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!

Checking In ~ What's your Update?

What are some things you find yourselves doing more now that you were not before this self quarantine?  

I for one, miss the library.  I had to put in an order with Thrift books to calm myself down.  I'll spray the packages when they arrive.  It'll be the last until this is over, as I have a few other books to read too. 

To be honest, I'm doing more cleaning right now, but it's tapering off.  I haven't increased my crochet time, but that will happen soon.

I have been putting more food in the freezer from the last grocery run - blanching and freezing greens, freezing bell peppers, dehydrating mushrooms and onions, freezing more broccoli and cauliflower etc.  I could not find organic zucchini anywhere.  Hopefully, next trip I can find some.  Most people are not buying fresh fruit and veggies so I try and pick some up when we need any essential (pick up service now since delivery is not possible and we don't want to go in stores right now).

I also started a plantain tincture as preventative measures.

Hubby wanted to help a local restaurant and go get take out.  I said, "you know, I'd rather cook considering what's going on in the world and germs can attach to those take out containers and you don't know who the cooks have been around."  He quickly agreed.

Steamed broccoli, quinoa topped with homemade meatballs (with oats), and a sauce that used some of my home canned grape jelly.  

Updates:  Senior centers and adult day cares are closing.  I heard 60 days of no interest on student loans (thankful for that, as we are still paying on one daughter's stint to Kent State, and will never do that again since she's changed her career choice more than twice now).

Anyway, other than the governor stressing the importance of social distancing and staying home and not going to the store for anything but essentials (food, animal food, toiletries etc.).

As of yesterday our state has had 3 deaths from the virus.  It seems we huddle around to watch the TV everyday for updates, but the all seem pretty much the same.  "we don't know" etc etc.  

Our 18 year-old is going bonkers.  She has homework, but wants to take the dog to the park for a walk.  All parks are now closed.  I told her to make the best of our isolated (thankful for that) 6 acres.  I'll keep her busy with maybe some cooking lessons of some sort.  

A friend has challenged me with a small crochet project.  If it works out, I'll post an update.  

Weekend Updates ~ Freezer Pie Crust Crumbles Tip ~ probably my boring-est post yet

Friday we woke up to the chilling 40's again, and rain.  Yes that is a morning moon photo.  Weeding was ruled out upon onset of the day.  That's okay, I had floors to sweep and mop, vacuum etc.  Bills to pay, one errand to run, and so on.

I managed to snatch up a small amount of organic yellow squash.  It's now in the freezer.

My 19 year old daughter called.  She needed to vent.  She's now the manager of a video store, and often has employee issues.  I just put my phone on speaker and let her talk.  It was nice to hear from her.

Late evening our oldest daughter called.  Had a flat and could not get her tire off.  Hubby gave her advice, as it was too late to drive all the way there, and we were no help Saturday morning, other than giving her a ride.

Saturday it heated up to the mid 80's.  Muggy and more rain. Air conditioners off, air conditioners on... conversations started early out on the porch, and the garlic bed was discussed.  Rain is the issue.  I brewed the 3rd pot of coffee and still didn't have a plan for the day.  Couldn't muck the coop, hand laundry out, till, weed, etc.

Hubby had to work, so it was one daughter and I.  Started out the day cooking some whiskey-apple bacon to make breakfast sandwiches with. Cleaning resumed as the rain came down (again).  Knitting resumed.

I got a few knitted dishcloths done (photos to share later).  The weather has just been crazy, but typical for our October - hot, cold, rain, cold, rain, hot, fog...frustrating to say the least.

The strange fall-spring like weather helped me cross off one more thing off my "to-do" list - restock the freezer pie crust crumbles.  My tip?  

I slice the butter and put it in the freezer.  Then I put it in my food processor with a bit of the flour and pulse until it's in small bits.  Then I use my hand blender (aka butter cutter) to blend it into the flour/salt/shortening mix.  I use King Flour's recipe (found online) using all organic ingredients.

Sunday we woke up to a drizzle, fog, and a somewhat chilly morning (60's).  Hubby got called to work first thing.  We had plans for a motorcycle ride, but we are staying home.  I think.

I now have a second spider in my flower bed.  Despite rain, both are still there.  Hubby better get to work at moving them.

I also went to porch this morning, and sat down to enjoy my bacon/egg and cheese sandwich.  Just as I sat down, I noticed a frog sitting on the porch bench in front of me, staring at me.  Gently, I got him back in the garden.  Maybe he'll/she'll eat the spiders.