Thursday, April 29, 2010

New Kitchen for Under Seven Bucks



This little kitchen I made Izzy for her 2nd birthday is entirely made of scrap wood I had lying around left over from past projects. The only things I bought were 2 packs of hinges (about $1.50/each), 2 cabinet pulls ($1.35/each), and about $0.50 worth of cloth. I don't believe I'm mistaking when I say $6.25 is a wee bit cheaper than what one of the store bought versions cost. And best of all - She loves it! In the future, I am planning on adding a refrigerator and a microwave.
*The awesome half-dozen felt sugar cookies in the oven are courtesy of my sister, complete with a cookie sheet.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Work?


I had a good vacation at Cedar Park Farm - tearing out an old fence, clearing brush, chainsawing old trees into firewood, and building a new fence. I understand normal people don't consider this a vacation. Like the quote from George Halas (famous guy in NFL history for those who don't know) says, "Nothing is work unless you'd rather be doing something else." I can't think of many things I would rather do than this kind of work. If only I could find a job doing these things that paid liked the work I go to everyday. I just need to finish paying off debts and be a full-time farmer. Who needs a bunch of money when you grow your own fruits and vegetable, raise your own meat, milk your own cows, grind your own flour, and brew your own beer. That is my goal, but for now I will keep working.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Man Machine

We are here in the hustling bustling metropolis of Bedias. The corn is creeping, the peaches plumping, the apples advancing, the beans bursting, the tomatoes towering, the potatoes popping, the sun shining and the wind wailing. That was cheesy. This place is pretty amazing in the spring though. We spent the whole day yesterday taking down a 15 year old fence. We had to chop out a significant amount of brush just to get to the fence in places and then meticulously cut the wire at every tree since they had enveloped the wire through years of growth. Once the fencing wire was removed, it was bundled and stacked for a trip to the metal recycling center. Next, all of the wooden post were pulled out, loaded into the bucket of the John Deer and stacked for a multitude of future uses.

Then out came the bulldozer. Rumbling. Bumbling. Grumbling. This machine is everything opposite of sissy. It is a true man machine, destroying anything in its path. One hundred year old tree...so what. Giant telephone poles sunk deep...big deal. Brush thicker than a Vietnam jungle...who cares. Large tractor stuck in axle deep mud...get out of there. Nothing it does is pretty. No one who drives it says the word cute. Not a dash of pink femininity can exist in its presence. Its testosterone is all consuming. Man Machine!

Today, we will tackle the task of ripping out the rest of the unwanted trees and brush, and start putting up the new fence before all the neighborhood deer realize Cedar Park farm is ripe for the taking. But right now we wait while it rains.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Possum Living


Just finished this book, and I think this is the way I wish I lived. Tell you more about it later. I'm too tired tonight.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Annie's Creek by My Mom


My mother wrote a book! If you have even a tiny lick of sense you will click as fast as you can away from this blog, over to barnesandnoble.com to buy yourself a copy today! I will even help you out - click ---> HERE!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Gang Fight

We piled into the car at 7:20am this morning and sped out of town so Nocona could run in a 5K race with one of her friends, while I was tasked with taking care of the babies (Dad's do not babysit!) We arrived just in time for her to sprint to the starting line and "bang" take off. We cheered for Mommy and the other runners for the full 2 minute-toddler-attention-span, then ran off to dance to the live band and watch ducks swimming in a pond close by. As we made our way around the pond, we were approached by several members of an angry inner-city gang that preys on unsuspecting victims enjoying a day at the park. They were snorting and honking all manners of vile communication as they grossly invaded the personal space of both me and my children. I boldly pulled on my daughter's hand bringing around behind me in order to face the leader of this pack one-on-one. He kept coming closer and closer, but I held my ground, ready for anything. Normally, guys like this run when they see me coming but not this scraggly bunch. They were moving into tactical positions, attempting to triangulate us, when all of a sudden....OUCH!...their leader snapped his head down and took a biting chunk out of my leg. Let me just tell you, I didn't care how many people were standing around watching. I kicked that goose a good feather-busting 10 feet! With that, he and his gang scurried off into the bushes with few derogatory parting honks.

Friday, April 9, 2010

We Call it a Signal 20

Ever seen a half-naked, mentally deranged, flaming homosexual, Asian guy answer his front door with his own william-hung-style karaoke cd playing in the background?

I have. And it was hilarious.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Life Emerges







You buy seeds.
You dig holes.
You bury seeds.
You water it all.
You hold your breath...
then life emerges.

Thursday, April 1, 2010