City Rant = Country Appreciation

I swear every single time I have to venture into the city, I find more things to hate. My parents live  right in town, in Latrobe, and since most of the property at my house  is wooded, I still board my horse at a great barn near my parents' house. The problem is, that I must venture through the city to get to my horse. Booo. 


I have a  large break in between my classes at UPG, so I usually use my time wisely, and spend it riding after a quick change into my britches and boots at my parents'. It just so happens that school children are being let out right before my break, and the city feels it necessary to appoint a crossing guard at the intersection down the street from my parents' house, even though it is nowhere near the school. It just so happens that this crossing guard is a total control freak.


She stands on the corner with her hands on her hips, and feels the need to direct traffic even when there is no one standing at the crosswalk! This infuriates me, and I despise this woman. I've been driving for over six years, I know what a damn stop sign is. She also glares at every single car that drives by her, and I glare back. I don't even know who the hell is responsible for hiring her, or why she is necessary, but I have made a vow to find out. 


In the country, our only crossing guards are the occasional squirrel or goose, and they never glare at me.

Jackson Eating

Boy, having a bottle baby goat is sure a chore! When we just got him I was worried because he wasn't eating too well, but now he goes crazy as soon as he sees his bottle. I guess I got my mini-pig after all! 

Rest in Peace, Amy Tryon

The eventing community lost a beloved member today, and I am very saddened by this news. Amy Tryon was an amazing horsewoman and rider, and represented our country in many international competitions, including the Pan Ams and the Olympics. To read more about her death, go to this link. She was only 42. 

Tripod Truck Spotting

Look at what I found sitting in the parking lot of Tractor Supply! It's a tripod truck! I love pickup trucks, and I must have examined this thing for at least 15 minutes (most of which were spent battling my smartphone to get a good picture). It looks like something from the Jetsons. I wonder what its towing capacity is? Probably couldn't haul my horse trailer, so I think I'll stick with the four wheel variety. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

Jackson In a Photo Shoot!

Our little Jackson was featured in a photo shoot last Saturday! My friend Jayna is a photographer, and used him and our peeps as Easter props to take pictures of her niece. The pictures turned out soo cute. 

Isn't Jayna an amazing photographer? (and isn't Jackson ADORABLE?)


Here's a link to her website, Costello Imaging.

The Buzz on Burt's Bees

 I had a wonderful day working in the garden and spending some much needed time outdoors in the sunshine.  There is nothing like the feel of a shovel in your hands, working the earth and you muscles, breathing fresh air, and feeling alive! However, all that hard work is prone to leave your hands and skin feeling a little rough. That's why I use Burt's Bees hand salve when I come in from the garden. It is wonderful, and will make even the driest skin soft again. For those of you not familiar with Burt's Bees, listen up. They have tons of all-natural skin, hair, dental, and make-up products that are made primarily of beeswax. You can check out their entire product line at Burtsbees.com. 

Take a Peek at the Peeps

April, May, June, Henrietta, Thelma, and Louise (she's hiding)!

Warning: Too Cute

 Here he is; I finally got a picture of Jackson! It was such a lovely day, we decided to let the peeps outside to get some fresh air and green grass. They would not leave our side, and Jackson couldn't get enough of them. Ahhh how I love country life!

The Truth About Nipples

No, no..get your collective mind out of the gutter! I'm talking about rubber nipples for feeding our new baby goat, Jackson! 


Last night I surprised Kevin with a goat for his birthday, and since the little guy is only two weeks  old, he requires bottle feeding three times a day.


After some experimenting with a few varieties of rubber nipples found at Tractor Supply, I have had great luck with the Pritchard Nipple, shown below.

Every baby is different, and it really comes down to their personal preference, but I highly recommend trying this nipple first, if you ever have to bottle feed a goat or lamb. 


Jackson is sleeping at my feet on the front porch as I type this, he follows me everywhere!


I'd better feed him once more before class, everyone take care! 


Have you ever had to bottle feed a baby animal? If so, what kind, and do you have any hints?

Check Me Out on Twitter

Despite my hatred of social medial, I gave in and started a Twitter account for this blog. Check out my tweets, here.  I'd rather peep than tweet though. :)

Hangin' With My Peeps

I AM SO EXCITED! I mean really,over-bearingly, borderline annoying, excited; like a little kid who gets a chocolate bunny AND money-filled easter eggs in her basket. Why, you ask?


Yesterday, we finally bought our peeps!


I have never been happier than when I carried my six, tiny, precious, fuzzy, warm and cuddly peeps out of Tractor Supply, in a little cardboard barn-shaped box. 


Yes, I played with them all day, and even almost fell asleep on the straw by their heat lamp, after singing them lullabies and giving them treats of lettuce.  Who couldn't love a peep?


I found this great web-site, where you can read up on peep-care, if you too, wish to have your own little bundles of chirping joy. 


I'll get pictures ASAP

Outlaw Country

If you guys want to check out some awesome music and videos, visit Sirius XM Outlaw Country's Facebook page. WARNING: It's chock full of goodies, and you will probably waste hours of your life looking at this page. It is seriously one of the only radio stations I listen too, and you should give it a try. It has everything from Lucinda Williams to Johnny Cash to Bob Dylan. The best part is that none of these singers wear sequined jeans and do a hip-hop routine on stage, singing about gettin' drunk in a truck bed. It's REAL country / folk ;)

Life Saver!

Last night was absolutely CRAZY; Definitely not something you'd  expect to happen in the country.


Kevin was super busy at work and didn't leave until around 9:30 P.M. I was waiting up for him, reading The Gravedigger's Daughter, by Joyce Carol Oates (I cannot put it down!), when I looked out and saw an ambulance coming down our usually deserted road. I became very scared, thinking Kevin had gotten tired and run off the road.


His response when I called him was not what I expected.


"I'm performing CPR, I'm o.k. I'l be home when the ambulance gets here."


I got the full story when he got home, and after hearing it, I really want to learn C.P.R.


He was driving home, down the forlorn, wooded road that leads to our house, when he saw a BMW parked in the middle of the road. He slowed down, thinking it was just broken down, and prepared to drive around it. However, he noticed the driver's door was open. Then, he looked down and saw a young man laying on the ground, having a seizure.


The driver had a friend with him, who was standing near him, but had not yet called 911. Kevin, who is a certified CPR instructor through his work, immediately dialed for an ambulance, and gave his phone to the friend.


He then ran over the the seizing man, and found only a faint pulse. The man was not breathing.


Kevin started compressions, and administered CPR to the man, who went into three fits of shallow breaths and seizures before regaining normal breathing. During this time, another man pulled over, and Kevin had him feel for the downed man's pulse.


After about ten minutes, two ambulances arrived, and took over. The EMT told Kevin the young man would have probably went into a coma if CPR had not been administered.


Kevin was really shaken up when he got home, and said he operated on full adrenaline. Prior to this, he had never actually administered CPR to a real patient, so it was a damn good thing he remembered what to do in this emergency. He probably saved this young man's life, it's just amazing he was there at exactly the right time and place.


Only in the boonies...

Gotta Getta Goat!

Kevin's birthday is coming up, and I want to surprise him with a baby goat! He had goats when he was little, and I think he's going to be so excited when he wakes up and finds the little guy waiting in his truck, with a big bow tied around his neck. (He better not eat it!) I found a bottle baby that was born on St. Patty's Day, and I am going to pick him up after class on April 2nd. I'll be sure to get pictures for y'all!

Best Banana Bread EVER (cream -cheese lovers must look!)

The other day my dad gifted me with a bunch of brown bananas, and I could not have been more delighted. I love baking, and made the mistake of bringing a few of my creations to work to share with my dad. Now, I can't walk in the door without hearing,

"What did you bring today?"

I've created a monster! 

I knew the gift was really a hint that he wanted banana bread, so I looked for the best recipe I could find. I thought cream-cheese would be a delicious addition, and luckily there was a recipe that incorporated this delicacy. (I'm obsessed)

You can find the recipe, here, at AllRecipes.com.

I did make a few changes, listed below:

1.) No nuts...instead of putting crushed nuts on top, which I am not a huge fan of, I sprinkled on brown sugar and cinnamon

2.) Replace half of the butter with 1/4 cup of yogurt. I used Stonyfield's organic french vanilla, which not only cut calories, but added a tad of vanilla flavor. (Use banana yogurt for more banana flavor!)

3.) Replace about 1/4 c of white sugar with brown sugar. I just prefer the taste of brown sugar, so I decided to do this. I'd really like to replace all the sugar with honey, but I didn't have enough, and didn't feel like running to the store at 11:30 at night, when the baking urge hit.

I made two loaves, one for Kevin and me, and one for my parents, and I don't think either lasted 30 minutes. I've always had trouble keeping banana bread moist, since I don't like to cook with oils or shortening. The cream cheese was the perfect ingredient, and the result was  moist, not too sweet, and absolutely delicious. 

Hope y'all try it!

Country Wisdom and Know-How

Howdy, y'all! I have something new for you...a book review! This is the greatest collection of country-living information that I have ever seen, and is a must-read for anyone who is even vaguely interested in country life. It has DIY instructions on everything from gardening, to building chicken coops, to canning, to raising livestock and orphaned wildlife. Seriously, it is like a survival guide for living in the boonies. Y'all should run on down to your local Tractor Supply store and buy it right now! Or, it can be found at Amazon right here.
Go buy yourself a copy, brew up a big ol' pitcher of ice-tea, find a cozy spot of sunshine, and start reading! 

Redneck Beverage Holder

Yahhhh buddy! The ultimate gardening accessory

It's Time to Garden!

Thanks to the fantastic weather, we were able to get the garden all plowed, and (almost) fertilized, yesterday. Boy am I sore, but soo excited for some fresh veggies. 

Happiness = Sunshine + Dirt 

Happy Friday :)

Whatcha Lookin' At?

Rabies Alert

I pride myself in being a pretty brave person, but I have one phobia...rabies. When I was little, I would get panic attacks if I even heard the word. I still get the chills, but have learned to curb my fears a little. This is a weird phobia, since I love animals so much, and have never had contact with a rabid animal. (I am pounding my fist on wood right now!)


This is why I was terrified when I read that Western Pa. has been issued a rabies alert! In the past couple weeks, two people have been attacked by a rabid fox, a rabid raccoon made its way into a fenced-in yard, and a rabid skunk caused a herd of goats to be quarantined for six months. Even though most of my readers don't live in the woods like me, where we see these animals on an almost daily basis, town folk must still be very cautious. You can read about these recent cases at TribLive.


Here are some ways to protect you and your pets:


-NEVER approach a wild or feral mammal. If you see one who is injured or needs help, contact a professional such as the game commission or humane society. (I don't follow this rule, but do as I say, not as I do! )


-Know the signs of rabies: excessive salivation, inability to swallow, fear of water, staggering gait, eating dirt,wood, or other non food items, fear of light, aggressiveness, seizures, wild animal acting tame, nocturnal animals who are active during the day, severe agitation (these are most of them)


-If you see an animal exhibiting any of these behaviors, call your local police department, game commission, or animal control office. DO NOT approach the animal. If you kill the animal, do not shoot it in its head, since the brain will need to be sent to a lab to verify that the animal was rabid. 


-It is state law that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies! I am not a fan of over-vaccinating, due to an increased cancer risk, however I do not mess around with rabies shots. They are crucial. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, and you cannot show proof s/he was vaccinated, s/he must either be killed or quarantined for six months. Even house pets must be vaccinated, since a rabid animal such as a bat could enter your house without you even being aware. Rabies vaccines are good for either 1 or 3 years, so keep careful records. Usually pets being vaccinated for the first time are the only ones to receive the 1-year shot.


-If you are bitten by a wild or strange animal, immediately wash out the wound with soap and water, and go to the hospital ASAP. Call your local game commission or animal control warden, and report the case. Post-exposure vaccinations need to be started the same day a person was bitten for them to be effective. This is not something to mess around with. Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear.




Ok, I am approaching a panic attack from writing that, but I'm sacrificing my sanity to warn you guys! Please take it to heart.
-

Singing and Sushi

Singing  and sushi?  I have always been obsessed with singing, and have only been obsessed with sushi for the past five or six years. I really don’t see what they have in common, other than the fact that they really highlight my obsessive personality, to a point of near embarrassment. I can’t get enough of either, and really don’t think I’ll ever get over my attachment to them. They seem crucial to my survival.

I can’t remember being an age where my parents haven’t had to tell me to “please shut up for just a minute!” I’ve been singing ever since I popped out, and I even annoy myself sometimes. Thank goodness I’ve been told I have a good voice. I’ve done a lot of open mics for singer/songwriters, earned plenty of free drinks and even cash at karaoke, and have had the chance to sing at several places in Nashville, which was pretty cool. Although I don’t recall eating sushi there, I did see several sushi restaurants, which is surprising on Lower Broadway Street. Oh yah! In the movie Pure Country Two (A horrible follow-up to Pure Country) the main character moved to Nashville to become a singer, and worked at a sushi joint. Ok, the two are coming together now.

                Mmmm…sushi, sashimi, soy sauce, rice, chopsticks, Miso soup; just typing these words is causing my stomach to roar! Sushi is another thing I cannot get enough of, and I could seriously eat it for every meal; eel rolls are my favorite. Don’t ask me the Japanese names, though! I also love raw squid  sashimi…it is so damn good. I guess eating all this sushi is probably good for my voice, since I always drink hot tea when dining at Japanese restaurants. As long as its decaf, it can really soothe your vocal chords. I’ve been obsessed with plenty of other things in my life, lately it’s been miniature pigs, and I’m sure I’ll be obsessed with many more, however I could not live without singing and sushi.

The Peeps Have Arrived!

It's official, y'all; the peeps have begun to arrive at Tractor Supply! I am beyond excited, and even though Kevin and I were extremely jet lagged on Sunday, I made him take me to go look at them. They don't have them all in, but oh the ones they do are adorable. One of my greatest ambitions in life is to own my own egg chickens, and my dream is about to become true. 

Us vs. building a chicken coop is really the only obstacle in my way. Well, that and the fact that Kevin keeps insisting he is going to eat them when they are older. (He is NOT..I repeat NOT going to eat my  hens. I'm already picking out names, and once they are named, they become members of our family ;) )

I have always had a love affair with chickens. When I was little, I went into Tractor Supply, and saw a very small chick that was being attacked by the other chicks. They were obviously not her peeps (haha...you can laugh at my lame joke). The people at the store gave her to me, and I took her home and nursed her to health. I named her Pippin. She lived in my room for awhile, and then outside and in my basement.  She'd perch on my shoulder like a parrot, and was very affectionate. She was always in poor health though, and she only lived a few years. My poor parents put up with this, even though chickens are clearly not inside pets. 

Let the chicken coop building begin!

Spring Has Sprung

Thank goodness Kevin and I were greeted by this sight upon our return from Maui. I swear if there had been a foot of snow, or even a slight frost, we were ready to turn right back around and immerse ourselves in Island Time once again. Has anyone else seen flowers or robins?

Helping Helo

I'm sure you have all heard about Helo, the poor husky who was allegedly involved in the death of a baby in McKeesport. The newspapers and television are plastered with the beautiful dog, who has become a scapegoat for the mother's neglectfulness. He was adopted out to a wonderful new family, and then taken away again per instructions from the  Allegheny County District Attorney, and sentenced to DEATH.  An appeal is in the process, but he needs our help. Helo is NOT to blame for this tragic event; Here are the primary reasons why:


1.) He has a broken leg, and was being denied veterinary attention. Instead of  having the leg properly set by a professional, it was being restrained in some sort of home made sling. This is pure NEGLECT. Any animal who is in pain is likely to be touchy, and may overreact to provocation.


2.) Helo was not being fed properly, and appears to be very skinny. Huskies are natural hunters, and the baby probably sounded like a small animal to Helo. He didn't know any better, and was simply following his instincts to obtain nourishment.


3.) Helo was new to the household, since he was purchased by the baby's mother only a month before the incident. The woman had several other dogs, so as the newcomer, it is very likely Helo was at the bottom of the pecking order. Becoming part of an established "pack" is difficult for dogs, and is certainly no time to bring a baby into the mix.


4.)Helo did not chase anyone down. The baby was laying exposed on the floor, like a squeaky toy. There was only ONE set of bite marks, verifying that Helo was not trying to rip the baby to pieces. Once he realized the baby was not a toy, he backed off.


5.) There are new reports coming out that at his own home, Helo was given a naked baby doll to play with as a toy. Hmmm...no wonder the poor boy was confused!


 I could go on, but PLEASE check out the Facebook page, Helping Helo, for up to date information on this case. You can make donations, check on the case's status, or offer other means of support to Helo's cause.


I already wrote a letter to the D.A., and am planning to protest if needed.


Please sign this petition as well. We have soo many signatures, which is wonderful, but we need as many as we can get. Your signature DOES matter.

We love you, Helo!

Meet Cosette

Cosette at four weeks old. She was close to death, and needed a lot
of care to recover.

  

 About a month after we moved into our house, I was driving to school and as luck would have it, saw two cats and a tiny gray kitten in the middle of the road. I waited for them to cross, and then kept driving, because I figured they belonged to one of the neighboring farms. Something made me stop again though, and as I looked back in the mirror, I saw that the two adult cats had run into some nearby bushes, but the kitten had wondered back on the road.


I decided to get out and scare the kitten off the road, but surprisingly, she was not scared of me. In fact, she waddled right up to me, which is strange for the semi-feral cats in our parts. Upon looking at her, I saw that she had a terrible cold, which can be life-threatening for kittens. Her eyes were plastered shut with discharge, and her nose was full of mucous. Her breath was raspy, and I knew I had no choice but to take her to the vet. It was getting cold out, and she would die if I left her there.


I sat her on my lap, hoping she was not rabid, and she purred the entire time I held her. I made a quick stop at my parents' house to find a cage, and the only thing I came across was an antique wooden  Coca-Cola box. I figured my mom wouldn't care when she found out what it was for. 


I decided to name her "Cosette", since it means "little thing" in French; we call her "cozy" for short. The vet confirmed that she was only four weeks old. Kittens should not be away from their mothers until at least eight weeks, but she luckily took to solid food very quickly.


Bringing her back to health was no easy effort, and she did end up losing sight in one eye. My regular vet was on vacation when I found Cosette, and she needed immediate medical attention, so I took her to a different vet. The first antibiotic she was prescribed actually made her eyes swell up worse, so I had to go back and try a different one. Luckily, the second one worked wonders, but her one eye had already become inflamed, causing the membrane to fuse it permanently shut. 


She required oral antibiotics twice a day, eye-drops three times a day, and nightly steam-baths, to open up her nasal passages. We even placed a tiny dot of Vick's on her nose, and it seemed to help. I didn't think the poor thing was going to make it, but she recovered with a vengeance. Now, she is the spunkiest, most playful kitten I've ever seen. I would even consider her a holy terror. She bosses all the dogs around, and gets around fine with one eye. My vet may try to open her bad eye when I get her spayed, but I'm not sure I want to take the risk of the eye getting infected by opening it. 


She also eats everything in site; I have never known a cat who eats peanut butter, mangos, blueberries, corn, pizza crust, dog food, vegetables, and crackers. She is a little miracle, and I thought I'd share her story with y'all. 

Bring on the Bubbly

So we've had this bottle of champagne in the fridge since New Year's, and we have not been able to figure out how to open it. It had this weird plastic cap, and a corkscrew wouldn't work.


What did we do? Bust out the tools. Kevin obviously wanted this champagne very badly, note the determined grimace on his face. I think the Batman shirt gave him super strength as well. 


So if you guys have ever run into this problem, grab a wrench and some stemware, and prepare to drink up.

Where the Wild Things Are

One of the best parts of living in the woods is having the chance to see wild creatures. We regularly see deer, hawks, turkey buzzards, and the occasional raccoon. We even saw a bear out in a distant field one time. However, the other day, when I was driving home, a red fox ran right in front of me! It was thrilling, and I felt so lucky to be able to witness his grace and agility firsthand. I feel so at peace when I'm in the woods, and wish more people could learn to appreciate and coexist with Mother Nature and her creatures.

Future Cat Lady

 I have a real problem with rescuing critters, and I fear in old age  I will become a cat lady. You know, the kind you dread standing behind in the grocery store line, because she has 50 cans of Fancy Feast, smells like cat piss, and insists on showing the cashier pictures of every single one of her dozen or so furry friends.

I knew my rescuing was a problem when I found myself reaching down to save earthworms from the sidewalk. I have a habit of posting cute puppy pictures of dogs needing adopted from the kill shelter  on my friends' Facebook pages. I have five dogs of my own for God's sake!

However, it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I realized I needed therapy for this little problem. Kevin and I were driving and watched as a deer got hit right in front of us. I started bawling my eyes out, and Kevin was trying to take a work call and console me at the same time. I made him turn around and get out of the car to see if the deer had a pulse. Yes, I would have put it in the back seat and done CPR, but sadly and luckily, it was already dead.

KitchenAid Mixer = Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday isn't until Friday, but my parents surprised me with an early gift today...my very own KitchenAid mixer! My mom must have known I've been plotting to steal hers. 

I am beyond excited to try it out, and think my first creation will be whole wheat blueberry scones.I can't wait until summer, when our black raspberry bushes start blooming, because then I'll be making raspberry EVERYTHING.  

Shabby Chic Tables

Please ignore the dangerous exposed outlet...this picture was
 taken a long time ago, when we were replacing cover plates!

Love the simplicity of this charming little piece

As Kevin and I were cleaning out the basement of our house, we found these awesome little tables, and I fell in love with them. They were damp and covered in dust and dirt, but with a little elbow grease they look brand new; well, brand new in a rustic sort of way.


I have always adored worn, rustic, blocky furniture, and would never dream of decorating my house in a sleek, modern style. Anything plastic, shiny,  particle-board, geometrical, vinyl, or modern-looking should burn. Anything chunky, worn, dated, and antique should be loved and cherished.


Apparently my preference of interior decor has a name- shabby chic. Shabby chic is a style of design where decorations and furnishings are chosen for their rustic and worn charm. It is similar to cottage-style decor, and pastel colors are preferred. Run a quick google search, and you'll see this has become all the rage lately. If you like this style, check out this shabby chic blog, for some great decorating ideas.

The 15 Scariest Food Additives

You guys have to check out this wonderful article about dangerous food additives. There is such a large portion of the population that is unaware of the health crimes that are committed against American consumers every day, by exposing us to  known carcinogens, rat feces, human body parts, etc. Please, for your own health and wellbeing, take the time to read this.


THIS is one of the main reasons the country lifestyle is so supportive of good health. We have room to grow our own produce, and therefore we know exactly what is going into the food we eat.


However, you don't have to live in the country to be healthy. Simply make yourselves aware of dangerous additives, and look at labels before purchasing products at the store. You will be amazed at how much trash is in the food we are told is "safe" by the FDA.

The Runaway Mushroom

So, on Valentine's Day, I realized just how much I really love Kevin.


Remember the fabulous meal I posted about? The one I slaved over for hours, preparing?


Well, as I was turned away from the table, removing the lava cakes from the stove, Kevin tried to feed the mushroom caps from his plate to Toby. Yes, he tried this classic trick, and failed miserably.


I turned around to see Kevin looking guilty as hell, and then saw Toby standing over the mushroom, which lay in two pieces on the floor. Toby kept looking at me, and then down at the mushroom. 


Kevin and I burst out laughing, and even though he didn't like my mushrooms, we had the best dinner together.

Green-Neck

Green-Neck: noun, eng. orig. - A Green-Neck is someone who embraces life in the wilderness, and enjoys interests associated with rednecks such as shootin' guns, four-wheel drive vehicles, country music, coon-dogs, etc. However, a Green-Neck is also environmentally conscious, and embraces recycling, organic eating, and supporting animal rights.

Example of the differance between a redneck and a Green-neck:

Upon seeing a freshly killed deer on the side of the road, a redneck  would check to see if s/he could take it home and cook it up.

A Green-Neck would also approach the deer, but would check to see if it could be ressusitated, and if necessary, would then give it mouth to mouth.
 (Yes I almost made Kevin do this the other day when we saw a deer get hit, but lucky for him, the poor thing was already dead)

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day, and love is truly in the air. I must say, this is one of my favorite holidays. We went out last night to beat the rush, and I'm cooking a fabulous romantic dinner tonight. What's on the menu? Chopped salad and crab-stuffed mushrooms for starters, and then steamed asparagus and pumpkin-basil sauce pasta (compliments of Country Living magazine) for the main course, with molten chocolate lava cake and strawberries for desert. Mmmmm...it's almost done and smells fantastic. Soooo much better than fried possum ;)

Lessons From the Fur-Kids #2

                  Lesson #2: Know How to Relax :)


Sorry again for not posting y'all, we were still having internet problems, but we got them all fixed. That just goes with living in the country...we really are lucky we have internet at all!

TinaLee's Country Candles

Grab a fork, I'll share! Only thing is, you'll end up with a mouth full of wax. That's right, this is a candle, not a cake, and let me tell you, these things are great. I am fairly obsessed with candles, and they are a necessity on cold winter days like the ones we've been having. 

These candles are made by TinaLee, and you can view her website here.

I buy from her at the Country Market, but you can order them as well. She also has super-cute mason jar candles that are country as can be, and smell heavenly. Her entire line of smell-goods burn long and clean, and retain their luscious scents until the very end. 

Oh, and sorry for not posting yesterday! I got home late last night, and our internet service was down because of the snow. I sure as heck wasn't going to venture into town either, because I would have never gotten up the driveway again. So have a great weekend everyone.

This Little Piggy

O.K. , so this month is turning out to be terrible. I turn 24 in about two weeks, and I'm having a quarter life crisis. TWENTY FOUR! That's friggin old...I think I'll celebrate by scoping out the local nursing hopes.


On top of that, my best friend in the whole world just accepted a job offer in Vermont, and she is leaving on the 22. Now it's true I'm a hermit, but she's like my sister, and I will be lost without her.


Ok, I know I'm navel gazing right now....and I'm proud to say I'm lint-free, however this does relate to country living.


I have decided the only thing that could possibly make me feel better is to buy a teacup pig. Yes, a pig. I must have one, and I will call her Penelope. However, Kevin seems to have this ridiculous notion that we have too many animals. 


So, I either need to convince him to buy me one, or make him believe one happened to follow me home. Does anyone want to help carry out this scheme? 

Country Living Magazine

For all of you who view my posts on a daily basis, and who envy my close calls with bats, Polio, and deceptive moss, I am about to give you access to something that will change your poor little city folk lives! 


It's called Country Living Magazine, and is absolutely the best source for craft ideas, country decor, down home recipes, gardening ideas, etc. I love this publication, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys cooking, folk-art and crafts, and well, life in the country.


You can view the website at CountryLiving.com, where you can get a taste of all this magazine has to offer.

Polio and Well Water

When we moved to our house, we had to figure out the water filtration system all by ourselves; this was a daunting task for two people who were used to city water. My mom kept telling us to get the water tested before we drank it, but we figured if it was good enough for the dogs it was good enough for us.


About a week after moving in, I came down with a sore throat and muscle aches. A few days later, Kevin experienced the same symptoms. I figured it was the common flu, but I thought it would be funny to scare Kevin,


I texted him and told him I was pretty sure we both had contracted Polio, since it can be transmitted through infected drinking water. He started telling all of the guys at work about it, and  was apparently Googling symptoms all day long.


It wasn't until that night that I informed him Polio has been virtually eradicated in this country since 1979, and that he was vaccinated as a child. I got a good laugh when I found out how he had been made fun of at work. I know, I'm horrible.

Batttter Up!

            So, how would you city folks like to wake up to THIS?

Yep, welcome to the country. Despite my hopes that he would turn into Rob Pattinson, he remained a creepy little rodent. I don't mind bats at all, but I have a phobia of rabies, so I was a little unnerved.


 At first, all we heard was a horrible squeaky chattering noise, and I thought a raccoon had somehow gotten inside. Then, this guy swooped right up by our heads to try to get out the window above the bed. We both dove under the covers to hide.


After arguing about who was going to play superman, I ended up holding a clothes basket up to shield the bat, while Kevin went out to the shed to get a net.


We ended up getting the little guy outside without getting bitten, and it was pretty neat watching him fly away. I really wanted to keep him as a pet, but Kevin wasn't too keen on that idea, so I didn't push the issue.

Lessons From the Fur-Kids

                     Lesson #1: Know when to admit defeat.

Hillbilly Jack

For all of you who have never had the pleasure of meeting Hillbilly Jack, let me introduce you. This fine gentleman has a number of YouTube videos, and all are absolutely milk-out-the-nose hilarious. I am, however, worried, that I may someday turn into a creature such as him. Maybe a little interaction with society would do me good. Then again, I think becoming an animal hoarder is more likely to be in my future. Whewwww, that's a relief. 

Neighbors

One reason we moved to the country was to get away from annoying neighbors. It is far too easy for neighbors to become stalkers, and stalkers are really not my thing. They would creep on me by waiting for me to walk outside, and then tell me all about their wonderful (but oh so ugly) kids. I hate kids even more than neighbors, and they couldn't figure out that I just didn't care.

I'm happy to say that we have very few neighbors out in the boonies. However, as luck would have it, the man who lives closest to us has a tank. Yes, an army tank.  It makes for a great conversation starter, but I'm just waiting to come home to a demolished house.

During the summer, this neighbor likes to  spend his Saturday mornings joy-riding his tank in the field right above ours. It obviously had working guns, because I get 'Nam flashbacks, and I've never even been to 'Nam. I do enjoy firearms though, and am hoping to someday ride in this machine.


Until then, I am stocking up on earplugs, and have added building a bombshelter on my honey-do list.

Missing the Farmer's Market

There's nothing like farm-fresh carrots and beets!

One of the worst parts of winter is having to survive without the Ligonier Country Market. During summer, I spend almost every single Saturday morning perusing the booths of fresh produce, homemade breads and goodies, organic milk, eggs,meats, and honey, and arts and crafts. Everything sold at the country market must be produced locally; a practice that not only ensures product quality and freshness, but also supports the local farming and artisan community.


The market usually opens at 8 A.M., and I like to get there before the heat sets in and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and an organic whole-wheat pancake with real maple syrup and turkey/apple sausages (my mouth is watering thinking about these). Some of my weekly  staple purchases include Logan Farms' organic grass-fed beef, honey-sticks (these are awesome for preventing hypoglycemic freak-outs ), various fruits and veggies, TInaLee's Country Candles (these make Yankee Candles smell like Glades), and usually a bottle, or two or five, of Stone Villa or Sandhill Berry vino. 


The market is held in a field, so if there has been even a little rain the previous week, you'd best wear your muck boots. Then again, since I've proven how versatile and sexy they are in a previous post, why would you be wearing anything else? 


The market begins on May 26, and I am counting down. You should be too, because supporting locally produced goods is the cool thing to do. You can visit the Ligonier Country Market's site, here, to learn more. They have not yet updated the vendor information, but I'm sure it will be changed soon.

Princess Pines

My "baby Christmas tree"

A few months ago Kevin and I took all the dogs up to Forbes State Park for a lovely winter hike. The scenery was beautiful, and we were walking along enjoying the fresh mountain air when we came across a small clearing. I was so excited to see hundreds of baby pine trees sprouting from the ground. I had been wanting to buy  a small evergreen to grow into a Christmas tree, but had not gotten around to it. Finding one in the wild was even better! Kevin picked two of them for me, and I planted them in cute little metal pots, eager to try out my green thumb skills.

That night, I was sitting on the couch admiring my little darlings, when I decided to google them; I wanted to make sure I was providing adequate lighting and water. I was very upset when I found out they were not baby pine trees, but actually a type of moss. They are nicknamed Princess Pines, but are not related to trees, and would never reach the grandiose height necessary for a future Christmas tree. Oh well, I think they look pretty darn cute in their pots, so I'm keeping them. So far moss is the only kind of plant I've managed to keep alive for more than a week, so I'm not complaining.

Country Decor Wreath Craft Idea

It's no surprise that as a country bumpkin, I LOVE country decor. Anything folksy, antiqued, and homey-looking is right up my alley, and I just cannot get enough! The town of Ligonier has tons of little shops and boutiques that specialize in such decor, and they are really fun to visit and browse. However, some of the merchandise is on the pricey side, and that's money that could be spent on dog food!

So...I like to make my own country crafts and decorations. The best place to find cheap materials is at WOW Outlets in Greensburg. They have tons of cute folksy decor, and it is so much cheaper than when purchased from a boutique. I have actually seen a lot of the same merchandise in both WOW Outlets and certain Ligonier shops, so I have no doubt in my mind that the shop owners take advantage of my little secret. 

I made the wreath shown below for around $6.00. Similar wreaths are displayed in specialty shops for $25 - $40! It was super easy to make, and I think it turned out pretty cute. Below is a list of the materials, and the price I paid at WOW:

Rustic wreath: $2.00

Cloth ribbon for bow: $1.00 for a whole spool

Stem and star garnishments: $3.50 per bunch

I have several of these hanging on walls,
and have even made them for gifts.

Meet Toby the Rescue Dog

 When we moved in together last year, my fiance and I each had two rescue dogs. Two dogs are perfect, and this is a perfectly normal number of dogs to have. Four dogs is approaching insanity, but is still doable. We are dog people though, and we persevered as only dog people can do. Well, we decided to step over that line of insanity when we took in a fifth dog, Toby.

     

 A few months ago, I was at work with my brother, Adam, enjoying the gorgeous Indian summer sunshine, while painting the deck on my dad's current flip-house. Things were going great until Adam's phone rang, and his girlfriend,Kristin, could be heard on the other end frantically telling him how she had found a dog. I was determined to not get involved, and I continued brushing thick white paint on rail after rail. However, a few moments later, when Kristin sent a picture of the dog, I knew he'd be coming home with me. The poor thing's ribs were sticking out, his toenails were horribly overgrown, and....his entire hind end was bald, except for a small tuft of red hair at the very tip of his tail. He was in a horrible situation, but comically resembled Mufasa, from the Lion King.


Believing it was sarcoptic mange, I  quickly took the phone and intervened, telling Kristin to guide the dog into her back yard, and keep him there until Kevin could bring the truck to pick him up. At this point, Kevin wasn't aware of my scheming.However, Kevin is a good boy, and knows better than to get in my way when I'm in rescue mode. He picked Toby up, as I had planned, and we took him home. I stopped and bought mange treatment on the way home, and doused him in the most disgusting smelling gunk I've ever inhaled. That night he had to stay tied to our porch, since we couldn't let him come in contact with our other pets. 

    
After taking Toby to the vet , I found out he was not suffering from mange. The skin scrape showed no sign of external parasites, which in a way, was good, since we no longer had to treat him like a leper. The bad news was, the vet suspected hypothyroidism; this is a common ailment in Irish Setters, and causes patterned hair loss. An expensive blood test was required to confirm this, and I decided to have this done. Toby was also given a cortisone injection to stop his excessive itching.

   
When the results came back, they showed Toby tested negative for a thyroid disorder. So, we really have no idea why he was bald. I suspect an iodine deficiency that temporarily threw his thyroid out of kilter. We have had him for about three months now, and with proper nutrition, he has been thriving. All of his hair has grown back, even though it is not as long and lush as most Irish Setters'. He is a wonderful dog, and has made himself right at home. We would like to find him a good home, though, since it's hard to give attention to five dogs. If you guys know of anyone looking for a great family dog, let me know and I'll give you more details! It's horrible how anyone could mistreat another living creature, just look at the before and after pictures below:

Before: Poor boy was sooo itchy, but look at those kind eyes.

Before: Waiting at Kristin's house for Kevin to arrive with his big red truck!

After: Look at what a happy boy he is!

After: He's still skinny, but has gained a lot of weight. I really wish I knew
who neglected him. Grrrrrr