Farm Adventures... Sunny...cooler

Mrs. Hopeful's Plight

Last Saturday evening I had muted the T.V. while on the phone. As I

hung up I heard a little meow at the screen door. At first I thought

of Lonesome, for all his 20 pounds he has a small voice. But something

wasn't quite right, and sure enough when I got to the door I saw a

kitty I didn't know. She left, but only went a few feet and sat under

a bush. I got the flashlight and went outside watching all the while

for copperheads. Anytime after 8:30 p.m. is official copperhead

appearance hour. She waited right where she was and let me pick her

up. Now what do I do?????  I carried her back inside, and while

holding her and the flashlight managed to get some food and water. We

then went out to the goat barn where the large pet carrier was and

made an overnight motel for her. The whole time of being carried, she

never once wiggled or scratched. While handling her I got the distinct

apprehension that her stomach was disproportionally large. In the

morning she was more interested in getting to know me and be petted

than fed. What a sweetheart she is. Not a stray for sure, but no doubt

dumped when her condition was realized. We live so FAR from only one

other home, she couldn't have been theirs. Well all day Sunday I tried

to think of where I could put her. Monday, I took the kids out to see

her mid-afternoon and look what we found! Tuesday I renovated and made

raccoon, possum and snake safe, a large wooded dog house. Now begins

the task of finding good homes for she and the little ones. I am still

in the dog (make that cat) house for keeping Butterscotch's 4,

nine years ago.

So her staying here permanently is not an option. 

Anybody want a very sweet kitty that I have named Mrs. Hopeful?

 

Sunday Quotes.... Sunny...warm

"What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge on it."

Charles Dudley Warner

 

 

Blueberry Dessert... summer is finally here

Blueberry Dessert

 

1 package white cake mix

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts ( I use pecans )

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

2 1/2 cups  fresh blueberry pie filling (see note) 
(21 OZ. can  pie filling can be substituted)

1 cup sour cream (see note)

1 egg

Combine 1st 4 ingredients until crumbly. Save 1 1/2 cups for topping. Press remaining mix into buttered 9"x13" pan. Spread with pie filling. Mix sour cream and egg and pour over filling. Sprinkle saved crumbs over top  and bake at 350 30-40 minutes until top is golden.

Let cool completely  before serving.

 

*NOTE: to make pie filling from fresh blueberries

combine

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

 bring to a boil

in small bowl, whisk together

1/4 cup Clear Jell or Cornstarch

6 T. water

till smooth, add to boiling mixture and whisk till smooth and thickened

crush one cup of blueberries, stir into above mixture then fold in one cup whole blueberries  remove from heat and allow to cool.

 

*NOTE: For a lower fat version that tastes equally as good substitute 1 cup fat-free yogurt cheese for sour cream, see how to make it HERE

 

 

Two Summer Tales ( Or Don't Count On Things) Sunny...less humid!

Bossy Britches has had a very bad summer!!!!

Her first clutch of eggs did not hatch, even though she did her best. When all hope was lost,
her owner gave her some other eggs since their
sitter had given up. They did not hatch either, but diligent little
mother that she is, she didn't quit. So in hopes of getting some
bantam chicks, the owner left her sitting until a few eggs bantam eggs could be
gathered. When there were 5--(this took a few days as the bantams are old and don't lay daily!)

 a switcheroo was done. BB didn't object and continued to sit ANOTHER 21 days. For a total of 76 days on the nest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All five hatched, Hooray!!!

We all have heard not to count your chicks before they hatch, right?

Well don't count them AFTER they've hatched either!

Two days later a snake invaded the hen house and took 3 of the chicks.

Just when we thought after 7 years of never a snake in this building this wouldn't happen!

Yes, Bossy Britches has had a very bad summer!

The owner has never had such beautiful tomato plants. Only 4, but theywere loaded with early tomatoes, 42 at last count. Overnight a swarm

of Aphids came by and look what happened. I guess one shouldn't count

her tomatoes before they're ripen either!Reminds me of the words of Irving Petite in his book

 The Best Time of the Year"Nature doesn't always give  warning of what is to come, and herviolence's must be taken as they arrive: the human sojourner in life must roll with nature's occasional punch."

 

 

Sunday Quotes.... Summer's a comin'

 No price is set on lavish summer;
June may be had by the poorest comer.
--James Russell Lowell