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 

Snow, what's growing, what am I reading and International Dog Biscuit Day.

We finally got some snow.  We sure do need it. All we have had out here is dust and dirt. 

Our honey crisp apple trees have begun to bud out.  Typically February and March are our snowiest months. 

In the green house the garlic continues to grow and the radishes have popped their little heads above ground. 

It is hard to tell from the pictures but despite the cold outside the beds are warm and snug and sprouting away. 

Today is International Dog Biscuit Day.  I mixed 2 cups oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup chicken stock and a wee bit of flour -2 tablespoons to make Norm some biscuits. 

Pup waited patiently until they cooled enough to enjoy. 

Here are the books I have read or listened to this week.  All very good. 

My mom went into a senior living apartment recently. She is doing well but the journey, at times, has been a bit bumpy. 

peace

Day in the mountains, homestead style.

We decided to take a daytrip today.  We packed the car, took the dog and went up north to the mountains, lakes and rivers...okay and cool air.  It was almost ninety degrees today. 

So , we dug out our vintage water jug from my mom.  It was on many trips to the mountains when I was a kid.  Extra water, apples, pretzels, sunflower seeds and cheese were added. 

We made a brain power salad from the garden.

Spinach

Blueberries

Walnuts

Brown rice

Lemon juice

We packed everything in one of the bags I made from our feed bags. These are strong and sturdy.

Then put in lamb (that we had raised) into the crockpot .  Ranch dressing mix, a can of chicken soup, and a cup of chicken broth (yep, we made and froze in the past). Add all to the crockpot over the lamb shanks. 

Then headed to the mountains.  Dude has been working with Norman, the dog. I was worried he (the dog, not Dude - wink)would pitch a fit the whole way.  He is really doing much better. He used to bark and howl riding in the car.  Today, he road in the back part of the car. He was quiet the whole two and half hours up to the mountains. (thank goodness)

He stayed calm on our walks too. 

We stopped to see Dude's brother. He has a fun A-frame cabin near a lake...wow!  We went from 89* on the eastern plains to 67* up in the mountains.

You can see there is still some snow visible in the higher ranges. 

Dinner was ready and waiting for us when we got home. (sorry so blurry) It was great over mashed cauliflower. 

I did get some crocheting done and Dude walked and trained Norman when we got home.  All our skills paid off today.

Happy Sunday.

peace