonderful day and keep yo dress down, ya heah?

What's Going On ...

Good morning, my friends out there!  Sorry I've been so busy this week.  Big son, Adam from Nashville, is home for a week or so.  He hasn't been home since the end of April and I have SURELY missed him!  I think he's getting a bit tired of me huggin' on him, but too bad!  Sunday was his birthday and we had 4 of us together minus the girl child in nursing school.  We had cake and we got him a nice gift that he'd been wanting for a long time.  We had grilled hamburgers and all the trimmings and enjoyed ourselves immensely!

Ever CAN'T find a good box for a present???

Enter Ch*rrios box - family size!  Works great!  AND I wrapped it in Sponge B*b Square P*nts paper!

Since I have my guys here this week, some long-needed projects that need man muscles and know-how were scheduled to be completed at Mom's request.  I've been wanting running water out to the  garden shed for a couple of years now - much easier to water that side of the garden AND water any chickens or livestock in the future.  It will eventually run out to the tractor barn which is another 100 yards or so but for now at least I won't be dragging 200 feet of garden hose around to water.  That sucker gets heavy!

A trench was dug out to the garden shed from the tap in the back yard and PVC pipe was laid.  Also, they ran the line up directly to the garden shed  porch and put a spigot there so I can have my old washtub right under it and wash veggies.  The drain run-off will have a short hose attached to direct it back to the garden or a small flower bed beside the garden shed. Fabulous!

Covering up the ditch with our trusty steed...

We were also needing a larger compost container. We had a little makeshift one for a couple of years but it was coming apart and we  noticed that some little varmints were getting in there and strewing some of the ingredients around outside.  My guys built this much nicer, much stronger, and much bigger compost container.  One side of it comes completely off - they fixed it where it would slide out the top somehow and we can get the tractor bucket in there to pick up loads of compost to put in the garden.  Ingenius!  Don't you think?  It's about 4'x8' in size and about 3.5' to 4' high on the sides.  I'm wondering if we need to put a top on it?  Doesn't it break down quicker? I think I read that somewhere - will have to do some checking on that...

My husband at first thought it was kind of unnecessary to have a compost bin, but after he saw how cool it was to have all that luscious broken-down good stuff to put in the garden, he really got into it.  He's always out there turning it and "going out to check on the compost", he says.  He's totally with the program now!

Now I'll have to really stay on top of collecting things from the kitchen, etc., to put in the compost. I sometimes forget and toss something in the trash or think it's something too small to worry about, but I'll be more watchful now.  I wanna have lotsa good compost to put in the garden next year. Oh, it's not big enough to do the whole garden area, but it'll sure help.  I'm thinking of adding a few raised garden beds next year and see if I like them as opposed to rows of continuous crops like I've been doing.  Cuts out a lot of weeds and easier to water and walk around.  We'll see...

Well, that's all I've got today.  We've got big plans all week long.  There's always so much to cram into the time that we have with our kids when they come home.  Fishing, shooting, cooking out on the grill, family get-togethers, golf for the sons --- speaking of,  I just LOVE when both my sons are here and they "hang out" and do "guy stuff" and all the male bonding.  My husband is with them as much as possible, but I love to see my two sons are spending precious time just with each other.  All of us who're moms and dads love that I'm sure!  I'm off to take some pics of my boys shooting! 

Keep your dress down!

Random Photos

Hey, I have a couple of photos that I thought you might like from my trip 2 weeks ago to my daughter's. We went to Ft. Worth one day and ate downtown, and I was able to get a shot of this guy.  I've seen him on the news before, but never thought I'd run into him.  I didn't catch his name, but asked him for a picture - he said sure, but donations would be appreciated.  I guess this is his "job". 

His little entourage was very cute - a mutt dog, a mutt cat, and a mutt white rat on top.  They walked down the streets of Ft. Worth like this attracting attention and posing for tourists.  At times the rat would get tired, so the guy would scoop him up and stick him in his backpack, the cat would jump down and kitty and doggy would walk side by side on leashes down the street until it was time for the next photo shoot!  Aren't they a riot!

I want one of these "mammy" toaster covers. My mom had one all my growin' up years but it had a blue calico dress on.  I think I'm gonna make one... The shop keeper caught me taking this picture and fussed at me. Oops!  More to come on this project....

The last HOO-Rah for my pansies.  Our temps are finally up a bit, and before much longer, the heat will  toast these babies.  But they did look pretty in my wagon for the winter...

Just a little shot of my bedroom at the farmhouse.  It's small but cozy, and this is the morning sun coming in the window through the lacy curtains.  You wake up FAST!  With the chickens!  'Scuse the box fan. We sleep with it every night for noise...

Ok, here's how we raise our young'uns - even the girls.  Practicing shootin' with Dad.  She's a good shot, too, so don't sneak up on her...By the way, "Ducks Unlimited" is done in pink fuzzy stuff.... We can still be stylish and look tough at the same time!

Christmas Shootin'

Here's what we did Christmas afternoon .... We Texans know how to have fun!  Actually, this is a regular occurance here in Texas especially, and in most Southern states - don't tangle with us Southerners - we're loaded for bear.  We're BUBBAS and proud of it!!!  If ya don't got guns, trucks with a gun-rack, four-wheelers and a turkey fryer, you ain't got nuttin'!  Oh yeah - AND a big chaw!

Here's my guys, Adam, Daddy and Tony.  Don't they look menacing?  Don't let these sweet faces kid you - you cross one of 'em, all three turn into raging bulls! You don't mess with them or their family.  If you look in the dictionary under the term, "bubba", you'll see one or more of these guys.  I'm proud of every fightin' pound of 'em.   Daddy threw together this little shootin' table a few weeks so they could practice with their rifles, pistols and shotguns.  My Dad used to be a sharpshooter. I remember when I was a kid, he'd load up the family and we'd go to these tournaments and watch all these guys like Daddy compete in shootin'.  He had trophies and medals galore on the shelves at home.  Guess that's where my other son Josh gets his eagle eye from.  He can shoot stuff so far off with such deadly accuracy that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.  When he was a little kid, he said he wanted to be a sniper...

Safety first, of course   ---  we gotta wear  the "ear muffs" ya know...  here's Dad going first. Oh cool, I just notice that I caught his little puff of smoke as he fired. Cool!

Here's Tony going second...

And of course, my oldest - Adam.  Then I get my turn, too. I like shootin'.  It's good to get familiar with a gun and how it works.   It's good NOT to be scared of them, but to respect them.  Nowadays, you can't be too careful in having protection for you and your family - especially if you live out in the country.

Now here's me.  Look at that superior stance.  Look at the legs braced exactly  the right distance apart. Look at the right arm locked into position so as to control the kick - let your shoulder take the impact - otherwise if you're elbow's not locked, the gun tip can shoot UP a bit.  Look at the left hand helping brace the right shootin' hand on the butt of the pistol  - the concentration - the determination - the frizzy hair.  I'M YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE.  You think some "hoodlum" fixing to mug me is going to think I'm "packin" ?  I DON'T THINK SO!

Now we get the rifles out. I actually like shootin' with rifles more than pistols.  I'm much deadlier with a 30 aught 6  or a 12 guage or a 243 (which is my favorite).

Here's Dad - if you see him in any pictures he always holds up the "Gig 'Em Aggies" thumb - unless it's a quick candid shot.

All kidding aside - I don't mean to be flip about guns.  We are VERY safe. We've been taught gun safety since birth.  There's nothing wrong with guns or owning guns or hunting for food.  It's only when you don't know what you're doing with them or they fall into the wrong hands that they become dangerous.  We've been taught to hunt and eat what we kill, not to kill just for sport. 

I was raised on wild game - venison, turkey, dove, quail, squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, duck and of course fish.  Wild game meat is my favorite.  I used to tease my dad and my dates that I didn't even know what steak was until I started dating!   

I hope ya'll are having a Fabulous New Year's so far and that the Good Lord blesses 2010 for each one of you with love, joy in Christ, health and much much happiness - all my dear blogging friends!