Shirley's World

A Great App.

2012-01-21T09:48:00.001-08:00

Actually my Equine Dentist told me about this app, so I have to thank him! (Oscar Suski)

If you're looking to buy a GPS, be sure to try this first if you have a smart phone.

I have an iPhone 4s and this app is amazing. My daughter paid a lot for her Garmen GPS and this is every bit as good. I haven't lost signal once with it. (Something that she complains about with her's)

It cost $2.99!!!!!!!!

You get free voice direction for 30 days and then it is $9.99/year.Well worth it, I'll tell you!

I got a holder for it for my dash on Amazon for $12.99 and I couldn't be happier!!

This App. is amazing!!!!!!!!

My carrier is At&T

Shirley

At Home

2012-01-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

It kept snowing and snowing this morning; that fine snow. The roads looked like they were getting slick so I chose to stay home from the barn. I was supposed to go work with Echo today but I'll go the next 3 days. Hopefully the weather will get better. At least the roads.

I thought, I'll use this time to wash clothes and do a little cleaning.

Well, I did put a couple loads of wash in.

Haven't cleaned anything yet . . . .

Then I got hungry for some bakery and nothing was here, so I started baking.

My fast and easy peach cobbler is the first thing I thought of. It's really good because it's made with a whole stick of real butter : ))

As you can see, I've eaten two HUGE pieces already.

And just in case I finish off the cobbler, I made the Pillsbury refrigerated Cinnabon cinnamon rolls too! Well, I didn't want the expiration date to pass!

Now there's only me here and I'm not expecting any company for tea!

Staying home from the barn can make you fat!!!!

I'm just sayin'

Oh, here's the link for my peach cobbler recipe:

http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/2009/08/easy-peach-cobbler.html

and

as I did the first time I made the cobbler, I'm linking up with Foodie Friday:

Found here:

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Shirley

Looking for "Hair" Solution

2012-01-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

OK, I got the smallest little shop vac they have. It's nice and lite.

However:

See those vents on the top? A windstorm comes out there! When I turned it on, hair flew everywhere!! Not good.

It has a strong suction so that it clamps onto the leather couch and I wouldn't want to try it on the dog! Another irritating thing is that the cord is too short. I got the hair cleaned up with it but it has more minuses than pluses.

Unfortunately, I can't take it back because it's now full of hair, but it's a handy size and I'll be able to use it for other things. I'm glad it was on sale for only $19.99.

Actually I can use my old Dirt Devil for now on the furniture. I should've tried that before I went out and got the other! Not thinking!!

Does anyone else with the "hair problem" have and good solutions????? Please write!

Shirley

Hair! HAIR!

2012-01-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not talking about my own hair here!

I'm talking about animal hair that doesn't stay put on the animal!!

Believe me, I've always had animals; all my life. I'm not a stranger to hair on my clothes that I have to sticky roll off, or hair on the furniture or in the car, or in my food.

I have horses too, that shed twice a year and that hair is all over my barn clothes, that gets in the car, then transfers to my house.

Rocky's hair is a little different than I had been used to in the past because it is short little spiky hairs that stick into what ever they get on and they do not brush off. The sticky roller does a little better but you still have to really work at it. On top of that, Rocky loves to rub his face and neck all over you. I think he's using me as a scratching post.

Now this is Miss Ellie. She has not one but two coats. Yes, an under coat which is fine, flies thru the air, gets up your nose and she, at will, rubs it on you. It's not easy to get off of anything. It's really nice when you step out of the shower and she rubs against your wet leg! And then of course there's the ever lovin' HAIR-BALL! Since cats groom themselves and swallow the hair, they hack it up at the most annoying times. Usually when you are having dinner and she stations herself right under the table. Maybe she thinks she may choke and tries to always get within ear shot so you could save her; maybe do the Heimlich maneuver! Or better yet, she will hack it up in the middle of the night, waking you to that disgusting sound. Of course by morning, you've forgotten about it and you always manage to step in it on your way to the bathroom (in your bare feet)!

See, isn't she sweet? She's very soft!

However, with all the animals I've lived with, I must say that nothing prepared me for the enormous amount of hair that is on a St. Bernard.

Or shall I say, "that comes off a St. Bernard"!

You see, he has a dense undercoat. Protects him in the Swiss Alps you know!

Well you can't even find his skin, it is so dense.

I read quite a bit about the breed before I adopted Monk. They did mention that they shed a lot, usually twice a year. I think that they shed in the spring and it takes them till fall for it all to come out and then the next day they start shedding the summer coat! So my thinking is that it's pretty much an all year thing. I brush him everyday and could make a small dog out of the hair I get.

He is the sweetest dog I think I've ever had. No matter how much care he is and how much he eats! all he has to do is look at me with his soulful eyes!

I've decided that I have to invest in a small shop vac. One I can just keep in the corner, that is lite-weight. I'm going to go to Sears tomorrow! Certainly, Craftsman has something to help me! Maybe Monk will let me use it on him!!!

Shirley

Winter Afternoon Table & Soup

2012-01-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

It's cold, snowing and blustery outside. About 17 degrees. My snow plow guy just did my driveway and the wind is already blowing drifts back across it.

Brrrr.

I decided to stay home from the barn because I would probably get stuck in the barn's driveway; it's hardly ever plowed. I got stuck bad twice last year.

So I thought, I haven't done a tablescape lately, I'll just do one of them!!

So here it is.

Just simple as I was eating early and just having soup and a salad.

Snow flakes for winter and dried hydrangeas for the hope of spring.

Yes, hot tea will be good.

This is the best cold weather meal!

(Link for the recipe is at the bottom.)

It is Turkeyburger soup and soooo simple and very healthy.

A healthy salad (well, except for the globs of poppyseed dressing : ))

I think they call this hamburger soup but I use ground turkey.

I had a wonderful late lunch with my dogs looking on.

Yes, they got a little bit too.

Here's my link for the recipe:

http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/2011/12/turkeyburger-soup.html

Stay warm.

Shirley

Monk and the New Snow

2012-01-13T09:14:00.001-08:00

We finally got snow last night after having a bare December and early January! Not normal for NE Ohio!!! So Monk was excited to get out in it this morning. He was romping around which is kind of hard to capture when I'm holding him and the camera. He won't be trained to the Invisible Fence till spring so I have to keep him on a line. I don't think he'd go far but you just never know if he would see someone walking their dog down the road.

I'll try to take my video camera out with me next time I take him out and if I get anything, I'll tack it on to here!

This big limb broke off my old pear tree last week in the wind. Glad it didn't hit the boat!

Monk thinks his job is to "shovel" all the snow off of things with his tongue.

I'm supposed to be at the barn today but don't want to drive in this. The roads are supposed to still be bad. So I'll wait. Maybe later.

Shirley

School

2012-01-09T19:49:00.001-08:00

Back In School

After months and months of being off, just living the good life with not even hardly being ridden, Echo is back in school!

I decided that I had to start taking riding lessons again to spur me on to riding a lot more. And Echo needs a lot of help! (Well, me too.)

We are starting with basics as Echo doesn't listen to leg aides at all. Eventually I hope to get into some low level dressage with him but we're a long way from there!

So put your smiley face on there Echo . . . you're going to be great!

Shirley

From Christmas to Winter White

2012-01-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Settling Into Winter

Yesterday I took down all my Christmas decorations. Well most of them. I still have the dining room to do.

Today I decided to just do some white winter themes on the mantle and the shelf in the family room.

I love the birds in the snow. They are at my kitchen window feeder all the time.

My header photos are all out my kitchen window.

I decided on my snowman plates for on the shelf, but it looks a little plain. I'll have to think of some things to add.

I'm linking in with "Transformation Thursday"

at:

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Have a nice Thursday. I'll be at the barn riding.

Stay warm.

Shirley

Staying In!

2012-01-03T12:10:00.001-08:00

I had things to do today; places to go, people to see! However, it's been snowing pretty good here all day. So unless I see my road clear up and some blue sky, I'm staying in!

I'm using this time to take my Christmas decorations down.

Maybe I'll start a fire in the fireplace.

Shirley

Doggy Breath!!

2012-01-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

Special Doggy Mouth Care

Monk has BDB! (BAD Doggy Breath.) It'll knock you down! The vet says he needs his teeth cleaned but can't for a while. So, Carol from our boarding barn told me about this procedure.

I have never been one to buy doggy tooth paste and try to brush my dog's teeth. But I'll try anything as to not have Monk's breath be so toxic!

So . . . I've got the Peroxide

I've got the cotton balls.

And I've got "the Monk".

He justs lays down when you want to do anything with him!

His front teeth look good but he has some tarter and stuff on the back ones.

Actually these bigger squares are better for such a big mouth.

Just wipe the teeth and the gums. And with him, there's a whole lot of mouth and jowls to wipe out!!!

He says, if we're done, I'd like outta here!

I've been cleaning his mouth for 3 days and I am actually starting to notice an improvement with his breath already!

Rocky, you're next!!

Shirley

Looking Forward to a Better Year

2011-12-31T18:10:00.000-08:00

Here is hoping for a wonderful 2012 for all of you.

This past year has had some sad times for us and I am looking forward to a great new year.

I don't make resolutions any more but here are a few things that I am hoping to do. (maybe : ))

• Try to eat healthier and drink more water.

• Ride my horses more.

• Learn to bake bread successfully!!!!

• Have a closer relationship with my son.

• Make arrangements with a pet sitter and go visit my sister for a few days.

• Go to church more.

• See a dermatologist.

• Have my chicken coop made or bought by spring!!!!!!

• Plant a vegetable garden, even if it's small.

• Find a sideboard for my dining room.

• Stop fretting about wrinkles!

• Train Monk to the Invisible Fence in the spring.

•Find a way to wake up happy!

• Declutter my computer.

• Put some of my photos on DVD's. I have over 15,000 photos in iPhoto!

•Declutter my house at least once a week, even if it's just one space.

••Win the lottery!!!

•••YES, WIN THE LOTTERY!!!

(There I've said it.)

Shirley

A Gadget That Worked!!

2011-12-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

I saw these furniture mover things on TV and decided to give them a try. I found then at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They usually carry a lot of things that are advertised on TV.

I have a huge leather couch that has to weigh at least 2 ton!!! No kidding, I cannot budge it an inch. I really didn't have a lot of faith that these "Sliders" would work like they showed on TV

I did have a heck of a time even getting them under the feet of the couch because the couch is really too heavy for me to pick up at all, but I managed. I was determined!!!

Let me tell you what. I gave that baby a push and slid it EASILY across the room!

I was so impressed!!

I rearranged the whole family room. I feel like I really accomplished something today!

Monk was a little confused at first but found his favorite love seat and settled in.

Shirley

Monk's Last Rx

2011-12-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

Monk spent the morning at the vets and had his final heart worm treatment. Just some oral wormer and a check up by the vet.

He had his skin "hot spots" shaved and treated and his teeth checked. He needs a cleaning which will help his "UGH" breath!!! But that will be in a couple months.

Oh yes, he got his nails trimmed!

Right now he has a couple more weeks of rest, then he can return to normal activity, which I think isn't much different!!!

But he'll be able to be groomed and go on walks.

Rocky says, I'll just rest too.

Here's Monk showing you his sore toe. Not really . . . it's just a hot spot that's been shaved. He has one under his chin, on top of his head and on his right back hock.

Rocky says, "Will my zebra make it all better?"

I'm so relieved that Monk has come through his heart worm treatment so well.

He's such a blessing and gives me lots of smiles.

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts.

Shirley

Just A Little Snow

2011-12-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

We had a couple days of beautiful sunny weather as the temperatures fell and we got just enough snow to be pretty.

Of course, Monk loves the colder temps and thinks he has to eat the snow!!!

Rocky would just rather stay in the warm house.

After an hour outside, Monk succumbs to nap time.

He sprawls himself out on the dining room floor.

Rocky curls up on the warm leather couch in the sun.

Seemed like a good day for chicken noodle soup to me!

Shirley

Bargain Time

2011-12-27T14:38:00.001-08:00

My Big Bargain of the Day

I wasn't going to go anywhere today but decided I needed a couple things at the grocery store and while I was out, why not check in with Goodwill!!

It was supposed to snow later so I got there early this afternoon.

I didn't find any good dishes so I went to the clothes racks.

Look what I found on the "Coat and Jacket" rack!!

The label made me try it on.

An Eddie Bauer GOOSE DOWN Jacket!!!!!

It's a little big but will be perfect for the barn over my winter overalls.

It has a heavy duty hood that is detachable.

All the pockets zip and there's inside pockets too.

The best pocket is here! A cell phone pocket. : )) This coat looks barely used.

And the best part is that it was $6.00 but I had a 35% off coupon so this Eddie Bauer coat cost me $4.15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a bargain!

I'm linking with these two blogs.

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

and:

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/

Have a great day!

Shirley

Christmas with the Horses

2011-12-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

A previous photo of Echo and Preacher

I cannot believe that I took my camera to the barn on Christmas day to take pictures of me and Michele riding. It has become a tradition now and every year we have pictures. Not this year! I was worried that Michele wasn't going to be up to visiting the barn and riding since Satire isn't with us any more. She was quiet at first but when we started riding and she had to pay attention to what she was doing, things got better. However, the cameras sat in their bag and neither one of us thought of it. We had a good time anyway and she plans on coming out about once a week or so to ride. I hope so.

Shirley

Christmas Eve

2011-12-26T14:54:00.001-08:00

I was going to link these with "Mosaic Monday" but I don't think there is one this week. But these tell the story of Christmas Eve at my son and daughter-in-laws house with the grandkids. It was fun and they were so excited.

We had a good dinner of Honey Baked ham, cheesy potatoes and green peas and cherry pie for desert.

My son, Carl, gets to take everything out of the boxes and put them all together if needed.

The photos below were taken by my daughter Michele.

There are some short videos on my FaceBook page. http://www.facebook.com/shirley.corwin

I hope you all had a wonderful, family filled Christmas too.

Shirley

Sister's Handmade Card

2011-12-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

I'm linking up with "Show and Tell Friday"

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

As some of my readers know, my sister makes her own cards. She's been doing this for awhile and has a craft room that looks like a store. I get a card for all holidays and every season change and sometimes, just because.

This Christmas card is particularly beautiful with pearls and real lace.

Inside is a little pocket that held my Christmas presents. Gift cards to two of my favorite places. Panera and of course, Starbucks! Yippee!!!!

Looks nice up there on the fireplace mantle!

Thank you Sue!

Shirley

The Simple Woman's Daybook 2

2011-12-21T18:55:00.000-08:00

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It's dark now but we had another unseasonably warm day. It rained and was gloomy till late this afternoon when the sun poked through. If I look out my family room window, I can see Monk laying on the deck. He couldn't go out most of today because of the rain so he's enjoying it now. I think I have the house temperature too warm for him and his heavy "bear-like" coat. He's a St Bernard you know!

I am thinking... That it's been really hard this year to get into any kind of "Christmas spirit". The death of our horse Satire has left a big hole and then Squeaker died a couple weeks ago. I'm hoping that being with my grand kids and family on Christmas eve will brighten things up.

I am thankful... That I have felt less stress and anxiety and that my mammogram was normal. It always has been but I think that is always a worry to women! I am more and more thankful every year for my kids and family and the close relationship my sister and I have. I am thankful for my best friend Midge who has gone through so much with cancer and has stayed so strong in her faith of Jesus and that she is doing well now. Of course anyone who knows me knows how thankful I am to have my animals and that I had the opportunity to adopt Monk this year and that he is coming through his heart worm treatment well.

In the kitchen... the dish wash is humming. The cookie tins are full and I still have to make coffee for breakfast.

I am wearing... nylon running pants, (even though I don't run), a turtle neck shirt, a fleece vest and clogs on my feet.

I am creating... nothing at the moment. Yesterday I was creating a lot of cookies!

I am going... to go to bed soon and watch Frasier on TV.

I am wondering... what is going on with this weather! We haven't had snow yet, to speak of, and this is the first day of winter. Looks like no white Christmas this year. The problem with the warm temps or the fluctuations from cold to near 60 is with the horses. Some don't do well with changes like that. So far mine have been OK but one horse in the barn collicked last week. (He's ok now) Always a worry though. I had the barn owner give my horses just half their grain tonight.

I am reading... "Crazy Ladies" by Michael Lee West. She has a great blog online at:

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ She's written quite a few books. This is the first one I've read and it's very good. She's the one with the great linky party called "Foodie Friday".

I am hoping... that on Christmas day, when my daughter and I spend it at the barn riding, that it won't be too sad of a time for her. Michele has only been out to the barn once since Satire died.

I am looking forward to... Christmas Eve at my son's house with the grandkids opening all their presents. They are at a wonderful age of being so excited and believing in Santa.

I am hearing... the TV out in the family room. The 10pm news is on.

Around the house... are Christmas decorations. At least some. I didn't do much this year since I'm not hosting Christmas Eve.

I am pondering... about types of chicken coops!! My son is supposed to build me one before Spring . . . before spring chicks!! I have the wood. I need the carpenter!! I plan on having 3-4 laying hens.

One of my favorite things... is the way Monk looks at me with those soulful eyes!!!! He's talking to me but I don't always know what he's saying!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I'm going to the barn the next couple days to ride. Tomorrow it's Echo's turn! I have to go to the bank and also have to pick up some refrigerated pie dough. I thought I had another box and I don't!! Lucky I looked! I'm making little individual pies in small mason jars for desert for Christmas Eve. I'll take pictures if they turn out!

Here are the pictures I am sharing today...

Monk and Rocky. Both taken by my daughter.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Shirley

Mom's Toffee Bars

2011-12-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

I'm linking this post with "Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays"

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

My mother always made these cookies at Christmas time and now my sister and I do too.

Here is the recipe. The candy bars that it talks about are regular Hershey chocolate bars that you lay on the hot cookies as soon as you remove them from the oven.

See all those missing ones? I ate them. You have to test!!!!

They are scrumptious!!

I think I'll go test another one.

If your chocolate is too soft you can set it by putting the pan in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Shirley

Today at the Barn

2011-12-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Today at the barn I took the herd of horses that Echo and Preacher go out with and ran them around. They had a lot of pent up energy. Echo was full of it. I wish I had thought to take a video 5 minutes before this one but I was trying not to get trampled!!

After they had calmed down. That's Preacher behind Echo.

Shirley

Around the House

2011-12-17T19:20:00.001-08:00

A Few More Little Christmas Touches

I brought in a sprig from one of the fir trees outside hoping it would give off a nice Christmassy pine smell but I don't smell a thing!

Bummer!!

A nice red ribbon around some old books.

And around these two beautiful little Christmas books.

Even my grandkids toy dog gets antlers!!

Shirley

A Little More

2011-12-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

This is part two linked with Transformation Thursday.

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

I didn't do all that much decorating this year since I'm not hosting Christmas Eve. I finished up things yesterday. I decided to redo my mantle. It wasn't as pretty as the one in my header from last year so I gave it some more height.

This is my only little tree. My Charlie Brown folk art tree in the front window.

A spray of greenery over the kitchen window.

The wreaths on my dining room windows.

And I added a few red berries to my DR chandelier.

Yes, I had to decorate the dogs too. I had to quick take Rocky's picture before he took off!

Monk didn't stand a chance; he was sleeping on his couch.

You can tell how thrilled he is!! Merry Christmas Monk . . I promise you won't have to put bunny ears on for Easter!

(Of course, that would be cute!!!!)

Shirley

A Little Christmas Decor

2011-12-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

I'm linking up with Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

I was busy today. I cleaned the basement of cobwebs and spiders. I used a shop-vac to get all those nasty webs. I had to go into the bowels of the basement to get my Christmas things out.

The first thing was decorating the mantle. Nothing real fancy; just enough to make it Christmassy.

I'm going to have to find an "S" to put on the dogs stocking so it can be for the both of them!

Mr. snowman has some birdseed for all the birds on the mantle.

I like this little guy.

The other shelf, across the room, I just put some greenery and candles, snowflakes and pinecones.

This little house is for the antique shop I used to have about 20 years ago. My husband and I had one for about 12 years. It all started because he was addicted to going to auctions!!

The kitchen got a little greenery too.

The ginger man comes out . . .

And a little angel goes in the corner to keep watch.

This is all I've done for the dining room so far . . . plunked Mr. snowman in a chair.

I've got to decorate the chandelier and put the Christmas wreaths on the windows.

I'll do more tomorrow after the barn.

Monk got an early Christmas present. The biggest Kong that PetSmart has. It's for dogs over 65 lbs. Well, he's well over that!!! He weighed over 150 lbs. last weigh in.

He likes his Kong. I filled it will some little treats and some peanut butter!

Yes, his claws need trimmed. The vet will do it at his check up visit in 2 weeks. His paws look like bear claws right now!!!!

Shirley

A Sprinkling of Snow

2011-12-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

Monk woke me up at 6:30 am to go out. When I got downstairs I saw that we had a little snow that fell last night.

Monk went out on the deck and started trying to lick it all off!! This is his kind of weather!!

Today I went to the barn to help introduce Buzzy, (the new horse in the barn), to our herd. We first put him out in the arena with Preacher because Preacher's the herd leader. They have been stalled next to each other for about 2 weeks now and can see and sniff each other so they were fine together. In fact, Preacher really took a liking to Buzzy! Buzzy is a really nice senior quarter horse. Then we let the rest of the herd in the arena together. After a little posturing, everything was good. I love watching herd dynamics.

Tonight the temps dropped a little and I got cold so I made me some hot chocolate. It always warms me up. How about you?

Shirley

Merry Christmas To Me!

2011-12-07T16:00:00.001-08:00

Today I couldn't help myself!

I went to the wonderful place called "The Apple Store". To those of us with Macs, it's a glorious place with really smart people waiting on you and showing you magical things!

I went with the intention of getting this new iPhone. No one talked me into it. It was all me. My "old" iPhone is a 3G, the very first iPhone that came out that was horribly expensive . . . . remember?

This new one does "at least" 50 million more things and isn't even half as much!

And Siri talks to you and answers all your questions!!! She's so smart!

FUN!

I'll be taking photos and little videos with the grand new camera in the next few days and posting them.

I just love new geeky stuff!

Shirley

Today At Home

2011-12-04T14:08:00.001-08:00

My wood pile outside is getting mighty small. It will never last through the winter if I make as many fires as last year!

I'm going to have to find me some firewood!

I brought a bunch into the garage so it will stay dry during the expected rain.

I stacked some wood in the fire place so I'm all ready on that first really cold snowy day.

Of course, I can't find my fire starters. Every year I go through this. I put them away in the spring and then can't find them when I need them.

Today was a beautiful sunny morning and in the 50's.

Monk loves laying on the deck in the sun. He's feeling pretty good.

Rocky says, he loves laying on his couch in the sun!!

By 3pm it had clouded over and is now raining. Tomorrow a cold front is moving in.

I guess winter has to come one of these days!

Maybe then I'll get more into the Christmas decorating spirit! I haven't done anything yet!

Shirley

Squeaker

2011-12-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

My heart is heavy. My cat, Squeaker, that I've had for 14 years, went to heaven this morning.

This boy has lived practically his whole life with asthma and diabetes and was on many meds including inhalers (puffers) and insulin.

Still he was patient with me twice a day when I had to give them. He has had numerous bad asthma attacks but always managed to pull through.

This time it was too much for him.

The Albuterol only worked for a little while and then he couldn't breath again.

I took him up to the vets this morning and we helped him on his way to heaven.

He had struggled long enough. He deserved some peace.

I'll see you again Squeaks.

Shirley

Turkeyburger Soup

2011-12-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

I'm linking up with "Foodie Friday" at Designs By Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

This is a delicious soup for the cold weather that is coming.

I browned a lb of ground turkey with a diced onion, (you can use hamburger if you please). I added a 46oz bottle of regular V8 juice, (See already it's healthy!!) Then added a can each of cream corn, peas, butter beans and sliced carrots. Add 1-2 TBSP brown sugar.

Cook over a low heat for about 2 1/2-3 hours (or you can use the crock pot)

This freezes great too so next time I'm doubling the recipe.

A really GOOD and hearty soup.

Shirley

Monk is Doing Well

2011-11-30T19:35:00.000-08:00

Monk had his second round of heart worm treatments the last 2 days at the vet. He stayed overnight last night and came home late this afternoon.

So he's back on his couch!

He looks good but is sore and moving slowly. (I mean slower than his normal slow.)

He has to stay quiet for about a month. Some more active dogs have to actually be in a crate for a month. This is to try to prevent the heart worms from breaking off as they die (before they decompose) and going to the lungs.

He's groaning a lot and wasn't interested in eating his supper. He didn't eat much at the vet's either. So I went right into "cooking for Monk" mode and made the "tummy diet".

I gave him a couple small helpings which he of course gobbled up.

I hope you feel better tomorrow Monk.

You can find the "Tummy Diet" here. A vet gave this to the rescue where Monk came from for any dogs with stomach problems.

It certainly has worked for Monk.

http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/2011/09/for-dogs-tummy-diet.html

Shirley

Blue Skies in the Pasture

2011-11-27T17:03:00.001-08:00

This was a couple days ago when the temp was 60 degrees and it was a beautiful sunny day. Rare for November in NE Ohio!!

I'm linking up with "Blue Monday"

At: http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

and

"Mosaic Monday"

At: http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Have a great week.

Shirley

The End Of November

2011-11-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

For Today 11/27/11

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window: It's cloudy, a little gloomy, breezy but still warm. A real delight to have 60 degree temps this time of year.

I am thinking: I should spend some time outside today as this could very well be the end of the warm weather before winter hits!

I am thankful: For my faithful God, my family, a warm beautiful home, my horses and my 2 dogs and 2 cats.

In the kitchen: There's nothing cooking at present. My island needs cleared off!

I am wearing: A sweatshirt on top of my ever present long under ware! and running pants, and garden clogs.

I am creating: My first Simple Woman's Daybook!

I am going: No where today. One of the few days I can just spend at home with my dogs!

I am wondering: Why my Voltarin isn't helping my back, shoulder and hip pain!! Maybe I'll just try Advil for awhile!

I am reading: I started "reading" by getting audio books about a year of more ago. Reason being that I kept dozing off when reading. (Hey, I'm old!) I have an audio book on my CD playing in my car at all times so it's like reading a chapter or two every time I drive somewhere. Right now I'm just about finished with "Sugar Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke. Before that I "read" her "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder". They are cute, interesting and "safe". (No real descriptive violence or bad language.)

I am hoping: That my rescue St Bernard (Monk) will not be really sick after his second heart worm treatment which he goes in for this Tuesday and Wednesday. He's 7 years old and was in bad shape and heart worm positive when the rescue got him. I adopted him about 3 months ago.

I am looking forward to: A healthy happy St Bernard (Monk) to romp with in the snow this winter along with my English pointer (Rocky).

I am hearing: Silence! All my animals are sleeping.

Around the house: I am deciding what Christmas decorations to put out. I think it will just be my "Charlie Brown Tree" in the front window and some decorations on my mantle in the family room. It won't be much as I'm not having any guests that I know of and Christmas Eve will be at my son's this year again.

I am pondering: On what to go have to eat. I'm hungry!

One of my favorite things: Believe it or not . . . is to be snowed in!! That is only if my heat stays on and I don't have to really go anywhere! (And it's only for a day!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Doing some Cyber Monday shopping on line, being with my horses and taking Monk in for his heart worm treatment.

A photo to share: Fall is done, winter's coming.

This is my first attempt at the blog, "The Simple Woman's Daybook"

See all the other's and a lot of great blogs here:

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Shirley

Our Intimate Thanksgiving Plus

2011-11-26T16:17:00.001-08:00

Our Intimate Thanksgiving and Little Jack's Birthday

Ava and I set the table while Linda was busy in the kitchen.

A great Thanksgiving at my son's house with his wife Linda and my two grandchildren and my daughter Michele.

Carl filled the kids plates and then was working on his own!

The day after Thanksgiving was Jack's 3rd birthday so we celebrated it too.

He was SO excited opening his gifts!!!

He's into super heros

AND

TOOLS!

Yep, I'm three!

Diving right in!!!

I have frosting up my nose I think!!

Linda had put pumpkins out for the deer and they came to visit. First one and soon there were eight!! Sorry I didn't get a picture of that.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Shirley

Orange Juice Cake - OOPS

2011-11-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

I'm linking this post with Tempt My Tummy Tiesdays

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

This is a recipe that my sister brought me when she visited a couple weeks ago. I'm not sure where she said she got it. It sounded really good to me and I had all the ingredients.

And I had my silicon bundt pan!

I didn't save the directions to my silicon pan but I was pretty sure that you didn't have to grease them.

Now if you read the recipe, you know that you are supposed to pour a hot glaze over the hot cake when it comes out of the oven.

Notice that the cake has risen above that tube in the middle and the tube has a hole in it.

Here is the glaze of butter, orange juice and sugar boiling for 2 minutes while the cake is about done.

I poured the glaze over the cake, a lot of it escaping down the hole in the middle and making a sticky mess.

Now it is to sit and soak in and cool for an hour before you "release" it onto a plate.

That's where the OOPS part comes in!!!!!

The glaze acted like a sticky glue and my wonderful smelling orange cake would not come out of my silicon pan!!!

I tried sort of piecing it back together but it was still a sad looking mess.

I'm sure glad this was just for me and that I hadn't made it to take for Thanksgiving dinner!!!!

The cake is just delicious however!! Very sweet and very moist!

I'm keeping mine in the refrigerator.

I'll try a regular metal bundt pan next time that you can grease and flour!

Oh yes, and it would be important that the tube in the middle be higher than the cake rises!!

Still delicious though!

I'll also be linking this post with Foodie Friday

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

and:

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Shirley

Last Year's Thanksgiving

2011-11-19T20:21:00.000-08:00

http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

I'm republishing this post of last year because this year we are going to my son's and daughter-in-law's house for Thanksgiving. It is easier for them with the kids and it's little Jacks birthday the day after so we'll be having a birthday party too. He will be Three!!

I'll be cooking and bringing several things but Carl, my son, is deep frying the turkey.

Thanksgiving 2010

This is the first Thanksgiving in my new dining room. I wanted to make it perfect. Of course it never is. The names on the leaves were a last minute thought. I was so busy trying to keep organized in the kitchen that I didn't get any pictures of the food on the table or the family around the table!!! Really dumb mistake.

Another mistake was that I set the food on the "buffet" table then served the soup. Of course by the time everyone was done with their soup, the food was only luke warm!

Also have to make a note to use smaller soup bowls next year!!

The one different placemat is because I had thought the children would sit at a little table but Ava wanted to sit with the big people and I only had 4 of the other place-mats!!!

Michele took these last two of the table.

Jack's 2nd Birthday

Opening presents.

The big dump truck.

No one had to tell him he could ride in it!!

Happy Birthday little Jack.

Shirley

Finicky Miss Ellie

2011-11-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

Linked to http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

for "Mosaic Monday"

My Cat Mosaic

My female cat, Miss Ellie, will not drink out of a water bowl! She waits by any spigot I'm by for me to turn it on and let her drink from running water!!!!

She's my sort of nasty cat that hisses at anyone disturbing her. Even Monk, my St Bernard, gives her a wide berth and whimpers when he passes her. Rocky won't even go near her. She takes full advantage of them and will sit in a doorway just to keep them from passing through!

Shirley

A Practice Tea or (Cookies for Cake)

2011-11-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

C is for Cookies for Cake

I received this little tea set for my grandkids from my niece. It was her girl's when she was young.

Today I showed it to Ava and she wanted to have "tea" in the worse way so here was our "practice tea" with her little brother Jack.

I had planned on a fancier occasion with hats and high heels and cake. Today I just broke up a couple pumpkin Cookies and pretended it was Cake

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/

Shirley

Momma's Got a New Pair of Boots!

2011-11-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

I first saw these polka dot rubber boots in K-Mart but didn't get them. When I decided I wanted them, of course they no longer had them. However, I found them a couple days ago in TSC so here they are.

Great for spring and fall really wet days to wear to the barn or to bathe the horses when it's not really cold.

We had a really beautiful week here with temps in the 60's.

Monk loves to be by his human!!

He's such a good boy!

I'm linking this post to:

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Shirley

First Attempt At a Quiche

2011-11-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

Feta and Spinach Quiche

You can make a quiche out of most anything if you have the crust and the eggs and cheese.

This recipe sounded good because I like feta cheese and the spinach sounded healthy!!

I used a refrigerated Pillsbury ready made rolled crust and 6 large eggs.

1/2 cup milk

2/3 cup feta cheese

2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 TBS frech chopped basil

1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and the water completely rung out!

1 med. diced tomato

1 TBS spicy brown mustard

salt and pepper

350 degrees for 60 min. or till tooth pick comes out clean.

I had mine with butternut squash.

I'm linking this post to:

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

AND

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Shirley

Veterans Day

2011-11-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans Day to all that have served this wonderful country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyilcEPMo-Y&feature=share

A Terrible Day

2011-11-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

Satire

Yesterday Our beloved 33 year old Arab went to heaven.

He fell and broke his R. femur. An injury that can't be repaired in a horse.

He was is such pain. Thank God the vet got there right away and after hearing that there were no other options, we had him put to sleep.

This is a writing that Michele, my daughter, did last night. Him and her were so bonded together; there will never be another Satire.

My Life Changed Forever Today~

My heart is bleeding someone make it stop, I cry...but no one can

My life changed in an instant today...

Satire, my beloved Arabian Horse has gone home to the Heavens

I begged Jesus to come get him and show him all around

I asked for Ralphie to be come too

Ralphie has already crossed the Rainbow Bridge and was Satire’s buddy

My soul feels stunned, I feel the Black Emptiness starting to crawl over my soul

My life will NEVER be the same....NEVER EVER

Satire was a VERY special horse...

You could not understand unless you met him, he was the Arabian King

Remembered by many from his show days and touching the hearts of all

the people he met, truly ONE of a kind

Very smart, beautiful & talented even at age 33

With quite a personality to match and a Perfect Arab head

He had the power to make me laugh, cry or feel better even in my worst mood

I’m glad I was with him and he did not suffer long

I am BLESSED because he is a part of my life, his name is etched on my heart forever

It was a rainy bleak day but after Satire passed this amazing ray of sunlight came through

shining on him and I knew....he's running free with Ralphie

My heart is bleeding someone make it stop

I am afraid of the pain that is coming...God help me please

Satire

4/24/78 - 10/31/11

And the Lord said...

“Be still my beautiful creature...

See the streams & rolling hills of pasture

See the herd on the hill

They are waiting for you

Welcome Home”

poem written by Michele Zezulak

Michele Zezulak Fine Photography

http://www.mzphotography.net

mzezulak@roadrunner.com

Mellow Yellow Mosaic

2011-10-29T20:52:00.001-07:00

Yellow, Yellow, Yellow

Here's some sunny yellow things from this past year.

Yellow is a wonderful spirit lifter on those cold rainy days!

I'm linking this mosaic with "Mellow Yellow Monday" at:

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

and

"Mosaic Monday" at:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Try to have a sunny day!!

Shirley

Hanging Onto Fall

2011-10-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

I'm linking this little post with "Seasonal Sundays"

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Fall

I love fall and I'm trying to be outside as much as weather permits. All signs are pointing to an early and bad winter. It is turning cold and we've had a lot of rain the past couple weeks. But today was really nice. We've had a frost so I'm hoping for an Indian Summer!!

I really feel for the people on the east coast and all that snow. It's way too early for that big snow storm!!!

These photos are from in my front yard.

Shirley

Rerun of my First Tablescape

2011-10-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

I'm linking this old post to "Sunday Favorites"

at Happy to Design

http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

This was my first tablescape ever in June of 2009. I made one big boo-boo. I forgot any silverware!!!

And it was pretty darn plain but live and learn.

First I would like to thank Susan for hosting this wonderful "party" of Tablescaping. Please visit her inspiring site at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I'm starting my tablescaping adventure with a dinner outside on the deck with my sister who was visiting. I believe she probably thinks I'm a little demented for taking on more hobbies. I didn't see all my mistakes till I was loading these photos! Where the heck is the silverware??

All the dishes in this setting were bought at Goodwill for a song. Place-mats from Walmart.

Love these little bird S & P; I found them at Target.

Dinner outside on the deck.

This lovely teapot I found at Marshalls

Have a Happy Sunday everyone!

I also learned how to make my photos bigger later on in my blogging career!

Shirley

New Pasta Bowl

2011-10-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

I found this at GoodWill yesterday for $2.00. It's about 11 inches in diameter at the rim. It will be perfect for pasta.

That's all I found except a couple winter turtlenecks to wear to the barn this winter. It was kind of slim pickin's yesterday!

Today I bought 10 lbs. of apples because I want to make some slow cooker applesauce. I got the recipe on line and will share it when I make it. I spent half the evening looking for my apple peeler but I found it and now I'm ready!

Monk was following me the whole time I was looking for it. I wonder what he was thinking?

Shirley

Inspiration

2011-10-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

I saw this on FB today and think it's a very good and inspirational thought.

Shirley

Animal Mosaics

2011-10-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a collection of all my animals (at present). Two cats, two dogs and three horses.

Squeaker and Miss Ellie

Rocky and Monk

Echo, Satire and Preacher

These mosaics will be linked to "Mosaic Monday" at:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Shirley

BarBQ Steak in a Crock Pot

2011-10-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

When you are done here, visit Food Friday for tons of great recipes.

BarBQ Steak in the Crock Pot!

I had gotten this thick piece of sirloin tip steak on sale and had to do something with it.

My first thought lately is always the slow cooker!

So I plunked it in there on top of some cut up onions and poured some Hickory Smoke BarBQ sauce over it, turned it on low and left for the barn.

The house smelled wonderful when I returned home!

I made some delicious mashed potatoes whipped with butter, a little milk and a TBSP of plain yogurt. Yummmmm. I love potatoes no matter how you fix them!

An easy great meal!

Oh yes, Monk is waiting for me to get done. Rocky is on the other side of me but wouldn't hold still enough for a picture!

Shirley

Monk Got His BIG Shot!

2011-10-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday Monk went into the vet to have his first injections to hopefully rid him of the heart worms. It was done in the morning and he stayed all day at the vet.

This is a picture of the injection sites. It's a long needle and goes deep into the lumbar muscle. (OUCH)

Yesterday he was a little sore but seems better today. He has to stay really quiet and inactive now for a month. The problem being that when the worms die and break off, since they are in the heart and vessels, they go into the bloodstream and can act as clots causing numerous dangerous problems.

He gets one more two day treatment in 4-6 weeks and hopefully that will kill any remaining worms.

If dog owners realized how terrible this treatment was for the dog, they would use the simple heart worm preventative once a month!!

Please say a prayer for Monk that he does well through the treatment.

Shirley

Today (10/16)

2011-10-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

First I want to say that things are good right now with the horses. Both Satire and Preacher are doing fine.

I thought I'd just put on couple things about today.

This is Monk getting ready to go with me to the barn. He loves going in the car.

Little did he know he was going to get a bath! The lady where we have our horses is also a dog groomer. Monk is a size that I can't do in my bathtub!!

He behaved really well. I would've liked to take pictures during the process but I was helping out and couldn't. He looks and smells really pretty now!

Here's what I had for my supper tonight. Yesterday I made a pork roast in the slow cooker. I rubbed it with Dijon mustard and sprinkled it with ginger and cloves and then used cranberry juice for the liquid. It cooked the entire day and was fall-apart tender when done.

It smelled wonderful while cooking and is really really good!

Shirley

A Couple Recommendations

2011-10-16T16:55:00.001-07:00

Once in awhile I run across something that I really like. I've been on the search, it seems, my whole life for a lipstick that really stays on like it says it does. I finally found one! And it's not expensive!

It's by Maybelline.

It's a two step process. You apply the color first let it dry for about 30 sec. then put the gloss over top. Then it's comfortable and not sticky at all.

It stays on till you take it off with make-up remover!!

I have 4 shades and plan on getting one more.

Another thing I love are these Milano cookies by Pepperidge Farm. The double chocolate!

They have twice the dark chocolate in the middle and are delicious!!

Hmmmmm, dark chocolate . . . I think they're good for me : ))

Shirley

It's Always Something!

2011-10-09T15:39:00.001-07:00

The horses got a big treat that arrived yesterday. A big round bale of hay!!

Everyone is back there munching away!

When I brought Preacher in to play with Satire in the arena, this is what I found. He had somehow cut his face right below his left eye on something! Maybe the fence rail, who knows!

The cut was deep and I called the vet. Of course it's Sunday! Everything happens on the weekend!

He got 7 stitches. He's still quite sleepy here from the sedation.

Now he's on antibiotics for 5 days.

Satire is keeping watch through the door : ))

Shirley

Monk and His Treatment

2011-10-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Monk was seen by my vet yesterday, examined and determined that he is a candidate for the heart worm treatment. I will probably choose to go with the slightly more conservative treatment of 3 injections instead of 2 as it will be easier on him but will just require a longer rest period of two months instead of one. He isn't exactly a really active dog anyway and can be on house rest. They just aren't suppose to run around. We'll probably start next week so say a little prayer that he doesn't get too sick with this. I just got him to start eating!!

He gained 3 lbs by the way : ))

Shirley

Thank You Steve

2011-10-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

As I sit here and type this blog on my Apple Macintosh, I have very sad thoughts about Steve Jobs losing his battle with pancreatic cancer this afternoon. He sure put up a good fight.

My very first computer, believe it or not, was an Atari!!! (That was back in archaic times!!)

After that a friend of ours talked us into getting the first little black and white Macintosh and I've never looked back. I don't know how many I've had but I've tried to keep up. Let me tell you that they've all been very good experiences. I have always felt this computer system was the cutting edge and we all have Steve Jobs to thank for that.

I didn't know him but I will personally miss him.

Shirley

Everyday Things

2011-10-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

My sister makes cards and this is the beautiful one she sent me for fall.

Front

Inside

Since I'm having to cook for Monk . . . . every time he smells something cooking in the kitchen he comes in and lays on the floor right where I am. He is so huge that it makes it difficult to get around the kitchen!!

But he is eating good now and I am up to putting half kibbles in his food : ))

See . . . clean platter!!

Then it's nap time.

Rocky doesn't mind all this cooking for his big brother because he gets to like the pans!!

Shirley

A Bouquet Before the Rain

2011-09-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

I went out in the front garden yesterday and got this one bouquet picked before the rains started.

It hasn't stopped raining since and now it's turned cold.

This is still a summery looking bouquet for October 1st!

I'm linking this up with "Pink Saturday"

At: How Sweet the Sound

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Shirley

Now What!!

2011-09-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

I found out this morning that the owner of the barn where we board is in danger of losing her lease on the farm. That means we'd have to be out of there by the end of November!

I don't think I can stand much more!!!

It wouldn't be hard to find a place for Echo and Preacher but Satire is a special case. I'm just praying for some miracle for Carol and the farm!

Good Advice!

2011-09-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Facebook.

I need to keep this in mind while I'm so stressed!

Shirley

STRESS!!!!

2011-09-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that there's NOTHING that causes me more worry and stress than something wrong with my animals!!! And that goes triple for Satire!

I have been a wreck for 3 days because Satire coliced Thursday afternoon. I was there and we called the vet right away. Because of his history last year, she tubed him and gave him a gallon of oil. And some pain medication.

He had no food except grass for two days until things started moving through.

No poop, no food!!

Yes, a big pile of manure can be a beautiful thing!!!!

We were pretty much at the barn all day and part of the nights. The barn owner keeps checking on him too.

Well, thank goodness he is doing much better now and is up to 1/2 rations today and more tomorrow if everything continues to be good.

This is him today. He is feeling just fine and doesn't know what all the fuss is about!

Of course I feel another 10 years older and my stomach is a mess! My daughter hasn't slept or eaten either.

I feel a little more relaxed tonight because he had such a good day today.

He had a good roll in the saw dust. (The good kind of roll!)

Please offer up a prayer for this beautiful soul. We love him so much.

He's quite spoiled from all the attention that he has gotten this whole past year.

When you're not giving him what he wants he reaches out and shakes his stable bag!!!

Shirley

(a nervous wreck)

Cooking for Two

2011-09-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

I had been thinking about adopting a rescued dog for the past 6 months. I really thought for sure it would be a pointer but then Monk seemed to just come into my life. The rescue he was being fostered at has a dog at the barn where I keep my horses and she mentioned they had just gotten this St Bernard only the week before that had been abandoned by his family of 7 years!! Since I love big dogs I asked to meet him and then decided to foster him for a couple weeks while I decided. Well I have adopted him, medical problems and all. You see he is a senior (for that breed) and is heart worm positive with already heart damage. He needs a loving home for the rest of his life.

He is the kindest, gentlest soul you'd ever meet and is also the most inactive couch potato I have ever had! If you need a pillow, he's got that covered!

He has one main maintenance problem. He doesn't want anything to do with actual dog food; especially kibbles! I wonder what they fed him in his before life! He had to eat to get this big!! (145 lbs) I've never had a dog that wasn't food motivated!

So, since he needs food in his stomach to take his numerous medications, I now cook for two! Him and I! We're eating the same thing.

Monk . . . are you training me?????

Your new mommy!

Oh yes, and Rocky now wants chicken added to his food too!!!!

The Season of Burrs!

2011-09-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

When you have horses and they go out into a real pasture in the fall, you know about burrs!!

Both Echo and Preacher had their forelocks, manes and tails full of them!

You have to keep up with it ever few days or you'd really have a mess and probably have to do some cutting! I will stand there and untangle and fuss for an hour before I'd ever cut their manes or forelocks!

Thank goodness for Cowboy Magic Detangler. I load up the tangled areas and let it sit on there for a few minutes then just start taking the burrs out one by one. Some just slide out.

Echo almost fell asleep while I was doing it today. It must feel good to have someone fuss with their hair.

Satire watched and walked around the barn while Echo was getting his "hair done".

Shirley

Babysitting day & Monk

2011-09-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today was my Wednesday babysitting day.

I was cooking food for Monk while the kids were watching one of their TV programs.

Now, he won't touch a kibble! but he eats anything I cook him or anything from anyone's plate!

Am I being had!!!!!!

He loves being with the children!!

And they love being with him!

What a great dog!! Slobber and all!!

Now, here's the first glimpse of my chicken coop : ))

My son brought the wood or most of it and I primed it and that's where we are so far.

Nope, I won't be getting chicks till spring!!!

Shirley

Misc. Stuff

2011-09-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

The other day on my way home from my yearly doctor appointment and blood work, I stopped in here for breakfast. I was starving as I hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I had never been here before; little restaurant in N. Royalton. I had just the best breakfast here!! It tasted extra good, maybe because I was so hungry but I liked this little place.

This past Saturday I went up to the barn to help Michele do some work in Satire's stall. Michele also decided to leave Satire off lead out in the arena while we were out there with him. There were no other horses. He hasn't been loose in 3 months since he hurt his R. front tendon. He should soon be allowed out in a paddock. Michele unhooked him but he wouldn't leave her side.

I think he thought he was still attached but he followed her where ever she went.

I have been lax in writing on my blog. I've been busy with Monk. He is now started on his pills for the heart worm. (Doxycycline) It won't kill the worms as he isn't strong enough for that treatment but it's supposed to weaken them.

Anyway, I had just got him to start eating actual dog food and now he just wants people food again! So I'm back to cooking for Monk.

I'm about to sign the adoption papers because I think he's found his home here with us.

Thoughts and Starbucks

2011-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today was one of the few days I have when I'm not going to the barn or watching the grandkids or have anything else scheduled. On these days I, of course have to go do my shopping if I haven't fit it in after the barn or the kids. I went to the grocery store and JUST got what was on my little list.

Then I stopped at the library to take my books back and pick up another couple audio books. That's the only way I get books "read". I listen to them while I'm driving. Even if I'm just in the car for 5-10 minutes, it's like reading a chapter each time. Works for me.

I ended up at Starbucks. I enjoy going in there for a Latte or right now my favorite is a Carmel Macchiatto. Hot, never cold. I don't like cold, icy coffee; even when it's hot outside. Next time I'm going to try their new Pumpkin Spice Latte, maybe more into fall. Pssst, I had a cheese danish too : ))

I always have a gift card for Starbucks because that's all I ever tell people I want. Love it.

I'm not sure why I enjoy relaxing in Starbucks. Maybe it's because at my age, it's the only really sort of trendy thing I do! If I had an iPad, I'd be playing with it in there too. For now it's just me and my iPhone.

Shirley

Today in Monksville

2011-09-05T14:58:00.001-07:00

I took Monk to the barn with me today. I have to tie him up while I'm doing my things with the horses and I am out of his sight at times.

This is what he thought of me not being right by his side!!

He's quite a needy big guy : ))

He loves to go in the car but I think he's more comfortable staying at home with Rocky while I go somewhere.

Shirley

Cooking For Monk!

2011-09-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

I've been spending more time cooking for Monk than I have in years for myself!. It's because he has to eat with the antibiotics he's on and he went off his kibbles for a few days! Tummy troubles. So he's been eating mostly chicken or turkey and potatoes. I held my breath tonight and slipped some kibbles in with it. He ate it all : ))

________________________________________________________________________

Rocky: "My BROTHER??????? Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley

Ava & Jack meet Monk

2011-09-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

Last week when my grandkids left, I told them that when they came back this week there would be a great BIG surprise!! Linda their Mom didn't know about Monk either, so everyone was delighted!!

This was the first greeting at 8 am.

It was a nice day and they played with Monk all day either outside or in the house. Except, of course when Monk was sleeping, which is a lot of the time!

Ava kept calling him Mudge. I kept saying "no, Monk" and she'd say "No, Mudge". Well when Linda came home from work I found out they have a book about "Henry and Mudge" and the drawing of the BIG dog looks like a St. Bernard!! So this is her "Mudge".

Jack was so gentle I think as not to wake him!!

Jack, talking to Monk.

Monk looks like he's in heaven!

The family that left him had young children.

St Bernards are called "the ultimate babysitting dog"!

Ava really liked to walk him around. Of course Monk was walking her but he goes very slow.

I told her if he runs, to "Drop the leash!!!!"

Shirley

My Little Pack

2011-09-01T17:38:00.001-07:00

My daughter Michele came out and did a little photo shoot of Monk on Saturday.

This is the one she did of the three of us.

I'll put some more on in a couple days.

Check out her photography website here:

http://www.mzphotography.net

Shirley

For Dogs: The Tummy Diet

2011-09-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

I've been cooking a lot the past few days. Not for me but for Monk.

He's on a lot of medications and some antibiotics that aren't sitting well with his stomach.

He didn't eat for 2 days then I started cooking him chicken and noodles. (He didn't like rice!)!

So here's a diet that a vet suggested for such problems.

The Tummy Diet

3 organic white potatoes

3 organic sweet potatoes

1 leek

1 lb ground turkey.

Pare and cut the potatoes in chunks and boil

Brown the ground turkey with the leek.

Mix and serve.

Monk couldn't wait till I got it in his dish!!

He loved it.

Note: It would probably be ideal to use organic potatoes but I couldn't find any at my regular grocery store so I just used regular.

Shirley

My Little Foster Dog

2011-08-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe not so little!

Monk

I've been thinking about fostering or adopting another dog for awhile now.

I never imagined that this loving fellow would come into my life. There are a couple rescue dogs at the barn where my horses are and the girl that fosters them was there and told me about Monk.

I love big dogs but have never had one this huge. I mostly always had labs.

However this big guy is a senior. He's 7 years old which is quite old for a St Bernard.

Plus he has many medical problems. He's heart worm positive and has an enlarged heart and vessels. He arthritic, has some hot spots on his legs and other issues.

He's on a lot of medication

I suppose the chances of him being adopted are slim unless maybe by me!

Right now I'm fostering and evaluating his daily life and his relationship with Rocky.

This is the first day I met him and brought Rocky to meet him. Rocky ran around the yard at the barn looking for birds and didn't really pay any attention to him. They sniffed and that was about it. Monk must be a well balanced dog as Cesar Milan explains, because he certainly has a calming affect on Rocky.

How could a family leave this dog at his age and put him in a rescue? This breed gets so attached to their family. It had to be devastating to Monk.

He was with the rescue's 1st foster only about a week before I told her I wanted to foster him and he was already clinging to her. She's a wonderful person who truly loves dogs and is fostering five.

Look at those eye's. How could you say no!

He's as long as my kitchen island! And takes up a heck of a lot of floor space!

I set up a pool for him on the deck to drink from and stand in if he's warm.

Although right now he'd rather be in the house. They love the winter and don't do well in warm temps. So air conditioners are real important in the summer.

I took him to the barn with me the past two days. He's about the same size as the miniature horse!

He's waiting while I clean Satire's stall.

He's very INACTIVE". Something I'm not used to in a dog! He lays around and pants a lot, drinks a lot and of course there is the slobbering : ))

But he wants his person to be in his sight most of the time.

I can't wait for my grand children to see him.

They are known to be the ultimate "babysitting dog".

So this is himself. His name is Monk, probably after the monks in Switzerland that bred them for guarding and rescue. There's a lot of interesting information about the breed online.

I sure pray I have at least a few years with him.

Shirley

Pork Chops, Apples and Cabbage

2011-08-24T17:31:00.001-07:00

I'm linking this dinner to Foodie Friday at:

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

I got these recipes from watching Lucinda Scala Quinn on her cooking program on the Hallmark channel. I really like her program.

The bone in, thick pork chops (3) were supposed to be done on top the stove but since I was babysitting, I decided to use the crock pot. I first browned the pork chops and sliced onion in a pan then cut up 2 apples and put them on the bottom of the crock pot, added the browned chops and onions and poured in a can of chicken broth. It says you could use beer or wine instead if you'd like.

The cabbage is so easy and very tasty. It can be done about 15 minutes before serving. I sliced up and browned (in olive oil), one onion, added a diced tomato, some ginger and a tiny bit of red pepper flakes, (optional). I then thinly sliced a half head of cabbage and put it in the pan with some course salt letting it reduce but still remain a little crunchy. That's it. A quick healthy veggy!

Here's the pork chops and apples all ready and falling apart.

(This would be good over rice.)

This was very good and quick to make.

Shirley

Echo Needs a Pool!

2011-08-22T15:41:00.001-07:00

I wish I would've had my video camera today!

The horses were in the arena.

I heard this sloshing sound going on and on.

When I went to look, it was Echo playing in the water tub again!

He's the only horse that does this and it goes on for about 10 minutes at a time!

He's not drinking, he's playing in the water!

Sometimes he paws the ground with his front foot like he's in a creek!

I think he needs his own pool!!!!!

The other horses just watch!

Echo . . . he's SPECIAL!

Shirley

Cluck!

2011-08-18T19:27:00.001-07:00

Well, so far . . . NO COOP!!!!!

My carpenter friend is sick. Where is my son!!!

He works in construction!

My garden shed is looking better and better!

Needs some revamping though.

And fencing!

Shirley

Hydrangea

2011-08-17T17:20:00.001-07:00

This is the Annabelle Hydrangea. It is white all through late spring and most of the summer. The blooms are huge and beautiful. The only problem is when it rains they get so heavy they bend to the ground.

As they age they turn green. That's what they are now.

I've brought some in to dry them. I usually stick them in water for a few days and as they start to feel drier, I pour the water out and just let they dry in the vase.

It's nice to have green in the house in the cold winter. I just picked the blue one for the heck of it. I forget the name of that kind. I'll bring some of them in too. They are blue, purple and pink.

Shirley

Oh Dear, Ragweed!

2011-08-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

There's a place outside here where there's just ground cover and ferns that a plant that I didn't know started to grow. I let it grow and it got bigger and bigger. I wanted to see how big it would get! It was by my one hummingbird feeder and gave them a little privacy.

Now the plant is much taller than me!

I searched around on the internet and found out that it's Giant/Great Ragweed!!!!!! Yikes!!

I'll be cutting it down today before these tassels bloom out and make pollen!

I guess I can just cut it down, maybe treat the tassels with a weed killer and put it in the burn pile. If anyone knows of a reason why I shouldn't treat it like that please let me know!

Shirley

P.S. I cut these down and then looked else where in the yard. Low and behold, in my old herb garden that is over grown, there was a huge forest of these!! I cut them down too. It took me all afternoon. Now where did these come from??? I never had this before!!! I'm sure the wind or the birdies brought them!

Favorite Comfort Food

2011-08-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

What's your favorite comfort food?

I have a few but I'd say the one I go to the most often is just plain cream of tomato soup with some crackers or some buttered toast cubes broken up in it.

Yep, it's what I had for dinner!

What's your favorite???

Shirley

Echo's Visitors

2011-08-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to blog this week because my sister is visiting and we have shopping to do!!!!!!

Last week she came, along with her daughter Julie, her grand daughter, Morgan and Morgan's boyfriend, Paul. They all came to visit Echo.

My niece Julie was Echo's first mommy after he was born and she gave him to me when he was under 2 years old.

Here is Julie on Echo.

That's me making sure everyone stays on top the horse!

Paul. He had never ridden and was very good!

Echo's favorite game with the ball.

This is Morgan, She's 14 now. She's taken riding lessons before.

Echo behaved himself very well.

It was probably good it was very hot and he had no energy!

By the end of the rides, he just wanted to go back to his stall and stand in front of his fan!

These photos were taken by a couple different people with Julie's camera.

Shirley

Day at the Fair

2011-08-04T17:19:00.001-07:00

I spent a good day at the County Fair today. The weather was good. Partly sunny and not too awful hot.

Below is a partial collection of some pictures I snapped.

I paid more attention to the chickens this year since I plan on getting some if I indeed ever get a coop.

Two Mrs. Pigs had little piggies which is always cute to see.

One of my favorite barns to go in is the Draft horses. I just love them.

I plan on going back on Sunday to see more of the Dock Dogs perform and more of the 4H horse shows.

Today was just for wandering around, seeing a little bit of everything and eating lots of stuff I shouldn't! I'll do more of that too on Sunday : ))

Shirley

Rocky and His Moose

2011-08-03T18:19:00.001-07:00

I know that cat wants my moose!

If I keep laying on it, he can't get it.

Maybe if I show him how tough I am!

What!!! He doesn't want my moose???

Did I win??

Is he still back there??

Shirley

A Stormy Barn Day

2011-08-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

We had big thunderstorms roll through here while I was at the barn today.

It rained really hard then it started to hail which seemed to last about 5 minutes.

The sound of that on a metal roof of the barn was deafening. We couldn't hear each other talking at all.

Satire got scared in his stall an was moving around quite a bit. Wide eyed!

These pictures of the hail stones were taken at least 10 minutes after they had fallen so they've melted quite a bit. They were about quarter sized.

It's OK now Satire!

After the storm.

A couple weeks ago Carol went around and wrote appropriate sayings on everyone's stalls with chalk for fun!

This is for Satire's special diet!

And for Preacher the herd leader.

And this is the most appropriate one of all!

My bad little boy Echo!

Shirley

Lemon Thyme Chicken

2011-07-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Linking this food attempt with:

http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/

and with:

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/category/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday/

The Recipe from Allrecipes.com

I must admit that I changed this recipe just a tiny bit when I tasted the lemon sauce. It was a little too lemony so I added some brown sugar. (I seem to add brown sugar to an awful lot!! But it made it really good : ))

I sliced 3 chicken breasts lengthwise to make them thinner. You could pound them too.

Dredged them in the flour, salt and pepper and browned them in olive oil.

Set them aside in a covered bowl.

Started cooking some sliced zucchini in butter.

Browned the onion in butter in the chicken pan.

Added flour, thyme, chicken broth and lemon juice, (and brown sugar to taste : ))

Put the chicken back and cooked a few minutes to make hot.

OK, OK, I burned my zucchini. I like it like that!!!!

The chickn was good and tender.

Now, here is what I want to know. Does everyone's kitchen look like this when they're finished making something???

Mine always seems to . . . .

None of the TV cooks seem to have this problem!

Certainly not Martha!

Shirley

Thrifty Finds in July

2011-07-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Linking with:

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

And also linking with Southern Hospitality for "Today's Thrifty Treasures"

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

I stopped at Goodwill to drop some things off and of course had to go in.

I found these cute bird house dishes. Even though there were only two of each, I couldn't resist.

Design by Warren Kimble, one of most favorite artists.

Found a couple cute cups to go with them. All dishes were $1.00 each then 20% off.

I also found this pair of pedal pushers in a light weight cotton for this extremely hot weather! They were half price so they cost $1.75!!!!!!!

Happy hunting. It's been even too hot for me to go to any garage sales!

Shirley

Sunny Yellow

2011-07-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

I'm linking up with Mellow Yellow this week.

I love keeping a bowl of lemons on my counter. Sometimes I use them sometimes a few sort of shrivel up before I do. But they always look so fresh and are there if I need them. In fact, I'm planing on making some lemon chicken tonight that I saw a recipe for this week. I hope I can find it again!

Shirley

Garden Thoughts

2011-07-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling very lazy as I wander around some of my favorite blogs and see some of the beautiful vegetable gardens that are being harvested now. That would be me if I would've made more of an effort to find someone else to rototill for me when my regular guy pooped out! Maybe I should just buy myself a little Mantis this fall when they go on sale. I WANT SOME TOMATOES AND FRESH GREEN BEANS!!!!!!!!!! My last store bought tomato had no taste at all!!!!

Shirley

Outdoor Pinks

2011-07-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

I'm linking up with pink Saturday this week.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

I don't have much pink in my house so my pinks are always from my garden.

This is my most favorite flower. The purple cone flower or Echinacea.

Several of the Rose of Sharon bushes are in bloom now too.

Here's one white one; not as common as the pink and purple.

Have a great Saturday.

Stay cool.

Shirley

At the Barn

2011-07-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

It was so hot when I got to the barn that I had decided to rinse all our horses down to make them feel cooler. They had been out in the pasture all night and inside with their fans on the hot days. I first filled everyone's water buckets with fresh cold water. Then gave them each a nice cooling rinse under the hose.

I let them stand in front of the aisle fans which felt good to them and me!

Then I put them back in their stalls and gave them some hay.

Satire says Hello!

Preacher is just interested in the hay.

Echo's mane is so long and thick that I braided it up so it would be cooler.

He has such a shiny beautiful coat!

A storm came through and we actually felt some relief for awhile but I don't think it's supposed to last for too long.

Stay cool everyone. Go out and run through the sprinkler!

Shirley

Know Your Mushrooms?

2011-07-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

These mushrooms have appeared on the north side of a big tree that is cut halfway down. It had fallen in a storm a couple years ago but I only had it taken down where it cracked off because it's holding up one end of my hammock! So this is pretty much dead wood that they have grown on.

Anyone know what these are??

They're kind of pretty.

Also an update on the bluebird eggs. One morning I looked in to see if they had hatched and they were gone and there was evidence of some broken shells. So I supposed the raccoon got them.

It is so hot and humid here like so many places, it actually makes me nauseated to be out in it very long. Tomorrow I must go to the barn for a couple hours but I plan on playing in water. I like to wet the horses down. I'm sure it feels good to them too.

Shirley

Cookies and Kids

2011-07-20T17:06:00.001-07:00

Babysitting Day

They of course, wanted to play outside but it was 94 and horribly humid so Nanna was not going out! I have to be out in that every other day at the barn!

So I had to think of something else. Little Jack fell asleep for his nap and Ava and I baked sugar cookies.

She's a two handed baker!!

I showed her the drop method but she wanted each one rolled in a ball.

Jack sleeping on the couch.

Here's our cookies.

Then Ava went in and fell asleep. This weather just does that to you!

Shirley

A New Purchase

2011-07-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

This was my old TV stand. Much too small for the TV and I sure didn't like the black with my new bright yellow room. I need things to brighten up the room since I can't get rid of the brown leather furniture right now.

I may even paint my blanket chest white. It's in front of the couch, used as a coffee table.

The little table had to go.

I found the perfect TV cabinet I wanted and had to wait for it as it was out of stock FOREVER!!

It was finally delivered UPS and they left it in the middle of the driveway halfway to the house!!! That's a long ways! I couldn't get out there in time to plead for him to bring it at least to the deck before he sped away!

Thank goodness I found a hand truck in the garage.

Still, it was so hard!

I tipped it back onto the deck and slid it off.

Then practically killing myself, I slid it into the doorway to the family room.

As you can see, it weighs 92.8 lbs!!!!!!!!!!

Once I got it in, I un-boxed it and stacked it to wait for my son. (Because I hate to put this type of furniture together!)

My son came over after a couple days and whipped it together in no time. He also but all my electronics back in there correctly.

Wow, what a difference. It brightens up that whole corner. I LOVE it!!

And all my DVD's etc. fit inside with room to spare. So neat!

I got it from Overstock.com : ))

Shirley

Back to Babysitting

2011-07-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't had to do my weekly babysitting for about 3 months because my son, who is in construction, was laid off and he stayed at home with his children while Linda worked her 3 days a week.

I liked having the extra day per week that I was home without being at the barn but I did miss seeing my grandkids as they are at a really cute age where they are growing and changing so quickly.

Wednesday was such a nice day that we spent a lot of it outside.

Here's a few photos.

Rocky loves all the attention!!

Digging, digging

They found the keyboard under the bed in the spare room upstairs.

Jack was looking at everything with his flash light!

They ended the afternoon with a romp on Nanna's bed.

Really it WAS made before that!.

Shirley

July in the Garden

2011-07-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

July Means Daisies!

Everywhere!!

And my favorite cone flowers.

I spent most of this very hot, humid day at the barn.

It was Kylie's birthday and she got an English saddle. Her Mom, (barn owner) found an unbelievable deal on it at the tack shop!

I helped her put the saddle all together, (stirrup leathers and stirrups etc,) and helped her adjust them. We put it on Preacher at first and she rode all around. (me too). It is quite comfortable. We looked at their two horses and decided what size girth they need to get.

Echo is still sometimes still lame in his left front hoof. Not all the time, just sometimes. I'm beginning to think maybe it's not an abscess???? I might have the vet look at it. He's driving me nuts!

I then walked Satire all over and we sat for awhile up in the pasture. I found a spot where there was somewhat of a breeze and let him graze.

Tomorrow I'll be there too and it's supposed to be 92!!!!!!!!! I hate to sweat!!!!

Shirley

Shirley's World

A Great App.

At Home

Looking for "Hair" Solution

Hair! HAIR!

Winter Afternoon Table & Soup

Monk and the New Snow

School

From Christmas to Winter White

Staying In!

Doggy Breath!!

Looking Forward to a Better Year

A Gadget That Worked!!

Monk's Last Rx

Just A Little Snow

Bargain Time

Christmas with the Horses

Christmas Eve

Sister's Handmade Card

The Simple Woman's Daybook 2

Mom's Toffee Bars

Today at the Barn

Around the House

A Little More

A Little Christmas Decor

A Sprinkling of Snow

Merry Christmas To Me!

Today At Home

Squeaker

Turkeyburger Soup

Monk is Doing Well

Blue Skies in the Pasture

The End Of November

Our Intimate Thanksgiving Plus

Orange Juice Cake - OOPS

Last Year's Thanksgiving

Finicky Miss Ellie

A Practice Tea or (Cookies for Cake)

Momma's Got a New Pair of Boots!

First Attempt At a Quiche

Veterans Day

A Terrible Day

Mellow Yellow Mosaic

Hanging Onto Fall

Rerun of my First Tablescape

New Pasta Bowl

Inspiration

Animal Mosaics

BarBQ Steak in a Crock Pot

Monk Got His BIG Shot!

Today (10/16)

A Couple Recommendations

More Preacher Problems!!

It's Always Something!

Monk and His Treatment

Thank You Steve

Everyday Things

A Bouquet Before the Rain

Now What!!

Good Advice!

STRESS!!!!

Cooking for Two

The Season of Burrs!

Babysitting day & Monk

Misc. Stuff

Thoughts and Starbucks

Today in Monksville

Cooking For Monk!

Ava & Jack meet Monk

My Little Pack

For Dogs: The Tummy Diet

My Little Foster Dog

Pork Chops, Apples and Cabbage

Echo Needs a Pool!

Cluck!

Hydrangea

Oh Dear, Ragweed!

Favorite Comfort Food

Echo's Visitors

Day at the Fair