June 1st

Where have the last 6 months gone? They have just flown by. With the monsters schedules and Grim being in the accident. I am so looking forward to summer break!

We had an unveiling of a Purple Heart War Memorial in town yesterday. It was a very nice way to honor those who have served. We had one before but time had taken its toll. So they recreated it. And during the unveiling the weather was wonderful, cloudy but warm. It was great to see all the people that showed up to pay thier respects. I am so happy that we went.

I need to get outside and harvest the chocolate mint and the spearmint. I will dehydrate the leaves and then store them in labeled jars. Then this winter I will have spearmint tea and chocolate mint to add to hot chocolate! Yummmy! I know summer isn't even here yet and I am thinking about winter. That is the things our forefathers did. They were always thinking ahead. In the winter they were planning on how to get the spring crops and then in the fall they were planning for the wood they would need for winter. Like I said before I am happy that I don't need to survive this way. I know I am so unprepared, but I am getting better.

We got rain yesterday but there is something wrong with the downspout. Grim thinks that it is plugged. So I will have to get up on the ladder and us the hose to spray out the downspout. I hate heights, but since Grim can't do it I need to. Once we get it figured out, I will be getting extra holding barrels. I have found a local place that has them for $15 and they only had soap in them. But no point in spending the money if it isn't working.

With the sun shining it is time to wash all the winter heavy blankets. You know the ones, they end up at the end of the bed when the weather changes. And you keep them there until all the cold weather is gone.... LOL! The one blanket I made a couple years ago. It has a crocheted top with a fleece bottom. Not only is it very warm but it takes forever to dry when I wash it. So it will have to be on the line for a couple days. I need to go into the closet and get rid of some of the blankets in there. We have way to many.

I have been getting ready for the next yard sale. I still need to get rid of more stuff. Oh, that reminds me, my brother called and said that my niece has out grown the swing so I need to get that back to add to the sale. I need to clean up the high chair... it has been in the dungeon... LOL! Plus I need to get in the other closet and pull out all the old board games and the bread maker and and and... the list goes on and on.

Well, I'm not getting anything done sitting here!

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