If you haven't already, go have some fun!!

It's tough to post this time of year with so much going on. The weather is beautiful, the gardens are going well, the baby goats want playing with..... Lots of wonderful distractions keep me from writing for the blog. :)

If your stuck in a rut, if your not having fun, be encouraged to try something new. I'll make a list to get you started with some ideas that are as frugal as possible.

1. Dig a pit in your back yard. Line it with bricks. Start a (safe) fire and roast marshmallows.

2. Dust off your tent and air it out. If you can't afford to go anywhere, just set it up in your front or back yard. Then camp out and do idea number 1.

3. If you don't have a yard, put a tent in your living room. We've done this and it's fabulous.

4. Lay blankets in the yard and watch the sun set.

5. Eat dinner outdoors. If you don't have a patio set (we don't) drag your dining set outdoors (don't laugh, we've done it) and enjoy a candle light dinner al fresco.

6. Roast corn on the cob for dinner. It is so delicious off the grill.

7. Go fishing and vow to eat your catch for dinner.

8. Make paper lanterns and hang them from your porch or balcony.

9. Borrow a telescope and stargaze.

10. Spend an entire day at the park, lake , or beach. No cheating and going home early.

11. "Summerize" your living space with wildflowers, throw pillows in summer-y fabrics, and don't forget to open the windows and let some light in.

12. Water balloon fight! You live near a dollar store, don't you?? Get 'em cheap.

Okay, that's plenty for now. Don't plan too much or think too hard, just go renew your spirit with some good old fashioned playtime.

love,
-E

Goaty Bliss

Maxwell wants to pet "Sheriff", who is orbiting his mother like a tiny, furry planet. She noses him indulgently, then turns back to her grain. As soon as Max gives up chase, Sheriff goes looking for him.

Feisty little Scarlett is happy to play with the humans, much to the chagrin of her mother. "Baa! Baa!", Robin calls her back. A tail wiggle, a pounce, and Scarlett is gone again.

Soon both babies are nursing their mamas. A deer watches this mixed-species gathering from the hill above. We notice her, she notices us and bounds into the treeline.

The Mamas are brought together to visit. Although grown mothers now, they butt heads like the doelings they once were. Their babies imitate their headstrong play. We laugh.

It is a great moment. One worth holding onto. :)

-Ellen

Quote of The Day

Lift the Wings
How can the small flowers grow
If the wild winds blow
And the cold snow is all around
Where will the frail birds fly
If their homes on high
Have been torn down to the ground
Lift the wings
That carry me away from here and
Fill the sail
That breaks the line to home
But when I'm miles and miles apart from you
I'm beside you when I think of you -
a Stóirín, a Grá
- From River Dance

Baby #3 is born!

John and Joy called about an hour or so ago: Robin gave birth to a little girl.

Locksley's babies are only 3 days old, maybe Robin was tired of her hogging all the attention. :) Robin has always been an attention hound.

More details to come. I am just happy that the mommas and babies are okay.
Oh, and that new baby goat? Her name is Scarlett. (as reported to me by Dante' LOL)

Honestly, I don't know how John and Joy get any sleep with all the goat drama. :)

happily,
-E

Eating Pasta , AKA "Please Try This At Home"

This isn't a recipe so much as it is an idea for what to make in a hurry. But it is one of the fastest ways to get a delicious meal when your tired of the same old thing.

you need:

long-cut pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
butter (margarine will do in a pinch)
anchovy paste or tinned anchovies (don't you dare say "Yuck", it doesn't taste like fish at all, but it imparts a gorgeous depth of flavor, I promise!)
Parmesan

optional: parsley, capers, fresh lemon

To Make:

1. Bring a pot of water to boil, add your pasta

2. While waiting for step one to complete, get out a saucepan and gently melt some butter. Use a few tbsp for one person, 1/2-1 whole stick for several people.

3. Squeeze in just enough anchovy paste for saltiness and flavor. If using tinned anchovies, start with one and take it from there. Stir to amalgamate the flavors.

4. Drizzle this velvety mixture over your already plated pasta. Top with Parmesan.

NOW, if you really want to make this dish _SEXY_ , add one or more of the following:

1. finely chopped parsley (chefs call it "chiffonade")

2. a sprinkle of capers (brined will do but the cured in salt kind taste better)

3. A squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice (don't used bottled, you'll regret it)

***** This pasta is the cure for bored palates!

Notes: keep tinned anchovy in your pantry as well as capers. You can make this supper anytime you want to without having to run to the store for ingredients.

First Pics!

Locksley's twins are one boy and one girl. They don't have names yet but we have some pictures to show off.

Twins!!!

We just got the call. Locksley had her babies last night. The first one popped out around two in the morning. The second one shortly after.

We are on our way to go see our new beautiful babies. We will post pics as soon as we return.

grinning,

Ellen

Quote of The Day

"Every 36 seconds in America a women lays her body down, forced to choose abortion out of a lack of practical resources and emotional support. Abortion is a reflection that society has failed women."

Patricia Heaton | Actress

This quote may seem off topic but I disagree. This blog is about living the good life in Oregon. Everyone should have the same opportunity.

It's a dog's life

Last Sunday we took Rex for a walk in a huge field behind the church. He even found a playmate while there. The cute little Boston Terrier in the pics is named "Omar".

New landscaping pics

Moonlight Gardening

We hadn't intended to stay up so late. But the moon was nearly full, and the evening was mild.

It all started with a desire to landscape. Then a shopping trip for plants and flowers led to an all day project. Dante' and I crouched over the dirt for hours. She constructed an absolutely beautiful stone path up the hill to the yard. Maxwell sat on the steps and kept us company as we worked.

In the end, we worked solely by the glow of the outside porch light. It wasn't until my husband came home that we all went inside. Dinner was served at 10:30 pm. Sweet Maxwell was asleep by 11:00.

Waking up this morning was thrilling. How would it all look in the daylight?

We are far from finished, but the results so far are exciting.

Perhaps we were called by the moon.


Ellen

et tu, Tuesday?

The dishwasher is still unusable due to sink not draining.

This evening my vacuum quit working on me. It coyly pushes the dirt around but won't commit to picking it up.

Now the space bar on my keyboard is refusing to work about 45% of the time.

I suspect we have a household appliance mutiny on our hands.

Send help.

laughing,
Ellen

Why, Monday Why???

Don't you just love Mondays?

We had a big 'ole wind and rain storm here and it was all fun and games 'til we had to go to the horse.

Ahhh, the pleasant feeling of driving rain pelting my skin. The sensation of the wind whipping my hair into my face as I shoveled horse poo.

The real fun started when the garbage disposal stopped working this morning. By this evening, the counters were piled high with dirty dishes. Do this equation:
Kitchen full of dishes + clogged disposal - the ability to use the dishwasher = a serious drag! ( Why didn't I score higher on the math portion of my SAT's? )

TGIT " Thank God it's Tuesday"

grins,
-E

The third time is the charm

I just planted my third (and hopefully final) garden. Corn, squash, and tons of beans. Thanks to my friends Leona and Marvin, this one should do very well. The bed is raised which Leona says means you can plant more veggies closer together.

This garden space also features a drip system so we don't need to babysit it much or worry about it drying out.

What was SUPER interesting about Marvin and Leona's garden is that they have two large raised beds with only 1 tomato plant in each bed. Just 1! The rest of the bed is bright orange plastic mulch and they are domed in a clear plastic frame.

Noting that the beds were about 4' by 15' (rough guess), I couldn't help but ask her where the other plants were. " Oh, that one tomato plant will spread out and fill the whole space," Leona assured me. Wow. How is that possible?

But it obviously is possible because Leona is a seasoned gardener and she has done this all before. I can't wait to see how it works out. Just think of the money you could save by not planting a whole fleet of tomato plants!

This week I will try to get out and get pics of the new garden space plus Leona's tomato beds. Until then, take care and God Bless!
-E