The pups and I have been enjoying the morning. We had a buck come out of the trees to enjoy munching on some flowers and greenery, he brought two young does with him. Watching them sit and enjoy the morning was so precious. The birdbath was empty as I hadn't watered yet, so needless to say they didn't get the refreshing beverage they were hoping for. I feel like a bit of failure, although I did not realize they were partaking of the water in the birdbath - heck I didn't know any creature paid attention to it. It was here when we moved in and we just left it. It fills with the rain or when we water, but it's outside the fence line and we pretty much ignore it also.
The sudden downturn in temperatures has caused both the sassafras and mulberry trees to start turning on their autumn colors. The bright red and the golden yellow are always the first sign of fall.
I'm taking some time to enjoy the beauty, semi-planning my day and trying to not get dive bombed by our rambunctious hummingbird friends. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are back in town, which means they will all be leaving in a few weeks. I have definitely enjoyed my time with all of them this summer.
Hubs isn't home today, so it's just me and the pups. Truthfully, I don't engage much in keeping track of time these days, a Saturday could feel like a Wednesday for all I know. And honestly I'm really okay with that. Telling time is truly a construct of man and the longer I don't follow along, the more useless it feels.
I have a list of things I would like to do, I just don't know where to start. I will probably load the freeze dryer with some of my precious herbs, I always wait too long to preserve them and then mourn the fact of would've/could've/didn't. The basil, rosemary and thyme are full and bushy, and with freeze drying it would be the same as using them fresh all winter. I could also snip a branch or two of the lemon verbana and holy basil to use in teas.
As I look around the garden I am realizing that I have quite a few jalapeno's, and we are a bit low on the pineapple cowboy candy. Might pick up a pineapple and get some of that canned up. The cooling temps are causing the tomatoes to finally ripen, the Marconi peppers are growing and getting big, and even the okra has decided it is happier with the mild temps.
Somewhere on the list is a desire to try my hand at a non-toxic bug spray. My beautiful citronella plants have gone crazy this year. As I was researching it yesterday, I was stunned to find out you can also use it in baking and other cooking recipes. I have to admit, I learned something new.
I also need to decide if I am going to run up to the store and get more chicken paws to dehydrate for the pups. The collagen is so good for them, and they absolutely love them. Belle, Beau and Piper go nuts when that jar gets opened.
 |
| Are they done yet Mom? I can smell them |
I'm finding it less and less enjoyable to go out and about, people seem to be changing. Compassion and empathy seem to be falling away. Or maybe it is me? It's not so bad when I go out with Hubs. I just don't feel good when I go out alone, it's so different.
 |
| She has greater patience than brother... |
I've also been doing more research on using my freeze dryer to further limit the stuff we buy premade and prepackaged. I don't want chemicals in my food, I want real food. I have a huge bag of beef bones that I picked up at the Pan-Asian Market. I will probably throw those in the oven and roast them, and then make a big pot of beef broth. After spending some time learning, I now know how to freeze dry that and then grind it into bullion.
I mean soup season has arrived, I also have a new multi-grain bread recipe that I want to try out. I made a chicken mulligatawny soup for the first time the other day. Hubs and I had been out for lunch and the restaurant had it on the menu, you know we had to try it, as neither of us had ever heard of it. One thing led to another, and we will definitely be making it a staple of the soup rotation.
I will probably spend a fair amount of the day up in my sewing studio, although I am tempted to haul it all out here in the sunshine. I only have 3 more out of state quilts to piece before I start quilting all of them. The next clue of my mystery quilt comes out tomorrow, so I need to get with it. Remember I am easily distracted.
I definitely don't understand anyone being bored. Connecting back to the earth has been so healing for me. It fills my heart and spirit in ways I can't describe. Connecting back to life the way I feel it should be has been even more healing. Walking in the gardens, picking the beautiful zinnias that are starting to fade, enjoying watching the pups playing with the neighbor's pup through the fence. Simply soaking up life.
Who knows, I might just grab a book and sit out here in the sunshine and cool breeze all day, or my spinning wheel... or... yeah the list is fairly endless. For now, I'm going to enjoy my coffee, and watch my pups play.
Being grateful for it all...
much love, b
As always, good one! 381+
ReplyDelete