Can't Even Eat One Egg

My son has been dreaming of starting an ostrich farm for quite some time.  He has done extensive research on ostrich rearing and is hopeful that someday he will have his own ostrich farm.  For Christmas this year his sister gave him a certificate for the future purchase of an ostrich chick and his grandma sent him a sampler pack of ostrich meat.  We have enjoyed ostrich steaks, ostrich spaghetti and ostrich hot dogs and hamburgers. Ostrich is unbelievably tasty and super lean! It is hard to believe you aren't eating super high quality beef. Well today we added to our ostrich gourmet medley.  My son and Bri brought home an ostrich egg.

Time for breakfast!

One does not merely crack an ostrich egg open

Yes, that is a drill

Got it!

Perfect precision

Saving the ostrich eggshell

That's a LOT of egg!

Scrambled eggs for all!

Next project.....carving/decorating the Ostrich eggshell.  Stay tuned!

Flock of Bluebirds

Today while I was outside doing the farm chores, a flock of bluebirds landed above my head. The biggest smile broke out on my face as I was surrounded by a vision of blue. I love bluebirds and felt I was rewarded for working so hard.  I called for Mr. Yesteryear Acres and he counted at least 20 bluebirds over my head.  I just stood there for the longest time appreciating the moment. Once again I am reminded of how lucky I am to have the life I do here at Yesteryear Acres. Even in the middle of poop detail, there are still at least 20 reasons to smile. The Doodle Doggies thought so too. We sat and watched the bluebirds until one by one they flew away.

 Dear Bluebirds, Thanks for our beautiful nature-filled moment!

Delizioso!

Bri and I decided to turn the kitchen into an Italian Pasta Restaurant and make homemade Ravioli for dinner.  I have never made Ravioli before and I was nervous as to how they would turn out.  It seemed like quite the arduous project but it turned out to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Bri made the pasta dough

and it rolled out perfectly!

First up - homemade caramelized mushroom ravioli 

YUM!

Onto the second batch

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

I think we have it down!

Mr. Yesteryear Acres came in to help make a few

He's hired! 

Delizioso!

Hornets Don't Scare Me

This summer our favorite picnic spot by our pond became off-limits.  Hornets built a giant nest in one of our pine trees and they were very adept at keeping us away.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres got stung several times over the course of the summer and I stayed so far away from the nest, I was almost too far to enjoy our pond.  We had to move our picnic area entirely and keep the doodle doggies away from that end of the pond.  The hornets had definitely marked their spot and they were adamant that they were there to stay.  Well today.....

This monstrosity 

That mocked and tortured us all summer

Was no more!!!!!  With the below zero temperatures, it was finally safe to remove the nest.  Ha ha ha! Take that hornets.  You don't scare me at all! 

(Well at least for today!)

Good Riddance!

Thank Goodness for Puppy Kisses

With all the tears flowing on our sad after-the-holiday goodbyes..........
Thank goodness for puppy kisses!

Petunia's Goldendoodle Puppies are getting so big!

They have the cutest teddy bear faces

And are the perfect cure for the post holiday blues!

Outside Recess Time!

"We love Mr. Yesteryear Acres!"

"We follow him everywhere!"

"Let's Go Play"

"First one to go potty outside wins!"

"I am the winner this time!"

"Me too!" 

"We are good little puppies" 

"I am practicing my sit command"

"Hey Look! A boot cleaner!"

"Wonder if it will clean muddy paws?"

"Are leaves yummy?"

"Yep!"

AND.......New Baby Puppies to love!!!!!!!

Blue's Double Doodle puppies are here!

We have five boys 

and five girls

Thank you Blue! 

Happy Monday!

And So It Ends

Today is the last day my family will all be together.  Our Christmas break was wonderful.  We spent every minute together laughing and talking and cooking and eating and treasuring every second. It was perfect.  I am sad our time together is coming to an end.  I will miss my older daughter so much.  She will miss me so much.  I will miss my younger daughter so much.  She will miss me so much.  I will miss my son and Bri so much and they will miss me too. Saying goodbye never gets easier. The house will feel so lonely tomorrow morning. Along with the emptying of the nest...

Christmas was put away as well. 

Packed and now waiting

for

the

house

to 

be

full

once

again.

Crochet Day!

Way back in the day when my kids were all little, I loved spending my free time crocheting.  I made dolls, puppets, afghan blankets, baby blankets and more.  I haven't crocheted in years and years but today, my daughters and Bri wanted to learn how to crochet so I pulled out the old crochet hooks.  It was really fun teaching them and they picked it up so quickly.  

We first practiced stitches on some old pink yarn I had stashed away.

They mastered the single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet and the treble crochet stitches.

Then it was time to break out the good yarn for scarf projects!

My younger daughter is making a lace work long scarf

I love this color!

Bri is making a long ombre scarf.  Excellent work!

I can't wait to see the finished projects!!!

Passing Down the Tradition

For over a quarter of a century, we have all gone to Mr. Yesteryear Acres parents house for New Years Day dinner.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres mom always makes Good Luck Pork & Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes and a Strawberry Salad. It is the very best way to start the New Year. This year the New Year Dinner tradition was passed down to me.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I started preparing dinner this morning and I have to admit, despite the fact I cook big dinners all the time, I was nervous for tonight's dinner.  I now carried the torch for the big Good Luck dinner and I wanted to make Mr. Yesteryear Acres mom and dad proud. Tonight as we opened the lid to the brand new giant cast iron pot.......PERFECTION!  Whew!!!  Dinner was delicious!  Dessert was delicious too and thank goodness because.......

Today is Bri's Birthday!!!!!!  Happy 20th Birthday Bri!!!!!!

Homemade Carrot Cake for the Birthday Girl!

May all your wishes come true!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!