Hedgehog Pillows

I made these for the people who performed my surgery last month. Just a thank you handmade in the Missouri Ozarks. The hedgehog is the name I gave the pain I felt from a calcified fibroid. I felt like I had hedgehogs inside my abdomen. And when they were removed I felt so much better.

I used suiting samples to make the spikes.

Wool and silk sewing on top of cotton makes for soft little hedgehogs. No more uterus means no more fibroids and no more pain. I am so glad I finally found a doctor who correctly diagnosed me. I had gone through several Ob's over the last 13 years in Houston, TX and none got it right. It took a small town GP in the Ozarks to figure out what was wrong. And I went to Baton Rouge to have the surgery. They have very talented experienced OB surgeons there at the Woman's Hospital. Funny how life can turn out. 

Spring Plant Planning

I have been taking note of what made it this year and what I want for next year. I will add beans to my expanded garden. Peas, butter beans, snap peas, pole beans are up for space in the garden. Zucchini is now my favorite squash. Easy to grow and several summer meals from just a few plants. They just take up a lot of garden space. Lettuce did well until the heat made it bitter. Tomatoes ruled this year for me. I had a ton. My potatoes and yams took a hit from Mr. Mole, but I still have plenty. Next year I am planing them in cages. My cucumbers did great until the heat got them. This summer might be just as dry and hot as this last one. I will add more heavy mulch and use the shade of the trees if I can. 

This year I will plant Wisteria for my chickens, protecting them from eagles and the sun. I love the smell and the color those vines give. Dahlia's did very well for me, they are a no work flower to have in the garden. I was able to have several bouquets to share in spite of the beetles. Growing plants without pesticides will test your skills and patience in the growing season. But I was happy with this years bounty. I'm looking forward next years garden.

Snowy Train Town

Last week I got to go to the local Habitat for Humanity resale store and this train village was set up and running. The owner of the store has collected these trains and figures for years. He displays them every Christmas for all to enjoy.

Mushroom King

Here is a huge gold mushroom found on our land. It was growing out of an old rotten

oak tree. It was nibbled on by the forest critters.

Here is my smallest rooster, Little King. He is the exact copy of his grandfather rooster

except 1/2 the size. Little King is about the size of a tissue box. He is always on the move

protecting his hens. I've heard that bantam roosters can be trouble, but he is a great rooster.

Frosty Morning

Chicken breath frozen on the inside of the coop. They had a heat lamp on and 

the glass froze into a neat pattern.

Scrub grass

Frosty oak leaves

I had to break the pond ice so the ducks could swim.