Weekend Photo Hunt (Citrus and traveling objects)

Living this close to the Arctic, 48°41'54 North and 116°19'20 West. No citrus fruit grows here. During the winter months it reasonable to purchase in stores.

I took a quick look though our sale fliers, no such luck finding citrus on sale.

 

I'm sure not a world hopper but one thing I seem to forget to pack or will it when leave is my toothbrush. When I'm traveling

Can't stand that yucky mouth feeling. Usual I end up with a new toothbrush.

After looking at the photo of the toothbrush it needs to be file under section 13 (garbage)

 Next weekend photo hunt theme will be childern and or go

If it wasn't for weekend photo hunt...I believe I would of called this post...”Homestead Ouch” or something like that.

 

The scoffing we built been working so far real good. We been working at the highest peaks on place first. At this time we're on the south-side, then we move on west-side in front of the picture window. The other high peak on place is on the north-side. Might have a bit of trouble doing that, reason is small deck and the chimney. One good thing the North-side it's on cooler side of the place.

We need to get the trim done before July 20^th and we need to head into Spokane Valley for our son Sawyer wedding

So far sure looks like we will meet the deadline.

But for some on for-seen life event we don't get the trim done. Most of the scaffolding was put together with carriage bolts, washer and a nut.

It seems like there always something to do around here. I could have also made wish and or a need list. I still like to get back to going though the “shed/barn” in all honestly we have way to much crap...Statement time...I been going though each section and taking a lease 10% to the thrift store..if it crappy trash it goes in trash can...Once in while someone hauls crap into the thrift store which should have been toss in trash can.

I believe I could even go though the shed/barn at latter date. But I need to finish the first round out.

If I every get the chance to go though it again. I believe I'll have a box sale sort of like yard sale. List it on facebook under yard sale for my local area

It would read some like ...”.Clean out the barn/shed got some boxes of variety of items. Nothing price come on over and take a look...donate what you think is fair.”

Any how if they need or want the stuff there welcome to it.

 

We ended up doing some temporary repair to the garden fence. The mid post on the south-side rotted out. To be factual post isn't even good for fire-wood. It was so darn light to pack..One only need to stick under one arm and skip away...No grunting no moaning.

We cut some post but there still on our property on North-bench. But for now we use some metal tree steaks. Until we get out and grab some post.

But for now we will use metal steaks.

The garden is doing ok but the weeds seem to keep pace with the veggies. We been eating a few mess of spinach.

Froze little more then 12 quarts of strawberries. We're having a bumper crop of strawberries.

We're going to offer Qunella the next picking of berries but I would like about 8 cups to make some pie filling.

Been having quite a few messes of spinach now.

Something been eating the green beans, but Murphy figure the birds been helping them self. So we put a short roll about six feet long.

Can't say much for the flowers now. But it seem like a lot of buds and blooms are starting. Little later on we should have anther of color.

Coffee is on

I'm Not Mad House Wife But A Crazy Witch.

I've always hope more for Sabbats. There got to be a group of people in my neck of the woods recognized the Sabbats or we haven't bump into each other. Statement time...It makes me sad and lonely.

So I did a short celebration for Litha. of course by my self had sip of Merlot and chocolate. Sat on porch steps enjoyed the cool summer evening.

 

I started to built an Lithia alter but notice I need a candle holder. It sure wouldn't be a good ideal to burn the house down. Nothing wrong with a little precaution

I had I believe is four major cards come up. In the nut shell I'm second guessing my self more then I should. Every so often I let the scarlet and shunning spirit return.

So it time once again to get rid and put up an armor.

Confession time...One thing I worked on not to repeat what my parents did was not to do the scarlet treatment, my dad mainly did it....I use this blog as therapy at times.. There plenty of time I even use the scarlet game not for control as my parents did...Statement time...I did plenty of mistake raising the boys.
.Even to this day I'm still battle those scarlet spirit but now I recognized it when it ugly head arises...The shunning doesn't bother me as much, that's were the only child comes in handy.

I got my self a new lap top. Haven't yet use it. No real internet unless you want to donate a body part. So once I take it to town I should be ready to fly with it. I've always thought the computer bag had heavy spirit hang on it...So I did banishing spell to it

salt, pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and sulfur...then sprinkle on the object and demand the un-want spirit to leave.

Then I put an spell in for good spirit to hang around...burn candle sprinkled some cloves on computer bag , color blue.

Murphy and I finely got the scaffolding done. We decided to built it on the bed of the pick up so it can be easily moved.

It to paint the trim around the place. If memory service me right we painted the trim short time after my mom died, 2000.

Next thing we need to before we back the pick-up is to pull out the larger weeds so we can lay plastic down.

We're starting on the south side first, it's the worst.

On the south side I start an herb and salad garden. This year it won't be used.

Will try real hard not to damage anything but my french tarragon is #1 to avoid damaging.

Garden doing great. My first Lilly of the season. I have few Iris straggling along. Usually there done by now.

Picked a few mess of spinach. So far just ate the fresh.

Got a picking of strawberries and froze 3 quarts. I would like to try to make some strawberry pie filling also.

Strawberry Pie filling
1 3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup clear jel
2 cups cool water
2 tbsp lemon juice
7 cups strawberries hulled & quartered

Combine sugar & clear jel, whisk in water.
Bring to boil over medium high heat. Stirring constantly! Add lemon juice return to boil & cook 1 minute. Reduce heat to low & quickly fold in berries. Return to boil over medium high heat.stirring frequently & gently 'til mixture boils. Fill jars leaving 1 inch head space. Water Bath 30 minutes. Remove lid & wait 5 minutes before removing jars from water.

Tomatoes have fruit sitting, green now and if the weather condition is right we should have tomatoes around the 4^th of July.

Still need to pick off blooms on the potatoes. 

Murphy and I clear off the bed to our larger extra bedroom. But still like to get back on the last roll of shelf in the shed/barn.

Coffee is on

Weekend Photo Hunt (day dream-sculptures)

When I was a kid I would lay on the lawn look up at cloud and day dream about all sort of things. I even thought that was heaven at one time and god just laid around on fluffy cloud...Silly me.

  Since I live in a small community there no sculpture or statue to speak of. I look up the word sculpture and see how much out of the box I could go.

During the past week Murphy and I took a drive up on Ball Creek...I notice this rock away up there it reminded me...how the glacier moved and sculptured the mountain and valleys though this area...”Sort of give it a tornado whipped look.”

Next weekend photo-hunt themes will be Citrus  and or With What Do You Like to Travel

Goldilocks Must Been Serving Time.

This morning looking at the royal sunshine flower bed. I felt please how it coming about. I'm becoming more focus on the “good will” flower bed.

Not saying that I won't add or re-range in the sunshine flower bed.

 

Monday I go over and help Carrie. She only gets two and half hours a week. There not bad at all to work for compare to some of them. It's real to bad she doesn't get any more hours and at this point I don't see it.

After I got done with Carrie I swung by Murphette and Alice gave me some plates to give to her. Plus some snail mail came of her to our address.

I drove over to harvest and got a few items, under $10.00.

 

Now it do time to tell you. We saw a black bear with a brown cinnamon color coat. I didn't get the camera out in time to take a picture. There something about a “bear ” really fascinates me. I don't say much about it around here.

People like that are called goofy environmentalist around here. Plus I know there wild animal not cuddly.

Question time....Does a bear shit in the woods?...Confession time....I've never seen bear shit in the woods before.

 

The bear grass wasn't total mature. Actual I thought it was on the small size compare to the stuff on chunk basin.

Looking at it sort of reminds me of yucca plant. I know people grows them around here.

Murphy and I stop and which we did quite a bit as we drove. I was looking over the edge down a steep bank to the creek below. Ball creek is just plain steep. There no other word. Places it just wise to crawl on your hands and knees.

As I was looking over. Murphy notice a hive planted up in the rock face. Saw nothing swarming around.

Coffee is on

Weekend Photo Hunt (Unknown-Window)

Saturday the 8^th hubby and I went for a drive though the game reserve. Before we went to Mindy 8^th grade graduation party.

As we were driving though the game reserve loop in some water next to the road was a pair of ducks. The type of ducks they are is unknown to me.

One can see up North toward Canada how the ice age glacier cut and moved mountains in this area. So out the pick up window I took this picture. 

 

Next weekend photo-hunt themes are day dream and or sculptures

I guess it matter what area one lives in how a school dist runs for Jr high or Middle school. I went to Jr high from 7^th though 9^th grade.

Murphy never went to a middle school. It was grade school 1^st until 8^th. Then up to the high school.

When I graduated out of Jr high most of us receive as a gift was a quality watch.

Now it seem like once a youngster hit grade school they all have cell phones, very little need for a watch.

We gave Mindy ten bucks. I wanted to give her five bucks and Murphy wanted to give a twenty bucks. So ten is in middle.

Actual my sister in law Faith Mindy grandmother invited us over for a barbeque. There where 16 of them.

I haven't seen Murphy Aunt Shirley and Uncle Layton or his cousin Lisa. All so Phyllis was there who is Murphy Step Mother.

At this time I'm working on getting Phyllis over to Sawyer and Betty wedding. She want to go but is nervous about driving in Spokane. She is 84. 

 

It cooled down so I did some baking and dehydrating.

 

I believe I told you I picked up some bananas at super one 12 hour sale for .38¢ a pound. Last time I ran banana though the dehydrator. I sliced them as coins. This time I slice them length ways.

Got 3 quarts of dehydrated bananas. 

 

I got a little wild and made an ricotta apple pie. I picked the apples and ricotta out of our local food bank. Once week people can go in and use there salvaging program.

I've heard of making pie crust using vodka. So we had part of fifth sitting in the kitchen.

I used Martha Stewart Pie crust recipe. Usually Martha Stewart recipes work out for me Opinion time.. I felt her crust recipe was on the heavy side. Notice she also has a “puffy pastry” one. Confession Time... never worked with “Puff Pastry”

RICOTTA CHEESE APPLE PIE

3 cups of thinly sliced apples (2.957)

¼ cup sugar (0.2464)

½ tsp cinnamon (0.4929)

¼ tsp nutmeg (0.2464)

2 eggs

1 cup of ricotta cheese (0.9858)

½ cup of sugar (0.4929)

½ cup of heavy cream (0.4929)

1/8 tsp salt (0.05915)

1 ½ tsp of grated lemon peel (1.232)

Pastry to line deep 9 inch pie pan

Line the pie pan with pastry, trim and flute the edge. Turn the sliced apples in, sprinkle with ¼ cup sugar mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat eggs slightly, combine with ricotta, ½ cup sugar and the cream, slat and peel. Mix and pour over the apples, covering evenly. Bake in preheated 425 degree ( 218.3) oven for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to moderate 350 (176.6) degrees and bake 30 minutes longer. Let cool. Makes 4-6 servings

Since I made the pie a few things I would do different...I would precook the bottom crust for maybe 7 minutes...350 (176) then pour in filling....follow the instruction above and possible cooking the pie a little longer the the 30 minutes.

I wouldn't change the filling at all.

 

This is copied from my facebook posting from the other day...Tried to grease the pick up and got plenty to grip about the brand new grease tube was only half full. It was that way when we bought it.
The needle thing that is to be used to grease the fittings, first one didn't fit and the other ones we got just didn't hold up.
We had one before lasted 15 years. So we thought a new one would hurt. So to grease the pick up we end up using 5 grease needle things so far at this point.
Capitalism at work!!!!...What else can I say we are the chumps who get suckered in.

Coffee is on.

It's Show Time

I been helping Qunella get her site redone for Katka Mountain Peace Gardens She wanted to host wedding parties, but she a long ways of hosting upper style weddings.

But having Teas and Luncheons is more in foreseeable at this time. 

 

One thing as many in the flower line I don't have any poppies. I've always been fond of poppies floating about in field. Add a touch of solidarity among many merit.

Qunella promise me some poppies seeds. I don't need many or want many.

 

I've taken enough picture of wood gathering adventure. We found a nice wind fall off of Myrtle creek area.

I know those who stop in...read posting about wood gathering. Actual it was nice day up in the Mountain.

Saw a mule deer (buck) and bull moose...both young males.

I've taken enough picture of wood gathering adventure. We found a nice wind fall off of Myrtle creek area.

I know those who stop in...read posting about wood gathering. Actual it was nice day up in the Mountain.

Saw a mule deer (buck) and bull moose...both young males.

 

Being up in the mountain had to check out how the huckleberries were doing. Well no large green berries yet! There are tiny berries on.

Don't know if it going to be a good year for picking huckleberries or not. Lot depends on the weather.

I'm wishing before Sawyer and Betty get married in July. I hope they'll be enough so I can make a few huckleberry pies to take to the rehearsal dinner. It would be a nice a treat.

As I was checking the huckleberry patch on the other side of the road I stumble on a moral mushroom. Only one to be found.

The tippy tops of the mountain the snow remains. Each day more and more coming off. Once we got our wood done. Murphy drove a few miles up the road to see slide falls.

Only notice one Indian Paint Brush. Lot of purple lupine up in the mountain. At this point there not very large in size.

But where we found our wind fall of larch. There a lot of wild lilies. I've always thought these wild lilies are pretty.

Anther wild flower I like is a wild orchid or lady slippers.

Coffee is on

Weekend Photo Hunt (Grin-Sky)

One thing that makes me grin is the chance to get out in the gardens. Either the flower or veggie garden will but a grin on my face.

Confession time...I don't even mine weeding. It's not to bad if one keeps up on it.

 

I do a neighborhood monthly weather report which I take a picture of our sky facing northwest. But I decided to take a sky picture going the opposite, southeast.

This was taken on Friday Afternoon around three. It was quite breezy and the trees were swaying about. 

Next weekend photo hunt will be unknown  and or windows

Coffee is on

Heads Up It Going Well

I thought I got enough apples to dehydrate and make a pie. I want to try an apple and ricotta cheese pie. I only picked up enough to dehydrate.

Our local food bank has what they call salvaging any one can go in weekly. Get odds and ends know one know what is being offered.

I know Denni is a the food bank. Not sure if she is an employed or volunteers.

She was the one who gave me they heads up on the apples.

The sad truth I went on Wednesday and for some reason they were closed. We were willing to give them radishes.

I'm starting to wonder what radishes would be liked dehydrated

Can't say these apples was the greatest. But they seem to dehydrate nicely and actual sweeten up.

 

I took Quenella down to Sandpoint she had to see the eye doctor. I believe it was 6 months ago she had a cataract removed. But the eye is starting to develop one.

We did some shopping. We went to four season nursery out in Ponderay. That's where Quenella picked up some summer and winter squash. Then we stop at the good will I tried on 2 tops and one looked funky; the other one didn't fit.

Picked up a few fired bisque pieces. But Quenella made quite the haul.

My main reason to go in wall mart and pick up my self a lap top. I want the $348 HP my main reason for choose that one, AMD processor. Sooner of later one will come in.

At walmart she got her self a dark blue pot to put a plant in it.

Our last stop was Big R Quenella end up buying the big ticket item. She got a Husqvarna with a Honda Engine.

The only thing I picked up was some lawn feed and four foot bamboo steaks

Finely there getting around plowing field. The old hay field behind our home. Last year we had a long fall, so last November the field was turn over once.

I thought they would have been plowing before now.

Statement time...I was wondering if it was going to be neglected get full of averse weeds....but my real concern is what and how much chemical would been needed to take care of any averse.

Not a big fan of the dust.

I like watching the one vulture dive and scavenging out in the field. Editor Note...Once in while they will be two vultures.

 

The garden in the last thing we planted was some squash. Still there going to be a little more planting. Once the spinach is done in that spot we will put in some green beans.

So here are what's in each roll

Roll one...Peppers, French Melons, summer squash radishes, and carrots.

Roll two...Peppers, eggplant, tomtillos, spinach, artichokes, pear tomatoes, spaghetti squash and summer squash.

Roll three...Carrots, Chard, basil, lettuce, bee balm and Minnesota Red Potatoes

Roll four... Beets, fennel, and Minnesota Red Potatoes

Roll five...Tomatoes, and corn

Roll six... Talon Onions, leeks and corn.

Roll seven..Tomatoes, and corn.

Roll eight..Red onions, white onions, Quenella onions, shallots, lettuce, and arugula.

On the south side I have some red raspberries and strawberries.

Coffee is on

Weather Report (May 2012) and Other

May 2013...Warmest day was on the 9^th at 86.9 (30.5) Average high for May was 71.6(22.0) For some reason for the month of May we had trouble with our Thermometer, so now low temperature...Rain 2 ¾ (6.9)...Iris bloom most of the month. Put in Minnesota Red and Yukon Golds Potatoes ½ roll of each.

Let see our bills minus food and gas for rigs came to just under $105 but our food was right round $200.

Toward the end of each month I like adventure out and visit some new blogs other then my coffee pals.

Recently I join a canning group though facebook and they had a page of blogs...If they didn't post in the month May....I didn't leave a link.

http://www.shenandoahvalleyflowers.com/  

http://sunwoodfarms.blogspot.com  

  http://gardeningjones.com/blog 

 http://homesteadingonthehomefront.blogspot.com

http://www.rockinthekitchen.blogspot.com/

http://www.savvystudentshopper.com/

  http://taraegon.blogspot.com/

  http://www.highprairiehomestead.blogspot.com/

  http://ingredientsnotfood.blogspot.com/

Coffee is On