25-27th February

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Today was warm, not as warm as yesterday, but still nice. Since it was Saturday, I didn't do any formal school. Still, I did get several things in:

1. Trimmed all the suckers off the tomato plants so they can put more energy into growing (so that the suckers won't be sucking so much energy out of them). 
2. Made pear/plum crisp. YUMM! (Recipe below) 

 Chrissie wasn't feeling good today. We think it was because of a pile of wheat that was spilled when they harvested, but we can't be sure. Anyway, she wasn't feeling good, so Dad called the vet who told him what to do. At one time, Dad talked to one vet (Nick), and Mom talked to the other (local) vet (Ian). It was quite comical for Dad to answer the phone and then his cell phone ring! Any way, we ended up tying her to the fence with some hay close by. Hopefully she'll recover soon.

This afternoon, Dad butchered one of Cinnamon's kids. He's in the fridge now.

Well, I should be off to bed!
Esther

Monday, 27 February 2012

Today was pretty warm, with a cool wind blowing. It got up to 15° today. By Sunday evening, Chrissie was better, and able to return to the other cows.

One nice thing about the day – Dad was home! He has staph infection in his arm, and they said that he shouldn't go to work until it's cleared up. He went to the doctor today, and is now on antibiotics. It's not nice for him, but is nice to have a little more time with him! Joey also appears to have a little staph – only two spots on his one arm (funny, it's the same arm as Daddy-the left!), but they aren't very big. Mom's treating him with some salve that should get it out. 

School didn't go too well. I spent most of the morning (in between interruptions!) working on my schedule. I did get a little done – memorized Proverbs 31:21, read the Bible and Gladys Aylward (I guess I did read a little of Dear Princess), and wrote a little about rubies for school. Not much! I hope tomorrow will do better.

Our adventure this morning (which used up almost all the morning) was moving the cows (Chrissie, Charley, and Meatball) down the road to Joan Z.'s place. We tied them all up to the truck, and Dad drove while all the rest of us children (except for Joe) rode our bikes beside and behind Dad. Meatball (the most stupid one) skidded all the way there, and ended up with a bleeding ankle. Chrissie walked best, and Charley half skidded half walked. Almost immediately, Charley got loose (Seth hadn't tied him well enough), so Dad had to stop to tie him back up. Chrissie broke Seth's (new) rope about halfway through, so Dad had to stop for that. Other than that, we made it pretty well. The truck kept spinning out, and when we started going up the hill us children dropped our bikes and pushed the (by now) sweating cows to the paddock. Seth said Dad dug about 4 in. into the road at one time, but he does tend to exaggerate some.... I never took time to look. Chess doesn't like that they're gone, though. You should hear her bellow! Chrissie was bellowing when we left, too. Poor things! (NOT!)

We met a couple from Florida today, they're on holiday. Sounded like they are having fun here. Was interesting meeting them after having hardly any contact with people from the US for so long.

Well, I should head off to bed. It's 9:30.
Esther

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RECIPE:

Fruit Crisp:

Fill a 9 x 13 pan full (like up to the brim) of fruit. We used peeled pears and whole plums (cut off the pit, of course) this time. Other times we would use apples, rhubarb (my favorite kind! You have to add extra sugar, though.), cherries...basically any fruit would work. If the fruit is really "dry", you may want to add a little water to the pan before sprinkling on the topping.

Topping:

1 c. oatmeal or flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. fat (such as butter, lard, tallow etc.)

several shakes of cinnamon

Mix the topping together, and sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 175° (or 350°F). You could serve with cream or milk. I prefer cream, but milk is just about as good. Enjoy!