Steak&Potatoes with sour cream on New Years Eve

It has been years since I have had a Steak & Baked potato. I promised myself I would eat them on New Years Eve. I have gone overboard with my fat free, cholesterol free diet since my last heart attack. Needless to say I am a skinny little ass battling a viral infection. My goal is to eat a more healthy diet, meaning more healthy fats and get my weight up to 170lbs.  I guess that is my New Years resolution. Happy New Year!!!!!

The Childhood CLAW

 On Christmas Eve, after Dad was defeated at 99 (a card game), he quietly retreated to the living room where all of Will’s Birthday and Christmas toys were strewn about.  He located a lighted, electronic drawing pad.  Blaine had been doodling on it earlier and I assumed my dad was adding his two cents to the “high” art.  Upon discovering my father lost in creative wonder and thought I inquired, “What are you drawing?”  He said, “Oh, I don’t know? What should I draw?”

Chad’s ears perked up from the kitchen and he exclaimed, “Oh dad, you have to draw the craggy claw coming up out of the swampy mire!” (Maybe not those exact words, but something to that nature.) I whole heartedly agreed that our father positively had to draw the strange and sinister claw from our childhood!

I do not know how many times dad has freehanded this creepy sketch.  I am positive he has drawn it on the backs of countless Sacrament Meeting programs, in coloring books, and on the arms of (I’m sure) each and every one of his own children. I know the drawing graced my right shoulder more than once.  We love you Dad!

A life reduced to Bird Watching. It's not that bad.

Up to this point the weather has been very cooperative. Julia and I have missed very few days of walking the Snake River Green Belt this winter. We have taken special interest in the water fowl as the weather changes. The Canadian geese have become a nuisance it seems because you are always stepping in their shit or tripping over them.  And the Mallard ducks have reduced themselves to the welfare way of life. We call them dole ducks. Varieties of interesting ducks come and go through out the winter. Here are pictures of some preeminent ducks we have spotted, ENJOY!! 

Small turn out for Thanksgiving

This may be the smallest turn out we have had at granny's for Thanksgiving. A sure sign the economy has turned sour. No one can afford the gas to get here. There was no short supply of food.

 

Blaine & Dawn wore attire they purchased while in India. Blaine provided a slide show and travel log of their trip to India. It was a fantastic tour.

 Will settled on Teddy Grams for his Thanksgiving feast.

 Carving the Turkey became a serious matter.

 These people just showed up, Val must have invited them.

Remembering Family Travels on Thanksgiving

I can't remember all the cars we have had in this family. They are a part of our legacy as a family and Americans. Here is a Collage of cars(similar to the ones) we had as a family, where we traveled as a family on Thanksgiving and other holidays. Some we wrecked and others merely wore out. I am sure I left a few out but all are memories of our past and present days.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Getting a serious Upgrade

The Mosin Summer has come and gone. It is time for a serious Upgrade.

Maybe we can get some good target groups at 500 yards.


The Saga continues. It just keeps getting better.

Oh! did I tell you we have chickens?

We have three hens and a feral banty (something). Two are laying eggs. One hen thinks everything in the back yard is her territory, including my shop.

 I am getting used to her company.

Postal Jeep (Call of Duty)

The Jeep will now have a military theme with lettering and insignias (FOR CIVILIAN USE ONLY). It is going to be a fun project. I would like to put a green canvas top on it (maybe from a couple tents sewn together). Might even fabricate a fake 50cal. machine gun and mount it.

A missing leg was found in our back yard

I would like one of my children to solve the mystery. Who belongs to the missing leg? I am sure he was a Ghost Buster, but which one?
  

 

All the hard work paid off. After about 2 months of building a chicken coupe($250.00) and 5 months of raising hens ($4.00 each) and 4 bags of of feed ($72.00) we got our first egg. You are looking at a $334.00 egg.

 

Good Morning?

Woke up this morning...to some fine Alaska weather.  Alaska does not disappoint in disappointing me.  These were taken at 8:00 a.m, September 29th, 2012.  It started with some rainy slush last night, and now it's just straight up snow.  I didn't want to get the kids all new snow gear and boots, etc. this year, considering we are moving to southern AZ. in 4 months, but I knew I'd have to.  Guess it will be sooner than later. 

Summer winding down

We went to the Harvest Fest where Julie was a participant in the Apple Athletic cooking contest. She made delicious Apple Carmel muffins.

We had a bountiful harvest in our garden. This wheel barrel full of pumpkins and squash came out of one hill we planted. The garden is still producing tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, okra, parsnips, cucumbers, carrots and swiss chard. We have two cantilopes trying to mature.

The weather is still warm enough to bring out the hot rodders at Arby,s

The Postal Jeep gets a Military makeover

We're in the Army now.
We’re not behind a plow.
We’ll never get rich diggin’ a ditch.
We're in the Army now.

We're in the Army now.
We're in the Army now.
We'll never get rich on the salary which
We get in the army now.

We're eating Army grub.
And let me tell you bub,
We know what it means

They're feeding us beans
We're in the Army now.                                  

We're marching everywhere.
It's getting in our hair.
We follow the rules
and follow the mules
We're in the Army now.

We're in the Army now.
We're making dough, and how!
On twenty-one bucks
Who says we're bucks?
We're in the Army now.

We left our wives behind
I wonder if they mind?                                        
Who gives a hang?
We're with the gang,
We're in the Army now.

No more we'll have to hear,
"How late will you be, dear?"
We go where we please.
And do what we please.
We're in the Army now.

We're happy as can be.
Have lots of company.
The cooties at night
Drop in for a bite.
We're in the Army now.

Down Home Cooking & Chicken Dressing

  Can't beat Granny's Zucchini Bread and Carrot Cake with ingrediants from the garden.

 Spaghetti sauce made with crookneck squash and a variety of peppers from our garden.

 Val dressing out one of our young roosters. There will be no more morning crowing.

 Chad dressing out anothe rooster while Christy points out all the parts to Tallia.

 This brought back old memories of the farm for Granny. In her youth, she could dress a bird in 9 minutes.

Becuase I haven't posted in awhile...

Wisconsin bound

Benton and family stopped on their way to Wisconson. It was good to see the grand kids again. I will miss them dearly.

NASH-O-RAMA FUN SUMMER

 Ami holding a real descendant of a Dinosaur.

 Franny getting a little chicken time.

 What is a hot summer without a popsicle.

 

 The three Amigos in diapers.

 Wearing hats with the girls.

Ami riding the Merry Go Round at Tautphaus Park.

 Granny and her girls.

 I worked on this train 40 years ago when I first got into Machining.

 Our little Tallya enjoying the Picnic at Tautphaus Park.

Gussy told me she liked Birthday Parties and Choclate cake. So we had a birthday party.

 What can I say, Franny melted my heart.