Thursday...

Last night, on the way home from market, I saw a few houses with smoke coming out the chimneys. I just imagined how nice and warm it would feel inside. So when I got home, I saw smoke coming out our chimney. My husband had started a fire in the wood stove. But when I walked inside, the house was full of smoke! It was not very inviting at all. He said he was having a hard time getting the fire going, so had to crack the door, so all that smoke just came into the house. We had to open doors and windows. But he finally got it going and we are nice and toasty. This week is good weather for a fire. But starting Saturday, back up into summer again. Highs at night in the 50's and 60's with days in the 70's and 80's. So we'll let the fire go out Sat. morning. Anyone else have fires going?

I had some hay left from when the bucks were here, so I gave some to the sheep. They're nibbling on it. I'm just waiting til next week to get a round bale delivered for them. It's that time again. There's still green grass for them to eat.

Here's Stella, sitting in the sun by the front door. My husband brought the "wood box" in and started filling it up. See all the stuff that comes off the wood that we have to sweep up all day? What fun!

Tuesday, mom and I went out. She had an eye appointment that took a few hours. She got to see the eye doctor after all the eye tests the before person does. Then she went into another room and this really old man with a white coat came in. I mean really old man. And the nurse was pretty old too. She's already had her eyes dilated, but she put more drops in her eyes. So this doctor checked her eyes for 30 minutes. With all kinds of what I thought looked like antique devices. he was very thorough for sure. And the nurse put all he said into the computer. When they were done, we went up to the check out and I asked how old the doctor was. She said 88. I was amazed at how good he was. She said he's the best eye doctor they have.

We were starving so we went to the Chinese buffet around the corner. Ate like pigs. It was so good. Then went to Target. I found these boots. I love them. So warm and comfy.

This is so funny! Whatever is coming from under the house into the cabinet under the sink is driving Bubba crazy. It hasn't been back in about a week, since he spent so much time hunting it.  I heard it again a few nights ago. I opened the door and in Bubba went. I shut the door just for fun. Tried to get a picture of him opening the door but I couldn't get the camera to work fast enough. Stella is waiting for him to come out here. She kept watching the door. He was in there about 5 minutes. Silly dog. He just wants to kill something so bad. I hope he gets whatever it is real soon.

It hasn't rained in over a week here! We are actually pretty dry in most places. Except under the cedar trees. I need to have at least 8 of them cut down. They are so thick, the sun can't get through to dry the ground. So it stays muddy most of the time. But it's been really nice lately. I hope the trees will start turning now.

Going to work in the studio today to get ready for the next few weeks. Next Wed. market will be  3 hours. I did really good last night, so I hope to do even better next week. Some Chattanooga chefs will be cooking food from farmers and bringing it that day. So we hope to draw lots of shoppers in.

Bee talk.

This morning, while I was sitting outside bagging up lettuce for market this afternoon, I had a visitor. One of my sweet honey bees landed on my right hand and stayed awhile. We talked a bit about the cooler weather we're having this week. And how they are loving the sugar water I'm giving them every day now. And how they are busy kicking out all the lazy honey eating drones in both hives. I told her that's so sad, but I know it needs to be done so the her and all her sister workers will have enough honey to get through this winter. Then she left. Flew off to who knows where. That was fun.

It is the perfect fall week this week. Highs in the 70's. Lows at night in the 40's. Perfect. We haven't turned any heat on yet. just piling on the blankets and wearing flannel. Getting the yard mowed and looking good. Picking up all the branches that fall from the maple trees. We'll have a bonfire soon. I love this time of year.

I've seen some wooly worms around the farm. They are all black. Can't remember what that means. Will we have a hard cold winter or a mild winter? Does anyone know? I would love to have a dry winter. Not rainy, muddy or cold. We have enough firewood to get us through, I believe.


I have to go to the farmer's market this afternoon. I love going. It's fun, talking to people and meeting new people. But it's gonna be a cold afternoon!

It's the weekend y'all!!!

And it's finally feeling like fall. Chilly nights. Cool days. Bright blue sky. And pretty red berries.

It's been awhile...

since there have been goats in the back yard.

I'm buck sitting for some friends up the road. These guys are starting to bother the does, who are their mothers and sisters. Not a good thing. So they are here til they find new homes. Which I hope is only a few days.

They have been sick but are better now. They'll be eating good hay and whatever else they can find in the back yard.

I really have not missed having goats at all.

He went to the doctor today...

and he said it was not a TIA, but most likely caused by a spike in blood pressure. We had company Saturday and had pizza. He had to go get 2 of our grand daughters before we ate. When he got home, he just ate. He usually takes all his pills before eating, then a few after. Well, he didn't take any. Then remembered a few hours later, so made a PB&J sandwich and took all his pills. He thinks he did not take one of his BP meds. The doctor said that would most definitely cause a blood pressure spike and then blurry vision and confusion. SO, that is good news that it wasn't a TIA. But not good that he forgot to take his meds. He's usually pretty good about taking them. The doctor also said to take them at the same time every day too.

I've been feeding him good healthy food and his blood sugar readings have been great for him! So that's a good thing. And his foot is looking a little better every week. If we can get that healed, he can walk more which will bring that BS and BP down.

He thanks you all for your prayers and concerns. He is such a man and doesn't talk much about things he's feeling. So it's hard for him to have something like this to happen.


I found this at Whole Foods yesterday. It's turmeric root. Great for diabetics. Also a natural antibiotic. I am going to be making tea with it. I might even make a salve too.I just thought it was pretty cool. Almost forgot to add that I use this for wounds as well. On us and animals. I use the dried turmeric and 100% pure aloe, make a past with about equal parts, and slather on the wound. It heals within days.

It's cold now! All of a sudden, it feels like fall. A rather wet fall, but fall. I was freezing at market today. It was so dark and cloudy but never rained. I was so glad to get back home.

Rosemary-Mint soap.

I cut the soap today. I really had a hard time getting each slice to 4 oz. Hard for me to gauge. So I have some samples now. I really like this soap. Smells amazing and I love the color.

So I am really wanting to make some HP soap now.I found a crock pot at the thrift the other day. And I just love the rustic look and the HP soap. I may even be able to make goat milk soap this way. I just need to research the process and watch you tube videos. It'll have to wait til Thursday now. Tomorrow's market day.

There is something HUGE under my kitchen sink, rattling the bottles I store under the sink. And trying to get out! I saw some really big rodent poop.Way bigger than tiny mouse poop. More like a big gigantic rat or maybe even a possum. Huge poop. So awhile ago, when I heard it again, I got Bubba and Stella in there. Bubba just about disappeared in the cabinet trying to find what ever's in there. It was even rattling the doors. Big evil creature, in my kitchen, just a few feet away from me. I do not like this at all.

More storms. And soap. A good combo, right?

There were more storms all around last night here. Several mountain roads closed due to mud slides. A lady in Walker Co. where we live, was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home. So sad. And scary. And more heading our way. It's been like this for weeks now. Storms at night. Late. Huge loud thunder and bright lightening. It's so wet here. Just a mud pit. Wonder if it's going to be like this the rest of fall and winter.

I worked in the studio most of the day. Made a new soap with shea butter, cast, coconut and mostly olive oil. With rosemary and peppermint EO's. I also used dried powdered parsley flakes for color. It's still a bit soft so will wait some more to cut it. And I have no idea how to cut this one. This is the mold, which is a glass loaf pan, that I made the lavender-oat soap but wasn't this tall.  This is taller than the mold. They will be thinner bars but 4 oz. each. It really smells good.

Also worked on more dryer balls. And made a few more smaller orange felted pumpkins. And have been working on a goat for a week now. Goats are really hard. This one's a Nubian. Got her all done, with an udder, but every time I look at her, I have to work on her some more. IF I get her to where I like her, she's going to be $50 at least. Lots of hours so far. So I may just stick with cute fluffy sheep.

The soap in front is some I made with goldenrod tea. Had to take a pic for a soap forum because someone was thinking of doing this. I used a bar last night in the shower and really like the lather. It's a bit more squeaky than the other soaps. Don't know if it's the goldenrod or not. But I liked it. Not much scent though. Just a nice clean bar.

I might be going out today with my mom, if it's not pouring rain and windy. I need more oils for more soap! I need to make more charcoal soap. I have 2 bars left. So far, the best seller.

I could not get the husband to go anywhere yesterday. He seems fine now. Blood sugar is great. Been feeding him good healthy foods. We had the oldest and youngest grand daughters most of the weekend, so that keeps him happy. I hear him telling someone on the phone he may go see if his PC doc can see him this week. He's been going to her every other week so far til last week. She said she's see him in April if nothing happens. I guess it'll be sooner.Will let y'all know. And thanks SO much for all the prayers and good thoughts for him. He needs them for sure!