Another day of running

Canning pears

Canned more pears tonight, just 2 quarts.  It would have been four but I accidentally dropped a bowl of diced pears onto the floor, so threw those out to the chickens (sigh).  All that work.  I showed PD#1 how to peel and dice the pears.  Then to put them in a bowl of lemon juice water to prevent them from browning.  She was able to complete the small white bowl above before her hand started hurting.  I took over and finished up the peeling, coring and dicing.  Then poured the pears into jars, added the syrup and processed them in the canner.  So far, it looks like 40 lbs of pears (give or take) will make a bout 12 quarts of diced pears.   Less than I thought, but I am glad to be able to see the end.  It's hard work canning pears.  Harder than any other thing I've done.  I don't know why, but it is...

Received my new DVD in the Homestead Blessings series, "The Art of Cooking", and watched it tonight.   It was very good, just like the others.  I can't wait to get the rest of them back from a friend I loaned them to, I want to try out the ideas on them.  Next on my list to order is "The Art of Crafting" or "The Art of Quilting".  Plus, I am planning on using these as a guide for the girls in their homemaking duties. 

PD#1 asked me if I thought the West ladies (on the DVD) were going to make good wives.  I said probably so, and that PD#1 would also.  For some reason PD#2 (age 8) found this hilarious and started snorting.  This earned her a glare from PD#1 (almost 14).  Ah! I could feel the sisterly love in the air.

Watching "Stargate" Season 1 (again, I know), and getting ready to lay down to sleep.  Have a great weekend everyone!



Bees, Bullets, Beans

Today was more stocking of the homestead.  We went to the local grocery store and I was able to stock up on a few things on my list:

flour
yeast
sugar
beans
rice
boullion
vitamins
I did my regular shopping too, spending way too much money for little return ;-(
I also stopped at a local store and purchased seven boxes of 12 ga. shells.  That was all they had. ;-(
I had hoped to buy a case or two, but that will mean a trip into the BIG TOWN 50 miles away.
Dove season starts soon...(next weekend).

Came home to put everything up, and will work on putting up more pears and jelly tonight.

I was very shocked at the high prices of everything, and the apparent non availability of standard items like Motrin and Tylenol.  Seems it is "supposed" to be a nation wide thing, as most name brand meds have been recalled or manufacturing has been halted.  I wonder why?  The pharmacist said they were told shipments wouldn't be resumed until the Winter.  I ended up purchasing a store brand of Motrin and Bendadry which my medicine box was lacking. 

Other than fuel, which I have left up to PH to procure, I feel in pretty good shape.  As well as, I can be with the time, money and resources I have.  I am about at my storage limits living in 360 sq feet.  No more room...

I have been anxious to add a bee hive to our property.  It's been in my plans for about 10 years, but I don't know how to start.  We have several wild hives in our area, as bees are prolific around here.  We had a swarm earlier this year on one of the trees.  PH is worried about keeping bees due to the killer bees in the area.  Until he changes his mind, I will remain in the research stage, and purchase my honey from a local, homeschooling friend.

My "plan" for this weekend (other than canning) is to start work on my hoop coop for my 20 chicks arriving next week.  We also need to get our other wood stove from the town house, as well as, a few odds and ends (fridge, shelves, box, curtains, and pot rack).