Of the Garden and Chicks...

It's high time that I did an update on these two things. Allot has taken place in regards to the garden and the chicks... let me share some of it with you!

Gifts from a dear lady at church
I knew zucchini could get big, but the one on the left was a monster!!! Since there has been such a plethora of these fruits at church (one lady is giving them away), we've been enjoying them in stir fry, soups, and zucchini bread. They are really good!! Momma and I are already planning on growing one or two plants in next years garden!

Squash
The squash is also in production mode now which has been wonderful!!! I'm not sure which I enjoy more, squash or green beans. Anyhow, with so much squash on hand, we're trying our hand at blanching and then freezing it all. From what we've been told this is the best way to preserve it so we shall see how it goes with it. Ours usually gets a 'freezer/ rubbery' taste and feel to it...
Do any of y'all have suggestions as to how to preserve it?

Out in the watermelon patch...
Oh I can't tell you how thrilling it is to see watermelon growing out in the garden!!! I don't particularly enjoy this fruit (I know, I'm different!:o) but I sure do enjoy watching it grow! We have two varieties out there with one mound of each. I shall be interesting to see how much those eight plants produce!

Flowering okra..
We are growing an heirloom variety of okra that is purple in color... so far we haven't cut enough to eat, but we're slowly getting there. These plants like hot dry weather, so it will be the end of this month at the earliest before it starts producing in earnest. I think these flowers are very very pretty. Not exactly the kind of flower that I would expect to find on a vegetable plant.

A mass of vines...
My gourd plants are doing very very well and I'm tickled pink over them!!! It looks as though I have varieties one of which is kind of knobby and completely white... I do hope it changes color very soon!!!

Harvest
We've been harvesting cucumbers, green beans- which have petered out now, peppers and tomatoes in addition to the squash. Momma made up some pickles yesterday from our stash of cucumbers and the above picture was all that was left after her efforts. What is it about fresh vegetables from the garden that satisfies like nothing else can??

Rays of sunshine...
One plot of sunflowers is in FULL bloom and is absolutely beautiful!!! Their cheerful faces nod in the breeze and can be seen one when is walking towards the garden. Oh I love these flowers!!

The chicks have done some growing of their own since the last time I posted pictures of them...

A Speckled Sussex and a Barred Rock
They are right six weeks old now and are developing their personalities. The Barred Rocks are definitely the friendliest of the bunch and are always curious about what we're doing! The Sussex are becoming more curious and bold with each passing day; both breeds put up a fuss when we pick them up, but as soon as they are settled into our hands they quit peeping and enjoy the attention!

Australorpes
These birds are by far the skittish but we're working on that. For quite some time they have looked like adult 'baby sized buzzards(if that makes a lick of sense!) but have just recently begun to 'grow into' their bodies. They have some of the longest legs...

Staying busy
There is never a moment of no movement with the chicks. They are always busy doing something, unless they are sleeping. I love to sit out there and watch them scratch around, pick at the scraps that we through out for them (they love corn!), or chase the bugs that come flying through. I've had several jump and walk up my back or even jump into my lap! It's always a treat when they do that!

The garden and the chicks are two of the things that I spend time working in. Both things bring a sense of peace and purpose with them. I love living out here!

Summer Fun for a Little Boy- #1

During a recent shopping trip, Momma decided to pick up a 'slip and slide' for Sawyer and as Saturday was a rather warm day, it was decided to show Sawyer how it worked!! Here are the results from it!

First time for everything
We discovered that our water pressure was not equal to what this slide required to make a person 'slip' down it. Daddy and Sayre had to push him down!! :o)

His smile says it all!

Sawyer sized waterworks
At the bottom of the slide was a pool of water that Ham-man enjoyed playing in. He really liked throwing water at me.

In mid-jump...

Finally...Success!!!
Daddy drug the other hose out to get some extra water going down the slide, and Sayre proceeded to push Sawyer down!! Ohhhhh how he loved landing in the pool at the bottom! :o)

This picture speaks for itself!

Splashing
We also got the pool out for him to enjoy! He was really wound up that afternoon; he was jumping into every puddle of water he could find even if it was just the little amount that had accumulated in the bottom of the pool as I filled it!!!

It was a delight to watch him play in the water! I can remember playing in pools and going down slip 'n slides as a kid and no summer was complete without either of these things. Water.... the main attracting for children each summer (well ok, so maybe children aren't the only ones who are attracted to it!! :o)

The Fourth of July

Here at the Castlebury's we tend to stick around home for the summer holidays. While we enjoy going places/events during this time of year, often times things come up (such as house projects that need finishing up or being to tired or getting to late for us to go anywhere; time has knack of getting away from us over here!!) This Saturday, the 4th., we were planning on doing something during the evening hours; a nearby town had a festival and fireworks and a neighboring church had a celebration as well. But something came up... I mean seriously came up. Tristan had plans to round the bull up and take him back to Mr. T's farm BUT, seeing as how we don't have corrals, gates, or anything necessary to load cattle into trailers, Daddy and the boys had to round the beast up by 'hand'. Rounding him up took all day, several tries, lots of patience, and nimble legs to get out of his way when he ran at you. By the time everyone got back home it was simply to late to do anything; I'm sure the boys have quite a few interesting memories though!!! :o)

Thankfully, Momma had planned a special Fourth of July lunch which was heartily enjoyed by all of us!!! I think this 'celebration' was more memorable than ones from past years! Here are a few reasons why...

The newlyweds
Just a year ago, Trevor and Thelma had just began courting and now, a year later, they've been married for three months!! WOW!! The time has flown by!
It's always fun when they stop in. Trevor brings goofy, thoughtful, and interesting conversation with him while Thelma brings practical (well, to us ladies anyway... we usually wind up talking about sewing, books, or anything related to the pursuits we're all involved in) and fun times with her!

Laughing at Trevor
We out under the Pecan Tree, which is out by my garden, with the 'skeeters and flies. The conversation was quite interesting and never lagged a bit!!!
I'm not sure what's going through Sawyer's mind at the moment... he was having a great time!

After the meal
The menu was 'steak done on the grill, boiled corn on the cob (YUMMM!), veggies from the garden, fruit pizza, sweet tea, and homemade ice cream'. It was delicious!

Pitching in to help
Collin was a huge help at getting everything toted outside as well as making sure we all had dessert! Of course it helped that he was hungry or ready for dessert!

Everyone pitching in or offering assistance made the day even more special. Our family was all together and enjoying each other to the fullest!

Brothers
As disgusting as this may sound, the conversation at the point this picture was taken, was in regards to the best way to put a chicken down. Yes, we have some very interesting meal time conversation! :o)

Having our family all together, the terrific conversations, the way everyone pitched in, and just being together made this years 4th of July a memorable one!

Hymn for Sunday

O Say, But I'm Glad

Words by: James Patrick Sullivan, 1876-1948
Music by: Mildred Sullivan Lacour, 1916-?

There is a song in my heart today,
Something I never had;
Jesus has taken my sins away,
O say but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

Wonderful, marvelous love He brings,
Into a heart that's sad;
Through darkest tunnels the soul can sing,
O say, but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

Won't you come to Him with all your care,
Weary, and worn and sad?
You, too, will sing as His love you share,
O say, but I'm glad!

O say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,
O say, but I'm glad!
Jesus has come and my cup's over-run,
O say, but I'm glad!

I've Been Tagged...

Earlier this week, I was tagged by Rebekah to post the sixth picture out of my sixth folder so here it is.

Trevor being ganged up on...
This was taken quite a while back but I really enjoyed seeing how Thelma and Sayre are making it possible for Sawyer to tickle Trevor! They all ganged up on him and it was a sight, not to mention a noise, to behold!!!

There you have it; the sixth picture from my sixth folder. Hmmm... I now tag... anyone who wants to do it!! Just leave me a comment if you do!

A Little Catching Up

I have had ideas for several posts floating around in my noggin' (referring to my mind) for the past week, but due to the fact that I either lack the pictures for them, cannot get decent pictures, or am just plain old to busy to make an attempt at taking them, I have given up hope of ever getting them posted!
So today, let me share with you a few of the things that have been keeping my busy of late.

Taken by Sawyer
A week ago this past Saturday I began working on sanding and 'refinishing' the porch swing. It was looking rather weather beaten and something needed to be done to it. I spent time each day last week applying tongue oil, lightly sanding between coats, and buffing once the oil was dry enough to touch. I applied the last coat Saturday afternoon and Sayre helped me hang it back up. It looks one hundred percent better!
Now this week, I'm working on the child sized swing that was mine when I was allot younger.

Skirt number 1
I've also been trying to spend a little bit of time each day in the sewing room whittling down my stash of fabric. So far I have three skirts made and am enjoying the pace at which my fabric is disappearing! My Mom and I have made a 'pact'; no more fabric until we use up the stuff that is in our stashes!! :o) I doubt that we will keep this 'pact' as there are simply sales that one cannot pass up; as in you would be nuts to pass a price like that up! (sale tables are a great weakness for us!)

Skirt number 2
Most all of my skirts are made from 100% cotton and are colorful! More often than not, I have trouble finding a top that matches the newly made skirt! Tell me that I'm not the only one who has this problem!!
Last week I finished a khaki/light tan skirt with brown top stitching that I don't have a picture of. So far I think it rates among my favorite skirts as it is simply so comfortable!

Messing with the dogs...
In between sewing, gardening, chicks, mowing, filling stock tanks, refinishing projects, household projects, and a host of other things, I have managed to spend some time with the dogs. This afternoon found me out in the cow/dog pen mowing and I wound up playing tug of war with Lila which eventually turned into a rub her belly session. She heartily enjoyed the attention!

One of my favorite ways to spend a summer evening is to go out into the pen and just sit... sit and listen to the crickets, frogs, and other evening noises while petting the dogs. There is such contentment in listening as the day winds down.

That's a little of what has been keeping me busy of late!
You might find it interesting to know that this post consisted of the only decent, or readily taken, pictures that I had lined up for the posts that were floating around in my mind last week!

A Few Pictures...

This past week has been a busy yet enjoyable one- full of gardening, housework, sewing, dogs, projects, chick fun, and many other fun and enjoyable things! Here a just a few pictures to give you a glimpse into what all my family and I have been doing.

My little helper
Late Thursday afternoon found me hurriedly finishing the mowing of the cow/dog pen before the storm one could see in the distance rolled in. Ham-Man had just gotten up from his nap and was parked on crate (in the pen) partaking of a snack that consisted of a cookie, a graham cracker, and ice water while I mowed away. When I finished he was thrilled to ride with me back to the garage- but first we had to get the camera! :o) I love how his cheeks are all 'smashed' as a result of the earmuffs!

Out in the garden
Earlier this week, Hammie and I were out in the garden together... me transplanting the lettuce to under the sunflowers and him asking questions or using my camera!

Diligently working...
Momma found this window 'planter' along side the road several years ago and has always wanted to use it for something. Now she has a use; first she had to scrape/sand it, then she had to prime it, and finally she had to paint it. She finished yesterday afternoon and it's ready to hang off of the back porch where it will be holding potted plants!!! It's a really nice shade of black (actually, it's just a nice texture!) and I'm so anxious to see how it looks filled with plants!

A Mouthful...
Late Thursday afternoon we had a storm come through that had allot of wind and quite a bit of rain. It blew our corn not quite half way over, so I spent some time standing it all back up yesterday morning. I found several broken stalks which I then fed to B-Moo who really enjoys them!! Can you see the bright green stalk just barely sticking out of his mouth???

"Taking care of my things"
Sawyer loves to roll his trucks around in the dirt and mud every single day. He has a spot in the big garden that has been designated his and will spend allot of time playing in it if left to himself. With all of that dirt things get rather dirty and when he wants to play trucks inside he must first wash them off. Out comes the black stool, which he shoves to the sink, and he puts everything in the sink. He takes the initiative to wash them off and then dry them before playing with them. He's becoming a very good caretaker!

Well, that's a glimpse into some of what all has taken place this week. I must be off now!