Rock A Bye Baby

I love how our children can sleep at the most random spots. Beans fell asleep reading here...

Constable snuck out of his bed and set up a little bed in a box by the woodstove...

Beans snuck out after bedtime and fell asleep eating...typical... :)

Tots engorged herself on blackberries, and exhausted, fell asleep in her chair...

Aren't they precious when they're sleeping? :)

Spotlight on Constable...

Everyone deserves a little attention, and I've got so many random pics of the children that I thought I'd do a spotlight on each - this is Constable starting a fire in the pit...

Goofy moments...

Constable draped in our cranberry string before decorating the tree...

Constable and Big Mama...

Turk, Turk, Turk!

Frequently, I wake up at the sound of the rooster's crow, which I actually don't mind; even when he figured out that he could walk right up under my window, crow, and get fed quicker as a result. Whoever said chickens aren't smart??

But the other morning, I awoke to the gobble of my turkeys instead. There I am, laying in bed, just starting to stir, and I hear the gobble, gobble of my turkeys in the orchard. Hmmm.....I think, do I want to get out just yet? As I contemplate this, I hear my turkeys familiar call again....and AN ORCHESTRA of gobbles replied! What the?! I look out my window and see this...

Around 40 turkey toms had gathered to challenged my boys. Hah!

They were strutting back and forth along the fence...

putting on a show for the ladies, calling out turks and gobbles as if they were all participating in a chorus line. Quite the display! They seemed perturbed when they noticed me watching and strutted away...maybe I should've applauded?

Now, let me say that I LOVE my sleep. It takes so much effort to get me out of my bed. Alarm clock? I hit the snooze. Appointments? I'll wait until the last minute and walk in with my hair looking like Einstein (I know, I have no shame). Kids crying? That sends me under the pillows. This is why this farm life works so well for me. Because the one thing I think I cherish more than my sleep is the unexpected. I love the constant movement of my life - the dynamic ups and downs of farm life, of the new world just outside my door. Routine is boring. I relish in the

challenges of the unknown!

And I love my birds. Such fanciful productions are sure to get anyone up out of bed! :)

For the Master Preservers Out There...

Awhile ago, many of you expressed interest in organizing a group order for canning jars. After doing a bit of research, I found that the price on jars actually doesn't fluctuate that much between distributors. I spoke to a representative of the manufacturing company, and she stated that I would need an order of 1000 cases or more to place an order. If our self-reliance movement grows, we may be able to do it one day - but I don't think we're that close just yet. So for now, here's what I've found:

I used to get great deals in Las Vegas by frequenting the garage sales - wait for the community garage sales, and look for the older communities; one of my favorites was the Sun City Aliante garage sale. Many older couples would get rid of jars, dehydrators, and that sort of thing. I wouldn't spend over $.25 a jar because the pickins were so good! Just make sure you look at each jar for cracks or chips anywhere in the glass, paying special attention to the rim. Also, I would only buy the ball and kerr jars, no old mayonnaise/jam jars.

I never had huge luck in Las Vegas for this, but in Utah, I've been able to get jars of all sizes at the Deseret Industries for about $.50 a jar. So, for those of you in Utah, keep this in mind if you are looking. Make sure you remember to look for cracks or chips!

If you are too disgusted in the used idea or having super bad luck finding what you need, one of my readers just informed me that 8 oz (half-pint) jars are on sale at www.kmart.com for $7.64 a case, and if you use the password KMFRIENDS, shipping is free. I don't know how long it lasts, so get it while it's there! She also gets coupons periodically for her classes that she teaches - so let me know if you'd like to get some canning coupons!

I was also informed that the Costco in St. George, Utah carries canning jars periodically. And lastly, www.azurestandard.com also offers great prices throughout the year.

Hope this helps some of you looking for jars!