Big Martha's House

So ZORRO bought Bess a new snack....

2010-07-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

It's a cookie....like an oreo...made with carob...here's how it went...

ZORRO: Bess, look at this, it's a cookie. Here's how you eat it.

He proceeds to twist the cookie, like you would an Oreo, and he shows her the 2 parts.

Bess: *waggin, smellin, smilin*

ZORRO: You lick this part, then you eat the rest.

Bess: *waggin, smellin and smilin*

ZORRO lays the 2 peices on the floor between her paws...she gobbles...and their gone.

ZORRO: You didn't even lick it!!! Let me show you again.

I think this could go on all night.

Canine communication

2010-06-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

So Bess has taken to greeting me in the morning with a solid Haa-Haa (very breathy). When she feels indignant it's one solid HAAA!!! When she wants a snack it's Haa Urr Haa. So...does Bess talk? well...I understand her....so we communicate....and what I understand most is....she's spoiled rotten....and she's fat.

I'm turning into my husband.....

2010-06-14T14:57:00.001-07:00

today I was putting some ground cloth down in a garden...and when I got the the end of the roll...the cardboard tube rolled out and I thought...."That's a good cardboard tube, I could use that".

Somebody save me from the packrat syndrome!

I just cleaned my silver service....

2010-06-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

and goblets....with this lil dinky bottle of "FLITZ". I found it in the way back of my cupboard...and thought I'd try it....DANG....it's GOOD....I guess ZORRO was saving it from some past life...and I just discovered it...I usually use Wrights....and it's toil and trouble...seriously...takes all day to get the job done. This "FLITZ" goes on and off really quick and wow what a shine. Ima see if I can find some more of it.

If I sprinkle.....

2010-06-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Parmesan cheese on my popcorn, does it count as a serving of dairy?

Cougar?

2010-06-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

Really? I'm a Cougar? I had to ask a friend what it meant. Oh no.....I'm NOT that. Young men are mistaken if they think I'm a Cougar. Ewww....just ewww....

Bug lights and tick bites.

2010-05-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Since the flood, we are just covered up in mosquito's here. It's been so wet, mowing is not a option, so the skeeters have full reign. ZORRO purchased a bug zapper from a local merchant and set it up near the pool area, as he is spending a lot of time there. Bess is afraid of the bug zapper. Oh woe is me....this big bad barking chow is a big fraidie-cat when the black light goes on. All night long, she's by the bed, panting, whining, and pawing. She needs therapy. She needs therapy bad.

Tomorrow is the last day of my meds for the Tick Fever. I've been about to go crazy in this house. I'm constantly looking for things to do. I've spent far too much time online and am dreaming about Bedazzle and Collapse. This morning I'm defrosting the freezer. The ice maker is down to just crushed ice, so a good defrost might get it all running normal.

I have ventured out a couple times during my fever. Did you know if you sit on the floor in Lowe's, everyone who walks by will ask it you're okay? Employee's and customers alike. I was asked a dozen times. And I was okay...just weary of waiting for ZORRO to shop.
I also went to OSD's (Oldest Step Daughter) for a birthday party for the 2 little boys, (Jason and Riley). It slap wore me out.

I hope to get my strength back soon...and get back to my gardens and fun in the sun (aka...yard work).

Peace...and be bug free.

Still Quarentined.

2010-05-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

This tick fever is a bummer. Limiting my sunlight is so hard for me....it's Spring time for goodness sake. I have a garden that needs weeding. I have ROCKS to make a sidewalk out of. (I love rocks) The only upside is the rainy days...when I would be indoors anyway. Seems I'm stuck here thru next Wednesday when I take my last meds. I know it beats being in the hospital. Durnnit. I wan to go out and play.

My most sincere apologies to those who follow me....

2010-05-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

I was trying out another blog site...and it was just more than I could handle. I'll try to recap the doings of Big Martha and ZORRO for the past few months....

We've lost 3 trees this year...the pool is up and going with our new solar heaters...after I dug 600 feet of trench to bury the water and power lines. Bess had a good check-up at the vet. I put in my vegetable garden only to have it washed away in the flood. It's in good shape now...except for a few weeds. They will have to stay for a bit, as I have Tick Fever, and have to limit my time in the sun. I certainly want my meds to work so I can get over this.

I've got a new idea for a cook book and will be testing some recipes over the next few weeks. When I feel I have some good ones, I'll post if anyone would like to try then out.

Overall, things are good in Middle Tennessee...and I promise, I'll be back on a regular basis.

After the storm.

2010-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

Winter seems to be receding. Finally. I love all the seasons, but this winter has been very harsh on our property. Our trees suffered, as well as our roof. A multitude of mice moved into my garage, it has been so cold and wet. We started the clean-up on Sunday. All day we picked up, put up and cleared away. We're down to the final tree to be cut and removed. I've tried to encourage ZORRO to have a professional do the job. Trying to save my life here. A project (read tragedy) of that size, with the required chainsaw, ladders and come-alongs is certain to shorten my life span. Not that My ZORRO would ever harm me intentionally....but it just seems to happen. No, I'm not generally accident prone. Again....it just seems to happen when a "project comes up.

My daffodils are sprouting, as well as my surprise pinks. Although it's still very cold at night, the days are warmer, and obviously longer. I'm watching the clock, and the sunset. Spring is nearly here.

New Year...new Business

2010-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

ZORRO and I have been working our butts off this month. Generally we have a respite for about 5 weeks after the holidays. Well...not this year....January has been a record month for us. It's provided me with a new surprise monitor...HD BABY.....sweet of my Honey to think of it....after about 40 hints. He's a good man.....he listens....

I've yet to get Bess to the vet....just too busy...in the meanwhile, she's deposited 3 moles and a rabbit on my den rug. She's a big game hunter...so this is small fries for her.

Life is good....love is at it's best....

Ahhhhh.....

2010-01-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

The sweet sound of silence.

Everyone is back into their regular schedule...I have my house to myself and all is right in my world. It's been a bit crazy with family and friends extending the holiday to the very last minute.

We're having freezing temps everyday, with beautiful sunshine. ZORRO keeps asking me to go pick up pizza. Even tho we're only 7 miles out of town, we can't get delivery. We want a pizza....we BOTH are big babies when it comes to cold weather.

I guess it's a ham sammie for us.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

Well...we went to bed late and got up late. We were both so tired.

We exchanged gifts last night. I got the better end of the deal with a new GPS for Geocaching.

I've been playing with it all morning and I can hardly wait to find my first cach!

I'm cooking!!!!

2009-12-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

How the heck did that happen?

The family is expected at 4pm. ZORRO is out on a job and then last minute grocery stop. So...I've made deviled aigs with candied bacon, stewed red taters, green beans, the ham is prepped to go in the oven at 1 pm. I've wrapped the last minute gifts, yakked on the phone to countless people...some I didn't even know, cleaned the "public" rooms of the house and set the table. I've got Mannheim Steamroller on the cd and a nice pine scented candle spicing up the house.

Everything is as it should be.

Merry Christmas.

It's been a busy couple of days.

2009-12-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

WOW! The Christmas season is upon me and I've been so busy. Between working with ZORRO in the shop, shopping, socializing and celebrating ZORRO's birthday, I've haven't had a moment to myself.

We have had very cold nights, but mostly sunny days. I sure need that sunshine! I need to get out to pick up sticks in the yard, and finish the raking the Little Boys started. I hate picking up sticks. It was a standard punishment in my childhood, as we lived in the middle of a Pecan Grove. There were always sticks. Now I have about 30 trees in the backyard, and there are sticks aplenty.

Today I am perusing my favorite new book. The Pioneer Woman Cooks. (http://thepioneerwoman.com/ also see http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/) It's a beautiful book, and I hope to be able to cook some of her fine meals for my ZORRO. Of course, I'll have to take him in for shock therapy after. Because shocked he will be if I produce a nice meal. I will also endeavor to make cookies this week, as we are hosting the family for a Christmas Eve dinner. My goal is to impress.

Bess is left handed.

2009-12-16T08:38:00.001-08:00

She really is. I've been watching her for a few weeks. She does everything left handed. Shakes, paws, waves, holds down moles, everything. I think it's amazing. I have a left handed daughter, and a left handed dog.

2009-12-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

oh...an important side note.

My name is not Martha, and I'm not big.

2009-12-15T07:15:00.001-08:00

This morning, ZORRO told me I am no longer allowed to go out and collect deliveries from the UPS man. WHAT? "Because you read the return addresses" he says. SO? "I don't want you to know where your gifts are coming from" WHAT? They're not from Santa?

2009-12-14T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ima write a little more about me in case someone actually reads this. It could become my documentation of stuff about my life. I could print it up when I'm 109 and give it to my Great Great Grands.

I like to sew. I like to garden. I like to ride in my truck. I like to hike.

I don't like to cook. So I don't. Well rarely. I don't like to talk on the phone. I don't like that I'm so far from my Saster.

I love Bacon and my dog Bess.

My husband has tried to kill me ...umm...twice, I think. It's life with a Engineer people...was nothing personal. He loves me....really.

Today is the first day.

2009-12-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd try out this blogging thing. I read several blogs and I really enjoy them.

I live in a rural area and have little contact with the outside world. Although it's only 15 minutes to town. I guess that I'm surrounded by Mini Horse and Mule farms gives me the idea that I'm in the real Country. I'm not. But SHE is... http://thepioneerwoman.com/ One of my favorite blogs.