Memories from the Past: Feeding the Birds

It was a cold January day in 2009. The snow lay thick upon the ground and ice covered the surface of every tree limb and blade of grass. 

My mother, being the bird lover that she is, suggested that we make a treat for the birds. 

She showed us how to cut shapes out of cardboard, smear them with peanut butter, and then sprinkle them with birdseed, or anything that a bird would like to eat. 

On this particular day we used corn from our grain stash in the barn. We had such fun cutting out all sorts of shapes! When we had made enough we took them out to our orchard and hung them on the trees with twine. It wasn't long before the birds found our little gifts and began flitting about eating to their hearts content. 

 What a simple, creative, and fun activity!!! 

~Clair

My Lovely Ladies

The end of last summer we had an acquaintance add 5 hens to her order of Red Star chickens. She kept them in the basement along with her own chickens until they were big enough to take care of themselves. 

It was so exciting to finally meet my lovely ladies! The most exciting part was that in just --- weeks they would be laying  beautiful brown eggs! Instead of buying white eggs from the store or brown eggs from Mom and Dad McDaniel whenever they had extra we would be raising our own eggs!

They've been free ranging to their heartss content since then.  It was so exciting to gather the first eggs that they laid! We try to always be sure to pen them up at night in the house that Trey built, so they will be safe from critters. Sadly, we have lost two chickens to predators and here lately our geese have taken to attacking them. (Anyone want to come to my house for roast goose? Afterward you can lay back and rest on a goose down pillow if I have anything to do with it! ;0) )

Over the winter they didn't lay many eggs, but we aren't surprised for we don't have a light on them at this point.

About two weeks ago they began laying regularly again and we are now getting three eggs a day! That makes for over 2 dozen a week! Eggs are quite a staple food in our home and I treasure them like gold.

So here's to my lovely ladies! May they continue to prosper and produce nutritious eggs that will find themselves in many unique dishes on my table!

~Clair

Memories From the Past: Celebrating my 17th Birthday with my Family...

Growing up, birthdays were very special. Mom would cook us a delicious meal, complete with some favorite dish that we had requested. All throughout the day Mom would do little things to make 'our day' seem special.

There would always be a home baked cake or dessert of our choice. On this particular birthday, my 17th, I requested a blackberry cobbler, (my mom makes the BEST blackberry cobbler!). Whatever age we were, Mom would always put that amount of candles on. Someone would turn out the lights and everyone would sing happy birthday, their faces aglow with the candle light. There would be a pause, and out would go all of the candles with one breath of air. The room would be dark and still, but only for a moment and then the lights would come on and the festivities would continue. 

We never had big birthday parties where we invited lots of people, we just gathered together as a family and the Grandparents would come over. We would talk and laugh and of course there were presents!

I'm now married and have a home of my own and in a few days I'll be celebrating my twenty-second birthday, but the memories of birthdays gone by will always be with me. Thanks Mom and Dad, for all of those special Birthdays!

~Clair

Valentine's Day and our Third Anniversary

Valentine's day dawned clear and bright here in southern Illinois. It was a perfect day for adventure!

We spent the morning relaxing at home. After enjoying our crockpot brunch we had fun with a short Valentine photo session.

 

Once our photo session was complete we headed for the hills.

Our first stop was a boot store where I browsed the ladies boot section, drooling over a pair of Timberland work boots. They certainly were not a fashion boot, but I'm dying for a nice pair of serviceable work boots. (I know what I'm saving for. =D )

After stopping at the grocery store for a few items and getting a Jr. Ham and Cheddar sandwich from Arby's  we headed on down the road. 

We went to The Chocolate Factory, that is well known in our area for their delicious chocolates. We had fun browsing their selection.

Piano keys for my piano man...

Chocolate toothbrush anyone?

 It was incredibly hard to make a final decision on just what to buy, but we finally made our selections.

Chocolate lover's paradise...

Out of this world fudge!

The Chocolate Factory was just across the road from Dixon Springs State Park, so we drove until we found the perfect location to taste our yummy treats! We found a picnic table in a lovely spot beside a creek with towering boulders all around us.

The taste testing was dreamy!!!

White Chocolate covered Oreo

Cashew Cluster

Chocolate covered orange peel (aka, kitty poop!)

Peanut butter chocolate swirl

Peanut butter cup

Peanut butter chocolate fudge

Chewy Praline Fudge (my personal favorite, but very rich!)

After enjoying our goodies we took a short walk among the boulders.

Dixon Spring

 A cool breeze began blowing and the day was beginning to turn chilly, so we climbed into the car and went on our way.

One of the things that I asked Trey if we could do was go roller skating, for I love roller skating just about as much as anything!!! The rink that we chose just happened to be having a Valentine balloon drop. I won a one dollar prize and Trey won Valentine bubble gum.











After skating we drove around trying to decide where to eat supper. After passing Red Lobster and observing the packed parking lot we decided to try Long John Silver's, one of my all-time favorite restaurants! It was a half an hour before closing and we were the only people there! You can't get much more romantic than that! ; ) We enjoyed our peaceful meal and I wasn't even able to finish all of my food!

Help!!! A pirate is stealing my goodies!

"Arrrg, little lady!"

We had a quiet drive home enjoying one another's company in the silence. It was a little late when we arrive home and it felt so good to crash into a cozy bed!

Trey even surprised me with a romantic 'honeymoon suite'.

Friday dawned chillier than the day before and we were thankful for the crackling fire in the woodstove which kept the house pleasantly warm in-spite of the piercingly cold wind that whipped about the corners of our little house. I was awakened with a kiss from my dear Husband as he beckoned me to the kitchen where he had provided a delicious breakfast while I lay fast asleep. A plate containing not just one, but TWO sausage biscuits from McDonald's (my all-time favorite breakfast), a Bearclaw, and a cake doughnut (my favorite!). I have such a thoughtful and generous Husband!

 We enjoyed the day mostly inside. We played games, Trey played the guitar and we sang, and enjoyed one another to the fullest!

Peanut Butter M&M's

Trey made this pretty design for me out of PB M&M's. It took me a second to figure out  the 'eye'.

It was a lovely Anniversary. Each year of marriage is better than the last. 

~ Clair