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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Dog Days of Summer/Winter Prep

 

We are currently celebrating the Dog Days of Summer at the Tiny Taylor Ranch.  This time of the year causes a person to think about the upcoming winter.  Thoughts of preparation run around in my head, like a chicken chasing a bug. 


The tomatoes in the greenhouse are growing round and plump.  Gradually, they are turning yummy crimson red that only tomatoes can produce. Looking at them brings memories of juicy BLT's and thick slices with mayo, salt and pepper.

While we wait for our tomatoes to ripen, we made a deal with a friend from Ogden, UT to procure some tomatoes for canning.  He was passing through Evanston with the leftovers from a Farmer's Market.  His family were going to the Uinta's for a backpacking trip that day.  He would have had to throw the leftovers away.  I could not let that happen, now could I?  I offered to pay for the whole load.

He gave me the entire load for FREE!  Yes, I said FREE!

After I gave a large amount to neighbors and friends, I have been canning like a crazy person.  So far, we have 12 pints of salsa and 12 quarts of tomatoes.  Tonight, 1/4 bushel of jalapenos will be sliced and bottled.  We love these on nachos, atop Mexican food, or in stews.  The rest of the week will be spent canning a half bushel of Anaheim peppers and prepping two large zucchini squash for freezing. 

The Anaheim peppers will be bottled whole with the side slit and the seeds removed.  Preparing the peppers in this manner makes creating chile rellanos simple and quick.  They can be used in Green Chili Casserole, Three Bean Chili, or give zest to a beef stew.

Freezing zucchini is a great way to save this summer squash for use in the winter months.  Our favorite Christmas gift to give to our neighbors is a loaf of homemade zucchini bread.  We have always gotten rave reviews for this yummy gift.  Freezing the squash in airtight containers helps to alleviate any freezer burn.  This method also keeps the smells from the freezer from infiltrating the produce.

This time of year invites the domestic queen to come out of this working mom.  It blesses me with the desire to take care of my family, clean my abode, and get ready for the upcoming glory of a Wyoming winter.  The Dog Days of Summer are a celebration of what has been a glorious summer and what will be a fabulous winter to come.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Boredom in the Workplace





Below is a link for an interesting article on Boredom at Work.  According to the article, there are three reasons for boredom at work.

1.  Major Disconnect - You don't mesh with the job, co-workers, or company
2.  Under-Utilization - You feel like you are invisible.  No feedback from supervisor, non-challenging  work, political isolation.
3.  Confinement - you are unable to grow within your job.  No training or advancement opportunities, lack of feelings of impact.

The New Resilience - Feeling Bored at Work

Another article talked about 30 ways to keep yourself from getting bored at work.  Following is a list of the 30 things.  In the article, more information is given for each item.  It is a must read if you are dealing with boredom at work.

30-things-to-do-to-keep-from-getting-bored-out-of-your-skull-at-work/
  1. Create a new challenge.
  2. Pursue your next job.
  3. List your life goals.
  4. Read Zen Habits.
  5. Declutter your workspace.
  6. Pursue a hobby.
  7. Make your work a game.
  8. Educate yourself.
  9. Improve your skills.
  10. Play Sudoku.
  11. Choose a soothing desktop picture.
  12. Do some pushups and crunches.
  13. Take a day or two off.
  14. Take a walk.
  15. Drink some water.
  16. Call a loved one.
  17. Read.
  18. Start writing your novel.
  19. Take a nap.
  20. Create a new project or role.
  21. Write a love letter.
  22. Do one small thing to make yourself wealthier. T
  23. Write a blog post.
  24. Do an errand.
  25. Update your personal finances.
  26. Meditate at your desk.
  27. Organize your files.
  28. Clear out your inbox.
  29. Crank up the tunes.
  30. Get wild!  Have Fun!