Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Heat Wave ~ Milo

I had a date with Swiss Chard.  It's growing well, despite heat and drought.  The next day it was kale.
 


Bread is still getting baked, despite turning the hot oven on, on a hot day.  Yesterday I think it got up to 95°.  Dinner is PB & J on homemade bread.  I have little time to cook, and there are typically no free burners or space at the stove for a dinner.  I was canning again at 6pm.



And as busy as I am, I keep thinking we need a tractor to rise above homesteading and get a crop of corn planted for the chickens.  I'd like a larger garden too.  I miss planting my turnips, and other items we could not fit in it this season.
 


Green beans are still coming in too.  I think I picked over 2 pounds yesterday.  Cucumbers are coming in now.  The hot peppers should be producing well in this heat, but I have only picked a few hot banana peppers.  

I had sad news.  Milo, our pet rabbit, passed away yesterday.  He became suddenly sick, and passed within a few hours.  It was a complete shock to us.

He was the most interesting rabbit you could have for a pet.  I remember when we bought him.  Or I should say I bought him.  We had just moved here, and my oldest needed a pet for FFA.  We were going to breed rabbits for her project, and we put him upstairs without telling Hubby.  Slowly, I eventually told him, but he became the house pet, and chickens became the next FFA project.  Then the kids all dropped out FFA, which didn't matter at that point.  Milo was the family pet rabbit.  He get free roam of the house most days, got fed fresh garden strawberries, and he got along with all the pets.  Although a few dogs (at first) wanted to taste Milo, they were all trained not to.  Sadie had always loved on him like a mother.  This was a total shock to us allRest in peace Milo.  

5 comments:

Mama Pea said...

You're a better woman than I am, Kristina! I won't turn on the oven in this weather. (If nothing else, it makes me realize just how much I use the oven in a week's time!) Our bread this summer has been purchased . . . made with organic ingredients and good . . . but not like homemade. :o(

Do you think the heat might have gotten to Milo? Sounds as though he was truly a special rabbit.

Nancy In Boise said...

Sorry for your loss, looks like a little sweetie :) Have you ever thought about building a solar oven? You can find plans all over the web and you can build them pretty cheap. You could bake/cook outside, and keep your house cooler. Just an idea.... and good if you lose power....

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, the family all wanted another apple pie bread pudding, and the organic bread at the store molds in one day (not sure why, but it never did before, and we have our air on). Milo got free run of Daughter's room, which has an air conditioner in it. He was let out early morning, suddenly had an eye infection, which we think is related to his teeth. Daughter has been trimming his nails and watching his teeth, so we are all confused. I suggested a spider bite, but that was not the case. We are pretty sure it was an internal infection that we had no idea he had.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Little Homestead, I thought of buying a solar oven. It's on the wish list. That or an outdoor woodstove.

RB said...

Awww, sorry to hear about Milo. I wonder if he ate something he shouldn't have.
Glad he brought love into your family for a while and that you brought him love too.
Prayers everyone has a great week. A little rain would sure be nice.
God bless.
RB
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