Sunshine to Snow

Although we had frigid temps here, the sun shined brightly all day long.  That is always a huge bonus.

However, the white stuff returned.  I just want to dial up Mother Nature and put in my order.  If it was that easy, right?

At least the animals can go about their business and not freeze their paws.

Home Canned Potatoes ~ On the Wild Side

We were to get a low of an actual temperature of -15°F last night, but it we may have hit -17.  We were told the wind chill could be as cold as -23°F last night.  

Okay, okay.  I retract on saying I wanted this month to slow down so I can meet goals.  It can speed right back up and pass on by.  I'm so ready to get out of "dodge" right now.

Almost every school closed today, so I actually slept in this morning.  I decided to make blueberry pancakes for breakfast. 

Yesterday I had to open my bill paying folder.

The most random yet....Homemade Slaw Dressing ~ Homemade Celery Salt

I revamped the family favorite broccoli salad yesterday.  The original recipe calls for Marzetti Slaw Dressing.  

I looked up the ingredients in the slaw dressing and the first ingredient is soybean oil (many salad dressings contain this).  It also contains "corn-cider vinegar."

INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, CORN-CIDER VINEGAR, WATER, EGG YOLK, SALT, MUSTARD SEED, XANTHAN GUM, ROSEMARY EXTRACT.

Contains Egg.

- See more at: http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/3/208/marzetti-original-slaw-dressing#sthash.VJ9fSV9Z.dpuf

INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, CORN-CIDER VINEGAR, WATER, EGG YOLK, SALT, MUSTARD SEED, XANTHAN GUM, ROSEMARY EXTRACT.

Contains Egg.

- See more at: http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/3/208/marzetti-original-slaw-dressing#sthash.VJ9fSV9Z.dpuf

We already use an organic/non-gmo safflower mayo, so that part was easy.  Making it ourselves, also cuts our cost.  I used

The other one ~ Crocheted Rug

Television has not been so entertaining lately (and the news is depressing), so I had the brainy idea of digging out some  yarn for a rug.  The one at my back door needs replaced badly, and I figured I could whip up something.

I opened the tote and found yarn that had a half-way crocheted dishcloth attached to it.  That was the "other one" I found a few days ago.

Slumping my shoulders, and lowering my head, I felt like those pesky projects where my worst nightmare this winter.  I straightened back up, smiled, and did what anyone else would do.  I ripped that booger out, and wound that yarn back on.

Then I grabbed a few more colors of yarn, and got to work.

I got "Notered" ~ Granny Square Crochet Bookmark ~ Random Tidbits

I woke up with a hot cup of coffee, and sat down to read my email and discovered I was "notered" by Youngest Daughter.

(The history of the "noters":  for years we exchanged uplifting notes.  I'd put them in their lunches, and Youngest loved to write me back often).

Here is what I found in my email today:

 
 "Soo I don't really have anything to write about but I love you mommy. You're amazing and you care for me and I love you. Also check facebook :) I couldn't help but brag about how amazing my mom is.. I love you. You do a lot for me and there should be more than one day of the year that I show my gratitude to you and how much I appreciate you, and of course the work you do for me. You are AMAZING. I love you. I love you times 10000000 <3 :d="" are="" br="" hearts="" lol="" love="" mom="" symbols="" those="" you="">

Sent from my iPod=


That just made my day start even better.  I did hack into Hubby's facebook to see what she posted too (Sigh....in a good way).
 


Lookie, lookie! (just trying to be funny)  I found another one!  (actually I found two, but I'll explain the other one on another post).

While shuffling through my leaning-tower-of- Pisa stack of magazines, I found this:

Honey-Ginger Carrots ~ More Ways to Use Millet ~ Cold Coffee

I pulled the last two bags of garden carrots from the freezer.  I added them to dinner last night, and made Honey-Ginger Carrots.  It's very simple to make too.

 (Homemade tuna and noodle using homemade mushroom soup and soy free tuna, honey-ginger carrots and organic peas).

Boil the carrots

Winter Woes

We got another arctic blast Saturday.   This morning it's a whopping -5°F outside with a -26° wind chill (and the sun is shining). 

There was one thing we were struggling with yesterday.  How to protect Orion (our male lamancha goat) from the -25 to -35°F wind chill we were expecting.  We were told it would the coldest yet.  They might be right, as the wind chill is to stay at low at -35°F today.  Looks like our high will be 0°F.

If this winter was worse than last year, then what's next winter going to be?  Our cold blast will last a week here. I sure hope it kills off some ticks and other nasty bugs.

Anyway,