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