Laboring on Labor Day

We had our first frost last night. The temperature dipped to 28 degrees. I've had iris in a paper bag since this spring and a friend of mine just gave me some more plants too. I guess I really should get outside and use this weekend to create a new garden bed and get it planted. That is one of the problems with gardening at high altitude, you have to find soil first. You can't just plant stuff outside, it is all solid rock. I don't mean it's rocky soil either, I mean it is bedrock! It is usually easier to build garden beds up than to dig them in here. So, I'll see how many of these plants are survivors. You have to be tough if you want to be in garden.
The cooler weather has started the mouse population migration as well. Luckily, my two cats really love to hunt them at night. They are a little evil, my kitties are. If you are a human, these cats are very nice cats. If you happen to be mouse, however, these two cats will now be your torture specialists for the evening. This is pretty horrible and gross so if you have a weak stomach, stop reading right now. The cats will catch a mouse and put it in the bathtub to play with all night. I can't remember if I've written of the "torture dome" in previous blogs or not. Where did we leave the plywood that we cut to fit over the tub? It's time again to close this torture dome.
The cool weather inspired a wonderful meal last night. I made some colcannon and steaks with a honey-mustard sauce. It was quite delicious and really fitting for a fall night.
Have a good week and keep creating!

Mid-Evil Mountainjoy

We had a weekend straight out of the Renaissance days. My husband set up his forge and started to blacksmith. He had a friend over and the two of them were so happy, I couldn't believe it. There is nothing like seeing 2 angry, bitter men have a good time pounding at heated metal to force into new shapes/tools. They were off to a slow start until I told them to break up the coal a bit more to start the fire. You are given special inborn knowledge if you are a blacksmith's daughter, you know. I don't know how to smith, but I do know more than your average bear on the subject.
While the boys were smithing, I was working on a coat-of-arms for a friend of ours. He does a form of combat that starts with swords and ends up using some ju-jitsu forms. Anyway, I am currently decorating his quilted and padded jacket to resemble his chosen family coat-of-arms. It felt like all we needed yesterday was some horses, dragons, and a few more serving women here to complete the picturesque mid-evil Mountainjoy.
As for summer, it may come to a quick close for us. We saw a lone aspen yesterday that had taken on that beautiful orange/yellow. The hummingbirds are still around and the wild flowers are still in bloom. Yet, I do expect our first snow storm any day now. Traditionally, it likes to snow the first weekend of September most years. Let's see what this one brings.

Time Flies By

My goodness, it's been a month since last wrote? That is just unacceptable! I will strive to do better. Actually, that is what today is all about for me again. Does anybody else procastinate everything you can and then try get it all done in one day? Or is just me that "catch's up" every few months?
Now, I will attempt to share some of what has been happening at Mountainjoy. It has been a very rainy summer so far and there has been a lot of vegetation and wildlife. Pictured here is the one of the most attractive young bucks I've seen in a while. He strolled through one night and ate heartily from the patch of fire weed. Even though I was planning on harvesting a lot of flowers this year, I did not shoo this elk off. Have you seen how big they are? He didn't eat it all of it and he was so majestic looking that I didn't mind sharing. The are plenty of flowers for mead making anyway. It's become an annual tradition here to make Fire Weed Mead each August.
I've been working in the sun in Boulder and the studio up here too. I've made several quilts this summer actually. You see, I have taken more time to quilt and have been seeking new clients as well. I am pleased as punch that it seems to working so far. I finally managed to get through my website building boot camp. I still have much to learn and much to do about polishing my website, but it is up. If anyone wants to check it out, go to www.mountainjoyquilts.com. I would also welcome input from my readers as to the site's look/feel. I can now be reached via email to rebeccah@mountainjoyquilts.com.
Basically, it's another beautiful summer here in the Rockies. Busy as beavers and loving it.

July 4th & Coleslaw

Hello and Happy July 4th weekend to everyone! It's been quite a week or two for me with land disputes and photo shoots. I managed to find time yesterday though to clean the house and make my husband a nice dinner. I thought he deserved it as he has been working a lot and dealing with a car that likes to break down lately. Enforced exercise is a good thing (in the summer anyway).
This weekend is for bar-b-ques. How many have you been invited too? Or are you hosting one? I whipped up a coleslaw last night that had me surprised at it's wonderful flavors. Here is the recipe:
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
1/2 head red cabbage (grated with cheese grater)
2 med carrots (grated like cabbage)
Mix following dressing and combine together with cabbage/carrot:
1/3 cup Mayo
1 T Ketchup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
1 T Sugar
1/2 t each of Caraway, Sesame, & Poppy Seeds
Salt & Pepper to taste
I couldn't get enough of this colorful and delicious salad. Oh, if I had some sunflower seeds last night, they would have been thrown in too. I hope you enjoy this salad and all the other goodies at all the other bar-b-ques this summer!
Happy Independence Day!

My Life Update

I've been rushing through life lately. I do that in the longer light filled days, which is very different than my hibernating winter habits. Speaking of winter, it sort of feels like a fall day already. It is raining and snowing. Yes, I said snowing! Not a lot but a distinctive white covering everything.
Today is a gift day for me. You know, I was supposed to work (and actually walking out the door) when I got the call. It is too wet to work at the farm today. That is fine with me though as I have been trying to play catch up the last four days. My life, house, and business are not in perfect order yet. This one extra day will definitely see my world into perfection, right?
Anyway, I have been consumed the last four days creating my very own website. This is very exciting for me and quite a challenge. I have never been exceptionally gifted with computers. I have learned a lot over the past two years and was feeling competent enough to attempt a website. It is not as easy as I was led to believe, yet it is not that bad either. If I can do it, anyone can!
Note: I am still working on it and will let you all know when it is officially up & open. I will welcome all my viewers opinions, advice, and criticism. Please help me get this right.
That's some of the big news to share at the moment. There are many things happening in my life and I will share them once they unfold & blossom to yield the fruit of my labors.
For now, keep quilting and spreading the love!

Morning Moose

This moose has been wandering through our property in the early mornings eating my cute little aspen grove. It is one of the largest moose I have seen the area. It is standing behind our ax-throwing target which is 6' tall. When it was closer, you could see its legs connected to the massive body right about 6'. It was a beautifully quiet and foggy morning yesterday when we were graced with this visitor. Happy Memorial Day every one.

May Showers Bring Hummingbirds

Like everywhere else in the world, our weather here in Colorado has been wacky. There was no snow in March when we normally get the most snow. April brought us a good deal of snow in the high country and May brought even more moisture into the area in the form of rain and snow. This moisture was desperately needed as we were already many experiencing forest fires back in March. People that live are used to playing in glorious outside weather 360 days a year. People around here are tired of the winter and weather. As for me, I know it is the weather and Mother Nature and I have a special relationship. She does what she wants and I put up with it or enjoy it.
The hummingbirds returned to the high country. I heard them yesterday and quickly got out the feeder. There is still snow on lots of the ground and these little jewels of birds must be hungry. So, I quickly found, filled, and put out the feeder for these harbingers of the imminent summer season. I truly enjoy the hummingbirds as they buzz around and I am delighted they are back.
I realize that I have been neglecting my cooking aspect of this blog. I do have a fairly decent reason - I have not been cooking lately. I used to do a lot of it by myself or with my husband. For quite a while now, he hasn't been working (goes back to mountain bike accident in which he broke his neck 4 years ago). That means he has been doing all the cooking and cleaning. And I have not thought about food (other than to consume). Life is changing again though. Sid has been working recently so I am sure will divide up the housework again. I hope to be sharing recipes and good food thoughts again soon.
I have been working on getting my long arm quilting business going. I plan to be pulling my hair out soon as I create my own website as well. Actually, I don't think it will be all that difficult and frustrating. Technology has come a long way and so have my skills. I just have to keep telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".
Time to catch up on all sorts of other neglected duties, projects, and phone calls.
Keep quilting, crafting, and smiling.