Ram shearing, Dude's boredom = new kitchen lighting, and meatless Friday

Our ram Wilbur was sheered yesterday. 

His fleece is a bit dirty but nice and long.  It is a Romeldale wool. 

Last night we had a sudden and rather powerful storm that had me stuck in traffic, only to get to my son's home after 4 hours of trying to get home.  When there is snow on the ground and I don't get home Dude gets antsy.  He decided to begin work on the ceiling and new lighting in the kitchen. 

Here is the before. 

Here is where it was when I finally got home today.  I wasn't feeling well and went straight to bed. I must have needed it because I didn't hear a thing. Almost four hours later he got quite a bit done. 

As you can see we really need the lighting. 

Dinner for a Friday during Lent was veggie fajitas.

Cheese, onions, peppers and a bean mixture of Navy beans, lime juice, chopped onion and tomato, salt and pepper plus a chopped up chipotle pepper. 

Grilled the onion and pepper.  Remove from the stove.

Add a tortilla with the grilled onions and pepper, cheese and the bean mixture. Grill in butter. 

Fold over heat on one side and flip. 

Served with our canned summer salsa. 

Finished my first cross stitch in probably 15 years.  Can you see my big mistake? Dude could - smile. 

There is snow all around and we have a fire lit to keep us warm. Movie night from the library.  It's a homesteading movie of sorts, Far and Away. 

Then to bed early.

peace

Sunday's goings on on the homestead and faith

We went shopping yesterday at one of those new mega-stores - you know, the kind that has a ferris-freakin'-wheel in it . Not something we usually do.  It was a bit overload to our senses and everything was super expensive.  I took pictures of everything I liked and wanted to make.

Crocheted/ knitted cowls were  $60
Scarves $60
Loose woven blankets  $130 - 169
Crocheted turtle neck ponchos $160
Wool punch pillows $70
Western type vests $160

It is definitely a handmade Christmas this year.

Today was busy.  I was off work for Thanksgiving and got these ready as a Thank You gift to my team.  I saw the idea at Organize Christmas where they have these print-outs.  I think you could do the same idea for Christmas with Christmas papers. I wonder how many of my young team have ever seen Jiffy Pop popcorn ...

Dinner was put in the crockpot first thing this morning. Pork roast with potatoes and onion soup mix with a bit of water. 

Next up Peanut Butter Kisses.  It is always good to start Holiday baking early on! These cookies are easy and quick  - 1 egg, 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar - mix. Bake 350* 10minutes. Pop a kiss on time while warm. 

I got the latest issue of Spin Off - a magazine about spinning yarn. 

I opened up to the first story and it was about the family that sheared my ram! Wow! How cool for them. 

Here he is last spring shearing Wilbur. 

Here he is with his buddies who helped with the equipment.  They did a fantastic job and we will have them back in the spring. 

We started the day with a walk. We have been walking now for a week. I have to tell you when I began my hips were tight and didn't think I could make it. I didn't want Dude to know so I kept on going. Now, today, it was a breeze. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for a walk. 

Geese were everywhere!

I did pick some dried Russian Olive branches to work into a Christmas ...as something. Not sure yet what it will be. 

I think they are so pretty. 

I did make Christmas cards. I'm not finished but did get 11 made. I found these antique printables at Shabbyartboutique.com. Then I looked for any embellishments I could find to create the cards. The Blessing card was a postcard that was in a package I recently got so I used it as a card. 

I went outside to see what was happening on the homestead on this absolutely gorgeous day!

Dude was having a wonderful time working with Summer.

I stopped to stay hello to Angelo who was trying to get my attention by eating my shirt. He is adorable and I just can't get mad at him. 

Wilbur asked for a lamb ram massage.  He turned and gave a nod of gratitude. 

A stop in the greenhouse for a dinner salad.

I came in and finished the "cards/coasters" for my team. 

Time for dinner.

Here's that garden salad... our greens, various lettuces, our radishes, a sliced apple, a wee bit of cheese, pecans and dried cranberries.  Oh yum. 

And for Dude... pork roast, potatoes, and, of course, salad. 

I took mom to mass last night. The church was packed and people standing in the back. Always a good thing. The  readings are ones that I understand but still grimace..." Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left." 

I raise sheep and goats.  Goats are smart and can be, at times, stubborn. Sheep, well, I hate to say it they are kinda dumb. But I think God is telling us not to be stubborn like the goats. He calls us to love him. Sounds simple but changing one's heart can be difficult. God is love and it is hard to envision the love God has for us. To have the faith of a mustard seed is all that is necessary but like sheep, who wander, there are times in our lives we feel lost. But Jesus is always there to show you the way, a new way , a way you can impact not only yourself but others too.  Are you living the King's Way boldly? Don't be stubborn of what you can do in the world, even if your world is small your impact can be huge. Don't be afraid when he shows you the Way or send others into your life that show you. Then it will be your turn to show others and impact the world.

peace

Lamb shearing, rodeo, and crafts.

I decided to work a Saturday shift for someone else.  It was going to rain in the afternoon anyway so I took an evening shift.  

I needed to stay focus and get homestead stuff done early. 

Lunches needed to be made and dinner.  

Dinner would be "hamburgers" . I took the leftover bean salad from last week and added soaked walnuts (overnight) .  Put them in the food processor and whirled until it was like pate. 

Made them into patties and slapped them on the griddle next to Dude's burgers. 

It worked out!

Sunday rodeo!

Started the day early in the garden,

Columbine

                                                                     
                                                                          Collards picked.

                                 Parsley 

Salad made. 

Then off to the rodeo down the road. 

                                 I was knitting baby hats while we were there. 

Home again.

Wilbur has been hot and feeling his oats lately.

Later a big Sunday dinner,  homestead hens. 

Monday

The granddaughters worked with the horses first thing in the morning. 

Wilbur still be hot and silly.

Time to create.  One was crocheting a cow. 

Another had made 3 pillows and now thinking to make something with pompoms.

Another granddaughter made a dress. 

I finished my cards. 

Next it was time to have Wilbur sheared. 

The team got all set up. 

Granddaughter caught Wilbur.

And the fun began.

Off went his heavy coat!

He is now much cooler.

Gorgeous wool. 

CVM Rommedale wool is known for how soft it is and how it feels nice next to your skin. Not like rough itchy wool. 

He is naked, a bit embarrassed and his buddy Felonious won't come near him. I don't think he recognize him. 

Thanks guys - Blow by blow shearing team. Check them out on facebook. They were professional, polite and did a great job.

Today is Tuesday and waiting for Peppy to have her kids. 

It is window washing day! ohjoy.

peace