22 DEGREE MORNING MAY DOOM SOME OF OUR BLOOMING FRUIT TREES

A beautiful morning today may masked the damage done by the 22 degree temperature earlier. As I finished chores and breakfast and took a short walk checking out all the blooms around the farm. The plum trees are still really pretty but I have an idea in the coming days those blooms will slowly start to fall to the ground taking with them the hope of any fruit this year.
I started a load of laundry and then went to pick up g-son. Already warned by d-in-love that he was having a bad day because she missed the alarm this morning and he went in late. I picked him up in tears and he couldn't tell me or the teachers why.
On the drive home I let him stew in his own misery and by the time we got home his mood had lifted.
He was hungry and had mac and cheese for lunch.
He settled in for a nice afternoon inside as it is a little too chilly outside with a windy 53 degrees.
I finished laundry and housework between getting him different things to eat and answering his questions and helping him find toys that he remembers he has that are buried in the bottom of his toybox.
We also took time to tend to the new chicks which are still downstairs in their warm box.

He still thinks they are the softest things he's ever felt. He was very careful in petting them and didn't want to pick them up but just to touch their soft  fuzzy little backs and let them peck some feed from his hand.

His dad picked him up just as I went out to do the evening chores. It is going to be another cold mid 20's night again tonight so everything got a little extra attention and food.
After chores I relaxed and watched birds for a little while as they  usually have a feeding frenzy at this time of day.

I like this photo as I caught one of the sparrows in flight underneath the feeder looking for a place to land.

Mrs. Cardinal might be casing out this tree for a nesting site.

After a salad supper I did exercise and then worked on my blog book until the  booksmart program froze up and I got a black screen. I e-mailed support and hopefully turning my computer off  and then back on will unfreeze it and my book will be back as it was.

Thanking God tonight for the blessings of today and for the amazing grace He shows me each day.
Good Night and God Bless.

IS WINTER BACK OR JUST FINALLY HERE???

G-son came early this morning to get the day started. While hubbie took him to pre-school I did the morning chores. My what a difference a week makes in the weather,brrrrr!!!
After breakfast I put an Avon order on line and then hubbie and I headed out to do some shopping before picking up g-son. At Tractor Supply we went to look at the on sale clothes and safes that they had. But I was surprised to see they already had their baby chicks and ducks. I fell in love !!! We decide we didn't have anything worth warranting the purchase of a safe but each found a couple shirts on sale.
We picked up g-son and stopped back by Tractor Supply and g-son and I picked out 4 Americana chicks and 2 Rhode Island Red . The Americana are straight run but the Reds are sexed pullets !
Oh they are so cute and soft, g-son said he never felt anything so soft !

I put them in with the Black Silkie mama and her 5 babies in hopes that she would mother them. She was willing but these hatchery hatched chicks had no idea about getting under mom's feathers to keep warm and safe. With the light in the box it was warm enough to leave them for the rest of the day to see if nature would work things out.
I drove to Asheville for a bone density screening just after lunch.
On the way home I thought how wonderful the clear blue sky looks on this sunny day. But when I got out of the van at home and the wind hit me all I wanted to do was get inside and warm up.
Hubbie and g-son were busy planting tomato seeds for this years garden plants.

Hubbie went outside to gather some rocks for daughter to place around her back deck to keep Tipper from digging under it. G-son and I stayed inside and passed the afternoon camping in the living room.
I kept checking on the chicks and found them all huddled together under the light while mama with all her chicks were huddled in the other end of the box.
After dad picked up g-son I got busy and set up a chick box downstairs with the wood stove. I have an idea of sneaking each chick one at a time under the mama silkie after she gets comfortable for the night but tonight's 22 degree temperature won't be a good night to test my plan so they will stay nice and warm in the environment that they have been used to.

Bernie and Dolly have been very curious at what is making all those peeping sounds, so a close eye will be kept on them.
The chicks look like they are very warm and comfortable.

Tonight it is a winter night for sure as we can probably say good-bye to our plums and peaches and who knows what else. The freeze warnings go all the way down into Georgia so I'm guessing a peach will be a rare commodity this summer.
I've missed the cold nights reading by the fire this winter so tonight I did just that. I usually read my Bible each morning at breakfast but didn't have time today so tonight was a perfect time to catch up.

This is my electric fireplace in the sunroom but with the blower turned on it feels like a real wood stove.
Get the heavy coat and ice pick back out for chores in the morning after a very cold night. At 11:00 it is already 32 so I expect low 20's for sure.
As I read my Bible tonight I found several verses to apply directly to my life at this time. God's word is so full of truths and directions it always amazes at how He knows exactly when and what we need to hear.
Good Night and God Bless.

SNOW FLURRIES

Okay I didn't really expect to escape without more shots from old man winter and today he has taken aim.  It was 30 degrees this morning and after church on the way home the thermometer in the van said 40.
We had a nice lunch with everyone here and the crock pot chicken I made overnight was delicious.
After we ate everyone scattered , #1 son went to start his dump truck which he is advertising for sale, d-in-love took a nice nap on the couch, #2 son went to town to grocery shop , daughter and g-son went to her house to get Tipper and bring her back over here to play with Annie for a while, Hubbie and I went over to the estate sale so he could check out some collectable belt buckles they had.
I found my treasure yesterday in this piece.

This is a pyrography plague.  It was done  by a man who managed the Curb Market for years. His mother sold these and her wood carvings on a table straight across the isle from me. Dan was a missionary overseas for years until his father died and he came home to care for his aging mother. I loved to here his missionary stories and I could tell that he longed to be back on the mission fields. He took care of his mom for years and as she aged she developed many health problems. She was helplessly dependent on Dan and one Saturday night  as he carried her and put her into her bed his heart gave out on him and as he layed her down he fell lifelessly across her body. Pinning her down and in her frail shape rendering her helpless to summon help.
On Tuesday morning when venders started showing up for market they found it locked and had to wait for a board member to show up with a key to open the door.  Dan had never missed a market day in all the years he had managed the market and so when attempts to contact him failed his sister was called in to investigate. She found Dan laying on top of his mother dead from a heart attack and his mother still alive.
His mother died a few months later,I'm sure of a broken heart. 
Such a seemingly unjust ending for one of God's devoted servants has got to be explained as  God needing his services in Heaven more than here on earth.
Anyway I couldn't believe I found this plague signed by him and dated 1993 to help me forever remember this kind man who lived to serve. Plus this is one of his more special pieces as it has all 4 season's on one piece. He would sit and sketch these designs free hand with a pencil, then he would burn them into the wooden plaque then add the color. It was a long process and the pieces were expensive to purchase.  I was delighted to give them $8 for it yesterday !

On the way home from the sale the snow was flying, what a change in the weather, but I'll take snow every time over the storms of the last days.
 Everyone left when we got home and hubbie went to his monthly Deacon's meeting so I had time to relax and watch the birds for  awhile.
After evening chores and supper I worked on my blog book for  awhile getting through October.
It is 28 degrees tonight at 11:30.

God is always there for us and for all that call His name He will gladly answer .
Good Night and God Bless.

THANKFUL FOR THE CALM AFTER THE STORMS

Wow !!!  What a night we had !! The storms lasted well into the morning. Each time I would drift off to sleep the room would light up as if someone switched the light on and then thunder would rumble long and low. Finally at almost 2 am sleepiness won the battle for me or the storms abated some,either way I was glad to relax into sleep.
This morning when I woke up and looked at my closet door where I always hang my clothes for the day and saw a jean skirt and top hanging there I rolled over and almost went back to sleep thinking it was Sunday.But the reality of a Saturday market day hit me just in time. I chuckled at the fact that maybe I should wear skirts more often !!
The news isn't good from yesterdays and  last nights storms and some areas look like war ravaged zones this morning.

This is what is left of a school building in Indiana,thankfully there were no fatalities here.
The death tole is still climbing as the ruble is sifted through,so  far  38 people lost their lives yesterday including the entire family of one little 2 year old toddler discovered alone in a field today.
Such sad stories coming from this destruction,my heart goes out to these folks and I pray that they allow  God to be with them in their journey to rebuild their lives.
North Carolina had tornadoes touch down in Murphy and Charlotte with some injuries but so far no deaths have been reported.
I had another slow market day but at least the floors were finished and I got all my shelving back in place just before closing time. Now hubbie's truck is available again if we need it .
Daughter and g-son who was spending the afternoon with his aunt T came by and had lunch with me and then we three stopped by an estate sale where I found a couple of treasures and of course g-son found a transformer treasure he needed. We saw several things we would like to have at the 1/2 price sale tomorrow so we are going back over there after church.
This was a keeping busy to avoid taking a nap kind of afternoon as I looked through my photos to find March decade pics and then piddled with other things.
On my way home I stopped by a friend's house and picked up a dozen green hen eggs to set under my silkies. I only have one setting right now and could only get 6 of the very large eggs under her. So that means if I don't have another setter in a couple days the old incubator will have to come out. I probably need to get it out anyway as I need to set some quail eggs to get my now lonely male some mates. His lady love passed away last week and now each morning I hear him "bob-whiting" but no answer ever comes, poor little guy !!!
#1 son was working up in his shop so daughter brought g-son here this evening to wait for his dad to finish and come get him.
After everyone left hubbie and I had fish and sweet potato fries for supper and then settled in to watch the UNC/Duke game which to our delight UNC won big.
I need to get the pack of chicken breast in the crock pot for tomorrow's lunch and then hopefully make up for last night's lost sleep on this peaceful cool night.
Thanking God for the blessings of today and praying for all the storm victims.
Good Night and God Bless.

THE COLOR PURPLE AND DEADLY STORMS HIT OUR AREA TONIGHT

It was a cloudy warm morning,perfect for taking a long walk after chore time. As I walked and looked around at all the color already appearing I noticed most of the early blooms were shades of purple.
I don't know the names of some of these but here is  all the different purple blooms I saw this morning.

These looked more purple than they showed in this photo.

Don't know what either of these are called but the small dainty blooms are very pretty.

This wood Hyacinth is peeking through the grass.

Periwinkle blooms cover the bank on our drive way.

I believe these are called Confederate Violets.

These aren't wild but they sure are a pretty purple and they smell, oh so good !!

Also not wild and totally out of season are these Rosemary light purple blossoms.

As I finished my walk and came inside I realized that just by chance my March furniture covers and decorations also have a purple theme !!

Bernie relaxes on an old quilt I made for daughter years ago with purple cats on it.

I guess purple is the color of the month at least for now !

I picked up g-son from pre-school and came home for lunch. The skies are still cloud filled but so far the severe weather hasn't gotten here yet.
I baked cakes after lunch and then g-son and I worked in his activity books.
His mom came early to pick him up so they could go to see a movie this evening.
I worked on my blog book for a while then did chores early as to beat the rain that is coming.
After chores and supper I iced 6 caramel, 2 chocolate and 2 coconut cakes before the severe storms hit our area.
We are under a tornado watch and the storms are lining up and we seem to be in the bullseye of most of them.

Yes, one of those red boxes is directly on top of us.
Hubbie called #1 son who's family lives in a mobile home to make him aware of the warning and ask if they wanted to come to our house for the night.
Before they could make up their minds the cooler air over us seemed to weaken the storms as we watched the radar on the TV news show. So they stayed home.
Originally the warning was to expire at midnight but now has been extended until 5 am, uhhhh .
There have been tornadoes spotted in the far western counties of N.C. with reports of damage and people trapped in their homes. Also hail has pounded some areas with ping pong ball size stones and thunder and lightening has abounded.
So far all we have gotten here is the hard rain with thunder and lightening that lights up the entire sky with each flash.
I say a prayer for the folks who were and will be under these strong storms tonight and I pray as the temperature cools into the wee hours of morning that the severeness of the storms goes away.
My prayers also go out to the families of at least 20 people who have lost their lives as these storms have moved across the country today.
I am going to bed to rest in the comfort that God is in control.
Good Night and God Bless.

#2 SON IS 29 TODAY !!!!!!

On this day 29 years ago this was me and just born #2 son.  I cannot express my relief on this day. If you have ever had pregnancy sickness you would understand what I mean. I had been sick for 8 months prior to his arrival,but you know what, you can tell by that smile on my face that every gag and upchuck was well worth this moment.  He was a few days early as the doctors got a scare the day before when I went in for my weekly check-up and my blood pressure was through the roof.  I had my labor induced at 9 am and #2 made his entrance about 10 hours later, all 8 plus pounds of him.

He was a sleepy baby.

Even slept through his introduction to older brother.
When he slept through the night the first night home from the hospital,I woke up every few minutes to make sure he was still breathing. He started out as a really layed back baby and has turned into a really layed back adult.  HAPPY   29th  BIRTHDAY #2 SON !!!

On this day the sun was shining as the day started in 60 degree heat, I guess that means March has "come in like a lamb" .
After chores and breakfast I set out to deliver 3 Avon orders and then run my weekly errands. The Avon deliveries took until lunch time so I had a salad at a Wendy's I passed.
As I was doing my Wallyworld shopping as my last stop I got a call from a representative from the NC agriculture dept. who said he was sitting in my yard and needed to speak with me or hubbie. I told him where I was and he said he would just wait for me to get home.
He was a patient man !! And even offered to help carry in my groceries.
We sat outside in the warm, almost hot sunshine and talked business for over an hour. We went over last years figures and outlined a goal for this year . He operates a cattle and row crop farm farther east of here around Wilksboro. We go through this each year usually on the phone so it was nice to have someone actually show up to verify our operation.
After he left I put away the groceries and took a brain break out in the covered patio just watching the birds and listening to the chorus of tree frogs from our farm pond. AAAHHHHH !!!!!
When hubbie came home I reluctantly dragged myself back into reality and took care of the evening chores.  I have a white silkie hen wanting to set so I called a friend of mine who has the green egg laying hens and asked him to save me some eggs to pick up Saturday. I will let her set on them in another brooder house. It will be harder to get extra heat in there to her but it can be done if needed.
After supper and exercise I veged out on the couch for a change and did nothing until I got up to blog.
I did give #2 son a call and wish him happy birthday.
Thankful to God tonight for the blessing of 3 healthy successful children.
Good Night and God Bless.

LEAP YEAR WEDNESDAY A STORMY ONE

 Did you know that long ago in about the 5th century the tradition was started that on February 29th, women were allowed to pursue men ???
HAPPY LEAP YEAR WEDNESDAY !  WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR EXTRA DAY THIS YEAR ????

 A cloudy morning but still really warm, 53 degrees at 9 am. After chores and breakfast I went over to my friends beauty salon to get my hair trimmed. My hair grows really fast and it was getting to a not very manageable length.
She is going through a tough time right now,facing having to put her dad in hospice care from the hospital where he is in renal failure and his heart is failing him. I know what she is going through and will be praying for acceptance for her and her family.
Back home I  changed out my month end furniture covers and also decided to put away all the winter decorations. I guess I'm giving up on winter this year ! In their place now are blooms of daffodils and forsythia with some tulips and pussy willow mixed in.
Our area is under a tornado watch today from a storm system that is moving across the country. In the mid west several deadly tornadoes have killed 12 people and some towns look like disaster areas.

I'm glad I have no where to go this afternoon and can stay inside and do housework.
The afternoon was calm with only gentle winds and even some peeks of sunshine but with the temperature reaching 70 degrees it was the recipe for severe storms. Lucky for us the front slowed down and won't get here until after dark tonight so the temperature will be cooler,hopefully avoiding anything severe.
After chores,supper , weekly paperwork and exercise hubbie and I watched the UNC/Maryland b-ball game flipping back and forth to Survivor in the second half. UNC won big and only have one more regular season game to go.
 Tonight we had some thunder and lightening but thankfully the storm split and the more severe wind and rain went north and south of our area leaving us with only a narrow band passing through.

My prayers go out tonight to the folks who suffered damages with these storms as they tracked all the way across the country.
I had to comfort Bernie tonight as he is really  scared by thunder and lightening. He was leisurely lounging in one of the doggy beds in the living room when the first flash of lightening and clap of thunder happened.

He quickly wanted to be under the blanket on the couch and to be held until the storm passed by. He is the second dog we have had that is so afraid of storms. We used to have a little Shitzu mix that would absolutely go bonkers during a storm.
On the other hand Dolly pays no attention what so ever to the storms. I've always wondered what makes some dogs so scared and some not at all.
Thankfully it is all quiet tonight and we will be able to sleep peaceably without any bad weather.
God is a gracious and loving God all the time and I'm thanking Him tonight for my blessings.
Good Night and God Bless.