Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Little Cabin in the Woods

We are headed a bit north today. We are meeting family at "the little cabin in the woods."

I am looking forward to a few days of visiting, relaxing, and possibly knitting some dish clothes I've been intending to make.

The forecast calls for some seriously chilly temps, so...... There will be lots of time to curl up by the fire and watch to owl's eyes glow:-)

I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year. I hope it finds you surrounded by the ones you love.
Until next year~ Rhonda

Saturday, December 26, 2009

All Pooped Out

Too many Christmas cookies? Too much eggnog?

Feel like you've loaded and unloaded the dishwasher at least a thousand times!!??


Then what you need my friend is a very long Winter's Nap....


they come highly recommended.

~Rhonda:-)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Rejoice


I hope your Christmas was just as delightful as mine.
We spent Christmas day at home with my Mom, Dad and Uncle Cy. It was low key and peaceful.... exactly the way I like it.

Of course there we had to do a little Jingle Bell Rocking and there might have been a present or two.

Now if you will excuse me, I'm off to pop some Popcorn because G-Force is about to start:-)

~Merry Christmas~



Sunday, December 13, 2009

Slow Boat to China

Though it may seem like I have boarded a Slow Boat to China, the truth is far less glamorous.


I have a full time job now and am currently burning the candle at both ends.
That, coupled with a massive computer crash right around Labor Day left me off the grid for an extended amount of time. I considered letting go of blogging all together, but the truth is, I miss it.... I miss you guys.

I can't promise I'll be here everyday, but I'll visit as often as I can..... I so look forward to catching up.

~Rhonda

Monday, July 27, 2009

Sunshine for Free

Last Wednesday, I was on my way home from yet another interview. I was feeling frustrated and a little down.....

When I passed a small garden plot filled to the brim with bright yellow sunflowers. As I was admiring their sunny disposition, I spied a small sign at the corner of the garden~~

FREE flowers

pick your own

Well bless my soul! How did they know how much I could use a pick-me up right then. I came home with an arm full of happiness and I have smiled every time I have caught site of them radiating joy from the center of my old farm table. The sweet spirited gardener who freely gave away these beauties will never know how much their generosity has meant to me.





The bumble bees and I thank her/him from the bottom of our happy hearts. ~Rhonda


Thursday, July 16, 2009

Bottle Babies

On Sunday evening, my neighbor Lindsey wander over. It seems that while they were away on vacation, some unscrupulous soul, had dumped out 5 kittens in their front yard. And as they unloaded the car, the very hungry little dears were one by one emerging from their Juniper bushes, crying mercilessly and begging to be cared for.

The problem is that the kittens are not weened, we figure them to be approximately 3 weeks old, and they could not eat the plate of milk that Lindsey offered them. In fact they were very weak and could not even walk steadily... possibly from their age and the fact that they were very dehydrated.

Now I ask you, WHO could do such a thing to this sweet little face?!!


Lindsey had no clue what to do for the babies and she knew that I had bottle raised Tigger, Lexi and Sadie so she and I struck up an arrangement..... I would care for them if she would find them homes.


I soooo got the best end of this arrangement:-)










Don't you agree?
-Rhonda

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Still here....

Fear not gentle readers... for the rumors of my demise due to a band of marauding copperheads seeking revenge for their fallen comrade, are widely exaggerated......
Actually, the majority of my time these days is consumed with the monotony of job hunting. Looking for a job, IS a full-time job and it is not going well. That is all I want to say about this topic.
We did spend a week at the beach. Anna Maria Island to be exact. It was pure bliss:-) My son and I voted to stay forever, but then reality reared its ugly head.... responsibilities and all that practical stuff.



My garden is doing well and I have been enjoying its bounty.... and working like a field hand trying to get ahead of the weeds that also enjoyed my time in Florida!



My bees have doubled or tripled in numbers.... or more. I am adding new frames and supers (levels) to accommodate there increase and the honey... oh the glorious honey!!!

And last but not least..... I am bottle raising 5 kittens, YEP, 5 kittens!

I'll tell you all about it and show you pictures tomorrow... as soon as I find my camera, it's MIA.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Sunday Smiles

The Art and Joys of Motherhood...

Happy Mother's Day~Rhonda

Monday, May 4, 2009

"A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do"

Even if it involves a shotgun....

Yesterday was a beautiful Spring day here in North Georgia (Sorry Robin, I wish I could send some of this to Washington). We were between rainstorms and the sun was shining brightly, the humidity was high and the air was wonderfully warm. I was on a mission, to capture a photo of one of my honeybees collecting pollen from the wild Cherokee Rose that grows along the back fence of my garden. I was happily traipsing along, intently eyeing the large bush covered in glorious delicate blossoms whose fragrance is so strong and sweet it permeates our entire property. I thought I caught a glimpse of one, buzzing from flower to flower, so I moved in to get a good picture. I had taken a few steps when suddenly, I froze as my eye caught a glimpse of brown coiled up in the periwinkle vines that run rampant along the back fence. It was a Copperhead, about 2 steps away... right in my path.


~no this is not a photo of the actual snake I saw, I got this photo from Google Images~

I hastily retreated!! Since I was dressed in a skirt and canvas sneakers, my legs suddenly felt very vulnerable. I wish that I could claim that I handled the situation in a calm, no nonsense manner, but the truth is that the Fight or Flight syndrome took over, the adrenalin started pumping and by the time I reached the house I was shaking like a leaf!

But now I had a problem. There is a large venomous snake in my backyard. The yard that my chickens, chicks and ducklings roam around in.... and most importantly the yard where my little Blondeheaded boy plays. Something has to be done about it. My husband was on a bicycle ride, 10 miles away. I called my neighbor Mark to see if he would come and dispense of it... he was not home. Well then, it looks like it is up to me.

I knew I would have to shoot it, no way was I getting close enough to kill it with a shovel or a hoe. I thought about my handgun, but what if I missed and scared it off. I called my husband for advise. He told me to use the 12 gauge shotgun. It was big enough to do the job, but small enough that it wouldn't knock me back on my bum. He talked me though step by step how to use it because it had been years since I had fired a shotgun and could not remember how to operate it. He also told me to use ear protection... very good advise.

I traded out my sneakers and skirt for bluejeans and rubber boots and set out to do the deed. I returned to the place where he had lain, soaking up the warm sun, only to find that he was gone.... DRAT!!! I had wasted too much time. Well, this will never do, I can not have a poisonous snake slithering around, sneaking up on us when we least expect it. I'll have to find him. So I began to cautiously walk around, my eyes scouring in every direction... where could he be!? I said a little prayer... "Please Lord let me find him, and please Lord, let me see him before I step on him, Amen." As I passed under the low-hanging branches of some small trees, the scene of a snake falling from a limb and landing on a soldier came to mind... was that from Platoon? A chill ran down my spine. Good grief Rhonda, get a grip, copperheads don't climb trees!

It took me about 5 minutes, then I spotted an old tire almost completely covered by periwinkle vines, not far from where he had been. That's where he is, I told myself, and why is that stupid tire laying down here in the first place! I go into the garden shed and retrieve my hoe, I'm not lifting that tire up with my hand. As I scrape away the vines and dead leaves, I see it!!! The metal rim is still in the tire and through the holes, I see it as it realizes it has been exposed and slithers to the outer edge trying to hide itself. I stand there for a moment, not sure what to do. I know as soon as I lift the tire the snake will run and I can't manage the hoe and the shotgun at the same time. Hmmmmm, what if I just shoot through the hole in the rim? No, that won't work. I can't be sure I will hit him and if some of the shot hits the rim it will surely ricochet and I will wind up shooting myself.

I decide to gently move the tire to the side just a little bit. YES!! That worked, I have exposed his back and he is not moving. I put down the hoe, take aim and BOOM. I am instantly glad I chose the gun over the shovel method, because suddenly his head emerged and even though he is mortally wounded, he begins to strike at everything. I reload and this time I make sure I get the head. Strange as it may seem, I didn't want him to suffer. I moved him inside the garden fence so that I can show my husband and my son who so wanted to take part in the hunt but after recognizing that his mother and her jangled nerves meant business, agreed to stay in the house until the snake was dead.

Then I put down the gun, took off the ear protection, picked up my camera and returned to my former mission....



My honeybee, blissfully unaware of the drama that had unfolded within inches, is going about her business without a care in the world.







Before I close for the day I want to state that I do not take killing anything lightly. I believe that each creature has a purpose and was place upon this earth by our Creator for a reason. But just as I accept the fact that predators in nature are necessary and only act on instincts and their need for survival, I also accept my responsibility to protect my family and the animals in my care. This means that I guard against predators such and coyotes, hawks, weasels, raccoons, black widows and poisonous snakes. And if that means I have to pick up the shotgun and dispense of a threat to their safety, well then, I'll take a deep breath and I'll accept the fact that I will do what I have to do. ~Rhonda

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Sunday Smiles

Mission accomplished! Now a little time to stop and smell the homegrown and hand-picked flowers:-)

Hope your Sunday is sweet~Rhonda

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Movin and shakin

If you should feel the ground moving beneath your feet this week, don't be alarmed.... it's just me, moving heaven and earth, trying to accomplish all of my set in stone goals before Saturday:-)

My yard will play host to a large yard sale this weekend which will include goodies from, me, my Mom and my two twin Aunts. For the first time in over a year, I hope it doesn't rain.




There is still A LOT of planting to be done in the garden and for this part of the country, time is getting late.

And last, but not least, I have a pile of brush a mile high that needs to be burned before the May 1st burn ban goes into effect...


Time to roll up my sleeves and get to it.

So as this 42 year old body tries to summon the energy of someone half her age, there is bound to be some ground rattling going on. ~Rhonda

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday Smiles

Dappled sunlight on...

Freshly potted petunias:-)

Happy Sunday~Rhonda

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Little Boy, Big Toy

This past weekend was perfect for getting out of doors and working in the yard. So my Daddy, who spends his retirement days operating a Grading and Hauling Business, came and did a little work for us. He had a very willing and eager little helper~
His Papaw let him operate the Bobcat all by himself~ of course there were four adults standing at the ready just in case assistance was needed.


He pulled every leaver and pushed every button just to get a feel for what it could do.



He took his work very seriously....



He scooped up the dirt... see our red Georgia clay!?


And dumped it in its new location.


It was a job well done. It made such an impression on him, that he even thanked the Lord in his prayers on Saturday night for being able to do it by himself.
And I thanked the Lord that another project was completed:-) ~Rhonda

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Smiles

The air around my house has been thick~
With the heavenly sweet fragrance of...


hundreds of hanging wisteria blossoms:-)

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Soaking up the Sun


Yesterday was such a beautiful day that my son and I went for a visit to one of the local parks. After he played on the slides and climbers for a while, we took a walk along the path by the lake~Sprite in tow:-)

He is not really mad here, the sun was reflecting off of the water and made him squint.

When we got back home, we let the ducks out to enjoy some swim time. They have graduated from the bathtub to my son's old swimming pool.



They are loosing their duckling fuzz and growing in their feathers, they look sort of nappy during this transition time.... but still cute as a button when they are waddling behind me through the yard. They are also starting to quack rather than peep:-)

Today promises to be another glorious sunny day and I am hoping that my garden is dry enough for me to get in and work a little. We have had an incredible amount of rainfall in the last few weeks. It has done wonders for our water-table, but has made a muddy mess of everything.... not that I am complaining, mind you.

I hope it is sunny where you are~Rhonda

Monday, April 13, 2009

Spring Break


Last week was Spring Break for the schools here in our area so with Sweet Hubby and Dear Son free for a week we packed up and headed North to Tennessee where my Husband's parents own a cabin near the Great Smoky Mountains. Since Sweet Hubby was also celebrating his 40th, his whole family came and we were able to spend the week together.

This is Round Top Mountain, where the cabin is located~

On Monday it started to snow and by Tuesday morning there was a good 3 to 4 inches covering everything.


My son and I took a little hike up the mountain after the snow. Everything was so beautiful and he had a blast eating the snow....



Posing in front of Mossy Rocks~ we both have a thing for moss covered rocks:-)



He set to work making a snow sculpture. Sometimes he would press too hard when adding another handful of snow and a part would crack or fall off. He didn't get mad, he just mended and went right on shaping it. He must have worked on this for at least 15- 20 minutes. He really enjoyed himself, and was very proud of his creation.




He also thoroughly enjoyed splashing through the little creek that ran down the side of the Mountain.





We took the ducks to the cabin with us. They had a good time swimming in a different tub and they got to meet some new friends....



My little Nephew was very excited by all of the splashing and swimming:-)


We also had a big party for my Husband's 40th Birthday.

We dressed him up in full party attire. Gave him some fun gifts.

Baked him a Boston Creme Pie.


And generally enjoyed ourselves. Laughing, eating, and soaking up the good time with the people we love.

It was a wonderful week~Rhonda