The WE2's

I also have heard that spray deodorant works great on stings. Hubby recently got an arm full of mosquito nips...and used a hemorridal gel (we stock it because it says on the package that it stops itch & stings) and it worked great!!!

Haven't used Kava Kava for several years, and then only periodically. After reading some of the warnings on prescription meds, I would wonder if anything is really "safe" if taken over long periods of time and if not taken properly. Drug abuse is just as bad as herb abuse?

Abby was totally mesmerized by the scampering squirrels during our 4 days R&R aka "bug out"!

Monday...and it's back to the current "life". Had an absolutely wonderful four days. Still don't have the hot water thing in the upper apt. fixed, so son's been showering downstairs in his grandma's apt. We'll get it fixed soon I'm hoping. Old, old, OLD plumbing is yucky! (this apt. hasn't been lived in for 25+ years) Anway, we had beautiful weather and our camping friends joined us. What more can you ask for? Great weather, great friends, great food, and really laid back! Thought I'd share some pics!

Love 'em...quick, easy, and so VERY appropriate to display "emotions"!

Just returned from a few days of "R&R) aka "bugging out" aka "scratching the hitch itch"...! Here's a few views from our travel trailer. Had some friends join us in their camper and really had a wonderful time to just kick back. Now...mountain man is back to work screening in a back porch for one of his clients.

Just back from a "bug out" (as we call it) and the squirrels were absolutely dilerious in their running around gathering and scampering, paying little to no attention to our dog Abby or anbody elses for that matter. Maybe they've been around the area long enough to know that most dogs are leashed, but ...??? Even a groundhog raided a neighbors bread basket (they'd left in a cooler) and another's crockpot lid found it's way off. Guess the GH found the lid a bit hot? Pretty early for these types of animals to be so brazen? As for mice...I haven't seen any yet in this house and we can't set out poisons because of Abby...maybe her presence and curiosity will keep them from wanting in??? I'm sure she's love to wrestle one to the ground! LOL

Pretty much "ditto" to all of the above comments. I do not clip coupons either, for the very same reasons. As empty nesters I don't need a discount on baby diapers LOL! I seldom shop at WM unless I just can't find it in discount stores. I've definitely noticed the price increases in everything! So for me, keeping my shopping list balanced with the current prices seems more sensible to me than using up my pantry "stock". If I do run out of something (milk etc.) and I go to my pantry, then I re-stock plus 1...sort of "paying back the pantry" for loaning me it's stores! LOL

Yes, they do feel "sticky"...but we've been able to clean the sides and roof of our camper using only vinegar and a microfiber as well as the flooring. It's the "roughage" I guess...but it sure does take off the grime etc. without using harsh chemicals and/or brushes etc. Camper exteriors are notorious for being hard to clean, and lots of danger of using chemicals. Just was wondering what ladies here thought. Sounds like I'm pretty much alone on this subject. LOL

Letting it sit out to dry...or allowing it to sit in water over night...BOTH good ideas!!! It sure ends up being a thick concoction! I'm thinking about adding a few drops of lemon juice to sort of spice things up. Guess you could add whatever you want? I still am dealing with the lack of suds in my dishpan. Guess I'm spoiled? Got any ideas ladies how we can improve this and not be costly or irritants to those who have allergies? This is "our" batch...we can do whatever we want! LOL

 

 

Update...I still just don't like it...not enough suds. It cleans very well, but I guess I need to "see" some bubbles. You ladies got any ideas?

This is no surprise here...if corn seed goes sky high (which I believe it will because we're burning all of it in fuel, plus adding the drought) this spring...guess what? Chickens eat corn! That's one reason we had to hunt for corn seed at the end of August...none of the stores had it! Paid nearly $5 a scoop...but bought some any way.

WE JUST PAID OFF OUR HOUSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

You're about to enter the greatest realm of peace!!! We live debt free and it's absolutely wonderful. Uncle Sam gets us every year for taxes (and of course insurances) but it's wonderful!!! Congratulations!!!

Still no tips? Hubby also wants to run an extra water heater tank to always have extra water stored.

One of the most valuable items I think I keep are microfiber cloths. When hubby and I attended an "RV Bootcamp" event a few years ago we were shown how to use these wonder cloths with only water, vinegar, alcohol or ammonia to do just about every type of cleaning you'd need on your RV...inside or out. The main thing about them, if you want them to be effective for this type of use, is to NEVER use fabric softener on them because they cease to be as absorbent. I'm amazed at what they can do in the line of cleaning. Just wondering if any of you around here love them as much as I do. I've purchased nearly all of mine at WM in bulk packages in the automotive sections.

So I have a stupid question. How do you vaccum seal a jar?

Not a stupid question at all! I've found 3 ways. First, I can use the hose attachment on my food saver and the "lids" you can purchase separately. Second, I can use my cannisters (bought separately) and sit my jar inside the cannister with the hose attachment. Third, (and not as efficient?) is to use a tiny awl, punch a tiny hole in the lid of the jar. Place a tiny piece of electrical tape over the hole. Then using a hand pump (available from WM) draw out the air, and the lid should seal. The press the tape down very firmly. Check your lids (always) after a day or so to make sure they are still sealed. Just a precautionary thing for me.

Grapes. They are some variety of red seedless and they were free! (I just had to pick them) I dried a few a couple of days ago and they are a bit more tangy than store bought but I think they'll be great in muffins and bread! So, my dehydrator will be full of grapes for the next week.

 

 

QUOTE (Prickle @ Jul 30 2009, 02:13 PM) Another question:

 

Does it make any difference if you leave the empty trays on or take them off the dehydrator while it's running?

 

I dry my onions until "crisp". As for the trays, mine requires a minimum numbers of trays to operate properly. The trays don't have to have anything on them, but they need to be there for the fan element to work correctly. Do you have the manual? (I have the one that Wal-Mart sells - American Harvester, maybe?)

I dry until crisp...they "plink" when you drop them on the tray or counter. I also use at least 4 trays...empty or not. I have the American Harvester and Open Country Garden Master. Enjoy them both, think they do a great job. I don't do blueberries because they are "hard" surfaced.

Book #3 The Long Way Home by Lorraine Snelling.

Letting it sit out to dry...or allowing it to sit in water over night...BOTH good ideas!!! It sure ends up being a thick concoction! I'm thinking about adding a few drops of lemon juice to sort of spice things up. Guess you could add whatever you want? I still am dealing with the lack of suds in my dishpan. Guess I'm spoiled? Got any ideas ladies how we can improve this and not be costly or irritants to those who have allergies? This is "our" batch...we can do whatever we want! LOL

Love this...

Tuesday...hubby's trying to finish two work projects before he hitch up our travel trailer for a much needed "bug out". Watched a video a bit ago, thought some of you might enjoy this as it's dealing with the use of herbs.

Monday...son got the job! This has been such a stressful few months, with him separating from wife (lived in AZ) and moving back to home state. Helped him get a house only to get fired by the company he transferred in with. Had to make a BIG U-Turn in our life, re-model the upper apartment at the homestead (Mom lives in lower apt.) so he could have a place rent free for the time being. Then found all the plumbing (which has been sitting for 30 yrs.) was shot and had to spend dollars we couldn't really afford, to get him a toilet, faucets, and shut-offs etc. Now only have to get the hot water side fixed...thank God Mom's downstairs (his grandma) so he's able to shower. BUT...he got the job he had applied for! Hallelujah!!!

So, where is your recipe ?? We want to make some, too !!

PHILBE'S HOMEMADE LIQUID DISH SOAP

(for hand washing dishes)

What you'll need:

Wire whisk

1 bar of Yardley's soap (whatever fragrance you like) or Ivory

Medium sized stock pot w/lid

Empty gallon bleach jug

3 Tablespoons of Super Washing Soda

1) Shred the soap (use food processor or grater) as fine as possible.

I prefer almost to a powder.

2) Fill bleach jug a little less than half full of water and then pour that amount into your stock pot.

3) Bring water to a near boil (DO NOT BOIL!) and reduce heat.

4) Add soap shreds and whisk vigorously, and frequently until soap shreds are totally dissolved.

5) Add Super Washing Soda, turn off heat, and continue to whisk.

6) Fill the bleach jug again, a little less than half full of water and pour into stock pot of soap mixture.

7) Wisk vigorously and put lid on. Let sit overnight.

8) When morning arrives, pour finished mixture into bleach jug, but leave room at top of jug to shake before each use. I like to write "Dish Soap" on the jug with my magic marker.

Applause!!! An apple a day keeps doctors at bay??? Apples are always something wonderful for us. Read a book once where he said "eating the seeds of an apple fight cancer"...something about them drawing bad cells into their mass and destroying them...??? Just passing it along, have absolutely NO documentation! LOL

I buy tons of "vegetable medley" bags of cauliflower, broccoli & carrots in the frozen section of our discount grocers (Aldi's) for about $1.50 a bag. I'm able to add chicken chunks for a stir fry and then use different "seasonings" for different taste. They also work great in my crockpot along with some beef, onions & celery. They also steam up great just for a side. My deep freeze is always chucked full of them because they're so economical for us (2) all year long. They are absolutely wonderful laid out on my dehydrator and then vacume sealed in a mason jar with the attachment. We've downsized our budget ALOT with just that one little item. I also believe "sometimes" better is truly better...in toilet paper. I spend a bit more on the "stronger" brand and use alot less of it! Paper towels...half sizes. I also make my own laundry soap. I practice the spend less method because I want to...I need to know how to should I need to. I'm betting you're gonna get tons of extremely good and important advise within these pages!