Show, then aid - Sabine page 121

[Trojan]

Coll-I've been throwing chicken feet into my broth for a few months now. The family got quite a shock when they saw them on top of the stock this last time as they were bubbling away. They haven't been thinking about what I put into the stock, just happily slurping it down. They do look a little pathetic, with their little fingernails, but I feel like Super-Crunchy-Earth-Mother when I use them!

I have been thinking about how to use the packets of gelatin I have in my pantry. Homemade headcheese substitute has been one of my ideas. And I love soups. Unfortunately, we love them most with homemade rolls. Well, although I may regret the excess 'bad' foods that will sneak into our diet during this budget crunch, they are just a fact of life. And I do make good rolls. They have pineapple juice and milk powder in them- soft and delicious!

The morning got a little crazy. Middlest's bed frame broke last night. It has been on shaky ground, and there are no more repairs I can finagle at this time. So I had to disassemble it, haul out the pieces, and lug in these four rolly storage drawers we have. Pushed together, those make a good base for her mattress until we get some cash for a new frame. All this in the midst of a typical teenager's room, that is, clothes everywhere. I am semi-handy, but I got a little frustrated and teary-eyed.

And Honey's interview got rescheduled. And our phone started fratzing out again. And then there were issues with my cell phone voice mail. And our kitchen sink backed up. Again.

All told, I am feeling very jittery. I am going to do my follow-up this afternoon, after I have pulled myself together a little. And eaten some bratwurst and sauerkraut.

Trojan- thanks for stopping by. I haven't seen you here before. Do you journal, too?

Jenn- I find that hard to believe. When I hear about you whipping out papers and proposals left and right, I can't imagine there is anything you are not on top of.

The sauerkraut is just getting better and better. I need to start a new batch pronto.

Hi Yes, Just started a Journal last week. I'm a fellow Texan as well.

[Coll]

The chicken feet are somewhat startling if you are not expecting them lol! I was horrified at the price of marrow bones the other day! Seems to me that just about no-one eats them - you have to hunt through the freezer section at WHolefoods to find them... and then they cost about $15 for +/- 3 lbs! Seems ridiculous... oh well. THe 'no' person sounds weird, could be a stretch working with someone who has such a derth in communication skills! Wow! You are inspiring me to make sauerkraut tomorrow again. I have some red cabbage from the garden that needs to get used up - our last batch of 'kraut got a bit too soft because of the hot weather. DD still enjoys it, but I don't enjoy it like that. Still praying for you guys! You sure have a lot going on - major stretch at the moment, but this too shall pass and you guys will survive and hopefully be stronger for it.

[Sabine]

Heehee. Love the comic. My Honey identifies it as XKCD. Is he right?

I know, you would think marrow bones would be 25 cents a pound, the way 'normal' people act when they are confronted by them. Sadly, no. And what's with the bones that are cut 4 or 5 inches long? Too hard to get at the goodness.

Am reading an interesting book called 'Garbology'. One of the little factoids in it, was that during hard times, people tend to waste MORE food than usual. The reasoning is that people buy 'deals' because they are trying to save and end up getting too much, or buying things they are not familiar with, and don't really know what to do with. They hang on to it for a while, but eventually toss the extra. A good thing to be alert for. Also, that the less varied your diet, the less likely you are to waste.

Also reading 'Plastic Free'. I have glanced at her blog, so when I saw this at the library, I pounced on it. Very informative, and it has inspired me to make more mesh produce bags to take when I go shopping. I have had an old camping curtain hanging around for a year, to make bags out of- time to do it!

The sink is still clogged, but it makes a good excuse not to do the dishes.

A jolly dinner with the family. We were all joking and laughing. These are the times you look back on in happiness, even happening in the midst of stress. Or perhaps I should say, especially instead of even.

[lopisheep]

Well, today sounds much better for you. I like the part about not doing the dishes and having such fun at dinner. Got a bunch of ground meat today -- a little turkey, a little chicken, a little beef, a little lamb. Got some side pork to add to them for flavor. It was a whole lot cheaper than rib eye!!! So, I'm good to go for a week or two or even three -- except for vegetables, of course. You and Coll are a good influence with all the things you do to save money, the environment, etc. Thank you guys.

[Judg]

Sabine, it does sound like you dodged a bullet with that fast food place. And the fact that the fellow more or less asked you to apply is a good sign, in my mind. Sounds like you made a favourable impression.

When it rains, it pours, eh? I'm glad you found a way to squeeze some joy in there anyway.

[Sabine]

Once I get the drain dealt with, and the dishes done this morning, I am going to make a big pot of Puttanesca sauce for later in the week. Found some organic chicken meatballs in the sale bin at my grocery, which got me thinking of a nice, hearty tomato sauce.

I'm wondering how much of my congestion is diet-related, and how much is allergies I would have anyway. I have my suspicions, particularly, as once I went low-carb a few years ago, the hay fever I had had my whole life practically VANISHED. Those PBJs are not doing me any favors.

[Coll]

Sabine, hope that sink obeys and works well after your attention! I have to say that my allergies are pretty much non-existent since going primal! I usually get the seasonal sneezes esp. spring and fall but nothing going on this spring, summer, fall. DD who used to be pretty allergic to horses - just a lot of itchy watery eyes and sneezing and going crazy rubbing her nose, she is out there petting the horses and may get a tickle in the nose and that is it now!! BIG difference now. DH is also not sneezing like he used to... I think you need to find a cheap and easy replacement for the PBJ's! Something grain free and legume free! Carrots with cream cheese? Lol, good luck finding out what works for you.

[jenn26point2]

Hi Sabine. What is it with that darned sink??? I hope it clears up soon so you can get back to life.

Sorry for the allergies. I've had a bit of a phlegmy thing going on. I think it's dairy. Cutting back to just butter to see if it goes away or not. I hope it does b/c I don't want to eat non-kerrygold butter!

I'm not sure what the comic is. I got it on facebook.

I'm gonna check out plastic free. I haven't been getting plastic bags at the store, opting instead for paper b/c they're reusable, I get a discount for reusing them, and they make great bags for putting recycleables on the curb. They stand up nicely and you can get lots of cardboard in them.

[Sabine]

I made a set of 8 mesh produce bags. They look pretty cute, stacked up with my canvas bags.

My chest wall started aching yesterday, and I think it is from my violent sneezing! What a ridiculous situation.

Woke up in the middle of the night because Littlest was moving around because she couldn't sleep, and once I was awake, started THINKING and couldn't fall asleep for 2 hours. An hour later, awakened by my Honey for a fun time, which was enjoyable, but meant I was awake again! Dozed off, and in spite of it all, woke up at the standard ten minutes before alarm time. I WILL be taking a nap today. (Feel bad, thinking of Jenn as I plan this nap. No nap opportunities for her.)

The Puttanesca sauce turned out great, and it means dinner is half-way done for tonight. Score! The family fell on the rolls like a pack of ravening wolves. I haven't made them since last Thanksgiving, I think. Maybe Christmas. I ate a few myself. With butter. Yum.

Job hunt update: The contracting firm which Honey was working through at this last place of employment called and left a message: 'So, want to see what the situation is with you and Company.' Really. They've known for a month that it was definitely ending, and THEY are calling HIM to get an update? Did they think he would magically get himself extended? That's their job! (Not that Honey didn't try.) Where were the answered calls when Honey was asking if they could rustle up a new contract for him? Hmmm? Nonetheless, Honey did call back, but had to leave a message as the guy was out to lunch. (In more ways than one- we chuckled over that.)

He did have two phone interviews yesterday that went well, and one of them is being followed up by a face-to-face today. And there might be an interview tomorrow, so things are moving along. More action than three years ago, so we are feeling good.

Cheers, all!

[Trojan]

I made a set of 8 mesh produce bags. They look pretty cute, stacked up with my canvas bags.

My chest wall started aching yesterday, and I think it is from my violent sneezing! What a ridiculous situation.

Woke up in the middle of the night because Littlest was moving around because she couldn't sleep, and once I was awake, started THINKING and couldn't fall asleep for 2 hours. An hour later, awakened by my Honey for a fun time, which was enjoyable, but meant I was awake again! Dozed off, and in spite of it all, woke up at the standard ten minutes before alarm time. I WILL be taking a nap today. (Feel bad, thinking of Jenn as I plan this nap. No nap opportunities for her.)

The Puttanesca sauce turned out great, and it means dinner is half-way done for tonight. Score! The family fell on the rolls like a pack of ravening wolves. I haven't made them since last Thanksgiving, I think. Maybe Christmas. I ate a few myself. With butter. Yum.

Job hunt update: The contracting firm which Honey was working through at this last place of employment called and left a message: 'So, want to see what the situation is with you and Company.' Really. They've known for a month that it was definitely ending, and THEY are calling HIM to get an update? Did they think he would magically get himself extended? That's their job! (Not that Honey didn't try.) Where were the answered calls when Honey was asking if they could rustle up a new contract for him? Hmmm? Nonetheless, Honey did call back, but had to leave a message as the guy was out to lunch. (In more ways than one- we chuckled over that.)

He did have two phone interviews yesterday that went well, and one of them is being followed up by a face-to-face today. And there might be an interview tomorrow, so things are moving along. More action than three years ago, so we are feeling good.

Cheers, all!

I'm thinking about you guys. I see visions of a fantastic job coming your way
Great book that kinda changed my life...

Wayne Dyer.."You will see it when you believe it"

It's a little out there but...it does work.

Cheers..

Barbara