JUSTUSNAK...Summer coming to an end!?

[Denim Deb]

I'm glad you don't live near me! There was a record 80" of snow in Philly last year (I live about 1/2 an hour SE of Philly). At least this year, they're calling for a normal winter, only about 23".

 

[justusnak]

So here I sit...the morning of the 20th day of November 2010. Today will be a busy day....Oh, not like yesterday. Yesterday I was super busy...
Drug the tin roofing scrap pieces from the side of the barn, and lined the inside of the goat barn with them, and put a face on it. This should provide a bit more warmth for the 3 little pygmy goats. When I went out there yesterday morning to feed them, the 2 girls were shivering!! Jeesh, its not even winter yet! So, I had to get thier little barn tightened up, and cozy. Finished with that, then went to the coops. In the small coop, where the Banty's are, I have 2 brooders. I cleaned one out, and got it set up for the 12 little ones that hatched the other day, Silkies and Bantam Cochins. By hatching them at this time of year, they will be POL(point of lay) by spring..and ready for sale. We have a wireless thermometer for outside...so I took the outside piece and placed it IN the brooder...now I can watch the temps from inside the house. I also placed one of my broody silkies in there with them. Hopeing she will take the babies under her wing. I will know when I go out there this morning. Fed and watered all the poultry, then came inside to get supper in the oven. A big fat hen! Yummmm. Got supper going...then the wood stove..and decided to check my E Mails, and drink a cup of coffee. Hubby got up about the time supper was done, so I quickly went and packed his up for work. We sat and talked for a bit before he had to get ready for work, and leave. Once he was out the door, I ran into town to get what I needed for Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't need much..most will come from the pantry or freezer. However, needed fresh veggies and a few other items. Came home and finished putting it away and within 30 minutes of me finishing, my buyer showed up to get the sheep. I sold 2 Ewes and my young Ram. By the time we got them loaded and I got the barn closed up, it was getting dark. Came inside, was cleaning the kitchen when my son and his family showed up. I wasn't even finished with the dishes! Jeesh! They stayed untill almost 9pm. It was good to sit and visit with them, and play with my grandbabies. ( well, one is 10 yrs old, so we talked LOL) After they left, I decided I was going to mop the kitchen, when my best friend called. She needed to vent. We talked untill 11 pm! Kitchen floor is still needing to be mopped. LOL This morning after I tend the animals...I will mop that kitchen floor...vaccume the house, then get my shower and get ready for another long day. We are driving to Louiville to my little sisters...haveing Thanksgiving with her family today. I am sure we will not get home untill after dark...UGH. Animal chores in the dark is no fun. I am hopeing tomorrow hubby and I can get the Christmas deco down from the top of the barn. We have so much, it takes 3 truckloads to bring it all to the house. I know, not very SS, but the grandbabies love to come see all the lights...( I do too) Hopeing to start putting it out next week. It usually takes us 3 or 4 days to get it all set up. However, once it is all done..it sure looks nice! Hope you all have a wonderfull weekend.

 

[Javamama]

We are doing our lights today too, but it sounds like you have way more stuff than us. It's fun though, isn't it? I'm not decorating the inside of the house until my youngest daughter grows out of her "take and break" stage. She's terrible!
I was very tempted to buy some chicks to grow out over winter, but I don't have anywhere good to keep them. I need a brooder coop outfitted with a loving silky hen

 

[justusnak]

Java, I would say about 1/3 of the deco is for the inside. We put up 2 large trees. One in the family room in the basement, and one in the living room upstairs. Then I have to take down and put away all my "every day" nick nacks...and replace them with Christmas ones. Its a chore, but worth it to me. I dont think hubby agrees tho. LOL
I just love haveing my brooders in the coop. I set them up out there last year, and I LOVE it! No more peeping, dusty chicks in the house.

 

[framing fowl]

Christmas lights!!! Funny, I was just thinking about you the other day and remembering from last year about all of your decorations. It's that time isn't it!

Some of my favorite memories of growing up are my mom, my sis and I putting out Christmas stuff with music playing in the background the day after Thanksgiving rather than going shopping.

Hope you have fun and whew! What a busy day yesterday, made me tired reading about it, but then, I've got a day coming up and I should be hopping to it!

 

[Denim Deb]

My hubby asked last year if I didn't think we should think about a smaller tree. I ignored him. After all, I do all the decorating, so why should he care?

 

[justusnak]

My hubby asked last year if I didn't think we should think about a smaller tree. I ignored him. After all, I do all the decorating, so why should he care?

Deb, I agree..the BIGGER the BETTER! I LOVE all the decorations...guess I am just a big kid at heart. LOL

 

[urban dreamer]

Me and hubby got a stick from the backyard, put a cardboard star on it and called it a christmas tree!

 

[justusnak]

So, we made it home. What a day!! Family, friends, and food. Notice I didnt say "good" food. It was...ummm...OK. At least I didnt have to cook it tho! I was in the kitchen a few times...but felty like I was in the way..so I mostly stayed out of there. Untill it was time to fill the plates. All in all it was a good day. Coffee, food, coffee, family, coffee, laughing and talking, coffee, and...oh yeah...coffee! LOL I bet we went through 20 pots!!! Yup, we are a bunch of coffee drinkers.
We sat outside on the deck..and..yup, drank coffee after dark, just talking and really enjoying each others company. The best part?? Everyone got along!!! No fighting...no fussing..just good conversation...for once! We made plans for the Christmas party..here at our home. Just after 7, we all decided it was time to make the drive home. All of us had at least 1 1/2 hr drive back. Luckily we saw no deer...other that the few that were already on the side of the road, dead. What a shame, all that meat...wasted!
Its good to be home tho, in my jammies....cup of coffee an dthe wood stove going. Ahhhhhhh...home sweet home!

 

[justusnak]

FIRST let me say, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...may your day be filled with good food, family, friends, and laughter...and most of of, WONDERFULL memories!
With that said....I had set my alarm for 06:30. I needed to get the bird in the oven by 7 am. All the prep was done, just needed to saute the celery and onions in butter and sage, and stuff the bird. 30 minutes prep time is plenty....so, about 06:15, my cell phone starts ringing. Its my Sons ringtone..so I jump straight up. He NEVER calls THIS early! My eyes still not focused...I answer...and her in the backround...Tornado sirens!! What the heck!??? Then as I focus on my sons voice, I hear him, half asleep as well...mumbling something about the sirens are going off in town, we are under a tornado warning, its headed right towards us!!!! I jump up and run to the TV....Sure enough, we were under a warning untill 7am. JEESH! Are you KIDDING ME!?? I have a turkey to cook, no time for THIS weather.! Luckily they have now downgraded it to a severe thunderstorm warning. I just hope we keep power long enough to get this bird cooked! I need 7 hours!!
I flew through the kitchen and was able to get the bird in...now, I need to get on the rain gear, and take care of the animals. CRAZY weather!! I hope everyone has a SAFE Thanksgiving!!