Muck Day ~ Happy Hens

Nothing messes up my morning, like a "driveway creeper" pulling in and parking in the pitch dark of the morning.  Ugh.  Right after I fed Jesse (dog) too.  He needed to go out and I could not until they left - flat tire of all things.    Hubby pulled out to leave for work, checked out the situation, then called me.  It was so dark I could only see car lights and a small light be-bopping around (guy had a headlamp on).   However, this is why I am prepared for uninvited "creepers."  You never know how friendly they are and if they really do have a flat.

It was a beautiful day to be working in the flower beds, but I had another big job.

It's a nasty spring job, but it had to be done.  However, I was bam-booz-eld again. Hubby said he'd help me finish the coop after work.  He did not.  He went to look at another car.  I ended up cleaning the entire coop myself (oh so tired when I was done).

We didn't get a chance to do a real coop cleaning all winter.  Boy was it bad.  I had to take a break after 6 full wheelbarrows of poo and straw was removed.  We had to layer straw most of the winter.

I noticed they broke their heat lamp bulb, which has been off for a long time, but still.  Ugh.  Every year they break it.  I was hoping to use it for the youngin's soon, but I'll need to buy a new bulb.

See that araucana?  She is my last one left and sort of a bossy pants.  Every time I'm in the coop, she is sassing and chasing another hen.  She acts like she's the rooster in the coop, ha ha!

It's getting warmer out, but not warm enough to put the new chicks outside.  I dug out the old dog cage so the rain could wash it off in preparation to give he chicks a day in the sun, and hopefully soon.  They are growing out of their tote they are in.

As for the car Hubby planned on buying?  Well, at the time of paper work, the guy tried to slap on a $300 title service fee.  Hubby stood up, grabbed his check, and said "no thanks,  you are ripping me off" and walked out.  The business where he bought the truck didn't do that, nor where we bought our car, and some smaller privately run places try to slap that extra charge on.  That's okay, it means Hubby will find a better deal somewhere else.

Bam-booz-eld

Oh I had plans that went right out the door this week.  I was so excited to have "wheels" of my own to get things done, and had a long list of to-do's in town.  Ha.  Yeah, like that'll happen.  Maybe next week?

Tuesday was another day interrupted.   More like I was bam-booz-eld.  First, the propane was to be delivered.  They have always come first thing in the morning so I skipped my work out.  I do not like to skip my work out.  My work out gives me energy and I feel great all day, not to mention sleep better.

Hours went by and no propane.  I called.  We were on the afternoon route.  Ugh.  So...

I baked.  Banana bread.  Good dose of potassium in this snack.  Not to mention walnuts.

And baked.  Oatmeal-raisin, so we could get more iron in our snack.

And baked.  Pumpkin seeds and almonds for more iron.  Dried fruits add more iron, but not a large amount, so this combination is great for Youngest recovering from her illness.

Tip for the day:

A good cup of nettle tea also helps the body absorb iron better, according to what I've read up on in herbal books.

Meanwhile, I not only get a text, and call, but and email.  My debit card was hacked.   I'm about ready to burn my debit card (then again my credit card was hacked one year by just putting a hotel on hold via a safe booking site). Fraud alert got a hold of me.  I was just heading out the door to the bank and guess who showed up?  The propane guy.   

While that was being filled, Hubby called.  He said "be ready" he was heading home early to go look at a car.  I waited, and waited.  He already looked at it.  He said it was most likely a bad deal. The car was posted on social network with a girls name, and when he got there it was a man, with a car that had MI plates.  He felt it was not a legit sale and left.  He called and said we'd look at another.  I waited another hour.

When he showed up he decided not to go look at the car, but we looked at one not far from home.  

No car yet, but we feel we need to get Youngest her own.  She continues to get run down and sick more often due to her school bus route.  She has to be up at 5am and isn't home until after 4pm, and the bus ride is 35 minutes one way.  With her own car, she can sleep in, get home early and have more rest and more time for homework.

Daughter went to school Wednesday.  She's still sipping medicinal teas, but whatever she had it didn't go away too quickly.

....meanwhile, my door has been looking like an Amazon store.  Hubby is spending money like a drunkin' sailor.  I kid you not - stuff for the Harley and the truck.  He better not spend too much more.  

Another Favorite ~ Glazed Root Vegetables ~ Crock Pot Side Dish

Did you freeze any parsnips, turnips or carrots from your garden?  Or have some in your root cellar?  We love this side dish.

In a crock pot, place:

All organic/homegrown ingredients

4 carrots, washed, peeled and sliced
2 parsnips, washed, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 turnip, washed, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces

Top with 1/2 cup brown sugar, dot with 2 Tbsp. butter, and pour in 1/2 cup of water.

Salt to taste.

Cover.  Cook on low 3-4 hours.  I typically turn mine on high for an hour than back to low to speed up the process.

Day Interrupted ~ Tiger the Tomato Thief

My big "to do" list was interrupted on Monday.  School called.  The nurse.  Sigh.  After an hour round trip ride, I had her home sipping medicinal teas.

I managed to get some dishes washed, only to dirty more.  I am happy to say we are still enjoying sweet potatoes from the garden - sweet potato and beet green frittata.  I got that done too.  Along with some laundry.  I also managed to get the homemade sausage made too.

I am so glad spring is around the corner.  My supply of thyme and sage are running low, and so are the greens in the freezer.

Got the very last bag of frozen, garden snap peas, to make this side dish with organic asparagus from the store.  

Today is another day I have an "interrupted" day.  Hubby announced he ordered propane.  I have to be home for that, and of course no set time.  However, it's another "big ticket" job that will be done and out of the way.

Last night after a short trip to the grocery, I came home to discover the tomato plants and green onions half destroyed.  Tiger had a hay day and ate most of them.  Grrr.  There goes my plants.  Some how he got in there.  I'll try and save the rest, but I am super mad.  He threw it up too, so I'm sure he won't be back. Guess we will buy tomato plants and green onion this spring.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

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

I'm so glad I am taking advantage of every "good weather" day this spring.  I expected snow, and it can all the way into May.  Saturday we had our "Christmas" gathering with my family.  I gifted wild violet jelly and corn relish.  Not sure what'll come up with next holiday.   My oldest brother gifted us more MI salmon - yum!   Sunday Hubby and I went to the range to get some target practice in with friends from his work.  I met a new friend and we'll make plans again.  We had a really good time.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Eggs, toast with plum jam and coffee


The weather outside is . . .

We woke up to this on Sunday.  It's to be a high of 44°F today and up to 58° by Wed.


On the to do list . . .
For the week and in no particular order
-work out
-master bathroom
-dishes
-bake a frittata with beet greens
-laundry
-make homemade sausage
-call propane
-dig septic cap
-take stuff to the thrift
-make granola bars
-make a trip to the grocery store
-make a trip to recycling
-weed/clean up flower beds
-take trash out (Oldest daughter filled it to the brim)
-water plants



On the TV. . .
Whatever looks good on Amazon


On the menu . . .
Ham/pea pasta, asparagus
Flounder, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli
Sweet and Sour chicken, wild rice, corn
Salmon Romanoff, glazed root veggies or pickled beets
Leftovers



What I am creating. . .
Just working on a knitted dishcloth.  Not much time right now for handiwork.


Looking forward to . . .
Two trips to Amish country this month for restocking health store goods, a trip to TN, our party in May, another short trip in May, Bike Week, gardening....getting the bathroom remodel done.


Looking around the house . . .
I see remnants from our oldest daughter.  She came out to go through totes in the garage and left things here and there she didn't want.  Grr.  Hence the trip to the thrift store.  She has more to clean out of the garage, and we are making progress on the clean up, but it's when we have time.


From the camera . . .
Nothing.  Ha.  I've been busy lately.


Praying . . .
No special requests at this time, us, the kids

Burger-Potato Slow Cooker Dinner

(the start of cooking it)

Brown 1 lb. of organic ground beef and drain.

In a bowl, mix 1 cup of water and 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar.  Slice 6 potatoes thinly and toss in the water mixture and drain.

In another bowl mix:
1 onion diced
1/4 cup organic all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup shredded organic cheddar cheese

In a crock pot place browned ground beef and top with a potatoes, then top with onion mixture.  Dot the top with bits of organic butter.

Top with one "can" of homemade mushroom soup (or 1 can organic mushroom soup).

Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup organic shredded cheddar cheese about 30 minutes prior to serving.

Preparing and Restocking

I've been spending rainy/cold days on theter putting orders in to restock and preparing for canning season.  Brazil nuts help my hair and nails stay healthy.  These are not sold in our stores, and I haven't found them at the health store 40 minutes from home either.

I use this for a few canned items, but I also use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar for many other canned items.  The organic white is not sold in stores (non-gmo).

This corn syrup was in very limited supply last year.  Two years ago the grocery store carried it.  I'll probably order more to be prepared for the holidays, without worries of limited supply.  I also use it to make homemade teriyaki sauce.

Restocked the einkron flour as well too.

I also made a batch of homemade dinner rolls for our "Christmas" gathering with my side of the family. It's more like an Easter get together now.

I love bread making days.  It's sort of relaxing.

I am writing up a few recipes that I'll post soon.