Well, that changes things....

As much as I'd like to keep the pandemic issues off my blog and keep them upbeat homesteading posts, yesterday's briefing was a debbie downer.

We remain under shut-in order, and no groups of 10 or more until June 1st.  They did no lift the shut in order. Daughter's grad party was for late June.  Now I have to wait and see what he says June 1st.  Those who liked him in the beginning do not like him now.

There has been no talk at all about campgrounds opening and a lot more. Camping is social distancing.  The list of what remains closed is very long.

I feel like we are the prisoners and at war with the government.

Meanwhile GA opened hair salons, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors and more.  Too early for them?  I guess we'll all find out.

Our 18 year old had to apply for pandemic relief pay of some kind - for unemployed that cannot work due to the orders set.  She applied for another assistance as well.  I think my husband and other daughter should be paid even more for having to work (essential).

One of my brother's work for the police.   There are now some who will lose their jobs very soon.  The city he works for cannot pay them due to the city not making money - hotels not open, etc.   Even the BMV remains closed.  

By the way, I've spent some time on YouTube.  There are some very interesting (eye-opening) videos with doctors, regarding this entire thing we are going through.  After watching them, I am convinced of my own opinion (which I'll keep to myself on here).  All I can say, is that I am so tired of our rights being taken from us.  Yeah, the virus is deadly to those with high risk, but they have lied to us in more ways than one.

I'm just going to have to keep myself busy in the garden again.  It rained again, so it all depends on how wet it is today.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Yesterday involved 3 of us baking and cooking.  I baked a broccoli and cheese (with cottage cheese) casserole for breakfast, a batch of almond butter cookies (flourless), taught Youngest how to make Hot Cranberry Punch, infused a quart of nettle tea, and made old fashioned Goulash for dinner.  Shoot, now that I think about it, I could have added greens to the breakfast bake.  Oh well.

Dinner was old fashioned goulash with corn we froze last summer.  Instead of adding green pepper, I added finely diced jalapenos I froze from the garden last summer.  It was fantastic.  Although too many carbs, it was a nice change to visit the comfort zone in the way of food.

Youngest's boyfriend was sick with a fever, sore throat and headache for a few days.  I've been in touch with his Mom, and his fever broke yesterday.  

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

I'll link up when she posts.  I need to start laundry before three of us fight over the washing machine.

Update:  Linked up now, and dealing with an outlet behind my washer that isn't working now (double urgh).


The weather. . . 

Foggy.  High of 62° and 10% chance of rain in the evening.


How I'm feeling this morning . . .
The same.  So many circles of confusion on the news, so I'm staying busy in the garden, prepping it for a good tilling all around, doing laundry, dishes and cleaning.

On my mind . . .
The garden and getting it ready, chores that need done on a good weather day like clean the coop (and that job will not be fun), the unknown about daughter's grad party and even her graduation (and prom), hoping my husband doesn't use all good weather days to take motorcycle rides on his 2 weeks off (one guy is already asking him and I need him for the garden work, although I do like to ride, it needs to come first), and wondering what businesses will open May 1st when our shut-in order is lifted.  I can't see how a restaurant can open when the order for no more than 10 in a group order is still set in place here.  Wondering where to buy a gallon of organic olive oil (I got no suggestions so far).  I use it to infuse herbs, make homemade medicinals, and it takes 2 cups to make homemade "neosporin."

Also on my mind?  My crafting sales.  I'm getting zero, and I count on that for extras and retreat vacations (which I'm not sure that's happening any time soon), but I'm sure there will be zero craft shows this year and that saddens me.


On the breakfast plate . . .
The egg/cheese casserole I shared first on this post.  New recipe.


On my reading pile . . .
Nothing.  I haven't had time to read, or I've just not been in the mood to read.


On the TV . . . 
We watched a movie on Amazon Prime called "On the Menu" and loved it.


On the menu this week . . .
In no particular order, here is what I've come up with
-crock pot beef stroganoff
-sheet pan meal with meat and two veggies
-macaroni and cheese, beets
-crock pot chicken and rice with greens


From the camera . . . 

I've been doing a lot of prepping and re-stocking lately.


Looking around the house . . . 
My living room is a mess again.  Our daughter who moved in is re-organizing her room, and what she doesn't want is downstairs.  It's going to the road with a free sign today.  All thrift stores remain closed.


Chore I am not looking forward to doing this week . . .
Cleaning one toilet.


To relax this week I will . . .
I'm considering getting out my tatting, and my flower press today.  If Hubby didn't mow down all my wild violets I will pick and press some today for future crafting.


On my prayer list . . . The same - The President, our Governor, the world, the sick, for this virus to end, for our rights to be restored....for us to have a bountiful garden this year.