Saturday, May 7, 2016

Quiet Time of Year

When you are an apartment dweller and have no garden to plant, spring can be a quiet time of year.  I do have 10 flower pots that I will fill with soil this coming week.  I think I can probably talk Oldest Son into picking up either herb starter plants or seeds and I will see if I can grow them on my windowsills.  I tend to kill off house plants, but hope I can keep herbs alive.

Youngest Son called to let me know that he, my lovely daughter-in-law and their three sprouts will be stopping by on Sunday.  He said something about bringing lunch with them and that is a real treat for me.  Any time I can spend time with my kids and grands is time well spent.

I finished getting my grocery order ready this morning.  My grocery store has chicken leg quarters on sale for 49 cents a pound.  They come in 10 lb. bags with a limit of 4, so I ordered 40 lbs.  The plan is to separate the drumsticks from the thighs and freeze them for fried chicken meals.  The thighs will be boiled, the meat removed from the bone, chopped and canned.  I should have at least a canner full of chicken stock to can from cooking the thighs.  Can't beat the price!

I see that I am getting low on canned sweet corn and frozen corn is on sale for a dollar a bag, so I ordered 10 bags.  I will can some of it in pints and most of it in half pint jars, which is just right for one person.

Getting out and about has become somewhat difficult of late.  Things like swollen feet that won't fit into shoes and arthritic hips that require frequent rest periods have slowed me down considerably.  I manage quite well at home though, where I can sit when I need to.  With that in mind, I made a list of items I need to buy over the summer and have been researching places that will ship to my door.  I haven't bought anything online before, but the time has come when it makes sense to do so.  I am so very lucky to have grown kids who don't seem to mind running the occasional errand for me, but my goal to stay as independent as possible won't allow me to take advantage of their willingness to help.  Amazon may become my best friend.  :)

And now I have sat here long enough and it is time to get moving again.  There are floors to mop and vacuums to be pushed about and I do believe a pan of brownies with chocolate frosting should be ready to be devoured by grandchildren tomorrow.  I am looking forward to Mothers Day and I sincerely hope that all you Moms have a lovely day.

14 comments:

  1. There's always something that needs doing. I start out to do some chore, see something along the way that needs doing, attend to that, and the cycle repeats itself. Sometimes I can't remember why I went outside in the first place.

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  2. Good morning. You certainly have found some great sales this week. Unfortunately, our food prices in Canada are no where near what they are in the US.
    I totally get the limitations of our bodies some days. I was in the garden yesterday planting some beans. I actually did the planting over two days - slow and steady is my new mantra. Anyway, woke up this morning with a sore shoulder. And thought, really? I only spent about 10 minutes each day with a shovel. And that was enough. Not really too much of whine, well maybe just a tad. Smile
    And I'm back to the community garden today to water. My favorite task.
    Good luck with your window garden. Just having some herbs around will be lovely. A cousin of mine buys a pot of basil from the grocery store and keeps it on her kitchen counter. It gets enough light to survive and is cheaper then buying herbs any other way.
    I have parsley and rosemary in pots. And green onions that I started from trimming ones I bought at the grocery store and putting the root ends in soil. Love to get free stuff.
    Best close here. Sounds like you'll have a blast with all the family on Sunday and those brownies sound yummy! SJ in Vancouver BC

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  3. You're kids are blessed to have you for a mom. I'm betting they do what they can to let you know that.

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  4. Aw Harry...I sure can relate. Sometimes I go from my living room into the kitchen and forget why on the way. I have often wished that I wasn't so interested in so many things because I am distracted easily. I can start doing a chore, go sit down later to give my aching bones a little rest, and before I know it I'm off on something totally unrelated. Guess it does keep life interesting. :)

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  5. And a good morning to you, SJ...The store here runs that chicken sale once or maybe twice a year. The pieces of meat aren't pretty so I'm guessing that's why they bag it up into 10 lb. bags and sell it cheap. It is just too good a deal to pass up.

    I was doing pretty well with the limitations up until the past year and a half, and then it seems like everything started to hurt. I think I am past my expiration date. :) Giving up is not an option, however. My kids tell me often that I am way too stubborn, but sometimes that can work for good.

    Sounds like your garden is coming along splendidly. I am looking forward to hearing about it as it grows. I really hope I can keep the herbs alive. I have heard that you can grow celery from the root end you cut off a bunch of it, by setting it in water until roots form and then planting it. May have to give that a try as well.

    It is always fun when the kids and grands come to see me. And brownies are always a good choice. :) I have been known to have a couple for breakfast, with a glass of milk. Or coffee. Always coffee!

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  6. Thanks, Gorges...I am so very lucky to have such caring kids. They are always there for me when I find there is something I just can not handle alone. And once in a while they kind of yell at me if I do something they think I should have asked for help in doing! I am truly blessed.

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  7. Have you tried the vitamin D yet? I was on a walker and now can shop without help. I still use the electric cart at Costco as that's still a little too much walking. I have osteoporosis in both hips but am doing more active things than before the Vit. D. I am not an advocate of natural meds but this was such a simple solution. Give it a try. Best wishes, Julia

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  8. Thank you, Julia...for the suggestion. I have not tried Vit. D as yet, but will get some next week. I am not a fan of any meds, but if there is a chance it might help, it sure is worth a try.

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  9. Hi again, I've also heard that you can replant the tops of turnips and the tops of beets. They won't grow the root again but will grow the greens. Haven't tried it myself but either might grow well for you on your windowsill. SJ in Vancouver BC

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  10. SJ...Cool! One thing I want from the Farmers Market this year is beets to make beet pickles. As I love beet greens, I will have to try growing some. Thanks.

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  11. Mom, Just let me know what herbs and such you would like. I think I could manage to pick them up. Love you. Duane

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  12. Duane...Thank you, Son...I have a list here, and if you can think of anything to add to it, let me know. I probably should get the herbs planted early in the week, for I will be up to my hips in chicken legs after the groceries are delivered on Wednesday.
    Love, Mom

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  13. Happy Mother's Day, Vicki! I am growing celery in a custard cup on the kitchen window sill. When you cut the bottom off the stalks, slit an X in the bottom with a knife, but not too deep) and just support the stump with toothpicks so only the bottom stays in the water. The outside stalk stumps will get soft after a while, so carefully cut them away and keep the water clean. Your new celery will sprout up in the middle!

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  14. And a Happy Mother's Day to you, too, CM...Thanks so much for the instructions on growing celery. The next time I buy celery, I'm going to give it a try. I love growing new things. If I can keep all the herbs alive, it will look like a jungle in here by the middle of summer. :)

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