What's in the dehydrator, sprouts, sewing day and more

We got up early this morning.  We cleaned and exercised.  The goal was to sew as much as I could today. 

I did stop to dry limes. I love limes. Again I had half a bag left from the holidays and I didn't want them to go bad. 

I put them in the dehydrator at 135* and they will dry all day - 10-14 hours.  I want them to be crisp and dry, no moisture. 

I will leave some as whole slices and the rest grind it up. 

Uses?  Soups, drinks, in rice and grains, salads and marinade.

The sprouts are beginning to show. I swapped the muslin out for cheesecloth since it wasn't allowing the water to drain. 

Time to sew. Remember, this year we are being very frugal in our gift-giving and making all the gifts that we can.  I can't show it to you yet (being a birthday present and all) but here are some of the players.

I did have a constant "helper". 

She was so proud of her assistance.

We will use this fabric, she says.

and this pen. 

Norman ignored her. 

Listened to while working:

It is so good. She is such a descriptive writer that you feel you are right there with them!

okay, here is a wee peek of what I was working on....all fabric.

I will work more on it tomorrow.  It took me a bit to get started as I had it all backwards this morning and had to begin again... just after I got done cussing myself out. 

Our first break was out with the hens. Dude surprised me with already putting the grain in the containers.

So, Norman and I went for  our second walk. 

But we ended up chasing a hawk away. 

It eye-balled us from the top of a pole for a good while. 

But the damage was done, a Guinea was already killed. I was very thankful it was only one. 

The hawk only left when I let the lambs out to be with the hens. 

The whole hawk incident scared one of the little girls so bad she dropped an egg. 

Prudence was happy to protect the girls because she know it is really Molly that does all the protecting. 

Pantry time!

Using the canned pizza sauce. 

Pizza for lunch!  Used a canned pizza dough, baked 400* for 8 minutes.  Added our canned pizza sauce, leftover peppers and onions from fajita night, added all the leftover cheeses from the holidays... a bit of swiss, colby, cheddar and mozzarella. I love green olives and add them to only one side and baked for 10 more minutes. It was a comforting cheesy love biscuit !

I need to get dinner started.  Burger night wrapped in lettuce with all the fixings served with peas and a big salad. 

Tonight I will finish this:

peace

Tuesday Morning on the Homestead

Dude comes home from the hospital today. He got a new shoulder, literally.  Family is coming to help on the homestead today. For now, the chores and home are up to me. Luckily, the animals were in the fields when I got home last night and I was able to quietly put hay in their troughs without being noticed.  The animals were waiting for me this morning.  They weren't too happy that I wasn't Dude. There were grumblings and foot stompings. 

Libby took her feed but was a bit perturbed it wasn't Dude to talk to her and brush her. She needs brushing. She has been rolling in dirt and mud. Tomorrow.

Next, I was over to the birdhouse.

They get fed and water.

Plus I throw crack corn out for everyone.

Then to the greenhouse.  I needed goodies for the day. 

 I checked on the mums I planted yesterday. They were near gone when I planted them. The dog had found them in their pots while I was away and flung them about the yard.  Now they are planted, safe and sound. The perked right up over night. 

All turkeys are accounted for.  I have been feeding the turkeys and guineas separate since the guineas took their job seriously as security of the homestead and killed 2 turkeys and a chicken.

Prudence was adorable as usual this morning when I went back to double check on the animals. 

Libby was still not speaking to me since I wasn't Dude.

Molly came up to say Hallo... she loves to speak with an English accent.

Spinach for breakfast and beets for lunch.

Chores went well until I heard a little meow coming from the train container... I had accidently locked a cat in the container. Thank goodness it is a cool morning. 

I found a couple of feathers to add to my collection. 

Breakfast

I sat out on the porch with the dog eating and writing in my journal. It was only in the 50's and not to get to hot in the 70's* ...must better than the hot 90's of yesterday.

Lunch is in the oven. Roasted veggies with balsamic and olive oil . Later I will top it with goat cheese. 

I am listening to the book The Last cowboys, A pioneer family in the new west by John Branch.

Dude called this morning and wanted a poncho made so he could wear it home instead of a shirt. I love that I am able to do this. 

I need to get working. 

peace