Monday, May 17, 2010

Monday Meandering

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Besides nearly catching up on my blogging, I had an awesome weekend of riding the Harley, remodeling, hunting and gardening. Since I don't have much time to post these days, I'm trying to combine some topics I would have otherwise split out into several posts. The first picture is of Hailey and her first braid. She was begging me to braid her hair (I don't know how to French braid) and this was the best I could do. I think it can technically be called a braid, LOL! She is wearing the pink ballerina tutu that I wore when I was a little girl for ballet. I can't believe I still have three of my dance costumes in the dress up box after all these years.  The remodeling continues. We finally got smart and rented a drywall jack to get our beadboard ceiling up. We had to rip out the first three that we put up because we did such a terrible job on them. There was no way caulking and paint could cover our mistakes.  There goes $60, urgghh! Live and learn. The "praline and cream" board you see in the middle is what the entire ceiling both in the dining room and living room will be painted. Eventually, we'll trim out the edges.The biggest accomplishment this weekend was that  I got my garden planted the rest of the way (minus tomatoes). I'm hoping and praying everything will come up.  Here is a picture of my lettuce that I planted directly into the garden about a month ago from seed. I can tell I'm going to need to plant more.Same thing with my peas....and turnips and radishes. I need a bigger garden already, LOL! My carrots and onions are starting to germinate as well. I planted three rows of pickling cukes (44 plants in all), so I'm really hoping we'll have enough to do 50 lbs of pickles this year. To plant, I simply ripped a "x" in the plastic or landscape mat (definitely like the landscape mat better) and planted a seed or seedling. I really hate weeding, so hopefully this method will cut down on weeding time significantly.Today, I had enough milk leftover to make cheese. This is a small batch of queso fresco brining just before I put it into the cheese press. If you'd like the recipe, click on this link

After church, while Michael was putting up beadboard, I escaped to go for a fun motorcycle ride with my mom, step-dad and some friends. Michael is going to regret ever having encouraged me to learn to ride his bike, hee hee! We made a big loop through the mountains. It was gorgeous! Still lots of snow up high, but it wasn't too cold and none of it on the roads. I forgot my camera, so no pictures :(

In exchange for letting me ride all afternoon, Michael took us all up to the mountains where he has been turkey/bear hunting. I'm not into hunting, so this was my sacrifice of love to my hubby. We walked around and looked at the amazing view of our valley from the top of the mountain, saw wildflowers and had a P & J picnic as the sun went down. We didn't see any bears or turkeys, but we did see a big bull elk at a distance, and Hailey came home with a tick on her tummy (we got it out before it really started to dig in -yuck!). Again, I forgot my camera. I sure wish I would have taken a picture of the view. It was absolutely stunning. Have to go up again with him sometime and get some pics.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Thanks for your comments on the homeschool field trip!

Blessings,
Jackie

15 comments:

Andrea said...

WOW..I am impressed...you are quite busy. Your garden is doing well.
Blessings,
andrea

blessedmomof3 said...

LOVE the photo of Hailey looking in the mirror. Oh! My Katie would love that ballerina dress that Hailey is wearing! She loves anything ballerina, and goes around dancing like one.

I can't braid hair very well myself, so no french braids for Katie. Kind of bugs me though that I can't. I see lots of little girls with cute braids and stuff, and I just can't do it.

christy rose said...

Aww! That picture of Hailee is so cute!!! I love her braid! And it looks like your remodel is coming along nicely. If all you have messed up on and had to redo only cost $60 over what was necessary, you are doing awesome. My husband is always doing some sort of fix ups and there is always some extra cost for mess ups and it is usually way more than $60. LOL I will be excited to see it when you all get it all done.

Heart2Heart said...

Yes, I think you can definitely classify that as a braid. It looks so cute. Sometimes our best hairstyles come out of off the wall things we try.

Love that you are still out enjoying the weather after all that remodeling and gardening. You needed the break.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

The ticks have been horrible around here too!

Your garden looks great and I'm praying it will stay warm for you.

I have to teach you to French braid, it the easiest thing in the world.

Love you and I always pray for you if I know you are riding your motorcycle.

Amy said...

That pic of Hailey is precious.

I can't french braid either. I will have to get a book from the library.

Continued prayers for the remodel. It never rains, but pours.

Love ya

Catherine said...

Kids are darling, house looks great, garden looks pretty good, and your hubby is a darling too! You are having a wonderful life; aren't you? !! I'm so happy for you.

Connie said...

So much happening at your place! The garden is looking great and the mulching technique has to help lots!

RaD said...

I wish I could do better braids too, but alas I cannot.

Looks like you might just turn out to be an alright gardener!

Anonymous said...

Wow - the remodeling is coming along nicely.

And now I'm craving queso fresco :0) The one cheese I actually know how to make. Where do you get your rennet liquid/pills from? My mother-in-law usually brings me some from El Salvador but never knew where to get them here .

Sandy

Unknown said...

Looks like you have been busy! I have been too and not blogging like I was. Summer does that to me! My garden is doing good, too and I have every thing out except for about 6 more rows of corn which we will stagger.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Thanks for all your great comments, ladies. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble French braiding ;)

Sandra,
I get my rennet and cultures from Hoegger Goat Supply. Here is the link: http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/home.php?cat=34

It seems to be the best price I've been able to find. Let me know if you ever find better somewhere else.

Happy cheese making!

Camille said...

What a cute pic of your girl on the counter! :) AND I love the new header picture of your two kids...they are adorable.

With Love,
Camille

Sarah said...

Aww! Jackie, Hailey's little braid is too cute!

I love your new header also! What a wonderful organic photograph! Truly beautiful!

God Bless

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