Sweet Cherry Jam ~ Breakfast Hash with Eggs ~ Ramblings

I got a small batch of sweet cherry jam (reduced sugar) done.  I most likely won't make any more considering I had to buy the cherries.  Our cherry tree died for some reason, and I didn't have the time to plant one this spring.  Hopefully next year.

I'm obsessed with these dip bowls by Pioneer Woman.  Love them for cracking eggs before adding them to a recipe.

Breakfast - sweet potato hash (with an extra reg. potato because that is what I had), with eggs on top.  I added jalapeno for a kick and it was so good.

It's been confirmed that we had a Derecho.  The area of Amish country around Berlin, OH had so much damage from the storms that they called a Level 3 and no one was allowed on the roads, to allow for cleaning up the debris.  Hotels, and motels closed, businesses closed due to the damage and power outages.

I went out to the tomatoes, and I literally almost lost my boots in one patch, and could not get into the other at all.  It was under water.  I will go out early this morning, and see if I can get into at least one and tie up plants.  Not sure it will happen.

 

Not the best photo, but dinner was chicken/apple/cranberry/pecan/blue cheese.  Very good on a hot day.

I like to keep bottles of ice water on hand for our mower guy and our hired help for other work around here, and it was already up in price to $5.29 a pack.  Horrible!

Today's heat will be worse than yesterday.  I will be outside soon to trim rose bushes, but will be back inside if the tomatoes are too wet.

Thunderstorms, Wind up to 75mph, Hail.....

 Although I pushed all of our front porch furniture up to the house, I found it all in a pile this morning.  Thankfully, it  is all there and in good shape, but wet.

We lost power, but woke up to power thankfully.  Many are still without power.

We lost a few trees, and I will be checking the barns later after the rain quits (yes, more rain this morning after a night of storms).

I slept thru my husband's alarms on his phone, and with the power out, I'm not sure he got his coffee this morning.  I see he also left his wallet behind.  I am praying he has enough gas to get home, or someone will let him borrow cash to fill up to get home.  

Our backyard is full of branches and tree limbs, and tomato stakes are still standing, but will have to be re-pounded.  

I will need to re-set the clocks on everything that lost power, especially the coffee pot.  My husband lives on that pre-set timer at 4:30am.

Yesterday I could not find pickling lime anywhere in the local stores (in one direction anyway).  I ended up ordering it online.  The way things are going, I am going to try and can extra for the kids.  I have a feeling things are going to get worse.

Working Solo

I've been busy weeding the tomatoes.  All 112 of them.  I am using a hand hoe until my smaller tiller arrives.  I have to stay on top of it.  Yes, the flower beds and herb garden are still waiting on me.  I am working solo.  My husband had to work Sunday and today.  No outdoor get together for us this year.  No grilling, no anything but garden work.

However, the heat sent me inside.  I finally finished this order for a shop.  I had all but one already made, so that was nice.  I do need more buttons for making more though.  A trip to the craft store is on the agenda, but not soon.

The heat will be worse today.  I'll be out there early to beat the heat and keeping an eye on things.  Yesterday I found that something dug up my cherry tomato plant, but left it.  It's been replanted and watered.  Praying it comes back to life, as I do not want to spend more money on a new plant.  It already had cherry tomatoes on the plant as well.

My wheelbarrow has a flat tire.  Hubby promised to replace it, but he's not had time for that.  It may be on my to-do list this week.

I feel like I am juggling all things that need done really.  Painting continues, but limited to space (painting floor trim on saw horses).  I finally cleaned out the leather trunk that was on our first motorcycle, and it's up for sale.  Today, I really need to remember to check on laundry.  The garden work makes me forget the regular chores around here.

My trips to the grocery have been very few lately.  My last trip was to get some quinoa chips for queso to go with tacos.  I was in complete shock to see the price almost $6.00!!!  I am so glad we planted what we did, after sticker shock at the store.  I'm am, however, keeping an eye on staying stocked up.  

Crazy Busy!

 

Update on my desk area in the kitchen.  I absolutely love it!  I painted the inside of the kitchen front door the same color as well.

I have to paint above the window, and the computer can be finally moved back where it was.  I put peel and stick barnwood on the computer keyboard tray as well.

On top of the kitchen painting, I have the gardens to work in.  I still need to get the peppers in, have to weed and plant in the herb garden and flower beds.

I spent the day painting, putting laundry out, and cleaning more upstairs.  I took 3 garbage bags down, plus brought 3 large boxes down to use in the garden under the grow bags.  I took a small shelf unit downstairs to the roadside and hope someone will take it.

We are not liking these long work hours my husband has.  His to-do list is growing, so I am googling on the "how to" and doing some things myself.

Once I'm done in the kitchen we start on gutting the rest of the smaller bathroom.  We are both worried we will have to do work on the sub floor in there, but once it's done we will have peace of mind.

I sent an SOS to the girls, to come help clean the upstairs.  They both work long hours and one has a 1 hour drive.  Gas is not cheap, so that's an issue for the both of them on their pay scale.

Ground beef was at a limit the other day at the closest grocery store.  I had to pay a whopping $18 for a motion sensor light for the garden, and we need one more.  I have not turned on the AC yet, but it will be up in the 90's today.  I will be cleaning one AC today, but hoping I don't have to turn it on, on account of the cost of our electricity.

Meanwhile, my house is a complete maze to walk thru.  I try and put things back where they belong daily, but duty calls almost every day.  It's been super crazy busy.  I do not like doing the garden all by myself this year at all.  I'm told that these work hours may last until September now.  It's not what either of us wanted to hear.

Hooky ~ Shortages/Businesses Closed and othe ramblings

 

We've been having beautiful weather lately.  My garden starts are loving it too.  I'm just starting to get worried about getting the tilling and planting done.

I played hooky and went to the "big city" and had lunch with my bestie from high school.  It was nice for a change, because I have been so busy in the kitchen lately.

I'm seeing more businesses closed, and I'm seeing more shortages of different items as well.   I may need to make my own ricotta.  The last few times I needed some, I had a terrible time finding it.  I filled up the truck yesterday - $4.30/gallon.  Toilet paper we typically by on sale for $7.99 was on sale for $13.99.

I tried a new recipe - Lasagna stuffed chicken.

Organic chicken is very expensive as well, but my husband loved it.  Recipe is online with The Stay at Home Chef.