Reflections of 2015 ~ Part 1

I started out 2015 by making a binder to start keeping herbal recipes in. I learned a lot last year, and hope to learn more this year, along with essential oils.

I played around in the kitchen making new vegetable breakfast sides, including sweet potato hash (that was delicous) and this one with chicken.

Another new recipe in 2015 - Cinnamon Maple Macadamia Nuts. 

I dehydrated organic orange peel for the first time, and also made orange peel powder.

I spent the year reading through Ernest Hemingway, but soon after summer, could not keep my interest in his books.

Said our goodbyes to our beloved Sadie.  We miss her dearly!

Said our goodbyes to our beloved Mattie!  We miss her too!

Made my first tea infusion.

Made my first homemade foaming hand soap.

Made spreadable butter, using organic non-gmo olive oil.

Made my first homemade Thousand Island Dressing, which has been a favorited ever since.  At that time, we also experience -26° wind chills (February).

Made homemade slaw dressing, and it has been a favorite here also.  

 Crocheted my first ever, scrap crochet rug for the homestead.

Made goat coats out of recycled materials for the spring births.  I saved those coats and hope to use them on new arrivals this spring.

This recipe was Pasta e Fagiolli - experienced many new trial recipes by cooking from my storage.

Hubby was on strike at work for many long months, and while he was out of state, surprised me by sending me roses.  I have not received flowers from him since March of 2015.

 Cooked from storage again, by using my dehydrated, homegrown potatoes.

Crocheted my first hand towel using a different yarn.  I love this texture, and have plans to make more for the house.  I am limited to these colors (bought on clearance and the manufacturer was sold to a Canadian company).

Made Curried Cashews for the first time.  Loved these!

Peanut (lamancha dairy goat) gave birth to twin boys!

Crocheted a set of seat cushions for one kitchen table.  I plan to make others in different colors in the future.

Made our first herbal bath bag.

Misty gave birth to one very large healthy doeling - all white.  This was kind of bitter sweet.  We started our goat experience with one white buckling, and ended our time with lamancha goats, with one all white doeling.  I will really miss not experiencing new births here on the homestead.

Made my first dandelion vinegar.

Took a spontaneous camping trip in mid-April.  I'm so glad we did.  The weather became awful after that trip - monsoon year.

Made homemade butter from our goat's milk cream for the first time.

Made Fromage Blanc cheese from our goat's milk for the first time. Delcious!

Made raw vegetable crackers using my dehydrator for the first time.

 Foraged stinging nettle from our homestead.

Visited another school art show to see my kids art work.  They all did a nice job.

Made homemade Caeser dressing (vegetarian) for the first time.  Did you know that the stuff you buy in stores contains anchovies?

Made myself a second barn wood herb drying rack using recycled materials.

Early June, the garden didn't look so bad.  

Harvested radishes and canned radish relish for the first time.  We love this stuff.

By mid-June of 2015, are gardens were flooded out.

....I'll stop here and continue our reflections of 2015 another day.  Enjoy!