Wow ...have things changed...okay ME!

So today we are in Walmart and I walked by a mirror and got a glimpse of myself and gasped.  I was wearing leggins, Joe's Marine Tshirt, and his jacket.  I was wearing muddy cowboy boots...my hair was up in a clippy, (I did have make up on). I reached in my pocket and pulled out a hand full of nails!  I won't be posting pictures...I was the girl who took my kids to the grocery store always dressed in a skirt and heels! Am I just getting old or just really happy and content in my life, huh...have to think about this :)
Okay...I think I am definetly getting old.  The kids ask us to go to Jacksonville to a country bar tonight...we canceled...because it didn't even open til 8pm and we like to be in bed by then.  Tomorrow night, New Years Eve...we are staying in, getting pizza, renting movies and turning the clock ahead... so Chloe thinks it is midnight much earlier!  Okay, I answered my own question...it's both old and happy:)

Southern Tradition Black Eye Pea Stew

A Southern New Year's Tradition

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 pound ham hocks
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• salt to taste
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen black-eyed peas
• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, well rinsed
• 3 cups water

Directions

Heat the oil in a deep pan or stockpot set over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions and garlic, and cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the Napa cabbage; toss and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the ham hocks, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, Cajun seasoning, and salt, stirring for 2 minutes more. Pour in the chicken stock and black-eyed peas. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 2 hours.

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  1. Meanwhile, place the rice and water into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and rice is light and fluffy, about 20 minutes.
  2. Before serving, remove the ham hocks from the pot. Coarsely chop the meat, and return to the black-eyed pea mixture. Serve hot over Basmati rice.

Yea...Construction!

Chloe's gotta gun...and she is a great shot (like her mom)

Well, Gunny is always surprising me...didn't know he was so talented, he has begun expanding our store area.

 I am tilling the soil to get ready for our spring planting.  I was also hosing out the store today, and it is scarying there, but I felt pretty confident with my hard squirter and gloves on.  I was caring out these huge spindles when I looked down and there was a snake in it...Gunny poured lighter fluid and lit it up.

 It gave me the creeps that I was holding it so close to my face.  Needless, to say I left the other 18 spindles in there.  All in all, it was a nice day.

 We had a big fire in the evening, Brittney and Hunter stopped by to have a glass of wine with us and toast there one year anniversary.  So happy to have Hunter as part of our family, could not ask for a better son in law!

  Oh and Britts not to bad either...

Chance -Our Jack Russel

Tucker-Lab  My Favorite

Our doggies ...I am so tired of everyone telling me a dogs mouth is cleaner than a humans!  There is nothing about this that I believe.  I have never licked my butt, thrown up and ate it or ate flies.  So basically the dogs disgust me...but I do love Tucker...he is the perfect Farm dog.  He has such a great personality...we take him everywhere with us.  I am not the kinda of person that likes dogs in the house.  Both of them sleep in the house...I spray lysol everywhere...it kills 99% of all germs ;)

My Daughter, Tara

She is such an amazing photographer!  I love the way she captured the true essence of this abandoned house which is next to us! 

My Tara...

Little to much country...

On Saturday I had a little to much country for a day (maybe a week)!  First thing in the morning Gunny was out taking care of the animals...when Tucker ran up to Gunny with a treasure that he dropped at his feet...It was the leg of a deer!!!  On our way home from the Dover Christmas parade a little later, as we were driving down our little road.  A stray dog ran from our land with a rabbit in his mouth ...a very bloody rabbit!  Chloe and I screamed.  Later that day I ran into a fly strip which stuck to my face with dead flies on it...I am sure I can leave it at that ...but needless to say I was livid.  BTW...putting bleach on your face HURTS!

The parade was 10 minutes long :)