Rock of ages?

The really cool thing about being able to dig around in your back yard is the "treasures" you can find there. We have dug up petrified wood and funky rocks with fossils embedded in them.

But this rock REALLY got me curious. My daughter's keen little eyes spotted this when we were picking out rocks from our rock pile to put around our new trees and fountain.

I think it looks like there are some hieroglyphs on it or something, although I have no idea what any of it would mean.

It's not very big; about the size of a golf ball. But it looks like something some early doodler would have doodled on.

Maybe some day, I'll ask somebody about our little rock of ages.

Dawn

Flower Friday: Petunia pump

 

I am  so excited!!! See this pump? We got it a few years ago and this summer, it is becoming part of an actual water feature in our yard. (I have wanted a water feature ever since I how beautiful the neighbors'  pond turned out several years ago!) 

The pond is behind the petunia and rocks, but since that part isn't ready yet, I thought I would feature the stuff that is done. I have planted a few more petunia and the columbine you see on the left side of the photo. But there will be more. I'll share a photo of the whole deal when it's done.

Dawn

Wordless Wednesday: Hosta takeover

It's a Hosta takeover at My Two Acres! (Okay, not very punny!)

When you need a beard...

Fun fur and an ability to crochet come in MIGHTY handy.

So the scenario went like this....(and I'm paraphrasing to MY advantage)!

"Mom, I need a cape and beard for tomorrow."

"What for?"

"We're doing a trailer for the Odyssey and I'm the old wise man. So I need a beard and a cape."

"No, son, I need a cape! Who do you think I am? SuperMom?"

(See I made that whole last part up, just now.)

I blubbered some stuff about Hobby Lobby but I wouldn't be able to find a sheet there, and where else can I go and what should I do. But finally I said, "I better run to Wal-Mart to see what I can find," and ran out the door.

Upon my arrival at Wal-Mart, I first went to the sheet area. It didn't take long to find a brown flat regular sheet that I figured I could use on a bed someday. (I like brown so this is NOT a stretch!)

Then it was off to the craft section.

I was figuring I would have to find some fake-looking fur and sew a beard, but as I was walking past the yarn area, I caught some fuzzy stuff out of the corner of my eye. Fun Fur! "Perfect for scarves, trims and beards," (Okay, I made the "and beards" part up.) it said beneath a picture of a lady with the stuff wrapped around her neck so that it actually looked like a head on a pile of fur!

"Hey!" I said to no one in particular. "I wonder if I can glue these pieces into some kind of a beard?"

I picked up the color that I thought was most appropriate for a wise old man beard and hurried home.

As I was explaining my gluing idea to my son, another thought hit me.

"Hey!" I said again to no one in particular. "I wonder if I can CROCHET a beard?"

So I did.

And this is how it looked when I was done. The little loops at either end are designed to hook over your ears. It was an ingenious little bit of double and single crochet without a pattern on my part, I must say!

If one side looks longer than the other it is because I used myself as a model while my son was at a scout meeting. I do not have even ears!

And, just so you know, this is what I will look like when I am an old, wise man! :)

Dawn

Hunk of Meat Monday: Flat meatloaf

I got this one off Pinterest from beefmagazine.com. I haven't made it yet. It's on tonight's menu. Think meat-square instead of meat-loaf.

I love meatloaf. And by changing the presentation a little, maybe my family will not be so quick to say "Not meatloaf again!" even though it has been several months since we had meatloaf. (It's amazing how long the "not again" food memory is! In fact, perhaps it's just a little on the skewed side!)

Anyway, here's the recipe...I don't see how you can go wrong with it!

2 lbs ground beef
1 cup loosely torn bread
1 cup milk
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp sage
1 egg

Topping: 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 T mustard, 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Garnish: Fresh grated parmesan

Directions:
Soak bread in milk - add onion, seasonings and egg. Combine well. Loosely incorporate ground beef - do not overmix or you will have dense meatloaf. In 9 x 13 or larger greased casserole gently pat meatloaf mixture into pan. Combine topping ingredients and spread on top. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Garnish with grated Parmesan.

Original recipe and picture at:
http://beefmagazine.com/meatloaf-squares

Dawn

Flower Friday: My black beauties

Black petunia. Pretty cool, eh?

Domino's get my dollars

I will be joining many who thank Domino's pizza this weekend for taking a position on animal care that  relies on experts, rather than extremists, by buying takeout from the restaurant. 

It all started out as a suggestion by an ag blogger, Chris Chinn, and it has really taken off.

I have heard a lot of people who will do the same, but one of my favorite stories is from a young North Dakota farmer who wrote the following on his Facebook page, which was then shared by another young North Dakota farmer on the Ag Pizza Party page:

"Figured I won't make it to Domino's this weekend to eat a pizza so I ordered a couple and sent them to the Ronald McDonald House with an explanation of why I was supporting Domino's."

Is that great or what?

I am so proud to know great farmers like these.

Dawn