Heat, humidity, and we must not forget the rain, as if we could. Day after day another cloudburst passes through. We surely don’t have drought to contend with this year. So far the water has not been a big problem in my basement but enough to make some extra work. Leah was here twice and went through a lot of things and sorted and put much of it in plastic totes. I didn’t help her so it may take a while for me to find what I need. I do know it is becoming much easier to throw things that were saved for the future and probably would never be needed again.
Leah and Bart came again just overnight on their way to Pukwana, SD for his sister’s wedding reception. Instead of the usual wedding dinner, the family will be sharing a potluck reception.
Farmer’s Market has started here and in most of the towns around all at various times. I didn’t stop last week, but did see some cucumbers, beans, etc. My tomatoes are certainly slow ripening but there will be more than I can use eventually. I needed an onion and went into the garden to get one only to find it was too water soaked and spoiled. Hopefully, some of them will survive. I also heard some potatoes were spoiling in the garden. I haven’t checked mine yet but did see some close to the surface. Too wet to walk in the garden most days. Another inch and a half plus on Thursday night. The loss in the garden is quite insignificant compared to the losses the farmers are facing.
When proofreading the paper I use a red pen and since mine appeared like it should be replaced the search was started. Assuming there would be one in the school supplies shouldn’t be too difficult. No such luck. Apparently, they forgot about the teachers as there were plenty of pen sets with lots of colors of ink but not a plain red one. I finally found some in the office supplies but no single ones. I saw a picture on Facebook of the supplies needed for one family’s students and it was quite a pile. When we were in school it was a #2 pencil, a tablet, possibly a pencil box and perhaps a lunch container although most of ours were just a paper sack. I think I was in high school before we had hot lunches and didn’t have to carry a sack lunch. I still remember the day a dog got into school and ate my favorite lunch, a bologna sandwich and a piece of my father’s birthday cake. I don’t know what I ate that day but someone must have shared something with me. Our school meals were a dollar a week regardless if we ate one or all five during the week.
Crockpot Chicken
Use 2 or 3 skin-free chicken breast or thighs, l can cream of celery soup, l can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup (do not add water) and 1 package Lipton® onion soup mix. Put chicken pieces on bottom of crockpot. Mix soups and pour over chicken. Cook 4 to 5 hours on HIGH or all day on LOW. Serve over rice or noodles.
Grilled Veggie Mix
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 large green pepper, cut into 1/2 inch squares
1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1/2 inch squares
1 pound fresh mushrooms, halved
1 large onion, cubed
6 medium carrots, cut into 1/4 inch slices
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups fresh cauliflowerets
Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Place vegetables in the center of two pieces of double-layered heavy-duty foil (about 18 inches square). Combine dressing ingredients; drizzle over vegetables; toss gently to coat.
Fold foil around mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning once. Yield: 10 servings
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
1 box lemon cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/4 cup poppy seed
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1/2 cup salad oil
Put all ingredients in large bowl and mix with mixer for four minutes. Pour in two greased bread pans. Bake for 40-50 minutes in a 350º oven. Remove from bread pans and cool on a rack for an hour. Good to freeze.
