Making Bread

We got up at 5 this morning ready to get started with our day.  I decided to make bread because I didn't get to it yesterday.  Here is it raising just before baking.

I chopped onions that we had drying, vacuum sealed them in 1 cup portions for cooking with later on.  I chopped red and green peppers and sealed them also for later use.  I so glad I got that done.  I just couldn't waste them.

We did some winterizing on the chicken coop.  Installed a light on a timer and a coop door.  They had been using the large sliding doors but the temps are suppose to be a lot cooler the next couple of nights.  I gave the girls a pan of yogurt and some boiled eggs, they ate every bit up.  Cleaned out their water and added some apple cider vinegar.  I think they are happy.  They have been able to free range during the weekends and they love it.  When I get home from work, I will let them out until dark.  

The bread turned out lovely.  We had a pork roast with carrots and onions and a side of french cut beans (homemade) with bacon bits.  For desert we had an apple crisp with ice cream.

LJ is our rooster.

Look at those fluffy butts.

Chicken Treats

Today was a beautiful day.  We let the chickens out of their yard to forage.  They love their scratch and have gotten used to having it when they are out of their yard.

We have to get some light in the shed for them.  There are two starting to molt and their egg production has tapered down.  We're getting there.  I would love to see your set up for winter if you would post.  I need and would like to get some ideas.

MQX West Portland 2011

I had a real treat this last week.  I attended the first MQX West (Maching Quilters Exposition) in Portland.  I took a couple of hands-on classes from Linda V. Taylor and a lecture demo with Kim Brunner.  The first class with Linda V. Taylor was Stargazing.  She gave us ideas on how to quilt stars.

Then we got to practice.  We were using a Gammil longarm quilting machine.  These were wonderful to quilt with.  Maybe one of these days, I'll be able to get one.  But I like mine and am getting use to quilting with it.  These aren't my stars...I wish.  No they were Linda's demos for her class.  

The class I took with Kim Brunner was on Edge to Edge Quilting.  She thought this subject was needed because not everyone does custom work.  She had some great handout for us to practice with.  I can't wait to get started.

Do You Need a Nestbox?

A nestbox for chickens.  I would love to win this three hole nestbox.  My little girls have started laying and I would like to revamp my nesting scenario.  I'm entering.  Here's your chance.  Go to Life on a Southern Farm and see the nestboxes they make.

photo courtesy of Life on a Southern Farm

Tomato Juice

I have not been feeling well and didn't think I would get this accomplished.  But the garden can't wait so I forged ahead at a slow speed.  I have more tomatoes to can so that will have to happen after work this week.  One canner at a time.  These are my Romas.  I have some Beefsteaks left to do.  My son brought them over from his garden.  It was welcome because this was not a good year for my tomatoes.  Seems like most of then have rot on the bottom.  My mom said it was "blossom rot" from inconsistent water.  I haven't looked this up yet but it's frustrating because I'm all out of tomatoes in the pantry.  We are on an irrigation system for our household and 5 others.  When our landlord irrigates his crops, we get water.  This year he grew grass seed, garlic, green beans and it looks like field corn for seed.  We had great water the beginning of the season, but after he harvested the green beans, he didn't need to water the other crops very often.  We've had water off and on, three weeks off, then on for 2 days, off, on, currently off.  I've spot watered with the household water.  The beets,  cukes, and green beans are ok, it just the tomatoes really suffered.  I glad my son is helping his ole mom out with produce.

Will I Get Eggs Today???

I was sitting out on my back patio this morning talking to my mom and I kept hearing this whoosh noise. I thought it was coming from inside the house. Well it wasn't, it was coming from the field beside my house, just out of eyesight.  When I walked out to the yard I saw...

The chickens were going nuts.  They kept running to their house, in and out and squawking, running into each other.  The people in the baskets were waving, unaware of the commotion below.  The girls really didn't like this disruption to their normal, quiet routine.  I hope this commotion won't hold them back from their laying.  They have been so good lately giving me from 3-6 eggs a day.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Just beyond the line of trees in the background is the Willamette River.  They need to get their lift so they can clear the treeline.  Then they like to follow the river, which is about 80 below the bottom of the treeline.  They all made it.  I hope they don't do this on a regular basis.  The chickens will loose all their feather and quit laying if they feel a threat.  I don't know this for real, but they are really sensitive.

French Cut Green Beans

I'm canning french cut Green Beans today.  Of course it's suppose to be 90 degrees today.  Isn't that the way it goes?  I've already done 7 quarts and have another 7 quarts in the pressure canner.