Starting the Year on the Right Foot

My niece, Rachel Stanley, has a new book out for little kids, ages 2-8. Rachel is an advocate for pit bull rescue and wrote a book on their behalf. It's called Goose On The Loose.

I am wholeheartedly behind this. I bought my copy right away. If you have little kids or grand kids, I hope you'll get one too. Do it for all rescues everywhere.

Goose is based on a real life Goose, her 6 year old, blue nose pit bull. 

Nothing is sweeter than a sweetheart with a wet nose. 

Here's Goose in real life. My niece adopted Goose when her owners' abandoned her at a pet hotel. Rachel gave her the home she deserved. I'm really proud of my niece.

 

The start of a new year

Most years leave me scrambling to finish projects before year's end. 2025 was blessedly less stressful. I think it was because I scheduled my projects closer to better weather windows. Since most of my activities are outdoors, good weather is paramount.

Even my chickens cooperated. I was down to my last dozen eggs when I peeked into their shed and found five eggs waiting for me!

I still find myself longing for goats, but my long range plans are to travel more, so I didn't want to get any more animals. We both expected Nana to pass away before the end of 2025, but she's really doing great for her age. She turned 13 last week!

Until she decides to leave us, we're staying close to home so I can keep an eye on her. She requires a lot of care. Take it from me, old age is not for the weak. 

*** 

I'm already itching to start seeds, but I need to wait at least a few more weeks.

My indoor potato experiment will soon be ready to test the results. My potato plants are bursting with flowers and are way taller than they would have been outside. I'm anxious to see what I'll get for my efforts. I'll pull them out in another couple of weeks, once the flowers have died, then present my findings.

Fingers crossed.

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Before 2025 ended, I bought an air fryer.  My best buddy raved about hers and she talked me into it. Unfortunately, I begrudgingly share my counter space with Greg's coffeemaker and assorted paraphernalia, so getting another machine that took up counter space wasn't an option.

I decided to retire my old toaster oven and bought an air fryer that not only baked, roasted, toasted, and air fried, but also dehydrated and proofed bread dough. I am loving this thing!

It's another Breville. I won't lie. It was pricey, but extremely well made. I'm very happy with it. 

The only thing I wanted to buy but couldn't get at a good price was a roasting pan. I tossed out every skillet and cookie sheet that had lost its coating. I don't need to ingest any more aluminum for my brain. 

I was looking for a stainless steel roaster. All Clad and Hex Clad are the best. I especially like how their handles are set--high up and wide, so you can lift them easily with oven mitts. Costco had it for the best price, but just as I was about to order it, they had run out. I shall wait. 

Our weather has been moody lately. It's nice one day, cold on the next. It's hard to get any substantial work done, but my garlic is in at least.

Turnips and parsnips have been harvested and eaten. Potatoes will be out soon. Most of the fall leaves have been picked up, but I still have another substantial area to rake. All in all, a good start to the year.

What's on your agenda this year? 

 

Don't forget to order Goose On The Loose!

 

And if you're ordering elsewhere on Amazon, start from my Amazon link. 

**I'm an Amazon affiliate. If you happen to be shopping Amazon, be a pal and start from this link. Thanks! I appreciate it.

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