Blue Moon

Did you know that there will not be another Blue Moon on New Year's Eve for another 29 years?  That's 2028 folks.


Or that this is the 13th full moon of 2009?

Or that this is a Blue Moon at the end of the decade?

Check it out www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=44732 

I Dare You To Try This

Check out where you end up when you type in Illuminati backwards and add a .com.  Come on I dare ya!
I would give you the link but you won't believe me unless you do it yourself.  I will make it a little easier for you . ITANIMULLI  is Illuminati spelled backwards. Don't forget to add the .com and for once PLEASE leave me comments!

The Funniest Guy Ever

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to go fishing with this guy!

It's Over...

Well Christmas is over and I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season.  Did you remember to make some memories? Start a new tradition or maybe bring back an old one?  Hug a little tighter and a little longer?  Remember to tell the loved ones in your life how much they truly mean to you?



One can only guess where our country will be in December 2010. The country has spiraled  into massive debt that we will never be able to repay. We have legislation which passed on Thursday that will change life as we know it.  And there is much much more to come.  Never doubt for one minute that we are witnessing history in the making. That the government is out of control is not even an opinion anymore.  It's a fact.  The congress critters could less what WE THE PEOPLE want. Are we willing to stand and take back our God given rights?  Are there enough of us willing to fight to the death for the inalienable rights  with which we were were endowed?   I can only hope there are.  

Stormtroopers

OK OK I know I said I was gonna give it a rest. Sometimes I just can't help it darn it!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

(H/T)

Christmas '09

Christmas is almost here. I can't believe the year has sped by like it has.  Are you all ready? 
Things are tight all over this year and not looking like it will be getting better anytime soon either. Here's my example.  Our city has a really cool agency called The Christmas Bureau.  They take the names of family's that need help with Christmas. 
They then list them and find families, company's and such to "Adopt a Family" for the holidays. Sponsors donate the Christmas meal, toys for the kids, whatever they can afford to do.  They came up short last year by about 5 families. This year they are having a really hard time finding enough sponsors. Here it is two days away from Christmas and there are still 600 families with no sponsors. It's getting bad out there folks and we all know it.


The thing is- people are hurting all over the country.  People out of work.  The underemployed.  People losing their homes.  People going hungry, getting their utilities shut off for nonpayment.  How many of us are only a week or a month or six weeks away from being homeless if we were to lose our jobs?  
And folks, from the looks of things, its not going to get better any time in the near future.  So many things coming at us from all directions that it is sometimes hard to just stay focused.  


Here's what I have been thinking though. I think I am going to take a timeout from all the negative energy out there for at least a few days. I am tired of worrying about all the things that are happening at an amazing pace in this world. I won't go into all of that just now... I'm not trying to rant here.  Most of us here on these blogs know the score.  We read.  We investigate.  We question. And sometimes, for me, its just too much knowledge for a person to process.
With everything cascading around us wouldn't it be a wonderful thing to just take a step back.  Just breathe.  Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. Make memories.  Remember these days.  Someday you may be telling your grandchildren about the Christmas of '09 and how things were "In the old days".

" But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when it has come round-apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that-as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"

Excerpt from A Christmas Carol

12 Days Of Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Chicken Fried Chicken Made Easy

I'm not one to share recipe's all that often.  This one  has turned out to be a real winner around here.  We don't eat alot of fried food. Somehow we have slowly weaned ourselves from most. 
These days  fried potato's or fried chicken just don't happen as often as they used to.  Don't get me wrong...I love fried foods.  I AM from the state known for Chicken Fried Steak!  We just don't indulge as much as we used to.  
So when I ran across a recipe as good as this one.... I  thought it was only fair to share!  After trying it out a few times (I'm slow) I realized that most all the ingredients are Prepper Friendly.  As in, probably in your pantry.  


Chicken Fried Chicken Tenders


2 chicken breasts (or whatever parts ya want)
Bout 10 crackers (crushed really fine)
tablespoon of flour
tablespoon of potato flakes
separate bowl of a couple of tablespoons of flour
1 beaten egg
Hot skillet with about 1/4 inch of oil.  (It doesn't take alot)


Take the crackers and crush to dust. LOL  I put them in a big ziplock and use my rolling pin to crush them up really really good.  Then add the flour, potato flakes, and season as you see fit to season. (Lots of options here... the last batch I added garlic powder,onion powder, Tony's seasoning, and just a little bit of chili powder)



Cut the chicken into the size portions ya want. Coat with flour,then into the egg, then the cracker mixture.  Drop into the hot skillet.  This doesn't take long to cook , 3 or 4 min then turn.  Grab a plate and chow!
Just don't overcook as chicken tends to turn out a bit dry if ya do. 

It works great with pork chops as well.  I haven't tried it for Chicken Fried Steak yet but I already know I will!


So if your craving some good old fashioned Chicken Fried (Insert meat here)  This recipe ROCKS.

Sanctions

Why is the US Government hellbent on a war with Iran?  There is absolutely NO reason for us to be over there messing with them.  And now we have voted to place sanctions on them?  I found this piece over at New World Order 101.  Thought it might be of interest to some of you.

Iran and Congress: Chipped like "Jason Bourn" are simply madness

In todays Asian times there is an good article by Eri Clifton " US Races against time over Iran.

What is interesting is how quickly America responses to any demand from Israel. They do not miss a beat. There does not seem to be any filters on information in regards to foreign policy. The PM of Israeli mearly has to talk about his paranoid delutions to get the American government to start pushing for war. Talk about mind control! The entire Congress must be chipped like "Jason Bourn to get everyone to agree so quickly

As Dr. Ron Paul says, It would be better for all concern that America trades with Iran instead of try to bomb them into oblivion at every change they get.

To quote from the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai " Madness, shear Madness" . That is what best describes the American foreign policy.

Excerpt from Asian Times: Link
By Eli Clifton

"WASHINGTON - In advance of United States President Barack Obama's end-of-the-year deadline for Iran to respond to negotiations aimed at bringing a halt to the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, the US House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday to sanction companies that sell refined petroleum to Iran.

The senate's version of the bill appears to be held up after the State Department issued a letter to the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, John Kerry, urging the senate to slow down the progress of the Iran sanctions bill to the floor for a vote until the new year.

We are entering a critical period of intense diplomacy to imposesignificant international pressure on Iran. This requires that we keep the focus on Iran. At this juncture, I am concerned that this legislation, in its current form, might weaken rather than strengthen international unity and support for our efforts,'' wrote Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg last Friday, in a letter first leaked by Foreign Policy Magazine."

 

After nearly 20 years of war in the Iraq region, America has created so many enemies, that their only friends are the Dictators they have put in power. God help them when America runs out of money, and they will.

Norway Lights of A Different Kind

OK I thought this was pretty cool.  They say it was a Russian  space launch gone wrong.  Now put on your tinfoil hat and just enjoy this one with me.
The same time (supposedly) that this really cool light in the sky in Norway was happening.... Obammy was receiving the Noble Peace Prize.  Pretty cool video.... I can here the Twilight Zone theme song in my head.  Oh, wait, lemme take off my tin foil hat! 
Got Popcorn?

Santa Baby

I've always loved this song!

Merry Christmas From the Family

It's just not the Christmas Season around here without this song!  Makes me homesick!!! :D

I Couldn't Help IT!

We are in the process of getting rid of two vehicles.  My old Chevy Astro van has seen much better days but it still runs strong with over 240k miles on it.  It's been a good ride and took us on several camping trips and a couple of vacations.  Then there's the Ford F150.  That's Mars "thing" and I've never asked.  Nuff Said!


  Not like either don't run (cause they do) We would just be better served with the money than the vehicles.  So I went looking for the titles.  And looking... and looking....Nowhere to be found!


Long story short I had to go and apply for lost titles.  Trust me, you don't want the details on this one! 


As for how this ties into what I was actually going to talk about? I went to get the paperwork to do all this.  Well on the way home I made a stop at the grocery for some eggs and milk.


Well, imagine my surprise when I strolled past the discount buggy!  I was just perusing the items.... 12 oz jars of Honey $1.77...Fancy coffees.... some $4.99 a can, some $3.69....Garlic Spread (little jars) $2.63....Fancy Honey Mustard Dressing $2.50...Asian Sesame Dressing $2 .97...Flax Olive Sunflower oil blend 4.5 oz bottles....(don't ask me!) $7.62... Red pepper flakes $2.77 a jar... Tampax 10 packs $1.50 (hey some things are a necessity)   
Now mind you these were mark down items.  Things i would normally pass right up.  I can do without any of it. 



But sometimes things just come into play that you never expect.  Here I was looking thru all this stuff for a bargain.  For a special deal ya know?  How can you pass the bargain bin and not at least look? I've had to curtail some preps lately but I can't resist looking at the bargain buggie!



Well while I am perusing the above mentioned items ...Girl from the store shows up with a sign to put on the 3 carts of "stuff"  She told me I might be more interested once she put up the sign.  OK, says I, show me the sign.


ALL ITEMS IN THIS BASKET $O.25

My eyes almost glazed over! 


$8.25  later  I had all of the above mentioned items in my basket.  Several in multiples.  Total of ten cans of coffee, three jars of garlic spread, three bottles Honey Mustard dressing ,one Asian Sesame Dressing, two Oil Blend thingies, two jars of red pepper flakes,five jars of honey, and some other misc stuff!  


Sometimes a person just ends up in the right place at the right time! Nothing like stumbling into a honey hole! LOL Pun Intended!

What Say You?

We have come to a turn in the road.  Things in this country are  rapidly becoming out of control.  Most people just go on about their everyday life like nothing is changing.  Our freedoms are being (and have been) challenged every day.  Yet we do nothing.  Carry on each day just like the day before.  Get up, go to work, pay your bills, and your broke again.  Just like last week.  And the week before that and the week before that.  It's been that way for us for years.  Nothing really changes for the working class.  Except the decline of the dollar and the taking away of the freedoms we once all enjoyed.  Work your pissy job, pay uncle sugar, try and keep the lights on and food on the table.  What a wonderful setup.  Bad enough that the government is already reading over your shoulder but it just gets worse.


 Health Care?  Where does it say anywhere in the constitution that we are ENTITLED to healthcare?  Someone please just show me where it says it.

My RIGHT to free health care will certainly be put to good use by those who want more and more of my pittance.  IF I provide the proper information and shell out at least xxx percent of my poverty level wages, I might actually see a doctor. Or not.  Another government crap shoot.

Oh and please take a number... you will be called in the order of your level of coverage-just as soon as there is a doctor willing to see you (providing you have the proper paperwork of course) as long as your sliding scale doesnt tip to the south to much.  Then take a number and take the Hippocratic Oath.  Physician... heal thyself.


And then....there is  Copenhagen. The meetings start tomorrow. Apparently Gore is going to be a no show. ( A victory in my books but thats another story) Can you blame him? What with the uncovering of the cooked books on global warming dating back to at least the 70's, how could you possibly believe any of the so called science is legitimate?  Just go look it up... I am to miffed to find the links for you. If the treaty is signed we can just say goodbye to the America and the constitution that made it one of the greatest nations every established. 
Cap And Trade, sure, come in and take another 40 percent of what little I have coming to me.  Sure! Sounds like a good plan to me.  Why would I dare to be just the tiniest bit disillusioned?  I mean... Obammy is looking out for us right?  All is well in America?  
Set your alarm, go to bed, Get up early, go to work, wash, rinse and repeat. 

Some might think I have gone over the edge here and it might be so.  But I refuse to just sit back and let what time I think we have left as a free nation slip by me.  There are big changes coming.  And there are big choices some of us are going to have to make.  Are you ready?  


'

Checking In

Sorry for the lack of posts.  We are still alive!  My computer is still down.  Even if it weren't.... real life takes precedence!  Major changes here and I can't really talk about it just yet.  
The good news is that a good prepper friend is going to try and help me get back online this weekend.  Lets hope it takes!  Prep on my friends...The world is changing before our eyes.  Are you ready? 

Time Off

I've been having computer issues in case you wonder about the lack of posts lately.  I've still not figured out what the problem is.  Frustrating to say the least.  I can't even boot the thing up now.  So it may be slow and go for a bit on the posts... I hope I can figure it out but I am not overly optimistic at this point.  Which of course sucks as we have become quite accustomed to each of us having our own computer.  I cannot imagine how this sharing will go~  first time in years we have had to share one.  Wish me luck!



Mars and I decided to have some down time together this weekend.  We just needed to get away from the BS.  So we went camping!  I had to work Thanksgiving but was off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  So we loaded up the gear and headed to a little lake about thirty miles from here.  He brought up the idea about eight in the morning and we were packed and gone by ten.  Including finding someone to feed the animals!  You know how it is when you just up and start tossing things together?  Seems like there is always something that you overlook once you get where you are going? 

I am happy to  tell you that we didn't forget ANYTHING!

We had a great time.  It was more needed than I even knew.  I think sometimes you just have to step back and breathe.  Take a look at your situation and do some soul searching. 
I came home with a whole new attitude!  We discussed quite a few things and have both come to the conclusion that where we are now is not really where either of us want to be.  No, we aren't gonna divorce!   We are just both tired of the rat race we are running.  I see big changes coming  but I don't know just yet what they will be. Whatever they are...I am ready!        

Sweet Potato's

I've been in a bit of a "blog fog"  lately.  So many things going on in my personal life and in the world in general. I've been feeling distracted and  I have been feeling pulled in so many different directions. The economy is tanking. There's no denying it.   We are feeling it right here in our own living room. I am now  officially "underemployed" and believe me, I'm not the only one. There are bunches of people out here feeling the pinch. (or the vise)


Has anyone noticed the way people are shopping in the grocery store?  They are actually are taking more time looking at the options and looking at the labels.  Looking for the best deal their crumbling dollar can buy. They used to just toss it off in the cart as they were walking by.

Things are getting tight folks and it's just getting started.  

I started getting a little depressed.   I had to actually stop and ask myself ...what in the world am I thinking?  Now is NOT the time to step back from trying to build your preps. Aren't I the one that has  ALWAYS advocated thinking small preps if that is all you can do?  That one more bag of beans is one more than you had last week?  That sale on sweet potato's for 19 cents a lb?  Sweet potato's dehydrate well.  5 bucks spent would net you a little over 25 lbs of taters.  Money well spent!


You CAN live on beans and rice. Its not anyone's first choice I am sure. I'm lucky.... I personally love beans and rice. But a daily diet would soon become boring.  I need to keep reminding myself to stick to the basics.  Cause the basic's are probably going to be the ones that  save your life.




 

Hey...I 'm Just Saying

My version of Sunday Morning Funnies....

Stuff I Learned as A Kid

I learned alot of things from my grand parents.  I lived with them off and on for most of my younger life.  They taught me things that I didn't even realize I was learning.  Things like honesty, integrity, and work ethics.  That a person's word is their bond. That if you don't have the money for something you actually have to save for it. Things like that.

I also learned alot of other cool stuff from them both.

  My granddad taught me how to tie my shoes.  That comes in handy to this very day!!   He taught me how to dig for worms and how to fish with them.  He taught me how to use a hoe and how to identify weeds in the garden.  He made me practice that one! (alot) 
I learned that all the scraps in the house went into the compost barrel daily and I took them there. I learned how to shell peas.  It was mandatory!


When I was around kindergarten age I learned that if I got up REALLY early I could have breakfast with granddad which he always cooked before work. I learned that biscuits, squirrel, and gravy was a wonderful meal. Those breakfasts were always special.  I tasted my first quail and venison during those early morning hours. And that despite what my grandmother said.... coffee with lots of milk and sugar were GOOD.

He taught me how to pick dewberries and to watch out for snakes.  He always said if we were careful not to eat too many of them off the vine that Gran might make us a cobbler! 


My Grandmother taught me amazing things as well.  One was that if I went picking dewberries with Granddad.... not to let him eat them all off the vine so she could make us a cobbler!

   She tried to teach me alot of things that didn't quite "take hold" too.  Quilting, crochet, and sewing. She is a wonderful piano player and taught both my aunts to play.  She failed badly with me but hey she tried! I did get my love of music from her.  The music wasn't a total wash at least.  I learned to play guitar.

When I was thirteen my grandmother asked me what 3 colors were my favorites. Green, yellow, and orange were my choices.  A few weeks later she presented my with an afghan she made for me.  I loved that afghan.  It is one of the few things that I still have from back then!

 Well, last night we got our first freeze here in Central Texas.  I went looking for another blanket and .... you guessed it!  There it was! 

I dreamed of being a kid again last night fishing with my granddad and picking flowers with my grandma. Under that afghan, as I slept, I could feel the warmth of unconditional love surrounding me.
 

Guest Post

  

    Hi everyone!

 Dean in Az here,sharing a few idea's with the bbq lover's!

  Just to give a little bit of my background,I worked my way thru college in restaurant's,mostly bbq,as I love it

     That being said,most of the bbq cooking show's I see disgust me!

 "take a rack of rib's,dry rub,throw on fire".....God,gag me!

  Now, I was a head cook in a major midwestern restaurant thru college.That was 30 yr's ago.

   One thing I learned was that the tougher the meat,the slower you cook it.And steam was the best,as it surround's the meat evenly,without drying it.

      My wife and I took my parent's out for they're anniversary,to Tony Roma's..the best BBQ joint,right?

    I about barfed! If you have to chew the meat off the bone,it's not cooked!!!!! Really,as a half azz cook,I was embarassed! I ordered some carolina sweet rib's or such....sorry,my dog's don't chew they're food that much! It was really embarassing!

      So,let's do BBQ right!

     First off,most people think BBQ is meat smothered in sauce...WRONG! It's all flavor! If you need the urge to chew,make jerky!

     My rib's fall off the bone...in fact,it's difficult to even pick up with tong's,done properly!It should fall off the bone! Yes,you hear that all the time,right,it never will on a open flame.

     So,I'm going to share my fav recipe.Sci,I hope you try this before posting,to confirm it!

 

     Pork rib's....country/spare,no prob

    1 can of fruit cocktail,or 2,depending on how much rib's

    1 large bottle of your fav bbq sauce

 

     Drain the can of fruit...I prefer fruit cocktail,but peach or pear's work as well.Mix half and half the juice with bbq sauce,use as a marinade.Save the fruit for later.
     Marinade as long as possible,as the acid in the fruit will cook the meat.3

    When it's time to cook,ooop's.cooking time is about 1 to 1 1/2 hour's,put into a deep pan,with a veggie steamer tray,add a couple cup's of water,then cover with a tight fitting lid,or foil.Stack the rib's alternating,so the steam can circulate around.After about an hour,add the fruit over the top,and let it soak in.If you can't pull a bone out as clean as a whistle,it's not done!

   Now,if you want to do this as a party or a meal....serve over a pork fried rice,or an asian noodle dish. Have the rest of the marinade warmed up for more sauce,if needed.

   Sci,let me know what you think,I have another idea waiting!

    Dean in Az

 

Hey... I'm Just Saying

I have never been a part of the "Credit Crowd".  We have never had a credit card.  Mars is the same way.  If you don't have the money for something or can't save, barter or work out a payment plan - you don't need it.  I realize now how weird that might be for some people to understand.  That's how we were both raised.  


Mars and I may not have much but our  "house" is paid for, the trucks are paid for and we don't owe anyone anything.  There is alot to be said for that kind of freedom. Not to be under the burden of a mortgage or owe thousands of dollars in credit card bills.


The problem that a person runs across when you have virtually no debt (other than the monthly bills) is that you have no credit.  And you can't get credit unless you owe someone.  So therein is the rub. Who would have thought that being debt free could be an issue all its own?  We want to buy some land.  We have no "credit".  What to do? 

All I can think of is to continue looking for owner finance type things and hope that eventually something will work out.  I suppose I just get frustrated from time to time that we haven't found the right situation yet.


When it is ment to be I'm sure we will find the right "fit".  Just a place to put the trailer on, some room for a good size garden, a little room for some chickens and some rabbits. Not a whole lot to ask for in my humble opinion.


Now that is our version of a little piece of heaven! 

Why Not Can

I can't believe I forgot about the pears I bought on Friday.  I was planning on canning them over the weekend.  One thing led to another and somehow it just slipped my mind.  Until today.  
That was when the DH (forever after dubbed Mars- old gameroom nickname).  Well he asked me when he came home from work today what was I going to do with the pears. 
OH CRAP the PEARS! 

Once I looked at them I was sad to see that they were over ripe and I probably lost two pounds easily.  The original plan was to can them in syrup.  Now the pan has changed just a bit.  I have pears in the slowcooker to make pear butter with.  See, everything works out, if only you try thinking a little out of the box.  Bacon and Eggs right?

 

I've been doing some thinking lately about trying to start a part time business.  A good friend put a bug in my ear this weekend.  I have been thinking about it ALOT.  Actually, it had crossed my mind a few times before.  But she is so sure I can do this that her enthusiasm has actually inspired me.  I ran it through a few others in the APN chat the other night and got amazing responses.

 
We both follow the Frugal Canning. I didn't know that before!  She's got a great site and alot of good information.  She also gives private canning lessons. 

Why couldn't I do that?  I feel confident enough now to be able to can most anything. I've made a point in the last few months to become as proficient as I can be at it.  My fear factor is gone (well I haven't canned meat yet) and I have done alot of research to make sure that I won't kill anyone or make them sick! 

Teaching a few people to put up pickles or jelly or tomato's would be a breeze.  And it would be fun too!  I could really hit home with the "whys" of food storage as well.  Offer other classes as well for pressure canning and dehydrating?  Sing the praises of being prepared for anything!  Shed a little light and a little knowledge.



Why Not Can!

A Great Visit

We had a wonderful visit this weekend with some fellow preppers, 
YeOldFurt and his wife Hoss Boss!  It was really refreshing to be able to sit face to face with someone who is aware of the situation that surrounds us today.  I hope we visit with them again soon! There has been some discussion as to a Texas meet-up in the spring.  We will be making that one for sure, maybe sooner as well!


The were kind enough to grace us with 30 fresh eggs while they were here.  I have them in the dehydrator right now as a matter of fact.  

Hoss Boss and I have been playing with an idea for me to start my own busisness.  I'm really excited and will let you all know more as things progress.  I'm pretty sure I should be able to get it off the ground.  I just need to do a little more R & D.  

Well the cats are meowing fiercely in need of their dinner so I will make this one short.


One last thing, if you have the ability to meet up with other preppers in your area, make an attempt to get together with them and get to know them.  It could help save someones life down the road!

What a Night

I should be ashamed of myself, really, I should.  I also should have a hangover, really , I should. 

Thing is..... I'm not ashamed nor am I hung over!  LOL  We walked down to the neighbors house last night and I had to be driven home!  (I suppose I should be blushing here) I think I lucked out somehow as my heads just a little foggy this morning. Not even worthy of an aspirin.   We haven't really been anywhere in awhile so it was a lot of fun just getting out of the house and visiting with friends. DH had to walk back to the house to get the truck to take me home. We had a wonderful time, even if the DH had to pour me out of the car when we got home!  
I will do a "real" post later guys!  Till then.... just remember ...sometimes you just have to let your hair down and dance like no one is watching!

Weird Dreams

I had dream last night that has plagued me all day. I have never been one to dream to much. When I do I hardly ever remember them.  This one was different.

I dreamed about detention centers.   In the dream though it was more like some sort of relocation center with large housing units which would house 20 or so people each.  They had communial living areas including a kitchen.  There were blocks and blocks of these "houses". Kind of like a subdivision.  The difference was that there was a sense of "darkness" there. An aura of evil. That feeling that something or somone was lurking just out of sight.

At first I was alone.  I wandered around all over the place, checking things out. I noticed I had my purse with me (which turned out to be my BOB) and did a quick inventory.  I remember feeling relieved that I had brought it with me.

The next thing I remember was hearing voices.And someone with a bullhorn giving orders.  I looked out a window and saw armed men in black (just like in Pa) herding people along the road. People crying and calling out for their families.  Some of them were wounded and bleeding.  The police would stop upon entering each new block and pick people out of the crowd.  Those people were then divided into smaller groups and assigned to a housing unit.  One woman resisted, she was weeping and said she had to find her husband and her child.  They shot her in the head.

This was when I knew I had to get out of there. Somehow I managed not to get caught leaving the area. (Hey, it's a dream remember) I was walking in the woods and heard noises, so I slowly crept up to get a peek. 
There were 5-6 armed men sitting under a tree discussing what they thought their next move would be.  I "knew" these men were the resistance.  About that time I stepped on a branch and they all spun around with rifles raised.  I stood there like a dear in the headlights.
  And then I woke up.  How did you sleep last night?

Puttering Around the House

I got a few things accomplished today even being plagued with some serious back pain.  Most of the time I can just work through it as it is a constant in my life 24/7.  Sometimes it flares up. All you can do is keep on keeping on because life sure isn't going to slow down and wait for me to catch up!

I went into work on Friday and found that they were tossing out some tomato's that had gotten too soft to use the slicer on.  The first thing I did was to load them up and take them home.  Waste not want not, right!  Anyway, when DH saw them the first thing he says is "Those are some weird looking tomato's". 
He's right. Compared to home grown these don't even really look right.  Kinda pinkish as opposed to the deep red we have become used to.  But hey they were free and I don't walk away from free often!  
I cooked them down last night.  I added some home grown basil, some garlic and a bit of salt.  Then I let them sit overnight.  
I also cut up another crockpot of apples yesterday for some more apple butter. They cooked overnight and the smell in the house this morning was wonderful.  I really ought to get a bigger crock pot. I could make larger batches.

 Ours is one of the smaller crockpots which works for just the two of us.  I have to buy things like roast and whole chickens with the size of the crockpot in mind. It also means there aren't usually many leftovers when I use it.  I mean there's plenty for a couple of meals but its not big enough to make "extras" to put up. Not something high on my list of priorities but if I run across one in a thrift store I think I will scoop one up.  I'm still waiting patiently for another dehydrator.  It will happen.... you watch!

Anyway, today I processed the apple butter and the tomato sauce.  I'm officially out of jelly jars now. I got 4 jelly jars and one pint of apple butter and  two "free" jars of tomato sauce!  
One other thing I did this weekend ( Besides watch U of Tx kick some okie butt) was to dry 5 lbs of chopped onions.  Who knew that that many onions would fit in that jar?  I was impressed.... and yes I know, I'm easily impressed!


So how was your weekend?

Debra Medina

I have to say I am pretty impressed what this lady has to say.  Could we possibly have a REAL candidate for the Texas Governor's office? Take just a few minutes to listen and see what you think...You might be surprised!

I Give Up

There are alot of predictions about things spiraling out of control in our not to distant future. I happen to believe that S will HTF.  None of us know exactly when or exactly how it will happen.  Too many variables to be able to do so.  But I DO believe it will happen.


It used to frustrated me to no end that there were so many sheeple surrounding me.

They think I'm nuts of course.  And you know what... I have come to be ok with that....
I once felt compelled to try and make them see what was going on right in front of them.  

I don't feel compelled anymore. 

That might sound mean or selfish to some.  Maybe it is.  The truth is,  I just don't feel I have the time or patience anymore to try to open the eyes of those who refuse to see what is going on around them.  If they cant see it by now, they probably never will.

And even if they do, will it be to late?  On the other hand, when IS to late?   Was I to late?  I worry about that sometimes. That I didn't start early enough.  That it took me too long to see what was going on in our country and around the world.

So rather than wasting my time beating my head against a brick wall, I've come to realize that my time is better spent in other ways. Why should I expend anymore energy trying?  
My energy has had to become more focused. To be better spent making up for the lost time that it took me to open my eyes.  

 I tell people all the time....I don't want to be "right" as to our future and the future of this country. I want to be wrong.  I think all of us would like to be wrong about this.  I'm just not silly enough to believe that. 

As for knowing when the S will HTF.... who knows!  All I can say is that every day  that we are granted to work with is one more day to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for our futures.   Each and every day as a blessing.

Let's all remember that ok... 

Things I Can Learn From A Dog

Things I Can Learn From A Dog...
Author unknown

---

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded,
don't buy into the guilt thing and pout... run right back and make friends.

Bond with your pack.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Global Warming?

I found this pretty interesting and thought some of you might as well.  I was especially interested in the information on Agenda 21.  HR 146 of 2009 was passed on March 30, 2009.  

Niggles

Saving...

I picked what looks like the last of the blackeyed peas this morning.  I'm just guessing, but I think we have put up around 4 gallon baggies this year. (one of those things I need to get around to is get the freezer inventoried)  We also put up 2 quarts of dried peas and about 2 pints of seed peas for next year.  Not a bad season for them at all!


I got another dozen  eggs dehydrated and put them up this morning. 
I also have the dehydrator going with a tray of okra, a couple of bell peppers, two trays of yellow squash, and two trays of carrots.   I'm pretty sure that's the last of the summer squash.   Forty quarts canned, tons dehydrated, and untold amounts eaten all summer. 

Its been a great run I tell ya! 


I have some of my "bakery buckets" cleaned out and will be putting up some of the things that need to be transferred from their original packages. Another thing I have been putting off. 

I was thinking about a comment a friend left yesterday.  Actually, I've been thinking about it since they first started cutting back hours at work.  I think I will use the time off to get some much needed work done around the house. I have all sorts of things that could use my attention. Things I just haven't seemed to quite get to.  




Not that we couldn't use the money lost, but I am feeling a real need lately to get our "house" in order.  So much so that I wake up thinking about things still left undone.

  Ernie calls those feelings niggles.  I like that word!  So I am going to follow my niggle this time!  

Make lemonade outta lemons so to speak.

This and That

Well the last few days have been interesting.  And not all in a good way.  My computer crashed and crashed hard. Many thanks to DH for all the time he spent working on it.  Things that should have been backed up weren't.  I've lost over a years worth of my pictures.  Oh well, live and learn. I guarantee that I will be much more careful in doing my backups from here forward.   At least it is up and running again, as there is no way we could afford to replace it at this time. 

There are some serious cutbacks going on at work.  One thing that bothers me is that the General Manager will not lay anyone off. He doesn't want to have to pay the unemployment.

  Everyone's hours are being cut.  The people that are pretty much just warm bodies he has cut from maybe 30 hours a week down to 20 then the next week down to 12. He's trying to get them to quit.


At least I am not in that little group!


I am hoping once some of the "dead" weight is gone my hours will go back up.  I AM down to 32 hours a week now.  Heck it was hard enough to get by on 40.  Another victim of the "economic recovery".

I've been looking for another part time job to take up the slack but I've not been seriously looking ya know?  Two applications doesn't constitute a real job search! 

Dodge Diesel On the Road!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! 


Several months ago, we were able to obtain a 91 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel with a Cummins motor.  The owner bought the truck with 17k miles on it.  From that point until he parked the truck in 2002 he kept detailed records.  Every thing that he ever did to the truck is in the paperwork,  even down to fuses replaced!  There is also a notebook for his fuel usage (even how much the fuel was per gallon)  A really sweet deal! 
I did a post awhile back about it.


He lived  here in the RV Park for years and the DH worked with him.  Well, Glen decided it was time to move back to his homestate of Montana and he put the truck up for sale.  DH worked out a deal with him to purchase the truck.  Trust me when I tell you that there was some serious bartering involved!

He made a super sweet deal on a great truck.DH has always worried that we had no vehicle to tow our trailer with.  No more worries now!
It has a fifth wheel hitch, electric brakes, and air suspension!  There were some minor things that had to be done to the truck to get it legal.  I think we have put another 500 hundred bucks in it.  All money well spent to be sure.  Sure there are some little things that need to be done but they are just that.  Little things. 


But we are now legally on the road and I'm doing a Happy Dance!

Experiments In Progress

I started out with good intentions today. I was all set to dehydrate potato's.   I peeled potato's, sliced them up, and started to blanch them. Then the phone rang.  I guess we  are having mashed potato's for dinner tonight!  LOL  Stuff happens, right?  


I'm trying my hand at making apple butter today as well.  Apples are on sale at our local grocery for $.99 lb.  I don't have much fruit or sweet stuff in our food storage and I am trying to focus on building that up.  That and the fact that it sounds so simple to do is another plus.
  If it works out I am going to be doing some more this week.  I hardly ever do "projects" unless the ingredients are on sale. I did the same with the strawberry jam a few weeks back.  They were $1.78 a lb so I picked up several pounds over the course of two weeks and put up 28 jars of jam.

Another great deal this week is in the meat department.  $1.00 a pound whole pork loin and $1.00 lb chicken breasts.  I picked up a nice looking 9.5 lb pork loin and cut it into pork loin chops. They now reside in our freezer!  I'm going to pick up another one in the next couple of days and try my hand at canning it.  We shall see!  I picked up 10 lbs of  chicken breasts as well.  Meat is another area of food storage I don't feel I have covered in the least little bit.  I mean, there is only so much you can do with tuna!  I would just feel better knowing that I had some meats we are used to eating on a regular basis in the pantry.


I also have some more eggs in the dehydrator today.  I only have two fruit roll up trays so I can only do a dozen at a time.  I wish I had some more trays but I'm not going to buy them if I don't have to. (And I don't have to!!)  This time around I am raising the heat on the eggs.  It took over 24 hours last time to dry them.  

So the experiments  continues!




UPDATE!!


The apple butter turned out awesome! 

CraigsList

My buddy Kronic posted this one!  All I can say is...... PRICELESS!!


CRAIGSLIST

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.

Date: 2009-05-27, 1:43 a.m. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend’s purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I’d like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn’t expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head … isn’t it?!

I know it probably wasn’t fun walking back to wherever you’d come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I’m sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or “Momma” as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you’d done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, — on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go’s, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink “pimp mobile” that was parked at the curb … after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver’s side of the car.

Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what ’s going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA’s office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.
The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you … but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you’ve chosen to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.Have a good day!
Thoughtfully yours,
Alex

P.S. Remember this motto … An armed society makes for a more civil society!

Lighter Things

After reading through some of the blogs in the last couple of days I found myself a bit depressed and quite disillusioned.  So I am opting for  just a little bit of humor today.  And so I present to you...  Saturday Funnies!

Microwave Chocolate Cake

DH found this recipe over at AllRecipes.com 
Easy Easy Easy..... just what you need for a fast chocolate fix!  He likes to drizzle chocolate syrup over it while its hot!  I have to admit...It is really good!

Microwave Chocolate Cake

3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Spray a medium microwave-safe bowl with non-stick spray and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and milk; blend together. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; blend into the mixture until smooth. Pour into greased bowl.
2. Cover and cook in the microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched. Since all microwaves cook differently, adjust the cooking time to accommodate your machine. To serve, let the cake cool five minutes, then cover the bowl with a plate and turn both bowl and plate upside down so the cake falls onto the plate.

Lodi

There's music and then there's music....  Blast from the past!!!!

Then and Now

I waited tables for years off and on, with a few breaks for other job adventures.  In the end it seems I always end up back in food service.  Some of you may recall that I started a new job about three months ago.  Still food service, but not waiting tables. 


Waiting tables gives you a daily paycheck.  You work for tips and the $2.13 an hour wage JUST covers the taxes.  There is a daily cash flow from waiting tables.  You never know "exactly" how much you are going to make but you can pretty much "depend" on a certain amount of cash everyday.  Sometimes a little more...sometimes a little less.  The job I have now is hourly and the paychecks only come twice a month.


I know, I know!  Most everyone lives like this. You will  have to take my word for it when I tell you the transition into the bi-monthly money from the cash daily money has been difficult.   Some might think its not that big a deal. But after having cash available every day for so many years and then to go back to getting paid twice a month, I've had to rethink alot of things.  I've had to remind myself over and over that what I have right now is all that I will have until the next check. 




The reason I bring all this up is because of the effect it has had on my storage preps.  I have had to rethink the way I prep.  I used to put back X amount of dollars every day for the bills. But if there was a great sale at the grocery store, I could fudge the budget and know that I would be able to put back that amount the next day.  No longer!  Now my lists are not vague they are concrete.  I had forgotten this aspect of life to be honest.


I should be ashamed of myself. 

 

The Flu

With all the talk around about the flu, it amazes me that people are still pretty much ignorant in my neck of the woods.  I have the perfect example.
I work with a lady who took her 4 year old for a flu shot.  4 years old!  Why in the world would you do that?  Well about 3 days later the school calls her at work.  Her boy is sick.  She needs to go get him. 

She took him to the doctor, and you guessed it, the kids got the flu.  She found a friend to watch the boy so she could go to work.   Well, a couple of days later the babysitter comes into the restaurant with the boy in tow.  You could tell by looking at the kid that he was really really sick. And coughing, I might add. 

What in the world was she thinking?  I wish I knew.  I asked her why she had brought the kid in.  She said they wanted to get something to eat.  My blood level raised just a little. Hey I'm getting older and more prone to pick up "stuff".  Not to mention the fact that they are exposing the general population to the flu.  And what about that poor little boy?  I KNOW he wasn't feeling like being dragged around town.


I told her she shouldn't have him out in public and that he was going to make others sick.  She just kinda of shrugged. She honestly didn't see what the problem was. 
The next day she called in sick.  Yep!  She has the flu.  People seem to have little regard for the well-being of others. 

That makes me nervous because I come into direct contact with at least a hundred people a day.  I feel like a sitting duck.  
And the nasal flu spray is now in town. Not that I am going to be taking any flu vaccine anyway.  Did you know that a person who takes the nasal spray sheds the virus for 21 days!


Now that is scarey. 

Squash Casserole

I had the pleasure of talking with my grandmother yesterday. She turned 95 on the first of October!  I call her several times a month.  They are usually short chats as her hearing is getting bad and it frustrates her to no end!  So I will call here while I am on break at work.  Or like yesterday I called while waiting to have the inspection sticker renewed.  

My granddad used to have a really large garden every year and they did lots and lots of canning.  I always thought she was the one to do the canning.  Until yesterday.  
Come to find out she was deathly afraid of the canner and the canning process.  Imagine my shock to find out that my granddad did the canning.  Funny, I remembered her in the kitchen all those years and didn't know that.  Her job while canning was to sterilize the jars, prep the veggies and fruits, fill the jars and hand them off to granddad to be processed!  

She is so proud of the fact that we are gardening and canning. Like she said, its become almost a lost art.  She also said that she was so glad that we were preparing for harder times. Did I mention she went through the Great Depression?  Even though she only watches MSM she knows things are bad and bound to get worse.  

Then she asked "The Question".  Have you made squash casserole this year?  I turned red when I realized I had not.  Her squash casserole was always one of my favorite dishes and she taught me to make it.  I am putting it on my list of things to do with the last little bit of  summer squash this week.  
So I thought I would share her recipe with you guys.   It's really easy and has very few ingredients.

         Grans Squash Casserole

3-4 lbs yellow squash
aprox 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 sleeve of crackers (saltines or ritz work) crushed

1 can cream of mushroom soup
aprox 1-1/2 cups milk
salt and pepper



Mix the cream of mushroom soup with the milk and set aside.  Butter a casserole dish and start layering the squash, crackers and cheese and continue until you get to the top.  Pour the milk mixture onto the casserole and do a final layer of cheese and sprinkle of crackers on top.
Pop it in the oven at 350 and let it cook about a half an hour.

Grab a plate and dig in!!

Black Eyed Peas

I picked a huge mess of blackeyed peas today and will be shelling them on the patio this afternoon.  I can't believe we are still getting peas this late in the season.  Hey, I'm not going to fuss about that though!  We both LOVE them.  

I also love the fact that if I don't get them picked soon enough to shell "fresh" I can just let them dry and we have.... yep.... dried blackeyed peas!


I don't know if you recall, but I have been having some problems with the seed I planted in September. 
Out of a bed aprox. 4x16 I planted turnips.  From those seeds I got 9 turnips started.  Very disappointing.  I have replanted in two other beds with no luck.  At the same time I planted some lettuce, spinach and cabbage.  All that resulted from that was one lonely lettuce plant.
  
Today I was out picking peas and noticed that there were 10 little lettuce plants poking out of the dirt!  I guess it wasn't a total wash after all. 

Out in the Garden

I love my dehydrator!  I have some potato's that are going to go bad if I don't do something with them.  The two of us just don't go through potato's before they start to get "old". 
So, you guessed it.  I will be drying them today.  


I was out in the garden picking okra again today.  I also picked some more yellow squash.  Amazing that they are still producing but I can't fuss.  The only thing is that the production has slowed down to where there aren't enough to break out the  canner for a  load.  So these too will be headed for the dehydrator.  


The winter squash is comming right along.  There are several babies out there right now and from the looks of things there will be plently more to come.  My tomato's aren't doing well this fall.  I suppose I will have to actually stock up on store canned tomato's for the fall.  

I guess you can't win them all!

How to Dehydrate Eggs

Kymbers from the Canadian Preppers Network asked me to post the How-to  For Dehydrate Eggs. And so this post is dedicated to her!


Dean from Az gave me the instructions for drying eggs. Thanks again Dean!


Just scramble the eggs like you would normally. Pull out your fruit roll up trays and pour the eggs onto the tray's.  I found mine hold 6 eggs per tray.
Then let them go till they are dry. I wasn't thinking and didn't turn up the temperature from the last time I had used it.  I didn't even think about it at the time. It might account for the almost orange tint to them.  They looked a little weird.

I remember hearing they should be dry in about 16 hours.  It took over 24 hours for them to get done.  Like I said, I think I just had the heat a little low.  These came out with a tiny bit of "oily" feel but I figured that was probably normal. 
I powdered mine in a blender and then placed them in a ziplock baggie. Then I put them in a canning jar and vaccum sealed them.(did I mention I love my FoodSaver... hehe)

One thing I am sure of is that I will be doing more eggs!  When SHTF I can see them being  very good thing to have in my food storage. They are an excellent source of protein too.  I love scrambled eggs.  A personal comfort food.  Omelets also come to mind.  Not to mention the fact that you can used them for baking and such.  They will also work for other things that you would like to dredge in egg before cooking.
I am keeping an eye on the ones I have put up now as an experiment.  Hey, after no refrigeration, they are still good about two weeks later.  

I now see that I have no excuse to have my dehydrator idle.   Eggs are cheap here now.  I might as well take advantage of that while I still can.  I need to find some more trays so I can do more than 1 dozen at a time. 

  I'm moving into 24/7 mode now!!

Another Round of Okra

I posted this picture for a reason.  I saw a picture over at Hoof and Barrel of Hoss's cats.  They looked so much like mine that at first I was wondering how she had pictures of my cats!!!   
 Ok now back to what I was originally going to write about!


We have a "routine" in the afternoons.  We both get home about the same time of day. We usually both end up catching up on emails, blogs, favorite sites etc...  Then we head out to the patio and enjoy the outdoors.  Piddle in the garden, play with the cats, catch up on the days doings. Shell peas, which is again on the agenda for today.   Just stuff!

Lately,we are picking okra everyday.
  Okra will get away from you if your not diligent about picking it. I have enough in the fridge with what I picked this morning to do another round of dehydrating.  I think this time I will uses some cajun seasoning on them before drying. 
This serves a dual purpose.  First, I have found they make great snack treats and are great for just munching dry.  My thinking is also that if for some reason we don't have seasonings when I rehydrate them, they will already be seasoned!  They rehydrate great and will fry up just like fresh.

Its a Great Day

Kronic from over at the preppers chat shared this with us ... I just thought I should pass it on!
Made me laugh like a 6th grader.

Dehydrated Eggs

Today I decided to try the eggs I dehydrated a week or two ago.  Once they came out of the dryer they looked a bit weird.  Darkish yellow.

  I put them in the blender and powdered them then put them in a baggie.  I took the baggie and vaccum sealed it in a jar, then put it up in the cupboard.  

Today I decided to try a taste test.  I placed one teaspoon of powdered egg in a bowl and added two teaspoons of water to it.  I let it sit for about 15 minutes.
  It really didn't look all that appealing.  There were still little "chunks" of  dehydrated eggs in it.  

Not to be put off, I put a little oil in a pan and poured the egg in and scrambled it.  I was a bit leary to try it at first, but I did the taste test.

They came out GREAT!  We have another winner!  Now I just need to get some more eggs. 
I will be keeping an eye on this first batch to see how long they will remain good.