February garden, a carrot soup recipe, what I am reading and crocheting

February is time to plant seeds... some of them. Think salad garden. Despite being sunny outside it was also a cold 22* but in the greenhouse it was comfortable without a coat. 

We gave it all a good water today.

A good way to get greens in the winter is also by sprouting seeds. 

We used our carrots from the greenhouse to make soup. 

Dude even liked it but thought it was a bit spicy. 

I found the recipe here in the book Diet for a New World by Jon Robbins. 

We are learning to put up our cell phones and meditate each morning (shock, it was Dude's idea). 

We are reading more. I listen to a lot of books on CD. Reading takes me longer than most people but we are taking time each day to read, especially during these colder months. 

I finished these two today. 

Quick look of what is on my hook today.  A new scarf. I found this yarn at the Dollar Store. It is called Metallic, color Blue Steal and made of Nylon, Acrylic, and Wool making it very soft.

peace

Our weekend, planting , sewing, family and more

Saturday I spent  with the dog trying to get him to get used to people and being patient. It didn't always go well but he is getting there. I took him to town with me.  I popped in the Credit Union and made sure it was nice and cool for him while I was making my deposit. All car windows were half-way down.  I made my was to the line and heard him begin to howl.  I took a deep breath and pretended it wasn't my dog. Ugh

I cleaned out my bedroom closets and low and behold there really IS a floor in there!

I planted a few rows of flower seed. I hope they come up, our ground is hard, dry and clay but each year we work on it.

A nap was squeezed in.  There are days where my body just gives up after very full week. I really needed it.

Dude spent the afternoon as an episode of Caddy Shack.  He was after the prairie dogs that have invaded our land. I think the prairie dogs won this round.

Sunday
Began the morning putting split pea soup in the crockpot for this week's lunches. 

After chores and breakfast I call all my children and check in with them.  I was able to talk to all of them today!

We worked with Norman and his training.

And went for walks.

Alfalfa fields will probably be cut this week. 

We were surprised to see corn growing in the field next to us. 

We found a fresh fox hole. 

Came back and sewed while Dude ran to town.

I did get my little wall hanging just about finished. 

Then party time with the family.

Then home for evening chores and a beautiful sunset. 

Soup is ready for me to jar up and then to bed. 

peace 

Rainy day... chicken soup, what's growing and other stuff

It is a cold a rainy day but we love these kinds of days.  In such a dry place as we live, rain brings life. 

I began the day putting chicken noodle soup in the crockpot. 

It started with 6 cups of chicken stock, two cups of leftover roasted chicken, two sliced carrots, two sliced celery, a chopped onion, 2 bay leaves, teaspoon of thyme, minced garlic, crushed red pepper,  salt and pepper. 

Add it all to the crockpot. We will come back to it later to add noodles and lemon juice. 

We took a walk in the drizzling rain. The cactus are in bloom! 

The little lambs don't mind the rain. 

Second try at the greenhouse with new seeds and all is growing again... thank goodness. 

The mint is going crazy so I cut a bunch of it this morning. 

And hung it to dry. We use this for teas, the chicken coop, and much more. There will be many more cuttings. 

After a bit of tidying up I popped in a movie and began to crochet.  I needed new dish clothes. 

People give me stuff they find at their moms and grandmas that are no longer used. I love how old this one is. 

 It will be transformed to new dish clothes for me. 

In the end I did get three made.  I love these. All cotton and durable. 

Chocolate... check. 

Hard boil eggs to pickle tomorrow.

Headed back to the crock pot.  Added lemon juice, lemon pepper, homemade noodles and our parsley, heat for 5 minutes more. Dinner is ready.  

Served with toast, Dude loved it.  A slow day needs slow food. 

The rest of the night will be in front of the fireplace with a book. 

peace