18°f, or about -8°C. Light snow off and on all day; total accumulation yesterday and today about 2.5". Overcast all day.
I spent yesterday pricing and packing for the booths and keeping an eye on an online auction I was bidding on. Today I decided to deal with the garlic. I grew a lot of it last year. I mean, it really was a short row, about 15 feet long, but one can certainly plant a lot of garlic in that space, which I apparently did. We have been using it all winter but I still had a lot left, and it will soon start drying out if I don't do something with it.
Last year I tried storing whole cloves in a jar of olive oil in the fridge. That was okay, but it was only good to use for a couple months. Got us through until I could harvest some fresh, at least.
This year I am trying dehydration. I peeled and chopped and now the house reeks, but we like the smell of garlic so that's okay, and we sure aren't expecting company in this weather. I still have plenty to use fresh, and some to replant as I was unable to plant any last Fall.
Into the dehydrator.
Other than that, it has been a quiet day. Larry just went after the mail, and took the dogs for a ride around the holler, which means across the ridge down one side of Joe's Run and back up the other, making a loop back to our driveway, about a 6-mile drive. It's slow going, because it's a one-lane road and currently snow-covered. But the dogs love it, and it gives Larry a chance to get out and talk to whoever he might run into along the way. Today it was Ernie, a man who lives very simply without electricity in an older mobile home. (In weather like this, he often stays in town with his daughter.)
I heard from friends that DOGE has been in Parkersburg, the large town about 50 miles from here where the federal Bureau of Public Debt is located. Layoffs are happening as I write. I don't know how many employees there will lose their jobs but this is one of the largest employers in that county and offers, or should I say offered, some of the best-paying jobs in this region. The local economy is going to really feel the impact of this. But worse, to me, is the impact on all those who lose their livelihood because a billionaire has decided they are expendable. Those poor families.
I have also heard that one of our state senators is beginning to push back against the recent havoc, but is it too little too late? Both senators are Republicans so are unlikely to make many waves. The other, Jim Justice, is so tied up with lawsuits and debts and is about as stupid a man as it is possible to imagine, a total yes-man, so he is not going to go against anything the current administration does. Our state is truly stuck in the dark ages, with a government that is deeply Christian conservative, and a carpetbagger governor who only moved here because this state is easy pickings for a Republican with money. It really is outrageous and sad, but here we are. The Democratic party has become all but invisible, and completely ineffective.
I swear, I think I should hang some of that garlic around my neck as protection against the rampant Evil Ones.
At least I can take comfort in knowing our dinner is in the crockpot--kraut we made last summer and pork chops, and warm cranberry orange scones, my favorites, are cooling on the counter. Larry just got back and has loaded wood into the fireplace, which is burning brightly. The house is warm and cozy and full of good smells. Although the world seems to be going crazy outside of our little corner, right here all is well. For now, anyway.
Stay warm and safe, friends.
I look forward to a report on how the garlic dehydration worked. My younger daughter has a good dehydrator and loves garlic. We have a lot of people around here who grow it and, in fact, we have a garlic festival every summer. But the braids get dried out about now, just when the meals could use the lift. So??? I will check in.
ReplyDeleteI love it that you are giving both Celcius and Farenheit. We think in an amalgam of both up here. Our gov't tried to make us metric, but it did not work very well.
I think you like the smell of garlic more than I do. I am imagining garlic tasting orange scones and not in a good way. :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! No, the garlic didn't flavor the scones, thank goodness. I like garlic, in moderation, but not like it might sound. I add it to many recipes, though, and also use it in some of my pickle recipes.
Delete...with DOGE, will anyone still have a job?
ReplyDeleteGood question. If the only ones left are the idiots who voted for the maniac, we are in serious trouble.
DeleteWe LOVE garlic! My husband has been taking garlic capsules, which are good for blood flow, blood pressure. It's going to be warm next few days over here...it feels almost like spring with 5C in the early morning.
ReplyDeleteI tried those capsules, but I stunk of garlic, lol, so gave it up. But I like it in cooking, just gives an added dimension.
DeleteIt certainly does seem like the world is going crazy. I'm torn between wanting to watch the news and wanting to avoid all knowledge of the latest stupidity.
ReplyDeleteI like the smell of garlic too. My son is forever roasting garlic in the downstairs kitchen and the wonderful aroma seeps up here. I've never tried dehydrating garlic. Good way to keep it from getting old.
We´re in the plus!!! 5C, 41F, but cloudy today, too...
ReplyDeleteAck. We had neighbors who used so.much.garlic... on the balcony... for two summers I could hardly sit outside...
I know garlic is healthy and - strange as it is ... in the steak house we love their garlic bread! Other the smell makes me run...
Oh, boy. It is getting worse in your country every day, it seems.
I still can´t believe that dumb maniac has the power. Worldwide. Mixing up facts - why does no one stop him? Ukraine started the war???
I do hope people wake up and soon.
Yeah, it is a strong smell! I have the dehydrator outside, otherwise we'd be overpowered! I don't like a strong garlic flavor, just a touch. Gives a nice zing to a lot of recipes.
DeleteStay warm, Iris!
I gather that you might really like and use a lot of garlic. I don't know what makes me think that. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, not really, probably a little more than average use, I guess. But remember, I cook from scratch. Many prepared foods already have garlic in them.
DeleteThanks for bringing me somewhat into your life. Yes indeed to all you said about the political situation, and the trickle down is happening from all the fired people now hitting the unemployment lines, to the groceries they can't afford. You are so fortunate to have much produce you've grown yourselves. Brrr, 14 degrees F right now Friday at 8:20 am.
ReplyDeleteBarb, you add a lot to my days with your blog. I always enjoy what you write.
DeleteI wonder now, what we will do when we are no longer able to grow so much of our food? Or have our booths? Life will be much harder then, I think, because these things make our ends meet.