Sexy Bums

Catching some shade

Ah Pasture

The "Big Boys" Headed out back to their pasture, the moment breakfast was finished (5am). Bob ran the brush hog through the pasture on Sunday clearing weeds, and brush . Sunday night it rained and Monday was Hot and Humid.Today was safe Belgian weather.The pasture offers nice open field for eating, but less shade.
Today was 100% different from yesterday. Today was picture perfect, no humidity puffy cloud day.Nickel and Jake spent the day in the back pasture.

I'm Just A Puppy

Looking Back

It is Monday, and I am not a huge fan of Mondays. So I am choosing to reflect on the week end. We had a crazy, bizzy weekend that included allot of work and chores around the farm, and much of what we love horses, food and friends.Saturday morning we (in the immortal words of my Father)"puttered" Bob and I both did some barn chores, he did errands and I did house work, together we attended an Estate Sale.Bob mowed the lawn and leveled the side paddock.At the Estate Sale I purchased an old tool box, some canning jars, a spray can and some textiles(ie:dish towels hankies...) total spend$11.50. Saturday Evening we hosted a BBQ, for horse friends. I made pulled pork, dutch oven chicken, baked beans and corn on the cob friends all contribute with salads and deserts.We all Loved the addition of my new fire pit, in fact Bob tried and could not get people inside.Sunday we tackled more yard chores, Bob mowed the back pasture(brush hog).In the morning we took the Team for a nice leisurely drive(with a bit of a rain shower)the evening we had a bit more company and I cooked some more. All is good , but I hate Mondays!

Check out my tool box, canning jar /flower arrangement and my lavender from my Mom , with the 10 cent hankie.Under the tool box is an old cotton chicken feed grin bag. I am going to feed the Big Boys and get my camera, then I might if not too sleepy post photo's of the boys..

Crazy Maybe

My dish strainer is full of dog food bowls , and my counter has fresh ,cleaned chicken eggs on it.I maybe crazy, but I love it! I love my home and my farm, I am doing what makes me happy. My old hound Huckleberry has decided he will only eat if I cook for him,so I cook for him.Every day starts early and is very full, but I would have it no other way!

Watering and Weeding

Summer is off to a good star,lots of sun shine.With summer sun comes, a need for water and weeding. I had 3 flower beds and two veggie gardens weeded, before tonight,now I am working on the rock garden.Of course as I weed , the weeds grow.

Monday , simple pleasures

Simple pleasures on a Monday evening:
A garden stroll, with some friends, farm chores ,a little weeding( more soon) and left overs. On a Monday evening in the Summer time, hanging the clothes on the line makes me happy.

Happy Fathersday

If you were lucky enough to spend Fathers Day with your Dad I hope you had a Great Day. If you were not lucky enough to spend the day with your Dad I hope you had a Happy Father's Day spent with someone you love. I did!

Hello

Bathing Belgians

These are my bathing beauties/the Belgians got bathed today.As a rule I bath my horses , each and every Mothers Day.This year Mothers Day was unseasonably cold. This is the first day of bathes.Bob helped as we led both Belgians into the barn. I bathed Nick first, saving his hay and rest time for after bath's.Nick fidgeted a bit . Jake was washed next, and stood like a statue.

Chilling

Just Chilling!When the temps climb, it is important to keep the critters cool.The Belgians came into the barn, for some grooming in front of the fans.Pig has a pool of fresh water. Larger is chilling in his "kool collar". I purchased the "kool collar" from http://www.smartpakcanine.com Smart Pak supplies Jake's Vitamins. The kool collar has an ice pack you chill in the freezer,and slip into a collar, or you can fill with ice.

My Crazy Rottie

My Crazy Minni's

Menu Plan Monday

The change of season , brings a change in eating habits for us.I did a couple posts in the fall and winter,talking about our menu plans and shopping etc. I thought with the change of seasons I would do some more.Summer brings for us a larger selection of fresh, local foods . Additionally we cook on the grill more and use the crock pot less.A confession though, I have been frying more lately than anyone should.Winter, Spring , Summer and Fall the basics for my Menu Planning are the same:
1.Buy whats in season (Fresh and Local is always best)
2.Waste as little as possible
3. Prep ahead when possible
I no longer even try to cook everything from scratch,I have come to terms with the fact I am a semi-homemade person, it's what works with a full time job and a farm.

Monday: Cheese Burgers w,Roasted Red Peppers on Top Salad
Roasted the peppers on Saturday( red peppers on sale 2.99) Lettuce is ready to be picked in the garden
This is a good Monday night dinner because it is quick , relatively easy and not a lot of clean up.It also gives me the chance to cut extra veggies for later in the week.
Tuesday: Crab Meat Toasted Sandwiches
I will mix the crab meat and Mayo Monday night so it is chilled well. When I assemble the sandwiches Tuesday I will add what ever salad fixings ie: lettuce celery that is left over Monday.
Wednesday: Stir Fry Chicken and Rice
Chicken Breast was on sales /purchased a 6 pack cooked 2 Friday with spinach and pasta froze 4.
Thursday: BLT's and Pasta salad (to include chicken and red peppers if any remain)
We still have bacon in the freezer, Boxed Pasta salad was on sale (Bacon and Ranch) 10 for 10$, I bought and will cook 2 boxes and doctor them up with extra"stuff".

Shopping List
80% Ground Beef
Cheese from the Deli
1# Crab Meat
Salad Fixings
Family Pack Chicken Breast
Rice
Stir Fry Veggies
Red Peppers for Roasting
Good Sandwich Bread
10 @ 10$ Pasta salad mix
From The Freezer: Bacon
From the Garden Lettuce
From the Pantry: Mayo , Olive Oil , Salad Dressing

Sunday Dreaming

This is for me, Sunday Dreaming! Not perfect,not art ,but important. A year ago Jake would NOT let his guard down in front of anyone.In fact there was a time, I would look out the window,see him lie down and run to sneak a photo. Now he is Happy to lie with his Friend.