The Tomatoes are Free and Other Ramblings

Here's a quick look at the new washcloths . . .

After showering and cleaning up after a long day in the garden, I got a few minutes of crochet time on the porch.  This pattern is different from the one I have, and makes a larger washcloth.  Updates later.  I think I got 15 minutes alone out there before heading to the kitchen.

Updates later on the garden progress.  I've been out there non-stop, in between putting up corn.  Plants are small, even green beans.  Even the green beans themselves are half the length.  We need rain.  Lots of it right now. The squash plants that survived are half the size they should be as well.

Mom and Dad both are bringing food for the babies.  We can't see them, but we hear them when they are fed.  Otherwise they are very quiet babies.

I had a very very busy day in the kitchen yesterday.   Of course this was all after a few hours freeing the tomato plants from their weed bondage.  They are free at last.

First I had to do a mountain of dishes.

Second, had dandelions to blanch and freeze.

Third, had to make a bacon/potato/onion/jalapeno/dandelion green and egg scramble.  Minus the bits of bacon that went in my mouth.  I couldn't resist.  I had not had lunch, so breakfast was my lunch.  Hubby is a hard working man, so it's important to me that he gets something healthy and hearty.

Fourth, had rotten bananas so I baked chocolate bourbon spiked banana bread.  Without the drizzle on it.

Fifth, I had to wash all the dirty dishes. Again.  Good thing we had leftovers.

Last night we chased chickens.  The new hens learned how to get out into the run, but are too dumb to know how to get back in.  

We literally went out twice to get catch them and get them inside.  Daughter said, "How are we gonna get them?  It's like Jurassic Park out here?" Ha ha ha ha!  The weeds are taller than me, and that's tall.  We got them in though.

Another Day of Corn ~ Random Tidbits ~ Update on the Strawberry Vodka

(last batch cooling before freezing)

I had just slightly less than a bushel to shuck.  Thankfully, youngest was home, so I had help.  Sure makes it go faster, so I can get other jobs done too.  The chickens just love the leftovers (cobs).  The corn was good by the way, just not over the top better than anything, but good.

I was disappointed at the fact about every other cob had worms spots on them.  

I never had this with our last source, but it does go to show you it's homegrown I guess.  Our popcorn was eaten by moles and a wild turkey a few years ago.  Un-sprayed I might add.

Tiger never fails to crack me up.  He was right in that bag of corn chewing on the husks.  What's with cats and corn husks? 

When I first strained this strawberry vodka, I wasn't impressed at the time. The smell was fantastic but not the taste.  Since then we've let it sit, and tasted it again.  Wow!  It was soooo good.  Yes, we'll make it again, but it's a summer thing.  I would only make this with fresh hand

Tried another new recipe - melting potatoes, baked in the oven in my cast iron pan.  

Recipe is online (potatoes are by Katie Lee, baked french toast is from allrecipes).  They were fantastic.  Warning though....recipe requires a lot of butter.  I won't make these that often, but oh so good!

Baked french toast was a huge hit and didn't last long here.  I wish I could find organic pork to make homemade sausage to go with it next time.  Hmpf.  I will take two pans to the next breakfast though.  It was delicious.

My butterfly water dish has to be filled often.  I caught Rorie drinking from it, ha ha! (barn cat).