Loving Home

Just wanting to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a happy new year.  May 2009 be everything you want it to be.

It has been a while since I have posted.  Very busy and very sick the last couple of weeks.  I have been so tired all I want to do sleep.  We have been back and forth  to pick up my dear daughter from school twice in the last month.  She comes home again next week for her winter break.   On November 29 my son, Ian, proposed to his girlfriend of almost three years.  She said yes and they are planning a July 2010 wedding.  It will be here before we know it.  They are hoping he will be done college by then. Our stove died last month so a new one was purchased and the plumber came to install the plumbing to move the washing machine.  We also finished the privacy fence around our patio and got all of the outside Christmas decorations up.  All of the decorations are up inside also.   This week I have had six doctor appts.  Yes six. I am so glad that that is all over with.  I need to go back to the eye doctor in two weeks for a special test and in one month to my general doctor to check some ...

How many of you start planning for next year in November and December? I mean gardens, canning,etc.   I am in the process of looking at what grew well this year and what didn't.  Also we are looking at planting fruit trees and fruit bushes.  Do others of you do this?  I am also trying to figure out how much we use in a year.  Such as toilet paper, shampoo, dish soap, etc.  I would love to have some input on these topics.

Ok,  got it down for this week.  Payday is Friday.  Today I only needed eggs and some fruit.   Monday, October 27 - taco soup Tuesday, October 28 - chicken Wednesday, October 29 - pork chops Thursday, October 30 - fish Friday, October 31 - eat out Saturday, November 1 - chicken enchiladas Sunday, November 2 - baked spaghetti This is all from my deep freeze and storage.  I hope everyone has a blessed day.

This is my dd  Rachel keeping the son of a friend busy.  He loved tackling her during her party.  I just thought I would share this with everyone.

  Ode to My Mother   Every morning I wake up And I think about your smile. You are my encourager. Day after day, Week after week, Year after year, You put up with me. And not that I am not there, I seem lost. You have given me a foundation That I can stand proud upon. You give me hope That someday I can be Whatever I want to be. You are always there for me. Even if I am acting extremely Mean to you, You are always there. I wish that I Could always be there For you. Because you were And are always there For me. You are my light at the end Of the tunnel. You help me see the good in the bad. You have shaped me Into who I am today. Thank you for everything That you have done for me. I Love You!     My darling daughter, whose picture is above, wrote this for me.  I cried when I read it and she says that she really means it.  I thought I would share it here.

Tomorrow, my bf Susan and I are going to the Cannonsburg Fiber Festival held the last Saturday of October every year.  It is here in Murfreesboro , TN and last year we had a blast.  There are spinners and weavers, knitters, crocheters and farmers with their sheep, goats and long haired rabbits.  Of course, all kinds of good food also.  Susan and I both have a drop spindle but she would like to purchase another one.  We have top whirls and I think she wants a bottom whirl.   While we are there her fiancee is going to help my dh with a job or two around the house and hopefully look at dh's truck so he will leave me the car every so often again. ~smile~  I can't wait.

Ok, I am excited that everything is already in the house.  Only had to buy fresh stuff and paper towels this week. Monday, October 20 - chili Tuesday, October 21 - pork chops, boiled potatoes, veggie Wednesday, October 22 - chicken, peas and a veggie Thursday, October 23 - Turkey sausage, boiled potatoes and a veggie Friday, October 24 - Salmon, peas and a veggie Saturday, October 25 - taco soup Sunday, October 26 - baked spaghetti I hope everyone has a blessed week.

A little late.  Here they are though. Monday - Canadian Thanksgiving =  turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rutabaga, carrots,                                        homemade relishes and pickles Tuesday - pizza Wednesday - leftovers from Monday Thursday - Salmon, boiled new potatoes and snow peas Friday - turkey noodle soup and grilled cheese Saturday - dh's birthday - eat out somewhere Short but sweet. Have a blessed week.

Just thought I would add a photo of dd, Rachel and her boyfriend, Nick.  Aren't they cute.

This is my darling daughter helping me by cutting onions for the salsa. Isn't she cute. ~smile~ The above are my cookbook shelves that I had to take the cookbooks off so I would have somewhere to put my jars.  This is pickles, beans, relishes, pickled beets, salsa and tomato products. Above is in my kitchen where I have dill pickles and strawberry jam.  These are only  part of it.  I have not taken pictures of the rest of it yet.

Yeah !!!!  It is finally here - my road trip.  My bff Susan and I are going to east Tennessee to stitch until Friday.  We stitch - needlepoint, cross stitch, knit - and never get enough time once school starts (she's a teacher).  Susan is on fall break and I had to go to east Tennessee to pick up dd so we took both and combined it.  Actually it was my dh's idea --love him for it.  So, off to a b&b we go to stitch Christmas presents for two days+.  I am taking two needlepoint and two cross stitch projects to work on - can't decide which one to start right now. lol  I have spent more time trying to figure out what to take them packing my clothes.  ~smile~ I will be back on Saturday or Sunday once I get back and recover.  lol  See you then.

I know I have not been on alot.  Life has been going full speed recently.  Here is my menu for this week.  I will be gone Wednesday-Friday.   Sunday, October 5 - fellowship meal at church Monday, October 6 - smoked turkey, sweet potatoes and green beans Tuesday, October 7 - salmon, fried potatoes, veggies Wednesday, October 8 - chili Thursday, October 9 - hot dogs Friday, October 10 - pizza Saturday, October 11 - zesty chicken with orzo, snow peas I am leaving chili on Wednesday so dh can take leftovers for lunch Thursday and Friday.  Ds works Wednesday night (and he is not fond of chili).

James B. "Jimmy" Palmer Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 3:19 pm  Email    Print James B. "Jimmy" Palmer, age 68, of Murfreesboro, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008. He was a native of Wilson County, but lived most of his life in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Bro. John King, Bro. Ben Austin, Bro. Julian Goodpasture, and the Rev. B. E. Palmer will officiate. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. He is survived by his wife: Linda Lee Palmer, mother: Dora Bryan Palmer of Murfreesboro, daughters: Laura (Ben) Robinson, Holly (Neil) Hughes, both of Murfreesboro, and Ashley (Brian) Hall of Nashville, two brothers: Bill (Glenda) Palmer of Murfreesboro, Bob (Susan) Palmer of Smithville, one sister: Peggy (Dickie) Thomas of Murfreesboro, grandchildren: Maggie, Emily, and Jared Robinson, and Joey Hughes. Mr. Palmer was preceded in death by his father: James H. Palmer. He was a member of Stones River Church of Christ ...

Now, I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination.  However, I have seen more then my fair share of lean months.  Back when dh worked at a private school his paycheck would only cover the mortgage, the car insurance and the life insurance.  I had to make everything else and if I had been sick or one of the children sick then my paycheck would be short.  In recent memory, I have had to feed four adults (my children are 19 and 21 now) on $50 a week.  Like everyone else, who has been to the supermarket recently, I have been concerned up the steady climb of prices and the smaller packaging attached to those price tags.  Most women, through choice or necessity, work outside the home now and don't have time for "cooking from scratch".  At church on Sunday I heard, "well of course you can do that (I don't remember what now) you stay home all day."  Now I am a SAHM due to my disability and in that I do have more time than some folks but there ...

Okay, our weather is finally going to feel like fall after today so I just changed the menu I had planned a bit.  Time for more soups.  Yeah !!!!!  I love fall. Sunday, September 28 - flounder, asparagus, potatoes Monday, September 29 - veggie lasagna Tuesday, September 30 - potato soup with sausage Wednesday, October 1 - taco soup Thursday, October 2 - spaghetti Friday, October 3 - shake and bake chicken, potatoes and veggie Saturday, October 4 - chili Breakfasts will consist of cereal, oatmeal or muffins.  I only have less than a dozen eggs left and payday is Friday.  Lunches will be sandwiches, leftovers or tuna.  Monday I am going out for lunch with ds' girlfriend's mother.

This weekend my dh and four of his friends are going camping.  Of course, the camp site they choose is next to a golf course.  ~smile~  Well, it was my responsibility to make sure no one starves this weekend so I thought I would share my menu for the guys. Friday night - they decided to eat out Saturday morning - eggs, bacon, orange juice Saturday lunch (after golf) - hamburgers, corn on the cob, pear crisp (homemade) Saturday dinner - teriayki chicken, veggie packets for the grill, any leftover pear crisp Sunday morning - french toast, bacon and orange juice Sunday lunch - sandwiches, chips For beverages they have case of water and a gallon of sweet tea.  It came to $40 counting plates, napkins, plastic ware, condiments, etc.  Note bad I thought.  Dh was impressed.  Hopefully the other guys will give dh some money to help out.  

Katie Rose Martin Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:37 am  Email    Print Katie Rose Martin Katie Rose Martin, age 18, of Murfreesboro and Rockvale , passed away Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008.  She was a native and life-long resident of RutherfordCounty . Katie was a graduate of Riverdale High School and attended MTSU and Salon Professional Academy in Nashville. She was a member of the World Outreach Church. Ms. Martin is survived by her parents, Robert and Debbie Lundeen Martin; two brothers Robert and Anthony Martin also of Murfreesboro ; and grandparents, Hilda and Bob Molter, Robert Martin, and David Lundeen . She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Patricia Lundeen . Funeral services for Ms. Martin will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at Jennings and Ayers with Bro. Tony Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Cothran Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. . Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at Jennings and Ayers 820 South...

Okay here is my next attempt at meal planning. Sunday, September 21 - lunch:   sandwiches,  dinner:  spicy chicken with orzo Monday, September 22 - sausage, potatoes and veggies Tuesday, September 23 - veggie lasagna Wednesday, September 24 - chicken stroganoff (I am determined to make this) Thursday, September 25 - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggie Friday, September 26 - mac and cheese and hot dogs or leftovers Saturday, September 27 - attending a wedding will eat at reception Dh goes out of town Friday night so it will just be ds and I so that is why we have a funky Friday night meal.  I need to plan a camping meal for dh and his friends.  Guess who got volunteered to plan the menu and get the food?  You guessed it -- ME !!  I have most if not all the food here at the house in my pantry and deep freeze but I don't know yet how many men I will be feeding.  I am to find out tonight.

Sometimes I wonder why I try to plan our meals.  Something happens and half of it we don't even do and then I feel like I shopped in vain for those meals.  Tonight we are having chicken instead of salmon because I have tried to fix it twice this week already.  I was not excepting ds to be home and he will be so I needed to change what I fixed to accommodate the need for more food.    After canning all day (since 7 am) all I want to do is eat out.  We have to stop doing that.  We got dh's first regular paycheck for the new school year and it is lower than I was excepting.  Not good.  I spent yesterday redoing the budget.  It is a good thing I have alot of food in the house because all I could pull for food was $23 for the next two weeks.  Ugh !!!!!!!!!!!  sometimes dh vetoes what I had planned to cook and that is frustrating or the weather doesn't cooperate.  I know blame nature ~smile~.  I know I need sugar now.  I thought I had another 20 pounds but it is not there now so ...

...canning jars that is.  This week has finally seen the end of the pears.  I still have some put I am going to save them for eating.  I went out and found a case of pint jars on Wednesday but went back today and they had nothing but quarts.  I don't want quart jars right now.  So I looked high and low and have now used EVERY canning jar that I have in the house.  I even emptied the salsa in the fridge into a bowl to have that jar.  So today I have canned:  4 quarts, 19 pints, 12 jelly jars and 5 half pints of pears.  I have no jars left until we empty some more. I thought I would list what I have processed from the harvest this summer:   12 quarts and 1 pint of diced tomatoes 11 quarts and 13 pints of spaghetti sauce 2 quarts and 2 pints of beets 9 pints of tomato juice 6 pints of V8 juice 6 pints of sauerkraut 11 pints of applesauce 3 pints of zucchini relish 24 pints of dilled pickles 15 pints of bread and butter pickles 15 pints of pepper relish 53 pints of salsa (we have eaten...

This weekend I had been thinking that I need to set some goals for each month as I have seen other bloggers do. So even though the month is half way gone I thought I would set a couple of goals and then start with October. 1.  What is the purpose of this blog.  I know I want to share with friends and family that are far away with what is going on but I want it more than that.  I want to share how I am trying to whittle away our debt load so that someday my dear, hard working husband can retire.  So by the end of the month I want to have that purpose in place. 2.  Send smallest bill an extra $150.  That would be the loan we took out against our annuity. 3.  Pay all bills on time.  No late fees. 4.  Continue to work on stocking the pantry.  Leaner months are ahead and I want to make sure that we have food. 5.  Finish canning the pears and get some apples to can. I think those are realistic and doable.  I will let you know at the end of the month how I did.

I have alot of food in the house so this week will be using some of what is in the fridge before it goes bad.  Payday is Friday. Sunday - lunch:  ate out    dinner:  hot dogs (not healthy but it is what dh wanted) Monday - spaghetti (just ds and I) Tuesday - chicken stroganoff (new recipe - I will post if it is good) Wednesday - veggie lasagna Thursday - meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies Friday - some sort of chicken dish Saturday - new salmon dish This week I need to come up with a camping menu for 6-8 men for the weekend of the 26 th .  Not sure yet what I will do.  Need to talk to dh and how many meals and men. ~smile~  I don't mind doing it if I have the numbers.  My goal is to have it done by Friday when I go grocery shopping.

This morning at worship this was the question raised.  Think about it.......from what we know of Jesus and the way politics are done in this country now.....could he win?  The conclusion this morning was not likely. Three points were given.  First of all...he had a few skeletons in His closet.  His family tree included foreigners , a lady of the night and assorted others who were not the best to have in ones family tree.  His own parents were peasants, but more importantly they were married when he was conceived.  Even the Pharisees made a comment once about he being born out of fornication. And lets look at the people he surrounded himself with.  Fishermen, tax collectors, uneducated definitely three strikes again Him.  The second point was.....He Advocated Change but not the kind they wanted.  What were the Israelites looking for - a king- someone who would overthrow the Romans.  This is not what Jesus came to do.  What did he offer?  Eternal life,  life with the Father.  They didn...

Okay I know that this is a little late on Monday but I got it done yesterday and I have been busy.  So here it is: Sunday - lunch:  sloppy joes; dinner:  pizza Monday - just me:  left over pizza Tuesday - flounder, mashed potatoes and carrots Wednesday - Chicken Stroganoff Thursday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and carrots Friday - Chicken stir-fry Saturday - spaghetti I might switch Friday and Saturday but we will see what the temps are like.  Got to work on emptying the deep freezer as dh wants to buy me an upright to replace what we have.  I have way to much stuff in it to fit in an upright.

This week I have been gifted with over 50 pounds of pears.  They are everywhere while I am working on getting caught up with the tomatoes.  I think I am just going to can them in very light syrup.  I hope I have enough jars ~smile~.  My bff only asked for some canned pears in return.  Wow!!!!!!  She said she had more also.  Love it !!!!!  Free is wonderful.  Hopefully I will get some pictures posted once I get started.   Working on my grocery list for the next two weeks.  I have $125 to spend for three adults.  Four on Sundays.  I was also gifted with five pounds of skinless boneless chicken breasts.  After I had bought forty pounds of it at an amazing sale I had found.  Hope to go grocery shopping tomorrow as I am attending a baby shower on Sunday.

I am actually organized today and I have it ready. August 31:  Lunch - ate out  Dinner - spaghetti and meatballs September 1 - hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, grilled veggies September 2 - Summer Squash and White Bean saute September 3 - Chicken, boiled potatoes, green beans September 4 - Tilapia, mashed potatoes, carrots September 5 - Chicken stir-fry, rice September 6 - Bean Burritos and spanish rice

Happy Labor Day !!!!!!!! For those interested the Grand Plan for Christmas from organized.com started yesterday.  Here is the website: http://organizedchristmas.com/holiday-grand-plan I have followed this before and I had one of the most relaxed Christmas seasons ever.  This year it is time to follow it again.

Today my oldest is 21.  Where have the years gone?  Here he is pictured with his girlfriend.  I am so proud of the young man you have become.  Enjoy your day.

It seems like only yesterday that August started and now it is almost over.  Wow.  Rachel is adjusting very well to East Tn State and Ian is enjoying his classes at Middle Tn State.   I got some of the best deals on school supplies at Target today.  They had 5 packs of 70 ct college rule notebooks for 35 cents.  Yes, you read 35 cents.  They had 3x5 notecards 100 ct for 32 cents and Bic Cristal pens for 62 cents.  Wow !!!!!!  I could not believe my luck.  I tried to get in touch with my dh the teacher but could not so I might be going back for the notebooks tomorrow as he has the students use these for journals.  They also had a 44 pound bag of Dog Chow for $18 which seemed like a good price and saved me from having to make another stop. ~smile~ I am working on my first care package for my away child.  She has discovered Easy Mac which I think is gross but she eats when she is up studying late and the cafeteria is closed.  Trying to find a good balance of healthy and junk.  Any ideas a...

Well I know that I normally post my menus on Monday but I wasn't organized so here they are today.  This week: Sunday - ate out lunch, hamburgers dinner Monday - just ds and I:  sausage and veggies Tuesday - taco soup Wednesday - chicken, potatoes and veggie (most likely carrots) Thursday - salmon, potatoes and spring veggies Friday - stuffed green peppers, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies Saturday - Chicken stir fry (use up leftovers) So tonight we are having taco soup.  The perfect thing for a rainy day.  Dh can take leftovers for lunches also ~smile~.  Everyone has their own  recipe for taco soup but I thought I would post mine. Taco Soup 1 pound ground turkey or beef 1 can chili bean (I use white beans) 1 can kidney beans (I use pinto beans) 1 can whole kernel corn, with liquid 2 cans diced tomatoes 1 can tomato sauce 2 cups water 1 package taco seasoning mix In a medium skillet brown meat.  Drain and set aside.  Place everything in a slow cooker including browned meat.  Mix...

It has been a week since I have posted and alot has happened.  Here is what occurred in the past week: 1.  We got a new computer last Saturday.  Our old one would work when it wanted to and would freeze up at the least little thing.  We got a Mac this time and have been extremely happy with it.  It has taken a while to get use to it but I think this will be a happy relationship. ~smile~ 2.  Got more salsa made.   Another 15 pints.  I sure hope we get rain soon.  Our tomato plants are not looking very good and I still want to can more.  Our peppers are suffering also.  Time to start thinking of fall crops in Tennessee.  Any ideas? 3.  You can only fit so many things in one room and our bedroom has been maxed out.  I tried to put the ironing board up and found it very cramped.  It is now back out in the living room until I get my craft room back. 4.  Talking about my craft room we have asked a couple of folks for quotes concerning moving our washer and dryer.  I hope to hear from them s...

Today my baby turns 19. Time sure goes fast. I hope you have a wonderful day sweet one. Here she is with her aunt Jackie at her graduation party. Next step : COLLEGE. You go girl. Love you lots.

Boy have we been busy. I have had company and school has started for my dh. Here is what has happened this past week.... 1. My brother in law from New Jersey has been visiting. I have not seen him in about four years so it was wonderful to see him. Next time I hope he brings his lovely wife. He left this morning to go back. 2. Last night we had a lovely couple from church for dinner to met Murph (dh's brother). We had a wonderful visit over hamburgers, potato salad, fresh green beans, homemade salsa and chips and carrot cake with ice cream for dessert. It was a wonderful casual meal among friends and family. I hope we can start to do that more often. 3. In my bible study I have been studying Proverbs 31:10-end. I long to be like that woman. It gives me encouragement when I read it and I notice something new each time I read it. This week I noticed verse 13 " She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands." The word I noticed was willingly. No...

This weekend was absolutely amazing. Beth Moore was something else. I am so glad that I took the time to go. Rachel really enjoyed it also. Her key phrase was "competently competent". Love it !!!!!! Sunday I did pay for though as I spent most of the day in bed. So much pain. Was it worth it. Absolutely. Today, I have been up since 6:45am working in the kitchen. I have got three batches of spaghetti sauce bubbling away, gotten 5.5 lbs of ground beef processed and almost done snapping beans for dilled beans. I will be canning the spaghetti sauce in quarts this time as the pints are just not enough. Dh likes a little spaghetti with his sauce ~smile~. Tomorrow I will make salsa with the two huge bowls of tomatoes that I have staring at me. Had to go to the store twice today as I forgot something the first time. Please keep Ian in your prayers as he is trying to find a new part time job. He is actually losing money driving for Pizza Hut. He applied at seven differe...

Just got them done for the week. Nothing exciting but here they are: Sunday, August 3 - lunch: hamburgers, coleslaw and potato salad dinner: Pizza Hut Monday, August 4 - chicken, potatoes and carrots Tuesday, August 5 - sausage, potatoes, and carrots Wednesday, August 6 - tilapia, corn and green beans Thursday, August 7 - pork tenderloin with peach sauce, potatoes and broccoli Friday, August 8 - chicken, peas and carrots or eat out (payday) Saturday, August 9 - meatball subs Hope everyone has a blessed day.

Tomorrow starts our tax free weekend for school supplies. Rachel is in need of some items before she leaves for college. We start shopping around 6am. First will be Wal-Mart then Target. I need to be home by 9:30am to met my bff. If we don't find everything in the morning we will go again on Sunday. Saturday Rachel works all day. She still has two gift cards from graduation so that is why we are going there first. Hopefully she will be able to find what she needs. I will post more tomorrow about the deals we find.

Alot of you know that I have been waiting to hear about my disability that I applied for almost two years ago. Well on Friday, July 25 I found out that I will be receiving my disability. I cried and cried. We (my dh and I)had just been praying about it just days before. It will most likely be a couple of months before I start to see it but it is coming. ~Praise God~ My ds Ian has decided upon a major and is returning to college. He realized that to find a full time jobs in this economic climate you really need at least college. He will be majoring in Criminal Justice. He is really excited and is looking forward to starting school in about a month. Now he is trying to get a few more hours from work. He has been averaging about 12 hours a week and he definitely needs more. It is nice that he finally listened to his mother's wisdom ~smile~. He will be taking 13 hours in the fall and 12 in the spring. Summer session looks good too so he can get caught up. My dd Rachel leav...

Got my menus done for this week. Went grocery shopping on Saturday. Here they are: Sunday, July 27 - ate out for lunch, hamburgers for dinner Monday, July 28 - salmon, boiled new potatoes and carrots Tuesday, July 29 - chicken legs, corn and green beans Wednesday, July 30 - meatball subs Thursday, July 31 - tilapia, boiled new potatoes, carrots Friday, August 1 - hamburgers and mac salad (Beth Moore event 5-9) Saturday, August 2 - chicken, mac salad, carrots Lunches will be BLT's, pulled pork or leftovers hope you have a blessed day.

I just realized that I have not posted since Monday. I have been very busy processing tomatoes and other produce. So far this week I have canned 10 pints of peaches, 6 pints of pepper relish and 12 pints and one half pint of salsa. On the stove right now I have a triple batch of salsa with enough tomatoes picked for another triple batch easy. I should get at least 18 pints from it. I am now out of all of the onions from our garden and our cilantro. I will have to start buying both of these now. I am eihter going to GFS to buy a 10 pound bag of onions or to Sam's. I am not sure how big a bag I can get at Sam's. I may go there first to see. Tomorrow is normally my grocery day but it might end up being Saturday because of scheduling and two cars for three drivers ~smile~. Tomorrow we (Rachel and I) see Rich in the morning, then my bff is coming over and we are going to stitch, then at 5:30 on a Friday I have a mammogram. Ugh. The only thing I have bought at the store...

I have had people ask me for my salsa recipe so I thought I would post it here. Fresh Vegetable Salsa 7 cups chopped tomatoes, you can peel if you want but I don't 2 cups coarsely chopped onion 1 cup coarsely chopped green bell pepper 8 jalepeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 5.5oz can tomato paste 3/4 cup white vinegar 1/2 cup loosely packed finely chopped cilantro 1/2 tsp ground cumin Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat stirring frequently so it doesn't burn. Using a hand blender or a regular blender, blend until smooth. Return a boil over low heat stirring frequently, until thickened about 30 minutes. Pour into hot jars and put in a water bath canner. Process for 20 minutes, remove lid of canner and wait 5 minutes before removing jars. I hope you enjoy it. We love this salsa. If you don't like a smooth salsa then don't blend it. Here is my recipe for Pepper Relish Sweet and Sour ...

I know that this actually started yesterday but oh well, better late than never. I don't have any food money left until Friday so this is from the freezer and the pantry. Sunday July 20 - Sausage, fried potatoes and snow peas Monday July 21 - chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots Tuesday July 22 - tilapia, snowpeas and carrots Wednesday July 23 - chicken stir fry Thursday July 24 - salmon, mashed potatoes and broccoli Friday July 25 - sloppy joes ? this is payday so I am not sure Saturday July 26 - steak sandwiches with onions and peppers Saturday I will do my food shopping so I wanted something easy. Saturdays meal is from my last Angel Food box back in June I think. Dh really enjoyed them the first time I got them. I was talking with my bff last night and she asked whether I have had the urge to stock up recently. I had to laugh because I have had that urge for a couple of months now. I am wanting to get six months worth of the basics in the house. By basics I mean ever...

I love summer's harvest. First comes the cucumbers and I canned 22 pints of dill pickles. Dill and cucumbers from our garden. Then we got zucchini and summer squash. After eating a ton I froze sliced bags for later. Then the banana peppers, green peppers and tomatoes start. I have made 5 pints of pepper relish and my first batch of salsa. I was trying to modify a recipe and I am not happy with the first batch but I have more than enough tomatoes to try again ~Smile~ I am trying to make it more like you get a the restaurants. Thick and smooth. This first batch had that but not enough kick for me. A friend picked up a peck of peaches yesterday for me so I will be canning peaches also. I love harvest time ~smile~. I will be going to the farmers market I hope on Tuesday to see what they have. I am wanting beans and corn. I would love some peas also. Yummy. We did not plant any of these so I need to find a good source. I am trying to preserve as much as I can for winter...

Well I got around to planning my menus. This is using what is already in the house. Yeah !!!!! Monday June 30 - Chicken thighs baked and squash medley with cucumber and tomato salad Tuesday July 1 - Pasta and salad Wednesday July 2 - Boneless Pork Chops, fried potatoes and squash medley Thursday July 3 - Chicken Legs, mashed potatoes and squash medley Friday July 4 - visiting with friends at their house -- taking potato salad (I think) Saturday July 5 - Ham, mashed potatoes and squash medley Sunday July 6 - chicken stir fry and rice. It seems like alot of squash medley and that is because that is what is being harvested from the garden right now. We are also getting cucumbers and our first tomatoes so I expect us to have those also. We are trying to eat from the garden but preserve also. I have recently canned 16 pints of dill pickles with cucumbers and dill from our garden. God Bless you all.

David did go in for surgery yesterday. They put in a stint to relieve the pain he was having. They released him today only after they tried to kill him by almost giving him something he is allergic too. I wish they would check records before dispensing medication. He made me promise that I would not allow him to be taken there again. So, we need to do some modification in the way we eat. This was his third time going in for a stint and it is time to be hard nosed and buckle down. The goal is to do it with the groceries that I already have in the house. I did go out and buy low sodium luncheon meat and cheese, milk and white wheat bread. I am on a self imposed pantry challenge so this hurt to buy the items but he wanted a sandwich and that is the kind of meat and cheese he can eat now. I had planned baked pasta for dinner but I think we are going to have boneless pork chops instead as it is just David and I. Our biggest problem is portion size. We love food. :) :) I will wor...

Meant to post this on Monday but the day got away from me. Monday June 16 - beef roast, new potatoes, carrots, onions and orange peppers Tuesday June 17 - boneless pork chops, mashed potatoes, veggies Wednesday June 18 - chicken fajitas and spanish rice Thursday June 19 - baked pasta and salad Friday June 20 - smoked sausage, mashed potatoes and veggie Saturday June 21 - homemade pizza Sunday June 22 - ds is cooking This may change if dh goes into the hospital. He is seeing his cardiologist this afternoon. He had tests run last week before we left for Johnson City, TN for dd's college oreintation. I will be picking up a few things from the grocery store: decaf tea bags for iced tea, dishwasher soap, a pound of bulk sausage for a recipe I want to try next week, tomato paste and maybe some tortillas though I would love to try to make my own. Picked more from the garden last night: summer squash, zucchini, a cucumber and our first green pepper. Yeah !!!!!!! As soon as I can figu...

I want to wish all those father's out there Happy Father's Day. My husband received some cute cards from my children after lunch. They are both at work now. A nice leisurely day. This is my second attempt at blogging. Hopefully I will do better with this attempt. I will write more later.