Fall is here!

Thought I would post something as I've been looking through various recipes in which to use my Armenian cucumbers and snake gourds.  Speaking of the Armenians, I finally used up the 8.2-lb giant in some Phuket curry and Asian style marinated cucumbers.  I now have 4 pretty big Armenians that I need to use and am thinking half of them will be curried (but this time a yellow coconut curry) with the snake gourds (3 waiting and 4 in the garden getting bigger every day)!  Although the Armenians did get some damage from the aphids, they stood up to the aphids and the heat really well.  The aphids really didn't bother the snake gourds all that much and they seemed to love the heat.  I have lots of seeds that I harvested from the giant Armenian and will save more from the 4 that I have waiting.  The snake gourd I will have to let a couple of them get way past eating condition to save the seeds apparently as they need to be almost rotten for the seeds to be viable.

We've been eating on the beans pretty well and really haven't had enough to freeze or can, unless we just don't eat them.  The yard long beans give a nice portion with just 4-5 beans!  I have to make a note that the yard long beans really don't seem to like the heat as they have been doing much better with the cooler temps.  

It rained pretty good here today, my rain gauge said 1.2 inches!  My tomato, pepper and eggplant starts have been out on my potting/puttering bench for most of the week and are doing pretty good.  When things dry up I guess it'll be time to clear the garden of spent plants and put the starts out along with potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, parsnips, radishes (I like the daikon), onions and parsley.  I also need to plant some lettuce and all the brassicas I can get out there.  Oh, and peas!!  I'm thinking to plant cover crops of some type of beans which should do okay until about November or middle of December unless we get some cold weather.

I have really been pleased with the kales, mustard and lima beans.  I picked a nice amount of lima beans in two days and hope they will set another crop before it's time to pull them up.  The kale and mustard should make it through the winter.  I want to plant some arugula too.

I also need to screen compost bin #2 to add to the finished compost bucket and get that spread over the beds.  Then we can leave #1 to settle and finish while we are filling up #2 again.  All in all, I think the two compost bins have been a good investment especially with the help of the black soldier flies!!  The resulting compost is rich, black and spongy and has a nice fungal smell.  The garden will love it!

Well, that's enough for now!  Toodles!

Deb

Time flies

Boy, times sure flies!  I've been busy working at home and busy with life in general, looking for work, working the garden, working on cleaning and packing up the house.  I am looking forward to a week of vacation on our property in the San Luis Valley to visit our little "home away from home" aka a 32-year-old 28-foot RV that has been bravely weathering the elements all alone in the wilderness on our back 40.  Last visit was about 2 years ago and for the second year in a row, we have arrived to very few signs of rodent entry but plenty of dead bugs (flies and moths).  Not sure what they find so irresistable to risk becoming dried up little mummies in the RV... maybe the leftover smells of my cooking?  It couldn't be much else as we leave no food or moisture behind. 

Anyway, it had been really nice to escape the heat of Texas (try 110 heat index) and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life in the city.  Not that Denton is a big city, but compared to life on 40 acres in the south part of the desert valley - two different worlds!  Not to mention that I have to learn how to cook at high altitude when we go up there - it's 8900 feet above sea level and things just don't cook the same.  For example...

I decided to try to make some rice (brown) pudding and cheat by cooking the rice in the milk (in this case, vanilla almond milk) we brought with us and it took the rice almost 3 hours, yes that's right, 3 HOURS, to become al dente.  I brought it home to try to rescue as its certainly not creamy.  Also, when things come to a boil it takes very little heat to keep it going and when you take it off the heat, it cools off very quickly.


Last summer the heat sure did a number on my garden.  Got a few cucumbers, okra, basil and mustard and by this time last year I was getting arugula, but it was SPICY! Two tomato plants and most of my pepper plants made it through but by fall they were not doing much.  I remember thinking about plowing it all under and starting over except the arugula.  Well, this summer despite the heat, which was actually a bit late and we're still having higher temperatures, we have had quite a few nice cruciferous salads as well as some amaranth, cucumbers (mostly Armenian), beans, tomatoes, peppers, basil, dill, coriander/cilantro, fennel, onions, garlic, peas, lettuce, potatoes, Lamb's Quarters, purslane and spinach.  The cucurbits (cucumbers, melons, pumpkins) have had a rough summer though.  The aphids really hit them hard, some so badly I had to pull them up.  I released lady bugs and have seen a few adults and nymphs that look like little red and black alligators gobbling up the aphids.  In spite of this, I had a monster Armenian hide out until I found it weighing in at 8.2 pounds!  That was about a week ago and I'm contemplating how I'm going to use it.  Probably going to end up any number of things be the end of it.  I have been waiting for the temps to cool enough that I can stand to be out there pulling up things that need to go and planting new stuff like more brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, mustard, collards and the like).  Also, it's time to put in the root crops like potatoes, turnips, parsnips and carrots.   Several weeks ago, I started some new tomato plants and need to get them put out.  I have a couple of Roma tomato plants that I direct seeded that came up and look pretty good.  The Chocolate Cherry and Lemon Boy varieties have picked back up and the peppers as well.  The amaranth is in bloom as it is a burgundy type and is very pretty.  I'm just waiting for the seed to mature.  

I planted a few Jerusalem artichokes for the first time this year.  Was too late to order them from the seed catalog, but I found some at the grocery store and planted them out.  They have just begun to bloom and are so tall that I had to stake them and tie the group up.  I think one of them is almost 15 feet tall!!  I can't wait for harvest time.  I'm getting the new flush of beans, limas are coming on, the yard long beans are doing well and the tomatillos are ballooning up pretty well.  The asparagus is all ferned out and I can't wait until this coming spring when I can harvest some!!!

As I write this blog, I am waiting for my first loaf of gluten free bread to proof.  My sister Angel makes this bread in honor of our sister Renee as she is gluten intolerant.  I decided to give her version a try to celebrate the almost year long hiatus that my oven took.  I apparently burnt out the control panel cooking something that boiled over.  So, for the past year or so, I have been trying to do without an oven.  You sure don't realize how much you use the oven until you don't have one!  I tried "baking" a loaf of bread in my crock pot and while it wasn't a total loss, it was less than desireable.  For the most part, we have relegated ourselves to eating tortillas and bargain rack bread.  So, if I am successful in baking a nice loaf of bread, I will be ecstatic!

Well, I better get going.  Later!!

I'm still here!

Well, December 21, 2012 didn't get me and I'm still here.  A lot has happened since I last put in a post.  Sorry for the delay but 2012 was NOT a good year.  It really started in September of 2011 when Dad got sick and then was finally diagnosed in January 2012 with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma and in Stage 1.  (I think I said that right, anyway...)  After going full bore with chemo, he was pronounced to be in remission around late May to early June.  He had lost a LOT of weight and was a bit frail and started doing a little better but not really. 

By the time August/September of 2012 rolled around, he was not much improved and went in for another CT scan which showed him at Stage 4 already.  He got another round of chemo for his birthday (78th) and the news that there really was nothing further that could be done.  He opted for home hospice and he passed on October 1st, 2012 with immediate family around.  Plans for the funeral was a team effort.  I am so thankful that my sister, Renee was close and could help Mom with Dad's care.  He certainly gave it his all, but the lymphoma won out.  The funeral was well attended by immediate and extended family and friends.  It was raining cats and dogs during the service at the funeral home, and I think Dad had his say when the preacher got wound up and was starting to get going when a huge clap of thunder broke out - it did the job and preacher wrapped it up.  But the rain had cleared when we got to the cemetery.  Dad got full military honors and rightfully so.  I now know what the military honor guard put in the flag when it's rolled up. 

About 2 weeks prior to my going to Arkansas to be with Dad, Mom and sisters, Renee and Angel and try to be of whatever help I could be, I was informed that my job was being phased out.  I managed to train my coworker for about a week before I had to leave.  After the funeral I came back home and worked with my coworker to the best of my ability to stuff 15 years' worth of bookkeeping knowledge into about 8 weeks of training.  I'll just say it was not an easy task given the time I was afforded even though I was there all day during those 8 weeks.  That's all I will say about that. 

Now, I've been unemployed for about 6 weeks and although I've sent out numerous résumés, I've only received a couple of acknowledgements but no calls.  I've cold-called at least 50-60 firms but the majority are not hiring.  I really didn't think there would be many hiring at year's end.  So, I keep trudging forward. 

About 3 weeks ago I got some form of food poisoning which I suspect was from sampling a cheese spread that was sitting in the cheese section at a local grocer.  NOT ever going to sample stuff anymore!  Then, I got an URI just after Christmas.  Let's just say I'm still trying to recuperate from all that.  I've been taking my probiotics and restarted taking multivitamin packets from Melaleuca. 

So that brings us to the present, I'm unemployed (again), missing my Dad, trying to recuperate from being sick, trying to clean my home office by packing it up and looking for employment.  In the meantime, when weather is nice, I'll be trying to help my husband work on the house to finish repairs (replacement of windows, siding, painting, drywall repair and finish the kitchen remodel (3 years in the process)).  We have most of the supplies already.  There is a possibility that we may be moving out-of-state and we want to finish up repairs so we can put the house on the market.  I hope by the time we get to that point, the housing market will have improved.

I haven't forgotten to count my blessings though.  I still have my Mom, my sisters, my daughter, my son-in-law, my son, my daughter-in-law, my grandchildren, my husband, my nephew, his wife, my great nephew and my dogs, all of whom I love so much and get love back in return.  Our property in Colorado is paid for and waiting for our return.  So, we continue to plan for our retirement as well.

Since I knew I was getting laid off, I've been trying to "shop" from my freezer and pantry as much as possible while supplementing with fresh fruit and veggies from the store.  Both the freezer and pantry are showing signs of use.  It's really helped with food costs by doing that and I must say that I really was well stocked!  There is just a minimal amount of meat in the freezer and we've pretty much gone vegetarian. 

My sisters are both starting out their new year by getting back to exercising while watching the new season of "The Biggest Loser".  I need to dust my elliptical off and get on that.  Tomorrow is a Monday and I'm determined to begin exercising on it.  Baby steps... 

Time to get that menu plan finished.  I will try to be better in posting this year as well.  Enough for now!  Take care and "see" you soon!

Happy New Year!

Well, here I am having gotten caught up in daily life and haven't posted to my blog.  I started the blog with the menu plan and now cannot find it.  Bummer, that was a lot of work, too.  I will have to restart it.  Until I get it finished, I will leave you with a basic recipe.  It's so simple that some of you may think it not worthy to post, but I did say I would post recipes.  So, here goes. 

I decided to begin with a staple used in a large part of the world - rice.  As noted in my pantry blog, there are several kinds but this recipe holds pretty well for all kinds save the arborio or risotto.  That has a recipe all its own.  So, whatever type of rice I'm going to prepare - whether it be jasmine, basmati, sushi, brown or glutinous (sweet) I use this recipe:

2 cups of rice, rinsed and drained
2-4 TBS of oil*
3 cups of liquid**
Seasoning***

1.  In a 1.5 to 2-quart saucepan spread the oil over the bottom and heat over medium-high heat.

2.  Add rice and stir to coat as much of the rice as possible with the oil. (*NOTE: depending on what type of meal the rice will be a part of, you might want to use different oils for different cuisines.  Such as canola with a splash of toasted sesame for Asian meals, olive oil for Italian, Morrocan, Spanish or American fare or just canola, sunflower or other for a bland rice.  Experiment to see what you like best.) 

3.  Toast the grains until slightly golden.

4.  Add the liquid slowly as the pan and contents will be hot.  (**NOTE: I like to use chicken stock instead of water or, if I do use water, I use chicken bouillon - 2 cubes or 1 TBS for 3 cups of water.)

5.  Bring the liquid and rice to a boil and lower heat and simmer for about 3 minutes while watching.

6.  Add seasoning.  (***NOTE:  See note about liquid. If you use bouillon, you may not want to add any more salt.  Again, depending on what you will be pairing the rice with in the meal will dictate what spices/herbs you use.  For most cuisines, I like to add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder and about 8-10 grinds of freshly ground black pepper from the pepper mill and AFTER tasting salt to taste.  If I'm making Spanish or Mexican food, I'll put in about 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground toasted cumin that I have in another peppermill I keep on my counter and perhaps 1/2 teaspoon of aromatic smoked sweet paprika.  Again, experiement with the spices.)

7.  Lower heat to low, cover and cook for about 15 minutes.  (NOTE:  If using brown rice or black glutinous rice, you want to give it 30 minutes before checking.  These have their bran coats on and need more time to cook.) 

8.  Check the rice with a wooden spoon or silicon spatula and make an "X" in the rice.  If the water is completely gone and the bottom comes away, it is ready.  Fluff with a fork to separate.  Some people (like me) like to cook the rice until the bottom is lightly golden and slightly crunchy and this may take about 3-5 minutes longer.  White rice should be ready within 15-20 minutes.  Brown rices may take as long as 30-60 minutes.  If there is considerable water in the rice when you check it, add about 5-10 minutes to your cooking time and do this each time you check and there is water in the pot.  Just make sure not to raise the temperature too much or it will burn.

This should make 4-6 servings.

Thanks for supporting me.  My lunch is over and I'm off to work some more.  Have a great Easter!!!

Working Stiff

Well, my status of unemployment has ended as of January 9th.  I received a call from a firm I worked for about 6 years ago asking if I was interested in the Office Manager position that just opened up.  Although being off for a couple of months was nice as far as not having to be somewhere, it sucked when I had to call and inquire about job positions only to be told there weren't any.  I was just about ready to go outside my comfort zone of the familiar and actually applied for a job in another state working for the Department of Agriculture.  Seeing as how I've not received so much as an acknowledgement for the application, I feel reasonably sure that I was not even in the running since I've not heard anything in about a month. 

The good thing I've gleaned from this experience is that I realize now what is most important in the way I spend my money and have goals to retire my debt by September of this year, save enough to dig the water well on our property, save up for the new roof and help my husband to retire his debt perhaps by the end of next year or shortly thereafter. 

I've been trying to follow the Nutrisystem guidelines while cooking meals myself and have, over the past week, been eating salads for lunch with a small portion of entreé with protein snacks and fruit and drink up to 2 liters of water a day aside from my 2 mugs of coffee.  I've also been doing my rehab exercises on my sprained foot and seem to be improving there. 

Additionally, I've been working on the simplification issue - one room at a time. 

Until later...have a good one!

The New Year

Still working on that menu plan.  Planning to put it up for next week if I can decide what the meals will be.  I've already been trying to eat more healthfully and will definitely try some of the recipes that my sister has presented.  Already we have been eating less meat and more vegetables.  I am also trying to increase my water intake, but for some reason I find it hard to drink so much water.  I have been walking the dogs everyday and physical therapy on my ankle is making improvements. 

After making numerous calls to firms only to hear that there are no openings for the past 2 months, I've received a call and been offered a job with a firm I respect.  I have worked with the firm in the past and was sad to have to leave when the firm broke up at the time.  As soon as the position opened, they called me to see if I was interested.  Having someone seek you out feels good and helps to renew faith in myself.  I think by having had to cinch my belt a few notches financially will help me manage finances a bit differently this time round. Now that I have a better picture of my long-term goals, I think it will be easier to make things happen without so many distractions, ie, spending money on unnecessary things. 

Independent of finding gainful employment, I've started "spring" cleaning and working toward that simplification of my life I spoke of earlier in my blog.  My plan for that is to work on the house one room at a time until I get the whole house done.   It is somewhat liberating getting rid of things you no longer need or use. 

Speaking of spring, I've started receiving seed catalogs and am gearing up to working in the garden more.   I have some peat pellets to start vegetable plants by the 15th to be ready by March 15th to plant in the garden.  Here's hoping that this gardening year will be a productive one. 

I'm also hoping this year will be much better all around than the year past.  I can say that so far it is already much better.  If you are reading my blogs and are in a similar situation, just keep a positive outlook and hang in there! 

Christmas is here!

I'm spending Christmas with my family here in North Arkansas.  I made the trip from my home in North Texas with my two furry "children" which are Siberian Huskies, Kimi and Lobo.  They love road trips and were so excited to come with me to my parents' home.  They are wonderful companions and take their job of protecting me very seriously. They are pretty good travelers and love being able to check out what's going on in the area whenever we need to make pit stops. 

Technology is helping to keep me in touch with my kids and their families.  We are planning to "Skype" later on so we all have an opportunity to share Christmas while not being able to be physically together.  I hope to be able to see my Son and my Daughter, Granddaughter and Grandson before the day is finished. 

I was able to finish making all the gifts I had set up to make for family and friends and now have started a crochet project for myself.  I need to make a weekend trip to visit my Daughter-in-Law soon after I return home.  Now it's time for me to get really serious about the diet menu plan which I will be publishing and following very shortly.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!