Rain! Independence Days, The One Important Thing Preppers Seem to Forget, Balloons Over Boise

All green here

Rain!
Sorry, no photos! We had a torrential downpour last week, and it rained so hard we had flooded gutters. I had just gotten home from work and got the chickens in about one minute before the flood gates opened. Lighting was really intense and thunder rattled the windows. We lost power for an hour. We broke a record for rain during this time of year. Dave and I had watched the weather and we decided he'd pick all the nectarines the weekend before the storms hit. We stored them in single layers in the kitchen. The temp dropped 10 degrees overnight and the sky's been so blue since then! No smoke. Still warm here, 87 today, but it feels like we're inching towards Fall. I'm ready! I've been really busy with getting back to work, and moving kids stored furniture out finally. What a relief to have some space back! Now I can set up my sewing machine again...

Independence Days-

1. Plant Something-

All done.

2. Harvest Something-

Eggs, compost, collard greens, all the nectarines, lemon cukes, tomatoes, 4 kinds of peppers, yellow squash, green beans, eggplants, basil, herbs.

 3. Preserve/Store Something-

  Froze some tomatoes. Froze most of the nectarines, canned some. Total: 6 gallons frozen, 3 Qts. canned. Good harvest this year! I also made an "emergency cobbler" in a huge lasagna pan-

Lots and lots of nectarines!

tossing in some fruit fresh to prevent browning before freezing

4. Manage Reserves- Get a Good Deal/Barter/Stock Up/Prep-

Added some more "gourmet on the cheap" (grocery outlet)  breads to the freezer for the winter. Bought more canned goods for the pantry.

5. Eat the Food- Try New Foods/Recipe-

Made homemade pizza with tomatoes, fresh mozz and fresh basil, wonderful! I used a local dough I bought on the way home. We ate French-style baked eggs for another dinner. Those are so simple and so good!

 6. Build Community Food Systems-

Got free veggies, including tomatoes, from work and made salsa and froze some. Selling eggs again.

 7. Recycle/Re-Use-

Compost. We had our two dining chairs recovered. I would have done it myself but I don't do welting. The guy also tightened the straps underneath and stabilized the frame, which was a bit wobbly. I got them used years ago for $40.00 each. Turns out they're worth about $400.00 each new! It's the cut out and framing on the backs. Very detailed. I tried to match the original Ikat fabric but couldn't find it. We went with a French country style fabric. Our kitchen can be a bit dark so it's nice and bright! And it has stain repellent sprayed on!

                                         "Before" shot, with holes, worn and faded

"After" shot! Clean and nice and stable 

8. Skill Up-

Learned some new tech skills at work. My boss is getting me a tablet, oh boy!

9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something-

Dining chairs. Trying to decide if we should have our two living room chair re-covered or not. Pretty spendy but cheaper than a new chair. That I might try myself....

The One Important Thing Preppers Seem to Forget-
One word- atmosphere. I keep seeing all these website and lists of things to prep for when the zombies come, or the grid's down. Food, fual, ammo, guns. Nobody's talking about the one thing we must have- an atmosphere to live in!!! If methane (see article below) keeping releasing at the rate it is we'll be in very big trouble. SOON. Methane is percolating from under thawing ice packs, rising up and entering the atmosphere. In the photo above a scientist is alighting methane from under the snow pack. They're called "ice grenades", as they're so explosive. Great way to toast a hot dog, but not our planet. From the article:

If the temperature of the planet continues to rise massive quantities of the gas could be released into the atmosphere with potentially deadly effects from Dailymail.co.uk- Usually I Catch on Fire

Ice grenades rising under the ice, coming soon to an atmosphere near you!  

Balloons Over Boise!
This time of year there's always a hot air balloon festival in Boise. Here's some shots from my cellphone in my car (not while I was driving) around town last week-