Slipped Away to Heaven

My sweet Shelbee slipped away to Heaven on the day after Christmas.  She will be greatly missed.  2014 has been a year of loss for our family.  We have learned to hold on to each other tight.  Never underestimate how much your loved one mean to you.

Deep Thinker

Product of the Week - WAGON WHEEL BENCH

WAGON WHEEL BENCH

 

Laze in the shade after a long day; this rustic bench is right at home on patio, porch or lawn.

Sturdy love seat has ample seating for two, with quaint wagon wheel armrests at either end.

It’s country comfort at its finest!

Weight 35 lbs. Wood. Some Assembly Required. 42 1/4" x 21" x 31" high.

 

$200 includes shipping

                          

As this blog forum does not have a online store, we are going to have to do this the old fashion way.  Orders may be made by emailing me at annapearlsattic@yahoo.com or calling me at 307-679-0388.  Payment may be made in the following manner:

1.      Paypal - Payment may be made to annapearlsattic on paypal.com.  Once I receive payment, I will ship the item.
2.      Check or Money Order - May be mailed to Anna Pearl's Attic, 152 Meadow View Street, Evanston, WY. 82930.  Once payment has been received, I ship the item.

Shipping will be through the United States Postal Service.  Once payment is received, I will ship the item within 5 days.  Please allow 14 days for delivery. 

Anna Pearl's Oldfashioned Oatmeal Cookies

I am in absolute love with Oatmeal Cookies.  My Mom made those cookies that you dream about.  They were big!  They were chewy!  They were AMAZING!

Below, I have tried to re-create her recipe.  I don't have her lovely hands that measured out each ingredient carefully.  She always used a knife to level off each measuring cup  and spoon.  I don't have her smarts, as she always used the measuring cup with the butter or shortening in it to measure the sugar.  She used her rubber spatula to scrap out the sugar/butter mixture into the bowl.  Waste not, Want Not!  This also made the measuring cup easier to clean.  I don't have her by my side, showing me how to mix things just right.

However, I do have the things that she taught me.  One of those things is to love.  So, lovely readers, here's my Mom's recipe for Anna Pearl's Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies.  (My Mom was Anna Pearl's daughter.  Her name was Sylvia and she looked just like Ingrid Bergman.  That's what my Dad said.)

Anna Pearl's Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven at 375 degrees.  Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray or line the pan with parchment paper.

1 cup softened butter (Please don't substitute with margarine.  Remember, these are old fashioned)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar

Measure out the butter first, then the sugars.  Using a Pastry cutter or a butter knife, cut the sugar into the butter until it is crumbly.

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a small bowl, whip the eggs and vanilla until frothy.  Combine the eggs with the butter/sugar mixture and mix well.

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

  
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
 

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Mix well.  Add to butter/sugar/egg/vanilla mixture.  Mix well.

3 cups quick cooking oats                                                                 

Fold the oats into the mixture and make sure that all oats are coated with mixture.         

Using a teaspoon, spoon mixture about 2 inches apart onto baking sheet.  Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

   

                       

                                                   

Throwback Thursday

Summer 2010 - Pinecone in the Uinta Mountains above Robertson, WY

Etsy Finds - Homestead Helpers

With Christmas approaching and January peeking around the corner, it's time to start thinking about planning the spring garden!  I know, it's not even Christmas yet. 

I like to start planning early, as we are always burdened heavily with Spring chores on the ranch and the homestead.  In the months leading up to Spring, I try to make purchases of things we will need to have a successful summer vegetable garden.

Here are a few things I am considering buying during the next several months.  I like to purchase from other Etsy shops.  If you scratch their backs, maybe they will scratch yours?

We have a terrible time growing strawberries in our area.  Two things seem to always thwart our success with these yummy berries.  One is terrible soil.  This planter would allow us to fill it with the right kind of soil.  The second challenge is crab grass.  It ruthlessly grow in every nook and cranny of my world.  Done right, this planter would alleviate this issue.  Third, quite frankly, is those darned birds.  We could easily cover this planter with netting.  The avian thieves would be busted!

This is only $80 plus shipping.

                                  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128777636/pyramid-planter-herb-garden-strawberry?ref=sc_2&plkey=99b6dcd6f1fa2d1c0a4f284f21658352f5fb0662%3A128777636&ga_search_query=gardening&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery


On more than one occasion, I have learned the hard way what it is like to be unprepared.  Living in country has many merits.  However, convenience is not one of them.  During natural disaster or economic hard times, it is more difficult to run to town to restock your supplies.  Most ranchers are, by nature, preppers in one form or another.  These preparations are made as a matter of necessity.

Below is something that every household should have, regardless of geological location.  The ability to grow one's own food supply may be the only hope your family has for survival.  The cost is $89.95.  According to the ad, it contains"Famly Survival Seed Stash (50 Packets of Non GMO Heirloom Seeds of a Wide Variety Including Medicinal, Culinary and Herbal Tea Seeds).


                    

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194968105/family-survival-seed-stash-50-individual?ref=sc_3&plkey=07aa093367d286e7bd2fdf81087d6cc6fa07e943%3A194968105&ga_search_query=gardening&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Products of The Week - DUCK FEET SHAKER SET

Spice up your dinner table

with this whimsical set of web-footed shakers.

Salt and pepper will stand at the ready to

season your meal and your home with charm.

Made from white porcelain.

Item weight: 0.4 lb. Each is 2-5/8" x 2" x 3-3/4" high. Ceramic.

 

$16.00 includes Shipping

As this blog forum does not have a online store, we are going to have to do this the old fashion way.  Orders may be made by emailing me at annapearlsattic@yahoo.com or calling me at 307-679-0388.  Payment may be made in the following manner:

1.      Paypal - Payment may be made to annapearlsattic on paypal.com.  Once I receive payment, I will ship the item.
2.      Check or Money Order - May be mailed to Anna Pearl's Attic, 152 Meadow View Street, Evanston, WY. 82930.  Once payment has been received, I ship the item.

Shipping will be through the United States Postal Service.  Once payment is received, I will ship the item within 5 days.  Please allow 14 days for delivery.   

Anna's Chicken Taco Soup

 

6 chicken legs, boiled and cubed

3 cups water

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 can corn
1 can navy beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 quart tomatoes
1 can green chilies

1 teaspoon cilantro
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a medium pot, add chicken legs and water.  Boil lightly for 1 hour. 

In a stock pot, add olive oil.

Add onion and sauté for 1 minute.  Add green pepper and sauté for 1 minute, Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.  Add celery and sauté for 1 minute. 

 

Add the corn, navy beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes, chilies, cilantro, chili powder, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cover.  Cook on low until the chicken is done.

When chicken is cooked, remove it from the water and let cool.  Remove the meat from the bones.  Dice the chicken and add to the soup.  Allow to warm the chicken for 10 minutes.

Serve with shredded cheese on top.

Serves 4

Cooper Gets a Job!

 

This very handsome young man is Cooper.  He is a full blood Blue Heeler.  I know, he doesn't look like a blue heeler.  He is mostly white, with blue in his undercoat.  He lives outside, so his coat stays long most of the year.  He has the cutest mask around his eyes.  It almost looks like a bandit's mask.

He is two years old and was given to my son by a friend in Randolph, UT.  We got him as a puppy and have enjoyed his sweet personality since.  He was supposed to be my son's dog.  However, Cooper has chosen Hunky Hubby as his "person".

Recently, the youth camp where Hunky Hubby works was having problems with cows getting through the fences.  Hunky Hubby took Cooper to work with him.  He let him out of the truck.  Instinctually, Cooper chased those cows out of the property with no instruction or guidance.  It turns out the Cooper is a cow dog!  Go Figure!

When Hunky Hubby told his supervisor about the success of the mission, Cooper was hired as the official camp dog.  His job description consists of chasing cows, digging holes, and charming children.  He is a natural at all three!

New Endeavors

My goal with this blog has always been to share the country life that I love with my readers.  I have lived in the country most of my life.  As I look at the world through my "backwoods" glasses, I see a lot that I do not want to be a part of.  My dream has been to try to encourage the country values, even to those in urban areas.  In doing so, I want to be able to reach as many people as possible.

My brother-in-law is a very talented web designer.  He has skills I wouldn't even dream of trying to list.  I would like to use his talents to design and implement a website that will attract and educate as many future "Country at Heart" people as possible.  In order to fund such a dream, I have decided to offer a few products for sale on my current blog.

These products will be chosen with the Country lifestyle in mind.  My plan is to feature one product per week....on Mondays!  As this blog forum does not have a online store, we are going to have to do this the old fashion way.  Orders may be made by emailing me at annapearlsattic@yahoo.com or calling me at 307-679-0388.  Payment may be made in the following manner:

1.      Paypal - Payment may be made to annapearlsattic on paypal.com.  Once I receive payment, I will ship the item.
2.      Check or Money Order - May be mailed to Anna Pearl's Attic, 152 Meadow View Street, Evanston, WY. 82930.  Once payment has been received, I ship the item.

Shipping will be through the United States Postal Service.  Once payment is received, I will ship the item within 5 days.  Please allow 14 days for delivery.  Standard Shipping is $6.95.

The first product I would like to feature is Do It All Dough Mix by Country Gourmet Home.  I am an Independent Consultant for this company.  I do not have a website with them, so if you want to order from me, we have to do it this way for awhile.

                                            

Mama's Do It All Dough Mix is a just add water mix that will make pizza dough, dinner rolls, french bread, homemade white bread and more. Makes 12 dinner rolls or 2, 16 inch pizzas. Requires - egg, water, and oil depending on your selected use.

$7.50 ea

 

More about Country Gourmet Home Products

Country Gourmet Home products are made by hand using the finest quality U.S. grown ingredients on the market. Our suppliers also stock the kitchens of some of the finest food establishments in the US. We are pleased to offer our customers a full range of healthy, easy to make food mixes, which taste like they were hand made in grandma’s kitchen.

Shelf Life

• All Products Are Made Fresh To Order Within 5 Days of Order Shipment.
• Dip mixes and seasonings keep their quality for 6 to 12 months after purchase.
• Baking mixes, desserts, cakes and cookies are best if used within 6 months of purchase for premium quality.
• For maximum leavening power use soda bread mixes within 6 months of purchase.

Product Packaging

• All products are packaged in heat sealed, food grade packaging.
• Jams, jellies, fruit butters and syrups have tamper-proof heat seals.
• Larger products with multiple packets are packed in lined food grade coffee bags with craft ties.
• Shaker jars are sealed with pressure sealed liners to ensure freshness.

Only in Wyoming

Only in Wyoming can you drive along the highway and see this.....

 

 

and this...........

 

 

and this............

 

 

and this........

 

 

and this......

 

 

and this.......

 

 

and this........

 

 

and this.........

 

 

and this.........

 

 

and this........

 

 

and this......

 

 

........Just sayin'........

 

 

A Cowboy Truck Driver's Last Ride

Photo Courtesy - Kaycee Mackley

 

Our readers may have noticed that there has been a long lapse in our postings, of late.  We have been through a difficult time in our family. 

On November 6, we lost our Dad, Grandfather, Uncle, and Friend!  My father took his last ride in the back of a semi-tractor.  He was an over the road trucker for 30 years and it seemed appropriate to have his friends and co-workers take him to his final resting place. 

My Dad was a horseman.  He successfully raised champion Appaloosa horses for many years.  He was never happier than if a horse was in his midst.  Imagine our surprise when, on the way to the cemetery, a herd of horses lined up at the fence like soldiers and saluted him.  As soon as the truck passed, a big palomino reared up and the rest of the horse followed suit.  It felt like they were honoring a man who has cared deeply for their friends for so many years.

After serving our country in the Army, my father continued his patriotic service all of his life.  He served in many community boards and organizations. He served as a Union steward and was active in the Democratic party.   This is the first year in 58 years that he did not vote.  As his children, we were required to vote.  If you didn't, you certainly did not tell Dad.  He believed in his President (regardless of party affiliation) and was infuriated when someone defaced the name of the President of the United States.

My father was buried with full military honors.  He would not participate in Veteran benefits.  He believed that his country had given him enough by letting him serve it. 

Yet, at his death, they came.  Two active duty Marines in full dress.  They met him at the gate of the cemetery and escorted him to his final resting place.  Struggling to keep their emotions in check, they reverently folded the flag that represented the country that he loved with a vengeance. In the slow, methodical preparation of the flag, they showed immaculate training in their duties.  From the carefully executed salutes to the presentation of the flag to my brother (a 20 year veteran of the US Air Force), they created a beautiful tribute to their fallen brother.

Though this time is difficult and I miss my Dad terribly, I can only wonder at the reunion happening in heaven right now.  There are so many people he hasn't seen for a long time.  They haven't heard his stories.  He has so much to tell them.

An Oldie, But a Goodie

Please meet Baby!  She is our 15 year old black lab.  We got her from a lady in Fort Bridger, WY.  She was the runt of the group and seemed very timid.  She is shorter in length than most labs.  Therefore, she has always looked chubby.  Now, she really is chubby. 

 In these pictures, she is doing what she does best....Fishing and chasing a stick!

She never really eats the fish.  She just likes to carry them around.  This photo was taken at Viva Naughton Reservoir near Kemmerer, WY.    Hunky Hubbie had filleted a nice trout for dinner.  Baby took the opportunity to carry this fish around like it was a trophy!  Another one of her favorite activities is ice fishing.  She sits at the hole with her nose about an inch from the water.  When a fish is caught, she will grab it as it comes out of the ice.  She doesn't hurt the fish, though.  She has a very gentle mouth.

 

 

 

In this photo, she is doing her second favorite thing.  Chasing a stick!  Whether on the land or water, she is definitely a retriever.

 

Baby is getting older.  She suffers from arthritis.  She has survived breast and uterine growth surgery.  She is overweight and walks are more difficult these days. We have to lift her into the truck to take her to the ranch or fishing.We try to make her as comfortable as we can.  She has a whole backyard of green grass to lounge on.  She is the most gentle soul who just wants to be with her "people".  God blesses us every day that she is here with us.

 

 

Cheeseburger Pie with Green Chilies

Pastry Ingredients

 

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening

4 tablespoons cold water

 

Filling Ingredients

 

1 pound lean ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup milk

 1 small can green chilies

2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Pastry: In a medium bowl, mix 1 1/3 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening. Add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring well as you add it. Mix lightly. Pat into bottom and sides of an 8 inch pie pan. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
3. Filling: Crumble ground beef into a large skillet and over medium heat for 1 minute. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is browned.  Drain grease. 
4. Sprinkle filling with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup flour. Stir in chilies, milk, and 1 cup shredded cheese. Spoon mixture into pastry shell.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Life with Shelbee!

 


I have had a request to share photos of my fir-babies.  Today I will feature Miss Shelbee.  I wnet looking for a dog when my beloved Tito got killed by a German Shepard. I needed something to help me through the empty nesting time.  Shelbee came to our family from a shelter in Ogden, UT.  The shelter owners did not have a history on her.  She was about 3 years old when we got her.  She was extremely thin and seemed to be malnourished, although the shelter said that she ate well and was very active.  She was aggressive and was not potty trained.

Why did I take her home?  It was obvious to me that this girl had never been loved.  She shied away from human contact.  She would, in fact, try to bite you if you touched her.  Someone had not been very nice to her in her previous life, I was certain.  She deserved to be loved, so she came home with me.

Upon her arrival in Wyoming, she went directly to the vet.  She was diagnosed with Hyper Thyroid and has been on medication for 2 years.  She weighed 4.5 pounds when we got her.  She now weighs 7 pounds.  Though still thin, she is so much more active and healthy.

She also has a malformed back.  Her back hunches more than a normal Chihuahua and she carries her back leg when she walks.  We are watching her for any signs of degeneration and will do everything we can to make her comfortable as she ages.

Shelbee has chosen me as her "Person".  How lucky I am.  She is  lover dog....lots of kisses and cuddles.  She is very protective of me.  I have to watch her around children and men.  She is still pretty aggressive with strangers.

Potty training has been a long and difficult process.  We still aren't there.  She does well if she is let out every two hours.  I can tell that she was left indoors for long periods of time....maybe  a pet store dog or a kennel dog.  She will go on potty pads, which is helpful. 

I wish the photos did justice to the comparison of how she looked when we got her and how she looks today.  Suffice it to say that she is very loved and very well taken care of.  It is the highlight of my day when I come home to her happy face!
 

Dog Treats

We have been looking for some natural treats for our extremely spoiled canines.  We don't want to continue to give them the preservatives and chemicals that they get in from store bought treats. The question was what do you feed a Chihuahua, a Black Lab, and a Blue Heeler that they all will like?Wait, they are all dogs, right? We converted a cookie recipe to the one listed below.  Even the cat loves them!
 

Ingredients

• 2½ cups whole wheat flour, oat flour, rice flour or coconut flour
• 3/4 cup chunky peanut butter peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• 1 egg

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F.  Combine flour, baking powder, and egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey or agave.  Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed.  Spread about 1/4 c flour on your countertop and roll the dough out about ½ inch thick.  I used heart and flower cookie cutters. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and your dogs will love you!

Aztec Flip Flops!

Now don't you just totally need some of these!  I am a constant flip flop wearer and the flip flops from the Wagon Wheel company are so very comfy.  I even wear them in the winter time.  I am the weird lady in Walmart wearing the wool socks and flip flops.  These have the neat thick sole and are oh so stylin'!  They are only $29.99 and come in several sizes.  Take a closer look at  http://www.wagonwheelcompany.com/#a_aid=annapearlsattic

Mindlessness and Menapause

Well, my friends....you may have noticed that I have been missing for quite a while.  To be frank, I have temporarily lost my mind due to symptoms of menopause.  I haven't been able to function as a human being for a few months now.  The mood swings, the lack of focus, and the hot flashes have been all I could handle.

As the symptoms seem to be subsiding, I am going to try to get back to my blogging.  I have really missed sharing my thoughts with all of you!

There will be some pretty cool changes coming to Anna Pearls Attic very soon.  I have joined an affiliate program.  They offer country lifestyle products for reasonable prices and I am excited to start that adventure.  Watch for the links to appear in the very near future. 

Another of my goals is to include more recipes and tutorials.  My mother was an amazing cook and she taught me all she knew.  Since we lost her four years ago, I would like to honor her by sharing some of that knowledge with you.

I am committed to the blogging process and promise to continue to "wow" you with my creative genius! "Not!"

~Anna Pearl's Grand-daughter~

Rogue Photographer

Dear Readers,

Below is what happens when you lend your camera to your dear daughter.  I adore you, Breanna!

 

 

I am in BIG trouble...............

Ode to the Desert

Photo Credit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert

The Call of the Desert

 

By: Sherone Taylor

 

My folks live in the desert

Somewhere south of here and there.

They talk about the beauty.

They say they want to share

 

With all the family living

In the mountains far away.

Come to the desert, children

We're betting you will stay.

 

The mountain folk came to see

If the desert was the place

To settle in as old folks

With wrinkles on our face.

 

Though living in places green

Has always been our way

We think we might just venture

To the desert just to play.

 

Our winters are too harsh

in the God forsaken land.

We want to toast our frosty toes

In the sunshine and the sand.

 

Wise Mother and Wise Father,

Your example we must heed.

The plant that you are growing

Started as your seed!

Idaho Flowers

Sweet Yellow Idaho Columbine

 

Lupine

 

 Salvia in front of the Columbine

 

 

Salvia

 

 

 Not sure on the name of this one......so pretty

 

 

Mule's Ears

Mule's Ears

 Mule's Ears

 

 Some undergrowth........you can't even imagine how green this is!

 

 

Flowering Undergrowth

 

 Some of the local residents

 

I asked him kindly to pose for me.  He obiliged!