Marti’s Corner – 108

Hi Everyone,

April was Earthquake preparedness month.  We don’t want to scare our kids by telling them the BIG ONE can come at any time, but we SHOULD be talking about it so that when an earthquake comes, they will know what to do.  This can be as easy as a dinnertime conversation:

1. What should you do if there is an earthquake at night?
2. What if you are at school?
3. What if you are home, but Mom is at the store?
4. Do you stay inside or run outside?

Here is a great place for information:  Earthquake Preparedness | California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

In addition, you can use the USGS map to actually SEE the fault lines in your city:  U.S. Quaternary Faults.

Turns out my local library is offering a “Plant Trade” Day where people can come together and trade plants.  I guess they also have demonstrations going on about gardening and composting and stuff like that.  I’m just giddy with excitement.  It is happening on April 22 in honor or “Earth Day”.  You might want to check YOUR local library and find out if anything interesting is happening!

Confession — I have never gutted a fish.  Perhaps I’m not alone here.  Secretly, I have wondered how to do this, although really I don’t want to be the one who does it.  LOL

BUT, look what I found….

GARDENING HAPPENINGS:

Last week I sprayed twice for aphids and whatever those little black bugs are stuck all over the outside of my yellow cups.  I wouldn’t have worried about them so much, except that I started looking UNDER the leaves of my plants and they were everywhere!  I used Safer Soap with Pyrethrin.

Notice the OMRI label on the front.  This assures you it is organic.  I bought mine last year, used it all summer, and still have 1/2 bottle left for THIS summer.  You only use 2 TB at a time in a spray bottle filled with water.  Even organic gardeners spray for insects.  You have to!!!!  I’ve read about people who steep garlic and other spicy items in hot water, then use the garlic water to spray.  Yeah, I’m not sure if that would affect the taste of the lettuce???  And, frankly, I can’t be bothered.  LOL

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE:​ rice

Somewhere I heard (probably a rumor) that rice may get scarce because of the weather.  Just pick up 2 10-pound bags of rice.  You used to be able to get these bags for about $8.00.  I know they are more now, but I think they are still under $10.  You’ll want to re-package them, either in a food-grade bucket with a lid, OR you can use 2-liter bottles, OR you can vacuum seal them in smaller quantities.  ​

BEST IDEA EVER!!!

In case of an emergency, prepare a lanyard for EACH member of the family that they can throw over their heads — especially children, NO MATTER their age!!!  On it have an ID, a family picture, a small flashlight, etc.  After Hurricane Katrina, people were evacuated, and children were sometimes separated from their families.  In some cases, it took months to get the children back if you couldn’t prove with birth certificates, ID pictures, etc that they belonged to you.  For the next few weeks, I’ll include something to help you get this set up.

THIS WEEK – get lanyards for everyone.  I like the idea of colored ones – a different color for each member of the family, but only IF you can remember which kid gets which color!

8 Pack Cruise Lanyard with Waterproof ID Card Holder

These lanyards are SO inexpensive that grandparents could give them as gifts to their kids and grandkids – print the ID tags for them and include a family picture.

WARNING:  When I taught school and we took the kids on field trips, we NEVER had them wear name tags.  We didn’t want a stranger to be able to call them by name.  Maybe have the child’s picture only.  Then on the back, have parent information.  This child belongs to…  For field trips, we had the school’s name and phone number and the teacher’s name and phone number, but NOT the child’s name.

Your child’s name can be on a folded piece of paper in the plastic pouch, available but not visible.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

​Apple Oatmeal Muffins

from the book Cookin’ With Home Storage by Peggy Layton

• 1 1/4 c. wheat flour
• 1 c. oatmeal
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt

    Sift dry ingredients together

Combine wet ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 TB honey
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/4 c. oil

     Stir into dry ingredients.  Mix well.

• 2 c. diced apples or raisins – Add

Fill greased muffin tins.  Bake 15-20 min at 350 degrees.

Granola Muffins

from the book Cookin’ With Home Storage by Peggy Layton

• 1​ 3/4 c. flour
• 1 TB baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 c. granola

     Mix dry ingredients.

     Combine wet ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 c. milk
• 1/4 c. cooling oil

     Add to dry ingredients, stirring just enough to moisten.

• 1/4 c. raisins – add

Spoon batter into greased muffin tins.  Bake 400 degrees for 20 min.  Makes about 12.

​Simple Candied Carrots​

from the book Cookin’ With Home Storage by Peggy Layton

1/2 c. dried carrot slices – Cook in water until tender.  About 20-30 min.  Drain water.

Add 1/2 c. butter, stir till melted

Add 6 TB brown sugar, stir till smooth.​

Marti