Food Sorage and usage tips

 At the start of each day lunches are made. If your home is like mine the heals of the loaf are an unfavored left over. After collecting enough for the job but bagging them in the freezer the task begins.This is one of the ways that they are put to good use here.

 Note all the bags are turned inside out and reused for lunches or what-not.

 Slow low bake to dry. Grind into bread crumbs.

 Shake the larger up and set aside for meatballs and such.

 The fine is used for coatings, and main filler for finer textured recipes

 Store frozen and use within two months or so.

 The Parsley harvest yielded a new jar of green beauty

 This is an important tip I noticed to pass on. When opening a new jar ALWAYS clear off any paper or foil. Use the side of your sharp knife.This remnant of packaging harbors bacteria that spread food born illness. 

Just a tip slip

:)

Take pleasure in your chosen career.

However humble it is a real possession in the ever changes cycles of life.

Oh Nuts!, and seeds. Preservation and storage

 

 We eat a lot of raw nuts and seeds here at this uncommon estate. When they are purchased it is in bulk. Nuts have natural oils that can go rancid. It is important to keep them fresh. The large jars are frozen. The smaller containers are for the kitchen refrigerator and are refilled weekly. This is a way to keep eye on the amounts and variety used. The rectangles store nicely on a shelf.

HERBS and SPICES
Sesame Seed

Putting up corn to freeze

Yesterday was well spent putting up corn

 Set up is the best method for success and a smooth operation.

See the awesome new antique enameled pan. I love it!

It has NO rust. Must be a good 40 years old.

So after cleaning by husk and silk removal.

An ice bath and boiling pot set to go. 

4 minuted submerged with a heavy pan to hold them down.

 Iced cooled and dried in a cycle the whole job was done in less than a half an hour.

 Cooked dried was lifted to the cutting stage.

Cut half way deep then scrapped to hard ear.

The scrap produced cream corn with the hearts of the kernel

 By using the back of the knife scrape the cob hard in a down ward motion

 all off cob

 Into freezer bags

creamed corn ready for next menu

  Got the laundry soap done for the next few months.

By adding Tea Tree oil to it (just a few drops per bottle)

Monday I finished Doves new top

I am not to pleased.

she is

Monday was also a day of tag trying to work out a new schedule and getting over my nerve about having a new nurse doing the infusion. It was set for today but has to be moved.

Thursday will be the third infusion. Is was to be today but it was postpone. The pharmacy had not called to confirm. So I called and the woman I work with is on holiday. Good thing too. Although the MD ok'ed the 3 week interval this month, the insurance had not given pre authorization. I would of got hit for the $4000! God is looking after me. It has been a challenging week and it's only Tuesday. The new nurse called this evening after I called the agency back and they finally confirmed in time for the infusion to get overnight-ed for Thursday. The pharmacist was a temp and felt bad of the mix up. She even stayed after work to mix it set the kit and mail it off over night.

Monday the temporary buss driver threatened the kids, all of them. He had an error on his form and could not let the kids off. 12 kids were stuck walking way too far in this heat. I called the school after Dash running home in a panic called me to run to the bus for the man was threatening the children. Dash was particularly concerned about a little guy walking home so far. The buss driver would not hear of listen to the kids. Instead he threatened them and bad mouthed the regular driver (who we all adore) then threatened her job. It all came down to the man could of easily listened to the kids and then called in to confirm..I called the school to let them know that there would be many calls for the kids would get home late. Then I got transferred to the transportation supervisor.  I told him that my kids are not the kind of children who provoke a threat. That they are not accustomed to such behavior.

The Man was fired today.

I am sure I was not the only parent to call. However the supper was on the phone with the driver before I got back to the house. Telling the supper that he would be getting a call and trying to cover his actions. I stood ground on the phone and overheard the supper being told that there was an error on the form. If the driver would of just heard the kids. Instead he threatens them.

Tackle it Tuesday household inventory

pencil is erased and the main list is not needed to be rewritten.

before and after....

Everything is inventoried on the sheets in my homemakers inventory manuel every freezer, pantry, supply closet and laundry cupboard. The garage things such as motor oil as well.

By using this method the budget is guarded from the expiration dates costing spoiled goods.

The door is insulated with ice blocks all above.

Cold sinks, heat rises. So the lower door has food goods.

Everything in upper door is ice. By using the old jugs, ice cream containers and such we both reuse and recycle. The old ice cream container make great ice blocks.

All the chill packs for my knees will be easily located for the kids.

Over the next several weeks I have an infusion on the 8th then knee injections for both knees every Thursday there after for 3 weeks.

The medication supply is also inventoried.

We purchase on clearance the items that are a common, looking always for new packaging.

This is done every so often.

First they send coupons, then they down size with coupons. Once they hook us they then increase the price. For what a "good deal" they leave us to think.

So when an item you commonly purchase sends out that first round toward the new packaging look for the former packaging to show up on clearance.

Great for tooth brushes too.

Thanksgiving Day and Week End

Thanksgiving gave way to Mother Daughter time for I did not have to do the house and the meal.

My MILove hosted this year and I took full advantage of time with my kids.

As I was getting ready Dove came in on me getting my make up on.

We took a moment of time and Allowed her her first experience at a little mascara.

You all know as moms it was one of those priceless moments in time.

Daddy man knew it too and ran for the camera.

 

 After a little coxing she let him take her picture.

By the way she does not like mascara...

Wow gives me some more time  :) love that she loves being a kid.

Too many kids want to grow up so fast.

She did however really feel good and pretty.

It was so fun watching her see herself in the mirror.

She loved her reflection.

Oh if we all just could gain that one.

 

 Steve's Brother was so kind as to load us an IPOD to help Dove to listen to books on tape to help her relax with her insomnia. These two brothers see each other twice a year. Steve is the youngest.

The eldest brother spends holidays with his wife's family and the two young ladies daughters.

My MILove thought to get a wonderful pecan pie

my favorite

She made soy milk pumpkin pie too

 

 She is so beautiful.

Wish she could see her reflection like her granddaughter did.

True to her beauty.

She had set up a puzzle, It was intoxicating and I had so much pleasure in working that puzzle.

I had to finish it before we left.

Dash and Steve came over and got hooked in too.

I had Dash place the final piece and boy was he proud.

"I finished it"!

It was reality satisfying to give him that.

 

 Father and son...

My FILove was so generous too host this year it really helped us out a lot with having the small kids and the role at our time in life. We have two passages going at the same time. Strange to be parents when your older.

The Grandparents are older too and the grandchildren well they just want to go to their grandparents like any child would.

 

They have the traditions of Dove whipping the cream with her Grandmother.

This is the big thing she looks forward to doing every year.

The highlight of Thanksgiving to Dove.

That and the wonderful left overs.

The rolls that Steve's brother brings are a tradition.

The kids just go gaga over them.

Left overs the delight of the days after.

 

 So with the sugar energy worn off with a bit of wrestling

we were off for a very long drive.

These two are best friends.

The kids rested and may have even slept a little .

It was a nice transition time.

The hospitality was so sweet at my nieces.

She did such a nice job on the meal and we all brought somethings.

This was her first time hosting.

Her kind spirit was a real treat to be around.

The meal was a buffet style

Humor offered by my Mr Nice Guy.

The air was a little thick of pink elephants.

 

 Dove got hold of the camera and the images of a child tell a lot.

Conversations and all were pleasant.

My kids had there first experience at a "kids" table in the kitchen over the linoleum floor.

I remember the kids table growing up and I am sure most do.

My two have never really been seperated from the main table for we normally serve the elders and there are no other kids in the history of our Thanksgiving or Christmas events.

The kids were all much younger than ours and they were really just spending time with them that was a brief getting to know them time.

We missed having my sisters grand kids but they had one with a flu so were unable to attend.

 

Across from me are two sisters the third is out of view.

They are my brothers Daughters.

Really wonderful young women.

A nephew in law then my sister and a BIL remarried to the girls mom

 Dash's shirt says

"This is my dress shirt"

I got it for him for a Christmas gift but gave it to him to use.

He felt so happy with it.

 

 After a wonderful meal the deserts were so ample that the children were in heaven.

I was so full that I for the first time in my life I think passed on any desert!

With so many choices even. I had a first:)

The children were a hoot though.

So fun to capture the delighted little faces and they indulged

 

My SIL (mother to my nieces)once married to my brother was there and it was nice to see her and her husband. She has some wonderful events in her live . A new home will be purchased after the holidays. I am so happy for her and her husband. The home is so pretty and it is wonderful to see her so happy.

Divorce is so strange a mix to families.

These are two of my my great nephews.

 

 Their sister soft spoken sweet child.

Her Mother my niece is as pretty as her daughter a wonderful young woman.

 

 

 

This little fellow just gave me such a thrill in that cute walk with his mommy's shoes one it was too cute.

His sister is so funny, this one has a fiery spirit.

feisty girl.

My other niece their mother is a wonderful young woman.

It was so funny I spoke up to call to her daughter and called her by my nieces name, that's how much they look alike. Had to laugh it took me back in time. I hope her momma got a kick out of it.

 

 Dove loved the two story house and looking down the wall as the most fun to her.

The children played up and down the steps.

My two kids the eldest.

 

The nice long belly filling day of family company gave way to a long drive home

My sweet niece gave us wonderful left overs

My sister made the best stuffing with apples and pine nuts.

This year was particularly hard for her due to the absence of our beloved Jason.

It was a real shadow on the day.

We all enjoyed each other though I think.

It was so nice to get to know these young women and their families a little better.

We four had a nice week end, Friday off work was here with a play date for Dash and a nice long visit with a new neighbor who was the boys mom. We had a long visit while the boys played.

Daddy man took Dove to the mall and got Dash a gift to give him at Christmas.

Saturday a family day of tasks.

I pieled the rest of the wall paper off of Doves room so as to get ready to paint it soon.

 The spackle that room took!

 

Time at home and rest with an added child at mid day.

Daddy man took Dash to the store with him and he got a toy with his ASU earnings and I think Dove a gift.

With a sleep over the kids played all and slept better.

The little girl stayed until late afternoon Sunday and we took her back to her grandparents home.

We just rested.

We stopped by a store and got two things totally $6.

That was all the shopping we cared to do.

A sleep over with a friend of Dove's

I started to get the tree up and have been working on it.

That paper became a chain instead for it was not really what I liked that way

So at this point Dove and I are making paper chain of silver and the $6 purchase was two

emergency camping blankets.

They are the foil type and that was my big idea for a tree skirt.

This year I want to design a different thiem.

Every year before the kids I had a thiem tree.

This is the first time I am going to do one in many years.

I want simplicity and silver and white.

Themed creativity.