Thursday, June 9, 2022

What's Up Today?

 What are you all up to on this Thursday?  It will soon be the weekend AGAIN!  Man time flies.  
I thought it mind be fun to see what everyone is up to in the next couple days.
We had rain yesterday.  It was a nice rain here, not so much for some other areas.  There was a tornado in the SE part of the state.  Today is to be the best day of the week!

I think, if it dries out early enough, I might mow - MAYBE!  If not, I will do that tomorrow or Saturday.  No big deal when.


I may go to the store.  I don't need much, except to get more cat food.  I have plenty of most - but need to re-supply Fluffy's favs.  She is now just crunching away on dry food - with no problems.  Yet, she isn't keen on eating the wet food the others eat.  She doesn't want pate and not happy with shreds!  She likes her gravy food!!!!!  DUH - she has expensive taste!  But that is OK, she is doing great and gaining back her weight.

I need to sit down and figure out some new ideas for summer sausage.  I have a ton in the freezer - so I know with everything else I have that I have lots of meat (protein) for the future.  I use summer sausage for snacking, thinly sliced on pizza and with eggs.  Need some new ideas.  (Most of mine is jalapeno/cheese sausage).
I also need to just work some more on re-arranging and sorting the overstock of pantry.  I am trying to clean out a closet (what a job - all storage junk).  Then I can 'hide' a lot of stock.

The garden is growing nicely.  It has all doubled or tripled in size in the past couple weeks.  Blooming and growing!  I have a couple little peppers!  I do need to weed in the next few days as well - while the ground is wet and weeds are easy to pull.  They sure do grow quickly!  I still think we need to cross-breed weeds and garden veggies!!!!  LOL

Windows will be open today and house aired out.  It is a lovely day.
Going to be taking advantage of the weather, as rain expected again tomorrow evening, then HOT next week!
What are you all doing?  How are you spending your days?  Love hearing about everyone else's lives!!!
Wishing you all a happy and blessed day!

58 comments:

  1. I have two cats, a 5 yr. old butterscotch male and a 9 mo. old black longhair female. One won't touch fish of any kind (tries to cover it up) and both like the gravey more than the meat, leaving the shreds and clumps left behind high and dry. I solved that by dumping the contents into a plastic frozen food tray and thoroughly mashing it or chopping it into a pulverized mush, which they both will eat. But no fish! Cat food is too expensive and scarce to have it dry up in the dish, because there is no gravey.

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    1. Funny, mine don't like any salmon in theirs! Yep, they all like the gravy better than shreds and chunks. I do the same thing with some food - use the stick blender and blend it up. Trick works every time! Crazy cats - I guess we like what we like too!!!

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    2. What a great idea for the cat food. My Bella does the same thing and I am tired of throwing away the dried bits of cat food she won't eat.

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  2. Yesterday we rushed around getting outside chores done before the rain that never came. We sure did need it but only got a few sprinkles. We have 8 tomato plants. Four are growing like crazy and have little green tomatoes. The other four are just sitting there waiting for who knows what. So weird. The peppers look great and the green beans are going nuts. I hope we can carry on and get some good return for our work.

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    1. We didn't get near the rain they predicted either. Funny how plants are. Some grow like crazy and others right next to them don't. I don't get it.
      Hopefully they all take off and produce nicely.

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  3. Tons of ideas for summer sausage ;-) https://www.yummly.com/recipes?q=cooking%20with%20summer%20sausage&gs=f33d8b

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  4. Not crazy about the hot returning but it is what it is! That little bit of rain yesterday was most welcome. Today is a perfect day to work outdoors. The Urban Farmer is still pretty much sidelined because of his hip issue but he supervised my planting the rest of the peppers. They look pretty good. We have small peppers on the other plants, zucchini, baby cukes, green tomatoes and some nice eggplants. Pulling beets today and planning on planting more.

    Kitties can be picky as can dogs. My daughter's cats will only eat Rachel Ray's dry food. The dogs like what I make. We are fixing a boneless turkey breast tomorrow and they will get scraps from that.

    Need to get busy on the jungle! Think I will work on the front beds as they aren't as bad and it's nice to see some results.

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    1. I did manage to mow today - so that is done! Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy.
      My cats turn their noses up at Rachel Ray food - smell it - and walk away!! LOL
      We had a nice little rain yesterday as well. I still needed to water potted stuff today!

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  5. Cubed summer sausage would be good in a pasta salad with some bell peppers and olives.

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    1. Great minds think alike! I've made this many times and it's delicious. I like to add cubed cheese or shredded parmesan. Tossed in a basic Italian vinaigrette, it's wonderful! --Elise

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    2. Yum! Sounds great. I am thinking in cheesy potatoes or mac as well! Thanks gals.

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    3. You could put olives on shoe leather and I would eat it. LOVE olives!

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  6. Good to hear that Fluffy is eating well. Cats can be so finicky. Just the other day, Saku didn't eat anything, not wet nor dry, for almost the entire day. I brought out the cat treats that night (he gets a few every evening) and he gobbled those up and then went straight to the kibble bowl. The only thing I can think is his tummy was upset for some of the day.
    I didn't plant until last week, so my veg are just starting. Potatoes I did plant a little earlier and they've popped up and are growing well. I bought tomatoes and peppers at the garden center and they are just starting to bloom. We're supposed to get rain off and off for much of the day - I appreciate not having to water. I did pick up a new hosta for the perennial bed, and might plant it even if it is raining. We'll see.
    Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Coogy does that now and then - won't et all day - then gets hungry at night. I guess they get tummy troubles too.
      Sounds like you are on schedule with your plants. Those nice rains sure do help!
      Have fun!

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  7. Accompanying husband to a physical therapy session then an eye Dr appointment. Since he will have his eyes dilated, I will need to drive home. Already did my outside watering and a load of clothes. Picking over almost done strawberries when I get home. Tomorrow, drop off recyclables on the way to our monthly book group at the library. A quick stop at the pharmacy. Not sure on Saturday. Church and SS for sure Sunday.
    I like the idea of summer sausage in pasta salad... wouldn't have thought to do that.

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    1. Sounds like a busy couple days for you guys. Don't you hate when the berry season is over? Nothing like fresh berries.
      It does sound tasty - will be trying that very soon.

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  8. My apologies to your readers, Cheryl, but this week has been all about the house. Every room has some furniture in it now. We've been hanging curtains and I'm grateful for Dollar General; they sell curtain rods for far less than even Walmart... same brands at $2-$8 each, depending on size/type.

    Met with a representative from Bright Home Energy at the house yesterday and we'll be getting ground mount solar with back up battery and a central a/c unit. The a/c will be installed within the next week. We'll get just under $20k in federal and state rebates, will generate more electricity (likely) than needed; the local power company will pay us (a small amount) each month for any excess power the panels generate. Full warranty on everything, including all the panels, for 20 years.

    Saturday is when Hubs has a big U-Haul rented to get everything else out of storage to our house and our son's. The faith-based singles group our son has been going to has offered help for that big job. Including one of the Elders. We're so very grateful!

    For the summer sausage, I suggest adding it + some cubed cheese to a pasta salad that can be served over any lettuce for a meal. It can also be thrown into a pot of Jambalaya if you want a hot heal. Diced and added to a basic potato salad (with egg) is also tasty. --Elise

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    1. Debby in Kansas USAJune 9, 2022 at 11:52 AM

      Elise, I find nesting in a new home to be a fun event! I always give unsolicited advice though! Don't do anything too drastic until you've lived in it awhile. Patience is good. My aunt taught me that bit of wisdom and she nailed it!
      This particular house purchase and inside organization was all based on her experiences, including wrong steps. And she'd never seen the house. She was right. After a couple of years, certain initial moves and plans were good and others not so much. So, we moved things around as needed with no problems. I tried to tell my best friend the same when she moved, but she was set on what she wanted. One thing that she changed was having 2 closets that were back to back turned into one large walk in pantry. However, after moving in and learning the traffic flow, etc., She now wishes she'd done no walk in and done shutter accordion doors instead. Too late now!

      So, that's the end of my advice and I look forward to hearing about your new discoveries as you make your house your home!

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    2. Thank you, Debby. We've learned quite a lot already during this "challenging opportunity for growth", which started almost exactly a year ago and has cost much more than we'd been quoted/contracted. It was also supposed to be a 3-4 month process. We now don't take contractors or businesses at their word.

      The solar company has a 4.9 review rating and we were grateful the rep was honest about possible delays (and what could cause them) for installation. We'd planned on getting solar long ago. Added expenses of several other things had us put that on the back burner. Now we can do it. Our goal was to be able to be as self-sufficient as possible if needed down the road. We have city water & electric already, a septic system, propane gas, and will add a wood pellet stove to offset heating costs in winter (it snows here). We aren't making any changes to the house itself, which is a manufactured (new) home the company had already ordered, with a layout we like. It came with white wood blinds, but we're adding curtains bought at 70-80% off, with light insulated backing, to make the house comfortable year round.

      Believe it or not, this is actually my 34th move in my 60 years! I've lived all over the U.S. Literally from coast to coast + many states in between. It's the 2nd brand new home we've bought, but it has been VERY different than a site build. I've been learning a lot. --Elise

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    3. 34 moves!!!! Holy Moly! That is insane.
      So glad you are getting the solar set up and the AC - what great rebates!!!! That will sure be nice to have.
      It sound like you have gotten all the options needed for heat and cooking covered! Great!!!
      I m so glad the moving is almost done and grateful you are getting help.
      Great idea adding to Jambalaya!!!
      I knew you gals would help me out!

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    4. Debby I think all moves take some adjustments. I know mine sure did. Never lived in a brand new home - that would be something.

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    5. Debby in Kansas USAJune 9, 2022 at 4:18 PM

      Cheryl, I had watched so many people deal with so many issues with new builds that I wanted a gently used home... meaning someone else already dealt with all the irritating issues that WILL arise. Even the very best builders in the most expensive homes err. For your entertainment lol...one of my crafting buddies bought a beautiful house for a mere 1.2 million. Yup, that's no error. A couple of months after moving in, her mom comes for a visit and gets to be the first guest in their newly decorated guest room and private bathroom. First day there, husband comes home from work to find water pouring into the center of the garage. Well, it seems that nobody connected the shower drain to the main drain. The water was just pouring into the space beneath the bathroom.

      Alas, we ended up in a new home and endured workmen coming and going for a full year. Nothing as drastic as a missing pipe, but the constant intrusion can be annoying.

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    6. Cheryl, this is just the 13th since I married 37 years ago, so... that's something? LOL! We were 15 years in one home because I didn't want our sons moving as much as I did as a child. Our oldest still lives in that town. --Elise

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    7. DEBBY - wow, crazy stuff. You would have thought SOMEONE would have noticed that!!!!

      ELISE - I cannot even imagine moving that much. I have a handful of moves in my adult life and that was more than enough. Never moved from childhood home until married.

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  9. Hello Cheryl: I'd love some of that summer sausage in my freezer. It is a good addition to a bean soup (minestroni style not creamy). It's raining today. The mosquitos will love that! We've been fishing and have had fun and success. We like our fish tempura style. I'm going to call you the "kitty caterer" since you cater to your cats tastes! Imagine, some cats have to catch their food for survival, like barn cats.

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    1. I really like summer sausage and it is bought each year for gifts. Always extras left - so in the freezer it goes. Bean soup another great idea!
      Mmmmm fresh fish! Sounds so tasty.
      Well, "kitty caterer" is much better than what the neighbor says!!!! LOL - he thinks I am crazy! Hey, love me some kitties. My outdoor cats catch the occasional mouse - but never eat it. They play till it is dead! :(

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  10. I had to Google summer sausage to see what it is, we probably have a different name for it in the UK. Our veg are growing a pace, I now have no tomato plants on the kitchen window sill, yeh, all planted in the shared polytunnel or in pots in the garden. I have shelled bags full of broad beans which are mostly in the freezer. I have a couple of pepper plants, no peppers yet but we have some small cucumber, so they will be ready to pick soon. Loads of lettuce and rhubarb is being picked.
    Yesterday I had to wait in at our daughter's house for a parcel to be collected. I hung our washing, sorted out her fridge then hubbie
    came round, he mowed the lawn, we put some netting around her raised bed which contains beetroot, lettuce and cauliflower as the birds were enjoying the leaves and then I put up sticks by her peppers, and tomatoes. My husband's uncle lives two doors away, so as we were leaving he gave us a pot of baby leeks to plant. He has just had a hip replacement and is pleased to be a bit more mobile and can now drive again.
    Good to hear Fluffy is eating well again. Our daughter used to have a dog (now living with her ex husband) and he is fussy, will not eat food in gravy.
    Today I have managed to dry two loads of washing outside in between showers, but it's not terribly warm.

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    1. Shew - I am tired just reading all that. You have been very busy! So glad your garden is producing. I am so excited for that here.
      Summer sausage - beef stick - it is called different things here. Very dense and compressed meat in a tube. Usually eaten with cheese and crackers. It is quite tasty.
      Animals are finnicky just like people!

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  11. Debby in Kansas USAJune 9, 2022 at 1:12 PM

    I'm with you, Cheryl. Time whizzes by. I feel like yesterday was Monday!

    Today is office day around here. I pay bills, file, etc. The bonus job is going to be painting the nook that juts out for the bay window. Quickie job, open window day, seemed like a good idea.

    Haven't checked out what needs eating yet for dinner. Made salsa chicken yesterday in the crockpot and served it over brown rice for the mister. Had a bit of fresh spinach left so I threw that in for a veggie. Very tasty and we'll have the leftovers for lunch and freeze another meal's worth.

    We're probably going to be weeding on Saturday. The grass got cut, but the weeds are having a heyday! I'm all for the idea of crossing veggies and weeds! Seeds to veggies in 2 short weeks!!

    See you Sunday! Give fluffy an extra scratch. So glad she's feeling good.

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    1. You can come and paint here when done! I have a few painting jobs needing done.
      Nice to have extras for other meals. Yep - that would be nice - seeds to veggies in 2 short weeks!!!! LOL
      Will do! She will love the scratches!

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  12. I live in Northern New Mexico where all the fires are. I've spent the last few days and will continue to rake, bag, trim and remove as much old growth, pine needles and pinecones as possible. We sure could use some of your rain. I had to replant my vegetable garden as the deer decimated it night before last. So outside in the sunshine is the order of the day for the foreseeable future. Have a blessed weekend. Lynn Ewing

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    1. Oh Lynn how scary that must be. Smart to clear away all deadfall for sure. Prayers for rain!!!
      So sorry the darned old dear got your garden. What a bummer.
      Don't get over heated and stay safe. Hugs and prayers.

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  13. Planted tomatoes (again) today, but I doubt they make it. Will probably get some nursery plants tomorrow unless the cost is too prohibitive. Also mowing tomorrow before showers move in for the weekend. Otherwise not much planned, just doing whatever needs to be done around the house.

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    1. Sorry about the plants - bummer. I think I paid like 3.50 a plant for the ones I got. I mowed too - figured might as well get it over with!
      Tomorrow I think I work on pantry stuff.

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  14. Hey Cheryl, sounds like wonderful weather and growing season there. We're still unpacking boxes after our move; DH aims at 10 boxes a day - LOL! Then, I put things where they go :) Today was beautiful Spring weather even this afternoon. We are expecting lots of rain tonight: 1-2" and up to 4" in some parts of NE OK. I've only planted tomato plants since we've been knee-deep in unpacking. But, it's been fun seeing this empty shell start to look like a home.
    Fluffy knows what she likes =^.^= Glad you take care of each of them so well. They're lucky and so are you!
    Sausage dishes...hmmm....I love putting chunks of red potatoes, sautéed onion (in a little olive oil first), chunks of sausage, then canned green beans in the Instant Pot for 14 minutes on manual. The green beans and potatoes taste homegrown, no lie!
    You could adapt that with the sausage, potatoes, and sauerkraut, too. I think we need to find our IP!
    Have a great rest of the week and weekend~
    Mary

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    1. I think 10 boxes a day is a great goal. I bet unpacking takes a while!!!! That is a lot of rain - I know some others on here would sure love it.
      Heck, tomatoes is all you need! That is a basic food group for me!
      Oh the kitties give me so much joy and happiness - we are a team!
      Great ideas for the sausage. Basic, simple but sounds wonderful. You gals rock!
      Don't work too hard!!!

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    2. Mary, we'll start unpacking boxes next week. 10 boxes per day sounds like a worthy goal. It's impressive that you've been able to plant anything while unpacking! --Elise

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    3. Aw, thank you, Elise. Moving house is hard, huh?! You want to get everything done at once, but know you can’t 😝
      Mary

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  15. I am glad that Fluffy is eating and gaining the weight back. Pretty quiet here this weekend (next weekend will be different).

    Things are growing quite well and I try and get out and weed the flower beds at least once a week. Harvey takes care of the weeding in the veggie garden.

    God bless.

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    1. It is always nice to have a quiet weekend, especially this time of the year. Graduations, weddings, holidays, gardens, etc.
      Enjoy yourself!!!!

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  16. It's been an interesting day, to say the least. I've been working on a financial "issue" and had a 3:00 call scheduled with the banker. She calls at 11:00, just as I'm walking out the door, and needs a couple of additional documents. ARGH!!!! Rushed to get the info to her and out the door to Bible study, where our chapter focused on "giving it up to God" rather than worrying about everything. Very appropo for today, to say the least. On to get groceries, as a store that had some good meat specials was only about 2 miles away. Got a great deal on drumsticks and thighs, and caught a pkg of 90% lean ground beef marked down, and a "manager's special" on a single PRIME ribeye for under $5.50. Got a couple of other good buys there (including sub rolls for turning into garlic bread, and onion rolls for burgers, both from their in-store bakery and in the clearance cart), but the chicken was the main reason I went there. Still need to pick up a few other things when I'm out and going in the opposite direction (dog food and Milk Bones). But I could easily be set for the month when it comes to lunch and dinner. My garden boxes are producing a good amount of lettuce and I noticed that my peppers and tomatoes have buds on them. The basil, oregano, and parsley are about ready for another cutting, too. All is good in Lori land. :-)

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    1. Isn't that the way - when you need it you get a "God whisper"! I am a firm believer that we have those God moments for a reason. Like I said the other day, I don't really believe in coincidences.
      Great deals! I am so happy your garden boxes are doing good.

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  17. We finished putting in our entire garden today. No small feat as we grow a ton of stuff. We had to work between raindrops the last two weeks. I'm exhausted but everything is in

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    1. YAY it is in!!!!! Good for you. I wish I had the energy and space for a huge garden - but it is just me, so no real reason to any more. Get some rest and sit back and watch it GROW!
      Glad to have you here!!!

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  18. I had two men here to help for an hour. Then we had to fly 60 miles to sign papers for a lawyer. I am exhausted. We had turkey, carrots from the refrigerator, I baked potato wedges with olive oil and garlic powder. Then, I collapsed.

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    1. Sounds tiring. Hope you get some needed rest. Nice to have dinner already in the frig!

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  19. Our zucchini, tomato, pepper plants, cucumber, and green beans are coming along nicely. I love having my small garden. This weekend we will do some weeding, but the big thing is our youngest daughter's college graduation on Saturday. She completed her Master's and the ceremony is early Saturday morning. On Sunday I plan on visiting our local farmer's market for the first time this year.

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    1. First congrats to your daughter! That is wonderful.
      It is great that your garden is doing good. I have been thinking of going to the farm market this weekend. There is one close by Saturday and one a little further out on Sunday. Not sure yet.
      ENJOY your weekend of celebrating!

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  20. I’ve been decluttering Mom’s room, sorting through pictures and making boxes to send to my brother and sister. It’s been raining like crazy here all week. But we have had some sunshine in between the rain, so I won’t complain. I hope you have a Good Friday, Cheryl.

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    1. I wish you didn't have to be doing that - but life always has other plans. I hope you are doing well.
      You must have gotten all the rain they kept predicting for here!
      Take care and have a nice day!!!

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  21. Stupid blogger. It says I am logged in and still shows anonymous. Oh well. This week has been busy. I take two of my grandchildren to and from school everyday so that gets me up and out of the house every morning early. I am thanking God that today is the last day of school for the year. This week however my husband had surgery on his right hand for a hereditary condition that pulls his fingers toward his palm. He is of course right handed so he is having to learn to do things with his left hand. He rushed around on Tuesday trying to get his house in order before surgery. He got all his green house plants into the garden and the lawn mowed. He had tried to start Blue Lake Pole Beans but they failed so yesterday we located some plants. Now I will need to help plant them as his hand is still bandaged up and his doctor told him stay out of the garden until he gets the bandage off next week. We have had an extremely wet spring and it is raining again this weekend. The garden is late getting into the ground as a result of all the cold rain. The ground is just barely warm enough. I wish we could send some of this rain to other parts of the country - like New Mexico.
    Yesterday we attended a memorial service for the daughter of a friend. Their daughter would have been 35 yesterday but she passed away from breast cancer. It was not caught early enough but who would think that a young woman in her early 30’s would get breast cancer. She and her parents are all believers so have the hope and peace they will be together again.
    This weekend as the rains fall I will be attempting to clean up my sewing area. I am trying to get everything organized and clean. What a never ending task.
    We love summer sausage and really need to get some more and get it in the freezer. I like some of those ideas listed.
    Nancy from the PNW

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    1. Lots of people having trouble with blogger!!!
      I have a friend whose husband had that problem and surgery. Almost all of his fingers had pulled in. He is foinf great now.
      I guess all the rain is great for gardens - but so many could sure use even a little.
      How sad on your friends daughter - so young. We just never know when our time will be up.
      Some things just always seem a mess! No matter how much organizing - it happens.
      They were great ideas! All sounded so good.

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    2. Supposed to say - he is doing great now

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  22. I can imagine having that sausage with rice - maybe risotto or as a fried rice option. Yum!

    My husband is traveling this weekend, so I'll be running teens around. One has training for his job (starts on Monday), there is a soccer tournament, a tennis tournament, & other various things. Plus, feeding the teens, keeping up with the garden, & menu planning. I'm out of ideas for the menu, so I'll need to get creative.

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    1. That sounds good too! Thanks.
      Check the list from the other day with summer foods. Lots of ideas. Sounds like you and kiddos will be having a fun weekend.

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  23. Oh man, it keeps raining here Cheryl. Just about everyday we have some rain. You have peppers! It's going to be a great harvest for sure!

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    1. We got rain last night and probably more today. 3 bitty peppers - but they are there. Blooms on tomatoes! I am hoping for a good harvest for all of us!

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