Hello everyone. Yes, I haven’t been on here for some time, but it has been so eventful, that I just don’t get the time to update as much as I would like to on here.

First of all, our Christmas was wonderful. Actually, we had a nice quite Christmas Day at home, with just us. Sometimes, that is okay. Then, we had our big party at my mother-in-laws, on the 26^th, and that was marvelous, too. We even did something a little different this year with the menu; we had chicken instead of the usual ham or turkey. I think we were just all sick of ham and turkey, and the chicken was an extremely pleasant change. Otherwise, it was a potluck, where everyone brought something, and all the food was outstanding, too.

For New Years this year, we decided again, to think outside the box and do something different. We went and visited some friends in Grand Rapids, Faith, Rodger, and Lillian. I am so glad we decided to do that because it has been a long time since we have been there; as it is almost a two hour trip.  Just Harry and I went, and it was just a very nice trip! It was just one of those things you always mean to do, but don’t get to it. Well, we did it.

 We also stopped at my friend’s daughter place, Arlene’s. She just moved there and we got to see her new home. Her place is especially nice, and it was her little girls, Olivia’s’, birthday, so we got to celebrate that, too. Anyhow, it was one of the best New Year days we have had.

I guess we are just too old to go out and sit up until midnight, in a bar, waiting for the clock to strike 12:00AM to blow that horn and yell “Happy New Year!”  Besides, this was much better way better way to bring the new year in; being with friends, and not waking up with a hangover!

My son and his family couldn’t make it up until January to do Christmas with us, so a few weekends ago, they came up to exchange gifts. I got to see my grand kids! It has been months, and I missed them a lot. They are all getting so big, and Kyle is going to school next year! I have a few pictures of them, too, on here to share!

So, all in all, we had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, and I hope all of you did, too. Now, if this cold would go. Last week it was almost -40 with the wind chill, and the schools even closed! Then, we had two bomb threats at our school I work at, and so now they might extend our school year. However, they caught the person that was responsible for the hoaxes and now things are getting back to normal at work for all of us at work.

Well, that is about it for here. I hope all of you are doing well, and enjoy the updated pictures!

-Nancy

Winter Wonderland

Yes, it is a winter wonderland here, but we made the most of the storm with lots of holiday baking!

 My friend, Emily, and her daughter, Anna, came up for the weekend. What better thing to do during a winter blizzard than to do your Christmas baking? They were stuck here for a few days because the roads were too bad for traveling and we had a lot of time to have some fun.

Along with baking, we also played lots of cards and other games. Emily and Anna introduced Sherry and I to a new game called Doodle Dice. Fun! Enjoy our pictures!-Nancy

Here is my wild rice soup recipe. I love making this on those cold days!

Wild Rice Soup

6 Tablespoons of Butter

3 Tablespoons of chopped onion

¾ Cup of all purpose flour

3-5 cups of chicken broth

1 cup of cooked white rice

1 cup of cooked Wild Rice

½ cup of shredded cooked carrots (you can add sliced or baby carrots, too)

¼ Teaspoon of salt

A little pepper

1 Cup of milk

Add about 3 cups of chopped chicken or turkey or ham. (With the ham, I like to fry some bacon, crush it in the soup, too)

Instructions:

Melt butter of medium heat, add flour slowly, stirring until thick.  This flour mixture will be very thick, and that is what you want. Next, slowly blend in the chicken broth, and stir until smooth. Put your cooked rice’s, salt, pepper, carrots, and meat in next.  Then, just before serving, add the milk. Heat until nice and hot, and serve. I like to have those small garlic crackers on top just before I serve it, or on the side of the plate. Also, homemade bread is very yummy with this soup.

Serve hot or cold. Great with Ice cream, and you can bag it and freeze it, too.

BURRR….W e can feel the temps drop down and we need to turn the heat on at night. I know it has been a while since I have been on here, but we are certainly busy getting things finished up before the snow flies. As you can see by some of the pictures, my dear husband and sons have finished most of the wood.  Most of the wood pile is gone, and the woodshed is full of fresh cut wood.

Also, you will see the yard all dug up. That is the new line my husband had to put in from the wood stove to the house. The old one was so bad that it really wasn’t doing much of anything but keeping the ground warm. However, with this new line in, we will cut our wood usage more than half, and that is a big savings on the wallet.

I even blew the dust off of my food dehydrator, so I could dehydrate some of my vegetables from the garden.  I dehydrated a lot of fresh tomatoes out of our garden, pears, strawberries, and apples. I was in the baking mood and made three big pans of banana bread, and homemade applesauce.  I froze a little of both, so in the cold winter, we can pull that out, and have it on those cold winter days.

This weekend, I had my friend, Emily, and her daughter, Anna, stay the night. We played cards, and I made a big turkey for dinner with potatoes, and gravy, with fresh garden salad. It was so good, and I have lots of leftovers for our lunch pails this week.

I took some pictures of the beautiful landscape with the fall leaves. They are really starting to fall off now, and the guys are all talking about deer hunting. I took some pictures of the farm, a sunrise, and just basic farm work, and my applesauce, and tomatoes. Also, you will see one of my co-workers, Brent, trying to feed our cows. He did manage to get them to come so he could pet one.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the update at our farm.

Reflections of Fall

Hello, everyone. I finally have a few minutes to write a line or two. I have been so busy between work, beading, and getting ready for winter, that I haven’t had much time to write much on here. Also, I have been sick with an awful cold, and I am still coughing a lot, but I can tell I am getting over it.

You certainly can tell that fall is here; as you can see in some of my photos. However, I have some lingering flowers still in bloom in my flower beds and pots.  All the blossoms on the apple and plum trees are done, and my yard is full of fallen crab apples. We no longer hear the hummin’ of birds and bees that once occupied those trees not so long ago.

However, as you can see in my pictures, the landscape of the autumn days is a picture of color! The trees are not in their full bloom yet, but I was excited about sharing what I had so far with all of you. I took pictures at the lake, yard, and some of sites around our home. My kittens are no longer kittens, but cats, and they, too, have grown and carry a heavy winter coat on them. They are all healthy and doing well.

Not only is the landscape making a transform, but so are we.  We are starting to alter our wardrobes and accessories for the season. I have pulled out my long sleeve shirts and sweaters. Out went the shorts, and in came the long johns for those cold days standing outside to watch my students at recess. My winter boots are now sitting in the front of my shoe rack, and the sandals are in the back. The fall coats now hang on the entry way coat rack, and the swimsuits are all packed away until next year.

Like the animals, we are storing our produce from the vegetable garden. I have made tons of pickles, and we are eating lots of tomatoes.  To keep ourselves warm, and ready for winter, we have filled the fuel tanks, and took out the air conditioners and closed and locked the windows.

We have been also doing those fall chores such as checking the sewer, cleaning the yard, and winterizing the cars. We even closed our camper up at the lake, and it will sit there all winter, waiting for us next year.  

We still have a long ways to go before the snow flies, though. I still need to put all the lawn ornaments away, along with flower pots, the gazebo, deck furniture, and gas grill. I need to do more tomatoes, and dig out the boys’ mittens, boats, and winter coats. We also need to dig a line from the woodstove to the house with the skid steer, because the old line is bad and we waste a lot of wood by having it.

At work my students are talking about deer hunting season, Halloween, and MEA weekend. Yes, fall is here to stay for a few months, and then, in no time, the winter will follow.

So, as you can see, we have been working hard securing our home and family for those blustery days ahead. It is sad to say, summer went by quickly again!

 I hope all of you are also safe and well, too.  well. 

Until next time,

 Nancy 

Winter Closing In On Us  

The air is getting colder, the leaves and foliage are changing colors, and you can just feel winter in the atmosphere.  It is time to think about putting that furnace on at night again, too. In my bed, I have put the electric blanket on for the past few nights to stay toasty warm.

I hear a lot of crows during the day and less song birds. Acorns are falling to the ground, and one only needs to stay outside to hear them hit the ground now and then with “plunks.” I have some wild rabbits in the yard, and their coats are changing from a brown to white. Even my new kittens are getting a thicker coat.

I have been busy at work this year, but not as busy as last year. Well, it seems that way for me right now. However, when you work in Special Ed, E.B.D., just one new student can change all that.

 The kids all have grown, both outside and inside. It certainly is great to see them all again, and hear their stories of the summer fun they have had. Now it is back to hitting the books, and learning, and I think a lot of them are getting a slow start at kicking back in with the early schedule, bus rides, and homework.

I know I haven’t been as good as I should be, keeping up my posting on here, but just trying to keep up with daily life has been a struggle. Now that I am back to work, it gives me less time to do household duties, and fun things such as postings on here.  

My recovery is still going good. During the day at work, I walk outside every day. I go out with the kids during recess, and I watch the kids at the same time I walk around the football field; for about 40 minutes.  I do this five days a week, and I can feel my leg is getting stronger all the time.

I still use my cane only at that time; when I walk during recess; because of the uneven ground, and I can go faster. However, I can feel I will be not using my cane even at that time soon. I love to walk and it is my favorite way to exercise, so I am killing two birds with one stone by doing this.

It is hard to believe in just a few more weeks, it will be three months since I have had the surgery. I do feel so good, though, wakening up, and finding I can walk without pain each morning. I can tell my hip is healing well, and I am able to put stockings on by actually bending over to do it. It is amazing how far hip replacement surgery has come.

It is when I get home that I really rush about even more so. I get home a little later than before because I carpool. But the savings in gas is well worth the 15-20 minute delay, plus I have some wonderful people I carpool with, and make my ride more enjoyable! It will be nice to have the company each night when winter comes and that winter driving!

Then when I do get home, I do clothes, fix dinner, do dishes, read the mail, and pick up a little around the house. I do most of my deep cleaning on the weekends, and pay the bills and do my bookkeeping for the farm. There are some nights I have appointments and by the time I get home, I just want to put a pizza on the table; except my family wouldn’t like that every night.

Also, I walked in the porch to find a big basket of cucumbers and tomatoes my husband picked that need to be canned the other day. Geez, I have two zucchini’s already waiting for me to make bread out of in the refrigerator. Yet, by the time I get home, and just do the daily household duties, my day is done. So I don’t know when I will get that done, too.  

This weekend we need to get the camper finished, or at least close to it, and we have a birthday party, and Harry has to work. That leaves me one day to get everything else done….

On top of all this, Harry has many 12 hour work days ahead of him. We started to clean out the camper last Saturday, but we have a lot left to do, and somehow we are trying to find time to get that done as well.

Just leaving the campground is depressing! I hate leaving for another 8 long months. It is sad to know that there are going to be no more campfires, visits, or the walks to the lake.

Now that winter is just about here, it will be back to plowing snow, dressing up like an animal before going out doors, static electricity, very dry skin, chapped hands, cracked feet and lips, many types of flu’s & colds, starting the car 15 minutes ahead of time to “warm it up” before going anywhere, driving in a snowstorms and ice, and having to pry your fingers off the steering wheel after you reach your destination, because you were hanging on to it so tight. No, folks, it isn’t pleasurable and I don’t look forward to it, but that is just winter in Minnesota. Amen.

We do have some good news, though. Tony passed his driver’s test and is now a legal driver. That is one big thing off our goal list. He still is unsure of himself and driving alone, though, but I remember being that way at first, too. It will just take a little time for him to gain some self confidence, and soon he will be driving all over.

However, he loves collage, and that is a terrific thing. He seems to come home in an excellent mood, and says it is “a walk in the park.” He has a day off in the middle of the week, and does all his homework on that day. He loves his banking; business classes the most.

Nathan is having a good year, too. One of his old teachers came back from Japan and he was very excited about that. He loves history this year, because he has another teacher he likes. So, for him things are going well, too.

So, that is about it for now. I hope all of you are well, and until next time, bye, bye.

Nancy

Fine Tuning It Into Fall 

I can’t ignore the signs anymore, but fall is almost here. I tried to overlook some of the signs, but when those cold mornings and nights, bite you, you just can’t ignore it anymore.

My husband and I have been busy making my refrigerator pickles. Yes, I am talking about bowls full! And, the cucumbers just keep coming. My tomatoes are doing really well, too. I am going to be pretty busy with those as well.

Tony is in collage. He loves all his classes and has his head in the books again. He took some classes in business, and those are the ones he seems to really enjoy. It seems funny having him in college and not getting on a school bus.

I had one of my good friends, Emily, and her daughter, Anna, over for a few days this week. It was a lot of fun having them here again. We got to play lots of “Nertz” so I got my “fix” for a while because nobody at my house will play Nertz with me.

I taught Emily and Anna a new card game I play with the girls at the campground, called “Seven’s”. They seemed to like it a lot. In fact, we played with my friend at the campground that taught ME how to play it, Anna. Yes, another Anna. So we had two Anna’s at one table. Anyhow, we had hours of fun playing card games and just spending time with each other again.

We had perfect weather this weekend for my friend and her daughter at the campground, too. I see a lot of the other campers are starting to pack up and getting ready to close for the winter. The acorns are starting to fall off all those oak trees around our camper and hitting the roof of the camper. The chipmunks’ are all running around, gathering them for storage.  I haven’t yet started to pack, and I know I will need to do it in a few more weeks, but I just hate the idea of leaving it all behind for another 8 months.

So, in ending, this was like my last big hurrah for the year at the campground. We will have a few more weeks of sitting around the campfire, but we will have to pack up and go soon.  I see dog days have set in the lake and the nights are getting colder. I am going to missing hearing the Loons, and sitting out on the deck with my husband and family drinking coffee each Saturday morning.

On the lighter side of things, tomorrow is my first day back to work with the kids. I wonder if I will have any new students to work with this year. I will find out more tomorrow when I get my schedule. It is going to be nice to see all the kids again, and see how much they have grown over the summer. I love my job, so I do have that to look forward to in the winter. For me, it isn’t like I HAVE to go to work, but I GET to go to work. So, I do have that to look forward to.

Sherry is going to be 26 this Thursday. She didn’t want a cake or anything big this year, just a day out to go eats she said. Well, I bought her a cake anyways, and she will still get to go out to eat, but a birthday just isn’t a birthday to me without a cake. My parents always had grandparents over and cake and ice cream, and we have always done that, too. So, I plan on doing a little get together with coming weekend for her. Happy Birthday, dear daughter!

In ending, I hope to get on here and keep you all updated. I know I will not be able to do it as often when I am working, but I will try to keep it updated as much as possible. Meanwhile, leave any comments as I love to read them and it lets me know you are still checking in and reading what I am putting up on here. Until then………. Nancy

Sherry's New Car  

Hello Everyone! It has been an extensive and busy week for us. My husband took my mother-in-law to Duluth, to find a car for her. She did get one, and now she has her wheels.

Not only did my husband help find a car for my mother-in-law, but he found one for our daughter, Sherry, too. Not the same place or day, but she was looking for a new car too. I posted a few pictures of it on the site, here, for all of you to see. It is so cute, and what wonderful gas mileage! The color of it is Victoria Red! It is sporty and nice looking!

For me, the best feature it has isn’t the heated leather seats, or the great gas mileage, or even the XM satellite Radio, but the moon roof! I just love it!!! I want one of those! It flips up, but if you push the button again, it slides back and opens the whole roof up, kind of like a convertible! The first time I discovered this, I wanted to put my whole top half of my body out of the  roof, and wave at people as we drove along, but Sherry told me if I did that, I wouldn’t ride in it again. She told me to “behave” myself and not get all wild on her. HUMMMMM.  I suppose it wouldn’t of look too great having a 40+ woman, with a cane, hanging out your moon roof, with the radio playing, loudly, waving at people. I think it would look like a bunch of Rednecks…… Oh, I was tempted, though….

At night, when you drive with the moon roof open, and it is a nice clear night outside, you can look up and see all those stars! It is just so cool. However, I did make up my mind, though; my next car is going to have a moon roof just like that one! 

Then, my car has to be serviced now. I was going to town to get the oil changed, and this little picture of an engine popped up on me. Now What! So, for now, I am driving Sherry’s old car until we get that looked at. You should see our driveway; it is starting to look like a used car lot!

We have Tony all set for college and his first day is the 25^th of August. He is going for Political and Economics Science. He is going to a community college for his AA, and then he is transferring over to a four year college in Duluth. He has some pretty intense classes, and loves math, law, and science. Well, I should say, he loves money! Now, I am not talking about spending it, but SAVING it! He can pinch a penny until Lincoln cries from the pain. His major should fit him good! He loves to learn and watch the stock market and all that stuff. Anyhow, he is so smart, and should do a lot with it. We are pretty proud of him.

The Carlton County fair is here. It starts today, and that is the first sign of fall around these parts. We plan on walking through it on Saturday. We will not be able to stay long, as we have a family reunion on my husband’s side that same day, but we are going to go. I plan on taking pictures as we go through it, and post them up for all of you to see. Of course, before we go home, we always stop get a big ice cream malt and Teeny Weenie Doughnuts! It is our tradition to do so. Not that I need the doughnuts, but I eat them once a year and that is that. YUMMY!

Well, for now, I will sign off and come back with some updates. The weather man says that is going to be in the 80’s and very nice this whole weekend and into next week! YIPPY!  I intend to enjoy it all week; too, between the campground, county fair, and the family reunion, it should be a busy one! Until then…….Nancy

Hello everyone,

I know I have received some email, asking where I have been. Well, I have been busy with a few things. First of all, we had a huge family reunion on my side of the family. It was so nice to see some of my relatives I haven’t seen for a while, and there was lots of wonderful food. I even met some relatives I didn’t even know I had. The day turned out just right, and I took a few pictures and uploaded them on here for all of you to see. My sister’s didn’t get to go, so here you go girls, take a look. I wish I would have taken more now.

Second, my brother-in-law and sister have their patio all completed. I uploaded pictures of the finished project, too. As many of you know, I took pictures all through this whole project and it turned out very nice! So nice in fact, my husband wants us to put this type of work outside our walk out basement next year.

I want to thank all of you for sending me emails, saying how much you like the pantry list I put up, you’re welcome and thank you for your kind words. All that work was worth it I guess, and I hope it has helped you stockpile for that emergency that can happen anytime.

Also, thank you for your comments on my earrings. I have been doing a lot of bead work, too. I spent a lot of time at the campground last weekend and did some more beading. On the sadder part of the whole thing is at the coffee shop I was selling them at, well, I had to take them out. I had so much stealing going on there, and even losing one earring from a pair.  I just got upset and pulled them out and took them home. I worked on them way to hard for them to be lost or taken.  Maybe next spring I will put up a table at a craft fair.

It was our anniversary on the 6^th of August! We have been married for 20 years! Boy that sure has went by fast. One thing I have to say is that while I was recovering from my surgery, that man of mine took such good care of me.  Not only was he forced to pull on those tight white socks, but shower me, help me get dressed, get up and down, and just about everything I did, he helped me with. He even shaved my legs! You can’t get a man to do all those things unless he really loves you. While he did all these things, he did it with a smile and a kiss. He sure pulled through for me; for better and worst. I am ready for the next 20 years, dear! We are going to go out to eat tonight at a restaurant we had heard suppose to be really good. We haven’t had a chance to go out to eat in a long time, and I can’t wait to have a nice quite dinner with him, just the two of us.

Well, I am down to a cane, and I can walk without it, but have a limp. So, the doctor told me to keep using it, until the limp goes or I could have a limp the rest of my life. So, I am doing that. I walk a lot at the campground because it is so nice to walk there. My one side is still bigger than the other yet, but the doctor told me that it could take up to 6 months for that to go down! I feel better now that I can move more and do more things. I have vacuumed the house and washed clothes, and all sorts of household duties again. I was able to get down and do some weeding in my flower beds this week! I couldn’t get in the back, but I did get all the flower pots and the front part. I am feeling so good, not having pain that I am looking forward to next year, where I can do it all!

Meanwhile, I am planning on taking in the sunshine the weather man promised  this coming  week. Well, that is it for now; I will try to write more next week….. Nancy

                                                            Nancy’s Refrigerator Pickles

Here is a recipe I’m asked for over and over again. This recipe is for Refrigerator Pickles. I made a lot of these pickles because my husband, family, and friends love them. What I do when I make them, I triple the batch and put them in quart jars. I do this several times throughout the summer.  You just make a batch and put them in a big bowl in the refrigerator; they keep for months. I make enough to get through the whole winter and into the next planting season.  I put my pickles in glass quart jars instead of a bowl to save room, plus I can just pull out a jar when I need it. Then again, I have a spare refrigerator to keep them in, so I am not short room; you might not want to do this.  This recipe is so easy to make, but so good to eat!  Once people try them, they usually want the recipe, so here it is. Enjoy!

7 Cups of Cucumbers unpeeled and sliced into thin rings.

1 Cup of Onions, sliced in thin slices (I like the sweeter onions)

1 Cup of Red or Green Peppers sliced in thin slices (I like to use both peppers for color)

3 Cups of Sugar

1 Tablespoon of Celery Seed

1 Tablespoon of Canning Salt

1 Cup of White Vinegar

Slice your vegetables in thin slices with food processor, and put in large bowl. Boil the rest of the ingredients together for a minute, and pour over the vegetables in the large bowl. Stir a little, cover bowl and put in the refrigerator! That’s it! Wait for a day or so to eat them. Yummy!!!!

                          Nathan’s Birthday

Nathan turned 17! Hard to believe my baby is that old. He had a great birthday party at the house, and at the campground, too. His sister, Sherry, made him another cake for him to bring to the campground. He shared the cake with all his friends at the campground. Here are some pictures of his day.

Dry Grains
Cereal (hot and cold)

Rice (white, brown, wild)
Dried pasta’s (shell, elbow, egg, spaghetti, ect..)

Beans (navy, kidney, black, pea, ect..)

Dried fruits

Steel cut Oatmeal

Canned/Bottled/Boxes

Tuna                                                                                                                                     

Salmon                                                                                               

Chicken                                                                                               

Shrimp                                                                                

Peanut butter                                                                   

Jelly or jam                                                                        

Tomato-based products (sauce, pasta, stewed, soup, crushed, ect)

Canned vegetables (corn, peas, beans, mixed, carrots, ect)

Canned fruits (pineapple, mixed, peaches, applesauce, ect)

Soups (creamed, meals, ect)

Popcorn

Ketchup

Mustard

Mayonnaise/Miracle whip

Salad dressing

Barbeque Sauce

Spaghetti Sauce

Canned Sardines

Canned Olives

Honey

Tuna/hamburger helper

Baking mixes (cake, cookies, ect.)

Cereals (cold & hot)

Coffee

Juice

Water

Mac & Cheese

Rice- A- Roni

Mixed nuts

Boxed Potatoes mixes (scalloped, mashed, ect)

Canned pumpkin

Pickles

Crackers

Pie fillings

Spirits (beer, wine, brandies ect.)

Pancake syrup

Stuffing mix

Ramen noodles soups

Canned beans (Pork and beans, black, kidney, fried, ect.)

Teas

Canned stew

Canned mushrooms

Salsa

Freezer

Frozen vegetables

Ground beef

Whole chicken

Chicken breast

Pork Chops

Italian pork sausage

Bacon

Bread/rolls/buns

Pizza

Tortillas

Whip cream (yes freeze it)

Ice cream

Juice

Steak

Fish

Venison

Hot dogs

Brats

Sausage

Butter

Toiletries

Soap (bar and liquid)

Shampoo & conditioners

Hair products (hair spray, gel, ect…)

Lotion

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Razors

Mouthwash

Shaving cream

Feminine products

Toilet paper

Household Goods

Paper towels    

Dish soap           

Dishwasher soap                                            

Laundry soap                                   

Fabric softener                                

Cleaning supplies           

Batteries                             

Flashlights                                        

Light bulbs                                        

Candles

Other

Baby supplies (formula, diapers, wipes, ect )

Pet supplies (food, litter, medicines, ect)

Robitussin (cough med’s)

Vitamins

Ibuprofen

Aspirin

Prescription Meds

Cough drops

Matches

Canning jars/lids

Foil

Ammonia

Freezer bags

Sandwich bags

Plastic wrap

Wax paper

Trash bags

Napkins

Bleach

Spot remover for clothes

Shoe polish

                                   A Well Stocked Pantry

After hearing on the national evening news the other day say that food prices in 2009 are going to go up in cost AGAIN! A lot! I could only shake my head, thinking, “What are we going to do?” The food continuously keeps going up in cost, but not our wages. Then, we have the ever climbing gas prices to deal with, too. It’s all too much to comprehend, and it is having a vast effect on all our daily lives.

On the news, one of the big items that will be hit is corn. Americans are going to see anything that is feed corn, or has corn in it, or uses corn, go way up in cost. So, for example, chicken meat is going to go up, eggs, corn flakes, corn oil, and even the corn for the corn stove some of us bought, thinking it was going to be “cheaper heat,” go up in price.  It’s a big domino effect; and they stated it isn’t going to end soon.

 In fact, on the news, they predicted; most food in the year 2009 is going to go up from 5% to 21% on the average, and even more on other items; such as corn. That is a large number when most of the food has gone up over 12% just this year. So, what can we do?

Well, I’ve given some coupon articles on my website to help you cut some cost, along with some freebie sites, a free nifty calendar to assist you and organize your time, and I even wrote an article on how you can save on the gas budget. Now, I think a good pantry list is in order.  Why? Because I believe we better get prepared for this next food hike. I’m not talking about another Y2K scare again or anything, just a well stocked pantry to fall back on. A well stocked pantry is always an excellent thing to have. You never know if someone will lose a job, get sick, or any other natural emergency hit home. You should always have a good stockpiled pantry for just these types of emergencies.

Also, you should seriously stock on toilet paper, diapers, and baby wipes, paper towels, Kleenex, dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, razors, toothpaste, pet items, etc.  These are budget busters in a financial crunch, too. 

I know what some of you are thinking…. How can we stockpile a pantry when we are already living from paycheck to paycheck? I believe it can be done, slowly. With the upcoming food prices coming our way, I know my family sat down and said we needed to do it even if we have a somewhat of a pantry stockpile now. Our family is going to make it one of our goals to get our pantry in order and built it up.

Then, I contemplated about what I should stock up on. After looking and researching on the internet, I decided that perhaps some of you out there would like a list, too. So, I did the only thing I could think of doing. I went to the internet and I took a lot of the work out for you by researched some well stocked pantry lists. Then, I took those lists, and compiled them into one big list I thought most individuals could relate to and use. The list I have made  is long, but not all items will be for you and your family; for example, you wouldn’t want to stock up on diapers and Wet Ones if you don’t have a baby! So, you need to go through this list, and check the things you believe you want or need in your pantry; custom make your list for you and your family.

Once you have your list compiled, start to look at what is on sale in your area store flyers, and if you find an item your family uses, and it is something you wish to put in your pantry, purchase it in bulk. For example, you might see French style canned beans are on sale. Knowing your family loves French style beans; you will take advantage of that sale and buy enough to make it through the winter; don’t forget to use coupons on them to save even more money.  Each time you run to the grocery store, you can do this with one or two more items. Soon, your pantry will grow; and so will your peace of mine!

Yes, using this technique perhaps is slow, but it is a beginning. Plus using this system will not break your budget too bad. This is the only way I could construct, and be able to carry out, financially, a well stocked pantry. Having a well stocked pantry, will not only give you and your family a piece of mine, but you will save money by not paying full price for anything and fewer trips to town.  I see it as a win- win situation.

So, what should a person put in their pantry or have on hand?  Well, every household will be different because every family is different. You have likes, dislikes, recipes, the amount of family members in the household, ages of the family members, and even the pets in the household. All of these elements will play a role to your pantry list.

So, here is the list I have compiled for you. I believe I did get most of the major basics you will need in a well stocked pantry. Again, you will not be able to utilize all the items on the list of course, but pick and choose the items you wish to obtain, and cross them off your list when you acquire them. Also, some items, such as the spices, you will already have on hand, and will not need to purchase them.

In ending, I hope the list will assist you in obtaining a well stocked pantry and help you get through the forthcoming price hikes. I sense having a well stocked pantry in the near future, is going to be important item to have this upcoming year. Just remember, reorganizing your pantry a few times a year is critical to keep it fresh.  Good Luck.

Recovery Update

I just came back from my doctor’s appointment. It has been a month after the surgery and I had to get X-rays of my hip and a check-up. Well, good news! The doctor, said I am doing very well, and quite pleased.

He showed me ways to be able to bend more; however, I am still stuck with the higher toilet for two more months. But, I could take those tight white stockings off!!!! Happy dance!

 If that isn’t enough, I can drive again! Yahoo! I am free again

The doctor is pretty pleased on how well I am doing. He said that within two weeks, I can throw that crutch away and walk on my own. He did say to keep using the crutch for about two more weeks so I don’t get a limp, and during those two weeks, try to put less pressure on the handle of the crutch and stand tall and not limp when I walk. He also gave me a few more exercises to do. Then I asked him if I could go back to work at the end of August and he said YES!  So, folks, I am happy!

The only thing is I am to be expecting the swelling I have in that area for about 3 to 6 months! The only thing I forgot to ask was why my leg turns black if I use bug spray. I was so happy to hear I could throw those stockings out the door and drive, I forgot to ask. I could call him, but right now, I am not too worried about it. The first thing I did was tell my husband. I could tell in his voice he was happy; no more putting those tight stocking on!

Well, it made my day, and I thought I would pass it on…. I hope you all have a good day, I know I am!

                                                        MOLLY AND GEORGE COME FOR A VISIT

Here are some awfully cute snapshots of my friend, Molly, and her son, George. Molly is not only a friend of mine, but a neighbor as well. They just stopped by after a trip to Sandy Lake. George is so endearing, and cute, that you cannot do anything but fall in love with him. George is is learning to walk, now, and it is so fun to watch him waddle around. Here are some snapshots of him with mommy when they came for a visit.  Just look at those blue eyes! Thanks for the visit, Molly and George!