Day Trip!

Our daughter lives on the west coast, so we only get to see her about once every two years. Yes, we talk online and the phone, but it's just not the same as in person. She's not fond of the area here - the lack of "real mountains", the humidity, etc. When she comes back, she usually has a list of things she wants to do while she is here. This time, she wanted to go to Pittsburgh to spend the day with an old friend. Pittsburgh was the halfway point for both of them. 

I am far from a city person, and honestly, places like that put me in panic mode. The brain shuts down and I don't do well there at all. Thank heavens the husband doesn't react like I do. He doesn't like the  city either, but at least can drive in it, but not liking it one bit. We dropped her off at her off at the cafe where she me her friend, and off we went - as quickly as possible, out of that rat race!

While she was enjoying the city life, we took a nice drive down the Ohio River and then to a place in West Virginia to have a nice meal. It was called Quinet's Restaurant in New Martinsville. It was a lovely place to eat and reminded me so much of the one restaurant from my childhood. It was comfortable, cozy, friendly, and at no time were we rushed to leave. We had a nice leisurely dinner of really good food, very kind waitresses and we were so intrigued by all the photos, awards and other personal items that were throughout the restaurant. It was a huge history of so many people and lives. I just wish I knew the story behind each and every photo! The next time we go to WV, this is a definite must to go back to!

The Prison

The Mound is quite impressive!

What a nice museum

We traveled the Ohio side of the river on the way down and came back up the WV side on the way back up to Pittsburgh. On the way back, we stopped at Moundsville to visit the museum and see the mound. Across the road was the WV Prison that gives access to the public. Unfortunately, it did not appear to be open so next time well make sure to go when it's open!

Wheeling Suspension Bridge

Look at how many barges that tug is pushing!

The mighty tug!

Next stop was Wheeling where we went to view the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The structure is massive and impressive to view. Unfortunately, for me, I'm terrified of heights and tried to walk to bridge, but since it had a grid that one could see the water movement through, I couldn't walk it. Try as I might, I couldn't do it. LOL Hubby, on the other hand, loved the bridge! While visiting, we saw a nice line of barges with a tug pushing them. What an awesome sight!

Centre Market

From there, we went to the Centre Market in Wheeling. This is definite must stop at if you are ever in the area. There are 2 central buildings - one behind the other, plus shops on the both sides of the streets from them.  We didn't have a lot of time left, but did enjoy what we had seen. This is another place we must stop at again. We even found cheese that we couldn't get here and made sure to bring it home with us! My mac & cheese will thank me for it!!!

We had only explored a mere fraction of what WV has to offer. I do love this state!

Purging and Finishing

 For years, I have said that I was going to get rid of all the kids things that they didn't want or take when they left. For years, I have held on to their things. Why? Maybe they would change their mind and want some of the memories that some things hold. Well, I was wrong. The things were just left behind. My daughter said to throw everything away and treat them as abandoned. My son, at least he is a little more kind and goes through them and takes what he really, really wants. He more sentimental, to a point. Well, I've decided it's been long enough and am finally purging the things that aren't necessary to hang on to. It's really just stuff, right? So why is it hard to let some things go?

While I have been purging things, I came across a bunch of projects I had put aside for one reason or another, be it my lack of understanding instructions, put aside because I had another item that needed priority attention, or just was not fond of working on the piece/pattern. Those projects are now getting the attention they need to be finished and out of the storage closet. 

"Let Them Go""

My first knitting finish was a pair of socks that I had started last year. I only had half of the foot and toe on one and a toe on the other. The pattern wasn't hard, but for some reason I really struggled with the foot. I wasn't sure if I had done the first foot correctly, so I just stopped to mull over the directions. That mulling lasted a year! But they are done and out of the "to finish" pile - finally. 

The Bucket List

 Every year I try to do something I've never done before. I love learning new to me skills, or at least brush up on the old ones. This year, I decided I was going to quilt something. I, at first, subscribed to the Mrs. Quilty boxes, but that didn't last long for me. I found it to be fun, but I found some of the projects and fabrics were not my taste. I did enjoy receiving them though. These were all from the first box. I still have a couple more to things from the box to make.

I had a lot of fun doing these projects and found so many more things to sew. Now to just find the time. Now that the kids are grown, we are in the planning and process of making their rooms into an office and sewing/craft room. My daughter is coming from the west coast to visit next week and after she leaves, the make-overs will begin. 

I'm also downsizing everything and donating and cleaning out stuff. The kids left a ton of stuff and then everything I inherited from family needs gone through and rehomed. Daughter doesn't want any of it, and son is particular with what he wants. I just want to get through everything so there is less for them to deal with when we pass on. It's better that they get what they want now anyhow. 

I'm starting to put meals and mixes up in jars. It's always so nice to go to the panty and pull out something that won't take long to whip up on those days when I don't have the time to make a proper meal. I used up everything I had put up before, so this year, I'm going to expand things. I'm trying to make as much of our groceries as possible. I found by doing this, it not only saves money but things taste so much better than store bought!

Some of the Fall Potatoes Are In

I couldn't believe it when I received a message on Tuesday that our local greenhouse got me some seed potatoes to try and plant for a fall harvest. I honestly thought that I would have to wait until next year. I called the greenhouse right away and they said there was a box of potatoes waiting for me. On Wednesday afternoon, hubby had to go out and get a few things and stopped by the greenhouse to pick them up. He texted me and said the box was $10. I was ecstatic and was expecting a small box to experiment with - maybe 40 or so in the box. That would be a great number to try out and not a huge loss if I didn't have success. 

When he arrived home, I was on the phone with my daughter so never saw the box. When I got off the phone with her, hubby said they were out in the garage. I was planning on planting them in the morning, but had to go out and take a peek at my treasured seeds. The box was by no means small and the amount of seed potatoes stunned me! It was about the size of 2 cases of 15oz size cans of tomatoes! WOW! Now, I know that all will not take - but good golly miss molly, I never expected near the amount I received! 

I went out Thursday morning and got some in - probably close to half, but the air quality (this is before I knew it was a problem) had me back inside before I could get them all in. Then it got so bad (in the 300's) that I haven't been out to plant the rest. I still can't get into the garden today because of all the rain we had yesterday, but at least the air quality is decent and we can now open our windows. Tomorrow is another day.

The basil is looking healthy and should be pushing out the first true leaves soon. Then on to be transplanted. I ended up with more plants than planned - 11 total! I had no idea I had dropped that many seeds in the pot. Oh, the joy of small seeds LOL That's OK though, because my son wants a couple.

Cheaper Cuts of Meat

 Walking through the grocery store gave me sticker shock! The prices have gone up higher and higher for just normal ingredients, let alone prepackaged foods. I still buy milk and the occasional produce/meat but have decided to really make an effort to shop at the farmer's market and butcher shop. The farmer's market will be gone with the change in seasons, but the butcher shop is open year round.

Eye of Round

One of the cuts I got was Eye of Round. It's a tough cut with not much for marbling or fat. In fact, this piece was really quite lean, but at about $6 a pound, I figured I could just cook it low and slow for a more tender piece when finished. I will be putting it on a bed of potatoes, carrots, onions and celery and probably adding some tomato sauce and spices and cook it in the crockpot for 8 or so hours. I would have preferred the oven, but not in this heat. We'll be hitting near 100 today and tomorrow with killer humidity. Yes - another heat warning from the national weather service. Sigh...

There is a bright side for this warm weather. My basil has already sprouted! I planted it on Friday and was seeing green on Sunday evening. I had a hard time with the seeds, as they are about the size of poppy seeds, so I decided just to scatter a few and transplant as soon as they are ready to move. I purchased Lettuce Leaf Basil from Baker Creek Seeds. This is new basil for me. It's supposed to be a bit milder than Genovese and great for making pesto, etc. I'm excited to try this (new to me) variety.

 

Look at all the babies!

Multiple Garden Plantings

How could you not know?

 As far back as I can remember, my parents and grandparents planted in the spring. I don't remember being taught anything else but spring planting and the sayings: "Peas must be on Good Friday" "Corn should be knee high by the 4th of July", "Potatoes should be planted when the dandelions bloom", etc. I never remember consecutive plantings or planting for fall crops. The garden went in and the plants produced until they didn't. Everything had a time frame - we preserved during those frames, and when the plants were spent, they were pulled and composed and the bare area was covered with manure. 

I was so taken by the idea of pulling crops and planting something in their place and I was mesmerized with the idea of fall plantings. I couldn't believe how many plants could be started in summer for a second crop - and that the second harvest (fall harvest) could be even better because of the autumn's cooler weather! Certain plants stop producing and will bolt in the heat, but plant them in the summer, and they do wonderfully until frost (or beyond)!

I just purchased a couple types of summer squash to plant for fall harvest, since I didn't get my spring plants in. There's also enough time for basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill for the herbs that will be welcomed with fall canning. Many times the dill is already spent when pickling time comes around and this second batch is perfect for using fresh dill! 

My gardening is different than it used to be. I can have a smaller garden that produces the same or a lot more than the large one I used to have. I don't need a big garden with the kids gone, but I do love the fresh produce. Now all I need to discover is a tried and true method for getting rid of the groundhogs!

Who said woodchucks don't like cherry tomatoes?

A Little Dehydrating

 Well, we did it. We purchased another dehydrator to add to our arsenal of machines. This one is a stainless steel one with 10 racks. The drying are is larger than my largest Excalibur and a good 20 years newer. Yah - we thought it was time to get a new one. Mind you, there's noting wrong with the Excalibur, it's just we wanted to try this one and the price was unbeatable. I am not exactly loving it - and prefer the old one to this one, but I have to give it a fair chance. One issue I have is that it is digital verses my older dial model. When the power goes out, even for a few seconds, it is off for good. That's a definite drawback when I'm in the middle of drying something and the power goes off in the middle of the night. Setting the time and temperature is another thing I must learn. The unit is extremely quiet, so I have a hard time telling if it is running. Yes, I know it's a learning curve and will take a bit of time. 

So, to test this machine out, I've dehydrated a few things - garlic scapes, frozen green beans, and mint. I ground the scapes into a powder and will be using them for flavoring my soups, stews, eggs, etc. I am conditioning everything now, and then they will be sealed and find a permanent spot on my shelf.

 

I lined the tray with parchment paper.

I got out my old Ronco dehydrator to make some Minute Rice. No reason to use the big ones for just a couple of the trays. The Ronco is nice because I can add and take away trays at will, making it exactly the size I need. Now, back to the rice... My son thinks I can by a box cheaper than making it, but I know exactly what is in it, and when I making up a batch of rice to eat, I just make a bit more to dry. My rice has only 2 ingredients: rice and water (I know where both came from) and I'm sure the cost is cheaper than the store brand even with the electricity used. It doesn't take long at all to dry and I like having some on hand to use in my dry-mix meals. If I want to make some plain minute type rice, I just pour it out and add hot water - one for one. 

.The finished product