Crazy4Canning

Indeed, the alligators do come, and those who are prepared can fight them off well.

I don't think you're crazy. Take from your dream what God will have you to. Last spring/early summer, I had a dream where I was watching my family starve...ribs showing, we couldn't keep ourselves clean, etc. I canned like a mad woman, reorganized the pantry, etc. Now, I am more at ease, but all I have to do is remember that dream and it motivates me again.

Lots of hugs and strength to you, dear. Blessings, too!

Oh my. I'm so glad you posted on this. I've been meaning to research your ailment for a while now and could never be sure I spelled it correctly.

I can empathize with the misdiagnosis and mocking doctors. It's happened to me and women in my family more than once.

I also understand about the misdirected anger. It can flare up when we don't even expect or realize what we're upset about.

I am so glad that you've said "Life is a gift we don't return" meaning we take it whichever way we can get it...even upside down and backwards. It's been at the forefront of my mind lately.

Take care, dear friend. I'll be praying for you and thanks again for posting on this very important topic.

Have you been observing our lives from afar? Please, dear, take it easy.

I do pray for your husband's complete recovery for when I cut my cornea, I was down for quite a while and the recovery was quite long. Do take care.

What a great experiment! So very true about hunger being the best sauce!

If you seal up the PB powder in smaller bags or jars with your Foodsaver, the powder will keep for a very long time.

Stephanie, You're not alone in these emotions. I feel this every time I visit a dear friend on the east cost. Maybe the emotions are made more poignant by the fact that it's completely across the nation, I'm not sure.

With me, my friend doesn't cook. Her husband or oldest boy does. She could literally care less about food. For me, it's the center of the home, the point of which our diets revolve around and variety is indeed the spice of life. I HAVE to cook because I'm allergic to preservatives and can't eat many of the items from boxes, cans, or mixes. They will literally make me sick. Nothing is worse than being sick away from your home and comforts.

Something I also found this last summer was that I was very uneasy with the fact my friend's 'pantry' was pretty much limited to the week's groceries. There was little put aside in case of emergency or crisis. That, I think, is what made me terribly uneasy. There was 1/2 case of water, a few MRE's (her husband is military) and possibly some ramen or crackers. NOT a good start for storage. I even offered to help her stock her pantry, offering lists to work on ahead of time for inventory, a rough budget of what basic items cost like oil, flour, etc., even prices on some rubbermaid for the pantry. I was politely turned down because it 'just sounds like too much work'.

I love it when I go, yet can only stay maybe, a week. Within that time, not only is my husband missing me, my diet is completely thrown off, and I am missing the schedule of my own life. Not to mention the entire 'safety net' of my own life is completely gone.

I'm so glad you got time to love on relatives and disengage from your 'world' for a time. It can be very therapeutic but also startling as heck with the contrast of details between families.

Sorry if I 'hi-jacked' the post.I'm thrilled that you're back on MrsS and getting back in your 'groove'.

Lots of Hugs to you and your family,

Yes. It's doubly hard here, for these folks were our best man & best woman in our wedding. As we were sitting at a farewell dinner, it hit me that for the last time for a while, all of our 'wedding friends' would be together. It makes me glad when I can stop my day and enjoy friends.

My eyes grew misty with memories at this.

It reminded me of the holidays and summers at my grandma's house growing up. Grandpa and Grandma were only about 20 minutes away and so we visited often. Grandma didn't need an excuse to invite people over. The first sunny weekend of Summer she set forth the mandate that there would be 'dinner'. Everyone was expected to show and bring something. No fair showing up right at dinner time and leaving right after, either. You were expected to do your share.

Winter or summer, the table literally groaned with food. We had meat, potatoes, stuffing (if Thanksgiving), salads, a hot veggie, and at least 2 kinds of dessert. If it was the winter, we used the good china. If summer, we used paper or plastic.

As I got older, I began to help more in the kitchen and learned her secrets. To this day though, I can't replicate her fried chicken.

Thanks for the sweet memories and never mind the tears in my eyes. They're from the good, treasured, precious things. Thank you.

Happy news - I was down at the city planning office today and in conversation, I was told that I can have AS MANY chickens AS I WANT, as long as the smell isn't offensive.

I just called and ordered a few more.

It's good to know I'm not the only one with a 'favorite' pet.

You know, I DID offer a few worms about 10 days ago. I put a 'treat dish' in the brooder and there were 4 worms. They began crawling up over the side to get away from the light. The chickens actually RAN away and huddled in the corner of the brooder. (Then again my husband was standing right there with a louder voice!) They were working themselves up into a tizzy, inspite of me shooing them out into the middle of the brooder. I finally had to put them in the 'bucket' I used for changing the brooder. A few minutes and they were settled down. I removed the worms and sent them back to the compost bin. One chickie actually stepped on a worm (I think it was Shira) and the high-pitched cheep she let out reminded me of a 6 year old girl who was being chased by a worm.

I guess I'm going to have to get an old pie tin and gradually train them that 'treats' come on it.

BTW, I do hold each 'girl' at least once a day.

Last night when I was doing this, Golda hopped onto the water holder and was eyeing whomever I was holding, pecking at the corner of my apron, tugging at it. The other chicks turned their back to her and eventually cheeped to get down. I had to hold her 'in-between' the others. It makes me glad I don't have 20. I'd be doing this all day.

What is 'boring' to one person is fascinating to another. My grandma showed me an old accounting book she found of her father's. It was amazing to sit there and read his accounts of 'Mr. Johnson - 3 layers, .25' Mrs. Wheaton, 1 dz eggs every week', etc. The note that warmed my soul though, "Saw first crocus today. 18 degrees out. Glorious purple color. Can't wait for spring".

He is a sweetie. Those paws and face are SO CUTE! I'm so glad you're enjoying him. I think you're good for each other.

I share your joy! I found 2 bags of berries I forgot about in the freezer and we had them for Passover! YUM!!!

Good gracious, girl! Those winds can be scary. I've not experienced a 'caine or tornado either, but we've had winds here that have gotten pretty bad. Glad you & your family are safe.

YES!! !YES!! I am SO GLAD you posted these, Westie! My kitties and I thank you!

I somehow picked up a can of tuna in oil and it's been kicking around my kitchen. I'm anxious to try this and see if our girls like the homemade treats any better or less than the store-bought kind that we call 'junk food'.

Again, you made my day. These have been copied/pasted into Word and printed out.

Did I mention I'm so thrilled?

I agree that not everyone on food stamps is a mooch. They were designed to 'help out' or bridge the gap or fill in the gaps during tough times. Please don't listen to those hurtful words.

DO take the time to educate your children on when to call the doctor. Perhaps do weekly check-ins during 'normal' times and make a list of what circumstances 'set off' mania or depression. Chances are, if the kids are aware of it, they will help keep watch for it.

I found myself smiling at the question, "Was this my destiny?" Well, sometimes our destiny finds us. We are definitely shaped by our earlier experiences.

Congrats on the grain mill - I know you've been exploring your options for some time.

Just remember that a stored 'prep' item does you NO GOOD if you don't know how to use it, can't eat it, or don't know how to cook with it.

I second Westie, start learning now! Wheat berries are for more than just bread! You can sneak them into just about anything for extra protein.

I'm glad the landlord finally acted upon your request. I hope it's not too unsettling.

I think that people think Dream Whip is from their 'grandma's kitchen'....well I have to day that MANY good things came from my grandma's kitchen! Thanks for the reminder! I'm now looking for dream whip in the grocery.

Do feel better soon! Those alarms make me batty, just think of how sensitive a dog's hearing is!

To lunch and beyond!

LOL - we laugh all the time about ins. money.

I made Irish Soda Bread for St. Patty's Day and it was the BEST ever. You've inspired me to make a run to our grain store for more grains so I can bake more!

Great job!

BUT - you have a job! In the middle of a really lousy economy, you have a job and are getting a promotion (true w/o $$ and title, but STILL). What a blessing!

Congrats, Dear!

Oh Sere! But the possibility of a trip - sometimes that is as good as going! I'm glad that you at least thought it through, for when the opportunity comes next time you KNOW ahead of time what it will take and the pieces will fall into place easier.

I know the warmth of sunshine in the dead of winter. I crave it. I was so depressed I didnt get to go to sunny CA this Feb. for a conference. I shrugged and said, "Oh well. Next time."

Good to know there are always 'next times'.

We are all awkward! I join you in the awkward dance!

WOW...amazing. I'm wondering if you have any for cat food.