Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Tuesday Tidbits ~ Homemade Croutons

I had my first yarn stolen by Romeo.  Sigh.  Goodbye Blue Hawaii crochet thread, and hardly used.  A chair was left out and not pushed in and in a millisecond, he was up on the chair and out with the yarn.

Got three sticky notes taken down and off the to-do list.  Woohoo for that.  Propane is on the way.

I got one of our 3 porches cleaned up.  Flower pots dumped, coolers put away, and other misc. items.  One down, two to go.  I do need to re-do the outdoor winter cat house.  It needs cleaned out and re-packed with straw.



Homemade Croutons
6 slices organic whole wheat bread (or baked bread)
2 tsp. homemade Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. homemade garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup organic olive oil

Preheat oven to 350°F.  I like to put everything in a bowl and toss as I drizzle the oil, but you could also do it all on the baking dish.  Bake 14-16 minutes or until crisp enough.  

Freeze until needed.  We add these to soups and salads

Tip:  I used these for "bread crumbs" in recipes.  I bring them to room temperature, from the freezer, and grind them up in my food processor.

Tip:  Too lazy to bake bread?  Or no time?  Look for day old marked down organic bread at the grocery store.  I got one loaf for $1.29 and sometimes they are $.99.  I was able to get two batches from one loaf.  The last few pieces were tossed to the chickens.

We were very blessed with sunny weather yesterday, and a high of 67°F.  I took advantage of it and cleaned the side door porch completely off.

Guess what I saw on the front porch?


A wheel bug.  Apparently, after asking what it was, I found out it's a wheel bug.  It was put to it's death quickly.  I am told they come form TX via semi shipments etc.  Lovely.  We had our share of semi's this summer with another highway closed.  It's back open, but now I'm wondering how many more I have around the front porch.  I read it's bite is nasty and worse than a bee.  Can anyone verify this?  I have never seen this bug in the entire time we've lived here.

I called the surgeon's office finally.  They re-sent the "under the knife" procedure to the insurance now.  Not what I wanted but I will update once insurance takes their good ol' time answering this request. 

Update:  Our son-in-law is now in ICU.  I will update as we get them.  Thank you for good thoughts, vibes and prayers.



6 comments:

Carol said...

I have never seen a bug like that! I have made croutons in the past, but I no longer eat them after mom ruptured her esophagus from one. No thank you! I will be praying for your son in law. I am going back to see if I have missed a post.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Carol, that was a surprise to see that bug on the porch too. Yes, our son-in-law went in for open heart surgery on Monday.

Rain said...

Sending prayers for your son in law, that's a serious surgery. My gosh...

That bug looks nasty Kristina...yuck.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Rain. I was totally shocked to find that bug. It's a big one too, like the size of a grasshopper (big one). Ugh.

Rain said...

Jeez....that's so grosse. I'm such a "mountain mamma" but I have to tell you I'm not a fan of any bugs! Your description gave me the heebie jeebies lol! And you know I don't scare easy lol!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Rain, I am not a fan of bugs either.