Coffee and ..... for Wednesday, September 6th

LOL Kooger, those yardsticks would be kindling by the time I got done. Backing my car into the garage is a big enough challenge for me. I did give the door frame a teeny little scrape one time when we first moved in but I haven't done it lately. Will your MIL bear the expense of the nursing home or will she be looking for Medicaid to help? If so, you might just want to tuck that money away for later use, as they review income pretty closely. And there are some limits on how much help you can get if you have assets. Just a thought.

We didn't get a drop of rain here, but I stopped at my DD;s after golf, she's north of us about thirty miles and she got thunderstorms so i beat it out of there before I got wet. DH got rained on east of here. Nada for us here. And it got plenty warm today. I put on a sweatshirt for golf and by the third hole I was wishing I had not.

I roast my tomatos with the skins on too, so easy to get them off after cooking. I do seed them, always. Romas are the easiest. Food processor grinds up the seeds and sometimes give a little bitter taste to the sauce. Years ago some old timer grumbled to me that tomatoes ruined his septic system. Didn't explain why....and for some screwy reason I think of that every time I seed tomatos. I can remember that and not my DS's new phone number.

Good job using up your gift cards, Sarv....Didn't take me long to burn through mine! Did find a bunch of deals on their sales racks last week, all 70 to 80% off.

I'm tired today too, sat down to read for a while this afternoon and dozed off for a half hour, hope it doesn't keep me awake tonight.
~~~~~~~~~ to everyone, going to go watch some more episodes of Closer.

Sheila

I'm baaaack... 2 hours of TV didn't put me to sleep yet.

Laura, that sounds like a plan! And, I agree with M5 about the money your MIL loaned for the truck building. Might come in very handy to help her out later on and not look like her money.

Remember I have said several times that Gracie eats easily twice what my indoor cat eats? Well today I surprised a huge stray male cat off Gracie's porch. I've seen him around a time or two but never that close to the house. Guess I'm feeding him too. I'm sure he's either feral or maybe a small bobcat mix so there's no way I want to tame him. Plus, cat food is cheaper than vet visits! Gracie rarely leaves the porch now.

Okay, going back to recline and see if there's anything decent on the tube.

Nite All...

Hi folks,

I've read the above, but won't try to comment on all. Have been busy all evening with the tomatoes and I'm only half done. whatever posessed me to buy a whole bushel?????

Please pass the 2 x 4. Had a call from a Newfoundland friend. They are a couple of hours away settling their son into university - Queens in Kingston, Ontario if any of you know it. I guess DH, when he was in Nfld a couple of weeks ago, invited them to come to Ottawa. And they are coming tomorrow and staying over night. I have half a bushel of tomatoes to deal with. I have to spend the morning at the church working on my handbell books because we have our first rehearsal tomorrow evening, and I've arranged to fit a high-school aged viola student in for a lesson late in the afternoon before I go to bells because he's getting cold feet about his orchestra audition on Saturday. Don't you think DH could have mentioned to me that we would likely have guests??? I sure wouldn't have bought all those tomates right now if I'd have known that. Dunno yet whether they are here for just one night. Anyway, it will be up to DH to entertain them till I get back from handbells and I guess I'll miss the aquafit breakfast on Friday. I'll find time tomorrow to pick up enough stuff in the basement to set up our folding beds (firmer and larger than the fold-out couch).

Have also spent some time today reworking the web site for our local music teacher's group and piggy backing it onto the Canadian Viola Society site which I maintain. The GMTA web site is important for potential students and it was just mentioned to me that the teacher who has been hosting it wanted to get out of doing so. The CVS will charge $25 which is reasonable for the GMTA and helps pay the costs of the CVS site being hosted.

Nearly 11 pm. The next batch of sauce is due out of the oven soon, but it won't go into the food processor till tomorrow. Will be chilly overnight and all will go into the porch. I'll add more seasoning and simmer the sauce a bit further tomorrow. I did 4 pounds of tomatoes, lots of garlic, a good sized onion, a big handful of fresh basil, 1 T of dried oregano, a couple small hot peppers, and half a carrot and roasted it all for about an hour.

Hope you all have a good night.

Ann

Throw those tomatos into a boiling water bath, skin them fast, throw them in the freezer whole and take them out when you have more time available and seed them and roast them later. Or, don't even skin them, just freeze.

Yup, Just freeze 'em whole.

When you want to use them just hold under warm running water for a little bit and the skins 'slip' of just like fresh hot water bath tomatoes do.

Frozen whole with skins they will keep up to 2 years in my experience.

Same thing goes with bell or other peppers.



M5 , Did you get rain today?

I was in your area (almost) but got spooked into changing direction for home by

the huge black clouds and lightning strikes not too far distant.

Oh boy, I'm not at all sure what I did, but I managed to lose a very long post in which I responded to many of you.

I know that sounds like a poor excuse, but I just don't have the energy and/or time to do it all over again. I've read it all and am with you in spirit, just have to cut this short for now and wish you all a good night.

Here's the link to tomorrow's thread http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/648401/

McCool,

when making one of those book length posts ( BTDT ) try to remember to hilight and copy your message before you hit preview.

Then if the cyber-goblins steal your post you can just 'Paste' it .

It is so frustrating when the longer posts disappear because the re-write never seems to come up to snuff in my opinion.

Just a personal peeve I guess because the good folks at the other end will never know lolololol

Just a quick check in here before bedtime. You have all been yakkity yakking up a storm.

Molly, good for you getting some $ coming in, plus you are making some contacts and getting to know the area. Working locally is good because it still gives you time to take care of all your plants and do your mail outs. I have to admit I shook my head when you were considering going to Mich(?) to paint for your brother(?) and I thought about all the work you have done and that your plants would suffer, plus it doesn't always work out working for a relative.They often expect things that a regular customer wouldn't.

Darius, so sorry to hear that your chimney flue is no good, but it is certainly a good thing that you had it checked. We took an old one out of this house that had cracks in the flue liner and creosote running between the liner and the square pumice blocks that made up the outside of the chimney. Thank God we didn't try to use it. We have one of those metalbestos chimneys and a wood stove that we use to heat our house, It is single wall from the stove to the ceeling (free standing and not near anything combustable) and double insulated pipe from there on up. I love the wood heat even though it is messy. Hmmm, Gracie has company. We have at least one feral cat eating here, I saw him again tonight. So far he causes no problems so he can stay. Several others have become history through the years because they fought with the cats we already had. We adopted 2 of the nice strays. No thugs allowed.

This morning I helped my neighbor move his cattle, and this afternoon was busy with laundry and watering, then we lost power for a while and I wondered if I was going to be able to cook our dinner. It came back on just as my hubby was getting home, so I put the casserole in the oven and fried some summer squash. Yesterday afternoon I spotted a lot of smoke a few miles to the south of us and after dark I could see a glow. Apparently that one is just over the ridge, maybe 8 or 10 miles away. The wind is taking it away from us. Then over to our west my hubby could see flames going up a mountain on his way home today. All we can see of that one from our place is smoke and there is lots of it so I'm guessing it is pretty big and it is burning in heavy pine forest. It is on the other side of the freeway which is 15 miles away, so no worries. We are pretty safe here, mowed hayfields and sparse pastures all around us and no natural trees.

Lightening storms are forecast for the next 2 or 3 days and probably no rain so there will be more fires. Resourses are being stretched pretty thin with all the fires. We need a good rain but probably won't get any until late October. It is very smokey all around us, I didn't see either range of mountains today and could hardly see the hills around us, but surprisingly could hardly smell the smoke and we had quite a lot of sunshine.

Time to hide the dishes in the dishwasher and get myself to bed. This didn't turn out to be very quick, did it?

Goodnight Gracie.

Hi everyone
Wow Ann, sure wish I was close by. I'd sure be glad to help you out with those tomatoes. Sounds like you really have your hands full right now. Oh my gosh but that does sound good though. :-) I did some last year and boy was it ever good. Yep, I think I'd do what Meezers said ... then you could get back to them when you have more time. Hope you have time to spend with your company.

Meezers, sure hope you don't get a rude awakening in the morning. LOL Are you going to play golf again or will your weather permit it?

Casy, yikes ... I don't think I could handle having no air conditioning in that heat. Man oh man am I ever spoiled. :-( How's your DH getting along?

Wood, it's just wonderful that NC has a project like that to restore those marvelous old homes. They're doing a lot of that here also. I think it's taken a long time for people to wake up and realize that we were destroying precious history. Now if only we could get our elders to sit down and record things on paper? Wow, sure wish I had listened a bit harder when I was growing up.

Defoe, good to talk to you today. sorry I was all a muttle. Seems that when I pick up a book these days I always fall asleep. Awg! :-( Can't wait to see pics of those pups when they come. Oh, and I know Meezers is just gonna *love* hers when it arives! ;)

Darius, so sorry your sis is having to lowre the price on her home. Oh and I hope your DB gets the car and is able to visit afterall. I bet he'd love to see what all you've accomplished at your new place.

Lauraawilson, that's terrible about those fires in your area. Hope they don't do too much damage. How are you liking your new job?

sarv, sounds like you did really good with those gift cards but don't know how you managed to hold on to them for so long. They always burn a hole in my pocket. :) I have 2 that I got for my Bday that I'll be using *real* soon!

Molly, good luck with your new job. That's great that Jeremy was able to fix the lawn mower. No more weed wacking the grass!

Hi Maria, so glad to hear that you're feeling better every day. Let your family cook for you for a change. LOL

Darius, thanks for keeping us up to date with Pati. If you hear anything ... please post. Let her know she's in my thoughts and prayers.

Kooger, wow if you decide to go for that ... good luck!

Hi scooter ... I need to remember to do that too. I do sometimes, but get in a hurry a lot, and one of these days I'm gonna be *real* sorry! :-)

Hi Mccool ... so sorry about your post. Hope you have a good restful night and hope your DH is getting along better these days.

Well, sure hope I haven't missed anyone tonight. If I did ... it sure wasn't intentional. Please just know that CRS has set in and I'll try harder next time. It's late and I need to get this bod in the bed so am ~ing at y'all and hope you have a peaceful night.
~Elaine~

Sorry ViAnn, that I wasn't around when you needed me. There is no recipe, but here is what I do. I have a large turkey roasting pan, fill that with skinned tomatoes, quartered, 3 or 4 large onions, 3 or 4 green peppers, about a clove of garlic, chopped, some mushrooms, salt, pepper, italian seasonings, and 1/2 cup of olive oil. Put in 450 degree oven, check it about once an hour, stir, and when it cooks down, it is done. I can it like it is, chunky. Then if you want marinara sauce, I strain it in my food mill. I then process it in pint jars, I have used a water bath, but canning is probably better, if you have a pressure cooker. Of course it can be frozen in serving size portions. I am making another batch tomorrow. Ask I01 about the taste, I sent her a jar for her birthday. I can eat it straight from the jar, without the spaghetti or pasta!! So good. Sorry about the surprise company. Would just insist that DH be the perfect host and entertain while you fulfill your obligations.

Well, the shopping/errand day was okay. I really hate the first Wednesday of the month, as that is senior day (I am not quite there yet), and you wouldn't believe the little blue haired ladies at the grocery. I think they must shop once a month, as they have huge baskets full!! Check out is usually a wait. Did see some friends there, and chatted a bit with them. Shopping for 3 people is very confusing, juggling 3 shopping lists, and then adding in the oh, by the way, pick me up so and so as I go out their doors!! Just hope that when I am not able to do my shopping, that I don't annoy the shopper with the "buts". LOL.

After getting home and putting it away, had a chat with I01, then DH had screwed up the remote for the TV in the family room, so was on the phone with a Dish Tech for about an hour, same problem, as we had last time, remote had "lost it's address". Wish that remote would remember where it lived, so I wouldn't have to do that. Told the tech, that I had added her to my list of friends based on the amount of time we spent on the phone. She got a chuckle out of that.

Then it was almost time to start something for supper, as this was church night, and have to have supper, clean the kitchen, shower and dress and be at church by 6:00 pm. Made it with 5 minutes to spare. I feel like a cartoon character most of the time, pictured with shirt tail flying in the breeze, as I race to my appointed place.

Molly, isn't "going to work" the pits. I understand it is just different when you work with someone else. Bet you an Jeremy are much more efficient.

Maria, glad that you got a lazy day. Don't worry about what is not getting done, but focus on the fact that your body is healing, and that is important work. Give Samson a big hug from me.

Sarv, sorry about the storm and the hail. Did it completely shred everything? Sarv, sorry you are having computer problems. But at least you got some good buys shopping.

Susieq, everytime I read a post from you while you are at work, I thank my lucky stars that I have been able to retire, and not have to punch that time clock!! Hang on, your time will come.

Darius, sorry about the chimney guy's opinion. But in order to be safe this winter, there is only one thing to do---bite the bullet and get it fixed. Early in our marriage, matter of fact, the first house we were in burned to the ground, and for newlyweds with not much, but all of it earned by the sweat of the brow, it was a devastating loss.

M5, sorry that you didn't dress for the weather today. Isn't it odd how chilly it feels early in the morning, and then later, it is back to summertime temps. Gosh golfing in a sweatshirt,--did you use lots of deodrant this morning?

Kooger, wow, I have never met a "truck drivin woman" before. I stand in awe of you, anything bigger than my sedan and I am completely intimidated. Sure wouldn't want to be taking any driver's exam at my age!!

Lauriewilson, what is snow coat, and I want to know the difference between AC and swamp coolers.

Ws, That is one big job. Wonder what the final total will be on the renovation. The price seems good on the house and land, but the expense of the renovation is probably a whopping total.

Sommermoon, thanks for the well wishes. Do you want a designer puppy?, I could arrange the shipping. LOL

I01, since you got the worm this morning, hope somebody else gets it tomorrow, as I am not fond of "worms" of any kind.

Casey, did you get to the BBQ cookoff? How was it. Hope you had a good trip.

dmc ~~~ at you girl.

Well, have rambled on too long, but wanted to comment on everything, Hope you all have a decent night's sleep.

Good night all!

Hi all. Thanks for all the kind thoughts about the heat. House air is up and working great and the HVAC guys managed to get the fans working for us today so the humidity wasn't to bad. WE GOT RAIN!!!!! Only enough to really mess up the windows but the clouds were so pretty. All purple and pink with a hint of green to the air.

Sarv, yup...... Just over 4 months to go. My ECS got approval from the big guys to download a pic of our SC as my desktop on my computer. She is so sweet. She did it as a late birthday present for me. Now when the kids are driving me batty I just look at my monitor.
Yes, I would love to wake up to that view. Its when that view turns cold and has snow covering it that I start to run to the beach.

Somermoone I am with you on the snakes. I dont really freak out when I see them but would rather keep my viewing of them to the pictures in magazines.

Lauri, A swamp cooler. Oh Heck NO!!!! Did that for 10 years when we first got married and I vowed that I will never own or live in a house with that type of cooling again. With the rise in humidity here lately they are as useful here as they are in the south.

Wood, looks like alot of work, but what a beautiful building. Glad there are people who are willing to preserve the past rather then destroy it and hope it is remembered in pictures.

Meezer, I had to laugh at you leaving an interview because the workers ate at their typewriters. I have only left the property about 5 times in 10 years for lunch and I dont think I have ever not eaten my lunch at my desk. That is on the days I am able to find the time to get a lunch in front of me to eat.

Molly I hope you are enjoying your new job. Working for someone after being your own boss is hard to do. I am lending you some of my strength for those moments when you are right and they are wrong and your job means to keep your mouth shut. LOL

Maria, I am so glad that you relaxed and did nothing today. That Samson is so beautiful....

Okay I know so much more happened that I missed or have not mentioned but I am exhausted and need to get some sleep. Hopefully the air will be on at work tomorrow and I can work in comfort.

~~~~~~'s to all.

Casey

This is my youngest deep in thought. We spread my MIL ashes here 7 years ago. They were very close.


Edited, cause I am to awnry to press the preview button.

Defoe, Yes I did go to the BBQ cookoff. In fact we stopped there first when we drove into town. LOL Bought a Coach purse and wallet for a song, found a few christmas gifts, ate until I was sick, listened to some great country music and enjoyed myself fully. Thanks for asking...... Thought of you the whole time.


This message was edited Sep 6, 2006 9:15 PM

Aw Casey, I envy you. The morning we left, Wednesday, they were just firing up the cookers, and the smell then was so good. Wished I could have stayed and had a sandwich, but those planes don't wait for you!! Now you have to tell me about the swamp coolers vs the AC. Don't know the difference, but when In Vegas a few years ago, noticed everyone had a unit on the roof. Here the AC condenser is placed on a cement pad outside the house on the ground. It really looked weird to me.

McCool, sorry for your lost post, hope that you had a good day, and that you sleep well.

I01, we must have posted at the same time, Loved your remark to M5 about her new arrival. That will teach her to LAUGH at me!!

M5, be on the lookout for that package, it will probably be delivered by UPS!!

To whom ever asked, no the foal is not here. Although the lady we bought Jade from assured us that she was bred and would give birth mid September on. So we are keeping a keen eye on her, and know her whereabouts on an hourly basis. Since it has been so hot here, hate to keep her in the barn, but that would be the safest place for her.

Well, it looks like this family is about to increase in several ways!! New puppies, a new foal, you can bet that you will see pictures immediately.

Took Mr B to DMIL's tonight, she has the new kitten, and he so wants to make friends, but cat like, she arches her back and hisses whenever he is near. Maybe one day he can convince her that he is "friend, not foe". He is so good with Miss Boots, let's me know when she wants in or out by barking and running to the door. Since he has been raised with cats, he thinks that all should be friendly with him. I think his feelings are hurt by the rejection.

Well, this time I really am off to bed!! Good night everybody!!

McCool: Bet you have been asked this before but have you ever seen the movie "One Night At McCools". Really a funny, funny movie. If you have not seen it, you should. Liz

Defoe~ I would soooo loovvee a designer puppy...but I know those JR dig and catch all kinds of vartmits...My DML's does. Just send him out to the garden first and he'll get anything that moves. Sad thing is that includes kittens which they can no longer have. Now the Beagle would to compete witht he young rooster who hasten't quite gotten his timing or doodling down yet. They ate the last one because all the nieghbors complained at his 3:45 wake up calls....we live in city limits. So you see as much as I would love one I should probably pass. Just know...I really would if I could...LOL

Snakes and me just don't gell. My brothers use to collect the little devils and lose them in the house. I can barely look at them in pics. Couldn't even touch the page before.
Take care all....Off to bed, K~