Weekend of Camping ~ No Electricity

We had so much fun last weekend.  I have been overly stressed and, out of the blue, told my husband that we were going camping - without kids.  Well the first part happened anyway.  We did get one night free of kids, and all to ourselves.

Every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, was cooked over the fire.  Even our morning coffee.  We also brought along some farm fresh eggs for scrambled eggs.  Yum!  The campground did not provide showers.  We had port-a-potty toilets and a ground water pump.  There were electric hook-ups for those who wished to have them, but we decided to camp without electricity.  

Days were spent in tank tops and shorts, and evenings were spent in pants and jackets.  It was perfect weather for getting a way to reconnect.  The last night was spent with our two youngest children. 

We hiked the lake, and I showed the girls how I could whistle in an acorn shell.  Just to share a tip, it works better with a fresh acorn top, versus an old one that's been on the ground.  They both work, but one works easier.

Thankfully, I had a tote in our garage, already prepared for camping.  We have not had a vacation of any sort, for over five years.  It felt wonderful to finally get away, and for all the reasons of restoring, relaxing, and rejuvenating.  No running around touring this or that, or messing with hotels and motels. 

The garden is still thriving

Although many vegetables are done producing, we still have cabbage, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, green beans, beets, turnips, strawberries, and more squash.

Yesterday I boiled up a dozen farm eggs for after school snacking.  I also shredded the last zucchini and made them a pan of Zucchini-Banana Squares.  I then froze 2 quarts of tomatoes, and have a lot more to freeze.  For dinner I baked a spaghetti squash and used up more tomatoes with a recipe we love.

I spent most of the day yesterday chasing rooster and his women out of my garden.  This time they got into the squash, and kept trying to come back to get more (while I was in the garden).  I finally pulled some corn, shucked it and tossed it to them.  That seemed to keep them happy for a while, and out of my garden.

I noticed our school is having a "market" day where teachers and parents have donated extra garden bounty and are giving it away.  I am so surprised that people do not can and freeze their extras for the winter and spring.  It's easy to have extra squash, but I even shred or cube mine and freeze it.  I'm about to pickle some banana peppers today as well.  My husband came home with an eggplant from a co-worker.  I was, however, truly thankful for that.  Our eggplant did not do so well.  Our okra did, and it was the first year growing it.

Encouraging Teens Find Work

It's been a long journey in finding work for our 18 year-old son.  He's filled out applications left and right, and even talked with managers about possible openings.  Finding a job is even more difficult now that the college students have returned.  Even so, most adults are seeking the jobs that most kids have gone after in the past.

To encourage my son, I suggested he take his knowledge and write articles on-line.  With his expertise in areas that usually end up on most "hot topics" lists, he has already started earning extra money.  It won't happen over night, as I have already warned him, but he is much more positive, and job searching is less overwhelming.  I'm just glad God blessed him with the writing ability to get him through this difficult time.

Early Morning ~ Sunrise

This camera does not do justice for this beautiful sunrise this morning. The colors are not photographed at all like they actually appeared.

A chicken enjoying watermelon ~ check out her beak

Too bad, I didn't get this focused well.  It would have made an awesome photo.

Project Updates

My 8 year-old's blanket now reaches the measurements of 6 ft 2 inches wide, and 40 1/2 inches long. She's begging me to stop and give it to her as is, but I had to explain that I need to finish it. She's so eager to have it. I have already spent more than 20 hours on this blanket. I have to say, this is my favorite so far, in the 3 blankets I have crocheted.

Here is an update on my embroidery sampler. I have added another stictch since this photo. You can see, it's a bit wrinkled from holding the material. I'm really enjoying making this, but will probably make another in five years to check my progress.

More Freezing for Winter and Spring

Today, I shredded and froze 12 cups of zucchini, and left 2 cups on the side for 2 loaves of zucchini bread.  I also froze 1 qt. of tomatoes.  After that I took the green beans I picked and boiled them with potatoes and added crumbled bacon.  I also took our last Kohlrabi, and made a terrific Frittata.  I even added swiss chard to it.