Pioneer Woman at Heart

The year has been crappy overall.   I feel like the government is keeping us from family and friends, so we may have a bonfire out here, but it depends on the heat.  It's been dry and hot.  That's not a good mix for burning. I'm seriously concerned for our state.  A few days ago, after midnight (in the big city two of my daughters live in), there was what they called purging.  I can't make this stuff up.  People with cars without plates went around shooting at people randomly.  I read a toddler and an elderly man were shot and killed.  Purging?  The world has really gone to h-e-double hockey sticks. Oh, and I have 2 more dead hens.  This time it was a weasel that came in the top of the fencing (which we recovered with harder wire fencing, and he said it would hold until we get the fencing up on the new coop). Well, he felt awful, so we moved the hens last night.  Temporary fencing goes up tonight.  Then we start remo...

 . . . installed our very first rain barrel (USA mad e).  We plan to inst all more , but want to check out more options on sty les (and m aking them oursel ves).  This one holds 55 gallons and will be close to the garden for watering it.  I also have a recipe to make this water drinkable, if ever it was needed in a n emergency.  I have been doing some research on rain barrel ca re, and recently read that you should paint your barrel a darker color, in order to keep the sun f rom affect i ng the water inside.  This one can be hooked to another barre l, and we do plan to consider making our own.  Ou r goal is to install 2 (possibly 3-4 ) more in t he next few years.  Here is a link to information if you are consid ering in stalling a rain barrel:  The Redeemed Gardener:  Mai ntaining a Healthy Rain Barrel. . . . made a batch of homemade goat's milk r icotta cheese.  I used it to bake Lasagna Ruffles and some coo kies. . . ....