Anatolian Shepherds Page

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Facebook | Veggie Gardening Tips: A Chicken Tractor in Every Backyard Garden

This is a really good website for gardening. Giving credit where credit is due:
Veggie Gardening Tips. All links go to them.

Facebook Veggie Gardening Tips: A Chicken Tractor in Every Backyard Garden

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Ice Cream Before Dinner: Individual Mini Coffee Cakes

CoffeeCakes1

I am on the look out for individual and “not the norm” breakfast ideas. Glenn gets up at 4:55 am and leaves the house before 5:30 am to catch the bus at the park and ride and travel across town to work. I want him to have some good food to “break his fast,” but I’m afraid I’m not in love with cooking breakfast at that time of morning.  smile_yawn I haven’t had enough coffee, yet. I’d rather prepare ahead of time. Pulling it out of the freezer the night before and putting it in the frig… yeah, that sounds about right. Anyway, here is an idea from another blog… drum roll… “Ice Cream Before Dinner.”

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Is it Spring, yet:

Hanging Rack Upscale Family Consignment Sale is now accepting consignors for the upcoming 2010 Spring/Summer sale. March 25 - 27 (open to the public.) Don't miss this sale! It's a great way to bring in extra money and save as you shop. http://www.HangingRackSale.com/

We are a new, locally owned consignment event company, and we want you to consign with us! Register early to secure your spot, and start tagging! We have a new consignor incentive program, so check it out and earn more!


Spring
Summer
Prom
Wedding
Easter


Need to fundraise? We can help out with that too! (See our website)


Our consignors earn 70% (or more!) To encourage more shoppers: Admission is FREE!


Hanging Rack Upscale Family Consignment Sale has a wonderful location. We’ll be in a brand new event facility:

6425 North Lidgerwood Street
Spokane, WA 99208
509-487-1645
(independently owned and operated) 

We think this will be a perfect place to hold our sale; very tasteful, with plenty of paved parking.


Tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell a stranger! Shopping at Hanging Rack Upscale Family Consignment Sale is going to be a pleasure!

"Nordy Buns"

Look at what my favorite food blog: Mennonite Girls Can Cook posted. I think they might be “Nordy Buns” from the book series: DragonKeepers, by Donita K. Paul. Oh, I can’t wait to try this recipe and share them with my kids. The two older ones have read these books, and I'm just starting to read them aloud to the two younger ones.

Honey Bran Buns

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Friday, January 8, 2010

Quincy, the dog, at one year old

I just wanted to post a picture of our Anatolian Shepherd at one year old. 

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

One of the most amazing days, ever!

Last Sunday, we had the pleasure of joining some friends at their lake property on Priest Lake. OMGoodness!

It was one of the most perfect days we've had in SOOOOOOOO long! Words can't express the pleasure we had, just swimming in moderately cold water and sitting on the edge of the water in adorondack chairs with beach umbrellas shading us. Sipping water. Nothing was high paced. The kids were busy having their own brand of fun in the water. Every one of them is fairly self-sufficient, so we didn't need to "help" them all the time, which left us to enjoy our day. Gosh I can't remember the last time we didn't have to stop to change a diaper, or give an over-needed nap.

My friends are such easy going people too. Pleasant to talk to, and share a day with. Wonderful! Extra, extra special Thank you to my friends for sharing their special place with us.

We shared dinner and came home sunburned, but we all said it was worth it. O.K. now I need to explain that each of us were sprayed thoroughly with a high factor sunscreen at least twice, but it really did no good for my oldest son. But it was not without trying. He is crispy. Poor guy.

We stopped at a little drive-in in the town of Priest Lake called, "Burger Express" and drank milkshakes on the way home.

Anyway, I just really wanted to share our most amazing day in a long time with all of you.

Monday, June 22, 2009

I know! It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Summer finally hit, and I have been non-stop! O.K. it's only been officially summer for one day, but I always need to get a head start.

We just volunteered to help tear down another "Just Between Friends" Sale. We got our largest donation, ever! It took three mini vans, an SUV, a Toyota pickup, and a flat bed truck we rented from Home Depot, to pick it all up. We didn't get home until after midnight last night. Thank you to all the wonderful people who donated their unsold items! And thank you to Tyona at "Just Between Friends," for continuously inviting our non-profit, "A Hope and A Future" to receive the donated items.

VBS started at 8:00 a.m. today. Plus, I've got my own "Secret Project" going on (... are you listening Ty?)I'll tell you more about it, as soon as I can. My husband has me on a "gag order" for right now.

My friend over at Triple the Blessings blogged about wanting a bike. She's got a link to an incredible bike from Madsen Cylces and they are having a contest in July! So stay tuned. I'll put a link on in July on how to possibly win one of their bikes! Heck, I'd like to win!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Parker Made This!



Go to YouTube and leave a comment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zLzz8l-4g

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Season 7

New episodes return this fall on ABC!
Sundays 8/7c

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

“GOOD MORNING, MCFARLAND FAMILY!”

Two Hour Season (6) Finale
McFarland Family
Indianapolis, Indiana


I can sum this episode up in one statement! OMGoodness!


Bernard McFarland became a single dad of three boys, when he was just 23 years old. He is involved both as a father, and as a mentor for disadvantaged children.


He is very well read and despite his circumstances, he thinks BIG! His motto is: “Knowledge, Discipline, Books” and with that motto he started “Packhouse 2000” to mentor the kids in his neighborhood.


The thing that really stands out is that Bernard is willing to sacrifice for his kids and his neighborhood. He is amazing to listen to. He said he’d had a teacher in school, that when she read you were transported to that place. He grew up to become a history teacher. I was listening to Bernard, and I got a little caught up in his eloquence of speech.


He is devoted to his neighborhood. He lives in the same neighborhood that he grew up in. But while he has advanced, the neighborhood has declined.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition sent the McFarland Family on a trip to Paris, France! They visited the Louvre Museum.


Extreme Makeover Home Edition came in and helped out not only him, but his neighbors as well. They did an “Extreme Makeover Community Edition!” They tore down several houses that had been condemned by the city. They planted 1000 trees for beautification and cleaner air quality.


They helped out Miss Evan’s (an 87 year old neighbor) with repairing and replacing her sidewalk, and building a new ramp for her house.


They repainted and landscaped neighbor, Mark Smith’s house.


They repaired and repainted, neighbor Dorian Malone’s house where hail had severely damaged it.


They built a new basketball court in the McFarland’s back yard, both for the family and the neighborhood kids. They installed a wind turbine in the backyard. On a windy day, it could provide for up to half of the power for the family. Pretty cool!


In addition to the house that was built for the McFarland Family, EMHE built them a library on site, for the neighborhood. It also serves as the new headquarters for Packhouse 2000. Previously, Bernard operated Packhouse 2000 out of the McFarland home.


The Indiana Pacers donated 50 basketball’s and 4 season tickets (presumably for the McFarland Family themselves); they also provided some autographed personal items for the auction.


Butler University provided all three of the McFarland boy’s full ride scholarships (if they meet grade and entrance requirements.) I have a lot of confidence they will just fine, considering their father is right there to support and encourage them. That was very generous of Butler University!
Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s partner, Sears, paid off the McFarland Families mortgage!


Their other partner, Ford Motor Company, provided a brand new 2010 Ford Taurus to the family and a brand new 2010 E350 Passenger Van for Packhouse 2000, complete with detailing.


EMHE held a fundraiser for Packhouse 2000 at Lucas Oil Stadium. They held an auction to raise funds and awareness for this organization.


Family and Interests:
Bernard McFarland, Dad
Dominic (15 yrs): Wants to go into Video Broadcasting
Courtney (14 yrs): Golfing and Business.
Curtis: Drums and Piano


Design Team:
Ty Pennington – Team Leader
Michael Maloney – Interior Design
Paige Hemmis
Paul DeMeo
Ed Saunders

Friday, May 15, 2009

Our Anatolian Shepherd - Quincy, and mourning

Today we are mourning the loss of our beautiful, sweet, mixed breed puppy, Pepper.

This past Wednesday, Pepper was involved in an accident that broke her leg. We took her to the vet hospital, and on Thursday had to make a very hard decision. To have her broken leg amputated. The vet thought that it would be the best choice under the circumstances. We left very sad, but convinced. We decided to have her spade at the same time.

This evening, we received a phone call that devistated us. While undergoing surgery, a routine shot was administered, and it caused our otherwise healthy puppy to pass away. The doctor assured us there was nothing we could have done differently, but it still feels like we did something wrong. Anyway, our lives were forever changed by the addition of this sweet life in ours. And we will miss her terribly for a long, long time. Goodbye, sweet baby.

This past February we completed a dream. Or started one. I'm not sure how to quantify that.

We were finally able to find an affordable Anatolian Shepherd for our property. Anatolian Shepherd's are relatively new to the United States and AKC has just recently acknowledged them as a registerable breed. Our's is not papered.

We've started the process of gathering cinder blocks off of craigslist to attempt to build a nice, warm, dry kennel.

Now this is for our peace of mind, because the Anatolian Shepherd could care less if it is nasty outside. They are a rugged dog, bred to protect their "flock," whatever that flock is (sheep, horses, cows, chickens, children, other dogs.) You have to take a lot of extra time with them in order to socialize them properly if you want them to be around other people. We do.

From AKC:
"Temperament
Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged."

Anyway, here is a picture of our Anatolian Shepherd, Quincy. She is only six months old.

HAPPY NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!

Yep, in addition to being my birthday, May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day! So to celebrate I am going to post a really yummy Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Recipe that my daughter is making me for my birthday! Well I think you should make these at your house. And, sing Happy Birthday to me! Remember the candles! And hats... and streamers! Oh, and a banner!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES

1 c. butter, melted
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts (opt.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease square pan, 13 x 9 x 2 inches. In large mixing bowl blend melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, using spoon, beat well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually blend into egg mixture. Stir in Chocolate Chips and nuts, if desired. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool.

About 32 brownies.