We usually experience seasonal power outages, thankfully there haven’t been any very long term outages for our home, others in our area have had long term outages (more than 12 hours). Time will tell if these Megapacks make a difference locally. Most of our outages are caused by downed trees and ice accumulation, which isn’t going to be helped by this new addition I’m guessing.
I’m all for diversity and not having all our eggs in one basket. We have ample supply of natural gas here which seems folly not to utilize. A combination of solar, wind, natural gas seems like a good idea. I’d like to see our own grid here, not connected to the lower 48 at all. But then again I’d like to be completely off-grid myself so I suppose I’m biased!
It is kinda cool to drive by this installation and know what it is/does.
I scored a big box of mixed citrus at the local IGA today so I thought I’d try out my new fermentation weights I got for my birthday!
Thanks Mo, best gift ever!
The box had lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. We’ll eat the oranges and grapefruit fresh but I have way too many lemons and limes to use up in time. So what better way to preserve them but to ferment them! Fermented lemons are so delicious! But I haven’t tried limes yet. No time like the present!
I sterilized my quart jars and weights and started prepping my lemons & limes. I washed them thoroughly and quartered them not cutting all the way through. I kept them attached at the base, like little blooming citrus flowers.
I packed them tightly in a jar layering salt liberally in-between the fruit. I used about a half a cup of pickling salt per jar. I filled in gaps with quarter slices and topped off the jar with fresh squeezed juice.
Weight in place, submerged in the salty lime juice.
I had some jalapeno peppers in the fridge that needed attention so I threw those together with some sliced onions, garlic and sliced lime, covered with saltwater brine. I’ll leave my jays on the counter for about a month then move to the fridge.
Now the hard part, waiting until they are ready. Fermented lemons are so good and have such intense flavor. Perfect in recipes calling for lemon juice, rind or flavoring. Once fermented, the rinds are edible. Chop them up in tiny dices and add to any dish calling for lemon something or other. Add the juice as well. It’s all good. I hear that fermented limes make a killer margarita. I’ll be trying that out sometime this summer I’m sure!
Somewhere around this time, half a century ago, my existence in this realm began. Newlyweds and Valentine’s Day and all…
This being a milestone year I’ve been thinking a lot lately about things like accomplishments, unfinished business and future things. Thinky things.
Thinky things.
I like to think about this being the time that my parents were happy.
It was the only time, so far, that I’ve been to Canada. And with Canada’s draconian behaviour of late, I’m not planning on going again.
I was born in the snow and cold. (Well not literally, like my mom was inside the hospital.) But is that why I’ve always loved the snow? Is there a genetic reason why I love the snow? A geographical one? Or just a generic one?
I loved the mountains, even before I ever saw them in person. They were the subject of many of my juvenile drawings and again in my adult art class experience with Beverly years later. Mountains with pine trees with a log cabin. I need to live near them.
My first painting, circa 1993, after my first visit to Alaska.
Is all of this coincidence?
I’ve been on a health kick recently. Which has been building for quite some time. Trying to improve my overall feeling of wellness, increased energy, etc. They all say everything is harder to do after 50, so… Best get to it!
This phase of life has me seeing my first born graduating highschool and eventually moving out on her own. Of course I knew this day would come. I’ve tried teaching her all necessary skills and instilling what wisdom I have to impart. And yet I find myself wondering how we got here, quite so fast. It’s hard for me to imagine daily life without her right here, with me, in my house. At the same time I’m looking forward to having an adult child to experience life with. I’m excited for her and all the new things she will get to experience.
Then the second one will follow in a few years… And before I know it, they all will be out in the big world on their own. Whatever will I do with myself?
Oh, I have plenty of ideas.
But I’ll think about that tomorrow. Along with those other inevitable things I don’t want to think about right now.
So thanks to my Mom & Dad for giving me life. Thanks to G-d for bringing me to this season, and with HaShem’s help, I’ll get through it.
We had planned a smallish gathering for the big game today. Our “Souper bowl party” menu included soup, salad, snacks and Sundaes. The Little Mister wanted to be our mix master. But with all the sickness bouncing around our house we cancelled. All the kiddos who are feeling better (the youngest ones) are super disappointed to not have friends and party foods today.
Mom is disappointed too but too tired to put much energy into that disappointment. Mostly I’d just enjoy some uninterrupted sleep. But I’ll put on my happy face and enjoy what we have here together.
All in all we’re on the upswing. The Littles are feeling better. Bigger kids are too but still tired. Dean was the last one to catch on so he’s bringing up the rear. Hopefully by this time next week we will all be ready for some fun!!
So the game will be on later. I’ll throw together a party mix for snacks and brew some iced tea and we’ll make do. I’m not a fan of either team so Eeny, meeny, miny, moe and I’m rooting for the Bengals.
Alaska on my mind... 