We've been having alot of mice in the garage and a few in the house lately....I suppose its because its been so warm (over 100 most days) and Don is storing some dog food in the garage which attracts them.... Bandit are a good mouser. (Smoky is more a fly and bug hunter) and we find dead mice occasionally as little gifts........we've set out traps and caught quite a few.. we don't let the cats into the garage. Good thing I'm not squeamish about mice.
We want to get some metal storage containers to store the pet food in...the little terrorists chewed through the plastic types but metal containers are hard to find.......at least at a reasonable price.

Our house is very close to open country, behind our back wall actually...the day before yesterday, a large road runner hopped on the wall and peered over......first time I've seen one here..sorry I didn't get a photo. Handsome bird.


Nancy M. won the contest this week, so I will be contacting her. Be sure to check back this next Friday for the next one....I will try to make it a little more challenging!

A New Game

See if you can guess who this childhood photo is of?......she is a famous movie actress, she was one of the highest paid actresses of the 1990s, her first movie was shown in drive ins and was a sci-fi 3 D classic......she also worked in the soap opera, General Hospital..she's been married 3 times...she went on to make 46 movies.......

My friend sent me a page of childhood photos of famous people and I think it would be fun once a week to post one and see if you can guess.....

The person who wins will get this cute little set of dog magnets....if no one guesses, this prize will be added to the following weeks and will end in September.....so every Friday for the next few weeks, please join in the fun


sorry, this is just for USA readers.....postage is just too high for me to mail overseas.

Wednesday Dog of the Week, Ginger +

This is Ginger, a terrier/yorkshire mix....she is a sweet little girl, young and friendly...but a little shy...she needs the right family who will gain her trust and love.....these little dogs can be very loyal and good companions..as with all the dogs, when she is adopted, she will get free pet health insurance for 30 days.
Don invited us out for supper (KFC) the other night so we headed over to the rescue and had a nice meal with him. One of the dogs always tries to get our attention and picks up whatever toy is available in his mouth, wagging his tail, wanting us to play with him....so cute...I think he is charming Alan a little as he mentioned what a nice dog he was.....
we did a short walk around the property after supper, and behind the rescue is a nice large piece of land, almost an acre......Don mentioned the owner would like to purchase it and expand the rescue which would be wonderful, something to keep in prayer...you can find out more about the rescue, Ginger and her friends at Sun City K-9 Rescue

Glen Beck is doing a wonderful informative series this week on his TV show.......something every |American should be watching, regardless of political party....he goes into great detail and asks some questions that we should all be asking
Our unfunded liability for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is close to $100 trillion. Is there any way to pay for these programs without bankrupting America?
Here are just a few.....
- We are in so much debt, why spend more borrowed money on cap-and-trade and healthcare programs before we stop the flow of red-ink?

- The stimulus package funneled billions of dollars to ACORN. How does giving billions of dollars to ACORN stimulate the economy?

- If it was so important for congress to pass the stimulus bill before they even had time to read it why has only a fraction of the stimulus money been spent 6 months later?

- Bush said he had to abandon free market principles in order to save them, how exactly does that work?

- Why won’t members of Congress read the bills before they vote on them?

- Why are citizens mocked and laughed at when they ask their congressman to read the bills before they vote on them?

- Was the cash-for-clunkers program meant to save the earth or the economy? Did it accomplish either?

Each day he adds more questions and has given this questions to the White House..so far no answers have come back and he's been attacked personally....tough questions? yes, and how come no other media is asking them?
I tried to paste in a video but it won't work for some reason but if you go here...
you can read more on his website

This little guy is the culprit.....if you click on the photo, you will see he is munching on one of our cherry tomatoes..sweet life for him....he and his mate have take up residence in the retaining wall and cheerfully raid our garden, not only eating the tomatoes, but also snagging bird seed from the feeder and getting water from the bird bath.......I don't really mind as we have plenty but Alan considers their residence a challenge especially when, today, we spotted him climbing up our small young apple tree and trying to get the one apple hanging on the branch....that's going a little too far.......the little guy hasn't discovered the fig tree yet but its only a matter of time....Alan sits out on the patio, patiently waiting with loaded BB gun but so far, its squirrel 1, Alan 0.....
I can just imagine the squirrels sitting in their cool underground nest, peering out and seeing the human in the heat, chuckling to themselves.

as you can see, our ground squirrels are rather a rough bunch, more like junk yard squirrels, not near as handsome as the Midwest red tree squirrels, their cousins....with their pretty coloring and big fluffy tails....
Most of the garden is gone, but we do have our tomatoes left.....I will be sad when they are gone, we are getting so spoiled......we did plant two new tomato plants, two Big Beefy tomatoes...we didn't really have enough to can, I did make some terrific sauce the other day which we enjoyed.
Next year, its going to be more tomatoes, maybe about 25 plants or so as they grew the best.

Remember, I was telling you how high sugar was going to get? one of our local markets is selling 10 lb. bags for almost $6.00.....I am going to check around and see if I can find some cheaper...and that was the store brand......

Lastly, my dear aunt sent me a link to the most beautiful site.........and I wanted to pass it on to you...so sit back, and be sure to turn your sound on Colors

I ran into this darling darling little puppy online and wanted to share him with you....isn't he a sweetie? I don't usually like private dog breeding as there are so many strays and rescued dogs that need our love, but this little guy is something special.......




Our weather has gotten cooler and we even got some sprinkles today.....a little humid......Alan is doing locksmithing and I am going through paperwork......not especially fun but really needed....we are working on getting more organized.....our second year of being in business....thankfully, our business keeps picking up and we are getting more calls from homeowners...he has 3 such jobs today plus one foreclosure for an agent......
Our dream is to have our own little shop, we can work behind the counter and our sons can do the actual mobile locksmithing....but that remains to be seen...early days.....we can dream though......a mom and pop business....old fashioned, I know....

Wednesday Dog of the Week

Here is Emma, a Boston Terrier mix, she's just a puppy, only about 3 months old..a little sweetie, playful and friendly.....a nice companion dog for the right person...she also comes with 30 days prepaid pet insurance and a free registration with 24 hour pet watch.....you can find her at the Sun City K9 Rescue

I've been fighting a sore throat for the last day or so..came home from work with it and went to bed early...still under the weather........hard to sleep as I started coughing until I got some water....I didn't go with Alan to a job he had today in Escondido, Ca......its not a long drive, only about 45 minutes but thought I'd better rest......I don't want this to turn into anything worse....

We got the flower bed finished and put a few plants in ...zinnas, and the ones in the down the row are French iris.....a friend sent them to me from Ill. Once they get established, they will be lovely, or at least we hope so...the friend didn't know what color they will be.....


We are thinking about getting some tulip and other bulbs this winter to plant here...and think it will be fun and easier to maintain than the lawn ...the grass never did well along the wall. Alan and the boys went to the local garden center and brought home a truck load of soil amendment which we worked into the ground.....our lawn is suffering with the heat, in fact, everything is...the only plant that is doing well and actually growing is our fig tree..it seems to thrive on the heat and has grown another foot or more this year already......is about 15 ft. tall now and loaded with figs.....we've been eating them, sliced in half with low fat cream cheese...Wow, are they good!
I am also drying some on our patio, covered with cheese cloth and allowing to naturally dry...

if you have read my blog for anytime, you know I am a fan of Glen Beck and a member of the 9/12 Project......well, because a Czar in the White House, Van Jones who is the co-founder of a group called Color of Change is pressuring Glen's sponsors and some of them have caved to the pressure..they are trying to get him taken off the air.........when I think of how our previous administration was treated....the vile things that were said about President Bush.....and we didn't always agree with what President Bush did either
If the Bush administration had gone after a TV show host...well, you know what would have happened.....
Glen's comments are very mild and humorous...what is happening to our rights to free speech? if the White House can pressure private business...what will be next? This President is very sensitive to any criticism and retaliates with a heavy hand...typical Chicago style thuggery...they ignore our rights and try to silence or dismiss.....
anyway, if this enrages you as it did me....there is something you can do about it......
please visit DefendGlen.com....which was started by a couple, and email the sponsors who have quit...plus they have a list of the sponsors who are staying the course, who need our encouragement.....there is also an petition you can sign at Break the Boycott
even if you don't agree with Glen or do not watch him.....can you imagine a President doing after private citizens like this?

Blogger is acting up again...I've tried to click on some of my favorite links and it won't let me...sigh...so sorry fellow bloggers....

I have a confession to make....as I get older, I am getting hooked on games! Especially the ones on Facebook......chiefly, Farm Town, Farm Ville, Yoville and Farkle......too much time spent there and I've had to do some self control.......glad these weren't around when I was younger! I don't really use my Facebook for anything else.....but it has been wonderful to link up with some dear old friends whom I haven't talked with in over 25 years...odd thing is, its like we never were apart....plus I have some family member there too, several nieces and two nephews, two SIL...who we don't see very often as we are 2,000 miles apart....there is some good in such social sites when family and friends can connect......love and good will have no boundaries..
Yesterday after all the gardening, Alan and I sat on the porch swing and watched the honey bees come to the bird bath to drink and carry water back to the hive...it was very interesting watching them and we took a few photos



We watched them for quite awhile......quite fascinating actually.....we both feel so close to God in the garden....the wonders of tiny things......

All nature’s works His praise declare, to whom they all belong;
There is a voice in every star, in every breeze a song.
Sweet music fills the world abroad with strains of love and power;
The stormy sea sings praise to God, the thunder and the shower.

To God the tribes of ocean cry, and birds upon the wing;
To God the powers that dwell on high their tuneful tribute bring.
Like them, let us the throne surround, with them loud chorus raise,
While instruments of loftier sound assist our feeble praise.

Great God, to Thee we consecrate our voices and our skill;
We bid the pealing organ wait to speak alone Thy will.
Lord, while the music round us floats may earth born passions die;
O grant its rich and swelling notes may lift our souls on high!

there is a great site with many Christian hymns, history and actual music...you will find it here..its called the Cyber Hymnal.....enjoy!

Love Song and Gardening

Last night we watched the newly remastered Calvary Chapel 1973 DVD....what can I say? WOW!
If you only get one DVD this year, please consider this one.......
our son gave us a new Sony HDTV yesterday (what a nice boy) and the picture just popped..really great and the music....a wonderful experience...I paid full price through the Chapel website and I see they have it on sale now....


We didn't have any work this weekend and spent most of it doing needed gardening.....the vegetable garden need some tending.....we pulled out all the spent veggies, weeded and cultivated...Alan called me out there to show me the large rock he found...we couldn't figure out why we didn't notice this sooner...as he roto tilled the whole area....guess he didn't go that deep...


He figured it weighs over 60 lbs.... granite......we are also putting in a 50 ft. long flower bed along the retaining wall........making it for the hummingbirds and butterflies.....edging it with old railroad ties we had....no expensive as we already have enough plants to fill it.....


Lots of work and we are both thankful the weather has been getting cooler.....the ground there seems better (than the garden area) down to about two ft. where it hits granite again.....we're going to transplant zinnas, and lantana.....put the birdbath in there too....

Saturday

I was checking my email this morning and got one from Jack and Friends...they are having a terrific sale on antique labels...these are sticky backed for use in the kitchen and also in crafting....limited supply and free shipping.....I wanted to pass this along to my friends who like to decorate and craft as these are terrific and a great deal...I'd buy quite a few if my PayPal account was larger!


Have you heard there is going to be a huge sugar shortage? be sure to stock up for the holidays...I intend on buying at least two 10 lb. bags, sugar doesn't spoil and can be frozen..we don't use much sugar ...but I know you that have big families may be baking alot of cookies and such.....20 lbs will probably last us well into next year....
There will be probably be other shortages in the coming months as our California farms are literally drying up because of a tiny fish (not even a native) that have shut down the irrigation.
I've read of acres of dead and dying fruit trees, dry fields, etc....a few farm towns are becoming ghost towns....all because of a tiny smelt.....as California has in the past been the bread basket to the rest of the states, be prepared...
I've been cooking up alot of our tomatoes and making sauce.....freezing it mostly...we plan on growing more tomatoes next year as they have done really well ....we have about 7 plants, next year going for about 20 so I will be canning. There are just a few quarts this year plus all we can eat and give away......
There are many sites for storing, preserving, etc.....I will give you just a few links.....
Simple Canning for a Simple Life
The Art of Stockpiling
Pantry Talk
Grocery StockPile List
and
a series of videos on dehydrating foods on youtube
we have a dehydrator, canning supplies, jars, etc. so are well prepared plus a small deep freeze...
believe me when I say a deep freeze is a good investment and they are fairly cheap...our small one was less than $100 new.... as our family is small, its big enough and uses little energy....

I feel like the Lord is telling us to be prepared for the future.....its going to be rough!