Lavender Syrup

 Have you ever made homemade lavender syrup?  Have you purchased this syrup and used it?  

I was curious, as I thought it would be good in an evening cup of tea.  I was also intrigued with it as a lemonade, but  wasn't so sure about the floral flavor bit.

Note:  I now put a canning label on things I make, and write the expiration date on it vs. the date I made it.  It makes it so much easier to check at a glance than looking over the calender.

I chose to use honey, but the recipe states you can use other options if you prefer.  The recipe and instructions are found online with Detoxinista.

I also did a bit more research, and you can even make the syrup sugar-free, by using monk fruit in place of the honey/sugar/maple syrup.

I also found more recipes with different amounts of honey or suggestions for adding things like vanilla extract.  I will be trying more recipes to find the one we like the best.

If you have tried Traditonal Medicinals tea - Nighty Night, the syrup smells almost exactly like this eveing hot tea (the lavender scent).  I made the syrup specifically to add to this tea for additional benefits.

The results were pretty good.  I also made myself a lemonade (just water and and real lemons squeezed), and used the syrup for the sweetener.  I was skeptical, because I have tasted lavender candy a few years back, and it tasted like soap.

The lavender lemonade was pretty darn good.  Homemade is is the way to go, if you are wanting to try this conconction.

Lavender Syrup  © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Teabag Tidbits

We made it to 8°F with an early wind chill of -6°F this morning.  The snow is falling as well.  Hot water is flowing again, but somewhere my husband heard we will hit a -15°F tonight, and through Wednesday afternoon.  They have issued a wind chill warning.

My husband was the next one to take a fall.  He beat me to the chicken coop, and as I was reaching for the door, I see him down on the ground, chicken feed scoop flown, and watering unit busted in pieces.  

I brought up the fact it was high time to get those spikes on our muck boots, and we never did go looking for them.  It's first on the to-do list today.

We've put in place all of the "just in case" happens.  We are always pretty much prepared, but we did refill propane grill tanks (in case we needed extra heat, but our propane heat stays on if the power goes out), and we picked up a small propane tank for the small grill (as an alternate source to cook).  

 Let's talk "tea" today.  I have blackberry leaf tea, but do any of you tea drinkers have a favorite "brain boost" tea or tea mixture?

I also like this tea for evenings, to help with a good night's sleep, but do any of you like a different tea for that?  

Do you find better health results by buying medicinal teas bulk and using a tea infuser/teaball or homemade teabags?  

My holy basil finally showed up, so I mixed the tea for seasonal stress (Backyard Patch Blog) I shared and made my own brew bags.

Also, I accidently bought brew bags for a full tea pot to brew.  Oops.  I may be using those for summer iced teas.

Teabag Tidbits © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Last Friday night's moon.

Saturday morning fog.

Sunday morning fog.

My husband and I tag-teamed and washed all the dishes that were laying around.   Then we sipped coffee on the front porch, but the bugs are terrible with the heat here again.

I had two of our apples go bad, as I have not felt up to taking care of them.  I am hoping that happens soon, before more go bad.

My husband also did a patchwork job on the chicken coop flooring, in hopes it holds until the new coop is finished. 

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

The weather . . .

We are to get our first possible fall frost this coming weekend.  If we do, it will be the end of the bell peppers and any hot peppers.  We are in the 80's for now, and the rest of the week, but again cooling down after that.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's foggy again, and the sun is up.  We both slept in, and my husband called in sick.  There will be a doctor appt. today.

Right now I am . . .

Making a pot of coffee.

Thinking and Pondering . . .

I haven't baked an apple pie in so many years.  I do not have a recipe in my binder or recipe box either.  Does anyone have a recipe for the innards of the pie?  Instructions on baking temp and time?  I have the crust.  I guess I will be doing some research online if not.  Golly, it's been so long since I have made one.  I may just bake a crisp instead.  I found a few recipes for pies in an old recipe book I have.  It will all depend on my energy level.

How I am feeling . . .

Tired, still congested a bit, still have some body aches, and once again a day with no work out.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Not sure yet.

On the lunch plate . . .

Have no idea yet.  Possible a turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo roll up sandwich with thin low carb wraps.

On the dinner plate . . .

Have  no idea yet.  It could be leftover chili, so I don't have to freeze it.

What I am wearing . . .

Right now?  Jammies, robe and slippers.  I'm in no hurry.

On the reading pile . . .

Yarn labels is about all right now.  Just wasn't feeling up to reading yet.

I have made another discovery concerning my cotton yarn stash.  It will be a post of it's own, so if you are interested, you can read it or if not, skip over it.  

On my TV this week. . .

Any movies that look interesting.

On the menu . . .

-breakfasts:  Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes, Blueberry (local) Sausages or other sausage, Eggs with spinach or an egg bake
-Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash (still on the menu)

-grilled steaks, oven roasted sweet potatoes with whipped feta dip (this may roll into another week, depending on how we feel)
-will try and work on this later today (or this week)

Looking around the house . . .

It's not tidy again yet.  It will take time.  The AC units will be removed this coming weekend or early next week, and put into storage.  We really need fresh air in this house anyway.

The hallway pile up of tools is still awaiting the complete garage clean out as well.  I also have the binder deep clean job to finish, that was started way back when I started the utility room.  Some jobs just need to be finished and done with before winter.

To do list . . .

-work on stocking up herbs/medicinal herbs/weeds etc
-laundry, wash bedding

-work on a meal plan

-write up grocery/essential shopping needs
-clean camper (still on the weekly list)

From the camera . . .

Devotional, thoughts, prayers . . .

Well, I would say prayers for my husband and I, in regards to getting our health back.  We get to doing something, and start feeling exhausted 30 minutes later.  We are taking breaks, but would really like to feel ourselves again.  We are even taking immune boosters, along with medicinal teas, and whatnot.  I will be making a new medicinal soon, in light of getting sick.

 

Recovering . . .slow going . . .

 One thing I realized being sick is, that I am on my own.  Too sick to get the mail?  Don't.  Too sick to do the housework or cook anything? Don't.  It was a rough weekend, as I rested to get over whatever I had.  It was bad enough, that I did not leave my pajamas for a few days.  The first morning I slept the entire day.  The only thing I did was let the chickens out, and that was also in my pajamas.  

I cannot stress on how I cannot wait for the new coop.  It will make my life so much easier in the way of layers.

My husband had brought home a pizza for himself, and chicken noodle soup for me.  The aftermath is yet to be cleaned up around here.

There is one thing I know now.  Do not try to knit when you do not feel good.  At least for me anyway.  I was halfway done with a dishcloth, and messed up, and just frogged it all.  I put it way until I feel better.

My husband was not back to himself either.  I felt so bad we had no breakfast made, no dinners, no lunches, no laundry done, no dishes done from starting to get sick.  When he goes to work, he needs a packed breakfast, lunch and coffee.  At least the coffee can be pre-set the night before.

Homemade Ginger-Ale Simmering (before adding lemon and lime from real lemons and limes)

On a good note, we had medicine, medicinal teas, essential oils, lemons, limes, etc. all on hand.   Thank goodness we were stocked up on tissues.  On a bad note, we live too far away from anyone we know, so we have no one to bring us a meal, or anything we may need.  Sort of stinks in that way, in where people tell you "I wish you didn't live so far away" and such.

We did have one daughter text us and ask if we needed any medications or anything else.  

I realized when I out for the count, and my husband is still not feeling well, we do suffer.  We do are best, but there isn't anyone to cook healthy for us.  

I will have to step up on this, and put some things in our freezer.  Any suggestions for healthy breakfast to freeze (I know oatmeal is a good quick breakfast) when one is sick, or even other meals.  I have never frozen chicken noodle soup, so I am wondering if the noodles go to mush after thawing?

When you are ill, what do you eat for your breakfast if you can?  Just hot tea and toast?

I could see a need for some homemade bread to go in the freezer.  Toast is sometimes needed during times of sickness.  Maybe just some broth in the freezer?

While my husband is still on the mend, he is feeling better.  I hope to be feeling that good in 2-3 days.  He said his lasted about 5 and then he still had to take it slow.

I forgot to ask.  What is your favorite wellness tea with either an herb or medicinal weed or store bought tea?

Sick

 Everyone at my husband's work is sick.  My husband doesn't have a fever, so he goes to work not feeling well.  That is the problem with sickness.  Now it has spread to me despite keeping things clean, and hand washing around here.

I didn't even have the energy to let the chickens out.  Literally.  I slept in late.  I did not work out of course.  

I sipped a hot cup of yarrow tea.  Funny how I had just put some in the dehydrator too.  

I'll be back when I'm feeling better.  I hope to have the energy to make some homemade ginger-ale today.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 I finally got a chance to join this again.  The tomatoes were exhausting this year, but we are thankful to have them.

The tomato plants have all been yanked, and are done for the season.  That was a big job.  The yellow squash and the zucchini plants have been yanked.

(that's just the zucchini plants)

The plants were huge this year.  I had not had time to pull the plants earlier, and it appears that the bees cross pollinated the zucchini with the yellow squash plants.  I am still getting some nice yellow squash, but some plants are like in the photo above.  Either way, they are out now.  I'm trying to leave the acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and pie pumpkins in as long as I can. 

We got more work done on "Chicken Castle" or otherwise known as the Hilton Hen House.  We still need to frame in the door (woohoo for a regular walk-in door for me), build the door,  frame in the windows (yay for ventilation on hot summer days), then side it and roof it.  After that we will build the run.  We are far from done, but making progress again.  We reached out help, but they never called us back.

The weekend was cold!  Our nights were in the lower 40's here.  It was a perfect time to dehydrate Goldenrod.  It's been preserved and stored for winter.  Dehydrating may happen a few days this week.  It all depends on the weather.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  It's been a while since I've done this, but like I said, I canned two weeks straight when the paste tomatoes were harvested.

I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Woke up to a chilly 54°F, with high's in the 70's, but will heat up to the 80's mid-week.  

As I look outside my window. . .

It's pitch dark out right now, but I see some schools are delayed due to fog.

Right now I am . . .

Posting this, so I can go do my exercise for the morning.  

Thinking and pondering . . .

We are working on a plan for the garden next year.  We need to get at least one raised bed built for fall garlic (new plan and hope is works).

I have a small ornamental apple tree in the front of the property.  I am thinking I will dig it and move it, so in the spring I can add a plum tree to the homestead in the same location the apple tree was. 

Listening to . . .

Work out music first, then Country music

How I am feeling . . .

Pretty good now that things are slowing down in the canning department here.  I am getting used to my exercise routine, and my husband's health is doing better than ever right now.  We will have actual numbers in about 3 months, so I am hoping for a really good doctor check up for him.

On the breakfast plate . . .

-Einkorn pancakes with blueberries, sausage patties

-next will be crockpot steel cut oats with our apples

On the lunch plate . . .

-chicken salad on a Swedish bread cracker, apple with peanut butter dip (Greek plain yogurt mixed with sugar free all peanut, peanut butter)

On the dinner plate . . .

-Sheet pan chicken sausage dinner with carrots and rutabaga

What I am wearing . . .

Still in jammies, sipping coffee at the moment

On the reading pile . . .

Mostly recipe books.

On the TV . . .

Movies on YouTube lately

On the menu . . .

-Southwest Chicken Quinoa bowls
-Try a new slaw recipe for a side this week
-Try a new broccoli/fruit salad this week or next
-grill burgers, topped, no bun, with one of the above sides

Looking around the house . . .

-I need to fold down a large table I brought inside for tomato season.
-I have yarn on a shelf that needs put back in storage
-I have a bunch of scrap yarn in my bedroom that needs put back in storage
-one kitchen counter is covered with stuff that piled up during busy canning season.  Something always suffers, right?

To-do list . . .

-dishes
-laundry
-sweep and mop all floors
-make a breakfast for the next few days

-mail a check to secure a craft show this coming Christmas Holiday (updates on that later)

For the week:

-can applesauce with our own apples

-can hot pepper jelly if I have enough hot peppers

-boil eggs for snacking, salads, and egg salad

-clean camper, wash down cupboards, clean out things, sweep and mop etc.

-start working on the floor in the upstairs spare bedroom (I want this done before the weather turns too cold), if I can actually remember to put "funnel" on my shopping list and buy one.

-make and freeze meatballs (I use oats in place of bread crumbs)

-clean bathrooms top to bottom - Monday, toilets scrubbed, Tuesday, sinks and mirrors, Wed, dust, sweep and mop floors, wash rugs

-check emails (there I wrote it down, so it better happen ha ha!)

Devotional, verse, thoughts, prayers . . .

In regards to the prayer requests for our friend's daughter (brain bleed), she is off the ventilator, and making some movement, but not talking.  Thank you all!  I will try and get updates here as I get them.

Hot Peppers, Garden Updates, and other Tidbits ~ Released from Kitchen Captivity

 

I've gotten most of the jalapenos sliced and frozen for the winter/spring season.  I used a few to make another batch of fresh salsa as well.  There are a few more hot peppers to pick yet.

I canned one batch of hot pepper relish, using up the hot banana peppers, two bell peppers and some jalapenos.  I am not getting enough hot banana peppers to make it twice.  I'm okay with that.

We are still enjoying our slicer tomatoes for meals like tacos, breakfast side dish, topped on burgers, or in other meals.  

I will do a re-check on our hot pepper jelly, but I honestly don't feel I will get enough hot peppers over all to can any this season.  The evenings are dipping to the 40's here, so unless we heat up again, the plants won't last much longer. 

We never did get any fall planting done.  Life can throw a wrench in your plans once in a while.

We hope to get back to the chicken coop this week, during evenings.  It's on the top of the list right now.  The floor in the old coop is about to give way.  I had to crawl inside to fetch an egg, that one of the littles laid on the floor of the coop.  The floor is not in good shape right now.

My husband has been battling ear pain, but twice at the doctor, they said they see nothing wrong with him.  The ear pain is slowing down projects, so I am praying it gets better, or he'll have to go get x-rays or something.  He has ear drops, but he cannot sleep well, and days at work are rough with ear pain.

It's a freeing, and exhilarating moment, when you wash, dry and put away the "big pots."  It's even more freeing, when you can put the canner pot back in storage (even if it's for a weeks or months).  I have felt like I have been released from kitchen captivity!!   

This and That

My experimental Einkorn flour biscuits did not go to waste.  We enjoyed (or I should say my husband) them with some freshly canned, reduced sugar strawberry jam.  Very good!  I will keep working on this recipe, and make them larger for breakfast sandwiches (although we do prefer a homemade muffin).  Einkorn didn't work out for English muffins. They would deflate so easily when I would move them from the tray to skillet.

During my internet searching, I've been looking at buying a new apron.  I do have a sewing machine, but the drive to sew one on my own is just not there.

(source:  Amazon)

I really like this style of the criss-cross back vs. ties.  Also, called Tessuti style.  I do like the two pockets too.  I see that some Etsy sellers have some online as well.  Just not sure on fabric/color.  Do any of you use aprons of this style?  Do you like them better than the ones that tie?  Does anyone here make and sell them?

I have totally ruined one apron, so it's dubbed solely for tomato patch work.  I have ruined so many shirts, with the green tomato stain, that you get while working around a tomato plant.  It's pathetic.  We have reduced the tomato plants, but the apron will come in handy for that work, and save my shirts from stains.

I did some more internet surfing, watched some Youtube tutorials, hand wrote a pattern, and started a smaller project for my on-the-go project.  I used to keep supplies for hot pads for this project bag, but I have too many of those in storage.  Anyway, I'll be back to show you that soon.  Oh, and it uses yarn I already have too.  Big bonus for me, ha ha!

I had to hand write the pattern, due to our  Microsoft Word on the computer expiring.  Apparently, the license is no good, and we installed it way back in the day when the kids were in high school.  I guess that is on the shopping list, as I use it very often.  Darn it all.  I use it to print labels, tags for crochet/knit packaging, print recipes, write letters, store patterns on the computer, write lists, and whatnot.  I'm cringing at how much it will cost us.  I mean, everything is so high priced right now.

The sun is shining today.  Thankfully, the rain is rotating with some sun as well, but we are definitely having a cooler June.  Actually, I am thankful for that.  We do not have AC in all of the house yet.  

I'll be honest, I am feeling a bit better, but not completely back to normal.   I'm going to take the rest of the week off of blogging.  I know, shocker, right?   I'm lacking interesting/homesteading content right now anyway.  If the weather is good outside today, I may soak in some porch time, but then again pollen is high right now.

New Project ~ Peppermint Tea

 

My newest project - baby pacifier leash.  I have a grand-niece about to give birth, and will hopefully get a few more made in different colors.  Sadly, I do not have a finished baby blanket/booties to gift her right now.

I am working on the un-finished baby blanket that I found in my closet.  It's hit or miss, depending on how I feel.  We sipped hot peppermint leaf tea yesterday, and it opened up our nasal passages better than nasal spray.

On a good note, the nursing home has not called again with any more cases, but more friends of ours have it now.

If anything gets done today, it'll be hitting the "sanitize" button on the washing machine and the "self-clean" button on the oven.  It's a good (wind chill 4°F) cold day to do it.

My ankle feels normal again. Finally.  Not sure if the immune boost pills we are taking helped heal it up, but it is nice to have my regular walk/movement back.

Daughter K goes back to work today.  I know she is still feeling blah, so I hope her day goes well.