Sunday, May 5, 2013

This N' That

Howdy Do.  That is what my Nana would say.  I have been busy as a bee lately.  Thursday and Friday of last week were hot like the middle of summer!  Saturday was still quite warm.  And today was downright chilly, with the threat of rain for tomorrow.  Crazy weather.  On Friday, I took my first dip in the pool.  I had been picking fruit and then decided to clean the pool tile.  So I got in on a noodle, and went around and round, using one of those dissolving pumice stones especially designed for cleaning pool tile.  The water was only 72 degrees, but because it was so hot outside, it felt good.
In my last post I showed you the curtain I made out of a drop cloth for our covered patio.  I had forgotten to get a shot of it rolled up.  So I took a picture to show you.
See that wagon load of fruit?  I am trying to pick as much of what is left of our oranges as I can.
On my way back in from the grove, I peeked in the coop to see if there were any more eggs, and there were a couple, so those are in that pink basket too. 
I also moved the chicklets out into the grove where the coop is.  It was so hot, and I wanted them to be in full shade.  I decided to see how they did in the chicken run with the big girls.
They stuck together and seemed to love having all of that space to roam.  The big girls all came in close to get a good look, but then were more interested in their grow mash!  So I had to block the big girls from their food.  I just pulled a plywood board in to divide the space, leaving the coop and lay boxes accessible for the big girls.
Here is Miss Bossy Pants, Tilly.  It looks like she is on her soap box about something.
I cleaned the coop and laid down fresh piles of hay for them to scatter.
The little girls did well in the chicken run for the day, and at night I tucked them back into their playpen with the warming light on.
On Saturday I went to my friend Joyce's and another friend of ours, Denise, also came.   I brought the oranges, and Joyce provided the use of her two dehydrators, and we got busy slicing and stacking oranges on the trays, with sticky juice dripping down our arms and onto the floor!  Poor Joyce, we made a mess!  Then we all sat down to lunch, and did some knitting and crochet.  I brought one of the Joyce's dehydrators home with me, and left it on all night, only to discover that I had burned them all!  I did another batch today, and this time left the rind on, and will use them for tea, and potpourri.
Last night we went to our daughter and son in law's house for a bbq.   It was still hot at about 5:00 and all three of the grandkids were in the pool!
They went back and forth from the pool to their warm towels.
We had some yummy BBQ dogs and mahi burgers.
Today we woke to cloudy skies and much cooler weather!  I woke up and began to make fresh squeezed orange juice, and then made a couple gallons to freeze.
Then I made two batches of beer bread.  This is so easy, and so good.
I doubled this and made two loaves.  For one loaf, you will need:
3 Cups Self Rising Flour
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1 cup warm beer ( If dough is too sticky, add a bit more of the beer.  I almost always use one can or bottle of beer for each batch)
Combine and put dough into greased loaf pan.  Allow to rest in pan for about 15-20 minutes, and let the dough rise a bit.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 min.  Check at 30, I usually go 35 minutes on mine.  You will smell it when it is done!
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on wire rack.
 This is a lumpy, bumpy, rustic bread.  It reminds me of the English Muffin Bread I do in the bread machine.  It is so good toasted!  Slightly sweet, and with lots of nooks and crannies to hold that butter!
I make this bread a lot when we are camping.  It is so easy, and quick, and always a hit.
Try it.  You'll like it!
XO  Kris

34 comments:

Holly said...

I love how much you pack into a post! Our weather has been strange here too. Had a few days of pool weather but the early mornings have been nice and cool. Miss Bossy Pants is so beautiful. You should frame that pic. Your dehydrated oranges look so good.

Mereknits said...

My Dad used to make beer bread all the time,it has such a unique flavor. I have been thinking about getting the pumice stone for the pool tile, I always forget but now you have reminded me, I see a pool day in my future.
Hugs to you Kris.
Meredith

Kerri said...

Your drop cloth looks great!
Thanks for the beer bread recipe...looks easy enough, I might just try it!
Have a great week Kris!

Deb~in~Denver said...

Ha! Love that picture of Tilly! She really does look like she's telling the rest of the girls how it is! The shade cloth looks great! The barbecue with the Grands looked fun and relaxing, just what you need! I'm going to try your bread recipe, we love beer bread and it's so easy to make. Mmmm-mmmm!

Debbie said...

Yep, busy, busy as always! My son Joe (the new "farmer") has decided now he wants to try chickens. I told him about your bunch and how well you have done with them. But I don't think he is zoned for them. Do you know any of the rules on this? This weather is just crazy huh? Enjoy your week Kris!

Helen's Decor said...

Hi Kris, I found you via Maria's blog today. I have enjoyed reading a lot since then. I am following you on Google, but I'm WP and have Linky. I'm still have a Google id, too. Enjoyed your inforative posts. Thanks,
Helen

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Kris.. love all your activities.. it looks like the baby girls will do okay with the big girls as soon as they're eating the same feed. I think Buffy might have finally given up being broody. Your beer bread looks yummy! Say, some people tie dried orange slices with a ribbon and stick some cinnamon sticks in the ribbon and use them as xmas tree decs! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Betsy said...

You have been busy! I like the look of the dropcloth rolled up too. That was a brilliant idea!
Your chicks and chickens look so sweet. I've all but given up on talking hubby into letting me have my own chickens. I can enjoy your's and Teresa's though through your blogs! Thank you!
Blessings,
Betsy

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, As always you are just such a busy girl! I love reading all that you've been up to. I have heard that you've had really hot days-I wish our warm days would stay. WE are supposed to get rain every afternoon this week-it is that time of year for Colorado.
Have a great evening my friend!
Hugs, Noreen

Linda said...

Your chickens crack me up!!!
We haven't opened our pool yet, waiting for the maple buds to stop dropping!!
Looks like you were as busy as a bee...
That bread looks delish!!

Thanks for all your sweet comments on my blog...

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Gracie Saylor said...

The dried orange slices are a new idea to me...not sure that I have ever seen one up close and personal, but they seem like a great idea. Do you have any idea how long they will last without spoiling? How are you storing them? Thanks for sharing your busy days with us, Kris :-)
xx,
Gracie

priscilla said...

Lots of oranges ! Love the chicken photos :) That beer bread looks really good ! I wll have to try it !

Anonymous said...

You are another Martha Stewart.You never seem to stop . You amaze me.
Your blog is very interesting as always.

The food looks good and here where I live the buds are starting to bud and you are showing children in the pool. My,my. Your weather.

Patty said...

I love how your post really gives insight into your life, Kris. Love what you can do with oranges too. I'm in the mood for a barbecue now!

Grammy Staffy said...

You are always so busy with good projects. You set a good example for me to follow. Miss Tilly looks like she rules the roost. I'm in Vista and it has been pouring rain here. I hope we got some of it back home too. Lets get together for lunch sometime soon. Hugs, Lura

Lynne said...

Hi Kris! That beer bread looks very tasty! Your garden is looking great too! We had a huge thunderstorm last night and it poured buckets. All I could think of was my tomato plants getting beat down (they survived). I also just bought a new pumice stone for our pool tile.
A woman's work is never done!

Diane said...

Kristy......Nana says "Hidee Do"

Astri said...

Wow, Kris - you do so many fun things. Family, friends, oranges, pumicing the pool, etc. :-)

It's a good life, yes?

ALways fun to see what you are up to..love the chicken on her soap box.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I really enjoy seeing the chickens! Tilly looks like she runs the place! I love dried orange... like candy...and I used to love making beer bread (before I was gluten free)so good!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Kris, Enjoyed seeing your Hens and their coop.. Neat. Your pools looks glorious to me.. I must try drying oranges for Potpourri and adding other scents it would a wonderful scent.. I am your newest follower.. Hugs Judy

Unknown said...

You all know how to have a good time...so envy you the pool. Not that hot here yet but it has been in the mid 70's...love that!

I loved seeing your chickens and how you were letting the young ones in the run. Thanks for sharing...can't ever get enough of chickens.

Pam said...

Your pool looks so inviting - it has been hot here lately. Your baby chickens are getting so big! I bet they loved playing in the shade all day. Your beer bread looks mighty tasty.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris, sounds like your new little ladies are adjusting well. I bet your friends house smelled so yummy with the oranges drying. Have you seen how they string slices to hang? I love the look. Seems like there are baby leaves or something else you can through in now and then. Yum, fresh squeezed O.J. How would it be!
hugs,
Jann

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Forgot to mention that I often say 'howdy do'. I have a funny story that I should tell you sometime. It's a little long.
hugs,
Jann

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my gosh, also forgot to say that I love that Beer Bread. Haven't made it in like, forever. Will have to make it again.
triple hugs, lol!
Jann

Katie said...

Your Garden looks Great & that Beer Bread looks Amazing! I'm on my way over ;)

my4lilgirls said...

I love your pool, I really do, lucky lady having such a great garden & the weather to use it:)
Have to try your beer bread looks yum!!!!!!
Karen x

Poppy said...

Hi Kris,

Your 'farm fresh eggs' sign looks EXACTLY like Tilly! You're always so full of energy; must be those California oranges! Thanks for sharing the fun~

Poppy

corners of my life said...

Great Moms become the best Grandmas.
Happy Mother's Day to you and your daughter!

Gloria Baker said...

Happy Mothers day dear Kris, hope ypu have a wonderful day!!
xo

Gloria Baker said...

I love the bread look amazing!

Hanne said...

Busy as always :)

Robyn said...

looks like you had an awesome weekend.. Love the photos.. The kids look so cute all cuddled in their towels..LOL.. And yep, did look like Tilly was flippin her feathers about somethin.. I can't believe how big the chicks are!..and that bread? Ohh Yummy!!!

Taci simmons said...

Hi Kris...Your summer, although kind of too hot to you, looks just wonderful to me...I love the sun.!