Showing posts with label free food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free food. Show all posts
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Where moms can eat free on Mother's Day
All of these places are out of town, so I will not be getting free food.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
More Free Food
Finally, I have a turkey breast, given to me Friday. It is thawing and the crock pot is waiting. I just wish I felt better. The only reason I am thawing the turkey breast is that there was no room in my tiny freezer to fit it in. I need to stuff small bags of the ham in there somewhere.
On Saturday the church that gives beans and rice and other food did not give beans and rice. No, they gave canned food and a huge bag of pork chops. I suspect there are at least a dozen. I have felt so horrid that I just plopped the bag into the freezer to deal with later.
Plus, I was given a gallon of milk that has a date of December 31. Exbf will get that. When I was offered potatoes, I took four large ones and could have had more. A loaf of sprouted grain bread goes to him, too. The nasty white bread will stay here.
Another bag of frozen assorted meats has me set with meat for a month plus what I already have will last me two months.
Never fear, I do not eat just meat. I have carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes bags of frozen vegetables, lots of fresh and frozen fruit. Soon, I will use the dehydrated grape tomatoes. AND, I have Kisses. I won't be cooking or baking, and I am not a bit sad about it.
Still in recovery mode, just exhausted.
On Saturday the church that gives beans and rice and other food did not give beans and rice. No, they gave canned food and a huge bag of pork chops. I suspect there are at least a dozen. I have felt so horrid that I just plopped the bag into the freezer to deal with later.
Plus, I was given a gallon of milk that has a date of December 31. Exbf will get that. When I was offered potatoes, I took four large ones and could have had more. A loaf of sprouted grain bread goes to him, too. The nasty white bread will stay here.
Another bag of frozen assorted meats has me set with meat for a month plus what I already have will last me two months.
Never fear, I do not eat just meat. I have carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes bags of frozen vegetables, lots of fresh and frozen fruit. Soon, I will use the dehydrated grape tomatoes. AND, I have Kisses. I won't be cooking or baking, and I am not a bit sad about it.
Still in recovery mode, just exhausted.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Free Produce
Again, I went to the food giveaway that is not means tested. There were other people there who were not anywhere near needy but enjoy getting free food.
I received two pounds of beans and two pounds of rice. There were potatoes, sweet potatoes, and free apples, too. The five Granny Smith will go into the crock pot. I will bake all the sweet potatoes in one oven, dip the meat from the skins, and save some for when exbf comes, and maybe freeze a serving or two after I have enough for four meals for me.
A gallon of milk, five pounds of sugar, and eggs were offered, too. I turned down the bread as my freezer is full, and I can only eat so much and need even less.
It is a beautiful day that will lead to colder weather. The oven will be used when it is very cool in the house.
I have had one potato that was just barely starting to sprout. It then had green leaves which have fallen off. the potato is shrinking but still viable. The afternoon, I will have J help me plant it in a bucket. The bucket will go onto cap blocks. I have large flat stones I will put around the bucket. This will sit in front of the back wall, a rock wall, of the house. The bucket should grow a potato or two. I will cover it when it gets to freezing. Let's see how many potatoes one potato will grow.
J promised she would be here at noon. It is now almost 2 pm and she will be here when bf goes back to work after lunch....urge to kill.
your turn
What free food have you found lately? Have you ever grown potatoes this late?
I received two pounds of beans and two pounds of rice. There were potatoes, sweet potatoes, and free apples, too. The five Granny Smith will go into the crock pot. I will bake all the sweet potatoes in one oven, dip the meat from the skins, and save some for when exbf comes, and maybe freeze a serving or two after I have enough for four meals for me.
A gallon of milk, five pounds of sugar, and eggs were offered, too. I turned down the bread as my freezer is full, and I can only eat so much and need even less.
It is a beautiful day that will lead to colder weather. The oven will be used when it is very cool in the house.
I have had one potato that was just barely starting to sprout. It then had green leaves which have fallen off. the potato is shrinking but still viable. The afternoon, I will have J help me plant it in a bucket. The bucket will go onto cap blocks. I have large flat stones I will put around the bucket. This will sit in front of the back wall, a rock wall, of the house. The bucket should grow a potato or two. I will cover it when it gets to freezing. Let's see how many potatoes one potato will grow.
J promised she would be here at noon. It is now almost 2 pm and she will be here when bf goes back to work after lunch....urge to kill.
your turn
What free food have you found lately? Have you ever grown potatoes this late?
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Free Peppers
At a meeting last month someone offered me free bell peppers and various peppers. I accepted and took just a few. She pointed out that everyone had taken some, so I could have the rest. Well, give me a plastic bag. The rest of the basket was cleaned out by me!
Some of the green, yellow, and orange bell peppers were so tiny. Remember, these were home grown. Later in the week I saw the tiny colored peppers in Publix and they were tiny. I thought they were tiny because someone grew them at home and they just did not get big. Now, I wonder if I was given bell peppers.
Foolishly, I passed on the hot peppers. It never occurred to me until too late that I could string these and dry them, later making hot pepper relish. When I grew peppers, I either dried them on a string or gave them to a friend to eat. Later in the winter I ground up the dried cayenne peppers and made pepper jelly.
Some of the green, yellow, and orange bell peppers were so tiny. Remember, these were home grown. Later in the week I saw the tiny colored peppers in Publix and they were tiny. I thought they were tiny because someone grew them at home and they just did not get big. Now, I wonder if I was given bell peppers.
Foolishly, I passed on the hot peppers. It never occurred to me until too late that I could string these and dry them, later making hot pepper relish. When I grew peppers, I either dried them on a string or gave them to a friend to eat. Later in the winter I ground up the dried cayenne peppers and made pepper jelly.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Batchelors Beans and Mushy Peas--Small Economy
Once again, I was the recipient of UK foods. I had heard of mushy peas from other blogs and was curious. I asked. The guy handed me a can of mushy peas and another of beans, both packed in Ireland.
It seems "Batchelors" is the brand name of both. No, I did not misspell the name. The peas which appear to be English peas are Marrowfat peas. I wondered if that is the same as English peas. They look identical. Mushy peas seem to be a favorite in UK from what I read on blogs.
Yes, our English peas and the UK mushy peas are the same genus and species. I definitely won't try those.
On blogs from the UK I have heard of mushy peas and have been curious. Since I cannot stand English peas and am allergic, I will only smell these. It has been a mystery as to why people mash their peas in the UK. However, I have become aware of people who mash their beans, like kidney beans, and put the mashed beans between two slices of bread with mayo for a sandwich. For sixty-years I lived without this information, but have known for a few years now. We never did this and I knew no one who did. And, it sounds gross. But, I eat and love things other feel are gross.
The "Batchelors beans in Ireland's favorite sauce" sound sort of like our baked beans or pork and beans without the meat. From the ingredients list this is my impression. There are lots of tomato products. I will let you know on this one.
It is free and it's food! Both will be opened on days when exbf visits.
Your turn
Have you eaten either of these Irish products? How did you find them here in US? Are you from UK or visited? Have you ever mashed our American beans and put on a sandwich?
It seems "Batchelors" is the brand name of both. No, I did not misspell the name. The peas which appear to be English peas are Marrowfat peas. I wondered if that is the same as English peas. They look identical. Mushy peas seem to be a favorite in UK from what I read on blogs.
Yes, our English peas and the UK mushy peas are the same genus and species. I definitely won't try those.
On blogs from the UK I have heard of mushy peas and have been curious. Since I cannot stand English peas and am allergic, I will only smell these. It has been a mystery as to why people mash their peas in the UK. However, I have become aware of people who mash their beans, like kidney beans, and put the mashed beans between two slices of bread with mayo for a sandwich. For sixty-years I lived without this information, but have known for a few years now. We never did this and I knew no one who did. And, it sounds gross. But, I eat and love things other feel are gross.
The "Batchelors beans in Ireland's favorite sauce" sound sort of like our baked beans or pork and beans without the meat. From the ingredients list this is my impression. There are lots of tomato products. I will let you know on this one.
It is free and it's food! Both will be opened on days when exbf visits.
Your turn
Have you eaten either of these Irish products? How did you find them here in US? Are you from UK or visited? Have you ever mashed our American beans and put on a sandwich?
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Accidental Lunch
About 4:30 mm or so, I was awake for good on Tuesday. But, since I went to bed at 5 pm or so on Monday evening I had about 10 hours sleep. I kept waking up to phone calls and going right back to sleep. My first breakfast was some of a goat cheese log with blueberries embedded in it and water. My second breakfast was banana, milk, and chicken.
My doctor's appointment ended earlier than usual. On the way home, I stopped for some information and continued on my way. As I turned toward town, there was a sign, "Free Lunch on Tuesday." My car drove itself right in without consulting me.
Many church members and a few poor people attended. It seems churches for a space of time will have lunches or dinners for their members and anyone who wishes to come and eat. Good deal.
I had the best lunch and brought home another for tonight: turkey breast, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, a roll, iced tea, and choice of dessert. Tonight will be a repeat. I love free food. I love delicious free food even better.
Lettuce was $0.39/head last week, and I bought tomatoes at the market, so a salad and grapes will be my snack later tonight.
Three churches in this town have a free lunch once each month, all for the community and not just the poor. The food is delicious. If I lived in a larger town...okay, just dreaming of lunches I did not have to cook or clean up afterwards, not to mention being free.
Your turn
Do churches in your town ever serve lunches free for the community? Would you be there with bells on?
My doctor's appointment ended earlier than usual. On the way home, I stopped for some information and continued on my way. As I turned toward town, there was a sign, "Free Lunch on Tuesday." My car drove itself right in without consulting me.
Many church members and a few poor people attended. It seems churches for a space of time will have lunches or dinners for their members and anyone who wishes to come and eat. Good deal.
I had the best lunch and brought home another for tonight: turkey breast, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, a roll, iced tea, and choice of dessert. Tonight will be a repeat. I love free food. I love delicious free food even better.
Lettuce was $0.39/head last week, and I bought tomatoes at the market, so a salad and grapes will be my snack later tonight.
Three churches in this town have a free lunch once each month, all for the community and not just the poor. The food is delicious. If I lived in a larger town...okay, just dreaming of lunches I did not have to cook or clean up afterwards, not to mention being free.
Your turn
Do churches in your town ever serve lunches free for the community? Would you be there with bells on?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I had chicken food for dinner
 |
| Move over girls. This is mine. |
I have several places that give me food for my hens. My friend picked up a box full of scraps before he left his town. Armed with a big bowl in the backyard of my home, he put it all on the table in the back yard and picked out anything that looked promising.
Food I salvaged to eat
Potatoes--1 gallon
bell pepper--1/2 cup
2 pears
14 oz squash
cucumbers--more than a pint
tomatoes--about two cups
The potatoes are in a bowl of water, ready to be cooked.
Bell pepper is in the dehydrator with other things.
Pears! I hate pears, so he took them home. They are not mushy, just not pretty.
We had squash on two salads tonight. The rest will be cooked for tomorrow.
Cucumbers! They will never pass through my lips. He had them on his salad and took the rest home.
There were enough tomatoes for two salads and the BLT I have planned for tomorrow.
Salad greens were given to me. We had chicken on our salads...free to me. So, the only thing I had purchased was the bit of salad dressing I purchased with a coupon. If I were feeding just me from the free chicken produce, I could eat for a suppers for a week if I include the free chicken and free Romaine.
He took home enough Romaine for two salads, besides the other vegetables. Two chicken thighs were frozen for him to take home.
Chickens don't like potatoes anyway. Potatoes and citrus went into a compost where I will not use it for growing anything. There were plenty more cucumbers...they attack those. I think they probably had two gallons of produce today from this box. Another half gallon is in the house for tomorrow.
 |
| The sliced, refrigerated tomatoes did not make this picture. |
Even if I managed to stand at the counter and do all this, the ants were all over. Despite everything I have tried, including vinegar, cinnamon, pepper, and Terro, they remain. I get the counter all wet with Dawn and water. That drowns some and seems to discourage others until it dries.
Tonight, I will use the vacuum on the fruit flies, ants, and the one fly that just came in.
Doing well
I have only spent about $40 and the month is almost over. This is how. I will need milk and bananas. If I see stock-up prices, I will be buying those.
Your turn
Have you started eating your animal food?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Free Food with Coupons: corrected figures
 |
| free spaghetti, zucchini and squash |
I use coupons mostly for things I already buy. Yes, cheese, pasta, and vegetables are good things to buy. Salad dressing? Well, I do buy it. Saturday, I found two Kraft coupons on pads and got two of each. Sunday, I used them. I took the opportunity to shop when I went to purchase a Sunday paper for the coupons.
First coupon: Buy two Kraft salad dressings and get $1 worth of produce free. My $1 free produce was a zucchini and a yellow squash. They were $1.25, so I paid a quarter for them after the coupon. Both will go in a salad. I will use 1/3 of each, making this enough for three salads. Along with romaine, radicchio, endive, carrots, tomatoes, chicken, cheese, and dressing, there will be enough to stuff me.
Second coupon: Buy Kraft Grated Parmesan cheese and get $1.50 off pasta. I do use both. I could have gotten whole wheat pasta. I wanted spaghetti and cannot stand whole wheat spaghetti even though I like other whole wheat pasta.
Both coupons are on pads in the store.
The Ronco pasta
zucchini
squash
Kraft Parmesan Cheese $2.98
Kraft dressings 2 x $1.68=$3.36
Total value= $8.81
Paid--$6.59
Savings=$2.22 = 20%
That's $2.22 in my pocket and food I would not have on hand. The pasta was $1.22, so the cash register is programmed so that no overage occurs, overage that usually just covers other food! RATS!
Two salad dressing go in the cupboard for another day. I use the zesty Italian on chicken when I cook. Zucchini and squash go in the crisper. Pasta package goes into a bug-proof Tupperware container. I just bought Parmesan cheese two days ago, so this one goes in cupboard.
Other free food
3 banana peppers
July so far
Cokes $5.98
1 tomato $1.00 (to see if I want to can that variety)
Above--$
pint of chocolate milk $1.59 Yikes, should not have done that.
Total for first three days of July
When I made my salad tonight and got out the dressing, it was almost gone, so empty that I could not get any out. I was in no mood to shake the bottle or let it drain upside down. The bottle of dressing is back in the refrigerator door, upside down. I opened the bottle of Ranch dressing I purchased today.
I am trying to only spend $100 on food in July. I now have
Financial setbacks have led me to this goal. I had a $200 car repair (boot and stuff on front right axle) last Friday and will have a $400 one that I am delaying until the first of August--rack and pinion something.
For several reasons I am not going to a 4th of July block party in Birmingham where I would have a front row seat to fireworks on Red Mountain, good food and visits with friends. Stormy weather, cost of gas, car problems, extreme heat/humidity, long drive (50 miles) and my complete exhaustion caused me to decide I will stay home today and clean house and write this...lol. Okay, my exhaustion right now and the drive home are the real constraints.
There are two huge bunches of bananas in the refrigerator just waiting to go into the dehydrator. Maybe I will attend to those.
Your turn
Do you have goals with set amounts to spend? Are you successful at staying within self-imposed limits? Or, do you have limits on spending set from an outside source?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Major cooking today
Whew! Being parsimonious has its ups and downs. I benefit from the "ups" and get over the "downs."
~~24 meals of meat in the oven for about $8~~
Frugally exhausted,
Linda--parsimonious and practical
Yes, it is true. I like the economy of cooking bursts. You must know that by now. For at least 2 weeks I won't need to cook meat. I might decide to open a can of tuna or make salmon croquettes. But, I don't have to use the oven if I don't want to.
In the oven--4 chicken thigh-leg quarters and 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This will make 12 meals from the thigh/legs and about 12 meals from the breasts. So, that's 24 meals of meat in the oven, all cooking at once. I store the quarters in freezer and feed to friend when he comes to help me and send the rest home with him. He reports at least three and maybe four meals from each quarter. The breasts are for me...I am picky.
My seasoning is a celery rib, slice of bell pepper, free onions (red, chopped, from freezer) and a bit of salt, pepper, and a whisper of sage. The sage won't be so evident that it tastes or smells like Thanksgiving.
The quarters were free and boneless, skinless breast were less than $1/lb, on sale for half price. Corn and apple were both free.
Happily, the chickens will get all the skin and be in chicken seventh heaven for about a week. Then, my friend brings back ALL the bones, more skin, and gristle that he freezes for the chickens. They are delirious when they get chicken.
My only ear of corn resides in foil to bake for me. Plus, the only baking apple is cooking in a little dish. I only had one of each.
Broth--chickens get the fat and I freeze the rest.
Oh, I am going out to eat tonight--free dinner where I bring home loads of scraps from the plates for the hens.
~~24 meals of meat in the oven for about $8~~
Frugally exhausted,
Linda--parsimonious and practical
Yes, it is true. I like the economy of cooking bursts. You must know that by now. For at least 2 weeks I won't need to cook meat. I might decide to open a can of tuna or make salmon croquettes. But, I don't have to use the oven if I don't want to.
In the oven--4 chicken thigh-leg quarters and 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This will make 12 meals from the thigh/legs and about 12 meals from the breasts. So, that's 24 meals of meat in the oven, all cooking at once. I store the quarters in freezer and feed to friend when he comes to help me and send the rest home with him. He reports at least three and maybe four meals from each quarter. The breasts are for me...I am picky.
My seasoning is a celery rib, slice of bell pepper, free onions (red, chopped, from freezer) and a bit of salt, pepper, and a whisper of sage. The sage won't be so evident that it tastes or smells like Thanksgiving.
The quarters were free and boneless, skinless breast were less than $1/lb, on sale for half price. Corn and apple were both free.
Happily, the chickens will get all the skin and be in chicken seventh heaven for about a week. Then, my friend brings back ALL the bones, more skin, and gristle that he freezes for the chickens. They are delirious when they get chicken.
My only ear of corn resides in foil to bake for me. Plus, the only baking apple is cooking in a little dish. I only had one of each.
Broth--chickens get the fat and I freeze the rest.
Oh, I am going out to eat tonight--free dinner where I bring home loads of scraps from the plates for the hens.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Little Bitty Safari Finds
Don't go looking for free chicken or people food in the Alternative Storage Container (ASC=dumpster) on a Sunday night like I did. It pays to be frugal when searching for chicken food, but this was a little much. There are doors to open, but the stuff was over my head and dripping with blood. Gag! I poked around a bit.
My haul:
3 onions (for me)
1 lb of grapes
a bit of leaves and stems from some produce
1 long, wide loaf of bread
Yes, I will cut the bit of bad place from the onion by using only a portion of what appears to be good by cutting more from the onion than I think is necessary. They were swallowing grapes whole. My hens told me they love grapes.
The first thing I tossed in their pen was bread. The loaf was large enough for two of them to stand on it as they pecked. Here it is 9 hours later, and they still have not consumed the major portion of the loaf even though it riddled with peck marks. They way they were pecking when I tossed it in, I assumed it was hard as a rock.
There was not much in the asc that I could reach or wanted to dig through, but tonight should be better. The hens were able to forage for about 5 hours today. They ate other things I threw to them--ears of corn, a bit of chicken, peach leavings, some dry cereal and things I have forgotten.
My onions are now chopped and in the freezer. Gee, this will save buying onions for awhile. Yes, I will eat the food. However, what I would normally leave is fed to my four hens.
Where do you get your chicken food? Do you ever go on safari (dumpster diving), or have you thought of it? Do you object to this practice? Why? Any questions about my safaris?
My haul:
3 onions (for me)
1 lb of grapes
a bit of leaves and stems from some produce
1 long, wide loaf of bread
Yes, I will cut the bit of bad place from the onion by using only a portion of what appears to be good by cutting more from the onion than I think is necessary. They were swallowing grapes whole. My hens told me they love grapes.
The first thing I tossed in their pen was bread. The loaf was large enough for two of them to stand on it as they pecked. Here it is 9 hours later, and they still have not consumed the major portion of the loaf even though it riddled with peck marks. They way they were pecking when I tossed it in, I assumed it was hard as a rock.
There was not much in the asc that I could reach or wanted to dig through, but tonight should be better. The hens were able to forage for about 5 hours today. They ate other things I threw to them--ears of corn, a bit of chicken, peach leavings, some dry cereal and things I have forgotten.
My onions are now chopped and in the freezer. Gee, this will save buying onions for awhile. Yes, I will eat the food. However, what I would normally leave is fed to my four hens.
Where do you get your chicken food? Do you ever go on safari (dumpster diving), or have you thought of it? Do you object to this practice? Why? Any questions about my safaris?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
It's so hot that....
my chickens refuse to scratch. They just follow me around squawking this mournful "bwaahck, bwaahck." From their voices, I can tell they are miserable and do not have on their happy faces. These hens are not happy girls. It makes me feel helpless. They just refuse to scratch because of the heat. My spoiled hens want me to find the food. So, I did. I went to the market and got four free cantaloupes that were in the trash. After they have been in the yard for an hour, I will pen them up and give them a cantaloupe.
Whether they are complaining or walking silently, their beaks hang open. They walk slowly. Some of their feathers are hanging from various places on their bodies. Their tongues are moving back and forth. They never run or jump as they usually do. Since the heat index has been over 100 this afternoon, I understand.
I commented to a friend who was here today that maybe I should put in ac for them next year. A fan, at the very least, would make them more comfortable. Well, they don't have a house yet! There's not much place to put a fan.
They did give me four eggs today. Two were actually on the nest at once, both little beaks open and panting hard. That must have been really hot! They seem to have chosen one nest of two nests as the ONLY place for all four to lay. One day, there were three hens laying at once!
Since it has been so hot, I expected the egg laying would drop off a bit. As long as they get plenty of protein and water, they seem to lay well in extreme heat and extreme cold. Yesterday, they had two baked chicken leg and thigh quarters. This morning, they had another leg and thigh quarter. Of course, they gulp down fresh water and quit complaing when I refill their bowl. Tomorrow, they get a chunk of ice in the water.
The heat index was over 100 today, and it's 99 right now at 6:30. All four will crowd into one 18 gallon Rubbermaid-type box! When I was out last night at TOPS, people were talking about hens dropping dead in the heat. So, I approach them in fear and count--1--2--3--4--and breathe a sigh of relief.
For those who have chickens, are yours suffering from the heat? What are you doing to relieve their suffering them and keep them cool?
Being a chickie Mama is hard.
Whether they are complaining or walking silently, their beaks hang open. They walk slowly. Some of their feathers are hanging from various places on their bodies. Their tongues are moving back and forth. They never run or jump as they usually do. Since the heat index has been over 100 this afternoon, I understand.
I commented to a friend who was here today that maybe I should put in ac for them next year. A fan, at the very least, would make them more comfortable. Well, they don't have a house yet! There's not much place to put a fan.
They did give me four eggs today. Two were actually on the nest at once, both little beaks open and panting hard. That must have been really hot! They seem to have chosen one nest of two nests as the ONLY place for all four to lay. One day, there were three hens laying at once!
Since it has been so hot, I expected the egg laying would drop off a bit. As long as they get plenty of protein and water, they seem to lay well in extreme heat and extreme cold. Yesterday, they had two baked chicken leg and thigh quarters. This morning, they had another leg and thigh quarter. Of course, they gulp down fresh water and quit complaing when I refill their bowl. Tomorrow, they get a chunk of ice in the water.
The heat index was over 100 today, and it's 99 right now at 6:30. All four will crowd into one 18 gallon Rubbermaid-type box! When I was out last night at TOPS, people were talking about hens dropping dead in the heat. So, I approach them in fear and count--1--2--3--4--and breathe a sigh of relief.
For those who have chickens, are yours suffering from the heat? What are you doing to relieve their suffering them and keep them cool?
Being a chickie Mama is hard.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Free Fruit
Getting free fruit or any free vegetables is just one of my very favorite things to do. Today, I gathered 30 lbs of free pears. Don't ask me what kind they are. When I looked at pictures of pears on the internet, these were labeled "old fashioned hard pears." I guess that kind of says it all. I have repeated this name to older folk who who nod their head as if that is the right name for them.
Last year, I gathered 150 lbs of pears. Not one passed through my lips! I hate pears of any kind except canned. Yes, it is weird. No, I don't can pears!
My four hens love pears. Spending no money for chicken food is my goal, so these pears are right up my alley.
I also share pears with all my friends. I kept about 50 lbs in the refrigerator for six months. No, I don't have a large refrigerator. Pears dominated my life for a few months! They never spoiled. They never ripened. They never shriveled or dried out. They sat there! My friend to whom I had sent ten pounds said she put them in a bowl on the table, and they all waited for them to ripen. Once ripe, the pears were delicious, or so I was told. Altogether, she and her family had been the recipient of about 40 lbs of pears, sent in small amounts over six months.
My pear goal is 200 lbs this year. I will have them sitting all over the house in tubs, bags, and boxes. Since they have the tendency to go bad and ooze juice onto the floor, all will be in containers that will not leak. That sort of leaves out bags and boxes.
Now, I am spreading the word that I will glean. Even rotten fruits or vegetables are fine for the hens. As a matter of fact, the more pungent, the better they seem to like it. They are probably looking on their good luck with rotten fruit as a sort of hard cider experience. I can write a post about "My Drunk Hens."
Two years ago, I purchased a fruit picker. It allows me to reach 17' from the ground. It has a little basket on a pole with prongs above the basket to allow me to pull the fruit into the basket. The pole comes apart into two pieces. When I find the cord to my camera, I will post a picture.
Unfortunately, the first year I had my picker, it was used little. Then, last fall, I used it lots. Eventually, I ended up with a "frozen shoulder." That pain and stiffness had to be worked out over about six months. This time, I hope I will be smarter and take care not to let the shoulder become stiff. Who wants to massage my shoulder?
When I pick pears with my picker, I use canvas bags to hold the pears and to transport them home. I must remember to take more canvas bags and not fill them to overflowing. It hurts my hands and back to carry these to the car and into the house. My little red wagon is used to bring the pears from car to door. But, I still must carry them up the steps!
"My" pear tree is being hosted by someone else, just like "my" pecan trees. Anyone can get the pears, but since I don't want to give anyone ideas, I try to go when there is little traffic. I do have permission!
Since I am losing weight and going to TOPS, I will make less pear preserves and more pear sauce (like applesauce) from my bounty.
Does anyone have access to free fruit? What kind? Does anyone have one of these fruit pickers like I have?
Last year, I gathered 150 lbs of pears. Not one passed through my lips! I hate pears of any kind except canned. Yes, it is weird. No, I don't can pears!
My four hens love pears. Spending no money for chicken food is my goal, so these pears are right up my alley.
I also share pears with all my friends. I kept about 50 lbs in the refrigerator for six months. No, I don't have a large refrigerator. Pears dominated my life for a few months! They never spoiled. They never ripened. They never shriveled or dried out. They sat there! My friend to whom I had sent ten pounds said she put them in a bowl on the table, and they all waited for them to ripen. Once ripe, the pears were delicious, or so I was told. Altogether, she and her family had been the recipient of about 40 lbs of pears, sent in small amounts over six months.
My pear goal is 200 lbs this year. I will have them sitting all over the house in tubs, bags, and boxes. Since they have the tendency to go bad and ooze juice onto the floor, all will be in containers that will not leak. That sort of leaves out bags and boxes.
Now, I am spreading the word that I will glean. Even rotten fruits or vegetables are fine for the hens. As a matter of fact, the more pungent, the better they seem to like it. They are probably looking on their good luck with rotten fruit as a sort of hard cider experience. I can write a post about "My Drunk Hens."
Two years ago, I purchased a fruit picker. It allows me to reach 17' from the ground. It has a little basket on a pole with prongs above the basket to allow me to pull the fruit into the basket. The pole comes apart into two pieces. When I find the cord to my camera, I will post a picture.
Unfortunately, the first year I had my picker, it was used little. Then, last fall, I used it lots. Eventually, I ended up with a "frozen shoulder." That pain and stiffness had to be worked out over about six months. This time, I hope I will be smarter and take care not to let the shoulder become stiff. Who wants to massage my shoulder?
When I pick pears with my picker, I use canvas bags to hold the pears and to transport them home. I must remember to take more canvas bags and not fill them to overflowing. It hurts my hands and back to carry these to the car and into the house. My little red wagon is used to bring the pears from car to door. But, I still must carry them up the steps!
"My" pear tree is being hosted by someone else, just like "my" pecan trees. Anyone can get the pears, but since I don't want to give anyone ideas, I try to go when there is little traffic. I do have permission!
Since I am losing weight and going to TOPS, I will make less pear preserves and more pear sauce (like applesauce) from my bounty.
Does anyone have access to free fruit? What kind? Does anyone have one of these fruit pickers like I have?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)