A Fresh Grave

I dug another grave today out under the big oak tree, where our Pet Cemetary has grown to include 6 of our pets.  We found L's bunny, Chaz, stretched out in his favorite spot in the grass, but no longer living last night.  He was 10 years old, which is at the upper end of their typical lifespan!

He started out as a 4H project for J when she was in 5th grade.  She did show him at the Fair in 2015, but then lost interest first in 4H, and then in having a pet rabbit.  When I finally got tired of taking care of him, J was given the ultimatum:  find a new home for him.  This is how L adopted him, and she has taken excellent care of him for the past 6 years or so.

Chaz was sweet and super soft, but not super smart.  He loved dandelion leaves, carrot peels and apple cores.

He would walk on a leash albeit tentatively.

He was interested in his visitors.

I enjoyed taking him treats and chatting him up while he nibbled.  He will certainly be missed.

Oregano, Rosemary and Thyme

I harvested the herbs from my herb bed near the house and spent close to 3 hours prepping it for drying.  This is the 2nd time I've harvested the thyme this year, and the 3rd time for the oregano.  I am trying to preserve my own herbs ever since I learned from Consumer Reports that there are high levels of heavy metals in many dried herb products, ESPECIALLY oregano and thyme.

Everything is in the dehydrator in the garage, and the whole place smells like pizza!

Over the past couple of weeks I have tackled a few other projects as well.  I made and froze 12 pints of my special ingredient apple sauce (fondly known around here as "Mommy Sauce.")

I stained the potting bench and produce sink that JP built for me.

I put together a couple of Christmas trees, built out of sea glass that I have found (and made in the rock tumbler.)

I painted a new grave stone for Daisy Dog.  The girls and I painted one for her 10 years ago, but the paint has all worn off.  I searched and searched for the photo of that, but couldn't turn one up.  Mom and Dad couldn't remember her birthday, so I had to be vague.  It will join the others out in the Pet Cemetary once it gets a couple more coats of clear sealer.

I have kept up with the Fridge Facts:

Music Edition

Friends Edition

Life Edition

In the meantime, L finished her 1st 9 weeks of school - that was a mess since she left a LOT of assignments until the VERY LAST MINUTE.  Dad was cleared by Neurology to drive again.  They came and buried water lines from our houses down to the road in preparation for the city water that is DEFINITELY coming!  Things are messy and muddy around here now, and my pussy willow bush was an accidental casualty of the project, but I'll deal...as long as we get reliable water out of the whole process!!

I've also taken some time to watch the sun set on Poplar Ridge.

Happy Fall, Y'all!