Hey...I 'm Just Saying

My version of Sunday Morning Funnies....

Stuff I Learned as A Kid

I learned alot of things from my grand parents.  I lived with them off and on for most of my younger life.  They taught me things that I didn't even realize I was learning.  Things like honesty, integrity, and work ethics.  That a person's word is their bond. That if you don't have the money for something you actually have to save for it. Things like that.

I also learned alot of other cool stuff from them both.

  My granddad taught me how to tie my shoes.  That comes in handy to this very day!!   He taught me how to dig for worms and how to fish with them.  He taught me how to use a hoe and how to identify weeds in the garden.  He made me practice that one! (alot) 
I learned that all the scraps in the house went into the compost barrel daily and I took them there. I learned how to shell peas.  It was mandatory!


When I was around kindergarten age I learned that if I got up REALLY early I could have breakfast with granddad which he always cooked before work. I learned that biscuits, squirrel, and gravy was a wonderful meal. Those breakfasts were always special.  I tasted my first quail and venison during those early morning hours. And that despite what my grandmother said.... coffee with lots of milk and sugar were GOOD.

He taught me how to pick dewberries and to watch out for snakes.  He always said if we were careful not to eat too many of them off the vine that Gran might make us a cobbler! 


My Grandmother taught me amazing things as well.  One was that if I went picking dewberries with Granddad.... not to let him eat them all off the vine so she could make us a cobbler!

   She tried to teach me alot of things that didn't quite "take hold" too.  Quilting, crochet, and sewing. She is a wonderful piano player and taught both my aunts to play.  She failed badly with me but hey she tried! I did get my love of music from her.  The music wasn't a total wash at least.  I learned to play guitar.

When I was thirteen my grandmother asked me what 3 colors were my favorites. Green, yellow, and orange were my choices.  A few weeks later she presented my with an afghan she made for me.  I loved that afghan.  It is one of the few things that I still have from back then!

 Well, last night we got our first freeze here in Central Texas.  I went looking for another blanket and .... you guessed it!  There it was! 

I dreamed of being a kid again last night fishing with my granddad and picking flowers with my grandma. Under that afghan, as I slept, I could feel the warmth of unconditional love surrounding me.
 

Guest Post

  

    Hi everyone!

 Dean in Az here,sharing a few idea's with the bbq lover's!

  Just to give a little bit of my background,I worked my way thru college in restaurant's,mostly bbq,as I love it

     That being said,most of the bbq cooking show's I see disgust me!

 "take a rack of rib's,dry rub,throw on fire".....God,gag me!

  Now, I was a head cook in a major midwestern restaurant thru college.That was 30 yr's ago.

   One thing I learned was that the tougher the meat,the slower you cook it.And steam was the best,as it surround's the meat evenly,without drying it.

      My wife and I took my parent's out for they're anniversary,to Tony Roma's..the best BBQ joint,right?

    I about barfed! If you have to chew the meat off the bone,it's not cooked!!!!! Really,as a half azz cook,I was embarassed! I ordered some carolina sweet rib's or such....sorry,my dog's don't chew they're food that much! It was really embarassing!

      So,let's do BBQ right!

     First off,most people think BBQ is meat smothered in sauce...WRONG! It's all flavor! If you need the urge to chew,make jerky!

     My rib's fall off the bone...in fact,it's difficult to even pick up with tong's,done properly!It should fall off the bone! Yes,you hear that all the time,right,it never will on a open flame.

     So,I'm going to share my fav recipe.Sci,I hope you try this before posting,to confirm it!

 

     Pork rib's....country/spare,no prob

    1 can of fruit cocktail,or 2,depending on how much rib's

    1 large bottle of your fav bbq sauce

 

     Drain the can of fruit...I prefer fruit cocktail,but peach or pear's work as well.Mix half and half the juice with bbq sauce,use as a marinade.Save the fruit for later.
     Marinade as long as possible,as the acid in the fruit will cook the meat.3

    When it's time to cook,ooop's.cooking time is about 1 to 1 1/2 hour's,put into a deep pan,with a veggie steamer tray,add a couple cup's of water,then cover with a tight fitting lid,or foil.Stack the rib's alternating,so the steam can circulate around.After about an hour,add the fruit over the top,and let it soak in.If you can't pull a bone out as clean as a whistle,it's not done!

   Now,if you want to do this as a party or a meal....serve over a pork fried rice,or an asian noodle dish. Have the rest of the marinade warmed up for more sauce,if needed.

   Sci,let me know what you think,I have another idea waiting!

    Dean in Az

 

Hey... I'm Just Saying

I have never been a part of the "Credit Crowd".  We have never had a credit card.  Mars is the same way.  If you don't have the money for something or can't save, barter or work out a payment plan - you don't need it.  I realize now how weird that might be for some people to understand.  That's how we were both raised.  


Mars and I may not have much but our  "house" is paid for, the trucks are paid for and we don't owe anyone anything.  There is alot to be said for that kind of freedom. Not to be under the burden of a mortgage or owe thousands of dollars in credit card bills.


The problem that a person runs across when you have virtually no debt (other than the monthly bills) is that you have no credit.  And you can't get credit unless you owe someone.  So therein is the rub. Who would have thought that being debt free could be an issue all its own?  We want to buy some land.  We have no "credit".  What to do? 

All I can think of is to continue looking for owner finance type things and hope that eventually something will work out.  I suppose I just get frustrated from time to time that we haven't found the right situation yet.


When it is ment to be I'm sure we will find the right "fit".  Just a place to put the trailer on, some room for a good size garden, a little room for some chickens and some rabbits. Not a whole lot to ask for in my humble opinion.


Now that is our version of a little piece of heaven! 

Why Not Can

I can't believe I forgot about the pears I bought on Friday.  I was planning on canning them over the weekend.  One thing led to another and somehow it just slipped my mind.  Until today.  
That was when the DH (forever after dubbed Mars- old gameroom nickname).  Well he asked me when he came home from work today what was I going to do with the pears. 
OH CRAP the PEARS! 

Once I looked at them I was sad to see that they were over ripe and I probably lost two pounds easily.  The original plan was to can them in syrup.  Now the pan has changed just a bit.  I have pears in the slowcooker to make pear butter with.  See, everything works out, if only you try thinking a little out of the box.  Bacon and Eggs right?

 

I've been doing some thinking lately about trying to start a part time business.  A good friend put a bug in my ear this weekend.  I have been thinking about it ALOT.  Actually, it had crossed my mind a few times before.  But she is so sure I can do this that her enthusiasm has actually inspired me.  I ran it through a few others in the APN chat the other night and got amazing responses.

 
We both follow the Frugal Canning. I didn't know that before!  She's got a great site and alot of good information.  She also gives private canning lessons. 

Why couldn't I do that?  I feel confident enough now to be able to can most anything. I've made a point in the last few months to become as proficient as I can be at it.  My fear factor is gone (well I haven't canned meat yet) and I have done alot of research to make sure that I won't kill anyone or make them sick! 

Teaching a few people to put up pickles or jelly or tomato's would be a breeze.  And it would be fun too!  I could really hit home with the "whys" of food storage as well.  Offer other classes as well for pressure canning and dehydrating?  Sing the praises of being prepared for anything!  Shed a little light and a little knowledge.



Why Not Can!

A Great Visit

We had a wonderful visit this weekend with some fellow preppers, 
YeOldFurt and his wife Hoss Boss!  It was really refreshing to be able to sit face to face with someone who is aware of the situation that surrounds us today.  I hope we visit with them again soon! There has been some discussion as to a Texas meet-up in the spring.  We will be making that one for sure, maybe sooner as well!


The were kind enough to grace us with 30 fresh eggs while they were here.  I have them in the dehydrator right now as a matter of fact.  

Hoss Boss and I have been playing with an idea for me to start my own busisness.  I'm really excited and will let you all know more as things progress.  I'm pretty sure I should be able to get it off the ground.  I just need to do a little more R & D.  

Well the cats are meowing fiercely in need of their dinner so I will make this one short.


One last thing, if you have the ability to meet up with other preppers in your area, make an attempt to get together with them and get to know them.  It could help save someones life down the road!

What a Night

I should be ashamed of myself, really, I should.  I also should have a hangover, really , I should. 

Thing is..... I'm not ashamed nor am I hung over!  LOL  We walked down to the neighbors house last night and I had to be driven home!  (I suppose I should be blushing here) I think I lucked out somehow as my heads just a little foggy this morning. Not even worthy of an aspirin.   We haven't really been anywhere in awhile so it was a lot of fun just getting out of the house and visiting with friends. DH had to walk back to the house to get the truck to take me home. We had a wonderful time, even if the DH had to pour me out of the car when we got home!  
I will do a "real" post later guys!  Till then.... just remember ...sometimes you just have to let your hair down and dance like no one is watching!