Country Creatures

Buddy the wonder cat

2010-09-28T10:37:00.002-04:00

this is buddy he just turned a year old and he has proven to be a little different than any cat I have ever had..he would climb the ladder then walk around on the roof then he would come down when he was good and ready

The cabin is complete

2010-08-10T14:07:00.002-04:00

Just a little more landscaping is needed and we have trim and wood floors to put down inside it has been a long road but we made it

the new house

2010-05-12T11:14:00.002-04:00

this is one of the pics that i took during the building process the windows and roof and gable log siding were all in place by November the inside sheet rock walls are all up and the smaller bedroom for my 4 year old is painted....will get updated pics up soon....still on borrowed internet

Where has the time gone!!

2009-11-04T12:49:00.002-05:00

Well I am a little behind on the blog updates, so here is what is new all wraped up in a nut shell...
The new house is almost liveable....its just takes an act of congress to get the mortgage company to give you some of the insurance money to do the work...but by friday we should be able to live and work in the house....It is rather butt biting cold in the camper with the temps getting down to low 30's at night...

my oldest son has safely returned from his second Iraq deployment and I do hope it is the last....he will now get to be with his baby girl that he has only met for 2 weeks while home on R&R...as soon as the internet is at the new house I will be able to post the progress pics of the house ....Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers ...better wish it to you all now who knows when I will get back on here.....LOL

Moving Forward...Finally :)

2009-08-03T11:18:00.003-04:00

So the day finally came where we tore down the old house and started to dig the foundation for the new house...it was a little eye opening to see the bats fly out and then the snakes and yes we had flying squirrels had moved in too!!! YUCK

The foundation digging has not gone as well as hoped....we hit ground water LOTS of it and yes there was even ledge but we can work around it all...foundation is soon to come

Moving Forward

2009-07-15T10:50:00.002-04:00

Well we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak...we now have signed off with the insurance company...which is a blessing ...I did not care for the adjuster....we have ordered our log cabin kit we have the equipment comming in a week or so to tear down the old curse ....
and I think we have now had 5 days of sun in a row....the month of June in New Hampshire was very trying it rained 26 out of 30 days....

Finally posted are the fire pics

2009-06-23T13:43:00.007-04:00

These Pics are all of the loft bedroom that my 3 year old used he was playing up there just hours before the fire

Another month has passed

2009-06-15T11:04:00.002-04:00

Well it has now been 2 plus months since the house fire and a lot has happened but not much with the house...still dealing with insurance hope to have construction under way in July..was in a slight car accident...I was stopped in traffic but the man behind me thought otherwise...1200. in damage to my van but all is well it was fixed 2 weeks later and I had mild whiplash and my 3 year old never woke in his car seat.....
the 2 weeks with my son were great it was hard to see them off so I did not go to the airport I have posted my favorite pic called daddys first kiss...hope is well with all that stop to read..

My solider is home on R&R

2009-05-16T11:30:00.003-04:00

OK so things are a tad bit crazy right now in my life.....trying to settle the insurance drama on the house...I would not wish this task on anyone...we are all settled in our 32' rented self contained camper...its nice...2 weeks ago my daughter in law flew in with my 3 month old grand daughter ...and a week after she arrived we all went to the airport to pick up my son. It was a very emotional day...he got to hold his little baby girl for the first time...it was heart warming..as soon as I get the internet back up on my computer I will add pics...Enjoy your day

Fire update

2009-04-15T10:27:00.002-04:00

Just a quick updateon our fire we will be getting settled soon in the 36' camper soon the power and water are just waiting to be connected, we have retained a lawyer to help us with the insurance negitions...first estimate was rather low and would not cover the costs of the materials we hope to start the domolition as soon but it looks like it will be the middle of May...just as my sone and wife will be here for a visit...which will be well deserved , he is in Iraq and she will be flying in from Missouir with my first grandchild Ava...who I cant wait to kiss a million times..I will try and get the pics posted for you all to see the progress, just not enought time in the day for things..

I have hit a slight speed bump

2009-04-06T11:55:00.002-04:00

Hello readers...I just wanted to let everyone know that I have hit a slight speed bump in my life recently...well its was more like a sink hole...but we are getting things somewhat in order....On March 23,09 at 3:30 pm I was just getting ready to go outside when I looked up and there was somoke comming out of the wall.....we were on fire....I was and still am surprised at how well I did...I called 911 and reported the fire....I grabbed my cell phone car keys winter jackets and ran out side to gather up the little guy.....his dad was just getting home from work and we did the one thing they tell you not to do....we went back in the house.....with the 3 year old locked in the van with the dog...I went in to get shoes and some of my sons clothes....the other went in to save his hunting collection of rifles and deer mounts......I made 2 trips to save the clothes 1 for the TV and on the last on in I was able to save the computer.....the smoke and flames wereso far advanced we just waited for the fire dept.....who arrived 7 minutes after my call ....they were wonderful...
The house was gutted and most of the contents were lost....but we are all safe pets also survived and were all found.....I will keep this updated as much as possible to let all follow in the progress of the rebuild..

MV Fiber Farm another chance to win

2009-03-23T11:58:00.004-04:00

She is having another chance to win some great books just pop on over and read the interesting post, pass the word, and leave a comment as to where you posted the info...simple as that
and don't forget to turn on the lamb cam as the new little ones are a week away from arriving
(ps I jacked her pic ) don't ya just want to kiss that nose!!

Sap update.....

2009-03-23T10:00:00.006-04:00

To date I have boiled a total of 24 gallons of sap and have 8 pint jars on the back shelf........and the little 1/2 pint bottle along with some pre packaged pancakes (from Market Basket ) will be on their way to Iraq for my son who is currently on his second deployment....just a touch of home to remind him that we love him

I am thinking of giving candy a shot this year too....but that is still a thought in progress!!

I have entered a contest

2009-03-22T23:47:00.004-04:00

I have entered a before and after contest at http://quiltotaku.blogspot.com/2009/03/quilterknitter-photo-contest-let-games.html
Before shot(left) was taken in the house on a white cloth....the after shot (right) was taken outside this morning on the snow...

so this is how it works I post my before pic then read her quick help guide she has written and take a second pic...the after shot..
the pic is of an item out of my pet line...its a door sack to hold all the treats and toys ($5.00+s/h)
fish shaped for the kitty and I also have bone shaped for the doggie of the house
I would love any and all feed back positive or negative

It's Boiling Time

2009-03-17T06:20:00.015-04:00

Well the spare fridge is now stocked with 15 gallons of sap and the trees are being very kind with giving the sap so we started the boil process...mind you we are no large operation here....just 10 pails and a gas grill, but everyone likes to help..Jeremiah and dad get the sap Molly the dog,well she just likes to watch so at 11:30 sunday morning we are ready to start to boil I took 5 gallons of sap dumped it into the lobster pot turned on the grill, sat in the sun with my knitting..I had NO IDEA what was in store for the hours to come...at 12:30 Monday morning I could not take it any longer...I placed the less than 1/2 a gallon of syrup in a glass jar and went to bed...8:30 Monday morning I finished the first boil.. 5 gallons of sap produced a pint of very sweet syrup..

Another boil is in process as I type....I am cheating this time I am using thecook stove in the house with the windows open to help with the steam and the heat...Its going a lot quicker now that I kind of know what I am doing....

5 Gallons WOW

2009-03-11T09:11:00.002-04:00

Well a cold night and a very warm day was a success for our sap project, we made the rounds today to the 10 buckets that we have hanging in our yard and we had to make a second run 2 hours later...we collected a total of 5+ gallons and today when I went out I gathered another 3 and once the rain stops and it warms up again today I think we should have enough to begin a trial run of boiling in the next few days...oh and yes that is a old wooden ladder in the way..the roof requires our company when it snows...(it leaks more than the running sap!!) but fear not a new standing seam metal roof is in the near future....

~*~50 degrees today

2009-03-07T15:59:00.002-05:00

~~~It was like summer today...it hit 50 degrees today and that was in the shade...the snow banks melted there were little rivers of water running out of driveways and down the hill today...but there is always the down fall to a nice day...the driveway is now like a mud bog...its going to cool down and possibly bring 1-3 inches of snow....BUT the sap ran today we collected 2 gallons....so lets think warm days and cold nights for atleast a week....I am hoping to boil soon...

MV Fiber Farm Contest~Its a hum dinger of one

2009-03-04T19:34:00.002-05:00

All you have to do is leave a comment and you could win all this stuff....Hurry you only have until Saturday morning at 10 EST, 3/7/2009...follow the link below to leave a comment...

A book Teach yourself visually handspinning

The winner will also receive a drop spindle kit from Silversun Alpacas. I’ve ordered this kit before to give as a gift and it is just lovely. The kit includes a top spindle, 2 oz of white/cream wool Top Fiber roving, which is very easy to start your spinning with, and 2 oz. of hand dyed alpaca and wool batt (soft and fluffy as a cloud) wool Top fiber

also going to send the winner 4 ounces of MVFF/HVFF cormo roving

http://www.fiberfarm.com/2009/03/another-giveaway-have-i-lost-my-mind/comment-page-4#comment-9465
PS you want want to add this to your to watch list her contest are great...

WARNING...EMAIL VIRUS--HOAX

2009-03-02T09:41:00.003-05:00

I just found this on snoops and it turns out that this is a hoax and has been around for years....sorry for false info....
ETA I have deleted the info...to read about it go to http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/lifeisbeautiful.asp

Another month comes to an end

2009-02-27T18:38:00.004-05:00

Well things are moving a long well....today there was sap in the buckets , we have not had snow in 3 days..thank god the last storm was a gem...15+inches

My yarn stash has grown with some wonderful new colors and textures...I have added some great new books to my small but ever growing knitting library.all form fellow Ravelers.....

My grandaughter is growing and is very healthy and she looks forward to her daddy comming home from Iraq to meet her and kiss her chubby little face

And I finished a ton of afghan squares for the Caring Crafters group on Yahoo that makes afghans for injured soliders, new babies and also for the Whiteriver Reservation in AZ..

Fabric & Yarn Give away

2009-02-23T19:32:00.002-05:00

http://kristenunraveled.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabric-yarn-giveaway-and-yarn-sale.html
follow the link above to visit this blog to have a chance to win one of 2 prizes..she also has some fantastic yarns for sale....I have my eye on the vintage knitting needles....OH and HURRY the contest ends soon

What is UP Mother Nature

2009-02-22T19:05:00.003-05:00

It appears that Mother Nature is just in a big crabby mood.....snow storm 3 days ago dumped 10 inches for shoveling.....a couple of days of some sun...and WHAM here comes a mother of a storm 12-24 inches depending on location.....I guess that the sap project will be on hold a little longer than expected....

During the last storm it was heavy wet perfect snowman making snow so my little guy and I took advantage of the nice day and the great snow....

It's Sapping Season

2009-02-18T07:03:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year in New England where you the sap bucket's are hung in anticipation of a good warm day and a cool night to make the sap run...well I should say the sap lines are strung, we are just backyard burners so we choose to go the "old fashion" way with the buckets.

In the long run we hope to be able to make enought to share with our family and to have enjoyed a touch of the good old days when thing were not so commercalized, in hopes that it is a good year we may opt to invest more into equipment in the years to come, our new found hobby has run us so far about $130.00 and that is just the taps, pails, and storage & collection buckets,

A New Baby

2009-02-06T07:39:00.003-05:00

Well she finally arrived and it appeared it was against her will...as my DIL said they had to "smoke her out" son in Iraq was able to spend some time on the web cam during labor but was not able to log back on to see the birth....Ava was a healthy 7 pounds 15 ounces 19 1/2 inches long...has some very dark hair and these really chubby cheeks for me to kiss in May when they come to visit....a pic of the princess will follow soon

Visit my store

2009-01-29T05:43:00.006-05:00

hard covered craft pattern books Crochet book is sold

Visit my store for more details just click on the blujay link located at the top right of the page

New England Weather

2009-01-17T13:35:00.002-05:00

Several days of extreme cold weather, frozen drain pipes, stuffing the wood stove full non stop, and its finally going to warm up.......just to bring us some more snow....just another 4-8 inches, and the only good thing this has forced me to do is make leaps and bounds on my charity knitting/crocheting....I have made several squares for the Hooks and Needles for our troops group.....we make afghans for wounded soldiers during their recovery, for 2009 we will be expanding our services even further this year to help some in need on the reservation in Arizona....we are going to be voting soon on a new name for the group, and also Esther our dear founder is also thinking of making the group a non profit .....feel free to contact me if you would like to join in our mission....or make donations of supplies

Off to a slow start

2009-01-08T06:37:00.002-05:00

Well the New Year has arrived with a big bang for me, and it has me very disorganized..and not spending time doing the things that I love and enjoy....all should be settled in a few months and I can get back to my knitting, I have found a few minutes in each day to do some of my charity crochet, I have made 25 squares for baby quilts....this is part of my Yahoo group that I belong to, we make afghan and baby items for injured soldiers and for babies born at the navel hospital ....this year our founder is expanding out and we will begin to help folk on the reservation where she works as a nurse..... hooks and needles for our troops is the yahoo group swing in and see what we are all about, its a great cause that I enjoy being part of

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

The New Year...

2008-12-30T06:28:00.003-05:00

Well Christmas has come and gone again an now its time to ring in the new year....Do you make a resolution? I vow to have more fun with my knitting and WILL learn to make socks & mittens on double point needles....
I love to read blogs and find new gadgets to add to mine...you need to take the what kind of flower test to see what you are....I am a canna which means "You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that." that explains a lot...LOL

Have a Happy and Safe New Year Everyone

Mother Nature

2008-12-20T18:28:00.003-05:00

Well mother nature is just NOT playing nice....Ice storm 8 days ago......5 inches of snow on Wed, I think it was....Friday (12/19) we were blessed with a foot of the fluffiest white snow ever....it almost looked like glitter....and as if that was not enough for us Sunday (12/21) we are to expect another 12-18 inches of the pretty stuff....Merry Freakin Christmas.... watch for photos to come

Pattern Winners

2008-12-20T18:08:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in this posting....Mother Nature has been blessing us with a great assortment of winter weather....we have a new foot of fluffy white snow.....Anyway here are the first 2 winners...Congrats and enjoy

Janet (janetcc on Ravelry)
Rhonda (rhondita95 on Ravelry)

URGENT PLEASE READ!!

2008-12-18T15:26:00.002-05:00

I received this email last night from my sister, I have NOT checked into this yet as it came from a Nun at my nieces former school..Be safe everyone

'WARNING FROM POLICE THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE-- NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS

(NOT A JOKE)'Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse.When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view . When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car.So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail.. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.Please keep this going and tell all your friends

Updates

2008-12-16T11:28:00.007-05:00

~Winter Storm~
As of this morning news there were 150,000 NH residents still out of power...As of Noon today they are down to 113,754 residents..I have lost power once since restoration but just for an hour....crews are working

24/7....we are due to get some snow off and on thru this week.....

~Free Pattern Contest~
This is not going as I had hoped...please feel free to leave your comments on any of the blog posts it does not have to be left just on the contest entry....

DECEMBER 14th the first winner that was picked,Janet from IL (jantecc on Ravelry)....Congrats

~How's my tree & Tis the season~

It's all done, I took my 2 hour road

trip to pick up the rest of it at my

sisters, bought new lights and added

the decorations....and the best part

is I don't have to climb under it to

add water....I have also reorganized

a lot of the house and made several

trips to the resale thrift shop with outgrown clothes or made donations to charity stores...It's looking like I will have a handle on Christmas before the 24th

~I won some yarn~

I have actually started a project with the "wonder ball" of yarn that was in the box the more I knit

the large the yarn ball gets..I am working on

a reading shawl for MIL

for Christmas....

~Happy Thanks~

I hope that it was a safe and happy day for all

~Looking thru a solider's eyes~

Son has made contact with me via email and said he is well, the food sucks, and it is @ss biting cold..and may be able to see the birth of his first child via baby cam (my wording for web cam)..they are trying to get an induction date for the wife that will coincide with his mission schedule...

Winter Storm 2008

2008-12-15T06:32:00.004-05:00

ICE STORM 2008

Here in New Hampshire (and other states) we were hit with a horrific ice storm, It started on Thursday 12/11 and the effects are still being felt all over the state. At the peak of the storm we had 424,000 with no power...we went 17 hours but we had heat from the wood stove and I had purchased batteries and bottled water in advance I was ready for the worst ..... the picture is of my road on Friday Morning(8am ish) not very visable but there was a huge tree branch across the road just befor the turn and just after the turn was a huge yellow birch tree on the lines...God himself with a million dollars standing at the end of the road would not have made me venture down....I waited until late Saturday to venture down ,trust me it was only because I needed to get pull-ups for my toddler....

Currently as of this morning's news (12/15) there are about 165,000 with no power and they are still looking as several days to a week before restoration is complete...

Free patterns give away

2008-12-09T11:53:00.007-05:00

I have to down size and rid my tiny country home of unused craft items...and I am starting with the knit patterns from a knit club that I joined many moons ago and will never use them...so I am using an Idea from another blogger who held the great yarn giveaway, (Beverly from the knittersrestaurant) its easy just leave me a comment somewhere on my blog and every 5 day until Christmas I will pick a winner and send you 5 patterns,

afghans,baby, men, ladies are some of the categories...and I will do my best to please you, winning days will be

December 14th 19th & 24th

only one comment per winning period is eligible

How's my Christmas Tree lQQk?

2008-12-09T11:28:00.002-05:00

This would not have happened if I had just kept my mouth shut, I set the curse in motion..

Once upon a time there was this very nice looking fake tree that once stood proud in the formal living room(aka the museum) at my parents house..which we joke about and call the White House..well then it met its final Christmas there.....from there it went to live at my younger sisters house,which was short lived (2 seasons) so she asks me "ya want it" I say "sure"so home it came neatly packed in the super large plastic tote, this past summer.

So Thanksgiving day this year we are sitting around talking about when we will all put up our trees...and will we go real or fake...I speak up and say "money is a little tight this year so we will be using the fake one that once stood proud here in the museum"..but I could not leave it there I just had to be a smart ass and say.."and like all things I get from Betsy(sister) it will most likely be missing a part.....YUP it sure is....14 branches and just the top.... Fear not it got packed into the box with her tree...road trip tomorrow...

Tis the season to be MERRY!!!

2008-12-04T07:12:00.002-05:00

OK I am a little confused why do they say Tis the season to be Merry??Hello I am thinking tis the season to be dazed and confused....I don't know how it happens but the month of December sneaks up on me every year...

I seem to be so disorganized, my knitting is all over the house the sewing table looks as if an explosion has happened and I just noticed that the "Fine Irish Lace"(polite for freakin cobwebs)has taken over every doorway in my house...

I guess its time to make THE TO-DO LIST !!!

PS That is last years tree...

I Won Some Yarn

2008-11-29T10:04:00.004-05:00

I have won a box of yarn from Bev at http://knittersrestaurant.blogspot.com/ she held a little personal contest and I was one of two winners.....so when the box arrives I cant wait to pick and paw thru it...You should take the time to stop over and read her blog as she is planning to possibly have another yarn give away.....and I may just follow suit and try some type of give away myself....

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T20:35:00.004-05:00

Just wishing all a safe and happy holiday...please share what you all will do with your left overs? We went out to an all you can eat buffet at a local restaurant...the food was fantastic the waitress were less than helpful...we had to clear our dirty dishes, and she only visited our table with one round of drinks....and we were a rather large group 10 adults 2 toddlers (which were better behaved than older children there....

LQQKING thru a soliders eyes

2008-11-09T13:27:00.006-05:00

Images of Iraq thru a soliders eyes.. looking down ....as the hot sun sets in the evening

despite the conditions they still have a touch of humor while on a mission...

As Veteran's Day nears let's not forget to say "Thank You" to a vet past or present...

more pics may be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/29564319@N05/

Buy a raffle ticket~CANCELED

2008-11-04T15:54:00.006-05:00

$2.00 each...only 100 are available for sale with a min of 75 needed to sell or full refunds will be given and raffle canceled...funds are to help with sending holiday care packages to our troops in Iraq ~~~~~

You win the family of 4 hand made moose all dressed in their holiday clothes.....
The minimum ticket sales were not reached so the raffle will NOT take place, If you had purchased any tickets I have contacted you and will process a refund to you this week, thanks to all who took part

Country Creatures Pet Items~SALE

2008-11-02T05:23:00.007-05:00

HOLIDAY SALE....COLLAR COVERS BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ...PURCHASE A DOOR SACK AND GET A FREE TUG AND PULL TOY...OR CAT NIP SACK FOR KITTY

Here are the most popular items for sale...I have collar covers, the collar will slide thru an opening,there is no tie on these, they are available in 3 size's and several different prints including holiday, small($3.00)medium($4.00) large($6.00)

The second item is a door sack($8.00) which is available for cats(fish shaped) or dogs, will fit over regular door knobs, use to hold, treats toys leash collars etc..they work great if you want to use for a christmas stocking....contact me for available fabric prints

All prices include shipping in all US states

Pay Pal is preferred method of payment, but checks are gladly accepted. email me @ countrycreatures@yahoo.com

Getting there~~

2008-10-30T14:11:00.000-04:00

This site is under construction..so please be patient as things get done...in the meantime please leave a message, and if you need more info on the pet items please ask all prices do include shipping in the US..