Pinto beans on the wood stove.

Last night, I put on a pot of pinto beans. On the wood stove. They were boiling within minutes. Had to put the top down and just set them on top of the stove for the night. Then this morning, opened the lid back up and set the pot on the hot top. They are almost done. The house sure smells good.

But it's supposed to get warm the next several days. So we'll let the wood burn down. It's going to be in the 70's by Sunday, but stormy with lots of rain heading our way. It's been nice the last few days too.

Yesterday afternoon at the market, I got a sunny spot. Didn't even put my canopy up. It's just an hour now, from 4-5. I had on short sleeves with a vest. When that sun went behind the building across the street, it got cold! And then I couldn't get warmed back up. This morning it was only about 28. But in the 60's by this afternoon. I'll take it!

Just that kinda day.

 It's beautiful outside today! Bright blue sky, Sun shining. Just the perfect breeze blowing. So I washed a load of towels and sheets and some rugs. Hung them out back. The poor alpacas still aren't too sure about these things flapping in the wind. But I sure do love it.

I'm taking a needle felting break. It really is tedious work. So I get up and do other things in between making a sheep or something.

I sure hope it's a beautiful day all over the country, so everyone can enjoy this too. Maybe I might get more than 5 eggs today too.

Christmas markets and more needle felting.

It was a very busy full weekend for me. I went to the Bizarre Christmas Bazaar  Saturday from 10-6. Long day there. But it was so fun. We had live music, good food and really nice people. I had fun.

Then Sunday, from 1-7 was the Christmas in the Cove market. In an old barn. The county bought this farm and now there is a restaurant and the barn is used for weddings and events. It's a beautiful barn. I had a good time again there.  


And I actually sold some of my felted sheep! People like the white ones. And a little girl bought Annabelle and Buttercup. She loved them. There were a few other kids that wanted white sheep too. SO I am making more for the Wed. Main St. market.

 Here are the ones I've made so far. To the far right is the pig. And a snowman. Then a white sheep and the darker sheep. And I made a rainbow unicorn. I love this one. I'll have to make more. But it took about 2 hours to make. And I'll have to get more of the colored roving from All Books. I do believe I am hooked on needle felting

                    And here are the Suffolk ewe and lamb. I'll make more of these for Wednesday.

                                               The rainbow unicorn. What do you think?

                                               The old barn at Mt. Cove Farm. It's so pretty.

 The inside was decorated so pretty and Christmasy. But it was freezing! And there was some snow on the mountain. Cold all day. But we had a fantastic turnout, both days here. I will definitely go again next year.

                                          I hope you all had a great weekend. And a good week.

Needle felting

My mom and I went to Hobby Lobby today. I wanted to do some needle felting. Never had done this before. I just got a 5 pack of needles and this sponge. I broke the first needle after a few punches and sticking my index finger. But it's really fun. I made my first little sheep.

Tonight, Stella found a big French bread I had thrown out. It was so funny. When she came in the house, she went to get in her crate. She'd hit the sides every time. Me and Tiny were laughing so hard. I'd tell her to get in her crate and she'd try every time. Too funny! She finally got in.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Less than 2 weeks now til Christmas. Ugh!

Dogs, alpacas and bread.

This silly dog. She always has something in her mouth. Always. Yesterday morning she had this piece of firewood. I let her out and she took it with her.

This dog is so funny. She just cracks me up! She sees me coming and she just flops over on her back for a belly rub. I love this dog.

And it's so cool to look out my back windows into the back yard and see 2 alpacas. Not too many people can say that, right?

I have been getting day old bread from a store down town. I have gotten quite lazy about making my fresh ground whole wheat rolls and bread since. So I have decided this is the last week for getting the bread. I do feed most of it to the goats, sheep and chickens. But there is always a few good loaves of yummy bread for us to eat.

So I am making bread and rolls again. Tiny said he's been missing it. I love how the house smells when it's rising, then baking. I feel so domestic.

This morning at Outback Farm

 This morning, it was just 26 degrees. It was really beautiful out there. Frosty bushes and grass and frozen ponds. Just beautiful. So I grabbed my camera and snapped away. I hope you all enjoy some sparkly prettiness here at Outback Farm.

The last few leaves on this Silver Maple tree, hanging on for dear life. So pretty against the bright blue sky. The sun is VERY welcome here right now, after all the rain lately.

Sauteed collard green

I don't know if I ever posted this recipe before. But it's SO good, I just have to. And it's so easy and fast and so good for you too. If you like any kind of greens, you'll like this.

You just go out in the garden, or to the farmer's market, or the store, and gather a bucket of collard greens. Take them inside to the kitchen and wash them real good. I just stick them in the salad spinner to get all the water off. That's about the handiest kitchen gadget ever.

Then take about half an onion, chopped up. And about 5 cloves of garlic, chopped up.

Then chop up all the greens. I just take a handful and roll them up and cut that way.

Get your skillet hot and add olive oil. Add your onions and cook a few minutes til soft. Then throw the garlic in. I just stir them up good, then start adding the greens.

I'll add a handful, then some salt and pepper. Stir it all up good. Then add more greens. You know how fast these things cook down.

Get them all in the pan, then turn the heat down to about low, put a lid on, and let simmer about 15 minutes. You might want to check to see if it needs a little more oil. The greens really suck the oil up. But don't put too much in, because once they've had oil, if you add too much, it can get too oily. So be careful.

These are so good, you'll want to have some a few times a week.

You can also do kale a similar way. I do the same thing with the onions and garlic. But I add chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. Cook til tender, then add kale. Talk about some good eatin' right there! I took some to the community dinner a few weeks ago and they were all eaten up.

So go out to the garden and try some soon. You'll like, I bet.