It Rained!

This morning while feeding and watering the animals I heard thunder off in the distance. Mother Nature had teased me before with those thunder booms but no rain so I really didn't expect rain today. After feeding chores were done and I came inside for breakfast the rain came. Beautiful sound on the roof and a lovely sight to watch the plants seem to reach up and grab every drop possible. After the nice rain shower everything looked and smelled so fresh and happy. I expected the heat and muggy feeling that soon followed but it was so worth it to have a nice rainy morning.

So many things going on the past few days. My 16 year old grandson W wrecked on his dirt bike Tuesday evening. He and the dirt bike slide on their side down a gravel road. W had road rash from the tip of his toes to the top of his head on his right side. He also has a bruised and swollen spleen that the doctor is keeping a eye on. Today he is in a lot of pain which was expected but is starting to heal. William's grandson W had surgery on his foot yesterday. He was in surgery 4 hours and now has a cast to his knee and has to be off his feet except for trips to the bathroom until the stitches come out. He has surgery on the other foot in July. Things are also going on with the owner of the goats I have cared for until they kid. He is under investigation for his farm and animals. Seems he has been ignoring them and not giving them the care, food, and water they really needed in this terribly hot weather. I have been told by animal control director to submit a bill for the care, food, vaccines, worming, etc on his goats and babies so high he can't afford it so he won't take these goats back home. I have had them since December so I don't really see him coming now to get them but will not let them go back to his farm. Now I have to figure out what to do with all of them and their babies. I really don't want a large herd of goats. I want to be back to my little herd but will figure something out. Tomorrow animal control will be back at the owners farm to do something about the animals there and dispose of the ones found dead. It's very sad.  I am also getting as many things on my to do list done before the weekend. My granddaughter R is coming from Tennessee to spend a week with me. She is wanting to be a Vet when she grows up so is wanting some one on one time with me to learn how to care for the animals. She is going to help me vaccinate, worm, trim hooves, clean pens, and all the other dirty work that goes with caring for farm animals. I am looking forward to having her here and have some fun things planned as well so it won't all be caring for animals.

Gardens are doing better now that it rained. I am getting squash every day and tomatoes are getting bigger but not red yet. Bean plants are growing fast as well as the cukes and peppers. Banana peppers are ready to pick. Looking forward to lots of fresh veggies to eat and can. 

Still having problems leaving comments on some blogs and have also noticed that some of the follow lists are missing. Mine is missing most days and when I go to click on a blog I want to follow their list is missing also. It says followers but then there is nothing there. Blogger must be having problems again.

Have been doing mostly crockpot meals since it has been so hot. I have a 3 crockpot stand so can fix 3 things at once so usually put a meat and 2 veggies on first thing in the morning so they will be ready for supper and the kitchen doesn't get heated up. I have a crockpot cookbook but also been searching the internet for recipes. There are lots to choose from. I put chicken breasts in the crockpot today with 2 tsp of oil 1 tsp of lime juice, 1/4 cup of cilantro (fresh from the herb garden) 1TBS of minced garlic and let it cook all day on low heat. Served it over rice with green beans on the side.(cooked the rice and beans in the other 2 crockpots). Have been making and drinking lots of mint tea. Mint is growing well in the herb garden. I have lots of herbs that need cutting and put in the dehydrator. Hope to get to that tomorrow.


This is grandson W showing his Joe Dirt impression. This was before the dirt bike accident. His face and right side now are minus alot of skin.

Life at the homestead may be stressful with all the things going on the past few days but life at the homestead is still filled to the brim with blessings everyday. Don't forget to count yours!