Where's Sabin?

It took me a while to find him. He didn't answer when I called; I had to follow the sound of his giggle. Apparently, somebody has learned to climb the tree.

Peacefully BuZzInG!

Misty

Pull!

While cooking dinner I watched from the window. I love the way they play together. Oh he can be quite the bully from time to time, but overall Chloё is blessed with such a caring brother. She giggled and squealed while he pulled with all his might. Little sister even tried to give him a turn on the sled, but when that didn't work he happily gave her another spin around the yard.

Peacefully BuZzInG!
Misty

The Chicken Chase

Once upon a time we had a rooster. He joined our flock this summer. A polish rooster with a pretty crest of floppy feathers on his funny head. We enjoyed listening to him crow and watching him herd the hens around..... that is until today.

This morning while out and about in the backyard, dear Percy decided that Sabin might be an enemy to contend with. Well, I had noticed a bit of something like guarding and so I was watching closely from the back window. All at once, I saw Percy take stance (now you'll just have to try to imagine this) and I headed barefoot and yes, pregnant, for the back door. In less than a moment Percy was chasing Sabin who was running for the house screaming his little head off. At the same I, with snow shovel in hand, took chase toward that dang rooster. Yes, me and my big-fat-nine-month-pregnant-self took off at full sprint after that black bird. He turned tail immediately; my adrenaline was pumping. Across the yard, and up over our little bank we ran, I popped him in the backside with my shovel. He took a good hop, but I was too angry to be finished. Turning at the fence he headed back down the bank and around the tree with this fat mama and the snow shovel right behind. I popped him again, disappointed that he still kept going. Of course, he had his chicks to protect, but I had mine. We made one more lap around the side of the chicken house, mama scoring a final whack before I ran out of steam enough to stop running.

Minutes later, I had him locked in the chicken run and posted on craigslist, free to the first one who could come get him. Within an hour he was on his way to his new home.

Moral of the story: Don't mess with this mama's chicks. : )

Peacefully BuZzInG,

Misty

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on perspective) there were no pictures taken of this rather exciting event.

January's "Do-It-Yourself" Project - Brown Sugar

Making brown sugar is so easy I can't believe I didn't know how easy it was. There are only two ingredients - sugar and molasses and two utensils - a bowl and a fork needed.

Simply add 1 tbs of molasses (a little less or a little more depending on how dark you like your sugar) to one cup of white sugar. Mix and mix and mix with fork. Wah Lah! EasyPeasy. And tasty too. :)

Peacefully BuZzInG,

Misty

12 Do-It-Yourself Projects I'm Doing This Year

I'm way behind in blogging again. I'll get caught up as I've been working on snippets. However, my main focus for this past month has been getting organized for this new year and for this Little Baby.

I wanted to share one of my goals for this year. I'm going to accomplish 12 new projects - one each month. I  figured if I share my list, I would be more accountable to accomplish them. The plan is to also post about each one, sharing how it works out for us. You'll notice several take place in the kitchen.

January - Homemade Hair Gel edited to making my own brown sugar. I just have to try this out. It is too simple not too. And since time is so short...
February - Give Birth to this Baby
March - Make homemade bagels in bread machine
April - Homemade Natural Mosquito Repellant
May - Homemade Kefir
June - Homemade Granola Bars
July - Homemade Facewash
August - Learn to Knit (just the basics) and make something simple
September -  Homemade Graham Crackers
October - Sew "Super Capes" for the Littles
November - Homemade crackers
December - Homemade marshmallows

Peacefully BuZzInG,
Misty

36 Weeks

And time for a home visit.

Everything is looking fabulous. We are ready and waiting!

Peacefully BuZzInG!
Misty

Science and Nature (or Snow vs the Microwave)

Sabin decided to try a science experiment today. He discovered a year ago that snow melts into water. But he was interested in making it happen via the microwave. Mostly I just sat back, observed, and took pictures. I did provide the towels for spill management and clean-up.

Peacefully BuZzInG!
Misty

Clownin' Around

Peacefully BuZzInG!
Misty

Kitchen Help

The Littles helped with the dishes today. I really need to have them do this more often, while it is still fun for them, because then it is easier to teach them the joy in being helpful.

Peacefully BuZzInG!
Misty