Hot...

Those living in the south have been putting up with the heat this summer.  Here in the middle of the north country we have been lucky...until today.  The temperature is predicted to be sneaking up to nearly 100 degrees with a heat index of 105 - 115.  Today will be a quiet day for me.  Heat is not my friend.

I have to feel sorry for the guy who delivers my groceries today.  Knowing that the temps would be in the "OMG it is hot!" range, I refrained from ordering heavy stuff like cases of bottled water or lots of canned goods. Those people are volunteers and without them it would be tough for me to grocery shop these days.  I order what I need, but I also try to keep in mind the fact that hauling boxes of groceries up the stairs, especially when it is hot and humid, is no picnic.

I don't know why this happens, but it seems when the outside temps and humidity are high, it affects my arthritic joints even though my apartment is air conditioned.  So early this morning I finished the few household chores that needed my attention.  My crockpot is getting a workout this week.  It is the best way to cook without heating up the kitchen.  Last night was chicken breast.  Today there is a pot of vegetable beef soup simmering all day.  I may toss in some dumplings close to supper time.  Anything else requiring using my stove or oven will just have to wait until it cools down some.

So I think I will find a couple of movies to watch on YouTube.  I saw a pattern for a crocheted afghan that is made of 2 1/2 inch Granny Squares in all sorts of colors, kind of like a scrap quilt, and I started working on that a couple of weeks ago, using the leftover yarn from other projects.  If I sit and make some more squares I can fool myself into thinking I didn't waste an entire day.  :)

Sometimes...

you get more than you bargained for.

My cleaning and decluttering frenzy had some unexpected results.  When I get busy canning I sometimes just stick the jars of food on my shelves willy nilly just to get them out of the way.  The shelves are now nicely organized.  I found that I have one entire shelf ( 48 inches long by 18 inches deep) of just chicken.  Either I am the poster child for buying chicken on sale or my memory has deteriorated to the point where I don't remember just how much chicken I have canned.  Anyway, I have left open spaces to fill in the foods I am getting low on.  But basically both shelving units (same size shelves, six per unit) are full.

And the jams and jellies are in another cupboard.

And I haven't canned pickles yet.  Or cheese sauce.  Or soup.  Or chili.

I gotta buy another shelving unit.  I found one that is the same brand as the two I already have.  It is 36 inches long with the shelves at 18 inches deep.  I think it will fit in a corner of my living room.  I can hang a quilt on it for camouflage.    Oldest Son said he would pick it up for me and help me put it together.  We are supposed to get hot and humid weather starting tomorrow, so I think I will wait until it cools down some.  I don't like to can when it is so hot.  It doesn't take much to make this little apartment steamy.  And Son is no spring chicken any more.  Huffing 75 lbs. of shelving in a box up the stairs will be a bit easier if the stairway isn't over 90 degrees warm.

I am not complaining, mind you.  I am delighted to have my shelves overflowing with canned food.  I use it on a regular basis.  When the weather is hot like this, it is nice to be able to open a jar of soup, heat it up in the microwave and keep the apartment cool.  Other times I always have the makings of a meal just by opening a jar or two.  That's what my parents and grandparents did.  I think they were on to something.  :)

They Took the Kids to Yellowstone

I still have another day or two before I am back to regular posting, so I thought I would give you something pretty to look at in the meantime.  Youngest Son and his lovely wife took my Grands on vacation to Yellowstone.  He called me a couple of times to let me know what they were doing and they posted pictures on FB of each days activities.  I enjoyed the pictures and thought you might like them  too.

Everyone is excited to be heading out.

Bison in the background.

They got to see these bison up close.

They took a zip line ride.  Jacob insisted on going upside down.

Boston couldn't let her brother get one up on her.

Dad had to show off, too.

Mom and Maddie were a bit more sensible.

Judging by the grin, I'd say Maddie was having fun.

They went on nature hikes.

They hiked to Ousel Falls.

Couldn't go to Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful.

Waiting...

The kids were thrilled with the white water rafting.  

They took a ferry across Lake Jenny and then hiked up to Inspiration Point.  Son said that hike about did him in!

They took time to just relax and enjoy the view.

They stopped to marvel at the beauty of the Grand Tetons.

They visited Mount Rushmore.

It was fun to see the sights, but it was nice to be home again too.

It does a Grandma's heart good to see her grandchildren getting out to see the wonders of nature.  Viewing the world on a screen just can not compare to the sights and sounds and smells of the great outdoors.  Boston, Maddie and Jacob...I'm so glad you had such a great vacation.  David and Staci...thank you for giving my Grands such wonderful memories.

Love, Mom (Grandma)

Taking a Break

It is time to get my house in order.  My kitchen required a bit of rearrangement to accommodate the new appliances, so that needs straightening.  I killed the herbs so they need to be replanted.  There are various and assorted items that have not been used for years that need to go live in the dumpster.  There are quilt tops that need batting and backing, so those need to be ordered and other quilts in various stages of completion that need my attention.  Carpets need cleaning and windows need washing.  I have let things slide longer than I should have.

I move much slower than I once did.  So I know it will take more time than I would like to get my house back to where I am comfortable with its condition.  With any kind of luck, I'll be back in a week or so.  If you don't hear from me then, send in the rescue squad.  That will be me, buried under a pile of canning jars and quilt pieces.  :)

I have always known...

that the elite play by a different set of rules.  That the laws that apply to me do not apply to them.

But never before today have I had my face rubbed in it quite to this degree.

Perhaps it is past time to get our ducks all in a row.

Washer - Dryer - Success

Both the new appliances work well.  Clothes are clean.  The dryer takes about as long as you would expect a small dryer to take.  I've been staying close to make sure there are no washer leaks.  So far I am well pleased.  Four loads of clothes done and I didn't need to climb any stairs.  Life has just gotten better.

The only problem I had was in hooking up the dryer vent hose.  Two clamps came with the machine for that purpose.  They are pretty much useless.  Grabbed a roll of duct tape.  Problem solved.

Red Green would be proud.  :)

Know what I'm doing today?

Nuthin.

Perhaps by tomorrow I will find some energy somewhere.  But just for today, I am living in the world of the lazy.

It's Great!