Murder & Mayhem

I've heard the expression, "sly as a fox." I've also heard the analogy, "like a fox in the henhouse." Well...seven chickens later, these are no longer just concepts.

Yep, we've lost 7 chickens in as many weeks. We thought the perp was a neighboring dog. Our clue is that while Builderman was hunting down one of the chickens that had been stolen, (with a great ruckus, I might add) he came on this little dog near the scene with chicken feathers on her nose. Hmmm. Pretty damaging evidence.

I was really hoping it wasn't Lemon (the little dog's name), especially since the attacks have picked up and we have to stop this mayhem.

Yesterday, Jim was outside when the murderer closed in on another victim. He was fast and got away but I think I can safely say, his days are numbered. Jim got a glimpse of him as he fled and...it was a fox.

Of course there's a million life-lessons in this but I'll let you take it from here. I'll just say that the enemy is not always what we think it is and he's sneakier than you'd like to think.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." but that's not the last word in that story. And it won't be in any story as far as I'm concerned. There's good news ahead!

P.S. For those of you who don't know about the adventures of raising chickens, you can see my
post of what happened when they were chicks or you can read Francine River's new book, Her Mother's Hope. It's riveting. Okay - WAY more riveting than anything I've written. To date. That could change. : )

It's a Beautiful Day and I'm Thankful I Can See It

The Power of Words...

This video has gone viral with over 4 million views and you'll see why...


I have things to write and an committed to sharing some thoughts with you... so I'll be back soon!

Pearline's Carrot Cake Supreme

How could you possibly go wrong with a recipe from a sweet lady and champion baker from a small Southern town named Pearline? The only way you could go wrong is to not taste this carrot cake.There are no short-cuts in this recipe, but the blissful orbit you'll go into when you eat this will be worth the time and effort. This cake can make an ordinary day into a special occasion, but this weekend I made it for Jim's birthday. Oh happy day!

Pearline’s Carrot Cake Supreme

2 Cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda|
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 large eggs
2 cups sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (3 1/2oz) can flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Frosting (Below)

• Grease three 9-inch cakepans, line with parchment paper. Lightly grease & flour the parchment paper & set aside.
• Stir together first four ingredients (flour, soda, salt & cinnamon)
• Beat eggs and next four ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrots and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pans & smooth evenly.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center come out clean.
• Cool on wire racks.
• Spread Cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill cake several hours before slicing. Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese
¾ cup softened butter
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
* For deluxe frosting, stir in ½ finely chopped pecans along with vanilla.

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla and pecans.

Now, after preparing Pioneer Woman's favorite Man Sandwiches for lunch with onion strings and this cake for dessert, I only need to walk 132 miles to burn all the calories.