The Goings On
Something has shifted here though I can’t say just what. It’s not fall by any stretch of the imagination, but I wonder if we are coming out of the you-might-die-if-you-don’t-carefully-monitor-your-sweat-output-and-water-intake-with-every-second-of-your-day season, also known as summer. And just when I was getting used to it…
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In other exciting news: the long-awaited fence is going up! Chickens in, cows out is the idea, I believe. Though beyond saying there were a few intense days of t-post pounding (I did one… out of 100), a whole bunch of concrete, and some really big logs awaiting their destination; I know very little about the actual construction of said fence. I think all parties involved will be happier if we keep it that way.
What I do know about is these pancakes. I make them about twice per week and we eat at least a stick of butter on them… probably more like a stick and a half. They are huge and fluffy and made with 100% rye flour and some say "the best pancakes ever". I’ve got a secret, ladies… all you’ve got to do is take away grains for months on end and anything you pop out of the "baked good" category will be the best thing ever. Trust me.
Because big and little men need all the carbs they can get when they’re cutting firewood. I’ve always wanted a woodpile and just thinking about cozying up around the wood stove with a pot of soup bubbling away makes me smile.
Ya know who I want to make soup out of? That guy, right there. The guy who screams at the top of his lungs from his perch right next to our cabin at 4 a.m. The one who wakes my baby up every afternoon during her nap. The one that is not-so-affectionately named after a politician that shall go unnamed. Yep, that guy’s gonna’ be tasty.
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Besides plotting the (very tasty and nutritious) demise of said rooster, we have been reading when we can spare a minute. I am planning the fall garden during independent school time. We’re also reading through this history book which is a fan favorite around here in the six and under crowd.
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And those jars there – they are my daily dance partner, all two dozen of them. They once came filled with milk or perhaps they made the morning coffee or acted as someone’s water glass for the day. At the end of the day (snort, three days is more like it) they all get washed. From counter to sink to hand to dishrag and back to counter again. If I could just find a place for all of these jars it would be a beautiful thing we’ve got going on.
And with that I think my partner is looking for another twirl around the dance floor…
Here is the thing, last night I had a dream about the aggressive rooster of my grandmother’s I always despised. His name was Paquito and he was mean and loud and horrible! I will never forget the day he passed on and my secret joy. Your story just made me laugh! A dog got that rooster but I told my siblings and cousins how much I wanted to turn him in to Mexican style chicken stew.
Also, having been born in the Texas desert but living in Colorado now, I appreciate your comments on heat. The heat can be so oppressive and I don’t miss it at all. Hope the seasons change soon so that your every waking thought is not about how much your family is sweating, especially with you nursing! I have always prefered cuddling up in front of a fire to summer warmth.
It sounds like you have fall on your mind. After the summer you have had I don’t blame you.
This post made me smile! I’m sure that boy will make a great soup!! Although, not sure soup and Texas go together, but hey maybe it will really cool down! 🙂 Now here in MN we are having nights in the low 50’s already. Soup weather truly is just around the corner. Got to be honest though, I’m not ready for it. I LOVE the warm weather. I like the cool weather too, just not a fan of it for 6+ months. Perhaps we should swap places!!! 🙂 We are going to try our hand at butchering a couple of our younger cockerels on our own hopefully this weekend. It should be an interesting learning experience.
Loved this post. Even tho’ I am gluten & diary intolerant, I think those rye pancakes look great. I used to store all my canning jars in empty beer or pop boxes under my bed. When they were full I made a map as to where each product was because it was hard to lay beside the bed in my tiny room to retrieve the food. Those jars are a life saver for all sorts of things. I mainly freeze, dry or ferment everything now, but I will never be without several dozen of each size of canning jars. Even here in Colo, I take a crock pot out onto my back patio to let a soup cook all day during the summer. Even took a toaster oven out there when I needed a pie for company. It was 100 degrees out there, so the oven didn’t have to work very hard. LOL LOL We all love following your lives and experiences and wish you all the best.
We are definitely thankful for the much cooler-than-normal summer here this year. It’s only been super hot for about 2 weeks (108-113), so much different than the 3 straight months last summer over 100 or even the usual 2 months of that. I’m sure it’s even more appreciated with no a/c.
Hi Shannon,
I loved the way you described summer! Too funny. I am in Texas too – in the Hill Country outside of Austin. This was a week of 100+ degree days. Hopefully we will have some rain this weekend and things will cool down into the high 90’s…LOL!!!
Love your blog…and the Spanish Rice looks delicious! 🙂
Love,
Mary
I know! I never thought I’d say “What a relief, it’s only 92.” but I do now!