Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Showing posts with label Cookbooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cookbooks. Show all posts

Friday, November 10, 2023

Chit Chat on the Porch ~ Library Loot

 


I thought we were going to have a very dreary, dark day yesterday, but the sun came out, and I got some fresh air.  It was a bit cooler and breezy, but we are to warm back up thankfully.  Getting outside this time of year is good for the soul.

Later, I went into my office for something, and found that I buried my crochet hooks in there.  

I quickly got those back in their proper home, but I realized that I have more "stuff" in there to put away.  By "stuff" I mean stuff shoved in there from ripping up the entire flooring in the living.  I unpacked two more boxes I found from the bedroom project. I am also filling another box for donations.

Just pack up an entire room in a hurry, and then unpack it all.  You'd be surprised on what you really need or use vs. what you have.  

I found a cookbook I didn't even know I had.  I may try a few, but it is old and falling apart.

I have used my "hidden" screwdriver several times already, and have installed a new curtain rod for my hallway (so it matches the one on the door).




I have used up all of the pumpkin, that we did not freeze, but I borrowed some books from the library for new ideas.




I have yet to talk with anyone who makes fire cider.  It's been years since we made it, so I guess I'm on my own for finding a "good" tasting recipe.

The skills book would be a nice gift for a teenager.  Easy instructions.  I'm not sure why I inter-loaned it ha ha!

The Christmas book was brought home on a whim.  Not sure I'll have the time to read it, or if it will restore my holiday mojo.  I guess we'll find out.




I really have no business getting fiction books from the library.  Seriously.  I have stacks all over my office, and in other rooms, ha ha!  In my defense, some were given to me.  These are not even all of the "stacks" I  have around the house.  My goal is to get back to reading this winter.


Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Recipe Books ~ Mail Delivery ~ Two New Recipes

No that we lack recipes, but I am starting to lack some ingredients.  I do not want to go to the store, so I am thankful I have recipe books like this....


I also placed an order for a few more books, and one is on making your own medicine (I do have books on this, but wanted more).

My son purchased this for our daughter.  It is to hold his ashes.  I was doing pretty well about this lately, until it showed up.  I just about cried.  However, I do love the photo she picked, because that's what I remember about my "tater tot" and boy do I miss him a lot. Since we are under shut-in, I texted her photos of it.  She called him "Pooh Bear" and he even had a Pooh Bear Halloween costume at one time.

Well, as far as homesteading around here, the weather got cooler.  




I made egg salad, some breakfast veggie muffins with dandelion greens, and a new recipe of dill pickle dip, using home canned pickles.  As for the recipe for the dip, I just googled for one.

New recipe I tried for a side for dinner - Rachel Ray's Baked Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes (online on her site, from another cook).  Forgot to take a photo, but wasn't really impressed.  I added the vinegar after they came out of the oven, and didn't even taste it.  They were simply smashed baked potatoes, and good, just not fantastic.

I hope to have time to get around to reading your blogs today.  I've lacked the time lately, due to a busy routine, which I am thankful for.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Wacky Winter ~ Indoor seed planting has started

I think anyone living in our neck of the woods, has lost their marbles by this point in the season.  I think most of us, look out the window and just start laughing hysterically.  This tells it exactly as it is....
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Hubby got a laugh out of this too.  What a "wacky" winter we are having.


So what's going on here lately?

Monday, November 6, 2017

Surprise in the Chicken Coop ~ Chocolate Pie ~ Dehydrator Jerky ~ Skipping Thanksgiving ~ Tornado

I didn't write this ditty yesterday, as my blog was so very long already for the day. 

I've been free ranging the ladies and stud muffin Sparta all day after about noon lately.  One, they get their grit and dirt baths, two they help me reduce the bug numbers, and three it cuts the organic feed cost down. Oh, and four, they help "till" up the garden too.

I went to put them all in, and I had left the coop door open.  The barn was shut, but once I opened the barn door, the hens followed me in. 

I had a container of goodies in one hand, and a bucket of water in the other hand.  I started to fill the water when all h-e-double hockey sticks  broke loose.  

At first I thought a raccoon was in the coop with me.  It was that dang stray gray tabby that's been hanging around.  It took forever to find the door out, and was literally climbing the chicken wire at high rates of speed.  Once I realized it was just a cat, I stepped back until it found the door.  

Oh my land.  The ladies and I had a scare.  Oh, and one hennie looks iffy.  Not sure she'll be around much.  I'm worming, but hmm.  She's not looking so perky.  Doesn't want to hop up to get in the coop. 

If you read yesterday's post, you saw I made homemade chocolate grahams.  I used 3 cups of them finely ground to make a pie crust.

I tried the new recipe.  Actually two.  The first? 


Chocolate Mousse Pie.  I have wanted to make a chocolate pie for a long time.  Hubby raved about his mother's cake, and I didn't want to pie using chocolate pudding (processed) in it.  

The recipe is in this book (right), "Christmas Made Easy" and you can also find it free online with Mr. Food, although it requires you to register to see recipes for free.

It's worth the look.  My family devoured the pie, and one was moaning as she ate it.  I've pretty much stuck to fruit pies lately and this was a sweet treat to try (for taking to holiday gatherings).  
 
I also made my first teriyaki beef jerky.  I used the oven first, then transferred it to the dehydrator.  Then I realized my dehydrator goes up to 165°F.  Duh!  


I didn't do too bad for the first time.  It tastes great too.  It is a teeny tiny bit over-dried, but still good.  I'll be making more when meat is on sale.  Or Hubby gets a deer this year. Hubby loves it!  Much easier to eat than organic (hard as a rock) jerky from the store.  I'm seeing a meat cow out here one of these days.  I really am.

The recipe for the marinade is from this book.  


I borrowed it from the library several times, and finally gave one recipe a whirl.  I had the meat guy cut the meat for me too.  I will be checking out more jerky books to see which one will land on my "wish" list next.  This one has a lot of recipes, but the author spends a lot of time on "cleanliness."

For now, I can't really try new holiday recipes, although one remains to be tried (sigh).  It's getting too close to the big day(s) and I need to save up for the supplies.  

We had plans to skip Thanksgiving.  Yes.  Skip it.  Hubby's suggestion.  We were to call and get reservations at a restaurant known for their very delicious holiday meal.  I forgot to call.  I'm sure it's too late now.  Sigh....I may be cooking it this year.  Double sigh.  I was sort of looking forward to skipping it (shhh, don't tell the kids). 

As for Sunday's entertainment?  We all went to the movies.  Hubby had 4 free admission tickets and we headed south to the other "big" city.  It was storming, and just as we had left, a (what they believe to have been) tornado hit a trailer park not far from where we had left, taking back roads.  It was very dark, raining so hard you couldn't see where the road was, and as we passed through another smaller town, several trucks from a fire station were sent out.  We were darn lucky.

That's a lot to take in for our Sunday here, and I may still join up with Monday's Happy Homemaker. I kind of need to get back on track after a day off.  Sort of a day off.  I still had a few minutes on the porch.


...until the bugs attacked me.  And before the really bad storms rolled through.  See the wet porch floor?  Rain was blowing up under the roof.

Oh.  We got more rain last night.  Like we need it.  Flooding everywhere here. 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Random Tidbits

After trying to convince our youngest daughter to go back to bed, she was on the bus to school, only to text and asked to be picked up.  She slept the entire day yesterday, and I whipped up a batch of homemade ginger-ale for her.  


And speaking of whipping up a recipe.  I made the homemade make up remover wipes - water, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and virgin coconut oil.  The recipe is in this book:

I will be back with an update, after the girls give them a whirl.   I sure hope they work.  Buying "organic" ones from the store is robbing my wallet.

Update:  11/7/2017 - these wipes starting growing mold on them yesterday.  So saddened, as these really worked, and I had hoped to cut down my costs for the girls.  I can't add an essential oil, as they are used over your eyes, and I can't put them in the fridge either.  They were tossed out.
 


The kale is growing like wild fire.  I am super happy too.  So is my swiss chard.  They survive a hard freeze, and the best part of this colder weather?  No bugs, so there is more to eat and stock up with.


I decided to put some of the kale into the crocky too - Lentil Barley Soup (recipe from the book above, and thank you Mama Pea for the book suggestion).  A wholesome meal packed with warmth and nutrients. 


I added a finely diced habanero for heat and health as well.    I didn't have a leek, so I used chopped green onion and one shallot.  I still didn't have a lot of spice to the pot, so I ended up adding some "fire powder" and red pepper flakes.  Fire powder is just a mess of hot peppers dehydrated and ground up (at the end of the season).


Apparently Lagom (Swedish) is the new Hygge (Danish).  I just read an article on it, and I pretty much try to live that way - living life to the fullest, staying spontaneous,  trying new things, yet being responsible.


I've been using simply borax to scrub my toilets.  We have a septic system, so I have to be careful of what I use.  I just read a blog (Hibiscus House) that suggested you use baking soda, white vinegar and tea tree oil.  I did some more research, and from what I found, it's also septic safe. I gave it a try, and it works great.  

Send good thoughts and prayers my way.  I'm writing a short story for a contest.  A contest is always a shot in a million, but I love writing too.  There is a pay out for the winners too.


I'm making progress on the mug sets.  They are looking pretty good so far.  I need to crochet the straps on next. 

Happiness is when I find another pint of homemade granola in the cupboard.  I love it on my yogurt.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Books, Books and Books!

.....from the library
This one is interesting.  


Who has eaten a peanut butter and pickle sandwich? 

Sunday, May 21, 2017

When it's time to call it quits ~ Habanero Apricot Jelly Recipe Answer

I had one of those days when being in the kitchen just didn't "click" for me.  By the way, our garlic is officially gone now.  We used every last clove.  

Not that I have a lack of outdoor work. But....


I started to make spaghetti, but the unit to cut them was jamming it up. My dough was fine.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Einkorn Hamburger Buns

I found this book through our library's inter-loan system.  I borrowed the book thinking it was all about just milling your own flour, but it was way more than that.

It's a cookbook with recipes for grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

It contains a recipe for einkorn flour hamburger buns too.


The author has a blog, but the recipe is not on there.  The blog is Naturally Ella in case you are interested.  I found some goodies on there too. 


I made my first hamburger buns!   I didn't use the egg wash and sesame seeds, but may do that the next time for additional nutrition.   I was just focused on getting them to turn out nicely. 

I thawed an organic pork tenderloin, and made Rhubarb pulled pork in the crock pot.   Mmm.  And on homemade buns this time.  Recipe is in the book, "The New Slow Cooker Cookbook."  Those are oven rosemary roasted "fries" with home canned ketchup.  I would have made homemade Rhubarb BBQ sauce, but we didn't have any more rhubarb ready and zero in the freezer.

Two new "from pile to file" recipes.  I'm just thrilled the buns baked up nicely.  Oh, the recipe for the buns states to use einkorn flour, but not what type.  I emailed the author and she mills her own flour, saying the whole wheat would be best.

Oh my, I am soooooooooooo tired today.  Last night we had 2 proms for the younger two.  One had a ride, the other did not, who had a half hour ride to her date, and then needed picked up at midnight.  Oh my.  Hubby and I took a nap.  Literally, and set the alarm for 11:30pm.  We were up until 2am, because the other child arrived home from after prom with girl drama.  Oye.  Talk, talk, talk.....I'm too old for this ha ha ha ha!    He said to me "now I really know you love me" on the way over to pick her up.  He thought I would send him over to a city known for gang killings (and many people shot in bars etc.) all by himself?  Yeah, not  happening.

I have downed one cup of coffee, but need a ton more today.  We managed two motorcycle rides in yesterday's crazy-ness (along with two birthday party stops), so we both got therapy, but we'll need naps again today.  And I would like a day of "nothing" and a motorcycle ride. 

However, work called Hubby already, and he's on his way in.  He said, "don't worry Honey it should be a half hour job."  Right.  I am pretty sure I'll get my own nap while waiting. Which I greatly need anyway.

Enjoy your Sunday.   The sun is shining and it's all good here.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Pickled Asparagus ~ Sunday Clean Up

Asparagus is up, and I have wanted to try pickling some for several years.  We are getting more each year, so this year the new canning recipe is.....



...Pickled Asparagus. I'll be tasting it in a weekI used the recipe found in the above borrowed cookbook titles "Pickled." I have a ton of sticky notes marking many more to try.  

However, there is an error in the recipe.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Hiccups Continue ~ Barn Roofing Installed (or not)

He he, ha ha, ho ho.....looney bin do not suck me in....

Monday, Hubby pulled a double-whammy on me.  Just after he got to work, he called and said he had barn roofing and was on the way home.  I had planned to take it easy (ha ha ha!)

To gear up for the work, I had infused a nettle/mullein/oat straw tea and added juice of a lemon. My throat needed all the help it could get.

He arrived. We hooked the lift to the borrowed truck, ripped out some of the chicken run fencing, and ever so gently backed the lift in by the animal barn.  We cut the roofing to fit (or so we thought we did), got it in the lift, and sent Hubby up.

Only the battery wasn't charged.  We forgot to charge it overnight, in all our excitement.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

How To's and Cookbooks ~ Starting Seeds ~ Herb Garden

I made another trip to the library.  I really need to stop bringing home cookbooks, but I'm always looking for a new food to try, or something new to can, or something new that would make a  nice gift.  I have yet to even open this one, or the food in jars book either.



I'm not sure why I even brought this one home, other than we love to grill out.  However, do you see what it says under "Burgers?" 

Friday, March 10, 2017

Random Tidbits

I decided to use those extra granny squares and make a matching washcloth for the bathroom.  I only had to make a few to finish this.  The yarn is back in the closet until the other projects are done.  It saved me from having to make another hand towel (at least for now).

What's on the breakfast plate?

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Einkorn Flour Tortillas

In the past, I have made homemade tortillas using white organic flour.  

First, I made flour tortillas with organic/non-gmo canola oil.  You can read about it here.

Downside of making them with the canola?  You use a lot more oil than in the einkorn tortillas I'm about to tell you about, and the smell of the oil stinks up the kitchen.

Second, I made them with real lard.  You can read that post here.  

A huge bonus in making these?  You make them on a griddle, and they use no oil on the griddle itself.  Just the lard in the tortilla.  Very easy to make and less mess (and no smell).

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Random Tidbits

It was time to send this book back to the library.   I flipped through it and scanned one recipe.  It gives you a twist on some foods.  For example, there is a recipe where you shave the broccoli stalks to make a salad.  There are even a few recipes for using apple peelings and cores - apple wine jelly was one.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Tidbits ~ Curried Cashews ~ Homemade Noodles


Hubby was up very early yesterday.  He was already busy working on projects that have loomed over us.  One is the trash can.  When we moved in here, years ago, it came with a trash compactor.  It broke down several years ago, and we did not want to replace it. 

The front of the compactor had a cupboard piece to match the kitchen, in which Hubby removed it.  He's now putting in a slide rail for the trash can, to fill that space under the cupboard, adding hinges to the cupboard piece, and making it new again.    I'll be painting it soon to match the cabinets.  For years, the trash can was hand pushed in and out, and often left out.  It's a relief to see it get worked on now.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Visioning Porch Time ~ Dandelions

I've been watching the location of the sunrise each morning, and it's getting closer and closer to "porch time" once again.

Until then, I continue to clean and organize.  I'd like to do some stencil painting in one room, but I'll have to wait for open-window weather.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Sittin' Pretty

I happened to look out the back window, and I spotted a small, bright red moving object.  

Monday, December 29, 2014

Rest and Relaxation (kind of) ~ Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce

Sunday we finally sat around and simply enjoyed ourselves.  We tossed around the idea of going bowling, but the more we relaxed and took time for ourselves, the more we wanted to simply hang out (in pajamas no less).

It's hard for me to sit around and do nothing, which was what we told Mom to do (she had another ER visit) for the next few days. 

I was reading through a library book, on handmade gifts and decided to not let the year end without a "bang." 


I went to the kitchen and made Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Carrot Sandwich Bread


I'm not really a fan of baking yeast rising breads when it's colder in my house, so I wanted to try this 1969 cookbook recipe for a sandwich bread.


Homemade Bread, By the Food Editors of Farm Journal © 1969.



The recipe caught my eye, because it uses carrots in the recipe.  My first choice in "shortening" in this recipe would be real lard, but I do not have access to any.  I used organic, non-hydrogenated shortening.  If I keep coming up with reasons for lard, Hubby may reconsider raising our own pigs too.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Curried Sweet Potato and Millet Soup with Pumpkin Cornbread


In my quest for locating more good millet recipes, I found some in a cookbook I already had.


Although the recipe I tried is in the book, it's also online if you are interested in making it - Curried Sweet Potato and Millet Soup.  I substituted pure maple syrup with our homemade corn cob syrup.

The results?