2011 nearing the end ...

The excitement of Christmas is just about over.

Fresh snow has fallen and everyone is out enjoying a lovely winter day.

The snow is sticking the the ice and weighing down the branches.

It sure can be pretty!

  Here is the garden all covered in snow, waiting for spring.

The dog isn't quite sure what to think of the ice that covered the yard.

And here's a smart idea...

Don't have a hill? Pack snow on the porch stairs!

Another year is coming to an end. I often sit and wonder where the time GOES?

What does 2012 have in store for us?
I guess only time will tell.
So CHEERS my friends!
To 2012

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

 The baking is done, the gifts bought and wrapped.

The tree has been decorated and now the cat is at at her post under the tree.

Thankfully she doesn't try to climb the tree, but is quite content to lay underneath between the gifts.

The table is set 

In a few short hours, I will put on the traditional Christmas apron and help prepare a wonderful meal, and share the night with my family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Trail Camera - December 24th

Checked our camera this morning as the sun was rising.

There was a fresh layer of snow, but no tracks of any kind.

The food we had left in front of the camera was gone, obviously eaten before the snow fell the day before. The only shot on the camera was this one.

A really nice shot of a beautiful Coyote!

This photo was taken just hours before I checked the camera and clearly the food is already gone.

SOMETHING had a good meal without tripping the camera!

Next time out I'm going to have to play with the settings.

Trail Camera - December 17

I think we continue to capture the same buck, but this time we also got a shot of a couple of the Ladies

So far we have only caught photos of deer.

It would be nice to capture another creature too.

Maybe next time!

Another use for all that zucchini....

Am I the only one that gets such a thrill out of feeding their kids vegetables SECRETLY?

My family was so sick of eating zucchini this fall that I couldn't even say the word 'zucchini' without someone getting upset. Not a good thing when you have a freezer full of the stuff!

Today I found a recipe that I just HAD to try!

Zucchini Brownies

I decided to try this while I was home alone, just to make sure it was as good as it sounded.

The batter seemed a little thick, but it looked good. No sign of the zucchini at all.

I popped it into the oven. It took a little longer to bake than 30 minutes suggested. I think I baked mine an extra 10 minutes. It smelled really good! Here it is after it was baked...

It sure LOOKED like the brownies I usually make! 

I cut into it.

Hmmm....I can't see any zucchini in there, can you?

And it tastes GOOD! I haven't even put any icing on it yet!

The kids are never going to figure this one out...

:)

A few things I've learned living in the country...

We've been here just over 8 years now.

It's been quite an adjustment from living in a subdivision, and a learning experience for sure.

Here are a few things I have learned living in the country...

Make lists and get everything you need in one trip. Gas is expensive and the road to town is long

Always keep extra food, water, and gas. When the power goes out, it could be out for days. Make sure to start your generator regularly and keep an extra sump pump on hand. Sometimes when it rains, it pours!

It is impossible to do anything outdoors without getting dirty.

Always wear boots while turning the compost pile. Mice CAN climb pant legs!

Country Folk wave at everyone.

There is no such thing as a quick trip to town. Country Folk love to talk!

Country Folk grow their own zucchini and don't want any of yours.

The sweet corn is ready the day the raccoons find it.

Use your water wisely. 

There is no such thing as a critter proof garbage can.

Never assume it won't get windy. The wind can blow up out of no where.

There is always SOMETHING to do.

Sometimes a snow shovel just isn't enough.

Nothing tastes as good as home grown.

And the most important thing I've learned?

Don't lose your sense of humor. If you can't laugh at yourself

It's all over!

Trail Camera troubles

After a few weeks of disappointment, we finally have the trail cam fixed and running again!

It seems the power button was stuck and it was draining the batteries.

Button fixed, new batteries and a few carrots later...success!!