The Front Porch Swing

[wyoDreamer]

Yay, for the first egg!

 

[vehve]

Ok guys, how do you make chili? Does this look about right?

I had some left over chopped onions, paprika and tomatoes, so I decided to combine them with some canned kidney beans in chili-tomato sauce and minced meat.

 

[lazy gardener]

Maybe make an ad on uncle Henry's for someone to clear the trees in exchange for the timber they take? A lot of firewood people might do that. Good luck, I hope the right person comes along.

Not a bad idea, but whoever comes needs to have a certificate of insurance. Thanks.

Since Doug passed, I have been trying to find a handyman or farmhand. It is not easy. They promise to come, but never show up. Doug left lots of projects unfinished and we are having the memorial service here so I have to get them done. He started a storm door on the front door and ran into problems so it is still not hung. The building for the coop is sitting without any cages or egg boxes. I don't want the chickens free ranging the day of the service and the old coop is falling apart and not big enough. I am managing from day to day and have the feeding routine down to about 45 minutes in the morning and another 35 in the evening. I have rearranged the feeding stations for the cats and dogs to keep the turkeys out. I swear they hear dog food hitting the bowl and come running. They push the Great Pyrs out of the way. Did a dumb thing yesterday morning. I have to haul water for the cattle. I keep a big square tank on the back of my pickup. There is a municipal water plant close by and Friday my girlfriend and I went and filled it. Should have lasted for two weeks. Yesterday, I threw the hose in the stock tank, turned it on then went on about my feeding. I forgot it was on and emptied the whole tank. It is a two person job to fill it so now I have to find someone to go with me to get water. Hopefully, someone will be around the weekend. I just need to focus on one thing at a time. I am still trying to adjust to being alone. We did everything together. Every day gets a little easier, but I know at some time in the future it will hit me that he is never coming back. I am seeing a counselor and it does help. Thanks for letting me ramble this morning.

I'm so very sorry you're having to face all of these difficulties alone. Do you have a church family? Where are they? We are commanded to take care of the widows and orphans. Don't be shy about asking for help. My motto through trials is: one foot in front of the other. It will get easier, and you will come out on the other side, The sun will shine again for you. I know these words sound like empty platitudes now, but know that I'm praying that our God will give you a big spiritual hug that will be felt in a very real way, and he will send his people to surround you and meet your needs.

I worry what will happen to my mother if my father goes first. Dad does all the cooking, driving, and is the reasonable one. Mom has her strengths too, and is far from a helpless person in many things, but I don't think she has any idea what to do when it comes to practical things around the house.

@rrrmamma You keep on sharing your troubles here, that's a form of processing and moving on too. Counseling works wonders too, and then there's always chicken therapy.

My mom died unexpectedly. She and Dad were joined at the hip. They'd done everything together for more than 50 years. Dad was very lost with out her. Their marriage was quite "old school" in terms of division of labor. Dad was perfectly capable of making himself a sandwich... if Mom got everything out and put it on the table! But, he was totally lost when it came to doing any housework. I remember trying to teach him how to do laundry... over the phone. Hard to do with me in Maine, and him in Florida. Cooking... that was an other challenge! He discovered the frozen microwave dinners... a luxury that Mom never purchased, and he learned how to make a "mean" stir fry, so he adjusted, and got by. I tried very hard to talk him into getting a little dog for company. Even had the breed picked out! Come to find out, while I was planning his social life around a little dog that he said he didn't need, he'd started seeing a lady he met back here in Maine the following summer! She's 15 years younger than him, and they've been married for 10 years. Their relationship will never match the one he had with my Mom, but they are good for each other, and are seeing each other through their health issues.

Here's is the long awaited ova!

Let's hear a big ovation for the big ova!

 

[Alice28]

Ok guys, how do you make chili? Does this look about right? I had some left over chopped onions, paprika and tomatoes, so I decided to combine them with some canned kidney beans in chili-tomato sauce and minced meat.

Looks good to me!

 

[LadyCluck77]

Ok guys, how do you make chili? Does this look about right? I had some left over chopped onions, paprika and tomatoes, so I decided to combine them with some canned kidney beans in chili-tomato sauce and minced meat.

Looks good. Cumin and smoked chipotle if you have any will make it super nice. Chili is great any way you want to make it.

 

[vehve]

Quote: Cumin I should have. How about dried coriander? I don't have chipotle, but I threw in some cayenne pepper and cajun seasoning, along with black pepper and salt. Oh, and paprika too.

What do you guys eat chili with usually? I was thinking of boiling up some rice, and either make a nice herb butter baguette, or eat it in tortillas.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Cumin I should have. How about dried coriander? I don't have chipotle, but I threw in some cayenne pepper and cajun seasoning, along with black pepper and salt.

Just the cumin would work fine. The pepper and Cajun seasonings should add plenty of spicey goodness. It is such a great day for chili! It was only about 50 degrees farenheight this morning. I might need to go make some, and cornbread too.

 

[vehve]

Quote: We had +30 deg C, about as hot as it ever gets here. But the better half left me alone for the weekend, so I can finally enjoy some spicy food, which would normally upset her stomach.

 

[LindaB220]

Not a bad idea, but whoever comes needs to have a certificate of insurance. Thanks.

I'm so very sorry you're having to face all of these difficulties alone. Do you have a church family? Where are they? We are commanded to take care of the widows and orphans. Don't be shy about asking for help. My motto through trials is: one foot in front of the other. It will get easier, and you will come out on the other side, The sun will shine again for you. I know these words sound like empty platitudes now, but know that I'm praying that our God will give you a big spiritual hug that will be felt in a very real way, and he will send his people to surround you and meet your needs.

My mom died unexpectedly. She and Dad were joined at the hip. They'd done everything together for more than 50 years. Dad was very lost with out her. Their marriage was quite "old school" in terms of division of labor. Dad was perfectly capable of making himself a sandwich... if Mom got everything out and put it on the table! But, he was totally lost when it came to doing any housework. I remember trying to teach him how to do laundry... over the phone. Hard to do with me in Maine, and him in Florida. Cooking... that was an other challenge! He discovered the frozen microwave dinners... a luxury that Mom never purchased, and he learned how to make a "mean" stir fry, so he adjusted, and got by. I tried very hard to talk him into getting a little dog for company. Even had the breed picked out! Come to find out, while I was planning his social life around a little dog that he said he didn't need, he'd started seeing a lady he met back here in Maine the following summer! She's 15 years younger than him, and they've been married for 10 years. Their relationship will never match the one he had with my Mom, but they are good for each other, and are seeing each other through their health issues.

Let's hear a big ovation for the big ova!

Glad to hear that your Dad was able to find someone again. It doesn't take away from "MOM" but he does have a good life. More men can not live alone than women. We already know what to do. Men also need more companionship. My ex remarried just a month or so after the divorce and then again 10 years later. He just could not stand to be single. I was the opposite. I love being my myself. I live with 3 other adults in the house and spend combined maybe 30 min with them a day. Why yes, I am a bit of a hermit.

Happier than I ever have been.

 

[LindaB220]

Cumin I should have. How about dried coriander? I don't have chipotle, but I threw in some cayenne pepper and cajun seasoning, along with black pepper and salt. Oh, and paprika too.

What do you guys eat chili with usually? I was thinking of boiling up some rice, and either make a nice herb butter baguette, or eat it in tortillas.

Any of the above will work. I like to eat it with crushed up saltine crackers. Or sprinkle cheese on top in your bowl. Don't work about chipotle. You've put in cayenne so you're good. Wow, enjoy.

I remember going to a small joint years ago and they opened a small bag of Fritos and dipped a scoop in and added cheese. Called Frito Chili Pie. And don't forget a big plate of french fries with the scoop of chili and cheese. Chili cheese fries. I get these at a burger place in town. I sound like bubba " shrimp creole, fried shrimp, boiled shrimp."