Wrapping Roses...

I love roses.  But there is a problem, we are in a zone 3.  If I want roses to survive, I need to baby them.  In the fall, I cover the bases with compost and after it freezes I wrap them.  I finally wrapped them a few weeks ago.   My husband took a photo tutorial for me. 

First, you need: Straw, stakes, twine, scissors, and small mesh fencing.  I love my stakes.  They are old door handles on metal stakes.  Easy to push in and easy to pull out. 

Earlier this fall I cut the roses way back and surrounded the bases with rich compost.  Now I take the straw and wrap it around the base, making sure the straw is between the fence and the rose.

Then I tie the cages shut, tie them to the stake, and finish filling them with straw. 

It doesn't look like it is going to be a real cold winter, but better safe than sorry. 

I always feel better knowing my roses are tucked in for the winter.

 

Oh the possibilities...

 Last year my husband shot a moose in Alberta, Canada.  A year later we are still eating moose meat.   Also a year later we got the hide back.  Yippee.  It is amazing.

 I am extremely excited about the potential for this beautiful piece of leather.  If you see the little triangles, they are used by the tanner to identify the taxidermist that sent the hide to them.  The top is smooth and you can see from the photo below the back is rough.

 

If you are wondering what my plan is.  the possibilities are endless.  The photo below from the Prairie Edge website looks like the direction we are heading.  I want the hide to tell a story.  I am going to do a lot of research before I start this endeavor.

 You probably won't see an update on this project for awhile.  I have a quilt I am determined to finish.  I also want to make sure the plan is perfect before I start painting it.  Don't worry I will keep you posted on its progress.

Going going gone...

Well, it wasn't my best turkey, but we made it through Thanksgiving.   It was a nice day.  The turkeys again surrounded the house oblivious to what was being eaten inside.

 

You would have thought it was the Fourth of July for the light show at sunset.  I can't remember seeing more beautiful colors and the clouds constantly changing.  It was amazing.  My mom said it was the same at home and that my sister also took some photos.

 

The day is now over.  The turkey, stuffing, and pie has been eaten and leftovers pilfered.  Bellies are full and the day was wonderful.

 

It seems like the older I get the faster time goes.  Now comes Christmas, then spring:)  Ok, probably not that fast.  I hope everyone had a great day.

 

I am thankful for...

 

I am thankful for:

 

My husband.  He love me, supports me, spoils me, sees the good in me, and makes me so very happy.  He is my best friend.

 

My parents.  They taught me to work hard and to be responsible. 

 

My in-laws.  They welcomed me into their home and treat me like one of their own. 

 

My sister and her husband.  They taught me not to be terrified of little kids and that a home can be filled with laughter and love.

 

My brother.  For teaching me the true meaning of sacrificing for your country.  I will never look at a veteran the same again.

 

My older sister.  She taught me that everything, no matter what, happens for a reason.

 

My Grandmother Hyde.  Happy Birthday!  Thanks for giving me for baking advice and for teaching me the importance of history. 

 

My Grandma Gregg.  (I so miss you) She taught me that a great teacher only sees the good in her children (students).  That is the greatest gift a teacher can give.

 

My Grandpa Gregg.  (I miss you also) That life is to be enjoyed.  I wish I had the twinkle in my eye that you did. 

 

My Aunt Bonnie.  To be named after someone is a great thing.   I have never once heard my Aunt Bonnie complain or speak poorly of another.  That is amazing to me.  

 

My students.  No job could be as rewarding.  They teach me that one can overcome all obstacles set before them.  I am so thankful they come into my life.  Each one has left a mark.   

 

My friends Jody, Christina, and Heather.  We don't see each other often, but my life is better because they are there.

 

The people I have met blogging.  You have taught me things, changed my mind, made me think about 'stuff' and taken me places I would never have gone on my own. 

 

I am also thankful for the people that have passed through my life.  I was told once by a mentor to learn something from everyone you meet.  I have tried very hard to live by that rule. 

 

There you are.  My list of thankfuls.  I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your life and the people in it.  Everyone has something to give.

 



Deer love pumpkins...

In case you didn't know it, deer love pumpkins.  I now make it a point to put my pumpkins out for them when I take down my fall displays.  I was ready with the camera today and got some shots of this little spike enjoying his pre-Thanksgiving treat...

 He must have liked it the way he is licking his lips.   

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as he enjoyed the pumpkin. 

Visitors and visiting...

We have had lots of visitors with the cold weather.  This Merlin Hawk was trying to cut down on my chipmunk population.  



The doe below is babysitting all of the neighborhood fawns.  She has been around for years and is the matriarch of the area. 

I count my blessings that I can just look out the window and watch the local wildlife.  It is better than any TV show.

I was perusing The Rural Journal's Rural Thursday's postings.  I appreciate that Nancy hosts these blog memes.  Today I was especially appreciative, because I read this beautiful post done by Thistle Cove Farm.  Please, take a moment to visit this blog.  It is a beautiful story.

http://thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com/2012/11/1000-marbles.html

What was I doing?

Well, 40 isn't all it was cracked up to be.  I went deer hunting this weekend, but forgot to take my bullets:)  I'm blaming it on memory loss due to age.  My loving husband didn't point out that he reminded me to pack shells the night before, he just invited me to hunt with him.  Despite freezing temperatures we had fun watching the action.  Deer love was in the very cold air.  I didn't get any photos, due to freezing rain.  I did remember the camera. 

Today it was just too cold and windy to go out, so we stayed home.  I continued to work on my quilt and racked all of my wines.  I currently have buffalo berry, chokecherry, crab apple, hard cider, and raspberry in the works.  I don't just make wine, I also drink it and had a small bottle of Rowdy Rhubarb tonight.  Very nice.   If you are wondering what the little bird and bee pincushion are doing in the photo above, they were birthday gifts from my sister.   They are just cute and I love them.

I haven't been posting very often lately.  Mainly because the sun is down before I get home.  It is very cold here 3 degrees was the low today and 14 was the high.  I wanted to wrap my roses and cover my flower beds, but just couldn't bring myself to go outside. 

I want to say thank you to the American Veterans out there.  My brother served in Iraq and the cost was immense to him and my family.  More than we could have ever imagined.  I hope that returning veterans never go through the pain we have endured.  Freedom is not free and I appreciate the sacrifice made by every man and woman in the military.  

apple cider...

I was inspired by one of my relatives and longtime neighbor of my parents, Judy, for this next project.  She has a wonderful orchard and is known for her apple juice.  When I had a chance to buy a basket of apples, I jumped on it with thoughts of apple juice and hard cider in my head.



With Judy's guidance and advice I started the project yesterday. I sliced and cored 4 quarts of apples. I boiled 4 quarts of water with 4 teaspoons of Cream of Tarter. I mixed them all together and let it set for 24 hours. I chopped up the apple cores and gave them to the worms.
  
Twenty four hours later I looked at what I had.  I boiled the apples in the water they sat in.  Then I pureed the apples.  I poured the water and puree through a strainer.  Then reboiled the juice adding 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 t. of cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg, and 1/2 t. of cloves per gallon of cider. 

One gallon is going to become hard cider and the other gallon was canned in quart jars for those cold winter days.

While I was waiting for things to set and boil, I worked on finishing up the blocks for my quilt.  I have 4 more blocks to make and then I'm on to the next phase.

I taste tested the cider and it turned out perfectly. I don't think I would have been brave enough to try this endeavor if I didn't have Judy as support. It was fun and I can't wait for company this winter.

 

I haven't figured out what to do about uploading photos, but this time it let me.

so now what?

Ok, I need help. I have culled all photos from the on-line blog tied photo album I can possibly cull. My free Picasa photo album is full.  No more free storage.  Now I know I am cheap, frugal, cheap, whatever you want to call it, yet I am willing to pay $2.49 a month for more photo storage to support my blogging habit.  I am not willing to pad Google's Wallet (that is what they call it) with my credit card number and let them just draw out moola as they see fit.  I hate direct deposit, but I hate direct withdrawl even more.  I prefer to let them pry their fee from my hand.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Is there another company that is cheap control freak user friendly?  Will Google actually let me control their ability to invade my credit card?  I can't get past putting my credit card number in there.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.