Dehydrating Day

  I can't believe how fast this month flew by.  October is upon us.

We put in some broccoli, cabbage and  brussel sprouts last week.  I've never grown fall veggies so I am looking forward to watching them grow.  The tomato's are putting out a few flowers so I have my fingers crossed that we will get some more.  


We put up another 2 pounds of blackeyed peas this week.  They are still producing!  YaY!! The okra is still producing like wildfire.  We don't like boiled okra so other than freezing I didn't know what to do with it all. Both of us love it fried though.

And then I had a "lightbulb" moment.  Why not try dehydrating some?  I dried one tray as an experiment.  The result was pretty cool.  The dried okra makes a really neat snack treat.  Quite tasty! (the next batch got a sprinkling of salt) 
So on to the next test.  How would it rehydrate?  I was pleased to find that it rehydrated just fine.It was even slimey.
And then for the last test.  How would it fry up?  You guessed it!  It was wonderful.  I wish I had taken pictures now but we pretty much grazed the experiment with no leftovers!

I've got three trays of okra in the dehydrator this time around.  I'm sure there will be more to follow.
I'm also working on another experiment.  I have a dozen eggs in the dehydrator as well.  I finally broke down and decided to try my hand at it just to see how it will work.  I've been thinking about it for awhile now after seeing one of Dean in AZ posts over at Stealth Survivor.  I'll take pic's when its done.  Tomorrow I am going to be drying some more carrots.


I can't believe how big a fan of dehydrating I have become.  There are just so many things you can dry!  The space it saves is a huge plus. And it weighs next to nothing!   I'm still scouring the Thrift Stores for a second machine for the "stinky" stuff like onions, peppers, and garlic.  I'll find one though.  I've learned to be patient but diligent in my search!

The State of the Union

I am overwhelmed.


There is so much going on around us these days that I sometimes feel like I am drowning.  Here is just a short list.  There are many more but these are just the ones I thought of "off the cuff" so to speak.  I can't see anything good coming out of any of this.   Can you?


A war in the works with Iran.
40,000 more troops to be sent to Afghanistan.
Mandatory Flu Shots
Defamation of our constitutional rights
Pittsburgh Pa (jackbooted thugs denying free speech)
Hottest summer on record in Texas
Extreme Drought
Fema Camps
Martial Law
World Health Orginization
Government takeover of private industry. (GM)
Banker bail-outs
Federal Reserve hands out trillions to foreign banks
Bernanke
NAIS
RFID chips (mark of the beast)
Foreign military on our soil
Kids to start year round school with longer hours (nanny-state)
Chemtrails
We are considered terrorists for believing in the constitution
Gun Grabs
Vets denied gun permits
Forced Health Care
Old people being turned down for medical care....Just give them a pill and let them die
Guardasil killing teen age girls
The fall of the dollar
Mortgage Crisis- commercial real estate is next
Skyrocketing Inflation
Vaccinating pregnant women and little childern
Mercury and squaline in vaccinations
Bioterrorism
GPS'ed by census workers
Hardin Montanna - the new Gitmo
The trampling of the 2nd Amendment (Supreme Court to rule on Wednesday)
Gardening to become illegal
Man made drought in California (just the beginning)
Pakistan
Israel
9/11 coverup
Our new Socialist/Facist President
Sound Cannons used on US citizens
Terrorist List of US citizens growing at an alarming rate




Stay tuned.  This is just the tip of the iceberg. You know as well as I do there is more to come.  What say you?

The Lizard

This recently resurfaced in my email.  I had forgotten how cute it was and so for your Sunday perusal..... The Lizard!


If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome, including toilet flush burials for dead Goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out LOUD!


Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet.


Here's what happened:


Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was 'something wrong' with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.


'He's just lying there looking sick,' he told me. 'I'm serious, Dad. Can you help?'


I put my best lizard-healer expression on my face and followed him into his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.


'Honey,' I called, 'come look at the lizard!'


'Oh, my gosh!' my wife exclaimed. 'She's having Babies..'


'What?' my son demanded. 'But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!'


I was equally outraged.


'Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to reproduce,' I said accusingly to my wife


'Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?' she inquired (I think she actually said this sarcastically!)


'No, but you were supposed to get two boys!' I reminded her, (in my most loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth).


'Yeah, Bert and Ernie!' my son agreed.


'Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know,' she informed me (Again with the sarcasm!).


By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.


'Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience,' I announced. 'We're about to witness the miracle of birth.'


'Oh, gross!' they shrieked


'Well, isn't THAT just great? What are we going to do with a litter of tiny little lizard babies?' my wife wanted to know.


We peered at the patient ... After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.


'We don't appear to be making much progress,' I noted.


'It's breech,' my wife whispered , horrified.


'Do something, Dad!' my son urged.


'Okay, okay.' Squeamishly, I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared I tried several more times with the same results.


'Should I call 911?' my eldest daughter wanted to know.


'Maybe they could talk us through the trauma.' (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)


'Let's get Ernie to the vet,' I said grimly. We drove to the vet with my son hol ding the cage in his lap.


'Breathe, Ernie, breathe,' he urged.


'I don't think lizards do Lamaze ,' his mother noted to him. (Women can be so cruel to their own young. I mean what she does to me is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for G~d's sake.).


The vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass.


'What do you think, Doc, a C-section?' I suggested scientifically.


'Oh, very interesting,' he murmured. 'Mr. And Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?'


I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.


'Is Ernie going to be okay?' my wife aske d.


'Oh, perfectly,' the vet assured us. 'This lizard is not in labor. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen. Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um ..um .Masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on his back.' He blushed, glancing at my wife.


We were silent, absorbing this.


'So, Ernie's just, just...excited,' my wife offered.


'Exactly,' the vet replied, relieved that we understood.


More silence. Then my vicious, cruel wife started to giggle, and giggle. And then even laugh loudly.


'What's so funny?' I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness..


Tears were now running down her face. 'It's just that ...I'm picturing you pulling on its...its...teeny little... ' She gasped for more air to bellow in laughter once more.


'That's enough,' I warned. We thanked the vet and hurriedly bundled the lizard and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going to be okay.


'I know Ernie's really thankful for what you did, Dad,' he told me.


'Oh, you have NO idea,' my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.


Two lizards: $140.


One cage: $50.


Trip to the vet: $30.


Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie:


Priceless!


Moral of the story: Pay attention in biology class.


Lizards lay eggs!

APD

This is what its coming to?  This sort of police action sickens me...and it happened right in my own "backyard"




Hey... I'm just sayin....

Mayberry Poser Reduex

I originally posted this a few days ago... but decided to pull it because of extenuating circumstances.....



I ran across this guys videos on YouTube.  Now let me warn you he's pretty....well.....he cusses alot so if it offends you please don't click. Now for those of you with no qualm's....Especially if you are familiar with Keep It Simple Surviavl.
The first person I thought of  was...... well.... You tell me, ok?




Hey.... I'm just sayin.....

Just Another Day

We got some more much needed rain yesterday. Today has been overcast and drizzling a bit.  Of course, when it finally does decide to bless us with moisture it's on my day's off.  It's ok though, we need the rain desperately in Texas.  


I pretty much took a "real" day off yesterday.  Did a couple of loads of laundry, washed the dishes and vegged in front of the computer.  Today I figured I should get offa my butt and get something done.  

The pepper plants were loaded and I have been putting off picking them until I had the time to deal with them.  The Hubster went out yesterday evening (in the drizzle) and picked the jalapeno's.  He also did our first harvest of the serrano's ( which we started from seed- another first!). 


I put up 5 jars of  pickled jalapenos with carrots, onion and garlic, and one jar of pickled serrano's.  This time around I put way more veggies in, as I don't do "Hot peppers" well ,but I love the veggies.  Made sense to me!  The peppers (according to the DH who knows peppers well and loves them) were deemed extra hot but really good flavor.  That's pepper lover speak for.... you don't wanna try these!  The man can eat habernero's along side a bowl of beans I tell ya.  So when he says they are hot... I'm of a mind to believe him.  And it only took me once to learn that lesson a few years ago!  The serrano peppers I won't even try.  Way out of my league.

I was at the local grocery yesterday and they have strawberries on sale @ $1.50 a pound so I picked up enough to do another 8 jars of jelly.  We have been discussing (debating actually) the pro's and con's of growing strawberries.  I had been thinking of maybe starting a bed in a kiddie pool.  
The local gardening guy from The Natural Gardener had said that strawberries in this part of the country are more of an annual around here.  After much discussion, we came to an agreement. As much work as they are to grow in Central Texas , along with the water usage, it seems to be a better idea for us to just purchase them when they are on sale and in season. 
So, another 8 jars of jelly are smiling at me from my cupboards tonight!


I bought a two pound package of carrots yesterday so I would have some for the pickled peppers.  The remainder are in the dehydrator right now.  The buying of the larger package is directly related to my thoughts on food storage. 
I needed the carrots for the peppers, and so instead of buying just what was needed, I opted for the larger package, knowing that I could dehydrate and store back the rest. Only about $0.75 cents more and adds to the preps! Just a good habit to get into in my opinion.  And another addition to the larder.  Ya can't go wrong with that!

The little jar of jelly sitting on top was the "leftovers" and will be enjoyed this evening as a topping for some Blue Bell ice cream... Yummy..........

Flannel PJ's

Living in Texas, there are two seasons we all look forward to.    Spring and Fall.   Spring brings sunshine and warmer days,  knowing full well its gonna get hotter than Hades soon.  Fall brings much needed relief from the Dog days of summer.  We've endured the second hottest and driest summers in Texas history this year. Over sixy days (I'm to lazy to look up exactly how many just now) of 100+ temps.   You could count how many times it has rained this summer on one hand.  

After the record heats this summer I am so glad to see cooler weather. We had a cold front move in today with a little bit of rain. It only got up to about 78 degrees here today.  

Don't laugh, thats pretty drastic here!  Cloudy and overcast.....wow I had forgotten what that was like! 
The forecast has been calling for it for a couple of days now. Which kinda messed up my plans for working in the garden on my days off (Wed-Thur). But hey, bring on the rain.  I re-arranged my plans and went to the local nursery yesterday.  I picked up my fall veggie starts. (Next year I am going to try my hand at starting my own)  We put in broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage. I've never grown any of these so we shall see!


I was so sure that it was going to rain today that I didn't even water them in. Imagine my delight about midnight last nite to hear raindrops on the roof.  I went back to sleep, knowing that all those little plants were going to be fine!

This is my first fall garden ,and after the dismal start a few weeks ago.   I wanted something in the ground that I could see. Other than the winter squash, which is looking really good, all the planting I did resulted in about 12 turnip plants and 1 lettuce plant coming up.  It was still to hot to plant is my guess.   I still want to put in some more turnips (we love the greens too) and start staggering some spinach.  I'd like to do a little lettuce, but its just the two of us...and honestly how many salads can you eat.  Hmmm, maybe I could stagger that out too? Any thoughts?


And now the confession. 

When I started this post I was going to tell ya'll how good it was to pull out my flannel PJ bottoms instead of putting on another pair of shorts!   Yeah, I know its still warm here but there is something I find comforting in a old soft pair of flannel pants!

Hey.... I'm just saying.....

Back in 1984 I  had a "wake up leroy" wreck. I've been thinking about that for years and now it seems that lately its been haunting me more than ever before.  I've wondered over the years again and again....why am I still here?  There has to be a reason someone lived through all that.

I have been told I should have never made it to the hospital, much less be here today typing this. Every time i see a new Doctor they ask about the scar.... I tell them and every single one has had the same reaction. WOW!  That's what they say....Wow... Its a miracle you even made it to the hospital. 

I spent two months in the hospital. Six weeks of that were in ICU.  I had ruptured my aorta when I hit the steering wheel. That alone should have enough to finish me off before making it to the hospital.  My head went through the windshield and laid my face and chin open down to bare bones. I literally cut my neck open. Internal bleeding.  The doc's said later that my whole torso on the inside looked like I had been gut shot like a deer.  Lots of bleeding in lots of organs. Broken ribs, broken arm, broken ankle,broken leg.  I was in a coma for almost two weeks. Brain trauma as well ( that explains alot!! LOL) 

I think the reason I am sharing all this is because lately I've been feeling , more than ever, that I was ment to still be here for some specific purpose.
  I feel like I am supposed to witness and/or act upon "something".  The Lord puts us all here for a purpose and we don't know what that purpose is until it comes to pass. With all that is going on in these troubled times I don't know the lesson or the path I am supposed to be taking.  So many things going on in the world around us that trouble me deeply.  It's just been nagging me alot lately. 

I only hope that whatever the reason I was spared all those years ago I will be brave enough to accomplish "IT". I'm unnerved with all that is going on...Paranoid?  Yes, and with good reason.  The world is going to Hell in a Handbasket.  And faster than ever before.


  Then again , I could be full of myself.  Who knows?

Congressman John Carter

Well here comes the first round of BS from our Senate.  This comes from my Congressman John Carter. 

HOUSE PRIVATIZES STUDENT LOANS

On Friday, September 18, the Austin American Statesman reports on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. The House voted Thursday in favor of the biggest overhaul of college aid programs since their creation in the 1960s — a bill that would oust private lenders from the student loan business and put the government in charge.

The vote was 253-171 in favor of a bill that would fulfill nearly all of President Barack Obama's campaign promises for higher education: The measure ends subsidies for private lenders, boosts Pell Grants for needy students and creates grant programs to improve community colleges and college graduation rates, among other things.

Rep. John Carter, R- Round Rock, said the economic impact in Central Texas would be especially damaging. "In my district alone, this would directly eliminate over 1,000 jobs, not to mention all the bankers and spin-off businesses that would be negatively affected," he said.

In the Killeen Daily Herald, Carter said the legislation would have a negative economic impact in Central Texas . It would eliminate more than 1,000 jobs in his district, he said, which includes Bell , Coryell and Williamson counties.

"The public-private student loan program that has been in place since 1965 has provided funding for over 60 million Americans to attend college," Carter said. "To answer success like that by voting to destroy the system makes no sense for students in higher education."

Sallie Mae employs about 480 people in Killeen , and Texas Guaranteed Student Loan employs about 660 in Round Rock.

“After speaking personally with these folks, I know firsthand that many of these employees are the wives of soldiers at Ft. Hood, the last people we would want to hurt while so many of their spouses are deployed overseas protecting our country,” Carter said on KWTX.

Coffin Rock 2

An Interesting Year (so far)

I have always been frugal. Well, cheap would be a better way of putting it.
Shopping takes on a whole other level when you are "frugal". It is like a game for me. Putting together a list of things I want to shop for and then seeking out the best deals I can find. I shop at several grocery stores. Thrift stores are wonderful places. I DO brake for garage sales. Craigslist is cool. You get the idea.

This has been a very interesting year for me.

I found 10 cases of canning jars for four dollars each on Craigslist back in the spring.

I was at the local thrift store this summer (cool story) and found 12 cases of canning jars for free.

I helped grow a pretty nice garden this summer for the first time. Well except for the tomato's (really bad year)

I found a Presto Canner on Ebay for 35 bucks less than the same one in Wally World.

I learned to use that canner and put up squash, beans, peas, tomato's, pickles, peaches and pickled okra.

I made jelly for the first time in my life and it turned out GOOD!

I was given a gift of a dehydrator.

I learned how to dehydrate squash, zuccini, carrots, corn, green peas, onions, potato's, banana chips, pineapple and strawberries.

I learned that you can't rush things under pressure (canning accident) but to take notice of things that could cause you harm. (There is a bigger lesson there)

I bought a bread machine at the Thrift Store and learned to make bread. I have since that time bought ONE loaf from the grocery!

I'm finally getting to the point in my food storage that I can now mainly shop for only things that are on sale. That and coupon's are saving me even more money.

I am helping with the first fall garden in my life.

I found out that there were others out there like myself.

When I found the American Preppers Network who knew I was a Prepper at heart? Who knew I would find a like minded group of people on the internet? One's that are willing to share their knowledge, their trials, their failed plans, and the one's that really work! People not put off by what you don't know, but willing to share what they do know.
I have learned so many new things. And you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! I'm the proof in the pudding so to speak. So if your new to this kind of thing I highly suggest you drop in over at the Preppers Forums and check it out.

You might be surprised at what you can learn in a few short months.

Cooler Weather

Well, I think it has officially turned the corner here. Fall is finally upon us. We have been under 100 degrees for over a week now. We also have received some desperately needed rain. I am off this weekend (shush- I don't wanna jinx it) so I was really wanting to get some work done out in the garden. Of course it is way to wet to do that but thats ok! There is always next week. Right now it is just nice to be able to open up the house and air it out.
Summer here can be almost worse than winter. Most years we keep the a/c off till about the end of June. We weren't so lucky this year. This summer is one I will always remember as it has been the worst hot and dry year in my lifetime. The prediction's for the fall and winter are probably going to be colder and wetter than usual as well. What can you do? One day at a time right?

I am amazed at our yellow squash this year. It just doesn't want to give up the ghost. We are still getting great production from the east garden. I almost have enough for another round of canning. There is no telling what it will do after all this rain the past couple of days. All I can say is "Bring it on!". For awhile there it was slowed down to a few little babies every two or three days. Imagine my surprise the other day when I went down to check on it and there were 8 giant (but tender) ones waiting for me! Not enough for a canner load so I am dehydrating them now. It might take a bit longer than usual though as the humidity is thru the roof right now. Hey, the one thing I have is time right?

I am pleased to report that the serrano peppers we started from seed have dozens of little baby peppers on them. I was beginning to think they weren't going to produce at all. This is the first time we have started peppers from seed so it has been fun just to see how they will do. Looks like we hit a home run!

We have been having problems with a coon trying to steal the catfood again. Not stealing it out of the bowls but trying to hijack the whole bucket. I have found the dang bucket several yards away on a few occasions. Thank goodness he can't get the lid off. Yesterday morning I was leaving for work and walked out to find a HUGE coon trying to hijack the kitty food. He was not happy with me at all for disturbing him. He started hissing and hacking at me before he ran away. The thing has to weigh at least 20 pounds. We really need to set the live trap and catch the dang thing.

Well, thats all I have for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Mine will be full of housework as its too wet for gardening!

CraigsList

Just when you thought you had heard it all....
I ran across this ad on Craigslist today and thought ....OMG

My Teeth - $100 (Nutty Brown Cafe')

---

Date: 2009-09-09, 11:42AM CDT
Reply to: sale-ytmwn-1365836164@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

---

I left my Dentures in your Silverado last night. I gave you my number but did not get yours. Please call me asap. I need my teeth. We met in the parking lot of the Nutty Brown Cafe' on 290 west. Get back to me asap please. Thank you.

• Location: Nutty Brown Cafe'
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1365836164

New To Prepping

I was over at The American Preppers Fourms and read a couple of posts from a new member. For some reason those post's have stayed with me. She is very new to prepping....maybe even just kicking the idea around. In the second one (which I can't find...GRRR) she was still feeling overwhelmed and wanted to know where to start. Here is an excerpt from her first one.

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm somewhat new to prepping and just trying to get started. There is so much to learn and do. I find it a bit overwhelming.

I woke up thinking about it again today. It has nagged at me until I realized what it was....

THAT WAS ME about a year ago. I think sometimes we forget about the folks out there just starting out.
Not on purpose of course. But sometimes we just do. I realized that I have come along way in a short amount of time but I should never forget that I was where she is now not all that long ago.

I didn't leave a post back to her and I feel just awful about that. I have been searching for her second post all over and just can't seem to find it. But I will.... I owe her that....

She reminded me that I should extend a helpful hand whenever I can. We were all new on this journey at some point. And sometimes ya just need to be reminded.

Funny

Revolution

What NOT To Do When Canning

I managed to get some canning accomplished yesterday afternoon. I also made a rookie mistake that I can assure you will never happen again.
I was waterbathing a load of strawberry jam in the pressure canner and was trying to open the lid.
Well the dang thing had created a seal. Did I stop and let the pressure release? Oh no, not me. I forced the dang thing open. A word to the other rookies out there...... DON'T DO THIS. I was lucky to only come out of it with a scalded foot. It could have been a whole lot worse.

Since I don't have the room or the weather here for strawberries I look for them to go on sale. I found some for $1.71 a pound and grabbed three pounds. Enough for 8 jars of jam. I also put up three more pints of pickled okra and three jars of bread and butter pickles. Anyone know of another way to put up okra? I'm all ears.

I HATE WEEDS! It's official! I've been pulling weeds for the last two hours and that's just in the west garden. I haven't finished there yet and still have the entire East garden to go. LOL it never ends! I guess I should be glad something is growing well as hot as it has been here this summer.

Well here we go. I haven't got a single thing in my head to blog about today but as this IS my site I guess I can just let it roll and see what happens!

The first attempt at putting in the fall garden has been almost a 100% total loss. One good thing about living here in Cental Texas though is that we still have about a month before it gets too late for planting the fall crop. The drought we are in hasn't made this a good year. I planted all of the West garden(except for the pea patch- which is amazingly still producing!) about a month ago and all that has come up are about 10 turnip plants. Sad but true. The part I hate the worst is that I wasted all those good non-hybrid seeds. Oh well, I suppose I ought to chalk it up to the learning curve.

The east garden is still producing a little okra and the yellow squash is slowing way down but I got a few baby squash from it this morning. Enough for a side dish for dinner tonite. The new tomato plants are coming along. I sure hope they do well as we got almost nothing from the spring plants. This is the first year that the spring plants haven't lasted through the fall. They just flat burned up. Such a hot summer!
The one thing that I planted with any luck so far this fall is winter squash. It is doing well and actually is blooming already!

Well I am off to make some bread and I still have errands to run!
Guess I ought to get busy!