Pioneer Woman at Heart

I should have pulled the last of the garden weeks ago, but you know how life goes.  I at least got the tomato plants and stakes pulled.  It's a start.  I'm still getting some hot peppers and picked one green bell pepper. It's finally good weather to open the windows and left some fresh air inside.  The cool nights are so welcoming. Daughter E is doing everything we have suggest to her to get better.  Our friend is home again, but on oxygen. I baked us a strawberry crisp.  

  I dehydrated more sage and rosemary, and started a sage tincture. Daughter K did a door dash for her sister.  We sent a lawn chair (fresh air and sunshine), a box of tissues, immune boost vitamins, and a bottle of tea tree oil.  She still has a bad cough and congestion.  She did a steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil the other day. I did a check-in with Mom.  I took her a piece of breakfast frittata, some bandages and wound tape.  Her legs are so swollen from water retention (they even upped her meds) that her legs are leaking.  I'm very concerned about it, and may see if her insurance will cover an aide (to put her compression stockings on) and/or for her wound supplies. 

Monday was a busy day for sure.  I called Daughter E to ask if the homemade ginger-ale I delivered was helping with her nausea.  She has lost her smell, but not her taste.  She is moving around to keep her from getting worse, and getting sun and fresh air.  She's basically bored stuck there all by herself.  She has dug out her craft box and made some friendship bracelets. I called Mom to check in and see if her 14 free meals arrived.  Unfortunately, she is not seeing any improvements and said she'll call her doctor. Oh, and no meals.   Breakfast - sweet potato, onion, sausage, mad hatter and jalapeno peppers, collards and kale, and eggs. Dandelion greens were blanched and frozen.  I dug into the jungle of our potato patch.  Zero.  Well, not really zero, but a teensy one on each plant.  Lack for and too many super hot days was the problem this year. I submitted a vendor request form to a business that is similar to one in the "B...

  We had a beautiful sunrise Sunday morning.  After shopping for Mom and Daughter E (and door dashing), we retired at the house with playing cards on the porch.  We have been exhausted, so I'm hoping we both revived after last night's good sleep.   I should have taken a photo of the cat food at Meijer yesterday.  Both Kroger and our Meijer in the "Big City" are bare.  There wasn't much to choose from, to buy for Mom's cats. We stopped at 3 stores yesterday, and the shelves at Dollar Tree were bare as well.  We were able to buy Mom 5 boxes of tissues though. The big "Bash" held in the "Big City" had 30 vendors not show up.  I haven't participated in the event in the last two years, but may next year if covid is not spreading as bad as it is this year. Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I will link up when she posts.  As you can see below, I have a lot on my to-do list. On the breakfast plate . . .  I'm thi...

  I spent Friday cleaning, washing laundry, tidying up, and sanitizing. It was a great day to dry laundry outside on the line.  Pretty windy too. I also spent my day making calls to check in on Mom and Daughter E.  Daughter E sounds like she is doing okay, and well supplied with anything to help her heal faster.   Saturday we had two weddings.  One was outside, and we took camping chairs and sat way away from everyone.  The other one was way under way by the time we arrived, and hardly anyone there.  We literally spent 15 minutes are less there and went home.  We were exhausted, because we did a door dash for Daughter E, and did a check in on Mom. We plan to do two door dashes today and then we plan on being back home to have a day of relaxation.   Other than checking in on Mom and Daughter E, we plan on staying in our hidey hole from now on and working on things at the house.  No kids birthday parties, gatherings etc.  Ou...

I think we are moving out of the temperature drop, and back into the 70's.   Daughter E is sick.  We tried to buy her some zinc, but it was sold out.  We found her some vitamin D and C, and delivered her some 4 Thieves.  It was a door drop just to be safe, and thank goodness we did.  She went to the doctor and tested positive for covid.  Please pray for her and anyone she was in contact with.   I sent Daughter K with another door drop for her with other medicinal items that could help her.  She lives alone with her cat, so I reminded my husband we need to door drop some cat food soon.  I pray she recovers quickly.  So many more at my husband's work are getting sick too. I am dropping out of the craft show for all these reasons.  My Mom needs our help with food, cat food, household chores, getting the mail, putting trash out and many other things.  I can't put her at risk.  She literally cannot walk well, and need...

We are getting hit with a ton of rain and wind.  Flooding is happening in some areas.  The temperature has really dipped too.  We woke up to 48 degrees this morning. I went scrambling for my chili recipe and could not find it.  I think I have too many tab options in my recipe box ha ha! I found it in the "camping" recipes, but I adjust it to make on the stove and in the crock pot. I basically cook the bacon and ground beef first on the stove top (or oven). Then put all remaining ingredients in the crock pot.  I add jalapeno for some heat too. I'm putting the recipe here, but if you want to make it over a campfire, you'll need a dutch oven and hot coals. Dutch Oven Chili 2 lbs. ground beef, organic 1/2 lb. bacon, organic 2 5.5 oz. cans tomato paste, organic 2 large yellow onions, diced 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. chopped celery (optional) 2 tsp. cumin 2 - 28 oz cans of whole tomatoes (I use frozen garden tomatoes when I have them)...

I did one more picking of the hot peppers.  Some went with my husband to his work to share with co-workers.  Three trays of the rest went into the freezer. I spent most of the day doing housework and laundry.  There was so much to catch up on. There are two upcoming large outdoor fall festivals (prior to the one I signed up for selling crafts).  If more people become sick from attending these, I plan on pulling out of my commitment (craft show), for the safety of my mother.   Once again, Mom's 14 free frozen meals arrived rotten and thawed out.  They are once again shipping another 14 meals.  I however, would personally tell them to not attempt it anymore.  We can pick up groceries, and although the free meals would have helped, delivery is just not going to happen with today's situation. It's just that more and more people we know are getting sick from attending large event.  Too close to home for us. It's 58°F this morning, with wind and ra...

  Breakfast that I baked yesterday - onions, sweet potato, green bell pepper (forgot to add some hot peppers), sausage, garlic, eggs and chives. I planted the flowers I bought over the weekend.  I love the new red ones.  The pictures were downloaded from my phone, so they are not great, but the dragon's breath is a bright and beautiful color. The "Big City" held a large outdoor art event recently, and more and more people have gotten sick.  I may be making a decision on the October craft show.  I really, really want to do it, but I also have to think about Mom and being around her.

  We are still getting some hot peppers.  Rain is in the forecast for the next 4 days.  I'm okay with that.   We spent a lot of our weekend in the "Big city" running errands, visiting with Mom and taking her food.  Her 6th shipment of her 14 free meals never arrived. Speaking of the "Big City" more and more businesses have reduced their hours due to lack of staffing.  Many are closing a few days a week, and many have hardly nothing on their shelves. We went to Home Depot and picked up more organic gardening soil for the grow bags, and they are all set for the garlic.  I also picked up 4 more flowers to plant. Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I will link up when she posts.  I am heading out to plant my garlic before the rain arrives. On the breakfast plate . . . Not sure yet.  I do know it will involve one green bell pepper I picked, one sweet potato and sausage. Looking around the house . . . There is much ...

(dehydrate for 6-10 hours at 125°F, then grind into powder using a coffee grinder) I finally got the dehydrated cayenne peppers ground into powder.  I believe I used my last spice jar, but I'm already set with homemade "fire powder"  (random mix of dehydrated hot peppers and ground into powder).  Look at that beautiful bold color next to the expensive organic store bought color.   There have been 4-5 shipments of Mom's free 14 meals (via Fed Exp).  Non of which actually made it to her house.  There is another shipment that is due to arrive today.   I have felt my uppity self lately.  Not sure if it's what's going on with our world, or the added stress and overwhelming race to get so many things done before winter. I'm just not feeling my motivated, good mood self.

I love watching America's Test Kitchen and Cooks Country, however, it may get me into trouble with new items in the kitchen (ha ha!) I have used homemade foaming hand soap in kitchen and bathrooms for years.  However, after watching America's test kitchen and reviews on a touch less sensor hand soap dispenser, my kitchen now has one.  Cooking and washing hands will be so much easier.  I have no idea how I have lived without this.  It does require batteries, but I'm always asking someone to squirt soap in my hands and turn on the water.  I love our new soap dispenser!  I may get ones for the bathrooms, but they are exactly cheap either.  I will see how well it holds up before making that decision. The sensor responds immediately and you can control the amount of soap it dispenses.  There is a light that comes on when your batteries are low too.  Easy to fill, and has a clear tank to see how much soap you have in it.  The weather look...

  The storms are over, so the dehydrator was back at it. Rosemary made it's way into it first.  Once that was ready to come out, trays were cooled and washed. Cayenne peppers made there way in next.   Tomato season is officially over.  I am freezing what I have left.  Sort of a sad tomato year, but thankful for what we did get. My layers are slowing down in egg production, which has me thinking of water-glassing them again for long storage. Seed saving continues, and I feel it is very important to do, especially this year with how things are going with our food system. The insurance company has attempted to deliver my Mom's 14 free meals 4-5 times now.  So far, nothing has arrived (other than the first shipment with warm rotten food). Woke up to 55°F this morning.  I'm pretty sure the hot pepper season may be coming to an end.  I guess we'll see.  We better start stocking up on firewood.

I started some cilantro and parsley seeds indoors, and they were doing great.  However, I had two spray bottles in the kitchen, and one is not labeled.  I have a 50/50 of vinegar and water in one (not labeled), and one with water.   I was spraying the plants with water and they were doing great.  They other day I noticed them all dying.  Guess who used the wrong spray bottle?  Yep, ha ha!  Labeling the bottle and replanting. Back when I was at the greenhouse picking out some plants for the garden that I didn't start from seed, I asked for "serrano" when I meant to ask for San Marzano (tomatoes).  That's how I ended up with 6 serrano pepper plants, ha ha!  I never figured it out until I went to plant, and that's how I ended up with so many. I picked more hot peppers, and gave some away.  I am finally getting some cherry bomb peppers. Due to high price of disposable gloves I am rinsing off my gloves after slicing then, and reusing to ...

Monday's, after a vacation/getaway, are always discombobulated.  I never have a quick breakfast on had or a lunch to pack for my husband.  The plan this week, is to look up meals to freeze prior to a trip (or even before a weekend), that way we are prepped for Monday. Mom was admitted into the hospital again.  They changed the rules again.  Now whoever takes her in, is the Emergency contact, and one person per day, with screening done upon entering the hospital.  It was much different the most recent time she was in the hospital.  Oh, no kids under 16 can visit either. I spent my gas and time to head to the "Big City" to get my hair done (this was before I was notified of Mom's situation).  Daughter E made the appt. for me with her.  She was a no-show.  I was so upset I left and returned home.  I'll just call my old salon and get it done there.   I had planned to visit Mom after my hair appt. but with her admitted and one perso...

We went on yet another camping adventure, and a well deserved retreat.  Just the outdoors, nature, card playing, music, campfires, campfire meals and time for us. We drove to another city and picked up some of Mom's favorite popcorn (a different kind), got locally made ice cream and other treats.  We both laughed when we looked down and we both had on our slippers in the store (ha ha!). I took my latest unfinished project I found in the closet and enjoyed the great outdoors.  Meals were cooked over the campfire.  Our camper has a radio that plays inside and outside, so we took advantage of that too.  We can't wait for the next adventure.   Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I'll link up when she posts (and I remember to, ha ha!) Weather . . .  Hot!  We had beautiful weather over the weekend.  Perfect for camping, but we are now back to hot weather.  90's.  Possibly rain Tuesday late and into Wednesday morning....

There was so much I needed to get done before the weekend.  I did some calculations and made a small batch of tomato sauce.  I'm so happy about that. Next?  A batch of meatballs .  I would rather buy fresh meat to do this than frozen, and didn't realize all I had to get done.  It's a lot easier to get these frozen before more goes into the freezer.  One year I smashed them, trying to get them in the freezer on baking sheets. I froze more bell peppers,   boiled eggs for egg salad.  I wanted to get egg salad made to take to Mom to increase her iron. Has anyone cooked with black garlic?  I finally got mine, but now I'm wondering can I use it as is or do I need to put it through a process with oil to use?   I read where you place the bulbs in a crock pot on warm, but not sure.  It is soft already, so I'm wondering if I just refrigerate it and use.  Would love advice on this.

  I have a lot on the to-do list this week.  Gosh.  I totally wish it was canning tomato sauce, but I don't think that's gonna happen.  Not unless a family member has tomatoes they want to get rid of.  So what's on the list that got done yesterday? I canned hot pepper jelly.  Gave some hot peppers to my sister who was in town visiting Mom. Made a breakfast scramble with steak, sausage, eggs, hot peppers, and cheese (burritos). Took a few more totes upstairs and cleaned up an area of the bedroom (I've been pulling craft supplies from the closet). Unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, and washed canning dishes.   There were many things on the list that didn't get done, so I'm back at it today.  I do feel it's the end of tomato season for me.  I'll watch it over the next few days, but mostly I'll be yanking plants soon.

In lieu of the kitchen floor project discovery, I sliced and diced yesterday to get some tomatoes off the tables.   Ketchup was canned.  I love Amish paste, I cut less, because they weigh more.  I may have to mix it up next year to ensure I have enough for all things tomato.  I may plant 3 types of paste tomatoes.   I started to drain rain barrels and flip them upside down for winter.  We were supposed to get rain last night but did not.  We really needed it too. Picked hot peppers, and there were a good amount to pick. I froze two more trays of mad hatter peppers. My husband told me twice he was bringing dinner home.  Guess who walked in the door with no dinner?  Yep.  I was tired.  He was tired.  I made adult cheese sandwiches (Recipe is online with America's Test Kitchen). Daughter K has been a Godsend in helping with Mom's appts. She not only picked up the transport wheelchair and shower stool, but also took ...

  Conversation with my husband.... "Hey, Mom gave me her set of red glass dishes to put in the glass door hutch.  In order to do that we have to jack up the floor first." Well, that was followed by an entire day of trying to access under the kitchen with two accesses we already have.  Didn't happen.  We created a 3rd.  Got in a few feet, and dug out some dirt to get to the beam.   Jacked up the floor only after an entire day of work, to find we have dry rot. Guess who is ripping out their kitchen floor?  Yep.  We can't do sister joists from the access.  No room for anyone to get in.  Seriously old house problems.  Guess I'm gonna get new kitchen flooring out of this now.  Just what we don't need.  I may live with a wood floor until next year, and put new flooring in the kitchen. On the same day, after all that bad news, we went to town to pick up a new recliner we bought for Mom.  We picked it up, delivered it, a...