Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 25~July 1, 2023
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
The two younger grandsons are here, so things have been busy. Luckily, Hubby had a couple of days off work so he was able to keep them busy with dirt bikes last evening while I tried to keep them fed - both are going through growth spurts so it's a challenge! Middle grandson (12) has shot past me in height, and the soon to be 11 yo is getting close. Both were up by 0630 this morning and are on their tablets already, giving me time to fill my hummingbird feeders, get the coffee going, and start this post.
The 1/4" of rain that was in the forecast last night failed to materialize and there isn't any in the forecast until next Saturday, so I will be heading out to water the garden as soon as I get the boys fed - it takes a bit to get them full
I haven't decided if I'm going to use the sprinkler or just go down the rows with the hose or jugs of water. There will be fewer weeds to hoe if I don't use the sprinkler, but dragging the hose or carrying the jugs of water is more work - decisions, decisions, decisions
The temperature has already hit 80*, but there is a nice dry breeze blowing at the moment so it won't be unpleasant to be outside. I've got the porch door and a couple of windows open - good to have some fresh air. I'll have to close up the house soon enough as the temperature is supposed to hit 90* by mid morning. The temps are supposed to get down into the 60's every night this week, but daytime temps are forecast to be in the mid 80's and climbing up into the mid 90's by the middle of the week, so that means work in the mornings and rest in the afternoon (I wish)
Well, Hubby is up and moving around upstairs, so I reckon I can go find my gardening clothes and get ready to head outside.
You folks all take care out there and stay safe - the higher temps are likely to make people more irritable and wacky than they usually are
The 1/4" of rain that was in the forecast last night failed to materialize and there isn't any in the forecast until next Saturday, so I will be heading out to water the garden as soon as I get the boys fed - it takes a bit to get them full
I haven't decided if I'm going to use the sprinkler or just go down the rows with the hose or jugs of water. There will be fewer weeds to hoe if I don't use the sprinkler, but dragging the hose or carrying the jugs of water is more work - decisions, decisions, decisions The temperature has already hit 80*, but there is a nice dry breeze blowing at the moment so it won't be unpleasant to be outside. I've got the porch door and a couple of windows open - good to have some fresh air. I'll have to close up the house soon enough as the temperature is supposed to hit 90* by mid morning. The temps are supposed to get down into the 60's every night this week, but daytime temps are forecast to be in the mid 80's and climbing up into the mid 90's by the middle of the week, so that means work in the mornings and rest in the afternoon (I wish
)Well, Hubby is up and moving around upstairs, so I reckon I can go find my gardening clothes and get ready to head outside.
You folks all take care out there and stay safe - the higher temps are likely to make people more irritable and wacky than they usually are
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good morning, All.
We've been out since daylight watering the gardens, since the rain and storms never materialized for us. Sunday of next week is our next chance to get rain. 95 for our high, today, with 109 heat index. I gathered more peppers and tomatoes while I was out and about. Cary is still out cleaning up in and around his woodshed. Scooping up all the sawdust on the ground and putting it in buckets for the garden this Fall.
No home fellowship, today. Everyone is so busy during the summer that we decided to take a break every other week. It gives those who work all week a whole weekend off by taking breaks. Especially those who have gardens to work and do a lot of canning.
Tomorrow is dentist day. Yay! NOT. I have a filling that needs taking care of. I've got my Valium out and ready, LOL.
We've been out since daylight watering the gardens, since the rain and storms never materialized for us. Sunday of next week is our next chance to get rain. 95 for our high, today, with 109 heat index. I gathered more peppers and tomatoes while I was out and about. Cary is still out cleaning up in and around his woodshed. Scooping up all the sawdust on the ground and putting it in buckets for the garden this Fall.
No home fellowship, today. Everyone is so busy during the summer that we decided to take a break every other week. It gives those who work all week a whole weekend off by taking breaks. Especially those who have gardens to work and do a lot of canning.
Tomorrow is dentist day. Yay! NOT. I have a filling that needs taking care of. I've got my Valium out and ready, LOL.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Morning rain did not materialize but there are still predictions for afternoon/evening. If that doesn't appear, I'll start regular watering tomorrow because there's no more rain predicted for at least 10 days.
Slept late but woke up feeling worlds better. So I started the day by diving into work. Folded laundry, started another laundry load, tickle pounced son. Then outside to look at the garage.
Friend didn't tell me that he had gone on the garage roof until after he left. He didn't tell me that he had cut back anything close to touching the roof. So I walked out to look and he had done a great job. Nothing is within 3 feet of the garage roof now. And I've got a bunch more tree limbs to move.
Then I got distracted by attacking the porcelain berry vine that was taking over the forsythia. Somehow I managed to have the energy to pull it all. And then went digging in the forsythia to find the bases and cut to the ground. I know that won't kill it but it will stop this fruiting and the birds spreading it.
One of the bases is deep. Enough that if I watch it, I can use Roundup on it without harming the forsythia around it. I'm not sure on the second base. I'll have to locate it from the backside of the forsythia where the growth isn't as dense.
I measure the fabric I got. If I cut it right, I likely have enough to make 4 more tubes for son. Tubes have proven to be interesting. Son sees them as his home clothes.
Slept late but woke up feeling worlds better. So I started the day by diving into work. Folded laundry, started another laundry load, tickle pounced son. Then outside to look at the garage.
Friend didn't tell me that he had gone on the garage roof until after he left. He didn't tell me that he had cut back anything close to touching the roof. So I walked out to look and he had done a great job. Nothing is within 3 feet of the garage roof now. And I've got a bunch more tree limbs to move.
Then I got distracted by attacking the porcelain berry vine that was taking over the forsythia. Somehow I managed to have the energy to pull it all. And then went digging in the forsythia to find the bases and cut to the ground. I know that won't kill it but it will stop this fruiting and the birds spreading it.
One of the bases is deep. Enough that if I watch it, I can use Roundup on it without harming the forsythia around it. I'm not sure on the second base. I'll have to locate it from the backside of the forsythia where the growth isn't as dense.
I measure the fabric I got. If I cut it right, I likely have enough to make 4 more tubes for son. Tubes have proven to be interesting. Son sees them as his home clothes.
Front garden has been weeded, laundry is in the washer, boys are out on the dirt bikes with Papaw supervising, and I'm enjoying some peace and quiet for the moment. There is still some moisture in the soil so I will wait until evening to water. I think I'm going to have to replant the back garden as nothing much is coming up - well, except for some weeds. I'll stop tomorrow morning and pick up some more corn seed. I also need to replant about 1/3 of a row of zinnias in the front garden.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
My mom has large, beautiful ferns growing in the shady areas of her yard. I've been wanting to go over there, dig some of hers up to help thin them out, and bring here to start me a fern bed right where the ac drips water onto the ground. It's a partial shade area, too. They should do well. I love ferns of all kinds. Years ago, I had all kinds of wild woodland ferns growing here, but they all died out from severe droughts.
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
No rain in sight around here for at least another week. And for the next week we have 100+ temps in the forecast. We get that kind of hot this time of year some years, but I can tell you if it gets to 90 in April we are in for a long hot summer, it didn't get there but it was close.
Church was good, Pastor was preaching in Romans about morality and the lack of it. And then they had their annual Harvest Dinner, I was surprised that the amount of food was less than usual. Very little for me to choose from, although I had a spoon of turnip greens and blackeyed peas, another spoon of a corn salad and some sliced tomatoes and cucumber. I cannot tell a lie but I also had some of the strawberry cake that was at the last dinner. The first time it was to die for and I had no regrets. Today it was so so, I don't regret eating it but I won't do it again.
Dh and I are lazing around this afternoon, he's got a food coma, although he really doesn't eat a huge amount of food at a time. And I'm glad that I don't either anymore, even if my weight loss is stalled.
I've got a lot to do but just can't seem to get motivated.
I have a grocery list for walmart, I keep going over it and eliminating things and then adding other things to it. Is there really anything I need on the list, not really, just replinishing a few things I'm kinda low on.
Church was good, Pastor was preaching in Romans about morality and the lack of it. And then they had their annual Harvest Dinner, I was surprised that the amount of food was less than usual. Very little for me to choose from, although I had a spoon of turnip greens and blackeyed peas, another spoon of a corn salad and some sliced tomatoes and cucumber. I cannot tell a lie but I also had some of the strawberry cake that was at the last dinner. The first time it was to die for and I had no regrets. Today it was so so, I don't regret eating it but I won't do it again.
Dh and I are lazing around this afternoon, he's got a food coma, although he really doesn't eat a huge amount of food at a time. And I'm glad that I don't either anymore, even if my weight loss is stalled.
I've got a lot to do but just can't seem to get motivated.
I have a grocery list for walmart, I keep going over it and eliminating things and then adding other things to it. Is there really anything I need on the list, not really, just replinishing a few things I'm kinda low on.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The rain has appeared. Not a lot so I'll have to start watering tomorrow.
And I'm going to start pulling together the parts for the rain water collection system. It's the thing the quiet voice is pushing for me to get started on.
I'm working on pulling things together that would have made life easier, and somewhat less expensive, in the past. Because it will help even now but it would also help in the future.
Judy, one of the things I've noticed is that once you get your regular sugar levels reduced, things just don't taste the same. Sugar tastes weird to me now.
And I'm going to start pulling together the parts for the rain water collection system. It's the thing the quiet voice is pushing for me to get started on.
I'm working on pulling things together that would have made life easier, and somewhat less expensive, in the past. Because it will help even now but it would also help in the future.
Judy, one of the things I've noticed is that once you get your regular sugar levels reduced, things just don't taste the same. Sugar tastes weird to me now.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I agree, and also its like I can taste the crap in processed food as crap. If you don't eat it you develop a sensitivity to it. In over two months I've only eaten something with sugar in it three times.
This information comes from:
Mennonite Country Style Recipes & Kitchen Secrets
By Esther H. Shank
She was a Mennonite from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia..near Harrisonburg, VA
Process summer squash(such as zucchini, and yellow or yellow crookneck) @10 pressure for quarts for 30 minutes, pints 25 minutes..
This information comes from:
Country Canning Cookbook
By James R. Coffey.
He is from Elkton, MD
Squash (summer)
This is for yellow straight or crookneck, zucchini and patty pan as well. Do not peel unless skin is tough or damaged. Remove ends. Slice in rounds or pieces. Pack in jars, add salt and fill with water..Seal and process by one of the methods below:
Water Bath: Pints and quarts: 3hours
Pressure Canner: Pints 25 minutes quarts 30 minutes
Both of these books assume you have basic knowledge of canning...and know to debubble and wipe the jar rims.. also 1/2 teaspoon salt for pints and 1teaspoon salt for quarts..
Of course neither of these are FDA approved and are considered REBEL canning....
Mennonite Country Style Recipes & Kitchen Secrets
By Esther H. Shank
She was a Mennonite from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia..near Harrisonburg, VA
Process summer squash(such as zucchini, and yellow or yellow crookneck) @10 pressure for quarts for 30 minutes, pints 25 minutes..
This information comes from:
Country Canning Cookbook
By James R. Coffey.
He is from Elkton, MD
Squash (summer)
This is for yellow straight or crookneck, zucchini and patty pan as well. Do not peel unless skin is tough or damaged. Remove ends. Slice in rounds or pieces. Pack in jars, add salt and fill with water..Seal and process by one of the methods below:
Water Bath: Pints and quarts: 3hours
Pressure Canner: Pints 25 minutes quarts 30 minutes
Both of these books assume you have basic knowledge of canning...and know to debubble and wipe the jar rims.. also 1/2 teaspoon salt for pints and 1teaspoon salt for quarts..
Of course neither of these are FDA approved and are considered REBEL canning....
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Would this also work with my digital electric pressure canner? On second thought, I don't think it will. Everything canned according to my recipe book says that everything has to be heated through in boiling water or some other liquid, and then placed in the jars, filling the jars with boiling liquid. For winter squash, my book says to can at 10 lbs pressure for 55 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts.
What's the difference in yellow summer squash and winter squash?
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Yes...it works in my digital canner...just fine....it is just a canner.
Winter squash is more dense than summer squash... so you must process it longer...
If you hot pack summer squash you must process it longer not less as it increases the density...it is not necessary to hot pack it.
Per old Ball book...if you want to hot pack...summer squash...cut into small pieces..steam or boil 2 minutes pack in hot jars add boiling water, add salt etc 1" head space..debubble..wipe rims do lids
Process pints 30 minutes and quarts 40 minutes ..
To cold process in my digital canner...I fill my jars ready to go in the canner...set the time..add the water to the line ..add the cold jars ....when says fill jars...I lift the lid put right back on and tell it jars are filled and it then continues to go ahead and process..as normal. I do it this way so no chance to crack a jar..
Hope this helps you...
Winter squash is more dense than summer squash... so you must process it longer...
If you hot pack summer squash you must process it longer not less as it increases the density...it is not necessary to hot pack it.
Per old Ball book...if you want to hot pack...summer squash...cut into small pieces..steam or boil 2 minutes pack in hot jars add boiling water, add salt etc 1" head space..debubble..wipe rims do lids
Process pints 30 minutes and quarts 40 minutes ..
To cold process in my digital canner...I fill my jars ready to go in the canner...set the time..add the water to the line ..add the cold jars ....when says fill jars...I lift the lid put right back on and tell it jars are filled and it then continues to go ahead and process..as normal. I do it this way so no chance to crack a jar..
Hope this helps you...
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks! Yes, it answered my questions. I'll use the hot pack summer squash method, process for 30 minutes in pints, and it should turn out fine.
You can add your onions...the time will fine
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Stopped by Publix today to pick up a few things. They had charcoal that was bagged with two bags as one, so half price. Picked up one of those, so replaced the one I finished last month and to get ahead on the one I will use over the 4th of July. I have a big plastic trash can full of bags from years ago and they light up just fine. This stash of 8 or 9 bags is one of my emergency back up cooking preps.
I also got some paper plates that were on sale and some toilet paper that was on sale. For once, all of my purchases got to stay in the garage!
I'm headed to Aldi's tomorrow with a small list. This month's money is gone, but using the emergency envelope to get some more canned goods, mainly corn and fruit. Their 80/20 hamburger rolls are also back down to $3.69, so I will pick up a few more of those.
Laundry done and folded. Spaghetti sauce made. We will have spaghetti for dinner tomorrow night and I will freeze the other half of the sauce for a later meal.
Oh, also placed a big order with Chewy for cat food. It should be enough for 3 months, and we got a $30 gift card in our account toward our next purchase. Not a bad deal.
I also got some paper plates that were on sale and some toilet paper that was on sale. For once, all of my purchases got to stay in the garage!
I'm headed to Aldi's tomorrow with a small list. This month's money is gone, but using the emergency envelope to get some more canned goods, mainly corn and fruit. Their 80/20 hamburger rolls are also back down to $3.69, so I will pick up a few more of those.
Laundry done and folded. Spaghetti sauce made. We will have spaghetti for dinner tomorrow night and I will freeze the other half of the sauce for a later meal.
Oh, also placed a big order with Chewy for cat food. It should be enough for 3 months, and we got a $30 gift card in our account toward our next purchase. Not a bad deal.
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SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, we got those storms last night. They just arrived later than first forecast. Lots of rain. We were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 2 am this morning. No damage, but there were 3-4 warnings in our county alone. Our heat index made it up to 112, yesterday! It's going to be humid and hot again today, too.
Dental appointment this afternoon at 2 pm.
Dental appointment this afternoon at 2 pm.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ugh. Body is fighting something off and that is making me tired.
Son's sun sail for the pool came down in the wind yesterday. Nothing torn or broken, just that the impromptu holders didn't hold. I found new pulleys and quick links. A friend's husband is going to close loop the end of 4 trampoline springs to help as "shock absorbers" between the pulleys and the eyelets mounted in the walls.. But for today, because he needs the pool and the shade, I dealt with my ladder issues and got myself up there to run the paracord through the eyelets. I don't move up extension ladders very well anymore. Hopefully that will work until we can get all the parts together again.
Dinner tonight is another experiment. Potatoes au gratin with ham. But using slices of turnip, rutabaga, and jicama instead of potato. Fingers crossed. I may hunt up a bag of peas to toss in with it. Part of the challenge is that I have to make it twice. Son has different food issues than I do, so I have to make the recipes with very different alternate ingredients.
And tomorrow may be a ham and pasta skillet recipe. Mainly because I need to test the recipes and see how they may fit in the normal meal planning stuff. The alternate version of shepherd's pie is already fitting in pretty well.
Son's sun sail for the pool came down in the wind yesterday. Nothing torn or broken, just that the impromptu holders didn't hold. I found new pulleys and quick links. A friend's husband is going to close loop the end of 4 trampoline springs to help as "shock absorbers" between the pulleys and the eyelets mounted in the walls.. But for today, because he needs the pool and the shade, I dealt with my ladder issues and got myself up there to run the paracord through the eyelets. I don't move up extension ladders very well anymore. Hopefully that will work until we can get all the parts together again.
Dinner tonight is another experiment. Potatoes au gratin with ham. But using slices of turnip, rutabaga, and jicama instead of potato. Fingers crossed. I may hunt up a bag of peas to toss in with it. Part of the challenge is that I have to make it twice. Son has different food issues than I do, so I have to make the recipes with very different alternate ingredients.
And tomorrow may be a ham and pasta skillet recipe. Mainly because I need to test the recipes and see how they may fit in the normal meal planning stuff. The alternate version of shepherd's pie is already fitting in pretty well.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Since I love to cook, I'm always on the lookout for new recipes to try. It's one of my favorite past times. If we like the new recipes I try, I add it to my rotated list of meal planning. We get very bored with not having a variety in meals, so new recipes that work for us is always a bonus. I hope you have great success with all your alterations and substitutions.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you. We both need lower carb, so the switch out on the veg shouldn't be a problem. But he can't have dairy, so I have to work with alternates for him. Fortunately, those alternates are easier to come by nowadays. Although, I suppose I could punt for him and just use a premade alfredo or cheddar sauce. But I prefer from scratch.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Me, too.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I went out to connect the timer. That's all. Somehow I managed to turn that into spending 45 minutes getting the first cucumber trellis in place and then tying up those cucs. The one year that I didn't have the trellises up first and the cucs are exploding.
Going to have to harvest peppers soon.
Going to go cool off and start on dinner ingredients.
Going to have to harvest peppers soon.
Going to go cool off and start on dinner ingredients.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I made it home from my dental appt. Everything went fine. The Valium is already wearing off. Still a bit droggy.
Tomorrow, I'm calling first thing in the morning to get an appointment set up with my eye specialist. It's time to get this cataract taken care of now that all my dental work is finished. I've got a small blind spot in that eye, and it's causing my whole vision to be a bit blurred.
We're just having left over pizza for supper, tonight, along with the Lemon Ice Box pie I made yesterday. I'm not quite up to stumbling around in the kitchen to throw together something else right now. Pizza will have to do.
Tomorrow, I'm calling first thing in the morning to get an appointment set up with my eye specialist. It's time to get this cataract taken care of now that all my dental work is finished. I've got a small blind spot in that eye, and it's causing my whole vision to be a bit blurred.
We're just having left over pizza for supper, tonight, along with the Lemon Ice Box pie I made yesterday. I'm not quite up to stumbling around in the kitchen to throw together something else right now. Pizza will have to do.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well son's is made. Working on mine now. These are pretty work intensive.
I'm debating two options. One is prepping them in silicone and freezing as a loaf. So that I can just pull and drop into a loaf pan for cooking.
The other is to make this a "chunk" recipe. Cube everything and mix it in a bag with the cheese and cream. Then I can just pull and dump. Son won't really care either way.
Oh, and jicama really does taste good raw. It'll be interesting to see how it works in this recipe. But I definitely am adding it to the salad toppings.
Now to go see if I can grow it.
I'm debating two options. One is prepping them in silicone and freezing as a loaf. So that I can just pull and drop into a loaf pan for cooking.
The other is to make this a "chunk" recipe. Cube everything and mix it in a bag with the cheese and cream. Then I can just pull and dump. Son won't really care either way.
Oh, and jicama really does taste good raw. It'll be interesting to see how it works in this recipe. But I definitely am adding it to the salad toppings.
Now to go see if I can grow it.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Turnip becomes softie potatoes. Jicama does not. Not sure what I did wrong but it was very saucy.
Son didn't care. He demolished. It was covered in his "cheese".
For any with jicama, it will be small diced chunks. Actually I may just got ahead and do any future as chunk recipes.
One bonus is you can use any cheese. I used Daiya provolone slices for son and Havarti slices for mine. Daiya has a variety of imitation slices, so that will work for him. And I can get the Costco variety pack for me.
Tomorrow will be the pasta. Or I'll punt and give him his yellow rice with the rest of the meat from the rotisserie. And give myself grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. And then the pasta can be the day after.
I love keto bread.
Son didn't care. He demolished. It was covered in his "cheese".
For any with jicama, it will be small diced chunks. Actually I may just got ahead and do any future as chunk recipes.
One bonus is you can use any cheese. I used Daiya provolone slices for son and Havarti slices for mine. Daiya has a variety of imitation slices, so that will work for him. And I can get the Costco variety pack for me.
Tomorrow will be the pasta. Or I'll punt and give him his yellow rice with the rest of the meat from the rotisserie. And give myself grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. And then the pasta can be the day after.
I love keto bread.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're under an excessive heat advisory through Thursday. Man, is it hot and humid here! The heat advisory will probably be extended, since Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the air temps are supposed to be 103,105, and 102 consecutively. I'm sure the heat indices will be much higher.
I just came in from the gardens. Everything is flourishing. I gathered more cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes, and I have my eyes on 2 baby squash. The watermelons are beginning to bloom, but my green beans haven't started, yet. They have taken over the trellis, though. Late tomatoes are blooming, too, but not the late squash. They should be coming along shortly. One of the sides I'll make with our supper tonight will be a platter of fresh peeled and sliced cucumbers, slices of tomatoes, and banana peppers all from the garden. I love eating fresh, healthy veggies straight from the garden. It won't be too much longer, and I'll have my canner going. This time, it'll be fresh garden veggies, instead of more meat.
Cary has to make a trip to big town this morning. He has to take the SUV back to the dealership, because he can't figure out to get his phone in sync with the GPS on the SUV (Or something like that). They told him to bring it in, and they would do it for him at no charge.
I'm waiting for the office to open, so I can call for my eye appointment.
I just came in from the gardens. Everything is flourishing. I gathered more cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes, and I have my eyes on 2 baby squash. The watermelons are beginning to bloom, but my green beans haven't started, yet. They have taken over the trellis, though. Late tomatoes are blooming, too, but not the late squash. They should be coming along shortly. One of the sides I'll make with our supper tonight will be a platter of fresh peeled and sliced cucumbers, slices of tomatoes, and banana peppers all from the garden. I love eating fresh, healthy veggies straight from the garden. It won't be too much longer, and I'll have my canner going. This time, it'll be fresh garden veggies, instead of more meat.
Cary has to make a trip to big town this morning. He has to take the SUV back to the dealership, because he can't figure out to get his phone in sync with the GPS on the SUV (Or something like that). They told him to bring it in, and they would do it for him at no charge.
I'm waiting for the office to open, so I can call for my eye appointment.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Energy still dragging and body feels sore all over. I pulled the theracurmin and put both son and I on it. It works better than OTC without the side effects for kidney and liver. But it's not inexpensive so I tend to hold it in reserve until I see that we are fighting something that is going to take longer dosing.
I slept so deeply that I didn't hear the water come on for the timer. That's pretty deep for me. Thank heavens for the light alarm clock. I can sleep through all the alarm sounds but I can't sleep through the increasing light, unless I'm seriously sick. And even then, it wakes me up somewhat.
I checked the garden when I woke up. There was water showing in spots that let me know that the timer worked and the garden got watered.
Van problems came back when I was running errands this past weekend. I contacted the tire place and they aren't going to charge to reinspect the alignment and tires to make sure that is not the issue. And they're going to have the mechanics, different folks from the alignment guys apparently, take a look to figure out what is wrong. If it's not tires/alignment, I'm thinking axle. The question is which axle. One of the front ones definitely but can't order a replacement until I know which side.
Anyways, time to get back to work. I hope everyone is having a good day.
I slept so deeply that I didn't hear the water come on for the timer. That's pretty deep for me. Thank heavens for the light alarm clock. I can sleep through all the alarm sounds but I can't sleep through the increasing light, unless I'm seriously sick. And even then, it wakes me up somewhat.
I checked the garden when I woke up. There was water showing in spots that let me know that the timer worked and the garden got watered.
Van problems came back when I was running errands this past weekend. I contacted the tire place and they aren't going to charge to reinspect the alignment and tires to make sure that is not the issue. And they're going to have the mechanics, different folks from the alignment guys apparently, take a look to figure out what is wrong. If it's not tires/alignment, I'm thinking axle. The question is which axle. One of the front ones definitely but can't order a replacement until I know which side.
Anyways, time to get back to work. I hope everyone is having a good day.
SB- It was definitely a learning curve for me on my new Rav. Dealership was far away in another city/ state and helped but I didn't think I had my I cloud pw (I did actually) so they couldn't do it all. We were in hurry to leave for long drive home.
Mostly I was having trouble with accessing radio. But a very patient son in law and grandson explained it perfectly and had me practice. My Camry was a 2011 and old school like me!
Mostly I was having trouble with accessing radio. But a very patient son in law and grandson explained it perfectly and had me practice. My Camry was a 2011 and old school like me!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We got everything set on the SUV, except for some phone syncing stuff before we drove it off the lot. Cary has tried to figure that out, but he keeps getting stumped. I love our RAV. It does everything, and almost drives itself, LOL!
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
DH has a 2013 Ford truck and he's had difficulty sincing his cell phone to it. One time the cell phone people helped him. I don't know if his new cell phone is sincd or not. He doesn't get that many calls anymore.
SB we have that same heat advisory around here too. Since I rarely even stick my nose outside I'm not feeling it, I hate to see our electric bill for this month. After our power outage I won't really complain about it
DH let all the goats up to the pasture here by the house to eat down the leaves from the big tree that fell. He's not started cutting it up yet because he's been working on the new generator shed. The tree can wait, its not really in the way where it is.
he's going to get feed this morning and I may go with him.
SB we have that same heat advisory around here too. Since I rarely even stick my nose outside I'm not feeling it, I hate to see our electric bill for this month. After our power outage I won't really complain about it
DH let all the goats up to the pasture here by the house to eat down the leaves from the big tree that fell. He's not started cutting it up yet because he's been working on the new generator shed. The tree can wait, its not really in the way where it is.
he's going to get feed this morning and I may go with him.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
One of my favorite features on our RAV is that I can make phone calls and answer my phone without even taking my phone out of my purse! I just answer the phone or make calls on the steering console. My phone directory comes up on the computer screen at the touch of a button.
We've been doing fine in the heat. At night, we sleep better with the house cool, so we've been using the ac at night. Otherwise, our big floor fan works for us. During the winter/cooler months, our electric bill is between $55-$60/month. During the summer, it averages around $120/month.
I'm glad that Cary is finally finished with all his firewood. We have a 14ft x 40ft woodshed, and it's bulging. Anything more will have to be put under tarp. He doesn't plan to cut anymore, unless another tree falls nearby, and he has easy access to it.
Had to make a quick dash in to town early this morning to drop off some mail - our road is getting graded and given a double layer of oil and rock - YAY!! - so I won't be able to get out until mid afternoon. Not that I have anywhere else I have to go today; and - believe me - I'm not complaining about that! I like going to the pool with the neighbor lady, and I like hanging out with the grandkids; but it's also nice to not have to go somewhere.
It's a pretty morning - nice and cool at 65*. The temperature is supposed to get up to 85 today so I'll have to keep an eye on the hummingbird feeders - I had to pull out another hummingbird feeder and hang it on one of the hooks on the porch this morning as they were already really swarming the other . I have two empty hooks left, but one has a black walnut branch hanging over it that Hubby hasn't cut back yet so I don't use it (he's a foot taller than me and I can't reach it to cut it since I'm banned from ladders, so it's his job) I had to set out a couple of container lids with sugar water in them to distract the honeybees away from the hummingbird feeders yesterday, and have already put one out this morning as they were back on the feeders. And then I had to fish out a bee that landed on his back in the container of sugar water. I put my finger down where he could grab on with his feet, then let him walk off my finger and on to the porch rail.
My bee balm - which was supposed to be Pineapple Sage (blooms red instead of purple) - is starting to bloom, so maybe that will distract at least some of the bees away from the hummingbird feeders. I've got two more pots of of the Hummingbird sage that I'm going to plant in the front flower bed - we'll see if it is what the lable says is it when it blooms
I had some early cherry tomatoes ripen last week, but none since - unless some critter is getting to them before I do (color me shocked ) I'll make a run out to the garden once the dew is off to see if there are any more; and if not, I'll go to the neighbor's market garden this afternoon. I'm going to make pasta salad and would like to put some in it. If I don't have any - or enough - in my own garden, I'll run over to the neighbor's market garden when she opens this afternoon and buy a box of them.
Not sure what I'm going to fix for supper this evening. There is a gallon freezer bag of ground beef that Hubby put in the fridge to thaw when we defrosted the upright freezer, a 1# package of ground round, and a 1# package of chicken sausage. I'm thinking I'll vacuum seal the ground round and put it in the freezer, cook the chicken sausage and use part of it for fried rice for my lunches this week and the other part in omelets. I'll cook the ground beef and drain it; then use half of it to make either spaghetti with red sauce; then see if Hubby wants to make some veggie soup or some other dish for his lunch with what is left.
The local veggie farm is open at 3 pm today, so I'll be going over to grab some zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, green beans, onions, new potatoes, and cucumbers. I'm going to make a marinated cucumber/cherry tomato/onion salad with Italian dressing to go with the spaghetti, and slice, bread and fry the zucchini. The green beans will go in the pressure cooker tomorrow with a meaty ham bone - as soon as the beans are done, I'll pull them out and put the new potatoes in the broth in the pressure cooker to cook.
It's a pretty morning - nice and cool at 65*. The temperature is supposed to get up to 85 today so I'll have to keep an eye on the hummingbird feeders - I had to pull out another hummingbird feeder and hang it on one of the hooks on the porch this morning as they were already really swarming the other . I have two empty hooks left, but one has a black walnut branch hanging over it that Hubby hasn't cut back yet so I don't use it (he's a foot taller than me and I can't reach it to cut it since I'm banned from ladders, so it's his job
) I had to set out a couple of container lids with sugar water in them to distract the honeybees away from the hummingbird feeders yesterday, and have already put one out this morning as they were back on the feeders. And then I had to fish out a bee that landed on his back in the container of sugar water. I put my finger down where he could grab on with his feet, then let him walk off my finger and on to the porch rail.My bee balm - which was supposed to be Pineapple Sage (blooms red instead of purple) - is starting to bloom, so maybe that will distract at least some of the bees away from the hummingbird feeders. I've got two more pots of of the Hummingbird sage that I'm going to plant in the front flower bed - we'll see if it is what the lable says is it when it blooms
I had some early cherry tomatoes ripen last week, but none since - unless some critter is getting to them before I do (color me shocked
) I'll make a run out to the garden once the dew is off to see if there are any more; and if not, I'll go to the neighbor's market garden this afternoon. I'm going to make pasta salad and would like to put some in it. If I don't have any - or enough - in my own garden, I'll run over to the neighbor's market garden when she opens this afternoon and buy a box of them.Not sure what I'm going to fix for supper this evening. There is a gallon freezer bag of ground beef that Hubby put in the fridge to thaw when we defrosted the upright freezer, a 1# package of ground round, and a 1# package of chicken sausage. I'm thinking I'll vacuum seal the ground round and put it in the freezer, cook the chicken sausage and use part of it for fried rice for my lunches this week and the other part in omelets. I'll cook the ground beef and drain it; then use half of it to make either spaghetti with red sauce; then see if Hubby wants to make some veggie soup or some other dish for his lunch with what is left.
The local veggie farm is open at 3 pm today, so I'll be going over to grab some zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, green beans, onions, new potatoes, and cucumbers. I'm going to make a marinated cucumber/cherry tomato/onion salad with Italian dressing to go with the spaghetti, and slice, bread and fry the zucchini. The green beans will go in the pressure cooker tomorrow with a meaty ham bone - as soon as the beans are done, I'll pull them out and put the new potatoes in the broth in the pressure cooker to cook.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
All of that sounds so good, Renee! I'm looking forward to my first mess of sliced, breaded, and fried yellow squash and fresh cucumber salad. No meat required on my part. I could make a meal off of that just by itself. I like my green beans cooked down low with a big slab of smoked ham or bacon, too. There's just so much fresh garden veggies to take advantage of during the summer. I don't let anything go to waste. The only other 2 things I wish we could grow in our gardens are sweet corn and potatoes. Cary doesn't want to fool with those even though we have plenty of room for both in our garden. It would just need expanding more.
I'm making breaded and fried cube steaks, steamed potatoes and carrots, pinto beans with bacon, with a fresh veggie platter for our supper tonight. We have to have a break every few days from eating so many salads and sandwiches because of the heat.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I did go to town with DH today, He got feed, corn is not 9.85 for 50#s. Laying pellets are 15 something.
Walmart was just going to be picking up a few things and I ended up spending $90. I did get just a couple of things for the pantry. God thing I'm not doing a big stock up because everything is getting so expensive. Great Value white vinegar has gone up almost a dollar more a gallon. There were some 5 oz cans of Sue Bee (I think) that were on sale for 62 cents. I got the 6 cans they had. I'm not seeing the Crider brand of small cans of chicken at DT lately. They have another brand that has a long list of crap in them, probably crickets too, But that's just a guess, I didn't buy any.
I forgot my phone when I went into walmart so I just guessed at some things that were on my list on my phone. I looked for a couple of things I remembered and could not find them. So I still as much as I spent today left on my phone list.
In an effort to stay close to my diet I got a spinach salad at walmart. Not the greatest but something to eat. I was still hungry.
Walmart was just going to be picking up a few things and I ended up spending $90. I did get just a couple of things for the pantry. God thing I'm not doing a big stock up because everything is getting so expensive. Great Value white vinegar has gone up almost a dollar more a gallon. There were some 5 oz cans of Sue Bee (I think) that were on sale for 62 cents. I got the 6 cans they had. I'm not seeing the Crider brand of small cans of chicken at DT lately. They have another brand that has a long list of crap in them, probably crickets too, But that's just a guess, I didn't buy any.
I forgot my phone when I went into walmart so I just guessed at some things that were on my list on my phone. I looked for a couple of things I remembered and could not find them. So I still as much as I spent today left on my phone list.
In an effort to stay close to my diet I got a spinach salad at walmart. Not the greatest but something to eat. I was still hungry.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I know you've talked about having a difficult time growing potatoes in your area, but I thought I'd share this link with you. Maybe this might work in your area.
Potatoes
Whether it’s growing potatoes or sweet potatoes, we have you covered with everything from planting, to long-term care and harvesting. Including an incredible way to grow both in crates and …
oldworldgardenfarms.com
I can't bring this over because I'm on my phone.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I know you've talked about having a difficult time growing potatoes in your area, but I thought I'd share this link with you. Maybe this might work in your area.
Potatoes
Whether it’s growing potatoes or sweet potatoes, we have you covered with everything from planting, to long-term care and harvesting. Including an incredible way to grow both in crates and …
I can't bring this over because I'm on my phone.
It's not that our soil won't produce potatoes. The last big garden we had, we had 2 really long rows (about 60ft) of potatoes. They produced bushels of beautiful large potatoes. The thing is, every single potato had been eaten on while they were still in the ground by some kind of very tiny white insect. When we dug them, they were working alive with these insects. The whole crop was lost. Since then, we've tried growing them in barrels, boxes, and stacked tires, but they just didn't produce. Cary made up his mind that he wasn't going to try anymore. The last time we grew sweet corn the coons and rats ate it all up. It was a mess. Tried growing some in our 40ft raised beds, but it didn't make at all. We have plenty of corn seed in the freezer should we decide to expand our garden if we need to. Potatoes are sorta "iffy", although, we would try again for a good carb if we have to feed ourselves from the garden.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Here is another video from the Serbian woman. Its an amazing (to me) bread. Sherree your DDIL would probably love it.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrMc4SqjhOo&t=630s
17.14 min.
I'm tempted to try it, I have all of the ingredients. It would save me a lot of money on bread, the bread I eat is around 6.00 +.
17.14 min.
I'm tempted to try it, I have all of the ingredients. It would save me a lot of money on bread, the bread I eat is around 6.00 +.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We just came in from watering, dusting, hoeing, weeding, and gathering in the gardens. Everything is flourishing, but I'm getting concerned about the intense summer heat we're already having. I'm putting out shade cloth, and we can keep everything watered as long as we have rain catchment water. We only use community water on our gardens if the tank and barrels run dry. I don't like doing that, and the gardens seem not to like it, either. Excessive heat warning for the next several days here. We had a chance of rain for this morning, but it failed to develop.
I've been making out my next shopping list. I have several extra things to buy this month other than just food, so it will probably cost more than usual. If it goes over my budget, I'll pull cash from the small emergency fund I carry in my wallet. We never leave home without emergency cash on our person, and Cary always "carries". Plus, it's been months since we were "in store" at Sam's. There are several bulk items I'm getting low on. I don't like that they have stopped delivering a lot of items we use regularly. Still, I know that only shopping once a month is saving us money. I'm not a habitual shopper, and the longer I can stay away from places to spend money even online, the more we save.
I've got boneless rib-eye pork chops marinating in the fridge to go on the grill tonight. I'll make potato salad and baked beans to go with those, plus another veggie platter fresh from the gardens. Cary set up a fan so that it blows directly on me while I'm grilling, LOL.
I've been making out my next shopping list. I have several extra things to buy this month other than just food, so it will probably cost more than usual. If it goes over my budget, I'll pull cash from the small emergency fund I carry in my wallet. We never leave home without emergency cash on our person, and Cary always "carries". Plus, it's been months since we were "in store" at Sam's. There are several bulk items I'm getting low on. I don't like that they have stopped delivering a lot of items we use regularly. Still, I know that only shopping once a month is saving us money. I'm not a habitual shopper, and the longer I can stay away from places to spend money even online, the more we save.
I've got boneless rib-eye pork chops marinating in the fridge to go on the grill tonight. I'll make potato salad and baked beans to go with those, plus another veggie platter fresh from the gardens. Cary set up a fan so that it blows directly on me while I'm grilling, LOL.