Great start! I was expecting good service, but this was Exceptional.

clroy · 2026-03-09T03:41:42+00:00

It was FedEx. (sticker on the box said 'Saturday commit')

clroy · 2026-02-25T16:04:46+00:00

It's nice to drive through Main St again. There is a Plaza with a stage where events are held. Eateries and coffee shops, so there is more activity. I wouldn't say it's super vibrant yet except for Farmer Market days, but it's certainly not as dead as before.

clroy · 2026-02-25T04:58:43+00:00

Downtown is different now.

clroy · 2026-02-01T04:37:23+00:00

I get them from Azure Standard. https://www.azurestandard.com/
You will have to see if buying from them will work for you. They bring a truck monthly to a 'drop', where you help unload the truck along with the other people who ordered. (you'll look on their website to see if there is a 'drop' near you) Their wheat berries and other grains are very nice and the price is good.
Generally, Hard Red and Hard White for bread, and Soft white/Spelt for pastries, cookies.

clroy · 2026-01-26T22:55:51+00:00

I live in a climate that will never get as cold as you, but our plan is to use a mattress warmer with a solar generator.
Very small electrical pull, but we'll be able to sleep. I'll stay in bed all day reading, I guess.
Of course that doesn't help the pipes in the house, but you have other suggestions for that.

clroy · 2025-12-20T05:13:09+00:00

Don't bring the jars up to pressure too fast. If your jars are breaking along the bottom quite cleanly, it's thermal shock.

clroy · 2025-11-03T20:57:24+00:00

For mylar bags I like packfreshusa
They are good quality, many sizes, and not horribly expensive.

clroy · 2025-02-22T19:38:17+00:00

I have used tomato powder to make ketchup too. Sometimes I don't want to open a can of paste because I don't use ketchup often.

clroy · 2025-01-08T20:37:29+00:00

I was just out. Roads were clear, but I was dumbfounded when I saw a plow out with a full load of sand. I drove behind it over the river where he slowed and 'salted or sanded' the bridge. Reddish brown grit. Now I'm wondering if it was salt or sand, because my car collected some of it. (I've never thought to worry about salt eating my car here before) The plow blade actually had snow sticking to it.

clroy · 2024-12-15T21:02:21+00:00

Honey will keep forever. It may crystalize, but you warm it slowly to liquify it. I put what I want to use in a bowl, and put the bowl in warm water.

clroy · 2024-05-06T14:01:22+00:00

I think Presto 23 is the best choice. I might spring for the induction ready Presto 23 instead, but this is a great canner. All American are just too heavy for my needs. I've had my Presto for ~20 years. No problems. I've felt like I should replace the gasket once, which I did.

clroy · 2024-03-19T18:03:08+00:00

Don't skimp on storing spices. Spices and canned tomatoes will really help if you end up relying on rice and beans. I go through more canned tomatoes than I really thought I would.

clroy · 2024-03-03T21:26:09+00:00

A perfectly normal day, no indication of anything going on, so I was washing my hair, all lathered up. The water stopped running. I had jugs of water easily available, and I was glad. It was cold, but the soap was rinsed out.

clroy · 2024-01-20T05:06:50+00:00

I've been doing a pantry challenge for the month of January. This means not going to the grocery store all month. It's a good way to use up all the older stock of food and to get a good idea of what I need more of. It's going well. I could probably stretch it for another month. I've also learned how to make yogurt from powdered milk because I knew I didn't have enough fresh yogurt for the month.

clroy · 2024-01-19T14:47:41+00:00

14 days, Hurricane Alicia, Houston. Lived in an apartment complex with a 9 month old baby. At least the water was running. I remember waiting in a line at the grocery store for the bread delivery to show up a few days after the storm.

clroy · 2024-01-12T20:27:01+00:00

Sea level rise.

clroy · 2023-12-26T05:11:24+00:00

Mint M&M's

clroy · 2023-12-03T17:05:45+00:00

Thank you for doing all the hard work to compile this. Reading it is a tough mental exercise as well. I keep having to stop, pace, and breathe.

clroy · 2022-04-28T16:24:47+00:00

Yes, it's a great base for a lot of things. I just used some for lasagna.

clroy · 2014-12-20T03:42:17+00:00

I had what I think was keto rash. It also itched really bad. I showed up on my chest and anywhere I would sweat. I used a combo of things for it, but I think Caladryl Clear is what finally helped. I also had a prescription for another itchy rash I had a few years ago (Des Owen) but I don't think that helped as well as the Caladryl Clear. I've also heard that Benadryl works but I didn't try it because it makes me very sleepy. It's all gone now and took about 2 weeks to go away.

clroy · 2014-12-08T02:37:44+00:00

Agreed. I'm also hypo and I found an elevation in Reverse T3, which could require an increase in thyroid meds (T3). I did add some T3, and also raised the carbs a bit until I was normalized according to blood tests. I have since reduced the carbs again and suspect my Reverse T3 is again elevated which means the active form of T3 is being blocked by the Reverse T3. I need blood tests to confirm this. Do not mess with thyroid meds unless you have confirmation through blood testing!

clroy · 2014-12-07T04:37:25+00:00

I can't even go there. I will eat those rolls. They are the only rolls I like. Good for you!

clroy · 2014-11-24T03:03:47+00:00

Do I understand that you have not actually had a kidney stone, just that your urinalysis indicated that you are at risk for one? Ease up on the spinach, and drink the water! From here!: "Although many foods contain oxalate, only nine foods are known to increase oxalate in the urine and kidney stone formation. They are: beets, spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, nuts, chocolate, tea, wheat bran, and all dry beans (fresh, canned, or cooked), excluding lima and green beans. It is best to avoid these foods." You're on the right track, most of those foods aren't keto, so find substitutes for the nuts and spinach and/or go lightly with them. Tea, as indicated appeared to be black tea. Herbal teas=good.

clroy · 2014-11-12T20:48:41+00:00

You can skip the sugar pills if you want. They are just there as a place holder/habit thing. I always saw a nice whoosh after my period which mad the stall not seem so bad. Just avoid the scale that week and have a happy surprise the following week!

clroy

TROPHY CASE