Nature Walk & Happenings

Yesterday even though its been a long week already...because its been a long week already we ventured for a nature walk. It was chilly but gorgeous. Surrounding ourselves in the trees near one of our favorite lake spots we only walked the paved path. We stopped to view sights, listen to the trees and snap photos. Our son has been taking his camera everywhere we go lately practicing and practicing his nature photography. He is so patient sitting still positioning himself to get a good shot. He also loves taking photos of his sister and I love watching these two together. So it was a slow paced peaceful walk in nature all together for just a short time as it was pretty cold and breezy out then back into the car for some heat and home we went. Just enough of a great break with two of my favorite people in the world to spend time with.

An early birthday present I received from my sweet kiddos....yes I LOVE pigs!

 Kids raved over home made garlic knots - SO much better than store bought to go with Pasta/Lasagna night:

Recipe: https://www.ruchiskitchen.com/recipe/easy-one-hour-pull-apart-garlic-rolls/

With one missing before I could even take a picture of course...cause kids had to taste test!

 My sweet sweet old girl Sadie. One of my favorite photos of her because it brings back such wonderful memories. Our first real big Idaho snow when we lived there. She couldn't get enough of it. She ate it, bounced in it, played it in, galloped around - it was like she was a puppy again with an enormous amount of energy. 

She still has a bit of her brown on her face and legs in this photo...now she is all white.

We had a rough week this week taking her to the vet as she's been slowly going downhill- she's 12 years old.

We got some meds to hopefully extend our time with her and make her more comfortable but only time will tell.

This girl has our hearts. Shes a big love bug with the best personality. She loves car rides, adventure and the snow. She can fit 3 tennis balls in her mouth if we let her. She loved to be on the couch or in the bed as close as she could get to us - she hasn't been on either for the last year and I miss that- so does she. She has the neatest bark that we love to hear! And she just LOVES to be loved on.

When it is time to say good bye it will be nothing less than devastating. Each animal holds a special place in our hearts. So hoping for a bit longer to love on her.....

Finding peace in nature and peace with things to come.

Wild Wednesday

Wednesday's are nature days, outdoor days, exploring days, getting out of the house days. Last year we hiked nearly every Wednesday from end of September until beginning of May. This year we are still heading out every Wednesday but due to my back we aren't doing as strenuous of hikes. We're taking it easy, slow and doing nature walks vs climbing. This week it was just our son and I. We did a fall walk so he could take photographs. We walked slowly, listened. Watched the breeze make the leaves rain. We sat and were still and quiet. Magical and peaceful and just what my momma heart needed. Time to connect with him and connect in nature and be thankful. You can't help but feel blessed when you are with those you love and surrounded by such beauty. Happy thankful month!

Our daughter and I spent some time together too this week and took pup out for an afternoon walk. We strolled and talked.

 Deer right behind our taco shop where we had dinner one eve last week. Love that nature is all around wherever you go here.

Thankful.

Late Posting....Pumpkin Patch

We ventured to the pumpkin patch a few weeks back with our group of homeschool friends. I didn't take too many pics but a couple and none of our son who was running around having way too much fun with friends for a photo of course! The kids played on the play equipment - a zip line, bouncer, slides and other fun rides then we all went on the hay ride and learned about the farm, picked pumpkins and grabbed a homemade pie from the farm stand on the way out. A great day with wonderful friends.

Farm/Pumpkin Patch - http://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/

 Blessed.

Outing Wednesday

Wednesday outing day we ventured downtown to the kids favorite pizza place. We all got a slice to go and went and sat in downtown square on a bench in the sun while eating. We people watched and chatting to dog walkers. Being Halloween we even saw some pups in costumes! After lunch we ventured to a new spot to check out an old bridge and nature area. We walked and enjoyed the fall leaves, creek and sights and sounds around us. Fun day all together and a nice mid day break.

Bridge Info: https://bridgehunter.com/az/yavapai/bh52821/

Our son the photographer.
Our son loves the fact that we've lived here for over 2 years now and we are always finding new places to explore...we LOVE where we live. The town, the community, the people and the nature. We are blessed.

 A fenced in community garden below:

 Our gorgeous girl.

And had to throw in a photo of my first round of french bread. The middle loaves melded together but they tasted amazing...there were 4 loaves total, notice one is already missing.

Wild Wednesday, outdoors and adventuring together.

Saturday Day Trip

Last week....

We made a trip to two libraries in one day. Here is our display of our son's interests at the moment for schooling/learning.

 I made homemade naan bread to go with a spicy dinner we had one eve.

 And this little guy no bigger than my pinkie nail was in my garden bed walking around.

 Saturday Day Trip.

Our first time to the state fair. Our son said it was worth it for the pigeons but it was pouring rain. So much that there were many flooded areas of the fairgrounds and our feet got soaked literally up to our shins at a few points. But who is going to let rain stop the fun? We looked at the art building, the shopping-for sale building and of course what we came for- the agricultural building. All the rides were closed as well as most of the food places due to the pour down. But we only really came for one thing...and that was so our son could see different pigeon breeds, take photos of ones he liked so that he can learn more information about them and be able to purchase and show pigeons here next year and at other shows through the year. The best part of visiting the pigeons was that the head of the pigeon club we just joined for the state was there and we got to chat with him for quite a while. He had been raising pigeons as a hobby from the age of 12...and now he is 72. A wealth of information and happy to share it with our son. We are looking forward to the clubs meeting and swap and sale next month where our son hopes to perhaps purchase a bird or two. 

After that we left and our son picked Denny's for lunch then we drove home to get into hot baths and dry clothes. Still a good day despite the weather.

And a beautiful full double rainbow to guide us home.

 Blessed day, fun day.

Stay-at-home Saturday

Today's Agenda: stay at home. Yard work, indoor cleaning, spending time with animals. Relaxing.

I was able to spent some time with the garden this morning - thinning the radish and turnips. The covers hubbie got from work then he built a frame with pvc pipe. They are working great at keeping the grasshoppers away and will work at keeping the plants warmer when frost comes as well. Everything is growing good. We just got in a 2nd bout of lettuce last week (first one didn't sprout due to our heat) and 4 have already sprouted -they are loving the October cool down. Another go at Kale will go in next weekend. The grasshoppers took out the first round of Kale so they never grew.


We have 4 beds for our fall garden - 2 smaller and 2 larger. We are growing; turnips, kale, sweet peas, snap peas, carrots, romaine lettuce, mix lettuce, green lettuce, spinach, kale and radish.

We had wanted to do garlic and onions but due to trying to keep costs at minimum to zero we're pretty sure we are not going to do them this year - perhaps next year.

We did just ordered microgreens though for the first time as we can grown them indoors through the winter and they were at a great price. We're thinking about doing sprouts down the road too and ordering them from the same place below.
We got basic salad mix microgreens here:  trueleafmarket - - micro-greens-planting-seed_basic-salad-mix-microgreen

 Snap Peas

 Turnips

Sweet Peas

Our chickens:

Dave the Rooster of the Coop

 Everyone loving the pig straw. They make nests in it, bury in it, fling it around and make a mess with it! White fluffy butts are our Silkies - Tater Tot and Sweet Potato. Dave the Roo and the little brown and black one is Pistachio.

 Our new babies that have just gone out with the others are in the back - Henry is the white mottled one, Almond is the brown and black. Coco is in the front of the pool- she is our son's favorite bird since his beloved Acorn passed.

 More Silkies - beige is Sally and the white is Snow White. After going through a molt they are just getting back in their fluff and feathering and starting to look normal once again!

Storm is coming today.

 Last weekend our son made a recipe from his library book - Rainbow chard quiche along with a side of garlic thyme roasted potatoes and a bit of bacon on the side for our meat loving daughter.

 Some of our meals this week:

 We are all in the FALL mood! (so that means a few soups!)

Slow Cooker Jambalaya - (we are swapping out the chicken and adding shrimp instead but keeping it a meat dish) 

recipe: budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-jambalaya

Vegetarian Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup  served with crusty bread- (our FAVORITE, SO good!!) recipe: tabsandtidbits.com/slow-cooker-split-pea-soup

  Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup  / along with some grilled cheese sandwiches

recipe: blissfulbasil.com/dreamy-vegan-tomato-soup

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Eggplant over Rice and a side of Kale

recipe: minimalistbaker.com/jamaican-jerk-grilled-eggplant-30-minutes

Plus we are doing a fish night with fish, roasted potatoes and green beans then a leftover night as well.  We tend to eat mainly vegetarian (5+ nights per week) then 1-2 meat dishes (for daughter/and hubbie). On meat nights we always have tons of veggie options as well though.

Family Saturday staying at home.