Coming to the end!

A shift ESL class...they want to move up to the next level in the company 

and liked understanding how words connected.

Four display boards of over 1000 words that we used or talked about over the 12 week class.

They were amazed when they saw it all put together!  "You have to PRACTICE these!  If you don't USE it...you will LOSE it!"  And then I had to explain what I meant.  

 B shift ESL class...this class was more willing to talk and discuss because they were farther along with their language abilities.  We did alot of laughing in this class.  We were missing one guy on Tuesday.       I was NOT feeling good, but pushed myself to keep going.  I came home and we went outside to enjoy the sunshine.  Teddy texted that he would stop by on his way home from Kingsport.

Such a beautiful afternoon to float and exercise in the pool!

Yeah!  Teddy's here!  We had a nice visit and he got lots of puppy kisses...and a cinnamon roll from Mom!

 

Another day...another batch

More cucumbers!  But this time...bread and butter pickles.  I used the mandolin to get thinner slices.  I remember Mom letting us turn the Magic Chef (?) stand up slicer.

These two were napping and playing while I sliced.  I offered them the ends so I wouldn't slice my fingers.  They gobbled them up!  See the seed on Oakley's nose?!?  So funny.

I got going and then counted out the four hours for fridge time...EEK!...right at supper time.  Oh well...I am committed now!

Soaking...then draining and rinsing twice.  Take a break to make supper while the brine comes to a boil.

Smells good!  I never knew bread and butter pickles had cinnamon, clove, and all spice!  The yellow color comes from the tumeric!  Which also stains the spoon, hands, towels, and...oops...spot on the counter.  Also...why have two pots of boiling hot water for jars and lids?  I did that yesterday.  Stupid.  It was hot and more clean up.  One pan is just fine!

Filling and spilling...and I removed the cinnamon stick!

It's bubbling again!  And...another round of appreciation for all the time Mom spent as I spent the morning and afternoon in the kitchen between phones calls and computer time.  My back and neck hurt...but success!  I heard all four jars "POP"!  And...I have two jars of left over brine...to dump over a chicken!  We are eating good at the house on the hill.  When Ted is able to do what he wants to do...soon...we will have chickens to eat that we raised.  

And that will be another lesson for another day!  Stay tuned!

 

Doing something every day

I had a new friend over and we made cards!  I love that God has put creative people in my life here in TN...and she loves dogs.  Oakley knows her now and always wants to play.  A beautiful, creative mess continues!

I had to go to town to return packages to the UPS store.  I meandered through the thrift store.

I hit the grocery store for spices I needed for canning pickles.

I made fresh salsa for supper.

Simple supper but so yummy with fresh ingredients!

First cucumbers...yum!

My potion on the counter!  I am feeding the garden by trying different sorts of homemade fertilizers!  This one...soaking banana peels in water.  Easy...and no harmful products!

Rainstorms moving in...I love hearing the low rumbles of thunder as the storms approach with the good, soaking rains.

UH OH!  Another sighting of a BIG stray dog walking our property.  I am glad I saw him before heading outside with the dogs.  YIKES, that scares me.  Living out here in the country, we have seen a couple different dogs that are known to be strays.  I have to pay attention...every time we go out!

 

It is the little things in life that make each day special!

A red tomato and a pink zinnia!

Sunflowers and zinnias from our garden!

Deer playing in field across the way.

Produce from our first ever garden.

A spunky little dog...NOT using the potty pad correctly!  She is playing in the WRONG place with her toys.

Weekend company!  Time with our grown-up chair fillers is ALWAYS a blessing!

Saturday morning Swedish pancake breakfast for my girl...and me too.

A new dip recipe for my guy!  Dill pickle dip...but this time made with Sweet Heat Pickles.  YUM!

Such a beautiful first tomato!!!

And it tasted so good on sourdough toast!

Time in the Walmart oil change waiting room on Sunday afternoon proved to be very interesting.  An older, southern bred and born man noticed the canning jars in my cart and that started a conversation that was enjoyable!  I learned as I asked him questions...a gardener and canner.  His garden is done for the year...wait, WHAT?  He plants early.  Some people get two and three plantings down here!  I was intrigued listening.  He cheered us on in our learning the art of gardening and putting up our harvest.  "Hopefully, you will end up with a mess of green beans too!"

I have noticed that people who are out and about here will look at you and acknowledge your presence.  If you say "Hello" or even smile, it prompts a conversation depending on the situation.  If we just put our phones down and looked up...we would notice the people that God puts in our path!  Just an every day conversation brought a smile to both our faces...and I learned a few things.  You never know who needs some kindness and a moment or two of your time. PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN...and see people!

 

Doing things a little differently

With a new baby, we decided to do some things differently this time.  We are using real food to feed the dogs.  We started doing more with Velle and Chica off and on.  When we look at the ingredients for dog food, there is alot of filler in it.  So I have done some reading and questioning.  

Every week, I am making some sort of meat with some rice and portioning it out.  They LOVE it!  Oakley is funny...she picks out the meat (chicken and lamb) first and leaves the veggies (green beans and peas) for last.  For breakfast, they get an egg.  I am adding different things here and there to see if they like it.  We will use up the kibble that I bought but drizzled with homemade bone broth...that is out for just in case they need a snack.  They like carrots, sweet potato, cucumbers, watermelon, Greek yogurt, cheese, and apples.

Our messy eater gives it four paws up!  She barks and runs in circles waiting for her bowl...then goes to Velle's bowl to see if it is the same and then I re-direct her back to her bowl.  The issue now...patrolling Velle who goes to Oakley's bowl to eat hers too!  Oakley is a distracted eater and sometimes walks away and then comes back.  If I am not right there to supervise, there is nothing to come back to!  I am curious to try squash on them...we have an over abundance of that from the garden right now.

She is happy and her tummy is full!  At her last vet visit on July 15, she weighed 3.6 pounds.  

 

Friday date is poolside!

It was a beautiful day for outside!

Oakley is finding her sunbathing position...in the shade!

Waiting for Ted to join me!

The dogs and I walked up to check the garden...the squash are going crazy!

Our side for our supper of grilled steak...

Supper on the deck was delicious!

Worn out...but ready to chase after Dad when he walks to his garage/barn.

Thanking the Lord for such a restful setting to call home!  We have a list of projects...but for now...we will set that aside and just be grateful in the rest that the weekend gives.