Oh, baby!

We are smitten...

The Kids

Here are "Aaron's" hyacinths (I planted them, because they're his favorite) & the first daffodil in my little flower garden.

And then there's the experimental vegetable garden: I got the idea of using cardboard from Debi Pearl of "No Greater Joy Ministries."

I cut holes in the cardboard & put my seeds or plants in the hole. The cardboard does 3 things: keeps down the weeds, helps retain moisture (so you don't have to water as often), and adds organic matter to the soil (in the fall, I'll layer chopped leaves, compost, manure and top it off with more cardboard. It will then sit all fall & winter & break down).

It ain't pretty, but--if it works--we're happy! So far, we've planted onions, garlic & potatoes.

Lord Squirrel Bane

Last night, while we were eating dinner, Aaron looked out the window & saw this little guy perched on a limb, enjoying the first greens of spring. Of course, the first thing to pop into my husband's head was: "I'm gonna shoot that rascal!" So..............

It'd been a while since he'd skinned squirrel, but, eventually, he got'r done.

Anyone know a few good squirrel recipes?

Movin' On Up

Meet Susan. Susan used to be employed as Housekeeper to Mrs. Gilbert Blythe (formerly, Anne of Green Gables); however, since Anne's children are all grown and out of the house, the Blythes didn't have much need for Susan anymore.

One day, whilst feeling very sorry for herself, remembering all the noses she'd wiped and tummies she'd filled, she comforted herself by browsing the Classifieds. One ad, in particular, jumped out at her--an opening for a Dishwasher at the Hilburn Homestead, in Fair Grove, MO., that ran something like this:

"DISHWASHER NEEDED! After 7 1/2 years of marriage, wife of the house is in desperate need of help in the kitchen. Payment includes excellent treatment, adoration and thankfulness."

"Well, this sounds like the place for me, since Mrs. Dr. Dear has decided to part with me," (sniff).

The Hilburns welcomed her with open arms: Mr Hilburn let out a sigh of relief, knowing his wife wouldn't be on her feet for hours, doing all her own dishes by hand, and Mrs. Hilburn simply said, "Hallelujah!"

Someday, Susan will have a new countertop, curtains on her sides and will be able to do the dishes in the breakfast nook, without having to tap into the kitchen faucet or drain out the sink, but, so far, she's good enough!

Our Crib

I took these pictures May 2008, after we'd been living in the trailer for 4 months. Not a whole lot has changed. I'd like to show pictures of what it looked like before we got out our paint brushes, hammer, and elbow grease.

In a nutshell, after pulling out the dirty, smelly carpet & cleaning out all of the furniture, clothes, pots & pans that the previous owners left behind, we got to work.
We put down new floors, painted every (and I mean EVERY) square inch, re-plumbed the pipes, put insulation under the floors (where there was none), and a lot of other "little" things too numerous to mention.

Even though it was a free house, Aaron says that we overpaid!

Aaron Sawyer

Here's Aaron, using his sawmill, soon after he purchased it last June.

Oh, yes...he's a manly man.

Miracles DO happen

God--via Mr. L. Russell--gave me my dream car Janurary 2008: a 1989 Chevy Suburban!

Don't be hatin', now.

My little sis and her little boy

My sister & I have always been close...

but since she's had Elijah Leeland, it's gotten even sweeter.

Splitting Firewood

Here's a short video, shot in early February, of Aaron implementing a new method for splitting firewood.

Proud Mama

Aren't they cuuuuuuuute?!

I see GREEN!

About a week after planting the seeds, I saw this:

You'd have thought I'd struck gold or given birth...or experienced some other life-changing thing!

Grow, baby, grow!

So we've decided to do another garden. This will be our 3rd--yet, most "serious"-- garden we've done since getting married. I've read & read & then read some more, so now it's just time to get my hands dirty!

Early March, I started some bell & jalepeno pepppers inside. Never done this before, so we'll see!

I've repurposed toilet paper tubes & milk cartons, not because I'm trying to be green, but because I'm a compulsive tightwad...I'm seeking counseling.