Spring Cleaning

I have started my spring cleaning... Even though it is like only 45 degrees right now. No I mean that is what I have been doing the past couple of days. I am hosting a Moderation Nation from Hershey's party on Sunday. I hate cleaning to begin with and couple that with having people over and a complete stranger... Stressed doesn't even begin to describe it.

With all the cleaning I thought I had a doctors appointment tomorrow. You know to get my blood work redone to see how my cholesterol is and to show the doctor that I have lost 18 pounds. Yeah, well, I guess the appointment was actually this past Tuesday. They didn't call to do a reminder.... so I have to call tomorrow and reschedule. No big deal.

I got out when the weather was still good and planted yellow and red beets, multi-colored carrots and red onions. I wasn't going to plant a ton of different things this year. Just tomatoes and squash and beans. I know I am a renegade....LOL! I can't even follow my own rules. Not a problem, though! I am going to be building my mom two 4x12 raised beds for her house. I will plant lots of stuff over there. She only wants some tomatoes, what a deal. More room for me and a few tomatoes for her!

I also went to the farmers market ~ plants ~ only. I picked up a tomitillo. Just one, it is sitting under the grow light with the rest of the seedlings. It is just still way to cold to put tomatoes outside. I need to wait at least 2 more weeks. Mother's day weekend, should be good.

We picked up paint for the garden fence! It is yellow and aqua. Yep, part Polish and Proud of it... LOL! Now if the rain would just go away so the fence can dry out that would be great. I still need to finish weeding out the last 3 beds. That is a job that will have to wait.

I am working on socks with double pointed needles. Needless to say there is a class, I will be taking it. It is 3 weeks long and I hope they can help me. Either with the needles or teach me how to do it in the round. You knitters know what I'm sayin'. The lady that taught me to knit is no longer in business, Diana would have been able to teach me. I hope these new ladies can help!

It's getting late!
Gotta Run,
Yart

Back to Normal (almost)

I am getting ready to take the monsters to school. It is always bittersweet. I love having them home but I enjoy them leaving also. As soon as the littlest one is out of the car I will head for the gym. I need to go, my body is craving it.... LOL!

There are a couple links I want to share. The first one got me thinking. It is for Pickled Eggs. She offers several different recipes. Simply Recipes. I cracked up a few and put them in pickle juice. So we will see how they turn out. Hopefully, the monsters will like them.

Home Storage Skills offers the Ultimate way to season cast iron here. I need to get some flax seed oil.... I have two pans that have been waiting for me to have time to do them. Well, I guess I was just waiting for the right time and now the right technique!

I thought that this was just neat and wanted to share.....
Encouragement for the Doers

You can even make healthy soda pop.... Yep, healthy!
Kefir Soda Pop

Have you ever thought of making homemade sanitary napkins? I know I have, but never got around to doing it. Well, there is a place here on line called Lunapads, they offer a selection of washable sanitary napkins, in several styles. Nope, I'm not getting anything from them... this is just a "hey I found this and you might be interested", type of thing.

Now I've cleaned up all my open windows, by sharing! One more thing accomplished!!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Beautiful Sunday

I hope that the Easter Bunny came to everyone's house in the wee hours of the morning... LOL! He made a stop here for the monsters! I like the fact that they do get some candy it's not a ton....LOL!

So this weekend we had wonderful weather. And with that Grim and Teenage Monster built me a fence and gate for the garden. They worked like dogs.... the first post hole was dug pretty quick... all sand... the other three were all clay.... so it took forever and they were sore and beat after the holes were dug. But they persurvired and got the whole thing done for me last night. I am so proud of both of them. They put in a hard days work for me! Now the dog can't get in and wreck my plants anymore!!!

My chives are going crazy! This year I am going to make chive vinegar.... Not only is it pretty to look at. Since I haven't made it before here are the directions and pictures of how kewl it is!
A Garden for the House

My strawberry patch kind of looks pathetic. It will fill in as the season goes. I have alot of new strong growth. So we should get a nice crop again this year.... Since we were all outside yesterday, I thought that I needed to be weeding. So I got 9 of the 12 beds weeded. While I was weeding I found that a few things wintered.... I have 4 Swiss chard and 3 brussels sprouts.... Who knew.... and of course as I'm weeding what do I find... carrots that I planted that did seem to grow. They did I had some huge ones that I dug out.... if only they would have shown some growth above ground last year. I know what your thinking, how did I miss them.... they were growing under the straw. I won't make that mistake again this year.

Today I made potato salad, macaroni salad, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, ham, potatoes, corn, deviled eggs. It was just the 5 of us and my mom. I like having just us for meals... Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having a house full of people, but not all the time. It use to be here that we would have 30 people for holiday meals like today. Alot of work and even more of an expense. I even had time today to sit out in the yard and enjoy the sunshine. After the winter we had I am soaking it up... LOL!

Oh, I almost forgot... Picky monster got picked for a scholarship, won for girl's high game and got top girl's spot for the singles tournament. So one plaque, one trophy and a certificate! She is so looking forward to going to the summer league, so that she can get better... So Proud!!!

Oh, did you notice I found the cord to the camera....?

Gotta Run,
Yart

Homestead Happenings

How is everyone doing today? Good I hope! We are all fighting off a little bug, nothing major, just annoying. Grim, was home most of the day today. So we went to one of the area parks, it is a metro park... Now it's not a State Park or a County Park.... But you have to pay to get a membership for the year. They have nature centers and walking/bicycle paths. Wooded nature walking trails are what we hit today. There were tons of deer. They kept hopping out of the bush onto the trail right in front of us. Very Kewl!

Then since we were already out it was time to see if my farm markets were open yet. Nope, not till the end of the month. But I did stop to see the old farmer.... he usually has stuff to sell. I wasn't dissappointed. I got foodhook, italian rose beans and purple hull beans. I also got a flat of romaine lettuce. After we got home I had to get off my lazy butt and clean out one of the beds. So now that is done and the 24 heads of romaine are planted. In about 3 weeks I will go back and get another flat for another box. That way I can stagger them. I know what your thinking why not grow them from seed. Lettuce hates me. I have tried before and I will try again at another time. But since I want lettuce I need to buy starts. Where else am I going to get 24 heads of lettuce for $8.99.

Tonight I needed to do some sewing. There was a fitted sheet that got a tear and Grim's jammie pants ripped ( cheap store bought ones), anyways.... As I was sitting here sewing, I thought how lucky I am. Yep, lucky to be darning. I feel that way because I had the forthought to learn how to do it. I have the ability to put that knowledge into action. And that I have the tools at my disposal. It makes me know that know matter how good or bad things get there is still a basic knowledge of simple survival in me. Kewl, huh?

Grim and I will be going tomorrow to get the supplies to put up the fence and gate to keep the gaurd dog from using my garden as his personal potty! It is just 4 posts and wire fencing. I would so love to go and get a couple of chickens to toss in there but my neighbor would complain to the city, I'm sure! Since we will be at the big home improvement store I think I will get the lumber to make a couple raised boxes for my mom, a gallon of paint to get the dining room done, and the chair molding to keep all the scratches off the newly painted walls. Oh, and I need to look at a new fan for Mouthy's room.

Now I'm tired so I'm off to bed!
Yart

Recipes

I found these recipes and thought that some of you might enjoy them also... so I will share!

These first two are from clean eating
Baked Barley Casserole with Mushroom and Squash
Steak & Farfalle Pasta Creamy Tomato sauce

The next 2 are from Jamie Cooks it Up!
Teriyaki Chicken and Noodle Bowl
Soft Jumbo Pretzels

These next ones are from Babble.com
Homemade Reese Peanut Butter Eggs
Disappearing Marshmellows: Resurrection Buns
Pumpkin Guinness Gingerbread
Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream
Hasselback Potatoes
Carmel Macchiato (starbucks copycat)
Shamrock Shakes
Poptarts (clone)

See what happens when I don't have a clue as to what to make for dinner... LOL! I find all kinds of stuff!

Here is the absolute best looking recipe for the day!
Easter Creme Brulegg
I really hope the Easter bunny brings me some Cadbury eggs so that I can try this... YUM!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Monday~ back to the grind

The monsters are off for Easter break. I was still up at 4 this morning... But I stayed in bed and nodded on and off till 8:30. Then I got up, ate breakfast, did my weight training exercises and then played on facebook. We were suppose to go to the library today.... but the monsters wanted to watch Burn notice that Grim TIVO'd. So while they watched that I played a new game.

We ended up getting Chinese for dinner. I have to work bingo and he has to go to work. I really hope we both have an easy night. Both of us are feeling poorly. It doesn't help that it snowed. I know I live in the northern part of the county, it doesn't surprise me as much as being an inconvience. I had to turn the heat up. The other day it was shut off, then turned back on, only to have it turned up today. Looking forward to a wood stove one day in the future.

Tomorrow I will be making bread, taking the monsters to the library, going to the store to get white eggs (for the monsters to color), doing laundry, oh I forgot I need to get a belt for the vaccuum (2nd one in a month). I might even try to sourdough again.... the last time it went good for 3 days and then it seperated and smelled funny. I don't know what happened, but I'm willing to try again... LOL!

I have put my request in for angora bunnies for my birthday. Since it's in June if we get little ones then it will be warm enough for them. I have been looking at the wood hutches. I think they will do good here. I just hope the dog - barking won't be a problem for them. I need to do more research on them.... Picky's rabbit has been good practice. But you know I have never shorn a rabbit myself...or mated rabbits either. Then again I had never picked up a rabbit or trimmed its nails either before this past year. It will be fine!

I was reading in a blog the other day.... (sorry I can't remember which one) but they said that dwarf/pigmy goats milk has a higher fat content so it doesn't taste goaty. This is awesome as I have never had goats milk and neither have the family. So if it is closer to cow's milk they will be more apt to try and adapt.

LOL! Really, my family might revolt when they see where thier food really comes from. That's a chance I'm willing to take. Plus, you never know by the time we get out of suburbia the montsers might be grown anyways. Hope not but there is always that possibility!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Sunday Funnies

I got these in an email and thought they were to good to keep to myself... Enjoy!!!

I handed the teller @ my bank a withdrawal slip for  $400.00
I said "May I have large bills,  please"
She  looked at me and said "I'm sorry sir, all the bills are  the same size."
When I got up off the floor I  explained it to her....

IDIOT SIGHTING
When  my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to  pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked  in it.  We went to the service department and found  a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side  door. As I  watched from the passenger side, I  instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that  it was unlocked.  'Hey,' I announced to the  technician, 'it's open!'  His reply: 'I know. I already got that  side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS

   IDIOT SIGHTING  
We had to have the garage door repaired.
The  Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was  that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.
I  thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest  one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.  
He  shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a  1/4  horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4.  
He  said, 'NO, it's  not..' Four is larger than  two.'           
We haven't used Sears repair since.
 IDIOT SIGHTING
   My  daughter and I went through the McDonald's  take-out window and I gave the clerk  a $5 bill.  
Our  total was $4.25, so I also handed her a  quarter.
She  said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know,  but this way you can just give me a dollar bill  back.  
She  sighed and went  to get the manager, who asked me  to repeat my request.
I  did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said  'We're sorry but we could not do that kind of thing.'  
The  clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in  change.    Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.  

    IDIOT SIGHTING
I  live in a semi rural area.
We  recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to  request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.
The  reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out  here!
I  don't  think this is a good place for  them to  be crossing anymore.'




IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE
My  daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco.  
She  asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal  lettuce.'
He said he was sorry, but they only had  iceberg lettuce.

  

IDIOT SIGHTING
I  was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an  airport employee asked,
'Has  anyone put anything in your baggage without your  knowledge?'
To   which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how  would I know?'
He  smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we  ask.'


 IDIOT  SIGHTING
The  stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross  the street.
I  was  crossing with an intellectually challenged  coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer  was for.
I  explained that it signals blind people when the light is  red.
Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

     
IDIOT SIGHTING
At  a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker who was  leaving the company due to 'downsizing,'  
our  manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun.. We should  do this more often.'
Not  another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights  stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

 
IDIOT SIGHTING  
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself
and  for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's office, no less.



IDIOT SIGHTING
How  would you pronounce this child's name?
"Le-a"
Leah?? NO
Lee -  A?? NOPE
Lay -  a??  NO  
Lei??   Guess Again.
This  child attends a school in Kansas City, MO
Her  mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong.
It's  pronounced "Ledasha".
When  the Mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "the dash don't be silent."   

SO, if you see something come across your desk  like this please remember to pronounce the dash.  
If  dey axe you why, tell dem de dash don't be silent.
   

Gotta Run,

Yart

Sunny and Cold

Well, not really like 50's, but it is windy and so it's cold... LOL! But oh, does my laundry smell so fresh and clean. I love being able to hang it outside. Especially, since this now beings the outside season. I hit Meijer's today and got 192 new clothespins... They were on sale for $2.97 a pack ( I got 2). Over the winter I went back to using Gain for washing the clothes. The homemade stuff works ok.... But we felt that it just didn't work for the basement and winter. I will go back to making it once I use up the Gain.

I got outside yesterday and cleaned out the pots of mint. The dead from last year. I leave the growth to help protect from the winter. So far only the apple and the spearmint aren't showing any signs of life. The orange, pineapple, chocolate mint and the lemon balm are doing good. Plus, the catnip I thought I killed last year, is already up. I love pluses! I cleaned out the chives. I think this year I need to get another packet of seeds. They just don't want to fill out the planter.

More good news, my 5 type apple has real leaves on it and the 4 type pear (still in pot) is budding. The rhubarb is up and really red. I hope that I can get some this year. The last two years it went to seed on me. And by it doing that the stalks were nasty. Always room for hope!! Still waiting on the blueberries to show some sign of life. The strawberries are coming in nicely. Last year I think I got almost 2 quarts. I think I should get that much again. Every little bit is a little bit I don't have to buy.

I was going to re organize the garden this year.... But I just got one of those feelings. So I will leave it as it is for this year. I will probably be kicking myself next year for having waited. If we need to get the basement walls done (still in question) then I will have to rip it out anyways.

My tomatoe seedlings are doing really well. As are the pumpkin seedlings. Not sure what I am else I'm going to plant. Lettuce, spinach, chard, beans (teepee), maybe peas. No peppers or eggplant for this year though. They did really well for the last two years and I have more then enough frozen. Not doing potatoes or onions either. They do ok, but they take up a lot of space that I can use for other things. I will plant sunflowers again this year. And maybe the mice won't get them before I can get them to the birds. Damn garage mice!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Crazy Days

Didn't go to the gym today, as Mondays are my late day. All the kids start later on Mondays... It is suppose to be better for the teachers... I think that they should get out early on Friday... But that's my opinion!

Grim is on his first day back to work... Thank the Gods!!! Now our life will get moving again. This holding pattern we have been on this past year has been fine, but it got old pretty quick. He will be getting his new Harley next month. The Credit Union said the loan is his.... They just need a paystub. Not a problem.... So he is very happy!

Since I signed the 4 of us up to do the 5k before he was back to work, I don't know if he will be there or not. So I got my mom to fill in... Then if he is home I will just pay for here to go also. It will be fun as this will be her first 5k... The monsters are already planning on running most of it. I will just walk really fast... LOL!

Picky monsters team did a roll off and lost. But I told her that they made it to that point and they should be very proud of themselves. Of course being 13, she took it to heart. When asked if she wanted to do summer bowling she said yes, that she needs to get better. So at least there's that.

The monsters and I got out in the yard yesterday and started cleaning it up. Today, I moved all the jars of dehydrated and jars of beans and the like on to the new shelves. I am sorely lacking in the organization department in the pantry. That is why it was essential to move this stuff. The pantry will still hold the home canned food. What a job... LOL! I need to empty out jars... Every year I go through and toss out any thing that has hit the 2 year mark. Can't wait for pigs... then I would just slop it out to them.

Speaking of pigs... I am still reading Farm City by Novella Carpenter. This book is for anyone with a slighty off view. I mean really she kept 2 duran pigs in her back yard. If there isn't something just a little odd about that in todays times I don't know what is. Now it all works out for the best. But she lets the reader know that this was not at all easy and shouldn't be for the faint of heart. One thing that I was very ignorant of was that most major cities at one time not only allowed pigs but had great interest in them. There were clubs all about pigs.... Who knew. See people kept pigs to clean up the garbage, since they are omnivores they eat pretty much anything. We no longer have city pigs because we have trash collection!

I wonder if the economy keeps going on the downward, will cities let us have pigs and chickens and ??? oh my! Will the government not only push us to have victory gardens but help us along the path... Hmmmmm! Will we once again be allowed to feed ourselves or are we going to be forced to eat garbage.... Hey, I guess there still are city pigs... Yep, I went there!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Reverance and Neighbors

I need to take a moment and morn the loss of the 3 person that I grew up with that has passed in the past 8 months. I hate facebook. If it weren't for facebook I would be oblivious to these peoples passing.... I would think of them fondly going about their lives. But no facebook wants to put it out there that they died. They were all special in their own right. But this latest one.... He was one of my Uncles friends.... He was there my whole life growing up.... He even dated one of my Aunts... Didn't work out but still.... I was able to see him a couple years ago at the family reunion.....He was still the same funny, weird guy I had known since childhood. This sucks to bad... Everyone needs to stop dyeing right now. I mean it! Especially since I can't stop myself from going on facebook even at 3am.

Ok, I have cried my tears and morned my loss, let me move on to neighbors since it easier for me to be pissed then sad. My neighbor came into my yard and cleaned out one of my flower beds in the front yard. He cleaned out all the leaves and cut back all of last years growth. How dare he!!! I mean really who the fuck does he think he is..... This is my house my yard and I pay the mortgage here. Where does he get off touching anything in my yard.... Over the years he has come over and cut the grass and edged my yard without my consent.... He has snow blowed. To which we have returned the favor... But this is has gotten out of hand. He very likely killed my plants as that was the shelter from the possible frosts.... Last frost date here is like May 15th... So I leave last years growth and leaves around to protect it. I know it doesn't look very pretty but damn....It is what I do. I guess the joke will be on him when I contact that company that paints your house and pay your mortgage.... LOL! What an eye sore my house will be then,..... LOL! Fucking people.. Need to mind their own business.

He is the reason I won't even attempt chickens.... He would be the first one to complain.... Even though he runs a business out of his garage with no permit... and has an extra building on the property......And is making noise from sun up to sun down with the business...Grinding and sanding and whatever else he does. I don't complain or call the city because I'm neighborly......

I'm tired now.....
Gotta Run,
Yart

Good Mid Morning to You!

I didn't sleep well the past few nights as I am so use to having Grim here and his breathing machine.... I'll tell you that thing really drowns out the night time noises. I could hear the rabbit fart in the next room. No I'm not kidding... It was terrible... LOL! But all that changes tonight, For Grim will be home some time tonight. YEAH!! So because we missed him so much I am making his favorite dinner.... HAM! Of course there will be side dishes also. Man can't live on ham alone.... But I'm sure Grim would try! :O)

I was so bored after dinner last night. I was full but with boredom comes the cravings to eat, and eat anything that isn't tied down. So what's a crafty girl like me to do? Yep, you guessed it, I pulled out the sewing machine and got started on the aprons that I bought the material for last October. Yep, procrastinator...right here! Once I got started I kept going and got 3 of them done. None of them have pockets though... the pocket pattern didn't line up with the apron pattern. Not me just a miss print on the material. That was fine with me as it went alot quicker. When I say quicker it took an hour to iron and sew each one. I'm not complaining.... I am thrilled to have gotten that much done.

I would have sewn more but I found what I had forgotten that I bought. I got a sock loom. So I wanted to watch the video and get started. Not quite as easy as it looks in the video. But I am determined to at least make a pair of socks. Then maybe my brain will click and I can do it with needles instead... or if not then get good enough with the loom to make a ton of socks. See that is like hitting the big time for me.... Making socks! Last year it was figuring out how to make a real loaf of bread with my own two hands. So the socks and getting my seedlings to grow outside are the big time for me this year!
Top of the World, Ma!!!

I hit the gym this morning after dropping of Mouthy. Got to do my hour on the elleptical, over 4 miles today. I even got my speed up over 5 miles an hour for a bit. That machine use to scare the bejesus out of me. I thought it was going to kill me. Luckily, I figured it out, as it is the best exercise I can do for me. Gets me moving and quickly and as long as I don't use the moving handles my heart rate stays right in target range. Even went through my whole water bottle before I was finished. But I sweated most of it out... It's good to be hydrated!

Well, I've rambled enough for today...
Gotta Run,
Yart

It's Official

Grim is back to work... well, he is in Chicago, being re-certified. We will be paid for this so, he's back to work. He will be home sometime tomorrow evening. I'll tell you, I don't know what to do with myself. He's gone and the monsters are at school. This is the first time in a year that someone wasn't home with me. So I went to the gym after I dropped Mouthy off at school. I was able to do an hour on the elliptical (almost 4 miles). Then I came home and did my weight training. Puttsed around for awhile, then finished the switching out of all the winter for the warmer weather clothes. That was a chore in and of itself.

I've finished reading Nora Roberts circle trilogy. Very good as all of her work is. Now I'm on to Farm City The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter. It is a very good book so far. If you would like to know more about Novella you can check out her blog here.

I signed myself up for another year with Cold Antler Farms Wool CSA. If your interested you can find out all the details here. Jenna, is going to be holding a lottery for new members to be able to join for the 2011/2012 season. I really like the first skien of yarn that I recieved and am looking forward to the rest of my share for this year. As soon as I'm done knitting with it I will show you. Not sure if it's a scarf or a table runner. You can be the judge when you see it.

Spring is really here. No more snow, but the rain is making the yard a complete mess. I can't even get out there to assess the winter's damage. Hopefully, there isn't to much that needs to be fixed or replaced. I know that the chives are up in the back. But when I was able to sneak a peek at the mints, they showed no sign of life... LOL! Neither did either of the blueberries. Ah, I guess I need to put on the rain suit and cute boots. But that unfortunately will have to wait for another day. Even though I was bored out of my skull today. Tonight I do have some ideas of things to do. I will be digging out the sewing machine and trying to get the aprons sewn up. You remember those the ones I cut out months ago. Yep, still sitting in the box waiting!

I have gotten very comfortable with Fluffy Bunny. I trim his nails and handle him in general. Yep, its a him.... I know because one day I was trimming the nails and it was in my hand. Anyways, we decided that since I am way more comfortable with the House Bunny that it was time to start looking into fiber rabbits. Yes, they will have names as they won't be used as food. Need to point that out in case Picky monster were to ever read the blog... I did make it public. She is against eating rabbit. I am not. But in this case it makes the most since not to eat the fiber rabbits as I think I might end up with a hair ball... cough, cough.... LOL! I don't know yet if I like the English or the French angora better, or if there is even a difference. They will be outside and I need to get a kennel for them... I really don't expect them until summer sometime.

There are plans aplenty... And I just don't want to jinx them... so that's all I'm going to say about that... LOL! I know mysterious!

Gotta Run,
Yart