Creating, planting and chilling

I am spending a lot of my time cleaning and creating. My grandson wanted another octopus... 

Our state has a stay at home order in place, so yes, we are staying at home.  

Some substitutes you might find useful during these times.

I watched a video by Jamie Oliver on how to make soda bread, measuring with a tin can.  He also made biscuits and cinnamon rolls with the same recipe. 

I tried the cinnamon rolls. I like them but Dude missed the yeasty taste. These do have a wee bite of soda.

We are also taking time to plant. 

We got out the heat mat for the tomatoes and peppers, along with the trays for planting. 

 We do use a seed mix so as not to introduce bacteria to our gardens. We can't sow right into the grow yet as we still have frost … and sometimes snow. 

I began herbs without a heat mat. 

Dude got the grass seed spread before the snow flew last night. 

Things are growing in the greenhouse. 

Garlic 

Lettuce and spinach.  There is more planted in another area. 

Beets are all coming up .

I made some cards today.  Many people are connecting with each other more that ever now. Today I learned about ZOOM and had an online "meeting" with my grandson and all the grandparents. It was so good to see his little silly face and the antics he ensues. 

One of our friends requested we all send cards for her daughter whose birthday is coming up. You can make cards quite simply with a piece of cards stock or paper.  

To get the size of an A2 card simply cut it in half and fold. 

I found scraps of paper, you can use things you print of the internet, old books or magazines. 

Glue or use double sided tape to tack down in place. I like to embellish cards and found scraps of sequin tape to glue down. 

I had these piece of fake flowers and bling. You can also take apart a fake flower for pieces to add to your card.  Stickers work well too. The Happy Birthday piece below, I simply typed in my search engine "happy birthday images" and found this and printed it off. 

Just get creative and use what you have around the house.

We did get a nice gentle snow last night. 

It is already melted.

Love, compassion and empathy.

Thursday chores, what are we dehydrating and crafting today?

This week was a lot of putting out little fires and driving back and forth to Denver and the foothills to help family and friends.

Today I had to get back to working on the homestead.

Coffee and letter writing started the day. I had to get out birthday cards for the second half of the month and a couple of thank you's! I picked some out from the ones I made and got to writing.

Someone looked on as I wrote. Yes, that is snow and ice STILL on our land but the mud is pretty much gone, thank goodness. 

Out in time before the mail person came by. 

Dishes, laundry, plants watered, animals fed and a walk were priority this morning. A goal for 2020 get outside every day and exercise. 

Despite looking like evening , this was our very chilly morning walk. 

Canadian geese are on the move ...it is snowing in the mountains and I wonder if we will get some snow next week.

I was tired of these two literally playing cat and mouse all week. I took the grate off, we shall see what happens from here. 

I love salt and vinegar …anything. I had two zucchinis that I didn't want to juice . I decide to dry them as salt and vinegar …and pepper chips. 

Ready for the dehydrator. 

Not quite all the way dry, an hour or two more, but they will be good. 

Remember this animal portrait I did?  I began another project but can't show it quite yet, it's a gift. I hope it works out as well.

But I can show you one octopus I finished for my grandson, tomorrow I will make one from the black "rainbow" yarn. 

I sent him this picture and he called saying he loved it! (eyes will be added since he is 3 years old)

peace 

Thank you cards, broccoli soup and more from the homestead

 I have a ton of unfinished projects.  Just after prayer and bible meditation I piled up at least five of those projects to do. I would start and finish what I could.    The first, and most important, were thank you notes from the holiday that needed to be made, written and mailed.  I had one Paper Pumpkin box (a monthly cardmaking mail order ) left before I cancelled it for my new and frugal year of 2020.   

I got to work stamping and folding...

A dozen cards were made, I needed ten. Score.

There was plenty of leftover stickers and bling to make more with my own blank cards.  One project complete.  I challenged myself to 15minutes on the treadmill after every project.  (it was too cold and windy -hurricane force- to go outside)

Next project - finish jammies for Dude. Cording for the waist and hemmed . Boom. Done. 

I bundled up and walked to mailbox and around the land with dog.  Dang cold!

Next I made broccoli soup. I had a ton of veggies leftover from Epiphany.  

2 small heads of broccoli

a bunch of mini carrots (about a cup) chopped

6 celery sticks  chopped 

added an onion (medium) and a half  chopped 

3 cloves of garlic chopped

3 small cans of broth (14oz)

oil

salt and pepper

about 1/2 cup heavy cream 

1/2 milk

Roasted the broccoli tossed with vegetable oil and salt at 400* for 25 minutes stirring half way through. 

Meanwhile, in a stockpot, sauté the veggies in oil. They will be ready about the same time as the broccoli.  

Add the broccoli to the veggies plus the broth. Heat through for about 15 minutes. Then I put the veggies plus a small amount of the broth through the blender.  I think you could do the same with an immersion blender. 

Return all the pot, stir and warm through. Turn off the heat and add the cream and milk. Stir well and serve. 

I topped mine with plain yogurt , a teaspoon of cheese and breadcrumbs. 

Dude loved it (*faint*). He liked his plain.  

Watching television tonight I will continue to work on the temperature afghan project … two more periwinkle rows for yesterday and today 40+ *F. 

And the wool hexies… I need to get caught up. I am 3 days behind. 

 OH and my silly dog is jealous of the skeleton! This love seat is where the daybed was for the holidays for our grandkids when they came over (and the dog claimed during the day).  Now the skeleton is sitting there with a hat on AND with the blanket that was on the bed! It was there yesterday and today and the dog couldn't stand it any long and took matters into his own paws. He threw the hat off the skeleton (aka Madame Pompadour) and stole the blanket. 

peace