Eggs for Christmas; heaven at Creations in Kerrville

 

By Bebe and Sissy Fenstermaker

 

Survived Christmas and New Year's Eve. Having had no rain for two months, we were very dry and concerned about fireworks. As if on cue, a gift of light rain began early New Year's Eve. That didn't keep the firebugs off the road however. A friend driving home rounded a curve and came upon a nut out in the middle of the road busily setting off his rockets. All she could actually see was a fine mist and a solid layer of smoke. She said her headlights shone back into her eyes. I asked if she had called the sheriff but she said she had gotten out of her car and yelled at the rocket launcher. She asked him if he was aware that no driver could see anything for a hundred yards or was he just insane. He seemed totally shocked and scuttled to the side of the road. I wonder if he was shocked because someone had stopped to complain or because he assumed smoke bombs should be set off in the middle of the road. Lots of people live in a fog these days.

We are cold today and will probably have a light freeze. I have fed the cows and horses early to get them ready for the night. The heat lamp will be on in the chicken coop tonight. Yesterday the high for the day was 73 degrees. The front door was open all day and we were in shirtsleeves. Actually, the last few nights have been so warm the door was left open all night. However, it looks like the change is here and we will be having some winter.

The daily egg count is over 20 a day. One day the 34 hens laid 33 eggs. Everyone got a dozen eggs for Christmas. The dogs and I each have a nice big egg for breakfast. I gave the hunters several dozen and sent eggs to a friend whose two hens aren't supplying her family of five with enough. Yes sir, raising 28 pullets last summer is paying off. I remember an E.B. White tale about having a few too many laying hens. He wanted eggs enough to supply the family so he ordered quite a few. I think he ordered over 50, thinking that it took many chicks to get the right number because many would die young. None died. He had so many eggs he made the local feed store take them in barter for feed. The grocery store took them until they had no more customers. He said people started hiding from him. He finally resorted to making a target and throwing them at it. He improved his aim that summer and I bet the "little wild animals" were mighty happy.

I have sailed spoiled eggs toward the woodpile in the past. I don't do it now because the resident coyote family doesn't need any encouragement to visit. Our evenings end with coyote song down in the big pasture near Park Mountain .

 

Bebe Fenstermaker

 

I was talking with a neighbor following New Year's Eve and its mandatory fireworks in the face of a county-wide burn ban. The family living across the road from her set up shop at the end of their driveway that evening. They aimed their explosives in her direction, which rained sputtering debris down on her roof. Obviously there were no wheels creaking upstairs in those heads. And what about the wheels of the county officials who allow fireworks when the vegetation has been crispy dry for several months? Are their re-elect campaign coffers that empty?

Have you ever thought you'd died and gone to heaven? Believe me, you haven't until you've visited Creations in Kerrville . From the moment you enter this gem of a business, the welcome is warm and there is plenty of assistance. There are rooms of beautiful fabrics, cottons that feel like silk, quilting squares, some wool and fleece, and trims of all kinds. A room full of how-to books and patterns, another full of thread, ribbon, buttons, and the like, and others I didn't get to for lack of time. If you visit during the Christmas holiday, the Victorian Cats will be on display, going about their various activities. There is, also, the loveliest calico cat who can be found draped over the flannel quilting squares, snoozing on the bed, or anywhere else she has a mind to be. If you can depart this wonderful establishment without a purchase tucked under your arm you are strong-willed indeed!

The Chainsaw Garden Ladies are gearing up for another stab at the Almost Native Plant Sale in April (April 17, in fact). The Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne holds the sale each year at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. Nurseries from around the area attend, selling mostly natives and a few non-natives. Other vendors offer all sorts of items for sale. The Chainsaw Garden Ladies are working on design ideas and eyeing those cedars in the pastures.

 

Sissy Fenstermaker