Who's Our Happy Country Giveaway Winner?!

Ok, so we had a total of 9 entries, which made everyone's chances pretty good to win!  Here's the names I tossed into the cowgirl hat...

Labbie1
Mary
Oregon Sunshine
Growing Up a Country Girl
Roberta
Sares
The Cranky Queen
Appy Gal
Far Side of Fifty

And the winner is......  #9, Far Side of Fifty!!!  Send me an email with your address, and let me know which item you want, so I can get it ordered for you pronto!!

A short story:  My mother mentioned she really liked the leather cuff featured in my giveaway blog post.  So I went to Michelle's Etsy store yesterday afternoon to purchase the cuff, and lo and behold, someone had beat me to it.  The cuff had been purchased yesterday!  I had been admiring that cuff for over a month, so it was a lesson to me not to wait when you like something!!

The topper was when I received a Facebook message this morning from an old friend, thanking me for featuring that bracelet - he realized it was the perfect gift for an old friend in Ohio, so he bought it yesterday!!  How coincidental was that!  LOL

Anyways, thank you so much to everyone, for reading my blog, for entering my giveaways, even when my posts are so sporadic this last year.

I'm determined to keep this blog going, and I have faith that very soon, I'll have more time to post my thoughts and our daily living on this vast, wild and rugged prairie.

Stay tuned for more country giveaways - we'll be having a monthly giveaway right up until July 2012!  I've got some more great giveaway ideas tucked up my sleeve.  :-)


December Country Giveaway

I'm a few days behind on getting the December country giveaway up and running, but I think you're really going to like this giveaway!

First off, I just want to say that my hat's off to everyone who has found a craft that truly captures their heart and mind.  I know that when I take the time to do a photography walkabout, I can totally lose track of time.  That's probably the ONLY time I can lose track of time!!

For those who have managed to also SELL their craft, well, I think that's the icing on the cake.  Doing what you love, and making some money from doing it!

In that theme, I'd like to feature a fellow blogger who loves making western styled jewelry, much of it from found and vintage items.  I just love Michelle's designs.  Now if we could only convince her that she needs to do this full-time, so there are more of her designs for everyone!

One great example of Michelle's work!

The winner of the December giveaway will have the opportunity to choose one item from Michelle's Etsy shop, Rockin Heart Jewelry and Vintage Finds, up to a $25 value.   Leave a comment here telling me which piece you like in her shop and you'll be entered!

You can also check out Michelle on her blog, Ranch Girl Diaries.  And since I'm not one to forget (LOL), she also had a previous blog where she shared her love of photography, Pony Girl Rides Again.  Check out the great cat photos at that link!

So, go on, check out Michelle's Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite is, leave a comment here, and you'll be entered into the great December Country giveaway!  You have until Tuesday, December 13, at midnight, PST, to leave a comment and be entered!

Be sure to check out Michelle's store over the weekend, as she plans on adding more pieces then.

Simplicity, Reaffirmed

I had lost touch with Martha, one of my earliest blogging buddies, over the last few months.  Oddly enough, she commented on my blog yesterday and I had just been thinking about her!!

Last night, I discovered she had started a blog about her journey to minimalism.  By this morning, I had tweaked my post from yesterday and provided it as a guest post for her new blog, Minimalist in the Making.

Re-connecting with Martha couldn't have come at a better time for me.  I have been losing my grip on the reasons I am working two jobs.

After spending the last few hours reading many of the minimalist /simplicity /debt-free blogs that Martha has linked to, I have reaffirmed my desire to live simply, and cut much of the clutter from my life and my home.

Thank you Martha, for re-connecting with me at a pivotal point in my life.

So while y'all head on over to Martha's new blog to have a peek, maybe I need to return the Kindle Fire that just came yesterday.  :-\

Note to Self: Remember to Live Simply

Lately it seems like corporate greed is on the front page, in every shape and form.  We see the protestors of the Occupy movement protesting this greed in a vague and rather unorganized protest - there doesn't really seem to be a defined strategy to their efforts.

Then on the opposite front we see news items over the last few days that several large corporate retail brands are planning on opening their stores Thursday evening, instead of waiting for their normal big opening on Friday morning.

Isn't this a prime example of corporate greed?  I get weary of materialism being shoved down our throats 24/7.  We've become so accustomed to this constant onslaught of WHAT WE NEED (really?  do we need all this stuff???) that it's become difficult for us to take a step backwards and reassess what we really need to get by on a daily basis.  Which is a lot less than we think.

And I'm just as guilty of this" I WANT" mentality as anyone else.

I had a pretty good handle on simplicity when I first moved to Kansas in 2008.  Partly because I wasn't working and I really had to practice that philosophy.

Now that I've been working two jobs, to pay off debt of course, I seem to have lost sight of my "simple is better" philosophy the last few months.

 
I need to get back on track.  Really, I do.  So I'm going to start working on getting back to a simpler way of life.  Again.

As an adjunct to this philosophy, and a pffffffft to large corporations everywhere, there are two events coming up this weekend that remind us to remember small and independent businesses everywhere.

The first event is Plaid Friday, brought to my attention by Jon Katz, one of my favorite dog book authors (A Dog Year, A Good Dog, Dog Days, etc.). Please click through to Jon's website to read all about Plaid Friday and how we can impact independent businesses for the better, in a world swimming with corporate greed.

The second event, Shop Small Saturday, is sponsored by American Express (I know, a BIG corporation.....sigh), but it does support small business and promotes the idea that we need to remember the independent businesses in our own hometowns.  If you're an Amex card holder, you can sign up here (registration is limited!) and earn $25 back on your statement by spending $25 or more at an independent business near you.  Last year, my husband and I ate at a small hometown Mexican restaurant with a large reputation,  for free!

A side note regarding the November magazine subscription giveaway:  I recently had a "Buy One Get One Free" offer from MaryJanesFarm so I thought if the winner chose MJF then I would choose a second winner.  Misty Dawn chose to subscribe to Hobby Farms Home. Sorry guys!!  :-\

December 1st is coming fast, and there will be a new country giveaway.  I'll be tailoring this next giveaway in the spirit of Plaid Friday and Shop Small Saturday - we'll put a new Etsy shop owner in the spotlight next!

The November Country Giveaway Winner Is......

So who gets a subscription to a country magazine???  Wellllll, the random winner drawn this morning was.........  Misty Dawn!!

I was so excited when I saw that Misty's number came up in the Randomizer.  She's my virtual photographer friend/crony.  We discovered that if it has to do with photography, then the other one is probably going to be interested in it too, so we're always sending links to each other!

Misty, let me know which magazine you'd like a subscription to, email me your address, and I'll get your subscription started.

Congrats to Misty, and thanks to everyone else who entered by commenting.

Oh yeah, one other thing.... pay very close attention to the next blog post.  Depending on which magazine Misty selects, there just might be a second gift subscription to another lucky blog reader!!

Oooops.... Weight Loss Program On Hold!

Ok, so I jumped the gun just a bit.... I was going to hit the store after work last night to get the foods I would need to help me lose the weight.  Regretfully, I was feeling quite nauseous before I left work, so trolling through the grocery store aisles after 10:00 p.m. just didn't sound like a load of fun.

I came straight home.

I will renew my decision to lose the weight (and set a new start date) as soon as I have time to hit the grocery store and stock up on the RIGHT foods.  Meanwhile, the Advocare products are sitting here, just waiting on me to get my butt in gear!

I also want to get our weight bench moved from the shop to the garage, in the room we have been renovating.  It's close to the back door of the house, and once the bench is set up, I'll be more motivated to follow through on workouts.

In the meantime, here's a recent gorgeous Kansas sunrise for your viewing pleasure... and don't forget to enter the November country giveaway.... click here to find out how to enter!



YOU Can Hold Me Accountable...

....for the next 24 days!

I have finally decided to make the commitment to lose at least 20 pounds.

I am using the Advocare 24 day program to help me, in addition to eating the right fruits and veggies and totally swearing off JUNK food.

I want my svelte figure back, but more than that, I want my energy back! 

On a side note, I've been boosting my energy lately with the help of Spark.  Spark's vitamins and minerals keep me going through my work-laden days, not only with energy, but also a much welcomed burst of positive well-being and cheerfulness.  You can really feel it -- you just feel better and more positive about life in general after drinking a Spark.

At any rate, I wanted to announce my intention to the world, so that I will be accountable to more than just myself.

Starting tomorrow, a 24-day jumpstart to weight loss and then I will continue to eat better after the 24 days are over!  I promise!!

Follow along -- I'll do a weigh-in tomorrow (ugh).  Not too sure about before and after photos though, we'll see!

Also, don't forget about November's country giveaway.  Click here to read about it - you still have until Friday at midnight to be entered.  A winner will be drawn on Saturday.

Disclaimer:  Yes, I'm an Advocare distributor.  No, I'm really not trying to push Advocare products down anyone's throat.  But I've read so many good things about people who have lost weight using this program,  I decided I really need to give it a try.  And I really DO like the Spark drink!

A November Country Giveaway

And finally, it's time for another country giveaway!

This month, how about a year's subscription to one of the following:

MaryJanesFarm
Hobby Farms Home

I've received both magazines at different times in the past, and I love them both.

The winner, to be drawn randomly on November 12th, can select the magazine of their choice.

I'm changing up the rules just a tiny bit this month - simply COMMENT to this post to be entered into the giveaway.  Only one comment is necessary to be entered into the giveaway.

I think that's easier, and much simpler for everyone since we all have such busy and hectic lives!!

Good luck, and have a wonderful Thursday!

a rustic prairie shot from my photo archives

Drumroll... A Winner!!!

And the winner of the October Country Giveaway which features the beautiful bracelet made by Kayla of The Eclectic Element is............


Congrats, Misha!!

Email me your address and I'll forward it to Kayla so she can get your beautiful bracelet to you.  A big thanks goes out to Kayla for providing her craftsmanship for the October giveaway!!



Thanks to everyone who entered, and stay tuned for the November Country Giveaway, which will be here in the blink of an eye!

A Weed By Any Other Name

Driving along our back country roads, this is what you'll see this time of year.... a glorious profusion of yellow flowers.  Or weeds.  I think the county calls them "weeds".


They proliferate in dry weather, of which we've had an abundance this year.
Personally, I think they make our dirt roads look very picturesque and beautiful.

Weed, or flower?
It's just a name, a designation.
I call them flowers.

They are like mini-sunflowers, so to me,
they are happy,
waving in the breeze to passers-by,
smiling at everyone.  

Maybe even thumbing their noses
(do they have noses??!)
at our county workers.



Backlit by the morning sun.
Beautiful, don't you think?



Last Day To Enter Country Giveaway!!


Yesterday morning's sunrise was nothing short of spectacular.... 
with a beautiful sunrise to the east, and a very
intense and stormy sky to the west with a rainbow!


I have never seen a rainbow to our west...
they always appear to the east.  
So it was a very awe-inspiring and different morning!


We're down to the last day to enter
the October Country Giveaway!!

Read this post here to find out how to enter.

You'll need to subscribe to my blog (upper right sidebar) and then respond to the first post you get in your email - Enter me in your October Country Giveaway!

I'll push out one more blog post later today to give late subscribers a chance to enter the giveaway.  By Saturday evening, we'll know who the lucky winner of Kayla's beautiful bracelet will be!!!


October Giveaway ~ Country Bracelet

Only one more day to enter the giveaway
for this beautiful bracelet by Kayla at The Eclectic Element!

Go here to read the entry rules and see additional photos.

A Rural Drive-By

In my rural world, a drive-by means something entirely different... it's basically a very peaceful, sometimes early-morning, rural excursion wherein I scout for suitable dirt road photographs.

Yesterday morning yielded a few notable subjects.  Here's one sample from over 200....

After: I expanded on the hazy look and added a vignette.

Before (SOOC):  the sun had popped behind a few clouds, and
there was a hazy look to the sky due to many tractors
in the area kicking up the dust.

Don't forget to enter the October country giveaway this month by responding via email when you receive notice of a new blog post:  Simply put in the subject line, Enter me in your October country giveaway!

If you haven't checked it out yet, read yesterday's post for all the juicy details and to view the photos of the beautiful rustic and earthy bracelet that Kayla from The Eclectic Element has made for this giveaway!



October Country Giveaway

It's here!! 
The October Country Giveaway!

I think you're going to love this month's giveaway.... a beautiful, rustic and very organic beaded bracelet by Kayla from The Eclectic Element

Kayla has been beading for many years, and she is just the most talented beader I know -- she really has an artistic eye for putting together beautiful and unusual bead combinations.

She has really outdone herself this time....  
what do you think?!



Kayla is a hardy and resilient soul, a young gal who's been battling lyme disease for many, many years now.  She has bad days and good days, and luckily, she's been having more good days than bad lately.  I wish her continued success with her current treatments, and I hope that she's back to creating lovely bracelets for her Etsy store soon!!

Her beaded bracelet store on Etsy doesn't have any products at the moment, but her vintage Etsy store is alive and thriving... check it out when you have a minute!

And if you haven't ever visited Etsy.com, I'm going to highly recommend that you do so.  Etsy has the most incredible, unique and beautiful handmade goods by artists all over the world, and tons of vintage shops too.  I've been browsing the Etsy shops for the last few months, and I've built up a very substantial and nice 'favorites' list already.

I'm still gearing up for my own Etsy stores.  Soon, very soon.   And yes, that WAS plural.  More than one store!

Everything takes time, of course.  But I'm definitely getting closer.  :-)


Rules to Enter Giveaway
In the meantime, if you'd like to enter the great country giveaway this month, just hit "reply" when you get notice in your email of a new blog post, any new blog post from Oz Girl at all. 

Hit "reply" and put in the subject line, "Enter me in your October country giveaway!!" 

That's it.  Simple.

The contest will be open for entries through Friday, October 7th at midnight (PST).  A winner will be drawn via Randomizer.org and announced by Sunday, October 9th.

Don't forget to subscribe to my blog if you haven't already, so you'll get email notices of new posts and you'll be able to enter the giveaways, which will be occurring on the 1st of every month through July 2012!!

It's easy to subscribe up in the top of my right sidebar where it says Follow Oz Girl Via Email... and just as easy to unsubscribe later, if you choose to do so!  

Be sure to follow through with Feedburner's verification process, so that your subscription is complete!

Good luck, and happy weekend to all!  :-)

Almost Country Giveaway Time Again!

Good grief, where has September gone??!!! 

I realize I have been seriously MIA this month, which is mostly due to my spare time being filled with planting a fall garden, making 4 batches of red pickles (with hubby's help, of course), tending to a runty guinea keet (who is thriving now), and lots of other chores related to living on 27 acres...

We're beginning to get some pumpkins, Baby Pam variety to be exact, which are the best to make pumpkin pies with.  I can't wait to make our first pie!  I planted carrots, fall radish, and spinach last weekend.  Would still like to get some lettuce planted.

Just a reminder... October 1st marks the beginning of a new country giveaway, and I think you're going to like the wonderful and unique handmade item I have for you.

So remember to stop back here on Saturday to find out what it is and enter for your chance to win!

Food Shopping Rules To Live By

Springboarding off yesterday's post, here are what I consider to be the top 5 rules to live by when shopping for food at your local grocer....

  1. Avoid foods with more than 5 ingredients - and don't be fooled by some snacks that boast only 2 or 3 ingredients.  If the label says "Tostitos", then guess what - it's still processed food!
  2. If your teen (or you) can't pronounce an ingredient name, don't buy the product. 
  3. Shop the edges of the grocery store - stay out of the middle aisles.
  4. Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
  5. Avoid foods with some form of sugar listed as one of the first 3 ingredients.
These are just my personal favorites that I've pulled from Michael Pollan's book, Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, which is a small pocket sized book (so you could easily tote it around with you while you shop, if you wanted to.)  Pollan lists 59 more rules in his book, all notable and arguably potential top 5 material in their own right.

For example, It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.

I like that one.

How about...  It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language (Big Mac, Cheetos, Pringles).

And I really like this one.... Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does.

At the end of his book, Pollard reminds us: Break the rules once in awhile.  Then again, he reiterates, Treat treats as treats.

Much of this advice you may have heard before, some might be new.  All of it is pure logic and common sense.  If we are to become a healthier people, then we need to pay more attention to our diet, plain and simple. 

I've lapsed back into my bad ways more than once, but I think this time I'm more committed than I've ever been to stay away from fast food and processed food. I know from past experience how much better I feel - I seem to have more energy and more motivation when I'm eating right.

I'm giving both of Pollard's books 5 stars. 

In Defense of Food is an engrossing read from start to finish, and Food Rules will aid you in selecting the right foods as you start a new and exciting journey in your health.


Defining Food

Midge, our Ameraucana, laid her first blue eggs!

So, if you were going to define the word "food", how would you think it is defined in the dictionary, and how would you personally define this word?

The official definition of food is: any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy,  promote growth, etc.

What is your definition of food?

Now, another question:  do you think that most of the food in the supermarket today is truly FOOD?

Sadly, most of the food in the common supermarket today is a product of science, not a product of nature. That fact alone should make us take pause, and reflect - is what we buy to nourish our bodies GOOD for us, or is it leading us down a potential path to ill health and chronic disease?

I think it makes sense to remember, the food industry is just that -- an INDUSTRY.  It behooves all of us to realize that the major food manufacturers are in this to make money, and lots of it.

Let's face it: processed food is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it ain't going away anytime soon.

My biggest awakening to date has been reading Michael Pollan's book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

And my biggest AHA moment while reading this book, (which, by the way, I read over the last 3 days), was the following historic moment when everything changed for the worse in the food industry...

In 1968, a committee was formed in Washington with a mandate to eliminate malnutrition and its work led to the establishment of several important food assistance programs.  This committee, the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, which was chaired by South Dakota Senator George McGovern, held hearings in 1978 on the alarming increase in chronic disease linked to diet - including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

This committee learned that while rates of coronary heart disease had soared in post-WWII America, certain other cultures that consumed traditional diets based mostly on plants had very low rates of chronic disease.  It was also observed that when Americans consumed less dairy and meat during the war years due to rationing, the rate of heart disease had temporarily plummeted.

So in 1977 the committee issued a straightforward set of dietary guidelines recommending that Americans eat less red meat and dairy products.

Now, do you see where this is leading?

A firestorm of criticism erupted, coming chiefly from the red meat and dairy industries.  Senator McGovern, who had a lot of cattle ranchers among his South Dakota constituents, was forced to beat a hasty retreat.  The recommendations were quickly rewritten and plain talk about actual food was replaced by "choose meats, poultry and fish that will reduce saturated fat intake."

This was a momentous turning point in our nation's food conversation.  Never again would an actual food be demonized.  Instead, from this point forward, the governmental institutions realized that they could only speak of nutrients, not of food, or the food industry in question would raise arms.

Have you noticed that you only hear about polyphenols, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, omega 3's or 6's, carbohydrates, protein.... the list goes on.  You don't hear about actual food products.

At any rate, I am highly recommending this book.  It's not a diet book.  It's a book about the state of our Western food diet, and how it is slowly killing us, its eaters.  It's a recommendation to get back to our roots, our culture, our traditions and eat food the way it was supposed to be eaten.

Here's another interesting parallel:  the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry are both more than happy to help out with all the chronic diseases that our diet is causing.  I wonder why.  You don't think it has anything at all to do with MONEY?!

Follow along tomorrow as I give you a short, short list of food rules that you can carry with you to the supermarket.

Oh and one more thing.  If you're really interested in getting off the Western food diet bandwagon, here's a really fun website to check out, about a family who did just that for 100 days, and how it radically changed their lifestyle for the better.

I know I'm ready to make the jump.  I'm already avoiding the center aisles in the grocery store.

I bought my first Asian pear last night, and ate it for lunch today.  It was good, but my husband said they tasted wayyyyy better when he had them in Japan.   :-)

On a Photographic Bent

I've been absent for the last week due to a number of reasons.  Trying to get caught up around the house is only one reason.

Another reason: One of the things I've wanted to do for a LONG time is work with my photos in Photoshop Elements.  I have always had problems with my brand-spanking-new version 6 for the Mac not working right - it would crash whenever I tried to open a photo file.  This even after numerous phone calls with Adobe tech support.

Since my Mac's hard drive crashed a year and a half ago and had to be replaced, I got to thinking earlier this week -- hmmmm, wonder if I reload PS Elements 6, will it work now that there's a "new" hard drive?  Maybe it was something related to my old hard drive.

Lo and behold, yes, it worked!  For about 3 files.... then the old problem started to resurface - crashing when I tried to open a file.

I did some additional internet research and wondered -- should I scrap my PS Elements 4 that was still on my computer?  There was no "uninstall" feature that far back.  The advice I kept finding was to just trash the application folder for PS Elements 4.

So I did.
And now my version 6 works.  Really.  
Do you know how exciting that is for me??

There is absolutely NOTHING more frustrating than not being able to use brand new software you've just purchased for your computer.  For several years.

Now that it works I've decided to upgrade to version 9 (I know, how funny is that?!), which is for Macs and PCs alike.  Finally, Adobe has combined the two platforms into one version.  Wasn't that incredibly smart of them?! (yes, that's sarcasm - they should have done that a long time ago!)


Two of my flower photos with added textures-
what do you think??


My ultimate goal is to finally
open my own Etsy store. 

It's close to becoming a reality.

How many of you are familiar with Etsy?  

Have you ever bought anything from a crafter on Etsy?

I've been browsing through the stores of fellow photographers on Etsy lately.  Let me tell you -- there are some awesome,  inspirational photographers there!

Take a peek at my profile on Etsy and see who I've favorited so far.  Wait until you see the gorgeous note cards and prints by several photographers who inspire me.

And here's a hint:  My October country giveaway is going to feature an item from a fellow blogger who just happens to have an Etsy store.  She makes something gorgeous, that you will love to have.  It's a secret -- shhhh!

And no, it's not related to photography!  :-)

Stay tuned....

Lehman's Country Giveaway Winners

I put mind over matter, and decided to announce the winners after all.  I did say I would announce them on Thursday -

The winners of a $25 gift certificate are...
Sherri Irving and Frank Etheridge
Congrats to both of you!

Please use the Email the Author link at the bottom of this post to send me your addresses, so I can get the $25 gift certificates sent out to you.

Thanks to everyone for entering the contest.  Don't forget to tune in early October for the next country giveaway!!

I am so sorry

I have spent most of my evening holding my two little runty keets.  One of them just died in my hands.

At this time I just can't do the Lehman's drawing, but I promise I will draw the winners by the weekend.

I know it's pretty silly.  It's just a bird.  But I think the tears are for more than just a bird.

I apologize,  I truly do.

This Is Killin' Me

I can't draw the winners for the Lehman's country giveaway until late this afternoon.

My work schedule was abruptly changed yesterday afternoon, so instead of working my usual 2nd shift at the hospital today, I need to be there E.A.R.L.Y. this morning for a meeting. 

So it's killin' me on 2 counts...

I'm anxious to find out who the winners of the giveaway are (as you are too, I'm sure!!!)

And I am so NOT a morning person anymore.

OUCH.

Nap Time + Lehman's Country Giveaway


What is it with animals?  They keep us up at night, and then they have their nap time during the day while we put eye drops in our red-rimmed eyes and get ready for work....

As you can see, the keets are napping.  It's what they do best when they're little.  Except last night.  The two runts kept me up, peeping at the top of their little lungs.  Worried mama (me) kept checking on them, holding them while they fell asleep. 

Not good for my sleep time....  so now I'm over-fatigued today after working all 3 days this weekend at the turnpike, which was busy with travelers heading home yesterday!

Here's a reminder: you only have until tomorrow to enter the Lehman's country giveaway and win one of two $25 gift certificates!! 

Read my original post here, with the rules to enter.  

Comments do not qualify as entries - you must reply to the email you receive announcing a new post on my blog.  In order to do that, you need to subscribe to my blog (see box at top of right sidebar).

It's free, and easy, to subscribe!!
And you can unsubscribe at any time.

But remember, there will be 10 more months of country giveaways here, so you might want to hang around for awhile.  :-)

All In A Day - and The Lehman's Country Giveaway!

It's been a busy Sunday already... cleaned out the keets' Rubbermaid tote AND cleaned the chicken coop. Cleaning the coop is always quite the chore.

Hubby put together a new metal nesting box unit for the hens, which will be so much more healthy (translate: not as germy) than the old wooden nesting boxes were.

9 keets so far - 4 pearls, 5 lavenders
 
Midge, our Ameraucana hen

Foghorn poses - yep, that's his name
We did a walkabout on the property - hubby showed me what he had accomplished with the Bobcat we are renting this weekend.  He started digging out the silt pond yesterday afternoon. 

We did get about a half inch of rain last night, of course.  Because we rented the Bobcat, you know.

The poor dried-up big pond

A mud turtle at the big pond
He decided to remove a nasty bush at our back porch that attracts flies as if it had a dead corpse inside it.  It doesn't (have a dead corpse) but the flies must think so.

Bush be gone!

The Bobcat removeth!

Don't forget to enter the Lehman's country giveaway
for your chance to win one of two $25 gift certificates.  

Click here to read the post with
all the details on how to enter!