January 2021

A New Year, and a new start.  January was still a dry and warm month.  We had just a couple of days where we got only a dusting of snow.  We are starting to get worried about the water situation for for 2021. 

Like most of the nation, we sat in horror, as we watched the nation's capital building being desecrated, and looted by the riots of January 7th.  And like most of the nation, we were grateful that the law enforcements were able to identify and charge the majority of those involved.  Such a horrible act to witness on one of our most precious national building.

Dave and I didn't do anything, but "shelter at home", and continue to follow the Covid guidelines.  According to our new governor's guidelines, we should be getting our vaccines next month.  Governor Cox is agressively rolling out the vaccines to Utahans.  We are hoping he will be a strong leader for our state and continue to help get us back on our feet.  He seems to be moving us in the right direction.  

One evening towards the end of the month, our friend, (Dave Argyle - the friend who invited us to the movie last month), came over for dinner.  The 3 of us had a great evening, laughing, sharing stories, and just relaxing around the table. 

Unfortunately, our grandchild lost the Denny's job, and is now looking for new employment.  Hopefully, it won't be long before a new job opens up.

Here's hoping you and your family are doing well, and staying healthy.  Happy and Healthy New Year.

December 2020

December was a rather warm and dry month, where we live.  We had a couple of small snow showers, but it was usually less than a couple inches of snow, and it was melted off by noon.

Dave and I are still "sheltering at home", but the covid is starting to hit closer to home for us.  Our neighbor across the street came down with the virus this month, and a dear friend of my for many years lost her husband the first part of the month.  We also discovered that Dave's son and my son also contracted the virus, but recovered.  I also discoverd that quite a few of my nieces and nephews also came down with the virus, but like most young people, recovered rather quickly, without problems.

A dear friend of mine, who lives around the corner, stopped by and left me with an Amaryliss bulb.  It quickly sprouted and produced 6 large red blooms, which lasted all month long.  It was quite a cheerful addtion to our house.

Our grandchild landed a job at Denny's and after one week as a trainee, was quickly waiting on tables and earning a good amount of tips, (and a boost to the confidence level as well).  Dave stopped by a couple of times for breakfast, while I was at work at Honey Baked Hams.

I put up our Christmas tree the first weekend in December.  Opal immediately thought that it was there for her enjoyment.  The lights were quite an attraction that she simply could not ignore.

For Hanukkah this year, I made a challuah bread and topped it with a homemade "Everything Bagel" topping.  It was quite a hit, and enjoyed by everyone who stopped by the house.  I made enough of the topping to use on other things, (i.e.:  noodles, toast, etc.).

The week of the 20th, Jared and Martin stopped by for a couple of days to visit.  They were traveling from San Diego, (where Martin had be working as a visiting ICU nurse) to their home in Minneapolis.  Dave and the two of them stoppey by Denny's to have breakfast, and see our grandchild, while I was at work at Honey Baked Ham.  They took up way too much time in the booth, talking and laughing, but rewarded with a handsome tip.

Dave is always happy when Jared can find the time to come visit.  But, they needed to get on the road to try to beat a snowstorm that was moving in on their route, and would be settling in by the time they hit home.

On News Year's Eve,  a friend invitied Dave and I to join him and his family to a movie theatre to see a showing of "Wonder Woman 1984", (he had received a gift from one of his daughters of a family pass for admittance of up to 20 people for the showing).  We went to a 6:30 PM showing and had a great time, (there were only about 50 people in the whole theatre, and we all enjoyed the show and got home by 9:00.

I finished up at Honey Baked at the end of December,  It was an experience!  I made an OK wage, got 2 hams and 1 turkey breast.  The manager said I was the best seasonal phone person they had ever hired, and they definately wanted me back for the Easter season.  I'll have to think about that.

Dave and I are doing our best to stay healthy, and are waiting for our turn to get the vaccine.  It looks like I would be eligible for mine in mid February.  Here's hoping all our family and friends can stay healthy and strong and can beat this beast.  Let's hope 2021 will be much better than 2020 was.

 

November 2020

November weather turned cold, as our area prepared for winter to set in.  We still have not received hardly any rain, and the whole state is in a drought state.  We are hoping the water reserves will receive enough snowfall to get us through next year, without a need to ration water.  We had temps in the 50's during the first week of November, then they steadly declined each week by 10 degrees.  A couple of days we had some small snow, but it was always less than an inch.  It was more of a reminder of what is to come.  

November is the month that Dave and I do most of our doctor and dentist visits, so we were quite busy coming and going.  Dave is still working from home.  

On the 14th, our youngest grandchild moved in with us.  So our basement is now once again occupied.  However this grandchild shows more respect for our home, (keeps the downstairs clean, doesn't burn the lights 24 hours a day, helps our upstairs - i.e.: carrying out trash, cleaning dishes after meals, etc.), and is very quiet.  It's a very long and sad story as to how this 22 year old person ended up with only a couple boxes of items for all the worldly possession one person could amass, no place to live, no means of support, and no where to turn.  Hopefully with time, and some guidance, this person will be a productive citizen and able to live out in the world someday.  Some of the stories from my grandchild, the first couple of days, broke my heart.

 On the 13th, I started a part-time seasonal job at Honey Baked Hams.  I only work 3 or 4 days a week for 4 to 6 hours.  I sit at this little cubicle, and I answer the phone - taking orders for Thanksgiving and Christmas hams and turkeys.  It's very easy work, I get to talk to some very interesting people, and I work with some interesting, (much younger) people.  When I work, I get a free lunch, (if I want). I get paid every 2 weeks - a very nice wage.  And for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get a Honey Baked Ham, (or Turkey Breast, if I want), for FREE.  At Thanksgiving we got a 12 pound ham.  It was suggested to me by my friend, (Rosie), that I apply last year.  She worked here several years ago, and said she loved it.  I applied last year, and they called me this year to come in and fill out my paperwork.  If you have a store in your area and you're looking for some easy part time work - apply.

This year Dave and I had a vacation planned to Maui for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were to leave the day before Thanksgiving and return the week after (Nov 25 - Dec 2).  We went and got our COVID test, (both come back negative), filled out all the health questionairs for the Hawaii Dept. of Health, had our bags all packed.  Had our days off approved by our employers.  Had a Thanksgiving meal from the Maui Safeway ordered, prepared, and ready for pickup.  Then Tuesday evening, we were watching the news about the airports and the crowds.  The CDC and NIH were suggesting that people not travel if they did not have to, and expecially the elderly.  We discussed it, and decided to cancel our plans.  We called the airlines, the resort, Safeway, and stayed home for Thanksgiving.  We had our Honey Baked Ham, I prepared sides from our panty, and the three of us had a nice dinner.  Dave and I just relaxed around the house for the week, did a few little things that needed to be done.  And enjoyed the week off.

Here's hoping your Thanksgiving was a relaxing and enjoyable as ours, even at home.  Take care, continue to wear your masks and wash your hands ofter.  Take care and stay healthy.

October 2020

October started out warm and sunny, which was a real blessing.  It allowed us to continue getting the yard and garden cleaned up and ready for winter.  But, the 2nd Sunday of the month the weather changed drastically.  

We woke up to bitter cold temps and rain, then on Monday the rain turned to snow. I spent most of the time working on putting my butternut squash in the freezer, and making soups.   It was a full week of cold weather before it finally warmed back up to Autumn like weather, (back up to the 70's).   

Once the temps finally got warm, Dave and I managed to make a trip down to the Green River area, and we stopped by one of our favorite melon stands to buy several melons, (the last of the season's).  We got a Crenshaw, a honeydew, a spaghetti squash, and a cantelope, (for a friend in our neighborhood).  The prices were marked down, but the flavor of each melon was still as wonderful as ever.  We wished we had brought more home to enjoy.  We always enjoyed Vetere's Melons.  They have the best in the state, and they are genuine Green River Melons.

Our local farmer's markets were winding down by the middle of the month, and everyone was getting ready to shift over to the "Winter Farmer's Market".  I so enjoy the sights, smells, and buying fresh items that I didn't plant, from the farmer's markets. Now it's all gone until next summer.

Our return of warm Autumn weather didn't last too long.  We got another snow storm the last week of the month, and more bitter cold temps, (in the 20's during the day and teens at night).  Dave did manage to the couple of windows that needed some caulking completed and touched up the paint around them.  And the concrete outside that needed to have some caulking, he got done just before the weather got cold.  We got the tall decorative grasses cut down and the patio furniture covered over.  So, I guess we're ready for winter.  The prediction is for a drier and warmer November.   

Dave is still working from home, and we are still practicing "Sheltering at Home".  We are still not going out much, and wearing masks everywhere we go.  

Here's hoping our friends and family all stay healthy, and things get better quickly.

September 2020

 As the end of summer rolls around, September was still a very hot, and dry month.  We saw just one day of a very light sprinkle of rain on the 8th of the month, and the rest of the month was bone dry.  There was also a cold front that moved in that day with hurricane force like winds.  It hit the Salt Lake and Northern parts of the state extremely hard, (uprooting large old trees and damaging property).  We were fortunate that the winds did no damage where we live.  After 3 days, the front moved out and the temps were once again back in the 90's.  Dave and I still practicing the sheltering at home, and doing our best to stay safe.  The Covid 19 virus saw large spikes in the state, as students started back to school, and businesses were opening back up, (as much as over 1000/per day).

I spent most of the month gathering the produce from the garden and getting ready to put the beds away for winter.

The tomatoes did really well.  We've been eating from the daily harvest everyday, I've given some away to friends, and I've canned several quart jars to replenish my pantry stock.  As of the end of the month, my plants are still loaded with tomatoes, so as long as the frost don't come to early we will be enjoying these beauties for another month.

The winter onions are all harvested, and in storage in the garage, (We got about 10 pounds).  I am trying my hand at garlic, so I planted a couple of rows this month for harvesting next year.

It was also a good year for the butternut squash.  I have already harvested 13 squash.  I gave away 5, (here are 8 sitting on the back porch with 3 of my pumpkins drying and getting ready for winter storage).  I still have another 6 in the garden, (they are still not quite ready, but another week or so and I'll be adding them to the box.  You will notice, as they dry the outer shell deepens from the light yellow to a more orange.  They are such nice size.  Dave is so ready for butternut soup.  There also one more small pumpkin on the vines just starting to ripen.  In the next week, I'll start processing the pumpkin pulp and getting it ready for cookies, pies, and such.

We got about 5 pounds of carrots out of the garden, I'm so glad I cut way down on the planting this year.  Hopefully, I won't have to buy too many this winter.  I'm thinking of freezing some of the carrots.

Our apple tree was very good to us this year.  Dave and I picked a large bushel of apples.  We had to pick them just as they were still slightly green, and just starting to turn yellow, (the birds were starting to eat them, and we needed to get them off the trees quickly).  I gave 1/2 of the bushel away to family, friends, and neighbors, then I started freezing some for this winter.  After spending a day coring, peeling and slicing - I had Dave take me to the local IFA store and I purchased an apple peeler.  It made a world of difference.  I am able to core, peel, and slice a tray full of apples in the time it used to take me to do a couple of apples.  Why didn't I buy one of these years ago??  After putting 6 bags of apples in the freezer, I then started making apple sauce.  I also made a delicious apple sauce bread.  I'm down to just about 1/4 of a bushel left, and I thinking about canning some apple pie filling.  This year the apples are so juicy and sweet.  Everytime Autumn comes over she eats a couple of apples down to their core.

When I saw this picture, it reminded me of how I work to get our garden produce ready for winter.  I remember spending time at my aunt's and uncle's houses in West Virginia and walking into their root cellars, (dug into the side of the hills).  The shelves would be lined with canned goods, the potato bins filled to the brim, and baskets of various other goods all ready and wating to be eaten during the long cold months.  As I grew up, I ofter wished I had one just like theirs.  But, I look at my storage pantry, and I'm happy.  It supplies Dave and I well.  During this pandemic we have made very few trips out to purchase food.  We've had most of what we need in our pantry and freezer.  And we're grateful for our garden.

One little bit of excitement - our neighbor's little rabbits have dug a hole under the fence, and at least once every week, they come over to our yard.  The boys have to chase them and try to catch them and get them back home.  They try plugging up the hole, and the rabbits re-dig the hole out.  The rabbits have discovered that we have a garden, and I've found a tomato with bite marks.  They also love our lush green grass.  Our cat, Opal, runs from window to window watching them.  She is so fascinated by the rabbits.

October is predicted to still be warm and dry.  So Dave and I will continue getting things ready for winter around the house.  Our lives have really slowed down, and we're OK with this new lifestyle.  We're hoping everyone is doing well and staying healthy.  

 

August 2020

August was an extremely HOT and DRY month.  In fact, it was reported as the hottest August ever for the Salt Lake area.  We still did not see any rain until the end of the month, and it was just 1/2 of an inch spread out over the entire day.  But, we were grateful for the little amount we got.  The restaurants starting opening up, (at half capacity, and with social distancing in place).  Dave and I are still practicing "shelter at home" safety order.  We only go out to the grocery store every 2 or 3 weeks for essentials.  We have been living off of the stock from our pantry, the freezer, and now the garden, (which has been producing abundantly this year).  It has been a nice not to have to worry about making trips down to Vegas to check on Bruces' house.  Selling it last month was such a relief.  The new owner has been busy doing renevations, and sending us photos.  It's looking great.  We have finally settled up all of Bruce's debts, and can put behind us that part of our lives.

Dave and I had one final wish list item for the house, and it was to install a pergola over the deck.  We have been saving for a couple of years, and just by luck we found a company that could do the kind of work we wanted.  So the first part of August, we were able to have it installed.  It has been a blessing.  Before, we couldn't use the deck during the summer, (it was just too hot).  You couldn't walk outside without shoes.  Now it's so nice and cool.  We can enjoy our deck all day long, and the house was instantly cooler also, once the pergola was installed.  It cut down on the sun blaring in through the windows.  I used to have to keep the blinds closed from noon to sunset, or the house would be too warm.  It was definately worth the money.

This year I again planted sunflowers in the backyard.  But, rather than planting them along the fence, I planted them next to the house just outside Dave's office window.  They have grown to 7 feet tall, and the flower heads are the size of dinner plates.  This fall, we will have plenty of sunflower seeds to roast, and to save for future plantings, (the seeds I used were from sunflowers I planted a couple years ago).  Dave enjoys looking out his window and seeing the sunflowers.

We must have a beehive close by.  I have been seeing bees in my flowers and the garden all summer.  Which or course would explain the great results I've had with the fruit trees, the garden, and the flowers.  I love to stand on the deck next to the sage brush I have planted and just listen to them buzzing in the bush as they hurry about.  And when I walk up to my sunflowers, they are always busy walking across and flying around.  They are such marvelous creatures.

The tomatoes are coming on strong.  I have to keep them picked every two days.  I've started pressure canning a few jars for the pantry, and I frozen some tomato sauce for this winter.  I made a wonderful roasted tomato sauce over pasta one evening, and Dave said "I could eat like this every night".  He really likes fresh garden food.

Our apples are almost ready to change color, if I can get to them before the birds.  The tree is loaded this year, and the apples are very large, (I think it's the work of the bees).  We should be able to pick apples next month.  I'll share some with Audra and Trevor, a few of the neighbors and friends.  Then I'll make some apple pie filling, apple sauce, and put up some sliced apples for this winter.  I'll save some apples in the downstairs frig for eating this winter.

The carrots and butternet square are also doing very well.  At the end of the month, I counted 12 very large butternut squaash, and more little ones coming on.  I'll give Audra a couple and share some with friends and neighbors.  Then I'll store some for us for the winter.

This is a representative of what I pick from my garden every coupld of days.  Some green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, summer squash, and sometimes I'll dig up a couple of onions and a couple of potatoes.  Dave had gotten fond of roasted vegetables for our dinner.

I harvested 1 of our pumpkins, and I noticed a second on is almost ready.  The third one will probably be ready the end of September.

I've pressure canned some green beans, and put a couple quart bags in the freeze, and shared a couple bags with Audra and Trevor.  Everytime they come over, I try to send some fresh garden produce home with them.

Dave received a phone call from his 92 years old cousin the last part of August.  They talked for over an hour.  They caught up on happenings on both sides of the families.  Dave and Arthur have always remained closed over the years, and it meant alot to Dave to have Arthur call him.  Arthur was an onocologist for many years, and a very renowned and trusted member of the medical establishment.  A few years back when Dave was having trouble with his foot, it was Arthur that Dave turned to for advice and council.  Even at his advanced age, Arthur's mind is so sharp.  He is quite a gem.

We are hoping that our friends and family are staying healthy and practicing good social distancing practices.  Dave just found out that he will be working from home for the rest of 2020.  We feel that this have become the new "normal" way of life.  We are wearing our masks, using sanitizers, and washing our hands more often.  Doing all we can to stay healthy for our age.  Now that summer is getting ready to wind down, we're getting ready to get our flu shot, and in about 6 weeks, we will start to put the exterior part of our house to bed for the winter.  Stay safe, and stay healthy, everyone.

 

July 2020

July was a very hot and very dry month for us.  We reach 100 degrees and more than 5 times.  And no rain at our house the entire month.  I had to resort to watering my garden a second time during the middle of the day to give it some relief from the heat.

Over the 4th, Dave and I went down to check on Bruce's house, and possibly do a few minor repairs to get a jump start on getting it ready for a second "winter" home.  We left Salt Lake on the 1st, and got up on early on the 2nd to start some work.  I had been making a list of items we would need to accomplish by the end of November, (it was rather long).  Dave took one look at it over breakfast and said, "You know, I didn't envision my retirement being spent doing a lot of manual labor and money, and fixing up a house".  I asked him what he want to do instead.  He told me he thought it was time to sell the house.  He asked how I felt about it, and I said, "Well it's technically your house, so it's OK with me."  Bruce's next door neighbor, (Jax), had been after Bruce to sell him the house, so we walked next door, and talked to Jax about him buying the house.  We knew what the appraised value was, and we decided not to take a low ball offer.  Jax immediately offered us a fair cash price.  We accepted, the real estate papers were signed, with a closing date for the 21st of July.  Dave and I both felt a relief.  We then rented a U-Haul 10 foot truck and loaded most of what we wanted to take home, and came back on Monday the 6th.

Dave drove the U-Haul and I drove the car.  Opal rode back with me.  She decided that the back seat and the passenget seat were not good enough for her.  She loved watching the cars go by.  And she needed a better view.  So she crawled up on my chest, settled in, and rode home.  It wasn't the easiest for me to see over, but she was happy and content.  Sometimes she would doze off, but mostly she watched out the window.  As people would pass by, they would laugh, smile, and point at her.  She would rest her hind legs on my right upper arm, and her front legs on my left upper arms.  It was a perfect fit - for her.

We went back over the 24th of July weekend to finish clearing out Bruce's house.  This time we did NOT take Opal with us.  We borrowed Trevor's pickup truck, loaded up the last of the few things we were bringing back.  We then called 1-800-Got Junk, and had them clear out the rest of the house.  There was just under a truck load to clear out.  We then locked up the house tight, and it was ready for the closing.  Dave took a flight back to Vegas on the morning of the 28th for the closing, and came back that afternoon.  We were lucky to be able to sell and close on the house in 26 days.  I passed some of the items we brought back to Trevor and Audra, and I cleaned up a lot of them and I'm selling them on Ebay and the local sales website.

While we were in Vegas, Trevor told us to try a place that he loves to go to whenever he's on his way to Portland.  It's called Peg's Glorified Ham 'n Eggs.  They have a couple of Vegas locations.  We went Saturday morning the 25th.  When Trevor said they give you large plates, we wasn't kidding.  I ordered Mexican eggs, and they brought the meal on a 12 inch skillet.  It's impossible to finish a whole meal.  And delicious!!  If you're ever in Vegas, try Peg's.

Our peach tree did very well this year.  We ended up with almost a full bushel.  We had to be quick to pick them - the birds were enjoying them, and even when I want out to pick them, the birds weren't afraid of me.  I would try to wave them off, and they would just sit on the branches and chirp at me to leave.  We gave a few to Trevor and Audra, some to the neighbors, and we've been enjoying them everyday.  Everyone remarks about how sweet and juicy they are this year.  And they are big and heavy sized.

My garden is simply loving this heat and the extra watering.  I have several pumpkins on the vines.  These were growned from seeds that I saved a couple years ago, (so no cost).

Every week I've picked a 1/2 basket of green beans.  Trevor and Audra enjoyed the first basket.  I cut back the amount I planted this year, since I have so much in the freezer, and canned jars in the pantry.  These were growned from beans that I saved from last years harvest, so they were free, (no cost).

The butternut squash is doing great this year, aslo grown from saved seeds.

The cucumbers are finally taking off.  The birds ate the first plantings, just as soon as they poked up out of the ground.  I ended up buying these seeds, (I only paid 20 cents a pack at the dollar store).

My gladiolus are starting to bloom.  I got these planted rather late, due to all the trips to Vegas.  I moved them to a new spot this year.  They seem to really like the north side of the house.

I hope to get several good bunches of cut flowers for the house this year.  The bulbs were 5 little bulbs that I purchased about 20 years ago from the dollar store.  Every fall I dig them up and bring them into the gargage to protect them.  In the spring I divide the bulbs and replant.  Now I have lots of gladiolus.

The tomatoes have been riping since the weekend of the 4th.  They are juicy and so delicious.  I enjoyed a tomato and lettuce sandwich on several times.  On day, at Dave's request, we have BLT's with home grown basil added.  It just set off the baon, lettuce, and tomatoes.

If you look closely you can see one of several butternut squash.  Last year, I have 5 large squash from the garden.  Dave's company had a pot luck soup day, and I took the 5 squash made soup, (over 2 gallons).  Everyone loved it.  He only brough home a half cup.

The onions - these bulbs were purchased.  We've been enjoying green onions, and this winter will have yellow onions.  I break off the tops, and let the bulbs get large, then dig them just before the frost and store them in the garage.

I planted sage, it's doing well.  I love brown butter with sage over pasta or gnocchi.  I'll dry some for use in turkey and chicken stuffing this fall and winter.  Another dollar store find at only 20 cents a pack.

My parsley is doing good.  I had to dig it up and replant it.  The bed needed some work.

Dave is still working from home.  He keeps very busy in his office from 8 to 4.  And I keep busy puttering around the house, yard, and the garden.  The house is very quiet with just the 2 of us now.  Opal misses Autumn, she searches for her, and goes to the basement door and meows.  What few times Autumn comes over, one of the first things Autumn will do is pick up Opal and give her hugs and pet her.  I hint around to Dave that Opal needs a little kitten playmate, but he doesn't get the hint.

We are still "sheltering in place" at home.  We go out very little.  We make sure to always wear a mask and social distance.  It appears that this will be the new norm until well into fall.

We hope everyone is staying well.  We're happy when we hear that our friend test negative for the virus, so far we don't know anyone who's tested positive.  So have a good summer, and stay well.