Ramblings ~ New Recipe Tried

Although we have been told that the latest spike of covid is an actual common cold, we are watching our health right now, as a family member was tested positive.  My best friend also told me her friend tested positive last Sunday.

Afternoons are the hardest lately, if I chose to quit working early.  I miss my afternoon calls to Mom horribly.  I just want to pick up my phone and call her most days.

Not one of my serrano pepper plants sprouted, and I finally (after a long search) found one.

I've been very busy every day, so I surprised my husband with a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.  I also tried a new recipe - peanut butter pie.  I wanted to try this for family gatherings.  It was delicious!  The peanut butter pie we ate in Amish country was terrible.  As well as the one in town at a local business.  Both of them tasted like it was all marshmallow.  The new recipe is a keeper.  It is not overly sweet and filling like a cheesecake either.  I used all organic ingredients, including the cookie crust.  Recipe is from Pioneer Woman and can be found online.

Speaking of meals, I am working on the freezer, using up anything we stocked up on, to re-fill.  Not sure what tonight will be, but it may be fish or meatballs.

I ordered my organic music garlic from an Etsy dealer, and it has not shipped yet.  I have never had an issue with an Etsy dealer, but they have not emailed me back yet.  I'll update on that later. I really need to get it planted.

It's back to painting more in the kitchen today.  It rained the entire day yesterday.  My garden loved it I am sure.  It will be to wet to plant the remainder.

I've been so busy, I've been terrible at checking my email that is hooked up to my blog, terrible at commenting on blogs and even reading them.  I will try and do better at that as I get the garden and flower beds done.

Let the planting begin!

Sharing some early blooms.  Don't mind the weeds, I haven't had time to get to that yet.

Planting the vegetable garden has begun.  All by my little ol' self, and I was not looking forward to doing it alone this year.

Spent the entire (well most of it) out there, and I'm not done.  I still have to plant the bell peppers and all of the hot peppers yet. There is a lot we are not able to plan due to my husband's miserable long hours.

He hired someone to till for us, and even tried to hire me help with the "take back the kitchen" painting project, and attempted to hire me help with the garden.  The truth is, is that everyone we know works, works and has a garden, has a garden, or is busy with other such stuff.

I'm more than exhausted and welcome today's rain. It better rain anyway.

We have had some beautiful 70's weather lately, and I'm thrilled we haven't had a reason to turn the AC on yet.  I got the vents cleaned, but not the filters and as I look inside it is dirty.  I will attempt to find a gadget to get that cleaned, but not sure it will work.  Anyway, the rain is to arrive today, and like I said, I much welcome it with all the planting I did yesterday. 

I updated my garden journal, because last year I was terrible at that.  There was so much going on in the fall that I just plum forgot.  My husband's sister passed away, then Mom's health declined.  It was just a roller coaster season for sure.

 

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ A Day Late

I'm so not used to this new work schedule for my husband.  It's crazy on Sunday's.  We had plans to take a motorcycle ride to de-stress, and due to morning must-do's, we never got one in.

The garden however, is tilled.  Not but us.  We literally had to hire someone, and it was done in about a half hour. 

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

The weather . . . 

Rain, 75°/52°, looks like we'll linger around the upper 70's all week, but will have to dodge the rain to plant.

As I look outside the window . . . 

see above, rain...

Right now I am . . .

Posting this.

Thinking and pondering . . . 

...which part of the kitchen to start with this morning.

How I am feeling . . . 

Exhausted.  I asked Daughter E if she would help  me plant my tomatoes.  She has to work.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover Southern Sausage Enchiladas with homemade sausage gravy.  Coffee.

On my reading pile . . .

Trick or Treat Murder, Leslie Meier

On my TV this week . . .

1883

On the menu . . .

Have no idea, will work on this today.

Yesterday was super busy.

Looking around the house . . .

We continue to have no order due to the kitchen project.  Soon....soon, I keep telling myself.

To-do list . . .

-paint kitchen

-laundry (using drying racks)

-dishes

-pay bills

-write out menu

-check asparagus and rhubarb

-clean air conditioner vents/filters

-either bake a peanut butter pie or rhubarb dessert

From the camera . . .

We inherited a huge amount of assorted nails, screws, nuts and bolts from my Dad.  I was super excited to open a bag of screws, thinking they were just what I needed, only to find out they were too thin in diameter.  My husband could not believe, in all that stash, there was not one of the size I needed.  The screws that came with the drawer knobs are too short for my desk drawers.  Yes folks, this is what is on my camera.

Prayers . . .

Our biker friend who had surgery is out of the hospital, but still needs prayers for continued healing.

Egg Shells in the Garden

 

All those egg shells from the breakfast I made, plus more, made their way to the garden area where the tomatoes will be planted.  I don't even crush them up, because the tiller does that job.

We have not turned on the AC, although it's been hot and humid.  Mainly because I have not had time to clean the vents and filters yet. 

Heat and Eat Breakfast ~ Painting Progress ~ Asparagus

My husband and his crew are getting taco breakfast burritos.  I had to cheat and use tater tots vs. real potatoes, but it's their heat and eat meal this morning.

I spent the entire day painting.  I have officially used almost an entire roll of frog tape.  The trim on the ceiling takes the most work.  I have a second coat to do on one window and start on the very last window.

Window blinds arrived, but I'm only ready to install one for the moment.  I am still doing painting on the wood above the window and sink area.

My new drawer knobs arrived.  I have to buy longer screws for the desk drawers, but what an amazing new look with just paint and knobs.

Before

After, but still in progress

I'm still painting floor trim and corner trims, so those in the back ground are the darker wood I am painting white.

Our asparagus is still coming in.  So thankful for that.

 

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.

Nice weather ~ Painting and purging continues

 

It has been nice weather to get the laundry and bedding out on the line.  I had it out early and painted for 3 hours.  Painting trim is a pain, but I am getting more done if I stay home ha ha!  I'm almost done with the upper cabinets.  I have about 3 to go, and paint the doors as well.  Four doors went back up last night. Progress is being made.

I know we are ripping out the carpet, but I wanted to spot clean in case we sell the other 2 pieces of furniture.  Put the plants out to harden, and totally forgot to put my mail in the mailbox.  Oops.

I got to enjoy a few minutes of porch time and could smell my lilacs all the way out there.  I went and cut some before they were gone for the season. 

I picked a bit more asparagus.  Hopefully it will be a side dish in a few days if I get enough.

I worked in the master bath, purging another cabinet.  I think I have a few drawers to go, but more progress there as well.