Necie

Got the lotion made yesterday and wrapped some soap. Went to the farm today. Mom and DS1 were there and had brought a riding mower for DS to mow the yard. My uncle usually does it with the tractor and pull behind mower, but he’s had some health issues and is working on recovering. Mom worked in the house cleaning and packing up some stuff that DSIS4 had taken off a couple of curios to take the curios to her building at the market. I worked in the camper and garden. Got the fridge put back together and turned on. It works!! Worked in the bedroom and got a power strip plugged in, little heater ready, and weather radio/clock/thermometer set up. There was a wet spot on the counter... found a leak!! 😡 Got the potatoes around that I brought home to plant in containers and a couple of each in my garden. Sprayed weed killer around the barnyard garden and the *patch* garden and got a start on the big garden. Mom had to leave early for a dr appt, so DS helped me pick some more rocks for my flower bed border. We had a confusing moment... when we started driving down the lane we could see ahead that there was a brush pile in the way. ?? So we went through a field to the bottom of the lane and there were limbs laying across the lane all the way going both ways. ??? DS thought maybe uncle. No... he’s been too tired and weak. We thought maybe another uncle that we’ve had problems with. Don’t make sense. He’s not supposed to be on the property, he’s too lazy, and it would block HIS access if he were coming in. Real head scratcher. So we get the rocks and head back and I notice something looks different in a fence row— it’s being cleared. AHHHH... the farmer that leases our farm ground has been clearing it and he must’ve trimmed down the lane to get his bigger equipment through. Mystery solved! So we get back to the house, lock everything up, and I took DS home and dropped some stuff off at the cabin. When I got home, I got the rocks placed... still need a few more. Hopefully I can get them before the weeds and vines take over. Also filled a couple of bird feeders. I’m trying to attract woodpeckers, bluejays, cardinals, etc... so that they’ll chase off the d@mn sparrows that drive me nuts!! Seems to be working... a little. (pics of limbs in lane... both ways from the bottom. and the big lilac bush getting ready to bloom) and Necie

Missed yesterday... Crocheted in the morning. Finished off my stack of towels, so got another bag out to poke holes in the tops. 163. Poked holes last night and this morning, so another stack ready to crochet. Went to the tackle store. DH ended up just buying line and putting it on his reel himself. I didn’t buy anything. Stopped at a friend’s house to get an anchor for DS(j)’s new boat. They’re having a yard sale next weekend, so let us go through stuff they already have pulled out. I got 2 Coleman camp chairs, 3 hotdog sticks, a small ceramic heater, a small fan, and the anchor for $25. Today... went to Mom’s. I took my bags of towels that I’ve been buying for the last year. Had 312. We pulled out the towels that she’d been buying and sorted, split and folded. I do crochet toppers and she does potholder toppers. I got the ones I wanted all folded and stacked. Mom sews the tops of them for me... cuz I don’t sew. DSIS(6) and her DH were there with one of their granddaughters(7) and DD stopped for awhile. So got to have a good visit too. Tomorrow I’m making lotion. Got an order for 2 batches, so that’ll take me most of the afternoon. and Necie

Well, planning doesn’t always work. Still not in the mood to work on more soup. Crocheted this morning. Then I felt like being outside. Unloaded the rocks from my van and got them placed. Still need a few more. Unloaded topsoil and got containers set to plant some potatoes. (Posted about in Challenge thread in Urban Homesteading). <<<Storm is just starting. 😬 >>> Planted the tulips and daffodils that I bought a couple weeks ago. Dug up some worms!! 🐛 That’s one good thing about all this rain... brings them up to the top. Just had to flip a couple rounds of wood over that DH hasn’t split yet. I *kinda* heard about Israel/Iran tonight. At the very end of our local news they said it was just in that Iran was closing their western airports due to explosions, but no word on what the explosions were yet. No mention of Israel, but... 1+1... DH’s new reel was delivered today, so he wants to go to the tackle store tomorrow and have them put line on it. Not sure what else I’ll get into. and Necie

Took the day *off* today. Well, sat and crocheted all day. I can’t stand to do nothing. But it was a lazy day. Didn’t even get dressed and never went outside. It rained and stormed most of the day. Some days that makes me lazy and others it gives me energy... today was lazy. Planning to get back to work on the soup tomorrow.

Loooooong day today. And I missed yesterday. Yesterday, I canned 7 qts of soup. Then DH wanted to run to the bait store for swivels. Then we took the boat out for about an hour. Got home and canned another 7 qts of soup. Yesterday was nice... actually, hot. Got up to 77 and very little breeze. Today was nice— about 70, but very windy that felt chilly when it was cloudy. Rain coming in tonight and supposed to be cooler the rest of the week. Picked up DS1 this morning and went to the farm. Had to fill up my van on the way. $3.59/gallon... almost $60 to fill up. At the farm, had DS fill the lawnmower and rotatiller with gas and load up the gas cans (3) so that I can get them filled. He also turned on the hot water heater in the house. I forgot the dishes and fridge parts that I brought home to wash and the gallon of hot water that I was going to bring to clean the fridge in the camper. I did get the hot water at Mom’s. So did get the fridge cleaned. Also sprayed the camper for wasps... there were 2 when I went in it. Took a small electric heater for chilly nights and a case of RK spring water. When we got done up around the house, I put a 15 gallon water tub that I usually use for potatoes when we dig them up in my backseat and we drove down the lane and up along the edge of a field to find a rock pile. Filled the tote with rocks to bring home and finish working on my flower bed on the backside of the house. I picked out the rocks and tossed them out to DS to put in the tote. Then we headed 45 minutes to a farm store to get some garden stuff. Stopped at McD’s—$20 for the 2 of us!! Then 30 minutes to DGD(13)‘s track meet. She was in 3 events... 800 relay (2nd), 400 dash (3rd), and 1600 relay (1st). It was a 4 school invite, so she did pretty good!! Didn’t get over til 8 and I still had to stop at Meijers and had a 1.5 hour drive home, so DX took DS1 home. Got celery at Meijers, so making/canning more soup tomorrow. Oh yeah... and I broke 2 fingernails today. and Necie

Canned another 14 qts of venison/veggie soup yesterday. 2 batches of soup gave me 21 qts. Have at least 3 batches left to do. Gotta get more celery.

DS2 and DDIL picked up the kids at about 10. We had a nice but short visit. They were heading home to plant more flats in their greenhouse. As they were pulling out, I was pulling the two bowls of chopped peppers out of the garage fridge to get busy canning. Canned another 27 half pints and put 11 half pints (in baggies) in the freezer (giving those to DS1 for his chili and fried potatoes... when he runs out, I’ll give him canned ones 😉). I hit the freezers hard trying to make more room. Pulled out stuff to start a batch of venison/veggie soup and got 7 qts in the canner after getting the peppers out. There was maybe 3-4 qts left in the pan, so I pulled more stuff out of the freezer and added it to the pan for another batch. Gonna start canning that in the morning and keep going. I think there’s enough venison still in the freezer for 3 more batches. I also pulled out a gallon bag of bananas and squeezed them out into pint bags... 4 bananas each... and back into freezer. Took up less space and they’re ready to use. I did get 2 qts of boiled dandelions and put those in the freezer. Found 3 qts still in there that were *lost* from last year, so I don’t think I’m going to dig anymore this year. Also found a qt bag of fish and took that out to the garage fridge/freezer. That’s about it for today. Back at it tomorrow. and Necie

Another 27 half pints of chopped pablano/anaheim peppers. And 7 qts of venison/veggie soup. I went to look at the canning time for the soup and it’s 90 minutes. Same as meat. 🤷‍♀️ Doesn’t make sense to me, but that’s what I did. Don’t know why, but I was thinking 40-45 minutes. Hasn’t been that long since I canned it. 🥴 D@mn CRS!!

Wellll... if you talk to me... they work fine. I’ve never had a problem with any jar that fits a regular canning lid (small or large mouth). Or any reused jar with a lug lid. Why, yes, I do reuse any jar I can get my hands on!

Busy day with the grandkids. Went to the park and just mostly messed around outside all day. I did manage to dig up a WM bag full of dandelion greens while we were outside this evening after dinner. Hoping there’s 2 qts to put in the freezer. Got them boiling now. Kids are supposed to be picked up sometime tomorrow morning. Then will get the house straightened up 😂 and back to canning peppers. and Necie

I still have Mom’s jars. I’m thinking they’re 24 ounce size though. IDK... I might have quart and/or pint. Seems there is a company that uses Mom’s jars... spaghetti sauce? pickles? Now I’m going to have to pay attention when I’m shopping. I think it’s Classico(sp?) spaghetti sauce that uses regular canning jars.

I forgot to add that I used 2 each of these lids today when canning the peppers. I have no idea how old they are, but the original price on one is 0.37c. I got them at a yard sale last summer for $1 each. I figured if they sealed, then I’ll use them on the next batch. All of them sealed.

Crocheted this morning. DH ran up to DG this morning to get milk cuz the grandkids are here for the weekend. One of the gals up there told him that Monday and Thursday this next week everything in the coolers/freezers will be 50% off. I’m going to check it out... not sure there’ll be anything I want, but figured I’d better get some room in the freezers in case there is. So I started pulling out gallon and 2 gallon bags of pablano and anaheim peppers, running them through the food processor to chop and canning them. Got one canner full done (27 half pints) and enough chopped to do another canner full on Sunday. And probably enough (maybe jalapeño) still in the freezer to pull out on Sunday for another batch on Monday or Tuesday. DS2 and DDIL got here with the grandkids about 6 and we had frozen pizza for dinner. Grandkids are staying til Sunday. They’ve been raising h€ll all evening and driving Grandpa nuts. They finally just laid down and they’re OUT!! They informed us that we’re going to the park tomorrow!! Works for me. I was thinking fishing, but it may be too windy. Today was absolutely BLUSTERY! and Necie

27 half pints chopped pablano/anaheim peppers

Pretty boring day, which was good by me. Crocheted this morning. Worked in the kitchen a bit this afternoon. I actually finally got to cross something off my *to do* list— cleaned out the fridge. Crocheted some more this evening. Rained all day. More tomorrow. Yuck. and Necie

Went fishing this morning. (Will start a post.) Then went to local hunting/fishing store and got DS1 a new reel for his birthday (in May). Also got myself a new rod/reel. My excuse is that it’s a late birthday present to myself. lol Got home and sorted through and organized tackle boxes and rigged new pole and redid a couple others. Pretty lazy day overall. Was nice just sitting around outside piddling around all day. Supposed to start raining overnight and for the next two days. So back to trying to get stuff done inside. DGD(13) has a track meet tomorrow... I’m thinking it will probably be canceled/postponed. and Necie

I had a canner go dry and warp when canning dry beans (90 minutes). It was a new canner, but cheap. Trashed it. The problem with a canner not being level is that the jiggler won’t jiggle correctly. My canner (AA) does that now because I have a cheap stove that *rolls* to the center. (Like my stupid mattress!! ) So my canner isn’t level. I’ve adjusted for/to it, although it still ticks me off.

Got my running around done today. Worked in the building at the flea market trying to get ready. Have soaps/lotions mostly set, so worked behind my table trying to get things cleaned up and reorganized. Not so easy. I work with my mom and she is totally unorganized and cluttered. We used to have separate areas at opposite ends of the building, but a few years ago we thought putting our work area in the middle would be better to keep one in the checkout area (mom) and one moving around for helping customers and *security* (me). And I thought maybe I could help her keep *her* area a bit more tidy.... nope. So we kinda each have our own side of the same space. Frustrating. Not sure what’s going on for tomorrow. Maybe fishing. We’ll see. DH seems to be looking for excuses. 🤷‍♀️ But I’ve thought that before and we ended up going. Go or not, it is what it is. I have plenty to do around here. I’m in an odd mood. Almost jittery. Like waiting for... something. Very uneasy feeling. Hopefully it’s gone tomorrow. and Necie

I missed yesterday... Was busy all day, but didn’t seem to really get much done. Didn’t get to cross anything off my list!! Mostly just piddled around the kitchen. Did get the 40# of sugar jarred up and in the basement. Loaded stuff that needed to go to the cabin or farm in the van. Took a break for awhile and DH and I went to see a nephew’s new house. DSIL (DH’s youngest sister) and DBIL were there helping him fix things and clean before moving in. Will be a really nice place when he gets it all done. DH and I both have big families... 7 kids in each. I have 1 brother and 5 sisters, DH has 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Both of us are #4 and each family has 14 nieces/nephews (odd, huh?). I’d have to get out paper and pencil to figure out how many great nieces/nephews. And the siblings in each family are really close... despite the occasional squabbles. 😂 Today was FARM DAY!! Picked up DS1 and dropped some stuff off at the cabin. Went to the farm and mostly worked on organizing the camper. Got my new fuzzy-wuzzy blankies from Ollie’s put on the bed. Found some old chicken wire to put over a couple of new (2 yrs) lilac bushes that the deer keep devouring. Was going to clean out the fridge in the camper, but when we turned the water on in the house the last time we were there, we didn’t turn the hot water heater on. FREEZING water. So I brought the parts out of the fridge home with me to clean. Tomorrow am going to Shipshewana to work in the booth at the flea market for awhile. I’m taking full advantage of these nice days. 73 today and supposed to be 68 tomorrow. and Necie

I’m not sure, but... I’m an experimenter. I’d use a hydrometer. Dump the jam in a bucket, add water, add sugar to get my settings where I want them, add yeast... go from there. I did this once with a bunch of old jellies/jams. I don’t like *sweets*, DH will only eat Welch’s grape, the kids had all moved out and didn’t want them. Made an awesome *Sangria*. 🍷 There was every type of fruit imaginable in that stuff!! lol

Well, obviously, today was not the day I thought it was going to be. Since I thought it was going to be Friday, and it ended up being Saturday, I didn’t get any of the stuff done that I planned on doing today... if it had been Friday. But, since it was Saturday, I ran up to DS2’s to give him his birthday card and gift card. He was excited about the gift card to that meat market... said he’d not been to that one yet. Then stopped at a small rummage store and got me 2 springform pans. One regular size and one a bit smaller. $3 for both. Also found an old pint milk bottle full of black marbles for $5. Now I’m trying to figure out how to tell if they’re purple. I collect black amethyst glass. Then went to mom’s. DSIS4 is staying there this weekend— medical issues. She was mostly in bed. DSIS6 was there too. DS1 decided to have a campfire since it was so nice, so we got camp chairs out of the cabin and DS1, mom, DSIS6 and I sat around the fire gabbing for a few hours. Nice to just sit and relax for awhile. Tomorrow I’m going to pretend like it’s Friday and get the stuff done that I’d planned on doing today if it had been yesterday. Clear as mud? and Necie

Make wine!!! 🍷

HAHAHAHA!!! I’ve thought it was Thursday all day. Thought TOMORROW was supposed to be Friday. Imagine my surprise when I just saw someone posted a pic of a sunrise this morning and said “HAPPY FRIDAY!!” Today was Friday. Tomorrow is Saturday. Just in case anyone else needed to know.

Crocheted 🧶 this morning. Made a double batch of soap— Southern Gentleman. I love this one... smells sooooo YUMMY!! Canned venison. 6 qts of mild Mississippi Pot Roast, 6 qts of medium Mississippi Pot Roast, and 2 qts of northern beans. Worked on taking care of some stuff and organizing in the kitchen while waiting on the canner. Crocheted some more this evening. Not sure yet what I’m doing tomorrow. ??? Can’t make more soap til next weekend. Maybe I’ll try to knock a few things off my *to do* list. and Necie

Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Euphrasyne!!! @themartianchick... I sometimes wish I got *dressed* more. My normal is jeans, t-shirt/sweatshirt, tennies, ponytail, and no makeup. Heck, when I had the goats and sometimes had to run up town for something (especially right after doing chores or a doe just kidding), I might even smell a bit funky... and who knows what kind of gunk might be on me. I really admire ladies that are all put together in public. I feel bad for everyone that’s having medical/money issues. I have neither... not sure that’s a good thing. Haven’t even been to a doctor in almost 25 yrs. Not that I have anything against them... just figure “if it ain’t broke...”. 🤷‍♀️ And money... well, I got some... just not enough to cause me problems. And with that... Went to town today— and spent too much!! Rural King— they had these bird food things..”stackers”- like a suet block, but seeds, round and thicker, on sale for .91c each. Normally $4.99. So I bought ALL 50!! Got 7 cases of spring water. <—-This is the reason I go to town. Nobody believes that I didn’t drink water until 2 years ago when I discovered this water. I hate water. 🤮 This is the only kind that I’ve found that I actually like. Also got DH a pair of RK jeans ($12), a 6 pk of daffodils that have small flowers for the grandkids fairy garden, and a couple other various bird foods and a feeder. Ollies— fuzzy-wuzzy blankies (3) for the camper, a queen size air mattress/sheets and two pillows. Goodwill— went to get me more jeans cuz I’ve had to throw away 2 pairs in the last couple months. Picked out 5 to try on, hoping that 2 or 3 would fit. I hate trying on clothes, so if nothing fits... I’m done. ALL 5 FIT!!! Also got DH a pair of jeans, a manual turn popcorn popper, a round electric skillet, and FOUR of those plug in strips (7 plugs) for $5 each. Went to WM instead of Aldis— 2 pots of really pretty light pink tulips (normal price was almost $6... on sale for $2.49... rang up $1.19– should have got more), 4 1# cans of Coleman lantern/stove fuel, 3 pk new cutting boards (DH request), stuff for venison Mississippi Pot Roast to can, fresh veggies to make stir-fry that I’ve been craving. Meat market— got DS2’s gift card. And of course I had to look around at all the specially stuff. Found a morel mushroom and leek jack cheese that I couldn’t pass up. And got a rotisserie chicken for dinner. Never had one before. It was pretty yummy. Got home and one of my seed potatoes order was here. The mini potatoes. Pretty small bags for the price. Not impressed. They better be much more impressive growing. Tomorrow I’m making more soap and canning venison. and Necie