This and That

 

I had overly ripe bananas, so banana bread was baked with some mini chocolate chips in it.  Good thing I did too, as Daughter E stopped out and was hungry.

I created a watermelon ornament for a future craft show, and decided to make lemon and orange slices too.  I am also wondering how many to make?

I created this key hair clip per a special request.  She is a real estate agent, and I think it turned out super cute.

We are starting to get very cool nights now.  I'm so far behind in putting the garden to bed for the winter.  I feel like we are being slammed with all sorts of things that need fixed, repaired, lack of supplies in stores, expensive parts.....stress at my husband's work....sigh....

On another note, I am still filling boxes to move the living room items to other rooms.  In the process I am filling boxes for donations as well.

Green Onion/Parsley Pesto ~ Bell Peppers

 

I made 2 batches of green onion pesto, and froze it for winter.  I took advantage of the herb garden before winter weather takes over it.

I also froze, what may be the last, of the bell peppers in the vegetable garden.  I most likely will be pulling those plants soon.

This and That

 I'm still freezing jalapenos.  I got one tray done yesterday, but got very side tracked.  I had our handy man here working on the camper water heater, Daughter K was coming over to pick up some things, and I spent most of the day emptying out our breakfast bar (in the living room). 

I was thankful Daughter K came over with her boyfriend.  They took a few things off my hands that we did not need/use.  

The Florida weather situation, has our weather wacky.  Yesterday we had a sudden rain storm, that came with hail.  Praying for all in Florida right now, as we have family in FL, and in GA.

I think I am the only one I've talked to, that has refrained from turning on the heat.  It's definitely been chilly at night.

I feel like this is the time of year where so much needs to be done, but I think it's because we have to do the repairs as well.  I still have a still of "stock it up" to check off in all the midst of everything else.

In clearing the living room (where everything from the kitchen ended up for that project), I found two boxes that had stuff from my computer area.  Sigh...how in the world did I have that much "stuff" in that area? It's on the to-do list.

I am not sure if I will freeze pie crust crumbles this year.  We don't eat a pie ourselves, and have way less get togethers.  Not sure I will need them.  I may cut the recipe in half and do a portion.  I'm just not sure yet.

New Cookbook and chit chat

 

A new to me (used) cookbook, because I clearly only know how to cook for an army.  Hope it helps teach me to small batch cook.  I am so used to cooking largely, that we get way too many leftovers.

Tomato plants and stakes are all out and stored.  I have more to yank in other areas, but wanted to get some more work done in the living room.

I emptied and moved a bookshelf out of the living room, to another room for now.  That job took some time. 

I had to make a breakfast as well, which ended up being French toast, sausage patties and scrambled eggs.  We should be good for a few days.  I had to pre-set the coffee, and pack my husband's meals and fruit.  He's still getting up very early.

I found out our local school is taking donations for a fundraiser.  I have boxes of stuff that can go (rummage donations), and I have someone coming to pick up 3 serving trays I no longer use.  So happy to get more out, but more furniture needs moved.  

Remember the pickled carrots I grated and pickled?  We added them to tacos last week and they were very good on them.  We also grilled burgers last night and put the carrots on that (husband's idea).

This and That

 It's been a bit rough at our homestead.  My husband has not been sleeping well.  The plant is shut down, and calls keep coming in.  Thank you for all your prayers for these two young men.  If I remember correctly, one brother was 32 and the other 34.  Both had children, both married, and the wife to the younger brother is pregnant and due in May of next year.  Now I am not sleeping well either, as my husband will be working there until retirement.

It's been raining, and more rain, wind and cold weather today.  We joked about me going out to work in the garden, but both retracted quickly when I reminded him of my boots getting stuck in the mud.  Putting the garden to bed has once again been halted.

Not enough jalapenos for cowboy candy and not enough of a mix of the other hot peppers for jelly.  Hm.  I know I will freeze some and some will be included in the menu this week.

Stocking Up and updates

 I got some more dandelion greens blanched and froze for winter.

Blanched and froze more asparagus.

Yesterday was a bit rough all around.  First, there hasn't been a death at the refinery in 100 years until yesterday.  Two, the two men that died were brothers.  Fundraisers are being set up.  I only know that one was young with a wife and new born baby.  Thank you for all of  your prayers.

Prayer request and other ramblings

The refinery my husband works at had an explosion last night and two (last I was updated) were badly burned.  Please send prayers, although I do not have names.

Update:  The two people died from their injuries.

I have been distraught since we heard about this.  My husband has been working a supervisor position with lots of over time lately.  If you haven't watched the movie Deepwater Horizon, you really should.  Then you would understand why I stay busy when he is at work, to keep the worry bugs away.  

Speaking of busy, I had a special request for a hair clip, so I'm working on that between everything else.  

Daughter K showed up late, but showed up.  Her stuff is out of the living room, and she also helped me out by taking a small table. She always has stories to share and gives us the giggles and shares interesting stories.

Her latest one was saving baby birds.  She literally had to hide them at her work place.  I guess some company came and knocked down all the bird nests, baby birds and all. She scooped them up and called a place to save them.  Knocking the nests down with eggs or birds in them is illegal.  Apparently the company that did this is in being looked into.

She once saved a baby duck at her last employment.  It was randomly running around the parking lot.  I remember her bringing it home in a box.

We got updates on how the dogs are doing.  King is still having seizures.  She said the giant long wiener dog toy I bought a long time ago was finally destroyed.  I guess it's time for us to buy more toys for the grandpups, ha ha!

Well, we got rain all night and will again today, so I won't get to work on pulling the garden stakes today.  Sheesh.  I'm okay with inside work, as it needs done ASAP.  If the rain gives for a while, I will check the bell pepper plants.