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The WE2's

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  1. I think I'll stick with my half gallon jars. Works for me and I have the space for them.
  2. Played hooky today. Been shut up for 2 days (rain) so I did some water bath canning yesterday and the day before. Was gifted with 2 bags of apples and 2 bags of Anjoe (?) pears (they are WONDERFUL!) We'll be eating them with a dab of ice cream or with a dab of whipped cream. So today we took the Remington heater and the propane tanks back to the homestead, raided the freezer there for some potato patties I had vacuum sealed and some yogurt. Back to this "little house" then into the van and off to the state park for a nice walk. Did get jeans all washed and hung out to dry this morning before we took off and they were dry by supper. Got them all folded and put away. Funny how when jeans line dry you don't need any starch! They're wonderfully sized and ez to smooth out. We found some wonderful things for our Abby-girl and the storm thing. Hemp Joint Health that we bought at Menards. Has a pain reliever in it which makes her "feel good" and also bought a bottle of the spray that they spray on a pad inside of a thunder coat. We just spray a small patch on her shoulder and it's really good! She did some pacing but not the whinning, slobbering and trying to dig under everything in sight. So happy because it's that time of year! Jeepers, looks like you've got a good thing going with the new "look" from your landscaper. I don't use stuff like Preem because of our garden etc, and Abby-girl. She'll be free-ranging in the former garden area. One of the biggest reasons I want her to have free access is so I can just let her out the back door at the homestead, right under the metal canopy and on out to the yard she can go. Little Sister...sounds like you're making a lot of progress at your own pace! Good girl! MtnR...it's a really good thing that you're able to find a way to get you "back on your feet". Keep it up! Kappy,..where in the world do you find time to keep track of all those fur babies! LOL The weather in this area can't seem to make up it's mind ... is it spring or fall? I pulled a lot of Hensbit out of Abby's small yard here. When it blooms the bees etc., like it and she's terrified of anything that goes "buzzzz"! The wild violets are blooming like crazy at the homestead so I may pick a bowl full to make some jelly. I am really careful of where I pick anything that I plan to eat! So I usually only do it from the back garden area. Eleven of the Elderberry starts took and are about a foot or so tall. The big plant is throwing out branches like crazy. The Comfrey is looking great. I'll split the mother plant once again to give a start to a friend and transplant the rest back to the garden area where the other plant is doing so great. We have a lot of asparagus spears up, about the size of my forefinger but I want to leave them alone and let them go to seed again this year. They seem to like it where they're at. Planning to use the propane weed burner to burn out the Dock. That stuff is crazy! Wish we would never have let it get started. I'll wait for my Echinacea to come up and transplant it to the garden area as well as a couple of other flowering plants. The Chives always do their thing...LOL The Egyptian walking onions are sprouting up. I may go take some of the tops off and get them on the dehydrator. But not in the house! LOL The Thyme isn't up yet, the peppermint is up, the catnip is showing a few little sprouts, and the Wooly Lambs Ear looks like it wants to start livening up. The Mullein plant that I put in a container last year looks droopy, but looks like it survived. I want to harvest seeds this year so I can put it where I want it. The Wild Lettuce...well...it's like Lambs Quarter...you never know where it will sprout up. We love the Lambs Quarter for eating, but try to keep it corraled. Did take a trip to one of the largest swap and shops in our state a week ago and walked our legs off. Almost 23 acres. Abby-girl and I were truly dragging butt by the time we got back to our van. Hubby...he just pulled our little canvas wagon while we trailed along behind him! LOL Went to one of our favorite Amish stores and stocked up on more jars and two bags of the "button" top lids...the kind they use in European countries (?). When you see Amish jars of jams, honey, beets etc., they use them. I started using them some time ago and love them. I use the "open kettle" for my water bath canning and the "high pressure" for my other stuff...just not for meats. Just got so tired of the "lid" hunt! I have a good stock of Tattler's but I would like to order a big bulk amount of the Harvest Guard brand...they're cheaper. I've gotten the dollars set back for the green house materials (I hope enough) so we'll be trying to get it planned out and purchased before materials go even higher than they are. It won't be a sticks and bricks type of thing for the time being...maybe later. Well friends and neighbors...waving a hello and praying each of you stay healthy, safe and happy! Hugs!!!\
  3. Just stopping by to say hello to y'all! We've been busy as usual. Hubby's working for a customer's "honey do" list which seems to keep getting added to! We work at the homestead on the weekends or if he has a short day. The rain barrels are full, they should have gotten a really good flushing with the three storms that passed through. We're not planting this year. Plan to build a greenhouse instead. Probably about a 10x24 or so. Want to keep it in even lengths so hubby won't have to do a lot of cutting or wood wasting. Going to remove the fence and gate that separates Abby-girl from the garden area and let her have free range. She won't be able to get into the green house and she won't bother the containers that we may plant some things like flowers etc. Washer drain pipe clogged up so it took hubby a couple of days augering it before I was able to wash clothes without it comingout the top of the drain pipe! So now I'm playing catchup on laundry. I'm loving being able to line dry again! The clothes smell so wonderful! I'm also vacuum sealing everything that we don't need here or at the homestead for awhile...which will include blanket, comforters, winter clothes and shoes etc. Hubby's working on several of our dressers. One we let son use upstairs he really was rough on it...badly scarred and one leg crippled up. My antique set which includes a chest of drawers, needed the wood wheels removed so now we have to put some felt on the bottom of the legs. The vanity with mirror and chair seem to be in good condition. It's all been stored in our cedar wood shed/barn. Hubby's putting vinyl (some left from bathroom project) on the flooring of my lower kitchen cabinets and will get to putting it under the kitchen and bathroom sink floors. Glad we had enough left over to do it! Perhaps I've mentioned it...can't remember...but he got the gas range moved into the kitchen, put the kitchen pantry (4x10) in and the cabinet and range vent over the stove done. Still need to wire the two out lets on the back splash of the kitchen counter, but it will take a couple of days to do and right now we're not needing them. Hung my spice rack on the wall going into the extended pantry and he'll build me some shelves beside it to put my storage jars on. I like to keep my flour, sugar, pasta's, rice etc., in half gallon jars. Re-did the bedroom closet so we have a nice shelf above the clothes rack. Lot's of pitching and dumping still! Moved my Mason Bee houses to a safer spot on the front porch. It's a wrap around and covered porch, so I moved it to the inside, against the brick where the fireplace is. They'll like it there I'm sure! Did take Saturday off and did our picnic lunch to our favorite state park. Enjoyed a nice walk and lunch. Lot's of campers in the camper loop but we only walked it. We parked Miss B in the other picnic area and ate on a picnic table there. Was a bit chilly, but still enjoyable. Changed out the bedding to a comforter and sheet only. Don't need the thermals and fleece blankets now. So got them in the laundry room to get washed and vacuum sealed up. Still nursing my lower back a bit. Reached over to set my coffee cup down on my end table a week ago and pulled "something" really good. Headed straight for the Ibuprofen to get ahead of it, and had hubby put a hot patch on my lower back. It's an old injury so I'm taking it easy. I know just about what posture I am NOT able to assume and like I said, favoring it so I don't need any meds. Our inversion table is buried so I can't hang upside down. Will be glad when it's moved to the homestead along with the treadmill etc. We put the "bike" in the wood barn for the time being. We may not have room for it...and the rowing machine...who knows where it will end up? Really miss being able to use those to keep our muscles strong. It may not feel good at first, but it sure limbers things up making other activities more enjoyable. Guess I'd better skiddaddle. I still need to take care of my nightly duties and put my jammies on...and grab my book to read. I'm enjoying the 2nd of a series by Mary Conneally. Somewhat bizarre but very entertaining! LOL Three girls raised in the mountains away from society and a ranch family that ran into them. Like I said...quite entertaining! Everybody stay safe and as healthy as possible. My prayers are with each of you as I come here and read your postings.
  4. I use my stove top pressure cooker (not canner) and let it do the cooking just as if I were "canning" beans...90 minutes...10# of pressure. I never add salt. Salt will "seal" your beans so they can't absorb moisture (so I was taught). They always come out perfect.
  5. We bought tons of them ... some several years ago and some about a year ago. Sadly...some of them were no good. We have since learned (from checking online) that many suppliers order them in bulk, vacuum seal them in smaller packages and sell them. Problem? If there's only ONE that is good, it will have the little pink(?) symbol and you'll think they're all good. NOT! So now, we have to put one in a half pint jar, put a lid and ring on it and wait to see if it will seal. If so we quickly transfer it into our jar, if not...trash. Grrrrr!
  6. LONG MORNING! Storm moved in about 3 am, and Abby-gir l was bonkers! I didn't think to give her the allergy pills that help calm her down so she was a mess...trying to dig under or around anything. Her "storm pad" was useless for some reason. I think it was because this front was so violent. So...our day began at 3 am. We tried to go back to bed but every time we did the thunder, rain, wind and hail would start again. Finally gave it up about 7 am. Went to the library here...yoohoo...they're open (with mask) and picked up some books to read. I had been reading only from Kindle and hubby was reading from his. Then called vet and ordered Abby'girls heart worm pills for 6 months and people were everywhere outside! Those with pets to be seen were waiting in their vehicles and us who were there just for meds stood in line. I was 2nd...and stood for 30 minutes...but worth it. Saves us money. Then we drove on out to see my step mum. She's doing great and it was nice to be able to "see" her and not just text back and forth on FB. We don't mask and neither does she and none of us intend to vax...so we're careful about social distancing and washing our hands if we use her bathroom. She's really missing my Dad. She said "Do you think you all could bring the Kentucky Fried Chicken for Father's Day?"...my Dad loved KFC and we always took it down to him on Father's Day. So...that's what we're planning to do! Gave Abby-girl her allergy tabs a bit ago...just in case the weather coming in tonight gets bad. Want to get ahead of it this time. She's taken care of her duties, had her "greenie" and is relaxing in her bed. I'm sure she's wore out too. Tomorrow we plan to continue work at the homestead...if the weather doesn't get too slick. Just rain no problem, ice...no way! LOL If we get to go, hubby will work on my lower cabs while I separate and vacuum seal some meats that we have in bulk, into two people sizes. Supper was grilled chicken strips in Teriaki/ginger sauce, yellow rice (I had in the freezer) and black beans. Pretty tastey!
  7. Glad you're prepped up and safe MR. That's what this forum is pretty much about. We've just had rain and high winds ... so far. 2021 Farmers Almanac says snow sometime these next 10 days...we'll see. Oppenheimer Ranch is also predicting some major snow across Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri but again, we'll wait and see. Today we just pretty much chilled out. Took some laundry to the homestead to put in dryer, took a large bag of vacuum sealed extra clothing, then made a run to Aldi's to pick up a few items that we haven't stocked in the freezers...ie...hamburger buns! Was also out of refried beans so just bought a flat for the extended pantry. Then came home and we just chilled out, reading and relaxing. Did get a bit of a surprise when at the homestead though. The tarp had blown loose on the electric stove that we moved out of the kitchen onto the front porch for the time being. Pulled out the bottom drawer (we hadn't done that!) and found several really nice skillets etc., that my mom had evidently just bought and stored in the bottom drawer. Nice find! I think several of them might have magnetic bottoms which means they'll work on my single burner induction burner! I need to look online and see if I can find and download an instruction manual for the microwave/induction that was mom's and was part of the purchase price when we bought it from her trust. i know there's a metal rack in it and that's where I set my coffee cup (as did she) to heat up water if I want a cup while I'm working there at the homestead, but I don't want to stick a metal pan in it without knowing more about it! I can easily use my corning ware and pyrex ware until I know more about it.
  8. I make my own capsules with Tumeric powder, Cayenne powder and fine ground black Pepper.
  9. Jeepers, I agree with the others. Do what you can, when you can and how you can. When hubby and I got married he had a house full of "stuff" and I had this little place full of stuff. I had lived in it 32+ years and it was paid off and comfy for me. A small yard, on a snow route and close to most shopping if I needed to walk (not to WM though!). Hubby didn't seem to have any problems moving in here with me since he had no family there. I'm not having any current "withdrawals" of moving from here maybe because I'm doing it gradually. BUT...when I sign the title work and deed over to someone else I know I'm going to face reality that I'm never going to live here again. Having hubby with me I am sure will help me. I know when I traded off my sporty little Olds with the sunroof for the van I really went through some serious withdrawals! I still do. Then when we traded the mini-van for the camper van I again look back and say "I sure miss my van". I guess we all have transformations in our lives that make us very uncomfortable sometimes. Having others who understand and encourage helps! That's what I'm trying to do...encourage you! Hugs!
  10. Busy busy busy here! But boy have we accomplished much! Hubby re-did our closet shelves and clothes rod in our bedroom at the homestead. The antique head and foot boards are attached to the new bed frame and they aren't going anywhere! Today he hung my spice shelf on the wall near my stove and the extended pantry. It will be so nice to have it right there and not have to search through a cabinet. He's going to build me more shelving next to it for me to put my half gallon jars of flour, sugar, pasta's etc. I won't need to holler "I need somebody taller than me" to get my pasta, rice and other goodies down from the shelf here...LOL We just about cleared the kitchen floor ... again ... LOL He did the final caulking around the bathroom sink. I even got to dust off my rocking chair and sat for almost a half hour while he worked on the spice rack...loved it! I love my rocking chair I do, I do...LOL We'll be focusing on clearing out the dining room next. It has an exit door just like the one on the front of the house...and we don't plan to use it so I'm going to just put a large piece of furniture that I have in front of it. That will free up a lot of space in that room. I can even see my sewing machine now! It rained off an on most of last night and this morning so we didn't get to the homestead until after lunch. They say we've got a lot more rain moving in. Hubby checked the rain catchment barrels and made sure the faucets were open so they'd get another good flush tomorrow. When we feel sure they're flushed out good, we'll turn the faucets back off and let the rain start collecting.
  11. A nice Class A Motorhome would be perfect for you...go to any family member you want to and do what they call "Driveway Camp" and stay as long as they'll have you! and no longer than 30 ft.and you must have room to keep your preps! ...LOL
  12. When my first husband passed, I found work of any kind my therapy. I was at that time working part time so that was a tremendous help. Then I found lots of other things to do to keep myself busy.
  13. I've always dehydrated mine. Love them in a glass of water filled with ice!
  14. Haven't tried it because I use netting, but they say if you hang red christmas bulbs on your plants they birds peck and leave.
  15. Got the apples put up and away. They're at the homestead's pantry now. I'm finding I really like the "button top" lids for water bath canning. J,ust finger tight like regular lids and rings and so much easier...in my opinion. I've still got a lot of things in our freezer that need to be jarred up but it will hopefully wait until we get moved and the gas stove is hooked up. I have my Camp Chef propane stove but would have to use it outside to do any canning. We have a refrigerator here full of food plus a small chest freezer on the back enclosed porch, a refrigerator and apt. frig at the homestead, an upright freezer and two small freezers there also. Lots of work ahead of me! I'm not going to start seeds this year other than what I can't buy as seedlings. We have plenty of row cover as well as floating row cover to protect what we plant. I'm not going to let them nasty japanese beetles and worms have my stuff this year! I'll also cover my Elderberry plant this year with the floating row cover so I can get some Elderberries off my plant. The new transplants aren't mature enough to produce this year. but when they are we'll have a pretty good supply of Elderberries. The Asparagus I'm just letting go to seed again this year. I want hubby to use the weed burner and get rid of all the Dock and stuff (I'll replant the other medicinals someplace else, and designate that area for the Asparagus. I have one Comfrey plant left there to divide, and giving one half to a friend. Oh...by the way...note to self...just because a Comfrey plant's leaves are all dead and dried...they still sting! The "big" plant that I had transplanted last year was needed some of the top off for new growth...so I grabbed a garden fork and went at it. Wasn't long before my hand was in real pain! Washed and washed, applied Aloe and it did eventually did get better...but WOW!
  16. Been a very busy week for both of us. Really making progress at the homestead though! Yesterday he changed the oil and filters in both vehicles...that took most of the afternoon but it's done! I went with him this morning and while he worked on the new bed frame (it's going to be steady one!) and the headboard I found plenty to do in the kitchen. The headboard and footboard that he's putting on our bed frame is an antique set that also has the chest of drawers and a makeup vanity w/mirror. I'll be selling the makeup vanity. Just don't have room for it. The headboard needed some working on, one of the legs was cracked (we didn't notice it before) so he's gluing and pinning it. He's also putting "cleats" on both sides of the bed box so the mattress won't slip side to side...they do that don't they!? I washed down all the kitchen cabinets with Lysol and stuck some of my collector dishes on a lower shelf. They'll need to be washed before using, but they needed to be out of the cardboard box and out of a closet. Also washed out the top of the kitchen pantry and moved the "adult beverages" up there...out of sight . Washed out two of the drawers on one side, and washed the flatware insert and then had hubby put a screw in one side and one in the front so it doesn't slip around. Leaves a lot of room along the side of it. Now...for the other side! It won't be as bad because I've already washed it down once and put liner in it, but will wash it down again. I will say one thing...vintage kitchens give you a lot of shelving and drawers...but they're a pain to reach when they go from the counter to the ceiling on both sides, and from the counter to near the floor also! I'll put most of the dishes I don't use on a regular basis on the top 2 on both sides...and keep my step stool handy! Came home and had lunch and he's back at the homestead resuming work and I'm getting ready to start working on taxes....yuck.
  17. So sorry to hear of your loss. 2020 and 2021 have been hard on all of us hasn't it? Losing any family member or friend brings us right up front with the mortality of us all...we're just a heartbeat away and should live like it.
  18. All I saw was two eyes and a smile!
  19. Didn't get to the apples today, too much work at the homestead, but I did make a broccoli salad and used some apples in it. Love that stuff even if raw broccoli isn't good for low thyroid people. Add some raisins, some sunflower kernels, some bacon bits and a honey mustard dressing and I'm eating myself into lovely salad!
  20. Worked all afternoon at the homestead. Really made some progress in getting foods out of the frig/freezer, acclimated and sealed into storage jars. Now...to find a place to put it! LOL Then we worked in the "bucket" room just off the extended pantry and made a lot of room in there so we can put more away. Funny how when you're just shoving things where they'll fit you find all kinds of things you didn't know you had! LOL Still a lot of work to do to get everything sorted and put away, but we could live at the homestead now if push came to shove. Just wouldn't have land line or internet. Want to get that all hooked up before we start staying there. Abby-girl is having a bit of a time though because her "bed" or her crate isn't there for her to go lay down and take a nap. Poor baby...does find the rug by the front door or the blanket I put down in the bathroom to rest. Hubby took her for a nice walk when we got back here, she's had her "greenie" bone and is now curled up on her mattress! She'll have a bit of an adjustment when we start staying there because there's not enough room on the sides of our bed for her mattress, so we'll be investing in a big doggie bed that we can throw on the floor for her. I'm sure she'll find it quite comfy...because mommy will make sure of it! After all...she's my "DOG"...when I say "you're my dog!" her tail fans like an airplane and here she comes! LOL And a quick kiss on top of her silky head with a "I love my dog" makes her very happy! LOL Weather was in the 50's but very windy so it felt much cooler. Winter hasn't left yet. Time to get started on taxes. Hubby did some work and got the W2's so he has to file. Won't make a difference income wise, but still have to report it. You know how uncle sam is about wanting your life story!
  21. I'm staring at 3 bags of apples that need to turn into spiced apples. This electric stove doesn't hold the temp very well so it's difficult to regulate pressure canning. Water bathing not so much so. But son brought them to me and I need to get them taken care of. Neither of us care much for apple sauce so I usually just do the spiced apple thing as a dessert.
  22. Worked most of yesterday at the homestead sorting and organizing everything that we had sort of stuck where it would fit...that was surprising! Almost a treasure hunt! LOL Took laundry with me so it could dry while I was working. The dryer here is too dangerous to use, so I was here and take there unless it's summer. Then I hang outside. Today, hubby worked there and I worked here getting things caught up. Kind of tough maintaining two places. Mixed up a pound of ground venison and a pound of ground sausage with stove stop dressing and a couple eggs then we had salisbury steaks smothered in mushroom gravy, along with steamed potatoes and sweet corn...for supper. Dishes are done, clothes folded and put away from yesterday (left them...too tired to mess with last night) and I'm fixin' on retiring for the evening. We did lose a dear friend this week. Such a shock for us. Non virus. He had his shoulder operated on last year, then had prostrate surgery early this month, and then suddenly had two successive heart attacks. Only in his late 50's. She's devastated. He fought such battles and then to have that happen is just so mind boggeling for all of us.
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