Friday, July 31, 2009

Snapshots of a Saturday

snapshots-of-a-saturday5
<center><a href="http://www.lifeonthehayfarm.com"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3712146438_74ae990414_o.jpg"/></a></center>

I'd love to have you join my new photo meme! Here's the rules (they're easy, I promise!):

*Any photos you post must be your own.
*Nothing vulgar or obscene, please.
*Mr. Linky will go live late Friday night and you'll have as long as you like to post your link.
*Try to post pictures of your Saturday adventures, but if you have another day you'd rather share, feel free.
*The photos don't have to be from the same day you post. They can be a recent adventure, or something from long ago.
*No subject is too mundane. If you'd like to share, we want to enjoy!
*Please link back to LOTHF by grabbing the header from above. Thanks!

That's about it. I hope this will inspire us to take our cameras EVERYWHERE (well, almost) in case of spontaneous adventure.


I'm out of town right now and can't post any of my own snapshots, but don't let that stop you from sharing yours!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Mmmm...

Take olive oil and mesquite seasoning, slather it on some drumsticks, and coerce your sweet, sweet hubby to grill them for you...

And you get this....need I say more?

But please, do not eat your monitor.



Monday, July 27, 2009

Happy Homemaker Monday

hhm


Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Cloudy and not too hot, but very humid.


One of my simple pleasures:
Checking our garden for the latest treasures.


On my bedside table:
Kleenex...and Eldest. Still.

On my TV:
No TV here.


On the menu for tonight:
I wish I knew. Any suggestions?



On my To Do List:
I'd like to say I've shaved the dog, but I haven't, so that would be lying. Now the summer is too far along. She'll just have to suffer along, otherwise she'd freeze come winter. Sorry, JoJo!



New Recipe I tried last week:
Did I try anything new?



In the craft basket:
Going to buy my yarn today to start my crochet bag.

Looking forward to:
Next week!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
If they sell it in the grocery store, you can probaby make it cheaper and healthier at home. I'm making my own bread, pickles, desserts, baking mixes, and I'm about to try homemade mayo.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Oh my, so many good ones!


Favorite photo from last week: Tortoise at the Dallas Zoo. He was very busy so we tried not to disturb him for long.


Lesson learned the past few days:
That I can do this. All of it.


On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Luke 8:12-15 "The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved. 13 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. 14 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest."

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The best laid plans...

For any regular readers visiting, you might notice something missing. It's the countdown to San Diego. Ron and I decided this is just not a good time for us to be gone for a week. There's so many myriad reasons that I won't go into here, but what it boils down to is this: When you have to work so hard to make something work out, it might be best to step back and see if that's what's best for you right then. We had so many obstacles and finally realized they were there for a reason. So, no trip for now. We're tentatively planning to take the same trip in October instead. I'm actually relieved, and I think that speaks volumes about where my heart was really on this decision.

Have a great start to your week!


Saturday, July 25, 2009

Snapshots of a Saturday

snapshots-of-a-saturday5
<center><a href="http://www.lifeonthehayfarm.com"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3712146438_74ae990414_o.jpg"/></a></center>

I'd love to have you join my new photo meme! Here's the rules (they're easy, I promise!):

*Any photos you post must be your own.
*Nothing vulgar or obscene, please.
*Mr. Linky will go live late Friday night and you'll have as long as you like to post your link.
*Try to post pictures of your Saturday adventures, but if you have another day you'd rather share, feel free.
*The photos don't have to be from the same day you post. They can be a recent adventure, or something from long ago.
*No subject is too mundane. If you'd like to share, we want to enjoy!
*Please link back to LOTHF by grabbing the header from above. Thanks!

That's about it. I hope this will inspire us to take our cameras EVERYWHERE (well, almost) in case of spontaneous adventure.

Last Saturday the kids and I headed out in the afternoon for a mini photo-shoot. We had four cameras between us so I was hopeful some really good photos would come out of it. And they did!
Here's the quintessential hay farm photo. It's similar to my header, but you might notice there's one more child in this one. That's because when I took the header picture my youngest wasn't here, so we made do with two kids.
This next picture was actually my favorite from the whole afternoon. The kiddos look so relaxed and natural. This one will be tweaked, printed out and framed...eventually.
Here's a series of photos my oldest daughter took of our chihuahua, Rosie. She heard something in the hay bale (snake, mouse?) and was listening very closely. She didn't stick around to find out what it was though.
And last of all is Trixie. Dear, sweet Trixie. Who terrorizes the goats and tries to nibble my head when I'm unlocking the gate. I tried to take some photos of her from inside her pen, but she would not leave my camera alone. Maddy took this picture.
Well, hope you enjoyed a peek into our Saturday! Have a great weekend!


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Blog Hop: Favorite Recipe

It's Tuesday and that means time for a new blog hop here on LOTHF. This week's theme is favorite recipes. Go ahead, click on a few! I think you're likely to find something new for dinner.

Classic Chicken Salad
The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook
Makes about 4 cups, enough for 6 sandwiches
Prep time 10 minutes
Total time 55 minutes (includes 30 minutes chilling time)

1 3/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
2 T veg oil
2 ribs celery, chopped fine
3/4 c mayonnaise
2 scallions, minced
2 T fresh lemon juice
2 T minced fresh parsley

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. (I really, really like to use kosher salt here.) Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully add the chicken and cook until lightly golden brown on the first side, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over, cover and continue to cook until it is no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to a plate and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. Cut the chilled chicken in to 1/4- inch pieces and toss with the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To make ahead: Chicken salad can be prepared, covered, and refrigerated a day in advance. Before serving, freshen the salad with a spoonful of mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!
MckLinky Blog Hop

Monday, July 20, 2009

Happy Homemaker Monday

hhm


Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Beautiful today! Rainy and the temp was very pleasant.

One of my simple pleasures:
A lazy morning snuggling with my kiddos.

On my bedside table:
Still trying to finish Eldest. Got a free iPod touch with Ron's new laptop. So I've been playing with that.

On my TV:
No TV here.

On the menu for tonight:
Well, tonight's dinner is over but tomorrow we're having grilled hamburgers.

On my To Do List:
Shave the dog (hanging head in shame). Can you tell I REALLY don't want to do this?

New Recipe I tried last week:
Just a bunch of the same old stuff.

In the craft basket:
Been photoshopping for the past couple of weeks.

Looking forward to:
Vacation! I'm hoping for a trip to CA.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Save your dryer sheets and use them as disposable dusters.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Check out Julia's efforts to tame her new chickens!

Favorite photo from last week:
shadow-with-text



Lesson learned the past few days:
That I can do this. All of it.

On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Luke 8:12-15 "The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved. 13 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. 14 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest."

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Giveaway: Yukon Quest series

If you enjoy Christian fiction then I'm sure you've heard of Tracie Peterson. She writes wonderful books that have a lot of historical facts woven in with believable characters. This is one of my favorite series by her and I'd love to pass them on to a fellow reader!

To win this book (which is actually 3 books in one!), here is what you'll need to do. (Each one is worth an entry so be sure to do as many as you can!)

1.Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite genre(s) of book is.
2. Grab my badge and post it on your blog, then leave a comment telling me you did.
3. Follow me and be my friend! (Be sure to leave a comment telling me you did!)
4. Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link back and I'll give you 3 more entries!

The giveaway starts now and will end Wednesday night at midnight (central time). I'll use random integer to pick the winner!

Have a great week!


Friday, July 17, 2009

Snapshots of a Saturday

snapshots-of-a-saturday5
<center><a href="http://www.lifeonthehayfarm.com"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3712146438_74ae990414_o.jpg"/></a></center>

I'd love to have you join my new photo meme! Here's the rules (they're easy, I promise!):

*Any photos you post must be your own.
*Nothing vulgar or obscene, please.
*Mr. Linky will go live late Friday night and you'll have as long as you like to post your link.
*Try to post pictures of your Saturday adventures, but if you have another day you'd rather share, feel free.
*The photos don't have to be from the same day you post. They can be a recent adventure, or something from long ago.
*No subject is too mundane. If you'd like to share, we want to enjoy!
*Please link back to LOTHF by grabbing the header from above. Thanks!

That's about it. I hope this will inspire us to take our cameras EVERYWHERE (well, almost) in case of spontaneous adventure.

Furry hi-jinks...

And good food...
makes for a fun Saturday!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Jessica Sprague Photoshop Class: Lesson 10

Project Start to Finish
Clipping masks/Textures/Overlays/Text/Edge burn


Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Blog Hop: 3 things you didn't know about me

Ok, so I'm new to Blog Hop but it sounds like a lot of fun! This week's theme is 3 things you didn't know about me. Let's see..

1. I'm terribly sarcastic. Wait, you knew that already? Sooo sorry.

2. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. Instead, I'm a mom. Is there a difference?

3. If hubby's not home, I sleep with the light on.

So, three new things you probably didn't know and will serve you no purpose at all! Thanks for stopping by!



MckLinky Blog Hop

i ♥ faces: Pets!



When I saw that one of this week's categories was Pets, I knew I had to enter this one of Morgan with one of our baby goats. I don't think there's two cuter kids around!



Jessica Sprague Photoshop Class: Lesson 9

Edge Burn


Jessica Sprague Photoshop Class: Lesson 8

Adding type


Monday, July 13, 2009

For me? I couldn't possibly accept...and my 1st ever giveaway!

Congratulations Amy! Email me your physical address and I'll mail your new books to you!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3 

Timestamp: 2009-07-16 16:27:04 UTC

OrdinaryAndAwesome.com is the Chronicles of My Ordinary and Awesome Life, Family, and Thoughts. OrdinaryAndAwesome.com is the Mostly Wordless Wednesday headquarters as well as the home to several original awards and memes.
Amy from Keeping up with the Schultz Family has very graciously given me this award. Thank you, Amy!

This award is supposed to be passed on to 8 bloggers. But I know so many more great blogs than that! If you are reading this, consider yourself rewarded! Leave me a comment, take your award, and pass it along as often as you like!

Because this is LOTHF's first award I thought it would be a perfect time to host my first giveaway! So here we go:

IMG_1475
Books! Don't you just love new books? This is a trilogy called Lonestar Legacy by Gilbert Morris. Here's the text from the back of book one:

"They came to Texas to make their family whole. They fought for the land they'd come to love. An unforgettable saga of faith, love, and loyalty that will find it's place deep in your heart.
In the days when Texas was the northern edge of Mexico, when Bowie and Houston and Crockett were men not yet legends, when the Alamo was still a scruffy mission on the banks of the San Antonio River, this unorthodox family struggled to make a wild but beautiful land their own.
This is the tale of Jerusalem Ann, who is willing to take whatever life dishes out in order to make a life for her family. It's the story of Clay, who finds himself protecting another man's family-and in love with another man's wife. It's about Jake, who loves two women and can't do right by either... and Julie, who'd rather be free than respectable...and Bowie, who can handle war but might not survive his first love. It's the story of Comanches and fiestas, hunting parties and courting parties, of battles and massacres and beautiful calm nights under a canopy of stars.
Wide as the prairies, warm as a San Antonio breeze, spiced with adventure and romance, this Texas-sized saga of faith from a beloved storyteller will quickly find its place deep in your heart...and never let you go."

Doesn't that sound delicious? The characters are great and I love all the history that's interwoven as well.

So, to win these books, here is what you'll need to do. (Each one is worth an entry so be sure to do as many as you can!)

1.Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite genre(s) of book is.
2. Grab my badge and post it on your blog, then leave a comment telling me you did.
3. Follow me and be my friend! (Be sure to leave a comment telling me you did!)
4. Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link back and I'll give you 3 more entries!

The giveaway starts now and will end Wednesday night at midnight (central time). I'll use random integer to pick the winner!

That's it! I hope that's not too much to ask. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and would love to pass them along!


Happy Homemaker Monday


hhm
Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Hot and dry. It is summer in TX, after all.

One of my simple pleasures:
Sliding into clean sheets after a long day.

On my bedside table:
Still trying to finish Eldest. Got a free iPod touch with Ron's new laptop. So I've been playing with that.

On my TV:
No TV here.

On the menu for tonight:
I have no idea. I should give that some thought.

On my To Do List:
Well, the dog didn't get shaved so I still need to do that. But I did get the schoolroom cleaned out! YAY!

New Recipe I tried last week:
I don't think we tried anything new.

In the craft basket:
I'm really wanting to make the crochet bag from Attic24 that Sandra also made. I need to find out how much yarn to buy. Sandra, can you let me know?

Looking forward to:
The last two weeks of July are more karate camp. I'm looking forward to that being OVER!

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Next time you grocery shop, pick up a rotisserie chicken or two (especially if they're on sale). It makes a great dinner after shopping and then you can make awesome chicken stock with the leftovers!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Not one single favorite this week. But I'm really enjoying Jenn's posts of her photos from Jessica Sprague's free Photoshop class. I'm taking the same class as well!

Favorite photo from last week:


Lesson learned the past few days:
That I can do this. All of it.

On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Jessica Sprague Photoshop Class: Lesson 6

Through the view finder technique


PhotoHunt: Garbage

I love photo memes. Here's a new one I came across over at tnchick.com. Every week has a new theme. Just pick one of your original photos that fits that week's theme and post it on your blog. Then go to tnchick.com and leave a comment so others can play along too. Sound easy? That's because it is!

wrecked-barn

This week's theme is garbage. And unfortunately after a recent storm here on the hay farm, that's about all this barn is good for.



Jessica Sprague Photoshop Class: Lesson 5


Textures


Textures w/frame


clipping mask w/textures


Saturday, July 11, 2009

Snapshots of a Saturday

snapshots-of-a-saturday5
<center><a href="http://www.lifeonthehayfarm.com"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3712146438_74ae990414_o.jpg"/></a></center>


Hey fellow blogging friends! Next Saturday, July 18th, I'll be hosting a photo meme created by me in my Snapshots of a Saturday theme. Here's the rules (they're easy, I promise!):

*Any photos you post must be your own.
*Nothing vulgar or obscene, please.
*Mr. Linky will go live late Friday night and you'll have as long as you like to post your link.
*Try to post pictures of your Saturday adventures, but if you have another day you'd rather share, feel free.
*The photos don't have to be from the same day you post. They can be a recent adventure, or something from long ago.
*No subject is too mundane. If you'd like to share, we want to enjoy!
*Please link back to LOTHF by grabbing the header from above. Thanks!

That's about it. I hope this will inspire us to take our cameras EVERYWHERE (well, almost) in case of spontaneous adventure. For ideas from my previous Snapshots see here.


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