Cucumbers, What am I reading, and Cousin It

The list is long again and if you are homesteading you will find it is a lot of work.  But like everything else you need to love what you do.  Most of , well, all of the people I know homesteading do love it.  You are never bored and there is always something to do.

I headed out to rinse and fill all the water troughs. The sheep did not want to venture out at all. It is cool this morning and only in the 60's F. The temperatures are back on the rise and heading to 90*.

This was not the week to reduce my coffee consumption to one cup a day. I am a sleepy mess and keep telling myself to soldier on.  I can't get to the sewing room or crochet hooks until my chores are done! But first the porch, weeding, cut back roses, tomatoes, mop floors and put those dang books back in the shelf.  Oh... and tis the season, I hope to can pickles .

Reading-  I finished reading Octavia - The Parable of the Sower. Whoa. It was intense and hard to read but not implausible of happening.

Finished - Second Nature by Micheal Pollan.  I really enjoyed this book and very relaxing while reading the intense Parable of the Sower.  If you like gardening, nature or just reading about plants you will love this book.

Now reading - Bunnicular A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by James and Deborah Howe.  It is a story of a boy and a rabbit as told by the family dog. I remember seeing this book in my sons' room when they were growing up but I have never read it. Beware of the bunny! He was once the pet of Dracula or so it says, I will soon find out.  It is a Young Readers book, fun and funny.

“Harold: "It so happens I was discussing great works of literature with Toby."
Chester: "Since when is a Twinkies wrapper considered a great work of literature?”

My sister and I challenged each other to read Catcher in the Rye since neither of us has read it. I will finish it tonight. 

The floors are done! Dude got the two living rooms, dining room, kitchen and hall finished in three days. He makes things look so easy.  I spent most of yesterday and today putting the house back together.  (we got rid of extra furniture - like the piece behind the saddle -and anything stacked on the floor. Minimize!)

Our cantaloupe is really a water melon. 

Time to can. 

I got a few onions to add to the pickles. 

Picked some rather large carrots for Dude. 

It is so cool when you realized you grew this! 

Some were filled with garlic, dill, bay, peppercorns, and chili peppers... others dill, onion, and peppercorns. 

The first dozen dill pickles complete. Half with onions, half without fresh out of the water bath. 

Two enchilada casseroles one with my sister's sauce and one with mine. Don't ask Dude to get you cheddar cheese... you will end up with American. Well, I made due with the American cheese.  Both these are delish!  One will go to the sewing bee tomorrow. 

Dude was mowing the field so I ran out and got some flowers before they were gone. 

Oh, and my first attempt at Cousin It. 

I need more hula skirts! Tomorrow I will add to it. 

peace