Inquiring Minds - Part II



One of my goals in life.  Amen.



Good afternoon!  Back from all my running, lunch with the neighbor and a Dr. appointment (that I was actually ten minutes late for!)

I have to leave in about 20 minutes to get the boy child from school - so here we go -

Question #11

Dianna said...

Did you (or Glenco) do all of the painting of your trim work on the house? I've studied it and studied it trying to figure out how I could do something cool like that on the outside of our house.

Yes Dianna - we did.  We've done all the work on the house, and don't ya know the trim needs painting again.  I just went to the paint store and picked up an exterior trim pamphlet and used that for inspiration.  These colors were all together as a 'theme'.  I'd like to introduce another color in mix, but I don't know how other than shutters, and I shan't be putting shutters up on the house, so I do it with flowers, and chairs.  Speaking of chairs - why in the sam hill do we decorate with chairs that we know no one will ever sit in?  Don't get me started.

Question #12

Debbie said:

No questions today...simply de-lurking to say hello. I recently discovered your blog ~ thoroughly enjoy it...and I really love your fabulous house with all the windows!

I know it's not a question, but I'm a answerin' it.  Thank you for delurking.  Thank you for leaving a comment.  I do read all the comments over and over - and I TRY to respond to you, either in email, or reading your blog.  It sounds so lame to say that I just don't have the time to do all that I'd like to do - but please know - they mean so much to me, and they bring so much joy to my life.  If you don't hear back from me - please don't hate.

Question #13

JolieAnn said:

I love your blog...your sense of humor, your beautiful home, your love of a child that I am sure is better for your love, and finally the wonderful recipes you share. I, too, wish you were my neighbor.

I live in Florida and I miss Fall /or the seasons. I plan to keep reading your blog, especially since I love chickens, bees, gardens and your photography is great!

Again, no comment - yet I want to respond.  What a lovely comment!  Law, you make me sound nice.  Thanks.  Ya'll want to be my neighbor, and there is an empty house sittin' right next door.

Question #14

Amy said:

Hi! I'm pretty new to your blog, but already just love it!

I'm curious about the history of your home. I see where you said it was built in 1869. Do you know any of it's history? Any neat stories about the previous owners, etc.?



To the best of my knowledge, we are the third or fourth family to own the home.  Now that I have some time on my hands, I would really like to research this more.  The couple that we bought the home from still live up the hill, and it was in her family for 80+ years.  About 20 years ago, I met an elderly lady that lived in the home as a child.  We do know that there was a barn here at one time.  *weeps*  I do know that the lady that lived here last was named Mrs. Tucker, and by all testimonies of her character she was a fine woman that loved children and kept goats.  If that's not proof of me needing a goat or two, I really don't know what it.  They were meant to be here.  I digress - Word on the street has it that Mrs. Tucker used to go to the neighbors and ask to bathe their children.  By all my 'psychic' abilities, if I have any - it seems to be a very happy house - no weird feelings in it - no weirdness - just goodness, and light.   Thanks for reminding me to dig into this some!

Question #15

Cindy of Cottage Instincts Fame asks:

What's with the mustard hate.

Law, I'm never gonna live this down am I?  I've never been a big fan of condiments.  As a child - I wouldn't eat anything 'loose'  - example - gravy, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing, ketchup, etc.  I think I was in my thirties the first time I had salad dressing.  I kid you not.  I've never tasted ketchup straight up and out of the bottle.  Or mustard.  I recently succumbed to putting mayo on my sandwiches since it seemed silly that I would eat it in a macaroni salad and not on a sandwich.  If you stick around here, you will really find out what a deep well of dysfunction I am.

Mustard - still to this day, makes me feel weak when I see it.  God forbid I'd ever have it in my mouth.  I can cook with it - a little - I don't like a mustard flavor.  If I get it on my hand whilst cooking - I have to run to the sink and wash it off before I fall on the floor.  I have no idea why - it's most ridiculous.  I was this way with mayo and ketchup too, but I can calmly walk to the sink with those condiments.  Perhaps it's just that mustard looks so much like a diaper mess.  Amen.

Question #16

Deborah, of the Fairfield House fame just had to ask:

What's with the mannequin hate?

If you want to read the whole sordid story that divulged my phobia - read this.  I've oft wondered how I acquired a phobia of a lifeless form - and I can only trace it back to the fact that I had to sleep in the same room as a corpse when I was five.  In Tennessee, 1969, my grandfather was 'layed out' in the living room.  I had to sleep on the couch that night.  Traumatized?  Um, a little.  Lifeless forms freak me out now.

Question #17

Mary Elizabeth asks:

What makes you the happiest?

Law, another comment that will make me late picking up the boy child if I'm not careful. I did read this yesterday and I've been thinkin' and thinkin'.  Sadly enough - or maybe it's not so sad - but I'm the happiest when things are in order.  When things are done.  When my friends and family are happy.  Then I'm happy.  I love those fleeting moments when the yard is all good, the house is nice, I have clothes on and my hair is actually fixed, and I know that at that moment - all the people I love are happy, with no troubles or worries.

I'm not happy much.

Amen.

Question # 18

Anonymous - aka my friend Rrrrrrhonda says:

Ooooo, I know alot of these! I feel so special, here's my question, who's your favorite Hispanic friends? Dont' get this wrong or we'll b spray painting the front of your house like it's a side of the train! lol Love you! Me

You really want to mess around with a gal that has a gang of Italian chickens?

I thought not.

Since you are my only hispanic friend, by default you are my favorite.

Would be that way even if I had more.

Please don't paint.

Question #19

Amy of Verde Farm asks:

Ok Jayme, if your house were on fire and all your animals were safely away and no humans were in danger, what one material object would you take with you and why?

Photo albums for sure - but I've always said I would snatch my Kitchen Aid mixer.  Now, I know I can get another one - but Glenco got me this one for Valentine's Day one year, and it was so unexpected that it's just very special to me.  When I first got it, I would just turn it on every time I passed it to listen to the motor.  Mortgage the house if you have to ya'll - just get one.

Question #20

Anonymous asks:

How do you keep your chickens out of your gardens during the day? How did you learn how to sew things like the awning you made for your camper?

I have my chickens in a large penned area.  One or two often 'escape'.  When the garden is at it's peak, I really don't want the chickens rummaging about.  The last month, since the garden looked so puny anyhow, I let them run amok.  And run amok they have.  Hostas eaten, holes dug - law, it's a mess.  I wouldn't suggest letting your chickens free range in the spring when the garden is first planted - or really at any time you want the garden to look nice.  They wreak havoc on it.  I'm not sure how I learned how to sew.  I just did it.  I used to make Barbie clothes when I was small, and it just seemed that sewing came naturally to me.  I could just look and something and mentally deconstruct it to duplicate it.  Not very well mind you, but passable.  When I saw the awnings online for $300 - I realized I'd never have one unless I made one.  It was easy peasy.  Mine cost $60 to make.

This may be the last installment today, as I'm leaving now to get the child.  I'm going to try so hard not to nag him, but to just love him, and enjoy his company.  I shall not ask about homework.  I shall not.  No.  I won't.  I won't give him the 'be nice to everyone' lecture one more time.  I won't remind him that the choices he makes today will affect him forever. I will bring him home and feed him Pasta alla Formagio and salad, and we shall sing, and talk in funny voices and look at chickens.  We'll snuggle and watch a movie.

Amen.