Random Tidbits ~ Journal Junkie Purged

I am taking this dog watching as a test to see if I really do want one of my own then the girls (if they ever) move out.  One morning it was 20-something, but felt like 13°F.  Of course the two dogs of hers woke up at different times - two trips out in the dark early morning cold and snow.  

Two blank journals went to each of the girls.  I found them on my other bookshelves.  One was a holiday journal I haven't used since 2007.  It basically had a few comments, lists of foods, guests and a few photos - it went to the trash.  I don't keep up with it.  Photos go in albums now and journal in one main journal.  Two or three were empty, and one was short stories

I've donated 2 boxes of books and now filled 10 more.  I had so many handed down, some I still had from homeschooling, and other topics that needed to go to a new home.  I parted with a few series that I bought from library book sales too.  I just have to find places to donate to other than our Goodwill.  The charity place has strange donation hours and a long walk in and out.  I'm too old for that, ha ha!  I need a drop off at the door kind of place.

Many were from a Humane Society book sale.  During the last hour they had a big sale and I guess I went nuts.  Another time a library book sale and the same after that.

A few were my husband's old books and he said get rid of them.  These I may put up to sell.  Not sure.  I did a search on some other books, but found several copies for sale (low prices) and no bids on ebay.  These however, are oldies and goodies.  They are not in great shape though.  He read them a lot and have been stored in a closed book case.

I took an inventory on canning supplies.  I am set on jars and rims, just not the lids.  I will be on the look out each trip to town.  The last pectin I bought was expired (didn't see it until I got home).

2020 Reading Challenge and other tidbits

 

My book arrived.  I just hope it isn't one I already read from the library over the years ha ha!  I hope to get some reading done ASAP.  I need a mental break from life overall.

We are getting some very nice weather this weekend.  Possible high 70's degrees on Sunday.  Crazy!

We are still seeing beautiful colors around the homestead.

When something goes out of the freezer, something goes back in.  Keeping things stocked, with a world of uncertainty.

A head of organic cauliflower and a few yellow squash (organic) were blanched.

Called my Mom.  Didn't talk long, as she was babysitting.  Got caught up with dishes, folded laundry, took scraps out to the chickens, and other mundane tasks.

I put together my barter, now I need a date and time to get it to her.  I hope she likes everything.  She is the family member who had 4 boxes of canning lids shipped to me.  I decided to include a set of homemade cards and a jar opener.

I ordered (and surprisingly received already) a manual coffee grinder.  I realized that we buy organic whole bean (have a cold press), and no way to grind them if the power went out.

I printed a few crochet patterns for winter projects.  I still have some printed recipes floating around the kitchen that I want to try.  If they float around long enough, they may get recycled.  I think I save too many recipes, ha ha!

I'm getting crochet time in most days, just before dinner and sometimes after dinner.

Someone told me that canning supplies will not be made until next March, but I have already seen jars with lids in stores.  I hope lids appear before another shutdown or whatever happens.

I hope everyone is staying calm as they can be, and healthy right now.  We are doing well, although considering I just poured homemade Kahlua in my coffee, I can't really say we are all "calm" here ha ha!

Planner Giveaway (sharing) ~ 2020 Reading Challenge

 I won a planner for this year and Rebecca at Rebecca's Heart and Home is giving another one away for 2021.  Be sure to go to her blog and enter if you wish  I absolutely love mine.

I ordered this from Thrift Books. Giving this "book" series a try.  I have never read a book from this author, so I'll let you know if it's good or not.  I sure hope I get reading time and get into the mood to read.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We just had a cooler weekend, which isn't all that great for most of the garden.  Our temperature Sunday morning was a col 47°F.  We had another cool night last night too.  

Sunday our youngest and last child graduated.   She also has an interview with the salon she was to interview back in March.  It's a "zoom" interview today.   By the way, everyone was taking their masks off after about 5 minutes.  Standing for 1 1/2 hours in line was too hot to wear them.

Business is picking up slowly for me.  I sold a "sunflower" crochet kitchen set, and a scrubbie.  It's been all by word of mouth as I get stuff restocked.  

I tried to hold an online Tupperware party for a lady I promised a party with.  She sadly told me she was forced to quit due to the virus and all it's economic destruction.  She also said she sold off most of her supply, but had some remaining.  She invited me to come and look it over, but never contacted me with a date and time.  I guess she forgot.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . . 
Woke up to 46°F and according to the weather we'll warm up to about 73°F.


How I am feeling this morning . . . 
Tired.  Standing in line for graduation was tough on my back.


On my mind . . .
The garden.  The cooler weather has me only concerned about the green beans.  Time will tell if I have to replant or not.  New rule for our state - plant after May 31st vs. after Mother's Day (always the rule).  


On the breakfast plate . . .
I'll be back to show you.



On my reading pile . . . 

Yet to be determined.  I forgot it's the first of the month.  I'll try and figure this out later today and post another day.


On my TV . . .
Re-watching The Ranch


On the menu . . .
-Chicken Enchiladas, corn
-Have no idea, had a busy weekend and haven't even thought about it.


From the camera . . .

A glimpse at what it was like to stand all through a school, standing in spot for #60 out of 85 students, waiting to go into the gym to watch your kid get her diploma.  By the way, we could not hear anything, as they didn't even speak loud enough, so I feel this was a cheap shot at a graduation for her (this was when we only moved 2 spots, and then everyone starting taking off their masks...we were all 10 feet apart anyway, hence no reason for the masks in the first place).

Looking around the house . . .
Well, we were gone most of the day, so there are dirty dishes that need washed, but we will do a complete clean up on the next rainy day - garden comes first right now.


To relax I will . . .
Crochet.


On my prayer list . . .
This country.

New Book ~ Garden Update

Our library is only open for appointments, and they are not interloaning anything.   It's a small library.  I finally broke down and purchased a few books.  I added this needle tatting book to my bookshelf.  

The tiller is finally fixed.  It needed a new belt, which lasted 12 years.  However, while putting it back together, Hubby had a spring he didn't know what to do with.  After dumping out our container of manuals (that's another purge job), we found a free manual online.  Boom! Tiller fixed.

We are a bit behind in tilling, so I haven't planted more yet, and it may rain this morning.  Time will tell what gets done, but we are more ahead this year than last year.

April Reading Challenge ~ The Good/The Bad and Tidbuts

(I had this ready to post yesterday, so I added some wording to make it more understandable).  Enjoy!

I picked "Odd Mom Out," written by Jane Porter.  I picked this up free, and have never read her work, so this should be interesting.

Wednesday we woke up to frost and a chilly 38°F out.  Today it's.....


The Good.

My husband and 20 year-old made us laugh so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants (Monday night).  I needed that.  They were trying to move a queen sized box springs up the stairs.  Yeah, I knew it wouldn't fit.  It's an older house, smaller steps, shorter ceiling and the stairs turn half way up.  

Me (talking to youngest who is laughing at them): Next thing you know they'll throw it on the roof and try pushing it through the window up there.

Hubby (from the upstairs bedroom):  Get me the measuring tape!

Me:  Are you serious?  This is gonna be fun to watch.  Let's get lawn chairs and watch from the front yard.
We laughed and laughed.  No.  It was not going to fit.  Lesson learned here?  If kids want bigger begs, always buy split box springs.  You never know what type of housing they'll struggle with when they move in or out.  Some townhouses have the bedrooms upstairs too.

The Bad.

I dropped the cover to my larger dehydrator.  The part store is closed due to the virus. 

Good news.
My MRH order has shipped finally.  It's been weeks since I place the order.

I temporarily fixed my large dehydrator cover.  It should hold until the part store re-opens. Thank goodness.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was infusion day.  I needed to fill jars and start new batches of Four Thieves vinegar.  I used instructions for heating it from MRH blog, and the recipe from Rosemary Gladstar (using the stove top for the first time to do this).  I typically make it in summer in a warm window and it lasts up to a year.

March Reading Challenge ~ Fog ~ New Recipe!

I picked a new author to read for March (although I started it last month).  She has a series of books, so I started with her first one.  I borrowed this from the library, but ended up ordering a copy of it.

Mum's the Word, by Kate Collins (Flower Shop Series)

Speaking of books.  TLC book tour emailed me wanting me to read a book, and post a review on my blog.  The book looks interesting, but seriously, my time in March is limited this year.  Has anyone else gotten these emails?  

Nothing much going on considering it's winter and I'm stuck home.  I did manage to make a bucket of homemade laundry detergent amongst regular chores.

We have major fog this morning, but the weather is a bit warmer.  School has a 2 hour delay, and there is hardly any traffic on the country highway of ours.  It's nice to have a quiet morning.  The other night a plane went over us at 3am and woke us up (flying that low).

I almost forgot to take a photo!  It was so good - Sweet Potato and Black bean enchiladas.  I forgot to make the crema sauce for the topping, but oh my gosh, so good.  We'll make these again, and make the topping minus the avocado.  I used a store bought non-gmo/low carb tortilla for these too.  The sweet potatoes have to be pre-cooked for this recipe, but worth it.  I used a recipe online from Ambitious Kitchen (I'm finding some goodies on that site) - Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema.  

The sauce can be made with home canned tomato sauce and home canned tomato paste, with spices.  Oh my, I cannot wait to plant sweet potatoes, possibly black beans this year too.

Snow and Cold ~ Proud Parents

We cut all but this much of one tree over the years, and this will come down for our winter wood.  We'll get a lot from it too.

The snow was so beautiful.  It was a fluffy snow with no wind, and gorgeous.  The kind that makes you curl up by the fire, under a blanket and with a book.

We slept in until 7:16am this morning, and with due diligent, but not without a cat alarm clock.  We woke up to a furry feline sliding his paws under our bedroom door and clankity-clankity-clankity.  He was ravenous and wanted fed so badly, he was yanking the door back and forth.

It's a cold -3°F.  First order of business was to feed Tiger, then Romeo, who for the first time was lifting his paws on he first outing outside.  It's too cold for him too.

Next order of business was coffee.  I knew to wait until we both had our coffee before bringing it up in conversation - Russell Crowe.  The rooster is so mean, it's leaving the roost today.  

(Far right is a red headed woodpecker)

I had over a dozen cardinals visiting again, and other birds this time around.  I tossed seed out for them too.  I think they are very appreciative as well.

Friday was a whirlwind of regional competition for our 18 year-old daughter.  Competition went until 12:30pm with awards promptly at 1:30pm.  

We killed some time visiting a local used/new book store.  I found it cute, but overpriced.  I quickly picked a few books of my favorite author (used), and proceeded to the checkout.  There, before me, was my worst nightmare - a lady yapping.  She yapped about books about WWII and would not stop.  Twice she turned around and made comments that she'd be out of my way.  Not so.  I was the only other customer.  Hubby said, "I'm going to go wait in the truck."  I was about to say something rude, when she finally stopped yapping and got out of my way.  Urgh.

We arrived at 12:30pm, only for them to tell us we cannot go in to sit for another half hour.  The program, and the parent letter stated "doors open at 12:30pm.

We sat in those uncomfortable seats until almost 2:10pm, in which the awards started.  Thankfully we drove separately, and they go in alphabetical order.  It only took a few minutes for them to get to "Cosmetology."  She won!!  She placed Bronze.  We high-tailed it out of there, congratulated her and left.

She is going to State competition in a few months.  The school is paying for hotel and busing them.  If she places at State (which is difficult), she move on to National, which is held in another state.  

We didn't get home until almost 4pm, in which I was undressing and ready for PJ's, only to get a text from Daughter that she wanted to go out to eat to celebrate.

Hubby and I groaned, but went out anyway.  We were so tired from sitting around, we just wanted to retire.  We also got cheated out of Valentine's Day.  Not sure why competition was held on Valentine's Day either.

No wood was cut, no car worked on, and I didn't even get chocolate or bottled adult beverage for Valentine's day.  What's up with that??  Not even a card.  Hmpf.  I'm declaring the weekend a "Valentine's Day Weekend."

We have no plan yet for this weekend, which scares me.  We need plans when it comes to wood cut, and weather so cold it makes transformers blow (which happened last night, but thankfully didn't affect us). I'm going to go down more coffee and see if we can come up with a plan.

Snow and Cold ~ Proud Parents @ Feb 2020 by Kristina at https://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weekend brought a lot of work.  Hubby worked on the car repair  (cost of parts were around $200.00), while I did the much needed grocery shopping, and bedroom closet cleaning. 

The car is still being worked on, but will have to stay at the garage (extended family) until this coming weekend.

I'm glad I dove into the closet.  I now have all the yarn organized and stored in plastic totes.  I am told to never say I need to buy yarn (bwahahaha!).  Oh, but I am not done in the closet yet.  I found more UFO's, and a lot of other lost things.  I'll be in there finishing it up this week, but Hubby (still) needs to purge his clothing.  It's a good think I haven't moved the totes upstairs just yet.  I keep finding more yarn to put in the totes, ha ha!

I made a magnetic mini clip board to attach to the metal shelving in my closet.  I am writing down all UFO's I find to keep better track of what needs finished.

My second oldest child turned 26 over the weekend.  Sigh....hard to believe.  My oldest turns 28 in a few months.  Double sigh....

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather outside . . .

Rain, 32°F, foggy.

How I am feeling this morning . . .
I feel like I'm getting a head cold.  The weather here is bouncing up and down and so hard to deal with.  It will get very cold again this coming weekend.

On my mind . . .
The car, our youngest daughter's regionals (contest, first step to getting her cosmetology license) coming up (if she passes, she gets to go to state next), and the wood supply.  We are going to need more for the weekend.  This weather is like a thunder-snow-nado type week.  

On the breakfast plate . . .

Broccoli, cheese and egg bake, organic black coffee.  The recipe is online and is so good!  So simple too.  


On the reading pile . . .

On the TV . . .
What If, Netflix

On the to-do list . . .
-laundry
-dishes
-put dinner in the crock pot


On the menu . . .
-Turkey/zucchini meatballs, marinara sauce, peas
-Crock pot Chicken Cacciatore, Brussel Sprouts or roasted veggies
-Cauliflower stuffed peppers
-Chicken sausage sheet pan dinner
-Broccoli/egg breakfast casserole
-Sweet potato/black bean frittata


What I am creating . . .

A set of sunflower cup coasters, and trying to catch up on UFO's (a scrap lapghan), and some cross bookmarks.  I'm also putting together a memory book for a Valentine's gift to my husband.  The mini-photo album was only $1.12, and Im using scrap booking supplies to create it.  I'm also about to start a new baby blanket for a friend of the family.  I just need to check what colors I have before I haul the yarn upstairs.


From the camera . . .

Snow moon.  While I was taking pictures of it, I distinctly heard a coyote out back.


Looking around the house . . .
I need to move totes of yarn from the living room to the upstairs spare bedroom.


Chore I am not looking forward to today . . .
Moving the totes


To relax this week I will . . .
Crochet and maybe read.

Prayers . . .
An extended family member named Brandon (husband's side of the family), Mom (she has her first visit at Cleveland Clinic today)

Bills ~ Books ~ Cleaning and Organizing Continues

The first item on the to-do list Friday was paying bills.  Not the chore I enjoy, but done.

A few years ago, one of my cousins gifted me this book.  I have several regarding essential oils, but totally forgot about using oregano oil for fighting off a sinus issue.  I am hoping it works.

I'm reading this book now.  I am so happy to be back to reading a real book again.  I have already read her first book in this series, so this is the 2nd one.

I have several (like about 30) books from the library, and more to pick up.  I am (gulp) looking for new items to add to my "stock" for craft shows, reading up on writing skills and more gift ideas.

Extreme Clean Progress:
Worked an hour in the bedroom.  I had a lot of yarn and crafting supplies to put away.  I'm still avoiding the closet, but I will get it done.

This and That ~ First Day of School

We enjoyed the weekend weather.  Gosh it was so nice out.  Sweatpants and sweatshirt weather.  Oh my.

The sunrise Monday morning had so much color to it.  Just beautiful!

We got more checked off the to-do list - installed another dead blot and two more new door knobs, replaced all the broken drawer brackets, cleaned up two kitchen drawers and reorganized, cleaned one upper cabinet and reorganized, cleaned up a ton of recycling in the garage and delivered it to recycling, got laundry done a day early since rain is due, Hubby fixed our car, installed a new window switch in one daughter's car, got one hour of mowing done and cleaned down all the cobwebs in the chicken coop.

Here is my new thermometer I was telling you about.  It's made by Thermoworks, and is called the ThermoPop.  It can check temps up to 572°F (not that I need that), but this will make grilling steaks so much easier than my non-instant read thermometer.  The ThermoPop was highly recommended by America's Test Kitchen, and it's not too pricey either.  I'm not an affiliate for this, just sharing in case you are needing one.

Speaking of cooking, here's some of this weeks menu:
-grilled fajitas

-crock pot sweet potato chili and possibly cornbread
-chicken/rice/broccoli casserole, beets
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

-Breakfast, blueberry whole wheat pancakes


Question:  For those who buy Gotu Kola from MRH, where do you buy it when they are out of stock?  I found some at Starwest Botonicals.  Any suggestions?

Also Arnica is sold out at MRH and Starwest Botonicals.  I would love to find some ASAP for making a tea to apply topically to my swelled up ankle (more on that later maybe).  Right now I have to use Epson salts and it's not working all that great.  I have tried to grow it here two years in a row, and both times it didn't like our weather.  If you now of a resource for Arnica I'd love to hear about it.

Finished two bracelets.  No picture.  They went into a shipping box immediately after finishing them.

Daughter picked up my books that were in at the library.  Not sure if it'll be cheaper to build our own bat house or just buy the kit.  I guess Hubby will determine that.

Debby Flowers, I was flipping through my Rosemary Gladstar books and there are tea recipes in them that contain rose hips.  One is the beginner's guide book and the other is the Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health.  Maybe your library has them?

Our 17 year-old starts back to school today.  I'll lose my helper, but Romeo is starting to get into a routine now. I'm definitely getting him a playmate soon. 

We got some rain yesterday and will get more today.  I sure hope the jalapenos are all ripe at once.  I am down to the very last jar of cowboy candy, and jalapenos are anti-inflammatory and aid healthy blood flow.  We love this stuff too.

Sorry for the long ramblings.  I've been away from my blog for a few days.