Necie

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

Today is (was) Wednesday. Tomorrow is Thursday. Sorry... just trying to keep track. Everything seems to be running together. I need *summer* (schedule). Crocheted this morning. Cut soap and made another double batch of Cherry Almond. Cherry Almond is one of my best sellers. Smells like the old Jergen’s lotion. The lotion sells really well... the soap sells better. Got the venison cut up and ready to can. DH helped. Last time we cut up 2 hind quarters and I got 10 qts. This time was 2 front quarters, part of a hind quarter (?), and some rib meat. I’m going to do it Mississippi pot roast style and think I should get about the same amount. Will can it Friday. “Free for all” for dinner. I had an everything bagel with cream cheese and tortillas with queso. DH had a cheese toastie and bowl of mini wheats. lol Shredded more scrap soap. Tomorrow I’m running to town. Rural King, Goodwill, Aldis and Ollies. Also need to stop at a local meat market and get DS2 a gift card for his birthday. Today was (as the local weatherman said) an UGLY spring day. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same. It warms up Sunday (50s), but still rain. But Monday-Wednesday sounds like they’re going to be GORGEOUS. Upper 60s. Trying to decide what to do which day— Shipshewana, farm, mom’s/cabin... maybe just go fishing. 🎣 I know that I definitely WON’T be in the basement making soap/lotion!! and Necie

Weather has turned crappy again. Started yesterday.. damp, chilly, windy. Had a couple small thunderstorms yesterday evening and last night. Cold, wet, and windy today. Rain off and on. Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow. I think the ground is too warm for it to stick though. Chilly and more rain for the rest of the week and weekend. Yuck!! Crocheted 🧶 this morning. I got my fragrance and essential oils Saturday and yesterday. I only had .5-1oz of Cherry Almond fragrance oil left before I ordered. So today I made a double batch of Cherry Almond soap and a batch of Cherry Almond lotion. Got the venison out to work on, but it’s still froze. So I shredded scrap soap instead. I have a ZERO waste policy. It gets rebatched into a discount soap. Crocheted 🧶 some more tonight. Tomorrow... more soap, more lotion... venison. I finally flipped my date book to April today and transferred everything left on my *to do* list. Realized I’m not really getting much done off it... and I keep adding to it. I need to work on that harder. Market starts in less than a month— April 30th. After that, it’s really a struggle to get anything done. and Necie

Got behind... busy weekend. Got DGD(13) Friday evening and she ended up staying til Sunday. We tried 🎣 Saturday afternoon (she doesn’t get up til noon lol). Just off shore in a couple places and didn’t get a bite. She had wanted pot pies for dinner, but when I asked— how about I fry up some bluegill and make mac & cheese?? — well, that helped the mood. Then we went to DG to do Easter baskets for the littles— DGS(6) and DGD(4). I let her pick the baskets and all the stuff to go in them... and one for herself, of course. Yesterday, DS2 and DDIL and kids came down and we all had fun grilling and cooking and playing in the yard. It ended up being nicer out than we thought it was going to be. Crocheted this morning. Ran to Shipshewana and dropped off soaps/lotions at flea market, then to E&S (big Amish bulk store) to get some soaping supplies. Then to a small Amish store on the way home to fill lp tanks for the camper and found large mouth Pur canning lids for $1.69/doz— got 10 of them. Leftovers for dinner and crocheted some more tonight. Tomorrow am making soap and lotion and working on more venison. and Necie

DS2 brought his new smoker/grill down and made “kicking’ chicken” thighs and “Texas twinkies” (bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers) on it. DDIL and I made cheesy bacon broccoli and Buffalo dip inside. We were all stuffed with leftovers enough for everyone.

I’m thinking of doing a few in barrels. I don’t think 5 gallon buckets are big enough..? I have 2 plastic trash cans that I think are 30-33 gallon size and 3 old plastic water tubs from when I had the goats that are 15 gallon, I think. So I could do 5 different ones. The problem is that once I poke holes in the bottom for drainage, then they’re ruined for anything else... 🥴

Got the camper to the farm, set up and plugged in. Might end up moving it later, but gonna try it with electric for now. Mom and DS1 were there. Mom worked on rearranging the living room a bit. DS1 and I hauled a bunch of our camping stuff from the kitchen to the camper. DS1 and I also measured our *tater patch* garden. My guestimations suck. It’s 16x64. One side (64’) has fence, so I need 6 stock panels to fence it in. I want to plant pumpkins/squash in it this year, but I need to keep the deer out. DS2 said he’d bring his big trailer down to haul some up to the farm. I’ll probably take extras to maybe fence part of the big garden... maybe. Then went to mom’s and dropped some stuff off in the cabin. DD stopped to drop off the case for Dad’s flag from his funeral... her DFIL made it for Mom. He’s amazing with woodwork. She also picked up some of dad’s golf shoes and stuff to donate to a lower income school for their golf team. Mom told her that if none of the grandkids wanted any of the MANY golf clubs, that she could have them too (or whatever’s left) for the school also. Then went to DS2’s to pick up more venison to get canned. Ended up bringing DGD(13) home with me. Now we’re just sitting here playing on our phones. She wants to go fishing tomorrow. 🎣 🐟 and Necie

HI @kappydell!! @Littlesister, don’t fret about the garden stuff. Just do what you can do. Little bits add up. If you get your raised beds set up later, maybe you could do some things that have a short grow season. Or if by fall, you could do some cold weather crops. Maybe put some hoops and plastic over them like a little greenhouse or cold frame. Crocheted this morning. Made another double batch of Oatmeal Milk & Honey soap and a batch of Black Raspberry Vanilla lotion. Ordered essential oils and fragrance oils that I’m out of or low on. There goes $550. Going to the farm tomorrow. Taking the camper to get it set up and ready for summer and probably work in the house a bit to get things arranged and set back up for some summer sales. Kids have decided they want to come here for Easter. DS2 wants to bring his smoker that he got for Christmas and make *something*. He also thought we should do an egg themed day... he wants scotch eggs for breakfast. I thought about trying to plan out a meal and run to the store... but that doesn’t sound like anything I want to do. So I guess we’ll just wing it— I have plenty of options. and Necie

I use both essential oils and fragrance oils. The peppermint soap and lavender lotion are both with essential oils. The Apple Cinnamon soap is a fragrance oil. I prefer fragrance oils... essential oils give me a headache. 🤕 But doesn’t matter what I like or not... gotta make what sells. Crocheted this morning. Made a double batch of Oatmeal Milk & Honey soap and a batch of Lilac lotion. Canned 10 qts of venison and 4 qts of northern beans.

Crocheted this morning. Made soap— a batch of Peppermint and a batch of Apple Cinnamon. Made a batch of Lavender lotion. Cut up venison. Well, I cut it off the bones/trimmed and DH cut it into chunks/trimmed. Have 2 big bowls full in the garage fridge. Tomorrow will cut soap, make more soap, make another batch of lotion, and can venison.

Crocheted this morning. Wrapped soap this afternoon. I think 120 bars. Or 165. But I think 120. Five more written down on the *to make* list. No rush though on those. Crocheted more this evening. On the way home from Mom’s yesterday, I stopped at DS2’s and picked up a couple of venison leg quarters that he had in the freezer. They’re almost thawed. I think tomorrow, I’ll make soap in the morning and work on canning the venison in the afternoon. If there’s time, I might try to squeeze in a batch of lotion. Nice today— 65* and sunny, but quite breezy. Tomorrow supposed to be same temp, but rain/storms and VERY breezy... they’re saying 50+mph gusts. Still no fishing 🎣— DH said maybe next week. and Necie

Good day today. Kids and Mom came down. DS2 & DDIL got here first— no kids. 🤨 DDIL wants to learn to make bread... asked if I have *a book*... We found her a good beginner book. She was laughing cuz it’s the same one she was thinking about ordering online. She also now knows that I have *more advanced books*. I also gave her a bread machine (with guide book and extra *bread machine book*) that I had in the basement and have never used. She was looking through the beginner book and said “hmmm.... I don’t have a wooden spoon”. I 😂 and said “I think we can fix that!!”— I’m a utensil freak... specializing in wooden!! 😂 DS2 brought his trailer and we loaded him up with hog panels to add on to his pig pens. 🐷 10 total. 4 were down and 6 we had to take down. Good working outside even for just a little bit. Gave him 4 boxes of dog food for dog/pigs/chickens and also 20# of the Pontiac red seed potatoes that I got at RK. Gave Mom and DS1 3 qts of green beans and a pint of sauerkraut. Hopefully she likes the sauerkraut and wants more. DD & DSIL brought pizza. They got it from the little tavern right here in town. It’s new on their menu. We were all really impressed. DH and I said that’s where we’ll get pizza from now on! @Mt_Rider sounds like you had a GREAT ride!! I can’t even imagine what getting on a horse would do to me. 🤕 It’s been ages since I rode. @Littlesister, sounds like you’re making good progress on sorting and clearing things out! There are areas where I need to work on that. 🥴 Also, good job on the rain barrels. Options are always good. I should probably store more water, but it just seems one of those things that I really don’t worry about much. We have a shallow well and hand pump if the house well goes out. Both BO locations also do. There are also alternate water sources (lakes/ponds/streams) at all 3 locations. If we know there’s a weather event coming, we fill buckets and jugs. And I also have water canned. Going to mom’s tomorrow for Sunday dinner. We used to do every Sunday, but last year we started doing once a month (sometimes more). DSIS6 is bringing pulled pork for sandwiches, DSIS4 is bringing chips/dip, I’m taking the leftover chili and dessert— leftover pies from today. It’s been difficult getting grandkids to go.. they’re all in their 20s and 30s— most with kids, and all so busy. We’ll see how many we have tomorrow. and Necie

Yesterday was kinda slow. Crocheted in the morning. Was gonna make DSIL that banana cream cheesecake, but I guess I don’t have a springform pan... or can’t find it. Decided to use my big pulman bread pan and started digging through the freezers looking for mashed banana... Nope. I know they’re in there somewhere. This is why my freezers need used up and cleaned out. I did find 5 more bags of fish in the stand up and took them out to the garage. So no banana cheesecake today. Told him I have a chocolate cream pie and a whipped cheesecake pie in the freezer for today and I’ll do the banana later... maybe his b’day in June. Took 3 boxes of jars (full and empties) to the fruit cellar. I hate stairs!! I have 4 boxes of home canned dog food that I’d made for our last lgd. I need to give them to DS2 for his dog/chickens/pigs... but he’s gonna have to haul them upstairs. Made dinner, then sat down and crocheted some more. Kids and Mom are coming down today. DD is bringing pizza!!