Mama's Big (padlocked) Tool Box of School Supplies

It's taken me a 8 years to figure out how to keep school supplies from disappearing in fewer than 30 days from the start of school.

This year I WILL hear happy contented children who have each found their own pencil to use.

There WILL always be pens, erasers, glue sticks, rulers, crayons, colored pencils, markers, post-it's, scissors, tape, etc. when we need.

Mwahahahahhaaha!!! 

This year they WILL be used. 

Bee Farming

Sorry I don't have any more pictures of the bee's arrival

 or the process of putting them into their new hive. 

I got stung. 

In the face.

 Right at the moment my dad dumped them into the box.

I was running away, swatting like crazy at the swarm of "gentle" bees that were 

going down my shirt, 

climbing into my ears, 

getting caught in my hair,

 and the millions hanging out buzzing & laughing at the crazy lady stripping in the barn. 

There was absolutely no time to take a picture, of anything. :)) 

So it appears that I'm mildly allergic to bee stings. My cheek is sporting a big bruise right where I got bit and I still can't smile about it. It hurts too much. 

BTW, I didn't take off enough clothing in the barn. 

There was a dead bee in my bra when I changed into jammies later. 

I'm really thankful I didn't get bit there too. 

YES I am rethinking the whole business of beekeeping. 

Under Contract

We have a signed contract for the sale of our previous home. Praying hard that nothing happens between now & the closing.

Ginger Tea

I had this once, a long time ago, at Big Bowl Restaurant. Divine. The other day I saw a recipe and gave it  the good ole' homemade twirl.

Ginger Tea Syrup
Peel, slice, and bring to a simmer in 1 cup of water with 2 teaspoons of stevia one, three-inch knob of ginger. Let it simmer for 30 minutes.

Pour over ice and dilute to taste. Or add seltzer water to give it a little bubble.

If there's any left store it in the refrigerator.

I like it strong. So I used double the amount of ginger and bit more water. Let your preferences guide you more than the recipe!

Slurp!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Wow, 83 degrees! 

Today was all about fencing. 

Himself learned from Grandpa how to fix the barbed wire. 

Then we got the horses. 

Opps, horse.  

The other horse decided to go back to the barn by herself. 

Petunia the donkey was very cooperative. 

She & Ringo are buddies. 

Ahhh, arrived at last. A fresh cool drink of water. Everyone can relax, right? 

Nope, right after this picture was taken Petunia slipped under the fence and took off at a trot. 

She was going back to Grandma's barn. 

Himself and I followed her on the ATV, caught her and I lead her back again. 

Grandpa & Himself are still out there tightening fences. :)) 

Weekend Moments: Chicks & Fire

CSI Farm, "Spring Melt"

I was called out of the kitchen this a.m. to investigate a crime scene in the front yard.

There were no eye witnesses . . . 

But we quickly determined the victim to be Mr. Snow Man, A.K.A "Frosty." 

The evidence: a carrot-nose, coal buttons, & stick-arms

 The weapon? 

Sunshine it was everywhere!