Hobby farm Dreams come true.

We Put in a offer to buy a House on Land in Idaho.. over a month ago... 

Yesterday we got the call that they accepted offer.

2 green acres to do what we want with. We get to Plant huge organic gardens, Put in a fruit and nut tree orchard, have chickens, a horse or a cow. I get to build a barn with my usband and go camping outside in my own backyard.   Work hard and your dreams do come true. 

Veterans Day Weekend Fun

Our Vetrans Day Weekend

Being that our oldest daughter Christina is in the Army as is Justin we decided that we needed to go to their house and play with the grandkids and have some fun with them.   They live 3 hours away from us and since our youngest son Blaine has been in Waterpolo  every weekend, we haven't had one weekend free in a couple months.  It was 4 months since we've seen Christina, Justin and Baby Mason and Autumn.  It was a delightful weekend.  We played our favorite game Apples to Apples as we sipped wine and Christina put on a FEAST.  We enjoyed the Granchildren as well .  Christina knows that I love to craft, quilting is one of my favorite things so she decided that she at the age of almost 29 decided that she wants to learn to quilt and since a friend of hers at work had a baby, it was the perfect occassion.  We cut, sewed, layered and almost finished the entire quilt before it was time for me to hit the dusty trail back home.   First time shes ever been interested in quilting, shes artistic..but with paints. And being in the ARMY and having two kids and two dogs and 3 acres to care for she hasn't had the time to learn.  I thought I'd never see the day, and it made me giddy to see her sit in front of a sewing machine.  Pics to follow.  Happy Vetrans Day! 

Laying the rows together.

Newly sewn  Teddy Bear Blanket and
Beanie Babies

Grandpa with Mason

Happy Mason,  

.

Autumns Heart Pillow because I love her with all  my Heart.

Autumn was so cute, she asked me to make her a big heart pillow.  I had fat quarters with me so we  stitched one together quickley and she enjoyed stuffing it herself.   She says that she wants to be a sewer when shes a grandma too.

Stuffing the Purple Heart Pillow.
Purple is our favorite color and I love her with all my heart.

Waterpolo Bliss

My youngest sons High school Waterpolo team came in 1st place in their league with a 23-2 record.  They are now playing for the North coast Championship in the State of CA.  Good luck Heritage Patriots!  The Dream team! Here they are pictured cold, wet but winners in the 1st of 4 playoff games.   My son is the bottom row 2nd from the right.. Lots of smiles, and happy parents too.  

Portugese Kidney Bean Soup
Barbara Leal Peugh

My mom made the best portuges soups... this one I've learned to ACE thanks to her skillfull teaching and the fact that she had it published  in her church cookbook.   Whenever I miss my mom sometimes I will make her soup. Comfort food for sure. Served with sweet bread ( aka Kings Hawaiin Bread) .


Serves 6 to 8

1 Medium onion
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
7 Cups Water
1 pound cooked smoked ham or 1 ham bone
1 large Linguicia sliced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp allspice
1.2 Cup tomato sauce
1 can/jar Marinara sauce
3-1/2 Cups red kidney beans or pink beans ( cooked or canned)
1 Cup sliced carrots
3 Cups peeled and diced potatoes
salt and pepper to taste

In large soup kettle cook onions with garlic powder in oil until lightley browned, add and brown linguicia . Add water and the ham bone. Bring to Boil. Reduce heat, simmer about 30 minutes.Add bay leaf, allspice, tomato sauce and Marinara sauce, beans and potatoes and carrots, simmer covered for one hour. Remove hambone and cut up the meat and return it to the soup.


In memory of my mom. One proud Portugese woman!

Farmgirl Sisterhood Fall ATC Swap

Well, Being a member of the MaryJane Butters Farmgirl sisterhood gives one a opportunity to reach out and meet online and in person  with like minded women.   Women that have things in common and perhaps share ideas, recipes, hobbies,  laughs and tears.  One of the things we do a lot of is Swaps of all kinds.... ( no husbands, boyfriends or significant others involved here!) I just finished and have ready to send out Artist Trading Cards... all a little different from eachother but with the same theme and charistics.  This Theme is What does Thanksgiving mean to me.... and this year, we have lots of changes in our Family.  Husband retiring, moving, baby boy of 5 kids is Graduating from High School.  So, I chose... the Season of Change, Family and falling leaves in a fall color theme with leaves and of course a bird... ( I love birds). These little babies took a while as there was a collage in each piece... frames with copper tape.  Cant wait to see what comes back to me... I love these Farmgirl Sisterhood Swaps.        

Family, Falling Leaves its a Season of Change. 

Front view...

Well, weve talked about moving to Idaho for 5 years now.  or maybe even longer. My wonderful husband fell in love with Idaho on several camping trips we've taken here over the years with our kids.  He has allways wanted to have a farm/ranch out somewhere in Idaho.  So, now that he is retiring next month... we brought ourselves out on a little trip for 5 days.  We had a realtor show us about 22 homes on different size acerage... and today. He put in a bid for a house that he loved.  Im leaving the decision up to him mostley the only thing I care about is that we are together, happy and able to go on adventures.. and I have a sewing, crafting room.  I am excited that the place he picked has acerage and the house is not some old broken down farm house that will be in need of a lot of repairs.  Yes, we will be building fences, putting in fruit trees and painting the interior... but in the mean time we will live our next 9 months in California.  We will focus on what we need to do there at home before we even worry about the Idaho house.. and we know that the seller accepted the offer, now we need to wait to see if the lender on the house will accept the bid as it is a short sale offer.   wish us luck. Hopefully, Idaho here we come.   2 acres. Near town, but in farmlands... Nampa outskirts.

Room for livestock, chicken coop, large garden and fruit trees. Back View

Phil Vassar and I on my Birthday.

I got to Meet PHIL VASSAR on my Birthday, and I diddn't have a camera... but this nice lady whom I've never met before captured the moment and emailed me the pictures.   Sometimes a stranger can be nicer than anyone you know.... The lesson I learned in this is NEVER GO TO A SMALL VENUE CONCERT AND FORGET YOUR CAMERA.... YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU'LL MEET!

I'm glad to meet you Phil, No, I'm glad to meet you... Thank you for coming
No, Phil... Im glad to meet you. Its my Birthday... Well, have a fun night, and really I'm glad I got to meet you!
He was funny!