Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Mishmash

I spent the long weekend doing a mishmash of things. Hubby is in camp working and couldn't come home so I managed to get three of the six shelving units up that I bought at least a month ago and finished that at midnight last night. I canned more zucchini curd and have a five gallon bucket of green beans ready for the pressure cooker. I was up at Bert's place to neuter another cat but it got away so we will be doing that today (the cat is now in a cage... waiting). My sister, and her family, came for an impromptu visit and I harvested a huge garbage bag of swiss chard along with zucchini, cucumbers, and beets, and a few dozen eggs for her. I even managed to get up to another neighbour's, it's the first time I've been to her house, and the kids swam in her HUGE pool for an hour or so, they really enjoyed that! And one other outing was down to the river to grab our net, as there is a ban on all sockeye fishing for the week, although the Fisheries jumped the gun with us because our area was actually open until Sunday at 6:00 and they posted their sign a day earlier. I think with all the different areas things get a bit confusing and there was a bit of a mix-up. Oh well, better to grab the net than lose all our gear!

Bert has taken quite a liking to my dog Jumbo and calls him the little "elephant." I'm sure Jumbo would move in if I let him, everytime we're up there he jumps up in Bert's lap and settles in for a round of petting :)
While I was there I snapped some pics of the old wood cookstove in the chicken coop.

It seems to be complete and with a good restoration I think it would look pretty nice. I wonder how many meals were cooked on it? The one Bert now has in his kitchen is similar and I hope to grab some pics of it soon.

In between writing and posting I ran up to Bert's to do the cat but the cat got away... again, but not before taking a rather hefty bite out of Pop's hand, right through his welding gloves! Blood and everything, ouch! While I was there I asked Bert if I could take a picture of his cookstove and he said "Oh sure... as long as I'm not included in the picture" in his comical way :) Bert told me the old stove in the chicken coop is "pretty much burned out" and that's why he has the newer stove in his kitchen. Excuse me while I go kiss my Maytag in my own kitchen :)
Here's his stove:

Jaycee has been doing some canning and it looks really good! She's had to call me a few times but I don't mind, I love to can and give info freely :)

Well I've tried to post this most of the day but have had constant interruptions. I could add what else I've done today but the post would get way too long... so sometime this week stay tuned for more pipe changing, picking apricots, and a recipe or two! Lord, I think I'm going to start buying disposable clothes because I can't near my laundry room, there is just not enough hours in the day! Thank goodness, after picking apricots, Grandma ask if the kids and I would like to stay for supper because I just got in the door at about 9:00 PM (I started this post at 7:30 this morning!!) So I've thrown in the towel (a dirty one too) and decided to just post this and continue tomorrow. Shoot I've got to go lock up my chickens!!

Before I go here's a link to 5minutesformom, go to their blog and leave a comment to win a HUGE TV! Canadians can enter too!

8 comments:

Jackie said...

So, in all of that, did you find time to breathe?

Anonymous said...

Don't forget to make Johnny some dilly beans from your 5 gallon bucket. Made some yesterday but couldn't get any dill so used hot chillie peppers instesd. They sell in the beer and wine stores for 10.00 a jar. The recipe is at my site. Auntie B.

Anonymous said...

Forgot to mention I love your old pictures of Berts life.

Darcy said...

My husband's parents have an old wood cookstove in their kitchen (along with a modern stove!). I love the charm it adds to the kitchen. They sometimes use it in the winter to actually do some cooking. They make the best ribs in there! And there is often a saucepan of spiced apple cider simmering on there too. So cozy!

Looking forward to the recipes! :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day you've had! The photos are so good. Thanks for sharing this. By the way, my MIL would say you are taking care of the important things. So don't worry about the laundry, you'll get to it soon enough. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Kansas...
Love the pictures. Jumbo looks like he is just lapping up the attention.
As to the stoves, quite a comparison the new and the old in Bert's mind.
I wonder how much newer the new one is, I like that saying "if it is new to you it's new!" I am sure Moms all over are kissing their Maytags or whatever they have in comparison to these. I know it was a chore to cook and bake on these oldies. It was an art I am sure to keep the oven at the right temp. for breads, cakes, and cookies, never mind the regular meals of the day.
As to the laundry, I hope you don't have to do it next season. I have missed so much, and yes I even miss doing the laundry.

love Ya!

Anonymous said...

I love your stories of Bert - tell him he is becoming quite a celebrity on your blog! =) What things he must has seen and done in his lifetime! The old cookstove is something I'd LOVE to have - even if it just sat in a corner and looked pretty. =)

Sorry I haven't been around much - just super busy! I read but don't always have time to comment.

Anonymous said...

Love the photos of the stoves. My parents have a wood cook stove that they are holding for me at their house indefinitely. Although, I don't know if they realize yet that it's really mine. My husband won't like it when I get it, but I can't wait. But, I do appreciate my GE.