Catch up

Since I posted last. We had a wonderful month with company. Unfortunately trying to do it all brought on an arthritis flare which lasted a while. Then the guys who help on the farm decided to take time off. Then we had a picnic for dog rescue friends. Now I am caught up and back on track. We are loaded up with dogs. My riding lesson program is growing wonderfully and is full of terriffic kids. I have so many ideas I am trying to priortize to get them all done. And it has been ridiculously hot. I hope to complete most of my ideas as it cools off a bit.

Here are a few photos of the last couple days. I will not be able to post a lot, to see more just go to facebook, that is kept up every day.

No name for this recipe yet

1 onion chopped
3 potatos chopped
1/2 lb ground beef
2 cups corn
2 cups spinach
2 T olive oil
1 T minced garlic
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. curry powder
1/8 t. chipolte powder
1 envelope gravy mix (white or sausage)
1/2 c water
1 1/2 c milk

Sautee onion in olive oil on high. Microwave potatos until almost done, add to onions. Thaw corn in microwave add to pan, add ground beef, add garlic, ginger, curry, chipolte. Thaw spinach in microwave, add to pan. In measuring cup mix gravy mix with water add milk to measuring cup, mix well. Turn head down to low. Add gravy to pan. Stir constantly until thick and creamy. Remove from heat immediately.

Too many happy days?

There can never be too many happy days. But there can be not enough time to write about them. I just started and now my boss's grand kids are back in to visit. So guess I will catch up on the blog next week. Lots of photos and recipies and fun times, but not a lot (or any) crafts.

sweet sour hot dogs

2 lbs hot dogs cut into 1 in pieces
1 c. sugar free grape jelly
1/2 c. mustard
simmer together til well glazed and hot. can serve over rice.

sugarless pumpkin pie

Family is here. So I am spending a lot of time with kids. One of the things I am doing with them is letting them cook. Most of the recipes we have made have come out well. So I better enter them here. This is a pumpkin pie we made. One of they boys can't have much sugar at all. Here is what we made. The basic recipe came from here....http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/healthier-pumpkin-pie-low-calorie-low-sugar/

Here are my modifications...

Pie crust...
3/4 c all purpose flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour or brown rice flour
1/4 t salt
1 T flax seed
1/3 c crisco
1/4 c water

Make piecrust. smush into pie plate. Bake 350 15 min

Filling...
4 beaten eggs
1 t. monk fruit extract (could use 2)
1/2 c milk
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t allspice
(didnt have cloves)
1 29 oz (I think, it was the big one) can pumpkin

beat well, fill crust, bake 350 1 hour.

Starfish neckalce #4

I finished another starrish necklace. I am very happy with it, but didn't give it to the intended recipient today since I hadn't finished the ones I planned for her friends. Now that I have actually met them, it will be easier to finish them. These are being made with dog choke collars. They are all part of the rescue group that is slowly forming to pull dogs on their last day from the pound, give them some time to learn to be pets, and find good homes for them. They have a hard time, because they are constantly sharing the photos of the at risk dogs. They go to visit them, so it is really tough when the pound kills them because their time is up. We have fostered/ adopted 11 or 12 from orlando pound. As one leaves another one comes. In fact one is waiting to be neutered right now. The few we help may be a drop in the bucket for all the pound pups who loose their lives every day, but it matters greatly to them. (And is a lot of work for me, easy to burn out). Hence the starfish series...

This necklace is made out of a dog choke collar, it is still usable as a choke collar. 

Day 77

After a busy week of summer camp, I get to slow down a little today and get back into a summer routine. I have lots of plans, that don't really involve slowing down. But since I never finish all I plan, I have learned not to worry about it. One of our dogs found his forever home yesterday and his replace will be on the way once he is neutered. The replacement was called Two Chains at the pound and no one wanted him, go figure. We have already renamed him Touche Amor. He is a 44 pound yellow lab mix. Very dog friendly fortunately. He was supposed to have been put down 2 days ago, but they got the adoption application in on time. The big Laika is lying at my feet right now. I found out she like to chew small metal objects. And electric cords. Guess my project need to be to dogproof my room again. My parents are experiencing another round of medical issues. I am so glad they have excellent health care and are viligant enough to catch problems before they get aweful. Time for more coffee and breakfast before I start running with the chores. I will remember to slow down and enjoy the farm and animals....