SINCE I HAVE NO PETALS, BRACTS WILL DO FOR NOW

I always wonder how long my blogger friends keep their Poinsettias after the holidays.  Although I haven't bought a poinsettia in years, I have a collection at my house. For four years in a row at Christmas I get a big one from the University students brothers who have been part time employees and whom I've been feeding when ever they worked at our farm.

 I keep them because they bring some color to cheer me up in the winter.  The church which I attend also give poinsettias for adoption after Epiphany, January 6th.  I adopted a small one last year and a bigger one this year.  I've lost a couple through neglect because the pot was too small and they dried out last year but I still have 6.

I know that some people get rid of theirs after the Holidays but I just can't throw mine out even if the leaves have completely fallen off. They usually leaf out with a little care and sunshine.

This one I got this Christmas 2011, from Dwyer, our part time employee. It's still healthy enough except some leaves show that it could use some fertilizer or maybe more sun. It's in the living room on the North side.

This one I adopted from the church after the Epiphany, Jan  2012. It had suffered a bit of cold in the transport and the bracts shows some dried spots. It quite a large plant.

This pale poinsettia actually has a white stem in the back which is hidden from view. I won this one as a door prize at a Christmas  party Christmas 2011.

This one was given to me for Christmas 2010  by the same University student . It needs repotting and TLC. It's late blooming because it wasn't getting enough light where it was.

This one I adopted from our church last Christmas 2011. in need of TLC too but it's blooming.

This one is a gift from the University students brothers  for Christmas 2009. I lost one stem from an accident  but although the bracts are small I love this plant.
See my little gardener angel watering it. That little angel was given to me as a little gift in a Sunshine Basket when I was going through chimo. It's a Dollar Store buy but full of memories.

This is what my front yard looks like at the moment. The January thaw has visited us.  It almost felt like Spring.

Since I haven't posted my Value Village treasure lately, I thought that I had to show you this cute pair of twitter-patted porcelain bunnies. The basket is about 7 inches tall.

As you can see, I paid $3.99 for this cute Easter decoration.

MEANWHILE,  ON THE FARM NOTHING HAS CHANGED MUCH...

My husband called me real early this morning, waking me up from my sleep before my alarm rang to let me know that I had a new calf and  that another heifer needed assistance to give birth.  I just sold a bull calf on Tuesday and now I have three more. 13 small calves is a handful. I'm weaning the triplets, Faith, Hope and Love  and Charity off milk.

I was so tired when I came home for breakfast today at 10:30 a.m. It seems that I've been coming home to breakfast at 10:30 everyday this week. Anyway, I poured myself a nice hot cup of French Roast coffee prepared myself  a big bowl of oatmeal with walnuts and raisins, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and  milk and sat in front of my computer to check my emails. I just barely finished my breakfast that I could hardly keep my eyes opened. I felt a bit cold all of a sudden and went to lay on the couch wrapped up in a couple of throws. I fell asleep and slept till 1:30 PM. I think that I was sleep deprived.

I managed to quilt a bit today and went back to work at the farm. I'm almost ready to make another turn on the quilt.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.   JB

GOING OUT FOR A CHAT AT PATRICE

I've been bad at blogging lately and I'm trying to make amend.

 Every week we are all invited for a get to know you chat on at Everyday Ruralty on Patrice's porch. I think that this time since she's sick with the flu, the poor girl, we better bring her some flowers. I was going to bring her daisies but I'm afraid that she might take that the wrong way.  I'll bring her some peonies. That should cheer her up.



    
Looks like the chat will happen in her bedroom. We'll get to see her in her PJ's he he he...  I'm sure that Wendell will get a laugh out of that... I better bring a face mask, just in case. I can't afford to be sick for even a single day since I have another calf today. That's two within a week. I now have 13 calves.

Today everyone is helping with the questions and now let's get the party on the way.

 1.  Kimberly asks: How long have you blogged?
   My first post was launched on a shaky leg on August 2nd.  2010 so it's almost a year and a half.  It's been a great experience and I never feel alone. I've made nice blogger friends along the way and got some amazing gifts also. Thanks everyone.

2.  Lana asks:  What is the most difficult part of taking care of chickens?
     Oh dear, I guess I'll have to say dusting them and gluing their tail feathers back on after a fall.  Moving them around for dusting too. Having to explain to them why I have to find a temporary home around Christmas to make room for snowmen or Santas.

3.  Susana asks: Would you prefer to live where's it hot or cold?
 I'd like to live smack in the middle. Although I love the 4 seasons, I don't like it too hot or too cold.
Does anybody know where that is?

4.  Farm Girl asks: What sort of things are you looking forward to in 2012?
I'm looking forward to my son moving his little black shed onto his own property.  You all know that kids leaves things home when the get their own place.  Mine left his shed.  It was supposed to be there for a little while. It's been there a long time and my hedge is damaged because of not getting enough sun.

5.  Dreaming asks: What's for dinner?
Seafood chowder with a sprinkle of dill weed. I put chopped carrots in my seafood chowder. Like Wendell, I love carrots.

Wishing Patrice and all those who have the sniffle  and more serious conditions a speedy recovery.

I'm so glad that you stopped by today. Please go over to Everyday Ruralty to wish her well and take part of her chat. I'm looking forward to reading your comments.   Hugs.  JB