Lacey Dancer's Blog, page 27
August 5, 2014
Day Off Day
So much has been happening on Lil’ Farm that I haven’t had time to keep up. Contractor came in to lay down the new driveway surface. Finally, no ruts and no dragging the box blade behind Baby for me. Looks great!! Now, Mama, Baby and I are working to clear out the debris in the most mature of the pines in prep for an autumn burn. Thanks to my Deeres I get to ride more than walk.
July 19, 2014
Weekend Cookout
Saturday is a great day for a cookout. Wild blackberry cheesecake, turtle cheesecake and pasta salad are my contributions. The blackberry cheesecake was the first to go, then the turtle and then the pasta salad. Had a great time with great friends.
July 18, 2014
Thursday’s Writing Meeting
We writers met last night and had a great time. Tiny is working on a collection of memories and stories for her family. The stories are a delight and will be a wonderful look back for all of her family members. Shirley’s crime mystery is coming along. The twists, turns in the plot and the snappy dialogue keep us all at attention. My book cover for Care Giving, Real Life Answers is almost perfect. Back cover copy is next then printing. This book has been a journey but I think it has been worth it.
July 17, 2014
Wild Blackberry Season
The Lil Farm has a wild blackberry crop every year. The bushes are everywhere, some in places only the tractor knows. However, this year for the first time, I have been picking the crop. Never having done blackberry anything in my life, I figured I would either come up with something I liked or I would never do picking, cooking and seeding again. Luck was with this novice. From berries to syrup to cheesecake was a lot of fun. T
he only problem is keeping enough syrup around for pancakes and cakes.
July 16, 2014
Rainy Wednesday
Rainy weather always brings out the cleaning gene in my DNA. And the building gene. And the reading gene. And a personal favorite, the sitting on my porch in my favorite rocking chair gene. This is the view from the rocker. It never rails to soothe and inspire even on a rainy day.
July 4, 2014
Happy Fourth of July
I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday as we celebrate our independence and honor all those who fought on the lines and stayed home keeping the home fires burning for those who risked their lives for all of us. As beautiful as they are, the fireworks that light the sky this night are a memory and a memorial of the fighting that gave birth to this country and which continues today to keep us safe. Thank you, everyone, for your sacrifices.
July 3, 2014
Blackberries are Here
Lil’ Farm is bursting with wild blackberries. Picking them is an adventure since they are loaded with short thorn that stick to anything including skin. This little dark jewels also hide in weeds and tangle with anything. I rinse and cook the berries, at least those I don’t eat in the field. Add a little sugar and strain out the seeds which seem to number in the millions even in small batches and you can make syrup, jam or just fruit topping. The last two need a bit of thickening. This batch is going to be topping Cheesecake for a fourth of July picnic on Saturday. Yum! Yum!
July 1, 2014
Donkeys Had Visitors
The donkeys had visitors this weekend. Peggy’s grandchild wanted to pet and feed the girls. Even though he is on the mend, Mackie didn’t come out to join Mystic and Noelle in getting carrots. I took his to him while the girls were hogging the show with their audience.
June 30, 2014
Monday Round-up
Sometimes life has a way of eating up time. These last few weeks has been a result of that. Spring on the farm demands a lot of work. Add sick animals to the mix and something has to give. Writing late at night adds to the day but even I have to sleep. Networking, much as I enjoy it, had to bow to book needs and nursing critters. Everyone is on the mend. The grass is still trying to take over my life but everything is gloriously green so I don’t really mind. 
June 17, 2014
Tuesday Mowing
Mama Deere and Baby Deere got a workout over the weekend, Monday and today. The grass is tamed for now but tomorrow, who knows. Hot work deserves a reward. Mine was Turtle Cheesecake with whipped cream. After the cheesecake, writing was next. Almost done with last rewrite of the Care Giving book. I am really looking forward to seeing this one in print. The pre release reception is growing. Hope to be done by mid July.
