It flurried this morning. It was a perfect day to stay inside close to a crackling fire, doing nothing in particular. So that's just what I did. A dear friend called me this morning and we chatted for quite a while - catching up on our respective moves and our new lives and reminiscing a little about our lives as they were just a few months ago. I pulled out a few Christmas decorations and decorated the mantle and kitchen table and hung a nostalgic decoration on the kitchen wall - we're in the process of redoing the living room floor so I'm not ready to put up a tree yet. I played with the pups. Brigitte and I snuggled up in the bed for a nap. We baked an apple pie and put a pan of lasagna in the oven. We've watched a little college football and have just enjoyed a lazy day. Life just doesn't get much better than this!

Blessings from the creek y'all!

Thanksgiving Blessings From Goldens Creek!

I've learned some new things this week. Things that are easily forgotten after living in Florida for 30 years. I've learned that one must allow at least 10 minutes in the morning for the car to defrost - unless one is ingenious enough to think of using a plastic putty knife to scrape the frost off of the windows (which by the way works extremely well). I've learned that horses that sleep standing up outside in the pasture (yes we have a barn, but they choose to stay outside) will have a layer of snow on their backs in the morning and it doesn't even phase them. I've learned that a puppy (or a grown dog) will not have to go outside to do their business until well after dark when the cold wind is blowing and the temperature has dropped to 25 degrees or less.

Speaking of the puppies . . . it's been a bittersweet week here at the creek. The puppies have weaned themselves! They no longer require or want bottle feeding every few hours. I was actually a little depressed at that idea until I realized that although they have become very independent in their own little way, they still enjoy snuggle time in the evenings - something both my hubby and I relish. Speaking of my hubby, I've learned to read him like a book! He got that "far away look" in his eyes the the other night during puppy snuggle time. I knew he was thinking of our old friend Buck and how much little Clyde's personality reminded him of Buck. So, being the sentimental old fool that I am, I asked him if he wanted a puppy for Christmas. He just grinned and proceeded to tell Clyde that he didn't think Clyde was a suitable name and has renamed him Buster. Now tell me, who has who wrapped around their little finger (or paw as the case may be)?



Our little lost beagle found a new home this week too. We think she may be in the family way, so we had decided to take her to the animal shelter. We didn't feel that we could handle the responsibility of litter of puppies in the dead of winter. Evidently the volunteer at the animal shelter has a soft spot for beagles, so she was going home with him. Whew! Now if we can just keep the neighborhood dogs from dropping off their stray friends on our doorstep . . . . .

Blessings from the creek ya'll!

Seasons have changed and lessons have been learned here on the creek. Bumps in the road. Hellos and goodbyes. Things lost and things found. I feel as though I could fill a catalog with inspirational signs - bits of inspiration that have come to me when I needed them the most. A timely post from a wonderful Sister blogger who has been through some bumps along her own road. A stern "relax Mom, God is in control" from my son. And then there are quotes like . . . "Sometimes He calms the storm and sometimes He calms his child" "God doesn't give us more than we can handle - God helps us handle what we are given" "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain" EVERY DAY IS A BLESSING!. Add to that the song "God Will Make a Way" or in my case God will make a job . . . and you may get an idea of where I've been for the past couple of months.



I started a new job the first part of October. I'm working in a wonderful, Christian family practice office. It's been quite a transition going from working at home on my own schedule for the past 10 + years to working a regular 8 hour day. It's a great feeling, though. I work with some incredible people. I've made some new friends that are a wonderful addition to this new chapter in my life.

Our son was here for a few days before he took off for basic training. We had a wonderful time together - short as it was. It's hard for me to believe that he's so grown up. He'll be in South Carolina for the first nine weeks, then off to San Antonio for his medic training. Makes a mama proud!

There have been some temporary additions to our zoo crew here at the creek. A a few weeks ago the neighborhood dogs brought a new friend - a Beagle - by to play with Gracie. When play time was over, everyone went home . . . except the Beagle! She was in definite need of some TLC. Needless to say, she's still here. Then, a week or so later my son and my husband came across 2 newborn puppies that someone had dropped off along side the road. Ryan dubbed them Bonnie and Clyde. We've bottle fed them from the day they were found. They've grown from tiny, little squirmy bundles weighing only about half a pound each - not even old enough to have their eyes open - to squirmy, chubby bundles that have beautiful dark eyes, a mouth full of very sharp puppy teeth, and little round bellies. They give the best puppy kisses. We think they're at least part lab. Bonnie is chocolate colored and Clyde is coal black. We're hoping to find homes for them. Anybody out there want a couple cute puppies for Christmas?

So, that's basically what I've been up to for the past couple of months. I've missed you all, although I must confess that I've been lurking in the commentless shadows of most of my favorite blog spots checking up on you. Thank you all for your kind comments and your prayers. I can't promise daily or even weekly posts until I get used to this new schedule, but I will promise updates on the happenings here on Goldens Creek!

Blessings from the creek y'all!

PLEASE BE PATIENT

I'm not gone forever. I'm just trying to regroup. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers . . . you are all in mine.

Blessings from the creek y'all!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

The nights are cooler. The grape vines are shedding their leaves. There's a smidgen of color here in the holler, if you look real close, but you have to go up on the mountain or further north on the Interstate to see much color. It won't be long, though, before the hills will ablaze with fall colors!

Hubby and I took a trip further north on the Interstate this weekend. We had the opportunity to adopt three hackney horses that needed a home. All we had to do is come and get 'em. So we loaded up the truck, the trailer and our buddy Ken and made the 2 hour journey to Lexington to Whistle Stop Farm. Waiting for us there was a mama, her young son and her . . . um . . . husband. They are absolutely beautiful. Daddy (nick-named Houdini until we come up with a name) was evidently stunted in his growth somewhere along the way so his legs aren't long enough to qualify him as a show horse. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in attitude. He has a little of that "Rastafarian" look about him. He evidently has a passion for rolling in the briar patch so he'll need some grooming when he's ready. He's just as loving and sweet as can be . . . UNTIL you try to get him to do something he doesn't want to do. It took us less time to drive to pick them up than it took two grown men (professionals no less) to catch him, put a halter on him and get him ready to load on to the trailer. They all seem to be adjusting to life here on the creek. Houdini managed somehow to slip himself out of his halter during his first night here, but other than that everyone seems to be getting along famously.

Never a dull moment here on the creek!

FarM LIviNg iS tHE LiFe FOr Me!!!!!!

Yesterday I took some much needed time off from my job as a construction worker and played farm wife for a few hours. It was a beautiful fall-like day and I a bunch of zucchini and about a half bushel of tomatoes from our garden that I needed to do something with so I made spaghetti sauce from the tomatoes and, with the addition of a few apples from one of the trees in the front yard, I made some zucchini/apple muffins! The muffins were a huge hit with my hubby! I found out that I can freeze grated zucchini, so I'll be able to have some on hand for fresh muffins, etc. throughout the winter months. Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight! I'm really enjoying being able to walk out the back door and grab some apples, pears, zucchini or tomatoes. Next year, we'll be able to put in a larger garden with a bigger variety of veggies and I'll have a fully functioning kitchen so I'll be able to do some canning! Farm livin'!



Apple Zucchini Bread (Muffins)

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. Gound nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Salt
5 eggs
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
2 cups shredded, unpeeled zucchini
1 cup peeled, shredded fresh apples
1 ½ cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In another bowl, beat eggs. Add oil, sugars and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients. Mix well. Stir in zucchini, apples and nuts (batter will be stiff). Spoon into three greased 8"x4"x3" loaf pans (I made 18 jumbo muffins). Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes for bread (about 20 minutes for jumbo muffins) or until done. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Freezes well.

Back to construction work!

Blessings from the creek y'all!

P.S. FYI, the apple shaped snack set that the muffins are sitting on as well as 7 more are going to be listed on E-Bay soon. If any of my blogger friends are interested in them before I list them, I'll make you a special deal. Just e-mail me and we can talk about the price.