Daily observations of my simple life.

Scavenging:

It seemed like a long time dealing with the rain but finally we are having some beautiful days. Cool but warm enough to work outdoors.

In my evening walks I sometimes pick up old lumber and bring it home. I also take note of pieces of lumber that are too big for me to carry home. One of the pieces of lumber I carried up from the wash looked like a perfect top piece for a western front for my horse shelter. I remembered a couple old boards I'd seen out yonder and so Frank and I went for them. He went right to work and now I have the cutest little western style barn from scavenged materials. My little ranch is making progress.

I couldn't contain myself when I saw some chickens for sale. Yesterday I got 4 little chickens, barred rocks. They will be kept in the chicken house with a small run until the larger dog proof run is completed. Next week I'm supposed to get 3 little white silkies, so sounds like I'm going to be back in the chicken business. The barred rocks should be laying by this Spring, brown eggs, and I'm certain if the silkies do what silkies do I will have chicks this Spring as well. Makes me a happy camper.

This past week I planted some more century plants down the driveway and hauled in some rocks to decorate the area. Last few days I've been drying parsley and cooking stewed tomato's . We have a wonderful open to all Food Bank here in the valley. We get simi truck loads of fresh produce and they urge you to take them by the case because what's not taken is sent to the hog farm. Keeps me busy putting stuff up but with my black beans, brown rice and lentels, I have plenty to eat. I've been making a wonderful dried fruit/walnut/ pumpkin bread that is low fat and whole wheat. Boy is it good. I'm not much of a sandwich eater but a slice of that bread gives me energy to go.

I've been good about sticking to the power foods diet.

I've been bad about sticking to my eight hours a week on the cottage industry.

I've been dancing some but haven't found a pool to swim in yet. I may put up my pool and have Frank build me a step and deck system for getting in and out.

Those were my new years resolutions.

I went up to Laughlin and stayed overnight in the parking lot of a casino next to the river last week. It's such a nice resorty feeling and I enjoy camping there. I cleaned my little motorhome and read books. More of the Power Foods book and my favorite book , Traveler's Joy.

All seems well here and Spring is coming. I'm thinking of planting some pumpkins in the washes out back to see if they will just grow in various areas. Melons, and guords might also be a good try. I'm throwing out flax seed since the rain to see if it will grow. I also should throw out some wheat and barley. Maybe that will be todays project after I take a quick run to town. Need some chicken wire, hope I can get it on Sunday.   

Posted by: cactusandquail at 15:20 | link | comments (2)

Comments:

#1  16 January 2005 - 15:50

 

Springtime thoughts in January; how refreshing! You are so productive.

Please, oh please, send me the bread recipe!

InMyLife

#2  17 January 2005 - 15:08

 

Hey, thanks for swinging by my blog! There are some similarities in our lifestyle--you scavenge the desert and my merry band of pirates go beachcombing. Today's storms should cast up a good deal of interesting floatsam and kelp. I love to haul up kelp for the gardens. What I can't stand are the syringes which wash up--we are currently lobbying with the manufacturer of the syringes we have found to provide a better way--ie free, or price inclusive--to dispose of them. We couldn't live in more different climates--we have annual rainfall measured in feet--however you can't beat july through september usually crystal clear and dry.

ChefNeal

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