That girl is a cowboy...

Crickets at her new ranch... We moved her over last Saturday. It seems that all this little mare needed, was some good old, love and care, and just look at her now. I would say she looking quite fat, and a bit sassy. She is about ready to ride and Allison is "chomping at the bit" to get in the saddle as well. heeheehee Just look at that tummy now.... Not a rib to be seen.

Allison says she will gain much needed butt muscle once she starts riding.

Don't they look great together????

Just look at that beautiful coat.

And Tookie believe me!!!!!!! I'm so there already!!!! xoxoxoxo
It got to 108* today. It's 4:30 and it's still 102*. Wow.... I'm praying for everyone who doesn't have an ac to get into.

Cool Blessings your way...... Sue

The Parrots are back!!!!

For as long as I can remember, and we've lived in the same house for 24 years, the parrots arrive, in full squawking glory, at this same time each year. I count on it. It means that Autumn is coming soon. When I used to raise lovebirds they would come right into our yard, landing in the trees and on top of the aviary to see them. They are LOUD and beautiful, and they make me happy. I liked to think that they were migrating up from Mexico, and until recently this is still what I assumed.. Recently, however, I've been reading about the many feral parrot flocks, in many major cities, and specifically Southern California. No one really knows how they began, and there are many theory's. I still lean towards the Mexico thing.

They are Amazon Parrots. This is a picture of what one looks like. Southern California is the perfect climate for them and since we have many palm trees and eucalyptus trees ( none which are native ) The birds thrive here. The picture below is of two feral Mexican parrots. I tried to get pictures myself but it just wasn't meant to be. It's fun to read about them.. Try Google.
We're having a bit of a heat wave here now. Its got to 103* at around 1:30 today. Thank you Lord for my Air Conditioner. I don't know how I survived for so long without it.

Stay cool, Stay calm, and carry on........ Blessings Sue

Feelin' Antsy

Lets be honest... These are really the only kind of "ants" I have ever really liked. "Ants on a log" I used to make these for the girls for school lunches (remember?) I have, however, gained a bit of respect, shall we say, for these annoying little creatures of God. I've been feeling a bit "antsy" lately. So grab a cup and go on a little journey with me, won't you. ANT- noun
1. Black, red, brown, or yellow insects found in warm climates. They have a large head, inner jaws for chewing and outer jaws for chewing, carrying and digging. They live in highly organized colonies, containing wingless female workers and a winged Queen. Only during breeding season are there winged males.

Now I find much of this information very interesting..... I'll not elaborate..... however.... EVERY ant you see on your kitchen counter is a female..... Just trying to take care of the daily business of life, tending to other family members.... blah,blah,blah..........


ANTSY- adjective- slang. 1. Unable to sit or stand still ; fidgety. 2. apprehensive, uneasy, nervous.

ANTS IN PANTS- slang. To have ants in pants, to be impatient or eager to act or speak.

1. There are over 10,000 known species of ants.

2. Ants recognise each other by scent and leave a scent trail to find food.

3. Ants live for 40 to 60 days.

4. Some birds put ants into their feathers to eat parasites.

5. Ants have 2 stomachs.

6. Ants are able to lift 20 times their body weight.

7. Ants have the largest brain of most insects.

8. Ants have no lungs, they breathe through tiny holes all over their little bodies.
9. They are in the same "family" as bees and wasps.

I couldn't resist !!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHA

I have been feeling antsy lately. I'm ready for school to start. It will soon, about 2 more weeks here. I'm ready for Autumn. The colors, the smells, the feeling in the air....... I want to bake without having to turn on the AC. You get the picture...

I have been getting alot done around here. I believe God reminded me of those who need some of the really cool stuff I have in my shed that I wasn't using anymore. I've been cleaning, sorting, and generally clearing out. I give to to the American Vets Thrift Store. They are gonna score this time around. It makes me feel good. Hmmmmm....Listen to what I believe God is telling me...Act on it..... Feel good....... Interesting......

Proverbs 6: 6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider it's ways and be wise.

It has no commander, No overseer ruler,

Yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers it's food at harvest.


So many projects I have going.... Blessed Babies are coming.... (No not grand babies yet) So I'm knee deep in knitting, quilting, sewing for them. I do like to be busy like this....

I'm itching to get spinning and I have a few weaving projects to get finished up. I also got a new crock pot I'm dying to put into service. Come On Autumn.................... It's soup time around here..........
Blessings to you all... Thanks for stopping by. Sue

Still here.....

Still here..... just summertime busy. I will try to catch up but all will probably be just randomness as usual. hee hee Thought I'd share some pictures of our summer produce...whatever!!!! We have been trying to keep cool as usual for sunny California summers...... Cherries fresh from the fridge......

And plunked into a long, tall, never ending, glass of green ice tea.... With ALOT less sugar..... I'm weaning myself back to "not so sweet tea" hahaha

These deviled eggs are from our very own little hens, who faithfully keep us well stocked with fresh, healthy eggs.

And tell me now, how blessed am I, to have had, not only Georgia peaches this summer, but these beautiful, juice filled little orbs of love right from our very own tree, planted just this last season. Yep we got three. Started out with seven, not sure what happened to the others. Maybe some momma bird fed them to her babies, or a pack of hungry juvenile wormage found the others to be to their liking..... Either way I enjoyed them myself, sweet, juicy yummmmm.

And how excited was I when we got our first squash and tomatoes.... I have enjoyed the tomatoes the most....... We also have red grape tomatoes which when cut in half with the yellow pear and mixed with a few leafs of spinach and fresh basil, chunks of bleu cheese, red onion, a touch of olive oil and a small squeeze of lemon is now my very favorite salad in the whole wide world.....

Jennifer is coming home tonight...... Washing her bedding and getting her room all fresh and tidy for her arrival. Love it when I have chicks in the house....... More later than..

Blessings, Sue

Surprise....Surprise......

This is the newest member of our family...... Cricket. She is a Bay Appendix Mare. She is 6 years old and my youngest daughters dream come true. Don't they look cute together. She is a bit under weight, but that is fixable fast and she is a sweet heart. She was here waiting for us when we got home. A gift from a very beloved lady friend.

So now you can see why the rest of our summer is going to be busy. She is staying at one ranch until she gets fatter ( too bad she can't eat my pies, or I could just give here some of mine) and used to Bug then we will be moving to another permanent boarding facility.

I'll show you more pictures as she fill out. Isn't she pretty?....
Wishing you the feelings of high calorie blessings without the high calorie consequences. tee hee, Sue

Home again, Home again...Ziggity Zag......

I am always amazed at the beauty from above the clouds.. Really, not one other person sees this view and yet God made it so breathtaking. Just like the flowers in the field that no one ever sees and yet are perfectly made by him as well......... With Georgia behind me and California ahead I had time to contemplate my visit. It was just what a vacation should be.... With people you love....Somewhere you love to be... And restful, fun and peaceful. When I think of Georgia many things come to mind , first of all, of course, my kids and their dogs and home.... But then there are the things that just generally pop into mind like Peaches....

Carlye made fresh Georgia Peach Cobbler with vanilla ice cream... Oh my gosh..... YUMMMMM..

Magnolia Trees...... This one is in their front yard and huge and so green. We just missed the last of the blossoms but I was told that, along with the Gardenia bush at the start of the driveway, the entire yard was filled with a fragrance strong enough to make, even the toughest of Southern Belles swoon. I had my morning coffee over a snow white gardenia, floating in a glass dish each morning. Ahhhhhhh

Hanging Planters from every porch, spilling with colorful flowers... This is also an East Coast thing, I believe, I saw alot of them in New York state and Pennsylvania as well. You can't help but love the Southern charm it lends. It is so green there. Of course it rains alot more then here at home but the first night there we were welcomed by a lightening storm and gobs of rain. Then out come the toads.... which the dogs just LOVE to munch... Its gross I know but what can you do.

Front Porches and Sweet Tea... Sitting out on the front porch with a huge glass of sweet tea, visiting with your loved ones and listening to the cicadas.... Waiting for the first glint of light from the fire flys, as they start their evening rounds....
Being California raised I must say that sweet tea is definitely an acquired taste, but acquire it I did. I'm not talking Stevia, honey, or those little pink, yellow or blue packets of stuff we so liberally pour into our tea here. But the real honest to goodness sweet stuff SUGAR and lots of it. Mmmm, mmmm.

I took lots of pictures of the plantations and other pre -civil war buildings. I'll show you more later.

For now, I'm home and looking forward to the rest of the summer here. We came back to a little vegitable harvest and a suprize..... But that will have to be in the next post.... Til then

Enjoy your summer Blessings..... Sue

Five things......

I'm not sure if Ill have time to post again before vacation. We're going to Georgia. So I thought I'd leave you with these five things about me you may not know....... 1. When I was a little girl I had the biggest crush on Abraham Lincoln. I LOVED him. I read everything I could about him. I thought He was the most amazing man besides Jesus to ever walk the earth. I loved the facts of his growing up and used to picture him and me reading together by the firelight in some obscure log cabin somewhere. It wasn't really a romantic thing, looking back I think it was more respect.

2. I have always loved books. I read as often as I can, for as long as I can. I crave reading.

3. My most favorite book ever is The Holy Bible. Any translation is ok but MY Bible is a NIV Life Application. Its the one I go to every time.

4. One of my favorite things to do is look for old books. I go to the swap meet and thrift stores in search of the latest treasure to add to my collection. I love the smell, the feel and the thought of books. (I also like the smell of a new box of crayons but that's another story hee hee)

5. I decided long before I had my own children that I was going to make sure they could read well. (The best they could) My sister always had a hard time reading and I felt great pain for her struggles. I believed and and still do, that if you can read, you can do anything, go anywhere and be anything you want to be. My entire family now are readers. Yes!!!!!!!

Okay.... there you have it... 5 things..... Books.... Just one of the many facets in the gem of my life.

What are five things you want to share with me?? I can't wait to find out!!!!

Blessings until next we meet, Sue