Been awhile

I hope everyone's summer is progressing nicely. We just got back from another short trip. We went to an Amish community that hosts a flea market and auction. The flea market was huge! But even with all the booths I was able to find a couple of deals. I am now the proud new owner of a #3 and #4 crocks. WooHoo!!!! I can make more sauerkraut this year as I just used up my last jars a few weeks ago. I can't wait!! I also found a wringer but I decided that I could wait and it is a good thing that I did. Since I have been home, a friend has contacted me and offered me the entire washer from his basement. I told him that I just wanted the wringer and he said he would get it off for me!!! Oh, and I almost forgot I found a glass wash board! Now I have the mop bucket and the wash board and the wringer. We will have clean clothes no matter what the circumstance.

I also drug the family to the animal auction. Oh my God! The piglets were so cute! And the little bit bigger ones looked like they would make nice hams.... LOL! I know it was funny to me too. I don't know when livestock started looking like food and not pets?!? I guess it goes with the territory of wanting to be closer to my food. Anyways, the pigs went for a very good price. We didn't get to see the cattle, it wasn't until way later in the day.

It was very hot while we were gone. So upon our arrival I found the first of the red tomatoes. There was a handful of grape, 1 Roma & 3 purple Cherokee ready to be picked. The cucumbers have powdery mildew, all the lettuce has bolted and the potatoes look like they need to be dug up. But on the bright side, there are baby watermelons, peppers and a ton of Swiss Chard.

We are planning on taking another trip next week. I know we are a going concern this year. But Band stuff starts up again at the end of this month and if we don't do something now then I don't know when we will have the opportunity. Band goes until the beginning of November.

I have been drying all of the mints. So far I have done chocolate, orange, pineapple & spearmint. I have lemon balm drying right now. The apple mint didn't do to well, so I didn't get any cuttings from it. I am hoping for a better year next year. I still need to dry out some oregano and horehound.

My room is almost ready to be painted. I just need to clean off the bookshelf and take the bed down. Then I can paint. I am going with a forest green for the walls and a cream for the trim. The bedding is a rust color. Hopefully, before the weekend is over the room will be done. Then next week Grim and I will be finishing up the DAMN kitchen.... The only thing we have to do is hang the doors and it will be complete.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Meloncoly Day

I try really hard to put only the good things in the blog. But today I am feeling rather down. It doesn't happen often. I'm a glass half full kind of gal normally. Things had started to turn around for us. The black cloud that was following us around was dissipating. Then more stuff comes from around the corner, when were just getting comfortable again. This roller coaster is getting old fast. I have been looking for work for the past 6 months. Only recently have 2 possibilities presented themselves. Both turned out not to be any good. Getting my hopes up that I might actually be able to contribute to the household, just to be disappointed. Now I know what I do around here is a valuable service. I cook, clean, run errands, take care of the children, preserve food and a ton of other stuff. All of which would cost a fortune if I had to pay for it. But that doesn't help pay the bills. It doesn't put gas in my car and it doesn't put food on the table. Please don't feel bad for me. Dh and I have done some very foolish things when it comes to finances. And we are working our way out of debt. This has been a long process and it is taking even longer now that I'm not employed.

Things are going to get better. This is a fact that I know. Just when and where is the question. But this is going to give us the opportunity to re-evaluate how we are doing things and see if there is anything that could be done differently. We have a couple of really big expenses that are going to have to be put on hold. I wish we didn't have to but they can wait. We actually have an item up for sale and if it sells then most of our difficulties will come to an end. I have to come up with a new sales pitch for it. So if you could send up a prayer that it will sell. It would be great.

I am going to try and see if I can get an etsy account. Never done anything like that before but I think that its about time that I put some of my skills up for sale. I mean I have tried to sell the afghans before but that was only at yard sales. I just need some faith in my abilities.

Whewwwwww! Sorry about that. I just needed to get that off my chest.

One day we will have property and no debt! It is just a long journey. Especially, since we didn't start off with a road map. Picked it up after the trip got going.... ;O) Thanks for letting me vent.

On to other things. Got 17 pints of dilly beans done this week. These are new to us. In about 3 weeks we can try them. They should be crispy as I didn't use tap water like I did last year with the pickles. Teenage monster went to her first therapy session this morning. They worked her like a dog. But she will all the better for it. She is doing basics at practice. Hopefully, by next week she will be able to start doing drills. I picked some of the spearmint and the chocolate mint today. I cut all of the leaves off the vines. They are waiting in a bowl to be cleaned. Then off to the dehydrator. It will be nice to have spearmint tea for tummy upsets and chocolate mint to add to hot chocolate this winter.

Speaking of winter it seems that fall has landed on us. I already have some warm and fuzzies about the upcoming winter. I just love being wrapped up in blankets while I sit around the house. Not to mention being under them in bed. The more the better. Last year we kept the temp at 62-64. This year I am thinking that 60-62 might be doable.

Well, I've rambled enough for one night.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Chocolate Mint Herb

Here is another herb that I planted and have no idea what to do with. So here are a few links to some very interesting things you can do with Chocolate Mint.

I figured I would start with a Yummy one!
Fresh Organic Chocolate Mint Ice Cream
Organic Authority

Here is a spot with recipes for things like:
CHOCOLATE MINT TRUFFLE TORTE
Chocolate Mint Julep
Chocolate Mint essential oil
Garden Web

This recipe calls for just mint leaves but I am sure that substituting chocolate mint leaves would make for an even better tasting dessert.
Chocolate-Mint Pudding
MyRecipes.com

Chocolate Mint Leaves
Martha Stewart

History of Mint
Cooking Vegetarian

Care and Feeding of Mint
Garden Action

Now to find some of the other flavors of mint. I think I'm hooked. The orange & pineapple mint sound really good.

Gotta Run
Yart