The WE2's

Was a busy day but productive day for us. We got the mowing done at the homestead...well...he ended up having to do most of it because one of the big wheels on my mower broke (it was a plastic rim!), but I had most of the garden area mowed. He had mowed Abby's yard, the front easement, and the 2 lots on our east side. Now...we only have two more properties to mow! But...they are small yards. Got all our Elderberry shoots pushed into the dirt along the west fence line. We planted them a foot from the fence, and 2 feet apart. Probably planted somewhere between 20 and 25...so we are hoping we'll have a nice stand of Elderberry bushes. I watered them in while he was finishing the mowing. Weather was beautiful...but we sure worked up some "dew"! Then sat on the front porch and let the wonderful breeze cool us off as we drank some Propel drinks and then some water, and ate a Sweet N Salty food bar. Dried two loads of laundry at the homestead while we were doing all of these tasks. Came home and I fixed some spaghetti for supper with some fruit and jello for dessert. Still wondering where our stimulus checks are. I hope I didn't screw up by going ahead and doing the filer thing on the irs site.

Might want want to watch the recent video from utuber Provident Prepper...they had some very serious issues with the germination of the seeds from their seed bank. Bottom line...they said these seed banks should probably be replaced every 5 years. Their germination on lots of their seeds were less than 40%...just sharing.

Hubby mentioned to me (from a blog he's followed for years) that he's reading that all the foods that are being shipped and put on the shelves are foods that would normally come from October plantings...might want to consider "supply chain shock"..and watch for it ???

Bagged up the eggs we bought (except 2 dozen) and they're in the freezer. We'll take them to the homestead tomorrow. Called our farmer friends to check on them, and they wanted us to come out...said "you're the only ones we'll let on the place"! They had three Elderberry bushes growing under their ancient Walnut tree so we dug out the "mother" plants and then cut all the straplings into the shoots. Got a nice box full...probably about 30 shoots. Hopefully they'll all root. We're also going to dig out the two that we have in my "wild thing" garden and move them over there too. Also dug me out a nice patch of Thyme that she donated to me from the garden. We agreed when we went that we would not go inside the house and would keep our distances. All of us enjoyed having friends to "jaw" with. She had several Redbud trees in bloom and I asked her if she'd ever eaten any of them. They both looked a bit stunned...LOL So, they both stripped off some and were very pleasantly surprised at how sweet they are. I told her about how some people make jelly out of them as well as use them for cake decorations (by sugering them). Just walking around the farm, enjoying looking at different garden areas...her asparagus, raspberry bushes (she got one start from us) that are doing quite nicely...just enjoying the sunshine. Took her a couple dozen of the eggs we bought as well as a quart of my home canned potatoes and one of our cardboard can organizers...we weren't using it and she had mentioned some time ago how nice it would be to have some. Well...she only got one, but perhaps her hubby can use it for a pattern and then put it back together? She wants to container and raised bed garden so bad, but her hubby is an old school gardener and just can't help himself...gotta till up the dirt and row it out!

We accessed the "non-filers" thing on irs.gov and went ahead and filled out a very simple tax return. Now we wait...again.

Same here...so went ahead and filed a "return" even though we didn't need to. Was a pretty simple form other than all the verification info. It was available on the IRS.gov site so not a scam thing.

I watched a video of a woman making mask's out of anklet socks. Used to be able to buy them at $Tree.

Pulled some of the DIY hand sanitizer wipes from my bigger container and stuck some more in the little one we keep in the vehicle. Cheaper than using up the little bottles of hand sanitizer. Picked up a couple of pizza's while we were shopping, so it was EZ on the cook night...pizza. Hubby loves that stuff. I had one piece, that's enough for me.

We went Amish shopping and then WM and Aldis. Needed to replenish things here that we've used. We stopped at the WM that was in the town we were shopping at and it was very well organized...and had tp and pt as well as some Lysol! Limits on the tp and pt, but that was ok, the WM here in this town was out of tp. Bought several more packages of paper napkins, using them instead of paper towels and more easily purchased. Both WM's had an employee spraying down all the carts with a garden sprayer with some solution (soap and water...sanitizer?) Anyway...that was good to see. We didn't have to wait at the first store but we did here at this one. Not a long wait, only about 5 minutes...long enough for two more to exit. Aldis was a different story! Only he could go in, and the woman that was "wiping" down the handles of the carts (they were free...no quarter needed) was hit and miss at best. She was trying to keep track of how many were going in, coming out and wiping down the carts. Only needed ziplock bags there. Did buy a boat sinking load of eggs at one of the Amish stores, so we'll be bagging and freezing them tomorrow. Five dozen for $12+ medium sized...okay with me. The cashiers there had mask and gloves on. Also replenished our supply of shredded cheese...it freezes very well. The hard cheeses just break down too badly if frozen. Also picked up another package of yeast, some hamburger and some chicken breast in a bulk bag. Also a bag of oranges, just in case we run out of orange juice and can't buy any at Sav-A-Lot. We enjoy the brand they carry. Didn't find any acceptable dog food...only puppy food but she's got quite a bit in her galvanized trash can lined with contractor bag. If she get's low we'll go to Tractor Supply if we have to....just very pricey for good dog food. Looked up on the IRS site to see where we might find the status of our stimulus...said they didn't have any data. So, went ahead a filled out the form/tax return thing for non-filers. Guess we'll have to just wait and see. Glad our state government isn't in charge of it...it would really be a mess! They kept saying "if you're on social security and get a check every month, you don't have to do anything and you'll have your check by the 15th of the month"...joke! They don't know how it is dealing with the IRS...even though they should! Rant over...

Wondering if the "big banks" get theirs first and then the credit unions later?

Pretty much like everyone else...staying inside. Hubby did work again most of the day since he's taking off tomorrow. We're going Amish shopping to replenish what we've used. Hopefully they have tp and pt...just hate the thought of having to go to WM for either! It's not that we're out. I just want to replenish what we've used. Weather is fair during day but cold at night. Supposed to rain after midnight. I guess quite a ways north of us they're getting snow and expecting more??? Even though I've got several seed pots going, and only a few that have germinated, I'm still planning to stop at one of the Amish stores to pick up some of their plants. I like them and know that they're pretty "clean". I'm not sure if I should put them in the other mini-green house with it's zippered cover. I think they'll be fine since it's not getting over 50'ish during the day and freezing at night. Sure wish we had of had time to build a cold frame...but it didn't happen. Our "wonderful" governor extended the stay at home thing until May 3rd...unfortunately there's going to be a rally on his door step in a few more days. He's scared of his shadow and trying to earn browny points in an effort to get re-elected to a post he only stepped into by default. Ourselves...we understand being cautious, but it's going a bit too far when there's not near as many infections and deaths as most of the other states. We checked the county where we're going shopping and they've had ONE diagnosed this month, and they've recovered. We're seeing a lot of run-a-ways in the news though, in different states. These kids are just not used to being cooped up without their friends etc. Abby-girl's fur can't decide if it's supposed to be a winter or summer coat...can't hardly keep up with the shedding! We're brushing her like crazy with her "glub" but you can still see tiny hairs peeking through the other, longer hair. Looks a bit rough. Put on a beef stew for supper in my electric pressure cooker. Nice...the meat was frozen. Just put it on bottom in some sesame seed oil, added some chunks of potatoes, some carrots, some green beans and tomatoes...some Montreal Steak Seasoning (I use that stuff alot!) and had supper ready in an hour. When it was done, it went to "warm" so that's where it stayed until supper time.

Read a post on FB that said they may not come in until the 17th...oh well, it is what it is. We'll surely get the truck's engine running!

I won't be planting any containers until after the last frost...which looks like another week. Haven't been over to the homestead to check on the potatoes etc., but it is what it is. Hubby's been working full days to get the current job done and then Friday we're going to slip away to Amish country and see if we can replenish some things we've used during this "mess" our country is in. It's not that we "need" it necessarily, but we "need" to replace what we've used just in case this thing lasts longer than anticipated...or.... Ya'll know we just don't normally like ground turkey, but we bought several packages for less than 2$ and I turned one package into "sausage crumbles" and tonight I made what I'm calling "Turkey Balls" with Noodles/Alfredo and garlic bread. Very tasty indeed! I used Montreal Steak seasoning in the meat...couldn't even tell it was ground turkey. Finished folding and putting away a load of laundry a bit ago so other than sayin' hello here...I'm done for the night. PS...they were baked.

I call it the "gardener's itch"! LOL

Great idea for both of you! It was wonderful for us to spend our Easter celebration out in the fresh air.

Thought I'd update our photo by a few months...

We're still waiting. They say that those on regular SS don't have to do anything but wait because they already have your direct deposit information...??

Abby-girl and I stuck around the house today and hubby did the usual. Worked at the homestead during the morning hours and then his customer this afternoon. Still fairly cool during the day but freezing at night. So far my seedling experiment is hanging in there. From what I'm seeing around our country, I am very glad we bought up so many seeds when Dollar General was clearing them out at a penny a pack! So far our state is doing pretty well and our city is doing excellently. "Father...I thank you for strengthening our walls and securing your banner over our city...in Jesus' name..."

That's so hard to not fear...hubby's cousin's husband had to be rushed to ER (In Texas) with what they thought might be a heart attack. Tent out front. She was only able to get him in (with masks) and then had to leave. They are a lovely Christian family but she's beside herself with him being there were he could get exposed to the "mess" out there. Got word he's doing great with one stent, but may need a pacemaker. If so, she wants him moved to a heart specialty hospital.

The basement at the homestead may not be the fanciest but it's there and we would go if it's daytime. Probably hit the bathroom tub if we had to stay here...yes...motorcycle helmet ready!

Know what you mean Kappy...sometimes they seem like a pain in the kazoo, but absolutely necessary. We have ours set for about a 100 mile radius which seems overkill, but we want to know where it's at, where it's heading and which counties are being alerted. We have three..one here, one at the homestead and one that rides in our camper...whichever one we're in.

WOW Jeepers...you just about got caught didn't you!

Celebrated Easter with a nice 2 mile walk through one of our favorite State Parks...took lots and lots of pics! The field of Bluebells were magnificent! Stopped along the side of the rolling creek/stream and just listening to the gurgle was so nice. The birds were in full swing...seemed they were praising the Lord too! The wild blackberries were just greening up, the wild roses were also just greening up, and the wild grape vines were hanging "dead to the world". Then worked this afternoon at the homestead. Hubby donned his overalls and into the crawl space he crawled...and filled his little wagon with broken glass, shards of rock and concrete pieces, musty insulation...we're betting at one time probably 50 years or so? ago someone homeless was staying in there...judging from the age of the debri. He rolled his little wagon to the opening and I stood on the first rung of the ladder with a 5 gallon bucket, and emptied his wagon () and then I lowered the buckets to the floor. Got 5 buckets full...but there's a lot more! The further back he got the less room he had...and I am NOT volunteering! Then came home, cleaned up and I fixed meal #3 from my pressure cooked chicken...I guess I'm calling it a layered green bean casserole. First layer was shredded potatoes, 2nd layer was shredded chicken, 3rd layer was sliced mushrooms, 4th layer was mushroom soup, 5th layer was dried onions and 6th and last layer was shredded taco flavored cheese. Baked at 400 for 20 minutes then added the cheese, and baked just long enough for the cheese to melt. Pretty good eating! It started raining about the time we quit at the homestead and the temp has dropped big time and the wind is roaring! My plant starts are doing just fine in their little green house and the potatoes seem to be ok also. Tonight it's supposed to be 29...so...??? Glad I left the wool blanket on the bed between the gel mattress and our sheet, didn't put away my long johns nor take the fleece blankets off the bed!

Now he's mad at momma again...I hate PTSD! Never know which way he's going to go...implode or explode!

While hubby worked on the water lines, I sorted some of things we had only dated and set in the kitchen, and put them away in the pantry or some...boxed and ready to go upstairs for storage there. We've got potatoes sticking their little heads up in the raised beds. PTL! When they get about an inch or so, we'll cover them with compost until the compost reaches the top of the blocks. Will add more blocks if we need to.