I am a very busy person, espceially these days. Many of you think I get more done than the average person. That could be right or maybe wrong. This season of the year is filled with me working many hours outside of the home as well as canning and freezing for the long hard winter. Those two things along are quite time consuming.
Well, something has had to give, as I have learned over the last few weeks of this new "season" in my life. I am almost ashamed to admit (I am only human though) that my menu plan went out the door last month and i did not even post one for this month. I doubt very seriously that I will get one made for August. Most nights we have fruit, mainly peaches, cantaloupe and / or watermelon. The boys usually have a healthy veggie dinner with some type of meat. I cook 3 times a week for them and swap it all up throughlout the week. I cook one really elaborate (southern style veggie dinner for us and my parents each week. We have also eaten out a half dozen times the last 5 weeks or so.
As for my house we are doing the best we can, I have a housekeeper that comes bimonthly and I am so grateful for her. The laundry is another story all together. I cannot keep up. The boys have been sick and so have I so we are really going through the piles here. I can get it done, but not folded, put away and ironed. my nephew is dating a sweet young lady that needs some community service hours as coursework for college. She talked it over with her professor and she okayed her to use me for that. She will come in one day a week and help with the laundry and to get things caught back up for the week. Praise the Lord!
This past week I worked 87 hours. The boys stay with my Mother's helper or my mom when I have to work and they are not in preschool. Hubby worked 68 hours. We are both beat. I have had several emails about why do you work so much? The truth is that when you farm, you only have one season to harvest the yeild in. I will be home from November 1 until the end of May, before I have to go back to work. I am thankful we have Hubby's income to live off of. Just think if you were a fulltime farmer, you would need to make enough of money (income) during the 4-6 months of harvest to last for all 12 months. While it's good it's good, but you had beter get it while you can. That is why we work so hard. God has been so good to us though! Praise him!
As for everything else we are doing the best we can. I have laryngitis and I mean cannot even croak or make a sound. Kind of scary, especially considering how much i love to talk. I am finally getting over this awful summer cold though. The boys are still a little sick, more especially Tiger. He is cutting a molar tooth and feels plain rotten. His fever spiked last night and we called the nurse. She said he needed a recheck with the peds this morning. So he and I will be heading to the doctor.
Try going to a framer's market and selling peaches for a day not being able to talk. (Hubby went to pick up the slack). At least I can sign to the boys and they understand! I woke up Saturday morning and couldn't speak. I've had an awful cold and am sure that's the problem.
I hope you all have a great week and maqny blessings in it!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Farming Update
Things have been hectic lately and the work is seemingly never done.
We are picking peaches and lots of them right now. Some days as many as 600 baskets. My Dad (75 years young next month), my 44 year old brother and our 75 year old uncle are the ONLY pickers. Most day they start by daylight and are finished by noon. The varieties this week are Red Haven, Bellaire, Jim Dandy, Bounty and Flaming Fury. Some of these varieties we are finishing this week and some are just starting.
We also are picking a few apples called Lo-di. They are tart, green apples. We are still picking several varieties of plums and nectarines, as well as blueberries. Mom has also been picking in her personal blackberry field.
The first planting of squash has played out and we started the second planting last week. The broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower have all played out. The first planting of cantaloupes have played out with a total of over 7,000 being harvested this time. We will start the second planting of those within the next two weeks.
Eggplant, zucchini, roma, regular, heirloom and plum tomatoes, jalapeno, sweet banana, bell and cayenne peppers are all being harvested on a regular basis.
The hours are looonnnnnggggggggg these days. The market I do on Tuesday from 2-6pm was a sell out. We were out of peaches in just under 2 hours. That was a record for us. It was 102* though and so HOT! You could not even breath for all of the people gathered around waiting to be waited on. Glad it's over, but it was a great day.
So, how are your gardens coming? What are you cooking and canning?
I hope all is well! Blessings!!!!!
We are picking peaches and lots of them right now. Some days as many as 600 baskets. My Dad (75 years young next month), my 44 year old brother and our 75 year old uncle are the ONLY pickers. Most day they start by daylight and are finished by noon. The varieties this week are Red Haven, Bellaire, Jim Dandy, Bounty and Flaming Fury. Some of these varieties we are finishing this week and some are just starting.
We also are picking a few apples called Lo-di. They are tart, green apples. We are still picking several varieties of plums and nectarines, as well as blueberries. Mom has also been picking in her personal blackberry field.
The first planting of squash has played out and we started the second planting last week. The broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower have all played out. The first planting of cantaloupes have played out with a total of over 7,000 being harvested this time. We will start the second planting of those within the next two weeks.
Eggplant, zucchini, roma, regular, heirloom and plum tomatoes, jalapeno, sweet banana, bell and cayenne peppers are all being harvested on a regular basis.
The hours are looonnnnnggggggggg these days. The market I do on Tuesday from 2-6pm was a sell out. We were out of peaches in just under 2 hours. That was a record for us. It was 102* though and so HOT! You could not even breath for all of the people gathered around waiting to be waited on. Glad it's over, but it was a great day.
So, how are your gardens coming? What are you cooking and canning?
I hope all is well! Blessings!!!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Canned Squash Pickles
This is one my favorite things!!! I have won first place in the county fair the last 4years for this recipe. You can eat these with a vegetable dinner or just by themselves. Yum!
9 c. sliced (yellow) squash
2 med. onions, sliced
2 med. green bell peppers, cut into strips
2 med. red bell peppers, cut into strips
1/3 c. pickling salt
3 1/2 c. cider vinegar
3 q1/2 c. sugar
1 t. celery seeds
1 t. mustard seeds
In a 6-8 qt. stainless steel pan, combine all veggies and salt. Add water to cover. Cover and let stand two hours. Drain in a extra large colander. Rinse and drain again.
In the pan combine vinegar, sugar and both seeds. Heat to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add squash mixture. Boil for 5-7 minutes. Put into hot jars and cover with hot flats. Seal with bands and hot water bath for 10 minutes. Please use caution when canning. Refer to the Ball Blue Book of Canning for specific details about hot water bathing.
These are best when they sit for 2 or 3 days (after they seal). I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Blessings!!!!!! ENJOY!!!
9 c. sliced (yellow) squash
2 med. onions, sliced
2 med. green bell peppers, cut into strips
2 med. red bell peppers, cut into strips
1/3 c. pickling salt
3 1/2 c. cider vinegar
3 q1/2 c. sugar
1 t. celery seeds
1 t. mustard seeds
In a 6-8 qt. stainless steel pan, combine all veggies and salt. Add water to cover. Cover and let stand two hours. Drain in a extra large colander. Rinse and drain again.
In the pan combine vinegar, sugar and both seeds. Heat to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add squash mixture. Boil for 5-7 minutes. Put into hot jars and cover with hot flats. Seal with bands and hot water bath for 10 minutes. Please use caution when canning. Refer to the Ball Blue Book of Canning for specific details about hot water bathing.
These are best when they sit for 2 or 3 days (after they seal). I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Blessings!!!!!! ENJOY!!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Hubby's Lab Results
Well, it certainly was a shock and seems so wrong. John my Hubby (I know I used his real name), is only 32. It is not cancer, Praise the lord! It is Lupus though........seems it is anyhow.
We are hoping for a false positive. The quickest appointment with a rhuematlogist was September 19th. Crazy!!!! It is going to be hard to wait so long. All of your prayers are appreciated! i feel like God will be preform a miracle in the next 10 weeks. He is so good all of the time!
Blessings on you all and sweet dreams!
We are hoping for a false positive. The quickest appointment with a rhuematlogist was September 19th. Crazy!!!! It is going to be hard to wait so long. All of your prayers are appreciated! i feel like God will be preform a miracle in the next 10 weeks. He is so good all of the time!
Blessings on you all and sweet dreams!
Is it Monday..........Already?
What a weekend........work, sick babies, hospital, laundry, homemade ice cream and more work.
So it's Monday. First and foremost, please take a moment to pray when you read this next statement. My hubby was sent for an RA panel two weeks ago when he went in to see the orthopedic doctor about his knee. They are referring him to a RA doctor. We will have more details tomorrow. I will post about the facts when we know. He was told by the nurse that his "levels were abnormally high". God is great and bigger than any disease and we will praise him through it all!
Hopefully I slept in until 5 or 5:30am this morning (I am writing this at 10 pm Sunday night).
Get hubby's lunch packed and him off to work. Ge the boys up, fed, dressed, beds made, laundry started tea made and letters addressed for the post office. I also hope to grab a bit of breakfast somewhere in there. I also need to freshen up and get ready for my day. Take meds and vitamins, as well as pray.
8am Drop the boys off at preschool, then go by the post office. We received a card in our box that we had too much mail for our box (we did not check it for 6 days last week).......so I need to get tthat picked up.
Then I will mow our yard. Hubby will have to weedeat later. I have not mowed the grass since I found out i was expecting the boys in August of '05. That'll be a shocker for my system. It takes over an hour using a 46" deck John Deere mower. My parents yards take over 6 hours (straight mowing). I'll take ours anytime. Then I am going to clean the front porch and water all of the plants.
I also need to call the doctor for hubby and call and cancel an appointment.
I need to bathe then, run to CVS if time permits, catch up on some ironing, plan supper (as my monthly menu plans got lost in the peach orchard in May!;)
On to lunch and work by 12pm. I do not get off until 6pm. Monday morning is my off time for the whole next 7 days.YUCK!
I hope to get a lot accomplished today! Hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!
Blessings!!!!!
So it's Monday. First and foremost, please take a moment to pray when you read this next statement. My hubby was sent for an RA panel two weeks ago when he went in to see the orthopedic doctor about his knee. They are referring him to a RA doctor. We will have more details tomorrow. I will post about the facts when we know. He was told by the nurse that his "levels were abnormally high". God is great and bigger than any disease and we will praise him through it all!
Hopefully I slept in until 5 or 5:30am this morning (I am writing this at 10 pm Sunday night).
Get hubby's lunch packed and him off to work. Ge the boys up, fed, dressed, beds made, laundry started tea made and letters addressed for the post office. I also hope to grab a bit of breakfast somewhere in there. I also need to freshen up and get ready for my day. Take meds and vitamins, as well as pray.
8am Drop the boys off at preschool, then go by the post office. We received a card in our box that we had too much mail for our box (we did not check it for 6 days last week).......so I need to get tthat picked up.
Then I will mow our yard. Hubby will have to weedeat later. I have not mowed the grass since I found out i was expecting the boys in August of '05. That'll be a shocker for my system. It takes over an hour using a 46" deck John Deere mower. My parents yards take over 6 hours (straight mowing). I'll take ours anytime. Then I am going to clean the front porch and water all of the plants.
I also need to call the doctor for hubby and call and cancel an appointment.
I need to bathe then, run to CVS if time permits, catch up on some ironing, plan supper (as my monthly menu plans got lost in the peach orchard in May!;)
On to lunch and work by 12pm. I do not get off until 6pm. Monday morning is my off time for the whole next 7 days.YUCK!
I hope to get a lot accomplished today! Hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!
Blessings!!!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Week in Review
For those of you involved in the coupon train, I did NOT get to mail out this week. I will have them out next week. Also, we will be welcoming Vanessa to the train this weekend. Watch for details via email.
Tuesday I worked, went to the market and was just plain tired. I also lost part of my load of peaches (first time in 16 years). A tow truck pulling a big rig almost hit us in the tail end. As I was turning (a bit quicker than usual), the peaches went sliding off of the boards. We had to pick them up......in the middle of a busy highway, thankfully some of the other farmers came out and helped.
Wednesday I worked all day. I also shelled peas (they were given to me).
I also had a surprise visitor at my parents. I had not seen him in 8 or 9 years. Monkey started with a bad cold.
Thursday I worked all day and also went to a new market and love it! Tiger started with a bad cold.
Friday at 5am we had the boys at the er at Children's Hospital. I had slept in the floor all night and Tiger could not breath well laying down. They are home and now I have the cold as well as them. We all just have Upper Respiratory infections.......aka bad colds. We stayed home and hubby went to the VFW and brought home bbq. He also helped my parents out at their work.
Today I am here and we are all a little better. Off work again and trying to rest.
The boys have done well with preschool and are making great friends. We can already tell a great improvement in Monkey's speech. Both the boys are going potty on a regular basis (school and home). They have been rather clingy when I leave them at school, but I think it would be better if they were not sick.
I hope you all had a great Fourth and Happy belated Fourth of July to you! God Bless us and this wonderful country!!!
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday I worked, went to the market and was just plain tired. I also lost part of my load of peaches (first time in 16 years). A tow truck pulling a big rig almost hit us in the tail end. As I was turning (a bit quicker than usual), the peaches went sliding off of the boards. We had to pick them up......in the middle of a busy highway, thankfully some of the other farmers came out and helped.
Wednesday I worked all day. I also shelled peas (they were given to me).
I also had a surprise visitor at my parents. I had not seen him in 8 or 9 years. Monkey started with a bad cold.
Thursday I worked all day and also went to a new market and love it! Tiger started with a bad cold.
Friday at 5am we had the boys at the er at Children's Hospital. I had slept in the floor all night and Tiger could not breath well laying down. They are home and now I have the cold as well as them. We all just have Upper Respiratory infections.......aka bad colds. We stayed home and hubby went to the VFW and brought home bbq. He also helped my parents out at their work.
Today I am here and we are all a little better. Off work again and trying to rest.
The boys have done well with preschool and are making great friends. We can already tell a great improvement in Monkey's speech. Both the boys are going potty on a regular basis (school and home). They have been rather clingy when I leave them at school, but I think it would be better if they were not sick.
I hope you all had a great Fourth and Happy belated Fourth of July to you! God Bless us and this wonderful country!!!
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Not Forgotten
Hi!!!! I just wanted everyone to know that this week will be incredibly hectic around here and I have not forgotten about my wonderful bloggy firiends! I hope to get to read your posts and stay all caught up with you, but not have time to comment. I hope you all understand.
Here's a glimpse of yesterday.................
Got up at 3;30 am got hubby off to work after I made his lunch. Went back to bed for 1 hour and Tiger was up, got him settled and I laid on the bed til 5am.
Got up, got ready, made bed, folded 6 loads of laundry.
Straightened master bath and bedroom.
6:30 am woke the boys, got them ready, loaded all of their things for first day at preschool. Got them loaded and arrived at school at 7:05am.
Came back to fruit market and picked up my truck and baskets, went to orchard and packaged 58 special order baskets.
8:20 drive the hour to deliver them. Unload those. Got o Sam's Aldi and CVS. Drive the hour back. By then it is 12:00pm. Unload everything from truck. Go home and unload our few things.
Come back to fruit market, eat lunch (squash casserole). Answer phone numerous times and take orders.
It is now 1pm. I work on stamping vouchers and checks and figuring the banking. While doing this I help wait on customers.
Then I pay the bills and write out checks for the week, while answering phones and waiting on customers. I take my truck and gas it up.
Then I load two trucks with over 200 baskets of peaches for markets today.
By then it is 4pm. My Aunt and I get all of the small cups and baskets ready for my Mom's market truck, then my Dad takes me to my house to get the car (it has the carseats for the boys and I need to pick them up).
I run to the school at 5pm to pick up the boys and back to work it is.
My 10 year old nephew, brother and parents (and I, along witht he boys) finish loading trucks and waiting on customers.
They picked over 400 baskets of peaches yesterday and then 15 bushels of cantaloupes, over 10 (3/4 bushel) boxes of yellow squash, tomatoes, cukes, zuchinni and I don't even know what else. My Mom was still in the plum orchard at 8pm last night.
I made it home at 6:15pm finally (with the boys in tow). Cooked supper, fed them and me. Hubby stopped by the parents (on his way in from work) and moved trucks around (so they would be covered for the night and the dew would not get on the peaches.He ate supper after he finally got home at 7pm. We then loaded the dw (after unloading it), cleaned up, took out the garbage, vacuumed, wiped counters and table, and will do 3 loads of laundry, picked up toys.
8pm gave the boys bathes, pottyed, brushed teeth, read stories and prayed.
8:50pm hubby showers, I read my emails and caught up reading blogs.
9:15pm I bathe and we go to bed..........at 9:45pm...........Finally!
I hope you all had a great day and I'm off to another busy day on the farm. I promise to catch up with you all soon!
Many blessings!!!!!!
Here's a glimpse of yesterday.................
Got up at 3;30 am got hubby off to work after I made his lunch. Went back to bed for 1 hour and Tiger was up, got him settled and I laid on the bed til 5am.
Got up, got ready, made bed, folded 6 loads of laundry.
Straightened master bath and bedroom.
6:30 am woke the boys, got them ready, loaded all of their things for first day at preschool. Got them loaded and arrived at school at 7:05am.
Came back to fruit market and picked up my truck and baskets, went to orchard and packaged 58 special order baskets.
8:20 drive the hour to deliver them. Unload those. Got o Sam's Aldi and CVS. Drive the hour back. By then it is 12:00pm. Unload everything from truck. Go home and unload our few things.
Come back to fruit market, eat lunch (squash casserole). Answer phone numerous times and take orders.
It is now 1pm. I work on stamping vouchers and checks and figuring the banking. While doing this I help wait on customers.
Then I pay the bills and write out checks for the week, while answering phones and waiting on customers. I take my truck and gas it up.
Then I load two trucks with over 200 baskets of peaches for markets today.
By then it is 4pm. My Aunt and I get all of the small cups and baskets ready for my Mom's market truck, then my Dad takes me to my house to get the car (it has the carseats for the boys and I need to pick them up).
I run to the school at 5pm to pick up the boys and back to work it is.
My 10 year old nephew, brother and parents (and I, along witht he boys) finish loading trucks and waiting on customers.
They picked over 400 baskets of peaches yesterday and then 15 bushels of cantaloupes, over 10 (3/4 bushel) boxes of yellow squash, tomatoes, cukes, zuchinni and I don't even know what else. My Mom was still in the plum orchard at 8pm last night.
I made it home at 6:15pm finally (with the boys in tow). Cooked supper, fed them and me. Hubby stopped by the parents (on his way in from work) and moved trucks around (so they would be covered for the night and the dew would not get on the peaches.He ate supper after he finally got home at 7pm. We then loaded the dw (after unloading it), cleaned up, took out the garbage, vacuumed, wiped counters and table, and will do 3 loads of laundry, picked up toys.
8pm gave the boys bathes, pottyed, brushed teeth, read stories and prayed.
8:50pm hubby showers, I read my emails and caught up reading blogs.
9:15pm I bathe and we go to bed..........at 9:45pm...........Finally!
I hope you all had a great day and I'm off to another busy day on the farm. I promise to catch up with you all soon!
Many blessings!!!!!!
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