Happy Labour Day Weekend

To you and yours ~ Happy Labour/Labor Day.

 

May you always remember the workers that struggled and fought for the rights you have today. 

 

Thanks, Dad. 

The Butterfly Plus

One departs and

A new one arrives!

 

I was so sad about the dying butterfly.  However, I am glad to see a new one landing on in. 

 

The Butterfly

Poor little butterfly is not going to make it; it has a part of its' wing missing.

On the mountain side, you do become attached to the wildlife.  I think the species is of the swallowtail butterfly, not sure.  Probably a bird (crow) bit the butterflys' wing hence - no longer can fly.  Poor, poor, butterfly.

 

Sunset

Sunset - taken on the road to where I reside.

 

All has been relatively peaceful on the mountain side.  Lydia continues to lose her hat.  I have major plans to revamp her next year.  I have started to search for a new, more female type ensemble for her.  Oh my dear, Lydia.

The Butterfly

 

Yesterday I saw this butterfly come on in for a landing.  I went outside a couple of hours later and the butterfly was still in the same position as I left it.  I went to check on it and noticed that part of its' wing is missing.  Oh my, I felt so bad for the butterfly, I doubt it will make it.

I do not know what type of butterfly it is.  I did search butterfly identification and came to the conclusion it is a type of swallowtail butterfly.  First light this morning I shall go and see what the status is today.

 

My Prize

Recently, I took part in a market research study - good heavenly days, I won a prize.  A toolbox filled with Lepage glue products.  I have become quite stuck on Lepage.

 

 

Cows And Cookies

Yesterday, I was doing volunteer work for our ladies auxiliary.  It was helping out selling raffle tickets for the gifts at our annual fall dinner.  I was trying to unload a boxed electric motor and I did manage that feat.  When I went to move it to the table, it became too heavy for me - I had to let it slip up a bit.  It did slip up a bit right onto my rib cage.  Ouch!  Even bigger ouch today; hurts to giggle and even near breathe.  No problem it will heal on up eventually.  What is hard is this trying not to laugh business.  That is not me!

I recently watched a video via youtube of a little girl in a dance class trying to learn her lesson - it is so funny.  Get on youtube and search for The Tragedy Of First Step Position.  After I had calmed myself from the laughter and holding my ribs, I regained and went off to see what my Noisemaker was up to.

He was in the kitchen ...says to me...oh, the deer are in the yard.  Then, I hear - it is not deer - it is (curse words) the cows.  I leaped to open the door, got my cow clearing stick and hit the drive a-runnin'.  I am waving my stick, yelling at the top of my lungs - move you heathens, move!  My ribs are killing me.  I see my seasonal neighbor come flying out of his abode yelling - oh the site of it all; near sent me to laughter.  There were about 12 - 15 cows all thundering down the path (they are in front of me), I am still yelling/waving my stick.  I looked for a split second what was coming behind me - holy smucksville, there is more!  They are thundering, I am thinking they are going to run me over.  I ran; waving my stick, still yelling into the bush.  I waited until they had passed which did take long and ran back out after them.  

By this time my neighbor and noisemaker have set themselves for round up time - rawhide is all I can think of ... I have to stop, my ribs are killing me.  I leaned up on my stick and I see my neighbors' daughter come out...she is laughing her head off.  Comes on over to me and asks if I am okay, she wants to know does this happen everyday, we start to laugh.  Oh my, I do try to regain and calm, it is hard.  We laugh it out, I am hanging on to my stick/holding my ribs.  Okay, calmness arrives.  The heathens have moved on.  I seek to get back into the house because just prior to the cow developments I was setting up to bake raisin cookies.

 

Raisin Cookies ~ Have A Nice Day!

  

New Plant Pal

Just too funny!  Such a sweetie, he is. 

A new plant pal for my garlic.

 

I love to reuse items whenever possible.  The plant pal comes from an old toilet brush.  Yeppers, I recycle everything.  I laugh big time when my eyes gaze upon the new addition to the garden, it is fun to be creative.  I wish the garlic would be creative.  I have been waiting and waiting for it to blossom ~ perhaps next month.  I know it will be soon as I can feel the inside bumps, geez, it is probably the weirdest plant I have ever grown.  As you see, in the photo, the stem is straight.  Prior to it becoming straight it was all in a curl.  I do hope I will receive at least one garlic head, not sure - I have never grown it before.  But now the garlic has a friend, who too, I am sure - is waiting for the garlic to burst forth.

 

 

It's A Bird ~ It's A Plane. . .

It's A Crane! 

 

A handmade crane created by my neighbor.  It is so cute, twirls and nods yes in the wind.  Sometimes I ask a question to Mr. Crane - will I win lotto - he nods yes!  Will I see John Prine again, Mr. Crane - he nods yes!  Holy Smucksville it is a winning situation and the greatest win is to have such a good neighbor. 

Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Cake

Start With These Ingredients (Full Recipe To Follow)

End With This ~ Delicious!

 

1 box of Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

1 box (4 serving size) Instant Chocolate Pudding

1 cup Sour Cream

1/3 cup Cooking Oil

1/2 cup Warm Water

4 Eggs

1 1/2 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

 

Directions: 

In large bowl, combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips.  Beat 4 minutes.  Fold in chocolate chips. 

Baked in greased and floured 10 or 12 cup Bundt Pan at 350 for 50 - 60 minutes or until cake tests done.

Cool in pan 10 - 15 minutes; invert on wire rack or serving plate to complete cooling.

Sprinkle with icing sugar.

 

Note - do not frost this cake.  The ingredients of chocolate chips, chocolate pudding, and chocolate cake, is all you need.  Pure chocolate delicious it is ~ Enjoy!

Coupons

I use coupons all the time - the savings do add up.  There are several websites to which you can print coupons or have them mailed to you.  Once a week, just prior to going grocery shopping I go through the flyers and my coupon book.  I make a list and yes, I do check it twice and off we go.

Here was the deal of the year for me...

The regular price is $7.99.  It was on sale for $3.99.  I had a coupon for $2.00.
I paid $1.99.

The regular price is $5.99.  It was on sale for $2.99.  I had a coupon for $2.00.
I paid $.99.  I purchased two of these as I had two coupons.

Without coupons the bill comes to $19.97 (regular prices). 
With sale prices and coupons the bill comes to $3.97.
Total savings for three items $16.00.

Three Cheers For Me!

Tarragon Vinegar

I planted Tarragon when we first moved to the mountain side.  I love Tarragon Vinegar.  It makes a great Béarnaise Sauce. 

 

I dry the leaves for use in homemade soups/stews and they are also a great seasoning for roasted chicken/and or turkey.

 

Tarragon Vinegar makes a great salad dressing.  Mix it with a little oil, salt and pepper (go easy because it is to taste), viola!

Hans Helmet Wearer, Strikes Again!

Oh my word ~ my poor, poor Lydia.  I do so wish I could protect her but I cannot be outside all the time.  I have lady bug chores to do.

 

I am thinking perhaps that evil witch of a little Agnes has changed her ways thanks to Hans Helmet Wearer.  Lydia told me, she does believe Hans and evil Agnes are an item.  Lydia yearns for her Donald.

 

...but dreaming just comes natural

like the first breath from a baby

like sunshine feeding daisies

like the love hidden deep in your heart...

John Prine - Donald and Lydia

Backyard Photos

Love These!

Hate These.

 

The big black wasps nest will be dealt with tonight...

Hallelujah Hans

Hans Helmet Wearer is in Hallelujah mode.  It is Sunday so he is praising in the Church of LA (Little Agnes).

 

My dear Lydia is not quite following the fundamentals of Hans.  She is quite taken by Hans, but tells me - he is not the gentleman that Donald is.  Lydia does not like Aggie.  She is jealous that Hans pays so much attention to Aggie and not her.  I told her, Lyd - you cannot have it both ways.  You either wait for your Donald or go full throttle after Hans.

 

Lydia tells me ~ I do love my Donald!

 

Donald and Lydia - John Prine

 

Oh and, Mr. Prine ~ I suspect that you never anticipated Donald and Lydia would become such a number one attraction on my blog.  It is a saga, a saga I love to write about.  Thank you - John Prine.

 

 

Saskatoon Berries

A great crop of Saskatoon Berries this year.  I have enough now to feed the birds in the winter months.  I freeze the berries and in the winter months I make a cup in the snow, place the berries in, and watch the birds feed.  They love it, especially the grouse.

John Prine ... on the radio

Holy Smucksville!  A photo from my friend Naj.

 

I only dream of this.  Good grief, imagine travelling down the road and prineola - John Prine!

 

To you and yours ~ have a great weekend.

Poppies(again)

You must be smiling now . . .

Big Red is waving at you ~

thanks you for smiling!

Sunrise

 

You have to rise up early to get these shots. 

All is very quiet on the mountain side at this time of day.

My favorite picture.

 

 

Hans Helmut Wearer

Hans Helmut Wearer strikes again!  Good old, Lil Agnes in tow...

 

Strange things happen on the mountain side.  We went to the village today to grocery shop - returned home - check the mail - and helmutolla, Hans is there on my step! 

 

I was so worried about my darling Lydia, but she was in excellent shape.  Lydia was thrilled to see Hans Helmut Wearer; but very unsure about that wild, wild Little Agnes.

 

Yep, another day in paradise...