Randomness

These are hard to find this time of year, but I was thankful to get 3 bunches during my last shopping trip.  I blanched and got them in the freezer for the next few weeks.  My stash was very low (dandelion greens).

I made a few "cans" of condensed mushroom soup.  One package of mushrooms goes a long way and they boost your immune system.  I tossed in some fresh thyme for medicinal purposes.

I found out my car was never trailered to our handyman's house, and he has not been working on it.  Double grr.  Guess when this is all over, we will go get it somehow and just work on it ourselves when we can.....not that we can go anywhere right now.

Our state has now closed spas, salon's, barbers, tattoo parlors, and all Jeep and other vehicle manufacturers, but my husband still has to work with 300 plus people.  They are told to get those touch-less temperature reading gadgets and use them constantly.  I am told by Hubby that they do no lack hand sanitizer there though.  First of all, the government should be supplying the thermometers considering they have not shut them down too yet. They should also supply facemasks for large places that are still required to work.

I have not heard back from the two older daughters, but one is a trainer at a gym so I know she lost that job, but they all still are working during this.

Traffic is still pretty good going by our house, but moreso semi-trailer trucks (working their bum off right now).

Also, in our state, you cannot get tested for the virus unless you are hospitalized and have serious symptoms.  I am reading about locals taking their kids to the emergency room with all the symptoms (not being tested), and sent home with medications and told to "ride it out."  We lack testing kits.  A good friend of mine, has a daughter that got sick and was told to leave her work and not return until she had a negative test.  You can't get the test, unless you doctor orders it or you are hospitalized.  It's madness I tell you.

We are huddling around to watch the news more often.  They continue to require more shut downs, and I heard that liquor stores may be shut down next.  I guess we'll see.

I wish I taught my Mom how to skype.  I can call her, but can't see her.  I have no idea how my Dad is right now.  He does not use his computer for email, and doesn't answer his phone.  They only check in's I have done are in person, and I can't do those either. My younger brother checks in on him, so I can get updates that way.

I hope you are all safe, and I am continuing to pray for this country.

Reflecting and a plead to help my Mom

Our younger daughter is in crisis mode.  She won't be going to state competition, as it's canceled.  She may not have prom, or even graduation.  I may have to cancel her graduation party if this stuff doesn't clear up.   Seniors graduating this year are very torn right now.

She does have homework, and the school provided computers as well.  I can only pray that her life events she was looking forward to, will just be delayed.  I guess she can still practice hair-do's on me.  

Her job interview has been delayed, as that salon has now closed.  

Colleges are canceling commencements and sending students home (all told to leave campus).

I've sent text messages trying to get in touch with my older 3 kids, but two haven't answered.

They have not enforced a lockdown, but keep talking about it.  Why not just do it now and prevent more spread?  

Although I've debated to "close" my farm store, I will be restocking.  I can't take an order, not knowing if my nearest post office will close (they are already down to 2 hours a weekday).  To be honest, we are doing self quarantine.

I hope you are all okay through all of this right now.  I am sure with all of our self-sufficiency skills we are well educated on surviving through it all.  I bet people who made fun of me and my weeds and such, are not laughing now.  

By the way, my Mom is trying to order elderberry syrup online and can't find it.  Even MRH is sold out.  If you know of a resource, please comment, so I can order it and have it sent to her home direct.  I can't even find dried elderberries for her that are not price hiked right now.  Please and thank you!

Spring? Tree Down and other Updates

Signs of spring?  Daffodils coming up.

Came home from our trip to Columbus (for our daughter's cosmetology exam) to find the county cut down our front largest tree.  It was hollow in some branches, but now we have more wood.

Our younger daughter was home the (we must have been out shopping), when the men showed back up to cut another tree down.  They knocked on the door and asked her if we wanted to wood.  She replied, "yes, just put it by the barn."  We both got a chuckle that she thought they'd move it, but they did! 

Guess what is growing, and not in a garden pot?  I am tickled pink and will let it grow there.  It's on the side of my house where a few roses had been planted but died.  I may make it my "weed" patch.


Updates:

My younger brother put Mom in quarantine.  She is 82.  He said (he works in the police force) there are not enough ventilators and those 80 or over will be left to die if they get the virus.  This means she cannot babysit her grand kids, we cannot visit her, and she cannot go out of her home to prevent contracting the virus.  She is very upset, but I'm glad my younger brother did this.  She cannot risk her life.

My 20 year old called us in panic that she "feels" that stores will be forced to close next and to get to her store and get what else we need.  She is stocked up just in case, but wanted to make sure we were well supplied.

I have no status update yet on my car.  That saga continues.

We just canceled our trip to Amish country (next month) with our younger daughter.  Due to the ban on gatherings of more than 100 (which went from 100 to 50 and now to 10), and now restaurants closed, it would be a fail trip other than taking a chance the health store there was still open. 

If they enforce a 14 day quarantine we won't be bored.  We have no houses near us.  I could still take the dog out and walk around the property, cut wood, clean house, heck I can clean the garage now that the weather is a bit better.

State of Chaos!

I'm still here.  I'll be back in a few days to up date you all.  This corona virus crap going on is making people go mad!

Our state closed all schools for 3 weeks, so our daughter isn't back in school until April 14th (if then).  All venues canceled, no groups are allowed over 100 people etc.

As of today they are closing restaurants and bars at 9pm.  Stores are selling out of everything, and people are just going nuts and it's mad crazy.

I hope your state is doing much better.  I'll try to be back as soon as I can to update.  Just lots going on right now, and I need to make sure I'm stocked up on chicken feed and other essentials like that.

Thank god we stocked up on ammo, because if they start shutting down stores it's going to get real bad.

Busy Bee but all Good!

We've been busy.  First, Daughter took her exam for state board for cosmetology.  This required travel, and a whole lot of waiting.  School paid for the exam, but not lodging nor the license (that was another $45.00).  I read my book, and crocheted cross bookmarks, and we did a little bit of sight seeing window shopping as well.

Our hotel was the most fanciest hotel we've had.  There was a doorbell (I'm told it's for hearing impaired), curtains that operated by a button to pull them up or put them down, and the largest TV I have ever watched TV on.  

Oh, she passed her exam.  Woohoo!  She has her license now.

Second, another daughter got me out of the house to take care of some errands.  Thankful for that.

Third, the car parts arrived, so that's been going on too.

Fourth, the baby blanket and booties were delivered.  It was a bit of a haul, but done.

We have had some foggy and beautiful mornings.  I hope this is a sign we'll all have a bountiful year.  Today we are told we'll get snow showers.

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.

Happy Homemaker Monday

(boxed and ready to deliver)

I got a lot of crocheting over the weekend, and finished the baby blanket.  I delivered a few more crocheted orders, made a trip to the "Big City" when I could.  Hubby worked on the car, and no it's not fixed.  New parts were faulty, and returned.  New parts ordered online (auto stores did not have the one we needed with aluminum parts vs. plastic).

My planner is being used a lot lately.  Dates are filling up fast.  Got our daughter's rental hall booked for her grad party, and now working on a DJ for it.  I also booked an appt. with our daughter at her school for a hair cut.   I wanted to get in there before prices go up after she graduates.  April, May and June are getting booked up with plans as well.

Speaking of our daughter, she has already gotten a salon in line for a job.  Once she takes her state board exam she can start working, and they are excited to have her join.  She's young and can do up-do's, colors etc. and that's exactly what they were looking for.  The strange part, is we found out a friend of the family works there.  Who knew?  It's a nice salon too.  So happy for her and her hard work.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom


The weather outside . . .

On my mind . . .  
A lot.  We have a lot going on in March, including daughter's musical performance.  I won't be able to take any crochet/knit orders until late March either.  I think March is going to go too fast this year, but looking forward to some events.  Again, don't be alarmed if you don't see daily posts.  It's gonna be busy this month for sure.


On the breakfast plate . . .

A veggie loaded frittata with dash of Fire Powder for a metabolism boost.  Topped with garden swiss chard.


On my reading pile . . .

Still reading this, but had to write down the page, and return it to the library.

On my TV . . .
Hubby put on "By the Sea" until we realized it was an Ernest Hemingway movie (long and boring).

On the menu this week . . .
I have no idea.  We didn't make some from last week so...
-sweet potato and black bean enchiladas
-white chicken chili
-medicinal basil pesto pasta, beets (chickpea pasta, 23% less carbs)

-Snacking, home grown popcorn (holding onto one last jar), organic quinoa/chia tortilla chips and home canned salsa, fruit/nut/seed bars with organic coconut.


From the camera . . .
I haven't had my camera out lately.  Just my phone.  Odd, but true.


Looking around the house . . .
Not much to clean today thankfully.  I do need to tidy it up, do some laundry etc.

Chore I am not looking foward to . . .
I really can't pick one today.  It's simply routine, so I guess I'm just used to it all.

To relax this week I will . . .
Read if my book arrives.  I literally just ordered a copy from Thrift Books.  Considering I'm without a vehicle, my library orders are down to zero right now.


On my prayer list . . .
A friend of the family's mother, Mom, a continued grieving friend who lost her mother, our SIL who is has been moved to a different hospital.