Twilight

Not to argue but if you are only concerned by ph you would have to check the ph on each tomato! Even following the Ball canning recipes whether you are using store bought , farmers market, or home grown the ph could vary greatly. Especially when there are over 200 - more like 3000 different tomatoes, different in acidity and grown on a world of different soil types and practices!

Spaghetti sauce is one of those recipes that is ones own creation. Salsa is too for that matter. As long a the general rules for canning contents are followed sure you can as many other do can spaghetti sauce using store bought sauce or paste as well as store bought vegetables. Some day you may be blessed with your own garden and you will notice a marked difference! But until then enjoy your own canning!!

Beautiful morning to walk - did our 2.4 miles in 40 minutes and home by 6:30. Saw a buck zigzagging through the trees. A nice breeze but it is to get in 40mph zone with upper 90's for today. The man came to pump out my septic tank and offer suggestions if that did not work. The tank needed to be pumped but even though he vacuumed the lines I still had my problem. I am out on my front porch will stay out here here as lo as I can with all the windows open inside to air out the smell. The 2 inches we got Saturday night were wonderful! I have volunteer tomatoes in bloom and bearing , the volunteer pumpkins are doing their best to cover the compost pile and one has a 6 inch pumpkin on it, Otherwise most are marble size.

The old saying Breakfast is Gold Lunch is Silver Supper is Lead

What one eats should be considered individually. One can eat no breakfast and a big noon meal and/or supper. Others may skip the noon meal for the same reason. Still others may browse all day long - in small portions. We are not all made alike , physically or in strength. Most people eat far more than necessary. Some people need more protein, others need more carbs for best results. John the Baptist ate locust and wild honey. No one can really tell anyone what they should eat. I do believe we should be as active as possible every day . When you get to thinking about it, every time you turn around someone is telling you what you should or should not eat. What was good for you 5 years ago is now bad for you. My friend, a retired nurse, said the "doctors are changing their minds every 5 years. ie Milk is good for you milk products are bad for you , you should have low chlolesterol , it should be high . Every day seems like something new is spouted as gospel truth. If it isn't broke don't fix it. If your diet is keeping you healthy and active with a good weight why change? We are not all supposed to be skinny or all heavy. A person with small bones should not be carrying a lot of weight, a big boned person can carry more weight. Also do we all have the same metabolism? If we have a faster rate we will need more of certain foods to support it. If it is slow that will also need to be taken into consideration.

There are many toxic chemicals out there, but one in particular has made headlines because it has been found in hair salon straightening products—and that’s formaldehyde, the colorless gas that, at room temperature, emits a noxious odor. It is believed to cause cancer and allergies…to disrupt the immune system…and is linked to incidents of hair loss, nosebleeds and respiratory problems. As it turns out, formaldehyde also has been found in hair products used at home, such as shampoos and styling gels. Good news/bad news: Formaldehyde in baby shampoo (yes, in products for babies) also made headlines last year—and for good reason. Last year, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was phasing out formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in its baby products. So there’s one less product to worry about. But as an Environmental Working Group (EWG) report pointed out, when it examined 16 hair-straightening products used in beauty salons, 15 of them not only contained formaldehyde, they exceeded the safety limit set by the US government. The EWG, a consumer protection organization, is concerned that companies are using products that contain agents that turn into formaldehyde gas when exposed to the air and/or the heat of straightening irons. This might mean that even if the manufacturer didn’t add pure formaldehyde, formaldehyde is being created by a chemical reaction inside the bottle. When you open the bottle, the gas is released. Speak to your hairdresser about the products used at your salon. Read the labels of the products you use at home. Formaldehyde-releasing preservative agents can be found in some shampoos and styling gels. They are called quaternium-15…dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin…imidazolidinyl urea…diazolidinyl urea…and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, among others. To ensure that the hair products you use at home are safe, consider using products from companies such as Aubrey Organics, EcoColors and Modern Organic Products, which use nontoxic ingredients. They are available at some health-food stores and online. Source: Mark A. Stengler, NMD, a naturopathic medical doctor and leading authority on the practice of alternative and integrated medicine. Dr. Stengler is author of the Health Revelations newsletter, author of The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies (Bottom Line Books), founder and medical director of the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, California, and adjunct associate clinical professor at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. http://MarkStengler.com

The best diet of all Many diets tell you to restrict certain nutrients or foods—or they tell you to load up on just one or a few. For instance, the Atkins Diet advises you to avoid food high in carbs and eat foods composed primarily of protein, fat and fiber. The Paleo Diet encourages you to avoid dairy and grains. And the Grapefruit Diet suggests that you eat few carbs, a moderate amount of protein…and a whole lot of grapefruit. For people with certain chronic health conditions, a limited diet may be beneficial, but what if you don’t have any major health problems and you’re simply trying to shed a few pounds? With so much conflicting advice, how are you supposed to know what to put on your plate? A new study weighed the benefits of multiple types of diets and came up with a solution—and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how simple it is. EAT UP, SLIM DOWN One thing I like about this study is that it followed participants for two years—well past that initial but misleading burst of success that many diets produce. There were 811 overweight or obese men and women. Researchers gave each participant a diet plan that would reduce his or her calorie intake by 750 calories per day, and subjects were randomly assigned to one of four diets… 1) Low-fat/average-protein 2) Low-fat/high-protein 3) High-fat/average protein 4) High-fat/high-protein Participants prepared and ate their own foods, but researchers periodically met and spoke with them—and gave them blood tests—to see whether they were following their diets. The results: At the six-month mark, most people in all four groups were adhering to their diets and had lost, on average, 12% of their fat and 3.5% of their lean body mass (a healthful ratio). But by the two-year mark, adherence to all four diets was poor. About the same number of participants in each diet group had deviated from their diets, and these people had gained back, on average, 40% of what they had lost by the six-month measurement. Only the participants in each of the four groups who had adhered to their diets for the full two years were able to keep off the weight that they had lost at the six-month measurement. In other words, the amount of weight lost and kept off didn’t depend on the composition of the diet—it depended only on whether or not the dieter stuck with the reduced-calorie game plan. A DIET “DO” Is it really that simple, I wondered—are all of the arguments (and all of the books!) about which diet is “best” simply pointless? To explore this, I called endocrinologist George Bray, MD, chief of clinical obesity and metabolism at Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge and one of the study’s coauthors. The reason that no diet seemed to be more effective than another may be due to the fact that no matter what you eat, a calorie is still a calorie, said Dr. Bray. You need to either burn off or not eat 3,500 calories to lose one pound of weight, he said, and this study showed that ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether those calories come from fat, protein or carbs. As far as adherence to a diet goes, Dr. Bray said, what’s at work is simple inertia. Humans don’t want to change their behavior—or at least not easily. So when you’re checking out different diets, don’t just pay attention to how much weight it says you’ll lose—also pay attention to how long you think that you’ll realistically be able to stay on the diet. Do you love meat? Then why subject yourself to a diet that eliminates it? Do you adore carbs? Then what in the world are you doing on a diet that forbids pasta? Eat less and you’ll lose weight. I think this is good news—what do you think? Source: George A. Bray, MD, endocrinologist, chief, division of clinical obesity and metabolism, professor of clinical research, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

A fire is so destructive to body soul and mind.......... All who love the person will grieve the loss sustained. It was a beautiful day here very pleasant A/C not needed

I never added water to mine . Nor would I consider doing so.

But the government has decided we do not know how to wash clothes. What was bought several years ago is a different story that today. I think my 2010 Crosley washer is putting out adequate water to wash the clothes but some have said that their new 2011 washers only use 6 inches of water for a full load and guess what the clothes are not clean. I do not like that I am not the mistress of my machine.I can not open the lid with out fighting for my rights. You have to push the button for "so" long for it to quit so you can raise the lid what else am I to do if the washer gets out of balance? I would love to have a wringer washer again. Not sure I want a James although they are all right, if you want a lot of exercise. my sister has her second one as she wore the first one out. Hers did not have a wringer so she wrung clothes out by hand. Since it was out doors you can imagine the agony of winter washing....

The Indians planted the fish then the kernel of corn. One fish for each kernel.I wonder if they were minnows? It needs to be thoroughly covered and the soil packed down on top of the fish.So the animals won't smell it. We used to plant fish in our garden , but I do not remember having problems with them getting dug up. Turkey or chicken litter can smell pretty strong when it is first spread or even for several days, sometimes.

I agree good points but mine are cracking and split oh yes I wasn't wearing gloves when picking up rocks....

Rain last night here too and it has been cool. I hauled 3 more loads of rocks to the pile. The former owners must have been nuts about rocks. These all came form a bed 15' long and 2' wide..... This makes at least 7 loads of rocks I have hauled out of that bed! Then I raked it added some alfalfa meal and planted half runner beans. I already have a pumpkin at the corner. Supposed to be in the 40's tonight.

We had a maybe 1/2 inch rain last night that settled the dust. I used the attic fan to pull the cool air in. The A/C is off but with the temps building outside I will turn it back on after awhile. I did not need it until 3pm yesterday. I went to town and got gas and oil for the mower. Now that I have the deck back I thought I would mow. I put the deck on Friday evening but could not get the deck support pin on one side where it belong , Improvisation did not work so went to work at it again ,praying for God to help me. He did and now the pin is doing what it should where it should be, But I could not engage the mower- oh well, guess I did not want to mow that much any way!! Obviously I have attached the spring at the wrong place No it is not in the book!! I had to call and ask what that cable was and how to disconnect it so I could take the deck off. But I have slept since then and I do not remember where it is supposed to be connected. I shall rest and maybe later... the UV is 9 and I need to have a hat on......

If you use one for a smoker it needs to be metal not plastic on the inside.....

Just check your prices. In this area at least sugar is higher in 25lb than in the 4 lbs like $22 for 25lbs.

I have had both and though it may be easier to find something in an upright , it is not near as efficient as a chest type. You can also put more in a chest type of the same size. Should the electricity go off you can pile quilts, rugs, a lot easier on a chest than an upright. You can also unknowingly leave the door ajar on an upright wasting electricity and food.

oooh la la !!! Nice!!!

The answer to all but 4, 5& 6 is yes. If the pickling salt is dry it is fine. It is when salt gets wet it can lose its flavor. But salt can not go bad per se. If the lids are not stuck to the jar - if they are on the jar they should be OK. If they are in the box same thing- if they are not stuck together and the rubber does not peel off. Always new or old check the condition of the rubber seals. Most of the time it is good but I have bought a box and had the rubber to peel off the lid. I eat my canned chicken directly out of the jar. Beef usually goes into stew or pasties. Welcome to the wonderful world of canning!

Sound gorgeous- pictures when you have time?

Adorable- looks like she got into the electrical tape<G>

If the parts cost anything you will be glad to have that extended warranty. Necessary repair/parts have always paid for buying it in my case.

If you keep the thistles remember that they are a pest plant and do not let the blooms dry and fly away. Thistle is a very hot plant and works wonders in a compost pile. Just make sure is you totally cover the blooms in the compost as they will mature and go to fluff after you cut them . Mullien is an excellent remedy for upper respiratory problems.

This is apparently common. I googled mold in washers. The main blame seems to be on fabric softner. But the rust does not sound right on your washer if it is only 3 years old. I have had 20 year old washers without them being rusty. I also have washed with only cold water for many years and rarely use fabric softner.

Bright and sunny here also 50 this a.m. I got a load of towels washed and on the line before 8 sterilized my jars and have beans in the canner. Mulberries and cherries waiting to do. Hanging out the towels I got swarmed by mosquitoes. Every slap was killing 1-3. I hung those towels in record time and fled to the house. These creatures can populate in a thimble of water. Here they seem to be all near the woods. I have water out for the birds, cat and dog plus rain water. I keep a very close watch on the water and have never seen any sign of reproduction. But they sure are hatching in great numbers somewhere. I am allergic to Trumpet vine- got into it by mistake again grrr!! Why I get hives on the inside of my thighs I do not know. Even though I touched a plant with my hand the reaction there was slight as usual. But I also have hives on my face and lips, and eye lids. And when I have it on face I get a mild flu reaction. Does anyone have an organic non chemical solution for these hives? They will go away but will leave a dark purple stain that lasts for weeks before it fades.