Some Good News! Also feeling very lazy this morning.

 It has been a busy week so far and I still have a lot to do. Finished my three cups of coffee and am still dragging, so I thought I would take the time to fill you all in on what is happening here at the Old Homestead!

 I have been working on the front yard which is horrible and have tried to pull all of the spurge, but it is really overwhelming me.

While I was working on it yesterday morning a Neighbor stopped by to say things were looking good and he too was overtaken by spurge and clover. He suggested that I go to the AG Center and buy a sprayer and a herbicide that worked great on his lawn and I needed to do this before I tried to reseed.  So, I did!

This was a great learning experience and $54.00 later I will start to proceed.  They also told me what to do step by step and also said that spurge had taken over the valley this year.  Some years are worse than others.

The nasty front yard and it is everywhere. Because I have watered heavily, trying to soften the dirt to pull the spurge etc. I must wait a couple of days to apply the herbicide and there can be no rain in the forecast.

So, I will wait a couple of days and then spray.  I am to wait at least a week with no watering and spray again. Wait and then plant my seed.

And this is exactly what I am going to do!

This just looks awful, so hope my efforts work.

Just checked the front and still pretty wet. Damn!

I am anxious to get the ball rolling and am not a very patient person (working on this and will the rest of my life).  The lack of patience means that sometimes I jump the gun to my own detriment.

Yesterday was a whirlwind and I think that is why I am dragging today.

I worked on the spurge for three hours early and then Sissy called and needed chicken breasts and had no time to break away because of the shop, so I stopped and took her the breasts.  I then went to the AG Center and also picked up the special-order Cat food that had come in at my Vets office.

Then home to process four huge zucchini (which is bagged and must go up to Sissies as my freezers are once again full!)

I toasted a pound of pine nuts as I plan to get my basil processed this morning. I also proceesed a large block of very expensive parmesean which I froze in small portions.

I then cleaned my refridgerator which was a real chore and this took me two hours of put and take.  It was disgusting. 

Then I made steak Cesar Salad for dinner with homemade croutons and dressing.  It was very good and my Husband loved it.

I had cooked two large New York strips, and we had leftovers (of course) so Steak Salad it was. But a lot of steps and work to make the dressing.

I was just exhausted after spending four hours in the kitchen and it was P.J.,'s and some Netfile before going to bed early and then up early this morning. I wanted to sleep longer but I am not one to loll about in bed and I got up!

Now onto the good news!  Remember I am practicing patience? WE have still heard nothing from the Landscaper we hired and have heard through the grapevine that he is really struggling, and I so understand.  To lose a child is the worst thing in the world.

However, needs must, and we do not want to live with dirt all winter.  Our Neighbor is having her lawn reseeded by a Company that does beautiful work, and I have seen their lawns all over town.  My thought has been that we could never afford this process.  Well, I reached out to the Company and the Gentleman came (turns out he is a Neighbor) and he said we had done all the prep work, there is no grass, and the area does not have to be cleared.  We have rototilled and she is ready for something, anything.  Got the quote this morning and it is so damn reasonable, that I am running the check over to his house this morning.

Hopefully this will get the ball rolling.

I am throwing a birthday/retirement party for little Sis this Sunday and she and I will shop tomorrow for most of the needs.  It is Mexican themed, and I expect between 20 and 30 people.

I need to ask Sissy to make the big fruit bowl.  I am ordering the cake from Costco as that is what little Sis wants.  So, it is going to be a busy next several days.

Now I need to get in the shower and then take stuff up to Sissy and get back here and start on my basil project.

Sissy and I are taking an elderly Neighbor to the food bank this afternoon, and I am making hotdogs for dinner, as that is what Husband requested, and I make a great hotdog with all the fixings!  Need to chop some onion and make some coleslaw today also the rest will fly together easily!

Now off to clean up and set the world on fire!

Hugs,

Kay

Happy Friday!

 So, this morning I was up and worked in the front yard, which is in horrible shape, but I am taking steps to correct it.

I spent a good 45 minutes yesterday at Ace Hardware picking the brain of one of the best minds in town when it comes to keeping grass alive and weed free (is there such a lawn?) in Lewiston (the desert) Idaho.

Was given a lot of good tips and bought grass seed, topsoil and a good sprinkler.

The weather is changing and although it will get to a high of 96 today it then will start to go down and next week is perfect for me to get new grass planted.

I then went up to Sissies and did three hours of ironing (finished mine on Wednesday) and still did not finish.  I do not think she has ironed in two months.  It is so hot here that we wear cotton and some linen and I do not care if you pull it from the dryer immediately it still looks somewhat wrinkled.  We also grew up on starched sheets and pillowcases as well as cloth napkins so those have to be ironed as well.

I need to go to Costco today and get some things for my Husband that the Doctor recommended for his diabetes.  The appointment went very well but he has not been taking care of himself and some of his numbers are not good, but we are on the right track, so He feels better about things as well as I.

It helps having a new Doctor that is also a diabetic as She knows what to get and where for the best price!

They are completely redoing his meds which makes me very happy.

I also have to go to Walmart (which I hate) but they are the only game in town for Placker's ( Sluggy I used your last pack).  Yes, Sluggy used to keep me well supplied when the Rite Aides were still going strong!

I will also go to WinCo for fresh vegetables to make a large salad for the husband which he can eat on for days.

Before I head out to run these errands I am heading up to Sissies to take her some goulash I made last night (she eats like crap) and I want to see if she finished the last eleven pieces of ironing and if not I will do them as I can't stand things hanging out there!

Now I am off to conquer the world.

I am going to hit Sissy if she did not finish that ironing.

Hugs.

Kay

 

It is so hot!!!!

 Had a wonderful time in Seattle and got home late Monday.  The weather was wonderful!

Here it has been in the low 100's and it is just awful, but this too shall pass.

I was able to get rid of all my rock along the way and saved one piece for my Friend (she thought it was hysterical) to put in her garden!

Just trying to take it easy and get things done around the house.

My backroom project is getting closer to completion, and I work a little on it every day.

This morning, I grated four very large zucchini for the freezer and processed 6 pounds of walnuts (roasted and chopped).  I also made a batch of homemade taco seasoning which is a first and I hope we like it.

Pulled the last of the spaghetti sauce from the freezer and Sissy is joining us for dinner tonight.

I was very proud of my budget last month and ate out of the pantry and freezer almost exclusively and will continue this throughout this month.

Paid all my bills for this month and hit all my sinking funds before I left on Friday, so I call that a win.

I did hit the grocery store for loss leader burger and froze it as I plan to make sauce in the next couple of weeks.

My basil needs to be picked, and I will dry some and also make pesto for the winter. Need to dig the pinenuts out of the freezer, defrost and toast.

I also boiled six eggs and will make egg salad for lunches the next couple of days.  Just too hot to heat up the kitchen.

I have only planned my meals for today and tomorrow and need to get to freezer and figure out the rest of the week.  The weather should break on Sunday and then I can bake bread next week.

Have the ironing board set up downstairs and need to go tackle some of it, and I am really not in the mood.

If I really get to it, I can get it all done before I go with Husb to his first official Dr appointment with the VA.  What a hassle, but it will be worth it in the end.

He just has not felt well in a while, and I want to get to the bottom of it!

Now I am off to tackle the ironing....ugh!

Take care.

Kay

Will take it a little easy today!

Well now that I look at it, from a distance they do look like a toilet.  But this is all that is left of the things that have to be moved.  I so hope Sissy and Dan will do this this weekend.

I consider the driveway project done and dusted until the fences are moved!

Sissy you will have to light a fire under his butt!

I did get banana bread made yesterday so all my baking for my Friend is done.

The chocolate zucchini bread is delicious!

The backroom project is at a standstill as I must go through our two large boxes of pictures and clean them up before I repack.  But I do have everything sorted and know where it will go and will finish this project next week as it is going to be very hot next week.

Today, I have paid bills for next month and entered monies into all my sinking funds.

I need to get to the bank and get cash and fill my car with gas.

I did get a box in the back seat with the rock I plan to disperse as I head north tomorrow.

I also pulled the small cooler from the garage (which is a nightmare) and the is a project for when it is cooler!

I will also go to two grocery stores for loss leaders.

Sissy and I went to the food bank with her Neighbor yesterday and the Women running it know we bake a lot and gave me, four large zucchinis (which I will process when I get back).  They also gave me three two-pound bags of walnuts which must be toasted and a 2-pound bag of almonds which have been roasted so this will save me a step.  We are almost stocked for Christmas baking.

I know that we will need:

Caro Syrup

More pecans

Flour and sugar

Heavy cream

brown sugar

And I think that is it.

Still have over 50 lbs. of butter in the freezer and this is about what we used last year.

We have been given:

dried cranberries

dried cherries

raisins

dates

almonds and walnuts

So, blessed!

It is such a shame that these beautiful food banks have so much, and most that need to use them do not cook, so a lot of the donations eventually get buried or thrown away.  I hate waste, to me this is a sin, so I will gladly take what is given knowing that I am not taking from someone else but saving a valuable resource which I can then share.

Sissy is making her famous shrimp pasta tonight with homemade French bread and a German chocolate cake. I gave her toasted pecans for the frosting and mushrooms that I needed to use before the weekend.

I am telling you this pasta is Restaurant worthy.

Now I am off to run my errands and then I will come home and pack what I can and just take it easy until I head up to Sissy's.

Off to conquer the world...

K
 

Another busy week!

 Up early this morning and watered my almost dead front yard just hoping that I can bring it back after pulling all of the crabgrass and spurge. Just trying to keep alive what I can.

Husb has two Doctors appointments today and I will accompany him, so my day is pretty well shot.

Thus, the earlier than normal rising time to get things done before his first appointment.

I did not work in the yard this morning as I get so damn dirty and I did not want to shower and wash my hair again, as my skin is getting so dry.

I did however work on the back driveway area yesterday and dispersed a lot of the rock that people did not take this past weekend and decided to place it behind the garages. I absolutely refuse to pay to dump this.

I have a bit left and here is my plan!

The broken small pieces of cement can go in the trash, but the rock...no!  So, I am going to gather it and place it on an old bath towel and take it on my trip to Seattle this weekend.  Every time I stop for a potty break (every two hours) I will disperse three or four of them at rest areas.  Yes, think Hansel and Gretel.  Then on my way back on Monday I will make the same pit stops and see if they are still there?

I am so hoping that Husb and Sissy will get the six large landscaping stone up to her house as she wants them, and I want them gone.  Please Sissy do this this weekend while I am gone!

This is the area I will work on Wednesday morning and possibly Thursday.  It has many river rock throughout and a lot of trash that must be disposed of and then we will be ready to rototill the area and get it flattened.

Also, two stumps to be ground out when fence is moved forward.

Go me!

I am going to visit a Girlfriend from college this weekend and am very excited to spend some time with her.

As we only have the one car which I am taking, my Lil Sis generously offered me her car while she and her Husband are in Europe, so Husb will have a vehicle.  Sissy will feed him and keep him entertained.

I have two loaves of chocolate zucchini bread in the oven, and I made two loaves of regular zucchini bread yesterday. 

I will make banana bread tomorrow morning or maybe this afternoon, if Husb appointments do not take too long.

I am taking my girlfriend threes loaves of different bread for her freezer.  She hates to cook, and her Husband is gone on a special project until the middle of September, so I know she is eating like Sissy. 

Her husband does all the cooking as he is a retired Dot Com exec, and she is still working hard as a grade school principal as she still enjoys it!

WE are having leftovers tonight, so I just have to reheat, which I love.

I have made huge progress in the back storage room/pantry and took a large load of goods to Salvation Army yesterday.  I think I am about half done so I am proud of myself!

I downsized back east, and then I downsized when we moved into the little house, and I am sure I can downsize more.

I hope to work on the rest of this project Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and call it done.

But as Sissy and I like to say, "we plan, and God laughs" after all he must have a sense of humor he created Sissy and me?

When I finish this task, I am going to go through both my closets and dressers again as there are so many things I just will not wear again, and I must do the same for Sissy.  We got her master closet so well-organized last year and she needs it again.

I then need to pack as I am leaving early for Seattle on Friday morning.  The trip is about 6.5 hours with potty stops.  I will pack some snacks and drink water the whole way.

Oh my, the bread is smelling delicious! Yum!

Now I need to go and clean my kitchen floor as it is a mess.  

Hope all are doing well!

I am off to conquer the world!

Kay

My Rock and stone are leaving!

I put all the leftover rock we did not want on Facebook marketplace for free and yesterday was a whirlwind of texts and messages. 

I had a Gentleman come over and he gathered almost all of the River Stone, and it was hot!

What little is left which I worked on this morning to clean and organize as it was spread everywhere can easily be dispersed in my other areas that have this stone.  I am just waiting for said Gentleman to call me back to see if he wants the remainder and I know he will.  

Look I will be able to park the Car carefully back here and very soon!

Someone is coming over shortly to look at the landscaping rock and I hope they take some.

I need to toast walnuts this afternoon as I am out of processed nuts for breads and cookies and I want to make some chocolate zucchini bread. I also have one larger zucchini to shred.

Oh, the Gentleman just came back for the rest of the river rock, and the couple came for some of the landscaping rock, but not all of it, but I can disperse this elsewhere!  That is a project for another day.  I am so sweaty that my makeup is in my armpits!

Time for a glass of wine.  I am done!

Hugs,

Kay

Postscript:

It will reach 99 today at high sun and will be over 100 degrees through Thursday of next week so the basement project is what I will focus on for the next several days.

I have made remarkable progress on my pantry and freezer challenge and will more than likely extend this into the month of September.

Our Landscaper may be stopping over tonight to discuss the final plans.  WE shall see.

We went to Sister's lunch today and I made homemade pizza last night no cooking as we will finish this tonight.

Tomorrow we are celebrating Kelsa's Birthday, and Uncle Dan will go up to the festivities.  I am not much for Children's birthday parties, but He is.  Hot, hot hot!

The backyard is cleared and ready!

 Well folks, for the most part we have moved all the dirt, and I am calling this done and dusted until we have the stumps ground out and this will happen when we move the fence forward and to the side which will happen next spring.

WE will mark out where the sod will be laid and live with it!

Still have to lay the path on the right side of the house and do some brick work on the left and get rid of all of the leftover rock and stone in the back driveway!

So much work!

A friend of ours is going to bring his truck so we can get the ground cloth to the dump!

Yesterday I did manage to make eight pie crusts and must take four of them up to Sissy after I shower and clean up.

I must also put gas in the car and do a return to amazon.

I pulled blueberries and huckle berries from the freezer last night and will make a pie this afternoon.  Don't know what dinner is going to be yet!

I was able to make the pie crusts in under 35 minutes as I used my kitchen aide grinder attachment that absolutely love to grind the cold butter.  It has become harder and harder for me to hand shred all of my cheese and butter when I bake.  It was not expensive, and I already own the meat grinder attachment which I use a lot.  I have come to the point in my life where I need to work smarter, not harder.

I am still pinching myself that the huge project is done!

I have a lot of work to do in the front yard that has been sorely neglected, and crab grass and spurge took over with a vengeance, even though we kept it mowed.  I sprayed and pulled all the crab grass and this took several mornings.  I have managed to get half the spurge and will spray again tomorrow morning early.

WE need to plant grass seed and fertilize but this cannot be done until cooler weather.

We are going into another hot spell starting tomorrow, and this will last at least 10 days. So, I will water the front and my plants very early and then work on the basement.

I really want to work on the path, but I get up very early and the Husb wakes up 3 hours after me and cannot seem to get started until it is too hot to work!  I start when the sun comes up.  I need his help to do the path so I will wait. The same with the brick work.  But it will get done eventually.

Now I am going to get in the shower and wash my disgusting gardening cloths and go run my errands.

Oh, and plan dinner?  I am thinking porkchops and something!

Have a great day!

Hugs.

K