Clearing The Camera

This winter just won't let go! It is into March and we are still getting winter weather and David is still getting more snow days at school. It's past the point of ridiculous. We got another blast of ice and snow over the weekend, so we've been spending our days hibernating inside.

Which means lots of human-kitty cuddle time...

Kitty-kitty-kitty cuddle time...

Hot coffee and freshly baked cookies...

And judgy looks from Gizmo when I haven't changed out of my PJ's all day long.

Even the guineas are hibernating. They fly up into the trees to roost at night, and if we've had snow and ice before dawn, they refuse to fly down.

But really, who can blame them? I'd stay in bed all day as well if I could!

Here's hoping spring really is just around the corner.

~Tammy

Shared with Maple Hill Hop 

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos I've taken that I wanted to share. Go here if you'd like to see more photo posts.

Guineas taking a rest on the fence.

This is how Gizmo likes to sit while looking out the window. So silly!

Brass mouthpieces from David's band room.

Playing games by candlelight during a power outage.

Visiting my neighbors across the street :)

Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead!

~Tammy

PS - Just wanted to let everyone know that I have removed the option for anonymous comments because I have been receiving over 50 spam comments every day, many with offensive language. I have set it to comments from registered users only, so I hope that I don't exclude any of you from commenting. If you have any tips for me or if you aren't able to comment on my post, please email me at tdbarani@yahoo.com.

Shared with Maple Hill Hop 

Clearing The Camera: Early Fall Edition

It's looking more and more like fall around here! I find myself constantly reaching for my camera, so I thought I'd share a few of my current shots. (PS - click here if you'd like to see more photo posts.)

Newly fallen leaves create a vivid blanket of color on the ground.

Early morning dew hangs like pearls on the strands of a spider web.

Emma kitty's eyes pop against the still green grass.

A slowly ripening pumpkin looks beautiful with the fallen leaves.

What signs of fall are you seeing out your back door?

~Tammy

Shared with Tuesday Muse 

PS - Don't forget to visit Daisy, Staci and and our new blogger, Sue, today for their posts in the Homemade Living series. Next week I will share my post along with Mary and Jackie.

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos I've taken that I wanted to share. Go here if you'd like to see more photo posts.

Our marigolds have done so well this year! We're saving the flowers after deadheading so we can plant the seeds in our garden next year.

On Saturday I took my grandma to a local parade to see David's marching band. It was so cute to see her enjoying herself so much, waving at all the floats and clapping along to the music. She forgot her sunglasses, so I let her borrow some of mine. She thought she looked silly but I think she looked adorable.

90 years young!

I posted this photo on the blog's Facebook page over the weekend with the title "The Homesteader's Entourage." It was one of our most popular photos ever posted. If you aren't following along yet on Facebook, click here to like our page!

I've really been enjoying my play time in the woods lately. It brings out the kid in me!

We've been harvesting and using so much butternut squash lately (go here for a good soup recipe). I love the vivid orange color that greets me when I slice the squash in half.

Sylvester photobomb level: expert.

Our sweet little Emma kitty is getting fixed tomorrow morning. It makes me so sad when I have to drop off animals for surgery, but of course I know it's for the best. She has to stay overnight, so I'll be counting the minutes until I can pick her up on Wednesday evening.

Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead.

~Tammy

Shared with Tuesday Muse 

Clearing The Camera: Gizmo Edition

We haven't even had Gizmo for three months yet, but I wonder how we ever got along without him.

It has been fun (and a little sad) to watch him grow so quickly. Sometimes I look back on photos from just a couple months ago and can't believe he was ever so tiny.

A couple weeks ago he really gave us a scare. He had a freak accident getting his toe stuck in the leg of a chair and had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the toe. I was a nervous wreck leaving him at the animal emergency center while they put him under and repaired the injury. Thankfully, we got a call just about 45 minutes after we left that he was ready to be picked up and did just fine. He had to wear an e-collar for a while so he wouldn't pull out his stitches, and at first he hated it but eventually got used to it.

Sometimes he can test my patience when he plays with the tomatoes, attacks my feet, and gets into everything, but when he cuddles up on a lazy day and purrs loudly until falling asleep, I know he is happy and completely content and there is no better feeling in the world.

I have always loved animals, especially cats, but there is just something extra special about Gizmo. Maybe because I was wishing for a kitten and he just showed up in the chicken coop one day like an answered prayer. Whatever the reason, it doesn't really matter because I am just so happy he's in our lives.

~Tammy

Shared with Tuesday Muse 

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos I've taken that I wanted to share. Go here if you'd like to see more photo posts.

Gorgeous lily bouquet David picked for me.

Sylvester always wants to play with Duchess. It's the sweetest thing.

Been drinking so much of this lately! Go here for the recipe.

Sweet sentiment drawn by David on the concrete before installing our new floors (more on that to come!).

Our black-eyed Susans are blooming like crazy!

Gizmo is into everything lately. I forgot how curious and crazy kittens are.

We've been having lots of rainy days lately. Good for napping :)

We watched my grandma's dog while she was on vacation. Roxy quickly worked her way into our hearts!

Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead.

~Tammy

Shared with Tuesday Muse, Rurality Blog Hop, From the Farm Blog Hop   

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos I've taken that I wanted to share. Go here if you'd like to see more photo posts.

Some of the gorgeous lettuce we've been harvesting lately.

Water droplets on our Lily of the Valley.

Fern transplanted from my grandma's garden.

The first strawberry we harvested this season. It was really delicious!

A beautiful Asiatic Lily just opened up.

Sunlight streaming through the trees during an evening walk.

Super tiny, fuzzy headed baby bird just hatched in a nest by our garage.

Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead.

~Tammy

Shared with Rurality Blog Hop 

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos that I'd like to share. To see more photo posts, click here.

Evening walk through the woods.



Jasper loves to sit on the organ bench.



Goldie making it hard to use the computer.



David at his day job. Directing the band for the movie themed spring concert!



Found our first guinea nest of the season! Guinea toast here we come.



Just before her shave. Sheep or dog? I guess that's the point :)



David's birthday cake - extra tall dark chocolate cake. It was so good!



In my element. For me, it doesn't get any better than this.


Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead.

~Tammy

Shared with Rurality Blog Hop, Tuesday Muse  

Clearing The Camera

Here are some recent photos I've taken that I wanted to share. Go here if you'd like to see more photo posts.

My sweet Rhode Island Red rooster, "Roosty Roo"

Favorite way to spend an early weekend morning.

Sylvester staying warm in his house.

Lucy preening her beautiful feathers after an evening of free ranging.

Stormy skies.

You talkin' to me?!

This photo gets me every time.

Hope you've enjoyed a slice of our homestead.

~Tammy

Shared with Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Eco Kids Tuesday, Tuesday Muse, Rurality Blog Hop, Backyard Farming Connection, Down Home Blog Hop, The HomeAcre Hop, Home Sweet Home