August Randoms

So far Wyatt has gotten pecked twice by my favorite rooster. He insists that I kill it and that we eat it so Justin and I are trying to get him to be braver and show them he has authority over them. Crazy kid!

I think it’s funny to see the size difference in Wyatt and Pax. They are three years apart and only have an 8 pound weight difference.

   

My cousin Tara, her husband Steve, and their boys stopped by on their way to and from Orlando and their awesome Universal Studios vacation. Tara lived with us when I was little so she’s the closest thing I have to a big sister. We had a blast catching up!

 

Sami got an awesome prism for photos. I am interested in seeing what photographic magic she comes up with!

 

Remember that bow range we have in our front yard courtesy of Justin’s birthday gifts? Wyatt loves shooting his toy bow and being just like his daddy!

We had two volunteer sunflowers that popped up from last year’s crop. It made me remember how much I enjoyed them last year. I will definitely replant next year!

 

I helped one day can peanuts for Turner County Young Farmers. These babies are the caviar of the south and are so good!

  

One of my clients from work makes a very delicious pimento cheese called Proper Pepper Pimento Cheese. The Get Back Jack! is my favorite. It has just enough of a kick. Thanks to Deana’s recommendation, I love them on ginger snaps now!

This evil bugger sat perfectly still for me to snap his picture and then promptly jumped onto my head. I think I lost at least a month of my life with that scare!

Justin’s Birthday

 

We celebrated Justin’s actual birthday on Friday eating out with some friends and their two kids at Pat’s Fish Camp at Lake Blackshear. I am not crazy about fish, but the fried shrimp was good. We crossed the highway to loop around the Georgia Veterans State Park and we got to see four deer just happily munching away on their dinners in the field. It was really neat to see them so calm in their element.

I got Justin some bow targets which has quickly turned our yard into a bow range. I also bought him this homesteading journal. We have often talked about recording our experiences and lessons learned from our little piece of heaven. I got him this leather bound journal with the hopes that it will be like the family Bible for our land. We will be able to record garden planting dates, perfected family recipes for salsa and other canned goods, harvest records, animal purchases and slaughter dates, etc. I really hope this will be a cherished memento of our efforts that we can pass down for our children and grandchildren.

Inscription: “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, & they are tied to their country & wedded to its liberty & interests by the most lasting bands.” –Thomas Jefferson

Saturday, we had two kids’ birthday parties and wrapped up the celebrations for Justin with all of our family, enjoying Boston butt, ribs, cake, and ice cream.

I’m glad he chose me in this life. I hope to have 80+ more birthdays with this wonderful man!

Pickin’ and Junkin’

Junkin’ has been good for the Cooks lately!

I got this load of vintage Tupperware when a friend’s parents were preparing for a big move. I’m glad people know me as that “crazy Tupperware girl!.”

I stopped at an estate sale in Hawkinsville a few weeks ago and nearly cried when I found this: It’s a Tupperware ravioli press. I didn’t even know these existed and it’s made even better because it was in my favorite color—orange! Justin got me to make some homemade ravioli but I just couldn’t seem to get the dough consistency right. I did manage to make several and they were delicious!

 

I also got these two beautiful Pyrex bowls for my sister-in-law, a silver peanut for my desk at work, and these cute mason jar salt and pepper shakers at the same sale.

I found this amazing handmade triangular bowl at an estate sale. Since it was a Saturday, it was half off, meaning I only paid $2.50 for it. I can’t wait to see Sami use it as a photography prop for some squishy newborn session!

Wyatt and I went to Pickin’ Peanuts Marketplace and snagged up these old drawers for Sami’s studio too. She has her thank you cards and supplies stashed in them now.