Can't hardly turn around without something else looking at me and pleading to get done!
Since my last post, I have gotten some more hamburger dehydrated and 20 pounds of sugar, several jars of beans, potato flakes, milk powder, and dehydrated egs also all put into food storage.
I made three flower hair barrettes and have them posted up on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7709732) and a prototype wreath done and up on my wall.
There are over 30 washclothes crochet, that I still am in the middle of photographing to also put up on Etsy, and some headcoverings. I don't have a mannequin to take the pictures of the headcoverings on, so I may just have to keep one of each after putting it on for pictures. Maybe I can get someone to model for me in exchange for her choice of headcovering? I have received several compliments on them already, especially since I have worn them when I go to town. :D
Window quilts are in the planning for the two bedrooms we don't really use. I want to put up window quilts in there, and small milkhouse style heaters or radiant heaters just to keep the rooms above freezing. The pipes in this house run through the ceiling and the LAST thing I want them doing is freezing this winter when the -20 below (and colder) weather hits. But I also don't want to spend the heating oil, at $2.70 a gallon, to heat these rooms either. Probably still cheaper than the electric, I don't know. I haven't done the math yet. But I know that I don't have an infinite amount of heating oil, so If I can save that and then just put a few pennies into the electric heaters I will do that.
AND I have a lot of mending piling up on me. Grrr.. Been spending far too much on the computer lately with very little to show for it. Actually, financially, nothing to show for it, since nothing has sold yet. ROFL.
Oh well, that's life as it goes on. :D
I have a few recipes to share with you, so I'll post those over the next few days.
TA!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
what a day!
ok, so today has been just one long "UGH". lol. First, I get up greeted to the fact that we are basically trapped in our house. They are doing construction on the road in front of the house and this is the 4th day of it. Friday, Saturday, Monday and today have all been pilot car traffic out front. Friday and Saturday you couldn't get our of our driveway.
Then, Hubby took the dogs out this morning, and Newbie and Freya flushed some quail out from under the pine tree out front. Newbs jumped the fence chasing one, and then, as hubby went after him to bring him back, he ran to the road! ACK! Anyway, he ended up just running around the outside of the fence on the sidewalk and then jumped back INTO the yard on the other side of the yard. Dork. As I waved my hand at him and told him to go back inside, I hit the outside of my left hand on the wall. The point of the cinderblock wall that is. I thought at first I had broken the knuckle. But it's not broken (THANK GOD and all the other higher powers that be!) It is very badly bruised though. I ran back in and immediately put it under some cold water to help with swelling and downed some tylenol. It's still very sore, and turning a pretty color of black.
I did manage to still get 5 cans of peaches chopped up and in the dehydrator, as well as canned a jar of peach juice. As soon as I get some more pint jars I'll turn that juice into jelly. It's a very good barter item as well as good eats. lol.
And just now, the icing on the cake. I had our first delivery of heating oil... 50 gallons was all we could afford right now.. 50 gallons @ 2.70 a gallon comes to $135.00... And next month I get to repeat. lol. That hurts. But at least we'll have it if it's needed now. Since we got snow this last weekend it's a good thing to have the oil. It could snow in earnest now and we're covered for a month or so.
Next month I am hoping for 100 gallons, but it all depends on finances. Heh... If Hubby doesn't get renewed for his long term disability, we won't need it, as we'll be moving somewhere warmer with just what will fit in the car as we'll ahve no income. But that's just my depression and anxiety talking I am sure. lol.
Then, Hubby took the dogs out this morning, and Newbie and Freya flushed some quail out from under the pine tree out front. Newbs jumped the fence chasing one, and then, as hubby went after him to bring him back, he ran to the road! ACK! Anyway, he ended up just running around the outside of the fence on the sidewalk and then jumped back INTO the yard on the other side of the yard. Dork. As I waved my hand at him and told him to go back inside, I hit the outside of my left hand on the wall. The point of the cinderblock wall that is. I thought at first I had broken the knuckle. But it's not broken (THANK GOD and all the other higher powers that be!) It is very badly bruised though. I ran back in and immediately put it under some cold water to help with swelling and downed some tylenol. It's still very sore, and turning a pretty color of black.
I did manage to still get 5 cans of peaches chopped up and in the dehydrator, as well as canned a jar of peach juice. As soon as I get some more pint jars I'll turn that juice into jelly. It's a very good barter item as well as good eats. lol.
And just now, the icing on the cake. I had our first delivery of heating oil... 50 gallons was all we could afford right now.. 50 gallons @ 2.70 a gallon comes to $135.00... And next month I get to repeat. lol. That hurts. But at least we'll have it if it's needed now. Since we got snow this last weekend it's a good thing to have the oil. It could snow in earnest now and we're covered for a month or so.
Next month I am hoping for 100 gallons, but it all depends on finances. Heh... If Hubby doesn't get renewed for his long term disability, we won't need it, as we'll be moving somewhere warmer with just what will fit in the car as we'll ahve no income. But that's just my depression and anxiety talking I am sure. lol.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Lunch Adventure
Do you know what it's like to look at your pantry and not want any of it? I do. lol. So I thought I would get a bit adventurous and see what I could come up with.
Last year before moving I had dehydrated a lot of hamburger. I took cheap hamburger, and rolled it into small meatballs. I then boiled the meatballs until cooked through. Once the boiling was done, I spread them in the dehydrator and let 'er rip! Once dry I packaged them up and put them in our food stocks.
Well. Yesterday I decided to see what I could make with them. Tossed a few handfuls of them in a pan of water and boiled them to rehydrate. in another pan I cooked up some refried beans, then I shreaded some cheese, and fried some tortillas. Add some sour cream and the last of our salsa. Once the meatballs were thoroughly rehydrated, I put them in a pie tin and using a sturdy spoon I smooshed them so they resembled browned hamburger again. I seasoned it up with some salt and some bbq seasoning.
It was AWESOME. hubby liked it, I liked it, and it was sooo easy to do. Now that I know without a doubt that they work so well, and so easily, I'll pick up 5 or 10 lbs of hamburger our next payday and dehydrate some more. This was the last pint can I had of them (I had used some for soup, before and as dog treats), so it's time to refresh the stocks.
Last year before moving I had dehydrated a lot of hamburger. I took cheap hamburger, and rolled it into small meatballs. I then boiled the meatballs until cooked through. Once the boiling was done, I spread them in the dehydrator and let 'er rip! Once dry I packaged them up and put them in our food stocks.
Well. Yesterday I decided to see what I could make with them. Tossed a few handfuls of them in a pan of water and boiled them to rehydrate. in another pan I cooked up some refried beans, then I shreaded some cheese, and fried some tortillas. Add some sour cream and the last of our salsa. Once the meatballs were thoroughly rehydrated, I put them in a pie tin and using a sturdy spoon I smooshed them so they resembled browned hamburger again. I seasoned it up with some salt and some bbq seasoning.
It was AWESOME. hubby liked it, I liked it, and it was sooo easy to do. Now that I know without a doubt that they work so well, and so easily, I'll pick up 5 or 10 lbs of hamburger our next payday and dehydrate some more. This was the last pint can I had of them (I had used some for soup, before and as dog treats), so it's time to refresh the stocks.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Reusing your canning lids!
First, let me say that Sarah at Sarah's Pioneer Living has posted another great video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QII8EfYmSBk
this time it's on reusing canning lids.
First, let me say, that I took the preserving food at home self study from the National Center for Home Food Preservation SCREES - USDA and University of Georgie program. I got 100% on all my tests, and have the certificate of completion on my wall right now. lol. Don't know if that means much, but I was proud of getting the 100% on all four tests. :)
During this study I read a lot of information about canning. Both low and high acid food. It was kind of a lark that made me take it since I had grew up watching and helping my grandmother and mother pressure can, boiling water bath and freeze food.
I learned at a young age that you do not.. let me restate that... DO NOT reuse your canning lids. But, I am going to tell you, I learned later (as an adult and doing my own canning) that this is a very expensive thing to do! Oh my. There are 12 lids to a box, and when you are canning you can go through 4 boxes in a day, and in the normal course of cooking for a day, you can use upwards of 6 jars of food a day... Well, you can see that it all adds up. I spent $2.59 a box on regular mouth lids last summer, and the price is only getting higher, with wide mouth lids even more expensive.
So, I have to say, I agree with Sarah fully. If your lids aren't bent, they have no rust, the gummy stuff is intact and still thick then reuse them. I check my food storage out all the time. I check for rust on the lids, I check to be sure everything is sealed and so on and so forth.
Although... I never throw even a bent lid away around here! If a lid isn't so badly bent that it's unusable, then it goes into the storage drawer. A lot of my dry goods (dehydrated stuff mostly) goes into glass quart jars and then a lid goes on them. If I buy bagged rice, then I put it in glass jars and put a lid on it. Mice and rats very rarely chew through glass jars! lol. It also helps with bugs and moisture to keep that lid on it. So, lids are never just tossed here at the house.
Rusty lids get glued into rusty rings and spray painted with rustoleum paint. then I stuff it with stuffing and fabric and turn it into a pin cushion or some other crafty thing gets done to them. I have an aversion to tossing things in the trash! lol.
Anyway, check out Sarah's new video, and leave her some feedback!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QII8EfYmSBk
this time it's on reusing canning lids.
First, let me say, that I took the preserving food at home self study from the National Center for Home Food Preservation SCREES - USDA and University of Georgie program. I got 100% on all my tests, and have the certificate of completion on my wall right now. lol. Don't know if that means much, but I was proud of getting the 100% on all four tests. :)
During this study I read a lot of information about canning. Both low and high acid food. It was kind of a lark that made me take it since I had grew up watching and helping my grandmother and mother pressure can, boiling water bath and freeze food.
I learned at a young age that you do not.. let me restate that... DO NOT reuse your canning lids. But, I am going to tell you, I learned later (as an adult and doing my own canning) that this is a very expensive thing to do! Oh my. There are 12 lids to a box, and when you are canning you can go through 4 boxes in a day, and in the normal course of cooking for a day, you can use upwards of 6 jars of food a day... Well, you can see that it all adds up. I spent $2.59 a box on regular mouth lids last summer, and the price is only getting higher, with wide mouth lids even more expensive.
So, I have to say, I agree with Sarah fully. If your lids aren't bent, they have no rust, the gummy stuff is intact and still thick then reuse them. I check my food storage out all the time. I check for rust on the lids, I check to be sure everything is sealed and so on and so forth.
Although... I never throw even a bent lid away around here! If a lid isn't so badly bent that it's unusable, then it goes into the storage drawer. A lot of my dry goods (dehydrated stuff mostly) goes into glass quart jars and then a lid goes on them. If I buy bagged rice, then I put it in glass jars and put a lid on it. Mice and rats very rarely chew through glass jars! lol. It also helps with bugs and moisture to keep that lid on it. So, lids are never just tossed here at the house.
Rusty lids get glued into rusty rings and spray painted with rustoleum paint. then I stuff it with stuffing and fabric and turn it into a pin cushion or some other crafty thing gets done to them. I have an aversion to tossing things in the trash! lol.
Anyway, check out Sarah's new video, and leave her some feedback!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Fake meat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te6Cv7RTazU&feature=channel_page
I watched this video and thought I would give it a go! Here's the recipe written out:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat gluten
1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
mix these dry ingredients well.
1/2 cup COLD water
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
Mix these liquid ingredients and add to the dry.
Let rest 5 minutes.
Can be fried in oil, (olive oil is good, but sesame oil is preferred), as patties that are 1/2 of an inch thick.
Or, you can boil it in water, broth of any kind. Bring liquid to a boil, then add your dough, and return to boil. then turn to a simmer and let it go for 20 minutes.
OR you can keep it in a bag in the fridge for up to a week while pulling off what you would like to use for each meal.
If you boil, slice and eat, good on sammies or in stir fry.
To make it sweeter, use 1 TBSP of any sweetener of your choice before adding the liquid to the recipe.
OK, on to the reveiw. lol.
I made it up according to Sarah's directions. Being that I am at 5000 feet above sea level or that we are in a more arid area I ended up adding more water (between 1/3 to 1/2 cup more) in order to get it to the same consistency as what Sarah shows in the video (LOVE VIDEOS!). Once I had it to the same consistency, I fried up 2 patties in regular veggie oil (it's what I had unless I wanted to use lard), in my 10" cast iron skillet. One patty for me, and one for the hubby.
Fried it was pretty good. I could see it with alfredo sauce and some veggies, or with some gravy and mashed taters. I could also see it fried in a bun with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes like a chicken sammie from McDonald's or Jack in the box.
Hubby, (the one I have to please with the food) was impressed that he could eat it. As most of you know he has no teeth, having to have had them removed after cancer destroyed them. Finding something he can eat is the challenge of my life! lol. he ate the entire pattie i fried for him, and probably would have eaten another if I had made him more. lol.
Then I took the remainder, and like Sarah did I boiled it. I used chicken broth to boil mine in. I boiled it for 20 minutes then took it out and let it cool for a few. It had the feel and look of a brain when I took it out... I know that sounds unappetizing, but it was kind of fun...
Upon cutting into it, I found that it hadn't cooked all the way through, again, I am thinking this is because of the altitude difference. I would boil it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, OR make smaller balls of dough.
It was done enough on the outside for us to eat the outside, and leave the inner uncooked part. Hubby didn't like it. He said that it resembled cooked playdough in texture and flavor. lol. I could eat it if I put sauce on it... maybe I will turn it into dumplings or something and try it again later.
So the consensus is that at some future date, I'll make it fried, hubby really liked that, but boiled was a no-go for him.
It's going in my personal recipe file for me to use again, though. 90% or so on the protien meter isn't bad if you are stuck with little to no real meat and you can't leave due to being locked down for Swine Flu pandemic or invading mutant zombie bikers!
Give Sarah's other video's a look, she has some good stuff. Sarah's Pioneer Living or exploreourplanetorg on youtube.com
I watched this video and thought I would give it a go! Here's the recipe written out:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat gluten
1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
mix these dry ingredients well.
1/2 cup COLD water
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
Mix these liquid ingredients and add to the dry.
Let rest 5 minutes.
Can be fried in oil, (olive oil is good, but sesame oil is preferred), as patties that are 1/2 of an inch thick.
Or, you can boil it in water, broth of any kind. Bring liquid to a boil, then add your dough, and return to boil. then turn to a simmer and let it go for 20 minutes.
OR you can keep it in a bag in the fridge for up to a week while pulling off what you would like to use for each meal.
If you boil, slice and eat, good on sammies or in stir fry.
To make it sweeter, use 1 TBSP of any sweetener of your choice before adding the liquid to the recipe.
OK, on to the reveiw. lol.
I made it up according to Sarah's directions. Being that I am at 5000 feet above sea level or that we are in a more arid area I ended up adding more water (between 1/3 to 1/2 cup more) in order to get it to the same consistency as what Sarah shows in the video (LOVE VIDEOS!). Once I had it to the same consistency, I fried up 2 patties in regular veggie oil (it's what I had unless I wanted to use lard), in my 10" cast iron skillet. One patty for me, and one for the hubby.
Fried it was pretty good. I could see it with alfredo sauce and some veggies, or with some gravy and mashed taters. I could also see it fried in a bun with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes like a chicken sammie from McDonald's or Jack in the box.
Hubby, (the one I have to please with the food) was impressed that he could eat it. As most of you know he has no teeth, having to have had them removed after cancer destroyed them. Finding something he can eat is the challenge of my life! lol. he ate the entire pattie i fried for him, and probably would have eaten another if I had made him more. lol.
Then I took the remainder, and like Sarah did I boiled it. I used chicken broth to boil mine in. I boiled it for 20 minutes then took it out and let it cool for a few. It had the feel and look of a brain when I took it out... I know that sounds unappetizing, but it was kind of fun...
Upon cutting into it, I found that it hadn't cooked all the way through, again, I am thinking this is because of the altitude difference. I would boil it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, OR make smaller balls of dough.
It was done enough on the outside for us to eat the outside, and leave the inner uncooked part. Hubby didn't like it. He said that it resembled cooked playdough in texture and flavor. lol. I could eat it if I put sauce on it... maybe I will turn it into dumplings or something and try it again later.
So the consensus is that at some future date, I'll make it fried, hubby really liked that, but boiled was a no-go for him.
It's going in my personal recipe file for me to use again, though. 90% or so on the protien meter isn't bad if you are stuck with little to no real meat and you can't leave due to being locked down for Swine Flu pandemic or invading mutant zombie bikers!
Give Sarah's other video's a look, she has some good stuff. Sarah's Pioneer Living or exploreourplanetorg on youtube.com
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Curiousier and Curiouser..
ok, I am on A LOT of yahoo groups mailing lists. I read about subjects about everything from my favorite author, to food storage, to survivalism, to dogs, to polygamy, to LDS, to Pagan, to prophesy... Why is it that there is always someone who assumes things? I got this message today from "MIDSBOY247" this morning on my yahoo messenger. Looking at his yahoo profile, it's blank. This tells me that he's either very new, a spammer, or a troll. I thought he had a legitimate question.. "hi there....i saw you on the christian polygamy group on yahoo thats why i have chosen to ask you this question because you are obviously open minded. the question that i want to ask is this. have you ever thought about the idea of breastfeeding a partner? i know it is a strange question but i thought i would ask."
Now, I am not above being a ding dong.. but at first I thought this was a legitimate question and that he wanted to know if this is a sound idea or just kink. lol. I told him to each their own. There is historical evidence of a young woman who kept her imprisoned father alive by breastfeeding him. It was the only way that she could keep him from starving...
But when, just a few lines later, he wanted to know if I found it erogenous... I KNEW by then he wanted to know if I would to cyber with him... So I kind of cut loose a little bit...
"I am not on polygamous for cybersex or to "hook up". Why is it that so many men think that because a woman doesn't mind sharing her life, her husband, her family with another woman that means that she will talk about sex with just any man? Or that she sleeps around? Is there something about a woman, who has sex with only her husband, that turns a man on? that she's loving and monogamous with her husband somehow makes her more attractive? It's not like it's an orgy. lol. husband only sleeps with one woman at a time, and sister-wives do not sleep together.... There is no "kink" like breastfeeding your husband, or spanking, or woman on woman oral... It's plain ol' sex. the kind that any man would have with any one woman. lol. This does not mean that the man in the house sleeps with any woman off the street... and it doesn't mean that any of the sister wives will drop their drawers for any man who they pass on the street, or meet on a yahoo group. IF you are interested in being breastfed, just ask your wife. She will either tell you yes, or no."
the reply I got from midsboy247? "ok" and now all is silent on his end. lol.
By the way, midsboy247 says he's a man, and that he's 32 years old. Come on!
Like most of the nation I got interested in polygamy after I started watching "Big Love" (a series I love, and can't wait for season 3 to come on DVD so I can get it from Netflix!). Being that my fathers side of the family was all LDS, and I am a decendant of Wilford Woodruff who signed the 1880 pact that ended polygamy it's kind of something I wanted to learn more about.
Over the years I have met a lot of polygamous families now... And I have to say, that the families I have personally met are all well adjusted, productive, positive families.
I get behind that a lot. There are sooo many broken homes, divorces, children being handed around from family to family... And it's kind of a natural thing anyway. There is always someone home for the kids, there is more income if more than just the husband is working, and it's just a huge family. I can't really see the downside to it. It's Biblical, (Abraham, David, Isaac, Moses, Solomon, and more all had more than one wife.) Many hands make light work, and it makes sure there is always someone there to share your ups and downs of life!
But, there is so many negative connotations behind the idea of a man having more than one wife. Pictures of orgies, and girl/girl interaction pop into every undisciplined mind. I guess it's just human nature to think of Kink before they think of love and family. lol.
Now, I am not above being a ding dong.. but at first I thought this was a legitimate question and that he wanted to know if this is a sound idea or just kink. lol. I told him to each their own. There is historical evidence of a young woman who kept her imprisoned father alive by breastfeeding him. It was the only way that she could keep him from starving...
But when, just a few lines later, he wanted to know if I found it erogenous... I KNEW by then he wanted to know if I would to cyber with him... So I kind of cut loose a little bit...
"I am not on polygamous for cybersex or to "hook up". Why is it that so many men think that because a woman doesn't mind sharing her life, her husband, her family with another woman that means that she will talk about sex with just any man? Or that she sleeps around? Is there something about a woman, who has sex with only her husband, that turns a man on? that she's loving and monogamous with her husband somehow makes her more attractive? It's not like it's an orgy. lol. husband only sleeps with one woman at a time, and sister-wives do not sleep together.... There is no "kink" like breastfeeding your husband, or spanking, or woman on woman oral... It's plain ol' sex. the kind that any man would have with any one woman. lol. This does not mean that the man in the house sleeps with any woman off the street... and it doesn't mean that any of the sister wives will drop their drawers for any man who they pass on the street, or meet on a yahoo group. IF you are interested in being breastfed, just ask your wife. She will either tell you yes, or no."
the reply I got from midsboy247? "ok" and now all is silent on his end. lol.
By the way, midsboy247 says he's a man, and that he's 32 years old. Come on!
Like most of the nation I got interested in polygamy after I started watching "Big Love" (a series I love, and can't wait for season 3 to come on DVD so I can get it from Netflix!). Being that my fathers side of the family was all LDS, and I am a decendant of Wilford Woodruff who signed the 1880 pact that ended polygamy it's kind of something I wanted to learn more about.
Over the years I have met a lot of polygamous families now... And I have to say, that the families I have personally met are all well adjusted, productive, positive families.
I get behind that a lot. There are sooo many broken homes, divorces, children being handed around from family to family... And it's kind of a natural thing anyway. There is always someone home for the kids, there is more income if more than just the husband is working, and it's just a huge family. I can't really see the downside to it. It's Biblical, (Abraham, David, Isaac, Moses, Solomon, and more all had more than one wife.) Many hands make light work, and it makes sure there is always someone there to share your ups and downs of life!
But, there is so many negative connotations behind the idea of a man having more than one wife. Pictures of orgies, and girl/girl interaction pop into every undisciplined mind. I guess it's just human nature to think of Kink before they think of love and family. lol.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tradin', Tradin', Tradin'!!!
Ok, so barter is alive and well in rural America.
When we moved into the house we are now in, the former occupants had left 3 big pots out front full of growing walking onions! I have used some, and I will use some more, but onions aren't something I use a LOT of. I have dogs, and I have a husband who beleives the dogs should have everything we do. So I tend to not keep a lot of things on hand that the dogs can't eat. Grapes, onions, macadamia nuts... on and on.
Anyway, what I did (and still do) need is canning jars! Pints or Quarts.
Enter "the swap". Driving through town yesterday on my way out of town I noticed someone up here had set up some tables and had some stuff up for sale. I went back once we got home and found out it was a nodding aquaintance of ours! Whee.. chatted some, bought a couple of books mentioned I had some rabbit cages to trade and that I was looking for some canning jars. They didn't need the cages, but they do have a plethora of jars. I also was talking about where we moved to and about what was left here by the former occupants. They jumped all over the onions.
So, today I went back and I swapped one of my largish flower pots (about a 3 gallon pot) full of onions for 3 dozen quart size canning jars. Which I have now been putting in the dishwasher so I can dry them out and put away some of these beans, rice, and other stuff that is in bags. Whoot! Now the food will last longer and it's much more rodent and bug proof!
When we moved into the house we are now in, the former occupants had left 3 big pots out front full of growing walking onions! I have used some, and I will use some more, but onions aren't something I use a LOT of. I have dogs, and I have a husband who beleives the dogs should have everything we do. So I tend to not keep a lot of things on hand that the dogs can't eat. Grapes, onions, macadamia nuts... on and on.
Anyway, what I did (and still do) need is canning jars! Pints or Quarts.
Enter "the swap". Driving through town yesterday on my way out of town I noticed someone up here had set up some tables and had some stuff up for sale. I went back once we got home and found out it was a nodding aquaintance of ours! Whee.. chatted some, bought a couple of books mentioned I had some rabbit cages to trade and that I was looking for some canning jars. They didn't need the cages, but they do have a plethora of jars. I also was talking about where we moved to and about what was left here by the former occupants. They jumped all over the onions.
So, today I went back and I swapped one of my largish flower pots (about a 3 gallon pot) full of onions for 3 dozen quart size canning jars. Which I have now been putting in the dishwasher so I can dry them out and put away some of these beans, rice, and other stuff that is in bags. Whoot! Now the food will last longer and it's much more rodent and bug proof!
Glop...
Dinner was pretty good! and super simple really.
brown 1 pound of hamburger
4 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
1 yellow zuchinni of medum size, chopped in 1 inch squares
italian seasoning
a dash of rosemary
1 can diced tomatoes, drained slightly
Put the garlic in a saute pan with a little oil and let it just start to soften. Add the zuchinni. Once the zuch is softening, add the hamburger and brown it up. By the time the beef is browned, then the zuch's should be soft. Add the can of tomatoes and the seasonings.
whille all of this is going on, boil up some egg noodles (how ever much you need for your family!) and then drain them off.
To serve it all, put a scoop of noodles on your plate, then ladle on some glop, serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
TADA! And it was very, very good! Hubby went back for seconds.
brown 1 pound of hamburger
4 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
1 yellow zuchinni of medum size, chopped in 1 inch squares
italian seasoning
a dash of rosemary
1 can diced tomatoes, drained slightly
Put the garlic in a saute pan with a little oil and let it just start to soften. Add the zuchinni. Once the zuch is softening, add the hamburger and brown it up. By the time the beef is browned, then the zuch's should be soft. Add the can of tomatoes and the seasonings.
whille all of this is going on, boil up some egg noodles (how ever much you need for your family!) and then drain them off.
To serve it all, put a scoop of noodles on your plate, then ladle on some glop, serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
TADA! And it was very, very good! Hubby went back for seconds.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
dog treats and breeding peanut butter
I have a very huge over abundance of peanut butter here. lol. I tried to share with friends, but everyone I asked also had several jars. You get them everywhere up here. They are a cheap form of protien so they are given as gifts, "knock and drops" and other wonderful occasions...
Had a baby? here's some peanut butter... Birthday? Have some peanut butter... broke your arm? have some peanut butter... dog had puppies? peanut butter... dog ran away? have some peanut butter.
Get a food box and you get peanut butter. Get commodities from the tribe get peanut butter... lol.
I think the are like zuchini, you turn your back and they breed. Mind you I am not complaining... but I do think it's funny. I have this awesome memory of being here at my new home (back in November) for only about 2 weeks. We went and visited one of our new found friends and I mentioned I had to run to town, I was out of peanut butter and a few other items. Friends' hubby went to the cabinet and grabbed a 2 pack of Jif and said there you go. It wasn't until later that I found out that they had 12 jars of peanut butter. ROFL. Since this time I have found out that it's tradition around here. Some jars are more beloved than grandparents. Being passed from friend to friend and neighbor to neighbor for generations.
Needless to say, that even with hubby loving the stuff, and myself liking it somewhat, it continues to grow. Currently I have about 7 jars. Consuming one or two a week just doesn't cut it! They reproduce way too fast. This of course will come in handy down the road, remember, food storage is important. But because of this abundance I started looking for more recipes to use it in. I have 3 dogs.. TADA Dog treats! I found a few recipes, and yesterday made a second batch with a second recipe to try. I didn't like yesterdays batch, it was crispy hard and was a pain in the butt to get all cut out and in the pan and cooked... Maybe that was because i was using a 1 inch by 3/4 inch gingerbread man cookie cutter. lol. The final 1/2 of the batch I just whizzed into squares with my handi-dandi pizza cutter. Anyway... The recipe i made the day before I really liked! So, I'll include that recipe here. They were easy to do as you just scoop them onto your cookie sheets and smoosh them like you would sugar cookies. dump, mix, plop, flatten, cook, done!
Peanut butter dog treats
1 cup to 1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ (I used ground flax seed as I didn't have the wheat germ)
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (I used smooth, I don't have crunchy)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C)
mix all ingredients either by hand or on low until well blended. Form into tablespoon sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten balls to 1/4" thick using a fork or spoon.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes about 20 cookies.
I used my smallest pampered chef scoop. I can't remember the scoop size, but I think it's either a tablespoon sized scoop or just under. then I flattened with a fork like you would sugar cookies. I got 27 treats out of the recipe.
Even after being 3 days old now, they are still soft. I have them stored in a 1 gallon sized plastic jar. I think next time I'll add a little cinnamon or parsley. Cinnamon is good for their blood, and parsley is good for their breath. I'm a little surprised that it didn't include salt. Iodine just as important for dogs as it is for us. In the wild the dog would get iodine from the blood of it's kill. Same with salt. Although, hopefully, they are getting enough of this in the dog food that is fed....
Had a baby? here's some peanut butter... Birthday? Have some peanut butter... broke your arm? have some peanut butter... dog had puppies? peanut butter... dog ran away? have some peanut butter.
Get a food box and you get peanut butter. Get commodities from the tribe get peanut butter... lol.
I think the are like zuchini, you turn your back and they breed. Mind you I am not complaining... but I do think it's funny. I have this awesome memory of being here at my new home (back in November) for only about 2 weeks. We went and visited one of our new found friends and I mentioned I had to run to town, I was out of peanut butter and a few other items. Friends' hubby went to the cabinet and grabbed a 2 pack of Jif and said there you go. It wasn't until later that I found out that they had 12 jars of peanut butter. ROFL. Since this time I have found out that it's tradition around here. Some jars are more beloved than grandparents. Being passed from friend to friend and neighbor to neighbor for generations.
Needless to say, that even with hubby loving the stuff, and myself liking it somewhat, it continues to grow. Currently I have about 7 jars. Consuming one or two a week just doesn't cut it! They reproduce way too fast. This of course will come in handy down the road, remember, food storage is important. But because of this abundance I started looking for more recipes to use it in. I have 3 dogs.. TADA Dog treats! I found a few recipes, and yesterday made a second batch with a second recipe to try. I didn't like yesterdays batch, it was crispy hard and was a pain in the butt to get all cut out and in the pan and cooked... Maybe that was because i was using a 1 inch by 3/4 inch gingerbread man cookie cutter. lol. The final 1/2 of the batch I just whizzed into squares with my handi-dandi pizza cutter. Anyway... The recipe i made the day before I really liked! So, I'll include that recipe here. They were easy to do as you just scoop them onto your cookie sheets and smoosh them like you would sugar cookies. dump, mix, plop, flatten, cook, done!
Peanut butter dog treats
1 cup to 1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ (I used ground flax seed as I didn't have the wheat germ)
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (I used smooth, I don't have crunchy)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C)
mix all ingredients either by hand or on low until well blended. Form into tablespoon sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten balls to 1/4" thick using a fork or spoon.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes about 20 cookies.
I used my smallest pampered chef scoop. I can't remember the scoop size, but I think it's either a tablespoon sized scoop or just under. then I flattened with a fork like you would sugar cookies. I got 27 treats out of the recipe.
Even after being 3 days old now, they are still soft. I have them stored in a 1 gallon sized plastic jar. I think next time I'll add a little cinnamon or parsley. Cinnamon is good for their blood, and parsley is good for their breath. I'm a little surprised that it didn't include salt. Iodine just as important for dogs as it is for us. In the wild the dog would get iodine from the blood of it's kill. Same with salt. Although, hopefully, they are getting enough of this in the dog food that is fed....
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Heating Oil
Whew.. I called around today and found the company that provides the heating oil to the new house... I gotta tell ya... It's not cheap! $2.58 a gallon, and our tank is a 240 gallon tank. According to their records this house goes through 60 - 70 gallons a month. So I am thinking I'll start with 100 gallons in our tank and see how long that lasts.. But even that is $258.00! Of course with that kind of cost it'll be waiting until the first part of October, hopefully wen't won't need it before then. lol. If we do, then we'll be in a whole world of hurt. :(
This weekend is supposed to be pretty cold too. 50's for the day and 30's at night. We'll crank up the electric heater if needed for that. Although, what we have is one heater and it's in the bedroom. :) I'll get a few more milkhouse or radiant heaters for the back two bedrooms we aren't using. That will keep them above freezing at least. Have to be careful, the water pipes run through the ceiling here and I don't want them freezing at all!
This weekend is supposed to be pretty cold too. 50's for the day and 30's at night. We'll crank up the electric heater if needed for that. Although, what we have is one heater and it's in the bedroom. :) I'll get a few more milkhouse or radiant heaters for the back two bedrooms we aren't using. That will keep them above freezing at least. Have to be careful, the water pipes run through the ceiling here and I don't want them freezing at all!
Monday, August 31, 2009
"vital" records?
ok. so I don't know if this makes me feel good, or just scared. I went on my birthday (8/28) to DMV because my license was due. Granted I knew I needed my birth certificate so I knew I needed to just have a temp license until then. Ok, no problem. This was last friday. (got the temp, I'm good to go! I'll go in and get my new license the end of this month.) Knowing that I needed my birth certificate, I had ordered it on thursday when we had gotten paid so that I had it to go back in with.
to complete the process of ordering my birth certificate i went to vital statistics, and ordered it. you do it all online, you enter your name at birth, your birthdate, your parents full names (mother's maiden name of course), where you were born and your mailing address. To check that you are really you, then you print off a form you fill out, enclude a copy of your current license (or passport, picture id is what they recquest) and then you fax it to them. once they receive your fax, they mail you your birth certificate.
As you all know we live out in the boonies of the world. this means, no fax machine. So, I have it all ready to go in my bag for when we go into town this week. I'll fax it when i go in, then it'll take 2 business days for me to get my certificate... Well... That's the process and the plan anyway.
Today, when I went down to get the mail there was my birth certificate! I never faxed off the verification . So based on just the information that they received online from me (and my $32.50 which is paid for off a credit card you enter on the site) they decided that I was who I said I was and shipped it. I gotta admit... I don't know if I am comfortable with that. I could have said I was anyone and if I had the information then I would have gotten the birth certificate and stolen their id. On the other hand... It sure made it easy for me! lol.
to complete the process of ordering my birth certificate i went to vital statistics, and ordered it. you do it all online, you enter your name at birth, your birthdate, your parents full names (mother's maiden name of course), where you were born and your mailing address. To check that you are really you, then you print off a form you fill out, enclude a copy of your current license (or passport, picture id is what they recquest) and then you fax it to them. once they receive your fax, they mail you your birth certificate.
As you all know we live out in the boonies of the world. this means, no fax machine. So, I have it all ready to go in my bag for when we go into town this week. I'll fax it when i go in, then it'll take 2 business days for me to get my certificate... Well... That's the process and the plan anyway.
Today, when I went down to get the mail there was my birth certificate! I never faxed off the verification . So based on just the information that they received online from me (and my $32.50 which is paid for off a credit card you enter on the site) they decided that I was who I said I was and shipped it. I gotta admit... I don't know if I am comfortable with that. I could have said I was anyone and if I had the information then I would have gotten the birth certificate and stolen their id. On the other hand... It sure made it easy for me! lol.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Another cheap meal - lunch
drain one can of each:
garbonzo beans
kidney beans
pinto beans
(small can) beet slices
put it all in a bowl, and drizzle with creamy balsalmic dressing.
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1 cup shredded cheese
mix all together... Eat.
garbonzo beans
kidney beans
pinto beans
(small can) beet slices
put it all in a bowl, and drizzle with creamy balsalmic dressing.
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1 cup shredded cheese
mix all together... Eat.
Cheap, cheap, cheap dinner
Baked rotini with hamburger! yummm
3/4 lb whole wheat rotini, boiled as per package directions, then drained
1 can (12 ounces) spaghetti sauce, whatever flavor
splash of balsalmic vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp thyme
cheddar cheese, about 1/2 lb
1 lb hamburger browned and drained
mix it all together except about 1/2 the cheese. put all into a 9x9 baking dish. sprinkle left over cheese over the top. bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is all melty and bubbly and starting to brown just a little.
Yummy! Serve with homemade bread. lol.
For me this was CHEAP to make. I just had to pay for the spices, and the vinegar, everything else I received in my commodity box.
3/4 lb whole wheat rotini, boiled as per package directions, then drained
1 can (12 ounces) spaghetti sauce, whatever flavor
splash of balsalmic vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp thyme
cheddar cheese, about 1/2 lb
1 lb hamburger browned and drained
mix it all together except about 1/2 the cheese. put all into a 9x9 baking dish. sprinkle left over cheese over the top. bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is all melty and bubbly and starting to brown just a little.
Yummy! Serve with homemade bread. lol.
For me this was CHEAP to make. I just had to pay for the spices, and the vinegar, everything else I received in my commodity box.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Dinners!
I am behind on posting dinners. So here are the ones from the last few nights so that you can oooh and ahhh over them... (ok, maybe not so much, but maybe it'll spark some thought!)
Wednesday night dinner was simple, but filling...
1/2 head of cabbage chopped up
1/4 lb of bulk ground sausage browned
5 small/medium carrots chopped up
1 medium onion
dash olive oil
2 tbsp butter
salt
lemon pepper
1 can chicken broth
put everything in a pan with a lid and slip it into a 350 F degree oven until the cabbage and carrots are tender. Serve with a nice homemade bread. yumm! Hubby ate seconds, and would have had thirds if there had been enough. I still have enough cabbage that I think I'll do this again today. But I don't have any carrots left so I'll heat canned carrots on the side and then just put some of those in it once it's done cooking.
Then Dinner last night was baked pasta.
1 lb of ground beef, browned
3/4 lb of whole wheat rotini, cooked and drained
1 regular can of spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp balsalmic vinegar
2 tbsp italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/3 lb cheese, grated
cook the pasta, and brown the hamburger, combine everything except the cheese in a pan. I tossed 1 handful of the cheese INTO the pasta mix, just to distribute the cheese throughout. Pour all of this into a baking pan. For me, it fit into a 9" square cake pan. Top with remaining cheese, and then bake until the cheese starts to brown on the top.
Again, serve with a nice homemade bread and some garlic butter.
TADA! Dinners!
Wednesday night dinner was simple, but filling...
1/2 head of cabbage chopped up
1/4 lb of bulk ground sausage browned
5 small/medium carrots chopped up
1 medium onion
dash olive oil
2 tbsp butter
salt
lemon pepper
1 can chicken broth
put everything in a pan with a lid and slip it into a 350 F degree oven until the cabbage and carrots are tender. Serve with a nice homemade bread. yumm! Hubby ate seconds, and would have had thirds if there had been enough. I still have enough cabbage that I think I'll do this again today. But I don't have any carrots left so I'll heat canned carrots on the side and then just put some of those in it once it's done cooking.
Then Dinner last night was baked pasta.
1 lb of ground beef, browned
3/4 lb of whole wheat rotini, cooked and drained
1 regular can of spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp balsalmic vinegar
2 tbsp italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/3 lb cheese, grated
cook the pasta, and brown the hamburger, combine everything except the cheese in a pan. I tossed 1 handful of the cheese INTO the pasta mix, just to distribute the cheese throughout. Pour all of this into a baking pan. For me, it fit into a 9" square cake pan. Top with remaining cheese, and then bake until the cheese starts to brown on the top.
Again, serve with a nice homemade bread and some garlic butter.
TADA! Dinners!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Updo for the day
I just REALLY, REALLY wanted my hair out of the way today. I had seen this video on youtube by a poster who calls herself pursebuzz...
http://www.youtube.com/user/pursebuzz
http://www.pursebuzz.com
And I really liked the updo/"don't worry about it" style that she showed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9a_fATA_1Y&feature=channel_page
So, using a scarf that my beloved mother in law sent me, I went to work!
TADA!
I think I got my bun higher than hers today.. . But it still looks kind of cute and gets my hair out of my way for a day of errands, and housework.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Bread of Life....
I have been baking a lot of bread lately, 6 loaves this week,and maybe another 3 will have to be made on Sunday. It's nice though, as it saves us about $1.50 per loaf that I make instead of we buy. Unfortunately I have ran into the problem of crumbles. It just doesn't stick together as I like. I went researching on the net and found that either, I need to change flour, or I have been adding too much flour. So, I'll cut back on the flour next time I make bread and see how that works for me. I use all purpose flour for my bread making. Bread flour is a little pricier to purchase and I get the all purpose flour in my commodities boxes. I have some gluten here (I just have to find where I packed it!) and maybe I'll try adding a little to the bread to see if that helps too. But not both changes at once of course. lol.
Yesterdays loaves I added 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal to. Same texture after baking as the rest, but I know the oatmeal added some healthy goodness to the bread. That batch is also my last batch with molasses for a while. I am now officially out of molasses. Not bad for not having bought any in a year. lol. I did go digging and found a can of Steen's Cane Syrup in my canned goods. I had bought it for making worcestershire but never did try making it, so I think I'll use this in the next batch of bread and see how it comes out. I'm kind of excited about using the cane syrup, it's supposed to be really good. I am anticipating it being a bit like molasses, except sweeter. I'll let you all know.
I am doing breakfast for dinner tonight. I have some sausage, and some eggs, and I'll do them up and make tortillas and we'll have breakfast burritos for dinner. I will probably add some refried beans to it too. A good source of fiber and some vitamins. Lol. I keep making all these things with flour and I may have to actually buy some.
We need to work harder on stocking up stuff for this winter. Since the major stores are all 50 miles away over a mountain pass, and it snows on that pass over 2 feet at a time I have to be ready to not go to town. There are 2 convienence stores here in our little town, but they carry a limited supply of anything that is not chips, pop or beer. lol.
I REALLY need to get a freezer. Since we have the generator I am not so worried about loosing power over the winter storm season and loosing everything. I just need to be sure that our gas cans are full at all times during the cold weather. That's not too hard to do, our local gas station is about 6 blocks away or so. If I get a freezer, then I can stock up on frozen meat, cheese and such to really help it so we don't have to go to town as often.
ok, I have to get ready to do another load of laundry (by hand of course!) so I am outta here!
Be looking for pictures in the next few days.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Another "lazy" day
We have decided we are going to stay home today too. This will give us a chance to unpack some more, as well as conserve some gas. We have $50.00 on us and that has to last until around the 27th when hubby gets his next disability check. Since there is plenty of food in the house, this makes the ongoing large expense, gas. We wouldn't have had this much except my beloved mother in law sent us birthday money, and I got a small reimbursal from medical expenses. I am not complaining at all about our financial situation right now, we have no other bills due until after the 1st of the month. Now that we are living back in town, we don't have to run once every 14 days or so to get propane and gas either. It all comes in a bill once a month called "electric bill". lol. Plans for today include unpacking, and getting directions to Hubby's appointment in town tomorrow. I really don't want to have to go back in this soon, we were just in there on Thursday, but if you have to, then you have to!
Found a pretty good website that I've been purusing. everydayfoodstorage.com She has a lot of good info there, and she also has videos up at youtube. Just be careful with some of her info. In a few of her videos she uses, and suggests you use, hot water from the tap to cook with. This is dangerous. Older home may still have pipes that are soldered with lead solder, and sediment in the water heater could make you sick. So, other than boiling your own water either on the stove, or in the microwave, her stuff is all good.
We watched Wall*E yesterday. It's an older movie, but it was very, very cute. B&L (Big & Large) stores were the main thing in it and it cracked me up. B&L = Walmart? lol. If you haven't seen it, rent it and give it a look. It's cute, cute, cute! A lot of adult humor such as poking fun at America and it's people who sit on their rumps and drink/eat fast food and dress in the latest fad fashions. No nasty language or sex or anything like that. Just some stuff younger kids wouldn't get.
Anyway, I have 7 totes in my craft room all screaming to be emptied, so I'm off for a bit!
Toodles.
Found a pretty good website that I've been purusing. everydayfoodstorage.com She has a lot of good info there, and she also has videos up at youtube. Just be careful with some of her info. In a few of her videos she uses, and suggests you use, hot water from the tap to cook with. This is dangerous. Older home may still have pipes that are soldered with lead solder, and sediment in the water heater could make you sick. So, other than boiling your own water either on the stove, or in the microwave, her stuff is all good.
We watched Wall*E yesterday. It's an older movie, but it was very, very cute. B&L (Big & Large) stores were the main thing in it and it cracked me up. B&L = Walmart? lol. If you haven't seen it, rent it and give it a look. It's cute, cute, cute! A lot of adult humor such as poking fun at America and it's people who sit on their rumps and drink/eat fast food and dress in the latest fad fashions. No nasty language or sex or anything like that. Just some stuff younger kids wouldn't get.
Anyway, I have 7 totes in my craft room all screaming to be emptied, so I'm off for a bit!
Toodles.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Life the Universe and Everything
What a soggy, soggy world I woke up to today. lol. After a few weeks of 90+ weather it's a nice turn around... Of course it raises the question as to whether or not we will be able to get up to the mobile to get another load today. My car is a front wheel drive, but it is not a 4x4 so if it's too slick, I won't be able to get up there. lol. Maybe I'll just stay here at home today.
Yesterday we went to the big city. That was an ordeal in and of itself... But not nearly as big a deal as coming home! We go over a mountain summit coming home that is near 5000 Feet in elevation. And as we neared the top of this summit, there was torrential rain. It was to the point that it had washed mud and rocks over the road in 2 seperate places. Mind you this is far from a straight road. Most of this part of the road is 30 and 35 mile per hour and wicked, wicked curves. the higher we got the worse it got... THEN at one point there was marble size hail (thankfully it had already fallen and we weren't in the middle of it coming down!) that was on the road and next to the road and it was 2 inches deep. That was pretty scary driving with it on the road. I would rather have had snow. lol. It's been raining every since. Here at the house everything is all soggy this morning, and wet, including standing water on the road.
Hubby has just told me that we are rained out, the rest of moving is on rain delay. lol. Take a day he said, just to be sure we can get up the road to the property.
Ok, so I'll make some bread instead! Whoot. I used to have a bread maker. I loved it because it was so simple that my 6 year old niece could make bread in it. Toss in the ingredients, and turn it on and wait 3 hours. Tada! Bread. If you used a box mix it was even easier since you only had to measure the water and butter that went in. hehe. Lazy man's bread. but good. We used it as a luxury item since we would stand drooling at the bread machine for 3 hours while it worked and then devour the loaf in about 30 minutes. It didn't make a very big loaf, maybe 8 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches or so. But, when I moved, it went into storage and it's not here with me. Darn it. So, I went to work on making bread from scratch by hand. It's not hard either. I had done it before, just not recently. I used to do it as a teen every once in a while, but it wasn't something I was interested in then. Anyway, so I have been searching for a great bread recipe. I did one from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that was an english muffin recipe that you do as a loaf. It was ok... but was entirely too salty for me. Hubby liked it. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had toasted it. I also did an oatmeal loaf that was pretty good, but it was very crumbly. Crumbly bread sucks, because it's hard to put butter, jam or peanut butter on it. I like a nice dense bread that doesn't fall apart. So I continued my quest and found this recipe. It's from Carla Emery's book called "An Encyclopedia of Country Living, Old Fashioned Recipe Book". This is the original edition of her book, this Encyclopedia is now into the 10th Edition (revision) and continues to be wonderful through the 9th edition, which is the other one I have. Carla passed away while working on the 10th Edition, so I think it was finished by her family or editor or something... Anyway, here is the recipe.
Grossmamma Baum's Basic Yeast Bread
Grossmamma lives in Seattle, Washington. She has used this basic recipe for more years than most of us have lived. "Each time I make bread it is a little bit different. Use the basic, toss in raw peanuts, seasame seed, sunflower seed, dried fruit. Use honey, molasses instead of sugar. Each time you have a new taste and texture. I won a blue ribbon at the Western Washington Fair last year, but if they asked me for the reipe I could only give them the basic recipe and say I put in a little of this and that".
3 loaves
3 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons salt
5 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour (usually much more)
4 loaves
4 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
3/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons salt
7 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour
5 loaves
5 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
1 cup sugar
5 teaspoons salt
8 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour
Dissolve yeast in warm water, add sugar, salt and shortening. Add flour until no more can be added. Dough should be elastic. Knead and place in warm place. Raise until double in size. Punch down and knead again - pinch into loaves. Let rise approximately 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.
Wipe lightly over top of loaves with oil or shortening after removing from pans.
OK, so, here is what I ended up doing. For the shortening I used butter in the first batch and shortening in the second batch. Both were very yummy. And I don't know if it's the altitude or the aridity of the area I live in, but I put between 5 and 6 cups of flour into each batch and it was perfect. There was no way I could have had the dough take in a full 8 to 10 cups of flour much less MORE than that. lol. I made both of these batches with sugar, but I think I'll make the batches today with molasses just to break it up a bit. I did the 3 loaf batch for both of my batches. It was loved by all who ate it. I ended up giving away 3 loaves total, and we ate 3 loaves. I also think I'll do some wheat flour in the mix this time too instead of just straight white flour. I have some gluten so for each cup of wheat flour I'll add 1 tablespoon of wheat gluten (can also use tapioca pudding mix if you have no gluten in the house).
The great thing about this is that it makes a great basic dough. you can make just about anything from this that you like. Pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, hot dog buns, hamburger buns... The possiblities are totally endless. I think that today when I make it I'll do a batch of cinnamon rolls too... hehe... hubby loves cinnamon rolls. Gotta admit that I think it's a grand idea to have some sweets in the house too. hehe.
ok, I am off to start my day. HUGS!
Yesterday we went to the big city. That was an ordeal in and of itself... But not nearly as big a deal as coming home! We go over a mountain summit coming home that is near 5000 Feet in elevation. And as we neared the top of this summit, there was torrential rain. It was to the point that it had washed mud and rocks over the road in 2 seperate places. Mind you this is far from a straight road. Most of this part of the road is 30 and 35 mile per hour and wicked, wicked curves. the higher we got the worse it got... THEN at one point there was marble size hail (thankfully it had already fallen and we weren't in the middle of it coming down!) that was on the road and next to the road and it was 2 inches deep. That was pretty scary driving with it on the road. I would rather have had snow. lol. It's been raining every since. Here at the house everything is all soggy this morning, and wet, including standing water on the road.
Hubby has just told me that we are rained out, the rest of moving is on rain delay. lol. Take a day he said, just to be sure we can get up the road to the property.
Ok, so I'll make some bread instead! Whoot. I used to have a bread maker. I loved it because it was so simple that my 6 year old niece could make bread in it. Toss in the ingredients, and turn it on and wait 3 hours. Tada! Bread. If you used a box mix it was even easier since you only had to measure the water and butter that went in. hehe. Lazy man's bread. but good. We used it as a luxury item since we would stand drooling at the bread machine for 3 hours while it worked and then devour the loaf in about 30 minutes. It didn't make a very big loaf, maybe 8 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches or so. But, when I moved, it went into storage and it's not here with me. Darn it. So, I went to work on making bread from scratch by hand. It's not hard either. I had done it before, just not recently. I used to do it as a teen every once in a while, but it wasn't something I was interested in then. Anyway, so I have been searching for a great bread recipe. I did one from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that was an english muffin recipe that you do as a loaf. It was ok... but was entirely too salty for me. Hubby liked it. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had toasted it. I also did an oatmeal loaf that was pretty good, but it was very crumbly. Crumbly bread sucks, because it's hard to put butter, jam or peanut butter on it. I like a nice dense bread that doesn't fall apart. So I continued my quest and found this recipe. It's from Carla Emery's book called "An Encyclopedia of Country Living, Old Fashioned Recipe Book". This is the original edition of her book, this Encyclopedia is now into the 10th Edition (revision) and continues to be wonderful through the 9th edition, which is the other one I have. Carla passed away while working on the 10th Edition, so I think it was finished by her family or editor or something... Anyway, here is the recipe.
Grossmamma Baum's Basic Yeast Bread
Grossmamma lives in Seattle, Washington. She has used this basic recipe for more years than most of us have lived. "Each time I make bread it is a little bit different. Use the basic, toss in raw peanuts, seasame seed, sunflower seed, dried fruit. Use honey, molasses instead of sugar. Each time you have a new taste and texture. I won a blue ribbon at the Western Washington Fair last year, but if they asked me for the reipe I could only give them the basic recipe and say I put in a little of this and that".
3 loaves
3 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons salt
5 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour (usually much more)
4 loaves
4 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
3/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons salt
7 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour
5 loaves
5 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast
1 cup sugar
5 teaspoons salt
8 level tablespoons shortening
8 to 10 cups unsifted flour
Dissolve yeast in warm water, add sugar, salt and shortening. Add flour until no more can be added. Dough should be elastic. Knead and place in warm place. Raise until double in size. Punch down and knead again - pinch into loaves. Let rise approximately 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.
Wipe lightly over top of loaves with oil or shortening after removing from pans.
OK, so, here is what I ended up doing. For the shortening I used butter in the first batch and shortening in the second batch. Both were very yummy. And I don't know if it's the altitude or the aridity of the area I live in, but I put between 5 and 6 cups of flour into each batch and it was perfect. There was no way I could have had the dough take in a full 8 to 10 cups of flour much less MORE than that. lol. I made both of these batches with sugar, but I think I'll make the batches today with molasses just to break it up a bit. I did the 3 loaf batch for both of my batches. It was loved by all who ate it. I ended up giving away 3 loaves total, and we ate 3 loaves. I also think I'll do some wheat flour in the mix this time too instead of just straight white flour. I have some gluten so for each cup of wheat flour I'll add 1 tablespoon of wheat gluten (can also use tapioca pudding mix if you have no gluten in the house).
The great thing about this is that it makes a great basic dough. you can make just about anything from this that you like. Pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, hot dog buns, hamburger buns... The possiblities are totally endless. I think that today when I make it I'll do a batch of cinnamon rolls too... hehe... hubby loves cinnamon rolls. Gotta admit that I think it's a grand idea to have some sweets in the house too. hehe.
ok, I am off to start my day. HUGS!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Depressingly Depressed
Well, it's done. We are moving back to town.
It's not what I want. I am very unhappy about it. the county codes make it so that it will cost us over $18,000.00 over the next 6 months (with no time extensions) to stay here. And we don't have that kind of money.
$55.00 for the permit to live here.
$55.00 because this is a deer wintering grounds and we need a permit to stay here.
$500.00 permit to have the perc test holes tested, and to put in a septic.
$30.00 mobile home placement permit
$1.00 per square foot of the mobile TAX to go towards extracurricular activities in the county schools (we have 840 SF mobile home) I don't have children in school, and the kids I do know in school don't go to school in this county. (never mind the fact that I think that if you have kids then YOU should be the one to pay for them, not ME! It's not up to me to pay for your children.)
$10,000.00 to drill the well
$5,000.00 to place the septic
$7,000.00 to pay for 50% of the property so the person we have the personal loan with will let us do all these permits with the county.
$2,000.00 approx. to have the mobile rewired, (maybe more, I didn't talk to an electrician yet) because the county has told us that even though we aren't using electricity we are required that the mobile is completely wired for electricity by a liscenced electrictian. We can't legally live in it until that is done. The person who had the mobile before tore out the wiring as they didn't have electricity here. We would have to get it all redone. Their excuse was that someday there may be electricity out here and so we may want it then... huh? This I don't understand at all! lol.
$200.00 inspection fee for the electric work on the wiring.
And these are just the ones we currently know about. I haven't gone further in the inquiry of what needs to be done.
the mobile that is here is temporary only. We weren't planning on staying in the mobile, we wanted to do strawbale construction here. Since it's a fairly arid area, it's not all that hard to have strawbale because the weather doesn't break it down as much as in the valley. the R value of the strawbale construction is very decent for this area too. building codes require 2 x 6 construction instead of 2 x 4 because of the amount of snow in the winter, and the straw bale is rated as something like 2 x 8 or even 2 x 10 depending on what rigidity you use and how well you compact.
so we are moving back to town. A small town not far from Treehaven land. It's not what I want. It's not what I planned, and it's a terrible, terrible place. It's prison as far as I am concerned. I hate living in towns, it's suffocating, it's inhuman. I don't know how people can subject themselves to it willingly. Like rats in a maze I'll be back in a festering excuse for living.
instead of clean air, mountain breezes, the sounds of birds, and sights of deer and such, I get to have the sounds of cars, car exhaust, and the neighbors dog.
I have the consolation that if I have to live in prison, then I'll live in a guilded cage at least. lol.
The house is nice as city homes go. It's 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, the garage has been converted into a shop, and a fenced front yard (with a white picket fence). Although, it has carpeting in the kitchen... It's beyond me why anyone would carpet a kitchen for crying out loud. The messiest floor in the house is the kitchen, so I have a feeling that I'll be shampooing that a lot. It has a ton, and I mean a TON of storage, as well as a fireplace, and monitor heater for heating in the winter. There is a swamp cooler in the living room for helping to cool. Since the house is built of cinder block, it stays fairly cool in the summer, but having the swamp cooler i am sure will be a boon. Rent is very cheap for it, less than $600.00 per month, if this house were in Eugene, the rent would be $1,500.00 to $1,800.00 per month! In Portland it would be about $2,200.00 a month. The Square Footage on the house is about 1300 SF. Even the house we were renting in Eugene, which was a ranch style home built in the 1970's was $910.00 per month, and it was only 1050 SF, no perks. the landlord will be paying water and sewer on this house. We can run all the water we want he said, he encouraged it as a matter of fact as he wants the lawn to stay as green as possible. no problamo. I am not big on lawns, a waste of space in my mind, yank them and put in garden.. But it's a fact that a green lawn helps to keep the area around it cooler. So, i'll run that water 24/7 if he likes. lol. I'll pick up a hose and a sprinkler when we go into town on Monday (7/27/09).
The good news for hubby is that there is DSL connection available, and he can go back to working on computers for people. Maybe I'll get back into playing Everquest and I can bury my depression over living in town in the game again. The news that he'll have DSL at the house has him almost dancing a jig. I don't find going to the library to be much of a chore. Actually I enjoy it. I meet new people, and learn about area happenings. It's kind of fun. But he doesn't like that. you can sure tell which of us is more addicted to the net. lol.
The rental is on a month to month agreement. The loose plan right now is that we will move our stuff down out of storage in Eugene sometime in the next few months. Then, we'll weed through everything even more, get it to where it'll all fit in one van or moving vehicle, and during this time decide on where we are going to go and what we are going to do. And then make our move. This time at least we won't have to make any split minute decisions (we hope) and can plan out where we are going to move to. We'll find someplace out in the country, in an area that isn't controlled by people who seem to want to bleed every drop of money from you, and then start over. We already have a few leads in that direction.
I'll be putting a new website up, check it out in a few months. http://www.acornave.net That's what I'm calling this little rental house, Acorn Avenue. It's a dream hoping to grow into something big and mighty. lol.
I'm unhappy, sad, depressed, and we've fallen back about 3 rungs on the ladder towards our goals, but I am NOT giving up. I WILL reach the top of this ladder.
Ok, my rant is done. lol.
I'll write more later as this is a total book as you can see. :)
Hugs!
It's not what I want. I am very unhappy about it. the county codes make it so that it will cost us over $18,000.00 over the next 6 months (with no time extensions) to stay here. And we don't have that kind of money.
$55.00 for the permit to live here.
$55.00 because this is a deer wintering grounds and we need a permit to stay here.
$500.00 permit to have the perc test holes tested, and to put in a septic.
$30.00 mobile home placement permit
$1.00 per square foot of the mobile TAX to go towards extracurricular activities in the county schools (we have 840 SF mobile home) I don't have children in school, and the kids I do know in school don't go to school in this county. (never mind the fact that I think that if you have kids then YOU should be the one to pay for them, not ME! It's not up to me to pay for your children.)
$10,000.00 to drill the well
$5,000.00 to place the septic
$7,000.00 to pay for 50% of the property so the person we have the personal loan with will let us do all these permits with the county.
$2,000.00 approx. to have the mobile rewired, (maybe more, I didn't talk to an electrician yet) because the county has told us that even though we aren't using electricity we are required that the mobile is completely wired for electricity by a liscenced electrictian. We can't legally live in it until that is done. The person who had the mobile before tore out the wiring as they didn't have electricity here. We would have to get it all redone. Their excuse was that someday there may be electricity out here and so we may want it then... huh? This I don't understand at all! lol.
$200.00 inspection fee for the electric work on the wiring.
And these are just the ones we currently know about. I haven't gone further in the inquiry of what needs to be done.
the mobile that is here is temporary only. We weren't planning on staying in the mobile, we wanted to do strawbale construction here. Since it's a fairly arid area, it's not all that hard to have strawbale because the weather doesn't break it down as much as in the valley. the R value of the strawbale construction is very decent for this area too. building codes require 2 x 6 construction instead of 2 x 4 because of the amount of snow in the winter, and the straw bale is rated as something like 2 x 8 or even 2 x 10 depending on what rigidity you use and how well you compact.
so we are moving back to town. A small town not far from Treehaven land. It's not what I want. It's not what I planned, and it's a terrible, terrible place. It's prison as far as I am concerned. I hate living in towns, it's suffocating, it's inhuman. I don't know how people can subject themselves to it willingly. Like rats in a maze I'll be back in a festering excuse for living.
instead of clean air, mountain breezes, the sounds of birds, and sights of deer and such, I get to have the sounds of cars, car exhaust, and the neighbors dog.
I have the consolation that if I have to live in prison, then I'll live in a guilded cage at least. lol.
The house is nice as city homes go. It's 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, the garage has been converted into a shop, and a fenced front yard (with a white picket fence). Although, it has carpeting in the kitchen... It's beyond me why anyone would carpet a kitchen for crying out loud. The messiest floor in the house is the kitchen, so I have a feeling that I'll be shampooing that a lot.
The good news for hubby is that there is DSL connection available, and he can go back to working on computers for people. Maybe I'll get back into playing Everquest and I can bury my depression over living in town in the game again. The news that he'll have DSL at the house has him almost dancing a jig. I don't find going to the library to be much of a chore. Actually I enjoy it. I meet new people, and learn about area happenings. It's kind of fun. But he doesn't like that. you can sure tell which of us is more addicted to the net. lol.
The rental is on a month to month agreement. The loose plan right now is that we will move our stuff down out of storage in Eugene sometime in the next few months. Then, we'll weed through everything even more, get it to where it'll all fit in one van or moving vehicle, and during this time decide on where we are going to go and what we are going to do. And then make our move. This time at least we won't have to make any split minute decisions (we hope) and can plan out where we are going to move to. We'll find someplace out in the country, in an area that isn't controlled by people who seem to want to bleed every drop of money from you, and then start over. We already have a few leads in that direction.
I'll be putting a new website up, check it out in a few months. http://www.acornave.net That's what I'm calling this little rental house, Acorn Avenue. It's a dream hoping to grow into something big and mighty. lol.
I'm unhappy, sad, depressed, and we've fallen back about 3 rungs on the ladder towards our goals, but I am NOT giving up. I WILL reach the top of this ladder.
Ok, my rant is done. lol.
I'll write more later as this is a total book as you can see. :)
Hugs!
Movin' Movin' Movin'!
We went this morning and made a run to the mobile for stuff. This load is mostly canned goods. I'm not feeling too well today, kind of that drugged out feeling without having taken any drugs. I have a general "woozieness" that I just can't shake. I thought it may be too much sugar, so I have now eaten a bunch of protien to try and counter it. We'll see if it helps some. If not then I'll end up going in and laying down for a bit.
I have to empty these boxes and totes that we brought back from the mobile before we go back over, I need them to pack more stuff in.
It looks like there is about 4 more loads or so over there, then a few trips to the dump (you always find so much more trash when you are moving than at any other time you live somewhere!).
Tonights dinner is going to be beef roast, with mashed taters and veggie of some sort. I know I am long on greenbeans and corn, but it all depends on what I have here at the house verses what is still at the mobile. :) I am sure that you all know how that goes. Man I wish there was a pizza place here in town! lol.
Off to go and unload a tote or two!
Ta.
I have to empty these boxes and totes that we brought back from the mobile before we go back over, I need them to pack more stuff in.
It looks like there is about 4 more loads or so over there, then a few trips to the dump (you always find so much more trash when you are moving than at any other time you live somewhere!).
Tonights dinner is going to be beef roast, with mashed taters and veggie of some sort. I know I am long on greenbeans and corn, but it all depends on what I have here at the house verses what is still at the mobile. :) I am sure that you all know how that goes. Man I wish there was a pizza place here in town! lol.
Off to go and unload a tote or two!
Ta.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Moving On
Well, if hubby's check is in the mail tomorrow for his disability then we go and take possession of the rental house.
While I don't like the idea of moving back into a rental, I do have to be practical and admit that it's what I would look for in a house. lol. I have always wanted a nice 1960ish house with a white picket fence and roses out front and huge kitchen, with a fireplace or woodstove in it. Well, It's got all of that! ROFL. It has HUGE bedrooms, and TONS of storage. It's like I ordered the house just for me. So who knows, maybe it'll all work out for the best anyway.
The power is already going into my name tomorrow, and the water is already on. The landlord is paying for the water, I think I mentioned that already. Trash doesn't pick up there in town, everyone just makes weekly or so runs to the local dump. come on, the entire town is something like 400 people. lol. I think they snuck in a few cows in that count just to get their $$$ from county and state up. Three convienence stores, 1 gas station, 1 car repair shop, 1 forest service office, 1 water service office, 1 second hand store, and 1 cafe. There you have it. And not a stop light in the town. OH, they do have an elementary school too. rofl.
My sort of neighbor, she's three blocks away and in the middle of town while we are on the outskirts, has llamas in her backyard. I like that idea, maybe I can do some kind of swap for some llama fiber! Hers are black, and such a nice color of black too. None of that brown/black you see so often in fiber animals.
I won't be able to keep rabbits and chickens like I wanted, but I'll just have to trade for meat and eggs I guess. With all the storage in the house I'll have places to put all the food storage I currently have, plus a lot more. There are three full size closets in the house, and I'll put shelves in at least one if not two of them, and that will give me even more storage space.
We are taking a load of stuff with us tomorrow to leave at the house, and we are also taking along a bag with clean clothes and all our shower stuff. hubby has already called dibs on the first shower. lol. It doesn't matter to me, I can shower here or there. I figure that if he gets in the shower there I may not be able to get him to come back here to sleep. hehe.
Almost everything we have we can put in boxes and take over in our car. The bed, our small fridge and a table will have to be taken over in a friends truck. The only reason the fridge needs to go in the truck is because it's best if you don't tip them on their side, and it's too tall for my car. the table could be broken down and go in the car too, but it's a hassle to take apart so the guys can just toss it in the truck. We'll also pack their truck with boxes in the same trip, why waste space right?
We are keeping one of the water storage containers, it's always best to keep extra water! The other we are selling, we'll keep the generator too. The large propane canisters are being sold, we'll keep the two smaller ones, they will work well on a BBQ or for the turkey fryer, which I am keeping! So much to decide on and do. And to top it all off it's been like 4 bazillion degrees!
Ok, so not quite that hot, but it was over 95 degrees today... Dry heat my bouncy patootie! Once it gets that hot it's all hot, sticky heat because I sweat so much. Blah. We ever win the lottery and I'm moving to Alaska. NORTHERN Alaska. I have heard there is this great place in Siberia, Uerkoosk.... It get to something like -20 in the summer... I think I'll move there. no plants grow, so the people live on horse meat alone.... Hummm... Maybe I'll be able to grow something else to eat, after all I'd be filthy rich from winning the lotto right?
OK, I'm fried.
later Gaters!
While I don't like the idea of moving back into a rental, I do have to be practical and admit that it's what I would look for in a house. lol. I have always wanted a nice 1960ish house with a white picket fence and roses out front and huge kitchen, with a fireplace or woodstove in it. Well, It's got all of that! ROFL. It has HUGE bedrooms, and TONS of storage. It's like I ordered the house just for me. So who knows, maybe it'll all work out for the best anyway.
The power is already going into my name tomorrow, and the water is already on. The landlord is paying for the water, I think I mentioned that already. Trash doesn't pick up there in town, everyone just makes weekly or so runs to the local dump. come on, the entire town is something like 400 people. lol. I think they snuck in a few cows in that count just to get their $$$ from county and state up. Three convienence stores, 1 gas station, 1 car repair shop, 1 forest service office, 1 water service office, 1 second hand store, and 1 cafe. There you have it. And not a stop light in the town. OH, they do have an elementary school too. rofl.
My sort of neighbor, she's three blocks away and in the middle of town while we are on the outskirts, has llamas in her backyard. I like that idea, maybe I can do some kind of swap for some llama fiber! Hers are black, and such a nice color of black too. None of that brown/black you see so often in fiber animals.
I won't be able to keep rabbits and chickens like I wanted, but I'll just have to trade for meat and eggs I guess. With all the storage in the house I'll have places to put all the food storage I currently have, plus a lot more. There are three full size closets in the house, and I'll put shelves in at least one if not two of them, and that will give me even more storage space.
We are taking a load of stuff with us tomorrow to leave at the house, and we are also taking along a bag with clean clothes and all our shower stuff. hubby has already called dibs on the first shower. lol. It doesn't matter to me, I can shower here or there. I figure that if he gets in the shower there I may not be able to get him to come back here to sleep. hehe.
Almost everything we have we can put in boxes and take over in our car. The bed, our small fridge and a table will have to be taken over in a friends truck. The only reason the fridge needs to go in the truck is because it's best if you don't tip them on their side, and it's too tall for my car. the table could be broken down and go in the car too, but it's a hassle to take apart so the guys can just toss it in the truck. We'll also pack their truck with boxes in the same trip, why waste space right?
We are keeping one of the water storage containers, it's always best to keep extra water! The other we are selling, we'll keep the generator too. The large propane canisters are being sold, we'll keep the two smaller ones, they will work well on a BBQ or for the turkey fryer, which I am keeping! So much to decide on and do. And to top it all off it's been like 4 bazillion degrees!
Ok, so not quite that hot, but it was over 95 degrees today... Dry heat my bouncy patootie! Once it gets that hot it's all hot, sticky heat because I sweat so much. Blah. We ever win the lottery and I'm moving to Alaska. NORTHERN Alaska. I have heard there is this great place in Siberia, Uerkoosk.... It get to something like -20 in the summer... I think I'll move there. no plants grow, so the people live on horse meat alone.... Hummm... Maybe I'll be able to grow something else to eat, after all I'd be filthy rich from winning the lotto right?
OK, I'm fried.
later Gaters!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Dr. Visit and presents from Newbs
Had a Dr. appointment yesterday, and got good news pretty much all around! I lost 8 lbs! I grew 3 inches, I was 5 feet tall and I measured 5'3" yesterday. And my blood sugars were NORMAL! I mean, really, really normal. So normal that I am no longer having to take glucophage. I have an appointment next month and at that time I am going to have the 2 hour sugar blood draw h1c something, and if it comes back normal I won't have to be on the glucophage again at all. whoot! The only downer for the day was that she had no fix for the mosquito bites I have been getting.
Last night Newbs brought me home a surprise... It was GROSS! He came home, and after drinking a bunch of water (it was over 90 degrees F here yesterday) he came in and laid on the bed. I didn't pay any attention to him since we were watching a movie and had our headphones on. Anyway, at a break in the movie I look over to find he had vomited, yes PUKED, on the foot of my bed! ICK! EWWW! What was even worse was what he urked up. It was 2 yes TWO squirrels he had killed and eatten whole. oh my goodness! I can't even describe how ucky it was. Fascinating in that he ate them whole, but still kind of on the ugh side of life. I guess 8 month old dogs are like 2 year old kids. If they can catch it, it goes in their mouth and you find it in their diaper later. Needless to say, until we move Nubie is now confined to the house and immediate area. lol.
Ok, after my rant from yesterday I will now have to say some of the good things that will be developing once we move. I'll be putting together the cookbook! Whoot! I hope to have it ready for publication in November. It will be all tried and true recipes that come from yours truely. 20 years in the developement, it will finally come to pass. whew. I also will be launching the Acorn Avenue line of dog treats. Yet, still there is other things I'll be working on too.
So busy and no time! Whoot! lol.
Ta!
Last night Newbs brought me home a surprise... It was GROSS! He came home, and after drinking a bunch of water (it was over 90 degrees F here yesterday) he came in and laid on the bed. I didn't pay any attention to him since we were watching a movie and had our headphones on. Anyway, at a break in the movie I look over to find he had vomited, yes PUKED, on the foot of my bed! ICK! EWWW! What was even worse was what he urked up. It was 2 yes TWO squirrels he had killed and eatten whole. oh my goodness! I can't even describe how ucky it was. Fascinating in that he ate them whole, but still kind of on the ugh side of life. I guess 8 month old dogs are like 2 year old kids. If they can catch it, it goes in their mouth and you find it in their diaper later. Needless to say, until we move Nubie is now confined to the house and immediate area. lol.
Ok, after my rant from yesterday I will now have to say some of the good things that will be developing once we move. I'll be putting together the cookbook! Whoot! I hope to have it ready for publication in November. It will be all tried and true recipes that come from yours truely. 20 years in the developement, it will finally come to pass. whew. I also will be launching the Acorn Avenue line of dog treats. Yet, still there is other things I'll be working on too.
So busy and no time! Whoot! lol.
Ta!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Hubby's response to Bea (Evil Prospers, response)
Ms. Bea and anyone else who just doesn't understand,
I think you missed some key points the post.
We live out in the middle of nowhere. Our nearest neighbor is 1/3 of a mile away, the next nearest is nearly a mile away. The closest “town” (1 store, a bar and a post office) is over 5 miles away. Between us and town are cow fields, sagebrush, and light forest. When I wrote about a community I was referring to the dozen or so folks who live in a roughly 10 mile diameter zone.
As for someone suffering from any stink we may produce; Guess who wins in a stink contest on a hot day? Would it be two humans using a regularly serviced (at our expense) potable toilet, or several hundred head of cattle in a small field? Nothing we have stinks worse then a well manured cow field. Mind you, I don't complain about the cows, it's just what cows do. Oh and did I mention, we are out in the middle of nowhere?
We picked just such a remote location in order to remove ourselves from intrusion into our lives. We don't expect, nor wish to have any county services. Response time to our location for any fire, ambulance, or law enforcement, is measured in hours not minuets. It's popular to be part of a life flight co-op for any true medical emergencies. It's a good idea when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
We regularly haul our trash to the dump and pay the dump fee, or in the winter we can use the burn barrel for most of it. You can do that when your not in a town or city, like when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
No we don't have running watter, we have 600 gallons of storage for water. We pay one of our neighbors to deliver water. I pump out of the storage as needed. we use a gravity fed solar heated shower, our drinking water is from our Burke filter, the same thing the British army uses in the field. I heat watter in our propane turkey fryer when needed for dishes or whatever. I was planning on connecting up a 12 volt DC water pump at some point, kind of on hold for now. Our region is high desert and I have attracted a lot of wild life to my little plot of land just by making water available for birds and other local critters. My little bit of improvement to the middle of nowhere.
I would love to put in solar electric, but I keep having to divert my solar panel fund to little things like keeping a car to use, doctors, and food. You know; silly, frivolous stuff. For power right now we use a generator and battery combo. I normally run the generator nine hours, sometimes twelve if the battery is extremely low. None of my neighbors can hear it, one of those advantages of being out in the middle of nowhere.
The point of the post was to express my rage and sadness that laws, that are perfectly logical for anyone in a town or city, are being applied in a near punitive way, to rural people who can't benefit from their application.
Unless you wish to debate that knowingly causing hardship, loss, and suffering is evil, then I beg you to understand that laws, throughout history, have caused more evil then all the weapons ever made by man's hand. Let's just pick a law .. how about the one used by Pharaoh to enslave Jews. We could also pick the one used in the Inquisition. Too old for you, Federal Attorney General Gonzalez told then president, G. W. Bush, that it is legal to water board prisoners. The law once said blacks had to sit in the back of a bus. Every one of these laws, and thousands of others, caused hardship, loss and suffering. They were evil laws.
I put to you Ms. Bea, that you cannot both support our right to live as we wish, and condemn us to “some standard” when that “standard” is of no benefit to anyone, and is in fact a small bit of evil.
I think you missed some key points the post.
We live out in the middle of nowhere. Our nearest neighbor is 1/3 of a mile away, the next nearest is nearly a mile away. The closest “town” (1 store, a bar and a post office) is over 5 miles away. Between us and town are cow fields, sagebrush, and light forest. When I wrote about a community I was referring to the dozen or so folks who live in a roughly 10 mile diameter zone.
As for someone suffering from any stink we may produce; Guess who wins in a stink contest on a hot day? Would it be two humans using a regularly serviced (at our expense) potable toilet, or several hundred head of cattle in a small field? Nothing we have stinks worse then a well manured cow field. Mind you, I don't complain about the cows, it's just what cows do. Oh and did I mention, we are out in the middle of nowhere?
We picked just such a remote location in order to remove ourselves from intrusion into our lives. We don't expect, nor wish to have any county services. Response time to our location for any fire, ambulance, or law enforcement, is measured in hours not minuets. It's popular to be part of a life flight co-op for any true medical emergencies. It's a good idea when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
We regularly haul our trash to the dump and pay the dump fee, or in the winter we can use the burn barrel for most of it. You can do that when your not in a town or city, like when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
No we don't have running watter, we have 600 gallons of storage for water. We pay one of our neighbors to deliver water. I pump out of the storage as needed. we use a gravity fed solar heated shower, our drinking water is from our Burke filter, the same thing the British army uses in the field. I heat watter in our propane turkey fryer when needed for dishes or whatever. I was planning on connecting up a 12 volt DC water pump at some point, kind of on hold for now. Our region is high desert and I have attracted a lot of wild life to my little plot of land just by making water available for birds and other local critters. My little bit of improvement to the middle of nowhere.
I would love to put in solar electric, but I keep having to divert my solar panel fund to little things like keeping a car to use, doctors, and food. You know; silly, frivolous stuff. For power right now we use a generator and battery combo. I normally run the generator nine hours, sometimes twelve if the battery is extremely low. None of my neighbors can hear it, one of those advantages of being out in the middle of nowhere.
The point of the post was to express my rage and sadness that laws, that are perfectly logical for anyone in a town or city, are being applied in a near punitive way, to rural people who can't benefit from their application.
Unless you wish to debate that knowingly causing hardship, loss, and suffering is evil, then I beg you to understand that laws, throughout history, have caused more evil then all the weapons ever made by man's hand. Let's just pick a law .. how about the one used by Pharaoh to enslave Jews. We could also pick the one used in the Inquisition. Too old for you, Federal Attorney General Gonzalez told then president, G. W. Bush, that it is legal to water board prisoners. The law once said blacks had to sit in the back of a bus. Every one of these laws, and thousands of others, caused hardship, loss and suffering. They were evil laws.
I put to you Ms. Bea, that you cannot both support our right to live as we wish, and condemn us to “some standard” when that “standard” is of no benefit to anyone, and is in fact a small bit of evil.
Busy being boring.
Whew. What a busy day it's been. mostly connecting at the library and trying to find what I can do at the property for well and septic. I have some leads on a few grants, but it's still kind of tenuous.
After the library we went over to a friends house and had dinner... Mmmm. Steak! lol.
How boring are we? lol.
After the library we went over to a friends house and had dinner... Mmmm. Steak! lol.
How boring are we? lol.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Response to Evil Prospers
After posting the post about "evil prospers" to the blog, I forwarded it also to 2 of the email lists I am on through Yahoo Groups!. One of these list is my own Always_ready, the other belongs to a friend of mine and is called 4on4. A lovely woman, Bea, sent me this response. Her email address is: beeble736@yahoo.com just in case someone wants varification on the post.
My favorite highlights are #1, where she assumes that we live like unwashed neaderthals, and #2, where she assumes that we want any county services.
Bea has been on the list with me for years, and has seen the posts where we live off grid and that we do not want to install electricity and that we do have water on the property.
*****
I read this, and I really don't understand what you are saying. You are not up to code. That means, whether you like it or not, you are in violation of county laws. I am truly amazed that you are allowed to occupy a house without indoor plumbing. I assume you have running water? You would not be allowed to live in any sort of structure in the county where I live without both. Neither would you be allowed to have electric or any type of gas service. Codes are designed to make sure people are living in safe, hygenic environs. I would really hate to live down wind from you in hot weather.
Hopefully you do not expect the county to provide you with any services since you do not feel compelled to comply with their requirements.
Sorry, but people who live off the grid and then complain about compliance matters make me crazy. I support your right to live as yu please, but there as to be some sort of standard maintained for public safety.
Bea in GA
My favorite highlights are #1, where she assumes that we live like unwashed neaderthals, and #2, where she assumes that we want any county services.
Bea has been on the list with me for years, and has seen the posts where we live off grid and that we do not want to install electricity and that we do have water on the property.
*****
I read this, and I really don't understand what you are saying. You are not up to code. That means, whether you like it or not, you are in violation of county laws. I am truly amazed that you are allowed to occupy a house without indoor plumbing. I assume you have running water? You would not be allowed to live in any sort of structure in the county where I live without both. Neither would you be allowed to have electric or any type of gas service. Codes are designed to make sure people are living in safe, hygenic environs. I would really hate to live down wind from you in hot weather.
Hopefully you do not expect the county to provide you with any services since you do not feel compelled to comply with their requirements.
Sorry, but people who live off the grid and then complain about compliance matters make me crazy. I support your right to live as yu please, but there as to be some sort of standard maintained for public safety.
Bea in GA
Thursday, July 9, 2009
County Woes
As you can see there was a lot that happened here on the mountain a few days ago. We have now found out that several people were told they had to vacate byt July 31st. Some of the rest of us were told we had to start the "process". This process will be a total of about $16,000.00 and will need to be completed within about 6 months. Some of the people that are up here are making much less than hubby and I are currently making.
From what Christine, the code enforcement officer, told me is that she was out her responding to another complaint in the area, and she just decided to do a sweep of the area. This is horrible.
to my way of thinking the county just needs to leave us all alone. We aren't out here hurting anyone. We aren't putting in toxic waste dumps, our dogs (for the most part) don't wander, we aren't letting our toilets just pour out on the ground and so on and so forth. If the few dogs that DO wander, they are totally harmless and have been up here for several years. It's kind of like those of us here on the hill have all adopted them. they are extremely friendly and usually come by just to play or get a snack and a pat. It's completely ridiculous that they feel that they have to do this.
If we can't get some loans, grants, donations and start this process, then sometime in the next 6 months we'll have to move. I love this land. Thor is buried here, and my heart is buried here too. I love this land. It's MY land. It's MY HUSBAND'S land. We were planning on living here forever.
I wonder what is in store next? What next horrible thing is going to happen?
What happens if we do nothing? Will they arrest us? Fine us? take our land away from us? What?
I am very sad right now. I am flummoxed as to what to do next.
From what Christine, the code enforcement officer, told me is that she was out her responding to another complaint in the area, and she just decided to do a sweep of the area. This is horrible.
to my way of thinking the county just needs to leave us all alone. We aren't out here hurting anyone. We aren't putting in toxic waste dumps, our dogs (for the most part) don't wander, we aren't letting our toilets just pour out on the ground and so on and so forth. If the few dogs that DO wander, they are totally harmless and have been up here for several years. It's kind of like those of us here on the hill have all adopted them. they are extremely friendly and usually come by just to play or get a snack and a pat. It's completely ridiculous that they feel that they have to do this.
If we can't get some loans, grants, donations and start this process, then sometime in the next 6 months we'll have to move. I love this land. Thor is buried here, and my heart is buried here too. I love this land. It's MY land. It's MY HUSBAND'S land. We were planning on living here forever.
I wonder what is in store next? What next horrible thing is going to happen?
What happens if we do nothing? Will they arrest us? Fine us? take our land away from us? What?
I am very sad right now. I am flummoxed as to what to do next.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Evil Prospers
Evil is any action that knowingly causes hardship, loss, or suffering to another.
On July 7th 2009 Kristine Cornett, a Klamath County code enforcement officer, accompanied by a county deputy, brought evil to an entire community of low income people.
For years the folks living in this community have barely scraped out an existence. In this community there is no connection to power, most have to truck in their water, and many use out-houses or rented portable toilets. Most in this community are on fixed incomes, disability or social security, one is dieing.
This is a rural community, no one location can even see any other, it is miles from anything resembling a town. None of us have traditional homes. Some live in camping trailers, some in small sheds, a few luckier ones have older mobile homes. None are living in accordance with county code, and from there the evil flows.
For some reason, Ms. Cornett, one of only two code inspectors in the entire county, found it necessary to persecute this entire community. Granted, she is acting fully within the bounds of the law, but laws do not keep an act from being evil. Some of the folks have been told they have no right to live on their land any longer and must leave before the end of the month, all the others were told that unless large sums of money were paid to the county in the form of permits, improvements, and inspections, they also would have to vacate their land. This would be called extortion if it wasn't backed up by the force of the government. I personally still call it extortion.
Perhaps the county has decided to try and balance it's budget on the backs of the poor, or maybe Ms. Cornett thinks she is just doing her job, perhaps someone got tired of all us poor folk. I don't know the reason we were targeted, but the end result is the same, an entire community has been subjected to hardship, loss, and will suffer. In other words, evil has been done to us.
On July 7th 2009 Kristine Cornett, a Klamath County code enforcement officer, accompanied by a county deputy, brought evil to an entire community of low income people.
For years the folks living in this community have barely scraped out an existence. In this community there is no connection to power, most have to truck in their water, and many use out-houses or rented portable toilets. Most in this community are on fixed incomes, disability or social security, one is dieing.
This is a rural community, no one location can even see any other, it is miles from anything resembling a town. None of us have traditional homes. Some live in camping trailers, some in small sheds, a few luckier ones have older mobile homes. None are living in accordance with county code, and from there the evil flows.
For some reason, Ms. Cornett, one of only two code inspectors in the entire county, found it necessary to persecute this entire community. Granted, she is acting fully within the bounds of the law, but laws do not keep an act from being evil. Some of the folks have been told they have no right to live on their land any longer and must leave before the end of the month, all the others were told that unless large sums of money were paid to the county in the form of permits, improvements, and inspections, they also would have to vacate their land. This would be called extortion if it wasn't backed up by the force of the government. I personally still call it extortion.
Perhaps the county has decided to try and balance it's budget on the backs of the poor, or maybe Ms. Cornett thinks she is just doing her job, perhaps someone got tired of all us poor folk. I don't know the reason we were targeted, but the end result is the same, an entire community has been subjected to hardship, loss, and will suffer. In other words, evil has been done to us.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
daily Doin's
So much is going on lately! Whew. I'll be glad when winter comes back so I can slow down some.
Working in my kitchen and living room, trying to get it so that it's a home, and not just a place to be when I'm not out doing anything else. I have so much done, yet so much to do... And I'm not looking forward to when I get the rest of our stuff here from storage! Then i'll have MORE stuff to find a place for. lol. Thankfully, there is still some stuff in storage I don't plan on us keeping.
Went to town yesterday for hubby's appointment, did some laundry and hit the store real quick. I had to pick up some more embroidery floss for this project I am working on. I am embriodering the squares for a quilt for my nephew for Christmas. I have one more square to do then I'll have all 12 done. I'll have to make some more squares to finish the quilt sine these are 9 inch squares. They are a preprinted kit I bought at bi-mart, and according to the pattern that came with the squares, the quilt is only 30 x 40 inches. That may work for a baby or a toddler... but my nephew is 5 and I want something he can (and will) use on his twin size bed. So I'll have to do the math to make this into a twin size. I am thinking I'll get some plain blue flannel and cut some more squares and embroider the names of what's on the squares on them. So one will say cow, and one will say horse and so on and so forth. That will help to make up some more squares to make it bigger. I'll leave some plain too. Each square is embriodered monochromatic, so that made it go a lot faster. And it's kind of cute. I have pink sheep, a grey horse, yellow ducks, red rooster and so on. The last block I have to do still is the most complicated, it's a scarecrow in a corn field. I am going to embroider this block in orange. It just kind of fits I think. lol.
I have two pretty sunbonnet sue panels embroidered also. These are bigger, about 16 inches square. I am going to turn these into pillows, complete with ruffles. These will go to one of the neices for Christmas. this leaves me with two more nieces to cover for Christmas. I have several embroidery patterns saved here on the laptop. I'll just have to decide which I want to do. So many different ideas! lol. I want to do them all!
I have several other projects to get done as well. Hand/arm warmers for hubby, and for my sister too. And I am crocheting a lovely new headcovering for myself. It's a headband style, and I am using a new thread! It's a lovely crochet thread by Aunt Lydia's. It's a #10 crochet thread and it's 100% bamboo! It was $2.97 for the ball of it at Wal-mart, and it is soooo soft to use. When I laid hands on it in the store I had to have it. So I have been working it like crazy. I want to be able to wear it when I go in to my next dr. appointment. Or maybe when I go visit friends this weekend. If I have it done in time I'll wear it this weekend when we go to the river with friends. That will be fun.
I am also crocheting a ruana. It's done in a new red heart yarn called "peruvian print" it's a pretty ombre print done in their 100% acrylic line of yarn. I really like this yarn for stuff like this, as it wears well, doesn't shrink or warp while you wash or wear it, and it gets softer each time you wash and dry it. And, the colors don't run or bleed. That's important in my book. lol.
ok, I gotta run! It's bed time, and I am beat.
ta!
Working in my kitchen and living room, trying to get it so that it's a home, and not just a place to be when I'm not out doing anything else. I have so much done, yet so much to do... And I'm not looking forward to when I get the rest of our stuff here from storage! Then i'll have MORE stuff to find a place for. lol. Thankfully, there is still some stuff in storage I don't plan on us keeping.
Went to town yesterday for hubby's appointment, did some laundry and hit the store real quick. I had to pick up some more embroidery floss for this project I am working on. I am embriodering the squares for a quilt for my nephew for Christmas. I have one more square to do then I'll have all 12 done. I'll have to make some more squares to finish the quilt sine these are 9 inch squares. They are a preprinted kit I bought at bi-mart, and according to the pattern that came with the squares, the quilt is only 30 x 40 inches. That may work for a baby or a toddler... but my nephew is 5 and I want something he can (and will) use on his twin size bed. So I'll have to do the math to make this into a twin size. I am thinking I'll get some plain blue flannel and cut some more squares and embroider the names of what's on the squares on them. So one will say cow, and one will say horse and so on and so forth. That will help to make up some more squares to make it bigger. I'll leave some plain too. Each square is embriodered monochromatic, so that made it go a lot faster. And it's kind of cute. I have pink sheep, a grey horse, yellow ducks, red rooster and so on. The last block I have to do still is the most complicated, it's a scarecrow in a corn field. I am going to embroider this block in orange. It just kind of fits I think. lol.
I have two pretty sunbonnet sue panels embroidered also. These are bigger, about 16 inches square. I am going to turn these into pillows, complete with ruffles. These will go to one of the neices for Christmas. this leaves me with two more nieces to cover for Christmas. I have several embroidery patterns saved here on the laptop. I'll just have to decide which I want to do. So many different ideas! lol. I want to do them all!
I have several other projects to get done as well. Hand/arm warmers for hubby, and for my sister too. And I am crocheting a lovely new headcovering for myself. It's a headband style, and I am using a new thread! It's a lovely crochet thread by Aunt Lydia's. It's a #10 crochet thread and it's 100% bamboo! It was $2.97 for the ball of it at Wal-mart, and it is soooo soft to use. When I laid hands on it in the store I had to have it. So I have been working it like crazy. I want to be able to wear it when I go in to my next dr. appointment. Or maybe when I go visit friends this weekend. If I have it done in time I'll wear it this weekend when we go to the river with friends. That will be fun.
I am also crocheting a ruana. It's done in a new red heart yarn called "peruvian print" it's a pretty ombre print done in their 100% acrylic line of yarn. I really like this yarn for stuff like this, as it wears well, doesn't shrink or warp while you wash or wear it, and it gets softer each time you wash and dry it. And, the colors don't run or bleed. That's important in my book. lol.
ok, I gotta run! It's bed time, and I am beat.
ta!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
plans for going out.
Joy of Joys my hubby got the car to run again! What a great man I have! he totally rocks when it comes to anything electrical like this. So, on the agenda for today is a run to the post office, and tomorrow will be a run to the library where we can upload all these newest blogs, and I can get my email! Whoot! We also have several pictures to put up. Need to see about finding a Chilton's car manual for our car. That would have really helped in this particular situation. hubby also said that he wants to change out the thermostat with our next paycheck, as that is something that goes wrong a lot so having a new one in it would be a good thing.
Hubby is now saying that he doesn't want another puppy right now. this of course would mean that my dream of ever having a Shiba Inu in the house is once again put on hold. Will it be yet ANOTHER 12 years before I finally get one. That would make me... 49 years old. Great, old enough that I wouldn't want another puppy at all. I am so angry I could spit. But I guess in the grand scheme of things this is minor. I suppose I should be happy I have a home and property and my life and food to eat and air to breathe... It's not like I want a diamond ring or a cruise to the Carribean. It's a PUPPY for crying out loud. Other people have kids, I have dogs. If he wanted a new computer I would move the moon to get it for him. But he says that a computer doesn't eat or piddle on the floor. This isn't the end of this discussion. :D lol. I am sure there is a GOOD reason he's saying no, but I don't know what it is at this point.
On the upside, with the car running again we can go into town and do laundry now. whoot. I don't mind doing it by hand, but it's a lot of work, and a lot of water. It took 45 gallons to do what we did the other day, and that was the equivalent of 2 loads of laundry if we had done it in a regular washing machine. When you haul in ALL your water yourself or have it hauled in, then every single gallon counts. And 45 gallons is ALOT of water in use around here. 5 gallons or less to shower, 4 gallons to do a weeks worth of dishes, 5 gallons a day for the 5 of us to drink and eat and such.... As you can see all of these take considerably less water to complete. Even the porta potty only uses 2 1/2 gallons of water in it and that lasts almost a week before we have to dump it into the BIG porta john outside. And that doesn't use any water at all on our part. So I'll continue to go somewhere to do laundry when I can. It's $1.50 per load to wash and $1.50 to dry per load. Usually we end up spending about $12.00 or so on laundry, and we can check our email and such at the same time. We go do laundry about once every 2 weeks.
Well, I'm off to get into some more trouble somewhere and then we are heading for the post office. :)
Stay happy!
Hubby is now saying that he doesn't want another puppy right now. this of course would mean that my dream of ever having a Shiba Inu in the house is once again put on hold. Will it be yet ANOTHER 12 years before I finally get one. That would make me... 49 years old. Great, old enough that I wouldn't want another puppy at all. I am so angry I could spit. But I guess in the grand scheme of things this is minor. I suppose I should be happy I have a home and property and my life and food to eat and air to breathe... It's not like I want a diamond ring or a cruise to the Carribean. It's a PUPPY for crying out loud. Other people have kids, I have dogs. If he wanted a new computer I would move the moon to get it for him. But he says that a computer doesn't eat or piddle on the floor. This isn't the end of this discussion. :D lol. I am sure there is a GOOD reason he's saying no, but I don't know what it is at this point.
On the upside, with the car running again we can go into town and do laundry now. whoot. I don't mind doing it by hand, but it's a lot of work, and a lot of water. It took 45 gallons to do what we did the other day, and that was the equivalent of 2 loads of laundry if we had done it in a regular washing machine. When you haul in ALL your water yourself or have it hauled in, then every single gallon counts. And 45 gallons is ALOT of water in use around here. 5 gallons or less to shower, 4 gallons to do a weeks worth of dishes, 5 gallons a day for the 5 of us to drink and eat and such.... As you can see all of these take considerably less water to complete. Even the porta potty only uses 2 1/2 gallons of water in it and that lasts almost a week before we have to dump it into the BIG porta john outside. And that doesn't use any water at all on our part. So I'll continue to go somewhere to do laundry when I can. It's $1.50 per load to wash and $1.50 to dry per load. Usually we end up spending about $12.00 or so on laundry, and we can check our email and such at the same time. We go do laundry about once every 2 weeks.
Well, I'm off to get into some more trouble somewhere and then we are heading for the post office. :)
Stay happy!
hubby fixing car and I'm making food
Well, it may not be the fuel pump on the car. If we hook a battery up directly to the fuel pump it comes on just like it''s supposed to. So it looks like it's the fuel shut off switch. The problem is that we can't find it. Apparently it's a fuse or something. So hubby is now out there trying to bypass it. Blah. Glad he knows electricity. lol.
Our neighbor brought down two Shiba-Inu pups to play with... Actually, he took them to town since a woman was thinking of buying one for her daughter for her birthday. They still have about 2 weeks left before they can leave mom. These were two boys. one was a fawn color with a white strip on his nose and little black dots over his eyes. This one was a little timid, but still a bit outgoing. The other was a Sesame with a little white on his chest and a black mark on top of his muzzle and some black on his ears. the sesame was VERY outgoing. He chased poor Pan around the yard, and wanted to lick me all over everytime I picked him up. I am so very excited. I had asked for a female and I just can hardly wait. Although, this little sesame almost made me change my mind. lol. I have been waiting for a shiba to come into my life for over 10 years! I was looking for a shiba when we ended up with Pan. He was 8 months old when we got him, and he's now 12 years old. So now you know how long I have waited. hehehe.
My sister of course thinks I'm nuts taking on a baby when I have a 4 year old in the house (Nubis is 7 months old, and that is about 2 - 4 years old in human years or so.)... But I say... The more the merrier. I know Thor would have been gaa-gaa over a new baby in the house.
Hubby is still out working on the car. It looks like he may not have it completed until tomorrow, but I'm ok with that. knowing that we have everything that is needed to make it run again and that he knows what to do is very satisfying. He's deep in the "leave me alone and let me work" mode. I can deal with that. It's nice to see something he can work on and it's not outside his skill range.
Dinner night before last was POSH! It was a toss together thing that totally was worth it.
3 cups cooked macaroni noodles
1 can drained peas and carrots
1 can drained whole kernal corn
1/4 lb of cheese cut up into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup light balsalmic vinegrette dressing (organics brand is what I had)
2 tablespoons of mayonaisse
dash pepper
dash lemon pepper
Mix it all up in a bowl and serve. :) Whoot!
Lunch today was a variation on this.
3 cups cooked macaroni noodles
1 can drained mixed veggies (corn, green beans, celery, potatoes, lima beans)
1 can ham chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 lb of cheese cut up into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup light balsalmic vinegrette dressing (organics brand is what I had)
2 tablespoons of mayonaisse
dash pepper
dash lemon pepper
Tada! It was pretty good. It was all the dressing I had left, and I wanted to use it up. So it's gone now, and we got several meals of each (we had dinner from the other night for breakfast yesterday). I'll have to find something else for next meal cycle so hubby doesn't get bored with it. I also realized I have to make some bread sometime in the next few days. We're almost out.
Too bad I can't get hubby to go for taking BOTH those little boy Shiba's... Romulus and Remus... ROFL....
Anyway, I am off to get my current furkids some dinner. Freya and Nubis just came back from a run and they are probably starving.
Ta!
Our neighbor brought down two Shiba-Inu pups to play with... Actually, he took them to town since a woman was thinking of buying one for her daughter for her birthday. They still have about 2 weeks left before they can leave mom. These were two boys. one was a fawn color with a white strip on his nose and little black dots over his eyes. This one was a little timid, but still a bit outgoing. The other was a Sesame with a little white on his chest and a black mark on top of his muzzle and some black on his ears. the sesame was VERY outgoing. He chased poor Pan around the yard, and wanted to lick me all over everytime I picked him up. I am so very excited. I had asked for a female and I just can hardly wait. Although, this little sesame almost made me change my mind. lol. I have been waiting for a shiba to come into my life for over 10 years! I was looking for a shiba when we ended up with Pan. He was 8 months old when we got him, and he's now 12 years old. So now you know how long I have waited. hehehe.
My sister of course thinks I'm nuts taking on a baby when I have a 4 year old in the house (Nubis is 7 months old, and that is about 2 - 4 years old in human years or so.)... But I say... The more the merrier. I know Thor would have been gaa-gaa over a new baby in the house.
Hubby is still out working on the car. It looks like he may not have it completed until tomorrow, but I'm ok with that. knowing that we have everything that is needed to make it run again and that he knows what to do is very satisfying. He's deep in the "leave me alone and let me work" mode. I can deal with that. It's nice to see something he can work on and it's not outside his skill range.
Dinner night before last was POSH! It was a toss together thing that totally was worth it.
3 cups cooked macaroni noodles
1 can drained peas and carrots
1 can drained whole kernal corn
1/4 lb of cheese cut up into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup light balsalmic vinegrette dressing (organics brand is what I had)
2 tablespoons of mayonaisse
dash pepper
dash lemon pepper
Mix it all up in a bowl and serve. :) Whoot!
Lunch today was a variation on this.
3 cups cooked macaroni noodles
1 can drained mixed veggies (corn, green beans, celery, potatoes, lima beans)
1 can ham chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 lb of cheese cut up into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup light balsalmic vinegrette dressing (organics brand is what I had)
2 tablespoons of mayonaisse
dash pepper
dash lemon pepper
Tada! It was pretty good. It was all the dressing I had left, and I wanted to use it up. So it's gone now, and we got several meals of each (we had dinner from the other night for breakfast yesterday). I'll have to find something else for next meal cycle so hubby doesn't get bored with it. I also realized I have to make some bread sometime in the next few days. We're almost out.
Too bad I can't get hubby to go for taking BOTH those little boy Shiba's... Romulus and Remus... ROFL....
Anyway, I am off to get my current furkids some dinner. Freya and Nubis just came back from a run and they are probably starving.
Ta!
New, dead car
Happy, happy, joy, joy... My new car died. This sucks. We THINK it's the fuel pump, but at this moment we aren't sure if it is or not. I am so sad right now... And hubby is practically foaming at the mouth. He thinks God is trying to tell us something, but I have no clue what it is. Any ideas? lol. Would some conduit of the Almighty please email me and let me know... A Psychic would be welcome if they had some insight too.
Daily Grind
Went into the big city, got our monthly shopping done. Wheew... That is a lot of work, and a lot of money! this month is going to be very, very tight because of buying the car. I hope we can make it but we have less than $200.00 for the month. This will have to buy gas, and propane until we get our next check the end of July. This fixed income thing is for the birds. I'll be enacting my Etsy account soon, I have several items to put up for sale there finally. mostly washclothes and some bandage kits. I will be adding aprons and some embroidered kitchen towels soon too. Blah..
The new car didn't like coming up our hill, had to shift into first gear, but other than that she ran really well yesterday. I'm excited about that. tomorrow we are going to run into the smaller, local town and do the gas/propane fillup.
Tuesday I have a dr. appointment in another smaller local town (it's about 1 hour away or so) and we'll take the laundry with us. While I am in the dr. office, hubby will download his podcasts, and upload pictures to our picture account, as well as work on laundry. Then when I am done at the dr, I'll do email and upload these blogs.
I have several things growing right now. I have a local lilac out back now, it's white and I can't wait to see it in bloom. I have some rosa rugosa cuttings in a pot trying to root them, but they aren't doing well, I don't know what I did wrong, as I have done this a lot... Perhaps it's our soil as I just used our dirt and not potting soil. Or maybe I used too much rotting enzyme. I don't know, but if I loose them I'll just try again. These are yellow, and I have since located pink, purple and red. I want all the colors! lol. I have 3 heritage tomato seedlings I am planting 2 of them in my topsy turvey's today. the 3rd will go in a regular pot and on the kitchen table. I also have some multiplying onions growing, and some mint. Not much, I know, but every little bit is a good thing in my opinion.
I know the onions are REALLY exciting, as they are growing over 1/2" a day!
After the Dr. on Tuesday I have to stop at a friends and pick up some more eggs. As of today I am down to 11 eggs in the house! No deviled eggs or hollandaise until I resupply. lol. I do have some dehydrated eggs, but I hate the idea of having to break into those unless I absolutely have to. they are very versatile, and they keep practically forever.
So much to do, and so little time, money and inclination to do it right now. I am still so depressed that just facing the day is very hard. It's been a week since Thor passed, and the grief is no less now than it was then. It's like I had an arm or foot cut off.
ok, I'm getting morose, need to find something to do.
Off to plant tomatoes.
The new car didn't like coming up our hill, had to shift into first gear, but other than that she ran really well yesterday. I'm excited about that. tomorrow we are going to run into the smaller, local town and do the gas/propane fillup.
Tuesday I have a dr. appointment in another smaller local town (it's about 1 hour away or so) and we'll take the laundry with us. While I am in the dr. office, hubby will download his podcasts, and upload pictures to our picture account, as well as work on laundry. Then when I am done at the dr, I'll do email and upload these blogs.
I have several things growing right now. I have a local lilac out back now, it's white and I can't wait to see it in bloom. I have some rosa rugosa cuttings in a pot trying to root them, but they aren't doing well, I don't know what I did wrong, as I have done this a lot... Perhaps it's our soil as I just used our dirt and not potting soil. Or maybe I used too much rotting enzyme. I don't know, but if I loose them I'll just try again. These are yellow, and I have since located pink, purple and red. I want all the colors! lol. I have 3 heritage tomato seedlings I am planting 2 of them in my topsy turvey's today. the 3rd will go in a regular pot and on the kitchen table. I also have some multiplying onions growing, and some mint. Not much, I know, but every little bit is a good thing in my opinion.
I know the onions are REALLY exciting, as they are growing over 1/2" a day!
After the Dr. on Tuesday I have to stop at a friends and pick up some more eggs. As of today I am down to 11 eggs in the house! No deviled eggs or hollandaise until I resupply. lol. I do have some dehydrated eggs, but I hate the idea of having to break into those unless I absolutely have to. they are very versatile, and they keep practically forever.
So much to do, and so little time, money and inclination to do it right now. I am still so depressed that just facing the day is very hard. It's been a week since Thor passed, and the grief is no less now than it was then. It's like I had an arm or foot cut off.
ok, I'm getting morose, need to find something to do.
Off to plant tomatoes.
New Car
We have a car! 1983 Chevy Cavelier Wagon. Sky Blue... not the prettiest thing on the planet, but it was cheap, and it drives well. To have wheels again is a good thing. So long as it lasts until we can get a 4 wheel drive we will be doing well.
We'll go tomorrow into the big city and get our shopping done and all that. We'll see how it stands up to the work then. Whoot!
We'll go tomorrow into the big city and get our shopping done and all that. We'll see how it stands up to the work then. Whoot!
Thor's Eulogy
Thor is gone. After 12 years he's out of our life and gone over the rainbow bridge. He stopped eatting and his control over he back legs just got worse and worse. We had to put him to sleep today. his vet said that if he's loosing more control over his back legs, and he has started refusing food that he's given up. He's also starting to act more and more disoriented. Just kind of sitting and looking at this or that and spontaineously wagging for no reason. He seems content and as far as we can tell he's in no pain.
Tomorrow is the first day of summer. I find it ironic that he went before the hottest part of the year, he never could stand the heat.
We buried him here behind the house, overlooking the gully and it's where he liked to lay. He can see the whole of the property from there. We plan on getting a marker to put up, and hubby planted a tree on his grave. his collar now hangs in our living room and his bun-bun (his stuffed rabbit he's had for at least 8 years) is on the shelf so no other dog can tear her up.
We had a small memorial for him for just the two of us. Hubby and I love our dogs as our children and it's so sad that he's gone. I know that dogs don't live as long as humans and while I KNOW in my head that Thor was a dog, in my heart he was my son.
I found Thor in 1997 in Sheridan Oregon. I had gone up to visit my parents for my father's birthday. Not only did I get to tell dad "Happy birthday" but I got to move my pregnant sister in with them while she filed for divorce from her husband, and I got a dog. Thor's mother was a Shar-pei/chow mix who was about 40 - 50 lbs in size. She had wrinkles like the shar-pei, but was quite a bit bigger. They had no clue who or what daddy was, just that he had jumped the fence. There were two boys left still that no none had claimed. one was all black with a white star on his chest with smooth fur. The other was black with a white ring around his neck, white paws and a white tip on his tail. This second pup also had ALOT of long hair. I liked the look of the little black boy with the white chest. I have never really like the "tipped" look of dogs who get that white tip on their tail, it just looks like they brushed a wall with their tail. But this little dog was very stand offish, wouldn't come to me and just gave me the evil eye as he went to stand behind mom and bark at me. The one with the white ring around his neck kind of came up to me and let me pick him up. his nose was RUNNY and I do mean runny. My sister looked at me and said "you know that's the one you like, just take him." So Snotty Dog came into the truck with me. We then went over to my Aunt's house, her grand daughter was there, all of 3 or so years old at the time. She saw the pup and started singing "B I N G O, and Bingo was his nam-o"... So "Snotty Dog" became "Bingo". Back to mom and dad's Bingo and I went, plans were to spend the night there then head the 2 hour drive back home, pup in tow. I called my hubby from there and let him know I got us a dog. he flipped. I paniced. lol. I told him on the phone "You can name him and we'll give him a week, if you can't bond with him we'll find him a new home". Famous last words were then spoken by my hubby "ok, I can deal with that". Poor man... He didn't know what he'd put himself in for.
I brought Bingo home, 9 lbs butterball that he was... and hubby was sold... Not immediately... "He's not going to sleep with us" I got told. the poor pup climbed under our bed and howled the first night... That lasted all of 20 minutes until my husband was climbing under the bed, pulling him out then depositing him on the bed between us. So much for him not sleeping with us.
Either that first day or the next I got "THE SPEECH". The speech has been brought up many times through the years. Sometimes to the embarrassment of my husband. But you have to do that once in a while to keep them in line you know... The speech goes something like this... "This is YOUR DOG! This means that you will walk him, you will feed him, you will clean up after him, you'll play with him, you'll train him... This is NOT MY DOG!" The next day Thor slept in Dad's lap. 3 days later Hubby was walking him at the park. A week later it was dad feeding him... and a day after that Dad was sitting the floor brushing him... After a month, Thor had established exactly who's dog he was and it wasn't mom.
Over the years I can even say he ate more of dad's stuff than mine. Although he really didn't like it whenever I worked outside the home. he would pout the entire day that I was gone. When I wasn't working outside the home he would follow me from room to room as I did housework throughout the day, or lay under my feet when I was sitting or on the computer. My constant companion no matter what the other dogs or cats were doing. He just loved us both I guess, and he showed it.
Thor was 3 months old or so when he decided he was a cat. He walked about 5 steps across the back of the couch (if the cat could do it, so could he right?) and promptly fell down between the back of the couch and the wall... Imagine his surpise at that one. he wasn't hurt, and it didn't stop him from trying again... This time it was the back of the recliner and the couch. It wasn't until we got another dog, Pan, that he decided that maybe he wasn't a cat after all. Pan and Thor remained bosom companions for the rest of Thor's life. Someday, I'll post Pan's story here.
At 7 months old Thor was neutered, probably the most remarkable thing about that was Zeus. When we went to pick up thor, there was another Shar-pei mix in the kennel next to his. Black, white ring around neck, 4 white paws, white chest and white end on his tail. Zeus was about the same age, but looked more Shar-pei in the face, with the nice square muzzle and more wrinkles. He was also leggier. It was kind of nice ot know that Thor wasn't the only one like him in the world.
Over the years Thor has lived in Eugene, Springfield, Tigard, And here in the wilderness of Oregon. He was content whether we lived in 1000 Sf of space, or 200. He never complained, he was only sick one time in his life, and he loved to go in the car. He loved to sleep in the bed next to dad like a real people. He had his own pillow, and loved in the winter to be under the covers and spooned. He loved cats, would beg to be with kids, thought his bunny was a real baby to be toted around, used as a pillow, cleaned and loved on. Many times I would walk into a room only to find him cuddled up with bunny by his belly sleeping, or him using her as a pillow as you would your litter mate in a puppy pile.
He had a rare wit, loved to sneek up and pinch you during play, and to hide dad's socks as he was getting ready to go to work as well as lay on his luggage when he was packing for a business trip. He loved to wrestle, and had an infectious grin that just told you that you had to smile too.
When he went in for his first Dr. visit as a pup, we were told that he had looked at the sun sometime in his very young life, and he had lost some vision. So he spent his life looking at the world through a fog bank. I don't think he ever really saw anything at all with clarity, but he loved to watch TV. he would come and beg me to turn on the TV. He loved anything with lions on it. lion documentaries, and such he would wag so hard when he would hear them roar. I bought the lion king for him... lol. imagine the picture of a 100 lb dog laying in front of the TV while I did housework, wagging at "you could be a big pig too!".
He liked tickles. he would lay on his back with all four feet in the air a lot when he was younger and before he developed arthritis. I loved to sneek up on him and tickle his tum. I would say "tickle, tickle, tickle" while I did it, and he would kick and squirm and fling his head. A huge grin on his face..
I invite anyone who would like, to send whatever comments they like for thor. I am putting together his memory book and all comments will go into it. you can put them here or send them to me privately at emily.yelton@gmail.com. I would especially like to hear from you if you knew Thor personally.
He will be sorely missed in our home, but never from our lives and hearts.
Thor Dog-Dog Yelton
12/2/1996 - 6/20/2009
Parents shouldn't outlive their children
Tomorrow is the first day of summer. I find it ironic that he went before the hottest part of the year, he never could stand the heat.
We buried him here behind the house, overlooking the gully and it's where he liked to lay. He can see the whole of the property from there. We plan on getting a marker to put up, and hubby planted a tree on his grave. his collar now hangs in our living room and his bun-bun (his stuffed rabbit he's had for at least 8 years) is on the shelf so no other dog can tear her up.
We had a small memorial for him for just the two of us. Hubby and I love our dogs as our children and it's so sad that he's gone. I know that dogs don't live as long as humans and while I KNOW in my head that Thor was a dog, in my heart he was my son.
I found Thor in 1997 in Sheridan Oregon. I had gone up to visit my parents for my father's birthday. Not only did I get to tell dad "Happy birthday" but I got to move my pregnant sister in with them while she filed for divorce from her husband, and I got a dog. Thor's mother was a Shar-pei/chow mix who was about 40 - 50 lbs in size. She had wrinkles like the shar-pei, but was quite a bit bigger. They had no clue who or what daddy was, just that he had jumped the fence. There were two boys left still that no none had claimed. one was all black with a white star on his chest with smooth fur. The other was black with a white ring around his neck, white paws and a white tip on his tail. This second pup also had ALOT of long hair. I liked the look of the little black boy with the white chest. I have never really like the "tipped" look of dogs who get that white tip on their tail, it just looks like they brushed a wall with their tail. But this little dog was very stand offish, wouldn't come to me and just gave me the evil eye as he went to stand behind mom and bark at me. The one with the white ring around his neck kind of came up to me and let me pick him up. his nose was RUNNY and I do mean runny. My sister looked at me and said "you know that's the one you like, just take him." So Snotty Dog came into the truck with me. We then went over to my Aunt's house, her grand daughter was there, all of 3 or so years old at the time. She saw the pup and started singing "B I N G O, and Bingo was his nam-o"... So "Snotty Dog" became "Bingo". Back to mom and dad's Bingo and I went, plans were to spend the night there then head the 2 hour drive back home, pup in tow. I called my hubby from there and let him know I got us a dog. he flipped. I paniced. lol. I told him on the phone "You can name him and we'll give him a week, if you can't bond with him we'll find him a new home". Famous last words were then spoken by my hubby "ok, I can deal with that". Poor man... He didn't know what he'd put himself in for.
I brought Bingo home, 9 lbs butterball that he was... and hubby was sold... Not immediately... "He's not going to sleep with us" I got told. the poor pup climbed under our bed and howled the first night... That lasted all of 20 minutes until my husband was climbing under the bed, pulling him out then depositing him on the bed between us. So much for him not sleeping with us.
Either that first day or the next I got "THE SPEECH". The speech has been brought up many times through the years. Sometimes to the embarrassment of my husband. But you have to do that once in a while to keep them in line you know... The speech goes something like this... "This is YOUR DOG! This means that you will walk him, you will feed him, you will clean up after him, you'll play with him, you'll train him... This is NOT MY DOG!" The next day Thor slept in Dad's lap. 3 days later Hubby was walking him at the park. A week later it was dad feeding him... and a day after that Dad was sitting the floor brushing him... After a month, Thor had established exactly who's dog he was and it wasn't mom.
Over the years I can even say he ate more of dad's stuff than mine. Although he really didn't like it whenever I worked outside the home. he would pout the entire day that I was gone. When I wasn't working outside the home he would follow me from room to room as I did housework throughout the day, or lay under my feet when I was sitting or on the computer. My constant companion no matter what the other dogs or cats were doing. He just loved us both I guess, and he showed it.
Thor was 3 months old or so when he decided he was a cat. He walked about 5 steps across the back of the couch (if the cat could do it, so could he right?) and promptly fell down between the back of the couch and the wall... Imagine his surpise at that one. he wasn't hurt, and it didn't stop him from trying again... This time it was the back of the recliner and the couch. It wasn't until we got another dog, Pan, that he decided that maybe he wasn't a cat after all. Pan and Thor remained bosom companions for the rest of Thor's life. Someday, I'll post Pan's story here.
At 7 months old Thor was neutered, probably the most remarkable thing about that was Zeus. When we went to pick up thor, there was another Shar-pei mix in the kennel next to his. Black, white ring around neck, 4 white paws, white chest and white end on his tail. Zeus was about the same age, but looked more Shar-pei in the face, with the nice square muzzle and more wrinkles. He was also leggier. It was kind of nice ot know that Thor wasn't the only one like him in the world.
Over the years Thor has lived in Eugene, Springfield, Tigard, And here in the wilderness of Oregon. He was content whether we lived in 1000 Sf of space, or 200. He never complained, he was only sick one time in his life, and he loved to go in the car. He loved to sleep in the bed next to dad like a real people. He had his own pillow, and loved in the winter to be under the covers and spooned. He loved cats, would beg to be with kids, thought his bunny was a real baby to be toted around, used as a pillow, cleaned and loved on. Many times I would walk into a room only to find him cuddled up with bunny by his belly sleeping, or him using her as a pillow as you would your litter mate in a puppy pile.
He had a rare wit, loved to sneek up and pinch you during play, and to hide dad's socks as he was getting ready to go to work as well as lay on his luggage when he was packing for a business trip. He loved to wrestle, and had an infectious grin that just told you that you had to smile too.
When he went in for his first Dr. visit as a pup, we were told that he had looked at the sun sometime in his very young life, and he had lost some vision. So he spent his life looking at the world through a fog bank. I don't think he ever really saw anything at all with clarity, but he loved to watch TV. he would come and beg me to turn on the TV. He loved anything with lions on it. lion documentaries, and such he would wag so hard when he would hear them roar. I bought the lion king for him... lol. imagine the picture of a 100 lb dog laying in front of the TV while I did housework, wagging at "you could be a big pig too!".
He liked tickles. he would lay on his back with all four feet in the air a lot when he was younger and before he developed arthritis. I loved to sneek up on him and tickle his tum. I would say "tickle, tickle, tickle" while I did it, and he would kick and squirm and fling his head. A huge grin on his face..
I invite anyone who would like, to send whatever comments they like for thor. I am putting together his memory book and all comments will go into it. you can put them here or send them to me privately at emily.yelton@gmail.com. I would especially like to hear from you if you knew Thor personally.
He will be sorely missed in our home, but never from our lives and hearts.
Thor Dog-Dog Yelton
12/2/1996 - 6/20/2009
Parents shouldn't outlive their children
Thor's Stroke
oh God. Life sucks. It's a sorrowful time around here...
Thor this morning didn't want to get up when I went to get him awake to go out. He had loosed his bowels in the night for both urine and feces and just looked at me and wagged. Hubby had to help him to stand and lift him down the steps to go outside. thor was able to stand and pass urine, but to have his bowel movemend he laid down on his tummy. His back legs just won't support him.
I think he's had a stroke or heart attack. I was able to get him to eat, and he can drink ok, and does it often. We've manipulated his legs, checked his back and hips for displacement or pain and there is none. He's just lost all motor control. Today is Friday, and if he isn't showing improvement we'll have to take him to the vet... If we can get a ride. He's 12 and 1/2 years old so I don't think there is anything a vet can do for him. I know a lot of dogs do improve from both a stroke and a heart attack so it's very possible he'll recover with no side effects.
In the mean time I'll let him lay quietly in the kitchen, we'll administer aspirin and manipulate his rear legs. hubby has continued all day long to help him up and carry him in and out to go to the bathroom, and he is able to hold his waste.
Thor this morning didn't want to get up when I went to get him awake to go out. He had loosed his bowels in the night for both urine and feces and just looked at me and wagged. Hubby had to help him to stand and lift him down the steps to go outside. thor was able to stand and pass urine, but to have his bowel movemend he laid down on his tummy. His back legs just won't support him.
I think he's had a stroke or heart attack. I was able to get him to eat, and he can drink ok, and does it often. We've manipulated his legs, checked his back and hips for displacement or pain and there is none. He's just lost all motor control. Today is Friday, and if he isn't showing improvement we'll have to take him to the vet... If we can get a ride. He's 12 and 1/2 years old so I don't think there is anything a vet can do for him. I know a lot of dogs do improve from both a stroke and a heart attack so it's very possible he'll recover with no side effects.
In the mean time I'll let him lay quietly in the kitchen, we'll administer aspirin and manipulate his rear legs. hubby has continued all day long to help him up and carry him in and out to go to the bathroom, and he is able to hold his waste.
Family visit!
Well butternuts! My truck is dead. No more, can't drive and done. blah. At least my sister and her husband are here and are able to drive me to my few appointments I have today. Then they are leaving today. Rats! It sucks a lot. now I'll have to see if I can find a cheap car or truck. It could be that we just purchase a cheap car for now then save up over the next few months and then buy another 4 wheel drive. Living out here in the boonies you really do need a 4 wheel drive. ESPECIALLY during the winter.
Yesterday, hubby took the 2 oldest neices and the nephew on a hike. they brought back TONS of wildflowers, and he snapped quite a few pics of them climbing on rocks and such. My youngest neice stayed here with us and took a short nap and played. She just wouldn't have been able to keep up on the hike.
When Sis showed up yesterday she had brought dinner.. Enchiladas! Homemade of course. They were pretty snazzy tasting and I like how she did them. instead of rolling up each individual enchilada, she layered it like lasagna. So you schloop (technical term there... schooping is like skooping, but it's accompanied by a noise that sounds like "Schlooop" as the food comes out of the pan. think of when you suck in a long spaghetti noodle or soup. This term is usually reserved for lasagna, pies, and other juicy stuff.) it from the pan instead of just skooping out one or two enchiladas.
lunch today is made up of some cheese sammies, and tomato soup.... not any ol' tomato soup mind you... This tomato soup was made by my brother in law with love and skill. (and probably some cussing I am sure, it couldn't have been easy to cut up that many tomatoes and other ingredients!) And it was YUMMY! I have 2 jars of the juice he made using the same recipe, just add some flour to thicken it up into soup he said. I am going to use one of those jars here in a day or so for some stew. I'll add some meat and veggies to it and the like and then add some homemade bread and we'll eat on that for a day or two.
Anyway. Dinner was mac and cheese with hot dogs in it. It was my recipe. Macaroni cooked until done in the regular method,and drained. Then add some cubed velveeta, cubed cheddar, a sprinkle of sea salt and a sprinkle of pepper, add a little evaporated milk and about 1 or 2 teaspoons of butter. heat it all until the cheeses are melted and add in some sliced all beef franks. this fed all 8 of us.
Breakfast this morning was cereal. our neighbor on monday brought me the cheese I requested when he ran to the big city, and as a surprise he also brought a HUGE chocolate cake and a gallon of milk for the kids to have. It was so wonderful of him. Anyway, we still have milk and will have to use it up soon, so we all had cereal. nothing fancy mind you. Corn flakes and sugar and milk. Tada. Breakfast. lol. Then my brother in law took me to run my few errands, and then they left. My house seems so empty and quiet now that they are gone. It's almost depressing. The dogs are all crashed like trauma patients too. They loved having the kids here. Thor followed the kids around wagging, Frey followed my nephew especially. She bonded with him when we were up there almost 3 years ago for Thanksgiving and she apparently hasn't forgotten him. Lol. they ran around like mad puppies she and he. Nubis could have cared less about the kids. he was completely engrosed with Max. Max taught Nubis that balls are MUCH more fun when you get your people to throw them for you instead of just chewing them to bits. So when they left Sis left one of the tennis balls here for Nubis, and he's currently using it as a pillow. Thor and my youngest neice (age 2 and 1/2) hit it off pretty well and he just laid there on the floor while she rubbed his back. he would just wag and smile at her... And when she went to get up and walk away, he would look up at her and wag, so she would go back to rubbing his back. lol. I think he kept her entertained for at least 2 hours with that trick. Patient old dog.
ok, I am off to get into some kind of trouble, not sure what kind, but I know I'll find some...
Ta!
Yesterday, hubby took the 2 oldest neices and the nephew on a hike. they brought back TONS of wildflowers, and he snapped quite a few pics of them climbing on rocks and such. My youngest neice stayed here with us and took a short nap and played. She just wouldn't have been able to keep up on the hike.
When Sis showed up yesterday she had brought dinner.. Enchiladas! Homemade of course. They were pretty snazzy tasting and I like how she did them. instead of rolling up each individual enchilada, she layered it like lasagna. So you schloop (technical term there... schooping is like skooping, but it's accompanied by a noise that sounds like "Schlooop" as the food comes out of the pan. think of when you suck in a long spaghetti noodle or soup. This term is usually reserved for lasagna, pies, and other juicy stuff.) it from the pan instead of just skooping out one or two enchiladas.
lunch today is made up of some cheese sammies, and tomato soup.... not any ol' tomato soup mind you... This tomato soup was made by my brother in law with love and skill. (and probably some cussing I am sure, it couldn't have been easy to cut up that many tomatoes and other ingredients!) And it was YUMMY! I have 2 jars of the juice he made using the same recipe, just add some flour to thicken it up into soup he said. I am going to use one of those jars here in a day or so for some stew. I'll add some meat and veggies to it and the like and then add some homemade bread and we'll eat on that for a day or two.
Anyway. Dinner was mac and cheese with hot dogs in it. It was my recipe. Macaroni cooked until done in the regular method,and drained. Then add some cubed velveeta, cubed cheddar, a sprinkle of sea salt and a sprinkle of pepper, add a little evaporated milk and about 1 or 2 teaspoons of butter. heat it all until the cheeses are melted and add in some sliced all beef franks. this fed all 8 of us.
Breakfast this morning was cereal. our neighbor on monday brought me the cheese I requested when he ran to the big city, and as a surprise he also brought a HUGE chocolate cake and a gallon of milk for the kids to have. It was so wonderful of him. Anyway, we still have milk and will have to use it up soon, so we all had cereal. nothing fancy mind you. Corn flakes and sugar and milk. Tada. Breakfast. lol. Then my brother in law took me to run my few errands, and then they left. My house seems so empty and quiet now that they are gone. It's almost depressing. The dogs are all crashed like trauma patients too. They loved having the kids here. Thor followed the kids around wagging, Frey followed my nephew especially. She bonded with him when we were up there almost 3 years ago for Thanksgiving and she apparently hasn't forgotten him. Lol. they ran around like mad puppies she and he. Nubis could have cared less about the kids. he was completely engrosed with Max. Max taught Nubis that balls are MUCH more fun when you get your people to throw them for you instead of just chewing them to bits. So when they left Sis left one of the tennis balls here for Nubis, and he's currently using it as a pillow. Thor and my youngest neice (age 2 and 1/2) hit it off pretty well and he just laid there on the floor while she rubbed his back. he would just wag and smile at her... And when she went to get up and walk away, he would look up at her and wag, so she would go back to rubbing his back. lol. I think he kept her entertained for at least 2 hours with that trick. Patient old dog.
ok, I am off to get into some kind of trouble, not sure what kind, but I know I'll find some...
Ta!
Surprise Visit
Had a great surprise last night! My sister called me at 9:30 pm and asked if we want company tomorrow (today) !! I, of course, said yes! Whoot. So my beloved sister and her husband came to visit, bringing along their four children and their dog Max. Max is only about a week older than Nubie. They arrived today and it's a madhouse. Thankfully Max hit it off 100% with Nubis and they are frantically playing like mad dogs. It's absolutely great to have family here. There aren't many women here and so anytime I can interact with another one of my species it's great. Most of the enhabitants of the area are of that alien species known as male. Also known as, "those who frustrate those of us actually from this planet". lol.
We'll settle in today, and then tomorrow will be full of exciting and fun things for the kids to do and us to do.
Gotta jog, I don't get much time with them, but I just wanted to let you know that I was still around. hehe.
We'll settle in today, and then tomorrow will be full of exciting and fun things for the kids to do and us to do.
Gotta jog, I don't get much time with them, but I just wanted to let you know that I was still around. hehe.
Unemployment again...
I received the unemployement decision back today, and they have denied me benefits. In looking it over they have some of the facts incorrect, but I don't know how to go about letting them know they have the facts wrong. Such as they assumed that hubby's PTSD was from his time in the Navy when he served in the Gulf War. This is incorrect. why do people make the incorrect assumption that during wartime is the only time you get ptsd? Hubby's PTSD is a culmination of his cancer, his stressful job, his time in the Navy and his other illnesses including depression, anxiety, and quite a few others that I don't even know the name of. (I'm not a Phychiatrist! lol)
I guess I get to re-appeal, but I don't think it'll mean much.
On with life. lol.
We had the chance to get a 5 year old dairy goat for $50.00. It isn't too bad of a deal, it's top dollar for a dairy goat, but if she's a good milker then she would have been worth it. However, because of the water situation, we had to turn her down. Darn it. I guess a milk goat drinks about 10 to 15 gallons a day. And we just can't do that until we have a better water system in place. We'll stick with bunnies and they will be our #1 livestock still. they drink only about a pint of water a day. That is a lot more do-able for now. When we get an alternate water source then we'll look back into getting goats again. always set backs in my life lately it seems.
I guess I get to re-appeal, but I don't think it'll mean much.
On with life. lol.
We had the chance to get a 5 year old dairy goat for $50.00. It isn't too bad of a deal, it's top dollar for a dairy goat, but if she's a good milker then she would have been worth it. However, because of the water situation, we had to turn her down. Darn it. I guess a milk goat drinks about 10 to 15 gallons a day. And we just can't do that until we have a better water system in place. We'll stick with bunnies and they will be our #1 livestock still. they drink only about a pint of water a day. That is a lot more do-able for now. When we get an alternate water source then we'll look back into getting goats again.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Blogs....
Ok, it's been a while since I posted a blog. I wanted to just check in and let you know I'm working on it and I didn't forget you! :) Things have been cruising along kind of quiet like here, accompanied by sporadic bursts of feverish work. lol. We have had thunderstorms almost non-stop here at Treehaven for almost 3 weeks in a row. This causes us to huddle in the house until the torrential downpour is over and then frantically get outside things done in between. lol.
So, I'll put together my blogs and get them uploaded for you sometime in the next few weeks. We also have quite a number of pictures to upload.
Ta!
So, I'll put together my blogs and get them uploaded for you sometime in the next few weeks. We also have quite a number of pictures to upload.
Ta!
Friday, May 29, 2009
HAVE A HAPPY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!! How's it feel to be old?
More thunderstorms came our way yesterday. I think we got approximately another 15 gallons of water from them. Possibly more. It's all very, very welcome. Of course, Poor Pan was ready to pack his bags and head for his Auntie's house. She doesn't get as many thunderstorms. Hummm.. I'll have to discuss with him which could be worse for his poor palsied nerves.. Thunderstorms or 4 children (3 of which are 6 and under).
Today is a bit of a lazy day. We need to drive down to town to mail off some money orders, and then possibly over to visit some friends and check on the chicks. Other than that, we aren't going far. We are slated to get more thunderstorms today and I don't like leaving the pooches for long in that. Thor takes it pretty stolidly, although... It does take a LOT to make him perturbed. Freya likes to be in the same room with you, but poor pan just can't hold himself together during storms. Nubis wants to go out and play in them, it's like he thinks it's just someone banging on the side of HIS trailer.
I must admit, moving here was a mess. My sister was going to take the dogs at that time if we could find a place to rent there in Eugene. We were laughing about it the other day. That would have made her kids do back flips as they all like dogs to various degrees. But moving here and being able to keep the dogs with us I think did good things for hubby and his various mental difficulties. I know it did good things for me. I was very depressed at the thought of the dogs having to go away. Moving here enabled me to do that, but it has made other things pretty hard. such as the power and water situation.
The sandhill cranes all have chicks with them now as we drive by and see them in the pastures. They are kind of cute in that so ugly you just have to love them way. We saw two white swans on the river day before yesterday. Didn't see any baby swans though, just the two adults. The geese and more that fly around home all have babies somewhere, as do the eagles and the buzzards and everything else. It's such a great time of year.
our neighbors last year lost almost all of their birds to a cougar. So far this year they haven't been able to replenish them. But they still have chickens, ducks and a turkey. They also have bunnies. I found out yesterday that one of their bunnies had been killed last week by another neighbors dogs. It's pretty sad about that. Although, like a good neighbor, he's going to make it right. I admit I have 4 dogs, and no fence at all around my property, but my dogs are very contained. they don't go outside unless we are with them and when they are outside they are either on the leash (Freya) or voice contained. Freya has run off a few times, and it really bothers me when she does. I don't want her to be the one that is out there causing problems. I don't need that hassle and cost, and neither does she, she being Freya.
I am in love with my new printer. We are calling it Hugh, like Hugh the Borg that the federation freed from the collective then let him go back to his hive. It fits... After all it's is a Hewlett Packard printer. I have scanned in a book of coloring pages for mythical creatures, and a packet of paper piecing patterns a friend had sent to me in 2001 and that I have been packing around every since then. I am getting ready today to scan in a fairy/wizard coloring book and 2 Egyptian coloring books. I use all these as patterns for paper piecing for scrapbooks and cards as well as I paint them various places and for various reasons. lol. I figure though, that instead of taking up space on my book shelf, they can take up a cd or two. Infinitely more space there. Hubby has about 300 - 400 Dragon magazines in storage, and when we get them here we are going to scan those too. And I have almost all the Mother Earth News magazines, so I'll do those too. It'll take up so much less room.
Breakfast this morning was bagels and cream cheese, still thinking about dinner. I really want to do pizza sometime soon, I bought all the makings for sausage pizza while we were in town so I think I may try that today or tomorrow. :D
ok, off to find more trouble and do some scanning.
Later!
More thunderstorms came our way yesterday. I think we got approximately another 15 gallons of water from them. Possibly more. It's all very, very welcome. Of course, Poor Pan was ready to pack his bags and head for his Auntie's house. She doesn't get as many thunderstorms. Hummm.. I'll have to discuss with him which could be worse for his poor palsied nerves.. Thunderstorms or 4 children (3 of which are 6 and under).
Today is a bit of a lazy day. We need to drive down to town to mail off some money orders, and then possibly over to visit some friends and check on the chicks. Other than that, we aren't going far. We are slated to get more thunderstorms today and I don't like leaving the pooches for long in that. Thor takes it pretty stolidly, although... It does take a LOT to make him perturbed. Freya likes to be in the same room with you, but poor pan just can't hold himself together during storms. Nubis wants to go out and play in them, it's like he thinks it's just someone banging on the side of HIS trailer.
I must admit, moving here was a mess. My sister was going to take the dogs at that time if we could find a place to rent there in Eugene. We were laughing about it the other day. That would have made her kids do back flips as they all like dogs to various degrees. But moving here and being able to keep the dogs with us I think did good things for hubby and his various mental difficulties. I know it did good things for me. I was very depressed at the thought of the dogs having to go away. Moving here enabled me to do that, but it has made other things pretty hard. such as the power and water situation.
The sandhill cranes all have chicks with them now as we drive by and see them in the pastures. They are kind of cute in that so ugly you just have to love them way. We saw two white swans on the river day before yesterday. Didn't see any baby swans though, just the two adults. The geese and more that fly around home all have babies somewhere, as do the eagles and the buzzards and everything else. It's such a great time of year.
our neighbors last year lost almost all of their birds to a cougar. So far this year they haven't been able to replenish them. But they still have chickens, ducks and a turkey. They also have bunnies. I found out yesterday that one of their bunnies had been killed last week by another neighbors dogs. It's pretty sad about that. Although, like a good neighbor, he's going to make it right. I admit I have 4 dogs, and no fence at all around my property, but my dogs are very contained. they don't go outside unless we are with them and when they are outside they are either on the leash (Freya) or voice contained. Freya has run off a few times, and it really bothers me when she does. I don't want her to be the one that is out there causing problems. I don't need that hassle and cost, and neither does she, she being Freya.
I am in love with my new printer. We are calling it Hugh, like Hugh the Borg that the federation freed from the collective then let him go back to his hive. It fits... After all it's is a Hewlett Packard printer. I have scanned in a book of coloring pages for mythical creatures, and a packet of paper piecing patterns a friend had sent to me in 2001 and that I have been packing around every since then. I am getting ready today to scan in a fairy/wizard coloring book and 2 Egyptian coloring books. I use all these as patterns for paper piecing for scrapbooks and cards as well as I paint them various places and for various reasons. lol. I figure though, that instead of taking up space on my book shelf, they can take up a cd or two. Infinitely more space there. Hubby has about 300 - 400 Dragon magazines in storage, and when we get them here we are going to scan those too. And I have almost all the Mother Earth News magazines, so I'll do those too. It'll take up so much less room.
Breakfast this morning was bagels and cream cheese, still thinking about dinner. I really want to do pizza sometime soon, I bought all the makings for sausage pizza while we were in town so I think I may try that today or tomorrow. :D
ok, off to find more trouble and do some scanning.
Later!
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