How each container looks before I mix the "water" solution into the oil mixture. I use a hand held immersion blender (specifically for non-food mixing).
I use Rosemary Gladstar's recipe for this, using grapeseed oil/apricot oil and shea butter (vs. cocoa butter or coconut oil). The recipe is now online (video with Mother Earth News, as whipped face cream) as well as in her book.
New to the medicine stash - yarrow salve. I've already used it for a scraped up arm. Works great to stop bleeding, but has other uses. You can find free recipes online for different amounts, and you can add essential oils in the end if you'd like to. It's a basic melt down and pour type making, and very easy to make (you'll need to infuse an oil with the yarrow first).
Both are very easy to make. I do have utensils that I only use for making homemade items such as these, and the face cream requires a blender or hand held immersion blender (which is what I use for an easier clean up). I do need to visit a thrift store, for a spatula for the face cream however.
It's been fun to concentrate our meals based on the oldest of whatever we have in the freezer. It also makes me pay attention to what we use more of, or less of, and what other ideas think of.
One idea, was to thaw a pound of ground chicken and try making breakfast "sausage" patties for breakfast sandwiches with egg, and cheese.
The results?
Bagels were too big for the Sandwich.
Delicous! We discovered (if I didn't already mention it), that the yogurt bagel recipe (making 4 bagels), makes bagels too big for breakfast sandwiches. Next time I will make bagel "thins" for this purpose. Homemade English muffin would be good for these too.
Back to the chicken pattie, that is mixed up with sausage flavorings....so good! It's a nice change in breakfast meat, and much healthier than sausage and bacon. It's added to our rotation now. It does not taste as good as a sage sausage would, but it's pretty good. It passed my picky husband's taste test too.
Here is what mixed in 1 pound of ground chicken: Recipe is online free from Lauren from Scratch. One pound of ground chicken makes 6 breakfast patties.
New vegetable side dish tried - Buttter Bean and wild Rice Salad with Steamed Greens and Roasted Cauliflower. What's in it? Green beans, butter beans, wild rice, spinach, cauliflower and red onion (and seasonings, with a homemade dressing in the end).
Recipe is in this book, that I borrowed for the library - The Better Bean Cookbook, by Jenny Chandler. However, I did not steam the green beans, and I thawed blanched spinach. I pre-cooked the frozen garden green beans for this, and added it all together in the end. We loved it, but the curry you put on the cauliflower lingers in the air the rest of the night. It was a strange set of ingredients to put together, but utilized the green beans and spinach we had in the freezer. Also, it stated that it's good a salad, but we ate it warmed up as a side dish.
Nothing new here, but we enjoyed crock pot pork chops, simply seasoned, and with an entire freezer container (thawed) of homemade cream of mushroom soup on top. So tender, so simple, and so good. One freezer container is equal to a can of condensed soup you buy at the store (only better ingredients).
Hot Mess Express here to tell you another tale (or two). I had opened the dishwasher, while standing at the sink to load it, and to set it to wash, when 2 seconds after opening it my mind took a quick turn. I saw the drain the sink needing to be cleaned, so I had picked it up out of the sink, and turned to walk to the trash.
When the dishwasher door is open and the tray is not pulled out, it is all gray, which is the same color of our flooring.
You probably know where this is going, right?
I hit the open dishwasher door with both legs, flew over the door, landed on the other side on my right knee. Yes, I have bruises, and no the dishwasher didn't break, but the door needs some TLC (my husband will look at it). He laughed, and asked if I had it all on video. It's funny now, but not when I look at my bruises. Thank goodness for Arnica cream.
What did I learn from this? Turn on more lights when it's dark and dreary outside, and maybe put a light on the countertop for extra winter lighting.
The other "bonk" was when I was leaning over to sweep behind the dryer (last weekend), and when I stood up, I forgot there was a cupboard on the wall. Smack! Yep. Smacked my head into the bottom of the cupboard.
Got my dental cleaning off the calendar, and there was not one person in the waiting room.
I have drained the yarrow infused oil, and just need a day to make the salve. I at least have the amber jars washed and drying.
I got the chicken coop mucked, and added extra straw. The weather forecast is not that appealing this coming weekend. The weather for us, is said to dip into the low 20's at night.
I forgot to share this tidbit about the rechargeable light bulbs. They come with the charge cord and an attachment to screw onto the bulb, to hang the bulb too. You can use them camping, or in an emergency (power outage). We have a small generator that will charge them.
As for the search for the solar chargeable light bulbs, the link to the one shared by another blog poster, is out of stock (and has been out of stock (says "currently unavailable") since October). I'm still looking for them.
A "ta-da" moment. First book to borrow from the library since May, and finish reading it before it was due! I have read many James Patterson books, and this one was definitely different. I have the next book already lined up, but it's one of my own. I love that our library gives out free bookmarks.
Another home "project is underway, so I have not had time to write a post regarding the bread baked in the cast iron skillet (featured blog post). Hopefully soon.
I thought this was funny, because, with my husband's full-time job, and the very (way too early) winter darkness that sets in, we have felt like nothing is progressing. Or should I say progressing fast enough for the both of us?
My new washer and dryer has been delivered. We were not at all happy with the delivery service they use. First, the salesman at the store told us a completely different story. The delivery service called 30 minutes before arrival (they never showed up until after 6pm), and told me we had to "disconnect everything" before they arrived. Not what we were told.
Second, these were to go on our pedastal drawers. One guy refused, saying it was against "their policy" and again the salesman said they would place them on them for us. Third, their truck had no ramp, so we literally watched one guy lift the dryer out off the end of the truck and put it in the driveway hastily.
Oh, and they had their grade school kid with them, who was in the way, wandered around the house (had to keep an eye on him myself), and one guy literally asked me to hold the trolly cart while my husband and one guy unloaded the washer (the other guy was still in the back of the truck).
Oh, and get this. One guy was bringing the dryer in, and it would not fit thru the doorway. He insisted the door needed off the hinges (I will need to repaint thanks to him). Anyway, my husband watched them load the washer on the cart, and yelled out the door to put the washer on the other way (with door up and not to the side), which turned it, so the thinner side of it would fit thru the door. One way it's thicker, the other thinner. The guy who took the door off the hinge said to us, "my bad" and both of us rolled our eyes. We both wondered if it was their first time unloading applicances? Good grief!
The next morning we had to hook everything up ourselves, and had to even the legs on the dryer. By the way, our old ones were 16 years old (lucky for that considering it lasted with all the kids using them too), and they were to take them with them, according to our salesman. They were literally trying to talk us into putting them by the side of the road, instead of hauling the old ones away. In the end, they took them.
It was a good time to clean the dryer vent, as we had to install a brand new one to the dryer. Another cleaning job done. We actually bought our own kit, to do this job ourselves. It comes with a 10 foot brush and a smaller one for the actual dryer lint trap too.
Finally, we had one the kids and her boyfriend come to the house, and help remove the AC units, and put them in storage. Yay for a bit of progress.
I found a home for our old Christmas tree and lights, and donated 3 full boxes of "stuff" to a thrift store.
At the last minute before heading out with the boxes of donations, I found all of these outside Christmas light clips to get rid of too. I have now reduced the number of totes by two.
Sometimes when you are sorting or cleaning/organizing and purging, your house looks more of a mess before it looks tidy and chaos free.
I had a friend tell me once, "if you give everything away, you'll have nothing." Believe me, what we are getting rid of, is no longer used, or even needed. However, we replaced our nightstand lights and had the two antique lamps to deal with.
My husband wanted to keep them, and I was ready to sell them. However, we made a compromise. The cords were an electrical hazard, and he just didn't want to take the time to replace the cords. I got tired of staring at them in a box on the floor.
I had an "aha!" moment. I cut the cords off (he can replace them any day he wishes if that's the case), and bought two chargeable light bulbs. We have end tables in our living room, where it needs light, but no way to plug a cord in.
The bulbs work great! Three settings, comes with remote with dimmer and timer. I'm happy, we have extra light (especially in the dark days of winter), and he's happy we have the lamps.
I am however, still wanting to buy solar charging light bulbs. If you have a link for a source (Amazon would be great), please comment. I have two solar (actually 3) outdoor lights already for the new coop, but we would like to have some "emergency" lights for in the ho
I brushed the tops with milk and sprinkled homemade everything bagel seasoning on the tops. The original recipe stated to boil them, just like you would yeast bagels, and I did not.
I went online and searched for the recipe and found several, but for this one, I had to convert grams to cups to make them. I was shocked at the results. First, I doubted the dough. After kneading it, it turned into a nice dough, although started out crumbs. Baked at 400°F for 25 they turned out nice, but they do need toasted. The inside is slightly doughy if they are not toasted, but a nice bagel for a breakfast or whatever, if we need a few in a pinch. I like the fact, it only makes 4 for the two of us as well. Yes, it requires white all-purpose flour, but I do use organic/non-gmo. I used organic greek yogurt, and non-gmo baking powder (original recipe uses self-rising flour).
Results? Pretty good. They don't stick to the parchment paper either. However, the next time, I will make 8 bagel thins vs. 4 thick ones. The 4 larger ones are too thick for a breakfast sandwich.
Next up? Einkorn Pumpkin Bread. It is not your typical moist, ooey, gooey pumpkin bread, but it is good. I was also shocked that it baked up so tall, and looks exactly like the photo in the recipe. It's fantastic with a slather of butter, but had I gotten around to it, it would be delicous with pumpkin butter, or pumpkin-apple butter too. The flour in this bread is all-purpose einkorn wheat flour. There is some sugar in this bread, but the bread itself is not sweet, hence a slather of something on top.
The porch hanging pots are still blooming in late November, which is absolutely unbelieveable. Never, has this happened in the last 16 years. However, they all came down, as the weather will dip very cold today. In fact, they are predicting windchills in the low 20's, so the water hoses were drained and put away in storage (before more rain rolled in).
Yes, we woke up to snow, but it's a dusting. The weather reporters have been so annoying about it too. They act like we will be snowed in. It literally rained the entire day yesterday.
Watering cans were put away, porch plants taken down and discarded, porch furniture covered for the winter, and outside Christmas lights put up (before it gets too cold to do). Leaves blown off all entryways.
Breakfast these next few days will be Chedder and Chili Egg Casserole, and some local blueberry sausages (from the freezer).
Recipe is from Rachel Ray Magazine (from years ago), but adapted with organic ingredients.
4 servings (I double it for us, as the baked dish cools thin)
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter, melted, organic or homemade
5 large eggs, beaten, from our chickens
1 cup cottage cheese, organic
1/2cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 4 ounce can diced green chilies, organic
1/4cup flour, organic (have not tried einkorn yet)
1/2teaspoon baking powder (non-gmo)
Salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees . Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, chiles, flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Pour into the prepared dish and bake until set, about 35 minutes.
I do spend the extra few cents to buy the organic canned diced green chilies. We've purchased off brands in the past, and have found stems in them cans.
I am doing a trial run on freezing homemade ginger-ale syrup. Sickness is all around our area, and I am trying to stay out of the stores if possible.
I have 2 pints and a half pint jar in the freezer now (using freezer safe Ball canning jars). I'll give an update if we have to dig these out use them. I keep a few bottles of club soda on hand, just for this "feel better" drink.
Yes, I freeze my ginger. I wash it, and let it dry. I then wrap it in plastic wrap, and then place it in a freezer container or bag. I simply take it out when I need it, re-wrap it, and place anything left back into the freezer.
Speaking of meals, have you noticed how many food recalls we've been having? There has been so many lately, and now carrots. There has been McDonald's onions, there has been fresh green onions in stores, meats, mushrooms etc.
It's been raining here for the last two days, which has delayed any outdoor work, and the AC units have yet to be removed. It's a battle to get anything done after work hours, as the darkness sets in way too fast.
It's a very foggy morning this morning, and they are predicting a slight dusting of snow tomorrow (first snow of the season if it happens).
I don't lack indoor work at any rate. I started purging/cleaning/re-organizing both the utility room and the "office" and have started yet another donation box. I'm sort of ping-ponging around the house in hopes to complete areas of chaos, including Christmas totes. I'm going through the totes to remove any old, worn decorations, lights that don't work, and extra items we can live without.
I finally drained my homemade oregano oil for the winter. I plan on using it on homemade pizza as well as for an medicinal purposes.
I failed to re-stock the mouse traps, and our weather will be drastically changing, starting tomorrow (today is pretty chilly too). I do miss having a mouser around, so it's not off the possibility list just yet.
UPS delivered my new light bulbs (more on that later, but still looking for solar charging light bulbs), and it was pitch dark. I had turned the outside Christmas lights on the night before, to check all the bulbs, but my husband gave me the green light for turning them on for a few brief evening hours. Especially if the UPS guy needs extra light to make a delivery (he he!).
. . .update on crocheting hats for charity collections. I frogged so many patterns that I found online. I finally found a few that stitch up rather quickly, do not use a ton of yarn, and can be done with one color or with using up scraps of yarn (4, worsted weight acryrlic yarns in my stash).
First up is from a Youtube video I located. I liked the ease of it, and the brim at the bottom is different from a rotated FPDC/BPDC stitch. I find it uses less yarn, but has a very nice finished look. I adapted the pattern to fit larger sizes, and used a different hook. I did try the pattern as stated first, with a "J" hook, and it was huge! I frogged it, and started over.
Here is the first one I finished, using an H hook, and adding an extra DC row and two extra rows on the bottom brim. It fits an adult. The second one is the, same hook, but added more rows for an adult male. I tried it on my husband to check size etc.
I really like this pattern for a one color hat.
(First one completed for age 2-4, using the pattern as written)
Second up, is a free printable pattern from Yarnspirations, called Ridges Family Crochet Hat. It comes in 3 sizes, and pretty easy to do. I do recommend a stitch marker, as the first DC does not count as a stitch, and it's easy to miss that when you get to SL at the end of the row, making your seam of the hat a bit off.
The pattern is worked from the bottom of the hat, and up to the top for this one, but very easy to make. The only thing I do not like about this pattern, is that the seam is slanted. I've done the pattern several times, and it's the same every time.
Overall, I like the front look, but do not like the back.
I like this "child's hat, because it stitches up very quickly, and the seam is straight on the back. It can be folded up if needed as well to fit. It's basically a lot of double crochets - pattern is called "Child's Hat" by Red Heart on Yarnspirations free patterns.
I also tried a baby hat pattern from Yarn Inspirations. It's called the Teeny Weeny Crochet Cap.
However, you can slightly see the seam on the backside as well. I have one skein of the simply soft yarn in lavender and in gray, so I'll try it in gray to see if the seam is badly visible.
As for a "scrap" yarn adult hat, I found a few patterns to try. I'll either be frogging, or back to share the resource. Keep in mind, I am using worsted weight #4 yarn (not bulky) that I have in stash.
Does anyone have a resource for me, for a simple baby hat? New born?
Does anyone have a resource for toddler and childern's hats that are quick to stitch up, and do not show a crocked backside seam?
How about any new patterns for lap afghans or wheelchair size blankets? I have located one, but am willing to look at other options, especially if they use scrap yarn too.
My meal plan was going pretty well before we both got sick. We had roasted more of our home grown mashed potato squash, and paired it with some air fryer (can be done in the oven too) blackened chicken tenders (local chicken), and I thawed some garden green beans and local bacon to make the BBQ crock pot green beans.
The blackened chicken is simply chicken patted dry, seasoned with a mix of seasonings, and air fried (or baked). There are so many online recipes for the chicken, but we love it (first time trying it).
Here is the recipe for homemade meatballs. A friend shared it with me. We buy our meat from a local butcher, buy the organic oats from an Amish area that is a quick a drive, but the only place to buy it anymore.
Homemade Meatballs
Meatballs 3 pounds ground chuck (see notes) 2 cups oatmeal, organic 2 eggs 1 cup chopped onion 13 oz. can evaporated milk, organic 2 teaspoons salt 2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. garlic powder (I use homemade) 1 tsp. black pepper Mix well. Shape into balls (I use a large cookie scoop), place on cookie sheet and freeze until firm, package and freeze until needed (or bake). Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
Note: I use half groung chuck and half ground pork, but you could use what you like.
The recipe uses oats in place of bread crumbs. My recent batch was made with local pork sausage, because the butcher accidently gave me that instead of ground pork. We'll see if how it tastes soon. I already had the ingredients mixed before opening the meat packages.
I mix, roll the meatballs, and line a pan and freeze them. I then bag them for future meals. You could cook them ahead of time as well. It's all up to you.
I'm calling it Monday Madness, as we return to a week of a regular work load, and trying to catch up for what we did not get done around here. The bathrooms need a good cleaning, trash taken out, dusting, sweeping, dishes etc. It also means, I am back to the kitchen for some homemade cooking and baking this week.
I'm dehydrating plantain, as the weather was good for it, and we needed it. I have tinctures to strain, and salve making to do this month.
My husband is feeling better faster than me, and in doing so, has prompted the start of several projects that are overdue. I'm not sure which one will be done first, but we have acquired the new window (will require some drywall work as well), lumber is ready to start the chicken run build (and we have stand by help for both), he's on board with the office purge (so old carpet can be torn out and the new flooring put in), utility room purge/clean up will once again start due to the fact we will soon need to remove the 16 year old washer and dryer. Lastly, for now anyway, we have acquired a new heater for the master bathroom, and the old electric baseboard heater will be removed.
Ha, and I thought we'd be slowing down this month. I am thankful that my husband is feeling better, but the holidays are approaching, so we'll see what actually progresses.
In the meantime, library books keep rolling in, and I have yet to even look at any of them. The weekend went by way too fast, but I finished the last crochet lap afghan.
Here are a few photos I took, of the evil flying predator, known as the hawk. I went out to see if it was still hanging around, and yes it is (they are unfortunately "protected" in our state). The more I get photos of it hanging around, the more my husband is motivated to get the run built (will have a roof, and completely enclosed run). Yes, I do need a rooster, but for now, we'll be focused on the enclosed run.
I'm going to attempt to keep a to-do list going, in order to stay on task around here. I've already added more to it. I asked my husband where we put the porch chair covers, and we both laughed. We both have no idea. Another job added, ha ha!
We are throwing ourselves into the week without a meal plan. The only plan is to use what's in the freezer, needing to be used up first. It should be fun.
First, thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. We are both feeling better, but boy the fatigue is dragging on and on. My day starts pretty good, by by afternoon I am feeling exhausted.
The weather here sort of helps me be able to curl up with a book or yarn too. It's been dreary days the last few days.
Rest was/is on the top of the list, but one food item I totally forgot about (when sick) is applesauce. Home canned applesauce, from our apples. The raccoons got our apples this year, as it was a drought year. Any other year, they leave them alone.
When it's a very dry season, we seem to have more of a wild animal/rodent problem. Thankfully, we can buy apples nearby, but still not the same.
I had it on the canning radar, but it totally slipped my mind with our overly busy October. It's back on the list. It truly is the best tasting, but if we are too late for our area's apple season, I can atleast stock up a few jars of organic apple sauce.
I can also check with one new (small, within a tolerable drive) self sufficient farm for a bartar or sale (I found out the wife cans and pressure cans).
Applesauce is not only good for when you are feeling ill, but for baking/cooking and for simply enjoying.
I typically have more soup options on hand, so adding more to the freezer is on the agenda - chicken and rice soup and maybe one more.
Keeping bread in the freezer is on the agenda as well. I have stopped baking it, as my husband has no self control when it is baked. I will be trying a few new einkorn recipes maybe, and even possibly sourdough yet.
I will be making a list of seeds we need for our medicinal herb garden as well.
On the sad report of the post - a hawk killed my buff orpington sometime late yesterday (before sunset). I have not seen, nor heard a hawk here either.
(it came back for more, and you can see how well it blends in with the trees)
It's the first time in all the years for a hawk to get one. We had let them out into the run, and headed to go get some supplies (more on that later) and we may have even interrupted it when we got home. Hard to tell, other than we'll be needing to build the new run (with a roof on it) as soon as possible. Not to mention, that I will be needing the brooder box in the spring now too.
I think my husband feels bad, because I kept explaining to him that they are not protected from predators in the current run.
I have no carpentry skills to work on it by myself, and I'm sure he'd say I cannot unless someone was here anyway. I will be working alongside him, so I can learn more. He does have a full time job, but we can't delay this any longer, and more projects are underway now.
Although not nearly as bad as my husband got it, I caught the virus from him regardless. I do feel taking my 4 thieves, and drinking a good amount of water kept me from getting it as bad as him.
However, I was unprepared for waking up ill, as far as food goes. I realized, after resting for several hours, that I needed to go tend the hens. It was the worst, cold and windy day outside as well. Yes, I did it in pajamas and muck boots, but left the other chores for my husband after he got home.
The only soup on hand was home canned tomato soup, but I did have broth. I always make sure we have ginger in the freezer. You can freeze it.
I am out in the boonies, so to ask a friend to come by was out of the question, so it all got me thinking. I also have a limited amount of family, and they all work full time. It's not like I can get door dash either. I need to be better prepared in regards to food a sick person may need, when by themselves. I am prepared otherwise.
I also, wanted to make myself homemade ginger-ale for my stomach, and had ran out of limes (no lime juice in the freezer either). I am thinking of making a batch of the actual ginger-ale syrup, and freezing that for emergency needs.
According to my research, simple syrup can be frozen, but my homemade ginger-ale recipe contains honey too. Has anyone had experience with freezing homemade ginger-ale syrup (with the fresh lemon/lime juices added)?
Teas, and medical supplies were on hand, but I will make sure the food/drink list is checked off and well on hand for easy access. It all got me thinking, because I have always been the one to take care of others my entire life, but my husband was the one to tend to me when I was sick (and he was at work).
I did have our 4 thieves on hand, but to take it, you typically want something in your stomach (as it contains garlic).
I am off to make a list as I think things over. If you have something you have on hand, that I am not thinking of, please comment below. Or a food/medicinal item to freeze.
The scarf pattern I used in yesterday's post is on Youtube by Hooked by Robin. It is my favorite scarf pattern to use. Here is the video location.
Well, it's not the actual video link. I attempted, but blogger is being a bugger today. The pattern is by Hooked by Robin (she is on social media and on Youtube (for this pattern). She has a website too, but I did not see this pattern on it.
Pattern is by: Hooked by Robin (link to youtube pattern, hoping it works)
Pattern title on Youtube: Quick & Easy Crochet Scarf, One Row Repeat.
On social media (facebook) title for her video there, is "Easy Crochet Scarf"
I hope this helps locate the pattern. It'a a basic double HDC stitch repeat. If you cannot locate the pattern on youtube, please comment below or facebook, please comment below. I will try my best to get the actual video shared.
I started my scarf with 26 single crochet, followed by the repeat stitch. I also add the fringe on the ends.
