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~
Friday, September 8, 2023
Out with a Bang! ~ Paste Tomatoes are Done!
Friday, September 1, 2023
Paste Tomatoes ~ Spearmint ~ Cucumber Powder ~ Bell Peppers
I've put a start on dehydrating spearmint finally. I've also made dehydrated cucumber powder. Spearmint is for tea and both of them are for Tzatziki Sauce this winter. It is the first year to make cucumber powder, and I am researching the uses for it. It sounds like it would be great in sauces, dips, and other recipes. I had a few cucumbers getting too soft to make a salad, and didn't want to waste them (although I am sure the chickens would have loved them). I do have a better plan to keep the cucumbers "fresh" after picking them.
The weather is heating back, so any dehydrating is on hold now.
I have a few more bell peppers to take care of, but we found our newest, favorite breakfast.
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Canning Continues and other ramblings
I'm now writing out a winter prep to-do list, but I have to get cracking on the living room. I have boxes now, so I am ready as soon as the tomatoes are all put up.
What's on the list? Splitting wood, ordering propane (this time I will make sure it's delivered before the cut off date), pulling the garden, drying herbs before the weather gets too cold, and a few other to-do's.
It's another foggy morning here, and the last few days we are hearing fox and coyote. We also saw an eagle fly over the house.
Disturbing news in our state - the death of 3 million chickens at another egg producing farm died due to bird flu. I guess I better get that new coop built, so we can focus on a meat bird coop as well.
Friday, September 2, 2022
Sunrise ~ More Canning with Tomatoes ~ Question
I woke up in time to see this beautiful sky. I did however, sleep in, and did not get to see my husband before he went to work. He is taking over a supervisor position for a few months. Let's just say the coffee pot is pre-set at 4:30am now.
Unless I try and put up another table in the living room, I am plum out of room for ripe ones. I'm trying my best to get things canned, but I can only do one sauce/tomato recipe in one day.
We have surpassed 200 pounds of Amish paste this year. There are more out there, and the plants are dying. Sheesh, but so thankful for the stock up with all of them.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Lemony Tomato-Basil Soup
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Shopping Day ~ Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Thankfully, before we left, I filled the crock pot. It's my healthier version of Pasta e Fagoli. I make this with whatever I have, and it always tastes good. Some years I use tomato sauce and paste, with extra broth, but this time I used some tomato basil soup and paste. The combination was delicious. I just had to boil the penne noodles and add them when I got home.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Barbecue Sauce ~ Gutting the Garden
We did not like the taste. Just something about it.
Then, I came across Grit magazines homemade BBQ sauce, made from ketchup (we used home canned), pure maple syrup, dry mustard, black pepper, and cider vinegar. It's not canned, but I was so excited to find it, because I wouldn't have to can it (just the ketchup).
So, while ketchup was reducing to can, I put a pot on another burner and whipped up a batch.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
More Tomatoes ~ Oh my!
I've been successful at getting the tomatoes cut and cooked down before the sun rises, but not through the sauce maker. Early is best when canning with sauce anything. This was a double batch of tomato paste (20 pounds). That is one of my smaller sauce pans - 8 inches tall, and 10 inches in diameter. That is what it looks like before it becomes.....