Robin's Nest

Yes! I am roasting Ox tail as I type this... wasn't my first choice to make bone broth with but I want to try to make it in the instant pot and it calls for 2 pounds of meaty bones and Ox tail was suggested. The package that I picked up with all the other soup or dog bones as some refer to them as, weighed two pounds. It was also meaty and on the list so in the oven it roasts. There are five minutes left on the timer, then it goes into a pot to simmer. The original plan was to do the 48 hour method on the stove over the Holiday weekend but since I am blessed with the honor of working all weekend the instant pot method was more appealing. So the ox tail is roasted and it really doesn't look bad! I suppose if I came in and didn't know it was Ox tail I might think it was a "rib" dish or something. It is "golden" looking as the recipe says it should be and into the instant pot it goes with 3 quarts of purified water and two tablespoons of apple cider

Work at my job... daily

We have had gloomy skies for three days now and no significant amount of moisture to justify it. Of course in town they have had plenty just none to speak of out here. It has been too cold to swim and too windy to play much outside. But today was the baby's first Birthday party so we were going out whether or not it rained.   My friend had asked to borrow a punch bowl and of course I said yes... and then for three days had nightmares that I forgot the punch bowl. So when I got up this morning I washed that punch bowl and put it in the car! Then it was time to package the gifts and drop the littles off at "aunties" for some much needed quiet time for me. Before the party began birthday baby and I went to the store. She got to ride in her new big girl seat! Then we met up with mama and miss Sandy dressed her up in a beautiful dress and mama put her tiara on! The kids that came to the party played the piñata and lots of treats fell out! But none for the Birthd

Who knew?! I have been scooping water out of the fish tank for years now.. okay it was fish jar before last August. But still it is great for starting pants! So I have been watering our plants with the "fish" water for as long as we have had fish. But I didn't realize it would be good for starting say, a spider plant. I am going to try that on my sweet potato sprouts and see what happens! I am thinking of buying some motion sensor LED lights. Not sure what brand might be good but today when I go out to look for a first birthday gift today I think I will price these and see if I can find something that might work for us. It is hard to believe that one year ago "squeakers" was born! Tomorrow is her party. Her mom is having it in the chapel at our work, lots of room all the guests! T he weather is very cloudy but no rain so far so the clothes are going on the line any way. All the chicks are getting their feathers and don't seem all that bothered by the

Today is Armed Forces Day. Not something taught that often in school any more. But it is important, it is a day that was started to recognize those who serve the country, all the armed forces not just one branch. Our particular family is one that has multiple branches represented. So for us the day may seem prominent. I suppose that families that do not have military ties may honor this day too. Growing up I only remember hearing of this day in grade school. only vaguely. We didn't color pictures or have parties around it, but somehow I do remember that it was taught. As my own kids went to school they did not seem to hear about it at school. We still honored it and Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, 4th of July and the other more well known holidays. Then came homeschooling.. this frees families up to recognize what they find important. All that said.. How do you teach the importance of and the history of a day that isn't acknowledge by the society as a whole? 

Ever start your day and think "wow today is going to go just right!" Yeah me neither... I arrived at my first MD office to do what needed to be done only to be told.. "sorry no can do". So I moved on to the next office where things went waaaay better. Heading down to the next office I received a very disturbing text. So I called the textee and ...what of course that is a word! I just put those letters together and made it. Obviously I do not have any followers so I can make words up and I did. Back to the subject at hand.. it seems someone gave the wrong type of insulin to another someone and that someone doesn't see well so of course trusting the person who handed it to them, injected himself with 3.5 times the amount that was ordered of that particular insulin. His ordered dose is 10 IU and he got 35 IU and it was a fast acting not a long acting. So aborting the next stop was in order. As I tried to reach the MD for the resident I was also trying to give d

Today is the first day of forever.... and that is just one day sometimes. The yogurt was set up perfectly this morning! Even better than any time before! I took a picture of it this morning before sticking it in the fridge Perfectly yummy looking! The taste was perfect too! The littlest little didn't think it was sweet enough but that is not unexpected. We went for our walk tonight there happened to be a baby calf in the  road and that just made the Littles day. They started running towards the poor thing and it started running away FAST! This was very disappointing to the littles. I had my phone with me and not once did I think to take picture. I just kept screaming for the littlest Little to get back here as that calf is bigger than you! She assured me she could pick him up and take him over the fence and return him to his mama. Good lord child you will be the death of me! So we get to the end of the road and there are three dogs that seem to be hungry and they start

It is the weekend! The littles were treated to a trip to the zoo with Auntie today. Usually she sends a boatload of pictures back via text messages... not this time! She said if she turned her eyes away for a second one or both darted off in different directions lol. I know the feeling all too well. We are homebodies for that very reason :)  Not that we don't go anywhere but it is calculated when we do since generally I go it alone or with one of my adult kids. We strategically plan rest area trips and the night time stops etc... And there is very little shopping involved. Side trips... yes but shopping no. While the kids enjoyed the outing I stayed behind and tried to clean one thing. Then the phone call came, it seems a brand new employee couldn't make it to work... again. These are things I am so over with it's like last year, I am so over it. I chatted with the person and let them know this is the last time. In fact they could just come and see me on Monday and w

It seems to be way too early to be up but we are and the youngest has been awake for several hours. The wind was blowing most of the night and the sky is filled with clouds this morning. I am kept awake by the wind and the Little most nights and I consume way too much caffeine at night! Where have the days gone when I had energy to stay awake longer than those in my care and get things done? Most days have an emotional drain that just sucks the life energy out of me. I can feel this day won't be much different as it is wacky Wednesday. So that means three hours of a five year old whining about not getting to go somewhere or do something because the older is gone. Not fun :( Maybe I'll think of something today while I'm gone that will work to keep her entertained and maintain my sanity...lol and maybe it's too late! My sister called me late last month to share that she would be traveling to Limon sometime in May for a funeral and would be coming here as well! When my s