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!