Tulip Bulbs Planted & A Drive In The Country

Last week I received a package from the mail order catalog company that I have ordered flower bulbs from for years. These were replacement bulbs. The bulbs that I planted last fall did not come up this spring. I called & they said they would replace them at there cost. Well they came & have been in the frig. Ten extra ones at that. How cool. Rocky asked me today why those bulbs were in the frig. I had forgotten about them. It was a bit cool outside today. I figured I better try & start getting them planted. So thats what I set out to do. After some time all 60 bulbs were in & I had cleaned up one of the little flowerbeds. I was tuckered out.

This is how time went by. Three little tulip bulbs with the pointed end up fill this hole. I read a story in a Birds & Bloom Magazine a long time ago that a lady was asked by here neighbor if she planted her tulip bulbs with the points up. She said yes but had not. The neighbor lady told her that when the points are planted down the tulips will not come up. The lady who planted the bulbs waited until her neighbor went to bed that night & with her flashlight dug up the bulbs & replanted them with the points up. She laughed when they bloomed the next spring & her neighbor admired the tulips. Knowing what she did she never told her neighbor. I thought this was funny.

While digging this hole to fill with tulip bulbs I found this little plastic toy army plane. Sam used to play in my flowerbeds while I worked. From time to time I still dig up plastic army soldiers & now this plane. These are surprises left behind by my Sam that bring back sweet memories.

The hole for the new pond is still not deep enough. The liner has been cleaned. I wanted to put it away for the winter. Rocky thinks there will still be a few warmer days that we could finish it. Yep I told him. I know what we means. It always means me. There is no we when it comes to the garden. It is me. Right now the holes for the tulip bulbs were more than enough for me. I think I will have the boys take the liner to the barn for the winter. I will wait & see if he digs the hole deeper. Hunting season is just around the corner.


After planting the tulip bulbs & cleaning up the flowerbed a bit Laken & I went for a short drive in the country. We saw some interesting things today. These sweet alpacas at a neighbors farm. They started raising them this summer. They are so curious and cute. There is a donkey farm close by to this farm but we did not drive down that road today. Two creatures Sam & would love to have here at the homestead.
Another interesting site we seen today was the tractors. This family always pulls out the Ford tractor collection this time of year. Fall Foliage is a really big thing in this area. Many people fill there yards with antique farm machinery. Lots of mums pumpkins and good old scarecrows to.

No matter how many times we see this same collection it is a wonderful treat to see it again. Sam calls them Henry tractors. Sam was just a toddler when Rocky bought one & Sam named it Henry. A few years later Rocky sold good old Henry & Sam was really upset. To help take his mind off of it I gave Sam a new sand bucket & sand toys. It did not work throw. So the name Henry always stuck. When we see an old Ford tractor it is a Henry tractor.

When we returned to the homestead after our drive in the country I noticed muffin fast asleep in the box the tulip bulbs were shipped in. By the time I got the camera ready she was awake. Muffin did not leave the box to greet us instead she stayed inside the little box. I guess for warmth. I hope there will be some more warm days ahead so I can finish cleaning the flowerbeds. It seems like just yesterday I was planting flowers for summer. It is always sad to see the frost get the flowers. I wish I could have a dome over the garden that keeps summer there all year round. Winter can be every where else. The show Star Gate Atlantis has a dome so why cant I have one to? Lots of laughs. Since thats not going to happen I have been adding dried & silk flowers inside the homestead for seasonal color.

Blessings Til Next Time!

Visiting Bedford Fall Festival

We woke late Sataurday & all the animals needed to be tended to. Time passed & I was excited to find out Rocky was going to drive us to the Bedford Fall Festival. I was feeling better & the weather was perfect for a day outside. Laken had went away for the weekend & Lucas wanted to stay home. Lucas really is not into the whole fall festival thing. So off the three of us went. The festival goes on the first two weekends in October every year. There is still time for you to visit next weekend if you are in the area. The directions can be found at www.bedfordfallfestival.com It is a wonderful festival to visit in Bedford PA.

This was the booth I was wanting to visit. I visited it last year. It was the first booth we came to. Of course I spied something I wanted. Can you guess what I spied? Undecided for a couple reasons we went on. It was the last booth I visited when leaving. I was in a hurry to get back to it. You will see why soon.

There was lots of food to pick from. After the long drive there I was not up to eating. The coconut shrimp on a stick the cheese covered french fries funnel cakes smothered with blueberries all looked so good. Well the food area was what Sam was waiting for. Sam had a pepsi with pizza & this very large cinnamon bun. Seems he wore the right tee shirt to the festival. He dug in & was able to eat all but a few bites of his cinnamon bun. I had to ask for a bag to take the rest with us. Sam also got some clover honey sticks to eat & a new hat.

There was no shortage of apples. Cider pressing is always a big thing at the festival. My Pap had one of these presses. Many years ago apples were pressed & cider enjoyed by family.

This booth had pumpkins carved from logs. I was looking for a plain carved pumpkin but she only had them done with the faces carved out. We do not celebrate halloween. I did not think to ask if she would be set up next weekend. Where was my mind.

This store case sure was another beauty I would have loved to have in my kitchen. I did not even bother to look at the price tag on this one.

I would have loved to have brought this beauty back home to the homestead. The tag hanging from it was small but the price sure was big. Can you guess? $1,250.00. I will just keep dreaming.

Wonderful goodies were to be found. A new card for the calender. I will use it in February. New dish clothes to add some extra prim color to the kitchen in the next few months. A hooked chair pad for the chair at the computer desk. Much cheaper than the one I almost bid on at eBay the night before. Glad I waited. Small cookie cutters in hopes of making those salt dough bowl fillers I seen in the A Primitive Place Magazine. Wish now I would have gotten more of them. A little cloth kitty with buttons for a tail. I want to try & make some of these.

More goodies to add some fall color to the homestead. Orange candle rings to put under Sams white pumpkins to hide the glass saucers. Some rust colored picks to cut apart & put in the kitchen tree amongst the pumpkins. White flower picks to add to the Small black baskets on the peg board in the Living room. Another dish towel for the hook in the kitchen & a free soy tart in the scent of Orange Spice. Smells good.

The first booth I visited was a booth I had seen last year & got a bag holder doll at. I wanted the vacuum cover doll but did not want to carry it & thought maybe there would be something I would want more. I took the chance & went on. The whole time saying I sure hope they still have that doll when I get back down there. Sure enough they did & she came home with me. It was the last one they had to.

Last year Rocky got me the doll bag holder I keep his lunch bags in it. It was hanging on the kitchen closet door but I attached it to the vacuum cover doll. She is at home holding her little one. The same ladies made them both.

It was a busy weekend but I did fit some baking in. Two loaves of White Amish Bread & a baking dish of Apple Dumplings. Rocky helped himself to the dumplings before I had a chance to get a photo. Both were very tasty. I got the recipes from fellow bloggers. The Country Blossom & Parkers General. If you have a chance to visit their blogs you will enjoy them also. After all this I was very tired & in need of some rest. Sunday was spent resting & attending Church. More festivals to look forward to the next two weekends.

Blessings Til Next Time!

Rain Dancing On The Tin Roof

As I woke today I heard the sound of rain dancing on the tin roof. Such a soothing sound. Looking out the window I seen the rain falling & raindrops running down the glass panes.

No spending time in the garden today so on this dreary day I tinkered around the homestead adding a little more of fall inside while being warmed by the fireplace.

The kitchen tree has been waiting to be decorated for fall. Pears & pumpkins have been added.

Its beginning to look more like fall here. The scarecrow has been hung to great family as they come in the kitchen door.

Our calender has been changed to October & a new fall scene has been inserted in the frame.

Tonight Sam works to get his leaf collection done. The leaves are turning color & falling to the ground outside. We are hoping he will have enough. While waiting for them to press flat we thought they were safe. Some had became to brittle. Some stems fell off. Some needles fell off. What will this young man do?

The warm cozy scent of clove lingers in the air as we get ready for bed. Time to turn out the lights & rest our tired heads on our soft pillows. Good nite everyone.

Blessings Til Next Time!

Wednseday At The Homestead

Wednesday started with the sound of cackling ducks wondering about the yard looking for a tasty snack to eat. Worms & bugs but I gave them a handful of chocolate Cheerios. Only one drake in the flock. He has so many hens to spend his time with. The drake belongs to Sam & he named him Drake. Drake is Sams pride & joy along side Toby his turtle.

Today was a first in a long time since I went to the barn. To my surprise Lucky was not in the bunny hutch. My heart sank. Ducks do come & go so I thought Lucky had expired. I asked my husband what happened to Lucky & he had moved him to the other pen where Lucky could get some exercise & peck in the dirt for snacks. I was amazed just how much Lucky had grown since I last seen the little duckling. Can you tell just how much Lucky grew?

The fish pond needed some TLC so I removed all the dead water lettuce & put it to bed in the flower bed. It has now became fertilizer. For now the fish are still in this pond. Not sure the other pond will be finished before winter.

The mums we got the other week have all been planted. One plant a day was all I was able to get in. Looks like we needed more to go to the end of this bed. Hope they sill have this color when we go by next time.

A beautiful new fall flag was hung. Those happy sunflowers always make me smile. So many thing needed done in the garden but so few got done today. More another day.

It was a bit chilly this evening so we decided to light the fireplace for warmth.

As the fire warmed the living room & dining room we ate diner & the boys did homework. Some T.V. later then off to pick Laken up at work. Lucas will get to drive Mom again.

Candles are lit & the warm scent of clove fills the rooms. The window candles are lit & all is cozy here at the homestead tonight. I started keeping a candle lit in the kitchen window 13 years ago when my oldest son was missing for almost a year. I kept it lit as a sign I would not give up on seeing him again. God kept him safe & brought him home again but to his own home by this time.

Some yummy green apples fill the bowl in the kitchen for a snack before bed tonight. I have a new recipe I want to try. Apple dumplings that were made in Lindas kitchen of Parkers General (parkersgeneral.blogspot.com) & tested by her husband Mike. I need to get to a store to get some things first.

If time allows I plan to look at some magazines & enjoy the articles. Maybe even do some catching up reading your blogs. I have tried some today & seen so many great fall displays in your homes.

This is the canner I bought a while back that I wanted to share with you. Thank you to all who commented on my post asking for help. In just a few weeks I plan on packing these jars with some deer meat & canning it.

May you all have a wonderful evening & a wonderful Thursday.

Blessings Til Next Time!

A Long Day

I went to my doctors appointment at the urologists today. It was a little wait. The doctor had surgery at the hospital. I hated waiting. The longer I waited the more I worried. After being in pain a month now and all the complications I have had since the surgery I was thinking that I would not mind being put to sleep for this. They do not put you to sleep to have the stint removed. Well I guess to bad I would just have to go threw with it. The nurse called my name & I followed her to the room. I was a bit taken back when I entered the room. It was a little operating room set up right there in the doctors office. I knew my husband (he did take me & waited in the waiting room for me) would not believe it so after the nurse informed me of what I was to do to get ready I took some pics with my cell phone. I try ed to load them to my computer but it did not work out. The nurse came back in and prep ed me. Good thing she asked about iodine. They were going to use it. I am allergic. The nurse was nice & answered my questions. It was great to have her to talk to before the doctor came in. He removed the stint. I was glad the nurse had put numbing gel on before hand. But I could still feel some what. I was told it would be nothing compared to the pain I had when the kidney stone was in there. Well that was all fine and good but after being in pain since the last week of August I did not want no more added pain. I was told during the surgery the kidney stone in the urethra tube had spurs on it & was wedged fast & I would have never passed it. Another larger stone was removed from my kidney also. There is still trace build up in my kidney that can form larger kidney stones. Oh my just great to hear. Not that I would want to go threw childbirth again at this stage in my life but I have to say I would have rather went threw labor & childbirth then have kidney stones. It was easier. My throat is still bothering me due to the breathing tube during surgery. The doctor did not seem to be concerned about that. I was told the pain stomach sickness & vomiting should now go away. I was set up for more blood work & an ultra sound of my kidney & another follow up appointment. Thank God I have insurance. I just pray it will pay all the hospital & doctor bills. I pray I never get another kidney stone.
I am hoping I am feeling well enough to travel to a fall festival this Saturday. It is a bit of a drive. I have attended it for many years and it is such fun. They always have great food. I want to be able to eat something good to. I lost 8 pounds since the surgery so I can try a few extra goodies. The festival has a web address if you would like to visit it. www.bedfordfallfestival.com

Blessings Til Next Time!

Pumpkins All Around

Laken went to the basement for me & got the rubber maid tub with my pumpkin collection in it. Straight from the good old rubber maid pumpkin patch I have these wooden pumpkins to put all around the homestead.

Of course Sam had already displayed his special white pumpkin here but mom added a little extra color. Amelia got a soft fabric pumpkin and I put my wooden pumpkin beside of Sams pumpkin. I changed the coverlet on the rocking chair for a little extra splash of color to.

The stove board just had to have a pumpkin. Of course it is white the color Sam likes so much. Me to.

A pumpkin for the roosters to crow about in the dining room.

Needed a few pumpkins in front of the canning rack with this cute scarecrow I just love.

Another orange wooden pumpkin added to the dining room.

Yes mom had to add one of her orange wooden pumpkins here to with Sams other special pumpkin.

The days have been long here at the homestead. I have not been able to do much of anything these days. So many complications from the surgery. My follow up appointment with the urologist is Tuesday. I want to get this over with but I am not thrilled. Getting the stint removed has been worrying me. I guess its just the not knowing part. Just placing my pumpkin collection around the homestead has gotten me worn out. Thank you all for lifting me up in your prayers.

Blessing Til Next Time!

Mums & Pumpkins

Fall seems to have came a little early this year. As the leaves change colors & slowly glide to the ground I know it is time for the many fall festivals in the neighboring counties to begin. This has always been my favorite time of year.

As always there are lots of beautiful mums for sale along the roadside. We seen these beauties last Saturday.

Many fine orange pumpkins lined up in rows to pick from but just not the color Sam was looking for.

Off Sam went to the stand with the white pumpkins. These had bumps all over them.

Before we left Sam found this big old pumpkin he called the Granddaddy of them all. He sure would have loved to bring this one home with him.

Sam had a time picking between two pumpkins so we just got both of them. This one he put in the kitchen.

This one he put in the dinning room. Sam & I have always thought how fun it would be to have our own pumpkin patch. I hope he always finds the joy in such simple things.
Sam is feeling better & has gone back to school. I am thankful he is better but I sure do miss his company. Sam has such a gentle spirit & is such a blessing to me. His smile can always make my day better. I hope you are all finding just the right pumpkin to add to you homestead & of course some beautiful mums also.

Blessings Til Next Time!