Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Monday Crazy is Back

I started out Monday with Hubby waking me up, "Hun, did you thaw tortillas?"

"Oh poo, I forgot."

I got up anyway, and charged slowly scooted my feet to the kitchen.  I weighed out tomatoes for delicious taco sauce.  I've been canning this for a few years and we love the taste of it.  One year we canned BBQ sauce (Ball recipe) and did not like the taste.  I still have one jar of it left.

Anyway, it was a maddening Monday for sure.  While the taco sauce reduced, I had to get pork chops in the crock pot for dinner.  In between those two jobs, I did my usual exercise (reluctantly).

(before the chili powder, dandelions and eggs were added)

Then it was breakfast time - Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos.  I had to run out to pick bell peppers to make it, so I went ahead and grabbed my tomato baskets and went to the garden.  The recipe is online with Clean Eating - absolutely delicious I ate it without cheese and loved it.  I used dandelions vs. spinach as well.  It was just what I had more of in the freezer.


I brought in another 23# of tomatoes.  That makes our tally 283# so far this season.  I have not run out of things to stock up on either.  

Taco sauce went into the canner, and I used 4 oz. jars vs. half-pints.   


Oh, then I needed to make another tincture with fresh mullein before the weather changed.  Actually, I made two.  Then I realized my bilberries arrived a few days back and needed to get that brewing too.  Oh, a tidbit I read about the other day - you can make tinctures with apple cider vinegar.  The only downside is that they are only good for 5 months (or so) and they are not as potent as the ones you make with vodka.  And if you do make a vinegar anything, use a plastic lid or line it with parchment paper.



I haven't forgotten to share my bilberry stuff.  I'm still working on that.  Just a little delayed.
 

This morning I am tackling this bowl of tomatoes.  Oh, I have more sitting on the table too.  These will be canned into ketchup.  I don't have enough stocked up yet.  It's a measly 10 pounds, which is a cinch compared to 45 for tomato sauce.  It's easier than taco sauce too.  Taco sauce requires 3 cups of red bell peppers, 1 cup of diced jalapenos and 1/4 cup of chopped garlic and other ingredients.

I am so glad my 19 year-old daughter was homeShe and my son helped drive the younger two to two different places last night, so Hubby and I could steal an hour to take a motorcycle ride.  One kiddo went to Zumba, and the other went to driver's education class.  Long busy nights at our house this week. 

 

 

7 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Oh, Kristina! When the time comes that all of your kids have flown the coop, you are going to find yourself with so much wonderful time on your hands! I think you may have to go into a de-programming program, though, in order to get you to cut back on ALL THE FOOD you put by for the year. The amount just you and your hubby need is going to seem so small!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I tell the older ones all the time they need to work harder on moving out. Ha ha! Just so I can plant a smaller garden. I will have to de-program. I multi-task way too often, and wear myself out.

RB said...

Pork chops are my favorite, and so is crockpotting.
What recipe did you use to cook them in the crock pot?
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, original recipe says to brown the chops first, but I do not. I put about 7-8 chops in my crock pot, so you may have to cut the recipe in half if you have less.

1 onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
8 oz. tomato sauce
3-4 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1-2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce.

Mix and pour over chops, cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice.

RB said...

Thanks so much.
God bless.
RB
<><

Sam I Am...... said...

Thanks for the recipe! I love using my crock pot when I can and you can't beat a recommended recipe!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

You are welcome, Sam I Am.