Hot Mess

Tuesday evening, I must have been as tired as my husband.  Late at night, I realized I didn't lock up the chickens.  I had them in their run.  Hubby went out and put them away, but by morning, I also realized I left a load of laundry in the washing machine.  Wednesday was not only a very hot day, but I was a hot mess.

Due to an appt. for our youngest daughter, weeding was delayed (appts always mess up my plan).  It was already up to 83°F by the time we got back home.  I debated and debated.  I watered the flower pots and gave up.  The bugs were terrible and the heat horrible (like any summer).

I put ribeye steaks in a boozy marinade, looked online for any deals on carpet shampooers, purged clothing in my closet, and started a box for the goodwill.

Dinner was easy peasy - grill night.  It was a hot, hot day.

Garden Work Day!

Tuesday it was dry, sunny and hot.  I spent as much time as I could in the garden.  Hoe in hand, and a lot of weeding.  I noticed once again, some of my zinnias didn't come up, and they were purchased seeds.  Darn birds.

The to-do list is off the charts right now.  I feel like I'm going in circles right now.

It's been a HUGE struggle to plant the little bit we planted this year, but my heart sang after seeing the radishes make it through the flood.  Not sure on the potatoes, but I got enough garlic scapes to make garlic scape and radish spread.  My scapes are not that big this year, and garlic doesn't look that great, but they are alive for the most part.

This my friends however, is the herb garden.  Weeds are growing faster than the herbs and it's on the to-do list.  

Here is what I tackled first though  - tomato patch.  Ain't it purty (with a sarcastic sing-song voice)?  I planted them different this year, so I have to hand weed or hoe between plants, and till in the rows.  The plants are closer together with a wide row in between, using up less space for more plants and an easier tie up method.  We'll see how it goes.

I got about 15-16 plants weeded, stakes secured again, and tied up.  By then it was too stinkin' hot.  I'll resume today and the next day until it's ready to till.  Just a hot mess.

I dug up two roses from the north of the property - pain in the bum to keep weeded/watered and to mow around.  Moved them to the flower beds.

Tackled the tall weeds in the rose bed until something hissed at me.   Nope.  Nope.  Nope.  Most likely a snake, and if I can't see it, nope, nope, nope.  Hubby's job now.

After showering and moisturizing for a second time, I sprayed myself down with homemade bug repellent and grabbed a wine slushy.  It was truly "island" time for me at that point.

Had a brief revival break, and was back inside to do dishes and start laundry.  In the midst of doing dishes had to go out to the driveway, where a man was approaching my daughter as she was leaving to go swimming.  Nosey people need to stay off my property and stop worrying about when and how and who I give barn wood too.

Laundry was done much later than normal, but I had expected our friend to come and mow.  

Tuesday Tidbits

I finally finished up the strawberries I purchased.  Most of the remaining went into the freezer.

I saved some for Strawberry Delight.  It's the same as my Mom's "Cherry" Delight, but with strawberries - a cheesecake type dessert.

I also started some strawberry vodka.

Although I'm behind in weeding the flower beds and herb garden, the flowers continue to bloom.  

Motherhood can sometimes be a very exhausting.  Our 21 year-old daughter finally made her appearance.  

She was cited for this accident, driving the wrong way in a one way road.  The guy that hit her was on a motorcycle, with no helmet, but thankfully he got back on his bike and rode it home.  Not sure what this will cost her, but I was shaking my head.  Thankfully, she kept up on her own insurance, but the guy still hasn't produced his own proof of insurance.

Homesteader Happiness

The weekend was beautiful.   No rain.  I spent Saturday doing loads of laundry that went out on the line, taking advantage of the weekend weather.  We had a graduation party Sat. evening, so Hubby was able to get off work at his normal time (thank goodness).  Unfortunately, that meant no alone time with him.  It also meant he was too comfortable in his new camping rocker chair, so we didn't get to bed until midnight.  

Sunday Hubby had a day off finally, and I was up and at-um (against my will) at 6am like clock work.  I could not for the life of me sleep in, but he could.  Outdoor work didn't happen due to really needing time together.  There wasn't much we could do - ground still wet, nothing to harvest, other than cut trees down.  We cooked a late breakfast, and took off on a somewhat, long motorcycle ride with two biker friends.   Our 17 year-old joined us too.  So happy to have some "fun" time in the sun.  Talk about happy souls.

Jesse wasn't eating his food over the weekend.  I heated up the meat and sprinkled in some cheese.  He finally ate.  We haven't seen his "Mom" since last Friday morning.  I've already expressed my opinion that it would be better for him to stay here when she moves.  Some times I just don't understand my kids.  Some of them anyway.  

Speaking of kids, our 19 year-old turned 20 yesterday.  I'll be getting in touch with her to possible treat her to lunch or something.

I have lots to do today, but rain is in the forecast today.  We'll see what I can accomplish anyway.  Hubby is back to his 10 hour work shift.  We thought they'd be done with that last week, but nope.

Rainy Day Work ~ Flooded Out

Dirty dish pile started early Thursday morning.  Sausage/potato egg burritos with cowboy candy.  

I canned more strawberry margarita jam.

Froze more strawberries.

The rain just poured down on us.

I also diced up a bunch of onions and popped them in the dehydrator - homemade onion powder.  My supply is getting very low.  Also for winter, when I we get a lot of snow and I need onions to cook with.

I had herbal infused oil to strain, and a tincture to strain.  I had dishes to wash of course too.

I made an iced coffee for an afternoon "pick me up" since Hubby gets home so late now.  It was organic brewed coffee, cooled, a bit of milk, a splash of Bailey's and ice. Mmm!

It' literally poured and poured all afternoon.  I had to turn the dehydrator off until the thunder and lightning stopped.  I also couldn't feed the chickens until it stopped.   The front of our yard flooded and the field across the street.

When I did get out to the barn, and to the mailbox, my heart sank.  My potatoes and radishes were completely underwater.  By evening,  the field east of us flooded, spilling over the highway and into our front yard, flooding the road.  City crew came out with signs, just as I was calling them.  Didn't matter though.  I literally poured a glass of wine and sat on the porch.  I thought I would be calling 911, since idiots ignored the signs.  I saw a truck fish tail and a jeep just about wipe out.  Just a few people slowed to drive through it, but almost every other one plowed through it, throwing water twice the height of their vehicle.

Friday morning, the sun came up brightly, and we had zero rain.  Whew!  I checked on the potatoes when I fed the ladies.  Oh, speaking of the ladies, I am pretty sure out of the 7 chicks I bought, I have 2 ladies and 5 gents.  So, I'm planning on keeping two, giving one to a friend, and offering 2 to a family member who mentioned they want to start raising chickens.  We'll see how it goes I guess.

I got the new grill parts were installed and we fired it up for dinner Friday night.  What a beautiful day!!  The weekend will be dry, sunny and beautiful!  

...from the handiwork journal

Got one of these made for the kids for next Christmas.  Instead of gluing scrap fabric on it, I found some cute stickers at the dollar store.  The "how to" is found on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot - Magnetic Clipboards with notepad and pen.

. . . getting my knitted dishcloths restocked (big seller), but really need to double this amount before fall.  All a different color, and some with discontinued yarn.

. . . got a few more Teabag Travel Totes crocheted.  They can also hold a few packets of hot cocoa or other small items.

. . . found some "scrubby" yarn on sale and made a few of thinner dish scrubbies to try.  Already delivered one to my Mom to get her opinion.  She wanted a thinner one with her arthritic hands.  These sell for about 4 for $10 on Etsy (pretty high in price for my opinion).  I guess it depends on what you pay for the yarn.  Regular price is $4.24 skein.  Higher if you buy online.  These are so much easier to make vs. cutting netting, but those will eventually get done too.

. . . finished this hand embroidered dish towel.  Just need to iron it to gift.

. . .started on some Christmas Ornaments.  I may not post the final ornament until they are gifted, so you may have to wait to see them.  I actually got 5 of them finished.

. . .started on a Christmas present - Granny Square Scarf.  I just need to get 4 black squares done next.

Rain ~ Strawberries ~ Green Onions

I tried to enjoy the pretty sunrise just before it clouded over Wed. morning, but it wasn't clouds that sent me inside.  Darn barn cat Aurora, gifted me another rabbit.  Directly under my feet.  Had to leave the area until said animal disappeared.

(homemade flourless brownie, ice cream, homemade whiskey butterscotch sauce)

I didn't have to cook Wed. night due to leftovers, and they were delicious.  I have to stock up on chicken when I locate it again (true organic, locally raised).  I still want to visit a farm about 1 hour from home, but I'm waiting for Hubby's looooong work days to end first so we can go together.

Bad photo, but I got out to buy another flat of strawberries - 8 qts.  I figured the rain will delay their picking, and when that happens, they don't offer a deal on them, and they are limited or out.  

Before I tackled freezing some strawberries, I headed to the herb garden and unburied the green onions.  This was before.  Lots of rain, lots of weeds.  I was tickled to plant 7 starts though.  I got it 90% weeded out until I ran into more ants.  Had to stop anyway, it was getting very hot out.

Rain fell all night long and it's still raining today.  I hope to have a handiwork post for you soon.