Great Gods Gertie !!!! It's almost the last of February !!

 

  Yep, the last week of February. It zipped right past.  The weather here in the middle of the country has been either brutal or beautiful. We're in a string of beautiful [mostly] right now, mostly 50's and 60's with a 40 thrown in here and there, just so you don't get too cocky.  It's brilliantly sunny and the skies are blue.  Yesterday it was so nice that the baby dog (Myma, pictured, who is about 6 now I guess)  decided to make a run for it. She managed to get out of her collar and off the leash and headed straight for the hills. She won't come when you call her, just speeds off in the opposite direction if she spots you.  So she was gone for about 4 hours or more. When this happens (not as often as you might think) I worry that she'll get hit by a car or attacked by neighboring dogs.  But somehow she manages to make it back safe and sound and all my worrying is for naught.  This picture is her FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING, after she ran her little legs off. She is a MinPin and miniature beagle mix, and has the worst traits of both breeds.  But...she's ours and we love her.  I took Bella down the road later and she and I walked as much as 2 old ladies can. We stopped twice and went off road and explored some creek areas and flatlands. I'm going to try and take her again today, but not sure if we'll make it. Have to see how I feel. The Irishman generously gave me the bug he had all weekend. Not really sick, just a little raspy and tired around the edges. 

  I am going to make the big batch of bread dough  later today or tomorrow. The one that sits out for 24 hours and then goes in the fridge and you cut off chunks of it to make a loaf or 2 as you need it.  Grocery prices are stupid, shelves are starting to look empty again and bread prices are crazy. We don't eat white bread and the decent multi grains or wheat breads are 5-6 bucks a loaf.  No thanks.  Too easy to make. 

  Realized that I appear to be out of home canned chicken last week as I was fixing some soup and some chicken salad to take to a friend who just had a hip replacement. Hard to believe I've used all that. maybe there is a box somewhere with some more jars in it, but I'm sure not seeing them. That means it's time to look for some sales on the 10# bags of leg and thigh quarters.  I have made lots of soups and stews and stuff this past winter, so not really surprised.  I still have quite a bit of corned beef and pork loin that I canned, but the pork loin is dwindling.  Sigh... this householding stuff just never stops. lol  And soon it will be spring. Then the big decisions have to be made about whether we attempt gardens again this year after a 2+ year hiatus.  We really need to. We really need to get back to work at being more self sufficient, the way we were a few years back when we had big gardens and chickens. The way the world is going, I don't see how we can't... and then, of course, there's just life.... this from a post in 2014...

https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/2014/06/eating-from-my-pantry.html#comment-form

  Okay.  Guess I'll mosey on away from this computer and think about what to make for supper. Meatless Monday here, so it will be easier maybe.  lol  

  [[Not sure what the problem is here. The hyperlink won't highlight or work. If you drag your mouse across to highlight it, it will let you go to the blogpost from 2014.  grrrr....]]