Experimental Healthier Zucchini Bread ~ Garden

 Along with an experimental baking, this is my experimental post to see how things go too.  Thank you for all of your advice on the blog issues.  

No Shortage of Boredom

 We finally got rain, after 20 plus days of 90 degree plus weather.  Despite watering the garden, it was looking fried by the heat, humidity and sun.  The zucchini plants are starting to die off with little harvest already.

Whirlwind

 Like most garden summers, it's been a whirlwind of activity.  Weeding is hit or miss with the recent downpours and storms here lately.  I can't complain for not having to water anything.  Somehow, in between storms, the mowing and trimming got done.

(leaves are bigger than my hand this year- woohoo to a great crop)

The Red Russian Kale I planted, did very well this year.  I harvested a pretty good lot already.  The kale we grow has a less bitter taste, and more favorable for fresh salads or topping a sandwich.  The frozen kale will be used for smoothies, soups, stews, casseroles, breakfast casseroles and anything I can add greens to add more nutrition.

However, pint freezer bags are very hard to find in our area.  Just a few places sell them.  One year, I was lucky to snag a "bulk" box of them at a nearby Menards (not available this year).

I am still getting a few more radishes, and the Swiss chard is doing great this year.  Everything else in the garden is about 2 weeks or more behind compared to last year.

I got my refund on the stainless steel tomato strainer.  I have not had any thoughts on new resources.

I mended a few pairs of pants, and ran necessary errands, and booked appointments with a new optometrist (based on recommendations).  Our current optometrist wants 6 month visits for contacts and will only write 1 year on prescriptions for glasses (my husband's work will reimburse every 2 years, like most prescriptions for glasses are generally written).  Our family physician retired, so we are having to find a new one there too.  Appointments for "new" patients have a long waitlist too. 

I exchanged 3 books for one (not a bad deal on reducing my bookshelf).  

I went to a local area Dollar Tree for some scrub brushes, and while I was there, I thought I would pick up some more tin pans for the chicken's treats.  The store raised the prices on the tin pans to $1.75 now.  I'll be buying inexpensive bowls and just washing them out over summer instead.  Besides, the ladies tend to smash up the tin after about 3 or 4 treat days.

Meanwhile. . .

Someone is going to all of the free little libraries in one nearby town, and taking out all of the books (or most of them), and replacing them with a bunch of Bibles.  I don't care what belief you have, but seriously???  It always takes one person to ruin a community project that is fun and free.  There has been a volunteer to check those free libraries now.  I have donated more books to those little libraries than to other places lately.

On a side note about little libraries . . .I found an out reach program that puts books, journals, pens, bookmarks etc inside the little libraries every once in a while at part of "service day" with their churches.  Guess who found some bookmarks in a box of misc. stuff?  Yep.  I'll be going thru all of my crafted items leftover, and sending those bookmarks into their new homes soon.  I may even have a few unfinished crocheted bookmarks too.  It's on my charity list, as well as getting back to crocheting more lap afghans this next fall.

Rain is back again this week, but the mornings are in the low 70's, making outdoor work much more comfortable.

I'm on the lookout for seeds to plant yellow cone flowers in the flower beds next year.  The type that grows 3-5 feet.  We used to have them growing here, and we do miss them.

I tried a new pumpkin pancake recipe and loved it.  It used organic Greek yogurt, pumpkin from the freezer (last year's garden), a very small bit of flour (I swapped it for Einkorn flour), and we loved them.  It was a small batch recipe too, which is a win-win for us. Oh, it used some old fashioned oats too in the recipe.

Until next time. . .

Whirlwind  ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I hope your July 4th was an enjoyable holiday.  We spent it by ourselves.   One weekend night we were able to watch fireworks from our front porch at night, and there were about 5-6 different towns or people setting them off (one was spectacular).  

The break in rain finally gave us (I mean "me") a chance to weed the garden, re-tie up the tomatoes (they grew another foot), hill potatoes, harvest some Red Russian Kale and more radishes.  Boy it's still hot here. Sunday it was 94°F with a heat index of (feels like) 97°F (not as hot as it has been).

My homemade bug spray is working great other than it does not work to deter the teeny tiny gnat type bugs flying around.  They seem to be attracted to the body sweat while working in the hot sun (so annoying).

There is not enough work being done in the gardens, in one day, due to the heat, the humidity, the rain, or a combination of these issues.

Overwhelmed.  Frustrated.  Those are few words to describe the current season here (everyone in the area with any type of garden is dealing with it).  I get negative feedback from my full-time working husband, who thinks the garden should be spic-n-span weed free on a constant basis.  In this heat, a person has to be smart, and just show up when you can.

Despite being haggled about what's not getting done (cut me some slack please), I have harvested more kale and radishes, and hopefully more soon.

In the meantime, the rabbits have dug under the garden fence (rabbit dinner?  Get a dog?  Maybe 4? And a donkey?).  On a good note, we have not seen one ground hog in the last few weeks.  Or a deer for that matter.

It's definitely been a week of weeding, and more to do.  I am tired.

The suggestion to plant rosemary and borage in the squash plants, has been questionable.  One day I saw squash bugs, and then weeded out the borage and rosemary plants.  The next day I saw zero.  Not sure if the plants aroma could spread easier after being unburied in the weeds or not.  Time will tell as I check daily.

I also planted collards next to the thyme and green onions (again to deter the bugs).  Something ate it to the ground.  No collards this year.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Will link up when she posts.

The weather . . . 

Hot. Rain is back after a week of drying up.  Possibly rain every other day or so this week.  Say a prayer for my sanity vs. weeds (ha ha!).

As I look outside my window . . .

Sun is coming up and the rain is giving us a break.

Right now I am . . .

Writing this post of course.

Something fun to share . . .

I have zero today.

Thinking and pondering. . . 

What crazy person thought it would be a great idea to plant a garden this year????

On my bedside table . . .

I have no idea.  I'm too lazy (tired) to go look.

On my reading pile . . .

Finally off my "bucket" list (I don't really have one).  Another "first" this year - read a real, paper copy of the New York Times.   I won't be subscribing to it, ha ha!  I can read the digital copies for free with my library (for the recipes only).

I forgot to take a photo of my current book, but if you scroll down to the "what are you creating" prompt, you'll see all the latest books I have finished, and matching book blanket granny squares (yes, I'm behind in attaching some, but caught up with making them).

On my TV . . .

Literally, whatever looks interesting.  We liked Miracles from Heaven (movie on Netflix).

Listening to . . .

Nothing.  Hum of the white noise around here.  Some days the radio if I am actually cooking after a long garden day. Depends on where I am and what I'm/we are doing.

On the menu this week . . . 

-ice cream cones? ha ha ha!

-have no idea, we do have more stuffed bell peppers in the freezer however

On my to do list . . .

-garden work 

-anything after that is pure chance (literally), you know like overdue errands, housework, food preserving, making hand lotion and so forth.

-dehydrate more oregano when the rain stops again

-start oregano infused oil (by the way this is fantastic for cooking anything you love oregano in, not just medicinal).

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating . . .

ebook

. . .from the box of 18 something Christmas books I bought early in the year at an antique store (gulp!).

My first "blind" date with a book from a coffee store/bookshop.

Bought this several years ago at a flea market in Amish country.  Put it on a shelf and forgot I had it until last winter.  I loved this book, and looked forward to reading one every morning.

Most recent books finished with a matching granny square for my crocheted "book" blanket this year.  Matched the yarn the best I could, and with all yarn from my stash (it was the point to use up small balls in the stash).

I'm still crocheting the pink and white baby blanket (slow going).

My simple pleasure . . .

Lately?  Reading a book. Writing my blog.  Simply resting, ha ha!

Looking around the house . . .

Well, it's as it should look, when the garden work calls.

From the camera . . .

New current blooms (Rose of Sharon), and one about to bloom (forgot what it's called). I think the blue one may be called balloon flowers.  Our bluebells that I dug up and moved from our last home, lived about 16 years, then died off (never found them again).

Bible Verse, Prayer, Devotional . . .

"God, bring me friends who love You so we can encourage one another!  In Jesus's name.  Amen." (from 180 Devotions for Your Best Day)

Happy Homemaker Monday ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Chit Chat

 

In May of 2024, I ordered a brand new, USA made stainless steel tomato strainer.  In the fall of 2024, I called to check on the order, because it did not arrive in 6 months as I was told.

I was then told, the new sauce maker would arrive in May of 2025.  Keep in mind, you have to remember this over all this time too.  Well, May of 2025 has passed. 

It's now June and I called again.  I'm told (and before she even asks for my order number) the production won't produce any until "May of 2026" (seriously). 

I asked for a refund.  I'll let you know what happens, as I do expect that refund one way or another.  Once that is back in my bank account, I need to find a better source for a stainless steel tomato strainer.  I thought I would share, if case anyone has thought about ordering from them.  I'm not "bad" mouthing the company.  I'm just sharing my experience in attempting to order a tomato strainer.

Who knows what I'll be doing in a year from now?  My instincts told me that next year would arrive, and this company would tell me the same story  - not ready for another year, blah, blah, blah.

I may have a secret summer home by next year, sold the house, and started traveling the world in an RV by next year.  I could be sailing the oceans too.  You never know.

Either way, I was not going to wait another entire year to find out if the tomato strainer would be shipped or not.  So....if you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them (for a stainless steel one).

I have been taking advantage of the hot water the garden hose has in the first use in this heat wave.  I can clean chicken feed pans, my lounge chair, and the chicken watering units, not wasting that hot water.

No rain yet, and the heat continues, but very slightly lower than the 100's.  Rain was due last night, but nothing.  

We have been very thankful to once again get garlic scapes from our garlic.  These can sometimes be found at Farmer's Markets as well.  Garlic scapes form on mature garlic plants, and you need to cut them off before they bloom. 

I have once again made our favorite spread - radish garlic scape spread. The spread is cream cheese, garlic scape, radishes, fresh spinach and a bit of real lemon juice.  It's delicious!  The only thing missing is freshly made cream cheese from goat's milk (we really miss that).  I also use 2 garlic scapes in this recipe.  I do cut off the flower end.  It really has a good flavor, and the cut scapes are not wasted.  I plan to freeze the remainder for future recipes.  I may even freeze some garlic scape pesto.

We were gifted a lot of fresh dill from a co-worker of my husband's.  I put much of it in the dehydrator, but saved some for salads and other recipes.  It got me thinking.  Has anyone ever made a dill tincture?  I'm looking into it, only because of the large amount of dill we were given.  

It's a small start this year, but this is my husband's attempt to start back at the new chicken coop project.  The ladies deserve a chicken castle picnic table, ha ha ha!  We have much to do on the coop, and are now looking into solar exhaust fans for the new coop.  I can say, I am thrilled we picked the location for it now.  They will have more shade when their new run is built and installed.

Homemade peach crumble.  The only thing I've done with peaches this year.  So far anyway.  Georgia peaches from a local produce stand (we planted another peach tree this year).

Back in May, I visited a locally owned coffee shop/book store.  I walked by this book enough, and finally opened it. 

I did a check at Goodreads to see what the rating on it was.  I am still reading a book, so it is now on the list to read.  We shall see if it's any good.  My first "blind" date with a book.

Chit Chat  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Book Blanket {post #2}

 

An updated photo of my crocheted "book blanket" for this year.

We are 6 months into the year, and obviously (he he!) I am not even to a halfway point on this blanket.  Sigh.  I'm squeezing in reading time when I can.  The blanket is about 67 inches long, if that helps give you an idea on the size it will be.

In the beginning of 2025, I dedicated a hand crocheted granny square for every book I read this year.  The granny squares are crocheted with scrap balls of yarn, matched the best I can, to match the colors of the book cover of the finished book.  The granny squares are then attached, one at a time (join as you go) with a unique stitching.  We are absolutely loving how it's turning out.  

You can read about the first post about this blanket HERE.

Book Blanket {post #2}  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Soup Weather ~ Dehydrator Weather

 

There is nothing better than to enjoy some crock pot Italian Soup during a cold spritz in May.  It was a new recipe  (Food.com), but I utilized some tomato sauce I canned last year, and dried herbs from the herb garden.  Not sure what they meant by "brown" onion, but I used a yellow onion, and used fresh minced garlic (not from a jar).  I also used sweet Italian vs. mild sausage (what was in the freezer), and it turned out delicious!

I'm taking advantage of these cooler weather days, and getting dehydrated items re-stocked.

I'm dehydrating ginger for tea making and other uses.  I can also grind it as needed.  I do freeze some as well, which has come in handy several times for homemade ginger-ale and other meals and recipes.

Has anyone, who uses a dehydrator, dehydrated turmeric root?  I just froze us a bunch, but would like to dry some.  How do you dehydrate it without staining your trays?  Will it stain stainless steel if I layer it with parchment?  I know it stains my hands when I go to peel it.  I do use gloves.  Anyone?

Today's reading from the book "A Year of Positive Thinking" by  Cyndie Spiegel.  It's a neat idea, and a great blog prompt if you are in a rut with what to post, or in a "rut" in finding joy in your life perhaps.  I just thought it was worth sharing today.  Perhaps a journal entry if you enjoy journaling?

We had zero rain yesterday and a load of wind.  We are once again setting a date to till the garden.

Soup Weather ~ Dehydrator Weather  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Long Weekend

 I had another long weekend, but productive.  My husband worked again (2 long 12 hour shifts), so I decided to tackle another big job while I could.  In reality, it was because we got more rain, and it's been raining every single day lately, so garden work was not happening anyway.

I emptied the entire standing cupboard that holds my canning pot, freezer containers (as they empty), extra canning jars, and all things homesteading that don't have place anywhere else.

A shelf had collapsed (it's the cheap wood type put-together-yourself type cabinet, but it works for now).  

I purged the entire thing, cleaned it, then moved it from the wall and cleaned behind it and under it, moved it back, re-organized it and prayed it will hold together a few more years.

I filled a box with items to take to the thrift store.

We have had some cooler weather lately.  Woke up to 42°F this morning. Brrr!  Some evenings are below 50 degrees.  There is rain in the forecast for the next 4 days.  It can all change, but we could use a slight break with the rain.  

Many of my herb plants are starting to flower.  Sage is about to bloom.

A few of our flower bed perennials are starting to bloom as well.

I picked yet some more asparagus.  One good thing about all of this rain.

                                     

I have not made time to open more than one library book.  The recipe above made me laugh.  Do you see it?  It was from a recipe book for foraging.  

Speaking of library books, I do need to get those looked at and returned.  They are all resource type books for foraging, fermenting, and wild cooking.  Not sure what I was thinking ordering so many books at once.

Speaking of books, I have carved out a few minutes to do some fiction reading.  I had to switch up books this time, as I needed a "palate cleanser" (reading refresher) to change things up a bit.  It's a short book, and so far I'm enjoying it.

Update on the Jalapeno Salt I made:

I have used it to season potatoes being prepared for a breakfast scramble.  I will try it on sweet potatoes next. Yum.

I also have been using it to season ground beef for tacos, and I recently used it to season the ground beef for a new recipe we tried - crock pot taco pasta.  So good!  By the way, we liked the recipe for the pasta, but it made more than I expected.  

There are several versions of the recipe online, but I had some leftover beef broth, so I used that up instead of chicken, and I added a rinsed and drained can of black beans.  Oh, I used frozen bell peppers and jalapenos from last years garden, and homemade taco seasoning.

Long Weekend  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Random Bits

 

(A Year of Positive Thinking, by Cundie Spiegel)

Picked this in the rain.  So thankful for the harvest.

I restocked our homemade condensed mushroom soup.  It is so good, it is so worth the time to make it and freeze it for quick access while cooking.  It's just shallots, fresh mushrooms, butter, a bit of flour, milk and vegetable broth, a bit of black pepper (organic/non-gmo ingredients) and that's it.  I always salt everything while cooking, so I do not add salt.  So good.  I would have had 5 "cans" in the freezer, but I ran out of shallots.

Current library loot.  I am so far behind on reading these, and/or simply looking for what I am looking for, that it's crazy.  I have been doing "stuff" and rather busy, despite rainy days.

Random Bits  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

 We have had three days of rain (again).  I for once, was happy for it, as I had planted flowers, and had a new tree and bush to plant.  I have not gotten to the point of dragging out all of my garden hoses, so it was a relief for the sake of everything being "watered" (including the garlic and asparagus).

The herb garden was ready for some rain too.  I have everything planted, other than buying a new parsley plant (cannot find my seeds).  

I have a bit more weeding to do, but for the most part, all is doing nicely.  

Oh, and it's been a terrible tick year here for us.  Although I make my own tick oil, and use it, I often forget.  I have come inside with a tick on me twice now.  Very unusual too.  I have a post it sticky note to remind me now (to apply the tick oil).  The wind can carry those buggers just about everywhere.

The keeper of the herb garden.  He was sitting in the chives, and there are stray oregano plants growing in them now.  I do need to dig those out soon.  I left him be, as I was working in another garden, yanking a fence to prep for tilling.

This is a truly "this and that" post today.

Speaking of asparagus....

We are continuing to harvest asparagus, thanks to the recent and current rain.  I, for sure, thought we were at the end of harvest, but the good Lord is still providing us some.

One of our meals made from the crockpot turkey breast - turkey a la king.  I made this is a crockpot as well, and it was fantastic.  I used homemade condensed mushroom soup, and other goodness.  I have to write down exactly how I made this, so we can make it again.  I topped it over a wild rice mix, that was cooked in leftover chicken broth I had to use up.

I have had to make some changes in my "intentional" exercise.  By intentional, I mean the exercises I do on purpose vs. the garden/yard/housework exercise.  I've been consistent with some stretching exercises for the last 6 months, and I'm glad I've stuck with it.  I have even taken my yoga mat while traveling too, along with exercise bands (no excuses).  I have found that the older we get, the more flexibility is a blessing in all day activities.  Plus you feel better all over at the end of the day. 

Garden work is easier and less physically stressful, climbing stairs is a piece of cake now, walking and hiking a longer lengths, and so forth.  Planting 3 flats of marigolds will give you the best glute work out of your life (you'll feel it the next morning, ha ha!).

Speaking of garden work. . . .

I was out and about, looking for something.  I can't recall, but it may have been my watering can.  Anyway, I saw something move up in the rafter and I swore it was a raccoon.  I slowly moved out of the barn, and looked back.  Ha ha ha ha ha!  It was our resident barn cat that adopted us.

Back story to this cat, is that I saw it a year ago, and the year before that, but only a few times.  One day it was pouncing in the taller grass in a nearby field chasing and eating mice.  I laughed and laughed.  

Next thing I know, there is a "gift" left at my front door (this was about a month ago).  I laughed and laughed.  If you have ever had a barn cat, this is a gift (sorry, but by gift, I mean remains, or part of remains, of their latest kill) to show their love and your dedication to feeding them.  I had left food out whenever I saw this cat.  We all got a laugh.  The cat is a very good hunter, lets just say that.  

I have yet to find out if the cat is a female or male, and to properly give it a name now.  My husband said we should call it "Spooky" for scaring the heck out of me (thinking it was a daytime meandering raccoon).

We have used free loose rocks from the homestead, to border the flower beds for almost 17-18 years now.  I'm now watching marketplace and other sites to look for actual landscaping stones to make flower bed prep much easier.  I'm down to two areas that need them (a form fitting, taller landscaping stone that holds the dirt and mulch inside).  Otherwise, every spring, I have to pull the rocks, push the dirt back, re-align the rocks, and tidy up the borders.  It still looks nice, we do plan to upgrade the borders.  Until then, the free rock border works.  Both areas are not an issue for the mower, so it's last to upgrade and make much less work.

We are eliminating our mailbox flower bed.  I have already removed all the rocks but a few, and we will be digging out the extra dirt to level it.  In the past we had a rose bush, but it brought too many bees to the mailbox. We tried annuals, but the care for it was way too close to the roadside, so we are just taking it out.  One less thing to take care of.

We have already seen our resident hummingbird, and I have actually seen a new one this year.  I have also seen two Boston orioles (very rare sight), and they have the prettiest song ever.  I just wish I could get a photo for you all.  They are both quick to fly here and there.

I recently finished this book.  It's a newer book, and much different than most that I read.  I really liked it. I still need to check my yarn scraps/stash and see if I have any matching yarn to crochet a book blanket granny square.  I am still behind on attaching some squares to the blanket.

This and That ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart