Keeping it "Normal" as can be. . .

Monday I literally was so busy in my kitchen I didn't have time to think about the virus shut in situation.  I am thankful for my lifestyle in those terms (self-sufficient as much as I can).  The odd thing is, is that more of us are home bound, and my number of views on my blog have plummeted to an all time low.  I'm still blogging despite.

I decided to change up my breakfast and make a batch of strawberry/blueberry pancakes.

The only downside to this pandemic for us right now, is finding organic flour and Einkorn flour.  I found some online, but at horribly high prices.  I hope they restock by the weekend.

I told Hubby, enjoy your cookies.  You may not get them again, nor homemade pizza crust, and pancakes (rather anything I use it for).  I'm rationing it.  

Day 10 of self quarantine:

Tiger wanted fed at 4:30am.  Anyone else have a cat like that?  Then he curled up with me in bed.

Yesterday.  County workers showed up to mulch the tree stumps.  Essential?  Apparently, they didn't hear about the 6 foot social distance rule.  I guess everyone needs an income right now, but this is not essential work.

I was again so busy in the kitchen, that I actually missed the live press conference our governor does every day at 2pm.  I didn't hear anything new, other than numbers are reducing, but so many are still working too.  However, I just read numbers for Ohio.  Cases increased, and two more deaths.

I was so busy that I only got a 1 mile walk in vs. 2.

Another Amazon order arrived.  Thankfully, wild organic rice arrived.  Once again, I sprayed down the package, emptied it, sprayed again, and discarded the packaging.

We've been jokingly discussing where we'd contain ourselves "if" one would get sick.  We called which room we'd have etc.  Funny, yet not funny.

....from the Gratitude Journal

Today I am thankful for . . .

-eggs from the chickens
-greens to blanch and freeze
-yarn
-having 6 acres and plenty of space to get fresh air
-wood to cut
-Romeo, he's become a wonderful guard dog
-coffee
-books
-the internet
-pen and paper
-music
-my family
-my dehydrator
-my blog friends
-wild, medicinal weeds

Happy Homemaker Monday

I posted earlier this morning, and then realized it was Monday today.  To be honest, with Hubby home off and on, I forget what day it is, and what time it is too often.

As I said earlier today, we have a state order to stay in our homes - non-essential is all closed.  We have 2 cases of the virus in our county now and another in a larger city we shop in off and on.  The 2 in our county are 60 year-old's that recently traveled to Europe, and are self quarantined in their home with no hospitalization.

All day cares that remain open, are ordered to reduce to 6 kids now and must have a "Pandemic Permit."  It puts essential workers in a predicament.

The order was issued to stay at home starting tonight at midnight, but we self quarantined and are on day 8 now, so now another 2 weeks.  It's not new to us, but frustrating that people are not staying home so we can get back to normal.

I need to change my header intro to "surviving today's pandemic" now.

I'm thankful for still being able to locate fresh organic greens.

I've already made a double batch of Rosemary Gladstar's Basil medicinal pesto.  It's in the freezer.  I saved cilantro stems for broth/stock making and they are in the freezer. 

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


The weather . . . 

Foggy and cloudy.  Snow turning to rain, currently 36°F, high of 47° today.  I'm so looking forward to the warmer days now. I will be tackling anything I can outside, but seriously wish my husband wasn't on his 2 weeks on this week.  We could be cutting wood.  I will finally get porch time and clean it up for spring.  I doubt I'll weed any beds, considering I need to keep plants protected for a while before cleaning out dead leaves etc.  Our weather is unpredictable, but it will be tempting a few days this week.



How I am feeling this morning . . . 
Out of shape.  I'm hittin'  the treadmill and weights today for an in-home workout.  Also a bit paranoid.  Keeping doors locked and staying alert during this time.  I had a guy pull in our driveway, roll down his window and honk the horn.  I opened the door a crack and he wanted to know where the "boat cover repair" lady lived.  Seriously?  When we are told to stay home?  Just watch our homes right now people.



On my mind . . .
How long is this lockdown going to last?  That's what's on my mind.  How many businesses will be forced to close their doors?  Will my seed orders still get here?  Will the garden centers still have supplies and will they be open in time to plant?  Will the county I live in waive mortgage/rent?  Will our county give utility credits?  I have kids living in apartments, and can't afford to pay double if they simply "defer" rent.  They need to waive it.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Breakfast burrito with beans, egg, sausage topped with Cowboy Candy.

On my reading pile . . .

On the TV . . .
Lonesome Dove


On the to-do list . . .
exercise
dishes
blanch greens and broccoli
make hummus
refill ice trays
make condensed mushroom soup
dehydrate remaining mushrooms
put flag out
put trash out
dinner prep


On the menu . . .
-cabbage/sausage and potatoes
-soup beans, cornbread
-ham and pea pasta, beets
-snacks - some sort of low sugar cookie
-leftovers


What I am creating . . .

Cross bookmarks, a set of pot holders, and a new bookmark pattern (hoping to start on that today for a friend).



From the camera . .  .

3-17-2020

Chore I am not looking forward to . . . 
Really nothing.  I'm thankful to be busy.


To relax this week I will . . .
Binge watch cooking shows while crocheting/knitting or read a book.  As for fun?  I'll turn up the music and dance in the kitchen with my daughter while we do dishes.


On my prayer list . . .
Our country, Mom and Dad, my kids, a friend's mother who may be going back into a hospital from rehab, Truck drivers (my son is one, a cousin is one, a friend's husband is one), all essential workers, special requests.

Snow!

We have snow again.  It actually started coming down last night.  I didn't want to see that right now.  I'm ready for spring.

If you didn't hear it.  Our state is on "lockdown" but they are just calling it an "order to stay-at-home" until April 6th (at which time I'm sure they'll extend it).  All non-essential businesses are ordered closed by midnight tonight.

Nothing really new to post, but have a full normal day of chores today, so I'm not at all bored.  I'm used to being home anyway, I just wish I could get some porch time is all.

Short post, but I'm trying to keep to my regular routine.  Hopefully, I'll have some handiwork to share soon.

Update:  I just realized it's Monday, so I will post a Happy Homemaker post later too.

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.  

Weather ~ More Cleaning.

Current weather here.

Yesterday, I tackled the clean down of the kitchen.  Today it's my bedroom.  I had loads of laundry, and I'm down to a few drying racks.  I ordered new ones online, and Amazon shipped them yesterday.  I used my anti-ill spray to spray down the box before bringing it inside.

I had a hen die yesterday.  It looks like natural causes.  Sad time for this to happen.

Hubby's work is now two weeks on and two weeks off to keep each other from catching anything or getting sick.  Paid leave too.  Sort of thankful for that, and now I can break out my "Honey to do list" and get stuff done around here too.

Rain and other tidbits

Oddly, it's a picture-less post.  Youngest and I have been cleaning like crazy.  We resume today again.  Just to be sure.

Mom is face-timing with the grand kids and that keeps her smiling.  My one daughter has been making sure she gets what she needs as well.  

Hubby still goes to work.  They were given face masks that look like gas masks, but they are not taking temps.  They can't find the touch-less thermometers, as every business till open is buying them.  His job is "essential" and they have no plans to shut down.

Funny how gas prices drop so low, and we can't go anywhere.

We have a friend that returns from FL this Saturday.  We'll make sure we do not go near anyone she knows.  She needs to lock herself up for 14 days.

Campgrounds and the like are now closed. Prisoners with low risk are to be let out early, and now they talking about possibly closing all daycares (left open for essential workers like nurses and doctors).

You probably saw, there is a travel ban now into the U.S.  I have an old high school friend in Thailand and cannot get to the US now.  His flight was canceled after the travel ban.

Nothing really exciting to share, other than I got my seed orders in.  There was talk they were cutting back on staff and shipping was delayed, so I'm praying my order still goes through.  

I can't work outside, although the temperature will be nice today.  The rain is coming down, and last night predictions of tornadoes.

I was thrilled to bring in 5 eggs yesterday.  They are starting to lay more.  I'm rationing their food, and giving them any scraps I can give them.  

I had to order washing soda on Amazon.  The last time I went to shop, it was sold out.  It has arrived, so that's good.

I've been sending emails to check in on family lately.  My sister in MI said she is good.  The stores they run are still open for business (they sell convenience items).  One cousin and my son drive semi, and those are still going.  I had to message one cousin to check in on her sister who lives in CA.  No words back, and someone said they are in lock down.  

I am crocheting in the evenings, but no more than usual.  I am deep cleaning which takes more time, but I really want to make sure our house remains clean during self quarantine, since Hubby still leaves the house.  It's not really bothering me being home, other than I cannot visit Mom or Dad or my other kids.

The Governor stated there was a death in a town where my one brother works, but they have not yet confirmed if the virus was the reason.

Again, I hope you are all doing okay during this isolation and pandemic.  Praying for us all right now.