tax time

The Daddy and Baby Bird are at the in-laws for the night, so I have an evening and a morning OFF!  I need to use my time wisely, right?

I have several blog posts I've been wanting to write, but I'm really trying to get my taxes finished. 

Do ya'll prepare your own taxes, or do you pay someone to do them?

I started doing ours right after we were married, and I must admit I was a bit intimidated at first.  My accountant father (not a tax accountant though) gave me a few "tax preparation lessons" and I've been doing them ever since!  I will say that it's super nice to be able to call him with my random questions though.

There have been years I've considered paying someone.  Like the year that between the two of us, we worked in 4 states (Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and New York).  That made things a bit complicated.

Now that we have all the farming stuff to deal with as well (bring in the schedule F) - I've questioned my abilities, but Dad always convinces me to keep doing them.

There is a part of me that feels kind of proud of myself for being able to do this and not have to pay someone, even though it takes a little time and effort.

What do ya'll think?  Is it worth it?

Happy Friday!  And Happy Birthday to my Sister-in-Law Annie!

happy birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy Bird!

Hope year "32" is the best one yet!

view from the truck

back in the saddle

After a loooong break (we're talking months) from sewing, I've finally dusted off the old machine and climbed back in the saddle!  I've missed sewing and creating, but honestly, I needed a break.  Being pregnant, several bouts of sickness, working on the basement and nursery, serving at church, all the farm/cattle stuff...we've just had a lot going on.  Something had to give!

I had some unfinished projects though, and several friends had asked for some things to give as gifts, so I'm back at it now!

Here are some projects I worked on yesterday.  Nothing new, but I wasn't sure if I'd shown these fabrics on the blog before.

This one is fun for a little girl!  I love paisley, and these fabrics are good ones if you're not sure of the mom's taste.

Here's the wipes case:

I LOVE these next fabrics.

Excuse the pins.  I hadn't stiched them on yet and I was burning daylight for the photos.

This fabric is such a nice, feminine break from the usual pink.  I love the larger scale floral, and the lattice pattern on the left is very popular right now in home dec.  I've seen it on furniture, walls, lampshades, etc.

Here's the wipes case:

I'm working on some other projects I can't wait to show!  A nursing cover or two and some little things for the nursery.

Happy Friday!

first calf of the year

I went out with Daddy Bird last evening to feed and check on the cattle, and even though it was chilly, it was really nice to have a half an hour or so just the two of us.

First we he loaded some square bales of hay on the tractor to take back to the bull and steers.

Did you know that a castrated male cow is called a steer?  Now you do.

Daddy Bird LOVES when I snap photos of him.

One nice thing about being pregnant is that I don't have to lift 50-70 lb hay bales!

Then we hopped on the tractor and drove back to the back pasture to feed.  Being pregnant does NOT, however prevent me from having to get down and open and close all the gates.  Oh well.

Here's our "red bull"!  He still doesn't have a name.

He's pretty tame as bulls go.  He will eat out of your hand, which is more than I can say for most of our mama cows.

Then we drove the tractor back to the middle field to grab a big round bale of hay for the rest of the cattle.  Do you know how farmers move those big round bales of hay around to feed their animals?

Like this.  Sorry I don't have step by step photos, but there is basically a big spear-like thing on the back of the tractor that grabs the bale and lets you carry it around.

After we grabbed the round bale, we drove up to the big field where our mama cows live, and we got to see this!

Our first calf of the season!  He/she (I couldn't get close enough to tell) was born a couple of days ago.

It's always so rewarding when the first calf is born healthy and strong.  There is so much work that is involved with raising livestock, and the little successes like this remind us that it's worth the work!

We are so blessed to be able to witness little miracles like this in our everyday lives, and my prayer is that I don't ever begin to take them for granted!

guilty pleasure

So, everyone has their guilty pleasures, right?

One of mine happens to be Celebrity Apprentice.

I love it because it's generally a train wreck, and the disaster of this season is unfolding as I write this.

Star Jones, Meatloaf, Gary Bussey, David Cassidy, Nene Leaks, Latoya Jackson, 'Lil Jon. Please.  Could it get any worse?

I'll be severely disappointed if Nene doesn't scratch someone's eyes out with those nails.

Excuse me while I go watch this train derail.



What's your guilty pleasure show?  Or am I alone here?

friday favs

What I'm lovin' as of late...



*The weather getting warmer!  I love the promise of spring!  Or neighbor plowed up his garden yesterday and it gave me major spring fever.

*This great idea for a nursery mobile!  I think I'm going to make a similar one with a few changes.  Does the bottom bird on the one in the picture look a little odd, or is it just me? 

*I'm loving this blog's series on fun boy stuff!  I want to make some of these projects.

*The progress being made on our basement.  We're still not close, but the electrical work is finished, the tile should be in early next week, and the vanity is ready to be installed, as soon as the tile is in.

*Movie night.  Baby Bird and I have movie night on Friday nights when Daddy Bird is working.  Usually we watch The Incredibles.  I really need to visit red box next time.

*This tutorial for making curtains from bed sheets.  I think I'm going to do this for the nursery, but maybe embellish them a bit?

*Chocolate.

*Pizza.  I could eat pizza every night of the week right now.

*Stretchy pants.

*My bed.  I am so tired these days.

*The temporary tattoo my son put on my belly this morning.  It's a bear.  I'll spare you the photo.

*I heard that Costco now has Hannah Andersson pj's for $12.  I'm not a member there, but I'd love to find someone who is.  Have ya'll bought those pj's for your kiddos?  They are the BEST!

* I love that my brother is reading my blog and commenting.  Heehee!  Please don't make me have to edit your comments, Stan :)

*I love our camera.

Happy Friday!