That bread sounds great!
What's everybody doing today?
- Thread starter Grimm
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My parents were suppose to be here. It is after 1pm and they still haven't left their house yet. No biggie. This is how it normally goes with them. They hound me when we visit them to come at a set time but they like to drag out leaving to come here.
The house is cleaned and the fridge is packed. I made fresh bread for cold cuts and the girls and I made sandwiches while we wait.
My goal is to keep the house clean after the holidays and get rid of the junk without bringing it in to the house. I have a 365 declutter calendar on my fridge and will start on Tuesday after my folks leave.
I think I found our new puppy. There is a litter of Brittanys nearby and 2 of the girls are very cute looking. I grew up with Britts so I know the breed. K would prefer a mutt like our current 2 but I think a Britt would be fine. Good hunting dogs...
The house is cleaned and the fridge is packed. I made fresh bread for cold cuts and the girls and I made sandwiches while we wait.
My goal is to keep the house clean after the holidays and get rid of the junk without bringing it in to the house. I have a 365 declutter calendar on my fridge and will start on Tuesday after my folks leave.
I think I found our new puppy. There is a litter of Brittanys nearby and 2 of the girls are very cute looking. I grew up with Britts so I know the breed. K would prefer a mutt like our current 2 but I think a Britt would be fine. Good hunting dogs...
Taking it easy... seemed like more animal chores today, probably due to the weather. Started reading a Western and forgot to finish my 'Road Safety' thread, lol... but I can work on that tomorrow. Took a few pics of our sunset... not the most colorful sunset I've seen here, but on a day like this with the brunt of the cold weather hitting tonight (15* F), I'll take anything! I'm not a high-maintenance guy, I'm actually pretty easy to please, lol... particularly where sunsets are concerned. 
The fruit trees are covered, I emptied and rinsed the birdbaths so I can just fill 'em tomorrow morning with warm water, and I think I might run my home's central heater for most of the night, just to keep problems like freezing pipes from bothering me on Christmas Eve tomorrow! Probably worth the added expense... otherwise, I'll be reading my Western tonight, I don't really feel like watching TV. A nice warm comfy bed loaded with cats & kittens sounds like a better plan, lol.
The fruit trees are covered, I emptied and rinsed the birdbaths so I can just fill 'em tomorrow morning with warm water, and I think I might run my home's central heater for most of the night, just to keep problems like freezing pipes from bothering me on Christmas Eve tomorrow! Probably worth the added expense... otherwise, I'll be reading my Western tonight, I don't really feel like watching TV. A nice warm comfy bed loaded with cats & kittens sounds like a better plan, lol.
Hey there folks. It's cold and the roads are treacherous. If you can stick close to home maybe think on it before travelling. I have a whole heap to get done between now and Sunday so probably won't be online, but I want to wish you all a warm and joyous Christmas.
Blessings~
Blessings~
Merry Christmas to you as well LL
Merry Christmas LL!
Daughter just got back from her job at McDonald's. They closed early because of the weather. She said it was so cold at the drive thru window that the credit card reader quit working, and that was the last straw - the manager got on the phone and got permission to shut it down. That made her happy because she was working the window which is on the north side of the building and her fingers were just about frozen.
I've been busy trying to caulk any holes around my kitchen window. It seems that as soon as I get one little crack filled, the cold air starts coming through somewhere else. I've used almost a whole tube on one window and there's still air moving. The contractors did a terribly shoddy job of installing that new window last year.
So, for now we're just trying to stay warm. It's ugly out there, y'all. Our temperature is -3 right now with 45mph wind, and wind chill reaching -40°. Stay safe, everybody...
I've been busy trying to caulk any holes around my kitchen window. It seems that as soon as I get one little crack filled, the cold air starts coming through somewhere else. I've used almost a whole tube on one window and there's still air moving. The contractors did a terribly shoddy job of installing that new window last year.
So, for now we're just trying to stay warm. It's ugly out there, y'all. Our temperature is -3 right now with 45mph wind, and wind chill reaching -40°. Stay safe, everybody...
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I had my cell phone in my apron pocket, and a sweater over the apron, and two coats on, all zipped up. My cell phone powered down because it read that it was too cold! I didn't know it would do that! What was worse was that it was ringing while I was out with the geese, and it took me so long to get thru those layers, I missed the call. It was just husband, wondering if I remembered to put a phone in my pocket. Ha.
Stayed home, animal chores done twice and took forever. Mopped the whole downstairs and kitchen again today, trying to scrub the salt residue off that the kids were dragging in. Finished that, went into our bedroom to wrap a gift, came out ten minutes later, and a five foot area was trashed again...salt, snow, mud....boy was I yelling. It was grandson, who didn't care one bit. Cleaned out the wood burner, brought in 3 crates of wood, and a bucket of kindling, kept it going well all day. Lots of laundry done today, everything wrapped for Christmas, figured out the menu and cook times for tomorrow's dinner and Christmas dinner. My mom's forgotten to call me for a couple of weeks...made up for it by calling me 4 times this afternoon. I'm not sure if she remembers who she's talking to. Little granddaughter spent alot of time sledding on our range berm with neighbor Levi. She wore herself out and crashed out on the couch after dinner.
Stayed home, animal chores done twice and took forever. Mopped the whole downstairs and kitchen again today, trying to scrub the salt residue off that the kids were dragging in. Finished that, went into our bedroom to wrap a gift, came out ten minutes later, and a five foot area was trashed again...salt, snow, mud....boy was I yelling. It was grandson, who didn't care one bit. Cleaned out the wood burner, brought in 3 crates of wood, and a bucket of kindling, kept it going well all day. Lots of laundry done today, everything wrapped for Christmas, figured out the menu and cook times for tomorrow's dinner and Christmas dinner. My mom's forgotten to call me for a couple of weeks...made up for it by calling me 4 times this afternoon. I'm not sure if she remembers who she's talking to. Little granddaughter spent alot of time sledding on our range berm with neighbor Levi. She wore herself out and crashed out on the couch after dinner.
Merry christmas everyone! Have a wonderful holiday! Stay safe!
I happened to think... an apt I had in WV. A very rural part of wv, hill folk.
I complained about air around a window that fall. Didn't expect results but... Late that evening when I came home for work there was a roll of duct tape, taped to my door.
I had to laugh, too funny. This one was easy to caulk, just did it myself.
I happened to think... an apt I had in WV. A very rural part of wv, hill folk.
I complained about air around a window that fall. Didn't expect results but... Late that evening when I came home for work there was a roll of duct tape, taped to my door.
I had to laugh, too funny. This one was easy to caulk, just did it myself.
Found out the oven vent works...it actually goes to the outside, and freezing cold air is blowing through it into the kitchen. We plugged it up.
Also found out that a front window didn't seal up right. Actual snow on the inside.
Fixed that too.
I guess a winter storm can motivate you to fix some things.
Also found out that a front window didn't seal up right. Actual snow on the inside.
Fixed that too.I guess a winter storm can motivate you to fix some things.
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Never did get the snowblower started today. I'll move in to the shop tomorrow and thaw it out. We only got about 6" of snow today. Supposed to get more snow tomorrow.
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Ha Ha, duct tape. There was duct tape everywhere when we bought this house, and there still is some on two doors. The doors really just need to be replaced.
Animal chores, cooking and cleaning, little granddaughter and Levi the neighbor boy are in charge of 100 luminarias. We still have snow on the ground, but I told them they can get the dirt from the large greenhouse floor, and then put the candle in the bag. We already cuffed the tops of the bags. Putting a prime rib in the oven when we go out the door for church at 4. Back for dinner and one present to open for little granddaughter.
Animal chores, cooking and cleaning, little granddaughter and Levi the neighbor boy are in charge of 100 luminarias. We still have snow on the ground, but I told them they can get the dirt from the large greenhouse floor, and then put the candle in the bag. We already cuffed the tops of the bags. Putting a prime rib in the oven when we go out the door for church at 4. Back for dinner and one present to open for little granddaughter.
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Yesterday after I had finished dealing with the power outages everything settled down at our house. The son went out last night and when he came back he stopped to talk to me. He said, "did you know that all the power is out except for on our block?" I said yes, the power gremlins have given up on taking us down.... But in the back of my mind I was thinking of something I heard: "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"...
I find that times like these help us to identify things that we need to prepare for in the future.
The high winds knocked out 2 strings on my outdoor Christmas lights and tangled several on the tree. Next year I will use twine to fix their spacing at 3' intervals, like I said it help me identify what I needed to do.
My greenhouse alarms started going off last night (below freezing in there) but I had put the metal-ized bubble wrap over the top of the growing shelves and made a curtain rod around the outside of them to hold a set of clear shower curtains, and put the heating mats under the plants on the bottom shelf. The plants on the shelves are still standing this morning....
I find that times like these help us to identify things that we need to prepare for in the future.
The high winds knocked out 2 strings on my outdoor Christmas lights and tangled several on the tree. Next year I will use twine to fix their spacing at 3' intervals, like I said it help me identify what I needed to do.
My greenhouse alarms started going off last night (below freezing in there) but I had put the metal-ized bubble wrap over the top of the growing shelves and made a curtain rod around the outside of them to hold a set of clear shower curtains, and put the heating mats under the plants on the bottom shelf. The plants on the shelves are still standing this morning....
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You are good, Urban. I won't get to our greenhouse to see what's up till Monday. Just lettuce, spinach, and radish in there at the moment, but not sure how well they did in negative 7 temps
It is great to know you have a power back up for med stuff. Our generator came right up two nights ago, but I was ready to hook husband up to the battery and inverter if need be for night oxygen. He was reading a facebook posting from the neighboring town, and a lady wrote that she needs the power to come back on so she could sleep. She uses a cpap when she sleeps. Easy peasy.
It is great to know you have a power back up for med stuff. Our generator came right up two nights ago, but I was ready to hook husband up to the battery and inverter if need be for night oxygen. He was reading a facebook posting from the neighboring town, and a lady wrote that she needs the power to come back on so she could sleep. She uses a cpap when she sleeps. Easy peasy.
@UrbanHunter I was wondering how your greenhouse fared though this storm.
Today I need to bake a cheesecake--first I need to go to the store because I forgot the sour cream yesterday. I was so excited about finding heavy cream that I forgot the sour cream. May bake cookies too and I've got a few bananas that are screaming to be made into bread or muffins. Nice thing about baking--it warms up the kitchen (there's no heat in my kitchen and it's on the north side of the building).
Only other plan is to clean up the place and keep warm. Woke up to 3* Never saw the dog move so fast to care of "business."
Today I need to bake a cheesecake--first I need to go to the store because I forgot the sour cream yesterday. I was so excited about finding heavy cream that I forgot the sour cream. May bake cookies too and I've got a few bananas that are screaming to be made into bread or muffins. Nice thing about baking--it warms up the kitchen (there's no heat in my kitchen and it's on the north side of the building).
Only other plan is to clean up the place and keep warm. Woke up to 3* Never saw the dog move so fast to care of "business."
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People don't think about how much they rely on power, many need it to sleep or even breath...
The lead acid battery bank is in the "greenhouse" because they say not to use them in the house. This year I added enough LiFePO4 batteries to cover the oxygen for 11 hours and I have placed an UPS(APC 1500) at the CPAP machine, my computer, and the router. So even when the power goes out we are covered for a while....
I have to be honest, the Li batteries have been sitting on a shelf, I charged each one there and did not move them up to where they were needed until yesterday when the power started bumping on and off, I didn't want to lose the O2 machine to my being lazy.
Hey @Tommyice, our son went to the store yesterday, he said it was a mad house. I went the other day to discover no heavy cream, after hitting 3 stores I ended up finding it at the super Walmart. Yesterday the wife was fussed as we were out of milk, I asked her why she didn't take the time to thaw one of the 4 containers in the Freezer below? Silence......
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I like it when the Millertech battery is solar charged because it's light weight to move around. So that one with the inverter is in our bedroom. Car batteries are heavy.
Going to work in a bit. Needs to warm up more for the truck. And me!! Looking forward to a sunny afternoon. Have inside and outside "to do" lists, beer is on both!
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We've had zero solar here for at least 3 weeks. Everyday has been overcast, foggy or snowing. The solar panels are covered in snow and won't shed until the sun comes out. Whenever the battery bank drops below 24.4 volts the generator automatically starts and charges the batteries. I keep a 55 gallon day tank inside the generator shed and a 300 gallon bulk tank just outside. I'm hoping this will be enough fuel until the roads open up in April.
All I have planned for today is to wash dog blankets. That will have to wait until later as hot water pipes are frozen right now.
Sweep house.
Take photos of shoes for ebay.
Make cheese grits (because I want them) and prep a casserole of some type for tomorrow's breakfast. just decided to make a cheeseball, too.
Easy day!
You folks up North, try to stay warm!
Sweep house.
Take photos of shoes for ebay.
Make cheese grits (because I want them) and prep a casserole of some type for tomorrow's breakfast. just decided to make a cheeseball, too.
Easy day!
You folks up North, try to stay warm!
Did some baking this morning for the neighbours- chocolate cake and almond slices. Made the stuffing and the little bits to go with dinner tomorrow. Just have to prep the veg now, and have the ham cooking in cider in the slow cooker. Already have a sausage and minestrone-type soup ready for tea tonight, once my youngest gets the gates will be shut and everyone can relax and dig into a box of chocs in front of the fire. We usually don't go anywhere for the next few days, but a local lady died so her funeral is tomorrow at 1pm. Hung the ivy up and decorated a board with photos of my daughter growing up for her birthday- she hates attention so she isn't impressed lol but she'd rather that than a party!
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Hope you all have a nice Christmas!
It was around zero this morning, animals still alive but not looking happy. Daughter got here ok , water pipes only frozen in son's house but they do that every year.
All the water buckets frozen solid this morning , hydrants in barn frozen so we have to truck buckets of warm water from the house to the barn . Thankfully Ranger started up
Now I am going to make Japanese food , daughter's request. I am making Sushi, Teriyaki pork loin, rice and some vegetables I haven't decided on.
It was around zero this morning, animals still alive but not looking happy. Daughter got here ok , water pipes only frozen in son's house but they do that every year.
All the water buckets frozen solid this morning , hydrants in barn frozen so we have to truck buckets of warm water from the house to the barn . Thankfully Ranger started up
Now I am going to make Japanese food , daughter's request. I am making Sushi, Teriyaki pork loin, rice and some vegetables I haven't decided on.
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"Wrapped" all the DW presents so we can have Christmas present opening and dinner when she gets home from the farm.
A "Merry Christmas Eve!" to all, we have a nice sunny day here, but the temp is still below freezing... morning chores are done, except for a handful of dishes which I'll wash after I make some sort of breakfast. Planning on giving myself a haircut later as an early Christmas present, I noticed it's getting long again... anything over 1/8" on the lower sides and back is "long." A good Waffen SS "Sturm und Drang" haircut will be just the ticket, lol. At my age, "comfort" is more important than "style" anyway, and I don't hear the cats complaining! If they do, I'll pummel the blasted varmints, lol. I've actually been sharing quality time with the cats this morning, they are SO FUNNY when they start goofing off & zooming around our home! The wild birds in the yard are all happy because I gave 'em extra food... there are mobs of 'em at each ground feeder and birdbath! I figured they should get something extra with all these freezing nights lately, I found one dove who perished but there were no signs of trauma, I think the poor bird froze to death! That was yesterday or the day before, I can't remember, it's all a blur... been busy talking to friends & family on the new 4G flip-phone, which actually gets better reception so that's also an early Christmas present, lol. Well, back to this early beer I'm having, I already did the juice & tea a while ago... this beer tastes pretty good even though it's only 0923, lol.
Just hanging out at the inlaws. State police shut down the interstate about 30 minutes after BIL got in from work last night
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The cold water pipe to the kitchen sink froze, trying to warm it up now... Only pipe in the house giving us problems, The wall that it is in is angled so that it will not see sun before about 2PM so I am hoping that we can get it opened up between 2 and 4PM. It is expected to get up to 20F today so I am trying to stay vigilant. The lows are expected to be back in single digits tonight so I guess it's not over till it's over...
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YeahPlaying second fiddle to Toby again
. and the other two horses, Ruby and Lily., and 3 cats. Plus she gets to escape from Teddy Ruxpin.
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It's rare to ever see a road closed due to weather around here. Maybe on the interstate, but we don't have an interstate anywhere that we travel. Just a state highway. Last year when we brought the grandkids home for Christmas it was snowing hard the entire 400 mile trip. Roads were snow packed and drifting and the plows couldn't keep up. Then about 150 miles from home, and near midnight, they closed the highway. We were the only car on the road by then. When we got to the road block I just drove around it and continued on home. It was a bad blizzard but I figured I could make it, and we did.
Now my G_D toilet is frozen solid, no water to boil and I'm dead broke until payday and I'm getting a huge migraine. BAH fornicating HUMBUG!
If this is what next year looks like, I'll go find a culvert now,
If this is what next year looks like, I'll go find a culvert now,
