Michigan

[YakLady]

Poor chickie baby. They sure can be ruthless sometimes.

Hubby and I decided to force ourselves to acknowledge the fact that Christmas is rapidly approaching. Now that we live in this little farmhouse, there's nowhere to fit a tree. So we put one on the front porch. At least it's screened in, and there are huge picture windows that look out onto the porch from the living room. We'll have a nice view of it. I'll get it decorated today, so maybe that will jump start us into getting into the mood. Sad thing is, these days I'm much more excited about things like... getting new chickens, or basic farm improvements. This will be our first country Christmas, though, so I am sort of excited to see what the little place looks like all dolled up.

 

[Bluemoon420]

Hey guys, I am posting this for my one neighbor next door. They recently lost there wonderful border collie, Jack last week. He was wonderful working dog. We ALL loved him, he was one great dog. They are trying to find a reputable border collie breeder in MI. They have spoken to a couple already, but they aren't quite what they are looking for.

If anyone knows anyone who breeds border collies, could you please send me a PM, so I can forward the information to them

They are looking for a puppy, and are just trying to find a good breeder.

Thanks!

Bluemoon

 

[YakLady]

Quote:
Well, here's the end result of our efforts. I put together a cheese/wine/bread/sausage tray as a snack to celebrate. It did get us in the mood a bit, even though it's not nearly as 'grand' or 'decorous' as our prior trees. Since this one is outside on the porch, there wasn't much we could do except put lights and ribbon on it. I think it's pretty, though.

Hubby was happy with it....or at least happy with the snack tray that I put together.

As we were sitting there munching, listening to Christmas music, and looking at our tree.... I looked out the window and saw this. Had to run out and take a picture...can't sit still to save my life. LOL!

Check out Bambi wearing his dinner:

And check out MY dinner. Seriously....this was one of the best dinners EVER! We had some ducks processed on Friday, and this is the Cayuga. Well, one of the breasts of the Cayuga. I read my 'Joy of Cooking' cookbook, and it said that the breasts should be removed and prepared separately-served at rare. The rest of the duck should be slow-cooked for several hours. These breasts were pan-seared to rare. I made a gravy out of the drippings from the oven-cooked portion of the duck, which contained some white wine. The breast was about the same size as a ribeye steak, and I swear to you-know-who, it tasted just like a really good steak. Now I've had duck before, but never has it tasted like this. I had no idea that it could taste like good beef. It was crazy. As you can see, the breast was HUGE! Even the fat (we kept the skin on and seared it so that it was crisp) tasted like fat on a ribeye. I was amazed, and I'm hoping Santa gets me an incubator so that I can hatch out a bunch of Cayugas.

 

[wyliefarms]

Good Morning!

Yak Lady- I haven't eaten yet and boy am I hungry after seeing your pictures!

Oldest 2 daughters have ortho appointment in an hour. gotta go and get them moving!

Ran 2 miles this morning in 20:40. Should of done an exersice tape, but didn't feel like it!

Enjoy your day everyone!

Sarah

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

Morning everyone!

Wow last night was funny the boy and I was making cookies. The wife left us their and the daughter would not come out of her room she was scared. I know now why they say to blend not to use the beaters wow that was not fun to clean but the laughing was great. My son made moose balls they are peanut butter balls dipped in white chocolate or dark chocolate.

The family made Butterscotch chip cookies, choc chip, moose balls, choc covered pretzels, chex mix, puppy chow and I have sugar cookies to do tonight.

Well hope everyone is good.

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

YakLady: What a wonderful meal. Daughter, grand babies and I were riding around this summer looking for a pony for the kids and I forgot they were in the back seat as they were so good. I told daughter that we should butcher her Peking ducks. Out comes a yell from the back "GRAMMY you are not gonna eat out ducks". Autumn was beside herself and reminded me for weeks that those were her ducks and I could NEVER eat them. I told Jamie this fall that we should just butcher them out and she reminded me that Autumn knows I want to and that wouldnt go over too well with her. LOL so I guess this spring I'll get some and raise them solely to butcher. YUM

Your tree is beautiful. I haven't put a tree up in years as Crazy Chicken Fever has Christmas at her place now and Im always afraid the dogs will knock over the tree while Im outside and start a fire. Plus with just me at the house, well .... But I use to put up over 4K lights inside and out. Every room was decorated. Was so beautiful. Maybe next year I'll put lights up again? As seeing your pictures put a huge smile on my face.


Im off today to take the last of the meaties to be processed. YEAH!!!! Would rather see them in my freezer and I highly doubt I'll be raising any more for a long while.


Enjoy this warm spell we're having as I know its not going to last too long.

 

[YakLady]

Thanks to all for the sweet compliments.

Oospy, you should definitely put your decorations up next year, even if it's just for yourself. I know the memories will be bittersweet for you, but the sweet usually prevails. I love pulling out ornaments and remembering where they came from and what the story behind them is. Every year, we moan and groan about Christmas, and about pulling all the Christmas 'junk' out. Then we get it out and it puts us right in the mood.

Christmas is always hard for Tom, because we never know if/when we're going to see his kids. Their mom makes it difficult for them to come see us. This year she paid for our Marine's flight home for Christmas, so he will probably feel obligated to spend the whole time with her (in all fairness, he spent the whole time with us last time). My 19 year old step daughter lives in Royal Oak, but she'll probably go up to her mom's in Pentwater for Christmas. I'm sure she'll make it over at some point, though, and might be able to bring her younger sister (the 16 year old still lives with her mom) back with her for a visit. Logically, I know they will all make it home for at least a short visit after Christmas day. It's the not knowing for sure thing that makes it hard, though. Tom's birthday is on the 30th, too, and he'll be 50-yep, it's the big one. He's really struggling with not being bummed out.

All my kiddos from Texas will be here. They arrive on Christmas Day, and leave on New Years' Day. Little Amon, my seven year old who lives with us fulltime, is flying down to Texas to visit family there. We'll have at least 3 of our 7 here, though. I'm looking forward to it.

Hope everyone's Holidays are wonderful!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Hillbilly Rooster/Jason, I am going to need to get 5 chickens from you since I lost one over the weekend. I am wishing it would snow again too because the melting snow makes it feel so damp, not good for my joints.

Sounds like you had fun making cookies but I have to ask, what is puppy chow?
YakLady, I loved the photos!

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

YakLady- I understand how your husband feels I have dealt with the same on all my childrens holidays all I can do is smile and show the kids I am having fun because that is what they want. As some children get older it is hard on them as they dont want to let their parents down because they have seen through some of the hard times. As a father with children of a seperated family just hug your husband and say I love you. My wife does that with me it is warming.

Heck this week the doctor is going to induce labor on my oldest so I will be making a trip up north to the UP (Ispeming) by Marquette. Which will be fun with families that dont like each other and then come home before saturday to go to detriot for my wifes christmas party. I will miss my wedding anniversary with my wife as she will be working and I will be up north.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:
I was just thinking yesterday that by the time my mom and dad were 47 they had 5 grandkids. I am 45 and don't have any yet. I can't talk my oldest son into it. His wife is ready but he's not.
As for your anniversary, you and your wife will have to pick another day to celebrate but hopefully you will be at least able to talk to her on the phone.