Pioneer Woman at Heart

This journal junkie has yet another journal to share.  I had to blow the dust off of this one.  I had so much trouble removing wine labels that I put this journal away for years. I was talking to my sister-in-law, and found out she has one, and has these nifty label removers.  I went in search for some, and gave them a whirl.

Despite lack of weeding, the front flower beds are full of color.

Who knew what could be lurking in my desk drawer?  Ha ha!  Remember these?  Go ahead.  I dare you to clean out one drawer today, ha ha! Cleaning has been prosperous.

Just one simple vegetable from the garden can bring us a lot of help over winter.  I am making the most of what little we got this year.

I have found yet another way to use sorghum molasses - flavored butter for winter squash, sweet potatoes, or carrots.  If you don't want the extra brown sugar on your acorn squash this winter, it is a nice substitute.

In between running here and there, I have brought in more onions.  I am so glad we planted over 300, or we would have had zero.    Tiger, can smell certain foods a mile away.  I caught Tiger trying to get in a pot that I had used to bring in some onions.  Hilarious!   There was nothing in the pot a few scant onion tops.  He loves squash, watermelon, corn cob husks, and onion tops.   The pot was on the floor, because I made too many dirty dishes that day.  Don't worry, the pot was sanitized.

The bad news? This is the last of the tomatoes that I picked the other day. The good news? 

I decided to bake my first cinnamon-raisin bread. Yes, that is today's big news story.   This "pioneer" woman has not baked this tasty treat until yesterday.

I got the joy of filling out the large stack of papers the school sends home the first day.  Hubby was too tired after work, so I got the glorious job.  At least it was only for two kids this time, and not six.  The school however, has been sending me emails, containing a PDF files (letters on every subject you can imagine) and they kept coming throughout the day yesterday. It's been continuing to rain off and on, so I have not yet been able to check the tomato situation.  It's kind of a relief not be out in the heat this month (or canning).  It's actually not even comfortable to sit on the porch (too humid).  However, the weather man says it will cool down this weekend. I'm still taking advantage of, not only having the extra time, but a reason to be working indoors.  I found more scraps of yarn hiding in different places, but still have not found my #3 crochet hook, ha ha!

Can you tell today is the first day of school for the younger two? Ha ha!   I lost my #3 steel crochet hook.  I have doubles of almost every crochet hook there is, but not my #3.  It was time to go back into the closet to clean and sort.  I had to keep myself busy yesterday, as I waited

Last night's dinner - chickpea stuffed shells, corn off the cob mixed with sauteed onion, butter and zucchini, and a pot of baked beans with sliced cooked brats in it. The beans/brat pot was Son's only request at dinner.   We had a fun dinner too, as Oldest Daughter called and said she had "three hungry teenagers" and stopped in with them.  Of course they are her age, but it was fun to have them here for dinner.  Then just as they arrived, Hubby pulled in with Youngest Daughter's friend.  It was a full house, but lots of laughs, and plenty to go around. I don't see that I have ever shared this recipe...

The family gathering went well on Saturday, although we could have had better weather.  It was a bit humid.  I sent each family home with a bottle of organic blood orange Italian soda.   Sunday, I never got the chance to even lift one of my library books.

It's "party" day today.  I'm off to mop the kitchen one last time.  It rained last night, so hopefully it will be less humid outside today too. We are still working on the "big" barn project.  I may have more news by Monday.

Remember the dandelion vinegar I made?   This is a late update on it, but I drained my quart jar, and got about a bit over a pint of the dandelion vinegar.  Sadly, I have to buy all of my greens, and salad mixin's this season, but the vinegar adds a nice flavor.

I am starting the day with breakfast on the porch, although a bit later than normal for me.  I need a peaceful moment with nature first.  Hubby is home too, so he'll join me too, before the kids get up.  We are letting them all sleep in.  The kids went to the movies in Son's new car last night. Son is happy with anything I cook lately, as the food he has eaten at the chow hall was all processed.  He's pretty proud to see his 16 year-old sister can grill meat very well too.  She's my go-to grill girl now. We are still cleaning the house, but my two younger girls are giving me resistance.  Their 18 year-old sister is working almost every day now, so the work load falls on them now. Today the bathrooms get a top to bottom cleaning.  If the bathrooms are clean, I'll be happy, even if we don't get the rest spotlessly clean. 

I have been busy in the kitchen again, dehydrating heirloom cherry tomatoes.

Hubby was so excited to try out the new canoe, he hooked up the camper a night earlier than we had planned, and away we went. 

While I was shopping for school clothing and supplies, Hubby was on his way home from work.  However, he stopped to shop also.

The start of my scrap blanket.  I'm using all the yarn I have leftover from other projects.  It's my "five minutes for me" handiwork when I need a change of pace from the other current handiwork. Big fluffy clouds. A butterfly that often visits the front porch flowers, and....

I did a quick walk through one area we planted tomatoes.  All  those green ones are turning red (although I don't see new green ones yet).  These romas weighed in at 10 lbs.  I'm holding out a few more days to see if I'll get more before deciding on what I'll can.  I need 45 lbs. to make 7 quarts of seasoned tomato sauce.  And of course these are not all very big, most are pretty small in size.

Out with the old one....

This week has been super productive, and I got another batch of sweet pickle relish canned.  I actually froze beets (first time to get any in my freezer). I'm in the kitchen again today. You would not believe this.

Sunday's work list was changed once again.  While Hubby continued to work on the truck, I went straight out to water flowers. Watering with a rain barrel takes patience.  The water doesn't just spray out like a hose hooked to the house.  We have drained one barrel, and almost a second one, leaving me two more to water with.  I don't like to completely drain them, or a good swift wind will take them sailing, and I'll be replacing water spigots again.

I couldn't hold myself back any longer.   I mean why not?  Hubby is still fixing his truck, so the tree(s) still stands. I found this recipe by purchasing a discarded library book at a library book sale. You never know what you'll find at one. And a note:  I do not go looking for recipes like this one, they seem to find me.  And I really enjoy making them, and trying them.  I've been making this one for four years now.

The flower beds are creating new color, and the gladiolas are blooming now.  The phlox is drawing attention to large butterflies and we are enjoying them.  Evidently,