Grief Panic Joy & Cinnamon Maple Pecans

It's been one of 'those' weeks.  First, my beloved kitty, Ripley, came to the porch wounded, painfully crawling into the house when I opened the door and found him.  Frantic moments to get him to the local vet, who even though amazingly kind and caring, couldn't save him.  Bitter sadness and crying on my part, and on the part of the daughter who came to support me in my grief.

When I'm stressed I tend to move into a yet more accelerated activity level than usual, and do even dumber things!  This time, among other things, I dragged our cider press a great distance, partly uphill, to the barn where it could be stored under cover.  Mission Accomplished!  I was feeling pretty good about it until the next day when sudden pain spasms in the back of my head sent me into panic attacks.  I'm no stranger to panic attacks (part of Lyme Disease for me) but if I can't get them under control, they tend to multiply and cause numerous uncomfortable co-symptoms and I managed to slide myself into daily headaches and adrenal fatigue.  Trying to convince my panic-ready self that this is all it is, is the hardest part.  Purposeful resting is the next hardest part.  I'm now up at 4am daily, because you can set the clock back all you like, but I sleep 5-6 hours per night maximum - moving the clock hands for some reason, does not allow me extra sleep!  

Well, 'nuf whining and on with the awesome, bountiful, ever-changing season that is Autumn...my favorite!  We are wonderfully made and I am already feeling much better.

I feed my beloved squirrels daily and chuckle over dishes at my kitchen sink while watching their antics.  I purposefully choose the leafiest path to the barn to milk in the mornings so I can kick and shuffle through their cheerful crunchiness.  I try to spend my milking time, with Shinar and Magda, praying for all the people and needs I can think of.  If only Fall could last twice as long!

We woke up to rain and wind this morning and oh, the wonder of the falling, golden shapes!  Well, on a damp, grey day a person simply must bake, right?  So in my oven now are an apple pie, a pumpkin pie and sweet cornbread to go with the crockpot of homemade chili I put together first thing this morning. Remember Maple Pecan Pie last blog?  Well, I tried a simple Cinnamon Maple Pecans snack recipe, this time, and I can't keep my mitts of of 'em!  Yum!  SO easy & fast!

2 T coconut sugar

2 T maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp coconut oil

2 cups unsalted pecan halves

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt the first 5 ingredients in a cast iron skillet.  When smooth, add pecans and continue to cook and stir often until pecans absorb mixture.

Spread on parchment lined baking sheet and cool completely.  (or sample like mad, like I did.  It is, after all, my responsibility to make sure these are safe for the rest to eat, yes?)  Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks. (ha!)  Recipe is easily doubled!  

 Now it's about 1pm in the afternoon and my hubs is sawing and pounding overhead.  I believe there are now several semi-loads of lumber up there in the attic and insulation will soon follow.  He's waiting anxiously for (late) lunch, as he says the succulent smells coming from the kitchen are killing him!

Since I went a bit mad in the kitchen today, I've now made a bazillion dishes for myself to clean up.  In another month or two, we'll be far enough along in our project to get a dishwasher!  Oh happy day for this 'I'd-rather-be-outside-milking-a-goat' gal than doing dishes any day!

We're starting to plan for holidays and I even put lights up on the garden fence!  On the last gorgeous sunny day I was bemoaning the fact that the good weather was about over for the season and it's too soon to put up Christmas lights.  Then I had an epiphany!  I could put them up (in the dry pleasant sunshine) and NOT TURN THEM ON until closer to Christmas!  Sigh.  Slow I be.  Smarter I am not getting!

Election day today and perhaps there will be big changes ahead, but as it says in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself: sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  God is still King of everything and we can rest easy on His promises.

That's about it from this building site for today.  My crew is hungry!  Off I go to check on the cornbread and call the Boss Man in!  Happy Fall, ya'll!

Rains and Roofing, Goats and Gardens, Squash and Stew, Maple Pecan Pie!

 Season change brings a bit of rain to settle the dust.  The garden is looking neglected, spider webs taking over as the daily foraging turns to every few days instead.  The squash and pumpkins are dotting the porch now and the vines are piled high.  The last of the green beans are canned and today I pulled most of the vines.  Rutabagas are in little pint jars and basil is waiting to go on the dehydrator trays later today.

Did you know you don't have to use corn syrup to make a Pecan Pie?  I just made this recipe and it is DELICIOUS.  Trust me.

Maple Pecan Pie

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust pie  (Oh, come on now....it's easy....easy as, well....pie!)

3 large eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup maple syrup

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups pecan halves

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll out dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate; transfer crust to pie plate. Trim to 1 inch beyond rim of plate; flute edges.

In a bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add maple syrup, butter, vanilla, salt and pecans. Pour into crust.

Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. If desired, top with whipped cream to serve. Store in the refrigerator.

Make two and invite people to help you eat them!   I did!

The sound of the rain is making me lazy, and I've sat down and dreamed through a couple of wool projects and vintage quilting books with a cup of maple pecan coffee.  (Are you noticing a theme here?)  I should go outside and clean rabbit pans and top off their water & food dishes.  But....it's raining!  I haven't worn a jacket all summer, so I'll have to find one...or maybe just a good old worn out flannel shirt. 

The squirrels just outside my kitchen window are rustling though the oak leaves gathering the last of the acorns.  They've managed to litter the ground with them and occasionally drop one on my head on my way to the barn!

Speaking of the barn - oh happy day!  We've just weaned the last of the Spring babies!  No more twice a day nor even once a day bottles for the three goat kids (Roanen, Maple & Hazel) and no more for the three calves, either (Red, Roan & Wellington).  You can tell we've raised an awful lot of animals over the years and totally given up on decent names for any of them!  And I'm obsessed with Fall.  Autumn.  Oh glorious time of year!

This morning, the second half of the new roof over the old house - the rafters - went up!  We're talking BRAND NEW LUMBER!  This half will cover two brand new rooms - the laundry and the dining room!   A 20 X 20 great room comes next, then we'll take time to finish all the interiors and enjoy some spaciousness!  We'll go back to working on finishing up the outside and the electrical at the barn, varmint-proof the pumphouse and then on to the last (and most exciting) part of our building project!  Our new den, master bedroom, bathroom and....and....wait for it....(I keep waiting for it!)....SEWING/CRAFT ROOM!!!!!!!  Sigh.  Such anticipation.  Rember those days as little children...waiting for Christmas to finally arrive?  Yep.  I'm waiting!

It's early in the day, but the sky is gray and the sound of rain through the open windows is so soothing.  We've quit working for awhile and are enjoying resting our busy bones in the middle of the day for a change.  I really need to go take care of those rabbits and gather the eggs.  I've got a bowl of goodies for the chickens, too.  I'll go do that now and then I'm making an early dinner for us all.  Turkey slices, mashed potatoes, stuffing (lol, it's Stove Top - whodathunk?) and broccoli.  THEN I can take a little time to quilt in my tiny room!

Just thought I'd check in.  How are ya'll doing?  Times are weird, but no worries - God isn't surprised by any of it!  Talk to you soon!

 

Most of a kitchen and part of a roof!

 

As usual, my computer skills leave something to be desired.  I'd have explained each picture if it had left me a text box like usual, but it didn't - I don't know how to change it  and simply can't be bothered!

We've accomplished many things on our new little homestead - a lot of it outdoors!  We've hauled at least 15 loads of the previous owner's junk away and there's so much more still!  The barn, rabbit shed, woodshed, temporary greenhouse, garden and orchard are all established and we're enjoying them to the fullest.  We've jumped in head first as usual and already have three calves started (Roan, Red and Wellington) and are milking goats and raising our new flock of Buff Orpingtons to replace the current flock of (lazy) layers!  

This is the first time in many years that we have an abundance of water and it's taking real effort to remember that we can actually USE water in the garden.  We may actually be starting to lose the feelings of panic while running 'too much' water in the kitchen sink while waiting for it to get hot or while taking a deep bath!

If you look through the pictures, you can pic out a before and after of our new little orchard....and a before and after of one end of the kitchen.  Dave has rewired the entire little house and passed his electrical inspection! (Hallelujah!)  He passed his framing (repairs & remodel of the old house) inspection (Oh Happy Day!) and we've got the go-ahead to go on to the next part, which will give us the laundry, dining and living rooms (Be Still My Heart!)  Right now our funny little house is getting a brand new roof - not just roofing, but all new 2 X 12 rafters and the whole shebang!  By winter we will no longer be 4" from the weather overhead, nor will raindrops be falling on our heads!

Our garden exploded with veggies and we've been diligently stuffing them into jars!  No dishwasher until the rest of the house addition is built and the kitchen is about half the size it will be, but like the squirrels outside my window, we like to be all stored up for winter!

We've canned carrots, green beans and pickles from our garden.   Found a produce stand for tomatoes & pears - did the first of the tomatoes today.  I made a big crock pot of soup for dinner with lots of garden veggies and some Italian sausage and a Focaccia bread for alongside.  After a hard day of work here on this little farm, we are ready to rest!  

We are for sure feeling our age (I never thought I'd say that!) but two 61 year olds can't build like two 30 year olds used to do.  It takes longer and hurts a whole lot more.  We used to hook up lights and work well after dark.  No more!  There are moments when we wonder if we'll really get it all done but the dreams and visions for the place are gradually coming to be and after a little rest we're ready to tackle it all again!  A stroll through the garden or the 'back forty' refreshes the soul and God has answered our prayers for enough health and safety to accomplish it so far!

Daughter promised us homemade hot cocoa tonight (with our goat milk and honey!) in a bit, so we're happy campers and on that note I'll sign off until next time!

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"  Joshua 24:15

His Eye is on the Sparrow and on me!

I am bad at blogging.  Pathetic at posting.  Meager at managing.  I can build a decent fence or a goat milking stand.  I can grow fruit trees and veggies and pull a stubborn kid during a goat-birthing.  Pies? Bread?  Cookies?  Easy.  Fluffy biscuits?  Tasty soup?  No problem.  Take a sewing machine apart and put it back together.....fun!   But can I put text and pictures where I want them in a Blogger post?  Nope.  We'll just wing it once again!  

This is my new herb garden.  It's been raining off and on and the temperature is warm enough that even since I took these pics just a few days ago, everything is bigger and greener today!

We've been eating chives on potatoes, rhubarb in dessert and in another day or so, we'll be eating lettuce and spinach, too.



I've got most of the veggie starts out of the greenhouse
and into the garden now.  Most of the flowers are

 planted, too.  We made a plant bed in the greenhouse and put three tomato plants and a whole lot of peppers in, just to see if they grow bigger, better and longer than the ones outside.

I still need to stake the tomato plants, get some fertilizer (aka bunny poo) out on the squash and hill the potatoes but we're off to a good start!

Today Dave mixed and poured the concrete floor in my new milk-room-to-be, with the help of a wonderful young neighbor boy.  It should be hard & dry enough to start building walls on it by Monday or so.  I surely do hope the goats hold off until we get it finished - so far, so good!

Shiloh, Paxton, Mistletoe, Magda, Shinar, MaryAnne & Shilling are all the ladies-in-waiting and Winter Soldier is the proud papa!  I'm anxious to see these kids as this is our first year with Soldier as our new herd buck.  I may not have my ducks in a row, but my goats are pretty close!

 Who knew grandkiddies were so much fun?  SO much easier than your own children.....They come, you play, they go home, you go to bed!  Easy peasy!

Our days are full for sure.  Progress on the barn is going great and we decided to put a small loft for the hay in it to make more space below for goat pens.  Daughter Rebecca came and helped me build a fence behind the barn and once I get gates mounted, we'll be just about ready to move the goats over.  It's a relatively small pen as I won't be able to let them out into the next portion until I do a lot more fencing and also figure out how to keep them from eating the old orchard fruit trees.  Goats are browsers and will eat almost every tree or plant before they'll settle for pasture grass!

 I've got two litters of English Lops growing now (15 kits total!) and I've got a great deal going with daughter Rebecca.  She has a web site and puts the rabbits up for sale, meets customers and sells rabbits.  We split the proceeds and we both come out winners!    Both litters have tri-colors, harlequins, magpies and torts (doesn't that sound great?!)  I've got another litter on the way and that'll be it for this season I think. 

Remember last month when I said I wasn't going to raise any chicks this year, being so busy and all?  Welllll........maybe I ordered a new batch of layers - Buff Orpingtons again!  They should be coming soon - hopefully one day next week!  All the babies....I want all the babies!  Next I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed a dachshund puppy and maybe a couple new barn kitties (well, for the new barn, of course!).

 The garden is looking good with all the lovely cedar raised beds.  Lord willing, we'll be canning sauerkraut, pickles, beets, carrots & green beans this Fall!  We've already made a batch of pesto from our first bunch of basil and have eaten a few young green onions as well.

The strawberry & raspberry beds are looking fabulous.  Ask the robins, they've already been checking for berries.....

 Yesterday I took the day off from farm laboring to go shopping.  I donned my mask and headed off for Costco and then Target.  I'm desperate for a few summer shirts to wear, hence the trip into Target.  Costco was quite decent as far as no large crowd and the shelves appeared to be rather nicely stocked.  I noticed a few things that had been in short supply were back again, though fresh meats are still limited to 3 packages all together per customer. 

The dining table becomes a catch-all and usually looks even worse than this....

 I've gone back to making granola and we're enjoying it a lot.  It's super simple.....

10 cups oats (I use old-fashioned, of course)
1 cup nuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup coconut flakes (NOT sweetened)
1 1/2 cups maple syrup

Mix,  Bake at 325* for about 20-25 minutes or til lightly browned, stirring a couple times.  Cool & add desired dried fruit!  Simple and delicious hot or cold.

 I don't usually do dishes at night.  (My mother would have been horrified).  They'll still be there in the morning (unfortunately) so I do them then.  My gumption is usually pretty much renewed overnight.  I usually wash whatever eggs I've collected then, too.  The chickens are doing great.  The rooster doesn't like me so I've had to scold him and warn him off a few times.  FARM FACT:  (cover your ears if you're a sensitive sort...)   When the new chicks are about 6-8 months old, we'll butcher all the old hens & roo and I'll can them up for chicken soup and broth!  They are a hard-working bunch and will complete their purpose nicely at that point.

I waited a long time for these little cuties.  That is why God blessed me and my hubby with the (obviously) best ones!  We're enjoying every minute we spend with them and living close enough to watch them grow and be part of it all!

In closing, I'll tell you about my day yesterday.  Remember I said I went to Costco?  Well, first I had to drop off a rabbit at daughter's house unexpectedly.  Realized I had no gas in my van.  Back-tracked to the gas station, only to realize other daughter had my debit card!  Went back home to get it.  Back to the gas station.  Fumbled to figure it out how to use said debit card, but finally got on my way.  Shopping went well, but I bought a BIG bag of potting soil.  Got it out to the parking lot, loaded it into my van with a gentle PLOP....and the end exploded out all over the inside of my van!  Actually, I just laughed out loud.  What else can you do?  Well.....I had picked up a few things for the daughter with whom I dropped the rabbit off and when I delivered her Costco stuff to her, I left my window down so I couldn't lock my keys in accidentally.   We sat in her living room, enjoying coffee and a visit and watching an amazing sudden downpour outside.  When it let up, I said I should be on my way and out to my van I went...only to sit in a puddle of water on the seat from the window I forgot I left open!   Ever wonder why there are days like that, where everything just seems to go wrong?  Well, there's always SOMETHING to be thankful for and I'm just glad it was all small stuff!
I KNOW He watches over me!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5XZK4hDRKg