Yes I’ve been absent, physically and mentally but thought I’d share these pics from this morning before work.
All it takes to brightens someone’s day are tiny little red things…
This of course is Rosalee, look at her waddles and comb they are coming in nicely! And she loves tiny little red things…Happy holidays!
Swatching is SOOOOO important.
I’m beginning my next project, The Shepherd Hoodie from Kate Davies. This pattern can be found at Juniper Moon Farms.
http://www.fiberfarm.com/product-category/the-shepherd-and-the-shearer
This past Monday I woke up tired and out of sorts. I fed the pups, let the chickens out to free range a bit before work and went back inside to make some tea. I also made a scrambled egg sandwich on Rudis GF multigrain bread. Since this past year with my allergy, I haven’t really wanted to eat bread. I no longer craved it, but this morning, I knew I wanted an egg sandwich.
As I was walking down the hall, the entire sandwich slid off my plate. Ugh! So it ended up that my dogs had a nice breakfast instead of me. I went back into the kitchen and tured the kettle on. I’ll make myself some tea I said to myself…I grabbed a mug from the cupboard and accidentally bumped it against my sink. It cracked in my hand, leaving me with a cut. I washed the cut, put a bandaid on it and reminded myself that yes its Monday, but I had tomorrow off. I need to get through the day…I MUST get through the day…
The past couple weeks, I’ve been feeling fatigued. Maybe it’s the changing of the seasons, who knows.
Even though the morning didn’t go as planned, no more disasters happened. In fact on my way to work I made myself laugh because at first I was feeling bummed my favorite mug broke…but then my next thought was that ALL my mugs are my favorite! Not just that one. I had many left to enjoy!
Here’s a chicken picture for no reason except that yes, those fluffy furry puffballs are hens. And she’s probably thinking, what you looking at?
The summer’s coming to end. The days are definitely getting shorter. The weather still has some heat, however my garden is getting tired. The tomatoes are not really turning red and the zucchini are growing few and fingerling sized.
School is back in session which equals to hellish commutes…who’s whining? 🙂
But I do know that love is about and shows up when you least expect it sometimes.
Today I decided to take out most of my garden to get it ready for the Fall garden. I usually dread this task because it is admittance that summer really is over. After clippinga and pruning the vines I was left with a few pounds of immature tomatoes. And what does one do with all that fruit? Make relish!
Being raised on the West Coast, green tomato relish wasn’t something that I ever had. However after reading this recipe Farm Girl it had a familiar resemblance of chili verde. So I decided to give it a try.
I had all the ingredients handy and it didn’t take more than an hour and a half. You can find the recipe on the link above to Farmgirl.
I used a water bath method to can them. I will share a few jars with my family, however after sampling the finished product it was amazing. Not only can it be used for chips and dip, but I can use it to make chicken chili verde too.
With the end of summer, good things do come from the changes of the season. Finding the heart shaped tomato today validated my decision to grow food for my family, which I shared pounds of tomatoes with friends and family with my abundant crop…taking the time the other night to look at the beautiful sunset then stare at the stars reminded me to be grateful for what I have and the life I live.
Onwards and upwards to your dreams…
I am not a vegan. I eat meat, I rarely eat red meat. I have posted entries talking about growing food, being conscious on where my food comes from. I have read stories that have discussed industrial agriculture and how it’s affecting our food chain. I am not an expert on anything really, yet I want to share a little story that happened to me today.
Today at work, a father and his 9 year old daughter stopped in and asked what the rug was made from. I simply replied, “It’s cowhide.”
The father was so surprised that we were using a cowhide on the floor. In todays world, I am always aware that people have various believes regarding animals, their treatment and so forth so I explained that the hide more than likely a by product of the meat industry.  The cattle farmers sell the hides to a leather business who conditions them to  be sold to make leather accessories etc. The father again was so surprised, he replied,” The only meat he wants to know about comes in a cellophane wrapped styrofoam tray he finds at his local grocery store.” It seemed he was happy knowing, not knowing where his food came from.
Since I was at work, I didn’t reply with, “did you know that wool comes from sheep?”
Speechless! I hope this fathers belief of meat is not the norm, and the daughter isn’t too upset when she finds out cowhide is really leather. It is a sad reality that people do not know where their food comes from, how it’s grown or what chemicals are used …the reality is daunting. That is why I read food labels, I grow veggies and make my own compost for the garden. I try to buy organic and will do without if I’m unsure of the foods source.
Sorry so soap-boxy. I just thought I’d share.
So I won’t lose this post I’m reporting to my blog. I’m excited to knit the Nordic trail!
Good Morning! It’s sweater Knit Along time!! We can not believe that it has been a full year since our last sweater KAL.
We have been scouring Ravelry picking our favorite patterns – here are just a few suggestions:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/parlan  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nordic-trail  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barrett  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/silverstone  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dressage-3  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nidden
Start Date – This Friday! August 23rd
Finish Date – October 5
Sign up here on the blog with your name and pattern choice in the comment section. We will enter you into win a $25.00 gift card to Webs Yarn Store. Enter by Thursday night at midnight. We will pick a winner Friday morning!
We will also be hosting a few Knitting Parties during the knit-along, at Kara’s home where we can get together and knit! Dates to be announced soon!
The garden is GROWING out of control!
I love gardening. Each morning I roll out of bed, feed the dogs, take them out to do their business then let the chicks out. I then take about 20 minutes to observe what is growing in my garden. I scaled back from my normal 12 dozen tomatoe plants to only have 6 this year. I have hundreds of green tomatoes, each day a few turn red. Everyday I find something ripe, something I had not noticed the day before. With the addition of the chickens, I’m intrigued by their crazy antics too.
I also have 3 zucchini plants that continue to produce lovely green beauties.
An easy recipe to use both tomatoes and zucchini is to make a gratin.
I slice tomatoes and zucchini into round slices. I alternate layers tomato, then zukes, drizzle EVOO, salt and pepper, crushed garlic if you prefer. Sprinkle mozarella on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. The flavors meld together and voila! Delicious!
Here are a few pictures of the garden and chicks…whom are so much fun!
I also shredded zucchini and made lasagne using the zukes for noodles. So yummy, and gluten-free!!
Have you ever looked back at photos and could hardly believe what moments you captured? I have been looking at my pictures from my trip to Machu Picchu last month. I really can’t believe I was there and with my best friend!!
I’m grateful and lucky that I went to such a wondrous place.
Here’s a few pictures of the trip…
The first picture was taken in Puno Peru, right before a Shamen friended us and used holy water to ‘cleanse’ us. Puno is near Lake Titicaca…
The vicuña looks sweet in the next picture but that thing charged at me behind the fence.
Kecia and I proving that we were actually at Machu Picchu! What is awesome is that they stamped our Passports when we were there!
Oh and that cute animal was a baby llama rolling around on the grass at Machu Picchu….just enjoying the sights…
Such a unforgettable trip with a special friend…Thank you Kecia!!
Kecia, What do you have listed as #2 on your bucket list? I’m game!
Let's get after your goals!
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