Day 148

1. A lazy morning. Working on my crossword puzzle (I"m slowly getting better!), enjoying the flowers from the wedding on Saturday. Also note the cat's collar that needs a new battery and the row of lazy heads sitting on the couch under the window. :)

2. A visit to the much loved plant nursery! Finally, finally, finally got some vegetables. And some roses to replace the ones Tonka ruined, argh. And some annuals

3. And a few cacti to add to Dad's cacti and succulent box that we keep out in his office.

What else? A little bit of placing and planting. Scott was here for dinner. Also cooked the first ham from the pigs I raised. It was delicious!

Day 147

1. What I wore Sunday. I was very excited to finally figure out a way to wear this flowered shirt that I bought an embarrassing number of years ago. It looked great with a layered pearl necklace and a vintage black/silver necklace. 

Day 144

1. I've been making Kombucha and it's been going quite well. I remember we tried making it years ago, but we never got the hang of it and it just seemed to awkward and gross. There are several reasons I believe it's going so well this time. First off, is the container. See that spigot a the bottom. That makes it so much easier to get the liquid out! No lifting up the SCOBY, you just drain it into your jar of choice. And secondly, I'm more of a believer of the importance of good bacteria. That helps! Plus, I've learned that it's very easy to mix with fruit juice. So if it starts tasting to sour, I just stir in some concentrate and it's much better.

2. What else today? Mostly just lying low, tummy hasn't been feeling quite right. But I've been quite productive in getting some things done that I was pushing off when the weather was so nice. This evening found just Tyler and I at home, so we had a nice dinner of leftover pho, with this mango avocado salsa. So good! Then we watched the Truman Show while folding laundry, and finished the evening of by watching the this TED talk.

The parentals and Daniel and Jacob got to attend a Jamie Soles Concert, which was awesome and now they're out partying it up, Andy's watching Star Trek with a friend.

Day 141

1. Excellent quote discovered while thrift shopping with Amanda and Sara Jane

2. Strawberry shortcakes with Scott and Juli and the brothers

3. What else? Went to a first-time-in-a-long-time birthday lunch to celebrate Sara Jane's birthday with Amanda. It was super lovely!

Also, enjoyed having Scott and Juli over while the parentals were gone at a HOOPS barbecue.

Day 140

1. Made Rhubarb Crisps for dessert tonight. For dinner we had marinated barbecued porkchops, sauteed cabbage and red potatoes with chives.

Other happenings -

Homeschooling & piano

Finished filling up the potato bins with compost

Planted potatoes and onions

Moved some sheep into the orchard

Worked on a farm newsletter

Enjoyed the sunshine!

Day 138

1. Piggies running free

2. Home made pho courtesy of Tyler and the three Vietmenese students who are spending the weekend with us. It was delicious!

3. Hanging out with good friends at a birthday party for three other friends. 

Day 124

1 & 2. I volunteered at Champoeg's Founders Day event today. Wore my new corded sun bonnet. I got many comments on it, so that was fun. I  liked it so much, I started hand sewing another one during the slow moments. My dress is the very first historical item I ever sewed. I made it when I was 15, sans pattern. I had a copy of Who Wore What and I scoured the internet for tips, which 12 years ago, there wasn't much in the way of  1860's clothing advice! I never thought I would wear it again as it was too small and too short. But! I now fit it, and thankfully I included a growth pleat in the skirt which when let out this week made it long enough to wear with petticoats. Also, I feel compelled to point out that I would have sewn a collar and cuffs for my dress yesterday if I hadn't been fighting a cold.

3. Visiting at Amandas. The birdies have a nest with eggs.