Cherry Tomatoes FOREVER!

 We are still getting LOTS of cherry tomatoes.

This was the haul left over after farmers market.

We sold a bunch, and I freeze dried a bunch.

Kyle and I picked again Monday.

And Tuesday.

We got a LOT of rain last week, so there were lots

that weren't great.

Lots of them are split. 

We just drop them on the ground.

The yellow Sungolds are still producing heavily.

And they have blossoms and lots of green fruit

left on the plants.

But the reds, called Super Sweet 100's are done.

They were COVERED in fruit, but nearly all

of it is split. They are covered in flies.

And that row smells AWFUL.

All fermenting.

I think Kyle is going to rip them out today.

We might plant peas there just for fun.

They probably won't have time to do anything,

but they might..........

We have the seeds.

And we hate to just have it sit empty.

He pulled my super sweet 100 out of my

raised bed last week.

They just don't last as long.

But they were good while they lasted...

I have 5 trays of them in the freeze dryer now.

And a ton more I need to do something with.

I have a bowl full of ripe Amish Paste, I might

try cooking them down with the cherries.

And then run them through the food mill

and get the seeds and skins out.

And then either just freeze dry it and turn it

into powder, or maybe I'll try turning it into

a sauce and canning it.

We'll see how busy I am and how I feel about 

it all tomorrow.

Today I've been painting the white trim on the

outside of the house.

And doing paperwork for last week's classes.

And paying bills.

Etc etc etc....

Yesterday Kyle and I went into Hays.

(Big surprise... lol.)

Bomgaars for more chicken feed.

These monsters can EAT!!!

And then to WalMart for the groceries.

And then Home Depot to pick up the new

chest freezers we bought for when we 

process these chickens and then once

we get the pigs.

These things are MASSIVE!

Each one is 7 feet long.

So they will go all along the north wall.

With shelves above them.

Rod met with the electrician while we were gone

and now WE HAVE ELECTRICITY!!!!

So no more using the generator while they are

trying to build things out there!

All that rain brought out a gazillion okra flowers!

In a couple of days we will be drowning in okra again.

We already have a TON in the freezer, but we have

LOTS of freezer space now, so I'll keep picking and

cutting and freezing it.

You never know what next year's harvest will 

look like. And it's YUMMY.

(And now that I know how to bread it and fry it,

which is Rod's favorite way to eat it...

I'm going to need more than last year.)

This is why Kansas is the Sunflower State.

Those are all wild sunflowers.

Just hanging out in the pasture across the road.

That's not all of them...

They are SO PRETTY!

Happy Birthday to the BEST DAD!

 Today we get to celebrate the birth of our amazing Dad.

What can I say that conveys the depth of my love,

my honor,

my respect

for the man who has led and directed

our family for so many years.

We have looked to him for strength.

For guidance.

He has been our example of HOW to love.

How to honor and respect and adore your eternal companion.

Now, and always.

Together our parents have loved each of us.

Taught us the things we need to know to be successful.

I remember him teaching me to change a tire on

Old Sara the Chrysler.

How to whistle with your fingers or a blade of grass.

(I totally failed. I still can't whistle. Can I even

call myself a Stoddard?????)

He taught with hands on.

But also by example.

His quiet strength is felt by so many of the lives he has touched.

I remember him taking time from his job to go

to the Hinman's ranch and help out.

I don't know how long he was gone.

Long enough for him to grow facial hair.

Possibly the only time in his life he has done so!

His years as a calming force at his job.

His years serving as a Bishop and shepherding his ward family.

His years serving on High Councils and Stake Presidencies.

And the countless families he faithfully served as a

Home Teacher and Ministering Brother.

And he still made time to take our family on weekend

trips to Jumping Pound, Waterton, back east,

 and  the Toe of the Glacier

(no idea what it's really called, but we laughed for

hours about the toe kicking out a loose tooth of one of

us girls... not me!)

The pride in making it to the top of The Hump.

Teaching us about nature and the peace you can

find while quietly walking a trail.

Identifying plants that are good to eat.

And those to stay away from.

And the beauty in a simple rock.

Getting down on the floor in the front room and

letting us "ride" the horsie.

Building a tree house in the willow tree.

And the swingset that lasted throughout our childhoods.

The hard work and rewards of the family backyard garden.

We have been so blessed to call ourselves

Kent's girls. (And boy)

We love you Dad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Guys Have Been BUSY

 Yesterday while I was teaching, 

Rod and Kyle went into town and

got some wood.

And then there was a RAMP into the new shed!

As well as steps into the "man door" on the side.

These guys don't let any grass grow under their feet!

Give them a task, and they get on it.

This morning started S L O W at the market.

But ended up with some large-ish sales and did ok.

Not as much as some weekends, but double what

we did the last time we were there.

(Took last weekend off to visit with Jim and Sabrina...)

I've got a TON of cherry tomatoes left that need to 

be sorted through, and then I'll probably slice up

5 trays worth to put in the freeze dryer when the pears

finally get finished and come out.

Then I'll bag up the rest and take them to church.

Plus a bucket full of okra that needs to be sliced

and into bags in the freezer.

And a bunch of zucchini and yellow squash.

I'll probably grate that and put it on trays to FD.

And a bunch of peppers I'm going to dice

and just get into bags for the freezer.

I like to add those to our breakfast eggs.

And then I'll drive up to the farm and do a harvest.

I don't think Kyle's harvested for a couple days.

So there will be a lot of okra that's too big.

We just cut it and toss it under the plants for compost.

But there should be a couple buckets of tomatoes.

And some okra that is right for harvesting.

(It has been raining and chilly all week though,

so probably the okra slowed down a little...)

Meanwhile.

Rod was wondering why there weren't any seeds

on any of our volunteer sunflowers.

The local birds are gearing up for winter.

I don't now if you can see them, but there

are about 6 birds in that picture, but there were

about a dozen birds all over the plants.

(And more hanging out on the cattle panels...)

Glad somebody is getting some use out of them!

(I still have half a giant bag of sunflower seeds

in the garage - the chickens get a little scoop 

every day, but at this rate they will last through

the millenium.)

Hangin' In There....

 I've been POUNDING Oil of Oregano.

So my sore throat is nearly totally better.

I have a bit of a runny nose and cough...

but mullein tea is helping with that.

(However, the Oregano is causing a little

bit of... uh, digestive issue... TMI...)

Anyhow.

Last night about 8:30 Beth called and said

her boyfriend's flight was delayed.

She's in Louisville KY, and they were 

supposed to go.... somewhere.

She found out about 2 am his flight was cancelled.

So I guess it's NOT just Jim & Sabrina.

Anyhow.

She needed me to teach this morning's class.

I'm already subbing for her on Monday morning.

I'll be SO HAPPY when we finish September and

morning classes go away. I'm sorry for her,

but I seem to teach more of her classes than she does.

And I'm tired of doing it...

Anyhow.

Yesterday I rested.

Well, I did process a 40 pound box of pears.

But they were RIPE and couldn't wait.

They are DELICIOUS!

So I cut them up and they are in the freeze dryer.

Other than that... I think I made a peanut butter

and peach jam sandwich for lunch at some point,

other than that, I stayed curled up under a blanket

in my comfy chair.

Meanwhile...

Rod babysat the sicky, got the Trooper FIXED!!!!

(Needed a new master cylinder for the brakes...)

worked on his truck for a bit,

and washed the car. It gets SOOO dirty!

Then,

on Wednesday Rod and Kyle got the roof on the shed!!!

That's the color of the T-111 siding. It's UGLY.

(Looks like a storage container...)

We are going to paint it... just not today.

The roof is a nice shade of green. Not too dark.

Today, Rod went out and met with the electrician 

so he can figure out what he needs to do and get us a quote.

Hopefully he'll be able to get us power next week.

It will be nice to be able to use power tools without having

to run the generator!

Just got a text from them, they were heading to Home Depot.

Not sure what they are getting.

Our 3 chest freezers were delivered yesterday, so they

might be getting those, or they might be just getting

more screws. Hard to tell...

I'm going to go grab something to eat and take a nap

before I teach again this evening.

Oh yeah, and practice the organ, I am playing on Sunday.

(I love that my keyboard also acts as an organ and the

keys CHANGE from a piano, weighted feeling to a

light, organ feeling! So cool!)

Anyhow.

Have a great weekend!

Summer Continues

First things first, the kids got back to

Orlando safely and then home.

We had SUCH a good time!!!

Can't wait until they move out here! 

Summer continues, even though we are

taking a short "fake fall" break.

It's CHILLY outside.

And we've been getting lots of rain.

Yesterday Rod and I went into town for

Hays Days. We needed to run by the

bank and sign the paperwork for the

HELOC loan so we can start on

the new house.

(We will sell the city house once we move

and pay off the loan...)

Anyhow.

It was the ONLY day they weren't predicting

rain, so we tried not to dawdle, but there's

only so many decisions you can make in a hurry.

Anyhow.

After our trip into town, we headed out to 

the farm to drop off Kyle's groceries and

Rod went to work on the shed.

Kyle spent the morning doing all the chores he

hasn't had time for in the last few days.

Like he mowed the paths in the garden.

And tilled out where the corn was.

(But can't plant the carrots yet, it's too wet.)

That kind of stuff.

They worked together until nearly dark

and got the peal and stick underlayment on the roof

and all the edging installed.

Bear and I WALKED from Kyle's down

to our place to check on their status.

And then back again.

That is a STEEP hill, but it felt good.

Today is supposed to on/off rain, but not

RAIN. Just light rain.

So they might work on getting the metal on

the roof, or they might work on wiring inside.

Likely both.

Kyle goes on the roof. (Rod's not allowed. Lol)

So Rod will probably work on wiring.

The electrician is supposed to come one day

this week and hook us up to the power pole 

we had put in earlier this year.

Meanwhile, I got 3 bags of free apples at the 

farmers market on Saturday. Mary said a farmer

dropped them off and asked them to give them away.

I said I'd take 1 bag.

She begged me to take them ALL!.

So I did.

And yesterday I turned them into applesauce!

I love Kyle's kitchen!

But I literally used EVERY dish he owns.

The minimalists are on track, it's nice to pare down.

Unless you are processing food.

And then you NEED more than one pot.

It only made 5 pints.

They were TINY apples, so there was a LOT of peel 

and not lots of flesh.

But I think it's tasty.

(Kyle said it needs more sugar, it should be like jam,

mostly apple flavored sugar. Ugh.)

And it's SO SATISFYING after HOURS and HOURS

of work to hear those puppies PING.

This morning I woke up with a sore throat.

So I took some ivermectin and some oil of

oregano and went back to bed.

Just headed out to the yard and picked this!

One zucchini (I didn't know was there...)

The volunteer food forest in the middle of the yard

is LOVING this rain! I've got a couple of

spaghetti squash coming along, and this morning

it looks like I might have a yellow squash out there too!

Sheesh.

The little red things are lunch box peppers.

SOOOO yummy!

There are also TONS of cherry tomatoes, but I'm leaving

them for the birds.

We are getting at least one 2.5 gallon bucket a day

from the farm.

So, as soon as I'm done here, I'm going to get the

trays of peaches from the freezer and get those

put into freezer bags, then cut all those tomatoes

and get them onto trays.

I'll put 5 trays in the freeze dryer and 5 more trays

into the freezer for the next round.

I just took 5 trays OUT of the freeze dryer.

Made up 27 bags to sell.

I think I'll put these into large mylar bags and save

them for the winter when we don't have tomatoes.

I'm trying to decide if I should spray them with 

balsamic vinegar or not.

It makes them STICKY, but OH SO DELICIOUS.

I'll probably spray them.

I don't know.

I'll decide later.

Meanwhile, I'm setting up the little kitchen

table in the living room, putting on a Hallmark movie

and slicing tomatoes.

Meanwhile.

Overnight it became FLY SEASON!

I killed 7 flies this morning and there are

still MORE!

(So I closed the back door. I'm sure they are

coming in through the gap under the screen door.)

Beau will just have to scratch on the door

when he wants to go out.

Back to the olden days.

(And winter)

AAAAAANNNND the Saga Continues...

 We woke up to rainy and chilly!!!

A cold front came through and it was

in the high 50's!!!

Brrrrrrr.

(We went to bed with all the windows

open for some fresh air, so it was lovely,

just a bit brisk.)

We spent the morning packing and visiting.

About noon they loaded up into their

pretty black Charger (looks like an NCIS car...)

and headed to Denver.

They left with plenty of time to get fuel,

stop on the way and eat, and still be early.

(Denver is in the Mountain Time Zone, so they

gain an hour...)

Anyhow.

They got safely to the airport.

And discovered there was a delay and instead

of 5:30 they were now going to leave at 6:09.

And then 7:30.

And then I got a text at 8:13.

WE HAVE A PILOT!

Lots of room on the flight... they had the

whole row to themselves.

So..... hopefully they are winging their way

back to Orlando. And then an hour drive

back to Palm Bay.

We had such a good time!

We were sorry to see them go!

But, Sabrina said she LOVES our little town

and is excited to move here for reals.

(And even though she has stalked Google Maps

and "walked" up and down our street and

checked out the town, etc... there's nothing

like actually BEING here...)

I just finished teaching.

And I hear Rod coming in the back door.

So I'm outta here.

Going to get him some dinner and then

we are going to get to bed!

(We stayed up until 12:30 last night!)

(And we are OLD!)

(hahahaha)

(I didn't take a final picture with all of us,

Rod got a good one, but didn't send it to me yet....

so we are officially in re-runs.)

Having Fun!

Last night we had a fun evening

at Brazen Bull. The food was really

good, and the prices were reasonable.

We each got a yummy burger with fries.

(And we shared some cheese sticks and

some corn nuggets... YUM!)

Then home to visit for a bit.

Kyle headed north to his house

and the rest of us headed off to bed.

This morning Rod got up and went to church.

The Bishop was out of town, so he needed to

be there. Jim and Sabrina went "into town"

to the little coffee cafe in the local 

bed and breakfast.

They said it was really cute!

And while they were gone I cut up the

okra harvest from yesterday.

Then Kyle came over and we visited and

watched farming YouTube videos for a bit.

Then we headed into Hays to meet Rod at

the Stenberg Museum of Natural History.

We started in the dinosaur exhibit.

It was really good!

(The building is a giant dome.

Kyle just wanted to buy it and live in it!

He wants to make an indoor jungle,

and a motocross track. lol.)

Sabrina conquered her spider fear.

This guy reminded me of Dad!

This museum is all of the stuff that George Stenburg

uncovered during his archeological digs.

Lots of it was from the ocean in Kansas 

70 million years ago.

He also loved rocks!

Mandatory selfie.

Some minerals for Dad!

A giant hunk of fools gold!

And a raw tourmaline for Nancy!

Jim and a distant cousin.

Then we went to Fort Hays to their museum.

Rod was intrigued with the old soldier uniforms.

And then across the street to their buffalo herd.

They even have two white buffalo!

It was a fun afternoon!

And then home to sit in the backyard and visit some more.

And now we are just waiting for the pulled pork to

finish cooking in the pressure cooker and

we will have dinner.

They have to leave tomorrow around 

lunchtime for a 5:30 flight back to Florida.

(Different airline... lol.)

Fingers crossed!

They are HERE!!!

 Wow.

THAT was an adventure...

But they arrived safe and sound,

were able to get a pretty black Charger

(police car...)

and drove through a nice rain storm.

But got here about 3:45 am.

We visited until nearly 5 and then we

all headed off to BED.

This morning, after a good breakfast,

we went down to the farmer's market

just to say Hi and get some no heat

jalapeno peppers for some poppers we

are going to make for dinner tomorrow.

And then a drive around town and

out to the farm.

Jim and Sabrina got on the 4-wheeler

(technically it BELONGS to Jim...)

and took a tour of the property and their

little corner of our world.

And then I put them to work.

(Evil laugh...)

We each took a basket or bucket and  a row

of tomatoes and picked ALMOST a full

5-gallon bucket on cherry tomatoes!

(And Kyle harvested yesterday!)

Then it was on to the acorn squash.

Kyle and Sabrina checked the pumpkins.

They were READY!

Rod was DEEP in the okra section.

We got some really cute little pie pumpkins!

And then it was time to head back to the house.

Jim and Kyle stayed at the farm to talk

and make future plans.

Sabrina, Rod and I headed back to WaKeeney.

I'm going to slice tomatoes and get them ready

for the freeze dryer.

Sabrina is taking a shower and a nap.

Then, we will probably go out to dinner at the

local Blazin' Bull restaurant.

They (I hear) have really good juicy

hamburgers and great side dishes.

We are having a terrific time together!

SO glad they made it here!

(Plus Kyle and Bear stayed out at their house

last night, it went well after Bear settled

down and decided nobody was going to eat him.

He even figured out how to go up AND

down the stairs! Way to go BEAR!)

They're COMING!!!!! (UPDATED)

 We are all sooooooooo excited!

Just got a text....

Jim and Sabrina are

ON THE PLANE!!!

They are winging their way to Denver CO.

Then they have a rental all reserved

and so they will need to drive for 4 hours.

But it's a pretty drive...

They should get here between 8 and 9.

Depends on how quickly they get their car.

And how easy it is to get out of the airport.

(Nancy, remember THAT debacle??? lol)

And hopefully they stop for a bite...

I'm teaching until 9, but I already told my students.

The minute they walk in the door...

class is OVER!

(So I'll speed it up a little and at 8:00

switch from regular content to review questions

so I can just END...)

WEEEEEEEEE!!

I'll TRY to remember to take lots of pictures.

But now?

I need to go get the rest of the stuff ready

for guests.

(Like take down Kyle's single bed and put

up the queen inflatable mattress and get the

clean sheets on it...)

And, you know, DUST.

Hahahaha.

Have a great weekend!

I know WE WILL!

***********************************************

So.  Update.

Jim texted me while I was teaching the 

morning class to report they were on the plane

and getting ready to take off.

And then..... he texted to say they were still on

the ground because of weather.

And then... there was an issue with the plane.

And then... after SEVERAL hours, they got

off and got some lunch.

And then..... the pilots and crew were out of

time to fly...

And then... they got a NEW pilot and crew

And then..... he "thinks" they were taking off

for sure. Flight time was about 3 hours and

13 minutes... so, maybe??? they are finally

on the ground in Denver?

Although I just texted and no response.

So .....

They still have to grab a rental and drive for

about 4 hours.

But the speed limit is 75 and he's comfortable

doing 80. (BUT NO FASTER JAMES RODNEY!)

So maybe we'll see them... midnight?

Or they might get a room.

We'll see.

Either way, we'll have a great time when they get here.

They'll be ready for a shower and BED though!

No Pictures.... lol

 This morning Rod worked on his F250.

He fixed the problem on the Trooper, but

now the brakes are worn out... so a new 

master cylinder is on its way... sheesh!

(I guess that's what happens when you drive

OOOOOLD vehicles...)

Anyhow.

He got under the hood of his 250 and

IT STARTED!!!!!

But was running really rough, so he took

it to a guy in town and had him put it on

their computer and read the codes.

It's a .... mechanical thing.

BUT there is a box that I packed up in Florida.

And on the box it says

"Dad's EXPENSIVE, FRAGILE diesel parts."

It's RIGHT AT THE FRONT DOOR of the 

storage building.

(Unlike all the OTHER important things, that are

ALL at the back... including the 2 chairs we need

for Jim and Sabrina's visit this weekend...)

Sheesh.

Anyhow.

He already has the expensive, fragile part.

So Kyle went to the storage unit today and picked it up.

Meanwhile, yesterday we got the tire fixed and

Rod put it on my car this morning.

So he drove that to Hays tonight for Mutual.

We are SLOWLY becoming a 5 car family again.

Sheesh.

Anyhow.

I processed a big bucket of okra this morning.

(because I was too tired last night...)

And then we went out to the property and

"culled" a bunch more okra.

Some of those pods were 8 inches long!!!!

(I should have taken a picture, but I forgot.

It was HOT!)

We were without vehicles, and Kyle was BUSY

trying to run the show himself, so he missed

harvesting okra for a couple of days and 

boy howdy those things grow fast.

So we just cut off anything that was fatter around

than your thumb or longer than your index finger.

There is a LOT of super giant okra on the ground

under the okra plants.

He got the carrots mostly planted for our

fall carrot crop.

We also harvested lots of colored bell peppers

and some of those little lunch box peppers.

And then I came home to teach.

I hear him coming in the back door.

Better get out of my office and get dinner 

started, he and Rod will both be home soon

and will be looking to eat something.

(Nachos tonight...)

Anyhow.

Sorry for the lack of photo today!

I'll do better tomorrow.

Maybe.

It's a BUSY day.

I have my phone call with Soni about 8:10.

But I also have annual training for Louisiana

starting at 8:00.

(But it's exactly the same class as I already did

for teaching in Florida, so I'll turn it on one computer

and mute the sound...)

Then at 1:00 we have an RS Presidency zoom.

If I'm still in the class I'll just do both zooms on 

separate computers and again mute the class.

But I think it only goes until noon.

Then after the meeting it's back out to the farm.

And then finish cleaning the house for company,

since I'm also teaching a double on Friday.

And then............

JIM & SABRINA ARRIVE!

(And, of course, they are predicting rain all weekend.

We haven't had rain in about 3 weeks....)

But that doesn't mean we will actually GET any.

It would have been nice if it had rained

today though, then it would have greened 

everything up a bit.

It's August.

It's dead.

It's brown.

But it's still beautiful.

(The garden is looking a little tired though...)

Anyhow.

Talk tomorrow!

(Maybe... I'll probably do a post while I'm in

my class because ... SNORE!!!)