This and That

It is one of those days where there are several minor chores to accomplish before the weekend.  I like my weekends free to crochet or sew or indulge in other hobbies, so I try to get things done before.

We had 8 - 9 inches of snow and more is on the way for Saturday.  Youngest Son just called me.  He said he has been telling the snow removal crews he manages that he already knows how to shovel snow and doesn't need the practice.  But he has shoveled snow this week anyway.  I asked him if I could stop praying for snow now, and he said absolutely not.  His youngest needs braces on his teeth, so David says he needs all the hours he can get!!

Have you ever had something happen that set your antenna to vibrating?  Just a little thing.  My landlord hired a handyman who fixed my kitchen lights.  The next day he came knocking on my door, asking if I needed help with things like taking out the trash or moving heavy furniture.  I declined the offer.  When I mentioned it to David, he thought I should call my landlord about it.  I decided to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.  He might just be a kind hearted soul trying to help an old lady.  Or not.  I don't know.  This is where being protected is important.  So many politicians are working overtime to take away our Second Amendment rights.

Right now it is legal for one person to sell another person a gun without having to obtain a permit to buy firearms.  Either a permit from the sheriff's office or a conceal-carry permit are required to purchase from a store.  Our state legislature is looking to change that so even sales between individuals would be unlawful without permits.  I have also heard rumors that they want to limit the amount of ammunition a person can buy.  Of course, this just makes it harder for honest citizens to protect themselves.  The criminals don't care.  If they followed the laws, they wouldn't be criminals.

I had dehydrated lots of bell peppers and celery, but found the skins on the peppers and the celery both remained tough when re-hydrated.  So I used my little electric coffee grinder and ground them all into powder, along with some dried tomatoes.  I am finding I like being able to add the powder to my cooking for the flavor, without having the tough bits in the dish.  I may make powders from other vegetables for that reason.

This afternoon I am to be pampered.  My home health care nurse is going to give me a pedicure.  I have never had a pedicure.  I have always trimmed my own toenails until recently when arthritis made it difficult to bend enough to reach my toes.  I think it will be nice to gt rid of these gnarly looking nails.  I swear, if God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.  :)

I am in the middle of making out my grocery order for Monday.  So far I have listed a bunch of vegetables, both fresh and frozen, to use in making vegetable soup to can.  I only have a couple of quarts left on my shelves.  It is good as a soup or, when canned beef cubes are added, makes a great vegetable beef soup.  Last night I heated up some and added beef cubes and a couple of packets of beef gravy mix.  That made a delicious beef stew that was easy, quick and required little attention from me other than a quick stir now and then.  It was wonderful with a slice of fresh, homemade bread.  Duane thought so, too, as he went home with a big bowl of the stew and some bread.

And now I am off to the kitchen.  Chocolate chip cookies have been promised to kids, so I had better get busy.  These snow days seem to bring out the Suzy Homemaker in me.  They aren't much good for anything else.  :)