spring

this morning we heard the delightful sounds of my hens starting to lay again. i planted a bunch of onions, got the 6 blue berry bushes planted and started two kinds of herloom tomatoes( cherokee purple and mortage lifter) two kinds of summer squash and cucsstarted inside. the windows and doors are open and bedding is hanging on tne line....totally blissful.
sorry, no pictures, tne computer is in getting repared, you i am posting from the tablet.

Gettin' Saucy!

 As I mentioned in yesterday's post we picked apples. A neighbor has a tree that is packed full of sweet little apples that she says makes wonderful apples sauce. She told us to talk all we want, as she was not using any of it.

Small, but sweet, and bug free! Makes for MUCH easier sauce makin'. The kids help pick, and Clara was a HUGE helper. Picking almost 1/2 what I picked! She was going at the tree with both hands! She sure loves a challenge! Her reward, a cookie!

Smashin' the cooked apples.

Thick, sweet sauce. With no need to add any sugar! Throw in some cinnamon, put into qt bags and freeze! :)

What a blessing to have good food going into the freezer! By the way...the house smells SO good!

Today

I broke (we think) my finger in June. Last night I joked that because it was achy, the weather must be changing. Haha on me. It did. Today has been delightfully cool and a perfect day for baking!

I got lunch stuff cleaned up and then whipped up a pan of bar choco chip cookies. While those were making I got two dozen blue berry muffins ready for their turn in the oven. 

 

Both of those are done, and I then threw a chicken in to roast. We will eat that for dinner. Along with green beans, peas and carrots from the garden's picking.This afternoon we went to a neighbors to pick apples. We gathered the ones that were wormy for the chickens and the ones that were beat up for Amie and her pasture mates. While I work on a sewing project this evening, I am also going to be making apples butter with the good ones. Perfect thing to top oatmeal!

 

It feels like Fall today and I am so thrilled that my favorite season is here again!

Aaron has been plugging away at pealing off the layers on the inside of the walls to expose the beams, set new plugs/light switches and then insulate. It's coming along nicely. The kids have been enjoying a day of cooler temps and playing hide-and-seek.

Yesterday Aaron had another chiro apt and the doc is very happy with how well his back is staying in! Yahoo, and Thank God. My mom had a problem with her back when I was a child, and we have all hear horror storied of back problems. This scared me, and I am SO thankful that he is just fine. 

 

I am off to start washing apples!

 

 

 

 

Fixing Fence and Pasture Mates

This late morning and early afternoon we spent some time down at the pasture beefing up part of the fence. While Aaron pounded in the new posts, I went down the fence line with pliers and wire and attached the barbed wire to the new posts, and also re-attached any that needed it one old ones. The kids played, and ran and helped in turn.

Running through the weeds.

Playing with a cat tail.

BIG HELPER Flora...yes, that is a t-post she is carrying. She said " I am going to help daddy." And did. Such a strong little girl!

Playing in the little stream that runs through part of the pasture.

 Here are a few of Amie's pasture mates:

Maria the Mule...she is rather a sweet thing when she wants to be.

"Loofy" is what Andrew calls Lucy, she is close to 17 hands, and before rescued was neglected and Abused. It is taking time for all of us to be able to touch her. She doesnt have a mean bone in her body, but is very scared. Isn't she just so pretty!

My Sweet Amie. Her registered name is Oscars Sweet Amie, and the sweet part fits! :) Clara is now addicted to riding her, she was the most shy to get up on her.

Missy the Mule

Charlie Horse and Amie playing with a stick.

Amie is very curious and likes to nibble on things...think time...the reflective strip on the back pockets of Aaron's work pants.

Lucy's very large nose....and Aaron feeding her a sugar cube. The girl likes her sugar!

Still Alive...Really!

I have been awful about updating here this week. Sorry about that. I do have an excuse though. Life has been crazy. We have raspberries to pick, Amie's hooves to trim, my garden is starting to produce, it actually felt like Summer (hot...about 90 all week) and on Wed. Lowe's delivered the supplies for the Living Room/ Fire place projects.

Yesterday was a day of playing catch up. Catch up on laundry, watering, dishes, etc from having on odd day the day before. Today we are back at it full speed. Aaron has had 2 calls, and in between we picked more raspberries and dug up some hazelnut tree starts, Naps, Meals, I ordered a couple new shirts (can you say sale prices + free shipping+ 20% off!) and Andrew's birthday presents. Washing and putting said picked berries in the freezer. This evening we need to run to town and pick up something for my mom and sister. It will make for an odd evening, but Sabbath is right around the corner.

I am starting to think about what is needed for Feast Clothing. Each Feast we take a bit of the set aside $ and get new dress clothing as needed for the coming year. I have sewing planned and got to thinking about that as well. I might set up a table in our room so I can just work on it as needed, not having to put it away.

Well, I need to run and get a few more things done before we leave. Have a lovely evening!

Picking Fruit

A sweet neighbor lady, after picked what she would use, gave us her raspberry patch for the rest of the season. We picked once and got a large bowl full. This morning we picked again, and got my largest soup pan full! What a blessing!

We also were given two pie cherry trees to pick. Some of them are too ripe, but there was still enough to get to large bowls today, and Aaron will go again early tomorrow to get the rest that are up high and need a ladder. I think he can already taste the pies! Andrew and the old farmer (who is rather hard of heading) where quite a pair. Andrew openly admired all his "big huge" machines and Andrew just chattered on, even though the farmer didn't hear most of it!

Aaron worked his hind end off Friday and got the last beam up and the ceiling fan wired and installed. All between 2 calls and needing to do things like eating and such. I am LOVING this. We pick up part of the needed supplies on Wed and I am hoping to get the rest delivered either this week or next.

That's The Spot!

Amie fits right in to our family, she is a goof ball. She has this one spot that she is down right pushy about having you scratch.

It does not matter what you are doing, she will run her body up the length of you until you are in a prefect position.....then turn her head and around and give you a look that says "Well, have at it!"

She just melts and makes the funniest faces!

No matter how long you scratch, like you hand might be cramping up and about read to fall off, it's never enough.

Until next time then.....

*Warning: Mushy Stuff and Bikers in the post!

Mush: I am so totally in love with my husband. And am so very much blessed that I get to be with him more then the average couple. He is my best friend and is so easy to be with....and to look at! :) Throw in a chair saw and it's even better! :) 

 

 

 

 

Bikers: Grandpa and Grandma stopped by for a surprise visit yesterday. It was so nice to see them. Since the rode the motorcycle, and Andrew is rather obsessed with anything that goes "voom", EVERYTHING has been making almost the exact pitch of Grandpa starting up the motorcycle, he is rather impressed!

Fun in the Sun!

Pictures from earlier today: 

 

 

SUNSHINE!

Last Friday was cold. Cold enough for winter coats! Andrew has discovered that he can push this around....just like Daddy. But the little face while he is focusing on doing it...is all Aunty Roo!

 

 

 

What is that bright warm orb in the sky?

 

Could it be? Yes, I think it is. The sun is out! Outside we go!

 

 

Plant more garden space, pet and love on Amie, chase the chickens, clean up poo, ride bikes, trim up tree branches. Burning ant nests to cleaning and filling up fresh water for the critters. All things that were done today. 

Watching Amie melt in the sunshine was so funny. She started by just standing still for a bit, then she rested one foot. Head started drooping, drooping even more. Oh, alright, give in a lay down. She dozed for a while.

ZZZZZzzzzzzz.....

 

It's sunny, warm, and very pleasent. Everyone, from Amie, down to Sir Strut ( the rooster) have enjoyed the warmth of the sun. The kids are splashing and playing in a bit of water in the pool. 

 

Nap time is over....

Time for Lunch! Amie LOVES her food!

 

 

Yes, today is a beautiful day!