Dry As Dust

 If you've been hanging out with me for a few months, you will remember, what seemed like such a short time ago, when I described the farm as a muddy mess.  A winter with plentiful rain had us slogging through inches of muck, and our animals wore that mud as well.  Now?  Now, conditions are the opposite. It's been a month since we have had any rain and it is dry as can be.  Typically, this time of year is quite humid.  These days, however, it feels more like Arizona than Pennsylvania!  We find ourselves dry-lipped and thirsty - and every breath draws a little bit of dust into our throats.

At a time when we would normally need to mow our lawn before a week passes... we find ourselves free from that task, the grass brown and crunchy.

There's a small potential for rainfall this weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it happens.  A nice, gentle rain that soaks into the parched earth is what we need more than anything.  If you have any sway with Mother Nature... please put in a good word for us!

Part of living on a farm involves planning for the season to come... while still working through and enjoying the season we are in.  It's hard to imagine the winter that lies ahead, here at the very start of summer, but it's necessary to consider it so that we enter that season prepared.  Stocking up on hay is of utmost importance so that our animals can eat during the coldest months.  

We received our first load of hay yesterday - 100 bales to stow in the barn.  I am so grateful for our old hay elevator, and also for the help of friends!

While we were stowing hay, the horses were out in the front pasture eating their breakfast.  

Somebody(s) were missing from the group. 

 Where were Red and Ollie?  I scanned the pasture.  They were gone!

Small enough to fit under the fence boards, they had wandered into the pig's yard where the grass is definitely greener!

When all of the work was done, Hubbs and I took a bike ride.

  What a beautiful cloudless, blue-sky day!  But, oh, how dry it was.  I had to keep drinking as we rode or I would have dried up, myself.

The streams are so low!

Later in the afternoon, I made a batch of chamomile soap using some chamomile that I picked the day before and dehydrated.  

I'll show you those bars after cutting them this weekend.  Then they go to the basement pantry to dry for the next 8 weeks.  

While the soap ingredients were reaching the correct temperature, I headed out to do the afternoon chores.  

Hot afternoons have arrived and I am thankful for all of the trees that we have planted through the years.  All of the animals and birds have adequate shade for these hot days.

And those who travel always find their own shade!

I also made THIS Hungarian mushroom soup from some Crimini mushrooms that I bought at a local market.   I was also able to use fresh herbs... dill, thyme, and parsley from the garden.  It was delicious!

I am always humbled by your concern when I miss a day blogging.  There are just occasional days when life gets ahead of me... with chores and activities.  Taking an occasional day off gives me a chance to catch up.