Lucy's New Digs...

Lucy is now full grown and while she WANTS to be a real squirrel, she wouldn't survive the winter if we released her.




For the last several weeks, she's been living in one of the big dog kennels with a couple of big branches to climb and a deer horn to chew on. However, it wasn't long before she decided she'd had enough of that and started chewing her way out. So, what started out looking like this


started looking like this...




Elmer decided to use his skills as a carpenter and fix-all guy. However, as good a job as he did (give us a call if you're looking to have any remodeling done, he's real reasonable) she continued to escape. As you can see, duct tape does not fix everything. I still haven't figured out the reason for the empty angel food cake box...




But even seven layers of duct tape, an old chew can, and a 1x4 couldn't keep miss Lucy inside. She's a free spirit and loved having the entire garage as her playground. Running free, jumping from Elmer's hunting coat to the lawnmower, sleeping inside the bucket of rags and climbing the blinds in the windows.



So, until we can release her down by the barn next spring, we had to find something she couldn't chew her way out of. Sorry Lucy, for now, you're stuck with this luxury condo that we'll never use again after you're gone next spring...

Isn't Life Funny...

Yesterday, I got a comment on my blog from Casey at All I'm Sayin'. I have a feeling she was doing a search on the Hidden Springs Barn for an event and found me. Funny how things happen. She grew up in Garden Valley and married a Game Warden and now lives in Boise. I love her blog and think you might too.

One of her recent posts was about returning to Garden Valley and her fond memories of growing up there. Even though I just went a few months ago, her post made me want to jump in the truck and go again today.

From what I've read so far, she a flaming liberal, athiest, "Kate/Tallulah" clone! Not that I'm either of those, but I seem to love people who are so, I think I'm going to like her...

Cancer Free...

This month, I celebrate my 6th year cancer-free from my second bout with breast cancer. It's a wonderful feeling. While I wish I could say I've spent the last six years "living life to it's fullest" and be able to talk about all the things I've scratched off my bucket list, or that I'd done all kinds of things like sky diving, or climbing the tallest mountain in Idaho, well, that's just not the case. I've continued being a mom and wife. I work a few days a week, do the grocery shopping, and clean the cat litter box.

But life is good. I have a wonderful family that I truly appreciate. I've taken a few trips that I'll always remember. I've had some real laughs with Elmer from just day-to-day things that happen - just because I live with Elmer Fudd. My kids have turned out to be better than I could have imagined and have given us 3 (and another on the way!) wonderful grandchildren. Adam has turned out to be a wonderful teenager. Riding his bike in the summer and skiing in winter, no drugs, wonderful friends - a true joy.

Someday, Elmer and I will start scratching those items off our bucket lists. But for now, I'm quite content with the life I have and the family and friends that mean so much to me.

So, thanks to all of you for being along for the ride. And here's to another 6, then another, and another...

Homemade Pepperoni...

Last weekend our garage was turned into a butcher shop. Elmer, his brother, and cousin got together and turned the pieces of deer and antelope, that were too small for steaks, into pepperoni.

So, you start out by mixing the ground-up meat with ground bacon.



and you have to get your hands in there to mix it all up.


Then, you put all that ground stuff into a $450 Cabella's sausage stuffer which squeezes it into casings. Now see, just the word "casings" kinda makes me sick...
Then, you hang them up to "cure" overnight.




Even Joe's not so sure...


and presto! You have homemade pepperoni.



Enjoy!

Sensless...

Please remember how much our law enforcement officers do for us every day. I recently read in our town newsletter, a complaint from a citizen about "Ada County patrol officers seemingly preying on HS residents driving down Cartwright road towards downtown Boise". Dear HS resident - Who will be the first person you call when you need help? Next time you pass an officer, wave and smile.

God Bless Seattle Officer Brenton and those he left behind. Such a sensless murder and something that happens way too often...

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