Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

9 May

YUM!

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

A big part of camping is cooking.  Ahhhh….a cup of coffee and the smell of bacon, eggs, and biscuits wafting through the crisp morning air.

I usually start my day with a cup of coffee and then have a cup of yogurt and a granola bar for breakfast.

BUT….while camping….well…..I will just say that it was all good….. including the fresh cantaloupe!

Some fixed Chicken Quesadillas …and they were smelling good at lunch one day!

That is when I was introduced to this new handy dandy little plate.

It is flat plastic that looks like a sheet of paper, you snap the corners into place and….

just like that you have a container to eat out of.  Wash and reuse.  Pretty nifty!

When night time came, we turned on the monkey lights.   I do not know why we call them that…but we always have.  This is a string of lights that are little cars and old campers.  They make it look so homey.

After dinner it was time for some dessert in the dutch oven.  Pineapple upside down cake.

Of course you have to have lots of butter…..

Brown sugar too….

Pineapple and marachino cherries….

yellow cake batter…..

Put the top on and let her cook.

We visited with each other while it cooked.

And visited some more…..

Now, here is where it can be a little tricky.  Our coals were left over from cooking our dinner, so they were not as hot as they needed to be.  But the good thing about camping at Talladega is that you are not the only one cooking….so I borrowed some hot coals from a neighboring camper.

Billy watched it carefully and it turned out so pretty.

We served it up…. then…of course we took two pieces to the guys who let us borrow the hot coals.  They were pretty excited about getting homemade cake…and so were we!

I think it is fun to watch the men….rustle up their meals.

Here the guys were fixing breakfast for their little women.  They are good cooks!

After breakfast this man was driving by in his recliner….yeah…a recliner.

He came over and visited with us for a few minutes.  We all had to check out his “ride”.

I told Billy when he drove off that the chair sure looked like the one Billy had in his bachelor’s pad when we first married.  Hmmmm…..I wonder…no…surely not!?!?!?

We headed to the track with some of our friends…..

only to find more food…. this is a funnel cake.  We DID NOT eat one.  But it sure was tempting.

Billy did find room for this circus peanut.  He loves those things.  I passed on those but I did  help eat pretzel sticks, cutie oranges,  red licorice sticks…a few bite sized snickers and…well you get the point.

And I wonder why my hips are getting bigger.   Hmmm…. I remember this saying…..A minute on the lips….forever on the hips!  If I could just remember it BEFORE I consume it all!

Meanwhile….after the race.

One family had hobo’s for dinner….I have always loved these.  They smell heavenly!

There was also roasted corn on the cob and pots of Taco soup! YUM!

It must be made complete with cheese and sour cream….

And a skillet of corn bread!  Oh my…..I DO LOVE CORNBREAD!!!!!!!!

Isn’t she a thing a beauty!  There have been many times that I have chosen cornbread over cake….now that is how much I love it!

Of course no camping trip is worth the trip if you don’t have hot dogs somewhere  along the way.

Why does a hot dog taste better cooked outside?   I don’t know….I guess the same reason everything seems too.   It’s just GOOD!

It seemed like we were all able to make happy plates all weekend….no matter what it was we were eating.

If you know what I mean!

8 May

Fashion Accessories

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

I have always been a people watcher.  I do not know why.  If we are sitting in a restaurant…I like to be able to see the people…not a wall.  I just like to look at people.  Everyone is unique and yet alike, news flash…. I know.  I truly get amazed that God hasn’t run out of nose, eye and face shapes.  I am being serious.  Don’t you think it is weird when you DO find someone who looks like someone you know.  It is pretty rare.

So it seems to be with personalities too.  People act and dress in so many different ways.

I saw this hat and it made me smile…then I saw another interesting hat…..

this sombrero and I thought….hmmm…that’s unusual…even for Talladega.   Most people wear the typical racing attire.  Usually it is a shirt………

or a hat that sports the name of your favorite driver.  (Go KASEY KAHNE….)

Pam decorated her hat by putting the numbers in bling bling of her favorite driver.  It gave it that feminine touch.  Earphones are often used to listen to the drivers while they are racing.

So while I was people watching I saw this one and you know I really like chickens…so I had to get a picture……

Tooooo funny.  So then I got one of my bright ideas…and started looking around for unusual hats, so I could share them with all you who weren’t there to see them yourselves.

They handed out these fans one day, this girl got creative and used it as a visor.  Seemed to work well.  I will have to remember this for future use…if I do not have a hat handy.

Is this not the cutest little hat you have ever seen!

Thanks to these sweet girls for modeling their hats for me.

And to these guys….with hair hats!

they were great sports about having their picture made.

These were matching “reed hats”

These four guys had matching hats….two with black bands…two with green bands.  It reminded me of when we were little, if we went to a theme park, Mom would put the same style shirt on all 4 of us kids in case we got separated…then she could say… they look like this…and point to one of the other kids.  Funny now…but it worked.

The hotter it got…the more people improvised.

I can relate to this wet cloth.  I used my pink bandanna around my neck to do a quick cool down.  WHEW it sure felt good!

There are other things that are stylish too such as

pants that match your shirt and support your driver.

And toenails that turn into art work.

Billy and I were styling as well……

Gotta love the polka dot glasses and Billy’s “do rag” and straw hat.

You get to see all the latest fashion accessories at the races!

7 May

Happy Campers

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

This weekend we went camping! We went to see a race, and so we camped for the weekend at the track.

O.K……so we don’t really rough it…but we still enjoy the great outdoors.   Through the years we have been able to visit several different race tracks.  Hands down Talladega has the most camping space of the ones we have visited.  They are constantly improving and beautifying the surroundings.  Since it is a Super Speedway…people from all over the country come to this track.  In Talladega there is plenty of green grass for everyone.

I love to pull up and see all the different ways people camp.

Some people have converted buses into campers.

Some people rent a camper.

Some campers have slides like this one.  The wall slides out to allow for more space once you are parked.

This is a little pop up camper.  I think it is the smallest pop up I have ever seen.  The cool thing about pop ups…is that they do just that….they pop up.  When it is time to close them up they look almost flat.  Pretty ingenious idea.

I think this was the CUTEST little camper I saw the entire weekend!  It is a pop up as well.

It is small and probably would be considered one step up from a tent.

There are the true “hard core” campers…..

I think it helps to be in Scouts.  In a matter of minutes, the tent was up.  His gear was together and organized.  Very prepared.  Good Job!

I think this is pretty creative.  A tent in the back of a truck, under another canopy in case it rains…which it did.  Later the truck was moved and chairs were under the canopy, providing much needed shade.   The other little tent was a kitchen….pretty cool.

There were matching tents.

Tents with air mattress comfort.

Some tents now look like they have cute little windows, complete with screened in porches.

Apparently a little family was tent camping here.  Mama, Papa and two toddler chairs.  How cute.

Precious memories being made.

There were lots of porta potties provided.  These things have come a long way.  They are much more pleasant than they used to be.

This looks like an outdoor shower.  Years ago you would see these a lot.  The sun heats up the water and then you have your own shower stall.  However, the track now provides really nice bath houses.

There are a few places that charge a fee for camping, but most of the space is free.  It makes it very affordable for families or groups to be able to come and camp for the whole weekend.

The weather was great.  We had some rain move in the last day, but even after that it cleared up beautifully.

Roughing it or not there is just something special about being outdoors.

If it is pulling up a chair for just a little rest in the middle of the day or……

……taking the time to enjoy the moon at night.

Yep, there is just something special about it.

3 May

Break Time

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

We are going to take a break….I probably won’t post for several days.

If you really want to read something….you are welcome to scroll through the older post from when I first started, if you haven’t read them.

Meanwhile, I plan to take lots of pics the next few days.

Have a great weekend.

 

1 May

Welcome to the Farm…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

Yesterday Morning Billy and I went to check on Mama and Baby.

They were still in the enclosed area we provided for her to give birth.  Zsa-Zsa has always been one to stand back.  Actually, I find that to be the norm….usually it changes after they see how much you care about them.  They still come up to you when they want….but they are much friendlier after events like these happen.

When we entered the confined area…we weren’t sure if the mother was going to be defensive of the baby or not.  She gave us a deep stare…and a nod of her head, which for her, usually means…back off. I went out of the gate to give her some space.  Billy was right behind me.  But she gave a little hum to the baby after she did that…..the baby walked away from her and up to us.  The first time that has ever happened.  Mom stayed where she was….and baby walked about 10 feet over to us and rubbed up on Billy’s leg.

Well…there you go….heart melt down!  I was already on the other side of the gate….but I immediately got back in that fence.  I didn’t want to miss that special moment for anything.  That baby savored every minute.  We did too!

Mama gave her another hum…Mom proceeded through the open gate and went across to the third pasture clearing.  She must have told the baby to stay with that hum….because she stayed right there at the open gate.

That is when we continued to take advantage of this golden opportunity….it showed a lot of trust on Zsa-Zsa’s part.

Amazing creatures.

With camera’s these days it has the date and time when you take the pictures.  As I was going through them I realized  the Mama went into the field and left the baby with us for about 15 minutes.  That was unusual, sweet and very trusting.  Of course time flew while we were loving on it.

When we looked into the field we saw her running back toward us….and the herd was behind her ….running.  As she got close she hummed…the baby came out.  Then there was a welcoming party.  She proudly showed off her baby to the herd.

I find that totally amazing.

What a proud mother!  I am so happy for her.

In the far left corner you can see Brandy touching noses with Zsa-Zsa.   Possibly congratulating her.  Bailey is the one standing by the baby.  She is the last of the small cows that I am concerned with.  She hasn’t bagged up…yet.  So I am not sure when she will deliver.

Then I thought this was sweet….Punkin…who had Toots just a month ago….and was the one who head hugged Zsa-Zsa during labor…greets the new baby.  SWEET…SWEET.

After that the herd then went about the business of grazing.

AHHHHHHH.  A great way to start the day!

After work….I took Mama a sweet feed treat and did my routine check.

I found them nestled in the field, away from the herd.  Which is typical for a little while.

Mama ate, I loved on Joy.  This baby is much more willing to be loved on.   I can only hope that she will always be like that.

Experience tells me otherwise.  I usually have about 3 days.

Meanwhile, I enjoy every chance I get.

Zsa-Zsa is a great first time mother.

AHHHHHHH.  What a way to end the day!

Thank the Lord for the beautiful gift of Life.

30 Apr

Dr. Billy, D.V.M.

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Sunday after church and lunch, Billy and I  went to the pasture to check on everyone. The usual head count was done and everyone was accounted for minus our little Jett…and her baby, whom I looked so forward to welcoming.

While walking around we discovered that Zsa- Zsa was showing early signs of labor.  I couldn’t believe it.  I will have to say that I really wasn’t excited, I just wasn’t ready to do this again.  I knew the two of them were going to have a close due date….but I had no idea it would be one day apart.

We were supposed to go somewhere but plans changed quickly.  We rounded up Zsa-Zsa and put her in a confined area.

All that started around 1:00.

This is Zsa-Zsa in early labor.

A few early pushes….she just couldn’t get comfortable…..

Since cows are pack animals, we let Punkin and Toots stay with her for a while.  Punkin was showing some love here.  This was so sweet, she would rest her head on her…not butting her.  Looked like a face hug.  Notice Punkins eyes are closed, like she feels her pain.

Meanwhile…Toots, just a month old, enjoyed the sunshine.  Now it is almost 5:30 p.m.^

6:11 We have the birthing bubble. (I will spare you the pictures)

6:30 The bubble breaks

7:20 I can see one hoof.  A normal delivery should show me two hooves and a nose.  I began to sweat……

Billy and I watch while eating our Chinese takeout dinner in the golf cart.  Romantic huh?

8:30….we’re pacing right along side of her….9:30….decide to rope her and get her in a place where we can help her deliver.

Cows are smart….cows are strong….even while they are in labor.

Zsa-Zsa has a set of horns on her too…..that makes it even trickier.

FINALLY…we get her tied up, Billy gloved up…..I helped hold the tail.

Interesting thing about cows, maybe its this way with all animals.  They don’t really want you to help….at first, but once they realize you ARE helping them….they work with you.

She fought the whole way while we were trying to tie her up….but once Billy started pulling the calf, she helped with no opposition.  Billy pulled with all his might….and pulled…and pulled.  He was finally able to get the head through.  At this point it had been so many hours, we felt like the baby would be dead and had tried to brace for that.

10:41 p.m. The baby finally is delivered….Zsa-Zsa gave a sound of relief and just stood there exhausted.

Billy said “I think it is alive”!

IT WAS!  We were so exhausted….and so happy!  The calf was absolutely beautiful.  I rubbed it down until the mama could get to it.

Billy untied Zsa-Zsa and she just stood there licking him.  He said…”I think she is thanking me”…I laughed and said…she is.

I have been fortunate to see those things a good bit  from the animals…now he was getting to witness it as well.  It is so rewarding.

10:46 Mama and baby….happy and healthy!

10:47 Dr. Billy …..Exhausted….and grateful.

This morning our feet hit the floor and we were out the door.

Precious…Precious…Precious!

I believe a bond was made.

We talked about the name last night on our way back to the house…..

The baby is a girl!  We felt like the most appropriate name for her should be….Joy!

29 Apr

The worst part of having animals

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

About 11:00 yesterday I went to check on everyone in the pasture, I was headed into town to see if my favorite camera could be fixed.  The cows were just enjoying a favorite spot of theirs.  I usually hang out with them for a few minutes.  I get a head count and make sure everyone is acting normal.

They were all accounted for and just looked at me like….can we help you?

I went on into town, did the camera thing and had a couple other errands.

I went back to the pasture around 5:00.  I saw that the cows in the second pasture….I walked over to them…but 2 were not accounted for.  One was the newest calf Toots and the other was Jett.  It is not unusual for the little calves not to be with the herd, but a cow to be missing especially an expectant one is of concern.

I quickly went back to the spot where I had seen her earlier.  Sure enough, she was near there laying on her side.  I approached her carefully, she was trying to deliver.  I saw two feet….they were not in the correct position for birth.  I tried to pull on them when she would have a contraction, but they were not budging.  I knew I was going to have to have help.   The sad thing was, the feet were already cold.   I knew the baby was already dead.

Our neighbor to our pasture and another friend came to check on me….I called my brother who dropped everything and came with a friend.  I called the vet and then we proceeded to try to put her in a confined area so the vet could help her more easily.

The vet came, they tried to pull the calf, it was breach.  They even used the calf puller on her.  After much trying, she said a c-section would be high risk.  She would recommend putting her down.  It broke my heart.

After weighing all the options…..

I watched and petted her until the medicine could work.

I absolutely hate this part of having animals.

About 8:30 last night we buried sweet Jett and her calf.

I do not know if it was a boy or girl….I could only see the black legs.  But, I name every animal that comes on the farm.  This one will be called black beauty.

I do appreciate all the love and respect given to Jett from all the people who tried to help her.   I am at least glad that even though it was a horrible situation, I was with her, and she didn’t die in the woods alone.

Meanwhile….. I have a very heavy heart.

 

 

 

28 Apr

Trying out the camera

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

While we were gone on the trip…our miniature rose bush bloomed.  I went to take a picture…but the wind was blowing so the camera focused more on the statue.  That’s ok.  But the roses are pretty right now!

Remember me telling about my plant sales…well these were some of the latest…I had placed them around this rose bush and they are all looking pretty too.

They are violas….looks like a miniature pansy.

These are also violas…I think this combination of colors is my favorite.

Every time I look at this statue…it reminds me of my sister Charlotte.  I suppose it is from when we were little…she looked a lot like this.  I know….I’m weird.

These were the pansies from that same plant sale….They have done pretty well too.

This is a Gerbera Daisy…I kinda chuckle every time I look at it.  I planted last year, in a pot.  It did alright through the season, but I never have any luck with them.  They always, always, always die after a few weeks.  I left it alone in the pot.  I had it on the front porch, it was protected from direct frost and all, I usually dump the pots and put them away for the winter.  I didn’t do that to this pot.  I just let it sit there…looking ugly all winter.

Spring rolled around and I had my plants from the plant sale…went to put some in that pot.. much to my surprise, I saw a tiny little leaf  poking its head out.  Well here it is.  One stem even has three flowers on it.

I just took that…while I was posting …curiosity got the best of  me….I had to see if it had opened all the way up.

While I was outside I heard the frogs really singing at the goldfish pond.

Ahhhh…last but certainly not least.  This was from last years sale…they came back which is a WONDERFUL thing.  I love the colors of these too.

I did take a few pictures of some of the animals yesterday…

This is Jett.  I believe she will be our next Mama.  She is such a small cow….I am really worried.  This is her first, she is old enough, she is just so petite.

We actually have 3 that are smaller than I would like for them to be.

This one is Zsa-Zsa.  She is probably going to give birth right after Jett.  She is small too…but she is not as petite.  The third one is Bailey, I’m not sure how far along she is yet. She isn’t close enough for me to guess.

Jett and Zsa-Zsa both bagged up while we were gone.  I suspect they will give birth within the month.  I would like to guess that Jett will be in about a week…or two…but….?

Zsa-Zsa is right there too…but according to her tail end…she may be we a week or so after Jett.

I am learning…and the thing I have learned the most is…..I still have a lot to learn.

Mrs. Zippy is getting very round.  She came into the pasture at the end of May last year.  They carry the baby for a year.  She has not bagged up…so I think sometime in June…MAYBE?  I absolutely can’t wait….it is going to be PRECIOUS.

When I took these pictures they were all swatting the flies.

We had a really mild winter…I have already sprayed them earlier in the season.  I suppose this will be a summer for the flies.

Usually they do not like to be sprayed…but I gave them a nice treat and sprayed them all while they were eating.  They weren’t sure at first, but then they were like….YES….thank you!

I love this time of year.  The weather was perfect last night, the day light is longer and it gives me so much more time to just enjoy them.

Now, if I can just adjust to this camera.

27 Apr

Beauty Everywhere

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .

I find it so neat how there is beauty all around us.  No matter what our soil conditions are there is usually a plant that surprises us with its beauty.

This is a Bougainvillea.  Amazingly enough, they are drought tolerant…perfect for the area we were in.  It was just gorgeous.  It was actually a pleasant kind of odd to see it flourish.

I have no idea what this is.  It too was thriving, in the heat and dry conditions.

I loved the little purple flowers that were all over it.

The cactus are beautiful.

The people can also use them for food.  This young mother had just gathered some eggs from a few chickens they have and cut some cactus from her plants.  One of the members of our group was a nutritionist, she decided to saute some for our dinner and also had some that were  raw for us to try.  I tried the sauteed ones…they were good.  (I do not know how to make that little mark on the computer over the -e-)

I have not seen many different trees in the area we are working.  I have seen this one in particular, the pods are unique and striking.

There were some new banana plants since we were there last.  I looked it up and apparently they are not really “trees”.  Anyway, possibly they will grow good here and offer another source of food.

The missionaries have been given a rabbit as a gift….they are hopefully getting another one soon.   That can be the gift that keeps on giving…..

Along the banks of the canal I saw these little guys (goats)….made me think about our own.

They were eating the vegetation along the way.

They went down the steep embankment and drank from the canal then continued on their way.

Apparently this is the garbage truck….

A beautiful animal, doing his job.

The true meaning of “horse power”.

On the day we travel back home we usually make a stop in Progreso.  They have a market area where you can buy things that help support the locals.  I love to see the things they get creative with.

I should have taken a picture while the man was making this ring with my name on it.  He does an amazing job.  He just bends and shapes it from a strand of wire.  He is very talented.

This is a necklace.  It is a crucifix made of glass and a lady writes on a grain of rice for you.

Not only that, but on the other side of that grain of rice…she drew a heart and colored it in.  Then she placed a tiny amount of greenery and a little bead to look like a flower.

Something about having my name…there…at the cross that makes it seem even more personal.

It reminds me…that Jesus loved and still loves me so much….he died for me.  WOW.

There is a taco stand that the teams frequent while there.

The vendors continue to come and try to sell the goods to you while you eat.  Some of them will serenade you for a small fee.  I think that is a pretty neat way to use their talent.

Someone had these two little fellows play and sing, I only caught the end of it….but it is fun to hear.

On the way back across the border,

I saw this beautiful Lime tree.

There is usually a stop at the ice cream shop before we load up.  Well it was there that it happened…..

I dropped my camera!  UGH….

I clicked it to see if it was going to work……

Ben even gave me a smile to give it a good check….

However, it makes a new noise and it works when wants to.  Soooooo….I got a different one yesterday…not crazy about it…but maybe it is because I do not know enough about all the buttons yet.

I think I will have to see if I can have my other one repaired without it costing as much as the camera did.  It took such great pictures.

So bear with me….as I  try the new one out.

I did get it to take one more picture when we got home.  We were going through the woods on the dirt road…and saw this amazing looking THING….I suppose it is a mushroom?

I do not know…but even my sick little camera….captured it so nicely.

There really is beauty everywhere you look!

26 Apr

The Ice Cream Man

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

AMAZING!  Even in a place where there is no electricity, there is an ice-cream man.

On Sunday he pedaled his unique bike down the street.  When it is hot, there is a need for something cool.

He had Mango ice cream.

He provided a nice sized scoop for .50 cents.

Billy especially enjoyed seeing him come each day.

Actually,everyone waited with excitement to see him pull up.

Everyday he had a different flavor, this was coconut day.  Complete with real pieces of coconut throughout.

This happened to be strawberry day.  For the price….everyone was able to be treated to ice cream.

I mentioned that Billy and I worked the reading glass table.  One day this lady sat down to see about some glasses.

After trying several pairs, she finally found the ones that worked for her.  A beautiful smile came across her face.  She grabbed Billy and I and started praying the most beautiful prayer in Spanish.  I do not know the language, but I do recognize a few words.  She was saying gracious over and over.  Thanking God and Christ, I did recognize those words.  More importantly than me understanding the words, was the connection that was made with our hearts.  As she prayed such a sweet sincere prayer, tears rolled from my eyes.  I was so moved by her sweet spirit.

After she finished she went to wait for her turn to see the doctor.  In triage I saw the nurse begin to cry.  The interpreter who was helping went to speak to the ice cream man.

I saw both of them begin to cry.  Billy and I watched, still not knowing what was going on.  It was later that we learned that they were a married couple.  They had a 16 year old son who was killed just 4 months ago in an accident.  The father, the ice cream man, has turned away from God…in anger and hurt.  Our hearts broke for this family.

Interesting how you really never know what someone else is going through.  Sometimes wounds are physical and we can see them, sometimes wounds are Spiritual and they can go unnoticed until you get to know the person.

The next morning, the ice cream man came again…we bought our ice cream as usual…and we all hugged him. We asked if we could pray for him.  He said yes.

Billy prayed, the interpreter was there, we were all around him showing him that we loved him.

He cried, we cried…..it was sweet.

He came back the next day…and everyday after that… until we left.  We also told him when the group would return and that everyone would be ready for ice cream again.

He smiled.

He brings great joy to people…he’s the ice cream man!  I pray joy comes back to him….that his heart will be healed.  That can happen, if he let’s it…because God…is God!

Scriptures tell us that we will have trials and tribulations in this world.  I do not understand why certain things happen.  God’s plans are higher than our plans…I suppose if God told us why, we still wouldn’t understand it.  It is much deeper I think than we can even comprehend.  Our family has suffered through accidental deaths, it is a terrible experience.  When I was growing up we would talk about those things, my mother would say, it will either make you bitter…or better.  If we trust God through those hard times, we will grow close to Him, and He will walk with us through the hurt.  Making us able to help someone else one day who is experiencing something similar.  Just because we love God…it doesn’t make us immune to hurt and loss.

We continue to remember him, his wife and the other children in their family, in our prayers.

I ask that you will too.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »