Busy August

How do you exercise without getting hot?

We have been so busy around here this past month. My dad was given a used above ground pool. So we have been clearing an area for our new-used 13'x25' pool. Spreading sand, making repairs, setting up, and filling.

After all our work we all enjoy a nice swim most evenings.

I don't know about you, but I think it's the most enjoyable form of exercise out there.

 This might not be a very good picture, but I had to crop the people out of it.

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My mom and I tackled the job of shearing Bogart.

For those of you that don't know, angora goats have to be sheared twice a year, because there fiber grows really fast and is really heavy.

 A few hours and several pairs of dull scissors later and here is our finished product.

We also had to pen him and his son up since we don't want babies in February.

Here is his son that we are keeping, because Bogart is getting old. He is 1/4 LaMancha and 3/4 Angora. I call the crosses llama goats because they look allot like a llama. This cross produces very soft fiber like the Pygora goats.

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 I finally got my first embroidery project complete. I saw in a craft movie, a lady who made embroidered portraits of famous people like Elvis. They looked pretty neat, so I decided to give it a try.

I printed off a picture of Julie London (I like her music), used tracing paper and traced all the main lines in the photo with a hot iron transfer pencil. Then ironed the picture onto the fabric.

Then it was time to practice embroidering. Here is my finished project.

It's not great, but it's a start. There was a lot of stitches that I just didn't like and had to re-do, or I just couldn't get to look right, so I removed it all together. The shading on the neck I couldn't get to look right. It was definitely a good practice. I was thinking it would be nice to do family portraits.

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Seed saving.

Canary Melon, one of my most favorite melons.

Some lovely Rosa Bianca Eggplant. I got my seeds here.  I picked all the seeds out of the over ripe fruit with my fingers and it stain my fingers brown. Very Brown. It was also very time consuming. If you know of a better way of getting the seeds out of eggplant please let me know.

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My brother brought his twin boys over to visit a couple days ago. Of all the things on our place to play with the rope hanging from the tree seems to be the most entertaining thing of all.

As soon as they found out I was going to take there picture they started posing.

OK, I'll admit it.... I have some of the cutest nephews ever.

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I awoke this morning to the noise of hot air balloons flying over. I grabbed the camera and ran out the door.

I don't think I have seen so many fly over so close together before.

Well, that's just a little bit of whats been going on around here lately. Just to much to put in one post.

All for now.

Kimberly

My Garden And A Recipe

"They miss so much who do not know

The Simple joys of long ago.

The quiet hour, the easy pace,

A path to walk, a day to face.

A small white flower, a bird that sings,

The happiness in little things.

The patience for a task well-done,

The gift of rest at set of sun.

The thankful heart, the lift of care,

A friend nearby, a time of prayer.

How much they miss who do not know

The simple joys found long ago."

By Amy Perrin

I have been wanting to learn how to embroider for quite a while. I just love embroidered pillow cases, hankies, and dainty feminine things of that sort. I picked up a few instructional books from our local library book sale, but I haven't gotten around to buying the supplies. What a lovely suprise when my Grandma called and asked if I would like a bunch of embroidery thread. Of course I said yes. So she mailed me a box loaded with thread and patterns. Thank you Grandma, I think I will be set for a very long time. I thought I would store it all in this pretty container, but that was wishful thinking.

The garden is so pretty in bloom, buzzing with bees. I just can't help sharing pictures.

Have a seat and enjoy the pictures.

These are Armenian Cucumbers, growing up a eucalyptus trellis.

Fennel blossom



 Lavender Mint

I try to make use of whatever I can find around the yard. The cement pile has dwindled since I made my garden.

Eucalyptus entrance.

Perennial sweet peas

The Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate is just starting to bloom.

Borage blossom

California Poppies



I picked the blackberries from the canes my mom planted along the fence. I managed to get enough from the small amount of plants to fill a large bowl. So I decided to make blackberry syrup.

The syrup turned out wonderful, and is good for a lot more than pancakes. Add a Tablespoon to a glass of water or tea for a refreshing drink. Drizzle a little on your ice cream for a tasty treat. The options are endless.

Blackberry Syrup

• 6 cups fresh berries
• 1/2 cup water
• sugar

1. In a saucepan, crush the berries with a potato masher. Add water. Bring to a boil over med-high heat, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the berries are very soft and juicy, about 5 minutes.
2. Set a sieve over a bowl. pour the berry pulp into the sieve and allow the juice to drip through. Press the pulp with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible.
3. Clean the saucepan. Measure the juice and then pour it into the saucepan. Then add an equal amount of sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the syrup is viscous but still runny, about 1 minute. Skim the foam with a spoon and pour the syrup into the sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
4. Process in a hot-water bath for 10 minutes.

* My 6 cups of berries made 2 1/4 cups juice. This recipe made 1 1/2 pints syrup. 1 pint canned and 1/2 pint for the fridge. I will definitely make a larger batch the next time I make this syrup.

I hope you enjoy and try this recipe.

Kimberly