I once was lost...

...I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see, Amazing pity, grace unknown and love beyond degree...

Lazy Chickens

Oh my chickens, my lazy chickens! Do you know how much I HATE BUYING eggs? Its such an insult after the bounty you produced this summer. I know it getting colder and darker and that you are even molting. But if you could just spare an egg or two each day between the 9 of you, it would make me so happy. It just feels like such a waste to get my hopes up and yet find ALL of your boxes empty. Then to add insult to injury, yesterday I actually had to break down and buy a dozen eggs! Oh the sorrow!Please get with it!
MOLT
1. (of birds, insects, reptiles, ect. ) to cast or shed the feathers, skin or the like, that will be replaced by a new growth.
-verb
2. to cast or shed (feathers, ect )
in the process of renewal.
WOW! There is a lesson in everything. I came on here to lament my lazy chickens and realized that it is about time for me to MOLT. (Not as in feathers silly ) The casting off of the old ways, habits, thoughts and things that are dragging me down. Its a good thing that, " Every morning is fresh, with no mistakes in it" !

Would you like a little "spot of tea" ;)

Just testing you out.mm

Use the Talents...

Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best.
                                                                                                       Henry Van Dyke

14 out of ten people...

In scientific studies, it's been proven that 14 out of ten people like chocolate...I've also heard it said that eight out of ten people like chocolate...I personally would not trust the other two people, either in judgement or taste! :)

14 out of ten people...

Limb?

Why not go out on a limb?
That's where all the fruit is.

Mark Twain

Yum!

Homemade Salsa!

Just made a huge bowl of homemade salsa! Yum! Have another "child" off to college and for this small moment I have the kitchen to myself. ( And the house!) This is so rare, so I am really enjoying it! I've got the Christian music on (loud!). Listening to the messages and making a big, fun. creative mess out of my kitchen. A craft project going on and I'm thinking of making that Irish Cream Cheesecake! I got the ingredients this week, but most of the Oreos are gone. So, shoot, I will just have to improvise and use brownies for a crust! LOVE changing things up, even when they already work really well, just can't help myself. ;) Hope you are having a good day too, feeling really blessed!

Don't use a recipe for the salsa, but here is how I do it:
 About 10 to 12 ripe Roma tomatoes
4 white, sweetish onions
2 jalapeno peppers
juice of one lime
salt to taste
1 Bunch of Cilantro

 I have one of those little hand-turned, chopping thingies. :) Can do it just on a chopping board also, have many times. Chop the tomatoes and onions to about the same size. I like mine pretty small, so would almost call it, minced. Seed the hot peppers(unless you like it really hot). Chop these very small. Would surely call these minced! Juice the lime, add and I put about 2 Tablespoons of salt. ( I said it was a BIG bowl, and thats a lot of veggies). Oh, don't forget the chopped cilantro, its the best part! I love that fresh, fragrant cilantro smell, it just "pops" !  Pull out your favorite salsa chips, we have about 5 favorites in this family, and ENJOY!

Henhouse Mystery!

So my chickens lay brown eggs. Brown ones. Always. They are New Hampshire Reds, and they lay BROWN eggs. Until the a few feeks ago when I had a great, big WHITE surprize! I was shocked, shell shocked, to be exact. Oh, how corny! :) The size and the shape were different as you can see here. I wasn't sure what was going on, still don't know, but it has happened several times since. What do you think?

These are what my eggs usually look like

"Fly Beauty"

Just thought I'd share this little golden-backed "fly beauty" with you and few "after a Summer rain" pics. Theres nothing spectacular about them. They don't have great composition, or anything really special, I just like the feeling they give me. Brilliant colors, sun spots, that just-after-its-rained-steamy Summer feel. Water droplets, sunshine, a quiet peace. Enjoy, and don't forget to look for beauty today, in the imperfect and the ordinary. It's all around you. Even in a fly!

I'm Baaaack! Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe, FINALLY!

Chocolate Irish Cream Cheesecake!
From: Simply Perfect CHOCOLATE
Decadent & Delicious (I'm copying all this :) From the 1998 Better Homes and Gardens Special Publications
I bought this magazine a LONG time ago obviously, for the cover alone, because this incredable cheesecake was on it. Funny thing is, that I made it and it was unbelibable, so unbelievable that I never made anything else out of the magazine! It is now a family favorite and a Holliday must. That I have keep it all these years and actually KNEW where it was is an ADD miracle. Tells you how good it is. If you try it, come back here and leave a comment. Its a must. If you dont do that , you can not use the recipe. Period. Just kidding, but I would love to know what you think. This is also one of recipes that you hate to share, you know those special kinds. So I am really trying to be good to you, (your taste buds and families', by the way). :) .... Drumroll.....
p.93
1 cup crushed chocolate waffers (about 18 cookies)
(I use Oreos and put tinfoil around the pan so the good stuff doesn't leak out)
1/4 cup butter ( no substitutes), melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 8-ounce package semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
3 eggs
1/3 to 1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur
2 Tablespoons whipping cream or milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Chocolate Curls, optional (I don't bother with the decorations, just dig in when it is chilled)
# For crust, combind crushed waffers, butter and cinnamon in a med mixing bowl, toss gently to mix. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of springform pan; press to form a firm, even crust. Set pan aside.
# For filling, combind cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and the 8 ounces melted chocolate in a large mixing bowl; beat on medium to high speed till combined. Add eggs all at once. Beat on low speed till just combined. Stir in liqueur, whipping cream or milk and vanilla.
#Pour filling into the crust lined pan. Place pan in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes or till center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool on a wire till able to put in fridge, at least 4 hours. ( I chill mine overnight).
Makes 12 to 16 servings ( Unless you live with a Chocoholic!)
Enjoy and then come back and comment!!

Hair!

Had my hair done today by my favorite hairdresser. Not only is she brilliantly tallented and artictically creative, she just happens to also be my daughter! Thanks Steph! Love the results of "Hair Day". :)