Hits and misses

I am doing my post in hits and misses; a little here-a little there or whenever something strikes me to mention.
I got up and cleaned most of my canning things up.  I still need to wipe the stove off, but it isn't too bad.  Swept the kitchen floor and then went over it with the vacuum.  I seem capable of making some good messes.  Then I washed(scrubbed) the broom out in the bath tub and turned it upside down to drain and dry in the bath tub.  I read once that you should wash your broom out every so often because the bristles get to the point that the broom is just moving the dirt around.  I vacuumed the bedroom a little, but need to do a better job of it later.

I have been intending to get the van washed; it surely needed it.  So, that is what was also taken care of.  It now looks like a new van, all shiny and bright.

I went and got a new sealing ring for the canner while it was fresh on my mind.  Then a zip trip to the Dollar Tree where I bought a couple of plastic containers to organize my canning lids, rings and tools in.  They are actually food containers, but the same size and price as a plastic shoe box.

I want to get a new pressure gauge for my other canner that I bought from Sears about twenty years ago.  It never worked right and I had it tested by the  Farm Bureau Extension Agency.  They cost about $30.00 dollars so I am putting that off for now because insurance is due on the van. 

I just came back from Wal-Mart.  I took that little Acer back and got a better one.  Yesterday I tried to download a program and it didn't have enough memory for it.  A new computer without enough memory...sigh.  Also, have not been able to get on the Internet without an Ethernet cord and that was very inconvenient.  Could not get the clock to set the right time.  I got tired of fooling with it and took it back.  I wasn't able to delete my bank account site so I just got finished setting up a new log on and password.  It was a pain to use, so it is gone.  Back to where it came from...China...I hope.

and that is the END of that.

BEAN SOUP-SOUP'S ON

I got up this morning ready to tear into my canning.  The beans stayed very hot in the crock pot overnight.  I put water into the canner, set it to heat, got my handy dandy tools out and was all set to "get er done."  Got the lids out and couldn't find the rings.  I know I have wide mouth rings here...somewhere.  Rather than waste time looking for rings I ran out to the store to get a box of rings and lids.  As I was going through the automatic doors they came back and hit me...ouch!  I did get the lids and rings.

Away we go!  Everything is ready and the beans, lids and rings went into the big pressure cooker.  It built up pressure very fast.  Too fast.  I had trouble regulating the pressure.  At one point the pressure was up to 30 pounds.  I turned it off and moved the pressure cooker to a smaller burner.  Even so, it was hard to keep the pressure regulated.  I watched it like cat trying to catch a bird.  I let it run a little overtime just to be sure that all little pathogens, fungus's or mold met their demise.  Done

I have 6 pints and one qt. of bean soup.  They all sealed well and they should have, at one point at 30 pounds of pressure.  The soup is a little darker than what you get from a can because I added 2 pouches of onion soup.  My house smells of onion soup and beans.

I need to get a new sealing ring for the canner.  I was going to do that last summer, but forgot.  I will also get a new safety plug. 

This canner is over sixty years old.  My mother used it when I was small and did a lot of canning on an old wood stove. After she passed away no one seemed to want it.  After several years I brought it home with me.  I sent away for the parts that were needed and got it into canning shape.  Then...others wanted it.  So sorry...they could have had it way back when. 

I will wait a couple of days and then  can some Barley Soup, but I won't take any great pains with it.  You don't have to soak Barley.  Because I love Split Pea Soup, I will also make some of that.  That will be the end of the soup making.

The Farmer's Market is going to open Saturday morning.  I think I will go see what they will have.  What I hate about the local Farmer' Market is that they are importing veggies from Mexico and down South.  You can see all the empty shipping cartons behind their tents, so you  know that you are being bamboozled into thinking your getting local produce.

I will clean up the kitchen tomorrow except for the things that must be done to avoid anything that might become stinky overnight.  I set the crock pot to soak.  I emptied out the canner, but am saving a few little things to clean tomorrow.  That old canner is one heavy container...they don't make them like that anymore.

I am going to bed fairly soon as I got up fairly early and am fairly tired...fairly.

END

NOW AND AGAIN-THE SAME

I put in a hard-working day.  I didn't get everything finished that was on my agenda, but I made a good stab at it.

I have not yet canned the bean soup 'though I should finish it in the morning.  I let it simmer for several hours, then turned it off to let it cool.  I just finished putting it all through the blender and then into the crock pot to keep it hot overnight.  I should can in the A. M.-that is if I don't get interruptions.

I suppose I take a few extra steps in my canning of bean soup, but I like it to be creamy and smooth.  I am ready with six pint jars, but may need to get a couple large jars out, just in case.

When I say I put in a hard day I do mean it.  I did a good job on the back yard and it looks nice.  Again, I need to trim.  There is Virginia Creeper, an ivy, growing in grate abundance on and along the fence.  The new neighbors think it is Poison Ivy and that is there reason for not mowing their back yard.  They say they are allergic.  I will have to pull all that Virginia  Creeper off the fence.  I wish...just once...I would get neighbors that would take care of their yard

I pulled some really heavy wooden objects out to the alley for pick-up in the morning.  I hope they take them because I am tired of mowing around them or trying to move them.  One item is a home made wooden trap for a wood chuck that was living under the shed a couple years ago and the other item is a wooden laying box that was for my "chicken house."  You remember the chickens, don't you?  LO Ls on that.  Anyway, trying to do that kind of heavy  work really bothers my arm.  I finally had to quit and come in.  I am probably not a good risk for surgery as I age, but I wish I had all those pins, plates and screws all in a little box that I could set out for the trash pick-up.

I think I will get a glass of mild, take an Ibuprofen and go to bed.

P.S.  The news said that Ky. is the worst state in the Union for eating out and obesity.  I'll buy that! 
Also, it is supposed to be the most poorly run state in the Union.   Do yo buy that?

END

STORMY WEATHER

We had some thunderstorms this afternoon and it broke the heat.  We really didn't get a lot of rain with it, just a lot of thunder and wind. Someone else got the better part of it as it was rolling in from the west and seemed to be headed toward Owensboro.

I ventured out before the storm and went to Radio Shack to buy a couple of memory disks for this new computer.  I still have not got it set up to get on the Internet directly via wifi and am using the Ethernet cord.  I need to call the tech. guys again.

I will change the water the beans are soaking in one more time before I start cooking and canning them tomorrow.  Beans are a great source for protein, vitamins, and minerals, but I like to add small diced potatoes, chopped ham and a couple of onion soup pouches for added flavor.  Most people do not add potatoes to bean soup, but you do need some starches in your diet.  When the beans are cooked I will use a blender to make it creamy, then re-heat it for canning.  I just can't decide if I want to use pint jars or quart jars.  I'll let you know how it turns out

Canning vegetables is not hard.  You need a good canner or a big boiler, be able to read directions and have good sense.  I prefer the big pressure cooker over the open kettle boiler.  Both are time consuming, but when your done you know what you have and what is in your food.  The pressure cooker is really the safest way to cook vegetables and meat.  When you open up a can of commercially prepared food you don't know what you are getting.

High acid foods , such as jams, jellies, and pickles and pickled veggies, can be processed by the boiling, open kettle method.

Guess what I really like to make...home made wine.  I make pretty good wine.  The problem is...I give it all away.  I can't remember when I last had a glass of wine.  Now, with the price of sugar getting higher, I won't be making any for a while.

As I do not have much to write about I guess I will wind this post up, check my spelling and post it.  Did I tell you I like commas,,,,?  I really do like,,,'s.

END

Computers, cooking garden and stuff

I'm getting ready to make and then can homemade bean soup.  It will take a couple of days for everything to come together.  I am soaking the beans now and will rinse and change the water a few times before I make and can the soup.  There is nothing better than home made soups.

I went to the eye Dr. this afternoon.  The pressure is on the high side of normal, but the pressure in the right eye is better.  I paid a co-pay of $40.00, then  I stopped at the store for some groceries and spent $20.00.  Who eats better...him or me?  Me...because I can cook and I think he is an old bachelor and as skinny as a rail.

I have stopped buying Nestle's Coffee Creamer.  Half the time I can't find it and it is getting too expensive.  I am buying reg. milk by the qt.  The reason I am only buying a qt. at a time is because a gallon, while cheaper, will not "keep" in this hot humid weather.

While I am still using this old Dell for now, I have my new little Acer 99% set up and going.  I am having problems getting it to connect to the Internet without using an Ethernet cable.  To connect by the Ethernet cable I have to sit in the living room because that is where the router is, by the TV.  It is not at all convenient, but it will connect.  The tech. people dont' know why it won't connect from here where I sit, without the Ethernet cord.

The Acer I bought, while it is "new" is an older model, something they wanted to get off the shelves.  I paid $278.00 for it.  It doesn't not have a slot for a sandisk, but I think I can get an add on peripheral later...when I have more money.  This year has been a drain on the money pot, if there ever was one.

As I was straining and rinsing  the beans I remembered that you really don't need to buy bean seeds..You can buy a bag of beans at the store, soak them overnight, then gently plant them.  They start to sprout within just a few hours.  And this is an excellent way to get a quick start on a summer or early fall garden.

I checked my plants and it looks like the cucumber plant has been bitten or damaged.  One tomato plant is missing and also one pepper plant has grown legs and walked away. I know there is a least one wild rabbit living under the shed and those black Grackles will pull plants up, too.

Anyway, I guess we have to share with all God's creatures, great and small.

 END

I checked the radar
The radar said
It is raining hard
go back to bed

No, I didn't go back to bed.  We did have a pretty good Thunder and Lightning Storm though.

I went out to Wal-Mart to buy that new computer.  They didn't have the one that was advertised-imaging that.  So, I got one that was the same model and with the same memory as my fried Acer.  "Bait and Switch."  It is supposed to be illegal, but done all the time...try and prove it.

I will set it up tomorrow when I have nothing planned.  My little Acer did last me about 5 years, so if this one lasts as long...well, that will be OK.

I just set a mouse trap.  Of course. it tried to "bite" my fingers.  I don't like traps, but hate sticky traps even worse.  I know that where there is one there is probably a whole family of mouseketeers and now they are starting to leave me little calling cards.

I went out and looked at my plants.  The rain did them good.  I still don't see any blossoms.  Where are the blossoms?

This afternoon I re-watched an old black and white video of the LITTLE RASCALS.  I am getting ready to cull my videos and take them to the library.  I have a collection of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's old comedies, some are in color and some are black and white.  Slapstick was so good and relaxing.  You didn't have to think about the plot, the sub plots or the ratings.  You could just sit back and enjoy the silliness.

On Monday I get to go back to the eye doctor and have my pressure checked.  I hope it is better after spending my hard earned "entitlement" money these past few weeks.  I guess if it isn't I will spit nickles.  I am taking my glasses off to read now.  Up close and personal kind of reading.  I have to do that to read fine print, anyway.  I have to take my glasses off in order to see..hee hee.

I guess Beverly and Stu are busy panning for gold out there in the hills of Colorado...or maybe not.  I hope they are having a good vacation and visit.

Tomorrow I will check the online grocery ads for our local stores.  Gas has dropped to $3.36...for now.  You know it will be back up for the 4th of July.  If my father were still alive he would be 101 on the fourth of July.

I finely got the little picture hooks while I was at Wal-Mart.  I don't go to Wal-Mart all that often.  Imagine my surprise when I found out they no longer had a Lay Away.  I wonder what people do for Christmas...I need to get out more!

END

P.S.  Alice send me blossoms for my plants!

FRIED

Yes, my little laptop is totally fried; un-fixable.  Wal-Mart is having a sale on them this week so I guess I will put one on my credit card 'though I don't want to.  This old Dell is OK, but there is a lot it can't do, such as play play videos with sound or take a disk from my camera.  I really don't want to go into debt, but I guess I will.

We finally got a good, healthy dose of rain and my plants are looking a little better.  There is nothing like rain from the Sky King that is full of natural nitrogen that is formed from lightning that comes with a good storm.   My plants, such as they are, were starting to look a little haggard in the heat, even though I watered them.

I find it odd that nothing has put forth a blossom other than the one tiny Roma tomato  and some of the potatoes.  Wait and see, says me.

I watched my neighbor trying to mow her yard this afternoon.  I have never...ever seen her mow the yard before and she was struggling to push the mower.  She didn't make it before the rain came down.  She is a kind of elite...person...unused to outdoor work.  I wondered why she was doing the mowing instead of her husband or grown son.  One never knows what goes on behind closed doors.

I mainly stayed inside, other than a couple of trips in and out the back door.  I made some Sun Tea and did a couple of other quick trips outside, but I didn't want to start a job if rain was on the way.  And come, it did.  Good job Mother Nature and Sky King.

Does anyone remember the series of SKY KING, a radio program from 1940 to 1951 and then becoming a TV series in 1951 and running until about 1960?  You can get these old programs on DVDs now by just doing a search on your computer.  I know that remembering a lot of these old shows "dates" me, but what the heck...your going to get old..er, too.  They just don't make good shows like the old shows anymore.

END