Well, the time has come for us to once again make the journey to Florida for a few days. You might think "journey" is too large a word for a little ol' trip from TN to FL but rest assured, it's never an easy thing LOL Indeed, there are the animals to consider, the weather while we're gone (hoping pipes don't freeze), the choice of vehicle, the laundry to do before leaving, packing for 80 degree weather when all that stuff is stored away at the moment (hahaha) and, of course, eating the food that is perishable before we go. That's all before we ever hit the road...So you see??
Traveling down brings us back to the whole traffic reality...5 or more cars on the road with us makes us feel crowded. It reminds us that people drive stupid and that they really don't care what the speed limit is or what lane they drive in or whether or not you indicate your desire to turn one way or the other. We have bad drivers here, don't get me wrong, we just aren't out in traffic enough to be bothered with them! I remember well the road rage I used to get driving to work and back in FL - I couldn't even be on the phone with anyone for having to yell at the other stupid drivers. LOL!
Traveling is hard on my system too. I'm used to home cooked foods, with most ingredients coming from a local farm, so when my system is exposed to fast food - well, you can imagine the impact. We'll have a good breakfast before we leave and lunch will be dependent upon where we are when we get hungry again. I'm always hopeful there will be fried chicken somewhere along the way because that's one of the few things I can eat while traveling and not have to worry. I'll pack fruit to snack on and I'll bring lots of our spring water to drink on the way and while I'm there. With any luck, I'll come through unscathed LOL!!
So now you're wondering just when it is we'll be there, huh??? Well, I'm thinking either Wednesday or Thursday - depends on whether we try to drive all the way, or stop and stay over with friends in GA. We just never have that answer until the time comes. Either way, we're coming to see you! If you happen to see Kaylee, please don't tell her. I'd like to surprise her if at all possible...?
The agenda is full - but that should come as no surprise to those who know us. We'll try to see as many of you as we can but if we happen to miss you this trip, we'll just have to catch you on the next one :) You're always welcome to come see us here, right? Kat, I promise not to feed you a dressed rabbit... LOL! I promise not to feed Kelly any beef tongue (although there's not much left after Rebecca and I get at it hahaha) and I promise not to feed Ricky Kline any cream cheese or sour cream. Well, I might feed him something with cream cheese in it, but I won't tell him. Otherwise, he thinks he doesn't like it hahahahahaha! Ask him about the squash casserole that he loved...he didn't like a single ingredient in it but loved it????
Cooking is on the agenda, of course! Chicken and dumplins for the kids, Neccy, Jack and my Mom. If there's any left, I'll bring some to Lance too. Kris, believe it or not, has never tried them so she doesn't know if she likes them or not. HUH???? Never tried chicken and dumplins? This is going to be fun :) I think I'll be making a double batch on account of one just doesn't seem like it'll be enough for all these people... LOL
I'm making a big batch of chicken broth this weekend to carry down with us. Lew is a big fan of broth and soups (not soaps - Kris hahaha) so I promised him some on this trip. That's one thing I find is easier to cook at home and carry with me. I have a bag in the freezer, of course, but I'll need that for when I get back so he gets the fresh batch. I'm hoping it will seal in the canning jars so I don't have to worry with refrigeration :) wish me luck!
Speaking of soaps, have you ever tried homemade soap? I was recently introduced to homemade soaps when a bar of it was included in my CSA extra winter basket. What a pure delight that was! The bar that was in my basket was scented with cinnamon and orange. My car smelled like Fall! It was a nice, soft scent but enough to permeate. The bar was heavy in comparison to store bought. It was rectangle in shape and the color of cinnamon. It's made with a few essential oils, all natural of course, and it had some lye in it. Not enough to hurt my skin and I'm very sensitive, as some of you well know.
I loved it! With this winter weather, my skin needs all the oils, lotions and moisturizers it can get. That soap was so perfectly combined that I didn't need lotion after using it. Surprisingly enough, it didn't feel the least bit greasy. I'm telling you, if you have the option, homemade soap is the way to go. In fact, I think I'll do some studying on it and see if I can't start making my own! Wow - now that would be cool! Would you try my soap if I made some for you?
So picture me out in the garden, hoeing, planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. Picture me in the cabin canning and pickling the harvest as it becomes available. Picture me making my own soaps and vinegars and mustards. Picture me surrounded by flowers in the spring. If you can picture all of that, you have the most beautiful and perfect picture of happiness in your mind!
Oh but to be able to write about it so you can see it and feel it like I do...someday I'll write like the pros and you'll swear you're in TN when you read my words...I hope that makes you happy! See you soon!!
"The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it." ~Dudley Moore
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Canning and Pickling...what will I think of next? LOL
Well when winter sets in and we can't get outside for any length of time, I read. I read everything I can get my hands on. I read magazines that I'm behind on, I read the once weekly newspaper, I read mysteries and I read cookbooks. I love cookbooks. I just bought two new ones from Amazon. One is on canning and the other is on pickling.
I made a bunch of cucumber pickles this year and last and they seemed to go over pretty well so I got to thinking about it. If I can make pickles with cucumbers and okra, why not other vegetables too? I've eaten pickled beets but never made any myself. I've eaten pickled green beans but never made them either. So, why not? This year when the crops start coming in I'll be making brines for them to ferment in. I'll need to gather lots of pickling spice ingredients. You can buy it in a packet at the store but you don't really know what quantities of spices you're getting in those bags so I'll be blending my own depending on the vegetable to be pickled.
Are you game to try my pickled foods? I hope so :)
As for the canning cookbook, I figure it will provide me with some new ideas on canning different things. I'd like to be able to can my own soup - I love soup! Canning it in big batches would save me time on Sunday when I make enough for my lunch for the week. It would also allow me to ship it to Florida, for those who are interested, without it spoiling. The same could be said for chicken & dumplings :) I know there are a couple people down there who would definitely like it if they received a jar of chicken & dumplings for their birthday or Christmas or just because LOL
So while the snow gently falls to the ground, I'll be plowing through my new cookbooks in an effort to see what new things I can pickle or can. While the west winds blow up off the hill in the front yard, I'll be snuggled in my afghan (thank you Ernie!) reading my cookbooks and dreaming of the summer harvest and all that I'll make from its yield. Too cool!
I didn't realize how much canning I had done over the summer until we started using the jars! Wow I was a busy little canner, that's for sure. We have used two quarts of green beans, four quarts of squash, two pints of chow-chow (thank you Melva!) and we're down to just three jars of pickles and two jars of pickled okra. We still have a couple months of winter yet to go but I think we'll be just fine :) I haven't even begun to tap into the canned turnip greens or tomatoes but it won't be long. Oh and there are the pear preserves too!
I hear those pear preserves are good on peanut butter sandwiches but I haven't actually tried it that way myself. I like them on hot pancakes with a little butter! mmmm They're sugar free too so you needn't worry about your waistline when you eat the preserves...it's just the pancakes you have to be careful of LOL! Well, we use the whole wheat pancake mix so they can't be all that bad...?
This weekend was a floor cleaning weekend for me. I do the living room pretty regularly but upstairs was badly in need and so was the kitchen and hallway. As you can image the kitchen and hallway floors catch everything...indeed, I could sweep them daily and still get a dust pan full of dirt. Get this, there's a shoe scraper outside the door and a rug inside the door and still we carry that dirt inside somehow...?
I used the dry swiffer on the living room floor and then ran the shark steamer (thank you Kris!) with that room done, I took my broom and dust pan and headed upstairs. My plan was just to do our room but of course, once you start, you have to do it all. I dusted the furniture and started sweeping. Before I knew it I was up on the landing and then sweeping the bridge. I swept the steps leading to the landing and I swept the whole bedroom. Whew that was a lot of sweeping!
I filled a bowl with water and added a cap full or two of Murphy's Oil Soap then I wet my rag in it and cleaned the steps leading down from the bedroom. I cleaned the steps from the top down so any residual dust or dirt would be collected when I finally reach the bottom. I think there are 8 steps? They take a while to clean and you have to be careful because some have raw wood and that stuff likes to get snagged in your rag.
I finished my flooring and step job and went to put away my supplies. Low and behold, do you know what I found on my living room floor? Apparently the bridge was dustier than I thought because a whole bunch of it landed downstairs on my freshly cleaned living room floor instead of in my dust pan! argh!! Wally thought that was pretty funny - me? Not so much!
I cleaned up that dust and decided to take a break and read some of my cookbook while sitting my hind end on the couch. Rarely do I sit on the weekends LOL I'm always up doing something so this was a real treat. To sit down, with clean floors and a new cookbook...talk about hog heaven! I learned about making mustard, bbq sauce, flavored vinegars and I had just gotten to the pickling section when break time was over.
We had a party to attend and I had food to make to bring to it. I made macaroni salad, sausage and cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers and a big pot of dirty rice. At the party they had cheeseburgers and hot dogs and all kinds of other stuff. The peppers were gone within about 30 minutes of their arrival LOL They're so easy and so good. I should have made a double batch but who knew they would disappear so quickly?
The party was fun and we stayed later than we planned but sometimes that happens. Fortunately we didn't have anything planned for Sunday that required us to get up and moving very early or very quickly. LOL I think we got up at 6:00 instead of 5:00 and we had a nice breakfast of homemade, whole wheat toast with melted, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and ripened tomatoes. We had some iced tea even though it was just 27 degrees outside and we had a couple orange slices each. We were full and feeling good!
While Wally did some work down at the barn, guess what I did? hahaha yep - I planted myself back on the couch for some more pickle recipe reading! The book has already given me more ideas than I'll likely have time for but I do know I'm going to need to buy lots of spices in bulk for these pickling recipes. Each recipe in itself doesn't require a whole lot of any one ingredient save for the vegetables but all of them require the same ones; mustard seeds, dill seeds, turmeric, whole peppercorns, etc. It's sounding good to me already!
We let the dogs run loose for about 20 minutes and then they decided to just take off on their own. We saw them doing it and called them back but they decided they weren't coming back. Brats! They were gone for about a half an hour but by then it had gotten too cold for us to stay out there looking for them. We watched out the windows for them to return but still nothing. Finally, Wally went out and started the 4 wheeler to go looking for them on it. Just about the time it was warmed up and ready to go, here they come running up the hill in the front yard. They made it just in time, that's for sure! Even so, since they didn't come when we called them, they got no more fee time to run and play. They won't get any free time today either as they are on grounded for not listening. Silly dogs...
The weather seems to have no affect on them whatsoever. They lie on the ground on top of the snow like it's not even there. They lick the ice in their water bucket like it's a treat. Only when it's raining do we catch them inside the dog house. These guys were born to take the cold weather without complaint. When it was snowing, they were barking at the snow as it fell to the ground. I'm surprised they didn't try to catch it!
I'm not a coffee drinker but here in the office there are lots of coffee drinkers. Indeed, there isn't a time of day that the pot isn't full or brewing. It smells wonderful and I'm sure to them, it probably tastes wonderful. I've no doubt it warms them because it's pretty chilly in this building. I'll stick to my hot chocolate and cup-a-soup to keep me warm but that coffee smell is very inviting LOL
As you, my faithful followers, well know I don't have to buy lettuce during the CSA basket season. Well, the CSA season has ended and I find myself in need of lettuce. I shopped for it at Food Lion where they want $1.79 a head. At Save-A-Lot, it was $1.49 a head. Am I just spoiled from getting lettuce in my basket or have lettuce prices really increased that much in two years???? I thought those prices were just crazy! Another expensive item was canned peas. One store wanted .90 per can while another wanted .79 per can. I left them at the store and finally found them at Save-A-Lot for .65 per can - still high but much better.
I know I read that food prices were going to steadily rise but I had no idea they would go up that much in such a short time. You can bet I'll be increasing the size of my gardens this year keeping those prices in mind. Even with my basket veggies there are still more to grow, harvest and eat...lettuce won't be one of them because my farmers grow it so well that I'll just eat theirs. Peas - ever so hopeful that the mole won't find them this year, green beans - ever so hopeful that the rabbits and deer won't get to them before I do and of course tomatoes. New for me this year will be okra - even though I was given several baskets full of okra over the summer, if I'm going to make enough to share and get through next year, I think I'm going to have to grow some of my own. It takes a lot to fill a pint jar even though it doesn't look like much :)
Pickled okra is just like pickles if it is picked at the right size. If the pods get too big, they're not good pickled because they can be stringy. The big pods are best used in soups, stews and gumbos. The little ones are the ones you want for pickling. They stay so tender you can eat the stem end and pod all together. I'll have to bring some to FL next time I come down so you can try it yourself and see. I just bet you you'll reconsider the fuzzy little okra pod next time you think of pickles :) lol! Wally doesn't even care for okra but he likes it pickled!
So my journey into pickling will be beneficial in many ways. For one thing, fermented foods are good for your gut health and pickling is the same as fermenting in many ways. The health benefits abound and I'll write more about them on another posting. You will benefit because if I have the abundance I think I'll have, I'll be sending some down to my family and friends in FL in the hopes that you too will benefit by some good gut health. Your digestive systems will thank you! (and me? lol) I won't be offended if you don't like my pickling efforts but rather than toss anything in the trash, I'd rather you share it with someone who does like it and then, of course, send me back the jar or make some pickles of your own and re-use the one I send you :) hahahahaha I can't think of one person who will actually make their own pickles...hmmmm?
As Days Go By and I plan for summers bountiful harvest, think of me on my couch reading up on all there is to do to get ready for the season while the snow falls on the yard outside my window and my beef barley soup is cooking away on the stove top. I might even have a jar of it canned up by the next time you see me... :) wouldn't that be cool? lol
I made a bunch of cucumber pickles this year and last and they seemed to go over pretty well so I got to thinking about it. If I can make pickles with cucumbers and okra, why not other vegetables too? I've eaten pickled beets but never made any myself. I've eaten pickled green beans but never made them either. So, why not? This year when the crops start coming in I'll be making brines for them to ferment in. I'll need to gather lots of pickling spice ingredients. You can buy it in a packet at the store but you don't really know what quantities of spices you're getting in those bags so I'll be blending my own depending on the vegetable to be pickled.
Are you game to try my pickled foods? I hope so :)
As for the canning cookbook, I figure it will provide me with some new ideas on canning different things. I'd like to be able to can my own soup - I love soup! Canning it in big batches would save me time on Sunday when I make enough for my lunch for the week. It would also allow me to ship it to Florida, for those who are interested, without it spoiling. The same could be said for chicken & dumplings :) I know there are a couple people down there who would definitely like it if they received a jar of chicken & dumplings for their birthday or Christmas or just because LOL
So while the snow gently falls to the ground, I'll be plowing through my new cookbooks in an effort to see what new things I can pickle or can. While the west winds blow up off the hill in the front yard, I'll be snuggled in my afghan (thank you Ernie!) reading my cookbooks and dreaming of the summer harvest and all that I'll make from its yield. Too cool!
I didn't realize how much canning I had done over the summer until we started using the jars! Wow I was a busy little canner, that's for sure. We have used two quarts of green beans, four quarts of squash, two pints of chow-chow (thank you Melva!) and we're down to just three jars of pickles and two jars of pickled okra. We still have a couple months of winter yet to go but I think we'll be just fine :) I haven't even begun to tap into the canned turnip greens or tomatoes but it won't be long. Oh and there are the pear preserves too!
I hear those pear preserves are good on peanut butter sandwiches but I haven't actually tried it that way myself. I like them on hot pancakes with a little butter! mmmm They're sugar free too so you needn't worry about your waistline when you eat the preserves...it's just the pancakes you have to be careful of LOL! Well, we use the whole wheat pancake mix so they can't be all that bad...?
This weekend was a floor cleaning weekend for me. I do the living room pretty regularly but upstairs was badly in need and so was the kitchen and hallway. As you can image the kitchen and hallway floors catch everything...indeed, I could sweep them daily and still get a dust pan full of dirt. Get this, there's a shoe scraper outside the door and a rug inside the door and still we carry that dirt inside somehow...?
I used the dry swiffer on the living room floor and then ran the shark steamer (thank you Kris!) with that room done, I took my broom and dust pan and headed upstairs. My plan was just to do our room but of course, once you start, you have to do it all. I dusted the furniture and started sweeping. Before I knew it I was up on the landing and then sweeping the bridge. I swept the steps leading to the landing and I swept the whole bedroom. Whew that was a lot of sweeping!
I filled a bowl with water and added a cap full or two of Murphy's Oil Soap then I wet my rag in it and cleaned the steps leading down from the bedroom. I cleaned the steps from the top down so any residual dust or dirt would be collected when I finally reach the bottom. I think there are 8 steps? They take a while to clean and you have to be careful because some have raw wood and that stuff likes to get snagged in your rag.
I finished my flooring and step job and went to put away my supplies. Low and behold, do you know what I found on my living room floor? Apparently the bridge was dustier than I thought because a whole bunch of it landed downstairs on my freshly cleaned living room floor instead of in my dust pan! argh!! Wally thought that was pretty funny - me? Not so much!
I cleaned up that dust and decided to take a break and read some of my cookbook while sitting my hind end on the couch. Rarely do I sit on the weekends LOL I'm always up doing something so this was a real treat. To sit down, with clean floors and a new cookbook...talk about hog heaven! I learned about making mustard, bbq sauce, flavored vinegars and I had just gotten to the pickling section when break time was over.
We had a party to attend and I had food to make to bring to it. I made macaroni salad, sausage and cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers and a big pot of dirty rice. At the party they had cheeseburgers and hot dogs and all kinds of other stuff. The peppers were gone within about 30 minutes of their arrival LOL They're so easy and so good. I should have made a double batch but who knew they would disappear so quickly?
The party was fun and we stayed later than we planned but sometimes that happens. Fortunately we didn't have anything planned for Sunday that required us to get up and moving very early or very quickly. LOL I think we got up at 6:00 instead of 5:00 and we had a nice breakfast of homemade, whole wheat toast with melted, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and ripened tomatoes. We had some iced tea even though it was just 27 degrees outside and we had a couple orange slices each. We were full and feeling good!
While Wally did some work down at the barn, guess what I did? hahaha yep - I planted myself back on the couch for some more pickle recipe reading! The book has already given me more ideas than I'll likely have time for but I do know I'm going to need to buy lots of spices in bulk for these pickling recipes. Each recipe in itself doesn't require a whole lot of any one ingredient save for the vegetables but all of them require the same ones; mustard seeds, dill seeds, turmeric, whole peppercorns, etc. It's sounding good to me already!
We let the dogs run loose for about 20 minutes and then they decided to just take off on their own. We saw them doing it and called them back but they decided they weren't coming back. Brats! They were gone for about a half an hour but by then it had gotten too cold for us to stay out there looking for them. We watched out the windows for them to return but still nothing. Finally, Wally went out and started the 4 wheeler to go looking for them on it. Just about the time it was warmed up and ready to go, here they come running up the hill in the front yard. They made it just in time, that's for sure! Even so, since they didn't come when we called them, they got no more fee time to run and play. They won't get any free time today either as they are on grounded for not listening. Silly dogs...
The weather seems to have no affect on them whatsoever. They lie on the ground on top of the snow like it's not even there. They lick the ice in their water bucket like it's a treat. Only when it's raining do we catch them inside the dog house. These guys were born to take the cold weather without complaint. When it was snowing, they were barking at the snow as it fell to the ground. I'm surprised they didn't try to catch it!
I'm not a coffee drinker but here in the office there are lots of coffee drinkers. Indeed, there isn't a time of day that the pot isn't full or brewing. It smells wonderful and I'm sure to them, it probably tastes wonderful. I've no doubt it warms them because it's pretty chilly in this building. I'll stick to my hot chocolate and cup-a-soup to keep me warm but that coffee smell is very inviting LOL
As you, my faithful followers, well know I don't have to buy lettuce during the CSA basket season. Well, the CSA season has ended and I find myself in need of lettuce. I shopped for it at Food Lion where they want $1.79 a head. At Save-A-Lot, it was $1.49 a head. Am I just spoiled from getting lettuce in my basket or have lettuce prices really increased that much in two years???? I thought those prices were just crazy! Another expensive item was canned peas. One store wanted .90 per can while another wanted .79 per can. I left them at the store and finally found them at Save-A-Lot for .65 per can - still high but much better.
I know I read that food prices were going to steadily rise but I had no idea they would go up that much in such a short time. You can bet I'll be increasing the size of my gardens this year keeping those prices in mind. Even with my basket veggies there are still more to grow, harvest and eat...lettuce won't be one of them because my farmers grow it so well that I'll just eat theirs. Peas - ever so hopeful that the mole won't find them this year, green beans - ever so hopeful that the rabbits and deer won't get to them before I do and of course tomatoes. New for me this year will be okra - even though I was given several baskets full of okra over the summer, if I'm going to make enough to share and get through next year, I think I'm going to have to grow some of my own. It takes a lot to fill a pint jar even though it doesn't look like much :)
Pickled okra is just like pickles if it is picked at the right size. If the pods get too big, they're not good pickled because they can be stringy. The big pods are best used in soups, stews and gumbos. The little ones are the ones you want for pickling. They stay so tender you can eat the stem end and pod all together. I'll have to bring some to FL next time I come down so you can try it yourself and see. I just bet you you'll reconsider the fuzzy little okra pod next time you think of pickles :) lol! Wally doesn't even care for okra but he likes it pickled!
So my journey into pickling will be beneficial in many ways. For one thing, fermented foods are good for your gut health and pickling is the same as fermenting in many ways. The health benefits abound and I'll write more about them on another posting. You will benefit because if I have the abundance I think I'll have, I'll be sending some down to my family and friends in FL in the hopes that you too will benefit by some good gut health. Your digestive systems will thank you! (and me? lol) I won't be offended if you don't like my pickling efforts but rather than toss anything in the trash, I'd rather you share it with someone who does like it and then, of course, send me back the jar or make some pickles of your own and re-use the one I send you :) hahahahaha I can't think of one person who will actually make their own pickles...hmmmm?
As Days Go By and I plan for summers bountiful harvest, think of me on my couch reading up on all there is to do to get ready for the season while the snow falls on the yard outside my window and my beef barley soup is cooking away on the stove top. I might even have a jar of it canned up by the next time you see me... :) wouldn't that be cool? lol
Friday, January 6, 2012
Hello Tired Reader...
Sitting there with your laptop open, are you? Or, sitting in front of your desktop computer? Either way, I'm glad you chose my blog to read as opposed to all the junk out there on the internet...LOL! For those of you who continue to read my ramblings, I continue to thank you. For those of you who are new readers, I hope you enjoy what I write as much as I enjoy writing it.
Well, first things first, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
As I am inclined to do, I fell asleep long before the new year rang in. Wally did wake me up when the ball dropped so I knew that 2012 had come but in my sleepiness, it wasn't too big a deal. We spent the holiday with friends in Georgia and a good time was had by all. I did a little cooking, did a little partying, did a little sleeping and did a lot of NOTHING. That was nice for a change.
I'll back up to Christmas for a bit since I haven't said anything about that holiday as of yet. It was quiet and relaxing for us this year. We didn't go anywhere and the visitors to the cabin were few. We loved the prime rib, though it is destined to only be a holiday tradition, it's a little too expensive to be on the regular shopping list...now if I had my own cow???? hmmmmm
The dogs loved the steak bones they were tossed and the horses gobbled down their sweet feed as if we owed it to them. My one lone rooster - now dubbed the "New Roo" helped clean up after the horses and he had his own full scoop of chicken scratch feed. Not to worry, we're looking into the possibility of getting some baby chicks in the springtime and with that purchase, should it occur, will come the addition of a hen house. Let me just say WOO HOO to that as I'm very excited about it. My very own hens, my very own farm eggs...what more could a girl ask for :) :) :)
I suppose the rooster will be happier than I... lol!
Christmas came without snow, sleet or rain and it came without too many of the usual trappings. It came with the anticipation of talking to the kids and knowing that they had gotten their gifts. It came with the happiness you feel inside just knowing that your loved ones are safe and good and in the watchful eye of others you can depend on. When you live in another state, these are the gifts that you get on Christmas and every day of the year.
For those things and many more, I have to thank Jack and Dizzy Debbie. Without them, Christmas from me to those in Florida wouldn't have been possible. Not only did they take care of the gift getting and delivery thereof but they did it without complaint. They did it because that's the kind of people they are. When something needs to be done, they just get right in there an do it. My heartfelt thanks to them for all they did and for all they continue to do to keep the closeness from 750 miles away. Great people they are!!
While I won't dwell on the subject of my Mom's recent illness because I know you get facebook updates from Neccy, I will say that we are ever so glad and every so relieved to know that they have finally provided her with a diagnosis. We're hopeful now that she will be released from the hospital and able to get back home and back into her routine. Whew!! We don't need anymore of that mess ever!
Speaking of facebook...I'm sorry to disappoint so many of you with my fake facebook sign up day. I wanted to enter a drawing for a $250.00 gift card and the only way to do it was to "like" the store on facebook. My friend Kris set me up and "liked" the store but alas I didn't win. I did however enjoy knowing that so many of you wanted to be my friend... aw, aren't y'all just pea-pickin sweet!!! To be clear, I still don't have access...
Whether or not you remember this time last year, it was a snowy and cold, time for me. I was enamored of the differences in weather conditions from state to state and I was still going through the transition from FL girl to TN girl. I'm not saying I've fully transitioned but I'm getting there :) and I still love every minute of it. I thought maybe I liked it all so much last year because it was new to me. Turns out, I like it just as much this year and I'm not sure that will ever change.
For many people, winter weather brings aches and pains in their bones. I have my aches and pains too but mine don't seem to be so bad. I really can't complain. I've been eating healthier than ever before and I do lots of walking and I've even added stair climbing at home and at work. Not that I have a choice at home LOL but I climb the stairs now even when I don't have to :) I drink my bone broth that I make on the weekends and while I should probably consume twice what I'm getting, I think I can feel a difference in my joints. They don't snap, crackle and pop in the mornings anymore and I'm better able to bend and squat when I need to without worrying about not being able to get back up. I'm sure some of you can relate to that!
I was going through last year's calendar and found written all the snow days I had taken. It's quite a different story this year, indeed, the weather has been remarkably beautiful so far. We had one day of snow and a few days of rain but really nothing to complain about. Today the high is 62 and the sun is shining brightly through the office window. Everyone is out walking or jogging! Here they even wear shorts when it's 62 degrees outside. Uh, not me, thank you very much but I did go without my jacket this afternoon. LOL that's as tough as I get!
You might be surprised to know that I made a New Year's resolution this year. Yep, that's right. I know I rarely do that but this year I thought of a good one....ready? I have resolved to use the dish washer at least once a week!! How 'bout that?? Pretty good one huh? I rarely have enough dishes to fill it up because I don't put my pots, pans, tupperware or knives in it but I've decided to reclaim the time it takes to wash even the few dishes, forks, spoons and bowls that will go in it. You're feeling pretty proud of me now, aren't you? lol
Well folks, the time has come for me to sign off seeing as how it's Friday and time for me to go. I'll try to get back on here Monday and update you on my resolution. So far I've been successful :) I used the dishwasher Tuesday night LOL. I had to take the globes off the lamps on the end tables but hey, whatever it takes to fill it up, right?
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! I know I will - we're going to see the meat man in the morning!!!
Well, first things first, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
As I am inclined to do, I fell asleep long before the new year rang in. Wally did wake me up when the ball dropped so I knew that 2012 had come but in my sleepiness, it wasn't too big a deal. We spent the holiday with friends in Georgia and a good time was had by all. I did a little cooking, did a little partying, did a little sleeping and did a lot of NOTHING. That was nice for a change.
I'll back up to Christmas for a bit since I haven't said anything about that holiday as of yet. It was quiet and relaxing for us this year. We didn't go anywhere and the visitors to the cabin were few. We loved the prime rib, though it is destined to only be a holiday tradition, it's a little too expensive to be on the regular shopping list...now if I had my own cow???? hmmmmm
The dogs loved the steak bones they were tossed and the horses gobbled down their sweet feed as if we owed it to them. My one lone rooster - now dubbed the "New Roo" helped clean up after the horses and he had his own full scoop of chicken scratch feed. Not to worry, we're looking into the possibility of getting some baby chicks in the springtime and with that purchase, should it occur, will come the addition of a hen house. Let me just say WOO HOO to that as I'm very excited about it. My very own hens, my very own farm eggs...what more could a girl ask for :) :) :)
I suppose the rooster will be happier than I... lol!
Christmas came without snow, sleet or rain and it came without too many of the usual trappings. It came with the anticipation of talking to the kids and knowing that they had gotten their gifts. It came with the happiness you feel inside just knowing that your loved ones are safe and good and in the watchful eye of others you can depend on. When you live in another state, these are the gifts that you get on Christmas and every day of the year.
For those things and many more, I have to thank Jack and Dizzy Debbie. Without them, Christmas from me to those in Florida wouldn't have been possible. Not only did they take care of the gift getting and delivery thereof but they did it without complaint. They did it because that's the kind of people they are. When something needs to be done, they just get right in there an do it. My heartfelt thanks to them for all they did and for all they continue to do to keep the closeness from 750 miles away. Great people they are!!
While I won't dwell on the subject of my Mom's recent illness because I know you get facebook updates from Neccy, I will say that we are ever so glad and every so relieved to know that they have finally provided her with a diagnosis. We're hopeful now that she will be released from the hospital and able to get back home and back into her routine. Whew!! We don't need anymore of that mess ever!
Speaking of facebook...I'm sorry to disappoint so many of you with my fake facebook sign up day. I wanted to enter a drawing for a $250.00 gift card and the only way to do it was to "like" the store on facebook. My friend Kris set me up and "liked" the store but alas I didn't win. I did however enjoy knowing that so many of you wanted to be my friend... aw, aren't y'all just pea-pickin sweet!!! To be clear, I still don't have access...
Whether or not you remember this time last year, it was a snowy and cold, time for me. I was enamored of the differences in weather conditions from state to state and I was still going through the transition from FL girl to TN girl. I'm not saying I've fully transitioned but I'm getting there :) and I still love every minute of it. I thought maybe I liked it all so much last year because it was new to me. Turns out, I like it just as much this year and I'm not sure that will ever change.
For many people, winter weather brings aches and pains in their bones. I have my aches and pains too but mine don't seem to be so bad. I really can't complain. I've been eating healthier than ever before and I do lots of walking and I've even added stair climbing at home and at work. Not that I have a choice at home LOL but I climb the stairs now even when I don't have to :) I drink my bone broth that I make on the weekends and while I should probably consume twice what I'm getting, I think I can feel a difference in my joints. They don't snap, crackle and pop in the mornings anymore and I'm better able to bend and squat when I need to without worrying about not being able to get back up. I'm sure some of you can relate to that!
I was going through last year's calendar and found written all the snow days I had taken. It's quite a different story this year, indeed, the weather has been remarkably beautiful so far. We had one day of snow and a few days of rain but really nothing to complain about. Today the high is 62 and the sun is shining brightly through the office window. Everyone is out walking or jogging! Here they even wear shorts when it's 62 degrees outside. Uh, not me, thank you very much but I did go without my jacket this afternoon. LOL that's as tough as I get!
You might be surprised to know that I made a New Year's resolution this year. Yep, that's right. I know I rarely do that but this year I thought of a good one....ready? I have resolved to use the dish washer at least once a week!! How 'bout that?? Pretty good one huh? I rarely have enough dishes to fill it up because I don't put my pots, pans, tupperware or knives in it but I've decided to reclaim the time it takes to wash even the few dishes, forks, spoons and bowls that will go in it. You're feeling pretty proud of me now, aren't you? lol
Well folks, the time has come for me to sign off seeing as how it's Friday and time for me to go. I'll try to get back on here Monday and update you on my resolution. So far I've been successful :) I used the dishwasher Tuesday night LOL. I had to take the globes off the lamps on the end tables but hey, whatever it takes to fill it up, right?
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! I know I will - we're going to see the meat man in the morning!!!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Starting off the New Year with a quote...
"A shrewd man has to arrange his interests in order of importance and deal with them one by one; but often our greed upsets this order and makes us run after so many things at once that through over-anxiety to obtain the trivial, we miss the most important."
- François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 1613 - 1680
I know I don't typically start out with a quote but I liked this one so while you ponder over it, I'll be pondering over the next posting. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to it today :) Enjoy!
- François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 1613 - 1680
I know I don't typically start out with a quote but I liked this one so while you ponder over it, I'll be pondering over the next posting. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to it today :) Enjoy!
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