Soup's in the canner...almost ready to come out.  I have enough squash for another batch and that's on the list.  I had a cupful for my "brunch" and it's pretty good.  Will need some spices when it's opened and served.

GOOD MORNING EVERYFRIEND ‼️

Sun is shinning now but a storm is ah sturing and will move in later this afternoon.

My goodness, I have barely accomplished much, and you, JANE have already finished the soup you were making🤪. I bet it is delicious 😋

AMY, have the lumber prices come down at all in your area?  They keep saying they are going to, but I question it as everything else is sky high and continues to go up.

PHYLLIS, I saw on the news that you had some snow in your area. 

PATRICIA, I moan about getting  out when it is cold and messy,.....shame on me!  All I have to do is go get in the car....not stand outside waiting for public transportation 😩.
We need to run a few errands before the storm moves in! So I best get a move on🤪

Enjoy your day.

Jenny

Good Morning EVERYONE from the cold
with icy rain here today. 

Perfect weather to stay home in. 

Fe's  Mom and Dad have taken in
a couple of Foster Children. 

Absolutely adorable boys, one is
two and the other  7 months. 



They are such good parents.
(Be sure to scroll right to see the whole
picture)

For anyone curious about some southern exposure, during and after the snowstorms and rain, these two videos are from a family of Youtubers living in North Pole, a city 25 south of us. They have a more graphic view of circumstances such as cooking a meal via a small blowtorch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B06vFblO2Lk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ4A4olBgvg

Look like everyone went to bed already. Bad day here for the commuters. Many, many, accidents due to freezing rain and black ice. Lots of falls also - with some broken bones.

I didn't go to bed yet but I'm here to say "Good Night".  I'm heading for the haystack.  Frankie is spending the night and she has to leave for work by 7 a.m. and I make coffee for her to take with her a and sometimes hard boiled eggs but not tomorrow.  She's "taking a break" from them tomorrow.

I have 7 pints of soup already canned and almost twice that much to do tomorrow.  I hope to get two canners of 8 each done tomorrow and then I'll relax until it's time to make vegetable soup with all the stuff I've collected for that.  I think my diet is going to consist of a lot of soup in the future.  It's a lot easier to eat with this messed up mouth than anything else and I like soup.

I wish you all a peaceful nights sleep and a happy tomorrow and may God bless us, every one!

It is 20° but feels like 10°, so 2 weather stations say. Bitter cold & there is a band of snow not too far (20-30 miles) moving our way. Not supposed to get much but since the snow blower is NOT where I can get to it I may not be running errands I should have done today. That's life!

Both sons came today to install or set up what they got me for Christmas. I can now tell Google to turn on the pool light even if I'm in Missouri or Colorado, how about them apples?  Youngest son set up the light that will help paint when "natural" light isn't good. I'm really pleased with both gifts. Now I have 3 cameras showing all door & can monitor them when in another state and also they are set up on #1 son's iPad so he can check up on anyone coming or going. I'm covered!

Jane, I planned to get the fixings for my friend's "Taco soup". My daughter-in-law gave me a different recipe for taco soup but I like this other one better... so good I've cleaned up all the ZipLoc tubs I froze for camping & planned to make more. On my list when I get out.

Rick, my gr-daughter & family live in Falls Church, VA, do you know where that is?  I have not looked it up on a map so not programmed into my head. I remember when different people talked about the eastern states & my mental image is "all the cities run together & I'd never find my way around". All the years we visited Cas' mother & brother in eastern TN (Kingsport)tri-city area & a mass of highways so if you didn't know which lane to be in you'd be in a different state real fast. I never drove when there.

Got to get some sleep. Fitbit keeps telling me that I am not getting ANY deep sleep & only 4-5 hours of light sleep. Poor Tom can't help waking up hungry in the middle of the night, then a drink of water & uses the litter box. I listen until he gets back in bed, at least he is able to do what he can in that room. He is lost anywhere else in the house.

Sandy, my niece took several "batches" of kids different times to foster. So sad for the kids to be passed from house to house but good for them when the foster parents really care. Looks like Fe is enjoying them.

Must get to bed. Tom wakes up about 4:00 every morning & after listening to his routine I often just get up & fix our breakfasts. Too many days this week I didn't get a nap in so I am dragging tonight. Sweet dreams & God Bless....

How many more weeks before Yvette returns, Gloria? 

Good Morning everyone. Hope you all have a good day just as you like it, I never looked at the fibit this morning. I was dreaming a lot not all good dreams, as I woake up for the day. I have a Nasty cough and runney nose, shurr hope it settles down soon. I am still hulling and cracking Black walnuts. I have two Little bolws rounded up full of the nut Meats. I am going to go get back at them  after I eat my morning Meal. Nancy sorts through and fiens the shells I miss. we Have about three gallns of them in the freeser. In the two bowels fuill I Have rounded up amounts two about a quart and 1/2. I have a large pan full cracked to sort out. I think I have about three bushel's to hull and crack to go. That should keep me busy Most of the winter, If this cold dose not kill me first. I have a haed ake all the time anyway.but it is worse now days. our temp Is 13º and cloudy. see you all later.

Lloyd

Good morning..

Just a quickie as the music has started and the dance will begin. Not sure how much snow fell but will soon find out .
Be back after the dance........sure hope it is a waltz and not a jitterbug ..
Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning!  I've read but my timer went off for my first canner full of soup and that means it needs tending.  I'll be back later!

Everybody has eaten & 3 of us (cats) back to sleep & I am heading that way. Fitbit says I had 3 hours & 53min sleep, not enough. Light snow but not deep, enough to make the streets slick. Real temp is 8° but feels like -5°below, down right chilly! I'll decide what to do when I wake up the next time. Best wishes for all to be "healthy, wealthy & wise"... but most of all, "HAPPY".

Dance is done and so am I. Thankfully everything went well.

Jane ,all that canned soup will taste good!

Patricia, is the snow getting cleaned up in your area now?

Jenny, some lumber has come down in price but not all.The 2x4's PT were around $5.00 and are now just under $10.00.

Shirley, when you get a moment could you post your taco soup please.

Sandy, beautiful children all three of them. Thank you for sharing.

Rick,roads are wet but have been sanded and I hope no more snow for today.

Another chore is beckoning to me.I have tried to ignore it but it is persistent!!

Yes, SHIRLEY, I want that Taco Soup recipe, too!

I'm finished with the Summer Squash Soup and everything is cleaned up and put away except the soup itself.  It's still sitting on the counter cooling and waiting to be labeled.  I did a cannerful and 5 extra pints today for a total of 20 pints.  That's a lot of lunches....or suppers!

AMY, we're supposed to get snow overnight tonight.  I hope it's not the kind to stick around and make for bad driving conditions in the morning.  Frankie still has to work tomorrow and I don't like that road she drives.

SANDY, your daughter must be very special to take on two MORE little ones to care for.  I think anyone who does that has to have lots of love and courage in them!

LLOYD, I hope you get to feeling better soon.  It's no fun having a headache all the time.  A cold is bad enough!

Haven't figured out what my next household chore is going to be but I have a load of towels in the washer right now and tomorrow I'll strip my bed and wash those sheets.  That's hardly a job because I just sit around while the washer and dryer run.

Daughter Christy and her husband are finally coming up to celebrate "Christmas" with us. and we're all contributing to a dinner to be at Cathy's house.  Two daughters and husbands, one son and wife and two grandchildren will be together with me for "Christmas Dinner" on Saturday night!  Who says you can't get together for a holiday?  And who says it matters when you do it?

The washer is in the spin cycle so I better get ready to throw the towels in the dryer.  I wish you all a good day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

Good morning everyone! Nothing new here except I'm now craving Taco Soup!

We broke not only the record for the most rain in a month, December! And not only for the most snow in a month but also the most snowfall in a year! "​"Storms across the Interior affected many homes and businesses with wet, heavy snowfall and rain that fell over the course of a few days.

In the month of December, historic snowfalls fell across the Interior, bringing 49.7 inches of snow to Fairbanks according to the National Weather Service." The governor declared the state a disaster area and has called in the National Guard for assistance. Everyone is asked to stay home and off the road unless it's essential traffic."

So nothing new here and no plowing as yet in my area but supposedly in other areas of the city.

Wow, Patricia, lots of snow up there!

Jane, glad you are getting together this close to Christmas! Since I didn't get anything done as planned for my neighbors, I'm working on a "Christmas in July" gathering. Had one a Christmas gathering a few years ago & the ladies seemed to enjoy & this year we have so many husbands & extended family members that need to be introduced, I'm thinking inviting all to come & meet. I served enough goodies (thanks to Sam's Club) all the ladies took a napkin with some home to the hubbies. Maybe I can get organized by then!

Since I already have Bonnie's taco soup recipe on wordpad on this computer I will copy & past it in a separate post so y'all don't have to hunt. I do love it & hope you do. It's good for you, for sure!

Where's the Beef soup?

Bonnie's (or Shirley's)Taco Soup

1&1/2 lb gr beef (browned & drained)
1 onion chopped ( I have tried browning the onion with the beef & can't tell much difference)
1/2 (I use a whole can) cup beef broth
1 can corn undrained
1 can pinto beans undrained
1 can black beans undrained
1 can rotel (tom/gr chilis)
1 small can Hunt's tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatos
3 cups V8
pack taco seasoning (we both used William's taco seasoning)
1 T brown sugar
 
This soup freezes good, I love it with corn chips.

Thanks, Shirley. I saved it and sent it to my sister.

Shirley, thank you! Saved this and will pass it on to son. Question? What are rotel tomatoes? We have canned toms here and Italian seasoned toms......not sure if there is rotel but will look next time I go to the grocery store.

Rotel is tomatoes with green chilies.... and there are several versions... I go for the original, just enough kick to make the soup interesting. Trust me, it would make a difference to leave it out. I think there are other brands of tomatoes with green chilies but I have never tried any other. A can of this dumped into a pound of Velvetta cheese makes a great dip when heated to bubble stage... yum. My friend also used a can when making some chicken/spaghetti after Cas come home from the hospital 30+ years ago. He thought he was doomed to no flavor foods after 3 by-passes & this had all the flavor in the world. I don't like "spicy hot" foods but this stuff is flavor & not too hot for me! I find it in the Mexican foods type aisle instead of where the canned tomatos are. Hope you can find it because it would change the recipe completely.

Shirley, thank you. I will look for it here .

Weather feels like I feel .it is snowing lazily. Not much effort to it and for that I am thankful

Thanks, SHIRLEY!  One question, How much does this recipe make?  And I suppose it's Ok if I use "Honjane's home canned tomatoes and Honjane's home canned tomato sauce?"

You know what, Jane?  I thought about mentioning that I only buy Hunt's tomatoes and thought again about y'all having home grown & can't get any better than that!!! As far as how big the batch, makes quite a bit, I never measured, but always try to get some into the freezer.

I never got out except to push the dumpster to the street. Callie went with me & came right back inside with me, tis nippy out there. Didn't bother sweeping the snow off, sun will take care of it eventually. Wind had some in the air for a while today but couldn't tell if snowing or just extra dry snow blowing from the trees. My "dozen doves", regulars that come to eat every day, stayed huddled in the tree until nearly dark. I always put extra seed on the ground for them but some will eat out of the hanging dish & kick seeds to the ground.

Got enough cat hair on this dark oak floor to make another cat. The girls had a pretty heavy coat before they came inside full time... so shedding is a must. They hate the sound of the sweeper but not sure it will be warm enough for them to be out long enough for me to clean up tomorrow. Guess it doesn't matter, nobody to see it but me!

I Googled Ro-tel...https://www.ro-tel.com/  I'll delete if that doesn't work. Some good recipes.

well the grilmans did It again,ate My post. A resipie I used to do.take a can of instant biskets. pop the can open anD seprate them, role them out to 6,8" IN DIMATER. I like the cherry pie filling best but any will do. cover one half with the filling,fold over and seal the edges. I used to deepfat fry them in oil in a skillet. But grand deaughter is going for health and bakeing them in the oven. ( a air fry oven) try I bet you will like them.

Lloyd

Hello Everyfriend!  Winter is here in Central PA.  It's snowing!  And instead of laying in the grass and avoiding the roads, it's doing just the opposite!  The roads are white, roofs are white and the grass is green!  Weird!!

I'm about to hit the haystack before my eyes achieve the slam shut mode!  Once again, I saw the beginning of one Perry Mason show and the end of another!  I guess my eyes were telling me they'd been open long enough!

SHIRLEY, I'm thinking that if the roads are clear by 10 tomorrow morning, I might make a trip to WM to get my hair cut.  If I do that, I'll also pick up the stuff I need to make SHIRLEY'S TACO SOUP! 

And maybe I'll pick up some cherries and biscuits to make LLOYD'S Cherry pies.  They do sound good!

Now I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one!

Good morning..

Not a warm one out there this morning temp is 1°. Snow was all cleaned up yesterday so inside work today.

Shirley, I looked at your url and we do have them here
 so will be picking a few cans up to have on hand.

Jane, you sure had a busy day with all your canning!

Lloyd, we call those hand pies or grab and go pies. Easy to eat on the run if need be.

Patricia, the bone chilling weather has landed here. I I just keep thinking one day closer to Spring.

Better get going.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning WOW looks like the weather guessers are right for a change. It is snowing, coming down pretty fast , maintenance man has been clearing the walkway in front and it gets covered faster than he can clean it.
all I can say is it is beautiful and wish I was out there enjoying it but those days are over. Yesterday was a mess here, CNA was here earlier than I was told she would be, was nice having this one for 4 days in a row and I have had her at times over the years.  On TV they say we have 8 inches already. Since I have turned the TV on almost half hour ago they ad said 10 inched total and now they are saying we can get 12 inches. Not bad for the first real snow for this winter.

SHIRLEY  I think about 4 more weeks and Yvette will be back. Will be great knowing the time and hours I have help. Some of the ones I had have been so bad I don't know how they can take a paycheck with a clear conscience.

LLOYD  I would get tired of cracking all those nuts and getting the meat out. I know they will be enjoyed many ways but a lot of work.

JANE  when you talked about your squash soup I thought butternut squash but it is summer squash,you found a way to get it canned and it keeps? Is that the yellow squash? Never heard of that in soup.

AMY  just looked outside again and cannot tell it had ben plowed at all. The guesser just said we have a few more hour for the snow to finish.

PATRICIA  enjoyed the 2 links you posted yesterday.

Time for breakfast getting hungry. Don't think many CNAs will be workig today. On the tube they are telling everyone to stay off the roads so plows can clear roads. No job worth getting into an accident for. How soft has the human race become that they let snow keep them home from work? Guess being in an older generation that worked and not sat at a desk all day made us tougher.

Have a good day and stay safe.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  Frankie came over this morning to drop off Cooper and she was on the phone as soon as she came in the door to tell them she was going to be late for work.  She said the roads had been plowed but not yet salted and she was nervous about driving on them.  she kept checking and as soon as they said the salt trucks had gone on the highway, she left.  She texted me that she got to work safely.

GLORIA, yes the soup was made with the summer squash.  I had cleaned it, chopped it and frozen it as my neighbors donated it to me in the summer.  Now it's ready to eat.  And you're right...you can't can the squash but I found a good soup recipe with instructions for canning.

LLOYD is the "Black Walnut King" of the Midwest...maybe of the country...and maybe even the world!

I have the last piece of my bedding in the dryer and while I was putting the fitted sheed on my bed, I couldn't help thinking of my grandmother.  She was still around when fitted sheets were just coming out and I can still hear her griping about how hard they were to get on the beds and "why do they think we need them?"  Until lately, I couldn't understand what the problem was but now, I'm on her side.  They really ARE hard to get on the bed.  Nice once they're on but hard to do.  You don't think I'm getting OLD, do you!

Laundry is the only thing I have planned for today.  I was going to try to make a trip to WM for a haircut and I haven't completely given up that idea but I can hear my daughter, Cathy.  "She doesn't drive for 2 months and then she decides to drive in the snow!"

Oh well!  That's life!  I wish you all a good day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

Quote from: JaneS on January 07, 2022, 10:36:45 AMI couldn't understand what the problem was but now, I'm on her side.  They really ARE hard to get on the bed.  Nice once they're on but hard to do.  You don't think I'm getting OLD, do you!

If you hunt around you can find some with more elastic at the corners, or deeper pockets.  We had some that were all but impossible to get on. But I have some now that go on easily. The last set came from Amazon.

Thanks for the suggestion, RICK, but I have so many sheets now, I can't justify the expense of buying more.  And the problem is my new mattress.  It's thicker than the old one and maybe that's why they're making sheet with a bigger pocket now.  When I need new sheet, I'll remember your advice.