Apple pie filing

Taters and Onion

End of the gardening season

I don't know exactly why, but the garden was almost a total washout this year. I tried planting the peas on (or near) Good Friday, and they came up fine, but when they grew to about 2 inches tall, they were completely devoured by slugs in one single night. So when I found a 50# bag of seed potatoes for $2, I planted the entire bag. They did grow, but most of them were very small, but just the right size for stew or roast. (Too bad my clan won't eat stew. ) The majority of the tomatoes plants in the garden grew, but we didn't get too many decent tomatoes. Even the sunflowers were puny. About the only thing that grew well was the lettuce mix that I tried for the first time. But it turned out I just didn't like the thin texture of the lettuce, it reminded me of tissue paper with a little flavor. I usually have alot of self-seeding dill also, but even that was sparce this year. Come to think of it, the only other thing that grew well was the spearmint patch. I trimmed it twice and even rooted some for a new patch. Oh, how could I forget, I did get the zucchini to grow! First time in years that we had zucchini bread from our own zucchinis. There's something to be said about zucchini bread, but I can't remember what it is because my mouth is full of bread and I am savoring every bite.

Forever

My internal clock draws me past my kitchen clock at 9:11 almost every day. 9/11

Back to school time

Well, got the kids back to school without too much fuss. The oldest started a new school this year, an online public school, which she seems to enjoy so far. The boys are excited (somewhat!) about taking wood shop and computer tech classes this year and the FL, of course, is head over heels in love with every aspect of kindergarten. I have found a temporary job at a local store and hopefully it will turn into a full time job.

Lessons in Border Collie

It is true that Border Collies demonstrate the herding instinct from an early age. Here Jake the dog (8 weeks old) has successfully herded FL into the puppy pen and gotten her to read him FL's favorite book," Arthur's Pet Business." It is also true that Border Collies excel in agility, because Jake the dog succeded in climbing over this same puppy kennel the very next week.

The newest member of the family

Name: Jake

Alias: JAKE!!!, Jakey-boy, You-#?*!-dog!

Age: 3 months old

Species: part Border Collie, part Black Lab, although I think I am human and use my paws like a cat

Favorite Activies: playing fetch-I do really well at retrieving, but have a hard time "giving"

stealing laundry (especially underwear) and then making people yell, run after me, and try to retrieve their favorite clothing without me ripping a hole in it. (you should try this, it's really fun!)

hiding socks behind the couch

chewing up anything wood, stairsteps, coffee tables, chair legs

Least Favorite Activies: "going" outside in the rain and cold

staying in my crate at night

Favorite Foods: anything that comes from a crinkly bag (people food like chips)

Least Favorite Foods: Butter makes me growl

Goals in life: while I show a knack for rounding up small children, my people don't have any livestock to round up,(the chickens just peck my nose) so I am working on my agility training. I do very well at climbing over fences and gates, jumping over legs put up on the coffee table and army crawling under chairs.