Some of our winter visiters

I finally got a picture of this female pileated woodpecker. I have seen them flying around our farm, but haven't been able to catch until this day.

Also caught these two in same tree. A male cardinal is in the upper branches. A downy woodpecker is lower on the branch.

We always seem to have at least one pair of cardinals around our feeders as spring approaches. I did not catch the female today, just the male.

This guy comes to our bird feeder every winter. He is a red-bellied woodpecker. I know, I always thought that he was a red headed woodpecker, but according to this site he isn't.

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Birds/Winter/Red-Bellied-Woodpecker

Snow again.........grrrrr

Now doesn't he look like he is having fun?!? Out blowing snow yet again.

Figure that we got at least 8 inches of snow, but we also did receive some freezing rain and rain pellets yesterday too. This does not look good as far as spring flooding in the state.

Lots of snow to blow to clear out the driveway.

The sheep in February, 2011

The girls had to be moved out of the barn and barn yard areas as it was way too muddy for them. I am not sure that they are happy with being in snow again. They also didn't want me following them around with my camera.

This is one of the lambs from the spring of 2010. She is a Katahdin ewe even tho she is marked like a Barbado. We have been calling her Barb. No offense to my sister.

This is another 2010 lamb. She is a tri-color and we haven't come up with a name for her yet. I keep thinking that with her nose marked like that she reminds me of Jimmy Durante, but can I call a girl Jimmy?

Here she is up close with that nose marking. Jimmy?

A close up shot of Barb. I just love her markings.

Flooding, February 17, 2011

Proof that there still is grass under all of that snow. We have had a week of very unseasonably warm temperatures. Which has decreased the amount of snow cover dramatically. But with the good comes the bad. We also have a barn yard of mud and some flooding going on.

This is where all of the water is coming into the barn and running thru it.

Looking thru the barn.

This is looking thru the barn from the north side, looking south.

This is looking thru the barn from the south to the north.

Here is the wash out in the barn. It is at the south entrance.

A closer look at the wash out.

This is the water running down the west side of our driveway.

Water along the west side of the driveway.

The water running thru our front field by the road.

This is the neighbor's field which is on the west side of our property. All of that water will eventually run thru our field by the road.

Another view of the neighbor's field.

New Travel Trailer

Well, we went and did it. Spent the day at the Minneapolis Convention Center at the RV and Travel show. And we bought a new travel trailer. We went with one that is a little shorter than what we have been traveling with. We bought this one: http://aero-rv.com/index.php?p=floorplans&model=195QB We didn't need the 24 foot one any more since we haul the dogs in the suburban now. So, we went with one that weighs less so it will tow easier. It has some things that we didn't have before such as an oven, a flat screen TV, shower with door instead of just a shower curtain, and a bed that we can walk around. The big thing is that is much lighter than one that we have been pulling and it is a fiberglass one, so more sturdy. It will make it much easier to make longer trips and maybe even into Colorado. We should hopefully be able to pick it up in March or April.

Edited to add: Here is the web site that shows our actual trailer. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2011-Aerolite-195QB-Travel-Trailer-RV-Formally-19FL-/360347268692

Processed foods vs. whole foods

Ha, they are not one and the same in my book. Which do you think is better??

Here is a quote from the book that I am reading that got me to thinking about this subject more.

"The numbers all run in one direction: People who eat the most processed food have more depression and less cognitive ability. Those who eat the most whole food have the least depression and the most brainpower in old age."

I have personally contended for quite a few years now that processed food is not good for us. If that is mostly what a person eats, it isn't good for you. It seems to me that as this nation, and maybe other countries too, eats more and more processed food and the further we get from the food source, the more health issues that seem to popping up. Obesity is a big one as it leads to other health issues. Cancer seems to be on the rise............is it because of processed foods, maybe. I have read that cancer feeds on sugar and lordy only knows how much added sugar there is in processed foods. It just doesn't seem that trying to "live" on all of this processed stuff is good for any of us. I know that I feel better when I eat more fruits, veggies and less "junk" food. I think of most of these junk foods as just fillers. They don't supply your body with the nutrients that it needs and so your body keeps craving more food as it tries to fuel itself. And then a person eats more junk food and the vicious cycle keeps going.

I started my own vegetable garden this past summer and plan on expanding it each year. I have been growing my own tomatoes and peppers for a few years and expanded into beans, zucchini, carrots and squash this past year. Let me tell you, I felt better after eating these veggies and look forward to starting my garden again this spring. (whenever spring decides to come) We also buy our meat locally, not from any large grocery store chain. There is a big difference in flavor. Ground beef that melts in your mouth. Yes, it is true.

Planks will be the death of me.........

Okay, any of you who are into exercising, in particular to strengthen your body core you know what I am talking about. For those of you who aren't, just let me tell you, planks are not easy to start out with. They look easy, but don't let that deceive you. The book I am reading says to start with holding a plank for 60 seconds. HA!! 60 seconds, I barely made 25 seconds. I am told that it will get easier. All I know is that it really does make you use all of your muscles to keep your core in a neutral balanced position. I WILL make it to 60 seconds even if it takes me the whole 3 weeks of the first part of this exercise plan!! Okay, now that I said that where everyone can read this and hold me to it I guess I better do it.

Okay, now I'll back up. The plank is explained this way. Get into a modified push-up position, with your weight resting on your forearms and toes. Your forearms should be aligned with your torso, with your elbows directly beneath your shoulders. Your forearms are on the floor in this exercise. Your body should form a straight line from your neck through your ankles.

Here's the killer: Hold that position for 60 - 90 seconds. You try it, go ahead I'll wait. I say, Ha to 90 seconds..........not now at any rate.

I'll have to report back on this one.

Glad to say

Glad to say that even tho I ended up taking a break because of things that were happening, that I picked up on doing my exercises today and was pretty able to pick up where I left off. I was able to do the same number of reps, if not a few more and I added in a few exercises too. I also went for a spin on the exercise bike. So lots of exercise today. It felt good too. And I should say, I am always more energized after I exercise.

And something else I would like to add is that this whole thing of exercising and getting healthier sure can be a mind game too. I find that in my mind if I tell myself that x amount of food is all I need to eat for supper, then that is all I eat. Hubby was commenting that if I'm not going to eat as much for supper that maybe I should make less food. Less leftovers and less waste. Of course the dogs didn't mind the leftover mashed taters last night.

Life's little unexpected treasures

We were working on our outfits to wear tomorrow for the Memorial Service. I pulled out my mom's old wool coat as Steve was asking what color it is. I noticed a little inside pocket and stuck my hand in there, thinking to myself, I wonder if I'll a dollar bill or something. I think that I found something that is priceless and worth much more than a dollar. I found this little piece of paper all folded up and this is what it said.

On one side it says: "This prayer will be said following each mass in the 12th Armored Division. "

The 12th Armored Division is my Dad's division when he served in WWII.

And here is the prayer:

"PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who in Thy mercy heareth the prayers of sinners, pour forth, we beseech Thee, all grace and blessing upon our country and its citizens. We pray in particular for the President; for our Congress; for all of our soldiers; for all who defend us in ships, whether on the seas or in the skies; for all who are suffering the hardships of war. We pray for all who are in peril or in danger. Bring us all after the troubles of this life into the haven of peace, and reunite us all together forever, O dear Lord, in Thy Glorious heavenly kingdom."

---Adapted from
Cardinal Newman

Lorraine Beatt, 1929 - 2011 RIP

Steve's Mom passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2011. We received the call on Sunday afternoon saying that she was gone. It was kind of a shock. Yes, she had been suffering from dementia. She spent her last couple of years in a nursing home. In her passing she has escaped the grip of dementia/Alzheimer's. It is a horrible disease.

Her obituary is here: http://www.legacy.com/funerals/washburnmcreavy-minneapolis/obituary.aspx?n=lorraine-j-beatt&pid=148279792

Wednesday at the Memorial Service will be the most difficult day for Steve and his family.

RIP Lorraine, you are missed by your family.