First day of School ~ Ketchup/dirty apron day ~ Quinoa

First off today, it's the first day of school and this Mom didn't wake up until 9am.  I feel so awful.  I had a busy day yesterday, but Grad Daughter was up and took my traditional bus leaving the house photos.  Her bus picks up at 7:04am this year, and normally I am up.

I woke up to an almost empty coffee pot and then realized I missed her getting on the bus.  I feel terrible.  Oye.  Oh so terrible.  At least Hubby already had coffee made, and I already had breakfast made.  That should have helped ease her morning.

Yesterday, my day started with chopping up and coring 10-11 pounds of tomatoes.  Our tomato year is poor this year. they are much smaller and we have very little compared to last year.

Beets, Housework, Preparing for Winter, and Handiwork

While beets boiled in their skins, I read a short story in a magazine to get an idea of what is expected of submissions.  

And laundry was washed and put out on the line.  

Bathrooms were scrubbed by help from the kids, and floors cleaned.  By the way, my Grad Daughter has now been taught to boil potatoes and eggs both.  I hope she keeps up on her learning skills.

First Ride in a Few Weeks

Hubby came home from working midnight, and went straight to repairing my back brakes on the car.  In the meantime, I pulled and pulled and got my motorcycle boots on.  My feet are still swollen from the meds, but are getting better.  I got the boots on, and Hubby had the bike out and washed up.  I sat on the porch with my feet up, hoping to take more swelling down.  His only wish that day was for me to go on a ride with him. 

We did.  And we came home with sore rumps.  Ha ha ha!   Our Sunday went very quickly.  I did a bit of handiwork on the porch, but it was pretty hot and humid.

Today, I'm back in the kitchen, so I'm up early.  My spider bites are starting to itch, although the larger has a ways to heal. 

Goals ~ Chickens ~ Doctor Update

While I had 4 days to rest up even more, I decided to get out my mother's sewing machine and learn how to chance the thread.  I have used it many times for sewing goat coats for the new born kids, but used the same thread.  I know, I know.

I have sewing project on my mind.  One that will save us money, and one that will possibly be an item to sell.  Etsy just may see me soon.  We'll see.

On top of that, there are still 3 more possibilities of handicraft sales - one Hubby and I both agree on, the other two are good ideas too.

Garden Bounty ~ King

More beets were picked, and washed outside.  They get brought in for me to scrub, and remove greens to blanch and freeze. 

The beets are boiled with skins on, then peeled, sliced and frozen.  I am thrilled to get more in the freezer.  The greens were all bug eaten this time around.  There are more out there, so the next rain should plump them up.

Carrots are looking very good.

Flower beds were tackled.  Or should I say "attempted." And quickly abandoned.  Very quickly.  Things have overgrown and it will just have to wait.

Random Tidbits

          Grape tomatoes are starting to come in.  Beets are hopefully still holding out for me.  I'm glad everything else is not ready to can yet.  I am also glad it is going to rain today.  That gives me another day to not worry about the garden harvest, and gives me another day to rest up.

I can smell the thousands of Queen Anne's Lace from the pasture.  Good thing I really don't need more jelly.  Maybe next season.

New Bloom ~ Beans ~ Petrified Peaches ~Tidbits

As promised.  Here is a new bloom in my garden of "weedin." It's another gladiolas blooming, and it takes my eyes off the 6 foot thistle in the flower bed, ha ha!

Here is my bean snapper I had over last weekend.  That was bowl #1.  There was a bowl #2 after that.  Her older sister had to work, and Hubby was mowing.  It took us 1 1/2 hours to clean all those beans, ha ha!  I have them now in the freezer, and very thankful for the bean picking help, cleaning, and the help bagging after blanching.  Thankfully, there were no green peppers ready, and unfortunately, we let some blackberries accidently die on the plant.