<![CDATA[Frugal Village Forums - Blogs - fixer's food for thought by fixer]]> http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/ Frugal Living Forums, a frugal living community with emphasis on debt reduction, responsible spending, consuming less, recycling and helping each other bridge the gaps for a sustainable future. en Fri, 24 May 2013 21:47:19 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Frugal Village Forums - Blogs - fixer's food for thought by fixer]]> http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/ Could someone please help us eat all of these potatoes? http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4208-could-someone-please-help-us-eat-all-these-potatoes.html Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:52:14 GMT I sprouted our potatoes yesterday. Due to the warmer than usual weather, they sprouted early this year. Normally, they keep until mid-Spring. I am not sure they will last that long. I don't have a good place to keep them. I use the space under the basement stairs. I dug more potatoes than ever this year. I ended up storing around 275 pounds. We have been eating them in every conceivable way. We have sworn off rice and pasta. Potatoes are our only starch for the foreseeable future. I have tried to give some away. Our friends either: don't eat potatoes, don't cook at all, or grow them themselves and have the same problem. Hmm, I wonder how chocolate dipped potatoes would be for the holidays? ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4208-could-someone-please-help-us-eat-all-these-potatoes.html No longer living free http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4181-no-longer-living-free.html Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:00:55 GMT I broke down and turned the heat on today. It is amazing we were able to go this long. Most years we struggle to make it to the first of November. As a matter of fact, I hung clothes outside and used the grill yesterday. We hold off on the heat until the inside temperature stays in the mid... I broke down and turned the heat on today. It is amazing we were able to go this long. Most years we struggle to make it to the first of November. As a matter of fact, I hung clothes outside and used the grill yesterday. We hold off on the heat until the inside temperature stays in the mid fifties. I feel we are living free when the heat or air is not being used. It was fifty-three in here this morning. At five o'clock, I was awakened by my wife. It seems our cat was playing with a mouse on her bed. I had to get up and dispose of it. I am not sure what was wrong with letting Hoodie eat it. It would have saved on dog food. It was cold enough then for me to decide it was time. We still have not seen a temperature of twenty-eight degrees yet so technically the growing season continues. The only thing I have out is cover crop wheat on the gardens. It is taller than ever before. Each evening there are several deer grazing it. I just hope we have a mild winter without ice. I am not sure I can deal with another ice storm so soon. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4181-no-longer-living-free.html A Happy Belated Thanksgiving http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4157-happy-belated-thanksgiving.html Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:27:57 GMT This week has been very busy for us. Between work and tending to an ill pet, we found ourselves running behind in our preparations for Thanksgiving. We decided to postpone it until today. Or, maybe you celebrated a day early. We always make a large meal from scratch. This means we must work... This week has been very busy for us. Between work and tending to an ill pet, we found ourselves running behind in our preparations for Thanksgiving. We decided to postpone it until today. Or, maybe you celebrated a day early. We always make a large meal from scratch. This means we must work for several evenings beforehand. Since we didn't have the time, we cooked yesterday and celebrated today. It worked since it is just us and my parents. They are very flexible. We have always enjoyed cooking for the holidays. I like to see how much of our produce we can incorporate into the meal. We used our potatoes, corn and beans. We made pies from our apples, butternut squash and blueberries.


I need to do something I don't do nearly enough. I want to brag on my wife. She made the best pie crust and dinner rolls. What made these special is they are family recipes dear to her heart. The pie crust is her late mother's. She still doesn't think it compares to what she grew up with. I beg to differ. She has worked for years to make it well. The dinner rolls come from her late aunt. This was her fifth try at making them. She has four different recipes for them. She was never able to ask her aunt for advice. She is very mthodical when it comes to baking. She takes notes and writes a summary after it is done. Yes she takes a scientific approach in the kitchen as well as at work. She is an excellent cook who was born many years too late. Cooking from scratch was how she was raised and is the only way she cooks herself. She is never satisfied but, in my unbiased opinion, she is an incredible cook. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4157-happy-belated-thanksgiving.html Saying goodbye to an old friend http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4146-saying-goodbye-old-friend.html Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:59:25 GMT We had our dog Gretel euthanized this afternoon. The lymphoma had taken a toll the last couple of days. She was still able to enjoy the ride. She even barked at some cars. The house feels so empty without her. She had been here for almost as long as we have. She would have been ten years of... We had our dog Gretel euthanized this afternoon. The lymphoma had taken a toll the last couple of days. She was still able to enjoy the ride. She even barked at some cars. The house feels so empty without her. She had been here for almost as long as we have. She would have been ten years of age in January. She was a good dog. In the time I worked nights, I never worried about my wife. Gretel was as fierce of a protector as she was sweet and lovable. We may someday have another dog, but we will never have a better dog. She will be missed.
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]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4146-saying-goodbye-old-friend.html An awful trip http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4144-awful-trip.html Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:00:42 GMT I have a 4:30 appointment for Gretel at the vet today. She has declined a lot in the last day. This morning she fell coming back into the house. She also refused her feed this morning. I hand fed her a little. There is nothing worse than loading them into the car for what may be the last time.... I have a 4:30 appointment for Gretel at the vet today. She has declined a lot in the last day. This morning she fell coming back into the house. She also refused her feed this morning. I hand fed her a little. There is nothing worse than loading them into the car for what may be the last time. She has always enjoyed riding so I hope she is able to enjoy it today. I had hoped she could make it til Thanksgiving. Turkey always has been her favorite food. I really appreciate the support everyone has given my wife and I. I will try to post later and let you know how things went. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4144-awful-trip.html Trying to get my voice back http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4142-trying-get-my-voice-back.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:15:11 GMT Lately, I have found it very hard to write a blog. I have sat down many times, but the words just do not come. The last month has been very hard to deal with. Our oldest dog was diagnosed with lymphoma. Also, my wife has been traveling for her job. I have a saying I try to live by. "I don't want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me." Here lately, my environment has been kicking my ass. It seems my inner control freak can not be fed. Our dogs life is almost over. I think it will be in a day or two. My wife would call and ask how she was doing. Of course, I shaded the truth. I somehow feel I let her down by allowing our dog to get sock in her absence. My wife is home now for awhile so I am sure things will be better. I am looking forward to the holidays even though it will be without Gretel for the first time in many years. I am going to try to make a point to sit down and write on a regular basis. What little I have done now has made me feel a bit better. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4142-trying-get-my-voice-back.html Mission Accomplished http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4026-mission-accomplished.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:45:46 GMT Mrs. fixer has been out of town on business all week. Her laptop died a few weeks ago. While she was gone, I researched computers and found one I thought suited her needs. I am not a computer guy. I am the guy who can built the generator at the power plant, run power to the substation, run... Mrs. fixer has been out of town on business all week. Her laptop died a few weeks ago. While she was gone, I researched computers and found one I thought suited her needs. I am not a computer guy. I am the guy who can built the generator at the power plant, run power to the substation, run power to your house, wire your house, and wire the receptacle that powers the computer. After that, I am sort of lost. I am learning so I thought I would give it a try. My wife is a very indecisive shopper. You must narrow her choices ahead of time to help her reach a decision. This afternoon, I picked her up and we went shopping. I took her to the store I knew had the computer I had picked out. Miracles upon miracles, she liked it and bought it. She will be gone all of next week so this was the only chance for her to buy one. All that is left is for her department IT person to load the required software. I just hope he has as good of luck as I did with getting it bought. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/4026-mission-accomplished.html Changing of the Seasons http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3993-changing-seasons.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:43:40 GMT I am busy now preparing for winter. The garden is done, but for a bit of Swiss Chard. I sowed cover crop wheat on most of it twp weeks ago. The wheat looks great. It will provide erosion control and organic matter when turned under in the spring. I had some peppers and eggplant I left longer. ... I am busy now preparing for winter. The garden is done, but for a bit of Swiss Chard. I sowed cover crop wheat on most of it twp weeks ago. The wheat looks great. It will provide erosion control and organic matter when turned under in the spring. I had some peppers and eggplant I left longer. I pulled them today and sowed annual rye-grass. This will give me a chance to compare it with wheat. We had a good frost last week. I have been cleaning the flower beds and pulling the annuals.

This year was one I may never see duplicated in my lifetime. It was never hot and dry. Everything grew continuously. My yard is as green as it was in April. My Black Walnut trees have dropped the biggest walnuts I have ever seen. I swear I saw one so big it to a squirrel on each end to carry it. The garden produced extremely well. We did have to deal with some disease and fungus problems due to the strange weather.

I feel lucky I get experience all four seasons. It is how I mark the passage of time. Here, I have seen temps from -28F to 106F. I enjoy the variation. It tells me what I should be doing and what I have to look forward to. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3993-changing-seasons.html <![CDATA[Why didn't I do this before?]]> http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3928-why-didnt-i-do-before.html Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:27:48 GMT We are enjoying yet another rainy day. I guess I shouldn't complain. A short distance from here, they are dealing with tornadoes. It seems as if it rains every time I do laundry. I have stated using a clothesline in the basement. It is working great. I have drying racks, but lack the room to dry everything. The line solves this problem. After seeing clothes hanging in the basement, my wife asked "are we weird?". I guess we kind of are. I just wish I had done it years ago. As much as I am happy with it, I am kicking myself for not doing it earlier. I guess if I had found FV before I did, it would not be a problem. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3928-why-didnt-i-do-before.html A Long Weekend of Shopping http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3914-long-weekend-shopping.html Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:19:24 GMT We spent most of the weekend shopping. It started early Saturday morning. Our first stop was a fabric store. My wife found some upholstery fabric remnants to use to make a new cover for the dog's bed. The bed is three and a half feet by five feet so it will not be a small job. The inside is fine so it will save money by making the cover. Then, we moved to furniture stores. I must have sat in a hundred different chairs. We went to three stores in total. We decided to sleep on the choice of a chair. We then went grocery shopping. We found five pounds of all-purpose flour for ninety-nine cents! There was a limit of two. I circumvented the limit by using the self-scan. I did six transactions for a total of sixty pounds. With holiday baking season approaching, it is nice to know we have the flour at a good price. We also have been baking bread. Another "bad" habit I picked up from you guys.

Today, we discussed the chairs. I found one I liked. It was an overstuffed black leather chair. My wife said it looked like something a middle-aged man would buy after losing all of his furniture in a divorce. I finally decided on another recliner. It looks like a wing-backed chair. If you did not know it, you would never guess it to be a recliner. And, my wife decided she wanted one also. So, we went back today. It took a couple of hours to decide on the fabrics for each. Hopefully, they will be ready by Christmas. We also hit another sale. We found six once mushrooms for ninety-nine cents. If you bought ten, the eleventh was free. Now, I must go empty the dehydrator. It will be busy for a while. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3914-long-weekend-shopping.html The season is winding down http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3896-season-winding-down.html Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:10:21 GMT I just finished putting the garden to bed for the winter. I removed all of the plant material, applied lime. tilled it and sowed wheat on it. I do have a few pepper plants and eggplants that remain. They look real good, if it were July. If we have a warm October, maybe we will get something. ... I just finished putting the garden to bed for the winter. I removed all of the plant material, applied lime. tilled it and sowed wheat on it. I do have a few pepper plants and eggplants that remain. They look real good, if it were July. If we have a warm October, maybe we will get something. This year's garden season seemed to last forever. It must have been the size of the harvest that made it seem so. We have canned and froze an incredible amount. I started trying to keep you guys posted. After a while, it just seemed ridiculous. We have been canning more beans. I thought my goal of one hundred pints was lofty. We ended up with something north of one fifty. You know it is a lot when you stop counting. We ended with one hundred and sixty quarts of tomatoes. That should last a few years. I was determined not to waste any. We purchased some when ours looked as if they would not produce. Then, ours picked up and our neighbor gave us some. Our freezer is chocked full. This year will be one that I remember for a long time. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3896-season-winding-down.html A Step Backwards? http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3854-step-backwards.html Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:48:12 GMT I bought a retractable clothesline today. I wanted use it in the basement. I can use drying racks and hang most things already. I just don't have room for towels. As Fall and Winter approach, I will be doing more drying inside. I could have saved a few dollars by using a regular clothesline, but I was concerned about being "clotheslined" by having something permanent. I had to walk past all of the technologically advanced dyers to find it. They all touted energy saving featured. There, in a dusty bin, I found the most efficient drying tool of all. I really don't know why I did not do it before.

I try to embrace new technology when I can. It is easy to be left behind. I just try not to forget what came before it. People led good lives before we had all of the gadgets we have today. I could easily be a Luddite. Somethings don't seem to be worth the trouble to me. I have enjoyed the Internet, something I swore I would never pay for. I like my cell phone as long as it does not ring. I don't have anything with an "i" as the first letter. For me, most of the time, simpler is better. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3854-step-backwards.html Maybe I can be a Renaissance Man http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3835-maybe-i-can-renaissance-man.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:19:10 GMT This afternoon I repaired our house shop-vac (we have two). A wire had broken off from the windings in the motor. I had to disassemble it completely to see the problem. I was able to reattach it by soldering. It was a problem to get to and I could not put it back where it came from. I had to... This afternoon I repaired our house shop-vac (we have two). A wire had broken off from the windings in the motor. I had to disassemble it completely to see the problem. I was able to reattach it by soldering. It was a problem to get to and I could not put it back where it came from. I had to find a more accessible location that was electrically the same point. After that, I baked an apple walnut cake. I found the recipe in an old cookbook that belonged to my wife's Aunt. The book is so tattered we keep it in a Ziploc bag. Once removed, you must carefully turn each page since the binding has long since deteriorated. I like the recipes for their simplicity. I know I have all of the ingredients since it comes from a simpler time. It turned out great.

I am amazed at the varied things I do in a given day. I try hard to experience as many things as possible. It is easy to become what you were. I grew up on a farm. I was not exposed to many different things. We lead a simple life that revolved around hard work and the changing of the seasons. I am not complaining and I would not trade it for anything in the world. I learned so many things that have helped me become successful. I learned that hard work will not kill you and doing without won't either. While not complex ideas, they have been, and will continue to be, the foundation of my life. I enjoy meeting new people and doing new things. I enjoy drinking beer while sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck. I also enjoy a good Cabernet. Interacting with different people is why I enjoy FV so much. I have the opportunity to get to know people I would otherwise never meet. You can learn so much more from someone who is different from yourself.

So, I will continue experiencing new things in the hope of never settling on being just what I was. I want to be that and so much more. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3835-maybe-i-can-renaissance-man.html Why we may be the most boring couple you know http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3825-why-we-may-most-boring-couple-you-know.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:50:02 GMT We dug our carrots Saturday. They turned off better than expected. Carrots are another crop that is hit-and-miss for us. They were very dirty so we washed them in a tub in the yard. Then, we froze them. We debated about whether to freeze, can or dry. We have canned carrots before. They had... We dug our carrots Saturday. They turned off better than expected. Carrots are another crop that is hit-and-miss for us. They were very dirty so we washed them in a tub in the yard. Then, we froze them. We debated about whether to freeze, can or dry. We have canned carrots before. They had an aftertaste about them. Maybe it was the carrots themselves. We hope to use them in soups and maybe just eat them plain. For all of the work, it seemed as if we should have gotten more. We got twelve quart bags. I swear I peeled ten times them. We also peeled in the yard to keep the mess to a minimum.

Sunday we picked what had to be the sorriest tomatoes you have ever seen. After cutting much out of them, we got enough to can eight pints. We also froze three bags. The frozen ones will be used first.

In our free time, we wrapped embroidery floss onto bobbins. My wife prefers this since it makes it much easier to work with. If you look at it wrong, it will knot up.

As you can see, we had a very boring weekend. We went nowhere, spent no money and the telephone did not even ring. The thing is, it works for us. This is a weekend I will cherish for a long time. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3825-why-we-may-most-boring-couple-you-know.html Productive shopping trip http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3812-productive-shopping-trip.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:28:21 GMT I finally broke down today and went shopping. I had several places to go. I was able to combine several errands into one trip. I bought my wife 240 skeins of embroidery floss. She went through her patterns and made a list this weekend. This will carry her through winter. I found a whole rib... I finally broke down today and went shopping. I had several places to go. I was able to combine several errands into one trip. I bought my wife 240 skeins of embroidery floss. She went through her patterns and made a list this weekend. This will carry her through winter. I found a whole rib eye on sale for $4.99 a pound. This was a great deal. I was able to trim it and cut some awesome rib eye steaks. I figure we can eat steak for $5.00 a meal. This will be our special occasion meal. Since we never go out, we try to keep good things here to splurge on. I froze the small pieces I trimmed for stir fry. If you don't mind a little blood, this is a great way to save money. I also but whole beef tenderloins. I trim them and cut out fillet mignons. I like to be able to trim meat to suit what we like. I am still picking beans. I picked in a pouring rainstorm Tuesday. I got enough to can twenty-two pints. That puts me at one-hundred and twenty-five pints of beans for the year. I think I can get at least two more good pickings. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3812-productive-shopping-trip.html Finally, a restful three day weekend http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3797-finally-restful-three-day-weekend.html Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:05:59 GMT We spent a peaceful Labor Day weekend. We did the obligatory canning Saturday. Besides that, nothing real big. This stands in contrast to how our like used to be. We always had a home improvement project to do on a three day weekend. Whether it was painting, installing doors and windows,... We spent a peaceful Labor Day weekend. We did the obligatory canning Saturday. Besides that, nothing real big. This stands in contrast to how our like used to be. We always had a home improvement project to do on a three day weekend. Whether it was painting, installing doors and windows, updating lighting or landscaping, we always had something scheduled. We were able to see what we could do to this place with hard work. We were able to substitute our labor for money we lacked. We are currently on a hiatus from major projects. After doing the kitchen, I decided we needed a break. We did the kitchen in two phases over two years. The first year we replaced the floor and added cabinets. The second, we replaced counter tops, back splash, range hood, window and added under cabinet lights.Next year, we hope to replace the rest of the windows and remodel the master bath. Those are two jobs I want to cross off the list. The list is getting shorter and we can see the end. I want to finish since I keep getting older. One of these years, I will reach my physical peak and then it is straight downhill. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3797-finally-restful-three-day-weekend.html First the loss of a beloved chair, then frugality caused my finger to get burned http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3751-first-loss-beloved-chair-then-frugality-caused-my-finger-get-burned.html Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:05:08 GMT My recliner died yesterday. It was quite old so we got our money's worth. I think the reason men are so attached to their chairs is they are all we have in the house to call our own. I am lucky since I have a chair, end table and lamp. Everything else is my wife's. We have started negotiations on it's replacement. I am trying to sell her on the aesthetic, "form follows function". Meaning, how it sits is much more important than how it looks. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

I burned my thumb today with hot bacon grease. I cook bacon maybe four times a year. I was planning to put all of the remaining tomatoes in canning jars so this was my last opportunity to enjoy bacon and tomato sandwiches. I have to cook the bacon since my wife has deemed the job too dangerous. Up until today, I thought she was foolish. I finished cooking and went to pour the grease into a can. the can was almost full so I looked for another. Since most of our vegetables come from a canning jar, we did not have one. That meant I had to fill the can to the very top. When I went to move it, the grease sloshed onto my hand. I have three large blisters with the largest looking exactly like the state of Florida. I know I must be careful about infection since I don't exactly have a sterile workplace.

Tonight we canned fourteen quarts of tomatoes. That looks to be the last of the season. We filled all of our quart jars so it could not have worked out any better. I do hope to can a few more beans, but I will have to wait and see. It has been a great season considering all of the challenges. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3751-first-loss-beloved-chair-then-frugality-caused-my-finger-get-burned.html The last big canning session of the season.......maybe http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3728-last-big-canning-session-season-maybe.html Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:27:58 GMT We canned forty-two quarts of tomatoes today. We started in the garden picking what needed to come to the house. We got cucumbers, squash and honeydews. The melons are delicious. This is our first time growing them. Then we started canning. It was a long day at the end of a long weekend. We... We canned forty-two quarts of tomatoes today. We started in the garden picking what needed to come to the house. We got cucumbers, squash and honeydews. The melons are delicious. This is our first time growing them. Then we started canning. It was a long day at the end of a long weekend. We decided to do what we could today so we would not have to do any during the week. We will have maybe ten to fifteen more quarts after all of the tomatoes ripen. That is great since it matches with the number of quart jars we have empty. I don't want to buy any and will use pints if need be. It will just take quite a bit longer to do. We have jars sitting everywhere in the kitchen. We had to spread them out so they would cool and seal. We will have to wash them, remove the rings and find a place for them tomorrow evening. I think putting them up and seeing what you have done is the best part. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3728-last-big-canning-session-season-maybe.html Does anyone have a couch I can sleep on? http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3722-does-anyone-have-couch-i-can-sleep.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 02:42:05 GMT Things went well today and we finished trimming the shrubs. I did get concerned it was taking too long. When my wife asked what time it was, I replied four o'clock. Actually, it was only two. I then went on to say that we needed to hurry in order to finish before sundown. She worked frantically and we finished at four- thirty. The problem is she thought it was six-thirty or seven. Needless to say, she was not very happy with me. I find myself in the doghouse and I don't even own one. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3722-does-anyone-have-couch-i-can-sleep.html A change in plans http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3716-change-plans.html Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:06:44 GMT I went today to pick up the canning tomatoes we purchased. The quality was much more than I expected. However, they could be riper. We try to can tomatoes that are very ripe. It seems their flavor survives the canning process better. We have decided to see if they will wait for another week. ... I went today to pick up the canning tomatoes we purchased. The quality was much more than I expected. However, they could be riper. We try to can tomatoes that are very ripe. It seems their flavor survives the canning process better. We have decided to see if they will wait for another week. I hope we don't have to can in the evening during the week. I can do beans alone, but tomatoes are a different story. Things move quickly and it is hard for one person. At least it is for me. We have good luck ripening tomatoes in the basement. We spread them out on a bench so we can see the progress and pull any that or over-ripening. I just have to find room for one-hundred pounds of tomatoes.

We have decided to trim the shrubs tomorrow. It is one of or least favorite jobs. We have Japanese Yews around our house. There are sixteen in total. The only saving grace is that it will be unseasonably cool tomorrow. That is why we want to get it done. Usually, it is a hot miserable job. This way it should be just miserable. We use hand trimmers since my wife thinks they do a better job. She does the actual trimming. Something about making our house presentable. I clean up the cuttings. When I did it, all I was worried about was trimming the. Who knew they should be even and look pretty. ]]> fixer http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/fixer/3716-change-plans.html