Morel Mushroom Find!

Right along the bike path just a few feet from our property line I plucked these rare morel mushrooms. I've been watching this spot for a while now; last year I happened upon about 15 morels here while taking the goats out for a bit of browse. This year, I only found 3.

As a child, I remember each spring my Uncle Paul would take his seven kids to the woods to hunt for morel mushrooms. A time or two I tagged along. I found this a bizzare, yet interesting and exciting adventure. This memory jumped to the front of my brain when I spotted these just last spring in my own back yard.

My man built a milk stand!

Asa just had to be the first one to try out the milk stand!

This stand uses a platform to raise Ginger higher for easier milking by the milkmaid... and a stanchion to hold Ginger's head in place and keep her on the stand until I am done milking her. Now I've just got to get faster at milking because when she's done eating her grain, she's ready to get down off of that crazy thing.

John made the milk stand and a stool for me to sit on while milking this weekend. He downloaded the plans from the best dairy goat website ever, Fias Co Farm. Everything you ever wanted to know or wondered about goats is answered on this site. I love my milk stand!!

Columbus, Ohio

Kim and me lunching at the Northstar Cafe.

I was able to get a mom's weekend away over Easter to visit with my great friend, Kimberly. She's in Columbus, OH with her husband, John, and her almost 2-year old daughter Ann. We had a nice time visiting, eating, libating, and shopping. You know, girl stuff. It was a nice get-away for me and a much appreciated respite from Mommydom.

We began the visit with lunch at the Northstar Cafe. Kimberly's sister, Kelly, took the pictures. My usual there is their own veggie burger and a "Starburst" fresh juice consisting of carrot and apple juices with a little ginger thrown in for extra tastiness. Every time I visit Columbus I must have my Northstar burger! Kim, Kelly, and I went from here to Jeni's ice cream for the best ice cream I've ever had! This time I fell for the Orange Blossom flavor. Tasted exactly like the essence of an orange blossom. Heavenly! Jeni's has the most unique flavors I've ever heard of in ice cream... delicious too. Last summer, the flavor I chose was Ohio sweet corn with blackberries! sounds iffy - but I had to try - and it was simply delicious! Some of their other unique flavors include Thai Chili, creme de Violet, lavender and wild berries, Savannah buttermint, salty caramel, and black coffee, among many others. You can even have the ice cream shipped to you where ever you are so it can be enjoyed anytime! Bottom line: it's really good and different.

After ice cream, we did a bit of shopping before Kelly had to head back to Cinncinnati, where she lives. Kim and I went out for dinner together and enjoyed some wine and delicious food.

Ann and me coloring together. She's very good at her art.

I was able to get some Whole Foods Market shopping in where we bought some lamb to make at home for dinner. Delicious! I headed back home on Monday and was very happy and refreshed. It was good to return to my family again.

Coloring Easter Eggs

I wondered if it would work dying our own brown eggs. We found out that it does indeed work. Different tones, but beautiful still!

Now we're hoping that the Easter bunny can find his way to our house down here in the valley!

They turned out pretty darn great!

Snow Day

No school today. A big snow/ice storm blew in yesterday. I think that tomorrow we will be home too. Even John stayed home from work today - and it takes a lot to keep him home!

The boys seemed to be able to stand the freezing outdoor temperatures for long periods of time, unlike their parents.

Barn kitty, Cream, had fun frolicking in the snow too. He followed me wherever I went hoping to be picked up and scratched.

The Codorus Creek

Road Trip to Pittsburgh, PA

Our family drove to Pittsburgh, PA to enjoy a brief visit with my great friend, Kimberly, whom I met back in my Atlanta days. Kim's living in Ohio, so Pittsburgh is a convenient place for us to meet that is pretty much at a halfway point between our homes. We stayed overnight in adjoining rooms. The fellas went to the Duquesne Incline and museum in town while Kim and I went out for Sangria and a nice chat. The guys met us after their sightseeing and we all had a delicious dinner together at Mad Mex mexican restaurant.

The official picture of the Duquesne Incline. Unfortunately, during our visit, it was cloudy, and very cold. The good thing was that it snowed alot! We haven't had much of that yet this winter. It was a plus.

The boys inside the incline car.

Jeanne and Kim are off for Sangria and conversation.

What? No indoor pool in the hotel? No problem for these boys! They just "swim" in the tub!

The boys with their Kimmy. Kim came without her family (husband, John and toddler, Annie) so she was able to give the boys all the attention that they wanted.

Snow. Finally!

Juniper isn't sure what to think of this snow. This is the first snowfall of her life. She was born last May into really warm weather.

For the chickens, it's business as usual.

The boys are thrilled to finally have snow to play in.

It only snowed for a couple of hours; not much accumulation at all. But still, it was really nice to have our first snow. We are hoping for more though!

January Artwork

Asa painted a picture of a colorful summer day with fingerpaints.


This is Jake's mixed media portrait.