Fall 2013, Sewing, and books!

5 days ago I took some pictures of my garden flowers and plants.  This first one is of a hollyhock bush.  It is a perennial.

Penstemon

Snapdragons

 

 

Currants turning fall colors.

 

 

This is what my garden looks like today.  We had 6 inches of snow during the night, but with highs predicted to reach 48-50 degrees today, the snow won't last long.  Just long enough to make morning chores more cumbersome.  The sun is out now and shining with all its glory.

 

 

 

The young guineas still perched, not yet daring to walk in the white stuff.

 

Well, with the change of weather, I guess that we will be dreaming of finishing the painting of the house all winter long.  We were so close to finishing it too!  Hopefully we will have Indian summer coming like we used to have in Minnesota, usually this happens the end of October.  We can only hope. 

 

SEWING ROOM

This is the new quilt that I have been working on for almost a year now with my quilt club.  All I have left now is  to add borders.  Have not decided if I will go for brown or red borders.

 

 

I have also been working on crocheting a little girl, or two, ponchos.  With help from my friend Sue, since I have not crocheted for about 30 years.  But I guess it is like riding a bike.  You never really forget.

 

The circle in the middle will be single crocheted at the end to form the neck band, I have not done this part yet.  Also, there will be a ruffled trim on the edges.  Hope mine turn out as nice as Sues.  I had to take it out 3 times already.

 

 

BOOK CLUB

Oh my gosh!  I just read a book about the history of diamonds, rings for that matter.  The book chosen by my book club titled, "The Engagements"  written by  J. Courtney Sullivan, 4 stars on Amazon.    I was really skeptical about reading this book, but I am glad that I stuck with it.  All the lives were intertwined at the end, and the history of the diamond trade was very interesting. According to the author, the most famous add of all time is "Diamonds are forever" and she tells how this add line came about. If you can stick with this book, you won't be sorry.

 My reading list is getting so long, I don't know when I am going to be able to read all the books that I want to.  So  many talented writers on this planet.  My friend Debbie is writing her first book, can't wait to get my hands on that one.

 

 

 

THE STILL

My raspberry liqueur all set up. In a few weeks, sugar is added, and  it will take 3 months after this stage before it is ready.  Maybe for Easter.

 

My little Dazzle enjoying her winter day by basking in a little sliver of sunlight.

 

 

 

ARE YOU READING LABELS??????????

 

Honey sauce????? Really????? read the ingredients.  This is not like the honey we are used to.  I wonder if this is the result of demise of the honey bees, from farm chemicals or what ever.
  7% honey is added to this.  I need to plant more flowers, and bee habit!

Oh well, more later......................................................................................................................
                                                  cat nip on a warm fall day.

 

My new Dazzle, painting, and dogs.

All righty then.  Where should I began.  Once again a very busy summer at the Radi ranch.  With record numbers of days over 90 degrees, and record amounts of rain, we have been trying to keep up with our "to-do" list.  We had started painting the house in May, and guess what, we are still painting the house.  We did have to take some time off for the above reasons, but are in the full swing of painting now, and hope to get done before fall is over.  Really do not want to have house painting on our minds all winter.  Here is our painting in progress.  We went for a darker tan color, and an off white trim, and painting the peaks a sage green color.  Keeping with the color of the high plains desert where we live. 

I painted all that I can get to with a ladder, now Dennis is perched precariously, painting what he can reach.  We do have a "man lift" lined up that we can rent for the higher peaks.  The garage is totally done, as are the east and west sides of the house.  All that is left is the front and back of the house peaks. 

DAZZLE AND BEAR
I acquired a little black and tan silver dapple dachshund the first part of September by the name of Dazzle.  She is going to be 5 in November and is just the most delightful little dog to have around. She has really added some life back into our empty nesters home.   She goes everywhere with us, has been Walmart shopping several times, Home Depot and of course babysitting at the Grandchildrens house.  All the other dogs like her also.  Her favorite is Bear however.  The two of them can really get each other barking, when something is amiss around the property. They really get each other going, and support each other.  It is a sight to see with this huge Livestock Guard Dog running up to the fence, being shadowed by a little 10# wiener dog!

Dazzle always has her nose to the ground, looking for an adventure.  I think she really loves being a farm dog.  She stays away from the guineas, and is mindful of most of the livestock.  But is still learning the things to watch out for on a farm.

 

Bear had his day with the mobile dog groomer.  This is his second time out here.  Does a really nice job on Bear.  The only trouble that we have is getting Bear into his mobile unit. It usually takes Dennis and I begging, pleading, and oh yes, pulling. It is an athletic event none the less, and we have to keep the door open once he is in.  The groomer, Les,  can also wash, and blow dry dogs in there, has an AC unit also, does nails, ears,  and cleans out hair between toes, which Bear has trouble with snow balls collecting there..  I appreciate Les's patience with Bear, and he always loves him up after.

 

Bear is always grateful for the grooming, and is especially happy to get out of the trailer when finished, but he is a patient good dog during the administrations of the groomer.

 

BERRY PICKING

 

The raspberries have been in full production for about a month now.  We are having to pick every 2-3 days, and get allot of berries.  We have two 40 foot rows of June bearers, fall bearers, red, and yellow raspberries. I have to dodge yellow jackets and honey bees while picking as they love the ripened fruit also.  I have not been stung yet, but Dennis was  while he was giving me a tutorial on the correct way to get all the berries off the bush.  I am more careful where I place my fingers when looking under the bush. The yellow jackets particularly are just sitting on the leaves, waiting for the sun to warm them up.  I try to get out in the early morning before it gets too warm.

 I think it is time for me to check with my friend Janelle for her raspberry liqueur recipe.  I made this once before whilst living in Minnesota.  So nice for Thanksgiving or Christmas to share with family.  If it can last that long that is!

 

The fruits of my labor from this morning.

 

Alas, not much time spent in the sewing room, or time to read for that matter, but will update you on those areas with my next writing. Also, it is predicted that we may get snow on Thursday night, then there will be more time indoors to do my "girlie" things that I so love to do.

 

More later.........................................................................................................................