Pioneer Woman at Heart

Last night's dinner - chickpea stuffed shells, corn off the cob mixed with sauteed onion, butter and zucchini, and a pot of baked beans with sliced cooked brats in it. The beans/brat pot was Son's only request at dinner.   We had a fun dinner too, as Oldest Daughter called and said she had "three hungry teenagers" and stopped in with them.  Of course they are her age, but it was fun to have them here for dinner.  Then just as they arrived, Hubby pulled in with Youngest Daughter's friend.  It was a full house, but lots of laughs, and plenty to go around. I don't see that I have ever shared this recipe...

It's a bit blurry, but I have a new project on the crochet hook now.  I'll share photos when it's completed. 

With all the kiddos home yesterday, and the outside temperatures chilly, I used up four apples that where getting too soft to enjoy.  

Normally, I'd start my morning around six o'clock, by putting wood in the wood stove, feeding barn cats, letting dogs out, and feeding house cats (all before a cup of coffee). This morning? My alarm went off at 2:35am, I slipped on shoes, brewed a pot of coffee and was out the door by 3:00am with Hubby, Son, and Youngest (one daughter didn't make it back out of bed, ha ha!).

Yesterday we cried a lot.  Don't worry, they were all happy tears.  Guess who is home?

With a growling stomach yesterday morning, I randomly wrote out my "to-do" list.  It never has a particular order, and anything not completed simply rolls over into the next day.  Interruptions can do that.   It was still too wet outside, and everything was still dripping in the bright sun, so I concentrated on the indoor work.   The weather however, was excellent for laundry on the line.

I really attempted to do a good house cleaning yesterday, but you know how you can get side tracked?  Well, I did.  I happened to end up in my room, where I had just picked up the box my tatting tools are in, and decided to give this tool a try.  It's a bullion hook.  It's used often for what is called cro-tat or crochet tatting. 

We earned two free nights at the campground.  Not knowing how the weather will be in October, we decided to go.  We still came home during the daytime (some of it anyway) to get work completed. We enjoyed the campfire again, on quiet cool evenings.

I have really enjoyed the tiny bit if porch time I've been able to get this week.  I'm soaking up the cool weather, because I am sure it will turn hot and humid (again).  Then again, it's very nice this morning.  Before I share my canning results yesterday, I want to share a bit of other good news.  I finally heard from Daughter in GA.  She phased up faster than anyone in her platoon, and was promoted to PG (in charge of a platoon of soldiers).   She can now have visitors, leave post, and even wear civilian clothing.  We are very proud.  She is the only female PG. A quick update on Son.  We received an invitation from Geiger, NC.  There will be another graduation for him after he finishes MCT (Marine Combat Training).  However, this time we are unable to attend.  I wrote him to tell him, but have not received a call from him (yet).  He may not even have time to see us if we do attend, and may be put on a plane ...

Hubby and I drove back to South Carolina, but this time, the drive was about 150 miles less.  We were blessed to see our oldest daughter graduate from the US Army National Guard.  There were three companies graduating that day, and this was her company.

It's hard to believe 10 days can pass so quickly.  We had good food, good times, and many (many) movie nights.  

I had to share this postcard.  It was the only one we bought on our recent road trip.  I took a picture of it in the car, on the road trip.  It made Hubby and I laugh pretty good.  However, in reality, we could live in that house and be perfectly happy.  It really made us sigh, as in a happy sigh.  

I froze more zucchini and squash for winter soups, sauces and casseroles.  Yesterday was a race against the clock.  Trying to put up the garden, and clean house both were a challenge.   See that straw?  That is my food saver bag method.  It's a bit hillbilly, but it works for now.  I simply seal the bag all the way to one corner, slip the end of the straw in, suck out the air, quickly seal as I pull the straw out.  Boom-ba-da-bing - sealed and most of the air removed.  

We brought son home.....for 10 days anyway.  We drove through seven states round trip, driving through three mountains, and covered about 1600 miles.   We brought home not just a son, but a new Marine.  We are very proud.  And yes, I did cry. 

I'm learning a lot this summer.  Did you know that my homestead is growing oodles of noodles? "Honey?  Did you know that dandelion stems can be cooked as "noodles" in a recipe?" I asked with excitement. "Honey, I love you," replied Hubby grinning from ear to ear, and shaking his head side to side.   I know what he was really thinking - that woman is crazy! I had no idea you could eat the stems.

Hubby and I are so sleep deprived, and stressed out, we can't imagine what our daughter is feeling right now.  Although this post has nothing to do with self-sufficiency, it does have to do with Parenthood.