A Lovely Weekend!

Typically … early September, I start stocking my winter pantry and freezer food stock. I don’t normally let things get super low, but I am extra vigilant about getting plenty in the cupboards before the snow flies.

I do not want to HAVE to go out: snow/ice, etc.

And, also typically, early March/April, I eat down the winter pantry and freezer to make sure nothing is getting too old.

Right.

March 2020 and COVID-19 hit Seattle. As the Flathead Valley, where I live, has many ties to Seattle, I halted all “eating down” and did a review of all. While I did not anticipate the shortages we experienced, I did anticipate that we might be “locked down” and/or that I would not want to go out in order to reduce my exposure.

At any rate, I took stock and when I did go out … if there was flour, eggs, frozen veg, some meat … and at a good price, I bought a package extra. When there were shortages, I was in good shape without over-buying or hoarding.

Through the Spring and Summer, I have been able to keep my stock at Winter levels. I’ve also transitioned to shopping every 10-14-21 days vs weekly. And although grocery shopping and meal planning was a fun thing for me, I find that I am really liking not doing the weekly run. I do have the great option of getting fresh, local vegetables from a local organic farm but even that I managed to transition to every 7-14 days.

Now, here we are end of September. Not only is Winter looming, but there are dire pandemic predictions.

So.

Staying on the stocked up path … maybe super stocked up!!

Today, I went to Farmer’s Market for the last time this season:

There is some arugula far right that is from Two Bear Farm, but the rest is from my regular organic farm: Lower Valley Farm.

Lavender, rosemary, celery (***), Delicata squash, zucchini, cherry and Roma Tomatoes, baby chard.

*** the celery!!! I have been buying celery from LVF every 2-3 weeks. It is always huge like the above photo. I freeze bunches of the leaves and then add them in a bouquet garni to broths, beans, stews and soups… so good and I have a good supply of leaf packets in the freezer. The stalks are tender and delicious. I cut/chop them for snacks and adding to tuna/salmon/chicken salad.

Despite the challenges of this odd year, Lower Valley Farm, with a grant and an online store and other adaptations, has managed to sell out the food that they grow. Their bottom line might not be what it was, but they are proof that some thought and ingenuity, i.e. THINKING about alternatives, enables survival in unpredictable conditions.

Meanwhile … my pantry:

From the top: parchment, foil, saran and wax paper back up for food preservation.

Back up broths (I usually make my own), jarred tomatoes, beans, pasta.

Baking stuff: extracts, soda/powder/starch, sweeteners, chocolate

Oils, flours, sugar, Masa

Pasta maker, baking stuff, Whole Wheat/White Flour

Ultimately, I have 30 pounds of white flour, 10 pounds of whole wheat and about 50 pounds of various specialty flours (spelt, 00, kamut, potato, almond, rye, Masa Harina). So, I can make bread, crackers, rolls, tortillas (corn and flour), pasta (noodles, ravioli, whatever). There is also some rolled oats, steel cut oats and buckwheat groats in there! Grains are covered!!

Olives!!! Castelvetrano and Kalamata are musts. There are some artichoke hearts … maple syrup, ketchup (well, I am an American … ), extra spices … this is the “extra” shelves which also include the flour sack towels that I use in place of paper towels as much as possible.

Canned seafood: I keep a stock of all, except just the 1 anchovies and yes, I know it is technically expired. I’m not worried about that :)

And I won’t take photos of freezers and frig. Suffice to say they are full of salmon, sea bass, cod, shrimp, bacon, sausage, ground beef and various things I cook in large batches and freeze in single portions, frozen veg and fruit.

Powdered milk! I am not a milk drinker, but I do use milk in cooking and baking and would very much dislike not having milk … so for years, I’ve bought a fresh package of powdered milk in the Fall, use it up for baking Spring/Summer.

But … “what to me, my love … what to me ???”

Never fear!!! The various cupboards and closets are also full of food and treats for Emmett and Auggie.

I will continue doing my best to stay stocked up, but not super-over-stocked, i.e. not buying what we cannot use in a reasonable time, but just enough so that if we must or want to stay home for 2-4-6 weeks … we can and still have what we like.

Crazy times.

But, it is late September and one of my most favorite times of the year: weather wise.

So far, the smoke has stayed away and we have enjoyed clear air, sun breaks, overcast and much welcome rain.

Emmett says: “Relax !”

Auggie says: “Find a bit of sun to enjoy!”

I say: I hope all who read this find something that brings them joy.

I wish good health and happy days to all … and no matter where you are … I very much encourage you to think about stocking up :)

Happy, Happy for clear air!

It was overcast until late afternoon, but the smoke had cleared and we spent a LOT of time outside today.

We started with a walk, coffee and treats outside and generally just enjoyed clear air and a nice breeze.

The front porch flowers are still going strong. In fact, the hanging begonias look better than they have all Summer!

Some Autumn color in the woods…

After the heavy smoke, it was lovely to enjoy the clear air! And we look to have turned the corner weather-wise to an Autumn pattern of cool, crisp nights, pleasant days with more rain in the forecast. The fire areas have rain forecast as well so hopefully things are improving all around the North West.

Yesterday (Wednesday 9/16), there was some blue sky in the morning !!!!

So we had extra morning outside time: play, teaching, coffee on the front porch, treats, etc., etc. SO nice!!

Shortly, the smoke descended and we resumed inside …

It was a “tail out the bed kind of thing”… I have said that if there is ever a contest for fluffiest tail and bottom … Emmett and Auggie will win, HANDS DOWN !!

Or you know … cover your very private parts with your oh so fluffy tail.

Well, YES!!

So. Bottom line is that Emmett had mange-scabies. And me, also. Auggie ??? But we treated us all.

The GREAT news is that while mange-scabies does transmit to humans (me), it can only live “off the canine” for 72 hours. That means that once the mange-scabies is killed on the canine, the human will be scabies free in 72.

Which proved to be TRUE. Emmett was treated on Wednesday, 9/9. I had no new stuff as of Sunday 9/13.

Per a teleheath with my Dr. on 9/14 we treated me anyway … erroring on the side of precaution. BUT … JOY!!! treatment was easy (lotion head to toe … not greasy and I took my time, but not difficult to apply) and I’ve had no issues.

The protocol is that we do all again in 2 weeks, but … I am so grateful that it is this form of scabies which is canine origin and not long lived off the canine!

I did do another extensive round of vacuum, steam clean, wash bedding, hot dryer for some stuff and 72 hours in plastic bag for some things …

But, Holy COW!

I am over the moon to be free of night time itching, etc. and that Emmett is not itching and Good Grief… despite the discomfort, I am grateful for the education.

so, normal-ish…

Rats … Thursday morning smoky sunrise.

But we go on.

For me, the good news is that there are currently no fires near me.

It is small consolation as I see what is happening in Washington State, Oregon and Northern California: beyond heartbreaking!

No fires near me, but smoke from the incredibly devastated WA/OR/CA fires is making things pretty miserable for Auggie, Emmett and me.

We go out in the morning and then … mostly inside except for what is necessary for Emmett.

Auggie is understandably NOT happy with this scenario.

Emmett is our “ray of sunshine” as he has the joyful, upbeat spirit, in spite of challenging circumstances.

I am somewhere in between. I wish I could help Auggie understand that I keep him in for his health and safety. I am not much happier than Auggie at being inside and dealing with smoke and pandemic and fear for friends in OR, WA and all that are affected by fires.

I try to always be aware that every day is a gift and that there is beauty and joy in the midst of challenging circumstances, but it is difficult to embrace joy when I KNOW so many are suffering.

The best I can do is to take care of me, so that I can take care of Auggie and Emmett and so that we can send care: prayers, $$$ to all who are in such dire circumstances.

Additionally, I pray that as the U.S. moves through this election year … that we vote in people who understand that Climate Change is a CRISIS and that we need to act and act now if we hope to keep Planet Earth a sustainable place for human and animal dwelling.

Time is VERY short.

I wish I had better news.