Ya know, I almost feel guilty writing that we had such gorgeous weather here today what with all the strange, extreme and even destructive weather so many of you have been having.
It's so upsetting to be reading blog after blog relating the trials and tribulations so many of you are going through. To have so much difficulty right at the beginning of the gardening season hits especially hard. I've been hearing for months that the cost of food is going to go up come fall, but I thought at least personal gardens would help soften the blow.
As bad as the bugs have been recently, I was able to take advantage of a couple of hours this morning of bug-free-ness and do some work outside. It wasn't particularly windy or cold so I don't have an explanation as to why the bugs weren't chewing on me but I was very grateful for the respite.
Despite warnings of our temps dropping to 38 degrees last night, it was 44 when we got up at 5:30 this morning. Can you guess what kind of weather warning is currently posted for our area? Yup, possible frost by tomorrow morning. Sigh.
Along with some other town errands this afternoon, I stopped at a favorite nursery and got some herbs to replace ones that didn't make it over winter. Despite the fact that Jane at Hard Work Homestead said you can't kill lemon balm, I apparently managed to do so. I related the demise of my lemon balm to Jane and she said I had such a long, hard winter the herb probably committed suicide. That made me feel better.
Last Monday in my blog post, I asked for input on what kind of pressure canner anyone would recommend I get as I've been pondering this purchase for a while now. I very much appreciated the feedback I got. I admit I was leaning toward the All American brand canner but kept waffling a bit on the final decision. It so happens that Erin at Garden Now - Think Later has had her brain cells on the same path (great minds . . . ?) of wanting to purchase a pressure canner and if anyone knows how to research out a topic, it's Erin. After all her detailed delving into the subject, she blogged today that she's choosing the same size and All American brand I thought I wanted. Well, that did it for me. Decision made. Phew, glad to be able to put all that information in a storage bin of my gray matter. Now the big question is should I order it right away even though I know I won't be using it until sometime this fall or wait a couple/few months to part with the required $$$?
Woe is me. I'm in sad shape. I ordered a pizza for us for dinner last night and bought bread at our organic co-op in town today. What's happening to me? Somebody womp me upside the head before I get stripped of my healthy homemaker's button. Next thing you know I'll be trying to feed my husband some commercially canned soup and Hostess cupcakes for dessert.
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11 comments:
I think you may have picked just the right year to lessen your gardening work. And maybe this way you will be able to lessen the bug bites as well.
Funny thing, I was just thinking if I have to replace our fridge that I was just going to ask Erin what kind she has and be done with it! HA! At least I would know!
Glad you guys all sorted out your pressure canning decisions. If money only grew on trees I'd get me a new one too!
LOL, you have been dealing with your own stuff in your home garden, with winter staying around so late this year! My Lemon Balm is invasive, incredible that I spent so much time cultivating those little seedlings 3 years ago! I've decided for sure as well on the All-American, and am just waiting for the right time to put the order in, sigh... it's always something! I'm going to do a hunt on discounts or internet order coupons and I'll let you know if I find anything good!
APG, all I can say is stay away from Frigidaire. They have a nice LOOKING line of stainless appliances and we bought fridge, oven and dishwasher for BOTH sides of the duplex 4 years ago. I now have a Kitchen Aid fridge, a cheap stainless "look" old style GE dishwasher with no digital nonsense, and I still have the Frigidaire range but the control panel had to be replaced upon delivery. Next door now has a plain black GE bare bones fridge. Wow, huh?! And we all remember my issues with the new "pretty" front loading washer...
Yeah All American. One thing I have noticed that when I wait to buy things lately, like the berkey, they go and raise the price on the darn thing. I have not heard all American is set to do that, but with the resurgence in home canning I would bet there is more demand and you know how that goes. But shop around, I was able to get the best deal from some type of canning supply store. And you will be happy with your decision.
APG - If money grew on trees at your house, it would have been blown into the next county and pummeled into the mud never to be seen again! How's it goin', Girlfriend?
Erin and APG - We've had incredibly good luck with appliances over the years. (Knock on wood!) Our only "mistake" was our very expensive front loading washer that has always leaked, died (and been resurrected) twice (is currently making noises like it's in pain again) and doesn't get the clothes clean. Other than that, it's been a gem. ;o}
Jane - We've been purchasing some things right away rather than waiting simply for the reason you brought up. NOTHING is going down in price and I fully expect EVERYTHING to go up in price for . . . who knows how long. Rats.
See, I just knew I could count on you guys! And I certainly remember the washing machine fiasco and have told others "Don't do it!!!"
And that darn tree probably did get blown to smithereens. Severe weather forcasted today too. No strawberry picking for me!
I had to replace my lemon balm and two of my mints this year also. So I'm agreeing with you about them just not having the fortitude to make it through the past winter... LOL!
Mom, one thing I've found helpful regarding prices is Amazon. If you go there and put the canner in your shopping cart, they'll notify you when the price changes, either up or down. Might be worth it to see what it does in the next few weeks. Watch it on eBay, too!
APG - Oh, no. If there's anything you don't need, it's more really bad weather! Will all this rain/wind/etc. harm the strawberry crop?
Yart - Gosh, maybe I should be more grateful my mint made it through the winter. That's another one that they say is hard to kill, but I've lost one or two over the year previously.
Chicken Mama - Got it! Watching an item on Amazon is something Dad does all the time. He's waited for a year(!) for something he's wanted to come up at the right price. (Good thing one of us in the family has patience!) I'll ask him to watch the canner for me.
We certainly don't hold your good weather against you! You have had your share of poopy weather (I'm regressing, sorry). And frost in June? Whoa, Nelly! The world has been turned on its ear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with supporting your local pizza joint and organic co-op every once in a while. Someone has to! Trust me, you will never feed anyone a Hoho.
Susan - Thanks for the support of my sliding into slovenliness! But I'll work on shaping up so you can be proud of me working to further my domestic arts. I ain't been doin' so well on that front lately. ;o}
I just wanted to report that we've had some beautiful weather out here and early next week should hit the mid 70's. Woohoo! Of course it is a bit overcast and grey this morning, but it is easier to live with when you can see great weather on the horizon.
I bought an Amana, cross bottom freezer about 7-8 years ago. I think the warranty is up, and it's still running like a champ ... that to me is a sign of a good fridge.
Yvette
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