The Little Red Cottage

My Country Tis of Thee...Sweet Land of Liberty

2010-06-08T20:34:00.003-05:00

I love America! I'm not ashamed to say it! I'm not prejudice against others! I don't think we have a monopoly on the world and it is our job to run it! I love my country! In Afghanistan, women are not allowed the freedom of being educated. In Africa, women do not own bras! They also slave away in the dirt for hours with babies strapped to their backs. In so many countries, people are slaughtered, dictated to, treated with contempt, belittled, starved, forced to practice religions that are full of sorcery and superstition, basically, people are suffering in ways that Americans cannot truly relate to. We are a blessed people. Blessed to be able to have the freedom to be literate. To be literate, to be well-educated, that is power. Through education, one is able to make decisions for oneself, rather than to be dictated to by someone else. Education is freedom. Through knowledge, we find our gifts, our talents, our purpose. We are blessed to be able to have the opportunity to find our gifts, our talents, our purpose. I want everyone to stand up and cheer, "I love America!" And I want everyone to stand up and salute a soldier who has made our blessings possible...they deserve our prayers, our respect, our gratitude. Happy 4th of July, America!

Ahhh Shucks...

2010-05-10T21:24:00.003-05:00

Well, one of my dearest friends, Johnna, has a super duper talented sister who has a super duper fantastic blog where she writes amazing things. I was so honored when she asked me if she could interview me for her "Mommy Mondays" posting. I read it on the big screen, so to speak, and it was...emotional. It's weird that you live your life, your life, not as a spectator but as a participant, and suddenly, when you view it as a spectator, it's so weird. My story is mine. I shared it. Weird. But good too. Cleansing. Amber wrote about pulling weeds within her spirit a few weeks ago, and writing down the answers to her questions felt very cleansing. I don't allow myself to grieve very often. I didn't realize I needed to grieve, it's been awhile. I miss my husband. I miss his friendship. I miss our family being completed and protected. There I've said it. Enough of that for awhile! Thanks, Amber, I really needed that!

True Confessions

2010-04-30T08:44:00.002-05:00

How many times have you seen the words in the title to this post or heard them spoken, and suddenly, you leaned in a little closer to hear the dirt about...who knows what! Well, here it is, my true confession: I really LOVE the song "I've Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas! Can't get enough of it! Even loaded it onto the blog site I created for my middle school students! They're starting to get sick of it. "I don't care," I say! It gets me moving and moving and moving! And I really need to get moving! I know, it's not like a confessed to robbing a bank or something, but it is a confession nonetheless.

Okay, so the new puppy is insanely adorable and is biting everything in site...irritating but puppy. Our 50lb. dog is terrified of her which is hysterical because the puppy is about the size of a water bottle. Not sure about Wilbur (thanks for the name, Amber) yet, still contemplating the eviction of my home owner's association and if it'll be worth it!

New News:
I decked out my chicken coop! At first, I thought I would spend $500 on a brand new coop that was made in the image of a red barn...too cute...but get real...$500! Have I completely lost it? Almost! I was moments away from complete regret. I mean really, what was I thinking? Last year, I created a coop out of old farm house window screens and old fence wood. Too cute. But it leaks, and it is a little small for my 5 portly hens. So, what did I do you are wondering? Well, I added a fenced in play yard and cut a chicken door (doggy door) in the screen, and now my portly ladies can go inside and outside at will! They are so happy! They are taking dirt baths and nesting and making happy sounds! Not only did I improve their life, but I also completely beautified the coop with galvanized tubs full of flowers, pots full of flowers, a bird house, a lantern, gosh, it's super dee duper cute!

So Inspired!

2010-04-21T21:14:00.003-05:00

Okay, here I am again, the subdivision gardener/wanna be crafter extraordinaire/get a grip on reality girl. My herb window boxes are going off, and I am beyond thrilled to be including them in my daily meal making. My tomatoes are already blooming, and I have some random pumpkin seeds that have popped up in different places all around my yard! Yea! I have recently decided that the jig is most definitely up. I have five chickens in my subdivision backyard, and I'm pretty sure my neighbors know. Several months ago I overheard one neighbor say to her husband, "Craig, did you hear that? I think I heard a chicken!" To which he responded, "You're crazy, there aren't any chickens around here!" He said this while out front cleaning his speed boat, in front of his manicured house, while the sprinkler system activated. I felt kinda sad for the wife. But, admittedly, I laughed a lot! So, now I have a student who is dieing to give me a pot belly pig! Seriously, a pot belly pig, which, I might add, I have always wanted. The question being, "Is this too much for one subdivision gardener to handle?" I think I am crossing over into being a subdivision farmer. I think the pig would definitely be pushing it. I have also recently been given a cocker spaniel puppy by another one of my students. Super cute. That makes three dogs, one cat, five hens, and one possible pig. I live on 8,000 square feet of land. Most of it house. Have I completely lost it? I am living the dream, people, living the dream!

Cutest Thing

2010-04-02T11:38:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I have been working diligently to not purchase cute stuff for my gardens. Why? Because I have more stuff than any one person, or family, should possibly have. I've decided to scrounge around my plot of earth for the remnants of things cast aside, the pieces of things broken, and any little thing that catches my fancy. What have I discovered? Chicken eggs. Yes, chicken eggs whole and in tact. Okay, so I can blow them out and collect them in a McCoy pot, done that. Obviously, we can eat them, done that. But what else? I also have in my collection of this and that a small pile of bamboo reeds. Guess what I created! A bamboo topiary. Now, picture it...I should take a picture...three bamboo reeds (18 in. long) stuffed into a window box (center) to form a teepee over Mexican Terragon. Grab the tops of the bamboo and bring them together to a point and then add a cracked egg shell on top to hold the points together. Too CUTE! Used a blue/green chicken egg and a brown chicken egg. I have had so many compliments on this new creation. I think, I shall make more. Happy scrounging and happy creating!

Heriloom Seeds! Heirloom Seeds!

2010-04-01T20:57:00.002-05:00

Thanks to a great friend I am embarking on the quest for heirloom edibles. Not much to choose from in any of my local nurseries, boo hoo! Why heirloom? Better quality! Stronger plants! They WILL germinate and produce seeds with little attention, unlike new hybridized varieties that are weaker and less inclined to do very much after the first small crop. So, I am very excited! I tapped into Granny's Heirloom Seeds (grannysheirloomseeds.com) and purchased: cantaloupe, watermelon, summer squash, butternut squash, pie pumpkins, and baby red bell peppers. I also picked up a package of heirloom lemon thyme to act as a cover crop for my raised veggie garden. I am so beyond excited to get this going! The earth under my fingernails, the grit on my palms, the sweat on my brow...ah the sweet relief of a day well spent toiling in my soil.

Attention all you Subdivision Farmers at Heart

2010-03-20T11:10:00.001-05:00

Dream! Reality...

Okay, so I live in a subdivision. A little yucky? Yes. What can I say? I didn't really plan it out this way, but here we are, so it's time to make the absolute most of it! I have lots of pretty plants, flowers, bushes, and trees. However, I've been waiting to purchase that multi-acre estate with a red barn, farm house, pasture...but it hasn't happened yet. I love to dig, plant, prune, feel the sun on my face, and the feel of dirt under my nails. The reward of an abundantly blooming garden offers pleasures and self-satisfaction beyond explaining. But, I hesitated to plant edibles. Why? Waiting for that farm, of course! What for? No more waiting! I am going to experiment with as many things as my Texas land will allow. I am going to love it, nurture it, pray over it, and watch it GROW! Of course, tomatoes are a must. I already shared with you that I've planted an abundance of herbs. I also purchased onions and brussel sprouts (which I love)! I have lettuce in already. Next up, squash, watermelon, and not sure what else yet. Need to do more research. Mary Jane's Farm...here I come (the best magazine in the world)!

It's Been A While, But I'm Back...I think!

2010-03-16T21:12:00.002-05:00

Spring is springing in Texas! I saw my first patch of blue bonnets blooming on the side of the road today! So beautiful! I am looking forward to wonderful things...next week is Spring Break, and I have a date with my gardens, my shovel, my rake, my trowel, and my fresh home brewed chicken manure! Can't wait to see what my chicken manure does for my flowers and my food...very exciting. I have lots of planting to do! Decided to plant all 7 of my window boxes with herbs! So far, tarragon, cinnamon basil, lemon thyme, traditional sage, oregano, and lavender! Super excited about this! Usually, I spend tons of money on annuals, which look pretty for a season, but then, of course, they perish. Thus, more money must be spent as the seasons change to keep plentiful prettiness where my window pain meets my living room, bedrooms, family room, kitchen...you get the picture. I decided to experiment more with growing my own food. It's hot in Texas, so herbs are a must. They like the heat! So, I have begun the task of planting pretty little sprouts in my window boxes and I am really looking forward to the bountiful rewards! I've decided to experiment with making homemade spaghetti sauce with my girls. So, the next thing going in the ground? Tomatoes! Lots and lots of different kinds of tomatoes! I am going to experiment by planting one variety in a hanging pot on my porch to see what happens. Wish me luck!

The Happenings...

2009-04-11T21:14:00.004-05:00

5. Okay, so I only have three weeks left of college! Thank God, I may actually make it through. Graduation date: May 15! Wow! I wonder what I'll be when I grow up.

4. The girls and I have 7 weeks left of school, and then summer vacation here we come!

3. Bella graduates from middle school. Next year, high school?!

2. Tomatoes planted, spinach seeds planted, sunflower seeds planted!

1. Plan summer wellness for our family: biking, hiking, turning garage into a rec. room for kid gatherings...(the girls are gonna love it-he he he)

Picture: Look at the joy on those kids' faces! My girls with their cousin Olivia-Santa Monica Pier, California.

Last Summer Pics of Me and my Girls!

2009-04-04T15:28:00.005-05:00

Keep in mind these are almost a year old, but they work for my far away friends who have been asking to see pics.
1. Beautiful, spunky Bella
2. Adorable, precious Helana
3. My girls with Johnna's kids: Eve, Livi, Lexi, Granger and Emma
4. My girls with their cousin Nicky, who graduated valedictorian of his class, 2008!
5. My gorgeous cousins Carin and Dawn, and I'm in the middle.

The News...

2009-04-04T00:38:00.002-05:00

Well, it's no secret that I want to some day own my own farm. But, the time has not come-yet. So, for now, I will turn my backyard into the coolest, tiniest, sub-division sized farm on the planet! I've decided to clear out all the grass in the parkway and plant nothing but herbs! Rosemary galore! My backyard is prepped for veggies and my sunflower patch has already sprouted! I'm dedicating a huge area to herbs and tomatoes only! My plan: make homemade spaghetti sauce, sundried tomatoes, and whatever else I can think of or read about. We have the cutest little farmer's market here in town, seriously only 5 vendors are there, and my goal is to join that little group and sell my herbs! I will see what else I can grow enough of to sell! I'm excited! This year may be the experiment, I hope next year will show the fruit! Next on my list: build a little red barn in my backyard just big enough to house chickens and all my gardening needs. Wish me luck!

My Birthday Was Amazing!

2009-03-23T22:36:00.003-05:00

My dear friend, Johnna, put the word out that I needed some birthday blessings, and I didn't realize it, but she was right! To my complete and total surprise packages started arriving in the mail for me, from women I don't even know! The cutest, most adorable trinkets came one right after the other. I received vintage necklaces (which everyone wants to steal when I wear them), an apron, a crocheted purse, handmade candle, birds nest on a cake plate with glass dome (so adorable in my livingroom!), cutest clipboard ever, vintage floral pics, mary jane's farm magazine subscription (yea!), paper crafts that are stinkin cute hanging all over my house, pin cushion, coffee cozy, cutest handmade doll that is adorable on my livingroom couch, an amazing handmade hook rack that is cuter than anything in my kitchen--I cannot express how completely surprised I was and how completely spoiled I feel! I received exactly the kinds of things I would want to buy at my fav shop! Thank you, all of you wonderful ladies, who I don't even know, for taking the time to bless someone you don't even know. You have truly touched my heart in ways words cannot accurately describe. You are totally and completely amazing!

Roses are red...

2009-03-23T22:30:00.002-05:00

Spring is springing, just a little bit, in our backyard! I am fired up and ready to dig, dig, dig new gardens! My inspirational friend, Johnna, has encouraged me to start a veggie and herb garden, so here goes...the dirt is almost ready and the seeds are here too! I can't wait to see what happens.