Of blocks and bales

Last night Rick finished laying the retaining wall for the new woodshed/shop. He worked as a mason through high school, college, and part of vet school; I'm proud of him for dusting off his skills to save money on the construction (using half-priced blocks he bought from a private party). He's also discovered for himself (because he doesn't listen to me 😉) that you get physically stronger and lose some of those "old age aches and pains" when you 'work out' regularly!

Every day I eye our shrinking hay supply while dishing out the 'full meal deal' for two horses and 17 sheep. We had considerable left over from last year and bought all of the first and second cutting orchard grass our favorite producer had this year, which seemed like enough . . . for a little while. I am crossing fingers and toes that once the rains start and the pasture starts to grow again, the ewes and lambs can mostly be sustained by grass  until next hay season. It would also help tremendously to sell some sheep, but so far none of my efforts in that direction have born results.

Ram lamb Bud, front, is about the same size as yearling Bauble!

Sweet Bauble

"Bauble butt;" that tiny white tail tip inspired her name

I sat in the pasture watching sheep eat hay and waiting....

Ah, a 'victim'!

After loving on Bethany awhile, I haltered her, tried to get a lot of the VM out of her gorgeous fleece, and put a coat on her to keep additional trash out. The drama below is not from the coat; she is reacting to the restraint of the halter. It's just that before the coat goes on, I'm desperately trying to keep her from throwing herself down and adding more VM to the fleece I'm trying to clean up!

Blossom, her twin Bud, and Bethany's twin Bernice still await coats

In other 'farm' news, the chickens are doing great and laying well. I got the pictured eight eggs out of nine hens one day recently; good thing, as I had requests for six dozen today! The photo doesn't accurately capture colors, but it gives you an idea – medium/dark brown, beige, pale blue, light green, and a darker green one. Variety  = spice of life. 😁

I also love the variety of 'sky shows' this time of year. Sunrises, sunsets, clouds, rainbows; so much beauty to enjoy!

Mt. St. Helens (L)  and Mt. Adams (R)

Mt. Jefferson

Mt. Hood

Everything's better on horseback!

Rick came home with some peaches and asked for another peach pie. The last time he asked I used the last frozen crust made by my mother, so this time I had to make my own. Lo and behold, I found a simple recipe using oil that worked up beautifully. Tasted good, too. Since the recipe was for a double crust, I put one in the freezer; time will tell if this recipe freezes well but I am hopeful.

I've dehydrated two gallon bags full of prunes but haven't started utilizing our apples yet. I canned another seven pints of tomatoes using some lids my mom brought me. One jar broke and three others didn't seal; I think the lids were so old that the rubber had deteriorated. And I was so excited to get free lids....

I finished my handspun small shawl last week (in under three weeks!), and wore it to church last Sabbath.

I plan to wear it again next Sunday to the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. Now I'm back to working on my handspun Ariya sweater.

That's it for now from . . .