Pioneer Woman at Heart

  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/paintin...

  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...

  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...

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 ...

  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.   Bac...

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 spr ead out he tomato sauce on par chment 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 t hing with tomatoes, is that y ou always have so methi ng to make with them.

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.

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.

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. 

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."