Happy 15th Timothy!

Recently, my freshman, Timothy celebrated his 15th birthday.

In standard casual birthday protocol, he got his presents, followed by a home cooked meal and dessert of his choosing.

The big news was that we gave him...a phone.

Actually a used phone that we had but...his own number.

His fingers haven't slowed down since.

For dessert we had the much requested "Ice Cream Brownie Mountain".

The topping is supposed to look like snow but in the picture it almost resembles an avalanche.

Still yummy though.

For two weeks I will have three 15 year olds.

We refer to them as Irish Triplets.

Happy Birthday Tim!

The chickens and making do with what you have

Growing up, we had chickens.

I loved the experience, mostly because it was all fun and no work.

Now that I'm an adult on paper anyway, the thought of having chickens, laying eggs and wandering around the yard just seemed so...homey.

My dear husband wasn't as enthusiastic but the squeaky wheel gets the grease he very graciously picked up the supplies that we needed.

Since I last posted about the chicken, we have added to our flock...in a big way.

Someone on Craigslist was giving away their chicken flock. It was quite a drive from our home but the thought of all those free hens really spurred me on.

Plus they were free.

Did I already mention that?

Turns out that after umpteen years of marriage and 10 kids, the couple in question was calling it quits and getting rid of all their animals.

Sad.

I graciously took all the hens (even the rooster) and brought them home.

We put them in the coop after our hens had already roosted up for the night.

We got a good laugh thinking about what would happen when our chickens would wake up the next morning.

I'm sure they were like..."WTH?...where did all these birds come from?"

At that point, we had 27 hens and one lone rooster...whom we named Ranger.

Then...sometime before Christmas...there were 31.

Someone pointed out on Facebook that the three new hens were french hens. Since it was before Christmas that did make me pause to consider but...I'm pretty sure they aren't.

Only because there never were any drummer boys....thank goodness.

Because we have such a variety of chickens and I don't take the time to get to know each one individually, I couldn't even tell who the newcombers (Ha!) were.

So...now we have 30 hens and one rooster.

Every day, when we go out to feed them, the hens flock to you. It is hysterical to watch them come a runnin'. They work their drumsticks as fast as they can.

It makes me laugh out loud.

Which is probably one of the reasons that the neighbors think I'm certifiable.

Here are about 1/2 the hens, all lined up, eating the morning scratch.

Sorry for the feather butt shot.

The coop we got for free off of Craigslist. It was a shed in some one's backyard and they just wanted it gone. Corey and the boys dissembled it, brought it home and put it back together again.

The shed is really not crooked, it's just that the person taking the picture was keeping one eye peeled for the attack rooster.

His days are numbered.

I had to suppress the urge to scream "Dead chicken walking" at him this morning.

But, again, I refrain...for the neighbor's sake.

We needed some roosts so we looked around to see what we already had on hand.

In the shop were some water bed rails.

I had bought three sets of water bed frames last year at GW for $10 total. The side rails were the only thing that wasn't going to be used in a project.

Great roosts they made!

The nesting boxes were actually a shoe bin that I had curb shopped last year.

My very first curb shop. sniff...sniff...

Just give me a moment to compose myself...

**wipes tear from eye**

Corey pulled the top off of the shoe bin, turned it to it's side and attached it to the wall of the coop.

Total cost so far...$0

Does that make me sound cheep Ha! Ok, sorry...I just can't help it or what?!

You can see that the hens are laying underneath the nesting boxes too but they seem to prefer the left side for some reason.

Strange.

And boy are they ever laying the eggs!

Today is the 23rd and through yesterday we have collected 391 eggs this month.

I'm almost drowning in eggs.

I've been giving them away fast and furiously to the neighbors.

Which is probably one of the reasons why they aren't answering their door anymore.

I do have a few chickens that are not laying in the nesting boxes.

Easter egg hunting is great once a year...everyday...not so much.

Someone out there is laying the funniest shaped eggs.

We refer to them as "bullets".

See the one on the right?

They are the chicken equivalent of a cone head.

And, because someone must have hit me with the stupid stick again we now are the proud owner of 12 baby chicks.

We went in to get "just a couple" and came out with "a lot".

Kind of reminds me of what happened with the kids.

A couple of these are promised to lay chocolate brown eggs.

I'm so excited.

Hopefully they will have rich creamy centers...

Wait...what?

They are only the color of chocolate?

That's just not funny.

Sigh...

Valentines Week Activities

The week before Valentines Day was full of school activities which the kids were very involved in.

There were dress up days, hall decorating contest, cake contest, fashion show assembly and Mr/Mrs Irresistible.

Michael was in the fashion show as Edward Cullen from the Twilight series.

The sophomores won the fashion show, hallway decorating contest and got 2nd in the cake contest.

Can we say Competitive?

Michael was also the sophomore class Mr. Irresistible.

So..where was Joseph during all of this?

Sadly, even though he had been the main force behind Valentines Week, aka Control Freak the main event, the fashion show, fell on the same day as Swimming Districts.

So, Joe was swimming...fast enough to make the finals...as the only underclassman represented from our entire district in his two events...and he qualified for state!

Tim and Michael went to the dance...with dates.

I just love that they both choose girls with high standards and good values.

Aren't they cute?

Since I didn't feel like buying the kids things that Valentine's Day that they didn't really need...

I made them cookies instead.

Cuz, everyone NEEDS cookies...right?

The best sugar cookie recipe EVER!

Any cookie recipe that combines both cream cheese and almond extract is a keeper.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hannah Banana is 5

Recently our sweet Hannah Boo-nana turned 5.

She requested homemade pizza for dinner and asked to have cupcakes for dessert.

We made the cupcakes together and she was in charge of the sprinkles.

She got dressed up in her 2nd hand skirt and Goodwill sweatshirt and boots.

Then, she opened her presents that had been wrapped with paper purchased at GW.

Inside she discovered a "new to her" Build A Bear puppy that I had purchased 1/2 off at GW.

It looked like new but it was nakie so off we marched to the Build-A-Bear store for a new outfit.

Afterwards we went out to lunch at Izzy's Pizza because she had a free birthday coupon.

Was her birthday any less fun for her...wearing preowned clothes...receiving a preowned toy...eating lunch with a coupon...having homemade pizza for dinner...

I think not.

Happy Birthday to our sweet little daughter!

We love you!

I finally realized what my thing is!

You do know what "thing" I'm talking about right?

I look around at my friends, family and classmates and I notice that they have "things".

I have a friend that makes beautiful handmade beads.

Another friend is a sewing wiz.

My cousin's wife sells houses like nobodies business.

At school, I have a classmate that is a Dive master.

Another is a professional soccer player.

And it just got me a thinkin'...

What is my thing?

What if I didn't have a thing?

After all...I'm just a mom.

Who does mom things.

So...I tried to think about things that I was good at...

That I enjoyed doing.

What first came to mind was food.

Don't laugh...

I'm serious.

Quite often my family is given food by my parents.

Seems like my folks know everyone in their small town.

And people are always asking them if they can use things.

Like 40 pounds of chicken.

Or 30 pounds of onions.

10 pounds of carrots.

10 Butternut squash.

And they say "Sure!"

And bring them straight to me.

Then (this is the fun part) I have the challenge of figuring out what to do with all that food.

How to make it into something useful...nutritious...and yummy.

I really, really enjoy this.

It was then that I realized...

My thing is cooking.  And I really enjoy cooking from scratch.

That I have a large family to cook for is just a bonus.

I'm so grateful that this is my "thing".

I'm also really happy that it isn't something like skydiving or rock climbing too.

Cuz those things just freak me out.

So...what did I do with all that food?

14 Chicken Pot pies and 40 dozen muffins.

What is your thing?

Our Furry Friends

Seems like I never know what I will find on my camera when I download pictures.

I'm surprised that the animals aren't blind from having the camera repeatedly shoved in their face, flash after flash...

Maggie

Snowball, up close and personal

Tim and Boo

Liz and Snowball

Snowball

Mater

King Mater

King Snowball

I'm pretty sure this is the animal equivalent of blackmail pictures for use with future girlfriends...

Liz with her sweet bunny

So far...so good...

Questions, Answers and Awards. AKA Becky trying to catch up...

Kathi said...

I found your blog while googling Eagle Scout court of honor reception. I looooove your blog. You are fantastically creative. Question, though....how did you create those wooden blocks for the Eagle Court? They are wonderful. I've never done that before so I have no idea how to attempt it. Help?

....Ok, I know I way late in getting around to answering this but the wooden blocks are actually pieces of barn siding.  If you don't have access to barn siding, any molding piece or other thin piece of wood will work too.   After you get the pieces of wood to the size that you want, cut out scrapbooking paper and attach with modge podge.  I recommend letting them dry completely after that.  I went to the Boy Scout office and purchased merit badges that were the required ones for the Eagle Scout rank.  At the time, I didn't have a Cricut so I went to the local craft store and used their die cut machine to cut out the Fleurs.  We just used regular glue to attach the Fleurs and the merit badges.  Small metal easels from the dollar were used to display the finished project.s

Good luck and congrats to your Eagle!

Nike said...

You are my hero. I had my six help me with my first bushel of peaches and um, it didn't go well. You guys rock. Also, where do you order your corn and veggies from? A local grower? Co-op? I'd love to do that next year.

...We order the corn from a local farm and my dad was able to get the green beans from a farmer friend of his.  It really pays to shop around, especially if you have several farms in the area.  It was a huge pain in the bum bum to have the kids involved but I feel like if I can train my child labor correctly, one day it will pay off.  Right?....um, right?

Nike said...

Becky, looks like they had a blast! We're did they go hiking? I need somewhere fun to go on Labor Day ... in Utah. A hike sounds like fun.

...They went hiking up at a ski resort.  I think it was called Cecrete.  Next time we come to Utah, we should totally meet up!

Meet Polly: said...

I'm inspired! Seriously. I visit Goodwill a lot but never look at the clothes. What are your tips? Look for recognizable name brands?

-Polly

...I do look for name brands.  I only buy the ones that look like new.  Brands like Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Lane Bryant and Talbots are my favorites.  Shipping is also a beast and the rates just went up (again).  So, I normally stick to items that can fit in the flat rate envelopes.  The blog My Dear Trash is a great resource for tips on ebay selling.

Ronda Batchelor said...

I really enjoy your blog, it makes my 6 kid seem like nothing. I nominated your blog for an award. Come on over and check it out.

...Thanks so much!  I went and checked out your seven things that you said about yourself and we are so much alike girl!  Except that I've never driven a school bus. :)

Jed said...

Becky

Came across your blog. I too have nine kiddos. And believe or not we too just got done saving every penny to go to Disneyland and just got back.

We rented a house right near Disneyland which was the cheapest option for all 11 of us. Would love to swap notes if you think it would help. My wife did all the planning, so I'm sure she would love to share more than you care to know ;)

...Thanks so much!  We have rented a house too and plan on taking all of our food down there.  I'll be emailing you when the trip gets closer for more ideas!

MICHELL said...

I did a chair planter too...now I'm gonna have to plant flowers in one of the hubby's toolboxes..LOL Ok I've featured you come grab a button!! Thanks again!

...Thanks so much!  I can't wait till warmer weather so I can re pot the planters!

One Life Many Journeys said...

Award time. I have given you The Versatile Blogger Award.

...Thank you!  I know I am probably supposed to come up with some goodies about myself...I'll have to think about this and see if I can come up with anything interesting.  That might be hard...

Sabrina C. said...

Her art work will come off the doors with the Mr. Clean white sponges. I don't remember the name of them just look on the cleaning section. They also remove permanent marker too.

Love your dumpster finds....When I was little I used to dumpster dive with my Aunt. I am so old and feeble to dumpster dive now, but I sure love me a Goodwill or Thrift store.

...Thanks for the Mr. Clean tip!  I went out and bought me a sponge!

Lily said...

You have some great finds there! One thing about the car seat, though. The reason Goodwill throws them away is that there is no way to know whether or not the car seat has been in a wreck. According to a state trooper friend of mine, sometimes (just like bike helmets) the car seat thing about the car seat, though. The reason Goodwill throws them away is that there is no way to know whether or not the car seat has been in a wreck. According to a state trooper friend of mine, sometimes (just like bike helmets) the car seat can be compromised and won't protect well in a second accident, even if it appears it's in fine condition. The car seat may be just fine, but you really don't know.

BTW, I never would have thought about DDing behind Goodwill. I might just try it sometime!

...Thanks for telling me about the car seat!  I passed on that information to my friend and she said that she just plans on using it around the house.

Jensamom23 said...

What great tips! I had no idea you could freeze celery! I slice gunky looking bananas as well...I freeze them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and then pop them in a freezer bag. We use them in smoothies...acts as the ice without diluting.

...Thanks for that great tip!  I am now freezing bananas for that too!

Sorry I'm so behind here!  Thanks for all the comments.  I really feel isolated socially sometimes due to my workload and it helps to know that there are other people out there. :)