Homestead mailing list

["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

Well, it's Friday the 13th and so far no one with a hockey mask <g>

Started the day early because we are sanding down the hot tub and putting a 
new coat of spar varnish on it.  Youngest and I are doing it because it is 
her "mini-pool," as she calls it <g>

Yep, she is the one who was making those bags.  Well, *was* making those 
bags.  A little over two years ago I bought a new sewing machine.  Was real 
specific on what I wanted -- something that would sew REALLY HEAVY material 
and something that had all metal gears (plastic gears just don't hold up). 
So, the machine that was guaranteed to suit all my needs has been in the 
repair shop EIGHT times!  Five times before we moved, at no cost because "it 
is just breaking in."  One time for a paid for tune-up before we moved since 
I didn't want the thing to have any problems.  A month ago I took it back in 
and paid for a tune-up because it was looping threads all over the place and 
then again two weeks ago because it was still looping threads when I got it 
home (no charge that time).  So, I have this real heavy old type levi 
material that I was making into a bed for the dog's crate and the blooming 
thing was back to looping again.  I called the guy and told him we would be 
in on the first and he could either give me back my money plus the money for 
the two tune-ups that didn't work plus my gas money OR he could give me 
another machine that damn well better work.  Sheesh, too long winded to say 
that the youngest hasn't gotten any bags made because of the blooming 
machine <g>

Then we finished splitting off all the "new" strawberries and are collecting 
a bunch of pine needles to use as a mulch to keep their little roots from 
freezing.  No frost yet and none on the horizon, so we've decided to leave 
the basil, majoram, oregano and sage a little longer before picking it to 
dry.  I'm also hoping that some of it will go to seed so that I'll have it 
for next years crops of herbs.  the thyme, lavendar and rosemary all do just 
fine, so we'll get them well mulched.

DH finshed splitting a cord of wood yesterday, so today was time to remove 
the air conditioners and the plexiglass and closing up the windows. Now 
we're sure to have some additional 100 degree days <g>  He's got a couple of 
fir that he's been drying and is gonna haul them down to the local logger 
who has a little portable mill at his house and get them cut down to 4x4s 
and 2x4s for the pergola that he's putting up on the front deck.

We have two more heat screens to make and then all the windows will be good 
to go for keeping out the heat in the summer and the heat in in the winter. 
We've already noticed the difference in our bedroom and it that it works 
great!

I've got a pot of sauce on simmering, so it'll be sorta spaghetti pie 
tonight (layers of penne, sauce and cheese in individual serving dishes).

AND, we finally got the new oven installed Wednesday and I can finally go 
back to making all our bread.  I do NOT know how I survived two years 
without an oven that would do any decent baking!  I am SOOOOOOOO happy!!!!!! 
Happy dance, happy dance, happy dance!!!!!  Wahooo!!!!!! <g>

Now, when I get the new sewing machine I will be happy beyond words!  You 
have no idea how many projects the youngest and I have between us that we 
haven't been able to do!

Oh, and yesterday I found a spinning wheel and the price "whatever you want 
to give me."  Yesterday was 4-H and the head of the Quilting Guild was there 
and I mentioned that we were going to look at some Icelandic sheep.  Youngst 
said that she wanted to do spinning and that the drop spindle just took too 
long.  The Quilting Lady said she had a spinning wheel AND 3 things of 
carded wool that she wanted to get rid of.

Rita, who is the 4-H leader whose house we were at yesterday, has 2 mules, a 
mini-mule, a burro and was just given an Icelandic pony.  She called to say 
that is she gets offered another free horse, she'll give youngest a call so 
she can have a horse.  Nice phone call!

All in all, a good Friday the 13th.

Lynda, whose sauce is calling her.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "SISU!" <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>


> Well, since the wild cats apparently have a hold of a few tongues, I
> thought I would blog on about my day.  I already related the highlight
> of the day in my post about the chestnuts so there's not much more to
> say about that.
> The day started with a cup of joe and reading email.  I then moved on to
> laundry and cooking.  I finally finished drying the pears, and now I am
> drying mushrooms and some passionflower leaves and flowers.  I deboned
> the rest of the rabbits I boiled yesterday and weighed the results.  I
> averaged 1.68 pounds of meat per rabbit.  I forgot to weigh the bunnies
> before I bopped them but I am guessing they weighed maybe 4.5-5 pounds.
> I spent some time this morning looking at my pitiful collection of
> fabric.  I still want to make some 'green' grocery bags.  Linda, wasn't
> it your daughter who did that?