Dee

Another fun thing when homesteading in the country. I've seen them do this before but seeing it again, like this morning, is always awesome. turtle laying eggs .mp4

I'm a reader, anyone who know me knows I have an audio book, kindle book and a hardback book going at all times. Most books are that, a book. Once in a while I find a book I can't put down. Actually, I had two of them last month. This morning I finished a book titled, "Reminders of Him" by Colleen Hoover. Did I like it? Well, it's NOT my type of book but a friend recommended it saying, "It's weird but so good." Hmm, I thought. I like weird but this was a romance weird. I used to like romance but have gotten old and it's just a blah, blah, blah type of book to me. However, let me tell you this one is different. When I first started it, I almost quit. No, I told myself Teri said it was good so keep trying. It was so well written that even the "getting acquainted" was good. Her writing is exceptional. She had me hooked and I even had tears in my eyes in places. Becca, I know you should give it a try. If so, let me know what you think. I hope others will look for it and I would enjoy knowing what you think. Keep reading!

Each to his own on this subject BUT a friends brothers got polio back in the 50's, before vaccines, and was in an iron lung for years before dying. It was a horrible thing to watch. I had an aunt with it and she was paralyzed in one leg and foot and wore a brace her entire life. Later in life she got what they call Post-Polio Syndrome. Before she died she was in a wheelchair full time. When the Salk vaccine was introduced, I remember the joy of parents. We children were lined in lines at school and vaccinated. After that it was like a whole new world opened up to us. I believe in the vaccine and would recommend everyone getting it. If you don't want it, that's fine too, but my family, if I have any say so, will be vaccinated against it.

I hope you find time to do it Littlesister. It's such a good feeling to have it in the freezer and ready to warm up!

This is what I do as a country homesteader. It takes one big busy morning but when it's in the freezer I'll have 9 waffle breakfasts ready, 8 servings of lasagna. I also cooked a Tator Tot casserole for dinner today. We'll get a couple of meals out of it and the rest will be frozen in individual servings. To be honest, most of this if for DH. He's happy to have something to eat when I'm gone or not in the mood to cook. He's an easy man to live with and I think I sometimes take advantage of him.

Sounds like you all had a nice day. We did too.

Who's cooking today? Our son is not very good about special days. Oh, he'll drop by sometime today to wish his dad a Happy Father's Day but that's about it. Our daughter, who's the one that would do something lives 1800 miles away. Sooooo, I will be fixing hubby, his favorite meal, ham dinner with all the trimmings. He'll be a happy man! What are you fixing for your father and/or husband?

Good morning, everyone. Sorry Mother but I didn't get back here last night. However, no one is ever too late to share a cup of tea. Would you like me to pour?

Well, this is fun. Glad you all could come!

I've been baking today. The coffee is ready and cinnamon rolls are on the plates. Who will join me?

For a number of years now I've used my credit card everywhere they were allowed. Which was most places. I got money/credit back for each $ I spent. I paid it off each month, so it was fun and no finance charges. The last couple months I've noticed a number of places charging you for using it. The latest place was in a restaurant a week or so ago. There was a sign on the wall saying there would be a charge of 3.99% of the bill. The credit card just isn't as much fun as it was! Not that I blame the company. I know they have to pay a certain percentage each time a card is used. I do find myself paying cash more often now though.

Thank you Jeepers and Mother.

Congratulations! Sometimes I think a roughish start is better than both with good jobs, a new home, new cars, etc. Having to work together to get that first washing machine, maybe even used, makes for bonding and working and making it together. AND, the enjoyment and pride in that washer is the best!

We're all braver than we think and can do way more than we believe we can. ewe help.mp4

How many of you cook ahead and put it in the freezer? Either leftovers or plan ahead foods? Yesterday and today boneless pork ribs were $1.48 lb. Limit 10 lbs. I bought the full amount with the idea of cooking meat for the freezer. They look so good I'd go back today and get another 10 lbs. but with the price of gas and the store being 20 miles away I decided against it. That's one bad thing about living in the country. Anyway, below is the whole 10 lbs. ready to go. Half the meat has been put in the crockpot with seasonings and onion soup mix. The other 1/2 is seasoned and being boiled. When cooked I'll put a bar-b-que sauce on them and in the oven at 250 for 1/2 hour-an hour. They are so tender and good! I'll cool them and then wrap individually in plastic wrap, freeze and then put them all in a big Baggie and into the freezer. I also bought 5 lbs. of Italian sausage and 5 dozen eggs. I'll brown the sausage and add the eggs to scramble the whole mix. Pack flat, in individual servings, in sandwich bags and freeze. It saves so much time later when I'm not in the mood to cook AND, it makes DH a happy man to have food to cook when I'm not around for a meal. I'd love some ideas on what you do to plan and freeze ahead. P.S. I just took the boiled, bar-b-que sauce ribs from the oven. I'll give DH one as his meat for lunch and look at all that will go in the freezer.

I'd never had rhubarb until moving to Iowa. I didn't care for it either and then one day, years later,I had something another person made, and it was delicious. After that I began using a lot and now enjoy it very much. Maybe an acquired taste? I'm there with remembering anything right along with Jeepers. So, right now I'll wish you a wonderful birthday Euphrasyne and many more to come!

Cool Darlene. I picked rhubarb today and only got 5 cups. I decided to freeze it instead of making the butter. Of course, I can take it and more out of the freezer to make a batch. Did you make just a dab, or did you make enough to jar up? Yes, toast, muffins, etc. MM. I think it did also say a condiment. I suppose any way that sounds good.

Big sigh LIttlesister. Like the garage he moved it from the old place April 16th and we're still waiting for him to finish. Gets awfully old!!!

Littlesister, hopefully the shower doors will be in soon. Being in a mess gets so old!!! Please do Darlene. After finally getting some rain and with the warmth that's to come in the next few days I should have more rhubarb to pick. I've been thinking about making it too. I have 28 bags in the freezer but hoping not to have to use it until winter. I know there's tons of rhubarb around that people don't do a thing with but I'm a coward and won't ask them for it.

Happy Birthday Dora. Hope you had a nice day!

Happy Birthday Jeeper's. May today and your whole next year be lovely!

Littlesister, did you get started on your canning? We had our garage moved from our old place and a 12x25 addition added on to it. This has been going on since March and, like you, they still aren't finished. I was nice about it all this time but now I've had it. It will only take them a weekend to get it finished if they'd just get to it. They best get back to it next weekend or I'll blow, I'm sure. I want to get another freezer as soon as possible to start filling and can't get it until the electricity is hooked up. Grrrr! Darlene, I plan on doing a lot of tomatoes too. I'll also do green beans if I must or if I can talk myself into it. I'll wait and see how the world is behaving before I decide. I do have them planted though, so will probably not let them go to waste once they're ready and waiting on me. I just can't turn my back on food. I saw a recipe on Facebook the other day for rhubarb butter. I've made apple butter for years but never heard of rhubarb butter. You? Euphraysne, good idea. I'd never thought of siphoning off the water. The baby aspirator idea is also cool. So many things to come up with when we all work together!

I used to go through that too franksgirl. I would freeze some in ice cube trays to have enough in the winter when they didn't lay as well. I'd also give some to family or friends. Then, before I knew it, I didn't have enough for everyone wanting to buy. It's a vicious circle. I don't know what you're asking for your eggs but I was at a Farmer's Market in Des Moines yesterday and they were getting $6.50 dozen. Not organic just your typical run around the yard chickens. Good luck!

Looks and sounds great Mikki!

Wow, that's a lot of reasons why not to try it on the glass cooktop, Euphrasyne. I've done some water bath canning too. Makes me nervous but my instructions didn't tell me not to do it soooooooo I tried getting gas run and getting a new stove but the only thing using gas (propane in our circumstances) was the furnace and the pipe wasn't 1" like the guy thought it should be to switch over. Miki, I'm plenty tall but too old. Mother, would love to be able to put in a gas top. It would make it all so much easier. I could take my goods to the library and use their gas stove but what a pain having to haul it all to town. Might try it though if by fall it looks like we better be saving all we can. One of my friends used the library last year and just left all her equipment there until she finished. As long as there are no rentals of the meeting room I suppose we could both leave our stuff there.