Frost - There Go the Tomatoes

This is what we woke up to the other morning. After all that time with warm evenings, Nature decided to shake things up for us!

Frost everywhere.....

Then, I remembered the greenhouses. Ran down, and found this......poor squash

and this....Poor Poor Tomatoes.

We had the doors closed on both greenhouses. We have vents (sort of) up in the peak, and that is where the cold air must have come on.

The greenhouses are covered with 6 mil. poly, left over from a building project. Greenhouse poly is 10ml, I think, so if we had the proper poly on, things maybe would have been ok....

I've picked, sorted and bagged all the tomatoes up...there seem to be paper bags full of maters all over the dining room....The fruit that got hit is being fed off to the pigs, who seem to like them!

I'll check the bags every couple of days, pull out the ripe ones, cut them up and toss them in the freezer. I always leave a couple ripe tomatoes in each paper bag, hoping that helps to speed the ripening up.

I'd be a lot more depressed if we hadn't gone and picked lots of tomatoes this summer. I'm really glad I have so many jars on the shelf already...it makes seeing these poor tomatoes a little easier to bear!

Sphere: Related Content

Bottling Wine

We picked up a case of 12 half bottles for bottling up the Dandelion Wine.....I posted about it here.....

Beautiful amber colour on this wine.....we have tasted it already and really liked it. It has just a hint of citrus and nice body. I'll definitely be making more Dandelion Wine next year!

We ended up with 7 of these half bottles full....the dark bottle will be given to one of our friends.

Then...the Gman bottled the first 5 gallon batch of Rhubarb Wine, which I wrote about here.....

That leaves us with 1 more batch of Rhubarb, 1 batch of Saskatoon berry (that we're really anxious to try) and one batch of Apricot (I think).....these all still need their finishing touches and bottling. It will be awhile before we have everything put away!

The only cost to these wines has been the sugar....and the case of half bottles....rhubarb and dandelions are free!!

Sphere: Related Content

Couch Cushions Winner

Ha! The other day I asked how often you folks lifted the couch cushions and vacuumed underneath them.....and then I held my breath wondering what kind of answers I would get.

I thought I'd be the only one who did it Maybe once a year, and that's if I remember to do it before company arrives.....

I was getting a kick out of your answers....turns out greenjean seems to have a friend with OCD, Cicero rocks it the same way I do. Krissy actually MAKES money off of her couch, Linda was vague (good way to be!) Lisa refuses to even answer the question, lol!!

When I read Holly's reply, at first I got the words mixed up and thought she meant she does it when she loses a Grandchild in the couch! Duchess has to be in the mood and Andrea lets her dog have its own spot on her couch.

But Cedar View's response made me laugh....and laugh. Later on yesterday when I was working in the garden, I thought of it again and I laughed Again....thanks Cedar View...you made my day.

Email me with your address and I'll send you a little something.....I'm gonna try your answer on the Gman sometime....when he least expects it. Sphere: Related Content

I Suppose I Should Be Flattered

Ya know....here's something I ain't too hot about.....

Don't take one of my posts, basically spit out the same info, take a few pictures basically the same as mine and then put a post up on your blog like it was your idea......

Now, I don't mind sharing, heck that's the reason we started this blog.....figuring we couldn't be the only city kids trying to figure out how to plant stuff and make it grow, get an animal, feed it, get it to grow and then feed ourselves....there must be others out there like us, who just want to learn....

We like giving the info.....but when I purused one of the blogs I bop in on every once in awhile and see basically my stuff under the guise that you thought it up yourself...well....pfffft!

Would it have killed ya to say ya read it over here and it gave you some good ideas, then expanded on it? Yeah, apparently......

I guess I should be glad you bothered to take your own pictures without ripping off some of ours......

And I can read my Analytics well enuf to know u spend time reading over here what I write.....yeah, you....you know I am talking about you.....

For the others, please, if you like something we write about, for decency's sake....at least give your readers the link where you read it first....thanks! That's what makes the blogging world go round..... Sphere: Related Content

For Those Who Clean House

Gotta say, today I am feeling Mavelous Dahling....fantastic. Stomach feels fine, I feel rested and in good spirits.

So.....thought I would give our house a good cleaning, or at least as good a cleaning as I can. Starting with the living room....

It's now all vacuumed, dusted, sills wiped down, tables cleaned...even slowly rearranged the furniture with the Gman's help.

I vacuumed off all the furniture, took the cushions off and vacuumed underneath....then....I started thinking.

How often do I do this? Actually take the cushions off the couch and vacuum underneath there....hmmmm

How often do YOU do this? DO you do this? Now I'm curious....I gotta know...maybe a new poll? What do u think?

Answer honestly and then I'll know if I'm totally off the rails and beyond any possible help! I'm counting on ya!
Question for you.... Sphere: Related Content

A Good Day's Work (I Guess)

Yesterday I made up my mind about a couple of things I Really Wanted to get done today.....

We have quite a few packages of last year's pork fat sitting in the freezers.....the idea was to cut them and feed off to the hens over winter.

Since, we have to Really concentrate now on emptying the freezers NOW (We're gonna have fresh Pork and Beef going in there soon), I am taking out a few packages at a time and getting them ready for the girls.

Also, picked the tomatoes that were ripening.....seems late this year, but I dunno. I'll probably have to do the paper bag routine again this year, I think....

The other day the Gman pulled all the Onions and hung them up at the barn...here they are hanging out with the garlic!

I got all the kidney beans pulled and hung up in the greenhouse. I was gonna tie them up, but they decided they didn't mind just being sprawled over the ropes....I don't think they will fall down.

The tomatoes.....

the Cherrys have been doing really well....I wish the larger tomatoes would get going!

And.....part of an order that is going out this afternoon.....just have to add some eggs and several pounds of potatoes and it will be done!

I'm Happy with what I have got done so far...I just pitter patter putter all over....but it is amazing to me how much energy I have lost already. Guess chemo's not for wimps.....

When I was in the freezer earlier, I noticed my 12 cups of grated zuccini sitting there patiently waiting for me. If I feel up to it, I'll make up the Zuccini Butter recipe I have....maybe later this week.

As it is, the Gman has had the pressure canner going again. Remember when we parted out 5 of our meat birds? We just tossed their carcasses into the freezers for the time being. Well, now they have been pulled out and he has made a quarts and quarts and quarts of canned chicken broth!

We aren't going to starve this winter, that's for sure! What a fantastic feeling to see all those filled jars on our shelves.....

Sphere: Related Content

Sunshine and Sunflowers

We Do have sunflowers! I guess they were just waiting to grow! The Gman tied them up yesterday afternoon....now I can sit on the porch and stare at them.....

I've been doing quite a bit of porch sitting the last few days. It's an important skill to know...and I am proud to say I am getting Good at it!

The Main Garden....we've been cleaning it out bit by bit. I have been pulling the beans and hanging them in the Greenhouse to dry the pods.

This yellow plant is called Globe Thistle, says the neighbour who gave it to me. The white plant beside it is some type of Baby's Breath. These two plants have been blooming for months! Solid months of colour!!

I'm going to try to divide them this Fall and move them someplace else, I will need that extra room in the Strawberry Bed next year, I think!

Sphere: Related Content

Home Again

We got home pretty late last night, was a long day yesterday! We went to Kelowna Sunday night and stayed overnight in one of the Provincial Parks on the lake.

Monday we spent probably 5 hours at the Cancer Centre. About 4 hours with the chemo nurses (great great ladies!!). Had the first treatment consisting of the two separate drugs. What a wonderful and supportive atmosphere there, a big boon to any cancer patient to have such caring health care team workers....

Then I spent an hour with Joanne over in the Look Good Feel Better room, where we spent our time giggling together while she was fitting me with wigs and little bangs. I borrowed some hats and nightcaps etc. I have a feeling my head will be pretty cold here in the Cold White North once winter sets in.

Joanne was great, when she heard Gman was going to buzz his head in solidarity, she pulled out a nightcap for him too!

The Look Good Feel Better program is all funded by donation, and what a wonderful service they provide. If you can spare a few dollars, please bop over to the link and read about their program, then donate what you can. We can all make a little difference, can't we?

I feel pretty good....so far. The nurses have put me on anti nausea medication and that will help for the first few days. Then.....well, I guess I wait and see what happens!

We'll probably be doing the head buzzing later on this week. We'll post some pics on the blog....maybe I can start off with a little funky mohawk, lol!!! Sphere: Related Content

Mo' Salsa and Drying Tomatoes

We got some good stuff accomplished today.....picked 20 lbs of beets for someone in the Valley, and she is going to turn them into pickled beets for her family.

Finished canning the last double batch of salsa....

We had about 3 dozen nice Romas left over, so I sliced them up, seeded them and put them on cookie sheets. 150 degrees is supposed to dry them nicely.

I had wanted to try drying them in our car. I have read that it can really work well. But I didn't think of it in time....it was 3pm this afternoon before I thought of what to do with those last tomatoes....so I stuck them in the oven instead.

Even then, I had about 9 or 10 nice Romas left over. I brought them over to my neighbour who was more than happy to use them up!

Sphere: Related Content

The Next Step

Well....got my results. I start chemo Monday morning.

Between now and then, I'll be trying to get things finished up in the garden as much as I can. The house is all cleaned already, so that's one big job I won't have to do.... Sphere: Related Content

Home Again

Well, we are home again....sooner than we had expected. The first appointment we had yesterday was with the medical oncologist for the chemo.

My test results from California are still not in....the doctor assured me they will receive them Sept 11, this Friday. She recommended we wait until we get the score before doing anything. She has booked a tentative chemo appointment for Monday, the 14th, in case I need to get started.

She felt that things should be fine, as long as I start treatment before 12 weeks post surgery.

After we finished meeting with her, we met with the radiation oncologist. I definitely have to have the radiation. This means 5 weeks of radiation every day, Monday to Friday. Also means relocating to Kelowna for the 5 weeks.

So, for right now, things are up in the air until we hear the results on Friday. Guess this means I can get more things done around here for the next few days, which is never a bad thing....think I'll try to get more of the garden put to bed for winter. Sphere: Related Content

Outta Here

We're heading out this morning. Off to Kelowna for the oncology appointments. I have two scheduled for tomorrow, the first with the chemo oncologist, then right after that, we meet with the radiation oncologist.

They have set up a chemo appointment for me for Wednesday....if I still don't have my "score" I am going to go ahead and start chemo. Depending on what the chemo oncologist says, of course!

But I don't want to keep postponing treatment. I just want to get started and get it over with.

Julia, if you're reading this....I have your phone number. We will get in touch with you, depending on how the appointments go. If I feel like crap, we'll postpone meeting up with you till another time. Sphere: Related Content

Happy Birthday Superman!

It's the Gman's Birthday today - he's getting a nice dinner tonight.

Roasted garlic just the way he likes it....skins off! I just bake it for about 30 minutes or so....

Japanese Chicken Breast

Chocolate sheet cake for dessert....

Lov ya, you're my SuperHero.

Sphere: Related Content

Salsa and Sauce

We made a double batch of salsa the other night....used the recipe from last year. It tasted so good, everyone loved it!

Mixed up all the veggies and let them sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, we added the vinegar and spices and processed them in the water bath.

Looks great! And tastes even better!

Tonight, we've got another batch of tomato sauce in the canner. Think we have done almost 40 pints now. We're going to do a few quarts and then we'll be done with sauce.

Onemore double batch of salsa is next on the list....

Sphere: Related Content

Forest Fire

There is a forest fire not far from where we live, maybe 5 miles away. It started while we were on the Coast.....we aren't getting any smoke from it, as the wind is blowing the "other" way.

They have 60 firefighters up there, along with lots of heavy machinery. They are going to make firebreaks and then let the fire burn itself out.

It was really smoky here while we were gone, friends told us. As long as the fire keeps moving the "other" way, we should all be fine here in the Valley.

When we moved up here, we made an Emergency list right away, since we are surrounded by trees. We will each have jobs to do, should we need to evacuate.

We're glad we made that List....we each know what to grab and what to load into the truck. Others here are not very concerned about fires....I am not sure why. The forests here are filled with dead pine trees from the pine beetle damage....if things caught fire, I would think it could get out of hand very quick!

A picture....we have been watching these for several days now. They go to the nearby lake to fill the buckets, then fly over to the fire.

You'll probably have to click on the picture in order to see the helicopter....

So....today we are spending canning tomato sauce. Then, I think we are moving on to making lots and lots of salsa! We feel like we have tomatoes coming out of our ears!!

Sphere: Related Content

'Maters....and Making Sauce

We stopped at a Garden Market along the way to grab tomatoes....I already knew from last year that we didn't have even half of what we could go thru in a year.

So we spent a couple of hours picking both Romas and Beefsteaks. We got a total of 225 pounds, which we split with a neighbour.

Today, we started washing and sorting out the Beefstakes. We washed them, cut them into small pieces and set them on the stove to boil for a while.

Once they heated up and softened some, we mashed them with a potato masher.

Then we put them through the mill we have. It takes the seeds and skins away, leaving just the juice!

Then we put all the sauce into the large stockpot and set it on the stove to heat up....

Here is the sauce bubbling away....it has to reduce by a lot.

After a couple of hours....

Later on, we emptied the smaller pot into the larger one. We left it on low all night last night.

It smells wonderful in the house this morning!!!

We'll probably just let it continue until later this afternoon. Then we can start canning! We'll add some parsley, lovage, cilantro and some lemon juice. Then we'll put the jars in the boiling water bath.

Sphere: Related Content

What a Weekend! Pics of Vancouver Trip

We're home...pretty tired yesterday! What a weekend we had....nowhere near enuf sleep, lots of loud loud music and visiting....

Friday morning on our way down to the Coast, we got stopped in traffic by Clinton....turns out the firemen were out, trying to put out a little fire right by the road.

We took the Lillooet road down...came into the Whistler area and thought to take a few pics.

Blackcomb Mountain...you can see the runs.

This is where the 2010 Winter Olympics are going to be held....

Just a couple of the runs at Whistler Mountain....

Townhomes at Whistler

Went to the AC/DC concert Saturday night in Vancouver. What a show! Incredible....we heard there were 70,000 people there in BC Place. We had floor tickets.

As soon as the band started playing, people stood on their seats, so, of course, everyone had to stand on their seats in order to see.

Angus and da boys put on an awesome show. I didn't think I'd be allowed to bring my camera in, so didn't bring it. Then I saw LOTS of people inside with digital cameras!

Got to see the boys.....here's the Eman with his friend Robin at the restaurant.....

We started heading home Sunday mid afternoon.....ended up stopping for the night at a little campground along a river....

Where we stayed.....

We finally felt like we were starting to relax. Me....I was so overstimulated by the weekend, I was totally beat!

We slept about 12 hours Sunday night, lol. Hit the road by 10:30 the next morning.

Sphere: Related Content