Yee Haw, There's a Hee Haw in Our Yard!

Life has been quite busy this past week. We are continuing to processs the bounty from the garden. Plus my "little darling" came for an extended visit to see her Nana, Papa and Aunt Melba. Who had came for a visit on her way back home to Seattle. But the strangest visitors we had were of the four legged variety.

On Tuesday past, Lon and Leah had gone to get hay for the critters. Only to find these surprise visitors standing in the driveway when returning from their errand.

Calling around to the neighbors didn't give us much info to work with in finding out where they belonged. And before I could make any inquries of their owner. They decided to wander off on their own through our woods to visit someone else. But not before posing for pictures and sampling the grass up on Cedar Hill. Leah was so excited to see them that she kept asking if we could keep them. After all, Nana & Papa are always adding new critters to the farm. For them to stay just made perfect 5 year old sense. Besides they showed up on her birthday and in her eyes would have made a great birthday gift!
Like I told my sister time and again, it is never boring around here. I think she beginning to believe me - now!

Enjoying my visitors, both the 2 legged and 4 legged,

Deborah

Hey, Bro!

Like an ad straight out of the world of advertising - One is never enough! At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Yesterday as Lon returned home from work, he didn't return with just his usual baggage in tow. There was something extra riding in the cab of his truck.

We had received an email from the family we had gotten Gracey from. Seems like the potential adoptive parent had backed out on taking her brother. On the day we picked Gracey up. We had commented on his unusual coloring, Lon even mentioned that if he wasn't taken by another family to give us a call. So. . . . they did. And Silas came to live with his baby sister and join her new family at Heartland Farm.

She was so glad to see him and immediately welcomed this sandy colored kid brother with a flying leap on top of him. They soon became inseparable and have been steadily romping through the house. Giving us lots of laughter at their kitten antics. Having a kitten in the house is always entertaining, but having two is a bonus. Both of us have fallen in love with them!

Though seeing Silas, with his climbing abilities. We are thinking maybe, just maybe we should have named him Zaccheaus. Don't you think?

Smiling,

Deborah

Gracey

A new face is present on the farm. That's nothing new, as we have had many new faces born on it this year. This one will be staying a lot closer to the home front for several reasons. Her name is Gracey and she is a 6 week old. I have been looking for a Calico since loosing my last cat to an attack by the neighbor's dogs. Who have since then gotten rid of the culprits. But that was after one of them killed one of our baby goats. UGH!

At first she was not too sure about her new surroundings and having to leave her mommy and siblings. Hiding under or behind something was her usual response to our presence. But now she is feeling more at ease. She is a grey, white and orange kitten. Not at all a calico like I was looking for but none the less still a heart tugging ball of fur.

I am excited to see her eat a little more solid food and sipping from the water bowl. Though at times she will look at me with the most pitiful cry that any mother could relate to. . . begging to nurse her mommy. She has begun to explore her surroundings with timid steps. Even forgetting herself and playing a little this morning. I even received a leg rub complete with purring after her breakfast. It's wonderful to see her play and bat at items in normal kitty fashion. It tells me she is happy here and I am happy to have her.

Gracey helping shell peas~ "I'll chew off the end for ya"

I have had a cat in my life most of my years, sometimes more than one at a time. They have been companions and my listening ear when I have found myself all alone. With my husband's job requirements, he has to be gone frequently over night. Even though they aren't much of a conversationalist or intruder deterrent. They have always been a comforting presence in my life. Keeping me from sleeping alone in an empty house.

Welcome to the family, Gracey ~

Deborah

Mount Pea-ly Conquered!

Yea!!!!! Mount Pea-ly was finally conquered yesterday after 3 days of climbing it ( I mean shelling it). Final results, 10 sore fingers, aching neck and 16 quarts safely tucked away in the freezer. I wonder if I will recover in time before the next 2 bushels of Colossal are ready? I should have known they would be ready just when Lon was pulling a 48 hour shift. So he missed all of the fun! Though I was really thought they would wind up being ready this weekend in the middle of my granddaughter's visit. SO GLAD they came early.


Lon and I have been trying to stay on top of the produce coming out of our garden. We have been blessed with a good crop this year and have put away several things for our Winter pantry thus far. Yesterday's efforts took the form of 13 pints of chopped tomatoes, 1 quart of tomato juice, 8 quarts and 5 pints of Dill pickles. Then from Mt Pea-ly and additional 11 quarts of Pink-eye Peas. Found strawberries and blueberries at the grocery store at a reduced price still in great shape. So I froze 2 quarts of blue and 4 1/2 quarts of straw and 2 quarts of peaches from my neighbor down the road. Plus I set some Ginger Gold apples I bought at a farmer's market to dry in the dehydrator for some yummy snacking.



I had started some goat cheese the day before and set it out to drain in the midst of our busy, cluttered kitchen. Mid afternoon I took it out of the cheesecloth and mixed in a little sea salt. It was quite tasty on some seasoned crackers. Though a little drier than I had hoped, not sure if it was the heat in the kitchen or the extended time of draining that caused this or both. Had been extremely busy morning, but it has a great flavor. Often I will add herbal blends to make a flavored cheese. Yesterday was just too busy and I was pass the point of being creative. So plain Chevre it is. We decided it would work great on a salad or pasta dish. Which is good as I have a menu planned for both of those items next week.


I am keeping a running total on the sidebar for my own records. Not that I am trying to boast or anything like that. My intent is to encourage all the gardener's or want-a-be ones to try to increase your healthy eating with fresh home grown goodness. You can't find it in a can or processed package. It will take time and effort on your part. It doesn't have to be a large garden, ours is about . But the benefits out weigh any excuses you can come up with.

As the commercials say -"What have you put in your wallet (freezer/pantry)?

Deborah