Riding around with "That farmer Ben"

It's not too often Ben and I get to spend time together on Saturday afternoon. He usually works, which is fine because he's happy as a clam when he's working. The man can't sit still for much longer than an hour, he's always keeping busy. Today I got to ride around with him a little which is always fun. The reason I say with" that farmer Ben" is because of my nephew Henry. One night Ben was late for dinner at mom and dad Fast's and Henry turns to me and asks" where's that farmer Ben." Oh he makes me smile.

Goodbye mustang

We sold my mustang this week. It was a bittersweet thing. Bitter because that was my first car, sweet because of the little extra money and no more insurance bill. I loved that car while I had it but it was time for something with more hauling power.

Hamburger and fries

One of my favorite comfort meals is a hamburger and fries. So when I came across a recipe in my "mad hungry: feeding men and boys" cookbook (thanks mom Fast!) For fries I was sold. I took some ground beef and made my own patties with herbs and fetta cheese mixed in. Oh and you can't forget the grilled onions. Then I made fries, oh so wonderful fries. You slice up some peeled russet potatoes, throw them on a cooking sheet, sprinkle liberally with italian herbs,salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and pile on some Romano or parmesean cheese, add a little butter and bake at 400 for about 50 minutes. Yes I know, they aren't exactly heart healthy but I have to just go all the way if I'm doing fries. In the word of Rachel Ray YUMO! Ben was a fan and I have to say this cookbook is great. Loved everything i've made so far!

Clean!

I'd be willing to bet that I'm not the only one that has places in our around their home that is either a place that easily collects clutter or gets dirty easily, and you quite frequently turn the blind eye. I consider myself to be a clean organization loving person but I to fall prey to ignoring certain messes. For me I have two places. The extra bedroom that is not utilized by Ben or I (we are very lucky to have 4 bedrooms for all our junk). The other place is our shed, which I love but the thing is also a thorn in my side.

The shed obviously gets dirty quite easily but also we have the tendency to put things away hastily. Thus we end up with a very dusty and fluttery shed that I deal with about once a year. Partially because its a bear to clean out and partially because if you clean it during summer you risk heat stroke. Well yesterday I did my Rocky dance and gave myself a pat on the back because that sucker is clean. There's so much more room in there! I even installed hooks and hung our bikes up which had previously been in the extra bedroom. Hopefully I can keep it somewhat organized now because, letsbe honest, dirt is just a fact of life out here.




9h the extra bedroom. I've been wanting to clean it out since......well since we moved in. And yes that will be three years ago this june. It became the room that we chuck anything that doesn't have a place/needs to go to goodwill. I've been seriously lacking in motivation and I got the kick in the pants I needed. Mom and Dad Fast were getting rid of a mattress and offered it to us. Free mattress, quite new, ummmm yes! This meant cleaning that room so we could put it in there. So my new car came in quite handy with the hauling power to take most of my goodwill bound stuff out and I removed the bikes to the shed. Viola! No the bed doesn't have sheets or really anything but that just details sheesh. The desk you se will also be going to goodwill. Its Bens Walmart special from college. The chair is going as well because it was my parents then mine and its in serious need of some reinforcing and reupholstering that I deemed not worth it to me. If anyone wants it they can have it! So I'm feeling quite good right now because to major problem areas are under control, if only momentarily.

Our front yard....

...is slowing dissapearing thanks to one wicked dust storm today. Where's the rain weather man?

Blue

Yes I know we move quick but the longer we wait to get a dog the longer Ben doesn't have a buddy. It just so happened there were Queensland pups in the paper. First we had to decide if we wanted one because we're suckers and if we go we aren't going to say no. These dogs can have the rep to be "heel nippers" and protective. We've known a few people who have absolutely loved them as family dogs and they have a reputation for being hardy dogs. Which obviously we are in need of around here, plus I couldn't get another dog that was just like our other ones, I needed something different. When we showed up mama and papa dog were there and were friendly and licked our hands even though their owner wasn't outside yet so we felt encouraged by that. And like I said, we came home with one, a girl, and named her Blue. She proceeded to get carsick and throw up 4 times on the way home which lead us to believe she just ate and it's quite a long way from Lamont to our house. She was little timid with Dezi at first but she spent the night outside with her with no whining and today she's wrestling and trying to bite her tail like any fiesta puppy. I might mention that Ben is smitten. He loves puppies but Blue really has him by the heart already. I think they'll be good buddies.

Christmas Tree Skirt

Of course I'm not a month late on this I'm 11 months early! Thank you interest for the inspiration. I had some extra batting which I used for the backing. I then hot glued the burlap and white fabric in ruffles a viola! A lovely homemade tree skirt that makes me excited for Christmas all over again.