Water, water (issues) everywhere

Well, maybe not everywhere, but came across a couple of informative articles I thought I'd share:

--In the United Kingdom, there are new bans going out on hoses due to water issues, according to this article. It is interesting to note that there isn't actually a ban on watering your garden per se,  you just can't use a hose to do it. Also, there is a video at the top of the article, but I wasn't able to view the entire thing--it kept stopping at a certain point no matter how many times I tried to replay it, so there may be even more information involved than I know about. ( Hard to know if the problem with the video is due to the video or my computer--could go either way. :) While it would also affect peoples' opportunities to wash cars and the like, the thing that I would worry about would be the gardens, which is what is mentioned specifically in the article. Here's my question--if you want to limit the watering of gardens, doesn't that in theory leave you with a double problem? If you don't water your garden, you stand to be short of both food and water, the way I look at it...

--In Idaho, there is an article about a proposed rate hike on water that can be found here. There is a link included in the article if you wish to comment on this issue. More money for less water is one of the issues mentioned in the fourth paragraph of the linked article, and points out clearly just how much of a hike is being proposed. More money spent on water means less money for other needed items...

Water will always be needed, and it's a good idea to have some put away in your supplies. Rules are different everywhere, but do what you can---for drinking, sanitation, and watering those gardens...

A thank you, a bread recipe, and water links

First, I would like to thank those who have commented and/or e-mailed  information. I don't check the e-mail connected to my blogs all that often, so I don't always see things right away. I do need to say that if you send me an attachment, I won't open it (computer issues, etc.) so please just cut and paste anything you would like me to see. Sorry--I really do want to see what you have to say, and I appreciate your efforts. Also, since I am rather not technologically inclined, please excuse me if it takes me more time than expected to figure out how to use pictures and further explanations sent recently with what will be an awesome post--given that I do eventually figure it out.... :) I have also heard more about possibilities with wordpress, and have to figure out what I want to do on that subject. Ah, technology--not my area of expertise, but one can always keep learning... So thanks again to everyone!

Turning to things that are much simpler when it comes to technology, one of my children and I have been gathering what amount to be heritage recipes, and, since I am involved, I am all about looking for the recipes that are basic and easy. Above is a recent example from when I made Irish soda bread, the recipe for which is found here. It is very easy, doesn't have all that many ingredients, and most of the family liked it. (As you can see, it has raisins in it, and so wasn't welcomed with enthusiasm by one of the children.) It's dense bread, and it was the first time I had made a "ball" of bread that I can remember--pretty fun. And I figure it's good to have a variety of recipes that involve the flour, salt, oil, etc. combinations. (Speaking of oil, the linked recipe calls for corn oil, but I used vegetable oil, since that is what I had. Wonder if it really makes a difference taste-wise...)

Speaking of searching for recipes, when I was looking at one, a measurement of water was lit up as a link. I found it interesting that when I passed the mouse over it accidentally, a question popped up in a box, and the question said something like this: "Did you need a 1/2 cup water?" That reminded me of this recent article from Preparedness Pro about water storage. She also has an article about dust bowl conditions that might be of interest. I know that there are a lot of things to do/learn/worry about when it comes to emergency preparedness, but clean water--whether it is endangered by dust bowl conditions, the after effects of tornadoes or earthquake, or for whatever reason that you can think of--would have to be at or near the top of the priority list to get your hands on before, during, or after an emergency. Just linking here in case you haven't seen it, since it gives a lot of food for thought. Hope none of us find ourselves short of water, 1/2 cup or otherwise.

When I went back to link these articles, I realized that there were comments there I'd like to look at, so I'll be going back to look myself. Sometimes you can learn a lot from comments. But I think I may have mentioned that before.... :)