Monthly Archives: May 2015
Happy Mother’s day!
Breakfast time!. No worries about this one knowing where to go.
The photo is a bit dark, but just to show you we had a marvelous Mother’s day at Jen and Bob’s house
They have a lovely outdoor area for parties, complete with a table and tent top.
I received a gorgeous bouquet which I absolutely love and smells so good too.
as well as this lovely terrarium with sedum. Now the secret here is to keep them alive. It was a terrific party. A big thank you to all who came. And I wish each of you an equally happy Mother’s day.
Watched pot BOILS
We went to the eye doctor this morning and then lunch. When we came home, we did not see Gracie anywhere. I changed and went looking for her. Yes, she was hiding and in definite labor. So the rest of the day was spent as a midwife. We got her into a jug and she was very calm with me beside her talking softly and some petting.
It took awhile, but finally, some tiny hoofs
And eventually a little nose to go with them
Hello world! I’ve arrived.
This first time mom isn’t quite sure what this is, but knows to clean it.
And she’s not quite sure what this fellow is doing. But finally they get it together and they are a happy team. I marvel at how the Creator has given these little ones the instinct to do the things that need to be done. They will stay together in this small jug for a week until they are bonded, shots are given, and any other medical care is completed. Then they join the flock.
This is the curious crew who all must come and say hello to the new one.
And so goes another day on the farm. There should be another 3 days like this some time this month.
Tomatoes are in
We spent the morning in the garden and hoop house and there are now 22 tomato plants down one side with a few on the other side.
And 24 celery plants are now in!
The potatoes are popping up in the outside garden and strawberries are blossoming, although the weeds still need to be removed.
Around and around we go
In more ways than one we circle.
I spend those little waiting minutes spinning – still working on the dog hair.
I have made some progress, but still more spool to fill.
The other spinning area was spinning car wheels. We started out with a scheduled doctor visit, then to the sewing center, then to AT&T to find out if they could get my Fitbit to work again. No, but they had an idea we could try at home. Meanwhile, they had them on sale for $20. off until Mother’s day and we had 14 days to return, if the other idea worked. Ok, we went for that idea. Then off to Costco for a few groceries. As we walked in their door, they had a better deal on the Fitbit and longer to return it if we could make the first one work, so we bought one there. After Costco, we returned the one to AT&T, gassed up the car and went home, just afraid one of the sheep had lambed and might need help. No, but we are still watching that “pot”.
So we had lunch* and headed back out to the grocery store and to get a few more tomato plants that someone recommended. They also had alyssum, so must have some of that to put in front of house that is half weeded. Home again, I collapsed on the bed for a bit of a nap. Today was one of those days that I woke up at 3.30, so told myself I deserved a rest. 
Afterwards. I went back out and finished the tomato bed in the hoop house. Tomorrow morning, the plan is to plant the tomatoes.
Please tell me this sounds like some of your days? If so, know you are not alone. We can certainly empathize. Oh, and after we came home the last time, the dentist called and said they had a cancellation for teeth cleaning tomorrow afternoon. Could I take that slot. And that is why the tomatoes have to go into the ground in the morning.
* Quickie bean soup. Because I guess on a lot of ingredients, these aren’t exact. Also I cook my beans and then can them, which make them very soft, but you could achieve the same thing by cooking until really done. I opened a pint of red beans (could be another type), into the blender with a pint of hot water, some Brewer’s yeast, chicken-like seasoning, garlic and onion powder and salt. Using a high-speed blender, I blended them for about 2 minutes. Meanwhile I opened another jar and heated the contents one minute in the microwave. I put 2 tablespoons of beans in each bowl of soup. It was so very good and it was fast. I had salad ingredients prepped and so lunch was on the table in 5 minutes.
Weeds
Today after a lovely lunch, it was time to face the weeds as well as get the tomato patch ready. I fertilized and raked the tomato patch, but it was so dry, we are having to soak it before planting. So then I attacked these weeks. They are small, but plentiful. At the half way point, the sky opened and I retreated. The half I finished looks great. One thing I noticed in weeding the front was the job that I paid a young man to do, was pretty on top, but not a good job when one looked deeper. There were items just buried that should have been removed. I guess there are lessons in gardening that we can all take into our lives.
2015
05/04
Category:
food
gluten-free cookng
Knitting
Life
machine embroidery
quilts
COMMENTS:
Comments Closed
A birthday!
Yes, I added another year to my age. It is terrific that I am still active and can add another year. Daughter, Jennifer sent this pretty fruit basket. Another daughter called to tell me, there is a picture book coming. Many friends from whom I rarely hear wished me a happy birthday (for your part, thank you Facebook). It was a very good day which I will end with knitting.
My friend, Mary, came over and we spent an enjoyable day in the studio embroidering these little ants for a coming quilt. Naturally, there was also much conversation and laughter.
For lunch, I made my favorite cream of Broccoli soup from the 5 Loaves cookbook I started by putting an onion and half a red pepper in the blender with a cup of water. I added 1 teas of garlic powder, l teas of savory, and 1 Tbsp of chicken-like seasoning. I brought these to a boil and simmered 10 minutes. Meanwhile I took some frozen broccoli from Costco, microwaved it 1 minute and cut into small pieces. Then I put it in with the onion and added 2 more cups of water, brought it to a boil and let it cook, maybe 10 minutes – until the broccoli was still green but nearly done. While the broccoli was cooking I put 3/4 cup raw cashews in the blender with 1/4 potato starch and 2 cups water and blended well. I poured this into the broccoli, mixed well and served. I usually make double or triple this much as it freezes so well and I love having it for those days I don’t want to cook.
I did not get the lambs we’ve been expecting for a week. But then I guess the ewe’s bodies know best.
tomato plant shopping
Another quilt is cut and bagged. I started to cut another quilt, but then found that part of the fabric was not washed and since it is a red and white quilt, that is important.
Meanwhile we had a young man here helping us get control of the overgrowth between the planting boxes. Next time he comes, he will help put plastic down. Those areas are steep!
Then since the box in the greenhouse is mostly finished (I have to get the dirt all raked flat), we went over to the greenhouses and purchased several tomato and other plant starts. Most of the tomatoes, I had never heard of. Joy grows 100 different varieties of tomato starts.
shopping and sheep
Our first iris of the season.
I went shopping late yesterday and now have the fabrics to make this quilt. It set my numbers back by 3 yards, but I can live with that. I needed one yard for the front and maybe 2 for the back of this quilt.
I really thought that with us gone most of the day, this ewe would do more than just eat grass. She has been this way for a week now. Apparently she is no hurry, though she should be as there is a runner up waiting her turn. Now it’s a gamble on who goes first. Any bets? I’m pretty sure the last one will be the end of May as that was observed.
Fleece washing
