Sunday, August 10, 2014

Garden Sunday - Buds

Howdy -

I asked Hubby to take me a couple of shots of the Garden yesterday evening while he went out to water. I was really surprised to see just how much the Tomatoes had grown!!


 Just over a week since I took the photographs I showed last Sunday - we did have that little bit of rain one night so that is probably what helped. We are even showing signs of buds! Buds mean Tomatoes!

He also took another photo that surprised me! We have one fruit tree that hasn't been planted yet, still in a pot near the door of the greenhouse. A Pear... And look what he snapped yesterday -


 YUMMY! I just hope the tree stays healthy and we get to eat these before something or someone else finds them. We have been really nervous about our little orchard. You see we have now had attack of the grasshoppers here. Millions of them. Would be fine if they ate the weeds - but they have decided to go after the fruit trees. Hubby has been really watching them close and hoping that they won't die from all the damage from the bugs - Hot Texas Summer and certain bugs just really go nuts. I just hope they eat the leaves and move on and don't kill the trees. Lots of time and money and then we would have to start all over. Isn't Gardening Fun? Sigh....

Hope you have a blessed and wonderful Sunday -
HUGS and

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Animal Crackers - Lawn Mowers


Howdy,

Yesterday was lawn mowing day. All natural you could say - We set up temporary pens around for some of the donkeys to move out and not waste what is left of of the grass around here. They youth boys love days when we do this... no time for head scratches or attention they have a job to do!! And they do it well! A few hours and one spot and grass is down and mowed very well!


 Handsome men... and soooo sweet. But when they are busy they are busy.

Speaking of a job to do - Found one of the outside kitties seriously at work.


Fraidy Cat has become somewhat more friendly, still cautious but doesn't totally freak and run when they see us coming. Yesterday he couldn't leave... he had sport going on. Now at first look you would think oh... he killed a mouse. But you see that little mouse is still VERY MUCH alive... ok at this point alive, I am sure in the end he wasn't. Fraidy would drop him and stare him down. Daring him to move. I watched this for at least 20 minutes. Drop - Dare - Twitching - Mouse takes off and then Caught and it all starts over again. He was so proud of his hunt.


So proud this photo has NO ZOOM! He stayed there, slight growl and the mouse under one foot. This cat is so stunning in his coloring and pattern. He is striped around his head, neck and tail. But his body is totally spotted. So happy he is letting us interact a little and talk more to him. Not a very smart mouse though. A million acres to wander on and that mouse had to go though the cat house area... not smart at all. But it did provide entertainment all afternoon.

The three standard donkeys then showed up for some refreshing afternoon water. Dad filled their bucket with cool water, when it is over 100 degrees, that fresh water is wonderful - Valentine was swishing and in the water -


Cocoa Bean was making her way as well, then paused to see what the doggies were barking at. Make sure everything is safe and ok you know.


She is always paying attention. Dogs were just barking at each other to hear themselves so all was ok to move forward. Love this gal. She is basically a rescue donkey. We bought her as a friend for Ted to wander with. She was pregnant with Valentine at the time and was so skinny and didn't look healthy at all. So we decided we needed to help her have a better life. Brought her home, she ate well and delivered a healthy little baby boy... who after 5 years still follower right behind her everywhere she goes. Now... she is OVER healthy. You would think we feed her extra meals and junk food. But nope, she only lives off the land and hay flakes in the winter. She seems happy here and loves that she is in control of her land and other donkeys.

 Ted is one of her shadows - our Walmart Greeter - He loves to meet people at their cars, say hello and make sure they are not there to see him about anything.


 Calm, loving and just the best friend ever. Well unless you are a coyote... the boy doesn't like them and I have seen him take care of them before. WOW.

One more today ... if you look really close you can see Mallory...


 New Dog Igloo was found for the goats last week. We have a handful of them now. And will buy every one of them we can find at Flea Markets and Garage Sales.  In the beginning we bought some new. They are pretty pricy... We have found a few at sales and get them for $10-20 bucks now. They are FABULOUS for the goats. They destroy all the huts we build out of wood. So now they get these. They are very durable and well.... you can see a great place to get out of the sun! She was really enjoying this new hut.

Well hope you got a smile out a few photographs this week. Things this time of year are usually pretty slow and not easy to find great photographs. Just too darn hot. But snapped a few... hopefully can get more this week.

See you tomorrow for Garden Sunday-
HUGS and

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Whimsy Digital Stamps Challenge - Back To School

Howdy -

Well it is almost that time - Back To School. I went down the school supply isle at the store the other day. Did I need anything? Nope. I just love seeing all the new supplies. Things are very different from when Mom purchased my supplies just a "few" years ago. And no kiddos here to buy for, but it is still fun to see all the new tools of school.


It did inspire me for this months challenge at the Whimsy Stamps blog - Here is the new Digital image from Lia Stampz Vintage Girls - "News Girl"


Now I know she isn't a real school image, but I think she is just too funny and looks sort of like a teacher sitting up there doesn't she?

I colored with my Copics (colors below) and then found some very old papers in my stash from October Afternoon that work perfectly for the challenge. Kept it simple as the papers do have a lot going on. Just some little dots of Viva Decor again...

Inside scraps from the outside -


Copic colors used -


 Had a lot of fun with this one. I just love coloring these Vintage Girlz ! Now make sure to pop over to the Whimsy Stamps Blog for the new Challenge and please join us there are LOTS of prizes!!

Hope you have a great Wednesday -
HUGS and



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

High Hopes Stamps - One for the Boys

Howdy -
Tuesday is High Hopes Challenge and this week I got to pull out one of my favorite Manly images from my High Hopes Box -


 This is "Tractor" - Love it! I always color it with rusty spots... just seems right. I added the "Farm Background" - I adore the country farm images from High Hopes. I figure my "One for the Boys" had to be the old tractor as most of the "boys" in my life either, has one, wants one or just sold one.

I colored with the Copics (colors below) - The Graphic 45 pad "French Country" was still on my desk from last week and is perfect for this card too! Added some doodling. Why is it that I get into that and do it on every card for a while then loose it. LOL Then added my Viva Decor Paper Pen fake brads.

Inside left over papers - doodles sentiment area!

 Copic Colors Used -


I didn't put a sentiment on this one. Decided to leave it until I know where it is going. Could be a Birthday - A retirement - A Get Well... lots of things fit with that sweet tractor!

Now  please do make sure to visit the High Hopes Challenge Blog and then please we want you to join us!!! Great chances at winning stamps!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!
HUGS and




Sunday, August 3, 2014

Gardening Sunday - Tomatoes take 2

Howdy -

Now I won't get on today and complain about the heat, oddly it was rather nice yesterday morning here. We got a little bit of rain Thursday Night and then a front must have come through and Hubby and I were outside just enjoying the weather. Low 70's for central Texas in August mid morning, that is a wonderful. The animals were loving it too... all stretched out relaxing thought about figuring out a hammock myself! But had a list of chores so couldn't do that.

First up I promised to show you the Tomatoes -


They did so well this year that Hubby decided to cut them all the way back and let them regrow for fall. Looking good so far! With the little rain we got I bet they will shoot up this week. Just hope we get lots of yummy tomatoes again.

Hubby has been really getting a ton done on the neighbors barn - Zoomed in across the pasture. 


He got a bunch up just yesterday too... he wanted me to point that out as I took this photo Friday. LOL Now that the time consuming measuring and setting of the concrete feet are done it is starting to really go together faster. I am so proud he is really getting so much of it up so fast.

Well off to get my list of chores done today... one of the major ones is some coloring :0)  Such a hard day planned! Hope you have some fun planned as well.

HUGS and

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Animal Crackers - Another change of names-




Howdy,

 This week I spent some time in with the younger chickens, I had to get some nesting boxes in the hut. A few weeks I think until they start to lay, but I wanted to have it in place in case we have an early girl.

Now this one isn't a girl -


I think he is saying "UH NO... I am not!"  You see I have three Australorps - One is Alice my girl that was sick right after we got them. She is doing great. But then there were two others, that looked exactly alike. Not sure why Alice looks a bit different, but she does. I called the other two Cora.. and Cora 2 as I couldn't really tell them apart and it was frustrating. But in the last couple of weeks one of them their neck feathers started growing longer, longer tail feathers and then... that wonderful Cock-a-doodle doo one morning. Yes This one and Leon are both announcing the sun coming up and going down each day. So I named our newest boy... "Sam" Seemed PERFECT that he be named Sam as he will be "Alice's" Boyfriend. Make sense right? Had to explain it to Hubby as he had no clue that the Brady's Maid Alice even had a boyfriend named Sam the Butcher!!! How can you not know that? Sigh....  He seems to like his name Sam...

And look at the colors that are coming in - 


 We are trying to figure out space and getting a couple of new coops so I can give each breed their own home and maybe hatch some little chicks! But that is down the to do list for a little while.

 Sorry I know I show this same sort of shot of Alice a lot... but this girl just really take fabulous photographs!


She is still in with Frankie  - she should already be bred. But just in case we are leaving her in to make sure. Also in with her and Frankie is Annie...


One of our original four goats - and she happens to be Frankie's special lady. HE LOVES HER! Cuddles with her and really hates when it is time for her to go. So she stays right up until time for her to deliver.

 Caught Crissy stretched out in the shade of one of the huts in the girls pen -


 She looks so comfortable doesn't she? A real sweetheart - one of the more friendly goats we have. I think she will be bred in the fall maybe for Spring kids.

One last shot - Found two of the guys napping at the fence -


 Sergio and Ramon were both dozing a bit. Ramon I think was more than dozing! Sweet boys! Well unless a girl in season is within 10 feet!! Ok... any feet as long as the wind is blowing their way. LOL Then those teenage boys really get active and competitive!

Hope you are have a wonderful weekend planned where you are. Hubby is working on the barn and going good so I think we will be at home while he can get lots done. I'll show a photo tomorrow -

Have a great one!
HUGS and

Friday, August 1, 2014

Whimsy Stamps - August Digital New Release Blog Hop

Howdy,

 Welcome to the August digital release blog hop!!!!

We have lots of new images to share with you today created by


All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project To find all of today's new releases please visit the Whimsy Stamps Store

Don't forget to leave comments along the way as there will be 2 mystery DT Members who will each be choosing a winner from the comments left on their hop posts!

These winners will each win a Whimsy digital image of their choice. The Grand Prize winner of the hop will be chosen from the very last stop, which is Gina Allen

This winner will receive 5 digital stamps of their choice from the Whimsy Stamps Store

The hop will run for 1 week and end on Friday 8th August at 12 Noon EST, when the lucky winners will be announced right here.

Below is a complete list of the hop in case you get lost along the way

Dewi Lestari
Charlene Brown
Audrey Ernst
Hazel Thompson
Kelly Mannix
Michelle Oatman
Anet Van Zyl
Lisa West
Denise Goeldner-
Gina Allen
Here is my project - 

With one of Crissy's Digis  new images - Scarecrow and Friend
 

Love this happy guy! I colored with my copics and then went back and did more shading with pencils - Just felt like it needed more richness to it. Papers from Graphic 45 are perfect with the fall theme. I sewed and attached everything down, then I saw a Whimsy Digital sentiment that seemed PERFECT for him!  This is from the "City Talk" collection - This one isn't "city" but it works doesn't it? LOL  Then some Viva Decor Paper Pen for those fake brad looks.

Inside is scraps from the paper on the front.


Copic colors used -

 

Now make sure to follow that hop around and leave those comments for the chance to win! 

Have a wonderful day -
HUGS and