This and That

 It's February, so there is not much activity going on here at the homestead.  Not even home repairs at the moment.  Weather is the cause with freezing rain and bad roads.  Weather continues to jump all over the map.  We still need a trip for home repair supplies.  The freezing rain put a thick layer of ice on everything over night last night.  

My entire day was just changed thanks to the ice covered roads.  If we lived in town, it would be a different story, but we live in the country.  Nothing is just a hop, skip and jump to get to. 

You get blessed with a rambling sort of post today.

I've made a bit of progress on the blue and white baby blanket.  I haven't really devoted much time to it lately.  I do need to verify her due date, so I can get this finished in time.

My intention this month, was to work in the utility room (purging first), while our affordable hired hand, worked in another area with wall repairs/painting, and stairway work, but that is changing.

We have once again have to locate a new handyman.  Until we locate another reliable, and trusted person, the repair work falls on us, and when we can work on it.

The beauty of having a local library, is that you can borrow free books and movies.  Of course libraries offer more than that, but I love that I can borrow a book to see if it is worthy to buy as a guide for our adventures with nature.  I have ordered us more movies on DVD and more non-fiction books.  I'm still waiting on some DVD's we ordered via the free library inter-loan program.

I love tea samples.  I have already tried the British Black Tea.  Yum.  I have yet to try the other one yet. I can't remember how I got them, but I will be enjoying them.

A purchase for the camper.  It is a foldable drying rack that can hang on a door, or for instance, the back of a camper to dry kitchen/bath towels etc. outside the camper.  We can also bring it indoors to use in the house on rainy or wintery days.

A few new items from the Dollar Tree - notepad and magnetic bookmarks.  The notepad is convenient for short list days, and not a sticky type notepad.  I shared some bookmarks with one of the kids.  They are great for traveling books or on-the-go reading.

Speaking of bookmarks, do you prefer a flat bookmark or have you ever used or purchased a crocheted bookmark?  Or have you been gifted a crocheted bookmark?  Do you use it?  Like it?  Prefer not to use it, due to it's thickness?

The "blind date" puzzle has been opened. The puzzle is not a new puzzle.  We were surprised at this, as the clerk never advertised this at the store, and didn't say anything.  We literally paid a higher price for it, but apparently, because the puzzle is an art portrait from a famous artist.  The box was falling apart, so we had to tape the sides and ends to re-box it later.   I am hoping all the pieces are there, but we'll find out.  The pieces are smaller, and not uniform to size.  I see a headache instead of relaxation.  Should be interesting.  I may, or may not, be back with an updated photo.

Don't panic if you don't see a post for a week or so.  Again, it's February, ha ha!  Winter at it's best. I may be trying a few recipes, we have doctor appointments to check off our calendar, and now my husband is not feeling well (adding another doctor appointment to the list).  I really want to tackle the home repairs, so we'll see if anything happens in that department, along with more installation of new shelf liner put in three other areas of the house.  Not to mention, if we get a break in the weather, I need to muck the chicken coop.

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

Homemade Garlic Jalapeno Seasoning

 I had a recipe (put on the internet in 2021) I made once last year, and could not find it.  I ended up finding it, but the recipe called for Weber's store brand Garlic Jalapeno Seasoning.  

You know me right?  I went on a mission.  First, I am not really a person to store a "mixed spice" in my pantry, other than my homemade "fire powder" for spicing up dishes when I want to.

However, they do come in handy for traveling, and especially when camping.  Mixed spices also come in handy for grilling out, grilling at a picnic etc.

To see the actual ingredients in the store brand, you can simply read the label next time shopping, or find it on the internet.  I have no idea what stores sell it, or if they even make it anymore, but sharing what my mission was pretaining to this seasoning.

The original seasoning contains sugar (more than the jalapeno), "spices" (no specifics on what this is), citric acid, gum arabic, rice concentrate, and "natural flavors" (huh?  why?).

Salt is listed first as an ingredient.  I salt and pepper myself, so I left this out, but you could add it.

Other ingredients listes are Garlic, Onion, Jalapeno Pepper, and Green Bell pepper.

I'm also sharing links to some of my older blog posts that may help if you have never dehydrated garden goods, or are interested in getting a dehydrator for this purpose.

How I dehydrate Garlic

How I make my dehydrated garlic into garlic powder

Making dehydrated onions and making onion powder etc

Dehydrating our hot peppers

How I grind dehydrated hot peppers

Deydrating and making green bell pepper powder

Here is what I mixed:

3 Tbsp. Garlic Powder, Homemade

2 Tbsp. Onion Powder, Homemade

1-2 Tbsp. Jalapeno Powder, Homemade (the more, the more heat)

1 to 1 1/2 tsp. Green Bell Pepper Powder to your taste, or leave out

Mix and store in an air tight container.

Note:  

2/3 cup dehydrated jalapenos = Approx. 2 Tbsp. Jalapeno powder

Our jalapenos are being harvested from the garden now.

If you do not grow a garden, or own a dehydrator, many Amish or bulk stores sell these ground powders, but be sure to read the label.  I have seen green bell pepper powder for sale, but it is expensive.

If you are wondering about the recipe that started this all, here it is:

I am not affilated with the cook on this video.  I found it by searching for new recipes to make with our home grown green beans - One Skillet Cheesy Ground Beef and Green Bean Casserole.

Note:  I first made this recipe with fresh minced garlic and jalapenos, so you don't always need a special seasoning

Another time I simply used homemade onion powder, homemade garlic powder, homemade fire powder, and homeamde green bell pepper powder.

Today's post title should be "Youtube made me do it" ha ha!

Homemade Garlic Jalapeno Seasoning  © July 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Camping/Traveling Cooking (Seasoning) Tip

 I just found these resealable, airtight, food grade spice bags (online, Amazon).  Obviously, you can seal them if needed, but I do not.  I wanted something to easily pack seasonings for traveling.

(These packets are about 3 inches wide)

They are perfect for taking seasonings, and homemade mixed grill seasonings, for camping or traveling.  These packets are much sturdier than using snack size ziploc bags or snack bags.

If you are renting accomodations, that provide a working kitchen, or grill, these are great for packing spices, seasonings etc.   We once rented accomodations, and took seasoning already mixed up for a specific baked chicken recipe.

These are great to take to picnics, or if you are the grill cook at another get together too.  

Often times, eating a burger at a restaurant can be under seasoned or not seasoned at all.  We've decided these packets were perfect for taking some homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning in, while dining out for a burger.

If you are taking more than a few for camping, hang a piece of string and use clothespins to hold each packet in the kitchen area of the camper.  Just an idea for campers.  Of course there are magnetic spice bags and containers too, but our camper lacks the areas for magnetic anything (including the fridge).

Note: We do not keep any food of any kind inside the camper, unless we are actually camping.

Camping/Traveling Cooking (Seasoning) Tip  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Camping Tips ~ Vintage Tablecloths

The weather is so nice right now, but I know Mother Nature could change that in an instant.  However, we took advantage of it, and grilled out last evening.  It was so nice to enjoy our porch too.

Just a tip on camping.  Camping was on my mind this past weekend.  We only got one camping trip in last year.

We typically have extra (cloth) tablecloths in our camper, and they are vintage ones.

We've discovered that they not only work nice to cover the picnic tables, but they double as other needs as well.

They work great for extra blankets on cold nights, they are great for placing on the grass for sitting, come in handy if you forgot towels for swimming or showering, help cover wet chairs or benches, and can be hung around the sides of an easy-up or camper awning, to block sun and wind. 

I love to shop for them when Hubby and I have the chance to do so.  We use them on the kitchen tables, and porch table's too.  I don't buy expensive ones, so it's not every year I find one to buy.  

A few more tips I came across that may help ease toting the food.  I typically cook my ground beef prior, but most of the time the entire pot of whatever to reheat over the fire.  We always bring bacon to cook for breakfast, but I wonder if freezing it (pre-cooked) would take the "fun" out of campfire meals and camping.  Hm. The kids love to cook over a campfire.

Collapsible  hampers work great to store in your camper.  Just pop it up, and put in a large trash bag for a trash bin.  They great to have for outdoor gatherings for potlucks etc. Just put a few around outside for convenient trash bins.  When your done, simply tie up the trash and dispose, and collapse the hamper for storage.

Travel Coffee Maker (K-Cups) and Travel Case

 

If you love coffee and travel both, these are great!  I though you'd enjoy a post that wasn't about home repairs/renovations ha ha!   This is not an advertisement either.  I am just sharing.  The single serve coffee maker fits in center, and there are pockets inside and there are pockets on all outside areas too.

It has a hand strap and shoulder strap, but mine arrived with out the shoulder strap.  I have messaged Amazon, and waiting to hear back.

Off brand single coffee maker we found at Menards and works great.   We can use organic K-cup coffee or fill it a reusable "k-cup" and bottom  spill tray and stand do-hicky can be removed to fill a travel coffee mug.  This coffee maker can fill up to 14 oz. of water.  You do have to measure your water before adding (to make the amount you prefer).  My husband got me a free Yeti that fits perfectly under it, or add that space filler and fill a regular coffee cup.  

Back of coffee maker travel bag.  There is a slot to slide this over the handle of your suitcase.  If you have a suitcase you can pull out a handle to pull with, this slides over the handle for easy carry or use shoulder strap or hand strap.  Either way, lots of options.

We love our coffee in the morning, but do not like hotel/motel coffee, and the coffee at most fast food places tastes terrible.  We finally invested in a coffee maker to take traveling or even camping.  It is electric, but so far works great.  Keurig single coffee makers are pretty expensive, and this works well for now.

The weather forecasters are saying we are in a big storm (severe with warnings) later today.  They are saying hail, chance of tornadoes, rain, wind and so forth.  I have water bottled for the chickens.  I am getting my day started and will make sure all the dishes are washed just in case we lose power.  I have my portable phone charger charged, and will be charging my neck lamp too.  I have oil lamps and have prepped for such a storm, but you just never know.

A message to those who froze fruit last summer/fall - go bake or make something.  I dug out some blueberries, and baked us a blueberry oatmeal breakfast bake.

Tomato Sauce Leather ~ Tidbits

I just realized, if I run out of pantry and freezer space, I can always utilize my dehydrator.

I can make tomato sauce leather.   You simply spread out he tomato sauce on parchment paper and dehydrate.  This  would come in handy for backpacking trips or camping meals (uses less space to pack food).  You just combine it with equal parts of hot water, and you have tomato sauce again.  Then you can add spices to create pizza sauce, or make other meals using dehydrated ingredients.

The thing with tomatoes, is that you always have something to make with them.

Declaring it Porch Time

That's it.  I'm declaring it is spring now, which means "porch time" and my furniture is coming out of storage.  Even if I have to drag it out on the sled.

The wood pile tells me so.  I should I say lack of a wood pile.  I did not even shovel the snow yesterday.  It is going to melt very soon anyway, and the scent on those sheets is so wonderful - natural "medication" for a good night's sleep.

Camp Out ~ Rubber Bands and Wooden Clothespins

Finally!  We got to take our first camping trip this year.  Although short, we made the most of the time - games, hiking, biking, campfire meals and just hanging out.

Cinnamon Blueberry Jam

I ran out of freezer space, so I started canning the last of the blueberries.  I am canning a new blueberry jam recipe - Cinnamon Blueberry Jam.  It's from Taste of Home if you'd like to try it too. 

Weekend Pop-Up Camping Trip #2

We now call ourselves "popupologists."  (Snort) The definition is a devotee of camping with a pop-up camper. 

Pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, and join us while we show you are camping adventure.

We took another camping trip.  This is the back of our campsite, where there is a secluded area for more tents or simply "chilling out."