Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

that's a phrase we use around here quite often. usually as i'm starting up the day and creaking a bit.

I mighta stole it from you, lol.

However, I did rest today, lol. Don't feel too rusty yet. I took the day off and I only feel a little bit guilty for doing it. Managed to finish a book that I've been working on. Only work I did was to feed critters this morning and evening, unload 3 bags of feed and take some onions outta the dehydrator. That's it! I only got 1.7 miles today - less than 4K steps. Shameful, lol.

I needed it. I've been going nonstop and still felt like I wasn't making progress. Needed the mental health day as much as the physical rest. Woo hoo I'll get back to full speed tomorrow.

 

[baymule]

Sometimes you just gotta take a day for yourself.

 

[flowerbug]

Sometimes you just gotta take a day for yourself.

yes, for sure!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Got started with a vengeance today. I have successfully applied primer to a wall.

 

[baymule]

Accomplishment!!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Accomplishment!!!

I need to use a different roller cover on the next wall. I need one for more of a rough surface to get in and around and over the texture. I have some - but I was using the one that came with the roller first.

Pulled a whole bunch of carrots. I've got most of them washed. I'll get 'em sliced, blanched and into the dehydrator next. I usually can 'em, but I'm going to try it this way now. Space saver!

 

[baymule]

I hope they don’t turn out chewy. Never dehydrated carrots. In fact, I’ve never been successful growing them, but one time. I need to try them again. Do they make a good fall crop?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Dehydrated the first batch of carrots overnight. Checked 'em this morning and they are ready to come out. I used a food processor to slice 'em and I'm not thrilled, but they're crispy! I'd like them a little thicker, but I used the thickest cutting blade I have. I may end up slicing them by hand - ugh. I'd like them a tiny bit thicker than they are now. I also used the wrong blade on one batch...not paying attention. The slice blade and the grate blade are one and the same. Put it in one way for slicing - turn it over for grating. I managed to grate a whole bowl full before I noticed, lol. Hmmmm, carrot cake in my future? If I try to dehydrate those itty-bitty pieces they'll disappear!

It's supposed to rain from now until tomorrow evening. There's a chance of rain all week, but I think today/tomorrow are supposed to be the worst. Doesn't sound like good painting weather - but with the AC running I suppose it will dry? I dunno. I've got plenty of other things I can do if I decide not to paint. Laundry for one! I'm at least a couple of weeks behind. Good thing I've got lots of unmentionables, lol!

DH has PT today. I kind of hate for him to get out in this rainy mess, but he needs to go. They're going to start working on his strength. He's weak as a kitten. Have I been trying to get him to do some light weights? Yes. But, when PT decides that's what he needs then he's all about it. Sigh...

@baymule - I generally start them in the fall, but I also plant them in early spring too. Like early -maybe January/February - I guess technically that's winter, lol. Carrots never did well here in our clay until I started putting them in raised beds. I pulled some yesterday that were at least a foot long. I was a little shocked! I've dehydrated bags of frozen peas and carrots from the store previously and they rehydrate well.

Whew - the thunder is rumbling out there. Only off and on showers so far. Maybe it'll stay that way?

 

[Mini Horses]

If your carrots were the thickness you wanted when sliced, remember they shrink as dried...swell at rehydrate. So maybe they're ok? If not, mandolin slice? Put the shredded on a cheesecloth or silicone sheet and dry!

I'm getting ready to slice apples to dehydrate 😁. Great snack. Can't wait for figs to ripen!!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yep, they definitely plump back up on rehydration! I cut the next batch by hand. I did a better job than the food processor, lol. I thought about the mandolin, but I didn't have a lot to do so me and the knife took care of it.

We've had over an inch of rain....1.39 last time I looked. Not raining right now but it's not finished with us. Radar shows a lot still out there with a nice counterclockwise spin. Wonder what that's about? Right now it's spinning around us and not over us - I'm ok with that!

Done with carrots until I pull some more.