Downpours, dog pee, recipe overload and more chaos.

I had taken Thursday and Friday off - parental doctor appointments and such - so I had a nice, long weekend.  At the conclusion of which I have decided that I am not allowed to have another until I have a good, long talk with myself and actually listen this time. 

I did get to meet a fascinating woman who lives fairly close to me - she generously shared her kefir grains with me (Don't ask me about mine.  Don't.)  She also gave me a tour.  I follow her on FB, as much as I follow anything on FB.  She is a terrific writer - great, dry sense of humor and a clever way with words.  She is an ex-Canadian opera singer who now raises chickens and dairy goats.  It doesn't get better than that.

I also decided that, having all this free time (hahahaha), I would tackle some recipes that I've been dying to try.  Here's the recap:

Homemade corn tortillas - I've been dragging my virginal tortilla press around with me for years.  I found an easy recipe and gave them a shot.  Result:  dough too wet; no fun standing next to a hot stove with a hot griddle in the summer.  This will be a Fall/Winter project.  The tortillas were pretty tasty, though.

Vegan Coconut, Almond, Chocolate Ice Cream - I believe I am going through my coconut phase right now, having discovered no less than six coconut-milk-based recipes in my "must try" file.  Result:  Meh. 

Stuffed Zucchini - Made in honor of Kay on her birthday (Friday), as she was always asking me to "let one go" in my garden so she could stuff it.  Result:  I loved the recipe and then discovered that I had only half of the ingredients.  So, I can't really say if it was good.  The 'recipe' I used was great.

Fresh Corn Quiche with a Tortilla Crust - Hey!  I just happened to have corn tortillas... :)  Result:  I think I overdid it with the corn.  The center seemed to be done, but was too liquid-y.  The rest of it was delish! 

I also made another batch of kombucha and got my new kefir going.  All in all, it was way too much activity - even for me.  I was beating myself with a damp buckwheat noodle all day on Sunday. 

Sunday - it POURED.  And thundered.  And lightninged.  A tiny, dim bulb went off in my head about mid-way through the day that I had not propped up the tarp over the Nuggets' encampment.  I high-stepped out and was just in time to prop my old Fiberglas clothesline pole under the mid-point.  Saved!!  Not.  This morning, after 3+ inches of rain, the pole bent in half, the tarp filled with water and it pulled down the enclosure, snapping boards in half.  I managed to clear it enough to get into the coop to feed and water them.  Another little surprise item to add to my to-do list.  Sigh.

With all this rain, no one of the canine species was much interested in relieving themselves outside.  However, Scrappy and Lovey would rather cross their knees than go inside - especially when they know I could catch them.  Pepper, however, being a doxie, has no qualms.  He peed three times.  He is settling in very nicely and loves to play 'fierce' with Lovey.  Lovey, as her name suggests, is a dear and is very gentle with him.  When he has had enough, he yelps at her and she stops.  I have been trying to get a video of the process - it's a hoot.

I put the electronet up so that the sheep could enjoy the regrowth on the hillside.  This was great for Saturday, but I pulled the plug on them on Sunday - too much lightning.  And rain.  I did managed to scoot out and pick three quarts of beans and discovered a giant cucumber.  How does that happen?? Every year - no matter how often and thoroughly I check the vines - one drops under my radar.  And why are the cukes ripening and the tomatoes not?  What wacky misfire of nature is this?  Get it together, Ma Nature!