Creepy Crawlies

Earlier this summer I released about 400 teeny tiny preying mantis babies in my garden. Actually, it was more like dumping them quickly out of the sack before they cannibalized each other and before I had to touch any of them. That I was alone at the time also accounts for the fact that I have no photos of the release.
I literally dumped and ran.
While I can appreciate insects and their importance in the ecosystem, please, please, don't make me touch them!
One of the recurring nightmares of my childhood involved waking up and being completely surrounded - floor, walls, ceiling - by worms. Writhing, wriggling, earthy-smelling worms. There was no escape. Thirty-some years and four children later, I'm much better about insects - and worms - than I ever thought I'd be.
The girls and I also released about a billion lady bugs in the garden - the good kind, not the invading evil imposters.

My daughters were there to protect me for this release, which is why I have pictures (taken by Melissa, not me. I couldn't get that close).

I bought the egg cases to improve the natural predation in my garden. While we didn't have any particularly grave insect issues this year, we only spotted a couple of lady bugs in our yard throughout the season. The preying mantids just seemed to disappear, though we did see one a block or so away while on a walk. I was kind of hoping they'd stick around.
Knowing the extent of my insect abhorrence, okay, let's call it phobia, I've worked hard through the years not to pass this fear on to my kids, with admittedly mixed results.

We've had meal worms as pets, walking sticks, preying mantids, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and wolf spiders. We've even been stewards of millipedes, both native and giant.

Wasn't that a nice gift from her Grandma and Grandpa?

Fortuately, we've passed the "keeping insects as pets stage." And I haven't passed on my phobia for all things creepy-creepy crawly in its entirety, though Melissa can't stand centipedes and Sarah freaks out for spiders.

We'll all stop to watch an interesting insect and marvel at their adaptations.

Just don't make me touch one.

Please.

Gorgeous

There is something about the colors of fall.

Is it that last gasp of brilliantly vivid beauty before winter's icy grasp?

The glowing warmth and repetitive symmetry of a pumpkin pile...

A little brilliance to tide us over until spring...

Nature's glowing herald announcing a season of rest ...

Horse Sense

Are horses practical animals?
I wonder.

Freezin' Our Buns

I have a confession to make.
While I have pledged not to turn on the heat until November 1, we won't exactly be without a source of warmth until then.

On Tuesday we're having a woodburning insert installed in our unusable fireplace.

I know, I know... what happened to the poverty party and frugality?

All I can say is, the purchase is likely symptomatic of a larger pattern and indicative of the etiology of our debt.

Huh?

Okay, basically, it illustrates why we owe so much money in the first place - buying on credit.

But, in my defense, I do have a plan.

Really, I do.

We're working on next month's budget right now, well, later today. And in the budget I will be frugal and wise.

I promise.

But for now, I'm going to enjoy my new fireplace.

Loving Legumes

I simply love beans.
I don't remember having legumes often as a child. I think we only had them in chili (kidney) and ham and beans (navy).
Over the years, I've discovered so many delicious legume recipes, probably in part because we have eaten a predominantly vegetarian diet for the last 25 years.
I used to think it was too much trouble to use dried beans, so for years I bought them canned from the grocery store.
But then I discovered how truly easy it is to cook with dried beans and how much better the food tastes when I prepare them from scratch.

I found my favorite bean recipe, Tuscan-Style Cannellini Beans with Rosemary and Garlic, just last winter in The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook, by Jack Bishop, a gift from my dh a few Christmas's ago. This recipe is so easy and so wonderful I sometimes make it once a week throughout the fall and winter.

The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups (about 1 pound) of dried cannellini beans or any other small white beans (I've used navy and even pinto beans with good results). I usually don't have enough foresight to soak the beans overnight, so I just use the quick-soak method: place the rinsed beans and a lot of water (it should be several inches higher than the level of the beans) in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for an hour. Rinse the beans and continue with your recipe.

So, you have soaked your 2 1/2 cups of beans. Now you need to place the beans in a large casserole dish with a lid. Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 T fresh rosemary leaves (they really must be fresh), and 3 large cloves of garlic, minced. Add enough cold water to cover the beans, maybe about 2 cups.

The mixture will look like this:


I love this casserole dish!

Place the beans in a preheated 375 degree oven and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring a couple of times. You may need to add more water if the liquid is absorbed before the beans are tender.

When done, the beans are melt-in-your-mouth tender and the water has turned into a creamy, delicious broth. Season the beans with salt and pepper and they are ready to serve.

Sometimes I serve this dish over soft polenta, other times we eat it as a soup. Most often, however, I put a slice of garlic bread in the bottom of the bowl and serve the beans over the top, as below.

Add a fresh green salad and dinner is a breeze!

Come to the Poverty Party!

I've posted a few times already about our financial woes - all self-inflicted, of course. I've decided to join Bossy's Daily Poverty Party as a way to keep myself focused on debt reduction. I'm hoping to post a list of our debts and keep a running tally of our successes, but I'll need dh's okay before I can do that.

We're in much better shape than lots of people in that, as long as Michael doesn't lose his job, I think we can climb out of debt in about 2 years, with dedication.

So, this being my first poverty party post, here's what this week has looked like.

Yesterday Melissa and I went to the county health department for our flu shots - I gave a $20 donation, which is much less than the shots cost at any of the local pharmacies. Then, on to Michael's craft store, where I returned about $90 worth of yarn and sewing supplies. The yarn wasn't right for the project and I'm hoping to borrow my friend's rotary cutter and cutting board.

So far, so good.

Then I went to a small, privately owned yarn shop to buy more of the yarn that I need for the project I'm currently working on, about $70. This was a planned stop and a planned purchase.

Unfortunately, my favorite little local antique shop is on the same block. I swear, it was like a Siren song. Inside I found 12 small Halloween ornaments for our Halloween tree (they were only $1.75 each) and I bought more old canning jars to store the various types of dried beans I have sitting in bags in my kitchen. Total? About $90.

So, I can rationalize the purchase by saying the Michael's return cancelled out the antique store impulse purchase, but it would be just that: a rationalization.

On a happier note, the power bill arrived yesterday and we now have a $400 credit. This is partly due to the cool weather this summer and the warm weather (until now!) this fall, but also we're being quite careful to turn off lights, reduce phantom loads with power strips, etc.

We've also decided not to turn our heat on until Nov. 1. We've never made it that long, and I have to admit, it's been quite chilly in the house the past couple of days. Right now, at 9:13 a.m., it's 61 degrees. We kept our heat quite low last winter - never higher than 65 degrees - so we already have coping strategies. We all have shawls or wraps to use when not moving about and if I get desperate, a quick batch of muffins will provide a blast of heat. It's also a great time of year to have a crochet project on your lap!

Another failure? Last night we bought Subways for supper, despite the fact that I have enough food in the house to feed an army. Between phone calls about my mom (she's doing well), from my son at college, a visit from my other son and exercising, it got really late and I got really lazy. We also spent about $20 at Walgreens after picking dd up after play practice on Halloween candy, an extension cord and a strand of orange lights.

So, my goal for next week? Other than hair cuts that the girls need, I vow to buy only milk at the grocery store and no other impulse purchases.

Sudsy

I've wanted to learn to make soap for a long time now and was tickled to find a soap-making class at Prairieland Herbs in Woodward, IA.

Michael took the class with me and was like a kid in a candy store. "Dr. Science" delighted in the basic chemistry involved in making soap with lye. I have to admit, it was fun to see him enjoying himself so much, since I was the one who wanted to take the class, but not alone!

The class was taught by Karla Moore of Heart of Iowa Soapworks. She's a great teacher and loved the fact that Michael understood the chemistry of saponification. (Can anyone say "teacher's pet?")

We brought home 4 pounds of soap, lightly scented with Rosemary and Peppermint essential oils. It will be ready to use in about 6 weeks. We definitely plan to make more soap here at home this fall.

Housework?

Why I didn't fold my laundry today.

Now, as for why I didn't do the dishes, vacuum, dust, or cook... umm,
I'm thinking, I'm thinking!

Saucy

So, what have I been doing with the tomato supply that just won't quit? Well, we've been giving some to neighbors - a little good will can go a long way - and the rest I've been making into this sauce.

It's actually called "Oven Roasted Canned Tomatoes," and I've made it that way and it's fabulous. But, oh my, with fresh tomatoes? It's out-of-this-world fantastic!
The recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks, http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Country-Table-Farmhouse-Kitchens/dp/0684813254/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223685171&sr=8-1, by Lynn Rossetto Kasper. Once you've chopped the ingredients, the sauce practically makes itself.

I guess at the amount of tomatoes to chop - I'm sure I use several pounds- when spread out, they'll pretty much fill a large cookie sheet. Oh, and I don't bother peeling them. We don't even notice them in the finished sauce. The original sauce calls for 28 ounces of canned tomatoes.

So, chop your tomatoes, then add 2/3 cup olive oil, 14 large fresh basil leaves, torn; 2 4-inch branches of fresh rosemary and 5 large cloves of garlic, chopped. Add salt and pepper to taste (I usually add about 2 tsp salt and 1/2-1 tsp. pepper).
Mix all the ingredients together on the cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for about 2-2 1/2 hours. I give the ingredients a stir about every 45 minutes.

Transfer the sauce into a glass bowl to mellow (up to 6 hours). Serve with pasta.

Other than its unbelievable flavor, this sauce is really versatile. I sometimes serve it with feta or soft goat cheeses tossed into the hot pasta; other times I stir in about a cup of ricotta cheese before serving.
Add a salad and garlic bread and you have a quick and easy meal.

Thankful Corn

One of my family's Thanksgiving traditions is our "Thankful Corn." Each person at the dinner table receives 3 kernels of Indian Corn. We then pass around a small bowl, with each person placing one kernel of corn in the bowl while telling something he/she's thankful for. By the time everyone has shared their thanks (no repeats), the amount of corn in the bowl shows how much there is to be thankful for, even though each person only listed 3 things.

Last year, we saved our thankful corn and planted it this summer. At first, we didn't think it would survive, then we were sure it didn't have enough light to tassel. We hand pollinated the few tufts of silk, but were sure it was planted too late for the ears to mature. Then there was the anxious waiting for the right time to pick - not too early, but before the squirrels or raccoons beat us to it.
But this was the-little-corn-patch-that-could - and it did!
Above you see our two ears of Indian Corn, grown from last Thanksgiving's thankful corn. The yellow corn was a volunteer planted by Farmer Squirrel.

So,while it isn't yet Thanksgiving, I offer up tonight my thanks for my mom's successful surgery today. She still faces many challenges and a long recuperation, but right now, she's doing well.
There is always so much to be thankful for.

Abundantly Yours

Dear Mother Nature,

I am writing to thank you for the abundance you have provided me this year. My garden continues to produce tomatoes and basil, we harvested the last of our butternut squash (6) last week, and still have to dig the sweet potatoes and garlic.
You have also provided for me through the gifts of friends and neighborhood trees (apples), my CSA, and farmer's markets throughout the area.
I have a bushel of apples in the basement, quarts and quarts of applesauce and pie apples in the freezer, pickles to last the winter, jam up the wazoo aplenty. We have enough frozen corn and green beans to last the winter as well. I have canned tomatoes and frozen sauces and salsa. We have wonderful locally and sustainably reared beef and chicken in the freezer, along with quarts and quarts of frozen raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.




I have a bushel of onions waiting to process for the freezer and a bushel of potatoes to pick up Saturday from the farmer's market. I have garlic to last me most of the winter, and pear butter in the crock pot. There are 7 pounds of Concord grapes in the refrigerator that I need to turn into jelly tomorrow.
I even have 11 chickens to provide my own eggs along about January or so.

Now, I don't mean to complain, so please don't take this wrong.
But I need you to stop.
Right now.

Please send a hard freeze right away!



You see, I can't take it anymore. The urge to preserve just won't quit, but truthfully, I'm worn out. It's October now, and I have other things I want to do.
But if this produce production continues, I'm never going to get my Christmas presents made or my house clean. I may not have time to decorate for Halloween.
Or Thanksgiving, even.
I know you'll understand, being a mother and all, that sometimes your children need guidance. Usually they don't want it, but I'm begging you.

Turn off the spigot, please, I'm drowning in abundance.
Thank you.

Abundantly Yours,

Karen

Waiting and Worrying

Lots has been happening in my life here, but Saturday I got a call that overshadowed it all and halted me in my tracks.

My mom has had a severe and sudden attack of diverticulitis. Friday she was fine, Saturday she was in the hospital with IV antibiotics, morphine, a gastric tube, catheter and facing surgery.

We are in a wait-and-see situation, the infected area of her colon is more inflamed, but the infection hasn't perforated the colon. Doctors don't want to do surgery - unless they have to - until the infection is cleared up.
So we wait another 24 hours.

One of my sisters flew down to Arkansas from New York for this week, another sister will fly in from Pittsburgh the following week and the third week will be my turn. It is hard to be so far away, not to be right there, not to be holding her hand (thought that would probably drive her crazy!)

She will require surgery no matter what, it's just a matter of when. She will need a bowel resection; basically, they cut apart the colon, remove the infected tissue, then create a temporary colostomy while the area heals. Once healed, a second surgery will reconnect the bowel and restore normal functioning.

My mom is facing at least 10 days in the hospital now, to be followed by another stay for the first surgery, and a third for a final surgery. This will amount to weeks and weeks of recuperation time. My mom is 79 and in otherwise excellent health, so all should be well.

But the stress and worry I'm experiencing sends me back 4 years ago to my dad's illness and the surgery and hospitalization that ultimately ended his life.

I'm in need of a good cry, but too many people live in my house to be able to do so without unnecessarily worrying them. So again, I'm holding it in, that huge lump in my throat, the tension in my neck and back, the frantic, stressful energy that goes nowhere and accomplishes nothing.

I wait and worry.

Indecision, My Middle Name

I am conflicted.

I think that could be my motto.
I'm trying to reduce my debt, but I must have a functioning fireplace.

But I want to move out of my neighborhood in 3 years, meaning we'll never recoup the cost of said fireplace.

I can't live without a working fireplace for 3 more years! That's the rest of Sarah's childhood and half of Melissa's remaining childhood. Fireplaces are very important to me.

But we'll never recoup the cost of the improvements we've made to this house.

I want to plant apricot trees in the sideyard, and they are half off right now. I also need spring bulbs and ground cover for the hill in front of our house.

But if we move in 3 years, does it really make sense to plant apricot trees?

Ah, yes, but with the economy the way it is, I may not be able to move in 3 years afterall, and then I'll sure wish I'd planted those apricot trees!

We're planning to sell our Prius to eliminate the car payment, canceling cable again and switching to only cell phones.

These decisions seem right to me.

But the fireplace is calling...

Spook Cave

When we stopped at Spook Cave in McGregor, IA, on our way home on Sunday, we were greeted by this lovely waterfall. Early settlers in the area often heard strange noises coming from a hole at the base of a hill near Bloody Run Creek. The cave was finally discovered in 1953.

This little muskrat was swimming in the creek at the cavesite. I've never seen a muskrat swim before - he was fast!

This is a muskrat house we saw earlier in our trip.

The cave wasn't actually spooky at all, despite having to ride through it a small boat. It always does freak me out a little when all the lights in a cave are turned off, though. Fortunately, the teenager giving the tour flipped them back on pretty darn fast.

There weren't many interesting formations in the cave, just the ones you see here. We did see a couple of sleeping brown bats.

I can't imagine having the nerve to crawl in through the hole with only a flashlight, as the cave's discoverer did.

It was a fun stop on the way home.