What does your Birthday mean

Your Birthdate: April 29

You have the mind of an artist, even if you haven't developed the talent yet. Expressive and aware, you enjoy finding new ways to share your feelings. You often feel like you don't fit in - especially in traditional environments. You have big dreams. The problem is putting those dreams into action. Your strength: Your vivid imagination Your weakness: Fear of failure Your power color: Coral Your power symbol: Oval Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Wild Leeks

Leek Dip

8 oz. Sour Cream
8 oz. Miracle Whip
8 oz. Cream Cheese - softened
4 oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Bacon bits or finely Chopped Pepperoni
1 cup Chopped Leeks

Mix sour cream, miracle whip, cream cheese and cheddar cheese together until evenly blended. Add bacon bits and leeks and mix again until evenly blended.

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I made a double batch of this yesterday, and I bet you anything it will be gone by the end of the week.
I would like to fine some more recipes for leeks, besides putting them in everything we eat for the next 6 weeks. I was talking to a guy the other day who said he had just finished canning pickled leeks... that sounds SO good but I need a recipe. Any suggestions?
I do have an awesome Meatloaf Recipe that I came up with last year but I haven't made it yet this year, I'm thinking maybe tomorrow or Wednesday evening, but, who knows... it all depends on when we get home and what is going on at that point.

Another busy day here in North Central PA

I left the house at 5:45 in the morning yesterday and never got home until almost 6:30 p.m. I worked until 2 p.m. then went over to the fire hall to see if they needed help in the kitchen with anything. Ended up staying there cleaning leeks for the join fundraiser that the legion and fire department are doing. As I walked in the house *T* handed me the phone and said "here *MK* wants to know what you are doing". *MK* was calling to see if I'd order a pizza and she'd pick it up on the way to the house. *T* had helped her change the tires on her car the other night and she had planned on taking us out to dinner last night as a "Thank You". But we decide that since I hadn't been home all day we'd just order pizza and call it good. As soon as I got off the phone *T*, the boys, and I went out to get the chores done before *MK* got here. We ate outside at the picnic table and then *T* and the boys played ball with the dogs while *MK* and I chatted. It was getting dark and a bit cool outside so we came in the house and sat here and chatted some more while *T* got the boys in the tub for a bath (from the dirt that was in the tub after thier bath, I think we could have planted the garden in the bottom of the tub). Shortly after the boys were out of the tub *MK* was ready to leave and I walked her out to the car and by the time I came back in the house two of the boys were sleeping on the couch, and the thrid was saying he was ready for bed. They had played outside all day, poor little guys were tuckered out.

The firemen in North Central Pennsylvania got a workout yesterday. Here is a link to "Potter County Fire News" that posted the news story below.


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Things started off with a report of a wildfire in Farmington Twp. in the Nelson area around 1100 hrs. Before it was all said and done (many hours later) that fire would result in the loss of several structures and an unknown number of acres of property. This fire saw the seldom seen use of an All-Call for manpower in Tioga County requesting all available manpower to the scene. We have received reports that an air tanker was also called in to the scene of that fire.

At aproximately 1130 hrs Singlehouse Dept 39 was dispatched to a reported structure fire in Oswayo. This blaze required resources from Shinglehouse Dept 39, Coudersport Dept 48, Genesee Dept 37, as well as Bolivar and Portville, NY (and possibly more). Reports indicate that two structures were lost in this blaze.

Then at aproximately 1200 hrs, while working at Station 47 in Ulysses, Dept 47 personnel noticed heavy smoke in the area of Jackson Rd. in Bingham Twp. Upon investigation it was found that a large wildfire was in progress on the hillside above Jackson Rd. aproximately 1/4 mile from the Ulysses/Hickox Rd. This resulted in units from Depts 47, 20 and 10 responding in what would become a 3+ hour effort to quell an aproximately 3-4 acre blaze. Normally Genesee Dept 37 would have also been requested but they were already committed to the structure fire call in Oswayo.


And if that wasn't enough already, as units were responding to the Ulysses incident a call went out for a reported wildfire in Westfield Twp in the Potter Brook area. This incident would ultimately burn aproximately 50 acres and endanger several homes. Dept 20 split its response between the Ulysses and Westfield fires sending P2024 to Ulysses and T2015 and E2022 to Potter Brook. Ulysses Dept 47 was requested to respond but had no units avalable to do so because of the ongoing incident in thier district. Several area departments were involved in battling this blaze including some that had been tranfered to cover at other stations as the result of the Farmington Twp incident.

If all this hadn't already made things busy enough, at some point doing all the already ongoing incidents a reported wild fire in Troupsburg caused for further mayhem. It is unknow how many (or what) area companies responded to that incident but it is reported that several structures were also lost in this blaze.

And at about 1434 hrs Austin Dept 44 was dispatched to 809 Cowley Hill Road for a Wildfire. Chief 44 (D. VanWhy) Responded in minutes to arrive on scene to establish "Austin Command" and reported fire under control by the residence themselves. Luckily this one turned out to be minor.

So, to say the least, the dispatchers in Tioga County earned their money today as they certainly had their hands full as did all of the departments that responded to the various incidents through out the area.
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I know people want to get thier lawns cleaned up but WHY do they burn on these kinds of days? There was a steady breeze ALL day long with occasional gusts that were quite high force. I don't know why anyone would think that it was a good idea to burn trash with these conditions.

Two more calves

We had two more calves born on Friday. One in the morning and one early in the afternoon. I was told by one family member that they are both boys... then that yesterday Mom told me that *HC* (the guy that owns the cows) came to check them today and said "we have three heifers now". I haven't been close enough to any of them to be able to tell what they are, and I'm not going to argue with the one who told me that they are boys... but considering he isn't used to babies of any kind and *HC* has been farmer for 50 years I think I'll go with the idea that we have 3 baby girls. ;)
Friday I was on the go all day long. As soon as I got home from work we left to pick up feed in Ulysses (30 miles away). We came home, unloaded our feed, took Mom's feed over to her, and put in away for her. Came home, let the dogs out and then left to go pick up the boys from Wellsville (20 miles in the other direction). Just got home from there, while *T* and the boys fed the animals I went shopping to get groceries for the weekend (I didn't take time to before I came home the first time), so I didn't get home to stay until 8:45 p.m. and I had left to go to work at 5:45 a.m.

We buy our feed from an Amish farmer about 30 miles from here, because it is so far away and considering the price of gas we try to get a month's supply when we do go.
I could get feed locally but I'd pay about twice what I do in Ulysses. Friday, I paid $63.78 for 431 lbs. of feed. The feed we got for Mom totalled 511 lbs. for $64.82. I don't know what feed prices are in your area but this is a smoking deal around here. Feeding our menagerie for less then $100 a month's worth of grain seems like a dream.

First calf of the year

The first calf of the year was born here at Seldom Seen Acres today. We've been waiting ... we thought that we would have had at least one about a week ago. Today was a nice day for the baby to be born, the temp. got up to 78F.
The new baby is a girl, she's black with a white face and some white on her legs as well.

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High Temp 78F
Low Temp 31F
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Two days in a row...

Sometimes the simplest things bring tears to my eyes.
Last week I was telling my friend/co-worker (*V*) about these cute pink plaid canvas shoes that I saw at Wal-Mart. I was telling her that I almost bought them, but I opted for a pair of dark blue and a pair of white ones instead. But then later wished I had gotten the plaid ones. Yesterday when *V* came to work she had a bag in her hand and said "I have something for you" (with this devilish little grin on her face)... when I looked in the bag there was a pair of those cute plaid shoes! She spoils me.
Today when I got home from work I found a bag of goat feed and a card propped up against my back door. I couldn't imagine where it had come from because I knew *T* wasn't going to pick up feed today and even if he did he would have put it in the feed bin in the barn not on the back door step. I opened the envelope to find a Thank You card inside. It said "Thanks! .... for bending over backwards for me." and signed by "Penny & Suzie". I got all teary. I never expected anything for helping, I just did it because I could help someone in need.

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One Year Ago Today
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Stuffed Shells

1 (12 oz.) Box Jumbo Shells
1 lb. ground meat (I used venison)
2 T. Olive Oil
1 (6 oz.) chopped zucchini
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
1/4 cup grated parmigiano cheese
1 (26 oz.) jar tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cook shells according to package; drain. Reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking water.
Cook meat in large skillet until no longer pink. Drain grease.
Add oil, zucchini, onion, garlic, reserved water; continue 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Add seasonings and blend well. Let mixture cool.
Stir in egg and parmigiano cheese.
Pour 1 cup tomato sauce into 9"x13" baking dish
Fill shells with meat mixture; place in dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells; sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes or until thouroughly heated.

It's a Girl!

Congratulations Penny!

About 4:30 p.m. *D*'s mom came to the house and asked me to please come up to the barn because they think Penny (the goat) needs me... oh, isn't it nice to be needed... LOL! Poor goat, even if she didn't want to admit it she did need help. I wasn't sure aboub helping ... well I didn't mind helping but I'm not used to an audience (of the human variety). But after a little bit three of the people left and then Penny and I could focus... she pushed I pulled and we finally had a baby girl.
Oh I wish I had pictures! But my camera is still on the fritz :(
We got the little one dried off and eating and by then *D* had to go home to get more meds (did I mention she just had another eye surgery and is having a lot of complications, so she probably shouldn't even be in the barn) for her pain. I am going to go check on Penny again in about a half an hour because I'm not sure if she's going to have another baby or not.
In the last twenty four hours *D*'s family has grown by three. Two baby lambs and a baby goat... All Girls!!!

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Today's High Temp. 68F
Today's Low Temp. 41F
Clear and sunny most of the day with a few clouds in the evening
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Who is thinking clear at 12:23 a.m.???

At 12:23 a.m. I was awaken by the dogs frantically barking at something. When I got fully awake I asked *T* what was going on, because he was already awake... at least more so then I. He got up and said "there's a truck sitting in the driveway. By the time I got myself out of bed the truck was backing out of the drive. *T* turned the porch light on and went out to see what was going on. When he came back he yelled "Get dressed, they have a baby". I seriously didn't have a clue who or what he was talking about. I still wasn't even awake. All I could think was *H* was here because one of the cows were calving and he needed help. But why would I need to go .... couldn't the guys handle it. When I asked *T* what he was talking about he said "NO, it was *J*, *D*'s son, and the sheep had her baby".... OMG ... I was in such a deep sleep that I temporarily forgot I was on OB duty for a friend's sheep who are housed in a barn a mile and a half up the road. (this whole chain of events took place in a matter of about two minutes). Once I got fully awake I knew who was here and why. I got dressed and drove up to *D*'s barn, where I find *D* and her two sons. They were so proud that their sheep had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl. This is their first baby so it was fun to see the excitement on their faces. They had not been present for the birth but had gotten there shortly after. I had checked on the sheep a few hours before that because they were not able to and everything was fine and I didn't really think she was anywhere near to birthing... how wrong I was. *D* was apologizing for waking me at that hour of the night just to see the baby, I told her not to worry.... this is the best part of farming. I love seeing new mommies interacting with their babies. The little lamb was up walking around and eating so I didn't stay long, but while there I noticed that her one goat was acting as if she was starting to go into labor. *D* said she had to leave to go to a Dr's appointment first thing in the morning and wouldn't be back until about 2 p.m. and asked if I could check in on the goat sometime mid morning. I told her that I would and came home.
I woke up a little after seven but decided to snuggle in for a bit longer.... the next thing I knew the phone was ringing. When I answered, *D* said to me "Good morning.... we have a twin!" ... again I was in my groggy state (I had fallen asleep again) I said "what do you mean A twin"? [twins come in two's not singles... I'm confused] The sheep had another baby after we left her. Okay, now everything makes sense! *D* is calling from her cell, because she is on her way to the Dr's, but says the baby isn't standing and she isn't acting like the one last night did. I told her I'd check in on them in a little while. In the back of my mind I was hoping the mother didn't forget that she had TWO. At 10:30 a.m. I went up and I could tell the new baby hadn't eaten and was not able to stand. It was crying but seemed really weak. When I felt the inside of her mouth it seemed cool... (oh no you don't.... you are not dying on my shift)... The mom wouldn't stand still for me to help the baby eat so I kind of blocked her in the corner placed the older of the twins in front of her, so that she was distracted and then scooted the new baby up under her. It wouldn't suck so I squirted some milk into it's mouth and that is all it took, she took right off and started sucking. She only ate for about 30 seconds, but at least it was something. I checked on the goat and she seemed okay... in labor, but doing fine. I checked in again around noon and the younger of the twins was up on her feet trying to find where to eat... Good news! The goat... she's still in labor, now I'm wondering if she is okay. She seems okay but it just seems like she should have done something by now. I met *D* at the barn at two this afternoon and she said she would keep checking and call me when she delivers or if she thinks the goat is getting into trouble.... I'm still waiting.

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One Year Ago Today
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Three Years Ago Today
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What a difference

Today's High: 68*F
Today's Low: 59*

I was looking at last year's post and the temperature was only 24*, wow I'm glad it's this year not last...LOL. The link to that post is below.

It was so nice outside today, so we had another fairly productive day. We worked on the lawn again this evening, or should I say *T* worked on the lawn, while I let the goats out into the corrall, checked for eggs, searched for the "hidden" eggs that I know have to be out there somewhere. Put some eggs under the old bitty that is setting on he rear pretending to be incubating eggs... talk about a "wannabie mom" (and I thought I was obsessive LOL). I gave her a few eggs so now she'll probably get up and wander off... darned ol' bitty. I never did find any other nests so for now I'll have to be happy with my one egg a day.
I tried to clean the front ditch, but that didn't go well so I admitted defeat and put my rake away. *T* said he'd get after it with the shovel ... the only problem.... he didn't say when...LOL. After cleaning all day Sunday, and raking up the blackberry canes that were mowed down last fall. We have a huge pile of stuff to be burned but now we have to wait for it to rain again... I know, I complained for how long about how wet and rainy it was... well now I want it to rain... just for a little while so we don't start a wild fire... yeah, that would be real nice I can see the headlines now... NO... I'll wait.
Oh, I almost forgot... after we spent some time brushing the horses out, I checked the electric fence to see if is still working... Unintentionally!!!! Trust me... It works great! Somehow I managed to get zapped with it while closing the gate tonight. Have I ever mentioned that I hate getting shocked? Well I do. Actually it scared me more than it hurt. Of course *T* had to witness the whole thing. And may I add that he thought it was hilarious... yep... he saw it all... I opened the gate, passed trough... ouch!, something hit me in the back of the legs, I turned to see what and .... it did it again... [scream/tossed the gate hook, fenced coiled up and got all tangled].. I realized that the fence is what got me, but I was holding it in my hand how did it hit me in the back of the legs??? HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY HOW MUCH I HATE ELECTRIC FENCES????
Well I think I've done enought rambling for one evening so I'll close this now.
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One Year Ago
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Today didn't start out good but ended well

I am amazed at what we got done today. After the night I had last night and the way the morning started out, I'm suprised that I was able to do anything today. I'm not sure what started it but last night I got in a very emotional state that lasted into this morning. I just couldn't stop crying. I thought going to sleep would help, but once I went to bed I just couldn't relax and go to sleep.
On a better note, while *T* was at the fire hall this morning I got the goat's feet trimmed and the horses brushed out. When he got home *T* and I got a lot more work done in the house. We moved the old gun cabinet out of the living room and put the new one in, got rid of the old dresser in the bedroom, moved the ceder chest upstairs and the brought the big dresser down to the downstairs bedroom. *T* started the lawn tractor and made sure it was ready for another mowing season. I think I washed every piece of clothing we have today. Not really but it sure seemed it. I hadn't done laundry all week so all of our work cloths were dirty plus I changed all the sheets on the beds today too, so that added to my pile. I do still have about two loads left but have decided to wait until tomorrow to finish them. The little Jack Russell even got a bath today. The other two dogs will get their turn at some point in the near future.
While in the barn this morning I found where the chickens hid their nest. there were 14 eggs in it. I'm not sure how fresh they are so I've decided that I will give them to the dogs since I still have two dozen eggs that Mom gave me and now that I know where the nest is I'll get the fresh ones. I knew they must be laying because their combs have been bright red for a while now, it was just a matter of tracking them down.

Help Celebrate!

Congratulations Ann'Re, to help celebrate her new domain she has a surprise to give away. And YOU can enter to win this great prize.


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One Year Ago

Was it an April Fool's Joke?

Yesterday morning (April Fool's Day) I heard the first peepers of the year. But this morning the temp is down to 27*F again and there are no sounds of peepers today :( So, can I consider this the first time they froze up? Or was yesterday just a cruel joke?
Yesterday's high was 63*F and the low was 30*F, what a difference.