Tunic pattern, bread recipes and other Thursday happening

I got up very early (okay, I couldn't sleep) and cut out a top for gardening. I don't want working in the garden or with the chickens an easy out for looking frumpy.  I have definitely been failing in the later category. It is a simple tunic with two pockets on the front. The shirt will be powder blue and pockets are yellow with different phrases about bees , such as  - Let it Bee, My Queen Bee, etc. Can't wait to stitch it up. Hope it doesn't end up looking like a house coat!

Dude surprised me with a yellow (Grandiflora) rose plant. I want to start a rose garden again. The old one was destroyed while the roof was going on last year.

New packets of bread for the bread machine arrived in the mail.  The first one I tried is a New York Dill Rye from Prepared Pantry.  When I opened it, it was like Pandora's Box. The smell of dill and wheat flew out of the bag.  I couldn't wait to get it in the machine. I followed the directions exactly, including the use of a thermometer for the water to be a perfect 80*.

Turned out beautiful. 

I did get another tray of flower seeds planted. I would like to be able to sell mini- bouquets.  I buy one from a grocer near work every week for $10.  I could do that (says my inner dreamer) and I am going to give it a try.  Let's see if I can make it work.

My mom called. She said she had old family recipes for Easter breads for me . She would gladly trade for a bottle of wine to go with her Holy Thursday meal. I don't drink but I do collect wine for cooking and trade... plus I just like the bottles.  Sounds strange, I know, but true. My kids tease me about it.  I found a Cabernet Sauvignon to give to her.
  (yes, mom requires a deposit of my first born at times ...smile)

There is a lot of work in these recipes but when you have family and ancestors right here you need to honor them and take full advantage of the gifts they have to offer. 

Thank goodness I wrote all this this morning.  Exhausted and need to go to bed early. It's an 8pm retire night. 

We won't be on tomorrow. We have a tradition on Good Friday of no electronics, television, or radio from 3pm until Easter Sunday.  It is a time of quiet and prayer. 

peace

Wool dryer ball, quilting, seed planting, and a prayer walk

Happy Palm Sunday. 

We had a good day. We celebrated with a fun and simple game. It is a box that can be tilted a travelling  pinball to see who can get the most points. Dude loved it. 

We had to head to town for feed and potting soil for the seeds. 

When we got home Dude put everything away and made a bigger area for the chicks since they are growing. 

I worked on wool balls for the dryer.  I used scraps that I had carded and then made into roving.

I pulled wool through a spoon to make roving. 

Then wound them into a tight ball. 

I put them in a panty hose leg and tied a knot between them. 

They were tossed in a load of laundry twice and through the dryer twice.  Then I cut them apart and removed them from the hose. 

Now they are ready to be full fledge dryer balls.  We will put essential oils on them before putting  them in the dryer. They are suppose to reduce static cling, reduce drying time and be used in place of dryer sheets. 

Dude got trays of soil ready for seeds. We will use one whole tray for each type of seed, for example... this one will be all beets. Another will be only lettuces, another for collards, etc. 

I finished two lap quilts ... finally. 

After all that sitting it was time for a prayer walk. 

We said hello to the horses on the way out.  It was cool and very windy today. 

I brought in fire wood. It's suppose to snow tomorrow night. 

 We started watching The Ten Commandments for our Holy Week Tradition.  I began to make 10 inch crocheted squares for a yarn bombing event in Virginia. I am so excited to send a bunch of squares. 

Faith

"Live simply and justly in solidarity with the poor and marginalized and be a good neighbor. Make no war on them, rather, be one with them in spirit, truth, and love. "  -Archbishop Oscar Romero

Yesterday, I mentioned one of my favorite movies for Lent = Romero.  Today is the anniversary of his assassination. On March 24, 1980 , Archbishop Oscar Romero was murdered during mass.  He was a champion of El Salvador's poor. Today, Pope Francis has cleared him for sainthood. 

"ASPIRE NOT TO HAVE MORE, BUT TO BE MORE." -OSCAR ROMERO

peace

Friends, The Fleece Factory, and Movies for Lent

Dude spent the day installing cabinets for someone. This meant I was on my own. 

Started the day at a good friend's home.  She is moving and had some boxes, fabric and some tea cups (so beautiful)for me. I love to decorate boxes

She has the same sense of humor that I do. *smile*

Then drove over to mom's to deliver eggs. We are now getting a perfect dozen. No Easter dying required. 

A stop at the library. They have a box of books they are giving away for free and thinning out their stash.  I scored this pirate book just in time for Tuesday Craft. My grandson wants something pirate.  As you can see I have a movie that will go with it. 

I can't wait! 

I also found two more books perfect for the homestead. 

Then I went to a magical place called The Fleece Factory. It is out in the country with fields of alpaca surrounding them.  They are so friendly and kind there. They share all their knowledge. 

I want to take their peg loom class to make a rug. 

Oh and learn rug hooking. 

Wet felting to make hats. 

Felted blankets. 

And look at these beauties.  They have an awesome factory that you can take tours for free!

Then it was time to go home.  Dr. Featherbottom and Mr. Quackers greeted me. 

I took Norman for a walk. He LOVES tumbleweeds. 

I was very inspired to craft and such when I got home.  I found ideas for Tuesday's with Grandma crafts.

  I carded wool and made wool drier balls. I will post them tomorrow after they have been thrown in the washer and drier a couple of times. 

Dinner was the leg of lamb I made yesterday. It tasted great with a thin gravy, green beans and fresh pineapple.

Movie night. I love to watch movies. I don't get to watch television too much since I work nights. I do have movies ready for this week - Holy Week.  Here are some movies for the Lenten Season. 

The Ten Commandments

Romero (one of my favorites)

The Mission

The Way

Risen

Happy Palm Sunday.  We are planting seeds tomorrow.  Tag team... Dude will set up the trays with dirt and I will plant the seeds.  Then the rest of the day is Stitch it up Sunday - sewing and crocheting . 

peace

Cooking a leg of lamb today.

It was a mellow morning. We had toast from the oatmeal bread I made yesterday with eggs. It was so good.

Popped a leg of lamb in the oven. Super simple 400* at 30minutes per pound. I like garlic, salt, pepper, and , of course, rosemary.  Sprinkle a bit of lemon over it and pop in the oven. I like mine well done, so it took longer than that. 

Cleaned the wool carder.

Got Easter cards ready and need to make more. These were mailed today.

The lamb is at 165* but again, I like mine well done so pop it back in the oven for 15-20 minutes. It still wasn't up to the 175-180* or so, that I like.  I needed to get to work and didn't have time to wait! I had already been stalled due to being outside when it began to pour rain. I had to come in and change clothes.

I got worried I would be way late for work so I put it in the crockpot on low with a little bit of water and said a prayer it would be fine. 

Dude said he loved it. This statement coming from a man who said he hates lamb.  There was no lamb taste, just good eatin' he said. I can't wait for dinner tomorrow!

Here's what I did - I took a leg of lamb. Cut slits in the meat and put minced garlic in the slits. Drizzled lemon juice on the lamb.  Rubbed salt and pepper plus rosemary all over it. Put in a preheated oven of 400* bake at 30 minutes per pound or more .  That's it.

It was a rough week. I am so glad it is Friday.

peace