I think I'll call it...Vintage Farm Chic...

My decorating style, that is!

Vinatage poultry magazines...

Fluffy chicky!

As I was saying...

Here is what I like so far of my room.

I think I might spray paint the pink mirror black.

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Oh also,

here is Aim's finished birthday present...

on her bed.

My own little farmyard...

Kitty & Max...

they fight like...

well you know.

I love chicken wire...

I don't know why...

I just do.

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I love taking pictures of my birds...

Look at the chicken in the background...

it looks angry. :P
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Today I rearranged my room...

I'll post some pictures tomorrow if there's anything noteworthy.

Gonna' take a walk outside today...

We have an old cemetery in our backyard...

Max-o!

Max caught a snowball!

Call me crazy, but I'm glad it snowed again!

It's only February.

I think if it's gonna be cold outside

there might as well be some snow on the ground.

:)

Yum-a-licious

Yesterday was my oldest sister's birthday.

While Mom took her shopping Kels and I prepared for a feast.

At the birthday girl's request I made Taylor Ella's Cheese Gnocchis and

Sweet Italian Bread. (Like the kind at Avanti's )

I thought I'd share these recipes with you.

I hope you don't mind me giving out your recipe Taylor Ella! (http://www.taylorella.blogspot.com/)

Taylor Ella's Cheese Gnocchis

15 oz ricotta cheese, drained overnight

2 eggs

salt & pepper to taste

3T grated parmesan cheese*

1/2t garlic powder*

1t Italian seasoning*

*Taylor used about 2T of Penzey's Brady Street instead.

Flour til it's a workable dough

Taylor Ella's Special Sauce

1 lrg onion, chopped

1/4 c minced garlic

Olive oil to barely cover

3T Fresh basil

3 big tomatoes, diced

sugar, salt, & pepper to taste

Whole milk or fresh mozzarella, cubed, for garnish

Put onion & garlic in medium saucepan. Add olive oil to barely cover. Saute til onions are clear.

Add tomatoes, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer on very low while making gnocchis.

Now, start a large pan of water to boil. In a large bowl, stir together ricotta and eggs til well blended. Ad seasonings. Mix in enough flour to make a soft dough. Roll dough into about 1 inch "snakes" and cut at an angle into 1 inch pieces. Drop into boiling water. Remove when they float.

To serve: In a large serving bowl put in the well drained gnocchis, then the fresh mozzarella, and finally pour over the special sauce.

All I can say is Yum-a-licious!

Now for the bread!

Sweet Italian Bread

2pkg (4-1/2 t) yeast

1-1/2 c warm water (I use it right out of the tap)

3/4 c sugar

1-1/2 T olive oil

2 small eggs

1-1/2 t salt

5 to 6 c flour (I used 1 c of whole wheat and the rest white)

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar to the water. Let sit until bubbly.

Add oil and eggs after you're sure the yeast is doin' it's thing. Mix the salt with the flour, then start to add the flour. For the first 2 or 3 cups of flour I use a whisk. When it starts getting thicker I use a wooden spoon. When it's to hard to stir plop it onto a floured surface and knead in as much of the remaining flour as needed to make a moderately soft dough. (6 to 8 minutes) Rub a little olive oil around in a clean bowl and put your dough in there. Turn it once to completely cover with oil. Now cover it with a towel or loosely with a little bit of plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour in a draft free place. Punch it down. (That's the best part!) Separate it into 4 pieces. Form them into 12 inch long skinny loaves. Place on lightly greased (or parchment papered) baking sheets. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes. Bake at 350 F for about 20 minutes. (If you put them on two shelves switch 'em around half way through.)

Eat it warm...that's the BEST!

I hope y'all enjoy these recipes!

Bowling on Valentine's Day..

As you can see

I like

bowling shoes.

I think they look kind of

50's.

1948 Ford

I thought I'd post a better picture of our tractor since I haven't finished any projects lately.

Ooo!

Yesterday Kels and I went to a sheep farm with our friends Heidi, Isaac, and Amos C.,

and Rachel, Sam, and Caleb W.

The little lambs were sooo sweet!

I even got to hold one. :)

Spring is on it's way!

I know it's only February, but today it feels like April!

I thought I'd post something spring-ish so here ya go.

Check out the seeds I got at Menard's yesterday.

Years past I've ordered seeds from Seeds of Change an organic seed catalog.

This year I'm more interested in heirlooms than in organic.

I still grow them organically, but I want to be able to save the seeds. (And therefore save $)

This way I didn't have to pay shipping, PLUS the seeds at Menards are 40% off!

So I was pretty excited about my good deal.

The little farmer boy in the picture I got at my favorite thrift store, The Etcetera Shop.

I know we've still got a good month of winter left,

but at least we get this little taste of what's to come!

I even wore short sleeves!

More booties and a birthday present...

Well I'm working on some more baby booties.

I post a picture when I'm done with them.

I'm also working on my oldest sister's birthday present.

DON'T READ THIS AIMS!

She likes shabby chic style so I'm making her a pillow with quilted yo-yos

and I'm embroidering Phil. 4:4a "Rejoice in the Lord always..."

Here's a little sneak peek.

I know it's wrinkled, but don't worry I'll iron it (Mom :)

I'll probably be making some for my Etsy site too.

Conversation Hearts Booties

I finished the booties I posted about earlier, and I just posted them on Etsy.

They're listed for $14 plus $2 shipping.

I always include confirmed delivery in the shipping cost.

If you like them you can buy them off Etsy or just email me at

4thebirdies@gmail.com