Saturday, January 31, 2009

Back to Work

Hubs saw his Surgeon yesterday. He has been released for full duty. He will go back to his old midnight shift on Monday Night.

That was an concerning, interesting, frustrating couple of months. But I am glad My Man pulled thru and we are slowly but surely getting back to our new normal.

What I am reading

Sunday, January 25, 2009

My Canning Jar SCORE

My Mom was telling one of her good friends that I had started canning this past summer. She told Mom that she had some canning jars AND a pressure canner in her attic and told Mom to ask me if I wanted them. Uh....Yeah!

So Mom picked them up for me and brought them over to the house today. LOOK at what I got!!!! I had no idea it would be so many jars AND a pressure canner! I am so excited!!

I can't wait to start canning this summer.

Sharon,
I promise to fill some of those jars with goodies and return them to you!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank you!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Homesteading Classes at Carriage Hill

Homesteading Classes at Carriage Hill

02/07/09
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Traditional Butchering
Watch the age-old activity of processing the meat that was the staple in the 19th century farmer's diet. On Saturday the hog is scraped, cleaned and cooled. On Sunday the meat is prepared into the various cuts such as ribs, roasts, and hams. Also, watch as meat is then salted, cured, and also made into sausage. Call 278-2609 for details.

03/07/09
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
From Seeds To Harvest
Learn how to grow, harvest and use herbs. Special information will be provided on Sweet Woodruff, which is used in May Wine. Refreshments provided

03/08/09
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
BOIL THE SUGAR DOWN: Sweeteners on the Farm
During the 1880s, farmers had a variety of natural sweeteners that they collected. Spring-time meant boiling down maple sugar into sweet syrup. Come visit an 1880's sugar camp and learn how maple sugar was collected on the farm.

04/18/09
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
From Sheep to Shawls

The role that sheep played on the farm will be discussed for this comprehensive program. Watch as the sheep are sheared for the spring at 2 pm. Help card wool and watch as fabric is dyed using traditional methods. Come hear about the spinning process and factory production of wool. Watch spinners and weavers process the wool into yarn.

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Carriage Hill MetroPark
7800 E. Shull Road
Dayton, Ohio 45424
(937) 278-2609

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A New Era

Matt is back to work today. He is working light duty for a couple weeks before returning to full duty. The full gun belt would be just a little much right now.

So he was up with the chickens with me this morning. (I swear I don't know what he will do without being able to sleep 12 hours a day!)

It was weird with both of us getting ready for work at the same time. It's a New Era here in the Barber House.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Saturn

Well.... we finally got the Saturn back.

It has been gone since the day after the accident. They ended up finding a few more things wrong with it and had to do some adjustments to the original insurance claim. The grand total of the bill was $1400.00.

All I have to say is ......Thank God for insurance!

I think I am fully recovered too from the jolt I took during the accident.

Monday, January 12, 2009

What's for Dinner

Here is a super easy, super yummy recipe from Menus 4 Moms

Five Cup Salad

1 cup pineapple chucks, drained
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup coconut flakes

Mix together all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It's been a little crazy around here

It's been a little crazy around here................. Matt's Surgery, My Auto Accident, Family Christmas Parties, Me working, Matt not working. But we are getting by.

Matt getting around more and is feeling better. He has a follow up appointment on Tuesday with his Surgeon. Matt has been able to help a little more around the house in the past couple days so that has helped. He has been able to help with getting Dinner ready for us. I usually partially prepare something and all he has to do is add a few ingredients and cook it.

The Car is going to cost $975.00 to get fixed. Thank God for insurance. All we will have to pay is our deductible. No word on when we will get the car back.

Having the Family Christmas Parties here turned out great. It was a little more work but It was worth it to have Family here and spend time with them without having to worry to much about Matt getting worn out.

Things are going great at the new job. I have been answering calls all by myself for a couple weeks now. They say I am highly advanced and NO ONE has pick it up as quick as I have. I will train in the Office for a another month or two and then I will be on my own at home.

I am struggling a little bit with get a schedule down for working. I feel like I am neglecting the house because I am concentrating on work. I have made a priority out of taking care of me and my back so I CAN work. That takes an hour or more a day of PT and I have to get my 8 hours of sleep or I am dealing with my Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. So some things around the house are slipping. Definitely not the way I kept house while I was not working. But I guess as the old saying goes......something has to give! Lord know when will get the Christmas Tree down..........


So it is all about the changes here in the Barber House. While it is a struggle now.....we will make it through.

What's for Dinner

Crockpot Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake

This rich, gooey cake is good straight from the crockpot, cold or reheated. It doesn't keep very well, but you shouldn't have any left over anyway!

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
dash salt
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1-3/4 cups hot water

Preparation:
Spray 4 quart crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients and stir to combine. Add milk, cooking oil and vanilla and stir well. Pour into prepared crockpot.

In a medium bowl, stir second amount of brown sugar and second amount of cocoa together. Add hot water and mix well until blended. Pour over batter in crockpot; do not stir! Cover crockpot and cook on high about 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

8-10 servings

Friday, January 2, 2009

Be Prepared - American Red Cross Preparedness Information

Start the new year right....Be Prepared!!

Be Prepared - American Red Cross Preparedness Information


Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.











Family Disaster PlanningPreparing for Disaster (A4600)(FEMA 475)Make sure your family has a plan in place before a disaster occurs. Tips are provided on how to prepare for any event with a plan that includes a supplies kit and emergency checklist for your important personal considerations, items and documents.


Helping Children Cope with Disasters (A4499)(FEMA 478)Find tips on how to help your child to cope with disaster.


Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (A4497)(FEMA 476)Additional information for the elderly and people with mobility impairments or hearing, seeing, or learning disabilities.


Animal SafetyMake sure you are ready to handle pets, service animals and livestock during an emergency.


Financial PreparationsHow to minimize property damage and financial risks.


Business & Industry Guide A step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes.



Emergency Preparedness Kit Emergencies can strike at any time. Be prepared with an Emergency Preparedness Kit, Adult 1- or 3-day.


http://www.prepare.org/ Disaster preparedness materials for seniors, children, people with disabilities and animal and pet owners.


For information on keeping safe during specific types of disasters, please see our Disaster Safety section of the Web site.