Out Out damn allergies!

*261*

I am soooo happy!

 Fred and his  friend came by this morning/noon. They cut up the big branch in the top yard that had fallen during the tropical storm last year. They also picked up all the branches and brush from that storm and a big wind storm we had in the winter. ALL GONE! And I didnt have to pay a nickel. I love that Fred has friends like that.
Now I can clean the top yard without worrying about tripping over that. It was long and it was heavy. All the pine branches that had fallen from next door are gone too! Woot! I want to work out in the yard! I want to! PLEASE.
I am still nursing the back/hip issue. I just took my allergy meds cause the tree pollen is bad today. You do not have to tell me it is bad, I can tell just by the tears in my eyes and the snot coming from my nose.  I am surprised because it was so cold last night (40 deg F) and I had to bring the veggie plants inside. I have a six pack of brussel sprouts and a six pack of Kale. I am going to plant them at the community garden.  But not until this cold weather is gone.

Today I am going to attempt to make donuts. I have never ever made them before. I have the biscuit cutters (large, medium, and tiny) so that I can do donut holes too. I was thinking of just do something simple. Here in New England we call it an Old Fashioned or plain donut. It has sugar and cinnamon on it. I do not know if that is what they are called all over the place but that is what we call them here. I have a deep cast iron fry pan that will be perfect for making them.
I am going to use this recipe right here.

OLD FASHIONED DOUGHNUTS

4 1/2 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. milk
Cooking oil

 

Sift together flour and next 3 ingredients. Set aside. Cream sugar and shortening; add eggs; blend well. Add milk and sifted ingredients alternately; stir well enough to blend. Chill about 1/2 hour. Roll dough on lightly floured board about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter; fry in hot grease about 375 degrees. Drain on brown paper. Makes 24

Dinner tonight consists of me breaking our budget a smidge. I am going to make baked macaroni and cheese and Fred is going to pick up a 12 pack of broasted chicken pieces from a restaurant a couple towns over. I have some spinach I am thinking of making creamed also.  This chicken is THE best I have ever had. And they let you get big servings for take out!

I did so well yesterday. I paid the bill. I had exactly $126 from a combo of last week and this week. I spent $60 on groceries, $20 on gas, and $16 in Fiddleheads. (Chelsea gave me $10 to buy her a couple things), $6 for fresh farm eggs and a pack of six kale plants for the garden, and $8 for two books for Natalie at the Book Barn. So I have a small amount left over. Fred will give me money today for gas for the week. So we decided since i have done so well that he and I would go halfsies on the chicken. $10 each.
I have no plans to buy anything today. There IS a plant sale going on at the garden today but I just do not have the money. The big plant sale that I go to every year is the weekend of Mother`s Day. That one I will drop some dollars for! I will go on Saturday because Sunday will be filled with me packing for my trip to Dale`s house for the week.
So basically that is it for today. Going to try and get some work done and make some donuts.
Happy Saturday!