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Monday, July 28, 2014

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!

12 comments:

Deb said...

Hi Sue - just dropped by from Hilary's blog. We have many common interests and I see that you foster animals which I admire so much in someone. It is not as easy as it sounds, and attachments happen fast, so I have great respect for those who open their door to homeless animals. Sounds like you have a very full and busy life. My tomatoes aren't ripening, either. :( Deb (Ontario, Canada)

Unknown said...

I wish we'd get some rain! 100 here today...

Sue said...

I'd heat up my griddle just to warm up the kitchen. We've been COLD here--high in the upper 50's yesterday.
Share the tortilla recipe?

Carolyn said...

Yes, share the tortilla recipe, please! But you can keep the dog pee. Got enough pee of my own going on here.
And we need more Pepper & Pooches Pics, btw.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I love a good day in the kitchen, let alone a weekend.

Mama Pea said...

So you must have had a crowd of 15 in to taste all those delectable culinary creations?

Such a darned inconvenience what happened with the Nuggets quarters. We've been getting an inch or so of rain every time moisture falls from the sky and I thought that was a bit of overkill but your 3" takes the cake. Way too much moisture to deal with at one time.

Although my garden is still looking fairly good, yours is producing . . . and mine's not . . . yet. Well, okay, I have had one 3" long zucchini.

I'm with Carolyn. More pups pics, please.

Susan said...

Hi, Deb! No, I am definitely what you would call a foster failure. I bet our tomatoes ripen all at once - why can't they come up with a plant that ripens in stages? Thanks for stopping by!

Susan said...

Nancy - How I wish I could send you some of ours. Seems as if every part of the country is getting something extreme.

Susan said...

Sue - Weird! Just plain weird! I will post the recipe this week!

Susan said...

Carolyn - I am trying to video the Pepper/Lovey routine, but they stop and stare at me as soon as I bring out the camera.

Susan said...

Kristina - I would love a kitchen-only weekend. But I'd drive myself crazy thinking about everything that wasn't getting done.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - Don't I wish! Oh, no, I will eat it all myself -- over time, thank God. Looks like a week of the same lunches (not that I'm complaining).