Rodent Trouble

I finally finished planting my garden last week only to discover yesterday that every single little leaf possible had been eaten.  Apparently I planted a delicious buffet for some rodent(s).  I think my mysterious destructive rodent is a ground hog because I saw one scurrying along the side fence this evening. Tonight I purchased chicken fence and I hope to get my garden surrounded before too many of my seeds start emerging.  Some of my winter squash and cucumbers have already sprouted and I"m scared that they will be eaten tonight.  I also need to purchase 30+ new tomato plants and a handful of pepper plants since it is too late in the season to restart from seed.  Thanks a lot you little rodent. Soon though I will have the upper hand!

The poor chewed on nubs of a watermelon plant

Thankfully the rodent can't touch the pear tree

Will my cucumbers last through the night?

Will my winter squash survive the ravages of the rodent?

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mamma.
In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." If you're inspired to do the same, head over to her blog and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mamma.
In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." If you're inspired to do the same, head over to her blog and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mamma.
In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." If you're inspired to do the same, head over to her blog and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mamma.
In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." If you're inspired to do the same, head over to her blog and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Christmas Recap

This post is a wee bit late but I really wanted to show you my Christmas decorating this year.  The decorating this year has been my favorite of all Christmases and too make things even better I created my decorations from items I already owned or could find in the yard with the small exception of some red yarn.  Not too shabby :)

I had hoped for a real Christmas tree this year but it didn't seem financially responsible since we didn't get the tree up till the 2nd weekend in December and we were going to be out of town for Christmas day. Instead I pulled out the old 3ft standby and loaded it up with my motley assortment of ornaments.  This year's new ornament was Isaac's hand print in clay.  I hope it doesn't get broken!

This little fella was the very best thing under the tree.

I love getting Christmas cards so I displayed them on a ribbon in our dinning room.  In fact, I still have them on the wall because I enjoy them so much.  This year our family sent out our very first Christmas letter and picture.  I even stamped the cards and got everything sent out before Christmas.  That was quite the feat for this procrastinator! 

Instead of overloading the tree with ornaments I filled a crystal bowl from our wedding with ornaments.  It was nice to actually use this bowl instead of having it wrapped in paper for over 2 years.

I love having a mantel to decorate! Since I couldn't have a real tree this year I decided to at least have real greenery. I trimmed up a bush in the backyard and 'poof' free greenery.  I had fun learning to finger knit and made the yarn garland one evening while skyping my mom.  In order to get some height I searched the yard for sticks and then spray painted them gold.  Good thing I had some gold spray paint on hand! (probably purchased from some project that was never finished). You can't really see what is in the picture frame but I printed out a free word art picture of Isaiah 9:6 to go along with the nativity scene.  It is very important to focus on the true reason for Christmas.

Not only did I decorate with handmade touches I also was able to craft a few gifts as well.

For our neighbors I made some challah bread and gifted it along with a jar of homemade apple butter from this fall.  Our neighbors were sweet and also gave us some treats.  We got delicious pecan sticky bread and cookies from one neighbor and 2 lbs of deer burger from another.  Tasty treats, although I must say the sticky bread was my favorite.

I made caramels for Ike's daycare ladies and was reminded why I only make caramel once a year, I hate wrapping the little boogers.

For my 2 year old niece I made a felt cake with removable 'frosting' flowers so that she could decorate a cake just like her mommy.

I had so much fun creating these little handmade touches for Christmas! I think the little things are what make decorations and presents so special!

Christmas Lights Are Up!

I'm back to the blogosphere! No, I will not even attempt to recap all that has happened since my last post. So with out further ado... life in the present!

Last night after I put Ike to bed I broke out the Christmas lights and decorated the outside of the house. I'm pretty happy about how it turned out considering I was decorating in the dark by myself. I quickly took a picture of my handiwork before rushing inside to warm up.