Time in the greenhouse and a bit of crocheting

It was going to be another day of storms, well, more rain and grumbling of thunder. I am still trying to find my niche here on the homestead since retiring two weeks ago. I used to hurry through the morning, doing as much as I could before hitting the road for an hour commute.  Dude was born and raise into a farming family before getting a degree in construction.  He remodeled our house (a dilapidated foreclosure) and building various building for the animals, and loved every minute of it.  Just a few things remain to be done. 

Anywhoooo…. I am working on a new pattern for myself on the homestead. 

I started the day with tea … mint, rose, and rosemary I had dried last fall. 

Even wet it is gorgeous. 

Next up I road to Dude's annual physical an hour away.  I used the time to crochet new dish cloths. A simple pattern of change 25 and single crochet in 24 (second from the hook). They are all cotton and I love them.

I was able to make two ...oh, and Dude got a clean bill of health. 

I went straight to the greenhouse to work. So much to do. Today, I had to pick peas, flowers and plant peppers. Dude was going to get compost from over near the horse stalls to put outside the greenhouse but the rain decided otherwise.

I did have help from the grasshopper catcher. It is warm and steamy in the greenhouse so I kept the door open so we could work. 

There are still a lot of blossoms so I think we will be able to get another round or two from them. 

I did get  the jalapeno, serrano, pimento, and bell peppers planted. 

I popped in a documentary and began to shell peas.  I love unzipping pods.

A quick blanch and then into the freezer. 

It takes me longer than Dude to work on the homestead but there is no shortage of things to do to keep me in practice. I am not going to lie, I am exhausted. Tomorrow another row of garden to plant or clean up the wood pile or clean out the lambs' stalls or throw all caution to the wind and sew (my heart smiles)...we shall see.

peace 

Flowers blooming, rain, making fudge and cards

The day began lovely enough. Sun out shining, flowers blooming and there was hope to work outside in the garden. 

Alfalfa 

Dude opened up the side gardens to get the tractor in and rototill. The chickens and turkey took full advantage to clear the area of any bugs. 

After cleaning the kitchen and putting in a load of wash I made a quick batch of fudge. It is very fast. 

 I didn't have wax paper but I did have parchment paper and I wasn't going to go out and buy wax paper just for this recipe. 

I cut them in small squares so I only eat one a day. 

I did get a Summer Bucket List made. 

I was behind in card making and letter writing. As the skies got dark and alarms went off for thunder storms, I settled in to craft. 

I did take time to read the Gospel for today. 

Made 8 quick cards.

Dude did the side gardens by the greenhouse rototilled. 

The skies got dark. 

I took water jugs and covered the fig trees I planted. They are just babies and the alarms said possible hail. 

Once again the tilled areas flooded.  We got .5 inch of rain. 

 

But my built up area soaked in the water. I love it. (the winds did pick up one of my water jugs)

I was hoping to make another little area today but didn't get it done in time. 

Dude did get the side gardens tilled before the rains. 

I found a cute pattern over at Fluffmonger and will be cutting out Quigley the Corgi tonight.

peace

Sewing Day

 It was a wonderful of women getting together to create today. Once a month we come together from all over the Front Range and Plains of Colorado to sew, knit, crochet, embroider... whatever, eat and talk about families, news of the day and concerns.  It is something I don't think happens enough. 

It always begins with food... a potluck of sorts. 

 I think we are bringing more healthy foods than sewing bees of the past.

So much food. 

Then we begin to get out our projects and show and tell. 

Linda began.

 

I got out ideas to begin... hmm decisions. 

Linda explained how she made her jelly roll rug without cording.  Beautiful. 

Mom showed off her new wall-hanging from my sister and can't wait to display on your apartment door. 

Another fun one...

Susan began working on her Star Wars Felt crew. 

Daisy makes quilts to donate to children. 

They are all wonderful. 

Our hostess this month was Linda and she was knitting today. 

Judy was also knitting today. 

Daisy continues to work on her flower quilt. 

Susan got a Hans Solo all ready to sew . 

Mom embroiders baby clothes to donate. 

Yep, that's me goofing with Judy.  I was working on a no-sew quilt block. 

I am still working on it...

Time flew by.  We laughed and had great discussions. We didn't always agree but that is what's great. People don't know how to have conversations where they talk, some times passionate, disagree and are respectful to others. It was another great afternoon of sewing and fellowship. 

peace