Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day

 

The heat index was 105°F yesterday.  Today it is said to be a record breaking day.  I have yet to hear what they actually do expect today.  Yes, we did outdoor work yesterday, but very early.  AC is on, but one system has to be worked on before we can turn it back on.  The sunrises are still smoke hazy sunrises. 

A heat wave means it's officially salad season again. We were gifted some garden romaine.  I made us a big salad (apples added later) - chicken, apple pecan salad.

Something new (a first for us) this year - growing a Meyer lemon plant.  I have wanted to do this for several years.  One blogger I used to follow was going to mail me seeds.  When that didn't happen, I bought some on Etsy, and not one seed sprouted.  Years later I found a plant and wa-la!  We have some lemons on it this year.  

I have a lack of photos, partly because I have lost my blogging mojo (numbers show a lack of interest anyway), and partly due to the heat wearing us out.

The chickens have been treated with some chipped ice, and will be until this heat is over with.  They are being treated with some sprouted peas, and maybe later some frozen veggies.

Of course, there is nothing ready to harvest from the actual garden but I have harvested lots of oregano from the herb garden.  I am waiting for the heat wave to end, before I continue to cut more.  God provided us with a lot of oregano this year, so I have more plans to utilize it soon.

The dehydrator is off during this heat wave, but we have lots of herbs to dry for the season this year.

We located more local strawberries and peaches, but there will not be jam made (so far anyway).  It's been nice not to have to can/bake/cook for more than us two. I also located a lemon balm plant (I dug ours out of the garden a few years ago, and the new location is not doing well).  I may have a new way to enjoy lemon balm this year.

I finished a few baby washcloths, and completely used up this crochet yarn (discontinued).

Miscellaneous blog thoughts:

- I miss reading an actual newspaper in my hands.

-we attempted to donate to a free little pantry, but the door was missing and the items inside were old.

-I'm looking into new tinctures to make

-making lists for new home projects, home repairs, new "try-its"

-I really miss the bloggers I used to follow (no longer blog), as there was a connection to homesteading, preserving, home remedies, eating real food and the like.  In fact, we have zero family/friends that are like-minded and I have been having acquaintances tell me to stop gardening, saying it's too much work.  Funny thing is, is that once the garden produces, I suddenly get text messages asking for "free" produce from our garden.  I love to share, but I'm done with people who are negative and who offer nothing but negative vibes (or help in the garden).

-still looking for lemon verbena seeds or a plant

Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

What's Cooking?

 

Got leftover quinoa?

The recipe actually made 8 fritters, but we finally got around to trying them, and we love them!  They are called quinoa-feta fritters with labneh sauce.  You only use 2 Tbsp. of avocado oil to "fry" them.  They also re-heat nicely in an air fryer.  I have not yet tried reheating them on the stove top, but I am guessing it would work as well.

Here is where I used some of that "creamy cheese" (called labneh) with organic greek yogurt.  I made a sauce using the recipe in the same cookbook, with juice from a lemon, dried dill and salt/pepper.

I will be making them again, and they are a great way to use leftover quinoa.

I typically use leftover broth to make the quinoa too.

Leftovers are part of the weekly meal plan around here.

I did not find the recipe online, but in a cook book I borrowed from the library. 

One draw back in making the fritters?  It's messy.  A lot stuck to my hands, so next time, I will lightly grease my hands with avocado oil, while handling the mixture to form the fritters.

I added a bit of fresh kale to ours.  You don't want to add too much, or you will have trouble making a "firm" fritter to fry.

The most recent, very hot days, involved salads.  One of our favorites is a copy cat version of Wendy's chicken apple pecan salads.

However, finding blue cheese that is not expensive has been a chore.  I will be checking the price at Aldi's the next time I am out for errands.  Our main grocery store has it at $5.49 for a measley 5 oz.  I have yet to check Wal-mart or even Meijer too.

They use a pomegrante vinaigratte dressing, and this year, not one store in our area sells the non-gmo dressing.  I will be working on trying some homemade versions of the dressing for this salad.  

If you have a good, homemade recipe for a pomegrante vinaigrette dressing, please share.

What's Cooking? © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart