EGGS! (And other stuff)

 Weeeeeee.....

We are finally getting eggs on a fairly

consistent basis.

Pretty sure it's only the easter eggers

and the red hens who are laying.

The Black Stars should start soon.

But Kyle is collecting between 5 and 8

nearly every day.

Aren't they pretty?

Meanwhile, I taught over the weekend.

Kyle stopped by after church yesterday

(I was on my lunch) and I told him I was

going to make fajitas for dinner.

But then I realized I don't have any tortillas.

Or tortilla chips.

Or yellow rice.

Or sour cream.

So, I went out and found a steak in the freezer

and put it out to thaw while I taught the 

afternoon session.

I decided to make funeral potatoes to go with.

But when it was time to make it,

I didn't have any cream of chicken.

So I subbed cream of mushroom.

I also didn't have any sour cream.

So I subbed cream cheese. (A REALLY good sub)

And I didn't WANT to put 10 tablespoons

of butter in it, so I didn't. 

(Cream cheese is plenty creamy...)

I DID have lots of yummy cheese,

thanks to the Christmas present that keeps giving.

(Thanks Mom & Dad)

Also I didn't have any corn flakes for the top

so I subbed Ritz.

It was actually delicious.

But not "funeral potatoes".

Just cheesy potato casserole-ish thing.

But yummy.

This is what life looks like when

you are trying to clean out the

pantry and freezers prior to a move.

Creative, eh?

Hahahaha.

So we had steak, potato and mixed veg.

It was good.

We got full.

And had a nice visit while watching

old episodes of "The Commish".

Today was overcast and cold.

It only got to 40.

(It was 71 on Friday)

So we stayed in.

I read a book and Rod watched

stuff on his tablet.

(I watched a bunch on mine too....)

It was a relaxing day.

Which is always nice after a weekend class.

Tomorrow we are back on track.

Hays Days!

(And a phone call to Mom!)

Time Flies!!!

 Ok, let's see......

Wednesday Rod and I up-potted

the few Roma tomatoes that were 

salvageable.

We also moved the shelves from the wall they

were on to the long wall between the bedroom

and the bathroom and brought in some more

shelves from the Malabar barn so we will have

more space for these plants....

Then we headed out to the farm to pull the

old, dead okra (better idea to wait til they are

dead, I tried to pull them last fall and they

were HOLDING ON for dear life!)

Now they just came right out.

We also took down all the cattle panel trellis

and Kyle tilled where the tomatoes were

last year in preparation for the new peas.

But we decided we should fertilize first,

so we didn't plant.

(And I needed to get home to teach.)

We also checked out the critters.

Pebbles is growing tall!

The chickens are now all going outside.

And staying.

DUMMIES!

You're supposed to go IN at night!

Sheesh.

I have the dumbest chickens in the world.

Thank goodness for the guardian dogs

that keep the predators away.

Oh, actually, Thursday is when we

moved all the plants to the new shelves.

(It all runs together....)

Thursday evening, we went to a 

College Women's Basketball game!

(Yup, US!)

One of our YSA is a player, so some

of the ward members attend each game

to support her.

Usually the stands are pretty bare,

but this was the final game of the season

and it was PACKED.

It was a fun game, even though they lost.

They just weren't playing well.

But we still had fun.

(they had a good year though, 24 wins 4 losses...)

So they should be in the playoffs.

And then we went to Taco Bell for some

dinner and then to WalMart for dog food.

And then home.

Rod wore his brace and did well.

I forgot to take ANY pictures.

Yup.

Bad blogger.

Friday Kyle called and wanted to go to 

Home Depot, so I went with him.

We looked at insulation.

We looked at drip irrigation for the garden.

We bought some fertilizer for the

new peas, and we bought some wood

for the exterior where the decks will go

eventually.

And then back in town so I could teach.

This morning I was up again early to 

teach the weekend class.

Came out at break...

Hahahaha.

Both sound asleep.

Silly boys.

And now..... I need to do some paperwork,

and then I'm going to give Rod a haircut.

I also need to print the handout for the

March Relief Society Birthday Celebration

on the 12th. (I'll be teaching so can't go....)

Rod will take them with him tomorrow

and give them to the RS Pres so she 

can hand them out to everybody.

And then it will be time to eat and go

to bed and do it all again tomorrow.

Kyle planted the peas today.

OH!

And the Sister Sisters called just as I was

starting my lunch break.

Something was digging up where they 

"buried" the heads and guts from the

rabbits they butchered.

So they put out a trap and caught a CAT!

So they took it out to the farm for Kyle

to use as a barn cat.

We haven't really ever had a cat before,

so we don't know how to make it stick around.

Kyle put it in a dog crate with some food

and water for a couple days so it starts

to learn this might be a good place to live...

and then we will see what happens.

It might stick around.

It might get eaten by a coyote.

Who knows.

But whatever.

It was pretty.

But none of the neighbors claimed it.

So....

it's a "barn" cat now.

We hope.

Anyhow.

That's kind of what's been happening

around here this week.

I'll try to do better next week.

But it was kind an "all over the place"

sort of week.

It's Getting to be Garden Season!

 Yesterday Kyle and I went to Salina for 

another Menard's pickup.

We returned the concrete forms we ended

up not using and got a $350 store credit.

And then turned around and bought some

potting and seed starting dirt,

some more electrical wire for the house,

and a couple of watering wands for 

the garden. Our water is SO hard out here,

they only last a season (maybe) and are

quite pricy! ($20 each).

We found some on clearance for $8.99!

And EVERYTHING in the store gets an

11% rebate! YEA!!!

Anyhow.

We also picked up our 53 boxes of flooring.

And since the rebate started within 14 days

of us paying for it, they gave us the rebate

on the flooring too!

YEA!

Another $300-ish, so our kitchen countertops

will be all paid for!

Yippeeeeee.

Anyhow.

As always, we hit Braums on the way out of town.

Kyle actually let me take a picture of him!

He said he realized there are almost NO pictures

of him in existence except when I sneak one.

So he said it was ok.

This morning Rod and I up-potted all the best

of the Lemon Boy, Sun Gold (cherry) and

Big Beef Slicer tomatoes into pots.

And then we refilled the 72 cell tray with

more Romas.

The first round didn't do well.

So we are starting them again.

I put a dome over them after I took the picture....

And am being MUCH more mindful how I water them

this time around.

The first round we did them in coco coir

which has NO nutrients in it and had a hard

time both with watering and feeding.

This time we bought actual seed starter mix

that has feed in it and holds water better.

So fingers crossed!

Nest Box!

Kyle built us a super cool nest box

over the weekend.

From scrap lumber!

(Yea for free wood....)

It looks old and mottled because he

painted it, didn't like the color, and

then painted white over it and

sanded some.

Currently there is hay in the nests and where

the eggs roll down to,

but today we went into town and

bought some fake astroturf stuff.

Should help the eggs roll.

And keep them clean.

And when it gets dirty we can just

pull it out, hose it off and 

stick it back in.

Kyle said they are already using it!

He finally pushed some chickens outside

and put their feed and water out there,

so they will figure out the great 

outdoors is actually GREAT!

Some went back in at night.

Some didn't.

(I have REALLY dumb chickens...)

They'll get it figured out.

Hopefully.

*** Oh yeah, we woke up to snow on Saturday

morning... it's mostly melted already.

It was beautiful while it lasted....

Wow... I've Been Lazy

 It's been quiet here.

It's COLD.

In fact, my app says it's currently snowing.

I went out to the kitchen during

break and peaked out the window

but didn't see any snow on the car.

(The place it usually accumulates first

since it's between two houses and usually

is less windy there...)

but nothing.

So .... maybe...

But, since it was cold, and kind of yucky...

Yesterday I read a book. (and a half)

And Rod learned about duct work.

And then today..... same.

I read another book.

And he learned more and then switched

to watching a series about Theodore Roosevelt.

And we made a quick trip to the local

grocery store for their big 3-day sale.

They were sold out of bread (2/$3)

but we got two buckets of good ice cream

for $5 each.

(Chocolate Chip and Cookies & Cream).

And paid regular price for a loaf of bread

for making lunches.

We had peanut butter and peach jam sandwiches

with BBQ potato chips.

I just finished teaching class,

so now I'm heading to the kitchen to make

us each a bowl of ramen noodles with some

little chunks of roast beef and mixed veggies.

And then we are re-watching

When Calls the Heart on Prime.

Did I mention Kyle is starting to collect eggs?

Maybe not today...... since it's COLD out there,

but the new girls are starting to lay!

A little early!

I wasn't expecting eggs until March.

So that's good.

Ok, have a GREAT weekend.

I'm NOT teaching this weekend.

So looking forward to getting to attend church.

(It's RS weekend...)

Checking In

 It's WINDY today!

They were saying 30-40 mph with

higher gusts...

It's currently registering 28 mph

on my phone app,

but it FEELS windier than that....

It was a breezy drive into town today!

But we got some fertilizer at Home Depot

and then drove to the nursery and got

some more fertilizer and a tentative date

for when they are getting delivery

of their seed potatoes and onion sets.

When we got home, I started a tray

of chive seeds.

Hopefully they germinate!

Meanwhile,

yesterday Rod and I made a run

up to the farm to get some little

pots for our tomatoes when it's time

to get them out of the seed trays.

(Not yet...)

We are at that part of the build where it looks

like NOTHING is happening.

But Kyle is busy running

LOTS of wires in all the walls

and up in the ceiling.

He got all the exhaust fans in the

two bathrooms, and the boxes for all

the lights in the ceilings.

And then he took yesterday "off" and

mowed one of the pig pastures,

pulled a drag through all 4 pastures

(to knock down the poop),

installed a solar powered door in

the chicken coop and made them a

little wooden ramp to get in and out...

and then dragged the coop out to

the pig pasture so they can work

on spreading the poop and eating

all the fly larvae.

He said this morning the door opened,

and he could see little heads peeking

out but then deciding the big wide world

was just too scary.

So nobody had come out yet.

The easter eggers have been out on

grass (in our yard) but the new babies

have never even SEEN the outside world.

I'm going to order some new nest boxes

to install in there.

They will hopefully start laying in the

next couple of weeks.

Kyle said with the warmer weather,

he's finally getting some eggs.

Whew!

(We didn't BUY any eggs this week

for the first time all winter!)

***Update!! Kyle just gathered 7 eggs.

6 brown, which means 5he new girls have

already started laying!

He brought Bear out with him.

He likes to play with Pebbles and BamBam.

They look like they are eating each other,

but it's all in fun.

He's always excited to go out there,

so he must be ok.

Baker In the House!

 Well..... someday.

SOON we hope!

Jim gave Sabrina a fancy

KitchenAid stand mixer 

this year for Christmas.

And she has practically worn

that baby OUT already!

She is turning out amazing stuff

with her new toy.

Pizza dough, cookies, cakes,

you name it.

This weekend she mastered BAGELS!

Jim said they taste like the REAL DEAL.

And then it was on to BREAD.

(Regular white bread on the left

and our "no knead" recipe on the right...)

Glad to see hers didn't get golden brown

either...  I thought I was doing something

terribly wrong.

Nope.

It's just the recipe I guess.

Anyhow.

We have made an executive decision.

When they move here, 

Sabrina is official in charge of

ALL BAKING.

So..... packing yet?

(grin)

Subway.... Yum!

 We decided to get out of the house

yesterday, so a trip up to the farm

was in the works.

Kyle was putting in all the boxes

for the pot lights that are going

in the ceilings.

He moved a couple around to better

spots - he is so good at this stuff!

He also put in all the boxes for

the ceiling fans that are to come 

after the ceilings are finished.

I sat in a folding chair, just inside the

sliding glass door, in the glorious

sunshine, and read a book.

Rod wandered around the property with

Beau as his little side-kick.

(Yes, he wore his brace. Good man.)

Anyhow.

I didn't take any pictures.

Bad blogger.

(grin)

After a couple of hours at the farm

(and I finished my book)

we headed back into town.

I made up a little tray of cheese,

crackers and summer sausage

(thanks again Mom & Dad, we are

still enjoying our Christmas gift!)

and then we did some puttering around...

(And I started a new book. lol)

Rod spent a couple hours on the computer

in his office, figuring out the plumbing

configuration for the two bathrooms.

And then came out looking for dinner.

And then we remembered the Subway

gift card Rozann and Greg gave us!

Subway for the WIN!!!

(And they were running a special...

1 foot long for $6.99, so we get to 

eat AGAIN for free in the future!)

It was delicious and hit the spot!

Thanks guys!!!!

So... basically free food all day!

WEEEEEEE!

(it's the little things that make me smile.)

Good Visit 2 MONTHS!

Can you believe today is Rod's

TWO MONTH anniversary?

That is just crazy.

Especially when you see the

leaps and bounds he has made

in his healing.

We got up "early" and headed down

to Wichita for his 2 month checkup.

We learned a few things.

Like they do not take x-rays every visit.

Darn.

We were hoping to see his progression.

Also, he's supposed to be still wearing

his brace, at least when he's out and

about. Rule of thumb, if you will be 

walking more than about 50 feet.

Also, still NO bending, lifting or twisting

for another month.

He IS cleared to drive though.

So he will be able to drive himself to church

this weekend (good since I'll be teaching.)

We took a couple selfies in the office

while we waited for Ryan to arrive.

I forgot to put on makeup,

so there you go.

And, of course, this is Rod's good side.

LOL.

After the visit (a quick one) we 

headed up the highway to Braum's for

a burger and milkshake.

And then we stopped at the half-way point

in Salina at Menards so I could show him

the countertops we are thinking about getting.

I really like this one.

It's almost totally smooth.

This one is a little busier pattern but

possibly a little smoother surface.

They are both the same price...

Anyhow.

Then I went over to show him the flooring

we picked, and it's on CLOSE-OUT!

Only 10 cents cheaper than usual, 

but once it's gone, it's gone...

So I called Kyle and we figured out how

much we need and went ahead and

paid for it.

We will drive over sometime in the next

2 weeks to pick it up.

(And return any of the stuff we already

bought we ended up not needing...)

We usually buy a little extra of everything.

And we made it back in town

JUST in time for a quick blog post

and then turn on the computer for

tonight's class.

Whew!

All in all a good, successful day.

Amazing

 Kyle continues to amaze.

Adding more and more skills

to his repertoire...

Introducing Kyle, the Electrician!

Today he was running wire BACK from the

various outlets and light switches to the

circuit breaker panel.

It involved pulling a LOT of wire.

But he's cruising along and gettin' it done!

We took a little break and figured out

where we wanted ceiling fans and

can (pot) lights in the ceiling in the various

rooms and which rooms needed a 

double or triple light switch bank.

We've made a few minor changes to the 

layout, like now the washer and dryer are 

in the office closet. And we moved the

door in the prep room to the mudroom

instead of in the kitchen.

I actually like that MUCH better...

And then we drew little dots where the 

lights and fans are going to go.

We aren't to that yet, but it's good

to have a plan....

Tomorrow we are taking Kyle's truck 

into Hays to return a couple of extra

windows (we bought before we moved

the prep room into the house) and the

harness Rod was "supposed" to be wearing

any time he was on the roof...

Getting our money back on that deal...

Anyhow.

We are also picking up some paint and a

door for the Sister Sisters since it won't

fit in their little PT Cruiser (car).

And, of course, some stuff for us...

Including my new tire.

When we get home, Kyle will put that on,

so we can get up "early" and head back

down to Wichita for our 2 month

checkup.

Can you believe tomorrow is 2 months???

Feels like so much longer/shorter.

Depends on who you ask.

Rod feels like it's been a year already.

And I feel like it was just yesterday.

Or a year ago.

Anyhow.

I'm off to make a box of Kraft dinner

for a quick meal and then we are off to bed.

Have a great Tuesday!

Talk at ya later!

Yesterday

Yesterday was one of those weird days

when I didn't really know WHAT day it was...

It didn't feel like a Thursday.

More like a Saturday.

But not.

Anyhow.

The electrician was supposed to come

out to the farm around noon to get the

electricity run from the pole to the house.

Kyle got up, fixed the excavator,

and dug the trench.

(Which included an hour and a half with

a shovel and a pick axe to dig the stuff

under the house...)

Our ground is really hard.

Also frozen.

Haha.

Anyhow, about the time he got done,

the electrician called. His supplier (Home Depot)

sent the wrong pvc, so he needed to run into

Hays and exchange it for the right stuff.

Let's hold off and start tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, it appears there is a blockage

somewhere in our plumbing.

When you flush the toilet, you can hear it in

the shower, and when the washer is draining

it's LOUD in the kitchen sink drain.

Nothing coming "up" through the drains,

but it's not right.....

So we called the ward plumber and he doesn't

do that anymore. Suggested RotoRooter out of

Hays. So we called them and they said they

could be out around noon.

So I stuck around until he got there,

and then I headed out to run my errands.

We returned the walker to the Sister Sisters.

(Along with their jars and tubs that had

various food items in them....)

Then out to the farm to drop off the 8 bags

of chicken feed we got at Bomgaars on Wed.

(The plumber got the problem taken care of, easy peasy.

Really nice guy - good review.)

(We have a snake and could do it ourselves,

but it required getting on the roof.

NOPE.)

When I got there, Kyle was at his house,

so we unloaded, then walked over to see the

pigs and the puppies.

It's only been a couple of weeks,

but the puppies are really growing.

That's Winston (Winnie) in the front standing up.

Pebbles is sitting.

Bam is stretched out enjoying the sunshine.

He is nearly as tall as Winnie now.

When I first walked up, I thought he WAS Winnie.

(But then Win came around the corner and

you could tell the difference...)

Also, the pigs chew on Winnie, so his coat is

always dirty and matted up looking.

They don't bother Bam (yet) so he looks all

pretty and clean.

The pigs are getting bigger too,

but I forgot to take a good picture.

This one is all I got.

Winston in his favorite spot.

Back to Kyle's house to sit on his porch.

His new weather station said it was 71 out there!

We sat out there for about an hour and a half

just soaking up the sun and talking about 

the garden and wishing it was time to plant.

It felt like spring, but still looks like winter.

Bear was hot.

He kept leaving us to go lay on the cold dirt

in the shade of the trucks.

Couldn't understand why we wanted to sit

up in the sunshine!

(It was hot. We were both wearing fleece

lined jeans..... sheesh...)

We still had stuff to do though, so we rounded up

Bear (HARD to do, he doesn't like to be picked up

and doesn't want to stay home alone but also

hates riding in vehicles..... a challenging puppy!)

Other than those foibles, he's a really good dog.

Anyhow.

Finally caught him, Kyle drove Rod's truck

and I drove my car back into town where

Kyle changed the oil in prep for our trip to

Wichita on Wednesday.

Also noticed the tire was going down.

Sheesh, another flat because of driving on the

dirt roads and "cutting" a tire on a rock.

So we had to order another tire - we are trying

a different brand this time.

I can't be buying new tires every time I turn around!

Anyhow.

While Kyle was doing that, Rod fixed

the handle on our toilet (it sticks)

and I picked up the dog poop in the yard.

It hasn't been done in awhile

(snow.....) so I got a LOT.

Time for Kyle to head home to do his

farm chores.

Rod and I had some dinner and watched

a little TV and then off to bed.

This morning we are taking his truck

(my car is now sporting a donut until Tuesday

when the new tire comes in to Hays)

and picking up 500 pounds of pig feed

and taking it out to the farm.

We'll drop it off and check on how the

guys are doing with the power.

Then I have to come home to teach.

It's going to be another pretty day out

so we will probably spend most of the day

out there.

That's the plan anyway.

But we'll see what actually happens.

(grin)