One would think that, after 30+ years in Phoenix, that I'd be "used" to the long, HOT, summers... Alas, this had been true until some years ago, when I deduced that the older I'm getting, the harder the summers have been for me. I go into a sort of reverse hibernation, as all things indoors are air conditioned. This is making simple tasks as cooking, or less simple trips to the grocery darn near crippling! On the flip side of that coin, if the oustide (or inside) temp falls below 60F, I'm freezing, and will remain so until the following spring - come March, we'll be soaring toward the high 90's again, "winter" will be but a memory, and the impending summer knocking at the door!
While still in the high 80's to low 90's, the weather is turning out quite stupendous of late. The mornings are cool and clear - almost "clean looking." I also recently hung a bird seed feeder outside my sitting room window ( I qualify "seed," as I aslo have a humming bird feeder, outstide an adjacent window...) What joy it's being to watch the birds feed in the mornings, fighting over the space. A few moments ago, there were 6 birds fighting over space at the 4 seed dispensers. (Reminds me, I've got nectar made for the hummer's!)
On the "food" horizon, I've already made (and greatly enjoyed) a large pot of beef stew, and a perfect amount of French Onion soup! I've bean soup in the works, but following nothing more than instinct as I went, It's turning out a big batch of no flavor broth with a carrot and celery stick, plus some navy beans, in a large vat!
I am particularly excited at the prospect of months of winter squash, and after a wonderful summer of fresh fruit, along are coming apples and pears, which I only recently learned come hand in hand each autumn. I don't know why I never realized that a pear is more of a fall fruit, than summer!
This is also the time of year that I get the itch to "spring clean!" I began yesterday, devoting the day to fresh sheets on the bed, but this time, I removed and washed the "summer" bedspread, and the adjoining bath shower curtain, replacing with newly laundered "winter" colors of comforter, window treatreatments and shower linens. At that point I was forced to call it "done for the day," regretting the lack of cleaning floors and window sills, not to mention the urge to clean the window glass! THAT happens only once every 5-10 years! I must be sick... have a fever, or such, lol!
I'm also wanting to pull out the sewing machine, and some of my leftover fabrics. I've the thought of making a set of holiday place mats out of some wonderful forest green fabric which is threaded with little silver stars in the weave of the material. I believe that with my everyday plain white dishes, it will make an interesting start of a holiday table, regardless of whether we do any entertaining, or not. Besides, it will give me a reason to clear the junk off the dining table for the winter! Perhaps I'll even use it a few times if only for myself!
So, there you have my past few months in a nutshell, and what expectations I have for the near future... just more days in the life of a crazycook! Be well!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Expanding Blog Horizons
I've been a blogger on allrecipes.com for far longer, and with much more frequency than here, for many years now, which sort of caused me to look for alternative blog possibilities... which brought me here to blogger.com.
Now, I may be a little less pleased with allrecipes, as the site is undergoing some changes. This result was that I pretty much stopped writing for a couple of months, which I have greatly missed. I have also begun searching other cooking websites, as on occasion allrecipes simply doesn't offer just what I'm looking for. Last Friday, for instance, I was looking for non-recipe info, "uses for epsom salts." Now I'm not "into" health, wellness and natural remedies, but I do believe that our grandmother's knew a few things that have been forgotten over the past 45 years. My reasoning here was, I could not recall if an epsom salt soak would help with swelling... To explain, Jason, kitty Pyewacket, and a grooming tool had a fight. The kitty is missing a tuft of fur on her back, she bit Jason's left hand which puffed up like a balloon within 24 hours (requiring Dr visit, shots in the butt, and oral antibiotics.) Here we are at late Sunday, and his hand is still swollen, but not as painful - the meds are working! Needless to say, the grooming tool won the battle!
Ok, now that I've told you a long story, I was headed to telling you that I stumbled upon a blog written by a young woman in South Dakota. The quantity of information available on this site is totally amazing, and centers around her life as a farm wife, things she does to save her family a few $$ here and there, and an entire gambit of other useful information! I certainly hope that she doesn't mind me chatting about her blog! My head is still reeling after spending the better part of two afternoons perusing her articles! "Little House Living" can be found at:
http://www.littlehouseliving.com/ Anyway, I guess I'd best stop in and let Marissa know that I've mentioned her site here...
Personally, I do a lot of "homemade" stuff here at home... Today, using one of Marissa's recipes, I canned 10 pints of kidney beans. I have an entire cupboard saved for spices and seasonings, and make my own blends - taco seasoning, to name only one. Holiday gifts for friends and neighbors usually consist of homemade jams, cookies, quick breads and the like. (Reminds me, I've been craving zuchinni bread!)
So, for the time being at least, all is per usual at Life, Lemons, and Things! Till next time, be well!
Now, I may be a little less pleased with allrecipes, as the site is undergoing some changes. This result was that I pretty much stopped writing for a couple of months, which I have greatly missed. I have also begun searching other cooking websites, as on occasion allrecipes simply doesn't offer just what I'm looking for. Last Friday, for instance, I was looking for non-recipe info, "uses for epsom salts." Now I'm not "into" health, wellness and natural remedies, but I do believe that our grandmother's knew a few things that have been forgotten over the past 45 years. My reasoning here was, I could not recall if an epsom salt soak would help with swelling... To explain, Jason, kitty Pyewacket, and a grooming tool had a fight. The kitty is missing a tuft of fur on her back, she bit Jason's left hand which puffed up like a balloon within 24 hours (requiring Dr visit, shots in the butt, and oral antibiotics.) Here we are at late Sunday, and his hand is still swollen, but not as painful - the meds are working! Needless to say, the grooming tool won the battle!
Ok, now that I've told you a long story, I was headed to telling you that I stumbled upon a blog written by a young woman in South Dakota. The quantity of information available on this site is totally amazing, and centers around her life as a farm wife, things she does to save her family a few $$ here and there, and an entire gambit of other useful information! I certainly hope that she doesn't mind me chatting about her blog! My head is still reeling after spending the better part of two afternoons perusing her articles! "Little House Living" can be found at:
http://www.littlehouseliving.com/ Anyway, I guess I'd best stop in and let Marissa know that I've mentioned her site here...
Personally, I do a lot of "homemade" stuff here at home... Today, using one of Marissa's recipes, I canned 10 pints of kidney beans. I have an entire cupboard saved for spices and seasonings, and make my own blends - taco seasoning, to name only one. Holiday gifts for friends and neighbors usually consist of homemade jams, cookies, quick breads and the like. (Reminds me, I've been craving zuchinni bread!)
So, for the time being at least, all is per usual at Life, Lemons, and Things! Till next time, be well!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Memorial Day Memories
I do recall from years of the long ago past, participating in what our family considered the "Proper" memorial day celebrations... Now, as a young pup, playing in a cemetary for a few hours, while the adult folk went about their business, was not exactly at the top of my "to do" list!
The day would begin with a trip to a nursery, picking up a few assorted flowers of whatever variety were available. The planting tools were already in the trunk of the car, and once checked out, we'd pile into the Ford and head "up north." My family (apparently) is from the Greenville area of Michigan. While dad had moved to the big city (tongue in cheed, Lansing's NOT that big!) his brother remained in the boonies and raised two daughters as dad began his own family.
The trip from Lansing to Sheridan (where uncle Mort lived) would take about an hour, perhaps a little longer. For me, it was simply forever! I always enjoyed visiting our country family... they grew their own veggies every summer, many of which aunt Donna would can towards the end of the season, to avoid spoilage/loss, and to provide produce into the winter months.
From here, it was another trip... Grandpa's house (farm) was in Greenville. I do have very vague memories of the old place, but as grandpa died when I was young, 4 perhaps, I recall very little - except the old hand pump at the kitchen sink! Did they have a wood burning stove in the kitchen - I do not recall!
The cemetary was somewhere in that vacinity of small towns, clustered in the Michigan countryside. As the day progressed, we'd plant flowers on the graves of those family members who had passed. Stories would be shared of "the old days," mosquitos would be swatted right left and center, and if we were lucky we'd have a tree to offer shade, and perhaps ice water, or lemonade to keep the thirst in check.
Of course, long before the adults were ready to call it "done," I'd be aching to head back to uncle's, to play in the barn - often we'd uncover a brood of feral kittens, though I knew well enough to leave the little babies be... Once weaned, they might allow a scratch on the head or such, but if mama showed up, it was time to let them all be!
The day might end up having a light meal with the family, before we piled back into the Ford to return to Lansing. I dare say that I'd nap all the way home - if my big sis would stop picking on me long enough!
Dad and Mort are now dead... I would guess that Mort is buried somewhere in that neck of the woods, but have little clue as to what became of dad. Per his wishes, he was cremated, and his remains presented to my step-mother in a very plain, brown tin! If I'm not mistaken, he's somewhere in TX now, with my sis... I guess the days of planting flowers at the graves is lost, unless my aunt and her first born continue the tradition. Fran has only recently returned to MI from somewhere in the Carolinas, Wendy (my sis) in TX, Linda (the next in line) is busy with her family... That leaves little ol' me here in AZ with friends as family substitutes. Mom is now 92 and living near Wendy, losing a few more marbles daily (I mean MOM, but dare say she's draining Wendy's supply of sanity also!)
So, there are my memories of Memorial Day from the ancient past. Did we ever bbq? I have no idea - if so, it was the anti-climax of the weekend!
Be safe, be well!
The day would begin with a trip to a nursery, picking up a few assorted flowers of whatever variety were available. The planting tools were already in the trunk of the car, and once checked out, we'd pile into the Ford and head "up north." My family (apparently) is from the Greenville area of Michigan. While dad had moved to the big city (tongue in cheed, Lansing's NOT that big!) his brother remained in the boonies and raised two daughters as dad began his own family.
The trip from Lansing to Sheridan (where uncle Mort lived) would take about an hour, perhaps a little longer. For me, it was simply forever! I always enjoyed visiting our country family... they grew their own veggies every summer, many of which aunt Donna would can towards the end of the season, to avoid spoilage/loss, and to provide produce into the winter months.
From here, it was another trip... Grandpa's house (farm) was in Greenville. I do have very vague memories of the old place, but as grandpa died when I was young, 4 perhaps, I recall very little - except the old hand pump at the kitchen sink! Did they have a wood burning stove in the kitchen - I do not recall!
The cemetary was somewhere in that vacinity of small towns, clustered in the Michigan countryside. As the day progressed, we'd plant flowers on the graves of those family members who had passed. Stories would be shared of "the old days," mosquitos would be swatted right left and center, and if we were lucky we'd have a tree to offer shade, and perhaps ice water, or lemonade to keep the thirst in check.
Of course, long before the adults were ready to call it "done," I'd be aching to head back to uncle's, to play in the barn - often we'd uncover a brood of feral kittens, though I knew well enough to leave the little babies be... Once weaned, they might allow a scratch on the head or such, but if mama showed up, it was time to let them all be!
The day might end up having a light meal with the family, before we piled back into the Ford to return to Lansing. I dare say that I'd nap all the way home - if my big sis would stop picking on me long enough!
Dad and Mort are now dead... I would guess that Mort is buried somewhere in that neck of the woods, but have little clue as to what became of dad. Per his wishes, he was cremated, and his remains presented to my step-mother in a very plain, brown tin! If I'm not mistaken, he's somewhere in TX now, with my sis... I guess the days of planting flowers at the graves is lost, unless my aunt and her first born continue the tradition. Fran has only recently returned to MI from somewhere in the Carolinas, Wendy (my sis) in TX, Linda (the next in line) is busy with her family... That leaves little ol' me here in AZ with friends as family substitutes. Mom is now 92 and living near Wendy, losing a few more marbles daily (I mean MOM, but dare say she's draining Wendy's supply of sanity also!)
So, there are my memories of Memorial Day from the ancient past. Did we ever bbq? I have no idea - if so, it was the anti-climax of the weekend!
Be safe, be well!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Welcome back to "Life, Lemons, and Things!" Indeed, the past few days have handed me a few lemons, but there has also been quite a bit of "life" mixed into the works!
With the holiday weekend looming just days ahead, I chose to spend a day in the "crazy kitchen" preparing for Monday, though as far as I know, we have NO plans for any festivities! I guess I'll have to make my own...
Two days ago, I spent a MANIC day in the kitchen cooking. I decided that I needed mashed spuds for dinner, but also had been wanting to make some potato salad, so I peeled extra 'taters and tossed them into the stock pot. (No, I didn't NEED that big of a pot, but the others were dirty!) Once cooked, I divided, and made both mashed and the salad. It was during this effort that I learned a very important lesson... A vegetable peeler will most definately take a thin layer of skin off any nearby finger!
Yesterday, I pulled out the pressure canner, and put up 8 pints of homemade "pork and beans" which I'd made a few days prior. I let these slow cook in the ol' crock pot, and tossed the pot and all into the "spare" frige, once suitably cooled - I didn't want the glass shelf to shatter from the heat of the pot!
Today caught me totally off guard! I'd been wanting to sort out the linen cupboard in the my bathroom, that my "winter" bedding might be stuffed into it. I did manage to sort it all out in pretty short order, but I also pulled out my spring/summer bedding and window treatments, giving the bedroom a "fresh & clean" look. (I also dusted the furniture which was rather gross!) Spice kitty didn't seem to mind the new bedcover at all, so I guess I've her approval!
While taking a break this afternoon, my worst fear (for my patio umbrella) came true, and the darn thing lifted 3' off the ground, and out of the holder, sailing into the back wall of the yard! I managed to run out and crank the darn thing shut, but have yet to completely survey the damage... Were I Mary Poppins, I might have enjoyed this!
For now, that's where life and lemons have taken me. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
With the holiday weekend looming just days ahead, I chose to spend a day in the "crazy kitchen" preparing for Monday, though as far as I know, we have NO plans for any festivities! I guess I'll have to make my own...
Two days ago, I spent a MANIC day in the kitchen cooking. I decided that I needed mashed spuds for dinner, but also had been wanting to make some potato salad, so I peeled extra 'taters and tossed them into the stock pot. (No, I didn't NEED that big of a pot, but the others were dirty!) Once cooked, I divided, and made both mashed and the salad. It was during this effort that I learned a very important lesson... A vegetable peeler will most definately take a thin layer of skin off any nearby finger!
Yesterday, I pulled out the pressure canner, and put up 8 pints of homemade "pork and beans" which I'd made a few days prior. I let these slow cook in the ol' crock pot, and tossed the pot and all into the "spare" frige, once suitably cooled - I didn't want the glass shelf to shatter from the heat of the pot!
Today caught me totally off guard! I'd been wanting to sort out the linen cupboard in the my bathroom, that my "winter" bedding might be stuffed into it. I did manage to sort it all out in pretty short order, but I also pulled out my spring/summer bedding and window treatments, giving the bedroom a "fresh & clean" look. (I also dusted the furniture which was rather gross!) Spice kitty didn't seem to mind the new bedcover at all, so I guess I've her approval!
While taking a break this afternoon, my worst fear (for my patio umbrella) came true, and the darn thing lifted 3' off the ground, and out of the holder, sailing into the back wall of the yard! I managed to run out and crank the darn thing shut, but have yet to completely survey the damage... Were I Mary Poppins, I might have enjoyed this!
For now, that's where life and lemons have taken me. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Enter "Crazycook's" alternate world
While continuing with my subscription at allrecipes.com (which was recently renewed - though that could have been months ago the way time is flying by!) I've chosen to return here to LIFE,LEMONS, AND THINGS to see just what might be going on... I had a bit of trouble accessing this account, but after a few attempts, adding some security stuff to my account and changing my password, I do indeed seem to be back!
Welcome all, especially my friends from "Stevie's Crazykitchen!" Navigating around this site has me a bit confused, but I'm confident that with a little time, I'll be right at home here!
To update from my last post of NINE MONTHS ago, I do seem to have some news to share! My meds all seem to have balanced out finally, that I'm able to function for the most part (lol) and the desire to actually get up and do stuff has returned somewhat... I'd been a total couch potato for many months!
Razzle, the greyhound survived the valley fever, and was off all meds for a couple of months, when sadly, he took a turn for the worse. He began having trouble getting up and down from his bed, and at times simply paced the house for hours. Then I noticed that he could no longer stand for any amount of time, before his hind legs sort of folded up under him... We had dinner that night, and gave the "boys" their cookies, after which we loaded Raz into the Edge and trundled off to a 24 hour Emergency, to say farewell to our dear, sweet friend. We have all missed him daily, even the Afghan hound, who is now left at home alone (well, with cats...) when we both have to leave. He's now doing better, as am I, but there is not a day passes, that I don't miss my friend!
So, here I am once again, at this blog which I started some time ago but have ignored for far too long, wondering just how long my allrecipes blog will continue. I'm sure it will, at least until my "dues" need to paid again...
Since this is not a "food" website, I feel more comfortable chatting about "not-food" topics, but if I am to transition at some point from allrecipes to here, I can guarantee that most posts will be food/cooking/recipe oriented, but when I get a wild hair as they say, I can now chat about "toothpaste," if that's my whim of the moment! Hell, I'm crazy, remember?
For now, be CRAZY, but don't suck on the lemons.... unless you've got a shot of tequila at hand!
Welcome all, especially my friends from "Stevie's Crazykitchen!" Navigating around this site has me a bit confused, but I'm confident that with a little time, I'll be right at home here!
To update from my last post of NINE MONTHS ago, I do seem to have some news to share! My meds all seem to have balanced out finally, that I'm able to function for the most part (lol) and the desire to actually get up and do stuff has returned somewhat... I'd been a total couch potato for many months!
Razzle, the greyhound survived the valley fever, and was off all meds for a couple of months, when sadly, he took a turn for the worse. He began having trouble getting up and down from his bed, and at times simply paced the house for hours. Then I noticed that he could no longer stand for any amount of time, before his hind legs sort of folded up under him... We had dinner that night, and gave the "boys" their cookies, after which we loaded Raz into the Edge and trundled off to a 24 hour Emergency, to say farewell to our dear, sweet friend. We have all missed him daily, even the Afghan hound, who is now left at home alone (well, with cats...) when we both have to leave. He's now doing better, as am I, but there is not a day passes, that I don't miss my friend!
So, here I am once again, at this blog which I started some time ago but have ignored for far too long, wondering just how long my allrecipes blog will continue. I'm sure it will, at least until my "dues" need to paid again...
Since this is not a "food" website, I feel more comfortable chatting about "not-food" topics, but if I am to transition at some point from allrecipes to here, I can guarantee that most posts will be food/cooking/recipe oriented, but when I get a wild hair as they say, I can now chat about "toothpaste," if that's my whim of the moment! Hell, I'm crazy, remember?
For now, be CRAZY, but don't suck on the lemons.... unless you've got a shot of tequila at hand!
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