Whether we like it or not.

Crazy days and crazy nights. The weather has not been the most cooperative lately. It is February and this is what it does. Today being Groundhog's Day, the weather gave us a sampling of everything! It rained, thundered, the sun shone for a minute and now it is snowy and windy.  

"Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot, we'll weather the weather whatever the weather, whether we like it or not!" 

Old Phil did say spring is on its way as did the farmers almanac. Forgive me if I don't rush out and start planting just yet.I get my advice from mom and dad.  My folks do pay attention to the farmers almanac as well as certain times to do things and old wives tales. They are funny. I love that when they make saurkraut (yes they cut their own), that it depends on the phases of the moon. or "Rain before 7 done by 11" 

Gardening is their life. I love what they have done. My mom brags about a meal she made for "free" just by using the things they put up. There is nothing like these gloomy days to open a mason jar full of tomatoes that you canned in august. Its like opening a jar of sunshine! My kids prefer the green beans we blanched and froze  in the summer to anything the store has to offer. Don't even get me started on jam! Canning and "putting up" is new to me. I never did it much it all the places we use to live. I remember my mom slaving for hours working on fruits, vegetables, and sometimes meat,(canned venison and salmon). This year she even added bread to her canning shelf.

It is funny how food can carry so many memories. A tomato fresh from the garden will always bring me back to my childhood. the food I make is the same as what was made by my mother. Meat and potatoes, I don't know if its my German heritage or Irish, Its just pretty damn good!

a simple life

Today is the first day I have all 3 kids at school since last Thursday! Hubby is out of town, boy10 is over his illness, girl6 has been on antibiotics for strep and is ready to go back, and my boy 4.... well, he's back at school too.
Hubby has been in STL for work this week, So today is the first day I am home alone in months. So how do a celebrate such a momentous occasion? A quick shower and shopping with Mom.
I love my Mom. She is imperfectly perfect. She is my go to source for any information I may need. She has raised 9 kids that she never had to bail out of jail,. She loves to cook ( I don't ), and she usually has something she just made that she will force upon you to eat. She and Dad are retired now and spend their day much as I would imagine they would have expected. Dad will make sure the farm is taken care of even though my brother #4 is the one who runs it, My mom will make sure the house is taken care of. And together they will plan their garden, work in their garden, dream about their garden.
Their home is my fall out shelter for when the big one hits (whatever that may be)!  These people live off the land. There basement shelves are packed full of canned jam &jellys, vegetables, fruit, all kinds of pickles, relishes even mustard and horseradish. There freezer is full of meat from the farm or deer from their woods. My mom loves to bake, my dad seems to enjoy making obscure meat products.. liverwurst, souse, paun haus?, pickled pigs feet, lard, etc.. etc..
The have this lovely farm house on 30 acres that has 5 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen, living and tv rooms. The room that everyone seems to gather in is the BASEMENT. It is well furnished with a porch swing, picnic table, card tables and a butchering table. Snacks, pop and beer are free flowing. It has a stove, sink, and two refrigerators. My dad makes the best popcorn that they grew from their garden. He also orders peanuts to roast. He has XM radio and has now upgraded to a small tv for if "the guys want to watch the game" while they are butchering. He has no interest in it, but is the most accommodating host. You never know who is going to show up or why... My mom keeps a journal of the comings and goings. I guess someday we will read, remember and laugh.