Motivation Returns ~ From Pile to File Recipe (Sweet Potato Egg Cups)

We have a lot going on now.  Woot!  I heard it from my husband's mouth!  His goal is to finish the hallway completely this weekend.  What's on the list?  Well, for starters, I have boxes in the hall (again) that need delivered.  After that we finish the hallway flooring and trim.  I'm excited to see him motivated, but the weather may have something to do with that too, ha ha!  Although it's a bit chilly this morning.

The purge continues, but at a slower pace unfortunately.  I have done it again - printed new recipes to try.  I want to switch up our breakfast meals, try a few for larger group meals, and some for potlucks/summer cook outs.  I'm having a family get together one way or another (for whoever wants to come).  I miss family.

You may see lack of posts from now until later in March.  There are two possibilities for the bathroom remodel.  Not sure which way we'll go.  

New Recipe!  Baked Sweet Potato Cups (Skinny Taste online).  The next time I will add garlic powder.  So good!  It's a keeper!  The only difference with the instructions, is that I had to bake the eggs longer (18 minutes for mostly cooked yolks), and I rotated the pan.  The one egg that was under the oven light was baking faster.  Will definitely keep this on the breakfast menu.  Oh, I also used parchment paper cups vs. non-stick spray, and it worked great.  The sweet potatoes do not look orange because they were organic hannah sweet potatoes (have a white color to them).

Finally got around to making kamut flake bars.  I added dried cherries, pecans and hemp seeds.

Had to drain a jar of homemade vanilla to make the bars though.

I have more recipes to try, but need a few ingredients.

I've started two trays of seeds, but need two more trays and soil.  The sun is shining most days and it's been so enjoyable.

Homemade Organic Vanilla (Madagascar) Wafers

I recently became frustrated with locating organic/non-gmo vanilla wafers.  I read the ingredients on the "organic" labeled box and it has "soy lectin" in it and other non-organic ingredients.  Another box I read had "palm oil" (not an organic, non-gmo ingredient) in it. What is labeled "organic" or just "non-gmo" may not be all what it's supposed to be.  Be sure to read your labels. 

In frustration with locating these wafers, I finally decided to mix up a cookie batter that suited us.  Here is the recipe.

Use an electric beater to blend butter, shortening (or lard) with sugar.

Blend in the egg and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients to wet and blend well, then cut dough in half.  Roll out two long logs about 1 inch in diameter (in parchment paper).  Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

Slice and bake 10-12 minutes.  Time depends on how thick you cut the dough.  Remove from oven when edges start browning.   Cool on wire racks.

Homemade Vanilla (Madagascar) Wafers
1 1/3 all purpose organic all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder*
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup organic butter
1/4 cup lard* or organic shortening
1 farm fresh egg, organic fed
1 Tbsp. homemade madagascar vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350°F.  Instructions are above recipe.

*lard from an organic farmer, not the processed lard you find sold in grocery stores.


Here's more help for an organic baking powder substitute as well.  You may need to buy online to get these organic/non-gmo (or try a health food store).  Our grocery stores do not sell this, but I am able to find a few items about 3 hours from our homestead.  

Homemade Baking Powder
2 Tbsp. non-gmo baking soda
4 Tbsp. cream of tartar, non-gmo 
2 Tbsp. arrowroot powder, non-gmo

Mix and store in airtight container.
Tip: 1 part soda, 1 part arrowroot powder, 2 parts cream of tartar (to mix any amount).

Pear-Walnut Bread (using applesauce) ~ Whiskey-Bacon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

For the first time in a long, long, long time, I woke up to a day where I had nothing on the list that could be done (for one reason or another).  Rain arrived, and there was heavy cloud cover, making me feel even lazier than ever.  Oh, I could have attacked some deep cleaning with gusto, but I didn't.  I got a few recipes written on cards, but boy I felt lazy dazy.  Maybe I deserved a day off and it just arrived?

Well, I eventually found something I could do.   I mean they are taking up half of a kitchen table right now.

About the bread. . . .

Vanilla ~ Muffins ~ Pampering Myself

Homemade vanilla extract was refilled.  I go through it very quickly at this homestead.  However, as gardening season sets in, I won't have all this time to bake with (probably a good thing).

Enjoying another batch of homemade English muffins.  These don't have a lot of "nooks" and "crannies" but they are delicious.  The trick is to only knead the dough a few minutes to keep it soft.


And just so you know I am taking time for myself, and pampering myself.  I took that last glass of bubbly (from the pea dish night) and took it to the bathroom.... 

....and had a nice relaxing soak in the tub with essential oils.  I had some candles burning and rejuvenated my body and soul. Momentarily.

Today's it's back to that tile floor.  

Or not.

Rain! ~ Random Tidbits

We finally got another rain shower last night.  I haven't checked the weather forecast yet today, but it's wet out.  I'm running behind today.  I'm just plumb worn out, and needed the rest.  Don't we all?

The humidity yesterday morning was thick.  My camera continued to fog up.  Here is Timmy resting in the heat.  See that pot?  It was one that was ravaged by a raccoon (or two or three), and there are green starts in it.  In fact, all but one (horehound) are showing signs of life, despite them getting turned over so many times.

No Bake Energy Bites

On a whim, yes I did it again, I tried a new recipe shared by my mother.  A recipe that was not in my "pile."

Sigh. Recipes will just be getting the best of me here lately.

These were so easy to make, and I had all the organic ingredients on hand too.

PB and J and a Porch

I wasn't kidding when I said the porch was calling.  It just wasn't the front porch this time.  I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and had lunch on the back porch - best 15 minutes of my day!  I had one small patch of patio that was not snow covered.  Even so, I would have put that chair and table right on the snow, if I had to.  It was 40°F and the sun felt so good.  It was peacefully quiet, and the birds were singing.

Warning:  It's a grab-a-cup-of-coffee kind of post. 

In the Kitchen ~ A Year of Ernest Hemingway

Chore time was so peaceful and quiet yesterday.  If fact, it was beautiful outside.  I had to go inside and get my camera out and take a few photos.

Muti-tasking Day and Gratitude

I didn't think it was possible, but I decluttered while walking my daily miles on the treadmill.  There is a nearby bookshelf (we have to move things around when we start burning wood for heat) and I simply pulled books off that I no longer need.

I offered these to Youngest who loves to write like her Mom, and a few went into the "thrift" box I am slowly filling up.

Fall Ends ~ Blueberry Millet Muffins

Yesterday morning there was a layer of fog over the fields.  Kind of pretty and perfect for a Halloween-ie type photo.

 

Walking to the mailbox I discovered

Winter Prep List ~ Dishwasher Detergent

Yesterday I gave my master bathroom a good cleaning, but the tub was left to scrub today.  I made sure I had porch time.  I also got the bills paid and propane ordered, so a big cup of coffee was needed this morning.  

My coffee cup today is actually pink with white polka dots.  The early light in the kitchen makes it look different.  

We are making progress on the "Winter Prep" list, but

Tomatos and More Tomatoes

Yesterday's to-list was all completed.  Every day now is different.  Warning:  this is a get-your-cup-of-coffee (or tea) and sit a while post.  It may be my longest yet.  I brought more tomatoes in yesterday too.

Waking up before the sunrise, the barn cat's food and water is checked on my to the kitchen, and then the house cats.  If I don't they will be under my feet when I try to make my morning coffee.  I let a few dogs to let out too.

Coffee made.  A must for my early rise......

Homemade Frozen Yogurt

I have one kiddo who loves frozen yogurt.  However the stuff you buy in the store is processed with unhealthy ingredients (high fructose corn syrup etc).  I decided to buy some yogurt, and toss in some honey and my homemade vanilla. 

The kids churned it in our ice cream maker.  As a kid, my siblings and I, always churned ice cream (on special occasions) with a hand crank ice cream maker.  I love my ice cream maker too.  We made goat's milk ice cream in it last year. 

The results?

Pear Walnut Bread

I adapted this recipe from a few other bread recipes.  It's family approved.  I used my homemade vanilla, locally grown walnuts, and our very own pears and eggs.  Yum.  Last year I canned organic applesauce as well.  I haven't yet this year however.  I sprayed my pans with organic canola oil spray.  I think the 3 pears I cut up, amounted to about 2 1/2 cups.

From the Homesteading Journal . . . chimney sweep update

. . . . Peanut went into heat, and is now bred for a March due date.  She's so funny when in heat too. I heard her crying and crying and asked my daughter what was wrong with her.  Dumb question.  My daughter said that Peanut will flirt with Orion and even lay her head on the top of the fence to woo him.  So funny.  Misty will be next. (don't forget to click on "read more" to read more)

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . made homemade chewy granola bars. These, although buttery, were absolutely amazing.  The flavor is incredible.  This was the first time we used almond flour and ground mace.  I found the almond flour less expensive at the health store, vs. at the grocery store.  If I find more recipes to use the flour in, I will make my own almond flour, using my dehydrator.  The store brand we were buying contained High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Chewy Granola Bars
(from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day)

1 1/3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup almond flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used organic)
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1 cup salted cashew pieces, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried prunes, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried blueberries
12 tablespoons, unsalted butter, melted (I used organic)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup (Grade B) Maple syrup (I used Grade A)
2 Tbsp. water

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.  Line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on the two opposite sides.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, almond flour, spices, cashews, and dried fruit.  Mix well.

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla, maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of water.  Add to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Press the granola mixture evenly into the prepared pan.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning the pan around after 15 minutes for even baking, until the edges and top turn golden.  Lift the sides of the parchment and transfer the slab of granola to a wire rack to cool.

When it is completely cooled, remove the slab of granola from the parchment to a cutting board and cut into 24 squares with a heavy knife.  Wrap the individual squares in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Note:  I did bake mine a bit past 30 minutes.  It could just be my old oven, but letting you know.

                

. . . made 5 1/2 pints of homemade vanilla extract.