Peppers ~ Fall Garlic ~ Crock pot Meatball stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Fall is here for sure now.  The sunrises are not as beautiful, but this photo shows the fog rolling in with the cooler air.

I pulled the very last of the green peppers, but left the hot peppers.  The frost is rolling in in a few days now, but today it's going to be a high of 74 degrees.  There are a few more on a few plants but very very small.

We are seriously in panic mode regarding firewood.  What I would do for a group of volunteers right now.....

Garlic has been planted in grow pots this fall.  Crossing our fingers we have a much better harvest next year.

I finally made crock pot meatball stuffed cabbage rolls.  Sort of.  I had one heck of a time getting the leaves of cabbage off in one piece.  They cracked and ripped.  Any tips?  I got three sort of nicely rolled, but gave up and topped those with the remaining mix, meatballs and layered cabbage on top with some tomato sauce.  That's why you don't see a photo, ha ha!

Update:  Our great great niece passed away due to congestive heart failure due to a hole between her valves.  We haven't heard if the autopsy has come back on our grandson yet.

Cowboy Candy ~ This and That

I was slicing up jalapenos early in the morning.  I wanted to make sure Daughter was up in time to leave for school super early.  They all went to a hair show today.  

Speaking of show, the 2 hour craft show wasn't that great.  Hardly any customers, but I sold a slouchy hat, a wrap around scarf and a set of boot cuffs.  Also, we learned a lot from the other ladies there - one sold organic non-gmo body care line (very cool stuff), and one knew a lot of info about natural healing.  My girls learned a lot even if we didn't have a lot of customers.  

I saved the ends of the jalapenos to freeze for meals.  Nothing wasted in this house for sure.  Especially with little to put up.

I dehydrated the little bit of rosemary I grew this year. Oregano is next today I hope.  The weather will turn much colder this week.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The year has definitely been a whirl wind for our family.  One the same day, our nephew and his wife both lost a grandparent.  I can't say that this Monday is a "happy" Monday at all, but I'll try my best.

We also go bad news Sunday evening. while driving home from taking homecoming photos.  The baby born in our family passed.  He was only 5 days old.  This was devastating news, and we had not even met the little girl. Our hearts break even more.  His Mom was our great niece, so that makes baby "B" our great great niece.  I just can't wrap my head around it after raising so many kids of my own.  An autopsy is being done.  I'm needing prayers as I know I will just break in half at this funeral.  My second infant funeral.  I feel like we are in a bad dream right now.

No life insurance, so once again a fundraiser is set up.  So many people have donated to the funeral for "Little Man" that I'm not sure if anyone has enough cash to help with this one.  

I sure am missing "Little Man" lately too.  I can't even imagine what pain both Moms are going through right now.

As for a garden update, I pulled all the carrots from the grow bags and planted my garlic in them.  It's very late to plant it, but....by the way it rained the next day after planting the garlic, so fingers crossed.

And guess what I brought in?  I couldn't believe it myself!

3.7# of carrots (most small but some large ones too), and 3# of jalapenos.  I was so happy!  Carrot tops can be used to make mouthwash.  We saved some carrot tops for one daughter's rabbit too, and the carrot blanch water can be saved and frozen for a veggie broth base for a winter soup.  And of course carrot peelings can go to the chickens or compost.

We had a busy weekend, despite Hubby's long night hours.  It was also Homecoming for our youngest, so I had the title of "photographer" in the evening.

We missed out on a ride Saturday too.  Our biker friends grouped up and went (sadly without us).  It was the perfect weather for it too.  It's on the list for next year though.

Sunday I did a 2 hour craft show.  We didn't get that many customers, but we made a little bit and had a load of fun.

By the way, the dates we could go to the island, the place is booked already.  Plan B is in motion, but the island, aside from the Harley is our "sanity saver" in more ways than one.  We'll see what happens.

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

~I'll link up when she posts~  Up at 5am


On the breakfast plate . . .
I have no clue.


The weather outside is . . .
56°F high of 66 F today.


Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to can cowboy candy


Thinking . . .
We've been through so much, I am looking forward to some good news, good stuff, good anything for us and our families.


On my reading pile. . .
don't have time to read right now

On my TV . . .
movies from the library


On the menu . . .
-Homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, fried potatoes and eggs
-have no clue, my mind just isn't straight right now


On the to-do list . . .
-empty and load dishwasher
-work on a set of boot cuffs and another bracelet
-can cowboy candy (if I get this done it's a good day considering I'm a total hot mess emotionally)



What I am creating . . .

A crocheted scarf in suicide awareness colors.  I will make a matching headband as well.  

Looking around the house . . .
It's too dark out this morning, but I'm sure it needs attention.


From the camera . . .

One of the many photos I took for homecoming - daughter (left) and her friend.  The boys were walking behind us at the time.  I love unexpected photo shots.


Prayer list . . .
Our nephew and his family, me and my leg, our daughter who continues to struggle every day with the passing of her son, my friends mother, our great niece and her family.  

. . . .from the handiwork journal

. . . made this for myself in memory of "Little Man" and we plan to make one for his Mom too.  The girls are making one for themselves as well.  I'll switch it out for a silver chain later.

. . .finished a set of soft violet hot pads.

. . .finished a set of navy hot pads (an order).

. . . finished these dish scrubbies (an order from a friend of the family).

. . . cut some more netting for more scrubbies.  

Got all of these bracelets finished and started another one.  I have a 2 hour craft show coming up soon.

Does anyone make and sell (reasonably priced) felt needle books?  I realized when I'm traveling overnight for a retreat/vacation, I could really use one.

The Struggles, Set Backs and Disappointments

I woke up to this sunrise on October 1st.  I can't help but wonder if September went out like a hurricane or tornado, topping off our worst garden year ever.   Although I have a good start on medicinal prep (see past post), I just woke up today feeling like a wasted so much time and money on the garden(s) this year.

It's not just weather that affects a good garden harvest, it is also life in general.  

This year has been rough.  All around.

After this year, I have been asking myself "is it worth it?" and "why do I do this to myself?"

I've even thought about getting rid of all my chickens, because no one has "time" to feed and care for them for me.  Hubby works many hours and daughter has had a TON of homework lately.  They are not laying either right now thanks to the darn roosters I obtained by buying straight run and no one interested in taking any. 

The struggles and disappointments this year have never been more real.  

We need another trip to the island(or camping trip), where I can get my mind off everything and restore some of my sanity.  Again.

Off my soap box.  Thanks for listening.  Seriously, if you stopped in to read this, thank you for visiting.

Random Chit Chat

Are you the type of person that can't stay organized without a planner?  Go over to visit Rebecca's Hearth and Home for her giveaway (it's a planner!).  By the way her blog is awesome to follow!

I've started to wash winter coats, sweaters and jackets.  Just taking advantage of the time I have left this fall to dry them all outdoors.  Next up?  Bed quilts.

Joined my youngest daughter in a ride to the library the other day.  They had a book sale going on.

I snatched up two books - one is about a mother who has a 10 year old daughter who wants her mother to just put on a sweater and "be normal."  She rides her own Harley!  Can't wait to dig into that book!

It's official.  Garden season is over.  Carrots are small and rotting.  I'll pick whatever I have out there today as far as green peppers, but it'll be small too.

Woke up to 50°F this morning.  Yeah.  Garden is done.  Beets and potatoes will be next.  I'll be back to give you an update on those.

I'm up before 5am.  No surprise there.  Hubby's 12 hour 3rd shift is for the birds.  Can't sleep.

This and That

I baked my bacon in the oven for the first time.  It saves stove top space, but I'm not sure I like it that way.  I like crispy bacon, and this did not crisp up, nor was there much bacon grease to save.  I think I prefer stove top cooking.  What's your thoughts on this?  Instructions said 375°F for 15-18 minutes and I baked it 20.

I'm not sure I'll get to do too many craft shows this fall as planned.  One has passed, one is already booked up (I've tried to get into this other one for the last two years, but when I find out about it, it's too late.  I have one more to look into, but they haven't set a date.  If that happens, I'll be posting the items up for sale on my Rooster's Crow Farm blogspot.  

I snapped this picture the other morning.  It made me smile.  The clouds in the center formed the letter "C" - first letter in our grandson's first name (the one that passed).

The to-do list on making from scratch items has gotten a bit smaller.  I still have these to make though...

-calendula lotion
-face lotion
-deodorant
-lip balm
-homemade cleaning wipes

If I put the list here, quite possibly I'll remember to get them done, ha ha!