Attack of the Tomatoes and other Tidbits

 The pizza sauce recipe is in this book:

Ball also has a freezer pizza sauce recipe here.  I have not tried the freezer recipe.

As hard as I try, I cannot keep up with anything but canning this week.  I gave up on weeding the flower bed, or the garden.  It's been super crazy busy with tomatoes.

It's raining this morning.  It's dark and dreary, so canning resumes.  Last night I was in a pickle.  I canned pizza sauce, and realized I needed both a breakfast and a dinner.  Problem solved - biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes and scrambled eggs.  Now we have breakfast, but a ton of dirty dishes.  I need to unload and reload the dishwasher and get this day started.  My husband said the tomatoes are screaming for me, ha ha!

We were relaxing on the porch last night, and it got very quiet for a few minutes.  Then we heard a crazy screaming sound coming from the woods across the street.  Most likely a few fox fighting or attacking something.  If you have never heard this sound just google it and YouTube has a few where you can hear this crazy sound.

I have been in contact with the island store.  She's getting back with me soon, in regards of a re-order of camper ornaments.  I asked her because I only have two made right now.  I also had to raise my price, and she may not re-order, but like everything the cost of supplies has gone up terribly.

  Like I said - attack of the tomatoes.

Canning Tomato Sauce (seasoned) and other tidbits

The recipe I used for the sweet chili sauce is online with Farmgirl's Dabbles. 

I got a half batch of tomato sauce canned (22 1/2#).  I canned a full batch one year all at once and swore I'd never do that again.  It was just so much work at once.  

I'll make another round if we have more tomatoes.  

I have another new recipe to try using tomatoes, so hopefully it will happen next week.  I know I will have more hot peppers too.

Hot Peppers ~ Sweet Chili Sauce ~ Hot Pepper Jelly ~ Lemon Seed Fail

 

It's been crazy busy around here.  I cooked a meal and delivered it to a family friend who had foot surgery, and we had to drive 3 hours to go pick up our truck keys.  Just strange all around, but we have the keys.  I just don't have the truck ha ha!

It is still in the body shop getting fixed from the deer hitting it.  I however, have not run out things to do.

Our hot peppers are doing exceptionally well this year.  The bell peppers however are still small and a small harvest.

I canned some sweet chili sauce - new recipe.  I cannot wait to taste it.

Canned hot pepper jelly. 

Taco sauce got canned.

I purchased Meyer lemon seeds from someone on Etsy.  I tried to sprout one all summer.  Every single seed was a dud.  Guess I'm spending a fortune next year on a plant.

It's getting difficult to not only budget other food we need, but to even find what we need.  Daughter E cannot find her cat's cat food anywhere.  I could not either.  She had to try a different brand and mix it with his usual.  Hope he's okay with it.  He's older. 

I needed some shout for the laundry.  I could not find that either.  I had to search around and found a different brand.

Some how, I misplaced my bulk bag of bay leaves.  I think they got lost when we tore out half the kitchen.  Anyway, I asked my husband to bring home a small jar for now.

He paid $12.49 for this!!!

The tomatoes are rolling in daily, so I apologize for blurps in blog posting right now.

Pickled Jalapenos ~ Freezing Jalapenos ~ Color Wheel

New recipe this year - pickled/canned jalapenos.  It not only eliminates the sugar, but the high priced pectin I use for cowboy candy.  I am sure we'll like it, and it cans so quickly.

I also froze a large pan of sliced jalapenos for meals over winter.  Tomatoes are slow to turn all at once.  Sort of frustrating, so I brought some in to turn red inside.  We'll see what gets canned next.

I finally bought myself a color wheel.  It will come in handy crocheting blankets to use up some yarn stash.

Putting up Tomatoes ~ Loofah

 

Tomato soup and ketchup canned so far.  I brought in more tomatoes.

I also brought in another pound of jalapenos, so I'm putting those up today.  I brought in a few more hot banana peppers, but all of the other types are slow to harvest this year.

My kitchen heated up to much, so the AC went back on.  I was literally sweating.  I didn't want to do that, but I do like to be comfortable.

Canning ketchup takes all day to reduce, but I managed to put chicken in the crockpot early, and right after the ketchup came out of the canner, I baked us some bell pepper fries with homemade dip.  So good!

My loofah plant is about 3 1/2 feet tall now.  I don't see any sponges yet.

Foggy Morning

 It's still been great being able to open windows, but today it will reach the 80's.  The garden will love it, but the tomatoes are starting to die already, and before all the tomatoes have turned red.  They are so far behind this year.  I may be bringing in green tomatoes to ripen inside.  Time will tell.

The to-do list continues, but today I will need to spot clean carpet upstairs in preparation to move stuff up there and out of the living room.  I'm so not ready for this, but it must be done.

My husband stopped by the free fair on his way home, to pick up my favorite French waffles. They had zero.  In fact, they had 3 food trucks and they were not even open (and no waffles).  Many food trucks went out of business in 2020.

I'll be checking tomatoes today again.  Tomato days in the kitchen are long days. Thank goodness for crock pots and leftovers.  

In between all the canning right now, I got on the computer and ordered us new keyfobs for the truck.  The hotel never called saying someone turned in our lost keys.  The other keyfob stopped working.  

I also booked some camping trips.  I'm am hoping we don't have rainy weekends if it all works out.  We still have to get a new fresh water cap, because we lost that too.  Not sure how, but it's not on the camper anymore.

My computer area in the kitchen has become my "craft" area.  I try and get a few small items made while reducing tomatoes on the stove.  My husband keeps making jokes about my yarn supply, so I'm trying to use up small stash right now.

Fun Finds ~ Hot Banana Peppers and other ramblings

 While shopping in Amish country, we walked thru a few antique stores, and I found a butter dish to match my salt and pepper shakers.  By the way, there was one store that had a ton of this Jadeite in their booth.

I also found a few more mini hen and nests for the cubbies in the kitchen.  

I double checked the garden, and had enough for a half batch of hot pepper mustard sauce.  Those have left the kitchen.  Now I need to go check on the jalapenos.  I'm glad I checked the tomatoes.  Some of the tomato stakes had to be straightened again.

I tried a new fresh salsa recipe and it was so good!  We are getting tomatoes from the garden now.  I also made a lemon cheese cake pie that was also a new recipe.  It's a keeper.

Another produce stand has closed their doors.  I counted on them, when I needed just a few more hot banana peppers for my canning recipe.  Sigh.  More and more small town restaurants are now closing their doors at 2-3pm, and not open for dinner anymore (lack of employees, which I just don't understand).

I was just told that the large oil company my husband works for is being bought out.  He's been told the insurance for us will be better, but I hope it doesn't change any of his retirement.  

Canning Day

 We had a heat advisory yesterday, and they were not kidding.  It was over 100 degrees and humid as heck.  

I finally got bread and butter pickles canned.  Daughter E stayed until about noon and left to go enjoy the county fair with her boyfriend.  She saw I was crocheting a new item for the holiday craft shows, and took two.  I'll get photos soon.  

We had a late evening storm that brought us a good downpour for a few minutes.  It was enough to give the garden a drink.

There is a chance of rain today and tonight.  My kitchen floor is filled with items to donate again.  I'll be loading that all up soon.

Canning Beets

Yesterday my kitchen had the wonderful aroma of beets boiling.  

My wonderful husband brought home some organic beets so I canned them.  Mmmm!  I'm so blessed to add more to the pantry this winter.  Considering how the world is going, it's nice to have more preparations for our meals.

Yesterday morning the dogs started barking at a particular door in the house.  We all assumed it was raccoons eating the cat food.  Not so.

It was around 5am.  Daughter K beat me to the door and took her dogs out.  Had I been more awake, I would have gotten my husband up.  Daughter K said she could hear something out near the woods but could not figure out what it was.

Later when daylight arrived, and after canning beets, I went out to the camper (which sits under a pole light all night) to get the last of the items to winterize it.

I found the door wide open and lock still in lock position.  Someone (or more than one) broke into our camper, but the dogs barking ran them off.  Nothing was taken.  I alerted my husband considering where we live and anyone would be seen from the road.  These people had to have come out from the woods (parking down the road or up the road).

I guess it's time to take precautions anymore.  I am also highly considering to get ourselves a dog when Daughter K moves out.  Those dogs sure let me know when someone or something is outside.

Just the Bits

 

I'll be honest, I am ready for fall weather.  The sky in the morning has been beautiful as the weather has been changing lately.

Spicy BBQ sauce was canned.  That used 12# of tomatoes, but I'm still bringing in a few a day in hopes of canning tomato sauce.

I got a bit of bell peppers frozen while the canner was busy too.  

We visited Mom last night and chatted for a while. Her cats are so funny.  They typically stay hidden, but always come out to sniff our shoes and pants and get a bit of love.  Mom isn't feeling any better.

Taco Sauce ~ Seed Saving

(before running it thru the sauce maker)

I canned a batch of homemade taco sauce.  I picked fresh jalapenos for it, and boy are my hot peppers doing great in this heat.  It has zero corn starch and only 1/4 cup of sugar (no corn syrup) and only real food.

10 glorious jars of taco sauce done. Checked that off the list.  Hoping to get more tomatoes.

Seed saving has begun.  I have bell pepper seeds drying and a bit of jalapeno seeds.  It's harder to save my hot pepper seeds, as I freeze and can with the seeds in, but will get them dried as well.  I have some Amish paste seeds drying as well.

Canning ~ Breakfast Frittata and other Kitchen Stuff

 My hot peppers are rolling in like crazy.  I'm thankful for that.

I canned some hot pepper mustard sauce with the hot banana peppers.

I also made fresh salsa, and now have tomatoes on the table ready to can more stuff.  Feels strange to be canning again, but very thankful.

My zucchini plants are dying, but thankful I picked up some free zucchini.

Breakfast frittata with zucchini, leftover taco meat, jalapenos and cherry tomatoes from the garden.

Got some jalapenos frozen as well.

Random Tidbits ~ Journal Junkie Purged

I am taking this dog watching as a test to see if I really do want one of my own then the girls (if they ever) move out.  One morning it was 20-something, but felt like 13°F.  Of course the two dogs of hers woke up at different times - two trips out in the dark early morning cold and snow.  

Two blank journals went to each of the girls.  I found them on my other bookshelves.  One was a holiday journal I haven't used since 2007.  It basically had a few comments, lists of foods, guests and a few photos - it went to the trash.  I don't keep up with it.  Photos go in albums now and journal in one main journal.  Two or three were empty, and one was short stories

I've donated 2 boxes of books and now filled 10 more.  I had so many handed down, some I still had from homeschooling, and other topics that needed to go to a new home.  I parted with a few series that I bought from library book sales too.  I just have to find places to donate to other than our Goodwill.  The charity place has strange donation hours and a long walk in and out.  I'm too old for that, ha ha!  I need a drop off at the door kind of place.

Many were from a Humane Society book sale.  During the last hour they had a big sale and I guess I went nuts.  Another time a library book sale and the same after that.

A few were my husband's old books and he said get rid of them.  These I may put up to sell.  Not sure.  I did a search on some other books, but found several copies for sale (low prices) and no bids on ebay.  These however, are oldies and goodies.  They are not in great shape though.  He read them a lot and have been stored in a closed book case.

I took an inventory on canning supplies.  I am set on jars and rims, just not the lids.  I will be on the look out each trip to town.  The last pectin I bought was expired (didn't see it until I got home).

Random Tidbits

 

More beautiful fall colors at our homestead.  The colors seem to be more vibrant than the last few years.

The moon this morning.

My online pampered chef show closed last night.  I had over $1,000 in sales and earned $240 in free product, 2 - 60% off items, 5 - half off items and 30% off anything else I order.  I'm pretty sure after this, I won't need to have a party for years to come ha ha!  I never in my life thought I would be that successful.

Cross your fingers for me.  My car, after a long year, is to be towed to the repair guy for a new engine tonight.  I think my husband forgot, but will remind him.  It's been a long time waiting for this to happen.

We have a mix of weather going on.  It was pretty nice in the low 70's yesterday, we got a downpour of rain last night, and woke up to 45°F this morning.  Thankful for the rain, so I can dig up the remaining sweet potatoes (hopefully tomorrow).

Many businesses have closed permanently due to the pandemic shutdowns.  My magazine subscription to Capper's Farmer is now having issues.  They sent an email saying I won't be getting the remainder of my subscription, and they will be sending me Grit for the remaining time.

I have a few more things to can this year. I'm putting off one jelly, because it was technically for Christmas presents.  I may not can it.

I didn't get my ginger root in the dehydrator yesterday, so it's on today's list, but we'll see if I get the time to do it.  There is so much going on right now.  Yikes.  I have several sticky notes with reminders to keep me on track as much as possible.

The stink bugs are back in full force.  It's impossible to hang laundry out and not have a few come in with me.  I'm thinking (gulp!) of using the dryer for big things for a while.

Shopping Issues and Wins ~ Canning Question

 

The price of organic butter has skyrocketed.  Sheesh!  As for produce, I still cannot buy organic broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and beets.  I should have planted at least broccoli this year.  Smacking myself for that.  Anyway, I'll be substituting butter with home canned applesauce when I can.

I went to restock canned organic fire roasted tomatoes. There was nothing on the shelf.  In fact, most of anything tomato was almost gone.

I went to Wal-mart to restock my red #3 crochet thread.  Nothing on the shelf.  Meijer stopped carrying thread (nearest store anyway).  I went online and my favorite supplier has it, but on back order (hopefully I will get it next week).

Canning supplies completely gone at our nearest Wal-mart.  not surprised.

Went to the dollar store and found tissues for $1 a box.  Win on that visit.  I also picked up gift bags, bows and boxes to restock.  I also bought a $1 notebook to keep all my medicinal tea recipes in.

I also picked this magazine up for $1.00.  Some recipes are repeats but some are keepers.

I went to purchase a new hair dryer at our Meijer store and there was hardly anything on the shelf.  Literally 3 styles of them left.  

Walking through the baking aisle to pick up powdered sugar, I noticed one bag of regular sugar left, and even though I don't buy boxed cake mixes, I saw that shelf almost empty.  

Are people still hoarding?  Or are the supplies just not available due to all the shutdowns they did?

So I lost my instructions for canning applesauce (unsweetened).  Then while googling other recipes I found it in my scanned recipes.  However, I noticed my instructions do not include lemon juice, others do.  Should I be adding it?  I do mine in 6# batches.  Thanks in advance.  Today I am organizing my binders so I don't lose stuff again.

More Tomato Sauce Canned ~ Last Green Bell Pepper Picking

 

Friday morning the clouds were low and looked like mountains.  I sliced up 23# of tomatoes and got my sauce maker back out.

I am thrilled to get more tomato sauce canned.  I have more green tomatoes in the kitchen though.

Our Friday weather was brr! cold!  Low 50's with a possible frost this morning (38°F), so I did my last picking of the green bell peppers.  We got 110 not including all those little ones in the strainer.  A wonderful harvest this year.

Still Canning and other tidbits

Yesterday I had to get some hot peppers taken care of.  I canned 5 1/2 pints hot pepper mustard sauce and 7 jars of hot pepper jelly.  I also got a few more bell peppers frozen.  All that, including washing some dishes and taking dogs in and out several times, and I called it quits by 2:30pm.  I put turkey/zucchini meatballs in the crocky and picked turnips for dinner.

I gotta get cracking on my to-do list today again.  There was a lot I didn't even get started on.  I am motivated by another weekend off from the kitchen and garden.  I only brought in another 7.5# of tomatoes, so some can sit and wait on me.