Monday Motivation...

Monday's Motivation... or just thoughts

White and Fluffly

Last week was cold! Hubby got a picture of the sun dogs that were out.

And, here is our wonderful neighbor opening a path down our road so we could get out. It's warm today 37! But, I guess were are in for some more snow later this month. I need to take some pictures of the drifts on the roads.... they are already taller than the vehicles and some highways are still down to one lanes due to the drifts. Definitely very white and fluffy around here!

All Flakes welcome!

Yes, call me crazy, but I love all this snow. How fun. And, as long as we have family, food, and wood.... and electricity, we are happy! Here's the front of our house more than a week ago... now more snow and wind are coming (okay, I could do without the wind). Here is our front porch. Here is my friendly woodsmen... or loving hubby, hauling in wood to the house. These days take about three to four loads! The birds are really loving the feeders. We added some "trees" down our lane with lights for Christmas this year.... lovin' those LEDs.

Recycle and Reuse

Duct tape and staples….. always a great combo for a boy’s 4-H project! CJ and I made this tote from an old T-shirt of his. Staples instead of sewing covered with duct tape made the seams, and the duct tape again was used for the entire lining of this heavy-duty tote. And, besides fun colors, duct tape now comes in tie dye, which was perfect for this old T! (You can just barely see the duct tape under the handle in this picture.) Another purple ribbon! Way to go buddy!

Here comes the Sun

I have a way of coming up with 4-H projects, that I want done for the house or garden, and this vine trellis was one of them. Sticks from the creek, old garden stakes, and a trunk slab made this a Purple Ribbon project all the way to the State Fair... guess it even was considered for some art award too. It was photographed for a new Design Decisions manual, so maybe it will be "published." Kudos to you RJ!

Halloween

My one little guy wanted to be Frankenstein for Halloween this year, so I put hubby and him on that project. Didn't really have an idea for the other one, until I heard him talking in his sleep about fixing something or making something, and I thought to myself, "that kid is going to be in building or science of some sort." Then, it hit me. He could be the Mad Scientist! And, come to find out their cousin was the Bride of Frankenstein. Someone did get a picture of them running around town, but I don't have it yet. How fun!

And, Frankie came from an idea off the good ole www. The head is a cut out milk jug, and the clothes all came from Goodwill. Hated to cut up his "everyday" shoes! And, yes, my crazy idea of jumper cables for the Mad Scientist ended up a nice touch.

Summer 4-H projects

Besides not having much of an internet connection this summer, we were quite busy with baseball schedules and 4-H projects. I'll try to upload a few favorites. I think the boys each had a dozen or more projects, so we won't show them all. It was really fun, but again, we all have a goal to get these started and maybe even done (LOL) before summer hits.

For Computer Mysteries, the boys each made a faux magazine cover. It went really fast, of course using Creative Memories' Storybook Creator Plus. They both recieved high honors, purple ribbons, and CJ the Reserve Champion. They were both so great, but I told RJ, I'm sure the judge liked cute puppies better than calves.

Ferdinand the Bull

We have been quite busy this summer, and one of the projects were three bucket calves. The Pinzgauer calf I showed earlier this summer we finally named Marley. This little red angus our neighbor helped name Ferdinand the Bull from the 1930s Disney story. The first day I took him out for a stroll, he stopped at the honeysuckle bushes and loved them. In fact, after I carefully got him down for a snooze where I could see him from my studio, I lost him. I looked all over around the yard for him, knowing he couldn't have gone far on those new, very shaky legs. Well, there he was hidden under the honeysuckle bushes. Thus, Ferdinand the Bull fit him well.

Two peas in a pod... or woodpile

I truly admire those National Geography photographers. Patience for the shot, but quick on the trigger all while in some precarious places. I know my shot here would barely get a "Thanks for particpating" ribbon at the fair, but it was the best I got and I only had two shots. And, my zoom is in need of repair. I had taken a completely blurred image and then finally got this one. It is the very first peafowl chick hatched at our place. I didn't want to stress the peahen, so I only shot once and then went back later hoping for a clear shot. Can you see the little legs under the peahen to the left. That's it! And, not only was she hiding in the woodpile behind a bench, but I had to squat down, and wait for any type of view of the chick hidden very well under her wing. I was in my lovely position next to the pygmy goat pen, and Nibbles ate my hair twice and my pants once, then Nosey came over to see if she could get a taste. And, yes, those are their names! Fits 'em to a tee! Hopefully, I'll get some better shots, but we're excited nonetheless about our first little hatched fowl of any kind!