Hump Day ...

It's Wednesday already. I had to look at the computer calendar to make sure of it. I've had some aggravation this week ... it seems to be pouring down on me lately more so than normal ... my dryer went out or the breaker went bad. A friend said he'd stop by this evening to look at it. I'll probably have to call someone from the nearby city to do any repairs. After my uncle passed away last year ... there is no one to call on who knows much about electricity or dryers or any appliances, for that matter. I don't mind hanging most of my clothing to dry but I cannot tolerate the towels. ha Good grief. Line-dried towels are like rubbing a dried up corn cob on your skin. It's just not a good thing.

 

This little ball of fuzz is a Silkie chick. My friends have a few dozen of these and a number of other breeds. This baby will grow up to look like this Silkie, except she'll be black ...

The strawberries I transplanted are blooming. A few still look a little peaked but I'm hoping they'll perk up. I love those strawberries. I love feeding them to my Quaker parrot. I usually do that outside. He slings bits all over the place when he eats them. He loves fresh fruit and vegetables ... and pizza and chips and just about anything I hand him.

 

There is no grass growing in the strawberry patch ... I got too close to the bed when I was cutting grass. :-/ I'm thinking if I leave it there til it dies, it'll turn brown and won't even be noticeable. Maybe? haha

I finally found a spindle that I felt good about purchasing. I'm not sure why this one was any different from the hundred others I looked at but it was. I purchased it from Spindler's Cottage at etsy. In addition to the spindle, he sent 2 oz of Brown Sheep Wool Company wool. I didn't have a proper carrier for this one so I'm using a bunny basket. It works for now. I've been spinning ...

... and spinning ...

It's such a relaxing craft. And after I complete that relaxing craft, I can knit with it. Which is another relaxing craft. I don't wanna do anything too stressful on purpose.  haha

He's Alive ...

... hallelujah ... HE'S ALIVE ...

Good Friday ...

this day has meaning ... 

think about it ...

 

... your eternity depends on it ...

Sourdough starter and strawberries ...

Before I start with the title topics, I've a Samson update: he is one step away from being completely healed. He has a slight infection in the groin area wound and is on antibiotics. Here he is, anxiously awaiting the vet to removed his stitches. He had 20 stitches, total. He did very well with the removal, although the ones in the groin area caused pain. He's such a good dog, I don't think I could ever have another. He does exactly as I ask, for the most part. He adores me as much as I adore him. Thank you all for the posts and emails checking up on him. It means so much to me to know there are people who care.

 

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A friend of mine always has Easter dinner the weekend after Easter so all of her grandchildren and children can attend. I plan to attend this year. I've missed the last few years and always regret it. I have a huge 17-pound tavern ham in my freezer that I will never be able eat. I have to limit how much ham I consume because too much always results in urinary tract infections for me. It had the same effect on my Granny. And I love ham as much as she did. I remember we'd be at the holiday dinner tables with ham on our plates and sheepishly look at each other as if to say, "do you have the pills?" haha We knew we'd suffer in the next days but it was just too good to pass up.

In addition to ham, I plan to make sourdough dinner rolls. I don't have starter so I got online and came across a blog post with her experience of sourdough starter. Mindie has an interesting blog in case you're looking for another spot to visit. :-) I will not leave my starter outside day and night, but I have it outside right now. I don't have porch roofs, unfortunately, so leaving it outdoors is not a good idea.

Look at the beautiful sky and bright sunshine we're having today! It's about 55 degrees. What a lovely, peaceful day.

Mine is a little lumpy. Not too many lumps but there are some. Have you made the sourdough starter? Do you think a few lumps (very small ones, I'll add) will cause a problem? Do you have any tips, tricks or experiences with sourdough starter? Recipes? I came across this recipe for a dinner roll that is soft. Generally sourdough bread is crusty and a bit tough. Although I do like heavy breads, I think I'd like to try this recipe because the photo looks mouthwatering. Yeah! I'd love any advice you can give because I'm totally new to this. I have a breadmaker I've not used in years. I'd like to dust it off and use it again, too.

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We had wonderful, HOT, sunshiny weather last week. Yesterday the snow fell all day long. It had a great deal of rain with it so it did not accumulate but it was nasty and cold. Last night, the temperature dropped to 26 degrees. Not good on the strawberries that I dug and separated and moved to a new location on Saturday. Samson and I went out early afternoon and checked on them. They seem to be healthy even though they're not as perky as they were on Monday. I prayed they'd be safe from the cold because I couldn't get out there in the wet snow and rain to cover them last evening. The Lord kept watch on them for me and I'm grateful. 

I've given away about 30 plants and as you can see ... I have many more to find homes for ...

I hope your Holy Week is a fantastic one!

April Soap Giveaway

Nancy at A Rural Journal is having an April Soap Giveaway! I think you should hop on over there an enter for a chance to win this wonderful healing soap with aloe. This is the time of year where hands are awakened to grit, grime and dirt, resulting in dry, cracked, damaged skin. Whether you're Spring cleaning with a variety of harsh detergents and cleaners or outside digging up Mother Earth for your gardens and landscaping, you can benefit from visiting A Rural Journal. While you're entering the April Soap Giveaway ... read on ... she has some great photos and blog posts. Doesn't this soap look great?! It makes me want to clean my bathroom and decorate it to fit the soap. haha This soap (although I'd happily put it in my own bathroom) belongs in a magazine-styled bathroom. Good luck in the drawing ... I hope you win!