Pioneer Woman at Heart

  My husband and I were comiserating about the heat, and he could not believe I did garden work (the weeds are out of control).  He said something about Friday, and I said, "huh?" I could not believe Friday as snuck up on me this quick this week.  It cracks me up, when there are folks who assume, since I do not work a regular "job" that I have all the free time in the world.  Ha!   Yesterday I froze water in tins, so the chickens could walk in them and cool off.  They loved it!  The heat and humidity has been grueling for all. Regardless, laundry went out on my solar powered dryer (clothesline).   It's too hot to cook, and too hot to do dishes - chicken salad on cucumber slices.  I used blended cottage cheese in place of the mayo this time, as I had heard it was just as good, less fat, and more protein.  I have to say, it's pretty good.  We can't tell a difference.  So, when organic/non-gmo mayo gets too expensive, an...

  Although on the "rainy day" list, I got a batch of meatballs restocked and in the freezer.  I like to do this early in the year, before the freezer is too full to put trays of them in there to freeze. To help cool off the ladies, I filled a muffin pan with veggies and water and froze them for some delicious freezer treats. Our internet has been working, but it's slower now.  I hope they get all the bugs out soon.  Several people are having issues. More stores and restaurants have been closing numerous day.  They cannot hire enough employees, as no one wants to work. We tried another new recipe - Slow Cooker Jalapeno Dip .  I used frozen jalapenos from the garden (vs. canned as the recipe called for).   How did it taste?  Very good!  You can control the amount of heat by the amount of jalapenos too.  When I freeze my jalapenos, I leave the seeds in.  We topped this dip with freshly diced green onions.

Our shell peas are done for the season.  Sadly, we did not get what we should have due to lack of rain.   Speaking of lack of rain...everyone is on edge here at the homestead.  Not sure if it's just the heat and drought, or what's going on in the world.  Lots of agitation, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and lack of patience.  I know I am tired of all of it. I've been icing the chickens.  They are so hot they are panting in this heat.

Friday the heat index was predicted to be up to 100°.  It reached 98°F in our area. Weeding is still at a halt for me.  Just not worth the risk to be out there.  The humidity is sooo thick and my camera lens steamed up. Chickens were iced again.  Did you know that although they eat the ice to cool off, they also pick some up and put it under their feathers?  Mine do anyway.  Just an FYI for those undergoing the same heat as we are, and raise chickens.  When we had goats, we froze water in small bottles and added them to their water buckets. Nothing really "homesteady" to share today.  Youngest Daughter ditched me for another sister and is spending a few nights with her, so I'm unsupervised for a few days. Bought myself this. . . I sure hope I take the time to read it now, lol! I have yet to deliver roosters to those taking them, but they are crowing now. Thanks to being stuck inside with the AC this week, I have new projec...