Sunday, August 31, 2008

Life's little mysteries

Hello my readers.

I know you have been missing me.

You crave something new!


I wish I was more regular with blogging. I have slow internet, that's my excuse. Yeah. That's it. It takes me awhile to do ANYTHING on this computer.

So, now that I'm back, let me tell you a story.

Ems and I were taking advantage of the lovely produce that is available this time of year, and had taken a drive to the local blueberry picking field. We spent an hour or so picking and eating and then returned home to take care of the berries.

I decided to dry them. I thought those little nuggets would taste great in my oat groats.

So, we were cleaning, desteming and blanching those little lovelies for awhile. After they were nestled snugly in the dryer, Ems and I decided we needed a little snack. Mmmm, there were some delicious purple grapes in the fridge. Perfect!

So , we were munching and chatting and musing about things. Ems pauses, looks at me and says:
"Hey, I wonder what grapes would be like if they were dried."

Me (big pause): "Uh. . . . Raisins?"

Ems (sheepishly): "Oh, yeah . . . duh!"

We laughed and laughed about this.

Then we wondered. Why do grapes get a new name when they are dried? Or plums? Are they special? Is it because they are purple? Is it because they are chewy when dried? What new name would you give blueberries? Or apricots? Or mangos? Or bananas? Is "banana chips" the best we can do? What about "craisins"? How clever is that? Hmmm.

Now you know why I haven't blogged in a bit. My mind has been consumed with naming dried fruits.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Let me introduce you to . . .

LUCKY

This adorable dog followed us home from our park that we love to bike to and swim in. We were swimming in the river and up ahead we could see this dog, swimming frantically, trying to get to an area of the bank he could climb up. He wasn't having much success.

Ems, bless her dog-loving heart, couldn't bear to see him struggle. She swam to him and guided him to a place where he could get out. He immediately became attached to her.

At first we thought he was just separated from his owner. We asked every walker, biker, canoer and swimmer we came across if this was their dog. No one claimed him. He was very friendly, visiting with everyone he came in contact with. As we climbed back on our bikes for the ride home, we didn't see him, and began our journey back. Then, lo and behold, there he was behind us!

He followed us, running, all the way home, about a 5 mile journey. Tongue lolling, foam dripping, we couldn't just ignore his need to eat and drink.

Unfortunately our spastic cocker spaniel was not happy to see this strange dog getting lots of love and attention. Even though we felt a connection and bond to Lucky, we knew he would need another home. So sadly, yesterday morning, I took him to the pound and left him there. He didn't want to go in. As soon as he caught a whiff of the smell in the building, he planted his feet and refused to budge. I had to pull and drag him in. It was awful.

I am hoping some other family will see his goodness and adopt him.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

When the cat's away . . .

My boys are gone.

They left a few days ago.


The first day they were gone I just moped around my house. I wore my PJs all day that day. I just wanted to be morose and sad. I didn't even answer the door when someone knocked. A few hours later they knocked again and I dragged myself to the door. It was my neighbors, looking quite shocked at my appearance. My mood lifted slightly as she handed me a lovely loaf of zucchini bread. I apologized for my appearance and she naturally assumed that I wasn't feeling well. True. True. I felt much better after I downed half of the bread.

Anyway, I am feeling somewhat back to my old self, although there is always this sensation that part of you is missing when your hubby leaves. I try to look at the bright side of things. You know, when my DH isn't here I can spend time doing things I don't always have time to do. I don't need to spend too much time in the kitchen. I enjoy feasting on culinary delights such as this:



And this (yum!):


and only 1/2 the fat too! I CAN have my cake and eat it too!

Ems and I polish our toes. My foot is the whiter, wider one on the left.


We play games too. Don't look too closely at the score.

But perhaps the best bonding experience is this:

Oops, sorry about the closeup, but I wanted you to see how the mask brings out the green in my eyes. Can you tell I was having a hard time smiling?

Ems would like you to notice how smoothly and evenly she applied her mask. Mine is an uneven, globbed-on mess. And, have you noticed my two little horns on top of my head? That's what happens to you when your husband leaves.

One day at a time. That's my motto.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fruitful season

'Tis the time of year when harvest comes in. I haven't canned anything for years. I used to do it all the time. Then it seemed life got so busy and canned food got so cheap that it was more worth my while and time just to buy everything. Lately I have been feeling anxious about my food storage. I really wanted to take advantage of the sales of meat and fruit and start canning my own. Problem is, I have this kind of stove:



Turns out it wasn't smart thinking on my part to get a stove that I can't can on. However, creative minds find a way! Last week I found some chicken on sale and I was determined to find a way to can it. Then I remember a few years back when we decided to deep fry a turkey. I still had the burner from that!


I debated the pros and cons:

Pros:

Kitchen will stay cool
Chicken will get canned

Propane heats up much faster the electric


Cons:
I have to lug the canner and produce outside
I have to monitor it outside

Dog likes to sniff and smell and eat everything outside

So the pros won and I attempted my first canning project in many years. Here's the before:


Here's the after!


I also have oodles of zucchini. I just hate to waste it. So here's the end result of that:

My dehydrator, which has sat dormant and dusty on the shelf for years as well, is getting some good use.

Monday, August 11, 2008

This week's project

Now that Austin's back we have put him to good use.

Our little homemade shed has been suffering from a leaky roof. It was time, now that we had two manly men and one tough girl, to do the job.



Of course, emptying the entire thing out was the first order of business. How did we ever get so much in there in the first place? And why do we still need it?


Whenever you have a job to do, and time is at a premium, it is important to know what kind of time you need to complete it. Then you multiply that number by 10 and that is about how long it takes.

I thought this job would take an afternoon. Four days later it was done. Well, mostly done. There are still a few items on the lawn.

Family bonding really occurs when the skies open up with torrential rainfall as you are putting the tar paper on the roof.