After not having the garbage disposal work for the past few years, although I don't use it often as most of my kitchen scraps go out for the chickens, it was recycling water in the dishwasher, leaving gunge on the outside of plates and glasses. The few loads I've done since the new installation have been much improved. The kitchen tap broke a while ago, and I found a kit and Herbie fixed it, but the hot water ended up on the right instead of the cold, and the top had worn away where you push the spray on and off, so we bought a new satin chrome one. Same design as I didn't want one of those really high ones as there is a window in front of the sink, and with the retractable spray I can easily fill pots and jugs. I'm not used to it yet as it's much lighter than the previous one, and the buttons are on the bottom. It has 3, spray, steady stream and pause. Nice for filling the Pur jug we use for all our potable water.
On Monday morning, the one company will come install a new Eco water softener / conditioner / filter. They dropped the originally quoted price by $900 ! Can't wait as the funky smell and taste of our well water should disappear. When we went to Menards for the garbage disposal, we went to look at the dishwashers as ours is breaking down inside. We passed this gorgeous convection gas stove. I hate my current bisque stove. It often needs the plates lit with a lighter as the auto ignition is temperamental, the oven light doesn't work, but worse of all, it doesn't hold temperatures and has hot spots, so I have to rotate pizzas and cookies etc while baking otherwise I get some under-cooked, and other over-cooked, spots. Herbie said why don't we look at all new appliances for the kitchen, then we'll be set for the next 15 years or so.
Menards is having that 11% rebate on everything sale at the moment, so we went looking. Then went to Lowes in Grand Rapids, then Nawara Appliances, then JC Penny's, and finally ABC Warehouse. Settled with them as they were $200 cheaper than Nawaras', and $1,200 cheaper than Lowes and Penny's. The choices at Menards were slim. We can collect the GE suite of convection stove, above-range vented microwave with fan, dishwasher and 4-door French fridge in the latest Black Stainless steel from tomorrow :). Then we'll install them all. The eye-level dishwasher is going to be tricky as we have to cut down the cupboard to fit it as the existing one is 3 inches shorter than the new standards that cater to people with disabilities. Can't wait to cook in my new oven :)))). And to have ice in the freezer, whoop whoop !! And an extractor fan that works, and sparkling clean dishes.
Then today day we went and bought a sheep-feeder (read riding lawn-mower with the bagging system). Herbie went out with it and put all the cuttings into the sheep feeder until they turned away, full. He asked me to listen - he could walk outside past the sheep, and not one called. He's a happy camper. Such a great idea. The lawns are kept trimmed and the sheep are fed. He suggested I start a lawn mowing business where I don't charge anyone for cutting their grass, I just keep the cuttings to feed the sheep. I'll have to do part lawns every day as I can't take more grass than they can eat at one time as it goes mouldy. He didn't get the 80-gallon compressor he wanted, but he did get a little bike, but that is for his grandson Chad. Can't say I understand that as Herbie has Jonesed for one for over 50 years. He took it out to chase the cows up for milking the other day :). I haven't ridden it yet. Maybe Sunday. He had a different one but Nanettes' then fiancé broke something inside by being too heavy to drive it up our driveway. It's still in the lower barn and on Herbies' fix-it list. I have a photo of my dad riding it at the Allendale house the weekend we got married 8 years ago. Oh yes, we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday. Can't believe we've been here on the farm for nearly 8 years already.
Yesterday it was 84 degrees hot, and today it was 48. Michigan !! I froze and only warmed up in the shower earlier.
The hayfield is ready for cutting, but the next week has rain forecast every 2nd day so it'll have to wait for the following week. We had our 2nd calf of the year born on Sunday too, another black baby for Little Red. I originally thought it was a girl calf, but yesterday saw it pee, nope, a boy. I had to go chase it under the fence on Sunday as it had separated itself from mum, but it leapt up as I reached it and blundered back through the electric fence. I looked and didn't see balls so thought it was a girl, but saw his balls yesterday. Need to name him too. Still haven't settled on a name for the 1st calf either.
Stan the lamb is doing well. He's back with the other sheep after his walk-about last week, and we bottle feed him through the fence. Herbie spoils him and heats his milk, I feed it to him cold. We're down to 3 or 4 feedings a day, from every 2 hours. He doesn't mind if I'm holding the bottle or not, he drinks and butts the bottle for more ! Herbie has been doing all the morning feedings this week, I do the milking and watering. But this afternoon, Maddie wouldn't take grapes from him - she wanted some Cindy-time. My girl :). Sheila is doing much better, and I let her off the lead for short time when she has my full attention. She's still a runner, but the last time she and Lisa took off, they were only gone for 3 hours which I call an improvement. She and Herbie have settled into a relationship, although she barked at him today when he came in the front door and he was very unhappy with her about it. I see it that she is protecting me and he doesn't usually come in that door. Both Anni and Lisa have facial war wounds at present. I presume a raccoon didn't fare well either.
Made gyros for lunch yesterday at Herbies' request. Put the shoulder of lamb in the oven while we were in Grand Rapids, and it was perfectly done when we got home. It's great having a timer function on a stove. Whizzed up the yoghurt I'd made, added the ingredients for Tzatziki to some of it, while Herbie cut salad stuff. Love lamb :). Leftovers for today. Had to add more yoghurt, sour cream, lemon juice, herbs and seasoning to balance out the excess raw garlic I mashed. It was a little over powering yesterday, good but garlicky, while perfect today. Have an extra container of it for Teri if she wants it. They're here this weekend :)
Well, it's way past my sleep time, so goodnight, fair maiden.