Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Ready for winter, maybe

We have this dead tree on the property. A woodpecker has been using it for his winter acorn storage. These acorns are in there tight-you cannot even wiggle them with your fingers! There is a lot of poison oak too, but it has lost it's leaves for the winter. Dave has been cutting the heavy stems while they are easily accessed. He says he has never had poison oak, he thinks he is immune. He also believes, but isn't totally sure, that when the plants are dormant, they are safer. I said "I'm not so sure, but we'll know by tonight." So now we know.

Janow has been trace clipped again, and the weather cooled down, so he is better. He was pretty miserable in his heavy coast aid the warmth. Now it's cooler and he is happy.

My new batik saddle pads are not coming along as fast as I expected. I hardly ever get time to work. It's always somethin'! I have finished three and the 4th one is half bound. I have to take pictures today. And decide on pricing. I am thinking of having an introductory price through the end of December. But...I'm way ahead on my Holiday shopping!

Thanksgiving in the home of three picky eaters is challenging only if you feel restricted to tradition. There will be turkey, of course. It had to be one without injected 'solutions' so that took a little shopping, but not much. Dave is the only one that likes stuffing, and he will only eat about half a cup anyway. I got the kind that comes in a box. The only person who really needs mashed potatoes is the person in charge. Another person will be truly unhappy without pumpkin pie so that person is in charge of pie. In deference to lactose intolerance, we cannot have pumpkin pie with condensed milk. I got some milk free vanilla pudding mix from the health food store to use instead. Should be fine. I also got some fresh corn on the cob from a family-run stand in the middle of Fremont.

5 comments:

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Oh my goodness! I've never seen an acorn storage center quite like that before! lol. How will that woodpecker ever get them out again?
So is Dave immune to the poison oak?
My sons and my husband are immune, but I certainly am not. I suffer terribly and it usually ends up going internally, too. ugh.

I'm not sure how I'm gong to do Thanksgiving this year what with my recovery from gastritis and possible ulcer. I'm still on a limited bland diet and I get tired easily.
The rest of the family will still expect something, though, but at least it'll only be the 5 of us, so it can remain low-key.

What a great idea using the no milk vanilla pudding for the pie. Let me know how it all turns out.

I look forward to seeing some of your finished saddle pads soon. Where will you be marketing them? Etsy?
I'd be more than happy to give you a blurb and linkie from my blog, if you like. Your stuff is just so beautiful :)

~Lisa
New Mexico

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Oh! And I almost forgot.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

~Lisa

Melanie said...

Those little acorns in the tree are too cute!!!

Your eaters sound like my eaters...picky, picky...lol!!!!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fantastyk Voyager said...

That is the most incredible tree!!!
Does he ever take them out or are they stuck there forever.

Unknown said...

I dont think he takes them out. I belive the tree acts as a holder when he is ready to eat them. In rainy weather, the wood of the tree would get damp and help soak the acorn. Then he could just peck out bits and eat them. I have never seen them eaten, I'll have to watch this tree through winter.

Deer and elk eat them, and pigs. You can see where pigs have been rooting under the oak trees.