Surprise, surprise, surprise! I've been one busy little person what with canning, the holidays, work and being sick for the past 2 1/2 weeks with this cold crap. Yes I said crap and I'm still feeling a little bit like that LOL.
We got our yearly 1/2 beef and 1/2 a pig this year to go with it so I was trying to clean out our freezer as much as possible (read empty completely). Surprisingly with all that meat I got it fit into our upright freezer and stashed the bacon in our little freezer. Boy it was close! Don't think we will do that again. At least we could space it out so I don't have such a problem stowing it away. So we have a lot of meat, a lot. It should last us a little over a year. The only problem is they cut the roasts a little too big for us so when I made a beef roast the other day we had to keep eating it and eating it and eating it. It was huge! I just put in some salt and pepper and some bay leaves and cooked in the slow cooker. Hubby made homemade noodles to go with it. Yum. Then I made some barbequed beef sandwiches today and still I had some left over so I guess I'll be using the rest in a soup of some sort.
So since I cleaned out my freezer I had all these tomatoes, peppers, berries and beef bones (which really take up room in the freezer). I canned berry jelly since I had boysenberries, blueberries and raspberries; pepper relish; tomato soup and beef broth. And I had gotten 10 pounds of pig fat to make lard. I did all that in one week...boy was I tired and so we come to the fact that I got run down and got sick. Was it worth it? You betcha cause now we have a whole lot of food stored up.
I wasn't in the holiday mood this year so I didn't even put up our tree. I did decorate our fireplace mantle and put up the wreath on the front door but that is as festive as I got this year. But it did save me from having to put all that stuff away too. It didn't lessen in any way our Christmas though. We still had our presents to open on Christmas day and we got some Christmas cards too. Not as many as I sent out but I think it's because it is getting so expensive to mail them. Postage is going up again in a couple of weeks so I hear. Hubby got me just what I wanted this year too! I got an immersion blender (so much easier to do soups with) and a spice grinder which will be nice to grind all those spices and herbs I'm going to be growing this year (maybe LOL). Hubby was shocked I got him so much but why not, he's worth it. I got him an old fashioned straight razor shaving kit with everything included except for a sharpening stone which I'll get him later. He tried it the first time and cut himself all to heck...Geez-Louise. He said I need your help I cut myself. I went running and had to put cotton balls and band-aids on each side of his face. Since he's on blood thinners he bleeds a lot when he gets cut. He did eventually stop bleeding. I think a styptic pen is on order for him. Now he says he scared of it...and hasn't tried to use it again yet. I think he was holding it wrong and trying to go too fast. I think he needs to practice. Cause if I have to put cotton balls and band-aids on him again I'll bust out laughing, he looked really funny. He even laughed about it. Looked like a poor man's Santa or maybe a really weird looking chipmunk :) I also got him a weather thingy. It's a tube that is supposed to tell you the weather a couple of days ahead of time. Don't know if it works yet. He left it in the package so we can take it to the cabin. I got him a CD of info on solar power from Mother Earth News and a puzzle. He said he owed me something else and has decided to get me another gun...not really what I was looking for really LOL. It will be a revolver cause I really don't like the way the pistol handles that I already have. I think it will give me more control but we'll see.
The chickens have stopped laying...completely. No eggs since November. We have been getting eggs when we go up to the cabin but it's not the same and they don't taste as good as ours were. I'm still hoping that they will start laying a few when it warms up. We got a ton of seed catalogs last week. I love looking through them although I don't think I need any more seeds right now. Since the world didn't end, I guess I can spend more money on plants and seeds ;)
Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Denise
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
More family holiday photos
I found some more!
This is my crazy brother and our dog Princess. This was taken in the late 70's.
This is a pic of my mom's sisters. Left to right: Aunt Dee, Aunt Teena, Aunt Jean and my mom. Yes they are all from the same parents...my mom takes after my grandfather's side of the family and she is the youngest. This was taken around Easter but I'm just guessing since Aunt Teena is wearing a rabbit on her sweatshirt.
This is my crazy brother and our dog Princess. This was taken in the late 70's.
This is a pic of my mom's sisters. Left to right: Aunt Dee, Aunt Teena, Aunt Jean and my mom. Yes they are all from the same parents...my mom takes after my grandfather's side of the family and she is the youngest. This was taken around Easter but I'm just guessing since Aunt Teena is wearing a rabbit on her sweatshirt.Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas pictures
I thought I would post some family photos from holidays past so here we go. Try not to make too much fun of our hair and outfits OK? LOL
This is the adult's table. Left to right: My Aunt Teena, my mom, Uncle Bob, Uncle Don, my dad, Aunt Dee, Aunt Jean and Uncle Gene is behind the camera. Aunt Dee and Uncle Don are no longer with us.
This is the kid's table. Didnt matter how old we got we had to sit at the kid's table LOL. Left to right: Scott (Jen's husband), Arielle (Jen's little girl), Jennifer (my cousin), my hubby, me and in front is Josh (Jen's oldest). My brother, Jen's sister, and Linda and Pam (my other cousins). Josh and Arielle are all grown up. These pics were taken in the late 80's.
This is the adult's table. Left to right: My Aunt Teena, my mom, Uncle Bob, Uncle Don, my dad, Aunt Dee, Aunt Jean and Uncle Gene is behind the camera. Aunt Dee and Uncle Don are no longer with us.
This is the kid's table. Didnt matter how old we got we had to sit at the kid's table LOL. Left to right: Scott (Jen's husband), Arielle (Jen's little girl), Jennifer (my cousin), my hubby, me and in front is Josh (Jen's oldest). My brother, Jen's sister, and Linda and Pam (my other cousins). Josh and Arielle are all grown up. These pics were taken in the late 80's. I'll try to find some more.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Singing lambs....
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/aholidaymiracle/aholidaymiracle.tem
Ad for Brooks Brothers - too cute by half....
Ad for Brooks Brothers - too cute by half....
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Hardrock, Coco and Joe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PvZZO_0qHM
Another oldy but goody! Used to see this every year on KDKA in Pittsburgh...
Another oldy but goody! Used to see this every year on KDKA in Pittsburgh...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all my readers, friends and family! You really cant be too thankful for all you have. It is a wonderful life ;)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Suzy Snowflake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYDdm3fZiM
It just wouldnt be winter without this little film. I even dressed up like Suzy Snowflake one halloween. Dont remember it cause I was only 3-4 years old but I still love to see this one. Hope you enjoy it too. Used to play it every winter on KDKA in Pittsburgh.
It just wouldnt be winter without this little film. I even dressed up like Suzy Snowflake one halloween. Dont remember it cause I was only 3-4 years old but I still love to see this one. Hope you enjoy it too. Used to play it every winter on KDKA in Pittsburgh.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A few days off...
and I'm tired...:) Had to go back to work just to rest up LOL. Anyway, I went ahead and canned some more, started weaving on my new loom and read. Well of course I did pick blueberries and took care of the cats, chickens and hubby (not necessarily in that order) but I really enjoyed not being at the computer for a few days.
I canned some chicken soup which is a first for me. Took me all day to do it too and that was just for 8 quarts. My pressure canner only holds 4 quarts so had to do half and then do the other half while letting the canner cool down a bit between times. The day before I did that I canned in the water bath some peach salsa and then while those pints were cooling and popping I started canning the corn which was also a first for me. 7 ears of corn made 4 pints, not bad. I'll have to get some more and maybe add some red peppers and green peppers to it just for something a little bit different.
Quite a few neighbors had fireworks this year and they actually quit putting them off before 11 p.m. which was good. Not that I dont like fireworks but when your hubby has to get up the next day to go to work and is kept awake by booming fireworks he's not a happy person :( The neighbors with the most fireworks seemed to be the ones on the dole if you know what I mean...I know we couldnt afford buying that many fireworks on our pay. These arent just sparklers and little smoke bombs but actual big fireworks with different colors and sonic booms. In PA they arent allowed to sell them but down here it is the big thing. Sellers set up tents, little trailers, etc just to sell them. They must make quite a bit on them since they only sell them for about 4-5 months. From what I understand they arent allowed to sell them after Labor Day but they start in June so that's what a little over three months? I dont think you should be allowed to set them off in a subdivision. We are in a drought but officials actually lifted the burn ban...like the fireworks werent going to burn anything down... Anyway the fireworks are loud and really scare the dogs and cats. My cats insisted on going out before dark and when the neighbors started firing them off last night before dark the cats were outside. I called for them but they didnt come. Then I remembered a couple of nights previously they hid behind the waterhose boxes and yep that's where they were. Had to coax them in poor things. Well enough about that.
We went out this morning for breakfast at Jack's. Yum. While we were out we took our glass recyclables to Star Market. They have several barrels there for glass and they also have bins for donating clothing, books and shoes for the paralyzed vets. Have to remember that so I can donate some of my clothes and books.
Well all for now,
Denise
I canned some chicken soup which is a first for me. Took me all day to do it too and that was just for 8 quarts. My pressure canner only holds 4 quarts so had to do half and then do the other half while letting the canner cool down a bit between times. The day before I did that I canned in the water bath some peach salsa and then while those pints were cooling and popping I started canning the corn which was also a first for me. 7 ears of corn made 4 pints, not bad. I'll have to get some more and maybe add some red peppers and green peppers to it just for something a little bit different.
Quite a few neighbors had fireworks this year and they actually quit putting them off before 11 p.m. which was good. Not that I dont like fireworks but when your hubby has to get up the next day to go to work and is kept awake by booming fireworks he's not a happy person :( The neighbors with the most fireworks seemed to be the ones on the dole if you know what I mean...I know we couldnt afford buying that many fireworks on our pay. These arent just sparklers and little smoke bombs but actual big fireworks with different colors and sonic booms. In PA they arent allowed to sell them but down here it is the big thing. Sellers set up tents, little trailers, etc just to sell them. They must make quite a bit on them since they only sell them for about 4-5 months. From what I understand they arent allowed to sell them after Labor Day but they start in June so that's what a little over three months? I dont think you should be allowed to set them off in a subdivision. We are in a drought but officials actually lifted the burn ban...like the fireworks werent going to burn anything down... Anyway the fireworks are loud and really scare the dogs and cats. My cats insisted on going out before dark and when the neighbors started firing them off last night before dark the cats were outside. I called for them but they didnt come. Then I remembered a couple of nights previously they hid behind the waterhose boxes and yep that's where they were. Had to coax them in poor things. Well enough about that.
We went out this morning for breakfast at Jack's. Yum. While we were out we took our glass recyclables to Star Market. They have several barrels there for glass and they also have bins for donating clothing, books and shoes for the paralyzed vets. Have to remember that so I can donate some of my clothes and books.
Well all for now,
Denise
Friday, July 1, 2011
Nothing too new here...
Just same ol' same ol'. This morning I got up at 7 and by 7:30 I had a chicken in the crockpot, one load of laundry washing and some celery drying in the dehydrator. I plan on doing most of my laundry today, making salsa and oh yes getting my typing done for work. Pesky work always seems to get in the way. Why if I didnt have to eat, pay the mortgage, utilities and feed the animals there would be no need for work would there? LOL.
Back to work for me! I have off on the Fourth YAY!! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.
Here's the link for more on our Fourth of July holiday here in the States... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_of_July
Talk to ya later!
Denise
Back to work for me! I have off on the Fourth YAY!! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.
Here's the link for more on our Fourth of July holiday here in the States... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_of_July
Talk to ya later!
Denise
Happy Canada Day!
To all my Canadian followers/readers! I had to look this holiday up cause I wasnt sure what it was. Here is what I found on Wikipedia.
Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire.[1][2][3] Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed in 1982, the year that Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally.
Sounds a lot like our Fourth of July celebration, doesnt it?
Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire.[1][2][3] Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed in 1982, the year that Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally.
Sounds a lot like our Fourth of July celebration, doesnt it?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Father's day how it started...
Father's Day, in the United States, is a holiday (third Sunday in June) to honour fathers. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, which at the time was becoming established as a holiday. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd's father. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed it a national holiday. Observance on the third Sunday of June was decreed by law in 1972.
Although it was originally largely a religious holiday, Father's Day has been commercialized with the sending of greeting cards and the giving of gifts. Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a white rose to indicate that he is deceased. Other males—for example, grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles—are often also honoured on the day. Some Roman Catholics have continued to observe the feast day of Saint Joseph, on March 19, as a tribute to fathers. - History Channel
For a lot more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father's_Day
The link above also has Father's Day list for other countries. Very interesting...didnt know everyone celebrated it and Mother's Day as well...
P.S. - You'll have to copy and paste the link, dont know what happened to it, sorry.
Denise
Although it was originally largely a religious holiday, Father's Day has been commercialized with the sending of greeting cards and the giving of gifts. Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a white rose to indicate that he is deceased. Other males—for example, grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles—are often also honoured on the day. Some Roman Catholics have continued to observe the feast day of Saint Joseph, on March 19, as a tribute to fathers. - History Channel
For a lot more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father's_Day
The link above also has Father's Day list for other countries. Very interesting...didnt know everyone celebrated it and Mother's Day as well...
P.S. - You'll have to copy and paste the link, dont know what happened to it, sorry.
Denise
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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