SSDreamin Blessings and curses

[Windyhillfarms]

Every time I think I got a lot done in a day, I read your journal and feel like a slacker! Although I did get housekeeping stuff done today in the chicken coop, I now feel like I need to go back out there and do some more! Great job on getting things "spiffed" up.

 

[SSDreamin]

Spent today back home/at the cemetery. Today was my oldest son, Christopher's, birthday. He would've been 28 today (for those counting, I had him when I was five ). His best friend, Andrew, met me at Chris's grave, and we sat talking. My pod person was very proud of me because I didn't have a total meltdown today.
His birthday and the anniversary of his passing are so hard for me. I miss him so very, very much!

 

[dragonlaurel]

Holding it together today was an achievement.

 

[Henrietta23]

 

[SSDreamin]

Thank you so much for the hugs, they were much appreciated.
My brother, who helped me raise Chris, made an statement that I'll share here: "We put a lot of time and effort into that kid. I hope God is pleased with the results." Me too.

This weekend, I accomplished almost nothing. I had to throw a basket of tomatoes out to the chickens, because I didn't get around to them. DH tried to get some stuff done around here, but we had a very welcome interruption by some old friends and spent the better part of the day visiting. She was fascinated by all the different things I had been trying to do. I enjoyed explaining the processes and, hopefully planted a seed of self sufficiency in their minds! Of course, Ice Cream was the center of attention. Our friends are city people, trying to move to the country for a better life for them and their son, and were quite taken with the idea of a cow, the size of a large dog, providing for their dairy needs. 'She' also loved the idea of using an edible landscape, as I pointed out our different plantings. I hope they choose to pursue a more self sufficient lifestyle, very soon.

We did go pick up a new wood stove for the new house yesterday afternoon. DH was very disappointed to find that United States Woodstove Co.'s stoves are made in China! Otherwise, it seems like a nice stove, able to heat the majority of the house, nice and tight and with a top to do limited cooking on if needed.

The pod person and I did up another batch of hash browns last night and let them dry overnight. I'm trying to find out if I can mash some potatoes, plain, then spread them on sheets and dry them. That way, I can rehydrate them, as needed, and just add butter and milk for mashed potatoes? I've done the same type of thing for pumpkin and squash, but as yet can't find anything that says it'll work for potatoes. Wonder if they'll be too grainy? Maybe I'll try a test batch today.

 

[SSDreamin]

Did up a big batch of french fries in the dehydrator last night. We did a few a while back as an experiment. I recently rehydrated them, dried them off and fried them up. They were delicious, although weird looking! So, we did a whole batch! Easy to store french fries - I love it!

Have someone coming to look at the house any minute now. She really likes what she's seen so far, but now she wants to do a thorough walk through. Yikes! Did my best to organize the packed up boxes, the store room (double yikes!) and my kitchen. I would hope she realizes this is a really bad time to be checking out my house! Hopefully, no points off for messiness!!

 

[Britesea]

I ran across this site the other day- they show how to dehydrate mashed potatoes (and other cool things) http://www.backpackingchef.com/food-dehydrator-recipes.html

 

[SSDreamin]

Thanks Britsea! Wasn't very pleased with my test batch of mashed potatoes, although they actually required much less cream than I'm used to adding. Great site - I am going to try mashed potatoes again, her way, and pumpkin pie bark, and baked bean bark, and...

Well, the whole family came to look at the house tonight, which freaked me out a little. SHE was measuring to make sure some of her odd furniture pieces (like HER gun safe! Now, that's my kinda girl ) and talking about what she planned to do with the back room (which is exactly what I had planned to do, until I filled it with storage boxes). He didn't want to look around much, but offered suggestions or ideas for different things she wanted to change. Their son spent the whole time playing video games with DS Overall, I think it went well, but ya never know.

DS went to spend the night at a friends, and DH is still at work until tomorrow night, so I have the house to MYSELF! OK, sharing it with the horse-dog, who is missing DS like crazy & the cat, but mostly ALONE What kind of crazy stuff am I doing? Baking bread and packing up more of the store room (the woman's comments were... lets just say she doesn't share our need to stock up for lean times, so I want to get more of it boxed up and out of sight!).

Had a briefly embarrassing moment, as DS headed out the door tonight. His friends Mom said they were going to order pizza when they got home. DS turned to me and said "Did you hear that Mom? REAL pizza! What a treat!" Yeah, lots of yummy fillers and preservatives Yippee! Oh well, he'll come around to our way of thinking someday, right?!

 

[Britesea]

Glad to help on the mashed potatoes. I'm interested in some of those 'barks' too.

about DS-- yes, they do eventually come around. My youngest is currently attending Job Corps; when he started the program, he was so thrilled with the high carb meals in the cafeteria, but he's been telling us lately how much he misses our 'real food'. He said he's even found himself longing for my stir fries (which he used to view with loathing, lol)

 

[BarredBuff]

When I was scrolling thru the recent posts, I saw this and thought it said "Are people still buying horses in this economy?" I cracked up, then clicked on it to find that its about "houses" not "horses",