Random summer snippets

As fall is coming rapidly upon us, I realized there were a few summer moments that went unblogged. So, before the barrage of fall happenings gets documented in blog-style, here are two fun happenings from the summer.
First, I got a grain mill! It was my birthday present from Michael and the boys. (Well, that and a fabulous trip to Dallas with Julie). The great thing about this grain mill is that it is an attachment to my stand mixer, so I didn't have to get another huge kitchen appliance. Another great thing is that there's also a "hand cranker" so I can grind wheat even w/ out electricity. Of course I say "I" can grind it; what I really mean is "the boys" can grind it w/out electricity!!! :-) They actually think it's really fun and cool to hand crank it, so voila, the job is theirs!



So, I get this great flour.....

Starting w/ some wheat berries...

Adding the berries to the hopper on the attachment....I don't know if you can tell, but the mixer sits on its side to grind the berries.

Then stand the mixer up, and make some chocolate chip cookies! :-)

In garden news, we got a watermelon. Just one for the season. Well, there was another one, but it got dropped on the way in (it wasn't very big anyway) and the chickens REALLY enjoyed it!

Here's our prize.

Isn't that beautiful???!!! And it tasted wonderful as well. I've learned next time to train the melons up a stake or something. Between the watermelon vines and the cucumber vines, those babies took over the garden. Live and learn!!

We're putting our summer garden to rest tomorrow. We're opening up the fence around the garden and letting nature take its course (i.e. letting the goats, chickens and deer eat to their heart's content!). We're planning on planting a fall garden, so I'll keep you posted with updates. Hopefully the rain situation will be a little more favorable and temps cooler to help our little garden along. The summer garden seemed like more work than reward this summer. Aside from a handful of cucumbers, the melon, some basil and about 3 jalapenos, it was pretty barren. But I think I've gleaned some wisdom on things to do differently. Like, watering. That'll help! :-)