good morning. two weeks worth

  AUG 11th 

Laundry is on the line, dishwasher is unloaded, supper is picked out and I flung 27 items and decluttered 15min.  I pulled the last half loaf of bread out of the freezer. 

We have a gathering to go to this weekend so I need to decide what to take. Won't be any veggies as their gardens are almost as big as ours. 

Our electric went up $45 ... ran the AC for over a week, add on new freezer (switched it to all freezer instead of frig/freezer) 3 dehydrators and having fans running so was not surprised. Well ....we were surprised it wasn't higher.

 Did a lot of maintenance last month and those bills came in.Best to get it done because costs is only going to go up. We have one more project to buy for, going to use Menards rebates to lower that cost.

Hubby is going to drag 4 more trees up that are cured and 2 more that aren't. We don't need them cut to size right now but he figured he would move them out of E's way for maple syrup time this winter. We need mineral spirits for oil lamps still but waiting until the next order comes in so it's fresh. We used 4 gallons this past year.That is down from the year before but will go back up as I replaced an oil lamp.

The "winter get it done" list is basically deep cleaning the house and replace insulation in pump house in cooler weather, that's the last project. That's good since it's still Aug and not late Oct like a couple years ago.

Winter squash is starting to come in. Onions have been pulled and are curing. Looks like we will have another round of potatoes to harvest.  Moving canned goods also to make sure we used the oldest first.

Son 2 and I have been sharing and writing down meals. He is off work due to medical.Income has been cut in half. He said money wise he is okay as long as he is careful and his paperwork for disability goes through in 3 months.  You would think if the Army said you were disabled that would go for all the rest of disability  BUT NOOOOO. 

Mother in law fell, gave herself whiplash. I and her daughter are taking turns helping her in the shower as she still can't raise her arms to wash her hair,face, neck and back. Father in law is doing housekeeping and meals.  Grandson stayed for a week until she could get out of bed by herself and to help do odds and ends.

LORD HELP!!! Aug 28th.

Laundry on clothes line, watching as we are to get rain, fingers crossed as our cistern is almost dry and Amish neighbor's is completly dry. But I hope the laundry is dry or close to being dry before it hits.FINGERS CROSSED.

E's dad was hit from behind while in his buggy. Thankful he didn't have any of the grandkids in with him as he usually does. Guy said he was too busy watching the storm come in while driving and didn't realize he was that close to the buggy. E's dad was thrown 20 ft into field. Said he landed on a shock of straw that helped soften the landing. He is doing OK, guy that hit him is now helping with the chores before he goes to work and at night. Admitted he was distracted with watching the storm come in.He called the sheriff and reported it all.

Half cow and the hog meat will be in during Sept/Oct. I need to move things in freezers before doing house deep cleaning.  I can either freeze it or can it or both. Son2 suggested I can what I have in the freezer and make room for the fresh to go in freezer.That way I will have quick meals ready while dealing with the fresh meat. Sounds like a plan.

Have winter squash, mini eggplant,some cherry and paste tomatoes (regular did not do well), sweet potatoes still blooming, potatoes probably in next 2 wks. I pulled the last of the banana peppers, Might get some of the colored small bell peppers still. 

I went to store and got dairy, 4 salads, carrots and celery. I might buy some fresh apples for eating during the winter but what I bought is what I think will be our standard need to buy list when we go to the store this winter. When the gardens are completely done I will start growing sprouts. Amish family that we help their Dad while in surgery for 4 months off and on, got together and had an Englisher buy the stuff  from Amazon for us as that is now what they are doing for "fresh" veggies during the winter for last 3 yrs. 

We still don't have the furnance on ( update..just turned it on as house is dropping below 65 rain is spitting here and there), won't start wood stove until it stays cold during the day. Today it's low 60s but starting Saturday it will be back up into 70s. Might have to turn furnace on this evening because its not even noon and the house is back under 65 but that's okay. I planned for those type of days when I ordered propane.

M sent over small eggs from her new chickens, I mentioned I needed to make noodles and since her new chickens (pullets) are ALL laying she is getting over 5 dozen a day along with her older chicken laying, She sent 6 dozen and said she had more as they are now laying twice a day. Charlotte will get some since she is itching due to allergies and the eggs calm it down. 

On the to do list

We got the pump house insulation stuff when we went to help MIL so that is on site. Hubby called our trash collector and they said we could have what they call a "clean up box" the week after the fair (next week), they just need a 3 day notice to deliver it. 

I need to can apple jam, onion chutney, vegetable soup (M gave me recipe for 20 qrts). Need to freeze eggroll mixture for eggroll bowls. Need to make noodles to dry, dehydrate apple slices and peels and cabbage. Need to make granola for bfast cereal. 

I need to fix the freezers to get the meat in or plan on canning all of it.... or some of it. That's around 600 to 700 lbs of meat  coming in.

I need to deep clean home and flip to fall/winter clothes. Local plants and animals are forcasting colder than normal winter. We have been going more with plants and animals that the local forecast. LOL

Stay safe, prayers for peace and sanity

Blessed be