Wednesday, April 21, 2010

McClellands Critters...what a blast!

Nine of us packed up today and headed to McClellands Critters in Banks, Alabama. I had heard of this place before but for some reason had never made the trip. It's only a little over an hour from the house and after today we WILL be going back!

Here we are...
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Paid for our tickets, $8 for me and $6 for each of the girls. It was bright and sunny so we also picked up a couple of visors for the girls.

Orange for Miss Abigail
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And pink for EG
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Located on 70 wooded acres, this place has all kinds of critters!

This guy was a character
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I'm not really sure what the deal was here...somebody doesn't look happy
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These guys were too busy sleeping to entertain us...I thought they were sweet
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Mr Mike hand feeds the big cats
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And they like it
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One noisy cat
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Layla didn't care for the roaring
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But all in all fascinating to watch
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One of the best parts of the day was the reptiles...yup, the reptiles.

It all started off with this little guy
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Hands on
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and on
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and on
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Somebody decided reptiles were cool and grabbed a couple of them
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After talking EG out of the gators Mr Mike brought out a ball python

Where's it's head?
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See mom!
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Next came the corn snakes. EG LOVED them!
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Gimmie, gimmie!
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Soooo happy :)
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She did share with her sister...eventually
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Somehow Miss April got talked into holding this guy
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Which led to me holding him
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And of course Miss Megan wasn't getting off the hook!
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Abigail held him too
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And who looks most comfortable and at ease with a big snake around her neck? Um, yeah, EG.
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Ash thought we were all nuts
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Oh but they got bigger....and who was there wanting first hold? Yeah, EG.
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Look at her
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Then it was Abigail's turn. Seems EG was concerned it was going to land on her...
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Brave girl
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At the end of the tour Mr Mike asked the girls if they'd like to give Oreo, the calf, a bottle.

Of course they did!
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Uhhh, this calf is strong
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Really strong
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Stronger than I expected
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Hungry baby
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You would think we'd had a full day. We had seen, held and fed several animals. Then we looked up and here come the McClellands with "BooBoo"
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EG sprinted for them
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I really wanted to hold this little guy
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He nuzzled Abigail
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I think EG would have preferred another reptile
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Layla even gave him a hug
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OK, OK...enough of that!
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EG and L hanging out at the end of the day
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Preston did not want me to get this picture. Thank you, April for the help :)
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What a great day with some pretty terrific friends. Thanks guys!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Jammin'

It's strawberry season here in Alabama...I've been to the Country Best Farm twice in the last two days taking absolute advantage of it. We froze our picks from yesterday, but today...well that's a different story.

I grew up with a gardening, pickling, canning kind of mom. You would think that would make me a natural for following in her footsteps. I have to admit that I have never canned or pickled anything in my life...before today. I decided (with the help of the Pioneer Woman) to make strawberry jam with the girls. It was more fun than I could have imagined!

EG and I ventured out after she got out of school and picked these...
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Of course removing the caps was all me :/
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It seemed to take forever but I finally achieved this
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We took a strawberry break and ran to pick Abigail up from school. It didn't take long before the girls were in full speed! They mashed...
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And mashed
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And mashed some more
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Ahhh, done.
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All measured out
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Add a bit of lemon juice (please forgive the strawberry stained fingernails...I've been at this for two days :p)
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EG helped squeeze
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And pour it in
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A bit of pectin
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And 1/2 a pat of butter. The Pioneer Woman says it helps reduce the foam...
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With all of the ingredients in the dutch oven Abigail ran off to make labels :)
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Then it was time for homework
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EG pinned on her cat tail and put on her ears and headed for the hammock
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I manned the berries
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Finally it was time! Out with the jars, one by one.
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Beautiful
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There it is!
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Don't ask....
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9 jars of wonderful yummyness
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On toast
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Mmmmmmm
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The symphony of popping jars was wonderful! We can't wait for the peach and blueberry seasons!
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