Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I purchased a travel tumbler with tea infuser.  I randomly chose one based on reviews.  It can become frustrating, when you cannot find one person who drinks herbal teas/medicinal herbal teas.  If we like it, I'll post an update on it. By the way, there are several options to buy one, with several sizes too. Something new I learned from a book: -I can brew my herbal tea, cool it, and freeze it in freezer safe vessels.  Pack them for a picnic or travel and it will keep food cold, then thaw for enjoying.  Another perfect idea to travel with your brewed herbal iced tea. -I once watched an "expert" on a video (maybe youtube, not sure) say brewed teas were only good for 48 hours.  I'm reading in a book that brewed teas, cooled for iced tea, are good for up to 4 days.  Anyone know the actual truth to either of these findings? I've been busy dehydrating dandelion flowers.  I, apparently, need to dehydrate more.  They shrink up to about nothin...

Plantain tea (1 teaspoon dried plantain weed, 1 cup of boiling water - steep) is good for an upset stomach. Comfort food - Pumpkin-Sage Macaroni and beets.

The current tea of my choice - freshly grated ginger and freshly squeezed lemon.  Hot tea on a hot day sounds odd, b ut it was good.  Today, I 'm delegat ing ice d tea making to a daughter. My ladies got a recent trea t - mu shy banana and over-rip e apples. They l ove the bananas!  Today, I'm most likely crushing ice f or them.  The heat will be high today.

This young guy has been seen off and on since last winter.  We thought he was housing up in what's left of our largest barn, but wasn't sure.   Well, my Vet Tech-in-training, has been able to get the cat to come to her, let her hold him (a bit reluctant), and will come to the house to eat the cat food.

The daffodils and hyacinths are up and about to bloom.  No signs of tulips, except at my little garden alongside a log.  I hope to start bringing in fresh flowers soon. Once again the weather p eople wer e wrong.  The high 7 0's th at were forec asted for early this week?  Not happening.  If we ar e lucky , we'll get up to maybe 60°F today , then drop to the 40's and 50' s for a few weeks (or so they say).

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.

I have only tried my home canned pepper mustard sauce on chicken so far.  I know meatballs would be wonderful, but this time I tried it on organic pork tenderloin (in the crock pot). Delicious.  Another winning way to eat from our summer stock up.  We topped it over organic brown rice, and had a side of roasted brussel sprouts.   We are having another cold day. 

Yesterday I woke up to this.... A sign fall is here to stay and winter is on the way.  Wood splitting must get into full swing here on the homestead.