Popping In

I am just popping by to say hey.... I have been super busy the past couple of days. I will fill you all in really quick. I met up with my boss yesterday morning. I got my check and he told me I am laid off till the end of March. I told him you can call me but I may have another job by then. I really hope to have another job by then. I don't want to go back there. But on to happy news I got my dehydrator yesterday. It has settings for different things. I will post more about it later.

Went to the fish fry and that wasn't to bad. We had more people this week and hopefully with lent coming we will have lots more. The fish fry's are providing a way for us to raise money to support our veterans. Then Dh and some friends and I went out to the bar. Loads of fun was had by all. I was the DD for last night. Everyone got home safe and sound.

Today we went to a motorcycle swap meet. It was lame. I was hoping to find some things that I have been looking for. I have a 200cc bike that needs a couple of parts. I so want to get that running for this summer. I want to ride around town. I would love to get a vespa. But I can't afford them. So my little bike will have to do. LOL!

The mouthy monster is not feeling well again. She was fine Thursday night and went to school on Friday. So I don't get it. We decided not to go out tonight. We are watching movies, playing video games and eating pizza. Not to bad for a Saturday night, everyone is happy.

Tomorrow is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, SUNday, SUnday.... LOL! I love doing that sunday thing. I think that the cardinal team is going to win. Why do I say this, you ask. I don't watch football all year. But I love super bowl sunday. We go to bowl party and every year I choose to root for the underdog team. I understand football I just choose not to follow it. So as you can see I don't know anything about either team. Last year, can't even remember the team but I loved rooting for them and they won.... That was so great as everyone told me that I shouldn't root for them. LOL! I sure showed them. So I will continue to root for the least favored to win and maybe I will get lucky again this year.... GO CARDINALS! YEAH TEAM! roflmao!


Well, anyway this is my prediction for tomorrow! I will talk to you all again after the game!
Yart

Thank You Mother Hen!

Mother Hen @ Ship Full O' Pirates has given me my first Blogging Award! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my little spot on the net. I am very honored!!!

I am going to pass on the award to some other creative blogs.

Edain @ English, Pagan and in Canada!
Dawn @ Domestic Witch
Moon @ The Nocturnal Knit Witch
K @ Survival Kitchen

Now it’s your turn to pass it on to some deserving creative blogs.

This is what you need to do…Thank the person who gave the award to you, post the award on your blog or on a post, nominate up to 10 blogs which show great creativity, link to the people you chose on your post, and comment on their blogs to tell them about the award!

Snow, Snow & More Snow

We are getting more snow here today. It was only suppose to be a small amount but it looks like about 5 inches so far. Plus it doesn't look like it is going to stop any time soon. The mouthy monster is home today. She threw up the Tylenol I gave her, this morning. So on the couch she lays watching cartoons. LOL! She is quiet and waiting for her jello.

I got 4 loaves of bread and 12 waffles made yesterday. I also used the powder cheese to make mac n cheese. It turned out really well, the cheese was from Gordon Food Services. I think it was like $2.50. Mix cheese mix and water, that easy. The monsters compared it to velvetta. Dh liked it with tortilla's. So it was a hit and now I can stock up on it for later. Also $3.50 for the meal for 6 people.... works out to be like .59 cents a person and there was some leftover. Can't beat meals like that. Also there is some of the cheese leftover for chips later....yummmmm!

I sorted all of my canned goods. Now I have a better idea of what I need to purchase. Teenage monster wanted to know how much we would need for a year. I told her that we use 3 cans of vegetables 4 times a week. She figured it out and came up with 624 - 15oz cans for a year. That is a ton of cans. She at least now understands why I have a food storage.

Well, I haven't heard from my boss for almost 2 weeks. I called him Monday but he hasn't called me back. So I think that I am unemployed. I am just hopeing that I can get my paycheck. Keeping my fingers crossed. That was the money I was going to use to buy the pressure canner and the dehydrator. I was a contract employee so I don't get unemployment. Now I get to go and try and find something else part time. Hopefully, I will get something soon.

Mouthy monster just asked for hamburger helper for dinner. So that is what we shall have. Beef pasta, green beans, bread & butter and maybe cake... that is if I can get motivated to make one. LOL! I got all the laundry and my mile walk done, read all of my mail, checked out the blogs, and made lunch. This morning really did just fly by. It is almost time to get the other 2 monsters.

Huggles
Yart

Monday Bread's

I just want to drop you all a quick note and share the recipes and pictures of the pumpkin nut bread and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins I made yesterday.

Here is the bread... Yummmy warm with butter!
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe10.htm


Here are the muffins. Now I used applesauce in place of the oil and a bit more pumpkin then the recipe called for. I just didn't want to throw it out. They are moist inside but because I added more liquid the cooking time was longer and the muffin at the liner was dry. My own fault.
http://www.pastrywiz.com/dailyrecipes/recipes/382.htm


Today I have a meeting. But then once I get home I have to make bread for the week and also all of the waffles seemed to disappear. So now I have to make more of them. LOL!

Oh, I almost forgot. Here are the pretzels I made the other day. The recipe made 9 but this was all that was left by the time I could get a picture.

I'll be back later
Yart

Random thoughts

I was facing a pretty hefty challenge today. I had to sort all of the clean laundry. Normally, I do it on Saturday morning. But since I didn't do it then, it still had to be done. So as I was folding clothes a random thought popped into my head. I have had friends over the years that told me that I was too domestic. Is that really possible. Please know that I have dust everywhere. I hate to dust so domestic goddess I'm not. But I do try to keep my house clean(doesn't always work out), I cook from scratch, hang dry laundry, bake, crochet, sew (crookedly), was a full time sahm for years and a few other things. And as I was thinking of this I really got offended that by trying to keep / make something other then a disposable world I am sometimes looked down upon. In the past year I have found a hobby that I think those from my past would actually piss themselves over. I love to can. Last harvest I canned everything I could. I would have done more if time and finances would have allowed. I am looking out for the well being of my family, by providing them with sustenance for the long haul. I can wait till harvest this year. I already have a list of things I want to make.
Really, there was no point to the above I just had a random thought and thought I would share.
I made pasta and sauce, hush puppies with garlic, green beans & potatoes for dinner tonight. It went over well, with little left over. I was able to work on the afghan a bit today. Later I will be working on the latch-hook kit that I have had for about 2 years. I'm off to wii.
Huggles
Yart

The Start of the day

Have you ever just had one of those days. You wake up and everything just looks nasty. You feel vile and there is no reason why your in such a bad mood. Other than just waking up on the wrong side of the bed. That is where I am today. Yesterday, was fine. Took my car to the dealership for a recall item, then hung out at home till I went to the fish fry, grabbed something to eat and came home. Then stayed on the computer messing around for awhile. I don't know. I don't like being in a mood like this.

There is an ice sculpture thing going on in a town about a half hour from here. Maybe I will pack the monsters up when Dh gets home and head out there. Maybe I can freeze this bug that crawl up my...... well you know! LOL! I guess typing is therapeutic.

I was looking for wheat the other day. I found a local grower, well, within a couple hundred miles of my home. He only wants .75 cents a pound. But I found it on emergency essentials for about .80 a pound in a container sealed in mylar. So guess where I am going to be buying from? I would prefer to buy things locally, but living in the city it is hard to find growers and distributors.

I need to make more bread tomorrow. But I have to go a spaghetti dinner at the legion. I don't mind supporting them or even helping out. Though now I need to find time to make the bread. I guess I will have to do it first thing in the morning.

I didn't walk on the treadmill yesterday. But I did walk a mile with Dh. When we dropped my car off we walked over to a restaurant about 1/2 mile away and back. I did notice that since I have been exercising full time the walk was much easier even if it was only 20 degrees.

Well, those pesky chores need to be done and I am just procrastinating sitting here. So off I go to get them done.

Yart

Busy day

I was so tired last night. I didn't even realize that I didn't post anything. So here goes. I cleaned out my cabinets yesterday. I dated all of the new stuff and pulled out stuff from god knows when. That is what we will be eating for the next couple of days. I know that it is all still edible, now. But I don't want to pull something out a year from now when the SHTF and go are we going to die if we eat this. LOL! But seriously, really! So now as I put things into storage I am going to date them. Never did that before. I probably should have. Well, it starts now. I am limited on space for box type stuff. As we have a mouse problem. Always have and probably always will. So I store all the box stuff up. I also have stuff in buckets but I only have a few, so with that I have to choose important stuff like, sugar, oats, rice, things like that.

I cooked chicken last night with a bit of asian sesame dressing, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and corn. Not to bad for a throw together meal.

Today, I am suppose to be cleaning the kitchen. Washing walls that type of stuff. Once I get done here that is where I am heading. Dinner tonight is fairly easy. It is those box dinners I have 3 of them that will be cooked. With 6 people for dinner every night I know this sounds like a lot. The box dinners only have a serving of 4 per box. LOL! The portion sizes are very small. I am very happy to be using this type of box stuff up. We enjoy homemade so much more.

I have been on the treadmill 1 mile a day since Sunday. And I have been Wii Fitting at least 30 minutes a day. I still am not seeing any weight loss since the initial one. But I will keep going and trying.

That's about it for now.
Yart

Inaguration Day!

So is everyone just thrilled! I can't wait to get my channels back. I am not a very political person. All of this hooey means very little to me. Yes, I vote. But once the elections are over my part in it is done. And really what can I do or say at this point that will make a bit of difference anyway. Lets move on and get this damn crisis over with. I would like to go back to my life. Instead of worrying if life as I know will get turned upside down.

But with that said, I am still learning how to do more things to be self-reliant. I tried a new bread recipe today. I am getting better at kneading. Its a lot of work.... But I am getting buff by doing it. LOL! Now your all going to think of me with Arnold arms.... Too funny! I got 3 loaves made and 12 hamburger buns. Dinner was hambugers and french fries. I don't like cooking.... well some days anyways. But with fun dinners like this I don't mind.

Had to take Dh to get new tires for his truck and then we dropped it off to have the front end alignment done. He did all of the front end work himself last fall. But we finally got around to getting it finished. Woo Hoo! Now he has his truck and I have my car back.

Going to start a new afghan tonight. I don't know if I will keep this one or sell it. I love the colors but I don't have any place to have a blue afghan. Maybe when we redo the basement I will go with blues?!? I guess that is a wait and see if I really love it when it is done. Or if it was just a passing phase.... LOL!
Huggles
Yart

Day off

The monsters were out of school today. So everyone slept in. I got more laundry done. We ate leftovers. Dh and I went out and got the rite-aid brand of tylenol and motrin for $.99 a bottle, also got halls cough drops for the same price. We needed it and I got a couple for the stock.
I found more evidence of a mouse. A Christmas candy that made its way to the back of the couch had little teeth marks in it. I have a couple of traps set. If I don't catch it soon I will have to let one of the cats run around to get it. Generally, the cats stay in the family room area. They don't run the rest of the house.
Here is the link for the pretzels. This site has a lot of great recipes. There are a few more that I will be trying out in the near future.
I watched a great series on food storage on youtube. Here is the link to the blog she writes. Everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com The site has a ton of great information. Also if you get a chance check out the videos over at youtube.

I wanted to get a list of what I want to accomplish this coming year. I have my list of what I want to learn. So here goes:

1. plant a vegetable garden
2. plant an herb garden
3. take out the raspberries and transplant
4. put in grape vines
5. put a roof on the house
6. get the basement checked out
7. get new replacement windows 13? Maybe just a couple to start
8. re-tile the around the bath tub - Need to learn how to tile - Put on other list
9. carpet the living room
10. get solar heater
11. plant apple and pear trees
12. plant blueberry bushes
13. paint dining room
14. paint kitchen and redesign cabinet doors
15. build shelves
16. finish basement

Well, now that this is list is started I guess I have to start on it.
Huggles,
Yart

Lazy day!

Not really, I have chili simmering on the stove and I am trying to find a really good waffle recipe so that I can OMAC them for the monsters. Yesterday, I made granola bars. They turned out ok. Have to wait and see if the kids actually eat them before I give my final rating on this recipe.

Still have to get that laundry done. I went shopping Saturday, that is why those pesky chores didn't get done. I got 10 - 4 pound bags of sugar on sale for $1.39 a bag, 20 boxes of hamburger helper. I also was able to pick up 4 - 5 pound bags of flour for $1.89. Then had to shovel snow, that didn't take to long as it was just powdery stuff. Went to lunch with the family. Got a couple of Wii games from the video store and was ultimately was just fairly lazy yesterday.

So I didn't make homemade waffles, I used a box mix that I had. I didn't like the recipes that I found. But I did like a mix that I found so I decided to use up the store bought mix and then make my own. 8 waffles are now in the freezer. Picky monster will be very happy not to have to eat cereal. I made pretzels tonight. They were a lot easier to make then I thought they would be. I will post a picture and the recipe tomorrow. That pesky laundry still needs to be done. And I have to exercise on the Wii.
Huggles
Yart

I thought this was funny

We have just had way to much snow..... I thought this was funny. Wanted to share!

Completed Projects

I just wanted to share with everyone the completed projects that I talked about in one of the last posts. The first is the afghan that I have been working on. The next is the fleece blanket that Dh took as soon as it was finished and the last is the towel blanket that I made for the dog.

Thursday Night

Today was a busy day. I was able to sew the towels together for the blankets for the dog. I was able to get 2 made for him. Now one he will use and one will be clean and ready. I also got the fleece out of the closet that has been there for like 4 years and sewed it up. Dh took it as soon as it was done. I broke the needle on the machine... First time I did that so I am thinking that the point was dull. And all I have left to do is one row, then I am done with this afghan. I love being able to complete projects.

I was going to try and bake something today. I just didn't have the energy. But I did put a roast in the oven. So for dinner we had roast, potatoes, corn, bread, pickles, and beets. There is enough roast leftover for a couple of sandwiches. I think this weekend I will make pumpkin bread and applesauce bread. I will also post the recipes once I make them. Oh and I might also try to make tortilla. I think that waffles also sound good for a OMAC session.

Fridays are so busy for me. Tomorrow I have to work. Hopefully, I will get out on time. Then I might just be able to get some laundry done.... Yes, every other day is laundry day here. It takes that long to dry on the line this time of year. Summer outside it is done in hours instead of days. But I digress. Then I have to go and work a fish fry at the American Legion. It's only 4 hours. But by the time I get home I am tired and sore from being on my feet running around. So not much gets done when I have to work on Friday's. There are enough leftovers this week that luckily I don't have to cook, yeah!

I will post later the pictures of the projects I finished today. Supernatural is starting in a few minutes so I will be back after.
Huggles,
Yart

Ramblings

Since I was tired last night when I posted about the calzone's. I forgot to post the recipe. So here it is.
Here is the recipe if anyone wants it. It comes from "The Bread Cookbook" by Ann Nicol

1 package dry yeast
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 cup lukewarm water
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Sprinkle the dry yeast and sugar into the water and leave to stand for 20 minutes, until the liquid is frothy.

Sift the flour an salt into a bowl and add the yeast liquid with the oil. Mix to a soft dough and knead for 5 minutes until elastic and smooth. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave to rise until double in size, about 1 hour.

Knead to knock out the air. Divide the dough into 6 and roll out to 6-inch circles.

Dampen the outside edges of the circles and divide the filling between them, placing the filling over one side of the dough in a half moon shape. Pres the plain dough over and pinch the edges to seal. Place on an oiled baking sheet and brush liberally all over with olive oil. Leave for 10 minutes until starting to puff up. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bread dough sounds hollow when tapped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not to much happened today. For dinner tonight I used up some of the pasta sauce I made the other day, elbow pasta and some cheese. No precise measures. Turned out good, everyone ate their fill. I hate for anything to go to waste. Multipurpose items I love, that way they can become something it wasn't intended. I have to laundry well hang it. One load is already to go and I have 1 or 2 more to do tonight.
I didn't get a call back on the job I was checking out. But I am on the quest. Just got the local paper awhile ago, haven't had a chance to check it out yet. But I am sure something will turn up. With the weather being what it is right now I really don't want to have be trudging through the snow. The first couple of snows I am mesmerized, I passed by one of the windows not long ago and it is snowing again. I think that we have had some snow everyday for the past week.
I am off to get this laundry done so I can get more crocheting done tonight.
Huggles,
Yart

Tuesday night musings

Today was a much better day. I got to work my hours, by myself as no one else was in the office. I like days like that I can get so much stuff done. But before I went in I got my resume updated and went to hotjobs... the yahoo job site. I was able to find one place locally that is looking for someone. I called after I got out of work and left a message... So even if it just turns out to be an interview, great! I need the practice.
We made calzone's for dinner tonight. The recipe I had only made 6 so I doubled the recipe and got 12 as there are 6 of us at the table each night. Dh made 6 pizza ones. And mom made 6 ham and cheese. Picky monster loved the pizza ones and even asked if the last one could be used as tomorrows lunch.... Woo Hoo! I found a winner for dinner. I know don't quit my day job.
Went with my mom to Joanne Fabrics. She wanted to get material to make curtains for the family room windows so that it was a little more difficult to see in the house. If I didn't mention she is in the process of moving to the house that just got broken into. Neither one of us really wanted to do this as she would rather just buy some. Short notice and you know when that happens you just get an idea. Well, we found that they had Christmas tablecloths for 90% off. So we bought enough for the all the windows for the cost of material for 1 window. Then we taped them up to the windows. After she decides what she is going to do I am going to get batting and sew them together and make 2 really nice Christmas blankets.
Once I am done typing I am heading off to get more crocheting done. I can't wait till this one is done. I still don't know if I am going to try and sell this one or keep it. LOL! This is always the dilemma when I make an afghan. I think that someone else will really like it so it should sell. So off I go.
Huggles
Yart

Monday's

Today started off very pleasant. I got up, ready for work, took the kids to school. I even took a few everything is alright with the world moments driving this morning. Looking at the snow and thinking just how lovely it really is. And how much I enjoy all of the seasons.
Got to work and of course it is work. Nothing really new there. I come out of my meeting and my phone is blowing up. I take the office phone first thinking that it is a client. But no such luck.... My everything is right with the world feeling disappeared in a blink. It was my dh. He was calling to tell me that my mom's house had been broken into. So off to my boss I go and out the door I went. We got to deal with the police and then spent the day with the insurance and several door people, not to mention numerous phone calls. In between all of this we had to clean up all of the glass. The thieves couldn't break a window, they had to break the glass on the patio door. We were thankful that is was tempered glass. It was a lot easier to clean out of the carpet. They also broke down her back gate that led to the alley. My dh and I secured the gate nailing it completely shut and then having to get wood to block off the patio door. But now all is again right with the world.
Tomorrow I have to go to work to make up for today. That really sucks! I was hoping to be home. But whats a girl to do. I think I might start looking for a different job. This one, I don't know ever just get that feeling that your not on the right path. I have been feeling that a lot lately about my job. I am an office manager that only works if I am lucky 2 days a week. I know reading that it doesn't look good to me either. So I guess after I leave work tomorrow I am going to see if I can get a couple of applications for some place else. I think something mindless is what I need at least for the time being. Plus I only want part-time. So I'm sure I will find something.
I didn't get anything done today here at the house. It is a really good thing that the bread got made last night as there would be store bought on the table had I procrastinated. Tomorrow more laundry will have to be done... That is a never ending job. Same with the dishes, but the oldest monster is responsible for them... but when she is lazy I gotta jump in.... That's a mom thing. LOL!
It has been a really long day.... Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
Yart

Sunday Night Musings

I spent most of today working around here doing chores that I tend to put off. I made the weekly bread, cleaned the bathroom and am doing laundry as I type. Sundays are an odd day of the week for us here. Sometimes we are just so busy I don't know which end is up. Other times it was like today. Calm but active. Dh was gone to a meeting and the two little monsters were at the show with one of the grans. Then it was just me and the oldest monster here at the house. We made the bread, which was a good thing as until now she has had no interest in the bread.... She is all for cookies and cakes. Woo Hoo! Maybe I have converted another child onto the joy of cooking. Probably not though, I don't want to admit I think she was just bored. LOL!

Well, I have finally made it to the next skein of yarn. The gray is an odd gray. The last time I used this particular color it seemed to take forever to use up. I am hoping that I don't encounter the same problem again. But as long as I keep working on it I should be back to the black in the next couple of days. Then I will be able to get a picture up on here for everyone to see.

I got some really good condition used towels from my MIL. I am going to take some of them and sew them together and make a blanket for the dog. I did have one of those really nice and not to expensive pet pillow bed things. He ate it. I gave him one of the monsters old comforters. He ate it. So this time the item will not have a stuffing for him to rip and pull apart. LOL! I know it is a boredom thing. But I want for him to be comfortable. And have something to lay on.

Tonight I am doing things like cutting one of the loaves of bread so that it ready for sandwiches. I made a pot of coffee which I will put in the fridge once it cools down. I don't drink that much coffee so a pot will last me a week. It is just easier to brew a full pot then try and figure out how much for one or two cups.

It is early yet but I am so tired. I think that it is the weather here. We got a few more inches of snow yesterday and I want to hibernate. LOL! Plus, all of the Wii Fit I have been doing is kicking my butt. I am seeing a little bit of success. I know I didn't get this way overnight and I'm not going to loose it that way. Slow and steady will help to keep it off in the long run. I only had 59 pounds to loose when I started on the fit. I joined a group to help me be accountable. I post how much exercise I have done and also I am trying to loose a pound a week group. So far I have worked out all but one day since Christmas.

Good Night,
Yart

Homemade Breads

I figured that it would be better to put all of these in to one post so I made a slide show to showcase them.

This is the Pita Bread

This is the Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This is the Banana Bread
Hey what happened to the banana bread?!? Someone must have got a piece of it...Hmmmmm!

Morning Coffee

Good Morning all,

Today is just one of those days when I can't seem to get it together. We got a few inches of snow and it is cold. Now I am on the phone with my MIL who is computer illiterate and she changed her internet service over to a local service. And she can't seem to get her email working, so with coffee in my hand I am walking her through it. I think I need more coffee! A lot more! LOL!

I was able to get the banana and cinnamon bread done.... They were gone almost as soon as they came out of the oven. Everyone liked the bread and is looking forward to whatever I decide to make next. I think I am going to try and make pitas. I found a recipe on line here. http://mideastfood.about.com/od/breadsrice/r/pitabreadrecipe.htm
Then for dinner we will have hamburger stuffed pitas with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, plus anything else that the family wants to add.

Oh, I almost forgot I ended up with 32 quart jars and 22 pints. That was such a great thing. I am going to continue looking on freecycle and on craigslist for more. I have about 300 jars filled right now. But some strange occurrence happens almost everyday.... One gets opened. LOL! Once I get the pressure canner I am hoping to have a whole lot more filled. I have an old number 7 canner but I need to get parts for it and even then I don't know if it will work. So since I've never pressured canned before I am kind of scared of it. And I would prefer to use a new canner first.

I have to do some chores today. I need to get more laundry done and hung up. I want to work more on the black afghan maybe get the first skien of black done and move to the gray. Make the pita bread. And I think probably clean the bathroom. Plus I still have to work out on the Wii fit. So with this list looming. I hope everyone has a great day!
Huggles,
Yart

Friday's Rant

Generally, I am a very calm and good natured person. But every once in awhile something gets me fired up. And that is exactly what happened this morning. I just found out that on Feb 10 it will be illegal to sell any children's item that is intended for children under the age of 12 that doesn't contain some type of certification seal. And if you do this is a federal offense with jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. Don't believe me here is the 62 page law.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

The government has done this because of the outcry from the general public. I am all for public safety. I am all for testing products. And in turn I am very happy to comply when and if there is a recall. The problem that I have is that the outcry is coming because of all of the recalls that have come about in the past few years.

Now lets really take a good look at where these recall are coming from....... The answer to the million dollar question is China, Indonesia, Hong Kong....hmmmm! Kind of make you wonder, why is the government going to have American made products go though all of the trouble of certification. I'm not saying that we don't have our share of problem here. But when you look at the list of products recalled because of high levels of lead the majority are coming from another country. Oh, by the way here is the link to that information. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/haz.aspx Why is the government setting such high standards for American citizens but still allowing products to be imported from other countries? Since there is such an issue with imported items I think that these should undergo rigorous testing before the product ever even sees the light of day on American soil. That way very few recall will have to be made. More people will be working ie; doing the tests and reporting. And then maybe we can also bring jobs back to this country instead of outsourcing. Make is less profitable to the manufactures to leave and we will get back on a stable footing here.

I'm not sure were my ramblings are going but I know I don't like this law. People should be smarter and stand up for themselves and not purchase something made in a different country and then bitch because it doesn't meet our standards.... DUH! Ever wonder why the product is so cheap? Ever wonder why the manufacturers leave the country to have the products made? Ever wonder why the land of free and home of the brave is getting sick from foreign products?

These are my opinions not yours.
Yart

Tuesday night musings

I have been so busy today.... I got about 50 canning jars from 2 wonderful ladies on freecycle. The one even called me back and said she had more in her garage... I am so happy that I went back. They were both very generous. I still need to clean up the jars and do an official count. I will get a picture up here as soon as they are all sparkle clean.

I decided that I needed to make up some banana bread as the bananas were going to have to go to the trash if I didn't do something with them soon. So I found a great recipe online. Here is the link. I doubled the recipe so that I get 2 loaves. I will take a picture once they come out of the oven. They already are making the house smell wonderful. One of the monsters is still up and asking if the bread can go in tomorrows lunch.... So that is a really good sign. Tomorrow I will be working on several other types of breads. Cinnamon swirl, White bread & Tortilla's.

I was able to get 32 minutes of Wii Fit in today. I am doing mostly step and boxing. I like that it gets my heart rate up and I am starting to see results from only having done the game since Christmas day. My hips and behind are getting tighter... oh yeah! But there is no reason to loose weight and not tighten up too!

I found a lot of great blogs on blogspot. Some I have liked for a long time and some new ones that I think that I will enjoy greatly. I like this blog site much better then the old one. I need to find a better layout though. I like this green one but I like change, and so I am looking for a new one already.

I got all of the variegated done on the afghan that I am working on. That always makes me feel good when I complete the first set. Now I am on to the black then gray and then black again. It will be beautiful once it is done.

Sorry if this seems to go in ten directions every post. I tend to write about everything. LOL! Since I am an urban homesteader, I am limited to what I am able to do. But what I can do I will keep you informed. Right now my main focus is figuring out what I want to accomplish this year.

1. Get Pressure canner
2. Learn to pressure can
3. Plan out garden
4. Winter sow seeds
5. Learn to make breads from scratch
6. Learn to make more cleaners from scratch
7. Payoff debt
8. Plan out what I want to can for this coming year
9. Figure out how much raw ingredients I will need to make what I want.
10. Learn to sew

See like I said tons of stuff. But I will make the time to learn these things and many more.
Huggles,
Yart

Wii Fit

This a site I have joined to help me on my weight loss. I just joined but it seems like a really great site. The badge above is clickable to take you to their site.

I am trying to loose 22 pounds in 3 months. So far I have lost 5 and gained 2 back. But it has only been a week... So I think I am doing good. I will be posting pictures as to my progress.
Right now my BMI is 30.60 it was 30.99

I am doing an average of 30 minutes a day. I have only missed one day. Hopefully, by the time summer gets here I will look good in shorts.... Ha, I bet you thought I was going to say a bikini.... I know not to even try for that... *Smiles*

Time for a new home

Welcome to my new home.... I decided that it was time to make a move over to this site as the other blog site I was using made a ton of changes that I didn't like. I guess my loss not theirs.

So I will be moving all of my stuff from there to here. Well, as soon as I figure out how. LOL! Please stay tuned for more to come.