Homemade Sausage ~ Biscuits and Gravy Oh My!

I woke up Monday to a warm 63°F and later a high of 87°.  And guess what?  

We started the "resurrection" of the flower beds/rose bed/herb garden on Sunday (no chance in convincing Hubby to break out the chainsaw for wood chores in the heat either), and now we are to get 4 days of possible rain.  I guess the Good Lord thought I needed softer soil to rip those weeds out, ha ha!  

Clean up before the end of the day.  But oh, so much more to weed (like about 60-70 feet of flower/herb beds).

Monday, we labored (again).  Hubby mowed some more, we weeded, and prepped the garlic bed.  Oh that was a joy - windy as heck, and try putting plastic down in the wind.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours or more to pull up old plastic, till, and put the new plastic down.  Now it will sit for a week or so to kill off more weeds/grass before I fall plant.

Laundry was put out.  Dried in seconds with the wind, heat and sun we had.

Pie pumpkins were picked and brought inside.  There are more, and more baby ones just starting.

A few blackberries were enjoyed.

Now about the homemade sausage.... 

In our parts of the world, we can buy "natural" sausage in patties, but it's not organic/non-gmo.  I've been buying organic pork, and making it myself.

It's the next best thing to raising my own pigs, butchering and making the sausage myself (goals). Or some day having a neighbor, like-minded, to barter with some day. 

That's the tickler about homesteading - it's a simple way of living, but so many people confuse "simple" with "easy."

To make the homemade sausage:

Homemade Biscuits ~ From the Family Cookbook

We've been using this recipe for years.  I like the  fact that it's basic, similar to what the Pioneers used.  I can use milk from my goats or future cow, and I can make my own butter from cream.  These are delicious with buttermilk also. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I had a very relaxing island getaway weekend with my husband.

We came back fully recharged mentally and physically.  I've got my to-do list written out and ready to take on the day.

The island has a huge wild flower area and you can't see from the photo, but it is loaded with mullein.  I could not believe how much was in this area.

Grab a cup of your favorite java.  Sorry, but this post is a bit of a long one.  Taking a few days off gives me some things to talk about today.

Before we left I got 3# of tomatoes in the freezer, and I'm drying all the skins for tomato powder.

We are still getting a few nice sized green bell peppers from the garden.  I haven't yanked the plants yet, and with rain coming, I'm leaving them in for now.  It's been a blessing to get so many this year.

I finally got the garlic harvest down from hanging and will be planting the larger ones today for my fall planting.  These will be planted in grow pots.

We won't run out of hot peppers this winter.  It'll be nice to have on hand for soups, chili, pizza toppings, all sorts of casseroles, breakfast and whatnot.

I also got locked in on our pre-pay propane rate before winter is here.  Glad I remembered to do it.

If you asked for the home canned ketchup recipe I updated my last post with the link, where it is on my blog.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather outside is . . .

The rain has now shifted from Tue/Wed to today.  So....with help of a daughter, and my husband, we picked all my black beans and we fall planted 52 cloves of garlic.  Although, I do need to plant more, but will need to buy it if I can find it so I have enough for next year's homemade garlic powder, minced garlic and so forth.  I use a lot of it with my canning recipes.  I also picked 3 more green bell peppers and one lonely cucumber.

Anyway, back to the weather, rain is 90% today, 78°F/48°F.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Well, ready to take on the day, but a certain cat thought I needed to start my day at 3:30am.  He's not even my cat.  Sigh.

On my mind . . .

My to-do list.  I already checked off two for today that we did yesterday, so that makes my mind rest a bit.  I'm not looking forward to the shift my husband is working, as that puts all the garden work on me alone this week (one day at a time).

On the breakfast plate . . .

Bacon, Egg and Potato Casserole, Coffee

On my reading pile . . .

Seed catalogs.

On my TV . . .

We signed up for beast TV, so now with a box we can get all sorts of channels.  Hubby watched his favorite football team play last night and he's a happy man.

On the menu . . .

-beef stew, homemade biscuits

-homemade biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes

-roast, potatoes, onions and carrots

-possibly a cake or sweet item on the menu this week.

On the camera. . .

Picture of the moon I took last Friday night.  Strangest shape I have ever seen, but neat to see.

Looking around the house . . .

Well, the tomatoes are dwindling down, but at least the dishes were washed before I got home after our weekend away.  Romeo needs his toys restocked so one of these day I'll get that done.  He's acting up lately.

New recipe I tried last week or one I want to try . . .

Kahlua Krisipe Treats using homemade Kahlua.  I'll be test tasting these at dinner.

To relax this week I will . . .

Crochet. Maybe work on Christmas tree ornaments.

Something to share . . .

On my prayer list . . .

This country (FL and Idaho have lifted all restrictions, and FL said they would never shut down again and banned fines for people not wearing masks), my youngest daughter, our family, and any personal requests.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I am joining Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I had a very busy Sunday (just flip back one more post to read about it), and I am very happy to see it raining this morning (or it may be snow, not sure, could be snow showers again).

On the breakfast plate. . .
 Coffee and a piece of toast with Ginger-Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Butter.


Right now I am. . .
Taking a break, sipping more coffee


The weather outside . . .
Cold, rainy, and dark, so it's a much slower "work" day for me.


Looking around the house . . .
I sigh as I look at my large kitchen table, still covered with sweet potatoes, white potatoes and red potatoes.  I need to get the bin cleaned out and get the potatoes put in storage.


Today's to-do list . . .
~Wash bathrobe, I got it dirty somehow.  Most likely from taking the dogs out early morning
~wash and bleach bath towels
~scrub master bath toilet
~vacuum
~bake biscuits
~write

~crochet mug sets for up coming bazaar sale
~make iced tea
~dinner prep
~deep clean something


Currently reading . . .

 Old magazine I found stuffed in a drawer.  It's mostly recipes.  It may get me into trouble this time of year.

 The same novel - The Bones of Plenty.


On the TV today . . .
Nothing, listening to music, maybe some netflix tonight.  By the way Hubby and watched a movie called "Black Butterfly" and it was very good.  I have to give the writer credit for a very mind boggling movie.


On the menu this week . . .
Again, it's "fly by the seat of my pants" week - most likely homemade biscuits and gravy with fried potatoes, stuffed bell peppers, soup or stew of some kind, something using turkey maybe.


If I have a few minutes to myself today I will . . .
 Write in my personal journal.


New recipe I tired or want to try this week . . .
Well I made homemade hairspray and will be trying it later today.  You can find my source for the recipe in yesterday's post.

I also made calendula cream for the first time.  Easy recipe, almost like the homemade hand lotion, but using my calendula infused oil, and different essential oils.  I am using this on my pinched fingers.  Again, this is on yesterday's post too.  The recipe can be found online. 
 
I want to make homemade make up wipes.  I have everything but one ingredient, so it's on the list for this weekend.

A chocolate pie.

A new sweet potato dish.  Again, need one ingredient. Adding it to my shopping list.  

A rosemary foot soak recipe.




Looking forward to this week . . .
 The weekend.  



Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Devotional, Scripture Reading, Key Verses. . .

Psalm 27:6 (NIV)

^"Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord."

Homemade Biscuits

I had a request for the link to my homemade biscuits:  Click "Here" to get the recipe.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Power Outage Prep

It rained the entire day Saturday, but we went to town and bought some chicken wire, and took advantage of some sales.  We earned 50% off all general merchandise at the grocery store in the "Big City" and earned some rewards at another store.  We basically shopped for our youngest daughter's birthday and Christmas presents.  

Thanks to our one time 50% off reward, I finally own a coffee press in case we lose power for any reason.  I only paid $4.99 for it too. 

We were exhausted upon arriving home.  Nothing got done after that.

Sunday I was woken up at 5am by the dog, and then I remembered I promised Hubby and our youngest daughter a big breakfast.  Slowly, I sipped coffee and woke up with a power shower.  We ran more errands, but with a $20 roll of chicken wire, old barn wood and a ton of staples, we fixed the coop.  We definitely need to build a new coop.  There better be eggs out there today too.  Our mistake as a new homesteader was building one with chicken wire.  It lasted almost 11 years though.  Lesson learned.

The new coop will be like a shed with windows and doors, very secure, with a run.  We were discussing the location, and we actually have a cement slab where an old chicken coop was years and years ago.  We just have to clean the giant rocks off of it (left there from past owners), and cut down trees that grew around it. It'll be closer to the house too.  At least it's on our agenda now. 

We are talking about using the old goat fence for the dog and future dog, until we can put up a fence closer to the house.  I'll need a push lawn mower to keep it mowed down though.  or a larger gate, but that would be tearing apart the fencing.  It has to stay mowed down due to foxtail in it (very dangerous to a dog).

Homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, eggs, and potatoes (we indulged since we don't eat potatoes that often now).  Oh, and crock pot "fried" apples.

I sold this set!  Woohoo to that.  Adding that cash to the new coop fund.

We named them.  The calico is "Dolly" the coat of many colors, and the black and white one "Waylan" land bedside the road.  They definitely were dumped here.  They respond very well to "here kitty kitty" and they come running when I call them.  They are still too shy to come all the way to me though.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather outside is . . .
28°F and snowing.  More snow to fall today as well.

On the breakfast plate  . . .
Leftover biscuits and gravy, eggs, potatoes and "fried" apples.

As well as homemade mochas, using organic coffee, homemade hot cocoa and organic mint syrup.


As I look out my window . . .
We have snow!


Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to post this, stoke the fire and get this day started, and starting breakfast egg muffins.  Oh, and laundry started too.


As I look around the house . . .
It's a mess.  Ugh.  Too much running around this past weekend and daughter had tons of homework.


On today's to-do list . . .
A ton of dishes (a friend is giving us their dishwasher next month so we won't have to look for parts for our current one)
Get dinner in the crocky - Chili
Load money to daughter's school lunch acct
Laundry
Change bedding
Put wire cutters, staples and staple gun away
Clean entire master bath
Vacuum
Sweep kitchen
Breakfast for the next few days
Renew library books
Bake a pie


On this week's to-do list . . .
Finish Christmas decorating
Put totes away
Wrap birthday and Christmas gifts
Finish a set of hot pads (an order)
Work on scarf (another order)
Start another set of hot pads (another order)
Finish nail polish bottle ornaments
Confirm dates to visit the island next year (emails sent)
Confirm a date for the cabin for our anniversary



On the menu this week . . .
Chili, cornbread

Ham beans and leftover cornbread

Chicken noodle soup

Salmon patties, roasted veggies
Leftovers


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV this week . . .
Netlfix and library movies

What I am creating . . . 

A double wrap infinity scarf that was ordered, and two more nail polish tree ornaments.  On a side note, I made her a headband and she wants a matching scarf.  I went all over looking for the same yarn (not knowing the brand nor color because I forgot to clip the wrapper to it ugh).  I ended up finding the exact color yesterday.



Prayers. . .
My Mom.  She's setting up her tests at Cleveland Clinic.  Not sure yet if they will set a surgery date.  Just so you know, Mom has had two heart surgeries already.  For our 20 year-old and her finances (just got bombed with a $1,000 bill {after insurance} from her car accident last fall).  A family friend.  She borrowed $100 from us months ago, and has not paid us back.  I'm praying she does the right thing.

Wacky Weather

I woke up to checking the weather yesterday, and saw rain was 60% at 10am and 90% at 1pm.  So, I adjusted my day.  I started by making 3 "cans" of homemade condensed mushroom soup.  Smelled so good too.  I love the smell of shallots cooking in butter.  Mmm.  The "cans" went into the freezer.  By the way, this soup on top of turkey breast, in the crock pot, tastes amazing.

At 11am the rain had not arrived.

At noon, no rain.  At 1:30pm?  No rain.  I chopped up a head of cauliflower to prep for dinner early.  Put that in the fridge and checked the weather again. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Sunday we got "Big Red" fired up.  Here's hoping she'll keep starting now.  It (the truck) could need a few parts yet.

We drove "Big Red" to the "Big City" and delivered a gift and Christmas cookies, picked up load of straw and headed back home.  I forgot to renew my library books, but it looks like only a few are late (this time).

On the breakfast plate . . . 
Homemade breakfast burrito and coffee


The weather outside is . . .
Rain is on the way, with a high of 56°F, but will quickly go back to the low 20's at night for the next week.


As I look out my window . . .
It's still dark out.


On the to-do list . . .
-take care of the chickens
-feed barn cats (Leo still comes once every often)
-put away clean dishes
-vacuum
-empty ash pan (depends on the rain today)
-start another tincture
-knock down some cobwebs
-put a few Christmas decorations away
-put a Christmas tablecloth away
-re-file all of the recipes I got out over the holidays
-take down the snowman shower curtain and put it away
-sweep kitchen
-measure out dry ingredients for homemade biscuits



Currently reading . . .
Nothing

On the TV . . .
A netflix series called The Ranch, and another called Rain.  not sure if we'll finish the Rain series.  It's getting weird like the Walking Dead got weird.  I don't enjoy movies where they eat people.  Yuck.


On the menu this week . . .
I'm about to go check my pantry.  Possibly homemade stove top tuna and noodle with some veggie sides.  I'm taking meals much easier this week. 


What I'm creating . . .

More sunflower keyfobs

Sorry for the dark photos.  I took the rest of them very early in the morning this morning.

Started a granny square winter scarf

Working on some mini crocheted hearts

Knitted dishcloth, another scrap lapghan, and more crocheted headbands.

Finished some spring cup coasters

Finished a few knitted dishcloths

Finished a few heart dishcloths

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Nothing this week.  


Favorite photo . . .

I haven't been taking a lot of photos lately.  This one makes me smile.  It's always a good day when laundry can dry outside.

No gardening work

Monday's are typically the worst days of the week for Hubby and Youngest.  I try to get something sweet baked, but early morning started with a kitchen full of dirty dishes.  We were lazy for sure.  We were stressed over the car accident, and it was cold out and raining the entire time, so we all (after getting the car home) pulled on comfy clothes and watched movies. 

Hubby and I watched Smokey and the Bandit, and our daughter watched her favorite movies in another room.  I crocheted, and for once, started and finished an entire scarf.  It's a Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf. The young crowd goes goo-goo over these.  Who knew?  

The dishes sat though, so first thing Monday morning, I had a messy kitchen to clean up before I did any baking, other cleaning or laundry.  Boy were we lazy.  I had a ton to wash.  Sunday morning, I made homemade biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes.  Yeah, lots of dishes, plus I had made more poultices.

The rain continued (sigh) Monday as well.  I scrambled around to find places to dry laundry.  

Dishes were done and some blueberry muffins were baked.  More dirty dishes were made.

Nothing really exciting in the homesteading department.  It was a make it/refill it sort of day.  I had to refill my jars of homemade vanilla, mullein tincture and organic ground cinnamon.  I made homemade shampoo too.

Good news.  We are not required to replace the airbags in the car, we'll get reimbursed for the towing, and we just have to replace the windshield. Whew!

The rain continued to fall, clouds covered, and it was a high of 62°F.  It sure felt strange to be wearing heavier clothing, and getting my winter robe out at night.  Today, it'll be a it warmer and we are to get some sunshine.