Stocking Up ~ Freezing and Dehydrating ~ Herbs ~ Bag Holding Hack (if you have a jar lifter for canning)

 

Our last 87°F day was yesterday.  Woke up to find one of my older hens has passed away.   We are on the downward slide to cooler weather, with a pretty chilly weekend coming up.

Feeling a bit better, I took advantage of the heat, and washed bed covers, bedding and other laundry.  I mostly washed the large bed covers, so they could dry outside.  The bedding smelled so good too!  

Someone else wanted to enjoy the sunshine.

I even unpacked (and washed) our holiday bedding, which I forgot about, and had not used for 2-3 years or so.  I mentioned it to my husband, and he was all for using them the next few months.

Okay, now on to other happenings here. . .

I don't see the price of any culinary herbs and spices going down any time soon.  I am busy putting my herbs into storage for winter/spring.

Bag Holding Hack:  Use a jar lifter to hold your freezer bag in place while you snip away or fill your bag.  I used a quart freezer bag in this photo.  Worked great!  I haven't tried this with heavier fillings, but if I do, I will update.

I dice and freeze my green onion and chives.  These two do not dehydrate well.  They just blow all over inside your dehydrator.  Trust  me on this, as I have tried it.  I am freezing these two in freezer bags this year, due to freezer space.  Otherwise, in the past I have used freezer containers.

I am dehydrating sage, yarrow, spearmint, peppermint, and more oregano, and thyme.  The peppermint this year is limited, as the plant is not that big.  I have my mints in pots this year.  I have yet to convince my husband for a medicinal/wild growing weed garden somewhere around this homestead.

My cilantro has gone to seed, so I am saving the seed.  My outdoor basil is still going strong, so I have taken a cutting for propagation, and the same with parsley.  My dill has also gone to seed, so I am saving dill seed as well.  Not one store in our area sold dill seed (for culinary uses).  We had to travel 3 hours to the Amish area stores to find any.  I will be sure to dry as much of our own as I can.

Mullein that grew up in a flower bed, but has not gone to seed/flower yet.  I will harvest it before our fall frost arrives.

I have been making notes in our garden journal, on new herbs to grow next year.   A few that I used to grow and for some reason just didn't get them planted, like Tarragon and Marjoram.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We woke up to a bit of rain, which was not in the forecast.  I am thankful for that, as the bell peppers are still producing, and the vines on the spaghetti squash are still producing more squash.

I have 90 drafts on my blog right now.  Sheesh.  I believe I will try and clean those up, or write them, on the next rainy day.  I still need to read my emails.  

I had a saved glass jar, so I made a jar of homemade taco seasoning for one of the kids.  We had them over for dinner recently, and her boyfriend loved the taco seasoning in the chicken quesadillas we made.  I buy most of my organic ingredients bulk, so they were gifted a jar.

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  

The weather . . .

We are in the 70's all week with rain about 3 days this week too.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's still pitch dark.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee and getting this post up.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Work on the chicken coop is hit or miss around here. My husband was sick Sunday.  I am wondering what day we'll go get more supplies to finish it.

I'm thinking about making a list of medical supplies. I want us to be stocked up for winter, and when I last shopped I could not find everything we needed at one store.

One store sells water-cress, and the leaves were all brown and looked terrible.  Check your expiration dates too.  Stores don't care anymore.  They had cottage cheese that has expired a month ago in their case.  So many things are just being sold old.

Listening to . . .

Country music in the kitchen, but about to put on work out music.

How I am feeling . . .

Tired.  

On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover breakfast casserole.  Just something I threw together.

On the lunch plate . . .

Have no idea yet.

On the dinner plate . . .

I think I will make the sheet pan dinner tonight.

What I am wearing . . . 

Still in jammies.

On the reading pile . . .

Nothing currently.  

On the TV . . .

Movies on netflix.

On the menu . . .

-Chili
-Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
-Sheet pan dinner (Sweet potatoes, chickpeas, broccoli, and red onion)

Looking around the house . . .

I am still trying to get order back.  I have one kitchen counter that is driving me nuts.  It's on the list for this week.  Everything needs to find their home again.

To do list . . .

-make homemade granola
-make homemade granola bars (these two are for the week, as I need to grocery shop for some ingredients)
-start a jar of garlic/honey
-laundry
-check garden for more bell peppers/hot peppers
-bake a breakfast  (something with our apples perhaps)

-make banana muffins (sugar free, flour free)

-work on upstairs floor in spare room

From the camera . . .

Devotional, thoughts, prayers . . .

Update on our friend's daughter who had a brain bleed.  She is up and sitting in a chair, and is able to run the TV remote with one hand.  So far, the progress reports are coming in good.  thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and good mojo!

Garden Explosion!

 

Everything came to halt for a few days.  The truck is fixed now thankfully.  The car has been delivered to the repair man (local man we used before).  There is no extreme cleaning going on right now, nor painting.

It's been impossible to focus on "one thing" and finish it, on a daily basis here.  Canning/freezing season is here, and with a bang.  I can't complain, but boy it's really putting me in a sour mood some days.   I hate that feeling of being overwhelmed.  I told my husband, I would gladly grow the garden and pay someone to can in.  He laughed.  Yeah, who has money for that, ha ha!

I've been taking advantage of the good weather days, and ,keeping the electric bill down.  I'm am retiring those crocheted rag rugs.  They will be moved to the garage for when my husband needs something to lay on under a vehicle.   The rugs have lasted about 12-13 years, but have faded in color and are ready to move on to another use.  I don't have time to make new ones, so I'm buying new ones on my next errand day.

Considering we did not get half of what we wanted planted in the garden this year, we are getting a lot for what we did plant.

We are getting enough rain, that I have not had to haul my 200 feet of garden house out to water the gardens.

I'm not freezing as much as I normally do, but some squash is going in the freezer.  We are trying to eat as much fresh.  I mostly add it to breakfast casseroles, but it made them "watery" (when thawed) so I will try adding them to pasta sauce and soups this winter.  Squash is mushy when frozen and thawed.  I do squeeze the water out of shredded zucchini before I freeze it.

Zucchini are still coming in too.  The nice part, is that I can slice it to use in place of pasta in a meal.  

I froze some more shredded zucchini, and at the same time made another round of zucchini hummus.  I have three different types of shredding/slicing devices for this.  It shreds the zucchini very easily.

Green beans are coming on.  First picking was 6.12# this year (it took an hour to pick them all).  I had so much going on in the kitchen that day, I had to put the bowl on a kitchen chair.  We are eating these almost daily as well now.  They are delicious!

Sweet pickle relish  and bread and butter pickles were canned.  I did not can sweet pickle relish last year, as we had some in the pantry.  I am super busy this year.  We use this to make homemade tartar sauce for fish, homemade thousand island dressing, and we add it to quick meals like tuna or chicken salad.  It can be used for a cold pasta salad or quinoa salad as well.

In the midst of it all, I purchased our yearly blueberries.  I am crazy to do it again, but I am putting up a 10# box, but sharing them with one daughter.

Chit Chat on the Porch

There are always pros and cons with gardening.  I feel both pros and cons are in the daily chores.   I try to take advantage of the weather either way. 

 

I am constantly reminding myself, that I am one person.  It's normal for the housework to suffer, if my attention is on the garden.  The flower beds suffer if the housework needs attention and so forth.  

Our heat index was at 91°F by 11am yesterday, but any time out in the garden is better than none.

I've been using my clothesline despite humidity.   I will need to replace it soon, and the trees need trimmed (adding that to our long to-do list).

Question for those who can:   

My canning pot, which I've used for more than (or about) 20 plus years, has a few rust spots on the bottom.  Suggestions on removing the rust?  I tried googling, and I couldn't find a real good answer to this.  Or is it time to replace it?  Or just use steel wool?  

This and That ~ Score at the Store

The heat continues.  We had a high of 92°F, so I was out pretty early to water the gardens.  My sprinkler decided to work when it wanted, so it has to be replaced now.  It will not rotate all the time, and handling the hose to water everything is a 2 hour job.

I let the chickens out pretty early now as well, put frozen water bottles in their watering units and then later re-do it again when the heat hits the worst.  Let's just say, there is no porch time going on right now.  We could use a nice breeze.

We had some excitement in our parts.  Two inmates escaped the jail in my hometown.  I was on alert, and yesterday they caught them in a town I go to often.  Anyway......

I'm finally all caught up with dental appointments.  It took them a month to get my permanent crown done.  Glad that is all over with.  I went in for a cleaning, and they found I had chipped a tooth, which ended with 4 total visits.  I went ahead and booked my next cleaning, as they are booking almost a year out.  I'm not kidding either.  

I went into town to get new hand weights, and a few other things, and came home with these beauties.  I bought three for the flower beds (perennials). I may go back for at least one more.  I have always wanted to add "blue" to the flower beds.

I also scored some good deals I was not looking for.   First, 2# organic ground turkey for $3.49.  I cooked them up, and froze them for this next week.  I also got 3# organic baby bella mushrooms - all dehydrated.  I paid $1.34/a pound for the mushrooms.  

I finally got my eggs boiled.  I have a dinner dish to use them with, and I wanted them on hand for snacking.  Now I need to start stashing more fresh eggs in the carton for the next time, but they are not all laying in this heat.  One is slacking out there.

It looks like we will have to replace our main AC.  We are hoping it will last this summer, but the buttons on the front will not work anymore.  Thankfully, I found the remote that went to it, so I can at least change the settings from that.

I found a recipe book with Mom's notes on it.  There are a few strange ones that I will try soon.  By strange, I mean different.

Dehydrated Oregano

 

Tip:  I drop my hydrated oregano (and other herbs) off of the dehydrator tray, and onto a piece of waxed paper.  I gently take the dried leaves off the stems.

I hold each side of the waxed paper, and with a canning funnel in the top of a quart canning jar, slide the dried herbs into the jar.

I do not crush the dried herbs.  I wait until I am cooking and then crush what I need.  It helps them retain flavor longer.

Another tip:  Check those lids you get on anything you do buy.  I saved a lid from a jar of organic mayo we bought over winter, and it fits perfectly on my quart canning jar.

It's a task, but I wash and dry all the trays before dehydrating another food in the dehydrator.

Happy Harvesting!

Stove Burner Over Heating Update ~ When the Burner you Can with Over Heats ~ Electric Stove

My husband is pretty smart.  He said it was the control from the knob to the burner causing the burner to over heat.  I watched some YouTube videos on replacing the control board.   Then we watched more YouTube videos regarding only one burner over heating, and saw that it may be the "switch" to the actual burner.  

I located our stove model number by pulling out the bottom drawer.  The sticker was inside the side of the drawer.

Once I found that, we ordered a new switch.  Note:  The switch to the larger burner is different than the one to the smaller burner.  Make sure you order the correct switch per your stove model/make etc.

Amazon had switches as well, but we read the model numbers, and our model was not listed.  We purchased our switch from a parts store online.

Cost:  $28.89 plus tax and shipping (shipping was $8.88)

We had a file for books like this, but that system was a fail.  We now put them all in a clear small tote, so we can find them when we need them.  YouTube was the best source for help, but it helps that my husband's job is electrical repair work.

Look at the upper right side of that switch.  There is a burn mark on it.  I now have it replaced, stove burner works great again, and I am thankful for my husband's knowledge and my persistence watching YouTube videos

Here is the How-to Video link I showed my husband.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm4DopHwEHo

There are YouTube videos to also help you find the model number on your electric stove.  You will need that to order the correct switch.  Then search the internet for part stores, that will accommodate your stove.

Homemade "Bisquick" and other ramblings

In order to try a new recipe (thank you M. Meyers), I needed a new batch of "Baking Mix" for it.  Basically, it's homemade "Bisquick."

I've used the below (link is below photo) recipe often, and as she states, you can store part of the mix in our fridge or freezer if you don't use it within the month.

The recipe is from Lazy J bar c farm - Baking Mix.

She has other recipes I love to make, including the zucchini muffins with shredded zucchini (I like to freeze shredded zucchini over summer for this in the fall/winter/spring time).  It's a great go-do muffin recipe for taking to gatherings or potlucks.

The other day I threw together a soup, because I had expected leftovers on our meatloaf dinner night (kids came and devoured it all).

It actually turned out delicious.  I just threw it together with some organic Hannah sweet potatoes (they are white, not orange), ground Italian sausage, and kale.  I also added onion, garlic, basil, salt and pepper.  Oh, a bit of dry white wine as well.  We both loved it. I did not add any milk or cream, but that could be added possibly.  Either way, it turned out delicious.

We are noticing day light has been longer the last few days.  It is so nice to see that again.

I finally got back to lining more of the kitchen cupboards.  I got 4 more shelves cleaned, and now have new shelf liner.  I also have metal shelves in a few that also got a good cleaning, before putting back in the cupboards.  I have a few more to do.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I made a batch of refried beans. We eat a lot of beans and greens, especially during the winter.  I use a box of organic dry pinto beans (soak the night before, and drain and rinse), add onion and garlic, cook all day in the crock pot.  I then let it cool, strain off any extra water, and blend in the blender (adding any extra flavorings like "fire powder" to it.  You can freeze extra for another day.  We eat beans with breakfast, lunch, dinner and for a snack.  Much healthier and less expensive than canned refried beans.  

Speaking of freezing food, I need to get more containers.  Someone has not been bringing his breakfast and lunch containers (hmpf).

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

43/33°F today, and we dip down to the teens at night by the weekend.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's cloudy.

Right now I am . . .

Starting a load of laundry and getting ready to make homemade turkey sausage.  Then I will bake a breakfast casserole.

Thinking and pondering . . .

We are still talking about possible gas fireplaces, but we are also looking at the cost of propane and a propane tank for them.  The costs for the tanks alone have skyrocketed.  The best time to put in your gas lines, is when the floor is open (for us anyway, without an actually crawl space per say).

How I am feeling . . .

Worried the living room subfloor won't be in before the weather dips this coming weekend.

On the breakfast plate . . .

New recipe I've been wanting to try.  Will update later.

What I am wearing  . . .

Long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, sweatpants and slippers.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing right now sadly.

On my TV this week . . .

Out for Justice.

On the menu . . .

-Air fryer salmon, air fryer cauliflower (new recipe)
-Chicken bruschetta casserole (new recipe)

-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

Welcome to week 2 of putting the living room floor back in.  Now our handy man says he's not sure about taking our old popcorn ceiling off, so it's either we do it ourselves, or get a quote from someone else.

On the to-do list . . .

-make breakfast casserole
-make homemade turkey "sausage"
-put stuff back in camper

-clean up boot pile

-vacuum and sweep where I can lol

-make hummus

-purge one dresser drawer, re-organize it

-copy down a recipe from my cousin

-pay some bills

-laundry

-clean both bathrooms

From the camera . . .

I finished another "blessing blanket" to donate.  It will be donated to the same senior center, that we borrowed a transit chair and other supplies from for Mom.  They do a trivia contest with seniors they help, and the winner gets a donated basket of goodies.  This blanket will be in their next "basket" of goodies.

Devotional . . .

All of my books are buried into the office, so I may be looking to buy a new devotional.  

Prayers for me finding more new recipes to cut my husband's sugar/carbs the best I can.  His last report was not good (he was sneaking donuts at work of all things), so I am doing my best to find simple lean meat and veggie recipes.  So far so good.

Flibbertigibbet Friday

Wednesday kept me so busy in the kitchen, I totally forgot to purge two dresser drawers.  I literally dumped them out in the early morning to ensure that I would complete that job.  My goal is to get more extreme cleaning done, purging, and tidying up done daily.  I want to be stress free come planting time.

I also did a quick look-see, to see if I had the right crochet thread for another new project (like I need one, ha ha!), and I did.  I put that out on my bed to reward me with some handiwork time.

Boy, was I fired up with energy and a long to-do list and the intent to get it done.  I had towels to fold, more laundry to do, so many things needed put away that were in the wrong place, sticky notes to put on things to remind the girls to get something done, seeds to inventory for the new year, emails to send, items to clean to donate, items that needed to be trashed, and a recipe to hunt for (lost another one, ha ha!).

Speaking of seeds, Baker Creek has their online site down right now due to high rate of orders.  Hmpffff!  Can't get the carrots I wanted, but we'll be trying a new one this year (praying for a good year).

Took a few items from the garage, cleaned them up and put them in a box to donate as well, got my watering can back in it's home (still had it inside for some reason), made a list of things I need to restock by making them, and updated my canning journal.

I also did inventory in my pantry.  I had purchased the ingredients to gift my extended family homemade treats, but that didn't happen this year.  I'm considering donating it to the food pantry at this point.  I'm sure we don't need umpteen batches of homemade honey roasted caramel corn.

Sadly, I have killed my parsley, rosemary and one of my basil indoor plants.  I have however, managed to keep one basil and thyme plant alive.  Sigh.

I got the cabin trip for May canceled, and we canceled our week long vacation planned for early Feb.  We all discussed it and felt it was the best decision for now, and we'll rely on camping and island retreats.

Well zippity-do-dah!  Guess what I found!?  Ha ha!  I must have picked them up off the table with my 2021 seed catalogs before Christmas, and put them both on the bookshelf.  Lordy, lordy.  Well, I'm ready for this next Christmas, ha ha ha ha!

New Hummus Recipe ~ Sun Dried Tomato Hummus ~ This and That

I tried a new recipe that was given to us by our well being (insurance) point program.  I adjusted it to organic and homegrown ingredients.

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

(adapted with organic/homegrown ingredients)

2 cans (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (organic)
⅓ cup fat-free yogurt (I used full fat homemade using my dehydrator to make it)
¼ cup tahini (or homemade with sesame seeds)
3 garlic cloves(organic home grown)
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomato (dehydrated home grown grape tomatoes)
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves (organic from the garden)
2 tsp. lemon juice (organic)

Directions

Process chickpeas, yogurt, tahini, and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomato bits and oregano; season to taste with lemon juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


Of course this is a "healthier" version of hummus, as it uses less tahini and no olive oil.    Don't have the yogurt?  Just use my traditional recipe and add the tomatoes and oregano. 

Note:  I rehdydrated my dried grape tomatoes before adding to the recipe.

I'm watching the weather.  I have only one rain barrel up, but if we are possibly getting down to 32°F with snow, I will have to drain it and flip it over until the cold wave passes.

Onion powder is now restocked.  I literally used all 7 lbs. of dehydrated onion to fill the jar. I will need more to dehydrate for diced.  I thought I had enough, but nope.

Mom had zero meat, so we surprised her with a delivery.  We took her a dozen pink carnations, flowers for her flower garden, groceries and cat food.  I told her "Happy Mother's Day" and she cried.  She was so thankful to have chicken and mashed potatoes for lunch instead of a hotdog.  I'm so glad we can help her out right now. 

In the evening we took a motorcycle ride with another couple and had a very nice time.   Today, it's back to cold again.  Our May weather is too cold for May weather. Brr. 

Oh, and by the way, this virus is real.  Remember the older parents of a friend who recently passed away?  Well, that friend (their daughter) is sick and tested positive, but she was sick a while back and never tested.  It apparently lasts up to a month in your body when you do get sick. So if you do get sick and not tested, stay away from people for a month.  This colder weather in our parts isn't helping kill off this virus either (or what I can the Chinese Flu).

How to dehydrate Garlic and make Minced Garlic

Peel several cloves of garlic.  You will need a garlic mincer to do this.

Line the dehydrator trays with parchment paper.

Using the garlic mincer, mince the garlic onto the parchment paper.  I use the tip of a knife to spread the garlic out.

Using the directions in your dehydrator guide book, dehydrate the minced garlic until crisp.  Once done, simply scrap the dried garlic off and store in an airtight glass jar.

The color will change as it dries.

Note:  I use this in my canned cowboy candy and any recipe that calls for minced (dry) garlic.