Summer plans

There is so much I want to do this spring and summer. I want to add a couple more garden beds. I want to fix up the greenhouse we built, that was pretty much destroyed by storms and high winds. I want to add a water tank in which to raise tilapia.

I think that if I add a jandy pool light to the tank, it will help the tilapia feed more and will also encourage the growth of duck weed, which I plan to put in it.

I want to get more rabbits to raise for meat. We’ve gone through all we had and a couple of them just got dead. Who knows why rabbits are alive and kicking one day, and you find them dead the next? Same for chickens. I want more chickens to raise for meat, which means buying chicks pretty soon and getting them set up for fattening. I have found that the chickens I raise don’t give me any stomach distress, like the store bought chicken does.

Technorati Tags: farming,gardening

Putting food by

Besides bread making, I’ve been doing a lot of canning lately. You might be thinking canning season is over, but it’s really not if you have things in your freezer that need to be used or canned before they get freezer burned. And I do.

I’ve canned tomatoes, pork, soup, and turkey stock so far. I also canned some pumpkin butter, which is really delicious on just about any kind of bread or toast. I’ve still got more meat to can including a turkey that’s been in the freezer for quite some time now. I’ll have to get it thawed, then boil the legs, thighs, wings, and back. I’ll debone all that, can the meat and can any leftover broth. The breast portion will probably be roasted and we can use it in a number of ways, including canning part of it for turkey dumplings.

Technorati Tags: cooking,canning

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst

Youngest son showed me where I can watch Doomsday Preppers from National Geographic. That seems to be the only thing I've wanted to watch online lately, since my regular Netflix doesn't appear to have very much new stuff to watch.

The problem with watching something like that is it makes me want to stockpile groceries and non-food items, and I really don't have the space to do that. It also makes me want to look at an osprey exos 34 backpack for "bugging out", which IS something I can do. It's just a matter of lining up what I'd need to go in it, and I have things on hand already that would give me a start. In fact, we both need large, lightweight backpacks "just in case".

Now, some of the folks on those episodes are what you might call over the top on prepping. But the fact is, so many have good ideas that I can utilize. The notion of having enough groceries, water, and personal stuff on hand, including meds, isn't a bad one. We live in tornado country and have seen terrible damage around us in recent years. That damage includes power outages and evacuations, so we really should be at the ready for any strong storms.

I don't know that it would be an EOTWAWKI (end of the world as we know it), but we certainly could find ourselves with a lot of problems if we aren't ready for any contingency.

Technorati Tags: emergencies

Making a clean break

I have missed a couple days of posting here, but some days there just isn't much to say. Went to work. Came home. Ate supper. Went to bed. Over and over.

But, the past couple of days, I've also been working after work, at home. I've been cleaning and purging. I've gotten rid of clothes that I know I'll never wear again, keeping only the clothes I love and work uniforms.

I've pulled out things that I think I can sell on the local selling online list, and that stuff includes DVDs. Some of them have already sold. Also, I'll be photographing other items to sell, and hope that they will go quickly. I'll price them low enough to move, but not so low that it won't be worth the effort to list them or that the gas to meet with someone will be more than the items bring.

I've also taken some things out and simply burned them. They are clothing items and other things that even the most destitute and needy person would never use. Heck, I don't want to use them!

What's left will be my fiber arts supplies, my jewelry making supplies, and a small amount of glass paint. These are things I do love to work with, especially during the cold weather months. They are my relaxation. The products from them I hope to be able to sell, too, or give as gifts.

I've been working on these things for a couple hours a day, which isn't overwhelming. With my Son helping me (he's pretty ruthless about things), it's gone pretty good. I know I will probably, at some point think "Well, I used to have one of those!" But, I need to remember that even if I later find I need something I had gotten rid of, I CAN go get another one or find another way to accomplish something without that item.

It's very cleansing and freeing to get stuff out, even though at times I feel a twinge of guilt for getting rid of things.

Technorati Tags: cleaning

Chicken payoff

Having chickens is finally paying off. A few of them have started laying eggs. The quails have laid a few eggs, off and on, ever since we got them. However, it takes 4 or 5 quail eggs to equal one hen's egg. Yes, they're that small.

I figure the other hens will begin laying soon. Their combs are getting bigger and redder, which is a sign of maturity. Once they are all laying on a regular basis, I can begin sharing eggs with friends and family. This will also give me an opportunity to raise chicks that later will become dinners!

Technorati Tags: chickens

Preparing for the trip

I'll get my laundry all done today so I'll have clothes to wear up to Mom's house, and outfits for the days I'm there. Tomorrow, I'll check the oil and transmission fluid levels in my truck to make sure it's all up to par. I don't have a subscription to a breakdown service, so it's really all up to me to make sure the old truck stays in good running order.

It's a 2000 model, so it's getting pretty old but I still like it a lot. I want to keep it as long as possible. I worked hard to pay for it. It wasn't new when I bought it about 3 years ago, so it needs some extra babying, I think.

I might decide next year to trade it in for an actual pickup truck, which could prove more useful. What I'm driving now is a Ford Explorer. However, with gardening, raising chickens, rabbits, and quails, it might be better to have a pickup truck for hauling feed, cages, animals, etc. That's a number of months away, though, and for now I'll just haul what I can in the Explorer.

I have actually hauled 6 bales of hay in it and I've hauled lumber and fence wire in it, so I guess it's not so bad.

Technorati Tags: truck repair,truck,driving

Supplementing electricity

A few months ago I ordered a couple of things that might help if/when our power goes out. One thing was a generator. Since it's not a huge one, it will at least keep the refrigerator running. Possibly, the freezer, too, but not a lot else. At least it doesn't use much gas -- it's rated to use about 1.5 gallons over an 11 hour period.

The other thing I got was a solar panel to charge two deep cycle batteries. I already have an inverter, so I could run the cord in the house and use it to keep my wireless modem and laptop running. What I'm lacking is a floor cord cover so that we aren't tripping over the cord. Since the weather has cooled down some, we should be able to construct the solar panel mount out in the front yard and finish that project up.

With the way the springs storms hit this year, I really want to be prepared if the power goes out for an extended period of time.

Technorati Tags: electricity,generator,solar panel

Trash n treasure

So, with all the sorting and tossing and piling, I've come across some interesting things in the stuff I got out of storage.

• I found a lot of old herbs and spices in a box. Had to throw them away because they were really old.
• I found some jewelry making supplies.
• I found some lovely, natural fiber yarns I'd forgotten about.
• I found an old package of weight loss pills, not even sure when I got them.
• I found my flatware.
• I found a multitude of kitchen countertop appliances that I just don't have room for anymore.
• I found clothes I'll never wear again.

The list goes on and on, but you get the picture. I am not even sure how I managed to store all this stuff in the place I moved from!!

Technorati Tags: junk

Upcoming week

I work tonight, then I'm off for two days. During those two days I'll be filling out applications around town. I've got a couple of leads on places that are hiring, so I'll start with those.

I'll finish out my notice at the end of the week. I get paid Wednesday, and still have some funds left over from last payday, plus a little other income coming in on Friday, so I'll be ok for a few days, I think.

In the meantime, I've got projects planned for my home that I'd like to get done. I'm still working through boxes of stuff from the storage building, although I have made a lot of headway with them already. When you have over 20 years worth of junk to deal with, it's not a short task at all!

Much of it will be gotten rid of -- donated, given to family members who want it, FreeCycled, or just thrown away. If there is anything worthwhile that might sell, I'll list it on eBay or maybe CraigsList. At least with CraigsList, there might not be any shipping involved since most folks look for things in their own area and are willing to pick it up.

I really need to get my "work table" in order so I'm not so reluctant to actually do what's needed there. It's just a card table set up in the corner, but I use it as my "shipping center" for eBay items and also as a craft table when I'm making jewelry or doing glass painting. I'm thinking I need to find some shelves or one of those plastic dressers to go under it, off to one side, for storing supplies. That will come later.

Right now, I'm concentrating on getting stuff OUT, not IN!

Technorati Tags: FreeCycle,ebay,cleaning

Fire pit from repurposed materials

I have finally repurposed an old, broken down smoker grill into a nifty fire pit. I'll share pics when the batteries in my camera recharge. But for now, just use your imagination...

I set the fire box of the grill on the ground and surrounded it with broken concrete pieces. Then, I lifted it out and poured a nice base of white sand inside the circle of stones, and replaced the fire box. (A friend had given me about 3 shovelfuls of the sand awhile back.) Because this was the part for holding wood or charcoal, it wouldn't support the grate. So, I placed some stones inside the firebox in three places and laid the grate on that.

Now I have a fire pit that's going to be easy to use. I have plenty of fallen wood around here to build a fire with, so I don't have to cut trees. I even have wild cherry trees that have dropped some limbs. Cherry makes a delicious smelling fire.

Now, I can cook out or just watch the fire burn.

Technorati Tags: recycling

The Wednesday story continues

After I got to Mom's, we visited for awhile then had a delicious lunch of barbecue sandwiches with trimmings. I didn't have any particular plans for my day there, so Sis and Mom asked if I'd like to make some of the home made skin treatments that they'd been making. Of course, this is right up my alley. I really like home made stuff like this.

They gathered the ingredients and some nice containers to put it in. First, I made some bath salts with colored salts. I layered them in a triangular shaped bottle with a cork. That turned out pretty, I think. I used white, aqua and peach colored salts. It's very pretty in my bathroom.

Next, I made some foot scrub using only coarse sea salt and baby oil. Sis says this is working very well on the scaly areas on her feet, so I'm anxious to try it. A good foot rub is just what I need since I stand so many hours at work. My feet get to aching by the end of my shift and I think a foot rub might be the best arthritis treatment for them. Putting on thick, warm cotton socks afterward will top it all of and make me feel like I've been to a spa. In fact, I'm going to treat myself to a full spa treatment as soon as I get home tonight!

Technorati Tags: health,spa

Sunday sick

It was a beautiful Sunday here. Way too nice to be stuck inside at work. But, I was scheduled so I was going to try to work. See, I wasn't feeling too well. My supervisor sent me home. Whatever's been going around here seems to have caught up with me now.

I'm not terribly sick. Just yucky feeling. When I got home again, I went straight to sleep and stayed asleep about 4 hours. When I got up, I realized I'd left my phone on the desk at work, so I headed back to town to get it. I don't like being without a phone.

When I got back home, I fixed myself a concoction of Earl Grey tea mixed with my own homegrown peppermint leaves and lemon balm leaves (about a tablespoon of each). I opened three Earl Grey tea bags and emptied them. Then, I crushed it all together in my mortar and pestle, then bagged it up in heaping teaspoonful size portions, back in the original tea bags. I just folded the tops and stapled them to make my own tea bags. The result is a very comforting blend. Three tea bags wound up being four portions, so I used a coffee filter to contain the last portion.

I'm going to look online for tea bags and really start keeping my own personal mixes on hand more. I love organically grown herbs and since I have them here, I might as well use them for teas as well as for cooking ingredients.

Technorati Tags: tea,peppermint,herbs,organic gardening,gardening

Winter storm warnings

It looks like we're in for a winter storm here. The predictions are for it to start some time tonight and continue into tomorrow. I have to work every day till Monday, but if the roads get bad, my boss already knows to cover my shift.

See, I live out in the country about 10 or 11 miles. There are lots of curves in the road out here, plus I have to negotiate a steep hill near my house. Ice makes the road pretty much impassable until the crews get out and treat it, and they don't do that until major roads are cleared first.

I just hope the power doesn't go out. I only have electric in this house which means no water and no heat if I lose power. I'm thinking I should head out early today (Thursday) and go up to the trade center where they have some emergency supplies such as heaters, stoves, and lights that don't depend on electricity to work. They have all the fuel for them, too, which is propane in cans that look like spray paint cans. You don't have to worry about valves or pressure. You just insert them straight into the equipment and they start working.

The winter storm warnings are pretty intense, though. Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time at home wishing I had a ps3 to play on and some extra movies to watch!

I let you know how all this turns out. If I can't get away from my house during or after the storm, you won't hear much from me until after the roads and weather have improved.

Update: I did get to the trade center and get the propane stove I wanted plus a lantern that works by winding it up. No batteries needed. Forecasts are pretty serious here.

Technorati Tags: winter,weather,electricity

Long winter nights

Sometimes, the short winter days and long, chilly nights can be depressing. But, with a little thought, I think some of the sadness can be prevented.

I like to meditate on my blessings, and I have plenty of them. I also like to make sure there are enough lights turned on to drive away the darkness that comes way too early in the day.

Another thing I do is find indoor projects to busy myself with. For instance, I found some pretty curtains on the clearance shelf the other day. Only $7 each for a 40" by 84" panel. I got those and two $1 curtain rods. For $15, I dressed up my dining area! I used one of the curtains over the back door, which is 15 pane glass, to help block some of the cold air.

I also found a panel to match my living room curtains and put it over the front door - again to help block drafts. I looked online for curtains and while I know that at this time of the year, order fulfillment is a lot more rapid, I still like bringing home things from my shopping excursions and being able to use them right away,

On my days off, I like to bake quick breads using winter veggies such as sweet potatoes and acorn squash. I also bake up extras of these veggies for the freezer so I'll have them on hand for quick meals. Baking warms up my kitchen and sends delicious aromas wafting through the house. This brightens my spirit even if I don't immediately consume the item. (Although you just can't beat a freshly baked sweet potato hot out of the oven and slathered with butter and brown sugar!)

I have a bread machine, so making wonderful home made bread and rolls is just plain easy. The smell of yeast bread baking is a great comfort aroma. I don't even buy commercially made bread anymore. I can have what I want anytime. I just store extra loaves and rolls in the freezer for later.

There's something very comforting about engaging in these home-body activities.

Technorati Tags: winter

Further education

With the courses I've had so far, supplied by my employer, I should be able to use the classes as part of my credits if I choose to continue my education in restaurant management. See, these courses are so intense that they actually qualify for college credits.

The big problem for me is finding the actual time to take more courses. That's where an online university might be just what I need. Western Governor University is fully accredited and affordable. In fact, it's a non-profit.

They offer a wide variety of courses for those who want to finish their degrees, including teaching degrees, business and marketing degrees, and degrees in the healthcare field including an online nursing degree and healthcare managements. Those of us already working in a field could very well extend our knowledge and expertise by using a facility such as this.

Technorati Tags: education

Time to give

We are entering the time of year when our generosity increases. Although people really need help year 'round, the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons seem to bring out the giving gene in us even more. So now, I wanted to remind you of a way to give that keeps on giving.

Instead of giving a meal to a family, why not give a means of self-support to a family? Something that continues to give for generations beyond the original gift? What I'm referring to is the Heifer International organization.

These folks help families, both here and in other lands, to build a life for themselves that not only feeds them but provides a sustainable income for them and fellow community members. Giving just a small donation can go a long way toward families and individuals realizing their full potential, empowering women to provide for themselves and their children, and creating a sense of success and accomplishment in the entire community.

I'm sure we've all wondered how to lose belly fat and have probably spent our fair share of money on programs for that. Tighten your belt now and give a little to others who need it.

Instead of receiving a handout, which might come too late for those who are starving, they receive a lifetime of income, food, clothes, and education. The effects of every donation is far reaching. Of all the charitable organizations in the world, this one is the most effective in truly helping people.

Technorati Tags: Heifer International,charity

Sleep issues

Some nights I sleep OK, and others not at all. I don't even know why, but I'm sure it has something to do with my age. It probably also has to do with how much "junk" is running through my mind at the end of my work day. I tend to replay events and try to figure out if there was a better way to handle a situation I'd encountered.

Of course, there's also the possibility that my bed is the culprit. I think it's pretty comfortable, but some nights I just can't get turned right or something. Those nights I don't think even an eco green mattress would help, although it might make me feel better about my choice for bedding.

Ah well. Maybe someday I'll get regular sleep and be brighter when I wake up...or maybe not.

Technorati Tags: sleep

Getting back in the swing

Sunday and Monday after my visit with Mom, and the demonstrations at the museum that taught how a local family in that area grow, preserve, and use food, I really felt inspired to do more of this myself. I used to always keep a garden in the summer which produced enough to feed us while it was growing plus enough to put in the freezer, can, or dehydrate for winter months. I also did a lot of baking - breads, biscuits, etc.

Recent years have found me a bit unenthusiastic about doing all this. Add to that the time it takes to really work these things out, and I find myself buying a lot more than I used to. I don't know if my lack of enthusiasm was because of Danny's passing or not, but I think it was. He and I used to spend a lot of time together engaged in gardening, raising goats and chickens, picking wild foods, and getting things prepared for preservation.

However, these are activities I find immensely satisfying so I've purposed to take them up again, as time allows between shifts at work. I realize I probably can't do them at the same level I used to, but I can at least do some things that will help me feel at home in my own skin again.

Son occasionally ribs me about these things, saying I'm "weird". So be it. I'm weird! But I think everyone has their own brand of weird going on.

Anyway, I have baked four lovely loaves of home made bread - two white breads and two honey oatmeal breads. I've adjusted the honey oatmeal a bit so that it is a lighter than the original, but it's still soft and delicious. I'm hoping at some point to get my hands on whole wheat so I can once again grind it myself. It makes a very fiber-full bread that has a particularly nutty taste. Nothing in the stores measures up to it.

Technorati Tags: gardening,baking,preservation

Plant update

A few weeks ago I got some plants and cuttings from my Mom and Brother-in-law. I'm happy to report that they are doing well so far. I got Son up early one morning to help me dig holes for planting. He was thrilled...not. "Getting up early in the morning to dig holes in the dirt is one of my favorite activities" he said wryly.

A couple of the Rose of Sharon bushes looked like they wouldn't make it. Between daily watering and the recent rainfall, though, they have perked up and I think they're going to be OK.

The Artemesia took the move pretty hard but they're beginning to show signs of improvement and are looking better. I put that in a bed between my boardwalk and house so they can take it over all they want. Nothing else is in there so if the Artemesia fills it up, it will be just fine.

The Rosemary cuttings are in pots and seem to be doing alright. I know it will take some time for them to really take off, but I'll have several of them if they all make it.

I also got Yarrow and Liriope (sp?). The monkey grass I planted next to my well house and it's sending up flower spikes, so I guess the move didn't even bother it! The Yarrow is planted in an area under a cedar tree and while it did wilt for awhile it's perked back up again.

The Violet plant that I got is doing well and I expect that next spring it will spread and give me loads of beautiful blossoms that can be used in salads.

I'm looking forward to aromatic cuttings from the Artemesia and the Yarrow later on. Of course, Rosemary is also nice added to wreaths and in home made winter potpourri mix.

I started some mint cuttings in pots to share with others. Naturally, mint is so invasive and prolific that it took to the pots with no problems. I plan to also try lavender cuttings to see if I can increase the amount of lavender I have around here. It's one of my favorite fragrant herbs to have for craft projects like sleep pillows. I still have lavender wands I made at least 5 years ago that are holding their fragrance! I'll probably be able to share some of them, too, if they do well.

I moved the lemon balm and parsley out of pots and into the ground. Since lemon balm is a perennial, I wanted a permanent place for it. It's doing better out of the pot, too. The parsley is also doing better. I think some things just need more "earth" around the roots to thrive. I might be able to get some cuttings from the lemon balm to share with others. It's so nice added to teas and even in cooking.

Technorati Tags: plants

Lowering my electric bill

My extra efforts to reduce my electric bill are paying off - literally. I just received one of the lowest electric bills I've had in years - only $76. My electric bill routinely runs at least $100+ more than that! What am I doing?

• I use only CFL (compact fluorescent lights) throughout the house in every light fixture.
• I use power strips to plug in everything and I turn them off when the items aren't in use. The coffee pot and microwave, for instance, are on a strip and since they both have clocks, turning them off keeps any unnecessary power from being used. (I never use the clocks on them anyway.) Even things like phone chargers can be a constant drain if not unplugged or the strip turned off.
• I cut the power strip off to my TV and DVD player so that the stand-by modes don't pull power. The DVD player "remembers" everything even when there's no power source.
• I keep my AC turned up to where it's not chilly in here at all, just comfortable, and I dress appropriately. I use ceiling fans to circulate air so it feels more comfortable and yet I can use less AC.
• I cook enough three times a week to carry us over for the days in between so my stove isn't on and it isn't generating heat that would cause the AC to work harder.
• I'm even careful with water usage, since we're on a well, to keep the well pump from running unnecessarily.
• I stay on top of hot water usage by reminding Son to NOT let the water run in the tub for his shower before he actually turns the shower on. The water heater is less than a foot from the tub faucet!
• I wash clothes twice a week in cold water and always hang them out to dry.
• I rinse my dishes in cold water after washing them in hot sudsy water.
• I always use cold water to start cooking. The time saved using hot water is minuscule as it seems to reach boiling in about the same amount of time anyway.
• I choose countertop appliances whenever possible to keep from turning on the stove. My 120 watt electric skillet, crock pot, and steamer work great with a much lower electrical pull than the 240 watt stove. They all heat up faster and cook using less electricity overall.
• I have a chest freezer that I use a lot, even to store leftovers for future meals. Keeping it full uses less electricity than having it half empty and it trying to freeze the air space inside it. More frozen food inside makes for better cooling efficiency.
• The big "plus" of a chest freezer is that the cold air doesn't fall out when you open it, like it does with an upright freezer. This design feature reduces the recovery time it needs.

Even Son has become more energy conscious, taking on the same energy-conscious habits in his room!

Keep in mind that I live in a very small house, but even in a large home you might be able to implement some of these ideas to lower your electric bill. Every penny counts!

Technorati Tags: electricity.compact fluorescent bulbs