9/6/09 - Sunday
Foggy and 46 this morning, but the forecast calls for a high temperature of 79 today.
It looks like we will be partly sunny, as rain moves into the area later today. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the week. Since the weather has been pert near perfect for the past week, DH is a little bummed that there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow, which is his day off.
We had a great time at the
Family Fun Block Party yesterday, which was held in the Village Green next to the Jefferson United Methodist Church. The weather was just perfect! There was a lot of great food and quite a crowd as well. It was great to see a number of families from the community attending. Attendance was free. The meal cost $3 for adults, $1.50 for kids under 12; but the most a family paid for a meal was $10. The menu was roasted ox plain or barbecued, roast barbecued chicken, several types of baked beans, pasta salads, potato salads, and veggie side dishes. For dessert there was cheesecake and an ice cream bar with various toppings. For the kids, there was face painting, 3-legged races, corn-hole toss, football toss, and a bouncy house.
The Way Home, the gospel/bluegrass singing group from our church performed as well as
The BAR Band (Born Again Rockers).
All the food was donated by members of the church. Dave and his family donated and cooked the ox (grass-fed, locally-raised), and it was very tender and delicious! Pat made a wonderful spaghetti and veggie salad that was terrific - tons of veggies from her garden and some homemade vinaigrette, which reminds me, I need to get the recipe!
Gladys made some of her famous potato salads (two kinds - one was German-style with bacon and Very Yummy!)
We sat at a picnic table that was only partially shaded. So my face was in the shade but my back was warmed by the sun. A perfect spot to sit, in my opinion.
Pastor Meredith asked if I would be willing to speak at the Rotary meeting at the end of October. But I told her I didnt think I could. She also said she knows of a woman looking for someone to do some weed whacking for her, and wondered if I would be interested. I laughed - I havent done any weed whacking in about 10 years, because it is one of those things dh *likes* to do. So I told her I would think about it and let her know.
John and his son, Ian, joined us for a while. They are thinking of getting chickens in the spring, and are doing their planning now. They have never had chickens before, but had lots of good questions. Ian asked for my email address so we could chat about chickens more. I told Ian I have some books I can lend him but I have to find them in storage first.
Sophia and Pat sat with us for a while. Sophia and her dh, Paul, are getting ready to go on vacation and asked us to care for their chickens and rabbits while she is away. However, I declined. Instead, Pat said she would do it. She really wants a small flock of chickens, but Ron, her dh, is against the idea. Pat is hoping that if Ron sees how little work is involved in taking care of chickens, he will change his mind. By the way, Paul built the chicken tractor from the plans in
Backyard Homestead, and it is really pretty nice, and sturdy. They have been moving it around their property every other week or so, but are thinking that it will go into the barn during winter for wind protection. However, the birds will still have access to outdoors, if they wish to go out, as there is a small run attached to the barn. Sophia says that all the rabbits and chickens are inside the barn this week, so that Pat wont get soaked when she goes to care for the animals.
Pat and Ron invited us to their place for Labor Day picnic. I am thinking of some side dishes to take. I think I will attempt to make a loaf of Herb-Garlic bread as well. I think were having burgers, and Pat is making corn on the cob, yellow squash and onions, and a blackberry pie; all the produce from her garden. She said she has some potatoes to use up, so we talked about dehydrating potatoes. Pat hasnt ever tried that, so I think I will take her my dehydrator tomorrow.
Their son, Matt, works for
Orphan Relief and Rescue in Liberia. Matts team just added a chicken house to one of the orphanages. The kids take care of the chickens and gather the eggs. Last year they raised pigs in the woods at another home. The hope is that the homes have an additional source of food and a source of income (selling piglets, eggs, etc). Matt had mentioned recently that the garden at this home did not do as well this past year because of a shortage of bees. I am hoping to put the idea of a Kenyan Top Hive into his head tomorrow so that he can do some research before he goes back to Liberia.
Matt has been in the States since July, visiting with family and traveling for fund raising for the mission. This is Matts last month in the States before he returns to Liberia.
Closer to home, the landlords friend still hasnt come to clean up the downed trees and take out the dead ones. There are a bunch of woodpeckers in the area, so that may be why he hasnt come to remove the dead trees. Yesterday morning, a couple woodpeckers were tapping on the house, and it was so loud, that at first I thought someone was knocking on the door!
Well, I best get a move on, as I want to get to the 8:30 service today.
edited for typos
We think we may try again (another exhibit) sometime near Thanksgiving.
