Last September, my sweet heart and I traveled to San Jose. On the drive home we explored garlic stands, artichokes and finally pumpkins. We indulged in 3 great looking squash(es?). After returning home, we admired out haul. We took pictures. I will post one at the end of this.
I love to make home made pumpkin puree for soups, breads and pies. Pumpkin can be in many different food creations. But I am pretty picky about texture and taste. Not just any old pumpkin will do.
My normal blend of squash uses Kabocha, a Japanese type pumpkin blended with a more traditional pie pumpkin. I like the sweetness and smooth texture of Kabocha, but it is a bit dry. Pie pumpkin is a bit grainy and wet. Together they make the best of both worlds.
The first pumpkin was very sweet, kind of beige looking and not too big, with a texture close to regular pumpkin. The second that I cooked was gray green and large. It was a bit like the blend I like to make- Kabocha and pumpkin together. The third one got to sit on the table until after Halloween because it was just so darned orange and squashy.
After cooking two Kabocha and two big pumpkins, I needed some time off from scooping. The freezer was full and the pumpkin looked so pretty. That should have been a big orange flag. It looked to pretty to be true. It was called a Cinderella Pumpkin, or Fairytale pumpkin. These also come in white, but I got the reddish orange one. Trouble.
About two weeks after Halloween, I notices a gray spot on the pumpkin. Yikes! It was starting to rot. So I scheduled time to cook it quickly. I should not have bothered. After cooking the thing, it released a massive amount of water/juice. It just disintegrated in the pan. But I went ahead and scooped it out to see what it would do. It kept disintegrating into water and mush. So I tasted some. Yech. Bitter and bland, very orange and watery, kind of slippery but not quite slimy. This was the worst pumpkin I have ever seen cooked or tasted. As it sat in the bowl it continued to release water.
I hate to go to the trouble of baking it and cleaning it, just to toss it out, but this bowl of yech is going to the compost, asap.
And then, I get to clean up the dishes. Oye! what a wasted morning.
Fortunately for my friends and fellow foodies, I have lots of good pumpkin pulp in the freezer waiting for me to make pies and such.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Monday, October 5, 2015
Income Tax
Some people think the tax deadline is April 15. With extensions, it seems to mean June but really means October 15. That is the drop dead deadline. Well, not really. Actually, if the government owes you money, you can file it even later. And if you owe them money you can pay a penalty and interest when you eventually file. Every year, the weight of taxes hangs over our heads until we file and get it over with. It is a complicated matter full of receipts and calculations and percentages.
During the year, I have a box. All receipts go into the box. At the end of the year (theoretically) the box is organized and the year is separated out by type of bill, etc, in monthly order and misc. useless stuff is tossed. This is theoretical because it doesn't necessarily happen in that much of an organized way.
I start with a separate check register for each year. Tax deductible items are circled in the book to remind me to look at them- car registrations, medical bill payments, Turbo tax purchase, whatever may be a deductible item. Dec 31, the register is dumped into the box with everything else and a new one is started. This has been the best plan so far.
During the next couple of months, all the various 1099's and other documents arrive so that we can actually prove our income and expenses. These go into the separate tax folder. My husband thought of this part.
Usually, around the end of March , we decide to file an extension. It requires us to do some preliminary work on the taxes to see if we have paid enough. We almost always pay way too much, but you have to do this anyway. After the extension is filed, we congratulate ourselves on getting this far and try to find time to sort the box.
You may have noticed that it is now April and there are 4 months of receipts stacked on the old receipts. This makes the job more complicated. We should have a second box, but that would be way too organized for us.
In June, we start to point fingers at each other about who will do what when and by the end of July we have about 1/2 of the taxes done. But it is too hot to sit on the floor and sort the new year receipts from the last year receipts. August the pressure is on. September, sleepless nights from heat and worry about taxes.
Finally, the need overcomes the lethargy, and I sort the box. The first half of the tax prep is already entered and I am the only part letting down the team. Papers scattered over the floor, fan on, stapler in hand- I am done in 3 hours. Actually, I am done sorting, but still need to enter the information on the tax program. Another 2 hours.
This year, we were done before the drop deadline. Not by much, but better than last year. I also spent time organizing this years documents before putting them back into the box. This will make January easier. And I have resolved to get a second box so that there is only one year at a time in the box.
Just so you know, I have been doing this for 40 years. I am not a tax newby. I am just not very organized at home.
During the year, I have a box. All receipts go into the box. At the end of the year (theoretically) the box is organized and the year is separated out by type of bill, etc, in monthly order and misc. useless stuff is tossed. This is theoretical because it doesn't necessarily happen in that much of an organized way.
I start with a separate check register for each year. Tax deductible items are circled in the book to remind me to look at them- car registrations, medical bill payments, Turbo tax purchase, whatever may be a deductible item. Dec 31, the register is dumped into the box with everything else and a new one is started. This has been the best plan so far.
During the next couple of months, all the various 1099's and other documents arrive so that we can actually prove our income and expenses. These go into the separate tax folder. My husband thought of this part.
Usually, around the end of March , we decide to file an extension. It requires us to do some preliminary work on the taxes to see if we have paid enough. We almost always pay way too much, but you have to do this anyway. After the extension is filed, we congratulate ourselves on getting this far and try to find time to sort the box.
You may have noticed that it is now April and there are 4 months of receipts stacked on the old receipts. This makes the job more complicated. We should have a second box, but that would be way too organized for us.
In June, we start to point fingers at each other about who will do what when and by the end of July we have about 1/2 of the taxes done. But it is too hot to sit on the floor and sort the new year receipts from the last year receipts. August the pressure is on. September, sleepless nights from heat and worry about taxes.
Finally, the need overcomes the lethargy, and I sort the box. The first half of the tax prep is already entered and I am the only part letting down the team. Papers scattered over the floor, fan on, stapler in hand- I am done in 3 hours. Actually, I am done sorting, but still need to enter the information on the tax program. Another 2 hours.
This year, we were done before the drop deadline. Not by much, but better than last year. I also spent time organizing this years documents before putting them back into the box. This will make January easier. And I have resolved to get a second box so that there is only one year at a time in the box.
Just so you know, I have been doing this for 40 years. I am not a tax newby. I am just not very organized at home.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
The New Year
All over the world, the new year starts at different times. January 1 is just an arbitrary moment on a calendar. Oct. 1 or Sept 4, or a certain phase of the moon are just as reasonable as any other moment. So I have made in my life a time when the New year starts- Autumnal Equinox. At this time I resolve to focus on my own needs more than those of others. I pay more attention to my exercise and health needs, diet and energy. I also try to get more of my own projects done and work on my creative endeavors.
In this last 12 month cycle, my father slipped into a nursing facility and later died in January. My mom decided to move to a place near her "friends" which made it more difficult for me to help her, so I stopped helping. I got lots of work done on the house but it is not finished. And I have learned a great deal about sewing equipment and weaving.
I have also had some disappointments and some great successes. My son and Siqi his girlfriend came to visit and they became engaged. My children came to vacation with me in Alaska. We had a wonderful time together. And other family members continue to act as they have in the past, so I really should not be surprised. Yet for some reason, continuing in stupid behavior is really something I can't understand. Even when I do it myself.
I have resolved for this year, to focus more on myself and to try to be less of a nitwit. I want to make smarted decisions and be less emotional. I want to say goodbye to really annoying people. And I want to embrace the more balanced and functional side.
Be strong, I say to myself. You can do this. Make change you want to see in the world in yourself first.
I have finished Eduard's blanket. Now I want to finish mine. Finding the time to get all my stuff done so that I can actually finish something seems to elude me. But I am going to do this and make a path to the garden, to the shed, to the wooly room, and through the garage.
I need to sell some furniture and spinning wheels, and maybe a loom or two. It is time for some more stuff to go out.
And more peace to come in.
Peace be with you, as well.
In this last 12 month cycle, my father slipped into a nursing facility and later died in January. My mom decided to move to a place near her "friends" which made it more difficult for me to help her, so I stopped helping. I got lots of work done on the house but it is not finished. And I have learned a great deal about sewing equipment and weaving.
I have also had some disappointments and some great successes. My son and Siqi his girlfriend came to visit and they became engaged. My children came to vacation with me in Alaska. We had a wonderful time together. And other family members continue to act as they have in the past, so I really should not be surprised. Yet for some reason, continuing in stupid behavior is really something I can't understand. Even when I do it myself.
I have resolved for this year, to focus more on myself and to try to be less of a nitwit. I want to make smarted decisions and be less emotional. I want to say goodbye to really annoying people. And I want to embrace the more balanced and functional side.
Be strong, I say to myself. You can do this. Make change you want to see in the world in yourself first.
I have finished Eduard's blanket. Now I want to finish mine. Finding the time to get all my stuff done so that I can actually finish something seems to elude me. But I am going to do this and make a path to the garden, to the shed, to the wooly room, and through the garage.
I need to sell some furniture and spinning wheels, and maybe a loom or two. It is time for some more stuff to go out.
And more peace to come in.
Peace be with you, as well.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
My Little Heartbeats
My summers seem to be really full of activities and work. We just finished spending 2 weeks helping the City of Encinitas and the performers of my favorite concert festival- Ipalpiti (heartbeats).
It started with some small issues on the Ipalpiti web site where there was a disconnect with the Encinitas Arts web site. After some poking and prodding, we were able to buy tickets to all the events. Then a call went out to help get the musicians from the airports to the Encinitas location. One was coming into LAX (Los Angeles) and the rest into SAN (San Diego) on the same day. I drove to LAX and back while Eduard drove to SAN twice in one day. But it does not stop there. After getting to LAX, my musician's luggage was vacationing in London. It had been wandering around for 4 days and finally decided to head to LAX. Except the musician was headed to SAN Diego by car with me. After much confusion, the airline agreed to forward the luggage to SAN. We drove for 3 1/2 hours in slow traffic and got to Encinitas safely. I then went with Eduard to the SAN airport to get the last musician at 11pm. Her luggage was with her so there was no drama. At 1 am we rolled into bed. It was a very long day.
Then the call went out, that six more musicians needed rides from SAN in the following week. I was again on duty. There were some problems with overlapping flights and one of the musicians had a different driver.
We did have some lovely concerts before the next driving assignment so I was busy being lulled and wooed by violins and cellos. Eduard was making home roasted coffee in the mornings and spoiling our little heartbeats. And finally, the lost luggage from LAX showed up in SAN.
My various SAN runs kept me very busy and I was meeting some lovely people. We had made plans to host 2 musicians to Greek dinner and another hostess joined up with us for a lively, chatty and tasty evening. Then more wonderful music. My last airport run was on a Thursday in the late afternoon. Bad traffic down and back, but he was at the hotel by 8:30pm.
We had a fabulous dinner with 5 wonderful musicians and some Mariachis on Friday night. There was a grand concert on Saturday. And they all left for Los Angeles on Sunday. Mixed in with the music was a sick musician and a run to the Doctor. There was the OTHER LOST LUGGAGE from Luthansa Airline which finally showed up 6 days out and after a 4 hour shopping trip with the girls. Poor Eduard. He got to hold the clothes while I went to the airport in rush hour.
When it was over all the luggage was accounted for, the ear was feeling better, the heat was sticky and the last concert got rained into the gymnasium. Dinners were fun, people were happy, and E and I were really tired.
I am packing now. I have a trip to Alaska in a short time. The fun never stops in the summer.
It started with some small issues on the Ipalpiti web site where there was a disconnect with the Encinitas Arts web site. After some poking and prodding, we were able to buy tickets to all the events. Then a call went out to help get the musicians from the airports to the Encinitas location. One was coming into LAX (Los Angeles) and the rest into SAN (San Diego) on the same day. I drove to LAX and back while Eduard drove to SAN twice in one day. But it does not stop there. After getting to LAX, my musician's luggage was vacationing in London. It had been wandering around for 4 days and finally decided to head to LAX. Except the musician was headed to SAN Diego by car with me. After much confusion, the airline agreed to forward the luggage to SAN. We drove for 3 1/2 hours in slow traffic and got to Encinitas safely. I then went with Eduard to the SAN airport to get the last musician at 11pm. Her luggage was with her so there was no drama. At 1 am we rolled into bed. It was a very long day.
Then the call went out, that six more musicians needed rides from SAN in the following week. I was again on duty. There were some problems with overlapping flights and one of the musicians had a different driver.
We did have some lovely concerts before the next driving assignment so I was busy being lulled and wooed by violins and cellos. Eduard was making home roasted coffee in the mornings and spoiling our little heartbeats. And finally, the lost luggage from LAX showed up in SAN.
My various SAN runs kept me very busy and I was meeting some lovely people. We had made plans to host 2 musicians to Greek dinner and another hostess joined up with us for a lively, chatty and tasty evening. Then more wonderful music. My last airport run was on a Thursday in the late afternoon. Bad traffic down and back, but he was at the hotel by 8:30pm.
We had a fabulous dinner with 5 wonderful musicians and some Mariachis on Friday night. There was a grand concert on Saturday. And they all left for Los Angeles on Sunday. Mixed in with the music was a sick musician and a run to the Doctor. There was the OTHER LOST LUGGAGE from Luthansa Airline which finally showed up 6 days out and after a 4 hour shopping trip with the girls. Poor Eduard. He got to hold the clothes while I went to the airport in rush hour.
When it was over all the luggage was accounted for, the ear was feeling better, the heat was sticky and the last concert got rained into the gymnasium. Dinners were fun, people were happy, and E and I were really tired.
I am packing now. I have a trip to Alaska in a short time. The fun never stops in the summer.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A Blog is Brewing
I have just spent 4 days working my little feet off at Black Sheep Gathering 2015. I do this every year. This is the first year that I flew up.
I got up at 3:30am, dressed, final packing and into the car by 4am to pick up flight partner. TSA at 5:30 for a 6:45 flight. You have to be there at least 30 minutes before the flight and 45 minutes before if you want your baggage to go, too. We got there early enough.
Flight to Oakland, change planes, stand in line, on to Portland. We got there about 11:15a.
I didn't realize that it would take an hour to check out the car. I suppose that it matters that the office to check out people had only one person and two shuttles to take you to the car area- 15 minute drive. I will remember this for the future- Thrifty is cheaper because no one works there.
The Southwest flight was good. A bit more leg room and seat room than the others and more baggage allowed, but flying is still difficult. Dry air, lots of sitting, cramped arms, exit shuffle. I am tired before I even get there.
So after getting the car, we drove to Eugene, which is supposed to take 2 hours. It is now 12:30p and we have had no breakfast or lunch. We decide to stop partway down and it takes us 10 minutes to find the Olive Garden after leaving the freeway. Signage fail. This is why McD is so popular. Tall signs. Easy to find. After an hour lunch, we again hit the road. Traffic in Portland area is not like L.A. or S.D. Thursday at 2pm we had slinky stop and go traffic for no reason what so ever. When it moved, it was 60 in a 65 zone and 50 at other times, with 80 mph angry drivers trying to zigzag down the road. We got to Eugene at 3:15, just a bit rattled and really tired.
I checked into the sale area to start work at 4pm after dropping stuff at the hotel room. Mags was a champion and helped us.
The venue was all new and messed up so I was on the fly the whole time but we made a plan within 15 minutes and we were off and running. We checked in fleeces until 8pm, then moved all the tables into the secure room. We moved heavy tables with fleeces piled on with no men to help.
RANT 1- where is that famous upper body strength when you need it? Where's the beef? Yo! Guys! Man up and give the girls some help. I will bring beer if it helps.
We were in bed by 9p after a light dinner.
Thursday- long, challenging, unrewarding, at the same time, valuable. It was just the beginning of the Wool Show mania. Stay tuned for Friday.
I got up at 3:30am, dressed, final packing and into the car by 4am to pick up flight partner. TSA at 5:30 for a 6:45 flight. You have to be there at least 30 minutes before the flight and 45 minutes before if you want your baggage to go, too. We got there early enough.
Flight to Oakland, change planes, stand in line, on to Portland. We got there about 11:15a.
I didn't realize that it would take an hour to check out the car. I suppose that it matters that the office to check out people had only one person and two shuttles to take you to the car area- 15 minute drive. I will remember this for the future- Thrifty is cheaper because no one works there.
The Southwest flight was good. A bit more leg room and seat room than the others and more baggage allowed, but flying is still difficult. Dry air, lots of sitting, cramped arms, exit shuffle. I am tired before I even get there.
So after getting the car, we drove to Eugene, which is supposed to take 2 hours. It is now 12:30p and we have had no breakfast or lunch. We decide to stop partway down and it takes us 10 minutes to find the Olive Garden after leaving the freeway. Signage fail. This is why McD is so popular. Tall signs. Easy to find. After an hour lunch, we again hit the road. Traffic in Portland area is not like L.A. or S.D. Thursday at 2pm we had slinky stop and go traffic for no reason what so ever. When it moved, it was 60 in a 65 zone and 50 at other times, with 80 mph angry drivers trying to zigzag down the road. We got to Eugene at 3:15, just a bit rattled and really tired.
I checked into the sale area to start work at 4pm after dropping stuff at the hotel room. Mags was a champion and helped us.
The venue was all new and messed up so I was on the fly the whole time but we made a plan within 15 minutes and we were off and running. We checked in fleeces until 8pm, then moved all the tables into the secure room. We moved heavy tables with fleeces piled on with no men to help.
RANT 1- where is that famous upper body strength when you need it? Where's the beef? Yo! Guys! Man up and give the girls some help. I will bring beer if it helps.
We were in bed by 9p after a light dinner.
Thursday- long, challenging, unrewarding, at the same time, valuable. It was just the beginning of the Wool Show mania. Stay tuned for Friday.
Friday, May 22, 2015
My Fiber Obsessions
When I was 7, I learned to sew on a Necchi electric machine that belonged to my mother. My grandmother had a Singer. When I graduated from High School I asked my mother to buy me a sewing machine for a graduation present. She bought me a new Singer in a cabinet with a bunch of cams for making different stitches. Truly, this was not a very good machine and the bobbin tension issues drove me nuts. After about 3 years a cam part broke and it could not be repaired. I eventually traded it in on a simple Riccar (made by White).
I used the machines for embellishing clothing with lace and trim. I would hand embroider the items. It was great fun to make unusual clothing. 15 years late that same clothing style was all the rage. But I had moved on. I was making quilts and doing needle point and cross stitch. What I really needed was a good construction machine that could sew through several layers of fabric. The Riccar failed after about 10 years and there were no parts for it. I had it made into a simple, straight stitch only machine and it has worked for that purpose for 25 years. But at that time, I also purchased a Viking/Husky machine. It had more stitches and could be used in clothing construction. After 3 years, it was a constant repair patient. What is with these crappy machines? I finally put all my sewing away and haven't sewn for 8 years. Until this year.
The Riccar was traded for a BabyLock Melody. The Viking is in the shop (again and maybe for the last time because I will probably get rid of it). I have a Bernina Serger which I think I have now repaired and a top of the line Baby lock Ovation. And the queen of all this is the quilting frame and sewing machine (Grace and Juki combo).
I weave my own fabric and can't be bothered by these dysfunctional machines. I need some quality. So how would I know if they really are quality. The others seemed good for about a year. I bought the warranty just in case. And I am relying on the word of a close friend who sews all the time and has had problems with other machines but seems happy with these.
So now, I make my own yarn, knit, weave, sew quilts, and am trying to get full circle back to making my own clothing with embellishments. It is a small, round world.
I used the machines for embellishing clothing with lace and trim. I would hand embroider the items. It was great fun to make unusual clothing. 15 years late that same clothing style was all the rage. But I had moved on. I was making quilts and doing needle point and cross stitch. What I really needed was a good construction machine that could sew through several layers of fabric. The Riccar failed after about 10 years and there were no parts for it. I had it made into a simple, straight stitch only machine and it has worked for that purpose for 25 years. But at that time, I also purchased a Viking/Husky machine. It had more stitches and could be used in clothing construction. After 3 years, it was a constant repair patient. What is with these crappy machines? I finally put all my sewing away and haven't sewn for 8 years. Until this year.
The Riccar was traded for a BabyLock Melody. The Viking is in the shop (again and maybe for the last time because I will probably get rid of it). I have a Bernina Serger which I think I have now repaired and a top of the line Baby lock Ovation. And the queen of all this is the quilting frame and sewing machine (Grace and Juki combo).
I weave my own fabric and can't be bothered by these dysfunctional machines. I need some quality. So how would I know if they really are quality. The others seemed good for about a year. I bought the warranty just in case. And I am relying on the word of a close friend who sews all the time and has had problems with other machines but seems happy with these.
So now, I make my own yarn, knit, weave, sew quilts, and am trying to get full circle back to making my own clothing with embellishments. It is a small, round world.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Black Out Day
When my children were younger, we used to have an occasional black out day. That meant we turned off the electricity breaker box and went without - lights, tv, internet, computer, garbage disposal, dish washing machine, clothes washing machine, etc. We kept the freezer and refrigerator doors closed so that the cold was preserved. We cooked on gas outdoors or indoors lighted with a match. Water heater had a pilot light, so we could still bathe, by candlelight. It was fun, like camping.
Now my children are all grown and gone. I haven't had a black out night since the drunk down the street hit the power box in 2006. I think I need to do this black out thing more often though.
I have a loom that needs no power, just light. I have a spinning wheel that needs no power, just feet. I can see myself being busy for months with very little power on. I still have candles from the last time I did this with my children. And matches, although they are very old. I can barbecue stuff and heat water in a pot.
But I think it might be a better thing to try a NO WATER DAY. All day, no water. No toilet water, no shower, no dishes, no washing hands. Wait a minuter there. No washing hands? EWEEW! I am freaking out on that one. Maybe I can find a bucket to put water in for washing hands.
The idea that when you turn on the faucet nothing comes out is so un-imaginable for most of us that we would not even know how to prepare for it. All that earthquake preparedness stuff is meaningless if you have never tried it. How about 3 days with no washing hands. My mind quakes at the thought.
So I think it is time to do the NO WATER DAY combined with the NO POWER DAY just to see if I can prepare in advance for calamity.
I know that it is not fair to know the day in advance and store up water and foods etc, but it will give me a taste of things to come. I have some trashcans in the back yard that don't leak. I can fill one for toilet water if necessary. I have some very large pots to fill with drinking water and enough to make one just for hand washing water. I feel better knowing that I can have clean hands even if I can't take a bath. And in the dark, I may smell dirty, but you won't know how dirty I look.
Now my children are all grown and gone. I haven't had a black out night since the drunk down the street hit the power box in 2006. I think I need to do this black out thing more often though.
I have a loom that needs no power, just light. I have a spinning wheel that needs no power, just feet. I can see myself being busy for months with very little power on. I still have candles from the last time I did this with my children. And matches, although they are very old. I can barbecue stuff and heat water in a pot.
But I think it might be a better thing to try a NO WATER DAY. All day, no water. No toilet water, no shower, no dishes, no washing hands. Wait a minuter there. No washing hands? EWEEW! I am freaking out on that one. Maybe I can find a bucket to put water in for washing hands.
The idea that when you turn on the faucet nothing comes out is so un-imaginable for most of us that we would not even know how to prepare for it. All that earthquake preparedness stuff is meaningless if you have never tried it. How about 3 days with no washing hands. My mind quakes at the thought.
So I think it is time to do the NO WATER DAY combined with the NO POWER DAY just to see if I can prepare in advance for calamity.
I know that it is not fair to know the day in advance and store up water and foods etc, but it will give me a taste of things to come. I have some trashcans in the back yard that don't leak. I can fill one for toilet water if necessary. I have some very large pots to fill with drinking water and enough to make one just for hand washing water. I feel better knowing that I can have clean hands even if I can't take a bath. And in the dark, I may smell dirty, but you won't know how dirty I look.
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