Evenings.

 

Oh, these longer days...such a wonderful time of year.  We used to be inside well before dinner, but now we are outside until bed time.


And sometimes, it's just too nice of an evening to cook. Too nice to eat inside.  Which means nachos and an old porch form the perfect duo.
 

 Who says you have to wait an hour before running around? Not us. 

 Run, run fast.  Go barefoot. Tell secrets.  Giggle.

 There's nothing better than a warm evening, outside.

Thrifted. Randoms.

 

1) Thrifted. (Some from a while back that I never shared. It's garage sale season...need to catch up so I can show you all my garage sale finds!)


Two books illustrated by some of our fave illustrators (Karma Wilson and Charles Fuge). A kid camera that works! Four mini pie pans, a straw hat and an xylophone. $5.00.

A container filled with wooden spools. Three new packs of recipe cards, brand new dry erase workbook, another book, kid sunglasses, a fabulous camping towel, a John Deere hat for her and a watering can. $5.25.

A tablecloth, fabric, sunglasses for other kid, three wooden puzzles and two books. $7.00.

2) Randoms.

She "vacuums" frequently.

And makes the most interesting vacuum noises.

 I successfully grew fodder. (Fodder is sprouting wheat or barley seeds. One pound of feed can be sprouted to make 5-6 pounds of feed for our goats, chickens and/or our rabbit.)

 Haven't quite decided how fodder will fit into our homesteading, but it's pretty neat, that's for sure.

 This is the beautiful mess that the chickens have unearthed through their scratching.  Evidence of the life that used to keep this barn warm before us.

 My Adrian really enjoyed the celebration we had in memory of my mom on what would have been her birthday. Cake, flowers, the works!

 He ate meals with her picture for days, asking for more and more stories.

He said to the BOG, "Mama says you know 'bout Grandma Debbie too. Want to teach me about her?"

So special to keep her memory alive.

Elated.

Actually being in complete view of his favorite tractor as it passes, driven by his favorite farmer, is pretty special indeed.

 When said favorite farmer beeps the tractor horn at him...elated is the best descriptor. He can't contain his excitement, he has to jump before he explodes with happiness!

 

This dog is pretty happy we can experience our magical moments right at home. Right where we belong.

Laudholm Love

Story hour at Laudholm Farm, one of our very favorite places with one of the very best storytellers, learning about of some of my favorite things (bugs!). With matching straw hats, naturally.

 But said hats are traded for a more personalized look. Who doesn't love a bug hat?

 And then they hand the kids magnifying glasses to explore said bugs.  Seriously, why don't we have magnifying glasses?  Hello amazon wish list.  These are a must.

 There is so much to see through the lens of a magnifying glass, apparently.

 And then snack time. Banana bread, yum (recipe).

 And a visit to the 'Hundred Acrewood' before we leave, of course.

 One really couldn't ask for a better morning. Thank you, Laudholm.

Brand new.

 I feel like I have waited for this moment for some time.  Our own chicks...finally.  Brand new, fuzzy and fluffy.  And sooo cute.

This is batch 3.  None survived our other two rounds. First time I thought it was due to humidity. Monitored that better round 2.  They were viable and one hatched each time, but didn't make it.  Come to find out, the thermometer that came with the incubator is junk.  The temp was much lower than what the thermometer said...the chicks developed, but at a slower rate. They ran out of yolk by the time they were developed and didn't have energy to sustain life.  It was frustrating and upsetting to all of us.  But, our LLBean thermometer is correct, so we finally have little chicks. Phew!

Three hatched and more were hatching. I moved these three to the brooder.  An hour later, I see the temp is 117 and the others that had hatched and the rest of the eggs that were making progress were gone.  It wasn't the kids, they were with me. It was the *&%%^& cat.  Insert whatever word you think fits.  I don't usually swear, but a swear word may have slipped out when I discovered the disaster.  That curious, naughty cat.  I was really upset.  But at least we have these ones!  And they are sooo cute! And they are our chickens that we incubated from our hens, fertilized by our rooster.  Success!

And she (hoping "she" is a "she"...our luck is we have three roosters!) already went for her first truck ride. The first of many, I suspect.

 

And before long, these little fluff balls will be full grown.

And they will graduate from truck rides to big adventures.

And if they are lucky, a sweet girl will try rocking them to sleep.

Baby chicks? I hope you're prepared for a life of hugs, because that's what you're been born into.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

How have I not made share to share this?  We make this every year. So good. This makes a HUGE amount, you can half the recipe too.

 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

8-10 cups total of diced rhubarb and sliced strawberries.  (You can do half and half, or use what you have).
2 sticks butter, melted
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/8 cup flax seed meal
1 1/2 cup oats
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt

Place fruit in 8x10 baking pan.    Set aside.

In different bowl, combine melted butter and sugar.  Add flour, flax, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Mix until combined.  Sprinkle over fruit.

Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes.  Good with homemade ice cream or freshly made whipped cream.


You know, the homemade ice cream really tops it off.

 As do the memories in making said ice cream.