A#1 The lizards are happy because the meal worms I ordered arrived yesterday. I didn't know about that until heading out the door for work and saw the box. Now the lizards have some bugs to go with their salad.
B#2 The ducks & geese are happy because I pulled some weeds & assorted greenery out of the mater patch for them.
C#3 The dogs are happy because I sawed a ham shank bone in half for them to gnaw as they lay in the back yard.
D#4 Merlin is happy for several reasons, to wit:
a: I got to the shipment of meal worms before any varmints could rip into the box. Hey! Even the worms are happy as they're set up in a 10 gallon tank w/ all sorts of goodies to eat, be fruitful & multiply.
b: the snap traps keep getting flipped around my apple trees where the neighbor's dog keeps messing w/ them. It shouldn't take even a dumbass mutt long to figure that isn't too much fun. I filled in the holes w/ potting soil this morning and dumped a mix of 50/50 black and red pepper all over the paving stones I'm using to keep Fido from ripping the trees up again.
c: I fetched in a couple of duck eggs so no fear of running out anytime soon.
d: I could ask for a more beautiful day weather wise but I don't see how I could get it... Okay, maybe a few degrees warmer but that otherwise it's as beautiful a day as God could give me.
I'm fixing to do a bit of work on my greenhouse foundation if I can find my level, shove some vittles into my grocery hole then get a nap before heading back to work.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Bearded Dragons & LLC
Tuesday I ordered a pair of Bearded Dragons which are due to arrive Thursday morning. I bought them before building an outdoor enclosure for them for one reason... availability. These are to be breeders, not show animals so I opted for a pair w/ nipped tails. I've a 2' x 3' x 3' bird cage which should be plenty big enough until I can construct an outdoor (weather permitting) or at least larger indoor for them. I can build some decent stuff PDQ when pressed for time.
Today I went online and did all needed for my own LLC business to sell plants and pets I'll be raising & handcrafted cool redneck stuff made here until the business outgrows my back yard. Be on the lookout for Merlin's Garden coming soon to online and corner shopping!
I'll be planting birdhouse gourds and luffa this Spring as well as handcrafting some bird and bat houses mostly of rough hewn lumber as my first line of products for sale. I've got a tray of 72 cactus seeds started in a greenhouse tray that I'm looking to sprout soon as well.
I'm thinking I'll hit flea markets first then ad online. If sales go well I have ideas for lots of other rustic items I can put together rather easily and turn for a buck.
A quick look around Mississippi will tell you we love to eat around here. I've never had any complaints about my cooking. If I can get the ingredients in semi-bulk and jars to put them in for sale I may even start my own like of herbs, rubs and such.
Today I went online and did all needed for my own LLC business to sell plants and pets I'll be raising & handcrafted cool redneck stuff made here until the business outgrows my back yard. Be on the lookout for Merlin's Garden coming soon to online and corner shopping!
I'll be planting birdhouse gourds and luffa this Spring as well as handcrafting some bird and bat houses mostly of rough hewn lumber as my first line of products for sale. I've got a tray of 72 cactus seeds started in a greenhouse tray that I'm looking to sprout soon as well.
I'm thinking I'll hit flea markets first then ad online. If sales go well I have ideas for lots of other rustic items I can put together rather easily and turn for a buck.
A quick look around Mississippi will tell you we love to eat around here. I've never had any complaints about my cooking. If I can get the ingredients in semi-bulk and jars to put them in for sale I may even start my own like of herbs, rubs and such.
Wait 5 Minutes & The Weather Will Change
Just Tuesday it was Springtime here. Then another torrential downpour came and the temperature has dropped drastically. But I reckon after another 3 or 4 days everything will be bluebirds & sunshine again. I need some warm dry weather to work on some outdoor projects that hopefully will start bringing in some additional cash flow.
The fellas that built my 12' x 16' storage building said they'd put a roof over my deck for around $2000. I thought that was a bit steep but they said since it's attached to the house it has to be to code. I'm gonna call em back out soon and ask if they'll give me a break on a 12' x 16' pole barn attached to the storage building. As there'll be no floor nor walls I can't see it being too terribly expensive. Maybe if I offer to put an ad sign for them out they'll cut me a dollar or three off.
The fellas that built my 12' x 16' storage building said they'd put a roof over my deck for around $2000. I thought that was a bit steep but they said since it's attached to the house it has to be to code. I'm gonna call em back out soon and ask if they'll give me a break on a 12' x 16' pole barn attached to the storage building. As there'll be no floor nor walls I can't see it being too terribly expensive. Maybe if I offer to put an ad sign for them out they'll cut me a dollar or three off.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Apple Trees Planted & Almost Uprooted
I got my pair of apple trees planted yesterday along with a couple freezer burned fish in the bottom of each hole. I made the holes extra deep and wide, threw the fish in the bottom and packed in a few inches of leaves, then planted the trees.
As yet I am unsure if it was the smell of the fish (they shouldn't be stinking yet) or just freshly digged dirt but one or more of the local cat turd eaters rooted around one of my new trees between the time I set them out and got home again this morning. I got a sack of mulch but ain't fixing to use it until I can be relatively sure it won't get scattered by the mutts. I've some granite rocks, bricks & pieces thereof, concrete chunks, etc that I'll place around the trees for a few days and see if that'll deter the canine vandals. If not I always have Plan B and am already plotting Plan C. Plan B is mousetraps. Good old fashioned Snap Traps. Place them around the trees and cover ever so gingerly with leaves. Once Fido gets his toes bit a time or three he should decide this ain't the most fun dirt to dig in! Plan C is a bit more unpleasant. I'll get a pack of bamboo skewers and plant them pointy side up & out like the Viet Cong did with their punji stick booby traps.
I really have no desire to hurt even a stray, much less someone's more or less beloved pet but I paid good money for these trees and see them as a food source in the future so I'll do what needs be done.
As yet I am unsure if it was the smell of the fish (they shouldn't be stinking yet) or just freshly digged dirt but one or more of the local cat turd eaters rooted around one of my new trees between the time I set them out and got home again this morning. I got a sack of mulch but ain't fixing to use it until I can be relatively sure it won't get scattered by the mutts. I've some granite rocks, bricks & pieces thereof, concrete chunks, etc that I'll place around the trees for a few days and see if that'll deter the canine vandals. If not I always have Plan B and am already plotting Plan C. Plan B is mousetraps. Good old fashioned Snap Traps. Place them around the trees and cover ever so gingerly with leaves. Once Fido gets his toes bit a time or three he should decide this ain't the most fun dirt to dig in! Plan C is a bit more unpleasant. I'll get a pack of bamboo skewers and plant them pointy side up & out like the Viet Cong did with their punji stick booby traps.
I really have no desire to hurt even a stray, much less someone's more or less beloved pet but I paid good money for these trees and see them as a food source in the future so I'll do what needs be done.
Hickory Nuts
If you've read any of my posts you know any sacks of leaves I see I bring home for assorted uses around the yard & garden. A few days ago I fetched almost 30 bags from just around the corner. Today I saw the same locale had another batch of about the same size all of which came home with me (2 trips in my Nissan truck each time).
As I was dumping a few sacks in the duck yard I found an unexpected bonus. Not only were there many acorns in a couple of the sacks but some also contained hickory nuts! I'll admit they must be the "tough nut to crack" that inspired that old saying but well worth the effort. I've already uncovered about a half of a gallon bucketful and am certain the ducks & geese will soon expose more as they forage through the leaf piles. Acorns for the Quack Pack and hickory nuts for Quack Daddy!
I've no idea why God loves me so but try to tell Him "thank You" for all the blessings He bestows upon me, especially those little unexpected bonus gifts like free duck & goose food and a beloved redneck treat for myself.
As I was dumping a few sacks in the duck yard I found an unexpected bonus. Not only were there many acorns in a couple of the sacks but some also contained hickory nuts! I'll admit they must be the "tough nut to crack" that inspired that old saying but well worth the effort. I've already uncovered about a half of a gallon bucketful and am certain the ducks & geese will soon expose more as they forage through the leaf piles. Acorns for the Quack Pack and hickory nuts for Quack Daddy!
I've no idea why God loves me so but try to tell Him "thank You" for all the blessings He bestows upon me, especially those little unexpected bonus gifts like free duck & goose food and a beloved redneck treat for myself.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Apple Trees & More
I bought us 2 apple trees today for $12.99 each. Neither was Vlad and my favorite, Granny Smith but we do both enjoy what I got. Bella doesn't really care what variety apple she eats. In fact I believe she'd prefer a fresh cat turd over any type. Anyway I got 1 Fuji and 1 Honeycrisp. I should have them planted by tomorrow.
Also my mom used to manage a small property that has a plum tree on it. I tried several times to root cuttings off of it to no success. I took what had been planned as my last attempt several months ago and truthfully forgot about them in a jug of water on the back deck. Lo and behold the day before yesterday I noticed a white flower on one of the 2 cuttings and upon closer inspection saw the pair were putting forth leaf buds. I stopped by the site of the mother tree today and took 3 more cuttings to put in the water jug when I put the previous pair in pots of soil. Mom said the original tree bore yellow plums about the size of ping pong balls.
I've heard the local plant expert on radio say when planting fruit trees from pots it's best to trim the branches rather aggressively. I'll take him at his word and naturally put the trimmings in water and see can I get any new sprouts from them. If only 1 lives I see that as 3 trees for the price of 2.
It shouldn't be too much longer here until the native trees begin putting on leaves so I'll be hitting the woods searching for sassafras and any other that catches my fancy. I've told my dad I want some native persimmon trees and huckleberry bushes from his land up in Montgomery County so hopefully come Spring I'll be having 1 or 2 and at least 4 respectively.
That reminds me, way back in the day when I was just a wee snot gobbler Paw Stuart & Maw Claire had an apple orchard across the creek. The apples were more or less wild, rather small, green when ripe, not the fancy varieties we have now. Last time I was up there I didn't see much evidence of apple trees but should I see any I'll fetch one of them back to my orchard as well.
Also my mom used to manage a small property that has a plum tree on it. I tried several times to root cuttings off of it to no success. I took what had been planned as my last attempt several months ago and truthfully forgot about them in a jug of water on the back deck. Lo and behold the day before yesterday I noticed a white flower on one of the 2 cuttings and upon closer inspection saw the pair were putting forth leaf buds. I stopped by the site of the mother tree today and took 3 more cuttings to put in the water jug when I put the previous pair in pots of soil. Mom said the original tree bore yellow plums about the size of ping pong balls.
I've heard the local plant expert on radio say when planting fruit trees from pots it's best to trim the branches rather aggressively. I'll take him at his word and naturally put the trimmings in water and see can I get any new sprouts from them. If only 1 lives I see that as 3 trees for the price of 2.
It shouldn't be too much longer here until the native trees begin putting on leaves so I'll be hitting the woods searching for sassafras and any other that catches my fancy. I've told my dad I want some native persimmon trees and huckleberry bushes from his land up in Montgomery County so hopefully come Spring I'll be having 1 or 2 and at least 4 respectively.
That reminds me, way back in the day when I was just a wee snot gobbler Paw Stuart & Maw Claire had an apple orchard across the creek. The apples were more or less wild, rather small, green when ripe, not the fancy varieties we have now. Last time I was up there I didn't see much evidence of apple trees but should I see any I'll fetch one of them back to my orchard as well.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Leftover Valentine's Flowers
Up until Valentine's Day orchids were $20.00 each. The day after I picked up 3 for $4.99 each along with a couple of oriental lily plants for 99 cents each. All were a bit parched looking as they obviously had been without water for a number of days. I believe with a little water and TLC I can bring them back to health and glory. I'm hoping that after restoring them I'll be able to divide the root stock and multiply them for sale later on.
My mom can make almost anything grow, a gift passed down from her mom. They at least gave the love of growing things and hopefully some of their magic touch. I'm guardedly optimistic I can get a couple of these post holiday beauties blooming and growing again.
My mom can make almost anything grow, a gift passed down from her mom. They at least gave the love of growing things and hopefully some of their magic touch. I'm guardedly optimistic I can get a couple of these post holiday beauties blooming and growing again.
Starting On My Greenhouse
I started on my greenhouse yesterday after work and got the foundation laid out and started with only a few minor missteps. The windows I salvaged are 3' x 5' so 3 windows would be 9' right? I almost thought so for a minute until I remembered the 4" x 4" posts I am putting in the corners and between the windows. Four times 4" per side adds up to 1' 4" so the greenhouse footprint will be a total of 10' 4" x 10' 4".
I'm fixing to use 3 layers of 4" x 4" to bring the windows and door 1' off the ground so the whole thing will be tall enough for me and other vertically challenged people to not knock noggins too much.
I had planned to do more today but ran into an unexpected roadblock. It's been rainy here off and on for the past few weeks and I had to move some wood and such that has being laying inert since last Spring. Towards the bottom of the woodpile I noticed some fungi and mold but thought nothing of it. All I can figure is I must have stirred up some mustiness that disagreed with me. Yesterday afternoon I began snotting and now my head feels like a basketball full of snot and I'm feeling all around like hammered crap. The mucous is flowing freely so my body is flushing the disagreeable substance out. Friday morning after work I'll load up on OTC allergy meds so I can get the greenhouse back onto the "Works In Progress" list.
I'm fixing to use 3 layers of 4" x 4" to bring the windows and door 1' off the ground so the whole thing will be tall enough for me and other vertically challenged people to not knock noggins too much.
I had planned to do more today but ran into an unexpected roadblock. It's been rainy here off and on for the past few weeks and I had to move some wood and such that has being laying inert since last Spring. Towards the bottom of the woodpile I noticed some fungi and mold but thought nothing of it. All I can figure is I must have stirred up some mustiness that disagreed with me. Yesterday afternoon I began snotting and now my head feels like a basketball full of snot and I'm feeling all around like hammered crap. The mucous is flowing freely so my body is flushing the disagreeable substance out. Friday morning after work I'll load up on OTC allergy meds so I can get the greenhouse back onto the "Works In Progress" list.
New Printer, Cables Not Included
I simply can't believe some crap. Like I needed a new printer recently. When my old one crapped out I threw it out cables and all. My new printer did not include the USB cable to connect it to my computer. What sort of jackass company sells a printer without any way to connect it? I usually don't name drop but... I don't know about their other products but the HP Desk Jet 2132 is not ready to run fresh out of the box!
Now I've got to go back to the store for a USB cable before I can get this damned thing up and running. I must admit I'm a bit angry and feeling like I got screwed without getting a kiss.
Now I've got to go back to the store for a USB cable before I can get this damned thing up and running. I must admit I'm a bit angry and feeling like I got screwed without getting a kiss.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine's Day W/ My CR-V
Seems like only yesterday "Sexy Red", my 2014 Honda CR-V joined my little family but today is our 2 year anniversary. I've mentioned before I don't go much of anywhere except to work and back, the occasional trip to the co-op for duck feed or my Dad's for a visit. Going to Dad's is a long trip by my standards, maybe 20 miles or so each way. I'm close to but not quite at 7,000 miles...
I really need to get out more!
I really need to get out more!
Valentine's Day Orchids For My Best Friend & Her Mom
Valentine's Day has for a long time been to me just another day until just a few short years ago. My best friend, Gail's mother had passed away and as Valentine's Day approached I felt a melancholy feeling coming upon her. At last she admitted it would be her first Val's Day w/o her mom. When the day arrived I decided to buy her a little happy to hopefully cheer her up a bit. I'm not one for cut flowers as they wilt soon and to me at least are a reminder of our own mortality so I thought more about a potted plant that could possibly live for years to come. I browsed the floral department for a good long while, stopping first at the orchids then the roses, tulips, etc. But it was like a voice in my head or heart kept saying, "Orchids!" So an orchid it was.
I get off work 30 minutes before Gail does and we work only a few hundred yards away so I was able to deliver barely before she left her work for home as I kept trying to ignore the voice that said "orchid". Anyway, when I showed her the plant she got all misty eyed and sniffly so I'm thinking I done something wrong. She's allergic to orchids? An ex boyfriend who was an ass gave her orchids?
None of the above. Turns out every Valentine's Day Gail had given her mother and orchid, her favorite. The first Val's Day since she had passed away Gail had decided not to buy an orchid. I simply cannot believe it was anything except Gail's Mom's spirit telling me, "Hey! Gail ain't getting me an orchid this year. It's up to you, boy!"
Long story short, today I gave Gail and her mom their Valentine's Day orchid. Be happy and blessed, my best friend.
I get off work 30 minutes before Gail does and we work only a few hundred yards away so I was able to deliver barely before she left her work for home as I kept trying to ignore the voice that said "orchid". Anyway, when I showed her the plant she got all misty eyed and sniffly so I'm thinking I done something wrong. She's allergic to orchids? An ex boyfriend who was an ass gave her orchids?
None of the above. Turns out every Valentine's Day Gail had given her mother and orchid, her favorite. The first Val's Day since she had passed away Gail had decided not to buy an orchid. I simply cannot believe it was anything except Gail's Mom's spirit telling me, "Hey! Gail ain't getting me an orchid this year. It's up to you, boy!"
Long story short, today I gave Gail and her mom their Valentine's Day orchid. Be happy and blessed, my best friend.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Sugar Cane
Well, old Crazy Mike met a gal from down Louisiana way and somehow managed to convince her to marry him. I'm just guessing she must have hit her head a lot as a child, bless her heart. Anyway he was telling me that they grow a butt load of sugar cane all around her neck of the bayou and I told him I damn sure wanted to grow me a patch. My mom's parents had a few rows on the backside of their gardens for years when I was a young snot gobbler and it was always a treat to chew fresh cane and get that sugar rush. To make a short story long, Crazy Mike brought me a sugar cane sprout he'd pulled up last time he was down that way. It's only about 12" tall but I put it in a cup of potting soil and am hoping it'll kick in and I'll be able to set it out in the yard when things warm up a bit more. I did thank him profusely for the wee sprout and he said he'd try to fetch me some more next time they go back to La.
Helper Helper
I'm quite unsure how many flavors of Hamburger, Tuna & Chicken Helper there are out there but last night at my grocery I counted 24 varieties that they carry. Two dozen seems like a lot but I have ways to add almost infinite variety.
1. Take the sauce packet from one box and the rice or pasta mix from another to mix and match.
2. A can of fried onions to top almost any ready made mix or custom combo will go a long way.
3. Add a can of beans, corn, mixed or any favorite and/or leftover veggies. Mushrooms are always good.
4. Use different meats instead of just what the Helper is supposed to be helping. I'll mix n match mixes as well as using ham, sliced link or bulk sausage, roast beef, pulled pork or chorizo Mexican sausage.
5. Fresh seasoning veggies... Celery, onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapenos (even pickled in a jar), grated carrots can go a long way to refresh an old stale meal.
6. You can never go wrong adding bacon, extra cheese or sour cream.
7. Classic fried rice in any respectable Chinese joint is topped w/ a fried egg. You can scramble one in if you're willing to gung-ho or try topping w/ a fried or serve one on the side if you think it may ruin the whole skillet full.
Well, there's a few quick ideas to turn 24 options into over 100,000. Chow down and enjoy!
1. Take the sauce packet from one box and the rice or pasta mix from another to mix and match.
2. A can of fried onions to top almost any ready made mix or custom combo will go a long way.
3. Add a can of beans, corn, mixed or any favorite and/or leftover veggies. Mushrooms are always good.
4. Use different meats instead of just what the Helper is supposed to be helping. I'll mix n match mixes as well as using ham, sliced link or bulk sausage, roast beef, pulled pork or chorizo Mexican sausage.
5. Fresh seasoning veggies... Celery, onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapenos (even pickled in a jar), grated carrots can go a long way to refresh an old stale meal.
6. You can never go wrong adding bacon, extra cheese or sour cream.
7. Classic fried rice in any respectable Chinese joint is topped w/ a fried egg. You can scramble one in if you're willing to gung-ho or try topping w/ a fried or serve one on the side if you think it may ruin the whole skillet full.
Well, there's a few quick ideas to turn 24 options into over 100,000. Chow down and enjoy!
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Struggling For a 4 Day Weekend
About a week and a half ago I told my supervisor I was willing to take my 2 personal days off as soon as he could work it into the schedule. I got rather a cold response as he said he had a lot of requests in. Well, tonight I'm gonna tell him that I need them ASAP. I need the extra time to work on my construction projects around the yard and research going into business for myself. Should he ask any questions I'll just tell him that I need the days off and should he press... none of his damned business!
Auction & LLC
My buddy at work, Robert is talking about getting his license as an auctioneer and starting an auction house. He's asked if I would be willing to help and I readily agreed as we both want to do something other than work 40 a week for a check.
I've been pondering some ideas of my own to get away from depending on someone else's whims deciding if I pay my bills or not. I've seen quite a few items I believe I could purchase online in multiples and sell singly at auction for a profit. If he does start an auction I'm also quite sure I could sell some hand crafted items there as well as "junk" picked up at yard sales.
Now for the LLC part of this post: I'm not 100% sure but as I understand it so far an LLC business will let me deduct some expenses from my taxes and protect my home & such should my business go sour. I'm not gonna divulge any details about my planned biz but I've had several (what I thought were) good ideas. The next thing I know is I turn around and some asshole is marketing my idea!
I'll have to research marketing and such but when I launch my product line y'all will be first to know. It will be a "cottage industry" based out of my home and yard but God willing should grow at a nice pace. With His blessing I can expand, grow and turn what I love doing into my living.
I've been pondering some ideas of my own to get away from depending on someone else's whims deciding if I pay my bills or not. I've seen quite a few items I believe I could purchase online in multiples and sell singly at auction for a profit. If he does start an auction I'm also quite sure I could sell some hand crafted items there as well as "junk" picked up at yard sales.
Now for the LLC part of this post: I'm not 100% sure but as I understand it so far an LLC business will let me deduct some expenses from my taxes and protect my home & such should my business go sour. I'm not gonna divulge any details about my planned biz but I've had several (what I thought were) good ideas. The next thing I know is I turn around and some asshole is marketing my idea!
I'll have to research marketing and such but when I launch my product line y'all will be first to know. It will be a "cottage industry" based out of my home and yard but God willing should grow at a nice pace. With His blessing I can expand, grow and turn what I love doing into my living.
See Saw Temps & Ready For Spring
The weather here these past few months has been unpredictable to say the least. One week's lows are higher than the next week's highs. But I'm managing to get a little work done prepping for Spring.
I got the 3' x 5' windows from Mom. All I need to do is break them down into single pane configuration and replace 2 broken panes and they'll be ready to install in my greenhouse frame once I get that built. I dragged all my salvaged 4" x 4" into mostly one big heap and laid out the floor plan outline. I'm thinking maybe 8' tall at center line and 9' x 9' square. Quite small I admit but it'll give me practice building a greenhouse from scrap.
I got the 3' x 5' windows from Mom. All I need to do is break them down into single pane configuration and replace 2 broken panes and they'll be ready to install in my greenhouse frame once I get that built. I dragged all my salvaged 4" x 4" into mostly one big heap and laid out the floor plan outline. I'm thinking maybe 8' tall at center line and 9' x 9' square. Quite small I admit but it'll give me practice building a greenhouse from scrap.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Super Bowl Snacks
The Big Game is set to start about 5:30 or so, my time. Well, I have to work tonight so that's not prime game time for me so I'll set my DVR and watch tomorrow morning when I get home from work.
For pre- and post-game snacking I'm making Cajun egg rolls, a prime example of my cross culture cooking. I got a pound of my favorite Country Pleasin' sausage, took it out of the casing, crumbled it up, browned and drained it. Then I nuked a 12 oz package of frozen gumbo style soup mix just enough to semi thawed state, about 30 seconds to take the ice off. I sliced the veggies quite thin and added some paper thin sliced onion and bell pepper, finely minced celery and garlic. Next I stir fried the veggies PDQ until tender/crisp stage in the sausage grease, drained off the excess and put the sausage back in the pan and mixed it all together to mingle and cool. This makes about a dozen rolls once wrapped in egg roll wrappers. That'll be enough for a meal for today and a snack tomorrow.
To finish packing my gut tomorrow while watching the game I'll make my version of Mexican fried rice. I'm boiling my rice today for fried rice tomorrow. To the precooked rice I'll add fried and drained chorizo sausage, a couple jalapenos, about a half a can of pinto beans and fresh chopped cilantro. I really love to quick fry about half of my sliced fresh peppers in the sausage grease to tender em up a bit and leave the rest fresh and raw. Fry the rice up just as any normal person would make Asian fried rice with the peppers and beans. Just before plating add the cilantro, a squirt or 2 of soy sauce and stir. Plate it up, top with grated cheese (everything's better with Cheddar but Pepper Jack 50/50 is too damned good), a spoon or 2 of good salsa and hey! Let's gild the lily... a dollop of sour cream!
Most Asian joints here add scrambled eggs to their rice mix but why dilute or hide the pure goodness of a fried over easy fresh duck or goose egg? One of the fruits of my girls' fresh laid goodness fried just so the white is done but the edge of the yolk is barely getting firm, the rest runny like golden gravy! Put that on top of your head and your tongue will slap your brain out trying to get to it!
For pre- and post-game snacking I'm making Cajun egg rolls, a prime example of my cross culture cooking. I got a pound of my favorite Country Pleasin' sausage, took it out of the casing, crumbled it up, browned and drained it. Then I nuked a 12 oz package of frozen gumbo style soup mix just enough to semi thawed state, about 30 seconds to take the ice off. I sliced the veggies quite thin and added some paper thin sliced onion and bell pepper, finely minced celery and garlic. Next I stir fried the veggies PDQ until tender/crisp stage in the sausage grease, drained off the excess and put the sausage back in the pan and mixed it all together to mingle and cool. This makes about a dozen rolls once wrapped in egg roll wrappers. That'll be enough for a meal for today and a snack tomorrow.
To finish packing my gut tomorrow while watching the game I'll make my version of Mexican fried rice. I'm boiling my rice today for fried rice tomorrow. To the precooked rice I'll add fried and drained chorizo sausage, a couple jalapenos, about a half a can of pinto beans and fresh chopped cilantro. I really love to quick fry about half of my sliced fresh peppers in the sausage grease to tender em up a bit and leave the rest fresh and raw. Fry the rice up just as any normal person would make Asian fried rice with the peppers and beans. Just before plating add the cilantro, a squirt or 2 of soy sauce and stir. Plate it up, top with grated cheese (everything's better with Cheddar but Pepper Jack 50/50 is too damned good), a spoon or 2 of good salsa and hey! Let's gild the lily... a dollop of sour cream!
Most Asian joints here add scrambled eggs to their rice mix but why dilute or hide the pure goodness of a fried over easy fresh duck or goose egg? One of the fruits of my girls' fresh laid goodness fried just so the white is done but the edge of the yolk is barely getting firm, the rest runny like golden gravy! Put that on top of your head and your tongue will slap your brain out trying to get to it!
Super Bowl Sunday
Today the Denver Broncos play the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. I'll have to pull for the Broncos for several reasons.
A#1 The pundits are saying Broncos quarterback, Payton Manning is getting too old to play. I remember watching his dad, Archie play not only for the New Orleans Saints as a pro but the Ole Miss Rebels in college. If Payton is old I must be a geezer.
B#2 I lived in Colorado Springs for some 6 years and the only time that wasn't fun was most of my short lived marriage.
C#3 I worked for a time in North Carolina and most of it wasn't fun. Not that I hated the work so much as the injuries. I was working for a railroad repair service company. Sometimes we replaced bent , split or otherwise damaged rails and/or ties but mostly this crew did signal installation. Once while driving a support for a guardrail I got my wig split down to the white meat. The 9 pound head flew off the handle of a sledgehammer and landed on my head. Six stitches later I was back on the job. A couple months later I got flash blinded for a day when our lift truck got too close to a high power line. I can't complain about that one as the guy standing not a foot away from me was electrocuted and died a few days later. Long story short, once I got back home to Mississippi I never went back to Carolina. I'll argue with the old song that says "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina".
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Deep Thought About Eggs, Birds & Incubator
I've been thinking a lot as of late re: my Quack Pack & their eggs & possible offspring and expanding my flock. Years ago I had a Hova-Bator brand incubator. Hell, it was so long ago I can't even remember what eggs I hatched in it other than some sort of (most likely bantam) chicken.
Needless to say the price of the incubator has gone up quite a bit in the past 2 decades or so since my last one. I'm looking at prices and figuring at least some 300% if not more. Maybe I just want to think they were so much less expensive back then.
Anyway, I've almost convinced myself it's time to buy another before the price goes up even more. I'm thinking about putting a lean to next to my storage building, some 12' x 12' or so and enclosing the whole thing in chicken wire, having about 1/2 of it roofed and the rest merely screened in to raise quail. Once I get that completed I can set up my incubator in the office here. Inside the enclosure I can set up a brooder and such as that for my little birds. I'm thinking mostly Pharaoh quails for meat & eggs, some Bobwhite to set loose in the woods & fields nearby (I love hearing them sing of a sunny morn) and maybe a few not too often seen around here just for the "something different" factor.
I've already got most of the materials I'll need for the lean to except for the roofing so cost shouldn't be too outrageous. Then I'll have to fence in the Northwest corner of the backyard so the birds can stretch their wings w/o Bella biting their heads off! Any brood hens (and a couple of roosters I keep) can be pinioned as chicks to keep them from flying over the fence until when and if I decide to build a proper bird run as one would see in a zoo or such as that.
Needless to say the price of the incubator has gone up quite a bit in the past 2 decades or so since my last one. I'm looking at prices and figuring at least some 300% if not more. Maybe I just want to think they were so much less expensive back then.
Anyway, I've almost convinced myself it's time to buy another before the price goes up even more. I'm thinking about putting a lean to next to my storage building, some 12' x 12' or so and enclosing the whole thing in chicken wire, having about 1/2 of it roofed and the rest merely screened in to raise quail. Once I get that completed I can set up my incubator in the office here. Inside the enclosure I can set up a brooder and such as that for my little birds. I'm thinking mostly Pharaoh quails for meat & eggs, some Bobwhite to set loose in the woods & fields nearby (I love hearing them sing of a sunny morn) and maybe a few not too often seen around here just for the "something different" factor.
I've already got most of the materials I'll need for the lean to except for the roofing so cost shouldn't be too outrageous. Then I'll have to fence in the Northwest corner of the backyard so the birds can stretch their wings w/o Bella biting their heads off! Any brood hens (and a couple of roosters I keep) can be pinioned as chicks to keep them from flying over the fence until when and if I decide to build a proper bird run as one would see in a zoo or such as that.
Friday, February 5, 2016
New Favorite Saying / No Bad Weather
After getting through another night at work I got home and did my usual morning routine. Let Vlad & Bella out to relieve themselves whilst I fed the Quack Pack and fetched in eggs. I then fixed myself a bite to eat; a sausage, cheese and duck egg breakfast burrito and plopped my butt on the sofa for a bit of TV. I think it was left on the Travel Channel as there was a program on about Northern England just South of Hadrian's Wall. In the area called The Lake District it rains quite often. Instead of complaining the locals say, "There's no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing."
I'm always one to try to put a positive spin on whatever the circumstances so that is now how I look at the weather we're having. The Sun is shining and the temp is slowly climbing to the projected high of mid to low 50's F. The yard is still somewhat soggy after the recent deluge but it's not bad so long as I have appropriate clothing... and footwear!
I'm always one to try to put a positive spin on whatever the circumstances so that is now how I look at the weather we're having. The Sun is shining and the temp is slowly climbing to the projected high of mid to low 50's F. The yard is still somewhat soggy after the recent deluge but it's not bad so long as I have appropriate clothing... and footwear!
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Unbelievable Weather
Global Warming/Global Cooling? I don't know about the rest of the world but around here it flip flops every week. Last week it was balmy sunny days and warm nights. I had my thermostat set on 70 F, had my doors and windows open and the heater never kicked on. Tuesday it rained all day from a slight drizzle to torrential downpour. This week the forecast is for daily highs lower than last week's nightly lows. The duck yard is in the Southern part of the back yard which is also the uphill side. The rain washed a lot of the leaves to the downhill fence of their yard which formed a natural dam and a small lake for them to enjoy. It's still draining off today which is a good thing as we may get a few nights of freezing lows at night.
Last week I did fetch home 2 more truck loads of leaves so I'll dump a few bags today and scatter some scratch and corn for them to forage for.
Last week I did fetch home 2 more truck loads of leaves so I'll dump a few bags today and scatter some scratch and corn for them to forage for.
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