Feeling Better ~ Sort of ~ Hen Killed

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.

Feeling Better ~ Sort of ~ Hen Killed  © November 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Caught the Virus

 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.

How to Freeze Ginger (is in this post)

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. 

Caught the Virus  © November 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart