Hellooooooo Sunshine!

Don't get too excited....we didn't out of the 20s, but it sure was an upper.

 

After chores I went to Agape and managed 22 minutes on the elliptical (in addition to the bike and all my other stuff).  Felt pretty good and hope to go again tomorrow.

 Around 3 I got ambitious and decided to make some Johhny Cake...

 and a soup that I had never tried.

In May, the Art & Aesthetics Committee I am on will be holding another "Stone Soup" Auction to raise funds for community art (a mural depicting  the construction of the Erie Canal).  One of our advertising strategies will be to put a bag of dry soup in one of our Stone Soup mugs (designed by artist-Bill Stewart) and put up a display in the local bookstore.  For Sale of course.

(The painting above will be in the auction)

 Meanwhile back at the ranch....

I took my bag of 16 different beans and got busy.

First, I put them in a pot with 7 cups of boiling water and brought them to a boil for 2 minutes.

Turned it off and let them sit for one hour.

 

Then I cut up 4 pieces of bacon and sauteed it with onions, carrots and celery.

 Added 2 teaspoons of chicken boullion, salt, fresh ground pepper, 7 cups of boiling water and the beans.  Brought it to a boil and let it simmer until the beans were tender.

 Everything was lookin' good.

Out for chores a little after 6.

 Does Skoog Farm have 3 of the sweetest girls or what?

 Could not wait to taste the soup.

 Cut up an apple and some extra sharp cheddar cheese for a side, and we dug in.

 So good!

 Now it's time to go rest with Sophie.

Night all.