Dee

When I was working outside the home, I found the crockpot to be my lifeline. Put a roast, chicken, whatever in the crockpot in the morning and off I'd go. I'd add a can of soup with a can of water and season. When the kids came home from school, I'd have potatoes and carrots peeled, or have them do it. Then they'd put them in the crockpot, turn the dial to high and in an hour or so I'd be home and we'd have supper. The gravy, from the soup, was delicious too. So easy, good and nutritious. Even now, being retired, I use the crockpot so much.

Our foster daughter is no youngster AND she was taught to cook with me. She lived with us her 4 years of high school and will be 60 in April. Wow, what does that tell you about my age? I taught her to bake, can, etc. and she does it well. She just likes giving me something different and this year it was from the Apple Orchard in Ft. Dodge. I'll also add that was not all that was in the Apple Orchard bag. I'm sure she spent close to $100. She knows I cook mostly from scratch and was just giving me some nice things to try that I would never have spent the money on. She's a great wife, mother, grandmother and so on and has been a part of our family since 1976. In the bag was also a jar, not quite a pint of jam, some kind of dark berry, I can't remember which for $8.95. Again, I can't imagine that price but it was good. I can't remember what else but I felt like a queen using that expensive stuff.

That tree still looks like there's a lot of work left Vic303. How nice it will be to have on hand for your sawmill or burning. Be careful! I'm home from church and thinking about fixing dinner. It's 11:00 so soon I need to do more than think about it. Otherwise, this afternoon I plan on going to visit an elderly relative, 97, of DH's. She and I have become good friends and can visit way longer than we should. She lives alone in her home and doesn't cook any longer. I always try to take her something so that's another thing I better think about before long. I do a lot of thinking. If I did as much work as I do thinking I'd get a lot more accomplished. You all have a good day!

Happy, happy birthday Virginia!!

Have you read, The Pilot's Daughter, by Audrey J. Cole? I was trying to finish it one night before going to sleep. It was so intense, but I couldn't make it. When I got up the next morning, I sat down with my 1st cup of coffee and finished. It's good! I've just now picked up, Shadows Reel, by C.J. Box. Have you read him? It's a Joe Pickett novel and he's a game warden in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming. They're usually very good too. I'm anxious to give this new one a try! Keep reading!

Yesterday I baked cinnamon rolls from a box our foster daughter had gotten me for my birthday. There were 6 rolls that were so sweet we could hardly eat them, but we did. Other than too sweet, they weren't bad, BUT that boxed mix cost her $13.50, for 6 rolls. Does just your average buy these? How does a company keep in business with those prices? If I was to spend $13.50 for rolls they'd be baked and ready to eat. These not only needed mixing and baking, I still needed to add a 1/2 cup butter and milk to the mix. I realize it was a gift and I doubt she buys them for herself but I was shocked when I saw the price stamped on the bottom. Am I just old and cheap or do others find this expensive?

Looks delicious Annarchy. Good work!

I wish I could help but I don't have a clue Jeepers. I do know if I were living alone, I'd buy the smaller of the two. For myself I wouldn't use the freezer nearly as much as I do cooking ahead for DH. Ours is one that has to be drfrosted. If I were buying another, and DH wasn't around, I'd buy frost free. We had one years and years ago that didn't work right and he never forgets. The others have given you good advice.

Ambergris, thinking about you and I hope you get the information soon.

It's difficult not to have one handy for every situation. I learned when I was driving my children here and there and everywhere that if I had a book to read while I waited, I could wait for hours but with nothing to occupy my mind I'd go stir crazy! Of course, I have to admit I'm old enough it was before we all had cell phones, so it was always an actual book back then. Keep reading!

Hey Buttercup!

I just read at: "All Top Everything" on Google that these are the top selling books of all time. I've read 3 or 4. How about you? What do you think? The 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time (as of January 2020) TOP 10 BEST-SELLING BOOKS OF ALL TIME: 1. THE BIBLE ~ 5 billion copies sold 2. QUOTATIONS FROM CHAIRMAN MAO TSE-TUNG ~ 1.1 billion copies sold 3. THE QURAN ~ 800 million copies sold 4. THE LORD OF THE RINGS ~ 155 million copies sold 5. THE LITTLE PRINCE ~ 140 million copies sold 6. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE ~ 125 million copies sold 7. SCOUTING FOR BOYS ~ 120 million copies sold 8. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE ~ 115 million copies sold 9. THE HOBBIT ~ 110 million copies sold 10. THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER ~ 105 million copies sold

The new bestseller's and others are as much or maybe even more than the Audible monthly $15.95. I'm not sure, as I never buy those. Your less expensive Kindle books at Amazon is what I normally get and then it's maybe $7.99 to add Whispersync. Not all the less expensive book offer Whispersync but there are many that do. I'm sorry I made a mess of that first post. When I reread it, it didn't even make much sense to me so I corrected it and probably made it worse. Glad you asked for clarification snapshotmiki. If it's still "blurry" just ask again. I'll get this right yet!

Have you heard of Whispersync? It's a great thing that I discovered a couple of years ago. Ok, you go to Amazon and find a book you want. Many of them will ask if you'd like to add Whispersync for a certain amount of money. The point of Whispersync IS you can both read and listen to the book. My phone keeps track of where I am and depending on what I'm doing right then I either listen to it or read it. I belonged to Audible for years before discovering Whispersync. The price for Audible is $15.95 per month. If I get a Kindle book with Whispersync many are no more than the monthly Audible fee. It's really amazing how it works. I can't imagine not using it. Keep reading!

Your reading sounds similar to mine blessedhomemak. I have a book on hand that I'm usually reading. Then I have a book on my phone in case I'm somewhere in need of reading material and lastly, I also have an audio book on my phone. That's for when I'm working in the kitchen, driving a long distance, etc. People wonder how I can keep all three straight and, I have to admit, if they're the same genre I do have to think about who's life I'm into in this or that book. Keep reading!

I love new things, and this is new to me. I wonder if we can find it in the states. At least one new thing a year in the garden is my motto. This looks like it could be the one thing this year. Thanks Wychwood.

Having to wait so long, euphrasyne is just wrong, but it seems to have become the way of things in this day and age! I pray your pain goes away soon and I'm so glad your DH is able to be home to help you. Prayers for an early recovery.

Have a wonderful birthday Pauline!

I've wondered about putting the vegetables in with the meat at the beginning Mother but have always waited until closer to time to eat. I thought they might get too mushy if they were in that long. Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.

I love the Red Star. They're a sex link and a heavy breed so can't fly over 6' fences. I love their brown eggs and they lay all winter.

Thanks Buttercup. I may just give it a try tomorrow or Friday. I think both are free days for me. I've got my fingers crossed anyway!

You really put in a good day Jeepers. Good job! I heard on the radio this evening that the stock market dropped today because gas jumping 5%. I think that's what they said.

I read the first two of the One Second After series but not sure if I read the third. I have to check it out. Thanks for the heads-up CG. I also had nightmares after reading One Second After. I would love to say what parts of it really made me sad, but I don't want to tell any of it if someone hasn't read it but wants to. I absolutely hate when people spoil things. I remember getting ready to check out the movie "Stepmom", and another lady looking at movies said, "Oh, you'll love that, but she dies in the end." Grrrr, I was never sure I liked her again.

I LOVE how many of us are doing this. I hope we can get other's convinced to give it a try. I know they'll be surprised at how nice it is. I know you can buy many of these things premade but homemade is so much better, made to your preferences, and so much cheaper. Give it a try and if you have any questions just ask. We'll all be glad to help.

Oh my, Wychwood, do those ever look delicious!!! I can taste them from here.