Connie Smithison – Page 29 – Connies Words While on the Go!

April 2, 2012

Shepard’s pie

Shepard’s pie comes in so many variations that I couldn’t be able to count them. My daughters boy friend who is a guest here until Saturday, wanted to contribute to one of our evening meals. I told him to go for it, and my husband took him and our daughter on their first “grocery trip” together. When they got home, they had gotten the ingredients Keg (we will call him) needed to make his take on the Shepard’s pie.

I have to admit that I tried not to hover, but I absolutely hate to have someone messing around in my kitchen. I even have a problem with my kids and husband cooking something in my kitchen. I mean, it was nice the young man wanted to contribute and show off his cooking abilities, but it still felt odd for me. Instead of hovering, I gave him a bag of potatoes, which I had told him I already had, then left the room. One other truth be known, I was sort of hoping my daughter would learn a few tips on preparing and cooking a new dish. She can bake like hell wouldn’t have it, but to say she is handy in the kitchen, would be a lie.

Keg’s mean tuned out wonderful. Yes, I was surprised. My two son’s and grandson loved it, V loved it, and I liked it. V did learn how to mash potatoes, somewhat. And bless Keg’s heart…he doesn’t measure, and cooks similar to the way I do. I don’t measure and it’s all basically taste test. I’m going to send the recipe to my blogging buddy Lindsay. She is starting to collect recipes for her blog. Her blog is comprised of a little of everything. She knows my family, as she has kids the same age as I do, which is why we hit it off so well, so it’s going to be a sort of ” Family and extended Family Cookbook ,” which will fit right into her blog, since she has many hobbies and life stuff happening… but that is all I’m going to tell you about her surprises. 😉

April 2, 2012

Siding problems

Today all my kids and my grandson were outside, shooting of fire rockets and such that my brother had given them last summer. My youngest daughter gave the guys all of hers and they had a LOT of various bangs, booms, fizzles and zips going. I was sitting outside watching and also looking over the garage and back of the house, to see if the snow, hail, wind and basically nasty weather over last year had hurt any of the siding, roof and window trims. Indeed it had taken it’s toll in a lot of places in the siding.

I had told my husband that I did not like the guys work, while they were putting up the siding and he ignored me, saying that he hired them because they were grandsons on a acquaintance, bla…bla…bla. In other words, he had never seen their work. I come from a very long line of construction men. Roofers, siding guys, masons, and concrete guys. Remodel men and even plumbers and electricians. I took one look at the job they were doing and I raised holy hell. Unfortunately, my husband hushed me up before I could flat out fire them. To this day he is regretting that I didn’t…but of course, he won’t admit it.

While assessing the siding on the house, I came across loose panels, holes, gaps and even some of the corner ( I believe they are called, but don’t quote me ) facets missing. I have a feeling that isn’t the correct word, but I’ll ask a friend later. Anyway, long story short sort of, a lot of the siding is going to have to be replaced. To say the least, I am bummed out that I didn’t go on my first instinct and fire those guys. They didn’t charge as much as the men I had talked to, to do the whole job, but at least had I gone with them, they had a warranty and also were reputable. I say I and me, because my husband ought me this house when we got married. So…it is MY house to make the decisions with. Now, I need new siding and am for sure going with who I wanted in the first place. In the long run, it will help with money matters and I won’t have to worry.

April 2, 2012

Home security is like insurance

This guest post from Lenny Mcknight

I think it is about time I got security systems for home. I told my husband that we really should start considering getting something done at our house. It is an older house so all of the locks and windows are a bit odd and hard to keep closed and locked. We thought about going through and getting all the windows and locks replaced. My husband did not really want to since he felt that it would take from the character of the house. For me, it was always about saving money. The old windows were so bad, it seemed like we just wasted so much energy and money. I am not sure if we will replace the windows, but I have definitely made a good case about it to my husband. When it comes to home security systems though, I just keep telling him that it is like an insurance policy on your house, except better probably. I do not understand why we have all the insurance policies we do, but we cannot get something simple like a home security system set up. It is more practical in my mind since it’s protecting the things you use and the place you live every day!

March 29, 2012

Seeds and more seeds

While shopping yesterday, I came across seeds on sale, 10 packets for 1.00. ( I never can figure out why stores just don’t put a sign up that says, Seeds .10 a packet…marketing I guess… ) Now, I thought that something may be “wrong” with the seeds, but I checked the run date and it was for this year.

I had never heard of the brand name, but I figured that I’d try them in a certain plot I have and if I don’t see a growth process in a week or so, I’ll just replant. I only bought ten packets, and asked the “garden guy” how long the sale would be for. He told me that the price that the seeds were marked, in the price that the store will sell them for until they run out of seeds. So…I’ll take a shot with them and if they grow, I’ll go back and see if the store has any seeds left. It’s sort of a chancy decision, but what the heck?

Later today, I’m going on another seed shopping spree. I think I know of a place where I can get some heirloom seeds at a lower price than they usually are around here. Happy shopping to me!

March 28, 2012

An arbor for the garden

Once again I’m on another hunt for a awesome wooden arbors for my gardens, but this time I’m looking at various ones that is going to be sort of a focal point in the back yard, besides my flowers. While looking over my plans that I have been making all winter, and also looking at various arbors, I actually am no closer to deciding exactly the ones that I would like. (Yes, I would like more than one, since my back yard consists of two acres, a small portion of which is our family pet cemetery. To some this may sound rather odd, but we love our pets and they are part of the family.

While browsing, I found all sorts of different styles of garden arbors. Now I’m not sure I want to go with wooden ones. After we had the deck and front porch built with another material that doesn’t have to be treated and there is virtually no upkeep, I’m having second thought about having wood way out in the back yard.

To me, some arbors make up a great deal of a garden’s personality at times. Also it shows the garden owners personality also. So while I’m just looking at various arbors even the vinyl arbors which I don’t care much for, I’m thinking about which kind I’d like to use. It’s time to start shopping for the outside of my house, and the gardens and I have a lot of ideas to put to work.

March 24, 2012

Seed for the front yard

Deciding to seed all the bare spots in the part of the front yard that isn’t walk ways and flower or herb patches, turned into a science experiment. I did this last week, and honestly didn’t think the seed would take, as it was some of that high bred, BS kind…that I never use. Leave it to a man who doesn’t garden, to come back with extremely pricy, bionic grass seed, when I asked for simple, cheap, American made, no frills grass seed for shady areas. SMH

I followed the directions on the bionic seed…which took a scientist to understand, and then spread straw lightly on top, which wasn’t in the instructions, after which I watered it until I knew it was saturated. I did notice that grass is coming up. In small clumps. I know I spread it evenly, as I took great pains in doing so.

My theory is…it is because I followed all the high tech directions and didn’t use my own gardening instinct, since the “Do you know how much that cost?” question kept coming to my ears. Okay, the husband only said that once, but still…it ticked me off. I’m going to look at the yard tomorrow in a fresh light, so to speak. If those bare spots are still in the yard, I’m going to go into town and get my tried and true grass seed that only costs 3.89 for a ten lb. bag. (Instead of the last seed that also came with a BIONIC price tag of 10.00 for 3lbs!

March 23, 2012

Wanting a wood stove and mantle

My passion for fire places and beautiful wood burning stoves, stems from my great grandma, my Nana and my Mom. My kids are the same way in which they love the warmth and ambiance of the fire. Each has been taught to know their wood and how each kind burns. To chop and stack, then take care of the wood they cut and to also know the value of each kind of wood. While I was “Look Shopping” for a mantle, I came cross some really great links one of which is: fireplace inserts bay area. Even though I wasn’t from that state, I checked them out. That is when the “look shopping ” turned into looking in earnest for a stove.

Growing up around wood stoves and fireplaces all of my life means of course, I have my favorite styles and I don’t really believe in electric stoves that don’t have logs that burn. Much to fancy for me, but I know a lot of people who really like them a great a lot. A person doesn’t have to deal with chopping, hauling and then stacking wood. I did see some awesome fireplace mantles that I am taking into consideration.

When looking for wood stoves for sale, I have to figure out how much I want to utilize it into a room. I’m looking forward to some remodeling, decorating and making a homey cozy room.

March 22, 2012April 17, 2018

Seeds and stones

I always carry a small leather pouch that I put seeds or small stones, feathers and anything else that may strike my fancy that I come across on my walks through fields, lanes and in the forest.

Needless to say, I have collected quite a few items that I NEEDED to bring home. I find this relaxing, and sometimes I get a surprise by the stone being semi precious, or a seed grows some sort of very unique flower or plant.

I have a special place in my house of the gifts Nature has given me. It makes one remember just how small we really are in this Universe.

March 22, 2012

Wind, shingles and neighbors

Wishing the next door neighbors would fix the shingles on their roof is a slight understatement. I stopped wishing and now I’m wanting them to fix the darn things. Or at least put a nail or two down.

Every time we get winds here, the shingles start flying. I think there is a word used instead of shingles, if one wants to get on someones bad list…but that is a different story. I’m just getting really tired of raking tiny bits and pieces up and then having to pick up the big pieces. Sometimes they are whole shingles just blowing off. They always seem to pelt my daughters truck and I’ll be darned if she is going to move it from our own driveway.

I’ve spoken numerous times about the shingles and even about them hitting V’s truck, but it falls on basically deaf ears. I always get the answer, “Yeah, we’ll do that in the Spring.” Ummm…Stan? Spring is here and we’ve had fantastic weather for a week until this evening, to fix the shingles.

If having money was a problem, I would feel differently and not rant on about this. But I’m sure they can afford a home improvement task like this, and it wouldn’t hurt their pockets. “Stan” tends to brag up what they have, and keeps up with the Jone’s is what he does. But, can’t he see we have a new roof? Okay, so that might not work if he has a new lawn tractor in mind. The one he has is a year old not.