Preparing so much to DO

This morning hubby ordered his tree catalogs and seem to be in a good mood about the move. I have already gotten all my vegetable seeds and herb seeds ordered.Most have come in.My house is already starting to pile up with all the stuff I ordered.I'm boxing it up and just going down the list to see what else we need.Come to find out before we leave here,we have to have a generator and a chainsaw and a way to heat the cabin since it will still be cool.See the pictures.It's kinda grown up around there.I got my septic man and perc man on standby.Funny thing about hometowns,everyone is related LOL.


The property has electric and water available which means a meter and a pole has to be put in. We are going to wait til March to move and hopefully the weather won't be bad.After much thought about the electric we will have to have it.Got to have my freezer.The water may have to be caught in rain barrels for awhile. I think we may have a spring running thru the property.My sister-in-law said my brother wants to do a "walk about" the property when they can and when it isn't raining there.They have been great about going and looking at the property that I find and it gets them out of the house and moving around.I love them so much and miss them.They are excited about us coming home.
We at least have a shed to build on and some kind of start with a building.So most likely we will use it for all the farm stuff.


I want to thank all of you for the encouragement.Someone said that because I was disabled I won't be able to handle this,well you know there are ways around everything. If I have to I'll get a golf cart to roam around in LOL but- this is going to happen.All I've done since I've been here is sit like a house plant but for the last few months I have been doing more and more. I have osteoporosis in my back.Well,after doing some reading I know how to handle this now.Oh by the way the doctors here are, how can I say, don't like patients but like the money end.Yeah not worth a flip. My doctors back home were great and I can't wait to get there.Pain medication AH you ask here your file gets red flagged and most of you know what that is.Yep mine is.

Ok back to the property-we got Pine trees all over the place and Oak trees.One spot I believe is an open spot-cabin goes there, garden spot-will have to see.3.5 acres yeah I think it will be enough.cheap taxes YES! Hubby and I have talked about what we want to do,he's not a farmer but he was raised on a farm.He knows enough to get us started and this is going to be,interesting.


We are going from this-

To this-

Orion is going to have a blast.He has been cooped up in this tiny yard too long.I see fleas and ticks but will keep this under control I hope.Got some fence waiting but I want to walk him around the property so he can get a feel for it.He loves to explore.


Yah! Fortunately my brother is going to help hubby do some work around the place.My brother knows just about everyone in the county.He use to work on their cars. He also done some additions to his house so he can show hubby some carpentry skills.I'm blessed having him.Plus when the garden goes in,they will get some of it.My brother is a hunter and fisherman,that's it,he loves them both. Hubby likes to hunt,I like to fish so you see where this is going.They have deer and wild turkeys and all sorts of stuff to get into there.And we are not too far from the lake.

With the courthouse nearby I will be able to do more research work on my family history.I still have blank spots I need to fill in.I haven't been able to because I wasn't there.Unfortunately that courthouse had been burned down several times and a lot of records were lost.I've traced my ancestors all the way back to the late 1500's.We are from Ireland,Scotland and Wales.

It will be a relief to be able to put up my surfboard people, I think I've rode these waves long enough.Have a Happy Friday!

What Can I do With These?

We have lived here for 5 years and these have been in a little pile by the front of the trailer. I, in all my wisdom love to recycle especially since I have become older. I decided today to see what was there and came across at least 5 that are in good shape. The problem with these is the caulking is still on the back of each one. I need to figure out how to get the caulking off. I want to make trivets out of them. One says they are made in Italy.The color is a mixed sage to grass green and they are very pretty.Any suggestions are welcome.Once I get the caulk off I'll put something on the back so it won't scratch my table.I measured them and they are 5 3/4",an odd square? There are more out there so I may see what else I can salvage.

Everything so far is coming along. I have been in a great mood since the property thing is going.I really am going to miss Texas but the heat has become unbearable.The town we are moving to(outside of town about 4 miles)is where I was born.I was an at home birth,so my mother tells me.I have an uncle who lives there too.So I won't be alone and will have kin close by.I think it is going to be interesting.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Finally HOME

Ours! My brother went to it and he said it was overgrown but we will be moving in march of next year.It's in Alabama and weird thing?My ancestors used to live very near this property.
It's 3.5 acres a little more than what I wanted but that's ok it has lots of trees on it and this shed thing.
I'm showing you these pictures for now because once we get there we won't have internet service for awhile but I'll post what I can and take lots of regular pictures.We are going to put a 14x40 foot cabin on there somewheres LOL

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes morning!

Good Morning,yesterday was biscuits,today Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes. I forgot where I got the recipe but gosh it was easy except I had to end up cooking them in my electric skillet.I tried my stainless steel skillet but didn't have any non stick spray and boy did they stick.Trusty electric skillet I've had for years! So now I know if I can make these then I can do Banana Bread which is on the menu.i hope I don't as big as the side of the house with all this good food lol.

Biscuits!

It's a shame I had to come to Texas and FINALLY I can make biscuits! For some reason I couldn't make them back east. So maybe when we move I can still do this.Aren't they pretty?

Nothing like a hot biscuit and sausage to get a Saturday started.

Some Items are In!

I have been going down my list of things that we may need for our cabin(let's hope this comes about LOL)and my garden tools came in( I say mine because he won't use them hahaha)and the water filter came in which I hooked up last night.Finally it is so good to have a decent cup of coffee around here.I am weaning myself off certain drinks and the filter will help.The water here is horrible.My seeds haven't come in yet they are still in transit.Like I said in an earlier post,I wanted to go from the start and go step by step even if it's baby steps. I got a book called The Back to Basics Handbook by Abigail R. Gehring and it gives quite alot of useful info.I sit and read it constantly.Everyone has told me to read everything I could before I made the leap. Ok I am.

My tomatoes and peppers have called it quits.Today I am going out there and pulling them out of the pots and try something else.Orion found a rattlesnake near the edge of the trailer and fortunately he didn't get bit. It sure made him mad tho.This has been a worry of mine around here. When it is dry they come in from the fields looking for food(mice) and since I am really close to these fields they congregate here.So far so lucky.Dang dog! He should of been a cat cause he sure is curious and he will stick his nose into any crack.

Been in a really good mood,some of this heat is slacking off alittle.Been just keeping cool and hanging out in the house.

This is a really nice one and the water taste good too.

Ok ready to do some gardening,well almost.I picked the girly kind with soft handles.

I keep asking myself if I really want to mess these up,they are so pretty and I love the pattern and color.


Next month I think I'm going to get a propane wall mounted hot water heater.So it looks like we may just have to have some property with a water line.I'm not too worried about electric.We are bouncing between solar and a wind generator.And I can still use a water catchment system for outdoors.By the way I looked up in Tennessee for property,a big no go! I have been looking in the south because it rains more,good for storing water.Poor old Texas still dry.I told hubby before we leave here I want a cowboy hat and a southwest bedspread from a place I have gotten a lot of stuff from.

I am forever hooked on almond milk now.I can't drink whole milk anymore. I used this stuff in cereal and my coffee and what ever else I find.I have been toning down on certain foods and eating more veggies and fruits and wow what a difference.It works.You'll feel better and have more energy.The "Duke" is on all day and I love that man.

I wanted to add these. When we first came to Texas I went to a yard sale and these hang in my kitchen.An omen maybe?

Dark Frame

Green frame-

Sometimes we need reminders of what we really want.Have a great FRIDAY!

Texas size Wasps

They were nice enough to stay still while I snapped a picture of them! These guys are huge.

My Moonflowers under the porch.

Mom I want to go in,it's starting to get hot pleaseeee! And the most comfortable shoes on earth.

Things that make you say"Oh no they didn't just do that"

Something hit me this morning and just decided to post this. After spending some time in the local grocery store this weekend I wanted to post some things that go on that probably others don't notice and I wished I didn't.In the 50 something years I have been on this planet here are somethings that make you go "Oh they didn't just do that"!

1.People giving their kids fruit to play with and they "mouth it" and then putting the fruit back.

2.Sneezing and then handling the produce.

3.Sneezing on the shelf items and walking away laughing about it.

4.Coughing and not covering their mouth.

5.Kids running around and handling stuff and dropping them on the floor and leaving it there.

6.People who scratch their selves and then handle stuff YUCK!

7.People who come out of the bathrooms and you know they didn't wash their hands.You were there.

8.Sticky stuff/goo on milk jugs or cartons or soft drinks,mm wonder what that is?

So when I get home I wash the top of the cans, wash the produce and the jugs and cartons and first and foremost I wash my hands all the way up to the elbows! I'm not a fearful germ person but the older you get the more you have to watch what is going on and take precautions. This is my version and I'm sticking with it.

If you realize how many items in any given store has been touched like this ,you probably wouldn't touch or even go to the stores. But this is true and it's a fact ,people don't care anymore.This is also how a virus is spread.I went to a grocery store one time and I just talked to a girl who had streph throat(yes she was working knowing she had it)and a few days later I came down with it.

Another is working while you are sick.I understand the concept of this I really do but when you do you spread your germs to others who in turn take it home to their family who may go and see someone ..say... in a nursing home who gives it to an elderly person who actually dies from coming down with a virus.This people I have witness myself,I used to work in a nursing home.I am just keeping it real here.Sometimes when flu season hits,they won't let people in to these nursing homes and the patients are confined to their rooms if its bad.

So when flu season comes think about this - take care of yourselves,you only have one body and so does everyone else around you.Increase your intake of garlic or garlic rich foods,has worked very well with me.The only thing I come down with now is allergies and that is whole other subject.

Here is a combo I take-Garlic,honey,vinegar,lemon
I fix something every day that I can put garlic in.

Maybe this is the reason why I don't get out as much. Once or twice a month when I have to get out, but most times I am at home.Which is the reason I want to grow my own stuff.At least I know where it's been.

These are just a thought.

Filling in my List

I had made a list for things that we would have to have when we got our little mini farm thing going.Today I ordered all my seeds,got a homesteading book coming and some hand spades for the garden.

I also done the pricing on some items like a tiller and generators and things that I thought we could use.We want to plant fruit trees and I would love a fig tree.Hopefully if we find the right property it will have blackberry bushes on it already.I'm still dying to get my giant gourds in the ground and get them growing,they will be extra income for us.So Monday I will be doing alot of reading and more planning. I know something will break soon.

We decided on a wood burning stove for heat and looking for some water tanks. I'm not happy about putting anything out here where we live now.So a few things will have to wait.Looks like things are looking up!

It was very hot today and I'm hoping that storm in the Atlantic will get here and give us some relief.We need it bad.Have a good day everyone!

I'm Fried People!

Oh my my it is hot hot.I feel like something deep fried and smothered in an unknown substance!I have to look back on the snow pictures I posted just to cool off a degree.

We have central heating and cooling but the unit in these rental places are so old.I'm going to hate to see the electric bill this month. I really hope it cools off next month by the end of the month.Earlier I took an ice cube and rubbed it on my arms and it went fast LOL.But it helped. I know Arizona is hot like this and a lot hotter.I don't see how they do it there.

Wished I had some nice pictures for ya folks but everything around here is brown and you know what that looks like.I just tried to get Orion to go outside and he peeked out the door and looked up at me like"you better turn the heat off if you want me to go out there".Dang dog.



I had quite a bit of running around to do this morning but poor old truck refused to get me going where I wanted to go.It started running hot because of the heat. This was about 9:20 this morning.So I said ok lets go home. It had water and all the fluids in it but I don't complain,our little pickup has gone a lot of miles.When we get back home my brother will take a look at it.He's a really good mechanic.

Hubby has been working 6 days a week and he is super tired.He told me he really thought he would like this heat but thinks it's too dry for him now.We both miss the rain showers and storms.Of course I love snow and he don't. 50-60-70 degrees and I'm good. I function like a normal person then.


I took the leftover stuff where I had made the chicken pot pie and added some celery leaves and alittle more salt to it.It turned out great! I cooked some brown rice and heated the pot pie sauce up and poured it over the brown rice and got completely full from it.It was about a cup and half. Now I know what to add to it next time I fix it. My hubby doesn't like homemade stuff too well but he liked that and I like his opinions cause usually he's right.He told me it needed more salt.He is getting used to me making stuff at home.Especially the biscuits.It's pitiful when you have to move to another state then all of a sudden you can cook! I've tried some recipes on here that had been posted by some of you and they are really good.Now I have to teach my sister-in-law some of them,she likes to cook too.

Well just some ramblings for this Wednesday and hope ya'll have a great day,what's left of it.Stay cool if your hot,stay dry if your wet.Pray for us here in Texas to get some rain soon.

Me and Mine

This is me

This Orion

Snow day,first time being in the snow.He did not want to come in.

When he did.Now you know why I keep his green towel by the door.

Went back out.

Done this one for a friends' mother.

This one I sold.Yay!I'm into wolves.

For the guys or gals

My neighbors' sunflower.This thing was so pretty!

Have a great weekend! Oh by the way all that hair came off yesterday,I finally cut it!

Thursday/Beadwork/Done finally

I thought I had made it too big but I didn't.I finally finished it yesterday.It turned out to be a barrette.I think a bracelet would look nice to go with it.I'm going to try to sit long enough today and design it.I still have the very first pair of earrings I done when I first started to bead. I look at those and laugh cause I have come a long way in my skills.I've been learning about shading colors to get a deeper look.

Thinking Outside the Box

I've had to rethink so things this week and have come up to the conclusion since I am having a hard time finding property,I am going to have to think outside the box on this stuff.To start with over the weekend I found property in New Mexico up in the mountains and I thought wow this is nice.After further investigation,the nearest doctor and bank was almost 30 miles away and as always you can't believe what a realtor tells you.Oh yes it's ok to live off grid in this area(1st not)there is a doctor nearby(2nd not))they have a bank there(3rd not)It doesn't get much snow(4th not,I saw pictures,its snows heavy)I said to send me a contract,nothing signed so no obligations.I found this all out from talking to some locals about the area and it seems they don't want people coming in and trying to live off grid in their community cause it doesn't get the town to make money,it also seems their pickled about making money on their water and electric utilities.So this is gonna be a big NOT and I will keep looking. I just think from all the phone calls and asking questions I am starting to see a picture unfolding here. I need to be more attentive with the listings and do some heavy digging on these properties and see what kind of community is there.They may all feel that way.

It's a shame a person can not go into a community and feel happy about being there.I think some think that when you live off grid you're poor but that's not the case.But I also feel that they think if they have to pay their big bills everyone else should too.Maybe I'm think wrong but so far I have been met with resistance on this.I read an article not too long ago about a couple who lived in a certain place(no names) but they got on their property and setup house,they lived in an RV and their neighbor got nosy and turned them in and they had to move off their property after they had done got everything started(garden,off grid stuff)but because they didn't have a septic system they had to move all because of said nosy neighbor.So I thought that is a shame,you are the one paying taxes on the property,you are the one spending your money on it,they lived there not bothering anyone and still got the shaft.

The ads on some properties say no restrictions no time limit to build,that to me is a red flag.Check,check,check!After seeing some of these ads I'd call and yes there are things you have to be aware of.Sometimes I think there might be a conspiracy going on here.lol.

I have looked all the way from Colorado to New Mexico,Texas,Alabama,Tennessee and Kentucky.North is too cold,South has too much humidity.I have been trying to stay in the middle line.Arizona too dry and hot.I can find acres here and there no biggie but.....well I got til the end of the year so maybe by then I'll find it.if not at least my mind will be some place else lol.

Well ok enough of my mindless wanderings.We have been getting some spotted showers here in central Texas but not enough.It feels good when it cools down alittle.I'm trying to figure out what to plant in my pots next.My cherry tomatoes went to big plant heaven and but my bell peppers are doing great and getting bigger.I got to go and get some more seeds. Might as well try my hand at everything. I have some giant gourd basket seeds but I need alot of room for them to grow.And I know gourds need moisture so that's out for here.Well that's all I got for this Monday.I'm gonna go do some thinking and maybe I won't damage my brain too much by doing this.If anyone hears of something let me know still in the market.

Thursday night Brownies

We have brownies. I wonder -when we move outta Texas will I still be able to cook?Will have to wait and see!

I think I need a Hair cut!

If I could raise my arms up enough I would cut my hair but looks like I'm just gonna have to let it grow.At least I know how to braid.





I really didn't realize how long it was til I went to bed and pulled it over and I thought geez it has a mind of it's own. This isn't the first time I've had long hair.When we lived in Florida it was longer than this.And yeah that is two big jars of milkbones for the dog.He is so spoilt!

Pot Pie Monday Night

Well it was my first one.Didn't taste the celery and needed more salt and pepper but it wasn't bad at all.

It will Come

When you live in different states like I have ,you have to notice the atmosphere of that state.I have been all the way out to California to northern New York. Down in Florida to Detroit Michigan.

Of all the places,New Mexico holds a place in my heart so deep that it hurts. Why? It's the atmosphere, the feel, the vibrations.The open sky and mesas.It's the air and the rainstorms, like the dirt gets washed away and everything is clean again.When I was there ,I would feel like I was mesmerized by the scenery.I didn't feel closed in by the landscape like I would other places.

It's a place where you find the culture uses the colors of the state and they incorporate it into their designs.I don't know of any state besides Arizona that does that.Alot of people that sees the designs know very little besides Oh its pretty. But most have a meaning behind it.Some are older than we will ever know or understand.Along I-40 you can see their hogans, places of rituals.They are proud of who they are.You haven't lived til you have met an honest to goodness medicine man.My niece is half Navajo but she doesn't even care about who she is.My mother is half Cherokee and Scottish.Mom was raised in a time you didn't say what you were for fear of being sent to the reservation.

So New Mexico means alot to me and I always said when I could I would want to move there.I don't like back east much,it's took me 36 years to get this close and I'm just a few counties over LOL.When you feel like your strangling and you can't breathe,it's time for a change.So it will come I got faith in it,if it's meant for me to go, I'll happen.


It's rained here today and it felt so great! My plants are thriving.I'm trying to figure out what to plant next.

Hit and misses on property is not a big deal,we will find something,I'm sure of it:) I want to thank the ones who left comments ,it's so encouraging to hear from you and gives me more determination.

Beadwork-What's it gonna be?

I haven't blogged because I have been sitting here trying to do some beadwork. I did my pattern on my software and under estimated the size of this thing. Well I was in the mood to make a barrette but now it looks like it is turning into a change purse.No matter,it will go in the finish box and I'll start something else.I am going to make some earrings in the same style tho.I have alot of hardware and beads so I'll be busy for awhile.And I just ordered some more beads last month.

I was getting excited about the thought of moving back east and maybe getting some deerskins to do. Hubby wanted to go hunting with my brother.I really would of liked the turkey feathers too. I love making dance fans from them.but....Now I am looking at anything I can get. I still have been looking at real estate listings and you know that guy lowered the price on that property we had looked at? And he posted pictures. No mind,I am leary about that deal.It seemed good but I don't want no headaches.

I have to get a foot pedal for my sewing machine.When we first got Orion he managed to find the cord and gave it a dandy chewing.It was lost and gone.He got in trouble because you know you have to teach them not to chew. Then he found hubbys' surge protector box and annilated the cord on it too.He got in BIG trouble for that one. But since he chewed those two he didn't chew anything else.We bought a bunch of toys for him and he didn't want those so we ended up taking a bunch of old worn out work socks and put them all in one sock and that is still his favorite toy.Dang dog.

Real Estate Blues
I have found one place and am thinking on it.It's in New Mexico around Grants.I am getting conflicting stories about the place. It has pine trees and in the mountain area.But they have a landownership association and they have restrictions,so I am told,but the real estate lady I talked to said something different.Now I understand they want to keep the area in pristine condition but you can't fall trees on your property,only to cut what you need to clear an area.One says I can't have a garden the other says I can.You have to ask permission to even put up a fence around your property.She was going to call them and ask them the questions I ask her and see what kind of answer she gets.They also said I couldn't clear the property of the scrub brushes and such. Most of the people who live in the area has solar and have water tanks .The county says I have to have a septic system installed but the real estate lady says I can have a compost toilet.What to do,what to do......What the real estate lady don't know is that I have already talked to the county and know what I have to have. The land people said no mobile homes are allowed and no small cabins only for weekends and no sheds.Well the lady goes up there and she says a lot of people live in RVs(year round on their property)and have gardens and have cabins and mobile homes.Dang I never asked about having chickens!She is gonna look and see what else is available but right now she only has 5 acres which at this point is too much property.

She has desert property south of Albuqueque and it's flat and dry there.Nice view of the mountains.I am afraid of getting in a estate area for you know later it will build up and so will the taxes. I am looking for something in a rural area but not far from town.And be able to have farm animals. I don't really like the Midwest because of the storms but reading from some posts ya'll are as dry as we are.


Got the electric bill yesterday,that is gonna have to be paid in two payments. Texas has an expensive utility company.Oh well staying cool is number one at this point LOL.We're getting our new bed next week ,can't wait for that. It'll be so nice to get a good nights sleep finally.Texas has been good to us. I really wish we could find something here. You know how you get in a place and get setup with doctors and you know where everything is?
And then you move and have to start again?
Well what ever we get this is it!I'm done moving that's why we are being careful about finding a place.
It's a one shot deal!

I might be able to finish this beadwork today and I'll post a picture of it.

The cold water running out of the kitchen sink is still warm lol

Living with a Hybrid Wolf Dog

I have always wanted a hybrid wolf dog.But before I made up my mind I decided to see what it entailed.So after much ado I decided to get one. Well,he was free. Living with him is not dull.

First off yes he is spoiled,my bad,but he knows he has it good around here.He has a personally that won't quit.He has learned who the Alpha female is and when she says no it means no.When he was little and tried to get out of hand I would lay gently but firmly on him until he quit quirming.One thing that is essential for dominance.He knew he had better quiet down and then I would let him up.

Besides dog food he does eat chicken and liver and he loves fish. He is very picky about veggies so I don't push it that often. He likes milk but I give him only about a cup every now and then and he used to eat eggs but he got picky about that too.Dang animal.

Now wolf/dogs are very protective type animals.I consulted with a friend of mine who had some and she told me everything he has done so far. After his 3rd year he trust us no questions asked.They have to have time to trust.He is very shy around loud noises and he doesn't like the holidays too well,like July and New Year.I think it was because of what happened to him when he was young.Hunters used to shoot in the field where he was found.That may have been how his mother was killed. He came to me full of mange and scratches but I took him to the vet and got him cleared up.

He is a loving dog ,he does this on his terms. When he doesn't want to be around us he hides in his special spot and I leave him alone. He does however knows how to aggravate me when he really wants something.He sits and stares and stares and stares at me til I get up and do what he wants(so much for the dominance alpha lol)but he is a great watch dog.I have no problems about going to sleep by myself when hubby isn't home.

When we first moved in this trailer we were robbed the first week here. We came to Texas with very little and they got the rest of it.So I didn't want to be here alone so he came along and I wanted him.He is light of my life especially me being bipolar. He keeps me in check cause I know I have him to take care of.

Bath time is a sticky situation,he'll take one when he wants to and he will every now and then let me bathe him. He's a daddys boy so he thinks its special when hubby gives him one.Hubby can take him in the bathroom and put him in the tub no problem,I gave up long time ago LOL.He is a very strong animal.Last time I took him to get his rabie shots I had to give it to him.See? He don't trust no one.I was told by my friend he would be like this.


One thing I found out early on NEVER try to take food from him. If you drop it on the floor and he gets it might as well let him have it.You will get bit.So I really try to not to drop stuff now.He has a deep growl that will curl your hair and that is his warning growl. I have learned all his barks and whines and growls so now I know exactly what he doing.He's good with some dogs ,his choice,but not cats.He don't like children at all(earlier blog) and I really would love to get him away from all this noise he has to endure.Now hubby wants a Bulldog mmmm we will have to see what happens.Orion knows what a horse is,we have a pasture next door to the park and one got loose and came and had a visit with us. That was fun,I kinda think he thought it was a big dog.The horse took a healthy crap right by our front gate.

Orion isn't very big but he's powerful for his size. He weighs at 60 pounds and he's full of muscles.Don't let that sweet face fool ya.My favorite thing about him is when he is laying on the porch and when the sun hits his eyes they turn yellow.I was in total disbelief when I first saw this. I thought wow that's neat.His fur around his collar is grey/brown and the rest of him is black,when he's in the sun he has a reddish color to him.He's a snow hound too loves to play in it once he figured out it wasn't going to hurt him.But going outside when it's raining, no way.His very favorite thing to do? Going in the bedroom and messing up all the blankets and sheets on the bed.I gave up on that one too.


I could go on and on about these animals ,if you have one that's great let me know.

Mommy Love

I have a habit of always doing closeups and he was not pleased but he let me do it anyways. LOL