Christmas Preparations and Snow!

Well, it's not even winter yet but we have snow again...lol You just have to love Maine! We finished the Gingerbread House and have started on the decorations for the house and cookie baking. Hope your all having a wonderful Christmas Season so far.

Here is the view from my deck and one of the house in our latest snow storm.

Snow and Crochet

Well, it started snowing last night, very arctic cold air and wind..not too much snow though. But, we might be headed for a Nor'easter Wednesday so more to come.

I am taking time to make a pair of new crochet slippers in Thyme green and they should be finished tonight!! I started with a pattern from the Red Heart Yarn but decided to make my own version in the toe area.

The look like duck bills right now, but they will look better real soon! 

Will be getting ready for Thanksgiving...have lots of baking and chopping to do! I love the holidays!

Mr. Robin...Your Late Leaving

Walking around outside today making sure the garden is put to bed for the winter...expecting snow tonight. Then we saw a lone Robin hanging around.

Not sure why he is still here, but he needs to get on his way before winter sets in. We had a few hours of sunshine today...it was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Creamy Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

5 to 6 cans sweet potatoes
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions

In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes. Add eggs, orange juice, butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish.
Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until set. Top with marshmallows; return to oven until they just begin to puff and melt, about 5-10 minutes. Yield: 10-12 servings.

                                             Old Fashioned Sausage Dressing

Ingredients

2 pounds bulk pork sausage

2 cups milk

14 cups plain stuffing mix (about 6 boxes plain)

2 cups diced celery

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbs. sage

4 tablespoons diced onion

1 teaspoon salt or salt to taste

Directions

In a large skillet, brown sausage. Drain and discard drippings. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. In a large bowl, combine sausage, milk and remaining ingredients.

Transfer to a greased baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 24 servings

Oh the weather outside is......? wait, it's actually pretty nice!

Hello My Friends!!
I have been on a break for awhile and so happy to be back! The weather here in Maine since Halloween evening has been unseasonably warm. Rainy, but high 60's! That is odd for us...it is usually freezing by now. I will take it though, and enjoy it. Talk to you soon with some great Thanksgiving recipes and DIY ideas.

How to Raise Pygmy Goats

Myotonic or Fainting goats are wonderful pets they stay small do not require milking and breed and kid easily.

Pygmy goats are cute and cuddly and provide many valuable services. For example, they
keep the vegetation on your property cut, they produce natural fertilizers that you can use for your garden, and they also help control populations of fleas and ticks on your property.
Build your herd. Pygmy goats, like other goats, are herding animals. To preserve their mental and physical health, you will need at least two pygmy goats for your herd.

Create a secure and safe enclosure. Pygmy goats are skilled at demolition, so use cattle
fencing to keep them in a specific area and keep out predators. Make sure you provide the
pygmy goats with enough space for play, from a half acre for two goats to several acres for
larger herds. Large dog houses provide great daytime shelter from wind and bad weather. A
barn stall is needed for night time and winter shelter.


Feed pygmy goats a well-balanced diet. During the spring and summer, your goats will get
most of their nourishment from grasses and brush. However, you will need to supplement
their diet with goat rations to ensure that they're getting all the minerals they need. When wild grasses and brush are not available, feed your goats sweet feed and goat rations.

Worm your pygmy goats every couple of months.


1. Limit how often you breed the pygmy goats. While pygmy goats can give birth more
than once a year, it is not recommended to breed them more than once a year. You
will produce much healthier kids with a single pregnancy a year. Does should be about
18 months old before they are bred. If your does are having a hard time feeding their
kids, bottle-feed the babies when necessary.

2. Provide toys for your pygmy goats. Picnic tables are a great recreational item for goats.
The pygmies can climb on the table and even chew on it. Other toys include boulders,
balls and tires. Select items that are non-toxic and capable of withstanding abuse from
the goats.

More Snow Then Last Weeks Blizzard!

The trees are so laden with snow they are hanging.

The roads are icy and packed.

I am pretty sure this will be the last of the big snowstorms for this season. It has been a off and on all season, but the last three storms packed the most punch! Ready for Spring and my flowers and veggies..lol :)

Signs Of Spring

Well, these popped up today in the garden! Looks like we might get an early spring...or maybe just some early flowers!! Lol Either way, it is a welcome sign. :)

Our Last Snow Storm....I hope!

Well, we had a big snow storm last week and have been digging out, stocking pantry's, and making lots of hot cocoa..lol maybe this will be our last snow storm of the season. I do love winter in New England, you never know what to expect! Smiles

Homemade Flu Remedy