Fall Cleaning

Well I've got the bug for cleaning house. Kinda like spring cleaning only its fall. I have scoured my kitchen top to bottom. Cleaning all the knick knacks, shelves and windows. While working on that I've also put up nine pints of apple butter, again, and five quarts of apples for pie filling for the freezer and I still have apples. I'm thinking a fresh pie would be nice.

I then proceded to go out and clean out my fish pond so they could breathe a little easier. That ought to get them through the winter before it will have to be cleaned again.

I have planned my menu for this Friday when members of Charming Chicks come for lunch and learn how to make laundry soap. I also made up cards with the recipe on them. It sounds like there will be around eight ladies coming. That should be a good cackling party.

Now its off to figure what to have for tonights dinner and watch my husband and daughter put in my new sink. Can't wait for that one.

Bread Making

With the weather turned off cold its time to bake bread again. Couple days ago I made two small loaves of pumpkin bread and a banana nut bread. I also made applesauce for the first time ever from apples off my tree. We'll see how that turned out one day.

Today we had a Chicks meeting at Cheryl's house where she made us a delicious lunch and showed how to make MaryJanes Artisan bread starter to those who had never made it before. Next week we all get to try each others bread to see how they turn out. That should be interesting as mine have not been very good in the past. It's something I need plenty of practice with.

Here It Is

I finally tried my hand at crochet. Bought a self teaching book and tried a few different things. It took me awhile to get the hang of it but after starting over numerous times, I think I got it. Although there are many things I'd need someone to teach me that I'm not sure exactly how to do it. I would love to learn some really cute designs, but simple ones. I must say that crochet is for someone with very strong wrists, not something I have any longer. It is a nice way to pass the time on a gloomy day and catch up on all the DVR shows I taped. Plus it gave me time to sit in the rocking chair and relax which is not something I do very often .

The Bug Is Here

And that bug is what we all call the flu bug. So many I know have already been hit with it and now I've been laid up for four days with it so have not been able to get out and enjoy our fall weather. We've had rain now for a couple of days and it always smells so nice out here when it does. I use to love running in the rain when I was a kid. After getting soaked and having a blast doing so, I would then go in and take a nice warm shower. I have since then always looked forward to a good rain. Living up here in the high desert it does'nt come around all that often so when it does I try to enjoy what I can. I must say having to have a fire in the wood stove has also added to the wonderful smells of the outdoors rain and all.
Last Saturday I went to the farmers market to pass out some flyers hoping to recruit some farmgirls into our Chapter. I met one lady who makes her own dog biscuits and one who crochets and knits. I would like to try my hand at crocheting again as it has been many years since I first tried my hand at it and made a coverlet for my moms bed.
With winter coming soon it will be time to start planning lots of indoor activites and I hope to meet some other farmgirls with different interests so that I could learn from them. I have even thought of taking a yoga class as it is something I've always wanted to do.
So now its time for a hot cup of tea and a little more rest to get over this bug. Then I hope to get out there and do some more recruiting. In the meantime, hope everyone stays warm, stays healthy and enjoys their fall.

Saying Goodbye

It is really hard to say goodbye to those you love when you know it will be awhile before you can get back to see them. I just returned from Idaho from seeing my son and my mother and brothers and sisters. We only had a week there as the weather was changing toward snow back here. We spent what time we could talking, shopping and eating too much. Saw many of the neices and nephews and their families as well.
My son is doing very well and looks real good. We shopped, he took me to lunch and we talked about many things. He's already letting me know what he wants for Christmas.
Even though it's hard to leave them, it is good to be home. All of my animals miss me when I'm gone and there is so much to do around here to get ready for winter. Just the day after coming home I was hauling wood for the fireplace, putting up all my garden decor, readying the coop for the winter chill and looking for the gloves and hats to bring inside. By the next day, it was snowing the better part of the day and the following was a snow rain mix.
Well I guess I now have to say goodbye summer, hello fall. My compost bin is nearly full from all the garden scraps and the leaves have fallen from many trees. The deer are eating anything left that is green and the hens are laying fewer eggs. I've put up all my garden equipment and hubby has winterized all the motored ones. Time to put on my thinking cap and start planning crafts to make for the cold winter days ahead. I've already started pulling out the soup recipes and the crock pot, now if I could only learn to cook.

Vacation time

We just came back from a great time over on the coast in Reedsport Oregon. We stayed at the Discovery Point where all the sand dunes are. This is a pic of the ocean across from our camp site. The weather was perfect and the fun of riding quads all over the dunes and up and down the beach was awesome. Had a few bumps to go over but had a blast. I did run out of gas at one point, hubby forgot to fill me up, but siphoned from his quad into mine and finally found our way back to where we parked. After three hours of that it was back to camp and a nice cold drink.

On one day we went to yard sales and antique stores where we always manage to find something. I found another book on how to save seeds. We also had to put some of our money into the local motocross stores as well. We managed to eat very well and had plenty of the spirits to go along with it.

I once again tried my hand at fishing, but as usual never got a bite. Which is really okay considering the size of some of those suckers being caught out of the ocean. I would probably end up letting the fish have my bait and pole to go along with it.

Did see our friendly clan of seals. At one point we had five within the little cove area where we stayed. Watched them play with a fish they caught and the birds trying to take it away. Then we saw the local hawks just dropping down into the water, catching a fish, and do you know they even adjust the darn thing to fly under them lenghwise. It's quite a site to see. Sometimes they loose it but most times they fly right up into the trees over our campsite and munch down.

After a perfect week of relaxation and catching up with family and friends, it was back on the road to home where it then takes two days to unload the motorhome, clean it all up, do all the laundry and put everything back in its place. Then I'm ready to finally relax and breathe for a short minute, then off to check the mail, pay the bills, pick up the house, check on all my animals, get the garden ready for winter sleep. I could go on and on but you all get the picture.
And now I still have one more vacation to Star, Idaho and then I'll be settling in for the winter after that.
So it's time to go and pack for Idaho and will post again when I get back home.

Fishing Day

Me and my daughter and sister in law went out to Fish Lake yesterday and it was beautiful there. Spent the better part of the day on the lake enjoying fishing, eating, reading and just relaxing. The weather was perfect, low 70's and it was so peaceful. A much needed restful day for me as I have been busy sanding and staining our back door and an antique table I had picked up a while back.

I managed to catch two small fish, which I thru back in. My daughter caught one small that she released. Nothing to take home for dinner but what a great time we all had.

Battle at Moore Park

My husband and I went to see the Civil War reenactments at the park last weekend. He wanted to know if I got any pics of when the big cannon went off. I said sure, of the sky or ground. That thing was so loud, and you could just feel the burst of it against you. Wow! I did manage to get a few pics of gun fire. I just love when people dress in costume and live the era. It is such a great history lesson to all. What I did learn from this one was, in order to be accepted as a soldier, you had to have two good front teeth, in order to open the gun powder cap, and you had to have a trigger finger. That was the only thing for their physical exam.

Yard Sale Busy

I've been busy these past few days getting ready for a yard sale here at the house. There is just so much stuff we have collected. Once you live in a small home you find yourself putting winter clothes and things away into containers and you forget what you own when you go to needing it. So what's a person to do, but go and buy more. Anyway, we have so many items that I only hope most of them sell so I won't have to hall too much into town. I know the homeless shelter is always glad to take things, I'm just not looking forward to having to load too much up.

I was looking through my email this morning and found this cute pic of this cat. He looks just like my Taz kitty, so I wanted to post it here. I have'nt learned how to put different things on my blog like I see so many have. There are really cute things on some I have looked at, but I don't know where to get them or how to place them on here. Guess I better call in the expert, my granddaughter. I think kids nowadays were born to gadget and computer knowledge. Thing is, so many don't even know where paper comes from. Times have changed. Guess that means I'm really getting old.

You Must Be A Farmgirl If.............

the first thing you find when you wake up in the morning is that you've trapped a skunk in your cage meant for the stray cat someone had dumped off. Yep, I did, and I had to some how get a cover over the cage without being sprayed and then attach a rope to it to haul it up onto a trailer hooked up to my quad. Then, still in pj's, I start hauling it down the road, gagging and spitting as I go, to as far away as I dare, looking like I did and all. Finally get to a location where I then have to turn the cage around, open the door and pray it leaves. After a few moments of encouragement ( ha), it finally takes the leap and runs off into the bushes. As I start to leave, I look back and see the darn thing coming back in the direction of me. So boogie on home I went quickly to shed myself of all my clothing and hop into a nice hot soaking bath. Then I had my cup of tea.

Charity starts at home

Today I went and did the co op garden and harvested veggies for about an hour then did all the weeding which took a little over an hour. This is one tuckered woman.

The bush beans are going nuts. With all the produce ripe, I must have collected 45 pounds of beans, squash, onion, chard, peppers and tomatoe. I was just overwhelmed by how much there was to harvest and way too tired to take it all home to freeze, so instead I gave it all away. Boy do those men at hubby's work love to see me coming on garden day. I'm just truely grateful that someone appreciates all the work I have put into this garden. I know most of these guys have large families to feed, so it all went to a good cause.

Next harvest I will probably start making some salsa so long as all those tomatoes start to ripen.
For now its time to finish cleaning house and getting things ready for a yard sale.

Birthday Wishes

Today was my granddaughters 18th birthday. Oh, how fast the times go by. I still want her to be my baby girl and teach her so much more, but its now time for her to spread her wings and find herself in ways she never even imagined. She's learning how to drive, gonna be moving away from home in late Sept., starting her journey by taking courses on hairstyling and then on to bigger adventures wherever life leads her.

My wish for her is to always find happiness in everything she does. Kylie, be strong and never give up on your dreams, even if they change, go with it until you find where your heart tells you you belong. Trust in yourself to make the right decisions and know we all make mistakes, but learn from them. Know that no matter what you do or where you are, you will always have your family by your side. Even if your decisions are'nt what we would choose for you, just do the best you can to be the person you really want to be. You have a good head on your shoulders and a kind, loving heart. You will do great at anything you set your mind to doing.

But, most of all, remember Gramma loves you, Peaches. Happy Birthday, baby.

Evening Sky

We had weather like we were to get a big storm but it blew over and this is the sunset it left us with the other evening. It is so beautiful. I just love when I can step out on my deck and see this for all its glory. This is what makes me smile and feel blessed to be living where I am today. Just being out in the country and not having the city lights block out the stars and everything God has given us .

Canning Jams

My dear sweet husband saw I had purchased canning jars to make jams, so he brought me home some peaches and strawberries. Last night I made some peach jam and today I made the strawberry jam. He says I look like susie home maker doing the things women are suppose to do. ha! He knows I did this because I love my jams. lol

Boy, I know its been well over 20 years since I've done any canning and my back today is telling me so. I only hope they all turn out well as the fruit sure smells good.

Triplets

This morning when I went out and fed the chickens, I started up the hill to feed the dogs and right at my watering bucket was three fawns and mama nearby feeding. She has been coming around the yard the last few weeks, but I had only seen two of her fawns on the property next door. By the time I ran back in to get my camera they were heading out. They are sure cute when they are small but can do some good damage to my bushes. None the less, I love looking at the little babies.

More pics of Co-op Garden

The soil out here is so nice. Makes me want to keep planting.

This is where all the lettuce and onions and beets were. Then here is a pic of our bush beans, squash and corn. And the two hills of pumpkin which want to take over the garden. This has truely been a good experiment for me. Used only organic and heirloom plants and seeds. There are no bugs on anything. The only bugs I find on the plants are ladybugs, good bugs, sent from heaven.

Harvest time

Went to the co op this am and did my usual weeding. The tomatoes are looking good, but not ripe for picking yet. Hot peppers are starting along. And the pumpking patch is going nuts. Had to harvest the walla walla onions, green onion, chard and bush beans today. I did plant my bush beans too close to the squash. It was a bit tight to get into them for picking. Good thing I'm taking lots of pics so I'll plan better next year. All in all, it took me about an hour and a half to get it back into shape. The corn has got to be over 5 ft tall now. I blanched and froze what chard I picked today, put the onions up and fixing the rest.

Tonights dinner is an ol' okey meal my first husband's gramma use to fix. Fresh picked green beans, new potatoes and bacon cooked altogether in one pot. Yummy..... By the way, I married another okey boy this time around to.

Plans changed

This week my granddaughter and I were gonna do some camping by the lake but she was not able to do that after all. So instead I made a list of all the things I need to get done around the house. To start, I finished my compost bin and have started on my garden gate. Tomorrow I will finish the gate post with cement and attach the gate, then its off to make a new area inside my coop for my banties and their babies. The temporary one is a bit hard to manuver in to keep it tidy. After that I have a lot of outdoor furniture to put a good coating of urethane on. I must say, I will definetly need to do some more fishing after all of this. Here is a pic of the gate, it took me 4 hours to build, and here is one of my compost bin in which I used pallets and attached them with L brackets.

New Baby Indy

This is my first time ever where one of my hens hatched a baby. I called her (hope) Indy for Independence Day since that's the weekend she came about. She is so cute and her mama is really good and very protective. I hope to have more baby bantees in the future.

My First Barter on the Palouse

I had never bartered before and this was such a great deal. Our first stop on the Palouse was at the Freeman Store where I was able to swap my Singer treadle machine for this beautiful hand stitched quilt, embroidered pillow shams and this quaint little ladder. I think I did awesome. What do you think?

Here's a pic of me and the two sisters who bartered with me. They have such a nice little place. Girls, I'll hope to be seeing you next year.