Ten Minutes of Torture ~ School Closed ~ Playing Hookie

I am feeling better somewhat, so I walked 10 minutes on the treadmill.  This was torture, considering I coughed a few times (I was told you should not exercise with a cough).  I took it easy, but those ten minutes felt like 2 hours.  I have not walked, nor exercised for several weeks now.  I think I heard bones creaking - ha ha ha!

School is closed today.  It works out for us, although we have some errands to run, before Hubby and I run away for the weekend.  Yep!  We are on the road, so say a prayer.

First we need to go visit an insurance office.  Our current insurance company first quoted us $4,600/year for insurance (with the two sold and a new one to replace), then she called back with $3,600.00.  

We didn't like this woman, as she avoided our questions, and didn't answer us on others.  My son was the driver in an accident over 3 years ago, and we asked about her reviewing our coverage, and possibly going down.

So....hubby got on the phone and got more quotes for car insurance.  This time we were told, that accidents go off after 3 years, however, hubby had a speeding ticket a year ago (tsk, tsk, tsk).  Anyway, she's quoting us a much lower rate - $2,400/year.  The other place told us that it is 4 years (she "thinks" that accidents are removed). 

Hence, the trip to town, on icy roads to get the better insurance today.   Say a prayer for our safety today and this weekend.

Farm updates:  We are low on wood and hay (very low).  We are searching for hay, which is the worst of our problems. 




A year of quotes:
"It's time to start living the life we've imagined."
   ~ Henry James

Pampering Myself ~ More Snow

Hubby had to work late, so I decided to do foot soaks and pedicures with the girls.  Well, some of them.  With 5 kiddos still in the house, I plan to do more self-pampering for stress reducing reasons.

I failed to get housework finished, but did get the bedding on the clothesline yesterday.  I'm not stressing over it, but will write down what I do get done vs. a "to-do" list.  Then tackle what I haven't completed.

Also, with the older two (19, and almost 21) not being employed yet, I have a list of chores for them too - chicken coop cleaning, taking donations to the thrift store, taking recycling to the recycling center, taking returns to the library, picking up jugs of water, and a few other jobs.  

The snow is still falling, and is making laundry day havoc.  

 
We had some strong winds prior to this snow arriving, and have tree branches to pick up now.

As you can see the days have been cloudy, and the sunrises have been hidden most mornings.

Hubby and I started discussing our spring plan for ordering more layers and meat chickens, however, I lost my copy of Backwood's Home Magazine (detailing the types to buy for meat).  I hope to find it this week.

Yesterday I baked banana muffins that were absolutely wonderful.  I've been baking banana bread for a long time, but never got the rave reviews I got over this recipe:  Banana Muffins II

I still have one rotten banana to deal with, and may make our zucchini-banana brownies.  

 





A year of quotes:
"There is nothing we cannot live down, rise above, and overcome."
   ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Cold and Cozy ~ Vehicle Repairs/Sales

Last night I attempted to get my jammies on early (very early at 5pm), and read my new Folk magazine.  A dear friend gifted me a subscription, and I have never read this magazine before.

However, last night, we had a lot of traffic in and out.  Thus, my jammies never went on early, and I didn't get to enjoy this magazine with a cup of tea.

This morning, it's a different story.  I plan to read with peace and quiet, as all the kids are in school/college, but one.  It's freezing here, and snow on the ground from yesterday, so it's a perfect day to "cozy" up and read.

With so many leftovers, I won't need to make dinner tonight either.  Yay!  I do need to use up 4 more bananas.

Yesterday I baked a blueberry/banana muffin recipe to use up both, then baked a batch of homemade granola, and then started a crock pot of beef stew.  I tossed in frozen Kohlrabi I had in the freezer from last summer's garden too.

We sold both the van and the car yesterday.  There's good and bad news.  We discovered the intake was cracked on the van (could have been done by the last guy we hired to install the last parts), and it would cost about $289.00 to replace.  Then we discovered a strut broken on my son's old car.  If driven this way, could cause the driver to have a bad accident.  We informed the buyers, they offered much lower prices, we sold them as is, as they offered to do the repairs.   However, overall, I am glad we discovered it prior to selling.  We are honest folks, and want to keep it that way.

   


A Year of Quotes:

"What's important is that one strives to achieve a goal."
    ~ Ronald Reagan

Homestead Tidbits

It looks like I will need to do some baking with some ripe bananas, as the kids are not eating them up lately.  We are all still battling the "crud" and wish it to be gone today.

We have some work to get done, and have taken inventory on the new goat stalls.  We've got some plans with the goats too.  

Blondie remains to be cantankerous.  She loves her grass and will do anything to get at it.  Including breaking her wire fencing.  We have some plans to work on that too.  We may be in a bit of a situation with her too.  I'll have more on that as we contact the vet.

Knitted Dishcloths

I have had more requests for this pattern, so I am re-posting the link on my blog.

Homemade Biscuits

I had a request for the link to my homemade biscuits:  Click "Here" to get the recipe.

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

. . . finished a few more knitted dishcloths for the store.

 . . . cut up three t-shirts to get a head start on yet another project.

 . . . working on my "getaway" scrapbook regarding hubby and I.  I am continue to add new photos, stories, captions, and memorabilia to it.  It contains our happiest memories of getaways together, taking the stress out of our daily lives, and making time for each other.  The term "island time" came from our most recent island retreat, where it means there are "no rules" for anything. No pressures, no demands, no schedules, and no worries.  Simply live and enjoy, and don't worry over anything.

. . . finished two more pot holder sets for sale.

I started to weave a few bookmarks, using up some thread that I bought at a thrift store (and Scrap store) years ago.  I posted this project on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot. There are advantages to being sick - finished up old projects and starting new ones, without feeling guilty.