This & That On Thursday

Hi everyone.  Here we are, another week drawing to a close.  I have no idea where time goes.  Remember the song from Fiddler On The Roof, I think it is called, Sunrise Sunset?  It was one of the songs what we had sung at our wedding.  Sunrise Sunset.....Sunrise Sunset.....swiftly fly the years.........
That is how I feel right now.  Time is just zipping by at lightening speed.  I wish I could find a way to make it slow down, but try as I might, those sunrises and sunsets keep coming like one crashing wave after another.
My week has been busy.   Some good, some not.  Last week one day, about noon or so, I heard a loud bit of chicken chatter.  At first I thought that it was just one of them laying.  But then, it sounded like more than one, and more panicked.  I ran out back, and by then it was over.  Aunt Beatrice was gone.  Vanished.  All that was left of her was a pile of her beautiful feathers.  I was too late, and my Aunt Bea was taken by either a hawk or coyote.  We have both, and often.  Yesterday, I left the house to go to my Mom's and wound up staying out to have dinner with my Mom and brother and sister in law and nephew.  I texted Greg to close the coop door.  He didn't get it until about 7:30, and when he did, thought that there was one less chicken.  I got home and searched the orange grove with a flashlight, and nothing.  Then a few minutes later, my son and husband heard a coyote and went out to check, and though the coyote was not in the grove, he was close, and they found evidence of my second hen, having been taken by a coyote.  Again I was sick.  My chickens aren't just for eggs.  They are my pets.  I got up early this morning and let the girls out with me, and then put them back safely inside the coop when I went in.  Later I let them out when I worked in the  yard, but until I can get their enclosure covered to keep them in, and coyotes out, I will be extra cautious.
Their molts are finished, and they are laying again like crazy!

One of my all time favorite breakfasts is Toad In The Hole.  I  usually use a thick rustic bread for this, but only had sourdough.  It was too skinny to use a round cut out, so I just cut a rectangle for the egg.  Tasted just as good, but not as pretty.

Butter both sides of your bread.  Allow to toast on medium/high heat for a minute or so, then crack your egg open into the hole.  First place a pat of butter into hole.  Season.  Let cook until firm enough to flip.  Also toast your cut outs of bread alongside.  Toast other side to desired doneness.  I like my eggs over medium.  Enjoy!!!
Remember my 2 dollar wreath from Michael's?  I hung it in my entry way over the mirror.  I was going to Valentine it up a bit with some hearts, but then my friend Pammy Sue suggested using one of the crochet puffed hearts I had been making.  Brilliant!!!

Thanks Pammy, it looks perfect now!!

I will hate to take it down after Valentine's Day, I am enjoying it so much!

I kept my cute little Christmas felted mice out that my brother gave me.  They were too cute to put away!  And after all, the one is holding a felted heart!
I have this little Valentine vignette sitting on my ottoman in the living room.  Rusted iron bookends, rusted iron mouse, (also from my brother Mark), rusted iron vase with some of Dad's roses.  A rusted iron heart, and a much loved photo we had done while doing family pictures a couple years ago at the beach.  We drew a heart in the sand, and my father's name, and the photographer went to the pier to take the photo as we were all blowing a kiss heavenward to my Dad.

I am working on a yummy scarf for a good friend, in deep magenta.

I just finished this earwarmer for a blogging friend, and will be getting it off into the mail tomorrow.

And I am madly in love with my new dog, Dusty!  He is a gigantic teddy bear!  A Marley of sorts, but not quite as bad.  But because he is so lovable, his faults are easily overlooked!!

I have two  blankets that I lay across our bed at night, to keep the bed clean, and I can easily wash these every couple of days.   Ducey sleeps at the foot of the bed, and Dusty sleeps between us like our kids did when were little!  He is 100 pounds of dead weight when he meanders over to either of our sides, and is nearly impossible to move.  We have woken up several times to this, and we just laugh!
Saturday is our son Drew's 24th birthday.  We are having everyone here for dinner.  Then on Sunday again for Super Bowl.  I am making the peppered beef for Super Bowl.  What are you doing this weekend?
XO  Kris