Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
The A to Z Of Me
Laura at Our Wee Farm offered up this cute meme and since there's nothing going on in my world right now, I thought I'd participate.
A=Age; 49 1/2 We're closing in on the big FIVE OH (as in "Oh My God")
B=Bed size; King. We started out in a twin. Moved up to a queen. And now it's a King...Love it!
C=Chore that you hate; Scrubbing out the shower...Yuck!
D=Dogs; Scooter, Ginny and Casey (or Boo, Princess and Piglet, or Squirrel Bait, Gin-Gin and Flounder, or Pasta Head, Eqyptian Queen and Tapper...) Too many nicknames to count!
E=Essential start to you day; A walk with the pups. I need to breathe the fresh air and have some quiet time.
F= Favourite colour; Acid Green (But actually any green will do)
G=Gold or silver; Gold. But the only thing I wear now is a pair of earrings.
H= Height; 5ft 8in
I=- Instruments you play; Nada, nothing.
J=Job title; Surgical Tech/ConsultantK-Kids; Just the pup's and SM
L=Live; I was born in NY State, moved to Texas, then Ohio, Virginia Beach, back to Ohio and now North Carolina. I tell SM I want to live in an RV out west like my Mom does.
M=Mother's name; Donna
N=Nickname; Squeetie. Only SM uses that one though.
O=Overnight hospital stays; Two. As a child, I was in for kidney issues. Last year, emergency appendectomy.P=Pet peeves; Anything messy. I can't think with a mess. Considering I live with Mr Disorganized, I'm amazed that I can think at all.
Q=Quotes from a film; "Silly rabbit...Tricks are for kids." Kill Bill Vol 1 and "I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills." Out of Africa- The best movie ever made IMHO.
R=Right or left handed; Right handed, left brained.
S= Siblings; Three. One older sister, one younger sister and a kid brother
T=Time you wake up; Between 4:30 and 5:30 every "freakin" day. I wouldn't know how to sleep in.
U=Underwear; Why would I discuss that? "Yes Mom...They're clean!"
V=Vegetable I hate: Brussel sprouts and spinach. Too bitter.
W=What makes you run late; SM
X=Xrays you've had; CT on the tummy last year.
Y=Yummy food that you make; Soups, cookies and cakes. Or at least that's what I get complimented on the most. EVERYONE loves my Oatmeal Craisins.
Z=Zoo animals; What about em? I am fascinated by the Gorilla and Monkey houses. What does THAT say about me?
A=Age; 49 1/2 We're closing in on the big FIVE OH (as in "Oh My God")
B=Bed size; King. We started out in a twin. Moved up to a queen. And now it's a King...Love it!
C=Chore that you hate; Scrubbing out the shower...Yuck!
D=Dogs; Scooter, Ginny and Casey (or Boo, Princess and Piglet, or Squirrel Bait, Gin-Gin and Flounder, or Pasta Head, Eqyptian Queen and Tapper...) Too many nicknames to count!
E=Essential start to you day; A walk with the pups. I need to breathe the fresh air and have some quiet time.
F= Favourite colour; Acid Green (But actually any green will do)
G=Gold or silver; Gold. But the only thing I wear now is a pair of earrings.
H= Height; 5ft 8in
I=- Instruments you play; Nada, nothing.
J=Job title; Surgical Tech/ConsultantK-Kids; Just the pup's and SM
L=Live; I was born in NY State, moved to Texas, then Ohio, Virginia Beach, back to Ohio and now North Carolina. I tell SM I want to live in an RV out west like my Mom does.
M=Mother's name; Donna
N=Nickname; Squeetie. Only SM uses that one though.
O=Overnight hospital stays; Two. As a child, I was in for kidney issues. Last year, emergency appendectomy.P=Pet peeves; Anything messy. I can't think with a mess. Considering I live with Mr Disorganized, I'm amazed that I can think at all.
Q=Quotes from a film; "Silly rabbit...Tricks are for kids." Kill Bill Vol 1 and "I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills." Out of Africa- The best movie ever made IMHO.
R=Right or left handed; Right handed, left brained.
S= Siblings; Three. One older sister, one younger sister and a kid brother
T=Time you wake up; Between 4:30 and 5:30 every "freakin" day. I wouldn't know how to sleep in.
U=Underwear; Why would I discuss that? "Yes Mom...They're clean!"
V=Vegetable I hate: Brussel sprouts and spinach. Too bitter.
W=What makes you run late; SM
X=Xrays you've had; CT on the tummy last year.
Y=Yummy food that you make; Soups, cookies and cakes. Or at least that's what I get complimented on the most. EVERYONE loves my Oatmeal Craisins.
Z=Zoo animals; What about em? I am fascinated by the Gorilla and Monkey houses. What does THAT say about me?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Scrub it
We've had a whole week of gray skies, rain, drizzle and humidity.
Finally, the sun came out today.
I almost put my face right into this spiders web.
I had sown some lettuce last week and it actually came up.
It's funny. I'm not sure I want to bother with a fall garden. Even though we're still in the mid 80's, I think it's too late in the game to get a harvest out of anything that I'd plant right now. I'm sure the lettuce can turn around quick enough and the carrots have been in since August so they have a head start. Plus they can over winter in the ground.
I guess I was hoping to try for some cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and collards. But these plants take so long to grow. To even hope for any kind of harvest though, I'd need to have a hoop house and Mother Nature on my side. I'm just not feeling it.
Heading into October in the 80's is weird. Yes, it could imply an Indian Summer, but it's more likely that by the end of October we'd still have a frost and then I'd have wasted my effort (and expense) on plants that aren't going to give me anything back.
So I've decided to just "scrub it". No Fall garden this year other than the lettuces and carrots that are already in.
This may not be a bad decision at all, actually. We've got "double digging" and fencing to do and with our poor quality soil, I'd rather invest my time tossing organics (leaf and manure) in the garden to help try and establish a "bitchen" soil for next springs garden.
(Edit: I forgot to mention that I'm researching cover crops too. Why not? Any recommendations for a zone 7 cover crop?)
Finally, the sun came out today.
It's funny. I'm not sure I want to bother with a fall garden. Even though we're still in the mid 80's, I think it's too late in the game to get a harvest out of anything that I'd plant right now. I'm sure the lettuce can turn around quick enough and the carrots have been in since August so they have a head start. Plus they can over winter in the ground.
I guess I was hoping to try for some cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and collards. But these plants take so long to grow. To even hope for any kind of harvest though, I'd need to have a hoop house and Mother Nature on my side. I'm just not feeling it.
Heading into October in the 80's is weird. Yes, it could imply an Indian Summer, but it's more likely that by the end of October we'd still have a frost and then I'd have wasted my effort (and expense) on plants that aren't going to give me anything back.
So I've decided to just "scrub it". No Fall garden this year other than the lettuces and carrots that are already in.
This may not be a bad decision at all, actually. We've got "double digging" and fencing to do and with our poor quality soil, I'd rather invest my time tossing organics (leaf and manure) in the garden to help try and establish a "bitchen" soil for next springs garden.
(Edit: I forgot to mention that I'm researching cover crops too. Why not? Any recommendations for a zone 7 cover crop?)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
PS
I was trolling through the blogosphere and came across this article in The Atlantic.
The Bitch Is Back
The Bitch Is Back
Verklempt
I'm not one to be indecisive or emotional. I tend to be a mover and a shaker. But this past week has been one of the strangest weeks I've had in awhile.
I'm verklempt. Not sure what that means? Watch this...
Verklept means that you're emotional. In other words..."Freakin hormones!" (There's a good reason why there's 3 middle aged women on that couch and (trust me) it ain't just a Jewish thing. Could be a big hair thing though...I do like my hair BIG. &;)
One minute I'm folding towels crying, the next minute SM comes up and pats me on my butt and I round on him like I want to rip his head off. Trust me, he backed away from me like I was an explosive about to go off. Which made me sad. And then I wanted to cry again.
"Run away, Honey there's crazy lady in your house."
It might have something to do with the fact that the past few nights I've only slept about 3 hours each night. 9 to midnight and then "bink" wide awake again. Somebody's messing with my light switch.
After the second night of no sleep I rediscovered the joys of caffeine (buzz buzz here, buzz buzz there....Tra la la la la) and I started taking Shiff's Melatonin Ultra (my good menopausal friend Susan recommended this) before bedtime.
Now I'm not one for pill popping but this last year I've dedicated myself to healthier living by taking multivitamins and omega3 (fish oil) supplements. Along with acidophilus for my cranky gut and an acid reducer for the reflux. I'll be adding vitamin D to this mix once a week now that we're heading into fall.
I think I'm officially old now.
A few weeks ago, I had taken an afternoon nap and woke up still sleepy. It was dinner time so I went in to take my acid pill and took Ginny's antihistamine pill by mistake. (I'm still alive)
So now I'm emotional AND stupid. Damn girl...it's time to get one of those pill box thingies.
Then the other day I was curled up next to SM (one of my cuddly moments) and I asked him what he had for lunch that day. He looked at me curiously and said "You made me lunch."
"I did? What did I make?" My mind was completely blank.
"You tell me. You spent 2 hours in the kitchen making them."
I sat there feeling like Alzheimer's was about to pounce on me any second. After about a minute it came to me..."Oh yeah, meatballs."
Tell you what, girlfriends...This menopause shit ain't for sissies.
I'm verklempt. Not sure what that means? Watch this...
Verklept means that you're emotional. In other words..."Freakin hormones!" (There's a good reason why there's 3 middle aged women on that couch and (trust me) it ain't just a Jewish thing. Could be a big hair thing though...I do like my hair BIG. &;)
One minute I'm folding towels crying, the next minute SM comes up and pats me on my butt and I round on him like I want to rip his head off. Trust me, he backed away from me like I was an explosive about to go off. Which made me sad. And then I wanted to cry again.
"Run away, Honey there's crazy lady in your house."
It might have something to do with the fact that the past few nights I've only slept about 3 hours each night. 9 to midnight and then "bink" wide awake again. Somebody's messing with my light switch.
After the second night of no sleep I rediscovered the joys of caffeine (buzz buzz here, buzz buzz there....Tra la la la la) and I started taking Shiff's Melatonin Ultra (my good menopausal friend Susan recommended this) before bedtime.
Now I'm not one for pill popping but this last year I've dedicated myself to healthier living by taking multivitamins and omega3 (fish oil) supplements. Along with acidophilus for my cranky gut and an acid reducer for the reflux. I'll be adding vitamin D to this mix once a week now that we're heading into fall.
I think I'm officially old now.
A few weeks ago, I had taken an afternoon nap and woke up still sleepy. It was dinner time so I went in to take my acid pill and took Ginny's antihistamine pill by mistake. (I'm still alive)
So now I'm emotional AND stupid. Damn girl...it's time to get one of those pill box thingies.
Then the other day I was curled up next to SM (one of my cuddly moments) and I asked him what he had for lunch that day. He looked at me curiously and said "You made me lunch."
"I did? What did I make?" My mind was completely blank.
"You tell me. You spent 2 hours in the kitchen making them."
I sat there feeling like Alzheimer's was about to pounce on me any second. After about a minute it came to me..."Oh yeah, meatballs."
Tell you what, girlfriends...This menopause shit ain't for sissies.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Backrub Gone Wrong
Just when a guy thinks he can get his wife to give him a backrub...Someone else comes along and thinks that a belly rub is a good idea too.
"Hey! It's a party."
So much for that backrub...
"Hey! It's a party."
So much for that backrub...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A Conversation
"You're making me fat." SM
"Hey...I'm not the one buying bananas and letting them get all nasty. You know I hate to waste. So there you are." Me, pointing to the oven.
(Yes. I made more banana bread yesterday. This time I backed off on the cinnamon just a bit but added 2 handfuls of chocolate chips. SM made a face when I told him. He thought the chocolate would ruin it.)
"Bananas and chocolate go together. Try it." Me.
So last night SM cut a piece of the apple walnut and another of the banana chocolate chip.
"So how was it?" I asked, curious.
"THAT is just about the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm going to be HUGE eating all this. That's a lot of cake." SM replied.
"Well, I can always take it and....." I started.
"You're NOT taking it into work." SM interrupts, staking his claim.
"I was going to say that I can take it and freeze part of it." Me
"Oh. OK...Do that." SM
So that's what I did.
You know they say "Happy Wife, Happy Life?"
Well, we need to come up with a phrase about keeping the "Man" of your house happy. Any ideas?
"Hey...I'm not the one buying bananas and letting them get all nasty. You know I hate to waste. So there you are." Me, pointing to the oven.
(Yes. I made more banana bread yesterday. This time I backed off on the cinnamon just a bit but added 2 handfuls of chocolate chips. SM made a face when I told him. He thought the chocolate would ruin it.)
"Bananas and chocolate go together. Try it." Me.
So last night SM cut a piece of the apple walnut and another of the banana chocolate chip.
"So how was it?" I asked, curious.
"THAT is just about the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm going to be HUGE eating all this. That's a lot of cake." SM replied.
"Well, I can always take it and....." I started.
"You're NOT taking it into work." SM interrupts, staking his claim.
"I was going to say that I can take it and freeze part of it." Me
"Oh. OK...Do that." SM
So that's what I did.
You know they say "Happy Wife, Happy Life?"
Well, we need to come up with a phrase about keeping the "Man" of your house happy. Any ideas?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
All About The "Yum" and Other Comforts
Our last few days have been quite cool and overcast. Ohio Weather we call it. (evil grin) A nice taste of fall. Don't get too excited though. We'll be back in the mid 80's in a few days.
Since the weather has been cooler, SM asked me to make some stuffed green peppers. Sure! I always have leftover meat, so I also made meatballs.
Funny thing. You know how you use rice in the meat of your stuffed peppers? Well, I love meatloaf and meatballs and since I went gluten free, I've just been opting out on using the breadcrumbs in the recipe. It made for a denser, dryer texture (particularly with the ground turkey)...but whats a girl to do?
Well, the meat (and meatballs) with the rice in them were so moist and light, they were out of this world. A true light bulb moment! I used ground turkey and a roll of Jimmy Dean pork sausage (ground beef too if you want), 1 egg, katsup and Worcestershire sauce (and lots of it). And from now on I'll be adding rice too. I don't really measure anything, I just mix it all together. It'll be really really loose. But it firms up and stays moist after cooking. Yum.
SM also finished off the banana bread (see post from last week) and wanted more cake, so I used the same basic recipe and substituted apples and walnuts and doubled the cinnamon and also added some apple pie spice. TaDa! Apple Spice Cake!
I noticed that it didn't need to cook as long as the banana bread (less moisture in the apples) but SM reports that it's still moist and "Yummy". I expect that I can use this basic recipe and make carrot cake too. I'm curious what will happen with chocolate.
SM was in Hendersonville (in the mountains of NC) a few days ago and picked me up a few more apples straight from the orchard. He has no idea what they are but they taste great so who cares. $8 for a peck. What the heck is a peck anyway? No leaves turning yet, though. He's also loving the new car. (drives great.) A neighbor teased him the other day saying that SM "didn't look like a mini-van man to him." Oh well...hauling kids or hauling crap...you're still "hauling".
The cooler weather made me check out my winter clothes situation. I wear scrubs to work so that's easy but my "at home" clothes were falling apart. I haven't bought new clothes in several years. My sweat pants (and "sleepy" pants) that I hang around the house in, have holes around the waistband and I'd already tossed a pair of jeans that had to be 6 years old at least. And now that I'm older and my waistline has become one with my hips (freakin menopause) so my whole shape has changed.
So I NEEDED to go shopping. And I hate clothes shopping! I have to be IN THE MOOD. You know what I mean.
A friend told me that Kohls was having a big sale Saturday, so I dragged my sorry carcass over into the melee. I don't bother shopping at malls anymore (they don't make clothes for the mature, tightwad woman) so Kohls has become my "go-to" department store. I can usually find stuff there.
WOW...were they busy! Women and clothes EVERYWHERE. I mostly needed pants so I concentrated on that. Kind of a search and destroy mission.
I found 2 pairs of jeans, 5 pairs of "sleepy pants/ active wear pants", 1 pair of shorts from the 1/2 off rack. (When did shorts get so "short"?) I also bought a couple of shirts and another super soft "throw blanket" for this winter.
Quite the haul, if you ask me. I spent 1 1/2 hrs in there and walked out with my mood intact and a back seat loaded with bags. I noticed a lot of women buying kitchen stuff so I think there was a lot of Christmas shopping going on.
When the price is right, people come out in droves. Even me.
So food and clothing has been taken care of. Now what about shelter? We're investigating window "repair" rather than "replacement". We've got a guy coming out tomorrow to give us an opinion on the sorry state of our windows. More on that another day.
Since the weather has been cooler, SM asked me to make some stuffed green peppers. Sure! I always have leftover meat, so I also made meatballs.
Funny thing. You know how you use rice in the meat of your stuffed peppers? Well, I love meatloaf and meatballs and since I went gluten free, I've just been opting out on using the breadcrumbs in the recipe. It made for a denser, dryer texture (particularly with the ground turkey)...but whats a girl to do?
Well, the meat (and meatballs) with the rice in them were so moist and light, they were out of this world. A true light bulb moment! I used ground turkey and a roll of Jimmy Dean pork sausage (ground beef too if you want), 1 egg, katsup and Worcestershire sauce (and lots of it). And from now on I'll be adding rice too. I don't really measure anything, I just mix it all together. It'll be really really loose. But it firms up and stays moist after cooking. Yum.
SM also finished off the banana bread (see post from last week) and wanted more cake, so I used the same basic recipe and substituted apples and walnuts and doubled the cinnamon and also added some apple pie spice. TaDa! Apple Spice Cake!
I noticed that it didn't need to cook as long as the banana bread (less moisture in the apples) but SM reports that it's still moist and "Yummy". I expect that I can use this basic recipe and make carrot cake too. I'm curious what will happen with chocolate.
SM was in Hendersonville (in the mountains of NC) a few days ago and picked me up a few more apples straight from the orchard. He has no idea what they are but they taste great so who cares. $8 for a peck. What the heck is a peck anyway? No leaves turning yet, though. He's also loving the new car. (drives great.) A neighbor teased him the other day saying that SM "didn't look like a mini-van man to him." Oh well...hauling kids or hauling crap...you're still "hauling".
The cooler weather made me check out my winter clothes situation. I wear scrubs to work so that's easy but my "at home" clothes were falling apart. I haven't bought new clothes in several years. My sweat pants (and "sleepy" pants) that I hang around the house in, have holes around the waistband and I'd already tossed a pair of jeans that had to be 6 years old at least. And now that I'm older and my waistline has become one with my hips (freakin menopause) so my whole shape has changed.
So I NEEDED to go shopping. And I hate clothes shopping! I have to be IN THE MOOD. You know what I mean.
A friend told me that Kohls was having a big sale Saturday, so I dragged my sorry carcass over into the melee. I don't bother shopping at malls anymore (they don't make clothes for the mature, tightwad woman) so Kohls has become my "go-to" department store. I can usually find stuff there.
WOW...were they busy! Women and clothes EVERYWHERE. I mostly needed pants so I concentrated on that. Kind of a search and destroy mission.
I found 2 pairs of jeans, 5 pairs of "sleepy pants/ active wear pants", 1 pair of shorts from the 1/2 off rack. (When did shorts get so "short"?) I also bought a couple of shirts and another super soft "throw blanket" for this winter.
Quite the haul, if you ask me. I spent 1 1/2 hrs in there and walked out with my mood intact and a back seat loaded with bags. I noticed a lot of women buying kitchen stuff so I think there was a lot of Christmas shopping going on.
When the price is right, people come out in droves. Even me.
So food and clothing has been taken care of. Now what about shelter? We're investigating window "repair" rather than "replacement". We've got a guy coming out tomorrow to give us an opinion on the sorry state of our windows. More on that another day.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
These Dreams
I'm not much of a dreamer. Sleepwise that is. I've got plenty of dreams for our future, (who doesn't?) but I'm not usually one to remember my dreams when I wake up. (I always remember my tornado dreams though. Those are dreams I have from time to time, all through my life since I was young. Haven't had a tornado dream in a while though.)
Wooo Boooy...Last night was "Dream Central". I must've had a lot I needed to get off my mind. So tag along with me as I evaluate my dreams with this Dream Interpretation site
I dreamt of a big ol King Snake. Not that I was being bit by one but I "handling it". It was a BIG snake. I paid particular attention to it's color markings. You know..."Red and yellow, kill a fellow" means it's a Coral Snake. (Don't touch) Funny that I'm applying real logic inside my dreams.
OK...Well, there's certainly enough going on in the world today to be "afraid or anxious" about. The sex part...Ha!...and I really don't have any "mean, heartless" people in my life.
So since I was "handling" the snake I think I'll swing with the logic that I'm "trying to manage my fears and anxieties". Maybe I'm trying to be more accepting of the "changes" that have occurred in my life. Then again, maybe not. Read about my next dream. Yep! Two different dreams in the same night.
I was climbing up a cliff using a rope ladder and there were a bunch of people behind me, but I was the first in line. We then had to lower ourselves down with a rope. But I couldn't see the ground, we were way up high.
This one gave be the "heebie jeebies" as I get a bit freaked out if I don't have the earth under my feet. I actually woke myself up all tense and shaking as I have a very real fear of falling. (I hate flying. I don't like all that open air under my feet.)
This is work related for sure. After all this time I STILL resent the fact that my pay and hours have been cut. I work harder than ever and enjoy what I do but I resent the fact that I don't have the flexibility to change jobs and work for someone else. Nobodies hiring. So while I'm thankful I have a job, I'm resentful that I can't "switch it up" and get a better job elsewhere. Basically, I'm suck. (Join the club. Suck it up, Tami!)
Well, that was very insightful...Now you know some of my inner demons. Actually you should be very afraid to get inside of this head. Scary stuff in there.
What dreams are you having lately? Do you try to interpret them?
Wooo Boooy...Last night was "Dream Central". I must've had a lot I needed to get off my mind. So tag along with me as I evaluate my dreams with this Dream Interpretation site
I dreamt of a big ol King Snake. Not that I was being bit by one but I "handling it". It was a BIG snake. I paid particular attention to it's color markings. You know..."Red and yellow, kill a fellow" means it's a Coral Snake. (Don't touch) Funny that I'm applying real logic inside my dreams.
To dream of seeing or being bitten by a snake implies that you are afraid and anxious about some issue in your life. Perhaps this dream is suggesting that you should be aware of a pending situation that may cause you harm. The snake can also represent the male genitals and may be warning you against entering into a certain sexual encounter. The snake can also represent someone in your life who is heartless, cruel, and treacherous. On a more optimistic note, the snake symbolizes intelligence, change, and understanding. It implies revitalization of the spirit and alterations in life.
OK...Well, there's certainly enough going on in the world today to be "afraid or anxious" about. The sex part...Ha!...and I really don't have any "mean, heartless" people in my life.
So since I was "handling" the snake I think I'll swing with the logic that I'm "trying to manage my fears and anxieties". Maybe I'm trying to be more accepting of the "changes" that have occurred in my life. Then again, maybe not. Read about my next dream. Yep! Two different dreams in the same night.
I was climbing up a cliff using a rope ladder and there were a bunch of people behind me, but I was the first in line. We then had to lower ourselves down with a rope. But I couldn't see the ground, we were way up high.
This one gave be the "heebie jeebies" as I get a bit freaked out if I don't have the earth under my feet. I actually woke myself up all tense and shaking as I have a very real fear of falling. (I hate flying. I don't like all that open air under my feet.)
To dream that you are climbing up something (ladder, rope, etc.) represents a hardship or obstacle that you are being confronted with. It may also mean that you are close to achieving your objectives. Climbing also implies that you are being elevated in your importance and status at work or community. To dream that you are climbing down a cliff implies that you are reluctant to confront certain emotions and issues in your life. You need to recognize these matters and deal with them accordingly. This dream may also indicate that you are in a depressed state or feeling mentally fatiguedWell, that's interesting. Since I was both climbing up the ladder AND being lowered down implies that I'm trying to overcome my situation but I'm reluctant to accept that I can't do anything about it.
This is work related for sure. After all this time I STILL resent the fact that my pay and hours have been cut. I work harder than ever and enjoy what I do but I resent the fact that I don't have the flexibility to change jobs and work for someone else. Nobodies hiring. So while I'm thankful I have a job, I'm resentful that I can't "switch it up" and get a better job elsewhere. Basically, I'm suck. (Join the club. Suck it up, Tami!)
Well, that was very insightful...Now you know some of my inner demons. Actually you should be very afraid to get inside of this head. Scary stuff in there.
What dreams are you having lately? Do you try to interpret them?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It's In The Soil
One of my Dr friends sent me this link the other day.
You don't have to understand all the medical jargon to get to the drift of this article. Our own Earth, our soil, provides the clues that can help cure us. This can be a HUGE breakthrough in Cancer treatments.
You don't have to understand all the medical jargon to get to the drift of this article. Our own Earth, our soil, provides the clues that can help cure us. This can be a HUGE breakthrough in Cancer treatments.
Blogger Issues
I've noticed the past few days that I can't comment on anyones blog. I mean I CAN comment as anonymous but what fun is there in that?
Anyone else with this problem?
Anyone else with this problem?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Beware Of Things In Small Packages
Beware of things in small packages.
Like Blogs. Like Tiny Gardner (Evil Child...@;) Like Blogging Awards.
What's that?!? I've been honored by Tiny Gardner who nominated me in her blog as a "Liebster" which is a German word meaning "dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome." (You're so sweet...if you only knew...evil grin)
Anyway...The "Liebster" is awarded to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. Well...I certainly qualify for that.
Truly though...it IS a honor that anyone bothers to read my meanderings at all.
Tiny has quickly embraced the gardening AND "chicken mama" lifestyle so if you haven't "found" her yet please click on her link (above) and take a peek. You won't be disappointed.
In being nominated though, it falls upon me to also nominate other up and coming bloggers whom I find interesting. The rules are pretty simple and if you think about it...It's really all about introducing each other to this wonderful community we all share. I've actually found most of you because of your own "blog lists" that you keep on your sidebars. So "Thanks" to all of you!
So here's the rules:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun.
Well...That's easy enough. So here are some of MY favorites:
1. Jessica at Fat Bear Farm Just wait till you see whats she's growing in Virginia. The "mother" of all sweet potatoes! (I'm SO jealous of you green house!)
2. Lynda at Cortina Creek Talk about a freakin "Master Gardner". (I think we should all quit now and go live at Lynda's house.)
3. Carolyn Renee over at Krazo Acres She's got horny goats and a sense of humor that will make you spit out your morning coffee. Opinionated too. (You GO girl!)
4. Kristin at Going Country She's got "Cubby" to keep her on her toes and a wicked sharp insight to the country life she's living. (Trust me... You can relate!)
5. Ohio Farm Girl at Adventures in the Good Land Has she got stories to tell. Funny, introspective observations from a girl who knows her mind. (And you'll be suprised how you'll be nodding your head too in agreement) I guess we're all cut from the same cloth.
Now, I'm not going to be pestering these good people by letting them know they're nominated. (It's enough if you'll stop by, take a peek and let them know you enjoy their blog. That's what gives ME a thrill!)
Only a few are likely stop by my little bittie blog anyway...but these are some of the folks I'd recommend to you for a good laugh, a little bit of wisdom and a whole lot of inspiration.
"Thanks" Tiny for thinking of me!
Like Blogs. Like Tiny Gardner (Evil Child...@;) Like Blogging Awards.
What's that?!? I've been honored by Tiny Gardner who nominated me in her blog as a "Liebster" which is a German word meaning "dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome." (You're so sweet...if you only knew...evil grin)
Anyway...The "Liebster" is awarded to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. Well...I certainly qualify for that.
Truly though...it IS a honor that anyone bothers to read my meanderings at all.
Tiny has quickly embraced the gardening AND "chicken mama" lifestyle so if you haven't "found" her yet please click on her link (above) and take a peek. You won't be disappointed.
In being nominated though, it falls upon me to also nominate other up and coming bloggers whom I find interesting. The rules are pretty simple and if you think about it...It's really all about introducing each other to this wonderful community we all share. I've actually found most of you because of your own "blog lists" that you keep on your sidebars. So "Thanks" to all of you!
So here's the rules:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun.
Well...That's easy enough. So here are some of MY favorites:
1. Jessica at Fat Bear Farm Just wait till you see whats she's growing in Virginia. The "mother" of all sweet potatoes! (I'm SO jealous of you green house!)
2. Lynda at Cortina Creek Talk about a freakin "Master Gardner". (I think we should all quit now and go live at Lynda's house.)
3. Carolyn Renee over at Krazo Acres She's got horny goats and a sense of humor that will make you spit out your morning coffee. Opinionated too. (You GO girl!)
4. Kristin at Going Country She's got "Cubby" to keep her on her toes and a wicked sharp insight to the country life she's living. (Trust me... You can relate!)
5. Ohio Farm Girl at Adventures in the Good Land Has she got stories to tell. Funny, introspective observations from a girl who knows her mind. (And you'll be suprised how you'll be nodding your head too in agreement) I guess we're all cut from the same cloth.
Now, I'm not going to be pestering these good people by letting them know they're nominated. (It's enough if you'll stop by, take a peek and let them know you enjoy their blog. That's what gives ME a thrill!)
Only a few are likely stop by my little bittie blog anyway...but these are some of the folks I'd recommend to you for a good laugh, a little bit of wisdom and a whole lot of inspiration.
"Thanks" Tiny for thinking of me!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Garden Walk
I hadn't been out in the garden in awhile as it hasn't been producing much other than the Matt's WC.
I really want to get the fall garden growing but our projected highs this week are again in the 90's.
We usually "break" our Summer weather pattern around September 15th so that's when I hope to sow our fall lettuces. I took a shot about a month ago and only 1 variety popped and even that was only 50%.
I thought the Lima's were done but they are getting a second wind. Blossoms, pods and new green leaves! It's amazing what slightly cooler weather will do.
I've got fruit setting on the few tomato plants I left alone.
Carrots are coming along.
And I picked some green and yellow beans yesterday...Yum
The Blueberries on the other hand....They are sorely neglected. See all that Bermuda? I need to get in there and yank it all. I've got three Blueberries in there and they DON'T like this spot. Hardly any growth at all. I'll need to transplant them this fall to somewhere else. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of putting them in the front landscaped bed. Less sun there.
This is the area that we plan on converting to more garden space.
Once cooler weather hits we hope to double dig this whole area, fence it and manure everything...old and new spaces. I need organics in my soil. Our neighbor has a few piles of grass clippings from his yard laying around. I'm wanting to toss in lots of leaf mulch this Fall (and I know I'll mooch what I can from our neighbors), but I'm hesitant to ask for the grass clippings from them as they use True Green chemical service. I'm assuming that it wouldn't be good for the garden. Does anyone know?
Slight side note here...SM was talking with our neighbor who just put in a pool this Summer. He asked SM what our electric bill was last month. ($200 and THAT was a first! We're usually around $175 but we've been so hot without any breaks in the weather, plus we have the extra freezer and fridge running.) Turns out that our neighbor's electric bill was $500 last month. The pool filter runs 24-7 and I think they were surprised at how expensive it would be to run. I don't know if I would have thought of it. Most people would consider only the cost of installation and chemicals, not the electricity.
Gardens aren't cheap to get started but "Wow"...I'm glad we never seriously considered a pool. Seems like community pools are the smart way to go there.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Natural Order Of Things
Patty at Tanglewood Farms linked with a BBC / You Tube video called A Farm For The Future It presents a wonderful argument for the permaculture method (or no dig or lasagna method). It also presents it's opinion on "peak oil" theory. (Thanks Patty!!!)
It's about 5 segments long so give yourself a bit of time to watch it. Even though I don't "farm", I still hope to become a competent gardener so the logic still applies.
My biggest "lightbulb" moment was when it showed a video from 20 years ago and compared it to today. In the video, the farmer's tractor was plowing...turning over a farrow of newly turned earth in preparation for planting. The 20 year old video showed lots of birds behind the plow feasting on the bugs and worms exposed from the newly turned earth. It then showed the same field being plowed 20 years later. No birds. The soil was dead. The only way a farmer could get a crop was by adding the fertilizer. And then of course the fungicides/herbicides/insecticides...A vicious cycle indeed. All the good things Mother Nature can provide naturally is out of the picture completely.
The other lightbulb moment was when they visited a couple of "woodland" gardens. Letting Mother Nature do her thing, these folks would plant their veggies in and amongst the woodland scrub. You can't grow grain this way but it made sense to me to allow the veggie plants to do what they do and to NOT try to "harness" them by constricting their natural behavior.
Most people would look at my backyard and see my efforts to have a "tidy - organized" garden as the "proper way" of it.
Perhaps I need to "loosen up" and let things go a bit "wild" in my backyard. I've already discovered that raised beds don't do so well in the heat of summer down here. I'm also suffering from a lack of shade. Now that's a weird thing to say isn't it? Most gardeners WANT sunshine and nothing but sunshine. But too much sun kills around here. My garden has been "kaput" for over a month now. This is prime growing time and it's being wasted.
There's got to be a better way.
I'm thinking I just might plant a few more trees this fall.
It's about 5 segments long so give yourself a bit of time to watch it. Even though I don't "farm", I still hope to become a competent gardener so the logic still applies.
My biggest "lightbulb" moment was when it showed a video from 20 years ago and compared it to today. In the video, the farmer's tractor was plowing...turning over a farrow of newly turned earth in preparation for planting. The 20 year old video showed lots of birds behind the plow feasting on the bugs and worms exposed from the newly turned earth. It then showed the same field being plowed 20 years later. No birds. The soil was dead. The only way a farmer could get a crop was by adding the fertilizer. And then of course the fungicides/herbicides/insecticides...A vicious cycle indeed. All the good things Mother Nature can provide naturally is out of the picture completely.
The other lightbulb moment was when they visited a couple of "woodland" gardens. Letting Mother Nature do her thing, these folks would plant their veggies in and amongst the woodland scrub. You can't grow grain this way but it made sense to me to allow the veggie plants to do what they do and to NOT try to "harness" them by constricting their natural behavior.
Most people would look at my backyard and see my efforts to have a "tidy - organized" garden as the "proper way" of it.
Perhaps I need to "loosen up" and let things go a bit "wild" in my backyard. I've already discovered that raised beds don't do so well in the heat of summer down here. I'm also suffering from a lack of shade. Now that's a weird thing to say isn't it? Most gardeners WANT sunshine and nothing but sunshine. But too much sun kills around here. My garden has been "kaput" for over a month now. This is prime growing time and it's being wasted.
There's got to be a better way.
I'm thinking I just might plant a few more trees this fall.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Day Trippin
"Momma needs a Vay-Kay!"
Oh, yes...It's been too long since we've been away from the house (and work). Over a year since our last "run away" and it's been since 2008 since we'd been to the beach!!! (OMG!)
Back in the "good old days" (before money was tight), SM and I would try to get away for a week and travel. But we would also take weekends here and there and buzz down to the beach since it's only about 5 hours away.
Hilton Head Island has become our favorite "go-to" destination. It has a true resort feel. Very beautiful and relaxing, Hilton Head has lovely WIDE beaches. Even the commercial areas of the island have restrictions on signage and landscaping and flowers dominate this beautiful island.
All of this luxury comes at a price though. For a 4-5 Star Beach Front Hotel (which is really the only kind you'll find on the beach) you can easily pay upwards of $300 a night "in-season". That's right! $Ka-Ching$
For people in the know, before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, rates become slightly more affordable. (I hear some people enjoy going to the beach in the winter!?! Not me. Momma needs some warm, salty breezes!) We've visited HH enough to know when to start watching. Imagine my surprise when I saw this weeks rates at $139 a night for the Hilton Oceanfront Resort.
We've stayed there before but it been MANY years ago. They just got too expensive. Now the catch was you had to go on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Wednesday was a bit too cold (in the 70s) but we went ahead and booked for Thursday. We wanted to stay Friday too but the hotel was sold out for the weekend. So we so thought, "What the heck...Lets get down there and see what happens. There's always other hotels we can stay at."
We left early Thursday morning and by lunch time I was squiggling my toes into the sand. The hotel was quiet, the beach empty. (Whoo-Hoo!) This hotel also has one definite luxury. An "Adult Only" pool. Thats' right. A pool set aside for grown-ups. No pissy water or screaming kids. After trolling the beach for awhile we ended up in the pool until about 4ish when I started to feel the sun.
It's tough being a white chick. I put on SPF 45 and still got burned. (sigh) SM being the "Polish-Indian" that he is...pinked up but then turned his natural dark brown. I suggested we check out a round of "twilight" golf since SM brought his clubs. (I personally don't care for golf but if the course would let me, I tag along for conversation and because golf courses are really beautiful.) SM played golf and we goofed around acting silly until the evening. We popped over to Fresh Market (a great way to get restaurant quality food for less) and took it back to the hotel for dinner. We passed out and slept like babies.
We both woke up at 4:30 am though...We layed in bed and flipped channels and talked some more. Fell back asleep (Oh the luxury!) and woke up in time to grab some coffee and take a stroll to witness the sunrise.
There is something spiritual about seeing the sunrise come up over the ocean horizon. It starts to peek up and within a minute it's up completely and you can't look at it directly anymore. Everyone pauses, for just a moment...and time tries to stand still. I said to SM that I understand how ancient cultures worshiped the sun.
We went out for breakfast and then packed up, checked out, loaded the van but headed back to the beach and pool for a few more hours. I could tell that I couldn't take another full day in the sun so we decided to leave and come home.
It was just enough. 24 hours of beach and sunshine. As much as I enjoyed it I'd really rather have a cool hike in the mountains right now.
"Hey Honey...how about a long weekend in Tennessee this fall?
Oh, yes...It's been too long since we've been away from the house (and work). Over a year since our last "run away" and it's been since 2008 since we'd been to the beach!!! (OMG!)
Back in the "good old days" (before money was tight), SM and I would try to get away for a week and travel. But we would also take weekends here and there and buzz down to the beach since it's only about 5 hours away.
Hilton Head Island has become our favorite "go-to" destination. It has a true resort feel. Very beautiful and relaxing, Hilton Head has lovely WIDE beaches. Even the commercial areas of the island have restrictions on signage and landscaping and flowers dominate this beautiful island.
All of this luxury comes at a price though. For a 4-5 Star Beach Front Hotel (which is really the only kind you'll find on the beach) you can easily pay upwards of $300 a night "in-season". That's right! $Ka-Ching$
For people in the know, before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, rates become slightly more affordable. (I hear some people enjoy going to the beach in the winter!?! Not me. Momma needs some warm, salty breezes!) We've visited HH enough to know when to start watching. Imagine my surprise when I saw this weeks rates at $139 a night for the Hilton Oceanfront Resort.
We've stayed there before but it been MANY years ago. They just got too expensive. Now the catch was you had to go on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Wednesday was a bit too cold (in the 70s) but we went ahead and booked for Thursday. We wanted to stay Friday too but the hotel was sold out for the weekend. So we so thought, "What the heck...Lets get down there and see what happens. There's always other hotels we can stay at."
We left early Thursday morning and by lunch time I was squiggling my toes into the sand. The hotel was quiet, the beach empty. (Whoo-Hoo!) This hotel also has one definite luxury. An "Adult Only" pool. Thats' right. A pool set aside for grown-ups. No pissy water or screaming kids. After trolling the beach for awhile we ended up in the pool until about 4ish when I started to feel the sun.
It's tough being a white chick. I put on SPF 45 and still got burned. (sigh) SM being the "Polish-Indian" that he is...pinked up but then turned his natural dark brown. I suggested we check out a round of "twilight" golf since SM brought his clubs. (I personally don't care for golf but if the course would let me, I tag along for conversation and because golf courses are really beautiful.) SM played golf and we goofed around acting silly until the evening. We popped over to Fresh Market (a great way to get restaurant quality food for less) and took it back to the hotel for dinner. We passed out and slept like babies.
We both woke up at 4:30 am though...We layed in bed and flipped channels and talked some more. Fell back asleep (Oh the luxury!) and woke up in time to grab some coffee and take a stroll to witness the sunrise.
There is something spiritual about seeing the sunrise come up over the ocean horizon. It starts to peek up and within a minute it's up completely and you can't look at it directly anymore. Everyone pauses, for just a moment...and time tries to stand still. I said to SM that I understand how ancient cultures worshiped the sun.
We went out for breakfast and then packed up, checked out, loaded the van but headed back to the beach and pool for a few more hours. I could tell that I couldn't take another full day in the sun so we decided to leave and come home.
It was just enough. 24 hours of beach and sunshine. As much as I enjoyed it I'd really rather have a cool hike in the mountains right now.
"Hey Honey...how about a long weekend in Tennessee this fall?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The New (to us) Car
We spent most of Tuesday in a sitting position. Test driving, independent mechanic's inspection, bank loan paperwork and (finally) the purchasing paperwork on a used car.
SM has been looking at buying a new (to us) vehicle. We've always purchased used cars instead of new "off the lot" cars. We've never leased either.
After the Buick tangled with the Semi, it became obvious that we'd have to fast-track another vehicle quick.
We currently have 4 vehicles right now. The Jeep (my ride), the Buick (SM's), the Big Green Machine (our crappy truck) and one of SM's small white trucks from his business. A few months ago, everything was dead except the Jeep. We've gotten things repaired so everything is now up and running. (My driveway looks like a freaking used car lot!)
Anyway...back to the new car. While SM was test driving a few SUV's, I suggested he consider a mini-van. (Say what?) My logic was this...SM carries a lot of crap...wiring, tools, ladders, electrical equipment...and he usually shuffles all his crap between the garage and whichever vehicle he is working with that day. So MY thought was to see if we could self-contain everything. Put it all in one spot and LEAVE IT THERE. (Please leave it there.) His garage on wheels.
You see SM is a messy guy. Crap everywhere. His crap is slowly taking over my home and if he "borrowed" my Jeep for the day (or the week), his crap would infiltrate my clean car. I gave up. I had to for my sanity. There's NO fighting it. Crap wins out over clean every time. EVERY TIME.
So it took a bit of persuasion on my part but SM actually started to like the idea. We could remove the back seat for more room. The mini-van is long enough for the ladder(s) to stay there. Two slides and the hatchback for easy access to all his equipment. He just needed to decide which mini-van he liked.
It came down to the Honda Odyssey and the Nissan Quest. The Quest had a better track record (engine/structure) and SM like the feel of the drive. So we pinned down the model. SM found a consignment last week that was white exterior with a tan leather interior and 97K miles on it. He "dealed" the offer from $10,800 down to $9,500. Accepted!
So here's the new kid.
We'll be putting the Buick and SM's white Ranger truck on Craig's List soon. We'll take the profits from those two sales to either pay down the Quest or (as SM suggests) pay for some much needed home improvement projects like new windows. (Our Credit Union gave us the loan for 3.10% for 60 months. SM points out that's practically free money.)
SM has been looking at buying a new (to us) vehicle. We've always purchased used cars instead of new "off the lot" cars. We've never leased either.
After the Buick tangled with the Semi, it became obvious that we'd have to fast-track another vehicle quick.
We currently have 4 vehicles right now. The Jeep (my ride), the Buick (SM's), the Big Green Machine (our crappy truck) and one of SM's small white trucks from his business. A few months ago, everything was dead except the Jeep. We've gotten things repaired so everything is now up and running. (My driveway looks like a freaking used car lot!)
Anyway...back to the new car. While SM was test driving a few SUV's, I suggested he consider a mini-van. (Say what?) My logic was this...SM carries a lot of crap...wiring, tools, ladders, electrical equipment...and he usually shuffles all his crap between the garage and whichever vehicle he is working with that day. So MY thought was to see if we could self-contain everything. Put it all in one spot and LEAVE IT THERE. (Please leave it there.) His garage on wheels.
You see SM is a messy guy. Crap everywhere. His crap is slowly taking over my home and if he "borrowed" my Jeep for the day (or the week), his crap would infiltrate my clean car. I gave up. I had to for my sanity. There's NO fighting it. Crap wins out over clean every time. EVERY TIME.
So it took a bit of persuasion on my part but SM actually started to like the idea. We could remove the back seat for more room. The mini-van is long enough for the ladder(s) to stay there. Two slides and the hatchback for easy access to all his equipment. He just needed to decide which mini-van he liked.
It came down to the Honda Odyssey and the Nissan Quest. The Quest had a better track record (engine/structure) and SM like the feel of the drive. So we pinned down the model. SM found a consignment last week that was white exterior with a tan leather interior and 97K miles on it. He "dealed" the offer from $10,800 down to $9,500. Accepted!
So here's the new kid.
We'll be putting the Buick and SM's white Ranger truck on Craig's List soon. We'll take the profits from those two sales to either pay down the Quest or (as SM suggests) pay for some much needed home improvement projects like new windows. (Our Credit Union gave us the loan for 3.10% for 60 months. SM points out that's practically free money.)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A Jarring Reality
When I started canning this year, I'd bought a bunch of jars from Walmart when they were on sale. Easy-Peasy.
A few months ago SM was given a TON of free jars from a fellow whose elderly Mother had passed away. I've been slowly going through her jars. Many of them are hazy. Does that matter? And I noticed with my last batch that I ran through the dishwasher for prep that they still weren't coming up clean. Little flecks of crud inside and out. (Understandable considering that none of us will see so good close up as we get older.)
Anyway, logic always says that if you get a hand-me-down item, expect to need to spiff it up at bit before use.
This appears to be rust. (Looks like somebody left her rings on.) A good hand washing wasn't even removing it so I pulled out the "big guns".
I've reviewed these "magic erasers" before and I'll shout it from the highest roof top. "These things ROCK!" Any kind of stubborn stain, mark, grit or crud, pulls right up with a swipe or two of the magic eraser.
I can't even begin to imagine life with my messy stove top without them.
Truly a miracle of the 21st century.
A few months ago SM was given a TON of free jars from a fellow whose elderly Mother had passed away. I've been slowly going through her jars. Many of them are hazy. Does that matter? And I noticed with my last batch that I ran through the dishwasher for prep that they still weren't coming up clean. Little flecks of crud inside and out. (Understandable considering that none of us will see so good close up as we get older.)
Anyway, logic always says that if you get a hand-me-down item, expect to need to spiff it up at bit before use.
This appears to be rust. (Looks like somebody left her rings on.) A good hand washing wasn't even removing it so I pulled out the "big guns".
I've reviewed these "magic erasers" before and I'll shout it from the highest roof top. "These things ROCK!" Any kind of stubborn stain, mark, grit or crud, pulls right up with a swipe or two of the magic eraser.
I can't even begin to imagine life with my messy stove top without them.
Truly a miracle of the 21st century.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Full On For Fall (Cooking That Is...)
What is going on in my house?
Two days ago I made chili. Yesterday I made applesauce. This morning as I'm chopping up the butternut squash (that's been sitting on my counter for a month waiting to be processed), SM points out that there's 3 banana's slowly decomposing on the counter.
(Oh Yum...*Seriously, bananas are the grossest thing ever put on the planet. I can eat one if it's a nice firm yellow. But that only lasts...what? 90 seconds? And then it becomes this pulsating mass of stinkyness...Ugh...they are so GROSS.)
"How about some banana bread?" SM asks.
So I Googled "Best Banana Bread" and found this recipe for Flours Famous Banana Bread Now I've been screwed by Food Network recipe's before. Can't really tell you why but they usually end up bland as all get out.
But I've found over the years, that Alton Brown is a GOD and Paula Dean is the biggest faker in the South. (A true BS artist. The sound of her voice and that fake (exaggerated) accent annoys the crap outta me! True Southerners don't sound like that.) But I digress.
If I'm searching out a new recipe I usually steer more towards the AllRecipe site. Or try some of the recipes ya'll blog about.
But the Flours Banana Bread got the best reviews from the commenter's who'd tried this recipe. So I thought, "What the hell...it's not like I'm going to eat it! So I gave it a shot.
I used brown sugar instead of white. Doubled the cinnamon and didn't even bother with whipping the eggs for 10 minutes. (Please...who has that kind of time?) I tossed in some Craisins and baked it in my stone cake pan instead of the recommended loaf pan. I have to admit it didn't smell half bad.
SM was on his toes when it came out.
So how was it? SM says that "If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, than he hit the jackpot with me." (I think he'll keep me around for a few more years.)
So this one is a keeper in my household. If you have a nasty, pulsating mass of banana's on your kitchen counter give it a shot.
Two days ago I made chili. Yesterday I made applesauce. This morning as I'm chopping up the butternut squash (that's been sitting on my counter for a month waiting to be processed), SM points out that there's 3 banana's slowly decomposing on the counter.
(Oh Yum...*Seriously, bananas are the grossest thing ever put on the planet. I can eat one if it's a nice firm yellow. But that only lasts...what? 90 seconds? And then it becomes this pulsating mass of stinkyness...Ugh...they are so GROSS.)
"How about some banana bread?" SM asks.
So I Googled "Best Banana Bread" and found this recipe for Flours Famous Banana Bread Now I've been screwed by Food Network recipe's before. Can't really tell you why but they usually end up bland as all get out.
But I've found over the years, that Alton Brown is a GOD and Paula Dean is the biggest faker in the South. (A true BS artist. The sound of her voice and that fake (exaggerated) accent annoys the crap outta me! True Southerners don't sound like that.) But I digress.
If I'm searching out a new recipe I usually steer more towards the AllRecipe site. Or try some of the recipes ya'll blog about.
But the Flours Banana Bread got the best reviews from the commenter's who'd tried this recipe. So I thought, "What the hell...it's not like I'm going to eat it! So I gave it a shot.
I used brown sugar instead of white. Doubled the cinnamon and didn't even bother with whipping the eggs for 10 minutes. (Please...who has that kind of time?) I tossed in some Craisins and baked it in my stone cake pan instead of the recommended loaf pan. I have to admit it didn't smell half bad.
SM was on his toes when it came out.
So how was it? SM says that "If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, than he hit the jackpot with me." (I think he'll keep me around for a few more years.)
So this one is a keeper in my household. If you have a nasty, pulsating mass of banana's on your kitchen counter give it a shot.
Bittersweet
"Hanging around..."
"Nothing to do but frown..."
"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down..."
Say "Goodbye" to Summer...
But "Hello" to Fall!
Can't wait for cooler, dryer days.
"Nothing to do but frown..."
"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down..."
Say "Goodbye" to Summer...
But "Hello" to Fall!
Can't wait for cooler, dryer days.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saucy Girl
If someone had asked me last year what was the reason why I wanted to learn to can, I'd have told them "Applesauce." I've frozen it, but I've never canned it and it's IMHO that canned applesauce rocks.
Since starting out this year as a novice to the canning world, I've canned peaches, jams, pickles, salsas and tomatoes. Pretty basic stuff. Cutting my teeth on all of that has been, not only fun, but also pretty demanding. A new learning curve. Canning is to freezing, like cooking is to baking. You can be a great cook but a lousy baker. Since freezing is about protection, it's simple enough. Canning...as you all have pointed out...has rules. Do NOT break the rules.
But applesauce is why I'm here. The gold star. The crowning jewel.
So imagine my surprise that the Ball Blue Book's recipe for applesauce is as simple as can be. It's almost as though they're shrugging their shoulders. "Do what you want." All you need are apples, sweeten it to taste (or not) and add seasoning if you want it. It seems that the only "rule" out there is to have the applesauce boiling when you ladle it into the hot jars.
Whoo Hoo! (*You see I was nervous thinking that in order to get my applesauce the way I like it, I'd have to freeze it. If I wanted it canned, I'd have to follow their recipe.)
So that's what I've spent this morning doing. Two batches of chunky cinnamon applesauce under my belt. 13 jars total. And I still have a case of apples left to do.
I started out mixing Cortland's with my beloved Mac's. Mac's are so soft, I like to toss in a firmer, tarter apple so I can get a chunkier sauce.
I like to use lemon juice (with water), brown sugar and Saigon Cinnamon. I buy this cinnamon at Sam's Club. Boy, is this good stuff! Taste testing as I went along, my morning zipped by quick!
So I've got a head start on the "saucing season" this weekend with 2 months to go. Last year I ran out in January :( so I plan on putting up lots of jars of applesauce.
I'd also like to put up some applesauce using Splenda brown sugar for SM (diabetic). Has anyone canned applesauce with Splenda before? I'm concerned about the taste. I'd rather freeze the Splenda applesauce (like I did last year) than ruin it by canning.
The house smells SO good right now that SM asked for some pancakes (with fresh cinnamon applesauce on top!)
Better than IHOP, I can tell you that!
Since starting out this year as a novice to the canning world, I've canned peaches, jams, pickles, salsas and tomatoes. Pretty basic stuff. Cutting my teeth on all of that has been, not only fun, but also pretty demanding. A new learning curve. Canning is to freezing, like cooking is to baking. You can be a great cook but a lousy baker. Since freezing is about protection, it's simple enough. Canning...as you all have pointed out...has rules. Do NOT break the rules.
But applesauce is why I'm here. The gold star. The crowning jewel.
So imagine my surprise that the Ball Blue Book's recipe for applesauce is as simple as can be. It's almost as though they're shrugging their shoulders. "Do what you want." All you need are apples, sweeten it to taste (or not) and add seasoning if you want it. It seems that the only "rule" out there is to have the applesauce boiling when you ladle it into the hot jars.
Whoo Hoo! (*You see I was nervous thinking that in order to get my applesauce the way I like it, I'd have to freeze it. If I wanted it canned, I'd have to follow their recipe.)
So that's what I've spent this morning doing. Two batches of chunky cinnamon applesauce under my belt. 13 jars total. And I still have a case of apples left to do.
I started out mixing Cortland's with my beloved Mac's. Mac's are so soft, I like to toss in a firmer, tarter apple so I can get a chunkier sauce.
I like to use lemon juice (with water), brown sugar and Saigon Cinnamon. I buy this cinnamon at Sam's Club. Boy, is this good stuff! Taste testing as I went along, my morning zipped by quick!
So I've got a head start on the "saucing season" this weekend with 2 months to go. Last year I ran out in January :( so I plan on putting up lots of jars of applesauce.
I'd also like to put up some applesauce using Splenda brown sugar for SM (diabetic). Has anyone canned applesauce with Splenda before? I'm concerned about the taste. I'd rather freeze the Splenda applesauce (like I did last year) than ruin it by canning.
The house smells SO good right now that SM asked for some pancakes (with fresh cinnamon applesauce on top!)
Better than IHOP, I can tell you that!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Game On
"It's the most...won-der-ful time...of the year....."
SM comes in singing to me this morning.
"Is it Christmas?" I ask, smiling... (knowing full well what today is.)
"Nope. It's the Ohio State season opener. College football season has BEGUN." SM says, his arms raised with joy.
SM is a die-hard Buckeye. In honor of the "Joy of the Season" SM and I enjoyed our pre-game show (via the internet).
Nothing stirs my blood like the drums of the Ohio State Marching Band playing cadience as the rest of the band comes into line. (A sight to behold if you're in person at OSU stadium.)
The stadium reverberates with the drums. And then the Ohio State fight song. Wow. SM cranked it up and I got a tear in my eye. (I'm not into football but I was in a High School Marching Band when I was a teenager for 3 years.) The snap and precision of "The Best Damn Band In The Land" is a signature of a classic drum and percussion. Wiki says:
Each September, more than 400 student-musicians try out for one of the 225 open spots in the band. Every member, including those returning, must earn his or her spot each fall. The two-day tryout includes marching scores judged by squad leaders, a marching drill taught during tryouts, and musical auditions heard by School of Music faculty members and former directors of the marching band. The marching and music portions of tryouts each contribute to 50% of a candidate's audition. The final roster is announced at the end of the second day. Each year, some veterans are "cut," replaced by candidates who performed better in the tryout. New members are referred to as "rookies." Students are limited to five years in the band.
We also found this amazing Skull Session (I wanna play drums Mom!)
These kids are dedicated. They want to be there. Kudo's to them and to the great job they do!
In honor of the "kick-off" of College Football season I made SM a big ole pot of Chili (using tomatoes and peppers from our garden I might add.) It seems weird to be serving Chili when it's supposed to be 93 for a high today. But football isn't football with out Chili, Taco chips and a cold beer.
So here's to the 2011 Football season!
GO BUCKS!!!!
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