Hot Mess Express turns Ship Shape Sally ~ 31 Weeks and 5 days Until Christmas

I'm finally getting so organized that it makes my mornings start much, much smoother, with evenings ending even more smoothly.  Clean kitchen counters.  Everything has a "place."  I actually know where things are now. It may take many more months, but it's been a fun and very productive.

We are not done purging, re-organizing, cleaning out things we do not use anymore, etc.  I have one major room to complete, but I am slowly chipping away at it when time allows.  

Mornings are now in the 60-70's, and we may even hit 80-90°.

Don't panic or anything, but yes, I finally got the recipe typed out for those who wanted it.  You can find my recipe trial post HERE (photos included). 

The recipe was written in cursive, so my kids did not want the recipe.  The younger two cannot read cursive hand writing (pretty sad).

Fruit Cake

Recipe comes from my Grandma's friend on my Mother's side of the family. See notes on my trial baking this recipe.  The recipe was passed down from one Aunt to my mother (sister to sister), and eventually landed with me.  My Aunt gave the recipe 5 stars at the top, and noted it was the one to bake if you were going to bake a fruit cake for Christmas.

Sift 3 cups of flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder into 2 lbs. of dates, 1 lb. candied cherries and 1 lb. of candied pineapple.

Mix all well with flour and baking powder.

Beat 8 eggs well and add:

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons vanilla 

Beat this well and add to fruit mixture.

Last add 2 lb. pecans and mix well.

Bake at 275°F or 300°F for 2 1/2 hours.

Put pan of water on bottom of oven while baking.  When cooled pour grape juice or rum over it and wrap.

Again, see my original post for any more details.  Enjoy!

Hot Mess Express turns Ship Shape Sally ~ 31 Weeks and 5 days Until Christmas  ©  May 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Double Book Buy (whoops!) ~ Dehydrating Chive Blossoms

 

Whoops.  I guess donating two books, instead of one, is a good thing too, ha ha!

 I have been able to harvest chive blossoms, and it is rather early for that to happen.  You can read about how I did it HERE from last year.  We are only early on doing this by a few weeks, and all due to the rain this year.

While the chives are dehydrating, I picked more asparagus.  I will have to now replace my asparagus patch fence, and I will need to dig out a few wild raspberry plants the birds planted.

What's new?  Well, I found a new houseplant to add to our home, and love it.  We have also planted a new apple tree, a new plum tree to replace the one that died, a new lilac bush, and one new hydrangea (also died over winter).  New landscaping edging was upgraded on one flower bed, and another is being worked on during dry days.  

One volunteer cilantro plant, in the herb garden, survived the last frost.  One died.  One sage plant is looking iffy, but the other is springing to life pretty well.

One of the spring beauties in one of the flower beds - Columbine.

Home repairs continue, and we have discovered more that needs done.  We are however, very pleased with our progress.  I have been slacking with getting outside for hiking/walking, so hopefully the break in rainfall will allow that.

Question:  Which do you prefer and why....freeze or can homemade broth?  It's been a while for me.

Double Book Buy (whoops!) ~ Dehydrating Chive Blossoms ©  May 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart