June 27 is Handsome partner's birthday. He died in 2011 on Handsome Son's birthday, so we decided to celebrate HP on his own birthday and reserve Handsome Son's own birthday for him.
I had strawberries and graham crackers for breakfast, the strawberries in HPs honor, his favorite fruit, always at its best around his birthday. I used to feature strawberries in his birthday cake.
Friday I took sugar to the food pantry and found that the person who runs it has to do everything. So when I send my quarterly donation check, she has to go do the shopping. It adds to her workload. So I decided I'll spend the equivalent on useful nonperishables from Misfits and take that over instead.
Summer is a hungry time, with school out, and no lunch programs. She showed me her empty shelves. In our small town there are fifty families, all working people, but unable to meet their expenses and needing the food pantry.
I encourage everyone who wants to help to check locally what's needed, then provide what we can. Now more than ever it's a good thing to do. With bigger food banks, more employees and food contacts, money is more useful, but it pays to check their preference.
Today the daylilies are bursting out, and the patio looks so summery. Also cool enough to be out there.
See all the buds on the hibiscus. Last year was its first, with two blooms. This year will be a bit more showy.
And I'm making more cordage, to continue the basket. I love doing this and my hands are limited in how long they can do the movements without locking up. So I seize the day, so as to have a supply ready.
Below is an experiment with fine rushes. They wouldn't twist, so I braided them into a decorative shape to attach to the finished basket
This is how you use a clipboard for braiding. It's also good for small weaving, especially paper strips.
And I baked the carrot cake.
I included dried cranberries, but omitted the walnuts I had thought about including, because the boy next door is seriously allergic to nuts, and I wanted to share.
It's nice but so labor intensive no wonder it's special. All that grating of carrots. It's quite rich so I may not bother with a fancy frosting.
Meanwhile my neighbors are happy with their share, showed me the kitchen they're renovating (I know, I've been hearing it happening nights and weekends for ages), and their daughter recruited me to help with her girl scout Gold Award. She's doing a project to help seniors avoid financial online scams.
I'll be happy to help. I've worked with girl scout Gold Award projects before.
Gary will also have his share of cake.
Late addition: the cake got excellent reviews!
I have the fourth season of Foyle for my weekend viewing. The only little drawback to watching a series is the signature tune earworm.. currently it's Pie in the Sky, soon to be replaced by Foyle.
Friday evening I'm online with friends, so I have to remember to get supper in time.
Happy day everyone, please feed people if you can, sez
Ted and Big Ursy
Backed up by Food Warrior Fluffy.
Food banks are increasing in number, even in affluent areas.
ReplyDeleteThe surrounding affluence is why they're needed -- everything's geared to higher incomes. We have homeless families where the adults are working, but prices are out of reach.
DeleteSo many people forced to use foodbanks these days, it's dreadful. Ours regularly have lists on social media for what they most need.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to check. Also to find out what they have enough of, and choose to donate from the needed lists. This includes personal care items. People need to be presentable at work and personal care is expensive.
DeleteFor the second time already this morning, i am reminded that it is strawberry season here and that I should do something about that.
ReplyDeleteSuch pressure!! Obliged to eat strawberries.
DeleteIt's nice that you mark the death of your son's partner. In my eyes, they would have been young, but of course you are of a certains age, so...maybe not that young.
ReplyDeleteMy husband died at 79, on our son's birthday. So we remember him on his own birthday.
DeleteGrating carrots is tedious but worth it for carrot cake!
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit hard on the shoulder, but the cake got great reviews, so there's thst.
DeleteYour carrot cake sounds so good! Yes, food insecurity is happening everywhere. Our laundry room at the apartment complex has about a dozen little boxed meals sitting on the clothes-folding table (where they're not supposed to be) this morning...we share whatever we can. Some people are too picky and don't like past-due-date things...but I've never found any problems with them. I think I'll check out my shelves.
ReplyDeleteThose sell by dates usually only refer to the first date by which the law applies. It also has to do with the food chain pushing new product. So there's leeway. I agree, don't be too literal about it.
DeleteI think it's lovely how you do the birthdays. It had to be hard for HS to have his dad die on his birthday so it's nice to be able to celebrate and honor as you do. The carrot cake sounds great. Our postal people do a food bank collection a couple of times of year -- it makes it so easy but we also donate in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI think the birthday idea has worked pretty well. I usually remember birthdays better than death days anyway, other than this one.
DeleteThe thing is that food drives often are around holidays such as Thanksgiving, but people are hungry year round.
Your garden looks great. So does the carrot cake. I will admit that I use the food processor for grating. My hands and shoulders aren't what they used to be. I used to volunteer at the local food shelf. The Target store in the area was a major contributor produce.
ReplyDeleteThe wild Texas hibiscus that blog friend Ellen sent me seeds for two years ago has put out its first bloom today and it is stunning. I do love all things hibiscus-related.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very fine cake to honor a very fine partner. I'll be making a coconut cream pie for Mr. Moon tomorrow as that is his birthday.
Our food bank purchases in bulk from the central US food bank, so it’s more efficient for them to receive money. However, they definitely like food contributions too, especially people who “plant a row” to contribute fresh garden prduce.
ReplyDeleteSo many families are now relying on food banks around the world. Even those who have jobs are finding it hard to make ends meet
ReplyDeleteOur supermarkets have collection areas where you can place food that goes to the charities that feed those families.
A working family shouldn't have to rely on a food pantry. This is what's become of the American Dream? No wonder we're slipping into fascism.
ReplyDeleteI love carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Although it is usually sweet enough without the frosting--lol! Postal service here does food bank donations a couple times a year, too. But they definitely could use all the help they can get all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteYay, cake!!!
ReplyDeleteFood banks..it is shameful that they are needed..but a blessing that they exist.
Dates...funny how they coincide... Mountain Man died on my #1 son's 30th birthday...Pirate died on what would have been our cycling hero's birthday ( Raymond Poulidor) my father died on 19/July 2005..and Pirate's sister exactly 5 months later..on the 19th..
Lovely garden! There are food banks here in Montreal as well.
ReplyDeleteThat is so nice of you to donate to the food bank. Our coordinator does everything as well. Your cake looks so rich and delicious. Worth the effort for sure.
ReplyDeleteSmall but grip-intensive food prep tasks like grating carrots are the only reason I think now and then about buying a food processer.
ReplyDeleteI love using cranberries in bakes. Sorry that his partner passed. I was a little confused on the birthday. I thought they shared a birthday though I don't think I understood correctly. Either way though, it's sad he's gone.
ReplyDeleteGood way to help the families. Does the place offer any classes on money management and sales shopping tips, or meal tips on how to create more with less money?