Time Off

I've been having computer issues in case you wonder about the lack of posts lately.  I've still not figured out what the problem is.  Frustrating to say the least.  I can't even boot the thing up now.  So it may be slow and go for a bit on the posts... I hope I can figure it out but I am not overly optimistic at this point.  Which of course sucks as we have become quite accustomed to each of us having our own computer.  I cannot imagine how this sharing will go~  first time in years we have had to share one.  Wish me luck!



Mars and I decided to have some down time together this weekend.  We just needed to get away from the BS.  So we went camping!  I had to work Thanksgiving but was off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  So we loaded up the gear and headed to a little lake about thirty miles from here.  He brought up the idea about eight in the morning and we were packed and gone by ten.  Including finding someone to feed the animals!  You know how it is when you just up and start tossing things together?  Seems like there is always something that you overlook once you get where you are going? 

I am happy to  tell you that we didn't forget ANYTHING!

We had a great time.  It was more needed than I even knew.  I think sometimes you just have to step back and breathe.  Take a look at your situation and do some soul searching. 
I came home with a whole new attitude!  We discussed quite a few things and have both come to the conclusion that where we are now is not really where either of us want to be.  No, we aren't gonna divorce!   We are just both tired of the rat race we are running.  I see big changes coming  but I don't know just yet what they will be. Whatever they are...I am ready!        

Sweet Potato's

I've been in a bit of a "blog fog"  lately.  So many things going on in my personal life and in the world in general. I've been feeling distracted and  I have been feeling pulled in so many different directions. The economy is tanking. There's no denying it.   We are feeling it right here in our own living room. I am now  officially "underemployed" and believe me, I'm not the only one. There are bunches of people out here feeling the pinch. (or the vise)


Has anyone noticed the way people are shopping in the grocery store?  They are actually are taking more time looking at the options and looking at the labels.  Looking for the best deal their crumbling dollar can buy. They used to just toss it off in the cart as they were walking by.

Things are getting tight folks and it's just getting started.  

I started getting a little depressed.   I had to actually stop and ask myself ...what in the world am I thinking?  Now is NOT the time to step back from trying to build your preps. Aren't I the one that has  ALWAYS advocated thinking small preps if that is all you can do?  That one more bag of beans is one more than you had last week?  That sale on sweet potato's for 19 cents a lb?  Sweet potato's dehydrate well.  5 bucks spent would net you a little over 25 lbs of taters.  Money well spent!


You CAN live on beans and rice. Its not anyone's first choice I am sure. I'm lucky.... I personally love beans and rice. But a daily diet would soon become boring.  I need to keep reminding myself to stick to the basics.  Cause the basic's are probably going to be the ones that  save your life.




 

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